Provision of digital devices and internet connectivity to improve synchronous telemedicine access in the U.S.: a systematic scoping review.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic increase in telemedicine use for direct patient care. Inequities in device/internet access can limit the extent to which patients can engage with telemedicine care and exacerbate health disparities. In this review, we examined existing literature on interventions designed to improve patient telemedicine access by providing digital devices including tablets, smartphones, and computers and/or internet connectivity. Methods: In this systematic scoping review, we searched four databases for peer-reviewed studies published 1/1/2000-10/19/2021 that described healthcare interventions that provided patients with devices and/or internet connectivity and reported outcomes related to telemedicine access and/or usage. Data extraction elements included: study population, setting, intervention design, details on device/connectivity provision, and outcomes evaluated. Results: Twelve articles reflecting seven unique interventions met inclusion criteria. Ten articles examined telemedicine utilization (83%) and reported improved patient show rates/utilization. Seven articles examined patient satisfaction with the interventions (58%) and reported positive experiences. Fewer articles examined health outcomes (17%; 2/12) though these also demonstrated positive results. Across included studies, study quality was low. There were no controlled trials, and the most rigorously designed studies (n = 4) involved pre/post-intervention assessments. Discussion: Findings from this review indicate that providing material technology supports to patients can facilitate telemedicine access, is acceptable to patients and clinicians, and can contribute to improved health outcomes. The low number and quality of existing studies limits the strength of this evidence. Future research should explore interventions that can increase equitable access to telemedicine services. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=183442, identifier, PROSPERO: CRD42020183442.

Antibiotic Management for Early-Onset Sepsis in Neonates With Gestational Ages of ≥ 34 Weeks: The Kaiser Sepsis Calculator Versus the 2010 CDC Guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: The traditional approach to neonatal early-onset sepsis (NEOS) management, involving maternal risk factors and nonspecific neonatal symptoms, usually leads to unnecessary antibiotic use. This study addresses these concerns by evaluating the Kaiser sepsis calculator (KSC) in guiding antibiotic therapy for NEOS, especially in high-incidence facilities (over 4/1,000 live births), by comparing it against the 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for neonates ≥34 weeks with suspected sepsis, thereby emphasizing its implications for personalized patient care. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study. All neonates of 34 gestational weeks or more, presenting with either maternal risk factors or sepsis symptoms within 12 hours of birth, were included in the study. The analysis focused on antibiotic recommendations by the 2010 CDC guidelines versus those by the KSC at presumed (0.5/1,000) and actual (16/1,000) sepsis incidence rates. RESULTS: NEOS was identified in 14 cases (14.1%). Compared to the KSC, at an incidence rate of 16 per 1,000, the KSC resulted in a significant 32.3% reduction in antibiotic treatment (74 cases (74.7%) vs. 42 cases (42.4%), respectively; p < 0.001). The calculator advised immediate antibiotic utilization for 13 out of 14 (92.9%) diagnosed cases, suggesting further evaluation for the remaining cases. When a presumed incidence of 0.5/1,000 was applied, the KSC indicated antibiotics less frequently than when using the actual rate of 16/1,000 (p<0.001) with two missed NEOS cases. CONCLUSIONS: Using the KSC led to a decrease of 32 cases (32.3%) in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions compared to adherence to 2010 CDC guidelines. However, setting a presumed incidence below the actual rate risked missing NEOS. The calculator was effective when actual local incidence rates were used, ensuring no missed cases needing antibiotics.

Disparities in Use of Novel Diabetes Medications by Insurance: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Minority racial and ethnic populations have the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus but lower use of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1ra), novel medications that reduce morbidity and mortality. Observed disparities may be due to differences in insurance coverage, which have variable cost-sharing, prior authorization, and formulary restrictions that influence medication access. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether racial/ethnic differences in SGLT2i and GLP1ra use differ by payer. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of 2018 and 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. PARTICIPANTS: Adults ≥ 18 years old with diabetes. MAIN MEASURES: We defined insurance as private, Medicare, or Medicaid using ≥ 7 months of coverage in the calendar year. We defined race/ethnicity as White (non-Hispanic) vs non-White (including Hispanic). The primary outcome was use of ≥ 1 SGLT2i or GLP1ra medication. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the interaction between payer and race/ethnicity adjusted for cardiovascular, socioeconomic, and healthcare access factors. KEY RESULTS: We included 4997 adults, representing 24.8 million US adults annually with diabetes (mean age 63.6 years, 48.8% female, 38.8% non-White; 33.5% private insurance, 56.8% Medicare, 9.8% Medicaid). In our fully adjusted model, White individuals with private insurance had significantly more medication use versus non-White individuals (16.1% vs 8.3%, p < 0.001), which was similar for Medicare beneficiaries but more attenuated (14.7% vs 11.0%, p = 0.04). Medication rates were similar among Medicaid beneficiaries (10.0% vs 9.0%, p = 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: Racial/ethnic disparities in novel diabetes medications were the largest among those with private insurance. There was no disparity among Medicaid enrollees, but overall prescription rates were the lowest. Given that disparities vary considerably by payer, differences in insurance coverage may account for the observed disparities in SGLT2i and GLP1ra use. Future studies are needed to assess racial/ethnic differences in novel diabetes use by insurance formulary restrictions and out-of-pocket cost-sharing.

Lessons learned from a multi-site collaborative working toward a digital health use screening tool.

Digital health has the potential to expand health care and improve outcomes for patients-particularly for those with challenges to accessing in-person care. The acceleration of digital health (and particularly telemedicine) prompted by the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic facilitated continuity of care in some settings but left many health systems ill-prepared to address digital uptake among patients from underserved backgrounds, who already experience health disparities. As use of digital health grows and the digital divide threatens to widen, healthcare systems must develop approaches to evaluate patients' needs for digital health inclusion, and consequentially equip patients with the resources needed to access the benefits of digital health. However, this is particularly challenging given the absence of any standardized, validated multilingual screening instrument to assess patients' readiness for digital healthcare that is feasible to administer in already under-resourced health systems. This perspective is structured as follows: (1) the need for digital health exclusion risk screening, (2) our convening as a group of stakeholders, (3) our review of the known digital health screening tools and our assessment, (4) formative work with patients regarding their perceptions on language and concepts in the digital health screening tools, and (5) conclusion with recommendations for digital health advocates generated by this collaborative of digital health researchers and operations leaders. There is a need to develop a brief, effective tool to screen for digital health use that can be widely implemented in diverse populations. We include lessons learned from our experiences in developing and testing risk of digital health exclusion screening questions in our respective health systems (e.g., patient perception of questions and response options). Because we recognize that health systems across the country may be facing similar challenges and questions, this perspective aims to inform ongoing efforts in developing health system digital exclusion screening tools and advocate for their role in advancing digital health equity.

Cost analysis of establishing and operating the first human milk bank at Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children in Vietnam: an activity-based costing ingredients study.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is the biological norm for feeding infants and young children. When mothers' breastmilk is unavailable, donor human milk (DHM) from a human milk bank (HMB) becomes the next option for small vulnerable newborns. A comprehensive cost analysis is essential for understanding the investments needed to establish, operate, and scale up HMBs. This study aims to estimate and analyze such costs at the first facility established in Vietnam. METHODS: An activity-based costing ingredients (ABC-I) approach was employed, with the cost perspective from service provision agencies (specifically, the project conducted at Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children and Development Partners). Estimated financial costs, based on actual expenditures, were measured in 2023 local currency and then converted to 2023 US dollars (USD). We examined three scenarios: 1) direct start-up costs + indirect start-up costs + implementation costs, 2) direct start-up costs + implementation costs, and 3) capital costs + implementation costs over the 6.5 years of operation. RESULTS: The total start-up cost was USD 616,263, with total expenditure on direct activities at USD 228,131 and indirect activities at USD 388,132. Investment in equipment accounted for the largest proportion (USD 84,213). The monthly costs of Da Nang HMB were USD 25,217, 14,565, and 9,326, corresponding to scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Over HMB's 6.5 years of operation, on average, the unit costs were USD 166, USD 96, and USD 62 for DHM received and USD 201, USD 116, and USD 74 for pasteurized DHM meeting specified criteria in the corresponding scenarios. Unit costs were highest in the initial six months, decreased, and reached their lowest levels after a year. Then, the unit costs experienced an increase in late 2020 and early 2021. CONCLUSION: Although the unit cost of DHM in Da Nang HMB is comparable to that in certain neighboring countries, intentional measures to reduce disposal rates, improve HMB efficiency, motivate more community-based donors, and establish an HMB service network should be implemented to lower costs.

A genome assembly of the American black bear, Ursus americanus, from California.

