Simultaneous detection of infectious bronchitis virus and avian metapneumovirus genotypes A, B, and C by multiplex RT-qPCR assay in chicken tracheal samples in Ecuador.

Respiratory RNA viruses such as Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), which are characterized by generating both respiratory damage and adverse effects on reproductive organs, affect poultry production economically due to high mortality rate and decrease in egg production and quality. Particularly, aMPV has three genotypes that have been reported with greater frequency in chickens: aMPV-A, aMPV-B, and aMPV-C. The present study proposes the design of a multiplex RT-qPCR assay for the simultaneous diagnosis of the 3 genotypes of interest of aMPV and IBV, followed by testing of 200 tracheal samples of vaccinated chickens with respiratory symptoms and finally a phylogenetic analysis of the sequences found. The assay detected up to 1 copy of each viral genome. The standard curves showed an efficiency between 90 and 100% in the multiplex assay and inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation of 0.363 and 0.459, respectively and inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation of 0.363 and 0.459, respectively. 69.5% of samples were found positive alone or in coinfection. 114 samples were positive for IBV, 13 for aMPV-A and 25 for aMPV-B. RNA of aMPV-C was no detected. The most commonly found combination was aMPV-B and IBV within 6 samples, and the least common was aMPV-A and aMPV-B in coinfection in 2 samples. The assay was specific for amplification of the genomes of the studied respiratory viruses (IBV, aMPV-A, aMPV-B, aMPV-C) as no amplification was shown from other viral genomes (ChPV, CAstV, ANV, and FAdV) or from the negative controls. Partial genomic Sanger sequencing enabled to identify circulating vaccine-derived and wild-type strains of IBV and vaccine and vaccine-derived strains of aMPV-B. In conclusion, this newly developed multiplex RT-qPCR was shown to be able to detect individual infections as well as co-infections among the respiratory viruses investigated. It was demonstrated to be a reliable and efficient tool for rapidly and safely diagnosing these infections. Furthermore, this study represents the first report of aMPV strains in Ecuadorian poultry and demonstrates the circulation of aMPV-A, aMPV-B, and GI-13 IBV strains in unvaccinated chicken populations in the country. Thus, it highlights the importance of simultaneously identifying these pathogens in greater detail and on a regular basis in Ecuador.

First Report on the Molecular Detection of Canine Astrovirus (CaAstV) in Dogs with Gastrointestinal Disease in Ecuador Using a Fast and Sensitive RT-qPCR Assay Based on SYBR Green®.

Enteric viruses are responsible for a significant number of gastrointestinal illnesses in dogs globally. One of the main enteric viruses is the canine astrovirus (CaAstV), which causes diarrhea in dogs of various ages. It is linked to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, depression and a significant mortality rate due to gastrointestinal disorders. It is a single-stranded positive RNA virus, with three open reading frames, ORF1a, ORF1b and ORF2, where the last one codes for the virus capsid protein and is the most variable and antigenic region of the virus. The aim of this work is to develop and standardize a quick detection method to enable the diagnosis of this etiological agent in dogs with gastroenteritis in Ecuador in order to provide prompt and suitable treatment. The assay was specific for amplification of the genome of CaAstV, as no amplification was shown for other canine enteric viruses (CPV-2, CCoV and CDV), sensitive by being able to detect up to one copy of viral genetic material, and repeatable with inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation of less than 10% between assays. The standard curve showed an efficiency of 103.9%. For the validation of this method, 221 fecal samples from dogs affected with gastroenteritis of various ages from different provinces of Ecuador were used. From the RT-qPCR protocol, 119 samples were found positive for CaAstV, equivalent to 53.8% of the samples processed. CaAstV was detected in dogs where both the highest virus prevalence in the tested strains and the highest viral loads were seen in the younger canine groups up to 48 weeks; in addition, different strains of the virus were identified based on a sequenced fragment of ORF1b, demonstrating the first report of the presence of CaAstV circulating in the domestic canine population affected by gastroenteritis in Ecuador, which could be associated with the etiology and severity of enteric disease.

Detection and molecular characterization of chicken parvovirus and chicken megrivirus in layer breeders affected by intestinal dilatation syndrome.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: IDS presented pathognomonic dilatation of the jejunum up to Meckel's diverticulum.IDS caused weight loss, decreased egg production, and increased culling and mortality.Chicken parvovirus (ChPV) was consistently detected through PCR assays.Chicken megrivirus (ChMV) was consistently detected through viral metagenomics.

