The surrounding habitat of marine algae in Malta

Chapter 10The study of algae has been conducted throughout the ages recreating multiple times scientific research with the latest technology and development that renders the results more efficient and reliable. In the Maltese scenario certain advances have not been backed up with the local situation and therefore they lack the real counterpart issue of what in reality we can observe. The Maltese Islands have undergone several infrastructural changes, which in some cases altered the natural setting. The arena of algae in relation to the anthropogenic disturbance being imposed on them has not been scrutinised in depth. Th is study aims to focus on such field in order to have real life analyses of the environment that surrounds us. In order to homogenise an array of features, biotic and abiotic factors have been emphasised on. Chemical tests are part of the lab analysis that consume most of the time since the water samples are very critical to the study. Th e time span required for the data collection and tests to be carried out is one of the issues for such data to create a determinative pattern.peer-reviewe

GPCRs through the keyhole: the role of protein flexibility in ligand binding to β-adrenoceptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are proteins of pharmaceutical importance, with over 30% of all drugs in clinical use targeting them. Increasing numbers of X-ray crystal (XRC) structures of GPCRs offer a wealth of data relating to ligand binding. For the β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs), XRC structures are available for human β2- and turkey β1-subtypes, in complexes with a range of ligands. While these structures provide insight into the origins of ligand structure-activity relationships (SARs), questions remain. The ligands in all published complexed XRC structures lack extensive substitution, with no obvious way the ligand-binding site can accommodate β1-AR-selective antagonists with extended side-chains para- to the common aryloxypropanolamine pharmacophore. Using standard computational docking tools with such ligands generally returns poses that fail to explain known SARs. Application of our Active Site Pressurisation modelling method to β-AR XRC structures and homology models, however, reveals a dynamic area in the ligand-binding pocket that, through minor changes in amino acid side chain orientations, opens a fissure between transmembrane helices H4 and H5, exposing intra-membrane space. This fissure, which we term the “keyhole”, is ideally located to accommodate extended moieties present in many high-affinity β1-AR-selective ligands, allowing the rest of the ligand structure to adopt a canonical pose in the orthosteric binding site. We propose the keyhole may be a feature of both β1- and β2-ARs, but that subtle structural differences exist between the two, contributing to subtype-selectivity. This has consequences for the rational design of future generations of subtype-selective ligands for these therapeutically important targets

A Rapid Assessment of the Quality of Neonatal Healthcare in Kilimanjaro Region, Northeast Tanzania.

While child mortality is declining in Africa there has been no evidence of a comparable reduction in neonatal mortality. The quality of inpatient neonatal care is likely a contributing factor but data from resource limited settings are few. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of neonatal care in the district hospitals of the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Clinical records were reviewed for ill or premature neonates admitted to 13 inpatient health facilities in the Kilimanjaro region; staffing and equipment levels were also assessed. Among the 82 neonates reviewed, key health information was missing from a substantial proportion of records: on maternal antenatal cards, blood group was recorded for 52 (63.4%) mothers, Rhesus (Rh) factor for 39 (47.6%), VDRL for 59 (71.9%) and HIV status for 77 (93.1%). From neonatal clinical records, heart rate was recorded for3 (3.7%) neonates, respiratory rate in 14, (17.1%) and temperature in 33 (40.2%). None of 13 facilities had a functioning premature unit despite calculated gestational age <36 weeks in 45.6% of evaluated neonates. Intravenous fluids and oxygen were available in 9 out of 13 of facilities, while antibiotics and essential basic equipment were available in more than two thirds. Medication dosing errors were common; under-dosage for ampicillin, gentamicin and cloxacillin was found in 44.0%, 37.9% and 50% of cases, respectively, while over-dosage was found in 20.0%, 24.2% and 19.9%, respectively. Physician or assistant physician staffing levels by the WHO indicator levels (WISN) were generally low. Key aspects of neonatal care were found to be poorly documented or incorrectly implemented in this appraisal of neonatal care in Kilimanjaro. Efforts towards quality assurance and enhanced motivation of staff may improve outcomes for this vulnerable group

The Effects and Implications of Vaping on the Youth Population

Youth today have adopted the “cessation tool” known as the e-cigarette as a form of recreational activity. An examination of the history of tobacco use and prevention enables a fuller understanding of the problem presented by this product. Youth around the country are addicted to the sensation of vaping and are largely unaware of the associated health dangers. To address this growing issue among adolescents, vaping and its impact on the youth population should be carefully examined by health professionals. Although an overall solution has not yet been determined, there are several ways to impede the spread of the vaping epidemic from a public health standpoint

\u3ci\u3eEutarsopolipus Davidsoni\u3c/i\u3e N. Sp. (Acari: Podapolipidae) From \u3ci\u3eChlaenius Sericeus\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Carabidae) From Ingham County, Michigan, and Redescription of Male \u3ci\u3eEutarsopolipus Regenfussi\u3c/i\u3e

A new species of podapolipid mite from Michigan, Eutarsoplipus davidsani (Acari: Podapolipidae) is described, illustrated and compared with related species of Eutarsopolipus in the Myzus group. Eutarsopolipus davidsani is an ectoparasite of Chlaenius sericeus (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Keys to genera and groups of podapolipid mite parasites of Carabidae and keys to 11 species in the Myzus group of Eutarsopolipus are provided. The male stage of E. regenfussi Husband and Swihart 1986 is redescribed from specimens taken from the type host, Chlaenius pennsylvanicus