Masked Reactivity of Hydrated Clusters of Monovalent Manganese Ions: Water Insertion versus Nitrous Oxide Activation-A Density Functional Theory Investigation.

Previous mass spectrometric (MS) studies demonstrated that singly charged hydration clusters of manganese ions [Mn(HO)] were, on one hand, highly reactive toward intracluster water insertion but, on the other hand, inert toward nitrous oxide activation. This contrast in reactivity has been rationalized by our present theoretical investigation for the interconversion between the pristine Mn(I) monovalent form as a monatomic ion in [Mn(HO)] and the oxidized Mn(III) trivalent form as a hydride-hydroxide in [HMnOH(HO)], as well as their reactivity toward nitrous oxide activation. Our theoretical interpretations are supported with quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT), performed systematically for the cluster-size range of = 1 - 12.

The Diaphragmatic Initiated Ventilatory Assist (DIVA) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing rates of extubation failure in extremely premature infants undergoing extubation to non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist versus non-synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

Background: Invasive mechanical ventilation contributes to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the most common complication of prematurity and the leading respiratory cause of childhood morbidity. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) may limit invasive ventilation exposure and can be either synchronized or non-synchronized (NS). Pooled data suggest synchronized forms may be superior.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance patterns and associated risk factors in women of childbearing potential in northwestern Ethiopia.

Backgrounds: Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea and poses public health problems, including antimicrobial resistance. Current data on gonorrhea in prenatal participants in the study area are required. Thus, we aimed to identify gonorrhea prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and risk factors among antenatal care clinic visitors in northwestern Ethiopia.

Soil erosion estimation and erosion risk area prioritization using GIS-based RUSLE model and identification of conservation strategies in Jejebe watershed, Southwestern Ethiopia.

Erosion of soil refers to the process of detaching and transporting topsoil from the land surface by natural forces such as water, wind, and other factors. As a result of this process, soil fertility is lost, water bodies' depth is reduced, water turbidity rises, and flood hazard problems, etc. Using a numerical model of erosion rates and erosion risks in the Jejebe watershed of the Baro Akobo basin in western Ethiopia, this study mapped erosion risks to prioritize conservation measures.

Assessment of Humoral Immune Response in Pre- and Post-Vaccinated Cattle Against Lumpy Skin Disease.

Introduction: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is viral disease affecting cattle production and productivity in Ethiopia. As a prevention method, vaccinations have been used for a long period with a questionable output due to the existence of LSD outbreaks in vaccinated herds in different parts of Ethiopia.

Methods: A longitudinal study was performed from October 2019 to April 2020 with the objective of assessing the humoral immune response of cattle with a serum neutralization test (SNT) from different management systems in central Ethiopia.

Theory-based evaluation of the impact of Master's programmes in development studies: Insights from a mixed-methods and multicultural alumni action research project.

To understand the impact of the international Master's programmes offered at the Institute of Development Policy (University of Antwerp), a theory-based evaluation was undertaken. In the first phase, a Theory of Change (ToC) was elaborated, distinguishing between three levels of impact (individual, organisational and societal), four learning dimensions (knowledge, skills, attitudes and networks) and five implicit pathways (change agent, social network, widening access, academic diversity, international understanding). Given the multifaceted and vague nature of the 'impact' concept under study, we selected an international, gender-balanced, multi-sectoral team of alumni researchers who fostered inclusiveness of different perspectives, at the same time capitalising on their depth of understanding, having gone through the study experience themselves.

Sleep Disturbance and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations in Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Disease.

Objective: Immunocompromised patients with chronic inflammatory disease (CID) may have experienced additional psychosocial burden during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their immunocompromised status. This study was undertaken to determine if vaccination would result in improved patient-reported outcomes longitudinally among individuals with CID undergoing SARS-CoV-2 vaccination regardless of baseline anxiety.

Methods: Data are from a cohort of individuals with CID from 2 sites who underwent SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Telecytology versus in-room cytopathologist for EUS-guided FNA or fine-needle biopsy sampling of solid pancreatic lesions.

Background And Aims: Rapid on-site-evaluation (ROSE) with an in-room cytopathologist (ROSE-P) has been shown to improve the diagnostic yield of specimens obtained from patients undergoing EUS-guided FNA or fine-needle biopsy sampling (EUS-FNAB) of pancreatic lesions. Recently, there has been an increased interest and use of ROSE using telecytology (ROSE-T) to optimize clinical workflows and to address social distancing mandates created during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to compare diagnostic outcomes of ROSE-P and ROSE-T.

Reactogenicity of the Messenger RNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines Associated With Immunogenicity in Patients With Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disease.

Objective: Little is known regarding the reactogenicity and related SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response in patients with chronic inflammatory disease (CID). Our objective was to characterize the adverse event profile of CID patients following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and understand the relationship between reactogenicity and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Methods: CID patients and healthy controls eligible to receive messenger RNA (mRNA) SARS-CoV-2 vaccines participated in 3 study visits (pre-vaccine, after dose 1, and after dose 2) in which blood and clinical data were collected.

Effect of Immunosuppression on the Immunogenicity of mRNA Vaccines to SARS-CoV-2 : A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Patients with chronic inflammatory disease (CID) treated with immunosuppressive medications have increased risk for severe COVID-19. Although mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccination provides protection in immunocompetent persons, immunogenicity in immunosuppressed patients with CID is unclear.

Objective: To determine the immunogenicity of mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with CID.

Decomposition of nitrous oxide in hydrated cobalt(I) clusters: a theoretical insight into the mechanistic roles of ligand-binding modes.

Hydrated cobalt(i) cluster ions, [Co(H2O)n]+, can decompose the inert nitrous oxide molecule, N2O. Density functional theory suggests that N2O can anchor to Co+ of [Co(N2O)(H2O)n]+ through either O end-on (η1-OL) or N end-on (η1-NL) coordinate mode. The latter is thermodynamically more favorable resulting from a subtle π backdonation from Co+ to N2O.

Getting Ready for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: The Infrared Spectrum of Hydrated Aluminum Hydride-Hydroxide HAlOH (H O) , n=9-14.

Hydrated singly charged aluminum ions eliminate molecular hydrogen in a size regime from 11 to 24 water molecules. Here we probe the structure of HAlOH (H O) , n=9-14, by infrared multiple photon spectroscopy in the region of 1400-2250 cm . Based on quantum chemical calculations, we assign the features at 1940 cm and 1850 cm to the Al-H stretch in five- and six-coordinate aluminum(III) complexes, respectively.

DOCK2 Sets the Threshold for Entry into the Virtual Memory CD8 T Cell Compartment by Negatively Regulating Tonic TCR Triggering.

The control of cytoskeletal dynamics by dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2), a hematopoietic cell-specific actin effector protein, has been implicated in TCR signaling and T cell migration. Biallelic mutations in have been identified in patients with a recessive form of combined immunodeficiency with defects in T, B, and NK cell activation. Surprisingly, we show in this study that certain immune functions of CD8 T cells are enhanced in the absence of DOCK2.

Infrared Spectroscopy of Size-Selected Hydrated Carbon Dioxide Radical Anions CO (H O) (n=2-61) in the C-O Stretch Region.

Understanding the intrinsic properties of the hydrated carbon dioxide radical anions CO (H O) is relevant for electrochemical carbon dioxide functionalization. CO (H O) (n=2-61) is investigated by using infrared action spectroscopy in the 1150-2220 cm region in an ICR (ion cyclotron resonance) cell cooled to T=80 K. The spectra show an absorption band around 1280 cm , which is assigned to the symmetric C-O stretching vibration ν .

Nurture trumps nature!

Mutation-associated infections in one individual are prevented in relatives with the same mutation by a compensatory adaptive immune response.

Striking Immune Phenotypes in Gene-Targeted Mice Are Driven by a Copy-Number Variant Originating from a Commercially Available C57BL/6 Strain.

We describe a homozygous copy-number variant that disrupts the function of Dock2 in a commercially available C57BL/6 mouse strain that is widely used for backcrossing. This Dock2 allele was presumed to have spontaneously arisen in a colony of Irf5 knockout mice. We discovered that this allele has actually been inadvertently backcrossed into multiple mutant mouse lines, including two engineered to be deficient in Siae and Cmah.

Protein Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis Identifies Genetic Variation in the Innate Immune Regulator TOLLIP in Post-Lung Transplant Primary Graft Dysfunction Risk.

The authors previously identified plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) level as a quantitative lung injury biomarker in primary graft dysfunction (PGD). They hypothesized that plasma levels of PAI-1 used as a quantitative trait could facilitate discovery of genetic loci important in PGD pathogenesis. A two-stage cohort study was performed.

Objective Estimates Improve Risk Stratification for Primary Graft Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation.

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a major cause of early mortality after lung transplant. We aimed to define objective estimates of PGD risk based on readily available clinical variables, using a prospective study of 11 centers in the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group (LTOG). Derivation included 1255 subjects from 2002 to 2010; with separate validation in 382 subjects accrued from 2011 to 2012.

Cognitive function, mental health, and health-related quality of life after lung transplantation.

Rationale: Cognitive and psychiatric impairments are threats to functional independence, general health, and quality of life. Evidence regarding these outcomes after lung transplantation is limited.

Objectives: Determine the frequency of cognitive and psychiatric impairment after lung transplantation and identify potential factors associated with cognitive impairment after lung transplantation.

Patterns of eye diseases in children visiting a tertiary teaching hospital: South-western Ethiopia.

Background: About 19 million children worldwide live with visual impairments resulting from different ocular morbidities. This study aimed to identify the different causes of eye diseases in children visiting a tertiary eye centre at Jimma University Hospital.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of charts of patients of <16 years of age who presented to Jimma University, Department of Ophthalmology (JUDO,) between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.

Genetic variation in the prostaglandin E2 pathway is associated with primary graft dysfunction.

Rationale: Biologic pathways with significant genetic conservation across human populations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of primary graft dysfunction (PGD). The evaluation of the role of recipient genetic variation in PGD has thus far been limited to single, candidate gene analyses.

Objectives: We sought to identify genetic variants in lung transplant recipients that are responsible for increased risk of PGD using a two-phase large-scale genotyping approach.

Preoperative plasma club (clara) cell secretory protein levels are associated with primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

Inherent recipient factors, including pretransplant diagnosis, obesity and elevated pulmonary pressures, are established primary graft dysfunction (PGD) risks. We evaluated the relationship between preoperative lung injury biomarkers and PGD to gain further mechanistic insight in recipients. We performed a prospective cohort study of recipients in the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group enrolled between 2002 and 2010.