Connectivity of serotonin neurons reveals a constrained inhibitory subnetwork within the olfactory system.

Inhibitory local interneurons (LNs) play an essential role in sensory processing by refining stimulus representations via a diverse collection of mechanisms. The morphological and physiological traits of individual LN types, as well as their connectivity within sensory networks, enable each LN type to support different computations such as lateral inhibition or gain control and are therefore ideal targets for modulatory neurons to have widespread impacts on network activity. In this study, we combined detailed connectivity analyses, serotonin receptor expression, neurophysiology, and computational modeling to demonstrate the functional impact of serotonin on a constrained LN network in the olfactory system of .

Protein-Protein Complex Stability Controls Substrate Scope in a β-Ketoacyl-ACP Reductase Specific for Medium Chains.

Assembly-line enzymes carry out multistep synthesis of important metabolites by using acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) to shuttle intermediates along defined sequences of active sites. Despite longstanding interest in reprogramming these systems for metabolic engineering and biosynthetic chemistry, the mechanisms underlying their reaction order remain poorly understood and difficult to control. Here we describe a β-ketoacyl-ACP reductase from Pseudomonas putida (PpFabG4) with an unusual selectivity for medium chains and use it to explore the molecular basis of substrate specificity in enzymes that pull intermediates from fatty acid synthesis, a common route to specialized products.

Bioinformatic Methodologies in Assessing Gut Microbiota.

Bioinformatic methodologies play a crucial role in the assessment of gut microbiota, offering advanced tools for analyzing complex microbial communities. These methodologies involve high-throughput sequencing technologies, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics, which generate vast amounts of data on microbial diversity and functional potential, as well as whole-genome sequencing, which, while being more costly, has a more expansive potential. Bioinformatics tools and algorithms process these data to identify microbial taxa and quantify and elucidate their roles within the microbiome.

Body Mass Index > 40 Is Not Correlated With Early Complications in Patients Undergoing Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty at an Ambulatory Surgical Center.

Introduction: Morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 40) is associated with complications following total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and often prevents same-day discharge. However, advances in medical optimization are reshaping how patients who have a higher BMI are evaluated. This study examined whether modern preoperative optimization strategies can enable safe TJA for patients who have elevated BMIs at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) by comparing complication rates (24-hour, one to 90-day) of patients in different BMI classes.