Gram-negative bacteria were the predominant pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter species. The 2 groups did not differ significantly

in the colonization of normal (P = .72) or pathogenic (P = .62) flora, in the duration of mechanical ventilation (P = .67), or in length of stay in the intensive care (P = .22).\n\nConclusion Use of chlorhexidine combined with nonpharmacological oral care did not decrease the Selleckchem SIS3 colonization profile, duration of mechanical ventilation, or length of stay in critically ill children receiving mechanical ventilation. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2009; 18: 319-329)”
“Objectives: To evaluate the prophylactic role of long-term ultra-low-dose acyclovir for varicella zoster virus (VZV) disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: We evaluated 141 patients who were planned to receive acyclovir at 200 mg/day until the end of immunosuppressive therapy and for at least 1 year after HSCT in our center between June 2007 and June 2012. Results: The cumulative incidence of VZV disease after HSCT was 4.5% at 1 year and 18.3% at 2 years. Protocol violation was the only independent significant factor

that increased the incidence of VZV disease (hazard ratio (HR) 7.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.60-15.63). Excluding patients with protocol violation, the discontinuation of acyclovir was the only significant factor for the development of VZV disease (HR 5.90, 95% CI 1.56-22.37). Six patients experienced breakthrough VZV disease, but four of these this website six had not taken acyclovir for several weeks before breakthrough VZV disease. On the other hand, the cumulative incidence of VZV disease after the cessation of acyclovir was 28.4% at Milciclib concentration 1 year and 38.0% at 2 years. The proportion of disseminated VZV disease was only 7% and no patient died directly of VZV disease. Conclusions: This study shows that long-term ultra-low-dose

acyclovir appears to be effective for preventing VZV disease, especially disseminated VZV disease, after allogeneic HSCT. We recommend continuing acyclovir until the end of immunosuppressive therapy and for at least 1 year after HSCT, but additional strategies such as the administration of varicella vaccine may be needed to eradicate VZV disease. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases. All rights reserved.”
“Chen Z, Travers SP, Travers JB. Activation of NPY receptors suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission in a taste-feeding network in the lower brain stem. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 302: R1401-R1410, 2012. First published April 18, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00536.2011.-Consummatory responses to taste stimuli are modulated by visceral signals processed in the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract (cNST) and ventrolateral medulla.

“
“Three experiments were carried out to estimate the calcium and phosphorus requirements of meat quail. In the first experiment (1-14 days of age), 1,250 meat quails were placed in a 5 x 5 factorial arrangement (calcium levels = 0.65, 0.76, 0.87, 0.98 and 1.09% x phosphorus levels = 0.12, 0.22, 0.32, 0.42 and 0.52%), totaling 25 treatments, with two replications of 25 birds per experimental

unit. The different calcium levels did not affect Caspase inhibitor clinical trial bird performance. Body weight, weight gain and optic density were influenced in a quadratic form by phosphorus levels and the phosphorus requirement was estimated at 0.41%. The levels of 0.65% calcium and 0.41% phosphorus in diet were enough to meet the requirement of initial phase meat quail. In the second experiment (15-35 days of age), 1,500 meat quails were placed in a 5 x 5 factorial arrangement (calcium levels = 0.61, 0.71, 0.81, 0.91 and 1.01% x phosphorus levels = 0.29, 0.34, 0.39, 0.44 and 0.49%), totaling

25 treatments, with two replications of 30 birds per experimental unit. Differences were not observed of the calcium and phosphorus levels on bird performance. Optic density KPT-8602 cell line was influenced in a quadratic form by phosphorus levels and the phosphorus requirement was estimated at 0.41%. In the third experiment, to assess the calcium and phosphorus balance (28-35 days of age), a linear effect was observed on the calcium intake and excretion with the increase in the calcium levels in the diets. The levels of 0.61% calcium and 0.41% phosphorus in the diet were enough to meet the requirement of finishing meat quail. The calcium levels did not affect bird performance at 1-14 and 15-35 days of age, showing, respectively, 0.65 and 0.61% calcium levels were enough to meet the of meat quail requirement. The estimate of 0.41% phosphorus promoted performance of finishing meat quail.”
“An optimization-based, non-invasive, radiation-free method was developed for estimating

subject-specific body segment inertial properties (BSIPs) using a motion capture system and two forceplates. The method works with accurate descriptions of the geometry of the body segments, subject-specific center of pressure (COP) and kinematic data captured during stationary standing, and an optimization procedure. 3-deazaneplanocin A cost Twelve healthy subjects performed stationary standing in different postures, level walking and squatting while kinematic and forceplate data were measured. The performance of the current method was compared to three commonly used predictive methods in terms of the errors of the calculated ground reaction force, COP and joint moments using the corresponding predicted BSIPs. The current method was found to be capable of producing estimates of subject-specific BSIPs that predicted accurately the important variables in human motion analysis during static and dynamic activities.

“
“Millions of human infants receive general anesthetics for surgery or diagnostic procedures every year worldwide, and there is a growing inquietude regarding the safety of these drugs for the developing brain. In fact, accumulating experimental evidence together with recent epidemiologic observations suggest that general anesthetics might exert undesirable effects on the immature nervous system.\n\nThe goal of this review is to highlight basic LY411575 supplier science issues as well as to critically present experimental data and clinical observations relevant to this possibility. By acting on a plethora of ligand-gated

ion channels, general anesthetics are powerful modulators of neural activity. Since even brief interference with physiologic activity patterns during critical periods of development are known to induce permanent

alterations in brain circuitry, anesthetic-induced interference with brain development is highly plausible. In line with this hypothesis, compelling experimental evidence, from rodents to primates, suggests increased neuroapoptosis and associated long-term neurocognitive deficits following administration of these drugs at defined stages of development. Recent epidemiologic studies also indicate a potential association S63845 molecular weight between anesthesia/surgery and subsequently impaired neurocognitive function in humans. It is, however, important to note that extrapolation of experimental studies to human practice requires extreme caution, and selleck chemicals llc that currently available human data are hindered by a large number of potentially confounding factors.\n\nThus, despite significant advances in the field, there is still insufficient evidence to determine whether anesthetics are harmful to the developing human brain. Consequently, no change in clinical practice can be recommended.”
“ObjectiveIn three primary health care clinics run by Medecins Sans Frontieres in the informal settlement of Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya, we describe the caseload, management and treatment outcomes of patients with hypertension (HT) and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) receiving care from January 2010 to June

2012.\n\nMethodDescriptive study using prospectively collected routine programme data.\n\nResultsOverall, 1465 patients were registered in three clinics during the study period, of whom 87% were hypertensive only and 13% had DM with or without HT. Patients were predominantly female (71%) and the median age was 48years. On admission, 24% of the patients were obese, with a body mass index (BMI)>30kg/m(2). Overall, 55% of non-diabetic hypertensive patients reached their blood pressure (BP) target at 24months. Only 28% of diabetic patients reached their BP target at 24months. For non-diabetic patients, there was a significant decrease in BP between first consultation and 3months of treatment, maintained over the 18-month period.

5mC is a major epigenetic signal that acts to regulate gene expression. LY3023414 5hmC, 5fC, and 5caC are oxidized derivatives that might also act as distinct epigenetic signals. We investigated the response of the zinc finger DNA-binding domains of transcription factors early growth response

protein 1 (Egr1) and Wilms tumor protein 1 (WT1) to different forms of modified cytosine within their recognition sequence, 5′-GCG(T/G)GGGCG-3′. Both displayed high affinity for the sequence when C or 5mC was present and much reduced affinity when 5hmC or 5fC was present, indicating that they differentiate primarily oxidized C from unoxidized C, rather than methylated C from unmethylated C. 5caC affected the two proteins differently, abolishing binding by Egr1 but not by WT1. We ascribe this difference to electrostatic interactions in the binding sites. In Egr1, a negatively charged glutamate conflicts with the negatively charged carboxylate of 5caC, whereas the corresponding glutamine of WT1 interacts with this group favorably. Our analyses shows that zinc finger proteins (and their splice variants) can respond in modulated ways to alternative OSI-906 nmr modifications within their binding sequence.”
“Objective:To investigate the effects of vascular risk

