Adequate nutrition is necessary during childhood and early adolescence for adequate growth and development. Hence, the objective of the study was to assess the association between dietary intake and blood levels of minerals (calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium) and vitamins (folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin D) in urban school going children aged 6–16 years in India, in a multicentric cross-sectional study. Participants were enrolled from randomly selected schools in ten cities. Three-day food intake data was collected using a 24-h dietary recall method. The intake was dichotomised into adequate and inadequate. Blood samples were collected to assess levels of micronutrients. From April 2019 to February 2020, 2428 participants (50⋅2 % females) were recruited from 60 schools. Inadequate intake for calcium was in 93⋅4 % (246⋅5 ± 149⋅4 mg), iron 86⋅5 % (7⋅6 ± 3⋅0 mg), zinc 84⋅0 % (3⋅9 ± 2⋅4 mg), selenium 30⋅2 % (11⋅3 ± 9⋅7 mcg), folate 73⋅8 % (93⋅6 ± 55⋅4 mcg), vitamin B12 94⋅4 % (0⋅2 ± 0⋅4 mcg), vitamin A 96⋅0 % (101⋅7 ± 94⋅1 mcg), and vitamin D 100⋅0 % (0⋅4 ± 0⋅6 mcg). Controlling for sex and socioeconomic status, the odds of biochemical deficiency with inadequate intake for iron [AOR = 1⋅37 (95 % CI 1⋅07–1⋅76)], zinc [AOR = 5⋅14 (95 % CI 2⋅24–11⋅78)], selenium [AOR = 3⋅63 (95 % CI 2⋅70–4⋅89)], folate [AOR = 1⋅59 (95 % CI 1⋅25–2⋅03)], and vitamin B12 [AOR = 1⋅62 (95 %CI 1⋅07–2⋅45)]. Since there is a significant association between the inadequate intake and biochemical deficiencies of iron, zinc, selenium, folate, and vitamin B12, regular surveillance for adequacy of micronutrient intake must be undertaken to identify children at risk of deficiency, for timely intervention.

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe, complex, and common mental disorder with high heritability (80%), an adult age of onset, and high discordance (∼50%) in monozygotic twins (MZ). Extensive studies on familial and non-familial cases have implicated a number of segregating mutations and de novo changes in SZ that may include changes to the mitochondrial genome. Yet, no single universally causal variant has been identified, highlighting its extensive genetic heterogeneity. This report specifically focuses on the assessment of changes in the mitochondrial genome in a unique set of monozygotic twins discordant (MZD) for SZ using blood. Genomic DNA from six pairs of MZD twins and two sets of parents (N = 16) was hybridized to the Affymetrix Human SNP Array 6.0 to assess mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed for a subset of MZD pairs and their parents and was also used to derive mtDNA-CN estimates. The WGS data were further analyzed to generate heteroplasmy (HP) estimates. Our results show that mtDNA-CN estimates for within-pair and mother-child differences were smaller than comparisons involving unrelated individuals, as expected. MZD twins showed discordance in mtDNA-CN estimates and displayed concordance in directionality of differences for mtDNA-CN across all technologies. Further, qPCR performed better than Affymetrix in estimating mtDNA-CN based on relatedness. No reliable differences in HP were detected between MZD twins. The within-MZD differences in mtDNA-CN observed represent postzygotic somatic changes that may contribute to discordance of MZ twins for diseases, including SZ.

An isolated population of 700 specimens initially described as Corynosoma strumosum (Rudolphi, 1802) Lühe, 1904 and currently reassigned to Corynosoma neostrumosum n. sp. was collected from one young male Caspian seal, Pusa caspica (Gmelin) in the southern land-locked Caspian Sea in April 2009. Collected worms were morphologically unique compared with those reported by other observers in open waters, especially in shape and distribution of proboscis hooks and trunk spines, dorso-ventral differences in proboscis hooks and their organization, the baldness of anterior proboscis, consistently smaller size of trunk and testes, larger eggs, the rough egg topography, epidermal micropores, and variations in the female gonopore. Molecular data from the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA and the mitochondrial cox1 gene was also provided to supplement the morphological study of the new species.

An attempt has been made to illustrate the evolution of pelitic granulite from south of the Balaram-Abu road, which lies in the South Delhi Terrane (SDT) of the Aravalli-Delhi Mobile Belt (ADMB), using geochemistry and geochronology. The current work offers a plausible explanation for the protolith of pelitic granulite, nature of the sediments and its provenance. The elemental geochemistry of the pelitic granulites reveals that the protolith is an arkosic to shaley type. The rare earth elements pattern shows that there is a negative Eu anomaly and a small excess of LREE over HREE. This means that the source of sediments probably has the same elements as the upper crust. However, the amounts of Sr, Nd and Pb vary a lot, which shows that the sediments supplied from two different types of sources (felsic and mafic) in different proportions from a Proterozoic terrain. The monazite geochronology indicates that the metamorphic overprint occurred between 797 Ma and 906 Ma. Additionally, the ages correlate to the debris that was formed between the 1188 Ma and 1324 Ma from magmatic/sedimentary sources for pelitic granulite. The present research provides a more in-depth understanding of the evolutionary history of the pelitic granulite that comprises the SDT in the ADMB region during the Proterozoic era.

Background: The presence of intraluminal thrombi (ILT) in acutely symptomatic carotid stenosis (“hot carotid”) represents a therapeutic dilemma for physicians. With little evidence to guide treatment, current ILT management approaches rely on individual or institutional preferences. Methods: This mixed methods study analyzed themes from semi-structured interviews with 22 stroke physicians from 16 centers, paired with a worldwide case-based survey of 628 stroke physicians conducted through the “Practice Current” section of Neurology: Clinical Practice. Results: In the thematic analysis of the interviews and quantitative analysis of the survey, participants favoured using anticoagulation with or without antiplatelet agents in patients with ILT (463/628, 74%). Despite a preference for anticoagulation, uncertainty regarding optimal antithrombotic management was noted in the thematic analysis. Additional themes identified included a preference for re-imaging patients in 3-5 days after initiating treatment to look for complete or partial clot resolution, at which point most experts would then be comfortable proceeding with revascularization if indicated, though uncertainty regarding the optimal timing of revascularization was noted. Conclusions: In cases of ILT in the “hot carotid” practice patterns of global experts show a preference for using anticoagulation and reimaging patients in 3-5 days, though there is considerable equipoise regarding the most appropriate management of these patients.

Background: Little evidence exists to guide the management of symptomatic non-stenotic carotid disease (SyNC). SyNC, which refers to carotid lesions with less than 50% artery stenosis, has been increasingly implicated as a cause of stroke and TIA. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 22 stroke physicians from 16 centers were conducted as part of the Hot Carotid Qualitative Study. This study explored decision-making approaches, opinions and attitudes regarding the management of symptomatic carotid disease. Presented here are a subset of results related to the decision to revascularize patients with SyNC. Results: Thematic analysis revealed equipoise in the decision to revascularize patients with SyNC. Participants discussed a desire to use imaging features (e.g plaque rupture and plaque morphology) to inform the decision to revascularize, though significant uncertainty remains in appraising the risk conferred by certain features. Experts support further study to better understand the use of these features in risk appraisal for patients with SyNC. Conclusions: The decision to revascularize patients with SyNC is an area with significant equipoise. Experts identify the use of imaging features as an important tool in informing the decision to pursue revascularization in patients with SyNC though more study is required in this area to better inform practice.

