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This study critically investigates the aluminium chloride-based colorimetric determination of the total flavonoid content (TFC) of honey. Following a comprehensive review of the recent literature reporting the use of the assay in the determination of TFC in honey, 10 honeys of different botanical origins were investigated using the colorimetric method alongside an artificial honey that was used as a control. Using spiking experiments, this study demonstrates that the flavonoid concentrations commonly found in honey are too low for a direct measurement and thus some of the TFC data reported in the literature might more likely be a reflection of the honey's inherent colour rather than a product of the coordination complex formed specifically between flavonoids and Al 3+ ions. This paper highlights the importance of correct blanking and suggests alternative approaches to the traditional TFC assay for honey to ensure analysis results that are truly reflective of honey's TFC.

This is the first study to report on high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) generated spectrophotometric data to systematically capture flavonoid compounds using optimized derivatization with either AlCl 3 or NaNO 2 -AlCl 3 -NaOH as visualisation reagents. While the traditional AlCl 3 colorimetric method using UV-Vis analysis provides valuable insights into the presence of flavonoids and allows derivation of the total flavonoid content (TFC) of a sample, HPTLC fingerprints obtained after spraying with AlCl 3 or NaNO 2 -AlCl 3 -NaOH enable the visualization of the various flavonoids present in a sample based on their respective absorption shifts, thus complementing the traditional TFC assay. In this study, 40 different flavonoids representing different classes (flavonols, flavanolols, flavan-3-ol, flavones, flavanones, and isoflavonoids) were analysed. Upon derivatization with AlCl 3 most of the investigated flavonoids recorded bathochromic shifts, yielding characteristic λ max values between 370 and 420 nm, while spraying with NaNO 2 -AlCl 3 -NaOH triggered hyperchromic shifts, and thus an increase in absorbance intensity in flavonoids with particular substitution patterns. A few non-flavonoid components with structural similarities to flavonoids (e.g., rosmarinic acid, gallic acid, aspirin, salicylic acid) served as the negative control in this study to determine whether the derivatization reagents allowed exclusive detection of flavonoids. The method was then applied to the analysis of flavonoid containing supplements as well as red clover honey to demonstrate the method's application in the analysis of natural products.

This study is the first to report on the presence of oestrogenic compounds in different clover flower nectar samples, in bee-deposited nectars collected from hive combs (unripe honey) and in mature honeys harvested from the same hives. The clover species investigated were two red clover ( Trifolium pratense ) cultivars, bred specifically for high isoflavone content, alongside a sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ) and a purple clover ( T. purpureum ) cultivar. A total of eight isoflavones, four of them non-glycosidic (biochanin A, formononetin, genistein and daidzein) the others glycosidic (sissotrin, ononin, genistin and daidzin), were targeted for identification and quantification in this study using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Leaves and flower bracts of the clover samples were also investigated. Different isoflavone profiles were found across the four clover species and also in the different samples collected from each species indicating that, most likely due to the activity of honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) salivary enzymes, biochemical conversions take place when these bioactive compounds transition from flower nectar into ripe honey. Among the four investigated clover species, the two red clover cultivars, including their honeys, were found to contain higher levels of estrogenic compounds compared to other two cultivars.

The isoflavone formononetin (F) impacts livestock fertility and cultivars of the pasture legume Trifolium subterraneum L. (subclover) have been selected for F levels ≤0.2% of leaf dry weight. However, the impact of waterlogging (WL) on isoflavones is little studied. We investigated the response of isoflavones, biochanin A (BA), genistein (G) and F, to WL for: (1) Yarloop (high F) and eight low F cultivars each from subspecies subterraneum , brachycalycinum and yanninicum (Experiment 1); and (2) four cultivars and 12 ecotypes of ssp. yanninicum (Experiment 2). WL impacted F: estimated means increased from 0.19% (control) to 0.31% (WL) in Experiment 1 and from 0.61% to 0.97% in Experiment 2. Isoflavones under WL were highly heritable, particularly F (H 2 =95%). The proportions of BA, G and F were little changed by WL, with strong positive correlations between free-drained and waterlogged treatments. Isoflavone contents were not related to WL tolerance, as assessed by shoot relative growth rate. In conclusion, isoflavones varied among genotypes and increased with WL, but the proportion of individual isoflavones in each genotype was stable. High F under WL was unrelated with genotype tolerance to WL. Instead, it was a consequence of inherently high F for that particular genotype.

