Identification of genomic regions associated with differences in fleece type in Huacaya and Suri alpacas (Vicugna pacos).

The difference in fleece type is the distinguishing trait between the two types of alpacas (Vicugna pacos), Huacaya and Suri. The Suri fleece type has been found to be inherited dominantly over the Huacaya type, resulting in offspring with the Suri phenotype. The aim of our study was to map genomic regions associated with the two different fleece types. In this study, 91 alpacas (54 Huacayas and 37 Suris) from Germany and Switzerland were genotyped using the 76k alpaca SNP array. Only 59k chromosome-localised markers map to the alpaca reference assembly VicPac3.1, and after quality control 49 866 SNPs, were retained for population structure assessment and to conduct a genome-wide association study. Both principal component and neighbour-joining tree analysis showed that the two fleece-type cohorts overlapped rather than forming two distinct clusters. Genome-wide significantly associated markers were observed in the scaffold region of chromosome 16 (NW_021964192.1), which contains a cluster of keratin genes. A haplotype predominantly found in Suri alpacas has been identified which supports dominant inheritance. Variant filtering of nine whole-genome sequenced alpacas from both fleece types in the critical interval of 0.4 Mb did not reveal perfect segregation of either fleece type for specific variants. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use the recently developed species-specific SNP array to identify genomic regions associated with differences in fleece type in alpacas. There are still some limitations, such as the preliminary status of the reference assembly and the incomplete annotation of the alpaca genome.

Effects of mTBI with loss of consciousness on neurobehavioral symptoms, depression, and insomnia in former collegiate and NFL football athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Considering that diagnostic decisions about mTBI are often predicated on clinical symptom criteria, it is imperative to determine which initial presentation features of mTBI have prognostic significance for identifying those at high risk for long-term functional impairment. SETTING: Zoom interview Participants: Male, former NCAA Division I, and professional-level National Football League (NFL) athletes (n = 177) between the ages of 27 and 85 (M = 54.1, SD = 14.7). DESIGN: Cross-sectional case-control. Main Measures: History of mild TBI, history of loss of consciousness (LOC), depression symptoms, insomnia, neurobehavioral symptoms. RESULTS: Number of mTBI exposures did not predict neurobehavioral symptoms (B = 0.21, SE = 0.18, p = 0.23), but number of mTBI + LOC events did (B = 2.27, SE = 0.64, p = <.001). Further analysis revealed that the number of mTBI + LOC events predicted neurobehavioral symptoms indirectly through both depression (B = 0.85, 95% CI = [0.27, 1.52) and insomnia (B = 0.81, 95% CI = [0.3, 1.4]). Further, the direct effect of mTBI + LOC events on neurobehavioral symptoms became non-significant when depression and insomnia were added to the model (B = 0.78, SE = 0.45, p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Findings support LOC at time of injury as an important predictor of long-term outcomes. Additionally, results suggest depression and insomnia as potential mediators in the association between mTBI + LOC and neurobehavioral symptoms. These findings provide justification for early depression and insomnia symptom monitoring following mTBI + LOC.

Exoskeleton-based exercises for overground gait and balance rehabilitation in spinal cord injury: a systematic review of dose and dosage parameters.

BACKGROUND: Exoskeletons are increasingly applied during overground gait and balance rehabilitation following neurological impairment, although optimal parameters for specific indications are yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to identify dose and dosage of exoskeleton-based therapy protocols for overground locomotor training in spinal cord injury/disease. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A literature search was performed using the CINAHL Complete, Embase, Emcare Nursing, Medline ALL, and Web of Science databases. Studies in adults with subacute and/or chronic spinal cord injury/disease were included if they reported (1) dose (e.g., single session duration and total number of sessions) and dosage (e.g., frequency of sessions/week and total duration of intervention) parameters, and (2) at least one gait and/or balance outcome measure. RESULTS: Of 2,108 studies identified, after removing duplicates and filtering for inclusion, 19 were selected and dose, dosage and efficacy were abstracted. Data revealed a great heterogeneity in dose, dosage, and indications, with overall recommendation of 60-min sessions delivered 3 times a week, for 9 weeks in 27 sessions. Specific protocols were also identified for functional restoration (60-min, 3 times a week, for 8 weeks/24 sessions) and cardiorespiratory rehabilitation (60-min, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks/36 sessions). CONCLUSION: This review provides evidence-based best practice recommendations for overground exoskeleton training among individuals with spinal cord injury/disease based on individual therapeutic goals - functional restoration or cardiorespiratory rehabilitation. There is a need for structured exoskeleton clinical translation studies based on standardized methods and common therapeutic outcomes.

[German S1 Guideline Long-/Post-COVID]. / S1-Leitlinie Long-/Post-COVID.

The German Society of Pneumology initiated 2021 the AWMF S1 guideline Long COVID/Post-COVID. In a broad interdisciplinary approach, this S1 guideline was designed based on the current state of knowledge.The clinical recommendations describe current Long COVID/Post-COVID symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and therapies.In addition to the general and consensus introduction, a subject-specific approach was taken to summarize the current state of knowledge.The guideline has an explicit practical claim and will be developed and adapted by the author team based on the current increase in knowledge.

Suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of COVID-19-related stress, social isolation, and financial strain.

BACKGROUND: There are significant concerns about mental health problems occurring due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To date, there has been limited empirical investigation about thoughts of suicide and self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A national survey was conducted May 2020 to investigate the association between mental health symptoms, social isolation, and financial stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic and thoughts of suicide and self-harm. A total of 6607 US adults completed an online survey; survey criteria included an age minimum of 22 years old and reported annual gross income of $75,000 or below. Statistical raking procedures were conducted to more precisely weight the sample using US Census data on age, geographic region, sex, race, and ethnicity. RESULTS: COVID-19-related stress symptoms, loneliness, and financial strain were associated with thoughts of suicide/self-harm in multivariable logistic regression analyses, as were younger age, being a military veteran, past homelessness, lifetime severe mental illness, current depressive symptoms, alcohol misuse, and having tested positive for COVID-19. Greater social support was inversely related to thoughts of suicide/self-harm whereas running out of money for basic needs (e.g., food), housing instability (e.g., delaying rent), and filing for unemployment or disability were positively related. CONCLUSIONS: Public health interventions to decrease risk of suicide and self-harm in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic should address pandemic-related stress, social isolation, and financial strain experienced including food insecurity, job loss, and risk of eviction/homelessness.

Financial Strain and Suicide Attempts in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults.

Although research has identified many suicide risk factors, the relationship between financial strain and suicide has received less attention. Using data representative of the US adult population (n = 34,653) from wave 1 (2001-2002) and wave 2 (2004-2005) of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, we investigated the association between financial strain-financial debt/crisis, unemployment, past homelessness, and lower income-and subsequent suicide attempts and suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression controlling for demographic and clinical covariates showed that cumulative financial strain was predictive of suicide attempts between waves 1 and 2 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32, 1.77). Wave 1 financial debt/crisis (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.34), unemployment (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.10), past homelessness (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.17), and lower income (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.25) were each associated with subsequent suicide attempts. Respondents endorsing these 4 financial-strain variables had 20 times higher predicted probability of attempting suicide compared with respondents endorsing none of these variables. Analyses yielded similar results examining suicidal ideation. Financial strain accumulated from multiple sources (debt, housing instability, unemployment, and low income) should be considered for optimal assessment, management, and prevention of suicide.

Observations on the retina and 'optical fold' of a mesopelagic sabretooth fish, Evermanella balbo.

The 'optical fold' of Evermanella balbo covers the ventro-lateral cornea and is presumed to capture illumination that would otherwise remain undetected by the tubular eye of this mesopelagic teleost. It contains alternating bands of cellular and acellular material, running approximately perpendicular to the lateral surface of the eye. Only parts of this lamellar body lie within the eyelid-like structure. The cellular lamellae are 2-2.5 µm thick centrally and composed of fibroblast-like cells. The extracellular bands (4.5-5 µm thick) contain regular arrays of collagen fibrils, with layers of thin fibrils sandwiching a region of thicker fibrils. The thin fibrils are organised in alternating sheets where fibrils, although all parallel, change their orientation by 90° between each sheet. All thick fibrils are oriented parallel to the lateral surface of the 'optical fold'. In the main retina, small bundles of rod inner/outer segments are separated by the processes of the retinal pigment epithelium (rpe) laterally. Centrally, the length of tightly packed rods increases, but rpe processes no longer divide them into bundles. Medially, rod length increases further, but packing is less dense. The accessory retina is significantly thinner, and less well-developed than the main retina. Ventrally, the rods show no regular arrangement and are not grouped. Dorsally, however, rods are arranged into bundles, separated by melanosome-filled rpe processes. The thickness of the retina increases as it approaches the crystalline lens. It is on this dorsal accessory retina that light traversing the 'optical fold' most likely falls, facilitating the detection of moving objects in the ventro-lateral field of view.

Patient-derived xenografts of a case of ameloblastic fibrodentinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The establishment of animal models of xenotransplantation can contribute to the elucidation of the molecular pathogenesis of ameloblastic fibrodentinomas (AFD) and it also provides an opportunity for drug tests. We aimed to evaluate the possibility of AFD tumour growth in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. In addition, we characterized the human tumour and the PDXs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of a recurrent AFD was obtained and two fragments were contralaterally implanted subcutaneously in an 8-week old female NUDE mouse. After 250 days, the PDXs were removed and submitted to histopathological and molecular analysis. Immunohistochemical reactions for Ki67 and the phosphorylated form of ERK1/2 were carried out in both, PDXs and human tumour, and the presence of BRAFV600E was assessed. RESULTS: From day 135 onwards, the PDXs presented a growth peak and remained stable until day 250. Histopathologically, the PDXs presented the same features of the patient's tumour. Tumour cells exhibited Ki67 and pERK1/2 immunoexpression in the patient's tumour and PDX. The AFD was wild-type for BRAFV600E. CONCLUSION: The PDX model recapitulated well the human tumour after a long implantation time, representing a possible model to study the AFD and other odontogenic tumours pathobiology.

Cognitive Rehabilitation With Mobile Technology and Social Support for Veterans With TBI and PTSD: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of cognitive rehabilitation with mobile technology and social support on veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PARTICIPANTS: There were 112 dyads, comprised by a veteran and a family member or friend (224 participants in total). DESIGN: Dyads were randomized to the following: (1) a novel intervention, Cognitive Applications for Life Management (CALM), involving goal management training plus mobile devices for cueing and training attentional control; or (2) Brain Health Training, involving psychoeducation plus mobile devices to train visual memory. MAIN MEASURES: Executive dysfunction (disinhibition, impulsivity) and emotional dysregulation (anger, maladaptive interpersonal behaviors) collected prior to randomization and following intervention completion at 6 months. RESULTS: The clinical trial yielded negative findings regarding executive dysfunction but positive findings on measures of emotion dysregulation. Veterans randomized to CALM reported a 25% decrease in anger over 6 months compared with 8% reduction in the control (B = -5.27, P = .008). Family/friends reported that veterans randomized to CALM engaged in 26% fewer maladaptive interpersonal behaviors (eg, aggression) over 6 months compared with 6% reduction in the control (B = -2.08, P = .016). An unanticipated result was clinically meaningful change in reduced PTSD symptoms among veterans randomized to CALM (P < .001). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study demonstrated effectiveness of CALM for reducing emotional dysregulation in veterans with TBI and PTSD.

Diameter-dependent wetting of tungsten disulfide nanotubes.

The simple process of a liquid wetting a solid surface is controlled by a plethora of factors-surface texture, liquid droplet size and shape, energetics of both liquid and solid surfaces, as well as their interface. Studying these events at the nanoscale provides insights into the molecular basis of wetting. Nanotube wetting studies are particularly challenging due to their unique shape and small size. Nonetheless, the success of nanotubes, particularly inorganic ones, as fillers in composite materials makes it essential to understand how common liquids wet them. Here, we present a comprehensive wetting study of individual tungsten disulfide nanotubes by water. We reveal the nature of interaction at the inert outer wall and show that remarkably high wetting forces are attained on small, open-ended nanotubes due to capillary aspiration into the hollow core. This study provides a theoretical and experimental paradigm for this intricate problem.

Lichens or endophytes? The enigmatic genus Leptosillia in the Leptosilliaceae fam. nov. (Xylariales), and Furfurella gen. nov. (Delonicicolaceae).

Based on DNA sequence data, the genus Leptosillia is shown to belong to the Xylariales. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS-LSU rDNA sequence data and of a combined matrix of SSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, rpb1, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 reveal that the genera Cresporhaphis and Liberomyces are congeneric with Leptosillia. Coelosphaeria fusariospora, Leptorhaphis acerina, Leptorhaphis quercus f. macrospora, Leptorhaphis pinicola, Leptorhaphis wienkampii, Liberomyces pistaciae, Sphaeria muelleri and Zignoëlla slaptonensis are combined in Leptosillia, and all of these taxa except for C. fusariospora, L. pinicola and L. pistaciae are epitypified. Coelosphaeria fusariospora and Cresporhaphis rhoina are lectotypified. Liberomyces macrosporus and L. saliciphilus, which were isolated as phloem and sapwood endophytes, are shown to be synonyms of Leptosillia macrospora and L. wienkampii, respectively. All species formerly placed in Cresporhaphis that are now transferred to Leptosillia are revealed to be non-lichenized. Based on morphology and ecology, Cresporhaphis chibaensis is synonymised with Rhaphidicyrtis trichosporella, and C. rhoina is considered to be unrelated to the genus Leptosillia, but its generic affinities cannot be resolved in lack of DNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses place Leptosillia as sister taxon to Delonicicolaceae, and based on morphological and ecological differences, the new family Leptosilliaceae is established. Furfurella, a new genus with the three new species, F. luteostiolata, F. nigrescens and F. stromatica, growing on dead branches of mediterranean fabaceous shrubs from tribe Genisteae, is revealed to be the closest relative of Delonicicola in the family Delonicicolaceae, which is emended. ITS rDNA sequence data retrieved from GenBank demonstrate that the Leptosilliaceae were frequently isolated or sequenced as endophytes from temperate to tropical regions, and show that the genus Leptosillia represents a widely distributed component of endophyte communities of woody plants.

Free-Standing Nanocrystalline Materials Assembled from Small Molecules.

We demonstrate a solution-based fabrication of centimeter-size free-standing films assembled from organic nanocrystals based on common organic dyes (perylene diimides, PDIs). These nanostructured films exhibit good mechanical stability, and thermal robustness superior to most plastics, retaining the crystalline microstructure and macroscopic shape upon heating up to 250-300 °C. The films show nonlinear optical response and can be used as ultrafiltration membranes. The macroscopic functional materials based on small molecules can be alternative or complementary to materials based on macromolecules.

Genome-wide significant risk factors for Alzheimer's disease: role in progression to dementia due to Alzheimer's disease among subjects with mild cognitive impairment.

Few data are available concerning the role of risk markers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in progression to AD dementia among subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We therefore investigated the role of well-known AD-associated single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the progression from MCI to AD dementia. Four independent MCI data sets were included in the analysis: (a) the German study on Aging, Cognition and Dementia in primary care patients (n=853); (b) the German Dementia Competence Network (n=812); (c) the Fundació ACE from Barcelona, Spain (n=1245); and (d) the MCI data set of the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort (n=306). The effects of single markers and combined polygenic scores were measured using Cox proportional hazards models and meta-analyses. The clusterin (CLU) locus was an independent genetic risk factor for MCI to AD progression (CLU rs9331888: hazard ratio (HR)=1.187 (1.054-1.32); P=0.0035). A polygenic score (PGS1) comprising nine established genome-wide AD risk loci predicted a small effect on the risk of MCI to AD progression in APOE-ɛ4 (apolipoprotein E-ɛ4) carriers (HR=1.746 (1.029-2.965); P=0.038). The novel AD loci reported by the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project were not implicated in MCI to AD dementia progression. SNP-based polygenic risk scores comprising currently available AD genetic markers did not predict MCI to AD progression. We conclude that SNPs in CLU are potential markers for MCI to AD progression.

Smaller hippocampal CA1 subfield volume in posttraumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: Smaller hippocampal volume in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents the most consistently reported structural alteration in the brain. Subfields of the hippocampus play distinct roles in encoding and processing of memories, which are disrupted in PTSD. We examined PTSD-associated alterations in 12 hippocampal subfields in relation to global hippocampal shape, and clinical features. METHODS: Case-control cross-sectional studies of U.S. military veterans (n = 282) from the Iraq and Afghanistan era were grouped into PTSD (n = 142) and trauma-exposed controls (n = 140). Participants underwent clinical evaluation for PTSD and associated clinical parameters followed by MRI at 3 T. Segmentation with FreeSurfer v6.0 produced hippocampal subfield volumes for the left and right CA1, CA3, CA4, DG, fimbria, fissure, hippocampus-amygdala transition area, molecular layer, parasubiculum, presubiculum, subiculum, and tail, as well as hippocampal meshes. Covariates included age, gender, trauma exposure, alcohol use, depressive symptoms, antidepressant medication use, total hippocampal volume, and MRI scanner model. RESULTS: Significantly lower subfield volumes were associated with PTSD in left CA1 (P = 0.01; d = 0.21; uncorrected), CA3 (P = 0.04; d = 0.08; uncorrected), and right CA3 (P = 0.02; d = 0.07; uncorrected) only if ipsilateral whole hippocampal volume was included as a covariate. A trend level association of L-CA1 with PTSD (F4, 221  = 3.32, P = 0.07) is present and the other subfield findings are nonsignificant if ipsilateral whole hippocampal volume is not included as a covariate. PTSD-associated differences in global hippocampal shape were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The present finding of smaller hippocampal CA1 in PTSD is consistent with model systems in rodents that exhibit increased anxiety-like behavior from repeated exposure to acute stress. Behavioral correlations with hippocampal subfield volume differences in PTSD will elucidate their relevance to PTSD, particularly behaviors of associative fear learning, extinction training, and formation of false memories.

The biomechanical construction of the horse's body and activity patterns of three important muscles of the trunk in the walk, trot and canter.

The activity patterns of trunk muscles are commonly neglected, in spite of their importance for maintaining body shape. Analysis of the biomechanics of the trunk under static conditions has led to predictions of the activity patterns. These hypotheses are tested experimentally by surface electromyography (EMG). Five horses, with and without a rider, were examined in the walk, trot and canter. Footfall was synchronised with EMG by an accelerometer. Averages of ten consecutive cycles were calculated and compared by statistical methods. The start and stop times of the muscle activities of 5-10 undisturbed EMG plots were determined and the averages and standard deviations calculated. In walking, muscle activities are minor. Electromyography (EMG) activity was increased in the m. rectus during the three-limb support. When the bending moments assume their greatest values, for example while the horses' mass is accelerated upward (two times earth acceleration) in the diagonal support phases in trot and canter the m. rectus, connecting the sternum with the pubic bone is most active. The m. obl. externus is most active when the torsional and bending moments are greatest during the same support phases, but not bilaterally, because the forces exerted on one side by the (recorded) m. obl. externus are transmitted on the other side by the (not recorded) m. obl. internus. While the hindlegs touch the ground in the trot and canter, ground reaction forces tend to flex the hip joint and the lumbar spine. Therefore, the vertebral column needs to be stabilised by the ipsilateral m. longissimus dorsi, which in fact can be observed. As a whole, our EMG data confirm exactly what has been predicted by theoretical analysis.

[Ethical, pedagogical, socio-political and anthropological implications of quaternary prevention]. / Implications éthiques, pédagogiques, sociopolitiques et anthropologiques de la prévention quaternaire.

The concept of quaternary prevention, resulting from a reflection on the doctor-patient relationship, is presented as a renewal of the ageold ethical requirement: first, a doctor must not harm; second, the doctor must control himself/herself. The origin of the concept, its endorsement by the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) and the European Union of General Practitioners (UEMO), its dissemination, and the debates to which it has given rise, are presented by a panel of authors from 12 countries and 3 continents. This collective text deals more specifically with the ethics of prevention, the importance of teaching Quaternary prevention and Evidence Based Medicine, the social and political implications of the concept of quaternary prevention, and its anthropological dimensions.

Le concept de prévention quaternaire, issu d'une réflexion sur la relation médecin-patient, est présenté d'une part comme un renouvellement d'une exigence éthique séculaire ; d'abord ne pas nuire et d'autre part comme un plaidoyer pour un autocontrôle du médecin. L'origine du concept, son approbation par l'Organisation Mondiale des Médecins de Famille (WONCA) et l'Union Européenne des Médecins Omnipraticiens (UEMO), sa diffusion et les débats auxquels il a donné lieu, sont présentés par un panel d'auteurs de 12 pays et trois continents. Ce texte collectif traite plus spécifiquement de l'éthique de la prévention, de l'importance de l'enseignement de la prévention quaternaire et de la médecine factuelle, des implications sociales et politiques du concept de prévention quaternaire et de ses dimensions anthropologiques.

Emission dynamics of hybrid plasmonic gold/organic GaN nanorods.

We studied the emission of bare and aluminum quinoline (Alq3)/gold coated wurtzite GaN nanorods by temperature- and intensity-dependent time-integrated and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL). The GaN nanorods of ∼1.5 µm length and ∼250 nm diameter were grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Gold/Alq3 coated GaN nanorods were synthesized by organic molecular beam deposition. The near band-edge and donor-acceptor pair luminescence was investigated in bare GaN nanorods and compared with multilevel model calculations providing the dynamical parameters for electron-hole pairs, excitons, impurity bound excitons, donors and acceptors. Subsequently, the influence of a 10 nm gold coating without and with an Alq3 spacer layer was studied and the experimental results were analyzed with the multilevel model. Without a spacer layer, a significant PL quenching and lifetime reduction of the near band-edge emission is found. The behavior is attributed to surface band-bending and Förster energy transfer from excitons to surface plasmons in the gold layer. Inserting a 5 nm Alq3 spacer layer reduces the PL quenching and lifetime reduction which is consistent with a reduced band-bending and Förster energy transfer. Increasing the spacer layer to 30 nm results in lifetimes which are similar to uncoated structures, showing a significantly decreased influence of the gold coating on the excitonic dynamics.

Self-Reported Pain in Male and Female Iraq/Afghanistan-Era Veterans: Associations with Psychiatric Symptoms and Functioning.

OBJECTIVE: To examine pain symptoms and co-occurring psychiatric and functional indices in male and female Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans. DESIGN: Self-reported data collection and interviews of Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans who participated in a multisite study of postdeployment mental health. SETTING: Veterans were enrolled at one of four participating VA sites. SUBJECTS: Two thousand five hundred eighty-seven male and 662 female Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans. METHODS: Nonparametric Wilcoxon rank tests examined differences in pain scores between male and female veterans. Chi-square tests assessed differences between male and female veterans in the proportion of respondents endorsing moderate to high levels of pain vs no pain. Multilevel regression analyses evaluated the effect of pain on a variety of psychiatric and functional measures. RESULTS: Compared with males, female veterans reported significantly higher mean levels of headache ( P < 0.0001), muscle soreness ( P < 0.008), and total pain ( P < 0.0001), and were more likely to report the highest levels of headache ( P < 0.0001) and muscle soreness ( P < 0.0039). The presence of pain symptoms in Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans was positively associated with psychiatric comorbidity and negatively associated with psychosocial functioning. There were no observed gender differences in psychiatric and functional indices when levels of pain were equated. CONCLUSIONS: Although female Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans reported higher levels of pain than male veterans overall, male and female veterans experienced similar levels of psychiatric and functional problems at equivalent levels of reported pain. These findings suggest that pain-associated psychological and functional impacts are comparable and consequential for both male and female veterans.

Lama glama αS1-casein: Identification of new polymorphisms in the CSN1S1 gene.

South American camelids have been poorly genetically investigated and little information is available in llamas (Lama glama) regarding the diversity of the caseins at the protein and gene level. Exon skipping and duplication events previously reported in the αS1-casein gene (CSN1S1) led us to investigate the genetic variability at this locus. Seventy-two positive clones for the αS1-casein transcripts were analyzed and randomly sequenced. The comparative analysis of the sequences revealed 2 transitions, c.366A>G and c.690T>C, at the 10th nucleotide of exon 12 and 94 bp of exon 19, respectively. These SNP are responsible for 2 amino acid changes, Ile→Val in position 86 and Tyr→His in position 194 of the mature protein. Both polymorphisms clarify the genetic events behind the protein variants A and B. This result was confirmed by isoelectric focusing analysis of llama milk samples. Quick methods based on PCR-RFLP and allele-specific PCR were set up for allelic discrimination in a population of 128 animals. Based on genotyping results, 4 haplotypes were observed and the estimated frequencies indicated B as the most common haplotype (0.629) in the investigated population. These data add knowledge to the genetic variability of a species little investigated, and open opportunity for new investigation in the field of milk protein for South American camelids, including the possibility, in the future, to select alleles with favorable characteristics.

Dental management for patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

This study sought to review current guidelines and the most optimal dental management for patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.