Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNAs that enhance viral fitness and immune evasion.

Coronaviruses express their structural and accessory genes via a set of subgenomic RNAs, whose synthesis is directed by transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs) in the 5' genomic leader and upstream of each body open reading frame. In SARS-CoV-2, the TRS has the consensus AAACGAAC; upon searching for emergence of this motif in the global SARS-CoV-2 sequences, we find that it evolves frequently, especially in the 3' end of the genome. We show well-supported examples upstream of the Spike gene-within the nsp16 coding region of ORF1b-which is expressed during human infection, and upstream of the canonical Envelope gene TRS, both of which have evolved convergently in multiple lineages.

A stress-activated mid-insula to BNST pathway regulates susceptibility to abstinence-induced negative affect in female mice.

Stress is central to many neuropsychiatric conditions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Stress influences the initiation and continued use of alcohol, the progression to AUD, and relapse. Identifying the neurocircuits activated during stress, and individual variability in these responses is critical for developing new treatment targets for AUD, particularly to mitigate stress-induced relapse.

Progressive anterior segment involvement of an infant with corneoscleral juvenile xanthogranuloma refractory to topical steroids.

Purpose: To report a case of corneoscleral juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) with progressive anterior segment involvement refractory to topical steroids.

Observations: A 4-month-old male was referred for a new-onset subconjunctival lesion in the right eye. He was found to have a thickened, yellow corneoscleral lesion and hyphema, presumed to be ocular JXG.