Nguyenmcguire4696
Sex allocation research has primarily focused on offspring sex-ratio adjustment by mothers. Yet, fathers also benefit from producing more of the sex with greater fitness returns. Here, we review the state-of-the art in the study of male-driven sex allocation and, counter to the current paradigm, we propose that males can adaptively influence offspring sex ratio through a wide variety of mechanisms. This includes differential production and motility of X- versus Y-bearing sperms in mammals, variation in seminal fluid composition in haplo-diploid invertebrates, and epigenetic mechanisms in some fish and lizards exhibiting environmental sex determination. Conflicts of interest between mothers and fathers over offspring sex ratios can emerge, although many more studies are needed in this area. While many studies of sex allocation have focused on adaptive explanations with little attention to mechanisms, and vice versa, the integration of these two topics is essential for understanding male-driven sex allocation.Reactions in leprosy have an immune mediated pathogenesis. While type 1 reactions are delayed hypersensitivity phenomenon, type 2 reactions are immune complex mediated. Key molecules which mediate the immune insult in lepra reactions require evaluation in order to tailor their therapy and prevent disability. The objective of the study was to evaluate expressions of Cyclooxygenase 2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in skin biopsies from leprosy patients and correlate their expression with presence of either type 1 or type 2 lepra reactions. This was a case control study. Cyclooxygenase 2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor expression in dermal macrophages and vascular endothelium was assessed immunohistochemically. Biopsies from patients with Non-reactive leprosy and healthy controls were used for comparison. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Selleck SRPIN340 A total of 147 skin biopsies were evaluated, including 18 with Type 1 reaction, 39 Type 2 reaction, 81 non-reactive leprosy and 9 healthy controls. Both Cyclooxygenase 2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor expression were significantly higher in type 1 followed by type 2 reaction as compared to controls. These results may guide us regarding use of Cyclooxygenase 2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor inhibitor drugs which may be a major step in treating reactive leprosy patients and preventing nerve damage and disability.The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions around the world. Governments initially responded by requiring businesses to close and citizens to self-isolate, as well as funding vaccine research and implementing a range of technologies to monitor and limit the spread of the disease. This article considers the use of smartphone metadata and Bluetooth applications for public health surveillance purposes in relation to COVID-19. It undertakes ethical analysis of these measures, particularly in relation to collective moral responsibility, considering whether citizens ought, or should be compelled, to comply with government measures.With some of the largest cyber attacks occurring in recent years-from 2010 to 2019-we are only beginning to understand the full extent of cyber risk. As businesses grapple with the risks of cyber-incidents and their imperfect ability to prevent them, attention has shifted toward risk management and insurance. While there have been efforts to understand the costs of cyber attacks, the systemic risk-a result of risks spreading across interdependent systems-associated with cyber attacks remains a critical and problem in need of further study. We contribute a theoretical framework that describes systemic cyber risk as the result of cascading, common cause, or independent failures following a cyber incident. We construct a quantitative model of cascading failures to estimate the potential economic damage associated with a given cyber incident. We present an interdisciplinary approach for extending standard sector-level input-output analyses to the cyber domain, which has not been done. We estimate the aggregate losses associated with firm-level incidents, a contribution to risk analysis and computational economic modeling. We use this model to estimate the impact of potential cyber incidents and compare model results to a case with known damages. Finally, we use the model of systemic cyber failure to consider the implications on the growing cyber insurance market and the need for broader cyber policy. While we discuss the topic of systemic cyber risk, our contribution of using I/O analysis to estimate the aggregate losses from firm-level incidents is applicable across a variety of risk analysis applications from environment to health.
The majority of individuals experiencing depression or in crisis do not seek assistance through formal support pathways. Thus, the presence of informal "gatekeepers" in the community is vital to identifying and supporting these individuals through crisis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal effectiveness of "SafeTALK" suicide prevention gatekeeper training in a general community sample.
Two hundred and sixty-two community members participated in half-day (4-h) gatekeeper training sessions. Surveys were taken pre- and post-training and at 6-month follow-up to evaluate participants' knowledge, preparedness, and efficacy, as well as reluctance to intervene as a suicide prevention gatekeeper.
Longitudinal effects were revealed for three of four evaluated appraisals. Scores for knowledge, preparedness, and efficacy were significantly higher (improved) 6months after training, compared to pre-test. While participants showed even greater immediate effects (i.e., pre-test to post-test), follow-up scores indicate that the positive effects of training were sustained over 6months.
