Publications by authors named "R J Dirks"
Viral contamination of bivalve molluscs, such as oysters, is a well-recognized food safety risk. The aim of this study was to assess virological hazards in market-ready oysters on the Dutch market. Non-targeted metagenome analysis was first performed on norovirus spiked-in samples showing linear and sensitive detection of norovirus GI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSimilarities between and genomes and horizontal gene transfer from their endosymbionts.
Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis
November 2024
The taxa and are sympatric in Tunisia. The genetics underlying their morphological differences are unresolved. In this study, ticks collected in Jouza-Amdoun, Tunisia, were morphologically identified and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technologies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Hepatic angioembolization is highly effective for hemorrhage control in hemodynamically stable patients with traumatic liver injuries and contrast extravasation. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the specific location of angioembolization within the hepatic arterial vasculature and its implications on patient outcomes.
Methods: A post-hoc analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study across 23 centers was performed.
Background: Prior studies evaluating observation versus angioembolization (AE) for blunt liver injuries (BLT) with contrast extravasation (CE) on computed tomography imaging have yielded inconsistent conclusions, primarily due to limitations in single-center and/or retrospective study design. Therefore, this multicenter study aims to compare an observation versus AE-first approach for BLT, hypothesizing decreased liver-related complications (LRCs) with observation.
Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of a multicenter, prospective observational study (2019-2021) across 23 centers.
Article Synopsis
- Plant-specialized metabolism is a rich source of bioactive compounds, like monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs), known for their health benefits including anticancer and neuroactive properties.
- The types of MIAs, particularly pachysiphine derivatives, have promising medical applications but are found in very low quantities in certain plant species, and there is a lack of genomic data needed to enhance their production.
- This study presents the genome sequence of the toad tree (Tabernaemontana elegans) and identifies genes that can synthesize pachysiphine, leading to engineered MIAs in yeast, thus paving the way for better production of these valuable compounds for pharmaceutical use.