Background: Sex differences in treatment response to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) are poorly characterized. We compared sex-disaggregated outcomes in patients receiving IVT for acute ischemic stroke in the Alteplase compared to Tenecteplase (AcT) trial, a Canadian multicentre, randomised trial. Methods: In this post-hoc analysis, the primary outcome was excellent functional outcome (modified Rankin Score [mRS] 0-1) at 90 days. Secondary and safety outcomes included return to baseline function, successful reperfusion (eTICI≥2b), death and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Results: Of 1577 patients, there were 755 women and 822 men (median age 77 [68-86]; 70 [59-79]). There were no differences in rates of mRS 0-1 (aRR 0.95 [0.86-1.06]), return to baseline function (aRR 0.94 [0.84-1.06]), reperfusion (aRR 0.98 [0.80-1.19]) and death (aRR 0.91 [0.79-1.18]). There was no effect modification by treatment type on the association between sex and outcomes. The probability of excellent functional outcome decreased with increasing onset-to-needle time. This relation did not vary by sex (pinteraction 0.42). Conclusions: The AcT trial demonstrated comparable functional, safety and angiographic outcomes by sex. This effect did not differ between alteplase and tenecteplase. The pragmatic enrolment and broad national participation in AcT provide reassurance that there do not appear to be sex differences in outcomes amongst Canadians receiving IVT.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the research and development of hybrid airships for various applications. Airship design involves multiple design parameters from various disciplines that interact mutually. Existing design methodologies, however, are often limited to fixed shapes and geometry. This paper provides a comprehensive parametric design approach for the sizing of multi-lobed hybrid air vehicles for low- and high-altitude applications. The proposed design techniques are robust so that the designer has the freedom to change the number of lobes, the relative location of lobes, the envelope profile, and the optimiser for the design optimisation process. The outcomes of the proposed methodology are envelope volume, wetted surface area, length and span of the envelope, sizing and layout of the solar array, and sizing and layout of the fins. The modeling techniques highlighted in this paper are very efficient for the design and optimisation of multi-lobed airships in the conceptual design phase with a large design exploration space. The robustness of the shape generation algorithms is tested on some of the standard envelope profiles of airships. The effect of the shape and geometry of the multi-lobed envelope on added mass is demonstrated through the added mass estimation using Boundary Element Method.

A central question in the study of mass extinction is whether these events simply intensify background extinction processes and patterns versus change the driving mechanisms and associated patterns of selectivity. Over the past two decades, aided by the development of new fossil occurrence databases, selectivity patterns associated with mass extinction have become increasingly well quantified and their differences from background patterns established. In general, differences in geographic range matter less during mass extinction than during background intervals, while differences in respiratory and circulatory anatomy that may correlate with tolerance to rapid change in oxygen availability, temperature, and pH show greater evidence of selectivity during mass extinction. The recent expansion of physiological experiments on living representatives of diverse clades and the development of simple, quantitative theories linking temperature and oxygen availability to the extent of viable habitat in the oceans have enabled the use of Earth system models to link geochemical proxy constraints on environmental change with quantitative predictions of the amount and biogeography of habitat loss. Early indications are that the interaction between physiological traits and environmental change can explain substantial proportions of observed extinction selectivity for at least some mass extinction events. A remaining challenge is quantifying the effects of primary extinction resulting from the limits of physiological tolerance versus secondary extinction resulting from the loss of taxa on which a given species depended ecologically. The calibration of physiology-based models to past extinction events will enhance their value in prediction and mitigation efforts related to the current biodiversity crisis.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We have designed an analogue of the Vitamin E tocotrienols called tocoflexol, which improves their pharmacokinetic limitations to make it an effective radiation medical countermeasure. Our goal is to demonstrate that tocoflexol is an effective radiomitigator in vivo when administered after exposure to lethal doses of total body irradiation. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Tocoflexol was designed using computational techniques to improve binding to ATTP, the key transporter that reduces the rate of elimination of tocols. In vitro studies compared the antioxidant and cell uptake properties to conventional tocotrienols. Next, we used a mouse model of lethal total body irradiation to evaluate its radioprotection efficacy (treating before radiation). To determine the optimal administration route for radiomitigation (treating after radiation), we will test oral and subcutaneous dosing. Mouse survival will be monitored for 30 days after irradiation. Sample tissues will be taken to evaluate the ability of tocoflexol to protect key organs from acute radiation syndrome. The bioavailability of tocoflexol will be evaluated in a rodent model. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Known Results: Results show that tocoflexol has potent antioxidant properties and high cell uptake. When tocoflexol was administered 24 hours before exposure to lethal doses of radiation, tocoflexol-treated mice showed 100% survival. Anticipated Results: Because of its improved bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties, we expect that tocoflexol will show radiomitigation efficacy when administered 24 hours after radiation, improving survival and protecting key organ systems from acute radiation syndrome. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: There is an unmet need for safe and effective radiomitigators that can offer multi-organ protection and be rapidly administered in the event of nuclear emergencies. Demonstration of radiomitigation efficacy will position tocoflexol as a prime candidate to be developed into a nuclear medical countermeasure and stockpiled for emergencies.