Expanding the human gut microbiome atlas of Africa.

Population studies provide insights into the interplay between the gut microbiome and geographical, lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors. However, low- and middle-income countries, in which approximately 84% of the world's population lives, are not equitably represented in large-scale gut microbiome research. Here we present the AWI-Gen 2 Microbiome Project, a cross-sectional gut microbiome study sampling 1,801 women from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

Engineered heart muscle allografts for heart repair in primates and humans.

Cardiomyocytes can be implanted to remuscularize the failing heart. Challenges include sufficient cardiomyocyte retention for a sustainable therapeutic impact without intolerable side effects, such as arrhythmia and tumour growth. We investigated the hypothesis that epicardial engineered heart muscle (EHM) allografts from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and stromal cells structurally and functionally remuscularize the chronically failing heart without limiting side effects in rhesus macaques.

Global meta-analysis shows action is needed to halt genetic diversity loss.

Mitigating loss of genetic diversity is a major global biodiversity challenge. To meet recent international commitments to maintain genetic diversity within species, we need to understand relationships between threats, conservation management and genetic diversity change. Here we conduct a global analysis of genetic diversity change via meta-analysis of all available temporal measures of genetic diversity from more than three decades of research.

Copper-dependent halogenase catalyses unactivated C-H bond functionalization.

Carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds are the foundation of essentially every organic molecule, making them an ideal place to do chemical synthesis. The key challenge is achieving selectivity for one particular C(sp)-H bond. In recent years, metalloenzymes have been found to perform C(sp)-H bond functionalization.

Warming and cooling catalyse widespread temporal turnover in biodiversity.

Turnover in species composition through time is a dominant form of biodiversity change, which has profound effects on the functioning of ecological communities. Turnover rates differ markedly among communities, but the drivers of this variation across taxa and realms remain unknown. Here we analyse 42,225 time series of species composition from marine, terrestrial and freshwater assemblages, and show that temporal rates of turnover were consistently faster in locations that experienced faster temperature change, including both warming and cooling.

Dynamic flow control through active matter programming language.

Cells use 'active' energy-consuming motor and filament protein networks to control micrometre-scale transport and fluid flows. Biological active materials could be used in dynamically programmable devices that achieve spatial and temporal resolution that exceeds current microfluidic technologies. However, reconstituted motor-microtubule systems generate chaotic flows and cannot be directly harnessed for engineering applications.

Synchronized long-read genome, methylome, epigenome and transcriptome profiling resolve a Mendelian condition.

Resolving the molecular basis of a Mendelian condition remains challenging owing to the diverse mechanisms by which genetic variants cause disease. To address this, we developed a synchronized long-read genome, methylome, epigenome and transcriptome sequencing approach, which enables accurate single-nucleotide, insertion-deletion and structural variant calling and diploid de novo genome assembly. This permits the simultaneous elucidation of haplotype-resolved CpG methylation, chromatin accessibility and full-length transcript information in a single long-read sequencing run.

Genetic ancestry concordant RNA splicing in prostate cancer involves oncogenic genes and associates with recurrence.

Black men suffer disproportionately from prostate cancer (PCa) compared to men of other races and ethnicities. Comparing the molecular landscape of PCa among Black and White patients has the potential to identify targets for development of new precision medicine interventions. Herein, we conducted transcriptomic analysis of prostate tumors and paired tumor-adjacent normals from self-reported Black and White PCa patients and estimated patient genetic ancestry.

Oxidation state of bioavailable dissolved organic matter influences bacterioplankton respiration and growth efficiency.

Oxygen consumption by oceanic microbes can predict respiration (CO production) but requires an assumed respiratory quotient (RQ; ΔO/ΔCO). Measured apparent RQs (ARQs) can be impacted by various processes, including nitrification and changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition, leading to discrepancies between ARQ and actual RQ. In DOM remineralization experiments conducted in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean, ARQs averaged 1.

Engineering synthetic signaling receptors to enable erythropoietin-free erythropoiesis.

Blood transfusion plays a vital role in modern medicine, but frequent shortages occur. Ex vivo manufacturing of red blood cells (RBCs) from universal donor cells offers a potential solution, yet the high cost of recombinant cytokines remains a barrier. Erythropoietin (EPO) signaling is crucial for RBC development, and EPO is among the most expensive media components.

Molecular and pharmacological heterogeneity of ETV6::RUNX1 acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

ETV6::RUNX1 is the most common fusion gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) associated with favorable prognosis, but the optimal therapy for this subtype remains unclear. Profiling the genomic and pharmacological landscape of 194 pediatric ETV6::RUNX1 ALL cases, we uncover two transcriptomic clusters, C1 (61%) and C2 (39%). Compared to C1, the C2 subtype features higher white blood cell counts and younger age at diagnosis, as well as better early treatment responses.

Large exciton binding energy in a bulk van der Waals magnet from quasi-1D electronic localization.

Excitons, bound electron-hole pairs, influence the optical properties in strongly interacting solid-state systems and are typically most stable and pronounced in monolayer materials. Bulk systems with large exciton binding energies, on the other hand, are rare and the mechanisms driving their stability are still relatively unexplored. Here, we report an exceptionally large exciton binding energy in single crystals of the bulk van der Waals antiferromagnet CrSBr.

