Publications by authors named "R El"

Plasma membranes are vital biological structures, serving as protective barriers and participating in various cellular processes. In the field of super-resolution optical microscopy, stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy has emerged as a powerful method for investigating plasma membrane-related phenomena. However, many applications of STED microscopy are critically restricted by the limited availability of suitable fluorescent probes.

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The elevated frequency of Cesarean sections (C-sections) in OECD countries not only burdens health systems financially but also heightens the risks for mothers and infants. This study explores the feasibility of reducing C-section rates by examining the Israeli ultra-Orthodox population, noted for its large families and low C-section rates. We analyze birth data from an Israeli hospital, focusing on ultra-Orthodox mothers with husbands who are yeshiva students compared to other mothers.

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The structural diversity of different lipid species within the membrane defines its biophysical properties such as membrane fluidity, phase transition, curvature, charge distribution, and tension. Environment-sensitive probes, which change their spectral properties in response to their surrounding milieu, have greatly contributed to our understanding of such biophysical properties. To realize the full potential of these probes and avoid misinterpretation of their spectral responses, a detailed investigation of their fluorescence characteristics in different environments is necessary.

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Article Synopsis
  • Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is a major cause of neurodevelopmental disabilities in infants, highlighting the need for better prevention strategies.
  • Researchers studied human CMV infection in decidual tissues from women with and without immunity, finding that those with preconception immunity show resistance to the virus and stimulate specific immune cells upon reinfection.
  • The study suggests that enhancing the immune response in decidual tissues could help develop a vaccine for cCMV and improve understanding of immune defenses at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Cell-cell communication within the complex tumour microenvironment is critical to cancer progression. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TD-EVs) are key players in this process. They can interact with immune cells and modulate their activity, either suppressing or activating the immune system.

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