Presurgical Infant Orthopedic Videos on YouTube™: A Thematic Analysis of Caregiver Narratives.

OBJECTIVE: Information regarding how caregivers cope when using presurgical infant orthopedic (PSIO) appliances is sparse. This study aimed to understand caregivers' perspectives and experiences with contemporary PSIO treatment. DESIGN: PSIO videos shared on the YouTube™ platform were used as the data source. Videos with caregivers were identified (n = 21) and portions with caregiver narratives were transcribed. This was followed by the application of a six-step thematic analysis as conceptualized by Braun and Clarke (2006, 2019). RESULTS: Two themes were identified from the caregiver narratives in the PSIO videos. The Family Journey theme included reaction to diagnosis, choice of center, burden of care, care commitment, coping, and testimonials. The Information theme included PSIO techniques and PSIO benefits. CONCLUSION: Multifaceted challenges and coping strategies were described by caregivers during the PSIO phase. Caregivers remained committed to treatment despite the burden of care, were motivated by an understanding of the benefits of PSIO, and customized care based on their individual strengths and needs. Study results can help providers gain an understanding of what caregivers experience outside the clinical environment.

Comparative Evaluation of Root Canal Centering Ability of ProTaper, Mtwo, WaveOne, and Reciproc Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography: In Vitro Study.

AIM: To compare the centering ability of rotating (ProTaper and Mtwo) and reciprocating (WaveOne and Reciproc) file systems using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty extracted human mandibular molars with curvature within 15-45° were selected and randomly divided into four groups (n = 20): group I (ProTaper), group II (Mtwo), group III (WaveOne), and group IV (Reciproc). The selected teeth were arranged in a template, and pre-instrumentation and post-instrumentation CBCT scans were taken using Kodak Carestream CS 9300 machine. The centering ability was measured in four planes namely, at furcation, 3 mm apical to furcation (coronal), 6 mm apical to furcation (middle), and 3 mm coronal to the apex (apical), wherein dentin thickness was measured from pre- and post-instrumentation CBCT scans and recorded for each canal (mesiobuccal and mesiolingual) separately and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Mtwo and Reciproc remained better centered followed by WaveOne and least by ProTaper in different-level comparisons. In the mesiodistal dimension (MD) at the 3 mm, 6 mm, and 3 mm apical level, Mtwo and Reciproc showed better centering, meanwhile, in the buccolingual dimension, only in the 3 mm apical level, Mtwo and Reciproc remain better centered. A significant difference was seen between the group and type of canal. CONCLUSION: Mtwo and Reciproc showed better centered preparation than ProTaper and WaveOne. Significant differences were seen between the groups and types of canal. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Root canal instrumentation should maintain the original canal anatomy. The proper enlargement keeping in mind the remaining strength in the tooth structure is essentially decided by how the selected instrument is centered. The alloy used for instrument manufacture and its design (taper, cross-section, and tip) will influence the centered preparation. The type of instrument and the instrumentation techniques should be chosen based on root canal anatomy.

Genetic relatedness of indigenous ethnic groups in northern Borneo to neighboring populations from Southeast Asia, as inferred from genome-wide SNP data.

The region of northern Borneo is home to the current state of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located closest to the southern Philippine islands and may have served as a viaduct for ancient human migration onto or off of Borneo Island. In this study, five indigenous ethnic groups from Sabah were subjected to genome-wide SNP genotyping. These individuals represent the "North Borneo"-speaking group of the great Austronesian family. They have traditionally resided in the inland region of Sabah. The dataset was merged with public datasets, and the genetic relatedness of these groups to neighboring populations from the islands of Southeast Asia, mainland Southeast Asia and southern China was inferred. Genetic structure analysis revealed that these groups formed a genetic cluster that was independent of the clusters of neighboring populations. Additionally, these groups exhibited near-absolute proportions of a genetic component that is also common among Austronesians from Taiwan and the Philippines. They showed no genetic admixture with Austro-Melanesian populations. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that they are closely related to non-Austro-Melansian Filipinos as well as to Taiwan natives but are distantly related to populations from mainland Southeast Asia. Relatively lower heterozygosity and higher pairwise genetic differentiation index (FST ) values than those of nearby populations indicate that these groups might have experienced genetic drift in the past, resulting in their differentiation from other Austronesians. Subsequent formal testing suggested that these populations have received no gene flow from neighboring populations. Taken together, these results imply that the indigenous ethnic groups of northern Borneo shared a common ancestor with Taiwan natives and non-Austro-Melanesian Filipinos and then isolated themselves on the inland of Sabah. This isolation presumably led to no admixture with other populations, and these individuals therefore underwent strong genetic differentiation. This report contributes to addressing the paucity of genetic data on representatives from this strategic region of ancient human migration event(s).

Synthesis of N-(Hetero)aryl Carbamates via CuI/MNAO Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of (Hetero)aryl Halides with Potassium Cyanate in Alcohols.

An efficient route to N-(hetero)aryl carbamates was developed through CuI/MNAO [2-((2-methylnaphthalen-1-yl)amino)-2-oxoacetic acid] catalyzed cross-coupling of (hetero)aryl chlorides with potassium cyanate in alcohols at 120-130 °C. This method utilizes broadly available substrates to afford various N-(hetero)aryl carbamates in good to excellent yields. Moreover, (hetero)aryl bromides and (hetero)aryl iodides were also reacted at low catalyst loadings and relatively low temperatures to provide N-(hetero)aryl carbamates.

N,N'-Bisoxalamides Enhance the Catalytic Activity in Cu-Catalyzed Coupling of (Hetero)Aryl Bromides with Anilines and Secondary Amines.

N,N'-Bis(furan-2-ylmethyl)oxalamide (BFMO), an inexpensive and conveniently available bidentate ligand, is very effective for promoting Cu-catalyzed N-arylation of anilines and cyclic secondary amines. The method enables coupling of a broad range of (hetero)aryl bromides with various (hetero)aryl amines and cyclic secondary amines at 0.5-5 mol % catalyst loadings at relatively low temperatures. For coupling with more sterically hindered acyclic secondary amines, using N,N'-bis(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)oxalamide (BTMPO) as a ligand gives the better results. Additionally, high selectivity is achieved in CuI/BFMO-catalyzed direct monoarylation of piperazine with (hetero)aryl bromides to afford pharmaceutically important building blocks.

Selected Copper-Based Reactions for C-N, C-O, C-S, and C-C Bond Formation.

Metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions belong to the most important transformations in organic synthesis. Copper catalysis has received great attention owing to the low toxicity and low cost of copper. However, traditional Ullmann-type couplings suffer from limited substrate scopes and harsh reaction conditions. The introduction of several bidentate ligands, such as amino acids, diamines, 1,3-diketones, and oxalic diamides, over the past two decades has totally changed this situation as these ligands enable the copper-catalyzed coupling of aryl halides and nucleophiles at both low reaction temperatures and catalyst loadings. The reaction scope has also been greatly expanded, rendering this copper-based cross-coupling attractive for both academia and industry. In this Review, we have summarized the latest progress in the development of useful reaction conditions for the coupling of (hetero)aryl halides with different nucleophiles. Additionally, recent advances in copper-catalyzed coupling reactions with aryl boronates and the copper-based trifluoromethylation of aromatic electrophiles will be discussed.

Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of Substituted Benzo[b]thiophenes and Their Hetero-Fused Analogues through Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H Functionalization/Intramolecular Arylthiolation.

An efficient, high yielding route to multisubstituted benzo[b]thiophenes has been developed through palladium-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative C-H functionalization-arylthiolation of enethiolate salts of α-aryl-ß-(het)aryl/alkyl-ß-mercaptoacrylonitriles/acrylates or acrylophenones. The overall strategy involves a one-pot, two-step process in which enethiolate salts [generated in situ through base-mediated condensation of substituted arylacetonitriles, deoxybenzoins, or arylacetates with (het)aryl (or alkyl) dithioates] are subjected to intramolecular C-H functionalization-arylthiolation under the influence of a palladium acetate (or palladium chloride)/cupric acetate catalytic system and tetrabutylammonium bromide as additive in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. In a few cases, the yields of benzo[b]thiophenes were better in a two-step process by employing the corresponding enethiols as substrates. In a few examples, Pd(OAc)2 (or PdCl2) catalyst in the presence of oxygen was found to be more efficient than cupric acetate as reoxidant, furnishing benzothiophenes in improved yields by avoiding formation of side products. The method is compatible with a diverse range of substituents on the aryl ring as well as on the 2- and 3-positions of the benzothiophene scaffold. The protocol could also be extended to the synthesis of a raloxifene precursor and a tubulin polymerization inhibitor in good yields. The versatility of this newly developed method was further demonstrated by elaborating it for the synthesis of substituted thieno-fused heterocycles such as thieno[2,3-b]thiophenes, thieno[2,3-b]indoles, thieno[3,2-c]pyrazole, and thieno[2,3-b]pyridines in high yields. A probable mechanism involving intramolecular electrophilic arylthiolation via either a Pd-S adduct or palladacycle intermediate has been proposed on the basis of experimental studies.

Synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted thiazoles via Lawesson's reagent-mediated chemoselective thionation-cyclization of functionalized enamides.

An efficient route to 2-phenyl/(2-thienyl)-5-(het)aryl/(methylthio)-4-functionalized thiazoles via one-step chemoselective thionation-cyclization of highly functionalized enamides mediated by Lawesson's reagent is reported. These enamide precursors are obtained by nucleophilic ring-opening of 2-phenyl/(2-thienyl)-4-[bis(methylthio)/(methylthio)(het)arylmethylene]-5-oxazolones with alkoxides and a variety of primary aromatic/aliphatic amines or amino acid esters, leading to the introduction of an ester, an N-substituted carboxamide, or a peptide functionality in the 4-position of the product thiazoles.

Cyclocondensation of arylhydrazines with 1,3-bis(het)arylmonothio-1,3-diketones and 1,3-bis(het)aryl-3-(methylthio)-2-propenones: synthesis of 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles with complementary regioselectivity.

Two efficient highly regioselective routes for the synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles with complementary regioselectivity starting from active methylene ketones have been reported. In the first protocol, the newly synthesized 1,3-bis(het)aryl-monothio-1,3-diketone precursors (prepared by condensation of active methylene ketones with het(aryl) dithioesters in the presence of sodium hydride) were reacted with arylhydrazines in refluxing ethanol under neutral conditions, furnishing 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles 7, in which the het(aryl) moiety attached to the thiocarbonyl group of monothio-1,3-diketones is installed at the 3-position. In the second method, the corresponding 3-(methylthio)-1,3-bis(het)aryl-2-propenones (prepared in situ by base-induced alkylation of 1,3-monothiodiketones) were condensed with arylhydrazines in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide in refluxing tert-butyl alcohol, yielding 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles 9 with complementary regioselectivity (method A). The efficiency of this protocol was further improved by developing a one-pot, three-component procedure for the synthesis of pyrazoles 9, directly from active methylene ketones, by reacting in situ generated 3-(methylthio)-1,3-bis(het)aryl-2-propenones with arylhydrazines in the presence of sodium hydride (instead of potassium tert-butoxide as base). The structures and regiochemistry of newly synthesized pyrazoles were confirmed from their spectral and analytical data along with X-ray crystallographic data of three pairs of regioisomers.

Validated RP-HPLC/UV method for the quantitation of abiraterone in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats.

A novel, simple, specific, sensitive and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay method has been developed and validated for the estimation of abiraterone (ART) in rat plasma. The analytical procedure involves extraction of ART and diclofenac (internal standard, IS) from rat plasma with a simple liquid-liquid extraction process. The chromatographic analysis was performed on a Waters Alliance system with a Betasil C(18) column maintained at ambient room temperature and an isocratic mobile phase [acetonitrile-water-10 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0), 55:5:40, v/v/v] at a flow rate of 1.00 mL/min with a total run time of 10 min. The eluate was monitored using an UV detector set at 255 nm. Method validation was performed as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 93.4-3251 ng/mL (r(2) = 0.997). The intra- and inter-day precisions were 0.56-4.98 and 3.03-7.18, respectively, in rat plasma. The validated HPLC method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of ART in rats.

