More Like this

1. The femora of Drepanosauromorpha ( Reptilia : Diapsida ): Implications for the functional evolution of the thigh of Sauropsida

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25160  

   Pritchard, Adam_C; Irmis, Randall_B; Olori, Jennifer_C; Nesbitt, Sterling_J; Smith, Nathan_D; Stocker, Michelle_R; Turner, Alan_H (February 2023, The Anatomical Record)

   Abstract The femora of diapsids have undergone morphological changes related to shifts in postural and locomotor modes, such as the transition from plesiomorphic amniote and diapsid taxa to the apomorphic conditions related to a more erect posture within Archosauriformes. One remarkable clade of Triassic diapsids is the chameleon‐like Drepanosauromorpha. This group is known from numerous articulated but heavily compressed skeletons that have the potential to further inform early reptile femoral evolution. For the first time, we describe the three‐dimensional osteology of the femora of Drepanosauromorpha, based on undistorted fossils from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation and Dockum Group of North America. We identify apomorphies and a combination of character states that link these femora to those in crushed specimens of drepanosauromorphs and compare our sample with a range of amniote taxa. Several characteristics of drepanosauromorph femora, including a hemispherical proximal articular surface, prominent asymmetry in the proximodistal length of the tibial condyles, and a deep intercondylar sulcus, are plesiomorphies shared with early diapsids. The femora contrast with those of most diapsids in lacking a crest‐like, distally tapering internal trochanter. They bear a ventrolaterally positioned tuberosity on the femoral shaft, resembling the fourth trochanter in Archosauriformes. The reduction of an internal trochanter parallels independent reductions in therapsids and archosauriforms. The presence of a ventrolaterally positioned trochanter is also similar to that of chameleonid squamates. Collectively, these features demonstrate a unique femoral morphology for drepanosauromorphs, and suggest an increased capacity for femoral adduction and protraction relative to most other Permo‐Triassic diapsids. 

   more » « less
2. The Movement Ecology of Mutualism ( CSEE / ESA 2022, OOS17 )

   https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.2063  

   Moore, Christopher M.; Shaw, Allison K.; Bruninga‐Socolar, Bethanne; Caves, Eleanor M.; Karnish, Alex T.; Kiesewetter, Kasey N.; Nelson, Annika S.; Pringle, Elizabeth G. (April 2023, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America)
3. Selective chiroptical sensing of d / l -cysteine

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00198E  

   Kariapper, F. Safia; Thanzeel, F. Yushra; Zandi, Lily S.; Wolf, Christian (April 2022, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry)

   A chromophoric bifunctional probe design that allows selective chiroptical sensing of cysteine in aqueous solution is introduced. The common need for chiral HPLC separation is eliminated which expedites and simplifies the sample analysis while reducing solvent waste. Screening of the reaction between six phenacyl bromides and the enantiomers of cysteine showed that cyclization to an unsaturated thiomorpholine scaffold coincides with characteristic UV and CD effects, in particular when the reagent carries a proximate auxochromic nitro group. The UV changes and CD inductions were successfully used for determination of the absolute configuration, enantiomeric composition and total concentration of 18 test samples. This assay is highly selective for free cysteine while other amino acids, cysteine derived small peptides and biothiols do not interfere with the chiroptical signal generation. 

   more » « less
4. Unwinding the roles of RNA helicase MOV10

   https://doi.org/10.1002/wrna.1682  

   Nawaz, Aatiqa; Shilikbay, Temirlan; Skariah, Geena; Ceman, Stephanie (July 2021, WIREs RNA)

   Abstract MOV10 is an RNA helicase that associates with the RNA‐induced silencing complex component Argonaute (AGO), likely resolving RNA secondary structures. MOV10 also binds the Fragile X mental retardation protein to block AGO2 binding at some sites and associates with UPF1, a principal component of the nonsense‐mediated RNA decay pathway. MOV10 is widely expressed and has a key role in the cellular response to viral infection and in suppressing retrotransposition. Posttranslational modifications of MOV10 include ubiquitination, which leads to stimulation‐dependent degradation, and phosphorylation, which has an unknown function. MOV10 localizes to the nucleus and/or cytoplasm in a cell type‐specific and developmental stage‐specific manner. Knockout ofMov10leads to embryonic lethality, underscoring an important role in development where it is required for the completion of gastrulation. MOV10 is expressed throughout the organism; however, most studies have focused on germline cells and neurons. In the testes, the knockdown ofMov10disrupts proliferation of spermatogonial progenitor cells. In brain, MOV10 is significantly elevated postnatally and binds mRNAs encoding cytoskeleton and neuron projection proteins, suggesting an important role in neuronal architecture. HeterozygousMov10mutant mice are hyperactive and anxious and their cultured hippocampal neurons have reduced dendritic arborization. Zygotic knockdown ofMov10inXenopus laeviscauses abnormal head and eye development and mislocalization of neuronal precursors in the brain. Thus, MOV10 plays a vital role during development, defense against viral infection and in neuronal development and function: its many roles and regulation are only beginning to be unraveled. This article is categorized under:RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA‐Protein ComplexesRNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications 

   more » « less
5. Temperature‐Dependent Structure of Alginate/ PEO – PPO – PEO /Nanoclay Composite Hydrogels

   https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.70385  

   Zhu, Hengwei; Hom, Wendy L; Zheng, Bingqian; Shen, Jiachun; Bhatia, Surita R (October 2025, Polymers for Advanced Technologies)

   ABSTRACT Formation of alginate‐based interpenetrating networks and addition of nanoparticles into these gels are widely used strategies to enhance the mechanical properties of alginate gels used for delivery and biomedical applications. Our previous work demonstrated that alginate‐clay nanocomposite hydrogels containing poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO–PPO–PEO) copolymers exhibited significant enhancement of elasticity and temperature‐dependent rheology. However, the behavior of PEO–PPO–PEO copolymers within an alginate network remains unclear. In this study, we use small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) to investigate the interactions between the alginate network and PEO–PPO–PEO triblock chains. Our fitting results revealed that the triblock chains can form micelles integrated into the alginate gel “egg box” structure at higher temperatures. The presence of the alginate network influences the formation of PEO–PPO–PEO micelles in our gels, leading to elongated ellipsoidal micelles rather than spherical micelles. Interestingly, as the temperature increased, these micelles did not expand in all three dimensions, as observed for pure PEO–PPO–PEO solutions. Rather, the total size increased only in one direction while remaining the same in the other two directions, suggesting that the alginate networks restrict the growth of micelles. Furthermore, we did not observe the distinct higher‐order peaks that are typical of cubic PEO–PPO–PEO hydrogels; rather, relatively weak secondary peaks were observed. These results demonstrate that the presence of the alginate network significantly influences micelle formation and assembly in composite hydrogel systems. 

   more » « less