Assessing the functional impact of protein binding site definition.

Many biomedical applications, such as classification of binding specificities or bioengineering, depend on the accurate definition of protein binding interfaces. Depending on the choice of method used, substantially different sets of residues can be classified as belonging to the interface of a protein. A typical approach used to verify these definitions is to mutate residues and measure the impact of these changes on binding.

Multimodal immune activation abilities and characteristics of reovirus.

Reovirus is a ubiquitous, non-pathogenic, double stranded RNA virus with anti-tumor properties. The virus's replicative potential is regulated by phosphorylation of protein kinase receptor (PKR). In cancers with pathway activation which leads to dysregulation of PKR, the virus maintains its protein translational potential and induces oncolysis.

Vitamin D and the nutritional environment in functions of intestinal stem cells: Implications for tumorigenesis and prevention.

Sporadic colon cancer accounts for ∼80% of CRC, with high incidence in western societies strongly linked to dietary patterns. The only mouse model for sporadic CRC results from feeding mice a purified rodent western-style diet (NWD1), establishing mouse intake of several common nutrients that mimic for each its level consumed in western populations at higher risk for colon cancer (higher fat, lower vitamin D, calcium, methyl donors and fiber). This causes sporadic colon and small intestinal tumors at an incidence and frequency similar to that of humans.

Traumatic brain injury increases levels of miR-21 in extracellular vesicles: implications for neuroinflammation.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important health concern and effective treatment strategies remain elusive. Understanding the complex multicellular response to TBI may provide new avenues for intervention. In the context of TBI, cell-cell communication is critical.