Article
Microbiology
Yen-Chin Liu, Bobo Wing-Yee Mok, Pui Wang, Rei-Lin Kuo, Honglin Chen, Shin-Ru Shih
Summary: A novel mechanistic discovery shows that the host decay factor XRN1 contributes to influenza A virus replication by suppressing the host innate immune response. XRN1 facilitates viral replication through direct association with the viral NS1. The inhibitor pAp can suppress viral growth, suggesting a potential antiviral drug development target.
Article
Virology
Ethan BenDavid, Christian K. Pfaller, Yue Pan, Charles E. Samuel, Dzwokai Ma
Summary: Many negative-sense RNA viruses, including measles virus, replicate in cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. This study reveals that measles virus hijacks the host protein XRN1 to prevent the accumulation of double-stranded RNA within the inclusion bodies and suppress the innate immune response.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rukesh Chinthapatla, Mohamad Sotoudegan, Pankaj Srivastava, Thomas K. Anderson, Ibrahim M. Moustafa, Kellan T. Passow, Samantha A. Kennelly, Ramkumar Moorthy, David Dulin, Joy Y. Feng, Daniel A. Harki, Robert N. Kirchdoerfer, Craig E. Cameron, Jamie J. Arnold
Summary: Ribonucleos(t)ide analogs, which are effective antiviral therapeutics, lose their potency due to the presence of a proofreading enzyme called ExoN in coronaviruses. Finding ways to interfere with ExoN activity has the potential to control SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study reveals that double-stranded RNA is preferred and only one or two nucleotides are hydrolyzed in a single binding event. Modifications to the 3'-RNA terminus can interfere with or block ExoN-catalyzed excision, suggesting the feasibility of designing ExoN-resistant, antiviral ribonucleotides.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Virology
Chaminda D. Gunawardene, Jennifer S. H. Im, K. Andrew White
Summary: The Carnation Italian ringspot virus protects its RNA genome from enzymatic decay by forming a complex RNA structure at the 5' end, which inhibits the Xrn exoribonuclease and RNA pyrophosphohydrolase. This higher-order RNA structure independently confers resistance to 5'-end-attacking cellular enzymes in an RNA plant virus genome.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Han Chiu, Hsin-Ping Chiu, Han-Pang Yu, Li-Hsiung Lin, Zih-Ping Chen, Yi-Ling Lin, Ren-Jye Lin
Summary: ZFP36L1 acts as a host innate defender against flaviviruses by targeting and degrading viral RNA. It destabilizes the viral genome by recruiting cellular mRNA decay machineries. The specific recognition of AU-rich elements within viral RNA by ZFP36L1 triggers the degradation of viral RNA transcripts.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Anthony J. Covarrubias, Rosalba Perrone, Alessia Grozio, Eric Verdin
Summary: NAD(+) is a crucial coenzyme in redox reactions and plays a pivotal role in energy metabolism. Its levels decline with age, and raising NAD(+) levels is being explored as a potential strategy to extend human lifespan and healthspan. NAD(+) influences key cellular processes and functions, including metabolic pathways, DNA repair, and cellular senescence, with implications for healthy aging and age-related diseases.
NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mervi T. Hyvonen, Olga A. Smirnova, Vladimir A. Mitkevich, Vera L. Tunitskaya, Maxim Khomutov, Dmitry S. Karpov, Sergey P. Korolev, Merja R. Hakkinen, Marko Pietila, Marina B. Gottikh, Jouko Vepsalainen, Leena Alhonen, Alexander A. Makarov, Sergey N. Kochetkov, Heather M. Wallace, Tuomo A. Keinanen, Alex R. Khomutov
Summary: The polyamines spermine and spermidine are crucial for cell growth and function. This study demonstrates that a protein called OAZ1 inhibits polyamine uptake and targets an enzyme involved in polyamine biosynthesis for degradation. The study also reveals that polyamines induce the dimerization of OAZ1 and this dimerization is modulated by certain chemicals. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of polyamine homeostasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Altaf H. Sarker, Priscilla K. Cooper, Tapas K. Hazra
Summary: Cell survival depends on faithful maintenance of genetic material, with the evolutionarily conserved base excision repair pathway critical for eliminating potentially mutagenic oxidized DNA base lesions. DNA glycosylases, particularly NEIL2, play important roles in specialized functions such as repair of oxidized lesions in transcribed genes and modulation of immune response. The absence of NEIL2 can lead to increased accumulation of oxidized base lesions, immune response activation, and early neurodevelopmental defects.
PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina Labedzka-Dmoch, Michal Razew, Marta Gapinska, Jakub Piatkowski, Adam Kolondra, Hanna Salmonowicz, Joanna M. Wenda, Marcin Nowotny, Pawel Golik
Summary: Pet127 is a mitochondrial protein with conserved presence and function in different eukaryotes. It is classified as a member of the PD-(D/E)XK superfamily and exhibits exoribonuclease activity. Deletion of the PET127 gene in pathogenic yeast leads to abnormal increase in transcript levels, indicating the important role of Pet127 protein in RNA degradation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Petra Kompanikova, Vitezslav Bryja
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge about the development of the choroid plexus (ChP), including early specification, formation of proliferative regions, and maturation. The available molecular markers and mouse strains for ChP research are also discussed, along with technological shortcomings that need to be addressed. Overall, the review highlights the importance of the ChP in the development and function of the central nervous system.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Linna Sheng, Jiaxuan Li, Shengfang Rao, Zhijun Yang, Yonghong Huang
Summary: CDK5RAP3 is a protein involved in crucial cellular processes and plays important roles in embryonic and tissue development as well as the onset and progress of human cancers. Despite the unclear detailed function and mechanism, understanding CDK5RAP3 may provide insights for novel therapeutic opportunities targeting CDK5RAP3-related diseases.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Maria Gonzalez-Santamarta, Corentin Bouvier, Manuel S. Rodriguez, Wendy Xolalpa
Summary: The cell uses posttranslational modifications (PTMs) to control the localization, association with partners, stability, and activity of protein targets, and one of the most dynamic proteins involved in PTMs is Ubiquitin (Ub). Ub and other Ubiquitin-like (UbL) proteins can rebuild the architecture of a protein in a few minutes, changing its properties efficiently. The formation and remodeling of Ub chains are regulated by conjugating and deconjugating enzymes, and occur in response to physiologic and pathologic stimuli.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Camille Ettelaie, Sophie Featherby, Araci M. R. Rondon, John Greenman, Henri H. Versteeg, Anthony Maraveyas
Summary: This study elucidates the essential molecular mechanisms by which cells regulate TF clotting activity and how the decryption of TF activity affects cellular proliferation/apoptosis. It has been shown for the first time that TF procoagulant activity is regulated through de-palmitoylation, independent of TF phosphorylation. Changes in the orientation of the transmembrane domain can induce TF-cellular signalling, influencing cellular proliferation and apoptosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nitzan Gonen, Caroline Eozenou, Richard Mitter, Maeva Elzaiat, Isabelle Stevant, Rona Aviram, Andreia Sofia Bernardo, Almira Chervova, Somboon Wankanit, Emmanuel Frachon, Pierre-Henri Commere, Sylvie Brailly-Tabard, Leo Valon, Laura Barrio Cano, Romain Levayer, Inas Mazen, Samy Gobaa, James C. Smith, Kenneth McElreavey, Robin Lovell-Badge, Anu Bashamboo
Summary: During embryonic development, signaling cascades determine the fate of gonads. Errors in this process result in disorders of sex development. This study provides a protocol for differentiating pluripotent cells into gonadal progenitors and demonstrates their equivalence to embryonic progenitors. The study also shows the potential of using induced pluripotent stem cells to model DSDs and investigate sex determination mechanisms.
Article
Parasitology
Wenda Di, Fangfang Li, Li He, Chunqun Wang, Caixian Zhou, Lu Liu, Lisa Ye, Jian Chen, Min Hu
Summary: This study characterized a homologue of the daf-5 gene, Hc-daf-5, in the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. It was found that Hc-daf-5 plays a role in the developmental processes of H. contortus, with significant upregulation in the L3 stage. The study also revealed the function of Hc-DAF-5 through RNA interference and its interaction with Hc-DAF-3.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
E. J. Beck, S. Mandalia, P. Yfantopoulos, C. Jones, S. Bremner, J. Whetham, F. Etcheverry, L. Moreno, E. Gonzalez, M. J. Merino, A. Leon, F. Garcia
Summary: The efficiency of the EmERGE Pathway of Care for medically stable people living with HIV at the Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS in Barcelona, Spain was calculated. The results showed that the pathway is an efficient and acceptable intervention, despite an increase in costs due to internal structural changes. The cost reduction observed in face-to-face clinics was offset by the transfer of participants from virtual to face-to-face clinics.
