Signatures of mRNA Alternative Polyadenylation in Leaf Development.

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) of pre-mRNA is an important co-transcriptional mechanism that modulates gene expression, leading to transcriptomic and functional diversities. The role of APA in leaf development, however, remains elusive. We applied a poly(A)-tag sequencing (PAT-seq) technique to characterize APA-mediated regulation events in cotyledon and in five stages of true leaf development.

Liposomal Glutathione Helps to Mitigate Infection in the Lungs.

(), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is responsible for causing significant morbidity and mortality, especially among individuals with compromised immune systems. We have previously shown that the supplementation of liposomal glutathione (L-GSH) reduces viability and enhances a Th-1 cytokine response, promoting granuloma formation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. However, the effects of L-GSH supplementation in modulating the immune responses in the lungs during an active infection have yet to be explored.

Opportunities to integrate nutrigenomics into clinical practice and patient counseling.

Background: Little progress has been made in translating nutrigenomics knowledge into clinical counseling in the past decade. Currently, clinicians are overwhelmed by nutrigenomics information without the proper scientific guidelines on patient counseling.

Methods: In this study, we conducted a scoping review of the primary literature to assess the current evidence of nutrigenomics counseling.

Divergence in the Regulation of the Salt Tolerant Response Between and Its Halophytic Relative by mRNA Alternative Polyadenylation.

Salt tolerance is an important mechanism by which plants can adapt to a saline environment. To understand the process of salt tolerance, we performed global analyses of mRNA alternative polyadenylation (APA), an important regulatory mechanism during eukaryotic gene expression, in and its halophytic relative with regard to their responses to salt stress. Analyses showed that while APA occurs commonly in both and , possesses fewer APA genes than (47% vs.

Effects of Glutathione Diminishment on the Immune Responses against Infection.

, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), continues to be a global health burden. We have reported that patients with marked deficiency in the production of glutathione (GSH) had impaired granulomatous effector responses against infection, which were restored when supplementing patients with liposomal GSH (lGSH). However, the effects of GSH deficiency in the lung parenchyma in altering granuloma formation and effector responses against infection remain unexplored.

A computed tomography-based survey of paramedullary diverticula in extant Aves.

Avian respiratory systems are comprised of rigid lungs connected to a hierarchically organized network of large, regional air sacs, and small diverticula that branch from them. Paramedullary diverticula are those that rest in contact with the spinal cord, and frequently invade the vertebral canal. Here, we review the historical study of these structures and provide the most diverse survey to date of paramedullary diverticula in Aves, consisting of observations from 29 taxa and 17 major clades.

Phenotypic and Methylome Responses to Salt Stress in Natural Accessions.

Salt stress threatens plant growth, development and crop yields, and has become a critical global environmental issue. Increasing evidence has suggested that the epigenetic mechanism such as DNA methylation can mediate plant response to salt stress through transcriptional regulation and transposable element (TE) silencing. However, studies exploring genome-wide methylation dynamics under salt stress remain limited, in particular, for studies on multiple genotypes.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of aquaporins in mangrove plant Kandelia obovata and its role in response to the intertidal environment.

Aquaporins (AQPs) play important roles in plant growth, development and tolerance to environmental stresses. To understand the role of AQPs in the mangrove plant Kandelia obovata, which has the ability to acquire water from seawater, we identified 34 AQPs in the K. obovata genome and analysed their structural features.

Academic performance and attitudes of dental students impacted by COVID-19.

Objectives: Previous studies only focused on attitudes and behaviors of US dental students without examining direct effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance. This study examined effects of COVID-19 pandemic on dental students' academic performance, self-reported attitudes, behavior, and service utilization. We hypothesized that the pandemic provided more beneficial learning environments.

Amyloid-β oligomers in the nucleus accumbens decrease motivation via insertion of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors.

It is essential to identify the neuronal mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)-associated neuropsychiatric symptoms, e.g., apathy, before improving the life quality of AD patients.

LAMTOR1 inhibition of TRPML1-dependent lysosomal calcium release regulates dendritic lysosome trafficking and hippocampal neuronal function.

Lysosomes function not only as degradatory compartments but also as dynamic intracellular calcium ion stores. The transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) channel mediates lysosomal Ca release, thereby participating in multiple cellular functions. The pentameric Ragulator complex, which plays a critical role in the activation of mTORC1, is also involved in lysosomal trafficking and is anchored to lysosomes through its LAMTOR1 subunit.

Focused ultrasound excites cortical neurons via mechanosensitive calcium accumulation and ion channel amplification.

Ultrasonic neuromodulation has the unique potential to provide non-invasive control of neural activity in deep brain regions with high spatial precision and without chemical or genetic modification. However, the biomolecular and cellular mechanisms by which focused ultrasound excites mammalian neurons have remained unclear, posing significant challenges for the use of this technology in research and potential clinical applications. Here, we show that focused ultrasound excites primary murine cortical neurons in culture through a primarily mechanical mechanism mediated by specific calcium-selective mechanosensitive ion channels.

Common Combinations of Pregestational Diagnosis and Pregnancy Complications.

