Displaying publications 281 - 300 of 538 in total

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  1. Fulltext Comparative seasonalities of influenza A, B and 'common cold' coronaviruses - setting the scene for SARS-CoV-2 infections and possible unexpected host immune interactions
    Liu Y, Lam TTY, Lai FYL, Krajden M, Drews SJ, Hatchette TF, et al.
    J Infect, 2020 08;81(2):e62-e64.
    PMID: 32360499 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.04.032
  2. Fulltext Author Correction: The Plasmodium falciparum male gametocyte protein P230p, a paralog of P230, is vital for ookinete formation and mosquito transmission
    Marin-Mogollon C, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, van Gemert GJ, van Pul FJA, Ramesar J, Othman AS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 May 03;9(1):7061.
    PMID: 31053746 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43505-y
    A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
  3. From radiometry to chronology of a marine sediment core: A 210Pb dating interlaboratory comparison exercise organised by the IAEA
    Garcia-Tenorio R, Rozmaric M, Harms A, Godoy JMO, Barsanti M, Schirone A, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2020 Oct;159:111490.
    PMID: 32738641 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111490
    Laboratories from 14 countries (with different levels of expertise in radionuclide measurements and 210Pb dating) participated in an interlaboratory comparison exercise (ILC) related to the application of 210Pb sediment dating technique within the framework of the IAEA Coordinated Research Project. The laboratories were provided with samples from a composite sediment core and were required to provide massic activities of several radionuclides and an age versus depth model from the obtained results, using the most suitable 210Pb dating model. Massic concentrations of Zn and Cu were also determined to be used for chronology validation. The ILC results indicated good analytical performances while the dating results didn't demonstrate the same degree of competence in part due to the different experience in dating of the participant laboratories. The ILC exercise enabled evaluation of the difficulties faced by laboratories implementing 210Pb dating methods and identified some limitations in providing reliable chronologies.
  4. The skin barrier function gene SPINK5 is associated with challenge-proven IgE-mediated food allergy in infants
    Ashley SE, Tan HT, Vuillermin P, Dharmage SC, Tang MLK, Koplin J, et al.
    Allergy, 2017 Sep;72(9):1356-1364.
    PMID: 28213955 DOI: 10.1111/all.13143
    BACKGROUND: A defective skin barrier is hypothesized to be an important route of sensitization to dietary antigens and may lead to food allergy in some children. Missense mutations in the serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type 5 (SPINK5) skin barrier gene have previously been associated with allergic conditions.

    OBJECTIVE: To determine whether genetic variants in and around SPINK5 are associated with IgE-mediated food allergy.

    METHOD: We genotyped 71 "tag" single nucleotide polymorphisms (tag-SNPs) within a region spanning ~263 kb including SPINK5 (~61 kb) in n=722 (n=367 food-allergic, n=199 food-sensitized-tolerant and n=156 non-food-allergic controls) 12-month-old infants (discovery sample) phenotyped for food allergy with the gold standard oral food challenge. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measures were collected at 12 months from a subset (n=150) of these individuals. SNPs were tested for association with food allergy using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test adjusting for ancestry strata. Association analyses were replicated in an independent sample group derived from four paediatric cohorts, total n=533 (n=203 food-allergic, n=330 non-food-allergic), mean age 2.5 years, with food allergy defined by either clinical history of reactivity, 95% positive predictive value (PPV) or challenge, corrected for ancestry by principal components.

    RESULTS: SPINK5 variant rs9325071 (A⟶G) was associated with challenge-proven food allergy in the discovery sample (P=.001, OR=2.95, CI=1.49-5.83). This association was further supported by replication (P=.007, OR=1.58, CI=1.13-2.20) and by meta-analysis (P=.0004, OR=1.65). Variant rs9325071 is associated with decreased SPINK5 gene expression in the skin in publicly available genotype-tissue expression data, and we generated preliminary evidence for association of this SNP with elevated TEWL also.

    CONCLUSIONS: We report, for the first time, association between SPINK5 variant rs9325071 and challenge-proven IgE-mediated food allergy.

  5. Fulltext The Plasmodium falciparum male gametocyte protein P230p, a paralog of P230, is vital for ookinete formation and mosquito transmission
    Marin-Mogollon C, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, van Gemert GJ, van Pul FJA, Ramesar J, Othman AS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2018 10 08;8(1):14902.
    PMID: 30297725 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33236-x
    Two members of 6-cysteine (6-cys) protein family, P48/45 and P230, are important for gamete fertility in rodent and human malaria parasites and are leading transmission blocking vaccine antigens. Rodent and human parasites encode a paralog of P230, called P230p. While P230 is expressed in male and female parasites, P230p is expressed only in male gametocytes and gametes. In rodent malaria parasites this protein is dispensable throughout the complete life-cycle; however, its function in P. falciparum is unknown. Using CRISPR/Cas9 methodology we disrupted the gene encoding Pfp230p resulting in P. falciparum mutants (PfΔp230p) lacking P230p expression. The PfΔp230p mutants produced normal numbers of male and female gametocytes, which retained expression of P48/45 and P230. Upon activation male PfΔp230p gametocytes undergo exflagellation and form male gametes. However, male gametes are unable to attach to red blood cells resulting in the absence of characteristic exflagellation centres in vitro. In the absence of P230p, zygote formation as well as oocyst and sporozoite development were strongly reduced (>98%) in mosquitoes. These observations demonstrate that P230p, like P230 and P48/45, has a vital role in P. falciparum male fertility and zygote formation and warrants further investigation as a potential transmission blocking vaccine candidate.
  6. Fulltext Correction to: Algorithm for the management of patients at low, high and very high risk of osteoporotic fractures
    Kanis JA, Harvey NC, McCloskey E, Bruyère O, Veronese N, Lorentzon M, et al.
    Osteoporos Int, 2020 Apr;31(4):797-798.
    PMID: 32065251 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-020-05297-0
    The article 'Algorithm for the management of patients at low, high and very high risk of osteoporotic fractures',written by J. A. Kanis, was originally published Online First without Open Access. After publication in volume [#], issue [#] and page [#-#], the author decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an Open Access publication.
  7. Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology (PRIDE): guiding authors to identify and correct reporting deficiencies in their manuscripts prior to peer review
    Nagendrababu V, Kishen A, Chong BS, Priya E, Duncan HF, Rôças IN, et al.
    Int Endod J, 2020 May;53(5):589-590.
    PMID: 32277771 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13276
  8. Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Low- and High-Risk Groups of Early Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Intraoperative Radiotherapy in Addition to External Beam Radiation: A Multi-Centre Prospective Study
    Mosiun JA, See MH, Teoh LY, Danaee M, Lai LL, Ng CH, et al.
    World J Surg, 2023 Jan;47(1):201-208.
    PMID: 36305952 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-022-06753-0
    BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the use of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with low-energy X-rays in Malaysian women with early breast cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical, cosmetic, and patient-reported outcomes in low- and high-risk early breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS) and IORT.

    METHODOLOGY: Patients suitable for BCS who were treated with IORT between January 2016 and June 2019 from three centres were analysed. They were divided into low-risk and high-risk groups based on the risk of recurrence according to the TARGeted Intraoperative radioTherapy (TARGIT) A and B study criteria. Outcomes of interest included local recurrence, wound complications, and radiation toxicity, with a subset analysed for cosmetic and patient-reported outcomes.

    RESULTS: Within a median follow-up of 31 months, there were 104 and 211 patients in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively. No significant difference was observed in local recurrence rates (low-risk, 1.0% vs. high-risk, 1.4%; p = 1.000). Both cohorts exhibited low frequencies of severe wound complications ranging between 1.4 and 1.9%. No major radiation toxicities were reported in either group. In the subgroup analysis, low-risk patients had significantly better mean scores in the subscales of inframammary fold and scar. Based on the BREAST-Q patient-reported outcomes questionnaire, seven out of nine parameters were scored similarly between both groups with no significant difference.

    CONCLUSION: This study showed that the use of IORT in both low- and high-risk early breast cancers is efficacious and safe with low recurrence rates and an acceptable toxicity profile.

  9. Fulltext Expression of full-length Plasmodium falciparum P48/45 in P. berghei blood stages: A method to express and evaluate vaccine antigens
    Othman AS, Lin JW, Franke-Fayard BM, Kroeze H, van Pul FJA, Chevalley-Maurel S, et al.
    Mol Biochem Parasitol, 2018 Sep;224:44-49.
    PMID: 30053393 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.07.009
    The transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pfs48/45 from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is known to be difficult to express in heterologous systems, either as full-length protein or as correctly folded protein fragments that retain conformational epitopes. In this study we express full-length Pfs48/45 in the rodent parasite P. berghei. Pfs48/45 is expressed as a transgene under control of the strong P. berghei schizont-specific msp1 gene promoter (Pfs48/45@PbMSP1). Pfs48/45@PbMSP1 schizont-infected red blood cells produced full-length Pfs48/45 and the structural integrity of Pfs48/45 was confirmed using a panel of conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies that bind to different Pfs48/45 epitopes. Sera from mice immunized with transgenic Pfs48/45@PbMSP1 schizonts showed strong transmission-reducing activity in mosquitoes infected with P. falciparum using standard membrane feeding. These results demonstrate that transgenic rodent malaria parasites expressing human malaria antigens may be used as means to evaluate immunogenicity and functionality of difficult to express malaria vaccine candidate antigens.
  10. Fulltext Algorithm for the management of patients at low, high and very high risk of osteoporotic fractures
    Kanis JA, Harvey NC, McCloskey E, Bruyère O, Veronese N, Lorentzon M, et al.
    Osteoporos Int, 2020 Jan;31(1):1-12.
    PMID: 31720707 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-019-05176-3
    Guidance is provided in an international setting on the assessment and specific treatment of postmenopausal women at low, high and very high risk of fragility fractures.

    INTRODUCTION: The International Osteoporosis Foundation and European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis published guidance for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in 2019. This manuscript seeks to apply this in an international setting, taking additional account of further categorisation of increased risk of fracture, which may inform choice of therapeutic approach.

    METHODS: Clinical perspective and updated literature search.

    RESULTS: The following areas are reviewed: categorisation of fracture risk and general pharmacological management of osteoporosis.

    CONCLUSIONS: A platform is provided on which specific guidelines can be developed for national use to characterise fracture risk and direct interventions.

  11. Fulltext Chimeric Plasmodium falciparum parasites expressing Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein fail to produce salivary gland sporozoites
    Marin-Mogollon C, van Pul FJA, Miyazaki S, Imai T, Ramesar J, Salman AM, et al.
    Malar J, 2018 Aug 09;17(1):288.
    PMID: 30092798 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2431-1
    BACKGROUND: Rodent malaria parasites where the gene encoding circumsporozoite protein (CSP) has been replaced with csp genes from the human malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax, are used as pre-clinical tools to evaluate CSP vaccines in vivo. These chimeric rodent parasites produce sporozoites in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes that are capable of infecting rodent and human hepatocytes. The availability of chimeric P. falciparum parasites where the pfcsp gene has been replaced by the pvcsp would open up possibilities to test P. vivax CSP vaccines in small scale clinical trials using controlled human malaria infection studies.

    METHODS: Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing two chimeric P. falciparum parasites, were generated, where the pfcsp gene has been replaced by either one of the two major pvcsp alleles, VK210 or VK247. In addition, a P. falciparum parasite line that lacks CSP expression was also generated. These parasite lines have been analysed for sporozoite production in An. stephensi mosquitoes.

    RESULTS: The two chimeric Pf-PvCSP lines exhibit normal asexual and sexual blood stage development in vitro and produce sporozoite-containing oocysts in An. stephensi mosquitoes. Expression of the corresponding PvCSP was confirmed in oocyst-derived Pf-PvCSP sporozoites. However, most oocysts degenerate before sporozoite formation and sporozoites were not found in either the mosquito haemocoel or salivary glands. Unlike the chimeric Pf-PvCSP parasites, oocysts of P. falciparum parasites lacking CSP expression do not produce sporozoites.

    CONCLUSIONS: Chimeric P. falciparum parasites expressing P. vivax circumsporozoite protein fail to produce salivary gland sporozoites. Combined, these studies show that while PvCSP can partially complement the function of PfCSP, species-specific features of CSP govern full sporozoite maturation and development in the two human malaria parasites.

  12. Fulltext Multi-platform metabolomics analyses of a broad collection of fragrant and non-fragrant rice varieties reveals the high complexity of grain quality characteristics
    Mumm R, Hageman JA, Calingacion MN, de Vos RCH, Jonker HH, Erban A, et al.
    Metabolomics, 2016;12:38.
    PMID: 26848289 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-015-0925-1
    The quality of rice in terms not only of its nutritional value but also in terms of its aroma and flavour is becoming increasingly important in modern rice breeding where global targets are focused on both yield stability and grain quality. In the present paper we have exploited advanced, multi-platform metabolomics approaches to determine the biochemical differences in 31 rice varieties from a diverse range of genetic backgrounds and origin. All were grown under the specific local conditions for which they have been bred and all aspects of varietal identification and sample purity have been guaranteed by local experts from each country. Metabolomics analyses using 6 platforms have revealed the extent of biochemical differences (and similarities) between the chosen rice genotypes. Comparison of fragrant rice varieties showed a difference in the metabolic profiles of jasmine and basmati varieties. However with no consistent separation of the germplasm class. Storage of grains had a significant effect on the metabolome of both basmati and jasmine rice varieties but changes were different for the two rice types. This shows how metabolic changes may help prove a causal relationship with developing good quality in basmati rice or incurring quality loss in jasmine rice in aged grains. Such metabolomics approaches are leading to hypotheses on the potential links between grain quality attributes, biochemical composition and genotype in the context of breeding for improvement. With this knowledge we shall establish a stronger, evidence-based foundation upon which to build targeted strategies to support breeders in their quest for improved rice varieties.
  13. Chromosome-level genome sequence of the Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) highlights regions of introgression with O. mossambicus
    Etherington GJ, Nash W, Ciezarek A, Mehta TK, Barria A, Peñaloza C, et al.
    BMC Genomics, 2022 Dec 15;23(1):832.
    PMID: 36522771 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-09065-8
    BACKGROUND: The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the third most important freshwater fish for aquaculture. Its success is directly linked to continuous breeding efforts focusing on production traits such as growth rate and weight. Among those elite strains, the Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) programme initiated by WorldFish is now distributed worldwide. To accelerate the development of the GIFT strain through genomic selection, a high-quality reference genome is necessary.

    RESULTS: Using a combination of short (10X Genomics) and long read (PacBio HiFi, PacBio CLR) sequencing and a genetic map for the GIFT strain, we generated a chromosome level genome assembly for the GIFT. Using genomes of two closely related species (O. mossambicus, O. aureus), we characterised the extent of introgression between these species and O. niloticus that has occurred during the breeding process. Over 11 Mb of O. mossambicus genomic material could be identified within the GIFT genome, including genes associated with immunity but also with traits of interest such as growth rate.

    CONCLUSION: Because of the breeding history of elite strains, current reference genomes might not be the most suitable to support further studies into the GIFT strain. We generated a chromosome level assembly of the GIFT strain, characterising its mixed origins, and the potential contributions of introgressed regions to selected traits.

  14. The effect of fish collagen on the silver nanoparticles sizes and shapes using modified microwave-assisted green synthesis method and their antibacterial activities
    Mudhafar M, Zainol I, A J A, Abd MY, Alsailawi HA, Ghazaly NM, et al.
    Heliyon, 2024 Jun 30;10(12):e32837.
    PMID: 39022059 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32837
    This work aimed to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by efficient green synthesis techniques, namely rapid green synthesis and modified microwave-assisted green synthesis methods. The study used fish scale collagen (FsCol) as a stabilizer to assess its impact on the dimensions and configurations of AgNPs. Four samples were prepared with varying concentrations of FsCol. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The obtained sizes are as follows: 85 ± 15 nm, 70 ± 10 nm, 50 ± 10 nm, and 28-40 nm. The UV-vis spectroscopy revealed a shift in the absorbance peaks from 400 to 446 nm. The SEM method showed a spherical form in all of the samples. The element silver was detected in the EDX examination, along with the presence of oxygen (O) and carbon (C). The FTIR analysis revealed that the peaks seen at 3307 cm-1 were attributed to the stretching of O-H bonds, while the mountain at 1638 cm-1 belonged to the extension of N-H bonds (amide A). Additionally, the band observed at 1638 cm-1 indicated the presence of CO bonds (amide I).The 2140 cm-1 and 1302 cm-1 peaks may be attributed to the C2H2 group present in the plant components and the N-H bending (Amide III), respectively. The XRD pattern indicates that the synthesis process resulted in the formation of crystalline AgNPs. The particle sizes measured using DLS were 121 nm, 96.36 nm, 82.3 nm, and 48.50 nm. The TEM approach revealed that all samples had a spherical morphology with varying sizes: 80-100 nm, 50-80 nm, 40-60 nm, and 28-42 nm. The synthesized AgNPs were tested for their antibacterial properties against the pathogenic pathogens Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The influence of AgNPs on bacteria was amplified as the particle size decreased, resulting in a larger inhibitory zone for the smaller particles.
  15. Fulltext Exploring the Connections: Autophagy, Gut Microbiota, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pathogenesis
    Subramanian A, J A, T T, Kumarasamy V, Begum MY, Sekar M, et al.
    J Inflamm Res, 2024;17:10453-10470.
    PMID: 39654856 DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S483958
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, represents a complex and growing global health issue with a multifaceted origin. This review delves into the intricate relationship between gut microbiota, autophagy, and the development of IBD. The gut microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms, plays a vital role in maintaining gut health, while imbalances in this microbial community, known as dysbiosis, are linked to IBD. Autophagy, a process by which cells recycle their components, is essential for gut homeostasis and the regulation of immune responses. When autophagy is impaired and dysbiosis occurs, they individually contribute to IBD, with their combined impact intensifying inflammation. The interconnectedness of gut microbiota, autophagy, and the host's immune system is central to the onset of IBD. The review also examines how diet influences gut microbiota and its subsequent effects on IBD. It highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting the microbiota and modulating autophagic pathways as treatment strategies for IBD. Understanding these interactions could lead to personalized therapies within the rapidly advancing fields of microbiome research and immunology.
  16. Fulltext Impact of mediterranean diet promotion on environmental sustainability: a longitudinal analysis
    Álvarez-Álvarez L, Vitelli-Storelli F, Rubín-García M, García S, Bouzas C, Ruíz-Canela M, et al.
    Public Health, 2024 May;230:12-20.
    PMID: 38479163 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.02.010
    OBJECTIVE: This article aims to estimate the differences in environmental impact (greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, land use, energy used, acidification and potential eutrophication) after one year of promoting a Mediterranean diet (MD).

