Comparative Analysis of anti-Shine- Dalgarno Function in Flavobacterium johnsoniae and Escherichia coli

The anti-Shine-Dalgarno (ASD) sequence of 16S rRNA is highly conserved across Bacteria, and yet usage of Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequences in mRNA varies dramatically, depending on the lineage. Here, we compared the effects of ASD mutagenesis in Escherichia coli, a Gammaproteobacteria which commonly employs SD sequences, and Flavobacterium johnsoniae, a Bacteroidia which rarely does. In E. coli, 30S subunits carrying any single substitution at positions 1,535–1,539 confer dominant negative phenotypes, whereas subunits with mutations at positions 1,540–1,542 are sufficient to support cell growth. These data suggest that CCUCC (1,535–1,539) represents the functional core of the element in E. coli. In F. johnsoniae, deletion of three ribosomal RNA (rrn) operons slowed growth substantially, a phenotype largely rescued by a plasmid-borne copy of the rrn operon. Using this complementation system, we found that subunits with single mutations at positions 1,535–1,537 are as active as control subunits, in sharp contrast to the E. coli results. Moreover, subunits with quadruple substitution or complete replacement of the ASD retain substantial, albeit reduced, activity. Sedimentation analysis revealed that these mutant subunits are overrepresented in the subunit fractions and underrepresented in polysome fractions, suggesting some defect in 30S biogenesis and/or translation initiation. Nonetheless, our collective data indicate that the ASD plays a much smaller role in F. johnsoniae than in E. coli, consistent with SD usage in the two organisms.

Pikas and People: Human-Pika (Ochotona) interaction in the Himalaya of Nepal

Koju NP, Chalise MK, Kyes RC. 2021. Pikas and People: Human-Pika (Ochotona) interaction in the Himalaya of Nepal. Biodiversitas 22: 5085-5091. This study examined human-pika (Ochotona) interaction in two protected areas of Nepal: Lamtang National Park (LNP) and Api Nampa Conservation Area (ACNA). We conducted the study between 2012 and 2017 and employed a combination of three qualitative sampling methods: observation of behavior (both humans and pikas), practices, and rituals of the local residents, pilgrims, tourists, and Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinesis) collectors; collection of folk stories; and focus group discussions with local residents to investigate the nature of human-pika interaction. Based on the collective data, three general themes relating to human-pika interaction emerged: 1) the perception of pikas as a respected entity; 2) effects of anthropogenic pollution on pikas, and 3) pikas as a traditional medicine. In LNP, the pika was respected as symbol of the Buddhist monk ‘Lama’. In contrast, at ANCA, the dried meat of pika was used by local people for traditional medicine. At both locations, there is an increasing human presence resulting in increased anthropogenic pollution. This, in turn, may present a potential risk to the pikas over the long term. Further investigation is needed to address the effects of anthropogenic activities on the pika and to ensure the health and viability of the pika population.

Dissolution behaviour and imageability of ternary borate glasses for use in geniculate artery embolization

Sixteen borate glass compositions comprising K2O and SrO were screened, using a design of mixtures approach, to model compositional effects on dissolution, CT imageability, and MRI relaxivity (R2). Based on the characteristics of each network, together with dose determination and toxicological risk, the composition identified as BKSA16 was selected as a preferred composition for pre-clinical evaluations related to geniculate artery embolization (GAE). Accordingly, BKSA16 particles were subjected to a flame spheroidization process and recharacterized, including the evaluation of residual mass at 72 h in physiologically representative media along with clinical determinations of suspension time (ease of use). For both the irregular particles and microspheres residual mass was present at 72 h in physiologically representative media. Additionally, both the microspheres and irregular particles achieved suspension times deemed to be acceptable for clinical use. The collective data confirms that BKSA16 microspheres have a range of beneficial features (specifically both degradable and imageable) suited to GAE.

Risk of Developing Melanoma With Systemic Agents Used to Treat Psoriasis: A Review of the Literature

Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease induced by autoimmune-like dysregulation of the immune system. Treatment options have drastically evolved in recent years, and treatment advances that target specific cytokines and other molecules involved in dysregulation have had a profound effect in controlling the disease. Objective We reviewed the literature to assess the risk of developing melanoma with conventional therapies and newer agents used to treat psoriasis. Methods A comprehensive literature search using Medline (via Ovid) and Embase was conducted. Results The majority of studies reviewed reported insignificant results. Potential risk for melanoma was identified for only 3 out of 15 anti-psoriatic treatments analyzed: adalimumab (relative risk 1.8, 95% CI 1.06-3.00), etanercept (relative risk 2.35, 95% CI 1.46-3.77) and infliximab (Empirical Bayes Geometric Mean 7.90, 95% CI 7.13-8.60). The confidence intervals provided are from prior studies. There are not enough collective data on newer agents to make any conclusions on risk. Conclusions We were unable to identify any substantial risk for developing melanoma due to the use of anti-psoriatic treatments. Until additional long-term registry data become available, it would be prudent to continue screening patients with psoriasis at baseline and periodically for melanoma when these agents are used.

Data Collection of Plan-Design, Construction, Performance, and Renovation Criteria for Sustainable Buildings

Published data or available literature on planning, design, construction, performance, and renovation criteria for sustainable buildings have been focused on several parts, such as some parts of construction, or some stages, such as design and construction stages, due to a limited number of collaborative scholars or scopes of their research. Usually, these data have been published scattered or presented partially in various papers; there has not been any paper published these data, all-stage ‘plan-design, construction, performance, and renovation’ criteria, together. Hence, this paper aims to collect these data and publish them together. The data collection was conducted by our team, 25 members, who specialized in sustainable urban, architectural, and civil engineering and construction management. After collection, the review outputs of sustainable building criteria were validated based on a group consensus. This consensus-based validation procedure was conducted through meetings. These meetings extensively discussed the relevance and importance of the collective criteria and focused on their applicability to Cambodia. The collective data demonstrated in this paper could be useful to researchers in the fields. They could also be useful collective knowledge and information for policymakers from the governments and development partners, as well as architectural and construction engineering companies.

Generalized Chemical Equilibrium Constant of Formaldehyde Oligomerization

Formaldehyde reacts with solvents that contain hydroxyl groups (R–OH) in oligomerization reactions to oxymethylene oligomers (R–(OCH2)n–OH). The chemical equilibria of these reactions have been studied in the literature for water, for the mono-alcohols methanol, ethanol, and 1-butanol, as well as for the diols ethylene glycol and 1,4-butynediol. In the present work, the collective data were analyzed. It was found that the prolongation of the oxymethylene chains by the addition of formaldehyde can be described very well with a generalized chemical equilibrium constant Kx,n≥2R–OH, which is independent of the substructure (R) of the solvent. This holds for the oligomerization reactions leading to R–(OCH2)n–OH with n ≥ 2. The chemical equilibrium constant Kx,1R–OH of the reaction of formaldehyde with the solvent R–OH depends on the solvent, but simple trends are observed. The hypotheses of the existence of a generalized chemical equilibrium constant Kx,n≥2R–OH was tested for the reactions of formaldehyde with ethanol and 1-propanol, for which neither Kx,1R–OH nor Kx,nR–OH was previously available. The corresponding equilibria were studied by 13C NMR spectroscopy and the equilibrium constants were determined. A novel method was developed and used in these studies to obtain data on Kx,1R–OH by NMR spectroscopy, which is difficult because of the low amount of molecular formaldehyde. It was found that the generalized equilibrium constant is even valid for the acid-catalyzed formation of poly(oxymethylene) dimethyl ethers (OME).

Introduction: Telling Stories

The introduction traces the divide in scholars’ views of the Jacquerie as either a spasmodic explosion or a carefully directed movement, and sets forth the book’s understanding of the revolt as heterogenous and fluid. It introduces the main chronicle and documentary sources for the Jacquerie and discusses their interpretative difficulties, paying specific attention to the problems of retrospection, composition, and the over-representation of some kinds of rebels. The methodology adopted combines the analysis of collective data and the close reading of individual texts in order to tell a story about how individuals reacted to a specific set of circumstances, how events both planned and accidental altered their course, and what and how they chose to remember (or to forget) in its aftermath.

Efektivitas Program Jaminan Persalinan Di Kabupaten Situbondo

Sebagian besar para penerima Jaminan Persalinan tidak mengurus sendiri kelengkapan berkas, tetapi lebih memilih meminta bantuan kepada orang yang dianggap lebih mengerti seperti perawat desa. Beberapa orang mengeluhkan SOP yang terlalu panjang dan tidak adanya pelimpahan wewenang apabila pejabat yang berwenang menandatangani Rekomendasi Jampersal tidak berada di tempat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis efektivitas Program Jaminan Persalinan di Kabupaten Situbondo. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif dan pengumpulan data dengan wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi serta penelusuran data sekunder. Informan kunci sebanyak 3 orang yang terdiri dari Kepala Dinas Kesehatan Kabupaten Situbondo, Kepala Bidang Sumber Daya Kesehatan sebagai Ketua Tim Pengelola Program Jampersal Dinas Kesehatan Kabupaten Situbondo, dan Verifikator Jampersal serta informan tambahan terdiri dari Bidan Puskesmas, Camat, Kepala Puskesmas, Petugas desa yang mengurus Jampersal, 3 orang keluarga ibu hamil dari wilayah barat, tengah dan timur yang mewakili sasaran penerima manfaat jampersal. Analisis secara deskriptif interaktif yaitu melalui analisis data collective, data Condensatin, Data Display dan data verification. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Program Jaminan Persalinan di Kabupaten Situbondo sudah berjalan efektif meski masih ditemukan keluhan dari masyarakat pada dimensi Struktur Birokrasi dan Sumber daya.

Schizophrenia: Complement Cleaning or Killing

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder with a typical onset occurring during adolescence or young adulthood. The heterogeneity of the disorder complicates our understanding of the pathophysiology. Reduced cortical synaptic densities are commonly observed in schizophrenia and suggest a role for excessive synaptic elimination. A major pathway hypothesised to eliminate synapses during postnatal development is the complement system. This review provides an overview of genetic and functional evidence found for the individual players of the classical complement pathway. In addition, the consequences of the absence of complement proteins, in the form of complement protein deficiencies in humans, are taken into consideration. The collective data provide strong evidence for excessive pruning by the classical complement pathway, contributing to cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. In future studies, it will be important to assess the magnitude of the contribution of complement overactivity to the occurrence and prevalence of phenotypic features in schizophrenia. In addition, more insight is required for the exact mechanisms by which the complement system causes excessive pruning, such as the suggested involvement of microglial engulfment and degradation of synapses. Ultimately, this knowledge is a prerequisite for the development of therapeutic interventions for selective groups of schizophrenia patients.