Simulation of Lablab Pastures

The potential of legume-based pastures to address declining soil nitrogen on marginal cropping soils is increasingly recognised in northern Australia, as such there is a need for cost benefit analysis of pastures and crops in a mixed farming system. In highly variable rainfall environments, biophysical modelling may be the best way of identifying and quantifying interactions with mixed crop-livestock systems on a seasonal basis. This paper describes a case study where both animal productivity and lablab pasture production is simulated. Lablab (Lablab purpureus) is an annual tropical legume widely used as a short-term legume phase in crop-pasture rotations, providing high quality forage for animal production and a low risk nitrogen input for crop production

Influence of P Fertility and Grazing on Plant Species in a Temperate Australian Pasture

Graziers in temperate Australia are increasing their use of P fertiliser so they can run more stock and maintain profitability. However, intensification changes grassland botanical composition and perennial grass cover can be reduced. Perennial grasses are important because they improve production stability, reduce deep drainage and slow the rate of soil acidification. This study examined how P fertility and grazing affected the botanical composition of pasture based on Phalaris aquatica, a key perennial grass in south-eastern Australia

Intercalative Stacking: A Critical Feature of DNA Charge-Transport Electrochemistry

In electrochemistry experiments on DNA-modified electrodes, features of the redox probe that determine efficient charge transport through DNA-modified surfaces have been explored using methylene blue (MB^+) and Ru(NH_3)_6^(3+) as DNA-binding redox probes. The electrochemistry of these molecules is studied as a function of ionic strength to determine the necessity of tight binding to DNA and the number of electrons involved in the redox reaction; on the DNA surface, MB^+ displays 2e^-/1H^+ electrochemistry (pH 7) and Ru(NH^3)_6^(3+) displays 1e^- electrochemistry. We examine also the effect of electrode surface passivation and the effect of the mode (intercalation or electrostatic) of MB^+ and Ru(NH_3)_6^(3+) binding to DNA to highlight the importance of intercalation for reduction by a DNA-mediated charge-transport pathway. Furthermore, in experiments in which MB^+ is covalently linked to the DNA through a σ-bonded tether and the ionic strength is varied, it is demonstrated that intercalative stacking rather than covalent σ-bonding is essential for efficient reduction of MB^+. The results presented here therefore establish that efficient charge transport to the DNA-binding moiety in DNA films requires intercalative stacking and is mediated by the DNA base pair array

Synthesis and Spectroelectrochemistry of Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)^(3+), a Tris(heteroleptic) Metallointercalator

A tris(heteroleptic) phenanthrenequinone diimine (phi) complex of Ir(III), Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)^(3+), was synthesized through the stepwise introduction of three different bidentate ligands, and the Λ- and Δ-enantiomers were resolved and characterized by CD spectroscopy. Like other phi complexes, this tris(heteroleptic) iridium complex binds avidly to DNA by intercalation. Electrochemical studies show that Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)^(3+) undergoes a reversible one-electron reduction at E_0 = -0.025 V in 0.1 M TBAH/DMF (versus Ag/AgCl), and spectroelectrochemical studies indicate that this reduction is centered on the phi ligand. The EPR spectrum of electrochemically generated Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)^(2+) is consistent with a phi-based radical. The electrochemistry of Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)^(3+) was also probed at a DNA-modified electrode, where a DNA binding affinity of K = 1.1 x 10^6 M^(-1) was measured. In contrast to Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)^(3+) free in solution, the complex bound to DNA undergoes a concerted two-electron reduction, to form a diradical species. On the basis of UV-visible and EPR spectroscopies, it is found that disproportionation of electrochemically generated Ir(bpy)(phen) (phi)^(2+) occurs upon DNA binding. These results underscore the rich redox chemistry associated with metallointercalators bound to DNA

Ongoing strategies to improve the management of upper respiratory tract infections and reduce inappropriate antibiotic use particularly among lower and middle-income countries: findings and implications for the future

Introduction: Antibiotics are indispensable to maintaining human health; however, their overuse has resulted in resistant organisms, increasing morbidity, mortality and costs. Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat, resulting in multiple campaigns across countries to improve appropriate antimicrobial use. This includes addressing the overuse of antimicrobials for self-limiting infections, such as upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), particularly in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there is the greatest inappropriate use and where antibiotic utilization has increased the most in recent years. Consequently, there is a need to document current practices and successful initiatives in LMICs to improve future antimicrobial use. Methodology: Documentation of current epidemiology and management of URTIs, particularly in LMICs, as well as campaigns to improve future antimicrobial use and their influence where known. Results: Much concern remains regarding the prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics for URTIs among LMICs. This includes considerable self-purchasing, up to 100% of pharmacies in some LMICs. However, multiple activities are now ongoing to improve future use. These incorporate educational initiatives among all key stakeholder groups, as well as legislation and other activities to reduce self-purchasing as part of National Action Plans (NAPs). Further activities are still needed however. These include increased physician and pharmacist education, starting in medical and pharmacy schools; greater monitoring of prescribing and dispensing practices, including the development of pertinent quality indicators; and targeted patient information and health education campaigns. It is recognized that such activities are more challenging in LMICs given more limited resources and a lack of healthcare professionals. Conclusion: Initiatives will grow across LMICs to reduce inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials for URTIs as part of NAPs and other activities, and these will be monitored

Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed considerable lives. There are major concerns in Africa due to existing high prevalence rates for both infectious and non-infectious diseases and limited resources in terms of personnel, beds and equipment. Alongside this, concerns that lockdown and other measures will have on prevention and management of other infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are an increasing issue with rising morbidity and mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that a lack of nets and treatment could result in up to 18 million additional cases of malaria and up to 30,000 additional deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: Document current prevalence and mortality rates from COVID-19 alongside economic and other measures to reduce its spread and impact across Africa. In addition, suggested ways forward among all key stakeholder groups. Our Approach: Contextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet-based publications coupled with input from senior-level personnel. Ongoing Activities: Prevalence and mortality rates are currently lower in Africa than among several Western countries and the USA. This could be due to a number of factors including early instigation of lockdown and border closures, the younger age of the population, lack of robust reporting systems and as yet unidentified genetic and other factors. Innovation is accelerating to address concerns with available equipment. There are ongoing steps to address the level of misinformation and its consequences including fines. There are also ongoing initiatives across Africa to start addressing the unintended consequences of COVID-19 activities including lockdown measures and their impact on NCDs including the likely rise in mental health disorders, exacerbated by increasing stigma associated with COVID-19. Strategies include extending prescription lengths, telemedicine and encouraging vaccination. However, these need to be accelerated to prevent increased morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: There are multiple activities across Africa to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and address misinformation, which can have catastrophic consequences, assisted by the WHO and others, which appear to be working in a number of countries. Research is ongoing to clarify the unintended consequences given ongoing concerns to guide future activities. Countries are learning from each other

Communication Impairments in Mice Lacking Shank1: Reduced Levels of Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Scent Marking Behavior

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component. Core symptoms are abnormal reciprocal social interactions, qualitative impairments in communication, and repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior with restricted interests. Candidate genes for autism include the SHANK gene family, as mutations in SHANK2 and SHANK3 have been detected in several autistic individuals. SHANK genes code for a family of scaffolding proteins located in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. To test the hypothesis that a mutation in SHANK1 contributes to the symptoms of autism, we evaluated Shank1−/− null mutant mice for behavioral phenotypes with relevance to autism, focusing on social communication. Ultrasonic vocalizations and the deposition of scent marks appear to be two major modes of mouse communication. Our findings revealed evidence for low levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent marks in Shank1−/− mice as compared to wildtype Shank1+/+ littermate controls. Shank1−/− pups emitted fewer vocalizations than Shank1+/+ pups when isolated from mother and littermates. In adulthood, genotype affected scent marking behavior in the presence of female urinary pheromones. Adult Shank1−/− males deposited fewer scent marks in proximity to female urine than Shank1+/+ males. Call emission in response to female urinary pheromones also differed between genotypes. Shank1+/+ mice changed their calling pattern dependent on previous female interactions, while Shank1−/− mice were unaffected, indicating a failure of Shank1−/− males to learn from a social experience. The reduced levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent marking behavior in Shank1−/− mice are consistent with a phenotype relevant to social communication deficits in autism.National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.) (Intramural Research Program)Simons Foundatio

Multi-Platform Next-Generation Sequencing of the Domestic Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo): Genome Assembly and Analysis

The combined application of next-generation sequencing platforms has provided an economical approach to unlocking the potential of the turkey genome