Leaky ribosomal scanning enables tunable translation of bicistronic ORFs in green algae.

Advances in sequencing technology have unveiled examples of nucleus-encoded polycistronic genes, once considered rare. Exclusively polycistronic transcripts are prevalent in green algae, although the mechanism by which multiple polypeptides are translated from a single transcript is unknown. Here, we used bioinformatic and in vivo mutational analyses to evaluate competing mechanistic models for polycistronic expression in green algae.

PP2A-B56 regulates Mid1 protein levels for proper cytokinesis in fission yeast.

Protein phosphorylation regulates many steps in the cell division process including cytokinesis. In the fission yeast , the anillin-like protein Mid1 sets the cell division plane and is regulated by phosphorylation. Multiple protein kinases act on Mid1, but no protein phosphatases have been shown to regulate Mid1.

Inherited retinal dystrophies and orphan designations in the European Union.

Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRD) are diverse rare diseases that affect the retina and lead to visual impairment or blindness. Research in this field is ongoing, with over 60 EU orphan medicinal products designated in this therapeutic area by the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) at the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Up to now, COMP has used traditional disease terms, like retinitis pigmentosa, for orphan designation regardless of the product's mechanism of action.

Distinct function of Chlamydomonas CTRA-CTR transporters in Cu assimilation and intracellular mobilization.

Unlabelled: Successful acclimation to copper (Cu) deficiency involves a fine balance between Cu import and export. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Cu import is dependent on a transcription factor, Copper Response Regulator 1 (CRR1), responsible for activating genes in Cu-deficient cells. Among CRR1 target genes are two Cu transporters belonging to the CTR/COPT gene family (CTR1 and CTR2) and a related soluble protein (CTR3).

The synthetic future of algal genomes.

Algae are diverse organisms with significant biotechnological potential for resource circularity. Taking inspiration from fermentative microbes, engineering algal genomes holds promise to broadly expand their application ranges. Advances in genome sequencing with improvements in DNA synthesis and delivery techniques are enabling customized molecular tool development to confer advanced traits to algae.

Distinct function of Chlamydomonas CTRA-CTR transporters in Cu assimilation and intracellular mobilization.

Successful acclimation to copper (Cu) deficiency involves a fine balance between Cu import and export. In the unicellular green alga , Cu import is dependent on C opper R esponse R egulator 1 (CRR1), the master regulator of Cu homeostasis. Among CRR1 target genes are two Cu transporters belonging to the CTR/COPT gene family ( and ) and a related soluble cysteine-rich protein (CTR3).

Response and innovations of advanced practice nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.

Aim: Identify and map international evidence regarding innovations led by or involving advanced practice nurses in response to COVID-19.

Background: COVID-19 necessitated unprecedented innovation in the organization and delivery of healthcare. Although advanced practice nurses have played a pivotal role during the pandemic, evidence of their contributions to innovations has not been synthesized.

Patient-reported, observer-reported and performance outcomes in qualification procedures at the European Medicines Agency 2013-2018.

Aims: To describe characteristics of applicant, tool, outcomes, regulatory responses and general learnings from European Medicines Agency (EMA) Qualification Procedures on patient-reported outcomes (PROs), observer-reported outcomes (ObsROs) and performance outcomes (PerfOs) finalized between January 2013 and December 2018.

Methods: Descriptive analysis, and qualitative review of the regulatory outcomes of the study procedures.

Results: Seventeen qualification programmes for PROs, 6 for ObsRO tools and 11 for PerfO tools were submitted by consortia, large and small/medium companies.

Design principles of Cdr2 node patterns in fission yeast cells.

Pattern-forming networks have diverse roles in cell biology. Rod-shaped fission yeast cells use pattern formation to control the localization of mitotic signaling proteins and the cytokinetic ring. During interphase, the kinase Cdr2 forms membrane-bound multiprotein complexes termed nodes, which are positioned in the cell middle due in part to the node inhibitor Pom1 enriched at cell tips.

The fission yeast cell size control system integrates pathways measuring cell surface area, volume, and time.

Eukaryotic cells tightly control their size, but the relevant aspect of size is unknown in most cases. Fission yeast divide at a threshold cell surface area (SA) due, in part, to the protein kinase Cdr2. We find that fission yeast cells only divide by SA under a size threshold.

Design principles of Cdr2 node patterns in fission yeast cells.

Pattern forming networks have diverse roles in cell biology. Rod-shaped fission yeast cells use pattern formation to control the localization of mitotic signaling proteins and the cytokinetic ring. During interphase, the kinase Cdr2 forms membrane-bound multiprotein complexes termed nodes, which are positioned in the cell middle due in part to the node inhibitor Pom1 enriched at cell tips.

Utilizing Ripple Effects Mapping to Assess the Impact of an Undergraduate Global Health Program.

