Atmospheric drying and soil drying: Differential effects on grass community composition

Global surface temperatures are projected to increase in the future; this will modify regional precipitation regimes and increase global atmospheric drying. Despite many drought studies examining the consequences of reduced precipitation, there are few experimental studies exploring plant responses to atmospheric drying via relative humidity and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). We examined eight native California perennial grass species grown in pots in a greenhouse in Los Angeles, California for 34 weeks. All pots were well-watered for 21 weeks, at which point we reduced watering to zero and recorded daily growth and dormancy for 3 weeks. We used this information to better understand the drought tolerance of our species in a larger soil drying × atmospheric drying experiment. In this larger experiment, we grew all eight species together in outdoor mesocosms and measured changes in community composition after 4 years of growth. Soil drying in our small pot experiment mirrored compositional shifts in the larger experiment. Namely, our most drought-tolerant species in our pot experiment was Poa secunda, due to a summer dormancy strategy. Similarly, the grass community shifted toward P. secunda in the driest soils as P. secunda was mostly unaffected by either soil drying or atmospheric drying. We found that some species responded strongly to soil drying (Elymus glaucus, Festuca idahoensis, and Hordeum b. californicum), while others responded strongly to atmospheric drying (Bromus carinatus and Stipa cernua). As result, community composition shifted in different and interacting ways in response to soil drying, atmospheric drying, and their combination. Further study of community responses to increasing atmospheric aridity is an essential next step to predicting the future consequences of climate change.

Comparison of static and dynamic in vitro digestibility and bioaccessibility of palm-based emulsions and correlation to a human study: effects of triacylglycerol crystallinity

The static and dynamic TIM-1 in vitro digestibility of similarly sized Span 60 o/w emulsions containing either liquid palm olein droplets (PO) or palm stearin (PS) droplets tempered to contain different levels of crystallinity (i.e., PS-SE (maximum), PS-SE-INT (intermediate), and PS-LE (undercooled)) were explored. Static in vitro digestion experiments included particle size analysis, and emulsion digestibility and bioaccessibility were compared between the static and dynamic models, respectively. β-carotene (BC, 0.1 wt%) was also incorporated in the emulsions to determine the influence of triacylglycerol (TAG) crystallinity on BC bioaccessibility and stability during storage under accelerated lighting conditions. TAG crystallinity altered the colloidal fat crystal network properties and ultimately impacted lipid digestion, attenuating early static in vitro lipolysis for the PS emulsions compared to the PO emulsion. This correlated well with TIM-1 bioaccessibility trends and with results from our results of a previous human study wherein the rise in postprandial TAG was delayed when healthy men consumed PS-SE versus PS-LE. The presence of crystalline TAG modestly accelerated BC degradation, and did not improve preservation nor alter BC in vitro bioaccessibility.

C-terminal citrullinated peptide alters antigen-specific APC:T cell interactions leading to breach of immune tolerance

In rheumatoid arthritis, the emergence of anti-citrullinated autoimmunity is associated with HLA-antigen-T cell receptor complexes. The precise mechanisms underpinning this breach of tolerance are not well understood. Porphyromonas gingivalis expresses an enzyme capable of non-endogenous C-terminal citrullination with potential to generate citrullinated autoantigens. Here we document how C-terminal citrullination of ovalbumin peptide^323-339 alters the interaction between antigen-presenting cells and OTII T cells to induce functional changes in responding T cells. These data reveal that C-terminal citrullination is sufficient to breach T cell peripheral tolerance in vivo and reveal the potential of C-terminal citrullination to lower the threshold for T cell activation. Finally, we demonstrate a role for the IL-2/STAT5/CD25 signalling axis in breach of tolerance. Together, our data identify a tractable mechanism and targetable pathways underpinning breach of tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis and provide new conceptual insight into the origins of anti-citrullinated autoimmunity.

Electron beam evaporation of superconductor-ferromagnet heterostructures

We report on the electronic and magnetic properties of superconductor-ferromagnet heterostructures fabricated by electron beam evaporation on to unheated thermally oxidised Si substrates. Polycrystalline Nb thin films (5 to 50 nm thick) were shown to possess reliably high superconducting critical temperatures (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$T_{c}$$\end{document}Tc), which correlate well with the residual resistivity ratio (RRR) of the film. These properties improved during ex-situ annealing, resulting in \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\Delta }T_{c}$$\end{document}ΔTc and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\Delta }$$\end{document}ΔRRR increases of up 2.2 K (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\sim$$\end{document}∼ 40% of the pre-annealed \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$T_{c}$$\end{document}Tc) and 0.8 (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\sim$$\end{document}∼ 60% of the pre-annealed RRR) respectively. Nb/Pt/Co/Pt heterostructures showed substantial perpendicular anisotropy in the ultrathin limit (≤ 2.5 nm), even in the extreme limit of Pt(0.8 nm)/Co(1 nm)/Pt(0.6 nm). These results point to the use of electron beam evaporation as route to line-of-sight deposited, low-thickness, high quality Nb-based superspintronic multilayers.

Evaluating the predictive accuracy of curated biological pathways in a public knowledgebase

Abstract

Reactome is a database of human biological pathways manually curated from the primary literature and peer-reviewed by experts. To evaluate the utility of Reactome pathways for predicting functional consequences of genetic perturbations, we compared predictions of perturbation effects based on Reactome pathways against published empirical observations. Ten cancer-relevant Reactome pathways, representing diverse biological processes such as signal transduction, cell division, DNA repair and transcriptional regulation, were selected for testing. For each pathway, root input nodes and key pathway outputs were defined. We then used pathway-diagram-derived logic graphs to predict, either by inspection by biocurators or using a novel algorithm MP-BioPath, the effects of bidirectional perturbations (upregulation/activation or downregulation/inhibition) of single root inputs on the status of key outputs. These predictions were then compared to published empirical tests. In total, 4968 test cases were analyzed across 10 pathways, of which 847 were supported by published empirical findings. Out of the 847 test cases, curators’ predictions agreed with the experimental evidence in 670 and disagreed in 177 cases, resulting in ∼81% overall accuracy. MP-BioPath predictions agreed with experimental evidence for 625 and disagreed for 222 test cases, resulting in ∼75% overall accuracy. The expected accuracy of random guessing was 33%. Per-pathway accuracy did not correlate with the number of pathway edges nor the number of pathway nodes but varied across pathways, ranging from 56% (curator)/44% (MP-BioPath) for ‘Mitotic G1 phase and G1/S transition’ to 100% (curator)/94% (MP-BioPath) for ‘RAF/MAP kinase cascade’. This study highlights the potential of pathway databases such as Reactome in modeling genetic perturbations, promoting standardization of experimental pathway activity readout and supporting hypothesis-driven research by revealing relationships between pathway inputs and outputs that have not yet been directly experimentally tested.

Database URL

www.reactome.org

WormBase in 2022-data, processes, and tools for analyzing Caenorhabditis elegans

WormBase (www.wormbase.org) is the central repository for the genetics and genomics of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We provide the research community with data and tools to facilitate the use of C. elegans and related nematodes as model organisms for studying human health, development, and many aspects of fundamental biology. Throughout our 22-year history, we have continued to evolve to reflect progress and innovation in the science and technologies involved in the study of C. elegans. We strive to incorporate new data types and richer data sets, and to provide integrated displays and services that avail the knowledge generated by the published nematode genetics literature. Here, we provide a broad overview of the current state of WormBase in terms of data type, curation workflows, analysis, and tools, including exciting new advances for analysis of single-cell data, text mining and visualization, and the new community collaboration forum. Concurrently, we continue the integration and harmonization of infrastructure, processes, and tools with the Alliance of Genome Resources, of which WormBase is a founding member.

Sous Vide Cook Temperature Alters the Physical Structure and Lipid Bioaccessibility of Beef Longissimus Muscle in TIM-1

Changes in the physical states, induced with different sous vide cooking temperatures, significantly (P < 0.05) altered lipid bioaccessibility measured in the TNO-simulated gastrointestinal tract model-1 of AAA boneless beef striploin, containing the longissimus lumborum muscle. The denaturation of actin significantly correlates with the total cumulative free fatty acid (FFA) bioaccessibility, whereby the striploin cooked to 60 °C presents the maximum lipid bioaccessibility (15.8 ± 1.0%), rate constant (k_a) for FFA hydrolysis (0.087 ± 0.003 min^-1), and greatest actin denaturation enthalpy (-0.57 ± 0.06 ΔH). Thus, thermal treatments above 60 °C significantly decrease the kinetics of lipolysis (70 °C = 0.042 ± 0.002 min^-1 and 80 °C = 0.047 ± 0.002 min^-1) and the resultant total lipid bioaccessibility (70 °C = 8.6 ± 0.7 and 80 °C = 8.3 ± 0.5%). This research highlights the potential to manipulate the physical food structure to alter digestion kinetics, supporting the need to understand supramolecular structures in food and their nutritional outcomes.

