Does combining aspirin and warfarin decrease the risk of stroke for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation?

Adjusted-dose warfarin (international normalized ratio [INR]=2.0-3.0) remains the most efficacious antithrombotic regimen for the primary and secondary prevention of cardioembolic stroke in high-risk patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on randomized controlled trials). Aspirin therapy at a dose of 75 to 325 mg reduces the risk of stroke to a lesser degree and may be useful for low-risk patients with NVAF or patients at high risk for bleeding (SOR: A, based on randomized controlled trials). Combination therapy with low, fixed-dose warfarin (1-2 mg) and aspirin has not been shown to be superior to aspirin therapy alone. Moreover, this combination appears to be inferior to adjusted-dose warfarin (SOR: A, based on randomized controlled trials). To date, no clinical trials have investigated the efficacy and safety of combining adjusted-dose warfarin and aspirin for the prevention of stroke from NVAF

Establishing smoke-free homes in the Indigenous populations of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States: a systematic literature review

A smoke-free home can have multiple benefits by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), supporting quit attempts among active smokers, and discouraging adolescents from taking up smoking. The aim of this review was to summarize the literature on the establishment of smoke-free homes in Indigenous populations and identify the supporting influences and barriers, using the Social Cognitive Theory lens. A search of the Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Collaboration and PyscINFO databases and manual searches of relevant peer-reviewed literature was completed, focusing on Indigenous populations in developed economies of North America and Oceania. Of 2567 articles identified, 15 studies were included. Ten studies included Indigenous participants only, and of these just three focused entirely on SHS in the home. Knowledge of the harms associated with SHS was the most common theme represented in all the studies. This knowledge fueled parents' motivation to protect their children from SHS by establishing smoke-free homes. Individuals who approached implementation with confidence, coupled with clear communication about smoke-free home rules were more successful. Barriers included challenges for families with multiple smokers living in the same dwelling. There is limited research regarding managing smoking behaviors in the home among Indigenous populations, even though this approach is a successful catalyst for smoking prevention and cessation. Research to understand the influences that support the establishment of smoke-free homes is required for better-informed intervention studies

OUTdoor Swimming as a nature-based Intervention for DEpression (OUTSIDE): study protocol for a feasibility randomised control trial comparing an outdoor swimming intervention to usual care for adults experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of depression

Background Depression is common and the prevalence increasing worldwide; at least 1 in 10 people will experience depression in their lifetime. It is associated with economic costs at the individual, healthcare and societal level. Recommended treatments include medication and psychological therapies. However, given the long waiting times, and sometimes poor concordance and engagement with these treatments, a greater range of approaches are needed. Evidence for the potential of outdoor swimming as an intervention to support recovery from depression is emerging, but randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating clinical and cost-effectiveness are lacking. This study seeks to investigate the feasibility of conducting a definitive superiority RCT, comparing an 8-session outdoor swimming course offered in addition to usual care compared to usual care only, in adults who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of depression. Feasibility questions will examine recruitment and retention rates, acceptability of randomisation and measures, and identify the primary outcome measure that will inform the sample size calculation for a definitive full-scale RCT. This study will also explore potential facilitators and barriers of participation through evaluation questionnaires, focus-group discussions and interviews. Methods/design To address these aims and objectives, a feasibility superiority RCT with 1:1 allocation will be undertaken. We will recruit 88 participants with mild to moderate symptoms of depression through social prescribing organisations and social media in three sites in England. Participants will be randomised to either (1) intervention (8-session outdoor swimming course) plus usual care or (2) usual care only. Both groups will be followed up for a further 8 weeks. Discussion If findings from this feasibility RCT are favourable, a fully powered RCT will be conducted to investigate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Findings from the definitive trial will provide evidence about outdoor swimming for depression for policymakers and has the potential to lead to greater choice of interventions for adults experiencing symptoms of depression. Trial registration Current controlled trial registration number is ISRCTN 90851983 registered on 19 May 2022

A great friggin' swindle? Sex Pistols, school kids and 1979

This article examines the popularity of the Sex Pistols’ song “Friggin’ in the Riggin’” and its parent album The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle. It argues that in 1979 the Sex Pistols attracted a new and younger audience, one that has been neglected in previous studies of the band, which tend instead to focus on the years 1976 and 1977 and the band’s original coterie of followers. This article locates the teenage appeal of “Friggin’ in the Riggin’” in its themes of swearing, sex and piracy. It also explores the media infrastructure that enabled young adolescents to access this music. Following on from this, the article charts the triumph of Johnny Rotten’s Sex Pistols’ narrative over that of Malcolm McLaren. The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle fell prey to notions of authenticity, coherence and the canonical tastes of young adults

