Network-based modelling reveals cell-type enriched patterns of non-coding RNA regulation during human skeletal muscle remodelling.

A majority of human genes produce non-protein-coding RNA (ncRNA), and some have roles in development and disease. Neither ncRNA nor human skeletal muscle is ideally studied using short-read sequencing, so we used a customized RNA pipeline and network modelling to study cell-type specific ncRNA responses during muscle growth at scale. We completed five human resistance-training studies ( = 144 subjects), identifying 61% who successfully accrued muscle-mass.

A strategy for identification and characterization of genic mutations using a temperature-sensitive chlorotic soybean mutant as an example.

Screening a transposon-mutagenized soybean population led to the discovery of a recessively inherited chlorotic phenotype. This "y24" phenotype results in smaller stature, weaker stems, and a smaller root system. Genome sequencing identified 15 candidate genes with mutations likely to result in a loss of function.

Network-based modelling reveals cell-type enriched patterns of non-coding RNA regulation during human skeletal muscle remodelling.

A majority of human genes produce non-protein-coding RNA (ncRNA), and some have roles in development and disease. Neither ncRNA nor human skeletal muscle is ideally studied using short-read sequencing, so we used a customised RNA pipeline and network modelling to study cell-type specific ncRNA responses during muscle growth at scale. We completed five human resistance-training studies (n=144 subjects), identifying 61% who successfully accrued muscle-mass.

Sex-Specific Skeletal Muscle Gene Expression Responses to Exercise Reveal Novel Direct Mediators of Insulin Sensitivity Change.

Background: Understanding the causal pathways, systems, and mechanisms through which exercise impacts human health is complex. This study explores molecular signaling related to whole-body insulin sensitivity (Si) by examining changes in skeletal muscle gene expression. The analysis considers differences by biological sex, exercise amount, and exercise intensity to identify potential molecular targets for developing pharmacologic agents that replicate the health benefits of exercise.

Yeast Expressing a Phage Endolysin Reduces Endogenous in 21-Day-Old Broiler Chicken Intestinal Fluids.

The phage endolysin PlyCP41 when purified from exhibits lytic activity against (CP) . The anti-clostridial activity of PlyCP41 endolysin expressed in transgenic yeast () was verified in phosphate buffered saline via mixing experiments with cultured CP and transgenic yeast slurries followed by serial dilution plating and colony counts on tryptose sulfite cycloserine (CP indicator) plates. The transgenic yeast containing PlyCP41 resulted in a log 4.

Moving to the Middle Ground: Redefining Genomic Utility to Expand Understanding of Familial Benefit.

Translational research has tended to ignore the question of whether receiving a genomic diagnosis provides utility in community care contexts outside of doctors' offices and hospitals. However, empirical research with parents has highlighted numerous ways that a genomic diagnosis might be of practical value in the care provided by teachers, physical or occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, behavior analysts, and nonphysician mental health providers. In this essay, we propose a new conceptual model of genomic utility that offers the opportunity to better capture a broad range of potential implications of genomic technologies for families in various social and organizational systems.

Effect of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol on plasma concentrations of neuroinflammatory biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: results from the CENTAUR trial.

Background: An oral sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol combination (PB and TURSO) significantly reduced functional decline in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the CENTAUR trial. Biomarkers linking clinical therapeutic effect with biological changes are of high interest in ALS. We performed analyses of neuroinflammatory biomarkers associated with ALS in the literature, including YKL-40 (also known as chitinase-3-like protein 1), chitinase 1 (CHIT1) and C reactive protein (CRP), in plasma samples collected in CENTAUR.

Do Surgery Residents Prepare Enough for Surgical Cases?

Importance: This study aimed to identify both modifiable and nonmodifiable factors that affect intraoperative-specific surgical education and performance, with an overall goal of increasing cognizance of such factors to improve surgical training.

Objective: To determine whether surgery residents prepare adequately for participation in surgical cases and to examine specific variables that affect resident preparation.

