Notes

Neural along with behavioural replies in the pollen-specialist bee Andrena vaga to Salix odors.
268 to 2.926 (p = 0.085). PPP high-flux membrane increased the Kt/V values significantly compared to the PS membrane, while it decreased the insulin resistance and increased insulin sensitivity.

The two different types of high-flux dialysis membranes used for HD have different effects on insulin sensitivity. Compared to the PS membrane, PPP high-flux membrane decreased insulin resistance by increasing insulin sensitivity among non-diabetic ESRF patients.
The two different types of high-flux dialysis membranes used for HD have different effects on insulin sensitivity. Compared to the PS membrane, PPP high-flux membrane decreased insulin resistance by increasing insulin sensitivity among non-diabetic ESRF patients.Mantis shrimp strike with extreme impact forces that are deadly to prey. They also strike conspecifics during territorial contests, yet theoretical and empirical findings in aggressive behaviour research suggest competitors should resolve conflicts using signals before escalating to dangerous combat. We tested how Neogonodactylus bredini uses two ritualized behaviours to resolve size-matched contests meral spread visual displays and telson (tailplate) strikes. We predicted that (i) most contests would be resolved by meral spreads, (ii) meral spreads would reliably signal strike force and (iii) strike force would predict contest success. The results were unexpected for each prediction. Contests were not resolved by meral spreads, instead escalating to striking in 33 of 34 experiments. The size of meral spread components did not strongly correlate with strike force. Strike force did not predict contest success; instead, winners delivered more strikes. Size-matched N. bredini avoid deadly combat not by visual displays, but by ritualistically and repeatedly striking each other's telsons until the loser retreats. We term this behaviour 'telson sparring', analogous to sparring in other weapon systems. We present an alternative framework for mantis shrimp contests in which the fight itself is the signal, serving as a non-lethal indicator of aggressive persistence or endurance.Aggressive mimicry is an adaptive tactic of parasitic or predatory species that closely resemble inoffensive models in order to increase fitness via predatory gains. Although similarity of distantly related species is often intuitively implicated with mimicry, the exact mechanisms and evolutionary causes remain elusive in many cases. Here, we report a complex aggressive mimicry strategy in Plecodus straeleni, a scale-eating cichlid fish from Lake Tanganyika, which imitates two other cichlid species. Employing targeted sequencing on ingested scales, we show that P. straeleni does not preferentially parasitize its models but—contrary to prevailing assumptions—targets a variety of co-occurring dissimilar looking fish species. Combined with tests for visual resemblance and visual modelling from a prey perspective, our results suggest that complex interactions among different cichlid species are involved in this mimicry system.Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been reported to be highly expressed in essential hypertension (EH), and it has been proposed that HCMV infection may contribute to EH development. However, different studies showed opposite results. The present meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association between HCMV infection and the risk of EH. All relevant literature from 1980 to 2015 was extracted from six electronic databases. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association of HCMV infection and risk of EH. Sensitivity analysis and examination for bias were conducted to evaluate cumulative evidence of the association. The random-effect model using the Mantel-Haenszel method was used to give the individual effect-size estimates. Of the 11,878 participants included in this study, there were 3,864 EH patients and 8,014 control subjects. Meta-analysis of nine studies performed in a random-effect model found that EH patients had a higher risk of HCMV infection than normal control subjects (OR = 1.47, 95%CI 1.13-1.90, P = 0.004; heterogeneity I(2)  = 66%, P = 0.002). Sensitivity analysis and bias examination showed the overall quality and consistency of the studies to be acceptable. For subgroup analysis, studies of Chinese populations were selected for further analysis. There was a significant association between HCMV infection and EH among Chinese patients (OR = 2.18, 95%CI1.43-3.31, P = 0.0003) but not among other ethnic groups (OR = 1.11, 95%CI0.95-1.31, P = 0.19). These findings provide quantitative support for the association between HCMV infection and high risk of EH in individuals of Chinese ethnicity.
To determine the predictors of physical activity levels (PALs) of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the transition from hospital to home.

A prospective cohort study.

Twenty-three individuals with TBI, consecutively admitted to TBI inpatient rehabilitation, who had independent community mobility potential on inpatient discharge.

PALs (steps per day) were monitored at three time points (T1) final week of inpatient rehabilitation, (T2) first week at home and (T3) 6 weeks following discharge. Measures across the physical, emotional and cognitive domains were performed at T1 and compared with PALs at T3.

PALs decreased significantly on hospital discharge (T2), compared to T1, and remained below recommended guidelines for maintenance of health and wellbeing at 6 weeks post discharge (T3). Motivation to exercise was the primary predictor of PALs at T3 (p < 0.01), with fatigue (p < 0.05) and anxiety (p < 0.05) also being significantly associated. Measures of physical ability were not correlated with PALs at T3.

PALs decreased significantly on discharge from hospital and remained below inpatient levels despite physical capacity for higher PALs. Motivation, fatigue and anxiety were important influencers of PALs during the transition home period.
PALs decreased significantly on discharge from hospital and remained below inpatient levels despite physical capacity for higher PALs. Motivation, fatigue and anxiety were important influencers of PALs during the transition home period.Periodontal ligament-associated protein 1 (PLAP-1)/asporin is an extracellular matrix protein preferentially expressed in periodontal ligaments. PLAP-1/asporin inhibits the cytodifferentiation and mineralization of periodontal ligament cells and has important roles in the maintenance of periodontal tissue homeostasis. However, the involvement of PLAP-1/asporin in inflammatory responses during periodontitis is poorly understood. This study hypothesized that PLAP-1/asporin might affect the pathogenesis of periodontitis by regulating periodontopathic bacteria-induced inflammatory responses. Proinflammatory cytokine expression induced by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 was significantly downregulated when PLAP-1/asporin was overexpressed in periodontal ligament cells. Sodium palmitate Similarly, recombinant PLAP-1/asporin inhibited TLR2- and TLR4-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages. We also confirmed that NF-κB activity induced by TLR2 and TLR4 signaling was suppressed by the addition of recombinant PLAP-1/asporin. Furthermore, IκB kinase α degradation induced by TLR4 was reduced by PLAP-1/asporin. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the binding abilities of PLAP-1/asporin to both TLR2 and TLR4. Taken together, PLAP-1/asporin negatively regulates TLR2- and TLR4-induced inflammatory responses through direct molecular interactions. These findings indicate that PLAP-1/asporin has a defensive role in periodontitis lesions by suppressing pathophysiologic TLR signaling and that the modulating effects of PLAP-1/asporin might be useful for periodontal treatments.Retention of blood donors has benefits over recruitment of new blood donors. Retention is defined as preventing donors from lapsing and eventually becoming inactive. This review paper discusses literature on the importance of efforts to retain donors, specifically new donors, since lapsing is most common before the fifth donation. Studies have found that intention to donate, attitudes towards blood donation and self-efficacy (does one feel capable of donating blood) are predictors of blood donation. Feelings of 'warm glow' predict donation behaviour better than altruism. The existing literature further suggests that first time donors can be retained by paying extra attention to adverse events (vasovagal reactions and fatigue). These events could be reduced by drinking water and muscle tension exercises. Feelings of anxiety (in regular donors) and stress can further prevent donors from returning. Planning donations amongst busy lives can help retention, and suggestions are given on which interventions might be helpful.
One of the most important application spectrums of transcriptomic data is cancer phenotype classification. Many characteristics of transcriptomic data, such as redundant features and technical artifacts, make over-fitting commonplace. Promising classification results often fail to generalize across datasets with different sources, platforms, or preprocessing. Recently a novel differential network rank conservation (DIRAC) algorithm to characterize cancer phenotypes using transcriptomic data. DIRAC is a member of a family of algorithms that have shown useful for disease classification based on the relative expression of genes. Combining the robustness of this family's simple decision rules with known biological relationships, this systems approach identifies interpretable, yet highly discriminate networks. While DIRAC has been briefly employed for several classification problems in the original paper, the potentials of DIRAC in cancer phenotype classification, and especially robustness against artifacts in tnted in this study may motivate other to initiate a new aline of research to explore the untapped power of DIRAC in a broad range of cancer types.
Many countries have made significant progress in the implementation of World Health Organization recommended preventive chemotherapy strategy, to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF). However, pertinent challenges such as the existence of areas of residual infections in disease endemic districts pose potential threats to the achievements made. Thus, this study was undertaken to assess the importance of these areas in implementation units (districts) where microfilaria (MF) positive individuals could not be found during the mid-term assessment after three rounds of mass drug administration.

This study was undertaken in Bo and Pujehun, two LF endemic districts of Sierra Leone, with baseline MF prevalence of 2 % and 0 % respectively in sentinel sites for monitoring impact of the national programme. Study communities in the districts were purposefully selected and an assessment of LF infection prevalence was conducted together with entomological investigations undertaken to determine the existence of areas witor the resurgence of LF if the prevalence of infections observed during TAS are below the threshold required for active transmission of the parasite. However, robust surveillance strategies capable of detecting residual infections must be implemented, together with entomological assessments to determine if ongoing vector control activities, biting rates and infection rates of the vectors can support the transmission of the disease. Furthermore, in areas where mid-term assessments reveal MF prevalence below 1 % or 2 % antigen level, in Anopheles transmission areas with active and effective malaria vector control efforts, the minimum 5 rounds of MDA may not be required before implementing TAS. Thus, we propose a modification of the WHO recommendation for the timing of sentinel and spot-check site assessments in national programs.
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