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The class Myxomycetes consists of free-living protists characterised by their complex life cycle, which includes both microscopic (amoebae, flagellates and cists) and macroscopic stages (spore-bearing fruiting bodies, sclerotia, and plasmodia). Within it, the order Physarales, with more than 450 recognised species, constitutes the largest group. Although previous studies have shown the polyphyly of some of the traditionally accepted genera, its internal phylogenetic relationships have remained uncertain so far, and together with the lack of data for some key species, it prevented any taxonomic and nomenclatural revisions. We have compiled a substantially expanded dataset in terms of both taxon sampling and molecular data, including most of the genera described to date and four unlinked DNA regions, for which we provide partial sequences: nSSU, EF-1a, a-Tub, and mtSSU, analysed through maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Our results confirm that the family Didymiaceae is paraphyletic to the rest of Physarales. Within Didymiaceae s.lat., the recent reinstatement of the genus Polyschismium for most species traditionally ascribed to Lepidoderma, except for the type (Ronikier et al. 2022), is further supported here, as well as the definite inclusion of the genus Mucilago in Didymium and Lepidoderma s.str. (L. tigrinum) in Diderma (Prikhodko et al. 2023). Additionally, the genus Diachea is redefined to include some species pre viously treated in Physaraceae (Craterium spp. with true columella). Within the monophyletic family Physaraceae, most genera are recovered as polyphyletic, suggesting that they should be no longer accepted as currently defined. However, the lack of resolution of some relationships within Physaraceae prevents us from resuscitating or creating several new genera to mitigate polyphyly. Among the well-defined groups with clear molecular signatures, we propose two taxonomic and nomenclatural changes at generic level: 1) a new genus, Nannengaella, is proposed for a major clade containing Physarum globuliferum and other species with heavily calcified sporophores and, often, a true calcareous columella; 2) Lignydium is resurrected for the clade containing Fuligo muscorum. Additionally, Trichamphora is suggested as the correct name for the clade containing Physarum pezizoideum. The taxonomy and nomenclature of some provisional genera, currently synonymous with Fuligo and Physarum, are disentangled, and we provide a comprehensive and updated nomenclatural conspectus that can be used when better resolved phylogenies are obtained. In total, 22 new combinations are proposed in different genera. A provisional key to the genera of the order is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forage oats (Avena sativa L.) are globally important for milk and meat production, and, to a lesser extent, for the human diet. In Mexico, oats are a strategic crop, occupying the fourth place in cultivated area, only after maize for grain, bean, and sorghum for grain. Droughts are the main problem for oat production in Mexico. This study evaluated the germination and seedling growth of several oat varieties in response to drought stress simulated by PEG-6000 treatments of different osmotic pressure in order to identify drought-resistant genotypes. The Teporaca genotype was the most outstanding in the three levels of OP compared to its control with 0.0 of Osmotic Potential (OP). The Teporaca genotype showed the largest root length and the lowest diminishment of root length under osmotic stress conditions. This genotype also had the largest shoot length in the three osmotic stress levels. Regarding root fresh weight, Babicora stands out with 98.5% and Teporaca with 43% in the most severe level. Teporaca, Menonita, and Babicora showed the outstanding root dry weights of 346.5%, 327.2%, and 251.2%, respectively. These varieties had higher root dry weight than their own controls in water in the most severe level of OP. In conclusion, the Teporaca, Menonita, and Karma genotypes showed the highest osmotic stress tolerance and could be used as sources of favorable alleles to improve oat drought tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forage oats (Avena sativa L.) are globally important for milk and meat production, and, to a lesser extent, for the human diet. In Mexico, oats are a strategic crop, occupying the fourth place in cultivated area, only after maize for grain, bean, and sorghum for grain. Droughts are the main problem for oat production in Mexico. This study evaluated the germination and seedling growth of several oat varieties in response to drought stress simulated by PEG-6000 treatments of different osmotic pressure in order to identify drought-resistant genotypes. The Teporaca genotype was the most outstanding in the three levels of OP compared to its control with 0.0 of Osmotic Potential (OP). The Teporaca genotype showed the largest root length and the lowest diminishment of root length under osmotic stress conditions. This genotype also had the largest shoot length in the three osmotic stress levels. Regarding root fresh weight, Babicora stands out with 98.5% and Teporaca with 43% in the most severe level. Teporaca, Menonita, and Babicora showed the outstanding root dry weights of 346.5%, 327.2%, and 251.2%, respectively. These varieties had higher root dry weight than their own controls in water in the most severe level of OP. In conclusion, the Teporaca, Menonita, and Karma genotypes showed the highest osmotic stress tolerance and could be used as sources of favorable alleles to improve oat drought tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the most important circadian clock in mammals. The SCN synchronizes to environmental light via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT), which is an axon cluster derived from melanopsin‐expressing intrinsic photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Investigations on the development of the nonimage‐forming pathway and the RHT are scarce. Previous studies imply that light stimulation during postnatal development is not needed to make the RHT functional at adult stages. Here, we examined the effects of light deprivation (i.e., constant darkness (DD) rearing) during postnatal development on the expression in the ventral SCN of two crucial proteins for the synchronization of circadian rhythms to light: the presynaptic vesicular glutamate transporter type 2 (vGluT2) and the GluN2B subunit of the postsynaptic NMDA receptor. We found that animals submitted to DD conditions exhibited a transitory reduction in the expression of vGluT2 (at P12–19) and of GluN2B (at P7–9) that was compensated at older stages. These findings support the hypothesis that visual stimulation during early ages is not decisive for normal development of the RHT‐SCN pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Geant4 simulation code was developed to perform realistic simulations of the RIBRAS facility. A second-order expansion of a finite solenoid field was included to describe the beam optics with good precision. A systematic study of coil currents for several magnetic rigidities and focal points was performed. Parameterizations of the coil currents for single and dual mode operations were obtained. Dedicated routines were developed to simulate the mechanism of direct reactions involving two and three particles in the final state. The present simulations were employed to investigate the feasibility of a Solenoidal Spectrometer with the RIBRAS facility. Our first results indicate that the concept can be applied in the RIBRAS system under certain conditions. Forthcoming studies both from simulations and experiments are already under development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenological strengths of the real part of the optical potential, obtained from elastic scattering data analyses within the optical model (OM) approach, present significant energy-dependence. This behavior has been associated with the intrinsic energy-dependence of the effective nucleonâ€"nucleon interaction. However, in earlier works, we proposed that at least part of this dependence can arise from the effect of couplings to inelastic states of the nuclei. In order to deepen this study, in this paper we present extensive data analyses for the elastic scattering and inelastic excitation of 111 states of 208Pb, for the 4He + 208Pb system in a wide energy range. For the purpose of comparison, the theoretical cross sections are obtained using different approaches for the imaginary part of the potential, and within both contexts: OM (distorted wave Born approximation) and coupled-channel calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Stillbirth is a potentially preventable complication of pregnancy. Identifying women at high risk of stillbirth can guide decisions on the need for closer surveillance and timing of delivery in order to prevent fetal death. Prognostic models have been developed to predict the risk of stillbirth, but none has yet been validated externally. In this study, we externally validated published prediction models for stillbirth using individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis to assess their predictive performance.Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, DH-DATA and AMED databases were searched from inception to December 2020 to identify studies reporting stillbirth prediction models. Studies that developed or updated prediction models for stillbirth for use at any time during pregnancy were included. IPD from cohorts within the International Prediction of Pregnancy Complications (IPPIC) Network were used to validate externally the identified prediction models whose individual variables were available in the IPD. The risk of bias of the models and cohorts was assessed using the Prediction study Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST). The discriminative performance of the models was evaluated using the C-statistic, and calibration was assessed using calibration plots, calibration slope and calibration-in-the-large. Performance measures were estimated separately in each cohort, as well as summarized across cohorts using random-effects meta-analysis. Clinical utility was assessed using net benefit.Results: Seventeen studies reporting the development of 40 prognostic models for stillbirth were identified. None of the models had been previously validated externally, and the full model equation was reported for only one-fifth (20%, 8/40) of the models. External validation was possible for three of these models, using IPD from 19 cohorts (491 201 pregnant women) within the IPPIC Network database. Based on evaluation of the model development studies, all three models had an overall high risk of bias, according to PROBAST. In the IPD meta-analysis, the models had summary C-statistics ranging from 0.53 to 0.65 and summary calibration slopes ranging from 0.40 to 0.88, with risk predictions that were generally too extreme compared with the observed risks. The models had little to no clinical utility, as assessed by net benefit. However, there remained uncertainty in the performance of some models due to small available sample sizes.Conclusions: The three validated stillbirth prediction models showed generally poor and uncertain predictive performance in new data, with limited evidence to support their clinical application. The findings suggest methodological shortcomings in their development, including overfitting. Further research is needed to further validate these and other models, identify stronger prognostic factors and develop more robust prediction models. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the brain structure that controls circadian rhythms in mammals. The SCN is formed by two neuroanatomical regions: the ventral and dorsal. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission is important for the regulation of circadian rhythms. Excitatory GABA effects have been described in both SCN regions displaying a circadian variation. Moreover, the GABAergic system transfers photic information from the ventral to the dorsal SCN. However, there is almost no knowledge about GABA neurotransmission during the prenatal or postnatal development of the SCN. Here, we used whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to study spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in the two SCN regions, at two zeitgeber times (day or night), and at four postnatal (P) ages: P3-5, P7-9, P12-15, and P20-25. The results herein show that the three analyzed parameters of the IPSCs, frequency, amplitude, and decay time, were significantly affected by the postnatal age: mostly, the IPSC frequency increased with age, principally in the ventral SCN in both day and night recordings; similarly, the amplitude of IPSCs augmented with age, especially at night, whereas the IPSC decay time was reduced (it was faster) with postnatal age, mainly during the day. Our findings first reveal that parameters of GABA neurotransmission are modified by postnatal development, implying that synaptic adjustments are required for an appropriate maturation of the GABAergic system in the SCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the leading circadian pacemaker in mammals, which synchronizes with environmental light through the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). Although the SCN regulates circadian rhythms before birth, postnatal synaptic changes are needed for the RHT‐SCN pathway to achieve total functional development. However, it is unknown whether visual experience affects developmental maturation. Here, we studied the effects of constant darkness (DD) rearing on the physiology (at pre‐ and postsynaptic levels) of glutamatergic neurotransmission between RHT and SCN during postnatal development in rats. Upon recording spontaneous and evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) by electrical stimulation of RHT fibers, we found that DD animals at early postnatal ages (P3–19) exhibited different frequencies of spontaneous EPSCs and lower synaptic performance (short‐term depression, release sites, and recruitment of RHT fibers) when compared with their normal light/dark (LD) counterparts. At the oldest age evaluated (P30–35), there was a synaptic response strengthening (probability of release, vesicular re‐filling rate, and reduced synaptic depression) in DD rats, which functionally equaled (or surmounted) that of LD animals. Control experiments evaluating EPSCs in ventral SCN neurons of LD rats during day and night revealed no significant differences in spontaneous or evoked EPSCs by high‐frequency trains in the RHT at any postnatal age. Our results suggest that DD conditions induce a compensatory mechanism in the glutamatergic signaling of the circadian system to increase the chances of synchronization to light at adult ages, and that the synaptic properties of RHT terminals during postnatal development are not critically influenced by environmental light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overfitting is a common problem in the development of predictive models. It leads to an optimistic estimation of apparent model performance. Internal validation using bootstrapping techniques allows one to quantify the optimism of a predictive model and provide a more realistic estimate of its performance measures. Our objective is to build an easy-to-use command, bsvalidation, aimed to perform a bootstrap internal validation of a logistic regression model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated Ni37.5Co12.5Mn35Ti15 melt-spun ribbons at linear wheel speeds (WS) of 20 and 8 ms-1 (series A and B, respectively). The effect of a short time thermal annealing (30 min.) between 1023 K and 1173 K on the martensitic-like structural transition and the crystal structure, microstructure and magnetic entropy change ΔSM(T) curves and related parameters for as-solidified (AS) samples of series A were studied. Whereas the Curie temperature of austenite (AST) TCA keeps nearly constant, both the reduction of the solidification rate and the increase on the thermal annealing temperature increase the temperature of the structural transformation reducing the magnetization change across the AST to martensite (MST) transition. The martensitic transformation (MT) in AS samples undergoes from a B2-type ferromagnetic (FM) AST with TCA = 328 K to a monoclinic martensite (MST); SEM images evidenced a partially grain-oriented microstructure formed by columnar in shape-elongated grains with their major axis oriented along the thermal gradient during solidification. Magneto-structural transition for AS ribbons of series A occurs in the vicinity of room temperature and is accompanied by a magnetization change of around 63 Am2kg-1. For a magnetic field change of 2 T these samples showed a maximum magnetic entropy change |ΔSM|max of 13.8 (9.5) J kg-1 K-1 for the MST→AST (AST→MST) transformation. This is below the previously reported for this alloy composition (27.2 J kg-1 K-1), and is related to the broader magneto-structural transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some botanical extracts affect the cellular immune system of insects by interfering with normal hemocyte function. This gives rise to diminution in cellular immunity and causes a decrease in insect defense. This investigation evaluated the effect of acetonic (AcEDv) and methanolic (MeEDv) extracts of Dodonaea viscosa (1000, 