Rowing crews synchronise strokes to achieve optimal performance. Antiphase crew coordination (i.e., alternating strokes) may reduce velocity fluctuations of the boat, which would theoretically imply reduced hydrodynamic drag and, hence, potentially faster race times. We experimentally compared in-phase to antiphase rowing on water in terms of crew coordination and effects on boat kinematics and race time. We tested whether rowers are able to row in an antiphase pattern on the water. Next, we aimed to verify whether antiphase rowing on water indeed decreased surge velocity fluctuations and whether this would imply a higher boat speed and faster race times. Nine pairs of experienced rowers rowed four 1,000 m trials in in-phase and antiphase at 20 and 30 strokes per minute. Despite this being their first attempt, most crews performed the unconventional antiphase pattern stably. Antiphase rowing indeed reduced boat velocity fluctuations, especially at higher pace, but did not yield faster race times in these first attempts. The current results provide a promising first step in testing the possibilities of antiphase crew rowing on water and its effects on boat movements and velocity. Whether antiphase rowing may result in faster racing times given the potency to improve antiphase rowing through practice and optimisation of the design and rigging of the boat, will require further research.
Vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) remains a challenging sequela of radical prostatectomy (RP). To evaluate endoscopic outcomes in men with VUAS using a patient-centred composite endpoint of concurrent urethral patency and continence. Retrospective, single-centre consecutive case series. We analysed 60 consecutive men treated endoscopically for VUAS (2014-2023). Primary endpoints were urethral patency (passage of a 20F catheter at 6-month follow-up) and continence (0-1 pad/day at last follow-up; for men with an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), assessed after device activation). Secondary endpoints included AUS implantation and complications. Subgroup comparisons by prior pelvic radiotherapy (RTx) were performed using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney tests. Median follow-up was 40 months. Patency was achieved in 45/60 (75%). Continence was achieved in 22/60 (36.7%): 5 men remained continent without AUS and 17 became continent after AUS; 4/21 AUS required explant for erosion. Composite success (patency plus continence) occurred in 20/60 (33.3%). Prior RTx was not significantly associated with patency, continence, composite success, or AUS implantation. Three men required urinary diversion for pubic bone fistulation and three were diagnosed with bladder cancer (no AUS implanted). Seventeen patients declined AUS despite persistent stress urinary incontinence. Endoscopic treatment restores urethral patency in most men with post-RP VUAS, but the final patient-centred outcome of simultaneous patency and continence is achieved in one-third. These data may support shared decision-making regarding expectations and staged continence surgery. Not applicable. Keyhole treatment of scarring after prostate surgery: what reopening the urine passage means for regaining bladder control? After prostate removal surgery, some men develop scarring where the bladder joins the urethra. This can narrow or block the urine passage and is often linked with urine leakage. The usual first step is an endoscopic (“keyhole”) procedure that cuts the scar from inside to reopen the passage. We reviewed 60 men treated this way at our centre (2014–2023). We checked, over several follow up visits up to six months, whether the passage stayed open and whether men could control urine (defined as using 0–1 pad per day). We also recorded who needed an artificial urinary sphincter (a small implanted device that helps prevent leakage) and any complications. Results: the urine passage remained open in 45 of 60 men (75%). Good bladder control was achieved in 22 of 60 (37%). Our “final success” combined both goals—an open passage and good control—and was seen in 20 of 60 men (33%). An artificial sphincter was implanted in 21 men (35%); 17 other men chose not to have this device despite ongoing leakage. Four implanted devices later eroded and were removed. Three men needed urinary diversion because of a rare complication (a fistula involving the pubic bone), and three were diagnosed with bladder cancer during follow up. In this study, having had radiotherapy in the past did not clearly change the chances of success. What this means: keyhole treatment usually reopens the passage, but many men will still need an artificial sphincter to be reliably dry. Knowing this helps patients and clinicians plan realistic timelines and next steps after the first procedure. If scarring keeps coming back or the narrowing is severe, early discussion of reconstructive surgery may be appropriate.
Listening to music while studying is common, yet it remains unclear whether self-selected popular music facilitates or interferes with memory performance. This exploratory pilot fMRI study examined whether preferred Japanese pop music (J-Pop), compared with unpleasant sounds and a no-sound baseline, was descriptively associated with differences in visual memory retrieval, subjective focus, and regional brain activity in healthy young adults. Five participants completed a visual encoding and retrieval task under three auditory conditions during fMRI. Behavioral performance, focus ratings, and region-of-interest (ROI) activity in the anterior insula and temporo-occipital visual association cortex were examined using descriptive statistics and nonparametric analyses. Descriptively, recall accuracy and subjective focus were highest in the preferred J-Pop condition, intermediate in the no-sound condition, and lowest in the unpleasant condition; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Exploratory ROI analyses showed that anterior insula activity was descriptively higher during the J-Pop condition, whereas temporo-occipital visual association cortex activity was descriptively highest during unpleasant sounds, intermediate during J-Pop, and lowest during the no-sound condition. Brain-behavior correlations were also exploratory and should be interpreted cautiously given the very small sample size. These findings do not establish that preferred J-Pop improves memory performance or supports a specific neural mechanism. Rather, they suggest that this paradigm is feasible and may be useful for generating hypotheses about how affectively positive, self-selected music relates to visual memory retrieval, subjective focus, and salience-related neural processing in future adequately powered studies.
Whether retinoids and carotenoids impact on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is unknown. We conducted a 1:1 randomized controlled trial with extracorporeal photopheresis for GVHD-prophylaxis as the intervention. The plasma levels of retinoids and carotenoids were determined at randomization and 3 months after ASCT. We found no significant difference in GVHD occurrence and levels of retinoids between the intervention and control groups at either of the two time points. Whether routine vitamin A supplementation is warranted for GVHD prevention, needs further study. Our exploratory study highlights the complex role of retinoid homeostasis in immune function during ASCT. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03204721.
Reports during the COVID-19 pandemic suggested a surge in domestic violence cases. It is important to examine whether patterns changed following the pandemic. Authors of this study evaluated whether Sedgwick County (SGC) experienced similar trends by comparing intimate partner violence (IPV)-related service utilization before, during, and after the pandemic. Participants included IPV victims who accessed services through Wichita Family Crisis Center from January 1, 2018, to May 31, 2025. There were no exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed across three periods: pre-COVID (Period 1: 3/1/18 - 2/28/20), COVID (Period 2: 2/29/20 - 5/31/23), and post-COVID (Period 3: 6/1/23 - 5/30/25). Chi-square testing was used for statistical analysis. A total of 11,341 clients were included, with a 31% decrease from Period 1 to Period 2 and a 19% increase from Period 2 to Period 3. A total of 100,356 services were analyzed; services decreased during COVID and increased post-COVID to levels exceeding pre-pandemic levels (p <0.001). During COVID, the proportion of hotline calls related to children younger than 17 years doubled, then declined post-COVID (p <0.0001). Upward trends also were observed in safety planning services during and after COVID, along with an increase in sex trafficking-related services post-COVID (p <0.0001). In SGC, IPV-related calls and services decreased during the pandemic and increased steadily in the post-COVID period. These patterns may reflect reduced access to care or changes in service availability during the pandemic, rather than a true reduction in IPV prevalence or service needs.
This study aimed to investigate the association between protein-energy wasting (PEW) and cognitive impairment (CI) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). In this single-center cross-sectional study, 86 patients receiving MHD were enrolled. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements, including mid-arm circumference (MAC) and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), as well as the Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS). Cognitive function was evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with patients classified into CI (n = 50) and non-CI (n = 36) groups based on education-adjusted scores. Group comparisons, Spearman correlation analysis, multivariable logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. Cognitive impairment was present in 58.1% of the patients. Compared with the non-CI group, patients with CI had a higher Malnutrition-Inflammation Score and lower MAMC. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that lower MAMC (adjusted OR 0.571, 95% CI 0.400-0.816, p = 0.002) and higher MIS (adjusted OR 1.249, 95% CI 1.006-1.550, p = 0.044) were independently associated with cognitive impairment. ROC analysis demonstrated that a multivariable model combining age, years of education, dialysis vintage, MAMC, and MIS exhibited excellent discriminative ability (AUC = 0.942, 95% CI 0.898-0.987). Lower MAMC and higher MIS were independently associated with cognitive impairment in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. These two indicators (MAMC and MIS) showed stronger and more consistent associations with cognitive impairment than single biochemical markers. Given the cross-sectional design of the study, the temporal direction of the association cannot be determined. Prospective studies are warranted to clarify whether muscle loss precedes cognitive decline or occurs as a consequence of it, and to evaluate whether preserving muscle mass can protect cognitive function in this population.
Ultra-processed food (UPF) has been extensively linked to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, metabolic disease, and cancer. It also contributes to the development of inflammation, oxidative stress, and other disease pathways, with obesity being a major concern. In this review, we offer insights into the role of UPF consumption on nutritional behavior, diet quality, and health. We also raise the questions of whether UPF promotes obesity that subsequently mediates the development of infertility, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and hypertension, and whether UPF independently drives these conditions through obesity-independent pathways. Understanding the impact of UPF on diet quality and health can guide strategies to reduce its consumption and address related public health and sustainability challenges.
This study aims to assess the association between the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) and sarcopenic obesity (SO) in middle-aged and elderly populations, and to evaluate whether the Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) acts as the mediation in this relationship. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 3746 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2011 to 2018. Weighted multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to explore the association between DI-GM and the prevalence of SO, DI-GM and HSI, and HSI and the prevalence of SO. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was used to assess the potential nonlinear relationship between DI-GM and SO. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the consistency of this relationship across different demographic groups. Additionally, mediation analysis was conducted to explore whether there existed a potential association between DI-GM, HSI, and SO. Among the 3746 participants included in the study, 369 (9.8%) were diagnosed with SO. After adjusting for all covariates by weighted multivariate logistic regression, each unit increase in DI-GM was associated with a 15% decrease in the prevalence of SO [Model 3: OR = 0.85, 95% CI (0.76, 0.95), p = 0.006]. When DI-GM was categorized into quartiles, the results remained significant [Model 3: OR = 0.47, 95% CI (0.30, 0.75), p = 0.002]. Further analysis indicated that the protective effect of DI-GM was primarily attributed to the Beneficial gut microbiota score (BGMS). RCS analysis revealed a significant linear relationship between DI-GM and SO (p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis demonstrated the robustness of this association across various subgroups. Mediation analysis showed that 17.8% of the association between DI-GM and SO was mediated by HSI (p < 0.05). DI-GM is significantly inversely associated with the prevalence of SO in the aging population, and HSI partially mediates this association.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to manage menopausal symptoms, but its perioperative use raises concerns about increased venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. Clinical guidelines vary, with some advising temporary discontinuation before surgery. This scoping review aims to synthesise evidence and guidance on whether perioperative cessation of HRT influences postoperative VTE risk. A systematic search of PubMed and the Cochrane Library identified studies evaluating pre-operative HRT and VTE outcomes. Search terms included Hormone Replacement Therapy, HRT, Venous Thromboembolism, Venous Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, Perioperative Care and Surgical Procedures, Operative. Studies included adult women on HRT undergoing surgery and assessed discontinuation and VTE risk. Data were synthesised narratively. The search identified 246 records, four of which met the inclusion criteria: three primary studies and one systematic review. Only one study compared perioperative continuation versus cessation of HRT and found no significant increase in postoperative VTE with continued use. Other studies examined HRT among multiple VTE risk factors, with inconsistent findings. Clinical guidelines recognise oral oestrogen as a VTE risk factor and distinguish between higher-risk oral and lower-risk transdermal formulations; however, few provide explicit perioperative recommendations. Evidence is limited and insufficient to support routine perioperative HRT cessation. The only comparative study found no significant increase in VTE with continuation, though limitations restrict interpretation. Overall, the literature reflects uncertainty. Given limited and heterogeneous data, perioperative HRT management should be individualised. Further prospective research is needed to determine whether temporary withdrawal, particularly of oral oestrogen, reduces postoperative VTE risk.
Research has shown inconsistent results regarding the impact of personality disorder (PD) on psychotherapy outcomes for depression. There is a scarcity of studies comparing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with short-term psychodynamic therapy (STPP). This study aimed to compare outcome of STPP and CBT in depressed patients with and without PD and investigate whether PD or specific PD traits differentially affected outcome in STPP and CBT. One hundred outpatients with major depression (PD, n=28; NoPD, n=72) were randomized to STPP or CBT and followed up after 28 weeks. PD was assessed by semi-structured interview (SCID-II) which indicated mild to moderate severity of PD. Primary outcome measures were Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Depression Inventory-II, secondary outcome measures were the Global Functioning Scale, Work and Social Adjustment Scale and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7. Statistics comprised bivariate analyses and multivariate linear regression. Effect sizes for primary and secondary outcomes were large for both the PD and NoPD groups, with no significant difference in clinical status between the groups after 28 weeks. The presence of a PD diagnosis did not moderate outcome of STPP versus CBT, but the interaction between paranoid traits and treatment showed a significant effect in favor of STPP. The results indicate that co-occurring mild to moderate personality pathology should not be a barrier to standard psychotherapies for patients with depression. More studies are needed to investigate whether type and complexity of personality pathology differentially affect short- and longer-term outcomes of different psychotherapies for depressed patients.
Identifying taxa in the earliest phases of speciation is critical for understanding how reproductive isolation arises. In Nova Scotia, Canada, "white" threespine stickleback co-occur with common marine stickleback but differ in size, nuptial coloration, nesting behavior, and parental care, raising the possibility that they represent a distinct ecotype with some degree of reproductive isolation. We combined population genomics, morphometrics, and stable isotope analysis to test whether white stickleback represent a distinct lineage and whether they have diverged along ecological axes as have freshwater stickleback populations. Genotyping-by-sequencing revealed that male and female white stickleback form a genetic cluster distinct from sympatric common stickleback with evidence of ongoing gene flow yet with very low overall genomic divergence (FST ≈ 0.01). Genetic differences were distributed across many loci rather than localized to a single genomic region. Morphological and isotopic analyses revealed no differences in most classic ecological traits (body shape, armor, gill rakers, or trophic niche). Instead, whites are smaller-bodied, paler, and exhibit shorter spines, reduced testes size, and smaller but more numerous eggs compared to common stickleback. These results indicate that white stickleback are genetically distinct from the common Atlantic threespine stickleback but have not diverged conspicuously in their ecology other than in size, suggesting that their differentiation is driven by reproductive and sexual traits rather than trophic specialization. The white stickleback thus represent a promising new system for investigating the interplay of sexual selection, reproductive strategy, and gene flow in the early stages of speciation.
To examine whether different caregiving arrangements influence hospitalization risk and frequency among older adults with functional limitations. This longitudinal study used linear probability and Poisson regression models with individual and wave fixed effects, lagged predictors, and household-clustered standard errors to assess associations between different caregiving arrangements and hospitalization outcomes among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Caregiving was categorized as no help, family help, formal help, or combined help. Outcomes included any hospitalization and the number of hospital stays over a two-year period. Data came from eight waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2004-2018). The samples included adults aged 65 and older who reported difficulty with at least one activity of daily living and participated in at least two survey waves. The final analytic sample comprised 2926 individuals contributing 5595 person-wave observations. While the overall hospitalization risk did not differ significantly by caregiving type, receiving combined support was associated with a reduced number of hospital stays among those hospitalized (IRR = 0.712, p < 0.01), compared to receiving no support. Cognitive functioning modified these relationships, with formal help linked to fewer hospitalizations among those with impairment but more among those without. Differences also emerged across racial and ethnic groups, where formal help was linked to lower hospitalization rates for Black individuals, and combined help was associated with increased hospitalizations among Hispanic older adults. Policies that expand access to both formal and family caregiving support may help reduce hospitalizations among older adults with functional limitations, particularly when tailored to care recipient characteristics.
Genetic testing is critical in the management of breast cancer, guiding surgical decision-making, informing therapy selection, and identifying at-risk relatives. Despite its clinical importance, completion of genetic testing remains suboptimal. This study evaluated whether completion of genetic testing differed when testing was offered directly by a breast surgeon in clinic compared with the traditional referral to an external genetic specialist. This retrospective cohort study included women aged 18 to 89 years diagnosed with breast cancer who presented to a breast surgeon in Wichita, Kansas, between 2017 and 2023. Patients seen in 2020-2021 were excluded due to COVID-19-related disruptions. From 2017-2019, patients were referred to a genetic specialist, whereas from 2022-2023, testing was offered directly by the surgeon in clinic. The primary outcome was completion of genetic testing. Among 732 eligible patients, 62% (n = 454) completed genetic testing. Patients who completed testing were younger (mean age 61 vs. 70 years, p <0.001) and more likely to report a family history of cancer (69.4% vs. 43.8%, p <0.001). Among those tested, 4.9% had a pathogenic mutation, most commonly in BRCA2, ATM, or CHEK2. Patient characteristics, including age and family history, did not differ between provider groups. Genetic testing completion was higher when testing was offered in clinic by the surgeon (72.6%) than through referral-based testing (55.2%; p <0.001). Offering genetic testing directly within the breast surgeon's clinic was associated with significantly higher completion rates compared with referral-based testing. Integrating genetic testing into surgical consultations may reduce logistical barriers and enable earlier use of genetic information in treatment planning.
The purposes of this study were to determine (1) whether delay to total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) after traumatic distal humerus fracture affects heterotopic ossification (HO) formation and (2) whether HO is associated with postoperative elbow range of motion (ROM). This retrospective cohort study included patients with distal humerus fractures who underwent TEA at a single institution by a single orthopaedic surgeon from 2017 to 2021. All procedures were performed using a triceps fascial tongue approach. Patients did not receive HO prophylaxis and followed a standardized postoperative rehabilitation protocol. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from medical records and entered into an electronic database. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed for evidence of periarticular HO. HO volume was estimated using three-dimensional linear measurements derived from orthogonal radiographic views. Pearson bivariate correlation analyses were performed to assess associations between HO volume, time to surgery, and patient characteristics. Sixteen female patients were included, with a mean age of 78.9 (±9.8) years. Median time to surgery was 14.5 days (IQR, 11-27.5). There was no significant correlation between delay to surgery and HO volume, which averaged 5.5 (±4.5) cm3. Among five of fifteen patients with a postoperative total elbow arc of motion <100°, the mean time to surgery was 17.6 days and mean HO volume was 9.2 cm3. Delay to TEA was not associated with HO volume in geriatric patients treated for distal humerus fractures. However, increased HO volume was associated with reduced postoperative elbow ROM.
Metabolic dysfunction contributes to glaucoma progression, including through substrate availability and the presence and concentration of substrate transporters. Observations of metabolic substrate transporter loss in glaucoma, including loss of monocarboxylate transporter-2 (MCT2), have suggested there are serious implications for metabolic dysfunction on the health and survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In this study, we investigate whether MCT2 is necessary and sufficient for RGC survival in vivo and after ocular hypertension (OHT). We used an inducible conditional knockout (KO) mouse to remove MCT2 in Thy1-positive RGCs, then assessed RGC survival and function after OHT. MCT2 KO alone did not affect RGC density but did significantly reduce pattern electroretinogram amplitude. Upregulation of MCT1, MCT4, and GLUT3 transporters occurred as a result of MCT2 KO, suggesting that RGCs employ compensatory measures to meet their metabolic needs. Introducing oral nicotinamide (500 mg/kg/day) to test its ability to offset potential energy substrate insufficiency from MCT2 KO showed that nicotinamide was protective of RGC density for the MCT KO group but did not preserve RGC density or function for MCT2 KO + OHT. These data indicate RGCs are able to undergo compensatory adaptation to MCT2 KO with substrate transporter upregulation, which preserves their density but is not sufficient to fully preserve their function. Intervention that supplies metabolic intermediates can mitigate the loss of MCT2.
Recent studies indicate a link between anomie, that is the perceived breakdown of society, and non-normative, for example violent, political actions. However, less is known about (1) how anomie relates to normative, for example legal, political actions and (2) why anomie is related to political actions in general. In a nationally representative sample from Germany and three preregistered experiments conducted in the United States (total N = 2379), we tested whether and why anomie is related to normative and non-normative political actions. As hypothesized, anomie decreases intentions to engage in normative actions via perceived lack of political control. Moreover, correlational and causal evidence indicates that the link between anomie and non-normative action is explained sequentially by lack of political control and political uncertainty, suggesting that such actions may reflect a quest for significance and meaning. In conclusion, our findings show that anomie may pose a twofold threat to political systems and help explain why: Anomie can reduce normative political participation via lack of political control and increase non-normative, radical political actions via a sequential pathway from lack of political control to uncertainty.
Recent studies suggest that increased tibiofemoral (TF) rotation elevates the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction failure, with a proposed threshold of 4.5° of internal rotation (IR). However, the role of TF rotation in primary ACL injury remains unclear. The purpose was to evaluate whether axial TF malalignment, as reflected by the TF axial rotation angle and tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TTTG) distance, is associated with primary ACL injury in professional soccer players. It was hypothesized that increased internal TF rotation is associated with ACL injury. Cross-sectional study. A retrospective review was performed on a consecutive series of professional soccer players who underwent ACL reconstruction between January 2012 and August 2024. Inclusion criteria were primary ACL injury and availability of preinjury magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cases were matched 2:1 by age with controls, who were players who underwent meniscal surgery during the same period and had no history of ACL injury. The groups were compared in terms of age, TTTG distance, medial and lateral posterior tibial slope, resting knee flexion, and axial TF rotation during MRI acquisition. All MRI scans were independently reviewed by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists. Twenty-four professional soccer players (mean ± SD age, 25.3 ± 4.2 years) with MRI and arthroscopy-confirmed primary ACL injuries were included. The control group consisted of 48 players (mean age, 23.6 ± 3.3 years) who had intact ACLs confirmed via MRI and arthroscopy and underwent meniscal surgery. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for age, medial and lateral posterior tibial slope, knee flexion during MRI, or axial TF rotation (IR, 6.7°± 5.8° vs 4.3°± 5.9°; all, P > .05). The prevalence of resting axial TF rotation ≥4.5° of IR was also not significantly different between groups (70.8% vs 66.7%; P = .721). The TTTG distance was significantly smaller in players with ACL injuries (8.9 ± 3.4 mm vs 10.9 ± 4.2 mm; P = .050) but did not reach statistical significance when adjusted for knee flexion (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.32; P = .059). There was no difference in resting axial TF rotation and TTTG between pre- and postinjury MRI scans in players with ACL injury. In this cohort of professional soccer players, TF axial rotation was not significantly associated with primary ACL injury. Although not statistically significant, the association between a smaller TTTG distance and ACL injury may reflect an underlying anatomic predisposition related to IR malalignment. Notably, neither resting axial TF rotation nor TTTG distance differed before and after injury, indicating that these features are likely inherent.
Easy, universal, and cost-effective methods of gamete preservation for echinoids are required since echinoids are important model organisms for studying fertilization and early development, and at the same time, they are valuable fishery resources, and key components of marine ecosystems. In general, cryopreservation is the common method of animal sperm preservation, but we previously reported a simple method using a chilled condition as an alternative choice, using Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. In this study, we applied this method to various echinoid species to test whether it was effective for them, and then we determined the features of the preserved sperm in detail. The fertilization capability of preserved sperm was maintained for several weeks, though higher sperm density was needed to obtain 100% fertilization in later periods. Eggs fertilized by the preserved sperm developed normally, and the morphology of the embryos was not affected. Sperm swimming in a stable, regular manner were observed even at the end of the preservation period, though the flagellar beat frequency was substantially decreased during preservation. There was almost no change of the flagellar beat form during preservation. Here, we showed that our simple method is basically applicable to various echinoid species and provides the opportunity for effective and immediate use of competent echinoid sperm by a wide variety of users, such as people in research, fisheries and education.
Somatic liver knockout (SLiK) is a method developed to rapidly generate liver-specific knockout of one or several genes. However, the original protocol relies on hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVI), a procedure associated with low transfection efficiency and animal discomfort due to cardiac stress. To address these challenges, we evaluated whether HTVI could be adapted to adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) or lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). In addition, we sought to expand SLiK functionality by incorporating transgene overexpression together with gene knockout. Two AAV8 vectors were co-injected into Fah -/- /spCas9 Tg mice, each carrying one gRNA targeting Hpd and a second gRNA targeting gene of interest (GOI), together with a cytomegalovirus (CMV)-driven transgene cassette. This design enables dual knockout with concurrent overexpression in the same hepatocyte. LNPs were tested as an alternative non-viral method to deliver individual gRNA. Both AAV8- and LNP-mediated approach achieved near-complete Hpd inactivation within 2 months, without significant adverse effects. Using AAV8, we generated Cyp2c70 knockout mice that recapitulated the known bile-acid phenotype. We also established mice models with either humanized NTCP (SLC10A1) or AGXT by deleting the murine genes and overexpressing their human ortholog. Our platform offers a versatile strategy for rapid, multiplex hepatocyte gene editing for broader scientific community.
Student-Run Free Clinics (SRFCs) have a dual mission of providing students with direct patient care experience while delivering no-cost services to patients. These clinics often serve as safety nets for individuals who might otherwise face barriers to care. By analyzing clinic locations in relation to Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs), and county-level uninsured rates, we evaluated whether SRFCs are located in objectively defined areas of need. We conducted a preliminary cross-sectional analysis using public datasets. Clinics were included if they appeared on the Society of Student-Run Free Clinics master list, were located in the United States, and provided specialty and/or primary medical care. Statistical analyses were performed using R software and included a one-sample t-test. Statistical significance was defined as p <0.05. We analyzed 194 clinics across 31 states and 91 distinct counties. Complete data were available for all clinics. Of the included clinics, 65.5% were located in primary care HPSAs and 58.5% were located in MUAs. Overall, 79% of clinics were located in either a primary care HPSA or an MUA. Counties with SRFCs had a significantly higher mean uninsured rate than counties without SRFCs (p = 0.002). These preliminary findings suggest that SRFCs are disproportionately located in underserved areas and may be helping address unmet healthcare needs. However, results should be interpreted with caution. Future analyses will account for clustering and random effects associated with clinics nested within counties and states.