Deregulation of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Implications for Disease Development and Progression.

(1) Background: Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDSs) consist of a group of blood malignancies with a complex biological background. In this context, we investigated the role of autophagy and apoptosis in the pathogenesis and progression of MDSs. (2) Methods: To address this issue, we performed a systematic expression analysis on a total of 84 genes in patients with different types of MDSs (low/high risk of malignancy) versus healthy individuals.

Patient characteristics, treatment patterns and disease outcomes in patients with psoriatic arthritis followed in a combined Dermatology-Rheumatology clinic: a retrospective real-world study.

The aim of this study was to assess the patient characteristics, treatment patterns and disease outcomes in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) referred to a combined Dermatology-Rheumatology (Derm-Rheum) Clinic. This was a retrospective study of patients seen in a combined Derm-Rheum Clinic (February 2018 to June 2020) in a Tertiary University Hospital. Consecutive patients with suspicious musculoskeletal symptoms or a known diagnosis of PsA referred to the Derm-Rheum Clinic were examined and followed simultaneously by experienced dermatologists and rheumatologists.

The structure and oxidation of the eye lens chaperone αA-crystallin.

The small heat shock protein αA-crystallin is a molecular chaperone important for the optical properties of the vertebrate eye lens. It forms heterogeneous oligomeric ensembles. We determined the structures of human αA-crystallin oligomers by combining cryo-electron microscopy, cross-linking/mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling.

Gender inequality and restrictive gender norms: framing the challenges to health.

Gender is not accurately captured by the traditional male and female dichotomy of sex. Instead, it is a complex social system that structures the life experience of all human beings. This paper, the first in a Series of five papers, investigates the relationships between gender inequality, restrictive gender norms, and health and wellbeing.

Ultrashort Broadband Cooperative Pulses for Multidimensional Biomolecular NMR Experiments.

NMR spectroscopy at ultra-high magnetic fields requires improved radiofrequency (rf) pulses to cover the increased spectral bandwidth. Optimized 90° pulse pairs were introduced as Ramsey-type cooperative (Ram-COOP) pulses for biomolecular NMR applications. The Ram-COOP element provides broadband excitation with enhanced sensitivity and reduced artifacts even at magnetic fields >1.

Phytotoxic triterpene saponins from Bellis longifolia, an endemic plant of Crete.

In a study of 62 plant species of the Cretan flora for their phytotoxic activity, plants were extracted successively with CHCl, MeOH and HO. Phytotoxicity evaluation of the 240 extracts was performed against Lactuca sativa L. and Agrostis stolonifera L.

The chaperone αB-crystallin uses different interfaces to capture an amorphous and an amyloid client.

Small heat-shock proteins, including αB-crystallin (αB), play an important part in protein homeostasis, because their ATP-independent chaperone activity inhibits uncontrolled protein aggregation. Mechanistic details of human αB, particularly in its client-bound state, have been elusive so far, owing to the high molecular weight and the heterogeneity of these complexes. Here we provide structural insights into this highly dynamic assembly and show, by using state-of-the-art NMR spectroscopy, that the αB complex is assembled from asymmetric building blocks.

The slow dissociation rate of K-1602 contributes to the enhanced inhibitory activity of this novel alkyl-aryl-bearing fluoroketolide.

Ketolides belong to the latest generation of macrolides and are not only effective against macrolide susceptible bacterial strains but also against some macrolide resistant strains. Here we present data providing insights into the mechanism of action of K-1602, a novel alkyl-aryl-bearing fluoroketolide. According to our data, the K-1602 interacts with the ribosome as a one-step slow binding inhibitor, displaying an association rate constant equal to 0.