Air pollution modifies colonisation factors in beneficial symbiont Snodgrassella and disrupts the bumblebee gut microbiome.

Particulate air pollutants, a major air pollution component, are detrimental to human health and a significant risk to wildlife and ecosystems globally. Here we report the effects of particulate pollutant black carbon on the beneficial gut microbiome of important global insect pollinator, the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). Our data shows that exposure to black carbon particulates alters biofilm structure, gene expression and initial adhesion of beneficial bee gut coloniser, Snodgrassella alvi.

Membrane-bound model of the ternary complex between factor VIIa/tissue factor and factor X.

Formation of the extrinsic complex (EC) on cell surfaces is the event that triggers the coagulation cascade. Tissue factor (TF) and factor VIIa (FVIIa) form the EC together with factor X (FX) on phosphatidylserine-containing membranes, leading to FX activation by TF:FVIIa. This lipid dependence has made experimental characterization of the EC structure challenging.

Optimisation of coumaric acid production from aromatic amino acids in Kluyveromyces marxianus.

Yeasts are attractive hosts for the production of heterologous products due to their genetic tractability and relative ease of growth. While the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful workhorse of the biotechnology industry, the species has metabolic limitations and it is critical that we develop alternative platforms that will facilitate the development of bioprocesses that rely on sustainable feedstocks. In this study, we used synthetic biology tools to construct coumaric acid-producing strains of Kluyveromyces marxianus, a yeast whose physiological traits render it attractive for biotechnology applications.

Preventing cardiovascular disease in at-risk patients: Results of a pilot behavioural health programme in general practice.

Background: The 'High-Risk Prevention Programme' (HRPP) involved a six-week health behaviour change programme based in general practices and aimed to address cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in disadvantaged Irish communities.

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to establish the HRPP's likely effectiveness and acceptability to inform the development of a future definitive trial.

Methods: The HRPP was conducted at six general practices in disadvantaged areas in the Ireland East region.

The superior growth of Kluyveromyces marxianus at very low potassium concentrations is enabled by the high-affinity potassium transporter Hak1.

The non-conventional yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus has recently emerged as a promising candidate for many food, environment, and biotechnology applications. This yeast is thermotolerant and has robust growth under many adverse conditions. Here, we show that its ability to grow under potassium-limiting conditions is much better than that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suggesting a very efficient and high-affinity potassium uptake system(s) in this species.

Antipolyphosphate monoclonal antibodies derived from autoimmune mice.

Background: Inorganic polyphosphates (polyPs) are linear chains of phosphates that accelerate blood clotting. Targeting polyP has been shown to reduce thrombosis.

Objectives: To identify and characterize anti-polyP monoclonal antibodies that could be used as analytical tools and as antithrombotic agents.

Acceptability of the Venting Wisely pathway for use in critically ill adults with hypoxaemic respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): a qualitative study protocol.

Introduction: Hypoxaemic respiratory failure (HRF) affects nearly 15% of critically ill adults admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). An evidence-based, stakeholder-informed multidisciplinary care pathway () was created to standardise the diagnosis and management of patients with HRF and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Successful adherence to the pathway requires a coordinated team-based approach by the clinician team.

External Trigger Free Charge Switchable Cationic Ligands in the Design of Safe and Effective Universal Heparin Antidote.

Thrombosis, the formation of blood clots within a blood vessel, can lead to severe complications including pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrest, and stroke. The most widely administered class of anticoagulants is heparin-based anticoagulants such as unfractionated heparin, low-molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), and fondaparinux. Protamine is the only FDA-approved heparin antidote.

Flux Balance Analysis of Mammalian Cell Systems.

Flux balance analysis (FBA) is a computational methodology to model and analyze the metabolic behavior of cells. In this chapter, we break down the key steps for formulating an FBA model and other FBA-derived methodologies in the context of mammalian cell biology, including strain design, developing cell line-specific models, and conducting flux sampling. We provide annotated COBRApy code for each step to show how it would work in practice.

Using co-design to develop the Adolescent Health Literacy Questionnaire for adolescents in Ireland.

