Management of Huanglongbing of Citrus: Lessons from São Paulo and Florida.

São Paulo, Brazil, and Florida, USA, were the two major orange production areas in the world until Huanglongbing (HLB) was discovered in São Paulo in 2004 and Florida in 2005. In the absence of resistant citrus varieties, HLB is the most destructive citrus disease known because of the lack of effective tools to reduce spread of the vector, Diaphorina citri (Asian citrus psyllid), and transmission of the associated pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. In both countries, a three-pronged management approach was recommended and begun: planting only disease-free nursery trees, effective psyllid control, and removal of all symptomatic trees. In Brazil, these management procedures were continued and improved and resulted in relatively little overall loss of production. In contrast, in Florida the citrus industry has been devastated with annual production reduced by approximately 80%. This review compares and contrasts various cultural and pest management strategies that have been used to reduce infection by the pathogen and increase tolerance of HLB in the main orange-growing regions in the world.

Interpreting Change in Disorders of Consciousness Using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised.

The purpose of this study was to differentiate clinically meaningful improvement or deterioration from normal fluctuations in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) following severe brain injury. We computed indices of responsiveness for the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) using data from a clinical trial of 180 participants with DoC. We used CRS-R scores from baseline (enrollment in a clinical trial) and a 4-week follow-up assessment period for these calculations. To improve precision, we transformed ordinal CRS-R total scores (0-23 points) to equal-interval measures on a 0-100 unit scale using Rasch Measurement theory. Using the 0-100 unit total Rasch measures, we calculated distribution-based 0.5 standard deviation (SD) minimal clinically important difference, minimal detectable change using 95% confidence intervals, and conditional minimal detectable change using 95% confidence intervals. The distribution-based minimal clinically important difference evaluates group-level changes, whereas the minimal detectable change values evaluate individual-level changes. The minimal clinically important difference and minimal detectable change are derived using the overall variability across total measures at baseline and 4 weeks. The conditional minimal detectable change is generated for each possible pair of CRS-R Rasch person measures and accounts for variation in standard error across the scale. We applied these indices to determine the proportions of participants who made a change beyond measurement error within each of the two subgroups, based on treatment arm (amantadine hydrochloride or placebo) or categorization of baseline Rasch person measure to states of consciousness (i.e., unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and minimally conscious state). We compared the proportion of participants in each treatment arm who made a change according to the minimal detectable change and determined whether they also changed to another state of consciousness. CRS-R indices of responsiveness (using the 0-100 transformed scale) were as follows: 0.5SD minimal clinically important difference = 9 units, minimal detectable change = 11 units, and the conditional minimal detectable change ranged from 11 to 42 units. For the amantadine and placebo groups, 70% and 58% of participants showed change beyond measurement error using the minimal detectable change, respectively. For the unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and minimally conscious state groups, 54% and 69% of participants changed beyond measurement error using the minimal detectable change, respectively. Among 115 participants (64% of the total sample) who made a change beyond measurement error, 29 participants (25%) did not change state of consciousness. CRS-R indices of responsiveness can support clinicians and researchers in discerning when behavioral changes in patients with DoC exceed measurement error. Notably, the minimal detectable change can support the detection of patients who make a "true" change within or across states of consciousness. Our findings highlight that the continued use of ordinal scores may result in incorrect inferences about the degree and relevance of a change score.

Cell sorting by active forces in a phase-field model of cell monolayers.

Cell sorting, the segregation of cells with different properties into distinct domains, is a key phenomenon in biological processes such as embryogenesis. We use a phase-field model of a confluent cell layer to study the role of activity in cell sorting. We find that a mixture of cells with extensile or contractile dipolar activity, and which are identical apart from their activity, quickly sort into small, elongated patches which then grow slowly in time. We interpret the sorting as driven by the different diffusivity of the extensile and contractile cells, mirroring the ordering of Brownian particles connected to different hot and cold thermostats. We check that the free energy is not changed by either partial or complete sorting, thus confirming that activity can be responsible for the ordering even in the absence of thermodynamic mechanisms.

Enhanced Strontium Removal through Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation by Indigenous Ureolytic Bacteria.

