Axon demyelination and degeneration in a zebrafish model of hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a diverse set of neurological disorders characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness in the lower limbs caused by damage to the axons of the corticospinal tract. More than 88 genetic mutations have been associated with HSP, yet the mechanisms underlying these disorders are not well understood. We replicated the pathophysiology of one form of HSP known as spastic paraplegia 15 (SPG15) in zebrafish.

International symposium on integrative bioinformatics 2024 - editorial.

Integrative Bioinformatics faces the challenge of integrating, aligning, modelling, and simulating data in a coherent fashion to gain deeper insights into complex biological systems. This special issue of the Journal of Integrative Bioinformatics consists of six articles accepted for the presentation at the "18th International Symposium on Integrative Bioinformatics" held in Zürich on September 12-13, 2024. In addition, the symposium featured five keynote talks which will be discussed here as well.

The overestimation of gaze for horizontal, vertical, and diagonal fixation points.

A widely known result from gaze-perception research is the overestimation effect where gaze endpoints are seen farther to the side than they actually are. While horizontal gaze directions have been studied repeatedly, there is scarce research on other directions after early reports that vertical gaze is perceived accurately. It is argued that if participants base their judgment on the movements of the iris-pupil-complex in relation to eye size, vertical gaze should be overestimated similarly as horizontal gaze.

Observer-generated maps of diagnostic facial features enable categorization and prediction of emotion expressions.

According to one prominent model, facial expressions of emotion can be categorized into depicting happiness, disgust, anger, sadness, fear and surprise. One open question is which facial features observers use to recognize the different expressions and whether the features indicated by observers can be used to predict which expression they saw. We created fine-grained maps of diagnostic facial features by asking participants to use mouse clicks to highlight those parts of a face that they deem useful for recognizing its expression.

Salutogenic Environmental Health Model-proposing an integrative and interdisciplinary lens on the genesis of health.

Introduction: The maintenance of health is a central objective of public health initiatives. Within the salutogenic paradigm, health promotion is focused on understanding the mechanisms of health development. Models serve as indispensable tools.

Single-molecule imaging and molecular dynamics simulations reveal early activation of the MET receptor in cells.

Embedding of cell-surface receptors into a membrane defines their dynamics but also complicates experimental characterization of their signaling complexes. The hepatocyte growth factor receptor MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and survival. It is also targeted by the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, whose invasion protein, internalin B (InlB), binds to MET, forming a signaling dimer that triggers pathogen internalization.

Host dependent specialized metabolism of nitrogen export in actinorhizal nodules induced by Frankia cluster-2.

Frankia cluster-2 strains are diazotrophs that engage in root nodule symbiosis with actinorhizal plants of the Cucurbitales and the Rosales. Previous studies have shown that an assimilated nitrogen source, presumably arginine, is exported to the host in nodules of Datisca glomerata (Cucurbitales), while a different metabolite is exported in the nodules of Ceanothus thyrsiflorus (Rosales). To investigate if an assimilated nitrogen form is commonly exported to the host by cluster-2 strains, and which metabolite would be exported in Ceanothus, we analysed gene expression levels, metabolite profiles, and enzyme activities in nodules.

Frankia [NiFe] uptake hydrogenases and genome reduction: different lineages of loss.

Uptake hydrogenase (Hup) recycles H2 formed by nitrogenase during nitrogen fixation, thereby preserving energy. Among root nodule bacteria, most rhizobial strains examined are Hup-, while only one Hup-  Frankia inoculum had been identified. Previous analyses had led to the identification of two different [NiFe] hydrogenase syntons.

Age-dependent shaping of the social environment in a long-lived seabird: a quantitative genetic approach.

Individual differences in social behaviour can result in fine-scale variation in spatial distribution and, hence, in the social environment experienced. Given the expected fitness consequences associated with differences in social environments, it is imperative to understand the factors that shape them. One potential such factor is age.

Separation and Purification of CHO Secretome and Extracellular Vesicles for Proteome Analysis.

For decades, host cell proteins (HCPs) have been investigated as putative contaminants in downstream processing of biopharmaceutical products of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. However, little is still known about the composition of the entire protein and vesicle environment in CHO cultivations. Ever evolving mass spectrometry techniques allow more and more insights into cell-cell communication processes and the composition of extracellular matrix, proteases, and further actively segregated compounds such as extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Different ECLS Pump Configurations for Temporary Right Ventricular Assist Device in LVAD Patients: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

Background: Acute right ventricular failure is a critical complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, often managed with a temporary paracorporeal right ventricular assist device (RVAD). This study examined three extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems regarding mortality, bleeding complications, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay duration.

Methods: This monocentric, retrospective case-control study included all patients receiving LVAD with paracorporeal RVAD between 2009 and 2020.

High-Definition Trans-Spinal Current Stimulation Improves Balance and Somatosensory Control: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To investigate and compare the effects of three different high-definition (HD) non-invasive current stimulation (NICS) protocols on the spinal cord on support balance and somatosensory abilities in healthy young people.

Methods: Fifty-eight students were enrolled in this crossover study. All participants underwent application of (i) 1.

Transcriptomic analysis and cellular responses to nanoscale zero-valent iron in green microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata.

Nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) is used to remediate aquifers polluted by organochlorines or heavy metals and was also suggested to eliminate harmful algal blooms. nZVI can therefore affect microorganisms in the vicinity of the application area, including microalgae. However, studies on early transcriptomic effects of microalgae after exposure to nZVI are rare.

The effects of mass media messages, perceived susceptibility and self-rated health on public attitude towards COVID-19 in South Africa.

Objectives: South Africa was the worst affected country in Africa by the COVID-19 pandemic and it is important to interrogate the attitude of the populace towards the pandemic for future interventions. Therefore, this study examined effects of mass media messages, susceptibility to COVID-19 and self-rated health on the attitudes of South Africans towards the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Data was from the National Income Dynamics Study - Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) of 2021 which is a nationally representative panel survey of about 7,000 South African individuals in all the nine provinces.

Relative pose estimation from panoramic images using a hybrid neural network architecture.

Camera-based relative pose estimation (RPE) localizes a mobile robot given a view at the current position and an image at a reference location. Matching the landmarks between views is critical to localization quality. Common challenges are appearance changes, for example due to differing illumination.

Decomposition of mixed DMPC-aescin vesicles to bicelles is linked to the lipid's main phase transition: A direct evidence by using chain-deuterated lipid.

This work investigates the conversion of bicelles into larger sheets or closed vesicles upon dilution and temperature increase for a system composed of the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and the saponin aescin. Due to its peculiar amphiphilic character, aescin is able to decompose DMPC bilayers into smaller, rim-stabilized bicelles. Aspects of the transition process are analyzed in an aescin content- and temperature-dependent manner by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), turbidimetry and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS).

Environment-related health risks, knowledge and awareness among people in precarious milieus: secondary data analysis from the German "Environmental Awareness Study".

Introduction: Precarious milieus more frequently suffer from environmental risks and show lower environmental awareness and behavior than other milieus in the German population. This study investigates the factors that influence environmental awareness in precarious milieus and the roles of environmental knowledge and the perception of environment-related health burdens.

Methods: A quantitative secondary data analysis of the German Environmental Awareness Study 2018 ( = 2017) was used to analyze the perception of environmental health burdens, environmental knowledge, and environmental awareness between precarious milieus ( = 190) and seven other milieus.

Kinematic Sequence Differences Between Trained Baseball Players and Untrained Adolescent Individuals.

An overhead throwing motion is a common gross motor skill often taught in early childhood to improve physical activity participation. Yet, research investigating motor efficiency in overhead throws often focuses on improving performance in trained individuals. This project compares kinematic sequencing between trained and untrained youth.

Close relationships with caregivers as protective factor for the mental health and functioning of war-affected Congolese youth.

Background: Supportive social connections are a crucial determinant of the mental health and adjustment of youth in conflict-torn regions. Conflict-affected youth face particular risks to their well-being due to high levels of trauma exposure and perpetration of violent acts as members of armed groups and post-conflict discrimination. However, little is known about the possible protective role of close relationships with caregivers in the aftermath of trauma.

Effectiveness of ex ante honesty oaths in reducing dishonesty depends on content.

Dishonest behaviours such as tax evasion impose significant societal costs. Ex ante honesty oaths-commitments to honesty before action-have been proposed as interventions to counteract dishonest behaviour, but the heterogeneity in findings across operationalizations calls their effectiveness into question. We tested 21 honesty oaths (including a baseline oath)-proposed, evaluated and selected by 44 expert researchers-and a no-oath condition in a megastudy involving 21,506 UK and US participants from Prolific.