A high-fidelity CRISPR-Cas13 system improves abnormalities associated with C9ORF72-linked ALS/FTD.

An abnormal expansion of a GGGGCC (GC) hexanucleotide repeat in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), two debilitating neurodegenerative disorders driven in part by gain-of-function mechanisms involving transcribed forms of the repeat expansion. By utilizing a Cas13 variant with reduced collateral effects, we develop here a high-fidelity RNA-targeting CRISPR-based system for C9ORF72-linked ALS/FTD. When delivered to the brain of a transgenic rodent model, this Cas13-based platform curbed the expression of the GC repeat-containing RNA without affecting normal C9ORF72 levels, which in turn decreased the formation of RNA foci, reduced the production of a dipeptide repeat protein, and reversed transcriptional deficits.

Patterns of Screen Time From Ages 2 to 6-7 Years in South Brazil: A Prospective Study.

Background: Screen use has become nearly universal, especially in children. Therefore, it is important not only to comprehend its effects on health but also to understand its patterns of use. We aim to describe screen use patterns among children assessed at 2, 4, and 6-7 years, based on device, period of the day, and child/family characteristics.

Codesigning a Home-Based Exercise Program With and for People With Visual Impairments: A Needs Assessment.

This needs-assessment study evaluated the physical activity levels, needs, preferences, and requirements for exercise among individuals with visual impairments, aiming to establish evidence for the codesign of a subsequent home-based exercise program. The questionnaire, comprising 35 questions, was developed by a research team of disability and adapted physical activity experts. It was implemented for the online survey, collecting data from 145 adults with severe low vision and blindness between January 15 and January 29, 2024.

Chemical cues of conspecific predation elicit distinct behavioural responses in cannibalistic poison frog tadpoles.

In cannibalistic species, conspecifics can be both predators and prey. As a result, conspecifics present a unique conflict at the intersection of predation, competition and nutritional resources in these species. To better understand how individuals respond to the complex information of conspecific chemical cues, we studied aggressive and cannibalistic tadpoles of the dyeing poison frog, .

Anticipatory Violence and Health Among Black Adults in the United States.

This study analyzes the relationship between anticipatory community and police violence and health outcomes including mental and physical well-being, sleep problems, and functional disability. Using data from a nationally representative survey of 3015 self-identified Black and African American adults in the USA collected in 2023, findings from a series of regression analyses reveal that anticipating community violence is linked to poorer self-rated health and increased sleep problems. Anticipatory police violence is associated with poorer physical health and sleep disturbances.

Sex-specific trends in educational attainment and self-rated health, 1972-2018.

This study examines sex-specific trends in self-rated health and educational attainment in the United States. We also consider how educational improvements shape trends in self-rated health and whether these associations differ by sex. We draw on 1972-2018 General Social Survey data to extend past research through the recent period when American population health has stalled or declined.

Genetic and biochemical characterization of a radical SAM enzyme required for post-translational glutamine methylation of methyl-coenzyme M reductase.

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), the key catalyst in the anoxic production and consumption of methane, contains an unusual 2-methylglutamine residue within its active site. data show that a B12-dependent radical SAM (rSAM) enzyme, designated MgmA, is responsible for this post-translational modification (PTM). Here, we show that two different MgmA homologs are able to methylate MCR when expressed in , an organism that does not normally possess this PTM.

Correction: Barkjohn et al. Correction and Accuracy of PurpleAir PM Measurements for Extreme Wildfire Smoke. 2022, , 9669.

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HK Methylation and Demethylation in Fungal Pathogens: The Epigenetic Toolbox for Survival and Adaptation in the Host.

Pathogenic fungi represent a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms that significantly impact human health and agriculture. In recent years, the role of epigenetic modifications, particularly histone modifications, in fungal pathobiology has emerged as a prominent area of interest. Among these modifications, methylation of histone H3 at lysine-4 (H3K4) has garnered considerable attention for its implications in regulating gene expression associated with diverse cellular processes.

Redox-induced phosphorus release from critical source areas following rainfall events in New Zealand.

Critical source areas (CSAs) can act as a source of phosphorus (P) during intermittent rainfall events and contribute to dissolved P loss via runoff. Dissolved forms of P are readily accessible for plant and algal uptake; hence it is a concern in terms of the eutrophication of freshwater bodies. The potential of CSAs to release dissolved P to surface runoff upon intermittent short-term submergence caused by different rainfall events has not been studied at a field-scale in New Zealand previously.

Linkage-based ortholog refinement in bacterial pangenomes with CLARC.

Bacterial genomes exhibit significant variation in gene content and sequence identity. Pangenome analyses explore this diversity by classifying genes into core and accessory clusters of orthologous groups (COGs). However, strict sequence identity cutoffs can misclassify divergent alleles as different genes, inflating accessory gene counts.

Epitaxy of Emerging Materials and Advanced Heterostructures for Microelectronics and Quantum Sciences.

Epitaxy, a process to prepare crystalline materials in nanostructures and thin films, is the core technology for preparing high-quality materials as a key enabler of next-generation microelectronics and quantum information system. Progress in epitaxy has been expanding the choice of materials and their heterostructures beyond the combinations limited by materials compatibility. However, the improvement of material quality, physical implementation of materials with unique properties, and integration of incommensurate materials in an architecture have been the challenging issues.

Supporting implementation of universal prevention initiatives in K-12 schools: impacts on fidelity through organizational readiness and team functioning in a cluster-randomized trial.

Background: Rural School Support Strategies (RS3) is a bundle of implementation supports (including training, technical assistance, and a virtual learning collaborative) designed for the scale-up of universal prevention initiatives. This study addresses mechanisms of action, exploring whether positive effects of RS3 on implementation fidelity are attributable to improvements in functioning of school implementation teams, and increases in organizational readiness.

Methods: Data are from a cluster-randomized hybrid Type 3 implementation-effectiveness trial of RS3 among rural Idaho schools implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

Comparison of mucosal microbiota populations across the gastrointestinal tract of healthy dogs.

The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota plays a crucial role in host health and disease in dogs, but the knowledge regarding the mucosal associated microbiota along the GI tract is limited in dogs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the phylogeny and predicted functional capacity of microbiota residing on the gut mucosa across five GI regions of healthy young adult and geriatric dogs fed different diets. Twelve weanling (8 weeks old) and 12 senior (11.

Differences in motivation for biology learning: A measurement invariance testing and latent mean comparison approach.

Educational and psychological research often involves comparing motivation across groups. It is critical to ensure that observed differences in motivation are true variations by group, not due to measurement biases. With a diverse sample of undergraduate students (N = 2200), this study measured internal consistency and gathered validity evidence based on the internal structure of five motivation scales.

Enhanced detection for antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater samples using a CRISPR-enriched metagenomic method.

The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment is a global public health concern. To date, over 5000 genes have been identified to express resistance to antibiotics. ARGs are usually low in abundance for wastewater samples, making them difficult to detect.

Silicon-mediated modulation of maize growth, metabolic responses, and antioxidant mechanisms under saline conditions.

Purpose: This study explored how exogenous silicon (Si) affects growth and salt resistance in maize.

Methods: The maize was cultivated in sand-filled pots, incorporating varied silicon and salt stress (NaCl) treatments. Silicon was applied at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mM, and salt stress was induced using 0, 60 and120 mM concentrations.

Prevalence, Management, and Comorbidities of Adults With Atrial Fibrillation in the United States, 2019 to 2023.

Background: Due to evolving risk factor profiles and an aging population, atrial fibrillation poses a significant public health challenge in the United States. Therefore, a contemporary and nationally representative epidemiological study is necessary to reassess atrial fibrillation's impact on the health care system.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to provide the most current and detailed assessment of atrial fibrillation's prevalence and management in the United States.

True Grit: The Tale of American Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Applicants.

Introduction: Selecting candidates for plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) residency is complex, involving academic metrics and intrinsic personal qualities. "Grit"-perseverance and passion for long-term goals may be one of these valued qualities. This study investigates how grit scores relate to securing a PRS residency, hypothesizing that higher grit correlates with greater matching success.

Associations of prenatal urinary melamine, melamine analogues, and aromatic amines with gestational duration and fetal growth in the ECHO Cohort.

Melamine, its analogues, and aromatic amines (AAs) were commonly detected in a previous study of pregnant women in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort. While these chemicals have identified toxicities, little is known about their influences on fetal development. We measured these chemicals in gestational urine samples in 3 ECHO cohort sites to assess associations with birth outcomes (n = 1,231).

Strongly coordinating mediator enables single-step resource recovery from heavy metal-organic complexes in wastewater.

Heavy metals complexed with organic ligands are among the most critical carcinogens threatening global water safety. The challenge of efficiently and cost-effectively removing and recovering these metals has long eluded existing technologies. Here, we show a strategy of coordinating mediator-based electro-reduction (CMBER) for the single-step recovery of heavy metals from wastewater contaminated with heavy metal-organic complexes.

Cognitive abilities are associated with rapid dynamics of electrophysiological connectome states.

Time-varying changes in whole-brain connectivity patterns, or connectome state dynamics, hold significant implications for cognition. However, connectome dynamics at fast (>1 Hz) timescales highly relevant to cognition are poorly understood due to the dominance of inherently slow fMRI in connectome studies. Here, we investigated the behavioral significance of rapid electrophysiological connectome dynamics using source-localized EEG connectomes during resting state ( = 926, 473 females).

Rapid dynamics of electrophysiological connectome states are heritable.

Time-varying changes in whole-brain connectivity patterns, or connectome state dynamics, are a prominent feature of brain activity with broad functional implications. While infraslow (<0.1 Hz) connectome dynamics have been extensively studied with fMRI, rapid dynamics highly relevant for cognition are poorly understood.