Different types of visual cells in the photoreceptor layer of the retinae of the treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) as revealed by scanning microscopy

The retinae of treeshrew have never been evaluated by scanning electron microscopic studies. This work described the visual cells in the photoreceptor layer of the retinae of treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) living on the high plateau of Yunnan, China, via scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated five different types of cones morphologically, in which two of those have shown oil droplet like structures in their inner segments. To our knowledge, no prior studies have reported oil droplets in the visual cells of higher mammals, only in lower vertebrate and primitive mammals. In addition, this study revealed one type of degenerative visual cell without outer segments. The findings signal the needs for additional studies to understand the physiological functions and phylogenetic relationships of the diversity of visual cells in this group of mammal

Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant

Impact of intellectual property rights and foreign direct investment on exports within ASEAN-5

While there is clarity in the relationship between FDI and exports, that between IPR and exports is contested. This study looks at IPR and FDI and their relationships with trade for the ASEAN-5 region at SITC single digit industry level to reveal the extent of integration within the ASEAN grouping from the export angle. Using Pedroni's (2000) FMOLS method, the relationships between IPR, FDI and exports for individual countries and ASEAN-5 are found to be significant, consistent with theory but inelastic. Increases in FDI and changes in IPR levels also have only modest impact on exports from individual ASEAN-5 countries to ASEAN-5 on the whole. Although more detailed analysis is warranted, the modest impact of FDI suggests that the export-orientation of FDI in these countries to ASEAN is less than often assumed. In the case of IPR, the results suggest that IPR protection does not figure prominently in whatever technology is embodied in these countries' exports to ASEAN. Exporters are likely to be cognizant of the general lack of enforcement despite well-crafted laws. The existence of significant relationships between exports within the grouping, although with low elasticity, suggests possibilities for future collaboration that can be nurtured

Does intra-industry trade matter during economic crisis? An assessment of Malaysia-China trade

China is Malaysia’s largest trading partner. A significant part of this trade is intra-industry trade (IIT), Malaysia being a major participant in global supply chains that end in China, increasingly the final processing destination. Two economic crises in a decade have raised the question of the link between IIT and economic crises-specifically whether crises impact IIT or whether participation in IIT can protect against external risks, including from crises. This study finds that IIT between Malaysia and China has not been impacted by the Asian Financial Crisis but somewhat by the Global Financial Crisis. As a corollary, IIT has offered some protection from the former crisis but not from the latter. These findings have several implications. First, the severity of a crisis matters for IIT. Second, a strategy of participation in global supply chains ultimately depends on technological and organizational capability

Does financial education matter? Education literacy among undergraduates in Malaysia

Low financial literacy is a global phenomenon. In an increasingly materialistic and complex world, lack of financial literacy can lead to financial problems, even among college and university students. Despite the importance of financial literacy among the young, there is still a dearth of studies on financial literacy and behaviour. Hence, a survey was carried out to provide some insights on this topic. A total of 605 students from four institutions of higher learning in Klang Valley, Malaysia were selected using convenience sampling to provide information on financial literacy, attitude and behaviour as well as financial socialisation factors. The survey revealed that college and university students generally have low financial literacy, a tenuous link between knowledge and attitude but a close association between attitude and behaviour. Parental guidance and life experience were significant predictors of financial knowledge but year of study was not an important predictor. Hence, there is a need to promote experiential learning on financial matters, as financial literacy will lead to positive attitude and good practices

Nineteen-year experience of paediatric renal transplantation in Singapore

Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore384300-30

Different types of visual cells in the photoreceptor layer of the retinae of the treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) as revealed by scanning microscopy

Background: The retinae of treeshrew have never been evaluated by scanning electron microscopic studies. Materials and methods: This work described the visual cells in the photoreceptor layer of the retinae of treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) living on the high plateau of Yunnan, China, via scanning electron microscopy. Results: Results indicated five morphologically different types of cones, two of which contain oil droplets in their inner segments. To our knowledge, no prior studies have reported oil droplets in the visual cells of higher mammals, only in lower vertebrate and primitive mammals. In addition, this study revealed one type of degenerative visual cell without outer segments. Conclusions: The findings signal the needs for additional studies to understand the physiological functions and phylogenetic relationships of the diversity of visual cells in this group of mammal. (Folia Morphol 2023; 82, 4: 798–804

Galectin-3 deficiency reduces the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a member of the beta-galactoside-binding lectin family and plays an important role in inflammation. However, the precise role of Gal-3 in autoimmune diseases remains obscure. We have investigated the functional role of Gal-3 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) following immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55 peptide. Gal-3 deficient (Gal-3-/-) mice developed significantly milder EAE and markedly reduced leukocyte infiltration in the CNS compared with similarly treated wild-type (WT) mice. Gal-3-/- mice also contained fewer monocytes and macrophages but more apoptotic cells in the CNS than did WT mice. Following Ag stimulation in vitro, lymph node cells from the immunized Gal-3-/- mice produced less IL-17 and IFN-gamma than did those of the WT mice. In contrast, Gal-3-/- mice produced more serum IL-10, IL-5, and IL-13 and contained higher frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the CNS than did the WT mice. Furthermore, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells from Gal-3-/- mice produced more IL-10 in response to LPS or bacterial lipoprotein than did WT marrow-derived dendritic cells. Moreover, Gal-3-/- dendritic cells induced Ag-specific T cells to produce more IL-10, IL-5, and IL-12, but less IL-17, than did WT dendritic cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Gal-3 plays an important disease-exacerbating role in EAE through its multifunctional roles in preventing cell apoptosis and increasing IL-17 and IFN-gamma synthesis, but decreasing IL-10 production

Electro-spinning of pure collagen nano-fibres – Just an expensive way to make gelatin?

Scaffolds manufactured from biological materials promise better clinical functionality, providing that characteristic features are preserved. Collagen, a prominent biopolymer, is used extensively for tissue engineering applications, because its signature biological and physico-chemical properties are retained in in vitro preparations. We show here for the first time that the very properties that have established collagen as the leading natural biomaterial are lost when it is electro-spun into nano-fibres out of fluoroalcohols such as 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol or 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. We further identify the use of fluoroalcohols as the major culprit in the process. The resultant nano-scaffolds lack the unique ultra-structural axial periodicity that confirms quarter-staggered supramolecular assemblies and the capacity to generate second harmonic signals, representing the typical crystalline triple-helical structure. They were also characterised by low denaturation temperatures, similar to those obtained from gelatin preparations (p > 0.05). Likewise, circular dichroism spectra revealed extensive denaturation of the electro-spun collagen. Using pepsin digestion in combination with quantitative SDS-PAGE, we corroborate great losses of up to 99% of triple-helical collagen. In conclusion, electro-spinning of collagen out of fluoroalcohols effectively denatures this biopolymer, and thus appears to defeat its purpose, namely to create biomimetic scaffolds emulating the collagen structure and function of the extracellular matrix.The authors are grateful to Peng Yanxian, Clarice Chen and Shaoping Zhong for technical support; and Dr. Ricky R Lareu for his constructive discussion. This work was supported by grants (R-397-000-025-112 and R-279-000-168-712) of the Faculty Research Committee of the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore