Multigenerational proteolytic inactivation of restriction upon subtle genomic hypomethylation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Restriction-modification (R-M) systems protect against phage infection by detecting and degrading invading foreign DNA. However, like many prokaryotic anti-phage defences, R-M systems pose a major risk of autoimmunity, exacerbated by the presence of hundreds to thousands of potential cleavage sites in the bacterial genome. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains experience the temporary inactivation of restriction endonucleases following growth at high temperatures, but the reason and mechanisms for this phenomenon are unknown.

Noise-induced transitions in random Pomeau-Manneville maps.

We introduce randomness to Pomeau-Manneville (PM) maps by incorporating dichotomous multiplicative noise that alternates between dynamics with an attracting and a repelling fixed point. We characterize the dynamical behavior by measuring the separation of two nearby orbits. Controlling the probability of selecting the repelling PM map, we find two noise-induced transitions.

Preanalytical variables and analytes in liquid biopsy approach for brain tumors: A comprehensive review and recommendations from the RANO Group and the Brain Liquid Biopsy Consortium.

This review explores the pivotal role of preanalytical variables in bringing liquid biopsy approaches into the clinic for brain tumors. Preanalytical variables encompass a range of critical issues, from blood sample collection and handling to the impact of tumor heterogeneity and patient-specific factors. These variables introduce challenges such as false positives, false negatives, and variability in the analysis of tumor signals, which can hinder the diagnostic and prognostic utility of liquid biopsies.

Report on the 2nd MObility for Vesicle research in Europe (MOVE) symposium-2024.

The 2nd MObility for Vesicle research in Europe (MOVE) Symposium, held in Belgrade-Serbia, from October 8 to 11, 2024, showcased the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of extracellular vesicles (EVs) research in Europe. Organized by eight National EV Societies under the MOVE initiative, the event gathered over 280 attendees from 28 countries, promoting collaboration and scientific exchange. The symposium featured eight keynote lectures, 48 oral and 126 poster presentations, and sessions dedicated to EV-related tools and industry innovations.

X-ray phase measurements by time-energy correlated photon pairs.

The resolution of a measurement system is fundamentally constrained by the wavelength of the used wave packet and the numerical aperture of the optical system. Overcoming these limits requires advanced interferometric techniques exploiting quantum correlations. While quantum interferometry can surpass the Heisenberg limit, it has been confined to the optical domain.

Machine Learning-Based Identification of Petroleum Distillates and Gasoline Traces Using Measured and Synthetic GC Spectra from Collected Samples.

Ignition cases involving arsons are typically handled by forensic experts who examine spectra of samples collected from scenes of fire to test for the existence or absence of ignitable liquids. This is tedious work, since many cases do not involve such liquids. To facilitate this process, we have developed in this work a Machine Learning (ML)-based workflow for samples' classification based on their gas chromatography (GC) chromatograms (i.

Practical implementation of m-Plane GaN resonant-phonon Terahertz quantum cascade laser.

In this study, we analyze a novel m-plane GaN Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser (THz QCL) with a resonant phonon depopulation scheme using the Non-equilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) approach. This design offers a more practical alternative to the previously proposed Two-Well (TW) GaN THz QCL, featuring significantly lower operating currents, reducing the risk of thermal damage, and greatly enhances the feasibility of experimental realization. The addition of an extra barrier also reduces leakage into the continuum and into the excited states.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Potential Applications of New Silica-Phosphonium Nanoparticles.

Although many bacterial species are vital to human health and are important in the food industry, some species lead to disease, which has promoted the development of antibacterial agents to reduce infection and illness. However, antibiotics can be toxic and increase bacterial resistance. Recently, we synthesized new silane-phosphonium monomers to form cross-linked thin coatings on polypropylene films.

Combinatorial sample- and back-focal-plane imaging. Pt. I: Instrument and acquisition parameters affecting BFP images and their analysis.

The back-focal plane (BFP) of a high-numerical aperture objective contains the fluorophore radiation pattern, which encodes information about the axial fluorophore position, molecular orientation and the local refractive index of the embedding medium. BFP image acquisition and analysis are common to conoscopy, k-space imaging, supercritical-angle fluorescence, and single-molecule detection, but they are rarely being used in biological fluorescence. This work addresses a critical gap in quantitative microscopy by enabling reliable, real-time BFP imaging under low-light conditions and/or short exposure times, typical of biological experiments.

Anion-Exchange-Membrane Electrolysis with Alkali-Free Water Feed.

Hydrogen is a green and sustainable energy vector that can facilitate the large-scale integration of intermittent renewable energy, renewable fuels for heavy transport, and deep decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries. Anion-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers (AEM-WEs) have several achieved or expected competitive advantages over other electrolysis technologies, including the use of precious metal-free electrocatalysts at both electrodes, fluorine-free hydrocarbon-based ionomeric membranes and bipolar plates based on inexpensive materials. Contrasting the analogous proton-exchange-membrane system (PEM-WE), where pure water is circulated (no support electrolyte), the current generation of AEM-WEs necessitates the circulation of a dilute aqueous alkaline electrolyte for reaching high energy efficiency and durability.

The gene regulatory landscape driving mouse gonadal supporting cell differentiation.

Gonadal sex determination relies on tipping a delicate balance involving the activation and repression of several transcription factors and signaling pathways. This is likely mediated by numerous noncoding regulatory elements that shape sex-specific transcriptomic programs. To explore the dynamics of these in detail, we performed paired time series of transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility assays on pre-granulosa and Sertoli cells throughout their development in the embryo, making use of new and existing mouse reporter lines.

Sensitivity and Cross-Reactivity Analysis of Serotype-Specific Anti-NS1 Serological Assays for Dengue Virus Using Optical Modulation Biosensing.

Dengue virus (DENV) poses a major global health concern, with over 6.5 million cases and 7300 deaths reported in 2023. Accurate serological assays are essential for tracking infection history, evaluating disease severity, and guiding vaccination strategies.

Enhancing sequence alignment of adaptive immune receptors through multi-task deep learning.

Sequence alignment of immunoglobulin (Ig) sequences is central to the computational analysis of adaptive immune receptor repertoire sequencing (AIRR-seq) data, impacting adaptive immunity research and antibody engineering. Traditional Ig sequence aligners often struggle to handle the complexities of V(D)J recombination and somatic hypermutation (SHM), resulting in suboptimal allele assignment accuracy and sequence segmentation. We introduce AlignAIR, a novel deep learning-based aligner that leverages advanced simulation approaches and a multi-task learning framework.

Overcoming Sperm Cell Survival Challenges Cryopreserved in Nanoliter Volumes.

The cryopreservation of limited sperm samples, especially those retrieved from patients, poses significant challenges due to the small number of viable cells available for freezing. Traditional microliter cryopreservation methods are fraught with difficulties, as thawed sperm cells become nearly impossible to locate under a microscope due to their mobility and the multiple focal planes presented by larger drops. This search time is critical, as sperm cells enter a state of decline post thaw.

Navigating disruption in the PID landscape: embracing opportunities and anticipating threats in the next ten years.

Introduction: The International Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI) held its third edition of the Global Multi-Stakeholders' Summit, gathering key primary immunodeficiencies (PID) stakeholders and experts to discuss and foment global collaboration.

Methods: This edition focused on the impact of genomic medicine in PID treatment, the role of digital health, including artificial intelligence, in PID care, and how to anticipate and minimise risks to ensure optimal patient access to care.

Results: These discussions aimed to examine current hurdles and brainstorm feasible solutions and priorities for the PID community in these areas in the next ten years.

Tempo oscillations in rhythmic human networks.

Understanding oscillatory behavior in human networks is essential for exploring synchronization, coordination, and collective dynamics. In this study, we investigate tempo oscillations in complex human networks using a system of coupled violin players with precisely controlled network parameters. Each player interacts via delayed auditory feedback, allowing us to explore the effects of connectivity, delay, and tempo on network oscillations.

Fluoroether Design Enables High-Voltage All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

Developing high-voltage all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) holds transformative potential for next-generation energy storage technologies but remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a new prototype design is presented that integrates fluorinated ether segments into the traditional oxide nanocomposite phase, enabling poly(ethylene oxide)-based composite electrolytes with exceptional anti-oxidation durability and enhance overall electrochemical performance. Through a combination of experimental and computational analyses, it is demonstrated that the superior performance is attributed to the formation of reconstructed Li⁺ solvation with weakly coordinating environments.

Microperoxidase-11-induced reconfiguration of G-quadruplex nanostructures.

The controlled manipulation of the secondary structure of guanine quadruplexes (GQs) using ligands has been extensively employed in the field of DNA biotechnology. However, there is little predictability for such processes based on the sequence of the DNA target. Herein, we explored the impact of GQ sequence identity on the kinetics of this chaperone-like binding mechanism and its influence on subsequent sequence preference.

Resonances of recurrence time of monitored quantum walks.

The recurrence time is the time a process first returns to its initial state. Using quantum walks on a graph, the recurrence time is defined through the stroboscopic monitoring of the arrival of the particle to a node of the system. When the time interval between repeated measurements is tuned in such a way that the eigenvalues of the unitary become degenerate, the mean recurrence time exhibits resonances.

Nano-engineering of a thermoplastic compound with CuO nanoparticles for the development of safe antimicrobial and anti-biofouling fish cage nets.

The occurrence of biofouling is the most common problem that may arise on the surface of fish cage nets in freshwater and the marine environment. The issue not only induces structural damage to the netting because of the progressive increase in weight but also reduces the freshwater exchange and oxygen flow inside the cage, possibly leading to health problems for the farmed fish. Regular cleaning or inclusion of anti-fouling agents in the fish net cage material are typical methods to avoid biofouling growth and proliferation.

Combined optical-electromechanical wearable sensors for cardiac health monitoring.

Significance: Integrating multiple biosensors improves the sensitivity and precision of physiological measurements in healthcare monitoring. By combining sensors that target different physiological parameters, a more comprehensive assessment of a subject's health can be achieved.

Aim: We evaluate the performance of two biosensors for extracting cardiac parameters: a textile-based strain sensor for measuring respiratory rate and an optical sensor for measuring heart rate, , and respiratory rate.

RNA editing deficiency models differential immunogenicity of pancreatic α- and β-cells.

Objective: A longstanding question in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research pertains to the selective loss of β-cells whilst neighboring islet α-cells remain unharmed. We examined molecular mechanisms that may underly this differential vulnerability, by investigating the role of RNA editing, a cellular process that prevents double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated interferon response, in mouse α- and β-cells.

Methods: The enzyme responsible for RNA editing, Adar, was selectively deleted in vivo in mouse β-cells, α-cells, or in both cell types.

Targeting the Cargo Receptor TMED9 as a Therapeutic Strategy Against Brain Tumors.

Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of brain cancer, with limited therapeutic options and poor patient prognosis. Recent research has identified the TMED family of proteins as key regulators of tumor progression and aggressiveness across multiple cancer types. TMED members are cargo receptors expressed within the early secretory pathway and involved in bidirectional traffic of various proteins including EGFR, TGF-ɑ and WNT.

Rapid and Highly Sensitive Detection of Ricin in Biological Fluids Using Optical Modulation Biosensing.

Ricin, a highly toxic glycoprotein derived from the seeds of Ricinus communis, poses significant risks in bioterrorism and toxicology due to its rapid absorption and ease of dissemination. Rapid, ultra-sensitive detection is crucial for timely medical intervention and implementing security measures. However, existing methods often lack sufficient sensitivity or require lengthy processing, limiting their utility for trigger-to-treat scenarios.

Solutions of first-passage time problems: A biscaling approach.

We study the first-passage time (FPT) problem for widespread recurrent processes in confined though large systems and present a comprehensive framework for characterizing the FPT distribution over many timescales. We find that the FPT statistics can be described by two scaling functions: one corresponds to the solution for an infinite system, and the other describes a scaling that depends on system size. We find a universal scaling relationship for the FPT moments 〈t^{q}〉 with respect to the domain size and the source-target distance.