Because of their steep gradients in abiotic and biotic factors, mountains offer an ideal setting to enhance our understanding of mechanisms that underlie species distributions and community assemblies. We compared the structure of taxonomically and functionally diverse soil fungal communities in soils along elevational gradients in the Neo- and Paleotropics (northern Argentina, Central America, and Borneo). We found that soil fungal community composition reflects environmental factors at both regional and pantropical scales, particularly temperature and soil pH. Elevational turnover is driven by contrasting environmental preferences among functional groups and replacement of species within functional guilds. In addition, we found that habitat preference can already be observed at the level of taxonomic orders, often irrespective of functional guild, which suggests shared physiological constraints and environmental optimum for relatively closely related taxa. Strong biogeographic structure likely reflects dispersal limitation and resulting differences in local species pools of fungi, as well as their hosts or substrates. Although the number of species shared among regions is low, remarkable similarity of functional profiles across regions suggests functional niche proportions may be driven by similar mechanisms across moist tropical forests, resulting in relatively predictable proportions of functional guilds. The pronounced compositional and functional turnover along elevation gradients driven mainly by temperature and correlated environmental factors implies that tropical montane forest fungi will likely be sensitive to climate change, resulting in variation in composition and functionality over time.

“Second trimester spontaneous rupture Uterus, unusual case: Case report and review of literature”.Shereen Ibrahim, MBBCH, MSC, MRCOG, North Middlesex University Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynaecology department.Corresponding author: Shereen Ibrahim, London, N9 9RT, 07502335191, Ibrahim.shereen@nhs.net

Mortality rates associated with myocardial dysfunction due to sepsis and septic shock are generally high across the world. Although symptomatic therapies are employed in an attempt to cope with the resulting complications, there is an urgent need for effective and reliable novel agents regulating oxidative stress and the inflammatory process in cardiac damage to be discovered and developed. The present study focused on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of perindopril for the purpose of preventing the adverse effects of sepsis on the myocardium and developing new alternatives in treatment. The control group received only saline solution via the oral route for four days. The second group underwent cecal ligation puncture (CLP), and the third underwent CLP and received PER (2 mg/kg). Rats in the third group received 2 mg/kg PER p.o. from four days before induction of sepsis. TBARS, total -SH, IL-1β, IL-6 and 8-OHdG levels increased in the CLP groups. In contrast, PER (2 mg/kg) administered reduced the levels of biochemical parameters, apart from -SH, in rat heart tissues, and lowered 8-OHdG immunopositivity. The data from this study show that impairment of the antioxidant/antioxidant balance and inflammatory cytokine levels in favor of inflammation in heart tissue under septic conditions results in severe tissue damage. Per administration before sepsis was shown to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by reducing these effects. This in turn increased the importance of PER as new evidence of its protective effects in heart tissue.

Figure captionsFIGURE 1 Location of the study site and the watering and N fertilization experiment in the Artemisia ordosica community (from aerial view).FIGURE 2 Effects of water and N additions on relative interaction index for biomass and richness at the community level. For more detailed statistical results, see Table S1.FIGURE 3 (a) Redundancy analysis (RDA) conducted on RIIat species level (black arrows) and species functional traits (grey arrow). (b) Cluster based on RDA species scores. The two bar graphs inside panel (a) show the mean (± se) trait values of each cluster group with results of Tukey tests.*,P < 0.05, **, P < 0.01, ***, P < 0.001.FIGURE 4 Effects of watering and fertilization on mean biomass of herbaceous species of each cluster group in quadrats away from the shrubs (left panels) and RII (right panels). Asterisks above or below each RII bars indicate significant differences from 0 value. (*), P < 0.1,*, P < 0.05, **,P < 0.01, ***, P < 0.001. Significant effects of the two treatments and their interaction are given for each panel and cluster group and detailed statistical results can be seen see in Tables S3.

Background: Pulmonary sarcoidosis is characterized by an exaggerated CD4+ T-cell response and formation of non-necrotizing granulomas. Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is regarded as crucial for granuloma formation and TNF-α inhibitors offer a 3rd line treatment option for patients not responding to conventional treatment. However, not all patients benefit from treatment, and an optimal dose and treatment duration have not been established. Insight into the influence of TNF-α inhibitors on lung immune cells may provide clues to what drives inflammation in sarcoidosis and improve our understanding of treatment outcomes. Objectives: To evaluate effects of treatment with the TNF- α inhibitor infliximab on lung immune cells and clinical features of the patients. Methods: Thirteen patients with sarcoidosis refractory to conventional treatment were assessed with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), spirometry and CT scan in close adjacent to start of infliximab treatment. These investigations were repeated after six months of treatment. Results: Treatment with TNF- α inhibitor infliximab was well tolerated with no adverse events, except for one patient who developed a probable adverse event with liver toxicity. Ten patients were classified as responders, having a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio, a decreased percentage of CD4+ T-cells expressing the activation marker CD69 and number of mast cells (p<0.05 for all). The percentage of T regulatory cells (Tregs), defined as FoxP3+ CD4+ T-cells decreased in most patients. Conclusions: Six months of infliximab treatment in patients with sarcoidosis led to signs of decreased CD4+ T-cell alveolitis and decreased mastocytosis in the lungs of responders.

Scarce attention has been paid to maize (Zea mays L.) resistance induced by corn borer damage although evidence shows that induced defenses have lower resource allocation costs than constitutive defenses. The maize responses to short and long-term attacks by the Mediterranean corn borer (MCB, Sesamia nionagrioides) have been previously studied but suggested differences between responses could be due to experimental differences. Therefore, in the current study, a direct comparison between short and long-term responses has been made. The objectives were (i) to determine changes in the level of antibiosis of the stems induced by feeding of Sesamia nonagrioides (Mediterranean Corn Borer; MCB) larvae for two days (short-term feeding) and nine days (long-term feeding), (ii) to characterize the metabolome of the stem short and long-term responses to borer attack and (iii) to look for metabolic pathways that could modulate plant resistance to MCB. Adjustment of plant performance under subsequent conspecific attack due to previous insect damage was genotype-dependent; defenses were progressively induced in the resistant inbred and constitutive defenses were broken down in the susceptible inbred. Results suggest that the different resistance of the two inbreds to stem tunneling by MCB could depend on their ability to stablish a systemic response.

The Sanjiang Plain is the biggest freshwater wetland locating within northeastern China. Due to climate change and human activities, that wetland has degraded to a successional gradient from the original flooded wetland to dry shrub vegetation and a forest area with lower ground water level, resulting in changes in soil microbiologic structure and functions. The present study investigated the microbial diversity and community structure in relation to soil properties along this gradient. The soil physic-chemical properties changed significantly with degradation. The Shannon variety of soil fungi as well as bacteria varied significantly with successional stage (both P < 0.05). The community structures of soil bacteria and fungi in the early successional stages (i.e., the wetland) were significantly structured via total phosphorus, available nitrogen and total nitrogen concentrations in soils, while those in the later successional stages (i.e., forests) were significantly structured by soil organic carbon, soil pH and available phosphorus concentrations. Our results indicated that variations in the soil environment affected soil microbial communities along a successional gradient from wetland to forests are mainly. These outcomes indicate that above ground plant composition is a forceful determinant of the structure as well as functions of bacterial and fungal communities, might finally causing substantial alterations in ecosystem activity.

Gene mutations have been implicated in DCM. However, due to the difficulty of clinical genetic diagnosis, additional causal genes potentially related to DCM remain to be discovered.We screened for gene mutations in more than 400 cases from families with hereditary cardiovascular disease using whole-exome sequencing and then validated the biological functions of CHMP4C mutations in zebrafish models. To further assess the mechanism of CHMP4C mutations, we determined the potential signaling pathway in a cell line.We identified via whole-exome sequencing CHMP4C variants that segregated with DCM in four families among a total of 411 families. We further validated the function of CHMP4C in heart function in zebrafish models and found that overexpression of CHMP4C variants resulted in cardiac malformation, pericardial edema and an increased heart rate, consistent with CHMP4C mutation-associated findings in DCM patients. Furthermore, mutations in CHMP4C impaired autophagy and activated apoptosis in HEK293T cells, suggesting that the molecular mechanism of CHMP4C is involved in heart development.CHMP4C is a novel candidate gene causing DCM and may play a critical role in cardiac development by regulating autophagy.

