Search

Introduction: Multiple myeloma represents a malignant disorder of plasma cells. Extramedullary relapse in multiple myeloma is a rare occurrence, and pericardial involvement stands as an exceedingly uncommon manifestation. Only a few documented cases of pericardial effusion as an extramedullary relapse presentation of myeloma exist. Bispecific antibodies are emerging as a novel class of immunotherapy drugs for the treatment of relapsed refractory multiple myeloma patients who have experienced failure with four prior lines of therapy. According to a literature review, none of the reported cases with pericardial effusion relapsed myeloma have been treated with bispecific antibodies, given that these drugs have only recently gained approval. Case Presentation: We present a rare case of a patient with pericardial effusion resulting from myeloma relapse, treated with teclistamab, a bispecific antibody, and achieving an excellent response. Conclusion: Bispecific antibodies, such as teclistamab, show great effectiveness as a treatment for patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, including those with extramedullary disease.

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia among older adults, slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. In recent years, scientists have made tremendous progress in understanding Alzheimer’s disease, still, they do not yet fully understand what causes the disease. This article proposes a novel etiology for Alzheimer’s disease. Our hypothesis developed from a review of nuclear medicine scans, in which the authors observed a significant increase in nasal turbinate vasodilation and blood pooling in patients with hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes and/or obesity, all risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. The authors propose that nasal turbinate vasodilation and resultant blood pooling lead to the obstruction of normal nasal lymphatic clearance of cerebrospinal fluid and its waste products from the brain. The nasal turbinate vasodilation, due to increased parasympathetic activity, occurs alongside the well-established increased sympathetic activity of the cardiovascular system as seen in patients with hypertension. The increased parasympathetic activity is likely due to an autonomic imbalance secondary to the increase in worldwide consumption of highly processed food associated with dysregulation of the glucose regulatory system. The authors’ hypothesis offers a novel mechanism and a new paradigm for the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease and helps explain the rapid worldwide rise in the disease and other dementias which are expected to double in the next 20 years. This new paradigm provides compelling evidence for the modulation of the parasympathetic nervous system as a novel treatment strategy for Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain diseases, specifically targeting nasal turbinate lymphatic flow.

Maple syrup is an important part of the economy in various regions of the United States. Studies on maple syrup production potential mostly use climatic factors as determinants and, therefore, fail to account for non-climatic factors. In this study, we applied a stochastic production function framework to establish a relationship between maple syrup yield and a set of climatic (temperature and tapping season length) and non-climatic determining factors, such as the number of maple trees and utilization rate of the potential number of taps. Tree characteristics, climatic, and other factors had mixed effects on syrup yield. The number of maple trees, the number of taps, and the minimum temperature had marginal negative effects on average syrup yield, while the length of the season and the maximum temperature had positive effects. A predictive model was developed and used to estimate the potential production of maple syrup under low, medium and high utilization levels in Kentucky, a likely region for maple syrup production. This model could be useful for maple syrup research, education, and extension in maple-producing states.

Hypertension affects an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide and is considered the number one contributor to mortality via stroke, heart failure, renal failure, and dementia. Although the physiologic mechanisms leading to the development of essential hypertension are poorly understood, the regulation of cerebral perfusion has been proposed as a primary cause. This article proposes a novel etiology for essential hypertension. Our hypothesis developed from a review of nuclear medicine scans, where the authors observed a significantly abnormal increase in nasal turbinate vasodilation in hypertensive patients using quantitative region of interest analysis. The authors propose that nasal turbinate vasodilation and resultant blood pooling obstruct the flow of cerebrospinal fluid passing through nasal turbinate lymphatics, thereby increasing intracranial pressure. The authors discuss the glymphatic/lymphatic clearance system which is impaired with age, and at which time hypertension also develops. The increased intracranial pressure leads to compensatory hypertension via Cushing’s mechanism, i.e., the selfish brain hypothesis. The nasal turbinate vasodilation, due to increased parasympathetic activity, occurs simultaneously along with the well-established increased sympathetic activity of the cardiovascular system. The increased parasympathetic activity is likely due to an autonomic imbalance secondary to the increase in worldwide consumption of processed food. This hypothesis explains the rapid worldwide rise in essential hypertension in the last 50 years and offers a novel mechanism and a new paradigm for the etiology of essential hypertension. This new paradigm offers compelling evidence for the modulation of parasympathetic nervous system activity as a novel treatment strategy, specifically targeting nasal turbinate regulation, to treat diseases such as hypertension, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and degenerative brain diseases. The proposed mechanism of essential hypertension presented in this paper is a working hypothesis and confirmatory studies will be needed.

We report the case of a 71-year-old man who presented 2 years following renal transplantation with diffuse, unilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis five weeks after receiving an intravitreal dexamethasone implant device for the management of central retinal vein occlusion. Examination of the left eye showed diffuse retinal hemorrhages, attenuated and tortuous retinal vessels, and superior retinal whitening. The patient was successfully treated with serial intravitreal foscarnet injections and oral valganciclovir with disease regression observed by 12 weeks after presentation. The patient’s visual acuity and examination remained stable at 9-months follow-up.

Abstract The TMEM63 family proteins (A, B, and C), calcium-permeable channels in animals that are preferentially activated by hypo-osmolality, have been implicated in various physiological functions. Deficiency of these channels would cause many diseases including hearing loss. However, their structures and physiological roles are not yet well understood. In this study, we determine the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the mouse TMEM63C at 3.56 Å, and revealed structural differences compared to TMEM63A, TMEM63B, and the plant orthologues OSCAs. Further structural guided mutagenesis and calcium imaging demonstrated the important roles of the coupling of TM0 and TM6 in channel activity. Additionally, we confirm that TMEM63C exists primarily as a monomer under physiological conditions, in contrast, TMEM63B is a mix of monomer and dimer in cells, suggesting that oligomerization is a regulatory mechanism for TMEM63 proteins.

# Background Many governments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have difficulties paying healthcare costs upfront leading to high out-of-pocket payments for patients. A Development Impact Bond (DIB) is an innovative financing mechanism in which pr ivate investors provide pre-payment of development program expenses. At the same time, public agencies or donors repay the investor's investment with a reasonable interest rate if the program succeeds in delivering independently measurable results that are contractually agreed upon. This study assessed quantitatively and qualitatively the feasibility of a DIB for hepatitis C Virus (HCV) diagnosis and treatment in Cameroon. # Methods A revolving fund of up to €230,000 was made available by the investor. The outcome payor reimbursed the investor only in case of good performance, defined as cured patients (HCV-RNA negative). HCV carriers who were identified were referred for treatment and tested for cure 12 weeks after completion of treatment, the outcome being validated by an independent assessor. The evaluation was guided by the six-agents model, involving interviews with relevant stakeholders (N= 22). # Results In total, 253 (98%) patients completed treatment, of which 244 (96%) are cured at week 24. We estimated that the average per-patient *outcome payment* for HCV diagnosis and treatment is €1,542, and the *average costs per treated patient* is €1,858. The investor was fully repaid, including the agreed interest and bonus. Themes or findings from the interviews confirmed the feasibility of a DIB in a low-resource setting. # Conclusions This study demonstrates that a DIB can be a suitable financing mechanism for HCV services, supporting the path towards elimination. When governments in LMICs do not have sufficient resources to fund such elimination programs upfront, such public-private partnerships can offer a solution.

Summary: Hippocampus place cell discharge is temporally unreliable across seconds and days, and place fields are multimodal, suggesting an “ensemble cofiring” spatial coding hypothesis with manifold dynamics that does not require reliable spatial tuning, in contrast to hypotheses based on place field (spatial tuning) stability. We imaged mouse CA1 (cornu ammonis 1) ensembles in two environments across three weeks to evaluate these coding hypotheses. While place fields “remap,” being more distinct between than within environments, coactivity relationships generally change less. Decoding location and environment from 1-s ensemble location-specific activity is effective and improves with experience. Decoding environment from cell-pair coactivity relationships is also effective and improves with experience, even after removing place tuning. Discriminating environments from 1-s ensemble coactivity relies crucially on the cells with the most anti-coactive cell-pair relationships because activity is internally organized on a low-dimensional manifold of non-linear coactivity relationships that intermittently reregisters to environments according to the anti-cofiring subpopulation activity.

Introduction: A common neurosurgical condition, chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) typically affects older people with other underlying health conditions. The care of this potentially vulnerable cohort is often, however, fragmented and suboptimal. In other complex conditions, multidisciplinary guidelines have transformed patient experience and outcomes, but no such framework exists for cSDH. This paper outlines a protocol to develop the first comprehensive multidisciplinary guideline from diagnosis to long-term recovery with cSDH. Methods: The project will be guided by a steering group of key stakeholders and professional organisations and will feature patient and public involvement. Multidisciplinary thematic working groups will examine key aspects of care to formulate appropriate, patient-centered research questions, targeted with evidence review using the GRADE framework. The working groups will then formulate draft clinical recommendations to be used in a modified Delphi process to build consensus on guideline contents. Conclusions: We present a protocol for the development of a multidisciplinary guideline to inform the care of patients with a cSDH, developed by cross-disciplinary working groups and arrived at through a consensus-building process, including a modified online Delphi.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the biophysical structure and function of modern suture materials. Particularly the suture's ability to withstand the stressors of surgery and how the material properties affect knot stability. The secondary aim was to investigate the effect that different knots have on the suture material itself. This study builds on previous research assessing suture and knot characteristics but in modern Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) materials currently in widespread clinical use in arthroscopic surgery. Methods: Three common UHMWPE sutures and one polyester suture were tested in both a dry and wet state using the Geelong, Nicky's, Surgeon's and Tautline knots. Tensile strength of knots was tested vertically at a 60 mm/min strain rate and 45 mm gauge length. Sutures were tied through a cannula around two 8 mm diameter circular bollards. Testing was conducted in a controlled environment temperature and humidity environment (20 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 2%). Results: No one knot type was optimal over all suture types. Mean tensile strength in both a dry and wet state and a low coefficient of variation (CV) in tensile strength in a wet state were considered as an indication of suitability. With Ethibond sutures this was the Geelong knot (CV:4.2%). With Orthocord sutures both the Geelong and Tautline knots (CV:4.2% and CV:11.9% respectively). With FiberWire sutures the Nickys and Tautline knots (CV:22.6% and CV:22.5% respectively). With ForceFiber sutures all four knots exhibited similar wet tensile strength with high variability showing that all should perform in a similar way invivo. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a statistically significant three-way interaction between polyblend suture materials, the knot and the environment. This has implications for knot security using the tested sutures in different environments, as one knot may not behave the same under all conditions.

The first steps of vision take place within a stack of tightly packed disc-shaped membranes, or ‘discs’, located in the outer segment compartment of photoreceptor cells. In rod photoreceptors, discs are enclosed inside the outer segment and contain deep indentations in their rims called ‘incisures’. The presence of incisures has been documented in a variety of species, yet their role remains elusive. In this study, we combined traditional electron microscopy with three-dimensional electron tomography to demonstrate that incisures are formed only after discs become completely enclosed. We also observed that, at the earliest stage of their formation, discs are not round as typically depicted but rather are highly irregular in shape and resemble expanding lamellipodia. Using genetically manipulated mice and frogs and measuring outer segment protein abundances by quantitative mass spectrometry, we further found that incisure size is determined by the molar ratio between peripherin-2, a disc rim protein critical for the process of disc enclosure, and rhodopsin, the major structural component of disc membranes. While a high perpherin-2 to rhodopsin ratio causes an increase in incisure size and structural complexity, a low ratio precludes incisure formation. Based on these data, we propose a model whereby normal rods express a modest excess of peripherin-2 over the amount required for complete disc enclosure in order to ensure that this important step of disc formation is accomplished. Once the disc is enclosed, the excess peripherin-2 incorporates into the rim to form an incisure.

In cereals with hollow internodes, lodging resistance is influenced by morphological characteristics such as internode diameter and culm wall thickness. Despite their relevance, knowledge of the genetic control of these traits and their relationship with lodging is lacking in temperate cereals such as barley. To fill this gap, we developed an image analysis–based protocol to accurately phenotype culm diameters and culm wall thickness across 261 barley accessions. Analysis of culm trait data collected from field trials in seven different environments revealed high heritability values (>50%) for most traits except thickness and stiffness, as well as genotype-by-environment interactions. The collection was structured mainly according to row-type, which had a confounding effect on culm traits as evidenced by phenotypic correlations. Within both row-type subsets, outer diameter and section modulus showed significant negative correlations with lodging (

Abstract Introduction Critical illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is associated with a high burden of pulmonary embolism (PE) and thromboembolic events despite standard thromboprophylaxis. Available guidance is discordant, ranging from standard care to the use of therapeutic anticoagulation for enhanced thromboprophylaxis (ET). Local ET protocols have been empirically determined and are generally intermediate between standard prophylaxis and full anticoagulation. Concerns have been raised in regard to the potential risk of haemorrhage associated with therapeutic anticoagulation. This report describes the prevalence and safety of ET strategies in European Intensive Care Unit (ICUs) and their association with outcomes during the first wave of the COVID pandemic, with particular focus on haemorrhagic complications and ICU mortality. Methods Retrospective, observational, multi-centre study including adult critically ill COVID-19 patients. Anonymised data included demographics, clinical characteristics, thromboprophylaxis and/or anticoagulation treatment. Critical haemorrhage was defined as intracranial haemorrhage or bleeding requiring red blood cells transfusion. Survival was collected at ICU discharge. A multivariable mixed effects generalised linear model analysis matched for the propensity for receiving ET was constructed for both ICU mortality and critical haemorrhage. Results A total of 852 (79% male, age 66 [37–85] years) patients were included from 28 ICUs. Median body mass index and ICU length of stay were 27.7 (25.1–30.7) Kg/m2 and 13 (7–22) days, respectively. Thromboembolic events were reported in 146 patients (17.1%), of those 78 (9.2%) were PE. ICU mortality occurred in 335/852 (39.3%) patients. ET was used in 274 (32.1%) patients, and it was independently associated with significant reduction in ICU mortality (log odds = 0.64 [95% CIs 0.18–1.1; p = 0.0069]) but not an increased risk of critical haemorrhage (log odds = 0.187 [95%CI − 0.591 to − 0.964; p = 0.64]). Conclusions In a cohort of critically ill patients with a high prevalence of thromboembolic events, ET was associated with reduced ICU mortality without an increased burden of haemorrhagic complications. This study suggests ET strategies are safe and associated with favourable outcomes. Whilst full anticoagulation has been questioned for prophylaxis in these patients, our results suggest that there may nevertheless be a role for enhanced / intermediate levels of prophylaxis. Clinical trials investigating causal relationship between intermediate thromboprophylaxis and clinical outcomes are urgently needed.

Yang et al. use a genomic approach to evaluate a panel of 805 UK barley varieties and the value of the DUS system for plant registration. Their findings suggest that morphological traits are not appropriate for registering new barley varieties, and suggest that a genomic system should be developed for future use.

Recent studies provide conflicting evidence on the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 immunity induced by mRNA vaccines. Here, we aim to quantify the persistence of humoral immunity following vaccination using a coronavirus antigen microarray that includes 10 SARS-CoV-2 antigens. In a prospective longitudinal cohort of 240 healthcare workers, composite SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels did not wane significantly over a 6-month study period. In the subset of the study population previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2 based on seropositivity for nucleocapsid antibodies, higher composite anti-spike IgG levels were measured before the vaccine but no significant difference from unexposed individuals was observed at 6 months. Age, vaccine type, or worker role did not significantly impact composite IgG levels, although non-significant trends towards lower antibody levels in older participants and higher antibody levels with Moderna vaccine were observed at 6 months. A small subset of our cohort were classified as having waning antibody titers at 6 months, and these individuals were less likely to work in patient care roles and more likely to have prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) xanthochromia by spectroscopy should not be dismissed in the context of hyperbilirubinemia in a patient with sickle cell anemia. Xanthochromia detected by spectrophotometry offers a vital clue that further invasive diagnosis is required.

This study assesses how an overall decline in Airbnb activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic has affected rental supply and prices in Sydney. Using a comprehensive record of Airbnb listings and rental sales data, we study how Airbnb activity and the rental market has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that in active Airbnb neighbourhoods, the supply of long-term rental stock has increased in response to reduced Airbnb activity, whereas rental supply has fallen in inactive Airbnb neighbourhoods. Our results indicate that rental prices have fallen proportionately with Airbnb activity, up to 7.1% in the most active Airbnb neighbourhoods.

Through a multi-layered, overlapping collection of international and regional treaties, one solution for child statelessness is emerging: the obligation of the birth state to grant nationality to otherwise stateless children. The 1961 Statelessness Convention imposes this obligation partly, but has limited adherence. The International Covenent on Civil and Political Rights provides for a right to a nationality, but does not expressly identify which state is responsible. In addition, treaties in Europe and Africa only cover the right implicitly and partially, though treaties in the Americas cover the right expressly. The interpetation of these disparate treaty obligations is now coalescing into an coherent obligation. In combination with the obligation to take all decisions in a child’s best interests under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we can now identify the birth state as the state responsible for ensuring that every child is born with a nationality.

ObjectiveComplement activation is instrumental in the pathogenesis of Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a significant cause of neonatal mortality and disability worldwide. Therapeutic hypothermia (HT), the only available treatment for HIE, only modestly improves outcomes. Complement modulation as a therapeutic adjunct to HT has been considered, but is challenging due to the wide-ranging role of the complement system in neuroinflammation, homeostasis and neurogenesis in the developing brain. We sought to identify potential therapeutic targets by measuring the impact of treatment with HT on complement effector expression in neurons and glia in neonatal HIE, with particular emphasis on the interactions between microglia and C1q.MethodsThe Vannucci model was used to induce HIE in term-equivalent rat pups. At P10-12, pups were randomly assigned to three different treatment groups: Sham (control), normothermia (NT), and hypothermia (HT) treatment. Local and systemic complement expression and neuronal apoptosis were measured by ELISA, TUNEL and immunofluorescence labeling, and differences compared between groups.ResultsTreatment with HT is associated with decreased systemic and microglial expression of C1q, decreased systemic C5a levels, and decreased microglial and neuronal deposition of C3 and C9. The effect of HT on cytokines was variable with decreased expression of pro and anti-inflammatory effectors. HT treatment was associated with decreased C1q binding on cells undergoing apoptosis.ConclusionOur data demonstrate the extreme complexity of the immune response in neonatal HIE. We propose modulation of downstream effectors C3a and C5a as a therapeutic adjunct to HT to enhance neuroprotection in the developing brain.

The objective of this study was to investigate differences in smoked beef brisket palatability from 3 USDA quality grades (USDA Prime, average [middle 1/3] Choice, and Select). Briskets (n = 54; 18 per quality grade) were seasoned with a blend of 1:1 coarse salt/black pepper, and then cooked in a smoker to a final internal temperature of 93°C for approximately 6 to 7 h. For sensory analysis, briskets were separated into point (pectoralis superficialis) and flat (pectoralis profundus) portions and then sliced perpendicular to the muscle fibers. Consumer panelists (N = 360) evaluated palatability traits, acceptability of each trait, and willingness to pay (WTP). An interaction between quality grade and muscle was observed (P ≤ 0.03) for all palatability traits, proportion of acceptable samples, and WTP. Consumers could not distinguish among quality grades of the point portions for tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking (P > 0.05). Point samples, regardless of quality grade, were scored greater (P < 0.05) than Prime flat samples for all palatability traits. Choice and Select flat samples were scored lesser (P < 0.05) than all other treatment combinations for tenderness, flavor liking, and overall liking. In alignment with palatability traits, consumers’ WTP was greatest for point portions, regardless of quality grade (P < 0.05), followed by Prime flat portions. Choice and Select flat portions had the lowest WTP (P < 0.05). Consumer acceptability of cooked beef brisket generally followed similar trends as palatability scores. Quality grade had no effect on the eating quality of the point portions of smoked briskets, and point portions received superior palatability scores to flat portions. Prime flat portions had greater eating quality compared to that of Choice and Select flat portions, and consumers had greater WTP for what they perceived as superior eating quality.

One option to achieving greater resiliency for barley production in the face of climate change is to explore the potential of winter and facultative growth habits: for both types, low temperature tolerance (LTT) and vernalization sensitivity are key traits. Sensitivity to short-day photoperiod is a desirable attribute for facultative types. In order to broaden our understanding of the genetics of these phenotypes, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and identified candidate genes using a genome-wide association studies (GWAS) panel composed of 882 barley accessions that was genotyped with the Illumina 9K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. Fifteen loci including 5 known and 10 novel QTL/genes were identified for LTT—assessed as winter survival in 10 field tests and mapped using a GWAS meta-analysis. FR-H1, FR-H2, and FR-H3 were major drivers of LTT, and candidate genes were identified for FR-H3. The principal determinants of vernalization sensitivity were VRN-H1, VRN-H2, and PPD-H1. VRN-H2 deletions conferred insensitive or intermediate sensitivity to vernalization. A subset of accessions with maximum LTT were identified as a resource for allele mining and further characterization. Facultative types comprised a small portion of the GWAS panel but may be useful for developing germplasm with this growth habit.

Over the last decade, the emergence and significant growth of home-sharing platforms, such as Airbnb, has coincided with rising housing unaffordability in many global cities. It is in this context that we look to empirically assess the impact of Airbnb on housing prices in Sydney—one of the least affordable cities in the world. Employing a hedonic property valuation model, our results indicate that Airbnb’s overall effect is positive. A 1% increase in Airbnb density is associated with approximately a 2% increase in property sales price. However, recognizing that Airbnb’s effect is geographically uneven and given the fragmented nature of Sydney’s housing market, we also employ a GWR to account for the spatial variation in Airbnb activity. The findings confirm that Airbnb’s influence on housing prices is varied across the city. Sydney’s northern beaches and parts of western Sydney experience a statistically significant value uplift attributable to Airbnb activity. However, traditional tourist locations focused around Sydney’s CBD and the eastern suburbs experience insignificant or negative property price impacts. The results highlight the need for policymakers to consider local Airbnb and housing market contexts when deciding the appropriate level and design of Airbnb regulation.

Summary: Dosage compensation, which corrects for the imbalance in X-linked gene expression between XX females and XY males, represents a model for how genes are targeted for coordinated regulation. However, the mechanism by which dosage compensation complexes identify the X chromosome during early development remains unknown because of the difficulty of sexing embryos before zygotic transcription using X- or Y-linked reporter transgenes. We used meiotic drive to sex Drosophila embryos before zygotic transcription and ChIP-seq to measure the dynamics of dosage compensation factor targeting. The Drosophila male-specific lethal dosage compensation complex (MSLc) requires the ubiquitous zinc-finger protein chromatin-linked adaptor for MSL proteins (CLAMP) to identify the X chromosome. We observe a multi-stage process in which MSLc first identifies CLAMP binding sites throughout the genome, followed by concentration at the strongest X-linked MSLc sites. We provide insight into the dynamics of binding site recognition by a large transcription complex during early development. : Rieder et al. establish a meiotic drive system to study Drosophila X chromosome dosage compensation before the maternal-zygotic transition. This study uncovers another step in the process during which the dosage compensation complex identifies binding sites genome-wide before becoming enriched on the X chromosome. Keywords: dosage compensation, transcription factor, zygotic genome activation, meiotic drive, chromatin domain, CLAMP, MSL complex, Drosophila, Segregation distorter, dosage compensation

Background: Synthetic elastomers such as polyvinyl siloxane and polyether are the most commonly used impression materials. The accuracy and dimensional stability of these materials are influenced by the temperature, humidity, and storage time. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of storage time and temperature on the dimensional stability of polyvinyl siloxane and polyether impression materials. Materials and Methods: A stainless steel die was used to prepare the molds from three brands of polyvinyl siloxane (Elite HD, Express STD, Aquasil) and one brand of polyether (Impregnum F) impression materials. The samples were stored at five different temperatures (10°C, 180°C, 280°C, 350°C, and 450°C) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The linear change in the dimension of the materials were recorded and analyzed. Results: When stored at 280°C and 450°C, polyvinyl siloxane did not show any significant dimensional change in 24, 48, and 72 h when compared to control samples. At 10°C, significant dimensional change was noted in 24 h (P = 0.00) and at 180°C, significant change in the dimension was noted in 24 and 48 h (P = 0.01,P= 0.00, respectively). At 350°C, polyvinyl siloxane showed expansion in 24 and 48 h (P = 0.00,P= 0.04, respectively) whereas no further change occurred in 72 h. Significant changes in the dimensional stability were noted for polyether at all the five storage temperatures (10°C, 180°C, 280°C, 350°C, and 450°C) when compared to control samples. Conclusion: All the three brands of polyvinyl siloxane and the one brand of polyether tested showed statistically significant dimensional changes in 10°C, 180°C, 350°C, and 450°C, whereas at 280°C, all the tested materials showed no significant changes. Most of these changes occurred within 24 h, with very little changes occurring in 48 and 72 h.

The Brassica genus contains abundant economically important vegetable and oilseed crops, which are under threat of diseases caused by fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens. Resistance gene analogues (RGAs) are associated with quantitative and qualitative disease resistance and the identification of candidate RGAs associated with disease resistance is crucial for understanding the mechanism and management of diseases through breeding. The availability of Brassica genome assemblies has greatly facilitated reference-based quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for disease resistance. In addition, pangenomes, which characterise both core and variable genes, have been constructed for B. rapa, B. oleracea and B. napus. Genome-wide characterisation of RGAs using conserved domains and motifs in reference genomes and pangenomes reveals their clustered arrangements and presence of structural variations. Here, we comprehensively review RGA identification in important Brassica genome and pangenome assemblies. Comparison of the RGAs in QTL between resistant and susceptible individuals allows for efficient identification of candidate disease resistance genes. However, the reference-based QTL mapping and RGA candidate identification approach is restricted by the under-represented RGA diversity characterised in the limited number of Brassica assemblies. The species-wide repertoire of RGAs make up the pan-resistance gene analogue genome (pan-RGAome). Building a pan-RGAome, through either whole genome resequencing or resistance gene enrichment sequencing, would effectively capture RGA diversity, greatly expanding breeding resources that can be utilised for crop improvement.

Aim: To determine whether a mechanical, high-frequency vibration device (Tenease ™ ) can improve pain and function for the treatment of tennis elbow (TE), compared with standard treatment. Methods: Adults presenting to an elbow clinic with a clinical diagnosis of TE were randomized to standard treatment with physiotherapy, activity modification and analgesia or standard treatment plus Tenease therapy. Tenease therapy consisted of a 6-week period of treatment using the Tenease device with three 10-min episodes each day. The primary outcome measure was the quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score at 6 months, with scores also taken at 6 weeks. Secondary outcome measures were the Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Score and EuroQol 5-Dimension Visual Analogue Scale at the same time points. Results: Fifty-four patients were recruited into the study. Following randomization and initial dropout, 18 patients were included in the standard group and 27 in the Tenease group. Both groups reported improvements in primary outcome measure scores. The control group had a mean score of 44.3 (standard deviation (SD) = 18.8) at baseline, which dropped to 31.2 (SD = 17.2) at 6 months ( p = 0.002). The Tenease group had a mean score of 43.2 (SD = 22.7) at baseline, which dropped to 23.4 (SD = 15.0) at 6 months ( p = 0.064). Similar improvements were seen in secondary outcome measures with none reaching statistical significance. There were no statistically significant differences seen between the primary outcome scores at 6 weeks ( p = 0.9) or 6 months ( p = 0.5). No complications were noted in either group. Conclusions: Vibration therapy did not result in any statistically significant improvement in functional outcome scores compared to standard treatment for TE. It is important to note that this was a relatively small cohort and a high dropout rate was observed.

High-risk injection related behavior including use of non-sterile syringes is associated with negative health outcomes among people who inject drugs (PWID). Drug treatment programs have been reported to curb hepatitis C (HCV) transmission. This study aims to assess the role of drug treatment programs and knowledge of HCV status, and how they influence current injection-related risk. Data were collected in 2012 by the New Orleans arm of the CDC funded National HIV Behavioral Surveillance. Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit a sample of PWID. The analytic sample consisted of 473 participants. Univariate, bivariate, and linear regression analyses were performed. Findings indicated that history of drug treatment is associated with sterile syringe use among PWID. Further, knowledge of HCV status modifies the relationship between history of drug treatment and sterile syringe use in this sample. These findings highlight the importance of scaling up prevention efforts by expanding testing, counselling, and treatment for HCV among PWID who enter drug treatment facilities.

Background: Exercise stimulates bone remodeling and improves insulin sensitivity (Si), even without associated weight loss. Osteocalcin (OCN), a bone-derived protein, is associated with improved Si. Purpose: We examined how daily physical activity is associated with OCN and Si. Methods: Physical activity was measured through questionnaires completed in Minneapolis from 2010 to 2012. A physical activity score (PAQsum) was calculated to quantify physical activity (range 1–5). OCN and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were measured by ELISA. Si was measured by the insulin modified frequently sampled IV glucose tolerance test. Results: The mean PAQsum value was 2.4 ± 0.8 in 47 participants (12–17.9 years old). PAQsum was positively associated with OCN (p = 0.006). Participants with PAQsum < 2 had significantly lower OCN levels compared to participants with PAQsum > 2 (p

On the basis of a single multimode resonator (MMR), a miniaturised microstrip sext‐band bandpass filter (BPF) with high band‐to‐band isolations has been presented. The proposed MMR is an stepped impedance resonator (SIR) with one short‐circuited stub loaded in the middle and two identical open‐circuited stubs located at two sides. Transmission poles (TPs) and transmission zeros (TZs) can be excited when the electrical lengths of two open stubs increase. The TZs introduced by open stubs separate the TPs into multiple groups; therefore, the design of a sext‐band BPF becomes available. Moreover, two input/output tapped branches and radical stub‐loaded short‐circuited lines are treated as perturbation structures in order to increase design freedoms for improving filter performance. Good agreement between simulated and measured results validates the design method.

High-throughput genotyping arrays continue to be an attractive, cost-effective alternative to sequencing based approaches. We have developed a new 50k Illumina Infinium iSelect genotyping array for barley, a cereal crop species of major international importance. The majority of SNPs on the array have been extracted from variants called in exome capture data of a wide range of European barley germplasm. We used the recently published barley pseudomolecule assembly to map the exome capture data, which allowed us to generate markers with accurate physical positions and detailed gene annotation. Markers from an existing and widely used barley 9k Infinium iSelect array were carried over onto the 50k chip for backward compatibility. The array design featured 49,267 SNP markers that converted into 44,040 working assays, of which 43,461 were scorable in GenomeStudio. Of the working assays, 6,251 are from the 9k iSelect platform. We validated the SNPs by comparing the genotype calls from the new array to legacy datasets. Rates of agreement averaged 98.1 and 93.9% respectively for the legacy 9k iSelect SNP set (Comadran et al., 2012) and the exome capture SNPs. To test the utility of the 50k chip for genetic mapping, we genotyped a segregating population derived from a Golden Promise × Morex cross (Liu et al., 2014) and mapped over 14,000 SNPs to genetic positions which showed a near exact correspondence to their known physical positions. Manual adjustment of the cluster files used by the interpreting software for genotype scoring improved results substantially, but migration of cluster files between sites led to a deterioration of results, suggesting that local adjustment of cluster files is required on a site-per-site basis. Information relating to the markers on the chip is available online at https://ics.hutton.ac.uk/50k.

Diastatic Power (DP) is an important quality trait for malt used in adjunct brewing and distilling. Substantial genetic variation for DP exists within UK elite barley cultivars, but breeding progress has been slow due to the limited demand, compared to the overall barley market, and difficulties in assessing DP. Estimates of DP (taken from recommended and national list trials between 1994 and 2012) from a collection of UK elite winter and spring varieties were used to identify contrasting sets of high and low DP varieties. DNA samples were pooled within sets and exome capture sequencing performed. Allele frequency estimates of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from the sequencing were used to identify genomic locations associated with differences in DP. Individual genotypes were generated from a set of custom KASP assays, both within sets and in a wider germplasm collection, to validate allele frequency estimates and marker associations with DP. QTL identified regions previously linked to variation in DP as well as novel associations. QTL colocalised with a number of genes annotated as having a diastase related function. Results indicate that winter barley is more genetically diverse for genes influencing DP. The marker assays produced by this work represent a resource that is available for immediate use by barley breeders in the production of new high DP varieties.

Structured lifestyle interventions can reduce diabetes incidence and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among persons with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), but it is unclear whether they should be implemented among persons without IGT. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions on CVD risk among adults without IGT or diabetes. We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and PsychInfo databases, from inception to May 4, 2016. We selected randomized controlled trials of lifestyle interventions, involving physical activity (PA), dietary (D), or combined strategies (PA+D) with follow-up duration ≥12 months. We excluded all studies that included individuals with IGT, confirmed by 2-hours oral glucose tolerance test (75g), but included all other studies recruiting populations with different glycemic levels. We stratified studies by baseline glycemic levels: (1) low-range group with mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG)

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other pro-angiogenic growth factors have been investigated to enhance muscle tissue perfusion and repair in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Current understanding is limited by a lack of functional data following in vivo delivery of these growth factors. We previously used dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography to monitor disease progression in murine models of DMD, but no study to date has utilized this imaging technique to assess vascular therapy in a preclinical model of DMD. In the current study, we locally delivered VEGF and ANG1 alone or in combination to dystrophic hind limb skeletal muscle. Using functional imaging, we found the combination treatment as well as ANG1 alone prevented decline in muscle perfusion whereas VEGF alone had no effect compared to controls. These findings were validated histologically as demonstrated by increased alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive vessels in muscles that received either VEGF+ANG1 or ANG1 alone compared to the sham group. We further show that ANG1 alone slows progression of fibrosis compared to either sham or VEGF treatment. The findings from this study shed new light on the functional effects of vascular therapy and suggest that ANG1 alone may be a candidate therapy in the treatment of DMD.

