Microbial nitrogen processing in hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) aquaculture sediments: the relative importance of denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA)

As bivalve aquaculture expands worldwide, an understanding of its role in nutrient cycling is necessary to ensure ecological sustainability and determine the potential of using bivalves for nutrient mitigation. Whereas several studies, primarily of epifaunal bivalves, have assessed denitrification, few have considered nutrient regeneration processes such as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), which competes with denitrification for nitrate and results in nitrogen retention rather than loss. This study compares sediment nitrogen cycling including mineralization, DNRA, and denitrification within U.S. clam aquaculture sediments to nearby uncultivated sediments, seasonally. Clam aquaculture significantly increased sediment ammonium and phosphate effluxes relative to uncultivated sediments. Both DNRA and denitrification were significantly enhanced at clam beds compared to uncultivated sediments in July and November, while in May only DNRA was increased. The ratio of DNRA to denitrification was significantly higher at clam beds compared to uncultivated sediments, demonstrating that DNRA may be favored due to a ready supply of labile organic carbon relative to nitrate and perhaps sulfidic conditions. Functional gene abundances, nrfA (DNRA) and nirS (denitrification) followed similar patterns to nitrate respiration rates with highest nrfA abundances in the clam sediments and similar nirS abundances across seasons and sediment type. Ultimately clam sediments were found to be a significant source of nutrients to the water column whereas uncultivated sediments retained ammonium produced by microbial mineralization. Thus, clam cultivation may promote local eutrophication (i.e., increased primary production) by facilitating nutrient regeneration and retention of ammonium in the sediments

Immunomodulatory effect of Rhaphidophora korthalsii on mice splenocyte, thymocyte and bone marrow cell proliferation and cytokine expression

Rhaphidophora korthalsii methanol extract was previously found as a potential in vitro immunomodulating agent. In this study, the in vitro immunomodulatory activity of R. korthalsii methanol extract on mice splenocyte were quantified through evaluating T/NK cell population, cytokine expression (IL-2 and IFN-) and cytotoxicity against Yac-1 cell. In vitro MTT proliferation study showed that R. korthalsii methanol extract stimulate significant proliferation of splenocyte, thymocyte and bone marrow cell at 25 g/ml after 72 h incubation as compared to rIL-2. Besides, 25 g/ml of extract also enhanced T-helper 1 cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-) secretion, natural killer cell (NK1.1+CD3-) population and cytotoxicity against natural killer sensitive Yac-1 leukemic cell line. It was concluded that R. korthalsii methanol extract is a potential immunomodulator agent that could activate the natural killer cell.Key words: Immunomodulation, in vitro, Rhaphidophora korthalsii, cytotoxicity

The effectiveness of activity pacing interventions for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: To investigate whether activity pacing interventions (alone or in conjunction with other evidence-based interventions) improve fatigue, physical function, psychological distress, depression, and anxiety in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Materials and methods: Seven databases were searched until 13 August 2022 for randomised controlled trials that included activity pacing interventions for CFS and a validated measure of fatigue. Secondary outcomes were physical function, psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. Two reviewers independently screened studies by title, abstract and full text. Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed in R. Results: 6390 articles were screened, with 14 included. Good overall study quality was supported by PEDro scale ratings. Activity pacing interventions were effective (Hedges’ g (95% CI)) at reducing fatigue (–0.52 (–0.73 to −0.32)), psychological distress (–0.37 (–0.51 to −0.24)) and depression (–0.29 (–0.49 to −0.09)) and improving physical function (mean difference 7.18 (3.17–11.18)) when compared to no treatment/usual care. The extent of improvement was greater for interventions that encouraged graded escalation of physical activities and cognitive activities. Conclusion: Activity pacing interventions are effective in reducing fatigue and psychological distress and improving physical function in CFS, particularly when people are encouraged to gradually increase activities. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42016036087. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION A key feature of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a prolonged post-exertional exacerbation of symptoms following physical activities or cognitive activities. Activity pacing is a common strategy often embedded in multi-component management programs for CFS. Activity pacing interventions are effective in reducing fatigue and psychological distress and improving physical function in CFS, particularly when patients are encouraged to gradually increase their activities. Healthcare professionals embedding activity pacing as part of treatment should work collaboratively with patients to ensure successful, individualised self-management strategies

