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Abstract The skeletal system is the most common site of metastatic prostate cancer and these lesions are associated with poor outcomes. Diagnosing these osseous metastatic lesions relies on radiologic imaging, making early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring crucial for clinical management. However, the literature lacks a detailed analysis of various approaches and future directions. To address this gap, we present a scoping review of quantitative methods from diverse domains, including radiomics, machine learning, and deep learning, applied to imaging analysis of prostate cancer with clinical insights. Our findings highlight the need for developing clinically significant methods to aid in the battle against prostate bone metastasis.

Abstract Contactless microscale tweezers are highly effective tools for manipulating, patterning, and assembling bioparticles. However, current tweezers are limited in their ability to comprehensively manipulate bioparticles, providing only partial control over the six fundamental motions (three translational and three rotational motions). This study presents a joint subarray acoustic tweezers platform that leverages acoustic radiation force and viscous torque to control the six fundamental motions of single bioparticles. This breakthrough is significant as our manipulation mechanism allows for controlling the three translational and three rotational motions of single cells, as well as enabling complex manipulation that combines controlled translational and rotational motions. Moreover, our tweezers can gradually increase the load on an acoustically trapped cell to achieve controllable cell deformation critical for characterizing cell mechanical properties. Furthermore, our platform allows for three-dimensional (3D) imaging of bioparticles without using complex confocal microscopy by rotating bioparticles with acoustic tweezers and taking images of each orientation using a standard microscope. With these capabilities, we anticipate the JSAT platform to play a pivotal role in various applications, including 3D imaging, tissue engineering, disease diagnostics, and drug testing.

Abstract Large-field nanoscale fluorescence imaging is invaluable for many applications, such as imaging subcellular structures, visualizing protein interactions, and high-resolution tissue imaging. Unfortunately, conventional fluorescence microscopy requires a trade-off between resolution and field of view due to the nature of the optics used to form the image. To overcome this barrier, we developed an acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence nanoscope that simultaneously achieves superior resolution, a large field of view, and strong fluorescent signals. The acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence nanoscope utilizes the superresolution capabilities of microspheres that are controlled by a programmable acoustofluidic device for rapid fluorescence enhancement and imaging. The acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence nanoscope resolves structures that cannot be resolved with conventional fluorescence microscopes with the same objective lens and enhances the fluorescent signal by a factor of ~5 without altering the field of view of the image. The improved resolution realized with enhanced fluorescent signals and the large field of view achieved via acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence nanoscopy provides a powerful tool for versatile nanoscale fluorescence imaging for researchers in the fields of medicine, biology, biophysics, and biomedical engineering.

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as promising biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of various diseases. However, challenges in separating EVs from soluble proteins have resulted in variable EV recovery rates and low purities. Here, we report a high-yield ( > 90%) and rapid (

Abstract The addition of surface acoustic wave (SAW) technologies to microfluidics has greatly advanced lab-on-a-chip applications due to their unique and powerful attributes, including high-precision manipulation, versatility, integrability, biocompatibility, contactless nature, and rapid actuation. However, the development of SAW microfluidic devices is limited by complex and time-consuming micro/nanofabrication techniques and access to cleanroom facilities for multistep photolithography and vacuum-based processing. To simplify the fabrication of SAW microfluidic devices with customizable dimensions and functions, we utilized the additive manufacturing technique of aerosol jet printing. We successfully fabricated customized SAW microfluidic devices of varying materials, including silver nanowires, graphene, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). To characterize and compare the acoustic actuation performance of these aerosol jet printed SAW microfluidic devices with their cleanroom-fabricated counterparts, the wave displacements and resonant frequencies of the different fabricated devices were directly measured through scanning laser Doppler vibrometry. Finally, to exhibit the capability of the aerosol jet printed devices for lab-on-a-chip applications, we successfully conducted acoustic streaming and particle concentration experiments. Overall, we demonstrated a novel solution-based, direct-write, single-step, cleanroom-free additive manufacturing technique to rapidly develop SAW microfluidic devices that shows viability for applications in the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, and medicine.

Abstract Nanoscale optical resolution with a large field of view is a critical feature for many research and industry areas, such as semiconductor fabrication, biomedical imaging, and nanoscale material identification. Several scanning microscopes have been developed to resolve the inverse relationship between the resolution and field of view; however, those scanning microscopes still rely upon fluorescence labeling and complex optical systems. To overcome these limitations, we developed a dual-camera acoustofluidic nanoscope with a seamless image merging algorithm (alpha-blending process). This design allows us to precisely image both the sample and the microspheres simultaneously and accurately track the particle path and location. Therefore, the number of images required to capture the entire field of view (200 × 200 μm) by using our acoustofluidic scanning nanoscope is reduced by 55-fold compared with previous designs. Moreover, the image quality is also greatly improved by applying an alpha-blending imaging technique, which is critical for accurately depicting and identifying nanoscale objects or processes. This dual-camera acoustofluidic nanoscope paves the way for enhanced nanoimaging with high resolution and a large field of view.

Abstract Nanocarrier and exosome encapsulation has been found to significantly increase the efficacy of targeted drug delivery while also minimizing unwanted side effects. However, the development of exosome-encapsulated drug nanocarriers is limited by low drug loading efficiencies and/or complex, time-consuming drug loading processes. Herein, we have developed an acoustofluidic device that simultaneously performs both drug loading and exosome encapsulation. By synergistically leveraging the acoustic radiation force, acoustic microstreaming, and shear stresses in a rotating droplet, the concentration, and fusion of exosomes, drugs, and porous silica nanoparticles is achieved. The final product consists of drug-loaded silica nanocarriers that are encased within an exosomal membrane. The drug loading efficiency is significantly improved, with nearly 30% of the free drug (e.g., doxorubicin) molecules loaded into the nanocarriers. Furthermore, this acoustofluidic drug loading system circumvents the need for complex chemical modification, allowing drug loading and encapsulation to be completed within a matter of minutes. These exosome-encapsulated nanocarriers exhibit excellent efficiency in intracellular transport and are capable of significantly inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. By utilizing physical forces to rapidly generate hybrid nanocarriers, this acoustofluidic drug loading platform wields the potential to significantly impact innovation in both drug delivery research and applications.

Abstract Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles that have recently gained popularity as potential biomarkers in liquid biopsies due to the large amounts of molecular cargo they carry, such as nucleic acids and proteins. However, most existing exosome-based analytical sensing methods struggle to achieve high sensitivity and high selectivity simultaneously. In this work, we present an electrochemical micro-aptasensor for the highly sensitive detection of exosomes by integrating a micropatterned electrochemical aptasensor and a hybridization chain reaction (HCR) signal amplification method. Specifically, exosomes are enriched on CD63 aptamer-functionalized electrodes and then recognized by HCR products with avidin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) attached using EpCAM aptamers as bridges. Subsequently, the current signal that is generated through the enzyme reaction between the HRP enzyme and 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)/H2O2 directly correlates to the amount of bound HRP on the HCR products and thus to the number of target exosomes. By introducing anti-EpCAM aptamers, micro-aptasensors can detect cancerous exosomes with high specificity. Due to the micropatterned electrodes and HCR dual-amplification strategy, the micro-aptasensors achieve a linear detection response for a wide range of exosome concentrations from 2.5×103 to 1×107 exosomes/mL, with a detection limit of 5×102 exosomes/mL. Moreover, our method successfully detects lung cancer exosomes in serum samples of early-stage and late-stage lung cancer patients, showcasing the great potential for early cancer diagnosis.

Medical training has drained my brain. Not in the good way-that satisfying cognitive fatigue after hours of deep, engaged work. Just the opposite. My attention span is scattered. My focus [...]

