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Siglecs are immunoregulatory lectins with very similar architectures. The authors show how the V-set domain of Siglec-6 allows it to select for precise sialylation patterns in specific biological environments, recasting Siglecs as molecular precision tools

Targeting individual DNA secondary structures in the genome with small molecules is challenging. Here, the authors develop ATENA, a CRISPR-based platform for targeting specific DNA structures in cells with high precision, helping to elucidate their biological roles and guide therapeutic design.

Whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome-wide association and fine-mapping analyses in over 7,000 individuals with critical COVID-19 are used to identify 16 independent variants that are associated with severe illness in COVID-19.

An analysis of 24,202 critical cases of COVID-19 identifies potentially druggable targets in inflammatory signalling (JAK1), monocyte–macrophage activation and endothelial permeability (PDE4A), immunometabolism (SLC2A5 and AK5), and host factors required for viral entry and replication (TMPRSS2 and RAB2A).

Single-cell transcriptomes from the fetal–maternal interface of six species of mammals reveal a conserved gene expression signature of invasive trophoblast, stepwise evolution of decidual stromal cell types and co-evolutionary patterns in cell–cell signalling.

Cardiovascular function declines with age. In this study, the authors show that the BAT-derived lipokine 12,13-diHOME preserves cardiac function in aged mice by attenuating pathological CaMKII activity.

A global network of researchers was formed to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity; this paper reports 13 genome-wide significant loci and potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection.

Observations of a fast X-ray transient reveal that it is a gamma-ray-burst explosion from a very distant galaxy that emits light with the wavelength necessary to drive cosmic reionization, the last major phase change in the history of the Universe.

The advantage of living in cities compared with rural areas with respect to height and BMI in children and adolescents has generally become smaller globally from 1990 to 2020, except in sub-Saharan Africa.

Assessing the conservation status of 1,020 European marine fishes reveals half of large (>1.5 m) fishes are threatened with extinction and stock status diverges geographically: almost all Mediterranean stock is overfished, most northern European stock is not.

Azacitidine (AZA) response in myelodysplastic neoplasms is unpredictable. Here, the authors show in a phase 2 trial that while global methylation changes did not differ by response, baseline and initial CpG methylation differences in HSPCs predicted AZA response.

The dynamics of a quantum system shows interesting features. Here the authors demonstrate critical scaling in the spin relaxation due to spin-exchange process in a system of impurity Cs atoms immersed in Rb atoms.

Recently, a class of non-catechol Dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) selective agonists with novel scaffold and improved pharmacological properties were reported. Here, authors report the crystal structure of D1R in complex with stimulatory G protein (Gs) and a non-catechol agonist Compound 1 which explains the selectivity of this scaffold for D1R over other aminergic receptors and the mechanism of activating D1R.

Self-assembled structures are typically demonstrated on small scales under well-controlled lab environments. Here, the authors present a roll-to-roll process for the continuous manufacturing of square-meters of self-assembled cellulose-based mechano-chromic films and demonstrate the recording of pressure profiles generated by foot-imprints in real time.

Analysis of HbA1c and FPG levels across 117 population-based studies demonstrates regional variation in prevalence of previously undiagnosed screen-detected diabetes using one or both measures and suggests that use of elevated FPG alone could underestimate diabetes prevalence in low- and middle-income countries.

Cable bacteria’ form long multicellular filaments that can transfer electrical currents over centimetre-long distances. Here, Meysman et al. show that the electrical currents run along highly conductive fibres embedded in the cell envelope, and charge transfer is electronic rather than ionic.

Small molecule modulators of RNA splicing have therapeutic potential in tumours bearing spliceosome mutations. Here, the authors identify BCL2 genes have differential sensitivities to SF3b-targeting splicing modulators and combination of SF3b-targeting splicing modulators and BCLxL inhibition induces synergistic cytotoxicity in cancer cells.

A genome-wide association study of critically ill patients with COVID-19 identifies genetic signals that relate to important host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage that may be targeted by repurposing drug treatments.

The large-scale fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal photonic films in a roll-to-roll device is achieved by careful optimization of the cellulose nanocrystal formulation and its controlled deposition and drying on a substrate. Once dry, these photonic films can be peeled and milled into effect pigments, highlighting the potential of cellulose nanocrystals as a sustainable material for industrial photonic applications.

Patients with oesophageal diseases may require surgical removal and replacement of the oesophagus. Here the authors seed mesenchymal stromal cells on a decellularized rat oesophagus and show that this bioengineered tissue construct restores swallowing function after transplantation into rats.

T-UCRs encode long non-coding RNAs implicated in human carcinogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, the authors identify uc.339 as an oncogene in lung cancer that is upregulated through the loss of TP53 and promotes Cyclin E activation by entrapping regulatory miRNAs.

Openshaw and colleagues find myeloid inflammation and complement activation signatures in patients with long COVID who were previously hospitalized.

SRPK1, a kinase involved in splicing regulation, is a potential therapeutic target for AML patients. Here, the authors show that SRPK1 inhibition changes isoform levels of key epigenetic regulators, including BRD4, and it has anti-tumor effects specifically against MLL-rearranged AML cells.

As the most abundant biopolymer on Earth since it can be found in every plant cell wall, cellulose has emerged as an ideal candidate for the development of renewable and biodegradable photonic materials, substituting conventional pigments.

A genome-wide-association meta-analysis of 18,381 austim spectrum disorder (ASD) cases and 27,969 controls identifies five risk loci. The authors find quantitative and qualitative polygenic heterogeneity across ASD subtypes.

Alterations in the gut microbiota affect stroke outcomes via modulation of T cells, suggesting a gut-brain axis linking commensal microbes with the CNS.

Contrary to the view that urbanization is a major driver of the global rise in obesity, the global increase in body-mass index is shown to be mostly due to increases in the body-mass indexes of rural populations.

Georgia Chenevix-Trench and colleagues report meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies identifying six loci newly associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). They also test variants at the 12 known and 6 new EOC susceptibility loci for association in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.

The International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium reports the discovery of 48 new susceptibility variants for multiple sclerosis through targeted follow-up of immune-related loci. They also report fine mapping of association signals at established susceptibility loci and provide insights into the immune system processes underlying this disease.

This protocol describes how to engineer and transplant either a natural decellularized donor trachea or an artificial electrospun nanofiber scaffold into a rat, providing a model for tracheal transplantation that has been successfully used in humans.