Toward an Improved Understanding and Treatment of Canine Mammary Tumors: Insights and Advances from the Research.

As Guest Editors of this Special Issue on canine mammary tumors, we are pleased to present a collection of articles on this highly relevant and timely topic [...

Ultradense Array of On-Chip Sensors for High-Throughput Electrochemical Analyses.

High-throughput sensors are valuable tools for enabling massive, fast, and accurate diagnostics. To yield this type of electrochemical device in a simple and low-cost way, high-density arrays of vertical gold thin-film microelectrode-based sensors are demonstrated, leading to the rapid and serial interrogation of dozens of samples (10 μL droplets). Based on 16 working ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) and 3 quasi-reference electrodes (QREs), a total of 48 sensors were engineered in a 3D crossbar arrangement that devised a low number of conductive lines.

Unveiling Challenging Microbial Fossil Biosignatures from Rio Tinto with Micro-to-Nanoscale Chemical and Ultrastructural Imaging.

Understanding the nature and preservation of microbial traces in extreme environments is crucial for reconstructing Earth's early biosphere and for the search for life on other planets or moons. At Rio Tinto, southwestern Spain, ferric oxide and sulfate deposits similar to those discovered at Meridiani Planum, Mars, entomb a diversity of fossilized organisms, despite chemical conditions commonly thought to be challenging for life and fossil preservation. Investigating this unique fossil microbiota can elucidate ancient extremophile communities and the preservation of biosignatures in acidic environments on Earth and, potentially, Mars.

Aqueous Ammonium Nitrate Investigated Using Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Cylindrical and Flat Liquid Jets.

Ammonium nitrate in aqueous solution was investigated with synchrotron radiation based photoelectron spectroscopy using two types of liquid jet nozzles. Electron emission from a cylindrical microjet of aqueous ammonium nitrate solution was measured at two different angles relative to the horizontal polarization of the incident synchrotron radiation, 90° and 54.7° (the "magic angle"), for a range of photon energies (470-530 eV).

HuR controls glutaminase RNA metabolism.

Glutaminase (GLS) is directly related to cell growth and tumor progression, making it a target for cancer treatment. The RNA-binding protein HuR (encoded by the ELAVL1 gene) influences mRNA stability and alternative splicing. Overexpression of ELAVL1 is common in several cancers, including breast cancer.

Photobiomodulation of Na,K-ATPase in native membrane fraction and reconstituted in DPPC:DPPE-liposome.

Studies focusing on how photobiomodulation (PBM) can affect the structure and function of proteins are scarce in the literature. Few previous studies have shown that the enzymatic activity of Na,K-ATPAse (NKA) can be photo-modulated. However, the variability of sample preparation and light irradiation wavelengths have not allowed for an unequivocal conclusion about the PBM of NKA.

Facilitating Seed Iron Uptake through Amine-Epoxide Microgels: A Novel Approach to Enhance Cucumber () Germination.

Enhancing the initial stages of plant growth by using polymeric gels for seed priming presents a significant challenge. This study aimed to investigate a microgel derived from polyetheramine-poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and a bisepoxide (referred to as micro-PPO) as a promising alternative to optimize the seed germination process. The micro-PPO integrated with an iron micronutrient showed a positive impact on seed germination compared with control (Fe solutions) in which the root length yield improved up to 39%.

Unravelling biochemical and structural features of Bacillus licheniformis GH5 mannanase using site-directed mutagenesis and high-resolution protein crystallography studies.

Glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5) encompasses enzymes with several different activities, including endo-1,4-β-mannosidases. These enzymes are involved in mannan degradation, and have a number of biotechnological applications, such as mannooligosaccharide prebiotics production, stain removal and dyes decolorization, to name a few. Despite the importance of GH5 enzymes, only a few members of subfamily 7 were structurally characterized.

The impact of land-use changes and management intensification on bacterial communities in the last decade: a review.

In the last decade, advances in soil bacterial ecology have contributed to increasing agricultural production. Brazil is the world leading agriculture producer and leading soil biodiversity reservoir. Meanwhile, there is still a significant gap in the knowledge regarding the soil microscopic life and its interactions with agricultural practices, and the replacement of natural vegetation by agroecosystems is yet to be unfolded.

Sirtuin E deacetylase is required for full virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus represents a public health problem due to the high mortality rate in immunosuppressed patients and the emergence of antifungal-resistant isolates. Protein acetylation is a crucial post-translational modification that controls gene expression and biological processes. The strategic manipulation of enzymes involved in protein acetylation has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for addressing fungal infections.

Cutting-edge collagen biocomposite reinforced with 2D nano-talc for bone tissue engineering.

