Microtubule-associated protein, MAP1B, encodes functionally distinct polypeptides.

Microtubule-associated protein, MAP1B, is crucial for neuronal morphogenesis and disruptions in MAP1B function are correlated with neurodevelopmental disorders. MAP1B encodes a single polypeptide that is processed into discrete proteins, a heavy chain (HC) and a light chain (LC); however, it is unclear if these two chains operate individually or as a complex within the cell. In vivo studies have characterized the contribution of MAP1B HC and LC to microtubule and actin-based processes, but their molecular mechanisms of action are unknown.

Microtubule lattice spacing governs cohesive envelope formation of tau family proteins.

Tau is an intrinsically disordered microtubule-associated protein (MAP) implicated in neurodegenerative disease. On microtubules, tau molecules segregate into two kinetically distinct phases, consisting of either independently diffusing molecules or interacting molecules that form cohesive 'envelopes' around microtubules. Envelopes differentially regulate lattice accessibility for other MAPs, but the mechanism of envelope formation remains unclear.

Sustainable kidney care delivery and climate change - a call to action.

The delivery of kidney care, particularly haemodialysis treatment, can result in substantial environmental impact through greenhouse emissions, natural resources depletion and waste generation. However, strategies exist to mitigate this impact and improve long term environmental sustainability for the provision of haemodialysis treatment. The nephrology community has begun taking actions to improve the environmental sustainability of dialysis, but much work remains to be done by healthcare professionals, dialysis providers and professional organisations.

Autoregulatory control of microtubule binding in doublecortin-like kinase 1.

The microtubule-associated protein, doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), is highly expressed in a range of cancers and is a prominent therapeutic target for kinase inhibitors. The physiological roles of DCLK1 kinase activity and how it is regulated remain elusive. Here, we analyze the role of mammalian DCLK1 kinase activity in regulating microtubule binding.

A concept mobility device with multi-positional configurations and child-kind restraint for safe perioperative transfer and induction of anaesthesia in children with autistic spectrum disorder - a cross sectional study.

Background: Transfer into the operating room, onto the operating table and mask induction of anaesthesia are major challenges faced by children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In a pilot study, parents observed that perioperative transfer becomes unsafe and difficult when children with ASD becomes uncooperative.

Method: A CHILD-KIND CONCEPT mobility system comprising of multi-positioning seat configurations and restraining module was developed with inputs from multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals and parents with children with ASD.

A Combinatorial MAP Code Dictates Polarized Microtubule Transport.

Many eukaryotic cells distribute their intracellular components asymmetrically through regulated active transport driven by molecular motors along microtubule tracks. While intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of motor activity exists, what governs the overall distribution of activated motor-cargo complexes within cells remains unclear. Here, we utilize in vitro reconstitution of purified motor proteins and non-enzymatic microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to demonstrate that MAPs exhibit distinct influences on the motility of the three main classes of transport motors: kinesin-1, kinesin-3, and cytoplasmic dynein.

Microtubules gate tau condensation to spatially regulate microtubule functions.

Tau is an abundant microtubule-associated protein in neurons. Tau aggregation into insoluble fibrils is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, yet the physiological state of tau molecules within cells remains unclear. Using single-molecule imaging, we directly observe that the microtubule lattice regulates reversible tau self-association, leading to localized, dynamic condensation of tau molecules on the microtubule surface.

Salvage of exhausted neck access using a novel inside-out device in dialysis-dependent patients.

Chronic central venous occlusion represents a challenge for upper body central dialysis access for both surgical and endovascular interventions. The Surfacer (Surfacer Inside-Out Access Catheter System) is a novel technique that offers a device-based solution over various physician-modified techniques in salvaging exhausted right-sided neck veins for catheter placement. We report a retrospective series of four cases in which this system is used to gain upper body venous access from a single center in Singapore.

A mouthful - airway matters in intraoperative neuromonitoring in auditory brainstem implant surgery for the pediatric patient: a case series.

