Selectively expressed RNA molecules as a versatile tool for functionalized cell targeting.

Targeting of diseased cells is one of the most urgently needed prerequisites for a next generation of potent pharmaceuticals. Different approaches pursued fail mainly due to a lack of specific surface markers. Developing an RNA-based methodology, we can now ensure precise cell targeting combined with selective expression of effector proteins for therapy, diagnostics or cell steering.

Evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease in patients treated with JAK inhibitors: a MAJIK-SFR cohort study.

Objective: To examine the course of interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA-ILD) in France on treatment with Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) using the MAJIK-SFR registry.

Methods: Prospective national multicentre observational study identifying patients with RA-ILD from the MAJIK-SFR registry. Pulmonary assessment data were collected at JAKi initiation and follow-up visits (6 months, 12 months and a median of 21 months postinclusion), including chest high-resolution CT (HRCT), pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO)), acute exacerbations of ILD, respiratory infections and lung cancers.

Is there something sexual in the ventral midline thalamus?

This mini-review explores sexual dimorphism in the ventral midline thalamus, focusing on the reuniens nucleus and its role in behavioral functions. Traditionally linked to tasks such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, fear generalization, and memory consolidation, most studies have been conducted in male rodents. Research comparing the effects of ventral midline thalamus manipulations between female and male rodents is limited.

Individual variability in the phenology of an asynchronous penguin species induces consequences on breeding and carry-over effects.

Phenology is a major component of animals' breeding, as they need to adjust their breeding timing to match optimal environmental conditions. While the effects of shifting phenology are well-studied on populations, few studies emphasise its ecological causes and consequences at the inter-individual level. Using a 20-year monitoring of more than 2500 breeding events from ~ 500 breeding little penguins (Eudyptula minor), a very asynchronously breeding seabird, we investigated the consequences of late breeding on present and next breeding events.

Accelerated aging modulates the toxicological properties of the diazo tattoo pigment PO13.

Pigment particles used in tattooing may exert long terms effect by releasing diffusible degradation products. In the present work, aqueous suspensions of the organic orange diazo pigment PO13 were aged by exposure to simulated sunlight at 40 °C. The morphology and the surface charge of PO13 particles were barely modified upon aging, but primary particles were released by de-agglomeration.

An exchangeable SIM probe for monitoring organellar dynamics of necrosis cells and intracellular water heterogeneity in kidney repair.

Monitoring subcellular organelle dynamics in real time and precisely assessing membrane heterogeneity in living cells are very important for studying fundamental biological mechanisms and gaining a comprehensive understanding of cellular processes. However, there remains a shortage of effective tools for these purposes. Herein, we propose a strategy to develop the exchangeable water-sensing probeAPBD for time-lapse imaging of dynamics in cellular membrane-bound organelle morphology with structured illumination microscopy at the nanoscale.

Weeds and agro by-products for sustainable farming of edible field cricket, Gryllus madagascarensis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae).

Gryllus madagascarensis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) is a cricket species that shows promise to mitigate food insecurity and malnutrition. But whether this species will accept low- to no-cost weeds and agro by-products as feed, and how these feeds affect its performance, remains unknown. This study assessed the acceptability of 66 weed species and agro by-products (derived from a single plant species) by adult G.

Small molecules targeting the eubacterial β-sliding clamp discovered by combined and screening approaches.

Antibiotic resistance stands as the foremost post-pandemic threat to public health. The urgent need for new, effective antibacterial treatments is evident. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs), owing to their pivotal role in microbial physiology, emerge as novel and attractive targets.

The dynamics of loss of heterozygosity events in genomes.

Genomic instability is a hallmark of tumorigenesis, yet it also plays an essential role in evolution. Large-scale population genomics studies have highlighted the importance of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) events, which have long been overlooked in the context of genetic diversity and instability. Among various types of genomic mutations, LOH events are the most common and affect a larger portion of the genome.

Reduced ATP turnover during hibernation in relaxed skeletal muscle.

Hibernating brown bears, due to a drastic reduction in metabolic rate, show only moderate muscle wasting. Here, we evaluate if ATPase activity of resting skeletal muscle myosin can contribute to this energy sparing. By analyzing single muscle fibers taken from the same bears, either during hibernation or in summer, we find that fibers from hibernating bears have a mild decline in force production and a significant reduction in ATPase activity.

E4F1 coordinates pyruvate metabolism and the activity of the elongator complex to ensure translation fidelity during brain development.

Pyruvate metabolism defects lead to severe neuropathies such as the Leigh syndrome (LS) but the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal cell death remain poorly understood. Here, we unravel a connection between pyruvate metabolism and the regulation of the epitranscriptome that plays an essential role during brain development. Using genetically engineered mouse model and primary neuronal cells, we identify the transcription factor E4F1 as a key coordinator of AcetylCoenzyme A (AcCoA) production by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and its utilization as an essential co-factor by the Elongator complex to acetylate tRNAs at the wobble position uridine 34 (U).

Essential and dual effects of Notch activity on a natural transdifferentiation event.

Cell identity can be reprogrammed, naturally or experimentally, albeit with low frequency. Why some cells, but not their neighbours, undergo a cell identity conversion remains unclear. We find that Notch signalling plays a key role to promote natural transdifferentiation in C.

Selective Protein (Post-)modifications through Dynamic Covalent Chemistry: Self-activated SAr Reactions.

SAr reactions were remarkably accelerated using a pretargeting and activating unit based on dynamic covalent chemistry (DCvC). A Cys attack at the C-F bond on the aromatic ring of salicylaldehyde derivatives was only observed upon iminium formation with a neighboring Lys residue of model small peptides. Such self-activation was ascribed to the stronger electron-withdrawing capability of the iminium bond with respect to that of the parent aldehyde that stabilized the transition state of the reaction, together with the higher preorganization of the reactive groups in the cationic aldiminium species.

Systematic study of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks for enhanced electrochemical aldehyde sensing.

Four distinct zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are prepared using zinc and cobalt ions with 2-aminobenzimidazole and 2-methylimidazole as linkers to explore their electrochemical properties as platforms for aldehyde detection. The resulting ZIF-based sensors exhibit high sensitivity, low detection limits, and robust performance when applied to real-world samples.

Bisphenol A exposure during gestation and lactation in mice: sex-specific consequences on oligodendrocytes and myelination.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptor, is suspected of disturbing brain development through largely unknown cellular and molecular mechanisms. In the central nervous system, oligodendrocytes are responsible for forming myelin sheaths, which enhance the propagation of action potentials along axons. Disruption of axon myelination can have lifelong consequences, making oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination critical stages of brain development.

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer.

Background: Targeted therapies have been associated with potential risk of malignancy, which is a common concern in daily rheumatology practice in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and a history of cancer.

Objectives: To perform a systematic literature review to inform a Task Force formulating EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with IA and a history of cancer.

Methods: Specific research questions were defined within the Task Force before formulating the exact research queries with a librarian.

2024 EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer.

Background: Potential associations between targeted therapies and a new cancer in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and a previous malignancy are a frequent concern in daily rheumatology practice.

Objectives: To develop points to consider (PTC) to assist rheumatologists when initiating a targeted therapy in the context of a previous malignancy.

Methods: Following EULAR standardised operating procedures, a task force met to define the research questions for a systematic literature review and to formulate the overarching principles (OPs) and the PTC.

The Demographic Basis of Population Growth: A 32-Year Transient Life Table Response Experiment.

It has recently been recognised that populations are rarely in demographic equilibrium, but rather in a 'transient' state. To examine how transient dynamics influence our empirical understanding of the links between changes in demographic rates and population growth, we conducted a 32-year study of Columbian ground squirrels. The population increased rapidly for 10 years, followed by a 2-year crash, and a gradual 19-year recovery.

RICTOR variants are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.

RICTOR is a key component of the mTORC2 signaling complex which is involved in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation and survival. RICTOR is highly expressed in neurons and is necessary for brain development. Here, we report eight unrelated patients presenting with intellectual disability and/or development delay and carrying variants in the RICTOR gene.

The histamine analogue clobenpropit modulates IRF7 phosphorylation and interferon production by targeting CXCR4 in systemic lupus erythematosus models.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by an overactive immune response, particularly involving excessive production of type I interferons. This overproduction is driven by the phosphorylation of IRF7, a crucial factor in interferon gene activation. Current treatments for SLE are often not very effective and can have serious side effects.

Ecological and anthropogenic effects on the genomic diversity of lemurs in Madagascar.

Ecological variation and anthropogenic landscape modification have had key roles in the diversification and extinction of mammals in Madagascar. Lemurs represent a radiation with more than 100 species, constituting roughly one-fifth of the primate order. Almost all species of lemurs are threatened with extinction, but little is known about their genetic diversity and demographic history.