It is imperative to preserve the integrity of the gastrointestinal system in spite of the persistent existence of harmful chemicals and microbial flora in the gut. This is made possible by essential healing initiators called Trefoil factors which helps in mucosal reconstitution and tissue development on the gastrointestinal surface. The trefoil factors are a class of abundant secreted proteins that are essential for epithelial continuity (TFFs). Trefoil factor family (TFF) proteins are biologically active peptides that play significant role in safeguarding, restoring and continuity of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) epithelium, through collaborative modulations with mucins in the mucosal layer. These peptides are readily produced in reaction to epithelial damage in the digestive tract, thereby contributing to the healing and restituting of the epithelial layers of the intestine. In addition, considerable evidence indicated that TFF peptides trigger proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, all which are crucial processes for wound healing. There is also increasing evidence that TFF peptides modulate the mucosal immune system. These protective properties, suggest that dietary manipulation strategies targeted at enhancing the expression and synthesis of TFF peptides at optimal levels in the GIT epithelium, may constitute a plausible alternative strategy to the use of in-feed antibiotic growth promoters to maintain epithelial integrity and promote resistance to enteric pathogens. This review describes TFF peptides, with importance to their biological functions and involvement in gastrointestinal mucosal protection and repair in food animals.

ABSTRACT The annual meeting for the Intermountain Branch was held in April 2024 on the campus of Brigham Young University. There were 127 branch members from Utah, Idaho, and Nevada who attended the meeting and were composed of undergraduate students, graduate or medical students, and faculty. This report highlights the diversity of, and the emerging trends in, the research conducted by American Society for Microbiology members in the Intermountain Branch.

Here at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, our Wellness Committee recently assembled a panel on trainee burnout and depression. Together, we nodded vigorously, leaned in attentively, and let our [...]

Remote condition monitoring (RCM) aims to ensure the availability of railway assets. Previous work has indicated the importance of a user-centred RCM design approach based on cognitive principles, but there has been no known demonstration of the application of these principles. The following paper takes this theory-based approach and applies it to the design of an RCM system for the rail pantograph/Overhead Line (OHL) system. The paper first presents a high-level conceptual architecture, based on four stages of cognitive decision-making (notification, acceptance, analysis and clearance), linked to the wider monitoring architecture. Second, the paper uses cognitive principles to propose demonstration Human–Machine Interface designs for the OHL system. These HMIs were presented in an evaluation with subject matter experts. The outcomes of the process generated user-centred design recommendations for RCM. Furthermore, the evaluation suggested the importance of multiple paths through the HMI dependent on the type and urgency of fault. Finally, the outcomes of the evaluation also highlighted the importance of considering context when deploying user-centred RCM.

Abstract Background Trace metals pollution in the coastal and estuarine sediment could harm water quality and aquatic organisms, leading to potential long-term health risks on the environment and humans. Thus, the purpose of this study was to conduct an assessment of selected trace metals in surface sediments of the coastal and in four rivers estuary in the Sarawak State of Malaysia to investigate their distribution, environmental risk, and potential source distribution. Results Average concentrations of trace metals in sediment increased in the following order: Cd ˂ As ˂ Co ˂ Cu ˂ Ni ˂ Cr ˂ Zn ˂ Mn ˂ Mg ˂ Fe. The enrichment, contamination, and geo-accumulation index results showed that surface sediments were polluted with Zn and Mg. In contrast, the other metals (i.e., As, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, and Cd) indicated background concentration to minor contamination. Generally, the pollution load index values showed that almost all the sampling sites were unpolluted with the selected trace metals. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and risk indexes were employed to assess the ecotoxicological risk of trace metal contamination in the sediments. The results proved that studied trace metals are not likely to have a deleterious impact on bottom-dwelling organisms. Still, a further accumulation of trace metals such as Zn, Ni, and Cr with time may adversely affect bottom-dwelling organisms. The risk index results showed a low ecological risk to the study sites. The correlation analysis and principal component analysis indicated that nine studied trace metals have strong interrelationships, suggesting common pollution sources or similar geochemical characteristics. Conclusions The study highlights the need to make tremendous efforts to monitor and control trace metal pollution in the coastal and estuarine areas.

Despite increasing diversity in research recruitment, research finding reporting by gender, race, ethnicity, and sex has remained up to the discretion of authors. This study developped and piloted tools to standardize the inclusive reporting of gender, race, ethnicity, and sex in health research. A modified Delphi approach was used to develop standardized tools for the inclusive reporting of gender, race, ethnicity, and sex in health research. Health research, social epidemiology, sociology, and medical anthropology experts from 11 different universities participated in the Delphi process. The tools were pilot tested on 85 health research manuscripts in top health research journals to determine inter-rater reliability of the tools. The tools each spanned five dimensions for both sex and gender as well as race and ethnicity: Author inclusiveness, Participant inclusiveness, Nomenclature reporting, Descriptive reporting, and Outcomes reporting for each subpopulation. The sex and gender tool had a median score of 6 and a range of 1-15 out of 16 possible points. The percent agreement between reviewers piloting the sex and gender tool was 82%. The interrater reliability or average Cohen's Kappa was 0.54 with a standard deviation of 0.33 demonstrating moderate agreement. The race and ethnicity tool had a median score of 1 and a range of 0-15 out of 16 possible points. Race and ethnicity were both reported in only 25.8% of studies evaluated. Most studies that reported race reported only the largest subgroups; White, Black, and Latinx. The percent agreement between reviewers piloting the race and ethnicity tool was 84 and average Cohen's Kappa was 0.61 with a standard deviation of 0.38 demonstrating substantial agreement. While the overall dimension scores were low (indicating low inclusivity), the interrater reliability measures indicated moderate to substantial agreement for the respective tools. Efforts in recruitment alone will not provide more inclusive literature without improving reporting.

In the past, non-geniculate coralline algae in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico have been identified based primarily on comparative morpho-anatomy. Recent studies employing DNA sequencing techniques combined with morpho-anatomical studies using SEM have revealed a wealth of previously undocumented diversity of rhodolith-forming non-geniculate coralline algae in the Corallinales, Hapalidiales and Sporolithales from mesophotic hard bank communities at 45-90 meters depth. Although many advances in the last decade have been made in clarifying species names and describing new species of corallines from offshore Louisiana and Texas, total diversity estimates are still incomplete and many species remain to be described. Collections from offshore Louisiana at Parker Bank in the newly expanded Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary yielded thin, finely branched rhodoliths. DNA sequence analyses of plastid-encoded psbA and rbcL loci, and nuclear-encoded LSU rDNA of these rhodolith-forming specimens revealed that some belong to an unnamed species of Sporolithon (Sporolithales) that we herein newly describe. Additionally, comparative DNA sequence analyses of rhodolith collections from Ewing Bank and other hard banks offshore Louisiana were conducted to assess rhodolith diversity in these mesophotic communities. The results revealed new reports of taxa for the region, including new rhodolith-forming species of Roseolithon (Hapalidiales) to be described herein as well. Our new biodiversity findings will be compared with historical studies from the NW Gulf of Mexico.

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure the levels of environmental noise in the medical intensive care unit, surgical intensive care unit, and adult ward of the Makati Medical Center for the morning, afternoon, and evening shifts, on weekdays and weekends, and to compare noise levels across shifts, and between weekdays and weekends. Methods: Design: Environmental Noise Survey Setting: Tertiary Private Training Hospital Participants: None Results: The overall mean environment noise levels in all the areas surveyed (medical intensive care unit, surgical intensive care unit and adult ward) exceeded World Health Organization recommendations by more than 20 dB across different working shifts on both weekdays and weekends. There was no significant difference in noise levels between weekdays and weekends across shifts in all areas, except for the afternoon shift in the Medical ICU. Using Repeated Measures ANOVA, results showed that there is no sufficient evidence to conclude that at least one shift has significantly different mean noise level in any of the 3 areas (MICU: F(2)=4.73, p-value=.1124; SICU: F(2)=7.91, p-value=.0540; WARD: F(2)=2.73, p-value=.1948) Conclusion: The overall environmental noise levels in the different areas of MICU, SICU and Adult ward exceeded the WHO recommendation. It is recommended that a change in strategy is needed for prevention of environmental noise, setting guidelines and policies to assure quality health care and noise control. Further investigations to ascertain exact sources may give rise to feasible solutions.

Abstract Background In response to the growing prevalence of physical and emotional burnout amongst medical students and practicing physicians, we sought to find a new methodology to scope a five-year undergraduate curriculum in detail to assess for teaching, learning objectives and experiences that seek to promote resilience in medical students. This was undertaken to test whether this methodology would enable curriculum discussions to enhance training for future cohorts through the introduction of a curriculum dedicated to the development of resilience and resourcefulness. Methods Based on literature review, a rating-scale was devised to generate quantitative data in four key areas of resilience; internal resources, lifestyle factors, external resources (self-mediated) and external resources (agent mediated). This scale was used to evaluate the entire five-year undergraduate curriculum of a medical school in the north of England through systematic evaluation of learning outcomes and planned activities. The methodology used was a four-stage process including i) identifying the learning objectives, ii) mapping them onto the criteria outlined, iii) assessing them against clear objective standards (planned, explicit, universal and quantifiable), and iv) rating data collected. Results The evaluation provided a clear, quantitative overview of the curriculum in terms of resilience building. Strengths and gaps were identified and work was undertaken leading to suggestions for change. This facilitated helpful discussions with course leaders and planners, received universally positive feedback and led to new learning objectives, activities and experiences that have been identified and begun to be implemented. Conclusions “The HYMS CARE Criteria” and our methodology for assessing it in a medical school curriculum context, offers a valuable perspective to aid the planning of improvements in curricula. This model for scoping and structuring resilience related learning experiences is offered for consideration by other schools.

This qualitative study explores veteran treatment court (VTC) participant perceptions of the judicial processes within the court, their experiences with the judge and other court actors, and the relationship between their military service and criminal activity. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit a sample of 13 justice-involved veterans, who at the time of interviewing, were being adjudicated in a VTC located in the southeastern United States. Semi-structured interviewing was used to capture veteran perceptions of VTC. Five unique themes emerged, while perceptions of court actors and the connection between their military service and crime had three themes, respectively. From these themes, we developed a maladaptive coping model to illustrate the experiences of veterans in veteran courts. The study results are intended to inform policy makers, judicial actors, and veteran service providers as they design judicial responses for veteran offenders.

Summary. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resulted in the implementation of healthcare practice regulations and restrictions across the United States. To facilitate safe patient management practices for facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons, appropriate guidelines and recommendations should be followed. Guidelines and recommendations should include a synthesis of the best evidence available from public health authorities and respected members in the surgery community. This review contains evidence-based suggestions that prioritize the safety of healthcare professionals and patients to help guide facial and reconstructive surgeons toward safe patient management.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common human bacterial infections. While UTIs are commonly associated with colonization by Escherichia coli, members of this species also have been found within the bladder of individuals with no lower urinary tract symptoms (no LUTS), also known as asymptomatic bacteriuria. Prior studies have found that both uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains and E. coli isolates that are not associated with UTIs encode for virulence factors. Thus, the reason(s) why E. coli sometimes causes UTI-like symptoms remain(s) elusive. In this study, the genomes of 66 E. coli isolates from adult female bladders were sequenced. These isolates were collected from four cohorts, including women: (1) without lower urinary tract symptoms, (2) overactive bladder symptoms, (3) urgency urinary incontinence, and (4) a clinical diagnosis of UTI. Comparative genomic analyses were conducted, including core and accessory genome analyses, virulence and motility gene analyses, and antibiotic resistance prediction and testing. We found that the genomic content of these 66 E. coli isolates does not correspond with the participant’s symptom status. We thus looked beyond the E. coli genomes to the composition of the entire urobiome and found that the presence of E. coli alone was not sufficient to distinguish between the urobiomes of individuals with UTI and those with no LUTS. Because E. coli presence, abundance, and genomic content appear to be weak predictors of UTI status, we hypothesize that UTI symptoms associated with detection of E. coli are more likely the result of urobiome composition.

A novel hydroxyapatite [HAp: Ca10 (PO4)6(OH)2] material for defluoridation was prepared from Achatina achatina (AA) snail shells using a modified chemical precipitation method. X-ray diffractometry and atomic absorption spectrometry revealed carbonate substitution as a function of stirring conditions. Stirring time was varied to control crystallite size and trace element concentrations. In addition, Infrared spectra, cyclic voltammograms, and ion exchange profiles confirmed the functional groups, the surface mass concentration and the fluoride removal efficiency, respectively. It was observed that the samples prepared after 1 hr optimal stirring times reduced fluoride concentration from $$20.00$$ to $$1.59 \pm 0.06{\rm{ mg}}{{\rm{L}}^{ - 1}}$$ without affecting the overall pH conditions of the water, whereas beyond this time frame, low uptake of the fluoride ions was obtained with increasing pH conditions. It was also observed that crystallite size did not affect the removal capacity of the samples. The results demonstrated herein the possibility of using locally prepared AA shells for water purification and other environmental remediation applications.

This study on the Songor Ramsar and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in Ghana seeks to ascertain management method to promote sustainable management of wetlands. The findings clearly indicated that good management practices are employed in the management of the Songor Ramsar Site. The current approaches to management have focused on the harmonious fusion of modern scientific strategies and cultural and traditional methods. In the Songor Ramsar and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, traditional authorities have enacted traditional rites such as sacred groves and totems in the Ada East District which are strictly enforced to provide traditional regulatory support for their protection while modern conservation approaches in the Songor Wetland management utilizes all the laws in legal protected areas in Ghana. Management also embark on training programmes for users of the wetland resources in sustainable resource utilization to improve economic livelihood. Increased public education and sensitization on the economic importance of the Ramsar Site and the negative impact of environmental degradation has been part of the management strategies. The Public education is on environmentally sound management of waste within the Ramsar Site since the underlying causes of environmental degradation in the Songor Ramsar Site are mainly improper waste disposal, poor attitude of residents toward environmental conservation, wildfires and shoreline recession, inadequate public education on the impact of environmental degradation, fishing, and farming activities. The other factors identified include overgrazing, over exploitation of mangroves, predation, poaching and over fishing, and uncontrolled sand and salt winning

ABSTRACT Sporadic literature reports describe isolates of pathogenic bacteria that harbor an antibiotic resistance determinant but remain susceptible to the corresponding antibiotic as a consequence of a genetic defect. Such strains represent a source from which antibiotic resistance may reemerge to cause treatment failure in patients. Here, we report a systematic investigation into the prevalence and nature of this phenomenon, which we term silencing of antibiotic resistance by mutation (SARM). Instances of SARM were detected among 1,470 Staphylococcus aureus isolates through side-by-side comparison of antibiotic resistance genotype (as determined by whole-genome sequencing) versus phenotype (as assessed through susceptibility testing). Of the isolates analyzed, 152 (10.3%) harbored a silenced resistance gene, including 46 (3.1%) that exhibited SARM to currently deployed antistaphylococcal drugs. SARM resulted from diverse mutational events but most commonly through frameshift mutation of resistance determinants as a result of point deletion in poly(A) tracts. The majority (∼90%) of SARM strains reverted to antibiotic resistance at frequencies of ≥10−9; thus, while appearing antibiotic sensitive in the clinical microbiology laboratory, most S. aureus isolates exhibiting SARM will revert to antibiotic resistance at frequencies achievable in patients. In view of its prevalence in a major pathogen, SARM represents a significant potential threat to the therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance hinders the treatment of bacterial infection. To guide effective therapy, clinical microbiology laboratories routinely perform susceptibility testing to determine the antibiotic sensitivity of an infecting pathogen. This approach relies on the assumption that it can reliably distinguish bacteria capable of expressing antibiotic resistance in patients, an idea challenged by the present study. We report that the important human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus frequently carries antibiotic resistance genes that have become inactivated (“silenced”) by mutation, leading strains to appear antibiotic sensitive. However, resistance can rapidly reemerge in most such cases, at frequencies readily achievable in infected patients. Silent antibiotic resistance is therefore prevalent, transient, and evades routine detection, rendering it a significant potential threat to antibacterial chemotherapy.

