Systematic and Ecological Wood Anatomy of Californian Scrophulariaceae. II. Penstemon Subgenus Saccanthera

Wood anatomy of nonarboreal Scrophulariaceae is little studied, yet such information is needed to understand the evolution of woodiness in the family and order. Description and quantification of wood characters of six species (nine taxa) of Penstemon subgenus Saccanthera show that these woods are specialized. Paedomorphic features include the standard declining-to-level curve of vessel element length by age, and (in several samples) a pronounced tendency to raylessness. Variation in ray characteristics is as great within as between species, suggesting that unsampled populational variation in ray characteristics may be present. Cells intermediate between fibers and nonseptate parenchyma are present and complement the biseriate strands of axial parenchyma. Storying of cambia is found in two species. Crystal presence is erratic; when present, crystals are restricted to pith and rays. Interpreting the paedomorphic origin of the woody habit in Penstemon as an example of heterochrony suggests that comparative life-history and resource-allocation studies may provide powerful tools for placing woodiness in an ecological and evolutionary context in this complex genus

Does Glyphosate Acting as a Glycine Analogue Contribute To ALS?

 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease involving several protein mutations in glycine-rich regions with limited treatment options. 90 - 95% of all cases are non-familial with epidemiological studies showing a significant increased risk in glyphosate-exposed workers. In this paper, we propose that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup®, plays a role in ALS, mainly through mistakenly substituting for glycine during protein synthesis, disruption of mineral homeostasis as well as setting up a state of dysbiosis. Mouse models of ALS reveal a pre-symptomatic profile of gut dysbiosis. This dysbiotic state initiate a cascade of events initially impairing metabolism in the gut, and, ultimately, through a series of intermediate stages, leading to motor neuron axonal damage seen in ALS. Lipopolysaccharide, a toxic by-product of dysbiosis which contributes to the pathology, is shown to be statistically higher in ALS patients. In this paper we paint a compelling view of how glyphosate exerts its deleterious effects, including mitochondrial stress and oxidative damage through glycine substitution. Furthermore, its mineral chelation properties disrupt manganese, copper and zinc balance, and it induces glutamate toxicity in the synapse, which results in a die-back phenomenon in axons of motor neurons supplying the damaged skeletal muscles

Short-term effects of 448 kilohertz radiofrequency stimulation on supraspinatus tendon elasticity measured by quantitative ultrasound elastography in professional badminton players: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial

Objective: To study changes in supraspinatus tendon elasticity after a 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMR) intervention in professional badminton players. Design: Double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Setting: All participants were recruited in a private care practice. Participants were randomized to receive either a CRMR treatment (n ¼ 19) or placebo (n ¼ 19). Subjects: Professional badminton players (n ¼ 38). Intervention: A total of nine intervention (three per week) with CRMR at 448 kHz were carried out in the experimental group. The same intervention without an active CRMR current was carried out in the control group. Main measures: Mean values of three different regions of the supraspinatus tendon were reported at baseline (T1), immediately after the intervention (T2) and one week after the end of the whole intervention program (T3) using quantitative ultrasound strain elastography (SEL). Results: There were statistically significant differences in the supraspinatus tendon elasticity immediately after the intervention (p¼ <.001) and one week after the end of the whole intervention program (p¼.001). Conclusion: CRMR at 448 kHz produces significant changes in supraspinatus tendon elasticity after an intervention program of three weeks and those changes last for a week when compared to control group

What is the clinical workup for failure to thrive?

The clinical evaluation of failure to thrive (FTT) includes a thorough history and physical examination; observation of parent-child interactions; observation and documentation of the child's feeding patterns; and a home visit by an appropriately trained health care professional (Strength of Recommendation [SOR]: C). Further diagnostic testing should be performed as indicated by positive findings from the history and physical exam or if the child's weight has not improved at follow-up (SOR: C)