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Combating wildlife crimes in South Africa requires accurate identification of traded species and their products. Diagnostic morphological characteristics needed to identify species are often lost when specimens are processed and customs officials lack the expertise to identify species. As a potential solution, DNA barcoding can be used to identify morphologically indistinguishable specimens in forensic cases. However, barcoding is hindered by the reliance on comprehensive, validated DNA barcode reference databases, which are currently limited. To overcome this limitation, we constructed a barcode library of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and cytochrome b sequences for threatened and protected mammals exploited in southern Africa. Additionally, we included closely related or morphologically similar species and assessed the database's ability to identify species accurately. Published southern African sequences were incorporated to estimate intraspecific and interspecific variation. Neighbor-joining trees successfully discriminated 94%–95% of the taxa. However, some widespread species exhibited high intraspecific distances (>2%), suggesting geographic sub-structuring or cryptic speciation. Lack of reliable published data prevented the unambiguous discrimination of certain species. This study highlights the efficacy of DNA barcoding in species identification, particularly for forensic applications. It also highlights the need for a taxonomic re-evaluation of certain widespread species and challenging genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) requires its member professional accounting organisations and their authorised educators to adopt the overarching guidelines that are provided in the International Education Standards (IES). Despite these requirements, which include that accounting students develop several non-technical skills (NTS), students fail to adequately develop such skills. Furthermore, several studies advise that accounting programmes must incorporate emotional intelligence (EI) development initiatives, but this requirement is excluded from the IES. Resultantly, educators may disregard EI development within accounting programmes, especially since these programmes are already considered overloaded. This study investigates whether it is possible to advance the NTS of accounting students while facilitating the development of their EI competencies by aiming to answer the following question: which EI capabilities can improve the NTS of accounting students? By following a qualitative research approach and performing a systematic literature review, the study found that the enhancement of multiple EI capabilities can lead to the improvement of several NTS of accounting students. Educators that want to renew their NTS development offering, or introduce EI development initiatives within their accounting programmes, can use these findings as a guide to determine which EI capabilities (or combination thereof) can advance the essential NTS of accounting students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD103-positive tissue resident memory-like CD8+ T cells (CD8CD103 TRM) are associated with improved prognosis across malignancies, including high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). However, whether quantification of CD8, CD103 or both is required to improve existing survival prediction and whether all HGSOC patients or only specific subgroups of patients benefit from infiltration, remains unclear. To address this question, we applied image-based quantification of CD8 and CD103 multiplex immunohistochemistry in the intratumoral and stromal compartments of 268 advanced-stage HGSOC patients from two independent clinical institutions. Infiltration of CD8CD103 immune cell subsets was independent of clinicopathological factors. Our results suggest CD8CD103 TRM quantification as a superior method for prognostication compared to single CD8 or CD103 quantification. A survival benefit of CD8CD103 TRM was observed only in patients treated with primary cytoreductive surgery. Moreover, survival benefit in this group was limited to patients with no macroscopic tumor lesions after surgery. This approach provides novel insights into prognostic stratification of HGSOC patients and may contribute to personalized treatment strategies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) has been proposed as a model for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process characterized by a functional change facilitating migration and metastasis in many types of cancer. L1CAM is an adhesion molecule that has been involved in EMT as a marker for mesenchymal phenotype. We examined expression of L1CAM in UCS in a cohort of 90 cases from four different centers. Slides were immunohistochemically stained for L1CAM and scored in four categories (0%, < 10%, 10-50%, and > 50%). A score of more than 10% was considered positive for L1CAM. The median age at presentation was 68.6 years, and half of the patients (53.3%) presented with FIGO stage 1 disease. Membranous L1CAM expression was positive in the epithelial component in 65.4% of cases. Remarkably, expression was negative in the mesenchymal component. In cases where both components were intermingled, expression limited to the epithelial component was confirmed by a double stain for L1CAM and keratin. Expression of L1CAM did not relate to overall or disease-free survival. Our findings suggest L1CAM is either not a marker for the mesenchymal phenotype in EMT, or UCS is not a good model for EMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials have many advanced applications, from bio-medicine to flexible electronics to energy storage, and the broad interest in graphene-based materials and devices means that high annual tonnages will be required to meet this demand. However, manufacturing at the required scale remains unfeasible until economic and environmental obstacles are resolved. Liquid exfoliation of graphite is the preferred scalable method to prepare large quantities of good quality graphene, but only low concentrations are achieved and the solvents habitually employed are toxic. Furthermore, good dispersions of nanomaterials in organic solvents are crucial for the synthesis of many types of nanocomposites. To address the performance and safety issues of solvent use, a bespoke approach to solvent selection was developed and the renewable solvent Cyrene was identified as having excellent properties. Graphene dispersions in Cyrene were found to be an order of magnitude more concentrated than those achieved in N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP). Key attributes to this success are optimum solvent polarity, and importantly a high viscosity. We report the role of viscosity as crucial for the creation of larger and less defective graphene flakes. These findings can equally be applied to the dispersion of other layered bi-dimensional materials, where alternative solvent options could be used as drop-in replacements for established processes without disruption or the need to use specialized equipment. Thus, the discovery of a benign yet high performance graphene processing solvent enhances the efficiency, sustainability and commercial potential of this ever-growing field, particularly in the area of bulk material processing for large volume applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A protocol used routinely for rapid ancient DNA extraction was applied to fish tissue archived over 80 years ago. The method proved successful, whereas other extraction protocols failed. Researchers working on DNA from older archived fish samples are encouraged to continue to concentrate their efforts on 'white-eye' specimens, which indicate an alcohol-based fixative and are thus likely to yield viable DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO, Mylotarg) is a targeted therapeutic agent in which an anti-CD33 antibody is chemically coupled to a highly cytotoxic calicheamicin derivative through a hydrolysable linker. GO has improved the treatment outcome for a subgroup of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, but its use is associated with severe myelosuppression and hepatotoxicity. Here, we report on a novel anti-leukemia agent, designated scFvCD33:sTRAIL, in which an anti-CD33 single chain fragment of variable regions (scFv) antibody fragment is genetically linked to soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (sTRAIL). Normal CD33-positive monocytes were fully resistant to prolonged treatment with scFvCD33:sTRAIL, whereas treatment with GO resulted in substantial cytotoxicity. The activity of scFvCD33:sTRAIL towards AML cells was up to 30-fold higher than GO. The CD33-restricted anti-leukemia activity of scFvCD33:sTRAIL remained stable during prolonged storage at 37 degrees C, whereas GO showed a rapid increase in CD33-independent cytotoxicity. Moreover, scFvCD33:sTRAIL showed potent anti-leukemia activity towards CD33+ CML cells when treatment was combined with the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Gleevec. Importantly, ex vivo treatment of patient-derived CD33+ AML tumor cells with scFvCD33:sTRAIL resulted in potent apoptosis induction that was enhanced by valproic acid, mitoxantrone and 17-(Allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG). Taken together, scFvCD33:sTRAIL is superior to GO in terms of tumor selectivity, activity and stability, warranting its further development for the treatment of CD33-positive leukemias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogeographic boundaries are characterised by distinct faunal and floral assemblages restricted on either side, but patterns among groups of taxa often vary and may not be discrete. Historical biogeography as a consequence, while providing crucial insights into the relationship between biological diversity and earth history, has some limitations. Patterns of intraspecific molecular variation, however, may show unambiguous evidence for such historical divides, and can be used to test competing biogeographic hypotheses (often based on the dispersal-vicariance debate). Here, we utilise this method to test the hypothesis that a major biogeographic transition zone between the Sundaic and Indochinese biotas, located just north of the Isthmus of Kra in SE Asia, is the result of Neogene marine transgressions that breached the Isthmus in two locations for prolonged periods of time (>1 million year duration). Phylogeographic analyses of a freshwater decapod crustacean, the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, strongly supports the historical existence of the more northerly postulated seaway. Results presented here highlight the power of utilising intraspecific molecular variation in testing biogeographical hypotheses.Heredity (2005) 94, 370-378. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800613 Published online 3 November 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of isolated human chondrocytes to produce active oxygen species has been investigated. The two methods for determining HO and hydroxyl radicals (OH) production were, by a fluorimetric method (production of dichlorofluo-rescein from a precursor in the presence of horseradish peroxidase and HO) and by a chromatographic method (measurement of ethylene production from γ-methiol-keto-butyric acid after OH attack). Chondrocytes were tested, both with and without activation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA: 10M), in the presence of Ca (1 × 10M) and Mg (2 × 10M) or after variable periods of anoxia under nitrogen (4 to 12 h) followed by reoxygenation (with 95% O, 5% CO). Under these experimental conditions, the PMA-excited chondrocytes produced from 80 to 180 nmol of hydrogen peroxide per 1 × 10 cells and chondrocytes subjected to anoxia-reoxygenation produced up to 1700 nmol HO per 1 × 10 cells. The hydroxyl radical production by PMA or anoxia-reoxygenation excited cells reached 600% of the production of non-excited cells and 1300% when they were subjected to successive stimulations by PMA and anoxia-reoxygenation. The possible pathological significance of these observations is discussed. The results indicate that stimulated human chondrocytes are capable of producing active oxygen species which could play a major role in joint inflammation and cartilage damage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents a preliminary study to evaluate a program for care and followup of HIV-positive person and AIDS patients in Kgatleng District, Botswana. Interview of advisory nurses (ANs) on case management and work perceptions; Indication of behavioral changes of patients; Major problems.

Outcome of cytoreductive surgery, treatment sequence and the differentiation status of T cells are key factors to take into account when studying the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in high grade serous ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]