The Present and Future Role of Insect-Resistant Genetically Modified Maize in IPM

Commercial, genetically-modified (GM) maize was first planted in the United States (USA, 1996) and Canada (1997) but now is grown in 13 countries on a total of over 35 million hectares (\u3e24% of area worldwide). The first GM maize plants produced a Cry protein derived from the soil bacteriumBacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which made them resistant to European corn borer and other lepidopteran maize pests. New GM maize hybrids not only have resistance to lepidopteran pests but some have resistance to coleopteran pests and tolerance to specific herbicides. Growers are attracted to the Btmaize hybrids for their convenience and because of yield protection, reduced need for chemical insecticides, and improved grain quality. Yet, most growers worldwide still rely on traditional integrated pest management (IPM) methods to control maize pests. They must weigh the appeal of buying insect protection “in the bag” against questions regarding economics, environmental safety, and insect resistance management (IRM). Traditional management of maize insects and the opportunities and challenges presented by GM maize are considered as they relate to current and future insect-resistant products. Four countries, two that currently have commercialize Bt maize (USA and Spain) and two that do not (China and Kenya), are highlighted. As with other insect management tactics (e.g., insecticide use or tillage), GM maize should not be considered inherently compatible or incompatible with IPM. Rather, the effect of GM insect-resistance on maize IPM likely depends on how the technology is developed and used

The zinc finger protein ZPR1 is a potential modifier of spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by mutation of the Survival Motor Neurons 1 (SMN1) gene and is characterized by degeneration of spinal motor neurons. The severity of SMA is primarily influenced by the copy number of the SMN2 gene. Additional modifier genes that lie outside the SMA locus exist and one gene that could modify SMA is the Zinc Finger Protein (ZPR1) gene. To test the significance of ZPR1 downregulation in SMA, we examined the effect of reduced ZPR1 expression in mice with mild and severe SMA. We report that the reduced ZPR1 expression causes increase in the loss of motor neurons, hypermyelination in phrenic nerves, increase in respiratory distress and disease severity and reduces the lifespan of SMA mice. The deficiency of SMN-containing sub-nuclear bodies correlates with the severity of SMA. ZPR1 is required for the accumulation of SMN in sub-nuclear bodies. Further, we report that ZPR1 overexpression increases levels of SMN and promotes accumulation of SMN in sub-nuclear bodies in SMA patient fibroblasts. ZPR1 stimulates neurite growth and rescues axonal growth defects in SMN-deficient spinal cord neurons from SMA mice. These data suggest that the severity of disease correlates negatively with ZPR1 levels and ZPR1 may be a protective modifier of SMA. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved

Haematuria: a three year experience in a specialist urological facility in Sri Lanka.

Objective: Haematuria  is  an alarm sign which needs exclusion of sinister pathology. Data regarding haematuria  is  sparse  in  Sri  Lanka. Our objective was to identify the age related causes, associated  presentations of benign & malignant conditions and to assess the success of diagnostic tools in achieving the proper diagnosis in patients with haematuria. Methods: We  retrospectively  analyzed  our  database  consisting  of 332 Patients over 3 years. Results: Mean  age  was  56.13 (range 4 – 91), age  related  causes  of  haematuria  are  as  follows.     Cause of haematuria <40 (n=69) Calculi(81.5%) UTI (12.3%) Malignancy(6%) >40 (n=263) Malignancy(41%) Calculi(31%) Vascular prostate(11%)               Majority  were  males (75%).  Overall, 34%(n=113) patients  had  malignancies  and 66%(n=219) had benign disease. LUTS(44%),  pain(45.5%),  retention of urine(14.8%), Fever(7.2%)  were  the  common  associated  presentations. Passage  of  clots(16.6%), particulate matter(11.4%)  pneumaturia,  had  significant  relationship  to  malignancies. 62.7%(n=208) had frank haematuria of which 40.4%(n=84) had malignancies. Of the 37.3%(n=124) with microscopic haematuria, 23.4%(n=29)  were malignant. Of the 54.5%(n=181)  who  had  painless  haematuria, 50.3%(n=91)  were  malignant. Only 14.6% of those with painful haematuria had cancer. Overall, 47.8% were TCC, 34% RCC & 17.4% Prostate Carcinoma.Physical  examination,  urine  analysis  and basic imaging had a diagnostic  yield  of over 80%, uro-endoscopy  was  needed  to  diagnose  further  8%  patients.  3%  patients  would  have missed  the diagnosis  if  not  for  axial  imaging. Conclusions: The high proportion of cancer and overall diagnostic yield in patients with haematuria emphasizes  the   need  for  comprehensive  evaluation. Lack  of  pain,  passage  of clots, particles  &  pneumaturia  had  notable  associations  with  malignancy.

Is There Any Evidence of Premature, Accentuated and Accelerated Aging Effects on Neurocognition in People Living with HIV? A Systematic Review

Despite evidence of premature, accentuated and accelerated aging for some age-related conditions such as cardiovascular diseases in people living with HIV (PLHIV), the evidence for these abnormal patterns of aging on neurocognition remains unclear. Further, no systematic review has been dedicated to this issue. Using PRISMA guidelines, we searched standard databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO). Articles were included if they analyzed and reported the effect of age on neurocognition among PLHIV as one of their major findings, if they were conducted in the combination anti-retroviral therapy era (after 1996) and published in a peer-reviewed journal in English. Quality appraisal was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) appraisal tools. To systematically target the abnormal patterns of neurocognitive aging, we define premature cognitive aging as significant interaction effect of HIV status and age on cross-sectional neurocognitive test performance covering both the normal and abnormal performance range; accentuated cognitive aging as significant interaction effect of HIV status and age on cross-sectional neurocognitive impairment (NCI) rate, thus covering the abnormal performance range only; accelerated cognitive aging as significant interaction effect of HIV status and age on longitudinal neurocognitive test performance or incidence of NCI. Because these definitions require an age-comparable HIV-negative (HIV−) control group, when no controls were included, we determined the range of the age effect on neurocognitive test performance or NCI among PLHIV. A total of 37 studies originating from the US (26), UK (2), Italy (2), Poland (2), China (2), Japan (1), Australia (1), and Brazil (1) were included. Six studies were longitudinal and 14 included HIV- controls. The quality appraisal showed that 12/37 studies neither used an age-matched HIV- controls nor used demographically corrected cognitive scores. A meta-analysis was not possible because study methods and choice of neurocognitive measurement methods and outcomes were heterogeneous imposing a narrative synthesis. In studies with an HIV- control sample, premature neurocognitive aging was found in 45% of the cross-sectional analyses (9/20), while accelerated neurocognitive aging was found in 75% of the longitudinal analyses (3/4). There was no evidence for accentuated aging, but this was tested only in two studies. In studies without an HIV- control sample, the age effect was always present but wide (NCI OR = 1.18–4.8). While large sample size (> 500) was associated with abnormal patterns of cognitive aging, most of the studies were under powered. Other study characteristics such as longitudinal study design and higher proportion of older participants were also associated with the findings of abnormal cognitive aging. There is some support for premature and accelerated cognitive aging among PLHIV in the existing literature especially among large and longitudinal studies and those with higher proportion of older samples. Future HIV and cognitive aging studies need to harmonize neuropsychological measurement methods and outcomes and use a large sample from collaborative multi-sites to generate more robust evidences

Office of Saline Water Reports

From Introduction: "In this report we will present the results of extending our study of MPE desalination systems to include freezing processes.

Office of Saline Water Reports

From Introduction: "The purpose of this study was to investigate analytically the performance of various combination heat and work-input MPE desalination systems ranging from pure heat-input to pure work-input types. MPE desalination systems are described in the following section, while, the analytical methods and discussions of the results obtained are presented in the appendices.

HIV testing and sero-prevalence among methamphetamine users seeking substance abuse treatment in Cape Town

Methamphetamine use is highly prevalent in parts of South Africa, and there is concern this will contribute to the country's substantial HIV epidemic. We examined the feasibility of implementing routine HIV testing at a community-based substance abuse treatment centre in Cape Town and determined the HIV sero-prevalence among methamphetamine users seeking treatment at this site. In this cross-sectional study, 293 participants completed measures of demographics, substance use and HIV treatment. HIV sero-prevalence was determined by a rapid finger-prick HIV test, and prior HIV diagnosis was confirmed via clinic records. The majority of participants were male and self-identified as 'Coloured', with a mean age of 28 years. The HIV sero-prevalence was 3.8%. Of the 11 participants who tested HIV positive, four were newly diagnosed. HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants were comparable on demographic and substance use factors. Uptake of HIV testing among all clients at the drug treatment centre increased from <5% prior to study initiation to 89% after study completion. Measures implemented to ensure high rates of HIV testing were regarded as sustainable. Our study suggests that integrating routine HIV testing into substance abuse treatment is feasible in a community-based health centre. The low HIV prevalence among this sample of treatment-seeking methamphetamine users highlights the potential benefits of supporting expanded efforts to optimise HIV prevention with this young adult population. [Gouse H, Joska JA, Lion RR, Watt MH, Burnhams W, Carrico AW, Meade CS. HIV testing and sero-prevalence among methamphetamine users seeking substance abuse treatment in Cape Town. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:580-583]

Urea-SCR System Demonstration and Evaluation for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks

The Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis (ITS-Davis) has brought together a group of public and industrial partners to demonstrate and evaluate the Siemens-Westinghouse Urea-Selective Catalyst Reduction System (SINOx TM). The SINOx System has the potential to generate major reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the volatile organic fraction (VOF) of particulate (PM) from heavy-duty diesel engines, without increasing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This demonstration began with engine bench testing at Detroit Diesel Corporation to calibrate the system to attain 1 g/bhp-hr NOx emissions in the transient portion of the US-FTP on a 1999 Series 60 engine that has a 4 g/bhp-hr emission level. The second phase of the project entails an on-highway demonstration of a set of ten, Freightliner Class 8 heavy-duty diesel vehicles. These vehicles are part of the Valley Material Transport fleet based in French Camp, California Performance of the SINOx System will be tested under realistic on-road operating conditions, using on-road emissions measurement techniques as well as traditional dynamometer testing. In addition to emissions and fuel economy testing, a comprehensive study will investigate trucking industry acceptance, infrastructure needs, technical feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of the system. This evaluation is funded by San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District, Sacramento Air Pollution Control District, and California Air Resources Board

Urea-SCR System Demonstration and Evaluation for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks

The Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis (ITS-Davis) has brought together a group of public and industrial partners to demonstrate and evaluate the Siemens-Westinghouse Urea-Selective Catalyst Reduction System (SINOx TM). The SINOx System has the potential to generate major reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the volatile organic fraction (VOF) of particulate (PM) from heavy-duty diesel engines, without increasing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This demonstration began with engine bench testing at Detroit Diesel Corporation to calibrate the system to attain 1 g/bhp-hr NOx emissions in the transient portion of the US-FTP on a 1999 Series 60 engine that has a 4 g/bhp-hr emission level. The second phase of the project entails an on-highway demonstration of a set of ten, Freightliner Class 8 heavy-duty diesel vehicles. These vehicles are part of the Valley Material Transport fleet based in French Camp, California Performance of the SINOx System will be tested under realistic on-road operating conditions, using on-road emissions measurement techniques as well as traditional dynamometer testing. In addition to emissions and fuel economy testing, a comprehensive study will investigate trucking industry acceptance, infrastructure needs, technical feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of the system. This evaluation is funded by San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District, Sacramento Air Pollution Control District, and California Air Resources Board.Urban Studies and Planning