Stress gradients and biodiversity: monoculture vulnerability drives stronger biodiversity effects during drought years

Climate change will increase the likelihood and severity of droughts into the future. Although diversity may buffer plant communities against the negative effects of drought, the mechanisms underlying this pattern remain unclear. Higher-diversity plant communities may have a higher likelihood of including more drought-resistant species that can compensate for drought-sensitive species ("insurance effects"). Alternatively, higher-diversity communities may alter environmental conditions and improve performance of even drought-sensitive species. Here we planted nonleguminous forbs and grasses into monocultures and four- and eight-species mixtures, and measured species and plot productivity every year from 2000 to 2010. We found that six of our eight species were suppressed when growing in monoculture during dry years. These same species were unaffected by drought when growing in higher-diversity mixtures. Because of this poor performance in monoculture (not insurance effects), the biodiversity productivity relationship was strongest during the driest years. If biodiversity ameliorates hot/dry conditions and therefore improves performance of drought-sensitive species during periods of low rainfall, this may mean biodiversity can be used as a tool to protect individual species from drought conditions.

Pan-cancer analysis of whole genomes

Cancer is driven by genetic change, and the advent of massively parallel sequencing has enabled systematic documentation of this variation at the whole-genome scale1-3. Here we report the integrative analysis of 2,658 whole-cancer genomes and their matching normal tissues across 38 tumour types from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We describe the generation of the PCAWG resource, facilitated by international data sharing using compute clouds. On average, cancer genomes contained 4-5 driver mutations when combining coding and non-coding genomic elements; however, in around 5% of cases no drivers were identified, suggesting that cancer driver discovery is not yet complete. Chromothripsis, in which many clustered structural variants arise in a single catastrophic event, is frequently an early event in tumour evolution; in acral melanoma, for example, these events precede most somatic point mutations and affect several cancer-associated genes simultaneously. Cancers with abnormal telomere maintenance often originate from tissues with low replicative activity and show several mechanisms of preventing telomere attrition to critical levels. Common and rare germline variants affect patterns of somatic mutation, including point mutations, structural variants and somatic retrotransposition. A collection of papers from the PCAWG Consortium describes non-coding mutations that drive cancer beyond those in the TERT promoter4; identifies new signatures of mutational processes that cause base substitutions, small insertions and deletions and structural variation5,6; analyses timings and patterns of tumour evolution7; describes the diverse transcriptional consequences of somatic mutation on splicing, expression levels, fusion genes and promoter activity8,9; and evaluates a range of more-specialized features of cancer genomes8,10-18.

WormBase: a modern Model Organism Information Resource

WormBase (https://wormbase.org/) is a mature Model Organism Information Resource supporting researchers using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system for studies across a broad range of basic biological processes. Toward this mission, WormBase efforts are arranged in three primary facets: curation, user interface and architecture. In this update, we describe progress in each of these three areas. In particular, we discuss the status of literature curation and recently added data, detail new features of the web interface and options for users wishing to conduct data mining workflows, and discuss our efforts to build a robust and scalable architecture by leveraging commercial cloud offerings. We conclude with a description of WormBase's role as a founding member of the nascent Alliance of Genome Resources.

Peptide gels of fully-defined composition and mechanics for probing cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in vitro

Current materials used for in vitro 3D cell culture are often limited by their poor similarity to human tissue, batch-to-batch variability and complexity of composition and manufacture. Here, we present a "blank slate" culture environment based on a self-assembling peptide gel free from matrix motifs. The gel can be customised by incorporating matrix components selected to match the target tissue, with independent control of mechanical properties. Therefore the matrix components are restricted to those specifically added, or those synthesised by encapsulated cells. The flexible 3D culture platform provides full control over biochemical and physical properties, allowing the impact of biochemical composition and tissue mechanics to be separately evaluated in vitro. Here, we demonstrate that the peptide gels support the growth of a range of cells including human induced pluripotent stem cells and human cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we present proof-of-concept that the peptide gels can be used to build disease-relevant models. Controlling the peptide gelator concentration allows peptide gel stiffness to be matched to normal breast (<1 kPa) or breast tumour tissue (>1 kPa), with higher stiffness favouring the viability of breast cancer cells over normal breast cells. In parallel, the peptide gels may be modified with matrix components relevant to human breast, such as collagen I and hyaluronan. The choice and concentration of these additions affect the size, shape and organisation of breast epithelial cell structures formed in co-culture with fibroblasts. This system therefore provides a means of unravelling the individual influences of matrix, mechanical properties and cell-cell interactions in cancer and other diseases.

Development and piloting of 'When Cancer Comes Along': A cancer awareness program for Australian secondary school students

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Given the increasing prevalence of cancer, there is a growing need for health interventions educating individuals about the disease and its impacts, risk-reduction strategies and how to support others who are affected. School-based programs are a promising medium addressing these issues in adolescents, yet no comprehensive cancer education program exists in Australia. This paper reports on the piloting of a cancer awareness program for Australian students.

METHODS

When Cancer Comes Along is a 90-minute interactive presentation covering cancer's impacts, risk-reduction strategies and how to support those affected. The program was piloted in four Australian secondary schools, with students (N = 113, 13-16 years) and teachers (N = 2) providing feedback via postprogram survey.

RESULTS

Participants reported high satisfaction overall (92%-97%) and with each program component (71%-95%), and agreed that the program achieved learning outcomes (72%-95%).

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that When Cancer Comes Along is relevant, engaging and age-appropriate. Participants reported improved understanding of cancer, its impacts, risk-reduction strategies and how to support those affected. A larger-scale evaluation is underway to more comprehensively evaluate program outcomes. SO WHAT?: The program has potential in educating students about various aspects of the cancer experience. It further demonstrates the feasibility and value of addressing psychosocial impacts and support strategies as well as information about cancer risks, elements which have not previously been combined in educational interventions. Equipping adolescents with the knowledge and skills to reduce their cancer risk and support others who are affected has significant health promotion implications for cancer prevention and support provision.

Influences on use of hand moisturizers in nurses

Background

Nurses are at high risk of hand dermatitis. Regular hand moisturizing can prevent dermatitis, but nurses' use of hand moisturizers is suboptimal.

Aims

To establish (i) what beliefs about hand dermatitis and hand moisturizer use are associated with hand moisturizer use by nurses at home and at work and (ii) if hand moisturizer use behaviours in nurses are associated with the prevalence of hand dermatitis.

Methods

We used a questionnaire to investigate nurses' knowledge, beliefs and behaviours regarding hand dermatitis and use of hand moisturizers.

Results

The response rate was 55/65 (85%). Forty-two (76%) participants agreed that applying hand moisturizers reduced the risk of dermatitis, and 53 (96%) agreed that dermatitis increased the risk of skin carrying pathogenic organisms. Frequent moisturizer application was associated with beliefs that it was part of the nurse's role to apply hand creams, a belief that they had had training in the use of moisturizers and believing that patients approved of them moisturizing their hands.

Conclusions

Hand moisturizer use by nurses can be improved by enhancing their beliefs that it is part of their professional role to apply hand cream regularly.

Designing a facile low cost synthesis strategy for the Na-V-S-O systems, NaV(SO4)2, Na3V(SO4)3 and Na2VO(SO4)2

Alkali metal transition metal sulfates have attracted considerable interest as potential electrodes for Na ion battery materials. While there has been significant research on Fe based systems, research on V based systems has been lacking, apart from a recent report on Na2VO(SO4)2. This can be related to the complex synthetic routes previously reported to make sodium vanadium sulfate systems. In this paper, we report a simple route towards the synthesis of three such sodium vanadium sulfate systems, NaV(SO4)2, Na2VO(SO4)2, and Na3V(SO4)3. We analyse the resulting products through X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy to highlight the formation of high quality samples via this simple solution route, with subsequent low temperature (<400 °C) heat treatment. This facile new route will allow these materials to be considered for future applications rather than as simply chemical curiosities.

Analysis of the Influence of microRNAs in Lithium Response in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common, highly heritable neuropsychiatric disease characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. Lithium is the best-established long-term treatment for BD, even though individual response is highly variable. Evidence suggests that some of this variability has a genetic basis. This is supported by the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) of lithium response to date conducted by the International Consortium on Lithium Genetics (ConLiGen). Recently, we performed the first genome-wide analysis of the involvement of miRNAs in BD and identified nine BD-associated miRNAs. However, it is unknown whether these miRNAs are also associated with lithium response in BD. In the present study, we therefore tested whether common variants at these nine candidate miRNAs contribute to the variance in lithium response in BD. Furthermore, we systematically analyzed whether any other miRNA in the genome is implicated in the response to lithium. For this purpose, we performed gene-based tests for all known miRNA coding genes in the ConLiGen GWAS dataset (n = 2,563 patients) using a set-based testing approach adapted from the versatile gene-based test for GWAS (VEGAS2). In the candidate approach, miR-499a showed a nominally significant association with lithium response, providing some evidence for involvement in both development and treatment of BD. In the genome-wide miRNA analysis, 71 miRNAs showed nominally significant associations with the dichotomous phenotype and 106 with the continuous trait for treatment response. A total of 15 miRNAs revealed nominal significance in both phenotypes with miR-633 showing the strongest association with the continuous trait (p = 9.80E-04) and miR-607 with the dichotomous phenotype (p = 5.79E-04). No association between miRNAs and treatment response to lithium in BD in either of the tested conditions withstood multiple testing correction. Given the limited power of our study, the investigation of miRNAs in larger GWAS samples of BD and lithium response is warranted.

Towards Improving the Transfer of Care of Kidney Transplant Recipients

Kidney transplant recipients require specialized medical care and may be at risk for adverse health outcomes when their care is transferred. This document provides opinion-based recommendations to facilitate safe and efficient transfers of care for kidney transplant recipients including minimizing the risk of rejection, avoidance of medication errors, ensuring patient access to immunosuppressant medications, avoidance of lapses in health insurance coverage, and communication of risks of donor disease transmission. The document summarizes information to be included in a medical transfer document and includes suggestions to help the patient establish an optimal therapeutic relationship with their new transplant care team. The document is intended as a starting point towards standardization of transfers of care involving kidney transplant recipients.

Bladder and bowel continence in bilateral cerebral palsy: A population study

INTRODUCTION

The attainment of continence is an important milestone in all children, including those with disability.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the age of bladder and bowel continence in children with bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP), and the association with intellectual impairment (II) and severity of motor disability.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The parents of 346 children with BCP were interviewed as part of a population-based prospective study of the children at 3, 7, and 17 years of age. The age of bladder and bowel continence by day and night was ascertained and compared with controls from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

RESULTS

The median age for daytime bladder and bowel continence in BCP children was 5.4 years compared with 2.4 years in the controls. At 13.8 years of age, 59.4% of BCP children and 99% of controls were continent by day. In BCP children, there was no difference between the attainment of daytime bladder and bowel control. Night-time bladder and bowel control was slower and less completely attained, with 50% of BCP children continent by the age of 11.8 years compared with 3 years in control children. At 13.8 years of age, 51.9% of BCP children compared with 99.4% of controls were continent for bowel and bladder at night. Gross Motor Functional Classification Score (GMFCS) and intellectual ability (IA) (II) were strongly associated with continence attainment (P < 0.0001), but gender was not.

DISCUSSION

Delayed and less complete continence attainment was noted in other clinic series of children with cerebral palsy (including hemiplegics) and children with II. Severity of motor disability (GMFCS), and II impacted on other aspects of toilet training, such as: motivation, understanding, communication, and independence skills. The presence of neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction can occur in all levels of GMFCS. Thus, there are many reasons that can prevent continence attainment.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with BCP achieved day and night-time bladder and bowel continence more slowly and less completely than controls, with 60.8% being continent by day and 54.6% by night at the age of 17 years. The majority of BCP children who were continent by day had achieved this by the age of 5.5 years (86%). At least 88% of BCP children with GMFCS I/II and normal, specific or mild learning impairment were continent for bladder and bowel by day and night. Expectations should be shared with parents, and failure to attain expected continence should be actively investigated.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering measurement from a lipid bilayer encapsulating a single decahedral nanoparticle mediated by an optical trap

We present a new technique for the study of model membranes on the length-scale of a single nano-sized liposome. Silver decahedral nanoparticles have been encapsulated by a model unilamellar lipid bilayer creating nano-sized lipid vesicles. The metal core has two roles (i) increasing the polarizability of vesicles, enabling a single vesicle to be isolated and confined in an optical trap, and (ii) enhancing Raman scattering from the bilayer, via the high surface-plasmon field at the sharp vertices of the decahedral particles. Combined this has allowed us to measure a Raman fingerprint from a single vesicle of 50 nm-diameter, containing just ∼10⁴ lipid molecules in a bilayer membrane over a surface area of <0.01 μm², equivalent to a volume of approximately 1 zepto-litre. Raman scattering is a weak and inefficient process and previous studies have required either a substantially larger bilayer area in order to obtain a detectable signal, or the tagging of lipid molecules with a chromophore to provide an indirect probe of the bilayer. Our approach is fully label-free and bio-compatible and, in the future, it will enable much more localized studies of the heterogeneous structure of lipid bilayers and of membrane-bound components than is currently possible.

