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Geological disposal of radioactive waste is being planned by many countries. Bentonite clay is often included in facility design, providing a barrier to radionuclide migration. Gas, generated by the waste or corrosion of waste canisters, may disrupt the properties of the bentonite. Robust prediction of this interaction is, therefore, necessary to demonstrate safe facility evolution. In some cases, gas may deform the clay, resulting in localised flow; however, the nature of this deformation has been widely debated. Accurate numerical representation of this behaviour has been limited by a shortage of information on the degree/distribution of deformation. Using experimental data from gas injection tests in bentonite, we show that first order fluctuations in the stress field can provide this information. We show that hundreds of microdeformation events can be detected, with similar characteristics to established fracturing phenomena, including earthquakes and acoustic emissions. We also demonstrate that stress field disruption (i) is spatially localised and (ii) has characteristics consistent with gas pathway 'opening' and 'closure' as gas enters and exits the clay, respectively. This new methodology offers fundamental insight and a new opportunity to parameterise and constrain gas advection models in clays and shales, substantially improving our capacity for safe facility design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a deep geological disposal facility for radioactive waste, precompacted bentonite is proposed as a sealing material for the isolation of boreholes, disposal galleries and deposition holes. The advective movement of repository gas in bentonite has been linked to the development of new porosity and propagation of dilatant pathways. For the first time we present a detailed analysis of stress field data during the generation and evolution of a gas network. A new experimental dataset, from a highly instrumented test, clearly shows the strong coupling between stress, gas pressure and flow in bentonite. Multiple discrete propagation events are observed, demonstrating spatial variability and time-dependency as permeability within the clay develops. Analysis of the stress data before, during and after gas entry indicates a heterogeneous stress field initially develops, resulting from the development of these pathways. The flow network is dynamic and continues to spatially evolve after gas entry, such that permeability under these conditions must be time-dependent in nature. Perturbation of the stress field is significant before all major gas outflow events, presumably resulting from the requirement to propagate an effective gas network before outflow is possible. In contrast, no major flow perturbations are detected which did not correlate with fluctuations in the stress field. The controls on the distribution and geometry of the resulting flow network are unclear, as well as its long-term evolution and stability. These will be beneficial in the assessment of gas pressure evolution as part of safety case development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Obesity during pregnancy is associated with meta-inflammation and an increased likelihood of clinical complications. Surgery results in intense, acute inflammatory responses in any individual. Because obese individuals exhibit constitutive inflammatory responses and high rates of Caesarian section, it is important to understand the impact of surgery in such populations. Whether more pronounced pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and/or counterbalancing changes in anti-inflammatory immune modulators occurs is unknown. Here we investigated innate immune capacity in vivo and in vitro in non-obese, term-pregnant controls versus healthy, term-pregnant obese women (Class II, BMI 35-40). Methods Systemic in vivo induction of eleven pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers and acute phase proteins was assessed in plasma immediately prior to and again following Caesarian section surgery. Independently, innate immune capacity was examined by stimulating freshly isolated PBMC in vitro with a panel of defined PRR-ligands for TLR4, TLR8, TLR3, and RLR 24 h post-surgery. Results The kinetics and magnitude of the in vivo inflammatory responses examined were indistinguishable in the two populations across the broad range of biomarkers examined, despite the fact that obese women had higher baseline inflammatory status. Deliberate in vitro stimulation with a range of PRR ligands also elicited pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses that were indistinguishable between control and obese mothers. Conclusions Acute in vivo innate immune responses to C-section, as well as subsequent in vitro stimulation with a panel of microbial mimics, are not detectably altered in Class II obese women. The data argue that while Class II obesity is undesirable, it has minimal impact on the in vivo inflammatory response, or innate immunomodulatory capacity, in women selecting C-section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myriad automated interventions have been designed to help consumers set and achieve behavioral goals. Firms and governments are making significant investments in applications that help consumers manage their behavior. However, scant evidence demonstrates their effectiveness. Are such interventions effective? Are they worth our time and money? Might they do more harm than good? This study presents the results of an exploratory experiment using Self Determination Theory to test the efficacy of one type of motivational aid used in many apps-the automated prompt. We examine how effective this approach is at helping people make long-term behavioral changes. We also test whether providing people with motivational wisdom-i.e., 'it takes three weeks to form a habit'-has an effect on behavioral change. In addition to practical implications for consumers' health, productivity, and happiness, and policy implications, our project contributes to the literature on consumers' motivation and goal pursuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in maternal innate immunity during healthy human pregnancy are not well understood. Whether basal immune status in vivo is largely unaffected by pregnancy, is constitutively biased towards an inflammatory phenotype (transiently enhancing host defense) or exhibits anti-inflammatory bias (reducing potential responsiveness to the fetus) is unclear. Here, in a longitudinal study of healthy women who gave birth to healthy infants following uncomplicated pregnancies within the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) cohort, we test the hypothesis that a progressively altered bias in resting innate immune status develops. Women were examined during pregnancy and again, one and/or three years postpartum. Most pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, including CCL2, CXCL10, IL-18 and TNFα, was reduced in vivo during pregnancy (20–57%, p<0.0001). Anti-inflammatory biomarkers (sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, and IL-1Ra) were elevated by ~50–100% (p<0.0001). Systemic IL-10 levels were unaltered during vs. post-pregnancy. Kinetic studies demonstrate that while decreased pro-inflammatory biomarker expression (CCL2, CXCL10, IL-18, and TNFα) was constant, anti-inflammatory expression increased progressively with increasing gestational age (p<0.0001). We conclude that healthy resting maternal immune status is characterized by an increasingly pronounced bias towards a systemic anti-inflammatory innate phenotype during the last two trimesters of pregnancy. This is resolved by one year postpartum in the absence of repeat pregnancy. The findings provide enhanced understanding of immunological changes that occur in vivo during healthy human pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-compacted bentonite has long been proposed as a primary component of an engineered barrier system for the safe geological disposal of radioactive waste. Selection of properties such as the clay composition, compaction-state and clay-to-sand ratio varies in different disposal concepts. However, a sound understanding of the gas transport properties of the barrier material is often considered a necessary part of safety case development for a geological disposal facility. In this study, results are presented from two gas injection experiments conducted in Mx80 bentonite, under elevated pore-water pressure conditions. Test observations indicate that the conditions necessary for gas to enter this material are remarkably consistent, irrespective of the applied water pressure. As expected, an association is noted between the total stress experienced by the clay and the gas pressure at the moment of entry. Gas migration is interpreted as occurring by the formation and propagation of dilatant pathways within the bentonite. Local pore-pressure and stress measurements indicate that significant reworking of the clay can occur, resulting in meta-stable episodes of ‘pressure-cycling’, as gas seeks a stable escape pathway. These findings demonstrate the potential for ‘phases’ of pathway development and propagation within the buffer, resulting in successive migration episodes over the repository lifetime. Experiments also show the potential for gas entry into the buffer to occur as a result of declining pore-water pressure conditions. As such, the influence of significant deviations from hydrostatic conditions (for example, resulting from glacial loading) should not be neglected when considering gas interaction with the buffer over long timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is a significant literature on the rise of narrative journalism in daily newspapers, mostly from the United States, few studies have investigated the breakdown of newswriting styles in the front end of the newspaper, with a specific focus on the use of narrative techniques. This study investigates the writing styles of two daily metropolitan print newspapers in order to provide some concrete data on narrative news reporting in Australia. In a sense, it responds to Mark Kramer's comment in 2000 that “no one has added up the reallocated column inches to quantify this change.” The research analyses 5000 articles from the news sections of broadsheets The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2007 and 2009 to determine a breakdown of writing styles. It found that narrative writing styles had decreased over the two-year period, claiming almost one-fifth of stories in 2007 but less than one-sixth in 2009. It also brings to the discussion in-depth interviews with leading newspaper editors and journalists. The study represents part of a longer-term trend analysis, to provide ongoing insights into print newspapers within the changing media landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bacteria present in wounds can have a negative impact on healing, so the increase in multi-resistant bacterial strains is a cause of concern for wound care. Silver has been demonstrated to have anti-microbial effects and has not as yet been shown to suffer from bacterial resistance, so an increasing number of manufacturers have launched wound care products utilising silver. A number of research studies have examined the effectiveness of silver-based products in reducing bacterial burden and treating wound infection. The general conclusion of these studies is that silver can be a useful tool in treating infected wounds, but the effectiveness of silver-based products is dependent upon the form of silver used and the delivery mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM1 (absent in melanoma), a candidate suppressor of malignancy in melanoma, is a nonlens member of the βγ-crystallin superfamily, which contains six predicted βγ domains. The first βγ-crystallin domain of AIM1 (AIM1-g1) diverges most in sequence from the superfamily consensus. To examine its ability to fold and behave like a normal βγ domain, we cloned AIM1-g1 and overexpressed it in Escherichia coli as a recombinant protein. The recombinant domain was found to be a stable, soluble protein, similar to lens protein γB-crystallin in secondary structure. The tertiary structure of AIM1-g1 is dominated by the contribution of aromatic amino acids and cysteine. AIM1-g1 undergoes concentration-independent, noncovalent homodimerization with no trace of monomer, similar to a one-domain protein spherulin 3a. Since many βγ domain proteins bind calcium, we have also investigated the calcium-binding properties of AIMI-g1 by various methods. AIM1-g1 binds the calcium-mimic dye Stains-all, the calcium probe terbium (with K[sub D] 170 µM), and [sup 45]Ca when blotted on a membrane. AIM1-g1 binds calcium (K[sub D] 30 µM) with a comparatively higher affinity than bovine lens γ-crystallin (90 µM). However, calcium binding does not induce significant change in the protein conformation in the near- and far-UV CD and in fluorescence. The AIM1-g1 domain is as stable as domains of βγ-crystallins (βB2- or γS-crystallins) as monitored by guanidinium chloride unfolding (midpoint of unfolding transition is 1.8 M GdmCl), and the stability of the protein is not altered upon binding calcium as evaluated by equilibrium unfolding. These results show that, despite the sequence variation, AIM1-g1 folds such as a βγ domain, binds calcium and undergoes dimerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Since 2014, the Mexican Caribbean has received massive influxes of pelagic Sargassum species (sargasso). • The biomass of beached sargasso varied interannually and seasonally. • Variability was related to presence of sargasso in the ocean and trade winds. • A shift in species and morphotypes occurred from 2016 to 2020. Since 2011, unusually large quantities of pelagic Sargassum fluitans and S. natans (sargasso) have been washing ashore along the coasts of some African countries and the Greater Caribbean, impacting ecosystems and economies. We estimated biomass and composition of sargasso arriving to a Mexican Caribbean coast from September 2016 until May 2020. In 2016, the beached masses comprised S. natans VIII and S. fluitans III. S. fluitans III was the predominant form throughout the study period, comprising on average >60 % of total wet biomass. The relative abundance of S. natans VIII decreased in time from 2016 to 2019 (41 to 3 %), although it became prevalent again in the first months of 2020. The third morphological form, S. natans I, was not registered until February 2018, and its relative abundance increased from 23 % in 2018 to 31 % in 2019. The initial composition of Sargassum species and morphotypes of the beached sargasso in Mexico differed from that commonly reported in the Sargasso Sea. The total biomass of beached sargasso varied considerably among years and seasons, with peaks during the summer months of 2018 and 2019. Seasonal variations in biomass were explained by 1) presence of sargasso in the Yucatan Current and 2) prevailing trade winds. This study is the first report on biomass and species composition of beached sargasso in the Western Caribbean and may help to understand patterns of the massive influxes; which will aid in the management of this new phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that determined the long-term effect of therapeutic laser photocoagulation on gene expression in the eye. Gene-expression patterns in the mouse eye; Association of differentially expressed genes with the laser lesions; Conclusions and significance of the study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is recognized as a multisystem disease affecting the whole body, with new complications from the disease being described on an almost-daily basis. Case Report: We report the case of a 50-year-old female with a medical history of diabetes and silicone breast implants who developed right-sided, multicentric breast masses after a prolonged hospitalization for COVID-19 infection complicated by renal failure requiring dialysis. The patient noted an onset of breast pain and masses, and subsequent imaging demonstrated multiple similar oval masses. She underwent biopsy and operative debridement of the lesions and recovered appropriately. Results were consistent with sterile abscesses that were considered secondary to a vasculitis-like process associated with COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this case is the first account of breast pathology associated with a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the medical literature and encourages systematic evaluations of patients with coronavirus infections, including breast examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change is projected to raise global temperatures by 3.3–5.7 °C by 2100, resulting in changes in species composition, abundance, and nutritional quality of organisms at the base of the marine food web. Predicted increases in prey availability and reductions in prey nutritional quality under climate warming in certain marine systems are expected to impact higher trophic levels, such as fish and humans. There is limited knowledge of the interplay between food quantity and quality under warming, specifically when food availability is high, but quality is low. Here, we conducted an experiment assessing the effects of food quality (fatty acid composition and ratios) on juvenile Chinook salmon's (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) body and nutritional condition, specifically focusing on RNA:DNA ratio, Fulton's K, growth, mortality and their fatty acid composition. Experimental diets represented three different climate change scenarios with 1) a present-day diet (Euphausia pacifica), 2) a control diet (commercial aquaculture diet), and 3) a predicted Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) worst-case scenario diet with low essential fatty acid concentrations (IPCC SSP5-8.5). We tested how growth rates, RNA:DNA ratio, Fulton's K index, fatty acid composition and mortality rates in juvenile Chinook salmon compared across diet treatments. Fatty acids were incorporated into the salmon muscle at varying rates but, on average, reflected dietary concentrations. High dietary concentrations of DHA, EPA and high DHA:EPA ratios, under the control and present-day diets, increased fish growth and condition. In contrast, low concentrations of DHA and EPA and low DHA:EPA ratios in the diets under climate change scenario were not compensated for by increased food quantity. This result highlights the importance of considering food quality when assessing fish response to changing ocean conditions. • Climate change may decrease the quality of salmon prey through changes in the fatty acid composition. • Low dietary essential fatty acid levels reduce growth and condition and increase mortality rates in juvenile Chinook salmon. • Food quality differs both within and among zooplankton species. • Results suggest potential cascading effects on higher trophic levels when zooplankton species composition shifts to lower quality species. • Higher food intake cannot compensate for low food quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent recurring blooms of pelagic Sargassum spp. (sargasso) in the tropical Atlantic forming the Great Atlantic Sargasso Belt, are composed of distinct algal species and morphological forms, for which little understanding of basic development exists. Growth rate measurements across a range of environmental conditions in semi-controlled settings may aid in understanding the blooms. However, measuring the growth of this pelagic seaweed has proved to be challenging, as it tends to lose vigor in standard culturing systems. This work describes in-situ and ex-situ culture systems, that mimicked the pelagic condition by keeping the algae in motion. Growth rates measured in both systems were comparable, and in the same order of magnitude as those measured for sargasso in the Sargasso Sea. The morphotype VIII of the species S. natans , which became abundant with the blooms, had a higher in-situ growth rate (doubling time 17.9 – 26.3 d) than S. fluitans III (doubling time 25.6 – 83.3 d) under the studied conditions and temperatures (27–29 °C). Fertilizer addition to the in-situ trials did not result in higher growth rates, even though tissue content analysis showed that both N and P were taken up by the algae. In the ex-situ trials, S. natans VIII responded unfavorably to higher temperature (31 °C), whereas S. fluitans III did not. This preliminary study showed that both in-situ and ex-situ culture are feasible to determine growth rates of sargasso, paving the way for future (semi-) controlled studies on bloom dynamics in relation to abiotic and biotic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria present in wounds can have a negative impact on healing, so the increase in multi-resistant bacterial strains is a cause of concern for wound care. Silver has been demonstrated to have anti-microbial effects and has not as yet been shown to suffer from bacterial resistance, so an increasing number of manufacturers have launched wound care products utilising silver. A number of research studies have examined the effectiveness of silver-based products in reducing bacterial burden and treating wound infection. The general conclusion of these studies is that silver can be a useful tool in treating infected wounds, but the effectiveness of silver-based products is dependent upon the form of silver used and the delivery mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Adolescent girls involved with the juvenile justice system have higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy than their nondetained peers. Although they may receive reproductive health care while detained, following clinician recommendations and accessing services in the community can be challenging. Objectives This study aimed to determine the barriers this population faces 1) accessing reproductive health care and 2) following the recommendations they receive when they are in the community. Methods Adolescent girls at a juvenile detention facility completed online surveys about their demographics and sexual health behaviors. A subsequent semistructured interview assessed their experiences with reproductive health care services. Results Twenty-seven girls aged 14 to 19 were interviewed. The majority (86%) self-reported as Latina or Hispanic. The average age of sexual debut was 13.8 years. The major interview themes were 1) personal priorities and motivations affect decision making, 2) powerful external voices influence reproductive health choices, 3) accessing services “on the run” is particularly challenging, and 4) detention represents an opportunity for intervention and change. Conclusion Adolescent girls who are detained within the juvenile justice system face reproductive health challenges that vary with their life circumstances. They frequently have priorities, external voices, and situations that influence their decisions. Clinicians who care for these young women are in a unique position to address their health needs. Eliciting girls' goals, beliefs, and influences through motivational interviewing, as well as developing targeted interventions based on their unique experiences, may be particularly helpful for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some insects, eusociality has evolved independently more than once, such that closely related species differ in the presence or absence of altruistic traits. Such groups offer opportunities to study the ecological and evolutionary drivers of transitions to sociality. In Pemphigus aphids, for example, eusociality has evolved independently multiple times, but most species are assumed to be nonsocial. Eusocial aphids thus typically have close relatives that are nonsocial, indicating a rapid and distinct transition to sociality. However, there has been only limited study of the behaviour of nonsocial species that permit direct comparisons with eusocial species. In this study, we characterized three aphid species along two axes of social behaviour: housekeeping and defence. Previous evidence suggested that these three species differ in the presence or absence of social traits. We found that for the ecological and behavioural traits we tested, there were quantifiable differences between social and nonsocial species. However, there was no clear threshold that differentiated social from nonsocial species, meaning that definitions of sociality in aphids depend in part on the traits that are measured. If sociality is measured by defence, for example, the eusocial species, Pemphigus obesinymphae clearly expressed the greatest degree of aggressive and effective defence. However, some defensive behaviour was also present in the species traditionally defined as nonsocial. Conversely, if sociality in aphids is measured by traits related to homeostasis and housekeeping, then the species traditionally considered nonsocial expressed nearly the same behaviours as the eusocial species. These results imply that sociality in aphids evolves as a collection of uncorrelated traits. Clear analogues or antecedents of more derived social characters can be identified in species that are nominally nonsocial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation loop phosphorylation plays critical regulatory roles for many kinases. Unlike other protein kinase Cs (PKC), PKC-δ does not require phosphorylation of its activation loop (Thr-507) for in vitro activity. We investigated the structural basis for this unusual capacity and its relevance to PKC-δ function in intact cells, Mutational analysis demonstrated that activity without Thr-507 phos- phorylation depends on 20 residues N-terminal to the kinase domain and a pair of phenylalanines (Phe-500/Phe-527) unique to PKC-δ in/near the activation loop. Molecular modeling demonstrated that these elements stabilize the activation loop by forming a hydrophobic chain of interactions from the C-lobe to activation loop to N-terminal (helical) extension. In cells PKC-δ mediates both apoptosis and transcription regulation. We found that the T507A mutant of the PKC-δ kinase domain resembled the corresponding wild type in mediating apoptosis in transfected HEK293T cells. But the T507A mutant was completely defective in AP-1 and NF-κB reporter assays. A novel assay in which the kinase domain of PKC-δ and its substrate (a fusion protein of PKC substrate peptide with green fluorescent protein) were co-targeted to lipid rafts revealed a major substrate-selective defect of the T507A mutant in phosphorylating the substrate in cells. In vitro analysis showed strong product inhibition on the TSO7A mutant with particular substrates whose characteristics suggest it contributes to the substrate selective defect of the PKC-δ T507A mutant in cells. Thus, activation loop phosphorylation of PKC-δ may regulate its function in cells in a novel way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a laboratory study of the hydro-mechanical properties of samples from the Sherwood Sandstone Group (SSG), an onshore analogue of the finer grained, lower porosity portions that make up the Bunter Sandstone Formation (BSF). The study provides a yield envelope for this sandstone, and demonstrates that it is a competent sandstone at relevant reservoir depths. A theoretical yield envelope has been calculated based on the anticipated in situ stress induced by depletion and reinjection, showing that only the high porosity (35%), large grain diameter (290 µm) end-member of the BSF is likely to result in deformation of the reservoir rock. Stress analysis of four fields within the Southern North Sea suggest that depletion of 10 MPa will not result in permanent deformation of the reservoirs assuming similar porosity and grainsize characteristics to the SSG tested. Furthermore, re-inflation is unlikely to result in permanent deformation should the injection pressure not exceed the initial pre-production reservoir pore pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with neuromuscular disorders (NMD) exhibit weak coughs and are susceptible to recurrent chest infections and acute respiratory complications, the most frequent reasons for their unplanned hospital admissions. Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) devices are a non-invasive method of increasing peak cough flow, improving cough efficacy, the clearance of secretion and overcoming atelectasis. There is limited published evidence on the impact of home use MI-E devices on health service utilisation. The aims of the study were: to assess the self-reported health and lifestyle benefits experienced as a result of home use of MI-E devices; and evaluate the effects of in-home use of MI-E devices on Emergency Department (ED) presentations, hospital admissions and inpatient length of stay (LOS). Methods: Individuals with NMD who were accessing a home MI-E device provided through Muscular Dystrophy Western Australia were invited to participate in a quantitative survey to obtain information on their experiences and self-assessed changes in respiratory health. An ad-hoc record linkage was performed to extract hospital, ED and mortality data from the Western Australian Department of Health (DOHWA). The main outcome measures were ED presentations, hospital separations and LOS, before and after commencement of home use of an MI-E device. Results: Thirty seven individuals with NMD using a MI-E device at home consented to participate in this study. The majority (73%) of participants reported using the MI-E device daily or weekly at home without medical assistance and 32% had used the machine to resolve a choking episode. The survey highlighted benefits to respiratory function maintenance and the ability to manage increased health care needs at home. Not using a home MI-E device was associated with an increased risk of ED presentations (RR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.1-2.84). The number of hospital separations and LOS reduced after the use of MI-E device, but not significantly. No deaths were observed in participants using the MI-E device at home. Conclusions: Home use of a MI-E device by people living with NMD may have a potential impact on reducing their health service utilisation and risk of death. Future research with greater subject numbers and longer follow-up periods is recommended to enhance this field of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphopeptide mapping identified a major autophosphorylation site, phospho (p)Thr-219, between the tandem C1 domains of the regulatory fragment in protein kinase C (PKC)θ. Confirmation of this identification was derived using (p)Thr-219 antisera that reacted with endogenous PKCθ in primary CD3+ T cells after stimulation with phorbol ester, anti-CD3 or vanadate. The T219A mutation abrogated the capacity of PKCθ to mediate NF-κB, NF-AT and interleukin-2 promoter transactivation, and reduced PKCθ's ability in Jurkat T cells to phosphorylate endogenous cellular substrates. In particular, the T219A mutation impaired crosstalk of PKCθ with Akt/PKBα in NF-κB activation. Yet, this novel (p)Thr-219 site did not affect catalytic activity or second-messenger lipid-binding activity in vitro. Instead, the T219A mutation prevented proper recruitment of PKCθ in activated T cells. The PKCθT219A mutant defects were largely rescued by addition of a myristoylation signal to force its proper membrane localization. We conclude that autophosphorylation of PKCθ at Thr-219 plays an important role in the correct targeting and cellular function of PKCθ upon antigen receptor ligation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case study of measles inclusion-body encephalitis occurring in an infant after measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations. Overview of the disease; Clinical history of the patient; Findings obtained from physical and laboratory examinations.

The original version of this article [1] unfortunately included an error to an author's name. Author Jordi Díaz-Manera was erroneously presented as Jorge Alberto Diaz Manera. The correct author name has been included in the author list of this Correction article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myotonic Dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, affecting an estimated 10 per 100,000 people. It is a multisystemic disorder affecting multiple generations with increasing severity. There are currently no licenced therapies to reverse, slow down or cure its symptoms. In 2009 TREAT-NMD (a global alliance with the mission of improving trial readiness for neuromuscular diseases) and the Marigold Foundation held a workshop of key opinion leaders to agree a minimal dataset for patient registries in myotonic dystrophy. Eight years after this workshop, we surveyed 22 registries collecting information on myotonic dystrophy patients to assess the proliferation and utility the dataset agreed in 2009. These registries represent over 10,000 myotonic dystrophy patients worldwide (Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania).Results: The registries use a variety of data collection methods (e.g. online patient surveys or clinician led) and have a variety of budgets (from being run by volunteers to annual budgets over €200,000). All registries collect at least some of the originally agreed data items, and a number of additional items have been suggested in particular items on cognitive impact.Conclusions: The community should consider how to maximise this collective resource in future therapeutic programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]