We present an adult patient with schizophrenia who was later found to have hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition that increases the risk of several diseases, due to a deficiency in folic acid. Although folic acid supplementation quickly normalized the hyperhomocysteinemia and folic acid levels, it did not significantly improve the overall mental and cognitive health. Genotype analysis was performed and the patient was found to have two pathogenic variants in the MTRR gene, 66GG and 524TT, which encodes for methionine synthase reductase (MSR), an enzyme crucial for homocysteine metabolism. The results can shed light on the reasons behind the patient\'s hyperhomocysteinemia and folic acid deficiency. Hyperhomocysteinemia confers an increased risk of several diseases. Indeed, the patient has neurodevelopment and cardiovascular health problems for decades. Given the rarity of the condition and the nonspecific nature of the symptoms, the detection of hyperhomocysteinemia or MSR deficiency can often be delayed or overlooked. Considering the potential irreversible and detrimental consequences of prolonged hyperhomocysteinemia and folic acid deficiency that our patient is likely experiencing, we suggest that clinicians be vigilant for associated signs when they encounter adolescents exhibiting psychotic symptoms, especially those with additional physical symptoms and a history of resistance to treatment.

BACKGROUND: Fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) is considered the best technique for diagnosis of fetal arrhythmia. It is superior to more widely used methods such as fetal, fetal electrocardiography, and cardiotocography for evaluation of fetal rhythm. The combination of fMCG and fetal echocardiography can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of fetal cardiac rhythm and function than is currently possible. In this study, we demonstrate a practical fMCG system based on optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs).
METHODS: Seven pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies underwent fMCG at 26-36 weeks\' gestation. The recordings were made using an OPM-based fMCG system and a person-sized magnetic shield. The shield is much smaller than a shielded room and provides easy access with a large opening that allows the pregnant woman to lie comfortably in a prone position.
RESULTS: The data show no significant loss of quality compared to data acquired in a shielded room. Measurements of standard cardiac time intervals yielded the following results: PR = 104 ± 6 ms, QRS = 52.6 ± 1.5 ms, and QTc = 387 ± 19 ms. These results are compatible with those from prior studies performed using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) fMCG systems.
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first European fMCG device with OPM technology commissioned for basic research in a pediatric cardiology unit. We demonstrated a patient-friendly, comfortable, and open fMCG system. The data yielded consistent cardiac intervals, measured from time-averaged waveforms, compatible with published SQUID and OPM data. This is an important step toward making the method widely accessible.

Mirror self-recognition (MSR), widely regarded as an indicator of self-awareness, has not been demonstrated consistently in gorillas. We aimed to examine this issue by setting out a method to evaluate gorilla self-recognition studies that is objective, quantifiable, and easy to replicate. Using Suarez and Gallup\'s (J Hum Evol 10:175-183, 1981) study as a reference point, we drew up a list of 15 methodological criteria and assigned scores to all published studies of gorilla MSR for both methodology and outcomes. Key features of studies finding both mark-directed and spontaneous self-directed responses included visually inaccessible marks, controls for tactile and olfactory cues, subjects who were at least 5 years old, and clearly distinguishing between responses in front of versus away from the mirror. Additional important criteria include videotaping the tests, having more than one subject, subjects with adequate social rearing, reporting post-marking observations with mirror absent, and giving mirror exposure in a social versus individual setting. Our prediction that MSR studies would obtain progressively higher scores as procedures and behavioural coding practices improved over time was supported for methods, but not for outcomes. These findings illustrate that methodological rigour does not guarantee stronger evidence of self-recognition in gorillas; methodological differences alone do not explain the inconsistent evidence for MSR in gorillas. By implication, it might be suggested that, in general, gorillas do not show compelling evidence of MSR. We advocate that future MSR studies incorporate the same criteria to optimize the quality of attempts to clarify the self-recognition abilities of gorillas as well as other species.

We aim to advance the discussion on the significance of the conjugation of bile salts (BS) in our organism. We hypothesize that conjugation influences the rate of lipolysis. Since the rate of lipolysis is a compound parameter, we compare the effect of conjugation on four surface parameters, which contribute to the rate. Since deconjugation is due to gut microbiota, we hypothesize that microbiota may affect the rate of lipolysis. A meta-analysis of literature data of critical micelle concentration, β, aggregation number, and molar solubilization ratio has been performed for the first time. In addition, critical micelle concentration (CMC), interfacial tension, and lipolysis rate measurements were performed. It was found that the unconjugated BS in mixed micelles increases the antagonism between the BS, therefore, increasing the CMC. This correlated with the effect of unconjugated BS on the solubilization capacity of mixed micelles. The collected literature information indicates that the role of the BS and its conjugation in our organism is a key factor influencing the functioning of our organism, where too high levels of unconjugated BS may lead to malabsorption of fat-soluble nutrients. The experimental lipolysis results irrevocably showed that conjugation is a significant factor influencing the rate.

The efficiency of micellar solubilization is dictated inter alia by the properties of the solubilizate, the type of surfactant, and environmental conditions of the process. We, therefore, hypothesized that using the descriptors of the aforementioned features we can predict the solubilization efficiency, expressed as molar solubilization ratio (MSR). In other words, we aimed at creating a model to find the optimal surfactant and environmental conditions in order to solubilize the substance of interest (oil, drug, etc.). We focused specifically on the solubilization in biosurfactant solutions. We collected data from literature covering the last 38 years and supplemented them with our experimental data for different biosurfactant preparations. Evolutionary algorithm (EA) and kernel support vector machines (KSVM) were used to create predictive relationships. The descriptors of biosurfactant (logPBS, measure of purity), solubilizate (logPsol, molecular volume), and descriptors of conditions of the measurement (T and pH) were used for modelling. We have shown that the MSR can be successfully predicted using EAs, with a mean R2 val of 0.773 ± 0.052. The parameters influencing the solubilization efficiency were ranked upon their significance. This represents the first attempt in literature to predict the MSR with the MSR calculator delivered as a result of our research.

