Gene module reconstruction identifies cellular differentiation processes and the regulatory logic of specialized secretion in zebrafish.

During differentiation, cells become structurally and functionally specialized, but comprehensive views of the underlying remodeling processes are elusive. Here, we leverage single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) developmental trajectories to reconstruct differentiation using two secretory tissues as models-the zebrafish notochord and hatching gland. First, we integrated expression and functional similarities to identify gene modules, revealing dozens of modules representing known and newly associated differentiation processes and their dynamics.

Ambient chemical and physical approaches for the modulation of sleep and wakefulness.

Humans spend a third of their lives asleep. While the sleep-wake behaviors are primarily modulated by homeostasis and circadian rhythm, several ambient chemical and physical factors, including light, sound, odor, vibration, temperature, electromagnetic radiation, and ultrasound, also affect sleep and wakefulness. Light at different wavelengths has different effects on sleep and wakefulness.

The adult shell matrix protein repertoire of the marine snail Crepidula is dominated by conserved genes that are also expressed in larvae.

Mollusca is a morphologically diverse phylum, exhibiting an immense variety of calcium carbonate structures. Proteomic studies of adult shells often report high levels of rapidly-evolving, 'novel' shell matrix proteins (SMPs), which are hypothesized to drive shell diversification. However, relatively little is known about the phylogenetic distribution of SMPs, or about the function of individual SMPs in shell construction.

Dissecting the regulatory logic of specification and differentiation during vertebrate embryogenesis.

The interplay between transcription factors and chromatin accessibility regulates cell type diversification during vertebrate embryogenesis. To systematically decipher the gene regulatory logic guiding this process, we generated a single-cell multi-omics atlas of RNA expression and chromatin accessibility during early zebrafish embryogenesis. We developed a deep learning model to predict chromatin accessibility based on DNA sequence and found that a small number of transcription factors underlie cell-type-specific chromatin landscapes.

Polarly localized Bro1 domain proteins regulate PIN-FORMED abundance and root gravitropic growth in Arabidopsis.

The developmental plasticity of the root system plays an essential role in the adaptation of plants to the environment. Among many other signals, auxin and its directional, intercellular transport are critical in regulating root growth and development. In particular, the PIN-FORMED2 (PIN2) auxin exporter acts as a key regulator of root gravitropic growth.

Laboratory demonstration of an off-axis optical bench design for future gravity missions.

The inter-satellite laser ranging interferometer is one of the core components of future gravity missions to achieve high ranging precision. This work builds a preliminary breadboard of the off-axis optical bench design, which integrates the merits of the off-axis optical bench design of GRACE Follow-On mission and other on-axis designs. The study finds that the displacement noise between two optical benches has been reduced to 20nm/Hz at a frequency of 10 mHz, and the differential wavefront sensing noise has been suppressed to 10-5rad/Hz at 1 kHz as well.

Structural insights into autoinhibition and activation of defense-associated sirtuin protein.

Bacterial defense-associated sirtuin 2 (DSR2) proteins harbor an N-terminal sirtuin (SIR2) domain degrading NAD. DSR2 from Bacillus subtilis 29R is autoinhibited and unable to hydrolyze NAD in the absence of phage infection. A tail tube protein (TTP) of phage SPR activates the DSR2 while a DSR2-inhibiting protein of phage SPbeta, known as DSAD1 (DSR anti-defense 1), inactivates the DSR2.

Downregulation of TGF-β1 in fibro-adipogenic progenitors initiates muscle ectopic mineralization.

In previous studies, we have demonstrated that stress response-induced high glucocorticoid levels could be the underlying cause of traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO), and we have developed a glucocorticoid-induced ectopic mineralization (EM) mouse model by systemic administration of a high dose of dexamethasone (DEX) to animals with muscle injury induced by cardiotoxin injection. In this model, dystrophic calcification (DC) developed into HO in a cell autonomous manner. However, it is not clear how DC is formed after DEX treatment.

Basic vs electromyographic biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training for the improvement of sexual function after total hysterectomy: a prospective study.

Background: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) has emerged as a potential intervention to improve post-total hysterectomy (TH) sexual function. Electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback is an adjunct that may improve outcomes.

Aim: In this study we aimed to compare the EMG biofeedback-assisted PFMT and PFMT alone for improving sexual function in women after TH.

Licochalcone A Protects Vaginal Epithelial Cells Against Candida albicans Infection Via the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent condition affecting a significant portion of women worldwide. Licochalcone A (LA), a natural compound with diverse biological activities, holds promise as a protective agent against Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection.

Overexpression of transcription factor TBX5 inhibits the activation of YAP1-TEAD1 pathway to promote ferroptosis in lung cancer cells.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 80 % of lung cancer (LC) cases, making it the primary cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. T-box transcription factor 5 (TBX5) is an important regulator of embryonic and organ development and plays a key role in cancer development. Here, our objective was to investigate the involvement of TBX5 in ferroptosis within LC cells and the underlying mechanisms.

