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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.01.018 Byline: H.S. Arathi, G. Ho, M. Spivak Abstract: Hygienic behaviour in honeybee colonies involves the recognition and removal of diseased brood by worker bees. This task is further partitioned into subtasks of uncapping cells with diseased brood and removing the cell contents. Worker bees that express hygienic behaviour remove diseased brood from the colony before the pathogen reaches the infectious stage. Although all honeybees are capable of uncapping and removing diseased brood, only those colonies with hygienic bees, the genetic specialists, do so rapidly and hence efficiently limit disease transmission. Colonies with nonhygienic bees, however, uncap and remove diseased brood only after it becomes infectious, resulting in the handling and transmission of pathogens. To understand the behavioural repertoire of individual nonhygienic bees and how the performance of the behaviour is influenced by the presence of hygienic bees as nestmates, we observed nonhygienic bees that were maintained in colonies with varying proportions of hygienic and nonhygienic bees. Our results indicated that nonhygienic bees in mixed colonies were not stimulated to perform hygienic behaviour to a higher extent in the presence of hygienic bees. The rate, duration and probability of uncapping and removing dead brood by nonhygienic bees was significantly reduced in the presence of hygienic bees. In mixed colonies, as compared to a colony of hygienic bees, a higher proportion of uncapped cells were subsequently recapped, resulting in delayed removal of dead brood. This inefficient task partitioning would allow the pathogen to reach the infectious stage and increase the probability of disease transmission. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Biology, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, U.S.A. (a ) Department of Biology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (a ) Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, U.S.A. Article History: Received 4 April 2005; Revised 14 July 2005; Accepted 26 January 2006 Article Note: (miscellaneous) MS. number: A10124R

This study examines how dislocated North Korean undergraduates enrolled in South Korean universities interact with their South Korean peers and construct their own identities. Data were collected based on records of meetings between students, short reflection journals completed after each of these meeting, and semi-structured individual interviews. During their interactions with South Korean students, the North Korean students agreed with their South Korean peers unconditionally, hid their North Korean accents, and avoided North Korean-related topics. These interaction patterns were directly related to their “peripheral” positioning in South Korean society. They placed an emphasis on proficiency in spoken English and viewed themselves as “deficient in that language, and thus, inferior”. This study clarifies the underlying language ideologies in South Korea and how such macro-level structures are intertwined with language practices and identity formation among disempowered transmigrants, such as dislocated North Korean undergraduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently available skin grafts and skin substitutes for healing following third-degree burn injuries are fraught with complications, often resulting in long-term physical and psychological sequelae. Synthetic treatment that can promote wound healing in a regenerative manner would provide an off-the-shelf, non-immunogenic strategy to improve clinical care of severe burn wounds. Here, we demonstrate the vulnerary efficacy and accelerated healing mechanism of a dextran-based hydrogel in a third-degree porcine burn model. The model was optimized to allow examination of the hydrogel treatment for clinical translation and its regenerative response mechanisms. Hydrogel treatment accelerated third-degree burn wound healing by rapid wound closure, improved re-epithelialization, enhanced extracellular matrix remodeling, and greater nerve reinnervation, compared with the dressing-treated group. These effects appear to be mediated through the ability of the hydrogel to facilitate a rapid but brief initial inflammatory response that coherently stimulates neovascularization within the granulation tissue during the first week of treatment, followed by an efficient vascular regression to promote a regenerative healing process. Our results suggest that the dextran-based hydrogels may substantially improve healing quality and reduce skin grafting incidents and thus pave the way for clinical studies to improve the care of severe burn injury patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Malaysia spends 4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health care despite its wealth (GDP per head in 2011 was PPP-US$15,589). There are no data for Malaysia's spending on cancer care, only on anti-cancer medicines, which amounted to US$ 1900 per cancer patient (IMS 2012). By contrast, Australia spent US$ 4800 per patient. This could be one factor affecting cancer mortality; GLOBOCAN12 reported a mortality-to-incidence ratio of 60% for Malaysia (49% for breast cancer [BC]), whereas the corresponding ratio for Australia was 30% (16% for BC). This underinvestment in cancer care in Malaysia could be due to various reasons. There is room to improve our understanding and appreciation of the economic and health benefits of cancer care. Evidence of the potential effect of adequate cancer services on the health of the nation will help in the revision of priorities. To make the health benefits of cancer care more tangible, we aimed to estimate the number of deaths due to BC that would be avoidable if all Malaysian patients