A phenotypic journey into NT5DC proteins in cancer and other diseases.

5'-nucleotidases are proteins involved in nucleotide metabolism by dephosphorylating nucleotide monophosphates. A group of four related proteins (NT5DC1-4) has been described and an increasing amount of corresponding data has been published over the last years. Here, we review the current scientific literature on NT5DC proteins, present data on the four proteins, and discuss their potential involvement in cancer and other diseases.

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms and Bacillus cereus Colonization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Cohort Study.

Background: Surveillance of neonate microbiota carriage, particularly multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and Bacillus cereus, could help prevent infection. We evaluated the presence of these in the stools of hospitalized infants, duration of isolation and risk of infection in infants with digestive carriage of MDROs or B. cereus.

Noninvasive characterization of oocyte deformability in microconstrictions.

Oocytes naturally present mechanical defects that hinder their development after fertilization. Thus, in the context of assisted reproduction, oocyte selection based on their mechanical properties has great potential to improve the quality of the resulting embryos and the success rate of these procedures. However, using mechanical properties as a quantifiable selective criterion requires robust and nondestructive measurement tools.

LymphoTEC: a Retrospective Real-World Study on Lymphocyte Reconstitution After Lymphopenia in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Dimethyl Fumarate in France.

Introduction: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk profile in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Some patients may develop lymphopenia on DMF; therefore, LymphoTEC evaluated absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) reconstitution after DMF discontinuation.

Methods: LymphoTEC was a retrospective, multicenter study of patients with RRMS in the Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques registry.

Emulsion-Based Single Drop Generation in a Nonconfined System.

Single drop generation in a nonconfined system during the dripping regime is studied to evaluate the effect of operating conditions on the formation time and drop size. The drop itself is composed of a water-in-oil emulsion that rises from a nozzle into a stationary aqueous phase. This emulsion is non-Newtonian and undergoes shear-thinning behavior, leading to an important decrease in viscosity upon exposure to shear forces.

Phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity of in the course of an animal chronic infection.

is a nosocomial pathogen associated with various infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs). In the course of an infection, is known to rapidly become resistant to antibiotic therapy, but much less is known about possible adaptation without antibiotic pressure. Through a retrospective study, we investigated within-host genetic diversity during a subclinical 5-year UTI in an animal-patient after withdrawal of colistin treatment.

Formation of Artifacts from Simple Phenolic Compounds in SFC-UV-(HR)MS.

In this study, we present the formation of artifacts from simple phenolic compounds and derivatives in SFC-UV-MS analysis. These ions were detected only when the UV detector was turned on, demonstrating that UV light is necessary for their formation. Based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) analysis of 21 standards in negative electrospray ionization mode, the artifacts were annotated as ions where CO or NO had been added to the molecular ion or to an ion that had lost a functional group.

The Deubiquitinase USP2 Modulates Photic Entrainment of the Circadian Clock at the Level of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus.

Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 2 (USP2) is a deubiquitinase (DUB) with a diversity of functions in physiology. One of these functions is the regulation of circadian rhythms, which are physiological rhythms with a period of ~24 h. Previous studies have indicated a role for USP2 in photic entrainment, the process by which circadian clocks synchronize to environmental light cues.

Non-AUG HIV-1 uORF translation elicits specific T cell immune response and regulates viral transcript expression.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is a complex retrovirus that relies on alternative splicing, translational, and post-translational mechanisms to produce over 15 functional proteins from its single ~10 kb transcriptional unit. Using ribosome profiling, nascent protein labeling, RNA sequencing, and whole-proteomics of infected CD4 + T lymphocytes, we characterized the transcriptional, translational, and post-translational landscape during infection. While viral infection exerts a significant impact on host transcript abundance, global translation rates are only modestly affected.

Unveiling conserved HIV-1 open reading frames encoding T cell antigens using ribosome profiling.

The development of ribosomal profiling (Riboseq) revealed the immense coding capacity of human and viral genomes. Here, we used Riboseq to delineate the translatome of HIV-1 in infected CD4 T cells. In addition to canonical viral protein coding sequences (CDSs), we identify 98 alternative open reading frames (ARFs), corresponding to small Open Reading Frames (sORFs) that are distributed across the HIV genome including the UTR regions.

The squat jump and sprint force-velocity profiles of elite female football players are not influenced by the menstrual cycle phases and oral contraceptive use.

Purpose: Force-velocity profiling is an excellent tool for training individualization, especially in sports with well-established physical preparation practices, such as football. However, it remains unclear whether menstrual cycle phases and oral contraceptive (OC) use influence the force-velocity profile. The aim of this study was to determine whether squat jump and sprint force-velocity profiles change throughout the menstrual cycle or during the use of OC in elite female football players.

How (Ultra-)Rare Gene Variants Improve Our Understanding of More Common Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases.

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of rare and ultra-rare genetic variants on the understanding and treatment of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases with a focus on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Behçet syndrome. This review summarizes current research on the monogenic causes of SLE and Behçet syndrome, highlighting the various pathways that can be responsible for these unique phenotypes. In monogenic SLE, the identification of complement and DNASE1L3 deficiencies has elucidated mechanisms of apoptotic body accumulation and extracellular nucleic acid sensing.

Standard reference for daily urinary creatinine excretion among individuals with obesity: a monocentric, retrospective, observational study.

Background: Urinary collection over 24 h is a cornerstone in the care of patients with nephrolithiasis, obesity, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The completeness of 24-h urinary collection is assessed by urinary creatinine excretion, which reflects the muscle mass. Hence, it is of paramount importance to define expected values of daily urinary creatinine excretion to correctly interpret urinary collection.

