bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of short-term repeated sprint training in hypoxia or with blood flow restriction on response to exercise
Authors: Giovanna Margaux , Solsona Robert , Sanchez Anthony M. J. , Borrani Fabio
Published: September 2022

This study compared the effects of a brief repeated sprint training (RST) intervention performed with bilateral blood flow restriction (BFR) conditions in normoxia or conducted at high levels of hypoxia on response to exercise. Thirty-nine endurance-trained athletes completed six repeated sprints cycling sessions spread over 2 weeks consisting of four sets of five sprints (10-s maximal sprints with 20-s active recovery). Athletes were assigned to one of the four groups and subjected to a bilateral partial blood flow restriction (45% of arterial occlusion pressure) of the lower limbs during exercise (BFRG), during the recovery (BFRrG), exercised in a hypoxic room simulating hypoxia at FiO2 ≈ 13% (HG) or were not subjected to additional stress (CG). Peak aerobic power during an incremental test, exercise duration, maximal accumulated oxygen deficit and accumulated oxygen uptake (VO2) during a supramaximal constant-intensity test were improved thanks to RST (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups (p > 0.05). No further effect was found on other variables including time-trial performance and parameters of the force-velocity relationship (p > 0.05). Thus, peak aerobic power, exercise duration, maximal accumulated oxygen deficit, and VO2 were improved during a supramaximal constant-intensity exercise after six RST sessions. However, combined hypoxic stress or partial BFR did not further increase peak aerobic power.
LATE-NC aggravates GVD-mediated necroptosis in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Koper Marta J. , Tomé Sandra O. , Gawor Klara , Belet Annelies , Van Schoor Evelien , Schaeverbeke Jolien , Vandenberghe Rik , Vandenbulcke Mathieu , Ghebremedhin Estifanos , Otto Markus , von Arnim Christine A. F. , Balusu Sriram , Blaschko Matthew B. , De Strooper Bart , Thal Dietmar Rudolf
Published: September 2022

It has become evident that Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is not only linked to its hallmark lesions—amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)—but also to other co-occurring pathologies. This may lead to synergistic effects of the respective cellular and molecular players, resulting in neuronal death. One of these co-pathologies is the accumulation of phosphorylated transactive-response DNA binding protein 43 (pTDP-43) as neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, currently considered to represent limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathological changes (LATE-NC), in up to 70% of symptomatic AD cases. Granulovacuolar degeneration (GVD) is another AD co-pathology, which also contains TDP-43 and other AD-related proteins. Recently, we found that all proteins required for necroptosis execution, a previously defined programmed form of neuronal cell death, are present in GVD, such as the phosphorylated necroptosis executioner mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (pMLKL). Accordingly, this protein is a reliable marker for GVD lesions, similar to other known GVD proteins. Importantly, it is not yet known whether the presence of LATE-NC in symptomatic AD cases is associated with necroptosis pathway activation, presumably contributing to neuron loss by cell death execution. In this study, we investigated the impact of LATE-NC on the severity of necroptosis-associated GVD lesions, phosphorylated tau (pTau) pathology and neuronal density. First, we used 230 human post-mortem cases, including 82 controls without AD neuropathological changes (non-ADNC), 81 non-demented cases with ADNC, i.e.: pathologically-defined preclinical AD (p-preAD) and 67 demented cases with ADNC. We found that Braak NFT stage and LATE-NC stage were good predictors for GVD expansion and neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 region. Further, we compared the impact of TDP-43 accumulation on hippocampal expression of pMLKL-positive GVD, pTau as well as on neuronal density in a subset of nine non-ADNC controls, ten symptomatic AD cases with (ADTDP+) and eight without LATE-NC (ADTDP−). Here, we observed increased levels of pMLKL-positive, GVD-exhibiting neurons in ADTDP+ cases, compared to ADTDP− and controls, which was accompanied by augmented pTau pathology. Neuronal loss in the CA1 region was increased in ADTDP+ compared to ADTDP− cases. These data suggest that co-morbid LATE-NC in AD impacts not only pTau pathology but also GVD-mediated necroptosis pathway activation, which results in an accelerated neuronal demise. This further highlights the cumulative and synergistic effects of comorbid pathologies leading to neuronal loss in AD. Accordingly, protection against necroptotic neuronal death appears to be a promising therapeutic option for AD and LATE.
‘You don’t have to feel trapped’: architectural discourses of youth engagement in a community-based learning environment
Authors: Bloomfield Corey , Harreveld Bobby , Fisher Rickie
Published: September 2022

