Browse Articles

Depth-corrected multi-factor dissection of chromatin accessibility for scATAC-seq data with PACS

Structural insights into the interplay between microtubule polymerases, γ-tubulin complexes and their receptors

AbstractThe γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) is a structural template for controlled nucleation of microtubules from α/β-tubulin heterodimers. At the cytoplasmic side of the yeast spindle pole body, the CM1-containing receptor protein Spc72 promotes γ-TuRC assembly from seven γ-tubulin small complexes (γ-TuSCs) and recruits the microtubule polymerase Stu2, yet their molecular interplay remains unclear. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of the Candida albicans cytoplasmic nucleation unit at 3.6 Å resolution, revealing how the γ-TuRC is assembled and conformationally primed for microtubule nucleation by the dimerised Spc72 CM1 motif. Two coiled-coil regions of Spc72 interact with the conserved C-terminal α-helix of Stu2 and thereby position the α/β-tubulin-binding TOG domains of Stu2 in the vicinity of the microtubule assembly site. Collectively, we reveal the function of CM1 motifs in γ-TuSC oligomerisation and the recruitment of microtubule polymerases to the γ-TuRC.

On-site biosignal amplification using a single high-spin conjugated polymer

Phosphorylation of a nuclear condensate regulates cohesion and mRNA retention

Earthworm inspired lubricant self-pumping hydrogel with sustained lubricity at high loading

Mediators of the association between nut consumption and cardiovascular diseases: a two-step mendelian randomization study

Machine learning-based interpretation of non-contrast feature tracking strain analysis and T1/T2 mapping for assessing myocardial viability

Carboxymethyl hemicellulose hydrogel as a fluorescent biosensor for bacterial and fungal detection with DFT and molecular docking studies

AbstractA new method was developed to quickly produce carboxymethyl hemicellulose (CM-Hemi) and fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N–CDs) from sugarcane bagasse (SB). These materials were then combined with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) to create hydrogel sensors with antibacterial and antifungal properties. The CM-Hemi@Ca-N–CDs hydrogel was effective against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria compared to CM-Hemi@Ca which give no antibacterial activity. Both hydrogels also exhibited antifungal properties against Candida albicans. Molecular docking studies revealed that the CM-Hemi@Ca-N–CDs hydrogel had strong binding interactions with the protein from Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans (1.92 A°) compard to Escherichia coli (2.01 A°), which was aligned with the inhibition zone measurements from the antibacterial test. The fluorescence microscope revealed differences in the emitted light color when the hydrogel interacted with different types of microorganisms, likely due to variations in their cell walls. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the incorporation of N–CDs into the CM-Hemi@Ca hydrogel enhances its stability and rigidity. This is evidenced by the lower energy gap (Eg), higher electron affinity (μ), and lower softness (S) of the CM-Hemi@Ca-N–CDs compared to the CM-Hemi@Ca hydrogel. Additionally, the formation of amide bonds between the N–CDs and CM-Hemi contributes to the increased rigidity of the hydrogel.These findings supporting th effectiveness of CM-Hemi@Ca-N–CDs as an antibacterial/antifungal sensor.

Supercontinuum generation in scintillator crystals

AbstractWe present a comparative experimental study of supercontinuum generation in undoped scintillator crystals: bismuth germanate (BGO), yttrium orthosilicate (YSO), lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO), lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) and gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG), pumped by 180 fs fundamental harmonic pulses of an amplified Yb:KGW laser. In addition to these materials, experiments in yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG), potassium gadolinium tungstate (KGW) and lithium tantalate (LT) were performed under identical experimental settings (focusing geometry and sample thickness), which served for straightforward comparison of supercontinuum generation performances. The threshold and optimal (that produces optimized red-shifted spectral extent) pump pulse energies for supercontinuum generation were evaluated from detailed measurements of spectral broadening dynamics. The measured cut-off wavelengths at the short-wavelength side are in line with the general trend of blue-shifted spectral broadening on the bandgap of nonlinear material. All the nonlinear materials produced reasonable red-shifted spectral broadenings under conditions of optimal pump pulse energies, with the largest red-shift exceeding 2000 nm measured in GGG crystal. Our results revealed that GGG and BGO (which also had the lowest supercontinuum generation threshold) offer durable, optical damage-free performance at a laser repetition rate of 200 kHz, suggesting that these materials are good alternatives to YAG and KGW for low threshold, high average power supercontinuum generation in the near- and short-wave infrared spectral ranges. We also demonstrated that scintillating properties of bulk materials could be readily studied in the filamentation regime, via multiphoton excitation using near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses.

A comparative study of cognitive impairment in sporadic and familial cases of multiple sclerosis

Impact of hypertension on changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in type 2 diabetes patients

A small object detection model in aerial images based on CPDD-YOLOv8

Metabolomic and microbiota profiles in cervicovaginal lavage fluid of women with high-risk human papillomavirus infection

Isolation and identification of the causal agent of gummy stem blight disease in Cucumis sativus caused by a bacterial pathogen in China

Real-world experience with nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy and patient survival rates in chronic viral hepatitis B treatment centers in Eritrea

Sentiment analysis of tweets employing convolutional neural network optimized by enhanced gorilla troops optimization algorithm

Seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection and its associated risk factors in dairy cattle in and around Sebeta sub city, Ethiopia

Incidence of oral complications during endotracheal intubation in general anesthesia among hospitalized children

Shaping ability of NiTi reciprocating file systems R-motion and waveOne gold in mesial canals of mandibular molars; micro CT study

Indoor incense burning and impaired lung function in patients with diabetes

AbstractWhile recent studies have indicated a potential link between incense burning and respiratory diseases, there is a lack of data specifically focused on diabetic patients. To explore the relationship between indoor incense burning and impaired lung function among Chinese individuals with diabetes, a comprehensive cross-sectional study was undertaken, enrolling 431 adults diagnosed with diabetes. Information on incense burning and characteristics was collected using a structured questionnaire. The outcome of the study, impaired lung function, was assessed using spirometry. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed. In the fully adjusted model, participants exposed to indoor incense burning exhibited 130% higher odds of impaired lung function compared to those not exposed, as indicated by an odds ratio (OR) of 2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97, 5.16; P = 0.05). Notably, this association was statistically significant only in men (OR = 3.39; 95%CI: 1.07, 9.82; P = 0.03). Our study has elucidated an association between exposure to indoor incense burning and impaired lung function in individuals with diabetes, independently of demographic factors. These findings underscore the importance of considering indoor environmental factors, such as incense burning, in the comprehensive management and care of diabetic individuals.