ATG5 provides host protection acting as a switch in the atg8ylation cascade between autophagy and secretion

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Associations between manganese exposure and multiple immunological parameters in manganese-exposed workers healthy cohort

BackgroundManganese (Mn) ions play a crucial role in the immune response. The immunotoxicity of Mn is rarely reported compared with the neurotoxicity of Mn.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between chronic Mn exposure and immunological parameters in occupational Mn-exposed workers.MethodsA total of 538 workers were selected from the follow-up of manganese-exposed workers healthy cohort (MEWHC) in 2017. We divided the workers into the low-exposure group and the high-exposure group by the cutoff of the manganese-time weighted average (Mn-TWA) setting at 0.15 mg/m³. We examined serum immunological parameters by the immunoturbidimetric method and leukocyte counts and ratios in blood routine. Then we used the generalized linear model analyses and spline analyses to explore the associations between external exposure of Mn and multiple immunological parameters adjusted for variables. Based on the epidemiological analyses, we used Elisa (enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay) to detect plasma complement C3 of Mn-exposed rats.ResultsIn male workers, the mean value of complement C3 was 1.20 ± 0.16 g/L in the high-exposure group, which was significantly lower as compared to the low-exposure group (1.25 ± 0.18 g/L, P = 0.023). The generalize linear models’ analyses showed that complement C3 value had a significantly negative association with external exposure of Mn included adjustment for variables (β = -0.04, P = 0.035). Moreover, in male rats, the high-exposure group also had a lower level of complement C3 compared with the low-exposure group (P < 0.001). None significant association was observed in immunological parameters among female workers and rats (all P > 0.05).ConclusionsMn exposure from inhalable dust was associated with decreased complement C3 among occupationally Mn-exposed male individuals but not in female workers, which was further confirmed by the rat model. Further research into the possible mechanism of C3 reduction is needed in the future.     

Organization of human replicon: Singles or zipping couples?

According to a general paradigm, proper DNA duplication from each replication origin is ensured by two protein complexes termed replisomes. In prokaryotes and in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, these two replisomes seem to be associated with one another until DNA replication initiated from the origin has finished. This arrangement results in the formation of the loop of newly synthesized DNA. However, arrangement of replisomes in other eukaryotic organisms including vertebrate cells is largely unknown. Here, we used in vivo labeling of DNA segments in combination with the electron microscopy tomography to describe the organization of replisomes in human HeLa cells. The experiments were devised in order to distinguish between a model of independent replisomes and a model of replisome couples. The comparative analysis of short segments of replicons labeled in pulse-chase experiments of various length shows that replisomes in HeLa cells are organized into the couples during DNA replication. Moreover, our data enabled to suggest a new model of the organization of replicated DNA. According to this model, replisome couples produce loop with the associated arms in the form of four tightly associated 30 nm fibers.     

BET inhibition blocks inflammation-induced cardiac dysfunction and SARS-CoV-2 infection

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A supernumerary “B-sex” chromosome drives male sex determination in the Pachón cavefish,Astyanax mexicanus

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Importance of fire in influencing the occurrence of snakes in an upland region of arid Australia

In arid Australia, changes to historic fire regimes may now produce more large‐scale wildfire events. The impacts of these fires on fauna communities are poorly known. We sought to test the impacts of fire on the occurrence of two arid‐zone snake species, the desert death adder (Acanthophis pyrrhus) and monk snake (Parasuta monachus), specialist inhabitants of hummock grassland and mulga shrubland, respectively. We also examined the influence of fire on the occurrence of a habitat generalist, the sympatric Stimson's python (Antaresia stimsoni). Under an Information‐Theoretic framework we modelled the occurrence of each species with a range of habitat variables, including fire history, using logistic regression. As predicted, the two habitat specialists were more likely to be encountered at locations that had a lower percentage of surrounding area burnt in the most recent wildfires (2002), while fire variables failed to predict the occurrence of the habitat generalist. Acanthophis pyrrhus, already predisposed to endangerment through a suite of life‐history characteristics, may be at increased risk through accidental and deliberate burning and fragmentation of old‐growth hummock grasslands. We stress the importance of prescribed burning and natural fire breaks in maintaining areas of old‐growth hummock grassland across the landscape.