ENFERMEDADES INFECCIOSAS Y MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Richard Harding, Christopher Iain Jones, Stephen Bremner, Katherine Bristowe, Brian West, Richard J. Siegert, Kelly K. O'Brien, Jennifer Whetham
Summary: This study aimed to assess the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Positive Outcomes measure in clinical practice. The results showed that the measure has good validity, reliability, and responsiveness, making it a useful tool for person-centered care.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Eduard J. Beck, Sundhiya Mandalia, Platonas Yfantopoulos, Christopher Jones, Stephen Bremner, Jennifer Whetham, Marie Wittevrongel, Ludwig Apers
ACTA CLINICA BELGICA
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Robert Kong, Nevil Hutchinson, Andrew Hill, Fiona Ingoldby, Nicola Skipper, Christopher Jones, Stephen Bremner, Chloe Bruce, Juliet Wright, Michael Lewis, Stanton Newman, Timothy Chevassut, David Hildick-Smith
Summary: This study demonstrates that preoperative treatment with a single dose of ferric derisomaltose and darbepoetin can significantly reduce the proportion of patients receiving perioperative blood transfusions in patients with low preoperative hemoglobin and iron deficiency, while increasing hemoglobin levels.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Harry J. Witchel, Christopher I. Jones, Georgina A. Thompson, Carina E. I. Westling, Juan Romero, Alessia Nicotra, Bruno Maag, Hugo D. Critchley
Summary: Spelling errors in documents have a negative impact on trustworthiness, and the mechanism of weighing psychological assessments (integrative vs. dichotomous) is not well understood. This study instructed participants to rate texts and found that spelling errors led to marginal differences in implicit trustworthiness judgments.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
E. J. Beck, S. Mandalia, P. Yfantopoulos, C. Jones, S. Bremner, D. Fatz, J. Vera, J. Whetham
Summary: The implementation of EmERGE Pathway of Care in Brighton, UK was found to be efficient for people living with medically stable HIV. The use of an App for communication between individuals and caregivers reduced outpatient visits and annual costs. However, the costs of anti-retroviral drugs remained the main component of overall costs. The extension of EmERGE to other chronic conditions could potentially result in greater efficiencies.
AIDS CARE-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AIDS/HIV
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Bethany Torr, Christopher Jones, Subin Choi, Sophie Allen, Grace Kavanaugh, Monica Hamill, Alice Garrett, Suzanne MacMahon, Lucy Loong, Alistair Reay, Lina Yuan, Mikel Valganon Petrizan, Kathryn Monson, Nicky Perry, Lesley Fallowfield, Valerie Jenkins, Rochelle Gold, Amy Taylor, Rhian Gabe, Jennifer Wiggins, Anneke Lucassen, Ranjit Manchanda, Ashu Gandhi, Angela George, Michael Hubank, Zoe Kemp, D. Gareth Evans, Stephen Bremner, Clare Turnbull
Summary: This study introduces a rapid digital pathway for genetic testing in breast cancer patients, which improves the uptake of testing with the support of clinicians and a genetics specialist hotline. The results demonstrate high satisfaction and similar outcomes for both the fully digital and partially digital pathways.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tom J. Levett, Jaime H. Vera, Christopher Jones, Stephen Bremner, Agathe Leon, Josip Begovac, Ludwig Apers, Margarida Borges, Sime Zekan, Eugenio Teofilo, Felipe Garcia, Jennifer Whetham
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate frailty, falls and perceptions of ageing among clinically stable individuals with HIV who were engaged with remote healthcare delivered via a novel smartphone application. The results showed that frailty, falls and ageing dissatisfaction were uncommon but still present in this younger cohort, and were associated with pain and mood symptoms.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Abigail Dunn, James Alvarez, Amy Arbon, Stephen Bremner, Chloe Elsby-Pearson, Richard Emsley, Christopher Jones, Peter Lawrence, Kathryn J. Lester, Mirjana Majdandzi, Natalie Morson, Nicky Perry, Julia Simner, Abigail Thomson, Sam Cartwright-Hatton
