Beyond editing, CRISPR/Cas9 for protein localization: an educational primer for use with "A dCas9-based system identifies a central role for Ctf19 in kinetochore-derived suppression of meiotic recombination".

CRISPR/Cas9 has dramatically changed how we conduct genetic research, providing a tool for precise sequence editing. However, new applications of CRISPR/Cas9 have emerged that do not involve nuclease activity. In the accompanying article "A dCas9-based system identifies a central role for Ctf19 in kinetochore-derived suppression of meiotic recombination," Kuhl et al.

An online breathing and wellbeing programme (ENO Breathe) for people with persistent symptoms following COVID-19: a parallel-group, single-blind, randomised controlled trial.

Background: There are few evidence-based interventions for long COVID; however, holistic approaches supporting recovery are advocated. We assessed whether an online breathing and wellbeing programme improves health related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in people with persisting breathlessness following COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a parallel-group, single-blind, randomised controlled trial in patients who had been referred from one of 51 UK-based collaborating long COVID clinics.

Frequent Spindle Assembly Errors Require Structural Rearrangement to Complete Meiosis in .

The success of an organism is contingent upon its ability to faithfully pass on its genetic material. In the meiosis of many species, the process of chromosome segregation requires that bipolar spindles be formed without the aid of dedicated microtubule organizing centers, such as centrosomes. Here, we describe detailed analyses of acentrosomal spindle assembly and disassembly in time-lapse images, from live meiotic cells of .

Aurora B Tension Sensing Mechanisms in the Kinetochore Ensure Accurate Chromosome Segregation.

The accurate segregation of chromosomes is essential for the survival of organisms and cells. Mistakes can lead to aneuploidy, tumorigenesis and congenital birth defects. The spindle assembly checkpoint ensures that chromosomes properly align on the spindle, with sister chromatids attached to microtubules from opposite poles.

The influence of patient size on the overall uncertainty in radiographic dose audit.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of patient and cohort size on the overall uncertainty associated with dose audit using radiography of the abdomen as the exemplar. Water equivalent diameterwas used as the surrogate for patient size and its distribution (()) was used to quantify the effect of sample size. The more precise the kerma area product calibration, the more patients are required in the cohort to have the same impact on the overall uncertainty.

Identification and evaluation of antivirals for Rift Valley fever virus.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is the causative agent of Rift Valley fever (RVF) that affects both livestock and humans. There are neither fully licensed RVF vaccines available for human or animal use, nor effective antiviral drugs approved for human use in the U.S.

Defect Localization and Nanofabrication for Conductive Structures with Voltage Contrast in Helium Ion Microscopy.

As the dimensions of feature sizes in electronic devices decrease to nanoscale, an easy method for failure analysis and evaluation of processing steps is required. Gallium-focused ion beam (Ga-FIB) or scanning electron microscope is an efficient approach to detect voltage contrast for addressing failure analysis in semiconductor devices and processing. However, Ga-FIB may cause damage or implantation to the surface of the analyzed area, and its resolution is low.

Rapid fabrication of solid-state nanopores with high reproducibility over a large area using a helium ion microscope.

The fabrication of solid-state nanopores in an insulating membrane has attracted much attention for biomolecule analysis such as DNA sequencing and detection in recent years. For practical applications and device integration, the challenges include precise size control for sub 10 nm nanopores, excellent repeatability and rapid fabrication over a large area to reduce the cost for mass production. A helium ion beam could provide an effective fabrication approach to produce such solid-state nanopores.

The RING-Type E3 Ligase XBAT35.2 Is Involved in Cell Death Induction and Pathogen Response.

XBAT35 belongs to a subfamily of Arabidopsis () RING-type E3s that are similar in domain architecture to the rice () XA21 Binding Protein3, a defense protein. The transcript undergoes alternative splicing to produce two protein isoforms, XBAT35.1 and XBAT35.

Adjuvants for Animal Vaccines.

Vaccines are essential tools for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in animals. One of the most important steps in vaccine development is the selection of a suitable adjuvant. The focus of this review is the adjuvants used in vaccines for animals.

Mouse model for the Rift Valley fever virus MP12 strain infection.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a Category A pathogen and select agent, is the causative agent of Rift Valley fever. To date, no fully licensed vaccine is available in the U.S.

Pigs immunized with a novel E2 subunit vaccine are protected from subgenotype heterologous classical swine fever virus challenge.

Background: Classical swine fever (CSF) or hog cholera is a highly contagious swine viral disease. CSF endemic countries have to use routine vaccination with modified live virus (MLV) vaccines to prevent and control CSF. However, it is impossible to serologically differentiate MLV vaccinated pigs from those infected with CSF virus (CSFV).

CT chest abdomen pelvis doses in Scotland: has the DRL had its day?

Objective: This article reports on a pilot study designed to collect dose data representative of current CT chest abdomen pelvis (CAP) practice in Scotland, make any immediately obvious interventions and to identify if the current UK diagnostic reference level (DRL) of 940 mGy cm is still appropriate. The aims are to identify if a Scotland-wide picture archiving and communication system (PACS)-based dose audit of a number of CT examinations is likely to have value in terms of optimization of patient doses and to comment on the significance of the results in terms of future optimization strategies.

Methods: Dose audit of CT CAP examinations at 32 different scanner sites across Scotland using accepted data collection and analysis methods.

Reducing assembly complexity of microbial genomes with single-molecule sequencing.

Background: The short reads output by first- and second-generation DNA sequencing instruments cannot completely reconstruct microbial chromosomes. Therefore, most genomes have been left unfinished due to the significant resources required to manually close gaps in draft assemblies. Third-generation, single-molecule sequencing addresses this problem by greatly increasing sequencing read length, which simplifies the assembly problem.

An assessment of lead eyewear in interventional radiology.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has recently issued a proposal to reduce the occupational eye dose limit from 150 to 20 mSv. A series of experiments has been performed to determine the level of protection from scattered radiation afforded to the interventional radiology operator by protective lead glasses, taking into account variation in operator position and angle of head rotation. The lenses of the glasses have a lead equivalence of 0.

Derivation of factors for estimating the scatter of diagnostic x-rays from walls and ceiling slabs.

Computed tomography (CT) scanning rooms and interventional x-ray facilities with heavy workloads may require the installation of shielding to protect against radiation scattered from walls or ceiling slabs. This is particularly important for the protection of those operating x-ray equipment from within control cubicles who may be exposed to radiation scattered from the ceiling over the top of the protective barrier and round the side if a cubicle door is not included. Data available on the magnitude of this tertiary scatter from concrete slabs are limited.

Proposals for revised factors in intra-oral radiography shielding calculations.

The current value for weighted average primary plus scatter kerma at 1 m for intra-oral radiography shielding assessment is based on scatter radiation measurements made with the trunk of a RANDO phantom and an assessment of primary transmission that is unverified. Measurements of primary transmission and scatter radiation during intra-oral radiography were made at 30° intervals through a full 360° rotation using two anthropomorphic head phantoms and similar equipment at three different sites. The results suggest that a scatter factor of 5 µGy (Gy cm(2))(-1) and a primary transmission of 0.

Neon Ion Beam Lithography (NIBL).

Existing techniques for electron- and ion-beam lithography, routinely employed for nanoscale device fabrication and mask/mold prototyping, do not simultaneously achieve efficient (low fluence) exposure and high resolution. We report lithography using neon ions with fluence <1 ion/nm(2), ∼1000× more efficient than using 30 keV electrons, and resolution down to 7 nm half-pitch. This combination of resolution and exposure efficiency is expected to impact a wide array of fields that are dependent on beam-based lithography.

The prospects of a subnanometer focused neon ion beam.

The success of the helium ion microscope has encouraged extensions of this technology to produce beams of other ion species. A review of the various candidate ion beams and their technical prospects suggest that a neon beam might be the most readily achieved. Such a neon beam would provide a sputtering yield that exceeds helium by an order of magnitude while still offering a theoretical probe size less than 1-nm.

Diffraction imaging in a He+ ion beam scanning transmission microscope.

The scanning helium ion microscope has been used in transmission mode to investigate both the feasibility of this approach and the utility of the signal content and the image information available. Operating at 40 keV the penetration of the ion beam, and the imaging resolution achieved, in MgO crystals was found to be in good agreement with values predicted by Monte Carlo modeling. The bright-field and annular dark-field signals displayed the anticipated contrasts associated with beam absorption and scattering.

Vaccines in veterinary medicine: a brief review of history and technology.

The use of vaccines in veterinary medicine has progressed from an experimental adventure to a routine and relatively safe practice. The common and aggressive use of efficacious vaccines has been responsible for the control and eradication of several diseases. Despite progress in research technologies, diagnostic capabilities, and manufacturing methods, there remain many infectious diseases for which no effective vaccines exist.

Effects of active chronic cocaine use on cardiac sympathetic neuronal function assessed by carbon-11-hydroxyephedrine.

Unlabelled: Cardiac toxicity of cocaine has been linked to its inhibitory effect on norepinephrine reuptake by sympathetic nerve terminals of the heart. Carbon-11-hydroxyephedrine is a positron-emitting tracer that has been validated as a highly specific marker for norepinephrine transporter activity of the sympathetic nerve terminals and thus makes possible in vivo assessment of the effect of cocaine on norepinephrine reuptake and storage in the cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals. The aim of the study was to use the catecholamine analog 11C-hydroxyephedrine with PET to determine whether active chronic use of cocaine in women modifies the function of sympathetic nerve terminals of the heart.

Combined PCR-oligonucleotide ligation assay for rapid detection of Salmonella serovars.

We have developed a rapid and sensitive assay for the detection of Salmonella serovars in veterinary clinical specimens. This method utilizes a short cultivation period followed by PCR. For detection of the amplified product, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) was used.