The potential clinical utility of Whole Genome Sequencing for patients with cancer: evaluation of a regional implementation of the 100,000 Genomes Project.

Background: The 100,000 Genomes Project established infrastructure for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in the United Kingdom.

Methods: A retrospective study of cancer patients recruited to the 100,000 Genomes Project by the West Midlands Genomics Medicine Centre, evaluating clinical relevance of results.

Results: After excluding samples with no sequencing data (1678/4851; 34.

Elucidating structure and metabolism of insect biomaterials by solid-state NMR.

Among the many natural biomaterials for which information on atomic-level structure and reorientational motion can offer essential clues to function, insoluble multi-component composites with limited degrees of order are among the most challenging to study. Despite its limited sensitivity, solid-state NMR (ssNMR) is often the technique of choice to ferret out these details in carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials: this spectroscopic approach can probe many biomaterials in their native or near-native states, either with or without the introduction of stable NMR-active isotopes, or with the assistance of dynamic nuclear polarization technology. During a span of close to four decades, such research targets and ssNMR approaches have been exemplified by insects, a diverse and evolutionarily agile group of organisms with global impacts that include ecology, agriculture, and human disease.

The fastest-growing and most destructive fires in the US (2001 to 2020).

The most destructive and deadly wildfires in US history were also fast. Using satellite data, we analyzed the daily growth rates of more than 60,000 fires from 2001 to 2020 across the contiguous US. Nearly half of the ecoregions experienced destructive fast fires that grew more than 1620 hectares in 1 day.

The pace of change of summertime temperature extremes.

Summer temperature extremes can have large impacts on humans and the biosphere, and an increase in heat extremes is one of the most visible symptoms of climate change. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed that would predict faster warming of heat extremes than typical summer days, but it is unclear whether this is occurring. Here, we show that, in both observations and historical climate model simulations, the hottest summer days have warmed at the same pace as the median globally, in each hemisphere, and in the tropics from 1959 to 2023.

Revealing the Structural Intricacies of Biomembrane-Interfaced Emulsions with Small- and Ultra-Small-Angle Neutron Scattering.

Utilizing cell membranes from diverse cell types for biointerfacing has demonstrated significant advantages in enhancing colloidal stability and incorporating biological properties, tailored specifically for various biomedical applications. However, the structures of these materials, particularly emulsions interfaced with red blood cell (RBC) or platelet (PLT) membranes, remain an underexplored area. This study systematically employs small- and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (SANS and USANS) with contrast variation to investigate the structure of emulsions containing perfluorohexane within RBC (RBC/PFH) and PLT membranes (PLT/PFH).

Tree species explain only half of explained spatial variability in plant water sensitivity.

Spatiotemporal patterns of plant water uptake, loss, and storage exert a first-order control on photosynthesis and evapotranspiration. Many studies of plant responses to water stress have focused on differences between species because of their different stomatal closure, xylem conductance, and root traits. However, several other ecohydrological factors are also relevant, including soil hydraulics, topographically driven redistribution of water, plant adaptation to local climatic variations, and changes in vegetation density.

Salt-Induced Linker Dehydration Modulates Micellar Structure in Ether-Linked Sulfate Surfactants.

Ether-linked surfactants are widely used in formulations such as liquid soaps, but despite their ubiquity, it is unclear how -ethylene glycol linkers in surfactants, such as sodium lauryl -(ethylene glycol) sulfate (SLEnS), influence micellar packing in the presence of NaCl. In the present work, we probe the structure and hydration of ether linkers in micelles comprising monodisperse SLEnS surfactants using contrast-variation small-angle neutron scattering (CV-SANS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Using SAXS, changes in micellar structure were observed for SLEnS ( = 1, 2, or 3) arising from the extent of ethoxylation.

Small-angle scattering of complex fluids in flow.

Complex fluids encompass a significant proportion of the materials that we use today from feedstocks such as cellulose fibre dispersions, materials undergoing processing or formulation, through to consumer end products such as shampoo. Such systems exhibit intricate behaviour due to their composition and microstructure, particularly when analysing their texture and response to flow (rheology). In particular, these fluids when flowing may undergo transitions in their nano- to microstructure, potentially aligning with flow fields, breaking and reassembling or reforming, or entirely changing phase.

Acculturation and clinical symptoms of schizophrenia among Latine adults in the United States.

Background: Research on acculturation and schizophrenia spectrum disorders has yielded inconsistent findings. This study aimed to clarify the influence of acculturation on symptomatology in Latine individuals with schizophrenia in the United States.

Methods: The analysis involved cross-sectional data from Latine (n = 120) and non-Latine White (n = 60) adults with schizophrenia in San Diego, California.

Amine Basicity of Quinoline ATP Synthase Inhibitors Drives Antibacterial Activity against .

(PA), a Gram-negative pathogen, is a common cause of nosocomial infections, especially in immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis patients. PA is intrinsically resistant to many currently prescribed antibiotics due to its tightly packed, anionic lipopolysaccharide outer membrane, efflux pumps, and ability to form biofilms. PA can acquire additional resistance through mutation and horizontal gene transfer.

Autogenic splenic implantation versus splenectomy in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy for benign or low-grade malignant lesions of the distal pancreas: study protocol for a multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled trial (RESTORE).

Background: The spleen plays a significant role in the clearance of circulating microorganisms. Sequelae of splenectomy, especially immunodeficiency, can have a deleterious effect on a patient's health and even lead to death. Hence, splenectomy should be avoided and spleen preservation during elective surgery has become a treatment goal.

Influence of Surfactant Structure on Polydisperse Formulations of Alkyl Ether Sulfates and Alkyl Amidopropyl Betaines.

Surfactants provide detergency, foaming, and texture in personal care formulations, yet the micellization of typical industrial primary and cosurfactants is not well understood, particularly in light of the polydisperse nature of commercial surfactants. Synergistic interactions are hypothesized to drive the formation of elongated wormlike self-assemblies in these mixed surfactant systems. Small-angle neutron scattering, rheology, and pendant drop tensiometry are used to examine surface adsorption, viscoelasticity, and self-assembly structure for wormlike micellar formulations comprising cocoamidopropyl betaine, and its two major components laurylamidopropyl betaine and oleylamidopropyl betaine, with sodium alkyl ethoxy sulfates.

Perceived discrimination and nativity status: risk of cognitive impairment among Latin American older adults.

Objectives: We examined the association between perceived discrimination and the risk of cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) while considering the potential effects of nativity status.

Design: A prospective analysis of discrimination and nativity status with dementia and cognitive impairment was conducted among Latinx adults aged 51 years and older who participated in the Health and Retirement Study.

Setting: A national representative sample.

Quinoline Compounds Targeting the -Ring of ATP Synthase Inhibit Drug-Resistant .

(PA) is a Gram-negative, biofilm-forming bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen. The growing drug resistance of PA is a serious threat that necessitates the discovery of novel antibiotics, ideally with previously underexplored mechanisms of action. Due to their central role in cell metabolism, bacterial bioenergetic processes are of increasing interest as drug targets, especially with the success of the ATP synthase inhibitor bedaquiline to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Climate change will accelerate the high-end risk of compound drought and heatwave events.

Compound drought and heatwave (CDHW) events have garnered increased attention due to their significant impacts on agriculture, energy, water resources, and ecosystems. We quantify the projected future shifts in CDHW characteristics (such as frequency, duration, and severity) due to continued anthropogenic warming relative to the baseline recent observed period (1982 to 2019). We combine weekly drought and heatwave information for 26 climate divisions across the globe, employing historical and projected model output from eight Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 GCMs and three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways.

Tablet Versus Quick Response Code: Difference in Research Participation Rates?

Conducting research with immunocompromised populations, especially within the context of a global pandemic, warrants consideration of alternative research methods and modes of administration to keep participants safe. Digital and internet-based research methods have been utilized to minimize the risk of harm with cancer patients; however, adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYAs) remain an under served and understudied population with high levels of unmet needs. The purpose of the current study was to examine differences in AYA research participation rates based on two digital survey administration methods (tablet versus QR code).

Sex chromosome complement and sex steroid signaling underlie sex differences in immunity to respiratory virus infection.

Epidemiological studies have revealed sex differences in the incidence and morbidity of respiratory virus infection in the human population, and often these observations are correlated with sex differences in the quality or magnitude of the immune response. Sex differences in immunity and morbidity also are observed in animal models of respiratory virus infection, suggesting differential dominance of specific immune mechanisms. Emerging research shows intrinsic sex differences in immune cell transcriptomes, epigenomes, and proteomes that may regulate human immunity when challenged by viral infection.

Water sector resilience in the United Kingdom and Ireland: The COVID-19 challenge.

The outbreak of COVID-19 led to restrictions on movements and activities, which presented a serious challenge to the resilience of the water sector. It is essential to understand how successfully water companies responded to this unprecedented event so effective plans can be built for future disruptive events. This study aimed to evaluate how the water sectors in the UK and Ireland were affected from a holistic sustainability and resilience-based perspective.

Heat recovery and water reuse in micro-distilleries improves eco-efficiency of alcohol production.

The number of micro-scale spirit distilleries worldwide has grown considerably over the past decade. With an onus on the distillery sector to reduce its environmental impact, such as carbon emissions, opportunities for increasing energy efficiency need to be implemented. This study explores the potential environmental benefits and financial gains achievable through heat recovery from different process and by-product streams, exemplified for a Scotch whisky distillery, but transferrable to micro-distilleries worldwide.

Adolescent and Young Adult Communication Preferences.

The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents and young adults preferred methods of communication by health care professionals and to identify whether this aligns/differs from overall preferred methods of social media use. Sixty-seven participants completed an electronic survey about their communication preferences. Forty-eight participants were patients and 19 were parents.

The AYA Care Plan: Initial Evaluation of a Web-Based Psychosocial Intervention.

Purpose: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer do not fit neatly into pediatric or older adult oncology care settings. Recent efforts have led to the development of psychosocial interventions for AYAs, but studies show AYAs demonstrate low levels of engagement in psychosocial services. The AYA Care Plan is one of the only web-based tools providing a personalized, psychosocial resource that addresses unmet needs for AYAs in active treatment and post-treatment survivorship.