Immobilization of Membrane-Associated Protein Complexes on SERS-Active Nanomaterials for Structural and Dynamic Characterization.

Exploring the structural basis of membrane proteins is significant for a deeper understanding of protein functions. In situ analysis of membrane proteins and their dynamics, however, still challenges conventional techniques. Here we report the first attempt to immobilize membrane protein complexes on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active supports, titanium dioxide-coated silver (Ag@TiO) nanoparticles.

In situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for membrane protein analysis and sensing.

Membrane proteins are involved in a variety of dynamic cellular processes and exploration of the structural basis of membrane proteins is of significance for a better understanding of their functions. In situ analysis of membrane proteins and their dynamics is, however, challenging for conventional techniques. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is powerful in protein structural characterization, allowing for sensitive, in-situ and real-time identification and dynamic monitoring under physiological conditions.

Efficacy and safety of different oral prednisone tapering courses in adult anti-NMDAR encephalitis: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

Objective: In adult anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, corticosteroids are commonly used as first-line treatment. However, the optimal oral prednisone tapering (OPT) following intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy remains unclear. We aim to compare the efficacy and safety of different OPT courses in anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum crosstalk in apoptosis: The interactions of cytochrome c with monooxygenase and its reductase.

The crosstalk between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria is of significance in apoptosis, in which cytochrome b (Cyt b) is thought to be a major target for cytochrome c (Cyt c) upon its release from the mitochondria. In the absence of Cyt b, the role of interactions of Cyt c with CYP-dependent monooxygenase system in apoptotic regulation was explored in this study. NADPH-dependent and Cyt c-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NADPH-independent Cyt c unfolding were revealed.

TMK4-mediated FIP37 phosphorylation regulates auxin-triggered N-methyladenosine modification of auxin biosynthetic genes in Arabidopsis.

The dynamics of N-methyladenosine (mA) mRNA modification are tightly controlled by the mA methyltransferase complex and demethylases. Here, we find that auxin treatment alters mA modification on auxin-responsive genes. Mechanically, TRANSMEMBRANE KINASE 4 (TMK4), a component of the auxin signaling pathway, interacts with and phosphorylates FKBP12-INTERACTING PROTEIN 37 (FIP37), a core component of the mA methyltransferase complex, in an auxin-dependent manner.

Differentiation between viral and autoimmune limbic encephalitis: a prospective cohort study with development and validation of a diagnostic model.

Background: Distinguishing between viral encephalitis (VE) and autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE) presents a clinical challenge due to the overlap in symptoms. We aimed to develop and validate a diagnostic prediction model to differentiate VE and ALE.

Methods: A prospective observational multicentre cohort study, which continuously enrolled patients diagnosed with either ALE or VE from October 2011 to April 2023.

Case report: Identification of Hepatitis B Virus in the cerebrospinal fluid of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and successful treatment with ofatumumab and inebilizumab.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare demyelinating disease of the central nervous system primarily affecting the optic nerves, spinal cord, and brainstem. Viral infection may trigger NMOSD. Here, we report the case of a 34-year-old female presenting with a range of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, choking, and fatigue with unsteady gait, diplopia, hearing loss, left-sided facial paralysis, breathing difficulties, and hoarseness of voice.

Mitochondria-Specific Molecular Crosstalk between Ferroptosis and Apoptosis Revealed by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy.

Ferroptosis and apoptosis are two types of regulated cell death that are closely associated with the pathophysiological processes of many diseases. The significance of ferroptosis-apoptosis crosstalk in cell fate determination has been reported, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Herein mitochondria-mediated molecular crosstalk is explored.

In Situ Raman Spectroscopy Reveals Cytochrome Redox-Controlled Modulation of Mitochondrial Membrane Permeabilization That Triggers Apoptosis.

The selective interaction of cytochrome (Cyt ) with cardiolipin (CL) is involved in mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, an essential step for the release of apoptosis activators. The structural basis and modulatory mechanism are, however, poorly understood. Here, we report that Cyt can induce CL peroxidation independent of reactive oxygen species, which is controlled by its redox states.

METTL4-mediated N-methyladenine DNA modification regulates thermotolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

DNA N-methyladenine (6 mA) is an evolutionarily conserved DNA modification in procaryotes and eukaryotes. The DNA 6 mA methylation is tightly controlled by 6 mA regulatory proteins. DNA N-adenine methyltransferase 1 (DAMT-1) has been identified as a DNA 6 mA methyltransferase in animals.

Flexible SERS Biosensor Based on Core-Shell Nanotags for Sensitive and Multiple Detection of T1DM Biomarkers.

Sensitive and multiple detection of the biomarkers of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is vital to the early diagnosis and clinical treatment of T1DM. Herein, we developed a SERS-based biosensor using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes as a flexible support for the detection of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) and insulin autoantibodies (IAA). Two kinds of silver-gold core-shell nanotags embedded with Raman probes and attached with GADA or IAA antibodies were synthesized to capture the targets, enabling highly sensitive and highly selective detection of GADA and IAA.