Isolation and cloning of microRNAs from recalcitrant plant tissues with small amounts of total RNA: a step-by step approach.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs (sRNAs) with approximately 21-24 nucleotides in length. They regulate the expression of target genes through the mechanism of RNA silencing. Conventional isolation and cloning of miRNAs methods are usually technical demanding and inefficient. These limitations include the requirement for high amounts of starting total RNA, inefficient ligation of linkers, high amount of PCR artifacts and bias in the formation of short miRNA-concatamers. Here we describe in detail a method that uses 80 µg of total RNA as the starting material. Enhancement of the ligation of sRNAs and linkers with the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG8000) was described. PCR artifacts from the amplification of reverse-transcribed sRNAs were greatly decreased by using lower concentrations of primers and reducing the number of amplification cycles. Large concatamers with up to 1 kb in size with around 20 sRNAs/concatamer were obtained by using an optimized reaction condition. This protocol provide researchers with a rapid, efficient and cost-effective method for the construction of miRNA profiles from plant tissues containing low amounts of total RNA, such as fruit flesh and senescent leaves.

Preparation and characterization of nanoporous thin films from fully aliphatic polyimides.

Fully aliphatic polyimides (APIs) were prepared from rel-(1'R,3S5'S)-spiro[furan-3(2H),6'-[3]oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane]-2,2',4',5(4H)-tetrone (DAn) as unsymmetrical spiro dianhydride, and either cis-trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane (mix-DACH) or trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane (trans-DACH) as diamine. Structure of all prepared monomers and polymers was confirmed via 1H-NMR and FT-IR. The solubility, optical transparency, and thermal properties of the full APIs were investigated. The solubility and decomposition temperature of the full APIs were found to be correlated with their intermolecular regularity confirmed via wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Triblock copolyimides were synthesized through the incorporation of a thermally labile polymer, poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), into the full APIs, and their thermal properties were studied via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Nanoporous thin films of the full APIs were prepared via thermolysis of the labile block in the copolyimide films. Phase separation and nanopore formation in the copolymer films were confirmed via atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Nanoporous pores were successfully prepared inside the films.

Effectiveness of a curriculum-based educational intervention on oral health behavior and dental caries experience among Indian schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of dental diseases among Indian children can be attributed to low awareness regarding the oral health maintenance. The school health curriculum in India is deficient of an oral health component, and there are no organized oral health programs for schoolchildren existing at present. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of an oral health curriculum in improving the oral health behavior and dental caries experience in schoolchildren. METHODS: A nonrandomized trial with pretest/posttest design was conducted among 600 schoolchildren. Two intervention arms were designed with one group receiving health education from a dental health professional and other from a school teacher. The oral health curriculum was customized for three sections of different age groups (lower primary [LP], upper primary [UP], high school [HS]) and implemented for a period of 1 year. Oral health behaviors were recorded using a Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) questionnaire and were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year of the educational intervention. Dental caries experience was measured Pre and Post - intervention using deft and decayed, missing, and filled teeth indices. Descriptive statistics were calculated for continuous data, and the change in KAP scores and dental caries experience was analyzed using the repeated measures of ANOVA, independent t-tests, and paired t-tests. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in KAP regarding oral health among Indian schoolchildren. Significant reductions in decayed primary teeth were observed in LP and UP schoolchildren post-intervention. However, there was no significant difference in primary outcome between the two intervention arms. CONCLUSIONS: A curriculum-based health education intervention customized for different age groups was found to be effective in improving oral health behavior and dental caries experience among Indian schoolchildren.

Acute changes in ganglion cell layer thickness in ischemic optic neuropathy compared to optic neuritis using optical coherence tomography.

AIM: To elucidate the changes of different ganglion cell layer (GCL) thinning patterns between the optic neuritis (ON) and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted to evaluate the timing of GCL changes between acute ON and NAION using optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Thinning on optical coherence tomography in the NAION group occurs as early as 11d after symptomatic onset of vision loss and follows an altitudinal pattern. The mean superior-inferior GCL thickness difference in the NAION cohort was clinically significant at 5.7 µm in the NAION cohort compared to controls of 0.8 µm (P=0.032), but not significant in the ON group compared to controls with both groups measuring 1.1 µm. Global thinning was significant for the ON group compared to controls at 7.2 µm (P=0.011) but not the NAION group compared to controls at 1.35 µm. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that future treatments for NAION should be given early, and possibly before 11d in order to prevent GCL and irreversible vision loss.

Underwater sustainability of the "Cassie" state of wetting.

A rough hydrophobic surface when immersed in water can result in a "Cassie" state of wetting in which the water is in contact with both the solid surface and the entrapped air. The sustainability of the entrapped air on such surfaces is important for underwater applications such as reduction of flow resistance in microchannels and drag reduction of submerged bodies such as hydrofoils. We utilize an optical technique based on total internal reflection of light at the water-air interface to quantify the spatial distribution of trapped air on such a surface and its variation with immersion time. With this technique, we evaluate the sustainability of the Cassie state on hydrophobic surfaces with four different kinds of textures. The textures studied are regular arrays of pillars, ridges, and holes that were created in silicon by a wet etching technique, and also a texture of random craters that was obtained through electrodischarge machining of aluminum. These surfaces were rendered hydrophobic with a self-assembled layer of fluorooctyl trichlorosilane. Depending on the texture, the size and shape of the trapped air pockets were found to vary. However, irrespective of the texture, both the size and the number of air pockets were found to decrease with time gradually and eventually disappear, suggesting that the sustainability of the "Cassie" state is finite for all the microstructures studied. This is possibly due to diffusion of air from the trapped air pockets into the water. The time scale for disappearance of air pockets was found to depend on the kind of microstructure and the hydrostatic pressure at the water-air interface. For the surface with a regular array of pillars, the air pockets were found to be in the form of a thin layer perched on top of the pillars with a large lateral extent compared to the spacing between pillars. For other surfaces studied, the air pockets are smaller and are of the same order as the characteristic length scale of the texture. Measurements for the surface with holes indicate that the time for air-pocket disappearance reduces as the hydrostatic pressure is increased.

Relationship between Dental Caries Experience and Social Capital among Children - A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of larger and distal environmental and societal factors on oral health is established and the concept of social capital (SC) is gaining importance. AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the association of dental caries (DC) experience of children with parental social SC. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 pairs of 5-12-year-old children and their parents of Kaloor (65th division), Kerala. A 30-item self-administered neighborhood SC Index questionnaire. DC of children was assessed as per the WHO guidelines. RESULTS: The final analysis included 186 pairs of children and parents, out of which 54.8% were boys. The mean caries experience of children was 3.3 ± 3.7. A significantly higher proportion of parents rated their children as "poor oral health" in caries experienced group than caries-free group (P = 0.006). No other significant differences were found with total SC and demographic variables except for "frequency of having meal together." Regression analysis showed that trust, control, and political domains were significant with carious status. On adjusting the confounders that were significant in bivariate analysis, only control domain of the SC remained significant. CONCLUSION: The social control domain (family members or neighbors actions that seek to correct deviant behavior) of SC was associated with caries experience of the children. Distal factors such as SC can influence the caries status of children.

Delivering an Integrated Package of Maternal Nutrition Services in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (India).

BACKGROUND: Maternal spot feeding programs operational in southern Indian States are providing a package of nutrition services (food, micronutrient supplementation, deworming, gestation weight gain monitoring, and fortnightly nutrition health education) to pregnant women. These remain to be evaluated. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the maternal spot feeding programs in 2 Southern Indian states. METHODS: Study design was cross-sectional entailing primary data collection (July to November 2016) on 360 pregnant and lactating women (of infants aged 0-6 months) per state and a review of the scheme's management information system (MIS) beneficiaries' records for the time period April 2014 to August 2017. To gain program functioning insights, open-ended interviews (n = 252) with state, district, and block program managers a state-level open space technology workshop was conducted. RESULTS: Average days of meal consumption ranged from 19 to 21 days per month; spot meal enhanced high dietary diversity (≥6 food groups; 57%-59%) and consumption of eggs and milk (74%-96%) among pregnant and lactating women. On-the-spot consumption of iron, folic acid, calcium, and deworming was 18%, 87%, and 56%, respectively; 94% attended at least 1 of the 2 nutrition monthly counseling sessions. Majority (68%) of the beneficiaries were motivated to enroll by self-help groups or family members, suggesting the crucial persuasive role of peers and family members. CONCLUSION: Maternal spot feeding schemes can potentially deliver nutrition interventions outlined in the World Health Organization antenatal care guidelines 2016 for a positive pregnancy outcome. Research on schemes' impact on birth outcomes, maternal depression, social norms, and its cost-effectiveness is needed.

Electrocardiogram-guided Technique: An Alternative Method for Confirming Central Venous Catheter Tip Placement.

BACKGROUND: The current standard followed for assessing central venous catheter (CVC) tip placement location is through radiological confirmation using chest X-ray (CXR). Placement of CVCs under electrocardiogram (ECG) guidance may save cost and time compared to CXR. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the accurate placement of the CVC tip using anatomical landmark technique with ECG-guided technique. Another objective is to compare CVC placement time and postprocedural complications between the two techniques. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 144 adult individuals, who were critically ill and required CVC placement in the Emergency Department, were included for the study. Study duration was 6 months. Anatomical landmark and ECG-guided groups were assigned 72 participants each. Analyses were performed using t and Chi square-tests. RESULTS: It was observed that 13 (18%) in the landmark technique were malpositioned as compared to none in the ECG-guided technique (P = 0.000). The landmark group had 22 (30.6%) participants with arrhythmias during the procedure, compared to none in the ECG-guided group (P = 0.000). The landmark group revealed that 30 (41.7%) of the CVC were overinserted and required immediate repositioning, compared to none in the ECG-guided group (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: ECG-guided technique was found to be more accurate for CVC tip placement than the anatomical landmark technique. Furthermore, the ECG-guided technique was more time-effective and had less complications than the anatomical landmark technique. Hence, ECG-guided CVC placement is relatively accurate, efficient, and safe and can be considered as an alternative method to conventional radiography for confirmation of CVC tip placement.

The draft genome of MD-2 pineapple using hybrid error correction of long reads.

The introduction of the elite pineapple variety, MD-2, has caused a significant market shift in the pineapple industry. Better productivity, overall increased in fruit quality and taste, resilience to chilled storage and resistance to internal browning are among the key advantages of the MD-2 as compared with its previous predecessor, the Smooth Cayenne. Here, we present the genome sequence of the MD-2 pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) by using the hybrid sequencing technology from two highly reputable platforms, i.e. the PacBio long sequencing reads and the accurate Illumina short reads. Our draft genome achieved 99.6% genome coverage with 27,017 predicted protein-coding genes while 45.21% of the genome was identified as repetitive elements. Furthermore, differential expression of ripening RNASeq library of pineapple fruits revealed ethylene-related transcripts, believed to be involved in regulating the process of non-climacteric pineapple fruit ripening. The MD-2 pineapple draft genome serves as an example of how a complex heterozygous genome is amenable to whole genome sequencing by using a hybrid technology that is both economical and accurate. The genome will make genomic applications more feasible as a medium to understand complex biological processes specific to pineapple.

Consolidated Checklist of Hard Corals of the Genus Acropora Oken, 1815 (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) in North Borneo, East Malaysia.

Acropora is the most biologically diverse group of reef-building coral, and its richness peaks at the Indo-Malay-Philippine Archipelago, the centre of global coral reef biodiversity. In this paper, we describe the species richness of Acropora fauna of North Borneo, East Malaysia, based on review of literature and as corroborated by voucher specimens. Eighty-three species of Acropora are reported here; four species are literature based and 79 are supported by voucher specimens that were subsequently photographed. New records for North Borneo were recorded for 12 species, including Acropora suharsonoi Wallace 1994 that was previously thought to be confined to a few islands along Lombok Strait, Indonesia. The diversity of Acropora in North Borneo is comparable to that of Indonesia and the Philippines, despite the area's smaller reef areas. This further reinforces its inclusion as part the global hotspot of coral biodiversity.