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The emergence of antibiotic-resistant diseases and increases in plant disease outbreaks, that threaten global food security, present major growing public health crises. Since most antibiotics originate from soil microorganisms, soil microbial communities offer promising reservoirs for discovering new compounds. This study explores antibiotic-producing rhizobacteria in Sage Hill's soil, a recently restored environment at UCLA. Biochemical and functional assays were used to characterize soil microbial communities from rhizosphere samples taken from Sage Hill. Using these methods, we identified antibiotic-producing bacteria, and likely Pseudomonas and Bacillus. These results underscore the importance of investigating soil microbial communities for novel antibiotic discovery and agricultural sustainability.

To compare pregnancy outcomes after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation and myomectomy.The ULTRA (Uterine Leiomyoma Treatment With Radiofrequency Ablation) study is an ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study with longitudinal follow-up up to 5 years comparing outcomes of radiofrequency ablation with myomectomy in premenopausal women older than age 21 years with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Participants were queried every 6 months after surgery to assess the incidence of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.Among 539 women enrolled in ULTRA, a total of 37 participants (mean age at first pregnancy 35.0±4.7 years) conceived 43 times as of March 2023 (22 radiofrequency ablation, 21 myomectomy). The average length of follow-up time after all procedures was 2.5±1.0 years. The baseline miscarriage rate in the study population was 33.3%. In participants who underwent radiofrequency ablation, 9 of 22 pregnancies (40.9%, 95% CI, 20.3-61.5%) ended in first-trimester miscarriage, 11 resulted in live births (50.0%, 95% CI, 29.1-70.9%), one resulted fetal death at 30 weeks of gestation, and one resulted in uterine rupture during miscarriage treatment with misoprostol 10 weeks after radiofrequency ablation. Among the live births in the radiofrequency ablation group, 45.5% were by vaginal delivery. In the myomectomy group, 9 of 21 pregnancies (42.9%, 95% CI, 21.7-64.0%) ended in first-trimester miscarriage and 12 resulted in live births (57.1%, 95% CI, 36.0-78.3%). There were no significant differences in the likelihood of live birth or miscarriage between the study groups.Full-term pregnancy and vaginal delivery are achievable after radiofrequency ablation of leiomyomas. However, in this interim analysis, the miscarriage rate in both radiofrequency ablation and myomectomy groups was higher than expected for women in this age group. Long-term data collection in the ongoing ULTRA study aims to further understand pregnancy outcomes after radiofrequency ablation compared with myomectomy.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT0210094.

The glycosylation of IgG plays a critical role during human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, activating immune cells and inducing cytokine production. However, the role of IgM N-glycosylation has not been studied during human acute viral infection. The analysis of IgM N-glycosylation from healthy controls and hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients reveals increased high-mannose and sialylation that correlates with COVID-19 severity. These trends are confirmed within SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin N-glycan profiles. Moreover, the degree of total IgM mannosylation and sialylation correlate significantly with markers of disease severity. We link the changes of IgM N-glycosylation with the expression of Golgi glycosyltransferases. Lastly, we observe antigen-specific IgM antibody-dependent complement deposition is elevated in severe COVID-19 patients and modulated by exoglycosidase digestion. Taken together, this work links the IgM N-glycosylation with COVID-19 severity and highlights the need to understand IgM glycosylation and downstream immune function during human disease.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is a significant public health concern. We describe Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) on 590 participants prospectively assessed from hospital admission for COVID-19 through one year after discharge. Modeling identified 4 PRO clusters based on reported deficits (minimal, physical, mental/cognitive, and multidomain), supporting heterogenous clinical presentations in PASC, with sub-phenotypes associated with female sex and distinctive comorbidities. During the acute phase of disease, a higher respiratory SARS-CoV-2 viral burden and lower Receptor Binding Domain and Spike antibody titers were associated with both the physical predominant and the multidomain deficit clusters. A lower frequency of circulating B lymphocytes by mass cytometry (CyTOF) was observed in the multidomain deficit cluster. Circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was significantly elevated in the mental/cognitive predominant and the multidomain clusters. Future efforts to link PASC to acute anti-viral host responses may help to better target treatment and prevention of PASC.

PurposeAlthough the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and outer plexiform layer (OPL) each exhibit a complex internal organization, near-infrared OCT depicts both as monolithic bands. Here, using visible light OCT in the C57BL/6J mouse retina, sublaminar age-related changes in photoreceptor features were imaged and interpreted. These features were (1) oscillations in reflectivity, or striations, in the ONL and (2) a moderately reflective subband in the OPL.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsPigmented mice (C57BL/6J, n = 14).MethodsA 1.0-μm axial resolution visible light spectral/Fourier domain OCT system was used for in vivo retinal imaging. Light and electron microscopy were performed ex vivo. Linear mixed effects models or regression were employed for statistical analysis.Main outcome measuresComparison of OCT subbands with corresponding histological features, as well as quantification of subband thickness and reflectivity.ResultsCorresponding histological comparisons confirm that striations in the ONL arise from the rowlike arrangement of photoreceptor nuclei and reveal that the moderately reflective OPL subband arises from rod spherules. Compression of outer ONL striations with age suggests changes in soma organization. Thinning of the moderately reflective OPL subband with age supports a reduction of synapses in the OPL. Critically, the ONL somas are tightly correlated with the purported spherule layer but not with the rest of the OPL.ConclusionsVisible light OCT imaging of the mouse OPL resolves postsynaptic and synaptic differences. Visible light OCT can study rod photoreceptor changes from the soma to the synapse in the living mouse retina.Financial disclosuresProprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Abstract Measuring the quality of life of an animal in a production system is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. We tested the ability of both NIR and MIR spectroscopy, each combined with machine learning, to predict the prior exposure of pigs to long- and short-term life challenges when they are raised in an intensive system. Samples were obtained post-mortem from two locations in the prefrontal cortex. The analysis showed a clear separation between the gray and white matter from the prefrontal cortex with MIR spectroscopy. Exposure to long-term challenge was poorly predicted by the MIR or NIR spectra (

Abstract Background Bronchodilator response (BDR) is a measure of improvement in airway smooth muscle tone, inhibition of liquid accumulation and mucus section into the lumen in response to short-acting beta-2 agonists that varies among asthmatic patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well-known post-translational regulators. Identifying miRNAs associated with BDR could lead to a better understanding of the underlying complex pathophysiology. Objective The purpose of this study is to identify circulating miRNAs associated with bronchodilator response in asthma and decipher possible mechanism of bronchodilator response variation. Methods We used available small RNA sequencing on blood serum from 1,134 asthmatic children aged 6 to 14 years who participated in the Genetics of Asthma in Costa Rica Study (GACRS). We filtered the participants into the highest and lowest bronchodilator response (BDR) quartiles and used DeSeq2 to identify miRNAs with differential expression (DE) in high (N = 277) vs. low (N = 278) BDR group. Replication was carried out in the Leukotriene modifier Or Corticosteroids or Corticosteroid-Salmeterol trial (LOCCS), an adult asthma cohort. The putative target genes of DE miRNAs were identified, and pathway enrichment analysis was performed. Results We identified 10 down-regulated miRNAs having odds ratios (OR) between 0.37 and 0.76 for a doubling of miRNA counts and one up-regulated miRNA (OR = 2.26) between high and low BDR group. These were assessed for replication in the LOCCS cohort, where two miRNAs (miR-200b-3p and miR-1246) were associated. Further, functional annotation of 11 DE miRNAs were performed as well as of two replicated miRs. Target genes of these miRs were enriched in regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis by SREBPs, ESR-mediated signaling, G1/S transition, RHO GTPase cycle, and signaling by TGFB family pathways. Conclusion MiRNAs miR-1246 and miR-200b-3p are associated with both childhood and adult asthma BDR. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that miRNAs play a significant role in the difference of asthma treatment response among patients as it points to genomic regulatory machinery underlying difference in bronchodilator response among patients. Trial registration LOCCS cohort [ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00156819, Registration date 20050912], GACRS cohort [ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00021840].

Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is an adjunctive screening tool that can be helpful in evaluating women with dense breasts or in high-risk patients. We present the case of a 43-year-old female who had markedly asymmetric uptake in one of her breasts on MBI study. Further evaluation with diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound did not demonstrate any suspicious findings in the affected breast. Discussion with the patient and additional clinical history revealed that the patient was exclusively breastfeeding from that side, accounting for the unilateral MBI findings.

Abstract Background Most malignant peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) are situated in the peripheral region of the lung. Although the ultrathin bronchoscope (UTB) can access these areas, a robust navigation system is essential for precise localisation of these small peripheral PPLs. Since many UTB procedures rely on automated virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN), this study aims to determine the accuracy and diagnostic yield of the manual bronchial branch tracing (BBT) navigation in UTB-guided radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS) procedures. Methods Single-centre retrospective study of UTB-rEBUS patients with PPLs smaller than 3 cm over a two year period. Results Our cohort consisted of 47 patients with a mean age of 61.6 (SD 9.53) years and a mean target size of 1.91 (SD 0.53) cm. Among these lesions, 46.8% were located in the 6th airway generation, and 78.7% exhibited a direct bronchus sign. Navigation success using BBT was 91.5% based on positive rEBUS identification. The index diagnostic yield was 82.9%, increasing to 91.5% at 12 months of follow-up. Malignant lesions accounted for 65.1% of cases, while 34.9% were non-malignant. The presence of a direct bronchus sign was the sole factor associated with higher navigation success and diagnostic yield. Cryobiopsy outperformed forceps biopsy in non-concentric rEBUS lesions (90.9% vs. 50.0%, p

Abstract Symptoms of the Post-COVID-19 Condition are often non-specific making it a challenge to distinguish them from symptoms due to other medical conditions. In this study, we compare the proportion of emergency department patients who developed symptoms consistent with the World Health Organization’s Post-COVID-19 Condition clinical case definition between those who tested positive for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 infection and time-matched patients who tested negative. Our results show that over one-third of emergency department patients with a proven acute infection meet Post-COVID-19 Condition criteria 3 months post-index visit. However, one in five test-negative patients who claim never having been infected also report symptoms consistent with Post-COVID-19 Condition highlighting the lack of specificity of the clinical case definition. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 during the acute phase of a suspected infection should continue until specific biomarkers of Post-COVID-19 Condition become available for diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract We study the algebraic structure of the mesonic moduli spaces of bipartite field theories by computing the Hilbert series. Bipartite field theories form a large family of 4d N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 supersymmetric gauge theories that are defined by bipartite graphs on Riemann surfaces with boundaries. By calculating the Hilbert series, we are able to identify the generators and defining generator relations of the mesonic moduli spaces of these theories. Moreover, we show that certain bipartite field theories exhibit enhanced global symmetries which can be identified through the computation of the corresponding refined Hilbert series. As part of our study, we introduce two one-parameter families of bipartite field theories defined on cylinders whose mesonic moduli spaces are all complete intersection toric Calabi-Yau 3-folds.

Purpose: This study aims to determine and analyze the predictors of food waste reduction intention and behavior among higher education institutions (HEIs) using an extended version of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Design/methodology/approach: This study empirically tested an extended TPB model through regression analyses using data obtained through an online survey. Findings: Attitude toward food waste reduction, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and food waste knowledge predicted intention to reduce food waste. Furthermore, the intention to reduce food waste predicted food waste reduction behavior. Research limitations/implications: The results imply that extending the TPB by adding food waste knowledge significantly predicted food waste reduction intention and behavior. Practical implications: The study identified factors that predict food waste reduction behavior and suggested ways to influence Filipino students in HEIs to reduce food waste. Originality/value: The findings support the inclusion of food waste knowledge to the TPB in predicting food waste reduction intention and behavior among students in HEIs.

This exploratory case study employed deductive thematic analysis of coaching interactions of four coach-teacher dyads in primary school settings to explore the instructional coaches' use of the Partnership Learning principle of equality. Evidence of coaches' procedural knowledge (i.e. what coaches say and do) in relation to the principle of equality were collected through observations of the coach-teacher face-to-face coaching conferences and semi-structured interviews conducted with coaches and teachers, respectively. Findings revealed that the partnership learning principle of equality was practiced as rooted in the coaches' practices through: (a) desire to establish rapport; and (b) coaching without hierarchy. Conversely, exceptions in the practice of the equality principle were found to be manifested in the coaching interactions. This paper holds several implications that encourages coaching practitioners to reflect on their partnership with teachers and to embrace in procedural knowledge that nurtures equal and healthy coach-teacher partnership to allow teacher professional development to transpire.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, predicts future symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). Identifying genetic risk factors for CAC may point to new therapeutic avenues for prevention. Currently, there are only four known risk loci for CAC identified from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in the general population. Here we conducted the largest multi-ancestry GWAS meta-analysis of CAC to date, which comprised 26,909 individuals of European ancestry and 8,867 individuals of African ancestry. We identified 11 independent risk loci, of which eight were new for CAC and five had not been reported for CAD. These new CAC loci are related to bone mineralization, phosphate catabolism and hormone metabolic pathways. Several new loci harbor candidate causal genes supported by multiple lines of functional evidence and are regulators of smooth muscle cell-mediated calcification ex vivo and in vitro. Together, these findings help refine the genetic architecture of CAC and extend our understanding of the biological and potential druggable pathways underlying CAC.