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BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Present-day diagnostic criteria are largely based solely on spirometric criteria. Accumulating evidence has identified a substantial number of individuals without spirometric evidence of COPD who suffer from respiratory symptoms and/or increased morbidity and mortality. There is a clear need for an expanded definition of COPD that is linked to physiologic, structural (computed tomography [CT]) and clinical evidence of disease. Using data from the COPD Genetic Epidemiology study (COPDGene®), we hypothesized that an integrated approach that includes environmental exposure, clinical symptoms, chest CT imaging and spirometry better defines disease and captures the likelihood of progression of respiratory obstruction and mortality.MethodsFour key disease characteristics - environmental exposure (cigarette smoking), clinical symptoms (dyspnea and/or chronic bronchitis), chest CT imaging abnormalities (emphysema, gas trapping and/or airway wall thickening), and abnormal spirometry - were evaluated in a group of 8784 current and former smokers who were participants in COPDGene® Phase 1. Using these 4 disease characteristics, 8 categories of participants were identified and evaluated for odds of spirometric disease progression (FEV1 > 350 ml loss over 5 years), and the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was examined.ResultsUsing smokers without symptoms, CT imaging abnormalities or airflow obstruction as the reference population, individuals were classified as Possible COPD, Probable COPD and Definite COPD. Current Global initiative for obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria would diagnose 4062 (46%) of the 8784 study participants with COPD. The proposed COPDGene® 2019 diagnostic criteria would add an additional 3144 participants. Under the new criteria, 82% of the 8784 study participants would be diagnosed with Possible, Probable or Definite COPD. These COPD groups showed increased risk of disease progression and mortality. Mortality increased in patients as the number of their COPD characteristics increased, with a maximum hazard ratio for all cause-mortality of 5.18 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.15-6.48) in those with all 4 disease characteristics.ConclusionsA substantial portion of smokers with respiratory symptoms and imaging abnormalities do not manifest spirometric obstruction as defined by population normals. These individuals are at significant risk of death and spirometric disease progression. We propose to redefine the diagnosis of COPD through an integrated approach using environmental exposure, clinical symptoms, CT imaging and spirometric criteria. These expanded criteria offer the potential to stimulate both current and future interventions that could slow or halt disease progression in patients before disability or irreversible lung structural changes develop.

This article describes how a homework task on climate change is being developed as part of a larger project on sustainability issues -- Urban Science. The ultimate aim of this European project is to improve the teaching of scientific enquiry so that students develop the competences to actively contribute to creating sustainable cities, to understand how cities consist of linked systems that affect each other and to gain scientific skills for employment, thereby becoming more motivated to study science. It was found that students can research and present information in spider diagrams and relate this to everyday life. Although this was at a relatively high level, they were not linking different aspects of climate change. The idea of creating a 'messy wall' from the students' work during stage 1 of the Urban Science project is discussed.

The findings of "Face your elephant," a peer led youth engagement project, are presented. It has been operating for over 10 years and has engaged with over 10,000 festival-goers at 15 festivals, trained over 100 peer educators in science communication and public engagement skills and helped to change power supply practices of festival organizers in the United Kingdom. This long-term approach has delivered multiple benefits in terms of raising festival-goers awareness of actions needed to address climate change, empowering young volunteers as peer educators and informing festival organizers about the opportunities for greenhouse gas emission reductions.