Molecular Characterization of the Chicken Parvovirus Based on VP1 Gene Circulating in Brazilian Chicken Flocks.

Parvovirus infection affects several animal species, especially young animals. In birds, parvovirus infection has been described in Muscovy ducks, turkeys, and chickens, all of which had enteric diseases characterized by diarrhea. Chicken parvovirus (ChPV) has been detected in poultry around the world in animals affected by enteric problems, showing dwarfism, cloacal pasting, and diarrhea. In Brazil, ChPV was detected in chickens affected by diarrhea fifteen years ago. However, the genetic characteristics of ChPV circulating in chicken flocks were not determined. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to determine the genetic characteristics of the VP1 gene from ChPV detected in chickens affected by enteric diseases in Brazil. For this purpose, a molecular approach was used. Specific primers were designed to flank the complete VP1 gene of ChPV and amplify it using PCR. The amplified products from samples of chickens with enteric diseases were sequenced, and 22 complete CDs of the VP1 gene were obtained. These samples, compared to the ABU-P1 sequence, showed 17 sequences with high nucleotide (NT) similarity of 92.7-97.4% and amino acid (AA) similarity of 94.8-99.5% associated with Runting and Stunting syndrome (RSS); there were also five samples associated with hens with diarrhea with unusual jejunal dilatation (JD) that had less similarity than the RSS sequences (NT of 86.5% and AA of 93-93.1%). The phylogenetic analysis determined four groups. Group I had sequences from Korea. The second group included sequences from Korea, China, and Brazil (not included in this work). The third group had studied RSS sequences grouped with the ABU-P1 strain and sequences from China and the United States. Finally, the sequences from JD were clustered in a separate group with a bootstrap of 100%, a group that was denoted as group IV, and included sequences from China. RDP4 and SimPlot analysis showed one point of recombination with the sequences of group III ChPV in the JD sequences. Herein, we show that circulating strains of ChPV exhibit genetic differences in the VP1 gene in Brazilian chicken flocks. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to determine the probability of a new genetic group of ChPV based on the analysis of the complete genome.

Bacteria in the blood of healthy stray dogs infested by ticks in northern Mexico.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the richness, abundance, and diversity of bacteria in stray dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) infested by ticks in Comarca Lagunera, northern Mexico, and to establish their pathogenic and or/zoonotic potential. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 12 dogs were collected, and their deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted. The V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribunocleic acid gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on a MiSeq Illumina platform, and the data were analyzed using quantitative insights into microbial ecology. Results: The operational taxonomic units resulted in 23 phyla, 54 classes, 89 orders, 189 families, 586 genera, and 620 bacterial species; among them, 64 species and/or bacterial genera with pathogenic or zoonotic potential were identified, some of which have been reported in the literature as relevant to public health (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Brucella spp., Clostridium spp., Corynebacterium affermentants, Cutibacterium spp., Dietzia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Leptotrichia spp., Mycobacterium spp., Paracoccus spp., and Roseomonas gilardii). Conclusion: This research offers relevant information on the prevalence of tick-borne diseases as well as other potential zoonotic diseases in the blood of stray dogs parasitized by ticks in northern Mexico. New molecular biology and massive NGS techniques may play an important role in the study and documentation of bacterial profiles from animals in close proximity to humans.

Novel multiparametric MRI detects improved future liver remnant quality post-dual vein embolization.

BACKGROUND: Optimisation of the future liver remnant (FLR) is crucial to outcomes of extended liver resections. This study aimed to assess the quality of the FLR before and after dual vein embolization (DVE) by quantitative multiparametric MRI. METHODS: Of 100 patients with liver metastases recruited in a clinical trial (Precision1:NCT04597710), ten consecutive patients with insufficient FLR underwent quantitative multiparametric MRI pre- and post-DVE (right portal and hepatic vein). FLR volume, liver fibro-inflammation (corrected T1) scores and fat percentage (proton density fat fraction, PDFF) were determined. Patient metrics were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test and statistical analysis done using R software. RESULTS: All patients underwent uncomplicated DVE with improvement in liver remnant health, median 37 days after DVE: cT1 scores reduced from median (interquartile range) 790 ms (753-833 ms) to 741 ms (708-760 ms) p = 0.014 [healthy range <795 ms], as did PDFF from 11% (4-21%), to 3% (2-12%) p = 0.017 [healthy range <5.6%]. There was a significant increase in median (interquartile range) FLR volume from 33% (30-37%)% to 49% (44-52%), p = 0.002. CONCLUSION: This non-invasive and reproducible MRI technique showed improvement in volume and quality of the FLR after DVE. This is a significant advance in our understanding of how to prevent liver failure in patients undergoing major liver surgery.

Presentation of Wernicke encephalopathy in patient secondary to one anastomosis gastric bypass. Case report and literature review.

Wernicke encephalopathy, which is caused by a thiamine deficiency, occurs in 0.8-2% of the population. Only 16% present the typical triad of this disease: nystagmus, confusion and ataxia. We present the case of a postoperative patient with a one anastomosis gastric bypass with reoperation undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass that begins with confusion and nystagmus on her third postoperative day. The diagnosis of Wernicke encephalopathy is made by imaging, and vitamin B1 is administered with total improvement of nystagmus and altered state of consciousness (lethargy, bradypsychia, bradylalia).

La encefalopatía de Wernicke se produce por una deficiencia de tiamina se presenta en un 0.8-2% de la población. Solo el 16% de los casos presentan la tríada típica de esta enfermedad: nistagmo, confusión y ataxia. Presentamos el caso de una paciente operada de bypass gástrico de una anastomosis con reintervención convirtiendo a bypass gástrico en Y de Roux que en su tercer día de posoperatorio comienza con confusión y nistagmo. Se realiza por imagen el diagnóstico de encefalopatía de Wernicke se administra vitamina B1 con mejoría total del nistagmo y alteración del estado de consciencia (letargia, bradipsiquia, bradilalia).

Machine Learning to Predict Enzyme-Substrate Interactions in Elucidation of Synthesis Pathways: A Review.

Enzyme-substrate interactions play a fundamental role in elucidating synthesis pathways and synthetic biology, as they allow for the understanding of important aspects of a reaction. Establishing the interaction experimentally is a slow and costly process, which is why this problem has been addressed using computational methods such as molecular dynamics, molecular docking, and Monte Carlo simulations. Nevertheless, this type of method tends to be computationally slow when dealing with a large search space. Therefore, in recent years, methods based on artificial intelligence, such as support vector machines, neural networks, or decision trees, have been implemented, significantly reducing the computing time and covering vast search spaces. These methods significantly reduce the computation time and cover broad search spaces, rapidly reducing the number of interacting candidates, as they allow repetitive processes to be automated and patterns to be extracted, are adaptable, and have the capacity to handle large amounts of data. This article analyzes these artificial intelligence-based approaches, presenting their common structure, advantages, disadvantages, limitations, challenges, and future perspectives.

Imaging predictors of 4q12 amplified and RB1 mutated glioblastoma IDH-wildtype.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have identified that glioblastoma IDH-wildtype consists of different molecular subgroups with distinct prognoses. In order to accurately describe and classify gliomas, the Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images (VASARI) system was developed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the VASARI characteristics in molecular subgroups of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of glioblastoma IDH- wildtype with comprehensive next-generation sequencing and pre-operative and post-operative MRI was performed. VASARI characteristics and 205 genes were evaluated. Multiple comparison adjustment by the Bejamin-Hochberg false discovery rate (BH-FDR) was performed. A 1:3 propensity score match (PSM) with a Caliper of 0.2 was done. RESULTS: 178 patients with GBM IDH-WT met the inclusion criteria. 4q12 amplified patients (n = 20) were associated with cyst presence (30% vs. 12%, p = 0.042), decreased hemorrhage (35% vs. 62%, p = 0.028), and non-restricting/mixed (35%/60%) rather than restricting diffusion pattern (5%), meanwhile, 4q12 non-amplified patients had mostly restricting (47.4%) rather than a non-restricting/mixed diffusion pattern (28.4%/23.4%). This remained statistically significant after BH-FDR adjustment (p = 0.002). PSM by 4q12 amplification showed that diffusion characteristics continued to be significantly different. Among RB1-mutant patients, 96% had well-defined enhancing margins vs. 70.6% of RB1-WT (p = 0.018), however, this was not significant after BH-FDR or PSM. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with glioblastoma IDH-wildtype harboring 4q12 amplification rarely have restricting DWI patterns compared to their wildtype counterparts, in which this DWI pattern is present in ~ 50% of patients. This suggests that some phenotypic imaging characteristics can be identified among molecular subtypes of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma.

