Integrating multi-taxon palaeogenomes and sedimentary ancient DNA to study past ecosystem dynamics.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) has played a major role in our understanding of the past. Important advances in the sequencing and analysis of aDNA from a range of organisms have enabled a detailed understanding of processes such as past demography, introgression, domestication, adaptation and speciation. However, to date and with the notable exception of microbiomes and sediments, most aDNA studies have focused on single taxa or taxonomic groups, making the study of changes at the community level challenging. This is rather surprising because current sequencing and analytical approaches allow us to obtain and analyse aDNA from multiple source materials. When combined, these data can enable the simultaneous study of multiple taxa through space and time, and could thus provide a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem-wide changes. It is therefore timely to develop an integrative approach to aDNA studies by combining data from multiple taxa and substrates. In this review, we discuss the various applications, associated challenges and future prospects of such an approach.

The Dynamics of Heparin-Binding Protein in Cardiothoracic Surgery-A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative dynamics of heparin-binding protein (HBP) in cardiothoracic surgery. DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational study. SETTING: The study was conducted at a single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included, 15 of whom underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and 15 of whom underwent complex procedures. Ten patients undergoing lung surgery also were included as a conventional surgery reference group. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions were performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: HBP was measured at nine different perioperative times. HBP levels increased immediately after heparin administration, further increased during CPB, but decreased rapidly after protamine administration. At arrival to the intensive care unit, median HBP levels were 24.8 (15.6-38.1) ng/mL for coronary artery bypass grafting patients and 51.2 (34.0-117.7) ng/mL for complex surgery patients (p = 0.011). One day after surgery, HBP levels in all three groups were below the proposed cutoff of 30 ng/mL, which previously was found to predict development of organ dysfunction in patients with infection. CONCLUSIONS: HBP levels are elevated by the administration of heparin and the use of CPB but reduced by protamine administration. At postoperative day one, HBP levels were less than the threshold for organ dysfunction in patients with infection. The usefulness of HBP for predicting postoperative infections in cardiothoracic surgery should be investigated in future studies.

Artificial cells for in vivo biomedical applications through red blood cell biomimicry.

Recent research in artificial cell production holds promise for the development of delivery agents with therapeutic effects akin to real cells. To succeed in these applications, these systems need to survive the circulatory conditions. In this review we present strategies that, inspired by the endurance of red blood cells, have enhanced the viability of large, cell-like vehicles for in vivo therapeutic use, particularly focusing on giant unilamellar vesicles. Insights from red blood cells can guide modifications that could transform these platforms into advanced drug delivery vehicles, showcasing biomimicry's potential in shaping the future of therapeutic applications.

Lipid-Binding Aegerolysin from Biocontrol Fungus Beauveria bassiana.

Fungi are the most common pathogens of insects and thus important regulators of their populations. Lipid-binding aegerolysin proteins, which are commonly found in the fungal kingdom, may be involved in several biologically relevant processes including attack and defense against other organisms. Aegerolysins act alone or together with membrane-attack-complex/perforin (MACPF)-like proteins to form transmembrane pores that lead to cell lysis. We performed an in-depth bioinformatics analysis of aegerolysins in entomopathogenic fungi and selected a candidate aegerolysin, beauveriolysin A (BlyA) from Beauveria bassiana. BlyA was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli, and purified to further determine its functional and structural properties, including lipid-binding ability. Aegerolysins were found to be encoded in genomes of entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria, Cordyceps, Metarhizium and Ophiocordyceps. Detailed bioinformatics analysis revealed that they are linked to MACPF-like genes in most genomes. We also show that BlyA interacts with an insect-specific membrane lipid. These results were placed in the context of other fungal and bacterial aegerolysins and their partner proteins. We believe that aegerolysins play a role in promoting the entomopathogenic and antagonistic activity of B. bassiana, which is an active ingredient of bioinsecticides.