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Despite the rapid growth of the eSports industry with respect to its economic scale and the demand for eSports players, the career transformation experiences and well-being of eSports athletes have been largely overlooked. This study aims to explore eSports athletes' personal development in terms of career continuity, associated skill transformation, and well-being after retirement. Employing non-participatory observations and semi-structured interviews, we unpack two different pedagogical contexts of retiring eSports athletes: one is "continuity paths" (three transformation options and associated skill sets), and the other is "desire for continuity" (psychological strengths and explicit tacit knowledge). Our findings provide practical guidance for the career transition experiences of eSports athletes and contribute to understanding the sustainable framework required for the self-development of talent within eSports education and the eSports industry. The findings suggest that psychological consultants and athletic rehabilitation therapists should be employed to provide professional advice, interventions, and treatment to eSports athletes before and after retirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live streaming is an essential means through which spectators view and engage with esports. In this study, an extended model is proposed and tested based on the expectation confirmation theory to examine esports fans' live streaming experience and the factors contributing to their intention to continue using particular live streaming platforms. Survey data (N = 1004) were collected from King Pro League fans in China and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results demonstrate that effort and enjoyment expectancies are important factors driving fans' confirmation of expectations regarding live streaming services. The findings also confirm that both spatial presence and co-presence positively relate to viewers' satisfaction with a live streaming platform and their continued intention to use it. This study provides new insights into esports fans' viewing practices and the experiences they find most engaging via live streaming platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial fibrosis, measured using cardiovascular magnetic resonance extracellular volume (ECV), is associated with adverse outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, but the mechanisms by which myocardial fibrosis exerts this deleterious effect are unclear. We performed mediation analyses of data from the Pirfenidone in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (PIROUETTE) trial to determine whether myocardial fibrotic regression causes changes in cardiovascular function and functional status following antifibrotic therapy. Regression of myocardial fibrosis correlated with improvements in 6-min walk test and KCCQ clinical summary score. The only outcome variable that demonstrated a treatment effect was an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The estimated average causal mediation effects of myocardial ECV, absolute myocardial extracellular matrix volume and absolute myocardial cellular volume on LVEF were 6.1%, 21.5% and 13.7%, respectively, none of which was significant and therefore not mediated by myocardial fibrosis. (PIROUETTE; NCT02932566). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial fibrosis, measured using magnetic resonance extracellular volume (ECV), associates with adverse outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In the PIROUETTE (The Pirfenidone in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction) trial, the novel anti-fibrotic agent pirfenidone reduced myocardial fibrosis. We sought to identify baseline characteristics that associate with myocardial fibrotic burden, the change in myocardial fibrosis over a year, and predict response to pirfenidone in patients with HFpEF. Amongst patients enrolled in the PIROUETTE trial (n = 107), linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between baseline variables and baseline myocardial ECV, with change in myocardial ECV adjusting for treatment allocation, and to identify variables that modified the pirfenidone treatment effect. Body mass index, left atrial reservoir strain, haemoglobin and aortic distensibility were associated with baseline ECV in stepwise modelling, and systolic blood pressure, and log N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide were associated with baseline ECV in clinically-guided modelling. QRS duration, left ventricular mass and presence of an infarct at baseline were associated with an increase in ECV from baseline to week 52. Whilst QRS duration, presence of an infarct, global longitudinal strain and left atrial strain modified the treatment effect of pirfenidone when considered individually, no variable modified treatment effect on multivariable modelling. Baseline characteristics were identified that associate with myocardial fibrosis and predict change in myocardial fibrosis. No variables that independently modify the treatment effect of pirfenidone were identified (PIROUETTE, NCT02932566). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of source‐sink dynamics as a potentially important component of metapopulation dynamics was introduced in the 1980s. The objective of the present review was to review the considerable body of work that has been developed, to consider its theoretical implications as well as to understand how source‐sink dynamics may manifest under field conditions in the specific case of nontarget arthropods in the agricultural environment. Our review concludes that metapopulation dynamics based on field observations are often far more complex than existing theoretical source‐sink models would indicate, because they are dependent on numerous population processes and influencing factors. The difficulty in identifying and measuring these factors likely explains why empirical studies assessing source‐sink dynamics are scarce. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of considering the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of agricultural landscapes when assessing the population dynamics of nontarget arthropods in the context of the risk from the use of plant protection products. A need is identified to further develop and thoroughly validate predictive population models, which can incorporate all factors relevant to a specific system. Once reliable predictive models for a number of representative nontarget arthropod species are available, they could provide a meaningful tool for refined risk evaluations (higher tier level risk assessment), addressing specific concerns identified at the initial evaluation stages (lower tier level risk assessment). Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2667–2679. © 2021 ERM, FMC, Syngenta, Bayer AG, BASF SE, Corteva agriscience. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) does not exist as a singular clinical or pathological entity but as a syndrome encompassing a wide range of clinical and biological phenotypes. There is an urgent need to progress from the unsuccessful 'one-size-fits-all' approach to more precise disease classification, in order to develop targeted therapies, personalise risk stratification and guide future research. In this regard, this review discusses the current and emerging roles of cardiovascular imaging for the diagnosis of HFpEF, for distilling HFpEF into distinct disease entities according to underlying pathobiology and for risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic asthma is a leading chronic disease associated with airway hyperreactivity (AHR). Type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a potent source of T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokines that promote AHR and lung inflammation. As the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitory axis regulates a variety of immune responses, here we investigate PD-1 function in pulmonary ILC2s during IL-33-induced airway inflammation. PD-1 limits the viability of ILC2s and downregulates their effector functions. Additionally, PD-1 deficiency shifts ILC2 metabolism toward glycolysis, glutaminolysis and methionine catabolism. PD-1 thus acts as a metabolic checkpoint in ILC2s, affecting cellular activation and proliferation. As the blockade of PD-1 exacerbates AHR, we also develop a human PD-1 agonist and show that it can ameliorate AHR and suppresses lung inflammation in a humanized mouse model. Together, these results highlight the importance of PD-1 agonistic treatment in allergic asthma and underscore its therapeutic potential. PD-1 is a checkpoint inhibitory immune receptor that restrains proliferation and effector functions of a variety of cells, including ILC2s. Here the authors present a human PD-1 agonist that limits ILC2-dependent allergic airway disease in humanized mice and provide evidence that PD-1 signaling alters ILC2 function by modulation of cell metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group 2 Innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) contribute significantly to allergic inflammation. However, the role of microbiota on ILC2s remains to be unraveled. Here we show that short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, derived from fermentation of dietary fibers by the gut microbiota inhibit pulmonary ILC2 functions and subsequent development of airway hyperreactivity (AHR). We further show that SCFAs modulate GATA3, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolytic metabolic pathways in pulmonary ILC2s. The observed phenotype is associated with increased IL-17a secretion by lung ILC2s and linked to enhanced neutrophil recruitment to the airways. Finally, we show that butyrate-producing gut bacteria in germ-free mice effectively suppress ILC2-driven AHR. Collectively, our results demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for microbial-derived SCFAs on pulmonary ILC2s in the context of AHR. The data suggest strategies aimed at modulating metabolomics and microbiota in the gut, not only to treat, but to prevent lung inflammation and asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The PIROUETTE (PIRfenidOne in patients with heart failUre and preserved lEfT venTricular Ejection fraction) trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the anti-fibrotic pirfenidone in patients with chronic heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and myocardial fibrosis. HFpEF is a diverse syndrome associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Myocardial fibrosis is a key pathophysiological mechanism of HFpEF and myocardial fibrotic burden is strongly and independently associated with adverse outcome. Pirfenidone is an oral anti-fibrotic agent, without haemodynamic effect, that leads to regression of myocardial fibrosis in preclinical models. It has proven clinical effectiveness in pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: The PIROUETTE trial is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of 52 weeks of treatment with pirfenidone in patients with chronic HFpEF (symptoms and signs of heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 45%, elevated natriuretic peptides [BNP ≥ 100 pg/ml or NT-proBNP ≥ 300 pg/ml; or BNP ≥ 300 pg/ml or NT-proBNP ≥ 900 pg/ml if in atrial fibrillation]) and myocardial fibrosis (extracellular matrix (ECM) volume ≥ 27% measured using cardiovascular magnetic resonance). The primary outcome measure is change in myocardial ECM volume. A sub-study will investigate the relationship between myocardial fibrosis and myocardial energetics, and the impact of pirfenidone, using 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Discussion: PIROUETTE will determine whether pirfenidone is superior to placebo in relation to regression of myocardial fibrosis and improvement in myocardial energetics in patients with HFpEF and myocardial fibrosis (NCT02932566). Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02932566) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02932566 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ICPPR Semi-Field/Field Testing (SF/FT) work group consists of several ‘writing groups’ that are focused developing technical guidance that is focused on 4 separate but related topics: 1) designing and conducting pollen and nectar residue studies, 2) conducting large scale colony feeding studies, 3) updating guidance for conducting semi-field tunnel studies, and 4) design and interpretation of full field studies with bees. What follows is the current status of each of these activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is characterized by type 2 inflammation with high levels of Th2 cytokines. Although T helper cytokines are released from T cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are also known to produce high levels of the same cytokines. However, the presence of various types of ILC in CRS is poorly understood. Objective The objective of this study was to fully characterize the presence of all ILC subsets in CRS and to identify phenotypical differences of group 2 ILC (ILC2) in CRSwNP compared to ILC2 from non-type 2 inflamed areas. Methods We investigated the presence of ILC subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy subjects, tonsil tissue, ethmoid tissue from control subjects and patients with non-polypoid CRS (CRSsNP) and CRSwNP, as well as nasal polyp (NP) tissue from CRSwNP by flow cytometry. Sorted ILC2 were cultured in the presence and absence of IL-33 and production of IL-5 and IL-13 was assessed by Luminex. Results We found that all ILC subsets were present in NP but ILC2 were dominant and significantly elevated compared to PBMC, tonsil, CRSsNP, and normal sinus tissue. We also found that inducible T-cell co-stimulator (ICOS) and side scatter were increased and CD127 was down-regulated in ILC2 from NP compared to blood or tonsil ILC2. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-7, and IL-33 were able to down-regulate expression of CD127 and increase side scatter in blood ILC2. Furthermore, sorted NP ILC2 but not blood ILC2 spontaneously released type 2 cytokines including IL-5 and IL-13. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance These results suggest that ILC2 are not only elevated but also activated in CRSwNP in vivo and that ILC2 may play important roles in the type 2 inflammation in CRSwNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nitro-substituted neonicotinoid insecticides, which include imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin, are widely used to control a range of important agricultural pests both by foliar applications and also as seed dressings and by soil application. Since they exhibit systemic properties, exposure of bees may occur as a result of residues present in the nectar and/or pollen of seed- or soil-treated crop plants and so they have been the subject of much debate about whether they cause adverse effects in pollinating insects under field conditions. Due to these perceived concerns, the use of the three neonicotinoids imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam has been temporarily suspended in the European Union for seed treatment, soil application and foliar treatment in crops attractive to bees. Monitoring data from a number of countries are available to assess the presence of neonicotinoid residues in honey bee samples and possible impacts at the colony level and these are reviewed here together with a number of field studies which have looked at the impact of clothiandin on honey bees in relation to specific crop use and in particular with oilseed rape. Currently there is considerable uncertainty with regards to the regulatory testing requirements for field studies. Accordingly, a testing protocol was developed to address any acute and chronic risks from oilseed rape seeds containing a coating with 10 g clothianidin and 2 g beta-cyfluthrin per kg seeds (Elado) for managed honey bee ( Apis mellifera) colonies, commercially bred bumble bee ( Bombus terrestris) colonies and red mason bees ( Osmia bicornis) as a representative solitary bee species. This is described here together with a summary of the results obtained as an introduction to the study details given in the following papers in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on slavery in the U.S. including death of African Americans in the region, Black criminalisation and Disenfranchisement and also mentions lynching in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

ABSTRACT Global declines of bumble bees and other pollinator populations are of concern because of their critical role for crop production and maintenance of wild plant biodiversity. Although the consensus among scientists is that the interaction of many factors, including habitat loss, forage scarcity, diseases, parasites, and pesticides, potentially plays a role in causing these declines, pesticides have received considerable attention and scrutiny. In response, regulatory agencies have introduced more stringent pollinator testing requirements for registration and reregistration of pesticides, to ensure that the risks to pollinators are minimized. In this context, guidelines for testing bumble bees ( Bombus spp.) in regulatory studies are not yet available, and a pressing need exists to develop suitable protocols for routine higher-tier studies with these non- Apis sp., social bees. To meet this need, Bayer CropScience LP, Syngenta Crop Protection LLC US, and Valent USA. Corporation organized a workshop bringing together a group of global experts on bumble bee behavior, ecology, and ecotoxicology to discuss and develop draft protocols for both semi-field (Tier II) and field (Tier III) studies. The workshop was held May 8-9, 2014, at the Bayer Bee Care Center, North Carolina, USA. The participants represented academic, consulting, and industry scientists from Europe, Canada, the United States, and Brazil. The workshop identified a clear protection goal and generated proposals for basic experimental designs, relevant measurements, and endpoints for both semifield (tunnel) and field tests. These initial recommendations are intended to form the basis of discussions to help advance the development of appropriate protocol guidelines. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:222-229. © 2015 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Published by SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on ethnicity-related issues facing African American studies teacher Rachel Dolezal.

