Prion Protein Endoproteolysis: Cleavage Sites, Mechanisms and Connections to Prion Disease.

Highly abundant in neurons, the cellular prion protein (PrP) is an obligatory precursor to the disease-associated misfolded isoform denoted PrP that accumulates in the rare neurodegenerative disorders referred to either as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or as prion diseases. The ability of PrP to serve as a substrate for this template-mediated conversion process depends on several criteria but importantly includes the presence or absence of certain endoproteolytic events performed at the cell surface or in acidic endolysosomal compartments. The major endoproteolytic events affecting PrP are referred to as α- and β-cleavages, and in this review we outline the sites within PrP at which the cleavages occur, the mechanisms potentially responsible and their relevance to pathology.

First Report of Causing Bacterial Leaf and Panicle Blight of Rice in Louisiana, USA.

In July 2023, panicle and leaf blight-like symptoms were observed from the rice () variety, PVL03, in research field plots in Louisiana (Rayne, LA 70578, USA; 30.21330⁰ N, 92.37309⁰ W).

BbGSD: Black-boned Sheep Genome SNP Database.

Lanping black-boned (LPBB) sheep are a unique and rare ruminant species, characterized by black pigmentation in the skin and internal organs. Thus far, LPBB are the only known animal with heritable melanin characteristics besides the black-boned chicken, and the only mammal known to contain a large amount of melanin in the body. LPBB have therefore attracted substantial research attention, due to their potential contribution to medicine.

Net Benefit of Early Anticoagulation for Stroke With Atrial Fibrillation: Post Hoc Analysis of the ELAN Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The net clinical effect of early vs later direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) initiation after atrial fibrillation-associated ischemic stroke is unclear.

Objective: To investigate whether early DOAC treatment is associated with a net clinical benefit (NCB).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a post hoc analysis of the Early Versus Late Initiation of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Post-Ischaemic Stroke Patients With Atrial Fibrillation (ELAN) open-label randomized clinical trial conducted across 103 sites in 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia between November 6, 2017, and September 12, 2022, with a 90-day follow-up.

Systematic review of 99 extremity bone malignancy survival prediction models.

Background: Various prediction models have been developed for extremity metastasis and sarcoma. This systematic review aims to evaluate extremity metastasis and sarcoma models using the utility prediction model (UPM) evaluation framework.

Methods: We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane to identify articles presenting original prediction models with 1-year survival outcome for extremity metastasis and 5-year survival outcome for sarcoma.

Tofacitinib Treatment for Active Dermatomyositis and Anti-synthetase Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in the treatment of active dermatomyositis (DM) and anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS).

Methods: Tofacitinib was administered at a dose of 5 mg twice daily to patients who exhibited inadequate response to conventional treatments. The primary end point was the reduction of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells at week 24.

A predictive model based on the gut microbiota improves the diagnostic effect in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, destructive autoimmune disorder predominantly targeting the joints, with gut microbiota dysbiosis being intricately associated with its progression. The aim of the present study was to develop of effective early diagnostic methods for early RA based on gut microbiota.

Methods: A cohort comprising 262 RA patients and 475 healthy controls (HCs) was recruited.

Barriers and facilitators to sustaining a lupus patient decision aid in regular rheumatology outpatient care in the US.

Objective: This study investigates the barriers and facilitators to sustaining a decision aid (DA) tool for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in routine rheumatology outpatient care across the U.S. The DA was initially developed for assisting Patients with SLE in making informed medication choices by providing personalized information on their treatment process.

P-P Coupling and Terminal Metal-Phosphorus Intermediates.

Terminal metal-phosphorus (M-P) complexes are of significant contemporary interest as potential platforms for P-atom transfer (PAT) chemistry. Decarbonylation of metal-phosphaethynolate (M-PCO) complexes has emerged as a general synthetic approach to terminal M-P complexes. M-P complexes that are stabilized by strong M-P multiple bonds are kinetically persistent and isolable.

Heterogeneous Frustrated Lewis Pair Catalysts: Rational Structure Design and Mechanistic Elucidation Based on Intrinsic Properties of Supports.

ConspectusThe discovery of reversible hydrogenation using metal-free phosphoborate species in 2006 marked the official advent of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry. This breakthrough revolutionized homogeneous catalysis approaches and paved the way for innovative catalytic strategies. The unique reactivity of FLPs is attributed to the Lewis base (LB) and Lewis acid (LA) sites either in spatial separation or in equilibrium, which actively react with molecules.

Structural and electronic transition of layered PtSe into non-layered PtSe.

Research into novel two-dimensional (2D) materials has boomed over the past decade, with a bewildering diversity of distinct properties being discovered. In this work, layered PtSe, grown by chemical vapor deposition and thermally converted to non-layered tetragonal PtSe, is experimentally and theoretically investigated. Notably, the resultant PtSe is distinctly metallic, which highlights the significance of sub-stoichiometric phases within transition metal dichalcogenide films.

