Structural insights into polymerase-catalyzed FAD capping of hepatitis C virus RNA.

The RNA polymerase NS5B of HCV is capable of catalyzing the addition of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) to its RNA as a 5' cap structure, aiding the virus in evading host immune responses. However, the exact mechanism underlying the 5'-FAD capping process of HCV RNA remains to be elucidated. Here, we determine crystal structures of the HCV NS5B de novo initiation, primed initiation and elongation complexes in presence of FAD.

Quasi-synchronization of Caputo-Hadamard fractional-order memristive neural networks with time-varying delays.

In this paper, quasi-synchronization issue of Caputo-Hadamard fractional memristive neural networks with time-varying delays is investigated. Firstly, on the basis of the definitions and properties of Caputo-Hadamard fractional-order derivative and Mittag-Leffler function, a novel inequality is established, which serves to explore synchronization issues for Caputo-Hadamard fractional-order dynamical networks. Then, under a discontinuous control strategy, quasi-synchronization criteria are obtained by using our constructed inequality and some analytical techniques.

Phase transition and in-plane anisotropy of GeAs under high pressure.

GeAs exhibits excellent chemical stability and high in-plane anisotropy under ambient conditions. Pressure is one effective approach to regulate structures or properties of two-dimensional materials. In this work, the high-pressure effect on the phase transition and in-plane anisotropic properties is investigated for GeAs using Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, high-pressure resistance measurement, and density functional theory calculations.

Fatigue-related brain dysfunctional connectivity during acute phase correlates with post-traumatic stress symptoms in individuals with COVID-19 at the 3-month follow-up.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have emerged as a prominent psychological consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although early-stage fatigue is a known risk factor for developing PTSS, neural mechanisms linking fatigue and PTSS after COVID-19 infection remain unclear. In this study, we investigate whether dysfunctional fatigue-related brain functional connectivity during the acute phase is associated with PTSS in individuals with COVID-19 at 3-month follow-up.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in the context of hemodynamic disruption during septic shock.

Background: Septic shock represents one of the most severe critical illness types, characterized by significant hemodynamic disorders and neuropsychiatric symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the association mechanism between hemodynamic indicators and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with septic shock, revealing potential pathophysiological connections.

Aim: To investigate the link between hemodynamic parameters and neuropsychiatric symptoms in septic shock.

Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia for patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Parkinson's disease-related insomnia (PD-I) has a profound impact on the overall well-being of patients. The findings of previous studies suggested that acupuncture may potentially improve the quality of sleep-in patients with PD. However, the clinical evidence to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in managing PD-I remains undisclosed.

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis triggered by EBV and HSV-1: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a central nervous system disorder driven by autoantibodies, characterized by a wide range of complex clinical manifestations. Although tumors, such as teratomas, and viral infections have been identified as potential triggering factors, the precise etiology of this condition remains to be elucidated. While herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been linked to the onset of anti-NMDAR encephalitis, cases involving coinfection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and HSV-1 as causative factors are exceedingly rare.

Immune Cell Proteins and Parkinson's Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis of Causal Associations.

Background: The neuroimmune interaction mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases have received increasing attention. Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, with potential immunoregulatory abnormalities. However, the causal roles of specific immune cell proteins remain unclear.

Case Report: A case of ALS type 6 associated with a gene variant and right limb muscle weakness and atrophy as the initial symptom.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. This degeneration results in increasing muscle weakness, ultimately culminating in respiratory failure and death. Mutations in the fused in sarcoma () gene have been identified as a significant cause of ALS.

Hydroxytyrosol induced ferroptosis through Nrf2 signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells.

In recent years, the incidence of colorectal cancer is still on the rise. The killing of tumor cells through chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy is the mainstay of clinical anticolorectal cancer therapy, but is limited by drug and radiation resistance of tumor cells. Ferroptosis, a novel mode of programmed cell death, plays an important role in antitumor therapy.

Identification and functional analysis of a novel TBC1D23 pathogenic variant in a Chinese family with pontocerebellar hypoplasia.

Background: Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 11 (PCH11) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by variants in TBC1D23. The molecular basis for its clinical heterogeneity remains poorly understood. Here, we identified a novel TBC1D23 variant in a Chinese family, investigated its underlying pathogenic mechanisms, and systematically reviewed the clinical phenotypes of all reported cases of PCH11.

No association between anti-cytomegalovirus seropositivity and arthritis: evidence from the cross-sectional epidemiology and genetic association analyses.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a β-herpesvirus associated with chronic inflammation and lifelong latency, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of arthritis. However, the nature of this relationship remains controversial. In this study, we integrate cross-sectional epidemiology analyses, genetic correlation assessments, and Mendelian randomization (MR) approaches to elucidate the potential association between CMV infection and arthritis-related conditions.

Aberrant interhemispheric resting state functional connectivity and corpus callosum microstructure in acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

Acute carbon monoxide poisoning (ACOP) is a significant contributor to acute poisoning incidents worldwide, with numerous patients suffering from cognitive impairment. Growing evidence indicates that patients with ACOP exhibit both disrupted functional connectivity and corpus callosum (CC) degeneration. Nevertheless, how interhemispheric connectivity is altered in ACOP and how such alterations relate to cognitive deficits remain largely unexplored.

