Immunological isolation and characterization of neuronal progenitors from human dental pulp: A laboratory-based investigation.

Aims: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) contain a population of stem cells with a broad range of differentiation potentials, as well as more lineage-committed progenitors. Such heterogeneity is a significant obstacle to experimental and clinical applications. The aim of this study is to isolate and characterize a homogenous neuronal progenitor cell population from human DPSCs.

TRPV2 modulates mechanically Induced ATP Release from Human bronchial epithelial cells.

Repetitive bouts of coughing expose the large airways to significant cycles of shear stress. This leads to the release of alarmins and the tussive agent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which may be modulated by the activity of ion channels present in the human airway. This study aimed to investigate the role of the transient receptor potential subfamily vanilloid member 2 (TRPV2) channel in mechanically induced ATP release from primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs).

House dust mite allergens induce Ca signalling and alarmin responses in asthma airway epithelial cells.

Type 2 inflammation in asthma develops with exposure to stimuli to include inhaled allergens from house dust mites (HDM). Features include mucus hypersecretion and the formation of pro-secretory ion transport characterised by elevated basal Cl current. Studies using human sinonasal epithelial cells treated with HDM extract report a higher protease activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) agonist-induced calcium mobilisation that may be related to airway sensitisation by allergen-associated proteases.

Structural maturation of SYCP1-mediated meiotic chromosome synapsis by SYCE3.

In meiosis, a supramolecular protein structure, the synaptonemal complex (SC), assembles between homologous chromosomes to facilitate their recombination. Mammalian SC formation is thought to involve hierarchical zipper-like assembly of an SYCP1 protein lattice that recruits stabilizing central element (CE) proteins as it extends. Here we combine biochemical approaches with separation-of-function mutagenesis in mice to show that, rather than stabilizing the SYCP1 lattice, the CE protein SYCE3 actively remodels this structure during synapsis.

Endogenous Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor X1 activates and sensitizes TRPA1 in a human model of peripheral nerves.

Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor X1 (MrgprX1) is a human-specific Mrgpr and its expression is restricted to primary sensory neurons. However, its role in nociception and pain signaling pathways is largely unknown. This study aims to investigate a role for MrgprX1 in nociception via interaction with the pain receptor, Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), using in-vitro and in-vivo human neuronal models.

A Dimerization Site at SCR-17/18 in Factor H Clarifies a New Mechanism for Complement Regulatory Control.

Complement Factor H (CFH), with 20 short complement regulator (SCR) domains, regulates the alternative pathway of complement in part through the interaction of its C-terminal SCR-19 and SCR-20 domains with host cell-bound C3b and anionic oligosaccharides. In solution, CFH forms small amounts of oligomers, with one of its self-association sites being in the SCR-16/20 domains. In order to correlate CFH function with dimer formation and the occurrence of rare disease-associated variants in SCR-16/20, we identified the dimerization site in SCR-16/20.

Meiotic chromosome synapsis depends on multivalent SYCE1-SIX6OS1 interactions that are disrupted in cases of human infertility.

Meiotic reductional division depends on the synaptonemal complex (SC), a supramolecular protein assembly that mediates homologous chromosomes synapsis and promotes crossover formation. The mammalian SC has eight structural components, including SYCE1, the only central element protein with known causative mutations in human infertility. We combine mouse genetics, cellular, and biochemical studies to reveal that SYCE1 undergoes multivalent interactions with SC component SIX6OS1.

A molecular model for self-assembly of the synaptonemal complex protein SYCE3.

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a supramolecular protein assembly that mediates homologous chromosome synapsis during meiosis. This zipper-like structure assembles in a continuous manner between homologous chromosome axes, enforcing a 100-nm separation along their entire length and providing the necessary three-dimensional framework for cross-over formation. The mammalian SC comprises eight components-synaptonemal complex protein 1-3 (SYCP1-3), synaptonemal complex central element protein 1-3 (SYCE1-3), testis-expressed 12 (TEX12), and six6 opposite strand transcript 1 (SIX6OS1)-arranged in transverse and longitudinal structures.

Molecular structure of human synaptonemal complex protein SYCE1.

The reduction in chromosome number during meiosis is essential for the production of haploid germ cells and thereby fertility. To achieve this, homologous chromosomes are first synapsed together by a protein assembly, the synaptonemal complex (SC), which permits genetic exchange by crossing over and the subsequent accurate segregation of homologues. The mammalian SC is formed of a zipper-like array of SYCP1 molecules that bind together homologous chromosomes through self-assembly in the midline that is structurally supported by the central element.

Structural basis of meiotic chromosome synapsis through SYCP1 self-assembly.

Meiotic chromosomes adopt unique structures in which linear arrays of chromatin loops are bound together in homologous chromosome pairs by a supramolecular protein assembly, the synaptonemal complex. This three-dimensional scaffold provides the essential structural framework for genetic exchange by crossing over and subsequent homolog segregation. The core architecture of the synaptonemal complex is provided by SYCP1.

Prevalence-Based Targets Underestimate Home Dialysis Program Activity and Requirements for Growth.

Background: Many renal programs have targets to increase home dialysis prevalence. Data from a large Canadian home dialysis program were analyzed to determine if home dialysis prevalence accurately reflects program activity and whether prevalence-based assessments adequately reflect the work required for program growth.

Methods: Data from home dialysis programs in British Columbia, Canada, were analyzed from 2005 to 2015.

Evaluation of a 12-Month Pilot of Long-Term and Temporary Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis.

♦ BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is challenging for patients with functional limitations, and assisted PD can support these patients, but previous reports of assisted PD have not examined the role of temporary assisted PD and had difficulty identifying adequate comparator cohorts. ♦ METHODS: Peritoneal Dialysis Assist (PDA), a 12-month pilot of long-term and temporary assisted PD was completed in multiple PD centers in British Columbia, Canada. Continuous cycler PD (CCPD) patients were identified for PDA by standardized criteria, and service could be long-term or temporary/respite.

Biomolecular Deuteration for Neutron Structural Biology and Dynamics.

Neutron scattering studies provide important information in structural biology that is not accessible using other approaches. The uniqueness of the technique, and its complementarity with X-ray scattering, is greatest when full use is made of deuterium labeling. The ability to produce tailor-made deuterium-labeled biological macromolecules allows neutron studies involving solution scattering, crystallography, reflection, and dynamics to be optimized in a manner that has major impact on the scope, quality, and throughput of work in these areas.

Ocular injury requiring hospitalisation in the south east of Ireland: 2001-2007.

Aim: To investigate whether recent socio-demographic changes and recent health and safety measures have impacted on the trends of ocular trauma in the South East of Ireland.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of ocular trauma admitted to our department between October 2001 and September 2007, and the following data were retrieved: demographic details; mechanism of injury and nature of injury.

Results: During the study period, 517 patients were admitted with ocular trauma.