Eggs are highly digestible, nutrient-rich and are a valuable source of protein and choline, thereby promoting a range of health benefits. Several studies have found an association between protein intake and gastrointestinal microbial diversity(1), while bacterial fermentation of undigested protein in the large bowel can produce short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, positively influencing host metabolic health, gut integrity and immune function(2). On the other hand, dietary choline stimulates gastrointestinal bacterial production of trimethylamine and the prothrombotic compound trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO)(3). Despite these established links, limited studies have explored the effects of whole egg intake on indices of gastrointestinal health. This systematic literature review aimed to synthesise research that has investigated the impact of egg-supplemented diets or egg consumption on markers of gastrointestinal health including microbiome, function and symptoms. This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five databases (Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus, SCOPUS, and PsychInfo), and reference lists of relevant papers, were searched from inception until April 2023. Studies were included if they examined the link between whole chicken egg consumption and gastrointestinal health in healthy adults (aged>16). Indices of gastrointestinal health were defined as any outcomes related to gastrointestinal factors, including symptoms, microbiome, inflammation, colonic fermentation and TMAO. Reviews and case studies were excluded. All studies underwent risk of bias assessment. Overall, 548 studies were identified and 19 studies were included after screening. Eight of these were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 8 cross-sectional and 3 prospective cohort studies. Participants ranged in number between 20-32,166 and in age between 18–84 years. Study periods varied between 3–14 weeks for RCTs and 6 months–12.5 years for prospective cohort studies. RCTs examined intakes between 1–4 eggs/day, with the majority examining 3 eggs/day (n = 6). The primary outcome across 15 articles was TMAO levels, with most reporting no significant associations (n = 13). Five studies examined inflammation with inconsistent findings ranging from no alterations (in TNF-α, IL-8, CRP), increases (in anti-inflammatory marker LTB5, TNF-α), and decreases (in IL-6, CRP). Lastly, 7 studies explored alterations in microbiome. Two RCTs and 2 cross-sectional trials reported no alterations in microbial diversity in response to eggs. Meanwhile, 2 cross-sectional and 1 prospective study linked specific bacteria to consistent egg intake. Eggs were associated with species that produce butyrate (E.rectale, F.prausnitzii, M.smithii, and R.bromii), and protect against metabolic syndrome (A.muciniphila). This systematic review found that egg consumption did not increase levels of the undesirable biomarker TMAO and were associated with butyrate-producing bacteria. Evidence regarding the effect of egg intake on inflammation was inconsistent. This review revealed the general lack of available research investigating whole eggs and gastrointestinal health. Future carefully designed RCTs are required to improve understanding of how eggs may influence the gastrointestinal microbiome and colonic fermentation.

