Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics illuminate bat immunity and barrier tissue evolution.

Bats have adapted to pathogens through diverse mechanisms, including increased resistance - rapid pathogen elimination, and tolerance - limiting tissue damage following infection. In the Egyptian fruit bat (an important model in comparative immunology) several mechanisms conferring disease tolerance were discovered, but mechanisms underpinning resistance remain poorly understood. Previous studies on other species suggested that elevated basal expression of innate immune genes may lead to increased resistance to infection.

Hexagonal Hollow Core PCF-Based Blood Components Sensing: Design and Simulation.

Blood components play a crucial role in maintaining human health and accurately detecting them is essential for medical diagnostics. A cutting-edge sensor utilizing PCF revealed to precisely identify a wide range of blood components with WBCs (white blood cells), RBCs (red blood cells), HB (hemoglobin), platelets, and plasma. A numerical analysis was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics software to assess the capabilities of the sensor.

Short-term exposure of 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation on cellular ROS generation and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cell line and impact on developing chick embryo brain tissue.

Background: Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from wireless technology and mobile phones, operates at various frequencies. The present study analyses the major impact of short-term exposure to 2.4 GHz frequency EMR, using the two model systems chick embryos and SH-SY5Y cell lines.

The PurR family transcriptional regulator promotes butenyl-spinosyn production in Saccharopolyspora pogona.

Butenyl-spinosyn, derived from Saccharopolyspora pogona, is a broad-spectrum and effective bioinsecticide. However, the regulatory mechanism affecting butenyl-spinosyn synthesis has not been fully elucidated, which hindered the improvement of production. Here, a high-production strain S.

A framework for understanding and investigating polyphosphate-protein interactions.

Many prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells store inorganic phosphate in the form of polymers called polyphosphate (polyP). There has been an explosion of interest in polyP over the past decade, in part due to newly suggested roles related to diverse aspects of human health. The physical interaction of polyP chains with specific proteins has been proposed to regulate cellular homeostasis and modulate signaling pathways in response to environmental changes.

Improving sex and gender equity in research protocols: the new SAGER-swissethics recommendations.

No abstract available.

Precision and accuracy of the dynamic endocast method for measuring volume changes in XROMM studies.

The X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM) workflow enables precise and accurate measurement of the 3D skeletal kinematics underlying animal behaviors. The dynamic endocast method built upon that workflow to measure the rate of volume change within a bounded region of interest. We measured the precision and accuracy of the dynamic endocast method, using a fish oropharyngeal cavity as a case study.

Design Principles From Natural Olfaction for Electronic Noses.

Natural olfactory systems possess remarkable sensitivity and precision beyond what is currently achievable by engineered gas sensors. Unlike their artificial counterparts, noses are capable of distinguishing scents associated with mixtures of volatile molecules in complex, typically fluctuating environments and can adapt to changes. This perspective examines the multifaceted biological principles that provide olfactory systems their discriminatory prowess, and how these ideas can be ported to the design of electronic noses for substantial improvements in performance across metrics such as sensitivity and ability to speciate chemical mixtures.

Long-term increase in soluble interleukin-6 receptor levels in convalescents after mild COVID-19 infection.

Introduction: Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) are increased in COVID-19 patients. IL-6 is an effective therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases and tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks signaling via the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), is used to treat patients with severe COVID-19. However, the IL-6R exists in membrane-bound and soluble forms (sIL-6R), and the sIL-6R in combination with soluble glycoprotein 130 (sgp130) forms an IL-6-neutralizing buffer system capable of neutralizing small amounts of IL-6.

Therapeutic effects of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles on viral myocarditis correlate with biomolecular content.

Introduction: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can potently inhibit inflammation yet there is a lack of understanding about the impact of donor characteristics on the efficacy of EVs. The goal of this study was to determine whether the sex and age of donor platelet-derived EVs (PEV) affected their ability to inhibit viral myocarditis.

Methods: PEV, isolated from men and women of all ages, was compared to PEV obtained from women under 50 years of age, which we termed premenopausal PEV (pmPEV).

Revisiting phosphoregulation of Cdc25C during M-phase induction.

Cdc25C undergoes a sudden and substantial gel mobility shift at M-phase onset, correlating with abrupt activation of both Cdc25C and Cdk1 activities. A positive feedback loop between Cdk1 and Cdc25C has been used to explain this hallmark phenomenon. Here, we demonstrate that the M-phase supershift and robust activation of Cdc25C are due to the site-comprehensive phosphorylation of its long intrinsically disordered regulatory domain without requiring Cdk1 or other major mitotic kinase activities.

An agent-based model facilitating stakeholder engagement in management of estuaries along the Texas Gulf Coast (USA).

We describe an agent-based model purposed for social learning, which was developed by stakeholders, with the technical assistance of professional modelers, to facilitate stakeholder involvement in modeling issues related to the development of an adaptive environmental management plan for the Texas Gulf Coast (USA) estuaries. Stakeholders developed the model during six workshops that spanned a three-year period, and used the model to simulate the population dynamics (recruitment, growth, movement, and mortality) of blue crabs () in the Aransas and Copano Bays in response to various freshwater inflow and harvest scenarios. Results of scenarios representing normal, low, and high harvest levels indicated little effect on blue crab abundances, but harvests increased ≈75 % when harvest level was doubled and decreased ≈50 % harvest level was halved.

