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The Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) Trial recruited 19,114 participants across Australia and the United States during 2010–2014. Participants were randomized to receive either 100 mg of aspirin daily or matching placebo, with disability-free survival as the primary outcome. During a median 4.7 years of follow-up, 37% of participants in the aspirin group permanently ceased taking their study medication and 10% commenced open-label aspirin use. In the placebo group, 35% and 11% ceased using study medication and commenced open-label aspirin use, respectively. In order to estimate compliance-adjusted effects of aspirin, we applied rank-preserving structural failure time models. The results for disability-free survival and most secondary endpoints were similar in intention-to-treat and compliance-adjusted analyses. For major hemorrhage, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality, compliance-adjusted effects of aspirin indicated greater risks than were seen in intention-to-treat analyses. These findings were robust in a range of sensitivity analyses. In accordance with the original trial analyses, compliance-adjusted results showed an absence of benefit with aspirin for primary prevention in older people, along with an elevated risk of clinically significant bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to naturally occurring sequence variation and spontaneous mutations, a wide array of technologies exist for modifying the mouse genome. Standardized nomenclature, including allele, transgene, and other mutation nomenclature, as well as persistent unique identifiers (PUID) are critical for effective scientific communication, comparison of results, and integration of data into knowledgebases such as Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI), Alliance for Genome Resources, and International Mouse Strain Resource (IMSR). As well as being the authoritative source for mouse gene, allele, and strain nomenclature, MGI integrates published and unpublished genomic, phenotypic, and expression data while linking to other online resources for a complete view of the mouse as a valuable model organism. The International Committee on Standardized Genetic Nomenclature for Mice has developed allele nomenclature rules and guidelines that take into account the number of genes impacted, the method of allele generation, and the nature of the sequence alteration. To capture details that cannot be included in allele symbols, MGI has further developed allele to gene relationships using sequence ontology (SO) definitions for mutations that provide links between alleles and the genes affected. MGI is also using (HGVS) variant nomenclature for variants associated with alleles that will enhance searching for mutations and will improve cross-species comparison. With the ability to assign unique and informative symbols as well as to link alleles with more than one gene, allele and transgene nomenclature rules and guidelines provide an unambiguous way to represent alterations in the mouse genome and facilitate data integration among multiple resources such the Alliance of Genome Resources and International Mouse Strain Resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A millimeter molecular line survey of three carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch stars and two oxygen-rich planetary nebulae has been carried out over the frequency range 80.5-115.5 GHz. 68 different transitions were detected in the data from 27 different molecular species. The hyperfine structure of C2H and C13CH has been fitted to constrain the optical depth of their transitions. All other transitions have been constrained on the basis of their line profile shapes. Rotation temperatures and column densities have been calculated for all possible species, with adaptations to the methods applied in order to account for the hyperfine structure of various transitions. From the column densities, carbon, silicon and sulphur isotopic ratios have been determined. The results corroborate IRAS 15194-5115 as a J-type star, whilst excluding IRAS 15082-4808 and IRAS 07454-7112 as such. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Cell surface thiol isomerase enzymes, principally protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), have emerged as important regulators of platelet function and tissue factor activation via their action on allosteric disulphide bonds. Allosteric disulphides are present in other haemostasis-related proteins, and we have therefore investigated whether thiol isomerase inhibition has any influence on two endothelial activities relevant to haemostatic regulation, namely activation of protein C and activation of plasminogen, with subsequent fibrinolysis. Materials and Methods The study was performed using the human microvascular endothelial cell line HMEC-1. Thiol isomerase gene expression was measured by RT-PCR and activation of protein C and plasminogen by cell-based assays using chromogenic substrates S2366 and S2251, respectively. Cell mediated fibrinolysis was measured by monitoring absorbance at 405 nm following fibrin clot formation on the surface of HMEC-1 monolayers. Results and Conclusions A variety of thiol isomerase enzymes, including PDI, were expressed by HMEC-1 cells and thiol reductase activity detectable on the cell surface was inhibited by both RL90 anti-PDI antibody and by the PDI inhibitor quercetin-3-rutinoside (rutin). In cell-based assays, activation of plasminogen, but not of protein C, was inhibited by RL90 antibody and, to a lesser extent, by rutin. Fibrin clot lysis occurring on a HMEC-1 monolayer was also significantly slowed by RL90 antibody and by rutin, but RL90-mediated inhibition was abolished in the presence of exogenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). We conclude that thiol isomerases, including PDI, are involved in fibrinolytic regulation at the endothelial surface, although not via a direct action on tPA. These findings broaden understanding of haemostatic regulation by PDI, and may aid in development of novel anti-thrombotic therapeutic strategies targeted via the fibrinolysis system. Highlights • A range of thiol isomerase enzymes were expressed by HMEC-1 endothelial cells. • Inhibition of thiol isomerases reduced plasminogen activation on HMEC-1 cells. • Exogenous bovine protein disulphide isomerase increased plasminogen activation in HMEC-1 cells. • Inhibition of thiol isomerases also reduced fibrin clot lysis, but not via direct effects on tPA. • HMEC-1 mediated protein C activation was unaffected by thiol isomerase inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc is a useful surrogate element for measuring Fe/H as, unlike iron, it is not depleted in the gas phase media. Zn/H and O/Zn ratios have been derived using the [Zn iv] emission line at 3.625 μm for a sample of nine Galactic planetary nebulae, seven of which are based upon new observations using the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Based on photoionization models, O/O++ is the most reliable ionization correction factor for zinc that can readily be determined from optical emission lines, with an estimated accuracy of 10 per cent or better for all targets in our sample. The majority of the sample is found to be subsolar in [Zn/H]. [O/Zn] in half of the sample is found to be consistent with solar within uncertainties, whereas the remaining half are enhanced in [O/Zn]. [Zn/H] and [O/Zn] as functions of Galactocentric distance have been investigated and there is little evidence to support a trend in either case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an atopic disease characterized by eosinophilic inflammation in which dietary antigens (in particular, milk) play a major role. EoE is most likely a mixed IgE and non-IgE food-mediated reaction in which overexpression of Th2 cytokines, particularly IL-13, play a major role; however, the cells responsible for IL-13 overexpression remain elusive. Th2-cytokines are secreted following the ligation of invariant natural killer T cell receptors to sphingolipids (SLs). Sphingolipids (SLs) are presented via the CD1d molecule on the INKTs surface. Cow's milk-derived SL has been shown to activate iNKTs from children with IgE-mediated food allergies to milk (FA-MA) to produce Th2 cytokines. The role of iNKTs and milk-SL in EoE pathogenesis is currently unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the role of iNKTs and milk-SL in EoE. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 children with active EoE (EoE-A), 10 children with controlled EoE (EoE-C) and 16 healthy controls (non-EoE) were measured ex vivo and then incubated with α-galactosylceramide (αGal) and milk-SL. INKTs from peripheral blood (PB) and oesophageal biopsies were studied. Results EoE-A children had significantly fewer peripheral blood iNKTs with a greater Th2-response to αGal and milk-SM compared with iNKTs of EoE-C and non-EoE children. Additionally, EoE-A children had increased iNKT levels in oesophageal biopsies compared with EoE-C children. Conclusion Milk-SLs are able to activate peripheral blood iNKTs in EoE-A children to produce Th2 cytokines. Additionally, iNKT levels are higher at the site of active oesophageal eosinophilic inflammation. Clinical Relevance This study suggests that sphingolipids (SLs) contained in milk may drive the development of EoE by promoting an iNKT-cell-mediated Th2-type cytokine response that facilitates eosinophil-mediated allergic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that has applications as a diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic technique. Specialized equipment is necessary to perform equine laparoscopy, and there is a large range of instruments, both disposable and nondisposable available. Laparoscopic procedures described include ovariectomy, cryptorchidectomy, adhesiolysis and herniorrhaphy. Laparoscopy can be performed in a standing or dorsally recumbent position, depending on surgeon preference, patient status and the procedure to be performed. Stapling equipment is frequently used in gastrointestinal surgery in horses. Advantages include decreased surgical time and a decrease in the risk of contamination. Stapling equipment is often used in creating anastomoses, both in the large and small intestines, as well as in vessel ligation. New surgical techniques intended to decrease adhesion formation include the use of carboxymethylcellulose and bioresorbable patches. Indwelling abdominal drains can be used for peritoneal lavage following surgery and also appear to decrease the risk of adhesion formation. Improvements in post-operative care, including the treatment of post-operative ileus and endotoxaemia can significantly improve the outcome of horses that have undergone surgery for abdominal disorders. Recommendations for the use of prokinetic agents in horses with ileus vary widely. Prokinetic agents include local anaesthetics, macrolide antimicrobials, cholinergic agonists and dopamine antagonists. Endotoxaemia is common in horses following surgery for gastrointestinal disorders. The antibiotic polymyxin B binds to the circulating endotoxin molecule, decreasing its half-life in the intra-vascular space and reducing associated inflammation. This drug appears to be an effective and affordable treatment option for horses with endotoxaemia. The use of specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors in veterinary medicine have been studied recently. Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors may provide comparable anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties to the non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs appear to have similar clinical effectiveness and will hopefully minimize deleterious side effects. The optimal healing of ventral midline incisions in horses is related to many factors including appropriate suture patterns and bite size, in addition to appropriate post-operative exercise recommendations. Recent advances in surgical techniques and post-operative care should decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with abdominal surgery. This article provides an overview of some of these advances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the impact of various environmental factors on ABO blood group antigens. Circumstantial data suggests that several factors influence the number of ABO antigens in a person's body. Some of these factors include disease, diet, heterozygote advantage, and heterozygote disadvantage. Many studies have found a physiological relationship between the antigens and metabolism. Body size and shape also influence the number of ABO antigens in a person's body. A relationship between the number of ABO antigens and morphology has been observed in some populations.

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover observations of the 2018/Mars year 34 global/planet‐encircling dust storm represent the first in situ measurements of a global dust storm with dedicated meteorological sensors since the Viking Landers. The Mars Science Laboratory team planned and executed a science campaign lasting approximately 100 Martian sols to study the storm involving an enhanced cadence of environmental monitoring using the rover's meteorological sensors, cameras, and spectrometers. Mast Camera 880‐nm optical depth reached 8.5, and Rover Environmental Monitoring Station measurements indicated a 97% reduction in incident total ultraviolet solar radiation at the surface, 30K reduction in diurnal range of air temperature, and an increase in the semidiurnal pressure tide amplitude to 40 Pa. No active dust‐lifting sites were detected within Gale Crater, and global and local atmospheric dynamics were drastically altered during the storm. This work presents an overview of the mission's storm observations and initial results. Plain Language Summary: The 2018 Mars global dust storm was observed by six spacecraft in orbit and two rovers on the surface. This paper provides an overview and description of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover's observations during the storm. For approximately 100 Martian days (sols), the rover conducted an enhanced cadence of environmental observations to study the storm. These are the first observations of a Martian global dust storm with meteorological sensors near the equator. Atmospheric opacity reached a peak of 8.5, attenuating ~97% of the total solar ultraviolet radiation at the surface. Most of the dust was sourced from outside Gale Crater, with no indications of dust lifting within the crater during the height of the storm. Meteorological conditions were substantially altered, with changes to the pressure, temperature, and humidity patterns. Dust devil activity ceased for several weeks due to the reduction in temperature contrast between the surface and atmosphere. There was no indication of unusual aeolian transport, suggesting Martian global dust storms are not a major cause of sand dune movement. Key Points: The Curiosity rover conducted a dedicated science campaign to study the 2018 Mars global dust stormAtmospheric opacity reached a peak of 8.5, and horizontal visibility dropped to 2.7 kmMeteorological conditions in Gale Crater were substantially altered, with changes to the pressure, temperature, and humidity cycles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleoarchean stromatolites are among the oldest compelling evidence for life. We present advanced two- and three-dimensional (2-D and 3-D) reconstructions of the morphology, mineralogy, trace element geochemistry, and taphonomy of permineralized stromatolites from the lowermost horizons of the ca. 3.5 Ga Dresser Formation, Pilbara, Western Australia. Rare earth element plus yttrium compositions suggest a restricted paleodepositional setting influenced by marine influxes; this contrasts with other Dresser stromatolites, which developed around terrestrial hot springs. Mineral phase relationships and positive Eu anomalies denote syndepositional hydrothermal influence and silicification promoting high-fidelity microstructural preservation. Although no primary kerogen is preserved, numerous 2-D and 3-D morphological characteristics denote a biogenic origin, including the onlap of sedimentary layers onto stromatolitic topography, fine-scale undulatory laminations, non-isopachous laminations with crestal thickening, laminoid fenestrae, and subvertical pillar-like fabrics interpreted as microbial palisade structure; these features suggest that the stromatolite ecosystem was dominantly phototrophic. The deep iron-rich weathering profile of the Dresser stromatolites makes them pertinent analogues for potential microbialites in altered carbonates on Mars. Were similar putative biogenic macro-, meso- and micromorphologies identified in habitable Martian settings by rover imaging systems, such materials would be compelling targets for sample return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life table parameters and predation rate of the coccinellid predator Harmonia dimidiata F. fed on Aphis gossypii Glover were determined at 25°C using the age-stage, two-sex life table. When the total number of eggs were included in our calculations, the intrinsic rate of increase ( r), finite rate ( λ), net reproductive rate ( R0) and mean generation time ( T) for H. dimidiata were 0.1354/day, 1.1450/day, 280.8 offspring and 41.6 day, respectively. These values were significantly different, however, only when viable (=hatchable) H. dimidiata eggs were counted (0.0909/day, 1.0952/day, 67.6 offspring and 46.3 day, respectively). The values obtained using all eggs did not realistically reflect the effect of variable hatch rate and true population parameters of H. dimidiata. We therefore excluded unhatched eggs from our data and demonstrated mathematically that in future demographic studies, it should be a standard procedure to exclude all unhatched eggs when analysing hatch rates that vary with maternal age. A mathematical proof was derived in this study to substantiate this. To observe and quantify variations that occur in the predation rate due to the age and stage of the predator, the daily number of A. gossypii consumed by individual H. dimidiata was analysed using the age-stage, two-sex life table. The net predation rate of H. dimidiata on A. gossypii was 14 804 aphids. The transformation rate Q p showed that the predator needs to consume an average of 219.1 aphids to produce one viable egg. The finite predation rate of H. dimidiata was 125.7 when only hatchable eggs were included in the analysis. Because the age-stage, two-sex life table takes both of the sexes and the variable predation rate occurring among stages into consideration, it becomes possible to use the population projection to quantify and time biological control procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor related to changes in body temperature after birth in preterm infants stabilized in polythene bags.

This study characterizes carbon and nitrogen abundances and isotopic compositions in ureilitic fragments of Almahata Sitta. Ureilites are carbon-rich (containing up to 7 wt% C) and were formed early in solar system history, thus the origin of carbon in ureilites has significance for the origin of solar system carbon. These samples were collected soon after they fell, so they are among the freshest ureilite samples available and were analyzed using stepped combustion mass spectrometry. They contained 1.2-2.3 wt% carbon; most showed the major carbon release at temperatures of 600-700 °C with peak values of δ13C from −7.3 to +0.4‰, similar to literature values for unbrecciated ('monomict') ureilites. They also contained a minor low temperature (≤500 °C) component (δ13C = ca −25‰). Bulk nitrogen contents (9.4-27 ppm) resemble those of unbrecciated ureilites, with major releases mostly occurring at 600-750 °C. A significant lower temperature release of nitrogen occurred in all samples. Main release δ15N values of −53 to −94‰ fall within the range reported for diamond separates and acid residues from ureilites, and identify an isotopically primordial nitrogen component. However, they differ from common polymict ureilites which are more nitrogen-rich and isotopically heavier. Thus, although the parent asteroid 2008 TC3 was undoubtedly a polymict ureilite breccia, this cannot be deduced from an isotopic study of individual ureilite fragments. The combined main release δ13C and δ15N values do not overlap the fields for carbonaceous or enstatite chondrites, suggesting that carbon in ureilites was not derived from these sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Several rating scales have been developed to measure quality of recovery after surgery and anaesthesia, but the most extensively used is the QoR-40, a 40-item questionnaire that provides a global score and subscores across five dimensions: patient support, comfort, emotions, physical independence, and pain. It has been evaluated in a variety of settings, but its overall psychometric properties (validity, reliability, ease of use, and interpretation) and clinical utility are uncertain. Methods We undertook a quantitative systematic review of studies evaluating psychometric properties of the QoR-40. Data were combined in meta-analyses using random effects models. This