Multi-Omic Atlas reveals cytotoxic phenotype and ROS-linked metabolic quiescence as key features of CTL-resistant HIV-infected CD4 T-cells.

Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) exert sustained pressure on reservoirs of HIV-infected cells that persist through years of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This selects for latently infected cells, but also potentially for cells that express HIV but possess intrinsic CTL resistance. We demonstrate that such resistance exists in HIV-infected CD4 T-cells that survive rigorous CTL attack and map CTL susceptibility to cell identities and states defined by single-cell multi-omics and functional metabolic profiling.

Strategic improvement of Shewanella oneidensis for biocatalysis: Approach to media refinement and scalable application in a microbial electrochemical system.

Microbial electrochemical systems offer a sustainable method for the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy or hydrogen and the production of valuable compounds, contributing to the development of a bio-based economy. This study aimed to enhance the performance of anodic bioelectrochemical systems by improving the current density of Shewanella oneidensis as a biocatalyst through strain modification and medium refinement. The genetic modification, combining the prophage deletion and overexpression of the speC gene, resulted in a 4.

Strain and model development for auto- and heterotrophic 2,3-butanediol production using Cupriavidus necator H16.

The production of platform chemicals from renewable energy sources is a crucial step towards a post-fossil economy. This study reports on the production of acetoin and 2,3-butanediol heterotrophically with fructose as substrate and autotrophically from CO as carbon source, H as electron donor and O as electron acceptor with Cupriavidus necator. In a previous study, the strain was developed for the production of acetoin with high carbon efficiency.

Biofilms for Production of Chemicals and Energy.

The twenty-first century will be the century of biology. This is not only because of breakthrough advances in molecular biology tools but also because we need to reinvent our economy based on the biological principles of energy efficiency and sustainability. Consequently, new tools for production routines must be developed to help produce platform chemicals and energy sources based on sustainable resources.

The latency-reversing agent HODHBt synergizes with IL-15 to enhance cytotoxic function of HIV-specific T cells.

IL-15 is under clinical investigation toward the goal of curing HIV infection because of its abilities to reverse HIV latency and enhance immune effector function. However, increased potency through combination with other agents may be needed. 3-Hydroxy-1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-one (HODHBt) enhances IL-15-mediated latency reversal and NK cell function by increasing STAT5 activation.

Pressure-controlled microfluidics for automated single-molecule sample preparation.

Sample preparation is a crucial step in single-molecule experiments and involves passivating the microfluidic sample chamber, immobilizing the molecules, and setting experimental buffer conditions. The efficiency of the experiment depends on the quality and speed of sample preparation, which is often performed manually and relies on the experience of the experimenter. This can result in inefficient use of single-molecule samples and time, especially for high-throughput applications.

CD8 T cells promote HIV latency by remodeling CD4 T cell metabolism to enhance their survival, quiescence, and stemness.

HIV infection persists during antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to a reservoir of latently infected cells that harbor replication-competent virus and evade immunity. Previous ex vivo studies suggested that CD8 T cells from people with HIV may suppress HIV expression via non-cytolytic mechanisms, but the mechanisms responsible for this effect remain unclear. Here, we used a primary cell-based in vitro latency model and demonstrated that co-culture of autologous activated CD8 T cells with HIV-infected memory CD4 T cells promoted specific changes in metabolic and/or signaling pathways resulting in increased CD4 T cell survival, quiescence, and stemness.

Impact of Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid on Osteogenic Differentiation of SAOS-2 Cells in an Air-Lift Model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of cross-linked hyaluronic acid on osteoblast-like cells seeded on top of two collagen substrates, native porcine pericardium membrane (substrate A) and ribose cross-linked collagen membranes (substrate B), in an air-lift model. Substrates A or B, saturated with three hyaluronic acid concentrations, served as membranes for SAOS-2 cells seeded on top. Cultivation followed for 7 and 14 days in the air-lift model.

Pupil diameter tracked during motor adaptation in humans.

