Complete Genome Sequences of Cluster P1 and Cluster C1 Mycobacterium smegmatis Phages Jung and Ronan

We present the complete genome sequences of Mycobacterium smegmatis phages Jung and Ronan, isolated from soil in Las Vegas, Nevada. The phages were isolated and annotated by students enrolled in a course for undergraduate research experience (CURE). Jung is a cluster P1 mycobacteriophage, while Ronan is in cluster C1

Long-Range Regulation by the Shigella Virulence Gene Regulator, VirB

Nucleoid-structuring proteins (NSPs) in bacterial cells can exert gene regulatory effects over great distances on DNA. This contrasts with the traditional view of bacterial transcriptional regulation, where transcription factors bind cis-acting regulatory sites proximal (\u3c250 bp) to promoters to influence gene expression. In Shigella species, the histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein (H-NS) transcriptionally silences many genes on the large (~220 kb) virulence plasmid. During host colonization, however, silencing by H-NS is alleviated by the anti-silencer protein, VirB, which remodels the H-NS:DNA complex. This transcriptional anti-silencing is mediated by VirB:DNA interactions and the modulation of DNA supercoiling, which lead to the up-regulation of virulence genes. VirB is a central regulator of Shigella virulence, but the mechanistic basis for transcriptional regulation is incompletely characterized. Here, I focus on the potential for VirB to regulate transcription from remotely located DNA binding sites. Employing complementary in vivo approaches, I assessed the spatial stringency of the VirB binding site and elucidated how varying cellular VirB levels impacts regulation over different distances. I also evaluated how a molecular roadblock on DNA influences remote regulation by VirB. Additionally, I developed control tools to validate the ability of VirB to spread along DNA, an activity of VirB that putatively drives transcriptional regulation. These data are consistent with transcriptional anti-silencing being driven by VirB spreading along DNA. Overall, these findings highlight how VirB is not a conventional transcriptional regulator and broaden our perspective on transcriptional control in bacteria. Furthermore, this work contributes to our understanding of long-range gene regulatory effects, which are frequently overlooked and poorly characterized in bacteria

A State of Uncertainty: An Analysis of Recent State Legislative Proposals to Regulate Preventive Services in the United States

This policy brief examines preventive services state legislation trends in the United States during uncertainty regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires certain coverage of 4 evidence-based preventive services categories without additional patient costs under §2713. We used a legal mapping approach to search for and analyze state legislation related to preventive services proposed or enacted over a 25-month period of ACA uncertainty. We screened 1231 bills and coded the 76 screened-in bills. Next, we determined their characteristics and examined trends. Bills originated in 28 states, and 69.7% were not enacted. Only 3.9% contained requirements contingent on ACA modifications. About 56.6% referenced services covered by §2713, but usually not entire §2713 categories. Bills also mentioned preventive services in general (53.9%) and services outside §2713’s scope (21.1%). About 55.3% applied to private insurance, and 75.0% only to one patient group. Bills generally promoted access, and 51.3% specifically prohibited cost-sharing. But 26.3% of the bills limited access to preventive services. State-level legislation targets preventive services, usually expanding, but sometimes limiting, access. Most bills single out specific services without fully incorporating evidence-based recommendations. State legislation may therefore promote access to preventive services but can favor certain services, deviate from experts’ recommendations, and increase nationwide variability. State legislation can function as an important lever for access to preventive services across patient groups. This may be especially important during uncertainty about federal policy. However, the design of state-level proposals is critical for maximizing access to preventive services

A State of Uncertainty: An Analysis of Recent State Legislative Proposals to Regulate Preventive Services in the United States

This policy brief examines preventive services state legislation trends in the United States during uncertainty regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires certain coverage of 4 evidence-based preventive services categories without additional patient costs under §2713. We used a legal mapping approach to search for and analyze state legislation related to preventive services proposed or enacted over a 25-month period of ACA uncertainty. We screened 1231 bills and coded the 76 screened-in bills. Next, we determined their characteristics and examined trends. Bills originated in 28 states, and 69.7% were not enacted. Only 3.9% contained requirements contingent on ACA modifications. About 56.6% referenced services covered by §2713, but usually not entire §2713 categories. Bills also mentioned preventive services in general (53.9%) and services outside §2713’s scope (21.1%). About 55.3% applied to private insurance, and 75.0% only to one patient group. Bills generally promoted access, and 51.3% specifically prohibited cost-sharing. But 26.3% of the bills limited access to preventive services. State-level legislation targets preventive services, usually expanding, but sometimes limiting, access. Most bills single out specific services without fully incorporating evidence-based recommendations. State legislation may therefore promote access to preventive services but can favor certain services, deviate from experts’ recommendations, and increase nationwide variability. State legislation can function as an important lever for access to preventive services across patient groups. This may be especially important during uncertainty about federal policy. However, the design of state-level proposals is critical for maximizing access to preventive services