The RESET tephra database and associated analytical tools

An open-access database has been set up to support the research project study- ing the ‘Response of Humans to Abrupt Environmental Transitions’ (RESET). The main methodology underlying this project was to use tephra layers to tie together and synchronise the chronologies of stratigraphic records at archaeological and envi- ronmental sites. The database has information on occurrences, and chemical compo- sitions, of glass shards from tephra and cryptotephra deposits found across Europe. The data includes both information from the RESET project itself and from the published literature. With over 12,000 major element analyses and over 3000 trace element analyses on glass shards, relevant to 80 late Quaternary eruptions, the RESET project has generated an important archive of data. When added to the published information, the database described here has a total of more than 22,000 major element analyses and nearly 4000 trace element analyses on glass from over 240 eruptions. In addition to the database and its associated data, new methods of data analysis for assessing correlations have been developed as part of the project. In particular an approach using multi-dimensional kernel density estimates to evaluate the likelihood of tephra compositions matching is described here and tested on data generated as part of the RESET project.</p

Comparing neutral (monometallic) and anionic (bimetallic) aluminium complexes in hydroboration catalysis : influences of lithium cooperation and ligand set

Bimetallic lithium aluminates and neutral aluminum counterparts are compared as catalysts in hydroboration reactions with aldehydes, ketones, imines and alkynes. Possessing Li–Al cooperativity, ate catalysts are found to be generally superior. Catalytic activity is also influenced by the ligand set, alkyl and/or amido. Devoid of an Al−H bond, iBu2Al(TMP) operates as a masked hydride reducing benzophenone through a β‐Η transfer process. This catalyst library therefore provides an entry point into the future design of Al catalysts targeting substrate specific transformations

Lithium diamidodihydridoaluminates : bimetallic cooperativity in catalytic hydroboration and metallation applications

Cooperativity between the Li and Al centres is implicated in catalytic hydroboration reactions of aldehydes and ketones with pinacolborane via heteroleptic lithium diamidodihydridoaluminates. In addition to implementing hydroalumination, these versatile heteroleptic ates can also perform as amido bases as illustrated with an acidic triazole

Lithium-aluminate-catalyzed hydrophosphination applications

Synthesized, isolated, and characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopic studies, lithium phosphidoaluminate iBu3AlPPh2Li(THF)3 has been tested as a catalyst for hydrophosphination of alkynes, alkenes, and carbodiimides. Based on the collective evidence of stoichiometric reactions, NMR monitoring studies, kinetic analysis, and DFT calculations, a mechanism involving deprotonation, alkyne insertion and protonolysis is proposed for the [iBu3AlHLi]2 aluminate-catalyzed hydrophosphination of alkynes with diphenylphosphine. This study enhances further the development of transition metal free, atom economical homogeneous catalysis using common sustainable main group metals

Structurally defined ring-opening and insertion of pinacolborane into aluminium-nitrogen bonds of sterically demanding dialkylaluminium amides

Dialkylaluminium amides iBu 2Al(TMP) and iBu 2Al(HMDS) can perform catalytic hydroboration of ketones with pinacolborane to form the expected boronic esters. However, repeating the same reactions stoichiometrically without a ketone leads unexpectedly to ring-opening of pinacolborane and insertion of its open chain into the Al−N(amido) bond. To date there has been limited knowledge on decomposition pathways of HBpin despite its prominent role in hydroboration chemistry. X-ray crystallography shows these mixed Al−B products [iBu 2Al{OC(Me) 2C(Me) 2O}B(H)(NR 2)] 2 (NR 2=TMP or HMDS) form dimers with an (AlO) 2 core and terminal B−N bonds. Since the bond retention (B−H) and bond breaking (B−O) in these transformations seemed surprising, DFT calculations run using M11/6-31G(d,p) gave an energy profile consistent with a σ-bond metathesis mechanism where London dispersion interactions between iBu and (amide) Me groups play an important stabilising role in the final outcome

Diagnostic Test Accuracy of a 2-Transcript Host RNA Signature for Discriminating Bacterial vs Viral Infection in Febrile Children.

IMPORTANCE: Because clinical features do not reliably distinguish bacterial from viral infection, many children worldwide receive unnecessary antibiotic treatment, while bacterial infection is missed in others. OBJECTIVE: To identify a blood RNA expression signature that distinguishes bacterial from viral infection in febrile children. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Febrile children presenting to participating hospitals in the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States between 2009-2013 were prospectively recruited, comprising a discovery group and validation group. Each group was classified after microbiological investigation as having definite bacterial infection, definite viral infection, or indeterminate infection. RNA expression signatures distinguishing definite bacterial from viral infection were identified in the discovery group and diagnostic performance assessed in the validation group. Additional validation was undertaken in separate studies of children with meningococcal disease (n = 24) and inflammatory diseases (n = 48) and on published gene expression datasets. EXPOSURES: A 2-transcript RNA expression signature distinguishing bacterial infection from viral infection was evaluated against clinical and microbiological diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Definite bacterial and viral infection was confirmed by culture or molecular detection of the pathogens. Performance of the RNA signature was evaluated in the definite bacterial and viral group and in the indeterminate infection group. RESULTS: The discovery group of 240 children (median age, 19 months; 62% male) included 52 with definite bacterial infection, of whom 36 (69%) required intensive care, and 92 with definite viral infection, of whom 32 (35%) required intensive care. Ninety-six children had indeterminate infection. Analysis of RNA expression data identified a 38-transcript signature distinguishing bacterial from viral infection. A smaller (2-transcript) signature (FAM89A and IFI44L) was identified by removing highly correlated transcripts. When this 2-transcript signature was implemented as a disease risk score in the validation group (130 children, with 23 definite bacterial, 28 definite viral, and 79 indeterminate infections; median age, 17 months; 57% male), all 23 patients with microbiologically confirmed definite bacterial infection were classified as bacterial (sensitivity, 100% [95% CI, 100%-100%]) and 27 of 28 patients with definite viral infection were classified as viral (specificity, 96.4% [95% CI, 89.3%-100%]). When applied to additional validation datasets from patients with meningococcal and inflammatory diseases, bacterial infection was identified with a sensitivity of 91.7% (95% CI, 79.2%-100%) and 90.0% (95% CI, 70.0%-100%), respectively, and with specificity of 96.0% (95% CI, 88.0%-100%) and 95.8% (95% CI, 89.6%-100%). Of the children in the indeterminate groups, 46.3% (63/136) were classified as having bacterial infection, although 94.9% (129/136) received antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study provides preliminary data regarding test accuracy of a 2-transcript host RNA signature discriminating bacterial from viral infection in febrile children. Further studies are needed in diverse groups of patients to assess accuracy and clinical utility of this test in different clinical settings

How to select a chiropractor for the management of athletic conditions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chiropractors are an integral part of the management of musculoskeletal injuries. A considerable communication gap between the chiropractic and medical professions exists. Subsequently referring allopathic practitioners lack confidence in picking a chiropractic practitioner with appropriate management strategies to adequately resolve sporting injuries. Subsequently, the question is often raised: "how do you find a good chiropractor?".</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Best practice guidelines are increasingly suggesting that musculoskeletal injuries should be managed with multimodal active and passive care strategies. Broadly speaking chiropractors may be subdivided into "modern multimodal" or "classical" (unimodal) in nature. The modern multimodal practitioner is better suited to managing sporting injuries by incorporating passive and active care management strategies to address three important phases of care in the continuum of injury from the acute inflammation/pain phase to the chronic/rehabilitation phase to the injury prevention phase. In contrast, the unimodal, manipulation only and typically spine only approach of the classical practitioner seems less suited to the challenges of the injured athlete. Identifying what part of the philosophical management spectrum a chiropractor falls is important as it is clearly not easily evident in most published material such as Yellow Pages advertisements.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>Identifying a chiropractic practitioner who uses multimodal treatment of adequate duration, who incorporates active and passive components of therapy including exercise prescription whilst using medical terminology and diagnosis without mandatory x-rays or predetermined treatment schedules or prepaid contracts of care will likely result in selection of a chiropractor with the approach and philosophy suited to appropriately managing athletic conditions. Sporting organizations and associations should consider using similar criteria as a minimum standard to allow participation in health care team selections.</p

Historical archaeology at frontier and rural spaces in pampa and patagonia regions: trajectories, advances and challenges

En este artículo se presentan las principales líneas de trabajo y actividades desarrolladas por este grupo de investigaciones recientemente conformado que nuclea a investigadores de distintas disciplinas e instituciones. El eje común de todos los proyectos se centra en abordar el proceso de avance y construcción de las fronteras del Imperio Español (en el período colonial) y del Estado (etapa post-independentista) en interacción con las sociedades indígenas en la región pampeana norpatagónica hasta la conquista militar de fines del siglo XIX. A través de identificar e interpretar los distintos mecanismos materiales, institu-cionales y simbólicos desplegados por la Corona, el Estado y parte de la población eurocriolla, buscamos comprender las transformaciones espaciales y paisajísticas del territorio que conformó dicho espacio fronterizo y rural. El conjunto de proyectos se caracteriza por presentar novedosas técnicas de detección de sitios y líneas analíticas en el estudio de la cultura material. Asimismo, hemos desarrollado diversas actividades de divulgación científica y de extensión hacia y con las comunidades a distintas escalas -lo-cales, regionales, nacionales e internacionales-. Entre éstas destacamos charlas, talleres, elaboración de material educativo y acompañamiento a las comunidades involucradas en las áreas de trabajo así como acciones en conjunto referidas al cuidado del patrimonio arqueológico. Desde la arqueología histórica, con la integración crítica de distintos tipos de registros, buscamos realizar aportes al conocimiento arqueológico e histórico, local y regional, sobre el complejo y vigente tema de las fronteras.This article presents the main lines of research and activities developed by a newly formed team that brings researchers from different disciplines and institutions together. All the projects have in common the focus on the process of expansion and construction of the frontiers of the Spanish Empire (in the Colonial period) and the State (post-independence stage) in interaction with the indigenous societies of the Pampean-North Patagonian region until the military conquest of the late nineteenth century. Through the identification and interpretation of different materials, institutional and symbolic mechanisms deployed by the Crown, the State and part of the Euro Creole population, we seek to understand the landscape transformations of border and rural territories. For the development of these projects, innovative site detection techniques and analytical lines are used in the study of material culture. Likewise, we made various scientific divulgation activities for and with communities at different scales -local, regional, national and international-. Among those, we would like to highlight conferences, workshops, educational material and accompaniment to the communities of the studied areas as well as conjoined actions related to the preservation of the archaeological heritage. Through historical archeology and the critical integra-tion of different types of records, we seek to contribute to archaeological and historical knowledge -local and regional- on the current and complex frontier issue.Fil: Pedrotta, Victoria. Concejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Ciencias Naturales Ambientales y Antropológicas. Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara. Universidad Maimónides. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina.Fil: Bagaloni, Vanesa. Concejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Ciencias Naturales Ambientales y Antropológicas. Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara. Universidad Maimónides. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina.Fil: Pollard, Bruno A. Universidad Maimónides. Centro de Ciencias Naturales Ambientales y Antropológicas. Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara; Argentina.Fil: Bracco, Irene C. Universidad Maimónides. Centro de Ciencias Naturales Ambientales y Antropológicas. Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara; Argentina.Fil: Tormo Izaguirre, Juan R. Universidad Maimónides. Centro de Ciencias Naturales Ambientales y Antropológicas. Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara; Argentina.Fil: Tomassini, Hernán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Humanidades; Argentina.Fil: Eliges, Adolfo C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. División Arqueología Museo de La Plata; Argentina.Fil: Martí, Verónica S. Universidad Maimónides. Centro de Ciencias Naturales Ambientales y Antropológicas. Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara; Argentina

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for encephalitis in children aged 6 months to 16 years: the IgNiTE RCT

Background: There are data suggesting that intravenous immunoglobulin treatment has some benefit for certain forms of encephalitis but robust evidence from large randomised controlled trials in children with all-cause encephalitis is lacking. Objective: To evaluate whether intravenous immunoglobulin treatment improves neurological outcomes in childhood encephalitis when given early in the illness. Design: Phase 3b, investigator-initiated, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of encephalitis in children. Setting: Twenty-one NHS Hospitals in the UK. Participants: Children aged 6 months to 16 years with a diagnosis of acute or sub-acute encephalitis. Intervention: Two doses (1 g/kg/dose) of either intravenous immunoglobulin or matching placebo, given 24–36 hours apart, in addition to standard treatment. Main outcome measure: Participants were followed up for 12 months (+/– 4 weeks) after randomisation. The primary outcome measure was a ‘good recovery’ defined as a score of ≤ 2 on the Paediatric Glasgow Outcome Score Extended at 12 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes: The secondary outcomes were clinical, neurological, neuroimaging and neuropsychological results, identification of the proportion of children with immune-mediated encephalitis, and intravenous immunoglobulin safety data. Results: We planned to recruit 308 children over a 42-month period. After enrolment of 18 participants (8 male; 44%) over 21 months (from December 2015 to September 2017), funding was withdrawn due to slow recruitment and the study was terminated. Ten participants were randomised to the intravenous immunoglobulin group, and eight to the placebo group, and all 18 participants were included in the analysis. At 12 months after randomisation, 9 participants [50%; intravenous immunoglobulin n = 5 (50%), placebo n = 4 (50%)] made good recovery and 5 participants [28%; intravenous immunoglobulin n = 3 (30%), placebo n = 2 (25%)] made a poor recovery. Three participants in the placebo group (43%) experienced a total of 10 serious adverse events compared with none in the intravenous immunoglobulin group but none of the adverse events were judged to be related to the study treatment. No deaths occurred during the study period. Conclusion: ImmunoglobuliN in the Treatment of Encephalitis (IgNiTE) was halted prematurely due to slow recruitment. Given the small sample size, the study was underpowered to evaluate the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin when compared with placebo in childhood encephalitis. The study findings, albeit from a small sample size, support existing evidence that encephalitis results in poor neurological outcomes for many children. Lessons learned from the ImmunoglobuliN in the Treatment of Encephalitis trial would be valuable for the success of future trials set up to address the efficacy of early treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin in all-cause encephalitis in children. Study limitations and future work: The study was underpowered to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of childhood encephalitis due to the small sample size achieved. Future trials should seek to address this important question. Trial registration: This trial is registered as Clinical Trials.gov (NCT02308982) and ISRCTN15791925. Funding: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme (NIHR award ref: 12/212/15) and is published in full in Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation; Vol. 11, No. 6. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information

Food consumption habits in two states of Australia, as measured by a Food Frequency Questionnaire

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an important public health problem in Australia, and monitoring the nutritional intake of the population is an important endeavour. One way to assess food habits is via Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ). This pilot study used a routine telephone risk factor surveillance survey to recruit participants in South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA) to a postal survey investigating food consumption habits, using a FFQ. Respondents were also asked specific additional questions about their fruit and vegetable consumption and also about their height and weight so that comparisons could be made between the data collected in the risk factor surveillance system and the postal survey. FINDINGS: In total, 1275 respondents (65% of eligible telephone respondents) completed the postal survey. The results of the FFQ were very similar for WA and SA. Western Australians consumed statistically significantly more serves of vegetables than South Australians (t = 2.69 df = 1245 p <= 0.01), and females consumed statistically significantly more serves of both fruit and vegetables than males (t = 4.51 df = 1249 p <= 0.01 and t = 4.83 df = 1249 p <= 0.01 respectively). Less than 10% of respondents met the daily guidelines for vegetable consumption. Over half of respondents were overweight or obese. CONCLUSIONS: Although a wide variety of foods were consumed, guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption were not being met and overweight and obesity continue to be issues in this population.Alison M. Daly, Jacqueline E. Parsons, Nerissa A. Wood, Tiffany K. Gill and Anne W. Taylo