Epistasis, core-genome disharmony, and adaptation in recombining bacteria.

Recombination of short DNA fragments via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) can introduce beneficial alleles, create genomic disharmony through negative epistasis, and create adaptive gene combinations through positive epistasis. For non-core (accessory) genes, the negative epistatic cost is likely to be minimal because the incoming genes have not co-evolved with the recipient genome and are frequently observed as tightly linked cassettes with major effects. By contrast, interspecific recombination in the core genome is expected to be rare because disruptive allelic replacement is likely to introduce negative epistasis.

Elevated Electron Temperature Coincident with Observed Fusion Reactions in a Sheared-Flow-Stabilized Z Pinch.

The sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinch concept has been studied extensively and is able to produce fusion-relevant plasma parameters along with neutron production over several microseconds. We present here elevated electron temperature results spatially and temporally coincident with the plasma neutron source. An optical Thomson scattering apparatus designed for the FuZE device measures temperatures in the range of 1-3 keV on the axis of the device, 20 cm downstream of the nose cone.

Human Papillomavirus-Induced Chromosomal Instability and Aneuploidy in Squamous Cell Cancers.

Chromosomal instability (CIN) and aneuploidy are hallmarks of cancer. CIN is defined as a continuous rate of chromosome missegregation events over the course of multiple cell divisions. CIN causes aneuploidy, a state of abnormal chromosome content differing from a multiple of the haploid.

Discrimination of ivory from extant and extinct elephant species using Raman spectroscopy: A potential non-destructive technique for combating illegal wildlife trade.

The use of elephant ivory as a commodity is a factor in declining elephant populations. Despite recent worldwide elephant ivory trade bans, mammoth ivory trade remains unregulated. This complicates law enforcement efforts, as distinguishing between ivory from extant and extinct species requires costly, destructive and time consuming methods.

Atomic-Scale Characterization of Microscale Battery Particles Enabled by a High-Throughput Focused Ion Beam Milling Technique.

The cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) require improvements to address issues such as surface degradation, short-circuiting, and the formation of dendrites. One such method for addressing these issues is using surface coatings. Coatings can be sought to improve the durability of cathode materials, but the characterization of the uniformity and stability of the coating is important to assess the performance and lifetime of these materials.

Developing an accurately sized tonsil tie simulator: a prospective, observational study to measure the anatomical distance from the incisor teeth to the inferior tonsillar pole in a paediatric population.

Objective: The aim of this study is to measure the distance from the midline of the upper incisors to the lower pole of the tonsils in paediatric patients of varying ages. This will enable the design of accurately sized tonsil tie simulators.

Methods: Two hundred patients between 1 year and 16 years old were recruited in this prospective observational study.

Are children with food allergies more likely to have lower urinary tract symptoms? A case-control study.

Introduction: There are multiple historic reports linking lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in children with food allergies (FA), but contemporary studies are sparse. The objective of this study was to evaluate a potential link between FA and LUTS in the pediatric population. We hypothesized that children with FAs are more likely to have LUTS.

Hierarchical Transparent Back Contacts for Bifacial CdTe PV.

A hierarchical transparent back contact leveraging an AlGaO passivating layer, TiCT MXene with a high work function, and a transparent cracked film lithography (CFL) templated nanogrid is demonstrated on copper-free cadmium telluride (CdTe) devices. AlGaO improves device open-circuit voltage but reduces the fill factor when using a CFL-templated metal contact. Including a TiCT interlayer improves the fill factor, lowers detrimental Schottky barriers, and enables metallization with CFL by providing transverse conduction into the nanogrid.

Association Between MR Elastography Liver Stiffness and Histologic Liver Fibrosis in Children and Young Adults With Autoimmune Liver Disease.

Liver fibrosis is an important clinical endpoint of the progression of autoimmune liver disease (AILD); its monitoring would benefit from noninvasive imaging tools. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between MR elastography (MRE) liver stiffness measurements and histologic liver fibrosis, as well as to evaluate the performance of MRE and biochemical-based clinical markers for stratifying histologic liver fibrosis severity, in children and young adults with AILD. This retrospective study used an existing institutional registry of children and young adults diagnosed with AILD (primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC], autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis [ASC], or autoimmune hepatitis [AIH]).

Effect of the Communities that HEAL intervention on receipt of behavioral therapies for opioid use disorder: A cluster randomized wait-list controlled trial.

Background: The U.S. opioid overdose crisis persists.

Growing Project BioEYES: A Reflection on 20 Years of Developing and Replicating a K-12 Science Outreach Program.

Project BioEYES celebrated 20 years in K12 schools during the 2022-2023 school year. Using live zebrafish () during week-long science experiments, sparks the interest of students and teachers from school districts, locally and globally. Over the past two decades, BioEYES has been replicated in different ways based on the interest and capacity of our partners.

Caregiver Experiences and Burden in Moderate-Advanced Dementia With Lewy Bodies.

Background And Objectives: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common degenerative dementia, but research on caregiver experiences in late stages is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the caregiving experience in moderate-advanced DLB to identify opportunities for improving care and support.

