Physiological and antioxidant responses of cotton and spurred anoda under interference and mild drought

The influence of plant interference and a mild drought on gas exchange and oxidative stress was investigated using potted plants of two cotton species (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Delta Pine 5415, and Gossypium barbadense L. cv. Pima S-7) and spurred anoda (Anoda cristata L. Schlecht.) of the Malvaceae. Without interference, cotton and spurred anoda had similar net photosynthesis (Pnet) but different pigment profiles. Stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E) were greater in spurred anoda than cotton. Net photosynthesis and biomass in cotton were reduced more by spurred anoda interference than by intraspecific interference. With interference, the xanthophyll cycle conversion state and alpha-tocopherol levels increased in cotton, but remained unchanged in spurred anoda. Catalase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were not influenced by plant interference. Without interference, spurred anoda had lower APX, and similar catalase and GR activities compared with cotton. Mild drought increased APX activity more than 40% in cotton, and 26% in spurred anoda. Upon drought recovery, drought-induced APX activity was still higher in cotton, and GR activity was higher in previously drought-stressed cotton and spurred anoda plants compared with well-watered plants. The greater impact of spurred anoda interference than intraspecific interference on cotton biomass is due mainly to reduced carbon gain in cotton.     

Contamination of equipment in emergency settings: An exploratory study with a targeted automated intervention

Introduction

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common problem in the Western countries, and the interest in the minimal access surgical approaches to treat GORD is increasing. In this study, we would like to discuss the presentations and management of complications we encountered after Laparoscopic Nissen's fundoplication in our District General NHS Hospital. The aim is to recognise these complications at the earliest stage for effective management to minimise the morbidity and mortality.

Methods

301 patients underwent laparoscopic treatment for GORD by a single consultant surgeon in our NHS Trust from September 1999. The data was prospectively collected and entered into a database. The data was retrospectively analysed for presentations for complications and their management.

Results

Surgery was completed laparoscopically in all patients, except in five, where the operation was technically difficult due to pre-existing conditions. The complications we encountered during surgery and follow-up period were major intra-operative bleeding (n = 1, 0.33%), severe post-operative nausea and vomiting (n = 1, 0.33%), wound infection (n = 3, 1%), port-site herniation (n = 1, 0.33%), wrap-migration (n = 2, 0.66%), wrap-ischaemia (n = 1, 0.33%), recurrent regurgitation (n = 4, 1.32%), recurrent heartburn (n = 29, 9.63%), tension pneumothorax (n = 2, 0.66%), surgical emphysema (n = 8, 2.66%), and port-site pain (n = 4, 1.33%).

Conclusion

Minimal access approach to treat GORD has presented with some specific and unique complications. It is important to recognise these complications at the earliest possible stage as some of these patients may present in an acute setting requiring emergency surgery. All members of the department, and not just the members of the specialised team, should be aware about these complications to minimise the morbidity and mortality.     

Multi‐gene phylogenetic analyses of New Zealand coralline algae: Corallinapetra Novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. and recognition of the Hapalidiales ord. nov.

Coralline red algae from the New Zealand region were investigated in a study focused on documenting regional diversity. We present a multi‐gene analysis using sequence data obtained for four genes (nSSU, psaA, psbA, rbcL) from 68 samples. The study revealed cryptic diversity at both genus and species levels, confirming and providing further evidence of problems with current taxonomic concepts in the Corallinophycidae. In addition, a new genus Corallinapetra novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. is erected for material from northern New Zealand. Corallinapetra is excluded from all currently recognized families and orders within the Corallinophycidae and thus represents a previously unrecognized lineage within this subclass. We discuss rank in the Corallinophycidae and propose the order Hapalidiales.     

Antigenic determinants expressed by human C4 allotypes; a study of 325 families provides evidence for the structural antigenic model

The antigenic determinants of human C4 have been defined by human IgG antisera, Rodgers (Rg) and Chido (Ch), in hemagglutination-inhibition assays (HAI). Eight (2 Rg and 6 Ch) are of high frequency, > 90% , and 1, WH, is of low frequency, 15 %. The phenotypic combinations are complex; generally, C4A expresses Rg, and C4B has Ch, but reverse antigenicities have been established both by HAI and by sequence data of selected C4 allotypes. A study of 325 families provides data on the antigenic expression of each C4 allotype and demonstrates strong associations. A structural model for the antigenic determinants of C4 proteins has been proposed and is completely supported by the family material. Of the 16 possible antigenic combinations for C4 proteins, only 3 are undetected. A new Ch combination has been recorded in two French families. The reported sequence variation within the C4d region can account for the antigenic determinants but leaves the location of electrophoretic variation in C4 still unclear.     

Construction and Immunogenicity Evaluation of Recombinant Influenza A Viruses Containing Chimeric Hemagglutinin Genes Derived from Genetically Divergent Influenza A H1N1 Subtype Viruses

Background and Objectives

Influenza A viruses cause highly contagious diseases in a variety of hosts, including humans and pigs. To develop a vaccine that can be broadly effective against genetically divergent strains of the virus, in this study we employed molecular breeding (DNA shuffling) technology to create a panel of chimeric HA genes.

Methods and Results

Each chimeric HA gene contained genetic elements from parental swine influenza A viruses that had a history of zoonotic transmission, and also from a 2009 pandemic virus. Each parental virus represents a major phylogenetic clade of influenza A H1N1 viruses. Nine shuffled HA constructs were initially screened for immunogenicity in mice by DNA immunization, and one chimeric HA (HA-129) was expressed on both a A/Puerto Rico/8/34 backbone with mutations associated with a live, attenuated phenotype (PR8_LAIV-129) and a A/swine/Texas/4199-2/98 backbone (TX98-129). When delivered to mice, the PR8_LAIV-129 induced antibodies against all four parental viruses, which was similar to the breadth of immunity observed when HA-129 was delivered as a DNA vaccine. This chimeric HA was then tested as a candidate vaccine in a nursery pig model, using inactivated TX98-129 virus as the backbone. The results demonstrate that pigs immunized with HA-129 developed antibodies against all four parental viruses, as well as additional primary swine H1N1 influenza virus field isolates.

Conclusion

This study established a platform for creating novel genes of influenza viruses using a molecular breeding approach, which will have important applications toward future development of broadly protective influenza virus vaccines.     

Honest signals and sexual conflict: Female lizards carry undesirable indicators of quality

Sex differences in animal coloration often result from sex‐dependent regulatory mechanisms. Still, some species exhibit incomplete sexual dimorphism as females carry a rudimentary version of a costly male trait, leading to intralocus sexual conflict. The underlying physiology and condition dependence of these traits can inform why such conflicts remain unresolved. In eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus), blue iridophore badges are found in males and females, but melanin pigmentation underneath and surrounding badges is male‐exclusive. We track color saturation and area of badges across sexual maturity, and their relationship to individual quality (body condition and immunocompetence) and relevant hormones (testosterone and corticosterone). Saturation and testosterone were positively correlated in both sexes, but hormone and trait had little overlap between males and females. Saturation was correlated with body condition and immunocompetence in males but not in females. Co‐regulation by androgens may have released females from resource allocation costs of color saturation, even when in high condition. Badge area was independent of testosterone, but associated with low corticosterone in females, indicating that a nonsex hormone underlies incomplete sexual dimorphism. Given the evidence in this species for female reproductive costs associated with ornamentation, this sex‐nonspecific regulation of an honest signal may underlie intralocus sexual conflict.     

Solution structure and dynamics of melanoma inhibitory activity protein

Melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) is a small secreted protein that is implicated in cartilage cell maintenance and melanoma metastasis. It is representative of a recently discovered family of proteins that contain a Src Homologous 3 (SH3) subdomain. While SH3 domains are normally found in intracellular proteins and mediate protein-protein interactions via recognition of polyproline helices, MIA is single-domain extracellular protein, and it probably binds to a different class of ligands.Here we report the assignments, solution structure, and dynamics of human MIA determined by heteronuclear NMR methods. The structures were calculated in a semi-automated manner without manual assignment of NOE crosspeaks, and have a backbone rmsd of 0.38 Å over the ordered regions of the protein. The structure consists of an SH3-like subdomain with N- and C-terminal extensions of approximately 20 amino acids each that together form a novel fold. The rmsd between the solution structure and our recently reported crystal structure is 0.86 Å over the ordered regions of the backbone, and the main differences are localized to the most dynamic regions of the protein. The similarity between the NMR and crystal structures supports the use of automated NOE assignments and ambiguous restraints to accelerate the calculation of NMR structures.     

Effect of pairing in vitro on the glutathione level of male Schistosoma mansoni

The effect of in vitro incubation on the level of the intracellular nucleophile, glutathione (GSH), in adult Schistosoma mansoni was investigated. The GSH levels of freshly collected adult male and female parasites were 8.5 +/- 2.5 and 2.7 +/- 0.7 nmol/10 worms, respectively, as determined by an enzymatic assay. Twenty-four-hour incubation of unpaired males in RPMI-1640 medium at 37 C resulted in a 1.7-fold increase (P less than 0.001) in GSH level that remained elevated for at least 7 days. The increase was dependent on exogenous L-cystine, suggesting that it was due to biosynthesis of GSH. Biosynthesis in male S. mansoni was confirmed by isolating [3H] GSH from parasites incubated in medium containing L-[3H] cystine or [3H] glycine. In contrast to unpaired males, the GSH level of paired males as well as that of unpaired or paired females did not increase after 24 hr in vitro. When males that had been incubated unpaired for 24 hr were allowed to couple in vitro with freshly collected females, their GSH level fell to that of continuously paired males. These observations provide evidence that in vitro female schistosomes can influence the physiology of the male.     

Assessment of three indigenous South African herbivores as potential reservoirs and vectors of antibiotic-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

Due to limited data available on the presence of antibiotic-resistant (ABR) bacteria in faeces of wild herbivores in South Africa, this study analysed resistance patterns for Escherichia coli isolates from wildebeest, zebra and giraffe in addition to pet and farm pig faeces. Total and faecal coliforms and E. coli were quantified in faecal matter using a most probable number (MPN) guideline procedure. Antibiotic resistance profiles against 12 selected antibiotics representing seven classes were determined for 30 randomly selected E. coli isolates from each animal using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) disk diffusion procedure. While log₁₀ MPN values per gram of animal faeces for total/faecal coliforms ranged from 4.51/4.11 to 5.70/5.50, the E. coli MPN values were in a range of 3.43–5.14. The proportion of ABR E. coli isolates ranged from 43% (giraffe) to 93% (zebra). About 47% of E. coli isolates from zebra faeces were categorized as multidrug-resistant (MDR), while for wildebeest and giraffe, no MDR isolates were detected. In comparison, 10% of E. coli isolates from pet pig and about 7% from farm pig faeces were categorized as MDR. Although most MDR isolates were resistant to at least one β-lactam antibiotic, only one MDR isolate from farm pig faeces was resistant to both norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin, the two fluoroquinolones tested. However, no resistance was detected to the tested carbapenems and tigecycline. The results of this study indicate that indigenous South African herbivores may serve as potential reservoirs and vectors for the dissemination of ABR E. coli strains.     

Identifying Elements of Patient-Centered Care in Underserved Populations: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives

Patient-centered care is an important goal in the delivery of healthcare. However, many patients do not engage in preventive medical care. In this pilot study, we conducted twenty in depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews at the University of Illinois at Chicago Health Sciences campus in a four month time frame. Many patients were underserved and underinsured, and we wanted to understand their experiences in the healthcare system. Using content analysis, several themes emerged from the interview data. Participants discussed the need for empathy and rapport with their providers. They identified provider behaviors that fostered a positive clinical relationship, including step-by step explanations of procedures, attention to body language and clinic atmosphere, and appropriate time management. Participants identified cost as the most common barrier to engaging in preventive care and discussed children and social support as motivating factors. A long-term relationship with a provider was an important motivator for preventive care, suggesting that the therapeutic alliance was essential to many patients. Conversely, many participants discussed a sense of dehumanization in the healthcare system, reporting that their life circumstances were overlooked, or that they were judged based on insurance status or ethnicity. We discuss implications for provider training and healthcare delivery, including the importance of patient-centered medical homes.