Crop Updates 2011 - Nutrition, Precision Agriculture & Climate and Forecasting

This session covers sixteen papers from different authors: Nutrition 1. Balance® used in conventional cropping practice with half of the upfront fertiliser rate can sustain crop yield and build soil biological fertility, Deb Archdeacon1, Andrew Gulliver2 and David Cullen2, 1Agronomica, Wellington Mill, WA, 2Custom Composts, Nambeelup, WA 2. Effects of potassium (K) supply on plant growth, potassium uptake and grain Yield in wheat grown in grey sand, Qifu Ma1, Richard Bell1, Ross Brennan2 and Craig Scanlan2, 1School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University, 2Department of Agriculture and Food 3. Improving fertiliser management: redefining the relationship between soil tests and crop responses for wheat in WA, Wen Chen1, 2, Ross Brennan2, Geoff Anderson2, Richard Bell1 and Mike Bolland2, 1School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University, 2Department of Agriculture and Food 4. Improved phosphorus and potassium management: redefining the soil test and lupin response relationships in WA, Wen Chen1, 2, Ross Brennan2, Geoff Anderson2, Richard Bell1 and Mike Bolland2, 1School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 2Department of Agriculture and Food 5. Converting phosphorus retention index (PRI) to phosphorus buffering index (PBI) for Western Australian soils, Peter Rees and Sandy Alexander, Summit Fertilizers 6. Variability of radiometric potassium and Colwell potassium relationships across the Great Southern, Frank D’Emden, Precision Agronomics Australia 7. Rotary spading and mouldboard ploughing of water-repellent sandplain soils fulfils promise, Stephen Davies, Craig Scanlan and Breanne Best, Department of Agriculture and Food 8. Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes are low from a grain legume crop grown in a semi-arid climate Louise Barton1, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl2, Ralph Kiese2 and Daniel Murphy1, 1 School of Earth & Environment, University of Western Australia, 2 Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Meteorology & Climate Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, 9. Mouldboard ploughing of sandplain soils – more grain, fewer weeds, Peter Newman Department of Agriculture and Food Precision Agriculture 10.What’s preventing growers from implementing precision agriculture (PA)? Roger Mandel1, Roger Lawes2 and Michael Robertson2, 1Curtin University, 2CSIRO 11. On how many paddocks does precision agriculture (PA) deliver a return? Roger Lawes1, Michael Robertson1 and Roger Mandel2, 1CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Floreat, WA, 2Curtin University 12. Demonstration pf precision agriculture (PA) principles in the Great Southern, Western Australia, Derk Bakker1, Jeremy Lemon1, Alison Lacey1, John Paul Collins1, Roger Mandel2, Frank D’Emden3, Glen Riethmuller1, 1Department of Agriculture and Food, 2Curtin University, 3Precision Agronomics Australia Climate and Forecasting 13. Statistical seasonal rainfall forecasts for south west Australia, Fiona H Evans Department of Agriculture of Food 14. How has changing climate recently affected Western Australia’s capacity to increase crop productivity and water use efficiency? David Stephens, Department of Agriculture and Food 15. Is Yield Prophet® a useful tool in Western Australia? — an agribusiness perspective, Caroline Peek, Department of Agriculture and Food 16. A season of Yield Prophet® — how it saw the dry, Tim Scanlon and Caroline Peek Department of Agriculture of Foo

Transcriptional Repressive H3K9 and H3K27 Methylations Contribute to DNMT1-Mediated DNA Methylation Recovery

DNA methylation and histone modifications are two major epigenetic events regulating gene expression and chromatin structure, and their alterations are linked to human carcinogenesis. DNA methylation plays an important role in tumor suppressor gene inactivation, and can be revised by DNA methylation inhibitors. The reversible nature of DNA methylation forms the basis of epigenetic cancer therapy. However, it has been reported that DNA re-methylation and gene re-silencing could occur after removal of demethylation treatment and this may significantly hamper the therapeutic value of DNA methylation inhibitors. In this study we have provided detailed evidence demonstrating that mammalian cells possess a bona fide DNA methylation recovery system. We have also shown that DNA methylation recovery was mediated by the major human DNA methyltransferase, DNMT1. In addition, we found that H3K9-tri-methylation and H3K27-tri-methylation were closely associated with this DNA methylation recovery. These persistent transcriptional repressive histone modifications may have a crucial role in regulating DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation recovery. Our findings may have important implications towards a better understanding of epigenetic regulation and future development of epigenetic therapeutic intervention