The rigid architectures inherent within formal schooling continue to influence young people’s disengagement from education. Globally and locally, policy makers have proposed education reform and innovation, politicians have legislated for education change, yet still the problem of disengagement remains. This paper investigates one community’s effort to support the reengagement in learning of young people aged 15–18 years in regional Australia through a flexible, online, community-based education program. Theoretically, this study used critical discourse as a way in to expose so as to explain dimensions of power and ideological positions as to what counts as learning. Critical ethnography as a methodology extended critical discourse’s explanatory authority to a naming of spatial and social architectures and their impact on the young people’s lives. Discourses of a braided curriculum, structural conviviality and emotional well-being were found to reduce some barriers to reengagement in learning; develop a shared, multi-disciplinary approach to reengagement; and be inclusive of young people’s emotional well-being as central to the reengagement process. At this time of pandemic induced online learning as the new normal on a global scale, young people who are already vulnerable due to individual, school, and socio-cultural marginalising conditions deserve research processes with outcomes valorising their voices and those who work with them.
Prevalence and significance of incidental findings on 68 Ga-DOTA-conjugated somatostatin receptor-targeting peptide PET/CT: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Bentestuen Morten , Gossili Farid , Almasi Charlotte Elberling , Zacho Helle Damgaard
Published: September 2022

Aim

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of incidental 68 Ga-DOTA-conjugated somatostatin receptor-targeting peptide PET/CT (SSTR PET/CT) findings, their clinical significance in the need for follow-up, and their risk of malignancy.

Materials and methods

Studies reporting incidental SSTR PET/CT findings were systematically searched in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase and Web of Science literature published prior to 1st of May 2020. Studies were filtered by two independent readers for eligibility based on title and abstract, and subsequently on full text. The main exclusion criteria were: 1) pathological findings that matched scan indication, 2) known organ specific disease and/or incidental findings confirmed on other scan modality prior to SSTR PET/CT, 3) lack of diagnosis and/or follow up, and 4) results published in proceedings or conference abstracts.

Results

Twenty-one studies, comprising a total of 2906 subjects, were eligible for the analysis. Studies included were retrospective cohort studies on incidental SSTR PET/CT findings in a specific organ (n = 2888, 7/21) or case reports (n = 18, 14/21). A total of 133 subjects had incidental SSTR PET/CT findings. Incidental findings were predominantly seen in the thyroid gland (n = 65), spine (n = 30), brain (n = 26) and breast (n = 6). Seventeen of 133 (13%) incidental findings were malignant on final diagnosis. Incidental breast findings were associated with the highest risk of malignancy (67%). In the thyroid, incidental SSTR uptake was caused by malignancy in 8%, all presenting as focal uptake. The lowest risk was seen in the spine with a malignancy rate of 3% in patients with incidental SSTR uptake and benign cases were interpreted as vertebral hemangiomas on CT. Incidental SSTR PET/CT findings in other locations were of malignant etiology in two out of six cases (33%) and should be evaluated individually.

Conclusion

The most incidental SSTR PET/CT findings were found in the thyroid gland, spine, and brain. The risk of malignancy was greatest in incidental SSTR PET/CT findings in the breast, cranially, and thyroid gland. The results of the present study can prove useful in the interpretation of atypical findings on SSTR PET/CT and in the counseling of clinicians.
A multi-expert ensemble system for predicting Alzheimer transition using clinical features
Authors: Merone Mario , D’Addario Sebastian Luca , Mirino Pierandrea , Bertino Francesca , Guariglia Cecilia , Ventura Rossella , Capirchio Adriano , Baldassarre Gianluca , Silvetti Massimo , Caligiore Daniele
Published: September 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis often requires invasive examinations (e.g., liquor analyses), expensive tools (e.g., brain imaging) and highly specialized personnel. The diagnosis commonly is established when the disorder has already caused severe brain damage, and the clinical signs begin to be apparent. Instead, accessible and low-cost approaches for early identification of subjects at high risk for developing AD years before they show overt symptoms are fundamental to provide a critical time window for more effective clinical management, treatment, and care planning. This article proposes an ensemble-based machine learning algorithm for predicting AD development within 9 years from first overt signs and using just five clinical features that are easily detectable with neuropsychological tests. The validation of the system involved both healthy individuals and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients drawn from the ADNI open dataset, at variance with previous studies that considered only MCI. The system shows higher levels of balanced accuracy, negative predictive value, and specificity than other similar solutions. These results represent a further important step to build a preventive fast-screening machine-learning-based tool to be used as a part of routine healthcare screenings.
Effect of fruit smoothie supplementation on psychological distress among people with substance use disorders receiving opioid agonist therapy: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (FruktBAR)
Authors: Fadnes Lars T. , Furulund Einar , Druckrey-Fiskaaen Karl Trygve , Madebo Tesfaye , Vold Jørn Henrik , Olsvold Maria , Pierron Marianne Cook , Carlsen Siv-Elin Leirvåg , Blomhoff Rune , Lid Torgeir Gilje ,   for the ATLAS4LAR Study Group, Buljovcic Vibeke Bråthen , Carlsen Siv-Elin Leirvåg , Daltveit Jan Tore , Druckrey-Fiskaaen Karl Trygve , Fadnes Lars T. , Fondenes Trude , Gundersen Per , Løberg Else-Marie , Nordbotn Mette Hegland , Olsvold Maria , Pierron Marianne Cook , Sundal Christine , Trettenes Beate Haga , Vold Jørn-Henrik , Bergsaker Maren Borsheim , Cruickshank Tine Selmer , Dahl Eivin , Eielsen Tone Lise , Fiskå Torhild , Furulund Einar , Holder Eirik , Lid Torgeir Gilje , Madebo Tesfaye , Wilk Ewa Joanna , Blomhoff Rune , Henriksen Hege Berg
Published: September 2022

Background

People with substance use disorders generally have unhealthy diets, including limited intake of fruit and vegetables. Evidence shows substantial health benefits from increasing fruit and vegetable consumption on various indicators and possibly also psychological distress. A pilot study has indicated that supplementation with fruit smoothie could be promising also among people receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid dependence. FruktBAR will compare the efficacy of added fruit smoothie supplementation to people receiving opioid agonist therapy compared to standard treatment without added supplementation.

Methods

FruktBAR is a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The trial will aim to recruit 302 patients receiving opioid agonist therapy. The intervention involves daily supplementation with 250 ml fruit smoothie including a variety of fruits such as apple, pineapple, mango, bananas, orange, blueberries, passion fruit, coconut, lime, and blackcurrant. The main endpoints are 16 weeks after intervention initiation. Participants will be included and followed up during and after the intervention. The target group will be patients with opioid dependence receiving opioid agonist therapy from involved outpatient clinics in Bergen and Stavanger, two of the largest cities in Norway. The main outcome is psychological distress assessed with Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-10) at the end of the intervention period 16 weeks after initiation, and will be compared between the intervention and control arms. Secondary outcome measures are changes in fatigue, physical functioning assessed with a 4-minute step-test, health-related quality of life, biochemical indicators of inflammation, and biochemical indicators of fruit intake.

Discussion

This study will inform on the relative advantages or disadvantages of fruit supplementation in addition to the current medically and psychologically oriented treatment of people receiving opioid agonist therapy. If the supplementation is efficacious, it can be considered for further scale-up.

Trial registration

Registered 2022-02-08 in ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05229770.
Strengthening Mental Abilities with Relational Training (SMART) in multiple sclerosis (MS): study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Golijani-Moghaddam Nima , Dawson David L. , Evangelou Nikos , Turton James , Hawton Annie , Law Graham R. , Roche Bryan , Rowan Elise , Burge Rupert , Frost Alexandra C. , das Nair Roshan
Published: September 2022

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition of the central nervous system, affecting around 1 in every 600 people in the UK, with 130 new diagnoses every week. Cognitive difficulties are common amongst people with MS, with up to 70% experiencing deficits in higher-level brain functions—such as planning and problem-solving, attention, and memory. Cognitive deficits make it difficult for people with MS to complete everyday tasks and limit their abilities to work, socialise, and live independently. There is a clear need—and recognised research priority—for treatments that can improve cognitive functioning in people with MS. The absence of effective cognitive interventions exacerbates burdens on the services accessed by people with MS—requiring these services to manage sequelae of untreated cognitive deficits, including reduced quality of life, greater disability and dependence, and poorer adherence to disease-modifying treatments. Our planned research will fill the evidence gap through developing—and examining the feasibility of trialling—a novel online cognitive rehabilitation programme for people with MS (SMART). The SMART programme directly trains relational skills (the ability to flexibly relate concepts to one another) based on theory that these skills are critical to broader cognitive functioning.

Methods

The primary objective of this study aims to conduct a feasibility study to inform the development of a definitive trial of SMART for improving cognitive functioning in people with MS. The secondary objective is to develop the framework for a cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a definitive trial, and the exploratory objective is to assess the signal of efficacy.

Discussion

As a feasibility trial, outcomes are unlikely to immediately effect changes to NHS practice. However, this is a necessary step towards developing a definitive trial—and will give us a signal of efficacy, a prerequisite for progression to a definitive trial. If found to be clinically and cost-effective, the latter trial could create a step-change in MS cognitive rehabilitation—improving service delivery and optimising support with limited additional resources.

Trial registration

Registration ID: ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT04975685—registered on July 23rd, 2021.

Protocol version: 2.0, 25 November 2021
A trial of intra-pleural bacterial immunotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma (TILT) — a randomised feasibility study using the trial within a cohort (TwiC) methodology
Authors: Bibby Anna C. , Zahan-Evans Natalie , Keenan Emma , Comins Charles , Harvey John E. , Day Helen , Rahman Najib M. , Fallon Janet E. , Gooberman-Hill Rachael , Maskell Nick A.
Published: September 2022

Background

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive thoracic malignancy with a poor prognosis. Systemic immunotherapy is an effective frontline treatment for MPM, and there is a scientific rationale supporting the possible efficacy of local, i.e. intra-pleural immune modulators. Trial of intra-pleural bacterial immunotherapy (TILT) investigated the feasibility of performing a randomised trial of intra-pleural bacterial immunotherapy in people with MPM, using the trials within cohorts (TwiC) methodology.

