MRD4U: A path to development for personalized liquid biopsy for children with central nervous system tumors.

Background: Liquid biopsy assays using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can revolutionize care for children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors by enabling precise monitoring of therapeutic responses and detecting recurrence or measurable residual disease (MRD). These assays can detect cell-free, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via somatic alterations, though accurately measuring low-abundance ctDNA in CSF is challenging.

Methods: Our research focused on the optimization of next-generation sequencing library preparation from cell-free DNA (cfDNA), evaluating four commercial kits to address the low nucleic acid yield in CSF-derived cfDNA.

Spectroscopic Characterization of the Photolysis of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) via Time-Resolved Mass Spectrometry and IRMPD Spectroscopy.

Riboflavin, Vitamin B2, is a key photoactive biomolecule that has important uses as a food additive and as a photocatalyst. While riboflavin's photodegradation pathways have been studied extensively, open questions exist about the effect of the chemical environment on riboflavin photodegradation and the nature of the subsequent photoproducts. Here, we use time-resolved mass spectrometry (TRMS) and gas-phase infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy to characterize 365 nm online photolysis of riboflavin under basic conditions.

N-Aromatic Complexation in Tetraphenyl Porphyrin Iron (III)-Pyridine: Evidence of Spin-Flip via Gas-Phase Electronic Spectroscopy.

There is growing interest in the electronic properties of metalloporphyrins especially in relation to their interactions with other molecular species in their local environment. Here, UV-VIS laser photodissociation spectroscopy in vacuo has been applied to an iron-centred metalloporphyrin (FeTPP) and its N-aromatic adduct with pyridine (py) to determine the electronic effect of complexation. Both the metalloporphyrin (FeTPP) and pyridine adduct (FeTPP⋅py) absorb strongly across the spectral region studied (652-302 nm: 1.

The integrated behavioral model of mental health help seeking (IBM-HS): A health services utilization theory of planned behavior for accessing care.

This article introduces the integrated behavioral model of mental health help seeking (IBM-HS), a theoretical model for understanding the constructs (e.g., systemic, predisposing, and enabling factors; mental health literacy; illness perceptions; perceived need; stigma; shame; perceived benefits, motivation) that influence people's decision making around seeking professional mental health care and their ultimate access to formal treatment.

Fibrotic myopathy and contracture of the caudal thigh musculature: a prospective study of 41 dogs (2019-2022).

Objective: To determine the presentation, diagnosis, progression, and family risk of fibrotic myopathy, a disease with marked breed predisposition in the German Shepherd Dog (GSD).

Animals: 41 dogs prospectively recruited to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Comparative Genetics and Orthopedic Laboratory between November 2019 to August 2022.

Methods: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with fibrotic myopathy were reviewed upon referral.

A deletion in the N gene of SARS-CoV-2 may reduce test sensitivity for detection of SARS-CoV-2.

One SARS-CoV-2-positive sample demonstrated impaired detection of the N1 target by RT-PCR using US CDC primer/probe sets. A 3 nucleotide deletion was discovered that overlaps the forward primer binding site. This finding underscores the importance of continued SARS-CoV-2 mutation surveillance and assessment of the impact on diagnostic test performance.

The Interface amongst Conserved and Specialized Pathways in Non-Paclitaxel and Paclitaxel Accumulating Cultures.

Plant cell cultures derived from are used to produce valuable metabolites like paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic drug. Methyl jasmonate elicitation enhances paclitaxel accumulation, but also inhibits culture growth and increases phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, two side effects that detract from taxane accumulation. To understand the connection between all of these processes, a systems approach is applied to investigate cell-wide metabolism in .

Wearable sensor validation of sports-related movements for the lower extremity and trunk.

Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), an alternative to 3D optical motion capture, are growing in popularity to assess sports-related movements. This study validated an IMU system against a "gold-standard" optical motion capture system during common sports movements. Forty-nine healthy adults performed six movements common to a variety of sports applications (cutting, running, jumping, single leg squats, and cross-over twist) while simultaneously outfitted with standard, retroreflective markers and a wireless IMU system.

Ski boot canting adjustments affect kinematic, kinetic, and postural control measures associated with fall and injury risk.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if and to what extent small lateral wedges inserted under the ski boot, known as canting, could impact knee kinematics/kinetics, balance, and neuromuscular activity in recreational alpine skiers in the laboratory setting.

Design: Experimental, crossover study with repeated-measures analysis METHODS: Thirty-eight recreational skiers completed a single-leg postural balance test while wearing standardized ski boots in their unmodified state (control), and with medial and lateral canting wedges applied. Kinematics, kinetics, postural control measures, and neuromuscular activity of the lower extremity were assessed using optical motion capture, instrumented force plates, and electromyography.

A population balance model to modulate shear for the control of aggregation in Taxus suspension cultures.

Cellular aggregation in plant suspension cultures directly affects the accumulation of high value products, such as paclitaxel from Taxus. Through application of mechanical shear by repeated, manual pipetting through a 10 ml pipet with a 1.6 mm aperture, the mean aggregate size of a Taxus culture can be reduced without affecting culture growth.

Evaluation of the nutritional adequacy of recipes for home-prepared maintenance diets for cats.

Objective: To evaluate home-prepared maintenance diet (HPMD) recipes for cats and compare the nutritional profiles with National Research Council (NRC) recommended allowances (RAs) for essential nutrients for adult cats.

Design: Evaluation study.

Sample: 114 recipes (obtained from books and online sources) for HPMDs for cats.

Cholecystokinin Switches the Plasticity of GABA Synapses in the Dorsomedial Hypothalamus via Astrocytic ATP Release.

Whether synapses in appetite-regulatory brain regions undergo long-term changes in strength in response to satiety peptides is poorly understood. Here we show that following bursts of afferent activity, the neuromodulator and satiety peptide cholecystokinin (CCK) shifts the plasticity of GABA synapses in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus of male Sprague Dawley rats from long-term depression to long-term potentiation (LTP). This LTP requires the activation of both type 2 CCK receptors and group 5 metabotropic glutamate receptors, resulting in a rise in astrocytic intracellular calcium and subsequent ATP release.

North American ginseng influences adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk regulation of inflammatory gene expression.

Background: Adipocyte-macrophage communication plays a critical role regulating white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammatory gene expression. Because WAT inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic diseases, there is significant interest in understanding how exogenous compounds regulate the adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk. An aqueous (AQ) extract of North American (NA) ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) was previously shown to have strong inflammo-regulatory properties in adipocytes.

Multi-scale engineering of plant cell cultures for promotion of specialized metabolism.

To establish plant culture systems for product synthesis, a multi-scale engineering approach is necessary. At the intracellular level, the influx of 'omics' data has necessitated development of new methods to properly annotate and establish useful metabolic models that can be applied to elucidate unknown steps in specialized metabolite biosynthesis, define effective metabolic engineering strategies and increase enzyme diversity available for synthetic biology platforms. On an intercellular level, the presence of aggregates in culture leads to distinct metabolic sub-populations.

Metabolic engineering approaches for production of biochemicals in food and medicinal plants.

Historically, plants are a vital source of nutrients and pharmaceuticals. Recent advances in metabolic engineering have made it possible to not only increase the concentration of desired compounds, but also introduce novel biosynthetic pathways to a variety of species, allowing for enhanced nutritional or commercial value. To improve metabolic engineering capabilities, new transformation techniques have been developed to allow for gene specific silencing strategies or stacking of multiple genes within the same region of the chromosome.

Up in smoke? A preliminary open-label trial of nicotine replacement therapy and cognitive behavioral motivational enhancement for smoking cessation among youth in Los Angeles.

In 2008-2009, we conducted a 6-week, open-label trial of transdermal nicotine replacement therapy and practical counseling for 34 adolescents seeking smoking cessation in Los Angeles. Dependent outcomes were study retention, use of the patch, and 7-day quit status at the end-of-study and at follow-up visits. Predictors of outcomes included cigarette dependence, withdrawal symptoms, demographic and psychiatric measures, and other substance use.

Recent advances towards development and commercialization of plant cell culture processes for the synthesis of biomolecules.

Plant cell culture systems were initially explored for use in commercial synthesis of several high-value secondary metabolites, allowing for sustainable production that was not limited by the low yields associated with natural harvest or the high cost associated with complex chemical synthesis. Although there have been some commercial successes, most notably paclitaxel production from Taxus sp., process limitations exist with regards to low product yields and inherent production variability.

Nursing interventions to promote dignified dying in four countries.

Purpose/objectives: To describe nursing interventions to promote dignified dying as identified by nurses in four countries.

Design: Cross-sectional survey design.

Setting: Hospitals and clinics in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and the United States.

A cross-cultural analysis of dignified dying.

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of dignified dying and other terminology nurses used to describe this phenomenon in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and the United States (US).

Design: A cross-sectional descriptive survey with a convenience sample of nurses who cared for dying patients in Ethiopia (n=14), India (n=229), Kenya (n=36), and the US (n=281). Data were collected between 2002 and 2004.

The challenges and opportunities in providing end-of-life care in nursing homes.

Approximately 20% of deaths in the United States occur in nursing homes. That percentage is expected to increase as the population continues to age. As a setting for end-of-life care, nursing homes provide both challenges and opportunities.