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Only 6 to 8 % of the UK adults meet the daily recommendation for dietary fibre. Fava bean processing lead to vast amounts of high-fibre by-products such as hulls. Bean hull fortified bread was formulated to increase and diversify dietary fibre while reducing waste. This study assessed the bean hull: suitability as a source of dietary fibre; the systemic and microbial metabolism of its components and postprandial events following bean hull bread rolls. Nine healthy participants (53·9 ± 16·7 years) were recruited for a randomised controlled crossover study attending two 3 days intervention sessions, involving the consumption of two bread rolls per day (control or bean hull rolls). Blood and faecal samples were collected before and after each session and analysed for systemic and microbial metabolites of bread roll components using targeted LC-MS/MS and GC analysis. Satiety, gut hormones, glucose, insulin and gastric emptying biomarkers were also measured. Two bean hull rolls provided over 85 % of the daily recommendation for dietary fibre; but despite being a rich source of plant metabolites (P = 0·04 v. control bread), these had poor systemic bioavailability. Consumption of bean hull rolls for 3 days significantly increased plasma concentration of indole-3-propionic acid (P = 0·009) and decreased faecal concentration of putrescine (P = 0·035) and deoxycholic acid (P = 0·046). However, it had no effect on postprandial plasma gut hormones, bacterial composition and faecal short chain fatty acids amount. Therefore, bean hulls require further processing to improve their bioactives systemic availability and fibre fermentation.

Therapeutics at or close to the nanoscale, such as liposomal irinotecan, offer significant promise for the treatment of solid tumors. Their potential advantage over the unencapsulated or free form of the drug is due in part to their altered biodistribution. For slow and sustained release, significant optimization of formulation is needed to achieve the required level of stability and allow long-term storage of the drug product. Gradient-based liposomal formulation of camptothecins such as irinotecan poses unique challenges owing to the camptothecin- and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of phospholipid esters in the inner monolayer of the liposomal membrane. We demonstrated that a narrow set of conditions related to the external pH, temperature, intraliposomal concentration, identity of the drug-trapping agent, physical form of the drug inside the liposomes, and final drug load have a marked impact on the stability of the liposome phospholipid membrane. The physical form of the drug inside the liposome was shown to be an insoluble gel with an irinotecan-to-sulfate ratio approximating 1:1, reducing the potential for irinotecan-catalyzed phospholipid hydrolysis in the internal phospholipid monolayer. As a result of this work, a stable and active liposome formulation has been developed that maintains phospholipid chemical stability following long-term storage at 2-8°C.

Although significant intraspecific variation in photosynthetic phosphorus (P) use efficiency (PPUE) has been shown in numerous species, we still know little about the biochemical basis for differences in PPUE among genotypes within a species. Here, we grew two high PPUE and two low PPUE chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genotypes with low P supply in a glasshouse to compare their photosynthesis-related traits, total foliar P concentration ([P]) and chemical P fractions (i.e. inorganic P (Pi), metabolite P, lipid P, nucleic acid P, and residual P). Foliar cell-specific nutrient concentrations including P were characterized using elemental X-ray microanalysis. Genotypes with high PPUE showed lower total foliar [P] without slower photosynthetic rates. No consistent differences in cellular [P] between the epidermis and mesophyll cells occurred across the four genotypes. In contrast, high PPUE was associated with lower allocation to Pi and metabolite P, with PPUE being negatively correlated with the percentage of these two fractions. Furthermore, a lower allocation to Pi and metabolite P was correlated with a greater allocation to nucleic acid P, but not to lipid P. Collectively, our results suggest that a different allocation to foliar P fractions, rather than preferential P allocation to specific leaf tissues, underlies the contrasting PPUE among chickpea genotypes.

Using a convergent synthetic route to enable multiple points of diversity, a series of glucocorticoid receptor modulators (GRM) were profiled for potency, selectivity, and drug-like properties

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is widespread across the Global South, including India, due to cultural and patriarchal norms that encourage and facilitate such behaviors. These include age at marriage, community- and individual-level encouragement of IPV, and limited access to education across the Global South, particularly for women. Despite this, little research has sought to disentangle the role that disabilities play in affecting women's risk of IPV in India. The current study analyzes a sample of currently married women (

Menthol upregulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and is associated with tobacco dependence. The effects of menthol when smoking cigarettes with varying low nicotine content up to 98 % (e.g., non-addicting) less than commercial cigarettes is not well understood. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering two tobacco product standards in cigarettes including banning menthol and reducing nicotine content. These new standards have the potential to significantly reduce smoking initiation and maintenance by limiting the mechanistic effects of nicotine and menthol on the brain.We conducted two parallel randomized clinical trials of gradually reduced nicotine in cigarettes from 11.6 mg down to 0.2 mg nicotine/cigarette (very low nicotine content; VLNC) vs. usual nicotine content (11.6 mg; UNC) over an 18-week period in people who smoke cigarettes with low socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health conditions.Compared to UNC, VLNC was associated with significant reductions in cotinine, cigarettes per day, expired carbon monoxide levels, nicotine dependence and symptomology. These associations did not differ between menthol and non-menthol cigarettes, except people who smoke menthol cigarettes had less of a cotinine reduction in the SES trial. The pooled odds ratio of being adherent with using only VLNC study cigarettes in the gradual nicotine reduction arm for people who smoke non-menthol vs. menthol cigarettes was 2.6 (95 % CI:1.0, 6.4; p-value: 0.04).When nicotine is lowered to non-addicting levels, the results indicate an independent effect of menthol on the need to sustain nicotine intake in addicted people who smoke cigarettes.

The adoption of food crops as a source of dietary macro- and micro-nutrients is a sustainable way to promote diet biodiversity and health while being respectful to the environment. The aim of this work was to comprehensively characterize the nutrient and phytochemical content of buckwheat seeds (Fagopyrum esculentum) and assess their physical properties for the evaluation of their suitability as food ingredients. The buckwheat samples were found to be complete sources of amino acids (UPLC-TUV analysis), with a protein content between 11.71 ± 0.40% and 14.13 ± 0.50% (Vario Max CN analysis), and a source of insoluble fiber with 11.05 ± 0.25 %, in the UK hulled samples (GC analysis). The buckwheat samples were rich in phosphorus, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, magnesium, and selenium (ICP-MS analysis). A total of 196 plant metabolites were detected using HPLC and LCMS analysis, with anthocyanidins (pelargonidin and cyanidin) being the most abundant phenolic molecules that were measured in all the buckwheat samples. Removing the hull was beneficial for increasing the powder bulk density, whereas the hulled buckwheat samples were more easily rehydrated. The implementation of buckwheat as a staple food crop has enormous potential for the food industry, human nutrition, and diet diversification and could contribute towards meeting the daily recommendation for dietary fiber, essential amino acids, and minerals in Western-style diet countries such as the UK.

Background and aims Southwest Australia is a biodiversity hotspot, with greatest plant species diversity on the most severely phosphorus (P)-impoverished soils. Here, non-mycorrhizal species with highly-effective carboxylate-releasing P-acquisition strategies coexist with mycorrhizal species that are less effective at accessing P on these soils. Non-mycorrhizal carboxylate-releasing species facilitate P acquisition of mycorrhizal neighbours that are better defended against pathogens. In the Southwest Australian Biodiversity Hotspot, there are also ‘cool spots’ of low-diversity tall mycorrhizal Eucalyptus communities on P-impoverished soils. These Eucalyptus trees obviously do not require facilitation of their P acquisition by carboxylate-releasing neighbours, because these are only a minor component of the low-diversity communities. We hypothesised that in low-diversity tall Eucalyptus forests, mycorrhizal species release carboxylates to acquire P. Thus, they would not depend on facilitation, and must be strong competitors. However, because they would not depend on external mycorrhizal hyphae to acquire P, they would also not be able to access soil organic nitrogen (N), for which they would need external hyphae. Methods Since carboxylates not only mobilise P, but also manganese (Mn), we used leaf Mn concentrations ([Mn]) in the natural habitat to proxy rhizosphere carboxylates. To verify this proxy, we also measured carboxylate exudation of targeted species with high leaf [Mn] using seedlings grown in low-P nutrient solutions. Results Using these complementary approaches, we confirmed our hypothesis that dominant Eucalyptus species in ‘cool spots’ release carboxylates. Since mineralisation of organic N is associated with fractionation of N, enriching organic N with 15N while nitrate is depleted in 15N, we measured the stable N isotope composition of leaf material. The results show that dominant Eucalyptus species did not access organic N, despite being ectomycorrhizal. Conclusions The low diversity of tall Eucalyptus forests in southwest Australia can be explained by dominant mycorrhizal species exhibiting a carboxylate-releasing strategy. The tall eucalypts are therefore strong competitors that do not require facilitation, but also do not access organic N.

Background Unveiling the diversity of plant strategies to acquire and use phosphorus (P) is crucial to understand factors promoting their coexistence in hyperdiverse P-impoverished communities within fire-prone landscapes such as in cerrado (South America), fynbos (South Africa) and kwongan (Australia). Scope We explore the diversity of P-acquisition strategies, highlighting one that has received little attention: acquisition of P following fires that temporarily enrich soil with P. This strategy is expressed by fire ephemerals as well as fast-resprouting perennial shrubs. A plant’s leaf manganese concentration ([Mn]) provides significant clues on P-acquisition strategies. High leaf [Mn] indicates carboxylate-releasing P-acquisition strategies, but other exudates may play the same role as carboxylates in P acquisition. Intermediate leaf [Mn] suggests facilitation of P acquisition by P-mobilising neighbours, through release of carboxylates or functionally similar compounds. Very low leaf [Mn] indicates that carboxylates play no immediate role in P acquisition. Release of phosphatases also represents a P-mining strategy, mobilising organic P. Some species may express multiple strategies, depending on time since germination or since fire, or on position in the landscape. In severely P-impoverished landscapes, photosynthetic P-use efficiency converges among species. Efficient species exhibit rapid rates of photosynthesis at low leaf P concentrations. A high P-remobilisation efficiency from senescing organs is another way to use P efficiently, as is extended longevity of plant organs. Conclusions Many P-acquisition strategies coexist in P-impoverished landscapes, but P-use strategies tend to converge. Common strategies of which we know little are those expressed by ephemeral or perennial species that are the first to respond after a fire. We surmise that carboxylate-releasing P-mobilising strategies are far more widespread than envisaged so far, and likely expressed by species that accumulate metals, exemplified by Mn, metalloids, such as selenium, fluorine, in the form of fluoroacetate, or silicon. Some carboxylate-releasing strategies are likely important to consider when restoring sites in biodiverse regions as well as in cropping systems on P-impoverished or strongly P-sorbing soils, because some species may only be able to establish themselves next to neighbours that mobilise P.

Progress toward an asymmetric synthesis of euphanes is described. A C14-desmethyl euphane system possessing five differentially substituted and electronically distinct alkenes has been prepared. The route employed is based on sequential metallacycle-mediated annulative cross-coupling, double asymmetric Brønsted acid mediated intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation, and an oxidative rearrangement to establish the requisite C10 quaternary center. These studies have also led to the discovery of a novel euphane-based modulator of the Liver X Receptor.

The cone-rod homeobox (CRX) protein is a critical K50 homeodomain transcription factor responsible for the differentiation and maintenance of photoreceptor neurons in the vertebrate retina. Mutant alleles in the human gene encoding CRX result in a variety of distinct blinding retinopathies, including retinitis pigmentosa, cone-rod dystrophy, and Leber congenital amaurosis. Despite the success of using in vitro biochemistry, animal models, and genomics approaches to study this clinically relevant transcription factor over the past 25 years since its initial characterization, there are no high-resolution structures in the published literature for the CRX protein. In this study, we use bioinformatic approaches and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) structural analysis to further understand the biochemical complexity of the human CRX homeodomain (CRX-HD). We find that the CRX-HD is a compact, globular monomer in solution that can specifically bind functional cis-regulatory elements encoded upstream of retina-specific genes. This study presents the first structural analysis of CRX, paving the way for a new approach to studying the biochemistry of this protein and its disease-causing mutant protein variants.

The distribution of HIV cases varies cross-nationally. We separate the influences of Islam at the macro- and micro-levels to understand the role of religion in shaping the spread of HIV. Drawing on biomarker data from the Demographic and Health Surveys, we construct a multilevel database (Individual N = 568,476; Country N = 30). We examine a series of national- and individual-level predictors that may mediate the relationship between Islam and testing HIV-positive. Individual religious affiliation and proportion Muslim retained their risk-reducing effects even when accounting for a range of mediators and suppressors. Islam has a sui generis effect on testing HIV-positive.

