Crizanlizumab with or without hydroxyurea in patients with sickle cell disease (STAND): primary analyses from a placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

Background: Crizanlizumab has previously shown efficacy as a potent disease-modifying therapy for alleviating vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease. The SUSTAIN study showed a reduction of vaso-occlusive crises in patients treated with 5 mg/kg crizanlizumab, compared with placebo. The STAND study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two doses (5·0 mg/kg and 7·5 mg/kg) of crizanlizumab in sickle cell disease.

Motor neurons in the tunicate caudal central nervous system reveal homology to the vertebrate spinal cord.

Invertebrate chordates, such as the tunicate Ciona, can offer insight into the evolution of the chordate phylum. Anatomical features shared between invertebrate chordates and vertebrates may be taken as evidence of their presence in a common chordate ancestor. The central nervous systems (CNSs) of Ciona larvae and vertebrates share a similar anatomy despite the Ciona CNS having only ∼180 neurons.

Wild rock doves.

William Smith introduces the wild rock dove, the ancestor of domestic and feral pigeons.

Allele and transcriptome mining in Gossypium hirsutum reveals variation in candidate genes at genetic loci affecting cotton fiber quality and textile flammability.

Background: Breeding valuable traits in crop plants requires identifying diverse alleles in the germplasm that are likely to affect desirable characteristics. The genetic diversity of historic cultivars of cotton is a reservoir of potentially important genes for crop improvement and genetic research. Diversity in the characteristics of harvested cotton fibers affects their suitability for end-use applications.

Safety and Feasibility of Transabdominal Muscle Action Potential Monitoring (TMAP) in Lateral Lumbar Surgery.

Background Context: Neuromonitoring has improved since its advent in the 20 century, but technological innovations can potentially furthermore specific and advanced analyses to prevent nerve injury.

Purpose: To assess the viability of a novel intraoperative neuromonitoring modality -transabdominal muscle action potential monitoring (TMAP) - to provide reliable monitoring of the cauda equina during lumbar spinal fusion.

Study Design: Multicenter, prospective, single-cohort, technical feasibility study.