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Species interactions are expected to change in myriad ways as the frequency and magnitude of extreme temperature events increase with anthropogenic climate change.The relationships between endosymbionts, parasites and their hosts are particularly sensitive to thermal stress, which can have cascading effects on other trophic levels.We investigate the interactive effects of heat stress and parasitism on a terrestrial tritrophic system consisting of two host plants (one common, high‐quality plant and one novel, low‐quality plant), a caterpillar herbivore and a specialist parasitoid wasp.We used a fully factorial experiment to determine the bottom‐up effects of the novel host plant on both the caterpillars' life history traits and the wasps' survival, and the top‐down effects of parasitism and heat shock on caterpillar developmental outcomes and herbivory levels.Host plant identity interacted with thermal stress to affect wasp success, with wasps performing better on the low‐quality host plant under constant temperatures but worse under heat‐shock conditions.Surprisingly, caterpillars consumed less leaf material from the low‐quality host plant to reach the same final mass across developmental outcomes.In parasitized caterpillars, heat shock reduced parasitoid survival and increased both caterpillar final mass and development time on both host plants.These findings highlight the importance of studying community‐level responses to climate change from a holistic and integrative perspective and provide insight into potential substantial interactions between thermal stress and diet quality in plant–insect systems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal performance curves (TPCs) depict variation in vital rates in response to temperature and have been an important tool to understand ecological and evolutionary constraints on the thermal sensitivity of ectotherms. TPCs allow for the calculation of indicators of thermal tolerance, such as minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures that allow for a given metabolic function. However, these indicators are computed using only responses from surviving individuals, which can lead to underestimation of deleterious effects of thermal stress, particularly at high temperatures. Here, we advocate for an integrative framework for assessing thermal sensitivity, which combines both vital rates and survival probabilities, and focuses on the temperature interval that allows for population persistence. Using a collated data set of Lepidopteran development rate and survival measured on the same individuals, we show that development rate is generally limiting at low temperatures, while survival is limiting at high temperatures. We also uncover differences between life stages and across latitudes, with extended survival at lower temperatures in temperate regions. Our combined performance metric demonstrates similar thermal breadth in temperate and tropical individuals, an effect that only emerges from integration of both development and survival trends. We discuss the benefits of using this framework in future predictive and management contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HYPNOESYS method (Hyperpolarized NOE System), which relies on the dissolution of optically polarized crystals, has recently emerged as a promising approach to enhance the sensitivity of NMR spectroscopy in the solution state. However, HYPNOESYS is a single‐shot method that is not generally compatible with multidimensional NMR. Here we show that 2D NMR spectra can be obtained from HYPNOESYS‐polarized samples, using single‐scan acquisition methods. The approach is illustrated with a mixture of terpene molecules and a benchtop NMR spectrometer, paving the way to a sensitive, information‐rich and affordable analytical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HYPNOESYS method (Hyperpolarized NOE System), which relies on the dissolution of optically polarized crystals, has recently emerged as a promising approach to enhance the sensitivity of NMR spectroscopy in the solution state. However, HYPNOESYS is a single‐shot method that is not generally compatible with multidimensional NMR. Here we show that 2D NMR spectra can be obtained from HYPNOESYS‐polarized samples, using single‐scan acquisition methods. The approach is illustrated with a mixture of terpene molecules and a benchtop NMR spectrometer, paving the way to a sensitive, information‐rich and affordable analytical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Streptococcus pneumoniae interacts with numerous viral respiratory pathogens in the upper airway. It is unclear whether similar interactions occur with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods We collected saliva specimens from working-age adults undergoing SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing at outpatient clinics and via mobile community-outreach testing between July and November 2020 in Monterey County, California. After bacterial culture enrichment, we tested for pneumococci by means of quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting the lytA and piaB genes, and we measured associations with SARS-CoV-2 infection using conditional logistic regression. Results Analyses included 1278 participants, with 564 enrolled in clinics and 714 enrolled through outreach-based testing. The prevalence of pneumococcal carriage was 9.2% (117 of 1278) among all participants (11.2% [63 of 564] in clinic-based testing and 7.6% [54 of 714] in outreach-based testing). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 27.4% (32 of 117) among pneumococcal carriers and 9.6% (112 of 1161) among noncarriers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.73 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.58–4.69). Associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and pneumococcal carriage were enhanced in the clinic-based sample (aOR, 4.01 [95% CI: 2.08–7.75]) and among symptomatic participants (3.38 [1.35–8.40]), compared with findings within the outreach-based sample and among asymptomatic participants. The adjusted odds of SARS-CoV-2 coinfection increased 1.24-fold (95% CI: 1.00–1.55-fold) for each 1-unit decrease in piaB quantitative polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold value among pneumococcal carriers. Finally, pneumococcal carriage modified the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with recent exposure to a suspected coronavirus disease 2019 case (aOR, 7.64 [95% CI: 1.91–30.7] and 3.29 [1.94–5.59]) among pneumococcal carriers and noncarriers, respectively). Conclusions Associations of pneumococcal carriage detection and density with SARS-CoV-2 suggest a synergistic relationship in the upper airway. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine interaction mechanisms between pneumococci and SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding for most animals involves bouts of active ingestion alternating with bouts of no ingestion. In insects, the temporal patterning of bouts varies widely with resource quality and is known to affect growth, development time, and fitness. However, the precise impacts of resource quality and feeding behavior on insect life history traits are poorly understood. To explore and better understand the connections between feeding behavior, resource quality, and insect life history traits, we combined laboratory experiments with a recently proposed mechanistic model of insect growth and development for a larval herbivore, Manduca sexta. We ran feeding trials for 4th and 5th instar larvae across different diet types (two hostplants and artificial diet) and used these data to parameterize a joint model of age and mass at maturity that incorporates both insect feeding behavior and hormonal activity. We found that the estimated durations of both feeding and nonfeeding bouts were significantly shorter on low‐quality than on high‐quality diets. We then explored how well the fitted model predicted historical out‐of‐sample data on age and mass of M. sexta. We found that the model accurately described qualitative outcomes for the out‐of‐sample data, notably that a low‐quality diet results in reduced mass and later age at maturity compared with high‐quality diets. Our results clearly demonstrate the importance of diet quality on multiple components of insect feeding behavior (feeding and nonfeeding) and partially validate a joint model of insect life history. We discuss the implications of these findings with respect to insect herbivory and discuss ways in which our model could be improved or extended to other systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses early modern women's power through an object study of the wedding girdle, a thickly embellished belt that was the most costly, emblematic, and intimate item in a Renaissance bride's trousseau, and which uniquely illuminates the lives of women. Building on the work that women's history has done to uncover how women navigated the patriarchal system, I propose that a focus on the household is vital to understanding the socially specific ways in which burgher women – members of the citizen class of Renaissance Prague – exerted agency in their daily lives. Burgher sensibilities, specifically the desire to display the prosperity, industry, and piety of their households, created distinct mechanisms for women to assert themselves. This article sets women's lives against the interwoven structures of the household, namely, gendered roles and expectations, the legal property system, and moral discourses surrounding marriage. By levering these structures, the same that constrained them, burgher women were able to express power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serotiny, the retention of seeds in a canopy seed bank until high temperatures cause