    METHODS: Baseline and 1-year follow-up data from 5800 participants in the PREDIMED-Plus study were used. Each participant's food intake was estimated using validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires, and the adherence to MD using the Dietary Score. The influence of diet on environmental impact was assessed through the EAT-Lancet Commission tables. The influence of diet on environmental impact was assessed through the EAT-Lancet Commission tables. The association between MD adherence and its environmental impact was calculated using adjusted multivariate linear regression models.

    RESULTS: After one year of intervention, the kcal/day consumed was significantly reduced (-125,1 kcal/day), adherence to a MD pattern was improved (+0,9) and the environmental impact due to the diet was significantly reduced (GHG: -361 g/CO2-eq; Acidification:-11,5 g SO2-eq; Eutrophication:-4,7 g PO4-eq; Energy use:-842,7 kJ; and Land use:-2,2 m2). Higher adherence to MD (high vs. low) was significantly associated with lower environmental impact both at baseline and one year follow-up. Meat products had the greatest environmental impact in all the factors analysed, both at baseline and at one-year follow-up, in spite of the reduction observed in their consumption.

    CONCLUSIONS: A program promoting a MD, after one year of intervention, significantly reduced the environmental impact in all the factors analysed. Meat products had the greatest environmental impact in all the dimensions analysed.

