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sity of differing M types is proposed. The vast majority of GAS infection is benign. Nonetheless, many divergent M types possess limited capacity to cause invasive infection. M1T1 GAS readily switch to a covRS mutant form that is neutrophil resistant and frequently associated with systemic infection. Whilst non-M1 GAS are shown in this study to less frequently accumulate covRS mutations in vivo, such mutants are isolated from invasive infections and exhibit neutrophil resistance and enhanced virulence. The reduced capacity of non-M1 GAS to switch to the hypervirulent covRS mutant form provides an explanation for the comparatively less frequent isolation of non-M1 serotypes from invasive human infections. Key Words Animal models ؒ Bacteriology ؒ Immunity ؒ Innate ؒ Neutrophils ؒ Streptococcus ؒ Virulence factors ؒ Invasive infection Abstract Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes rare but life-threatening syndromes of necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock-like syndrome in humans. The GAS serotype M1T1 clone has globally disseminated, and mutations in the control of virulence regulatory sensor kinase (covRS) operon correlate with severe invasive disease. Here, a cohort of non-M1 GAS was screened to determine whether mutation in covRS triggers systemic dissemination in divergent M serotypes. A GAS disease model defining parameters governing invasive propen

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

The Brandy Creek fossil flora

A detailed quantitative study of the fossil flora, paleoclimate and paleoecology of the Eocene Brandy Creek fossil site, Bogong High Plains, Victoria, Australia was undertaken. Taxonomic assessment of Leaf macrofossils reveal 18 morphotypes that have affinity with nearest living relatives including Lauraceae genera Cryptocarya, Endiandra and Litsea and the families of Cunoiaceae and Elaeocarpaceae. The pollen and spore record at Brandy Creek reveals 36 paynomorphs, with many of them having affinities with fossil and modern Dicksoniaceae, Araurcariaceae and Proteaceae and Nothofagus

Community Readiness to Align and Better Support Families with Perinatal Substance Use Issues and the Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Progress

Problem: Drug overdose is the leading cause of maternal death in Texas. More than 60% of children in custody of Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) have substance use listed as a contributing factor in their CPS case, compared to the national rate of 34%. Pregnant and postpartum women and infants are a special population impacted by substance use and require a coordinated response from multiple sectors to ensure optimal outcomes for both the mother and her infant. Purpose: In 2018, needs and readiness assessments were conducted in Houston, Texas, focused on improving care and service coordination for pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD). The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe the results of the assessments and discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted implementation of the recommendations. Methods: In late 2018, 59 stakeholders from 5 different sectors were interviewed to assess the current system of care and identify recommendations they felt would improve outcomes for pregnant women with SUD. These interviews were followed by 5 collaborative meetings with stakeholders to finalize the recommendations, and a readiness assessment (n=25) to determine the feasibility of implementing the recommendations. The goals of this survey were to determine which of these recommendations were most important, had organizational support for implementation, and would result in improvements within a year of being implemented. Interviews were conducted again in 2020 (n=9) to describe the progress that had been made on the recommendations and assess the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on implementing programs and initiatives that support peripartum women with SUDs. Results/Discussion: The stakeholder interviews revealed substantial cross-sector misunderstanding about each sector’s roles and responsibilities. Further, several barriers to coordination were identified. Interviews and collaborative meetings led to the development of 25 recommendations that would improve cross-sector collaboration. There were 25 completed responses to the readiness survey focused on implementing these recommendations. Of the recommendations, 9 had above-average ratings on importance and had ratings indicating substantial short-term impact for pregnant women. Six additional recommendations had above-average ratings on importance, but it was determined that their benefits take longer to be seen. Progress made towards 8 of the recommendations and how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted this progress are described. Implications: The Covid-19 pandemic has created both opportunities and barriers to progress in the treatment and care of pregnant women with SUD. This analysis identifies resulting changes that must be considered for future planning and intervention implementation

Plant communities and climate change in southeastern Australia during the early Paleogene

In this study, data from fossil macrofloras and microfloras in southeastern Australia are used to reconstruct vegetation and climates for the early Paleogene. Our data show that for much of the late Paleocene to middle Eocene, complex, species-rich forests were predominant in southeastern Australia, under mesothermal humid climates (mean annual temperature 16-22 °C, coldest quarter mean temperature >10 °C, mean annual precipitation >150 cm/yr). A minor cooling episode may have occurred in the mid-early Eocene. Megathermal climates may have been present in lowlands in the latest early Eocene, during the Cenozoic Global Climatic Optimum. These forests were dominated by taxa characteristic of present-day mesothermal-megathermal high-rainfall multistratal forests; e.g., Cunoniaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Gymnostoma (Casuarinaceae), Lauraceae (e.g., Beilschmiedia, Cryptocarya and Endiandra), and Proteaceae. A prominent treefern element (Cyathea and Dicksonia types) was present in the early Eocene. A number of megathermal taxa, including Cupanieae (Sapindaceae) and Ilex (Aquifoliaceae), were present through the early and middle Eocene. Taxa characteristic of modern-day microthermal to mesothermal forests were also present, e.g., Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae), Eucryphia (Eucryphiaceae), Libocedrus (Cupressaceae) and Podocarpaceae (Acmopyle and Dacrycarpus). The relictual araucarian conifer, Wollemia, and other Araucariaceae were present through the late Paleocene to early Eocene. There is limited physiognomic evidence to suggest the late Paleocene to early Eocene forests contained some deciduous canopy trees

Parameters Governing Invasive Disease Propensity of Non-M1 Serotype Group A Streptococci

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes rare but life-threatening syndromes of necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock-like syndrome in humans. The GAS serotype M1T1 clone has globally disseminated, and mutations in the control of virulence regulatory sensor kinase (covRS) operon correlate with severe invasive disease. Here, a cohort of non-M1 GAS was screened to determine whether mutation in covRS triggers systemic dissemination in divergent M serotypes. A GAS disease model defining parameters governing invasive propensity of differing M types is proposed. The vast majority of GAS infection is benign. Nonetheless, many divergent M types possess limited capacity to cause invasive infection. M1T1 GAS readily switch to a covRS mutant form that is neutrophil resistant and frequently associated with systemic infection. Whilst non-M1 GAS are shown in this study to less frequently accumulate covRS mutations in vivo, such mutants are isolated from invasive infections and exhibit neutrophil resistance and enhanced virulence. The reduced capacity of non-M1 GAS to switch to the hypervirulent covRS mutant form provides an explanation for the comparatively less frequent isolation of non-M1 serotypes from invasive human infections

Exploitation, Labor and Sex Trafficking of Children and Adolescents: Health Care Needs of Patients.

Exploitation and labor and sex trafficking of children and adolescents is a major public health problem in the United States and throughout the world. Significant numbers of US and non-US-born children and adolescents (including unaccompanied immigrant minors) are affected by this growing concern and may experience a range of serious physical and mental health problems associated with human trafficking and exploitation (T/E). Despite these considerations, there is limited information available for health care providers regarding the nature and scope of T/E and how providers may help recognize and protect children and adolescents. Knowledge of risk factors, recruitment practices, possible indicators of T/E, and common medical, mental, and emotional health problems experienced by affected individuals will assist health care providers in recognizing vulnerable children and adolescents and responding appropriately. A trauma-informed, rights-based, culturally sensitive approach helps providers identify and treat patients who have experienced or are at risk for T/E. As health care providers, educators, and leaders in child advocacy and development, pediatricians play an important role in addressing the public health issues faced by children and adolescents who experience exploitation and trafficking. Working across disciplines with professionals in the community, health care providers can offer evidence-based medical screening, treatment, and holistic services to individuals who have experienced T/E and assist vulnerable patients and families in recognizing signs of T/E