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The peptide Ac-KGSFSIQYTYHVD-CONH₂ (KD), derived from residues 37–49 of human semenogelin I, forms a pH-responsive hydrogel in an aqueous environment with tunable mechanical properties that evolve over time. We hypothesize that KD self-assembles into a hydrogel through a pH-dependent mechanism involving predominantly a change in histidine protonation state, leading to structural transformations th
The evolution of advanced cognition in vertebrates is associated with two independent innovations in the forebrain: the six-layered neocortex in mammals and the dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR) in sauropsids (reptiles and birds). How these novelties arose in vertebrate ancestors remains unclear. To reconstruct forebrain evolution in tetrapods, we built a cell type atlas of the telencephalon of the s
Conventional diagnostic methods often involve long incubation times due to limited fluid mixing in confined spaces, despite offering high sensitivity. Therefore, acoustic streaming was employed to enhance microscale advection, thereby improving biomolecular interactions and reducing assay duration. The micromixing capability was demonstrated by dispersing methylene blue (MB) in deionized water and
The investigation of carbon monoxide (CO) adsorption on the unreconstructed Ir(100)-(1 × 1) surface under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions is studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), and high-resolution core-level spectroscopy (HRCLS). At a low coverage of 0.5 ML (monolayer), CO molecules adopt a previously documented c(2 × 2) structure, having CO
Previous treatment studies have suggested an antidepressant effect of adjunctive probiotics, but more high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed before clinical implementation. The mechanisms underlying putative antidepressant effects of probiotics are not understood, but one possibility is that they are mediated via short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) − neuroactive bacterial metaboli
BACKGROUND: Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a rare cardiac disorder that predispose to supraventricular arrhythmias. Prognosis is usually benign, yet there is an increased lifetime risk of sudden death. While typically sporadic, familial clustering has been reported. This study aimed to assess the risk of WPW, arrhythmias, and mortality among siblings of individuals with WPW.METHODS: This
Background: The lectin-like oxidised low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) mediates atherosclerotic plaque inflammation and vulnerability. On activation, LOX-1 sheds its extracellular domain into the circulation as soluble LOX-1 (sLOX-1). sLOX-1 is markedly elevated in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: We prospectively assessed the associations between plasma sLOX-1 and th
The amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain (AICD), a cleavage product of amyloid precursor protein implicated in Alzheimer disease and amyloid lateral sclerosis, is a functionally important but structurally elusive intrinsically disordered protein. In this study, we investigate the conformational ensemble of a 35-residue AICD segment encompassing the conserved YENPTY motif using molecular
Objective: Mitochondria are involved in cellular metabolism, energy production, calcium homeostasis, and the synthesis of sterols and bile acids (BAs). Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dynamics including biogenesis, fusion, fission, and mitophagy critically influence cardiometabolic diseases, yet their role in atherogenesis remain poorly understood. Mitochondrial fusion ensures metabo
The molecular chaperone αB-crystallin is a small heat shock protein that inhibits the aggregation of, among others, Aβ42 and α-synuclein. These proteins are major hallmarks of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. In order to understand the mechanism with which αB-crystallin performs its chaperone function it is essential to characterize its self-assembly in terms of aggregate size di
The photoelectric effect explained by Einstein is often regarded as a one-electron phenomenon, whereas the interaction of the escaping electron with other electrons, referred to as electron correlation, plays an important role in multielectron systems. In this Letter, we study the attosecond photoionization of the outer s subshell of argon in its substantial minimum cross-section region formed by
In this work, we investigate the cryogenic performance of hafnia-based ferroelectric capacitors with and without an aluminum oxide (ALO) interlayer, comparing conventional metal-ferroelectric-metal (MFM) structures to metal-ferroelectric-insulator-metal (MFIM) counterparts. Devices employing Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 as the ferroelectric layer were characterized from 300 K down to 10 K, targeting temperature r
In this perspective, we ask the question whether the apparently lower solubility of specific proteins in amyloid disease is a cause or consequence of the protein deposition seen in such diseases. We focus on Alzheimer's disease and start by reviewing the experimental evidence of disease-associated reduction in the measured concentration of amyloid β peptide, Aβ42, in cerebrospinal fluid. We propos
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent childhood cancer. Bone marrow (BM) fibrosis in ALL has been associated with adverse outcomes; however, little is known about the mechanisms that cause fibrosis in ALL. Therefore, we established a novel and advanced analysis method by combining multicolor immunofluorescence (IF) staining with in situ RNA expression analysis (RNAscope) to inve
“Seeding” is the addition of preformed fibrils to a solution of monomeric protein to accelerate its aggregation into new fibrils. It is a versatile and widely used tool for scientists studying protein aggregation kinetics, as it enables the isolation and separate study of discrete reaction steps contributing to protein aggregation, specifically elongation and secondary nucleation. However, the see
Background and Aims. While the rationale for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is to reduce complications and overall mortality, some cardiovascular complications from the vaccine itself have been demonstrated. Myocarditis and pericarditis are recognized as rare acute adverse events after mRNA vaccines in young males, while evidence regarding other cardiovascular events remains limit
Objective: Synovial fluid contains proteins that may have been released from surrounding tissues, our aim was to gain new insights into the proteomic profiles of human synovial fluid in knees with and without osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: We used synovial fluid from 11 patients with end-stage medial compartment knee OA, aspirated during total knee replacement, and from 13 deceased donors who had n
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) services in Uganda. In response, digital health tools were rapidly adopted as one of the strategies to restore service delivery. However, the experiences of MNCH professionals implementing these adaptations remain underexplored. This study aimed to explore how MNCH professionals in Uganda experienced
We present a superconducting cavity-coupled double quantum dot (DQD) photodiode that achieves a maximum photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of 25% in the microwave domain. With a higher-quality-factor cavity and improved device design to prevent photon leakages through unwanted pathways, our device measures microwave signals down to the 100-aW power level and achieves sensitivity to probe mic
Purpose: To examine the association between uncomplicated urinary tract infections and subsequent type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis in women. Materials and methods: We included 1,840,044 women without previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) or redeemed antidiabetic drugs. Results and conclusions: During the 12-year study period, women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (cystitis and pyel
