Moderate drop in water table increases peatland vulnerability to post-fire regime shift.

Northern and tropical peatlands represent a globally significant carbon reserve accumulated over thousands of years of waterlogged conditions. It is unclear whether moderate drying predicted for northern peatlands will stimulate burning and carbon losses as has occurred in their smaller tropical counterparts where the carbon legacy has been destabilized due to severe drainage and deep peat fires. Capitalizing on a unique long-term experiment, we quantify the post-wildfire recovery of a northern peatland subjected to decadal drainage.

Electrically generated eddies at an eightfold stagnation point within a nanopore.

Electrically generated flows around a thin dielectric plate pierced by a cylindrical hole are computed numerically. The geometry represents that of a single nanopore in a membrane. When the membrane is uncharged, flow is due solely to induced charge electroosmosis, and eddies are generated by the high fields at the corners of the nanopore.

Linker-free conjugation and specific cell targeting of antibody functionalized iron-oxide nanoparticles.

Specific targeting is a key step to realize the full potential of iron oxide nanoparticles in biomedical applications, especially tumor-associated diagnosis and therapy. Here, we developed anti-GD2 antibody conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles for highly efficient neuroblastoma cell targeting. The antibody conjugation was achieved through an easy, linker-free method based on catechol reactions.

Altered mechanobiology of Schlemm's canal endothelial cells in glaucoma.

Increased flow resistance is responsible for the elevated intraocular pressure characteristic of glaucoma, but the cause of this resistance increase is not known. We tested the hypothesis that altered biomechanical behavior of Schlemm's canal (SC) cells contributes to this dysfunction. We used atomic force microscopy, optical magnetic twisting cytometry, and a unique cell perfusion apparatus to examine cultured endothelial cells isolated from the inner wall of SC of healthy and glaucomatous human eyes.

A homeostatic function of CXCR2 signalling in articular cartilage.

Objective: ELR+ CXC chemokines are heparin-binding cytokines signalling through the CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors. ELR+ CXC chemokines have been associated with inflammatory arthritis due to their capacity to attract inflammatory cells. Here, we describe an unsuspected physiological function of these molecules in articular cartilage homeostasis.

Analyses on the mechanisms that underlie the chondroprotective properties of calcitonin.

Introduction: Calcitonin (CT) has recently been shown to display chondroprotective effects. Here, we investigate the putative mechanisms by which CT delivers these actions.

Methods: Immortalized C-28/I2 cells or primary adult human articular chondrocytes (AHAC) were cultured in high-density micromasses to investigate: (i) CT anabolic effects using qPCR and immuhistochemistry analysis; (ii) CT anti-apoptotic effects using quantitation of Bax/Bcl gene products ratio, TUNEL assay and caspase-3 expression; (iii) CT effects on CREB, COL2A1 and NFAT transcription factors.

Fatal Burkholderia pseudomallei infection initially reported as a Bacillus species, Ohio, 2013.

A fatal case of melioidosis was diagnosed in Ohio one month after culture results were initially reported as a Bacillus species. To identify a source of infection and assess risk in patient contacts, we abstracted patient charts; interviewed physicians and contacts; genetically characterized the isolate; performed a Burkholderia pseudomallei antibody indirect hemagglutination assay on household contacts and pets to assess seropositivity; and collected household plant, soil, liquid, and insect samples for culturing and real-time polymerase chain reaction testing. Family members and pets tested were seronegative for B.

On the flow topology inside droplets moving in rectangular microchannels.

The flow topology in moving microdroplets has a significant impact on the behaviour of encapsulated objects and hence on applications of the technology. This study reports on a systematic investigation of the flow field inside droplets moving in a rectangular microchannel, by means of micro-particle image velocimetry (μPIV). Various water/oil (w/o) fluid mixtures were studied in order to elucidate the effects of a number of parameters such as capillary number (Ca), droplet geometry, viscosity ratio and interfacial tension.

Electroosmosis in a finite cylindrical pore: simple models of end effects.

A theoretical model of electroosmosis through a circular pore of radius a that traverses a membrane of thickness h is investigated. Both the cylindrical surface of the pore and the outer surfaces of the membrane are charged. When h ≫ a, end effects are negligible, and the results of full numerical computations of electroosmosis in an infinite pore agree with theory.

Dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene) as a bio-based alternative for dipolar aprotic solvents.

Dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene) is a bio-based molecule, derived in two simple steps from cellulose, which demonstrates significant promise as a dipolar aprotic solvent. The dipolarity of dihydrolevoglucosenone is similar to NMP, DMF and sulpholane. Dihydrolevoglucosenone demonstrates similar performance to NMP in a fluorination reaction and the Menschutkin reaction.

Panel based MALDI-TOF tumour profiling is a sensitive method for detecting mutations in clinical non small cell lung cancer tumour.

Background: Analysis of tumour samples for mutations is becoming increasingly important in driving personalised therapy in cancer. As more targeted therapies are developed, options to survey mutations in multiple genes in a single tumour sample will become ever more attractive and are expected to become the mainstay of molecular diagnosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the future.

Materials And Methods: 238 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumour samples were analysed using a custom panel of 82 mutation assays across 14 oncogenes including KRAS and EGFR using Sequenom iPlex Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).

Spatial distributions of red blood cells significantly alter local haemodynamics.

Although bulk changes in red blood cell concentration between vessels have been well characterised, local distributions are generally overlooked. Red blood cells aggregate, deform and migrate within vessels, forming heterogeneous distributions which have considerable effect on local haemodynamics. The present study reports data on the local distribution of human red blood cells in a sequentially bifurcating microchannel, representing the branching geometry of the microvasculature.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of cartilage damage and repair.

Cartilage breakdown is the disabling outcome of rheumatic diseases, whether prevalently inflammatory such as rheumatoid arthritis or prevalently mechanical such as osteoarthritis (OA). Despite the differences between immune-mediated arthritides and OA, common mechanisms drive cartilage breakdown. Inflammation, chondrocyte phenotype and homeostatic mechanisms have recently been the focus of research and will be summarised in this review.

Multiplex real-time PCR for detection of Staphylococcus aureus, mecA and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) genes from selective enrichments from animals and retail meat.

The aim of this study was to compare a real-time PCR assay, with a conventional culture/PCR method, to detect S. aureus, mecA and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) genes in animals and retail meat, using a two-step selective enrichment protocol. A total of 234 samples were examined (77 animal nasal swabs, 112 retail raw meat, and 45 deli meat).

Amazingly resilient Indigenous people! Using transformative learning to facilitate positive student engagement with sensitive material.

If health professionals are to effectively contribute to improving the health of Indigenous people, understanding of the historical, political, and social disadvantage that has lead to health disparity is essential. This paper describes a teaching and learning experience in which four Australian Indigenous academics in collaboration with a non-Indigenous colleague delivered an intensive workshop for masters level post-graduate students. Drawing upon the paedagogy of Transformative Learning, the objectives of the day included facilitating students to explore their existing understandings of Indigenous people, the impact of ongoing colonisation, the diversity of Australia's Indigenous people, and developing respect for alternative worldviews.

Reframing spaces by building relationships: community collaborative participatory action research with Aboriginal mothers in prison.

Aboriginal women are vastly over-represented in the Australian prison system. Their recidivism rates are high. Aboriginal women in contact with the criminal justice system also have higher rates of mental health disorders and are likely to have been a victim of violence.

Colonisation - it's bad for your health: the context of Aboriginal health.

Australia's history is not often considered to be an indicator of any person's health status. However, as health professionals we are taught the importance of taking and listening to our client's detailed history to assist us in our comprehension of the issues impacting upon their lives. This skill base is an important one in that it makes available valuable information that assists the health professional to be discerning of intimate and specific circumstances that could contribute to health related problems not previously diagnosed.

Working together to make Indigenous health care curricula everybody's business: a graduate attribute teaching innovation report.

Previously there has been commitment to the idea that Indigenous curricula should be taught by Indigenous academic staff, whereas now there is increasing recognition of the need for all academic staff to have confidence in enabling Indigenous cultural competency for nursing and other health professional students. In this way, Indigenous content can be threaded throughout a curriculum and raised in many teaching and learning situations, rather than being siloed into particular subjects and with particular staff. There are many sensitivities around this change, with potential implications for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and staff, and for the quality of teaching and learning experiences.

Ergosterol, an orphan fungal microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP).

Fungal pathogens continue to pose a significant threat to crop production and food supply. The early stages of plant-fungus interactions are mostly mediated by microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules, perceived by plant pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Currently, the identified fungal MAMP molecules include chitin, chitosan, β-glucans, elicitins and ergosterol.

Succession of the turkey gastrointestinal bacterial microbiome related to weight gain.

Because of concerns related to the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, antibiotic-free alternatives are greatly needed to prevent disease and promote animal growth. One of the current challenges facing commercial turkey production in Minnesota is difficulty obtaining flock average weights typical of the industry standard, and this condition has been coined "Light Turkey Syndrome" or LTS. This condition has been identified in Minnesota turkey flocks for at least five years, and it has been observed that average flock body weights never approach their genetic potential.

The role of protein characteristics in the formation and fluorescence of Au nanoclusters.

Protein-encapsulated gold nanoclusters have shown many advantages over other gold nanocluster systems, including green synthesis, biocompatibility, high water solubility, and the ease of further conjugation. In this article, we systematically investigated the effects of the protein size and amino acid content on the formation and fluorescent properties of gold nanoclusters using four model proteins (bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, trypsin, and pepsin). We discovered that the balance of amine and tyrosine/tryptophan containing residues was critical for the nanocluster formation.

Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chicken flocks in Egypt.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infection is responsible for great economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide and there is increasing evidence of its zoonotic importance. In this study, 219 E. coli isolates from 84 poultry flocks in Egypt, including 153 APEC, 30 avian fecal E.

Severe malaria in Battambang Referral Hospital, an area of multidrug resistance in Western-Cambodia: a retrospective analysis of cases from 2006-2009.

Background: Despite recent malaria containment and control efforts leading to reduced incidence, Cambodia remains endemic for both Plasmodium vivax and multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Little has been reported in the peer-reviewed literature regarding the burden of severe malaria (SM) in Cambodia.

Methods: Medical records for all patients admitted to the Battambang Referral Hospital (BRH) with an admitting or discharge diagnosis of SM from 2006 to 2009 (suspected SM cases) were reviewed.

The effect of red blood cell aggregation on velocity and cell-depleted layer characteristics of blood in a bifurcating microchannel.

Red blood cell (RBC) aggregation is a multifaceted phenomenon, and whether it is generally beneficial or deleterious remains unclear. In order to better understand its effect on microvascular blood flow, the phenomenon must be studied in complex geometries, as it is strongly dependent on time, flow, and geometry. The cell-depleted layer (CDL) which forms at the walls of microvessels has been observed to be enhanced by aggregation; however, details of the characteristics of the CDL in complex regions, such as bifurcations, require further investigation.