Short Report - Birth Weight is Not Associated With Cataracts or Pseudophakia - Results from the Gutenberg Health Study.

This study investigates the association between self-reported birth weight (BW) and the frequency of cataract and pseudophakia in a large population-based cohort in Germany, as part of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). Slit lamp examination and Scheimpflug imaging of 8205 participants, aged 35 to 74, were assessed and signs of cataract or pseudophakia analyzed. The research aimed to explore the correlation between fetal growth restriction and/or prematurity indicated by BW and the frequency of cataract and pseudophakia.

Microbial Carbon Use Efficiency and Growth Rates in Soil: Global Patterns and Drivers.

Carbon use efficiency (CUE) of microbial communities in soil quantifies the proportion of organic carbon (C) taken up by microorganisms that is allocated to growing microbial biomass as well as used for reparation of cell components. This C amount in microbial biomass is subsequently involved in microbial turnover, partly leading to microbial necromass formation, which can be further stabilized in soil. To unravel the underlying regulatory factors and spatial patterns of CUE on a large scale and across biomes (forests, grasslands, croplands), we evaluated 670 individual CUE data obtained by three commonly used approaches: (i) tracing of a substrate C by C (or C) incorporation into microbial biomass and respired CO (hereafter C-substrate), (ii) incorporation of O from water into DNA (O-water), and (iii) stoichiometric modelling based on the activities of enzymes responsible for C and nitrogen (N) cycles.

Genetic deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of cGAS-STING signalling suppresses kidney inflammation and fibrosis.

Background And Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterised by inflammation, which can lead to tubular atrophy and fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the functional role of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)- stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signalling in renal inflammation and fibrosis.

Dysfunction in mitochondrial electron transport chain drives the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension: insights from a multi-omics investigation.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disorder that can lead to right ventricular failure and severe consequences. Despite extensive efforts, limited progress has been made in preventing the progression of PAH. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the development of PAH, but the key mitochondrial functional alterations in the pathogenesis have yet to be elucidated.

Caregivers' experience of having a child with Down syndrome: a meta-synthesis.

Background: This study aimed to integrate the experiences of caregivers of children with Down syndrome during the care process and understand their feelings and needs.

Methods: We used Page et al.'s (2021) Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-synthesis Statement.

Machine learning-driven identification of critical gene programs and key transcription factors in migraine.

Background: Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of severe headaches. Although genetic factors have been implicated, the precise molecular mechanisms, particularly gene expression patterns in migraine-associated brain regions, remain unclear. This study applies machine learning techniques to explore region-specific gene expression profiles and identify critical gene programs and transcription factors linked to migraine pathogenesis.

Population genomics of premature termination codons in cavefish with substantial trait loss.

Loss-of-function alleles are a pertinent source of genetic variation with the potential to contribute to adaptation. Cave-adapted organisms exhibit striking loss of ancestral traits such as eyes and pigment, suggesting that loss-of-function alleles may play an outsized role in these systems. Here, we leverage 141 whole genome sequences to evaluate the evolutionary history and adaptive potential of single nucleotide premature termination codons (PTCs) in Mexican tetra.

UDA-seq: universal droplet microfluidics-based combinatorial indexing for massive-scale multimodal single-cell sequencing.

The use of single-cell combinatorial indexing sequencing via droplet microfluidics presents an attractive approach for balancing cost, scalability, robustness and accessibility. However, existing methods often require tailored protocols for individual modalities, limiting their automation potential and clinical applicability. To address this, we introduce UDA-seq, a universal workflow that integrates a post-indexing step to enhance throughput and systematically adapt existing droplet-based single-cell multimodal methods.

Characterization of gut microbiota on gender and age groups bias in Thai patients with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication and interaction problems. The prevalence of ASD is increasing globally, with a higher ratio of males to females. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in individuals with ASD, and gut microbiota has been implicated in the disorder's development.

Imperatives and co-benefits of research into climate change and neurological disease.

Evidence suggests that anthropogenic climate change is accelerating and is affecting human health globally. Despite urgent calls to address health effects in the context of the additional challenges of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and ageing populations, the effects of climate change on specific health conditions are still poorly understood. Neurological diseases contribute substantially to the global burden of disease, and the possible direct and indirect consequences of climate change for people with these conditions are a cause for concern.

Discovery of novel serum peptide biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma recurrence through MALDI-TOF MS and LC-MS/MS peptidome analysis.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive cancer originating from bile duct epithelial cells, with a high rate of recurrence following surgical resection. Recurrence is categorized as early linked to aggressive tumor biology than late recurrence. This study aimed to identify novel peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs) and potential biomarker panels in the serum of CCA patients with early and late recurrence using mass spectrometry.

Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries.

Science is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. Public trust in scientists can help decision makers act on the basis of the best available evidence, especially during crises. However, in recent years the epistemic authority of science has been challenged, causing concerns about low public trust in scientists.