The article discusses anti-Semitism in Western Europe by making reference to a report published in the newspaper "The Huffington Post" by David Cesarani, and also mentions increase in prevalence of bullying of Muslim school children in Great Britain.

Vascular Ultrasound for AFA Introduction The most frequent complications of AF ablation (AFA) are related to vascular access, but there is little evidence as to how these can be minimized. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing AFA at a high-volume center received either standard care (Group S) or routine ultrasound-guided vascular access (Group U). Vascular complications were assessed before hospital discharge and by means of postal questionnaire 1 month later. Outcome measures were BARC 2+ bleeding complications, postprocedural pain, and prolonged bruising. Results Patients in Group S (n = 146) and U (n = 163) were well matched at baseline. Follow-up questionnaires were received from 92.6%. Patients in Group U were significantly less likely to have a BARC 2+ bleed, 10.4% versus 19.9% P = 0.02, were less likely to suffer groin pain after discharge (27.1% vs. 42.8%; P = 0.006) and were less likely to experience prolonged local bruising (21.5% vs. 40.4%; P = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of vascular complications with nonultrasound guided access (OR 3.12 95%CI 1.54-5.34; P = 0.003) and increasing age (OR 1.05 95%CI 1.01-1.09; P = 0.02). Conclusion Routine use of ultrasound-guided vascular access for AFA is associated with a significant reduction in bleeding complications, postprocedural pain, and prolonged bruising when compared to standard care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 15 years have passed since the implementation of Directive 91/414/EEC and the regulatory framework with regard to pesticide use and environmental protection aims, as well as the plant protection techniques involving pesticides, have evolved over this period. In the case of honey bees, further developments and updates with regards to larval testing have been undertaken. Experimental protocols for semi-field and field testing have been reviewed in detail. Finally, a dedicated risk assessment scheme has been developed for seed coating and soil applications that involve systemic compounds. A revision of the original EPPO Standards: the Risk Assessment Scheme PP 3/10(2) Honeybees and the test guidelines PP1/170 (3) Side-effects on honeybees has thus been undertaken in order to benefit from these improvements. This paper aims to provide the details of the reasoning on which the revised risk assessment scheme relies as well as providing the necessary references to the data which have been reviewed in the context of this revision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclosan (2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether) is a broad-spectrum bactericide used throughout North America and Europe for a variety of antimicrobial functions. This paper addresses the risk to terrestrial organisms from several potential exposure pathways: Exposure experienced by earthworms, terrestrial plants, and soil microorganisms as the result of the use of sewage sludge containing triclosan as an agricultural soil amendment; secondary exposure by birds and mammals from consumption of earthworms that have been exposed to triclosan in soil; and secondary exposure by birds and mammals from consumption of fish exposed to triclosan as the result of wastewater treatment discharges. The assessment found satisfactory margins of safety for plants, earthworms, birds, fish, mammals, and soil microorganisms. The lowest margins of safety were for nontarget plants (100 for the typical scenario and 8 for the upper-bound scenario). However, these margins of safety are still above the European Union (EU) recommended fivefold assessment value for nontarget plants and are based on cucumber results from a vegetative vigor study conducted in quartz sand that is of limited relevance for risk assessment. In a pre-emergence study conducted in a more relevant soil (sandy loam), cucumbers showed no response to triclosan at the highest dose tested (1,000 μg/kg). A recent study provides limited field measurements of soil and earthworm concentrations. While that study finds higher soil and earthworm concentrations than were estimated in the present study, even these higher concentrations do not indicate significant risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the sexism issues in Niqab Islamic clothing with the feminine identity of the Western gender norms.

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1/2, p38, and JNK are thought to determine survival-versus-death fate in developing thymocytes. However, this view was challenged by studies using ‘MEK1-ERK1/2-specific’ pharmacological inhibitors, which block both positive and negative selection. Recently, these inhibitors were also shown to affect MEK5, an upstream activator of ERK5, another class of MAPK with homology to ERK1/2. To define the contribution of the MEK5–ERK5 pathway in T-cell development, we retrovirally expressed dominant-negative or constitutively activated form of MEK5 to inhibit or activate the MEK5–ERK5 pathway. We demonstrate that MEK5 regulates apoptosis of developing thymocytes but has no function in positive selection. ERK5 activity correlates with the levels of Nur77 family members but not that of Bim, two effector pathways of thymocyte apoptosis. These results illustrate the critical involvement of the MEK5–ERK5 pathway in thymocyte development distinct from that of ERK1/2 and highlight the importance of the MAPK network in mediating differential effects pertaining to T-cell differentiation and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the pest management science focusing on the protection group, International Commission for Plant Bee Relationships (ICP-BR). The group held their first meeting in 1980 and has since established expert forums for addressing risk to pesticides. The group actively looks into the issues affecting bee health in various EU countries and also in North America.

Well-calibrated seismic interpretation in the Halten Terrace of Mid-Norway demonstrates the important role that structural feedback between normal fault growth and evaporite mobility has for depocentre development during syn-rift deposition of the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Viking and Fangst Groups. While the main rift phase reactivated pre-existing structural trends, and initiated new extensional structures, a Triassic evaporite interval decouples the supra-salt cover strata from the underlying basement, causing the development of two separate fault populations, one in the cover and the other confined to the pre-salt basement.Detailed displacement–length analyses of both cover and basement fault arrays, combined with mapping of the component parts of the syn-rift interval, have been used to reveal the spatial and temporal evolution of normal fault segments and sediment depocentres within the Halten Terrace area. Significantly, the results highlight important differences with traditional models of normal fault-controlled subsidence, including those from parts of the North Sea where salt is absent. It can now be shown that evaporite mobility is intimately linked to the along-strike displacement variations of these cover and basement faults. The evaporites passively move beneath the cover in response to the extension, such that the evaporite thickness becomes greatest adjacent to regions of high fault displacement. The consequent evaporite swells can become large enough to have pronounced palaeobathymetric relief in hangingwall locations, associated with fault displacementmaxima– the exact opposite situation to that predicted by traditional models of normal fault growth. Evaporite movement from previous extension also affects the displacement–length relationships of subsequently nucleated or reactivated faults. Evaporite withdrawal, on the other hand, tends to be a later-stage feature associated with the high stress regions around the propagating tips of normal faults or their coeval hangingwall release faults. The results indicate the important effect of, and structural feedback caused by, syn-rift evaporite mobility in heavily modifying subsidence patterns produced by normal fault array evolution. Despite their departure from published models, the results provide a new, generic framework within which to interpret extensional fault and depocentre development and evolution in areas in which mobile evaporites exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the "Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal" developed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in England. It explores the challenges and key considerations in updating the guide, as well as the recommended methods in choosing the appropriate medicines to patients. It outlines the two major elements of the guide and the principles on appropriate methods.

