Background:The nucleosome assembly protein (NAP) family facilitates the dynamic assembly of nucleosomes. Results: We reveal the large molecular assemblies of NAP-histone complexes. Conclusion: NAP-histone complexes assemble to form a heterogeneous population of ring-like scaffolds. Significance: Knowledge of the oligomeric states of NAP-histone complexes is crucial for understanding their diverse functions.

Clinical studies frequently report that patients with major mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have co-morbid physical conditions, suggesting that systemic alterations affecting both brain and peripheral tissues might underlie the disorders. Numerous studies have reported elevated levels of anti-Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibodies in patients with major mental illnesses, but the underlying mechanism was unclear. Using multidisciplinary epidemiological, cell biological, and gene expression profiling approaches, we report here multiple lines of evidence suggesting that a major mental illness-related susceptibility factor, Disrupted in schizophrenia (DISC1), is involved in host immune responses against T. gondii infection. Specifically, our cell biology and gene expression studies have revealed that DISC1 Leu607Phe variation, which changes DISC1 interaction with activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), modifies gene expression patterns upon T. gondii infection. Our epidemiological data have also shown that DISC1 607 Phe/Phe genotype was associated with higher T. gondii antibody levels in sera. Although further studies are required, our study provides mechanistic insight into one of the few well-replicated serological observations in major mental illness.

Mechanical properties of biological samples have been imaged with a Force Feedback Microscope. Force, force gradient and dissipation are measured simultaneously and quantitatively, merely knowing the AFM cantilever spring constant. Our first results demonstrate that this robust method provides quantitative high resolution force measurements of the interaction The little oscillation imposed to the cantilever and the small value of its stiffness result in a vibrational energy much smaller than the thermal energy, reducing the interaction with the sample to a minimum. We show that the observed mechanical properties of the sample depend on the force applied by the tip and consequently on the sample indentation. Moreover, the frequency of the excitation imposed to the cantilever can be chosen arbitrarily, opening the way to frequency-dependent studies in biomechanics, sort of spectroscopic AFM investigations.

Objectives of Nations for Mental Health• To enhance the attention of people and governments of the world to the effects of mental health problems and substance abuse on the social well-being and physical health of the world's underserved populations. A first step is to increase awareness and concern of the importance of mental health through a series of key high profile regional and international events. Secondly, efforts will be devoted to building up the will of the key political authorities to participate. Thirdly, and finally, efforts are to be directed at securing political commitments by decision-makers.• To establish a number of demonstration projects in each of the six WHO regions of the world. They are meant to illustrate the potential of collaborative efforts at country level, with the view of leading on to projects of a larger scale.• To encourage technical support between countries for service development, research and training.

The typical dose used to record cryo-electron microscopy images from vitrified biological specimens is so high that radiation-induced structural alterations are bound to occur during data acquisition. Integration of all scattered electrons into one image can lead to significant blurring, particularly if the data are collected from an unsupported thin layer of ice suspended over the holes of a support film. Here, the dose has been fractioned and exposure series have been acquired in order to study beam-induced specimen movements under low dose conditions, prior to bubbling. Gold particles were added to the protein sample as fiducial markers. These were automatically localized and tracked throughout the exposure series and showed correlated motions within small patches, with larger amplitudes of motion vectors at the start of a series compared with the end of each series. A non-rigid scheme was used to register all images within each exposure series, using natural neighbor interpolation with the gold particles as anchor points. The procedure increases the contrast and resolution of the examined macromolecules.