Design: This study is a retrospective survey-based study that included data from 1945 postoperative case evaluations completed by 59 different general surgery residents over a period of 8 years (2014-2022).

Analysis of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol survival effect in ALS using external controls.

Objective: Sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol (PB and TURSO) was evaluated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the CENTAUR trial encompassing randomized placebo-controlled and open-label extension phases. On intent-to-treat (ITT) survival analysis, median overall survival (OS) was 4.8 months longer and risk of death 36% lower in those originally randomized to an initial 6-month double-blind period of PB and TURSO versus placebo.

Applicants Performance in Interview for a General Surgery Residency Pre- and During Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a shift from traditional in-person interviews for a residency position to a virtual platform over the last 2 y (2020-2021). With this significant shift, there is controversy about how this may affect applicant performance. We hypothesized that applicants scored higher during virtual interviews than in-person interviews.

The importance of USMLE step 2 on the screening and selection of applicants for general surgery residency positions.

Background: As announced by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score reporting has transitioned to pass/fail outcomes instead of the traditional numeric score after January 26, 2022. USMLE Step 1 scores have been used widely as a crucial tool in screening and selecting applicants for residency programs. This study aims to determine the role of USMLE Step 2 in the selection of applicants for general surgery residency.

Benchmarking Maintenance Therapy Survival in First-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy-Treated Patients with Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma Using Simulated Disease Modeling.

Objective: First-line (1L) maintenance avelumab prolonged overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) in JAVELIN Bladder 100. OS was measured from maintenance initiation in patients with disease control following 1L platinum-based therapy (PBT). The OS impact of maintenance for the 1L PBT-treated population is unknown since it was not measured from 1L initiation, nor can it be benchmarked with other 1L therapies.

Transcriptomics for Clinical and Experimental Biology Research: Hang on a Seq.

Sequencing the human genome empowers translational medicine, facilitating transcriptome-wide molecular diagnosis, pathway biology, and drug repositioning. Initially, microarrays are used to study the bulk transcriptome; but now short-read RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) predominates. Positioned as a superior technology, that makes the discovery of novel transcripts routine, most RNA-seq analyses are in fact modeled on the known transcriptome.

Total healthcare cost savings through improved bipolar I disorder identification using the Rapid Mood Screener in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

Introduction: Misdiagnosis of bipolar I disorder (BP-I) as major depressive disorder (MDD) leads to increased healthcare resource utilization and costs. The cost-effectiveness of the Rapid Mood Screener (RMS), a tool to identify BP-I in patients with depressive symptoms, was assessed in patients diagnosed with MDD presenting with depressive episodes.

Methods: A decision-tree model of a hypothetical cohort of 1000 patients in a US health plan was used to estimate the number of correct diagnoses and overall total, direct healthcare costs over a 3-year timeframe for RMS-screened versus unscreened patients.

Recent developments in adjunct therapies for type 1 diabetes.

Introduction: There have been many recent advances in the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) including in insulin formulations, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology and automated insulin delivery. However, long-term optimal glycemic control is still only achieved in a minority.

Areas Covered: Adjunct therapy - the use of therapeutic agents other than insulin - is one strategy aimed at improving outcomes.

Mitigating Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Replicable Food Delivery Service Using Public-Private Partnerships.

Stay Home, Stay Healthy (SHSH), a replicable food-delivery service, increased access to healthful food for vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. It used community partnerships to identify families facing food insecurity and public-private partnerships to source and deliver food. We report on SHSH, its impact to-date, and lessons learned.

Oncology Simulation Model: A Comprehensive and Innovative Approach to Estimate and Project Prevalence and Survival in Oncology.

Objective: We demonstrate a new model framework as an innovative approach to more accurately estimate and project prevalence and survival outcomes in oncology.

Methods: We developed an oncology simulation model (OSM) framework that offers a customizable, dynamic simulation model to generate population-level, country-specific estimates of prevalence, incidence of patients progressing from earlier stages (progression-based incidence), and survival in oncology. The framework, a continuous dynamic Markov cohort model, was implemented in Microsoft Excel.