Optochemical control of slow-wave sleep in the nucleus accumbens of male mice by a photoactivatable allosteric modulator of adenosine A receptors.

Optochemistry, an emerging pharmacologic approach in which light is used to selectively activate or deactivate molecules, has the potential to alleviate symptoms, cure diseases, and improve quality of life while preventing uncontrolled drug effects. The development of in-vivo applications for optochemistry to render brain cells photoresponsive without relying on genetic engineering has been progressing slowly. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a region for the regulation of slow-wave sleep (SWS) through the integration of motivational stimuli.

The contribution of periaqueductal gray in the regulation of physiological and pathological behaviors.

Periaqueductal gray (PAG), an integration center for neuronal signals, is located in the midbrain and regulates multiple physiological and pathological behaviors, including pain, defensive and aggressive behaviors, anxiety and depression, cardiovascular response, respiration, and sleep-wake behaviors. Due to the different neuroanatomical connections and functional characteristics of the four functional columns of PAG, different subregions of PAG synergistically regulate various instinctual behaviors. In the current review, we summarized the role and possible neurobiological mechanism of different subregions of PAG in the regulation of pain, defensive and aggressive behaviors, anxiety, and depression from the perspective of the up-down neuronal circuits of PAG.

Microbial community structure and diversity attached to the periphyton in different urban aquatic habitats.

Periphyton is a complex community composed of diverse prokaryotes and eukaryotes; understanding the characteristics of microbial communities within periphyton becomes crucial for biogeochemical cycles and energy dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. To further elucidate the community characteristics of periphyton across varied aquatic habitats, including unpolluted ecologically restored lakes, aquaculture ponds, and areas adjacent to domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plant outfalls, we explored the composition and diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities in periphyton by employing Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Our findings indicated that the prokaryotic communities were predominantly composed of Proteobacteria (40.

The aging behavior of degradable plastic polylactic acid under the interaction of environmental factors.

Microplastics leaching from aging biodegradable plastics pose potential environmental threats. This study used response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the impact of temperature, light, and humidity on the aging characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA). Key evaluation metrics included the C/O ratio, functional groups, crystallinity, surface topography, and mechanical properties.

Enhanced surfactant remediation of diesel-contaminated soil using O nanobubbles.

Currently, nanobubbles are widely discussed in environmental research due to their unique properties, including significant specific surface area, transfer efficiency, and free radical generation. In this study, O and O nanobubbles (diameters ranging from 0 to 500 nm) were combined with conventional surfactant technology to investigate their enhanced efficacy in removing diesel contaminants from soil. The impact of various factors such as surfactant concentration, temperature, and soil aging duration on pollutant removal rates was examined across different experimental approaches (stirring/flushing).

Efficient Single Correspondence Voting for Point Cloud Registration.

3D point cloud registration is a crucial task in a variety of fields, including remote sensing mapping, computer vision, virtual reality, and autonomous driving. However, this task is still challenging due to the challenges of noise, non-uniformity, partial overlap, and repeated local features in large scene point clouds. In this paper, we propose an efficient single correspondence voting method for large scene point cloud registration.

Iliopsoas fibrosis after revision of total hip arthroplasty revealed by Ga-FAPI PET/CT: a case report.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a well-established surgical procedure that has been extensively validated to alleviate pain, enhance joint function, improve the ability to perform daily activities, and enhance overall quality of life. However, this procedure is associated with certain complications, among which skeletal muscle fibrosis is a frequently overlooked but significant complication that can lead to persistent pain. Currently, there is no effective method for diagnosing skeletal muscle fibrosis following total hip arthroplasty.

Structural and functional characterization of AfsR, an SARP family transcriptional activator of antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces.

Streptomyces antibiotic regulatory proteins (SARPs) are widely distributed activators of antibiotic biosynthesis. Streptomyces coelicolor AfsR is an SARP regulator with an additional nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) and a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures and in vitro assays to demonstrate how the SARP domain activates transcription and how it is modulated by NOD and TPR domains.

Anticoagulant therapy in orthopedic surgery - a review on anticoagulant agents, risk factors, monitoring, and current challenges.

Orthopedic surgeries are associated with high-risk of thromboembolism which occurs in 40% to 60% of orthopedic patients in the absence of thromboprophylaxis. Conventionally heparin anticoagulants were used for thromboprophylaxis and currently direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used due to their minimal complexity. Anticoagulant use carries bleeding risk and requires optimal laboratory monitoring through conventional thrombin-based assays, anti-Xa assay, anti-IIa assay and contemporary ecarin chromogenic assay (ECA) and rotational thromboelastometry.