ChREBP-mediated up-regulation of Them1 coordinates thermogenesis with glycolysis and lipogenesis in response to chronic stress.

Activation of thermogenic brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inducible beige adipose tissue (BeAT) is triggered by environmental or metabolic stimuli, including cold ambient temperatures and nutrient stress. Thioesterase superfamily member 1 (Them1), a long-chain fatty acyl-CoA thioesterase that is enriched in BAT, suppresses acute cold-induced thermogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that expression was induced in BAT and BeAT by the carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) in response to chronic cold exposure or to the activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) by nutrient excess.

Cardiac NAD depletion in mice promotes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias prior to impaired bioenergetics.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential co-factor in metabolic reactions and co-substrate for signaling enzymes. Failing human hearts display decreased expression of the major NAD biosynthetic enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) and lower NAD levels, and supplementation with NAD precursors is protective in preclinical models. Here we show that Nampt loss in adult cardiomyocytes caused depletion of NAD along with marked metabolic derangements, hypertrophic remodeling and sudden cardiac deaths, despite unchanged ejection fraction, endurance and mitochondrial respiratory capacity.

Obstetric transport in rural settings: Referral and transport of pregnant patients in a state without a perinatal regionalized system of care.

Objective: To assess factors impacting obstetric transport and referral processes for pregnant patients experiencing an emergency in a rural state without a perinatal regionalized system of care.

Data Sources And Study Setting: Data is from Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) without obstetric units and healthcare providers involved in obstetric care and transport at hospitals with varying levels of obstetric capacity in Montana.

Study Design: This mixed-methods study involved surveying CAHs without obstetric units about the hospitals' capacity for obstetric emergencies and transport policies.

Aging impairs cold-induced beige adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolic reprogramming.

The energy-burning capability of beige adipose tissue is a potential therapeutic tool for reducing obesity and metabolic disease, but this capacity is decreased by aging. Here, we evaluate the impact of aging on the profile and activity of adipocyte stem and progenitor cells (ASPCs) and adipocytes during the beiging process in mice. We found that aging increases the expression of and other fibro-inflammatory genes in fibroblastic ASPCs and blocks their differentiation into beige adipocytes.

Patient-centered respectful maternity care: a factor analysis contextualizing marginalized identities, trust, and informed choice.

Background: Increasing rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, coupled with ever-widening racial health disparities in maternal health outcomes, indicate that radical improvements need to be made in the delivery of maternity care. This study explored the provision of patient-centered maternity care from the perspective of pregnant and postpartum people; experiences of respect and autonomy were examined through the multi-dimensional contexts of identity, relational trust, and protection of informed choices.

Methods: We conducted primary data collection among individuals who experienced a pregnancy in the five years preceding the survey (N = 484) using the validated Mothers on Respect Index (MORi) and Mothers Autonomy in Decision Making (MADM) scale.

Urologic Presentation of Unicentric Pediatric Castleman Disease in the Setting of Acute Renal Colic.

An 11-year-old otherwise healthy female presented with renal colic and during computed tomography imaging evaluation, she was found to have a right distal ureteral stone with associated hydroureteronephrosis, medially deviated ureter, and 4-cm solid retroperitoneal mass. The mass was palpable on physical exam and was further categorized with magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and laboratory testing. A multidisciplinary team approach, including pediatric surgery, radiology, oncology, and urology, led to the patient undergoing a right retrograde pyelogram, ureteroscopy with stent placement, and laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal mass.

Antibody blockade of activin type II receptors preserves skeletal muscle mass and enhances fat loss during GLP-1 receptor agonism.

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists reduce food intake, producing remarkable weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. While much of this weight loss is fat mass, there is also a loss of lean mass, similar to other approaches that induce calorie deficit. Targeting signaling pathways that regulate skeletal muscle hypertrophy is a promising avenue to preserve lean mass and modulate body composition.

Eleven strategies for making reproducible research and open science training the norm at research institutions.

Reproducible research and open science practices have the potential to accelerate scientific progress by allowing others to reuse research outputs, and by promoting rigorous research that is more likely to yield trustworthy results. However, these practices are uncommon in many fields, so there is a clear need for training that helps and encourages researchers to integrate reproducible research and open science practices into their daily work. Here, we outline eleven strategies for making training in these practices the norm at research institutions.

Operationalizing risk-appropriate perinatal care in a rural US State: directions for policy and practice.

Background: Risk-appropriate care improves outcomes by ensuring birthing people and infants receive care at a facility prepared to meet their needs. Perinatal regionalization has particular importance in rural areas where pregnant people might not live in a community with a birthing facility or specialty care. Limited research focuses on operationalizing risk-appropriate care in rural and remote settings.

Systematic Evaluation of Hematologic Parameters and Blood Smear Findings in Patients With SARS-CoV-2 vs Other Viral Respiratory Infections.

Objectives: We evaluated and compared the peripheral blood findings in patients with acute COVID-19 vs other viral respiratory infections.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed peripheral blood counts and smear morphology in patients with a positive viral respiratory panel (VRP) or SARS-CoV-2 test.

