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Our current understanding of HSV latency is based on a variety of clinical observations, and in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro model systems, each with unique advantages and drawbacks. The criteria for authentically modeling HSV latency include the ability to easily manipulate host genetics and biological pathways, as well as mimicking the immune response and viral pathogenesis in human infections. Although realistically modeling HSV latency is necessary when choosing a model, the cost, time requirement, ethical constraints, and reagent availability are also equally important. Presently, there remains a pressing need for in vivo models that more closely recapitulate human HSV infection. While the current in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro models used to study HSV latency have limitations, they provide further insights that add to our understanding of latency. In vivo models have shed light on natural infection routes and the interplay between the host immune response and the virus during latency, while in vitro models have been invaluable in elucidating molecular pathways involved in latency. Below, we review the relative advantages and disadvantages of current HSV models and highlight insights gained through each.

Conservation efforts in cliff habitats pose unique challenges due to their inaccessibility, limiting the study and protection of rare endemic species. This project introduces a novel approach utilizing aerial manipulation through a suspended manipulator attached with a cable under a drone to address these challenges. Unlike existing solutions, the Mamba provides a horizontal reach up to 8 m to approach cliffs while keeping the drone at a safe distance. The system includes a model-based control system relying solely on an inertial measurement unit (IMU), reducing sensor requirements and computing power to minimize overall system mass. This article presents novel contributions such as a double pendulum dynamic modeling approach and the development and evaluation of a precise control system for sampling operations. Indoor and outdoor tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the suspended aerial manipulator in real-world environments allowing the collection of 55 samples from 28 different species. This research signifies a significant step toward enhancing the efficiency and safety of conservation efforts in challenging cliff habitats.

Recent technologies are offering the power to share and grow knowledge and ideas in unprecedented ways. The CogEx software platform was developed to take advantage of the digital world with innovative ideas to support designers work in both industrial and academic contexts. This paper presents a qualitative study on the usage of CogEx during capstone design projects in mechanical engineering. It explores its potential to eventually supersede a paper logbook. This study combines three pilot projects where 15 undergraduate students used CogEx for one semester and discussed their experience in a final interview. The focus is limited to individual usage in this study. Results support that the platform has a good potential for engineering design education by replacing the paper logbook. The "extended concept mapping" structure was efficient to organize design work, and although the "concept-knowledge" separation needs refinement, it has good potential in building designer knowledge base.

With the development of e-commerce and smartphones, consumers can use a variety of shopping modes (i.e., showrooming, webrooming, and completely offline/online shopping), each of which provides specific advantages in terms of price, assortment, service, etc. Using a great variety of these shopping modes can confer many benefits. However, previous studies have found evidence of sizable segments of consumers who typically avoid using a great variety of shopping modes. To understand the contrast in consumers’ variety of shopping modes, we propose a theoretical framework and measure the effect of the desired variety in the information-seeking and purchase processes. Results – from a representative sample of the Spanish consumers – confirm that the variety of shopping modes pivots on the extent to which e-commerce use, smartphone use, offline and online interactivity, and online device interchangeability differ. Better understanding the variety of shopping modes may help marketers adjust their channel strategies to the actual preferences of different consumer segments and assess the economic viability of an omnichannel approach.

Dans une recherche-action menée auprès de 12 enseignantes à l’éducation préscolaire 4 et 5 ans, un dispositif de formation et d’accompagnement professionnel en classe en matière de qualité des interactions a été mis en place sur une période de deux ans. Au terme de la première année, les enseignantes ont montré de l’intérêt à s’observer entre pairs afin de bonifier leurs pratiques. L’observation entre pairs comme dispositif de développement professionnel réunissait la chercheure, l’enseignante observatrice et l’enseignante observée et comportait une observation en classe, suivie d’une objectivation de l’observation et un entretien. L’objectif général était d’identifier les perceptions des enseignantes au regard de l’observation entre pairs comme dispositif de développement professionnel. Les résultats démontrent que l’observation entre pairs est avantageuse pour les enseignantes. Cette étude permet d’alimenter les recherches qui portent sur les différents modèles d’observation et de proposer des recommandations pour améliorer ce dispositif de développement professionnel.

Antimicrobial resistance is a critical public health issue that requires a thorough understanding of the factors that influence the selection and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Biocides, which are widely used in cleaning and disinfection procedures in a variety of settings, may contribute to this resistance by inducing similar defense mechanisms in bacteria against both biocides and antibiotics. However, the strategies used by bacteria to adapt and develop cross-resistance remain poorly understood, particularly within biofilms –a widespread bacterial habitat that significantly influences bacterial tolerance and adaptive strategies. Using a combination of adaptive laboratory evolution experiments, genomic and RT-qPCR analyses, and biofilm structural characterization using confocal microscopy, we investigated in this study how Escherichia coli biofilms adapted after 28 days of exposure to three biocidal active substances and the effects on cross-resistance to antibiotics. Interestingly, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) exposure led to an increase of gentamicin resistance (GenR) phenotypes in biofilms formed by most of the seven E. coli strains tested. Nevertheless, most variants that emerged under biocidal conditions did not retain the GenR phenotype after removal of antimicrobial stress, suggesting a transient adaptation (adaptive resistance). The whole genome sequencing of variants with stable GenR phenotypes revealed recurrent mutations in genes associated with cellular respiration, including cytochrome oxidase (cydA, cyoC) and ATP synthase (atpG). RT-qPCR analysis revealed an induction of gene expression associated with biofilm matrix production (especially curli synthesis), stress responses, active and passive transport and cell respiration during PHMB exposure, providing insight into potential physiological responses associated with adaptive crossresistance. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) observations demonstrated a global effect of PHMB on biofilm architectures and compositions formed by most E. coli strains, with the appearance of dense cellular clusters after a 24h-exposure. In conclusion, our results showed that the PHMB exposure stimulated the emergence of an adaptive cross-resistance to gentamicin in biofilms, likely induced through the activation of physiological responses and biofilm structural modulations altering gradients and microenvironmental conditions in the biological edifice.

Glanders is a highly contagious and life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by Burkholderia mallei (B. mallei). Without an effective vaccine or treatment, early diagnosis has been regarded as the most effective method to prevent glanders transmission. Currently, the diagnosis of glanders is heavily reliant on serological tests. However, given that markedly different host immune responses can be elicited by genetically different strains of the same bacterial species, infection by B. mallei, whose genome is unstable and plastic, may result in various immune responses. This variability can make the serodiagnosis of glanders challenging. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive understanding and assessment of how B. mallei genomic variations impact the appropriateness of specific target antigens for glanders serodiagnosis. In this study, we investigated how genomic variations in the B. mallei genome affect gene content (gene presence/absence) and expression, with a special focus on antigens used or potentially used in serodiagnosis. In all the genome sequences of B. mallei isolates available in NCBI’s RefSeq database (accessed in July 2023) and in-house sequenced samples, extensive small and large variations were observed when compared to the type strain ATCC 23344. Further pan-genome analysis of those assemblies revealed variations of gene content among all available genomes of B. mallei. Specifically, differences in gene content ranging from 31 to 715 genes with an average of 334 gene presence-absence variations were found in strains with complete or chromosome-level genome assemblies, using the ATCC 23344 strain as a reference. The affected genes included some encoded proteins used as serodiagnostic antigens, which were lost due mainly to structural variations. Additionally, a transcriptomic analysis was performed using the type strain ATCC 23344 and strain Zagreb which has been widely utilized to produce glanders antigens. In total, 388 significant differentially expressed genes were identified between these two strains, including genes related to bacterial pathogenesis and virulence, some of which were associated with genomic variations, particularly structural variations. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study to uncover the impacts of genetic variations of B. mallei on its gene content and expression. These differences would have significant impacts on host innate and adaptive immunity, including antibody production, during infection. This study provides novel insights into B. mallei genetic variants, knowledge which will help to improve glanders serodiagnosis.

The health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the environment are inter-dependent. Global anthropogenic change is a key driver of disease emergence and spread and leads to biodiversity loss and ecosystem function degradation, which are themselves drivers of disease emergence. Pathogen spill-over events and subsequent disease outbreaks, including pandemics, in humans, animals and plants may arise when factors driving disease emergence and spread converge. One Health is an integrated approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize human, animal and ecosystem health. Conventional disease surveillance has been siloed by sectors, with separate systems addressing the health of humans, domestic animals, cultivated plants, wildlife and the environment. One Health surveillance should include integrated surveillance for known and unknown pathogens, but combined with this more traditional disease-based surveillance, it also must include surveillance of drivers of disease emergence to improve prevention and mitigation of spill-over events. Here, we outline such an approach, including the characteristics and components required to overcome barriers and to optimize an integrated One Health surveillance system.

Paclitaxel is a drug frequently used in the treatment of gynecological cancers. Its cutaneous side effects are fairly well documented. A subtype of hand-foot syndrome, periarticular erythema of the thenar eminences with onycholysis, is rarer. Here, we present a case of a woman treated with paclitaxel for recurrent ovarian cancer who developed periarticular thenar eminence erythema with onycholysis syndrome. Involvement presented as an erythematous rash on the top of the left hand progressing up the arm. A lesion was also present on the right lower limb and on the dorsal surface of the right foot with onycholysis. Edema was present in the fingers, hands, forearms, and feet. A punch biopsy and pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of periarticular thenar eminence erythema with onycholysis syndrome. Rapid identification and treatment with topical corticosteroids limited irreversible damage.

The spatial and frontal QRS-T angles are electrocardiographic (ECG) predictors for arrhythmia. This work used genetic analyses to identify associated loci and pathways, and explore their relationships with other ECG traits and cardiovascular disease.

Here, the authors describe the geographies, hosts, substrates, and phylogenetic relationships for 1,794 Saccharomyces strains. They provide insight into the genetic and phenotypic diversity in the genus, not seen through prior work focused on the model species Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Invasive species are of concern due to their impacts on ecosystems and economies, but they pose significant control challenges. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful tool in the detection of aquatic organisms at low densities due to high detection sensitivity and relative ease of sample collection. Aquatic eDNA analyses have increased worldwide and are generally either applied to few target species (quantitative PCR), or for broad taxonomic applications (metabarcoding). Here, we describe the development and testing of a hybrid approach that utilized high‐sensitivity PCR primer sets and high‐throughput sequencing (HTS), referred to as targeted metabarcoding, to detect 69 fishes and invertebrates. We identified target species based on reports of globally important invasive species and developed two independent PCR primers for each species (CO1 and a second mtDNA region). We assessed sensitivity and eDNA interference for all 138 primers (2 per species and 69 species) using standard end‐point PCR and tested them on 10 eDNA samples spiked with various amounts of one or more of the target species DNA. The sensitivity of the 138 primer sets ranged between 1.5 × 10−5 and 2.64 ng template DNA (mean = 0.069 ng). Primers were also tested for interference effects using plankton eDNA to simulate field conditions. The inclusion of interfering plankton DNA reduced the sensitivity for most primer sets by one or more orders of magnitude (range 0–3). Overall, our targeted metabarcoding resulted in the detection of ~98% of species in the DNA spiked samples, and perhaps more importantly, the HTS read count was positively related to the quantity of spiked DNA (p