Autophagy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with body fat percentage.

Context: Numerous chronic conditions including obesity exhibit autophagic dysfunction. Association of immune cell autophagic marker regulation by body fat percentage (%BF) is unknown.

Objective: Investigate autophagy activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of adults with distinct %BFs and obesity-related circulating inflammatory markers.

A Trilingual Medical Compendium from Medieval Oxford, Now in the Collection of the State Library Victoria.

A previously unstudied trilingual medieval medical manuscript, ca. 1400, RARES 091 M31, has been in the State Library Victoria, Melbourne, since 1862. The texts in this codex reveal the pedagogical and personal interests of a compiler from the world of Oxford colleges, halls, and libraries in the late fourteenth century.

Plasma exchange for COVID-19 thrombo-inflammatory disease.

Severe COVID-19 disease is a hyperinflammatory, pro-thrombotic state. We undertook plasma exchange (PEX) to determine its effects on organ function and thrombo-inflammatory markers. Seven critically ill adults with severe COVID-19 respiratory failure (PaO:FiO ratio < 200 mm Hg) requiring invasive or noninvasive ventilatory support and elevated thrombo-inflammatory markers (LDH >800 IU/L and D-dimer >1000 μg/L (or doubling from baseline) received PEX, daily, for a minimum of 5 days.

The Effect of Acute Glutamine Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation and Fatigue During Consecutive Days of Simulated Wildland Firefighting.

Objective: To examine the effect of oral glutamine supplementation on inflammation and fatigue during and after simulated wildland firefighting (WLFF) tasks in hot conditions over 2 consecutive days.

Methods: Eleven men and women ingested a glutamine supplement or a placebo before and after simulated wildland firefighting in an environmental chamber (38 °C, 35% relative humidity). Subjective fatigue, markers of inflammation, and cellular stress were measured pre, post and 4 hours post-exercise on both days.

Identification of a nucleopolyhedrovirus in winter moth populations from Massachusetts.

Winter moth, Operophtera brumata, originally from Europe, has invaded eastern Massachusetts causing widespread defoliation and damage to many deciduous tree species and a variety of crop plants in the infested area. We identified O. brumata nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpbuNPV) in winter moth larvae collected from field sites in Massachusetts by using PCR to amplify a 482 bp region of the baculovirus polyhedrin gene.

Presence and prevalence of viruses in local and migratory honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Massachusetts.

Migratory and local bees in Massachusetts were analyzed for seven viruses. Three were detected: black queen cell virus (BQCV), deformed wing virus (DWV), and sacbrood virus (SBV). DWV was most common, followed closely by BQCV and then by SBV.

A ski and adventure camp for young patients with severe forms of epidermolysis bullosa.

Background: The Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Research Association (DebRA) of New Zealand has run 3 adventure camps specifically geared to the unique and specific needs of teenagers and young adults with EB.

Objectives: We sought to describe how the 2007 winter camp was organized, funded, and run for teenagers and young adults with a range of EB severities.

Methods: Planning and fundraising by DebRA of New Zealand began 1 year before the camp.

Response of carcinoma in situ (actinic keratosis) to green tea concentrate plus capsicum.

A single case of carcinoma in situ (actinic keratosis) was treated topically with a patch consisting of an aqueous paste of a commercially available mixture (50:1) of green tea concentrate plus Capsicum (Capsol-T®) for approximately 14 days. The carcinoma responded by the formation of apoptotic blisters whereas surrounding normal tissue showed no response. A second untreated carcinoma 17 cm distant from the treated area also responded indicative of a systemic action of the substance.