Identification of Structural Variation in Chimpanzees Using Optical Mapping and Nanopore Sequencing.

Recent efforts to comprehensively characterize great ape genetic diversity using short-read sequencing and single-nucleotide variants have led to important discoveries related to selection within species, demographic history, and lineage-specific traits. Structural variants (SVs), including deletions and inversions, comprise a larger proportion of genetic differences between and within species, making them an important yet understudied source of trait divergence. Here, we used a combination of long-read and -range sequencing approaches to characterize the structural variant landscape of two additional Pan troglodytes verus individuals, one of whom carries 13% admixture from Pan troglodytes troglodytes. We performed optical mapping of both individuals followed by nanopore sequencing of one individual. Filtering for larger variants (>10 kbp) and combined with genotyping of SVs using short-read data from the Great Ape Genome Project, we identified 425 deletions and 59 inversions, of which 88 and 36, respectively, were novel. Compared with gene expression in humans, we found a significant enrichment of chimpanzee genes with differential expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cells, both within deletions and near inversion breakpoints. We examined chromatin-conformation maps from human and chimpanzee using these same cell types and observed alterations in genomic interactions at SV breakpoints. Finally, we focused on 56 genes impacted by SVs in >90% of chimpanzees and absent in humans and gorillas, which may contribute to chimpanzee-specific features. Sequencing a greater set of individuals from diverse subspecies will be critical to establish the complete landscape of genetic variation in chimpanzees

Impact of Irrigation Strategies on Tomato Root Distribution and Rhizosphere Processes in an Organic System.

Root exploitation of soil heterogeneity and microbially mediated rhizosphere nutrient transformations play critical roles in plant resource uptake. However, how these processes change under water-saving irrigation technologies remains unclear, especially for organic systems where crops rely on soil ecological processes for plant nutrition and productivity. We conducted a field experiment and examined how water-saving subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and concentrated organic fertilizer application altered root traits and rhizosphere processes compared to traditional furrow irrigation (FI) in an organic tomato system. We measured root distribution and morphology, the activities of C-, N-, and P-cycling enzymes in the rhizosphere, the abundance of rhizosphere microbial N-cycling genes, and root mycorrhizal colonization rate under two irrigation strategies. Tomato plants produced shorter and finer root systems with higher densities of roots around the drip line, lower activities of soil C-degrading enzymes, and shifts in the abundance of microbial N-cycling genes and mycorrhizal colonization rates in the rhizosphere of SDI plants compared to FI. SDI led to 66.4% higher irrigation water productivity than FI, but it also led to excessive vegetative growth and 28.3% lower tomato yield than FI. Our results suggest that roots and root-microbe interactions have a high potential for coordinated adaptation to water and nutrient spatial patterns to facilitate resource uptake under SDI. However, mismatches between plant needs and resource availability remain, highlighting the importance of assessing temporal dynamics of root-soil-microbe interactions to maximize their resource-mining potential for innovative irrigation systems

Prospectus, 14, 2007

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2007/1004/thumbnail.jp

Peptide-directed assembly of functional supramolecular polymers for biomedical applications: electroactive molecular tongue-twisters (oligoalanine-oligoaniline-oligoalanine) for electrochemically enhanced drug delivery

We report the preparation and characterization of films of electroactive supramolecular polymers based on non-electroactive oligoalanines and electroactive oligoanilines. Fibroblasts adhered to and proliferated on the films, and the delivery of the clinically relevant anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone phosphate could be enhanced upon the application of an electrical stimulus

Prospectus, January 17, 2007

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2007/1000/thumbnail.jp

Video tools in pediatric goals of care communication: A systematic review

Medical advancesmean a growing array of interventions, therapies, and technologies are available to support care for children with chronic and serious conditions. Some of these approaches are supported by robust data drawn from populations that perfectly reflect an individual patient\u27s physiologic, psychologic, and social situation. But much more often, clinicians and families face decisions in the context of some—or much—uncertainty about whether the intervention will do a child more harm than good. This is particularly true for seriously ill children with a limited lifespan— whether the child is a neonate born with a life-threatening brain anomaly or an adolescent with cancer. Because there is no clear right decision in these circumstances, clinical teams review potential benefits and burdens and prioritize the care goals and expectations held by the child\u27s family [1]. Communication about these aspects of care are often referred to as Goals of Care”. This patient- and family-centered approach identifies valued care, avoids unwanted interventions, and fosters holistic family support [2]. In their 2019 paper, Secunda, et al. offer an operational definition of Goals of Care: “…the overarching aims of medical care for a patient that are informed by patients’ underlying values and priorities, established within the existing clinical context, and used to guide decisions about the use of or limitation on specificmedical interventions” [2]. It is fundamental to shared decision-making and relies on bidirectional communication, particularly since care goals are usually discussed in the setting of clinical conflict, poor prognosis, or treatment limitations [3]. Yet while the Goals of Care terminology is often a vernacular phrase for clinical teams, it is, in fact, jargon that can be ambiguous in conversations with families [4]. A clinician\u27s request to discuss Goals of Care may signal unfamiliar, confusing, intimidating, or emotionally laden conversational domains to families. Additional ambiguity arises from the fact that Goals of Care conversations often occur in the context of a changing prognosis and a background of baseline uncertainty. This gap in understanding and communication undermines family support. Families processing their own hopes and goals for a child find a sense of solidarity and support from hearing about the experiences of other families facing similar situations [5-7]. Several studies have identified the value of video modality as a source for Goals of Care education, including readying viewers for discussion, enhancing emotional awareness, and processing information in a safe space [8-11]. Given the emotion-laden nature of Goals of Care conversations, videos have been recognized as helpful preparation for families [12]. Thoughtfully produced video content offers viewers access to insight, emotion, and knowledge in an almost experiential way. This may be particularly important to families of children with serious illness who often feel isolated from other families experiencing similar challenges [13]

Following the Growth of Sarah\u27s baby: An IPE Activity for Medical Nutrition & Diagnostic Sonography Students

Objectives: Interprofessional education (IPE) involves collaborative learning among students from different professions. While acceptance of these types of activities is increasing, there are opportunities to expand the number of health care professions involved in IPE. The purpose of this study was to explore student perceptions and outcomes after participation in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) and Medical Nutrition Education (MNE) interprofessional education activity centered around a clinical case study on fetal growth. Subjects & Methods: The IPE activity was administered to four student cohorts from academic years to 2015-2016 to 2018-2019. Participants included 66 students (n=39 DMS and n=27 MNE). Data was gathered through pre- & post-tests based on a patient case-study and evidence-based search skills knowledge and a post-activity survey. Assessment sessions were held on the first day and on the last day of the activity. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean pre-and post-test scores for the group overall, (p=https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_mits_pres/1004/thumbnail.jp

Stepping Stones: A Leadership Development Program to Inspire and Promote Reflection Among Women Faculty and Staff

Women frequently benefit from focused faculty development opportunities not because they need to be “fixed,” but rather it is a means to demonstrate that success, even in chilly environments, is possible. The Stepping Stones program uses a unique design to provide participants with inspiration, time for reflection, and strategies for how to navigate one's career, through hearing about the journeys of successful women. In this article, we describe the program and evaluation results. Post‐event and longitudinal follow‐up surveys indicate that the program and its unique narrative format help to debunk the superwoman myth and leave participants with a sense of optimism about their future careers

Prospectus, December 6, 2006

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2006/1029/thumbnail.jp