Eggs provide several nutrients that have been linked to neurological function. Phospholipids, which comprise 30% of lipids in egg yolk, modulate neurotransmitter receptors and have been shown to lower reaction time in healthy adults(1). Eggs are also high in choline (340mg per egg), a building block for acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning and attention(2). Finally, eggs contain the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (25mg per egg), which has roles in neurological function including neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity and myelination(3). The impact of whole egg consumption on cognition has not been widely explored. This systematic review aimed to consolidate studies that investigated frequency of egg consumption or egg-supplemented diets on cognitive function. This review followed PRISMA guidelines and involved a search of five databases (Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus, SCOPUS, and PsychInfo) from inception until April 2023. Included studies examined the link between whole chicken egg consumption and brain function, including cognitive decline, memory, risk-taking, reaction-time, decision-making, and executive function, in healthy adults (aged>16 y). All studies underwent risk of bias assessment. Twelve studies were included in the review. Four were prospective cohort studies, 4 were retrospective, 3 cross-sectional and 1 was a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participant numbers, with the exception of the RCT, ranged between 178-9028 and were aged between 42-97 years. Duration of prospective studies varied from 2-5 years. Egg intake was measured via food frequency questionnaires (n = 8), 24-hr diet recalls (n = 2), a 4-day food record (n = 1) and a 7-day food record (n = 1). The RCT provided 2 DHA-fortified eggs/day compared to 2 whole eggs/day for 8 weeks. The primary outcome across 9 studies was cognitive decline, followed by memory (n = 7), reaction-time (n = 2), attention (n = 2), and executive function (n = 1). For outcome measures, studies used 9 different validated task-oriented tools (including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment n = 3, and California Verbal Learning Test n = 2), or 4 self-completed questionnaires. Several studies found no significant associations between egg consumption and cognitive decline (n = 4) or memory (n = 2). Conversely, 5 studies reported significant inverse associations between egg consumption and rates of cognitive decline. The RCT found that reaction-times were faster on both whole eggs and DHA-eggs after 8 weeks (p>0.05 between groups). Although conflicting results were found, more studies showed a greater frequency of habitual egg consumption to be associated with reduced cognitive decline. However, the variety of outcome measures across studies make direct comparisons challenging, preventing definitive conclusions about the impact of eggs on cognitive health. This review highlights the need for future RCTs.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The correction of spinopelvic parameters is associated with better outcomes in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). This study presents a novel artificial intelligence (AI) tool that automatically predicts spinopelvic parameters from spine x-rays with high accuracy and without need for any manual entry. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The AI model was trained/validated on 761 sagittal whole-spine x-rays to predict the following parameters: Sagittal Vertical Axis (SVA), Pelvic Tilt (PT), Pelvic Incidence (PI), Sacral Slope (SS), Lumbar Lordosis (LL), T1-Pelvic Angle (T1PA), and L1-Pelvic Angle (L1PA). A separate test set of 40 x-rays was labeled by 4 reviewers including fellowship-trained spine surgeons and a neuroradiologist. Median errors relative to the most senior reviewer were calculated to determine model accuracy on test and cropped-test (i.e. lumbosacral) images. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess inter-rater reliability RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The AI model exhibited the following median (IQR) parameter errors: SVA[2.1mm (8.5mm), p=0.97], PT [1.5° (1.4°), p=0.52], PI[2.3° (2.4°), p=0.27], SS[1.7° (2.2°), p=0.64], LL [2.6° (4.0°), p=0.89], T1PA [1.3° (1.1°), p=0.41], and L1PA [1.3° (1.2°), p=0.51]. The parameter errors on cropped lumbosacral images were: LL[2.9° (2.6°), p=0.80] and SS[1.9° (2.2°), p=0.78]. The AI model exhibited excellent reliability at all parameters in both whole-spine (ICC: 0.92-1.0) and lumbosacral x-rays: (ICC: 0.92-0.93). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our AI model accurately predicts spinopelvic parameters with excellent reliability comparable to fellowship-trained spine surgeons and neuroradiologists. Utilization of predictive AI tools in spine-imaging can substantially aid in patient selection and surgical planning.

Recent research has shown the potential of speleothem δ13C to record a range of environmental processes. Here, we report on 230Th-dated stalagmite δ13C records for southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia, over the last 40,000 yr to investigate the relationship between tropical vegetation productivity and atmospheric methane concentrations. We demonstrate that the Sulawesi stalagmite δ13C record is driven by changes in vegetation productivity and soil respiration and explore the link between soil respiration and tropical methane emissions using HadCM3 and the Sheffield Dynamic Global Vegetation Model. The model indicates that changes in soil respiration are primarily driven by changes in temperature and CO2, in line with our interpretation of stalagmite δ13C. In turn, modelled methane emissions are driven by soil respiration, providing a mechanism that links methane to stalagmite δ13C. This relationship is particularly strong during the last glaciation, indicating a key role for the tropics in controlling atmospheric methane when emissions from high-latitude boreal wetlands were suppressed. With further investigation, the link between δ13C in stalagmites and tropical methane could provide a low-latitude proxy complementary to polar ice core records to improve our understanding of the glacial–interglacial methane budget.

Translation is the process of turning observations in the research laboratory, clinic, and community into interventions that improve people’s health. The Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program is a National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) initiative to advance translational science and research. Currently, 64 “CTSA hubs” exist across the nation. Since 2006, the Houston-based Center for Clinical Translational Sciences (CCTS) has assembled a well-integrated, high-impact hub in Texas that includes six partner institutions within the state, encompassing ∼23,000 sq. miles and over 16 million residents. To achieve the NCATS goal of “more treatments for all people more quickly,” the CCTS promotes diversity and inclusion by integrating underrepresented populations into clinical studies, workforce training, and career development. In May 2023, we submitted the UM1 application and six “companion” proposals: K12, R25, T32-Predoctoral, T32-Postdoctoral, and RC2 (two applications). In October 2023, we received priority scores for the UM1 (22), K12 (25), T32-Predoctoral (20), and T32-Postdoctoral (23), which historically fall within the NCATS funding range. This report describes the grant preparation and submission approach, coupled with data from an internal survey designed to assimilate feedback from principal investigators, writers, reviewers, and administrative specialists. Herein, we share the challenges faced, the approaches developed, and the lessons learned.

Our earth is immersed in the near-earth space plasma environment, which plays a vital role in protecting our planet against the solar-wind impact and influencing space activities. It is significant to investigate the physical processes dominating the environment, for deepening our scientific understanding of it and improving the ability to forecast the space weather. As a crucial part of the National Major Scientific and Technological Infrastructure–Space Environment Simulation Research Infrastructure (SESRI) in Harbin, the Space Plasma Environment Research Facility (SPERF) builds a system to replicate the near-earth space plasma environment in the laboratory. The system aims to simulate the three-dimensional (3-D) structure and processes of the terrestrial magnetosphere for the first time in the world, providing a unique platform to reveal the physics of the 3-D asymmetric magnetic reconnection relevant to the earth's magnetopause, wave–particle interaction in the earth's radiation belt, particles’ dynamics during the geomagnetic storm, etc. The paper will present the engineering design and construction of the near-earth space plasma simulation system of the SPERF, with a focus on the critical technologies that have been resolved to achieve the scientific goals. Meanwhile, the possible physical issues that can be studied based on the apparatus are sketched briefly. The earth-based system is of great value in understanding the space plasma environment and supporting space exploration.

Aphis spiraecola Patch is one of the most economically important tree fruit pests worldwide. The pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin is commonly used to control A. spiraecola. In this 2-year study, we quantified the resistance level of A. spiraecola to lambda-cyhalothrin in different regions of the Shaanxi province, China. The results showed that A. spiraecola had reached extremely high resistance levels with a 174-fold resistance ratio (RR) found in the Xunyi region. In addition, we compared the enzymatic activity and expression level of P450 genes among eight A. spiraecola populations. The P450 activity of A. spiraecola was significantly increased in five regions (Xunyi, Liquan, Fengxiang, Luochuan, and Xinping) compared to susceptible strain (SS). The expression levels of CYP6CY7, CYP6CY14, CYP6CY22, P4504C1-like, P4506a13, CYP4CZ1, CYP380C47, and CYP4CJ2 genes were significantly increased under lambda-cyhalothrin treatment and in the resistant field populations. A L1014F mutation in the sodium channel gene was found and the mutation rate was positively correlated with the LC50 of lambda-cyhalothrin. In conclusion, the levels of lambda-cyhalothrin resistance of A. spiraecola field populations were associated with P450s and L1014F mutations. Our combined findings provide evidence on the resistance mechanism of A. spiraecola to lambda-cyhalothrin and give a theoretical basis for rational and effective control of this pest species.

The possibility of ideography is an empirical question. Prior examples of graphic codes do not provide compelling evidence for the infeasibility of ideography, because they fail to satisfy essential cognitive requirements that have only recently been revealed by studies of representational systems in cognitive science. Design criteria derived from cognitive principles suggest how effective graphic codes may be engineered.

In zebrafish, a punctate band of F-actin is reported to develop in the external yolk syncytial layer (E-YSL) during the latter part of epiboly in zebrafish embryos. Here, electron microscopy (EM) and fluorescence confocal microscopy were conducted to investigate dynamic changes in the E-YSL membrane during epiboly. Using scanning EM, we report that the surface of the E-YSL is highly convoluted, consisting of a complex interwoven network of branching membrane surface microvilli-like protrusions. The region of membrane surface protrusions was relatively wide at 30% epiboly but narrowed as epiboly progressed. This narrowing was coincident with the formation of the punctate actin band. We also demonstrated using immunogold transmission EM that actin clusters were localized at the membrane surface mainly within the protrusions as well as in deeper locations of the E-YSL. Furthermore, during the latter part of epiboly, the punctate actin band was coincident with a region of highly dynamic endocytosis. Treatment with cytochalasin B led to the disruption of the punctate actin band and the membrane surface protrusions, as well as the attenuation of endocytosis. Together, our data suggest that, in the E-YSL, the region encompassing the membrane surface protrusions and its associated punctate actin band are likely to be an integral part of the localized endocytosis, which is important for the progression of epiboly in zebrafish embryos.

An emergent volume electron microscopy technique called cryogenic serial plasma focused ion beam milling scanning electron microscopy (pFIB/SEM) can decipher complex biological structures by building a three-dimensional picture of biological samples at mesoscale resolution. This is achieved by collecting consecutive SEM images after successive rounds of FIB milling that expose a new surface after each milling step. Due to instrumental limitations, some image processing is necessary before 3D visualization and analysis of the data is possible. SEM images are affected by noise, drift, and charging effects, that can make precise 3D reconstruction of biological features difficult. This article presents Okapi-EM, an open-source napari plugin developed to process and analyze cryogenic serial pFIB/SEM images. Okapi-EM enables automated image registration of slices, evaluation of image quality metrics specific to pFIB-SEM imaging, and mitigation of charging artifacts. Implementation of Okapi-EM within the napari framework ensures that the tools are both user- and developer-friendly, through provision of a graphical user interface and access to Python programming.