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Genetically heterogeneous UM-HET3 mice born in 2020 were used to test possible lifespan effects of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), hydralazine (HYD), nebivolol (NEBI), 16α-hydroxyestriol (OH_Est), and sodium thiosulfate (THIO), and to evaluate the effects of canagliflozin (Cana) when started at 16 months of age. OH_Est produced a 15% increase (p = 0.0001) in median lifespan in males but led to a significant (7%) decline in female lifespan. Cana, started at 16 months, also led to a significant increase (14%, p = 0.004) in males and a significant decline (6%, p = 0.03) in females. Cana given to mice at 6 months led, as in our previous study, to an increase in male lifespan without any change in female lifespan, suggesting that this agent may lead to female-specific late-life harm. We found that blood levels of Cana were approximately 20-fold higher in aged females than in young males, suggesting a possible mechanism for the sex-specific disparities in its effects. NEBI was also found to produce a female-specific decline (4%, p = 0.03) in lifespan. None of the other tested drugs provided a lifespan benefit in either sex. These data bring to 7 the list of ITP-tested drugs that induce at least a 10% lifespan increase in one or both sexes, add a fourth drug with demonstrated mid-life benefits on lifespan, and provide a testable hypothesis that might explain the sexual dimorphism in lifespan effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor Cana.

In genetically heterogeneous (UM-HET3) mice produced by the CByB6F1 × C3D2F1 cross, the Nrf2 activator astaxanthin (Asta) extended the median male lifespan by 12% (p = 0.003, log-rank test), while meclizine (Mec), an mTORC1 inhibitor, extended the male lifespan by 8% (p = 0.03). Asta was fed at 1840 ± 520 (9) ppm and Mec at 544 ± 48 (9) ppm, stated as mean ± SE (n) of independent diet preparations. Both were started at 12 months of age. The 90th percentile lifespan for both treatments was extended in absolute value by 6% in males, but neither was significant by the Wang-Allison test. Five other new agents were also tested as follows: fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate. None of these increased lifespan significantly at the dose and method of administration tested in either sex. Amounts of dimethyl fumarate in the diet averaged 35% of the target dose, which may explain the absence of lifespan effects. Body weight was not significantly affected in males by any of the test agents. Late life weights were lower in females fed Asta and Mec, but lifespan was not significantly affected in these females. The male-specific lifespan benefits from Asta and Mec may provide insights into sex-specific aspects of aging.

This article summarizes the emergency department approach to diagnosing cerebellar infarction in the patient presenting with vertigo. Vertigo is defined and identification of a vertigo syndrome is discussed. The differentiation of common vertigo syndromes such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere’s disease, migrainous vertigo, and vestibular neuritis is summarized. Confirmation of a peripheral vertigo syndrome substantially lowers the likelihood of cerebellar infarction, as do indicators of a peripheral disorder such as an abnormal head impulse test. Approximately 10% of patients with cerebellar infarction present with vertigo and no localizing neurologic deficits. The majority of these may have other signs of central vertigo, specifically direction-changing nystagmus and severe ataxia.[West J Emerg Med. 2009;10(4):273-277.]

The present work empirically examines the validity of Student Self-Assessment (SSA) as an educational assessment in higher education. We briefly review the principle methodological factors that could affect SSA validity, as well as the main findings identified in the literature. One empirical study is presented that compares student-self evaluations on a test with the evaluation made by the course instructor while controlling for students' experience with SSA, criteria, rubric, and scales used by the student and teacher, and that the teacher was blind. Results show a strong correlation overall between the SSA and the instructor's evaluation and show that lower-performing students tend to over-estimate their performance while higher-performing students under-estimate their performance. The results support that SSA is valid for the average student, but less so for those that deviate above and below average in the absence of measurements of potentially mediating variables. The need to consider metacognitive factors in SSA is proposed.

This article reports on research into the influence of teachers' religious beliefs in religious education. Drawing on accounts from eleven teachers in Controlled Schools in Northern Ireland, it shows the contested space many of them occupy in relation to handling personal beliefs, teaching about diverse religions and articulating a public rationale for their subject in the face of challenges from pupils and parents. In particular, we investigate how and why they teach World Religions in the way that they do. The findings are considered in the light of debates on the role of teachers' beliefs in religious education. In contrast to other studies in this field which offer personal reflection as a way to resolve such challenges, the case is made here for understanding teachers' choices within a wider lens which acknowledges the public nature of the space within which they operate. We argue that the challenges cannot be resolved or mitigated by individuals alone. Changes in policy to provide an inclusive and balanced curriculum with robust pedagogical purposes is needed along with clear ethical expectations around how teachers approach teaching religious education.

Energy conservation in microorganisms is classically categorized into respiration and fermentation; however, recent work shows some species can use mixed or alternative bioenergetic strategies. We explored the use of extracellular electron transfer for energy conservation in diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB), microorganisms that mainly rely on fermentative metabolism and are important in food fermentations. The LAB Lactiplantibacillus plantarum uses extracellular electron transfer to increase its NAD+/NADH ratio, generate more ATP through substrate-level phosphorylation, and accumulate biomass more rapidly. This novel, hybrid metabolism is dependent on a type-II NADH dehydrogenase (Ndh2) and conditionally requires a flavin-binding extracellular lipoprotein (PplA) under laboratory conditions. It confers increased fermentation product yield, metabolic flux, and environmental acidification in laboratory media and during kale juice fermentation. The discovery of a single pathway that simultaneously blends features of fermentation and respiration in a primarily fermentative microorganism expands our knowledge of energy conservation and provides immediate biotechnology applications.

Coastal salt marshes are distributed widely across the globe and are considered essential habitat for many fish and crustacean species. Yet, the literature on fishery support by salt marshes has largely been based on a few geographically distinct model systems, and as a result, inadequately captures the hierarchical nature of salt marsh pattern, process, and variation across space and time. A better understanding of geographic variation and drivers of commonalities and differences across salt marsh systems is essential to informing future management practices. Here, we address the key drivers of geographic variation in salt marshes: hydroperiod, seascape configuration, geomorphology, climatic region, sediment supply and riverine input, salinity, vegetation composition, and human activities. Future efforts to manage, conserve, and restore these habitats will require consideration of how environmental drivers within marshes affect the overall structure and subsequent function for fisheries species. We propose a future research agenda that provides both the consistent collection and reporting of sources of variation in small-scale studies and collaborative networks running parallel studies across large scales and geographically distinct locations to provide analogous information for data poor locations. These comparisons are needed to identify and prioritize restoration or conservation efforts, identify sources of variation among regions, and best manage fisheries and food resources across the globe.

In genetically heterogeneous mice produced by the CByB6F1 x C3D2F1 cross, the "non-feminizing" estrogen, 17-α-estradiol (17aE2), extended median male lifespan by 19% (p

Real-time process metrics are standard for the majority of fermentation-based industries but have not been widely adopted by the wine industry. In this study, replicate fermentations were conducted with temperature as the main process parameter and assessed via in-line Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) probes and at-line profiling of phenolics compounds by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The California and Oregon vineyards used in this study displayed consistent vinification outcomes over five vintages and are representative of sites producing faster- and slower-fermenting musts. The selected sites have been previously characterized by fermentation kinetics, elemental profile, phenolics, and sensory analysis. ORP probes were integrated into individual fermentors to record how ORP changed throughout the fermentation process. The ORP profiles generally followed expected trends with deviations revealing previously undetectable process differences between sites and replicates. Site-specific differences were also observed in phenolic and anthocyanin extraction. Elemental composition was also analyzed for each vineyard, revealing distinctive profiles that correlated with the fermentation kinetics and may influence the redox status of these wines. The rapid ORP responses observed related to winemaking decisions and yeast activity suggest ORP is a useful process parameter that should be tracked in addition to Brix, temperature, and phenolics extraction for monitoring fermentations.