High-retention membrane bioreactors for sugarcane vinasse treatment: Opportunities for environmental impact reduction and wastewater valorization

Ethanol production has increased over the years, and Brazil ranking second in the world using sugarcane as the main raw material. However, 10-15 L of vinasse are generated per liter of ethanol produced. Besides large volumes, this wastewater has high polluting potential due to its low pH and high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients. Given the high biodegradability of the organic matter, the treatment of this effluent by anaerobic digestion and membrane separation processes results in the generation of high value-added byproducts such as volatile fatty acids (VFAs), biohydrogen and biogas. Membrane bioreactors have been widely evaluated due to the high efficiency achieved in vinasse treatment. In recent years, high retention membrane bioreactors, in which high retention membranes (nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis and membrane distillation) are combined with biological processes, have gained increasing attention. This paper presents a critical review focused on high retention membrane bioreactors and the challenges associated with the proposed configurations. For nanofiltration membrane bioreactor (NF-MBR), the main drawback is the higher fouling propensity due to the hydraulic driving force. Nonetheless, the development of membranes with high permeability and anti-fouling properties is uprising. Regarding osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR), special attention is needed for the selection of a proper draw solution, which desirably should be low cost, have high osmolality, reduce reverse salt flux, and can be easily reconcentrated. Membrane distillation bioreactor (MDBR) also exhibit some shortcomings, with emphasis on energy demand, that can be solved with the use of low-grade and residual heat, or renewable energies. Among the configurations, MDBR seems to be more advantageous for sugarcane vinasse treatment due to the lower energy consumption provided by the use of waste heat from the effluent, and due to the VFAs recovery, which has high added value.

[Self-harming behavior of patients on a closed psychiatric ward]

BACKGROUND

Self-harming behavior is a frequent problem seen in patients admitted to a closed ward in a psychiatric hospital. Little is known about prevalence and characteristics of this behavior as well as the preceding triggering factors.

AIM

To gain insights in the self-harming behavior of patients admitted to a closed ward in a psychiatric hospital.

METHOD

From September 2019 till January 2021 was gathered information on self-harming incidents and aggressive behavior towards others or objects, of 27 patients admitted to the closed department of the Centre Intensive Treatment (Centrum Intensieve Behandeling).

RESULTS

20 of 27 patients examined (74%) showed 470 incidents of self-harming behavior. Head banging (40.9%) and self-harming using straps/ropes (29.7%) occured most. Tension/stress as triggering factor was mentioned most (19.1%). Self-harming behavior occured more during evenings. Besides self-harm, a high degree of aggressive behavior towards others or objects was registered.

CONCLUSION

This study delivers insights in self-harming behavior of patients admitted to closed psychiatric departments that can be used for prevention and treatment.

Localizing the human brain response to olfactory stimulation: A meta-analytic approach

The human sense of smell and the ability to detect and distinguish odors allows for the extraction of valuable information from the environment, thereby driving human behavior. Not only can the sense of smell help to monitor the safety of inhaled air, but it can also help to evaluate the edibility of food. Therefore, in an effort to further our understanding of the human sense of smell, the aim of this meta-analysis was to provide the scientific community with activation probability maps of the functional anatomy of the olfactory system, in addition to separate activation maps for specific odor categories (pleasant, food, and aversive odors). The activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method was utilized to quantify all relevant and available data to perform a formal statistical analysis on the inter-study concordance of various odor categories. A total of 81 studies (108 contrasts, 1053 foci) fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Significant ALE peaks were observed in all odor categories in brain areas typically associated with the functional neuroanatomy of olfaction including the piriform cortex, amygdala, insula, and orbitofrontal cortex, amongst others. Additional contrast analyses indicate clear differences in neural activation patterns between odor categories.

Filtered Diffusion-Weighted MRI of the Human Cervical Spinal Cord: Feasibility and Application to Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In traumatic spinal cord injury, DTI is sensitive to injury but is unable to differentiate multiple pathologies. Axonal damage is a central feature of the underlying cord injury, but prominent edema confounds its detection. The purpose of this study was to examine a filtered DWI technique in patients with acute spinal cord injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MR imaging protocol was first evaluated in a cohort of healthy subjects at 3T (n = 3). Subsequently, patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury (n = 8) underwent filtered DWI concurrent with their acute clinical MR imaging examination <24 hours postinjury at 1.5T. DTI was obtained with 25 directions at a b-value of 800 s/mm². Filtered DWI used spinal cord-optimized diffusion-weighting along 26 directions with a "filter" b-value of 2000 s/mm² and a "probe" maximum b-value of 1000 s/mm². Parallel diffusivity metrics obtained from DTI and filtered DWI were compared.

