Advancements in label-free microscopy could provide real-time, non-invasive imaging with unique sources of contrast and automated standardized analysis to characterize heterogeneous and dynamic biological processes. These tools would overcome challenges with widely used methods that are destructive (e.g., histology, flow cytometry) or lack cellular resolution (e.g., plate-based assays, whole animal bioluminescence imaging).

This perspective aims to (1)�justify the need for label-free microscopy to track heterogeneous cellular functions over time and space within unperturbed systems and (2)�recommend improvements regarding instrumentation, image analysis, and image interpretation to address these needs.

Three key research areas (cancer research, autoimmune disease, and tissue and cell engineering) are considered to support the need for label-free microscopy to characterize heterogeneity and dynamics within biological systems. Based on the strengths (e.g., multiple sources of molecular contrast, non-invasive monitoring) and weaknesses (e.g., imaging depth, image interpretation) of several label-free microscopy modalities, improvements for future imaging systems are recommended.

Improvements in instrumentation including strategies that increase resolution and imaging speed, standardization and centralization of image analysis tools, and robust data validation and interpretation will expand the applications of label-free microscopy to study heterogeneous and dynamic biological systems.

Infiltration of immunosuppressive cells into the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with suppressed effector T cell (Teff) responses, accelerated tumor growth, and poor clinical outcomes. Previous studies from our group and others identified infiltration of immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) as critical contributors to immune dysfunction in the orthotopic claudin-low tumor model, limiting the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy. However, approaches to target these cells in the TME are currently lacking. To overcome this barrier, polymeric micellular nanoparticles (PMNPs) were used for the co-delivery of small molecule drugs activating Toll-like receptors 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) and inhibiting PI3K delta (PI3Kδ). The immunomodulation of the TME by TLR7/8 agonist and PI3K inhibitor led to type 1 macrophage polarization, decreased MDSC accumulation and selectively decreased tissue-resident Tregs in the TME, while enhancing the T and B cell adaptive immune responses. PMNPs significantly enhanced the anti-tumor activity of local radiation therapy (RT) in mice bearing orthotopic claudin-low tumors compared to RT alone. Taken together, these data demonstrate that RT combined with a nanoformulated immunostimulant diminished the immunosuppressive TME resulting in tumor regression. These findings set the stage for clinical studies of this approach.

Cellular signaling is nature's ingenious way for cells to perceive their surroundings and transmit external cues to internal compartments. Due to its critical role in cellular functions, the intricate machinery of molecular signaling has been intensively studied. A diverse arsenal of techniques exists to quantify the molecules involved in these processes. Among them, calcium stands out as a ubiquitous signaling molecule with roles in countless biological pathways. To elucidate its function as a second messenger, methods for measuring intracellular calcium have steadily evolved. This chapter introduces various methods for investigating calcium signaling cascades in cells as well as in cilia (thin hairlike projections) specifically, where calcium signaling is triggered by different cilial manipulation techniques.

Elevation in left ventricular (LV) myocardial stiffness is a key remodeling-mediated change that underlies the development and progression of heart failure (HF). Despite the potential diagnostic value of quantifying this deterministic change, there is a lack of enabling techniques that can be readily incorporated into current clinical practice. To address this unmet clinical need, we propose a simple protocol for processing routine echocardiographic imaging data to provide an index of left ventricular myocardial stiffness, with protocol specification for patients at risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. We demonstrate our protocol in both a preclinical and clinical setting, with representative findings that suggest sensitivity and translational feasibility of obtained estimates.

Lysopalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) is a soluble single-chain surfactant product of the innate immune system degradation of double-chain phospholipids. LysoPC adsorption to the air-water interface in lung alveoli can be modeled using alveolar-sized bubbles of constant surface area in a capillary pressure microtensiometer to show that adsorption is diffusion limited both below and above the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Above the CMC, a local equilibrium model is proposed in which depletion of the local monomer concentration drives dissociation of micelles in a region near the bubble surface.

A capillary pressure microtensiometer in which a feedback loop maintains a constant bubble radius and surface area is used to measure dynamic surface tension during LysoPC adsorption. Direct numerical solution of the spherical diffusion equations, a new three parameter virial equation of state for interface thermodynamics, and a local equilibrium model of micellization above the CMC are used to accurately model the dynamic surface tension experiments both below and above the LysoPC CMC.

LysoPC adsorption is shown to be diffusion-limited over concentrations ranging from below to well above the CMC, and to be well described by a local equilibrium model at concentrations above the CMC. Modelling the dynamic surface tension provides a reliable estimate of the micelle diffusivity near the CMC that is difficult to obtain by other methods in systems with low CMCs.