This paper is devoted to the multi-scale model of the heat and mass transfer inside of a honeycomb monolith substrate. Due to computational limitations, monoliths are modelled as a continuum in full-scale catalytic reactors models. That makes it necessary to use correlations or sub-models derived from channel scale results to account for a physically consistent heat and mass transfer inside of the substrate. In this paper detailed computational models at a channel and reactor scales are analyzed. Catalytic oxidation of CO is used as a reaction and the fluid properties are considered to be temperature-dependent. First, a channel scale model is used to analyze Nusselt, Sherwood, Lewis, and Damkohler numbers inside of the monolith channels. Secondly, sub-models obtained at a channel level are implemented in a full-scale reactor model using the continuum approach, to evaluate the impact of using detailed vs. highly simplified correlations for heat and mass transfer. The reactor scale model accounts for the transitions of the flow regime, entrance length effects, an-isotropic substrate thermal conductivity and temperature-dependent fluid properties. According to the results, the Lewis number can deviate significantly from one in the entrance length, however, it approaches asymptotically to unity as the flow develops. Regarding Nusselt and Sherwood, current interpolating methodologies are not able to predict the correct value in the entrance region when Damkohler is low, nonetheless, are reasonably accurate for the asymptotic one.

Table S1 to S4; Figures S1 to S12

Anosmia is common with respiratory virus infections, but loss of taste or chemesthesis is rare. Reports of true taste loss with COVID-19 were viewed skeptically until confirmed by multiple studies. Nasal menthol thresholds are elevated in some with prior COVID-19 infections, but data on oral chemesthesis are lacking. Many patients recover quickly, but precise timing and synchrony of recovery are unclear. Here, we collected broad sensory measures over 28 days, recruiting adults (18-45 years) who were COVID-19 positive or recently exposed (close contacts per U.S. CDC criteria at the time of the study) in the first half of 2021. Participants received nose clips, red commercial jellybeans (Sour Cherry and Cinnamon), and scratch-n-sniff cards (ScentCheckPro). Among COVID-19 cases who entered the study on or before Day 10 of infection, Gaussian Process Regression showed odor identification and odor intensity (two distinct measures of function) each declined relative to controls (close contacts who never developed COVID-19), but effects were larger for intensity than identification. To assess changes during early onset, we identified four COVID-19 cases who enrolled on or prior to Day 1 of their illness – this allowed for visualization of baseline ratings, loss, and recovery of function over time. Four controls were matched for age, gender, and race. Variables included sourness and sweetness (Sour Cherry jellybeans), oral burn (Cinnamon jellybeans), mean orthonasal intensity of four odors (ScentCheckPro), and perceived nasal blockage. Data were plotted over 28 days, creating panel plots for the eight cases and controls. Controls exhibited stable ratings over time. By contrast, COVID-19 cases showed sharp deviations over time. No single pattern of taste loss or recovery was apparent, implying different taste qualities might recover at different rates. Oral burn was transiently reduced for some before recovering quickly, suggesting acute loss may be missed in data collected after acute illness ends. Changes in odor intensity or odor identification were not explained by nasal blockage. Collectively, intensive daily testing shows orthonasal smell, oral chemesthesis and taste were each altered by acute COVID-19 infection, and this disruption was dyssynchronous for different modalities, with variable loss and recovery rates across modalities and individuals.

People often confuse smell loss with taste loss, so it is unclear how much gustatory function is reduced in patients self-reporting taste loss. Our pre-registered cross-sectional study design included an online survey in 12 languages with instructions for self-administering chemosensory tests with ten household items. Between June 2020 and March 2021, 10,953 individuals participated. Of these, 3,356 self-reported a positive and 602 a negative COVID-19 diagnosis (COVID+ and COVID-, respectively); 1,267 were awaiting test results (COVID?). The rest reported no respiratory illness and were grouped by symptoms: sudden smell/taste changes (STC, N=4,445), other symptoms excluding smell or taste loss (OthS, N=832), and no symptoms (NoS, N=416). Taste, smell, and oral irritation intensities and self-assessed abilities were rated on visual analog scales. Compared to the NoS group, COVID+ was associated with a 21% reduction in taste (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 15-28%), 47% in smell (95%-CI: 37-56%), and 17% in oral irritation (95%-CI: 10-25%) intensity. In all groups, perceived intensity of smell (r=0.84), taste (r=0.68), and oral irritation (r=0.37) was correlated. Our findings suggest most reports of taste dysfunction with COVID-19 were genuine and not due to misinterpreting smell loss as taste loss (i.e., a classical taste-flavor confusion). Assessing smell and taste intensity of household items is a promising, cost-effective screening tool that complements self-reports and helps to disentangle taste loss from smell loss. However, it does not replace standardized validated psychophysical tests.

Agriculture is a key contributor to poor water quality, but the sources of sediment and nutrient losses from agricultural catchments – including from riverbank erosion – are highly variable. Riverbank erosion is particularly difficult to quantify and control. Here, we developed a quick assessment approach to quantify riverbank erosion rates and associated sediment and nutrient loading rates into waterways using airborne LiDAR combined with field-collected data. We applied this approach and explored its relationships to water quality at four sites within the Blackwater catchment in Northern Ireland for two analysis periods. GIS LiDAR image differencing revealed that volume changes in riverbank elevation equated to average erosion rates which indicated spatial and temporal variability in erosion rates. Combining the erosion rates with in-situ riverbank bulk density and total extractable phosphorus content provided sediment and phosphorus loading rates. The relative differences between estimated erosion at the different sites corresponded well with in-stream suspended sediment variations, but patterns for total phosphorus concentrations were more complex. We conclude that the use of LiDAR combined with field data is an innovative means for riverbank erosion quantification. Furthermore, by using LiDAR-to-LiDAR analyses, the reductions in erosion, sediment, and phosphorus loading rates following riverbank stabilization techniques can be determined.

Sensory scientists typically focus most of their effort on measuring the sensations that products elicit, or measuring the pleasure provided by products. Far less effort is given to measuring consumer behavior with regard to intake or use. Implicitly or explicitly, sensations are assumed to influence liking, acceptance, and preference, which in turn influence use and intake. That is, we all assume formulation ultimately influences use; however, measurement error at each stage complicates efforts to build causal models of the chain from formulation to use. This chapter highlights sources of variability at various points, including biological differences, as well as measurement error in the putative path from formulation to use.

The exhaust stream from a lean-burn natural gas vehicle (NGV) typically has a maximum temperature of about 550 °C, a low concentration of methane (500–1000 ppmv) and a large amount of water vapor (around 15% by volume) which is a major cause of Pd catalyst deactivation. Such conditions pose significant challenges in the development of a small footprint catalytic converter to mitigate methane emissions. In this review, we address how the choice of support material can affect the Pd catalyst tolerance to water. Support hydrophobicity, its ability to serve as a sink for the hydroxyls, and oxygen mobility are some of the crucial factors that have contributed to improved catalyst stability and activity. In addition to the summary of the most recent advances in the field, we provide recommendations for catalyst testing and characterization techniques that are specific to the application of interest.

Three separate sensory systems — taste, smell, and chemesthesis — contribute to the overall flavor perception of foods and beverages. Modern psychophysical methods have led to quantitation of individual differences in perception, which have potentially important implications for food liking and intake, along with human health. Carefully designed studies using contemporary methods have allowed for the identification of novel relationships between variability in chemosensory and related genes with differences in perception, liking, and intake of foods and beverages. Here we summarize recent original research on relationships between chemosensory genetics and various measures of food liking and intake.

The current study examined the duration of stalking episodes among a nationally representative sample. Analyses of the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey estimated if the victim–perpetrator relationship and other types of victimization experienced were associated with (a) if the stalking episode lasted over a year ( N = 1,509) and (b) the length of stalking episodes, in days, for episodes

Background and Aims Phosphorus (P) availability is often limiting for rice (Oryza sativa) production. Improving internal P-use efficiency (PUE) is crucial to sustainable food production, particularly in low-input systems. A critical aspect of PUE in plants, and one that remains poorly understood, is the investment of leaf P in different chemical P fractions (nucleic acid-P, lipid-P, inorganic-P, metabolite-P and residual-P). The overarching objective of this study was to understand how these key P fractions influence PUE. Methods Three high-PUE and two low-PUE rice genotypes were grown in hydroponics with contrasting P supplies. We measured PUE, total P, P fractions, photosynthesis and biomass. Key Results Low investment in lipid-P was strongly associated with increased photosynthetic PUE (PPUE), achieved by reducing total leaf P concentration while maintaining rapid photosynthetic rates. All low-P plants exhibited a low investment in inorganic-P and lipid-P, but not nucleic acid-P. In addition, whole-plant PUE was strongly associated with reduced total P concentration, increased biomass and increased preferential allocation of resources to the youngest mature leaves. Conclusions Lipid remodelling has been shown in rice before, but we show for the first time that reduced lipid-P investment improves PUE in rice without reducing photosynthesis. This presents a novel pathway for increasing PUE by targeting varieties with reduced lipid-P investment. This will benefit rice production in low-P soils and in areas where fertilizer use is limited, improving global food security by reducing P fertilizer demands and food production costs.

