Structural basis of RNA polymerase complexes in African swine fever virus.

African swine fever virus is highly contagious and causes a fatal infectious disease in pigs, resulting in a significant global impact on pork supply. The African swine fever virus RNA polymerase serves as a crucial multifunctional protein complex responsible for genome transcription and regulation. Therefore, it is essential to investigate its structural and functional characteristics for the prevention and control of African swine fever.

Beneficial Actions of 4-Methylumbelliferone in Type 1 Diabetes by Promoting β Cell Renewal and Inhibiting Dedifferentiation.

: This study aims to investigate the effects of 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) on islet morphology, cell phenotype and function, and to explore possible mechanisms of β cell regeneration. : The Type 1 diabetes (T1D) model was induced by continuous dose injection of streptozotocin (STZ), and mice were treated with 4-MU for 3 weeks. Plasma insulin level, islet cell phenotype and immune infiltration were determined by IPGTT, ELISA, HE and immunofluorescence.

Mammalian SLC39A13 promotes ER/Golgi iron transport and iron homeostasis in multiple compartments.

Iron is a potent biochemical, and accurate homeostatic control is orchestrated by a network of interacting players at multiple levels. Although our understanding of organismal iron homeostasis has advanced, intracellular iron homeostasis is poorly understood, including coordination between organelles and iron export into the ER/Golgi. Here, we show that SLC39A13 (ZIP13), previously identified as a zinc transporter, promotes intracellular iron transport and reduces intracellular iron levels.

SARS-CoV-2 NSP3/4 control formation of replication organelle and recruitment of RNA polymerase NSP12.

β-coronavirus rearranges the host cellular membranes to form double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) via NSP3/4, which anchor replication-transcription complexes (RTCs), thereby constituting the replication organelles (ROs). However, the impact of specific domains within NSP3/4 on DMV formation and RO assembly remains largely unknown. By using cryogenic-correlated light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM), we discovered that the N-terminal and C-terminal domains (NTD and CTD) of SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 are essential for DMV formation.

Chlorophyll-Based Optogenetics to Control Membraneless Organelles.

Membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed via protein phase separation have garnered significant attention recently due to their relevance to cellular physiology and pathology. However, there is a lack of tools available to study their behavior and control their bioactivity in complex biological systems. This chapter describes a new optogenetic tool based on water-soluble chlorophyll protein (WSCP), a red light-induced singlet oxygen-generating protein, to control synthetic MLOs.

[Construction and evaluation of the regional Children's oral health network platform].

Purpose: To explore a more effective comprehensive prevention and treatment model for children's oral health by constructing a health network platform that integrates medical information evaluation, interaction, monitoring, and prevention with oral health management as the core.

Methods: The database of Shaoxing Children's Oral Health Management Network Platform was established. The oral health survey and information entry of 7 042 second-grade children in primary school in Yuecheng District from 2021 to 2022 were conducted.

1700030J22RIK is essential for sperm flagellar function and male fertility in mice.

Spermiogenesis is an indispensable process occurring during the later stages of spermatogenesis. Despite multiple proteins being associated with spermiogenesis, the molecular mechanisms that control spermiogenesis remain poorly characterized. In this study, we show that 1700030J22RIK is exclusively expressed in the testis of mice and investigate its roles in spermiogenesis using genetic and proteomic approaches.

Terahertz scanning near-field optical microscopy for biomedical detection: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives.

Terahertz (THz) radiation is widely recognized as a non-destructive, label-free, and highly- sensitive tool for biomedical detections. Nevertheless, its application in precision biomedical fields faces challenges due to poor spatial resolution caused by intrinsically long wavelength characteristics. THz scanning near-field optical microscopy (THz-SNOM), which surpasses the Rayleigh criterion, offers micrometer and nanometer-scale spatial resolution, making it possible to perform precise bioinspection with THz imaging.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the treatment of endodontic-periodontal lesions among oral health care providers: a multi-center cross-sectional study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of oral healthcare providers concerning the treatment of endodontic-periodontal lesions (EPLs) and investigate the relationships among the KAP dimensions using correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM).

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled dental healthcare professionals between February 2024 and June 2024, with questionnaire data collected in Hangzhou and Shaoxing, China. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that gathered demographic information and KAP scores.

[Bushen Huoxue Decoction regulates ADSCs-Exos to affect nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and ERK signaling pathway in intervertebral disc degeneration].