Pupil diameter, under constant illumination, is known to reflect individuals' internal states, such as surprise about observation and environmental uncertainty. Despite the growing use of pupillometry in cognitive learning studies as an additional measure for examining internal states, few studies have used pupillometry in human motor learning studies. Here, we provide the first detailed characterization of pupil diameter changes in a short-term reach adaptation paradigm.

SARS CoV-2 mRNA vaccination exposes latent HIV to Nef-specific CD8 T-cells.

Efforts to cure HIV have focused on reactivating latent proviruses to enable elimination by CD8 cytotoxic T-cells. Clinical studies of latency reversing agents (LRA) in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated individuals have shown increases in HIV transcription, but without reductions in virologic measures, or evidence that HIV-specific CD8 T-cells were productively engaged. Here, we show that the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 activates the RIG-I/TLR - TNF - NFκb axis, resulting in transcription of HIV proviruses with minimal perturbations of T-cell activation and host transcription.

Enrichment of phosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) in a microfluidic model biofilm system by mimicking a typical aerobic granular sludge feast/famine regime.

Wastewater treatment using aerobic granular sludge has gained increasing interest due to its advantages compared to conventional activated sludge. The technology allows simultaneous removal of organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in a single reactor system and is independent of space-intensive settling tanks. However, due to the microscale, an analysis of processes and microbial population along the radius of granules is challenging.

Cell-Cell Fusion Mediated by Viruses and HERV-Derived Fusogens in Cancer Initiation and Progression.

Cell fusion is a well-known, but still scarcely understood biological phenomenon, which might play a role in cancer initiation, progression and formation of metastases. Although the merging of two (cancer) cells appears simple, the entire process is highly complex, energy-dependent and tightly regulated. Among cell fusion-inducing and -regulating factors, so-called fusogens have been identified as a specific type of proteins that are indispensable for overcoming fusion-associated energetic barriers and final merging of plasma membranes.

Cell-Cell Fusion and the Roads to Novel Properties of Tumor Hybrid Cells.

The phenomenon of cancer cell-cell fusion is commonly associated with the origin of more malignant tumor cells exhibiting novel properties, such as increased drug resistance or an enhanced metastatic capacity. However, the whole process of cell-cell fusion is still not well understood and seems to be rather inefficient since only a certain number of (cancer) cells are capable of fusing and only a rather small population of fused tumor hybrids will survive at all. The low survivability of tumor hybrids is attributed to post-fusion processes, which are characterized by the random segregation of mixed parental chromosomes, the induction of aneuploidy and further random chromosomal aberrations and genetic/epigenetic alterations in daughter cells.

Spinal stretch reflexes support efficient control of reaching.

Efficiently controlling the movement of our hand requires coordinating the motion of multiple joints of the arm. Although it is widely assumed that this type of efficient control is implemented by processing that occurs in the cerebral cortex and brainstem, recent work has shown that spinal circuits can generate efficient motor output that supports keeping the hand in a static location. Here, we show that a spinal pathway can also efficiently control the hand during reaching.

Among-Strain Variation in Resistance of to the Endonuclear Parasite : Geographic and Lineage-Specific Patterns.

Resistance is a key determinant in interactions between hosts and their parasites. Understanding the amount and distribution of variation in this trait between strains can provide insights into (co)evolutionary processes and their potential to shape patterns of diversity in natural populations. Using controlled inoculation in experimental mass cultures, we investigated the quantitative variation in resistance to the bacterial parasite across a worldwide collection of strains of its ciliate host .

On the effects of iron ore tailings micro/nanoparticles in embryonic and larval zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Iron ore tailings (IOT) represent a major problem in the mining industry worldwide due to large volumes of waste disposed in mine sites. IOT are exposed to the environment and subjected to wind and water dispersion, even under non-catastrophic scenarios as dam collapses, and the effects of these particles to the biota are still mostly unknown. This work aimed to prepare and to characterize a suspension containing the finest (micro/nano range) particles of IOT and to evaluate its effects on development and behavior of zebrafish (Danio rerio), at both embryonic and larval stages.

