A SNARE protective pool antagonizes APOL1 renal toxicity in Drosophila nephrocytes.

Background: People of Sub-Saharan African ancestry are at higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), attributed to the Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene risk alleles (RA) G1 and G2. The underlying mechanisms by which the APOL1-RA precipitate CKD remain elusive, hindering the development of potential treatments.

Results: Using a Drosophila genetic modifier screen, we found that SNARE proteins (Syx7, Ykt6, and Syb) play an important role in preventing APOL1 cytotoxicity.

Evaluation of mechanisms of action of re-purposed drugs for treatment of COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health emergency caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The rapid worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection has necessitated a global effort to identify effective therapeutic strategies in the absence of vaccine. Among the re-purposed drugs being tested currently, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), without or with zinc ion (Zn) and the antibiotic azithromycin (AZM), has been administered to prevent or treat patients with COVID-19.

Postnatal Guinea Pig Brain Development, as Revealed by Magnetic Resonance and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging.

This study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify age dependent brain structural characteristics in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs. Anatomical T-weighted images, diffusion kurtosis (DKI) imaging, and T relaxometry measures were acquired from a cohort of male guinea pigs from postnatal day (PND) 18-25 (juvenile) to PND 46-51 (adolescent) and PND 118-123 (young adult). Whole-brain diffusion measures revealed the distinct effects of maturation on the microstructural complexity of the male guinea pig brain.

Dissociation of TRIF bias and adjuvanticity.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a family of "pattern recognition receptors," bind microbial and host-derived molecules, leading to intracellular signaling and proinflammatory gene expression. TLR4 is unique in that ligand-mediated activation requires the co-receptor myeloid differentiation 2 (MD2) to initiate two signaling cascades: the MyD88-dependent pathway is initiated at the cell membrane, and elicits rapid MAP kinase and NF-κB activation, while the TIR-domain containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF)-dependent pathway is initiated from TLR4-containing endosomes and results in IRF3 activation. Previous studies associated inflammation with the MyD88 pathway and adjuvanticity with the TRIF pathway.

Sabbaticals : A User's Guide.

Academic sabbatical leaves have been offered in the United States since 1880. The author discusses the historical background and rationale for sabbaticals, their evaluation, and practical tips for those planning such an academic leave.