Rhodoliths are the main hard substrata for the attachment of benthic macroalgae in the NW Gulf of Mexico rubble habitats that are associated with salt domes, unique deep bank habitats at ~50–90 m depth on the continental shelf offshore Louisiana and Texas. With the advent of additional sequencing technologies, methodologies for biodiversity assessments are now rapidly shifting to DNA metabarcoding, i.e., High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) of environmental DNA mixtures with standardized molecular markers, such as 16S V4, for rapid, cost-effective biodiversity measurement. We newly tested 16S V4 metabarcoding on endolithic portions of mesophtic rhodoliths exhibiting low phototroph colonization that revealed a hidden, cryptic algal diversity targeting spores, propagules, and unsuspected life history stages. We explored cryo-SEM as a potentially more informative method than regular SEM to minimize artifacts of sample preparation in the study of endolithic cell inclusions which brought to light a suite of microalgal stages. We were able to differentiate floridean starch from cellular inclusions. We associated the effect of anatomical growth pattern on presence or absence of cellular inclusions in biogenic rhodoliths. Analyses of combined 16S V4 metabarcodes and 16S Sanger sequences of two red algal orders, the Halymeniales and Bonnemaisoniales, increased the established record of diversity in the region. We view rhodoliths as marine biodiversity hotspots that may function as seedbanks, temporary reservoirs for life history stages of ecologically important eukaryotic microalgae, and macroalgae or as refugia for ecosystem resilience following environmental stress.

Acoustic tweezers have gained substantial interest in biology, engineering, and materials science for their label-free, precise, contactless, and programmable manipulation of small objects. However, acoustic tweezers cannot independently manipulate multiple microparticles simultaneously. This study introduces acousto-dielectric tweezers capable of independently manipulating multiple microparticles and precise control over intercellular distances and cyclical cell pairing and separation for detailed cell-cell interaction analysis. Our acousto-dielectric tweezers leverage the competition between acoustic radiation forces, generated by standing surface acoustic waves (SAWs), and dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces, induced by gradient electric fields. Modulating these fields allows for the precise positioning of individual microparticles at points where acoustic radiation and DEP forces are in equilibrium. This mechanism enables the simultaneous movement of multiple microparticles along specified paths as well as cyclical cell pairing and separation. We anticipate our acousto-dielectric tweezers to have enormous potential in colloidal assembly, cell-cell interaction studies, disease diagnostics, and tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The maximum weight of tissue that a single perforator can perfuse remains an important question in reconstructive microsurgery. An empirically based equation, known as the flap viability index (FVI), has been established to determine what weight of tissue will survive on one or more perforators. The equation is FVI = Sum d(n)^4/W, where d is the internal diameter of each perforator and W is the final weight of the flap. It has been shown that if FVI exceeds 10, total flap survival is likely, but if under 10, partial flap necrosis is probable. The aim of this study was to measure absolute flow rates in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap pedicles and assess correlation with the determinants of the FVI, perforator diameter and flap weight. Methods: Color Doppler ultrasound was used to quantify arterial flow in 10 consecutive DIEP flap pedicles 24 hours after anastomosis. Results: In single-perforator DIEP flaps, flow rate was highly correlated with perforator diameter (r = 0.82, P = 0.01). Mean arterial flow rate was significantly reduced in DIEP flaps with 2 or more perforators (6 vs 38 cm3/min; P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study confirms that perforator size is a critical factor in optimizing blood flow in perforator-based free tissue transfer. Further research is required to understand the flow dynamics of perforator flaps based on multiple perforators. However, surgeons should be cognizant that a single large perforator may have substantially higher flow rates than multiple small perforators. Routine FVI calculation is recommended to ensure complete flap survival.

Abstract Metastatic melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer with a median overall survival of less than one year. Advancements in our understanding of how melanoma evades the immune system as well as the recognition that melanoma is a molecularly heterogeneous disease have led to major improvements in the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. In 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two novel therapies for advanced melanoma: a BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib, and an immune stimulatory agent, ipilimumab. The success of these agents has injected excitement and hope into patients and clinicians and, while these therapies have their limitations, they will likely provide excellent building blocks for the next generation of therapies. In this review we will discuss the advantages and limitations of the two new approved agents, current clinical trials designed to overcome these limitations, and future clinical trials that we feel hold the most promise.