Understanding how cells remember previous mechanical environments to influence their fate, or mechanical memory, informs the design of biomaterials and therapies in medicine. Current regeneration therapies, such as cartilage regeneration procedures, require 2D cell expansion processes to achieve large cell populations critical for the repair of damaged tissues. However, the limit of mechanical priming for cartilage regeneration procedures before inducing long-term mechanical memory following expansion processes is unknown, and mechanisms defining how physical environments influence the therapeutic potential of cells remain poorly understood. Here, we identify a threshold to mechanical priming separating reversible and irreversible effects of mechanical memory. After 16 population doublings in 2D culture, expression levels of tissue-identifying genes in primary cartilage cells (chondrocytes) are not recovered when transferred to 3D hydrogels, while expression levels of these genes were recovered for cells only expanded for eight population doublings. Additionally, we show that the loss and recovery of the chondrocyte phenotype correlates with a change in chromatin architecture, as shown by structural remodeling of the trimethylation of H3K9. Efforts to disrupt the chromatin architecture by suppressing or increasing levels of H3K9me3 reveal that only with increased levels of H3K9me3 did the chromatin architecture of the native chondrocyte phenotype partially return, along with increased levels of chondrogenic gene expression. These results further support the connection between the chondrocyte phenotype and chromatin architecture, and also reveal the therapeutic potential of inhibitors of epigenetic modifiers as disruptors of mechanical memory when large numbers of phenotypically suitable cells are required for regeneration procedures., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In Brief: Dietary phytoestrogens disrupt a specific stage of ram spermatogenesis, causing subtle decreases in sperm quality by affecting the expression of pathways involved in the structural integrity of the spermatozoa. This paper demonstrates for the first time that ram reproduction is compromised by oestrogenic pasture, whilst also providing a longitudinal model for the impact of phytoestrogens on male fertility., Abstract: Compounds with oestrogen-like actions are now common in both the Western diet. The long-term impacts and underlying mechanisms by which oestrogenic compounds alter male reproduction, however, are unclear. To investigate this, we used a longitudinal sheep model examining the impact of oestrogenic pasture consumption on semen quality and production, testicular size, sexual behaviour and the seminal plasma proteome of Merino rams (n = 20), over a full spermatogenic cycle and in the subsequent breeding season. Throughout the study period, sexual behaviour, sperm production and motility were similar between the exposed and non-exposed rams (P > 0.05). However, between 5 and 8 weeks of exposure to dietary phytoestrogens, rams produced a higher percentage of spermatozoa with a specific malformation of the sperm midpiece and reduced DNA integrity, compared to non-exposed rams (P < 0.001). Investigation into the seminal plasma proteome revealed 93 differentially expressed proteins between phytoestrogen-exposed and control rams (P < 0.05). Exposure to phytoestrogens increased the expression of proteins involved in cellular structure development, actin cytoskeleton reorganisation, regulation of cell function and decreased expression in those related to catabolic processes. The greatest fold changes were in proteins involved in the assembly of the sperm flagella, removal of cytoplasm, spermatid development and maintenance of DNA integrity. After returning to non-oestrogenic pasture, no differences in any measure were observed between treatment groups during the subsequent breeding season. We conclude that dietary phytoestrogens can transiently disrupt specific stages of ram spermatogenesis, causing subtle decreases in sperm quality by affecting the expression of pathways involved in the structural integrity of the spermatozoa.

Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV; family Tombusviridae, genus Luteovirus, species Soybean dwarf virus) can cause damaging disease epidemics in cultivated plants of the family Fabaceae. The biological characteristics of SbDV isolate WA-8, including its vector species, host range, and impact on Australian grain legume cultivars, were investigated in a series of glasshouse experiments. Isolate WA-8 was classified as the YP strain, as it was transmitted by Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid) and Myzus persicae (green peach aphid) and infected known strain indicator species. Of the 18 pasture legume species inoculated with SbDV, 12 were SbDV hosts, including eight that had not been identified previously as hosts. When inoculated with SbDV, field pea (Pisum sativum), faba bean (Vicia faba), lentil (Lens culinaris), and narrow-leafed lupin cv. Jurien were the most susceptible (70 to 100% plant infection rates), and albus lupin (Lupinus albus), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and narrow-leafed lupin cv. Mandelup were less susceptible (20 to 70%). Over the course of three experiments, chickpea was the most sensitive to infection, with a > 97% reduction in dry above-ground biomass (AGB) and a 100% reduction in seed yield. Field pea cv. Gunyah, faba bean, and lentil were also sensitive, with a 36 to 61% reduction in AGB. Field pea cv. Kaspa was relatively tolerant, with no significant reduction in AGB or seed yield. The information generated under glasshouse conditions in this study provides important clues for understanding SbDV epidemiology and suggests that it has the potential to cause damage to Australian grain legume crops in the field, especially if climate change facilitates its spread., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