seeds to be released, is an important life history trait for many woody plants in fire‐prone habitats. Serotiny provides a competitive advantage after fire but increases vulnerability to predispersal seed predation, due to the seeds being retained in clusters in predictable locations for extended periods. This creates opposing selection pressures. Serotiny is favored in areas of high fire frequency, but is selected against by predispersal seed predators. However, predation also selects for cone traits associated with seed defense that could reduce predation on serotinous cones and thereby relax selection against serotiny. This helps explain the elevated defenses in highly serotinous species. However, whether such interactions drive variation in seed defenses within variably serotinous populations has been studied rarely. We investigated the effects of phenotypic selection exerted by red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) predation on Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta latifolia) seeds. Squirrels preferentially harvested cones with more and larger seeds, indicating a preference for a higher food reward. We found evidence for stronger selection on trees with serotinous cones, which presumably accounts for the elevated defenses of and lower predation on serotinous compared to non‐serotinous cones. Lower levels of predation on serotinous cones in turn lessen selection against serotiny by squirrels. This has important implications because the frequency of serotiny in lodgepole pine has profound consequences for post‐fire communities and ecosystems widespread in the Rocky Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) is a potent technique for generating target molecules with high nuclear spin polarization. The PHIP process involves a chemical reaction between parahydrogen and a target molecule, followed by the transformation of nuclear singlet spin order into magnetization of a designated target nucleus through magnetic field manipulations. Although the singlet-to-magnetization polarization transfer process works effectively at moderate concentrations, it is observed to become much less efficient at high molar polarization, defined as the product of polarization and concentration. This strong dependence on the molar polarization is attributed to interference due to the field produced by the sample magnetization during polarization transfer, which leads to complex dynamics and can severely affect the scalability of the technique. We address this challenge with a pulse sequence that suppresses the influence of the distant dipolar field, while simultaneously achieving singlet-to-magnetization polarization transfer to the desired target spins, free from restrictions on the molar polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurons operate within defined activity limits, and feedback control mechanisms dynamically tune ionic currents to maintain this optimal range. This study describes a novel, rapid feedback mechanism that uses SUMOylation to continuously adjust ionic current densities according to changes in activity. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a peptide that can be post-translationally conjugated to ion channels to influence their surface expression and biophysical properties. Neuronal activity can regulate the extent of protein SUMOylation. This study on the single, unambiguously identifiable lateral pyloric neuron (LP), a component of the pyloric network in the stomatogastric nervous system of male and female spiny lobsters (Panulirus in te rru p ts), focused on dynamic SUMOylation in the context of activity homeostasis. There were four major findings: First, neuronal activity adjusted the balance between SUMO conjugation and deconjugation to continuously and bidirectionally fine-tune the densities of two opposing conductances: the hyperpolarization activated current (Ih) and the transient potassium current (IA). Second, tonic 5 nM dopamine (DA) gated activity-dependent SUMOylation to permit and prevent activity-dependent regulation of Ih and IA, respectively. Third, DA-gated, activity-dependent SUMOylation contributed to a feedback mechanism that restored the timing and duration of LP activity during prolonged modulation by 5 ptM DA, which initially altered these and other activity features. Fourth, DA modulatory and metamoduatory (gating) effects were tailored to simultaneously alter and stabilize neuronal output. Our findings suggest that modulatory tone may select a subset of rapid activitydependent mechanisms from a larger menu to achieve homeostasis under varying conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the highlights of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Student Pharmacy Forecast Workshop in January 2019. Topics include leadership principles, professional trends in pharmacy, the ASHP's impact on pharmacy practice, and the future of health-system pharmacy in the U.S.

