This is the first part of a three-part paper onNorth American climate in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) that evaluates the historical simulations of continental and ...regional climatology with a focus on a core set of 17 models. The authors evaluate the models for a set of basic surface climate and hydrological variables and their extremes for the continent. This is supplemented by evaluations for selected regional climate processes relevant to North American climate, including cool season western Atlantic cyclones, the North American monsoon, the U.S. Great Plains low-level jet, and Arctic sea ice. In general, the multimodel ensemble mean represents the observed spatial patterns of basic climate and hydrological variables but with large variability across models and regions in the magnitude and sign of errors. No single model stands out as being particularly better or worse across all analyses, although some models consistently outperform the others for certain variables across most regions and seasons and higher-resolution models tend to perform better for regional processes. The CMIP5 multimodel ensemble shows a slight improvement relative to CMIP3 models in representing basic climate variables, in terms of the mean and spread, although performance has decreased for some models. Improvements in CMIP5 model performance are noticeable for some regional climate processes analyzed, such as the timing of the North American monsoon. The results of this paper have implications for the robustness of future projections of climate and its associated impacts, which are examined in the third part of the paper.
Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM) popularly known as 'Cogumelo do Sol' in Brazil, or 'Himematsutake' in Japan, is a mushroom native to Brazil, and widely cultivated in Japan for its medicinal uses, so it ...is now considered as one of the most important edible and culinary-medicinal biotechnological species. It was traditionally used to treat many common diseases like atherosclerosis, hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, dermatitis and cancer. In vitro and in vivo ABM has shown immunomodulatory and antimutagenic properties, although the biological pathways and chemical substances involved in its pharmacological activities are still not clear. The polysaccharides phytocomplex is thought to be responsible for its immunostimulant and antitumor properties, probably through an opsonizing biochemical pathway. Clinical studies are positive confirmations, but we are still at the beginning, and there are perplexing concerns especially relative to the content of agaritine. Argantine is a well-known carcinogenic and toxic substance in animals, that must be completely and fully evaluated.
This case report describes the camouflage treatment of an adult patient with hyperdivergent facial pattern presenting with severe Class II skeletal malocclusion, through the use of a hybrid clear ...aligner approach, that relies on both a partial lingual fixed appliance and the continuous use of Class II elastics throughout therapy. After 11 months of treatment, the goals had been achieved, highlighting that the correct diagnostic framework, proper patient selection and careful digital planning of a compromise treatment can provide satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes.
Purpose
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) or rectus diastasis is an acquired condition in which the rectus muscles are separated by an abnormal distance along their length, but with no fascia defect.
...To data there is no consensus about risk factors for DRA. The aim of this article is to critically review the literature about prevalence and risk factor of DRA.
Method
A total of 13 papers were identified.
Results
The real prevalence of DRA is unknown because the prevalence rate varies with measurement method, measurement site and judgment criteria, but it is certainly an extremely frequent condition. Numbers of parity, BMI, diabetes are the most plausible risk factors.
We identified a new anatomical variation in cadaveric dissection and in abdominal CT image evaluation: along the semilunar line the internal oblique aponeurosis could join the rectus sheath with only a posterior layer, so without a double layer (anterior and posterior) as usually described. We conducted a retrospective review of abdominal CT images and the presence of the posterior insertion only could be considered as a risk factor for DRA.
Conclusion
Further studies with large sample size, including nulliparous, primiparous, pluriparous and men too, are necessary for identify the real prevalence
Mesenchymal or stromal stem cells (MSC) interact with cells of the immune system in multiple ways. Modulation of the immune system by MSC is believed to be a therapeutic option for autoimmune disease ...and transplant rejection. In recent years, B cells have moved into the focus of the attention as targets for the treatment of immune disorders. Current B-cell targeting treatment is based on the indiscriminate depletion of B cells. The aim of this study was to examine whether human adipose tissue-derived MSC (ASC) interact with B cells to affect their proliferation, differentiation, and immune function. ASC supported the survival of quiescent B cells predominantly via contact-dependent mechanisms. Coculture of B cells with activated T helper cells led to proliferation and differentiation of B cells into CD19(+) CD27(high) CD38(high) antibody-producing plasmablasts. ASC inhibited the proliferation of B cells and this effect was dependent on the presence of T cells. In contrast, ASC directly targeted B-cell differentiation, independently of T cells. In the presence of ASC, plasmablast formation was reduced and IL-10-producing CD19(+) CD24(high) CD38(high) B cells, known as regulatory B cells, were induced. These results demonstrate that ASC affect B cell biology in vitro, suggesting that they can be a tool for the modulation of the B-cell response in immune disease.
Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is synthesized by the liver and binds to microbes. MBL2 gene polymorphisms produce intermediate/low/null or normal MBL serum levels (MBL‐deficient or MBL‐sufficient ...phenotypes, respectively). We aimed to evaluate the incidence and severity of infection, rejection, and survival within 1 year after liver transplantation (LT) according to donor and recipient MBL2 gene polymorphisms. A repeated‐event analysis for infection episodes (negative binomial regression, Andersen–Gill model) was performed in 240 LTs. Four hundred twenty‐eight infectious episodes (310 bacterial, 15 fungal, 65 cytomegalovirus CMV‐related, and 38 viral non–CMV‐related episodes) and 48 rejection episodes were recorded. The main bacterial infections were urinary (n = 82, 26%) and pneumonia (n = 69, 22%). LT recipients of MBL‐deficient livers had a higher risk of bacterial infection (incidence rate ratio IRR 1.48 95% confidence interval 1.04–2.09, p = 0.028), pneumonia (IRR 2.4 95% confidence interval 1.33–4.33, p = 0.013), and septic shock (IRR 5.62 95% confidence interval 1.92–16.4, p = 0.002) compared with recipients of MBL‐deficient livers. The 1‐year bacterial infection–related mortality was higher in recipients of MBL‐deficient versus MBL‐sufficient livers (65.8% vs. 56.1%, respectively; p = 0.0097). The incidence of rejection, viral, or fungal infection was similar in both groups. Recipient MBL2 genotype did not significantly increase the risk of bacterial infection. LT recipients of MBL‐deficient livers have a higher risk of bacterial infection, pneumonia, septic shock, and 1‐year bacterial infection–related mortality after LT.
Liver transplant recipients of mannose‐binding lectin–deficient donors have a higher risk of bacterial infection and septic shock, and a higher one‐year bacterial infection–related mortality, which increase when both donor and recipient carry a deficient mannose‐binding lectin genotype and the recipient's MELD at transplant is >22.
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted household food purchasing and preparation, including elements identified as important drivers of household food waste. The two main aims of this study ...were (1) to examine changes in food waste behaviors since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. and Italy; and (2) to investigate potential predictors of food waste behavior, including avoidance of supermarkets, increased home cooking, and increased role of health concerns in food choices. A sample of n = 478 (79% female) individuals from the U.S., mean (SD) age = 30.51 (10.85), and n = 476 individuals from Italy, (78% female), mean (SD) age = 33.84 (12.86), completed an online survey between April 8th and April 28th 2020. Just under half of respondents (49%) reported decreased food waste since the start of the pandemic. Rates were significantly higher among the U.S. sample (61.5%, n = 294) compared to the Italian sample (38%, n = 180). Controlling for the time since restrictions were introduced, age, gender, and perceived financial security, logistic regression revealed greater reduction in food waste since the beginning of the pandemic for U.S. individuals relative to participants from Italy (OR = 0.47, p < .001). In addition, increased importance of health concerns when making food choices (OR = 1.34, p < .005) as well as more frequent cooking (OR = 1.35, p < .001), and greater avoidance of supermarkets (OR = 1.15, p = .049) were associated with greater probability of less food waste. Scarcity and greater reliance on cooking may encourage individuals to reflect on food waste practices. Further research should explore how these factors may be targeted to reduce food waste beyond the pandemic.
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