Quorum sensing signals of the grapevine crown gall bacterium, sp. Rr2-17: use of inducible expression and polymeric resin to sequester acyl-homoserine lactones.

Background: A grapevine crown gall tumor strain, sp. strain Rr2-17 was previously reported to accumulate copious amounts of diverse quorum sensing signals during growth. Genome sequencing identified a single luxI homolog in strain Rr2-17, suggesting that it may encode for a AHL synthase with broad substrate range, pending functional validation.

Histone N-tails modulate sequence-specific positioning of nucleosomes.

Spatial organization of chromatin is essential for cellular functioning. However, the precise mechanisms governing sequence-dependent positioning of nucleosomes on DNA still remain unknown in detail. Existing algorithms, taking into account the sequence-dependent deformability of DNA and its interactions with the histone globular domains, predict rotational setting of only 65% of human nucleosomes mapped in vivo.

Factors associated with male recruitment in a multi-site randomized behavioral clinical trial targeting the metabolic syndrome: analysis of screening and recruitment data from the ELM trial.

Background: Males are underrepresented in behavioral clinical trials of lifestyle. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate factors associated with trial interest in males at different stages of recruitment and overall, into a multi-site behavioral trial targeting lifestyle change and remission of the metabolic syndrome. Similar analyses were performed for female participation to investigate the uniqueness or consistency with the findings for males.

Predicting the replicability of social and behavioural science claims in COVID-19 preprints.

Replications are important for assessing the reliability of published findings. However, they are costly, and it is infeasible to replicate everything. Accurate, fast, lower-cost alternatives such as eliciting predictions could accelerate assessment for rapid policy implementation in a crisis and help guide a more efficient allocation of scarce replication resources.

Plasma and serum concentrations of VEGF-A121, but not of VEGF-A165, increase post-bevacizumab administration.

Background: VEGF-A concentrations were measured in the blood of bevacizumab-treated cancer patients in previous studies, but a consensus has not formed that would develop VEGF-A into a clinical biomarker. Recently, methods to strictly distinguish between the VEGF-A isoforms have been developed but have not yet been applied to cancer patients undergoing bevacizumab treatment.

Methods: An ELISA that strictly distinguishes between VEGF-A121 and VEGF-A165-the major isoforms of VEGF-A-and a commercially available ELISA for VEGF-A are used to determine the concentration of VEGF-A121, VEGF-A165, and VEGF-A in the blood of 12 patients with advanced colorectal cancer receiving bevacizumab therapy.

Mechanochemical topological defects in an active nematic.

We propose a reaction-diffusion system that converts topological information of an active nematic into chemical signals. We show that a curvature-activated reaction dipole is sufficient for creating a system that dynamically senses topology by producing a concentration field possessing local extrema coinciding with ±1/2 defects. The enabling term is analogous to polarization charge density seen in dielectric materials.

The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A121/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A165 Ratio as a Predictor of the Therapeutic Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Gastric Cancer.

Background/objectives: The response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is limited. Further, there is a need to discover biomarkers to predict therapeutic efficacy. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is strongly associated with intra-tumoral immunity; however, its utility as a marker remains unknown.

Whole-genome sequencing of three extremophile sp. strains isolated from the Atacama Desert.

The Atacama Desert is home to bacteria that use biofilms as a means of protecting themselves against the harsh environment. To inform research regarding this survival mechanism, we cultured and sequenced the genomes of three sp. isolates from Atacama Desert soil.

Comparative Evaluation of Microscopy, Rapid Diagnostic Tests, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Malaria Diagnosis in Nigerian Children.

Background  Malaria, a persistent public health issue in Nigeria, particularly among children, is often complicated by misdiagnosis, hindering effective treatment and control. The global adoption of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria has significantly improved management. This study, therefore, compares the diagnostic performance of microscopy, RDT, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Plasmodium falciparum detection in children in Kano state, Nigeria, providing crucial insights for effective control and elimination.

A sign language journey to the land of smiles: Thailand study abroad.

This qualitative study focused on the synergistic experience of a group of Deaf1 and hearing participants during a 2-week international study-abroad program to investigate the impact of immersing hearing American Sign Language (ASL) undergraduate majors with culturally Deaf faculty and doctoral students. 20 participants included undergraduate students who were ASL majors, Deaf doctoral students, faculty members, and an interpreter. Data included narratives with the Deaf faculty leader and the hearing ASL interpreter, a content analysis with the hearing undergraduates, and a section focused on the Deaf perspective with a thematic analysis with the Deaf faculty, students, and alumni.

Ethical Issues in Emerging Technologies to Extend the Viability of Biological Materials Across Time and Space.

