In vivo detection of DNA secondary structures using permanganate/S1 footprinting with direct adapter ligation and sequencing (PDAL-Seq).

DNA secondary structures are essential elements of the genomic landscape, playing a critical role in regulating various cellular processes. These structures refer to G-quadruplexes, cruciforms, Z-DNA or H-DNA structures, amongst others (collectively called 'non-B DNA'), which DNA molecules can adopt beyond the B conformation. DNA secondary structures have significant biological roles, and their landscape is dynamic and can rearrange due to various factors, including changes in cellular conditions, temperature, and DNA-binding proteins.

Methylation profiles at birth linked to early childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity represents a significant global health concern and identifying risk factors is crucial for developing intervention programs. Many 'omics' factors associated with the risk of developing obesity have been identified, including genomic, microbiomic, and epigenomic factors. Here, using a sample of 48 infants, we investigated how the methylation profiles in cord blood and placenta at birth were associated with weight outcomes (specifically, conditional weight gain, body mass index, and weight-for-length ratio) at age six months.

Prebrief Time for Immersive Virtual and Augmented Reality Simulation: An Integrative Review.

Background: Virtual reality and augmented technology are rapidly advancing and hold the potential to transform nursing education by offering a convenient, efficient, learner-centered way to educate students. A comprehensive and time-oriented prebrief is essential to the process.

Purpose: This review analyzes the status of scientific exploration regarding the prebrief and time allotments for virtual and augmented reality simulation.

Rectosigmoid Adenocarcinoma Presenting As Nine Days of Constipation.

We report the case of a 56-year-old male presenting with nine days of constipation and absence of flatus without any improvement and who had received conservative management after recent admission at an external hospital. Upon further investigation, the patient was diagnosed with rectosigmoid adenocarcinoma and was successfully surgically treated without any perioperative complications. This case highlights the importance of early detection and interventions necessary to prevent progression of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Constructing a polygenic risk score for childhood obesity using functional data analysis.

Obesity is a highly heritable condition that affects increasing numbers of adults and, concerningly, of children. However, only a small fraction of its heritability has been attributed to specific genetic variants. These variants are traditionally ascertained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which utilize samples with tens or hundreds of thousands of individuals for whom a single summary measurement (e.

New cells added to the preoptic area during sex change in the common clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris.

Sex differences in cell number in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) are documented across all major vertebrate lineages and contribute to differential regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis and reproductive behavior between the sexes. Sex-changing fishes provide a unique opportunity to study mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation of the POA. In anemonefish (clownfish), which change sex from male to female, females have approximately twice the number of medium-sized cells in the anterior POA compared to males.

Stable and persistent male-like behavior during male-to-female sex change in the common clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris.

Many fish species exhibit natural sex change as part of their life, providing unique opportunities to study sexually-differentiated social behaviors and their plasticity. Past research has shown that behavioral sex change in the female-to-male (protogynous) direction occurs rapidly and well before gonadal sex change. However, little is known about the timecourse of behavioral sex change in male-to-female (protandrous) sex-changing species, limiting our ability to compare patterns of behavioral sex change across species and identify conserved or divergent underlying mechanisms.

INSIGHT responsive parenting educational intervention for firstborns is associated with growth of second-born siblings.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test whether the Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) responsive parenting (RP) intervention, delivered to parents of firstborn children, is associated with the BMI of first- and second-born siblings during infancy.

Methods: Participants included 117 firstborn infants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and their second-born siblings enrolled in an observation-only ancillary study. The RP curriculum for firstborn children included guidance on feeding, sleep, interactive play, and emotion regulation.

Xenin and Related Peptides: Potential Therapeutic Role in Diabetes and Related Metabolic Disorders.

Xenin bioactivity and its role in normal physiology has been investigated by several research groups since its discovery in 1992. The 25 amino acid peptide hormone is secreted from the same enteroendocrine K-cells as the incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), with early studies highlighting the biological significance of xenin in the gastrointestinal tract, along with effects on satiety. Recently there has been more focus directed towards the role of xenin in insulin secretion and potential for diabetes therapies, especially through its ability to potentiate the insulinotropic actions of GIP as well as utilisation in dual/triple acting gut hormone therapeutic approaches.

Impact of bisphenol-A and synthetic estradiol on brain, behavior, gonads and sex hormones in a sexually labile coral reef fish.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and ethinylestradiol (EE2), are detected in the marine environment from plastic waste and wastewater effluent. However, their impact on reproduction in sexually labile coral reef fish is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine impacts of environmentally relevant concentrations of BPA and EE2 on behavior, brain gene expression, gonadal histology, sex hormone profile, and plasma vitellogenin (Vtg) levels in the anemonefish, Amphiprion ocellaris.

A Study to See the Effect of Social Media Usage Among Healthcare Providers.

Purpose This study aimed to assess how healthcare professionals (HCPs) use social media to determine how it influences the quality of patient care. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted over eight months, between August 2020 and March 2021 using a questionnaire and checked amongst investigators. Results One hundred fifty-eight participants had electronic devices and 145 (91.

A novel neurotensin/xenin fusion peptide enhances β-cell function and exhibits antidiabetic efficacy in high-fat fed mice.

Neurotensin and xenin possess antidiabetic potential, mediated in part through augmentation of incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), action. In the present study, fragment peptides of neurotensin and xenin, acetyl-neurotensin and xenin-8-Gln, were fused together to create Ac-NT/XN-8-Gln. Following assessment of enzymatic stability, effects of Ac-NT/XN-8-Gln on in vitro β-cell function were studied.

Metabolomic profiling of stool of two-year old children from the INSIGHT study reveals links between butyrate and child weight outcomes.

Background: Metabolomic analysis is commonly used to understand the biological underpinning of diseases such as obesity. However, our knowledge of gut metabolites related to weight outcomes in young children is currently limited.

Objectives: To (1) explore the relationships between metabolites and child weight outcomes, (2) determine the potential effect of covariates (e.

Ultraviolet light-induced collagen degradation inhibits melanoma invasion.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damages the dermis and fibroblasts; and increases melanoma incidence. Fibroblasts and their matrix contribute to cancer, so we studied how UVR modifies dermal fibroblast function, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and melanoma invasion. We confirmed UVR-damaged fibroblasts persistently upregulate collagen-cleaving matrix metalloprotein-1 (MMP1) expression, reducing local collagen (COL1A1), and COL1A1 degradation by MMP1 decreased melanoma invasion.

Female Immunity Protects from Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Cancer susceptibility and mortality are higher in males, and the mutational and transcriptomic landscape of cancer differs by sex. The current assumption is that men are at higher risk of epithelial cancers as they expose more to carcinogens and accumulate more damage than women. We present data showing women present with less aggressive primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and early strong immune activation.

Associations between stool micro-transcriptome, gut microbiota, and infant growth.

Rapid infant growth increases the risk for adult obesity. The gut microbiome is associated with early weight status; however, no study has examined how interactions between microbial and host ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression influence infant growth. We hypothesized that dynamics in infant stool micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) would be associated with both microbial activity and infant growth via putative metabolic targets.

People with intellectual disability in Ireland are still dying young.

Background: People with intellectual disability die younger than their non-disabled peers. In recent years, greater attention has been paid to closing the gap. However, evidence that this is being achieved is limited by the dearth of longitudinal, national data.

The Implementation of "McGill's Big 3" in an Individual with an Acquired Brain Injury who Ambulates Independently: A Case Report.

Background: Improved function, through balance and mobility, has been demonstrated in individuals with an acquired brain injury (ABI) following various exercise interventions; however, the feasibility of implementing "McGill's Big 3" exercises, typically prescribed for people with back pain, to improve function in people with ABI requires investigation.

Objective: The aim of this case report was to determine the feasibility of implementing "McGill's Big 3" exercises on balance and mobility when prescribed to an individual with an ABI who ambulates independently.

Methods And Materials: A 40-year-old female with an ABI completed an 8-week exercise intervention consisting of "McGill's Big 3" exercises.

Simulation strategies to increase nursing student clinical competence in safe medication administration practices: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: Nursing student medication errors often result from deficits in knowledge and application of fundamental safe administration practices. Factors such as high faculty-student ratios and legal restrictions have decreased clinical learning opportunities for nursing students to practice safe medication administration in the clinical setting. Evidence suggests that use of a structured medication safety enhancement (MSE) simulation program can significantly improve student knowledge and competency in safe medication administration.