Whereas the protein composition and overall shape of several giant virus capsids have been described, the mechanism by which these large capsids assemble remains enigmatic. Here, we present a ...reconstruction of the capsid of Cafeteria roenbergensis virus (CroV), one of the largest viruses analyzed by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to date. The CroV capsid has a diameter of 3,000 Å and a Triangulation number of 499. Unlike related mimiviruses, the CroV capsid is not decorated with glycosylated surface fibers, but features 30 Å-long surface protrusions that are formed by loops of the major capsid protein. Based on the orientation of capsomers in the cryo-EM reconstruction, we propose that the capsids of CroV and related giant viruses are assembled by a newly conceived assembly pathway that initiates at a five-fold vertex and continuously proceeds outwards in a spiraling fashion.
Non-enzymatic glycation of extracellular matrix with (U-
C
)-d-ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), enables in situ 2D ssNMR identification of many deleterious protein modifications and crosslinks, including ...previously unreported oxalamido and hemiaminal (CH
-CH(OH)NHR) substructures. Changes in charged residue proportions and distribution may be as important as crosslinking in provoking and understanding harmful tissue changes.
Rheumatologist assessment as early as possible is considered essential for patients with inflammatory joint disease. In our Very Early Arthritis Clinic (VEAC), a substantial proportion of initially ...included and followed patients later stop attendance in the clinic. We questioned attending (AP) and non-attending patients (NAP) regarding current health status and satisfaction with care as well as reasons for discontinuation and current care received by NAP.
VEAC patients first seen between 1996 and 2003 were included. Assessment included the RADAI, HAQ, and visual analogue scales for pain, disease activity, fatigue, satisfaction with current health care. Current (DMARD) treatment was recorded.
Among AP, 87% had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 13% non-RA. Of NAP, 37% had RA, 23% non-RA and 40% no more rheumatic disease. Satisfaction with health care concerning rheumatic disease was better in AP than NAP. Likewise, most outcome parameters were better in AP. Substantially more RA patients in the AP than NAP group received DMARDs. Apart from the disappearance of arthritis, logistic reasons were given most frequently for discontinuation of attendance. Less than 10% of NAP indicated dissatisfaction with medical care.
We found advantages in both disease activity measures and satisfaction with health care for patients receiving continuous care in a highly specialised Rheumatology clinic. Furthermore, different DMARD usage in RA in AP and NAP may indicate significant deficits in treatment quality outside specialist care. Logistic issues associated with access to continuous Rheumatology care for early arthritis patients need improvement.
Parents of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in a neonatal intensive care unit experienced additional stress during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic due to the related restrictions in hospital visiting ...policies. Our study aimed to compare parents' burdens before and during the pandemic. This survey included 121 parents of 76 VLBW infants in two European Level IV perinatal centers before and during the pandemic. We performed standardized parent questionnaires with mothers and fathers separately to evaluate their emotional stress and well-being. The pandemic worsened the emotional well-being of parents of VLBW infants, particularly of mothers. During the pandemic, mothers reported significantly higher state anxiety levels (48.9 vs. 42.9, p = 0.026) and hampered bonding with the child (6.3 vs. 5.2, 0 = 0.003) than before. In addition, mothers felt more personally restricted than fathers (6.1 vs. 5.2, p = 0.003). Fathers experienced lower levels of stress than mothers; they were equally burdened before and during the pandemic. Restrictions in visiting policies for families of VLBW infants during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have a significant negative impact on parental stress and should therefore be applied cautiously.
It has recently been shown that multiple-quantum magic-angle spinning (MQMAS) NMR spectroscopy produces high-resolution spectra for half-integer quadrupolar nuclei which suffer second-order ...quadrupole coupling. The present work shows how the effects of magnified dipole-dipole coupling in MQMAS spectra can be analysed to produce quantitative structural data.
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