Comparison of effects of multiple adjuvants and immunization routes on the immunogenicity and protection of HSV-2 gD subunit vaccine.

Genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) poses a global health issue. HSV-2 infection increases the risk of acquiring HIV infection. Studies have demonstrated that HSV-2 subunit vaccines have potential benefits, but require adjuvants to induce a balanced Th1/Th2 response.

Granzyme B + CD8 + T cells with terminal differentiated effector signature determine multiple sclerosis progression.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) leads to demyelination and neurodegeneration with autoimmune responses in central nervous system. Patients begin with a relapsing-remitting (RR) course, and more than 80% of them may advance to secondary progressive MS (SPMS), which is characteristic for the gradual decline of neurological functions without demonstrated treating method to prevent. This study aims to investigate the contribution of peripheral CD8 + T cells during the conversion from RRMS to SPMS, as well as reveal potential diagnostic signature in distinguishing SPMS.

Transcriptome-wide profiling of RNA N-cytidine acetylation in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa.

Acetylation of N-cytidine (acC) has recently been discovered as a novel modification of mRNA. RNA acC modification has been shown to be a key regulator of RNA stability, RNA translation, and the thermal stress response. However, its existence in eukaryotic mRNAs is still controversial.

Investigation on marital status of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in China.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) may have a great impact on patients' marriage, and marital status may also affect patients' compliance and prognosis. We investigated the marital status of 494 NMOSD patients in China to explore the mutual influence between them.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by the online questionnaires or telephone follow-up.

An Adenovirus-Based Recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) Therapeutic Vaccine Is Highly Protective against Acute and Recurrent HSV-2 Disease in a Guinea Pig Model.

Genital herpes (GH) has become one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide, and it is spreading rapidly in developing countries. Approximately 90% of GH cases are caused by HSV-2. Therapeutic HSV-2 vaccines are intended for people already infected with HSV-2 with the goal of reducing clinical recurrences and recurrent virus shedding.

Myocardial Injury in Hospitalized Patients with Myasthenia Gravis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcome of myocardial injury in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods: We retrospectively searched medical records to screen hospitalized patients with MG at our hospital. The troponin T (TnT) levels were deemed necessary to be performed based on the patient’s clinical symptoms and were used as biomarkers of myocardial injury.

Non-immune system comorbidity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Comorbidities may influence the clinical features, prognosis, and treatment outcomes of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). The aim of this study was to determine the status of non-immune system comorbidities in patients with NMOSD and the effect on treatment response and prognosis. We retrospectively collected data from all patients who met the 2015 NMOSD diagnostic criteria from the NMOSD database established by our center.

Label-Free Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Proteins: Advances and Applications.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is powerful for structural characterization of biomolecules under physiological condition. Owing to its high sensitivity and selectivity, SERS is useful for probing intrinsic structural information of proteins and is attracting increasing attention in biophysics, bioanalytical chemistry, and biomedicine. This review starts with a brief introduction of SERS theories and SERS methodology of protein structural characterization.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Western China impacts employment and increases financial burden in women.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) often leads to disability and exerts a heavy toll on the work and life of affected female patients. This study aimed to analyze the current employment situation and economic burden as well as the risk factors for unemployment in female patients with NMSOD.

Methods: We compared the following unemployment- and employment-related aspects in with NSMOD, which were investigated using questionnaires: the specific impact of NMOSD on work, medical expenses, and factors affecting unemployment.

Brain structural and functional connectivity alterations are associated with fatigue in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Background: Many patients with neurological disorders experience chronic fatigue, but the neural mechanisms involved are unclear.

Objective: Here we investigated whether the brain structural and functional connectivity alterations were involved in fatigue related to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Methods: This prospective pilot study used structural and resting-state functional brain magnetic resonance imaging to compare total cortical thickness, cortical surface area, deep gray matter volume and functional connectivity (FC) between 33 patients with NMOSD and 20 healthy controls (HCs).

Immunogenicity of Varicella Zoster Virus DNA Vaccines Encoding Glycoprotein E and Immediate Early Protein 63 in Mice.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) from the sensory ganglia due to aging or immunosuppression. Glycoprotein E (gE) is a widely used vaccine antigen for specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Immediate early protein 63 (IE63) is expressed during latency, suggesting that it is a potential antigen against HZ reactivation.

Electron transfer between cytochrome c and microsomal monooxygenase generates reactive oxygen species that accelerates apoptosis.

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are possibly induced by the crosstalk between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula, which is physiologically important in apoptosis. Cytochrome c (Cyt c) is believed to play a crucial role in such signaling pathway by interrupting the coupling within microsomal monooxygenase (MMO). In this study, the correlation of ROS production with the electron transfer between Cyt c and the MMO system is investigated by resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy.