Atypical ALPK2 kinase is not essential for cardiac development and function.

Protein kinases play an integral role in cardiac development, function, and disease. Recent experimental and clinical data have implied that protein kinases belonging to a family of atypical α-protein kinases, including α-protein kinase 2 (ALPK2), are important for regulating cardiac development and maintaining function via regulation of WNT signaling. A recent study in zebrafish reported that loss of ALPK2 leads to severe cardiac defects; however, the relevance of ALPK2 has not been studied in a mammalian animal model. To assess the role of ALPK2 in the mammalian heart, we generated two independent global Alpk2-knockout (Alpk2-gKO) mouse lines, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We performed physiological and biochemical analyses of Alpk2-gKO mice to determine the functional, morphological, and molecular consequences of Alpk2 deletion at the organismal level. We found that Alpk2-gKO mice exhibited normal cardiac function and morphology up to one year of age. Moreover, we did not observe altered WNT signaling in neonatal Alpk2-gKO mouse hearts. In conclusion, Alpk2 is dispensable for cardiac development and function in the murine model. Our results suggest that Alpk2 is a rapidly evolving gene that lost its essential cardiac functions in mammals.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Several studies indicated the importance of ALPK2 for cardiac function and development. A recent study in zebrafish report that loss of ALPK2 leads to severe cardiac defects. In contrast, murine Alpk2-gKO models developed in this work display no overt cardiac phenotype. Our results suggest ALPK2, as a rapidly evolving gene, lost its essential cardiac functions in mammals.

Rationale for white skin roll flap in unilateral cleft lip repair: A retrospective anthropometric measurement analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although the "white skin roll" of the lip is often considered a line, it is better defined as the subunit between the vermilion border and the upper lip horizontal groove. In many unilateral cleft lip repair techniques, this structure is approximated between both sides of the cleft without restoration. This study aimed to analyze the white skin roll height in patients with unilateral cleft lip. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 134 consecutive infants with unilateral cleft lip aged 3-6 months who underwent lip repair in a single institution between January 2019 and July 2021. White skin roll heights at the peak of the Cupid's bow on the non-cleft side (CPHIR), cleft medial element (CPHIL), and cleft lateral element (CPHIL') were measured, and differences in their averages were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean height was 1.70 ± 0.30 mm at CPHIR, 0.98 ± 0.33 mm at CPHIL, and 1.28 ± 0.32 mm at CPHIL.' The mean difference in height between CPHIR-CPHIL, CPHIR-CPHIL,' and CPHIL-CPHIL' groups was significant for each paired sample (p < 0.01). No difference was found between the complete and incomplete clefts or left and right clefts (p > 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A significantly reduced mean height of the white skin roll was present more markedly on the cleft medial element than on the cleft lateral element. Therefore, we strongly support using a white skin roll flap on the cleft lateral element for unilateral cleft lip repair, embracing the concepts of subunits and lip contour lines.

The international transferability of human capital in nursing.

This study examines the transferability of foreign human capital in nursing using the 1988-2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN). In contrast with theoretical predictions and previous studies, this research finds evidence that foreign nursing education commands a higher return than U.S. education, even after controlling for a rich set of covariates. Consistent with the literature, the estimates illustrate foreign experience earns a lower return than domestic experience in nursing. Analysis across subsamples reveals the counter-intuitive foreign education premium is driven by foreign nurses educated in English-speaking countries and those working in hospitals. These estimates suggest future research should take into account the heterogeneity in the returns on foreign education across occupations.