RESULTS

The high-strength diffusion-weighting perpendicular to the cord suppressed signals from tissues outside of the spinal cord, including muscle and CSF. The parallel ADC acquired from filtered DWI at the level of injury relative to the most cranial region showed a greater decrease (38.71%) compared with the decrease in axial diffusivity acquired by DTI (17.68%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated that filtered DWI is feasible in the acute setting of spinal cord injury and reveals spinal cord diffusion characteristics not evident with conventional DTI.

Resource recovery from sugarcane vinasse by anaerobic digestion - A review

The increase in biofuel production by 2030, driven by the targets set at the 21st United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), will promote an increase in ethanol production, and consequently more vinasse generation. Sugarcane vinasse, despite having a high polluting potential due to its high concentration of organic matter and nutrients, has the potential to produce value-added resources such as volatile fatty acids (VFA), biohydrogen (bioH₂) and biomethane (bioCH₄) from anaerobic digestion. The objective of this paper is to present a critical review on the vinasse treatment by anaerobic digestion focusing on the final products. Effects of operational parameters on production and recovery of these resources, such as pH, temperature, retention time and type of inoculum were addressed. Given the importance of treating sugarcane vinasse due to its complex composition and high volume generated in the ethanol production process, this is the first review that evaluates the production of VFAs, bioH₂ and bioCH₄ in the treatment of this organic residue. Also, the challenges of the simultaneous production of VFA, bioH₂ and bioCH₄ and resources recovery in the wastewater streams generated in flex-fuel plants, using sugarcane and corn as raw material in ethanol production, are presented. The installation of flex-fuel plants was briefly discussed, with the main impacts on the treatment process of these effluents either jointly or simultaneously, depending on the harvest season.

SPARC-positive macrophages are the superior prognostic factor in the microenvironment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and independent of MYC rearrangement and double-/triple-hit status

BACKGROUND

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease with respect to outcome. Features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) are associated with prognosis when assessed by gene expression profiling. However, it is uncertain whether assessment of the microenvironment can add prognostic information to the most relevant and clinically well-established molecular subgroups when analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We carried out a histopathologic analysis of biomarkers related to TME in a very large cohort (n = 455) of DLBCL treated in prospective trials and correlated with clinicopathologic and molecular data, including chromosomal rearrangements and gene expression profiles for cell-of-origin and TME.

RESULTS

The content of PD1+, FoxP3+ and CD8+, as well as vessel density, was not associated with outcome. However, we found a low content of CD68+ macrophages to be associated with inferior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS; P = 0.023 and 0.040, respectively) at both univariable and multivariable analyses, adjusted for the factors of the International Prognostic Index (IPI), MYC break and BCL2/MYC and BCL6/MYC double-hit status. The subgroup of PDL1+ macrophages was not associated with survival. Instead, secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich (SPARC)-positive macrophages were identified as the subtype of macrophages most associated with survival. SPARC-positive macrophages and stromal cells directly correlated with favorable PFS and OS (both, P[log rank] <0.001, P[trend] < 0.001). The association of SPARC with prognosis was independent of the factors of the IPI, MYC double-/triple-hit status, Bcl2/c-myc double expression, cell-of-origin subtype and a recently published gene expression signature [lymphoma-associated macrophage interaction signature (LAMIS)].

CONCLUSIONS

SPARC expression in the TME detected by a single IHC staining with fair-to-good interobserver reproducibility is a powerful prognostic parameter. Thus SPARC expression is a strong candidate for risk assessment in DLBCL in daily practice.

[The effects of covid-19 on psychiatry training in the Netherlands]

Background The COVID-19 pandemic changes the training of residents and could offer new opportunities. Aim Gaining insight in the effects of the impact of the COVID-19-pandemic on psychiatry residents. Method A digital questionnaire was designed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational activities. The experience of residents with regards to safety in the workplace, social cohesion with their peers and the involvement of supervisors were examined. Results We approached 34 training institutions. 24 chief residents of the resident group completed the questionnaire. The quality of regional education was considered unchanged by 20% and local education by 33%. Digital communication increased the participation of psychiatrists in the general report and education activities and ensured less travel time. Nevertheless, respondents missed contact with their peers, safety of residents was compromised at five institutions and half of all respondents indicated a lack of personal protective equipment. Conclusions A majority of the psychiatry residents are satisfied with their training during this historic pandemic, but the quality of local and regional education was considered changed, and not being beneficial. The challenge remains for stimulating contact with peers, monitoring the quality of education in general as in psychotherapy and providing personal protective equipment. Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie 63(2021)1, 16-21.

A population genetic study of feral cats on Christmas Island

Feral and stray cats are a major threat for endemic species on Christmas Island and have been contributing to their decline. Cats were introduced to Christmas Island in 1888 and are now distributed across the whole island. We analysed the genetic population structure and diversity of feral and stray cats on Christmas Island to evaluate connectivity across the island and the possibility of discernible populations that could be targeted separately. Results indicate no differentiated population structure across the island, with cats facing no habitat obstacles to reduce their dispersal abilities across the island. We found high kin structure, suggesting individuals breeding successfully on the whole island. With the management of domestic and feral/stray cats since 2010, removal efforts targeting the whole island have successfully reduced the effective population size of feral/stray cats in the last five years. We suggest the use of various management techniques to facilitate future removal efforts, especially in areas on the island that are difficult to access.

Spectrum of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in South Africans with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous involvement is very common in systemic lupus erythematosus. We describe the prevalence and spectrum of lupus-specific (cutaneous lupus erythematosus) and non-specific cutaneous features amongst mostly black South Africans with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective record review of 298 South Africans (262 blacks and 36 non-blacks) with systemic lupus erythematosus was carried out. Cutaneous features were classified according to the Gilliam and Sontheimer classification of cutaneous lupus.

RESULTS

Most (81.5%) patients were black African females. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis and follow-up duration were 35.0 (11.8) and 8.0 (5.9) years, respectively. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus was seen in 76.1% of patients, mainly chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus with the discoid lupus erythematosus subtype seen in 52.1% of patients. Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus was seen in 30.2% of patients and was more common in non-blacks than blacks (odds ratio = 3.8 (1.9-7.9)); localized acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus was more common than generalized acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (odds ratio = 2.6 (1.6-4.4)). Non-specific cutaneous features occurred in 77.2%, with oral/nasal ulcers and Raynaud's phenomenon each occurring in approximately 40% of patients. Diffuse melanonychia at initial diagnosis was present in 37.4% of patients and was more common in blacks than non-blacks (odds ratio = 3.1 (1.3-7.3)). Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus was associated with renal disease (odds ratio = 2.8 (1.6-4.7)) and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus with arthritis (odds ratio = 2.02 (1.24-3.29)). Diffuse melanonychia was associated with less renal disease and anti-dsDNA antibody positivity (odds ratio = 0.4 (0.3-0.7) and 0.4 (0.2-0.6), respectively) and significantly lower lupus severity index scores (mean (SD) = 5.99 (1.11) vs 6.56 (1.36) in patients with no melanonychia, p < 0.05)).

CONCLUSION

In this study of South Africans with systemic lupus erythematosus, the skin was the most commonly affected organ. In general, cutaneous lupus erythematosus was associated with less severe systemic disease. Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus was less common in blacks, whereas discoid lupus erythematosus was more common than reported in Caucasians. Diffuse melanonychia was a distinctive finding and was associated with milder systemic disease.

Symbiotic Mother–Daughter Relationships in Incest Families

In incestuous families, a symbiotic relationship is often found between the mother and the daughter. The authors discuss the nature of this symbiotic relationship and provide case examples drawn from an incest treatment group. The treatment needs of mothers are discussed in light of their childhood deprivations.

CBF1 is clinically prognostic and serves as a target to block cellular invasion and chemoresistance of EMT-like glioblastoma cells

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma is the most common and most lethal primary brain cancer. CBF1 (also known as Recombination signal Binding Protein for immunoglobulin kappa J, RBPJ) is the cardinal transcriptional regulator of the Notch signalling network and has been shown to promote cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) in glioblastoma. Recent studies suggest that some of the malignant properties of CSCs are mediated through the activation of pro-invasive programme of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Little is known whether CBF1 is involved in the EMT-like phenotype of glioma cells.

METHODS

In a collection of GBM neurosphere lines, we genetically inhibited CBF1 and investigated the consequences on EMT-related properties, including in vitro invasiveness by Boyden chambers assay, chemoresistance using a clinical drug library screen and glycolytic metabolism assessing live-cell extracellular acidification rate. We also compared CBF1 expression in cells exposed to low and high oxygen tension. In silico analysis in large-scale Western and Eastern patient cohorts investigated the clinical prognostic value of CBF1 expression in low- and high-grade glioma as well as medulloblastoma.