Time-resolved Brownian tomography of single nanocrystals in liquid during oxidative etching.

Colloidal nanocrystals inherently undergo structural changes during chemical reactions. The robust structure-property relationships, originating from their nanoscale dimensions, underscore the significance of comprehending the dynamic structural behavior of nanocrystals in reactive chemical media. Moreover, the complexity and heterogeneity inherent in their atomic structures require tracking of structural transitions in individual nanocrystals at three-dimensional (3D) atomic resolution.

Categorization of 34 computational methods to detect spatially variable genes from spatially resolved transcriptomics data.

In the analysis of spatially resolved transcriptomics data, detecting spatially variable genes (SVGs) is crucial. Numerous computational methods exist, but varying SVG definitions and methodologies lead to incomparable results. We review 34 state-of-the-art methods, classifying SVGs into three categories: overall, cell-type-specific, and spatial-domain-marker SVGs.

Subcellular mitochondrial heterogeneity enables opposing metabolic demands.

Mitochondria perform essential metabolic processes that sustain cellular bioenergetics and biosynthesis. In a recent article, Ryu et al. explored how mitochondria coordinate biochemical reactions with opposing redox demands within the same cell.

ProCUSNet: Prostate Cancer Detection on B-mode Transrectal Ultrasound Using Artificial Intelligence for Targeting During Prostate Biopsies.

Background And Objective: To assess whether conventional brightness-mode (B-mode) transrectal ultrasound images of the prostate reveal clinically significant cancers with the help of artificial intelligence methods.

Methods: This study included 2986 men who underwent biopsies at two institutions. We trained the PROstate Cancer detection on B-mode transrectal UltraSound images NETwork (ProCUSNet) to determine whether ultrasound can reliably detect cancer.

Disorders of Muscle Mass and Tone.

Muscle disease has various clinical manifestations that range from exertional and non-exertional rhabdomyolysis, fasciculations, weakness, rigidity, stiffness, gait abnormalities, poor performance, and alterations in muscle mass and tone. Neurogenic disorders and non-neurogenic disorders such as primary muscle disease can cause muscle atrophy and changes in muscle tone. Myotonic disorders can have a genetic (eg, inherited channelopathies) or acquired (eg, electrolyte derangements) origin.

Genetics of Muscle Disease.

In the field of equine muscle disorders, many conditions have a genetic basis. Therefore, genetic testing is an important part of the diagnostic evaluation. Validated genetic tests are currently available for 5 equine muscle disorders: hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, malignant hyperthermia, glycogen branching enzyme disease, type 1 polysaccharide storage myopathy, and myosin heavy chain myopathy.

Advances in systematic conservation planning to meet global biodiversity goals.

Systematic conservation planning (SCP) involves the cost-effective placement and application of management actions to achieve biodiversity conservation objectives. Given the political momentum for greater global nature protection, restoration, and improved management of natural resources articulated in the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, assessing the state-of-the-art of SCP is timely. Recent advances in SCP include faster and more exact algorithms and software, inclusion of ecosystem services and multiple facets of biodiversity (e.

Tracking transmission through transposable elements in uropathogenic and commensal .

Aim: To investigate the nucleotide sequences associated with transposable elements carrying bla allelic variants as potential markers for the transmission of antimicrobial resistance genes between domestic animals, humans and the environment.

Materials & Methods: We conducted whole-genome sequencing and analyzed the nucleotide sequences of most abundant bla allelic variants (bla, bla, and bla) in commensal Escherichia coli ( = 20) from household members in Quito and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) ( = 149) isolated from nine clinics in Quito, Ecuador.

Mental Health Aspects of Genetic Screening and Testing in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Availability of genetic testing and screening options has advanced significantly, and increasingly becoming included in obstetric (OB) and gynecologic practices. Advanced technologies have caused genetic screening to become more complex. Genetic screening is recommended for all pregnant patients and is routinely offered in OBs and gynecology.

Physician Personal Well-Being and Resilience: An Action Plan and Sustainable Approach.

This comprehensive review addresses the critical issue of burnout among obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs), exploring strategies to enhance personal well-being and resilience. The study examines the personal and professional consequences of burnout, including its impact on patient care and health care systems. It outlines institutional responsibilities and provides practical strategies for creating supportive work environments.

The Impact of Stillbirth on Maternal Wellbeing.

Several parents globally face stillbirth, which takes a toll on their mental health and well-being. We would like to discuss the differences between grief and mental health and ways care must be tailored toward the specific needs of the bereaved. Recent research shows that there is a sense of personal responsibility that accompanies stillbirth and pregnancy loss.

Pancreatic Cancer: Screening and Early Detection.

Pancreatic cancer, often diagnosed at advanced stages, has poor survival rates. Effective screening aims to detect the disease early, improving outcomes. Current guidelines recommend screening high-risk groups, including those with a family history or genetic predispositions, using methods like endoscopic ultrasound and MRI.