Toward Better Understanding on How Group A <em>Streptococcus</em> Manipulates Human Fibrinolytic System

Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is a human pathogen that commonly causes superficial infections such as pharyngitis, but can also lead to systemic and fatal diseases. GAS infection remains to be a major threat in regions with insufficient medical infrastructures, leading to half a million deaths annually worldwide. The pathogenesis of GAS is mediated by a number of virulence factors, which function to facilitate bacterial colonization, immune evasion, and deep tissue invasion. In this review, we will discuss the mechanism of molecular interaction between the host protein and virulence factors that target the fibrinolytic system, including streptokinase (SK), plasminogen-binding group A streptococcal M-like protein (PAM), and streptococcal inhibitor of complement (SIC). We will discuss our current understanding, through structural studies, on how these proteins manipulate the fibrinolytic system during infection

Exploring trans youths' future orientations as a product of experiences of dis/affirmation

Trans youths’ future orientations are important but seldom discussed within the literature. Compared to their cisgender peers, the developmental trajectories of this group are characterised by considerable change, and highly subject to prevailing political climates. Here, we explore trans youths’ future orientations as a product of present-day experiences of identity-affirming factors. Some 1679 trans youth aged 14–21 responded to two open-ended items asking them about their experiences of gender affirmation, as well as their future goals and aspirations. Data analysis adopted a procedure inspired by thematic analysis. The findings highlighted close links between future orientations and present-day experiences of affirmation. Where the latter were absent, participants appeared less able to envision positive future orientations beyond the fulfilment of the need for social and interpersonal acceptance. Gender-affirming experiences are not only integral to the well-being of trans youths in the present, but also facilitate their ability to envision a future to work towards

Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad: 3 Year Progress Report of Multi-Species Non-Invasive Montioring of Forest Carnivores in the Southwest Crown of the Continent

The Southwestern Crown of the Continent is a 1.5 million acre landscape in western Montana that has been the focus of collaborative forest restoration since 2010. Monitoring the effects on forest carnivores of forest restoration efforts can aid land management decisions significantly. A multi-party working group initiated field work to collect baseline information regarding the distribution and relative abundance of forest carnivores across the Southwestern Crown. In the winters of 2012-2014, we employed non-invasive detection methods, including systematic grid-based snowtrack surveys (with backtracking to obtain genetic samples), combined with baited DNA snares and camera traps, to detect target species, including lynx (Lynx canadensis), wolverine (Gulo gulo), and fisher (Pekania pennanti). We surveyed 82 of the 129 5 x 5 mile grid cells in the study area, resulting in 3,366 miles of track surveys, and 274+ bait stations.  We detected lynx in 35 cells and wolverine in 38 cells. The number of cells where lynx were detected was consistent between survey years, while the number of wolverine detection cells increased each survey year.  We did not detect any fisher in the study area.  Genetics have identified at least 18 individual lynx (13 M, 5 F) and 15 individual wolverines (6 M, 9 F).  The combination of two detection methods improved our ability to detect species, including non-target species, compared with either method alone. Our methods could be deployed more widely in Montana

DNA Release From Plant Tissue Using Focused Ultrasound Extraction (Fuse)

PREMISE: Sample preparation in genomics is a critical step that is often overlooked in molecular workflows and impacts the success of downstream genetic applications. This study explores the use of a recently developed focused ultrasound extraction (FUSE) technique to enable the rapid release of DNA from plant tissues for genetic analysis. METHODS: FUSE generates a dense acoustic cavitation bubble cloud that pulverizes targeted tissue into acellular debris. This technique was applied to leaf samples of American chestnut ( RESULTS: We observed that FUSE can extract high quantities of DNA in 9-15 min, compared to the 30 min required for control DNA extraction methods. FUSE extracted DNA quantities of 24.33 ± 6.51 ng/mg and 35.32 ± 9.21 ng/mg from American chestnut and red maple, respectively, while control methods yielded 6.22 ± 0.87 ng/mg and 11.51 ± 1.95 ng/mg, respectively. The quality of the DNA released by FUSE allowed for successful amplification and next-generation sequencing. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that FUSE can improve DNA extraction efficiency for leaf tissues. Continued development of this technology aims to adapt to field-deployable systems to increase the cataloging of genetic biodiversity, particularly in low-resource biodiversity hotspots

An orbital perspective on the starvation, stripping, and quenching of satellite galaxies in the EAGLE simulations

Using the EAGLE suite of simulations, we demonstrate that both cold gas stripping {\it and} starvation of gas inflow play an important role in quenching satellite galaxies across a range of stellar and halo masses, $M_{\star}$ and $M_{200}$. By quantifying the balance between gas inflows, outflows, and star formation rates, we show that even at $z=2$, only $\approx30\%$ of satellite galaxies are able to maintain equilibrium or grow their reservoir of cool gas - compared to $\approx50\%$ of central galaxies at this redshift. We find that the number of orbits completed by a satellite is a very good predictor of its quenching, even more so than the time since infall. On average, we show that intermediate-mass satellites with $M_{\star}$ between $10^{9}{\rm M}_{\odot}-10^{10}{\rm M}_{\odot}$ will be quenched at first pericenter in massive group environments, $M_{200}>10^{13.5}{\rm M}_{\odot}$; and will be quenched at second pericenter in less massive group environments, $M_{200}<10^{13.5}{\rm M}_{\odot}$. On average, more massive satellites ($M_{\star}>10^{10}{\rm M}_{\odot}$) experience longer depletion time-scales, being quenched between first and second pericenters in massive groups; while in smaller group environments, just $\approx30\%$ will be quenched even after two orbits. Our results suggest that while starvation alone may be enough to slowly quench satellite galaxies, direct gas stripping, particularly at pericenters, is required to produce the short quenching time-scales exhibited in the simulation.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

How do self‐advocates use community development to change attitudes to disability?

Background Negative attitudes remain a major barrier to the equality of people with disability, especially when coupled with the lack of autonomy imposed on many people. This paper analyses how disability self‐advocacy groups seek to change community attitudes and work towards systemic change by mobilising knowledge from their lived experience. Methods The paper applies a cycle of praxis community development approach (a cycle of experience, learning and reflection, synthesis and planning, and implementation and review) to conceptualise and analyse their activities. The methods were a desktop document search, focus groups and reflective analysis with members of two self‐advocacy groups. Findings A synthesised data analysis found that applying the four‐part community development framework was useful to understand the practice and the purpose of work by self‐advocacy groups to change attitudes. The analysis also demonstrates the benefits for advocates and codesigned activities to intentionally apply the cycle of praxis model to guide their future efforts to change attitudes. Conclusions The research provides evidence that self‐advocacy groups achieve sustained impacts on attitudes in the community, beyond the direct benefit to their members. Government investment in self‐advocacy has potential to leverage wider system change in attitudes to achieve policy goals for the rights of people with disability. Methodologically, the research also has implications for the benefit of inclusive roles in reflective analysis to understand the lived experience of how practices contribute to system change. The design is an opportunity for inclusive researchers to intentionally incorporate reflective analysis into research processes

Impact of the Chicago Earned Income Tax Periodic Payment intervention on food security

This article examines the Earned Income Tax Credit Periodic Payment Pilot and its effectiveness in reducing food insecurity for low-income households. Low-income families in Chicago who were eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit provided data over four waves of data collection between 2014 and 2015. We utilize longitudinal random effects logit models to test the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity. The sample was composed mostly by women with low educational levels. The intervention significantly decreased the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity over time (T2: β=−0.23, p=.581; T3: β=−0.89, p < .10; T4: β=−2.21, p < .01). The Periodic Payment Pilot seems effective at reducing food insecurity in low-income families. Further research should examine how changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit payment distribution could improve the lives of low-income families, specifically concerning food insecurity.Ope

Sex-specific associations between placental corticotropin releasing hormone and problem behaviors in childhood.

Placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (pCRH) is a neuroactive peptide produced in high concentrations in mid-late pregnancy, during key periods of fetal brain development. Some evidence suggests that higher pCRH exposure during gestation is associated with adverse neurodevelopment, particularly in female offspring. In 858 mother-child dyads from the sociodemographically diverse CANDLE cohort (Memphis, TN), we examined: (1) the slope of pCRH rise in mid-late pregnancy and (2) estimated pCRH at delivery as a measure of cumulative prenatal exposure. When children were 4 years-old, mothers reported on problem behaviors using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and cognitive performance was assessed by trained psychologists using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales. We fitted linear regression models examining pCRH in relation to behavioral and cognitive performance measures, adjusting for covariates. Using interaction models, we evaluated whether associations differed by fetal sex, breastfeeding, and postnatal neighborhood opportunity. In the full cohort, log-transformed pCRH measures were not associated with outcomes; however, we observed sex differences in some models (interaction p-values≤0.01). In male offspring, an interquartile (IQR) increase in pCRH slope (but not estimated pCRH at delivery), was positively associated with raw Total (β=3.06, 95%CI: 0.40, 5.72), Internalizing (β=0.89, 95%CI: 0.03, 1.76), and Externalizing (β=1.25, 95%CI: 0.27, 2.22) Problem scores, whereas, in females, all associations were negative (Total Problems: β=-1.99, 95%CI: -3.89, -0.09; Internalizing: β=-0.82, 95%CI: -1.42, -0.23; Externalizing: β=-0.56, 95%CI: -1.34, 0.22). No associations with cognitive performance were observed nor did we observe moderation by breastfeeding or postnatal neighborhood opportunity. Our results provide further evidence that prenatal pCRH exposure may impact subsequent child behavior in sex-specific ways, however in contrast to prior studies suggesting adverse impacts in females, steeper mid-gestation pCRH rise was associated with more problem behaviors in males, but fewer in females