Behavioral microanalyses refine sign-tracking characterization and uncover different response dynamics during omission and extinction learning.

Sign-tracking, a conditioned response in which animals engage with reward-predictive cues, is a powerful behavioral tool for assessing Pavlovian motivation. In rodents, it is most frequently studied via automatic readouts, such as deflections of levers that act as reward cues. These readouts have been immensely helpful, but they may not be ideal for some tasks and paradigms.

Novel Metabolites as Potential Indicators of Recovery After Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: A Pilot Study.

Serum metabolome changes after acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but the significance of this is poorly understood. We evaluated whether this change is associated with AIS outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). To improve validity, we combined cross-sectional and longitudinal designs and analyzed serum using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).

Targeting cell surface VISTA expression on allospecific naïve T cells promotes tolerance.

The success of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) can be limited by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). T-cell activation is a key factor in GVHD progression. Costimulatory signals can be counterbalanced by co-inhibitory signals such as the checkpoint molecule VISTA (V-domain Ig-containing suppressor of T-cell activation)/PD-1H that restrains activation and maintains donor T-cell quiescence.

Identifying Predictors of Extended Intensive Care Unit Stay Following Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Analysis of 101 ACS NSQIP Pediatric Participating Centers.

Background: While prolonged operative time and increased levels fused have been shown to increase the risk of prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) length-of-stay (LOS), studies are limited in guiding decision-making regarding the need for intensive care postoperatively. This is especially the case among the cohort of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF); associations between comorbidities and ICU LOS are not well-delineated.

Methods: AIS patients who underwent PSF from January 1st, 2016 to December 1st, 2016 at 101 participating centers were identified using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Im-provement Project (NSQIP) Pediatric database.

Improving vascular access knowledge and assessment skill of hemodialysis staff.

Context: Vascular access malfunction and failure contribute to morbidity and hospitalization in hemodialysis populations. Although controversy still exists over the identification and appropriate management of access malfunction, recognition of sentinel signs during physical examination remains an efficient way to screen for access malfunction. Dialysis staff are on the front line of providing quality care to dialysis patients, often being the first ones who could detect early physical signs of access malfunction.

Impacts of the US CDC recommendation on human papillomavirus vaccine uptake, 2010-2015.

Objectives: As one type of vaccine policy, the effectiveness and spillover effects of the US CDC vaccine recommendations are inadequately evaluated. This study aims to fully evaluate its impacts on male adults, in addition to children, using better data.

Design: A before-after study design to examine the CDC's 2011 HPV vaccine recommendation for men aged 11-21.

Training young adults as community health workers specializing in pediatric to adult health care transition to support emerging adults with sickle cell disease.

Background: Transition to adulthood is a vulnerable time for emerging adults (16-25 years of age) with sickle cell disease (SCD), as there is a seven-fold increase in mortality rates during the transition period. Emerging adults with SCD also have the highest rates of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and hospital readmissions compared to other age groups. Community health worker (CHW) programs have been developed to address outcomes such as patient activation which includes an individual's knowledge, skill, and confidence for managing one's health and healthcare, quality of life, and healthcare utilization for patients with chronic illnesses.

SEC-SAXS/MC Ensemble Structural Studies of the Microtubule Binding Protein Cdt1 Show Monomeric, Folded-Over Conformations.

Cdt1 is a mixed folded protein critical for DNA replication licensing and it also has a "moonlighting" role at the kinetochore via direct binding to microtubules and the Ndc80 complex. However, it is unknown how the structure and conformations of Cdt1 could allow it to participate in these multiple, unique sets of protein complexes. While robust methods exist to study entirely folded or unfolded proteins, structure-function studies of combined, mixed folded/disordered proteins remain challenging.

Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production by MOF-Derived Metal Oxide Heterojunctions with a 10.0 % Apparent Quantum Yield.

Photocatalytic hydrogen production offers an alternative pathway to establish a sustainable energy economy, utilizing the Earth's natural sunlight and water resources to address environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel combustion. While numerous photoactive materials exhibit high potential for generating hydrogen from water, the synergy achieved by combining two different materials with complementary properties in the form of heterojunctions can significantly enhance the rate of hydrogen production and quantum efficiency. Our study describes the design and generation of the metal-organic framework-derived (MOF) metal oxide heterojunction herein referred to as RTTA, composed of RuO/N,S-TiO.

A role for the dorsolateral striatum in prospective action control.

The dorsolateral striatum (DLS) is important for performing actions persistently, even when it becomes suboptimal, reflecting a function that is reflexive and habitual. However, there are also ways in which persistent behaviors can result from a more prospective, planning mode of behavior. To help tease apart these possibilities for DLS function, we trained animals to perform a lever press for reward and then inhibited the DLS in key test phases: as the task shifted from a 1-press to a 3-press rule (upshift), as the task was maintained, as the task shifted back to the one-press rule (downshift), and when rewards came independent of pressing.

Enteric glia regulate Paneth cell secretion and intestinal microbial ecology.

