Evaluating the Efficiency in the Application of Transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 Gene-editing Technique on Pumpkins

With the simplicity of a unique genome engineering mechanism, CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique has amazed scholars with its effectiveness and efficiency in manipulating gene sequences.[1] As this advanced technique develops, its applications on different species arise as prominent subjects yet to be determined. Due to the great economic value of pumpkins and the need for examining CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing efficiency, Casperita pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is chosen as the subject to be investigated on. Through introducing CRISPR/Cas9 system —for modifying phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene— into pumpkin seeds with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, we regenerate transgenic pumpkins and expect to observe albino leaves in the transformed plants. By identifying mutated pumpkins and analyzing genotyping data, the efficiency in the application of transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique on pumpkins can be established. Utilizing the findings, we aim to make contribution in developing an effective, promising gene-editing practice for pumpkin and maximizing its benefits in agriculture

Modification of a Brazilian smectite clay with different quaternary ammonium salts

In this work, a smectite clay from the State of Paraiba, Brazil, was treated with six different types of ammonium salts, which is an usual method to enhance the affinity between the clay and polymer for the preparation of nanocomposites. The clays, before and after modification, were characterized by X ray diffraction. The conformation of the salts within the platelets of the clay depended on the number of long alkyl chains of the salt. The thermal stability of the clays was also studied. The ammonium salts thermal decomposition was explained in light of their position within the organoclays.FAPESPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)CNP

Spectroscopic r-Process Abundance Retrieval for Kilonovae II: Lanthanides in the Inferred Abundance Patterns of Multi-Component Ejecta from the GW170817 Kilonova

In kilonovae, freshly-synthesized $r$-process elements imprint features on optical spectra, as observed in AT2017gfo, the counterpart to the GW170817 binary neutron star merger. However, measuring the $r$-process compositions of the merger ejecta is computationally challenging. Vieira et al. (2023) introduced Spectroscopic $r$-Process Abundance Retrieval for Kilonovae (SPARK), a software tool to infer elemental abundance patterns of the ejecta, and associate spectral features with particular species. Previously, we applied SPARK to the 1.4 day spectrum of AT2017gfo and inferred its abundance pattern for the first time, characterized by electron fraction $Y_e=0.31$, a substantial abundance of strontium, and a dearth of lanthanides and heavier elements. This ejecta is consistent with wind from a remnant hypermassive neutron star and/or accretion disk. We now extend our inference to spectra at 2.4 and 3.4 days, and test the need for multi-component ejecta, where we stratify the ejecta in composition. The ejecta at 1.4 and 2.4 days is described by the same single blue component. At 3.4 days, a new redder component with lower $Y_e=0.16$ and a significant abundance of lanthanides emerges. This new redder component is consistent with dynamical ejecta and/or neutron-rich ejecta from a magnetized accretion disk. As expected from photometric modelling, this component emerges as the ejecta expands, the photosphere recedes, and the earlier bluer component dims. At 3.4 days, we find an ensemble of lanthanides, with the presence of cerium most concrete. This presence of lanthanides has important implications for the contribution of kilonovae to the $r$-process abundances observed in the Universe.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures in body + 10 pages, 9 figures in appendix; submitted to ApJ; comments welcome

Epidemiology and microbiology of recurrent UTI in women in the community in Oxfordshire, UK

Background: Recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) contributes to significant morbidity and antibiotic usage. Objectives: To characterize the age of women experiencing rUTI, the microbiology of rUTIs, and the risk of further rUTIs in Oxfordshire, UK. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analysed de-identified linked microbiology and hospital admissions data (Infections in Oxfordshire Research Database), between 2008 and 2019, including positive urine cultures from women aged ≥16 years in community settings. We defined rUTI as ≥2 positive urine cultures within 6 months or ≥3 within 12 months. Results: Of 201 927 women with urine culture performed, 84 809 (42%) had ≥1 positive culture, and 15 617 (18%) of these experienced ≥1 rUTI over a median (IQR) follow-up of 6 (3–9) years. Women with rUTI were 17.0 (95% CI: 16.3–17.7) years older on average. rUTI was commonest (6204; 40%) in those aged 70–89 years. Post-rUTI, the risk of further UTI within 6 months was 29.4% (95% CI: 28.7–30.2). Escherichia coli was detected in 65% of positive cultures. Among rUTIs where the index UTI was E. coli associated, the second UTI was also E. coli associated in 81% of cases. Conclusions: rUTIs represent a substantial healthcare burden, particularly in women >60 years. One-third of women experiencing rUTI have a further microbiologically confirmed UTI within 6 months

Limitations of dual-sgRNA CRISPR strategies for the treatment of CNS genetic disorders

International audienc

Genome characteristics of facultatively symbiotic Frankia sp. strains reflect host range and host plant biogeography

Soil bacteria that also form mutualistic symbioses in plants encounter two major levels of selection. One occurs during adaptation to and survival in soil, and the other occurs in concert with host plant speciation and adaptation. Actinobacteria from the genus Frankia are facultative symbionts that form N2-fixing root nodules on diverse and globally distributed angiosperms in the “actinorhizal” symbioses. Three closely related clades of Frankia sp. strains are recognized; members of each clade infect a subset of plants from among eight angiosperm families. We sequenced the genomes from three strains; their sizes varied from 5.43 Mbp for a narrow host range strain (Frankia sp. strain HFPCcI3) to 7.50 Mbp for a medium host range strain (Frankia alni strain ACN14a) to 9.04 Mbp for a broad host range strain (Frankia sp. strain EAN1pec.) This size divergence is the largest yet reported for such closely related soil bacteria (97.8%–98.9% identity of 16S rRNA genes). The extent of gene deletion, duplication, and acquisition is in concert with the biogeographic history of the symbioses and host plant speciation. Host plant isolation favored genome contraction, whereas host plant diversification favored genome expansion. The results support the idea that major genome expansions as well as reductions can occur in facultative symbiotic soil bacteria as they respond to new environments in the context of their symbioses

HIV-Related Sexual Risk among African American Men Preceding Incarceration: Associations with Support from Significant Others, Family, and Friends

We evaluated the association between social support received from significant others, family, and friends and HIV-related sexual risk behaviors among African American men involved in the criminal justice system. Project DISRUPT is a cohort study among African American men released from prison in North Carolina (N = 189). During the baseline (in-prison) survey, we assessed the amount of support men perceived they had received from significant others, family, and friends. We measured associations between low support from each source (<median value) and participants' sex risk in the 6 months before incarceration. Low levels of social support from significant others, family, or friends were associated with poverty and homelessness, mental disorders, and substance use. Adjusting for age, poverty, and other sources of support, perceiving low support from significant others was strongly associated with multiple partnerships (fully adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-5.42). Low significant other support also was strongly associated with sex trade involvement when adjusting for age and poverty status (adjusted OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.25-9.85) but further adjustment for low family and friend support weakened the association (fully adjusted OR 2.81, 95% CI 0.92-8.55). Significant other support was not associated with other sex risk outcomes including concurrent partnerships, anal sex, or sex with an STI/HIV-infected partner. Low family support was associated with multiple partnerships in analyses adjusting for age and poverty (adjusted OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.05-3.76) but the association weakened and was no longer significant after adjusting for other sources of support (fully adjusted OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.65-3.00); family support was not correlated with other risk behaviors. Friend support was not significantly associated with sex risk outcomes. Indicators of overall support from any source were not associated with sex risk outcomes. Helping inmates maintain ties may improve economic security and well-being during community re-entry, while supporting and strengthening relationships with a significant other in particular may help reduce sex risk. Studies should evaluate the protective effects of distinct support sources to avoid masking effects of support and to best understand the influence of social support on health

Mutations impairing GSK3-mediated MAF phosphorylation cause cataract, deafness, intellectual disability, seizures, and a down syndrome-like facies

Transcription factors operate in developmental processes to mediate inductive events and cell competence, and perturbation of their function or regulation can dramatically affect morphogenesis, organogenesis, and growth. We report that a narrow spectrum of amino-acid substitutions within the transactivation domain of the v-maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog (MAF), a leucine zipper-containing transcription factor of the AP1 superfamily, profoundly affect development. Seven different de novo missense mutations involving conserved residues of the four GSK3 phosphorylation motifs were identified in eight unrelated individuals. The distinctive clinical phenotype, for which we propose the eponym Aymé-Gripp syndrome, is not limited to lens and eye defects as previously reported for MAF/Maf loss of function but includes sensorineural deafness, intellectual disability, seizures, brachycephaly, distinctive flat facial appearance, skeletal anomalies, mammary gland hypoplasia, and reduced growth. Disease-causing mutations were demonstrated to impair proper MAF phosphorylation, ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, perturbed gene expression in primary skin fibroblasts, and induced neurodevelopmental defects in an in vivo model. Our findings nosologically and clinically delineate a previously poorly understood recognizable multisystem disorder, provide evidence for MAF governing a wider range of developmental programs than previously appreciated, and describe a novel instance of protein dosage effect severely perturbing developmen

Assessing the Marketability of BEU as a Loungewear Brand Producing Ethically-Made and Gender-Inclusive Clothing in the Philippines

BEU is an ethical and gender-inclusive brand that aims to provide its customers with high-quality loungewear products promoting a more sustainable approach in terms of manufacturing and purchasing contemporary clothing pieces while striving for inclusivity through their brand’s motto “Be You” encouraging individuals to be who they are in the clothes they wear. BEU’s products within the market are manufactured by an ethical business: Candid Clothing. The material utilized for the production is French Terry fabric that is sourced through Tailored Projects. One of the most notable advantages of BEU is its established marketing strategies, particularly the launch of its website, which is functional and well-designed given its capacity to ease and improve the process of communication between the brand and its customers. As a sole proprietor business, their starting capital of Php 73,140 was acquired through the financial contribution of BEU’s shareholders. The expenses and transactions made after the launching of the business for resources, manufacturing costs, and packaging expenses are managed thoroughly; including the projected and actual sales monitored monthly for a better understanding of the business’ operation and sales performance. With BEU’s drive to prove and satisfy its customers with a quality product, improve and address common societal concerns as a social enterprise, advocate an idea of embracing one’s truest self, and establish a promising vision of becoming an ethical brand affiliated with outstanding plans, the business could highly provide a positive impact to the society from a global perspective