The COVID-19 pandemic required the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, necessitating quick yet representative clinical trial enrollment to evaluate these preventive measures. However, misinformation around the COVID-19 pandemic and general concerns about clinical trial participation in the U.S. hindered clinical trial enrollment. This study assessed awareness of, willingness to participate in, and enrollment in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment clinical trials in Texas. A quota sample of 1,089 Texas residents was collected online from June - July 2022. Respondents were asked if they were aware of, willing to participate in, and had enrolled in clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines or treatments. Overall, 45.8% of respondents reported being aware of clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments or vaccines, but only 21.7% knew how to enroll and only 13.2% had enrolled in a COVID-19 clinical trial. Respondents with bachelor's or graduate degrees were more likely to be aware of clinical trials, more likely to have enrolled in trials, and more willing to participate in treatment trials. Women were less willing to participate and less likely to have enrolled in COVID-19 clinical trials than men. Respondents aged 55 years and older were more willing to participate, but less likely to have enrolled in COVID-19 clinical trials than 18-to-24-year-olds. Common reasons given for not participating in clinical trials included concerns that COVID-19 treatments may not be safe, government distrust, and uncertainty about what clinical trial participation would entail. Substantial progress is needed to build community awareness and increase enrollment in clinical trials.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of the B-cell lineage. Remarkable progress has been made in the treatment of MM with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies such as daratumumab and isatuximab, which can kill MM cells by inducing complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). We showed that the CDC efficacy of daratumumab and isatuximab is limited by membrane complement inhibitors, including CD46 and CD59, which are upregulated in MM cells. We recently developed a small recombinant protein, Ad35K++, which is capable of transiently removing CD46 from the cell surface. We also produced a peptide inhibitor of CD59 (rILYd4). In this study, we tested Ad35K++ and rILYd4 in combination with daratumumab and isatuximab in MM cells as well as in cells from two other B-cell malignancies. We showed that Ad35K++ and rILYd4 increased CDC triggered by daratumumab and isatuximab. The combination of both inhibitors had an additive effect in vitro in primary MM cells as well as in vivo in a mouse xenograft model of MM. Daratumumab and isatuximab treatment of MM lines (without Ad35K++ or rILYd4) resulted in the upregulation of CD46/CD59 and/or survival of CD46high/CD59high MM cells that escaped the second round of daratumumab and isatuximab treatment. The escape in the second treatment cycle was prevented by the pretreatment of cells with Ad35K++. Overall, our data demonstrate that Ad35K++ and rILYd4 are efficient co-therapeutics of daratumumab and isatuximab, specifically in multi-cycle treatment regimens, and could be used to improve treatment of multiple myeloma.

Myosin-binding protein H (MyBP-H) is a component of the vertebrate skeletal muscle sarcomere with sequence and domain homology to myosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C). Whereas skeletal muscle isoforms of MyBP-C (fMyBP-C, sMyBP-C) modulate muscle contractility via interactions with actin thin filaments and myosin motors within the muscle sarcomere "C-zone," MyBP-H has no known function. This is in part due to MyBP-H having limited expression in adult fast-twitch muscle and no known involvement in muscle disease. Quantitative proteomics reported here reveal that MyBP-H is highly expressed in prenatal rat fast-twitch muscles and larval zebrafish, suggesting a conserved role in muscle development and prompting studies to define its function. We take advantage of the genetic control of the zebrafish model and a combination of structural, functional, and biophysical techniques to interrogate the role of MyBP-H. Transgenic, FLAG-tagged MyBP-H or fMyBP-C both localize to the C-zones in larval myofibers, whereas genetic depletion of endogenous MyBP-H or fMyBP-C leads to increased accumulation of the other, suggesting competition for C-zone binding sites. Does MyBP-H modulate contractility in the C-zone? Globular domains critical to MyBP-C's modulatory functions are absent from MyBP-H, suggesting that MyBP-H may be functionally silent. However, our results suggest an active role. In vitro motility experiments indicate MyBP-H shares MyBP-C's capacity as a molecular "brake." These results provide new insights and raise questions about the role of the C-zone during muscle development.