Methods

TILT was a multicentre, three-armed, randomised, feasibility TwiC of intra-pleural OK432, BCG, or usual care in people with MPM. Eligible participants were identified from within the ASSESS-meso study, a prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study, and were randomly selected to be offered a single dose of OK432 or BCG, via an indwelling pleural catheter. The primary outcome was feasibility, evaluated against prespecified recruitment, attrition and data completeness targets. The acceptability of trial processes and interventions was assessed during qualitative interviews with participants and family members at the end of the trial. TILT was registered prospectively on the European Clinical Trials Registry (EudraCT number 2016–004,727-23) and the ISRCTN Register on 04 December 2017.

Results

Seven participants were randomised from a planned sample size of 12; thus, the 66% recruitment rate target was not met. Two participants withdrew after randomisation, breaching the pre-stated attrition threshold of 10%. It was not possible to maintain blinding of control participants, which negated a fundamental tenet of the TwiC design. The trial processes and methodology were generally acceptable to participants and relatives, despite several recipients of intra-pleural bacterial agents experiencing significant local and systemic inflammatory responses.

Conclusion

It was possible to design a clinical trial of an investigational medicinal product based on the TwiC design and to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. However, whilst acceptable to participants and relatives, the TwiC design was not a feasible method of investigating intra-pleural bacterial immunotherapy in people with MPM. Future trials investigating this topic should consider the eligibility constraints and recruitment difficulties encountered.

Trial registration

TILT was registered prospectively on the European Clinical Trials Registry (EudraCT number 2016-004727-23) and the ISRCTN Register (10432197) on 04 December 2017.
Public Interest Group on Cancer Research: a successful patient–researcher partnership in Newfoundland and Labrador
Authors: Savas Sevtap , Etchegary Holly , Stuckless Teri , Whitten Cindy , Wiseman Jason , Bishop Derrick , King John , Cutting Janine , Peddle Darrell
Published: September 2022

Background

Partnering with patients and family members affected by cancer is essential for meaningful research, public engagement and outreach, and advocacy activities.

Objective

Our objective was to create a public interest group through an academic–community partnership focused on cancer research and public engagement.

Methods

A purposeful recruitment process was implemented to ensure a diverse and inclusive group. The group meets virtually and communicates by email. The group’s activities focus on identifying the needs, priorities, and interests of cancer-affected individuals in the province; consultations; and designing research projects and public outreach activities together. Comprehensive meeting minutes are kept and used to distill discussion points. The work of the group is disseminated through a variety of channels.

Results

The public interest group includes 12 cancer patient and family member representatives, in addition to researchers. Discussions by the interest group identified key themes related to: (1) equity issues and regional disparity in provincial oncocare; (2) information needs; (3) need for patient empowerment and public understanding; and (4) family member and partner needs and experiences. To date, the group has co-designed a cancer research proposal and a public engagement/outreach activity. The group also provides consultations on cancer-related projects/public engagement activities and members act as patient partners in specific research and public engagement proposals. The group evolves over time, and increasingly advocates on behalf of cancer patients and families. Retention and satisfaction of the public partners with group activities have been high. The group’s work and findings are disseminated to the Provincial Cancer Care Program, as well as to public and scientific stakeholders through local media, academic conferences and presentations, and a dedicated website.

Conclusion

Public Interest Group on Cancer Research represents a highly successful patient–researcher partnership in oncology. It designs meaningful and patient-oriented studies and outreach activities in cancer. It also elevates and widely supports cancer patient and family voice.
Patients’ perspectives of home and self-assist haemodialysis and factors influencing dialysis choices in Singapore
Authors: Ang Yue Tein Irene , Gan Shien Wen Sheryl , Liow Chee Hsiang , Phang Chee Chin , Choong Hui Lin Lina , Liu Peiyun
Published: September 2022

Background

The rise in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) prevalence globally calls for a need to deliver quality and cost-effective dialysis. While most are familiar with centre-based haemodialysis (HD), there is a move to increase uptake of home-based modalities (peritoneal dialysis (PD) or home haemodialysis (HHD)) and self-assist haemodialysis (SAHD) due to the economic, clinical and lifestyle advantages they confer. However, HHD and SAHD are not yet widely adopted in Singapore with majority of patients receiving in-centre HD. Although much research has examined patient decision-making around dialysis modality selection, there is limited literature evaluating patient’s perspectives of HHD and SAHD in Asia where the prevalence of these alternative modalities remained low. With this background, we aimed to evaluate patient’s perspectives of HHD and SAHD and the factors influencing their choice of dialysis modality in Singapore to determine the challenges and facilitators to establishing these modalities locally.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 patients on dialysis from a tertiary hospital in Singapore in this exploratory qualitative study. Data collected from one-to-one interviews were analysed via thematic content analysis and reported via an interpretative approach.

Results

The findings were segregated into: (1) factors influencing choices of dialysis modality; (2) perspectives of HHD; and (3) perspectives of SAHD. Modality choices were affected by environmental, personal, social, financial, information and family-related factors. Most perceived HHD as providing greater autonomy, convenience and flexibility while SAHD was perceived as a safer option than HHD. For both modalities, patients were concerned about self-care and burdening their family.