Lamivudine compared with newer antivirals for prophylaxis of hepatitis B core antibody positive livers: a cost-effectiveness analysis

There is concern over the development of de novo hepatitis B in patients receiving liver transplants from hepatitis B surface antigen negative, hepatitis B core antibody positive donors. Current practice is to place such patients on indefinite lamivudine prophylaxis; however, there is a small risk of breakthrough infection and newer antivirals for hepatitis B are available. The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of lamivudine compared with the newer agents, tenofovir and entecavir, in the prophylaxis setting using a Markov model. Three strategies were examined which consisted of either lamivudine or entecavir monoprophylaxis with tenofovir add-on therapy after breakthrough or tenofovir monoprophylaxis with emtricitabine add-on therapy after breakthrough. In the base case scenario, lamivudine was the most cost-effective option at a threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life-year and this remained robust despite parameter uncertainty. Tenofovir had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $3 540 194.77 while other strategies were superior to entecavir therapy. Until drug costs decrease, lamivudine remains the most cost-effective option for hepatitis B prophylaxis in the liver transplant setting.

Quantitative short echo time 1H MRSI of the peripheral edematous region of human brain tumors in the differentiation between glioblastoma, metastasis, and meningioma

PURPOSE

To assess metabolite levels in peritumoral edematous (PO) and surrounding apparently normal (SAN) brain regions of glioblastoma, metastasis, and meningioma in humans with (1)H-MRSI to find biomarkers that can discriminate between tumors and characterize infiltrative tumor growth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Magnetic resonance (MR) spectra (semi-LASER MRSI, 30 msec echo time, 3T) were selected from regions of interest (ROIs) under MRI guidance, and after quality control of MR spectra. Statistical testing between patient groups was performed for mean metabolite ratios of an entire ROI and for the highest value within that ROI.

RESULTS

The highest ratios of the level of choline compounds and the sum of myo-inositol and glycine over N-acetylaspartate and creatine compounds were significantly increased in PO regions of glioblastoma versus that of metastasis and meningioma. In the SAN region of glioblastoma some of these ratios were increased. Differences were less prominent for metabolite levels averaged over entire ROIs.

CONCLUSION

Specific metabolite ratios in PO and SAN regions can be used to discriminate glioblastoma from metastasis and meningioma. An analysis of these ratios averaged over entire ROIs and those with most abnormal values indicates that infiltrative tumor growth in glioblastoma is inhomogeneous and extends into the SAN region.

Severe Legionnaire's disease caused by Legionella longbeachae in a long-term renal transplant patient: the importance of safe living strategies after transplantation

Legionella species are intracellular gram-negative bacilli that require specific culture media for growth. Transplant recipients with impaired cellular immunity are at particular risk for infection with this pathogen. Most human disease is caused by Legionella pneumophila; disease caused by non-L. pneumophila species is reported mainly in immunosuppressed patients with the exception of Legionella longbeachae. L. longbeachae is a common cause of Legionnaires' disease in Australia and New Zealand, and is associated with exposure to potting soil. We report the case of a patient, 26 years post kidney transplant, who presented with severe and rapidly progressive respiratory illness. L. longbeachae serogroup 1 was isolated from respiratory cultures. Further investigation revealed that she had significant soil exposure before the onset of illness. We highlight the importance of following safe living strategies to prevent exposure-related illness even in long-term transplant recipients.

The immediate treatment of frostbite in the American and German armies in Europe during World War 2: an historical perspective

This historical account, based on a survey of 250 medical articles written during and immediately after World War II, reviews the immediate treatment of frostbite in the American and German ground troops in Europe from 1941 to 1945. The American management was simpler and more conservative than the elaborate treatments reported in the German publications. Because the German patients' injuries were more severe than those of the American soldiers and because neither Army carried out strict clinical trials nor prolonged follow-ups, it is impossible to judge what treatment was superior.