Rapid and stable control of pupil size in response to light is critical for vision, but the neural coding mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the neural basis of pupil control by monitoring pupil size across time while manipulating each photoreceptor input or neurotransmitter output of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), a critical relay in the control of pupil size. We show that transient and sustained pupil responses are mediated by distinct photoreceptors and neurotransmitters. Transient responses utilize input from rod photoreceptors and output by the classical neurotransmitter glutamate, but adapt within minutes. In contrast, sustained responses are dominated by non-conventional signaling mechanisms: melanopsin phototransduction in ipRGCs and output by the neuropeptide PACAP, which provide stable pupil maintenance across the day. These results highlight a temporal switch in the coding mechanisms of a neural circuit to support proper behavioral dynamics.

Heterotrimeric G proteins are intracellular membrane-attached signal transducers involved in various cellular processes in both plants and animals. They consist of three subunits denoted as α, β and γ. The γ-subunits of the so-called AGG3 type, which comprise a transmembrane domain, are exclusively found in plants. In model species, these proteins have been shown to participate in the control of plant height, branching and seed size and could therefore impact the harvestable yield of various crop plants. Whether AGG3-type γ-subunits influence yield in temperate cereals like barley and wheat remains unknown. Using a transgenic complementation approach, we show here that the Scottish malting barley cultivar (cv.) Golden Promise carries a loss-of-function mutation in HvDep1, an AGG3-type subunit encoding gene that positively regulates culm elongation and seed size in barley. Somewhat intriguingly, agronomic field data collected over a 12-year period reveals that the HvDep1 loss-of-function mutation in cv. Golden Promise has the potential to confer either a significant increase or decrease in harvestable yield depending on the environment. Our results confirm the role of AGG3-type subunit-encoding genes in shaping plant architecture, but interestingly also indicate that the impact HvDep1 has on yield in barley is both genotypically and environmentally sensitive. This may explain why widespread exploitation of variation in AGG3-type subunit-encoding genes has not occurred in temperate cereals while in rice the DEP1 locus is widely exploited to improve harvestable yield.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: CFTR is the mutant protein that causes cystic fibrosis (CF), a fatal respiratory diseases affecting 1 in 3500 children. CFTR modulators are small molecules that directly address mutant CFTR function. Improving correction of the F508del CFTR mutation (affecting 90% of CF patients) is one of the most pressing unmet needs in CF. Currently available F508del therapeutics only marginally improve CF, In vitro, we have identified a miRNA that impairs utility of CFTR directed therapies. miR-145 is upregulated by TGF-β (a genetic modifier of CF lung disease) with a direct binding site on the 3’-untranslated region of CFTR mRNA. Binding of miR-145 to CFTR destabilizes mRNA transcript and impedes protein translation. Overexpression of miR-145 abolishes benefit of F508del CFTR correction. Antagonists to miR-145 block TGF-β suppression of CFTR function and augment response to CFTR correction. This project evaluate in vivo impact of TGF-beta and miRNA manipulation on CFTR functional readouts including nasal potential difference (NPD) and short circuit current (Isc) across tracheal explants in addition to standard biochemical measures. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Wild-type Sprague-Dawley rats were inoculated with an adenoviral vector containing bioactive TGF-beta or sham at 1×109 pfu/animal placed in the left nares. Seven days post-inoculation, functional, and biochemical measures were conducted. NPD was measured with a microelectrode placed in the left nare and grounded the tail. The nare was sequentially perfused with standard Ringer’s solution, amiloride (to block the ENaC sodium channel), low chloride Ringer’s (to stimulate chloride efflux), forskolin (to open the CFTR channel) and CFTRinh-172 (to block the CFTR channel. Tracheal explants were harvested, microdissected, and placed on modified Ussing chambers. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We have inoculated WT rats with bioactive TGF-β Versus sham delivered by intranasal inoculation of an adenoviral vector. Functional readout of CFTR function is by Isc across tracheal epithelia and NPD. Lung homogenates are analyzed for TGF-β signaling, miRNA expression, and CFTR transcripts. Both tracheal explants and NPD indicate TGF-β stimulation diminishes CFTR function in vivo. In tracheal explants, TGF-β exposure diminishes CFTR response to forskolin-stimulation by 75%. Loss of current after CFTR inhibition (CFTRinh-172) is halved. By nasal PD, TGF-β inoculation similarly halves the bioelectric response to low chloride and forskolin stimulation. Evaluation by qPCR reveals a strong increase in TGF-β signaling demarcated by PAI-1, prompting a reduction in CFTR mRNA. miR-145 is expressed highly in rat pulmonary tissue, but no change in overall miR-145 levels was detected between TGF-β and sham exposed rats. This finding reflects what we have observed in human lungs, with a localized increased miR-145 expression in CF epithelia, but similarly high levels of miR-145 in both CF and non-CF whole lung homogenates. Although expressed at lower levels than miR-145, we did find increased expression in TGF-β relevant miR-101, miR-494, and miR-144 that have a predicted binding site on rat 3’-UTR in TGF-β exposed Versus sham lungs. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Our data indicate the relevance of TGF-β stimulation to suppress CFTR synthesis and function in vivo. Future work will evaluate whether these additional miRNA with CFTR binding sites may mediate TGF-β suppression of CFTR in the rat model, and the utility of miRNA manipulation to augment F508del CFTR correction.