This study aims to investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Decoction regulating adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)-exosomes(Exos) on the apoptosis of intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells(NPCs) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) signaling pathway. Tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide(TBHP)-induced NPCs were divided into control, model, drug-containing serum, blank Exos, normal serum Exos, and drug-containing serum Exos groups. Cell viability and proliferation were examined by the CCK-8 assay and EdU staining, respectively.

Andrographolide suppresses fibrogenic phenotype of chondrocytes and ameliorates osteoarthritis by regulating miR-137/BMP7 axis.

Background: Pathogenic degeneration of cartilage and the generation of fibrotic cartilage are crucial characteristics linked to the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). The current research aims to explore the potential function of the miR-137/BMP7 pathway in regulating the fibrogenic transition of chondrocytes associated with OA, as well as assess the therapeutic potential of andrographolide.

Methods: Samples of cartilage from the knees of patients with OA and individuals without OA were gathered to investigate the expression patterns of miR-137, BMP7, and markers associated with fibrosis.

Reconstruction and analyses of genome-scale metabolic network yield a highly efficient PHA production.

In pursuit of reliable and efficient industrial microbes, this study integrates cutting-edge systems biology tools with TD01, a robust halophilic bacterium. We generated the complete and annotated circular genome sequence for this model organism, constructed and meticulously curated a genome-scale metabolic network, achieving striking 86.32% agreement with Biolog Phenotype Microarray data and visualize the network via an interactive Electron/Thrift server architecture.

Clickable, Thermally Responsive Hydrogels Enabled by Recombinant Spider Silk Protein and Spy Chemistry for Sustained Neurotrophin Delivery.

The ability to deliver protein therapeutics in a minimally invasive, safe, and sustained manner, without resorting to viral delivery systems, will be crucial for treating a wide range of chronic injuries and diseases. Among these challenges, achieving axon regeneration and functional recovery post-injury or disease in the central nervous system remains elusive to most clinical interventions, constantly calling for innovative solutions. Here, a thermally responsive hydrogel system utilizing recombinant spider silk protein (spidroin) is developed.

Association between cardiometabolic index and female infertility: A population-based study.

Background: One of the risk indicators of infertility is obesity. The cardiometabolic index (CMI) comprises obesity and blood lipids and is regarded as a novel indicator for evaluating obesity. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether it has any connection to infertility.

Effect of Loading Angles on Abutment Screw Loosening: In Vitro Study.

Aim: Biomechanical performance is a critical factor in the long-term success of dental implants, with abutment screw loosening being a common clinical issue. This study aimed to examine the impact of abutment screw design and external load loading angles on abutment screw loosening.

Materials And Methods: Abutments and abutment screws with 30°, 60°, 90°, and 180° fitting tapers were fabricated and tested for preload and initial loosening torque.

Control Intracellular Protein Condensates with Light.

Protein phase transitions are gaining traction among biologists for their wide-ranging roles in biological regulation. However, achieving precise control over these phenomena in vivo remains a formidable task. Optogenetic techniques present us with a potential means to control protein phase behavior with spatiotemporal precision.

gene and its association with resistance against viral nervous necrosis (VNN) in Asian seabass, .

Unlabelled: Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) caused by a betanodavirus (NNV) is one of the major diseases in Asian seabass () hatcheries. Our previous studies showed that the gene was in a QTL for NNV resistance in linkage group 23 in Asian seabass. The expression of this gene was changed in tissues of Asian seabass challenged with NNV.

Modification mechanism of Te and morphology evolution of primary MgSi in an Al-20MgSi alloy.

In the present work, the modification effect of Te and the corresponding growth process of MgSi were clarified. With 0.5 wt% Te addition, the dendritic primary MgSi transformed to polygons, accompanied by a reduction in size from over ∼165 μm-∼18 μm.

Identification of fibrosis-associated biomarkers in heart failure and human cancers.

Background: Heart failure (HF) and cancer share common risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms, including fibrosis. Identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets for both conditions is crucial.

Materials And Methods: RNA sequencing data from HF patients were analyzed to identify 12 genes associated with myocardial fibrosis.

Association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposures and thyroid homeostasis parameters.

Context: Prevailing studies have shown the disruption effect of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on thyroid homeostasis. However, most studies focused on individual thyroid hormones.

Objective: To explore the associations between PFAS exposures and thyroid homeostasis parameters.