"You Little Creep": Evidence of Blatant Dehumanization of Short Groups

Physical cues influence social judgments of others. For example, shorter individuals are evaluated less positively than taller individuals. Here, we demonstrate that height also impacts one of the most consequential intergroup judgments - attributions of humanity - and explore whether this effect is modulated by the tendency to value hierarchy maintenance. In Study 1, the shorter participants perceived a range of out-groups to be, the more they dehumanized them, and this tended to be particularly pronounced among those scoring high on social dominance orientation (SDO). In Study 2, participants dehumanized an out-group more when they were led to believe that it was relatively short. Finally, Study 3 applied a reverse correlation approach, demonstrating that participants in general, and especially those scoring high on SDO, represented shorter groups in ways less consistent with full humanity than they represented taller groups. Together, this research demonstrates that basic physical height cues shape the perceived humanity of out-groups

Optimizing dual energy cone beam CT protocols for preclinical imaging and radiation research

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate whether quantitative dual-energy CT (DECT) imaging is feasible for small animal irradiators with an integrated cone-beam CT (CBCT) system. Methods: The optimal imaging protocols were determined by analyzing different energy combinations and dose levels. The influence of beam hardening effects and the performance of a beam hardening correction (BHC) were investigated. In addition, two systems from different manufacturers were compared in terms of errors in the extracted effective atomic numbers (Z(eff)) and relative electron densities (rho(e)) for phantom inserts with known elemental compositions and relative electron densities. Results: The optimal energy combination was determined to be 50 and 90kVp. For this combination, Z(eff) and r rho(e) can be extracted with a mean error of 0.11 and 0.010, respectively, at a dose level of 60cGy. Conclusion: Quantitative DECT imaging is feasible for small animal irradiators with an integrated CBCT system. To obtain the best results, optimizing the imaging protocols is required. Well-separated X-ray spectra and a sufficient dose level should be used to minimize the error and noise for Z(eff) and rho(e). When no BHC is applied in the image reconstruction, the size of the calibration phantom should match the size of the imaged object to limit the influence of beam hardening effects. No significant differences in Z(eff) and rho(e) errors are observed between the two systems from different manufacturers. Advances in knowledge: This is the first study that investigates quantitative DECT imaging for small animal irradiators with an integrated CBCT system

Currarino's triad diagnosed in an adult woman.

_Purpose_ To report on a female patient diagnosed with Currarino's triad in adulthood. _Case report_ This case presents an adult patient with a medical history of a congenital anal atresia, a partial sacral agenesis, and a surgically treated ectopic anus. After a coincidentally observed presacral mass by MRI, due to unexplained constipation later in adulthood, Currarino's triad was suspected in this patient. This triad consists of anorectal malformation(s), sacrococcygeal defects and a presacral mass of various origin. Further investigation confirmed the mass to be a meningocele, and showed a tethered cord and a syrinx. _Conclusions_ In (young) patients with anorectal malformations, although having no other symptoms, further examination might be required to exclude Currarino's triad. Importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary assessment is recommended to establish adequate treatment if needed

Escherichia coli O157:H7 reduction in hamburgers with regard to premature browning of minced beef, colour score and method for determining doneness

This study investigated the effect of premature browning (PMB) on the survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in beef hamburgers after cooking with respect to interior colour of the hamburger and recommendations to cook hamburgers to a core temperature of 71 degrees C. Assessment of doneness by visual inspection or measurement of internal temperature was compared in terms of survival and the increased relative risk of illness due to PMB was estimated. At the last consume-by-day, hamburgers made from minced meat packaged in 80/20 O-2/CO2 (MAP hamburger) and from meat minced at retail packaged in atmospheric condition (control hamburger) were inoculated with a gfp-tagged strain of E. coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7gfp+). Hamburgers were cooked for different times during assessment of the core temperature every 30 s and cut in halves after cooking. Doneness was evaluated based on visual judgement of the internal colour using a score chart (C-score) from 'uncooked' (score 1) to 'tan with no evidence of pink' (score 5). An alternative five point score chart (TCC-score) including texture of the meat, clarity of meat juice and internal colour was also developed. Enumeration of viable E. coli O157:H7gfp+ in cooked hamburgers was based on fluorescent colonies recovered from plates. Results showed that MAP hamburgers developed PMB when compared with controls (P = 0.0003) and that the shortest cooking time for the highest C-score was 6 and 11 min for MAP and control hamburgers, respectively. The mean temperature in the MAP hamburger was then 60.3 degrees C. The TCC-score reduced the difference between MAP and control hamburgers. It was also shown that the survival of E. coli O157:H7gfp+ was highest in MAP hamburgers. The predicted absolute risks for illness were highest for MAP hamburgers for all C-scores and the relative risk associated with PMB increased with doneness. For a C-score of 4 (slightly pink) the predicted relative risk for illness was 300 times higher for MAP hamburger than for controls. A variable pathogen reduction was observed when cooking hamburgers to temperatures of 70-76 degrees C (the 5th and 95th percentile range was around 33 log CFU). The lower reductions, at the 5th percentile, may, depending on initial contamination levels, not be enough to ensure sufficient and safe inactivation of E. coli O157:H7. Efforts to inform consumers about PMB in minced meat packaged in high oxygen packages (>= 60% O-2) are needed with the aim to make consumers use thermometers correctly or at least not determine doneness based only on meat colour

Noninfectious sternal wound inflammation after coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: A no‐touch approach

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, chronic inflammatory noninfectious dermatosis. It is associated with underlying systemic or hematological diseases such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and can be triggered after surgery. Recognition and diagnosis of PG can be difficult as it can mimic a wound infection. Misdiagnosis could lead to invasive procedures which worsen the disease and have possible disastrous aftermath. A 74‐year‐old male with a history of MDS presents with an atypical sternal wound inflammation. Diagnosis confirmed PG after skin biopsy. No surgical or invasive procedures were performed and the patient was treated on an outpatient basis with prednisolone, clobetasol cream, and cyclosporine. This case shows the importance of a rapid diagnosis of the disease. Awareness is required for the diagnosis of PG in a wound with pronounced livid borders, without improvement after antibiotic treatment or worsening after debridement. Rapid diagnosis and treatment reduce high healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality

BCI-Based Navigation in Virtual and Real Environments

A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a system that enables people to control an external device with their brain activity, without the need of any muscular activity. Researchers in the BCI field aim to develop applications to improve the quality of life of severely disabled patients, for whom a BCI can be a useful channel for interaction with their environment. Some of these systems are intended to control a mobile device (e. g. a wheelchair). Virtual Reality is a powerful tool that can provide the subjects with an opportunity to train and to test different applications in a safe environment. This technical review will focus on systems aimed at navigation, both in virtual and real environments.This work was partially supported by the Innovation, Science and Enterprise Council of the Junta de Andalucía (Spain), project P07-TIC-03310, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, project TEC 2011-26395 and by the European fund ERDF

Putrescine biosynthesis and export genes are essential for normal growth of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

[Background] Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the infectious agent of a wide variety of avian diseases, which causes substantial economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Polyamines contribute to the optimal synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins in bacteria. The objectives of this study were to investigate; i) whether APEC E. coli encodes the same systems for biosynthesis and uptake as described for E. coli K12 and ii) the role of polyamines during in vitro growth of an avian pathogenic E. coli strain (WT-ST117- O83:H4T).[Results] Following whole genome sequencing, polyamine biosynthesis and export genes present in E. coli MG1655 (K-12) were found to be identical in WT-ST117. Defined mutants were constructed in putrescine and spermidine biosynthesis pathways (ΔspeB, ΔspeC, ΔspeF, ΔspeB/C and ΔspeD/E), and in polyamines transport systems (ΔpotE, ΔyeeF, ΔpotABCD and ΔpotFGHI). Contrary to what was observed for MG1655, the ΔpotE-ST117 mutant was growth attenuated, regardless of putrescine supplementation. The addition of spermidine or orthinine restored the growth to the level of WT-ST117. Growth attenuation after induction of membrane stress by SDS suggested that PotE is involved in protection against this stress. The ΔspeB/C-ST117 mutant was also growth attenuated in minimal medium. The addition of putrescine or spermidine to the media restored growth rate to the wild type level. The remaining biosynthesis and transport mutants showed a growth similar to that of WT-ST117. Analysis by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography revealed that the ΔspeB/C mutant was putrescine-deficient, despite that the gene speF, which is also involved in the synthesis of putrescine, was expressed.[Conclusions] Deletion of the putrescine transport system, PotE, or the putrescine biosynthesis pathway genes speB/C affected in vitro growth of APEC (ST117- O83:H4) strain, but not E. coli MG1655, despite the high similarity of the genetic make-up of biosynthesis and transport genes. Therefore, blocking these metabolic reactions may be a suitable way to prevent APEC growth in the host without disturbing the commensal E. coli population.Priscila R. Guerra was supported by a scholarship from CAPES – Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education within the Ministry of Education of Brazil. This study received financial support from Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (AGL2013–45431-R and AGL2016–78708-R), and from the Danish Council for Independent Research (Technology and Production), grant number DFF – 4184-00050. The sponsors had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewe

Analysis of Functional Differences between Hepatitis C Virus NS5A of Genotypes 1–7 in Infectious Cell Culture Systems

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of chronic liver disease. Several highly diverse HCV genotypes exist with potential key functional differences. The HCV NS5A protein was associated with response to interferon (IFN)-α based therapy, and is a primary target of currently developed directly-acting antiviral compounds. NS5A is important for replication and virus production, but has not been studied for most HCV genotypes. We studied the function of NS5A using infectious NS5A genotype 1–7 cell culture systems, and through reverse genetics demonstrated a universal importance of the amphipathic alpha-helix, domain I and II and the low-complexity sequence (LCS) I for HCV replication; the replicon-enhancing LCSI mutation S225P attenuated all genotypes. Mutation of conserved prolines in LCSII led to minor reductions in virus production for the JFH1(genotype 2a) NS5A recombinant, but had greater effects on other isolates; replication was highly attenuated for ED43(4a) and QC69(7a) recombinants. Deletion of the conserved residues 414-428 in domain III reduced virus production for most recombinants but not JFH1(2a). Reduced virus production was linked to attenuated replication in all cases, but ED43(4a) and SA13(5a) also displayed impaired particle assembly. Compared to the original H77C(1a) NS5A recombinant, the changes in LCSII and domain III reduced the amounts of NS5A present. For H77C(1a) and TN(1a) NS5A recombinants, we observed a genetic linkage between NS5A and p7, since introduced changes in NS5A led to changes in p7 and vice versa. Finally, NS5A function depended on genotype-specific residues in domain I, as changing genotype 2a-specific residues to genotype 1a sequence and vice versa led to highly attenuated mutants. In conclusion, this study identified NS5A genetic elements essential for all major HCV genotypes in infectious cell culture systems. Genotype- or isolate- specific NS5A functional differences were identified, which will be important for understanding of HCV NS5A function and therapeutic targeting