Comparative genomics of Metarhizium brunneum strains V275 and ARSEF 4556: unraveling intraspecies diversity.

Entomopathogenic fungi belonging to the Order Hypocreales are renowned for their ability to infect and kill insect hosts, while their endophytic mode of life and the beneficial rhizosphere effects on plant hosts have only been recently recognized. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying their different lifestyles could optimize their potential as both biocontrol and biofertilizer agents, as well as the wider appreciation of niche plasticity in fungal ecology. This study describes the comprehensive whole genome sequencing and analysis of one of the most effective entomopathogenic and endophytic EPF strains, Metarhizium brunneum V275 (commercially known as Lalguard Met52), achieved through Nanopore and Illumina reads.

Contemporary evaluation of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression in breast cancer-associated stroma.

Purpose: To investigate nuclear estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) immunohistochemistry (IHC) patterns in the stroma surrounding invasive carcinoma and assess associations with clinicopathologic features.

Methods: A retrospective database search (1/2017-12/2020) identified breast core biopsies with invasive carcinoma. ERα/PR IHC expression in invasive carcinoma and stromal cells was categorized visually as positive (> 10%), low positive (1-10%) or negative (< 1%).

Contrasting demographic histories revealed in two invasive populations of the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans.

Globalization and international trade have impacted organisms around the world leading to a considerable number of species establishing in new geographic areas. Many organisms have taken advantage of human-made environments, including buildings. One such species is the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans, which is the most aggressive wood-decay fungus in indoor environments in temperate regions.

Volatile organic compounds of influence the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in insect control.

The entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) occupies the same ecological niche as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), with both competing for insects as a food source in the rhizosphere. Interactions between these biocontrol agents can be antagonistic or synergistic. To better understand these interactions, this study focussed on investigating the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone, on EPN survival and behaviour.

The mitochondrial genome contribution to the phylogeny and identification of Metarhizium species and strains.

The genus Metarhizium is composed of entomopathogenic fungal biological control agents (BCAs) used for invertebrate pest control. The phylogenetic relationships of species within this genus are still under scrutiny as several cryptic species can be found. In this work, the mitochondrial (mt) genome of Metarhizium brunneum ARSEF 4556 was fully sequenced and a comparative genome analysis was conducted with 7 other available mt genomes, belonging to 5 Metarhizium species: M.

Primary Liver Cancer: An NCDB Analysis of Overall Survival and Margins After Hepatectomy.

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitute the majority of primary liver cancers. This retrospective review aimed to determine whether site of care is a significant predictor of patient outcome after hepatectomy as measured by overall survival, hazard ratios (HRs), and resection margin status.

Methods: Data regarding patients with a new diagnosis of ICC and HCC who underwent hepatectomy were analyzed from the national cancer database.

Is Radiotherapy Warranted Following Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Resection? The Impact of Surgical Margins and Lymph Node Status on Survival.

Background: The role of radiotherapy (RT) for surgically resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains poorly defined. Radiotherapy is often considered when positive resection margins exist. The present study sought to examine the impact of radiotherapy following ICC resection.

Educational attainment does not modify the effect of educational interventions on blood pressure control: a secondary analysis of data from a randomised trial.

Objectives: To assess whether the effects of community-based educational interventions to improve blood pressure, weight and health behaviours benefit participants with lower educational levels more than those with higher educational levels.

Design: Secondary data analysis.

Setting: Two 12-month community-based educational interventions, one led by trained peers and one delivered by health professionals.

Surgical resection versus ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma ≤ 3 cm: a population-based analysis.

Background: Ablation for ≤ 3-cm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment strategy. The present study sought to examine the outcomes of patients with ≤3 cm HCC after ablation versus resection.

Methods: Patients treated by ablation or surgical resection for ≤ 3 cm T1 HCC were identified from the National Cancer Database (2002-2011).

Chemotherapy for Surgically Resected Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The benefit of chemotherapy for surgically resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains poorly defined. The present study sought to determine the survival impact of chemotherapy for surgically resected ICC.

Methods: Patients with non-metastatic ICC who underwent surgery were identified from the National Cancer Database (1998-2011) and stratified by receipt of chemotherapy.

Molecular profiling in gastric cancer: examining potential targets for chemotherapy.

Background And Objectives: Current NCCN guidelines recommend epirubicin (E), cisplatin (C), and 5-fluorouracil (F) as a first-line therapeutic approach for operable gastric adenocarcinoma (GC). Molecular profiling (MP) was used to evaluate the expression of chemotherapy targeted biomarkers associated with ECF therapy and other first-line cytotoxic regimens for GC.

Methods: GC specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for TOP2A, TS, ERCC1, PGP, and TOPO1 expression (Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ) from 2009 to 2012.