Microsatellite instability (MSI), a type of genetic hypermutability arising from impaired DNA mismatch repair (MMR), is observed in approximately 3% of all cancers. Preclinical work has identified the RecQ helicase WRN as a promising synthetic lethal target for patients with MSI cancers. WRN depletion substantially impairs the viability of MSI, but not microsatellite stable (MSS), cells. Experimental evidence suggests that this synthetic lethal phenotype is driven by numerous TA dinucleotide repeats that undergo expansion mutations in the setting of long-standing MMR deficiency. The lengthening of TA repeats increases their propensity to form secondary DNA structures that require WRN to resolve. In the absence of WRN helicase activity, these unresolved DNA secondary structures stall DNA replication forks and induce catastrophic DNA damage., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Seed retention has not been evaluated for subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.), because its geocarpic seed-bearing burrs are currently harvested by suction systems. Development of improved harvest methods requires knowledge of subterranean clover seed retention characteristics and their changes with plant development. This study evaluates burr attachment and peduncle tensile strength during burr maturity until plant senescence across the three subspecies: subterraneum (cv. Dalkeith), yanninicum (cv. Monti) and brachycalycinum (cv. Mawson). Peduncle tensile strength was greater than burr-to-peduncle attachment strength for each subspecies, with peak mean peduncle strength 30-130% greater than peak mean burr-to-peduncle attachment strength. Both strength measurements decreased significantly (greater than 50% for each subspecies) as the plant senesced, which was associated with reductions in burr moisture content, and burr and peduncle diameters. Microscopy indicated a ductile to brittle transition as peduncles senesced, reducing energy absorption and increasing the likelihood of failure at defects. These results are important for the commercial production of subterranean clover seed and suggest it may be possible to harvest seed before plant senescence with dig-invert machinery, similar to that used for peanut harvesting. However, this approach would require harvesting prior to maximum seed development and the implications for seed viability and yield need to be further evaluated.

Fine root endophytes (FRE) were traditionally considered a morphotype of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), but recent genetic studies demonstrate that FRE belong within the subphylum Mucoromycotina, rather than in the subphylum Glomeromycotina with the AMF. These findings prompt enquiry into the fundamental ecology of FRE and AMF. We sampled FRE and AMF in roots of Trifolium subterraneum from 58 sites across temperate southern Australia. We investigated the environmental drivers of composition, richness, and root colonization of FRE and AMF by using structural equation modelling and canonical correspondence analyses. Root colonization by FRE increased with increasing temperature and rainfall but decreased with increasing phosphorus (P). Root colonization by AMF increased with increasing soil organic carbon but decreased with increasing P. Richness of FRE decreased with increasing temperature and soil pH. Richness of AMF increased with increasing temperature and rainfall but decreased with increasing soil aluminium (Al) and pH. Aluminium, soil pH, and rainfall were, in decreasing order, the strongest drivers of community composition of FRE; they were also important drivers of community composition of AMF, along with temperature, in decreasing order: rainfall, Al, temperature, and soil pH. Thus, FRE and AMF showed the same responses to some (e.g. soil P, soil pH) and different responses to other (e.g. temperature) key environmental factors. Overall, our data are evidence for niche differentiation among these co-occurring mycorrhizal associates.

Renal transplant has become a mainstay of treatment of patients with chronic renal failure. With improving survival outcomes, primary care physicians should be informed of the nuances that come with the ongoing care of this population and feel empowered to take part in the multidisciplinary care of these patients. This article provides an overview of the renal transplant process from initial evaluation through surgery and then focuses on long-term issues that renal transplant patients face in the primary care setting., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Salt stress defense mechanisms in plant roots, such as active Na + efflux and storage, require energy in the form of ATP. Understanding the energy required for these transport mechanisms is an important step toward achieving an understanding of salt tolerance. However, accurate measurements of the fluxes required to estimate these energy costs are difficult to achieve by experimental means. As a result, the magnitude of the energy costs of ion transport in salt-stressed roots relative to the available energy is unclear, as are the relative contributions of different defense mechanisms to the total cost. We used mathematical modeling to address three key questions about the energy costs of ion transport in salt-stressed Arabidopsis roots: are the energy requirements calculated on the basis of flux data feasible; which transport steps are the main contributors to the total energy costs; and which transport processes could be altered to minimize the total energy costs? Using our biophysical model of ion and water transport we calculated the energy expended in the trans-plasma membrane and trans-tonoplast transport of Na + , K + , Cl - , and H + in different regions of a salt-stressed model Arabidopsis root. Our calculated energy costs exceeded experimental estimates of the energy supplied by root respiration for high external NaCl concentrations. We found that Na + exclusion from, and Cl - uptake into, the outer root were the major contributors to the total energy expended. Reducing the leakage of Na + and the active uptake of Cl - across outer root plasma membranes would lower energy costs while enhancing exclusion of these ions. The high energy cost of ion transport in roots demonstrates that the energetic consequences of altering ion transport processes should be considered when attempting to improve salt tolerance., (Copyright © 2020 Foster and Miklavcic.)

Olfactory neurons allow animals to discriminate nutritious food sources from potential pathogens. From a forward genetic screen, we uncovered a surprising requirement for the olfactory neuron gene olrn-1 in the regulation of intestinal epithelial immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans. During nematode development, olrn-1 is required to program the expression of odorant receptors in the AWC olfactory neuron pair. Here, we show that olrn-1 also functions in AWC neurons in the cell non-autonomous suppression of the canonical p38 MAPK PMK-1 immune pathway in the intestine. Low activity of OLRN-1, which activates the p38 MAPK signaling cassette in AWC neurons during larval development, also de-represses the p38 MAPK PMK-1 pathway in the intestine to promote immune effector transcription, increased clearance of an intestinal pathogen, and resistance to bacterial infection. These data reveal an unexpected connection between olfactory receptor development and innate immunity and show that anti-pathogen defenses in the intestine are developmentally programmed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Interests R.P.W. has submitted a patent application related to this work (U.S. patent application, 16/069,399, filed July 11, 2018). The authors declare no other potential competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Agriculture is expanding into regions that are affected by salinity. This review considers the energetic costs of salinity tolerance in crop plants and provides a framework for a quantitative assessment of costs. Different sources of energy, and modifications of root system architecture that would maximize water vs ion uptake are addressed. Energy requirements for transport of salt (NaCl) to leaf vacuoles for osmotic adjustment could be small if there are no substantial leaks back across plasma membrane and tonoplast in root and leaf. The coupling ratio of the H + -ATPase also is a critical component. One proposed leak, that of Na + influx across the plasma membrane through certain aquaporin channels, might be coupled to water flow, thus conserving energy. For the tonoplast, control of two types of cation channels is required for energy efficiency. Transporters controlling the Na + and Cl - concentrations in mitochondria and chloroplasts are largely unknown and could be a major energy cost. The complexity of the system will require a sophisticated modelling approach to identify critical transporters, apoplastic barriers and root structures. This modelling approach will inform experimentation and allow a quantitative assessment of the energy costs of NaCl tolerance to guide breeding and engineering of molecular components., (© 2019 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2019 New Phytologist Trust.)

Plants are inherently dynamic. Dynamics minimize stress while enabling plants to flexibly acquire resources. Three examples are presented for plants tolerating saline soil: transport of sodium chloride (NaCl), water and macronutrients is nonuniform along a branched root; water and NaCl redistribute between shoot and soil at night-time; and ATP for salt exclusion is much lower in thinner branch roots than main roots, quantified using a biophysical model and geometry from anatomy. Noninvasive phenotyping and precision agriculture technologies can be used together to harness plant dynamics, but analytical methods are needed. A plant advancing in time through a soil and atmosphere space is proposed as a framework for dynamic data and their relationship to crop improvement., (© 2019 The Authors New Phytologist © 2019 New Phytologist Trust.)

The microscopic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a powerful system to characterize evolutionarily ancient mechanisms of pathogen sensing, innate immune activation, and protective host responses. Experimentally, C. elegans can be infected with a wide variety of human pathogens, as well as with natural pathogens of worms that were isolated from wild-caught nematodes. Here, we focus on an experimental model of bacterial pathogenesis that utilizes the human opportunistic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and present an algorithm that can be used to study mechanisms of immune function in nematodes. An initial comparison of the susceptibility of a C. elegans mutant to P. aeruginosa infection with its normal lifespan permits an understanding of a mutant's effect on pathogen susceptibility in the context of potential pleotropic consequences on general worm fitness. Assessing the behavior of nematodes in the presence of P. aeruginosa can also help determine if a gene of interest modulates pathogen susceptibility by affecting the host's ability to avoid a pathogen. In addition, quantification of the pathogen load in the C. elegans intestine during infection, characterization of immune effector transcription that are regulated by host defense pathways and an initial assessment of tissue specificity of immune gene function can refine hypotheses about the mechanism of action of a gene of interest. Together, these protocols offer one approach to characterize novel host defense mechanisms in a simple metazoan host.

SOS1 transporters play an essential role in plant salt tolerance. Although SOS1 is known to encode a plasma membrane Na + /H + antiporter, the transport mechanisms by which these transporters contribute to salt tolerance at the level of the whole root are unclear. Gene expression and flux measurements have provided conflicting evidence for the location of SOS1 transporter activity, making it difficult to determine their function. Whether SOS1 transporters load or unload Na + from the root xylem transpiration stream is also disputed. To address these areas of contention, we applied a mathematical model to answer the question: what is the function of SOS1 transporters in salt-stressed Arabidopsis roots? We used our biophysical model of ion and water transport in a salt-stressed root to simulate a wide range of SOS1 transporter locations in a model Arabidopsis root, providing a level of detail that cannot currently be achieved by experimentation. We compared our simulations with available experimental data to find reasonable parameters for the model and to determine likely locations of SOS1 transporter activity. We found that SOS1 transporters are likely to be operating in at least one tissue of the outer mature root, in the mature stele, and in the epidermis of the root apex. SOS1 transporter activity in the mature outer root cells is essential to maintain low cytosolic Na + levels in the root and also restricts the uptake of Na + to the shoot. SOS1 transporters in the stele actively load Na + into the xylem transpiration stream, enhancing the transport of Na + and water to the shoot. SOS1 transporters acting in the apex restrict cytosolic Na + concentrations in the apex but are unable to maintain low cytosolic Na + levels in the mature root. Our findings suggest that targeted, tissue-specific overexpression or knockout of SOS1 may lead to greater salt tolerance than has been achieved with constitutive gene changes. Tissue-specific changes to the expression of SOS1 could be used to identify the appropriate balance between limiting Na + uptake to the shoot while maintaining water uptake, potentially leading to enhancements in salt tolerance., (Copyright © 2019 Foster and Miklavcic.)

Retinoic acid receptor beta (RARB) variants are heavily linked to pathologies of neural crest cell migration. The purpose of this report is to present a 23-month-old male with the previously described R387C RARB gain-of-function variant whose gastrointestinal issues and long-term constipation lead to the discovery of colonic hypoganglionosis. This case further delineates the pattern of malformation associated with RARB variants. The findings are also consistent with the known etiology of aganglionic colon due to failed neural crest cell migration., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) are ligand-gated transcription factors that control adaptive host responses following recognition of specific endogenous or exogenous ligands. Although NHRs have expanded dramatically in C. elegans compared to other metazoans, the biological function of only a few of these genes has been characterized in detail. Here, we demonstrate that an NHR can activate an anti-pathogen transcriptional program. Using genetic epistasis experiments, transcriptome profiling analyses and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing, we show that, in the presence of an immunostimulatory small molecule, NHR-86 binds to the promoters of immune effectors to activate their transcription. NHR-86 is not required for resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa at baseline, but activation of NHR-86 by this compound drives a transcriptional program that provides protection against this pathogen. Interestingly, NHR-86 targets immune effectors whose basal regulation requires the canonical p38 MAPK PMK-1 immune pathway. However, NHR-86 functions independently of PMK-1 and modulates the transcription of these infection response genes directly. These findings characterize a new transcriptional regulator in C. elegans that can induce a protective host response towards a bacterial pathogen., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Purpose: In an effort to counteract the differences in improvement in survival rates of adolescents and young adults (AYA), compared to other age groups with cancer, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics established an AYA cancer program. This study was conducted to gather feedback from AYAs in an effort to generate actionable data for program development., Methods: The target population included patients aged 13-31 treated for malignancy in one of the following disease sites: central nervous system, leukemia, lymphoma, neuroendocrine, sarcoma, and thyroid. A series of four focus groups was held to identify and describe gaps in care and provide suggestions for program development. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used. Qualitative data were derived from focus group discussion and free-response survey questions, while quantitative data were derived from objective survey questions and electronic medical record data., Results: Across the four focus groups, 24 different AYAs participated, ranging from 8 to 19 individuals per session. Topics discussed included the following: communication, treatment experience, and overall AYA program; finances, work and school, and late effects; relationships, emotions, and spirituality; and body image, infertility, sexuality, risky behavior, and suicide. The results of the analyses corroborated what makes AYAs different from other age groups. The primary theme identified was the unique relationships of AYAs, which can be thought of along a continuum., Conclusions: Information obtained from these analyses has been used to inform specific projects within the development of the AYA program to address patient-identified gaps. For AYAs, the importance of relationships along a continuum should be considered when developing an AYA program, in addition to potential policy or health service research utilization in the future.

Four bacteriophages infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis mc 2 155 (three belonging to subcluster P1 and one belonging to subcluster P2) were isolated from soil and sequenced. All four phages are similar in the left arm of their genomes, but the P2 phage differs in the right arm. All four genomes contain features of temperate phages., (Copyright © 2018 Doyle et al.)

In this paper, we present a detailed and comprehensive mathematical model of active and passive ion and water transport in plant roots. Two key features are the explicit consideration of the separate, but interconnected, apoplastic, and symplastic transport pathways for ions and water, and the inclusion of both active and passive ion transport mechanisms. The model is used to investigate the respective roles of the endodermal Casparian strip and suberin lamellae in the salt stress response of plant roots. While it is thought that these barriers influence different transport pathways, it has proven difficult to distinguish their separate functions experimentally. In particular, the specific role of the suberin lamellae has been unclear. A key finding based on our simulations was that the Casparian strip is essential in preventing excessive uptake of Na + into the plant via apoplastic bypass, with a barrier efficiency that is reflected by a sharp gradient in the steady-state radial distribution of apoplastic Na + across the barrier. Even more significantly, this function cannot be replaced by the action of membrane transporters. The simulations also demonstrated that the positive effect of the Casparian strip of controlling Na + uptake, was somewhat offset by its contribution to the osmotic stress component: a more effective barrier increased the detrimental osmotic stress effect. In contrast, the suberin lamellae were found to play a relatively minor, even non-essential, role in the overall response to salt stress, with the presence of the suberin lamellae resulting in only a slight reduction in Na + uptake. However, perhaps more significantly, the simulations identified a possible role of suberin lamellae in reducing plant energy requirements by acting as a physical barrier to preventing the passive leakage of Na + into endodermal cells. The model results suggest that more and particular experimental attention should be paid to the properties of the Casparian strip when assessing the salt tolerance of different plant varieties and species. Indeed, the Casparian strip appears to be a more promising target for plant breeding and plant genetic engineering efforts than the suberin lamellae for the goal of improving salt tolerance.

Case Report: A 56-year-old man presented with advanced heart failure requiring implantation of a left ventricular assist device and was discharged home. after implantation He returned to the hospital with right posterior putamen stroke and after a comprehensive rehabilitation programme was discharged home with the ability to be independent. The patient later underwent heart transplantation and subsequently required readmission to inpatient rehabilitation. He again completed a comprehensive rehabilitation programme and returned home with the ability to be independent with use of a single-point cane for ambulation., Conclusion: Patients with advanced heart failure present a challenge to the rehabilitation team, but with a multidisciplinary approach and physiatrist leadership patients can return home and achieve improved quality of life.

We extend a model of ion and water transport through a root to describe transport along and through a root exhibiting a complexity of differentiation zones. Attention is focused on convective and diffusive transport, both radially and longitudinally, through different root tissue types (radial differentiation) and root developmental zones (longitudinal differentiation). Model transport parameters are selected to mimic the relative abilities of the different tissues and developmental zones to transport water and ions. For each transport scenario in this extensive simulations study, we quantify the optimal 3D flow path taken by water and ions, in response to internal barriers such as the Casparian strip and suberin lamellae. We present and discuss both transient and steady state results of ion concentrations as well as ion and water fluxes. We find that the peak in passive uptake of ions and water occurs at the start of the differentiation zone. In addition, our results show that the level of transpiration has a significant impact on the distribution of ions within the root as well as the rate of ion and water uptake in the differentiation zone, while not impacting on transport in the elongation zone. From our model results we infer information about the active transport of ions in the different developmental zones. In particular, our results suggest that any uptake measured in the elongation zone under steady state conditions is likely to be due to active transport.