The advancement of nanobiocomposites reinforced with 2D nano-materials plays a pivotal role in enhancing bone tissue engineering. In this study, we introduce a nanobiocomposite that reinforces bovine collagen with 2D nano-talc, a recently exfoliated nano-mineral. These nanobiocomposites were prepared by blending collagen with varying concentrations of 2D nano-talc, encompassing mono- and few-layers talc from soapstone nanomaterial.

Bacterial genomes recovered from litter's metagenomes in Amazonian Dark Earths.

Here, we report 27 metagenome-assembled bacterial genomes (MAGs) from litter samples of a secondary forest located in Brazil over an Amazonian Dark Earth pool. The data set includes members from the phyla Pseudomonadata (14 MAGs), Actinomycetota (7 MAGs), Bacteroidota (4 MAGs), Bacillota (1 MAG), and Bdellovibrionota (1 MAG).

Structural characterization and AlphaFold modeling of human T cell receptor recognition of NRAS cancer neoantigens.

T cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize cancer neoantigens are important for anti-cancer immune responses and immunotherapy. Understanding the structural basis of TCR recognition of neoantigens provides insights into their exquisite specificity and can enable design of optimized TCRs. We determined crystal structures of a human TCR in complex with NRAS Q61K and Q61R neoantigen peptides and HLA-A1 MHC, revealing the molecular underpinnings for dual recognition and specificity versus wild-type NRAS peptide.

A Guide to Phylogenomic Inference.

Phylogenomics aims at reconstructing the evolutionary histories of organisms taking into account whole genomes or large fractions of genomes. Phylogenomics has significant applications in fields such as evolutionary biology, systematics, comparative genomics, and conservation genetics, providing valuable insights into the origins and relationships of species and contributing to our understanding of biological diversity and evolution. This chapter surveys phylogenetic concepts and methods aimed at both gene tree and species tree reconstruction while also addressing common pitfalls, providing references to relevant computer programs.

Nano-achiral complex composites for extreme polarization optics.

Composites from 2D nanomaterials show uniquely high electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. Pairing their robustness with polarization rotation is needed for hyperspectral optics in extreme conditions. However, the rigid nanoplatelets have randomized achiral shapes, which scramble the circular polarization of photons with comparable wavelengths.

Stealth and Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles through Surface Coating with a Zwitterionic Derivative of Glutathione.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hold promise in biomedicine, but challenges like aggregation, protein corona formation, and insufficient biocompatibility must be thoroughly addressed before advancing their clinical applications. Designing AuNPs with specific protein corona compositions is challenging, and strategies for corona elimination, such as coating with polyethylene glycol (PEG), have limitations. In this study, we introduce a commercially available zwitterionic derivative of glutathione, glutathione monoethyl ester (GSH), for the surface coating of colloidal AuNPs.

Hypotensive effects of exercise training: are postmenopausal women with hypertension non-responders or responders?

We tested the hypothesis that increasing the exercise dose or changing the exercise mode would augment hypotensive effects when traditional aerobic exercise training failed to produce it in postmenopausal women. Sixty-five postmenopausal women with essential hypertension were randomly allocated into the continuous aerobic training (CAT) and non-exercising control (CON) groups. CAT group cycled at moderate intensity 3 times a week for 12 weeks.

Proscan: a structure-based proline design web server.

The ability to control protein conformations and dynamics through structure-based design has been useful in various scenarios, including engineering of viral antigens for vaccines. One effective design strategy is the substitution of residues to proline amino acids, which due to its unique cyclic side chain can favor and rigidify key backbone conformations. To provide the community with a means to readily identify and explore proline designs for target proteins of interest, we developed the Proscan web server.

Experimental study on the deterioration of mechanical properties of sandy mudstone under different water-gas interactions.

Based on the water-rock-gas coupling test system, the work combined the scanning electron microscope and XTDIC 3D full-field strain measurement system. The Brazilian splitting test was performed on four groups of sandy mudstone specimens under contrast (CO), mash-gas soaking (MS), water-mash gas soaking (WM), and water-soaking (WS) conditions. The tensile strength, deformation failure, and microscopic characteristics of fractures were studied to reveal the deterioration mechanism of the tensile properties of sandy mudstone under water-gas coupling.

Current challenges in the discovery of treatments against Mayaro fever.

Introduction: Mayaro fever is an emerging viral disease that manifests as an acute febrile illness. The disease is self-limiting, however joint pain can persist for months leading to chronic arthralgia. There is no specific treatment available, which ultimately leads to socioeconomic losses in populations at risk as well as strains to the public health systems.

Two decades of clear-cutting threats in the Brazilian Amazonian protected areas around the Jirau, Santo Antônio, and Belo Monte large dams.

Deforestation rates in the Amazon have markedly increased in the last few years, affecting non-protected and protected areas (PAs). Brazil is a hotspot of Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing, and Degazettement (PADDD) events, with most events associated with infrastructure projects. Despite the threats dams impose on PAs, there is a knowledge gap in assessing deforestation in PAs around large dams in the Amazon.