Adding Virome Capture Metagenomic Sequencing to Conventional Laboratory Testing Increases Unknown Fever Etiology Determination in Bamako, Mali.

Unexplained fever poses significant diagnostic challenges in resource-limited settings like Bamako, Mali, where overlapping endemic diseases include malaria, HIV/AIDS, yellow fever, typhoid, and others. This study aimed to elucidate the infectious etiologies of acute febrile illnesses in this context. Acute febrile patients of any age were enrolled after informed consent or assent.

Adjustable Phonatory PEEP to Treat Dysphonia: A Preliminary Investigation of Progressive Masked Voice Exercises (PMVE).

The Progressive Masked Voice Exercises (PMVE) with an innovative semioccluded ventilation mask fitted and adjustable positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) valve was evaluated. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the PMVE with the PEEP device and the Vocal Function Exercise (VFE) program on acoustic, auditory-perceptual, aerodynamic, and self-report measures. Twenty-five participants diagnosed with voice disorders met the criteria.

Surveillance and agnostic capture sequencing of samples from individuals with rash-associated illness in Mali indicates regional transmission of measles virus from West and Central Africa.

Measles is vaccine-preventable extremely contagious disease caused by the measles virus. High vaccination coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks of disease. Although molecular surveillance of measles is critical to characterize outbreaks and track viral evolution, few whole-genome sequences of measles virus from West Africa are available despite continual outbreaks in the region.

Application of Pan-Viral Metagenomic Sequencing on United States Air Force Academy Wastewater to Uncover Potential Causes of Acute Gastroenteritis.

Introduction: Wastewater surveillance is an important technique to monitor public health and is being studied extensively for pandemic prevention, force health protection and readiness, and as a potential early warning system for chem-bio defense. Wastewater surveillance has traditionally relied on techniques such as quantitative PCR or targeted sequencing, both of which are microbe- or disease-specific tools. Newer pan-viral metagenomics strategies may provide higher specificity for pathogens of interest, resulting in a lower false negative rate and reduced sequencing of undesired background nucleic acids.

Longitudinal monitoring of hypertonia through a multimodal sensing glove.

As clinical evaluations of neuromuscular disorders such as hypertonia mostly rely on perception-based scales, the imprecise subjective ratings make it difficult to accurately monitor treatment progress. To promote objective evaluation, this work used a multi-modal sensing glove in a double-blind study to enable sensitive monitoring of medication effects across 19 participants. The biomechanical measurements from the sensing glove effectively distinguished patient cohorts receiving a baclofen treatment or a placebo with 95% confidence.

SIRT6 loss causes intervertebral disc degeneration in mice by promoting senescence and SASP status.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a major risk factor contributing to chronic low back and neck pain. While the etiological factors for disc degeneration vary, age is still one of the most important risk factors. Recent studies have shown the promising role of SIRT6 in mammalian aging and skeletal tissue health, however its role in the intervertebral disc health remains unexplored.

High-throughput DNA engineering by mating bacteria.

To reduce the operational friction and scale DNA engineering, we report here an DNA assembly technology platform called SCRIVENER (equential onjugation and ecombination for n ivo longation of ucleotides with low rors). SCRIVENER combines bacterial conjugation, DNA cutting, and homologous recombination to seamlessly stitch blocks of DNA together by mating in large arrays or pools. This workflow is simpler, cheaper, and higher throughput than current DNA assembly approaches that require DNA to be moved in and out of cells at different procedural steps.

Clinical, Radiological and Pathological Features of a Large American Cohort of Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA27B).

Objectives: Spinocerebellar ataxia 27B due to GAA repeat expansions in the fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) gene has recently been recognized as a common cause of late-onset hereditary cerebellar ataxia. Here we present the first report of this disease in the US population, characterizing its clinical manifestations, disease progression, pathological abnormalities, and response to 4-aminopyridine in a cohort of 102 patients bearing GAA repeat expansions.

Methods: We compiled a series of patients with SCA27B, recruited from 5 academic centers across the United States.

Offshore windfarm construction elevates metabolic rate and increases predation vulnerability of a key marine invertebrate.

A global increase in offshore windfarm development is critical to our renewable energy future. Yet, widespread construction plans have generated substantial concern for impacts to co-occurring organisms and the communities they form. Pile driving construction, prominent in offshore windfarm development, produces among the highest amplitude sounds in the ocean creating widespread concern for a diverse array of taxa.

Oral citrate supplementation mitigates age-associated pathological intervertebral disc calcification in LG/J mice.

Despite the high prevalence of age-dependent intervertebral disc calcification, there is a glaring lack of treatment options for this debilitating pathology. Here, we investigate the efficacy of long-term oral KCitrate supplementation in ameliorating disc calcification in LG/J mice, a model of spontaneous age-associated disc calcification. KCitrate successfully reduced the incidence of disc calcification in LG/J mice without deleterious effects on vertebral bone structure, plasma chemistry, and locomotion.

Management of chronic kidney disease for Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand: a summary of clinical practice guidelines.

Aims: The kaupapa of the Caring for Australians and New Zealanders with Kidney Impairment (CARI) Clinical practice guidelines for management of chronic kidney disease for Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand is to provide whānau-centred and evidence-based recommendations to healthcare systems, healthcare providers and healthcare workers. The guidelines include screening, identification, management and system-level responses to chronic kidney disease (CKD) to deliver best practice care to Māori affected by CKD across community, primary and secondary services.

Methods: The guidelines are funded by the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora and are written by a panel of Māori and non-Māori clinicians and literacy experts across Aotearoa New Zealand from Kaupapa Māori organisations, general practice and nephrology units using standardised methods.

The loss of OPA1 accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritis in aged mice.

NP cells of the intervertebral disc and articular chondrocytes reside in avascular and hypoxic tissue niches. As a consequence of these environmental constraints the cells are primarily glycolytic in nature and were long thought to have a minimal reliance on mitochondrial function. Recent studies have challenged this long-held view and highlighted the increasingly important role of mitochondria in the physiology of these tissues.

Non-specialized care of skin disorders: a cross-sectional survey of new patients attending dermatology clinic in a tertiary hospital in Jos, Northcentral Nigeria.

Background: Given the paucity of skin health specialists in Nigeria and the low level of awareness amongst its populace, patients seek for care for skin related disorders from different sources and are given a variety of remedies before accessing specialist care.

Objectives: This study was aimed at describing outlets visited and medication received by patients with skin disorders prior to attending the dermatology outpatient clinic in JUTH.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted over one year.

Statewide Initiative to Reduce Patient Radiation Doses During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Improved radiation safety practices are needed across hospitals performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study was performed to assess the temporal trend in PCI radiation doses concurrent with the conduct of a statewide radiation safety initiative.

Methods: A statewide initiative to reduce PCI radiation doses was conducted in Michigan between 2017 and 2021 and included focused radiation safety education, reporting of institutional radiation doses, and implementation of radiation performance metrics for hospitals.

OPA1 protects intervertebral disc and knee joint health in aged mice by maintaining the structure and metabolic functions of mitochondria.

Unlabelled: Due to their glycolytic nature and limited vascularity, nucleus pulposus (NP) cells of the intervertebral disc and articular chondrocytes were long thought to have minimal reliance on mitochondrial function. Recent studies have challenged this long-held view and highlighted the increasingly important role of mitochondria in the physiology of these tissues. We investigated the role of mitochondrial fusion protein OPA1 in maintaining the spine and knee joint health in aging mice.

Exploring disparities in malnutrition among under-five children in Nigeria and potential solutions: a scoping review.

Introduction: Triple burden of malnutrition in children remains a significant public health issue. This scoping review aims to assess the information on undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and the quality of complementary feeding in various regions in Nigeria.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases from January 1, 2018 to January 31, 2023 to include studies focusing on 0 to 5 years old children in Nigeria, reporting data on nutritional status, nutrient deficiencies, and published in English.

Redox-active endosomes mediate α5β1 integrin signaling and promote chondrocyte matrix metalloproteinase production in osteoarthritis.

Mechanical cues sensed by integrins induce cells to produce proteases to remodel the extracellular matrix. Excessive protease production occurs in many degenerative diseases, including osteoarthritis, in which articular cartilage degradation is associated with the genesis of matrix protein fragments that can activate integrins. We investigated the mechanisms by which integrin signals may promote protease production in response to matrix changes in osteoarthritis.

The landscape of current research on pediatric diffuse midline glioma: a quantitative analysis of shifts, leaders, and future avenues.

Purpose: Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) has seen a surge of research interest in recent years with the growth in knowledge of new avenues for potential treatments. However, no bibliometric review of the field has been conducted to visualize the current state of the field. Here, we use bibliometric mapping to visualize the knowledge structure, collaborations, and trends in the field.

Driving Spray Drying towards Better Yield: Tackling a Problem That Sticks Around.

Powder deposition and accumulation on walls of spray drying chamber has been known to impact spray drying processes, resulting in lower yield, frequent shutdowns, and downtimes. Critical factors that impact the extent and rate of wall deposition have been studied extensively in the chemical and food industry. In this paper, we present an atypical process yield issue wherein acceptable yield is obtained during the first batch of spray drying but undergoes significant yield loss in consecutive batches.

Cartilage-specific deficiency represses IGF-1 and enhances osteoarthritis severity in mice.

Objectives: Prior studies noted that chondrocyte SIRT6 activity is repressed in older chondrocytes rendering cells susceptible to catabolic signalling events implicated in osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to define the effect of deficiency on the development of post-traumatic and age-associated OA in mice.

Methods: Male cartilage-specific -deficient mice and intact controls underwent destabilisation of the medial meniscus (DMM) or sham surgery at 16 weeks of age and OA severity was analysed at 6 and 10 weeks postsurgery.