RESULTS

Mean CBF1 expression is significantly increased in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) R132H mutant glioblastoma and serves as prognostic marker for prolonged overall survival in brain tumours, particularly after therapy with temozolomide. Hypoxic regions of glioblastoma have higher CBF1 activation and exposure to low oxygen can induce its expression in glioma cells in vitro. CBF1 inhibition blocks EMT activators such as zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and significantly reduces cellular invasion and resistance to clinically approved anticancer drugs. Moreover, we indicate that CBF1 inhibition can impede cellular glycolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Mean CBF1 activation in bulk tumour samples serves as a clinical predictive biomarker in brain cancers but its intratumoral and intertumoral expression is highly heterogeneous. Microenvironmental changes such as hypoxia can stimulate the activation of CBF1 in glioblastoma. CBF1 blockade can suppress glioblastoma invasion in vitro in particular in cells undergone EMT such as those found in the hypoxic niche. Targeting CBF1 can be an effective anti-EMT therapy to impede invasive properties and chemosensitivity in those cells.

Hypogyrification in obsessive-compulsive disorder

BACKGROUND

Previous studies hypothesized that neurodevelopmental risk factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Cortical folding has been shown to be a reliable indicator for normal and altered neurodevelopment, but in OCD it has barely been investigated up to now. The present study investigates whether alterations in gyrification are detectable in OCD and, if so, how these are associated with clinical characteristics.

METHOD

We compared the local Gyrification Index (lGI) between 75 OCD patients and 75 matched healthy subjects across the whole brain. In addition, for those regions exhibiting an altered lGI in patients we explored a potential relationship to symptom severity, age of onset, and influence of medication.

RESULTS

OCD patients had a significantly decreased lGI in right parietal, precentral but also insula, temporal, pars triangularis and rostral middle frontal regions compared to healthy subjects. A positive association with age of onset was found but no association with symptom severity. There was no effect of co-morbidity or medication.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduced gyrification found in OCD confirms previous findings in other psychiatric disorders and suggests that alterations may already occur during early stages of brain development. Our findings support the idea that altered cortical folding might represent a trait characteristic of the disorder although longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the trajectory of this morphological measure in OCD.

[Immunotherapy of uveal melanoma: vaccination against cancer. Multicenter adjuvant phase 3 vaccination study using dendritic cells laden with tumor RNA for large newly diagnosed uveal melanoma]

Uveal melanomas are the most common malignant tumors of the eye. With modern molecular biological diagnostic methods, such as chromosome 3 typing and gene expression analysis, these tumors can be categorized into highly aggressive (monosomy 3, class II) and less aggressive forms. This molecular biological stratification is primarily important for determining the risk of these tumors as no therapy is currently available that is able to prevent or delay metastases. A randomized study of patients with a poor prognosis (monosomy 3) is currently being carried out in order to determine whether a cancer vaccine prepared from autologous (patient's own) dendritic cells and uveal melanoma RNA can prevent or delay progression and further metastases of this extremely aggressive form of cancer. Inclusion in the uveal melanoma study, which hopes to provide a potential therapeutic option for patients, is only possible if patients are referred to an institution that is able to manufacture and provide this vaccination before the patient is operated on or treated with radiation. Untreated tumor material is necessary for producing the vaccine on an individualized patient basis.

Cortical thickness and surface area correlates with cognitive dysfunction among first-episode psychosis patients

BACKGROUND

In studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), some have reported specific brain structure-function relationships among first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients, but findings are inconsistent. We aimed to localize the brain regions where cortical thickness (CTh) and surface area (cortical area; CA) relate to neurocognition, by performing an MRI on participants and measuring their neurocognitive performance using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), in order to investigate any significant differences between FEP patients and control subjects (CS).

METHOD

Exploration of potential correlations between specific cognitive functions and brain structure was performed using CANTAB computer-based neurocognitive testing and a vertex-by-vertex whole-brain MRI analysis of 63 FEP patients and 30 CS.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found between cortical parameters in the frontal, temporal, cingular and occipital brain regions and performance in set-shifting, working memory manipulation, strategy usage and sustained attention tests. These correlations were significantly dissimilar between FEP patients and CS.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant correlations between CTh and CA with neurocognitive performance were localized in brain areas known to be involved in cognition. The results also suggested a disrupted structure-function relationship in FEP patients compared with CS.

Atopic predisposition in cholinergic urticaria patients and its implications

BACKGROUND

Cholinergic urticaria (CholU) is a frequent chronic urticaria disorder with itchy weal and flare-type skin reactions in response to physical exercise or passive warming. A higher frequency of atopy among CholU patients has been reported, but the significance of this observation is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and relevance of atopy in CholU patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty CholU patients were assessed for atopic skin diathesis (atopic predisposition) by use of the Erlangen Atopy Score and divided into atopic and non-atopic predisposed CholU individuals. Both groups were assessed for disease severity (CholUSI) and activity (CholUAS7), quality of life impairment [Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and CU-Q₂ OL], seasonal exacerbation, total and specific serum IgE and comorbidities.

RESULTS

CholU patients were found to exhibit high rates of atopic predisposition (57%), with higher prevalence and scores in female than in male patients. High Erlangen Atopy Scores were linked to high CholU severity, activity and impact on QoL. Atopic predisposed CholU patients show different seasonal exacerbation patterns, IgE specificity and comorbidity profiles as compared to non-atopic CholU patients.

CONCLUSION

Atopic predisposition and cholinergic urticaria appear to be linked more closely than previously thought, which suggests shared pathogenetic mechanisms. Atopic patients with cholinergic urticaria have more severe disease and poorer quality of life than those who do not. Thus, all cholinergic urticaria patients should be assessed for atopic predisposition.

Impact of socioeconomic status on mortality and unplanned readmission in septic intensive care unit patients

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the potential association between socioeconomic status (SES) and prognosis after sepsis. We analysed how SES impacted mortality and readmission in septic patients treated at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital.

METHODS

We performed a cohort study including all adult patients admitted to a general tertiary ICU with severe sepsis or septic shock during 2008-2010. Data on SES (educational level, personal income, and cohabitation), comorbidity, readmissions, and mortality were obtained from public registries. We used Cox regression analysis to examine the impact of SES on 30- and 180-day mortality and on first unplanned readmission within 180 days after hospital discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 387 patients were included of whom 111 (29%) died within 30 days after ICU admission, and 55 (20%) died within 180 days after hospital discharge. Adjusted for sex, comorbidity and SAPS II, patients with low income had a substantially greater risk of dying within 30 days of admission compared to those with high income (35.7% vs. 23.3%; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-3.21), and tended to show higher 180-day mortality (25.0% vs. 15.5%; adjusted HR 1.72; 95% CI 0.86-3.45). Among patients discharged from hospital, 125 (45%) were readmitted within 180 days. Patients with low education and low income showed a tendency towards early readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Among septic ICU patients, low income was significantly associated with increased 30-day mortality. There was a trend towards earlier readmission among surviving patients with low educational level and personal income.

Fronto-thalamic dysconnectivity and cognitive control in schizophrenia

Introduction

Several lines of evidence suggest that cognitive deficits represent a core feature of schizophrenia.

Objectives

The concept of “cognitive dysmetria” has been introduced to characterize disintegration at the system level of frontal-thalamic-cerebellar circuitry which has been regarded as a key network for a wide range of neuropsychological symptoms in schizophrenia.

Aims

The present multimodal study aimed at investigating effective and structural connectivity of the frontal-thalamic circuitry in schizophrenia.

Methods

Univariate fMRI data analysis and effective connectivity analysis using dynamic causal modeling (DCM) were combined to examine cognitive control processes in 40 patients with schizophrenia and 40 matched healthy controls. BOLD signal and parameters of effective connectivity were related to parameters of corresponding white matter integrity assessed with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Results

In the DTI analysis, significantly decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) was detected in patients in the right anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC), the right thalamus and the right corpus callosum. During Stroop task performance patients demonstrated significantly lower activation relative to healthy controls in a predominantly right lateralized frontal-thalamic-cerebellar network. An abnormal effective connectivity was observed in the right lateralized connections between thalamus, anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. FA in the right ALIC was significantly correlated with the fronto-thalamic BOLD signal, effective connectivity and cognitive performance in patients.

Conclusions

Present data provide evidence for the notion of a structural and functional defect in the prefrontal-thalamic-cerebellar circuitry, which seems to be the basis of the cognitive control deficits in schizophrenia.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Hierarchical Surface Architecture of Plants as an Inspiration for Biomimetic Fog Collectors

Fog collectors can enable us to alleviate the water crisis in certain arid regions of the world. A continuous fog-collection cycle consisting of a persistent capture of fog droplets and their fast transport to the target is a prerequisite for developing an efficient fog collector. In regard to this topic, a biological superior design has been found in the hierarchical surface architecture of barley (Hordeum vulgare) awns. We demonstrate here the highly wettable (advancing contact angle 16° ± 2.7 and receding contact angle 9° ± 2.6) barbed (barb = conical structure) awn as a model to develop optimized fog collectors with a high fog-capturing capability, an effective water transport, and above all an efficient fog collection. We compare the fog-collection efficiency of the model sample with other plant samples naturally grown in foggy habitats that are supposed to be very efficient fog collectors. The model sample, consisting of dry hydrophilized awns (DH awns), is found to be about twice as efficient (fog-collection rate 563.7 ± 23.2 μg/cm(2) over 10 min) as any other samples investigated under controlled experimental conditions. Finally, a design based on the hierarchical surface architecture of the model sample is proposed for the development of optimized biomimetic fog collectors.

A voyage to Terra Australis: human-mediated dispersal of cats

BACKGROUND

Cats have been transported as human commensals worldwide giving rise to many feral populations. In Australia, feral cats have caused decline and extinction of native mammals, but their time of introduction and origin is unclear. Here, we investigate hypotheses of cat arrival pre- or post-European settlement, and the potential for admixture between cats of different invasion events. We analyse the genetic structure and diversity of feral cats from six locations on mainland Australia, seven Australian islands and samples from Southeast Asia and Europe using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA data.

RESULTS

Our results based on phylogeographic model selection are consistent with a European origin of cats in Australia. We find genetic distinctiveness of Australian mainland samples compared with Dirk Hartog Island, Flinders Island, Tasman Island and Cocos (Keeling) Island samples, and genetic similarities between some of the island populations. Historical records suggest that introduction of cats to these islands occurred at the time of European exploration and/or in connection with the pearling, whaling and sealing trades early in the 19th century. On-going influx of domestic cats into the feral cat population is apparently causing the Australian mainland populations to be genetically differentiated from those island populations, which likely are remnants of the historically introduced cat genotypes.

CONCLUSION

A mainly European origin of feral cats in Australia, with possible secondary introductions from Asia following the initial establishment of cats in Australia is reasonable. The islands surrounding Australia may represent founding populations and are of particular interest. The results of the study provide an important timeframe for the impact of feral cats on native species in Australia.

Similar clinical features in follicular lymphomas with and without breaks in the BCL2 locus

Approximately 15% of follicular lymphomas (FLs) lack breaks in the BCL2 locus. The aim of this study was to better define molecular and clinical features of BCL2-breakpoint/t(14;18)-negative FLs. We studied the presence of BCL2, BCL6 and MYC breaks by fluorescence in situ hybridization and the expression of BCL2, MUM1, CD10, P53 and Ki67 in large clinical trial cohorts of 540 advanced-stage FL cases and 116 early-stage disease FL patients treated with chemotherapy regimens and radiation, respectively. A total of 86% and 53% of advanced- and early-stage FLs were BCL2-breakpoint-positive, respectively. BCL2 was expressed in almost all FLs with BCL2 break and also in 86% and 69% of BCL2-breakpoint-negative advanced- and early-stage FLs, respectively. CD10 expression was significantly reduced in BCL2-breakpoint-negative FLs of all stages and MUM1 and Ki67 expression were significantly increased in BCL2-break-negative early-stage FLs. Patient characteristics did not differ between FLs with and without BCL2 breaks and neither did survival times in advanced-stage FLs. These results suggest that the molecular profile differs to some extent between FLs with and without BCL2 breaks and support the notion that FLs with and without BCL2 breaks belong to the same lymphoma entity.

Factorial validity, measurement equivalence and cognitive performance of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) between patients with first-episode psychosis and healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to use selected Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) tests to examine the dimensional structure of cognitive dysfunction in first episode of psychosis (FEP) patients compared with cognition in healthy subjects.

METHOD

A total of 109 FEP patients and 96 healthy volunteers were administered eight CANTAB tests of cognitive function. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to estimate dimensionality within the test results. The dimensions identified by the PCA were assumed to reflect underlying cognitive traits. The plausibility of latent factor models was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Multi-group CFA (MGCFA) was used to test for measurement invariance of factors between groups. The nature and severity of cognitive deficits amongst patients as opposed to controls were evaluated using a general linear model.

RESULTS

Amongst subjects PCA identified two underlying cognitive traits: (i) a broad cognitive domain; (ii) attention/memory and executive function domains. Corresponding CFA models were built that fitted data well for both FEP patients and healthy volunteers. As in MGCFA latent variables appeared differently defined in patient and control groups, differences had to be ascribed using subtest scores rather than their aggregates. At subtest score level the patients performed significantly worse than healthy subjects in all comparisons (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study demonstrate that the structure of underlying cognitive abilities as measured by a selection of CANTAB tests is not the same for healthy individuals and FEP patients, with patients displaying widespread cognitive impairment.

Reduced severity of ischemic stroke and improvement of mitochondrial function after dietary treatment with the anaplerotic substance triheptanoin

