Vascularized composite allograft (VCA) transplantation represents a significant advancement in reconstructive surgery and offers hope to individuals who experienced congenital disorders or severe tissue injuries to restore physical appearance, function, and enhance quality of life. VCA recovery introduces complexities to conventional solid organ recovery, and there remain concerns regarding the potential impact of VCA recovery on non-VCA organs for transplant. The current retrospective study examines deceased donor characteristics and observed-to-expected (O/E) organ yield ratios for 51 VCA donors recovered in the US between July 4, 2014 and March 31, 2024, compared with a contemporary cohort of non-VCA donors recovered in 2023.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMethyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), the key catalyst in the anoxic production and consumption of methane, contains an unusual 2-methylglutamine residue within its active site. data show that a B12-dependent radical SAM (rSAM) enzyme, designated MgmA, is responsible for this post-translational modification (PTM). Here, we show that two different MgmA homologs are able to methylate MCR when expressed in , an organism that does not normally possess this PTM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain-resident macrophages, microglia, have been proposed to have an active role in synaptic refinement and maturation, influencing plasticity and circuit-level connectivity. Here we show that several neurodevelopmental processes previously attributed to microglia can proceed without them. Using a genetically modified mouse that lacks microglia (Csf1r), we find that intrinsic properties, synapse number and synaptic maturation are largely normal in the hippocampal CA1 region and somatosensory cortex at stages where microglia have been implicated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCobalamin (Cbl)-dependent radical -adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzymes constitute a large subclass of radical SAM (RS) enzymes that use Cbl to catalyze various types of reactions, the most common of which are methylations. Most Cbl-dependent RS enzymes contain an N-terminal Rossmann fold that aids Cbl binding. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the methanogenesis marker protein 10 (Mmp10) requires Cbl to methylate an arginine residue in the α-subunit of methyl coenzyme M reductase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose Of Review: This review investigated current research on the relationship between chronic pain and cognitive performance, subjective cognitive decline, and dementia. In addition, we reviewed current research on pain management in older adults across the cognitive trajectory.
Recent Findings: Chronic pain remains a common problem in older adults.