Inheritance of DNA methylation differences in the mangrove Rhizophora mangle

The capacity to respond to environmental challenges ultimately relies on phenotypic variation which manifests from complex interactions of genetic and nongenetic mechanisms through development. While we know something about genetic variation and structure of many species of conservation importance, we know very little about the nongenetic contributions to variation. Rhizophora mangle is a foundation species that occurs in coastal estuarine habitats throughout the neotropics where it provides critical ecosystem functions and is potentially threatened by anthropogenic environmental changes. Several studies have documented landscape-level patterns of genetic variation in this species, but we know virtually nothing about the inheritance of nongenetic variation. To assess one type of nongenetic variation, we examined the patterns of DNA sequence and DNA methylation in maternal plants and offspring from natural populations of R. mangle from the Gulf Coast of Florida. We used a reduced representation bisulfite sequencing approach (epi-genotyping by sequencing; epiGBS) to address the following questions: (a) What are the levels of genetic and epigenetic diversity in natural populations of R. mangle? (b) How are genetic and epigenetic variation structured within and among populations? (c) How faithfully is epigenetic variation inherited? We found low genetic diversity but high epigenetic diversity from natural populations of maternal plants in the field. In addition, a large portion (up to ~25%) of epigenetic differences among offspring grown in common garden was explained by maternal family. Therefore, epigenetic variation could be an important source of response to challenging environments in the genetically depauperate populations of this foundation species.</p

The LCES HIRES/Keck Precision Radial Velocity Exoplanet Survey

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: R. Paul Butler, et al, The LCES HIRES/Keck Precision Radial Velocity Exoplanet Survey, The Astronomical Journal, Vol 153 (5), 19 pp., published 13 April 2017. The Version of Record is available online at doi: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/aa66ca. Paper data available at: http://home.dtm.ciw.edu/ebps/data/. © 2017. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.We describe a 20-year survey carried out by the Lick-Carnegie Exoplanet Survey Team (LCES), using precision radial velocities from HIRES on the Keck-I telescope to find and characterize extrasolar planetary systems orbiting nearby F, G, K, and M dwarf stars. We provide here 60,949 precision radial velocities for 1,624 stars contained in that survey. We tabulate a list of 357 significant periodic signals that are of constant period and phase, and not coincident in period and/or phase with stellar activity indices. These signals are thus strongly suggestive of barycentric reflex motion of the star induced by one or more candidate exoplanets in Keplerian motion about the host star. Of these signals, 225 have already been published as planet claims, 60 are classified as significant unpublished planet candidates that await photometric follow-up to rule out activity-related causes, and 54 are also unpublished, but are classified as "significant" signals that require confirmation by additional data before rising to classification as planet candidates. Of particular interest is our detection of a candidate planet with a minimum mass of 3.9 Earth masses and an orbital period of 9.9 days orbiting Lalande 21185, the fourth-closest main sequence star to the Sun. For each of our exoplanetary candidate signals, we provide the period and semi-amplitude of the Keplerian orbital fit, and a likelihood ratio estimate of its statistical significance. We also tabulate 18 Keplerian-like signals that we classify as likely arising from stellar activity.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Inheritance of DNA methylation differences in the mangrove Rhizophora mangle

The capacity to respond to environmental challenges ultimately relies on phenotypic variation which manifests from complex interactions of genetic and nongenetic mechanisms through development. While we know something about genetic variation and structure of many species of conservation importance, we know very little about the nongenetic contributions to variation. Rhizophora mangle is a foundation species that occurs in coastal estuarine habitats throughout the neotropics where it provides critical ecosystem functions and is potentially threatened by anthropogenic environmental changes. Several studies have documented landscape-level patterns of genetic variation in this species, but we know virtually nothing about the inheritance of nongenetic variation. To assess one type of nongenetic variation, we examined the patterns of DNA sequence and DNA methylation in maternal plants and offspring from natural populations of R. mangle from the Gulf Coast of Florida. We used a reduced representation bisulfite sequencing approach (epi-genotyping by sequencing; epiGBS) to address the following questions: (a) What are the levels of genetic and epigenetic diversity in natural populations of R. mangle? (b) How are genetic and epigenetic variation structured within and among populations? (c) How faithfully is epigenetic variation inherited? We found low genetic diversity but high epigenetic diversity from natural populations of maternal plants in the field. In addition, a large portion (up to ~25%) of epigenetic differences among offspring grown in common garden was explained by maternal family. Therefore, epigenetic variation could be an important source of response to challenging environments in the genetically depauperate populations of this foundation species.Peer reviewe