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Introduction: Sanquin donor medicine department is informed when donations or their components are rejected. This can occur isolated or frequently. It is undesirable because the donations cannot be used and there may be an underlying medical cause. Based on regional approaches, a uniform procedure was developed. Methods: Information about whole blood, plasma‐ plateletpheresis donations from which one or more components were rejected for filtration time (>2 h), hemolysis or clots were extracted from blood bank information system. After rejection of two successive components or donations or total ≥3 the donor is contacted. Depending on the medical history and investigation by the family doctor, the donor carrier is re‐evaluated. We looked for the causes of the discarded products and performed a survey among blood services regarding polices with discarded products. Results: One or more components from 1742 of about 2.2 million successful donations (0.08%) were rejected. The highest percentage of rejection was seen in plateletpheresis (1.5%), all for clots. No underlying medical causes were found. 24 whole blood donors were found to have sickle cell trait (SCT) and were permanently deferred. The policies for follow‐up after discarded products or acceptance of SCT donors vary between the 16 blood banks. Six organizations do not follow‐up donors and seven accept SCT for blood or plasma donation. Conclusion: Informing donors with repeated discarded products avoids the non‐use of donations. Causes of repeated discarded products can be found by follow‐up of donors. The results of the survey indicate a large discrepancy in policies applied worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peptide toxin candidalysin, secreted by Candida albicans hyphae, promotes stimulation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). However, candidalysin alone triggers a distinct mechanism for NET‐like structures (NLS), which are more compact and less fibrous than canonical NETs. Candidalysin activates NADPH oxidase and calcium influx, with both processes contributing to morphological changes in neutrophils resulting in NLS formation. NLS are induced by leucotoxic hypercitrullination, which is governed by calcium‐induced protein arginine deaminase 4 activation and initiation of intracellular signalling events in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. However, activation of signalling by candidalysin does not suffice to trigger downstream events essential for NET formation, as demonstrated by lack of lamin A/C phosphorylation, an event required for activation of cyclin‐dependent kinases that are crucial for NET release. Candidalysin‐triggered NLS demonstrate anti‐Candida activity, which is resistant to nuclease treatment and dependent on the deprivation of Zn2+. This study reveals that C. albicans hyphae releasing candidalysin concurrently trigger canonical NETs and NLS, which together form a fibrous sticky network that entangles C. albicans hyphae and efficiently inhibits their growth. Synopsis: The cytolytic peptide toxin candidalysin is secreted by the invasive hyphal form of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. This study investigates the intricate interaction of candidalysin and neutrophils. Candidalysin‐secreting hyphae are strong inducers, while candidalysin‐deficient hyphae are poor inducers of NETs.Candidalysin alone triggers neutrophils to release NET‐like structures (NLS) via ROS‐ and Ca2+‐dependent pathways.While candidalysin hampers neutrophil function, the toxin also increases the capacity of neutrophils to restrict hyphal growth.These results provide context for discrepancies in prior studies observing C. albicans‐induced DNA traps of neutrophils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a rationally designed membrane‐intercalating conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE), namely COE‐IC, which endows aerobic N2‐fixing bacteria Azotobacter vinelandii with a light‐harvesting ability that enables photosynthetic ammonia production. COE‐IC possesses an acceptor‐donor‐acceptor (A‐D‐A) type conjugated core, which promotes visible light absorption with a high molar extinction coefficient. Furthermore, COE‐IC spontaneously associates with A. vinelandii to form a biohybrid in which the COE is intercalated within the lipid bilayer membrane. In the presence of L‐ascorbate as a sacrificial electron donor, the resulting COE‐IC/A. vinelandii biohybrid showed a 2.4‐fold increase in light‐driven ammonia production, as compared to the control. Photoinduced enhancement of bacterial biomass and production of L‐amino acids is also observed. Introduction of isotopically enriched 15N2 atmosphere led to the enrichment of 15N‐containing intracellular metabolites, consistent with the products being generated from atmospheric N2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacing bacteria as biocatalysts with an electrode provides the basis for emerging bioelectrochemical systems that enable sustainable energy interconversion between electrical and chemical energy. Electron transfer rates at the abiotic‐biotic interface are, however, often limited by poor electrical contacts and the intrinsically insulating cell membranes. Herein, we report the first example of an n‐type redox‐active conjugated oligoelectrolyte, namely COE‐NDI, which spontaneously intercalates into cell membranes and mimics the function of endogenous transmembrane electron transport proteins. The incorporation of COE‐NDI into Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 cells amplifies current uptake from the electrode by 4‐fold, resulting in the enhanced bio‐electroreduction of fumarate to succinate. Moreover, COE‐NDI can serve