Invasive Candidiasis.

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a term that refers to a group of infectious syndromes caused by a variety of Candida species, 6 of which cause the vast majority of cases globally. Candidemia is probably the most commonly recognized syndrome associated with IC; however, Candida species can cause invasive infection of any organ, especially visceral organs, vasculature, bones and joints, eyes, and central nervous system. The optimal use of these newer diagnostics coupled with a thoughtful clinical assessment of at-risk patients and the judicious use of effective antifungal therapy is a key to achieving good antifungal stewardship and improved patient outcomes.

Use of a confocal optical device for centring a diamond anvil cell in single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments.

High-pressure crystallographic data can be measured using a diamond anvil cell (DAC), which allows the sample to be viewed only along a cell vector which runs perpendicular to the diamond anvils. Although centring a sample perpendicular to this direction is straightforward, methods for centring along this direction often rely on sample focusing, measurements of the direct beam or short data collections followed by refinement of the crystal offsets. These methods may be inaccurate, difficult to apply or slow.

The Advantages of Flexibility: The Role of Entropy in Crystal Structures Containing C-H···F Interactions.

Molecular crystal structures are often interpreted in terms of strong, structure directing, intermolecular interactions, especially those with distinct geometric signatures such as H-bonds or π-stacking interactions. Other interactions can be overlooked, perhaps because they are weak or lack a characteristic geometry. We show that although the cumulative effect of weak interactions is significant, their deformability also leads to occupation of low energy vibrational energy levels, which provides an additional stabilizing entropic contribution.

The Effect of High Pressure on Polymorphs of a Derivative of Blatter's Radical: Identification of the Structural Signatures of Subtle Phase Transitions.

The effect of pressure on the α and β polymorphs of a derivative of Blatter's radical, 3-phenyl-1-(pyrid-2-yl)-1,4-dihydrobenzo[][1,2,4]triazin-4-yl, has been investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction to maximum pressures of 5.76 and 7.42 GPa, respectively.

Behavior of Occupied and Void Space in Molecular Crystal Structures at High Pressure.

We report a Monte Carlo algorithm for calculation of occupied ("network") and unoccupied ("void") space in crystal structures. The variation of the volumes of the voids and the network of intermolecular contacts with pressure sensitively reveals discontinuities associated with first- and second-order phase transitions, providing insights into the effect of compression (and, in principle, other external stimuli) at a level between those observed in individual contact distances and the overall unit cell dimensions. The method is shown to be especially useful for the correlation of high-pressure crystallographic and spectroscopic data, illustrated for naphthalene, where a phase transition previously detected by vibrational spectroscopy, and debated in the literature for over 80 years, has been revealed unambiguously in crystallographic data for the first time.

A first-order phase transition in Blatter's radical at high pressure.

The crystal structure of Blatter's radical (1,3-diphenyl-1,4-dihydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4-yl) has been investigated between ambient pressure and 6.07 GPa. The sample remains in a compressed form of the ambient-pressure phase up to 5.

Measuring, evaluating and improving the effectiveness of invasive predator control programs: Feral cat baiting as a case study.

Reducing the impacts of invasive predators is a key objective for conservation managers, livestock producers and human health agencies globally. The efficacy of invasive predator control programs, however, is highly variable. To improve control efficacy, managers require a fundamental understanding of the factors that contribute to the success or failure of a control program.

Morphology of bony callus growth in healing of a sheep tibial osteotomy.

Long bone fractures typically heal via formation of an external callus, which helps stabilise the bone fragments. Callus composition and morphology influence the mechanical environment, which in turn regulates the progression of healing. Therefore characterising callus development over time is crucial in understanding this mechanobiological regulation.

External kinetics of the kettlebell snatch in amateur lifters.

Background: Kettlebell lifting has gained increased popularity as both a form of resistance training and as a sport, despite the paucity of literature validating its use as a training tool. Kettlebell sport requires participants to complete the kettlebell snatch continuously over prolonged periods of time. Kettlebell sport and weightlifting involve similar exercises, however, their traditional uses suggest they are better suited to training different fitness qualities.

Parasite stress and pathogen avoidance relate to distinct dimensions of political ideology across 30 nations.

People who are more avoidant of pathogens are more politically conservative, as are nations with greater parasite stress. In the current research, we test two prominent hypotheses that have been proposed as explanations for these relationships. The first, which is an intragroup account, holds that these relationships between pathogens and politics are based on motivations to adhere to local norms, which are sometimes shaped by cultural evolution to have pathogen-neutralizing properties.

Computational simulation of bone fracture healing under inverse dynamisation.

Adaptive finite element models have allowed researchers to test hypothetical relationships between the local mechanical environment and the healing of bone fractures. However, their predictive power has not yet been demonstrated by testing hypotheses ahead of experimental testing. In this study, an established mechano-biological scheme was used in an iterative finite element simulation of sheep tibial osteotomy healing under a hypothetical fixation regime, "inverse dynamisation".