Background: People who eat more fiber often have a lower body weight than people who eat less fiber. The mechanism for this relationship has been explained, in part, by increased satiety, which may occur as a result of changes in appetite-suppressing gut hormone levels, and decreases in food intake at subsequent meals. Objective: We hypothesized that increasing doses of mixed fiber, consumed in muffins for breakfast, would proportionally influence satiety, gut hormone levels, and subsequent food intake. Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Healthy men (n=10) and women (n=10) with a BMI of 24±2 (mean±SEM) participated in this study. Fasting subjects consumed a muffin with 0, 4, 8, or 12 g of mixed fibers and approximately 500 kcal. Visual analog scales rated hunger and satiety for 3 h; blood was drawn to measure ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY3–36 (PYY3–36) at various intervals; and food intake was measured at an ad libitum lunch. Results: Responses to satiety-related questions did not differ among treatments. However, despite lack of differences in satiety, gut hormone levels differed among treatments. Ghrelin was higher after the 12 g fiber dose than after the 4 and 8 g fiber doses. GLP-1 was higher after the 0 g fiber dose than after the 12 and 4 g fiber doses, and PYY3–36 did not differ among fiber doses. Food intake was also indistinguishable among doses. Conclusion: Satiety, gut hormone response, and food intake did not change in a dose-dependent manner after subjects consumed 0, 4, 8, and 12 g of mixed fiber in muffins for breakfast.

To the enterprising journalists of early eighteenth-century Great Britain, the refined status of “author” remained elusive. Journalism itself was a nascent occupation formed in the processes of cultural legitimatization, commercialization, and politicization of authorship. In London, James Ralph, an American expatriate and political writer, emerged as a spokesman for journalism. In his Case of Authors by Profession or Trade, a short treatise published in 1758, Ralph argued that “professional” authors included journalists and other non-patroned writers. They deserved respect as an occupational group, and a special role in society. Ralph equated and extended the privileged notions of authorship and the role of the author — essentially, respectability and some limited independence from political and financial pressures — to his fellow journalists. His Case is worth revisiting because it shows how literary culture was being challenged in his era, extended and subverted as it was by his fellow journalists and their more transitory creations.

Purpose. To compare the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing primary total knee replacement (TKR) with or without enhanced recovery (ER) programme. Methods. Medical records of 57 and 55 consecutive patients who underwent primary TKR with or without ER programme, respectively, were reviewed. 17 men and 40 women aged 43 to 87 (mean, 70) years with ER programme were compared with 22 men and 33 women aged 53 to 90 (mean, 73) years without ER programme in terms of the preoperative haemoglobin level, American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status grading, body mass index (BMI), and length of hospital stay. Results. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ER than non-ER groups in overall patients (6 vs. 7.8 days, p=0.0003), in patients with preoperative haemoglobin level of ⩾14 g/dl (5.4 vs. 7.7 days, p=0.02), in patients with preoperative haemoglobin level of ±14 g/dl (6.2 vs. 7.7 days, p=0.02), in patients with ASA grades 1 and 2 (5.6 vs. 7.6 days, p=0.01), in patients with ASA grade 3 (6.4 vs. 8.2 days, p=0.01), in patients with BMI of ±30 kg/m 2 (6 vs. 8.1 days, p=0.0061), and in patients with BMI of ⩾30 kg/m 2 (5.9 vs. 7.5 days, p=0.0006). Complications were noted in 4 ER patients and 5 non-ER patients. Conclusion. ER programmes are readily transferable to patients undergoing TKR and significantly reduced the length of hospital stay.

White marble sculpture is a cornerstone of Western art history. Archaeological inquiry, however, has demonstrated that Classical sculpture and its associated architecture were once coloured. The authors examine the Parthenon Sculptures at the British Museum to identify traces of colour and carving on their surfaces. Using close examination and archaeometric techniques, the study shows that the sculptors finished surfaces with textures that reflected specific elements (e.g. skin, wool, linen) and these were then enhanced through the application of colour, including a purple colourant and Egyptian blue. The latter was used extensively to paint elaborate figurative designs on the carved textiles. Despite the complexity of the carved drapery, elaborate ornament was applied to the finish. The findings encourage a reconsideration of the appearance of the Parthenon in the fifth century BC. Keywords: Classical Athens, Parthenon, visible-induced luminescence, XRF, carving, sculpture, colour, Introduction In Ancient Greece, marble sculpture, like architecture, was painted. Although studies of ancient polychromy began at least a couple of centuries ago, the exact appearance of ancient sculpture and [...]

Predicted changes to the Earth’s climate are likely to affect above-belowground interactions. Our understanding is limited, however, by past focus on two-species aboveground interactions mostly ignoring belowground influences. Despite their importance to ecosystem processes, there remains a dearth of empirical evidence showing how climate change will affect above-belowground interactions. The responses of above- and belowground organisms to climate change are likely to differ given the fundamentally different niches they inhabit. Yet there are few studies that address the biological and ecological reactions of belowground herbivores to environmental conditions in current and future climates. Even fewer studies investigate the consequences of climate change for above-belowground interactions between herbivores and other organisms; those that do provide no evidence of a directed response. This paper highlights the importance of considering the belowground fauna when making predictions on the effects of climate change on plant-mediated interspecific interactions.

For patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer with unresectable or inoperable tumors, definitive chemoradiotherapy is often utilized. Historically, local control and overall survival rates have been poor. In an effort to improve local control, new chemotherapeutic agents in combination with higher doses of radiotherapy have been investigated. Early dose escalation trials date back to the 1980s, and the feasibility and efficacy of dose escalation for patients with inoperable stage III lung cancer continue to be topics of investigation. Herein, we review the evolution of chemotherapy as it relates to treatment of unresectable stage III lung cancer, and we outline the early and the more recent dose escalation studies. While dose escalation appears to provide a modest benefit in terms of preventing local failure and improving overall survival, advances in diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy treatment have possibly resulted in selection of a more favorable patient population. These variables make statements regarding the benefit of dose escalation challenging.