as a "protein prosthetic" to rescue current uptake in non‐electrogenic knockout mutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) constitute a superfamily of virulence factors, resembling the trypsin‐like superfamily of serine proteases. SPATEs accomplish multiple functions associated to disease development of their hosts, which could be the consequence of SPATE cleavage of host cell components. SPATEs have been divided into class‐1 and class‐2 based on structural differences and biological effects, including similar substrate specificity, cytotoxic effects on cultured cells, and enterotoxin activity on intestinal tissues for class‐1 SPATEs, whereas most class‐2 SPATEs exhibit a lectin‐like activity with a predilection to degrade a variety of mucins, including leukocyte surface O‐glycoproteins and soluble host proteins, resulting in mucosal colonization and immune modulation. In this review, the structure of class‐1 and class‐2 are analyzed, making emphasis on their putative functional subdomains as well as a description of their function is provided, including prototypical mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating how different fertilization treatments affect the resilience of farming systems and the environmental adaptability of agricultural crops is relevant to assess their efficacy as a strategy for minimizing yield fluctuations and supporting global food security. The aim of this work was to compare the effects of fertilization practices and to distinguish the effect of macronutrients on the resilience of maize, wheat, and soybean cropping systems. A long‐term experiment involving the three crops and five fertilization treatments (control without fertilization, nitrogen and sulphur fertilization, phosphorus and sulfur fertilization, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur fertilization) was conducted for 19 years in the Pampean region (Argentina) that includes five study sites. The four combinations of nutrient additions increased crop yields in unfavorable environments, which indicates that even in adverse years, fertilization was a valid tool to sustain yield performance. The Finlay and Wilkinson regression slopes in maize and full‐season soybean did not differ between fertilization treatments, which suggests that fertilization did not change crop adaptation to the environment and that the observed positive effect of fertilization in unfavorable environments was maintained along the environmental gradient. In contrast, wheat and double‐cropped soybean were able to capitalize on the environmental conditions of favorable years, as shown by the progressive increases in yields as the environment became more favorable. Maize had the highest response to nitrogen, whereas wheat and double‐cropped soybean exhibited the highest responses to phosphorus and sulfur, respectively. Our findings are useful to extract guidelines that may lead to greater resilience through fertilization management practices. Core ideas: Crop yield resilience was studied for five contrasting fertilization treatments over 19 years on five sites.All fertilization treatments raised maize, wheat, and soybean yields in unfavorable environments.These benefits were maintained along the environmental gradient in maize and full‐season soybean.Fertilization helped wheat and double‐cropped soybean to capitalize favorable environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing need of next generation feedstocks for biotechnology spurs an intensification of research on the utilization of methanol as carbon and energy source for biotechnological processes. In this paper, we introduced the methanol‐based overproduction of riboflavin into metabolically engineered Bacillus methanolicus MGA3. First, we showed that B. methanolicus naturally produces small amounts of riboflavin. Then, we created B. methanolicus strains overexpressing either homologous or heterologous gene clusters encoding the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway, resulting in riboflavin overproduction. Our results revealed that the supplementation of growth media with sublethal levels of chloramphenicol contributes to a higher plasmid‐based riboflavin production titre, presumably due to an increase in plasmid copy number and thus biosynthetic gene dosage. Based on this, we proved that riboflavin production can be increased by exchanging a low copy number plasmid with a high copy number plasmid leading to a final riboflavin titre of about 523 mg L−1 in methanol fed‐batch fermentation. The findings of this study showcase the potential of B. methanolicus as a promising host for methanol‐based overproduction of extracellular riboflavin and serve as basis for metabolic engineering of next generations of riboflavin overproducing strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For various reasons, some women experience solo travel in different parts of the world. However, as with many leisure activities, access to travel and tourism does not have the same distribution between different social groups, including other classes and genders (men and women). While there is a growing body of research on solo female travellers, few studies have included women from Middle Eastern or Muslim‐majority countries. Drawing upon a series of in‐depth interviews, this paper examines the travel experiences of Iranian solo female travellers, which have been mainly overlooked in prior studies on the topic. The study's findings indicate that solo travel motivations can be categorized into personal factors: freedom and flexibility, self‐empowerment, independence, and exploration. Also, the absence of family responsibilities, routines, and gender constraints, as well as the promotion of their social and personal selves, contributed