Separation of life stages within anaerobic fungi (Neocallimastigomycota) highlights differences in global transcription and metabolism.

Anaerobic gut fungi of the phylum Neocallimastigomycota are microbes proficient in valorizing low-cost but difficult-to-breakdown lignocellulosic plant biomass. Characterization of different fungal life stages and how they contribute to biomass breakdown are critical for biotechnological applications, yet we lack foundational knowledge about the transcriptional, metabolic, and enzyme secretion behavior of different life stages of anaerobic gut fungi: zoospores, germlings, immature thalli, and mature zoosporangia. A Miracloth-based technique was developed to enrich cell pellets with zoospores - the free-swimming, flagellated, young life stage of anaerobic gut fungi.

Potential Use of Voice-Activated Personal Assistants in Diabetes Prevention and Management: An Exploratory Qualitative Study Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Background: Diabetes affects millions of people in the United States and poses significant health and economic challenges, but it can be prevented or managed through health behavior changes. Such changes might be aided by voice-activated personal assistants (VAPAs), which offer interactive and real-time assistance through features such as reminders, or obtaining health information. However, there are little data on interest and acceptability of integrating VAPAs into programs such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) or diabetes, self-management, education, and support (DSMES) services.

Transcriptomic Analysis of the CAM Species Under Low- and High-Temperature Regimes.

Temperature stress is one of the major limiting environmental factors that negatively impact global crop yields. is an obligate crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant species, exhibiting much higher water-use efficiency and tolerance to drought and heat stresses than C or C plant species. Previous studies on gene expression responses to low- or high-temperature stress have been focused on C and C plants.

Lithium Use During Pregnancy in 14 Countries.

Importance: In pregnancy, the benefits of lithium treatment for relapse prevention in psychiatric conditions must be weighed against potential teratogenic effects. Currently, there is a paucity of information on how and when lithium is used by pregnant women.

Objective: To examine lithium use in the perinatal period.

A survey to determine the zone of equipoise for the Proximal FEmur Resection or Internal Fixation fOR Metastases (PERFORM) randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish a zone of clinical equipoise for the Proximal FEmur Resection or Internal Fixation fOR Metastases (PERFORM) randomized controlled trial, which will compare resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction to internal fixation for skeletal metastases of the proximal femur.

Methods: A survey was developed, piloted, and distributed to self-declared interested stakeholders in the PERFORM trial. The survey targeted orthopedic oncologists and was designed to assess patient and bone lesion characteristics that drive surgical decision-making in the treatment of skeletal metastases in the proximal femur.

A conceptual health state diagram for modelling the transmission of a (re)emerging infectious respiratory disease in a human population.

Mathematical modelling of (re)emerging infectious respiratory diseases among humans poses multiple challenges for modellers, which can arise as a result of limited data and surveillance, uncertainty in the natural history of the disease, as well as public health and individual responses to outbreaks. Here, we propose a COVID-19-inspired health state diagram (HSD) to serve as a foundational framework for conceptualising the modelling process for (re)emerging respiratory diseases, and public health responses, in the early stages of their emergence. The HSD aims to serve as a starting point for reflection on the structure and parameterisation of a transmission model to assess the impact of the (re)emerging disease and the capacity of public health interventions to control transmission.

Multidisciplinary care to optimise pregnancy outcomes among Jehovah's Witness: Case series over fifteen years in a tertiary teaching hospital.

Objective: To assess the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of Jehovah's Witness (JW) mothers and the willingness to accept blood products after multidisciplinary management.

Study Design: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at Queen Mary Hospital from 2005 to 2020. Delivery records of pregnant women who identified themselves as JW were reviewed.

Proteomic Characterization of Corneal Epithelial and Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.

Communication between the different layers of the cornea (epithelium and stroma) is a complex, yet crucial element in the corneal healing process. Upon corneal injury, it has been reported that the bi-directional cross talk between the epithelium and stroma via the vesicular secretome, namely, extracellular vesicles (EVs), can lead to accelerated wound closure upon injury. However, the distinct protein markers of EVs derived from human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells, keratocytes (HCKs), fibroblasts (HCFs), and myofibroblasts (HCMs) remain poorly understood.

