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Can protein expression be ‘solved’?
Get PDFRecombinant protein expression is central to biotechnology's application. However, not all proteins can be expressed in all organisms, and, given the vast experimental space, it can be challenging to identify the conditions that will yield successful protein expression. The field lacks a predictive model of soluble protein expression that could replace laborious experimental trial and error. Here, we discuss the state of the field and identify the lack of large, high-fidelity datasets as the primary bottleneck to progress. We outline a proposed path toward an extensible experimental platform for collecting soluble overexpression data across organisms.</p
Chromosome-level genome assembly of a hemiparasitic plant, Scurrula parasitica (Loranthaceae)
Get PDFScurrula parasitica (Loranthaceae) is a widespread aerial hemiparasitic plant in southwest China, recognized for its ecological roles and broad host range. As a representative of mistletoes in Santalales, it serves as a model for studying the genomic basis of aerial hemiparasitism. Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of S. parasitica using PacBio high-fidelity and Hi-C sequencing. The assembled genome spans 547.41 Mb with a contig N50 of 8.32 Mb, and 97.54% of the sequence is anchored to nine pseudochromosomes. Repetitive sequences account for 64.53% of the genome. We predicted 21,837 protein-coding genes, of which 20,974 (96.05%) received functional annotations.Additionally, we identified 1,271 transcription factor genes and 8,407 non-coding RNAs. This chromosome-level assembly provides a foundational resource for investigating gene family evolution, parasitic adaptation, and genome architecture in S. parasitica. The genome assembly and associated datasets have been deposited in public repositories, enabling future comparative and functional genomic studies in parasitic angiosperms
A Time Domain ISFET With Dynamic Reference Switching
Get PDFThis paper presents an enhanced Linear Pulse-Frequency Modulator (LPFM) Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor (ISFET) architecture with a programmable dynamic range for pH detection. The circuit encodes the pH signal into the frequency domain. This proposed method is shown to have higher stability for supply variation. A dynamic referencing scheme is used to increase the stability of the recording over long periods. The circuit's operating point and dynamic range can be programmed, enhancing the versatility of the architecture. The design was implemented in a 0.18 µm standard CMOS process, with a sensing area as an extended gate electrode of 125 µm x 125 µm. The architecture was electrically and electrochemically characterised. The ISFET chip was post-processed by thinning the passivation layer over the sensing area. The results showed a boost in the sensitivity of 230%, an increase of 9% in the passivation capacitance with an intact SiO2 layer, and a 45% reduction of the Si3N4 layer. Compared to a rapid decay in signal quality, the dynamic reference method showed consistent measurements over hours. The circuit also showed very low sensitivity for around 25% supply variation
Effects of prematurity and socio-economic status on early life language exposure: a video coding study
Get PDFPreterm birth is associated with later language impairment and delay. Socioeconomic deprivation is linked to decreased language exposure in early childhood, but it is unknown how prematurity influences this relationship. This study investigated the effects of socioeconomic status and gestational age at birth on language exposure, in a sample of 47 preterm and 53 term infant-parent dyads. Videos were coded for parental language and gesture using a novel coding scheme. Video codes revealed no significant differences in the language and gesture used by parents of preterm infants vs. term infants during interaction. Socioeconomic status was positively correlated with quantity and variety of words used, and mean length of utterance (all r>.25, p<0.015). Deprivation, and especially the increased prevalence of deprivation amongst the preterm population, may be a key factor to consider when examining risk of language delay for infants born early
How should we talk to pregnant women about physical activity? A scoping review of physical activity messaging during pregnancy communication by healthcare professionals in the UK
Get PDFIntroductionResearch is needed to provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with guidance on how to best communicate with pregnant women about physical activity (PA). This study aimed to answer: what is known about PA communication between HCPs and pregnant women in the UK?MethodsDesign: scoping review, adhering to established guidance (including the PRISMA-ScR). Research questions were informed by the Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF). Relevant studies were identified by searching electronic databases and contacting key stakeholders. All studies were double screened. The data extracted included findings related to concepts within the PAMF. The results were presented in a descriptive numerical analysis and a narrative summary.ResultsTwenty-one studies were included. 