Conclusions

The findings provided a framework for healthcare providers to understand the determinants affecting patients’ dialysis modality decisions and uncovered the facilitators and challenges to be addressed to establish HHD and SAHD modalities in Singapore.
Intradialytic parenteral nutrition using a standard amino acid solution not for renal failure in maintenance hemodialysis patients with malnutrition: a multicenter pilot study
Authors: Yasukawa Ryota , Hosojima Michihiro , Kabasawa Hideyuki , Takeyama Aya , Ugamura Daisuke , Suzuki Yoshiki , Saito Akihiko , Narita Ichiei
Published: September 2022

Background

Standard amino acid solutions have recently been removed from the contraindications for use in dialysis patients in Japan. However, the details of their safety and efficacy in these patients are still not known. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) using ENEFLUID® injection containing standard amino acids, glucose, electrolytes, fats, and water-soluble vitamins in maintenance hemodialysis patients with malnutrition.

Methods

This clinical trial was designed as a multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, open-label, single-arm, observational pilot study. The participants were patients on maintenance hemodialysis who were in the nutritional high-risk group according to the Nutritional Risk Index for Japanese Hemodialysis Patients. One bag of ENEFLUID® injection was administered during every hemodialysis session for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in serum transthyretin levels between before and after the 12-week period. As safety endpoints, we evaluated changes in body fluid volume and blood biochemical tests, including blood urea nitrogen and electrolytes, as well as blood glucose variability using flash glucose monitoring (FGM).

Results

The mean age and body mass index of the 13 participants were 79.0 ± 10.7 years and 18.0 ± 1.7 kg/m2, respectively. No significant changes were observed in nutritional parameters, including serum transthyretin, between before and after the start of the study. After IDPN initiation, there was no obvious fluid overload or significant changes in blood biochemical tests, including electrolytes, and the treatment could be safely continued for 12 weeks. In the FGM analysis, asymptomatic hypoglycemia during hemodialysis was observed at the beginning of the study, but there was a trend toward improvement after 12 weeks (area over the curve < 70 mg/dl per dialysis session: 747.5 ± 1333.9 to 21.6 ± 54.3, P = 0.09).

Conclusions

IDPN using ENEFLUID® injection can be safely continued, although it does not significantly improve markers of nutritional status. It also showed the potential to ameliorate asymptomatic hypoglycemia during hemodialysis sessions. More detailed studies of the improvement in nutritional indicators are needed.

Trial registration: This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) on May 9, 2021 (registration ID, UMIN000044051).
Thymic self-antigen expression for immune tolerance and surveillance
Authors: Benlaribi Rayene , Gou Qiao , Takaba Hiroyuki
Published: September 2022

T cells are a group of lymphocytes that play a central role in the immune system, notably, eliminating pathogens and attacking cancer while being tolerant of the self. Elucidating how immune tolerance is ensured has become a significant research issue for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases as well as cancer immunity. T cell immune tolerance is established mainly in the thymic medulla by the removal of self-responsive T cells and the generation of regulatory T cells, this process depends mainly on the expression of a variety of tissue restricted antigens (TRAs) by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). The expression of TRAs is known to be regulated by at least two independent factors, Fezf2 and Aire, which play non-redundant and complementary roles by different mechanisms. In this review, we introduce the molecular logic of thymic self-antigen expression that underlies T cell selection for the prevention of autoimmunity and the establishment of immune surveillance.
Wakeful resting and listening to music contrast their effects on verbal long-term memory in dependence on word concreteness
Authors: Martini Markus , Wasmeier Jessica R. , Talamini Francesca , Huber Stefan E. , Sachse Pierre
Published: September 2022

Wakeful resting and listening to music are powerful means to modulate memory. How these activities affect memory when directly compared has not been tested so far. In two experiments, participants encoded and immediately recalled two word lists followed by either 6 min wakefully resting or 6 min listening to music. The results of Experiment 1 show that both post-encoding conditions have a similar effect on memory after 1 day. In Experiment 2, we explored the possibility that less concrete words, i.e. lower in imageability than in Experiment 1, are differently affected by the two post-encoding conditions. The results of Experiment 2 show that, when words are less concrete, more words are retained after 1 day when encoding is followed by wakeful resting rather than listening to music. These findings indicate that the effects of wakeful resting and listening to music on memory consolidation are moderated by the concreteness of the encoded material.
Field efficacy of Isaria fumosorosea alone and in combination with insecticides against Aleurodicus rugioperculatus on coconut
Authors: Sandeep A. , Selvaraj K. , Kalleshwaraswamy C. M. , Hanumanthaswamy B. C. , Mallikarjuna H. B.
Published: September 2022

Background

The rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), an exotic polyphagous pest and its infestation was documented on coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) for the first time in India during 2016. RSW has attained a serious pest on many economically important crop plants due to its damage severity and rapid spread across the country in a short span of time. Hence, an attempt was made to evaluate the efficiency of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Isaria fumosorosea alone as well as in combination with a reduced dose of few insecticides against RSW on coconut to devise a sustainable integrated pest management module. Thirty-two randomly selected RSW-infested coconut palms were labelled, and eight treatments with four replications were used in a randomized complete block design during the summer months (April and May) during 2021. Two sprays were performed at 15-day intervals, at a rate of 5 L/palm, and observations on infestation/palm (%), intensity (%) and mean live colonies of RSW were recorded.

Results

The results revealed that the combination of I. fumosorosea (ICAR-NBAIR Pfu-5) @ 5 ml/l + profenophos 50 EC @ 2 ml/l spray significantly reduced per cent infestation of RSW (82.97%), per cent intensity of RSW (80.49%) and mean RSW live colonies (79.68%) followed by combination of I. fumosorosea (ICAR-NBAIR Pfu-5) @ 5 ml/l + buprofezin 25% SC @ 1.25 ml/l spray significantly reduced per cent infestation of RSW (79.35%), intensity of RSW (74.79%) and mean RSW live colonies (74.20%) over I. fumosorosea (ICAR-NBAIR Pfu-5) @ 5 ml/l alone and untreated control. A combination of I. fumosorosea (5 ml/l) + profenophos 50 EC (2 ml/l) spray twice at an interval of 15 days was found effective in reducing the RSW population on coconut.

Conclusions

The present study concludes that the RSW can be controlled effectively by I. fumosorosea alone and in combination with novel insecticides at a reduced rate which showed better toxicity, ovicidal action and preserve natural enemies and reduced environmental load of chemical pesticides.
Role of plant growth promoting microbes in the control of fungal foliar diseases of tomato under protected cultivation
Authors: Hegde Gurudatt M. , Malligawad Lokanath H. , Sreenivasa M. N. , Chetri Bimal K.
Published: September 2022

Background

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of plant growth-promoting microbes on the foliar disease of organic tomatoes under protected cultivation. The biological control agents, viz., Trichoderma harzianum (T. harzianum), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (P. fluorescens), used seed treatment, seedling dip, and spray separately in sequence with the plot size of (2.5 × 1 m) and the spacing of (45 × 60 cm). The observations on percentage disease yield and plant growth parameters were assessed, and economics was calculated. Tukey's HSD at p < 0.05 was used to compare all means among treatments.

Results

The results showed that seed treatment with B. subtilis at 5 g, followed by a seedling dip with B. subtilis at 10 g l−1 and spray with B. subtilis at 5 g l−1 four times at 15 days intervals significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the tomato diseases early blight, septoria leaf spot, and powdery mildew (T2). These results were comparable to seed treated with P. fluorescens at 5 g l−1, followed by a seedling dipping with P. fluorescens at 10 g l−1 and spraying with P. fluorescens at 10 g l−1 four times at 15-day intervals (T3). Except for T1, plant parameters, yields, net returns, and benefits were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the untreated control (T8).

Conclusion

The applications of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens as plant growth-promoting microbes had a considerable scope for managing fungal foliar (multiple) diseases and achieving sustainable yields under the protected cultivation of organically grown tomatoes.
Survival in patients with multiple myeloma: evaluation of possible associations with bone marrow fibrosis and investigation of factors independently associated with survival
Authors: Dogan Esma Evrim , Arslan Aysenur , Demirel Naciye , Aydin Demet , Mansuroglu Ilknur , Atak Suheyla , Keklik Karadag Fatma , Eren Rafet , Saydam Guray
Published: September 2022

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by infiltration of neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow. Although many novel agents have been developed in the last decade, MM remains a non-curable disease. The association between bone marrow fibrosis (BMF) and MM survival is unknown, and the considerable changes in patient survival during the last few decades necessitates new studies to examine survival and associated factors in patients with MM.

Results

A total of 72 patients with MM, 39 (54.17%) males and 33 (45.83%) females, were included in this retrospective study. Fifteen patients did not have BMF, 55 had BMF (grades 1–4); there were no significant differences between these groups in terms of any of the parameters examined. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 56.5 ± 7.4%. Mean OS was 81.54 ± 7.01 months, mean progression-free survival (PFS) after first-line treatment was 14.07 ± 2.54 months, and mean PFS after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was 25.92 ± 3.66 months. Survival times or mortality risk were not found to be associated with BMF in any of the analyses (HR 1.208, [95% CI 0.408–3.578], p = 0.733). Mortality risk was increased by 8.163-fold in patients with hypercalcemia (HR 8.163, 95% CI 2.413–27.617, p = 0.001), while it was decreased by 0.243-fold in patients with favourable response to first-line treatment (HR 0.243, 95% CI 0.078–0.756, p = 0.015). Younger patients (< 60 years) had a 1.981-fold greater risk of progression after first-line treatment (HR 1.981, 95% CI 1.111–3.532, p = 0.021), while those with hypercalcemia had a 3.160-fold greater risk of progression after ASCT (HR 3.160, 95% CI 1.103–9.052, p = 0.032). Low haemoglobin levels were also associated with increased mortality risk (p = 0.024).