Effects of strain artefacts arising from a pre-defined callus domain in models of bone healing mechanobiology.

Iterative computational models have been used to investigate the regulation of bone fracture healing by local mechanical conditions. Although their predictions replicate some mechanical responses and histological features, they do not typically reproduce the predominantly radial hard callus growth pattern observed in larger mammals. We hypothesised that this discrepancy results from an artefact of the models' initial geometry.

Is starting with the feet out of the water faster in backstroke swimming?

This study aimed to determine if starting with the feet above the water (FAW) in male backstroke swimming resulted in faster start times (15-m time) than when the feet were underwater (FUW). It was hypothesised that setting higher on the wall would generate increased horizontal force and velocity, resulting in quicker starts. Twelve high-level male backstrokers performed three trials of the FAW and FUW techniques.

Mechanical tension as a driver of connective tissue growth in vitro.

We propose the progressive mechanical expansion of cell-derived tissue analogues as a novel, growth-based approach to in vitro tissue engineering. The prevailing approach to producing tissue in vitro is to culture cells in an exogenous "scaffold" that provides a basic structure and mechanical support. This necessarily pre-defines the final size of the implantable material, and specific signals must be provided to stimulate appropriate cell growth, differentiation and matrix formation.

Reviewing current knowledge in snatch performance and technique: the need for future directions in applied research.

This is a review of current research trends in weightlifting literature relating to the understanding of technique and its role in successful snatch performance. Reference to the world records in the snatch from the 1960s onwards indicates little progress across all weight categories. With such mediocre advances in performance at the International level, there is a need to better understand how snatch technique can improve performance even if only by a small margin.

Carbachol-induced volume adaptation in mouse bladder and length adaptation via rhythmic contraction in rabbit detrusor.

The length-tension (L-T) relationships in rabbit detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) are similar to those in vascular and airway smooth muscles and exhibit short-term length adaptation characterized by L-T curves that shift along the length axis as a function of activation and strain history. In contrast to skeletal muscle, the length-active tension (L-T(a)) curve for rabbit DSM strips does not have a unique peak tension value with a single ascending and descending limb. Instead, DSM can exhibit multiple ascending and descending limbs, and repeated KCl-induced contractions at a particular muscle length on an ascending or descending limb display increasingly greater tension.

Adjustable passive stiffness in mouse bladder: regulated by Rho kinase and elevated following partial bladder outlet obstruction.

Detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) contributes to bladder wall tension during filling, and bladder wall deformation affects the signaling system that leads to urgency. The length-passive tension (L-T(p)) relationship in rabbit DSM can adapt with length changes over time and exhibits adjustable passive stiffness (APS) characterized by a L-T(p) curve that is a function of both activation and strain history. Muscle activation with KCl, carbachol (CCh), or prostaglandin E(2) at short muscle lengths can increase APS that is revealed by elevated pseudo-steady-state T(p) at longer lengths compared with prior T(p) measurements at those lengths, and APS generation is inhibited by the Rho Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor H-1152.

Using three-dimensional kinematics to identify feedback for the Snatch: a case study.

This case study evaluated the importance of peak bar velocity and starting posture adopted by a novice weightlifter to the outcome of a Snatch lift. Multiple observations of both successful and unsuccessful attempts were captured using 3D motion analysis (VICON MX: 500 Hz). The following data analysis was then used to derive feedback.

Basic gait and symmetry measures for primary school-aged children and young adults. II: walking at slow, free and fast speed.

This study recorded basic gait data from 656 healthy primary school-aged children (5-13 years) and 81 young adults (18-27 years) whilst walking over-ground across a level walkway at varying speed. It investigated the effect of gait speed and re-examined the issue of gait maturation. Participants completed 6-8 walks at self-selected slow, free and fast speed along a GAITRite walkway whilst wearing athletic shoes.

Toward biomimetic materials in bone regeneration: functional behavior of mesenchymal stem cells on a broad spectrum of extracellular matrix components.

Bone defect treatments can be augmented by mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) based therapies. MSC interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the surrounding tissue regulates their functional behavior. Understanding of these specific regulatory mechanisms is essential for the therapeutic stimulation of MSC in vivo.

Mechanical stimulation of the pro-angiogenic capacity of human fracture haematoma: involvement of VEGF mechano-regulation.

Compromised angiogenesis appears to be a major limitation in various suboptimal bone healing situations. Appropriate mechanical stimuli support blood vessel formation in vivo and improve healing outcomes. However, the mechanisms responsible for this association are unclear.

Cyclic strain disrupts endothelial network formation on Matrigel.

Most forms of tissue healing depend critically on revascularisation. In soft tissues and in vitro, mechanical stimuli have been shown to promote vessel-forming activity. However, in bone defects, increased interfragmentary motion impairs vascular regeneration.