Molecular mechanisms of the viral encoded chaperone 100K in capsid folding and assembly of adenovirus.

Adenovirus is an icosahedral, non-enveloped DNA virus that infects humans and other animals. The capsid of adenovirus is mainly assembled by the major capsid protein hexon. Folding and assembly of hexon require the viral encoded chaperone 100K, of which the detailed structure and chaperoning mechanism remain unknown.

Nanoparticles-based electrochemical sensing platform for high-through immunoassay with redox-activity CaCO nanotags on a magnetic microfluidic device.

A new nanoparticles-based sensing platform was designed for high-through electrochemical immunoassay of ferritin (FET) biomarker on a magneto-controlled microfluidic device by using anti-FET capture antibody-conjugated magnetic sensing probes. Thionine-doped calcium carbonate (CaCO) nanoparticles labeled with anti-FET detection antibodies were utilized as the recognition elements. Introduction of target FET caused the sandwich-type immunoreaction between two antibodies.

Noncollinear Magnetism in FeO Induced via Site-Selective Rare-Earth Substitution Boosting Its Saturation Magnetization.

Substituting rare-earth Eu ions with a large atomic number into 3d transition metal oxides can precisely control their magnetic properties through significant spin-orbit coupling, leading to noncollinear magnetism. Experimental investigations are combined with density functional theory to explore site-selective Eu substitution as a strategy to enhance the magnetic properties of FeO thin films. The substitution location of Eu, that is, octahedral versus tetrahedral, is confirmed by electrical resistivities and valence band photoemission measurements.

A novel KDM5C mutation associated with intellectual disability: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications.

Background: Among the disease-causing genes associated with X-linked intellectual disability (XLID), KDM5C is one of the most frequently mutated ones. KDM5C is a widely expressed gene that is most highly expressed in the brain. KDM5C modulates the transcriptional activity of genes through demethylation of H3K4, thereby regulating neural development and normal function.

Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging studies on non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the diagnostic value of multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizing arterial spin labeling (ASL), quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), and 3D T1-weighted imaging (3DT1WI) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Additionally, it evaluates the relationship between MRI findings and non-motor symptoms associated with PD.

Methods: ASL, QSM, and 3DT1WI scans were performed on 48 PD patients and 46 healthy controls (HC).

Exploring the causal role of plasma metabolites and metabolite ratios in prostate cancer: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa), the most prevalent malignant neoplasm in males, involves complex biological mechanisms and risk factors, many of which remain unidentified. By employing a novel two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, this study aims to elucidate the causal relationships between the circulating metabolome and PCa risk, utilizing comprehensive data on genetically determined plasma metabolites and metabolite ratios.

Methods: For the MR analysis, we utilized data from the GWAS Catalog database to analyze 1,091 plasma metabolites and 309 ratios in relation to PCa outcomes within two independent GWAS datasets.

Abnormal sensory processing cortex in insomnia disorder: a degree centrality study.

Insomnia disorder is a significant global health concern. This research aimed to explore the pathogenesis of insomnia disorder using static and dynamic degree centrality methods at the voxel level. A total of 29 patients diagnosed with insomnia disorder and 28 healthy controls were ultimately included to examine differences in degree centrality between the two groups.

Characterization of metalaxyl-induced notochord toxicity based on biochemical and transcriptomics in zebrafish (Danio rerio) model.

Metalaxyl is an acylanilide systemic fungicide that is widely applied and can readily enter ecosystems through leaching and soil runoff. This research utilized zebrafish as a model organism to thoroughly investigate the detrimental impacts of environmentally relevant levels of metalaxyl on the development of the notochord in zebrafish embryos and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms through transcriptomics, pharmacological intervention and molecular biological detection. The preliminary results demonstrated that metalaxyl induced significant modifications in the developmental parameters of zebrafish embryos.

Alterations in structural and functional connectivity of thalamic subregions in patients with uremic pruritus undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Uremic pruritus (UP) significantly compromises the quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Although the precise pathophysiological mechanisms of UP remain elusive, the thalamus, which is integral to processing sensory information, is potentially implicated in its development. This study aimed to investigate alterations in the structure and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of thalamic subregions in patients with UP.

Pathobiont-driven antibody sialylation through IL-10 undermines vaccination.

The pathobiont Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) induces nonprotective antibody imprints that underlie ineffective staphylococcal vaccination. However, the mechanism by which Sa modifies antibody activity is not clear. Herein, we demonstrate that IL-10 is the decisive factor that abrogates antibody protection in mice.

Eosinophilic esophagitis drives tissue fibroblast regenerative programs toward pathologic dysfunction.

Background: Pathologic tissue remodeling with scarring and tissue rigidity has been demonstrated in inflammatory, autoimmune, and allergic diseases. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic disease that is diagnosed and managed by repeated biopsy procurement, allowing an understanding of tissue fibroblast dysfunction. While EoE-associated tissue remodeling causes clinical dysphagia, food impactions, esophageal rigidity, and strictures, molecular mechanisms driving these complications remain under investigation.