2000, and 4000 ppm) on the total hemocyte count (THC) present in the hemolymph of Spodoptera exigua, as well as on its insecticidal activity, on its own and in combination with the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea. Water and Tween® were used as negative controls and Lorsban® as a positive control. Second instar S. exigua larvae were separately fed an artificial diet incorporating both extracts. THC was significantly lower in AcEDv treatment at 1000 ppm and MeEDv treatment at 1000 and 4000 ppm compared with negative controls. The insecticidal action of the individual extracts and those in combination with the conidia of I. fumosorosea manifested from day 21, while at day 28, the AcEDv at 1000 and 2000 ppm and the MeEDv at 4000 ppm applied with the fungus revealed mortality percentages higher than 50% and a significantly higher mortality compared with the negative controls. In conclusion, the extracts of D. viscosa reduced the total THC of S. exigua and suggest that the application of this plant extract presents a synergistic effect on the mortality of S. exigua exposed to entomopathogenic fungus I. fumosorosea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lichens produce unique secondary metabolites with a rich potential as bioactive compounds. In many cases, the use of these molecules is limited by the low concentration of these compounds in thalli, low growth rate in culture, and changes in chemical patterns between thalli and aposymbiotic culture. In addition, the massive collection of some species of industrial interest can cause damage to lichen diversity and the associated environment. Six lichenized fungi (Arctoparmelia centrifuga, Parmelia saxatilis, Parmelina tiliacea, Platismatia glauca, Xanthoparmelia tinctina, and Usnea ghattensis) with biotechnological interest and belonging to Parmeliaceae have been cultured in order to test culture conditions and obtain enough biomass for further studies. In addition, we analyzed the compounds synthetized in axenic conditions and they were compared with chemosyndromes identified in complete thalli. Arctoparmelia centrifuga, P. saxatilis, P. tiliacea and X. tinctina were successfully cultivated while for P. glauca and U. ghattensis we only obtained sporulation and germination of the spores. The chemical pattern of the compounds secreted into the culture media varied significantly from the chemosyndrome of the whole thallus. Phenolic compounds of pharmacological and industrial interest (usnic acid, aspicilin, α-alectoronic acid, physodic acid, lobaric acid and nordivaricatic acid) and a wide variety of potentially bioactive compounds were obtained during the culture process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the risk of miscarriage associated with chorionic villus sampling (CVS).Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of women attending for routine ultrasound examination at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation at one of eight fetal-medicine units in Spain, Belgium and Bulgaria, between July 2007 and June 2018. Two populations were included: (1) all singleton pregnancies undergoing first-trimester assessment at Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca in Murcia, Spain, that did not have CVS (non-CVS group); and (2) all singleton pregnancies that underwent CVS following first-trimester assessment at one of the eight participating centers (CVS group). We excluded pregnancies diagnosed with genetic anomalies or major fetal defects before or after birth, those that resulted in termination and those that underwent amniocentesis later in pregnancy. We used propensity score (PS) matching analysis to estimate the association between CVS and miscarriage. We compared the risk of miscarriage of the CVS and non-CVS groups after PS matching (1:1 ratio). This procedure creates two comparable groups balancing the maternal and pregnancy characteristics that are associated with CVS, in a similar way to that in which randomization operates in a randomized clinical trial.Results: The study population consisted of 22 250 pregnancies in the non-CVS group and 3613 in the CVS group. The incidence of miscarriage in the CVS group (2.1%; 77/3613) was significantly higher than that in the non-CVS group (0.9% (207/22 250); P < 0.0001). The PS algorithm matched 2122 CVS with 2122 non-CVS cases, of which 40 (1.9%) and 55 (2.6%) pregnancies in the CVS and non-CVS groups, respectively, resulted in a miscarriage (odds ratio (OR), 0.72 (95% CI, 0.48-1.10); P = 0.146). We found a significant interaction between the risk of miscarriage following CVS and the risk of aneuploidy, suggesting that the effect of CVS on the risk of miscarriage differs depending on background characteristics. Specifically, when the risk of aneuploidy is low, the risk of miscarriage after CVS increases (OR, 2.87 (95% CI, 1.13-7.30)) and when the aneuploidy risk is high, the risk of miscarriage after CVS is paradoxically reduced (OR, 0.47 (95% CI, 0.28-0.76)), presumably owing to prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancies with major aneuploidies that would otherwise have resulted in spontaneous miscarriage. For example, in a patient in whom the risk of aneuploidy is 1 in 1000 (0.1%), the risk of miscarriage after CVS will increase to 0.3% (0.2 percentage points higher).Conclusions: The risk of miscarriage in women undergoing CVS is about 1% higher than that in women who do not have CVS, although this excess risk is not solely attributed to the invasive procedure but, to some extent, to the demographic and pregnancy characteristics of the patients. After accounting for these risk factors and confining the analysis to low-risk pregnancies, CVS seems to increase the risk of miscarriage by about three times above the patient's background risk. Although this is a substantial increase in relative terms, in pregnancies without risk factors for miscarriage, the risk of miscarriage after CVS remains low and similar to, or slightly higher than, that in the general population. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium peregrinum is a rapidly growing mycobacterium (RGM), subspecies of Mycobacterium fortuitum complex, which can cause infections in the skin, surgical sites, and central lines. It has also been associated with implantable devices such as cardiac devices. Our objective is to present an atypical clinical case of M. peregrinum infection associated with a cardiac device, review the published literature, and highlight the importance of this type of RGM infection to enhance their therapeutic success. Only two other cases have been reported of M. peregrinum infection associated with cardiac devices. Diagnosis and treatment of Mycobacterium peregrinum infection can be challenging, and the literature is scarce. Better understanding and further research should be conducted regarding this infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new method to solve coupled equations, that arises from the coupled-channel formalism applied to nuclear reactions involving the elastic and inelastic scattering processes. The new technique is faster and presents better numerical convergence than other usual methods. To illustrate the method, in the present paper we have analyzed data for the 4He + 208Pb system at Elab. = 120 and 139 MeV, including thousands of inelastic states with excitation energies up to 80 MeV. However, as a limitation, the method can be used only in the case of couplings connecting directly the inelastic channels to the elastic one, without couplings among the inelastic states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingray injuries are rare, mostly causing injuries to the lower extremities but occasionally fatal if there is direct puncture of the thorax, abdomen, or neck. Direct combined stingray injury to the central nervous system has not been reported in the literature. Herein we present the case of a 12-year-old boy who, while wading at the seashore of the Costa Rica's Pacific Ocean, sustained a combined oblique penetrating injury to the C6 vertebra caused by a Stingray. He initially presented to the hospital with a complete asymmetric right C6/left T1 ASIA A examination, priapism, and loss of anal sphincter tone. Imaging revealed fracture of the posterior elements of C6 with an oblique trajectory into the left radicular foramen. T2W images did not reveal anatomical section but rather edema and minor bleeding in the epidural space. The patient underwent medical management and serial imaging. During the next 3 months, there was recovery of sensation on the right hemi body, bilateral paresthesias and asymmetric progressive improvement in strength on both legs. Acute care management and midterm term follow up are provided, along with a review of the literature for salient management considerations when evaluating and treating combined penetrating and envenomation injuries caused by stingrays. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such injury to the spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: We have previously shown that in rats, capsaicin (Cap) has antidepressant-like properties when assessed using the forced swimming test (FST) and that a sub-threshold dose of amitriptyline potentiates the effects of Cap. However, synergistic antidepressant-like effects of the joint administration of Cap and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram (Cit) have not been reported. Objectives: To assess whether combined administration of Cap and Cit has synergistic effects in the FST and to determine whether this combination prevents the side effects of Cit. Methods: Cap, Cit, and the co-administration of both substances were evaluated in a modified version of the FST (30-cm water depth) conducted in rats, as well as in the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), and Morris water maze (MWM). Results: In line with previous studies, independent administration of Cap and Cit displayed antidepressant-like properties in the FST, while the combined injection had synergistic effects. In the OFT, neither treatment caused significant increments in locomotion. In the EPM, the time spent in the closed arms was lower in groups administered either only Cap or a combination of Cap and Cit than in groups treated with Cit alone. In the MWM, both Cap and the joint treatment (Cap and Cit) improved the working memory of rats in comparison with animals treated only with Cit. Conclusion: Combined administration of Cap and Cit produces a synergistic antidepressant-like effect in the FST and reduces the detrimental effects of Cit on anxiety and working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a multilocus phylogeny of the class Dacrymycetes, based on data from the 18S, ITS, 28S, RPB1, RPB2, TEF-1α, 12S, and ATP6 DNA regions, with c. 90 species including the types of most currently accepted genera. A variety of methodological approaches was used to infer phylogenetic relationships among the Dacrymycetes, from a supermatrix strategy using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference on a concatenated dataset, to coalescence-based calculations, such as quartet-based summary methods of independent single-locus trees, and Bayesian integration of single-locus trees into a species tree under the multispecies coalescent. We evaluate for the first time the taxonomic usefulness of some cytological phenotypic characters, i.e., vacuolar contents (vacuolar bodies and lipid bodies), number of nuclei of recently discharged basidiospores, and pigments, with especial emphasis on carotenoids. These characters, along with several others traditionally used for the taxonomy of this group (basidium shape, presence and morphology of clamp connections, morphology of the terminal cells of cortical/marginal hyphae, presence and degree of ramification of the hyphidia), are mapped on the resulting phylogenies and their evolution through the class Dacrymycetes discussed. Our analyses reveal five lineages that putatively represent five different families, four of which are accepted and named. Three out of these four lineages correspond to previously circumscribed and published families (Cerinomycetaceae, Dacrymycetaceae, and Unilacrymaceae), and one is proposed as the new family Dacryonaemataceae. Provisionally, only a single order, Dacrymycetales, is accepted within the class. Furthermore, the systematics of the two smallest families, Dacryonaemataceae and Unilacrymaceae, are investigated to the species level, using coalescence-based species delimitation on multilocus DNA data, and a detailed morphological study including morphometric analyses of the basidiospores. Three species are accepted in Dacryonaema, the type, Da. rufum, the newly combined Da. macnabbii (basionym Dacrymyces macnabbii), and a new species named Da. macrosporum. Two species are accepted in Unilacryma, the new U. bispora, and the type, U. unispora, the latter treated in a broad sense pending improved sampling across the Holarctic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental exposure to As, Se, Hg, Pb, Cr and toxaphene was assessed for 11 freshwater fish species in irrigation channels, agricultural return flow drains, a drain collecting lagoon and sections of the Colorado River at the Mexicali valley in Baja California, México, during August 2015–April 2016. Arsenic (2.90 ng ml−1) and Se (1.41 ng ml−1) in water had the highest concentrations in the return flow drains (Hardy River and Xochimilco Lagoon, respectively). However, fish axial muscle tissue had the highest concentration of Se (8.3 µg g−1) and Hg (0.36 µg g−1) in Colorado River fresh water, while As (1.7 µg g−1) in Hardy River fish was highest. Selenium concentrations in all fishes and toxaphene in Cyprinus carpio and Ameiurus natalis are above the safe levels for human consumption (0.3 µg g−1 and 180 ng g−1 respectively). Toxaphene was detected in the fish axial tissue, having the highest concentrations in Poecilia latipinna (690 ng g−1) in the Colorado River. The low proportion of the 8-Cl toxaphene congeners in fish suggests degradation of this pollutant. Tilapia. sp. cf. zillii had the most genotoxic damage with 7.4 micronucleated erythrocytes per 10,000 erythrocytes in Xochimilco Lagoon and 2 in Hardy River. The genotoxicity in all the fish species studied was significantly correlated to the concentrations of As and Se in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the draft genome sequence of bacterial strain CR71, consisting of a single chromosome with 5,914,775 base pairs (bp), 34.7% G + C content, and 5733 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the CR71 strain is affiliated with Bacillus thuringiensis species, with an average nucleotide identity > 96% and genome to genome distance > 70%. The genome of B. thuringiensis strain CR71 contains genes potentially involved in a wide variety of both plant pathogen-antagonistic and plant-growth-promoting activities, such as biofilm production; acetoin, butanediol, and indoleacetic acid (IAA) synthesis; production of quorum-sensing molecules; synthesis of toxins and lytic enzymes; and promotion of tolerance to oxidative, metal, and salt stress. Additionally, antiSMASH analysis revealed a potential synthesis of siderophores and peptide antibiotics. To confirm the in silico data, strain CR71 was inoculated into cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) in a field trial, in which we observed an increase in stem thickness, as well as shoot fresh weight and length. Importantly, compared to un-inoculated control plants, plants inoculated with strain CR71 increased the size/weight ratio of cucumber fruits (34.99%), biovolume index (16.8%), and total fruit yield (34.97%). In conclusion, genome analysis of strain CR71 confirmed multifactorial plant-beneficial mechanisms and the potential of CR71 as an agricultural bio-inoculant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thrice-weekly haemodialysis is the usual dose when starting renal replacement therapy; however, this schedule is no longer appropriate since it does not consider residual renal function. Several reports have suggested the potential benefit of beginning haemodialysis less frequently and incrementally increasing the dose as the residual renal function decreases. However, all the data published so far are from observational studies. Thus, this clinical trial avoids any potential selection bias and will assess the possible benefits that have been observed in observational studies.Methods/design: This report describes the study protocol of a randomized prospective multi-centre open-label clinical trial to evaluate whether starting renal replacement therapy with twice-weekly haemodialysis sessions preserves residual renal function better than the standard thrice-weekly regimen. We also explore other clinical parameters, such as concentrations of uremic toxins, dialysis doses, control of anaemia, removal of medium-weight uremic toxins, nutritional status, quality of life, hospital admissions and mortality. Only incident haemodialysis patients who can maintain a urea clearance rate KrU ≥ 2.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 are eligible. Patient recruitment began on 1 January 2017 and will last for 2 years or until the required sample size has been recruited to ensure the established statistical power has been reached. The minimum follow-up period will be 1 year. Anuric patients with acute renal failure and patients who return to haemodialysis after a kidney transplant failure are excluded. It has been calculated that 44 patients should be recruited into each group to achieve a power of 80% in a two-sided comparison of means with a usual significance level of 0.05. A time-to-event analysis will estimate the probability of kidney function survival in both groups using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves will be compared with log-rank tests. This survival analysis will be complemented with a proportional hazard model to estimate the hazard ratio of kidney function survival adjusted for any confounding factors. Analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle.Discussion: The incremental initiation of dialysis may preserve residual renal function better than the conventional treatment, with similar or higher survival rates, as reported by observational studies. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical trial to evaluate whether initiating renal replacement therapy with twice-weekly haemodialysis sessions preserves residual renal function better than beginning with the standard thrice-weekly regimen.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03302546. Registered on 5 October 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the main brain clock in mammals. The SCN synchronizes to the light-dark cycle through the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). RHT axons release glutamate to activate AMPA-kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) postsynaptic receptors in ventral SCN neurons. Stimulation of SCN NMDA receptors is necessary for the activation of the signaling cascades that govern the advances and delays of phase. To our knowledge, no research has been performed to analyze the functional synaptic modifications occurring during postnatal development that prepare the circadian system for a proper synchronization to light at adult ages. Here, we studied the pre- and postsynaptic developmental changes between the unmyelinated RHT-SCN connections. Spontaneous NMDA excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were greater in amplitude and frequency at postnatal day 34 (P34) than at P8. Similarly, both quantal EPSCs (miniature NMDA and evoked quantal AMPA-kainate) showed a development-dependent increase at analyzed stages, P3-5, P7-9, and P13-18. Moreover, the electrically evoked NMDA and AMPA-kainate components were augmented with age, although the increment was larger for the latter, and the membrane resting potential was more depolarized at early postnatal ages. Finally, the short-term synaptic plasticity was significantly modified during postnatal development as was the estimated number of quanta released and the initial release probability. All of these synaptic modifications in the unmyelinated RHT-SCN synapses suggest that synchronization to light at adult ages requires developmental changes similar to those that occur in myelinated fast communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effects on the vaginal microbiota of an oral probiotic preparation administered from early pregnancy. Design: Randomised, double blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Setting: Four maternity units in the UK. Population: Women aged 16 years or older recruited at 9–14 weeks' gestation. Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to receive oral capsules of probiotic containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR‐1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC‐14 each at 2.5 × 109 colony‐forming units (CFUs) or placebo once daily from recruitment until the end of pregnancy. Main outcome measure: Rates of bacterial vaginosis (BV, defined as Nugent score ≥7) at 18–20 weeks' gestation compared by logistic regression adjusted for possible confounders. Results: The primary analysis included 78% (238/304) of participants who initially consented (probiotic group 123, placebo group 115). Of these participants, 95% (227/238) reported an intake of 93% or more of the required number of capsules. The rates of BV did not differ between groups at 18–20 weeks' gestation (15% (19/123) in the probiotic group vs. 9% (10/115) in the placebo group, adjusted odds ratio 1.82, 95% confidence interval 0.64–5.19). There were also no differences between the groups in the proportion of women colonised with the probiotic strains, Escherichia coli, group B streptococci or other vaginal microbiota. There were no differences in the alpha diversity or composition of the bacterial communities between or within the probiotic and placebo groups at 9–14 and 18–20 weeks' gestation. Conclusions: Oral probiotics taken from early pregnancy did not modify the vaginal microbiota. The oral probiotic preparation used in this study does not prevent BV in pregnant women. The oral probiotic preparation used in this study does not prevent BV in pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many lichen-forming fungi, molecular phylogenetic analyses lead to the discovery of cryptic species within traditional morphospecies. However, in some cases, molecular sequence data also questions the separation of phenotypically characterised species. Here we apply an integrative taxonomy approach - including morphological, chemical, molecular, and distributional characters - to re-assess species boundaries in a traditionally speciose group of hair lichens, Bryoria sect. Implexae. We sampled multilocus sequence and microsatellite data from 142 specimens from a broad intercontinental distribution. Molecular data included DNA sequences of the standard fungal markers ITS, IGS, GAPDH, two newly tested loci (FRBi15 and FRBi16), and SSR frequencies from 18 microsatellite markers. Datasets were analysed with Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction, phenogram reconstruction, STRUCTURE Bayesian clustering, principal coordinate analysis, haplotype network, and several different species delimitation analyses (ABGD, PTP, GMYC, and DISSECT). Additionally, past population demography and divergence times are estimated. The different approaches to species recognition do not support the monophyly of the 11 currently accepted morphospecies, and rather suggest the reduction of these to four phylogenetic species. Moreover, three of these are relatively recent in origin and cryptic, including phenotypically and chemically variable specimens. Issues regarding the integration of an evolutionary perspective into taxonomic conclusions in species complexes, which have undergone recent diversification, are discussed. The four accepted species, all epitypified by sequenced material, are Bryoria fuscescens, B. glabra, B. kockiana, and B. pseudofuscescens. Ten species rank names are reduced to synonymy. In the absence of molecular data, they can be recorded as the B. fuscescens complex. Intraspecific phenotype plasticity and factors affecting the speciation of different morphospecies in this group of Bryoria are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the main brain clock that regulates circadian rhythms in mammals. The SCN synchronizes to the LD cycle through the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT), which projects to ventral SCN neurons via glutamatergic synapses. Released glutamate activates N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) receptors, which play a critical role in the activation of signaling cascades to enable phase shifts. Previous evidence indicates that presynaptic changes during postnatal development consist of an increase in RHT fibers impinging on SCN neurons between postnatal day (P) 1 to 4 and P15. The aim of this study was to evaluate postsynaptic developmental changes in the NR2 subunits that determine the pharmacological and biophysical properties of the neuronal NMDA receptors in the ventral SCN. To identify the expression of NR2 subtypes, we utilized RT-PCR, immunohistochemical fluorescence, and electrophysiological recordings of synaptic activity. We identified development-dependent changes in NR2A, C, and D subtypes in mRNA and protein expression, whereas NR2B protein was equally present at all analyzed postnatal ages. The NR2A antagonist PEAQX (100 nM) reduced the frequency of NMDA excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) at P8 significantly more than at P34, but the antagonists for NR2B (3 μM Ro 25-6981) and NR2C/D (150 nM PPDA) did not influence NMDA EPSCs differently at the 2 analyzed postnatal ages. Our results point to P8 as the earliest analyzed postnatal age that shows mRNA and protein expression similar to those found at the juvenile stage P34. Taken together, our findings indicate that postsynaptic development-dependent modifications in the NR2 subtypes of the NMDA receptor could be important for the synchronization of ventral SCN neurons to the LD cycle at adult stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the incidence of caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) and to describe the management outcomes associated with this condition.Design: A national cohort study using the UK Early Pregnancy Surveillance Service (UKEPSS).Setting: 86 participating Early Pregnancy Units.Population: All women diagnosed in the participating units with CSP between November 2013 and January 2015.Methods: Cohort study of women identified through the UKEPSS monthly mailing system.Main Outcome Measures: Incidence, clinical outcomes and complications.Results: 102 cases of CSP were reported, with an estimated incidence of 1.5 per 10 000 (95% CI 1.1-1.9) maternities. Full outcome data were available for 92 women. Management was expectant in 21/92 (23%), medical in 15/92 (16%) and surgical in 56/92 (61%). The success rates of expectant, medical and surgical management were 43% (9/21), 46% (7/15) and 96% (54/56), respectively. The complication rates were 15/21 (71%) with expectant, 9/15 (60%) with medical and 20/56 (36%) with surgical management. Discharge from care (median number of days) was 82 (range 37-174) with expectant, 21 (range 10-31) with medical and 11 (range 4-49) with surgical management.Conclusions: Surgical management appears to be associated with a high success rate, low complication rate and short post-treatment follow up.Tweetable Abstract: Surgery for CSP appears to be successful, with low complication rates and short post-treatment follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dual therapy (DT) with a ritonavir-boosted PI (PI/r) plus lamivudine has proven non-inferior (12% margin) to triple therapy (TT) with PI/r plus two nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors [N(t)RTIs] in four clinical trials. It remains unclear whether DT is non-inferior based on the US FDA endpoint (virological failure with a margin of 4%) or in specific subgroups.Methods: We performed a systematic search (January 1990 to March 2017) of randomized controlled trials that compared switching of maintenance ART from TT to DT. The principal investigators were contacted and agreed to share study databases. The primary endpoint was non-inferiority of DT to TT based on the current FDA endpoint (4% non-inferiority margin for virological failure at week 48). We also analysed whether efficacy was modified by gender, active HCV infection and type of PI. Effect estimates and 95% CIs were calculated using generalized estimating equation-based models.Results: We found 881 references that yielded eight articles corresponding to four clinical trials (1051 patients). At week 48, 4% of patients on DT versus 3.04% on TT had experienced virological failure (difference 0.9%; 95% CI -1.2% to 3.1%), and 84.7% of patients on DT versus 83.2% on TT had <50 copies of HIV RNA/mL (FDA snapshot algorithm) (difference 1.4%; 95% CI -2.8% to 5.8%). Gender, active HCV infection and type of PI had no effect on differences in treatment efficacy between DT and TT.Conclusions: DT was non-inferior to TT using both current and past FDA endpoints. The efficacy of DT was not influenced by gender, active HCV infection status, or type of PI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A famous conjecture of Gyárfás and Sumner states for any tree T and integer k, if the chromatic number of a graph is large enough, either the graph contains a clique of size k or it contains T as an induced subgraph. We discuss some results and open problems about extensions of this conjecture to oriented graphs. We conjecture that for every oriented star S and integer k, if the chromatic number of a digraph is large enough, either the digraph contains a clique of size k or it contains S as an induced subgraph. As an evidence, we prove that for any oriented star S, every oriented graph with sufficiently large chromatic number contains either a transitive tournament of order 3 or S as an induced subdigraph. We then study for which sets P of orientations of P4 (the path on four vertices) similar statements hold. We establish some positive and negative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the magnitude of the correlation between neonatal outcomes of twins and demonstrate how this information can be used in the design of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in women with twin pregnancies.Design: Secondary analysis of data from 12 RCTs.Setting: Obstetric care in multiple countries, 2004-2012.Population or Sample: 4504 twin pairs born to women who participated in RCTs to assess treatments given during pregnancy.Methods: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were estimated using log-binomial and linear models.Main Outcome Measures: Perinatal death, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular haemorrhage, necrotising enterocolitis, sepsis, neonatal intensive care unit admission, birthweight, low birthweight and two composite measures of adverse neonatal outcome.Results: ICCs for the composite measures of adverse neonatal outcome were all above 0.5, indicating moderate to strong correlation between adverse outcomes of twins. For individual neonatal outcomes, median ICCs across trials ranged from 0.13 to 0.79 depending on the outcome. An example illustrates how ICCs can be used in sample size calculations for RCTs in women with twin pregnancies.Conclusions: The correlation between neonatal outcomes of twins varies considerably between outcomes and may be lower than expected. Our ICC estimates can be used for designing and analysing RCTs that recruit women with twin pregnancies and for performing meta-analyses that include such RCTs. Researchers are encouraged to report ICCs for neonatal outcomes in twins in their own RCTs.Tweetable Abstract: Correlation between neonatal outcomes of twins depends on the outcome and may be lower than expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MnBi-based alloys represent an interesting choice for developing rare earth-free permanent magnets due to the high magnetocrystalline anisotropy of their characteristic low-temperature intermetallic phase (LTIP) with hexagonal structure. In this work, we discuss the switching of coercivity mechanism in MnBi alloys by modulation of their phase distribution and microstructure. As-cast MnBi alloys obtained by suction-casting technique exhibited LTIP interspersed within Bi- and Mn-rich areas. A noticeable coercivity field of 282 kA/m was observed. The coercivity mechanism for this alloy was explained in terms of the nucleation of reverse domains after saturation, by means of the Kronmüller equation, which incorporates the detrimental effect of microstructure defects through fitting parameters associated to reduced intrinsic magnetic properties at grain size boundaries, interfaces, and local demagnetizing fields. Subsequent annealing at 583 K for 24 h produced a marked reduction of coercivity (down to 16 kA/m), reflecting a switching of coercivity process from nucleation to pinning of domain walls. The key microstructural feature determining this variation is the formation/suppression of Bi-rich areas, which promotes the nucleation and growth of the initial MnBi intermetallic phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Phoenician name of Cyprus was not known with certainty until now. From the beginning of the Iron Age to the Hellenistic period the island was divided into independent kingdoms, each kingdom named after its capital. For this reason, only the names of towns or regions appeared in local inscriptions of that period - not the name of the entire island, whose name in Phoenician was therefore unknown. In this paper, we intend to review the entire evidence relating to the question (from both the second and the first millennia bce, both internal and external sources) and present a new document, definitively solving the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A well-known combinatorial theorem says that a set of n non-collinear points in the plane determines at least n distinct lines. Chen and Chvátal conjectured that this theorem extends to metric spaces, with an appropriated definition of line. In this work, we prove a slightly stronger version of Chen and Chvátal conjecture for a family of graphs containing chordal graphs and distance-hereditary graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm birth may leave the brain vulnerable to dysfunction. Knowledge of future neurodevelopmental delay in children born with various degrees of prematurity is needed to inform practice and policy.Objective: To quantify the long-term cognitive, motor, behavioural and academic performance of children born with different degrees of prematurity compared with term-born children.Search Strategy: PubMed and Embase were