EFFECTIVE USE OF VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION AFTER KNEE ARTHROSCOPY: EXPERIENCE FROM A WORKING GROUP

The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of viscosupplementation after knee arthroscopy in a series of cases and to propose an adequate dosage regimen.The cases studied corresponded to patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery presenting meniscal injury and/or free bodies and where osteoarthritis could be present. Viscosupplementation started 3 weeks after arthroscopy and one set of patients received one shot of 5 ml of hyaluronic acid and the other set received three injections of 2.5 ml with weekly intervals. Patients were followed at 3 and 6 months. Improvements in pain and function as well as patient satisfaction were assessed and the appearance of adverse events was monitored. The groups studied were homogeneous with no differences in the type of surgery, associated gestures or other procedures performed during the intervention. Considering the patients as a whole, significant improvements were observed at 3 weeks post-arthroscopy (prior to intra-articular treatment) and at 3 and 6 months compared to pre-arthroscopy scores. Pain reductions were of 39.8%, 63.4% and 80.9% respectively and function improvement was of 20.9%, 58.8% and 77.9% respectively. There were no differences between the two groups in any of the parameters analysed. The treatment was rated by the patients as excellent. The group concluded that viscosupplementation inpost-arthroscopy achieves significant pain reduction and function improvement; moreover, one shot of hyaluronic acidis a safe and effective option as an adjuvant treatment in arthroscopic surgery favouring a better recovery with a lower cost for both the patient and the Healthcare System.

Evaluating RNR-Based Targeted Treatment and Intervention Dosage in the Context of Traumatic Exposure

Best practices in juvenile justice call for the individualized matching of services to assessed dynamic risk factors, with services delivered at sufficient dosage. However, prior work has largely ignored whether this recipe for recidivism reduction is as effective for adolescents with extensive traumatic exposure as it is for those without. The current study leverages a statewide sample of 1,666 juveniles released from residential placement (84.6% male, 59.8% Black, 11.9% Hispanic). We examine the associations of individual-level service matching and achieving dosage targets established by Lipsey’s Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) during residential placement with changes in dynamic risk during placement and recidivism post-release among juveniles with extensive adverse childhood experiences (ACE) exposure and those without. Results demonstrate heightened traumatic exposure is related to smaller reductions in dynamic risk and to an increased probability of reoffending, but that youth receiving matched services coupled with adequate dosage leads to greater treatment progress (dynamic risk reduction) and lower recidivism post-release for both low-ACE and high-ACE youth. Implications for juvenile justice practice and policy are discussed.

Vaccines against Coronavirus Disease: Target Proteins, Immune Responses, and Status of Ongoing Clinical Trials

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has infected more than 26 million individuals and caused 871,166 deaths globally. Various countries are racing against time to find a vaccine for controlling the rapid transmission of infection. The selection of antigen targets to trigger an immune response is crucial for vaccine development strategies. The receptor binding domain of the subunit of spike 1 protein is considered a promising vaccine candidate because of its ability to prevent attachment and infection of host cells by stimulating neutralizing antibodies. The vaccine is expected to mount a sufficient immunogenic response to eliminate the virus and store antigenic information in memory cells for long-term protection. Here, we review the ongoing clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines and discuss the immune responses in patients administered an adequate dosage to prevent COVID-19.

Agitated Depression; The Challenges in Management and the Role of Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy

This case report highlights the challenges encountered and the role of maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the management of a depressed patient who presented with symptoms of agitation. Despite on an adequate dosage and duration of medications, the patient showed poor improvement and persistent agitation. Upon commencing maintenance ECT in addition to the pharmacotherapy, the patient’s condition markedly improved. As conclusion, maintenance ECT may be another option in managing agitated depression.

Arabidopsis paralogous genes RPL23aA and RPL23aB encode functionally equivalent proteins

Background In plants, each ribosomal protein (RP) is encoded by a small gene family but it is largely unknown whether the family members are functionally diversified. There are two RPL23a paralogous genes (RPL23aA and RPL23aB) encoding cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knock-down of RPL23aA using RNAi impeded growth and led to morphological abnormalities, whereas knock-out of RPL23aB had no observable phenotype, thus these two RPL23a paralogous proteins have been used as examples of ribosomal protein paralogues with functional divergence in many published papers. Results In this study, we characterized T-DNA insertion mutants of RPL23aA and RPL23aB. A rare non-allelic non-complementation phenomenon was found in the F1 progeny of the rpl23aa X rpl23ab cross, which revealed a dosage effect of these two genes. Both RPL23aA and RPL23aB were found to be expressed almost in all examined tissues as revealed by GUS reporter analysis. Expression of RPL23aB driven by the RPL23aA promoter can rescue the phenotype of rpl23aa, indicating these two proteins are actually equivalent in function. Interestingly, based on the publicly available RNA-seq data, we found that these two RPL23a paralogues were expressed in a concerted manner and the expression level of RPL23aA was much higher than that of RPL23aB at different developmental stages and in different tissues. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the two RPL23a paralogous proteins are functionally equivalent but the two genes are not. RPL23aA plays a predominant role due to its higher expression levels. RPL23aB plays a lesser role due to its lower expression. The presence of paralogous genes for the RPL23a protein in plants might be necessary to maintain its adequate dosage.

Arabidopsis paralogous genes RPL23aA and RPL23aB encode functionally equivalent proteins

Background: In plants, each ribosomal protein (RP) is encoded by a small gene family but it is largely unknown whether the family members are functionally diversified. There are two RPL23a paralogous genes (RPL23aA and RPL23aB ) encoding cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knock-down of RPL23aA using RNAi impeded growth and led to morphological abnormalities, whereas knock-out of RPL23aB had no observable phenotype, thus these two RPL23a paralogous proteins have been used as examples of ribosomal protein paralogues with functional divergence in many published papers. Results: In this study, we characterized T-DNA insertion mutants of RPL23aA and RPL23aB. A rare non-allelic non-complementation phenomenon was found in the F1 progeny of the rpl23aa X rpl23ab cross, which revealed a dosage effect of these two genes. Both RPL23aA and RPL23aB were found to be expressed almost in all examined tissues as revealed by GUS reporter analysis. Expression of RPL23aB driven by the RPL23aA promoter can rescue the phenotype of rpl23aa, indicating these two proteins are actually equivalent in function. Interestingly, based on the publicly available RNA-seq data, we found that these two RPL23a paralogues were expressed in a concerted manner and the expression level of RPL23aA was much higher than that of RPL23aB at different developmental stages and in different tissues. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the two RPL23a paralogous proteins are functionally equivalent but the two genes are not. RPL23aA plays a predominant role due to its higher expression levels. RPL23aB plays a lesser role due to its lower expression. The presence of paralogous genes for the RPL23a protein in plants might be necessary to maintain its adequate dosage.

Arabidopsis paralogous genes RPL23aA and RPL23aB encode functionally equivalent proteins

Background: In plants, each ribosomal protein (RP) is encoded by a small gene family but it is largely unknown whether the family members are functionally diversified. There are two RPL23a paralogous genes (RPL23aA and RPL23aB ) encoding cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knock-down of RPL23aA using RNAi impeded growth and led to morphological abnormalities, whereas knock-out of RPL23aB had no observable phenotype, thus these two RPL23a paralogous proteins have been used as examples of ribosomal protein paralogues with functional divergence in many published papers. Results: In this study, we characterized T-DNA insertion mutants of RPL23aA and RPL23aB. A rare non-allelic non-complementation phenomenon was found in the F1 progeny of the rpl23aa X rpl23ab cross, which revealed a dosage effect of these two genes. Both RPL23aA and RPL23aB were found to be expressed almost in all examined tissues as revealed by GUS reporter analysis. Expression of RPL23aB driven by the RPL23aA promoter can rescue the phenotype of rpl23aa, indicating these two proteins are actually equivalent in function. Interestingly, based on the publicly available RNA-seq data, we found that these two RPL23a paralogues were expressed in a concerted manner and the expression level of RPL23aA was much higher than that of RPL23aB at different developmental stages and in different tissues. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the two RPL23a paralogous proteins are functionally equivalent but the two genes are not. RPL23aA plays a predominant role due to its higher expression levels. RPL23aB plays a lesser role due to its lower expression. The presence of paralogous genes for the RPL23a protein in plants might be necessary to maintain its adequate dosage.

Arabidopsis paralogous genes RPL23aA and RPL23aB encode functionally equivalent proteins

Background: In plants, each ribosomal protein (RP) is encoded by a small gene family but it is largely unknown whether the family members are functionally diversified. There are two RPL23a paralogues genes ( RPL23aA and RPL23aB ) found in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knock-down of RPL23aA using RNAi impeded growth and led to morphological abnormalities, whereas knock-out of RPL23aB had no observable phenotype, thus these two RPL23a paralogous proteins have been used as examples of ribosomal protein paralogues with functional divergence in many published papers. Results: In this study, we characterized T-DNA insertion mutants of RPL23aA and RPL23aB . A rare non-allelic non-complementation phenomenon was found in the F1 progeny of the rpl23aa X rpl23ab cross, which revealed a dosage effect of these two genes. Both of RPL23aA and RPL23aB were found to be expressed almost in all examined tissues as revealed by GUS reporter analysis. Expression of RPL23aB driven by the RPL23aA promoter can rescue the phenotype of rpl23aa , indicating these two proteins are actually equivalent in function. Interestingly, based on the publicly available RNA-seq data, we found that these two RPL23a paralogues were expressed in a concerted manner and the expression level of RPL23aA was much higher than that of RPL23aB at different developmental stages and in different tissues. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that RPL23aA and RPL23aB proteins actually have equal function and presence of paralogous genes for the RPL23a protein in plants might be necessary to maintain its adequate dosage.

What does informal access to misoprostol in Colombia look like? A mystery client methodology in Bogotá and the Coffee Axis

IntroductionIn 2006, abortion was decriminalised in Colombia under certain circumstances. Yet, women avail themselves of ways to terminate pregnancy outside of the formal health system. This study explored how drug sellers engage with women who attempt to purchase misoprostol from them.MethodsA mapping exercise was undertaken to list small-chain and independent drug stores in two regions in Colombia. A sample (n=558) of drug stores was selected from this list and visited by mystery clients between November and December 2017. Mystery clients sought to obtain a medication to bring back a delayed period, and described the experience, the information obtained and the medications proffered in exit interviews.ResultsMisoprostol was offered for purchase in 15% of the visits; in half of visits, only information about misoprostol was shared, while no information about misoprostol was provided on the remaining visits. Over half of sellers who refused to sell any medication provided referrals, most commonly to an abortion provider. Among visits which included discussion of misoprostol, two out of five sellers provided dosage instructions with most recommending the minimum adequate dosage. Mystery clients received little information on the physical effects to expect with the use of misoprostol and possible complications.ConclusionsAs misoprostol is being obtained from some drug sellers without a prescription, capacitating this cadre with at least a minimum of standardised information on dosage, routes of administration and expected effects and outcomes have the potential to improve reproductive health outcomes for women who choose to terminate pregnancies this way in Colombia.

Arabidopsis ribosomal proteins RPL23aA and RPL23aB are functionally equivalent

Background: In plants, each ribosomal protein (RP) is encoded by a small gene family but it is largely unknown whether the family members are functionally diversified. There are two RPL23a paralogues genes (RPL23aA and RPL23aB ) found in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knock-down of RPL23aA using RNAi impeded growth and led to morphological abnormalities, whereas knock-out of RPL23aB had no observable phenotype, thus these two RPL23a paralogous proteins have been used as examples of ribosomal protein paralogues with functional divergence in many published papers. Results: In this study, we characterized T-DNA insertion mutants of RPL23aA and RPL23aB. A rare non-allelic non-complementation phenomenon was found in the F1 progeny of the rpl23aa X rpl23ab cross, which revealed a dosage effect of these two genes. Both of RPL23aA and RPL23aB were found to be expressed almost in all examined tissues as revealed by GUS reporter analysis. Expression of RPL23aB driven by the RPL23aA promoter can rescue the phenotype of rpl23aa, indicating these two proteins are actually equivalent in function. Interestingly, based on the publicly available RNA-seq data, we found that these two RPL23a paralogues were expressed in a concerted manner and the expression level of RPL23aA was much higher than that of RPL23aB at different developmental stages and in different tissues. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that RPL23aA and RPL23aB proteins actually have equal function and presence of paralogous genes for the RPL23a protein in plants might be necessary to maintain its adequate dosage.