Glial cells of the enteric nervous system (ENS) interact closely with the intestinal epithelium and secrete signals that influence epithelial cell proliferation and barrier formation . Whether these interactions are important however, is unclear because previous studies reached conflicting conclusions [1]. To better define the roles of enteric glia in steady state regulation of the intestinal epithelium, we characterized the glia in closest proximity to epithelial cells and found that the majority express in both mice and humans.

Exercise-induced β2-adrenergic Receptor Activation Enhances the Antileukemic Activity of Expanded γδ T-Cells via DNAM-1 Upregulation and PVR/Nectin-2 Recognition.

Unlabelled: Exercise mobilizes cytotoxic lymphocytes to blood which may allow superior cell products to be harvested and manufactured for cancer therapy. Gamma-Delta (γδ) T-cells have shown promise for treating solid tumors, but there is a need to increase their potency against hematologic malignancies. Here, we show that human γδ T-cells mobilized to blood in response to just 20 minutes of graded exercise have surface phenotypes and transcriptomic profiles associated with cytotoxicity, adhesion, migration, and cytokine signaling.

SAXS/MC studies of the mixed-folded protein Cdt1 reveal monomeric, folded over conformations.

Cdt1 is a protein critical for DNA replication licensing and is well-established to be a binding partner of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex. Cdt1 has also been demonstrated to have an emerging, "moonlighting" role at the kinetochore via direct binding to microtubules and to the Ndc80 complex. However, it is not known how the structure and conformations of Cdt1 could allow for these multiple, completely unique sets of protein complexes.

Interspecific killing of wolverines by one wolf pack.

Interactions between different species of predators are not uncommon, yet they are generally understudied in North America. Across their range, gray wolves () and wolverines () occupy similar habitats and dietary niches. However, due to the elusiveness and relatively low density of these two species, interactions between them are not well documented.

Multivariate metal-organic frameworks generated through post-synthetic modification: impact and future directions.

Reticular chemistry has proven to be invaluable over time, thanks to the structural versatility, and tailored porosity observed in structures like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), and metal-organic polyhedra (MOPs). Despite the wide array of ligands and metals available for synthesizing MOFs, they are still somewhat constrained by the reliance on conditions and the focus on generating MOFs with single ligand and metal. To surpass these limitations, researchers have established strategies to generate multivariate (MTV) MOF structures incorporating more than one ligand/metal into the crystal lattice.

Uracil-DNA glycosylase of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 binds cognate viral replication factors independently of its catalytic residues.

Herpesviruses are large double-stranded DNA viruses that encode core replication proteins and accessory factors involved in nucleotide metabolism and DNA repair. Mammalian uracil-DNA glycosylases (UNG) excise deleterious uracil residues from their genomic DNA. Each herpesvirus UNG studied to date has demonstrated conservation of the enzymatic function to excise uracil residues from DNA.

The role of sex on sign-tracking acquisition and outcome devaluation sensitivity in Long Evans rats.

Cues that predict rewards can trigger reward-seeking behaviors but also can, in some cases, become targets of motivation themselves. One behavioral phenomenon that captures this idea is sign-tracking in which animals, including humans, interact with reward-predictive cues even though it is not necessary to do so. Sign-tracking in rats has been studied in the domain of motivation and in how motivated behaviors can or cannot become excessive and habit-like over time.

Tracking and curating putative SARS-CoV-2 recombinants with RIVET.

Motivation: Identifying and tracking recombinant strains of SARS-CoV-2 is critical to understanding the evolution of the virus and controlling its spread. But confidently identifying SARS-CoV-2 recombinants from thousands of new genome sequences that are being shared online every day is quite challenging, causing many recombinants to be missed or suffer from weeks of delay in being formally identified while undergoing expert curation.

Results: We present RIVET-a software pipeline and visual platform that takes advantage of recent algorithmic advances in recombination inference to comprehensively and sensitively search for potential SARS-CoV-2 recombinants and organize the relevant information in a web interface that would help greatly accelerate the process of identifying and tracking recombinants.

Temporal partitioning and the potential for avoidance behaviour within South African carnivore communities.

Carnivora occupy many ecological niches fundamental to ecosystem functioning. Within this diverse order, carnivore species compete to establish dominance, ensure survival and maintain fitness. Subordinate carnivores must, therefore, adapt their behaviour to coexist with dominant species.

Nucleus accumbens core acetylcholine receptors modulate the balance of flexible and inflexible cue-directed motivation.

Sign-tracking is a conditioned response where animals interact with reward-predictive cues due to the cues having motivational value, or incentive salience. The nucleus accumbens core (NAc) has been implicated in mediating the sign-tracking response. Additionally, acetylcholine (ACh) transmission throughout the striatum has been attributed to both incentive motivation and behavioral flexibility.

The impacts of the 340B Program on health care quality for low-income patients.

Objective: To assess the effects of hospital 340B eligibility on quality of inpatient care provided to Medicaid and uninsured patients and for all patients.

Data: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Data, Hospital Cost Reporting Information System Data, Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System Data, and American Hospital Association Annual Survey.

Design: Regression discontinuity design comparing hospitals just above the DSH percentage program eligibility threshold to those just below.