Cryo-EM structure and evolutionary history of the conjugation surface exclusion protein TraT.

Conjugation plays a major role in dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. Following transfer of IncF-like plasmids, recipients become refractory to a second wave of conjugation with the same plasmid via entry (TraS) and surface (TraT) exclusion mechanisms. Here, we show that TraT from the pKpQIL and F plasmids (TraT and TraT) exhibits plasmid surface exclusion specificity.

Advancing canopy-level entomological surveillance to monitor vector-borne and zoonotic disease dynamics.

Faced with the increased frequency of zoonotic spillover in recent decades, emerging vector-borne diseases from nonhuman primates pose a significant threat to global public health. Understanding transmission dynamics driven by arthropod vectors between wildlife populations is critical for surveillance, modeling, and mitigation. Elevated canopy-level sampling is a valuable approach for elucidating vector behavior and sylvatic transmission.

In-Plane Polarization-Triggered WS-Ferroelectric Heterostructured Synaptic Devices.

To date, various kinds of memristors have been proposed as artificial neurons and synapses for neuromorphic computing to overcome the so-called von Neumann bottleneck in conventional computing architectures. However, related working principles are mostly ascribed to randomly distributed conductive filaments or traps, which usually lead to high stochasticity and poor uniformity. In this work, a heterostructure with a two-dimensional WS monolayer and a ferroelectric PZT film were demonstrated for memristors and artificial synapses, triggered by in-plane ferroelectric polarization.

Occlusal acuity and bite force in young adults.

Occlusal tactile acuity (OTA) and bite force are essential components of the sensorimotor control of oral behaviors. While these variables have been studied independently, it has not yet been revealed whether compressive force impacts the occlusal perception mediated by the mechanoreceptive afferents in the periodontal ligament. The present study examined the effect of repetition and maximum bite force on OTA by testing nine aluminum foils of different thicknesses together with a sham test with no foil, three times each, in randomized order in 36 healthy individuals.

Feedback regulation of mA modification creates local auxin maxima essential for rice microsporogenesis.

N-methyladenosine (mA) RNA modification and its effectors control various plant developmental processes, yet whether and how these effectors are transcriptionally controlled to confer functional specificity so far remain elusive. Herein, we show that a rice C2H2 zinc-finger protein, OsZAF, specifically activates the expression of OsFIP37 encoding a core component of the mA methyltransferase complex during microsporogenesis in rice anthers. OsFIP37, in turn, facilitates mA modification and stabilization of an auxin biosynthesis gene OsYUCCA3 to promote auxin biosynthesis in anthers.

Unveiling the polyphenol profile and bioactive potential of kiwi berry (Actinidia arguta): Antioxidant capacity and enzyme inhibition activities.

Kiwi berry (Actinidia arguta (Sieb & Zucc) Planch. ex Miq. cv 'Longcheng No.

Revealing Multistep Phase Separation in Metal Alloy Nanoparticles with Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Phase separation plays a crucial role in many natural and industrial processes, such as the formation of clouds and minerals and the distillation of crude oil. In metals and alloys, phase separation is an important approach often utilized to improve their mechanical strength for use in construction, automobile, and aerospace manufacturing. Despite its importance in many processes, the atomic details of phase separation are largely unknown.

Life space restriction following disruptive life events: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Restriction of life space mobility is associated with adverse health outcomes including depression, morbidity, mortality and poorer quality of life. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 and associated employment loss on the life space of older adults in Singapore.

Methods: An in-person survey was administered to a cohort of older Singaporeans above 50 years old (N = 1,118).

Clinical utility of plasma p-tau217 in identifying abnormal brain amyloid burden in an Asian cohort with high prevalence of concomitant cerebrovascular disease.

Introduction: Using an Asian cohort with high prevalence of concomitant cerebrovascular disease (CeVD), we evaluated the performance of a plasma immunoassay for tau phosphorylated at threonine 217 (p-tau217) in detecting amyloid beta positivity (Aβ+) on positron emission tomography and cognitive decline, based on a three-range reference, which stratified patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups for Aβ+.

Methods: Brain amyloid status (Aβ- [n = 142] vs Aβ+ [n = 73]) on amyloid PET scans was assessed along with the plasma ALZpath p-tau217 assay to derive three-range reference points for PET Aβ+ based on 90% sensitivity (lower threshold) and 90% specificity (upper threshold).

Results: Plasma p-tau217 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.

MEDIATOR15 destabilizes DELLA protein to promote gibberellin-mediated plant development.

Mediator, a transcriptional coactivator, regulates plant growth and development by interacting with various transcriptional regulators. MEDIATOR15 (MED15) is a subunit in the Mediator complex potentially involved in developmental control. To uncover molecular functions of Arabidopsis MED15 in development, we searched for its interactors.

Striving for excellence in a little red dot: Exploring the evolution of oral and maxillofacial surgery training and practice in Singapore.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) is a field that straddles knowledge and clinical experience from both medical and dental specialties. In the small island nation of Singapore, the rapidly and constantly changing needs of its diverse and aging population, as well as changes in the mindsets of both students and educators have led to many developments in the local OMS program. Tied to the only dental school in the country, the curriculum of the training program has kept up with the changes in the demographics and attitudes of the local patient pool, which comprises a multicultural population with both traditional and modern mindsets.

Feasibility of long-range telesurgical robotic radical gastrectomy in a live porcine model.