Haemorrhagic shock is a leading cause of death worldwide. Blood transfusions can be used to treat patients suffering severe blood loss but donated red blood cells (RBCs) have several limitations that limit their availability and use. To solve the problems associated with donated RBCs, several acellular haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) have been developed to restore the most important function of blood: oxygen transport. One promising HBOC is the naturally extracellular haemoglobin (i.e. erythrocruorin) of Lumbricus terrestris (LtEc). The goal of this study was to maximise the portability of LtEc by lyophilising it and then testing its stability at elevated temperatures. To prevent oxidation, several cryoprotectants were screened to determine the optimum formulation for lyophilisation that could minimise oxidation of the haem iron and maximise recovery. Furthermore, samples were also deoxygenated prior to storage to decrease auto-oxidation, while resuspension in a solution containing ascorbic acid was shown to partially reduce LtEc that had oxidised during storage (e.g. from 42% Fe3+ to 11% Fe3+). Analysis of the oxygen equilibria and size of the resuspended LtEc showed that the lyophilisation, storage, and resuspension processes did not affect the oxygen transport properties or the structure of the LtEc, even after 6 months of storage at 40 °C. Altogether, these efforts have yielded a shelf-stable LtEc powder that can be stored for long periods at high temperatures, but future animal studies will be necessary to prove that the resuspended product is a safe and effective oxygen transporter in vivo.

Aging is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiac fibrosis is a harmful result of repeated myocardial infarction that increases risk of morbidity and future injury. Interestingly, both rates and outcomes of cardiac fibrosis differ between young and aged individuals, as well as men and women. Here, for the first time, we identify and isolate matrix-bound extracellular vesicles from the left ventricles (LVs) of young or aged males and females in both human and murine models. These LV vesicles (LVVs) show differences in morphology and content between these four cohorts in both humans and mice. LVV effects on fibrosis were also investigated in vitro, and aged male LVVs were pro-fibrotic while other LVVs were anti-fibrotic. From these LVVs, we could identify therapeutic miRNAs to promote anti-fibrotic effects. Four miRNAs were identified and together, but not individually, demonstrated significant cardioprotective effects when transfected. This suggests that miRNA synergy can regulate cell response, not just individual miRNAs, and also indicates that biological agent-associated therapeutic effects may be recapitulated using non-immunologically active agents. Furthermore, that chronic changes in LVV miRNA content may be a major factor in sex- and age-dependent differences in clinical outcomes of cardiac fibrosis.

Phosphorus (P) additives may be deleterious for health. We measured the P content of key foods, and associations of P intake with biomarkers in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS). Direct chemical analysis of 92 foods was done with the molybdenum blue spectrophotometric method and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A novel algorithm was used to determine bioavailable, natural, and added P. We estimated P intakes from foods in 1323 participants, aged 45-75 y, and associations of these with serum P, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and Klotho. Relationships between intakes and status markers were assessed with Pearson's correlations and t-tests. Our food analyses generally support P values in the USDA nutrient database, with the exceptions of American and cheddar cheese, which had more P than in the database. Women had higher added P intake than men, and younger participants had higher added P than those older. Total P intake tended to be positively associated with serum P and klotho, and inversely associated with PTH, but relationships were not strong. Puerto Rican adults have high intake of additive P. Culturally sensitive interventions that highlight dietary quality are needed.

Patients with Barth syndrome (BTHS) can present with cardiomyopathy. BTHS subjects are at risk for cardiac adverse outcomes throughout life, including malignant arrhythmias and death. Electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters have never been assessed as a tool to predict adverse outcomes in individuals with BTHS.

The purpose of this study was to identify any ECG parameters including QRS fragmentation, presence of arrhythmia, or abnormal intervals that could predict adverse outcomes and cardiac death among the BTHS population.

We performed a retrospective case referent study on subjects with BTHS (n=43), and compared them with our reference group, subjects with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) from a single institution (n=53) from 2007-2021. BTHS data was obtained from subjects attending the biennial Barth Syndrome Foundation International Scientific, Medical, and Family Conferences (BSFISMFC) from 2002-2018. ECG data from first and last available ECG's prior to an adverse event or cardiac death was analyzed, and then multivariable regression was performed to determine odd ratios between ECG characteristics and adverse events/cardiac death.

No ECG variables were statistically significant predictors of adverse events or cardiac death in the BTHS group. Last ECG QRS fragmentation trended to statistically significance (OR 13.3, p=0.12) in predicting adverse events in the DCM group.

No ECG parameters, including QRS fragmentation, presence of arrhythmia, or abnormal interval values predict adverse events or cardiac death among BTHS patients. QRS fragmentation may be a predictor of adverse events in the DCM population.

To examine depressed affect, somatic complaints, and positive affect as longitudinal predictors of fluid, crystallized and global cognitive performance in the Kuakini Honolulu-Asia Aging Study (HAAS), a large prospective cohort study of Japanese-American men.

We assessed 3,088 dementia-free Kuakini-HAAS participants aged 71-93 (77.1 ± 4.2) years at baseline (1991-1993). Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. Baseline CES-D depression subscales (depressed and positive affects; somatic complaints) were computed. The Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) measured cognitive performance on a 100-point scale; fluid and crystallized cognitive abilities were derived from CASI factor analysis. Cognition was also evaluated at 4 follow-up examinations over a 20-year period. Multiple regression assessed baseline CES-D subscales as predictors of cognitive change. The baseline covariates analyzed were CASI, age, education, prevalent stroke, APOE ε4 presence, and the longevity-associated FOXO3 genotype.

Cross-sectionally, baseline CES-D subscales were related to cognitive measures; e.g., higher depressed affect was associated with lower crystallized ability (β = -0.058, p ≤ 0.01), and somatic complaints were linked to poorer fluid ability (β = -0.045, p ≤ 0.05) and to worse global cognitive function as measured by total CASI score (β = -0.038, p ≤ 0.05). However, depression subscales did not significantly or consistently predict fluid ability, crystallized ability, or global cognitive performance over time.

Psychological and physical well-being were associated with contemporaneous but not subsequent cognitive functioning. Assessment of depressive symptoms may identify individuals who are likely to benefit from interventions to improve mood and somatic health and thereby maintain or enhance cognition.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation on cerebral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels in the human brain in vivo by means of downfield proton MRS (DF 1H MRS).

DF 1H MRS was performed on 10 healthy volunteers in a 7.0 T MRI scanner with spectrally selective excitation and spatially selective localization to determine cerebral NAD+ levels on two back-to-back days: once after an overnight fast (baseline) and once 4 h after oral ingestion of nicotinamide riboside (900 mg). Additionally, two more baseline scans were performed following the same paradigm to assess test-retest reliability of the NAD+ levels in the absence of NR.

NR supplementation increased mean NAD+ concentration compared to the baseline (0.458 ± 0.053 vs. 0.392 ± 0.058 mM; p < 0.001). The additional two baseline scans demonstrated no differences in mean NAD+ concentrations (0.425 ± 0.118 vs. 0.405 ± 0.082 mM; p = 0.45), and no difference from the first baseline scan (F(2, 16) = 0.907; p = 0.424).

These preliminary results confirm that acute NR supplementation increases cerebral NAD+ levels in healthy human volunteers and shows the promise of DF 1H MRS utility for robust detection of NAD+ in humans in vivo.

Children with congenital heart defects (CHD) have shorter life expectancy than the general population. Previous studies also suggest that patients with CHD have higher risk of cancer. This study aims to describe cancer-related mortality among patients with a history of CHD interventions using the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium (PCCC), a large US cohort of such patients.

We performed a retrospective cohort study of individuals (<21 years) who underwent interventions for CHD in the PCCC from 1982 to 2003. Patients surviving their first intervention were linked to the National Death Index through 2020. Multivariable models assessed risk of cancer-related death, adjusting for age, sex, race, and ethnicity. Patients with/without genetic abnormalities (mostly Down syndrome [DS]) were considered separately, due to expected differential risk in cancer.

Among the 57,601 eligible patients in this study, cancer was the underlying or contributing cause of death for 208; with 20% among those with DS. Significantly increased risk of cancer-related death was apparent among patients with DS compared to the non-genetic group (aHR: 3.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.52-5.24, p < .001). For the group with non-genetic abnormalities, the highest association with cancer-related death compared to those with mild CHD was found among those with more severe CHD (severe two-ventricle aHR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.04-3.20, p = .036, single-ventricle aHR: 4.68, 95% CI: 2.77-7.91, p < .001).

Patients with more severe forms of CHD are at increased risk for cancer-related death. Despite our findings, we are unable to distinguish whether having CHD raises the risk of cancer or reduces survival.