Conclusion

Although hypercalcemia, unfavourable treatment response, young age and a low haemoglobin level were found to be indicators of poor prognosis in patients with MM, no relationship was found between BMF and survival.
The prevalence and determining factors of sleep disorders vary by gender in the Egyptian public officials: a large cross-sectional study
Authors: Eshak Ehab Salah
Published: September 2022

Background

Several studies have investigated sleep disorders in the general population. However, a few studies were conducted among the working population and none among the Egyptian workers. We aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disorders and determine their associated factors. In a sample of 3143 Egyptian public officials, we collected, via a self-administered questionnaire, cross-sectional data on demographics, social, occupational, behavioral, and medical factors associated with sleep. The Jenkins sleep evaluation (JSEQ) questionnaire assessed four sleep disorders, and the logistic and linear regression models determined the associated factors.

Results

The prevalence of sleep disorders was 26.2% and 14.5% in female and male Egyptian public officials. Common factors associated with sleep disorders in men and women were age, BMI, job demands and control, and history of chronic disease and depression. However, other associated factors varied by gender. Urban residence (aOR = 1.54 (1.10–2.17), overtime work (aOR = 1.60 (1.16–2.23), and low perceived family social support (aOR = 1.63 (1.06–2.52) in males, while higher income (aOR = 3.64 (1.71–7.73) in females were positively associated with sleep disorders. Higher education levels were associated positively in females and inversely in males with sleep disorders. These factors predicted 28% and 39% of the total variance in the JSEQ score in females and males, respectively. Moreover, the associated factors varied by the type of sleep disorder.

Conclusions

The determinants of sleep disorders varied by gender. Worksite interventions to improve job control and income and reduce chronic physical and mental disease risk are recommended to enhance sleep quality.
Moisture sorption characteristics and modelling of babool (Acacia nilotica) gum
Authors: Saraugi Shristi Shefali , Patel Shadanan , Sahu Chandrahas , Pisalkar Prashant S. , Sahu Pooja , Khokhar Dharmendra
Published: September 2022

Background

The study of sorption isotherm is the most important for prediction of shelf life, selection of packaging materials, drying characteristics, etc., of any food and agricultural materials. Gum is hygroscopic in nature, so finding of moisture sorption is crucial. Equilibrium moisture content of babool gum at 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C temperatures under relative humidity ranging from 11 to 95% was determined.

Results

Maximum equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of babool gum (33.6%, db) was recorded with the set of highest relative humidity (92.3%) at lowest temperature (30 °C), and minimum (2.8%, db) was obtained with the set of lowest relative humidity (10.9%) at highest temperature (60 °C) under the experimental conditions. The EMC data were employed in five well-identified sorption models, namely GAB, Iglesias and Chirife, Caurie, Halsey and BET model. GAB model best interpreted the data in a reasonable way as per statistical parameters of goodness of fit. The monolayer moisture content Mo was found to be 8.46 and 7.49 g/100 g at 30 and 60 °C, respectively.

Conclusion

The sorption behaviours of babool gum were classified as type-II curves. It was obviously perceived that the isosteric heat decreases with the boost in moisture content.
Salivary and serum expression of TNF-α and Ki-67 in oral potentially malignant lesions
Authors: Tarek Heba E. , Shalash Heba N. , Morsy Reham A. A. , Mostafa Basma , Hassan Mirhane , Abbas Rania M. , Ellithy Marwa M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Oral potentially malignant lesions (OPML) are suspicious lesions that may turn into malignancy according to the degree of dysplasia. Early diagnosis of these lesions allows their treatment before malignant transformation. Saliva is a liquid biopsy that can be obtained easily from the patient and assessed for biomarkers expression. Our study aimed to investigate the possibility of using salivary and serum TNF-α and Ki-67 in early detection of OPML. Patients with OPML were selected according to histopathological evaluation of the suspected lesions. The lesions were stained immunohistochemically by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Ki-67. Saliva and blood samples were collected from the patients for detecting the expression of the markers by ELISA.

Results

The level of TNF-α and Ki-67 was higher in patients with OPML than healthy individuals regarding both saliva and serum. TNF-α was significantly higher in saliva than in serum unlike Ki-67 which was insignificantly higher in saliva than in serum. The OPML show negative expression of TNF-α in OPML immunohistochemically unlike Ki-67 which show intense positive expression in OPML immunohistochemically.

Conclusions

Saliva can be used as an early noninvasive biomarker detector depending on selecting the appropriate salivary biomarker. Salivary TNF-α can be used in early diagnosis of OPML.
Fire history and vegetation data reveal ecological benefits of recent mixed-severity fires in the Cumberland Mountains, West Virginia, USA
Authors: Saladyga Thomas , Palmquist Kyle A. , Bacon Cassie M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Without periodic fire, fire-adapted plant communities across the Central Hardwood Forest Region (CHF) in the USA have undergone significant changes in forest structure and species composition, most notably a decrease in oak regeneration and herbaceous diversity and an increase in shade-tolerant, fire-sensitive tree species. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of two mixed pine-oak (Pinus-Quercus) forests with different land management histories in the Cumberland Mountains of southern West Virginia where fire ecology and fire effects are understudied. We reconstructed the fire history of both sites from fire-scarred shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.) trees to describe variation in the fire regimes over time. We also made plant community measurements that spatially coincided with fire-scarred pines to assess present-day plant community structure in relation to recent fire history.

Results

Before 1970, fires at Hite Fork and Wall Fork occurred frequently and almost exclusively in the dormant season, every 7–8 years on average. The fire regimes diverged in the Post-Industrial era (1970–2020), during which there was a single fire at Wall Fork, while six major fires, scarring more than 40% of sampled trees, occurred between 1985 and 2017 at Hite Fork. Four of these dormant-season fires correspond to late fall incendiary fires in the observational record. These differences in recent fire history had large effects on plant community structure. Recent mixed-severity fires at Hite Fork likely caused mortality of pole-sized trees and opened the canopy, creating conditions favorable for pine recruitment and resulted in significantly higher species richness in the herbaceous layer compared to Wall Fork, which exhibited the effects of mesophication.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that frequent mixed-severity fire in pine-oak forests of the Cumberland Mountains can meet management objectives by reducing mesophytic tree abundance, increasing herbaceous diversity and pine recruitment, and generally promoting forest heterogeneity.
The effects of electrical stimulation on glial cell behaviour
Authors: Tsui Christopher T. , Lal Preet , Fox Katelyn V. R. , Churchward Matthew A. , Todd Kathryn G.
Published: September 2022

Neural interface devices interact with the central nervous system (CNS) to substitute for some sort of functional deficit and improve quality of life for persons with disabilities. Design of safe, biocompatible neural interface devices is a fast-emerging field of neuroscience research. Development of invasive implant materials designed to directly interface with brain or spinal cord tissue has focussed on mitigation of glial scar reactivity toward the implant itself, but little exists in the literature that directly documents the effects of electrical stimulation on glial cells. In this review, a survey of studies documenting such effects has been compiled and categorized based on the various types of stimulation paradigms used and their observed effects on glia. A hybrid neuroscience cell biology-engineering perspective is offered to highlight considerations that must be made in both disciplines in the development of a safe implant. To advance knowledge on how electrical stimulation affects glia, we also suggest experiments elucidating electrochemical reactions that may occur as a result of electrical stimulation and how such reactions may affect glia. Designing a biocompatible stimulation paradigm should be a forefront consideration in the development of a device with improved safety and longevity.
Biogenic surfactant mediated facile synthesis of visible light sensitized Zn/Mg co-doped TiO2 nanomaterials – a green approach: evaluation of photocatalytic activity by degradation of Amido Black 10B
Authors: Jaishree Genji , Divya Gorli , Rao Tirukkovalluri Siva , Chippada M. L. V. Prasanna , Raju Imandi Manga
Published: September 2022

Visible light-driven Zn and Mg co-doped TiO2 nanomaterials were synthesized by varying dopant concentrations in presence of biogenic surfactant Sapindus emerginatus (biogenic extract) via the Sol-gel method and have been successfully applicated to the degradation of Amido Black 10B (AB 10B), an exemplary anionic textile azo dye pollutant. This study explored the potent capping properties of biogenic extract surfactant by encapsulating the Zn/Mg co-doped TiO2. In a view to assessing the physical and optical properties of the as-synthesized catalysts, various advanced instrumental techniques were adopted. The Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis show the formation of small particle sizes (6.9 nm) pertaining to biogenic surfactant-assisted Zn/Mg co-doped TiO2 (ZMT4S2). The substitutional doping of Zn and Mg into the TiO2 framework by substituting Ti4+ ion and the encapsulation of surfactant around catalyst was confirmed by Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectral studies. The surface area of the ZMT4S2 was found to be high (195 m2 g− 1) as compared with undoped TiO2 (74 m2 g− 1) and Zn (1.00 wt%) / Mg (0.25 wt%) co-doped TiO2 (ZMT4) (132 m2 g− 1). The red shift in the absorbance was observed for all the catalysts analyzed using UV-Vis-Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-Vis-DRS) confirms the ZMT4S2 showing less band gap of 2.1 eV than other catalysts. Further the electrical property of the catalyst was studied using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The results obtained from impedance and Mott-Schotky plots show the reduced electrical resistance and electron hole recombination respectively. The sensitivity of the catalyst towards visible light was confirmed by its band gap energy measurement using UV-Vis-DRS. The anatase phase of all the catalysts was confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction. The composition and wt% of dopants revealed the Energy Dispersive X-ray spectra agree well with the calculated value. The slightly shifted frequency bands (FTIR) further confirmed the doping of Zn and Mg. The characterization analysis reports further accounts for the effective degradation of AB 10B dye (99%) taking place within 20 min of irradiation time at optimized reaction parameters such as best dopant concentration ZMT4, catalyst dosage (100 mg L− 1), dye concentration (10 mg L− 1) and solution pH 3.