Health literacy measurement studies are important for the success of health promotion efforts targeting adolescents. However, the majority of health literacy measurement tools were originally developed for adult populations and may not be reflective of health literacy in the context of adolescence. The present study sought to co-design a health literacy questionnaire and vignettes for adolescents in Ireland aged 12-18 years.

Fetal maceration and partial retention of fetal bones in 2 mares.

Pregnancy loss after Day 40 in mares usually results in the expulsion (abortion) of the fetus and placental membranes. However, fetal retention within the uterus is also a possible outcome, leading to either fetal mummification or maceration. Fetal maceration is septic decomposition of fetal tissues within the uterus following failure of expulsion.

Multicentre implementation of a quality improvement initiative to reduce delirium in adult intensive care units: An interrupted time series analysis.

Purpose: The ABCDEF bundle may improve delirium outcomes among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, however population-based studies are lacking. In this study we evaluated effects of a quality improvement initiative based on the ABCDEF bundle in adult ICUs in Alberta, Canada.

Material And Methods: We conducted a pre-post, registry-based clinical trial, analysed using interrupted time series methodology.

Lactadherin's Multistate Binding Predicts Stable Membrane-Bound Conformations of Factors V and VIII's C Domains.

Protein binding to negatively charged lipids is essential for maintaining numerous vital cellular processes where its dysfunction can lead to various diseases. One such protein that plays a crucial role in this process is lactadherin, which competes with coagulation factors for membrane binding sites to regulate blood clotting. Despite identifying key binding regions of these proteins through structural and biochemical studies, models incorporating membrane dynamics are still lacking.

CRISPR-Cas9 engineering in the hybrid yeast Zygosaccharomyces parabailii can lead to loss of heterozygosity in target chromosomes.

The hybrid yeast Zygosaccharomyces parabailii holds potential as a cell factory mainly because of its robustness in withstanding stressors that often characterize bio-based processes. However, a complex genome and a lack of gene editing tools hinder the capacity to engineer this yeast. In this work, we developed a CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system for Z.

An exploration of patient experiences of transitioning to a remote day programme following inpatient treatment in an adult eating disorder service.

Unlabelled: WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Traditionally, treatment for eating disorders (EDs) has been provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis, but more recently other levels of treatment provision to include, day care (DC) and community outreach programmes, have been developed. There is limited research exploring the experience of patients who have transitioned from inpatient ED treatment to a remote DC treatment. This lack of knowledge can impact mental health nurses' understanding of what that experience is like for patients and hence may influence the efficacy of collaboration and inclusion between patients and nurses.

Inhibitors of Polyphosphate and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

The contact pathway of blood clotting has received intense interest in recent years as studies have linked it to thrombosis, inflammation, and innate immunity. Because the contact pathway plays little to no role in normal hemostasis, it has emerged as a potential target for safer thromboprotection, relative to currently approved antithrombotic drugs which all target the final common pathway of blood clotting. Research since the mid-2000s has identified polyphosphate, DNA, and RNA as important triggers of the contact pathway with roles in thrombosis, although these molecules also modulate blood clotting and inflammation via mechanisms other than the contact pathway of the clotting cascade.

A new hypothesis for the origin of the lager yeast Saccharomyces pastorianus.

Saccharomyces pastorianus, which is responsible for the production of bottom-fermented lager beer, is a hybrid species that arose from the mating of the top-fermenting ale yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the cold-tolerant Saccharomyces eubayanus around the start of the 17th century. Based on detailed analysis of Central European brewing records, we propose that the critical event for the hybridization was the introduction of top-fermenting S. cerevisiae into an environment where S.

Smart thrombosis inhibitors without bleeding side effects via charge tunable ligand design.

Current treatments to prevent thrombosis, namely anticoagulants and platelets antagonists, remain complicated by the persistent risk of bleeding. Improved therapeutic strategies that diminish this risk would have a huge clinical impact. Antithrombotic agents that neutralize and inhibit polyphosphate (polyP) can be a powerful approach towards such a goal.