Reimagining What We Measure in Atherosclerosis—a “Phenotype Stack”

The term phenotype is so commonly used that we often assume that we each mean the same thing. The general definition, the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of their genotype with the environment, is often left to the eye of the beholder. Whether applied to the multiple levels of biological phenomena or the intact human being, our ability to characterize, classify, and analyze phenotype has been limited by measurement deficits, computing limitations, and a culture that avoids the generalizable. With the advent of modern technology, there is the potential for a revolution in phenotyping, which incorporates old and new in structured ways to dramatically advance basic understanding of biology and behavior and to lead to major improvements in clinical care and public health. This revolution in how we think about phenotypes will require a radical change in the scale at which biomedicine operates with significant changes in the unit of action, which will have far-reaching implications for how care, translation, and discovery are implemented.

Global biodiversity of the genus Ommastrephes (Ommastrephidae: Cephalopoda): an allopatric cryptic species complex

Cryptic speciation among morphologically homogeneous species is a phenomenon increasingly reported in cosmopolitan marine invertebrates. This situation usually leads to the discovery of new species, each of which occupies a smaller fraction of the original distributional range. The resolution of the taxonomic status of species complexes is essential because species are used as the unit of action for conservation and natural resource management politics. Before the present study, Ommastrephes bartramii was considered a monotypic cosmopolitan species with a discontinuous distribution. Here, individuals from nearly its entire distributional range were evaluated with mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA). Four distinct species were consistently identified using four molecular species delimitation methods. These results, in combination with morphological and metabolic information from the literature, were used to resurrect three formerly synonymized names (Ommastrephes brevimanus, Ommastrephes caroli and Ommastrephes cylindraceus) and to propose revised distributional ranges for each species. In addition, diagnostic characters from the molecular sequences were incorporated in the species description. At present, only one of the four newly recognized species (Ommastrephes bartramii) is commercially exploited by fisheries in the North Pacific, but it now appears that the distributional range of this species is far smaller than previously believed, which is an essential consideration for effective fisheries management.

Assessment of methods of purification of corynebacterium allergen with definition of concentration and its experimental application

Aim: Search for an effective method for obtaining bacterial protein and determining the optimal concentration for identification of specific types. Material and Methods. Using the example of a C. xerosis N 1911 reference strain grown on a nutrient medium improved by us, methods were investigated of protein precipitation with sodium chloride, ammonium sulphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, trichloroacetic acid and polyethylene glycol. The threshold sensitivity of the allergen in six different cultures was determined in tests on 24 guinea pigs infected with corynebaсteria. Biological activity was studied in cultures from 36 guinea pigs infected with M. BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine), M. avium, C. xerosis N 1911, C. ulcerans N 675 and C. bovis, as well as 3 rabbits infected with Corynebacterium xerosis. Results. Comparative testing of five protein precipitation methods was carried out. When using ammonium sulphate as a precipitant relatively high results were obtained at a salt concentration of 30% and a pH of at least 5.8. More significant protein precipitation occurred at the isoelectric point of sodium chloride at pH 3.9. It was noted that trichloroacetic acid and sodium hexametaphosphate had insignificant precipitating properties while there was none with polyethylene glycol. The threshold sensitivity (0.00005 mg in 0.1 ml) and allergen unit of action (0.0003 mg) were established. Intensity of skin reaction to sensitin homologous to infection was detected. Conclusions. The data obtained revealed the optimal method of protein precipitation, the unit of action of the corynebacterium allergens, and expanded the understanding of the mechanisms of the sensitization of the macro‐organism to tuberculin.

Opinions on mental illness from the perspective of primary care nurses in Portugal

Objective: To identify the opinions of primary care nurses regarding mental illness and the care provided to this population. Methodology: Cross-sectional, quantitative study with the participation of 328 nurses of primary health care in Porto, Portugal. Data collected between April and August of 2018 through the scale "Opinions about Mental Illness" and socio demographic and labor questionnaire. Descriptive and correlational statistics were applied. Results: A total of 50% of the nurses presented positive opinions about the mental illness. Regarding the assistance provided in their unit of action, 53.4% considered inadequate and 50.3% recognized as adequate their knowledge about the role that primary health care has in assisting the person with mental illness. Conclusion: Positive opinions and recognition of the importance of primary care to people with mental illness are important indicators for qualified mental health care outside the field of specialty.