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Abstract Cassava is a key food security crop in Central Africa, but its production depends largely on the use of local farmers’ varieties characterized by inherently low yield which is compounded by generally high susceptibility to various growth and yield-limiting pests and diseases. Improved cassava genotypes have demonstrated the potential to substantially improve cassava’s contribution to food security and the development of the cassava industry and the improvement of nutrition status elsewhere in Western Africa. Eleven improved cassava genotypes were compared with a local landrace (LMR) used as a check under field conditions over two years in eight locations, grouped in four agro-ecologies in Cameroon. Pest and disease abundance/incidence and damage severity were evaluated. At harvest, root yield and carotenoid content were measured. Best linear unbiased predictors showed the lowest breeding value for LMR with the cassava mosaic virus disease (+ 66.40 ± 2.42) compared with 1.00 ± 0.02% for the most susceptible improved genotype. Two genotypes (I010040-27 and I011797) stood out for having higher predicted fresh root yield means which were at least 16 times greater compared with LMR. Predicted total carotenoid content was the highest (+ 5.04 ± 0.17) for improved genotype I070593 compared with LMR which showed the lowest (− 3.90 ± 0.06%) and could contribute to the alleviation of vitamin A deficiency from cassava-based food systems. Diffusion of high-yielding and nutritious genotypes could alleviate food and nutritional security in Central Africa.

Extending recent studies showing that sensitivity to reward and outcome expectancies are associated with problematic alcohol and cannabis use, we undertook to determine if similar relationships would hold for ecstasy. One hundred and twenty five males and females aged between 18 and 35years were recruited from RMIT University and through snowball sampling. Participants completed a questionnaire package measuring frequency, amount and first age of ecstasy use, sensitivity to reward and punishment as well as outcome expectancies relating to ecstasy use. Frequency of ecstasy use was significantly related to reward sensitivity (p<.05) and positive outcome expectancies (p<.01). Regression analysis revealed significant prediction of ecstasy use by study variables, with expectations of increased confidence making the largest individual contribution. Multiple intervention points are suggested by the results of this study, within a largely cognitive-based framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated blood pressure, is a prevalent chronic condition and a significant global health issue, closely linked to cardiovascular complications, with inflammation being one of the underlying mechanisms. In hypertensive patients, C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, is often elevated and associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Alongside pharmacotherapy, exercise is recommended as a non-pharmacological approach to managing hypertension, with evidence suggesting that exercise can also reduce inflammation. This study examines the impact of exercise on CRP levels in hypertensive patients. Fourteen studies focusing on exercise interventions and physical fitness related to CRP in individuals with high blood pressure were identified through an extensive search of PubMed, PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. The findings indicated that most studies involving aerobic exercise consistently demonstrated reductions in CRP levels among hypertensive patients, with significant effects observed under supervised conditions, and additional benefits seen when combined with dietary control. Resistance training showed mixed results, with significant reductions in CRP observed primarily in longer-term interventions. Combined exercise training, incorporating both aerobic and resistance elements, effectively reduced CRP levels and improved cardiovascular health markers. Physical fitness assessments, such as a bicycle exercise test to exhaustion, revealed a relationship between physical fitness and decreased CRP levels. Therefore, regular, consistent aerobic and combined training, as well as prolonged resistance exercise, significantly reduce CRP levels in hypertensive patients, highlighting exercise's role as a non-pharmacological strategy for managing hypertension through the reduction of inflammation. Further research is essential to validate these findings and investigate the underlying mechanisms and differential effects of various exercise modalities., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Kanthajan et al.)

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc), contributing to significant morbidity and mortality in affected individuals. The optimal treatment approach for SSc-associated ILD remains uncertain, with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and mycophenolate among potential therapeutic options. This systematic review aims to evaluate and synthesize the existing evidence on the efficacy of rituximab compared to cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate for the treatment of ILD in patients with systemic sclerosis. A comprehensive search of the following electronic databases, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library, has been conducted to identify relevant studies, including randomized controlled trials, systematic review and meta-analysis, prospective cohort studies, and retrospective cohort studies. Data on study characteristics, participant demographics, interventions, outcomes, and key findings have been extracted and synthesized. The risk of bias in the included studies has been assessed using appropriate tools such as the Cochrane Bias assessment tool for randomized controlled trials, the New Castle Ottawa tool for cohort studies, and the AMSTAR checklist for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. The research team ultimately selected 15 high-quality studies for review. Rituximab demonstrated similar efficacy to cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate in improving lung function (forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO)), with fewer severe adverse events. Cyclophosphamide, while effective, had higher toxicity, leading to more frequent adverse events such as leukopenia and infections. Mycophenolate showed comparable efficacy to cyclophosphamide but with fewer side effects, making it a well-tolerated alternative. The findings of this systematic review will provide valuable insights into the comparative efficacy of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and mycophenolate in the management of ILD in systemic sclerosis, informing clinical decision-making and guiding future research in this area., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Parikh et al.)

This systematic review investigates the effect of curcumin on neurocognitive exams and inflammatory serum biomarkers in adults 18 years and older. We search PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. Modeling the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA), we screened 1,284 studies with the keywords "neurocognitive disorders," "dementia," "cognitive health," "serum biomarkers," and "curcumin." We use the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (RoB2) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to select 12 open-access full-text articles published within 20 years. We include clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and human studies, excluding nonhumans, other design types, and schizophrenia. Despite gastrointestinal side effects, studies found curcumin significantly improves working memory in the following adult groups: non-demented, metabolically impaired, cognitively impaired, mood impaired, and chemotherapy impaired. Study limitations include variable population characteristics and few trials employing intention-to-treat analysis, emphasizing the need for shared clinical decision-making before curcumin therapy., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Francis et al.)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a prominent contributor to morbidity and mortality, particularly in the middle-aged and elderly population. Plant-based, high-fiber diets high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts can significantly lower CVD risk factors. This systematic review aims to assess how effectively diet improves cardiovascular health in this demographic. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we thoroughly searched PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov, explicitly focusing on papers published in English. The review identified 10 pertinent papers, including three systematic reviews, one randomized-controlled trial (RCT), two observational studies, and four review articles demonstrating significant improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and glycemic management associated with high-fiber plant-based diets (PBDs). The research specifically emphasized the significance of dietary fiber in decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and reducing systemic inflammation. These data support the concept that PBDs high in fiber can effectively lower CVD risk factors. However, limitations such as self-reported dietary intake and variability in adherence were noted. In conclusion, high-fiber PBDs are a viable strategy for managing and preventing CVD in middle-aged and older adults. Future research should focus on long-term adherence, the comparative benefits of different plant-based foods, and developing personalized dietary recommendations to optimize cardiovascular health outcomes in this population., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Pandey et al.)

Cardiovascular risks and complications remain elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes even after appropriate control of contributing factors like glycemic control, hypertension, and lipid profile. More efficient methods are needed to address this issue in type 2 diabetics. Newer drugs like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have shown a cardioprotective effect in addition to glycemic control. This systematic review aims to study the latest literature findings on the cardiovascular effects of GLP-1 RAs in patients with type 2 diabetes. We used PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Biomed Central databases for our data collection. Our review adheres to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The outcomes evaluated in the review include major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), heart failure, stroke, all-cause mortality, and effects on cardiovascular risk factors. After careful inspection and quality check, we included 14 articles in the systematic review. GLP-1 RAs were associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and nonfatal stroke, especially in patients with existing cardiovascular risk factors. However, more evidence is required to determine if these benefits extend to those without such risk factors. Limited data suggest that GLP-1 RAs might have a protective effect on arrhythmias, but this area needs further investigation. Despite their potential, several barriers hinder the widespread use of GLP-1 RAs. In conclusion, GLP-1 RAs significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, nonfatal MI, and stroke, with minor effects on hospitalization due to heart failure. Benefits are greater in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. A comprehensive, multilevel approach to policy development and implementation is necessary to optimize the use of these medications in eligible populations., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Sreenivasan et al.)

Telemedicine is the delivery of healthcare services using information and communication technologies to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, transforming how healthcare is delivered, especially in remote and underserved areas. Despite its potential, no systematic reviews have been conducted in the last five years to assess the effectiveness of telemedicine for managing diabetes in rural populations. This review addresses this gap by evaluating studies on telemedicine's impact on glycemic control among diabetic patients in these settings. We searched five databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, ScienceDirect, and Science.gov, covering studies published in the last five years. Of the 331 articles identified, 10 met our inclusion criteria: English-language studies from the past five years involving adults in rural areas or comparing rural and urban settings, focusing on telemedicine's impact on glycemic control in diabetic patients. In many studies, the findings revealed that telemedicine interventions integrated into structured programs significantly improved HbA1c levels. Successful implementation requires local infrastructure and consistent patient-provider interactions, although increased healthcare provider workloads may affect sustainability. Telemedicine alone was less effective for patients with complex comorbidities, suggesting that a combined approach with in-person visits may be more effective. This review highlights telemedicine's potential to replace routine in-person visits for diabetes management in rural areas, demonstrating significant improvements in HbA1c levels, medication adherence, and timely care management support. Future research should focus on randomized controlled trials in rural settings, hybrid care models that optimize in-person visit frequency and remote monitoring, and addressing technological challenges such as broadband access and platform usability to ensure sustainable telehealth interventions., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, AlQassab et al.)

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's immune response to infection becomes unregulated, causing organ dysfunction and a heightened risk of mortality. Despite increased awareness campaigns, its prevalence escalates, annually afflicting over 1.7 million adults in the United States. This research explores the potential of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in septic shock management, aiming to highlight its capacity to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, our comprehensive search across 51,534 studies, using keywords such as plasmapheresis, plasma exchange therapy, therapeutic plasma exchange, septic shock, and reduction in mortality integrated with medical subject headings terms, led to the meticulous selection of six pivotal studies. Through rigorous evaluation with tools such as the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and Assessment of Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews, we extracted strong evidence supporting TPE's significant impact on decreasing mortality in septic shock patients compared to standard care, as demonstrated in three randomized controlled trials and one cohort study, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.43 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26-0.72). Additionally, two meta-analyses further validate TPE's effectiveness, showing a mortality reduction with an OR of 0.30 (95% CI = 0.20-0.46). This advantage also extends to critically ill COVID-19 patients, underscoring TPE's crucial role in modulating the coagulation cascade, decreasing sepsis-related complications, and reducing the risk of bleeding and organ failure. Nevertheless, the benefits of TPE must be carefully balanced against potential risks such as hypocalcemia, hypotension, and citrate toxicity, especially in patients with underlying renal or liver issues, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making. While TPE emerges as a promising therapy, its formal integration into standard care protocols awaits further confirmation, highlighting the critical need for more in-depth research to conclusively determine its efficacy and safety in septic shock management., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Hernandez et al.)

Decreased left ventricle (LV) function caused by genetic mutations or injury often leads to debilitating and fatal cardiovascular disease. LV cardiomyocytes are, therefore, a potentially valuable therapeutical target. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) are neither homogeneous nor functionally mature, which reduces their utility. Here, we exploit cardiac development knowledge to instruct differentiation of hPSCs specifically toward LV cardiomyocytes. Correct mesoderm patterning and retinoic acid pathway blocking are essential to generate near-homogenous LV-specific hPSC-CMs (hPSC-LV-CMs). These cells transit via first heart field progenitors and display typical ventricular action potentials. Importantly, hPSC-LV-CMs exhibit increased metabolism, reduced proliferation, and improved cytoarchitecture and functional maturity compared with age-matched cardiomyocytes generated using the standard WNT-ON/WNT-OFF protocol. Similarly, engineered heart tissues made from hPSC-LV-CMs are better organized, produce higher force, and beat more slowly but can be paced to physiological levels. Together, we show that functionally matured hPSC-LV-CMs can be obtained rapidly without exposure to current maturation regimes., Competing Interests: N.A.-G. is the vice president of research and development at AnaBios, San Diego. P.E.M. is a founding partner and the chief corporate development officer of AnaBios, San Diego. The Francis Crick Institute has filed a patent application related to this work (WO 2020/245612), and A.S.B. is listed as an inventor. The Francis Crick Institute has granted an exclusive license to Axol Bioscience to commercialize the protocol for the generation and sale of cardiomyocytes for R&D and the provision of contract research services. N.D., C.B., J.C.S., and A.S.B. may benefit from this license., (Crown Copyright © 2023.)

Background: The increased risk of post-menopausal women developing abnormalities of heart function emphasises the requirement to understand the effect of declining oestrogen levels on cardiac electrophysiology and structure, and investigate possible therapeutic targets, namely the G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 (GPER). Methods: Female guinea pigs underwent sham or ovariectomy (OVx) surgeries. Cardiomyocytes were isolated 150-days post-operatively. Membrane structure was assessed using di-8-ANEPPs staining and scanning ion conductance microscopy. Imunnohistochemistry (IHC) determined the localisation of oestrogen receptors. The effect of GPER activation on excitation-contraction coupling mechanisms were assessed using electrophysiological and fluorescence techniques. Downstream signalling proteins were investigated by western blot. Results: IHC staining confirmed the presence of nuclear oestrogen receptors and GPER, the latter prominently localised to the peri-nuclear region and having a clear striated pattern elsewhere in the cells. Following OVx, GPER expression increased and its activation reduced Ca 2+ transient amplitude (by 40%) and sarcomere shortening (by 32%). In these cells, GPER activation reduced abnormal spontaneous Ca 2+ activity, shortened action potential duration and limited drug-induced early after-depolarisation formation. Conclusion: In an animal species with comparable steroidogenesis and cardiac physiology to humans, we show the expression and localisation of all three oestrogen receptors in cardiac myocytes. We found that following oestrogen withdrawal, GPER expression increased and its activation limited arrhythmogenic behaviours in this low oestrogen state, indicating a potential cardioprotective role of this receptor in post-menopausal women., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Francis, Firth, Sanchez-Alonso, Gorelik and MacLeod.)

Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction is an independent predictor of patient survival in heart failure (HF). However, the mechanisms of RV progression towards failing are not well understood. We studied cellular mechanisms of RV remodelling in a rat model of left ventricle myocardial infarction (MI)-caused HF. RV myocytes from HF rats show significant cellular hypertrophy accompanied with a disruption of transverse-axial tubular network and surface flattening. Functionally these cells exhibit higher contractility with lower Ca 2+ transients. The structural changes in HF RV myocytes correlate with more frequent spontaneous Ca 2+ release activity than in control RV myocytes. This is accompanied by hyperactivated L-type Ca 2+ channels (LTCCs) located specifically in the T-tubules of HF RV myocytes. The increased open probability of tubular LTCCs and Ca 2+ sparks activation is linked to protein kinase A-mediated channel phosphorylation that occurs locally in T-tubules. Thus, our approach revealed that alterations in RV myocytes in heart failure are specifically localized in microdomains. Our findings may indicate the development of compensatory, though potentially arrhythmogenic, RV remodelling in the setting of LV failure. These data will foster better understanding of mechanisms of heart failure and it could promote an optimized treatment of patients.

Contradictory findings of estrogen supplementation in cardiac disease highlight the need to investigate the involvement of estrogen in the progression of heart failure in an animal model that lacks traditional comorbidities. Heart failure was induced by aortic constriction (AC) in female guinea pigs. Selected AC animals were ovariectomized (ACOV), and a group of these received 17β-estradiol supplementation (ACOV+E). One hundred-fifty days post-AC surgery, left-ventricular myocytes were isolated, and their electrophysiology and Ca 2+ and Na + regulation were examined. Long-term absence of ovarian hormones exacerbates the decline in cardiac function during the progression to heart failure. Estrogen supplementation reverses these aggravating effects., (© 2020 The Authors.)

The measurement of the contractile behavior of single cardiomyocytes has made a significant contribution to our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the myocardium. However, the isolation of cardiomyocytes introduces various technical and statistical issues. Traditional video and fluorescence microscopy techniques based around conventional microscopy systems result in low-throughput experimental studies, in which single cells are studied over the course of a pharmacological or physiological intervention. We describe a new approach to these experiments made possible with a new piece of instrumentation, the CytoCypher High-Throughput System (CC-HTS). We can assess the shortening of sarcomeres, cell length, Ca 2+ handling, and cellular morphology of almost 4 cells per minute. This increase in productivity means that batch-to-batch variation can be identified as a major source of variability. The speed of acquisition means that sufficient numbers of cells in each preparation can be assessed for multiple conditions reducing these batch effects. We demonstrate the different temporal scales over which the CC-HTS can acquire data. We use statistical analysis methods that compensate for the hierarchical effects of clustering within heart preparations and demonstrate a significant false-positive rate, which is potentially present in conventional studies. We demonstrate a more stringent way to perform these tests. The baseline morphological and functional characteristics of rat, mouse, guinea pig, and human cells are explored. Finally, we show data from concentration response experiments revealing the usefulness of the CC-HTS in such studies. We specifically focus on the effects of agents that directly or indirectly affect the activity of the motor proteins involved in the production of cardiomyocyte contraction. A variety of myocardial preparations with differing levels of complexity are in use (e.g., isolated muscle bundles, thin slices, perfused dual innervated isolated heart, and perfused ventricular wedge). All suffer from low throughput but can be regarded as providing independent data points in contrast to the clustering problems associated with isolated cell studies. The greater productivity and sampling power provided by CC-HTS may help to reestablish the utility of isolated cell studies, while preserving the unique insights provided by studying the contribution of the fundamental, cellular unit of myocardial contractility., (Copyright © 2020 Wright, Tsui, Francis, MacLeod and Marston.)

We report a flexible light-sheet fluorescence microscope (LSFM) designed for studying dynamic events in cardiac tissue at high speed in 3D and the correlation of these events to cell microstructure. The system employs two illumination-detection modes: the first uses angle-dithering of a Gaussian light sheet combined with remote refocusing of the detection plane for video-rate volumetric imaging; the second combines digitally-scanned light-sheet illumination with an axially-swept light-sheet waist and stage-scanned acquisition for improved axial resolution compared to the first mode. We present a characterisation of the spatial resolution of the system in both modes. The first illumination-detection mode achieves dual spectral-channel imaging at 25 volumes per second with 1024 × 200 × 50 voxel volumes and is demonstrated by time-lapse imaging of calcium dynamics in a live cardiomyocyte. The second illumination-detection mode is demonstrated through the acquisition of a higher spatial resolution structural map of the t-tubule network in a fixed cardiomyocyte cell., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Biophotonics published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Key Points: During compensated hypertrophy in vivo fractional shortening (FS) remains constant until heart failure (HF) develops, when FS decreases from 70% to 39%. Compensated hypertrophy is accompanied by an increase in I Na,late and a decrease in Na + ,K + -ATPase current. These changes persist as HF develops. SR Ca 2+ content increases during compensated hypertrophy then decreases in HF. In healthy cells, increases in SR Ca 2+ content and Ca 2+ transients can be achieved by the same amount of inhibition of the Na + ,K + -ATPase as measured in the diseased cells. SERCA function remains constant during compensated hypertrophy then decreases in HF, when there is also an increase in spark frequency and spark-mediated Ca 2+ leak. We suggest an increase in I Na,late and a decrease in Na + ,K + -ATPase current and function alters the balance of Ca 2+ flux mediated by the Na + /Ca 2+ exchange that limits early contractile impairment., Abstract: We followed changes in cardiac myocyte Ca 2+ and Na + regulation from the formation of compensated hypertrophy (CH) until signs of heart failure (HF) are apparent using a trans-aortic pressure overload (TAC) model. In this model, in vivo fractional shortening (FS) remained constant despite HW:BW ratio increasing by 39% (CH) until HF developed 150 days post-TAC when FS decreased from 70% to 39%. Using live and fixed fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological techniques, we found an increase in I Na,late from -0.34 to -0.59 A F -1 and a decrease in Na + ,K + -ATPase current from 1.09 A F -1 to 0.54 A F -1 during CH. These changes persisted as HF developed (I Na,late increased to -0.82 A F -1 and Na + ,K + -ATPase current decreased to 0.51 A F -1 ). Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ content increased during CH then decreased in HF (from 32 to 15 μm l -1 ) potentially supporting the maintenance of FS in the whole heart and Ca 2+ transients in single myocytes during the former stage. We showed using glycoside blockade in healthy myocytes that increases in SR Ca 2+ content and Ca 2+ transients can be driven by the same amount of inhibition of the Na + ,K + -ATPase as measured in the diseased cells. SERCA function remains constant in CH but decreases (τ for SERCA-mediated Ca 2+ removal changed from 6.3 to 3.0 s -1 ) in HF. In HF there was an increase in spark frequency and spark-mediated Ca 2+ leak. We suggest an increase in I Na,late and a decrease in Na + ,K + -ATPase current and function alters the balance of Ca 2+ flux mediated by the Na + /Ca 2+ exchange that limits early contractile impairment., (© 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Physiological Society.)

The formation of cyclobutane rings is a promising strategy in the development of potential drugs and/or synthetic intermediates, typically challenging to obtain due to their constrained nature. In this work, the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction of S , S -dioxobenzothiophene-2-methanol was explored in microcrystalline powders and its outcome was compared to that observed in solution. It was found that the molecular constraints inherited within the crystal lattice provide an optimal environment that leads to photodimer 4 as the major product in ca. 9.6:0.4 diastereomeric ratios with conversions >95%. The photoreaction was analyzed via X-ray, displaying a crystalline-to-amorphous transformation and showing that units of monomer 2 align to generate the corresponding dimer with a syn-head-to-tail regio- and diastereoselectivity. This result contrasted with that obtained in solution, where the diastereomeric ratio varied as a function of the excited state that is generated, to yield mixtures of dimers 4 and 5 (anti-head-to-tail), or exclusively 5 in the triplet-sensitized photoreaction, in the presence of benzophenone. Density functional theory was used to elucidate a plausible detailed mechanism for the phototransformation, which aided in justifying the results that led to the corresponding dimers. X-ray crystallography allowed us to establish the stereochemical assignment of the obtained cyclobutyl rings. Thus, the use of solid-state or solution photochemistry can be used to gain control of diastereo- and regioselectivities in the formation of this important moiety.

This study addressed the hypothesis that long-term deficiency of ovarian hormones after ovariectomy (OVx) alters cellular Ca 2+ -handling mechanisms in the heart, resulting in the formation of a proarrhythmic substrate. It also tested whether estrogen supplementation to OVx animals reverses any alterations to cardiac Ca 2+ handling and rescues proarrhythmic behavior. OVx or sham operations were performed on female guinea pigs using appropriate anesthetic and analgesic regimes. Pellets containing 17β-estradiol (1 mg, 60-day release) were placed subcutaneously in selected OVx animals (OVx + E). Cardiac myocytes were enzymatically isolated, and electrophysiological measurements were conducted with a switch-clamp system. In fluo-4-loaded cells, Ca 2+ transients were 20% larger, and fractional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ release was 7% greater in the OVx group compared with the sham group. Peak L-type Ca 2+ current was 16% larger in OVx myocytes with channel inactivation shifting to more positive membrane potentials, creating a larger "window" current. SR Ca 2+ stores were 22% greater in the OVx group, and these cells showed a higher frequency of Ca 2+ sparks and waves and shorter wave-free intervals. OVx myocytes showed higher frequencies of early afterdepolarizations, and a greater percentage of these cells showed delayed afterdepolarizations after exposure to isoprenaline compared with sham myocytes. The altered Ca 2+ regulation occurring in the OVx group was not observed in the OVx + E group. These findings suggest that long-term deprivation of ovarian hormones in guinea pigs lead to changes in myocyte Ca 2+ -handling mechanisms that are considered proarrhythmogenic. 17β-Estradiol replacement prevented these adverse effects. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ovariectomized guinea pig cardiomyocytes have higher frequencies of Ca 2+ waves, and isoprenaline-challenged cells display more early afterdepolarizations, delayed afterdepolarizations, and extra beats compared with sham myocytes. These alterations to Ca 2+ regulation were not observed in myocytes from ovariectomized guinea pigs supplemented with 17β-estradiol, suggesting that ovarian hormone deficiency modifies cardiac Ca 2+ regulation, potentially creating proarrhythmic substrates., (Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.)

Solid-phase synthesis has been used to obtain canonical and modified polymers of nucleic acids, specifically of DNA or RNA, which has made it a popular methodology for applications in various fields and for different research purposes. The procedure described herein focuses on the synthesis, purification, and characterization of dodecamers of RNA 5'-[CUA CGG AAU CAU]-3' containing zero, one, or two modifications located at the C2'-O-position. The probes are based on 2-thiophenylmethyl groups, incorporated into RNA nucleotides via standard organic synthesis and introduced into the corresponding oligonucleotides via their respective phosphoramidites. This report makes use of phosphoramidite chemistry via the four canonical nucleobases (Uridine (U), Cytosine (C), Guanosine (G), Adenosine (A)), as well as 2-thiophenylmethyl functionalized nucleotides modified at the 2'-O-position; however, the methodology is amenable for a large variety of modifications that have been developed over the years. The oligonucleotides were synthesized on a controlled-pore glass (CPG) support followed by cleavage from the resin and deprotection under standard conditions, i.e., a mixture of ammonia and methylamine (AMA) followed by hydrogen fluoride/triethylamine/N-methylpyrrolidinone. The corresponding oligonucleotides were purified via polyacrylamide electrophoresis (20% denaturing) followed by elution, desalting, and isolation via reversed-phase chromatography (Sep-pak, C18-column). Quantification and structural parameters were assessed via ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and circular dichroism (CD) photometric analysis, respectively. This report aims to serve as a resource and guide for beginner and expert researchers interested in embarking in this field. It is expected to serve as a work-in-progress as new technologies and methodologies are developed. The description of the methodologies and techniques within this document correspond to a DNA/RNA synthesizer (refurbished and purchased in 2013) that uses phosphoramidite chemistry.

The Bivalent Fear of Evaluation (BFOE) model of social anxiety proposes that fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and fear of positive evaluation (FPE) play distinct roles in social anxiety. Research is however lacking in terms of how FPE is related to perfectionism and how these constructs interact to predict social anxiety. Participants were 382 individuals from the general community and included an oversampling of individuals with social anxiety. Measures of FPE, FNE, perfectionism, and social anxiety were administered. Results were mostly consistent with the predictions made by the BFOE model and showed that accounting for confounding variables, FPE correlated negatively with high standards but positively with maladaptive perfectionism. FNE was also positively correlated with maladaptive perfectionism, but there was no significant relationship between FNE and high standards. Also consistent with BFOE model, both FNE and FPE significantly moderated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and social anxiety with the relationship strengthened at high levels of FPE and FNE. These findings provide additional support for the BFOE model and implications are discussed.

We examined the dissolution of Pu, U, and Am in contaminated soil from the Nevada Test Site (NTS) due to indigenous microbial activity. Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) analysis of the soil showed that Pu was present in its polymeric form and associated with Fe- and Mn- oxides and aluminosilicates. Uranium analysis by x-ray diffraction (μ-XRD) revealed discrete U-containing mineral phases, viz., schoepite, sharpite, and liebigite; synchrotron x-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) mapping showed its association with Fe- and Ca-phases; and μ-x-ray absorption near edge structure (μ-XANES) confirmed U(IV) and U(VI) oxidation states. Addition of citric acid or glucose to the soil and incubated under aerobic or anaerobic conditions enhanced indigenous microbial activity and the dissolution of Pu. Detectable amount of Am and no U was observed in solution. In the citric acid-amended sample, Pu concentration increased with time and decreased to below detection levels when the citric acid was completely consumed. In contrast, with glucose amendment, Pu remained in solution. Pu speciation studies suggest that it exists in mixed oxidation states (III/IV) in a polymeric form as colloids. Although Pu(IV) is the most prevalent and generally considered to be more stable chemical form in the environment, our findings suggest that under the appropriate conditions, microbial activity could affect its solubility and long-term stability in contaminated environments., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Toward our goal of scalable, antimicrobial materials based on photodynamic inactivation, paper sheets comprised of photosensitizer-conjugated cellulose fibers were prepared using porphyrin and BODIPY photosensitizers, and characterized by spectroscopic (infrared, UV-vis diffuse reflectance, inductively coupled plasma optical emission) and physical (gel permeation chromatography, elemental, and thermal gravimetric analyses) methods. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC-2913), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (ATCC-2320), Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC-19606), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC-9027), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC-2146). Our best results were achieved with a cationic porphyrin-paper conjugate, Por((+))-paper, with inactivation upon illumination (30 min, 65 ± 5 mW/cm(2), 400-700 nm) of all bacterial strains studied by 99.99+% (4 log units), regardless of taxonomic classification. Por((+))-paper also inactivated dengue-1 virus (>99.995%), influenza A (∼ 99.5%), and human adenovirus-5 (∼ 99%). These results demonstrate the potential of cellulose materials to serve as scalable scaffolds for anti-infective or self-sterilizing materials against both bacteria and viruses when employing a photodynamic inactivation mode of action.

Non-coherent sensitized red-to-green upconversion has been achieved utilizing platinum(II) tetraphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin (PtTPTBP) as the triplet sensitizer and a nearly quantitatively fluorescent meso-(2,6-dichloropyridyl)-substituted boron dipyrromethene (Cl2PyBODIPY) chromophore (Φ = 0.99 in toluene) as the energy acceptor/annihilator in deoxygenated toluene. Dynamic Stern-Volmer analysis revealed that PtTPTBP phosphorescence as quenched by Cl2PyBODIPY occurs with a KSV of 108,000 M(-1), yielding a triplet-triplet energy transfer rate constant of 2.3 × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). Using a non-coherent red light-emitting diode excitation source centered at 626 nm, the incident power dependence responsible for generating singlet BODIPY fluorescence in the green was shown to traverse quadratic to linear regimes, the latter being achieved near 60 mW cm(-2). These data were consistent with a photochemical upconversion mechanism being responsible for generating singlet fluorescence from the Cl2PyBODIPY chromophores through sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA). Integrated delayed fluorescence transients were utilized to reveal the TTA efficiency for the Cl2PyBODIPY chromophore and saturated near 46%, representing the lower limit for the TTA process. Kinetic modelling of the delayed fluorescence transient produced from 1.5 mJ laser pulses (λex = 615 nm) revealed a maximum limiting TTA efficiency of 64% for this upconverting composition, implying that this is indeed an extremely relevant acceptor/annihilator composition for photochemical upconversion.

The biological effect of ionic liquids (ILs) is one of the highly debated topics as they are being contemplated for various industrial applications. 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][Ac]) showed remarkable hormesis on anaerobic Clostridium sp. and aerobic Pseudomonas putida. Bacterial growth was stimulated at up to 2.5 g L(-1) and inhibited at >2.5 g L(-1) of [EMIM][Ac]. The growth of Clostridium sp. and P. putida were higher by 0.4 and 4-fold respectively, in the presence of 0.5 g L(-1) [EMIM][Ac]. Assessment of the effect of [EMIM][Ac] under different growth conditions showed that the hormesis of [EMIM][Ac] was mediated via regulation of medium pH. Hormetic effect of [EMIM][Ac] was evident only in medium with poor buffering capacity and in the presence of a fermentable substrate as the carbon source. The hormetic effect of [EMIM][Ac] on bacterial growth is most likely associated with the buffering capacity of acetate anion. These observations have implications in ILs toxicity studies and ecological risk assessment., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The persistence of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Aroclor 1248 in soils and sediments is a major concern because of its toxicity and presence at high concentrations. In this study, we developed an integrated remediation system for PCBs using chemical catalysis and biodegradation. The dechlorination of Aroclor 1248 was achieved by treatment with bimetallic nanoparticles Pd/nFe under anoxic conditions. Among the 32 PCB congeners of Aroclor 1248 examined, our process dechlorinated 99%, 92%, 84%, and 28% of tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexachlorinated biphenyls, respectively. The resulting biphenyl was biodegraded rapidly by Burkholderia xenovorans LB400. Benzoic acid was detected as an intermediate during the biodegradation process. The toxicity of the residual PCBs after nano-bio treatment was evaluated in terms of toxic equivalent values which decreased from 33.8×10(-5)μgg(-1) to 9.5×10(-5)μgg(-1). The residual PCBs also had low cytotoxicity toward Escherichia coli as demonstrated by lower reactive oxygen species levels, lower glutathione peroxidase activity, and a reduced number of dead bacteria., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Face processing impairment in schizophrenia appears to be underpinned by poor configural (as opposed to feature-based) processing; however, few studies have sought to characterize this impairment electrophysiologically. Given the sensitivity of event-related potentials to antipsychotic medications, and the potential for neurophysiological abnormalities to serve as vulnerability markers for schizophrenia, a handful of studies have investigated early visual P100 and face-selective N170 in "at risk" populations. However, this is the first known neurophysiological investigation of configural face processing in a non-clinical schizotypal sample., Methods: Using stimuli designed to engage configural processing in face perception (upright and inverted Mooney and photographic faces), P100 and N170 components were recorded in healthy individuals characterized by high (N = 14) and low (N = 14) schizotypal traits according to the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences., Results: High schizotypes showed significantly reduced N170 amplitudes to inverted photographic faces. Typical N170 latency and amplitude inversion effects (delayed and enhanced N170 to inverted relative to upright photographic faces, and enhanced amplitude to upright versus inverted Mooney faces), were demonstrated by low, but not high, schizotypes. No group differences were shown for P100 analyses., Conclusions: The findings suggest that neurophysiological deficits in processing facial configurations (N170) are apparent in schizotypy, while the early sensory processing (P100) of faces appears intact. This work adds to the mounting evidence for analogous neural processing anomalies at the healthy end of the psychosis continuum.

In India, evidence is sparse regarding the demand for contraception to delay first pregnancy among married young people. Using data drawn from a study conducted in six Indian states among 9,572 women aged 15-24 who were married for five or fewer years, we explore the scope of this demand, the extent to which it has been satisfied, and, using logistic regression analyses, the factors correlated with contraceptive use to delay first pregnancy among those reporting demand. Findings confirm considerable demand for contraception to postpone first pregnancy (51 percent). Of those with demand, only 10 percent had practiced contraception. Contraception was more likely to have been practiced by educated women, those aware of family planning methods before they were married, those exposed to quality sexuality education, and those who participated in marriage-related decision making. Women who reported feeling pressure to prove their fertility were less likely to have practiced contraception., (© 2013 The Population Council, Inc.)

We report four photocatalytically active cobaloxime complexes for light-driven hydrogen evolution. The cobaloxime catalysts are sensitized by different meso-pyridyl boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) chromophores, bearing either two bromo- or iodo-substituents on the BODIPY core. The pyridine linker between the BODIPY and cobaloxime is further modified by a methyl substituent on the pyridine, influencing the stability and electronic properties of the cobaloxime catalyst and thus the photocatalytic efficiency of each system. Four cobaloxime catalyst complexes and three novel BODIPY chromophores are synthesized and characterized by absorption, fluorescence, infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and electrochemistry. Crystal structures for the BODIPY-cobaloxime complexes 2 and 3 are presented. In contrast to the photocatalytically inactive, nonhalogenated reference complex 1, the four newly reported molecules are active for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, with a maximum turnover number (TON) of 30.9 mol equiv of H2 per catalyst for the meso-methylpyridyl 2,6-diiodo BODIPY-sensitized cobaloxime complex 5. We conclude that accessing the photoexcited triplet state of the BODIPY chromophore by introducing heavy atoms (i.e., bromine or iodine) is necessary for efficient electron transfer in this system, enabling catalytic hydrogen generation. In addition, relatively electron-donating pyridyl linkers improve the stability of the complex, increasing the overall TON for hydrogen production.

As green solvents ionic liquids (ILs) show high potential in nuclear industry for extraction and purification of actinides. However, to date relatively little information has been gained on ILs application in microbial processes, for example biosorption of radionuclides. We investigated the effects of three ILs, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), N-ethylpyridinium trifluoroacetate (EtPyCF3COO) and N-ethylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (EtPyBF4) on the growth and biosorption of uranium by Clostridium sp. The ILs affected the growth of the bacterium as evidenced by decreases in optical density, total gas production, and organic acids production from glucose metabolism. The IC50-48h of three ILs decreased in the order of BMIMPF6 (8.26mM)>EtPyBF4 (7.04mM)>EtPyCF3COO (4.05mM). Uranium biosorption by the bacterial cells decreased by 75% in the presence of 1% (v/v) BMIMPF6 and by about 90% with 1% (v/v) EtPyBF4 or EtPyCF3COO, in comparison to the control without ILs. The diminished biosorption may be attributed to the membrane damages induced by EtPyBF4 and EtPyCF3COO, which can be visualized by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analysis. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed the accumulation of uranium inside peripheral membrane of the cells exposed to uranium alone or with BMIMPF6, while little or no accumulation was observed in the presence of EtPyBF4 and EtPyCF3COO. These results imply that potential toxicity of ILs towards microorganisms is a particularly important issue in limiting its biotechnological applications., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To examine the association between the receipt of benefits from a conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme-Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)-and postpartum contraceptive use in Rajasthan, India., Methods: Data from 2920 women who had delivered in the year preceding the interview were used. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used., Results: Adoption of postpartum contraception was limited among study participants. Even so, women who had experienced the benefits of JSY were more likely than those who had not to have received postpartum contraceptive counseling (odds ratio [OR] 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-2.00) and to have adopted contraception within 3 months of delivery (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.02-1.68)., Conclusion: The present findings make a case for special efforts to use the increased opportunity women experience to interact with the health system as a result of CCTs for promoting maternal and newborn health practices, including postpartum contraception., (© 2013.)

The ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF6], N-ethylpyridiniumtrifluoroacetate [EtPy][CF3COO] and N-ethylpyridiniumtetrafluoroborate [EtPy][BF4], affected the reduction and precipitation of uranium by Clostridium sp. to a varying degree. Characterization of uranium association with the ionic liquids showed that uranium formed a monodentate complex with the anion BF4(-) and PF6(-) of [EtPy][BF4] and [BMIM][PF6], respectively; and a bidentate complex with carboxylate of [EtPy][CF3COO]. Bioreduction of U(VI) was influenced by the type of complex formed: monodentate complexes were readily reduced whereas the bidentate complex of U(VI) with [CF3COO] was recalcitrant. [EtPy][BF4] affected the rate and extent of precipitation of the reduced uranium; at higher concentration the reduced U(IV) remained in the solution phase. The results suggest that by tuning the properties of ionic liquids they may be valuable candidates for uranium biotreatment., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Some of the commitments nations have made in international agreements, notably in the ICPD Programme of Action (1994) and the resolution of the UN Committee on Population & Development (2012), to young people include: realisation of the right to education and attainment of a secondary school education; delaying marriage beyond childhood and ensuring free and full choice in marriage-related decisions; exercise of the right to health, including access to friendly health services and counselling; access to health-promoting information, including on sexual and reproductive matters; acquisition of protective assets and agency, particularly among girls and young women, and promotion of gender equitable roles and attitudes; protection from gender-based violence; and socialisation in a supportive environment. These are crucial for a successful transition to adulthood with reference to sexual and reproductive health outcomes. This paper assesses the extent to which these commitments have been realised, drawing from available studies conducted in the 2000s in developing countries. It concludes that while some progress has been made in most of these aspects, developing countries have a long way to go before they can be said to be helping their young people achieve a successful sexual and reproductive health-related transition to adulthood., (Copyright © 2013 Reproductive Health Matters. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Many abortion seekers in India attempt to induce abortion on their own, by accessing oral medication/preparations from a chemist without a prescription or from an unauthorized provider, and present at registered facilities if these attempts fail. However, little is known about those whose efforts fail or the ways in which programmes and policies may address the needs of such women. This paper explores the experiences of women whose efforts failed, including their socio-demographic profile, the preparations they used, and the extent to which they experienced serious complications, delayed seeking care from an authorized provider, or delayed abortion until the second trimester of pregnancy. Data come from a larger study assessing the feasibility of the provision of medical abortion by non-physicians; a total of 3394 women who sought medical abortion from selected clinical settings in Bihar and Jharkhand between 2008 and 2010 constitute the sample. Prior to visiting the clinic, nearly a third of these women (31%) had made at least one unsuccessful attempt to terminate the unwanted pregnancy by using a range of oral medications/preparations available over-the-counter in medical shops. Logistic regression analysis suggests that educated women (OR 1.6-1.7), those from urban areas (OR 6.2) and those from Bihar (OR 1.6) were significantly more likely than women with no education, rural women and those from Jharkhand to have used such medication. Also notable is that the average gestational age of women who had made a previous attempt to terminate their pregnancy was almost identical to that of women who had not done so when they presented at the registered facility. These findings may inform policies and programmes that seek to identify and reduce the potential risks associated with unauthorized abortion-seeking practices, and highlight the need to fully inform women, chemists and providers about oral medications, what works and what does not, and how effective medication must be taken.

Previously, it has been shown that not only is uranium reduction under fermentation condition common among clostridia species, but also the strains differed in the extent of their capability and the pH of the culture significantly affected uranium(VI) reduction. In this study, using HPLC and GC techniques, metabolic properties of those clostridial strains active in uranium reduction under fermentation conditions have been characterized and their effects on capability variance of uranium reduction discussed. Then, the relationship between hydrogen metabolism and uranium reduction has been further explored and the important role played by hydrogenase in uranium(VI) and iron(III) reduction by clostridia demonstrated. When hydrogen was provided as the headspace gas, uranium(VI) reduction occurred in the presence of whole cells of clostridia. This is in contrast to that of nitrogen as the headspace gas. Without clostridia cells, hydrogen alone could not result in uranium(VI) reduction. In alignment with this observation, it was also found that either copper(II) addition or iron depletion in the medium could compromise uranium reduction by clostridia. In the end, a comprehensive model was proposed to explain uranium reduction by clostridia and its relationship to the overall metabolism especially hydrogen (H2) production.

This study investigated sleep quality, fatigue, mental health and physical activity in rural paramedic shiftworkers. Although limited, previous studies have associated high fatigue levels and poorer health in this sector with shiftwork rostering and occupational demands. A modified version of the Standard Shiftwork Index was completed by 150 paramedics (117 male and 31 females) from rural Victoria. Single sample t tests found significantly higher levels of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress, and significantly poorer sleep quality than reference samples. Paramedics also reported less physical activity than community samples. By regression analysis, sleep quality explained the greatest amount of variance in fatigue scores, followed by depression and age. No gender differences in levels of depression or fatigue were found. Consistent with an earlier study of metropolitan paramedics based on the same methodology, findings suggest rural ambulance paramedic shiftworkers are at particular risk for increased levels of fatigue and depression (regardless of age or gender) and poor quality sleep. Organisational intervention was suggested.

Few studies have examined potential intermediary processes linking insecure attachment with eating disorders. The purpose of this study was to compare the relative contributions of social comparison and emotion dysregulation on disordered eating symptoms within an attachment framework. Participants were 247 women living in Australia, aged between 18 and 35 years. All the study variables were moderately, positively correlated. Disordered eating was most highly correlated with emotion dysregulation, whilst correlation magnitudes with both attachment styles were comparable. Multiple mediation analysis was performed using bootstrapping procedures. Consistent with hypotheses, the mediating roles of social comparison and emotion dysregulation were supported, suggesting they may be processes through which insecure attachment influences disordered eating. Results highlight the need for intervention to focus not only on eating symptomatology, but also on the ways in which eating disorders are maintained through maladaptive self-regulatory and comparison processes.

Theistic and spiritually based beliefs and behaviors have been demonstrated to consistently predict physical and mental health, although the psychological processes underlying these relationships are unclear. This study investigated associative relationships and pathways of mediation between religious functioning, locus of control (LOC) and health. The sample consisted of 122 Christians (79 women, 43 men) who were predominately Catholic, ranging in age from 18 to 80 (M = 45.47, SD = 15.0). Participants were recruited from churches in the Western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, and completed a questionnaire package measuring (1) psychological and physical health, (2) the religious variables of awareness of God, instability and impression management, and (3) God, internal and external LOC domains. Results indicated that awareness of God and internal LOC were associated with better health, whereas external LOC and instability were associated with poorer health. God LOC and impression management were not significantly associated with health. Sobel tests were used to analyse mediation hypotheses. Internal LOC was found to mediate the relationship between awareness of God and better psychological health, and external LOC was found to mediate the relationship between instability and poorer psychological health. These findings are of considerable clinical significance.

Context: The availability of trained abortion providers is limited in India. Allowing ayurvedic physicians and nurses to perform medication abortions may improve women's access to the procedure, but it is unclear whether these clinicians can provide these services safely and effectively., Methods: Allopathic physicians, ayurvedic physicians and nurses (10 of each), none of whom had experience in abortion provision, were trained to perform medication abortions. In 2008-2010, these providers performed medication abortions in five clinics in Bihar and Jharkhand for 1,225 women with a pregnancy of up to eight weeks' gestation. A two-sided equivalence design was used to test whether providers' assessments of client eligibility and completeness of abortion matched those of an experienced physician "verifier," and whether medication abortions performed by nurses and ayurvedic physicians were as safe and effective as those done by allopathic physicians., Results: Failure rates were low (5-6%), and those for nurses and ayurvedic physicians were statistically equivalent to those for allopathic physicians. Provider assessments of client eligibility and completeness of abortion differed from those of the verifier in only a small proportion of cases (3-4% for eligibility and 4-5% for completeness); these proportions, and rates of loss to follow-up, were statistically equivalent among provider types. No serious complications were observed, and services by all three groups of providers were acceptable to women., Conclusion: Findings support amending existing laws to improve women's access to medication abortion by expanding the provider base to include ayurvedic physicians and nurses.

Objective: To investigate the patterns and determinants of postabortion contraceptive use and the rates of method continuation in India., Methods: Population-level retrospective calendar data on 5135 married women who had their last abortion during the 60 months preceding the survey were drawn from 2005-2006 Indian National Family Health Surveys. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the factors associated with postabortion method choices. Method discontinuation rates were estimated using proportional hazard models., Results: Overall, 70.4% of women reported not using any method following abortion, and the levels varied considerably across states. Significant differences were observed in the type of method adopted by women living in large cities, small towns, and rural areas. Poor and socially excluded women were less likely to use any method after abortion, particularly modern reversible methods. Method discontinuation rates were considerably higher among socially disadvantaged groups., Conclusion: Postabortion contraceptive adoption is exceptionally low in India. Reproductive health interventions should urgently consider implementing comprehensive postabortion care policies, integrating family planning with sexual and reproductive healthcare services, and in particular targeting women from disadvantaged communities., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

In this study, the influence exogenous electron shuttles on the growth and glucose fermentative metabolism of Clostridium sp. BC1 was investigated. Bicarbonate addition to mineral salts (MS) medium accelerated growth and glucose fermentation which shifted acidogenesis (acetic- and butyric-acids) towards solventogenesis (ethanol and butanol). Addition of ferrihydrite, anthraquinone disulfonate, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in bicarbonate to growing culture showed no significant influence on fermentative metabolism. In contrast, methyl viologen (MV) enhanced ethanol- and butanol-production by 28- and 12-fold, respectively with concomitant decrease in hydrogen, acetic- and butyric-acids compared to MS medium. The results show that MV addition affects hydrogenase activity with a significant reduction in hydrogen production and a shift in the direction of electron flow towards enhanced production of ethanol and butanol., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Many married women in India experience abortion in their second trimester of pregnancy. While there is an impression that second trimester abortions are now overwhelmingly used for sex selection, little is known about the extent to which second trimester abortions are indeed associated with son preference and sex selection motives, relative to other factors. Using data from a community-based study in rural Maharashtra and Rajasthan, research highlights the role of limited access in explaining second trimester abortion. While women with a single child who was a daughter were indeed more likely than other women to have terminated a pregnancy carrying a female foetus in the second trimester, more strikingly, exclusion from abortion-related decision-making, unsuccessful prior attempts to terminate the pregnancy, and distance from the facility in which their abortion was performed, were significantly associated with second trimester abortion, even after controlling for confounding factors. The study calls for greater efficiency in implementing the PCPNDT Act and addressing deep-rooted son preference. At the same time, findings that poverty and limited access to facilities are as, if not more, important drivers of second trimester abortion, highlight the need to meet commitments to ensure accessible abortion facilities for poor rural women.

While several studies have documented the prevalence of unprotected pre-marital sex among young people in India, little work has explored one of its likely consequences, unintended pregnancy and abortion. This paper examines the experiences of 26 unmarried young abortion-seekers (aged 15-24) interviewed in depth as part of a larger study of unmarried abortion-seekers at clinics run by an NGO in Bihar and Jharkhand. Findings reveal that recognition of the unintended pregnancy was delayed for many and many who suspected so further delayed acknowledging it. Once recognised, most confided in the partner and, for the most part, partners were supportive; a significant minority, including those who had experienced forced sex, did not have partner support and delayed the abortion until the second trimester of pregnancy. Family support was absent in most cases; where provided, it was largely to protect the family reputation. Finally, unsuccessful attempts to terminate the pregnancy were made by several young women, often with the help of partners or family member. Findings call for programmes for young women and men, their potential partners, parents and families and the health system that will collectively enable unmarried young women to obtain safe abortions in a supportive environment.

Background: Although legal, access to safe abortion remains limited in India. Given positive experiences of task-shifting from other developing countries, there is a need to explore the feasibility of expanding the manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) provider base to include nurses in India., Study Design: A prospective, two-sided equivalence study was undertaken in five facilities of a non-government organisation in Bihar and Jharkhand to explore whether efficacy and safety rates associated with MVA provided by newly trained nurses were equivalent to those provided by physicians. Eight hundred and ninety-seven consenting women with gestation ages of ≤ 10 weeks were recruited., Results: Nurses were as skilled as physicians in assessing gestation age and completed abortion status, performing MVA and obtaining patient compliance. Overall failure and complication rates were low and equivalent between the two provider types, and both provider types were equally acceptable to women who underwent the procedure (98%)., Conclusion: Findings of the study make a compelling case for amending existing laws to expand the MVA provider base in order to increase access to safe abortion in India., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)