TDP2 encodes a 5′-tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase that is required for the efficient repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by the abortive activity of TOP2. To date, only two homozygous variants in TDP2 have been reported in five patients from three unrelated pedigrees with spinocerebellar ataxia 23 (SCAR23). By whole-exome sequencing, we identified a novel TDP2 splice-site variant (c.636+3_636+6del) in two Italian siblings (aged 39 and 43) showing progressive ataxia, intellectual disability, speech delay, refractory seizures, and various physical anomalies. The variant caused exon 5 skipping with consequent nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and defective repair of TOP2-induced DSBs, as demonstrated by the functional assays performed on the patients’ fibroblasts. Our findings further support the pathogenic role of biallelic loss-of-function variants of TDP2 in SCAR23 pathogenesis. Considering the adult age of our patients and their extensive follow-up, our study delineates in more detail the clinical phenotype related to the loss of TDP2 activity.

This paper presents a numerical reactor model for the catalytic autothermal reforming (ATR) reaction of crude glycerol in fixed bed tubular reactor over an in-house developed metal oxide catalyst. The heterogeneous model accounts for a two-phase system of solid catalyst and bulk feed gas developed using finite element method. The reaction scheme and intrinsic kinetic rate model over an active, selective, and stable catalyst were integrated in the developed model. The model was validated using experimental data. The modelling results adequately described the detailed gas product composition and distribution, temperature profiles, and conversion propagation in axial direction of the fixed bed reactor over a wide range of reaction temperature and hourly space velocity. The crude glycerol conversion predicted with the model showing close resemblance to those obtained experimentally with an average absolute deviation of 8%. The maximum conversion and yield were 92% and 3 mol. H2/mol. crude glycerol, respectively.

Gas-solid fluidized beds have been widely used as reactors in the industry. Per the operations, fluidized beds can be classified as bubbling fluidized bed (BFB), turbulent fluidized bed (TFB), circulating turbulent fluidized bed (CTFB), circulating fluidized bed riser (CFB riser) and circulating fluidized bed downer (CFB downer). For fluidized beds, the instantaneous flow structure determines the overall performances. However, in the literature, the instantaneous flow structure remains lacking for TFB, CTFB, high-density CFB riser and high-density CFB downer. As a result, the evolution of the instantaneous flow structure in fluidized beds has not been well studied. In this work, instantaneous flow information in fluidized beds was acquired using an optical fiber probe. Then, according to the phase characteristics, instantaneous flow structures were demarcated as the “dilute structure” and “dense structure”. Finally, the evolution of instantaneous flow structures is, for the time, thoroughly discussed for gas-solid fluidization.

Synthesis of adipic acid (AA) through the oxidation of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (K/A oil) with nitric acid was conducted in a capillary microreactor system. Effects of the temperature, the nitric acid concentration, the volumetric flow rate ratio of nitric acid to K/A oil, and the capillary length on the selectivity and the product yield were investigated systematically to achieve optimal reaction conditions. Notably, a high yield of adipic acid (i.e., 90%) was achieved just in 6 seconds at 85℃ with the use of 55 wt% nitric acid. Gas components produced in this oxidation process and its total volumetric flow rate were determined under various operating conditions, which was beneficial for reaction mechanism characterization and process optimization. Finally, a kinetic model was established, which was of crucial theoretical significance and practical value for optimizing the reactor design and better understanding such fast and highly exothermic multiphase processes with abundant gas production.

       The systematic oppression of women is common across various aspects of our society and this includes prisons. In a bid to shed light on the treatment of incarcerated women, Kelly Hanna-Moffat, a professor in the University of Toronto, explores the modern prison systems for women. She particularly analyzes how the introduction of women as staff in the prison system brings about reformist modifications and new interactive norms by incorporating maternalism and feminism into penal reformative measures (19). However, she makes a clear distinction between maternalism and feminism by stating they could be exclusive. Maternal reformers such as Elizabeth Fry commonly chose to not identify with the feminist movement (25). Though, she states that those who lobbied for women’s rights were often at the forefront of the advocacy for reforms.       Hannah-Moffat starts with a brief breakdown of historical attempts at reforms and expatiates on how prisons were historically set up to suit male specifications through the eighteenth to twentieth centuries. This negatively affected imprisoned women as the patriarchal prison system failed to accept that they would have to cater to their needs separately from the male prisoners. Using Foucault’s argument as a reference, she recognizes that previous scholars did not realize or acknowledge that “spiritual and maternal rationalities play a critical role in shaping the governance of women prisoners.” (22).        In addition, Hannah-Moffat expands on different demographic power structures that existed between women in this system. She gives a brief history of maternal power and its dichotomy of the ideal woman and the fallen woman. The ideal woman being society’s stereotypical woman, one that is family oriented and interested in the wellbeing of society as opposed to the fallen woman who did not hold such virtues. Elizabeth Fry, who was privileged to be acknowledged by society as one of the ideal women made use of both maternal and pastoral power.      Foucault defines pastoral power as an individualized “technique orientated towards individuals and intended to rule them in a continuous and permanent way” (33). Foucault likened the person in possession of such power to the biblical idea of a shepherd catering to the needs of his sheep through personalized methods. Hannah-Moffat uses this definition to make a connection between Elizabeth Fry’s interest in the fallen women in the penal system and the beginning of reforms in prisons. The first significant reform is marked with the increased requests for soap by the women in jail so they could keep their kids clean. Following this, was the development of schools for the children and subsequently for the women. A major driving force for Elizabeth Fry’s desire to help the incarcerated women was her worry that the children of these women would end up as hazards to the society as a result of being around their mothers (37). Noticeably, reform was centered around domestic issues during this period. This eventually broadened to include political and socio-economic activity in the following century (39). Fry spearheaded the push for women staff in prisons based on the premise of maternalism and the potential for male staff to misuse their power by abusing the women entrusted in their care. She also makes sure to recognize the impact of the influence of the upper and middle class women in reforming penal governance.        Hannah-Moffat uses the first chapter to show the role of women in progressive prison reforms. Although she explicitly identifies the need to combine various powers together to achieve reforms, she downplays the role of the patriarchal system in slowing down the efforts of women reformers. Though she does state that those with feminist ideologies were more likely to challenge the system for reforms, she does not emphasize the similarities between feminism and Elizabeth Fry’s beliefs about what women should be doing. Elizabeth Fry believed women should be given the opportunity to get an education and skills to improve themselves. She also recognized the economic and political power women held in society and used it as a leverage for reforms. Furthermore, Hannah-Moffat fails to state the probable consequences of reforms to women. For instance, the increased comfort may contribute to a rising crime rate amongst women living in poverty who may see prison as a better lifestyle option. Toward the end of the book she states that more women are being classified as risky as opposed to a decade ago where they mostly proved a risk to themselves and not society at large (186).        The following chapter dives into the adoptions and adaptations in the penal policy during the nineteenth and twentieth century. At this period in time, there were women wardens and efforts to improve the brutal prison conditions women were subject to. It was recognized and accepted that the prison system was one designed to accommodate men thus there was a push to restructure a system that was suitable for women (51). While chapter two features a push to a different penal structure for women, chapter three is where it comes to actualization. The incarcerated women were moved from a female unit at Kingston Penitentiary where a majority of them were placed to a Prison for Women. The following chapters focus on the rising qualifications needed to secure posts as women wardens or facilitators. In the conclusion, Hannah-Moffet rightly notes that a few of the changes are yet to be overtly addressed but instead are “neutralized to present the appearance of change without addressing many underlying problems” (199). In other words, she points out that federal systems do a good job in concealing the problems to a minimum in order to disguise their inefficiencies in handling them.ReferenceHannah-Moffat, Kelly. (2001). Punishment in Disguise: Penal Governance and Federal Imprisonment of Women in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Assessing temporal and spatial characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation is necessary to identifying management practices which can reduce the negative environmental effects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to use principal component analysis and spatial autocorrelation to analyze the dynamic characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in different landform areas in Liaoning Province, China in terms of time and space. An additional objective was to match the changes with the natural and social environment to support the sustainable development of cultivated land fragmentation. The results indicated that the evolutionary trends of cultivated land fragmentation in the central plain area showed a weakening trend, contrary to those observed in the western hilly and the eastern mountainous areas. Moreover, the spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the western hilly area were generally “external low internal high” primarily because of the edge density of cultivated land patches. The spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the central plain area were generally “external high internal low” primarily because of the number and division of cultivated land patches. The spatial distribution characteristics of cultivated land fragmentation in the eastern mountainous area were generally “south low north high” because of the division of cultivated land patches. These results can provide guidelines for planners, managers, decision-makers and others to formulate regulatory policies, identify land remediation areas, and promote sustainable development of cultivated land.

