In-cell NMR characterization of the secondary structure populations of a disordered conformation of α-Synuclein within E. coli cells

α-Synuclein is a small protein strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. We report here the use of in-cell NMR spectroscopy to observe directly the structure and dynamics of this protein within E. coli cells. To improve the accuracy in the measurement of backbone chemical shifts within crowded in-cell NMR spectra, we have developed a deconvolution method to reduce inhomogeneous line broadening within cellular samples. The resulting chemical shift values were then used to evaluate the distribution of secondary structure populations which, in the absence of stable tertiary contacts, are a most effective way to describe the conformational fluctuations of disordered proteins. The results indicate that, at least within the bacterial cytosol, α-synuclein populates a highly dynamic state that, despite the highly crowded environment, has the same characteristics as the disordered monomeric form observed in aqueous solution

Desfecho em gestantes e puerperas que testaram positivo para Covid-19: revisão integrativa

Objetivou-se explorar resultados científicos quanto ao desfecho de gestantes e pacientes puérperas acometidas pelo novo coronavírus (COVID-19). Revisão integrativa, realizada nas bases de dados: Periódico Capes, SCIELO, LILACS e MEDLINE. Critérios de inclusão: estudos qualitativos e/ou quantitativos provenientes de artigos científicos, como artigos originais, artigos de meta análise e revisões sistemáticas, publicados na íntegra em inglês e português, correspondentes ao escopo da área da saúde e com abordagem direcionada para o desfecho em gestantes acometidas pelo novo coronavírus, publicados entre o período de 2020 e 2021. Foram selecionados 22 artigos. Abordou-se complicações durante a gravidez, incluindo distúrbios hipertensivos e diabetes gestacional, assim como, parto prematuro e baixo peso ao nascer. Febre e tosse são os sintomas mais prevalentes em gestantes, no entanto, diversos estudos apontam a preocupação com a porcentagem significativa de pacientes assintomáticas. Resultados perinatais e neonatais maternos abordam que apesar de os sintomas causados por SARS-CoV-2 não diferirem dos relatos na população em geral, seus efeitos clínicos merecem atenção da comunidade científica

Micro‐optics 3D printed via multi‐photon laser lithography

The field of 3D micro-optics is rapidly expanding, and essential advances in femtosecond laser direct-write 3D multi-photon lithography (MPL, also known as two-photon or multi-photon polymerization) are being made. Micro-optics realized via MPL emerged a decade ago and the field has exploded during the last five years. Impressive findings have revealed its potential for beam shaping, advanced imaging, optical sensing, integrated photonic circuits, and much more. This is supported by a game-changing and increasing industrial interest from key established companies in this field. In this review, the origin and the advancement of micro-optics fabrication with MPL are detailed by describing the chronology, distinguishing discrete application groups, providing generalized technical data on the processes and available materials, and discussing the foreseen near-future advances

European Parliament elections in times of crisis

In May 2014, EU citizens will vote in the most important European Parliament elections to date. With the new powers allocated to it by the Lisbon Treaty, the new European Parliament will shape EU policies in many important areas and will elect the President of the Commission. However, public confi dence in the EU has fallen to historically low levels - to a great extent due to the fi nancial crisis and its aftermath - and the participation rate in European Parliament elections has dropped steadily since the fi rst call for a direct vote in 1979. This raises fundamental questions about its political and democratic legitimacy. This Forum examines the economic agendas of the main political parties vying for power and the potential outcome of the May elections, including the role that radical and anti-euro parties are likely to play in the campaign and in the next Parliament

Miniature 120-beam coherent combiner with 3D-printed optics for multicore fiber-based endoscopy

International audienc

Two-Photon Lensless Endoscopes with Multicore Fibers

International audienc