scTrends: A living review of commercial single-cell and spatial 'omic technologies.

Understanding the rapidly evolving landscape of single-cell and spatial omic technologies is crucial for advancing biomedical research and drug development. We provide a living review of both mature and emerging commercial platforms, highlighting key methodologies and trends shaping the field. This review spans from foundational single-cell technologies such as microfluidics and plate-based methods to newer approaches like combinatorial indexing; on the spatial side, we consider next-generation sequencing and imaging-based spatial transcriptomics.

Macromolecular condensation buffers intracellular water potential.

Optimum protein function and biochemical activity critically depends on water availability because solvent thermodynamics drive protein folding and macromolecular interactions. Reciprocally, macromolecules restrict the movement of 'structured' water molecules within their hydration layers, reducing the available 'free' bulk solvent and therefore the total thermodynamic potential energy of water, or water potential. Here, within concentrated macromolecular solutions such as the cytosol, we found that modest changes in temperature greatly affect the water potential, and are counteracted by opposing changes in osmotic strength.

RevGel-seq: instrument-free single-cell RNA sequencing using a reversible hydrogel for cell-specific barcoding.

Progress in sample preparation for scRNA-seq is reported based on RevGel-seq, a reversible-hydrogel technology optimized for samples of fresh cells. Complexes of one cell paired with one barcoded bead are stabilized by a chemical linker and dispersed in a hydrogel in the liquid state. Upon gelation on ice the complexes are immobilized and physically separated without requiring nanowells or droplets.

RNA, Genome Output and Input.

RNA, the transcriptional output of genomes, not only templates protein synthesis or directly engages in catalytic functions, but can feed back to the genome and serve as regulatory input for gene expression. Transcripts affecting the RNA abundance of other genes act by mechanisms similar to and in concert with protein factors that control transcription. Through recruitment or blocking of activating and silencing complexes to specific genomic loci, RNA and protein factors can favor transcription or lower the local gene expression potential.

Protein Stability Buffers the Cost of Translation Attenuation following eIF2α Phosphorylation.

Phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α is a rapid and vital response to many forms of stress, including protein-misfolding stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER stress). It is believed to cause a general reduction in protein synthesis while enabling translation of few transcripts. Such a reduction of protein synthesis comes with the threat of depleting essential proteins, a risk thought to be mitigated by its transient nature.

Autonomous and self-sustained circadian oscillators displayed in human islet cells.

Aims/hypothesis: Following on from the emerging importance of the pancreas circadian clock on islet function and the development of type 2 diabetes in rodent models, we aimed to examine circadian gene expression in human islets. The oscillator properties were assessed in intact islets as well as in beta cells.

Methods: We established a system for long-term bioluminescence recording in cultured human islets, employing lentivector gene delivery of the core clock gene Bmal1 (also known as Arntl)-luciferase reporter.

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein modulates circadian gene expression posttranscriptionally.

In mammalian tissues, circadian gene expression can be driven by local oscillators or systemic signals controlled by the master pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. We show that simulated body temperature cycles, but not peripheral oscillators, controlled the rhythmic expression of cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) in cultured fibroblasts. In turn, loss-of-function experiments indicated that CIRP was required for high-amplitude circadian gene expression.

Simulated body temperature rhythms reveal the phase-shifting behavior and plasticity of mammalian circadian oscillators.

The circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus maintains phase coherence in peripheral cells through metabolic, neuronal, and humoral signaling pathways. Here, we investigated the role of daily body temperature fluctuations as possible systemic cues in the resetting of peripheral oscillators. Using precise temperature devices in conjunction with real-time monitoring of the bioluminescence produced by circadian luciferase reporter genes, we showed that simulated body temperature cycles of mice and even humans, with daily temperature differences of only 3°C and 1°C, respectively, could gradually synchronize circadian gene expression in cultured fibroblasts.

Circadian cell-cycle progression: Cracking open the gate.

In cyanobacteria cell division is intimately linked with the circadian cycle. Dong et al. (2010) now identify components of the circadian clock that regulate the formation of the midcell ring for cytokinesis, revealing a critical link between the circadian cycle and the control of cell division.

[The endocrine psychosyndrome in the long term. I. A cantamnestic reexamination of patients suffering from panhypopituitarism (author's transl)].

Twelve patients (8 females, 4 males) with panhypopituitarism who had been thoroughly examined psychiatrically in 1957 and 1958 were reexamined in 1974 for psychopathologic alterations in the course of their endocrine disease. Eleven patients had been receiving an adequate hormonal treatment during the intervening years or (four patients) until the time of their death. Seven patients showed a good or excellent result of hormonal therapy, in respect of the psychic symptoms: the endocrine psychosyndrome which had been observed prior to treatment had improved considerably.