The American black bear, Ursus americanus, is a widespread and ecologically important species in North America. In California, the black bear plays an important role in a variety of ecosystems and serves as an important species for recreational hunting. While research suggests that the populations in California are currently healthy, continued monitoring is critical to maintaining healthy populations, with genomic analyses providing an important surveillance tool. Here we report a high-quality, near chromosome-level genome assembly from a U. americanus sample from California. The primary assembly has a total length of 2.5 Gb contained in 317 scaffolds, a contig N50 of 58.9 Mb, a scaffold N50 of 67.6 Mb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 96%. This U. americanus genome assembly from a California sample will provide an important resource for the targeted management of black bear populations in California, with the goal of achieving an appropriate balance between the recreational value of black bears and the maintenance of viable populations. The high quality of this genome assembly will also make it a valuable resource for comparative genomic analyses among black bear populations and among bear species.

Survival, Function, and Cognition After Hospitalization in Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals.

Importance: More than 70 000 Medicare beneficiaries receive care in long-term acute care hospitals (LTCHs) annually for prolonged acute illness. However, little is known about long-term functional and cognitive outcomes of middle-aged and older adults after hospitalization in an LTCH. Objective: To describe survival, functional, and cognitive status after LTCH hospitalization and to identify factors associated with an adverse outcome. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included middle-aged and older adults enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) with linked fee-for-service Medicare claims. Included participants were aged 50 years or older with an LTCH admission between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2016, with HRS interviews available before admission. Data were analyzed between November 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Function and cognition were ascertained from HRS interviews conducted every 2 years. The primary outcome was death or severe impairment in the 2.5 years after LTCH hospitalization, defined as dependencies in 2 or more activities of daily living (ADLs) or dementia. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations with a priori selected risk factors including pre-LTCH survival prognosis (Lee index score), pre-LTCH impairment status, and illness severity characterized by receipt of mechanical ventilation and prolonged intensive care unit stay of 3 days or longer. Results: This study included 396 participants, with a median age of 75 (IQR, 68-82) years. Of the participants, 201 (51%) were women, 125 (28%) had severe impairment, and 318 (80%) died or survived with severe impairment (functional, cognitive, or both) within 2.5 years of LTCH hospitalization. After accounting for acute illness characteristics, prehospitalization survival prognosis as determined by the Lee index score and severe baseline impairment (functional, cognitive, or both) were associated with an increased likelihood of death or severe impairment in the 2.5 years after LTCH hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.2 [95% CI, 1.7 to 6.0] for a 5-point increase in Lee index score; and AOR, 4.5 [95% CI, 1.3 to 15.4] for severe vs no impairment). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, 4 of 5 middle-aged and older adults died or survived with severe impairment within 2.5 years of LTCH hospitalization. Better preadmission survival prognosis and functional and cognitive status were associated with lower risk of an adverse outcome, and these findings should inform decision-making for older adults with prolonged acute illness.

A draft reference genome assembly of California Pipevine, Aristolochia californica Torr.

The California Pipevine, Aristolochia californica Torr., is the only endemic California species within the cosmopolitan birthwort family Aristolochiaceae. It occurs as an understory vine in riparian and chaparral areas and in forest edges and windrows. The geographic range of this plant species almost entirely overlaps with that of its major specialized herbivore, the California Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly Battus philenor hirsuta. While this species pair is a useful, ecologically well-understood system to study co-evolution, until recently, genomic resources for both have been lacking. Here, we report a new, chromosome-level assembly of A. californica as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP). Following the sequencing and assembly strategy of the CCGP, we used Pacific Biosciences HiFi long reads and Hi-C chromatin proximity sequencing technology to produce a de novo assembled genome. Our genome assembly, the first for any species in the genus, contains 531 scaffolds spanning 661 megabase (Mb) pairs, with a contig N50 of 6.53 Mb, a scaffold N50 of 42.2 Mb, and BUSCO complete score of 98%. In combination with the recently published B. philenor hirsuta reference genome assembly, the A. californica reference genome assembly will be a powerful tool for studying co-evolution in a rapidly changing California landscape.

One-Year Recovery Among Survivors of Prolonged Severe COVID-19: A National Multicenter Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: Understanding the long-term effects of severe COVID-19 illness on survivors is essential for effective pandemic recovery planning. Therefore, we investigated impairments among hospitalized adults discharged to long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) for prolonged severe COVID-19 illness who survived 1 year. DESIGN: The Recovery After Transfer to an LTACH for COVID-19 (RAFT COVID) study was a national, multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study. SETTING AND PATIENTS: We included hospitalized English-speaking adults transferred to one of nine LTACHs in the United States between March 2020 and February 2021 and completed a survey. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Validated instruments for impairments and free response questions about recovering. Among 282 potentially eligible participants who provided permission to be contacted, 156 (55.3%) participated (median age, 65; 38.5% female; 61.3% in good prior health; median length of stay of 57 d; 77% mechanically ventilated for a median of 26 d; 42% had a tracheostomy). Approximately two-thirds (64%) had a persistent impairment, including physical (57%), respiratory (49%; 19% on supplemental oxygen), psychiatric (24%), and cognitive impairments (15%). Nearly half (47%) had two or more impairment types. Participants also experienced persistent debility from hospital-acquired complications, including mononeuropathies and pressure ulcers. Participants described protracted recovery, attributing improvements to exercise/rehabilitation, support, and time. While considered life-altering with 78.7% not returning to their usual health, participants expressed gratitude for recovering; 99% returned home and 60% of previously employed individuals returned to work. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly two-thirds of survivors of among the most prolonged severe COVID-19 illness had persistent impairments at 1 year that resembled post-intensive care syndrome after critical illness plus debility from hospital-acquired complications.

Remarkably High Repeat Content in the Genomes of Sparrows: The Importance of Genome Assembly Completeness for Transposable Element Discovery.

Transposable elements (TE) play critical roles in shaping genome evolution. Highly repetitive TE sequences are also a major source of assembly gaps making it difficult to fully understand the impact of these elements on host genomes. The increased capacity of long-read sequencing technologies to span highly repetitive regions promises to provide new insights into patterns of TE activity across diverse taxa. Here we report the generation of highly contiguous reference genomes using PacBio long-read and Omni-C technologies for three species of Passerellidae sparrow. We compared these assemblies to three chromosome-level sparrow assemblies and nine other sparrow assemblies generated using a variety of short- and long-read technologies. All long-read based assemblies were longer (range: 1.12 to 1.41 Gb) than short-read assemblies (0.91 to 1.08 Gb) and assembly length was strongly correlated with the amount of repeat content. Repeat content for Bell's sparrow (31.2% of genome) was the highest level ever reported within the order Passeriformes, which comprises over half of avian diversity. The highest levels of repeat content (79.2% to 93.7%) were found on the W chromosome relative to other regions of the genome. Finally, we show that proliferation of different TE classes varied even among species with similar levels of repeat content. These patterns support a dynamic model of TE expansion and contraction even in a clade where TEs were once thought to be fairly depauperate and static. Our work highlights how the resolution of difficult-to-assemble regions of the genome with new sequencing technologies promises to transform our understanding of avian genome evolution.

Uterine torsion in pregnancy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Uterine torsion are extremely rare in pregnancy as few cases have been reported. Torsion of the pregnant uterus is defined as the rotation more than 45 degrees around the long axis of the uterus. It has been referred as, once-in-a-lifetime diagnosis by obstetricians and gynecologists. This paper reports a case of uterine torsion and velamentous cord insertion from our obstetrical practice, along with a review of reported cases. CASE PRESENTATION: The 30-year-old patient (G2P1) at 38 weeks' gestation with a singleton pregnancy, was admitted to the Obstetrical Unit with uterine cramping and decreased fetal movement. Her prior obstetrical history included one uncomplicated term Cesarean section (2016), the current pregnancy had been velamentous cord insertion at 20 weeks' gestation and intra-uterine growth restriction at the 33rd -week gestation until the presentation date. Emergency Cesarean section was performed the 90 degrees uterine torsion and was diagnosed intra-operatively. This patient and her baby recovered and were discharged home on the fifth post-operative day. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Uterine torsion, a rare pregnancy complication, should be considered when evaluating acute abdominal pain or performing a Cesarean delivery, especially in cases of abnormal fetal presentation, pelvic adhesions, uterine fibroids, malformations, or ovarian tumors. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial due to the negative prognosis for both mother and baby. CONCLUSION: Uterine torsion along with velamentous cord insertion is difficult to diagnosis due to its rarity. It is essential to focus on uterine malformations during ultrasound examinations in the first, second, and third trimesters.