"Aether drag" and moving images

We contrast the two situations in which either a light beam is incident on a moving medium or a moving optical image is incident on a stationary medium. The principle of relativity suggests that the effects on the light of propagating through the medium should be similar. We find, however, that there are subtle differences which we can understand in terms of the relative alignment of the Poynting and wave vectors. Our analysis and experiments investigate both translational motion and rotation.

The introduction of ether in Paris revisited

Modern accounts of the introduction of ether anesthesia in France are mainly based on a letter written in February 1947 to the editor of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal by Francis Willis Fisher, a young Boston surgeon at that time a student in Paris. Fisher's letter hints that his efforts were the main impetus to the acceptance of ether by the French academic surgeons. The authors have reviewed the contemporary medical literature, especially the numerous French journals, relative to that event. Their review suggests that Fisher was largely ignored by the French surgeons and by his young competitors then studying in Paris. He seems to have exaggerated his role in the acceptance of ether anesthesia in France. The reviewed literature also provides some additional details and some corrections to Fisher's account. Modern accounts of the introduction of ether in France have relied heavily on a letter sent in February 1847 to the editor of the Boston Medical & Surgical Journal by Francis W. Fisher, a young Boston physician then studying in Paris. Fisher's report is often vague, occasionally incorrect, and probably exaggerates his role in the acceptance of anesthesia in Paris. This review attempts to complement and correct Fisher's account.

Active focus locking in an optically sectioning microscope utilizing a deformable membrane mirror

A significant challenge for in vivo imaging is to remove movement artifacts. These movements (typically due to either respiration and cardiac-related movement or surface chemical response) are normally limited to the axial direction, and hence features move in and out of the focal plane. This presents a real problem for high-resolution optically sectioned imaging techniques such as confocal and multiphoton microscopy. To overcome this we have developed an actively locked focus-tracking system based around a deformable membrane mirror. This has a significant advantage over more conventional focus-tracking techniques where the microscope objective is dithered, since the active element is not in direct, or indirect, contact with the sample. To examine the operational limits and to demonstrate possible applications for this form of focus locking, sample oscillation and movement are simulated for two different biological applications. We were able to track focus over a 400 microm range (limited by the range of the piezomounted objective) with a rms precision on the focal depth of 0.31 microm +/- 0.05 microm.

The impact of genetic testing for Crohn's disease, risk magnitude and graphical format on motivation to stop smoking: an experimental analogue study

Genetic tests may motivate risk-reducing behaviour more than other types of tests because they generate higher risk magnitudes and because their results have high personal relevance. To date, trial designs have not allowed the disentangling of the effects of these two factors. This analogue study examines the independent impacts of risk magnitude and provenance, and of risk display type, on motivation to quit smoking. A total of 180 smokers were randomly allocated to one of the 18 Crohn's disease risk vignettes in a 3 (risk provenance: family history. genetic test mutation positive. genetic test mutation negative) x 3 (risk magnitude: 3%, 6%, 50%) x 2 (display: grouped or dispersed icons) design. The 50% group had significantly higher intentions to quit than the 3% group. A significant risk provenance x magnitude interaction showed that participants in 50% or 6% groups were equally motivated, regardless of risk provenance, while participants in the 3% group had higher intentions associated with a mutation negative result than with a result based on family history alone. Grouped icon displays were more motivating than the dispersed icons. Using genetic tests to estimate risks of common complex conditions may not motivate behaviour change beyond the impact of the numerical risk estimates derived from such tests.

Adaptive optics for enhanced signal in CARS microscopy

We report the use of adaptive optics with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy for label-free deep tissue imaging based on molecular vibrational spectroscopy. The setup employs a deformable membrane mirror and a random search optimization algorithm to improve signal intensity and image quality at large sample depths. We demonstrate the ability to correct for both system and sample-induced aberrations in test samples as well as in muscle tissue in order to enhance the CARS signal. The combined system and sample-induced aberration correction increased the signal by an average factor of approximately 3x for the test samples at a depth of 700 microm and approximately 6x for muscle tissue at a depth of 260 microm. The enhanced signal and higher penetration depth offered by adaptive optics will augment CARS microscopy as an in vivo and in situ biomedical imaging modality.

Optical ferris wheel for ultracold atoms

We propose a versatile optical ring lattice suitable for trapping cold and quantum degenerate atomic samples. We demonstrate the realisation of intensity patterns from pairs of Laguerre-Gauss (exp(i??) modes with different ? indices. These patterns can be rotated by introducing a frequency shift between the modes. We can generate bright ring lattices for trapping atoms in red-detuned light, and dark ring lattices suitable for trapping atoms with minimal heating in the optical vortices of blue-detuned light. The lattice sites can be joined to form a uniform ring trap, making it ideal for studying persistent currents and the Mott insulator transition in a ring geometry.

Parametric resonance of optically trapped aerosols

The Brownian dynamics of an optically trapped water droplet are investigated across the transition from over- to underdamped oscillations. The spectrum of position fluctuations evolves from a Lorentzian shape typical of overdamped systems (beads in liquid solvents) to a damped harmonic oscillator spectrum showing a resonance peak. In this later underdamped regime, we excite parametric resonance by periodically modulating the trapping power at twice the resonant frequency. The power spectra of position fluctuations are in excellent agreement with the obtained analytical solutions of a parametrically modulated Langevin equation.

Systemic RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans

RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans induced by ingestion or injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) spreads throughout the organism and is even transmitted to the progeny. We have identified two proteins required for spreading of RNAi, SID-1 and SID-2, whose structure, subcellular localization, and expression pattern have been informative for how dsRNA can be transported into and between cells. SID-1 is a transmembrane protein that functions as a pore or channel that transports dsRNA into and out of cells. Proteins homologous to SID-1 are present in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate animals but are absent from plants. SID-2 is a small transmembrane protein that is expressed in the gut and localizes strongly to the luminal membrane where it appears to act as a receptor for uptake of dsRNA from the environment. Characterization of SID-2 activity in a variety of Caenorhabditis nematodes indicates that C. elegans SID-2 may have a novel activity.

Cement from nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite: effect of calcium phosphate ratio

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHA) can be mixed with phosphoric acid to form a brushite cement; a degradable inorganic bone filling material. nHA was precipitated from reactants of calcium to phosphate (Ca/P) ratio 0.8 to 2.0 and mixed with phosphoric acid, which resulted in the formation of a brushite cement. Cement was also formed by mixing microcrystalline calcium phosphates, beta-tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite and tetracalcium phosphate with phosphoric acid solution. Cement produced with nHA was stronger in compression than that formed with crystalline calcium phosphate phases. Setting time, strength and composition of cement produced with nHA was dependant on both the Ca/P ratio of nHA and the concentration of phosphoric acid in cement slurry. Increasing phosphoric acid concentration increased compressive strength whilst reducing the initial setting time of cement. Reducing the Ca/P ratio of nHA precipitation reactants retarded the setting and increased the extent of reaction of cements. This finding was unexpected and suggests that Ca/P ratio may strongly affect dissolution behaviour and this parameter is more important than stoichiometry in determining extent of reaction in this system. This study demonstrated that the wide variation in stoichiometry that may be attained in nanocrystalline apatite may be utilised to change cement performance and setting behaviour.

Effects of Canola Oil Dilution on Anhydrous Milk Fat Crystallization and Fractionation Behavior

Blends of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and canola oil (CO) were cooled from 35 to 5 degrees C at 0.1 degrees C/min, held for 24 h, and centrifuged to separate the liquid and crystalline fractions. The blends' crystallization behaviors and microstructures depended on the level of CO present. Onset and half times of crystallization reflected a slower crystallization mechanism at higher levels of CO dilution. These differences were accompanied by a change in microstructure from large spherulites to smaller particles. The biggest change occurred between the 1:4 and 1:5 blends. Canola oil dilution also influenced the polymorphism of milk fat. Whereas only the beta' polymorph was observed in the crystallized 1:2 blend, the beta polymorph predominated in the 1:8 blend. Some solubilization of AMF solids into CO was observed. This increased gradually with increasing CO concentration. Compositional analysis revealed the exchange of AMF and CO species between the liquid and crystalline fractions. The crystalline fractions were slightly enriched in AMF triacylglycerols, particularly with the more dilute blends (1:7 and 1:8). Large amounts of oil were trapped in the crystalline fractions, particularly for the concentrated AMF:CO blends where the beta' crystals and spherulitic microstructures were observed. Although the solid fat content profiles of the fractionated blends were marginally higher than those of the starting blends, the samples were very soft and oily. This strategy of using CO to fractionate milk fat was limited by the poor separation of solids and liquid during centrifugation.