Retroperitoneal Peripancreatic Ganglioneuroma Encasing the Celiac Trunk and Superior Mesenteric Artery.

A retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma is an exceptionally rare surgical entity, even more so in pancreaticoduodenal tumors. These well-differentiated neuroepithelial tumors originate in the neural crest, emerge in the sympathetic nervous system, and consist of ganglion cells and stromal Schwann cells. Generally, these tumors, despite being mostly benign, may be associated with venous or arterial vascular involvement. The symptomatology presented will depend on the mass effect due to tumor growth, and surgical excision is the only therapeutic option offered today to these patients. However, encapsulation of the main vessels represents a great surgical complexity. Various surgical approaches have been employed throughout history; however, the current preferred method is an open midline laparotomy, involving an extensive Kocher maneuver and an artery-first approach, aiming for an R0 resection of the tumor with total vascular preservation to the greatest extent possible. We present a case of an R2 resection involving a 95 mm x 85 mm retroperitoneal peripancreatic ganglioneuroma with double vascular involvement (celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery). The procedure utilized an artery-first approach with total vascular preservation in a 17-year-old woman who had long-standing gastrointestinal symptoms due to the mass effect.

Development of a fast and sensitive RT-qPCR assay based on SYBR® green for diagnostic and quantification of Avian Nephritis Virus (ANV) in chickens affected with enteric disease.

BACKGROUND: Enteric viruses are among the most prominent etiological agents of Runting-Stunting Syndrome (RSS). The Avian Nephritis Virus (ANV) is an astrovirus associated with enteric diseases in poultry, whose early diagnosis is essential for maintaining a good poultry breeding environment. ANV is an RNA virus that rapidly mutates, except for some conserved regions such as ORF1b. Therefore, the approach of a diagnostic method based on fast-RT-qPCR using SYBR® Green that focuses on the amplification of a fragment of ORF1b is presented as a feasible alternative for the diagnosis of this viral agent. In this study, the proposed assay showed a standard curve with an efficiency of 103.8% and a LoD and LoQ of 1 gene viral copies. The assay was specific to amplify the ORF 1b gene, and no amplification was shown from other viral genomes or in the negative controls. 200 enteric (feces) samples from chickens (broilers) and laying hens with signs of RSS from Ecuadorian poultry flocks were examined to validate the proposed method. RESULTS: Using our method, 164 positive results were obtained out of the total number of samples run, while the presence of viral RNA was detected in samples collected from one day to 44 weeks old in both avian lines. CONCLUSIONS: Our study presents a novel, rapid, robust, and sensitive molecular assay capable of detecting and quantifying even low copy numbers of the ANV in commercial birds, therefore introducing a handy tool in the early diagnosis of ANV in enteric disease outbreaks in poultry.

Comparison of diagnostic tests for detecting bovine brucellosis in animals vaccinated with S19 and RB51 strain vaccines.

Background and Aim: The diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in animals vaccinated with strain-19 (S19) and Rose Bengal (RB)-51 strain vaccines can be misinterpreted due to false positives. This study aimed to compare diagnostic tests for detecting bovine brucellosis in animals vaccinated with S19 and RB51 vaccine strains. Materials and Methods: Two groups of 12 crossbred Holstein calves between 6 and 8 months of age were used. On day 0, blood samples were collected from the animals, and the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for serological diagnosis of bovine Brucellosis. All animals tested negative. After the first blood collection, the animals were subcutaneously vaccinated: one group received the S19 vaccine and the other received the RB51 vaccine. From the 3rd month after vaccination, all animals were sampled. Sampling was repeated every 2 months until the 7th month. Serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis was performed using RB, tube serum agglutination test (SAT), SAT with 2-mercaptoethanol (SAT-2Me), and fluorescence polarization assay (FPA). Results: Animals vaccinated with S19 showed positive results with the RB, SAT, and SAT-2Me tests in all months of post-vaccination diagnosis. In animals vaccinated with S19, FPA showed positive results at months 3 and 5 and negative results at month 7, indicating that this test discriminates vaccinated animals from infected animals 7 months after vaccination. Rose Bengal, SAT, SAT-2Me, and FPA tests showed negative results in animals vaccinated with RB51 in all months of diagnosis. Conclusion: Animals vaccinated with S19 may test positive for brucellosis using RB, SAT, or SAT-2Me tests 7 months later. Fluorescence polarization assay is an optimal alternative for diagnosing animals in the field, thereby preventing false positives, and consequently, unnecessary confiscations of animals. Animals vaccinated with RB51 tested negative with RB, SAT, SAT-2Me, and FPA tests in all months of diagnosis, confirming that the tests are ineffective for diagnosing brucellosis caused by rough strains.

Enteroatmospheric fistulas in open abdomen in trauma associated with abdominal reintervention and VAC therapy.

BACKGROUND: Open abdomen is an alternative for the management of trauma patient, and negative pressure therapy of the wound using VAC® device is a genuine sort of treatment. Although the device poses technical advantages, risks are present and a critical complication is the enteroatmospheric fistula formation (EAF). OBJECTIVE: To analize the role of negative pressure therapy length and VAC® device number of changes on the EAF formation in trauma patients udergoing open abdomen. METHOD: Cut-off points were calculated using receiver operational characteristics curve. Values were compared with Student's t or Mann-Withney U tests, considering statistically significant p < 0.05. RESULTS: EAF were present in 39 cases (5.9%). A significant difference in the presence of EAF was present in patients with negative pressure therapy of the wound length ≥ 11.2 days (46.9 vs. 1.3%; relative risk [RR]: 3.67; 95% confidence interval [95% IC]: 2.4-6.68; p = 0.017) and when ≥ 2.6 VAC® device changes were performed (34.6 vs. 0.5%; RR: 6.92; 95% IC: 1.1-4.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: At our institution, the practice of >3 VAC® device changes and length of therapy > 11 days should be carefully considered leading to reduce the risk of EAF formation.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El abdomen abierto es una alternativa para manejar al paciente traumatizado, y una variante para instituirlo es la terapia de presión negativa de la herida con el dispositivo VAC®. Aunque tiene ventajas técnicas, no está exento de riesgos y una complicación crítica es la formación de fístulas enteroatmosféricas (FEA). OBJETIVO: Analizar el papel de la duración de la terapia de presión negativa y del número de cambios del dispositivo VAC® sobre la aparición de FEA en pacientes traumatizados manejados con abdomen abierto. MÉTODO: Se establecieron puntos de corte con curva de características operacionales del receptor. Los valores se compararon con la prueba t de Student o U de Mann-Whitney, considerando p < 0.05 como valor estadísticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: La FEA se presentó en 39 casos (5.9%). Hubo una diferencia significativa en la aparición de FEA en pacientes con duración de la terapia de presión negativa de la herida ≥ 11.2 días (46.9 vs 1.3%; riesgo relativo [RR]: 3.67; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 2.4-6.68; p = 0.017) y cuando se practicaron ≥ 2.6 cambios del dispositivo VAC® (34.6 vs. 0.5%; RR: 6.92; IC95%: 1.1-4.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra institución, la práctica de más de tres cambios del dispositivo VAC® y el mantenimiento de la terapia por más de 11 días debe ser cuidadosamente considerado para reducir el riesgo de formación de FEA.

Surface antibody changes protein corona both in human and mouse serum but not final opsonization and elimination of targeted polymeric nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Nanoparticles represent one of the most important innovations in the medical field. Among nanocarriers, polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) attracted much attention due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and capacity to increase efficacy and safety of encapsulated drugs. Another important improvement in the use of nanoparticles as delivery systems is the conjugation of a targeting agent that enables the nanoparticles to accumulate in a specific tissue. Despite these advantages, the clinical translation of therapeutic approaches based on nanoparticles is prevented by their interactions with blood proteins. In fact, the so-formed protein corona (PC) drastically alters the biological identity of the particles. Adsorbed activated proteins of the complement cascade play a pivotal role in the clearance of nanoparticles, making them more easily recognized by macrophages, leading to their rapid elimination from the bloodstream and limiting their efficacy. Since the mouse is the most used preclinical model for human disease, this work compared human and mouse PC formed on untargeted PNPs (uPNPs) and targeted PNPs (tPNPs), paying particular attention to complement activation. RESULTS: Mouse and human serum proteins adsorbed differently to PNPs. The differences in the binding of mouse complement proteins are minimal, whereas human complement components strongly distinguish the two particles. This is probably due to the human origin of the Fc portion of the antibody used as targeting agent on tPNPs. tPNPs and uPNPs mainly activate complement via the classical and alternative pathways, respectively, but this pattern did not affect their binding and internalization in macrophages and only a limited consumption of the activity of the human complement system was documented. CONCLUSIONS: The results clearly indicate the presence of complement proteins on PNPs surface but partially derived from an unspecific deposition rather than an effective complement activation. The presence of a targeting antibody favors the activation of the classical pathway, but its absence allows an increased activation of the alternative pathway. This results in similar opsonization of both PNPs and similar phagocytosis by macrophages, without an impairment of the activity of circulating complement system and, consequently, not enhancing the susceptibility to infection.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Mexican Oregano Essential Oil, Extracted from Plants Occurring Naturally in Semiarid Areas and Cultivated in the Field and Greenhouse in Northern Mexico.

