A standard workflow for community-driven manual curation of genome annotations.

Advances in the functional genomics and bioinformatics toolkits for species have positioned these species as genetically tractable model systems for gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. As community interest in mechanistic studies of species continues to grow, publicly accessible reference genomes and associated genome annotations are critical resources for researchers. Genome annotations for multiple species are broadly available via the WormBase and WormBase ParaSite online repositories.

Integrating animal behaviour into research on multiple environmental stressors: a conceptual framework.

While a large body of research has focused on the physiological effects of multiple environmental stressors, how behavioural and life-history plasticity mediate multiple-stressor effects remains underexplored. Behavioural plasticity can not only drive organism-level responses to stressors directly but can also mediate physiological responses. Here, we provide a conceptual framework incorporating four fundamental trade-offs that explicitly link animal behaviour to life-history-based pathways for energy allocation, shaping the impact of multiple stressors on fitness.

Potential and Pitfalls of Mobile Mental Health Apps in Traditional Treatment: An Umbrella Review.

While the rapid growth of mobile mental health applications has offered an avenue of support unbridled by physical distance, time, and cost, the digitalization of traditional interventions has also triggered doubts surrounding their effectiveness and safety. Given the need for a more comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of mobile mental health apps in traditional treatment, this umbrella review provides a holistic summary of their key potential and pitfalls. A total of 36 reviews published between 2014 and 2022-including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scoping reviews, and literature reviews-were identified from the Cochrane library, Medline (via PubMed Central), and Scopus databases.

Is Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection induced by glucocorticoids a result of both suppressed host immunity and altered parasite genetics?

The gastrointestinal (GI) nematode Strongyloides stercoralis (S.s.) causes human strongyloidiasis, a potentially life-threatening disease that currently affects over 600 million people globally.

A fluorescent turn-on sensor for mercury (II) ions in near neutral poly(metharylic acid) solution.

The conformational change of poly (methacrylic acid) (PMAA) at various pH values is well studied; however, the application of PMAA in the field of analytical chemistry has been very limited. This investigation takes advantage of the conformational change of PMAA at various pH levels and the conformational change induced by metal ions. By adjusting the pH, thiophene-phenylanilide-acridinium molecules can serve as turn-on sensors for Hg ions.

First Report of Bacterial Pineapple Heart Rot Caused by in Puerto Rico.

In Puerto Rico, the agricultural production of pineapple ( (L.) Merr.) comprises nearly 5,000 tons harvested annually from over 250 ha (USDA 2018).

Characterization of the endogenous DAF-12 ligand and its use as an anthelmintic agent in .

A prevalent feature of is a life-long and potentially lethal infection that is due to the nematode parasite's ability to autoinfect and, thereby, self-replicate within its host. Here, we investigated the role of the parasite's nuclear receptor, DAF-12, in governing infection. We identified Δ7-DA as the endogenous DAF-12 ligand and elucidated the hormone's biosynthetic pathway.

Corneal endothelial cell density in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if the corneal endothelium was affected by chemotherapy.

Methods: Chemotherapy patients were recruited to undergo specular microscopy before treatment and again at 1- and 2-year follow-up visits. One eye per patient, per follow-up, was selected for comparison to baseline.

Transcriptional profiles in Strongyloides stercoralis males reveal deviations from the Caenorhabditis sex determination model.

The human and canine parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis utilizes an XX/XO sex determination system, with parasitic females reproducing by mitotic parthenogenesis and free-living males and females reproducing sexually. However, the genes controlling S. stercoralis sex determination and male development are unknown.

Dafachronic acid and temperature regulate canonical dauer pathways during Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infectious larvae activation.

Background: While immune responses to the murine hookworm Nippostrongylus brasiliensis have been investigated, signaling pathways regulating development of infectious larvae (iL3) are not well understood. We hypothesized that N. brasiliensis would use pathways similar to those controlling dauer development in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which is formally known as the "dauer hypothesis.

100 Years Since Tolaas: Bacterial Blotch of Mushrooms in the 21 Century.

Among the biotic constraints of common mushroom () production, bacterial blotch is considered the most important mushroom disease in terms of global prevalence and economic impact. Etiology and management of bacterial blotch has been a major concern since its original description in 1915. Although is thought to be the main causal agent, various species, as well as organisms from other genera have been reported to cause blotch symptoms on mushroom caps.

Structured mathematical models to investigate the interactions between Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites and host immune response.

Malaria infection has posed a major health threat for hundreds of years in human history. Yet, due to the complex interactions between a host immune response and the parasite, no sophisticated mathematical models exist to study its dynamics. In this work, we propose a new system of structured partial differential equations that account for the dependence of red blood cell infectivity on maturation level.

Detection of Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb ions through label-free poly-L-glutamic acid.

Detection of heavy metal ions in water is important for environmental sustainability and food safety. Current fluorescent sensors interact with metal ions directly through chelation or chemical reactions. Those sensors are expensive to produce and often can detect only one ion at a time.

Tales of testosterone: Advancing our understanding of environmental endocrinology through studies of neotropical birds.

Studies of birds have greatly advanced our understanding of how testosterone modulates complex phenotypes, specifically its role in mediating male reproductive and associated behaviors. Yet most of the foundational studies have been limited to northern latitude breeding species despite the fact that they represent only a small fraction of worldwide avian diversity. In contrast, phylogenetic, life-history, and mating system diversity all reach their apex in neotropical avifauna and yet these birds, along with more southern latitude species, remain very poorly understood from an endocrine perspective.

Recognition Without Words: Using Taste to Explore Survival Processing.

Many educational demonstrations of memory and recall employ word lists and number strings; items that lend themselves to semantic organization and "chunking." By applying taste recall to the adaptive memory paradigm, which evaluates memory from a survival-based evolutionary perspective, we have developed a simple, inexpensive exercise that defies mnemonic strategies. Most adaptive memory studies have evaluated recall of words encountered while imagining survival and non-survival scenarios.

Income within context: relative income matters for adolescent social satisfaction and mental health.

Background: Previous research has shown that a mismatch between one's own socioeconomic status (SES) and the SES of the surrounding context can lead to maladaptive outcomes, such as increased social stigma and low levels of belongingness (Johnson, Richeson, & Finkel, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100, 2011, 838; Ostrove, The Journal of Social Issues, 59, 2003, 771). This study examines an adolescent population, as contextual comparisons should be especially salient at this time.

Methods: Participants included over 900 adolescents at age 15 involved in a multisite longitudinal study.

Snapshot fecal survey of domestic animals in rural Ghana for Mycobacterium ulcerans.

Identifying the source reservoirs of Mycobacterium ulcerans is key to understanding the mode of transmission of this pathogen and controlling the spread of Buruli ulcer (BU). In Australia, the native possum can harbor M. ulcerans in its gastrointestinal tract and shed high concentrations of the bacteria in its feces.

Family or Caregiver Instability, Parental Attachment, and the Relationship to Juvenile Sex Offending.

A violent or unstable home life-characterized by caregivers physically or sexually abusing children, physical violence in the home, homelessness, and other factors-and disrupted parental attachment are examined in this secondary data analysis for their possible relationship to juvenile sex offending. Parent or caregiver instability is measured by a demographic questionnaire administered to participants. Parental attachment is measured by the Inventory of Peer and Personal Attachment.

Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of terpene synthases in Arabidopsis and Medicago.

This study provides a timely comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of the terpene synthase (TPS) gene family in Medicago truncatula (bears glandular and non-glandular trichomes) and Arabidopsis thaliana (bears non-glandular trichomes). The authors' efforts aimed to gain insight into TPS function, phylogenetic relationships and the role of trichomes in terpene biosynthesis and function. In silico analysis identified 33 and 23 putative full-length TPS genes in Arabidopsis and Medicago, respectively.

Perceptions of autonomy in poststroke elderly clients.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability. Four million Americans are living with the effects of stroke, with one third having mild impairment and two-thirds experiencing moderate to severe impairment. The residual effects of stroke may include alterations in physiological functioning, cognition, and emotional and psychological changes.

An investigation of relationships between climate and dengue using a water budgeting technique.

Climatic water budget indicators were used to assess intra- and interannual variations in dengue incidence for San Juan, Puerto Rico. Multivariate stochastic relationships between dengue and the water budget were developed to (1) determine and quantify the particular climatic measures and their associated lag periods related to dengue variations, and (2) assess their use for dengue prediction and initiation of emergency response procedures. Such a predictive model would be advantageous because it is based on reliable, easily obtained, and low-cost weather observations.

A prototype haptic suturing simulator.

A new haptic simulation designed to teach basic suturing for simple wound closure is described. Needle holders are attached to the haptic device as the graphics of the needle holders, needle, sutures and virtual skin are displayed and updated in real time. The simulator incorporates several interesting components such as real-time modeling of deformable skin, tissue and suture material and real-time recording of state of activity during the task using a finite state model.

Somitogenesis in the mouse embryo.

This report describes the initiation of somitogenesis in the mouse embryo. Correlations are made with fibronectin distribution around the unsegmented mesoderm and the distribution of cytoskeletal elements within the cells as they undergo morphogenetic movements. The same temporal and topological changes in fibronectin, laminin, and cytoskeletal elements are seen in mouse somitogenesis as in the chick embryo.