Cryo-EM reconstruction of yeast ADP-actin filament at 2.5 Å resolution. A comparison with vertebrate F-actin.

The core component of the actin cytoskeleton is the globular protein G-actin, which reversibly polymerizes into filaments (F-actin). Budding yeast possesses a single actin that shares 87%-89% sequence identity with vertebrate actin isoforms. Previous structural studies indicate very close overlap of main-chain backbones.

The Vimentin-Targeting Drug ALD-R491 Partially Reverts the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Vimentin Interactome of Lung Cancer Cells.

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a common feature in early cancer invasion. Increased vimentin is a canonical marker of the EMT; however, the role of vimentin in EMT remains unknown. To clarify this, we induced EMT in lung cancer cells with TGF-β1, followed by treatment with the vimentin-targeting drug ALD-R491, live-cell imaging, and quantitative proteomics.

Resolving the contrasting leaf hydraulic adaptation of C and C grasses.

Grasses are exceptionally productive, yet their hydraulic adaptation is paradoxical. Among C grasses, a high photosynthetic rate (A) may depend on higher vein density (D) and hydraulic conductance (K). However, the higher D of C grasses suggests a hydraulic surplus, given their reduced need for high K resulting from lower stomatal conductance (g).

Theory of morphodynamic information processing: Linking sensing to behaviour.

The traditional understanding of brain function has predominantly focused on chemical and electrical processes. However, new research in fruit fly (Drosophila) binocular vision reveals ultrafast photomechanical photoreceptor movements significantly enhance information processing, thereby impacting a fly's perception of its environment and behaviour. The coding advantages resulting from these mechanical processes suggest that similar physical motion-based coding strategies may affect neural communication ubiquitously.

Place-based household vouchers for locally supplied fruit and vegetables: the Fresh Street pilot cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: Households in areas of socio-economic deprivation are more likely to consume diets low in fruit and vegetables. Fresh Street is a place-based fruit and vegetable voucher scheme with vouchers redeemable with local independent (non-supermarket) vendors. Paper vouchers are offered to all households in a geographical area regardless of household type, size, or income with no requirement to demonstrate need.

In vivo spontaneous Ca activity in the pre-hearing mammalian cochlea.

The refinement of neural circuits towards mature function is driven during development by patterned spontaneous calcium-dependent electrical activity. In the auditory system, this sensory-independent activity arises in the pre-hearing cochlea and regulates the survival and refinement of the auditory pathway. However, the origin and interplay of calcium signals during cochlear development is unknown in vivo.

MYO7A is required for the functional integrity of the mechanoelectrical transduction complex in hair cells of the adult cochlea.

Myosin-VIIA (MYO7A) is an unconventional myosin responsible for syndromic (Usher 1B) or nonsyndromic forms of deafness in humans when mutated. In the cochlea, MYO7A is expressed in hair cells, where it is believed to act as the motor protein tensioning the mechanoelectrical transducer (MET) channels, thus setting their resting open probability (). However, direct evidence for this unique role for an unconventional myosin in mature hair cells is lacking.

Epidemiological characteristics and genetic diversity of Bartonella species from rodents in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Southwestern China.

Bartonella spp. are gram-negative bacteria recognized as zoonotic pathogens of wide spectrum mammals. Rodents are recognized as a natural reservoir of pathogens, and many Bartonella species transmitted by various blood-sucking arthropods have been detected in various rodents populations.

Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination in Thailand: Averted Deaths and Severe Infections Across Age Groups.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the pivotal role of vaccines in mitigating the devastating impact of the virus. In Thailand, the vaccination campaign against SARS-CoV-2 began on 28 February 2021, initially prioritizing healthcare professionals before expanding into a nationwide effort on 7 June 2021. This study employs a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission with vaccination to analyze the impact of Thailand's COVID-19 vaccination program from 1 March 2021 to 31 December 2022.

The Intramolecular Self-Assembly of Statistical Copolymers in Aqueous Solution to Form Anisotropic Single-Chain Nanoparticles with Tunable Aspect Ratio.

Natural single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) such as proteins have inspired research into the formation and application of synthetic SCNPs. Although the latter can mimic general aspects of the self-assembly behavior of their biological counterparts, these systems remain relatively understudied. In this respect, a systematic series of amphiphilic statistical copolymers (ASC) of different molecular weights, with a hydrophilic comonomer (methacrylic acid) and varying hydrophobic comonomer to encompass methacrylates of different hydrophobicity, are synthesized.

Inhibition of EphA2 by syndecan-4 in wounded skin regulates clustering of fibroblasts.

Upon injury, fibroblasts in the surrounding tissue become activated, migrating into the wound in a controlled manner. Once they arrive, they contract the wound and remodel the stroma. While certain cell surface receptors promote fibroblast migration, others cause repulsion between fibroblasts upon contact, seemingly opposing their clustering within the wound bed.

The Fat-Dachsous planar polarity pathway competes with hinge contraction to orient polarized cell behaviors during Drosophila wing morphogenesis.

During tissue morphogenesis, an interplay of biochemical pathways and mechanical cues regulates polarized cell behaviors, the balance of which leads to tissues reaching their correct shape and size. A well-studied example of a biochemical regulator is the highly conserved Fat-Dachsous (Ft-Ds) pathway that coordinates planar polarized cell behaviors and growth in epithelial tissues. For instance, in the Drosophila larval wing disc, the Ft-Ds pathway acts via the atypical myosin Dachs to control tissue shape by promoting the orientation of cell divisions primarily in a proximodistal (PD) direction.

Pathways and risk analysis of arsenic and heavy metal pollution in riverine water: Application of multivariate statistics and USEPA-recommended risk assessment models.

This study analyzed surface water from the River Swat, Pakistan, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, multivariate statistical techniques, and US-EPA risk assessment models to evaluate the concentrations, distribution, pathways, and potential risks of arsenic (As) and heavy metals, including chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). The results revealed significant correlations (p ≤ 0.01) among metals that indicated common pollution sources, likely influenced by anthropogenic point and non-point activities.

Treatment of Hypothalamic Obesity With GLP-1 Analogs.

Introduction: Congenital and acquired damage to hypothalamic nuclei or neuronal circuits controlling satiety and energy expenditure results in hypothalamic obesity (HO). To date, successful weight loss and satiety has only been achieved in a limited number of affected patients across multiple drug trials. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) acts via central pathways that are independent from the hypothalamus to induce satiety.

Molecular mechanism of condensin I activation by KIF4A.

During mitosis, the condensin I and II complexes compact chromatin into chromosomes. Loss of the chromokinesin, KIF4A, results in reduced condensin I association with chromosomes, but the molecular mechanism behind this phenotype is unknown. In this study, we reveal that KIF4A binds directly to the human condensin I HAWK subunit, NCAPG, via a conserved disordered short linear motif (SLiM) located in its C-terminal tail.

Anisogamy and sex roles: a commentary.

The origin and maintenance of sex differences in reproductive behavior (often labeled sex roles) have remained controversial topics, and recent meta-analyses and theoretical models have helped to elucidate the processes that generate diverse sex roles. We are glad to see that our study (Mokos et al., 2021) generated a healthy debate, and in agreement with recent commentaries (Janicke, 2024; Lehtonen & Parker, 2024) we call for a more comprehensive approach to understanding sex role evolution.

The FAIR database: facilitating access to public health research literature.

Objectives: In public health, access to research literature is critical to informing decision-making and to identify knowledge gaps. However, identifying relevant research is not a straightforward task since public health interventions are often complex, can have positive and negative impacts on health inequalities and are applied in diverse and rapidly evolving settings. We developed a "living" database of public health research literature to facilitate access to this information using Natural Language Processing tools.

SENP3-FIS1 axis promotes mitophagy and cell survival under hypoxia.

SUMOylation, the covalent attachment of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) to target proteins, and its reversal, deSUMOylation by SUMO proteases like Sentrin-specific proteases (SENPs), are crucial for initiating cellular responses to hypoxia. However, their roles in subsequent adaptation processes to hypoxia such as mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) remain unexplored. Here, we show that general SUMOylation, particularly SUMO2/3 modification, suppresses mitophagy under both normoxia and hypoxia.

Deciphering the Role of ASPM in Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Multicohort Study.

Background: Assembly factor for spindle microtubules (ASPM) has gained significant attention in cancer research due to its association with tumor growth and progression. Through the analysis of large-scale genomic datasets, ASPM has been identified as the top upregulated gene in breast cancer (BC), characterized by high proliferation. This multicohort study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of ASPM mRNA and protein expression in BC.

A Focus Group Discussion Study Exploring General Surgery Trainees' Views on Evidence-Based Medicine Within Their Training Program in the United Kingdom.

Introduction: Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) is fundamental to modern healthcare and its integration into postgraduate curricula is strongly advocated. Despite its relevance, incorporating EBM in postgraduate training, specifically in general surgery, is fraught with challenges. This study aims to explore the perceptions of general surgical trainees regarding EBM, focusing on the process of achieving competency, assessment and its associated challenges.

Paired and solitary ionocytes in the zebrafish olfactory epithelium.

The sense of smell is generated by electrical currents that are influenced by the concentration of ions in olfactory sensory neurons and mucus. In contrast to the extensive morphological and molecular characterization of sensory neurons, there has been little description of the cells that control ion concentrations in the zebrafish olfactory system. Here, we report the molecular and ultrastructural characterization of zebrafish olfactory ionocytes.

Preferential nitrogen and carbon exchange dynamics in Mucoromycotina "fine root endophyte"-plant symbiosis.

Mucoromycotina "fine root endophyte" (MFRE) fungi are an understudied group of plant symbionts that regularly co-occur with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The functional significance of MFRE in plant nutrition remains underexplored, particularly their role in plant nitrogen (N) assimilation from the variety of sources typically found in soils. Using four N-labeled N sources to track N transfer between MFRE and Plantago lanceolata, applied singly and in tandem, we investigated N source discrimination, preference, and transfer to host plants by MFRE.