Big-Hearted Invaders: The Impacts of Range Expansion and Parasite Infection on Heart Mass in Cane Toads.

The invasion of cane toads (Rhinella marina) across tropical Australia has resulted in the rapid evolution of traits that enable higher rates of dispersal, and that adapt toads to hot dry climates. In anurans, a larger heart facilitates both locomotor activity and desiccation tolerance. Heart size is also often affected, either directly or indirectly, by parasite infections.

Phenotypic Expansion: Fetus With Cole-Carpenter Type 2 Presenting With Novel Neonatal Lethal Skeletal Dysplasia.

We report a 28-year-old G2P0 at 24 weeks 5 days who presented for evaluation secondary to suspected skeletal dysplasia in her fetus. Fetal ultrasound imaging demonstrated foreshortened long bones by 9-10 weeks, multiple bowing deformities and fractures, 11 foreshortened paired ribs with fractures, decreased skull mineralization, frontal bossing, enlarged cavum septum pellucidi, and severe fetal growth restriction (< 2%). Findings were concerning for life limiting condition with thoracic circumference < 2.

Harmonization of alcohol use data and mortality across a multi-national HIV cohort collaboration.

Background: Alcohol use is measured in diverse ways across settings. Harmonization of measures is necessary to assess effects of alcohol use in multi-cohort collaborations, such as studies of people with HIV (PWH).

Methods: Data were combined from 14 HIV cohort studies (nine European, five North American) participating in the Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration.

Whole Exome Sequencing in a Population of Fetuses With Structural Anomalies.

Objective: To investigate the exome sequencing (ES) detection rate among fetuses with congenital anomalies and describe the rates in the setting of multiple versus isolated anomalies, perinatal autopsy, and family history of a previously affected child.

Methods: A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted on 397 anomalous fetuses that underwent ES from May 2012 through December 2023. Medical record review included demographics, imaging, and genetic testing.