Mathematical modelling for pandemic preparedness in Canada: Learning from COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic underlined the need for pandemic planning but also brought into focus the use of mathematical modelling to support public health decisions. The types of models needed (compartment, agent-based, importation) are described. Best practices regarding biological realism (including the need for multidisciplinary expert advisors to modellers), model complexity, consideration of uncertainty and communications to decision-makers and the public are outlined.

Modulation of mA RNA modification by DAP3 in cancer cells.

N-methyladenosine (mA) RNA methylation is a prevalent RNA modification that significantly impacts RNA metabolism and cancer development. Maintaining the global mA levels in cancer cells relies on RNA accessibility to methyltransferases and the availability of the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Here, we reveal that death associated protein 3 (DAP3) plays a crucial role in preserving mA levels through two distinct mechanisms.

Tandem mass spectral metabolic profiling of 54 actinobacterial strains and their 459 mutants.

Natural products encompass a diverse range of compounds with high impact applications in consumer care, agriculture and most notably, therapeutics. However, despite the expansive chemical repertoire indicated in genomic information of microbes, only a small subset can be obtained under laboratory conditions. To increase accessible chemical space and realize Nature's full chemical potential, a multi-pronged genetic- and cultivation-based strategy has been employed to activate and upregulate natural product biosyntheses in native and heterologous strains.

Transcriptomics reveal a mechanism of niche defense: two beneficial root endophytes deploy an antimicrobial GH18-CBM5 chitinase to protect their hosts.

Effector secretion is crucial for root endophytes to establish and protect their ecological niche. We used time-resolved transcriptomics to monitor effector gene expression dynamics in two closely related Sebacinales, Serendipita indica and Serendipita vermifera, during symbiosis with three plant species, competition with the phytopathogenic fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, and cooperation with root-associated bacteria. We observed increased effector gene expression in response to biotic interactions, particularly with plants, indicating their importance in host colonization.

Neurospora intermedia from a traditional fermented food enables waste-to-food conversion.

Fungal fermentation of food and agricultural by-products holds promise for improving food sustainability and security. However, the molecular basis of fungal waste-to-food upcycling remains poorly understood. Here we use a multi-omics approach to characterize oncom, a fermented food traditionally produced from soymilk by-products in Java, Indonesia.

Ultrasound-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound of Uterine Fibroids and Adenomyosis: An 11-Year Experience from a Single Center in Hong Kong.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in treating symptomatic uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. HIFU treatments performed in premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine fibroids and adenomyosis were analyzed retrospectively. Lesion volume reduction, change in symptoms of menstrual pain, and quality of life were examined.

Identifying the impact of climate variables on biological and chemical contaminants of preharvest foods and their associated food safety risks: a scoping review protocol.

Background: Foodborne and waterborne illnesses affect over four million Canadians annually and pose a preventable burden on the nation's healthcare system. Climate change can increase the risk of such illnesses by increasing the likelihood of exposure to contaminants. As climate change progresses, it is imperative to better understand its impact on the dissemination of foodborne and waterborne contaminants throughout the food system.

Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes following liver transplantation for metabolic disease-a single centre experience.

This study describes the neurodevelopmental outcome of children with urea cycle disorders (UCD) and organic acidemias (OA) preliver transplant (LT), 1-year, and 3-years post-LT. We performed a retrospective chart review of children with OA or UCD transplanted between January 2014 and December 2021. Standardized motor and cognitive assessment scores were collected from children who had ≥1 motor/cognitive assessment at any timepoint.

Prevalence of Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms among Orthopaedic Post-Trauma Patients in Hospital Tuanku Jaafar Seremban (HTJS).

Introduction: Post-trauma patients are at risk of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression. The primary goal of this study is to estimate the prevalence of PTSD and depression symptoms in patients who have been hospitalised for the treatment of physical trauma. Additionally, we wanted to compare the prevalence of PTSD or depression symptoms alone versus PTSD associated with depression symptoms, in orthopaedic post-trauma patients.

Genotype-Directed Synthetic Cytotoxicity of ATR Inhibition with Radiotherapy.

Purpose: The importance of the DNA damage response in mediating effects of radiotherapy (RT) has galvanized efforts to target this pathway with radiosensitizers. Yet early clinical trials of this approach have failed to yield a benefit in unselected populations. We hypothesized that ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (Atm)-null tumors would demonstrate genotype-specific synergy between RT and an inhibitor of the DNA damage response protein ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase.