Identifying representative sequences of protein families using submodular optimization.

Identifying representative sequences for groups of functionally similar proteins and enzymes poses significant computational challenges. In this study, we applied submodular optimization, a method effective in data summarization, to select representative sequences for thioesterase enzyme families. We introduced and validated two algorithms, Greedy and Bidirectional Greedy, using curated protein sequence data from the ThYme (Thioester-active enzYmes) database.

Nanoscopy reveals integrin clustering reliant on kindlin-3 but not talin-1.

Background: Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in human blood, and their recruitment is essential for innate immunity and inflammatory responses. The initial and critical step of neutrophil recruitment is their adhesion to vascular endothelium, which depends on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) triggered integrin inside-out signaling that induces β2 integrin activation and clustering on neutrophils. Kindlin-3 and talin-1 are essential regulators for the inside-out signaling induced β2 integrin activation.

Effectiveness of a Dedicated Rural General Surgery Residency Track: A 13-Year Analysis of the First ACGME Designated Rural Track.

Background: The shortage of general surgeons in rural America is well documented. The North Dakota community-based general surgery residency program initiated a unique approach to training for rural practice through a dedicated rural track. The rural track included 9 months of rotations in specialty rotations beneficial for rural practice.

The Nitrogen Preference of Cactus Pear (): A Sand Culture Snapshot.

Cactus pear ( (L.) Mill.) is an important agricultural crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) species used as a source of food, forage, fodder, and secondary products and as a biofuel feedstock.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Chronic Pouchitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Pouchitis is a common complication after ileal-pouch anal anastomosis in patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis. There has been a lack of high-level evidence focusing on the safety and efficacy outcomes of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). We aim to evaluate outcomes and complications of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for chronic pouchitis.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in the United States: Using Big Data to Characterize Patients and Analyze Parasitic Disease Trends.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) include species responsible for hookworm disease, ascariasis, and trichuriasis. In the United States, STH infections have been greatly reduced with anthelmintic medications and improved hygiene and sanitation, however, cases still regularly occur, but limited epidemiological data exist. We investigated the occurrence of STH infections using big-data analytics of inpatient medical discharge records (1998-2020).

Mixed Pt-Ni Halide Perovskites for Photovoltaic Application.

CsPtI is a promising photoabsorber with a direct bandgap of 1.4 eV and a high carrier lifetime; however, the cost of Pt inhibits its commercial viability. Here, we performed a cost analysis and experimentally explored the effect of replacing Pt with earth-abundant Ni in solution-processed Cs(PtNi)(I,Cl) thin films on the properties and stability of the perovskite material.

Identifying and Ranking Strategies to Address Housing Insecurity and Homelessness Within the LGBTQIA+ Community in Southern Nevada: Utilization of Community-Based Participatory Research and Concept Mapping.

Housing insecurity is a critical issue within Southern Nevada. However, little is known about the housing-insecurity-related needs of LGBTQIA+ Southern Nevadans. The aim of this study was to identify strategies to address housing insecurity among this vulnerable community.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Methodologies for Early Diagnostic Precision and Personalized Therapeutic Strategies in Neuro-Ophthalmic and Neurodegenerative Pathologies.

Advancements in neuroimaging, particularly diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET), have significantly enhanced the early detection of biomarkers in neurodegenerative and neuro-ophthalmic disorders. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease. This review highlights the transformative role of advanced diffusion MRI techniques-Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging-in identifying subtle microstructural changes in the brain and visual pathways that precede clinical symptoms.

Fixational eye movements and edge integration in lightness perception.

A neural theory of human lightness computation is described and computer-simulated. The theory proposes that lightness is derived from transient ON and OFF cell responses in the early visual pathways that have different characteristic neural gains and that are generated by fixational eye movements (FEMs) as the eyes transit luminance edges in the image. The ON and OFF responses are combined with corollary discharge signals that encode the eye movement direction to create directionally selective ON and OFF responses.

Shared Genetic Architecture Between COVID-19 Severity and Alzheimer's Disease Across European and African Ancestries.

The global outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been linked to long-term neurological complications, including an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) among older adults. However, the precise genetic impact of COVID-19 on long-term AD development remains unclear. This study leveraged genome-wide association study (GWAS) data and genotype data to explore the genetic association between AD and various COVID-19 phenotypes across European ancestry (EA) and African ancestry (AA) cohorts, and the possibility of a causal effect of COVID-19 on AD.

Efficacy of intermittent fasting on improving liver function in individuals with metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) can be an effective dietary therapy for weight loss and improving cardiometabolic health. However, there is scant evidence regarding the role of IF on indicators of liver function, particularly in adults with metabolic disorders. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of IF on liver function in adults with metabolic disorders.

Spectral heat flux redistribution upon interfacial transmission.

In nonmetallic crystals, heat is transported by phonons of different frequencies, each contributing differently to the overall heat flux spectrum. In this study, we demonstrate a significant redistribution of heat flux among phonon frequencies when phonons transmit across the interface between dissimilar solids. This redistribution arises from the natural tendency of phononic heat to re-establish the bulk distribution characteristic of the material through which it propagates.

Sampling Mars: Geologic context and preliminary characterization of samples collected by the NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Mission.

The NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Mission has collected samples of rock, regolith, and atmosphere within the Noachian-aged Jezero Crater, once the site of a delta-lake system with a high potential for habitability and biosignature preservation. Between sols 109 and 1,088 of the mission, 27 sample tubes have been sealed, including witness tubes. Each sealed sample tube has been collected along with detailed documentation provided by the Perseverance instrument payload, preserving geological and environmental context.

Fundamental constraints and questions from the study of martian meteorites and the need for returned samples.

Physical materials from planetary bodies are crucial for understanding fundamental processes that constrain the evolution of the solar system, as samples can be analyzed at high precision and accuracy in Earth-based laboratories. Mars is the only planet outside of Earth from which we possess samples in the form of meteorites. Martian meteorites (n > 350) have enabled constraints to be placed on various aspects of the red planet's formation and evolution, notably: that Mars accreted and differentiated rapidly; that the planet has a complex volatile element evolution; and that it has always been volcanically active with a rich and diverse magmatic history.

Genetic variation of hemolysin co-regulated protein 1 affects the immunogenicity and pathogenicity of Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Hemolysin co-regulated protein 1 (Hcp1) is a component of the cluster 1 Type VI secretion system (T6SS1) that plays a key role during the intracellular lifecycle of Burkholderia pseudomallei. Hcp1 is recognized as a promising target antigen for developing melioidosis diagnostics and vaccines. While the gene encoding Hcp1 is retained across B.

Parenting Self-Efficacy Moderates the Association Between Unmet Parenting Expectations and NICU-Related PTSD Symptoms Reported by Mothers 1-5 Years Post-Infant NICU Hospitalization.

Infant neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization increases maternal risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which may negatively impact mother-child attachment and infant growth and development. Prior studies have documented positive associations between unmet parenting expectations and adverse maternal psychological outcomes, including post-NICU discharge. However, no studies have yet explored how unmet parenting expectations may be associated with maternal NICU-related PTSD symptoms.

Perspectives of old-age and dementia researchers on communication with policymakers and public research funding decision-makers: an international cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: Society commonly believes that research knowledge is complementary to public decision-making. This study aimed to understand the perspectives and implications of dementia researchers communicating with policymakers and public research decision-makers (public officials).

Methods: This study uses 24 questions from an anonymous, online survey, which was received by 392 members of nine European, Latin American, and United States medical researcher associations/networks in the fields of age-related neurological degeneration and dementia medicine.

Identification and comparison of -glycome profiles from common dietary protein sources.

The glycomes of bovine whey, egg white, pea, and soy protein isolates are described here. -glycans from four protein isolates were analyzed by HILIC high performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-FLD-QTOF-MS/MS). In total, 33 glycans from bovine whey and egg white and 10 -glycans from soy and pea glycoproteins were identified.

The Influence of Attributions, Emotions, and Sexual Health Knowledge on Support Provision to Friends with Sexual Health Uncertainties.

When experiencing sexual health uncertainties, emerging adults often rely on friends for support; however, the support provided is not always helpful. This study situates support in response to uncertainty within appraisal and attribution theories to explain nurturant, informational, and tangible support provision. Study 1 coded 441 participants' responses to open-ended questions about a recent conversation about a friend's sexual health uncertainty.