Structure of Population Activity in Primary Motor Cortex for Single Finger Flexion and Extension.

How is the primary motor cortex (M1) organized to control fine finger movements? We investigated the population activity in M1 for single finger flexion and extension, using 7T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in female and male human participants and compared these results to the neural spiking patterns recorded in two male monkeys performing the identical task. fMRI activity patterns were distinct for movements of different fingers, but were quite similar for flexion and extension of the same finger. In contrast, spiking patterns in monkeys were quite distinct for both fingers and directions, which is similar to what was found for muscular activity patterns.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment by neutralization: Evaluation of physical-chemical performance and ecotoxicological effects on zebrafish (Danio rerio) development.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) represents a major problem in the mining industry worldwide due to the risk of water and soil pollution. Its active treatment involves the addition of alkaline reagents such as NaOH or Ca(OH) to increase the pH and precipitate the dissolved metals, although substantial amounts of dissolved ions might persists. Under a remediation approach, the aim of this work was to assess the chemical and physical characteristics of treated effluent and to evaluate its ecotoxicological effects on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryonic and larval stages, through developmental, functional, morphological, and behavioral end-points.

Cell Fusion-Mediated Tissue Regeneration as an Inducer of Polyploidy and Aneuploidy.

The biological phenomenon of cell fusion plays a crucial role in several physiological processes, including wound healing and tissue regeneration. Here, it is assumed that bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) could adopt the specific properties of a different organ by cell fusion, thereby restoring organ function. Cell fusion first results in the production of bi- or multinucleated hybrid cells, which either remain as heterokaryons or undergo ploidy reduction/heterokaryon-to-synkaryon transition (HST), thereby giving rise to mononucleated daughter cells.

Special Considerations and Perspectives for Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) in Olympic and Other Elite Athletes.

Diagnosing and treating elite and Olympic athletes with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction has been well established. However, a subset of elite and Olympic athletes with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction experience symptoms of breathlessness due to lack of adherence, improper medications, and/or generalized breathing dysfunction. A short review of traditional treatment plans for elite and Olympic athletes is presented along with the challenges of adherence, managing dysfunctional breathing, and measuring and treating mental skills deficits that may impact breathing.

Minocycline impairs TNF-α-induced cell fusion of M13SV1-Cre cells with MDA-MB-435-pFDR1 cells by suppressing NF-κB transcriptional activity and its induction of target-gene expression of fusion-relevant factors.

Background: To date, several studies have confirmed that driving forces of the inflammatory tumour microenvironment trigger spontaneous cancer cell fusion. However, less is known about the underlying factors and mechanisms that facilitate inflammation-induced cell fusion of a cancer cell with a normal cell. Recently, we demonstrated that minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, successfully inhibited the TNF-α-induced fusion of MDA-MB-435 cancer cells with M13SV1 breast epithelial cells.

Fluticasone furoate/vilanterol versus fluticasone propionate in patients with asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

: To investigate whether once-daily (OD) fluticasone furoate (FF)/vilanterol (VI) provides greater long-term protection from postexercise fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) than twice-daily (BD) fluticasone propionate (FP) in patients with asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. : A randomized, double-blind, crossover study was conducted in patients (aged 12-50 years) on low-/mid-dose maintenance inhaled corticosteroid. Following a 4-week run-in period (FP 250 µg BD), patients with a ≥ 20% decrease in postexercise FEV received FF/VI 100/25 µg OD or FP 250 µg BD for 2 weeks.

Tumor suppressor miR-215 counteracts hypoxia-induced colon cancer stem cell activity.

Cancer stem cells, also known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are a population of aggressive and self-renewing cells that are responsible for the initiation and progression of many cancers, including colorectal carcinoma. Intratumoral hypoxia, i.e.