Neuroprotection with rasagiline in patients with macula-off retinal detachment: A randomized controlled pilot study.

We aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of rasagiline in pseudophakic patients who had surgery for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This was a 6-month, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Patients presenting with acute macula-off RRD were recruited and randomized 1:1 to receive rasagiline 1 mg/day or placebo for 7 days.

A Highly Selective Chemical Probe for Activin Receptor-like Kinases ALK4 and ALK5.

The transforming growth factor beta-receptor I/activin receptor-like kinase 5 (TGFBR1/ALK5) and its close homologue ALK4 are receptor protein kinases associated with the development of diverse diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, heart diseases, and dysfunctional immune response. Therefore, ALK4/5 are among the most studied kinases, and several inhibitors have been developed. However, current commercially available inhibitors either lack selectivity or have not been comprehensively characterized, limiting their value for studying ALK4/5 function in cellular systems.

Geology of the InSight landing site on Mars.

The Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) spacecraft landed successfully on Mars and imaged the surface to characterize the surficial geology. Here we report on the geology and subsurface structure of the landing site to aid in situ geophysical investigations. InSight landed in a degraded impact crater in Elysium Planitia on a smooth sandy, granule- and pebble-rich surface with few rocks.

Evaluation of the anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich antibodies Nemod-TF1 and Nemod-TF2 as prognostic markers in breast cancer.

Purpose: The TF (Thomsen-Friedenreich, CD176, Galβ1-3GalNAc) carbohydrate moiety is known as a specific oncofetal carbohydrate epitope present in fetal and neoplastic tissue as well as in stem cells. TF was demonstrated to mediate tumor-promoting features and to be highly immunogenic. The current study aimed to evaluate whether presence of the TF antigen is associated with clinico-pathological parameters and prognosis of early breast cancer (BC).

'We don't know for sure': discussion of uncertainty concerning multigene panel testing during initial cancer genetic consultations.

Pre-test counseling about multigene panel testing involves many uncertainties. Ideally, counselees are informed about uncertainties in a way that enables them to make an informed decision about panel testing. It is presently unknown whether and how uncertainty is discussed during initial cancer genetic counseling.

Percutaneous absorption between frog species: Variability in skin may influence delivery of therapeutics.

Frogs have permeable skin, so transdermal delivery provides a practical alternative to traditional dosing routes. However, little is known about how frog skin permeability differs interspecifically, and there are different reported clinical outcomes following topical application of the same chemical in different frog species. This study collated in vitro absorption kinetic data previously reported for two frog species: the green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) and the cane toad (Rhinella marina), and used linear mixed-effects modelling to produce a model of absorption.

Fluorescence Lifetime Patterns of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Atrophy in Patients with Stargardt Disease and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate whether autofluorescence lifetime patterns within retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy differ between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt disease (STGD).

Methods: Mean retinal autofluorescence lifetimes were measured in a short and a long spectral channel (SSC: 498-560 nm; LSC: 560-720 nm). Mean retinal fluorescence lifetimes were analyzed with corresponding clinical features, fundus images, fundus autofluorescence intensity images, and optical coherence tomography.

Patterns of intergenerational child protective services involvement.

Background: Prior research on Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement among at-risk youth focuses on their roles as parents perpetrating maltreatment against biological offspring. Given family complexity and assortative partnering, measuring all CPS involvement - as perpetrators and non-offending parents of victims - provides new insight into intergenerational maltreatment patterns.

Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the risk of multiple forms of parent or perpetrator CPS involvement (PP-CPS) by age 25, among those exposed to three forms of adversity in their late teens (at ages 14-17): alleged victim on a CPS investigation, out-of-home care (OHC), and poverty.

Retinal artery occlusion is associated with compositional and functional shifts in the gut microbiome and altered trimethylamine-N-oxide levels.

Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a sight threatening complication of cardiovascular disease and commonly occurs due to underlying atherosclerosis. As cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis in particular has been associated with compositional alterations in the gut microbiome, we investigated this association in patients with clinically confirmed non-arteritic RAO compared to age- and sex-matched controls. On the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was decreased in patients with RAO compared to controls, whereas the opposite applied for the phylum of Proteobacteria.

Characterization of sound scattering layers in the Bay of Biscay using broadband acoustics, nets and video.

Sound scattering layers (SSLs) are observed over a broad range of spatio-temporal scales and geographical areas. SSLs represent a large biomass, likely involved in the biological carbon pump and the structure of marine trophic webs. Yet, the taxonomic composition remains largely unknown for many SSLs.

Universal Access to Free School Meals through the Community Eligibility Provision Is Associated with Better Attendance for Low-Income Elementary School Students in Wisconsin.

Background: Beginning in 2014-2015, schools nationwide have had the option of offering free meals to all students in qualifying schools through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The CEP has been linked to greater likelihood of eating school meals, but little is known about its impact on broader outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between the CEP and school attendance among elementary school students (grades 1 to 5).

Permeability of frog skin to chemicals: effect of penetration enhancers.

Rarely do commercial chemical products contain solely the active chemical/ingredient. It is therefore important to consider whether ingredients other than the active may: 1) alter absorption of the active chemical, or 2) be absorbed themselves, resulting in systemic effects. Frogs have highly permeable skin and are routinely exposed to commercial chemical products in the environment or therapeutically.

Molecular imaging of endothelial activation and mineralization in a mouse model of accelerated atherosclerosis.

Purpose: Preclinical imaging of endothelial activation and mineralization using both positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) remains scarce.

Procedures: A group of uremic ApoE (Ur), non-uremic ApoE (NUr), and control C57Bl/6 J mice (Ctl) were investigated. Mineralization process was assessed using sodium fluoride ([18F]NaF) PET, and MR imaging combined with intravenous injection of MPIO-αVCAM-1 was used to evaluate endothelial activation.

A rapid and inexpensive viability assay for zoospores and zoosporangia of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

The fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is causing global amphibian declines. Here we describe a simple, rapid and inexpensive methylene blue staining protocol to determine B. dendrobatidis viability, regardless of life-stage.

Susceptibility of frogs to chytridiomycosis correlates with increased levels of immunomodulatory serotonin in the skin.

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a skin disease responsible for the global decline of amphibians. Frog species and populations can vary in susceptibility, but this phenomenon remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated serotonin in the skin of infected and uninfected frogs.

Femoral neck and shaft structure in Homo naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber (Rising Star System, South Africa).

The abundant femoral assemblage of Homo naledi found in the Dinaledi Chamber provides a unique opportunity to test hypotheses regarding the taxonomy, locomotion, and loading patterns of this species. Here we describe neck and shaft cross-sectional structure of all the femoral fossils recovered in the Dinaledi Chamber and compare them to a broad sample of fossil hominins, recent humans, and extant apes. Cross-sectional geometric (CSG) properties from the femoral neck (base of neck and midneck) and diaphysis (subtrochanteric region and midshaft) were obtained through CT scans for H.

Rising Household Debt and Children's Socioemotional Well-being Trajectories.

Debt is now a substantial aspect of family finances. Yet, research on how household debt is linked with child development has been limited. We use data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort and hierarchical linear models to estimate associations of amounts and types of parental debt (home, education, auto, unsecured/uncollateralized) with child socioemotional well-being.

Health and zoonotic Infections of snow leopards in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia.

: Snow leopards, , are a threatened apex predator, scattered across the mountains of Central and South Asia. Disease threats to wild snow leopards have not been investigated.: Between 2008 and 2015, twenty snow leopards in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia were captured and immobilised for health screening and radio-collaring.

Morphology of the Homo naledi femora from Lesedi.

Objectives: The femoral remains recovered from the Lesedi Chamber are among the most complete South African fossil hominin femora discovered to date and offer new and valuable insights into the anatomy and variation of the bone in Homo naledi. While the femur is one of the best represented postcranial elements in the H. naledi assemblage from the Dinaledi Chamber, the fragmentary and commingled nature of the Dinaledi femoral remains has impeded the assessment of this element in its complete state.