Objective Single pregestational diagnoses have been demonstrated to be associated with pregnancy-related complications. But, the effect of multiple diagnoses is understudied. The objective of this study is to determine the most common combinations of pregestational diagnoses and to determine if specific combinations increase the risk of pregnancy-related complications.

Emergent Management of Traumatic Posterior Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) dislocation is a rare but serious orthopedic injury. Posterior dislocations are more concerning due to the SCJ's proximity to visceral structures such as the trachea, esophagus, subclavian vessels, and brachial plexus. Due to the potential long-term sequelae of missed diagnosis, clinical suspicion should be high when a patient presents with a compression-type injury to the shoulder girdle and pain or deformity to the SCJ.

IL-33, IL-37, and Vitamin D Interaction Mediate Immunomodulation of Inflammation in Degenerating Cartilage.

Chronic joint inflammation due to increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the accumulation of inflammatory immune cells (mainly macrophages), and vitamin D deficiency leads to cartilage degeneration and the development of osteoarthritis (OA). This study investigated the effect of vitamin D status on the expression of mediators of inflammation including interleukin (IL)-33, IL-37, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, toll-like receptors (TLRs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in degenerating the cartilage of hyperlipidemic microswine. Additionally, in vitro studies with normal human chondrocytes were conducted to investigate the effect of calcitriol on the expression of IL-33, IL-37, IL-6, TNF-α, TLRs, DAMPs, and MMPs.

A double-blinded placebo-controlled evaluation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of canine atopic dermatitis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a new therapy for various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. In this study we perform the first double-blinded, placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy of adipose-derived allogenic canine MSCs for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). Enrolled canine patients were randomly divided into placebo (PBS saline), low-dose (5 × 10 cells/kg), and high-dose (5 × 10 cells/kg) treatment groups.

A histological survey of avian post-natal skeletal ontogeny.

Bone histology of crown-group birds is a research topic of great interest, permitting insight into the evolution of remarkably high growth rates in this clade and variation across the altricial-precocial spectrum. In this study, we describe microanatomical characteristics of the humerus and femur in partial growth series from 14 crown group birds representing ten major clades (Struthioniformes, Galliformes, Apodiformes, Columbiformes, Charadriiformes, Accipitriformes, Strigiformes, Psittaciformes, Falconiformes, and Passeriformes). Our goals were to: (1) describe the microanatomy of each individual; (2) make inter-and intra-taxonomic comparisons; (3) assess patterns that correspond with developmental mode; and (4) to further parse out phylogenetic, developmental, and functional constraints on avian osteological development.

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide Inhibits A Dopamine Neurons and Suppresses the Binge-like Consumption of Palatable Food.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) binds to PACAP-specific (PAC1) receptors in multiple hypothalamic areas, especially those regulating energy balance. PACAP neurons in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) exert anorexigenic effects within the homeostatic energy balance circuitry. Since PACAP can also reduce the consumption of palatable food, we tested the hypothesis that VMN PACAP neurons project to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to inhibit A dopamine neurons via PAC1 receptors and K channels, and thereby suppress binge-like consumption.

Microglia regulation of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory.

Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system. Microglia possess varied morphologies and functions. Under normal physiological conditions, microglia mainly exist in a resting state and constantly monitor their microenvironment and survey neuronal and synaptic activity.

Immunomodulation of IL-33 and IL-37 with Vitamin D in the Neointima of Coronary Artery: A Comparative Study between Balloon Angioplasty and Stent in Hyperlipidemic Microswine.

Inflammation is a major contributor to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Interleukin (IL)-33 and IL-37, members of the IL-1 family, modulate inflammation, with IL-33 having a pro-inflammatory effect and IL-37 having anti-inflammatory properties. IL-37 is constitutively expressed at low levels but upregulated in inflammatory contexts.

Global gene expression signatures in response to citrate-coated silver nanoparticles exposure.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in medical and commercial products for their unique antibacterial functions. However, the impact of AgNPs on human neural development is not well understood. To investigate the effect of AgNPs on human neural development, various doses of 20 nm citrate-coated AgNP (AgSC) were administered to human embryonic stem cell derived neural progenitors during the neuronal differentiation.

Mechanical and chemical activation of GPR68 probed with a genetically encoded fluorescent reporter.

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) 68 (GPR68, or OGR1) couples extracellular acidifications and mechanical stimuli to G-protein signaling and plays important roles in vascular physiology, neuroplasticity and cancer progression. Inspired by previous GPCR-based reporters, here, we inserted a cyclic permuted fluorescent protein into the third intracellular loop of GPR68 to create a genetically encoded fluorescent reporter of GPR68 activation we call 'iGlow'. iGlow responds to known physiological GPR68 activators such as fluid shear stress and extracellular acidifications.

Intragenic heterochromatin-mediated alternative polyadenylation modulates miRNA and pollen development in rice.

Despite a much higher proportion of intragenic heterochromatin-containing genes in crop genomes, the importance of intragenic heterochromatin in crop development remains unclear. Intragenic heterochromatin can be recognised by a protein complex, ASI1-AIPP1-EDM2 (AAE) complex, to regulate alternative polyadenylation. Here, we investigated the impact of rice ASI1 on global poly(A) site usage through poly(A) sequencing and ASI1-dependent regulation on rice development.