Article Watch: July 2021

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, MCG-UGA Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Avenue, Athens GA 30606. Tel; (706) 713-2216: Fax; (706) 713-2221: Email; cslaught@uga.edu or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer’s opinions and not necessarily those of the Association.     

Article Watch: December 2015

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to: Clive Slaughter, GRU-UGA Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA. Tel: (706) 713-2216; Fax: (706) 713-2221; E-mail: cslaught@uga.edu; or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer’s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch: July 2016

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, MCG-UGA Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA. Tel: (706) 713-2216; Fax: (706) 713-2221; E-mail: cslaught@uga.edu, or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch: September 2021

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, AU-UGA Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Avenue, Athens GA 30606. Phone: (706) 713-2216; Fax: (706) 713-2221; E-mail: ude.agu@thgualsc or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the Association.     

Article Watch: April 2021

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, MCG-UGA Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens GA 30606, USA. Tel: (706) 713-2216; Fax: (706) 713-2221; E-mail; ude.agu@thgualsc, or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer’s opinions and not necessarily those of the Association.     

Article Watch: September 2013

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, GRU-UGA Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606; Phone: 706-713-2216; Fax: 706-713-2221; E-mail: ude.agu@thgualsc; or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch: April 2014

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, Georgia Regents University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA (Phone: 706-713-2216; Fax: 706-713-2221; E-mail; ude.agu@thgualsc), or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch,December 2013

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, Georgia Regents University–University of Georgia Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA. Phone: 706-713-2216; Fax: 706-713-2221; E-mail: ude.agu@thgualsc; or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch: September 2014

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, Georgia Regents University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA. Phone: 706-713-2216; Fax: 706-713-2221; E-mail: ude.agu@thgualsc; or to any member of the Editorial Board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch: September 2015

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, Georgia Regents University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA. Phone: 706-713-2216; Fax: 706-713-2221; E-mail: ude.agu@thgualsc; or to any member of the Editorial Board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer’s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch: July 2014

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, Georgia Regents University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA. Phone: 706-713-2216; Fax: 706-713-2221; E-mail: ude.agu@thgualsc; or to any member of the Editorial Board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch: July 2015

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, Georgia Regents University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership, 1425 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606, USA. Phone: 706-713-2216; Fax: 706-713-2221; E-mail: ude.agu@thgualsc; or to any member of the Editorial Board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer’s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch,December 2009

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information about articles they feel is important and useful to Clive Slaughter, MCG-UGA Medical Partnership, 279 William St., Athens, GA 30607-1777, USA; Tel.: (706) 369-5945; Fax: (706) 369-5936; E-mail: cslaughter@mail.mcg.edu; or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer’s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch,April 2010

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information about articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, MCG-UGA Medical Partnership, 279 William St., Athens, GA 30607-1777, USA. Tel.: (706) 369-5945: Fax: (706) 369-5936; E-mail: ude.gcm.liam@rethgualsc; or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

Article Watch, April 2012

This column highlights recently published articles that are of interest to the readership of this publication. We encourage ABRF members to forward information on articles they feel are important and useful to Clive Slaughter, Georgia Health Sciences University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership, 279 William St., Athens GA 30607-1777. Phone: 706-369-5945; Fax: 706-369-5936; E-mail: ude.agu@thgualsc; or to any member of the editorial board. Article summaries reflect the reviewer''s opinions and not necessarily those of the association.     

A GBP 130 derived peptide from Plasmodium falciparum binds to human erythrocytes and inhibits merozoite invasion in vitro

The malarial GBP 130 protein binds weakly to intact human erythrocytes; the binding sites seem to be located in the repeat region and this region's antibodies block the merozoite invasion. A peptide from this region (residues from 701 to 720) which binds to human erythrocytes was identified. This peptide named 2220 did not bind to sialic acid; the binding site on human erythrocyte was affected by treatment with trypsin but not by chymotrypsin. The peptide was able to inhibit Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion of erythrocytes. The residues F701, K703, L705, T706, E713 (FYKILTNTDPNDEVERDNAD) were found to be critical for peptide binding to erythrocytes.     

Tests for helix-stabilizing interactions between various nonpolar side chains in alanine-based peptides.

Straight-chain, non-natural, nonpolar amino acids norleucine, norvaline, and alpha-amino-n-butyric acid at various spacings do not interact with themselves to stabilize helix formation in alanine-based peptides, but do interact with a Tyr spaced i, i + 4 to stabilize alanine helices, similar to the helix-stabilizing i, i + 4 Tyr-Leu and Tyr-Val interactions reported earlier (Padmanabhan S, Baldwin RL, 1994, J Mol Biol 241:706-713). Leu spaced i, i + 4 from another Leu is measurably helix-stabilizing relative to the corresponding i, i + 3 pair, but less so than for i, i + 4 Val-Leu, Ile-Leu, or Phe-Leu pairs (relative to the corresponding i, i + 3 pairs) when Leu is C-terminal to the other nonpolar amino acid. Our results indicate that limited side-chain flexibility in an alpha-helix strongly favors the interaction between 2 nonpolar residues to stabilize an isolated alpha-helix.     

Postoperative outcomes for Indigenous Peoples in Canada: a systematic review

Background:Substantial health inequities exist for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The remote and distributed population of Canada presents unique challenges for access to and use of surgery. To date, the surgical outcome data for Indigenous Peoples in Canada have not been synthesized.Methods:We searched 4 databases to identify studies comparing surgical outcomes and utilization rates of adults of First Nations, Inuit or Métis identity with non-Indigenous people in Canada. Independent reviewers completed all stages in duplicate. Our primary outcome was mortality; secondary outcomes included utilization rates of surgical procedures, complications and hospital length of stay. We performed meta-analysis of the primary outcome using random effects models. We assessed risk of bias using the ROBINS-I tool.Results:Twenty-eight studies were reviewed involving 1 976 258 participants (10.2% Indigenous). No studies specifically addressed Inuit or Métis populations. Four studies, including 7 cohorts, contributed adjusted mortality data for 7135 participants (5.2% Indigenous); Indigenous Peoples had a 30% higher rate of death after surgery than non-Indigenous patients (pooled hazard ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.54; I² = 81%). Complications were also higher for Indigenous Peoples, including infectious complications (adjusted OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.13–2.34) and pneumonia (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.58–3.19). Rates of various surgical procedures were lower, including rates of renal transplant, joint replacement, cardiac surgery and cesarean delivery.Interpretation:The currently available data on postoperative outcomes and surgery utilization rates for Indigenous Peoples in Canada are limited and of poor quality. Available data suggest that Indigenous Peoples have higher rates of death and adverse events after surgery, while also encountering barriers accessing surgical procedures. These findings suggest a need for substantial re-evaluation of surgical care for Indigenous Peoples in Canada to ensure equitable access and to improve outcomes. Protocol registration:PROSPERO-CRD42018098757

Safe, timely and affordable access to surgical care is essential to overall population health, as conditions amenable to surgical intervention account for one-third of the global burden of disease.^1,2 Surgery is responsible for 65% of cancer cure and control, it is key to trauma management, and access to cesarean delivery reduces neonatal deaths by up to 70%.¹ The magnitude and ubiquity of surgical conditions makes tracking their prevalence and treatment within local and national monitoring systems essential to fully capture the health and welfare of populations in Canada, including Indigenous Peoples.About 1.67 million people in Canada are Indigenous, representing 4.9% of the total population (58% First Nations, 4% Inuit, 35% Métis).³ Health inequities exist for the Indigenous population; life expectancy at birth is 5–11 years shorter than for non-Indigenous Peoples^4,5 and higher rates of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, unintentional injury and suicide are well documented.^4,6–14 These health inequities are direct impacts of the social determinants of health, which are in turn effects of colonialism and government policies, including the Indian residential school system.^8,11 People living in remote regions have less access to publicly funded health care than other people in Canada, with worse outcomes.¹⁵Given the substantial impact of surgical disease on population health and the recognized disparities in health care access for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, understanding access to surgical services and subsequent outcomes is a key step to addressing health inequities. To date, limited research has been conducted on surgical and postoperative care involving Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the available literature has not been synthesized. Our objective was to systematically review studies comparing postoperative outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada.     

Theoretical study on the interactions between methanol and imidazolium-based ionic liquids

To better understand the property of the binary systems composing of imidazolium salt, [emim]⁺Aˉ (A=Clˉ, Brˉ, BF₄ˉ, and PF₆ˉ) and methanol, we have investigated in detail the interactions of methanol molecule with anions Aˉ, cation [emim]⁺, and ion pair [emim]⁺Aˉ of several ionic liquids (ILs) based on 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cation by performing density functional theory calculations. It is found that H-bonds are universally involved in these systems, which may play an important role for the miscibility of methanol with imidazolium-based ILs. The interaction mechanisms of methanol molecule with anion and cation are found to be different in nature: the former mainly involves LP_X-s_{O - H}^* \sigma_{{O - H}}^{*} interaction, while the latter relates with the decisive orbital overlap of the type of LP_O-s_{C - H}^* \sigma_{{C - H}}^{*} . Based on the present calculations, we have provided some reasonable interpretations for properties of the binary mixtures of ILs and alcohol and revealed valuable information for the interaction details between ILs and alcohols, which is expected to be useful for the design of more efficient ILs to form superior solvent system with alcohol.     

Increase of hybrids in yeast electrofusion by mitochondrial mutations

Yeast mitochondria were found to affect the zeta-potential of protoplasts, resulting in electrofusion of membrane behavior. For modeling purposes, two fusion systems were investigated: (1) parent yeasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae G706 (rho(+)) x O708-11-16A (rho(+)), with zeta-potentials of -10 to -27 mV and -28 to -45 mV, depending on MgCl(2) concentration in the medium, respectively; and (2) parent yeasts of S. cerevisiae G706-1 (rho(-)) x O708-11-16A (rho(+)), with zeta-potentials of -30 to -60 mV, depending on MgCl(2). Yields of the hybrids in system (2) were over 100-fold higher than those in system (1). Thus, regulation of yeast electrofusion was found to be possible by mitochondrial mutations.