Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Richard Hodge
Summary: As PLOS Biology marks its 20th anniversary, this month's issue highlights biotechnology with articles on topics ranging from genome editing to synthetic biology. The focus is on expanding the journal's presence in biotechnology research.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
George R. Abraham, Rhoda E. Kuc, Magnus Althage, Peter J. Greasley, Philip Ambery, Janet J. Maguire, Ian B. Wilkinson, Stephen P. Hoole, Joseph Cheriyan, Anthony P. Davenport
Summary: Virus-induced endothelial dysregulation is a prominent feature of severe Covid-19 infection. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a highly expressed peptide in endothelial cells with vasoconstrictive properties, shows significantly elevated plasma levels in hospitalized Covid-19 patients during the acute phase of infection. These results support the hypothesis that endothelin receptor antagonists may provide clinical benefit for certain Covid-19 patients.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Holly R. Neill, Chris I. R. Gill, Emma J. McDonald, W. Colin McRoberts, L. Kirsty Pourshahidi
Summary: Vitamin D deficiency is a global concern, and biofortification through feed modification and UV radiation is effective in increasing vitamin D content in food. Human trials have shown that consuming biofortified foods can increase circulating vitamin D levels. The efficacy of biofortification varies depending on the food matrix and the type of vitamin used.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Optics
Giampaolo Pitruzzello
Summary: Paul Corkum, Anne L'Huillier, and Ferenc Krausz were awarded the 2022 Wolf Prize in Physics for their pioneering contributions to ultrafast laser science. In an interview with Nature Photonics, they discussed the milestones, challenges, and future opportunities in the field.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samantha E. Hansen, Edward J. Garnero, Mingming Li, Sang-Heon Shim, Sebastian Rost
Summary: The study found that overexpression of the transcription factor ETS can initiate prostate neoplasia, providing important insights into the mechanisms underlying ETS-driven prostate cancer.
Article
Immunology
Ramy A. Arnaout, Eline T. Luning Prak, Nicholas Schwab, Florian Rubelt
Summary: The complex and diverse immunome, which consists of V(D)J-rearranged antibody and T cell receptor genes expressed by B cells and T cells, presents unique opportunities for advancing personalized medicine through a highly multiplexed blood test. The current state of immunome-based diagnostics involves both opportunities and challenges, and there is a call for clinicians, researchers, and others to join efforts to realize the diagnostic potential of the immunome.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ander Vergara, Conxita Jacobs-Cacha, Carmen Llorens-Cebria, Alberto Ortiz, Irene Martinez-Diaz, Nerea Martos, Pamela Dominguez-Baez, Mireia Molina Van den Bosch, Sheila Bermejo, Michael Paul Pieper, Begona Benito, Maria Jose Soler
Summary: The combination therapy of empagliflozin, atrasentan, and ramipril shows synergistic cardiorenal protective effects in a type 2 diabetic mouse model. This therapy not only reduces blood glucose and blood pressure, but also prevents further deterioration of kidney function and has positive effects on heart function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Gregoire Touron-Gardic, Pierre Failler
Summary: Wave reserves are becoming more than just a way to protect surf 'spots', they also conserve coastal areas of great ecological and economic value, foster local development, and contribute to countries' achievements towards international objectives.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Anna Brzechwa-Chodzynska, Wojciech Drozdz, Jack Harrowfield, Artur R. Stefankiewicz
Summary: This review gives a general overview of the development of fluorescent chemosensors based on closed three-dimensional architectures, highlighting examples from research groups that have made significant contributions to this field. It discusses the basic principles and challenges in designing cage-like fluorescence chemosensors for various guest molecules, with particular emphasis on the use of molecular and supramolecular fluorescent architectures for detecting explosives/hazardous substances, aromatics, and biologically active compounds.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Cassandra C. Derella, Anson M. Blanks, Andy Nguyen, Jacob Looney, Matthew A. Tucker, Jinhee Jeong, Paula Rodriguez-Miguelez, Jeffrey Thomas, Matthew Lyon, David M. Pollock, Ryan A. Harris
Summary: The study found that dual endothelin A/B receptor antagonism can increase total REE in overweight/obese individuals. These results suggest that modulation of the endothelin system may represent a novel therapeutic target to increase both resting metabolism and caloric expenditure, enhance weight loss, and reduce CVD risk in seemingly healthy individuals with elevated adiposity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Anna Cifuentes-Rius, Veerasikku Gopal Deepagan, Jianping Xie, Nicolas H. Voelcker
Summary: Quantum-sized gold nanoclusters are emerging as theranostic agents due to their molecule-like behavior and interesting properties, but scalable synthetic approaches and methods to determine their structure-property relationships for biological applications are still lacking. Further research is needed to propel gold nanoclusters as a preferred theranostic agent for biomedical applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peter C. Sherrell, Marco Fronzi, Nick A. Shepelin, Alexander Corletto, David A. Winkler, Mike Ford, Joseph G. Shapter, Amanda V. Ellis
Summary: Many atomically thin 2D materials exhibit strong piezoelectric effects, showing potential in areas such as pressure sensing, piezocatalysis, piezotronics, and energy harvesting. The ability for different 2D crystals to stack and form complex heterostructures expands the possibilities for applications in the field.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kwangho Nam, Magnus Wolf-Watz
Summary: Biological life relies on motion, particularly the motion of proteins on various timescales. Understanding the relationship between protein structure, dynamics, and function is a significant challenge in biophysics and structural biology. Advances in concepts and methods provide opportunities to explore these connections further. This Perspective article focuses on the future directions of protein dynamics, particularly enzymes, and emphasizes the complexity of research questions, such as understanding high-order interaction networks and the connection between local and collective motions. The integration of experimental and computational techniques, along with the expansion of sequence and structure space, will play a crucial role in addressing these important questions.
STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS-US
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yaritza Inostroza-Nieves, Alicia Rivera, Jose R. Romero
Summary: A study found that Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules play a role in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) pathophysiology. Endothelial cells express MHC molecules after exposure to cytokines. SCD is characterized by vascular endothelial cell activation, oxidative stress, sickle cell adhesion, and excess levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1). The study suggests that ET-1 is a novel regulator of MHC class II molecules and ET-1 receptor blockade may be a promising therapeutic approach for regulating immune and vascular responses in SCD.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biology
Willow Coyote-Maestas, James S. Fraser
Summary: A new method of altering the genome of bacteriophages allows for the production of large libraries of variants, enabling the design of these viruses to target species harmful to human health.