Comparison of different microbiome analysis pipelines to validate their reproducibility of gastric mucosal microbiome composition.

Microbiome analysis has become a crucial tool for basic and translational research due to its potential for translation into clinical practice. However, there is ongoing controversy regarding the comparability of different bioinformatic analysis platforms and a lack of recognized standards, which might have an impact on the translational potential of results. This study investigates how the performance of different microbiome analysis platforms impacts the final results of mucosal microbiome signatures.

Trajectories of general and central obesity beyond middle age in relation to late-life cognitive decline and dementia.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the longitudinal patterns of central and general obesity, identify their genetic and behavioral risk determinants, and investigate the association of distinct obesity trajectories beyond middle age with subsequent cognitive decline and the risk of developing dementia in late life.

Methods: Using a nationally representative, longitudinal, community-based cohort, we examined trajectory patterns of obesity over a 14-year span beyond middle age employing latent mixture modeling. We then evaluated their relationship with subsequent cognitive decline through linear mixed models and with the risk of developing dementia using Cox models, adjusting for confounding variables.

Measurement of multidifferential cross sections for dijet production in proton-proton collisions at .

A measurement of the dijet production cross section is reported based on proton-proton collision data collected in 2016 at by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of up to 36.3 . Jets are reconstructed with the anti- algorithm for distance parameters of and 0.

Interrupted versus uninterrupted anticoagulation for cardiac rhythm management device insertion.

Background: Guideline-recommended strategies to interrupt chronic anticoagulation with warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) during the perioperative period of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) surgery differ worldwide. There is uncertainty concerning the benefits and harms of interrupted and uninterrupted anticoagulation in patients undergoing CIED surgery.

Objectives: To assess the benefits and harms of interrupted anticoagulation (IAC) with either warfarin or DOAC in the perioperative period of CIED surgery versus uninterrupted anticoagulation (UAC), with or without heparin bridging, during an equivalent time frame, for CIED surgery.

Dexmedetomidine for analgesia and sedation for procedural pain or discomfort in newborn infants.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of dexmedetomidine compared with opioids, non-opioids and placebo in providing sedation and analgesia for procedural pain in newborn infants.

Understanding hepcidin for iron management in pregnancy.

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) poses a significant health challenge during pregnancy, affecting up to 30% of pregnant women in the UK. It has been linked to poor health outcomes for the mother, foetus, and the infant. Despite its prevalence and impact, current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are limited.

Gestational trophoblastic disease: understanding the molecular mechanisms of placental tumours.

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) describes a group of rare benign and cancerous lesions originating from the trophoblast cells of the placenta. These neoplasms are unconventional entities, being one of the few instances in which cancer develops from the cells of another organism, the foetus. Although this condition was first described over 100 years ago, the specific genetic and non-genetic drivers of this disease remain unknown to this day.

Effect of Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination on immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 vaccination.

Objectives: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination has off-target effects on disease risk for unrelated infections and immune responses to vaccines. This study aimed to determine the immunomodulatory effects of BCG vaccination on immune responses to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Blood samples, from a subset of 275 SARS-CoV-2-naïve healthcare workers randomised to BCG vaccination (BCG group) or no BCG vaccination (Control group) in the BRACE trial, were collected before and 28 days after the primary course (two doses) of ChAdOx1-S (Oxford-AstraZeneca) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccination.

Comparison of outcomes between resurfaced and unresurfaced patella in total knee arthroplasty using medial congruent liners: A retrospective study.

Introduction: Total knee replacements are becoming more prevalent. There is still a lot of controversy regarding patellar resurfacing. Surgeons advocating for resurfacing state reduced risk for anterior knee pain and need for future revision surgery.

Cleft Lip and Palate Research in the United Kingdom: Advances in Clinical Psychological Knowledge and Future Directions.

In 2012, the James Lind Alliance (JLA) worked with individuals with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P), their families and clinicians to identify priority areas for future research. This article reviews progress conducted in the United Kingdom in the 3 JLA priorities most closely related to Clinical Psychology. It then builds upon the original priorities to identify 4 future directions, based on contemporary literature and in-depth discussions between clinical and research experts.

WildPose: A long-range 3D wildlife motion capture system.

Understanding and monitoring wildlife behavior is crucial in ecology and biomechanics, yet challenging due to the limitations of current methods. To address this issue, we introduce WildPose, a novel long-range motion capture system specifically tailored for free-ranging wildlife observation. This system combines an electronically controllable zoom-lens camera with a LiDAR to capture both 2D videos and 3D point cloud data, thereby allowing researchers to observe high-fidelity animal morphometrics, behavior and interactions in a completely remote manner.