An extensive correlated molecular orbital theory study of the reactions of CO2 with a range of substituted amines and H2O in the gas phase and aqueous solution was performed at the G3(MP2) level with a self-consistent reaction field approach. The G3(MP2) calculations were benchmarked at the CCSD(T)/CBS level for NH3 reactions. A catalytic NH3 reduces the energy barrier more than a catalytic H2O for the formation of H2NCOOH and H2CO3. In aqueous solution, the barriers to form both H2NCOOH and H2CO3 are reduced, with HCO3- formation possible with one amine present and H2NCOO- formation possible only with two amines. Further reactions of H2NCOOH to form HNCO and urea via the Bazarov reaction have high barriers and are unlikely in both the gas phase and aqueous solution. Reaction coordinates for CH3NH2, CH3CH2NH2, (CH3)2NH, CH3CH2CH2NH2, (CH3)3N, and DMAP were also calculated. The barrier for proton transfer correlates with amine basicity for alkylammonium carbamate (ΔG‡aq < 15 kcal/mol) and alkylammonium bicarbonate (ΔG‡aq < 30 kcal/mol) formation. In aqueous solution, carbamic acids, carbamates, and bicarbonates can all form in small amounts with ammonium carbamates dominating for primary and secondary alkylamines. These results have implications for CO2 capture by amines in both the gas phase and aqueous solution as well as in the solid state, if enough water is present.

Objectives: Building on the ecological model, multicontextual opportunity theory, and southern criminology, the study developed individual- and country-level indicators of opportunity to understand the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) among married women in the Global South. Opportunity-related indicators considered the impact of globalization and variability across nations categorized as part of the Global South. Methods: Relying on data from the Demographic and Health Surveys and open-source country indicators, mixed effects logistic regression examined opportunity-related indicators on a sample of married women ( N = 239,554) from the Global South ( N = 41). Results: Exposure to motivated offenders was associated with higher odds of IPV. Individual-level vulnerability was associated with higher odds of IPV. Isolation and interviews that were interrupted, indicators of guardianship, were associated with higher odds of IPV while the number of people in the household was associated with lower odds. More Parliamentary seats held by women was associated with higher odds of IPV. Nine cross-level interactions were significant. Conclusions: National-level factors moderated the influence of individual-level opportunity, reinforcing the Global South is not monolithic. The traveling of IPV programing from the Global North to the Global South is likely ineffective. Programs must consider how context shapes individual experiences.

QTL controlling vigour and related traits were identified in a chickpea RIL population and validated in diverse sets of germplasm. Robust KASP markers were developed for marker-assisted selection. To understand the genetic constitution of vigour in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), genomic data from a bi-parental population and multiple diversity panels were used to identify QTL, sequence-level haplotypes and genetic markers associated with vigour-related traits in Australian environments. Using 182 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) derived from a cross between two desi varieties, Rupali and Genesis836, vigour QTL independent of flowering time were identified on chromosomes (Ca) 1, 3 and 4 with genotypic variance explained (GVE) ranging from 7.1 to 28.8%. Haplotype analysis, association analysis and graphical genotyping of whole-genome re-sequencing data of two diversity panels consisting of Australian and Indian genotypes and an ICRISAT Chickpea Reference Set revealed a deletion in the FTa1–FTa2–FTc gene cluster of Ca3 significantly associated with vigour and flowering time. Across the RIL population and diversity panels, the impact of the deletion was consistent for vigour but not flowering time. Vigour-related QTL on Ca4 co-located with a QTL for seed size in Rupali/Genesis836 (GVE = 61.3%). Using SNPs from this region, we developed and validated gene-based KASP markers across different panels. Two markers were developed for a gene on Ca1, myo -inositol monophosphatase (CaIMP), previously proposed to control seed size, seed germination and seedling growth in chickpea. While associated with vigour in the diversity panels, neither the markers nor broader haplotype linked to CaIMP was polymorphic in Rupali/Genesis836. Importantly, vigour appears to be controlled by different sets of QTL across time and with components which are independent from phenology.

This study focused on the effect of binding of capsaicin by milk proteins on oral burn. The concentration of free, unbound capsaicin in 5 ppm capsaicin solution containing 0-5% (w/w) micellar casein or whey protein isolate was measured by extraction into hexadecane. The concentration of free capsaicin decreased linearly with protein concentration and the decrease was greater for casein than for whey protein. The intensity of the capsaicin burn in similar solutions was assessed by a large cohort (n = 89) of untrained participants in a time-intensity study. The maximum burn intensity decreased with protein concentration and was lower for samples containing casein than for samples containing whey protein isolate. The maximum burn was linearly related to the free, unbound capsaicin concentration. When protein solutions (1-5% w/w) were used as rinses following exposure to a 5 ppm aqueous capsaicin solution, only the 5% (w/w) micellar casein solution was significantly more effective than the water rinse in reducing oral burn.

Background In December 2020, ceftolozane/tazobactam (CT) was voluntarily recalled due to failed sterility tests. With this recall, clinicians were forced to utilize alternatives for multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas (PSA) infections until CT returned in late December, 2021. While many studies have examined the impact of medication shortages, few have evaluated the impact of antimicrobial shortages. We evaluated the impact of the CT recall by assessing cost, clinical outcomes, and utilization of novel alternative agents. Methods This multi-site retrospective cohort study compared patients treated for MDR PSA prior to the CT recall (Jan-Jul 2020) to patients treated during the CT recall (Jan-Jul 2021) across seven AdventHealth Central Florida (AHCF) adult hospitals. The primary outcome was percentage of patients treated with novel therapies (CT, ceftazidime/avibactam, or cefiderocol). Secondary outcomes included length of therapy (LOT), inpatient mortality, 30-day readmissions, length of say (LOS), pharmacy expenditures, and average cost per case. Results A total of 203 patients with MDR PSA were evaluated: 100 in the pre-recall cohort and 103 in the post-recall cohort. The majority (58%) of patients were male with an average age of 64 years. The most common source of infection in both cohorts was pneumonia, followed by complicated urinary tract infection. Significantly more patients were treated with novel agents as definitive therapy in the post-recall cohort (65% vs. 29%, p< 0.0001). Average LOT for all anti-PSA therapy was 12 days in the pre-recall cohort compared to 14 days in the post-recall cohort (p=0.1753). Inpatient mortality and 30-day readmissions were not statistically different between groups. Hospital LOS was significantly different between the two groups (18 days vs. 25 days, p=0.006). Significantly higher pharmacy expenditures were found in the post recall cohort (Figure 1) and the average cost per case was significantly higher in the post-recall cohort ($125,254 vs. $62,249). Figure 1:Pharmacy Expenditures for Novel Agents Novel agents: cefiderocol, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam Conclusion The CT recall had a significant impact on both economic and clinical outcomes, particularly increased length of stay, length of therapy, and cost to both the patient and health system. Higher utilization of novel agents is concerning given rising rates of PSA resistance. Disclosures Amy L. Carr, PharmD, BCIDP, Shionogi: Advisory Board.

Background Timely conversion of antimicrobials from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) route has been shown to decrease costs and length of stay (LOS) without compromising safety and efficacy of therapy. Use of oral antimicrobials may additionally prevent complications related to IV catheters, such as infection, emboli, and patient discomfort. An approved IV to PO policy allowed pharmacists to convert orders for fourteen included antimicrobials and eligible patients at time of order verification. Methods This single-center, retrospective, comparative study was conducted at AdventHealth Orlando, a 1,368-bed community teaching hospital in central Florida. In November 2020, six clinical pharmacist teams began receiving monthly feedback on IV to PO conversion rates in the form of a RePOrt Card, containing IV to PO conversion rates compared to other clinical teams, individual antimicrobial conversion rates, and comparison to prior team progress (Figure 1). RePOrt Cards were provided through October 2021. This study compared pre-intervention days of therapy (DOTs) of antimicrobials from November 2019-October 2020 to post-intervention DOTs from November 2020 to March 2022. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of monthly, team-based feedback on percentage of antimicrobials administered orally during a pharmacist-driven IV to PO stewardship initiative. Figure 1Example RePOrt Card Results Significantly more DOTs were administered orally in the post intervention group (62% vs 67%, p=0.0012). Positive change in oral conversion rates was observed for all agents except linezolid, minocycline, and voriconazole (Table 1). The largest increase in percentage of DOT administered orally was observed for azithromycin (20%), rifampin (14%), and metronidazole (10%). Estimated monthly and total cost differences are available in Table 2. Minocycline represents the largest opportunity missed; while oral conversion rates remained the same, an increase in overall drug use creates opportunity to continue to prioritize oral conversion due to high cost. Conclusion Monthly, team-based feedback positively impacted IV to PO conversion rates. Opportunities remain to optimize cost benefits in high-cost agents such as linezolid, minocycline, and voriconazole. Disclosures Amy L. Carr, PharmD, BCIDP, Shionogi: Advisory Board.