Dysregulated lipid metabolism in obesity leads to adipose tissue expansion, a major contributor to metabolic dysfunction and chronic disease. Lipid metabolism and fatty acid changes play vital roles in the progression of obesity. In this proof-of-concept study, Raman techniques combined with histochemical imaging methods were utilized to analyze the impact of a high-fat diet (HFD) on different types of adipose tissue in mice, using a small sample size (n = 3 per group). After six weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, our findings showed hypertrophy, elevated collagen levels, and increased macrophage presence in the adipose tissues of the HFD group compared to the low-fat diet (LFD) group. Statistical analysis of Raman spectra revealed significantly lower unsaturated lipid levels and higher lipid to protein content in different fat pads (brown adipose tissue (BAT), subcutaneous white adipose tissue (SWAT), and visceral white adipose tissue (VWAT)) with HFD. Raman images of adipose tissues were analyzed using Empty modeling and DCLS methods to spatially profile unsaturated and saturated lipid species in the tissues. It revealed elevated levels of ω-3, ω-6, cholesterol, and triacylglycerols in BAT adipose tissues of HFD compared to LFD tissues. These findings indicated that while cholesterol, ω-6/ω-3 ratio, and triacylglycerol levels have risen in the SWAT and VWAT adipose tissues of the HFD group, the levels of ω-3 and ω-6 have decreased following the HFD. The study showed that Raman spectroscopy provided invaluable information at the molecular level for investigating lipid species remodeling and spatial mapping of adipose tissues during HFD.

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy has been linked with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The aim of this study was to examine how both trimester and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection impact HDP.

We conducted a cohort study of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals during pregnancy (n = 205) and examined the association between trimester and severity of infection with incidence of HDP using modified Poisson regression models to calculate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We stratified the analysis of trimester by severity to understand the role of timing of infection among those with similar symptomatology and also examined timing of infection as a continuous variable.

Compared to a reference cohort from 2018, SARS-CoV-2 infection did not largely increase the risk of HDP (RR: 1.17; CI:0.90, 1.51), but a non-statistically significant higher risk of preeclampsia was observed (RR: 1.33; CI:0.89, 1.98), in our small sample. Among the SARS-CoV-2 cohort, severity was linked with risk of HDP, with infections requiring hospitalization increasing the risk of HDP compared to asymptomatic/mild infections. Trimester of infection was not associated with risk of HDP, but a slight decline in the risk of HDP was observed with later gestational week of infection. Among patients with asymptomatic or mild symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 in the first trimester conferred a higher risk of HDP compared to the third trimester (RR: 1.70; CI:0.77, 3.77), although estimates were imprecise.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in early pregnancy may increase the risk of HDP compared to infection later in pregnancy.

Long-term psychosocial stress is strongly associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes, as well as adverse health behaviours; however, little is known about the role that stress plays on the epigenome. One proposed mechanism by which stress affects DNA methylation is through health behaviours. We conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of cumulative psychosocial stress (n = 2,689) from the Health and Retirement Study (mean age = 70.4 years), assessing DNA methylation (Illumina Infinium HumanMethylationEPIC Beadchip) at 789,656 CpG sites. For identified CpG sites, we conducted a formal mediation analysis to examine whether smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) mediate the relationship between stress and DNA methylation. Nine CpG sites were associated with psychosocial stress (all p < 9E-07; FDR q < 0.10). Additionally, health behaviours and/or BMI mediated 9.4% to 21.8% of the relationship between stress and methylation at eight of the nine CpGs. Several of the identified CpGs were in or near genes associated with cardiometabolic traits, psychosocial disorders, inflammation, and smoking. These findings support our hypothesis that psychosocial stress is associated with DNA methylation across the epigenome. Furthermore, specific health behaviours mediate only a modest percentage of this relationship, providing evidence that other mechanisms may link stress and DNA methylation.

To evaluate whether the neighborhood social and built environment moderates response to a mobile health multiple health behavior change intervention targeting fruit/vegetable intake, sedentary behavior, and physical activity.

Participants were 156 Chicago-residing adults with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Using linear mixed models, we evaluated whether access to food facilities (fast food restaurants and grocery stores) and recreational activity spaces (gyms and parks) moderated the difference in behavior change between the active intervention condition relative to control. Using spatial data analysis (cross K functions), we also assessed whether participants who achieved goal levels of behaviors ("responders") were more or less likely than those who did not achieve intervention goals ("non-responders") to reside near fast food restaurants, grocery stores, gyms, or parks.

According to linear mixed models, none of the neighborhood social and built environment factors moderated the difference in behavior change between the active intervention condition and the control condition (Likelihood Ratio (χ²[1] = 0.02-2.33, P-values > 0.05). Cross K functions showed that diet behavior change responders were more likely than non-responders to reside near fast food restaurants, but not grocery stores. The results for activity behavior change were more variable. Sedentary screen time responders were more likely to reside around recreational activity spaces than non-responders. Moderate-vigorous physical activity responders had greater and lesser clustering than non-responders around parks, dependent upon distance from the park to participant residence.

