An Asynchronous Chemistry-in-biology Intervention Improves Student Content Knowledge and Performance in Introductory Biology.

Introductory biology is a gateway course for majors and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Despite the importance of chemistry content knowledge for understanding biology, the relationship between chemistry knowledge and prior coursework and biology course performance is understudied. We used an opportunity gap framework to investigate the extent to which there were opportunity gaps in prior chemistry coursework and knowledge and associated these gaps with subsequent equity gaps in student performance on introductory biology assessments.

RNA helicases DDX3X and DDX3Y form nanometer-scale RNA-protein clusters that support catalytic activity.

DEAD-box helicases, crucial for many aspects of RNA metabolism, often contain intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) whose functions remain unclear. Using multiparameter confocal microscopy, we reveal that sex chromosome-encoded homologous RNA helicases, DDX3X and DDX3Y, form nanometer-scale RNA-protein clusters (RPCs) that foster their catalytic activities in vitro and in cells. The IDRs are critical for the formation of these RPCs.

The importance of boundary evolution for solar-wind modelling.

The solar wind is a continual outflow of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's upper atmosphere-the corona-that expands to fills the solar system. Variability in the near-Earth solar-wind conditions can produce adverse space weather that impacts ground- and space-based technologies. Consequently, numerical fluid models of the solar wind are used to forecast conditions a few days ahead.

Cannabis use patterns among people with HIV before and after legalization.

Background: Cannabis use is highly prevalent and detrimental among people with HIV (PWH). Legislative changes in several states altered the legality and accessibility of cannabis. We examined pre-post legislative changes in current, daily, and severe use in PWH in clinical care.

How Well Do Studies of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Intervention and Knee Osteoarthritis Adhere to the Minimum Information for Studies Evaluating Biologics Guidelines? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The Minimum Information for Studies Evaluating Biologics in Orthopaedics (MIBO) guidelines for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) research, published in 2017, contain a suggested checklist for reporting items in manuscripts involving MSCs.

Purpose: We sought to determine how well randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on MSC intervention for knee osteoarthritis (OA) adhered to the MIBO guidelines.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases.

Complications of excess weight seen in two tier 3 paediatric weight management services: an observational study.

Background: Children and young people living with severe obesity experience a range of complications of excess weight (CEW); however the prevalence of complications is not well defined. We have evaluated baseline characteristics and CEW of patients from two UK tier 3 paediatric weight management services.

Methods: All new patients aged 2-17 years seen from March 2022 to February 2023 were included.

Management of External Ventricular Drains for Neuromonitoring and Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment in Pediatric Patients Outside of Intensive Care Units: A Single-Institution Retrospective Study.

Background: Most pediatric hospitals manage patients who require external ventricular drains (EVDs) exclusively within pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) because of institutional protocols. Our institution commonly manages patients with EVDs on the neurotrauma floor (NTF). We evaluated whether this practice results in more EVD-associated complications.

The effects of neighborhood disadvantage and adverse childhood experiences on conditioned pain modulation in adults with chronic low back pain.

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) remains a major health crisis worldwide. Current conceptualizations of cLBP utilize the biopsychosocial model, yet research on social factors remains limited. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a risk factor for a variety of chronic health problems, including cLBP.

Enhancing trauma care in Ukraine amid conflict: A successful implementation of the modified advanced trauma life support course in an active war zone.

Background: Following the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine's healthcare system suffered extensive damage, with over 1000 medical facilities destroyed, exacerbating the trauma care crisis. The absence of standardized trauma training left Ukrainian healthcare providers ill-equipped to manage the surge in trauma cases amid conflict. To bridge this gap, we implemented advanced trauma life support (ATLS) courses in Ukraine amid active warfare, aiming to enhance trauma care expertise among healthcare professionals.

Low-stakes Scientist Spotlight Assignment Demonstrates High Value and Multiple Effects for Introductory Biology Students.

Scientist Spotlights are homework assignments that highlight the personal and scientific stories of counterstereotypical scientists. Previous research has focused on whether these assignments promote possible selves in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). We sought to understand the value students themselves placed on the assignment using expectancy-value theory complemented by further analysis of the assignment's self-reported impacts on students.

Elucidating the clinical and genetic spectrum of inositol polyphosphate phosphatase INPP4A-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

Purpose: Biallelic INPP4A variants have recently been associated with severe neurodevelopmental disease in single case reports. Here, we expand and elucidate the clinical-genetic spectrum and provide a pathomechanistic explanation for genotype-phenotype correlations.

Methods: Clinical and genomic investigations of 30 individuals were undertaken alongside molecular and in silico modelling and translation reinitiation studies.

Community-Based Medications First for Opioid Use Disorder - Care Utilization and Mortality Outcomes.