resulted in a total sample of 3459 patients from 17 studies originating in nine countries. Results We confirmed content, construct, and convergent [pooled r=0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51–0.65] validity. Reliability was confirmed by excellent intraclass correlation (pooled α=0.91, 95% CI: 0.88–0.93), test–retest reliability (pooled r=0.90, 95% CI: 0.86–0.92), and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation=0.86). The clinical utility of the QoR-40 instrument was supported by high patient recruitment into evaluation studies (97%), and an excellent completion and return rate (97%). The mean time to complete the QoR-40 was 5.1 (95% CI: 4.4–5.7) min. Conclusions The QoR-40 is a widely used and extensively validated measure of quality of recovery. The QoR-40 is a suitable measure of postoperative quality of recovery in a range of clinical and research situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ingestion of foreign bodies is uncommon in horses when compared with indiscriminate grazers such as cattle. This case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of a cervical abscess in a Thoroughbred racehorse thought to be associated with ingestion of wire. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination provided a diagnosis, and conservative treatment of the lesion with antimicrobials initially allowed the lesion to localise closer to the skin for safer surgical exploration. Intra-operative ultrasonographic imaging facilitated surgical access, removal of the foreign body, and drainage. While surgical treatment is usually necessary to resolve an abscess, initially conservative therapy may help to improve the prognosis by simplifying surgical access and reducing the risk of surgical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the wind-driving mechanism of giant stars through the nearby (117 pc), intermediate-luminosity (L 1600 L⊙) star EU Del (HIP 101810, HD 196610). Atacama Pathfinder Experiment observations of the CO (3-2) and (2-1) transitions are used to derive a wind velocity of 9.51 ± 0.02 km s-1, a 12C/13C ratio of 14+9 -4 and a mass-loss rate of a few 10-8M⊙ yr-1. Analysis of published spectra show the star has a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.27±~0.30 dex. The star's dusty envelope lacks a clear 10-µm silicate feature, despite the star's oxygen-rich nature. Radiative transfer modelling cannot fit a wind acceleration model which relies solely on radiation pressure on condensing dust. We compare our results to VY Leo (HIP 53449), a star with similar temperature and luminosity, but different pulsation properties. We suggest the much stronger mass-loss from EU Del may be driven by longperiod stellar pulsations, due to its potentially lower mass. We explore the implications for the mass-loss rate and wind velocities of other stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atacama Large Millimetre Array observations show a non-detection of carbon monoxide around the four most luminous asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae. Stellar evolution models and star counts show that the mass-loss rates from these stars should be ~1.2-3.5 × 10-7 M⊙ yr-1. We would naïvely expect such stars to be detectable at this distance (4.5 kpc). By modelling the ultraviolet radiation field from post-AGB stars and white dwarfs in 47 Tuc, we conclude that CO should be dissociated abnormally close to the stars. We estimate that the CO envelopes will be truncated at a few hundred stellar radii from their host stars and that the line intensities are about two orders of magnitude below our current detection limits. The truncation of CO envelopes should be important for AGB stars in dense clusters. Observing the CO (3-2) and higher transitions and targeting stars far from the centres of clusters should result in the detections needed to measure the outflow velocities from these stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nakhlite meteorites are clinopyroxenites that are derived from a ~1300 million year old sill or lava flow on Mars. Most members of the group contain veins of iddingsite whose main component is a fine-grained and hydrous Fe- and Mg-rich silicate. Siderite is present in the majority of veins, where it straddles or cross-cuts the Fe-Mg silicate. This carbonate also contains patches of ferric (oxy)hydroxide. Despite 40 years of investigation, the mineralogy and origins of the Fe-Mg silicate is poorly understood, as is the paragenesis of the iddingsite veins. Nanometer-scale analysis of Fe-Mg silicate in the Nakhla meteorite by electron and X-ray imaging and spectroscopy reveals that its principal constituents are nanoparticles of opal-A. This hydrous and amorphous phase precipitated from acidic solutions that had become supersaturated with respect to silica by dissolution of olivine. Each opal-A nanoparticle is enclosed within a ferrihydrite shell that formed by oxidation of iron that had also been liberated from the olivine. Siderite crystallized subsequently and from solutions that were alkaline and reducing, and replaced both the nanoparticles and olivine. The fluids that formed both the opal-A/ferrihydrite and the siderite were sourced from one or more reservoirs in contact with the Martian atmosphere. The last event recorded by the veins was alteration of the carbonate to a ferric (oxy)hydroxide that probably took place on Mars, although a terrestrial origin remains possible. These results support findings from orbiter- and rover-based spectroscopy that opaline silica was a common product of aqueous alteration of the Martian crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Winchcombe meteorite fell on 28th February 2021. At 21.54, the fireball was witnessed across the UK and recorded by 16 stations operated by the six meteor camera networks of the UK Fireball Alliance (UKFAll), allowing for calculation of its strewn field and main belt source [1]. The event was widely observed by eyewitnesses and soon attracted considerable media attention. The first carbonaceous chondrite recovered in the UK, Winchcombe joins a short list of only 17 British falls for which material is known [2]. Recovery: The recovered material was initially examined by team members in the field, conducting home visits to potential finds and systematically searching the local area. Permission for minimally destructive analysis on the material was sought from all landowners. The largest mass landed on the driveway and lawn of a fortunate family who collected much of the material with rubber gloves and a stainless steel knife, storing it in cleaned supermarket cottage cheese/cream pots, and polyethylene sandwich bags. Some material was collected as soon as 12 hours after the fall. Additional material was collected at this site by the recovery team who, using nitrile gloves, tweezers, paintbrushes and a toothbrush, transferred the material directly into conservation-grade storage materials (aluminium foil, glass vials and polyethylene sample bags) provided by the Natural History Museum (NHM) meteorite collection [3]. The largest single stone was found in a field of Rushbury House Farm, during a search by the recovery team on 6th March, and collected using nitrile gloves and geological sample bags. The quick response of UKFAll and associated media campaign was critical in raising awareness of how to identify a meteorite and how to handle specimens appropriately, resulting in many enquiries from the public. In total, approximately 602 g have been recovered from sites, such as driveways, gardens, fields and a solar farm, across an 8.5 km strewnfield. Immediate curation: The first samples were received and placed into a desiccator at the NHM on the 4th. In the following fortnight, 709 g of material (including mud containing small meteorite fragments), from six sites, had been visually examined and documented under the NHM object entry process to enable investigation prior to official acquistion. Samples were quickly curated, and are stored in glass vials with polyethylene lids, with fragments > ~100 mg individually weighed. Twenty-three of the largest fragments have been encased in high purity Al foil, placed in acid-free cardboard trays and stored in heat-sealed Escal enclosures with Mitsubishi RPK system oxygen scavengers. The largest piece is stored in an individual dessicator and is currently on display in the Vault gallery in the NHM. Two stones (BM.2022,M1-85 and BM.2022,M1-86) were taken directly from the field to the Open University to facilitate swift oxygen isotope measurements and are stored in a nitrogen cabinet in a class 100 cleanroom, under long-term loan from the NHM. Additionally, some material has been returned to the landowners for donation to local museums and thus not accessioned into the NHM collection. Tracking subsamples: Thanks to the generosity of the local community, a total of 518.3 g have now been donated into the NHM collection. Specimens have been designated according to their find location and collection date. The subsamples are tracked with sequential numbers, similar to the NASA curatorial numbering system. The subsample relationship of any given fragment can be provided upon request to the curator. Thus far, 47 loans, a total of approximately 80 g (including non-destructive analyes) and 20 polished sections have been made available to the Winchcombe consortium, covering analyses including bulk properties, mineralogy and petrology of the different lithologies, fusion crust, organics, magnetics, reflectance spectroscopy, and terrestrial alteration, as well as C, N, O, Ti, Cr, H, Ne isotopic systems [1, 3-16]. Long term curation: A nitrogen glove box (MBraun Labstar) with built-in microscope is on order and will be used for the permanent storage of the Winchcombe meteorite, funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), UK. Samples of the mud, lawn, and the original collecting vessels are all available as witness material. We welcome requests for scientific loans once the initial consortium work is published in a special issue of Meteoritics and Planetary Science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Several factors influence the severity of Plasmodium falciparum; here, we investigate the impact of alpha+-thalassaemia genotype on P. falciparum parasitemia and prevalence of severe anaemia amongst microcytic children from Kumasi, Ghana. Methods Seven hundred and thirty-two children (≤10 years) with P. falciparum were categorised into normocytic and microcytic (mean cell volume ≤76 fL). Microcytic individuals were genotyped for the −α3.7deletional thalassaemia mutation and parasite densities determined. Results Amongst microcytic patients both parasite densities and prevalence of severe malaria parasitemia (≥100 000/μL) were significantly lower ( P < 0.001) in the presence of an alpha+-thalassaemia genotype compared with non-alpha+-thalassaemia genotype. There was no evidence that alpha+-thalassaemia protected against severe anaemia. The protection conferred by alpha-thalassaemia genotype against severe P. falciparum parasitemia did not change with increasing age. Conclusion The severity of P. falciparum parasitemia was significantly lower in both the homozygous and heterozygous alpha+-thalassaemia groups compared with microcytic individuals with non-alpha+-thalassaemia genotype. The protective effect, from severe malaria, of the alpha+-thalassaemia allele does not alter with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veins containing carbonates, hydrous silicates, and sulfates that occur within and between grains of augite and olivine in the Nakhla meteorite are good evidence for the former presence of liquid water in the Martian crust. Aqueous solutions gained access to grain interiors via narrow fractures, and those fractures within olivine whose walls were oriented close to (001) were preferentially widened by etching along [001]. This orientation selective dissolution may have been due to the presence within olivine of shock-formed [001](100) and [001]{110} screw dislocations. The duration of etching is likely to have been brief, possibly less than a year, and the solutions responsible were sufficiently cool and reducing that laihunite did not form and Fe liberated from the olivine was not immediately oxidized. The pores within olivine were mineralized in sequence by siderite, nanocrystalline smectite, a Fe-Mg phyllosilicate, and then gypsum, whereas only the smectite occurs within augite. The nanocrystalline smectite was deposited as submicrometer thick layers on etched vein walls, and solution compositions varied substantially between and sometimes during precipitation of each layer. Together with microcrystalline gypsum the Fe-Mg phyllosilicate crystallized as water briefly returned to some of the veins following desiccation fracturing of the smectite. These results show that etching of olivine enhanced the porosity and permeability of the nakhlite parent rock and that dissolution and secondary mineralization took place within the same near-static aqueous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at an investigation of the planet Mars through the mineralogical, petrological, and geochemical analysis of the martian meteorite Tissint, which was discovered in Morocco in July 2011. Analysis of the meteorite revealed it to be a depleted picritic shergottite comprised of olivine-rich martian basaltic rock. Tissint also contained magnesian olivine and glass from the atmosphere of Mars and trace elements, sulfur, and fluorine from the planet surface. Other topics discussed include evidence of martian weathering, cosmic radiation exposure, and estimation of the meteorite's age and ejection from Mars.

Intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare cause of pyrexia of unknown origin. Because of its protean clinical manifestations, diagnosis is elusive and is often made postmortem. We report here a case of IVLBCL that evaded diagnosis despite multiple investigations in vivo for pyrexia of unknown origin over a 5-month period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract : The detection of lymphoma by computed tomography (CT) scanning is known to be improved by positron emission tomography (PET) and/or gallium scanning, although the direct comparative accuracy of these imaging modalities remains a subject of ongoing review. : The aim of the present study was to compare PET scanning with conventional imaging (CT and/or gallium scanning) in patients with lymphoma. : A retrospective study of 38 patients (25 men; 13 women; median age 39.5 years; range 18.0−81.0 years) who had had PET scans (24 scans at initial staging and 46 scans at restaging, including suspected disease relapse) was carried out. Thirty-one concurrent gallium scans had been performed. Disease was validated with clinical follow up or biopsy. : The sensitivities of PET and CT at initial staging were 96 and 71%, respectively. PET identified additional sites of disease compared with CT in 29% of patients. Of the 15 patients who had had all three imaging modalities, the sensitivities of PET, CT and gallium were 93, 67 and 87%, respectively. At treatment completion, the positive predictive values of PET, CT and gallium scans for relapse given a residual mass were 100, 33 and 0%, respectively ( P = 0.006 for PET and CT comparison). The negative predictive values of PET, CT and gallium were 76, 0 and 70%, respectively ( P-value not significant). In suspected disease relapse, PET results changed management in 50% of patients. : Compared with CT and gallium scans, PET has superior accuracy in staging and restaging, and its greatest value lies in its positive predictive value for relapse in patients with residual masses. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 388−397) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the presentation "Texas GROW! EAT! GO! Addressing Child Obesity and Related Health Behaviors through Garden, Nutrition and Physical Activities," by Judith L. Warren and colleagues is presented.