Bridging gaps in global surgery: Insights from an international hybrid conference.

This study explores the motivations for attendance, methods of conference promotion, and key considerations in implementing a hybrid conference for global surgery education among medical students and trainee doctors. The InciSion UK Global Surgery Conference 2023, held in London, provided a unique platform combining in-person and virtual participation. Pre- and post-conference surveys collected qualitative and quantitative data from 640 and 794 respondents, respectively.

Adaptive gene loss in the common bean pan-genome during range expansion and domestication.

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a crucial legume crop and an ideal evolutionary model to study adaptive diversity in wild and domesticated populations. Here, we present a common bean pan-genome based on five high-quality genomes and whole-genome reads representing 339 genotypes.

The Effects of Preoperative Glycaemic Control (HbA1c) on Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Outcomes: Data from a Tertiary-Referral Bariatric Centre in the UK.

Background: Current recommendations advocate the achievement of an optimal glucose control (HbA1c < 69 mmol/mol) prior to elective surgery to reduce risks of peri- and post-operative complications, but the relevance for this glycaemic threshold prior to Bariatric Metabolic Surgery (BMS) following a specialist weight management programme remains unclear.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective cohort study of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who underwent BMS over a 6-year period (2016-2022) at a regional tertiary referral following completion of a specialist multidisciplinary weight management. Post-operative outcomes of interest included 30-day mortality, readmission rates, need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care and hospital length of stay (LOS) and were assessed according to HbA1c cut-off values of < 69 (N = 202) and > 69 mmol/mol (N = 67) as well as a continuous variable.

Identification of candidate genes for resistance against in .

Utilising resistance () genes, such as , against , the causal agent of blackleg in canola (), could help manage the disease in the field and increase crop yield. Here we present a genome wide association study (GWAS) in to identify candidate genes. Disease phenotyping of 104 genotypes revealed 30 resistant and 74 susceptible lines.

Urocortin-3 neurons in the perifornical area are critical mediators of chronic stress on female infant-directed behavior.

Infant avoidance and aggression are promoted by activation of the Urocortin-3 expressing neurons of the perifornical area of hypothalamus (PeFA) in male and female mice. PeFA neurons have been implicated in stress, and stress is known to reduce maternal behavior. We asked how chronic restraint stress (CRS) affects infant-directed behavior in virgin and lactating females and what role PeFA neurons play in this process.

Plant Genotype to Phenotype Prediction Using Machine Learning.

Genomic prediction tools support crop breeding based on statistical methods, such as the genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP). However, these tools are not designed to capture non-linear relationships within multi-dimensional datasets, or deal with high dimension datasets such as imagery collected by unmanned aerial vehicles. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have the potential to surpass the prediction accuracy of current tools used for genotype to phenotype prediction, due to their capacity to autonomously extract data features and represent their relationships at multiple levels of abstraction.

Machine learning models outperform deep learning models, provide interpretation and facilitate feature selection for soybean trait prediction.

Recent growth in crop genomic and trait data have opened opportunities for the application of novel approaches to accelerate crop improvement. Machine learning and deep learning are at the forefront of prediction-based data analysis. However, few approaches for genotype to phenotype prediction compare machine learning with deep learning and further interpret the models that support the predictions.

Basics of Bash.

Use of the Bash command shell and language is one of the fundamental skills of a bioinformatician. This language is required for accessing high performance computing (HPC) services and effectively using these resources to improve your analyses. Bash is completely text based, which is different from many graphic based operating systems, but this language is also highly powerful, allowing for significant automation and reproducibility within analysis pipelines.

QTL Genetic Mapping Study for Traits Affecting Meal Quality in Winter Oilseed Rape ( L.).

Rapeseed ( L.) meal is an important source of protein, but the presence of anti-nutritional compounds, such as fibre and glucosinolates, still limits its use as a livestock feed. Understanding the genetic basis of seed fibre biosynthesis would help to manipulate its content in seeds of oilseed rape.

Modelling of gene loss propensity in the pangenomes of three Brassica species suggests different mechanisms between polyploids and diploids.

Plant genomes demonstrate significant presence/absence variation (PAV) within a species; however, the factors that lead to this variation have not been studied systematically in Brassica across diploids and polyploids. Here, we developed pangenomes of polyploid Brassica napus and its two diploid progenitor genomes B. rapa and B.

The application of pangenomics and machine learning in genomic selection in plants.

Genomic selection approaches have increased the speed of plant breeding, leading to growing crop yields over the last decade. However, climate change is impacting current and future yields, resulting in the need to further accelerate breeding efforts to cope with these changing conditions. Here we present approaches to accelerate plant breeding and incorporate nonadditive effects in genomic selection by applying state-of-the-art machine learning approaches.

Status and advances in mining for blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) quantitative resistance (QR) in oilseed rape (Brassica napus).

Quantitative resistance (QR) loci discovered through genetic and genomic analyses are abundant in the Brassica napus genome, providing an opportunity for their utilization in enhancing blackleg resistance. Quantitative resistance (QR) has long been utilized to manage blackleg in Brassica napus (canola, oilseed rape), even before major resistance genes (R-genes) were extensively explored in breeding programmes. In contrast to R-gene-mediated qualitative resistance, QR reduces blackleg symptoms rather than completely eliminating the disease.

Climate change and the need for agricultural adaptation.

Agriculture and food security are predicted to be significantly impacted by climate change, though the impact will vary by region and by crop. Combined with the increasing global population, there is an urgent need for agriculture to adapt to ensure future food security for this growing population. Adaptation strategies include changing land and cropping practices, the development of improved crop varieties and changing food consumption and waste.

Method for Genome-Wide Association Study: A Soybean Example.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are a valuable approach to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with a phenotype of interest. There are now a variety of R-packages and command line tools available to perform GWAS. Here, we provide an example downloading and filtering SNP data, followed by GWAS analysis using the R-package rMVP.

Differential signaling pathway activation in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene (DMBA)-treated mammary stem/progenitor cells from species with varying mammary cancer incidence.

A natural variation exists in the susceptibility to mammary cancer among wild and domestic mammalian species. Mammary stem/progenitor cells (MaSC) represent a primary target cell for transformation; however, little is known about the intrinsic response of these cells to carcinogenic insults. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), such as 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), are abundantly present in the environment and have been linked to the development of mammary cancer in humans and rodents.

BB-Cl-Amidine as a novel therapeutic for canine and feline mammary cancer via activation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

Background: Mammary cancer is highly prevalent in dogs and cats and results in a poor prognosis due to critically lacking viable treatment options. Recent human and mouse studies have suggested that inhibiting peptidyl arginine deiminase enzymes (PAD) may be a novel breast cancer therapy. Based on the similarities between human breast cancer and mammary cancer in dogs and cats, we hypothesized that PAD inhibitors would also be an effective treatment for mammary cancer in these animals.

A1C predicts type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in a population at risk: the community diabetes prevention project.

Aims: In a population at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM), we assessed early physical and metabolic markers that predict progression from normal to impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and T2DM.

Methods: A total of 388 individuals (22% male, age 46 + 11 years) at risk for T2DM were randomized to Standard (n = 182) or Intervention (n = 206) care and evaluated at baseline and 5 annual follow-up visits, including blood pressure, BMI, A1C, lipids, urine albumin/creatinine ratio, VO2max, fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide. The Standard group received results of annual lab tests and quarterly newsletters, while the Intervention group received quarterly newsletters and detailed discussions of lab results, routine self-directed activities, semi-annual group meetings and monthly telephone calls for ongoing support.

Bringing adolescents into substance abuse treatment through community outreach and engagement: the Hartford Youth Project.

While outreach and case management services have been shown to improve retention of at-risk youth in behavioral health treatment, these important support services are challenging to implement. The Hartford Youth Project (HYP), established by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families as a pilot for the state adolescent substance abuse treatment system, made outreach and engagement integral to its system of care. HYPbrought together a network of stakeholders: referral sources (juvenile justice, schools, community agencies, child welfare, and families); community-based outreach agencies; treatment providers; and an administrative service organization responsible for project coordination.

Evaluation of admission blood glucose levels in the intensive care unit.

Objective: To assess the availability and clinical value of blood glucose (BG) testing at the time of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) after such testing was implemented as routine care in the ICU.

Methods: We studied ICU admission BG testing rates and the prevalence of hyperglycemia. In this effort, we assessed the frequency of baseline BG testing in 330 consecutive patients during a period of 3 months and then implemented routine BG monitoring in 1,147 consecutive ICU patients during a 7-month period.

Integrated tobacco cessation counseling in a diabetes self-management training program: a randomized trial of diabetes and reduction of tobacco.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a tobacco cessation intervention using motivational interviewing on smoking cessation rates during diabetes self-management training (DSMT).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with subjects recruited from an ongoing type 2 diabetes adult education program at a large diabetes center. A total of 114 subjects were randomized to intervention (n = 57; face-to-face motivational interviewing plus telephone counseling and offering of medication) or standard care (n = 57).

A pilot study of hormone modulation as a new treatment for mania in women with bipolar affective disorder.

We tested and compared the use of two adjunctive hormonal agents, tamoxifen and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), for the treatment of acute mania or hypomania. A total of 13 women with acute Bipolar Affective Disorder in the manic or hypomanic phase were recruited from a clinical population to participate in this 28-day, three-arm, double blind, placebo-controlled study. The women who received tamoxifen exhibited significant improvement in symptoms of mania from baseline to final assessment compared with the placebo group.