This article presents a framework of ethical analysis for anticipatory evaluation of advanced biopreservation technologies and employs the framework illustratively in three domains. The framework features four clusters of general ethical considerations: (1) Producing Benefits, Minimizing Harms, Balancing Benefits, Risk, and Costs; (2) Justice, Fairness, Equity; (3) Respect for Autonomy; and (4) Transparency, Trustworthiness, and Public Trust.

Manipulating Time by Cryopreservation: Designing an Environmental Future by Maintaining a Portal to the Past.

This article explores how time-related metaphors frame advanced cryopreservation technologies in environmental conservation. Cryopreservation "stops" or "freezes" biological time and "buys time" desperately needed to preserve species and ecosystems. We advance a framing of these technologies as logistical, highlighting how they create opportunities to shift materials, knowledge, and decision-making power through space and time.

Building Governance & Coordination Across Applications.

Advanced biopreservation technologies using subzero approaches such as supercooling, partial freezing, and vitrification with reanimating techniques including nanoparticle infusion and laser rewarming are rapidly emerging as technologies with potential to radically disrupt biomedicine, research, aquaculture, and conservation. These technologies could pause biological time and facilitate large-scale banking of biomedical products including organs, tissues, and cell therapies.

Technological Remedies for Social Problems: Defining and Demarcating Techno-Fixes and Techno-Solutionism.

Can technology resolve social problems by reducing them to engineering challenges? In the 1960s, Alvin Weinberg answered yes, popularizing the term "techno-fix" in the process. The concept was immediately criticized and over time evolved into a disparaging term-a synonym for unrealistic technological proposals and their advocates. As the debate progressed, skepticism grew to include condemnation of a related term: "techno-solutionism.

Updated resources for exploring experimentally-determined PDB structures and Computed Structure Models at the RCSB Protein Data Bank.

The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB, RCSB.org), the US Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB, wwPDB.org) data center for the global PDB archive, provides access to the PDB data via its RCSB.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of Deferasirox: A Promising Strategy Against Invasive Aspergillosis.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a deadly fungal lung infection. Antifungal resistance and treatment side effects are major concerns. Iron chelators are vital for IA management, but systemic use can cause side effects.

Durable Antimicrobial Microstructure Surface (DAMS) Enabled by 3D-Printing and ZnO Nanoflowers.

Numerous studies have been trying to create nanomaterial-based antimicrobial surfaces to prevent infections due to bacterial growth. One major challenge in real-world applications of these surfaces is their mechanical durability. In this study, we introduce durable antimicrobial microstructure surface (DAMS), which integrates DLP 3D-printed microstructures with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoflowers.

LMPTMSite: A Platform for PTM Site Prediction in Proteins Leveraging Transformer-Based Protein Language Models.

Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) introduce new functionalities and play a critical role in the regulation of protein functions. Characterizing these modifications, especially PTM sites, is essential for unraveling complex biological systems. However, traditional experimental approaches, such as mass spectrometry, are time-consuming and expensive.

The association between exposure to a radio campaign on nutrition and mothers' nutrition- and health-related attitudes and minimal acceptable diet of children 6-36 months old: a quasi-experimental trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a radio campaign involving serial 10-minute drama episodes, 10-minute on air discussion of each episode by trained community health workers and 30-minute phone-ins from listeners in improving mothers' nutrition- and health-related attitudes (HNRAs) and children's minimum acceptable diet (MAD).

Design: A two-arm quasi-experimental trial with a pre-post design was used to quantify the effect of a radio campaign on nutrition before and immediately after the 6-month intervention. Difference-in-difference (DID) analysis was performed to assess the intervention's effect.

Assessing 3D printable density-graded lattice structures to minimize risk of tissue damage from compression-release stabilized sockets.

Background: Pressure, shear stress, and friction can contribute to soft tissue damage experienced by a residual limb. Current compression/release stabilized (CRS) socket designs may pose a risk to soft tissue from abrupt compression differences within the socket.Objectives:Density-graded lattice structures are investigated for their potential to mitigate risk of tissue damage by assessing their ability to produce more gradual transitions between high-compression and low-compression areas.

Adaptation of a couples intervention to promote coparenting and reduce hazardous drinking during transition to parenthood.

Introduction: Hazardous drinking by fathers poses a significant risk for negative family interactions and child outcomes. The transition to parenthood may be a time when expectant parents are potentially motivated for health behavior change, suggesting that implementing preventive interventions during this period may be particularly effective. This article provides an overview of the rationale for an innovative prevention strategy incorporating alcohol-use intervention with a family-focused program.

Advances in Prediction of Posttranslational Modification Sites Known to Localize in Protein Supersecondary Structures.

Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) play a crucial role in modulating the structure, function, localization, and interactions of proteins, with many PTMs being localized within supersecondary structures, such as helical pairs. These modifications can significantly influence the conformation and stability of these structures. For instance, phosphorylation introduces negative charges that alter electrostatic interactions, while acetylation or methylation of lysine residues affects the stability and interactions of alpha helices or beta strands.