Article
Immunology
Xin Zhang, Miao Li, Layla El Moussawi, Sally Saab, Shasha Zhang, Mike A. Osta, Kristin Michel
Summary: Humoral immune responses in animals are tightly controlled by regulated proteolysis, where extracellular protease cascades activate key immune proteins and enzymes. In mosquitoes, the protease network regulates melanization reactions and affects resistance against microorganisms.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Renee Zakhia, Mike A. Osta
Summary: Clip domain serine proteases and their homologs, cSPHs, play essential roles in the serine protease cascades that drive melanization. This study reveals that CLIPA7, a member of the cSPH family, is crucial for the melanization of Escherichia coli and the clearance of systemic infections with Staphylococcus aureus. The findings provide further insights into the complex functions of cSPHs in mosquito immunity.
JOURNAL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Nicolas Salcedo-Porras, Pedro Lagerblad Oliveira, Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri, Carl Lowenberger
Summary: This study reveals time-dependent and pathogen-specific regulation of immune responses in triatomines, suggesting strong interactions between the immune deficiency and Toll pathways.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa Rouressol, John Briseno, Nidhi Vijayan, Grischa Y. Chen, Elena A. Ritschard, Gustavo Sanchez, Spencer V. Nyholm, Margaret J. McFall-Ngai, Oleg Simakov
Summary: By analyzing the topological, open chromatin, and transcriptomic data, this study identifies several co-regulated genes associated with the development of light organs and eyes. Comparative genomic analysis reveals distinct evolutionary origins of these regulatory associations, with a unique organization found in the DAC locus. The study discusses how changes in genome topology may have contributed to the evolutionary emergence of light organs.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Liu Zhen-Gang, Yang Fan, Shi Jingwei, Chang Pengyu, Yu Shengman, Zhang Bo-Yin
Summary: Spinal cord injury leads to catastrophic neurological disability, especially in elderly patients. Immune response plays a dual role throughout the SCI process, highlighting the importance of coordinated immunomodulation for tissue repair and neurological recovery.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Natasha Sharma, Anita Kumari, Venkatesh Chunduri, Satveer Kaur, Jagadeesh Banda, Ajay Goyal, Monika Garg
Summary: Colored wheat, such as black and blue varieties, were found to have higher total amino acid content and lower amino acid losses after chapatti cooking compared to white wheat. Anthocyanins in colored wheat may provide protective effects on amino acids, resulting in several nutritional and health benefits for consumers.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Patrick Denice
Summary: This article examines the relationship between patterns of segregation and families' engagement in public-school choice policies in U.S. metropolitan areas. The findings show that the enrollment of Black and Hispanic students in charter schools is positively associated with the geographic imbalance between school-age children and high-performing schools. In contrast, there is no such relationship for White students, who are more likely to enroll in charter schools when school segregation is relatively low.
SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Igor Vidal, Qizhi Zheng, Jessica L. Hicks, Jiayu Chen, Elizabeth A. Platz, Bruce J. Trock, Ibrahim Kulac, Javier A. Baena-Del Valle, Karen S. Sfanos, Sarah Ernst, Tracy Jones, Janielle P. Maynard, Stephanie A. Glavaris, William G. Nelson, Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian, Angelo M. De Marzo
Summary: This study found that GSTP1-positive prostate cancers are more common in Black men compared to White men, with a higher percentage of Black patients showing GSTP1 positivity in their tumors. Additionally, GSTP1 positivity was associated with ERG-positive cancers among Black men, suggesting a potential link between GSTP1 expression and disparate outcomes in prostate cancer among different racial groups. Research on whether GSTP1 positive cases represent a distinct molecular subtype of prostate cancer and its implications on patient outcomes is warranted.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ganesa Wegienka, Elizabeth A. Stewart, Wanda K. Nicholson, Shuaiqi Zhang, Fan Li, Laine Thomas, James B. Spies, Sateria Venable, Shannon Laughlin-Tommaso, Michael P. Diamond, Raymond M. Anchan, George Larry Maxwell, Erica E. Marsh, Evan R. Myers, Anissa I. Vines, Lauren A. Wise, Kedra Wallace, Vanessa L. Jacoby
Summary: In this study, black women were more likely to schedule a uterine-sparing UF treatment and a nonsurgical UF treatment than their white counterparts, while white women were more likely to have hysterectomies and myomectomies. Black women had a higher likelihood than white women to undergo myomectomy or UAE instead of hysterectomy.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Communication
Annette Malapally, Andreas Blombach, Philipp Heinrich, Julia Schnepf, Susanne Bruckmueller
Summary: Disadvantage and privilege uphold systems of inequality, with racial inequality often described as Black disadvantage and White privilege being less visible. This one-sided framing leads to one-sided understanding and policies. The study found that users more often framed inequality as Black disadvantage in tweets. Moreover, tweets with a disadvantage frame were more retweeted but less quoted and replied to. This suggests that racial inequality is often framed one-sidedly in real online conversations, with other users preferring to pass on disadvantage frames. Focusing on White privilege may stimulate more discussion about racial inequality.