A genome-wide study of ruminants uncovers two endogenous retrovirus families recently active in goats.

Background: Endogenous retroviruses (ERV) are traces of ancestral retroviral germline infections that constitute a significant portion of mammalian genomes and are classified as LTR-retrotransposons. The exploration of their dynamics and evolutionary history in ruminants remains limited, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and thorough investigation of the ERV landscape in the genomes of cattle, sheep and goat.

Results: Through a de novo bioinformatic analysis, we characterized 24 Class I and II ERV families across four reference assemblies of domestic and wild sheep and goats, and one assembly of cattle.

Do Neurochemicals Reflect Psychophysiological Dimensions in Behaviors? A Transdisciplinary Perspective Based on Analogy with Maslow's Needs Pyramid.

All behaviors, including motivated behaviors, result from integration of information in the brain via nerve impulses, with two main means of communication: electrical gap-junctions and chemical signaling. The latter enables information transfer between brain cells through release of biochemical messengers, such as neurotransmitters. Neurochemical studies generate plentiful biochemical data, with many variables per individual, since there are many methods to quantify neurotransmitters, precursors and metabolites.

Bulevirtide in Chronic Hepatitis D Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation Results From a French Multicentric Retrospective Study.

Background And Aims: The impact of bulevirtide in patients awaiting liver transplantation (LT) for decompensated liver disease and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. We assessed clinical, virological, and biochemical responses to bulevirtide in patients with chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) awaiting LT and compared outcomes with a cohort of similar untreated patients.

Methods: Consecutive HDV-infected patients waiting for LT since bulevirtide approval were included.

Nitrate leaching from soil under different forest tree species is related to the vertical distribution of Nitrobacter abundance.

Forest tree species and their mineral N uptake strategies can influence the activity and abundance of nitrifying microorganisms in deeper soil layers and subsequent nitrate leaching. However, the role of nitrifier community from the topsoil or deeper soil layers for nitrate leaching below the rooting zone remains uncertain. We evaluated potential nitrification rates and the abundance of ammonia- and nitrite- oxidizers in soil profiles covered by different tree species having (i.

Rheumatoid arthritis and subsequent fracture risk: an individual person meta-analysis to update FRAX.

Unlabelled: The relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fracture risk was estimated in an international meta-analysis of individual-level data from 29 prospective cohorts. RA was associated with an increased fracture risk in men and women, and these data will be used to update FRAX®.

Introduction: RA is a well-documented risk factor for subsequent fracture that is incorporated into the FRAX algorithm.

Infection propagation in a tissue with resident macrophages.

The progression of viral infection within the human body is governed by a complex interplay between the pathogen and the immune response. The initial phase of the innate immune response is driven by inflammatory cytokines and interferons produced by infected target cells and tissue-resident macrophages. These inflammatory cytokines not only amplify the immune response but also initiate programmed cell death, which helps slow the spread of the infection.

Meeting report: International soil virus conference 2024.

The research field of soil viral ecology continues to advance rapidly as the roles of viruses in the functioning of soil ecosystems are increasingly recognized. To address recent developments in the field, the second International Soil Virus Conference was held in Livermore, California, USA, from June 25 to 27th, 2024, providing soil viral ecologists the opportunity to share new findings and suggest guidelines for future research, while encouraging international scientific discussion and collaboration. The meeting was held in person with sessions simultaneously streamed online.

Correlation-based nanometric localization using lattice SIM and dSTORM in PML nuclear bodies validated by calibration spheres.

We evaluated the Lattice di-SIM 3D structural illumination method with a focus on Promyelocytic Leukemia Nuclear Bodies (PML NBs). Lattice SIM's performance was compared to its predecessor using biological samples and calibration beads. Optimized SIM parameters revealed PML NBs with a distinct ring-like morphology.

Untangling the Primary Biotic and Abiotic Controls on Oxygen, Inorganic and Organic Carbon Isotope Signals in Modern Microbialites.

Microbialites are organo-sedimentary structures formed throughout most of the Earth history, over a wide range of geological contexts, and under a multitude of environmental conditions affecting their composition. The carbon and oxygen isotope records of carbonates, which are most often their main constituents, have been used as a widespread tool for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. However, the multiplicity of factors that influence microbialites formation is not always properly distinguished in their isotopic record, in both ancient and modern settings.

Nitroglycerin-responsive gene switch for the on-demand production of therapeutic proteins.

Gene therapies and cell therapies require precise, reversible and patient-friendly control over the production of therapeutic proteins. Here we present a fully human nitric-oxide-responsive gene-regulation system for the on-demand and localized release of therapeutic proteins through clinically licensed nitroglycerin patches. Designed for simplicity and robust human compatibility, the system incorporates human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase for converting nitroglycerin into nitric oxide, which then activates soluble guanylate cyclase to produce cyclic guanosine monophosphate, followed by protein kinase G to amplify the signal and to trigger target gene expression.

In vitro modeling of influenza infection in the respiratory epithelium: advanced cellular models to better understand complex host-virus interactions.

Influenza viruses pose significant global health threats, causing widespread morbidity and mortality due to their genetic variability and rapid evolution. Traditional experimental models, such as immortalized cell lines and animal models, often fall short of accurately replicating the complex interactions between influenza viruses and the human immune system. Recent advancements, including reconstituted human airway epithelia, lung-on-a-chip models, and human airway organoids, provide more accurate representations of human respiratory physiology and immune responses.