Microbial ureolysis offers the potential to remove metals including Sr2+ as carbonate minerals via the generation of alkalinity coupled to NH4+ and HCO3- production. Here, we investigated the potential for bacteria, indigenous to sediments representative of the U.K. Sellafield nuclear site where 90Sr is present as a groundwater contaminant, to utilize urea in order to target Sr2+-associated (Ca)CO3 formation in sediment microcosm studies. Strontium removal was enhanced in most sediments in the presence of urea only, coinciding with a significant pH increase. Adding the biostimulation agents acetate/lactate, Fe(III), and yeast extract to further enhance microbial metabolism, including ureolysis, enhanced ureolysis and increased Sr and Ca removal. Environmental scanning electron microscopy analyses suggested that coprecipitation of Ca and Sr occurred, with evidence of Sr associated with calcium carbonate polymorphs. Sr K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis was conducted on authentic Sellafield sediments stimulated with Fe(III) and quarry outcrop sediments amended with yeast extract. Spectra from the treated Sellafield and quarry sediments showed Sr2+ local coordination environments indicative of incorporation into calcite and vaterite crystal structures, respectively. 16S rRNA gene analysis identified ureolytic bacteria of the genus Sporosarcina in these incubations, suggesting they have a key role in enhancing strontium removal. The onset of ureolysis also appeared to enhance the microbial reduction of Fe(III), potentially via a tight coupling between Fe(III) and NH4+ as an electron donor for metal reduction. This suggests ureolysis may support the immobilization of 90Sr via coprecipitation with insoluble calcium carbonate and cofacilitate reductive precipitation of certain redox active radionuclides, e.g., uranium.

Five Functional Classes Identified Among Patients Hospitalized for Pneumonia Characterized by Activity Limitations With Mobility and Self-Care Tasks.

Objective: Latent class analysis was used to identify functional classes among patients hospitalized for pneumonia. Then, we determined predictors of class membership and examined variation in distal outcomes among the functional classes. Design: An observational, cross-sectional study design was used with retrospectively collected data between 2014 and 2018. Setting: The study setting was a single health system including 5 acute care hospitals. Participants: A total of 969 individuals hospitalized with the primary diagnosis of pneumonia and receipt of an occupational and/or physical therapy evaluation were included in the study. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcomes: The following 5 distal outcomes were examined: (1) occupational therapy treatment use, (2) physical therapy treatment use, (3) discharge to home with no services, (4) discharge to home with home health, and (5) institutional discharge. Results: Five functional classes were identified and labeled as follows: Globally impaired, Independent with low-level self-care, Independent low-level mobility, Independent self-care, and Independent. Probability of occupational therapy treatment use (χ2[4]=50.26, P<.001) and physical therapy treatment use (χ2[4]=50.86, P<.001) varied significantly across classes. The Independent with low-level self-care class had the greatest probability of occupational therapy treatment use and physical therapy treatment use. Probability of discharging to home without services (yes/no; χ2[4]=88.861, P<.001), home with home health (yes/no; χ2[4]=15.895, P=.003), and an institution (yes/no; χ2[4]=102.013, P<.001) varied significantly across the 5 classes. The Independent class had the greatest probability of discharging to home without services. Conclusions: Five functional classes were identified among individuals hospitalized for pneumonia. Functional classes could be used by the multidisciplinary team in the hospital as a framework to organize the heterogeneity of functional deficits after pneumonia, improve efficiency of care processes, and help deliver targeted rehabilitation treatment.

Colonic epithelial hypoxia remains constant during the progression of diabetes in male UC Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus rats.

