The fission yeast SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase Slx8 functionally associates with clustered centromeres and the silent mating-type region at the nuclear periphery.

The SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) family is involved in multiple cellular processes via a wide range of mechanisms to maintain genome stability. One of the evolutionarily conserved functions of STUbL is to promote changes in the nuclear positioning of DNA lesions, targeting them to the nuclear periphery. In Schizossacharomyces pombe, the STUbL Slx8 is a regulator of SUMOylated proteins and promotes replication stress tolerance by counteracting the toxicity of SUMO conjugates.

Optimizing contact tracing for avian influenza in poultry flocks.

Contact tracing is commonly used to manage infectious diseases of both humans and animals. It aims to detect early and control potentially infected individuals or farms that had contact with infectious cases. Because it is very resource-intensive, contact tracing is usually performed on a pre-defined time window, based on previous knowledge of the duration of the incubation period.

Translating Evidence-Based Self-Management Interventions Using a Stepped-Care Approach for Patients With Cancer and Their Caregivers: A Pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial Design.

Background: Self-directed interventions are cost-effective for patients with cancer and their family caregivers, but barriers to use can compromise adherence and efficacy.

Aim: Pilot a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to develop a time-varying dyadic self-management intervention that follows a stepped-care approach in providing different types of guidance to optimize the delivery of Coping-Together, a dyadic self-directed self-management intervention.

Methods: 48 patients with cancer and their caregivers were randomized in Stage 1 to: (a) Coping-Together (included a workbook and 6 booklets) or (b) Coping-Together + lay telephone guidance.

Early Patching Behaviors that Improve the Chances of Good Visual Acuity in Children Treated for Unilateral Congenital Cataract.

Objective: Achieving near normal vision following unilateral congenital cataract surgery is possible but requires early surgery, optical correction and consistent patching. Patching is often challenging for children and their caregivers. The goal of these analyses is to examine the association between reported consistency in patching during the first year after surgery and visual acuity.

Shifts in seasonal influenza patterns in Australia during and after COVID-19: A comprehensive analysis.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, seasonal influenza virus circulation was heavily suppressed worldwide. In Australia, since the virus re-emerged in 2022, shifts in seasonal influenza patterns have been observed. Both the 2022 and 2023 seasons started earlier than pre-pandemic norms and were categorised as moderate to severe, highlighting the renewed importance of prevention strategies for seasonal influenza.