Airborne observations over the North Atlantic Ocean reveal the importance of gas-phase urea in the atmosphere.

Reduced nitrogen (N) is central to global biogeochemistry, yet there are large uncertainties surrounding its sources and rate of cycling. Here, we present observations of gas-phase urea (CO(NH2)2) in the atmosphere from airborne high-resolution mass spectrometer measurements over the North Atlantic Ocean. We show that urea is ubiquitous in the lower troposphere in the summer, autumn, and winter but was not detected in the spring. The observations suggest that the ocean is the primary emission source, but further studies are required to understand the responsible mechanisms. Urea is also observed aloft due to long-range transport of biomass-burning plumes. These observations alongside global model simulations point to urea being an important, and currently unaccounted for, component of reduced-N to the remote marine atmosphere. Airborne transfer of urea between nutrient-rich and -poor parts of the ocean can occur readily and could impact ecosystems and oceanic uptake of carbon dioxide, with potentially important climate implications.

Systematic review of groin wound surgical site infection incidence after arterial intervention.

The objectives were to determine the surgical site infection incidence (including superficial/deep) fter arterial intervention through non-infected groin incisions and identify variables associated with incidence. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases were searched for randomised controlled trials and observational studies of adults undergoing arterial intervention through a groin incision and reported surgical site infection. Infection incidence was examined in subgroups, variables were subjected to meta-regression. One hundred seventeen studies reporting 65 138 groin incisions in 42 347 patients were included. Overall surgical site infection incidence per incision was 8.1% (1730/21 431): 6.3% (804/12 786) were superficial and 1.9% (241/12 863) were deep. Superficial infection incidence was higher in randomised controlled trials (15.8% [278/1762]) compared with observational studies (4.8% [526/11 024]); deep infection incidence was similar (1.7% (30/1762) and 1.9% (211/11 101) respectively). Aneurysmal pathology (ß = -10.229, P < .001) and retrospective observational design (ß = -1.118, P = .002) were associated with lower infection incidence. Surgical site infection being a primary outcome was associated with a higher incidence of surgical site infections (ß = 3.429, P = .017). The three-fold higher incidence of superficial surgical site infection reported in randomised controlled trials may be because of a more robust clinical review of patients. These results should be considered when benchmarking practice and could inform future trial design.

Probing Catalyst Function - Electronic Modulation of Chiral Polyborate Anionic Catalysts.

Boroxinate complexes of VAPOL and VANOL are a chiral anionic platform that can serve as a versatile staging arena for asymmetric catalysis. The structural underpinning of the platform is a chiral polyborate core that covalently links together alcohols (or phenols) and vaulted biaryl ligands. The polyborate platform is assembled in situ by the substrate of the reaction, and thus a multiplex of chiral catalysts can be rapidly assembled from various alcohols (or phenols) and bis-phenol ligands for screening of catalyst activity. In the present study, variations in the steric and electronic properties of the phenol/alcohol component of the boroxinate catalyst are probed to reveal their effects on the asymmetric induction in the catalytic asymmetric aziridination reaction. A Hammett study is consistent with a mechanism in which the two substrates are hydrogen-bonded to the boroxinate core in the enantiogenic step. The results of the Hammett study are supported by a computational study in which it is found that the H-O distance of the protonated imine hydrogen bonded to the anionic boroxinate core decreases with an increase in the electron releasing ability of the phenol unit incorporated into the boroxinate. The results are not consistent with a mechanism in which the boroxinate catalyst functions as a Lewis acid and activates the imine by a Lewis acid/Lewis base interaction.

Crayfish plague affects juvenile survival and adult behaviour of invasive signal crayfish.

The spread of invasive, non-native species is a key threat to biodiversity. Parasites can play a significant role by influencing their invasive host's survival or behaviour, which can subsequently alter invasion dynamics. The North American signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) is a known carrier of Aphanomyces astaci, an oomycete pathogen that is the causative agent of crayfish plague and fatal to European crayfish species, whereas North American species are considered to be largely resistant. There is some evidence, however, that North American species, can also succumb to crayfish plague, though how A. astaci affects such 'reservoir hosts' is rarely considered. Here, we tested the impact of A. astaci infection on signal crayfish, by assessing juvenile survival and adult behaviour following exposure to A. astaci zoospores. Juvenile signal crayfish suffered high mortality 4-weeks post-hatching, but not as older juveniles. Furthermore, adult signal crayfish with high-infection levels displayed altered behaviours, being less likely to leave the water, explore terrestrial areas and exhibit escape responses. Overall, we reveal that A. astaci infection affects signal crayfish to a much greater extent than previously considered, which may not only have direct consequences for invasions, but could substantially affect commercially harvested signal crayfish stocks worldwide.

Nurses and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevention.

Women of reproductive age who are drinking alcohol and not using effective contraception are at-risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy, which could result in a child with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Nurses are an important partner in addressing at-risk alcohol use. It is imperative for alcohol education to be incorporated into nursing curricula so that future nurses have the tools to identify at-risk alcohol use. Three universities have worked together to create Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Toolkit. This toolkit was designed for nurses to facilitate the recognition and prevention of FASD and address gaps that exists around alcohol use.

Factors Affecting Speech Perception Improvement Post Implantation in Congenitally Deaf Adults.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors preimplantation associated with postimplantation speech perception improvement in the adult congenitally deaf population. DESIGN: Forty-four adult cochlear implant (CI) patients who had a severe to profound hearing loss from birth were identified from this centre's database. Eight preimplantation factors, speech intelligibility, preimplantation hearing levels, communication mode, preimplantation speech perception scores, progression of hearing loss, age at implantation, hearing aid use preimplantation, and gender, were recorded during the CI assessment process. These factors were investigated to determine their effect on speech perception improvement postimplantation. The outcome measures were the improvement in scores for the BKB Sentence test and CUNY Sentence test with lipreading after implantation. In the final analysis, 26 patients were included in the CUNY analysis, and 30 patients were included in the BKB analysis. RESULTS: Speech intelligibility rating, preimplantation hearing levels, and communication mode were shown to be significantly associated with improvements in speech perception postimplantation. CONCLUSION: Three factors were identified that affected speech perception improvement postimplantation: speech intelligibility, preimplantation hearing levels, and communication mode. These factors can be used to counsel CI patients regarding potential speech perception improvements from cochlear implantation, although these are based on average data and may not reflect individual performance.

Sperm-specific post-acrosomal WW-domain binding protein (PAWP) does not cause Ca2+ release in mouse oocytes.

Mature mammalian oocytes undergo a prolonged series of cytoplasmic calcium (Ca(2+)) oscillations at fertilization that are the cause of oocyte activation. The Ca(2+) oscillations in mammalian oocytes are driven via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) generation. Microinjection of the sperm-derived phospholipase C-zeta (PLCζ), which generates IP3, causes the same pattern of Ca(2+) oscillations as observed at mammalian fertilization and it is thought to be the physiological agent that triggers oocyte activation. However, another sperm-specific protein, 'post-acrosomal WW-domain binding protein' (PAWP), has also been reported to elicit activation when injected into mammalian oocytes, and to produce a Ca(2+) increase in frog oocytes. Here we have investigated whether PAWP can induce fertilization-like Ca(2+) oscillations in mouse oocytes. Recombinant mouse PAWP protein was found to be unable to hydrolyse phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in vitro and did not cause any detectable Ca(2+) release when microinjected into mouse oocytes. Microinjection with cRNA encoding either the untagged PAWP, or yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-PAWP, or luciferase-PAWP fusion proteins all failed to trigger Ca(2+) increases in mouse oocytes. The lack of response in mouse oocytes was despite PAWP being robustly expressed at similar or higher concentrations than PLCζ, which successfully initiated Ca(2+) oscillations in every parallel control experiment. These data suggest that sperm-derived PAWP is not involved in triggering Ca(2+) oscillations at fertilization in mammalian oocytes.

U.S. food policy to address diet-related chronic disease.

Poor diet is the leading cause of mortality in the U.S. due to the direct relationship with diet-related chronic diseases, disproportionally affects underserved communities, and exacerbates health disparities. Evidence-based policy solutions are greatly needed to foster an equitable and climate-smart food system that improves health, nutrition and reduces chronic disease healthcare costs. To directly address epidemic levels of U.S. diet-related chronic diseases and nutritional health disparities, we conducted a policy analysis, prioritized policy options and implementation strategies, and issued final recommendations for bipartisan consideration in the 2023-24 Farm Bill Reauthorization. Actional recommendations include: sugar-sweetened beverage taxation, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fruit and vegetable subsidy expansion, replacement of ultra-processed foods (UPF) with sustainable, diverse, climate-smart agriculture and food purchasing options, and implementing "food is medicine."

Methylthiosulfonate-Based Cysteine Modifiers as Alternative Inhibitors of Mercurial-Sensitive Aquaporins.

(1) Background: Several members of the ubiquitous aquaporin family, AQP, of water and neutral solute channels carry a cysteine residue in the selectivity filter region. Traditionally, toxic mercury-containing compounds are used to bind to the cysteine as covalent AQP inhibitors for physiological studies or analysis of structure-function relationships. (2) Methods: We tested thiol-reactive methylthiosulfonate reagents, MTS, as alternative Cys modifiers for AQP inhibition. Three MTS reagents transferring S-alkyl moieties of increasing size, i.e., S-methyl, S-n-propyl, and S-benzyl, were used with yeast-expressed water-selective AQP1 and the aquaglyceroporin AQP9. Respective Cys-to-Ala variants and mouse erythrocytes that naturally express AQP1 and AQP9 served as controls. (3) Results: Both wildtype AQP isoforms were inhibited by the Cys modifiers in a size-dependent manner, whereas the Cys-to-Ala-variants exhibited resistance. Sub-millimolar concentrations and incubation times in the minute range were sufficient. The modifications were reversible by treatment with the thiol reagents acetylcysteine, ACC, and dithiothreitol, DTT. (4) Conclusions: MTS reagents represent a valid alternative of low toxicity for the inhibition of mercurial-sensitive AQPs.

Adolescent self-harm: Parents' experiences of supporting their child and help-seeking.

Self-harm in children and adolescents is a growing public health issue. Parents are forefront in identifying, responding to and supporting their child to seek help. A sequential mixed-method study which included an online survey (N = 37) and a semi-structured interview (n = 10) was conducted to understand parents' experiences of supporting and accessing help for their child. Parents (M = 45.70 years, SD = 6.18) with a child who has engaged in self-harm behaviours (M = 16.89 years, SD = 3.91) participated. Parents sought help from a range of services and perceived psychiatrists, private psychologists and friends as the most helpful and school psychologists, paediatricians, Emergency Department (ED) and the national youth mental health organisation as the least helpful. Two themes were interpreted from the qualitative data: (1) An emotional journey into the dark unknown, and (2) The promise of psychological help. A series of recommendations for other parents in similar situations, as well as health professionals were made. Parents want health professionals to provide appropriate referrals, work collaboratively with families, meaningfully connect with and validate parents, provide practical and psychological support for families and establish parent support groups. There remains a need for widely available evidence-informed resources, information and support for parents.

Advanced practice nursing students' perspectives of learning screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in interprofessional settings.

ABSTRACT: Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is a public health approach to early intervention for substance use through universal screening. Utilization of SBIRT was taught in an interprofessional setting to nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and dental hygiene students through integrated educational grant projects. A qualitative analysis was done across 10 SBIRT data sets collected over 4 years. The researchers used a nominal group consensus method to review the data, and six themes were identified. Results showed that students desired more training on motivational interviewing techniques. Furthermore, students identified that to effectively work interprofessionally, students must be exposed to such collaboration throughout their professional educational programs.

Health Effects Associated With Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and Polysubstance Use: A Narrative Review.

Background: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) consumption and associated health effects have raised debates in the United States. Although most people using this herb do not experience adverse health effects associated with kratom use, medical providers should be knowledgeable of emerging substances and concurrent, sequential, or simultaneous use of other drugs which may impact healthcare recommendations and prescribing practices. Methods: The objective of this narrative review was to elucidate selected health effects associated with using kratom-either alone or with other substances. Since scientifically controlled human subjects research on kratom use is still limited, relevant case reports were also described. Results: Cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and psychiatric effects associated with kratom use were especially notable, and in-utero exposure accompanied concern regarding a neonate's risk for developing neonatal abstinence syndrome. Our ability to identify and understand the role of this herb in kratom-associated fatalities is complicated since kratom is not routinely screened for in standard forensic toxicology. If a screening is performed, it is usually for the major alkaloid, mitragynine, as a surrogate for kratom use. In addition to lacking a standard practice of screening decedents for kratom alkaloids, the association between mortality and kratom use may be confounded by polysubstance use, adulteration of kratom products, and drug-herb interactions. Conclusions: Increasing medical awareness of this herb is vital to ensuring prompt administration of best-practice medical advice or treatment for people seeking information related to kratom use or for patients experiencing an adverse health effect that may be associated with using or withdrawing from kratom. Knowledge gained from continued surveillance and study of kratom and its associated health effects may assist in guiding clinical decision-making and preventing development of adverse health effects among people using kratom.

Saprolegnia parasitica zoospore activity and host survival indicates isolate variation in host preference.

The ubiquitous freshwater pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica has long been considered a true generalist, capable of infecting a wide range of fish species. It remains unclear, however, whether different isolates of this pathogen, obtained from distinct geographic locations and host species, display differences in host preference. To assess this, the current study examined the induced zoospore encystment responses of four S. parasitica isolates towards the skin of four fish species. While three of the isolates displayed 'specialist' responses, one appeared to be more of a 'generalist'. In vivo challenge infections involving salmon and sea trout with the 'generalist' (salmon isolate EA001) and a 'specialist' (sea trout isolate EA016) pathogen, however, did not support the in vitro findings, with no apparent host preference reflected in infection outcomes. Survival of sea trout and salmon though was significantly different following a challenge infection with the sea trout (EA016) isolate. These results indicate that while S. parasitica isolates can be considered true generalists, they may target hosts to which they have been more frequently exposed (potential local adaptation). Understanding host preference of this pathogen could aid our understanding of infection epidemics and help with the development of fish management procedures.

Parental Response Style to Adolescent Self-Harm: Psychological, Social and Functional Impacts.

Adolescent self-harm is a significant public health issue. We aimed to understand how parent stress response styles to their child's self-harm affects their wellbeing and functioning and the wider family. Thirty-seven participants in Australia (parents; 92% female) completed a mixed methods survey regarding their adolescent child's self-harm. We conducted Pearson zero-order correlations and independent t-tests to examine the impact of parent response style on their quality of life, health satisfaction, daily functioning, and mental health. We also used thematic analysis to identify patterns of meaning in the data. Two-thirds of participants reported mental ill health and reduced functional capacity due to their adolescent's self-harm. Parents with a more adaptive response style to stress had better mental health. Qualitative analyses revealed parents experienced sustained feelings of distress and fear, which resulted in behavioural reactions including hypervigilance and parental mental health symptoms. In the wider family there was a change in dynamics and parents reported both functional and social impacts. There is a need to develop psychological support for the adolescent affected and parents, to support more adaptive response styles, and decrease the negative effects and facilitate the wellbeing of the family unit.

Characteristics of effective online interventions: implications for adolescents with personality disorder during a global pandemic.

In recent years, the necessity of providing online interventions for adolescents, as an alternative to face-to-face interventions, has become apparent due to several barriers some adolescents face in accessing treatment. This need has become more critical with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic impacting the delivery of psychotherapy and limiting accessibility of face-to-face therapy. Whilst it has been established that face-to-face psychotherapy for adolescents with personality disorder can be effective in reducing the impact these complex mental illnesses have on functioning, online interventions for adolescents are rare, and to our knowledge there are no empirically validated online interventions for personality disorder. The development of novel online interventions are therefore necessary. To inform the development of online interventions for adolescents with personality disorder or symptoms of emerging personality disorder, a two-phase rapid review was conducted. Phase one consisted of a search and examination of existing online mental health programs for adolescents with symptoms of personality disorder, to understand how to best use online platforms. Phase two consisted of a rapid review of empirical literature examining online interventions for adolescents experiencing symptoms of personality disorder to identify characteristics that promote efficacy. There were no online programs specific to personality disorder in adolescence. However, 32 online mental health programs and 41 published empirical studies were included for analysis. Common intervention characteristics included timeframes of one to two months, regular confidential therapist contact, simple interactive online components and modules, and the inclusion of homework or workbook activities to practice new skills. There is an urgent need for online interventions targeting personality dysfunction in adolescence. Several characteristics of effective online interventions for adolescents were identified. These characteristics can help inform the development and implementation of novel online treatments to prevent and reduce the burden and impact of personality disorder, or symptoms of emerging personality disorder, in adolescents. This has implications for the COVID-19 pandemic when access to effective online interventions has become more urgent.

Comparing Sex Buyers With Men Who Do Not Buy Sex: New Data on Prostitution and Trafficking.

We investigated attitudes and behaviors associated with prostitution and sexual aggression among 101 men who buy sex and 101 age-, education-, and ethnicity-matched men who did not buy sex. Both groups tended to accept rape myths, be aware of harms of prostitution and trafficking, express ambivalence about the nature of prostitution, and believe that jail time and public exposure are the most effective deterrents to buying sex. Sex buyers were more likely than men who did not buy sex to report sexual aggression and likelihood to rape. Men who bought sex scored higher on measures of impersonal sex and hostile masculinity and had less empathy for prostituted women, viewing them as intrinsically different from other women. When compared with non-sex-buyers, these findings indicate that men who buy sex share certain key characteristics with men at risk of committing sexual aggression as documented by research based on the leading scientific model of the characteristics of non-criminal sexually aggressive men, the Confluence Model of sexual aggression.

Mutations in PLCδ1 associated with hereditary leukonychia display divergent PIP2 hydrolytic function.

Hereditary leukonychia is a rare genetic nail disorder characterized by distinctive whitening of the nail plate of all 20 nails. Hereditary leukonychia may exist as an isolated feature, or in simultaneous occurrence with other cutaneous or systemic pathologies. Associations between hereditary leukonychia and mutations in the gene encoding phospholipase C delta-1 (PLCδ1) have previously been identified. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PLCδ1 mutations and hereditary leukonychia remain uncharacterized. In the present study, we introduced hereditary leukonychia-linked human PLCδ1 mutations (C209R, A574T and S740R) into equivalent residues of rat PLCδ1 (C188R, A553T and S719R), and investigated their effect on the biophysical and biochemical properties of the PLCδ1 protein. Our data suggest that these PLCδ1 mutations associated with hereditary leukonychia do not uniformly alter the enzymatic ability of this protein leading to loss/gain of function, but result in significantly divergent enzymatic properties. We demonstrate here for the first time the importance of PLC-mediated calcium (Ca2+ ) signalling within the manifestation of hereditary leukonychia. PLCδ1 is almost ubiquitous in mammalian cells, which may explain why hereditary leukonychia manifests in association with other systemic pathologies relating to keratin expression.

Cell-mediated non-allergic rhinitis in children.

OBJECTIVE: Non-allergic rhinitis is a heterogeneous disease whose etiology is largely unknown. Nasal cytology only allows us to recognize different non-allergic rhinitis forms on the basis of the prevalent inflammatory cell infiltrate: non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophils, with neutrophils, with mast-cells and with both eosinophils and mast-cells. The aim of this study is to define the incidence, clinical features and comorbidity of the different types of cell-mediated non-allergic rhinitis in a pediatric age group. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen non-allergic children with chronic nasal obstruction and associated symptoms (rhinorrhea, sneezing and nasal itchiness) were retrospectively selected. All patients had been submitted to a clinical history, pediatric evaluation, anterior rhinoscopy and fiberendoscopy, rhinomanometry and nasal cytology. RESULTS: Non-allergic rhinitis with neutrophils was present in 46 (40.4%) children, non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophils in 53 (46.5%), non-allergic rhinitis with mast-cells in 12 (10.5%) and non-allergic rhinitis with both eosinophils and mast-cells in 3 (2.6%). Nasal obstruction was prevalent in non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophils and in non-allergic rhinitis with mast-cells patients (P<0.001) whereas rhinorrea and sneezing only in the form with eosinophils (P<0.0001). Nasal itching on the other hand was prevalent in the form with mast-cells (P<0.0003). Non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophils group showed a higher probability of asthma (P<0.02) and respiratory sleep disorders (P<0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In the pediatric age group the most frequent forms of non-allergic rhinitis are those with eosinophils or with neutrophils. A diagnosis of non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophils in children presumes more severe symptoms and a higher incidence of pulmonary disease and roncopathy.

Permanent genetic resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 August 2010-30 September 2010.

This article documents the addition of 229 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Acacia auriculiformis × Acacia mangium hybrid, Alabama argillacea, Anoplopoma fimbria, Aplochiton zebra, Brevicoryne brassicae, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Bucorvus leadbeateri, Delphacodes detecta, Tumidagena minuta, Dictyostelium giganteum, Echinogammarus berilloni, Epimedium sagittatum, Fraxinus excelsior, Labeo chrysophekadion, Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, Paratrechina longicornis, Phaeocystis antarctica, Pinus roxburghii and Potamilus capax. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Acacia peregrinalis, Acacia crassicarpa, Bruguiera cylindrica, Delphacodes detecta, Tumidagena minuta, Dictyostelium macrocephalum, Dictyostelium discoideum, Dictyostelium purpureum, Dictyostelium mucoroides, Dictyostelium rosarium, Polysphondylium pallidum, Epimedium brevicornum, Epimedium koreanum, Epimedium pubescens, Epimedium wushanese and Fraxinus angustifolia.