to their well‐being. The results also indicate that, despite the restrictions imposed by Iran's religious‐patriarchal society, tourism has made women more visible in the public sphere. Overall, this study fills a significant gap in tourism research by highlighting the experience, limitations, and motivation of solo female travellers, which heralds social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen deficiency can severely limit sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grain yield and quality. Our objective was to evaluate N diagnosis methods based on: (a) pre‐plant soil nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3––N) test (PPSNT) and soil N mineralized in short‐term anaerobic incubation (Nan), (b) Greenness index (GI) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) measured at 6 (V6) and 12 (V12) leaves, and (c) grain nitrogen concentration (Nc). Seventeen experiments were carried out between 2010 and 2019 in Argentina, evaluating nine N rates (0, 30, 40, 60, 80, 90, 120, 150, and 160 kg N ha–1). The GI, NDVI, N sufficiency index and relative normalized difference vegetation index (NDVIr) were determined at V6 and V12 growth stages. On average, yield response to N was 492 kg ha–1 and Nc response was 0.25% in 9 and 11 responsive experiments, respectively. The inclusion of Nan improved the PPSNT diagnosis method. The critical N availability (PPSNT + fertilizer N) threshold was 115 kg N ha–1 for experiments with low Nan (<60 mg kg–1), and 90 kg N ha–1 for experiments with high Nan (>60 mg kg–1). The NDVIr at V12 allowed monitoring the crop N status with a 0.95 critical threshold. The Nc adequately diagnosed N deficiencies and the critical threshold was 2.26%. Also, Nc was predicted from the ratio between N availability and grain yield (R2 =.39). Our results would allow to better estimate N availability to recommend adequate N fertilizer rates for sunflower aiming to optimize grain yield and quality, and minimize the economic and environmental cost of fertilization. Core Ideas: Aim: evaluate N diagnosis methods for grain yield and quality of sunflower.Nitrogen mineralized in anaerobic incubation improved the pre‐plant soil NO3––N test.The relative Green Seeker at V12 growth stage was associated with relative yield.Grain N concentration diagnosed N availability in sunflower.The N availability to grain yield ratio defined the N rate required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deep brain stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus has been performed to treat dopamine-resistant gait and balance disorders in patients with degenerative diseases. The outcomes, however, are variable, which may be the result of the lack of a well-defined anatomical target.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the main neuronal populations of the pedunculopontine and the cuneiform nuclei that compose the human mesencephalic locomotor region and to compare their 3-dimensional distribution with those found in patients with Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.Methods: We used high-field MRI, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization to characterize the distribution of the different cell types, and we developed software to merge all data within a common 3-dimensional space.Results: We found that cholinergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons comprised the main cell types of the mesencephalic locomotor region, with the peak densities of cholinergic and GABAergic neurons similarly located within the rostral pedunculopontine nucleus. Cholinergic and noncholinergic neuronal losses were homogeneous in the mesencephalic locomotor region of patients, with the peak density of remaining neurons at the same location as in controls. The degree of denervation of the pedunculopontine nucleus was highest in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy, followed by Parkinson's disease patients with falls.Conclusions: The peak density of cholinergic and GABAergic neurons was located similarly within the rostral pedunculopontine nucleus not only in controls but also in pathological cases. The neuronal loss was homogeneously distributed and highest in the pedunculopontine nucleus of patients with falls, which suggests a potential pathophysiological link. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the availability of phosphorus (P) in soil under continuous cropping facilitates finding deficiency in crops and contributes to improving crop growth and nutrient management models. Soil P availability for crops is usually estimated by soil test P (STP), such as Bray‐1. This is widely used in the Americas. The relationship between the decrease of STP Bray‐1 and cumulative removal of P was evaluated in non‐P‐fertilized areas in long‐term studies. This removal was the sum of annual P removal over the study period as P exported in grains/crop outside the soil. The objectives were to: (a) quantify changes in STP as a function of cumulative P removal, (b) assess the relationship between relative decrease rate of STP and soil variables as well as annual removal of P by crops, and (c) develop a model to predict decrease of STP Bray‐1. Exponential decay functions were used to describe annual cumulative removal of P and STP from soil over time for 12 long‐term studies where no addition of P fertilizer was carried out. Changes in the relative rate of decrease of STP, relative to the initial STP Bray‐1 value at the onset of the experiment, were predicted by the ratio of soil organic matter to clay and silt and the average annual P removal by exponential decay (R2adj = 0.64; RMSE = 3.2 mg kg−1). We propose this predictive model as suitable to provide estimates of the relative decrease rate of STP by Bray‐1 and