Background: Telesurgery has been made increasingly possible with the advancements in robotic surgical platforms and network connectivity. However, long-distance transnational complex robotic surgeries such as gastrectomy have yet to be attempted.

Methods: Multiple transnational network connections by Science Innovation Network (SINET), Japan Gigabit Network (JGN), and Arterial Research and Education Network in Asia-Pacific (ARENA-PAC) were established and tested by multiple surgeons in a dry box model.

Harnessing the tumor microenvironment: targeted cancer therapies through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is integral to cancer progression, impacting metastasis and treatment response. It consists of diverse cell types, extracellular matrix components, and signaling molecules that interact to promote tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Elucidating the intricate interactions between cancer cells and the TME is crucial in understanding cancer progression and therapeutic challenges.

Echocardiographic phenotypes of diabetic myocardial disorder: evolution over 15 months follow-up in the ARISE-HF trial.

Background: Diabetic myocardial disorder (DbMD, evidenced by abnormal echocardiography or cardiac biomarkers) is a form of stage B heart failure (SBHF) at high risk for progression to overt HF. SBHF is defined by abnormal LV morphology and function and/or abnormal cardiac biomarker concentrations.

Objective: To compare the evolution of four DbMD groups based on biomarkers alone, systolic and diastolic dysfunction alone, or their combination.

Preclinical and First-in-Human Study of a Compact Radionuclide Labeled Self-Assembly Nanomedicine for Chemo-Radio-Theranostics of Cancer.

The emerging combination of chemotherapy and radionuclide therapy has been actively investigated to overcome the limitations of monotherapy and augment therapeutic efficacy. However, it remains a challenge to design a single delivery vehicle that can incorporate chemotherapeutics and radionuclides into a compact structure. Here, a chelator DOTA- or NOTA-modified Evans blue conjugated camptothecin molecule (EB-CPT) nanoprodrug was synthesized, which could self-assemble into nanoparticles due to its inherent amphiphilicity.

All-angle unidirectional flat-band acoustic metasurfaces.

Flat bands have empowered novel phenomena such as robust canalization with strong localization, high-collimation and low-loss propagation. However, the spatial symmetry protection in photonic or acoustic lattices naturally forces flat bands to manifest in pairs aligned at an inherently specific angle, resulting in a fixed bidirectional canalization. Here, we report an acoustic flat-band metasurface, allowing not only unidirectional canalization at all in-plane angles but also robust tunability in band alignment.

Exploring the General Acceptability and User Experience of a Digital Therapeutic for Cognitive Training in a Singaporean Older Adult Population: Qualitative Study.

Background: Singapore's large aging population poses significant challenges for the health care system in managing cognitive decline, underscoring the importance of identifying and implementing effective interventions. Cognitive training delivered remotely as a digital therapeutic (DTx) may serve as a scalable and accessible approach to overcoming these challenges. While previous studies indicate the potential of cognitive training as a promising solution for managing cognitive decline, understanding the attitudes and experiences of older adults toward using such DTx platforms remains relatively unexplored.

Clinical practices on acute acquired comitant esotropia: A consensus statement proposed by the Council of Asia-Pacific Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Society.

Acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) is a concomitant strabismus characterized by sudden onset, mostly associated with diplopia. The prevalence of AACE has significantly increased, and various management approaches have been recommended in recent years. This study by the Council of Asia-Pacific Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Society aimed to provide an overview of the clinical features, etiology and the nonsurgical and surgical treatment recommendations for the condition to equip strabismus specialists with the most updated knowledge.

Mitochondrial Electron Flow Dynamics Imaging for Assessing Mitochondrial Quality and Drug Screening.

Mitochondrial quality control is paramount for cellular development, with mitochondrial electron flow (Mito-EF) playing a central role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. However, unlike visible protein entities, which can be monitored through chemical biotechnology, regulating mitochondrial quality control by invisible entities such as Mito-EF has remained elusive. Here, a Mito-EF tracker (Mito-EFT) with a four-pronged probe design is presented to elucidate the dynamic mechanisms of Mito-EF's involvement in mitochondrial quality control.

Development and validation of the Health Segment Classification of Population Encompassed within Singapore (HealthSCOPES) framework.

Introduction: The population is heterogeneous with varying levels of healthcare needs. Clustering individuals into health segments with more homogeneous healthcare needs allows for better understanding and monitoring of health profiles in the population, which can support data-driven resource allocation.

Methods: Using the developed criteria, data from several of Singapore's national administrative datasets were used to classify individuals into the various health segments.

Higher Intron Retention Levels in Female Alzheimer's Brains May Be Linked to Disease Prevalence.

Multimodal study of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) showed AD-related aberrant intron retention (IR) and proteomic changes not observed at the RNA level. However, the role of sex and how IR may impact the proteome are unclear. Analysis of DLPFC transcriptome showed a clear sex-biased pattern where female AD had 1645 elevated IR events compared to 80 in male AD DLPFC.

Enhancing CO Oversaturation in the Confined Water Enables Superior Gas Selectivity of 2D Membranes.

Due to the global demands on carbon neutralization, CO separation membranes, particularly those based on two-dimensional (2D) materials, have attracted increasing attention. However, recent works have focused on the chemical decoration of membranes to realize the selective transport, leading to the compromised stability in the presence of moisture. Herein, we develop a series of 2D capillaries based on layered double hydroxide (LDH), graphene oxide, and vermiculite to enhance the oversaturation of CO in the confined water for promoting the membrane permselectivity.