The action of retinoic acid on spermatogonia in the testis.

For mammalian spermatogenesis to proceed normally, it is essential that the population of testicular progenitor cells, A undifferentiated spermatogonia (A), undergoes differentiation during the A to A1 transition that occurs at the onset of spermatogenesis. The commitment of the A population to differentiation and leaving a quiescent, stem-like state gives rise to all the spermatozoa produced across the lifespan of an individual, and ultimately determines male fertility. The action of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) on the A population is the determining factor that induces this change.

Rethinking retinoic acid self-regulation: A signaling robustness network approach.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) signaling is a major pathway regulating numerous differentiation, proliferation, and patterning processes throughout life. ATRA biosynthesis depends on the nutritional availability of vitamin A and other retinoids and carotenoids, while it is sensitive to dietary and environmental toxicants. This nutritional and environmental influence requires a robustness response that constantly fine-tunes the ATRA metabolism to maintain a context-specific, physiological range of signaling levels.

Early retinoic acid signaling organizes the body axis and defines domains for the forelimb and eye.

All-trans RA (ATRA) is a small molecule derived from retinol (vitamin A) that directly controls gene expression at the transcriptional level by serving as a ligand for nuclear ATRA receptors. ATRA is produced by ATRA-generating enzymes that convert retinol to retinaldehyde (retinol dehydrogenase; RDH10) followed by conversion of retinaldehyde to ATRA (retinaldehyde dehydrogenase; ALDH1A1, ALDH1A2, or ALDH1A3). Determining what ATRA normally does during vertebrate development has been challenging as studies employing ATRA gain-of-function (RA treatment) often do not agree with genetic loss-of-function studies that remove ATRA via knockouts of ATRA-generating enzymes.

Evaluating the Impact of an Educational Intervention on Nursing Labor Support Practices and Cesarean Birth Rates.

Over 30% of births in the United States occur via cesarean section despite increased risks to the birthing person and neonate. Evidence-based nursing practice related to fetal monitoring, patient positioning, and management of the second stage of labor can decrease the incidence of cesarean birth. The objective is to decrease the cesarean birth rate by 3% in a Midwestern suburban hospital.

Evaluation of a disease-state education program in asthma: Application of the Knowledge-to-Action Framework.

Background: In patients with asthma, bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation both contribute to airway narrowing and airflow limitations, which lead to symptoms and exacerbations. Short-acting beta 2-agonist (SABA)-only rescue therapy addresses only bronchoconstriction and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Current asthma management guidelines recommend concomitant treatment of symptoms and inflammation with a fast-acting bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) as rescue therapy for patients 12 years of age.

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol use disorder: A systematic review of evidence and future potential.

Introduction: While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains a highly effective psychotherapy approach for managing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), its potential is hindered by workforce shortages and access barriers. In response to these challenges, Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) has emerged as an innovative solution that integrates the core CBT structure with technology. In iCBT, educational materials, therapist communication and progress dashboards can be centralized in a digital format, and delivered in a self-guided, therapist-guided or blended approach.

Supporting Unhealthy Substance use care Through a whole person Approach and user centered INtegration into primary care (SUSTAIN): Study protocol for a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial.

Background: Unhealthy substance use (USU) is common and ranges from use above guideline-recommended levels to severe substance use disorder. USU results in substantial morbidity and mortality yet primary care practices rarely systematically screen, diagnose, and treat USU. Supporting Unhealthy Substance use care Through a whole person Approach and user centered INtegration into primary care (SUSTAIN) tests whether the implementation of a co-designed change package for USU improves patient function.

Biochemical, structural, and cellular characterization of S-but-3-yn-2-ylglycine as a mechanism-based covalent inactivator of the flavoenzyme proline dehydrogenase.

The mitochondrial flavoenzymes proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and hydroxyproline dehydrogenase (PRODH2) catalyze the first steps of proline and hydroxyproline catabolism, respectively. The enzymes are targets for chemical probe development because of their roles in cancer cell metabolism (PRODH) and primary hyperoxaluria (PRODH2). Mechanism-based inactivators of PRODH target the FAD by covalently modifying the N5 atom, with N-propargylglycine (NPPG) being the current best-in-class of this type of probe.

A Comparison of Endoscopic and Surgical Gastrojejunostomy in Patients with Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction: A National Cohort Analysis (2016-2020).

Background And Aims: Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO) is an unfortunate complication of advanced upper gastrointestinal malignancies. Historically, surgical gastrojejunostomy has been the procedure of choice to achieve enteral bypass. Recently, endoscopic techniques have gained popularity in the management of MGOO.

Role of institutional and state policies in management of pregnancies of unknown location: a 2024 online survey of Ryan Programs in the United States.

Objective: To assess the perceived impact of state and institutional policies on managing pregnancies of unknown location (PUL) at U.S. Ryan residency programs.

CDC WONDER: Trends in diabetes mellitus mortality in the United States from 1968 to 2021.

This study analyzes U.S. diabetes mortality trends from 1968 to 2019 using CDC WONDER data.

Utilization of smartphone technology and wearable technology following TKA.

Introduction: The widespread adoption of smartphones and wearable technology has introduced innovative approaches in healthcare, particularly in postoperative rehabilitation. These technologies hold significant promise for improving recovery following lower extremity arthroplasty, especially total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Despite growing interest, the evidence on their effectiveness and long-term impact remains variable.

Impact of Second Internal Thoracic Artery on Long-term Survival After Coronary Bypass Surgery.

Background: The survival advantages of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafts in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to systematically evaluate the time-dependent influence of BITA on long-term survival in elective CABG patients presenting with stable multi-vessel coronary artery disease.

Methods: Data from 3,693 patients undergoing isolated CABG with single internal thoracic artery (SITA) or BITA, with or without additional vein grafts, between 2002 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.

In vitro comparative analysis of metabolic capabilities and inhibitory profiles of selected CYP2D6 alleles on tramadol metabolism.

Tramadol, the 41st most prescribed drug in the United States in 2021 is a prodrug activated by CYP2D6, which is highly polymorphic. Previous studies showed enzyme-inhibitor affinity varied between different CYP2D6 allelic variants with dextromethorphan and atomoxetine metabolism. However, no study has compared tramadol metabolism in different CYP2D6 alleles with different CYP2D6 inhibitors.

The Extended Mind in Young Children: Cost-Dependent Trade-Off Between External and Internal Memory.

Most work on working memory development has children remember a set of items as well as they can. However, this approach sidesteps the , the integration of external information with memory. Indeed, adults prefer to use external resources (e.

First-in-human experience performing high-resolution cortical mapping using a novel microelectrode array containing 1,024 electrodes.

Localization of function within the brain and central nervous system is an essential aspect of clinical neuroscience. Classical descriptions of functional neuroanatomy provide a foundation for understanding the functional significance of identifiable anatomic structures. However, individuals exhibit substantial variation, particularly in the presence of disorders that alter tissue structure or impact function.

Disentangling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests on implicit anti-Black bias.

Terror Management Theory (TMT) holds that mortal threats bolster people's desire to support their worldviews, which may contribute to increased outgroup bias. In 2020, two events likely increased mortality salience and death anxiety: COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests that followed George Floyd's murder. We used Project Implicit data to investigate their impact on implicit anti-Black bias, controlling for demographic variables.

Psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents with adverse childhood experiences: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Backgrounds: Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with adverse neurobiological, developmental, cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and social consequences among children and adolescents. Psychosocial interventions hold promise for mitigating the negative impacts of ACEs, but there is a lack of updated and comprehensive evidence summarizing their effects qualitatively and quantitatively.

Aims: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing evidence on the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on children's outcomes, including internalizing and externalizing problems.

Bioaccumulation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and oxidative stress in snapping turtles in New York, USA.

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is an anthropogenic chemical found in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) and many consumer products. Despite its environmental ubiquity and persistence, little is known about the effects of PFOS on stress levels in wild animals. Here, we examined PFOS bioaccumulation and correlations between PFOS exposure and oxidative stress in snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) downstream of Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York, a known source of AFFF contamination.

The lean body mass to visceral fat mass ratio is negatively associated with cardiometabolic disorders: a cross-sectional study.

The literature has documented conflicting and inconsistent associations between muscle-to-fat ratios and metabolic diseases. Additionally, different adipose tissues can have contrasting effects, with visceral adipose tissue being identified as particularly harmful. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the ratio of the lean mass index (LMI) to the visceral fat mass index (VFMI) and cardiometabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes, as previous research on this topic is lacking.

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) as wetland ecosystem carbon stock regulators.

Blue carbon refers to organic carbon sequestered by oceanic and coastal ecosystems. This stock has gained global attention as a high organic carbon repository relative to other ecosystems. Within blue carbon ecosystems, tidally influenced wetlands alone store a disproportionately higher amount of organic carbon than other blue carbon systems.

Strengthening biopolymer adhesives through ureolysis-induced calcium carbonate precipitation.

Common adhesives for nonstructural applications are manufactured using petrochemicals and synthetic solvents. These adhesives are associated with environmental and health concerns because of their release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Biopolymer adhesives are an attractive alternative because of lower VOC emissions, but their strength is often insufficient.

Finding gaps in the national electric vehicle charging station coverage of the United States.

The United States federal government has invested $7.5 billion into charging infrastructure, including the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, to build fast charging stations along designated highways for long-distance car travel. We develop a consecutive coverage metric to compute the percent of United States roads (traffic-weighted) that are consecutively accessible within 500 miles of each county.

Affirmative Action-A Crack in the Door to Higher Education.

The impact of the Supreme Court of the United States ruling against race-conscious admissions extends beyond college admissions to professional schools. Based partially on the idea that enough time had elapsed for achievement of the stated goals of affirmative action, the court ruled race-conscious admissions are unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The ruling left a crack in the door to higher education, however, allowing students to write an essay showing how race or ethnicity affected their lives.