Filetype
Dissemination of Bacillus anthracis from the respiratory mucosa is a critical step in the establishment of inhalational anthrax. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that this organism was able to penetrate the lung epithelium by directly entering into epithelial cells of the lung; however the molecular details of B. anthracis breaching the epithelium were lacking. Here, using a combinati
Protein methylation occurs primarily on lysine and arginine, but also on some other residues, such as histidine. METTL18 is the last uncharacterized member of a group of human methyltransferases (MTases) that mainly exert lysine methylation, and here we set out to elucidate its function. We found METTL18 to be a nuclear protein that contains a functional nuclear localization signal and accumulates
Physical activity may prevent anxiety, but the importance of exercise intensity, sex-specific mechanisms, and duration of the effects remains largely unknown. We used an observational study design to follow 395,369 individuals for up to 21 years to investigate if participation in an ultralong-distance cross-country ski race (Vasaloppet, up to 90 km) was associated with a lower risk of developing a
One of the main determinants of plasma homocysteine in healthy subjects is serum creatinine. In the present study, we therefore investigated the relation between plasma homocysteine concentration, serum creatinine and a new marker for glomerular filtration rate, plasma cystatin C concentration. Cystatin C reflects the glomerular filtration better than serum creatinine and is not related to the mus
In this paper, we present the case of a couple who refused to disclose the sex of their child to others, and some of the responses that this case prompted in the international media. We outline the ethical issues that this case raises, and we place it into the more general context of parental preferences regarding the gender (development) of their children and of the impact on children of parental
BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis is associated with higher mortality in elderly patients, but the role of surgery in this group has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of left-sided infective endocarditis in elderly patients and to determine the influence of surgery on mortality in the elderly. METHODS AND RESULTS: A nationwide retrospective study was performed
OBJECTIVE: Untreated perinatal HIV-1 infection is often associated with rapid disease progression in children with HIV (CWH), characterized by high viral loads and early mortality. TRIM22 is a host restriction factor, which directly inhibits HIV-1 transcription, and its genotype variation is associated with disease progression in adults. We tested the hypothesis that TRIM22 genotype is associated
The last twenty years have brought about a significant increase in the awareness of war practices that harm women, including rape and sexual abuse. However, focusing on women alone is not sufficient if gendered and racialised power hierarchies in the civilian and military worlds are to be understood. Experiences from international peacekeeping since 2000 foreground the need for an intersectional l
Although recent clinical trials targeting amyloid-β in Alzheimer's disease have shown promising results, there is increasing evidence suggesting that understanding alternative disease pathways that interact with amyloid-β metabolism and amyloid pathology might be important to halt the clinical deterioration. In particular, there is evidence supporting a critical role of astroglial activation and a
Whilst mission-driven or hybrid organisations take various forms, they allshare the challenge of navigating contradictory goals to combine social and commercial benefits to different degrees (Shepherd et al., 2019). Social Enterprises (SEs) are a form of mission-driven organisation that prioritise meeting social needs by bringing goods, services or other benefits to economically or politically exc
Recent studies highlight the importance of lipotoxic damage in aortic cells as the major pathogenetic contributor to atherosclerotic disease. Since the STE20-type kinase STK25 has been shown to exacerbate ectopic lipid storage and associated cell injury in several metabolic organs, we here investigate its role in the main cell types of vasculature. We depleted STK25 by small interfering RNA in hum
The European eel Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus 1758 is critically endangered with recruitment estimated at 5–10% of historical levels. Enhancing survival of recruits is pivotal for conservation, and restoration should consider habitat choice of elvers ascending river systems. We experimentally show that newly ascended elvers choose small pebble habitat over finer and larger substrates, regardless of
Lately, the idea of ‘non-toxic’ (or ‘clean’) material cycles has become increasingly popular as a starting point for the consideration of circular economy strategies among leading regulating actors, such as the European Commission (2017). However, it should be apparent that, by default, circular economy aspirations awaken a potential policy conflict between increased circulation of resources and r
Solving problems that are perceptually dissimilar but require similar solutions is a key skill in everyday life. In adults, this ability, termed analogical transfer, draws on memories of relevant past experiences that partially overlap with the present task at hand. Thanks to this support from long-term memory, analogical transfer allows remarkable behavioral flexibility beyond immediate situation
Canesin et al. describe a role and mechanism for labile heme as a key player in regulating gene expression to promote carcinogenesis via binding to G-quadruplex in the c-MYC promoter. Hemopexin, a heme scavenger, may be used as a strategy to block progression of cancer.
More than half the world's rainforest has been lost to agriculture since the Industrial Revolution. Among the most widespread tropical crops is oil palm (Elaeis guineensis): global production now exceeds 35 million tonnes per year. In Malaysia, for example, 13% of land area is now oil palm plantation, compared with 1% in 1974. There are enormous pressures to increase palm oil production for food,
Background: Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a cytokine with inflammatory and apoptotic properties. A complex relationship exists between TRAIL and the lung where both elevated TRAIL and TRAIL deficiency are associated with lung impairment. In neonatal mice, TRAIL is thought to translate respiratory infections into chronic lung disease but the association between
Survival to extreme ages clusters within families. However, identifying genetic loci conferring longevity and low morbidity in such longevous families is challenging. There is debate concerning the survival percentile that best isolates the genetic component in longevity. Here, we use three-generational mortality data from two large datasets, UPDB (US) and LINKS (Netherlands). We study 20,360 unse
PURPOSE: To examine the association between age-related changes in the T-cell compartment and prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).DESIGN: Case-control study.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 117 AMD cases and 106 controls were included prospectively.METHODS: Fresh-drawn peripheral blood samples were processed for flow cytometric analysis of T-cell populations. Plasma samples were analyzed
Functional disturbances in microcirculation in juvenile type 1 diabetes (T1D) are believed to underlie, in part, the later occurrence of cardiovascular complications. Some epidemiologic studies suggested greater risk of microvascular complications in those with T1D-risk genotypes of human leukocyte antigen (HLA). We investigated whether HLA-DQ2/8, which is linked to highest T1D morbidity, influenc