Methods: Dyads of individuals with moderate-advanced DLB and their primary informal caregivers were recruited from specialty clinics, advocacy organizations, and research registries.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies against emerging delta-coronaviruses.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) spillovers were recently detected in children with acute undifferentiated febrile illness, underscoring recurrent zoonoses of divergent coronaviruses. To date, no vaccines or specific therapeutics are approved for use in humans against PDCoV. To prepare for possible future PDCoV epidemics, we isolated human spike (S)-directed monoclonal antibodies from transgenic mice and found that two of them, designated PD33 and PD41, broadly neutralized a panel of PDCoV variants.

Claustrum projections to the anterior cingulate modulate nociceptive and pain-associated behavior.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is critical for the perception and unpleasantness of pain. It receives nociceptive information from regions such as the thalamus and amygdala and projects to several cortical and subcortical regions of the pain neuromatrix. ACC hyperexcitability is one of many functional changes associated with chronic pain, and experimental activation of ACC pyramidal cells produces hypersensitivity to innocuous stimuli (i.

Imaging and video of late preterm delivery by midline laparotomy due to incarcerated uterus: A case report and literature review of a rare but morbid condition.

Incarcerated gravid uterus (IGU) is a rare and serious obstetric complication. IGU is defined as the entrapment of the gravid uterus between the pubic symphysis and the sacral promontory. The incidence of IGU is 1 in 3000-10 000 cases.

Impact of Electronic Health Record Use on Cognitive Load and Burnout Among Clinicians: Narrative Review.

The cognitive load theory suggests that completing a task relies on the interplay between sensory input, working memory, and long-term memory. Cognitive overload occurs when the working memory's limited capacity is exceeded due to excessive information processing. In health care, clinicians face increasing cognitive load as the complexity of patient care has risen, leading to potential burnout.

"Spine to the future"-A narrative review of anatomy engagement.

Anatomy has been integral to medical and health education for centuries, it has also had a significant role in wider public life, as an educational resource, a link to their health, and also as a darker deterrent. Historically, public engagement in anatomy is hallmarked by public dissections of convicted criminals across the globe. Artists, specifically non-medical men, such as Leonardo da Vinci, are reported to have participated in public dissection.

Severe Sepsis Associated With Multiorgan Failure and Precipitating Nonhepatic Hyperammonemia Crisis in Late-Onset Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated immune response to an infection. It is a major public health problem owing to its high mortality and morbidity. Sepsis is a medical emergency and requires aggressive and timely management.

Genetic analysis of reveals high gene flow in the South-West Indian Ocean.

(Gray, 1849), abundant in the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO), constitutes a vital resource for both subsistence and commercial fisheries. However, despite this socioeconomic importance, and recent indications of overfishing, little is known about the population structure of in the region. To inform sustainable management strategies, this study assessed the spatio-temporal population structure and genetic variability of at 20 sites in the SWIO (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rodrigues, and the Seychelle Islands) by complementary analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) noncoding region (NCR) sequences and microsatellite markers.

Convolutional Neural Networks to Study Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Skeletal Calf Muscle Perfusion in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with impaired blood flow in the lower extremities and histopathologic changes of the skeletal calf muscles, resulting in abnormal microvascular perfusion. We studied the use of convolution neural networks (CNNs) to differentiate patients with PAD from matched controls using perfusion pattern features from contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) of the skeletal calf muscles. We acquired CE-MRI based skeletal calf muscle perfusion in 56 patients (36 patients with PAD and 20 matched controls).

Globe-LFMC 2.0, an enhanced and updated dataset for live fuel moisture content research.

Globe-LFMC 2.0, an updated version of Globe-LFMC, is a comprehensive dataset of over 280,000 Live Fuel Moisture Content (LFMC) measurements. These measurements were gathered through field campaigns conducted in 15 countries spanning 47 years.

Distinct effects of racial and socioeconomic disparities on biliary atresia diagnosis and outcome.

Objectives: To identify and distinguish between racial and socioeconomic disparities in age at hepatology care, diagnosis, access to surgical therapy, and liver transplant-free survival in patients with biliary atresia (BA).

Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study of 69 BA patients from 2010 to 2021. Patients were grouped into White and non-White cohorts.

A spatiotemporal proteomic map of human adipogenesis.

White adipocytes function as major energy reservoirs in humans by storing substantial amounts of triglycerides, and their dysfunction is associated with metabolic disorders; however, the mechanisms underlying cellular specialization during adipogenesis remain unknown. Here, we generate a spatiotemporal proteomic atlas of human adipogenesis, which elucidates cellular remodelling as well as the spatial reorganization of metabolic pathways to optimize cells for lipid accumulation and highlights the coordinated regulation of protein localization and abundance during adipocyte formation. We identify compartment-specific regulation of protein levels and localization changes of metabolic enzymes to reprogramme branched-chain amino acids and one-carbon metabolism to provide building blocks and reduction equivalents.

An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Medication Regimen Complexity as Measured by the MRC-ICU to Medication Errors in Critically Ill Patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between medication regimen complexity-intensive care unit (MRC-ICU) score at 24 hours and medication errors identified throughout the ICU. A single-center, observational study was conducted from August to October 2021. The primary outcome was the association between MRC-ICU at 24 hours and total medication errors identified.

Social state gates vision using three circuit mechanisms in .

Animals are often bombarded with visual information and must prioritize specific visual features based on their current needs. The neuronal circuits that detect and relay visual features have been well-studied. Yet, much less is known about how an animal adjusts its visual attention as its goals or environmental conditions change.