As differences in seed dormancy between Actinidia species have not been reported previously, in this study we characterized the variation in the dormancy of seeds in 13 kiwifruit species that originated from different regions of China and Taiwan, and for which mature plants are now growing in New Zealand orchards. Dormancy-breaking treatments, including cold-moist stratification, seed coat scarification and soaking in water and gibberellic acid (GA3), were tested for their efficacy in alleviating dormancy and improving final germination and germination rates. In addition, we assessed seed viability using RNA integrity analysis to distinguish dead seeds from dormant seeds. This study identified that dormancy type in Actinidia seeds is species-specific and can be morphological, morphophysiological or a combination of physiological and physical, and that seed RNA integrity is a useful metric to incorporate into seed dormancy studies. Our results also suggest that species originating from colder climates that experience large differences between winter minimum and summer maximum temperatures exhibit physiological dormancy and require cold-moist stratification, contrasting with species originating in milder climates. Interestingly, although not all seeds from all the species were dormant, the proportion of dormant seeds in each species did not correlate to the climatic data of the region from which they originated. These findings provide new insights into mechanisms of seed dormancy in kiwifruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: In 1879, Dr. William Beal buried 20 glass bottles filled with seeds and sand at a single site at Michigan State University. The goal of the experiment was to understand seed longevity in the soil, a topic of general importance in ecology, restoration, conservation, and agriculture, by periodically assaying germinability of these seeds over 100 years. The interval between germination assays has been extended and the experiment will now end after 221 years, in 2100. Methods: We dug up the 16th bottle in April 2021 and attempted to germinate the 141‐year‐old seeds it contained. We grew germinants to maturity and identified these to species by vegetative and reproductive phenotypes. For the first time in the history of this experiment, genomic DNA was sequenced to confirm species identities. Results: Twenty seeds germinated over the 244‐day assay. Eight germinated in the first 11 days. All 20 belonged to the Verbascum genus: Nineteen were V. blattaria according to phenotype and ITS2 genotype; and one had a hybrid V. blattaria × V. thapsus phenotype and ITS2 genotype. In total, 20/50 (40%) of the original Verbascum seeds in the bottle germinated in year 141. Conclusions: While most species in the Beal experiment lost all seed viability in the first 60 years, a high percentage of Verbascum seeds can still germinate after 141 years in the soil. Long‐term experiments such as this one are rare and invaluable for studying seed viability in natural soil conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes how energy issues and education for sustainable development (ESD) are part of the agenda for two current European projects, CoDeS and SUSTAIN. The latter is mainly concerned with the development of inquiry-based primary and lower secondary science education while the former is a network that aims to learn more about collaborations within schools and communities that foster sustainable development. Even though the words "sustainability" and "global warming" are not mentioned in the 2014 key stage 3 (ages 11-14) science and geography National Curriculum in England, it is suggested that teaching the difficult concept of energy within the framework of sustainability will increase the engagement and curiosity of pupils and their motivation to study science using different contexts.

A shared conference presentation describes two ways of bringing education for sustainable development into education. The first part concentrated on putting science into outdoor learning backed up by a series of mind-mapping activities. The second was about linking schools with their surrounding communities to develop ways of working together. An example from a British school is highlighted but similar projects are occurring elsewhere in Europe and a few other countries.

The UK Government's Building Schools for the Future programme has provided schools with a unique opportunity to improve education for sustainable development substantially by giving pupils the chance to study within a real-life context. This article documents an engagement project in which experts in low-energy building design are facilitating numerous engagement events with schools across Leicester city. Engagement mechanisms and techniques used to communicate the science and engineering associated with the design and operation of low-energy schools are discussed. The results demonstrate an increase in pupils' knowledge and understanding of low-energy school design, which enables them to have detailed discussions with the designers and architects of their new schools. (Contains 4 figures.)

Deterioration of seed during dry storage is a major problem for genebanks and seed companies. Germination tests are the gold standard to monitor seed viability; however, these prove to be insensitive during the early stage of storage when viability changes are subtle. Recent findings demonstrate that decline in RNA integrity may be an early indicator of seed longevity during dry storage. The goal of this study was to determine the sensitivity of RNA integrity, measured as RNA integrity number (RIN), regarding how soon changes can be detected and how many seeds are required. We compared the statistical power of germination and RIN assays using a well‐characterized collection of 'Williams 82' soybean seeds, with cohorts harvested between 1989 and 2019 and stored at 5 °C. Germination was monitored in 1‐ to 3‐yr intervals since 1989, and RIN was monitored in 1‐ to 2‐yr intervals since 2016 providing an extensive dataset to conduct statistical power analyses. Decline in RIN can be detected in soybean seeds within 10 yr with a RNA monitor test that consumes approximately 30 seeds. In contrast, a germination test detects deterioration in 16 yr using approximately 50 seeds, and by this time, the seed lot is near the limit of longevity and has entered the phase of rapid mortality. Work from this study indicates that early detection of aging using RIN decline can be used to predict the longevity threshold to optimize viability monitoring and regeneration times, preventing loss of valuable samples by overtesting or missing the longevity threshold. Core Ideas: We calculate the statistical power of RNA integrity assays (RIN) for monitoring seed aging during storage.RIN detects changes in stored seeds earlier and with fewer seeds compared with traditional germination assays.Monitoring RIN presents a method to predict seed longevity with increased efficiency in seed storage operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetic characterization of recombinant human acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) is described. AMCase, a member of the family 18 glycosyl hydrolases, is one of the important proteins involved in Th2-mediated inflammation and is implicated in asthma and allergic diseases.

