Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marissa Dominick, Nicole Houchins, Vinisha Venugopal, Aamir R. Zuberi, Cathleen M. Lutz, Bessie Meechooveet, Kendall Van Keuren-Jensen, Robert Bowser, David X. Medina
Summary: Matrin 3 is a nuclear matrix protein involved in RNA processing. Mutations in the Matrin 3 gene have been associated with familial forms of ALS and myopathy, but their exact role is not known. To investigate this, researchers created a mouse model with a specific mutation in the Matrin 3 gene associated with ALS. However, the mutant mice did not develop motor deficits or pathology resembling ALS, suggesting that the mutation alone is not sufficient to cause ALS-like symptoms in vivo.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Biying Yang, Sen Huang, Yu Zheng, Xiaomei Hou, Jianing Lin, Yu Peng, Baoxin Du, Xiaoli Yao
Summary: Pregnancy and fertility were not associated with disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), while diagnostic delay was correlated with disease progression. SETX might be a gene of concern for ALS patients of childbearing age.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nicholas J. Thomas, Anita V. Hill, Colin M. Dayan, Richard A. Oram, Timothy J. McDonald, Beverley M. Shields, Angus G. Jones, StartRight Study Grp
Summary: The study aimed to determine whether presentation, progression, and genetic susceptibility of adult-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) are affected by diagnosis age. The results showed that age of diagnosis was not associated with C-peptide loss, baseline C-peptide, and T1D genetic susceptibility. Despite similar presentation, older adults were less likely to be diagnosed with T1D, treated with insulin, or admitted to hospital.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Priyani Patel, Patricia Castro, Nehzat Koohi, Qadeer Arshad, Lucia Gargallo, Sergio Carmona, Diego Kaski
Summary: This study explores whether the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain changes in response to a clinical headshake maneuver in patients with vestibular migraine (VM). The study found that there was no significant change in VOR gain after headshaking in any group. Patients who reported nausea when reading in the passenger seat of a car were more likely to have VM.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Kiara M. Chan, Jacob L. Griffith, Yan Carlos Pacheco, Kyle D. Allen
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of voluntary wheel running after meniscal injury on gait characteristics and joint remodeling in mice. It was found that physically active mice showed more severe joint damage than sedentary mice after meniscal injury, but both groups engaged in voluntary wheel running at the same rates. Additionally, both physically active and sedentary mice developed a limp as meniscal injury progressed, but exercise did not further exacerbate gait changes in physically active mice.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Bart Vanderborght, Kevin De Muynck, Eva Gijbels, Sander Lefere, Charlotte L. Scott, Martin Guilliams, Alain Beschin, Mathieu Vinken, Xavier Verhelst, Anja Geerts, Hans Van Vlierberghe, Lindsey Devisscher
Summary: Due to the rapid progression of the disease and the lack of curative treatments, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. While monocyte-derived tumor-associated macrophages are known to contribute to HCC, the role of Kupffer cells (KCs) remains unclear. This study used a mouse model to investigate the effect of KC depletion on HCC initiation and progression, and found that the temporary ablation of resident KCs did not impact HCC pathogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Christine Blume, Maria Niedernhuber, Manuel Spitschan, Helen C. Slawik, Martin P. Meyer, Tristan A. Bekinschtein, Christian Cajochen
Summary: Presleep exposure to short-wavelength light suppresses melatonin and decreases sleepiness, but does not have a significant impact on sleep quality and vigilance. The light exposure does not differentially modulate sensory processing. An interaction between melanopsin and cone-rod signals may need to be considered.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Grozavu, Sarah Stuart, Anna Lyakisheva, Zhong Yao, Shivanthy Pathmanathan, Michael Ohh, Igor Stagljar
Summary: KRAS is a frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers and its dimerization plays an important role in oncogenicity. However, the previous notion that KRAS D154Q mutant does not undergo dimerization might be incorrect, as we found that KRAS D154Q can indeed dimerize and the secondary D154Q mutation does not negatively affect its oncogenic dimerization. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using the KRAS D154Q variant to study the role of dimerization in KRAS oncogenic behavior.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Virginia Savy, Paula Stein, Min Shi, Carmen J. Williams
Summary: The study found that while there were subtle differences in calcium signaling in eggs following superovulation during parthenogenetic activation, there was no impact on the physiological calcium signaling at fertilization. This suggests that superovulation does not disrupt normal calcium signaling during fertilization, supporting its use for both clinical and experimental purposes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kim Reid, Eileen G. Daniels, Goutham Vasam, Rashmi Kamble, Georges E. Janssens, Iman M. Hu, Alexander E. Green, Riekelt H. Houtkooper, Keir J. Menzies
Summary: Maintaining mitochondrial function is crucial for improving healthspan and lifespan. Introducing mild stress through inhibiting mitochondrial translation leads to the unfolded protein response (UPRmt) and extends lifespan in animal models. However, reducing the expression of a key mitochondrial ribosomal protein (MRP), Mrpl54, did not significantly affect lifespan or metabolic health in genetically manipulated mice. This study suggests that, in otherwise healthy and unstressed mice, reducing Mrpl54 expression alone is not sufficient to improve healthspan.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina J. Krone, Caroline N. Rivera, Madison E. Rivera, Rachel M. Watne, Sarah E. Lemonds, Andrew J. Wommack, Roger A. Vaughan
Summary: This study found that supraphysiological concentrations of glutamine have no significant effect on myotube metabolism and insulin signaling, while physiological levels of glutamine can improve metabolism.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jake M. Martin, Jack T. Orford, Gabriela C. Melo, Hung Tan, Rachel T. Mason, Shiho Ozeki, Michael G. Bertram, Bob B. M. Wong, Lesley A. Alton
Summary: Globally, amphibian species are facing dramatic population declines, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are recognized as a contributing factor. However, the effects of the potent anabolic steroid 178-trenbolone on anuran species, particularly during early life stages, remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of 178-trenbolone on tadpoles and found no significant impact on body size, metabolic rate, or behavior, except for a slight decrease in body condition at the highest concentration. Further research is needed to understand the potential taxon-specific effects of 178-trenbolone.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Caden M. Henningfield, Miguel A. Arreola, Neelakshi Soni, Elizabeth E. Spangenberg, Kim N. Green
Summary: Previous studies indicate that microglial-expressed ApoE may not be necessary for plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease. However, it may play a role in plaque homeostasis in disease and synaptic maintenance under normal conditions.
Article
Physiology
Clare M. Eglin, Joseph T. Costello, Michael J. Tipton, Heather Massey
Summary: The study found that previous cold exposure was correlated with cold sensitivity of the foot, which might indicate the development of a subclinical non-freezing cold injury. However, cold sensitivity was not associated with impaired endothelial function or reduced thermal detection. Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of non-freezing cold injury.
EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Brent Race, Katie Williams, Chase Baune, James F. Striebel, Clayton W. Winkler, James A. Carroll, Sandra E. Encalada, Bruce Chesebro
Summary: The study did not find any differences in PrPSc spread, distribution, or survival times between KIF5C knock-out mice and control mice.