In recent years, the determination of the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of essential oils in wild plants, such as Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens Kunth), has become increasingly important. The objective was to compare the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Mexican oregano essential oil obtained from plants occurring naturally in semiarid areas (Wild1 and Wild2), and those cultivated in the field (CField) and greenhouse (CGreenhouse) in northern Mexico. The Mexican oregano essential oil extraction was performed using the hydrodistillation method, the antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS method, and the antibacterial activity was assessed through bioassays under the microwell method at nine different concentrations. The aim was to determine the diameter of the inhibition zone and, consequently, understand the sensitivity level for four bacterial species. The results revealed an antioxidant activity ranging from 90% to 94% at the sampling sites, with Wild1 standing out for having the highest average antioxidant activity values. Likewise, six out of the nine concentrations analyzed showed some degree of sensitivity for all the sampling sites. In this regard, the 25 µL mL-1 concentration showed the highest diameter of inhibition zone values, highlighting the Wild2 site, which showed an average diameter greater than 30 mm for the four bacteria tested. Only in the case of S. typhi did the CGreenhouse site surpass the Wild2, with an average diameter of the inhibition zone of 36.7 mm. These findings contribute to the search for new antioxidant and antibacterial options, addressing the challenges that humanity faces in the quest for opportunities to increase life expectancy.

Single-Bud Expression Analysis of Bud Dormancy Factors in Peach.

Transcriptomic and gene expression analysis have greatly facilitated the identification and characterization of transcriptional regulatory factors and effectors involved in dormancy progression and other physiological processes orchestrated during bud development in peach and other temperate fruit species. Gene expression measurements are most usually based on average values from several or many individual buds. We have performed single-bud gene analysis in flower buds of peach across dormancy release using amplicons from the master regulatory DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX (DAM) factors, several jasmonic acid biosynthetic genes, other genes related to flowering development, cell growth resumption, and abiotic stress tolerance. This analysis provides a close view on gene-specific, single-bud variability throughout the developmental shift from dormant to dormancy-released stages, contributing to the characterization of putative co-expression modules and other regulatory aspects in this particular tissue.

Imaging of Common and Infrequent Extradural Tumors.

Spinal extradural tumors, although uncommon, have high morbidity and mortality rates. Radiographs and computed tomography scans are typically used to assess and determine the characteristics of these tumors. However, MR imaging is the preferred method for the evaluation of complications that can increase morbidity, such as spinal cord and nerve compression. Imaging features, such as type of matrix, cortical involvement, and margins, aid in determining the diagnosis. This article discusses common and infrequent extradural spinal tumors, their imaging characteristics, and how age, location, and clinical presentation help in diagnosing these neoplasms.

An infrared transient from a star engulfing a planet.

Planets with short orbital periods (roughly under 10 days) are common around stars like the Sun1,2. Stars expand as they evolve and thus we expect their close planetary companions to be engulfed, possibly powering luminous mass ejections from the host star3-5. However, this phase has never been directly observed. Here we report observations of ZTF SLRN-2020, a short-lived optical outburst in the Galactic disk accompanied by bright and long-lived infrared emission. The resulting light curve and spectra share striking similarities with those of red novae6,7-a class of eruptions now confirmed8 to arise from mergers of binary stars. Its exceptionally low optical luminosity (approximately 1035 erg s-1) and radiated energy (approximately 6.5 × 1041 erg) point to the engulfment of a planet of fewer than roughly ten Jupiter masses by its Sun-like host star. We estimate the Galactic rate of such subluminous red novae to be roughly between 0.1 and several per year. Future Galactic plane surveys should routinely identify these, showing the demographics of planetary engulfment and the ultimate fate of planets in the inner Solar System.