factors and APOE status on white matter microstructure, and subsequent cognitive decline among older people.Methods:This study included 241 participants (age 60 years and older) from the population-based Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen in central Stockholm, Sweden, who were

free of dementia and stroke at baseline (2001-2004). We collected data through interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests. We measured fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) on diffusion tensor imaging, and estimated volume of white matter hyperintensities using automatic segmentation. We assessed global cognitive function with the Mini-Mental State Examination at baseline and at 3- and/or 6-year follow-up. We analyzed the data using multivariate linear regression and linear mixed models.Results:Heavy alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diabetes were significantly associated with lower FA or higher MD (p smaller than 0.05). When Apoptosis inhibitor aggregating heavy alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diabetes together with current smoking, having an increasing number of these 4 factors concurrently was associated with decreasing FA and increasing MD (p(trend) smaller than 0.01), independent of white matter hyperintensities. Vascular risk factors and APOE epsilon 4 allele interacted to negatively affect white matter microstructure; having multiple (2) vascular factors was particularly detrimental to white matter integrity among APOE epsilon 4 carriers. Lower tertile of FA and upper tertile of MD were significantly associated with faster Mini-Mental State Examination decline.

Microstructural LY3023414 chemical structure and morphological studies of these films were carried out by field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy techniques. Infrared emittance

(epsilon(ir)) of the films was measured by a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. Nanoindentation technique was employed to evaluate nanohardness and Young’s modulus of the films. The optimized bi-layer SiO2-Al2O3 film showed up to 850% increase in sir as compared to those of the bare substrates. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.”
“Cognitive dysfunction, as a consequence of dementia, is a significant cause of morbidity lacking efficacious treatment. Females comprise at least half of this demographic but have been vastly underrepresented in preclinical studies. The current study addressed this gap by assessing the protective efficacy of physical exercise and cognitive activity on learning and memory outcomes in a rat model of vascular dementia. Forty ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats (similar to 6 months old) were exposed to either a diet high in saturated fats and refined sugars or standard laboratory chow and underwent either chronic bilateral carotid

occlusion or Sham surgery. Learning and memory abilities were evaluated using standard cognitive outcomes over the ensuing 6 months, SB202190 price followed by histologic analyses of hippocampal CA1 neurons. In Experiment 1, we confirmed hypoperfusion-induced cognitive dysfunction using a 2 x 2 (Surgery x Diet) experimental design,

without alterations in hippocampal architecture. In Experiment 2, hypoperfused animals were either exposed to alternating days of physical (wheel running) and cognitive activity (modified Hebb-Williams maze) or sedentary housing. In contrast to males, this combination rehabilitation paradigm did not improve cognition or histopathologic outcomes in hypoperfused animals. These findings, highlighting differences between female and male animals, show the necessity of including both sexes in preclinical experimentation.”
“Inflammation is associated with enhanced vascular permeability, production of inflammatory markers and over production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with depletion BAY 63-2521 Others inhibitor of endogenous antioxidants. Several drug targeting approaches to inflammation taking clues from these events have been evolved. Surprisingly, a drug targeting approach utilizing abundant oxidative stress at inflammatory site has not been followed. Antioxidant surface loaded liposomes might preferentially localize at inflammatory sites via redox interaction where at high level of ROS exist. The present study was focused to investigate the role of antioxidant as a targeting ligand on the surface of liposome employing rat granuloma air pouch model of inflammation. We developed conventional and antioxidant loaded diclofenac (DFS) liposomes (co-enzyme Q10 and ascorbyl palmitate) for i.v.

The simulation cell contained 10 NCPs in a dielectric continuum with explicit mobile counterions and added salt. The NCP-NCP

interaction is decisively dependent on the modification state of the histone tails and on salt conditions. Increasing the monovalent salt concentration (KCI) from salt-free to physiological concentration leads to NCP aggregation in solution for rNCP, whereas NCP associates are observed only occasionally in the system of aNCPs. In the presence of divalent salt (Mg(2+)), rNCPs form dense stable aggregates, whereas aNCPs form aggregates less frequently. Aggregates are formed via histone-tail bridging and accumulation of counterions in the regions of NCP-NCP contacts. The paNCPs do not show NCP-NCP interaction upon addition of KCI or in the presence of Mg(2+). Simulations for systems with a gradual substitution of K(+) GNS-1480 Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor for Mg(2+), Selleck Sapitinib to mimic the Mg(2+) titration of an NCP solution, were performed. The rNCP system showed stronger aggregation that occurred at lower concentrations of added Mg(2+), compared to the aNCP system. Additional molecular dynamics

simulations performed with a single NCP in the simulation cell showed that detachment of the tails from the NCP core was modest under a wide range of salt concentrations. This implies that salt-induced tail dissociation of the histone tails from the globular NCP is not in itself a major factor in NCP-NCP aggregation. The approximation of coarse-graining, with respect to the description of the NCP as a sphere with uniform charge distribution, was tested in control simulations. A more detailed description of the NCP did not change the main features of the results. Overall, the results of this work are in agreement with experimental data reported for NCP solutions and for chromatin arrays.”
“The histone variant H2A.Z has been implicated in the regulation of gene expression,

and in plants antagonizes DNA methylation. Here, we ask whether a similar relationship exists in mammals, using a mouse B-cell lymphoma buy Nepicastat model, where chromatin states can be monitored during tumorigenesis. Using native chromatin immunoprecipitation with microarray hybridization (ChIP-chip), we found a progressive depletion of H2A.Z around transcriptional start sites (TSSs) during MYC-induced transformation of pre-B cells and, subsequently, during lymphomagenesis. In addition, we found that H2A.Z and DNA methylation are generally anticorrelated around TSSs in both wild-type and MYC-transformed cells, as expected for the opposite effects of these chromatin features on promoter competence. Depletion of H2A.Z over TSSs both in cells that are induced to proliferate and in cells that are developing into a tumor suggests that progressive loss of H2A.Z during tumorigenesis results from the advancing disease state. These changes were accompanied by increases in chromatin salt solubility.

Indapamide and indapamide and captopril treatment increased acetylcholine-induced relaxation of the femoral artery.\n\nConclusion Whereas captopril reduced LVH,

indapamide enhanced NOS activity and decreased oxidative damage in the case of the combined treatment. It is concluded that the complex protective effects of the combined indapamide plus captopril treatment on hypertension may be exerted via its effects on blood pressure, hypertrophy and vasorelaxation. J Hypertens 27 (suppl 6):S42-S46 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams Compound C purchase & Wilkins.”
“IFN-gamma regulates multiple processes in the immune system. Although its antimicrobial effector functions are well described, less is known about the mechanisms by which IFN-gamma regulates CD8(+) T cell homeostasis. With the help of adoptive T cell transfers, we show in this study that IEFN-gamma R signaling in CD8(+)

selleck compound T cells is dispensable for expansion, contraction, and memory differentiation in response to peptide vaccination. In contrast, host IFN-gamma R signaling counterregulates CD8(+) T cell responses and the generation of effector memory T cell processes, which are partially regulated by CD11b(+) cells. Similar to vaccination-induced proliferation, host IFN-gamma R signaling limits the expansion of naive CD8(+) T cells and their differentiation into effector memory-like T cells in lymphopenic mice. In contrast to peptide vaccination, IFN-gamma R signaling in CD8(+) T cells contributes to memory fate decision in response to lymphopenia, an effect that is fully reversed by high-affinity TCR ligands. In conclusion, we show that host IFN-gamma R signaling controls the magnitude of CD8(+) T cell responses and subsequent memory differentiation under lymphopenic and nonlymphopenic conditions. In contrast, IFN-gamma R signaling in CD8(+) T cells does not affect cell numbers under either condition, but it directs memory fate decision in response to weak TCR ligands. The Journal of Immunology, 2010, 184: 2855-2862.”
“Background: Children with chronic intestinal failure (IF) treated

with long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) may present with low bone mineral density (BMD). The cause may reflect small body size or suboptimal bone mineralization.\n\nObjective: We assessed growth DMH1 in vitro and bone health in children with severe IF.\n\nDesign: Height, weight, and fracture history were recorded. The lumbar spine bone mass was measured in 45 consecutive patients (24 male subjects) aged 5-17 y receiving PN for a median of 5 y. BMD and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) [ie, adjusted-for-height SD scores (SDSs)] were calculated.\n\nResults: Diagnoses were short bowel syndrome in 12 patients (27%), intestinal enteropathy in 20 patients (44%), and motility disorder in 13 patients (29%). Mean (+/- SD) weight, height, and body mass index SDSs were -0.8 +/- 1.3, -1.80 +/- 1.5, and 0.4 +/- 1.3, respectively. The height SDS was less than -2 in 23 children (50%).

Here, we describe a robust protocol for the efficient in vitro conversion of Epigenetic inhibitor ic50 postnatal astroglia from the mouse cerebral cortex into functional, synapse-forming neurons. This protocol involves two steps: (i) expansion of astroglial cells (7 d) and (ii) astroglia-to-neuron conversion induced by persistent and strong retroviral expression of Neurog2 (encoding neurogenin-2) or Mash1 (also referred to as achaete-scute

complex homolog 1 or Ascl1) and/or distal-less homeobox 2 (Dlx2) for generation of glutamatergic or GABAergic neurons, respectively (7-21 d for different degrees of maturity). Our protocol of astroglia-to-neuron conversion by a single neurogenic transcription factor provides a stringent experimental system to study the specification of a selective neuronal subtype, thus offering an alternative to the use of embryonic or neural stem cells. Moreover, it can be a useful model for studies of lineage conversion from non-neuronal

cells, with potential for brain regenerative medicine.”
“In order to successfully enter the latent stage, Mycobacterium tuberculosis must adapt to conditions such as nutrient limitation and hypoxia. In vitro models that mimic latent infection are valuable tools for describing the VS-6063 in vivo changes in metabolism that occur when the bacterium exists in a non-growing form. We used two complementary proteomic approaches, label-free LC-MS/MS analysis and two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis, to determine

the proteome profile of extracellular proteins from M. tuberculosis cultured under nutrient starvation. Through the label-free LC-MS/MS analysis buy HM781-36B of fractionated samples, 1176 proteins were identified from culture filtrates of log phase and nutrient-starved cultures, and the protein levels of 230 proteins were increased in nutrient-starved culture filtrates, whereas those of 208 proteins were decreased. By means of Gene Ontology clustering analysis, significant differences in the overall metabolism during nutrient starvation were detected. Notably, members of the toxin-antitoxin systems were present in larger quantities in nutrient-starved cultures, supporting a role for these global modules as M. tuberculosis switches its metabolism into dormancy. Decreased abundance of proteins involved in amino acid and protein synthesis was apparent, as well as changes in the lipid metabolism. Further analysis of the dataset identified increased abundance of lipoproteins and decreased abundance of ESAT-6 family proteins. Results from the two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis proteomics demonstrated overall agreement with the LC-MS/MS data and added complementary insights about protein degradation and modification.

(C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.”
“PURPOSE: To describe a new surgical technique for a patient with cataract combined with corneal opacity.\n\nMETHODS: This technique, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, was performed on a patient with a history of corneal opacity in both eyes from childhood. Because the patient had RG-7388 inhibitor deep stromal corneal opacity, a corneal button 400-mu m

thick was made for lamellar keratoplasty while cataract surgery was performed simultaneously.\n\nRESULTS: Lifting of the flap and removal of the corneal button before cataract surgery was successful without any intraoperative complications.\n\nCONCLUSIONS: Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is a promising surgical procedure for

a cataract patient with stromal corneal opacity. [J Refract Surg. 2009;25:902-904.] doi:10.3928/1081597X-20090617-03″
“The typical response of the X-ray converter material impacted by an intense relativistic electron beam is vaporization and rapid expansion. For the Dragon-I accelerator (2.5 kA, 20 MeV, 60 ns), the slab target is replaced by a multi-foil target in order to reduce the unwanted debris ejected from the target. Comparisons of the output X-ray performance and the hydrodynamic response between the slab target and the multi-foil target are calculated by numerical methods. We found that vaporization and melt ejection dominate the hydrodynamic response in the multi-foil target while the mechanical effect plays an important role in the slab target. We also report the single-pulse experiments which measure the surface density this website decrease of the converter material after a specified delay. The experimental results show good agreement with the numerical prediction. Hydrodynamic response of the multi-foil target impacted by three successive pulses in 1 mu s is also studied by simulation. The Selleckchem Screening Library results indicate that although the surface density of the material decreases rapidly during the inter-pulse time scale, the X-ray dose produced by the second and the third pulse will nearly maintain the same as the first one. (C) 2011 Elsevier

B.V. All rights reserved.”
“In vitro gastrointestinal (GI) microbial activity in the colon compartment facilitates the arsenic release from soils into simulated GI fluids. Consequentially, it is possible that in vitro models that neglect to include microbial activity underestimate arsenic bioaccessibility when calculating oral exposure. However, the toxicological relevance of increased arsenic release due to microbial activity is contingent upon the subsequent absorption of arsenic solubilized in the GI lumen. The objectives of this research are to: (1) assess whether microbes in the in vitro small intestine affect arsenic solubilization from soils, (2) determine whether differences in the GI microbial community result in differences in the oral bioavailability of soil-borne arsenic.

(C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.”
“Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), especially LDK378 cost coronary stent implantation, has been shown to be an effective treatment for coronary artery disease. However, in-stent restenosis is one of the longstanding unsolvable problems following PCI. Although stents implanted

inside narrowed vessels recover normal flux of blood flows, they instantaneously change the wall shear stress (WSS) distribution on the vessel surface. Improper stent implantation positions bring high possibilities of restenosis as it enlarges the low WSS regions and subsequently stimulates more epithelial cell outgrowth on vessel walls. To optimize the stent position for lowering the risk of restenosis, we successfully established a digital three-dimensional (3-D) model based on a real clinical coronary artery and analysed the optimal stenting strategies by computational simulation. Via microfabrication and 3-D printing technology, the digital model was also converted into in vitro microfluidic models

with 3-D micro channels. Simultaneously, physicians placed real stents inside them; i.e., they performed “virtual surgeries”. The hydrodynamic experimental results showed that the microfluidic models highly inosculated the simulations. Therefore, our study not only demonstrated that the half-cross learn more stenting strategy could maximally reduce restenosis risks but also indicated that 3-D printing combined with clinical image reconstruction is a promising method for future angiocardiopathy research.”
“We have previously described a mechanism Dinaciclib research buy through which the high-mobility group A1 (HMGA1) proteins inhibit p53-mediated apoptosis by delocalizing the p53 proapoptotic activator homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. By this mechanism, HMGA1 modulates the transcription of p53 target genes such as Mdm2, p21(waf1), and Bax, inhibiting apoptosis. Here, we report that HMGA1 antagonizes the p53-mediated transcriptional repression

of another apoptosis-related gene, Bcl-2, suggesting a novel mechanism by which HMGA1 counteracts apoptosis. Moreover, HMGA1 overexpression promotes the reduction of Brn-3a binding to the Bcl-2 promoter, thereby blocking the Brn-3a corepressor function on Bcl-2 expression following p53 activation. Consistently, a significant direct correlation between HMGA1 and Bcl-2 overexpression has been observed in human breast carcinomas harboring wild-type p53. Therefore, this study suggests a novel mechanism, based on Bcl-2 induction, by which HMGA1 overexpression contributes to the escape from apoptosis leading to neoplastic transformation. Cancer Res; 70(13); 5379-88. (C) 2010 AACR.”
“Two lathyrane diterpenes (1-2) together with previous ones (3-6) were isolated from Euphorbia lathyris.