Background: The Auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is a new surgical option for hearing impaired children. Intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring includes brainstem mapping of cranial nerve (CN) IX, X, XI, XII and their motor nuclei, and corticobulbar tract motor-evoked potential. These require laryngeal electrodes and intra-oral pins, posing a challenge to airway management especially in the pediatric airway, where specialized electromyogram (EMG) tracheal tubes are not available.

Changes in Near-Infrared Spectroscopy After Congenital Cyanotic Heart Surgery.

Background: Since oxygen saturation from pulse oximetry (SpO) and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO) are observed to improve immediately after surgical correction of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD), we postulate that cerebral (CrO) and somatic (SrO) oximetry also improves immediately post-correction. We aim to prospectively examine CrO and SrO, before, during, and after surgical correction as well as on hospital discharge in children with cyanotic CHD to determine if and when these variables increase.

Methods: This is a prospective observational trial.

Competition between microtubule-associated proteins directs motor transport.

Within cells, motor and non-motor microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) simultaneously converge on the microtubule. How the binding activities of non-motor MAPs are coordinated and how they contribute to the balance and distribution of motor transport is unknown. Here, we examine the relationship between MAP7 and tau owing to their antagonistic roles in vivo.

Pigmented Porokeratosis. A Further Variant?

Porokeratosis is a clonal disorder of keratinization characterized by the presence of the cornoid lamella. A number of variants of porokeratosis have been described, based on the clinical features and histologic features of the lesions. The authors present a case of porokeratosis with prominent melanocytic hyperplasia, which was biopsied to clinically exclude melanoma.

A qualitative study of the perceived effects of blue lights in washrooms on people who use injection drugs.

Background: Blue lights are sometimes placed in public washrooms to discourage injection drug use. Their effectiveness has been questioned and concerns raised that they are harmful but formal research on the issue is limited to a single study. We gathered perceptions of people who use injection drugs on the effects of blue lights with the aim of informing harm reduction practice.

Humor as a coping strategy for adult-child caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Guided by a phenomenological theoretical perspective, 6 young adult-child caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease were interviewed. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the experiences of young adult-child caregivers, with the key focus being the use of humor as a coping strategy in this caregiving circumstance. Qualitative analysis revealed a unique young adult-child caregiver experience in relation to humor including an acknowledgment of 3 key determinants that must be considered if humor is to be effective as a coping strategy, the identification of 4 factors that influence humor use, and finally a description of the perceived benefits of humor.

The ESAT-6/CFP-10 secretion system of Mycobacterium marinum modulates phagosome maturation.

Virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related pathogenic mycobacteria requires the secretion of early secretory antigenic 6 kDa (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10), two small proteins that lack traditional signal sequences and are exported through an alternative secretion pathway encoded primarily by the RD1 genetic locus. Mutations affecting the synthesis or secretion of ESAT-6 or CFP-10 attenuate the virulence of M. tuberculosis in murine models of infection.

Roles of Lsr2 in colony morphology and biofilm formation of Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The lipid-rich cell wall is a defining feature of Mycobacterium species. Individual cell wall components affect diverse mycobacterial phenotypes including colony morphology, biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and virulence. In this study, we describe a transposon insertion mutant of Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 that exhibits altered colony morphology and defects in biofilm formation.

Cutting edge: microbial products elicit formation of dendritic cell aggresome-like induced structures in macrophages.

In response to a maturation stimulus, dendritic cells undergo the formation of ubiquitinated protein aggregates known as dendritic cell aggresome-like induced structures (DALIS). DALIS are thought to act as Ag storage structures, allowing for the prioritized degradation of proteins during infection. In this study, we demonstrate that murine macrophages can also form ubiquitinated protein aggregates that are indistinguishable from DALIS.

PimF, a mannosyltransferase of mycobacteria, is involved in the biosynthesis of phosphatidylinositol mannosides and lipoarabinomannan.

Phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIMs) and their related molecules lipomannan (LM) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) are important components of the mycobacterial cell wall. These molecules mediate host-pathogen interactions and exhibit immunomodulatory activities. The biosynthesis of these lipoglycans is not fully understood.