Background and Purpose Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) based technology is considered a potential strategy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria; however, a major obstacle to the application of ASOs is how to deliver them into bacteria effectively. DNA tetrahedra (Td) is an emerging carrier for delivering ASOs into eukaryotes. However, there is limited information about Td used for bacteria. In this research, we investigated the uptake features of Td and the impact of linkage modes between ASOs and Td on gene-inhibition efficiency in bacteria. Experimental Approach Different bacterial strains were incubated with Td, and the bacterial uptake efficiency of Td was measured by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Then we designed two types of linkages modes between Td and ASOs targeting gfp, encoding green fluorescent protein , or acpP, encoding the acyl carrier protein, and assessed the efficiency of delivery by flow cytometry and gene knockdown by RT-PCR, colony counting and confocal microscopy in E. coli. Key results Td was more likely to adhere to bacterial membranes, with moderate ability to penetrate into the bacteria. Strikingly, Lipofectamine 2000 (LP2000) in a 0.125 μL/μg ratio to Td helped Td penetrate into bacteria, but had no apparent effect on linear DNA in the same concentration. Furthermore, linkage modes between ASOs and Td influenced gene-knockdown efficiency. Looped structure of ASOs linked to one side of the Td exhibited better gene-knockdown efficiency than the overhung structure. Conclusion and Implications This study established an effective antisense delivery system based on loop-armed Td, which open opportunities for developing antisense antibiotics.

Background and Purpose: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is considered as a valid target in the clinical trials of anticancer therapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of EGFR are approved for cancer treatments. Experimental Approach: A549 cells proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle analysis were measured by MTT, annexin V-FITC apoptosis, and PI-staining assay, respectively. Meanwhile, the accumulation levels of the gene and protein were carried out by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting assays. The inhibiting effect of CuIIb against the phosphorylation level of the EGFR protein was detected by homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) analysis. Based on molecular docking, the binding interaction of CuIIb with EGFR was evaluated. Key Results: CuIIb was confirmed to exhibited the proliferation inhibitory activity in A549 cells. CuIIb induced apoptosis via STAT3 pathway and arrested the cell cycle in G2/M phase. HTRF analysis demonstrated the kinase activity of EGFR was inhibited by CuIIb. The results of molecular docking suggest that the CuIIb-EGFR binding fundamentally depends on the contribution of both hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Conclusion and Implications: CuIIb was capable of suppressing the signal transmitting of the EGFR/MAPK pathway by severely reduced the amounts of the most participants in the pathway and inhibited the activation thereof, thus suppression of EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway was responsible to the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, CuIIb may serve as a potential EGFR TKI.