In recent years, permanent magnet-based NMR spectrometers have resurfaced as low-cost portable alternatives to superconducting instruments. While the development of these devices as well as clever shimming methods have yielded impressive advancements, scaling the size of these magnets to miniature lengths remains a problem to be addressed. Here we present the results of a study of a discrete shimming scheme for NMR Mandhalas constructed from a set of individual magnet blocks. While our calculations predict a modest reduction in field deviation by a factor of 9.3 in the case of the shimmed ideal Mandhala, a factor of 28 is obtained in the case of the shimmed imperfect Mandhala. This indicates that imperfections of magnet blocks can lead to improved field homogeneity. We also present a new algorithm to improve the homogeneity of a permanent magnet assembly. Strategies for future magnet construction can improve the agreement between simulation and practical implementation by using data from real magnets in these assemblies as the input to such an algorithm to optimize the homogeneity of a given design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent retrospective observational study found that reversing neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex was associated with fewer postoperative pulmonary complications than reversing with neostigmine.[1] However, this is only an association, and causation has not been confirmed with a randomised controlled trial.[2] We are proposing a large pragmatic trial across Australia and New Zealand - the SNaPP study - to answer the question: compared to neostigmine, does reversing neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex reduce the incidence of new pulmonary complications? Eighty-nine percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that postoperative pulmonary complications are important, and 62% agreed or strongly agreed that a trial comparing the effects of sugammadex and neostigmine on postoperative pulmonary complication is worthwhile (19% were neutral and 18% disagreed or strongly disagreed). [Extracted from the article]

Species dynamics have been extensively modelled for these two pests (Duan et al., 2017; Duffy et al., 2017; Larsson, 2005), and the present study highlights the importance of including temperature variables, especially daily high temperatures, in these models. The frequency and severity of extreme climatic events have increased in many regions during the past several decades (Trenberth et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2013). A common garden experiment was then used to evaluate differences in heat tolerance (CT SB max sb ) and fitness between the species from populations at mild and hot locations. The authors conducted a combination of field surveys, common garden and bi-directional thermal selection experiments using two cereal aphids, I Rhopalosiphum padi i and I Sitobion avenae i . [Extracted from the article]

Community harm associated with prescription opioids is causing global concern, and post-hospital discharge prescribing is contributing to the problem. We surveyed anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand to determine which opioid stewardship measures are currently in place, and to gauge interest in participating in future health services research on introducing an opioid stewardship bundle of care. A total of 87 anaesthetists from 87 hospitals were invited to participate, and 45 (52%) responded. The extent of nine current opioid stewardship measures reported was highly variable. One respondent (2%) reported no measures introduced at their hospital; 12 (27%) one to two measures; 16 (36%) three or four measures; 13 (29%) five to seven measures; and 3 (7%), all nine measures were in place. Respondents were often interested in being contacted about future trial participation (n=33, 73%); however, concerns regarding feasibility of introducing an opioid stewardship bundle of care were widespread (n=22, 49%). It is possible that the variability in Australian and New Zealand opioid stewardship practice is due, in part, to the current limited evidence base for the individual measures, in addition to challenges in research translation. We have found that interest in further research on opioid stewardship is high. Comprehensive, locally adapted, evidence-based opioid stewardship measures may increase the safety of patients and the community following opioid therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Health outcomes for young people living in residential out-of-home care are poor. There has been increased emphasis on the need to prioritize preventative support and upskill residential care workers to better meet young people's health needs. The aim of this study was to examine the food quality and physical activity environment in residential care houses in Victoria, Australia prior to staff undertaking Healthy Eating, Active Living Matters (HEAL) training; 102 residential care houses participated. House representatives completed an online survey exploring: (1) physical activity equipment and engagement and (2) weekly food budget and expenditure. Findings: The average weekly food expenditure per household was $318.98 (SD = $106.51), with variation between different sized households. The majority (61%) of houses' weekly food expenditure was spent on ultra-processed food products that are ready to eat with no/little preparation, in comparison to 36% spent on unprocessed foods (fresh fruit and vegetables). The majority of houses reported having two types of equipment. Young people were not often engaged in physical and/or recreational activities in their community. Application: Residential care houses in Victoria require additional supports to ensure that young people are supported to eat well and be active at home and in the community. HEALing Matters aims to provide this, by offering professional development for residential carers to better facilitate engagement in physical activity and healthy eating among the young people in their care. If successful, HEALing Matters may provide an effective pathway to improved health and wellbeing outcomes for young people in residential care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preoperative absolute and functional iron deficiency anaemia is associated with poor postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. It is biologically plausible that "early", or "nonanaemic" iron deficiency may also be associated with worse postoperative outcomes in similar cohorts, albeit at lesser severity than that seen for anaemia. The evidence supporting this assertion is of low quality. Methods: We have designed a prospective, observational study to delineate associations between preoperative non‐anaemic iron deficiency and postoperative outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer. Patients without anaemia, undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer will be allocated to an iron replete or an iron deficient group based on preoperative transferrin saturation. The primary outcome is days alive and at home on postoperative day 90. Secondary outcomes include days alive and at home on postoperative day 30, length of hospital stay, readmission to acute care, postoperative complications, health‐related quality of life scores, quality of postoperative recovery, and requirement for allogeneic blood transfusion. The planned sample size is 422 patients, which has 80% power to detect a two‐day difference in the primary outcome. The study commenced in May 2019. Conclusion: The results of this study will provide patients and clinicians with high‐quality evidence concerning associations between nonanaemic iron deficiency and patient‐centred outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer. The study will be conducted in multiple urban and rural centres across Australia and New Zealand. The results will be highly generalisable to contemporary surgical practice and should be rapidly translated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The under-representation of culturally and linguistically diverse participants in clinical trials is an ongoing concern for medical researchers and the community. The aim of this review is to examine the complex issue of recruiting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older people to medical research and to examine responses to these issues. The review focuses on (1) trends in the existing literature on barriers to and strategies for recruiting CALD and older people to clinical research, (2) issues with informed consent for CALD populations, and (3) the efficacy of innovative approaches, including approaches incorporating multimedia in research and consent processes. The literature indicates that predominant barriers to greater involvement of CALD patients in clinical trials are communication, including literacy and health literacy considerations; English language competence; and cultural factors in the research setting such as mistrust of consent processes, as well as considerable practical and logistical barriers, including mobility considerations. Some evidence exists that incorporating multimedia resources into the informed consent process can improve patient understanding and is preferred by patients, yet these findings are inconclusive. A multi-methodological approach, including the use of culturally and linguistically sensitive multimedia tools, may help address the issue of low inclusion of CALD groups in clinical research. Researcher education needs to be taken into account to address preconceptions about CALD resistance to research participation and to raise awareness of cultural concerns in regard to research participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Low-participation of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients in medical research remains a problem in migrant and refugee destination countries such as Australia. The aims of this study were to explore i) CALD persons' perceptions and experiences of the medical system and medical research, in this case, older Italian Australians; and ii) the views of research professionals on CALD patient participation in medical research. Design and Methods. A qualitative study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia, in 2015 utilising in-depth interviews and focus groups with four stakeholder groups: older Italian Australians (n=21); adult children of older Italian Australians (n=10); hospital Human Research Ethics Committee administrators (n=4); and clinical researchers (n=4). The data were analysed for content and thematic analysis. Results. Themes for the CALD and family group were getting by in medical interactions; receptivity to medical research: testing the waters; and, receptivity to technology for support: passive versus active. Themes for the researcher and HREC groups about CALD patient participation in research were: exclusion; cultural factors; and e-consent. Conclusions. Our findings from four stakeholder perspectives and experiences confirm that there were considerable cultural, linguistic, and resourcing barriers hindering the participation of older Italian-Australians in medical research. Furthermore, our findings showed that in this study setting there were few enabling strategies in place to address these barriers despite the national ethics guidelines for equitable participation in research. The findings informed the creation of a multimedia tool whose purpose is to address and improve representation of CALD groups in clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Healthy Eating, Active Living Matters (HEALing Matters) program is being scaled up across residential out‐of‐home care (OOHC) in Victoria, Australia and is providing young people with the knowledge, skills and resources to promote better health through healthy eating and activity. HEALing Matters was piloted as the HEAL program, a dual‐intervention program that aimed to provide young people living in residential care with education and opportunities to improve their eating and physical activity habits, while simultaneously building the capacity of their carers to promote, encourage and role model healthy lifestyle behaviours. Qualitative findings indicated that HEAL resulted in increased participation in community sport, increased availability of sports equipment, healthy meal preparation and healthy food availability and improvements in perceived young person self‐esteem and independent living skills. Findings also revealed some limitations of the program. Following the pilot, a participatory methodological approach was used to better understand how to align the HEAL program with individual and community needs. This approach engaged diverse stakeholders to better understand the barriers and enablers, address limitations, identify key intervention points and build trust and a shared vision to co‐design the HEALing Matters program. HEALing Matters is now delivered within a framework that is informed by attachment, trauma and resilience theories. This paper outlines the HEALing Matters journey from what matters, to what works, to what translates in relation to a healthy eating and active living intervention in OOHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects ∼1 in 10 women worldwide. Hypomagnesemia may worsen insulin resistance (IR) due to the role magnesium (Mg) plays in glucose metabolism. This review explores the relation between serum Mg and IR among women with PCOS. A review of primary research focusing on both serum Mg and women with PCOS was conducted from 2011 to 2019. Studies reviewed included human subjects, written in the English language, and limited to community-dwelling women aged ≥18 y. A total of 7 articles were reviewed. The findings from 4 epidemiological analytic studies evaluating serum Mg status suggest there may be a relation between serum Mg concentrations and IR among women with PCOS. However, among the 3 experimental trials, Mg supplementation inconsistently impacted IR among women with PCOS. Women with PCOS are more likely to underconsume Mg-rich foods and have a greater likelihood of lower serum Mg concentrations. Although it remains unclear if dietary Mg and/or supplementation should be a nutritional strategy for all women with PCOS, current research indicates an association between adequate Mg status and improved IR. Further research evaluating dietary interventions and supplementation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italian senior clubs constitute the community lifeblood of post-war Italian migrants to Australia. As part of the calder project, aimed at involving elderly Australians of non-English-speaking background in medical research, we visited five clubs in Melbourne and interviewed 19 members. A primary goal was to present a tablet-based bilingual resource on medical research and observe members' reactions. As a new migrant arriving in Australia from Italy after 2000, the first author had a similar linguistic and cultural background, but was also perceived as 'other' by club members, due the generation gap and the unusual activity she was proposing. During these intra-diaspora encounters, a wide range of reactions was observed. These are used to discuss club members' willingness or otherwise to engage with 'the other' - whether personal, technological or conceptual. Our evidence suggests that intra-diaspora encounters have the potential to engage older migrants in research projects, thus promoting health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of differential food intake on metabolic risk markers in Type 2 diabetic individuals with diverse FTO gene alleles. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE) Karachi, Pakistan between March 2011 and May 2013. The present study is based on a previously published case-control study that indicates the association of different FTO gene with type 2 diabetes. The structured questionnaire was used to gather anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical data. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in FTO gene was analyzed using Amplification Refractory Mutation System-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ARMS-PCR). The nutritional data were collected using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire completed by a trained dietitian. The variations in energy and macronutrient intake of subjects having different FTO gene alleles were investigated and evaluated for correlations between energy and macronutrient intake and metabolic risk variables in three FTO-gene-allele groups. Results: Overall, 198 adult subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were recruited and categorized into three genotype groups: TT, AA and AT with the mean age of 49.7 ±9.7, 49.3 ±10.6 and 50.2 ±8.8 years, respectively. A close association was observed between the minor allele A at rs9939609 and type 2 diabetes. A linear correlation was observed between diet and metabolic profile markers such as BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid profile among high-risk alleles AA. The associations of energy intake and percent level of carbohydrate and protein intake with metabolic syndrome were significantly higher among risk alleles AA (P<0.05). However, the majority of the biochemical parameters and dietary components were found to be statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Discussion: Genetic profile is likely to affect both dietary habits as well as the association between diet and metabolic syndrome markers. This study concludes that diet-disease associations are more prominent in individuals having risk alleles AA as compared to protective alleles TT and heterozygous alleles AT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nature, plant-insect interactions occur in complex settings involving multiple trophic levels, often with multiple species at each level. 1 Herbivore attack of a host plant typically dramatically alters the plant's odor emission in terms of concentration and composition. 2,3 Therefore, a well-adapted herbivore should be able to predict whether a plant is still suitable as a host by judging these changes in the emitted bouquet. Although studies have demonstrated that oviposition preferences of successive insects were affected by previous infestations, 4,5 the underlying molecular and olfactory mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that tobacco hawkmoths (Manduca sexta) preferentially oviposit on Jimson weed (Datura wrightii) that is already infested by a specialist, the three-lined potato beetle (Lema daturaphila). Interestingly, the moths' offspring do not benefit directly, as larvae develop more slowly when feeding together with Lema beetles. However, one of M. sexta 's main enemies, the parasitoid wasp Cotesia congregata , prefers the headspace of M. sexta -infested plants to that of plants infested by both herbivores. Hence, we conclude that female M. sexta ignore the interspecific competition with beetles and oviposit deliberately on beetle-infested plants to provide their offspring with an enemy-reduced space, thus providing a trade-off that generates a net benefit to the survival and fitness of the subsequent generation. We identify that α-copaene, emitted by beetle-infested Datura , plays a role in this preference. By performing heterologous expression and single-sensillum recordings, we show that odorant receptor (Or35) is involved in α-copaene detection. • Female moths prefer to lay their eggs on beetle-infested plants • α-Copaene plays a critical role in attracting moth oviposition • Moths make such decisions to benefit from reduced attack rate from parasitoid wasps • Odorant receptor 35 is involved in detecting α-copaene Zhang et al. show that Manduca sexta prefers to lay its eggs on beetle-infested plants. Caterpillars feeding on these plants have a reduced chance of being parasitized by wasps. The authors show that the beetle-induced plant volatile α-copaene can elicit moth oviposition and the odorant receptor 35 is involved in its detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent reviews of best practice for the treatment of Australian venomous bites and stings, there is controversy about some aspects of care, particularly the use of antivenom. Our aim was to understand current attitudes and practice in the management of suspected snake envenoming. A single-stage, cross-sectional survey of Australian emergency care physicians who had treated snake envenomation in the previous 36 months was conducted. Hospital pharmacists were also invited to complete a survey about antivenom availability, usage, and wastage in Australian hospitals. The survey was available between 5 March and 16 June 2019. A total of 121 snake envenoming cases were reported, and more than a third (44.6%) of patients were not treated with antivenom. For those treated with antivenom (n = 67), 29 patients (43%) received more than one ampoule. Nearly a quarter of respondents (21%) identified that antivenom availability was, or could be, a barrier to manage snake envenoming, while cost was identified as the least important factor. Adverse reactions following antivenom use were described in 11.9% of cases (n = 8). The majority of patients with suspected envenoming did not receive antivenom. We noted variation in dosage, sources of information, beliefs, and approaches to the care of the envenomed patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate folate intake during the female reproductive years plays a vital role in fetal neurodevelopment. To address this public health concern, the FDA required enriched cereal grains to be fortified with folic acid. A positive outcome of fortification with folic acid was a reduction in the number of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects (NTDs). However, there are individuals unable to consume these enriched grains, such as those with a gluten allergy or intolerance. The need for folic acid fortification across all grains, those with and without gluten, should be considered in an effort to provide equivalent folic acid to all and further promote public health efforts aimed at decreasing the incidence of NTDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most remarkable properties of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is that optical illumination initializes its electronic spin almost completely, a feature that can be exploited to polarize other spin species in their proximity. Here we use field-cycled nuclear magnetic resonance to investigate the mechanisms of spin-polarization transfer from NVs to 13C spins in diamond at room temperature. We focus on the dynamics near 51 mT, where a fortuitous combination of energy-matching conditions between electron and nuclear spin levels gives rise to alternative polarization transfer channels. By monitoring the 13C spin polarization as a function of the applied magnetic field, we show 13C spin pumping takes place via a multispin cross-relaxation process involving the N V - spin and the electronic and nuclear spins of neighboring P1 centers. Further, we find that this mechanism is insensitive to the crystal orientation relative to the magnetic field, although the absolute level of 13C polarization--reaching up to ~3% under optimal conditions--can vary substantially depending on the interplay between optical pumping efficiency, photogenerated carriers, and laser-induced heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]