Triheptanoin, an oily substance, consists of glycerol bound to three molecules of heptanoic acid, a C7 odd-chain fatty acid. A triheptanoin-rich diet has anaplerotic effects because heptanoate metabolism yields succinate which delivers substrates to the Krebs cycle. While previous studies on the effects of triheptanoin focused on metabolic disorders and epilepsy, we investigated triheptanoin's effect on ischemic stroke. Mice were fed a triheptanoin-enriched diet for 14days; controls received soybean oil. Only mice fed triheptanoin had measurable quantities of odd-numbered fatty acids in the plasma and brain. Transient ischemia was induced in the brain by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) for 60min. One day later, mice were tested for neurological function (chimney, rotarod and corner tests) which was found to be better preserved in the triheptanoin group. Microdialysis demonstrated that the strong, neurotoxic increase of extracellular glutamate, which was observed in the mouse striatum during MCAO, was strongly reduced in triheptanoin-fed mice while glucose levels were not affected. Triheptanoin diet reduced the infarct area in stroked mice by about 40%. In ex vivo-experiments with isolated mitochondria, ischemia was found to cause a reduction of mitochondrial respiratory activity. This reduction was attenuated by triheptanoin diet in complex II and IV. In parallel measurements, ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential were reduced in control animals but were preserved in triheptanoin-fed mice. We conclude that triheptanoin-fed mice which sustained an experimental stroke had a significantly improved neurological outcome. This beneficial effect is apparently due to an improvement of mitochondrial function and preservation of the cellular energy state. Our findings identify triheptanoin as a promising new dietary agent for neuroprotection.

First direct limits on lightly ionizing particles with electric charge less than e/6

While the standard model of particle physics does not include free particles with fractional charge, experimental searches have not ruled out their existence. We report results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment that give the first direct-detection limits for cosmogenically produced relativistic particles with electric charge lower than e/6. A search for tracks in the six stacked detectors of each of two of the CDMS II towers finds no candidates, thereby excluding new parameter space for particles with electric charges between e/6 and e/200.

Fog collecting biomimetic surfaces: Influence of microstructure and wettability

We analyzed the fog collection efficiency of three different sets of samples: replica (with and without microstructures), copper wire (smooth and microgrooved) and polyolefin mesh (hydrophilic, superhydrophilic and hydrophobic). The collection efficiency of the samples was compared in each set separately to investigate the influence of microstructures and/or the wettability of the surfaces on fog collection. Based on the controlled experimental conditions chosen here large differences in the efficiency were found. We found that microstructured plant replica samples collected 2-3 times higher amounts of water than that of unstructured (smooth) samples. Copper wire samples showed similar results. Moreover, microgrooved wires had a faster dripping of water droplets than that of smooth wires. The superhydrophilic mesh tested here was proved more efficient than any other mesh samples with different wettability. The amount of collected fog by superhydrophilic mesh was about 5 times higher than that of hydrophilic (untreated) mesh and was about 2 times higher than that of hydrophobic mesh.

Methylated derivatives of myricetin enhance life span in Caenorhabditis elegans dependent on the transcription factor DAF-16

Methylated derivatives of myricetin enhance the life span of the nematodeCaenorhabditis eleganscomparable to the non-methylated flavonoid myricetin. The life-prolonging effects are dependent on the transcription factor DAF-16.

Correlation between biogas yield and chemical composition of energy crops

The scope of this study was to investigate the influence of the chemical composition of energy crops on biogas and methane yield. In total, 41 different plants were analyzed in batch test and their chemical composition was determined. For acid detergent lignin (ADL) content below 10% of total solids, a significant negative correlation for biogas and methane yields (r≈-0.90) was observed. Based on a simple regression analysis, more than 80% of the sample variation can be explained through ADL. Based on a principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis, ADL and hemicellulose are suggested as suitable model variables for biogas yield potential predictions across plant species.

Search for low-mass weakly interacting massive particles with SuperCDMS

We report a first search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) using the background rejection capabilities of SuperCDMS. An exposure of 577 kg days was analyzed for WIMPs with mass <30  GeV/c(2), with the signal region blinded. Eleven events were observed after unblinding. We set an upper limit on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section of 1.2×10(-42)  cm(2) at 8  GeV/c(2). This result is in tension with WIMP interpretations of recent experiments and probes new parameter space for WIMP-nucleon scattering for WIMP masses <6  GeV/c(2).

Common variation in NCAN, a risk factor for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, influences local cortical folding in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have provided strong evidence that variation in the gene neurocan (NCAN, rs1064395) is a common risk factor for bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia. However, the possible relevance of NCAN variation to disease mechanisms in the human brain has not yet been explored. Thus, to identify a putative pathomechanism, we tested whether the risk allele has an influence on cortical thickness and folding in a well-characterized sample of patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.

METHOD

Sixty-three patients and 65 controls underwent T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were genotyped for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1064395. Folding and thickness were analysed on a node-by-node basis using a surface-based approach (FreeSurfer).

RESULTS

In patients, NCAN risk status (defined by AA and AG carriers) was found to be associated with higher folding in the right lateral occipital region and at a trend level for the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Controls did not show any association (p > 0.05). For cortical thickness, there was no significant effect in either patients or controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to describe an effect of the NCAN risk variant on brain structure. Our data show that the NCAN risk allele influences cortical folding in the occipital and prefrontal cortex, which may establish disease susceptibility during neurodevelopment. The findings suggest that NCAN is involved in visual processing and top-down cognitive functioning. Both major cognitive processes are known to be disturbed in schizophrenia. Moreover, our study reveals new evidence for a specific genetic influence on local cortical folding in schizophrenia.

Search for low-mass weakly interacting massive particles using voltage-assisted calorimetric ionization detection in the SuperCDMS experiment

SuperCDMS is an experiment designed to directly detect weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), a favored candidate for dark matter ubiquitous in the Universe. In this Letter, we present WIMP-search results using a calorimetric technique we call CDMSlite, which relies on voltage-assisted Luke-Neganov amplification of the ionization energy deposited by particle interactions. The data were collected with a single 0.6 kg germanium detector running for ten live days at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. A low energy threshold of 170  eVee (electron equivalent) was obtained, which allows us to constrain new WIMP-nucleon spin-independent parameter space for WIMP masses below 6  GeV/c2.

Silicon detector dark matter results from the final exposure of CDMS II

We report results of a search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPS) with the silicon detectors of the CDMS II experiment. This blind analysis of 140.2 kg day of data taken between July 2007 and September 2008 revealed three WIMP-candidate events with a surface-event background estimate of 0.41(-0.08)(+0.20)(stat)(-0.24)(+0.28)(syst). Other known backgrounds from neutrons and 206Pb are limited to <0.13 and <0.08 events at the 90% confidence level, respectively. The exposure of this analysis is equivalent to 23.4 kg day for a recoil energy range of 7-100 keV for a WIMP of mass 10  GeV/c2. The probability that the known backgrounds would produce three or more events in the signal region is 5.4%. A profile likelihood ratio test of the three events that includes the measured recoil energies gives a 0.19% probability for the known-background-only hypothesis when tested against the alternative WIMP+background hypothesis. The highest likelihood occurs for a WIMP mass of 8.6  GeV/c2 and WIMP-nucleon cross section of 1.9×10(-41)  cm2.

Trabecular bone adapts to long-term cyclic loading by increasing stiffness and normalization of dynamic morphometric rates

Bone has the ability to adapt to external loading conditions. Especially the beneficial effect of short-term cyclic loading has been investigated in a number of in vivo animal studies. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect (>10 weeks) of cyclic mechanical loading on the bone microstructure, bone stiffness, and bone remodeling rates. Mice were subjected to cyclic mechanical loading at the sixth caudal vertebra with 8N or 0N (control) three times per week for a total period of 14 weeks. Structural bone parameters were determined from in vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans performed at week 0, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14. Mechanical parameters were derived from micro-finite element analysis. Dynamic bone morphometry was calculated using registration of serial micro-CT scans. Bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness increased significantly more for the loaded group than for the control group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.002 respectively). The trabecular bone microstructure adapted to the load of 8N in approximately ten weeks, indicated by the trabecular bone volume fraction, which increased from 16.7% at 0 weeks to 21.6% at week 10 and only showed little change afterwards (bone volume fraction of 21.5% at 14 weeks). Similarly bone stiffness - (at the start of the experiment 649N/mm) - reached 846N/mm at 10 weeks in the loaded group and was maintained to the end of the experiment (850N/mm). At 4 weeks the bone formation rate was 32% greater and the bone resorption rate 22% less for 8N compared to 0N. This difference was significantly reduced as the bone adapted to 8N, with 8N remodeling rates returning to the values of the 0N group at approximately 10 weeks. Together these data suggest that once bone has adapted to a new loading state, the remodeling rates reduce gradually while maintaining bone volume fraction and stiffness.

Measurement of inelastic, single- and double-diffraction cross sections in proton-proton collisions at the LHC with ALICE

Measurements of cross sections of inelastic and diffractive processes in proton-proton collisions at LHC energies were carried out with the ALICE detector. The fractions of diffractive processes in inelastic collisions were determined from a study of gaps in charged particle pseudorapidity distributions: for single diffraction (diffractive mass MX <200 GeV/c2) [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively at centre-of-mass energies [Formula: see text]; for double diffraction (for a pseudorapidity gap Δη>3) σDD/σINEL=0.11±0.03,0.12±0.05, and [Formula: see text], respectively at [Formula: see text]. To measure the inelastic cross section, beam properties were determined with van der Meer scans, and, using a simulation of diffraction adjusted to data, the following values were obtained: [Formula: see text] mb at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. The single- and double-diffractive cross sections were calculated combining relative rates of diffraction with inelastic cross sections. The results are compared to previous measurements at proton-antiproton and proton-proton colliders at lower energies, to measurements by other experiments at the LHC, and to theoretical models.