A randomized trial of peer-delivered self-management support for hypertension.

Background: Peer-led interventions to improve chronic disease self-management can improve health outcomes but are not widely used. Therefore, we tested a peer-led hypertension self-management intervention delivered at regular meetings of community veterans' organizations.

Methods: We randomized 58 organizational units ("posts") of veterans' organizations in southeast Wisconsin to peer-led vs.

Factors that influence parathyroid hormone half-life: determining if new intraoperative criteria are needed.

Importance: Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy using intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring remains the standard approach to the majority of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. This study demonstrates that individual patient characteristics do not affect existing criteria for intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring.

Objective: To identify patient characteristics, such as age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), and renal function, that may affect existing criteria for intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) levels during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.

Evaluation of a peer-led hypertension intervention for veterans: impact on peer leaders.

Volunteer peer leaders (PLs) benefit from their involvement in health interventions but we know little about how they compare with other non-PL volunteers or with the intervention recipients themselves. We randomized 58 veterans' service organizations' posts (e.g.

The development and validation of the hypertension evaluation of lifestyle and management knowledge scale.

Hypertension knowledge is an integral component of the chronic care model. A valid scale to assess hypertension knowledge and self-management skills is needed. The hypertension evaluation of lifestyle and management (HELM) scale was developed as part of a community-based study designed to improve self-management of hypertension.

Amelioration of oral mucositis pain by NASA near-infrared light-emitting diodes in bone marrow transplant patients.

Purpose: This study seeks to investigate the use of extra-orally applied near-infrared phototherapy for the reduction of oral pain secondary to chemotherapy- and radiation therapy-induced mucositis in adult and pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients.

Methods: Eighty HSCT patients were divided into regular (R) and low (L) risk groups, then to experimental (E) and placebo (P) groups, resulting in four groups (ER, EL, PR, PL). Experimental subjects received 670 (± 10) nm gallium-aluminum-arsinide light-emitting diode device for 80 s at ~50 mW/cm(2) energy density and power exposure of 4 J/cm(2).

Retrospective comparison of ultrasound and fluoroscopic image guidance for intercostal steroid injections.

Introduction: Steroid injection around the intercostal nerves is one of the treatment options for intercostal neuralgia. The technique may be performed blindly, under fluoroscopic guidance (FSG) or with the use of ultrasound guidance (USG). This study is a retrospective comparison of image guidance for intercostal steroid injections.

Impact of a neurointensivist on outcomes in patients with head trauma treated in a neurosciences intensive care unit.

Object: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a newly appointed neurointensivist on outcomes in head-injured patients in the neurological/neurosurgical intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods: The mortality rate, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition of all patients with head trauma who had been admitted to a 10-bed tertiary care university hospital NICU were compared between two 19-month periods, before and after the appointment of a neurointensivist. Data regarding these patients were collected using the hospital database and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) database.

Subconjunctival antibiotics for acute postcataract extraction endophthalmitis--is it necessary?

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive subconjunctival antibiotic injection in the treatment of acute postcataract extraction endophthalmitis.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Patients who presented with hand motions or better vision and received subconjunctival antibiotics (SC+ group) were compared with those who did not (SC- group) in the treatment of acute postoperative endophthalmitis.

Changes in gene expression in Arabidopsis shoots during phosphate starvation and the potential for developing smart plants.

Our aim was to generate and prove the concept of "smart" plants to monitor plant phosphorus (P) status in Arabidopsis. Smart plants can be genetically engineered by transformation with a construct containing the promoter of a gene up-regulated specifically by P starvation in an accessible tissue upstream of a marker gene such as beta-glucuronidase (GUS). First, using microarrays, we identified genes whose expression changed more than 2.

Does breast tumor location influence success of sentinel lymph node biopsy?

Background: Controversy exists regarding the influence of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping technique or patient variables on the success rate of SLN mapping. We undertook a prospective study in a single institution series to evaluate multiple variables that could adversely affect SLN identification rates.

Study Design: Data were collected on 174 patients who underwent 177 SLN mapping procedures followed by axillary dissection from October 1996 through January 2000.

Subtenon's depot corticosteroid injections in patients with a history of corticosteroid-induced intraocular pressure elevation.

Purpose: To determine whether a history of intraocular pressure elevation from local corticosteroid administration could predict subsequent intraocular pressure elevation after posterior subtenon's corticosteroid injection.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 64 consecutive patients (64 eyes) receiving posterior subtenon's corticosteroid injection. Patients were categorized as either historical corticosteroid responders or nonresponders based on intraocular pressure response to topical corticosteroid drops in the same eye or to previous posterior subtenon's corticosteroid injection of the fellow eye.