This study is the first to evaluate SafeTALK in a community population. SafeTALK was shown to be effective at improving knowledge, preparedness, and efficacy with effects declining over time but remaining significant from pre-test. Community suicide prevention programs can benefit from the inclusion of gatekeeper training programs.
This study is the first to evaluate SafeTALK in a community population. SafeTALK was shown to be effective at improving knowledge, preparedness, and efficacy with effects declining over time but remaining significant from pre-test. Community suicide prevention programs can benefit from the inclusion of gatekeeper training programs.
Light therapy has attracted medical interests as a safe, alternative treatment for photo-ageing and photo-damaged skin. Recent research suggested the therapeutic activity of red and infrared (IR) lights may be effective at much lower energy levels than those used clinically. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level red plus near IR light emitting diode (LED) combination on collagen and elastin and ATP production.
Human dermal fibroblasts or skin tissues were irradiated daily by red (640nm) plus near IR (830nm) LED lights combination at 0.5mW/cm
for 10minutes (0.3J/cm
). qPCR, ELISAs or histology were used to determine the gene and protein expressions. Fluorescent measurement was used to assess crosslinks of collagen and elastic fibres. ATP production was evaluated by ATP assay.
Treatment of human fibroblast cell cultures with low-level red plus near IR lights combination was found to significantly increase LOXL1, ELN and COL1A1 and COL3A1 gene expressions as well as the synthesis of the procollagen type I and elastin proteins. Treating human skin explants with low-level red plus near IR lights combination similarly induced significant increases in the same gene expressions, type III collagen and elastic fibre formation and crosslinks. ATP production was increased in human dermal fibroblasts after red plus near IR lights combination treatment.
Low-level red plus near IR lights combination stimulated the production of collagen and elastin production associated with anti-ageing benefits. These findings suggest that low-level red plus near IR LED light combination may provide an effective treatment opportunity for people with photo-aged skin.
Low-level red plus near IR lights combination stimulated the production of collagen and elastin production associated with anti-ageing benefits. These findings suggest that low-level red plus near IR LED light combination may provide an effective treatment opportunity for people with photo-aged skin.
In the aging population equipped with cardiac implantable electronic devices, an increasing number of octogenarians require lead extractions. This patient population is often considered as a high-risk group for surgical procedures. We, therefore, investigated the safety and efficacy of transvenous lead extraction in octogenarians using powered extraction sheaths.
Between January 2013 and March 2017, 403 patients underwent lead extraction at two high-volume lead extraction centers. A total of 71 octogenarians were treated with laser lead extraction and were included in this analysis. Primary extraction method was laser lead extraction, with additional use of mechanical rotational sheaths or femoral snares, if necessary. Patient-based and procedural data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.
Mean age was 83.5 ± 3.3 years, 64.7% were males. A total of 152 leads were extracted. The mean lead dwell time of treated leads was 10.2 ± 5.2 years. Complete procedural success rate was 92.9%, while clinical success was achieved in 98.6%. Failure of extraction occurred in one patient (1.4%). In six (7.7%) patients, additional mechanical rotational sheaths or femoral snares were used. Overall complication rate was 4.2%, including one (1.4%) major (RA perforation) and two (2.8%) minor complications. No procedure-related mortality was observed in any of the patients.
Transvenous lead extraction in octogenarians with old leads is safe and effective when performed in experienced centers. Patient's age should therefore not be considered as contraindication for lead extraction using powered extraction sheaths.
Transvenous lead extraction in octogenarians with old leads is safe and effective when performed in experienced centers. Patient's age should therefore not be considered as contraindication for lead extraction using powered extraction sheaths.
Gaps in hospital-based nutrition care practices and opportunities to improve care of patients at risk of malnutrition or malnourished have been demonstrated by several US hospitals implementing quality improvement (QI) projects. This study examined the impact of nutrition care process improvements focused on better documentation of identification and diagnosis of malnutrition in 5 hospital services and differences between nutritionally targeted vs nontargeted services.
Data on malnutrition risk screening, nutrition assessment, malnutrition diagnosis, and nutrition care plan delivery were collected from 32,723 hospital encounters for patients admitted to the intensive care unit, pulmonology, oncology, urology, and general medicine services (targeted) as well as the rest of the nontargeted hospital services between 2017 and 2019.
Higher rates of morbidity in targeted service patients compared with those in the patient population admitted in the nontargeted services were observed, including higher rates of malnutrition risk (37.