Background: In the last ten years, there has been a dramatic rise in student interest in global health as an academic discipline and an increase in academic offerings in the field at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, information is limited on the impact of global health programming on students, alumni, and partners involved.

Objective: The objective of this study was to utilize Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) to assess the impact of an undergraduate Global Health Program on students, alumni, and international partners.

Regulation of cell size and Wee1 kinase by elevated levels of the cell cycle regulatory protein kinase Cdr2.

Many cell cycle regulatory proteins catalyze cell cycle progression in a concentration-dependent manner. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the protein kinase Cdr2 promotes mitotic entry by organizing cortical oligomeric nodes that lead to inhibition of Wee1, which itself inhibits the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk1. cdr2Δ cells lack nodes and divide at increased size due to overactive Wee1, but it has not been known how increased Cdr2 levels might impact Wee1 and cell size.

'Pamoja Tunaweza': A Collaborative Program Model for Global Health Training & Education.

The past two decades have seen unprecedented student demand for global health education through experiential and engaged learning within institutions of higher education in the United States. This demand created a need for innovative institutional partnerships. Since 2007, faculty from Cornell University's Global Health Program and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo) have worked together to design, implement, and evaluate an innovative experiential learning program in global health and development policy.

Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a large public university.

In Fall 2020, universities saw extensive transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among their populations, threatening health of the university and surrounding communities, and viability of in-person instruction. Here we report a case study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where a multimodal "SHIELD: Target, Test, and Tell" program, with other non-pharmaceutical interventions, was employed to keep classrooms and laboratories open. The program included epidemiological modeling and surveillance, fast/frequent testing using a novel low-cost and scalable saliva-based RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 that bypasses RNA extraction, called covidSHIELD, and digital tools for communication and compliance.

Arf6 anchors Cdr2 nodes at the cell cortex to control cell size at division.

Fission yeast cells prevent mitotic entry until a threshold cell surface area is reached. The protein kinase Cdr2 contributes to this size control system by forming multiprotein nodes that inhibit Wee1 at the medial cell cortex. Cdr2 node anchoring at the cell cortex is not fully understood.

Sequestration of the exocytic SNARE Psy1 into multiprotein nodes reinforces polarized morphogenesis in fission yeast.

Polarized morphogenesis is achieved by targeting or inhibiting growth in distinct regions. Rod-shaped fission yeast cells grow exclusively at their ends by restricting exocytosis and secretion to these sites. This growth pattern implies the existence of mechanisms that prevent exocytosis and growth along nongrowing cell sides.

Pak1 kinase controls cell shape through ribonucleoprotein granules.

Fission yeast cells maintain a rod shape due to conserved signaling pathways that organize the cytoskeleton for polarized growth. We discovered a mechanism linking the conserved protein kinase Pak1 with cell shape through the RNA-binding protein Sts5. Pak1 (also called Shk1 and Orb2) prevents Sts5 association with P bodies by directly phosphorylating its intrinsically disordered region (IDR).

Extracellular vesicles derived from cardiosphere-derived cells as a potential antishock therapeutic.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from cardiosphere-derived cells (CDC-EVs) are coming to light as a unique cell-free therapeutic. Because of their novelty, however, there still exist prominent gaps in knowledge regarding their therapeutic potential. Herein the therapeutic potential of CDC-EVs in a rat model of acute traumatic coagulopathy induced by multiple injuries and hemorrhagic shock is outlined.

Survival and Complications After Placement of Central Venous Access Ports for Palliative Chemotherapy: A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Given the lack of empiric recommendations for vascular access for palliative chemotherapy, we aimed to analyze survival and complications after placement of central venous access ports for palliative chemotherapy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 135 patients undergoing port placement for palliative chemotherapy at a single institution from January 2015 - July 2020.

Results: The median age was 68 (range 47-91).

Bloodstream Infection Associated with a Totally Implanted Subclavian Port in an Adult with Diabetes and History of Colon Cancer.

. is a rapidly growing nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) that was first isolated from soil in 1972 and is ubiquitous in soil, water, and dust. The first reported case of human infection by was published in 1988, presenting as a Hickman catheter-related bacteremia in a patient with ovarian cancer.

Connecting cell polarity signals to the cytokinetic machinery in yeast and metazoan cells.

Polarized growth and cytokinesis are two fundamental cellular processes that exist in virtually all cell types. Mechanisms for asymmetric distribution of materials allow for cells to grow in a polarized manner. This gives rise to a variety of cell shapes seen throughout all cell types.

The phosphatase inhibitor Sds23 promotes symmetric spindle positioning in fission yeast.

A hallmark of cell division in eukaryotic cells is the formation and elongation of a microtubule (MT)-based mitotic spindle. Proper positioning of the spindle is critical to ensure equal segregation of the genetic material to the resulting daughter cells. Both the timing of spindle elongation and constriction of the actomyosin contractile ring must be precisely coordinated to prevent missegregation or damage to the genetic material during cellular division.