First Evidence of Dinosaurian Secondary Cartilage in the Post-Hatching Skull of Hypacrosaurus stebingeri (Dinosauria, Ornithischia)

Bone and calcified cartilage can be fossilized and preserved for hundreds of millions of years. While primary cartilage is fairly well studied in extant and fossilized organisms, nothing is known about secondary cartilage in fossils. In extant birds, secondary cartilage arises after bone formation during embryonic life at articulations, sutures and muscular attachments in order to accommodate mechanical stress. Considering the phylogenetic inclusion of birds within the Dinosauria, we hypothesized a dinosaurian origin for this “avian” tissue. Therefore, histological thin sectioning was used to investigate secondary chondrogenesis in disarticulated craniofacial elements of several post-hatching specimens of the non-avian dinosaur Hypacrosaurus stebingeri (Ornithischia, Lambeosaurinae). Secondary cartilage was found on three membrane bones directly involved with masticatory function: (1) as nodules on the dorso-caudal face of a surangular; and (2) on the bucco-caudal face of a maxilla; and (3) between teeth as islets in the alveolar processes of a dentary. Secondary chondrogenesis at these sites is consistent with the locations of secondary cartilage in extant birds and with the induction of the cartilage by different mechanical factors - stress generated by the articulation of the quadrate, stress of a ligamentous or muscular insertion, and stress of tooth formation. Thus, our study reveals the first evidence of “avian” secondary cartilage in a non-avian dinosaur. It pushes the origin of this “avian” tissue deep into dinosaurian ancestry, suggesting the creation of the more appropriate term “dinosaurian” secondary cartilage

eLearning improves allied health professionals' knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of eLearning by allied health professionals on improving the knowledge and confidence to manage people with medically unexplained chronic fatigue states (FS). Methods: Using a parallel randomized controlled trial design, participants were randomized 1:1 to a 4-week eLearning or wait-list control group. Knowledge and self-reported confidence in clinical skills to implement a therapeutic intervention for patients with FS were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up. Secondary outcomes (adherence and satisfaction with online education, knowledge retention) were also assessed. Data was analyzed using intention-to-treat. Results: There were 239 participants were randomized (eLearning n = 119, control n = 120), of whom 101 (85%) eLearning and 107 (89%) control participants completed baseline assessments and were included in the analysis. Knowledge (out of 100) improved significantly more in the eLearning group compared to the control group [mean difference (95% CI) 8.6 (5.9 to 11.4), p < 0.001]. Knowledge was reduced in the eLearning group at follow-up but was still significantly higher than baseline [6.0 (3.7 to 8.3), p < 0.001]. Median change (out of 5) in confidence in clinical skills to implement the FS intervention was also significantly greater in the eLearning group compared to the control group [knowledge: eLearning (1.2), control (0); clinical skills: eLearning (1), control (0.1); both p < 0.001)]. Average time spent on the eLearning program was 8.8 h. Most participants (80%) rated the lesson difficulty as at the “right level”, and 91% would recommend it to others. Conclusions: eLearning increased knowledge and confidence to manage FS amongst allied health professionals and was well-accepted. Registration: ACTRN12616000296437 https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=370222&isReview=true

Computational studies on the structural variations of MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors - An in silico docking approach

276-295The neurological disorder is a concerning problem in the present social scenario. The malfunction of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme is the responsible factor behind this disorder because this enzyme regulates the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters. This work aimed to design and propose the best MAO inhibitors through extensive computational analysis so that the favourable drug-like molecules could be identified for future synthesis. The drugs selected in this study were three MAO-A inhibitors namely Moclobemide, Tolxatone and Brofaromine and two MAO-B inhibitors namely Selegiline and Rasagiline. By substituting hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups at the specified positions, structural variations were designed for each drug. The designed variations and their parent drugs were optimized (basis set is B3LYP/6-311G(d, p)) and the optimized structures were docked to the target using PyRx software. The binding energy of each variation was compared to that of parent drug. The drug-likeness, physicochemical properties (solubility, polarity, flexibility, gastrointestinal absorption, saturation etc.) and toxicity of the lower binding energy variations were analysed using the swissADME, Osiris property explorer and ProTox-II servers. The interacting residues of the enzymes were obtained from the LigPlot+ program. The safe and low binding energy variations with favourable drug properties are suggested for further drug research

Extension of Yeast Chronological Lifespan by Methylamine

Background: Chronological aging of yeast cells is commonly used as a model for aging of human post-mitotic cells. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on glucose in the presence of ammonium sulphate is mainly used in yeast aging research. We have analyzed chronological aging of the yeast Hansenula polymorpha grown at conditions that require primary peroxisome metabolism for growth. Methodology/Principal Findings: The chronological lifespan of H. polymorpha is strongly enhanced when cells are grown on methanol or ethanol, metabolized by peroxisome enzymes, relative to growth on glucose that does not require peroxisomes. The short lifespan of H. polymorpha on glucose is mainly due to medium acidification, whereas most likely ROS do not play an important role. Growth of cells on methanol/methylamine instead of methanol/ammonium sulphate resulted in further lifespan enhancement. This was unrelated to medium acidification. We show that oxidation of methylamine by peroxisomal amine oxidase at carbon starvation conditions is responsible for lifespan extension. The methylamine oxidation product formaldehyde is further oxidized resulting in NADH generation, which contributes to increased ATP generation and reduction of ROS levels in the stationary phase. Conclusion/Significance: We conclude that primary peroxisome metabolism enhanced chronological lifespan of H. polymorpha. Moreover, the possibility to generate NADH at carbon starvation conditions by an organic nitrogen source supports further extension of the lifespan of the cell. Consequently, the interpretation of CLS analyses in yeast should include possible effects on the energy status of the cell.

Preparation and characterization of in situ polymerized cyclic butylene terephthalate/graphene nanocomposites

Graphene reinforced cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) matrix nanocomposites were prepared and characterized by mechanical and thermal methods. These nanocomposites containing different amounts of graphene (up to 5 wt%) were prepared by melt mixing with CBT that was polymerized in situ during a subsequent hot pressing. The nanocomposites and the neat polymerized CBT (pCBT) as reference material were subjected to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA) and heat conductivity measurements. The dispersion of the grapheme nanoplatelets was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was established that the partly exfoliated graphene worked as nucleating agent for crystallization, acted as very efficient reinforcing agent (the storage modulus at room temperature was increased by 39 and 89% by incorporating 1 and 5 wt.% graphene, respectively). Graphene incorporation markedly enhanced the heat conductivity but did not influence the TGA behaviour due to the not proper exfoliation except the ash content

Laser cooling of a diatomic molecule

It has been roughly three decades since laser cooling techniques produced ultracold atoms, leading to rapid advances in a vast array of fields. Unfortunately laser cooling has not yet been extended to molecules because of their complex internal structure. However, this complexity makes molecules potentially useful for many applications. For example, heteronuclear molecules possess permanent electric dipole moments which lead to long-range, tunable, anisotropic dipole-dipole interactions. The combination of the dipole-dipole interaction and the precise control over molecular degrees of freedom possible at ultracold temperatures make ultracold molecules attractive candidates for use in quantum simulation of condensed matter systems and quantum computation. Also ultracold molecules may provide unique opportunities for studying chemical dynamics and for tests of fundamental symmetries. Here we experimentally demonstrate laser cooling of the molecule strontium monofluoride (SrF). Using an optical cycling scheme requiring only three lasers, we have observed both Sisyphus and Doppler cooling forces which have substantially reduced the transverse temperature of a SrF molecular beam. Currently the only technique for producing ultracold molecules is by binding together ultracold alkali atoms through Feshbach resonance or photoassociation. By contrast, different proposed applications for ultracold molecules require a variety of molecular energy-level structures. Our method provides a new route to ultracold temperatures for molecules. In particular it bridges the gap between ultracold temperatures and the ~1 K temperatures attainable with directly cooled molecules (e.g. cryogenic buffer gas cooling or decelerated supersonic beams). Ultimately our technique should enable the production of large samples of molecules at ultracold temperatures for species that are chemically distinct from bialkalis.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure