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.

Vascular network-inspired diffusible scaffolds for engineering functional neural organoids.

Organoids, three-dimensional in vitro organ-like tissue cultures derived from stem cells, show promising potential for developmental biology, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. However, the function and phenotype of current organoids, especially neural organoids, are still limited by insufficient diffusion of oxygen, nutrients, metabolites, signaling molecules, and drugs. Herein, we present Vascular network-Inspired Diffusible (VID) scaffolds to fully recapture the benefits of physiological diffusion physics for generating functional organoids and phenotyping their drug response.

Oncofertility care for children, adolescents, and young adults at risk for treatment-related fertility loss.

As therapy for childhood malignancies becomes more sophisticated and survival has improved, long-term therapy-related sequelae have emerged. Loss of reproductive potential among childhood cancer survivors is one such concern that has become increasingly recognized among patients, families, and healthcare providers. The risk status for infertility based upon therapy received, state of current reproductive technology and outcomes, and an emphasis on adequate referral and counseling for fertility preservation options are reviewed.

Consistent changes in muscle phenotype and mitochondrial abundance underlie dive performance across multiple lineages of diving ducks.

Diving animals must sustain high muscle activity with finite oxygen (O2) to forage underwater. Studies have shown that some diving mammals exhibit changes in the metabolic phenotype of locomotory muscles compared with non-divers, but the pervasiveness of such changes across diving animals is unclear, particularly among diving birds. Here, we examined whether changes in muscle phenotype and mitochondrial abundance are associated with dive capacity across 17 species of ducks from three distinct evolutionary clades (tribes) in the subfamily Anatinae: the longest diving sea ducks, the mid-tier diving pochards and the non-diving dabblers.

Examining Results of Post-Thelarche Screening Pelvic Ultrasound in Females with Anorectal Malformations.

Study Objective: Mullerian duct anomalies are common in females with anorectal malformations (ARMs), although there are no universally recommended screening protocols for identification. Historically, at our institution, we have recommended a screening pelvic ultrasound (PUS) 6 months after thelarche and menarche. We aimed to evaluate outcomes associated with our post-thelarche screening PUS in females with ARMs.

The Shared Ovary: A Multidisciplinary Discussion With Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.

Pediatric and adolescent ovarian lesions are common and are frequently managed by both pediatric surgeons and pediatric and adolescent gynecologists. During the 2023 American Academy of Pediatric Section on Surgery meeting, an educational symposium was delivered focusing on various aspects of management of pediatric and adolescent benign and malignant masses, borderline lesions, and fertility options for children and adolescents undergoing cancer therapies. This article highlights the discussion during this symposium.

Proximal humeral multiple fragment fractures in patients over 55: Comparison between Conservative treatment and Plate Fixation.

Proximal humerus fractures account for about 5% of fragility fractures. These involve a significant burden of disability and a reduced quality of life. This study aims to compare functional results and surgical outcomes (closed reduction and internal fixation with the internal closure system of the proximal humerus) and the conservative management of proximal humerus fractures by 2-, 3-, 4-parts, in patients older than 55 years.

Deciphering Endothelial and Mesenchymal Organ Specification in Vascularized Lung and Intestinal Organoids.

Unlabelled: To investigate the co-development of vasculature, mesenchyme, and epithelium crucial for organogenesis and the acquisition of organ-specific characteristics, we constructed a human pluripotent stem cell-derived organoid system comprising lung or intestinal epithelium surrounded by organotypic mesenchyme and vasculature. We demonstrated the pivotal role of co-differentiating mesoderm and endoderm via precise BMP regulation in generating multilineage organoids and gut tube patterning. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed organ specificity in endothelium and mesenchyme, and uncovered key ligands driving endothelial specification in the lung (e.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Care after Gonadotoxic Treatment in Females at a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital.

Study Objectives: Recommendations from the Children's Oncology Group Long-Term Follow-Up (COG-LTFU) Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer emphasize the importance of reproductive health care, yet little is known regarding adherence to these recommendations and non-fertility-related sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes.

Methods: Follow-up of outcomes on the basis of the COG-LTFU guidelines was assessed in female patients who underwent fertility preservation consultation before gonadotoxic therapy between 2016 and 2022 at a single institution and were at least 6 months from treatment completion.

Results: We included 140 patients, with a mean time of 2.

High-altitude adaptation is accompanied by strong signatures of purifying selection in the mitochondrial genomes of three Andean waterfowl.

Evidence from a variety of organisms points to convergent evolution on the mitochondria associated with a physiological response to oxygen deprivation or temperature stress, including mechanisms for high-altitude adaptation. Here, we examine whether demography and/or selection explains standing mitogenome nucleotide diversity in high-altitude adapted populations of three Andean waterfowl species: yellow-billed pintail (Anas georgica), speckled teal (Anas flavirostris), and cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera). We compared a total of 60 mitogenomes from each of these three duck species (n = 20 per species) across low and high altitudes and tested whether part(s) or all of the mitogenome exhibited expected signatures of purifying selection within the high-altitude populations of these species.

RAAS-deficient organoids indicate delayed angiogenesis as a possible cause for autosomal recessive renal tubular dysgenesis.

Autosomal Recessive Renal Tubular Dysgenesis (AR-RTD) is a fatal genetic disorder characterized by complete absence or severe depletion of proximal tubules (PT) in patients harboring pathogenic variants in genes involved in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System. To uncover the pathomechanism of AR-RTD, differentiation of ACE-/- and AGTR1-/- induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and AR-RTD patient-derived iPSCs into kidney organoids is leveraged. Comprehensive marker analyses show that both mutant and control organoids generate indistinguishable PT in vitro under normoxic (21% O2) or hypoxic (2% O2) conditions.

Mobile Application Measurement of Menstrual Cycle Characteristics and Their Association with Dysmenorrhea and Activity Limitation in Early Adolescents.

Objective: Real-time tracking of menstrual bleeding is a barrier to research due to limitations with traditional data collection tools. This prospective cohort study utilized a mobile application (TDot app) in young adolescents aged 10-14 years to assess the relationship between heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), dysmenorrhea, and activity limitation.

Methods: Menstrual cycles were captured over six months in real-time using the Pictorial Blood loss Assessment Chart (PBAC).

Model-based geostatistical design and analysis of prevalence for soil-transmitted helminths in Kenya: Results from ten-years of the Kenya national school-based deworming programme.

Background: Kenya is endemic for soil-transmitted helminths (STH) with over 6 million children in 27 counties currently at-risk. A national school-based deworming programme (NSBDP) was launched in 2012 with a goal to eliminate parasitic worms as a public health problem. This study used model-based geostatistical (MBG) approach to design and analyse the impact of the NSBDP and inform treatment strategy changes.

Consistent changes in muscle metabolism underlie dive performance across multiple lineages of diving ducks.

Diving animals must sustain high activity with limited O stores to successfully capture prey. Studies suggest that increasing body O stores supports breath-hold diving, but less is known about metabolic specializations that underlie underwater locomotion. We measured maximal activities of 10 key enzymes in locomotory muscles (gastrocnemius and pectoralis) to identify biochemical changes associated with diving in pathways of oxidative and substrate-level phosphorylation and compared them across three groups of ducks-the longest diving sea ducks (eight spp.

Müllerian Agenesis in a patient with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome: A Case Series and Review of the Overlapping Developmental Biologic Pathways.

Background: Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a multi-system neurodevelopmental condition caused by deficiency of CREBBP (16p13.3) or EP300 (22q13.2).

Assessment of post-concussion emotional symptom load using PCSS and PROMIS instruments in pediatric patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) anxiety and depressive symptom domains in conjunction with the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS)for identifying pediatric patients with emotional symptoms following a concussion, and to identify predictors of higher emotional symptom loads.

Methods: We recruited English-speaking patients aged 8-17 years presenting to a tertiary-care concussion clinic from 2014 to 2018 ( = 458). Demographics and clinical data including PCSS, injury date, previous history of anxiety/depression, and Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Screen (VOMS) were collected from patients' electronic medical records.

Diagnosis of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: How to Stay out of Trouble?

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is the most common hip disorder affecting children and adolescents aged between 9 and 16 years, affecting approximately 10 per 100,000 children per year. The diagnosis of SCFE is often delayed, leading to an increased risk of complications. This study aims to provide the latest evidence concerning the causes of diagnostic delay and risk factors for SCFE and to educate general practitioners and paediatricians to help reduce delays in diagnosis and provide earlier therapeutic intervention.

Effectiveness of Therapeutical Interventions on the Scapulothoracic Complex in the Management of Patients with Subacromial Impingement and Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review.

Shoulder pain is one the most common musculoskeletal complaints. The most common pathological causes of shoulder pain in the general population are subacromial impingement syndrome and adhesive capsulitis, commonly referred to as "frozen shoulder". The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the scapulo-thoracic complex, particularly in scapular kinematic functions, in rehabilitative interventions for shoulder pain in patients suffering from these two common conditions.