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The Long-read RNA-Seq Genome Annotation Assessment Project Consortium was formed to evaluate the effectiveness of long-read approaches for transcriptome analysis. Using different protocols and sequencing platforms, the consortium generated over 427 million long-read sequences from complementary DNA and direct RNA datasets, encompassing human, mouse and manatee species. Developers utilized these data to address challenges in transcript isoform detection, quantification and de novo transcript detection. The study revealed that libraries with longer, more accurate sequences produce more accurate transcripts than those with increased read depth, whereas greater read depth improved quantification accuracy. In well-annotated genomes, tools based on reference sequences demonstrated the best performance. Incorporating additional orthogonal data and replicate samples is advised when aiming to detect rare and novel transcripts or using reference-free approaches. This collaborative study offers a benchmark for current practices and provides direction for future method development in transcriptome analysis.

Video gaming is a popular youth pastime that has prompted scholarship into its relationship with psychological well-being. However, sexual and gender diverse youth (SGDY) who play video games are largely overlooked in this research. SGDY experience significant mental health challenges, but utilize coping strategies mediated by digital technologies, necessitating an examination of their video game playing and its effects on well-being. This literature review synthesizes the emerging evidence base by identifying key constructs related to SGDY well-being and video gaming. Five themes were derived from the literature: (a) SGDY identity development and self-expression in video games; (b) SGDY video gaming and coping skills; (c) Social support in SGDY video gaming communities; (d) SGDY digital microaggressions in video gaming; and (e) SGDY civic engagement through video gaming. The findings establish multiple risks and opportunities for harnessing video games to support SGDY's well-being. Recommendations for practice, research, and industry collaborations are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has gained relevance since they are a tool for socialization around substance use and sex through the formation of social networks of gay men (GM). This study investigated how and why substance use is related to the use of ICT in GM. Moreover, what social and cultural dynamics characterize the use of ICTs concerning sexualized drug use in Mexican GM? In May 2022, focus groups were held in which 19 GM from Mexico participated. Different types of ICTs used by GM were identified as playing a role in online interactions around substance use and chemsex. It was found that specific platforms, such as mobile geolocation applications, favored access to sexual practices and drugs. In addition, online sexual subcultures destigmatized substance use and non‐normative sexual practices and reinforced social ties, offering caring information about sexualized drug use practices among GM. The findings contribute to understanding the health of GM from a contemporary digital context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the cat can be obtained from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analyses of fur. This study developed miniplexes using SNPs with high discriminating power for random-bred domestic cats, focusing on individual and phenotypic identification. Seventy-eight SNPs were investigated using a multiplex PCR followed by a fluorescently labeled single base extension (SBE) technique (SNaPshot(®) ). The SNP miniplexes were evaluated for reliability, reproducibility, sensitivity, species specificity, detection limitations, and assignment accuracy. Six SNPplexes were developed containing 39 intergenic SNPs and 26 phenotypic SNPs, including a sex identification marker, ZFXY. The combined random match probability (cRMP) was 6.58 × 10(-19) across all Western cat populations and the likelihood ratio was 1.52 × 10(18) . These SNPplexes can distinguish individual cats and their phenotypic traits, which could provide insight into crime reconstructions. A SNP database of 237 cats from 13 worldwide populations is now available for forensic applications.

Early detection of neurological conditions is critical for timely diagnosis and treatment. Identifying cellular-level changes is essential for implementing therapeutic interventions prior to symptomatic disease onset. However, monitoring brain tissue directly through biopsies is invasive and poses a high risk. Bodily fluids such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid contain information in many forms, including proteins and nucleic acids. In particular, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has potential as a versatile neurological biomarker. Yet, our knowledge of cfDNA released by brain tissue and how cfDNA changes in response to deleterious events within the brain is incomplete. Mapping changes in cfDNA to specific cellular events is difficult in vivo, wherein many tissues contribute to circulating cfDNA. Organoids are tractable systems for examining specific changes consistently in a human background. However, few studies have investigated cfDNA released from organoids. Here, we examined cfDNA isolated from cerebral organoids. We found that cerebral organoids release quantities of cfDNA sufficient for downstream analysis with droplet-digital PCR and whole-genome sequencing. Further, gene ontology analysis of genes aligning with sequenced cfDNA fragments revealed associations with terms related to neurodevelopment and autism spectrum disorder. We conclude that cerebral organoids hold promise as tools for the discovery of cfDNA biomarkers related to neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialized research training is a key component of graduate education, yet sexual and gender diverse (SGD) emerging scholars may not receive quality training and networking opportunities at their home institutions. International and interdisciplinary trainings by SGD scholars may develop research competence and academic networks, but few such extracurricular research training programs exist. This article presents the curriculum and mixed-method evaluation of the International Student Training Network (ISTN), a two-year bilingual training program designed to train SGD emerging scholars in Canada, the USA, Mexico, and the UK to conduct research with SGD youth. The racially diverse and interdisciplinary trainees (N = 38) completed a competence self-assessment at pre-test, midpoint, and post-test. Significant improvements in knowledge and skill were found, while importance of the concepts remained consistently high. Twelve trainees participated in interviews to reflect on their experience. Thematic analysis produced three themes, describing benefits of the ISTN: (1) 'You do stick out a lot': Fostering SGD scholarly community in academia; (2) 'We were all working together': Bridging the disciplinary and geographic gaps; and (3) 'A transformative experience': Developing scholarly self-concept and academic self-efficacy. The findings highlight the utility of specialized research training for emerging SGD scholars limited by geographical and disciplinary siloes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interdisciplinary collaboration fuels research innovation and funders are increasingly offering long-term grants prioritising partnerships. However, a gap remains regarding the effective development, evaluatation, and sustainment of research partnerships; particularly those supporting marginalised populations like sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). There is a concomitant need to expand research internationally to cross-culturally conceptualise SGMY's experiences, which information and communication technologies (ICTs) may facilitate. The International Partnership for Queer Youth Resilience (INQYR) is a research consortium comprising over 40 academic and community representatives investigating and addressing issues faced by SGMY in Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), and Mexico from an interdisciplinary perspective by: (a) conducting and disseminating interventions and exploratory research on SGMY's ICT use, and (b) training cohorts of SGMY scholars and practitioners. This article details INQYR's rationale and formation, including its objectives and organisational framework. Facilitators and barriers are discussed through reflection on INQYR's first operational phase from 2018–2021, considering collaboration with diverse stakeholders and settings; shared goals; language and technology barriers; personal and workload barriers; infrastructure; and power and historical tensions. Implications for other research partnerships and concrete tools such as author guidelines for large-scale research partnership formation, operation, and evaluation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine public health implications of adolescent use of cigars only, cigarettes only, and both cigarettes and cigars. Methods: A cross-sectional health risk survey was administered to a random sample of 4486 high school students in a Midwestern county. Results: More adolescents reported using both cigarettes and cigars (10.6%) than cigar-only (7.4%) or cigarette-only (6.4%). Product of initiation was associated with current product use. Dual use was associated with more frequent use of both products, high stress, and susceptibility to future cigarette use. Conclusion: Assessing cigarette use without examining cigar use overlooks a critical dimension of adolescent tobacco use.