Multiplicity of type 6 secretion system toxins limits the evolution of resistance.

The bacterial type 6 secretion system (T6SS) is a toxin-injecting nanoweapon that mediates competition in plant- and animal-associated microbial communities. Bacteria can evolve de novo resistance against T6SS attacks, but resistance is far from universal in natural communities, suggesting key features of T6SS weaponry may act to limit its evolution. Here, we combine ecoevolutionary modeling and experimental evolution to examine how toxin type and multiplicity in attackers shape resistance evolution in susceptible competitors.

Microaggressions and Cultural Ruptures in Psychiatry: Extending Multicultural Counseling Orientation to Psychiatric Services.

Racial microaggressions and cultural ruptures have a significant impact on mental health care for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. This article reviews the application of the multicultural counseling orientation framework in psychiatry to address these challenges and improve therapeutic outcomes. The authors outline strategies to integrate cultural humility into psychiatric practice, with an emphasis on self-reflection, feedback, and the recognition of microaggressions.

A highly prevalent and specific cryptic plasmid pBI143 for human fecal pollution tracking in a subtropical urban river.

Microbial source tracking (MST) is a critical tool for identifying sources of human and animal fecal pollution in aquatic environments. To enhance human fecal pollution tracking, this study evaluated the performance characteristics of pBI143, a cryptic plasmid recently identified for potential MST applications. Nucleic acid samples from ten animal species were screened for pBI143, revealing its presence in a small number of pigs, cows, dogs, cats, and flying fox fecal samples.

In vivo self-assembled siRNAs within small extracellular vesicles attenuate LRRK2-induced neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease models.

Rationale: Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene play an important role in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis, and downregulation of LRRK2 has become a promising therapy for PD. Here, we developed a synthetic biology strategy for the self-assembly and delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) of LRRK2 into the substantia nigra via small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) using a genetic circuit (in the form of naked DNA plasmid) to attenuate PD-like phenotypes in mouse model.

Methods: We generated the genetic circuit encoding both a neuron-targeting rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) tag and a LRRK2 siRNA under the control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, and assessed its therapeutic effects using LRRK2 mouse models of PD.

Effect of refrigeration, room temperature, and processing time on serum immunofluorescent antibody titers for Sarcocystis neurona.

Background: Evaluating antibody titers for Sarcocystis neurona for the diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis from serum samples is a common practice. However, ensuring timely and proper refrigeration is not always possible.

Objectives: To evaluate immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) titers for S.