INTRODUCTION: Colonocyte oxidation of bacterial-derived butyrate has been reported to maintain synergistic obligate anaerobe populations by reducing colonocyte oxygen levels; however, it is not known whether this process is disrupted during the progression of type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to determine whether diabetes influences colonocyte oxygen levels in the University of California Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rat model. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Age-matched male UCD-T2DM rats (174±4 days) prior to the onset of diabetes (PD, n=15), within 1 month post-onset (RD, n=12), and 3 months post-onset (D3M, n=12) were included in this study. Rats were administered an intraperitoneal injection of pimonidazole (60 mg/kg body weight) 1 hour prior to euthanasia and tissue collection to estimate colonic oxygen levels. Colon tissue was fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, and processed for immunohistochemical detection of pimonidazole. The colonic microbiome was assessed by 16S gene rRNA amplicon sequencing and content of short-chain fatty acids was measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: HbA1c % increased linearly across the PD (5.9±0.1), RD (7.6±0.4), and D3M (11.5±0.6) groups, confirming the progression of diabetes in this cohort. D3M rats had a 2.5% increase in known facultative anaerobes, Escherichia-Shigella, and Streptococcus (false discovery rate <0.05) genera in colon contents. The intensity of pimonidazole staining of colonic epithelia did not differ across groups (p=0.37). Colon content concentrations of acetate and propionate also did not differ across UCD-T2DM groups; however, colonic butyric acid levels were higher in D3M rats relative to PD rats (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The advancement of diabetes in UCD-T2DM rats was associated with an increase in facultative anaerobes; however, this was not explained by changes in colonocyte oxygen levels. The mechanisms underlying shifts in gut microbe populations associated with the progression of diabetes in the UCD-T2DM rat model remain to be identified.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Ownership Type Yields Mixed Performances on Quality Measures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) ownership type on IRF-Quality Reporting Program (IRF-QRP) measures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational design. SETTING: We used 2 Centers for Medicare and Medicare publicly-available, facility-level data sources: (1) IRF compare files and (2) IRF rate setting files - final rule. Data from 2021 were included. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample included 1092 IRFs (N=1092). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We estimated the effects of IRF ownership type, defined as for-profit and nonprofit, on 15 IRF-QRP measures using general linear models. Models were adjusted for the following facility-level characteristics: (1) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid census divisions; (2) number of discharges; (3) teaching status; (4) freestanding vs hospital unit; and (5) estimated average weight per discharge. RESULTS: Ownership type was significantly associated with 9 out of the fifteen IRF-QRP measures. Nonprofit IRFs performed better with having lower readmissions rates within stay and 30-day post discharge. For-profit IRFs performed better for all the functional measures and with higher rates of returning to home and the community. Lastly, for-profit IRFs spent more per Medicare beneficiary. CONCLUSIONS: Ideally, IRF performance would not vary based on ownership type. However, we found that ownership type is associated with IRF-QRP performance scores. We suggest that future studies investigate how ownership type affects patient-level outcomes and the longitudinal effect of ownership type on IRF-QRP measures.

Micro-ultrasound based characterization of cerebrovasculature following focal ischemic stroke and upon short-term rehabilitation.

Notwithstanding recanalization treatments in the acute stage of stroke, many survivors suffer long-term impairments. Physical rehabilitation is the only widely available strategy for chronic-stage recovery, but its optimization is hindered by limited understanding of its effects on brain structure and function. Using micro-ultrasound, behavioral testing, and electrophysiology, we investigated the impact of skilled reaching rehabilitation on cerebral hemodynamics, motor function, and neuronal activity in a rat model of focal ischemic stroke. A 50 MHz micro-ultrasound transducer and intracortical electrophysiology were utilized to characterize neurovascular changes three weeks following focal ischemia elicited by endothelin-1 injection into the sensorimotor cortex. Sprague-Dawley rats were rehabilitated through tray reaching, and their fine skilled reaching was assessed via the Montoya staircase. Focal ischemia led to a sustained deficit in forelimb reaching; and increased tortuosity of the penetrating vessels in the perilesional cortex; with no lateralization of spontaneous neuronal activity. Rehabilitation improved skilled reaching; decreased cortical vascularity; was associated with elevated peri- vs. contralesional hypercapnia-induced flow homogenization and increased perilesional spontaneous cortical neuronal activity. Our study demonstrated neurovascular plasticity accompanying rehabilitation-elicited functional recovery in the subacute stage following stroke, and multiple micro-ultrasound-based markers of cerebrovascular structure and function modified in recovery from ischemia and upon rehabilitation.

Evaluation of a Magnetic Compression Anastomosis for Jejunoileal Partial Diversion in Rhesus Macaques.