searched from January 1980 to December 2016 without language restrictions.Selection Criteria: Observational studies that reported neurodevelopmental outcomes from 2 years of age in children born preterm compared with a term-born cohort.Data Collection and Analysis: We pooled individual estimates of standardised mean differences (SMD) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals using a random effects model.Main Results: We included 74 studies (64 061 children). Preterm children had lower cognitive scores for FSIQ (SMD: -0.70; 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.66), PIQ (SMD: -0.67; 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.60) and VIQ (SMD: -0.53; 95% CI: -0.60 to -0.47). Lower scores for preterm children in motor skills, behaviour, reading, mathematics and spelling were observed at primary school age, and this persisted to secondary school age, except for mathematics. Gestational age at birth accounted for 38-48% of the observed IQ variance. ADHD was diagnosed twice as often in preterm children (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3-1.8), with a differential effect observed according to the severity of prematurity (I2 = 49.4%, P = 0.03).Conclusions: Prematurity of any degree affects the cognitive performance of children born preterm. The poor neurodevelopment persists at various ages of follow up. Parents, educators, healthcare professionals and policy makers need to take into account the additional academic, emotional and behavioural needs of these children.Tweetable Abstract: Adverse effect of preterm birth on a child's neurodevelopment persists up to adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous reviews examining the effect of participation in trials on outcomes have not consistently shown benefit. Obstetrics and gynaecology is a unique disease area posing challenges for both researchers and patients.Objectives: To determine whether participation in randomised controlled trials (RCTs), compared with non-participation, has a beneficial effect on women's health.Search Strategy: Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo were searched up to December 2015.Selection Criteria: We selected studies that reported the same clinical outcomes for participants in a women's health RCT and a comparable non-participant cohort.Data Collection and Analysis: Data were extracted on quality, characteristics and study results. Outcomes were compared using logistic regression.Main Results: There were 21 relevant studies (20 160 women, 4759 outcome events). Trial participants, compared with non-participants, had 25% better odds of improved outcomes on average (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.64-0.87; I2  = 64.3%). The beneficial effect of participating in a trial was larger in comparisons where: RCTs were of high quality (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.50-0.76) versus low (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.74-1.16); and RCT intervention was not available to non-participants (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.47-0.69) versus when it was (OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.89-1.44). The effect of trial participation was not influenced by effect size within the RCT (P = 0.48), whether funding was received or not (P = 0.13), whether non-participants received any treatment or not (P = 0.49), and the quality of the comparison of RCT participants with non-participants (P = 0.88).Conclusions: Women participating in RCTs on average experienced better outcomes compared with those outside trials.Tweetable Abstract: Participants in obstetric and gynaecology RCTs experience better outcomes compared with non-participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BiOI photocatalyst was successfully synthesized following a rapid synthesis by using microwave irradiation and EDTA as retarder of the reaction in aqueous medium. The effect of the amount of EDTA in the physical properties of BiOI such as specific surface area, morphology and photocatalytic activity was determined. The photocatalytic activity of BiOI samples was tested in the degradation reaction of rhodamine B in aqueous medium, and in the photo-oxidation reaction of nitric oxide in gaseous phase, in both cases under UV-Vis irradiation. The sample prepared with 40 % of EDTA at 110 °C exhibited the highest specific surface area of the system, and at the same time the highest photocatalytic activity in both photocatalytic reactions revealing the weight of this parameter in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Syphilis in pregnancy can lead to fetal and neonatal death or congenital anomalies. Accurate on-site tests are an essential part of effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the disease.Objective: This systematic review assessed the accuracy of on-site tests to detect infection with Treponema pallidum in pregnant women.Search Strategy: Major databases were searched from inception to January 2016 using terms: 'pregnancy', 'antenatal', 'syphilis', 'Treponema pallidum' with their variations, and the search limit for the relevant study design.Selection Criteria: We included studies that used dual reference standard (non-treponemal and treponemal tests) to detected syphilis in pregnancy.Data Collection and Analysis: Extracted accuracy data were tabulated and pooled using hierarchical, bivariate random effects model.Main Results: Seven studies (combined sample 17 546) reporting the accuracy of four on-site tests met the eligibility criteria. On average, Determine™ and SD BioLine Syphilis 3.0 had the highest sensitivity of all the evaluated tests: 0.83 (95% CI 0.58, 0.98) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.82, 0.89), respectively, with a high specificity 0.96 (95% CI 0.89, 1.00) and 0.99 (95% CI 0.94, 1.00), respectively. The Qualitative Rapid Plasma Reagin card commonly used in clinical practice had a pooled sensitivity of 0.70 (95% CI 0.54, 0.88) and specificity of 0.97 (95% CI 0.96, 0.99).Conclusion: Immunochromatographic tests such as Determine™ and SD BioLine Syphilis 3.0 seem to be acceptable options in antenatal testing for syphilis, especially in resource-limited settings. Future research should seek more evidence to strengthen this claim.Tweetable Abstract: On-site test to detect syphilis-options during antenatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a dearth of data on the clinical features and outcomes of active tuberculosis (TB) in pregnancy. Studies have shown varied results and the relationship between TB and adverse pregnancy outcomes remains unclear.Objectives: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate pregnancy outcomes associated with TB.Search Strategy: Major databases were searched from inception until December 2015 without restrictions using the terms: 'TB', 'pregnancy', 'maternal morbidity', 'mortality' and 'perinatal morbidity', 'mortality'.Selection Criteria: We included studies that compared the outcomes of pregnant women with and without active TB.Data Collection and Analysis: We computed odds ratios for maternal and perinatal complications, and pooled them using a random effects model. We assessed for heterogeneity using chi-squared tests and evaluated its magnitude using the I2 statistic. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for quality assessment.Main Results: Thirteen studies, including 3384 pregnancies with active TB and 119 448 without TB were included. Compared with pregnant women without TB, pregnant women with active TB was associated with increased odds of maternal morbidity [odds ratio (OR) 2.8, 95% CI 1.7-4.6; I2  = 60.3%], anaemia (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.2-6.7; I2  = 29.8%), caesarean delivery (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.8; I2  = 61.1%), preterm birth (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4; I2  = 66.5%), low birth weight (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4; I2  = 53.7%), birth asphyxia (OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.4-8.6; I2  = 46.3), and perinatal death (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5-11.8; I2  = 57.2%).Author's Conclusion: Active TB in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Early diagnosis of TB is important to prevent significant maternal and perinatal complications.Tweetable Abstract: Active tuberculosis in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in high-risk women is unclear, as several different diagnostic approaches have been applied to different groups of patients. This review aims to evaluate the prevalence of such anomalies in unselected populations and in women with infertility, including those undergoing IVF treatment, women with a history of miscarriage, women with infertility and recurrent miscarriage combined, and women with a history of preterm delivery.Methods: Searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane register were performed. Study selection and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. Studies were grouped into those that used 'optimal' and 'suboptimal' tests for uterine anomalies. Meta-analyses were performed to establish the prevalence of uterine anomalies and their subtypes within the various populations.Results: We identified 94 observational studies comprising 89 861 women. The prevalence of uterine anomalies diagnosed by optimal tests was 5.5% [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.5-8.5] in the unselected population, 8.0% (95% CI, 5.3-12) in infertile women, 13.3% (95% CI, 8.9-20.0) in those with a history of miscarriage and 24.5% (95% CI, 18.3-32.8) in those with miscarriage and infertility. Arcuate uterus is most common in the unselected population (3.9%; 95% CI, 2.1-7.1), and its prevalence is not increased in high-risk groups. In contrast, septate uterus is the most common anomaly in high-risk populations.Conclusions: Women with a history of miscarriage or miscarriage and infertility have higher prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies compared with the unselected population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhinoscleroma is a chronic, slowly progressive granulomatous bacterial infection that is endemic to the tropical world, namely, Central America and Africa. It is occasionally seen in the United States of America (USA). It predominately affects the nasal mucosa but can also involve the rest of the upper respiratory tract. The well-known causative agent for rhinoscleroma is the bacterium Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis, a subspecies of Klebsiella pneumoniae. However, Klebsiella ozaenae can also, albeit very rarely, cause rhinoscleroma. The diagnosis is confirmed by histopathology examination that shows the characteristic Mikulicz cells, considered pathognomonic for this infection. We report a patient with histologically proven rhinoscleroma with pharyngolaryngeal involvement in whom cultures yielded Klebsiella ozaenae. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of rhinoscleroma due to Klebsiella ozaenae have been reported in the literature to date. Our case illustrates the importance of recognizing this infection in a nonendemic setting such as the USA. A lack of awareness and a delay in the diagnosis of this disease can lead to complications including upper airway obstruction, physical deformity, and, rarely, sepsis. In addition, it must be remembered that the treatment of rhinoscleroma is challenging and requires a prolonged course of antibiotics to achieve a definite cure and avoid relapses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate, among medical students learning the female pelvic examination, the added benefits of training by gynaecological teaching associates compared with training involving a manikin only.Design: Randomised controlled trial.Setting: Nine university teaching hospitals.Population: Ninety-four medical students recruited prior to commencing a 4-week obstetrics and gynaecology rotation.Methods: The control training consisted of lectures, demonstration of the pelvic examination on a manikin, and opportunities to practise on this low-fidelity simulation (n = 40). The experimental group received additional gynaecological teaching associate training, delivered by pairs of experienced associates to groups of four medical students (n = 54).Main Outcome Measures: Outcomes measured at the end of the rotation included knowledge of the correct order of examination components (Yes/No), and student comfort [Likert scales anchored between 1 (very uncomfortable) and 4 (very comfortable) on four items] and confidence [Likert scales anchored between 1 (No) and 3 (Yes) on six items]. The primary outcome, measured at the end of the academic year, was the objective structured clinical examination of a female pelvis (score range 0-54).Results: At baseline, the groups were similar in age, gender, and ethnicity. At the end of the clinical rotation, when compared with the control intervention, the experimental intervention had a moderate effect on student knowledge [difference 29.9% (95% CI 11.2-48.6%); P = 0.002] and confidence [difference 1 (95% CI 0-2); P < 0.001], and a large effect on student comfort [difference 1.8 (95% CI 0.6-3.0); P = 0.004]. At the end of the academic year, the experimental intervention had no impact on skills compared with the control [difference 2 (95% CI-1 to 4); P = 0.26].Conclusions: Among medical students taught the female pelvic examination by low-fidelity simulation, additional training by gynaecology teaching associates improved knowledge, comfort, and confidence at the end of the clinical rotation but did not improve examination skills at end of the academic year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the predictive accuracy for stillbirth of second-trimester uterine artery Doppler.Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library databases from inception until March 2015 without language restrictions. The included studies were those that assessed the association of abnormal uterine artery Doppler parameters and stillbirth. Two independent reviewers selected the studies, extracted data and assessed quality. Results for studies that were performed in the second trimester were pooled and summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were obtained. An overall summary of test accuracy was provided by the diagnostic odds ratio. Subgroup analysis was performed according to whether the study population was high risk or unselected.Results: Literature searches returned 338 relevant citations with 32 considered in full. Thirteen studies met our search criteria (85 845 women, 508 stillbirths) and were included in the review. Bivariate pooled estimate for sensitivity was 65% (95% CI, 38-85%) and for specificity 82% (95% CI, 72-88%). The positive likelihood ratio was 3.5 (95% CI, 2.3-5.5) and negative likelihood ratio 0.43 (95% CI, 0.22-0.85). The diagnostic odds ratio was 8.3 (95% CI, 3.0-22.4). Heterogeneity was high in the studies of high-risk women.Conclusions: Abnormal uterine artery Doppler indices are associated with a three- to four-fold increase in the risk of stillbirth. The heterogeneity was particularly high in the high-risk group rendering it impossible to draw firm conclusions. In view of this, there is a role for individual patient data meta-analysis to define which Doppler parameter and threshold value should be measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An injective coloring of a graph is a vertex labeling such that two vertices sharing a common neighbor get different labels. In this work we introduce and study what we call additive colorings. An injective coloring $$c:V(G)\rightarrow \mathbb {Z}$$ of a graph $$G$$ is an additive coloring if for every $$uv, vw$$ in $$E(G)$$ , $$c(u)+c(w)\ne 2c(v)$$ . The smallest integer $$k$$ such that an injective (resp. additive) coloring of a given graph $$G$$ exists with $$k$$ colors (resp. colors in $$\{1,\ldots ,k\}$$ ) is called the injective ( resp. additive) chromatic number ( resp. index). They are denoted by $$\chi _i(G)$$ and $$\chi '_a(G)$$ , respectively. In the first part of this work, we present several upper bounds for the additive chromatic index. On the one hand, we prove a super linear upper bound in terms of the injective chromatic number for arbitrary graphs, as well as a linear upper bound for bipartite graphs and trees. Complete graphs are extremal graphs for the super linear bound, while complete balanced bipartite graphs are extremal graphs for the linear bound. On the other hand, we prove a quadratic upper bound in terms of the maximum degree. In the second part, we study the computational complexity of computing $$\chi '_a(G)$$ . We prove that it can be computed in polynomial time for trees. We also prove that for bounded treewidth graphs, to decide whether $$\chi '_a(G)\le k$$ , for a fixed $$k$$ , can be done in polynomial time. On the other hand, we show that for cubic graphs it is NP-complete to decide whether $$\chi '_a(G)\le 4$$ . We also prove that for every $$\epsilon >0$$ there is a polynomial time approximation algorithm with approximation factor $$n^{1/3+\epsilon }$$ for $$\chi '_a(G)$$ , when restricted to split graphs. However, unless $$\mathsf P =\mathsf NP $$ , for every $$\epsilon >0$$ there is no polynomial time approximation algorithm with approximation factor $$n^{1/3-\epsilon }$$ for $$\chi '_a(G)$$ , even when restricted to split graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]