Purpose: A large treatment gap exists for people who could benefit from medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). People OUD accessing services in harm reduction and community-based organizations often have difficulty engaging in MOUD at opioid treatment programs and traditional health care settings. We conducted a study to test the impacts of a community-based medications first model of care in six Washington (WA) State communities that provided drop-in MOUD access.

Blood pressure control in pregnant patients with chronic hypertension and diabetes: should <130/80 be the target?

Background: The Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy Study demonstrated that a target blood pressure of <140/90 mm Hg during pregnancy is associated with improved perinatal outcomes. Outside of pregnancy, pharmacologic therapy for patients with diabetes and hypertension is adjusted to a target blood pressure of <130/80 mm Hg. During pregnancy, patients with both diabetes and chronic hypertension may also benefit from tighter control with a target blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg.

Effects of Antihypertensive Therapy During Pregnancy on Postpartum Blood Pressure Control.

Objective: To compare differences in postpartum blood pressure (BP) control (BP below 140/90 mm Hg) for participants with hypertension randomized to receive antihypertensive treatment compared with no treatment during pregnancy.

Methods: This study was a planned secondary analysis of a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial (The CHAP [Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy] trial). Pregnant participants with mild chronic hypertension (BP below 160/105 mm Hg) were randomized into two groups: active (antihypertensive treatment) or control (no treatment unless severe hypertension, BP 160/105 mm Hg or higher).

Improving Sleep in People with HIV and Chronic Pain: A Pilot Study of Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia.

Objectives: Insomnia and chronic pain are common symptoms in people with HIV. Poor sleep has been associated with chronic pain. While cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia improves insomnia in clinical populations, there are barriers to people with HIV accessing treatment including the lack of trained providers and lengthy sessions.

Amygdala connectivity is associated with withdrawn/depressed behavior in a large sample of children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study®.

Many psychopathologies tied to internalizing symptomatology emerge during adolescence, therefore identifying neural markers of internalizing behavior in childhood may allow for early intervention. We utilized data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study® to evaluate associations between cortico-amygdalar functional connectivity, polygenic risk for depression (PRS), traumatic events experienced, internalizing behavior, and internalizing subscales: withdrawn/depressed behavior, somatic complaints, and anxious/depressed behaviors. Data from 6371 children (ages 9-11) were used to analyze amygdala resting-state fMRI connectivity to Gordon parcellation based whole-brain regions of interest (ROIs).

Empirical examination of working memory performance and its neural correlates in relation to delay discounting in two large samples.

The neurobiological basis of working memory and delay discounting are theorized to overlap, but few studies have empirically examined these relations in large samples. To address this, we investigated the association of neural activation during an fMRI N-Back working memory task with delay discounting area, as well as in- and out-of-scanner working memory measures. These analyses were conducted in two large task fMRI datasets, the Human Connectome Project and the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

Multi-source connectivity as the driver of solar wind variability in the heliosphere.

The ambient solar wind that fills the heliosphere originates from multiple sources in the solar corona and is highly structured. It is often described as high-speed, relatively homogeneous, plasma streams from coronal holes and slow-speed, highly variable, streams whose source regions are under debate. A key goal of ESA/NASA's Solar Orbiter mission is to identify solar wind sources and understand what drives the complexity seen in the heliosphere.

How students taking introductory biology experience the chemistry content.

Student experiences learning chemistry have been well studied in chemistry courses but less so in biology courses. Chemistry concepts are foundational to introductory biology courses, and student experiences learning chemistry concepts may impact their overall course experiences and subsequent student outcomes. In this study, we asked undergraduate students enrolled in introductory biology courses at a public R1 institution an open-response question asking how their experiences learning chemistry topics affected their identities as biologists.

Time spent on active learning activities does not necessarily correlate with student exam performance: a controlled case study.

Active learning, including student thinking and discussion in class, has been shown to increase student learning gains. However, it is less clear how instructor-level variation in the implementation and timing of active learning activities affects student gains. Our study aims to investigate the extent to which the time spent on individual episodes of active learning activities influences student performance.

Sex chromosome-encoded protein homologs: current progress and open questions.

The complexity of biological sex differences is markedly evident in human physiology and pathology. Although many of these differences can be ascribed to the expression of sex hormones, another contributor to sex differences lies in the sex chromosomes beyond their role in sex determination. Although largely nonhomologous, the human sex chromosomes express seventeen pairs of homologous genes, referred to as the 'X-Y pairs.

Increasing Optical Path Lengths in Micro-Fluidic Devices Using a Multi-Pass Cell.

This study presents a novel absorption cell with a circular geometry that can be integrated into microfluidic devices for optical spectroscopy applications. The absorption cell is made of PDMS/SU8 and offers an optical path length that is 8.5 times its diameter, resulting in a significant increase in the sensitivity of the measurements.