Root hair cells are important sensors of soil conditions. They grow towards and absorb water-soluble nutrients. This fast and oscillatory growth is mediated by continuous remodeling of the cell wall. Root hair cell walls contain polysaccharides and hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins, including extensins (EXTs). Class-III peroxidases (PRXs) are secreted into the apoplastic space and are thought to trigger either cell wall loosening or polymerization of cell wall components, such as Tyr-mediated assembly of EXT networks (EXT-PRXs). The precise role of these EXT-PRXs is unknown. Using genetic, biochemical, and modeling approaches, we identified and characterized three root-hair-specific putative EXT-PRXs, PRX01, PRX44, and PRX73. prx01,44,73 triple mutation and PRX44 and PRX73 overexpression had opposite effects on root hair growth, peroxidase activity, and ROS production, with a clear impact on cell wall thickness. We use an EXT fluorescent reporter with contrasting levels of cell wall insolubilization in prx01,44,73 and PRX44-overexpressing background plants. In this study, we propose that PRX01, PRX44, and PRX73 control EXT-mediated cell wall properties during polar expansion of root hair cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap), is a serious peach disease with symptoms that traverse severe defoliation and black surface pitting, cracking or blemishes on peach fruit with global economic impacts. A management option for control and meeting consumer demand for chemical-free, environmentally friendly fruit production is the development of resistant or tolerant cultivars. We developed simple, accurate, and efficient DNA assays (Ppe.XapF) based on SNP genotyping with KASP technology to quickly test for bacterial spot resistance alleles in peach fruit that allows breeders to cull seedlings at the greenhouse stage. The objective of this research was to validate newly developed DNA tests that target the two major QTLs for fruit resistance in peach with diagnostic utility in predicting fruit response to bacterial spot infection. Our study confirms that with only two Ppe.XapF DNA tests, Ppe.XapF1-1 and Ppe.XapF6-2, individuals carrying susceptible alleles can be identified. Use of these efficient and accurate Ppe.XapF KASP tests resulted in 44% reduction in seedling planting rate in the Clemson University peach breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Proteolysis of matrix components, in particular elastin, is a major contributing factor to the development of lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MMP-12 (macrophage elastase) is a protease known to be involved in the progression of lung disease. The relatively low abundance of MMP-12 has precluded the development of quantitative assays that can accurately measure MMP-12 protein levels and activity across cohorts of healthy and diseased individuals. Methods Commercial antibodies were screened for performance in sandwich ELISA and capture FRET activity assay formats. Precision, accuracy, sensitivity, dilution linearity, and spike recovery were evaluated using sputum samples. Results Total protein and capture FRET activity assays were developed that were sensitive enough to detect MMP-12 in 37 of 38 donor sputum samples. A comparison of results between the two assays shows that a majority of sputum MMP-12 is in the active form. No differences were seen between normal, asthmatic, and COPD donors. Conclusion Sensitive and quantitative assays for both MMP-12 activity and total protein in human induced sputum have been developed. These assays can be used to evaluate MMP-12 as a biomarker for lung disease, and to monitor efficacy of potential therapeutic compounds.

Characterizing non-lethal damage within dry seeds may allow us to detect early signs of ageing and accurately predict longevity. We compared RNA degradation and viability loss in seeds exposed to stressful conditions to quantify relationships between degradation rates and stress intensity or duration. We subjected recently harvested ('fresh') 'Williams 82' soya bean seeds to moisture, temperature and oxidative stresses, and measured time to 50% viability (P50) and rate of RNA degradation, the former using standard germination assays and the latter using RNA Integrity Number (RIN). RIN values from fresh seeds were also compared with those from accessions of the same cultivar harvested in the 1980s and 1990s and stored in the refrigerator (5°C), freezer (−18°C) or in vapour above liquid nitrogen (−176°C). Rates of viability loss (P50−1) and RNA degradation (RIN⋅d−1) were highly correlated in soya bean seeds that were exposed to a broad range of temperatures [holding relative humidity (RH) constant at about 30%]. However, the correlation weakened when fresh seeds were maintained at high RH (holding temperature constant at 35°C) or exposed to oxidizing agents. Both P50−1 and RIN⋅d−1 parameters exhibited breaks in Arrhenius behaviour near 50°C, suggesting that constrained molecular mobility regulates degradation kinetics of dry systems. We conclude that the kinetics of ageing reactions at RH near 30% can be simulated by temperatures up to 50°C and that RNA degradation can indicate ageing prior to and independent of seed death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) may be an effective breast cancer screening modality, alternatives are important to explore as this technique presents some challenges for population screening implementation. Purpose: To compare the detection performance of three-view (craniocaudal [CC] + mediolateral oblique [MLO] + mediolateral/lateromedial [ML/LM]) digital mammography (DM) to two-view (CC + MLO) DBT. Material and Methods: In this institutional review board-approved study, recalled screening DBT exams from 3 March 2014 to 31 March 2015 with a ML/LM view acquired within 30 days were retrospectively reviewed for detection of breast cancer. Six radiologists blinded to outcomes evaluated two-view DBT, which included DM and tomosynthesis images, and three-view DM. Probability of malignancy and a BI-RADS score were assigned. Primary outcomes were area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and benign and malignant recall rates. Results: The cohort included 121 cases: 37% were malignant and 63% were benign. Reader-averaged AUCs were 0.846 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.787–0.905) and 0.853 (95% CI = 0.802–0.904) for three-view DM and DBT, respectively. Benign and malignant recall rates were 53% and 74% for three-view DM and 52% and 75% for DBT, respectively. There was no difference in AUCs (P = 0.692), and benign (P = 1) and malignant (P = 1) recall rates. Conclusion: In this retrospective initial study, the detection performance of two-view DBT and three-view DM were statistically equivalent. Future studies should determine whether three-view DM is a viable alternative to DBT for screening, given its cost and work-flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Determining seed longevity by identifying chemical changes that precede, and may be linked to, seed mortality, is an important but difficult task. The standard assessment, germination proportion, reveals seed longevity by showing that germination proportion declines, but cannot be used to predict when germination will be significantly compromised. Assessment of molecular integrity, such as RNA integrity, may be more informative about changes in seed health that precede viability loss, and has been shown to be useful in soybean. Methods A collection of seeds stored at 5 °C and 35–50 % relative humidity for 1–30 years was used to test how germination proportion and RNA integrity are affected by storage time. Similarly, a collection of seeds stored at temperatures from −12 to +32 °C for 59 years was used to manipulate ageing rate. RNA integrity was calculated using total RNA extracted from one to five seeds per sample, analysed on an Agilent Bioanalyzer. Results Decreased RNA integrity was usually observed before viability loss. Correlation of RNA integrity with storage time or storage temperature was negative and significant for most species tested. Exceptions were watermelon, for which germination proportion and storage time were poorly correlated, and tomato, which showed electropherogram anomalies that affected RNA integrity number calculation. Temperature dependencies of ageing reactions were not significantly different across species or mode of detection. The overall correlation between germination proportion and RNA integrity, across all experiments, was positive and significant. Conclusions Changes in RNA integrity when ageing is asymptomatic can be used to predict onset of viability decline. RNA integrity appears to be a metric of seed ageing that is broadly applicable across species. Time and molecular mobility of the substrate affect both the progress of seed ageing and loss of RNA integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-pressure membranes provide high-quality water through physical removal of bacteria, cysts, and particles. Bacteria can attach to the membrane surface and form biofilms that reduce energy efficiency and increase the frequency of membrane replacement. Modifying membranes with polydopamine, a chemical mimic of the adhesive proteins that mussels release, has the potential to delay biofilm formation. Dopamine polymerizes under mild conditions, forming a coating that is of interest in membrane applications due to its hydrophilic and reactive nature. Compared with hydrophobic base membranes, hydrophilic surfaces are resistant to bacterial attachment. Additionally, when polydopamine is exposed to silver nitrate, a reduction reaction takes place that embeds antimicrobial silver nanoparticles into the polydopamine layer. This study paired short-term deposition experiments with longer-term filtration experiments to determine the efficacy of this modification when challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Modification with polydopamine resulted in an average 48% reduction in the initial deposition rate of P. aeruginosa. However, hydrophilicity of the polydopamine layer did not have a significant impact on membrane performance over 3 days of bacterial filtration. Only the combination of both polydopamine and silver nanoparticles improved the rate of water production, with an average flux 1.7 times greater than that of the unmodified membrane. Confocal microscopy revealed heterogeneous bacterial growth on all membrane types with a lack of association between membrane performance and biofilm structure. Modifying membranes with polydopamine and silver nanoparticles has the potential to ameliorate the effects of biofouling, thereby increasing the efficiency of membrane water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients often receive axillary ultrasound-biopsy (AUS-B) before clinical evaluation. One positive biopsy in the absence of palpable disease rarely indicates additional nodal involvement, but it eliminates patients from being managed by the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial criteria. To determine which patients may benefit from AUS-B, we analyzed whether characteristics on AUS were associated with large-volume axillary disease and, thus, the need for axillary lymph node (LN) dissection. A retrospective review identified patients who met Z0011 criteria and underwent AUS. Clinicopathologic and ultrasound characteristics were compared between patients with≤2 versus≥3 positive LNs. Two hundred and seven patients with cT1-2N0 tumors underwent preoperative AUS and breast-conserving surgery. On multivariate analysis, three AUS combinations were associated with ≥3 positive LNs: cortical thickness (CT) > 4 mm1 loss of fatty hilum 1 round shape (P 5 0.0218), CT > 4 mm1 loss of fatty hilum (P 5 0.0211), and CT > 4 mm1 round shape (P 5 0.0155). Preoperative axillary LN biopsy in patients with a single abnormal LN characteristic on AUS may be unnecessary because a positive finding will eliminate management according to Z0011 criteria. Cortical thickness >4 mm combined with any other abnormal characteristic was associated with ≥3 positive LNs, supporting the performance of AUS-B in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: The present study aims to assess associations of Medicare beneficiary screening mammography rates with local mammography facility and radiologist availability.Materials and Methods: Mammography screening rates for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries were obtained for US counties using the County Health Rankings data set. County-level certified mammography facility counts were obtained from the United States Food and Drug Administration. County-level mammogram-interpreting radiologist and breast imaging subspecialist counts were determined using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services fee-for-service claims files. Spearman correlations and multivariable linear regressions were performed using counties' facility and radiologist counts, as well as counts normalized to counties' Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary volume and land area.Results: Across 3035 included counties, average screening mammography rates were 60.5% ± 8.2% (range 26%-88%). Correlations between county-level screening rates and total mammography facilities, facilities per 100,000 square mile county area, total mammography-interpreting radiologists, and mammography-interpreting radiologists per 100,000 county-level Medicare beneficiaries were all weak (r = 0.22-0.26). Correlations between county-level screening rates and mammography rates per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries, total breast imaging subspecialist radiologists, and breast imaging subspecialist radiologists per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries were all minimal (r = 0.06-0.16). Multivariable analyses overall demonstrated radiologist supply to have a stronger independent effect than facility supply, although effect sizes remained weak for both.Conclusion: Mammography facility and radiologist supply-side factors are only weakly associated with county-level Medicare beneficiary screening mammography rates, and as such, screening mammography may differ from many other health-care services. Although efforts to enhance facility and radiologist supply may be helpful, initiatives to improve screening mammography rates should focus more on demand-side factors, such as patient education and primary care physician education and access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The 2015 conversion of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system from the ninth revision (ICD-9) to the 10th revision (ICD-10) was widely projected to adversely impact physician practices. We aimed to assess code conversion impact factor (CCIF) projections and revenue delay impact to help radiology groups better prepare for eventual conversion to ICD, 11th revision (ICD-11).Methods: Studying 673,600 claims for 179 radiologists for the first year after ICD-10's implementation, we