Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in chloroplasts cause oxidative damage, but also signal to initiate chloroplast quality control pathways, cell death, and gene expression. The Arabidopsis thaliana plastid ferrochelatase two (fc2) mutant produces the ROS singlet oxygen in chloroplasts that activates such signaling pathways, but the mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we characterize one fc2 suppressor mutation and map it to CYTIDINE TRIPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE TWO (CTPS2), which encodes one of five enzymes in Arabidopsis necessary for de novo cytoplasmic CTP (and dCTP) synthesis. The ctps2 mutation reduces chloroplast transcripts and DNA content without similarly affecting mitochondria. Chloroplast nucleic acid content and singlet oxygen signaling are restored by exogenous feeding of the dCTP precursor deoxycytidine, suggesting ctps2 blocks signaling by limiting nucleotides for chloroplast genome maintenance. An investigation of CTPS orthologs in Brassicaceae showed CTPS2 is a member of an ancient lineage distinct from CTPS3. Complementation studies confirmed this analysis; CTPS3 was unable to compensate for CTPS2 function in providing nucleotides for chloroplast DNA and signaling. Our studies link cytoplasmic nucleotide metabolism with chloroplast quality control pathways. SR-717 Such a connection is achieved by a conserved clade of CTPS enzymes that provide nucleotides for chloroplast function, thereby allowing stress signaling to occur. Alzheimer's disease (AD) constitutes a significant health problem that affects mainly older people and causes a significant decline in cognitive abilities, thus affecting the quality of life and independence. The current study aimed at exploring knowledge and attitude toward people with AD among Jordanian nurses. A cross-sectional survey utilizing a self-administered questionnaire was conducted in three Jordanian hospitals. Nurses' attitude was measured using the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS). Knowledge was measured using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). A total of 207 nurses agreed to participate and completed the questionnaire. Most nurses demonstrated poor knowledge of AD with an ADKS score of 17.8 out of 30. In contrast, nurses had a positive attitude toward people with AD, with a total DAS mean score of 83.8 out of 140. Nurses lacked knowledge regarding AD, which could be attributed to insufficient education during university studies or after employment. Attitude toward people with Alzheimer's was positive in general; this implies that nurses have the potential to learn more about AD to enhance the care provided for people with the condition.Nurses lacked knowledge regarding AD, which could be attributed to insufficient education during university studies or after employment. Attitude toward people with Alzheimer's was positive in general; this implies that nurses have the potential to learn more about AD to enhance the care provided for people with the condition.Owing to the rapid turnaround time in the assessment of haemoglobin level by point-of-care tests (POC Hb), these have grown in popularity and scope in large parts of the world. However, whilst POC testing for malaria and HIV remains has been integrated into patient management in Africa, the use of POC haemoglobin testing remains neglected by health services. The main users of transfusions (paediatric, maternity and trauma services) present largely as emergencies. Ward-based POC Hb could result in more rapid and accurate diagnosis of anaemia, contributing to saving of lives and at the same time reduce unnecessary transfusions which deplete the limited supplies of donated blood in Africa. Severe anaemia requiring transfusion is a major cause of paediatric admission in Africa. At a dissemination meeting to discuss the results of a large phase III paediatric transfusion trial and steps to implementation of the findings participants strongly recommended that one of the most pressing actions required was to prioritise the use of POC haemoglobin testing. This would facilitate implementation of the new transfusion algorithm, developed at the meeting, which refines patient management including blood transfusions. We present the rationale for the strongly recommended prioritisation of POC Hb, using paediatric transfusion as an exemplar. Storm phobia in companion dogs is a common disorder that significantly impacts dogs' welfare. Gabapentin, the action of which is only partially understood, is widely used for its antiepileptic and analgesic properties. Only recently, the veterinary community began to use gabapentin to address phobia and anxiety in dogs. This study tested gabapentin to lower fear responses of dogs during a thunderstorm event. Eighteen dogs suffering from storm phobia completed our double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Each dog's behaviour was evaluated twice by his owner once under placebo, once under gabapentin. The treatment was orally administered at least 90 min before the exposure. Gabapentin was given at a dose ranging from 25 to 30mg/kg. Our results indicate a significant reduction of the fear responses of dogs under gabapentin. The adverse effects were rare, and the most frequent amongst them was ataxia. In this trial, gabapentin appears to be an efficient and safe molecule that should be considered as part of the treatment plan of storm phobia in dogs.In this trial, gabapentin appears to be an efficient and safe molecule that should be considered as part of the treatment plan of storm phobia in dogs. COVID-19 can present with lymphopenia and extraordinary complex multiorgan pathologies that can trigger long-term sequela. Given that inflammasome products, like caspase-1, play a role in the pathophysiology of a number of co-morbid conditions, we investigated caspases across the spectrum of COVID-19 disease. We assessed transcriptional states of multiple caspases and using flow cytometry, the expression of active caspase-1 in blood cells from COVID-19 patients in acute and convalescent stages of disease. Non-COVID-19 subject presenting with various comorbid conditions served as controls. Single-cell RNA-seq data of immune cells from COVID-19 patients showed a distinct caspase expression pattern in T cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and eosinophils compared with controls. Caspase-1 was upregulated in CD4+T-cells from hospitalized COVID-19 patients compared with unexposed controls. Post-COVID-19 patients with lingering symptoms (long-haulers) also showed upregulated caspase-1activity in CD4+T-cells thatex vivowas attenuated with a select pan-caspase inhibitor.