thereby improve management of P for optimizing crop yield. Highlights: STP Bray‐1 decrease and cumulative P removal were related by exponential decay functions.Relative decrease rate of STP Bray‐1 was related to SOM/(clay+silt) ratio and annual P removal.A predictive model of the relative decrease rate of STP Bray‐1 was fitted and validate.Our model is a useful tool to help predict soil P availability and nutrient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural management practices such as fertilization may affect the overall soil quality and nutrient supply capacity. In this study, we hypothesized that long‐term fertilization promotes (a) an increase in the proportion of easily degradable soil organic C, N, and S fractions and (b) changes in the soil C, N, and S stoichiometric ratios in the direction of favoring the specific nutrient added to the soil. We included S in our study due to the increasing importance of S fertilization in many agricultural soils. A long‐term experiment involving six fertilization treatments and maize (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as cash crops was conducted for 14 yr in an on‐farm network located in the Pampean region (Argentina). Long‐term fertilization did not have a central role in defining the C, N, and S distribution between soil organic fractions or their stoichiometric ratios since the particulate organic matter (POM)‐C/total C, POM‐S/total S, C/N, C/N, and N/S ratios were not affected by fertilization treatments and the mineralizable N/total N ratio varied in a very short range. Instead, long‐term fertilization increased residue C inputs to the soil (8.7–19 Mg ha−1 over the unfertilized control) and, in turn, increases in soil total C, N, and S followed a linear relationship with residue inputs. This relationship was not affected by fertilization or site factors. These data contribute to understanding of the effects of continued fertilization on soil properties such as the distribution of fast‐ and slow‐cycling organic matter and nutrient concentrations, which are essential for effectively managing soils for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane productivity is severely affected by the occurrence of water deficit in the field, causing inhibition of growth and sugar production. Evaluating physiological responses of sugarcane under water deficit conditions is essential to understand physiological variables responsible for reaching homeostasis. Therefore, we analysed physiological traits of two sugarcane genotypes, RB835486 (Tolerant) and RB855453 (Susceptible), under water deficit conditions: well‐watered (WW‐Control), water deficit (WD) and rewatered (RW). The physiological response was evaluated using linear regression and multivariate analysis. Some characteristics such as water potential in leaves, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll index, sucrose and starch contents did not show differences between the genotypes under water deficit conditions. However, the tolerant genotype showed increased reducing sugars content in the leaves, whereas the susceptible genotype had increased non‐photochemical quenching (qN). After rewatering, the susceptible sugarcane genotype showed higher electron transport rate (ETR) and efficiency of PSII (Y). Multivariate analysis revealed that non‐photochemical quenching and reducing sugars in the leaves were physiological variables responsible for reaching homestasis under water deficit conditions. Therefore, the reducing sugars concentration should be considered a physiological variable responsible for the adjustment made by the tolerant sugarcane genotype when submitted to water deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontispiece: A Broad Light-Harvesting Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte Enables Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation in a Bacterial Biohybrid COE/Bacteria Biohybrid, Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes, Light-to-Chemical Conversion, Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation Keywords: COE/Bacteria Biohybrid; Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes; Light-to-Chemical Conversion; Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation EN COE/Bacteria Biohybrid Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes Light-to-Chemical Conversion Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation 1 1 1 09/08/23 20230911 NES 230911 B Nitrogen Fixation b . [Extracted from the article]

Back Cover: An n-Type Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte Mimics Transmembrane Electron Transport Proteins for Enhanced Microbial Electrosynthesis (Angew. Keywords: Biocatalysis; Biohybrid; Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte; Energy Conversion; Microbial Electrosynthesis EN Biocatalysis Biohybrid Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte Energy Conversion Microbial Electrosynthesis 1 1 1 08/10/23 20230814 NES 230814 B Microbial electrosynthesis b is a sustainable strategy for electricity-driven chemical production. Biocatalysis, Biohybrid, Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte, Energy Conversion, Microbial Electrosynthesis. [Extracted from the article]

In their Communication (e202305189), Guillermo C. Bazan et al. designed an n-type redox-active conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE) that intercalates into cell membranes and mimics the function of endogenous transmembrane electron transport proteins. Biocatalysis, Biohybrid, Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte, Energy Conversion, Microbial Electrosynthesis Keywords: Biocatalysis; Biohybrid; Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte; Energy Conversion; Microbial Electrosynthesis EN Biocatalysis Biohybrid Conjugated Oligoelectrolyte Energy Conversion Microbial Electrosynthesis 1 1 1 08/09/23 20230814 NES 230814 B Microbial electrosynthesis b is a sustainable strategy for electricity-driven chemical production. [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND In Seychelles, the common myna has been shown to have a negative impact on endangered endemic birds on Denis Island, interfering with breeding attempts and attacking adult endemic birds at their nests. This stimulated an attempt to eradicate the island's mynas. RESULTS The eradication was undertaken in three phases, overall killing 1186 mynas and lasting 5 years. Decoy trapping was the most effective method for catching mynas, but the last birds were shot. Decoy trapping was compromised by catches of non-target species. Data collection from killed birds indicated that trapping did not favour either sex, and that most breeding occurred during the wetter season, November to March. CONCLUSIONS Eradication of mynas from small tropical islands is feasible. The Denis Island eradication was prolonged by difficulties in management and staffing. Using volunteers, the cost of the eradication was similar to that of eradicating rodents from the island. In future eradication attempts in Seychelles, possible food stress during the drier season (May to September) might facilitate trapping at this time. Habitat management, especially the removal of short mown grass, could enhance eradication progress. Continued monitoring is needed to confirm eradication and detect any immigration, and also to record responses in the endemic birds. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water availability affects NH3 loss from surface applied urea, partly due to its influence on urea hydrolysis rates. However, the quantitative effects of soil water on hydrolysis rates are not well understood. Our objective was to quantify how soil matric potential affects urea hydrolysis rates across a wide range of soil matric potentials. Urea hydrolysis rates were measured based on disappearance of urea at various soil water potentials in soils limed to a pH of 8.2 to eliminate confounding by soil pH. Urea-N was applied on a soil mass basis (1200 µg urea-N g-1 soil, 0.2-2.4 mol urea L-1) in Exp. I and at a constant urea-N soil solution concentration of 40,000 µg urea-N g-1 soil solution (1.43 mol urea L-1) in Exp. II. Differences in relative rates of urea hydrolysis between both experiments suggested that in Exp. I there was a confounding effect of urea-N solution concentration on the response of urea hydrolysis to soil matric potential. In Exp. I, relative rates of hydrolysis changed little at intermediate soil matric potentials between -0.1 and -1.0 MPa because urea-N concentration in solution increased as matric potential decreased. In Exp. II, relative rates were greatest at the highest matric potentials (>-0.24 MPa) and decreased more rapidly as matric potential decreased, approaching zero at a matric potential of approximately -10 MPa. These results also suggest that research to describe urea hydrolysis rates as affected by soil water content should be based on urea-N concentrations in soil solution and not urea-N concentrations on a soil mass basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The aim of the current study was to evaluate the presence of debris and smear layer after endodontic irrigation with different formulations of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and its effects on the push-out bond strength of an epoxy-based sealer on the radicular dentin. One hundred extracted human canines were prepared to F5 instrument and irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Fifty teeth were divided into five groups ( n = 10), according to the final irrigation protocol with different 2% CHX formulations: G1 (control, no final rinse irrigation), G2 (CHX solution), G3 (CHX gel), G4 (Concepsis), and G5 (CHX Plus). In sequence, the specimens were submitted to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, in the cervical-medium and medium-apical segments, to evaluate the presence of debris and smear layer. The other 50 teeth were treated equally to a SEM study, but with the root canals filled with an epoxy-based endodontic sealer and submitted to a push-out bond strength test, in the cervical, middle, and apical thirds. G2, G3, G4, and G5 provided higher precipitation of the debris and smear layer than G1 ( P < 0.05), but these groups were similar to each other ( P > 0.05), in both segments. The values obtained in the push out test did not differ between groups, independent of the radicular third ( P > 0.05). The CHXs formulations caused precipitation of the debris and smear layer on the radicular dentin, but these residues did not interfere in the push-out bond strength of the epoxy-based sealer. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:17-22, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let X be an Alexandrov space (with curvature bounded below). We determine the maximal dimension of the isometry group Isom(X) of X and show that X is isometric to a Riemannian manifold, provided the dimension of Isom(X) is maximal. We determine gaps in the possible dimensions of Isom(X). We determine the maximal dimension of Isom(X) when the boundary ∂ X is non-empty and classify up to homeomorphism Alexandrov spaces with boundary and an isometry group of maximal dimension. We also show that a symmetric Alexandrov space is isometric to a Riemannian manifold. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article analyzed perceptions of neighborhood violence of Spanish adolescents ( N = 1,015) from authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and neglectful families, and its association with three sets of developmental outcomes (psychological, behavioral, and academic). Tests of main and interactive effects were conducted to answer research questions regarding the potential moderating role of perceived neighborhood violence on the relationship between parenting styles and developmental outcomes. Results yielded only main effects of parenting styles and perceived neighborhood violence on developmental outcomes, as well as an interaction between gender and perceived neighborhood violence. Parenting styles and perceived neighborhood violence made an independent contribution to adolescent outcomes. Adolescents from authoritative and indulgent families were those who performed better in all developmental domains examined, and adolescents who perceived their neighborhoods as violent performed worse in all outcomes. Results suggested, however, that irrespective of parental behavior, perceived neighborhood violence was a developmental risk in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Autoimmunity travelled from the theoretical roots planted by Burnet with the clonal selection theory and the early finding of a mouse providing a test for the role of the thymus as a source of forbidden clones. This chapter briefly reviews early work with the NZB mouse and presents results of an analysis of associations between cytokines and physical and psychometric parameters in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients not medicated with antidepressants. Some cytokines, particularly IFN-γ, relate significantly to physical symptoms and anxiety. We conclude with the speculation that anxiety is linked to innate immunity and more severe neuropsychiatric disease in SLE to adaptive immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular interaction between hormonal and cytokine signals is crucial for providing specificity to their actions and represents a key step for understanding, at the molecular level, the ultimate response of physiological neuroendocrine-immune interactions. In this article we will describe new insights into the mechanisms underlying glucocorticoid-mediated anti-inflammatory action, focused on the regulation of immune–cytokine pathways. There are different levels of interaction between intracellular signals elicited by glucocorticoids and cytokines, with the final outcome being regulation of gene expression. One such interaction involves the molecular cross-talk between the activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and transcription factors implicated in the regulation of cytokine synthesis and function. This interaction results in the regulation of gene transcription, as we will illustrate with the helper T (Th)1 and Th2 transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3, respectively, implicated in the outcome of specific adaptive immune responses. A further level of mutual regulation is the posttranslational modification of GR by the ubiquitin–proteasome and sumoylation systems. These posttranslational modifications regulate GR activity and will be discussed for the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) pathway and its enhancer RWD RING finger-containing proteins, WD-repeat-containing proteins, and yeast DEAD (DEXD)-like helicases-containing sumoylation enhancer (RSUME). The impact of posttranslational modifications on inflammatory pathways, such as nuclear factor-κβ and regulated cytokines, will also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult female mice are innately attracted to non-volatile pheromones contained in male-soiled bedding. In contrast, male-derived volatiles become attractive if associated with non-volatile attractive pheromones, which act as unconditioned stimulus in a case of Pavlovian associative learning. In this work, we study the chemoinvestigatory behaviour of female mice towards volatile and non-volatile chemicals contained in male-soiled bedding, in combination with the analysis of c-fos expression induced by such a behaviour to clarify: (i) which chemosensory systems are involved in the detection of the primary attractive non-volatile pheromone and of the secondarily attractive volatiles; (ii) where in the brain male-derived non-volatile and volatile stimuli are associated to induce conditioned attraction for the latter; and (iii) whether investigation of these stimuli activates the cerebral reward system (mesocorticolimbic system including the prefrontal cortex and amygdala), which would support the view that sexual pheromones are reinforcing. The results indicate that non-volatile pheromones stimulate the vomeronasal system, whereas air-borne volatiles activate only the olfactory system. Thus, the acquired preference for male-derived volatiles reveals an olfactory-vomeronasal associative learning. Moreover, the reward system is differentially activated by the primary pheromones and secondarily attractive odorants. Exploring the primary attractive pheromone activates the basolateral amygdala and the shell of nucleus accumbens but neither the ventral tegmental area nor the orbitofrontal cortex. In contrast, exploring the secondarily attractive male-derived odorants involves activation of a circuit that includes the basolateral amygdala, prefrontal cortex and ventral tegmental area. Therefore, the basolateral amygdala stands out as the key centre for vomeronasal-olfactory associative learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on psychotherapy research, highlighting the research program of a Clinical Center, the AIGLE Foundation in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Reasons for conducting research in real clinical conditions; Detailed information on the AIGLE Foundation; Goals of research conducted at the Center; Requirements for therapists to be trained at the Center.

Theory and research on social support have paid little attention to the existence of important macrosocial variables determining level and content of social relationships. this study examines variations in social integration as a function of social class and residential area characteristics. Results for 234 subjects living in high and low risk neighbourhoods indicated that differences between higher and lower social groups follow different patterns in different residential areas. Also, same social class position appeared to have different significance as a function of residential area characteristics. The levels of three social integration measures--community integration and satisfaction, community association and participation, and contribution in community organizations--were significantly higher for lower class in low risk neighbourhoods than in high risk one. However, significant differences were found in only one measure for higher social class groups, with higher levels of community association and participation in high risk neighbourhoods than in low risk one. The discussion examines a 'social impoverishment' hypothesis for high risk environments and proposes possible protective factors for higher status residents. Relations between formal and informal sources of support, and implications for social intervention strategies are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective analysis of DNA content (DNA ploidy) was conducted in formalin-fixed specimens from patients with advanced, unresectable head and neck cancer who were treated on a single defined protocol with accelerated fractionation radiation therapy and concomitant cisplatin (Platinol) chemotherapy. Specimens from 31 tumor sites were analyzed by image cytometry using the Feulgen staining method. Fifteen specimens were analyzed by flow cytometry after deparaffinization, nuclear disaggregation, and staining with propidium iodide. By image analysis, 10 (32%) of 31 specimens contained only diploid tumor cells, while 21 (68%) specimens exhibited at least one aneuploid tumor component. Seven of the eight tumors with a single G0/G1 peak by image analysis had a single peak by flow analysis. Five of the seven tumors with multiple peaks by image analysis had multiple peaks by flow analysis. Histology was also reevaluated, and tumor grade was determined, reflecting tumor cell differentiation based on keratinization, mitotic activity and the degree of nuclear polymorphism. For this well-defined patient population managed according to a uniform therapeutic approach, DNA ploidy status and histology provided a suggestion of prognostic separation; however, statistical significance was not obtained, most likely due to the small number of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: 1) Identify the potential benefits of adequate reflux intervention in the management of TEP complications in the laryngectomized population. 2) Understand the role of PPI utilization for TEP complications. 3) Identify surgical intervention for reflux as a hierarchical treatment option for TEP complications not responsive to PPI utilization. Method: A retrospective chart review of laryngectomy patients in an otolaryngology private practice identified 4 patients from November 2009 to November 2011 who underwent fundoplication for TEP complications not responsive to PPI utilization. Prosthetic device life (days) as well as the presence of periprosthetic leakage was compared in preoperative and postoperative groups. Results: The 4 patients who underwent fundoplication for reflux management were referred for surgical intervention after persistent TEP complications following greater than 6 months of PPI utilization. Evidence of reflux was determined using transnasal esophagoscopy, barium swallow, and/or 24‐hour pH monitor prior to surgery. Two of 4 were noted to have periprosthetic leakage prior to fundoplication which resolved following surgery. Both individual and group mean device life was noted to increase, with individual mean increases of 71.7%, 88.4%, 188.1%, and 41.3%, respectively. Group mean increase was noted at 85.9%, with significance demonstrated; P =. 03. Conclusion: Although PPI treatment has been found to be an effective intervention for reducing TEP complications, some patients continue to demonstrate complications, despite months of PPI utilization. These findings suggest surgical intervention may be an effective means in this population of reducing associated complications and prolonged need for PPI utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]