Disturbances in glucose homeostasis and low-grade chronic inflammation culminate into metabolic syndrome that increase the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The recently discovered group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are capable of secreting copious amounts of type 2 cytokines to modulate metabolic homeostasis in adipose tissue. In this study, we have established that expression of Death Receptor 3 (DR3), a member of the TNF superfamily, on visceral adipose tissue (VAT)-derived murine and peripheral blood human ILC2s is inducible by IL-33. We demonstrate that DR3 engages the canonical and/or non-canonical NF-κB pathways, and thus stimulates naïve and co-stimulates IL-33-activated ILC2s. Importantly, DR3 engagement on ILC2s significantly ameliorates glucose tolerance, protects against insulin-resistance onset and remarkably reverses already established insulin-resistance. Taken together, these results convey the potent role of DR3 as an ILC2 regulator and introduce DR3 agonistic treatment as a novel therapeutic avenue for treating T2DM. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are immune cells present in adipose tissue that contribute to metabolic homeostasis. Here the authors show that Death Receptor 3 (DR3) engagement on ILC2s ameliorates glucose tolerance, protects against insulin-resistance onset and reverses established insulin-resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of an industry-led initiative, the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) have used available industry efficacy trial data to check the hypothesis of significant exposure via ‘weeds in the treated field’ exposure scenario, referred to in the EFSA bee Guidance Document, which suggests that if <10% of the area of use contains attractive flowering weeds then the exposure route is not relevant. Weed recordings from over 8500 industry herbicide efficacy trials from a range of arable (sunflower, maize, oilseed rape, cereals, sugar beet, potatoes, peas and beans) and permanent crops (orchards, citrus and grapes) were anlaysed to check the hypothesis of significant exposure route via weeds in the treated field. Information was extracted from efficacy trial control data to determine if the occurrence of attractive flowering weeds constitutes less than 10% of the area of use, thereby highlighting that attractive flowering weeds in treated agricultural fields are not applicable for many commercially grown crops. Here we present the analysis on the presence of weed species, growth stage of the weed species, attractiveness to bees of the weed species, the ground coverage of the weed species, the trial location and dates and the crop growth stage in the trials. The most pertinent questions being asked were ‘are attractive flowering weeds likely to be present in arable and permanent crop fields?’ and ‘what percentage of the area of the treated field might be occupied by attractive flowering weeds?. The project builds on the initial work from Maynard et al, 2014.As part of an industry-led initiative, the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) have used available industry efficacy trial data to check the hypothesis of significant exposure via ‘weeds in the treated field’ exposure scenario, referred to in the EFSA bee Guidance Document, which suggests that if <10% of the area of use contains attractive flowering weeds then the exposure route is not relevant. Weed recordings from over 8500 industry herbicide efficacy trials from a range of arable (sunflower, maize, oilseed rape, cereals, sugar beet, potatoes, peas and beans) and permanent crops (orchards, citrus and grapes) were anlaysed to check the hypothesis of significant exposure route via weeds in the treated field. Information was extracted from efficacy trial control data to determine if the occurrence of attractive flowering weeds constitutes less than 10% of the area of use, thereby highlighting that attractive flowering weeds in treated agricultural fields are not applicable for many commercially grown crops. Here we present the analysis on the presence of weed species, growth stage of the weed species, attractiveness to bees of the weed species, the ground coverage of the weed species, the trial location and dates and the crop growth stage in the trials. The most pertinent questions being asked were ‘are attractive flowering weeds likely to be present in arable and permanent crop fields?’ and ‘what percentage of the area of the treated field might be occupied by attractive flowering weeds?. The project builds on the initial work from Maynard et al, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by disturbances in glucose homeostasis and the development of low-grade systemic inflammation, which increase the risk to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a recently discovered immune population secreting Th2 cytokines. While previous studies show how ILC2s can play a critical role in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis in the adipose tissue, a therapeutic target capable of modulating ILC2 activation has yet to be identified. Here, we show that GITR, a member of the TNF superfamily, is expressed on both murine and human ILC2s. Strikingly, we demonstrate that GITR engagement of activated, but not naïve, ILC2s improves glucose homeostasis, resulting in both protection against insulin resistance onset and amelioration of established insulin- resistance. Together, these results highlight the critical role of GITR as a novel therapeutic molecule against T2DM and its fundamental role as an immune checkpoint for activated ILC2s. Type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are an immune population secreting Th2 cytokines playing a role in the regulation of adipose metabolic homeostasis. Here the authors show that engagement of GITR, a member of the TNF superfamily, in activated ILC2s is protective against insulin resistance in both a preventive and a therapeutic manner in the context of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a discussion on author Simon Cooper's article in issue no. 140 named "Claims to Identity: The Trans Debate" and offers his insights on it which include the current transgender identity furore and attacks by mainstream media against transgender activism.

The article describes the case of atrial fibrillation during pregnancy of a 38-year-old woman with no previous cardiac history. Topics covered include medical background of the patient, the management of atrial fibrillation, the use of flecainide for chemical cardioversion of the patient, and the electrocardiogram result before and after flecainide.

The article presents a case study of a 66-year-old male with speech loss and right-sided weakness. Performed was neurological examination, which revealed right-sided upper and lower limb weakness, global aphasia and right-sided inattention. It mentions that the presence of a pulmonary embolism lead to pulmonary artery hypertension and increased the probability of a paradoxical embolism; further, he underwent a surgical closure of the patent foramen ovale. INSET: Case Report.