PURPOSE: Metabolic surgery remains underutilized for treating type 2 diabetes, as less invasive alternative interventions with improved risk profiles are needed. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of a novel magnetic compression device to create a patent limited caliber side-to-side jejunoileal partial diversion in a nonhuman primate model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an established nonhuman primate model of diet-induced insulin resistance, a magnetic compression device was used to create a side-to-side jejunoileal anastomosis. Primary outcomes evaluated feasibility (e.g., device mating and anastomosis patency) and safety (e.g., device-related complications). Secondary outcomes evaluated the device's ability to produce metabolic changes associated with jejunoileal partial diversion (e.g., homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] and body weight). RESULTS: Device mating, spontaneous detachment, and excretion occurred in all animals (n = 5). There were no device-related adverse events. Upon completion of the study, ex vivo anastomoses were widely patent with healthy mucosa and no evidence of stricture. At 6 weeks post-device placement, HOMA-IR improved to below baseline values (p < 0.05). Total weight also decreased in a linear fashion (R2 = 0.97) with total weight loss at 6 weeks post-device placement of 14.4% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of this novel magnetic compression device to create a limited caliber side-to-side jejunoileal anastomosis is safe and likely feasible in a nonhuman primate model. The observed glucoregulatory and metabolic effects of a partial jejunoileal bypass with this device warrant further investigation to validate the long-term glucometabolic impact of this approach.

Type 2 diabetes impairs annulus fibrosus fiber deformation and rotation under disc compression in the University of California Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rat model.

Understanding the biomechanical behavior of the intervertebral disc is crucial for studying disease mechanisms and developing tissue engineering strategies for managing disc degeneration. We used synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering to investigate how changes to collagen behavior contribute to alterations in the disc's ability to resist compression. Coccygeal motion segments from 6-month-old lean Sprague-Dawley rats ( n=7) and diabetic obese University of California Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats ( n=6, diabetic for 68±7 days) were compressed during simultaneous synchrotron scanning to measure collagen strain at the nanoscale (beamline 7.3.3 of the Advanced Light Source). After compression, the annulus fibrosus was assayed for nonenzymatic cross-links. In discs from lean rats, resistance to compression involved two main energy-dissipation mechanisms at the nanoscale: (1) rotation of the two groups of collagen fibrils forming the annulus fibrosus and (2) straightening (uncrimping) and stretching of the collagen fibrils. In discs from diabetic rats, both mechanisms were significantly impaired. Specifically, diabetes reduced fibril rotation by 31% and reduced collagen fibril strain by 30% (compared to lean discs). The stiffening of collagen fibrils in the discs from diabetic rats was consistent with a 31% higher concentration of nonenzymatic cross-links and with evidence of earlier onset plastic deformations such as fibril sliding and fibril-matrix delamination. These findings suggest that fibril reorientation, stretching, and straightening are key deformation mechanisms that facilitate whole-disc compression, and that type 2 diabetes impairs these efficient and low-energy elastic deformation mechanisms, thereby altering whole-disc behavior and inducing the earlier onset of plastic deformation.

Phosphate (Bio)mineralization Remediation of 90Sr-Contaminated Groundwaters.

Historical operations at nuclear mega-facilities such as Hanford, USA, and Sellafield, UK have led to a legacy of radioactivity-contaminated land. Calcium phosphate phases (e.g., hydroxyapatite) can adsorb and/or incorporate radionuclides, including 90Sr. Past work has shown that aqueous injection of Ca-phosphate-generating solutions into the contaminated ground on both laboratory and field scales can reduce the amount of aqueous 90Sr in the systems. Here, two microbially mediated phosphate amendment techniques which precipitated Ca-phosphate, (i) Ca-citrate/Na-phosphate and (ii) glycerol phosphate, were tested in batch experiments alongside an abiotic treatment ((iii) polyphosphate), using stable Sr and site relevant groundwaters and sediments. All three amendments led to enhanced Sr removal from the solution compared to the sediment-only control. The Ca-citrate/Na-phosphate treatment removed 97%, glycerol phosphate 60%, and polyphosphate 55% of the initial Sr. At experimental end points, scanning electron microscopy showed that Sr-containing, Ca-phosphate phases were deposited on sediment grains, and XAS analyses of the sediments amended with Ca-citrate/Na-phosphate and glycerol phosphate confirmed Sr incorporation into Ca-phosphates occurred. Overall, Ca-phosphate-generating treatments have the potential to be applied in a range of nuclear sites and are a key option within the toolkit for 90Sr groundwater remediation.

The potential role of biofilms in promoting fouling formation in radioactive discharge pipelines.

