Biomolecular condensates with complex architectures via controlled nucleation

The structure and function of biomolecular condensates are closely related. However, many studies and applications of this relationship are prevented because controlling the mesoscale architecture of condensates can be difficult. Here we introduce a way to create custom multiphase architectures by nucleating new droplets in condensates. This nucleation occurs due to limited diffusion in the dense condensates and a composition change forced upon the system by changing the experimental conditions. The designed architectures are transient states created out of equilibrium. We provide a detailed method for understanding and designing a range of condensate architectures. Access to these long-lived complex architectures will enable researchers to incorporate increasingly sophisticated compartmentalization and functionality in condensates. This general strategy for creating complex structured condensates out of equilibrium may also provide insights into the structure of condensates in cells

D-dimer levels and recurrence in patients with unprovoked VTE and a negative qualitative D-dimer test after treatment

BACKGROUND: The rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with a first unprovoked VTE who had a negative qualitative D-dimer test one month after stopping anticoagulant therapy was higher than expected in the D-dimer Optimal Duration Study (DODS). OBJECTIVES: To determine whether quantitative D-dimer levels using a low threshold, age- and sex-specific thresholds, or repeated measurements, would improve identification of patients at low risk of recurrent VTE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: D-dimer levels were quantified in banked samples from 307 patients in DODS who had a negative qualitative D-dimer test while on, and 1month after stopping, anticoagulant therapy and the rates of recurrent VTE were determined in patients with D-dimer levels below various predefined thresholds. RESULTS: The rate (per patient year) of recurrent VTE was: 5.9% with D-dimer levels<250μg/l at one month; 5.2% with D-dimer levels between 250 and 499μg/l at one month; 5.0% with D-dimer levels less than predefined age- and sex-specific thresholds at one month; and 6.3% when D-dimer levels were <500μg/l at both one and 7months after stopping anticoagulant therapy. These rates are similar to the overall event rate of 6.3% in patients who stopped treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Among unprovoked VTE patients who had a negative qualitative D-dimer test during and after anticoagulant therapy, low D-dimer thresholds, age and sex-adjusted thresholds or repeated measurements, did not identify subgroups with a very low rate of recurrence

Diverse mineralogies in two troughs of Noctis Labyrinthus, Mars

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