Frequent, heterogenous fire supports a forest owl assemblage.

Fire shapes biodiversity in many forested ecosystems, but historical management practices and anthropogenic climate change have led to larger, more severe fires that threaten many animal species where such disturbances do not occur naturally. As predators, owls can play important ecological roles in biological communities, but how changing fire regimes affect individual species and species assemblages is largely unknown. Here, we examined the impact of fire severity, history, and configuration over the past 35 years on an assemblage of six forest owl species in the Sierra Nevada, California, using ecosystem-scale passive acoustic monitoring.

Differences in Perceived Versus Actual Sensory Perception in Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

Background: Individuals with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) self-report heightened sensitivity to taste and smell, but neither phenomenon has been systematically explored in the laboratory. We hypothesized that, compared to healthy controls (HC, n = 34), children, adolescents, and adults with full/subthreshold ARFID (n = 100; ages 9 to 23 years) would self-report heightened response to taste/smell stimuli and exhibit stronger bitter taste perception and heightened smell perception in performance-based tasks, and these differences would be especially prominent in those with the ARFID-sensory sensitivity presentation.

Method: We measured self-reported sensitivity to taste/smell with the adolescent/adult sensory profile (AASP).

Barriers to and impacts of hepatitis C treatment among people who inject drugs in Kenya: A qualitative study.

Hepatitis C (HCV) disproportionately affects people who inject drugs (PWID). Despite availability of safe and effective treatment, HCV treatment access and uptake among PWID in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been limited. Understanding the lived experiences of PWID in these settings who have undergone treatment provides the opportunity to gain insight into how to implement treatment programs that meet the needs of this population.

Simultaneous Symmetrizing Surgery on the Contralateral Breast in Unilateral Autologous Breast Reconstruction is Cost-Effective.

BACKGROUND Simultaneous symmetrizing surgery at the time of unilateral free flap reconstruction has been described as a method to facilitate single stage breast reconstruction. However, the impact on cost and number of additional procedures is not well described. METHODS Patients with unilateral free flap reconstruction were identified in national administrative data from 2017-2021 and followed for one year.

Association of the abdominal aortic calcification with all-cause and cardiovascular disease-specific mortality: Prospective cohort study.

Background: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a prevalent form of vascular calcification associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. While previous studies on AAC and cardiovascular risk exist, many have limitations such as small sample sizes and limited clinical significance outcomes. This study aims to prospectively investigate the association between AAC and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific mortality rates in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Elevating the Discourse on the Comorbidity and Treatment of Eating Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Commentary on Inal-Kaleli et al. and Nimbley et al.

Two recent review papers published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders have considerably elevated the rigor of scholarship on the comorbidity between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and eating disorders. One paper reported that more than one-quarter of individuals with acute anorexia nervosa also have ASD, and that autistic traits are positively correlated with eating disorder psychopathology. The other paper reported that, compared to individuals with low autistic traits, those with high autistic traits report poorer experiences of eating disorder treatment, despite similar treatment outcomes.

"Many old people taking care of old people": Experiences of older adults after Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rican population has presented demographic changes resulting in a greater proportion of older adults than almost any other country in the world, with an estimated 28% of the total population being over 60 years of age. A key public health issue in Puerto Rico (PR) is older adults' mental health and wellbeing. Located in the Caribbean, PR is prone to natural hazards such as hurricanes, which are a known threat to older adults' overall health and wellbeing.

Oncogenic potential of truncated-Gli3 via the Gsk3β/Gli3/AR-V7 axis in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

The functional activation of the androgen receptor (AR) and its interplay with the aberrant Hh/Gli cascade are pivotal in the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and resistance to AR-targeted therapies. Our study unveiled a novel role of the truncated form of Gli (t-Gli3) in advancing CRPC. Investigation into Gli3 regulation revealed a Smo-independent mechanism for its activation.

Quality and Regulatory Requirements for the Manufacture of Master Cell Banks of Clinical Grade iPSCs: The EU and USA Perspectives.

The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and protocols for their differentiation into various cell types have revolutionized the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Developing manufacturing guidelines for safe and GMP-compliant final products has become essential. Allogeneic iPSCs-derived cell therapies are now the preferred manufacturing alternative.

Intentions to Use PrEP Among a National Sample of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Youth and Emerging Adults: Examining Gender Minority Stress, Substance Use, and Gender Affirmation.

Transgender and gender-expansive young people, ages 13-24 years, experience disproportionate HIV risk yet are among those with the lowest US PrEP uptake rates (< 10%). Factors influencing PrEP outcomes for this population are poorly understood. This study examines the effects of gender minority stressors, gender affirmation, and heavy substance use on their PrEP outcomes using data from the CDC's 2018 START study (N = 972).

Trajectories of HIV Visit Engagement During the Perinatal Period among Women in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Longitudinal patterns of engagement in care among women living with HIV (WHIV) during the perinatal period are poorly understood. We employed group-based trajectory modeling to (1) describe trajectories of HIV visit engagement; and (2) identify predictors of membership in suboptimal care trajectories. Data came from a prospective cohort study across five urban clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi conducted between February 2020 and August 2022.

"You're in an Image of a Man but Not a Man": A Qualitative Analysis of Intersectional Stigma Among Men with HIV Experiencing Subfertility in Rural Southwestern Uganda.

Many men with HIV (MWH) want to have children and may encounter HIV- and infertility-related stigma experiences. Integration of reproductive health and HIV care for men is rare. When available, safer conception care focuses on HIV prevention but lacks fertility support.

Distinct molecular and clinical features of specific variants of KRAS codon 12 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE Oncogenic mutations in KRAS have been identified in > 85% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases. G12D, G12V, and G12R are the most frequent variants. Using large clinical and genomic databases, this study characterizes prognostic and molecular differences between KRAS variants, focusing on KRAS G12D and G12R.

Development of CPAP Overlay Interfaces for Efficient Administration of Aerosol Surfactant Therapy to Preterm Infants.

The administration of surfactant aerosol therapy to preterm infants receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) respiratory support is highly challenging due to small flow passages, relatively high ventilation flow rates, rapid breathing and small inhalation volumes. To overcome these challenges, the objective of this study was to implement a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model and develop an overlay nasal prong interface design for use with CPAP respiratory support that enables high efficiency powder aerosol delivery to the lungs of preterm infants when needed (i.e.

Aging-dependent temporal regulation of MIR156 epigenetic silencing by CiLDL1 and CiNF-YB8 in chrysanthemum.

Temporal decline in microRNA miR156 expression is crucial for the transition to, and maintenance of, the adult phase and flowering competence in flowering plants. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the temporal regulation of miR156 reduction remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the epigenetic mechanism regulating the temporal silencing of cin-MIR156 in wild chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum), focusing on the role of the lysine-specific demethylase CiLDL1 and the nuclear factor Y complex.

The differential impacts of equivalent gating-charge mutations in voltage-gated sodium channels.

Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels are pivotal for cellular signaling, and mutations in Nav channels can lead to excitability disorders in cardiac, muscular, and neural tissues. A major cluster of pathological mutations localizes in the voltage-sensing domains (VSDs), resulting in either gain-of-function, loss-of-function effects, or both. However, the mechanism behind this functional diversity of mutations at equivalent positions remains elusive.

Prevalence, predisposing factors, and turnover intention related to low back pain among health workers in Accra, Ghana.

Background: Globally, low back pain (LBP) is responsible for disability among 60.1 million people. Health workers face a higher likelihood of being exposed to LBP compared to employees in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

Generation Z in Plastic Surgery: Challenges, Solutions and New Horizons - A European and transatlantic overview.

Introduction:   The entrance of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) into professional life, including the practice of medicine, marks a transformational shift in priorities and values. This generation, shaped by digital immersion and a strong focus on work-life balance, is redefining the landscape of Plastic Surgery. Their preferences for inclusivity, innovation, and structured working hours challenge traditional models of mentorship, patient care, and surgical training.

Utilizing a novel fecal sampling method to examine resistance of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiome to a low dose of tetracycline.

Disruption of host-associated microbial communities can have detrimental impacts on host health. However, the capacity of individual host-associated microbial communities to resist disturbance has not been well defined. Using a novel fecal sampling method for honey bees (Apis mellifera), we examined the resistance of the honey bee gut microbiome to disruption from a low dose of the antibiotic, tetracycline (4.

Calcium phosphate formation and deposition in ischemic neurons.

Ischemic stroke causes acute brain calcium phosphate (CaP) deposition, a process involving primarily the injured neurons. Whereas the adverse impact of CaP deposition on the brain structure and function has been recognized, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This investigation demonstrated that the neuron-expressed, plasma membrane-associated Ca2+-binding proteins annexin (Anx) A2, AnxA5, AnxA6, and AnxA7 contributed to neuronal CaP deposition in the mouse model of ischemic stroke.

A Rare Combination of Bleeding Disorders in South Dakota: A Case Report.

Hemophilia A is a clotting disorder due to factor VIII deficiency, leading to prolonged bleeding. Acquired hemophilia A results from the immune system attacking factor VIII, typically occurring later in life. Factor V Leiden is a genetic mutation causing abnormal blood clot formation, primarily in veins.

2024 Scholars' Research Symposium Abstract: Education on the Understanding of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Vulnerable Undergraduate Population.

Introduction: With the introduction of increasingly powerful audio equipment and increase of personal mobile audio devices in the 21st century, the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in young adults is expected to increase. This increase, estimated to impact 30 million adults in the next four decades, is due in part to recreational exposure. While many young adults have a general understanding of NIHL, a detailed education on various topics of NIHL could further promote adherence to the use of preventive measures.

2024 Scholars' Research Symposium Abstract: Development of an MD-MBA Program at University of South Dakota.

Introduction: Over the last 20 years nationwide, the number of MD-MBA programs have seen an increase from 6 to 65 with an estimated annual enrollment of 500 students. Many of the healthcare challenges providers are witnessing are business challenges, varying from designing quality improvement initiatives to managing rising costs. Studies have shown those who obtained an MD-MBA degree were better prepared to face these challenges than their traditional counterparts.

2024 Scholars' Research Symposium Abstract: Immunosuppressive Opioids are Associated with Longer Hospital Length of Stay in SARS-CoV-2 Patients.

Introduction: Since late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 767 million people worldwide with over one million deaths in the United States alone. One risk factor identified for possible worse outcomes from the virus is medication-induced immune suppression. Some opioids have been associated with immunomodulatory effects.