A complex relationship was observed between residential proximity to Chicago facilities and response to multiple health behavior change intervention. Replication across diverse geographic settings and samples is necessary.

Growing research shows psychosocial factors are associated with blood pressure (BP) control among individuals with hypertension. To date, little research has examined multiple psychosocial factors simultaneously to identify distinguishing profiles among individuals with hypertension. The association of psychosocial profiles and BP control remains unknown. To characterize the psychosocial profiles of individuals with hypertension and assess whether they are associated with BP control over 14 years. We included 2,665 MESA participants with prevalent hypertension in 2002-2004. Nine psychosocial variables representing individual, interpersonal, and neighborhood factors were included. BP control was achieved if systolic blood pressure (SBP)  < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 9090 mmHg. Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed an optimal model of three psychosocial profile groups (AIC 121,229; entropy = .88) "Healthy", "Psychosocially Distressed" and "Discriminated Against". Overall, there were no significant differences in systolic and diastolic BP control combined, across the profiles. Participants in the "Discriminated Against" profile group were significantly less likely [OR= 0.60; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.84] to have their DBP < 9090 mmHg as compared to the "Healthy" profile, but this was attenuated with full covariate adjustment. Discrete psychosocial profiles exist among individuals with hypertension but were not associated with BP control after full covariate adjustment.

This study sought to understand family functioning surrounding weight in Mexican American women with obesity.

Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers and adult daughters (N = 116).

Thematic analysis identified five themes. 1) The communication process drives perception of supportive messages. Messages perceived as non-supportive consist of directives as interventions, confirmation of faults, and critical compliments whereas supportive consist of compliments, encouragement, empathetic listening, and disclosure. 2) Acculturation differences interfere with intergenerational alliance. Differences involve dissonance in communication, behavioural expectations, and weight-related practices. 3) Maladaptive conflict responses contribute to relational strain. These responses include avoidance, withdrawal, and defensiveness. 4) Role transformations alter the generational hierarchical relationship. Daughters serve as role models, caregivers, or collaborators. 5) Low communal coping heightens psychological distress. It does so by challenging family roles, increasing social isolation, and compromising social support.

Obesity interventions for Mexican American women may benefit from targeting relational skills to improve family functioning.

Receptor-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) has been studied extensively in hematopoietic cells. Metabolic mapping and high-resolution mass spectrometry, however, indicate that one of the most frequently detected phosphorylation sites encompassed S297 (S291 in mice) located within the linker B region of Syk. It has been reported that Protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylates Syk S297, thus influencing Syk activity. However, conflicting studies suggest that this phosphorylation enhances as well as reduces Syk activity. To clarify the function of this site, we generated Syk S291A knock-in mice. We used platelets as a model system as they possess Glycoprotein VI (GPVI), a receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) which transduces signals through Syk. Our analysis of the homozygous mice indicated that the knock-in platelets express only one isoform of Syk, while the wild-type expresses two isoforms at 69 and 66 kDa. When the GPVI receptor was activated with collagen-related peptide (CRP), we observed an increase in functional responses and phosphorylations in Syk S291A platelets. This potentiation did not occur with AYPGKF or 2-MeSADP, although they also activate PKC isoforms. Although there was potentiation of platelet functional responses, there was no difference in tail bleeding times. However, the time to occlusion in the FeCl3 injury model was enhanced. These data indicate that the effects of Syk S291 phosphorylation represent a significant outcome on platelet activation and signaling in vitro but also reveals its multifaceted nature demonstrated by the differential effects on physiological responses in vivo.

Ion channels play key roles in human physiology and are important targets in drug discovery. The atomic-scale structures of ion channels provide invaluable insights into a fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms of channel gating and modulation. Recent breakthroughs in deep learning-based computational methods, such as AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold, and ESMFold have transformed research in protein structure prediction and design. We review the application of AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold, and ESMFold to structural modeling of ion channels using representative voltage-gated ion channels, including human voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel - NaV1.8, human voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channel - CaV1.1, and human voltage-gated potassium (KV) channel - KV1.3. We compared AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold, and ESMFold structural models of NaV1.8, CaV1.1, and KV1.3 with corresponding cryo-EM structures to assess details of their similarities and differences. Our findings shed light on the strengths and limitations of the current state-of-the-art deep learning-based computational methods for modeling ion channel structures, offering valuable insights to guide their future applications for ion channel research.