81% were from England, and 71% involved solely qualitative methods. HCPs lack the knowledge and time required to provide PA advice, and stigma around weight prevents communication. Pregnant women feel that PA during pregnancy is dangerous and have low knowledge of the guidelines and benefits of PA. Many do not receive PA advice from HCPs, and where they do, it is minimal, contradictory, confusing, inconsistent, and negative. Tailored information and clear advice on what is safe, delivered using non-judgemental tones is desired. Pregnant women view HCPs as important messengers.ConclusionsHCPs should address the perception that PA is dangerous by communicating relevant information from PA guidelines and highlighting wide-ranging benefits of PA during pregnancy (including benefits to mental health). Communication should be non-judgmental, clear and consistent. HCPs should be supported and trained to provide PA advice as part of their role
Design and Evaluation of Volunteer User Trials of Unobtrusive Vital Signs Monitoring for Older People in Care Using Wi-Fi CSI Sensing
Get PDFThis study describes the design and evaluation of volunteer user trials of an unobtrusive Wi-Fi Channel State Information (CSI) vital sign sensing system in older participants aged 60 years and older in different home environments. Methods and procedures: In terms of experiment design, the implementation of user-centric sensor placement and integration informed consent with various experimental elements in the design of experiments of older people. The implemented signal processing algorithm, which extracts vital signs from the Wi-Fi CSI signal to obtain respiration and heart rate measurements, employs wavelet filtering techniques. For selecting of vital sign signals from the 52 CSI subcarriers, the Principal Component Sample Entropy (PC-SampEn) was implemented to capture the information most relevant to vital signs.Results: Two cardiorespiratory vital sign measurements were validated against wearable ground-truth devices, a respiratory belt and a photoplethysmogram (PPG). The results demonstrated an expected decrease in accuracy and measurement agreement in uncontrolled home environments.Conclusion: Although respiratory rate measurements have demonstrated promising accuracy and agreement in uncontrolled environments, heart rate measurements observed high variability in these scenarios due to challenging signal extraction. Further experiments must be conducted to address the limitation in sample size and the technical challenges in heart rate signal extraction to improve accuracy. Clinical and Translational Impact: This study provides a design of unobtrusive care technology for vital sign sensing for older adults, demonstrated and evaluated in the context of in-home monitoring for healthcare
Human papillomavirus vaccination and cervical screening uptake among women presenting for abortion: exploring opportunities for health care interventions
Get PDFBackground Cervical cancer is predominantly caused by infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Prevention efforts rely on vaccination and cervical screening. This study aimed to determine HPV vaccination and in-date cervical screening rates among women seeking abortion to determine whether this care setting could provide an opportunity to deliver catch-up prevention services.Methods Retrospective database study examining HPV vaccination and cervical screening coverage among women accessing abortion in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK from October to December 2024. National Health Service electronic systems recording HPV vaccinations and the Scottish Cervical Call Recall System were examined together with clinical records to determine if an in-person clinical visit was made as part of care.Results Some 798 individuals presented for abortion over the study period (n=297, ≤25 years and n=501, >25 years). Of those aged ≤25 years reviewed for HPV vaccination, 161/297 (54.2%) were vaccinated, 37 (12.5%) were unvaccinated and 99 (33.3%) had no record of vaccination status. Of the 501 women of cervical screening age >25 years, 289 (57.7%) were up to date, 70 (14%) were overdue and 142 (28.3%) had never been screened. Of the 37 unvaccinated individuals, 29 (78.4%) attended the clinic in person as did 158 (74.5%) of the 212 overdue/never-screened women.Conclusions A significant proportion of those individuals who present for abortion are not vaccinated against HPV or up to date with cervical screening. Three-quarters of this group made an in-person visit, indicating an opportunity for delivering cervical cancer preventative services in the future. Future research is required to determine the feasibility of HPV vaccination and cervical screening in this setting
Mobilising Cultural Heritage for Locally Owned Adaptation
Get PDFClimate change adaptation planning and implementation has been criticised for following linear steps that can limit local suitability, scalability and sustainability. We argue that meaningful climate change adaptations incorporate a diversity of voices using cultural heritage for situated and multi-generational interventions. Here, we present examples of risk narratives and adaptive strategies developed through engagement with cultural heritage, balancing knowledge of environment with local livelihoods, histories, values and meaning
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