Nuclear facility discharge pipelines accumulate inorganic and microbial fouling and radioactive contamination, however, research investigating the mechanisms that lead to their accumulation is limited. Using the Sellafield discharge pipeline as a model system, this study utilised modified Robbins devices to investigate the potential interplay between inorganic and biological processes in supporting fouling formation and radionuclide uptake. Initial experiments showed polyelectrolytes (present in pipeline effluents), had minimal effects on fouling formation. Biofilms were, however, found to be the key component promoting fouling, leading to increased uptake of inorganic particulates and metal contaminants (Cs, Sr, Co, Eu and Ru) compared to a non-biofilm control system. Biologically-mediated uptake mechanisms were implicated in Co and Ru accumulation, with a potential bioreduced Ru species identified on the biofilm system. This research emphasised the key role of biofilms in promoting fouling in discharge pipelines, advocating for the use of biocide treatments methods.

Exploring proteoforms of the IgG2 monoclonal antibody panitumumab using microchip capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry.

The IgG2 type monoclonal antibody panitumumab is an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drug used for the treatment of EGFR-expressing, chemotherapy resistant, metastatic colorectal carcinoma. In this study, panitumumab drug product was first analysed using size exclusion chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for rapid identity testing. The experimental data led to the identification of two panitumumab isoforms with several prominent forms remaining unidentified, despite apparently low sample complexity. Microchip capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) was subsequently utilised for a more detailed characterization. It was observed that panitumumab is subject to partial N-terminal pyroglutamate formation. Incomplete conversion is uncharacteristic for N-terminally exposed glutamines and in case of panitumumab gives rise to forms which show successive mass offsets of 17 Da, respectively. If not separated before mass spectrometric analysis, e.g. by capillary electrophoresis, such near isobaric species coalesce into single MS peaks, which subsequently hampers or prevents their assignment. With a total of 42 panitumumab isoforms assigned by CE-MS, these observations highlight a potential pitfall of commonly applied rapid identity testing workflows and demonstrate that even low complexity biopharmaceuticals can require separation strategies which offer high separation selectivity for species close in mass.

Moderate-Intensity Exercise Improves Mesenteric Arterial Function in Male UC Davis Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (UCD-T2DM) Rats: A Shift in the Relative Importance of Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factors (EDRF).

The beneficial cardiovascular effects of exercise are well documented, however the mechanisms by which exercise improves vascular function in diabetes are not fully understood. This study investigates whether there are (1) improvements in blood pressure and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDV) and (2) alterations in the relative contribution of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRF) in modulating mesenteric arterial reactivity in male UC Davis type-2 diabetes mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats, following an 8-week moderate-intensity exercise (MIE) intervention. EDV to acetylcholine (ACh) was measured before and after exposure to pharmacological inhibitors. Contractile responses to phenylephrine and myogenic tone were determined. The arterial expressions of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX), and calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa) channels were also measured. T2DM significantly impaired EDV, increased contractile responses and myogenic tone. The impairment of EDV was accompanied by elevated NO and COX importance, whereas the contribution of prostanoid- and NO-independent (endothelium-derived hyperpolarization, EDH) relaxation was not apparent compared to controls. MIE 1) enhanced EDV, while it reduced contractile responses, myogenic tone and systolic blood pressure (SBP), and 2) caused a shift away from a reliance on COX toward a greater reliance on EDH in diabetic arteries. We provide the first evidence of the beneficial effects of MIE via the altered importance of EDRF in mesenteric arterial relaxation in male UCD-T2DM rats.

Identification of Disability Subgroups for Patients After Ischemic Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to identify disability subgroups among patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke and to determine the predictors and distal outcomes for the disability subgroups. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study design was used. Data on patients after ischemic stroke were collected from the electronic health records at 5 hospitals within a single health system. Covariates included social and demographic factors. Disability was characterized according to the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care assessment. Distal outcomes were physical therapist treatment use, occupational therapist treatment use, and discharge disposition. Latent class analysis was used to identify disability subgroups of patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke. RESULTS: A total of 1549 patients were included in the analyses. Five disability subgroups were identified and labeled as follows: globally impaired (subgroup 1), impaired dynamic balance (subgroup 2), impaired self-care (subgroup 3), impaired mobility (subgroup 4), and independent (subgroup 5). Physical therapist treatment use (χ24 = 113.21 [P < .001]) and occupational therapist treatment use (χ24 = 122.97 [P < .001]) varied significantly across the disability subgroups. The globally impaired group had the highest probability of physical and occupational therapist treatment use. Similarly, discharge disposition varied across the subgroups (for home without services, χ24 = 246.61 [P < .001]; for home with home health care, χ24 = 35.49 [P < .001]; for institutional discharge, χ24 = 237.18 [P < .001]). The independent subgroup had the highest probability of discharge to home without services. CONCLUSION: Five disability subgroups were identified for patients after ischemic stroke. The disability subgroups provide a common language for clinicians to organize the heterogeneity of disability after stroke. IMPACT: Using the disability subgroups, the multidisciplinary team might be able to improve the accuracy and efficiency of care decisions. The number of current rehabilitation interventions is indeterminable; these subgroups may help to guide clinicians in selecting the most beneficial interventions for patients based on subgroup membership.

Compact Back-End Electronics with Temperature Compensation and Efficient Data Management for In Situ SiPM-Based Radiation Detection.

A compact back-end interface for silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) implementing Zener diode-based temperature compensation has been developed for the remote detection of beta and gamma radiation. Remote detection is facilitated by the development of an efficient data management system utilising MySQL database storage for recording periodic spectra data for wireless access over a private Wi-Fi network. A trapezoidal peak shaping algorithm has been implemented on an FPGA for the continuous conversation of pulses from the SiPM, signifying the detection of a radiological particle, into spectra. This system has been designed to fit within a 46 mm cylindrical diameter for in situ characterization, and can be attached to one or more SiPMs used in conjunction with a range of scintillators. LED blink tests have been used to optimise the trapezoidal shaper coefficients to maximise the resolution of the recorded spectra. Experiments with an array of SiPMs integrated with a NaI(Tl) scintillator exposed to sealed sources of Co-60, Cs-137, Na-22 and Am-241 have shown that the detector achieves a peak efficiency of 27.09 ± 0.13% for a gamma peak at 59.54 keV produced by Am-241, and a minimum energy resolution (Delta E/E) of 4.27 ± 1.16% for the 1332.5 keV gamma peak from Co-60.

Plant mitochondrial introns as genetic markers - conservation and variation.

Plant genomes are comprised of nuclear, plastid and mitochondrial components characterized by different patterns of inheritance and evolution. Genetic markers from the three genomes provide complementary tools for investigations of inheritance, genetic relationships and phenotypic contributions. Plant mitochondrial genomes are challenging for universal marker development because they are highly variable in terms of size, gene order and intergenic sequences and highly conserved with respect to protein-coding sequences. PCR amplification of introns with primers that anneal to conserved, flanking exons is effective for the development of polymorphic nuclear genome markers. The potential for plant mitochondrial intron polymorphisms to distinguish between congeneric species or intraspecific varieties has not been systematically investigated and is possibly constrained by requirements for intron secondary structure and interactions with co-evolved organelle intron splicing factors. To explore the potential for broadly applicable plant mitochondrial intron markers, PCR primer sets based upon conserved sequences flanking 11 introns common to seven angiosperm species were tested across a range of plant orders. PCR-amplified introns were screened for indel polymorphisms among a group of cross-compatible Citrus species and relatives; two Raphanus sativus mitotypes; representatives of the two Phaseolus vulgaris gene pools; and congeneric pairs of Cynodon, Cenchrus, Solanum, and Vaccinium species. All introns were successfully amplified from each plant entry. Length polymorphisms distinguishable by gel electrophoresis were common among genera but infrequent within genera. Sequencing of three introns amplified from 16 entries identified additional short indel polymorphisms and nucleotide substitutions that separated Citrus, Cynodon, Cenchrus and Vaccinium congeners, but failed to distinguish Solanum congeners or representatives of the Phaseolus vulgaris major gene pools. The ability of primer sets to amplify a wider range of plant species' introns and the presence of intron polymorphisms that distinguish congeners was confirmed by in silico analysis. While mitochondrial intron variation is limited in comparison to nuclear introns, these exon-based primer sets provide robust tools for the amplification of mitochondrial introns across a wide range of plant species wherein useful polymorphisms can be identified.

Non-linear variations in glutamate dynamics during a cognitive task engagement in schizophrenia.

To investigate the role of glutamate in psychosis, we employ functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy at an ultra-high magnetic field (7T) and employ fuzzy-approximate entropy (F-ApEn) and Hurst Exponent (HE) to capture time-varying nature of glutamate signaling during a cognitive task. We recruited thirty first-episode psychosis patients (FEP) with age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) and administered the Color-Word Stroop paradigm, providing 128 raw MRS time-points per subject over a period of 16 min. We then performed metabolite quantification of glutamate in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, a region reliably activated during the Stroop task. Symptoms/cognitive functioning was measured using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-8 score, Social and Occupational Functioning (SOFAS) score, digit symbol) coding score, and Stroop accuracy. These scores were related to the Entropy/HE data from the overall glutamate time-series. Patients with FEP had significantly higher HE compared to HC, with individuals displaying significantly higher HE having lower functional performance (SOFAS) in both HC and FEP groups. Among healthy individuals, higher HE also indicated significantly lower cognitive function through Stroop accuracy and DSST scores. F-ApEn had an inverse Pearson correlation with HE, and tracked diagnosis, cognition and function as expected, but with lower effect sizes not reaching statistical significance. We demonstrate notable diagnostic differences in the temporal course of glutamate signaling during a cognitive task in psychosis.

Assistive technology services for adults with disabilities in state-federal vocational rehabilitation programs.

PURPOSE: Prior research indicates that the provision of assistive technology (AT) services positively predicts successful employment outcomes in vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs. While AT services can be promising, they are underutilized overall, and there are apparent disparities in AT service utilization. The purpose of this study was to identify sociodemographic factors which may act as barriers to receiving AT services in VR programs. Recognizing potential disparities is the first step in improving equity in access to beneficial services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of national data collected by the Rehabilitation Service Administration's Case Service Report from fiscal years 2017-2019. The sample included 788,173 cases that reported having a disability, were aged ≥18 years old, was deemed eligible for VR services, and had a complete set of data. RESULTS: Less than 9% of VR clients received AT services. We ran a multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the independent effects of various sociodemographic variables on the likelihood of receiving AT services through VR programs. The following client characteristics were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving AT services: men, unemployed, minority, low income, significant disability, non-enrolled in post-secondary education, mental or cognitive disability, less education, and younger age (all p < .001). CONCLUSION: The findings emphasize the need for more research to identify underlying mechanisms and potential solutions to these apparent disparities in access to AT services for adults with disabilities. Future research and implications are provided.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONIncreasing assistive technology (AT) training in counsellor education and offering more AT training for in-service rehabilitation counsellors to increase their competence to serve individuals with diverse disabilities, particularly those with cognitive and mental disabilities.Counsellors should be encouraged to use a team approach to ensure the most effective AT solutions are provided, and improve access to age-appropriate AT for younger individuals.Counsellors should identify alternative funding sources and refine eligibility criteria for low-income individuals, and develop effective means for educating less-informed individuals about the benefits of AT, and recognise the limited access of minority groups to receive services within vocational rehabilitation programs.

Are Social Determinants of Health Associated With Onset of Rehabilitation Services in Patients Hospitalized for Traumatic Brain Injury?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of community-level social determinants of health (SDoH) on the onset of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) services among individuals hospitalized for traumatic brain injury (TBI). SETTING: 14 acute care hospitals in the state of Colorado. PARTICIPANTS: We studied 5825 adults with TBI. DESIGN: In a secondary analysis of de-identified electronic health record data, we performed multivariable logistic and linear regressions to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for the likelihood of receiving services and duration to initiation of services among those who received them. MAIN MEASURES: Community-level SDoH, receipt of rehabilitation services, and onset of rehabilitation services. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic and linear regressions revealed that those in top quartiles for community income were associated with duration to OT services, ranging from OR = 0.33 [05% CI, 0.07, 0.60] for quartile 2 to 0.76 [0.44, 1.08] for quartile 4 compared with those with the lowest quartile. Only the top quartile differed significantly for duration to PT services (0.63 [0.28, 0.98]). Relative to those with below the median community percentage of high school degree, those with above the median were associated with duration to PT services only (-0.32 [-0.60, -0.04]). Neither community percentage with bachelor's degree nor rural-urban designation was associated with duration to either therapy service. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to determine whether our SDoH variables were too diffuse to capture individual experiences and impacts on care or whether community-level education and income, and rurality, truly do not influence time to therapy for patients hospitalized with TBI. Other, individual-level variables, such as age, comorbidity burden, and TBI severity, demonstrated clear relationships with therapy onset. These findings may help therapists evaluate and standardize equitable access to timely rehabilitation services.