Recent ucsdsom_ped_oapdeposits items

Cats on dry kibble diet have significantly different microbiome than those on canned wet food

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are understudied regarding how commercial diets impact their gut microbiomes. Here, we reanalyzed the 16S rRNA gene (V4) amplicon sequencing Kittybiome dataset, using new tools and techniques. Results demonstrated significant microbial composition differences between cats eating commercial dry kibble diets and those eating canned wet food. Kibble-fed cats showed enriched Prevotella, Bifidobacterium, and Megamonas amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs), linked to carbohydrate metabolism and metabolic disease.

Pre-Natal Exposure to Mouse Parvovirus at Day 5 and 12 Gestation Does Not Induce Immune Tolerance

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Parvoviruses have a predilection for rapidly dividing cells such as occurs during embryonic development. Potentially, in utero exposure could lead to immune tolerance in progeny mice. To determine if MPV infection in utero results in immune tolerance, pregnant mice were inoculated by oral gavage with 50 ID50 MPV1e or sham inoculated with phosphate buffered saline at day 5 and 12 gestation. Offspring were fostered to MPV-negative recipient dams prior to development of a milk spot. After confirming the offspring were seronegative for MPV by serology and not shedding by fecal PCR, they were challenged with 50 ID50 MPV1e by oral gavage at weaning or sham inoculated. At 4 weeks post inoculation, all weanlings exposed in utero developed antibodies to MPV, and MPV was detected by fecal PCR. Similarly, all weanlings from sham-inoculated dams challenged with MPV developed antibodies and MPV was detected by fecal PCR. None of the sham inoculated weanling mice from MPV infected dams or sham...

Streamlined extraction of nucleic acids and metabolites from low- and high-biomass samples using isopropanol and matrix tubes

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

An essential aspect of population-based research is collecting samples outside of a clinical setting. This is crucial because microbial populations are highly dynamic, varying significantly across hosts, environments, and time points, a variability that clinical sample collection alone cannot fully capture. At-home sample collection enables the inclusion of a larger and more diverse group of participants, accounting for differences in ethnicity, age, and other factors. However, managing large studies is challenging due to the complexities involved in sample acquisition, processing, and analysis. Building on our previous work demonstrating the effectiveness of single 1 mL barcoded, racked Matrix Tubes in reducing sample processing time and well-to-well contamination for paired DNA and metabolite extraction, we further validate this method against a previously benchmarked plate-based approach using the same extraction reagents. This validation focuses on samples from the built environment,...

Opioid Agonist Therapy Adherence Trajectories Among Commercially and Publicly Insured People Living With Hepatitis C in the United States

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a public health concern, with people living with opioid use disorder having a higher risk of infection. Despite the cooccurrence of HCV and opioid use disorder, little is known about the treatment patterns for the disorder in this population. This study characterized opioid agonist therapy adherence trajectories over 15 months following opioid agonist therapy initiation among people living with HCV and opioid use disorder and described the baseline characteristics of the patients within distinct opioid agonist therapy adherence trajectories. METHODS: We used Merative MarketScan healthcare claims data from 2015 to 2019 to identify distinct medication treatment adherence trajectories via growth mixture modeling among 5,495 people who initiated opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder and were living with HCV. RESULTS: Our models identified three distinct opioid agonist therapy adherence trajectories over the 15 months of follow-up....

Regulation of axon outgrowth during mushroom body development by acetylated α-tubulin lysine 394 and tau

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Disruptions in the microtubule cytoskeleton play a role in various neurological diseases that afflict a large fraction of the population. Microtubule function is regulated by post-translational modifications like acetylation, and one consistently identified acetylation site in mammals and Drosophila melanogaster is α-tubulin lysine 394 (K394). Our previous research demonstrated that an acetylation-blocking point mutation-K394R-causes a decrease in microtubule stability in axon terminals at the developing neuromuscular junction. Here, we asked whether K394 acetylation regulates the development of additional neuronal structures. Using the central brain mushroom body as a model, we found that K394R results in β lobe overextension at the midline. The K394R phenotype manifests during metamorphosis and affects β lobe growth in a cell-autonomous manner. Our data suggest that the K394R phenotype may result from changes in Tau, a microtubule-associated protein enriched in the mushroom...

In their own words: experiences surrounding masculinising chest surgery among transgender and gender-diverse adolescents – a secondary analysis of GENDER-Q data

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: Masculinising chest surgery, also known as top surgery, is the most requested gender-affirming procedure among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adolescents, yet research on patient experiences remains limited. This study explored the experiences of TGD adolescents who were seeking or had undergone masculinising chest surgery. Design: Qualitative secondary analysis using existing themes framework and data from the GENDER-Q (GQ) and GENDER-Q Youth (GQY) research programmes, which aim to develop comprehensive patient-reported outcome measures for gender-affirming care. Setting: Participants were sampled from five high-volume gender-affirming care clinics, three in Canada and two in the United States. Interviews were conducted online. ...

Selfish: discovery of differential chromatin interactions via a self-similarity measure

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

MOTIVATION: High-throughput conformation capture experiments, such as Hi-C provide genome-wide maps of chromatin interactions, enabling life scientists to investigate the role of the three-dimensional structure of genomes in gene regulation and other essential cellular functions. A fundamental problem in the analysis of Hi-C data is how to compare two contact maps derived from Hi-C experiments. Detecting similarities and differences between contact maps are critical in evaluating the reproducibility of replicate experiments and for identifying differential genomic regions with biological significance. Due to the complexity of chromatin conformations and the presence of technology-driven and sequence-specific biases, the comparative analysis of Hi-C data is analytically and computationally challenging. RESULTS: We present a novel method called Selfish for the comparative analysis of Hi-C data that takes advantage of the structural self-similarity in contact maps. We define a novel...

Multi-strain analysis of Pseudomonas putida reveals the metabolic and genetic diversity of the species

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pseudomonas putida is a gram-negative bacterial species increasingly utilized in biotechnology due to its robust growth, ability to degrade aromatic compounds, solvent tolerance, and genetic tractability. In this study, we report a comprehensive multi-strain analysis of 164 P. putida strains based on the reconstruction of a pan-putida metabolic network and the formulation of strain-specific genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs). We performed whole-genome sequencing and hybrid assembly for 40 strains, contributing a ~8% increase to the available genomic data for P. putida. Furthermore, high-throughput phenotypic profiling using the Biolog phenotype microarray system for 24 strains on 190 unique carbon sources, along with 15 aromatic compounds not present on Biolog plates, yielded 4,920 unique strain-phenotype measurements. These data were leveraged to curate GEMs for 24 representative strains, including a refined model for strain KT2440, which comprised...

Ultrasound of the Rectus Femoris Muscle and Association with Pediatric Liver Failure - Preliminary One-Year Pilot Outcomes Data

Thu, 7 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ultrasound of the Rectus Femoris Muscle and Association with Pediatric Liver Failure - Preliminary One-Year Pilot Outcomes Data

Minimal correlation but complementary diagnostic utility for plasma cell-free RNA and proteins

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BackgroundProteins and RNA circulate in plasma and can offer insights into human physiology. Yet, despite their clinical importance, direct comparisons between these analytes remain unexplored.Methods:Here, we measure and compare plasma cell-free RNA (cfRNA) and protein levels for 263 children diagnosed with inflammatory diseases, specifically either Kawasaki disease (KD) or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), by RNA sequencing (n = 108 KD and n = 47 MIS-C, mean age=4.2 years) and SomaScan proteomics (n = 70 KD and n = 101 MIS-C, mean age=6.8 years).ResultsHere we show that cell-free RNA and protein levels are largely uncorrelated across samples (feature-by-sample correlation coefficient 0.052; median feature-level correlation coefficient 0.009). Nonetheless, machine learning models based on either modality distinguish KD from MIS-C with similar high accuracy (median area under the curve greater than 0.93). Analysis of KD subtypes reveals distinct cell-free...