A highly contiguous genome assembly for the Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia).

The Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) is a small songbird in the wood-warbler family (Parulidae) that exhibits phenotypic and ecological differences across a widespread distribution and is important to California's riparian habitat conservation. Here, we present a high-quality de novo genome assembly of a vouchered female Yellow Warbler from southern California. Using HiFi long-read and Omni-C proximity sequencing technologies, we generated a 1.22 Gb assembly including 687 scaffolds with a contig N50 of 6.80 Mb, scaffold N50 of 21.18 Mb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 96.0%. This highly contiguous genome assembly provides an essential resource for understanding the history of gene flow, divergence, and local adaptation in Yellow Warblers and can inform conservation management of this charismatic bird species.

Acute cancer-related symptoms and concerns among patients receiving chemotherapy: current state of the science.

PURPOSE: This study provides an updated evaluation of the prevalence and severity of acute cancer-related symptoms and quality of life (QOL) concerns among patients treated with emetogenic chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients were recruited to a larger, multi-site observational study prior to starting chemotherapy. Participants completed sociodemographic questionnaires and clinical data were abstracted via medical record review. Symptoms and QOL were assessed 5 days after starting moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General assessed QOL concerns. Patient Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events evaluated symptoms. Symptoms were considered severe when participants responded "severe" or "very severe." RESULTS: Participants (N = 1174) were on average 58 ± 13 years, mostly female (73%), non-Hispanic (89%), and White (87%). Most participants were diagnosed with breast (38.1%), gynecological (20%), and gastrointestinal (17.1%) cancer. The most common QOL concerns of any severity were fatigue (94%), anhedonia (89%), dissatisfaction with QOL (86%), and sleep disturbance (86%). The most common severe QOL concerns were anhedonia (44%), fatigue (40%), and inability to work (38%). Decreased appetite (74%), pain (71%), and constipation (70%) were the most common symptoms of any severity, as well as most common severe symptoms (13%, 18%, and 18%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Herein, updates are provided in regard to QOL concerns and symptoms reported by patients in the days after chemotherapy and demonstrates that concerns and symptoms have shifted in the last decade.

Patient and Staff Perspectives on the Impacts and Challenges of Hospital-Based Harm Reduction.

Importance: Harm reduction is associated with improved health outcomes among people who use substances. As overdose deaths persist, hospitals are recognizing the need for harm reduction services; however, little is known about the outcomes of hospital-based harm reduction for patients and staff. Objective: To evaluate patient and staff perspectives on the impact and challenges of a hospital-based harm reduction program offering safer use education and supplies at discharge. Design, Setting, and Participants: This qualitative study consisted of 40-minute semistructured interviews with hospitalized patients receiving harm reduction services and hospital staff at an urban, safety-net hospital in California from October 2022 to March 2023. Purposive sampling allowed inclusion of diverse patient racial and ethnic identities, substance use disorders (SUDs), and staff roles. Exposure: Receipt of harm reduction education and/or supplies (eg, syringes, pipes, naloxone, and test strips) from an addiction consult team, or providing care for patients receiving these services. Main Outcomes and Measures: Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes. Results: A total of 40 participants completed interviews, including 20 patients (mean [SD] age, 43 [13] years; 1 American Indian or Alaska Native [5%], 1 Asian and Pacific Islander [5%], 6 Black [30%]; 6 Latine [30%]; and 6 White [30%]) and 20 staff (mean [SD] age 37 [8] years). Patients were diagnosed with a variety of SUDs (7 patients with opioid and stimulant use disorder [35%]; 7 patients with stimulant use disorder [35%]; 3 patients with opioid use disorder [15%]; and 3 patients with alcohol use disorder [15%]). A total of 3 themes were identified; respondents reported that harm reduction programs (1) expanded access to harm reduction education and supplies, particularly for ethnically and racially minoritized populations; (2) built trust by improving the patient care experience and increasing engagement; and (3) catalyzed culture change by helping destigmatize care for individuals who planned to continue using substances and increasing staff fulfillment. Black and Latine patients, those who primarily used stimulants, and those with limited English proficiency (LEP) reported learning new harm reduction strategies. Program challenges included hesitancy regarding regulations, limited SUD education among staff, remaining stigma, and the need for careful assessment of patient goals. Conclusions and Relevance: In this qualitative study, patients and staff believed that integrating harm reduction services into hospital care increased access for populations unfamiliar with harm reduction, improved trust, and reduced stigma. These findings suggest that efforts to increase access to harm reduction services for Black, Latine, and LEP populations, including those who use stimulants, are especially needed.

The genome assembly of Island Oak (Quercus tomentella), a relictual island tree species.

Island oak (Quercus tomentella) is a rare relictual island tree species that exists only on six islands off the coast of California and Mexico, but was once widespread throughout mainland California. Currently, this species is endangered by threats such as non-native plants, grazing animals, and human removal. Efforts for conservation and restoration of island oak currently underway could benefit from information about its range-wide genetic structure and evolutionary history. Here we present a high-quality genome assembly for Q. tomentella, assembled using PacBio HiFi and Omni-C sequencing, developed as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP). The resulting assembly has a length of 781 Mb, with a contig N50 of 22.0 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 63.4 Mb. This genome assembly will provide a resource for genomics-informed conservation of this rare oak species. Additionally, this reference genome will be the first one available for a species in Quercus section Protobalanus, a unique oak clade present only in western North America.

A Versatile Intestine-on-Chip System for Deciphering the Immunopathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The multifactorial nature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) necessitates reliable and practical experimental models to elucidate its etiology and pathogenesis. To model the intestinal microenvironment at the onset of IBD in vitro, it is important to incorporate relevant cellular and noncellular components before inducing stepwise pathogenic developments. A novel intestine-on-chip system for investigating multiple aspects of IBD's immunopathogenesis is presented. The system includes an array of tight and polarized barrier models formed from intestinal epithelial cells on an in-vivo-like subepithelial matrix within one week. The dynamic remodeling of the subepithelial matrix by cells or their secretome demonstrates the physiological relevance of the on-chip barrier models. The system design enables introduction of various immune cell types and inflammatory stimuli at specific locations in the same barrier model, which facilitates investigations of the distinct roles of each cell type in intestinal inflammation development. It is showed that inflammatory behavior manifests in an upregulated expression of inflammatory markers and cytokines (TNF-α). The neutralizing effect of the anti-inflammatory antibody Infliximab on levels of TNF-α and its inducible cytokines could be explicitly shown. Overall, an innovative approach to systematically developing a microphysiological system to comprehend immune-system-mediated disorders of IBD and to identify new therapeutic strategies is presented.

A highly contiguous genome assembly for the pocket mouse Perognathus longimembris longimembris.

The little pocket mouse, Perognathus longimembris, and its nine congeners are small heteromyid rodents found in arid and seasonally arid regions of Western North America. The genus is characterized by behavioral and physiological adaptations to dry and often harsh environments, including nocturnality, seasonal torpor, food caching, enhanced osmoregulation, and a well-developed sense of hearing. Here we present a genome assembly of Perognathus longimembris longimembris generated from PacBio HiFi long read and Omni-C chromatin-proximity sequencing as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project. The assembly has a length of 2.35 Gb, contig N50 of 11.6 Mb, scaffold N50 of 73.2 Mb, and includes 93.8% of the BUSCO Glires genes. Interspersed repetitive elements constitute 41.2% of the genome. A comparison with the highly endangered Pacific pocket mouse, P. l. pacificus, reveals broad synteny. These new resources will enable studies of local adaptation, genetic diversity, and conservation of threatened taxa.

A genome assembly of the Yuma myotis bat, Myotis yumanensis.

The Yuma myotis bat (Myotis yumanensis) is a small vespertilionid bat and one of 52 species of new world Myotis bats in the subgenus Pizonyx. While M. yumanensis populations currently appear relatively stable, it is one of 12 bat species known or suspected to be susceptible to white-nose syndrome, the fungal disease causing declines in bat populations across North America. Only two of these 12 species have genome resources available, which limits the ability of resource managers to use genomic techniques to track the responses of bat populations to white-nose syndrome generally. Here we present the first de novo genome assembly for Yuma myotis, generated as a part of the California Conservation Genomics Project. The M. yumanensis genome was generated using a combination of PacBio HiFi long reads and Omni-C chromatin-proximity sequencing technology. This high-quality genome is one of the most complete bat assemblies available, with a contig N50 of 28.03 Mb, scaffold N50 of 99.14 Mb, and BUSCO completeness score of 93.7%. The Yuma myotis genome provides a high-quality resource that will aid in comparative genomic and evolutionary studies, as well as inform conservation management related to white-nose syndrome.