Comparative mechanisms for O storage and metabolism in two Florida diving birds: the anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) and the double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum).

Air-breathing vertebrates face many physiological challenges while breath-hold diving. In particular, they must endure intermittent periods of declining oxygen (O) stores, as well as the need to rapidly replenish depleted O at the surface prior to their next dive. While many species show adaptive increases in the O storage capacity of the blood or muscles, others increase the oxidative capacity of the muscles through changes in mitochondrial arrangement, abundance, or remodeling of key metabolic pathways.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria from hospital wastewater pipes: isolation, characterization and biofilm control using common disinfectants.

Background: Hospital wastewater systems have been identified as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with biofilms harbouring extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing micro-organisms posing significant infection risk.

Aim: To study the antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm control of ESBL-producing bacteria from wastewater pipes from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Ireland, which had experienced endemic infection outbreaks caused by ESBL-producing bacteria.

Methods: Following isolation of ESBL producers on selective agar, antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined for a number of antibiotics assessed for their ability to form biofilms.

More than just the gene: investigating expression using a non-native plasmid and host and its impact on resistance conferred by β-lactamase OXA-58 isolated from a hospital wastewater microbiome.

With the escalation of hospital-acquired infections by multidrug resistant bacteria, understanding antibiotic resistance is of paramount importance. This study focuses on the β-lactamase gene, blaOXA-58, an important resistance determinant identified in a patient-facing hospital wastewater system. This study aimed to characterize the behaviour of the OXA-58 enzyme when expressed using a non-native plasmid and expression host.

Integrating collecting systems in kidney organoids through fusion of distal nephron to ureteric bud.

The kidney maintains homeostasis through an array of parallel nephrons, which all originate in development as isolated epithelial structures that later fuse through their distal poles to a system of collecting ducts (CD). This connection is required to generate functional nephrons by providing a pathway for excretion of metabolic waste and byproducts. Currently, methods for differentiating human pluripotent stem cells into kidney organoids generate nephrons that lack CDs and instead terminate as blind-ended tubules.

Adult Obstetricians and Gynecologists Lack Knowledge of Anorectal Malformations-A Call for Action.

Objective: Patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs) may have concurrent gynecologic abnormalities. As patients grow, they typically transition from pediatric subspeciality care and seek adult obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN)-related services. We aimed to assess adult OB/GYN physicians' knowledge, competency, and comfort regarding meeting the sexual and reproductive health care needs of patients with ARMs.