had access to the care provided by leading centres in Malaysia. Methods: The number of avoidable deaths is the difference between the number of deaths estimated by GLOBOCAN12 and the expected number of deaths if all BC patients had experienced the age-ethnic-stage specific survival outcomes observed in leading cancer treatment centres in Malaysia. Data for age-ethnic-stage composition of the general BC population were from local cancer registries and public hospitals providing safety net services. Findings: Of the 2572 deaths due to BC reported by GLOBOCAN12, 1299 (50%) were avoidable. Of these avoidable deaths, 647 (50%) were attributable to late-stage presentation and 652 (50%) were due to lack of access to optimum treatment. Interpretation: Avoidable premature deaths were high in Malaysia, consistent with its high cancer mortality rate. Avoidable deaths were equally attributable to lack of early detection and access to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The successful transition of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in low-income economies towards a more sustainable practice is dependent on socio-political drivers, enablers/interventions, and service delivery practices. However, Environmental and sustainability sub-components influence this transition initiatives regarding sustainable MSWM. Informed by the theory of Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), we developed a nuanced Dimensional Evaluation of Waste Transition (DEWasT) model for MSWM to clarify societal factors and triggers for sustainability. This model elucidates the transition of MSWM, characterised by the three-level MLP, namely, landscape pressures, regimes, and niche innovations. The interaction of these transition levels within this model allows policymakers, institutions, and stakeholders to understand the current structure and dynamics. It will enable practical guidelines for MSWM sustainability practices, influencing a paradigm change towards MSWM innovations in low-income economies and closing the gaps identified by previous practitioners. • The development of a nuanced municipal solid waste management (MSWM) transition model. • The Dimensional Evaluation of Waste Transition (DEWasT) model improves sustainable practices. • The Multi-Level Perspective's (MLP's) innovative approach is used for bridging strategies and furthering sustainability. • DEWasT model informs MSWM transition, clarifies societal factors, and triggers sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Osteoprotegerin (OPG) has pleiotropic effects on bone metabolism as well as endocrine function. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and serum OPG concentration in renal transplant recipients. Methods Fasting blood samples were obtained from 69 renal transplant recipients. BMD was measured in lumbar vertebrae (L2–L4) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Eight patients (11.6%) had BMD values indicative of osteoporosis, 28 patients (40.6%) had BMD values indicative of osteopenia, and 33 patients had normal BMD values. Increased serum OPG levels ( P < .001), decreased body mass index (BMI) ( P = .033), and decreased body weight ( P = .010) were significantly correlated with low lumbar T-score cut-off points between groups (normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis). Results Women had significantly lower lumbar BMD values than men ( P = .013). Menopause ( P = .005), use of tacrolimus ( P = .020), and use of cyclosporine ( P = .046) were associated with lower lumbar BMD in renal transplant recipients. Univariate linear regression analysis revealed that lumbar BMD was positively correlated with height ( P = .016), body weight ( P = .001), and BMI ( P = .015) and negatively correlated with age ( P = .039) and log-OPG ( P = .001). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that log-OPG ( β : −0.275, R 2 change = 0.154, P = .014), body weight ( β : 0.334, R 2 change = 0.073, P = .004), and age ( β : −0.285, R 2 change = 0.079, P = .008) were independent predictors of lumbar BMD values in renal transplant recipients. Conclusions Serum OPG concentration correlated negatively with lumbar BMD values in renal transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a prototype of a decision support system (DSS) that integrates a hybrid neighborhood search algorithm to solve the offline and online routing problems arising in courier service. In the dynamic operational environment of courier service, new customer orders and order cancellations continually arrive over time and thus disrupt the optimal routing schedule that was originally designed. This calls for the real-time re-optimization of routes. As service level is sensitive to whether allowable service time intervals are wide or narrow, it is valuable to study how adjustable and flexible time windows influence the courier service efficiency in a dynamic environment. To capture these dynamic features, a dynamic vehicle routing problem (DVRP) that simultaneously considers new customer orders and order cancellations is investigated in this study. Meanwhile, fuzzy time windows are formulated in the DVRP model to quantify the service level and explore the service efficiency. To tackle the new problem, we propose a competitive hybrid neighborhood search heuristic for (re)optimizing the offline and online routes. Numerical computational experiments and the comparison with results from Lingo show that our algorithm is capable of re-optimizing dynamic problems effectively and accurately in a very short time. The proposed model and algorithms are able to enhance courier service level without further expense of a longer traveling distance or a larger number of couriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Leptin is a protein predominantly produced by adipocytes that plays a pathophysiologic role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fasting serum leptin levels and peripheral arterial stiffness among kidney transplant (KT) patients. Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 74 KT patients. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured in the right or left brachial artery to the ankle segments using an automatic pulse wave analyzer (VaSera VS-1000). Plasma leptin levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. In this study, left or right baPWV values of less than 14.0 m/s were used to define the high arterial stiffness group. Results: Forty KT patients (54.1%) were defined in high arterial stiffness group. Hypertension (P < .010), diabetes (P < .010), age (P = .010), KT duration (P = .013), triglyceride levels (P = .016), systolic blood pressure (P < .001), waist circumference (P = .031), and leptin level (P < .001) were higher, whereas serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P = .030) was lower in the high arterial stiffness group compared with the low arterial stiffness group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that leptin (odds ratio, 1.033; 95% CI, 1.004–1.062; P = .023), KT duration (odds ratio, 1.023; 95% CI, 1.004–1.044; P = .020), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (odds ratio, 0.925; 95% CI, 0.872–0.982; P = .010) were the independent predictors of peripheral arterial stiffness in KT patients. Conclusions: Serum fasting leptin level was positively associated with peripheral arterial stiffness among KT patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was undertaken to assess the toxicological risks from sodium accumulation in a vermifiltration wastewater treatment system to the key worm species, Eisenia fetida. The study found that sodium chloride (NaCl) is the more toxic of the common sodium salts found in wastewater to the worms. The research further found that the worms have an ability to detoxify NaCl although reproduction will be impaired if the worms are exposed to moderate concentrations of NaCl for a long period of time. The actual risk from NaCl toxicity in the vermifiltration process was low however. The low risk was due to the low solid-water partitioning constant of NaCl, which led to a very low predicted environmental concentration (PEC) for NaCl. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background There is an expanding list of therapeutically relevant biomarkers for NSCLC and effective molecular profiling is paramount. We sought to comprehensively and prospectively evaluate the molecular epidemiology of NSCLC in Asia and ascertain the extent of access to relevant therapies. The study is being conducted by the Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group (ATORG) – an academic co-operative lung cancer trials group in Asia. Methods ATORG-001 is a prospective, multi-centre study of NSCLC patients (pts) throughout Asia. Eligible pts must have good performance status (ECOG ≤2), adequate organ function and ≤3 prior lines of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Archival tissue specimens are sent to a central laboratory in Singapore (Singapore General Hospital) for profiling, consisting of NGS with the Oncomine Focus Assay (52 gene panel including fusions) and PD-L1 immunohistochemistry. Results are returned to investigators in a clinically relevant timeframe. Baseline demographics, pre-existing molecular profile and prior treatment details are collected. Treatment and pt outcomes are followed for 2 years. Recruitment commenced in Jan 2019 in 3 sites (National Cancer Centre Singapore, Chinese University of Hong Kong, University Malaya Medical Centre). We report an interim analysis for the first 27 of a planned 500 pts. Results As of 01 Jul 2019, 27 pts have enrolled with median age 67 yrs (range 46-79), 59% male, 81% adenocarcinoma, 52% stage IV, 37% non-smokers, median lines of prior therapy 1 (range 0-6) and 85% with no known oncogenic driver. Pre-existing mutation status was known in 89% for EGFR and 63% for ALK. Median turnaround time from tissue acquisition to profiling results was 22 days (range 15-74). New alterations were most common in KRAS (19%), MYC (15%), CDK4 (7%) and ERBB2 (7%). Potentially actionable new alterations were found in 7 (26%) pts, including KRAS G12C mutation (7%), BRAF G469A mutation (4%), ERBB2 exon 20 insertion (4%), ERBB2 amplification (4%), FGFR2 amplification (4%) and MET exon 14 skipping mutation (4%). Conclusions Enrolment is ongoing with additional sites and countries planned to comprehensively evaluate the molecular epidemiology of NSCLC in Asia. Legal entity responsible for the study Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group. Funding Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group, Novartis. Disclosure A.C. Tan: Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: ASLAN Pharmaceuticals. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly lower in heart failure patients. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between BMD and fasting serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration in renal transplant recipients. Methods Fasting blood samples were obtained from 69 renal transplant recipients. BMD was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in lumbar vertebrae (L2–L4). Serum NT-proBNP levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results Among the renal transplant recipients, 8 patients (11.6%) had osteoporosis and 28 (40.6%) had osteopenia; 33 had a normal BMD. Increased serum NT-proBNP ( P < .001) and decreased body mass index ( P = .033) and body weight ( P = .010) were significantly correlated with low lumbar T-score cutoff points between groups (normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis). Women had lower lumbar BMD than did men ( P = .013). Menopause in women ( P = .005), use of tacrolimus ( P = .020), and use of cyclosporine ( P = .046) among renal transplant recipients were associated with lower lumbar BMD. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables revealed that log-transformed NT-proBNP ( β , −0.545; R 2 = 0.331; P < .001), and body weight ( β , 0.273, R 2 = 0.104; P = .005) were independent predictors of lumbar BMD values among the renal transplant recipients. Conclusions Serum NT-proBNP concentrations correlate negatively with lumbar BMD values among renal transplant recipients and may be an alternative to energy x-ray absorptiometry for identifying at risk of osteoporosis in renal transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk factor for posttransplant diabetes mellitus, chronic graft dysfunction, graft loss, occurrence of atherosclerotic events, and patient death among kidney transplantation patients. Long-acting natriuretic peptide (LANP) is among the peptide hormones in atrial natriuretic peptide prohormone. Low levels of natriuretic peptide may lead to reduced lipolysis and excessive weight gain in obese patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between MetS and fasting serum LANP concentration among kidney transplanted patients. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 69 kidney recipients. The MetS and its components were defined using the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Fasting LANP levels were measured using a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit. The prevalence rate of MetS was 20.3% (14/69). Fasting LANP level negatively correlated with MetS among these patients (P = .010). Using univariate linear regression analysis, serum LANP values were negatively correlated with hemoglobin (r = −0.252; P = .037), and positively correlated with blood urea nitrogen (r = 0.254; P = .035) and creatinine (r = 0.311; P = .009). Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables revealed that creatinine (R 2 change = 0.097; P = .009) was an independent predictor of fasting serum LANP concentration among kidney transplanted patients. Serum LANP concentration correlates inversely with MetS; for these patients, creatinine is an independent predictor of the serum LANP value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three ZnII complexes containing bispicam ligands (bispicam=bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), [Zn(bispicam)2](NO3)2·2CH3OH 4A, [Zn(bispicam)(NO3)2] 4B, and [Zn(bispicam)2](OTf)2 6, were obtained, and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes of the general formulation [Zn(bispicam)2]X2 (X=Cl− (1), Br− (2), I− (3), NO3 − (4A), ClO4 − (5), and OTf− (6)) show fac geometric isomers (a) or enantiomers (c) and (d) according to anions. Moreover, complexes 4–6 could carry out the catalytic transesterification of a range of esters with methanol under the mild conditions. Importantly, the catalyst 4B with an unsaturated structure has shown better efficiency than the catalysts, 4A, 5, and 6, having saturated structures. To explain this reactivity difference, two different reaction mechanisms have been proposed (metal-based vs. amide N–H-based). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Safe reuse of animal wastes to capture energy and nutrients, through anaerobic digestion processes, is becoming an increasingly desirable solution to environmental pollution. Pathogen decay is the most important safety consideration and is in general, improved at elevated temperatures and longer hydraulic residence times. During routine sampling to assess pathogen decay in thermophilic digestion, an inversely proportional relationship between levels of Clostridium perfringens and gas production was observed. Further samples were collected from pilot-scale, bench-scale thermophilic reactors and batch scale vials to assess whether gas production (predominantly methane) could be a useful indicator of decay of the thermotolerant pathogens C. perfringens and Campylobacter jejuni. Pathogen levels did appear to be lower where gas production and levels of methanogens were higher. This was evident at each operating temperature (50, 57, 65°C) in the pilot-scale thermophilic digesters, although higher temperatures also reduced the numbers of pathogens detected. When methane production was higher, either when feed rate was increased, or pH was lowered from 8.2 (piggery wastewater) to 6.5, lower numbers of pathogens were detected. Although a number of related factors are known to influence the amount and rate of methane production, it may be a useful indicator of the removal of the pathogens C. perfringens and C. jejuni. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mononuclear nonheme oxoiron(IV) complexes bearing 15-membered macrocyclic ligands were generated from the reactions of their corresponding iron(II) complexes and iodosylbenzene (PhIO) in CH3CN. The oxoiron(IV) species were characterized with various spectroscopic techniques such as UV–vis spectrophotometer, electron paramagnetic resonance, electrospray ionization mass spectrometer, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. The oxoiron(IV) complexes were inactive in olefin epoxidation. In contrast, when iron(II) or oxoiron(IV) complexes were combined with PhIO in the presence of olefins, high yields of epoxide products were obtained. These results indicate that in addition to the oxoiron(IV) species, there must be at least one more active oxidant (e.g., FeIV-OIPh adduct or oxoiron(V) species) that effects the olefin epoxidation. We have also demonstrated that the ligand environment of iron catalysts is an important factor in controlling the catalytic activity as well as the product selectivity in the epoxidation of olefins by PhIO. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]