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based intervention in reducing child anxiety symptoms through a randomized controlled trial. Recruitment for the study has started and is expected to conclude in 2022. The results of this study will contribute to understanding the role of web-based courses in preventing the transmission of anxiety.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Stephanie Daley, Molly Hebditch, Christopher Jones, Stephen Bremner, Yvonne Feeney, Georgia Towson, Juliet Wright, Sube Banerjee
Summary: The Time for Dementia programme aims to improve the skills, attitudes, and empathy of healthcare students towards dementia. The study found that students who participated in the programme had higher levels of knowledge and positive attitudes towards dementia compared to those who did not participate. Although no significant differences in empathy development were observed, the findings suggest that TFD may be effective in professional training programmes and universities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah Partridge, Lisa Quadt, Monica Bolton, Jessica Eccles, Charlie Thompson, Alessandro Colasanti, Stephen Bremner, Christopher Iain Jones, Karin Due Bruun, Harm Van Marwijk
Summary: This article summarizes the evidence for the use of low dose naltrexone (LDN) in the treatment of fibromyalgia. The systematic literature review indicates that LDN may reduce pain and improve quality of life. Studies on LDN mechanisms suggest that ESR and inflammatory biomarkers may be involved. However, the current evidence from randomized controlled trials supporting the use of LDN in fibromyalgia patients is weak and further research is needed.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Abby Dunn, James Alvarez, Amy Arbon, Stephen Bremner, Chloe Elsby-Pearson, Richard Emsley, Christopher Jones, Peter Lawrence, Kathryn J. Lester, Mirjana Majdandz, Natalie Morson, Nicky Perry, Julia Simner, Sam Cartwright-Hatton, Abi Thomson
Summary: This article describes the use of an embedded randomised controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effect of financial incentives on rates of co-respondent data completion. The study will compare the completion rates of co-respondent outcome measures between the intervention group and the control group. The results will provide guidance for resource allocation in future clinical trials.
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Robel Yirgu, Jo Middleton, Abebaw Fekadu, Gail Davey, Stephen Bremner, Christopher Iain Jones, Jackie A. Cassell
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the secondary impact of ivermectin MDA for onchocerciasis on the prevalence of scabies. The study found that there was no significant change in scabies prevalence during the 12 months follow-up period after receiving MDA.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jo Middleton, Gavin Colthart, Francesca Dem, Alice Elkins, James Fairhead, Richard J. Hazell, Michael G. Head, Joao Inacio, Mavis Jimbudo, Christopher Iain Jones, Moses Laman, Hayley Macgregor, Vojtech Novotny, Mika Peck, Jonah Philip, Jason Paliau, William Pomat, Jessica A. Stockdale, Shen Sui, Alan J. Stewart, Ruma Umari, Stephen L. Walker, Jackie A. Cassell
Summary: This study aims to determine community needs and perspectives in order to support the incorporation of health services into the Wanang Conservation Area. Clinical and anthropological assessments were conducted to provide urgent treatment for the local population. The study found significant unmet needs and identified priorities for service introduction.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Bethany Torr, Christopher Jones, Subin Choi, Sophie Allen, Grace Kavanaugh, Monica Hamill, Alice Garrett, Suzanne MacMahon, Lucy Loong, Alistair Reay, Lina Yuan, Mikel Valganon Petrizan, Kathryn Monson, Nicky Perry, Lesley Fallowfield, Valerie Jenkins, Rochelle Gold, Amy Taylor, Rhian Gabe, Jennifer Wiggins, Anneke Lucassen, Ranjit Manchanda, Ashu Gandhi, Angela George, Michael Hubank, Zoe Kemp, D. Gareth Evans, Stephen Bremner, Clare Turnbull
Summary: The study developed a rapid and digital pathway for genetic testing, which demonstrated feasibility and acceptability. Further evaluation is needed to assess the effectiveness of the digital pathway.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2022)