A mixed methods pilot study of a virtual therapeutic writing intervention for adolescent/young adults with cancer

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual therapeutic writing intervention for AYAs with cancer. METHODS: A single-arm pilot study of the intervention was conducted at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego. The six-session intervention was facilitated by a writing coach over two to three months, during which time participants produced written work regarding their experiences with cancer. Primary outcomes were measures of acceptability and feasibility, assessed via quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS: Study enrollment and retention rates were 75% and 83%, respectively. Participants rated all intervention sessions as highly enjoyable, helpful, useful, and satisfactory. Qualitatively, participants reported that the intervention helped them cope with their cancer and they would recommend the study to others with cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This virtual therapeutic writing study is feasible and acceptable among AYAs with cancer. A randomized controlled trial...

Intraosseous Venous Malformation of the Rib With EWSR1-NFATC1 Fusion Mimicking Malignancy: A Pediatric Case Report.

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BACKGROUND: Intraosseous venous malformations are rare, benign vascular bone lesions that may mimic malignant sarcomas on imaging. OBSERVATIONS: A 14-year-old male presented with fever and cough. Imaging revealed an incidental ossified rib mass with aggressive features. CT-guided biopsy was nondiagnostic, whereas open biopsy demonstrated a vascular lesion positive for CD31, FLI-1, and ERG. Molecular testing identified an EWSR1-NFATC1 fusion. Gross total resection was achieved, followed by prolonged disease-free survival, and the patient resumed full athletic activity 7 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the value of open biopsy and molecular testing to prevent misdiagnosis and overtreatment of intraosseous venous malformations.

Correction: Breath-Focused Mindfulness and Compassion Training in Parent-Child Dyads: Pilot Intervention Study

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Correction: Breath-Focused Mindfulness and Compassion Training in Parent-Child Dyads: Pilot Intervention Study

Glucocorticoids in Kawasaki Disease — Refining Indications and the Science

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Kawasaki disease is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in the developed world.1 Although Kawasaki disease manifests with acute, transient systemic signs, its long-term morb...

Application of Bone Mineral Density Study Guidelines across California Pediatric Oncology Survivorship Programs

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION Advances in the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer have resulted in an increased percentage of pediatric cancer survivors (PCSs). However, PCSs are at increased risk of bone health issues from prolonged therapy with corticosteroids, higher cumulative corticosteroid dose, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT), total body irradiation and cranial/craniospinal radiation which can decrease bone mineral density (BMD). Low BMD in PCS is associated with osteoporosis and osteopenia in adult life. The Children's Oncology Group's (COG) long-term follow-up (LTFU) guidelines (Version 6.0) recommend a baseline evaluation of BMD by DXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) for PCS who received corticosteroids or HCT at entry into LTFU clinic (2 to 5 years after completion of therapy). Based on Z-scores the guidelines may recommend evaluation for endocrine defects and/or consultation with a bone health specialist with a repeat DXA after 2 years and thereafter as clinically...

Correction: A microbial survey of the International Space Station (ISS)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4029.].

Peripheral rotavirus-specific T-cell responses following monovalent oral rotavirus vaccine in infants

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Despite evidence of varying vaccine effectiveness, T cell responses to rotavirus (RV) vaccines remain incompletely studied. To address this research gap, RV-specific T cells in the blood of infants pre- and post-monovalent RV vaccination (RV1) were analyzed for memory recall and functionality using RV-specific peptide pool stimulation. We find that RV vaccine elicits heterogenous responses with respect to cellular and humoral immunity. T cell responses to RV vaccine are detectable in the periphery, though poorly functional. Vaccination induces Th2-biased conventional effector memory and central memory CD4 + T cells, as suggested by chemokine receptor profiles, though the response wanes by 8 months post vaccination. The presence of preexisting immunity results in no significant increase in either RV-specific IgA or T cells after vaccination. Our data provides the first in-depth assessment of RV-specific T cell responses induced by vaccine, demonstrating patterns of negative and...

Kaposiform Lymphangiomatosis Complicated by Kasabach–Merritt Phenomenon, Recurrent Pericardial Effusions, and Pneumococcal Meningitis

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA) is a rare disorder characterized by lymphatic anomalies—primarily intrathoracic—and systemic manifestations including coagulopathy, respiratory symptoms, and pleural and/or pericardial effusions. We present the case of a 12-year-old male with KLA complicated by Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon, recurrent pericardial effusions, multifocal bone lesions, and pneumococcal meningitis. Diagnosis was suspected based upon imaging that revealed abnormal pulmonary and mediastinal lymphatics, splenomegaly with low-attenuation lesions in the spleen, and multiple lytic bone lesions. A blood test (FoundationOne Liquid CDX) revealed an activating NRAS Q61R mutation that is frequently associated with KLA. The patient’s pericardial effusions and lytic bone lesions resolved, and Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon improved with combination therapy including sirolimus, zoledronic acid, prednisone, and trametinib.

Kawasaki Disease and the Importance of Family History

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD), a coronary artery vasculitis, is rare in teenagers who nonetheless have an increased risk of coronary artery aneurysms. CASE SUMMARY: A 19-year-old woman had a prolonged febrile illness that resolved without treatment. The diagnosis of KD was made at autopsy at 42 years of age after sudden cardiac death associated with calcified giant coronary artery aneurysm. An interview of the decedent's mother revealed a KD-compatible illness in the decedent's son at 5 years of age that also was not diagnosed. DISCUSSION: Susceptibility to KD is influenced by host genetics, and first-degree relatives of an index case have a 10-fold increased relative risk of disease. Pathognomonic changes in the coronary arteries discovered at autopsy should prompt counseling of family members. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: KD should be considered in adolescents and young adults with prolonged unexplained fever and mucocutaneous findings, including rash, conjunctival injection, oral...

Lipid Peroxidation and Kawasaki Disease

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lipid Peroxidation and Kawasaki Disease

Menstrual Dysfunction Is Associated With Elevated Liver Enzymes in Adolescent Females: A United States Population-Based Study

Tue, 3 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose Polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) both emerge during adolescence; however, it remains unknown whether menstrual abnormalities and hyperandrogenism signals increased hepatic risk. Methods We analyzed 2011–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for 1,651 females aged 12–19 years in the United States who were at least 2 years postmenarche. Amenorrhea was defined as self-reported absence of menses in the past 12 months. Biochemical hyperandrogenism was defined as free androgen index ≥5. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT; >22 U/L) was the primary hepatic outcome; suspected MASLD was defined as elevated ALT plus ≥1 cardiometabolic risk factor. Survey-weighted logistic regression models adjusted for age, race and ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI) percentile. Results Amenorrhea was reported by 2.8% of participants and was associated with higher odds of elevated ALT (adjusted odds ratio...

Implementation of a Hybrid Closed-Loop Automated Insulin Delivery System in a 29-Day Infant With Neonatal Diabetes.

Mon, 2 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) often requires insulin treatment to maintain adequate glycemic control and support growth and development. Conventional insulin treatment regimens are particularly challenging in NDM due to young age, developmentally appropriate feeding variation, and heightened insulin sensitivity leading to very small insulin dosing. We present this case as-to our knowledge-the earliest implementation of a hybrid closed-loop (HCLS) automated insulin delivery system in an NDM patient. HCLS with U10 significantly improved glycemic control compared to conventional insulin delivery with minimization of hypoglycemia. The adaptive capabilities of HCLS allowed for developmentally appropriate, ad libitum feeding without carbohydrate quantification, resulting in a meaningful quality of life improvement. This case adds to evidence supporting safe and effective use of diabetes technology in very young children. It demonstrates that the benefits seen in older populations...

Milk as a Transmission Vehicle for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1).

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) (H5N1 hereafter) is an emerging pathogen in mammals. The recent recognition of H5N1 in dairy cattle increases opportunities for human exposure and infection and may accelerate a trajectory toward sustained human-to-human transmission. Furthermore, the presence of virus at high concentration in unpasteurized milk raises new risks for humans, especially infants and children. Milk has been identified as a vehicle for viral transmission in and between mammalian species, including humans. Sialic acids (SAs) found on cell surfaces are important mediators of species susceptibility to specific influenza strains and play an important role in viral tropism. New data demonstrate that SA receptors with α2,3 linkages capable of binding avian influenza strains are present in human mammary tissue. The presence of SA receptors that can bind avian influenza and a comparative analysis of viral transmission risk of raw and pasteurized milk in several mammalian...

The IBEX knowledge-base a community resource enabling adoption and development of immunofluorescence imaging methods

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The iterative bleaching extends multiplexity (IBEX) Knowledge-Base is a central portal for researchers adopting IBEX and related 2D and 3D immunofluorescence imaging methods. The design of the Knowledge-Base is modeled after efforts in the open-source software community and includes three facets: a development platform (GitHub), static website, and service for data archiving. The Knowledge-Base facilitates the practice of open science throughout the research life cycle by providing validation data for recommended and non-recommended reagents, such as primary and secondary antibodies. In addition to reporting negative data, the Knowledge-Base empowers method adoption and evolution by providing a venue for sharing protocols, videos, datasets, software, and publications. A dedicated discussion forum fosters a sense of community among researchers while addressing questions not covered in published manuscripts. Together, scientists from around the world are advancing scientific discovery...

Social Determinants of Health and Pediatric Long COVID in the US

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Importance: Millions of children worldwide are experiencing prolonged symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, yet social risk factors for developing long COVID are largely unknown. As child health is influenced by the environment in which they live and interact, adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) may contribute to the development of pediatric long COVID. Objective: To identify whether adverse SDOH are associated with increased odds of long COVID in school-aged children and adolescents in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional analysis of a multicenter, longitudinal, meta-cohort study encompassed 52 sites (health care and community settings) across the US. School-aged children (6-11 years; n = 903) and adolescents (12-17 years; n = 3681) with SARS-CoV-2 infection history were included. Those with an unknown date of first infection, history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or symptom surveys with less than 50% of questions completed...

Evaluating the Test-Negative Design for COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Using Randomized Trial Data

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Importance: The test-negative design (TND) has been widely used to assess postmarketing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness but requires further evaluation for this application. Objective: To determine whether the TND reliably evaluates vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 using placebo-controlled vaccine efficacy randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Design, Setting, and Participants: This secondary cross-protocol analysis constructed TND study datasets from study sites in 16 countries across 5 continents using the blinded phase cohorts of 5 harmonized phase 3 COVID-19 Prevention Network RCTs: COVE (Coronavirus Vaccine Efficacy and Safety), AZD1222, ENSEMBLE, PREVENT-19 (Prefusion Protein Subunit Vaccine Efficacy Novavax Trial COVID-19), and VAT00008. Participants included adults who received the intended number of doses, experienced COVID-19-like symptoms, and obtained SARS-CoV-2 testing. Start dates ranged from July 27, 2020, to October 19, 2021; data cutoff dates ranged...

Hepatic Glycogenosis Resulting in Hyperammonemia in a Young Adult With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

A 19-year-old male individual with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) of 16 years duration presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and was found to have hepatomegaly with disproportionately elevated transaminases, hyperammonemia, and lactic acidosis, which persisted after DKA resolution. Autoimmune, infectious, metabolic, and toxic causes were excluded. Liver elastography demonstrated homogeneous, nonsteatotic, noncirrhotic enlargement. Histology revealed hepatocytes with pale or clear cytoplasm and glycogenated nuclei. Total clinical picture is consistent with Mauriac syndrome—a rare complication exclusively observed in people with T1DM with poor glycemic control, resulting in pubertal and growth delay, cushingoid facies, lactic acidosis, transaminitis, and hyperlipidemia. Although prevalence of suboptimal management of T1DM remains common, even with modern insulin delivery mechanisms, Mauriac syndrome remains rare and poorly characterized. We highlight...

A resource to empirically establish drug exposure records directly from untargeted metabolomics data

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Despite extensive efforts, extracting medication exposure information from clinical records remains challenging. To complement this approach, here we show the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) Drug Library, a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) based resource designed for drug screening with untargeted metabolomics. This resource integrates MS/MS references of drugs and their metabolites/analogs with standardized vocabularies on their exposure sources, pharmacologic classes, therapeutic indications, and mechanisms of action. It enables direct analysis of drug exposure and metabolism from untargeted metabolomics data, supporting flexible summarization at multiple ontology levels to align with different research goals. We demonstrate its application by stratifying participants in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cohort based on detected drug exposures. We uncover drug-associated alterations in microbiota-derived N-acyl lipids that are not captured when stratifying...

BMI Percentile Cutoffs for Overweight and Obesity Are Set Too High in Terms of Adiposity and Metabolic Markers for Asian Children and Adolescents

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVES: Asian adults develop metabolic complications at lower body mass indices (BMIs) compared with other ethnic groups, leading to lower BMI cutoffs for overweight and obesity. However, it remains unclear whether such adjustments are warranted in Asian children and adolescents. We aimed to determine whether lower BMI percentile cutoffs should be considered for overweight and obesity among Asian children and adolescents in the United States. METHODS: We analysed nationally representative data from U.S. children and adolescents from NHANES, 2012-2020. Metabolic parameters-including truncal fat percentage, glycemic markers, lipid profiles and liver disease markers-were compared between Asian and non-Asian participants within the 85-95th percentile and ≥ 95th percentile ranges. Metabolic parameter-based matching analyses identified corresponding BMI percentiles between groups. RESULTS: Asian children had more pronounced metabolic abnormalities than non-Asians in the overweight...

Genome-resolved biogeography of Phaeocystales, cosmopolitan bloom-forming algae

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Phaeocystales, comprising the genus Phaeocystis and an uncharacterized sister lineage, are nanoplanktonic haptophytes widespread in the global ocean. Several species form mucilaginous colonies and influence key biogeochemical cycles, yet their underlying diversity and ecological strategies remain underexplored. Here, we present new genomic data from 13 strains, including three high-quality reference genomes (N50 > 30 kbp), and integrate previous metagenome-assembled genomes to resolve a robust phylogeny. Divergence timing of P. antarctica aligns with Miocene cooling and Southern Ocean isolation. Genomic traits reveal metabolic flexibility, including mixotrophic nitrogen acquisition in temperate waters and gene expansions linked to polar nutrient adaptation. Concordantly, transcriptomic comparisons between temperate and polar Phaeocystis suggest Southern Ocean populations experience iron and B12 limitation. We also identify signatures of horizontal gene transfer and endogenous...

Body Image in Men with HIV

Fri, 5 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVE: To determine body image among HIV-infected men and to determine the relationship of lipodystrophy on body image. METHODOLOGY: Self-report questionnaires on body image were distributed to HIV-infected men at the university-based HIV clinic. Two previously validated instruments, the Body Image Quality of Life (BIQLI) scale and the Situational Inventory of Body Image Dysphoria Short Form (SIBID-S) were used to measure body image effects. The presence of lipodystrophy was determined by both self-report and physician examination. Demographic characteristics, disease stage, health status, and quality of life were also ascertained. Analysis of responses was performed via both group comparisons and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: One hundred ten men responded. Seventy-one percent identified their sexual orientation as men having sex with men (MSM). Forty-eight reported the presence of lipodystrophic characteristics; 62 reported no lipodystrophic changes. Agreement regarding...

Body image in women with HIV: a cross-sectional evaluation

Fri, 5 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

BackgroundHIV lipodystrophy syndrome is a recognized complication of potent antiretroviral therapy and is characterized by often dramatic changes in various body fat stores, both central and peripheral. Given prior findings of heightened body image dysphoria among HIV-infected men with lipodystrophy as compared to HIV-infected men without lipodystrophy, we sought to determine body image among HIV-infected and HIV-negative women and to determine the relationship of HIV and lipodystrophy with body image. Our a priori hypothesis was that women with HIV and lipodystrophy would have significantly poorer body image as compared to women without HIV and to women with HIV without lipodystrophy.Results116 women responded to two previously validated self-report instruments (Body Image Quality of Life Index (BIQLI) and the Situational Inventory of Body-Image Dysphoria – Short Form (SIBID-S)) on body image. 62 (53% subjects) HIV-infected women were recruited at the university-based HIV clinic....

Frataxin Traps Low Abundance Quaternary Structure to Stimulate Human Fe-S Cluster Biosynthesis