uickly as possible. Laryngoscope, 1302508-2515, 2020.Engineered Escherichia coli has recently been applied to produce 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) from glucose. A metabolic intermediate in the production pathway, glycerol, is partially secreted into the extracellular of E. coli through a glycerol facilitator encoded by glpF, and this secretion consequently decreases 1,3-PDO production. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether disrupting the glpF gene would improve 1,3-PDO production in E. coli. The intracellular glycerol concentration in a glpF-disruptant was 7·5 times higher than in a non-disruptant. The glpF-disrupted and non-disrupted E. coli strains produced 0·26 and 0·09 g l-1 of 1,3-PDO, respectively, from 1% glucose after 72 h of cultivation. The specific growth rate (μ) and the 1,3-PDO yield from glucose (YP/S ) in the disruptant were higher than those in the non-disruptant (ΔglpF, μ = 0·08 ± 0·00 h-1 , YP/S = 0·06 mol mol-glucose-1 ; BW25113, μ = 0·06 ± 0·00 h-1 , YP/S = 0·02 mol mol-glucose-1 ). Disruption of the glpF gene decreased the production of the by-product, acetic acid. These results indicated that disruption of glpF increased the intracellular concentration of glycerol and consequently increased 1,3-PDO production in E. coli.The slowing of growth as fish age has long been believed to be related to energy expenditure for maturation, and this rationalization has been used to explain why, across nearly all fish species, the relationship between size at first maturity (Lm ) and maximum (Lmax ) or asymptotic length (L∞ ) is relatively constant. In contrast, the Gill-Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT) postulates that (a) fish growth slows because as they grow, their two-dimensional ability to extract oxygen from the water diminishes relative to their three-dimensional weight gain, and (b) they can only invest energy for maturation if oxygen supply at their size at first maturity (Qm ) exceeds that needed for maintenance metabolism (Q∞ ). It has been reported previously across dozens of marine fish species that the relationship between Qm and Q∞ is linear and, further, it can be mathematically converted to Lm vs. L∞ by raising both terms to the power of D (the gill surface factor), resulting in a slope of 1.36. If the GOLT is universal, a similar slope should exist for LmD vs. L∞D relationships for freshwater species across multiple individual populations that reside in disparate habitats, although to our knowledge this has never been evaluated. For analysis, we used existing data from previous studies conducted on 51 stream-dwelling populations of redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri, Yellowstone cutthroat trout O. clarkii bouvieri and mountain whitefish Prosopium williamsoni. The resulting LmD vs. L∞D slopes combining all data points (1.35) or for all species considered separately (range = 1.29-1.40) were indeed equivalent to the slope originally produced for the marine species from which the GOLT-derived relationship was first reported. We briefly discuss select papers both supporting and resisting various aspects of the GOLT, note that it could potentially explain shrinking sizes of marine fish, and call for more concerted research efforts combining laboratory and field expertise in fish growth research.During past few decades, studies have demonstrated that particulate matter (PM) is the most serious environmental pollutant in industrial countries which mainly contributes for increasing prevalence of chronic respiratory inflammatory diseases. Healthy food supplements to prevent the inflammatory diseases are common and show notable effects. The effects of the extract of Pyrus nivalis, a common fruit and herbal medicine in Taiwan, on PM-induced airway inflammation in mice were investigated by feeding the extract orally for 21 days. Results obtained from lung histology and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell profile showed that oral feeding of P. nivalis extract did not affect the airway inflammation. However, it increased the phagocytic activity in BALF cells and induced M1-dominant macrophage differentiation in lungs. Our study showed that extract of P. nivalis might present the beneficial and therapeutic potential for clearance of PM and pathogens in airway. #link# PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Pyrus nivalis is a common fruit and also used extensively in Chinese herbology. The pharmacological effects of P. nivalis have been reported in ancient Chinese Medical literature and known to possess anti-asthma and anti-cough properties as well as to enhance function of lungs. In this study, we found that orally feeding the extract of P. nivalis did not induce airway inflammation and affect particulate matter (PM)-induced inflammatory cells infiltration in lungs but increased phagocytosis with or without PM treatment which might indicate its therapeutic potential for clearance of PM and pathogens in airway.

The caesarean section (CS) rate is over 25% in many high-income countries, with a substantial minority of CSs occurring in women with low-risk pregnancies. CS decision-making is influenced by clinician and patient beliefs and preferences, and clinical guidelines increasingly stipulate the importance of shared decision-making (SDM). To what extent SDM occurs in practice is unclear.

To identify women’s birth preferences and SDM experience regarding planned CS.

Survey of women at eight Sydney hospitals booked for planned CS. Demographic data, initial mode of birth preferences, reason for CS, and experiences of SDM were elicited using questions with multiple choice lists, Likert scales, and open-ended responses. learn more were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data using content analysis. Responses of women who perceived their CS as ‘requested’ vs ‘recommended’ were compared.

Of 151 respondents, repeat CS (48%) and breech presentation (14%) were the most common indications. Only 32% stated that at the beginning of pregnancy they had a definite preference for spontaneous labour and birth. Key reasons for wanting planned CS were to avoid another emergency CS, prior positive CS experience, and logistical planning. Although 15% of women felt pressured (or were unsure) about their CS decision, the majority reported positive experiences, with over 90% indicating they were informed about CS benefits and risks, had adequate information, and understood information provided.

The majority (85%) of women appeared satisfied with the decision-making process, regardless of whether they perceived their CS as requested or recommended.

The majority (85%) of women appeared satisfied with the decision-making process, regardless of whether they perceived their CS as requested or recommended.