We present and explore a kinetic model of ion transport across and between the membranes of an isolated plant cell with an emphasis on the cell's response to salt (Na(+)) stress. The vacuole, cytoplasm and apoplast are treated as concentric regions separated by tonoplast and plasma membranes. The model includes the transport of Na(+), K(+), Cl(-) and H(+) across both membranes via primary active proton pumps, secondary active antiporters and symporters, as well as passive ion channels. In addition, water transport is included, allowing us to investigate both the osmotic and ionic components of salt stress. The model's predictions of steady state and transient cytosolic pH and Na(+) concentrations were found to be quantitatively comparable to measured experimental values. Through an extensive simulation study we have identified and characterized scenarios in which individual transport processes (H(+) pumps, Na(+)/H(+) antiporters and channels involved in the transport of Na(+)) and their combinations have major effects on the level of Na(+) in each of the cell compartments. This systematic study emulates the effects of overexpressing and inhibiting transporter genes by genetic modification and hence we have compared our simulations with observations from experiments conducted on transgenic plants. The simulations suggest that overexpressing tonoplast Na(+)/H(+) antiporter genes and tonoplast H(+) pump genes lead to an increase in the storage of Na(+) in the vacuole (helping the cell to maintain water uptake under salt stress), with only a transient influence on the cytoplasmic Na(+) concentration. The model predicts effects of varying the expression of transporter genes (individually or in combination) which have yet to be investigated in experiments. For example, our findings indicate that simultaneously overexpressing plasma membrane and tonoplast Na(+)/H(+) antiporter genes would lead to improvements in both ionic and osmotic stress tolerance. The results demonstrate the importance of simultaneously modelling the transport of Na(+) across both the tonoplast and plasma membrane, a task not undertaken previously., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We simulate the competitive uptake and transport of a mixed salt system in the differentiated tissues of plant roots. The results are based on a physical model that includes both forced diffusion and convection by the transpiration stream. The influence of the Casparian strip on regulating apoplastic flow, the focus of the paper, is modelled by varying ion diffusive permeabilities, hydraulic reflection coefficients and water permeability for transport across the endodermis-pericycle interface. We find that reducing diffusive permeabilities leads to significantly altered ion concentration profiles in the pericycle and vascular cylinder regions, while increased convective reflectivities affect predominantly ion concentrations in the cortex and endodermis tissues. The self-consistent electric field arising from ion separation is a major influence on predicted ion fluxes and accumulation rates., (© 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this paper, we present and discuss a mathematical model of ion uptake and transport in roots of plants. The underlying physical model of transport is based on the mechanisms of forced diffusion and convection. The model can take account of local variations in effective ion and water permeabilities across the major tissue regions of plant roots, represented through a discretized coupled system of governing equations including mass balance, forced diffusion, convection and electric potential. We present simulation results of an exploration of the consequent enormous parameter space. Among our findings we identify the electric potential as a major factor affecting ion transport across, and accumulation in, root tissues. We also find that under conditions of a constant but realistic level of bulk soil salt concentration and plant-soil hydraulic pressure, diffusion plays a significant role even when convection by the water transpiration stream is operating., (Crown Copyright © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine if a patient's return to the acute care hospital (RTACH) from an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) because of medical acuity is affected by the day of the week and time of rehabilitation admission., Design: Retrospective chart review., Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation facility., Participants: All adult patients admitted to the IRF from January 1, 2009, to June 30, 2011. RTACH was defined as an interruption in the patients' rehabilitation course as a result of medical and/or surgical complications requiring a higher level of care. The control group was defined as patients who completed an uninterrupted rehabilitation course. The study included 2282 patients (2026 control patients and 256 case patients)., Main Outcome Measures: We compared patient demographics, admission impairment groups, discharge diagnosis, admission and discharge Functional Independent Measure (FIM) scores, length of stay, attached hospital versus outside hospital admissions, and RTACH rates between case patients and control patients., Results: Out of 2282 patients admitted to the IRF over a 30-month period, 256 patients (10.85%) required an RTACH for a higher level of care not available in the IRF. Two statistically significant results were found for RTACH, including rehabilitation admission time and FIM scores (admission motor and cognition scores). Day of the week for inpatient rehabilitation admission was not statistically significant., Conclusion: This study found that the later in the day a patient was admitted to the IRF, the higher the rate of RTACH. In addition, a lower Motor FIM score was found to be correlated with a higher rate of RTACH. Admission day of the week was not found to be statistically significant with regard to the rate of RTACH. Further research is needed to determine the underlying contributing factors that would help decrease the rate of RTACH., (Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is caused by liver impairment and has a multitude of symptoms in affected patients, including change in level of consciousness, intellectual function, and neuromuscular function. Pharmacologic therapy includes use of nonabsorbable disaccharides (lactulose and lactitol), and antibiotics such as neomycin, paromycin, metronidazole, and rifaximin. Probiotics, acarbose, and drugs such as L-carnitine and flumazenil, may also be helpful in treating HE., ((c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The current study involved a comprehensive comparative examination of overt and relational aggression and victimization across multiple perspectives in the school setting (peers, teachers, observers in the lunchroom, self-report). Patterns of results involving sociometic status, ethnicity and gender were explored among 4(th) graders, with particular emphasis on girls. Controversial and rejected children were perceived as higher on both forms of aggression than other status groups, but only rejected children were reported as victims. Both European American and African American girls showed a greater tendency toward relational aggression and victimization than overt aggression or victimization. Results indicated negative outcomes associated with both relational and overt victimization and especially overt aggression for the target girl sample. Poorer adjustment and a socially unskillful behavioral profile were found to be associated with these three behaviors. However, relational aggression did not evidence a similar negative relation to adjustment nor was it related to many of the behaviors examined in the current study. Implications of these results are discussed.

A 43-year-old man presented with attacks of altered behaviour over a short period of time; they were associated with episodes of hypoglycaemia. The clinical suspicion of insulinoma prompted investigations that quickly established serum insulin and C-peptide levels to be elevated at the times when blood glucose values were low. A physical lesion was found in the head of the pancreas by means of computerised tomography and endo-duodenal ultrasound scan; an octreotide scan was negative. The patient underwent laparotomy and enucleation of a benign tumour, measuring 2.6 cm in diameter, lying within the head of the pancreas; histological examination confirmed it to be an insulinoma. Postoperatively, the patient's personality gradually became more normal and his fasting blood glucose concentrations returned to within normal limits. The diagnosis and management of insulinoma are discussed in the context of this clinical case; there is also reference to the protean clinical manifestations that may occur in this condition- and its differential diagnosis.

The association of high-amplitude echoes returned from the liver in diffuse fatty infiltration has now become well recognized. We report our experience on the accuracy with which ultrasound will detect a fatty liver. A review was made of the liver ultrasound images in patients known to have either histologically normal livers or livers with fatty infiltration. Only two of 40 patients with normal liver biopsies had a brightly reflective echo pattern, but 12 of 20 patients with fatty infiltration showed this pattern. Of the patients with histologically moderate or severe fatty infiltration, nine out of ten had a brightly reflective echo pattern.

The metabolic effects of moderately severe gastrointestinal haemorrhage were investigated in man. Before resuscitation, patients had raised circulating concentrations of glucose, lactate, alanine, glycerol and cortisol. After urgent operation for haemorrhage, metabolite concentrations were similar to those of control patients having elective abdominal surgery, but insulin concentrations were higher and cortisol lower in haemorrhage patients. There were no significant differences in nitrogen excretion between haemorrhage patients and their controls, but urinary 3-methyl-histidine excretion by haemorrhage patients was lower indicating decreased muscle protein breakdown. Decreased amino acid release from muscle might account for previously reported imparied wound healing after haemorrhage.

This report describes a young woman with ulcerative colitis who developed rapidly fatal pneumococcal septicaemia. Necropsy revealed splenic atrophy. This case supports the hypothesis that splenic atrophy might contribute to the morbidity of ulcerative colitis. The occurrence of splenic atrophy in ulcerative colitis is now well established. Splenic atrophy from other causes has been associated with severe bacterial infections, often pneumococcal. It has been suggested that splenic atrophy is most severe when ulcerative colitis is active and may contribute to postoperative morbidity. This case documents overwhelming septicaemia in a patient with splenic atrophy whose colitis was in remission.

In view of the similar patterns of incidence of diverticular disease of the colon (DD) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in different communities, the prevalence of diverticular disease was investigated in male patients after recovery from acute myocardial infarction. A significantly higher prevalence of DD was found among infarct patients (57%) than among male control subjects (25%) matched for age and social class.

Liver function tests were assessed in 60 unselected out-patient diabetics stabilized on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents. Routine liver function tests, particularly plasma concentrations of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase were elevated occasionally but rarely to more than twice the upper limit of normal. There was no correlation between measures of diabetic control and results of liver function tests. Twelve (20%) patients had evidence of gall stones, a prevalence above the expected from the community. Fourteen (23%) patients had an abnormally bright liver ultrasound echo pattern, probably indicative of fatty infiltration of the liver. This echo pattern was associated with only a minimal rise in plasma alanine amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. It is concluded that functionally significant liver disease is uncommon amongst stabilized diabetic patients.

The relation of lipid metabolism to nitrogen balance was studied in patients having undergone abdominal surgery and was compared with control subjects who had fasted for a similar period. The patients had lower circulating concentrations of glycerol, non-esterified fatty acids and ketone bodies. There were inverse correlations between blood alanine and ketone body concentrations in both patients (r = -0.64, P less than 0.01) and controls (r = -0.58, P less than 0.01). Nitrogen excretion by patients (12.7 mmol/kg body weight/day +/- 1.4 s.e. mean) was greater than by controls (9.2 mmol kg(-1)d(-1) +/- 0.8, P less than 0.05), but a more marked difference was noted for urinary methyl histidine excretion of 5.1 +/- 0.5 mmumol kg(-1) d(-1) by patients and only 2.5 +/- 0.3 mumol kg(-1) d(-1) by controls (P less than 0.01), a disparity indicative of more active protein turnover after surgery.

A retrospective review was made of the effect of early post-operative total parenteral nutrition on recovery from total cystectomy with formation of an ileal conduit. No difference in mortality or time spent in hospital after operation was noted between 2 groups receiving either total parenteral nutrition or isotonic dextrose-saline solutions.

Prediction of serious postoperative complications by using standard anthropometric and biochemical nutritional variables was attempted in 225 patients admitted for major abdominal surgery. In 102 of the patients hand-grip dynamometry was also measured, and this proved the most sensitive test, predicting complications in 48 of the 55 patients (87%) who developed them (p < 0.001). Arm muscle circumference and forearm muscle circumference below 85% of the standard value were also of predictive value (p < 0.02 and p < 0.01 respectively); weight for height and serum albumin concentrations were less satisfactory, while weight loss of more than 10% was not significantly related to complications. Dynamometry is a useful, rapid, and inexpensive screening test for detecting malnutrition that is likely to predispose to serious postoperative morbidity.