Integrating transcriptomic network reconstruction and eQTL analyses reveals mechanistic connections between genomic architecture and Brassica rapa development.

Plant developmental dynamics can be heritable, genetically correlated with fitness and yield, and undergo selection. Therefore, characterizing the mechanistic connections between the genetic architecture governing plant development and the resulting ontogenetic dynamics of plants in field settings is critically important for agricultural production and evolutionary ecology. We use hierarchical Bayesian Function-Valued Trait (FVT) models to estimate Brassica rapa growth curves throughout ontogeny, across two treatments, and in two growing seasons.

Bispectral Index for Titrating Sedation in ARDS Patients During Neuromuscular Blockade.

Background: Despite a lack of data from intensive care patients, bispectral index monitors are often used to measure the depth of sedation for critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who require continuous neuromuscular blocking agents.

Objective: To evaluate differences in the effectiveness and safety of monitoring sedation by using bispectral index or traditional methods in patients with ARDS who are receiving continuous neuromuscular blocking agents.

Methods: This noninterventional, single-center, retrospective cohort study included adult patients with ARDS who are receiving a neuromuscular blocking agent.

Large-effect flowering time mutations reveal conditionally adaptive paths through fitness landscapes in .

Contrary to previous assumptions that most mutations are deleterious, there is increasing evidence for persistence of large-effect mutations in natural populations. A possible explanation for these observations is that mutant phenotypes and fitness may depend upon the specific environmental conditions to which a mutant is exposed. Here, we tested this hypothesis by growing large-effect flowering time mutants of in multiple field sites and seasons to quantify their fitness effects in realistic natural conditions.

Heterologous protection against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in mice after a single dose of replicon particle vaccine.

No vaccines are currently licensed to prevent Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) infection, which can cause mild self-limiting clinical signs or severe, often fatal hemorrhagic fever disease. Here we continued investigations into the utility of a single-dose virus replicon particle (VRP) vaccine regimen by assessing protection against Turkey or Oman strains of CCHFV. We found that all mice were completely protected from disease, supporting broad applicability of this platform for CCHFV prevention.

Stable Occupancy of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus-Encoded Deubiquitinase Blocks Viral Infection.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) infection can result in a severe hemorrhagic syndrome for which there are no antiviral interventions available to date. Certain RNA viruses, such as CCHFV, encode cysteine proteases of the ovarian tumor (OTU) family that antagonize interferon (IFN) production by deconjugating ubiquitin (Ub). The OTU of CCHFV, a negative-strand RNA virus, is dispensable for replication of the viral genome, despite being part of the large viral RNA polymerase.

In situ transformation of ethoxylate and glycol surfactants by shale-colonizing microorganisms during hydraulic fracturing.

In the last decade, extensive application of hydraulic fracturing technologies to unconventional low-permeability hydrocarbon-rich formations has significantly increased natural-gas production in the United States and abroad. The injection of surface-sourced fluids to generate fractures in the deep subsurface introduces microbial cells and substrates to low-permeability rock. A subset of injected organic additives has been investigated for their ability to support biological growth in shale microbial community members; however, to date, little is known on how complex xenobiotic organic compounds undergo biotransformations in this deep rock ecosystem.

Protection From Lethal Lassa Disease Can Be Achieved Both Before and After Virus Exposure by Administration of Single-Cycle Replicating Lassa Virus Replicon Particles.

Lassa fever is a frequently severe human disease that is endemic to several countries in West Africa. To date, no licensed vaccines are available to prevent Lassa virus (LASV) infection, even though Lassa fever is thought to be an important disease contributing to mortality and both acute and chronic morbidity. We have previously described a vaccine candidate composed of single-cycle LASV replicon particles (VRPs) and a stable cell line for their production.

Effectiveness of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with liver disease.

Background: Patients with liver disease are concomitantly at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding events due to changes in the balance of pro- and anti-hemostatic substances. As such, recommendations for the use of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis are lacking. Recent studies have found no difference in rates of VTE in those receiving and not receiving pharmacological VTE prophylaxis, though most studies have been small.

Direct Genetics Referral Pathway for High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Patients: The "Opt-Out" Process.

Purpose: In order to meet a clinical need for better pathways to access genetic testing for ovarian cancer patients, we implemented and reviewed an opt-out referral process for genetic consultation whereby a referral is automatically sent to genetics following a pathological diagnosis of HGSC.

Methods: Following implementation of the opt-out referral process, each month a list of new cases of HGSC was generated from the synoptic pathology report and forwarded directly to the Cancer Genetics clinic. Using an advanced directive, patients were automatically referred for genetic counselling two months after surgery.

and Fluorouracil-Based Chemotherapy: Mini Review and Case Report.

5-Fluorouracil remains a foundational component of chemotherapy for solid tumour malignancies. While considered a generally safe and effective chemotherapeutic, 5-fluorouracil has demonstrated severe adverse event rates of up to 30%. Understanding the pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil can improve the precision medicine approaches to this therapy.

Hematology and Clinical Chemistry Reference Intervals for Inbred Strain 13/n Guinea Pigs ( ).

Inbred Strain 13/N Guinea Pigs are Frequently Used As Animal Models in Studies of Emerging and High-pathogenicity Viruses. To Date, Clinical Reference Intervals Have Not Been Established for Hematology and Clinical Chemistry Parameters in This Strain. We Obtained Whole-blood Samples from the Cranial Vena Cava of Healthy Strain 13/N Colony Animals for Inhouse Cbc and Clinical Chemistry Analyses.

Lassa Virus Targeting of Anterior Uvea and Endothelium of Cornea and Conjunctiva in Eye of Guinea Pig Model.

Lassa virus (LASV), a hemorrhagic fever virus endemic to West Africa, causes conjunctivitis in patients with acute disease. To examine ocular manifestations of LASV, we histologically examined eyes from infected guinea pigs. In fatal disease, LASV immunostaining was most prominent in the anterior uvea, especially in the filtration angle, ciliary body, and iris and in and around vessels in the bulbar conjunctiva and peripheral cornea, where it co-localized with an endothelial marker (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule).

Veterans Engaged in Treatment, Skills, and Transitions for Enhancing Psychiatric Safety (VETSTEPS).

Objective: The transition after inpatient psychiatric care is a critical time with increased risk. This brief report evaluates Veterans Engaged in Treatment, Skills, and Transitions for Enhancing Psychiatric Safety (VETSTEPS), a program designed for this critical time.

Method: Three "bridging" strategies were employed: (a) using inpatient-outpatient care collaboration; (b) four phone calls within seven days of discharge; and (c) a 4-week, evidence-based intervention that provided safety planning, coping skills, and triage services for postdischarge needs.

Factors Associated With Delirium in Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients Treated With Supplemental Melatonin: A Case-Cohort Study.

Objectives: Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome that confers significant morbidity and mortality. Melatonin is an endogenous neurohormone involved with regulating sleep-wake cycles and has been found to be disturbed in ICU delirium. We hypothesized that there are independent factors that predict delirium in a cohort of patients on melatonin in the surgical ICU (SICU).

Suboptimal Handling of Piccolo Samples or Reagent Discs for Consideration in Ebola Response.

Operating clinical analyzers within recommended parameters can be challenging during outbreak response. Using the Piccolo Xpress point-of-care blood chemistry analyzer on guinea pig blood, we found that values of many analytes are still readily comparable when samples and reagent discs are handled at various conditions outside of manufacturer recommendations.

Predictors of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and survival in chemoradiation treated head and neck cancer patients.

Objectives: Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is a common permanent consequence of curative chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Predictors of ototoxicity in HNSCC were examined.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective, observational cohort study, 206 adult HNSCC patients underwent audiometric testing at baseline, during and after treatment with cisplatin-based chemoradiation.

Interrelated Neuromuscular and Clinical Risk Factors That Contribute to Falls.

Background: Neuromuscular and clinical factors contribute to falls among older adults, yet the interrelated nature of these factors is not well understood. We investigated the relationships between these factors and how they contribute to falls, which may help optimize fall risk assessment and prevention.

Methods: A total of 365 primary care patients (age = 77 ± 7, 67% female) were included from the Boston Rehabilitative Impairment Study of the Elderly.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase as a potential antiviral target for Ebola virus.

There are no approved therapies for Ebola virus infection. Here, to find potential therapeutic targets, we perform a screen for genes essential for Ebola virus (EBOV) infection. We identify GNPTAB, which encodes the α and β subunits of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase.

A sustainable method to reduce postoperative oxycodone discharge prescribing in a metropolitan tertiary referral hospital.

The primary objective of this quality improvement project was to measure and reduce the number of oxycodone immediate-release tablets dispensed to overnight stay surgical patients at discharge. The secondary objective was to reduce the proportion of inappropriate oxycodone immediate-release prescriptions at discharge. Interrupted time series analysis was performed in four surgical wards of St Vincent's Public Hospital, Sydney.

ESL Versus Non-ESL Nursing Students' Perceptions of Incivility in the Clinical Setting.

Background: Incivility toward nursing students in the clinical setting has been reported. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there was a difference between English as second language (ESL) and non-ESL nursing students' perceptions of staff nurse incivility.

Method: The Uncivil Clinical Behavior in Nursing Education Tool and the Horizontal and Vertical Individualism/Collectivism Scale were used to collect data.

Members of and Influence System Biogeochemistry During Early Production of Hydraulically Fractured Natural Gas Wells in the Appalachian Basin.

Hydraulic fracturing is the prevailing method for enhancing recovery of hydrocarbon resources from unconventional shale formations, yet little is understood regarding the microbial impact on biogeochemical cycling in natural-gas wells. Although the metabolisms of certain fermentative bacteria and methanogenic archaea that dominate in later produced fluids have been well studied, few details have been reported on microorganisms prevelant during the early flowback period, when oxygen and other surface-derived oxyanions and nutrients become depleted. Here, we report the isolation, genomic and phenotypic characterization of and bacterial species from natural-gas wells in the Utica-Point Pleasant and Marcellus Formations coupled to supporting geochemical and metagenomic analyses of produced fluid samples.

Study of Factors Contributing to Scorpion Envenomation in Arizona.

Introduction: Arizona has the highest incidence of scorpion envenomation reported to US poison control centers (PCCs). Most cases reported are from a residence, but specific details are limited.

Methods: Specialists at Arizona's two PCCs prospectively completed the Factors of Envenomation in Arizona Residences Survey (FEARS) for residential scorpion exposures reported during 4-week periods in the summer and winter.

Microcornea and bilateral ectopia lentis in an infant: unusual severe ocular presentation of neonatal Marfan syndrome.

We present an unusual case of microcornea, bilateral spontaneous dislocation of lenses, and anomalous optic disks in a 7-week-old girl in whom a systemic diagnosis of Marfan syndrome had not yet been confirmed at presentation. The causes and differential diagnoses of this condition are discussed, and the literature on ocular manifestations of neonatal Marfan syndrome is reviewed.