We compare the decrease in energy demand and CO2 emissions in Europe during the financial crisis 2008-2009 with the expected drop in demand and emissions due to COVID-19, and the price response of the EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS). We ask whether the rather limited current price reduction may be due to the Market Stability Reserve (MSR), implemented in the EU ETS between the two crises. Stylized facts and basic theory are complemented with simulations based on a model of the EU ETS. Together, they suggest a mixed result. The MSR stabilizes the EU ETS price in turbulent times, but imperfectly. We show that the more persistent the COVID-19 shock is, the less the MSR is able to serve its purpose.

Peptide methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msrs) are enzymes that repair ROS-damage to sulfur-containing amino acids such as methionine, ensuring functional integrity of cellular proteins. Here we have shown that unlike the majority of pro- and eukaryotic Msrs, the peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrAB) from the human pathobiont Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) is required for the repair of hypochlorite damage to cell envelope proteins, but more importantly, we were able to demonstrate that MsrAB plays a role in modulating the host immune response to Hi infection. Loss of MsrAB resulted in >1000-fold increase in sensitivity of Hi to HOCl-mediated killing, and also reduced biofilm formation and in-biofilm survival. Expression of msrAB was also induced by hydrogen peroxide and paraquat, but a Hi2019ΔmsrAB strain was not susceptible to killing by these ROS in vitro. Hi2019ΔmsrAB fitness in infection models was low, with a 3-fold reduction in intracellular survival in bronchial epithelial cells, increased susceptibility to neutrophil killing, and a 10-fold reduction in survival in a mouse model of lung infection. Interestingly, infection with Hi2019ΔmsrAB led to specific changes in the antibacterial response of human host cells, with genes encoding antimicrobial peptides (BPI, CAMP) upregulated between 4 and 9 fold compared to infection with Hi2019WT, and reduction in expression of two proteins with antiapoptotic functions (BIRC3, XIAP). Modulation of host immune responses is a novel role for an enzyme of this type and provides first insights into mechanisms by which MsrAB supports Hi survival in vivo.

A major goal for port authorities, operators, and investors is to achieve efficient operations and effective environmental protection. This is because the environmental performance of a container port is important for its competitiveness and sustainable development. However, the container ports along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) have caused numerous problems with the rapid development, among which the most significant problem is environmental pollution. In this paper, we aim to measure and compare the environmental performance and operational efficiency of ten major container ports along the MSR, including the ports of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kelang, Laem Chabang, Colombo, Dubai, Barcelona, Antwerp, and Hamburg. We develop an improved, inseparable data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with slack-based measures (SBMs) to evaluate and compare the environmental performance and operational efficiency, and we incorporate the desirable output of container throughput as well as the undesirable output of CO2 emission. Our results show that. Overall. these container ports perform better in terms of operational efficiency than environmental performance. We also provide insights for management and policy makers for container ports with different levels of operational efficiency and environmental performance.

Neisseria meningitidis, an obligate pathogenic bacterium in humans, has acquired different defense mechanisms to detect and fight the oxidative stress generated by the host\'s defense during infection. A notable example of such a mechanism is the PilB reducing system, which repairs oxidatively-damaged methionine residues. This review will focus on the catalytic mechanism of the two methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) domains of PilB, which represent model enzymes for catalysis of the reduction of a sulfoxide function by thiols through sulfenic acid chemistry. The mechanism of recycling of these MSR domains by various \"Trx-like\" disulfide oxidoreductases will also be discussed.

The risks involved in nighttime driving include drowsy drivers and dangerous vehicles. Prominent among the more dangerous vehicles around at night are the larger vehicles which are usually moving faster at night on a highway. In addition, the risk level of driving around larger vehicles rises significantly when the driver\'s attention becomes distracted, even for a short period of time. For the purpose of alerting the driver and elevating his or her safety, in this paper we propose two components for any modern vision-based Advanced Drivers Assistance System (ADAS). These two components work separately for the single purpose of alerting the driver in dangerous situations. The purpose of the first component is to ascertain that the driver would be in a sufficiently wakeful state to receive and process warnings; this is the driver drowsiness detection component. The driver drowsiness detection component uses infrared images of the driver to analyze his eyes\' movements using a MSR plus a simple heuristic. This component issues alerts to the driver when the driver\'s eyes show distraction and are closed for a longer than usual duration. Experimental results show that this component can detect closed eyes with an accuracy of 94.26% on average, which is comparable to previous results using more sophisticated methods. The purpose of the second component is to alert the driver when the driver\'s vehicle is moving around larger vehicles at dusk or night time. The large vehicle detection component accepts images from a regular video driving recorder as input. A bi-level system of classifiers, which included a novel MSR-enhanced KAZE-base Bag-of-Features classifier, is proposed to avoid false negatives. In both components, we propose an improved version of the Multi-Scale Retinex (MSR) algorithm to augment the contrast of the input. Several experiments were performed to test the effects of the MSR and each classifier, and the results are presented in experimental results section of this paper.