A study of the heavy minerals from Topaz Mountain, Juab County, Utah

Rock specimens and bulk sediment samples were collected from Topaz Valley, on the southern flank of Topaz Mountain. Both types of samples were examined macroscopically and microscopically. Heavy minerals within the sediment mainly include topaz and specular hematite, with subordinate bixbyite, magnetite, fluorite, and pseudobrookite. The topaz and hematite percentages were significantly different for the four size distributions studied. The topaz content decreases as the grain size decreases. Conversely the hematite content progressively increases as the grain size decreases. Topaz, hematite (only as inclusions), bixbyite, pseudobrookite, and quartz were found in the rock cavities. Contrarily only quartz and feldspar were found as significant percentages in thin section, although topaz, hematite, and pseudobrookite also were found in thin section. The presence of topaz (a fluorine-bearing mineral) at Topaz Mountain, and of fluorite at nearby Spor Mountain, suggest that the region may be an attractive target for molybdenum exploration.No embarg

Synthetic Heparan Sulfate Mimetic Pixatimod (PG545) Potently Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by Disrupting the Spike–ACE2 Interaction

Heparan sulfate (HS) is a cell surface polysaccharide recently identified as a coreceptor with the ACE2 protein for the S1 spike protein on SARS-CoV-2 virus, providing a tractable new therapeutic target. Clinically used heparins demonstrate an inhibitory activity but have an anticoagulant activity and are supply-limited, necessitating alternative solutions. Here, we show that synthetic HS mimetic pixatimod (PG545), a cancer drug candidate, binds and destabilizes the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain and directly inhibits its binding to ACE2, consistent with molecular modeling identification of multiple molecular contacts and overlapping pixatimod and ACE2 binding sites. Assays with multiple clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 virus show that pixatimod potently inhibits the infection of monkey Vero E6 cells and physiologically relevant human bronchial epithelial cells at safe therapeutic concentrations. Pixatimod also retained broad potency against variants of concern (VOC) including B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Furthermore, in a K18-hACE2 mouse model, pixatimod significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral titers in the upper respiratory tract and virus-induced weight loss. This demonstration of potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity tolerant to emerging mutations establishes proof-of-concept for targeting the HS-Spike protein-ACE2 axis with synthetic HS mimetics and provides a strong rationale for clinical investigation of pixatimod as a potential multimodal therapeutic for COVID-19. </p

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev

This cross-sectional study examined the moderating role of support from three key figures (mothers, teachers, friends) in the association between peer victimization and parasomnias in childhood. The sample consisted of 1150 children aged 8 years who attended elementary school. Controlling for potential confounders, hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that peer victimization was associated with a higher level of parasomnias, equally for both girls and boys. However, for girls, the predictive association of peer victimization with parasomnias was moderated by the level of support in relationships with either their parents, their teachers, or their friends. The findings suggest that somatic symptoms such as sleep problems may be a first indicator that a child is being bullied. Because parents, teachers as well as friends can play a key role in preventing the development of parasomnias, it may be useful to help bullied children develop strong bonds within at least one of these relationships