Transposon Removal Reveals Their Adaptive Fitness Contribution.

Transposable elements are molecular parasites that persist in their host genome by generating new copies to outpace natural selection. Transposable elements exert a large influence on host genome evolution, in some cases providing adaptive changes. Here we measure the fitness effect of the transposable element insertions in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe type strain by removing all insertions of its only native transposable element family, the long terminal repeat retrotransposon Tf2.

The Use of Image Guided Programming to Improve Deep Brain Stimulation Workflows with Directional Leads in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a preferred treatment for parkinsonian patients with severe motor fluctuations. Proper targeting of the STN sensorimotor segment appears to be a crucial factor for success of the procedure. The recent introduction of directional leads theoretically increases stimulation specificity in this challenging area but also requires more precise stimulation parameters.

Mouse genome rewriting and tailoring of three important disease loci.

Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) help us to understand human pathologies and develop new therapies, yet faithfully recapitulating human diseases in mice is challenging. Advances in genomics have highlighted the importance of non-coding regulatory genome sequences, which control spatiotemporal gene expression patterns and splicing in many human diseases. Including regulatory extensive genomic regions, which requires large-scale genome engineering, should enhance the quality of disease modelling.

Calcification of the ascending aorta, left heart valves and coronaries: associated diseases and a new classification.

The topography of vascular and valvular calcification could help accurately predict cardiovascular post-operative complications. The data on these calcifications remains scarce. Identify the topographic distribution of the ascending aortic, left heart valves and coronary calcifications.

Depression-, Pain-, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objectives: A significant number of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have depression, and many are untreated. We aim to assess the frequency of moderate to severe depression (MSD) in a multiethnic group of SLE patients with different sociodemographic backgrounds, identify modifiable factors associated with depression, and determine the impact of depression, disease activity, damage, cognitive function, and pain severity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: Ninety-nine patients with SLE were evaluated in a cross-sectional study.