Background Candida spp. are the fourth most common cause of bloodstream infections (BSI) in the United States and have an associated mortality rate of 19-40.5%. Mortality rates are further impacted by delay in time to adequate antifungal therapy, historically due to delayed time to identification on culture. The utilization of rapid diagnostic technology (RDT) has been effective in timely identification of bacterial pathogens causing BSI, but RDT for fungal organisms has demonstrated mixed results. At AdventHealth Central Florida Division South (CFD-S), pharmacists provide 24-hour coverage for real-time notification of all positive blood culture results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of the GenMark ePlex Blood Culture Identification Panels (BCID) fungal pathogen (FP) panel paired with 24/7, pharmacist-driven response in patients with candidemia. Methods This multi-site, pre/post, retrospective chart review included adult patients admitted to CFD-S with at least one positive blood culture with Candida spp. from June 2019 through May 2020 (pre-RDT), and August 2020 through July 2021 (post-RDT). Patients receiving systemic antifungal prophylaxis, with known candidiasis at time of index RDT result, or who discharged prior to culture positivity were excluded. The primary outcome was time to effective antifungal therapy in patients with candidemia. Results A total of 200 patients were included in the study (100 pre-RDT and 100 post-RDT). Overall, patients had a median age of 61 years and 50% were male. Patient characteristics are summarized in Table 1; median APACHEII score differed by three points (13.5 vs. 16.5). Time to effective therapy was similar between groups (39.8 vs. 38.5 hours, p=0.217). There was no difference in secondary outcomes (Table 2) other than ICU length of stay (2.5 vs. 6.0 days, p=0.033) and all-cause in-hospital mortality (15% vs. 30%, p=0.011). Conclusion Pharmacist-driven, real-time response to RDT did not significantly impact time to effective antifungal therapy in patients with candidemia. Higher rate of in-hospital mortality was likely a reflection of increased severity of illness in the post-RDT group. Disclosures Amy L. Carr, PharmD, BCIDP, Shionogi: Advisory Board.

Introduction: Echinoids (sea urchins) provide shelter for a variety of facultative or obligatory ectosymbionts. Objective: To evaluate the hypothesis that decapods and fishes prefer to associate with echinoid individuals and species that have longer spines. Methods: We visually studied the frequency of decapod crustaceans and fishes associated with echinoids in shallow water (< 4 m) and deeper water (5-20 m) at Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, during 1-6 January 2019. Results: We inspected 1 058 echinoids of six species. Five decapod species associated with three species of echinoids. When compared with other echinoid species, in shallow water, decapods associated 5.1 times more often with the longest-spined echinoid Diadema mexicanum (7.0 times more decapods per individual D. mexicanum); in deeper water, association frequency was similar for all echinoid species. Fourteen fish species associated with four echinoid species. In shallow water, fishes associated 2.6 times more with D. mexicanum (4.5 times more fishes per individual). There was no preferred echinoid species in deeper water. Longer-spined D. mexicanum had more decapods and fishes. Associations were more frequent in shallow water. Multiple individuals and species of decapods and fish often associated together with a single D. mexicanum. The decapod that presumably is Tuleariocaris holthuisi showed a possible obligatory association with one of the equinoids (D. mexicanum); the other decapods and all fish species are facultative associates. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that decapods and fishes associate most frequently with echinoid with the longest spines, presumably to reduce the risk of predation.

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The scope of antimicrobial stewardship programs has expanded beyond the acute hospital setting. The need to optimize antimicrobial use in emergency departments, urgent, primary, and specialty care clinics, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities prompted the development of core elements of stewardship programs in these settings. Identifying the most innovative and well-designed stewardship literature in these novel stewardship areas can be challenging. The Southeastern Research Group Endeavor (SERGE-45) network evaluated antimicrobial stewardship–related, peer-reviewed literature published in 2021 that detailed actionable interventions specific to the nonhospital setting. The top 13 publications were summarized following identification using a modified Delphi technique. This article highlights the selected interventions and may serve as a key resource for expansion of antimicrobial stewardship programs beyond the acute hospital setting.