After identifying important predictors of nucleotide diversity with random forest regression, we conducted follow-up analyses to examine the roles of phylogenetic history, geography, and demographic processes on intraspecific diversity. Although life history traits were not important predictors for this data set, we found significant phylogenetic signal in genetic diversity within amphibians. We also found that salamander species at northern latitudes contained low genetic diversity. Data repurposing and machine learning provide valuable tools for detecting patterns with relevance for conservation, but concerted efforts are needed to compile meaningful data sets with greater utility for understanding global biodiversity.YKL-40, a mammalian chitinase 3- like protein that was associated with multiple inflammatory and immune diseases. Previous studies have suggested a role for YKL-40 in psoriasis based on its significantly higher levels in the serum of psoriatic patient compared with healthy controls. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between serum YKL-40, psoriasis severity using PASI score and serum levels of IL-17 before and after narrow-band UVB therapy. 28 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, as defined by PASI scores, were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. All cases received NB-UVB phototherapy twice weekly for 3 months. Serum YKL-40 and IL-17 levels were evaluated before and after 3 months of treatment. Clinical photographs were taken both at baseline and after 3 months. There was a statistical positive correlation between serum levels of YKL-40 and serum IL-17 levels as well as PASI score in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis before and after treatment. YKL-40 represents a reliable marker for psoriasis severity estimated by PASI and positively correlated with IL 17 as an inflammatory marker in psoriasis.

This study describes Korean nurses’ work schedule characteristics and identifies their components to investigate associations of work schedule components with missed nursing care and organizational commitment.

This cross-sectional secondary analysis used survey data of 1,057 nurses in 111 units at six hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected between April 2017 and March 2018.

A self-administered survey, including seven work schedule characteristic items, the Korean version of the MISSCARE Survey, and the Korean version of the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, was employed. To construct independent components of work schedule characteristics, a principal component analysis was performed. The associations of work schedule components with missed nursing care and organizational commitment were analyzed using multiple linear regression models with generalized estimating equation methods.

The average number of daily work hours was 9.7. Nearly half of the study population worked while sick once ong issues to resolve them.Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is critical for chondrocyte proliferation and bone formation. Exosomes are considered as promising gene-delivery vehicles for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). This study utilized the serum-derived exosomes from OA mice as the gene-delivery vehicles for ATF4 gene therapy and explored their therapeutic effects on OA. Meniscus injury-induced OA model was established by the excision of anterior part of medial meniscus in the right knee of C57BL/6J mice. find more Exosomes were isolated from serum samples of sham and OA mice, and were referred to as sham-Exo and OA-Exo, respectively. ATF4-overexpressing OA-Exo (ATF4-OA-Exo) was developed by introducing ATF4 mRNA into OA-Exo via electroporation. Four weeks after surgery, OA mice received intra-articular injections of sham-Exo, OA-Exo, and ATF4-OA-Exo, respectively. The results showed that intra-articular injection of ATF4-OA-Exo alleviated articular cartilage degeneration or damage and inflammatory response of OA mice. Autophagy was weakened in knee joint cartilage of OA mice, which was partially restored by intra-articular injection of ATF4-OA-Exo. Further in vitro assays revealed that ATF4-OA-Exo promoted chondrocyte autophagy and inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis in the TNF-α- or tunicamycin-treated chondrocytes. Together, ATF4-modified serum exosomes derived from OA mice protect cartilage and alleviate OA progression by inducing autophagy.Human serine racemase (hSR) catalyzes the biosynthesis of D-serine, an obligatory co-agonist of the NMDA receptors. It was previously found that the reversible S-nitrosylation of Cys113 reduces hSR activity. Here, we show by site-directed mutagenesis, fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics that S-nitrosylation stabilizes an open, less-active conformation of the enzyme. The reaction of hSR with either NO or nitroso donors is conformation-dependent and occurs only in the conformation stabilized by the allosteric effector ATP, in which the ε-amino group of Lys114 acts as a base toward the thiol group of Cys113. In the closed conformation stabilized by glycine-an active-site ligand of hSR-the side chain of Lys114 moves away from that of Cys113, while the carboxyl side-chain group of Asp318 moves significantly closer, increasing the thiol pKa and preventing the reaction. We conclude that ATP binding, glycine binding, and S-nitrosylation constitute a three-way regulation mechanism for the tight control of hSR activity. We also show that Cys113 undergoes H2 O2 -mediated oxidation, with loss of enzyme activity, a reaction also dependent on hSR conformation.Before a new method is used for clinical testing, it is essential that it is evaluated for suitability for its intended purpose. This document gives guidance for the performance of verification, validation and implementation processes required by regulatory and accreditation bodies. It covers the planning and execution of an evaluation of the commonly performed screening tests (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and fibrinogen assay), and instrument-specific issues. Advice on selecting an appropriate haemostasis analyser, planning the evaluation, and assessing the reference, interval, precision, accuracy, and comparability of a haemostasis test system are also given. A second companion document will cover specialist haemostasis testing.