identified primary ICD-10 codes for the top 90th percentile of all examinations for the entire enterprise and each subspecialty division. Using established methodology, we calculated CCIFs (actual ICD-10 codes ÷ prior ICD-9 codes). To assess ICD-10's impact on cash flow, average monthly days in accounts receivable status was compared for the 12 months before and after conversion.Results: Of all 69,823 ICD-10 codes, only 7,075 were used to report primary diagnoses across the entire practice, and just 562 were used to report 90% of all claims, compared with 348 under ICD-9. This translates to an overall CCIF of 1.6 for the department (far less than the literature-predicted 6). By subspecialty division, CCIFs ranged from 0.7 (breast) to 3.5 (musculoskeletal). Monthly average days in accounts receivable for the 12 months before and after ICD-10 conversion did not increase.Conclusion: The operational impact of the ICD-10 transition on radiology practices appears far less than anticipated with respect to both CCIF and delays in cash flow. Predictive models should be refined to help practices better prepare for ICD-11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Indaziflam is a cellulose-biosynthesis-inhibiting (CBI) herbicide that is a unique mode of action for resistance management and has broad spectrum activity at low application rates. This research further explores indaziflam's activity on monocotyledons and dicotyledons and evaluates indaziflam's potential for restoring non-crop sites infested with invasive winter annual grasses. RESULTS Treated Arabidopsis, downy brome, feral rye and kochia were all susceptible to indaziflam in a dose-dependent manner. We confirmed that indaziflam has increased activity on monocots (average GR50 = 231 p m and 0.38 g AI ha−1) at reduced concentrations compared with dicots (average GR50 = 512 p m and 0.87 g AI ha−1). Fluorescence microscopy confirmed common CBI symptomologies following indaziflam treatments, as well as aberrant root and cell morphology. Across five application timings, indaziflam treatments resulted in superior invasive winter annual grass control 2 years after treatment (from 84 ± 5.1% to 99 ± 0.5%) compared with imazapic (36% ± 1.2%). Indaziflam treatments significantly increased biomass and species richness of co-occurring species 2 years after treatment. CONCLUSION Indaziflam's increased activity on monocots could provide a new alternative management strategy for long-term control of multiple invasive winter annual grasses that invade >23 million ha of US rangeland. Indaziflam could potentially be used to eliminate the soil seed bank of these invasive grasses, reduce fine fuel accumulation and ultimately increase the competitiveness of perennial co-occuring species. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prior studies have shown higher screening mammography rates for beneficiaries in capitated managed care Medicare Advantage (MA) plans compared with traditional fee-for-service Medicare. The aim of this study was to explore variation in screening mammography rates at the level of MA managed care plans.Methods: Using the 2016 MA Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set Public Use File, screening mammography rates were identified for all 385 reporting MA plans. Associations were explored with a range of plan characteristics from this file, as well as from the CMS Part C and Part D Medicare Star Ratings Data File, Medicare Advantage Plan Directory, and Medicare Monthly Enrollment by Plan File.Results: Overall MA plan screening rates were high (mean, 72.6 ± 9.4%) but varied substantially among plans (range, 14.3%-91.8%). Screening rates were higher in nonprofit versus for-profit plans (77.3% versus 71.8%, P < .001), as well as in health maintenance organization or local preferred provider organization plans versus private fee-for-service or regional preferred provider organization plans (71.9%-73.2% versus 65.5%-66.8%, P = .001). Among parent organizations with five or more plans, screening rates were highest for Kaiser Foundation (median, 88.4%) and lowest for Molina Healthcare (median, 65.3%). Screening rates showed small but significant associations with plans' contract lengths, enrolled populations, and counties served. Screening rates showed strong associations (r = 0.796-0.798) with colorectal cancer screening and annual flu vaccine rates and showed moderate associations (r = 0.283-0.365) with ambulatory and preventive care visits, osteoporosis screenings, body mass index assessments, and nonrecommended prostate-specific antigen screenings after age 70.Conclusions: Screening mammography rates vary considerably among MA plans. With increased federal interest in promoting the MA program, enhanced transparency will be necessary to ensure appropriate Medicare beneficiary participation decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive aquatic plant Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) can hybridize with the related North American native species northern watermilfoil (M. sibiricum Kom.). Hybrid watermilfoil (M. spicatum x M. sibiricum) populations have higher fitness and reduced sensitivity to some commonly used aquatic herbicides, making management more difficult. There is growing concern that management practices using herbicides in lakes with mixed populations of watermilfoil species may further select for hybrid individuals due to the difference in herbicide sensitivity. Accurate and cost-effective identification of rare hybrid individuals within populations is therefore critical for herbicide management decisions. Here we describe KASP assays for three SNPs in the ITS region to genotype individuals from both parental watermilfoil species and their hybrid, using synthesized plasmids containing the respective sequences as positive controls. Using KASP we genotyped 16 individuals from one lake and 23 individuals from a second lake, giving a highly accurate picture of Myriophyllum species distribution dynamics. We identified one hybrid individual among 16 samples from one lake, a discovery rate of <10%. Discriminant analysis showed that while a single SNP was generally sufficient for genotyping an individual, using multiple SNPs increased the reliability of genotyping. In the future, the ability to genotype many samples will provide the ability to identify the presence of rare individuals, such as a less common parental species or the inter-specific hybrid. Lakes with complex species distribution dynamics, such as a low proportion of hybrids, are where herbicide application must be carefully chosen so as not to select for the more vigorous and less herbicide-sensitive hybrid individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytokine TWEAK and its cognate receptor Fn14 are members of the TNF/TNFR superfamily and are upregulated in tissue injury to mediate local tissue responses including inflammation and tissue remodeling. We found that in various models of kidney disease, Fn14 expression (mRNA and protein) is upregulated in the kidney. These models include: lupus nephritis mouse models (Nephrotoxic serum Transfer Nephritis and MRL.Faslpr/lpr), acute kidney injury models (Ischemia reperfusion injury and Folic acid injury), and a ZSF-1 diabetic nephropathy rat model. Fn14 expression levels correlate with disease severity as measured by disease histology. We have also shown for the first time the detection of soluble Fn14 (sFn14) in the urine and serum of mice. Importantly, we found the sFn14 levels are markedly increased in the diseased mice and are correlated with disease biomarkers including proteinuria and MCP-1. We have also detected sFn14 in human plasma and urine. Moreover, sFn14 levels, in urine are significantly increased in DN patients and correlated with proteinuria and MCP-1 levels. Thus our data not only confirm the up-regulation of Fn14/TWEAK pathway in kidney diseases, but also suggest a novel mechanism for its regulation by the generation of sFn14. The correlation of sFn14 levels and disease severity suggest that sFn14 may serve as a potential biomarker for both acute and chronic kidney diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuel is hindered by cell wall recalcitrance, which can limit the ability of cellulases to access and break down cellulose. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether hydroxyproline-rich cell wall proteins (extensins) are present in poplar stem biomass, and whether these proteins may contribute to recalcitrance. Three classical extensin genes were identified in Populus trichocarpa through bioinformatic analysis of poplar genome sequences, with the following proposed names: PtEXTENSIN1 (Potri.001G019700); PtEXTENSIN2 (Potri.001G020100); PtEXTENSIN3 (Potri.018G050100). Tissue print immunoblots localized the extensin proteins in poplar stems to regions near the vascular cambium. Different thermochemical pretreatments reduced but did not eliminate hydroxyproline (Hyp, a proxy for extensins) from the biomass. Protease treatment of liquid hot waterpretreated poplar biomass reduced Hyp content by a further 16% and increased subsequent glucose yield by 20%. These data suggest that extensins may contribute to recalcitrance in pretreated poplar biomass, and that incorporating protease treatment into pretreatment protocols could result in a small but significant increase in the yield of fermentable glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of Pb and As in an historically contaminated orchard soil, after amendment with compost and aging in the field, was determined by single-step chemical extraction with 1.0 M ammonium acetate at pH 4.8, sequential extraction using the modified BCR test, and a redworm bioassay in the laboratory. The efficiency of soil Pb extraction by ammonium acetate was greater at higher total soil Pb but was reduced by compost amendment. Conversely, the extraction efficiency of total soil As increased with compost amendment, but was not sensitive to total soil As. The redworm bioassay indicated Pb (but not As) bioavailability to be reduced by soil amendment with compost, a result consistent with the ammonium acetate extraction test but not reflected in modified BCR test. Electron microprobe studies of the orchard soil revealed Pb and As to be spatially associated in discrete particles along with phosphorus and iron. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article explores the relationship between the previous UK government’s initiative to rebuild and renew secondary schools, and the requirement for improved education for sustainable development in the UK. The documented research utilized a number of mechanisms to engage with pupils in Leicester city schools to increase their awareness, knowledge and understanding of the science and engineering associated with the design and operation of low-energy school buildings. Workshops, discussions with energy and sustainable development experts and inspirational visits to existing low-energy buildings were employed to develop an appreciation for the importance of energy efficiency and best design practice. The results demonstrate an increase in pupils’ knowledge and understanding of low-energy school design and additionally a rise in those pupils who are interested in science and would consider it as a career option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]