Understanding the evolution of chromatin conformation among species is fundamental to elucidate the architecture and plasticity of genomes. Nonrandom interactions of linearly distant loci regulate gene function in species-specific patterns, affecting genome function, evolution, and, ultimately, speciation. Yet, data from nonmodel organisms are scarce. To capture the macroevolutionary diversity of vertebrate chromatin conformation, here we generate de novo genome assemblies for two cryptodiran (hidden-neck) turtles via Illumina sequencing, chromosome conformation capture, and RNA-seq: Apalone spinifera (ZZ/ZW, 2n = 66) and Staurotypus triporcatus (XX/XY, 2n = 54). We detected differences in the three-dimensional (3D) chromatin structure in turtles compared to other amniotes beyond the fusion/fission events detected in the linear genomes. Namely, whole-genome comparisons revealed distinct trends of chromosome rearrangements in turtles: (1) a low rate of genome reshuffling in Apalone (Trionychidae) whose karyotype is highly conserved when compared to chicken (likely ancestral for turtles), and (2) a moderate rate of fusions/fissions in Staurotypus (Kinosternidae) and Trachemys scripta (Emydidae). Furthermore, we identified a chromosome folding pattern that enables "centromere–telomere interactions" previously undetected in turtles. The combined turtle pattern of "centromere–telomere interactions" (discovered here) plus "centromere clustering" (previously reported in sauropsids) is novel for amniotes and it counters previous hypotheses about amniote 3D chromatin structure. We hypothesize that the divergent pattern found in turtles originated from an amniote ancestral state defined by a nuclear configuration with extensive associations among microchromosomes that were preserved upon the reshuffling of the linear genome.

The role of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) PET/CT, using ⁶⁸Ga-based tracers or [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-DOTATATE (⁶⁴Cu-DOTATATE), in the management of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) is guided by appropriate use criteria (AUC). In this study, we performed systematic analyses of referral patterns and image findings of routine ⁶⁴Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT scans to support AUC development. Methods: We included all clinical routine ⁶⁴Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT scans performed between April 10, 2018 (start of clinical use), and May 2, 2022, at Copenhagen University Hospital–Rigshospitalet. We reviewed the referral text and image report of each scan and classified the indication according to clinical scenarios as listed in the AUC. Results: In total, 1,290 patients underwent 2,249 ⁶⁴Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT scans. Monitoring of patients with NEN seen both on conventional imaging and on SSTR PET without clinical evidence of progression was the most common indication (defined as "may be appropriate" in the AUC) and accounted for 703 (31.3%) scans. Initial staging after NEN diagnosis ("appropriate" in the AUC) and restaging after curative-intent surgery ("may be appropriate" in the AUC) accounted for 221 (9.8%) and 241 (10.7%) scans, respectively. Selection of patients eligible for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy ("appropriate" in the AUC) and restaging after peptide receptor radionuclide therapy completion ("appropriate" in the AUC) accounted for 95 (4.2%) and 115 (5.1%) scans, respectively. The number of scans performed for indications not defined in the AUC was 371 (16.5%). Image result analysis revealed no disease in 669 scans (29.7%), stable disease in 582 (25.9%), and progression in 461 (20.5%). In 99 of the 461 (21.5%) scans, progression was detected on PET but not on CT. Conclusion: Our study provided real-life data that may contribute to support development of ⁶⁴Cu-DOTATATE/SSTR PET/CT guidelines including AUC. Some scenarios listed as "may be appropriate" in the current AUC were frequent in our data. Monitoring of patients with NEN without clinical evidence of progression was the most frequent indication for ⁶⁴Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT, in which disease progression was detected in more than one third, and a large proportion was visible by PET only. We therefore conclude that this scenario could potentially be classified as appropriate.

Physicists found that the music of Johann Sebastian Bach contains mathematical patterns that help convey information

Allowing for moves that create quantum superpositions makes a quantum version of a Rubik’s cube incredibly complex, but not impossible to solve

Chinese scientists found that anomalies in tropical Indian Ocean sea surface temperatures can forecast the severity of global medlinkdengue outbreaks/medlink (!--ref1--).

Highlights: Male pattern hair loss is a common, progressive form of baldness that affects up to 50% of men by the a

Truvada, used as pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection (PrEP), can reveal patterns of medication-taking behavior that may put persons at risk of prophylactic failure.

The Food Hero social marketing campaign was launched to promote healthy eating in low income families. It is an effective way to help low-income families

Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2023.

On India’s 75th Independence Day, can cultivating a design-backed ecosystem put the country on a steep growth path?

Traditionally, developers have created properties inside of JavaScript classes for any data that might be needed within an instance. This isn’t a problem for small pieces of data that are readily available inside of the constructor. However, if some data needs to be calculated before becoming available in the instance, you may not want to...

Crime scene analyst Matthew Steiner teaches the techniques forensics experts use to investigate bloodstain patterns, ranging from easy to difficult. Matthew explains how different types of forces create different bloodstain patterns in the crime scenes, and demonstrates how they can analyze these patterns to figure out how a crime was committed.

To gain and retain customer trust, brands have to focus on ethical online design in their apps

According to the Mondelez International snacking report, Indian consumers are showing an increasing interest in plant-based snacks

The exams are set to begin on November 13

National Bureau of Economic Research

National Bureau of Economic Research

National Bureau of Economic Research

National Bureau of Economic Research

IEEE / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Incorporated

IEEE Computer Society

IEEE / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Incorporated

An NCI study explores the causes and effects of a phenomenon known as mosaic loss of chromosome X, or mLOX, which may lead to several health conditions, including cancer.

In creating energy-efficient cities, India will do well to model its development on its own age-old techniques, says Durganand Balsavar

Union Agriculture Ministry launches Krishi-DSS, a digital platform providing real-time data insights for stakeholders in Indian agriculture

Plantations of over 70 farmers severely affected by the spotted locust infestation at Konnathady and Vathikudy panchayats