Reproductive stage frost poses a major constraint for wheat production in countries such as Australia. However, little progress has been made in identifying key genes to overcome the constraint. In the present study, a severe frost event hit two large-scale field trials consisting of six doubled haploid (DH) wheat populations in reproductive stage (young microspore stage) in Western Australia, leading to the identification of 30 robust frost QTL. Results showed that frost damage is associated with dominant alleles of VrnA1a, VrnD1a, Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, and the copy number of Ppd-B1. No frost QTL was detected on chromosomes 5B and 1B, although anthesis QTL and anthesis related genes of VrnB1a and TaFT3_1B were co-detected, indicating that these early-flowering phenotype inducing genes are compatible with frost tolerance and thus can be utilised in breeding. Our results also indicate that wild-type or recessive alleles Rht-B1a (rht1) and Rht-D1a (rht2) can be used when breeding for frost-tolerant varieties without delaying flowering time.

The interplay between environmental suitability, dispersal and biotic interactions induces spatial patterns of species’ co-abundance. Existing statistical frameworks that infer the underlying interactions from these patterns either ignore the species response to the environment or they fail to account for the asymmetric nature of interactions. Here, we propose a framework that (a) models pair-wise associations as directed influences from a source to a target species, parameterized with two species-specific latent variables: the response of the target species to the community, and the effect of the source species on the community; and (b) jointly fits these associations with a habitat suitability model through a conditional abundance model. Using both simulated and empirical data, we demonstrate the ability of the framework to recover known associations and highlight the properties of the learned association networks. Our framework should now pave the way for getting more accurate pictures of interspecific dependencies from empirical data.

In this letter, two time delay dynamic models, TDD-NCP model and Fudan-CCDC model, are introduced to track the data of COVID-19. The TDD-NCP model is developed recently by Cheng's group group in Fudan and SUFE. The TDD-NCP model introduced the time delay process into the differential equations to describe the latent period of the epidemic. The Fudan-CDCC model is established when Wenbin Chen suggested to determine the kernel functions in the TDD-NCP model by the public data from CDCC. By the public data of the cumulative confirmed cases in different regions in China and different countries, these models can clearly illustrate that the containment of the epidemic highly depends on early and effective isolations.

Objective To create an MRI-based nomogram for the prediction of PAS disorders Design Retrospective study from February 2014 to July 2018. Setting A tertiary hospital in Nanjing. Population A total of 183 patients with “uncertain ultrasound diagnosis”, further evaluated by MRI between February 2014 and July 2018, were included. Methods The final degree of invasion was confirmed during Cesarean section. Two radiologists evaluated a new sign named as “loss of double-line sign” and seven previous described MRI signs associated with PAS disorders. The nomogram was constructed by risk factors identified by logistic regression analysis. Main outcome measures The accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were measured by concordance index(C-index) and calibration curve. Results In primary cohort of 118 patients, 50.0% of patients suffered from placenta increta and percreta. Logistic regression revealed previous cesarean deliveries (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.2-9.3), disorganized abnormal placenta vascularity (OR 3.4, 95%CI 1.1-10.5), abnormal uterine bulging (OR 4.0, 95%CI 1.5-10.7) and loss of double-line sign (OR 9.5, 95%CI 3.1-29.5) as independent risk factors associated with invasive form of PAS disorders. These factors were selected for the construction of the nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.85 for internal validantion and 0.84 for external validantion. Calibration curve of the nomogram showed good agreement with predicted risk and actual observation for both primary and validation cohort. Conclusion Nomogram based on MRI signs can be a useful adjunct for clinical staging of patients with “uncertain ultrasound diagnosis”, which showed good accuracy and discriminative ability.

I compared the predicted and observed flexible conformations of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) spike proteins by using supersecondary structure codes (SSSCs) and a comparison program of three deep-neural-network-based prediction systems (SSSCPred200, SSSCPred100, and SSSCPred). The SARS-CoV SSSC sequences predicted by the three deep-neural-network-based systems well reproduced those of the Protein Data Bank (PDB) data, including the structured loops. Only one common identical motif (SSSC: SSSHSSHHHH) among all of the compared SSSC sequences, including predicted and observed ones, was found at the S2 position. This motif has an extremely rare rigid conformation. The antibody or ligand binding to the spike protein S2 of SARS-CoV near the rigid motif may also have a more accessible effect on SARS-CoV-2 than those binding to the receptor-binding motif of SARS-CoV have.

Polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles are versatile structures that can be stabilized with proteiins.In this study, we have demonstrated the feasibility of developping PDA/polypeptides complexe in the shape of nanoparticles. The polypeptide can also renders the nanoparticle functional. Herein, we have developed antimicrobial nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution by decorating the polydopamine particles with a chain-length controlled antimicrobial agent Polyarginine (PAR). The obtained particles were 3.9 ± 1.7 nm in diameter and were not cytotoxic at 1:20 dilution and above. PAR-decorated nanoparticles have demonstrated a strong antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, one of the most common pathogen involved in implant infections. The minimum inhibitory concentration is 5 times less than the cytotoxicity levels. PAR-decorated nanoparticles are incorporated into gelatin hydrogels used as a model of tissue engineering scaffolds and to confer them strong antimicrobial properties without affecting their stability and biocompatibility while improving their mechanical properties (increased storage modulus). Decorated Polydopamine particles can be a versatile tool for functionalization of hydrogels in regenerative medicine applications by providing bioactive properties.

Background: PLS is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the palmar-plantar hyperkeratosis and severe degeneration of the periodontium. The defects in cathepsin C gene, are responsible for PLS. In this study, we analyzed the whole exomes of CTSC gene in a family with history of PLS. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and genotype analysis was performed. The mutated protein sequence was used to find the best possible tertiary structure for homology modeling. The homology modeling of the novel mutation was then performed using the online Swiss-Prot server. The results were also analyzed for to verify its validity. Results: The analysis of CTSC gene elucidated a novel insertion GAC. The novel mutation was proved by analyzing 50 healthy control volunteers. Modeling of the novel found mutation in CTSC gene revealed structural defects that may have caused the functional abnormalities. Discussion: The structural analysis of the mutated protein model identifies changes in the stereo-chemical and the energy level of the mutated protein. Since this protein play a role in the activation of granule serine proteases from cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, mast cells, such structural defects may lead to its malfunction causing dysfunctioning of immune defense mechanisms.

The páramos, a neotropical alpine grassland-peatland dominated biome of the northern Andes and Central America, play an essential role in regional and global cycles of water, carbon, and nutrients. They act as water towers, delivering water and ecosystem services mainly from the continental water divide at the Andean highland down to the Pacific and Amazon regions. The anthropogenic influence in form of the climate crisis exerts enormous pressures on these identified “hotspot” ecosystems and increases the vulnerability of nearby populations undermining the socio-economic and human development. Further, increasing pressures reduce the resilience to face climate shocks, and dramatically alters the hydro-climatic regime and shifts the páramos from long-term carbon sinks towards carbon sources. Despite their importance and vulnerability, only three decades ago, páramos, were globally among the least studied ecosystems. However, researchers have since identified them as ideal targets for solving water scarcity issues and to offset carbon emissions. Increasing awareness of the need for hydrological evidence to guide sustainable management of the páramos prompted action for generating data and to fill long-standing knowledge gaps. This has led to a remarkably successful community-research-policy effort to generate this knowledge. The combination of well-established and innovative approaches was used to data collection, processing and knowledge extraction. In this review, we provide a short overview of the state of knowledge of the hydrometeorology, flux dynamics, anthropogenic and the influence of extreme events in the regional páramos. Then, we present emerging technologies for hydrology and water resources research and management applied to páramos. Lastly, we discuss how converging science and policy efforts have leveraged traditional and new observational techniques to generate an evidence base that can support the sustainable management of the páramos. We conclude that this co-evolution of science policy was able to cover different spatial and temporal scales. Finally, we outline future research directions to showcase how sustainable long-term data collection can be sustained for the responsible development of páramo water towers.