Open-label, proof-of-concept study of brexanolone in the treatment of severe postpartum depression

Preclinical evidence indicates that rapid changes in levels of allopregnanolone, the predominant metabolite of progesterone, confer dramatic behavioral changes and may trigger postpartum depression (PPD) in some women. Considering the pathophysiology of PPD (i.e., triggered by reproductive steroids), the need for fast‐acting, efficacious treatments and the negative consequences of untreated PPD, there is an increasing focus on developing PPD therapies. Brexanolone (USAN; formerly SAGE‐547 Injection), a proprietary injectable allopregnanolone formulation, was evaluated as a treatment for severe PPD in a proof‐of‐concept, open‐label study

Evaluating the clinical effectiveness of a specialized perinatal psychiatry inpatient unit

Women experiencing severe perinatal mental illness during pregnancy or postpartum have unique needs when psychiatric hospitalization is indicated. Although many countries have established mother-baby psychiatric units, similar facilities have not been available in the US. In 2011, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill inaugurated the first Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit (PPIU) in the US. We describe the unique characteristics of the patient population and report clinical outcomes guiding development and refinement of treatment protocols. Ninety-two perinatal patients were admitted between September 2011 and September 2012, and 91 completed self-report measures at admission and discharge. Perinatal unipolar mood disorder was the most frequent primary diagnosis (60.43%), and eleven patients (12%) were admitted with psychosis. The data document clinically and statistically significant improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety and active suicidal ideation between admission and discharge (p < .0001), as assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. Overall functioning was also improved, demonstrated by a significant mean difference of −10.96 in total scores of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (p < 0.0001). Data suggest that delivering specialized and targeted interventions for severe maternal mental illness in a safe and supportive setting produces positive patient outcomes

Space assets and technology for bushfire management

The financial, emotional, and ecological impacts of bushfires can be devastating. This report was prepared by the participants of the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2021 in response to the topic: “How space assets and technologies can be applied to better predict and mitigate bushfires and their impacts.” To effectively reach the diverse set of stakeholders impacted by bushfires, Communication was identified as a key enabler central to any examination of the topic. The three pillars “predict”, “mitigate” and “communicate” were identified to frame the task at hand. Combining the diverse skills and experience of the class participants with the interdisciplinary knowledge gained from the seminars, distinguished lectures, and workshops during the SHSSP21 program, conducted a literature review With specific reference to the 2019-20 Australian fire season, we looked at the current state of the art, key challenges, and how bushfires can be better predicted and mitigated in the future. Comparing this to the future desired state, we identified gaps for each of the three domains, and worked across teams to reach consensus on a list of recommendations. Several of these recommendations were derived independently by two or more of the three groups, highlighting the importance of a holistic and collaborative approach. The report details a number of recommendations arising from this Where applicable, we also aligned our discussion with the experience and lessons from other countries and agencies to consider,learn from and respond to the international context, as others develop systems using space technology to tackle similar wildfire issues

Standards for plant synthetic biology: a common syntax for exchange of DNA parts.

Inventors in the field of mechanical and electronic engineering can access multitudes of components and, thanks to standardization, parts from different manufacturers can be used in combination with each other. The introduction of BioBrick standards for the assembly of characterized DNA sequences was a landmark in microbial engineering, shaping the field of synthetic biology. Here, we describe a standard for Type IIS restriction endonuclease-mediated assembly, defining a common syntax of 12 fusion sites to enable the facile assembly of eukaryotic transcriptional units. This standard has been developed and agreed by representatives and leaders of the international plant science and synthetic biology communities, including inventors, developers and adopters of Type IIS cloning methods. Our vision is of an extensive catalogue of standardized, characterized DNA parts that will accelerate plant bioengineering.Biotechnological and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Grant Numbers: BB/K005952/1, BB/L02182X/1 Synthetic Biology Research Centre ‘OpenPlant’ award. Grant Number: BB/L014130/1 Spanish MINECO. Grant Number: BIO2013‐42193‐R Engineering Nitrogen Symbiosis for Africa (ENSA) The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation US Department of Energy, Office of Biological and Environmental. Grant Number: DE‐AC02‐05CH1123 COST Action. Grant Number: FA100

Diseases of Antarctic Birds

The review will be in the same format as presented in Kerry & Riddle (2009) Health of Antarctic Wildlife. The diseases of Antarctic birds are split into sections according to organism. Each group is tackled in turn and the prevalent illnesses discussed. The findings are that there is no one prevalent disease of the Antarctic Bird population. There is also not one specific ailment that affects particular birds. Penguins and Skua are equally as likely to obtain a tick infestation. Endo/Ectoparasites are the main problems facing birds but have been prevalent for many years. Viruses and bacterium are a newer threat but just as deadly, and in some cases more so due to the changing climate. But it is without the conjunction of both parasite and organism that makes establishment difficult. The health of the Antarctic bird population is a primary concern for almost all people. The charismatic presentation that penguins and other such birds of the isolated continent, is often however overlooked. Overall there is a large lack in accurate and current research on the diseases of Antarctic birds. Most of the information available has been done prior to the 1980s and is only just showing another boom now. The major affects that the human population is having on this ecosystem is still unknown. There have been cases of Cholera and Influenza in Antarctic birds as well as the presence of human gut micro biota. This is a sign that somewhere in the past or present, we as visitors, are not being cautious enough. For bio security to be effective we must first know out enemy. As the climate is warming the possibility for invasion is becoming more apparent. Antarctica is cold and dry thus has been highly selecting for the diseases that can survive there, especially when in contact with the outside environment. Therefore it is highly important that more research is occurring to ensure we can protect Antarctica and its wildlife to the best of our ability

A conceptual approach to climate change and ecosystem management in Antarctica

Since the beginning of Antarctic exploration measures have been progressively implemented as attempts to protect the Antarctic environment from human induced disturbances. Historically these disturbances were of a scale that they could be managed via regulations over fixed spatial areas. Present methods for delineating boundaries for ecosystem protection, under the ATS do not account for the natural migration and variation of ecosystems. Areas where changes occur rapidly, such as ice shelves, clearly illustrate the limitations of the fixed aerial projection approach. Ecosystem management in Antarctica cannot be undertaken as a uniform approach. It needs to be informed by the spatial and temporal scales, and physical attributes of the ecosystems concerned. Strategies should be derived from both the natural and cultural context of Antarctica. We propose that ecosystem management principles could be derived from any number of cartographic principles including longitude, latitude, network and elevational projections. In addition, acceptance and recognition of dynamic natural edges is also key to effective management. Managing human activity as part of the ecosystem is not separate to strategies such as the temporal sequencing of visitation, minimising introduction of competitor species, localised physical interventions and cultural engagement will all be important. Integrating management across marine and terrestrial environments is also at the core of the issue. The division between the administration of management in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, whilst logistically easier to apply, does not assist in the development of an integrated and creative approach to ecosystem management. Currently the issue of consensus decision-making that underpins the ATS limits the potential for future innovations in this area. Should climate continue to change as predicted, the present system will need to be modified for the purpose of protected areas to be realised. This report provides a stepping of point for that creative process when the environmental and political incentives to change become unavoidable

Effects of anxiety sensitivity reduction on smoking abstinence: An analysis from a panic prevention program

© 2018 American Psychological Association. Objective: Scientific evidence implicates anxiety sensitivity (AS) as a risk factor for poor smoking cessation outcomes. Integrated smoking cessation programs that target AS may lead to improved smoking cessation outcomes, potentially through AS reduction. Yet, little work has evaluated the efficacy of integrated smoking cessation treatment on smoking abstinence. The present study prospectively examined treatment effects of a novel AS reduction-smoking cessation intervention relative to a standard smoking cessation intervention on smoking abstinence. Method: Participants (N = 529; 45.9% male; M age = 38.23, SD = 13.56) included treatment-seeking smokers who received either a 4-session integrated anxiety-reduction and smoking cessation intervention (Smoking Treatment and Anxiety Management Program; [STAMP]) or a 4-session standard smoking cessation program (SCP). The primary aims focused on examining the effects of STAMP on (a) AS reduction during treatment, (b) early and late smoking point prevalence abstinence, and (c) the mechanistic function of AS reduction on treatment effects across early and late smoking abstinence. Results: Results indicated a significantly greater decline in AS in STAMP relative to SCP (B = -.72, p \u3c .001). Treatment condition did not significantly directly predict early or late abstinence. However, the effect of STAMP on early abstinence was significantly mediated by reductions in AS (indirect = .16, 95% CI [.02, .40]). Conclusions: Findings provide evidence for the efficacy of a novel, integrated anxiety and smoking cessation treatment to reduce AS. Moreover, the meditation pathway from STAMP to early abstinence through reductions in AS suggest that AS is a clinically important mechanism of change for smoking cessation treatment and research

Standards for plant synthetic biology: a common syntax for exchange of DNA parts

Inventors in the field of mechanical and electronic engineering can access multitudes of components and, thanks to standardization, parts from different manufacturers can be used in combination with each other. The introduction of BioBrick standards for the assembly of characterized DNA sequences was a landmark in microbial engineering, shaping the field of synthetic biology. Here, we describe a standard for Type IIS restriction endonuclease-mediated assembly, defining a common syntax of 12 fusion sites to enable the facile assembly of eukaryotic transcriptional units. This standard has been developed and agreed by representatives and leaders of the international plant science and synthetic biology communities, including inventors, developers and adopters of Type IIS cloning methods. Our vision is of an extensive catalogue of standardized, characterized DNA parts that will accelerate plant bioengineering