  17. Fulltext The atmospheric chemistry of trace gases and particulate matter emitted by different land uses in Borneo
    MacKenzie AR, Langford B, Pugh TA, Robinson N, Misztal PK, Heard DE, et al.
    Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 2011 Nov 27;366(1582):3177-95.
    PMID: 22006961 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0053
    We report measurements of atmospheric composition over a tropical rainforest and over a nearby oil palm plantation in Sabah, Borneo. The primary vegetation in each of the two landscapes emits very different amounts and kinds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resulting in distinctive VOC fingerprints in the atmospheric boundary layer for both landscapes. VOCs over the Borneo rainforest are dominated by isoprene and its oxidation products, with a significant additional contribution from monoterpenes. Rather than consuming the main atmospheric oxidant, OH, these high concentrations of VOCs appear to maintain OH, as has been observed previously over Amazonia. The boundary-layer characteristics and mixing ratios of VOCs observed over the Borneo rainforest are different to those measured previously over Amazonia. Compared with the Bornean rainforest, air over the oil palm plantation contains much more isoprene, monoterpenes are relatively less important, and the flower scent, estragole, is prominent. Concentrations of nitrogen oxides are greater above the agro-industrial oil palm landscape than over the rainforest, and this leads to changes in some secondary pollutant mixing ratios (but not, currently, differences in ozone). Secondary organic aerosol over both landscapes shows a significant contribution from isoprene. Primary biological aerosol dominates the super-micrometre aerosol over the rainforest and is likely to be sensitive to land-use change, since the fungal source of the bioaerosol is closely linked to above-ground biodiversity.
  18. Fulltext Review of global neurosurgery education: Horizon of Neurosurgery in the Developing Countries
    Kato Y, Liew BS, Sufianov AA, Rasulic L, Arnautovic KI, Dong VH, et al.
    Chinese neurosurgical journal, 2020;6:19.
    PMID: 32922948 DOI: 10.1186/s41016-020-00194-1
    Globally, the discipline of neurosurgery has evolved remarkably fast. Despite being one of the latest medical specialties, which appeared only around hundred years ago, it has witnessed innovations in the aspects of diagnostics methods, macro and micro surgical techniques, and treatment modalities. Unfortunately, this development is not evenly distributed between developed and developing countries. The same is the case with neurosurgical education and training, which developed from only traditional apprentice programs in the past to more structured, competence-based programs with various teaching methods being utilized, in recent times. A similar gap can be observed between developed and developing counties when it comes to neurosurgical education. Fortunately, most of the scholars working in this field do understand the coherent relationship between neurosurgical education and neurosurgical practice. In context to this understanding, a symposium was organized during the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) Special World Congress Beijing 2019. This symposium was the brain child of Prof. Yoko Kato-one of the eminent leaders in neurosurgery and an inspiration for female neurosurgeons. Invited speakers from different continents presented the stages of development of neurosurgical education in their respective countries. This paper summarizes the outcome of these presentations, with particular emphasis on and the challenges faced by developing countries in terms of neurosurgical education and strategies to cope with these challenges.
  19. Fulltext IgM in human immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria
    Boyle MJ, Chan JA, Handayuni I, Reiling L, Feng G, Hilton A, et al.
    Sci Adv, 2019 09;5(9):eaax4489.
    PMID: 31579826 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax4489
    Most studies on human immunity to malaria have focused on the roles of immunoglobulin G (IgG), whereas the roles of IgM remain undefined. Analyzing multiple human cohorts to assess the dynamics of malaria-specific IgM during experimentally induced and naturally acquired malaria, we identified IgM activity against blood-stage parasites. We found that merozoite-specific IgM appears rapidly in Plasmodium falciparum infection and is prominent during malaria in children and adults with lifetime exposure, together with IgG. Unexpectedly, IgM persisted for extended periods of time; we found no difference in decay of merozoite-specific IgM over time compared to that of IgG. IgM blocked merozoite invasion of red blood cells in a complement-dependent manner. IgM was also associated with significantly reduced risk of clinical malaria in a longitudinal cohort of children. These findings suggest that merozoite-specific IgM is an important functional and long-lived antibody response targeting blood-stage malaria parasites that contributes to malaria immunity.
  20. Urban blue: A global analysis of the factors shaping people's perceptions of the marine environment and ecological engineering in harbours
    Strain EMA, Alexander KA, Kienker S, Morris R, Jarvis R, Coleman R, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2019 Mar 25;658:1293-1305.
    PMID: 30677991 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.285
    Marine harbours are the focus of a diverse range of activities and subject to multiple anthropogenically induced pressures. Support for environmental management options aimed at improving degraded harbours depends on understanding the factors which influence people's perceptions of harbour environments. We used an online survey, across 12 harbours, to assess sources of variation people's perceptions of harbour health and ecological engineering. We tested the hypotheses: 1) people living near impacted harbours would consider their environment to be more unhealthy and degraded, be more concerned about the environment and supportive of and willing to pay for ecological engineering relative to those living by less impacted harbours, and 2) people with greater connectedness to the harbour would be more concerned about and have greater perceived knowledge of the environment, and be more supportive of, knowledgeable about and willing to pay for ecological engineering, than those with less connectedness. Across twelve locations, the levels of degradation and modification by artificial structures were lower and the concern and knowledge about the environment and ecological engineering were greater in the six Australasian and American than the six European and Asian harbours surveyed. We found that people's perception of harbours as healthy or degraded, but not their concern for the environment, reflected the degree to which harbours were impacted. There was a positive relationship between the percentage of shoreline modified and the extent of support for and people's willingness to pay indirect costs for ecological engineering. At the individual level, measures of connectedness to the harbour environment were good predictors of concern for and perceived knowledge about the environment but not support for and perceived knowledge about ecological engineering. To make informed decisions, it is important that people are empowered with sufficient knowledge of the environmental issues facing their harbour and ecological engineering options.
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