Process evaluation of a cluster-randomised controlled trial of multi-component weight management programme in adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity

Background: Providing effective weight management to adults with intellectual disabilities is necessary to challenge the high rates of obesity. The aim of this process evaluation was to explore the feasibility of conducting a full‐scale clinical trial of the TAKE 5 multi‐component weight management programme. Methods: The study was a 12‐month pilot cluster‐randomised controlled trial. Adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity were randomised to either TAKE 5, which included an energy deficit diet (EDD) or Waist Winners Too, based on health education principles. A mixed‐methods process evaluation was conducted focussing on the reach, recruitment, fidelity, implementation, dose (delivered/received) and context. Results: The study successfully recruited adults with intellectual disabilities. Both weight management programmes were delivered with high fidelity and implemented as intended. Only one weight management programme, TAKE 5, demonstrated potential efficacy in reducing body weight and body composition. The effectiveness was largely attributed to the EDD and social support from carers. Conclusions: The extensive process evaluation illustrated that a full‐scale trial of a multi‐component programme including an EDD is feasible and an acceptable approach to weight management for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity

Drosophila suzukii population estimation

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae: Drosophilini) is a global pest attacking ripening small and stone fruits. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine temperature-dependent survival and fecundity of SWD. A temperature-dependent matrix model using these data was applied to determine if population pressure of D. suzukii could be predicted based upon environmental conditions. As an example, different pressure levels were found in two distinctly different seasons in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The model was also applied to determine the effects of population factors such as regional climatic differences, microclimates, bacterial infection and parasitism. The population model is an additional tool for SWD risk-prediction. Pest management practitioners can make timely management decisions as the crop ripens using this model. The limitations and benefits of using this model are discusse

PRIMA1 mutation: A new cause of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy

Objective Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE) can be sporadic or autosomal dominant; some families have nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit mutations. We report a novel autosomal recessive phenotype in a single family and identify the causative gene. Methods Whole exome sequencing data was used to map the family, thereby narrowing exome search space, and then to identify the mutation. Results Linkage analysis using exome sequence data from two affected and two unaffected subjects showed homozygous linkage peaks on chromosomes 7, 8, 13, and 14 with maximum LOD scores between 1.5 and 1.93. Exome variant filtering under these peaks revealed that the affected siblings were homozygous for a novel splice site mutation (c.93+2T>C) in the PRIMA1 gene on chromosome 14. No additional PRIMA1 mutations were found in 300 other NFLE cases. The c.93+2T>C mutation was shown to lead to skipping of the first coding exon of the PRIMA1 mRNA using a minigene system. Interpretation PRIMA1 is a transmembrane protein that anchors acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme hydrolyzing acetycholine, to membrane rafts of neurons. PRiMA knockout mice have reduction of AChE and accumulation of acetylcholine at the synapse; our minigene analysis suggests that the c.93+2T>C mutation leads to knockout of PRIMA1. Mutations with gain of function effects in acetylcholine receptor subunits cause autosomal dominant NFLE. Thus, enhanced cholinergic responses are the likely cause of the severe NFLE and intellectual disability segregating in this family, representing the first recessive case to be reported and the first PRIMA1 mutation implicated in disease

Subleading-twist effects in single-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering on a longitudinally polarized hydrogen target

Single-spin asymmetries in the semi-inclusive production of charged pions in deep-inelastic scattering from transversely and longitudinally polarized proton targets are combined to evaluate the subleading-twist contribution to the longitudinal case. This contribution is significantly positive for (\pi^+) mesons and dominates the asymmetries on a longitudinally polarized target previously measured by \hermes. The subleading-twist contribution for (\pi^-) mesons is found to be small

A class-wide phylogenetic assessment of Dothideomycetes

We present a comprehensive phylogeny derived from 5 genes, nucSSU, nucLSU rDNA, TEF1, RPB1 and RPB2, for 356 isolates and 41 families (six newly described in this volume) in Dothideomycetes. All currently accepted orders in the class are represented for the first time in addition to numerous previously unplaced lineages. Subclass Pleosporomycetidae is expanded to include the aquatic order Jahnulales. An ancestral reconstruction of basic nutritional modes supports numerous transitions from saprobic life histories to plant associated and lichenised modes and a transition from terrestrial to aquatic habitats are confirmed. Finally, a genomic comparison of 6 dothideomycete genomes with other fungi finds a high level of unique protein associated with the class, supporting its delineation as a separate taxon

Response to Lawrence DJ: The global summit on the efficacy and effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy for the prevention and treatment of non-musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review of the literature

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Letter to the Editor by Dana J. Lawrence. In his letter, Lawrence states that the results of our systematic review may be due to bias. However, he does not adequately substantiate his claims..

Quark fragmentation to π±\pi^{\pm}, π0\pi^{0}, K±K^{\pm}, pp and pˉ\bar{p} in the nuclear environment

The influence of the nuclear medium on lepto-production of hadrons was studied in the HERMES experiment at DESY in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering of 27.6 GeV positrons off deuterium, nitrogen and krypton targets. The differential multiplicity for krypton relative to that of deuterium has been measured for the first time for various identified hadrons ($\pi^+$, $\pi^-$, $\pi^0$, $K^+$, $K^-$, $p$ and $\bar{p}$) as a function of the virtual photon energy $\nu$, the fraction $z$ of this energy transferred to the hadron, and the hadron transverse momentum squared $p_t^2$. The multiplicity ratio is strongly reduced in the nuclear medium at low $\nu$ and high $z$, with significant differences among the various hadrons. The distribution of the hadron transverse momentum is broadened towards high $p_t^2$ in the nuclear medium, in a manner resembling the Cronin effect previously observed in collisions of heavy ions and protons with nuclei.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure