University of Minnesota, Waseca

Characterizing tumor-specific neoantigen peptides, derived from genomic or transcriptomic aberrations and presented to the immune system, is critical for immuno-oncology studies. To this end, the modular iPepGen immunopeptidogenomics pipeline provides these functions: (1) Neoantigen prediction and protein database generation from genomic or transcriptomic sequencing data; (2) Peptide identification (3) Verification from immunopeptidomic mass spectral data; (4) Neoantigen classification and visualization; (5) Candidate prioritization for further study. Easy access via a publicly available, scalable cloud-based gateway coupled with online, interactive training materials streamlines the adoption by cancer researchers who require immunopeptidogenomic analysis tools but lack advanced computational expertise and resources.

Flooding is becoming a significant concern as change in climate is increasing the amount of water and snow being deposited. One way to help avoid flooding of urban areas is the implementation of river diversion system. Although the practice of river diversion alleviates the potential for flooding in a specific area, it increases the potential for flooding in other areas. In many cases agricultural areas end up receiving the diverted water and flooding of agricultural soils happens. This literature review has three separate sections: i) the first section reviews manuscripts published in scientific journals relating the impact of flooding on soil properties; ii) then the information gathered from the literature review is used to evaluate the potential impacts that flooding would have on agricultural land located within the area affected by a river diversion system; iii) the third section information is presented for potential management practices that can be used to help determining if the land is being impacted and management practices that could be used to help in problem mitigation. This manuscript provides a general overview of potential implications of flooding and does not indicate with 100% certainty that the potential issues raised would happen at any given field used for agricultural production. Rather, this report provides what can potentially happen at any given field that is flooded in general. Specific site issues should be investigated individually for a more thorough assessment.

Dear Editor, Intracranial aneurysms are one of the primary correctable cerebrovascular abnormalities through surgery, posing a significant cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage in adults.[1] With an estimated prevalence between 0.2% and 9.9%, and an annual rupture rate of 1%–2%, intracranial aneurysms present a substantial clinical challenge.[2] Vortices are swirling patterns of fluid flow, characterized by a central axis of rotation around which the fluid circulates.[3] They occur in liquids, gases, and even plasma, and are fundamental in understanding fluid dynamics. In the context of blood flow, vortices can form when the flow encounters an obstacle, such as an aneurysm, or due to changes in vessel geometry or blood velocity.[3] The vortex hypothesis proposes that the hemodynamic forces within the aneurysmal sac–particularly the flow patterns and the rotational components of blood flow–play a critical role in aneurysm formation, progression, and rupture [Table 1].[4]Table 1: Key features of vorticesThe vortex hypothesis posits that the blood flow inside the aneurysm exhibits a vortex-like motion, a rotating flow that concentrates high shear stress on the aneurysm wall.[5] This stress is believed to be a critical factor in the development and rupture of aneurysms. According to this hypothesis, the vortex flow can lead to endothelial damage, weakening the arterial wall and increasing the risk of rupture. The rotation and turbulence of blood flow inside the aneurysm may contribute to the formation of thrombi, which can embolize to distal vessels, causing ischemic events.[5] Treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysms have historically focused on either surgical clipping or endovascular embolization.[6] However, the advent of the vortex hypothesis has led to a deeper examination of the flow dynamics within aneurysms, particularly how vortex-like blood flow could influence the efficacy of various interventions. Endovascular embolization using coils, stents, and other devices has been a breakthrough in treating aneurysms, and the vortex hypothesis provides insight into how these devices can be optimized.[6] Devices like the Athena embolization coil, for example, are designed not only to fill the aneurysm but also to modify the flow dynamics within the sac. The use of stent-assisted coiling aims to reduce the velocity and rotational components of blood flow, potentially minimizing vortex formation and associated risks of rupture. Studies have demonstrated that stent placement may reduce turbulence by redirecting blood flow, thus decreasing shear stress on the aneurysm wall. Understanding this vortex-like flow is essential for refining aneurysm treatment techniques.[5] The vortex hypothesis suggests that improving flow patterns could be essential in both the acute treatment phase and long-term management of intracranial aneurysms.[4] New technologies that modify blood flow dynamics–such as devices that induce laminar flow or prevent vortex formation–could revolutionize aneurysm treatment, especially for challenging cases like wide-necked aneurysms. Incorporating the vortex hypothesis into the development of new treatment modalities, such as flow-diverting stents and tailored coil devices, could help mitigate the hemodynamic forces contributing to aneurysm progression. Flow-diverting stents, for instance, aim to reduce vortex-like motion by rerouting blood flow away from the aneurysm sac, lowering shear stress on the aneurysm wall.[7] This approach may be particularly effective for large or wide-necked aneurysms, which are more prone to turbulence and high-Wall Shear Stress (WSS). Understanding and applying the vortex hypothesis in these treatment strategies is essential for further optimizing outcomes and reducing complications. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Abstract The primary objective of this study was to evaluate effects of hybrid rye in diets for growing-finishing pigs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and phosphorus concentrations in feces. Pigs (n = 500; initial body weight = 18.9 ± 2.94 kg) were assigned to either a Control or Rye treatment (50 pigs/pen; 5 pens/treatment) balanced for sex and body weight across treatments. Control pigs received a corn soybean meal-based diet, while Rye pigs received a diet in which winter hybrid rye (KWS Cereals LLC; Tayo variety) replaced 50% of the corn. A 5-phase feeding program was used to satisfy nutrient requirements as pigs aged. Pigs were raised under organic conditions according to the National Organic Program. Pigs were housed in a hoop barn with wheat straw bedding provided to Control pigs and rye straw provided to Rye pigs. Pig performance (BW, ADG, ADFI, and gain efficiency (G:F)) was recorded every 28 days. At the end of the trial, final BW and hot carcass weight (HCW) were recorded and backfat thickness (BF), and loin eye area (LEA) were measured using real-time ultrasonography. Data were analyzed using the Glimmix Procedure of SAS. There were no differences in overall ADG, ADFI, or G:F between Control and Rye fed pigs (P > 0.05; Table 1).Likewise, there were no significant differences between Control and Rye for final body weight, hot carcass weight, backfat depth between the 10th and 11th rib, or percent fat-free lean of carcasses (P > 0.05). However, LEA was lower in Rye-fed pigs (P < 0.05) compared with Control pigs. Mortality tended to be lower in Rye-fed pigs (P = 0.082), while morbidity was similar between treatments (P > 0.05). Phosphorus concentrations were higher in the Rye diet across most phases (P < 0.05), although no differences were observed in phosphorus or phytic acid concentrations between treatments in the fecal samples collected at harvest. In conclusion, replacing 50% of corn with hybrid rye in growing-finishing pig diets did not affect growth performance but resulted in reduced loin eye area.

Growing multiple crops in rotation can increase the sustainability of agricultural systems and reduce risks from increasingly adverse weather. However, widespread adoption of diverse rotations is limited by economic uncertainty, lack of incentives, and limited information about long-term outcomes. Here, we combined 36,000 yield observations from 20 North American long-term cropping experiments (434 site-years) to assess how greater crop diversity impacts productivity of complete rotations and their component crops under varying growing conditions. Maize and soybean output increased as the number of species and rotation length increased, while results for complete rotations varied by site depending on which crops were present. Diverse rotations reduced rotation-level output at eight sites due to the addition of lower-output crops such as small grains, illustrating trade-offs. Diverse rotations positively impacted rotation-level output under poor growing conditions, which illustrates how diverse cropping systems can reduce the risk of crop loss in a changing climate.

Nonpoint-source phosphorus (P) from agricultural fields is a contaminant of surface waters, and high soil P fertility exacerbates this problem. Many vegetable growers and gardeners have a history of applying more P than is necessary for optimum plant growth. Avoiding unnecessary P applications is an important part of the long-term solution to reducing P loading in water. When soil P levels are very high, management practices that result in more intense P removal are recommended to reduce these levels and the potential for aquatic ecosystem contamination with P. Growers may apply soluble starter fertilizer containing P to encourage rapid transplant establishment; however, the effectiveness of this practice is unknown for soil P levels considered high or very high. Grafting tomatoes ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) onto vigorous rootstocks may help the plant remove more P from the soil than nongrafted plants. This study investigated the effects of organic starter P fertilizers applied to three hybrids of nongrafted tomato and the same hybrids grafted onto ‘Estamino’ rootstock in field-grown conditions during three site-years with high preplant P fertility. The yield, fruit P concentration, and amount of P removed from the field were measured to elucidate starter P and grafting impacts on P removal. Starter P was not impactful on all responses. Grafting increased the total yield by 11.6%, fruit P concentration in a genotype-dependent manner (average of 12.6%), and net P removal from the field by 28.4% (6.0 kg P/ha). Net P removal was positively correlated with the total yield ( r = 0.821) and fruit P concentration ( r = 0.502), suggesting that practices to increase the yield or P concentration independently increase net P removal.