Isolating salient variations of interest in single-cell data with contrastiveVI.

Single-cell datasets are routinely collected to investigate changes in cellular state between control cells and the corresponding cells in a treatment condition, such as exposure to a drug or infection by a pathogen. To better understand heterogeneity in treatment response, it is desirable to deconvolve variations enriched in treated cells from those shared with controls. However, standard computational models of single-cell data are not designed to explicitly separate these variations.

Effect of assisted reproductive technology on multiple sclerosis relapses: Case series and meta-analysis.

Background: Five case series reported increased relapse risk after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), but small numbers and heterogeneous study design limit broader conclusions.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of relapses after ART in an independent case series and in aggregated analyses of existing studies.

Methods: We compared annualized relapse rate (ARR) in the 3 months after, and 12 months before, ART in (1) an unpublished cohort (Boston: prospectively collected relapses; 22 ART cycles), (2i) data pooled from Boston and five published studies (164 cycles), and (2ii) a meta-analysis of all case series published by 2017 (220 cycles; PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines).

Nucleoid and cytoplasmic localization of small RNAs in Escherichia coli.

Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) regulate protein production by binding to mRNAs and altering their translation and degradation. sRNAs are smaller than most mRNAs but larger than many proteins. Therefore it is uncertain whether sRNAs can enter the nucleoid to target nascent mRNAs.

Horizontal transfer of DNA methylation patterns into bacterial chromosomes.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the non-inherited acquisition of novel DNA sequences. HGT is common and important in bacteria because it enables the rapid generation of new phenotypes such as antibiotic resistance. Here we show that in vivo and in vitro DNA methylation patterns can be horizontally transferred into bacterial chromosomes to program cell phenotypes.

Cutaneous melanoma metastatic to the orbit: review of 15 cases.

Purpose: To describe the clinical features, management, and outcomes of 15 patients with cutaneous melanoma metastatic to the orbit. The authors review emerging treatments for metastatic melanoma and their ocular implications.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 15 patients with orbital metastasis from cutaneous melanoma.

Massive macronodular juvenile xanthogranuloma of the eyelid in a newborn.

A newborn baby with a lump on his right upper eyelid that was unresponsive to warm compresses and oral antibiotics presented at 3 weeks of age with a yellow mass measuring 20 mm in diameter at the base. Preliminary diagnosis was benign choristomatous mass; and warm compresses were continued. The mass continued to enlarge and 5 weeks later was 35 mm, with a tight, atrophic overlying epidermis and greater pupillary occlusion.

Calcified scleral choristoma in organoid nevus syndrome simulating retinoblastoma.

A child referred for management of retinoblastoma who alternatively had a calcified scleral choristoma as part of previously undiagnosed organoid nevus syndrome is described. A 31-month-old male infant with scalp alopecia was referred for retinoblastoma management after a calcified mass in his left eye was found. Ophthalmic examination revealed the mass was of choroidal or scleral origin, underlying the retina.

Fabrication and mechanical evaluation of anatomically-inspired quasilaminate hydrogel structures with layer-specific formulations.

A major tissue engineering challenge is the creation of multilaminate scaffolds with layer-specific mechanical properties representative of native tissues, such as heart valve leaflets, blood vessels, and cartilage. For this purpose, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels are attractive materials due to their tunable mechanical and biological properties. This study explored the fabrication of trilayer hydrogel quasilaminates.