Results: A total of 97 peripheral blood samples (COVID-19 infection, 53; VRP positive, 44) from 50 patients (mean [SD] age, 45.

Single neurons in the human medial temporal lobe flexibly shift representations across spatial and memory tasks.

Investigations into how individual neurons encode behavioral variables of interest have revealed specific representations in single neurons, such as place and object cells, as well as a wide range of cells with conjunctive encodings or mixed selectivity. However, as most experiments examine neural activity within individual tasks, it is currently unclear if and how neural representations change across different task contexts. Within this discussion, the medial temporal lobe is particularly salient, as it is known to be important for multiple behaviors including spatial navigation and memory, however the relationship between these functions is currently unclear.

Aging impairs cold-induced beige adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolic reprogramming.

The energy-burning capability of beige adipose tissue is a potential therapeutic tool for reducing obesity and metabolic disease, but this capacity is decreased by aging. Here, we evaluate the impact of aging on the profile and activity of adipocyte stem and progenitor cells (ASPCs) and adipocytes during the beiging process. We found that aging increases the expression of and other fibro-inflammatory genes in fibroblastic ASPCs and blocks their differentiation into beige adipocytes.

Telehealth Adoption During COVID-19: Lessons Learned from Obstetric Providers in the Rocky Mountain West.

Introduction: Obstetric providers have used telemedicine to manage gestational diabetes, mental health, and prenatal care. However, the uptake of telemedicine in this field has not been universal. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the adoption of telehealth in obstetric care, which will have lasting effects, especially for rural communities.

Single neurons in the human medial temporal lobe flexibly shift representations across spatial and memory tasks.

Investigations into how individual neurons encode behavioral variables of interest have revealed specific representations in single neurons, such as place and object cells, as well as a wide range of cells with conjunctive encodings or mixed selectivity. However, as most experiments examine neural activity within individual tasks, it is currently unclear if and how neural representations change across different task contexts. Within this discussion, the medial temporal lobe is particularly salient, as it is known to be important for multiple behaviors including spatial navigation and memory, however the relationship between these functions is currently unclear.

Ten simple rules for implementing open and reproducible research practices after attending a training course.

Open, reproducible, and replicable research practices are a fundamental part of science. Training is often organized on a grassroots level, offered by early career researchers, for early career researchers. Buffet style courses that cover many topics can inspire participants to try new things; however, they can also be overwhelming.

HSF1 is a driver of leukemia stem cell self-renewal in acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is maintained by self-renewing leukemic stem cells (LSCs). A fundamental problem in treating AML is that conventional therapy fails to eliminate LSCs, which can reinitiate leukemia. Heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), a central regulator of the stress response, has emerged as an important target in cancer therapy.

A thorny matter: Spur cell anemia.

Spur cell anemia (SCA) is an acquired form of non-autoimmune hemolytic anemia that occurs in advanced liver disease. It is characterized by the presence of acanthocytes or spur cells, spiculated erythrocytes whose shortened life span causes anemia that is unresponsive to transfusion. SCA has been regarded as a rare condition with an ominous prognosis for which the only known cure is liver transplantation, but recent prospective studies have demonstrated the existence of a milder form of SCA in which there are smaller numbers of acanthocytes, but which is nevertheless associated with hemolysis and poor outcomes.

Finding the best fit for improving reproducibility: reflections from the QUEST Center for Responsible Research.

Increasing the reproducibility and trustworthiness of biomedical research requires engaging stakeholders from all levels in an institutional setting. The QUEST Center for Responsible Research aims to develop and implement new approaches to improve the culture and practice of research, tailored to the needs of these stakeholders. Members of the QUEST Center organised a brainstorm to reflect on the challenges and new opportunities encountered in implementing different projects through QUEST and share the lessons that working groups have learned over the first five years.

Recommendations for empowering early career researchers to improve research culture and practice.

Early career researchers (ECRs) are important stakeholders leading efforts to catalyze systemic change in research culture and practice. Here, we summarize the outputs from a virtual unconventional conference (unconference), which brought together 54 invited experts from 20 countries with extensive experience in ECR initiatives designed to improve the culture and practice of science. Together, we drafted 2 sets of recommendations for (1) ECRs directly involved in initiatives or activities to change research culture and practice; and (2) stakeholders who wish to support ECRs in these efforts.

How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference.

Many conferences and in-person meetings have transitioned to virtual platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we share strategies and lessons learned from organizing an international virtual unconventional conference, or 'unconference'. The event focused on how early career researchers can advocate for systemic improvements in scientific publishing and research culture.

Inducible hepatic expression of CREBH mitigates diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis in mice.

Cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein H (CREBH encoded by Creb3l3) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes that control lipid and glucose metabolism as well as inflammation. CREBH is upregulated in the liver under conditions of overnutrition, and mice globally lacking the gene (CREBH) are highly susceptible to diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. The net protective effects of CREBH have been attributed in large part to the activities of fibroblast growth factor (Fgf)-21 (Fgf21), a target gene that promotes weight loss, improves glucose homeostasis, and reduces hepatic lipid accumulation.