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jing Dong, Zhuping Garacci, Christopher Staffi Buradagunta, Anita D'Souza, Meera Mohan, Ashley Cunningham, Siegfried Janz, Binod Dhakal, Aaron P. Thrift, Parameswaran Hari
Summary: This study assessed the survival differences between non-Hispanic black (NHB) and non-Hispanic white (NHW) patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and found that equitable access to effective treatment modalities is crucial in improving the survival of NHB patients.
BLOOD CANCER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ping Huang, Ang Lv, Qiaojuan Yan, Zhengqiang Jiang, Shaoqing Yang
Summary: In this study, the catalytic and substrate-regulatory mechanisms of a novel bacterial POP from Microbulbifer arenaceous (MaPOP) were investigated. The crystal structure revealed that MaPOP's catalytic triad was covered by the central tunnel of an unusual beta-propeller domain. The substrate-assisted catalytic mechanism of MaPOP reported here may represent a common mechanism for all POPs.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Corey A. Kalbaugh, Brian Witrick, Laksika Banu Sivaraj, Katharine L. McGinigle, Catherine R. Lesko, Samuel Cykert, William P. Robinson
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the differences in limb outcomes among patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia and claudication undergoing infrainguinal revascularization surgery. The results showed that Black and Hispanic patients had worse limb outcomes compared to White patients, even with similar disease severity at presentation.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jerrine R. Morris, Torie Comeaux Plowden, Lisa J. Green, Digna R. Velez Edwards, Tia Jackson-Bey
Summary: This article discusses the application of race in medicine, explores how systematic racism affects healthcare and genetic susceptibility to diseases, and suggests the utility of using genetic ancestry to estimate disease prevalence.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arkadiusz Urbanski, Paul Johnston, Elisa Bittermann, Maryam Keshavarz, Veronique Paris, Karolina Walkowiak-Nowicka, Natalia Konopinska, Pawel Marciniak, Jens Rolff
Summary: This study conducted a transcriptomic analysis to investigate the changes in the expression levels of immune-related genes in the storage pest Tenebrio molitor after treatment with Tenmo-TRP-7. The results revealed that Tenmo-TRP-7 regulates immune-related genes and provides new evidence for the functional homology between TRPs and TKs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hibiki Nakagawa, Junpei Kuroda, Toshihiro Aramaki, Shigeru Kondo
Summary: Actinotrichia play a crucial role in the formation of fish caudal fins by providing physical support in the dorsal-ventral direction. Lack of actinotrichia results in disordered fin tip shape and oval-shaped fish body.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shufeng Bu, Wei Lin Yong, Bryan Jian Wei Lim, Shu Kondo, Fengwei Yu
Summary: This research systematically investigated microtubule-destabilizing factors and identified Efa6 and Stai as new regulators of dendrite pruning in ddaC sensory neurons during Drosophila metamorphosis. They facilitate microtubule turnover and disassembly prior to dendrite pruning without affecting microtubule orientation, highlighting the importance of microtubule disassembly in promoting dendrite pruning and establishing a causal link between the two processes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bianca Petrignani, Samuel Rommelaere, Ketty Hakim-Mishnaevski, Florent Masson, Elodie Ramond, Reut Hilu-Dadia, Mickael Poidevin, Shu Kondo, Estee Kurant, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of the Nimrod family member NimB4 in the clearance of apoptotic cells in Drosophila, particularly in phagosome maturation, possibly through binding to apoptotic corpses to engage a phagosome maturation program dedicated to efferocytosis.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yusuke Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Osanai, Yuki Tanaka, Shotaro Hiramatsu, Hikari Matsumoto, Kensuke Tagahara, Hirotaka Hosono, Shun Miyamoto, Shun Kondo, Takahiro Kanbara, Yoshihito Nakashima, Hiroshi Asano, Masayoshi Ajioka
Summary: Selecting patients for cryoablation based on contrast-enhanced CT findings improves the procedure's success rates and reduces the recurrence of AF.
JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shin Kondo, Tatsuro Inoue, Takahiro Yoshida, Takashi Saito, Seiya Inoue, Takeshi Nishino, Masakazu Goto, Nori Sato, Rei Ono, Akira Tangoku, Shinsuke Katoh
Summary: The preoperative 6-minute walk distance is associated with long-term prognosis in patients undergoing esophagectomy. Patients with shorter walk distances had lower 5-year overall survival and relapse-free survival rates after surgery.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ren Yoshitomi, Mao Yamamoto, Motofumi Kumazoe, Yoshinori Fujimura, Madoka Yonekura, Yasuyo Shimamoto, Akari Nakasone, Satoshi Kondo, Hiroki Hattori, Akane Haseda, Jun Nishihira, Hirofumi Tachibana
Summary: The study investigated the anti-obesity effect of a combination of green tea and citrus polyphenols, finding that GT-gH prevented weight gain and had a more pronounced effect in individuals aged <50 years.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alexia L. Carboni, Mark A. Hanson, Scott A. Lindsay, Steven A. Wasserman, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: Cecropins are small helical secreted peptides with antimicrobial activity that play an important role in host defense. Experimental studies have shown that Cecropins play a role in defense against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi in fruit flies.
Article
Biology
Alexandra Hrdina, Igor Iatsenko
Summary: Metal ions play essential roles in insect physiological processes, including immunity and interactions with microbes. Iron ion, through the hypoferremic response mediated by Transferrin 1, is crucial for insect defense against pathogens. Other metal ions, such as copper and zinc, can interfere with insect immune function.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florent Masson, Samuel Rommelaere, Fanny Schupfer, Jean-Philippe Boquete, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: The abundance and amino acid composition of a protein called Spiralin B (SpiB) plays a crucial role in the nutritional interactions between insects and their endosymbionts. Increasing SpiB levels disrupts the localization of endosymbionts in insect eggs and decreases vertical transmission. This protein ensures the durability of the interaction in a variable environment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
M. A. Hanson, S. Kondo, B. Lemaitre
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a crucial role in defending against infection in plants and animals. A study on Drosophila has revealed that the Drosocin gene encodes two prominent host defense peptides with different specificities against distinct pathogens.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mark Hanson, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are host-encoded antibiotics that not only combat invading pathogens, but also have roles in neurological contexts. The evolutionary history of Baramicin genes reveals how they have adapted for either immune-specific or neurological roles, providing a case study for how AMP-encoding genes might play dual roles in both immune and non-immune processes via their multiple peptide products.
Article
Cell Biology
Mark A. Hanson, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play important roles in host defense and have been implicated in the clearance of aberrant cells and neurodegenerative syndromes. AMPs are produced in Drosophila downstream of Toll and Imd NF-κB pathways and have antimicrobial properties. Aging leads to upregulation of AMPs, potentially contributing to age-associated inflammatory diseases. However, the individual effects of AMPs on lifespan have been inconclusive. In this study, the researchers found no significant effect of individual AMPs on lifespan, except for Defensin. However, flies lacking seven AMP gene families displayed a reduced lifespan due to microbiome dysbiosis, and germ-free conditions extended their lifespan. Overall, AMPs collectively impact lifespan by preventing dysbiosis during aging.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aranzazu Arias-Rojas, Dagmar Frahm, Robert Hurwitz, Volker Brinkmann, Igor Iatsenko
Summary: This study reveals that commensal-encoded resilience mechanisms, including resistance to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are necessary to maintain the stable association between host and microbiota during inflammation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. A. Hanson, L. Grollmus, B. Lemaitre
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides, encoded by the host, play a crucial role in combating pathogens and shaping the microbiome in plants and animals. This study focuses on the Diptericin antimicrobial peptide family of Diptera and reveals the specific roles of DptA and DptB in Drosophila melanogaster, demonstrating how they interact with different bacteria. The findings also highlight the correlation between the presence of DptA- or DptB-like genes and the presence of specific bacteria across Diptera.
