bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure levels of dust, endotoxin, and microorganisms in the Danish recycling industry
Authors: Hansen Karoline Kærgaard , Schlünssen Vivi , Broberg Karin , Østergaard Kirsten , Frederiksen Margit W , Madsen Anne Mette , Kolstad Henrik Albert
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Recycling of domestic waste and a number of employees in the recycling industry is expected to increase. This study aims to quantify current exposure levels of inhalable dust, endotoxin, and microorganisms and to identify determinants of exposure among recycling workers.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 170 full-shift measurements from 88 production workers and 14 administrative workers from 12 recycling companies in Denmark. The companies recycle domestic waste (sorting, shredding, and extracting materials from waste). We collected inhalable dust with personal samplers that were analysed for endotoxin (n = 170) and microorganisms (n = 101). Exposure levels of inhalable dust, endotoxin, and microorganisms and potential determinants of exposure were explored by mixed-effects models.

Results

The production workers were 7-fold or higher exposed to inhalable dust, endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi than the administrative workers. Among production workers recycling domestic waste, the geometric mean exposure level was 0.6 mg/m3 for inhalable dust, 10.7 endotoxin unit (EU)/m3 for endotoxin, 1.6 × 104 colony forming units (CFU)/m³ of bacteria, 4.4 × 104 CFU/m³ of fungi (25 °C), and 1.0 × 103 CFU/m³ of fungi (37 °C). Workers handling paper or cardboard had higher exposure levels than workers handling other waste fractions. The temperature did not affect exposure levels, although there was a tendency toward increased exposure to bacteria and fungi with higher temperatures. For inhalable dust and endotoxin, exposure levels during outdoor work were low compared to indoor work. For bacteria and fungi, indoor ventilation decreased exposure. The work task, waste fraction, temperature, location, mechanical ventilation, and the company size explained around half of the variance of levels of inhalable dust, endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi.

Conclusion

The production workers of the Danish recycling industry participating in this study had higher exposure levels of inhalable dust, endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi than the administrative workers. Exposure levels of inhalable dust and endotoxin among recycling workers in Denmark were generally below established or suggested occupational exposure limits (OEL). However, 43% to 58% of the individual measurements of bacteria and fungi were above the suggested OEL. The waste fraction was the most influential determinant for exposure, and the highest exposure levels were seen during handling paper or cardboard. Future studies should examine the relationship between exposure levels and health effects among workers recycling domestic waste.
Comprehensive functional evaluation of a novel collagen for the skin protection in human fibroblasts and keratinocytes
Authors: Sun Wei , He Jian , Zhang Yihan , He Ruikun , Zhang Xuguang
Published: May 2023

The collagen had been widely used as a promising source of functional food supplements for skin care. Here, we developed a novel animal-derived collagen that displayed multiple functions for protecting the human skin cells under UV irradiation. Different evaluations were performed to explore the protective effects of this collagen on human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Specifically, we found that our collagen could induce the production of collagen I, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in fibroblasts and could also enhance the skin wound healing ability. Besides, it could elevate the expression of aquaporin-3 and cluster of differentiation 44 in keratinocytes. Moreover, this collagen had been demonstrated to alleviate the generation of reactive oxygen species and the malondialdehyde content in UVA-treated fibroblasts, as well as the secretion of inflammation factors in keratinocytes. These data indicated that the novel animal-derived collagen was a hopeful material for the comprehensive protection of the skin cells and the prevention of skin aging.
Circulating tumour DNA in colorectal cancer management
Authors: Cohen Ryan , Platell Cameron F , McCoy Melanie J , Meehan Katie , Fuller Kathy
Published: May 2023

Circulating tumour DNA analysis can be performed using two opposing paradigms: tumour-informed and tumour-agnostic approaches. The first requires sequencing data from the primary tumour sample to identify tumour DNA in circulation, whereas the latter occurs without previous primary tumour genetic profiling.

Several preanalytical and laboratory considerations need to be taken into account before proceeding with in-house circulating tumour DNA analysis.

Detection of circulating tumour DNA after curative resection is associated with a significant risk of recurrence. For those with stage II disease and detectable postoperative circulating tumour DNA, administration of adjuvant chemotherapy results in a reduction in the number of patients receiving chemotherapy while providing non-inferior recurrence-free survival compared with standard histopathological decision-making algorithms.

Monitoring circulating tumour DNA during post-treatment surveillance may provide a significantly earlier diagnosis of recurrence.
Genetic risk factor clustering within and across neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Koretsky Mathew J , Alvarado Chelsea , Makarious Mary B , Vitale Dan , Levine Kristin , Bandres-Ciga Sara , Dadu Anant , Scholz Sonja W , Sargent Lana , Faghri Faraz , Iwaki Hirotaka , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Singleton Andrew , Nalls Mike , Leonard Hampton
Published: May 2023

Overlapping symptoms and co-pathologies are common in closely related neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Investigating genetic risk variants across these NDDs can give further insight into disease manifestations.

In this study we have leveraged genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms and genome-wide association study summary statistics to cluster patients based on their genetic status across identified risk variants for five NDDs (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia). The multi-disease and disease-specific clustering results presented here provide evidence that NDDs have more overlapping genetic aetiology than previously expected and how neurodegeneration should be viewed as a spectrum of symptomology. These clustering analyses also show potential subsets of patients with these diseases that are significantly depleted for any known common genetic risk factors suggesting environmental or other factors at work.

Establishing that NDDs with overlapping pathologies share genetic risk loci, future research into how these variants might have different effects on downstream protein expression, pathology and NDD manifestation in general is important for refining and treating NDDs.
Optogenetic stimulation of the superior colliculus suppresses genetic absence seizures
Authors: Campos-Rodriguez Carolina , Palmer Devin , Forcelli Patrick A
Published: May 2023

While anti-seizure medications are effective for many patients, nearly one-third of individuals have seizures that are refractory to pharmacotherapy. Prior studies using evoked preclinical seizure models have shown that pharmacological activation or excitatory optogenetic stimulation of the deep and intermediate layers of the superior colliculus (DLSC) display multi-potent anti-seizure effects. Here we monitored and modulated DLSC activity to suppress spontaneous seizures in the WAG/Rij genetic model of absence epilepsy.

Female and male WAG/Rij adult rats were employed as study subjects. For electrophysiology studies, we recorded single unit activity from microwire arrays placed within the DLSC. For optogenetic experiments, animals were injected with virus coding for channelrhodopsin-2 or a control vector, and we compared the efficacy of continuous neuromodulation to that of closed-loop neuromodulation paradigms. For each, we compared three stimulation frequencies on a within-subject basis (5, 20, 100 Hz). For closed-loop stimulation, we detected seizures in real time based on the EEG power within the characteristic frequency band of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs). We quantified the number and duration of each SWD during each 2 h-observation period. Following completion of the experiment, virus expression and fibre-optic placement was confirmed.

We found that single-unit activity within the DLSC decreased seconds prior to SWD onset and increased during and after seizures. Nearly 40% of neurons displayed suppression of firing in response to the start of SWDs. Continuous optogenetic stimulation of the DLSC (at each of the three frequencies) resulted in a significant reduction of SWDs in males and was without effect in females. In contrast, closed-loop neuromodulation was effective in both females and males at all three frequencies.

These data demonstrate that activity within the DLSC is suppressed prior to SWD onset, increases at SWD onset, and that excitatory optogenetic stimulation of the DLSC exerts anti-seizure effects against absence seizures. The striking difference between open- and closed-loop neuromodulation approaches underscores the importance of the stimulation paradigm in determining therapeutic effects.
Edge-centric functional network predicts risk propensity in economic decision-making: evidence from a resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Jiang Lin , Yang Qingqing , He Runyang , Wang Guangying , Yi Chanlin , Si Yajing , Yao Dezhong , Xu Peng , Yu Liang , Li Fali
Published: May 2023

Despite node-centric studies revealing an association between resting-state functional connectivity and individual risk propensity, the prediction of future risk decisions remains undetermined. Herein, we applied a recently emerging edge-centric method, the edge community similarity network (ECSN), to alternatively describe the community structure of resting-state brain activity and to probe its contribution to predicting risk propensity during gambling. Results demonstrated that inter-individual variability of risk decisions correlates with the inter-subnetwork couplings spanning the visual network (VN) and default mode network (DMN), cingulo-opercular task control network, and sensory/somatomotor hand network (SSHN). Particularly, participants who have higher community similarity of these subnetworks during the resting state tend to choose riskier and higher yielding bets. And in contrast to low-risk propensity participants, those who behave high-risky show stronger couplings spanning the VN and SSHN/DMN. Eventually, based on the resting-state ECSN properties, the risk rate during the gambling task is effectively predicted by the multivariable linear regression model at the individual level. These findings provide new insights into the neural substrates of the inter-individual variability in risk propensity and new neuroimaging metrics to predict individual risk decisions in advance.
Effect of ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation on uptake of renal supportive care and dialysis decision-making in older adults
Authors: Rosenberg Kerry-Lee , Burns Aine , Caplin Ben
Published: May 2023

Background

Renal supportive care has become an increasingly relevant treatment option as the renal patient population ages. Despite the prevalence of kidney disease amongst ethnic minority and socioeconomically deprived patients, evidence focused on supportive care and dialysis decision-making in these groups is limited.

Methods

This retrospective study selected older patients referred to a low clearance or supportive care service between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019. A descriptive analysis of clinical and socioeconomic characteristics according to treatment choice was produced and multivariate logistic regression models used to identify predictive factors for choosing supportive care. Surrogate markers for the success of decision-making processes were evaluated, including time taken to reach a supportive care decision and risk of death without making a treatment decision or within 3 months of starting kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Finally, the association between ethnicity and socioeconomic status and hospital admission rates was compared between treatment groups.

Results

Amongst 1768 patients, 515 chose supportive care and 309 chose KRT. Predictive factors for choosing supportive care included age, frailty and a diagnosis of cognitive impairment. However, there was no association with ethnicity or deprivation. Similarly, these factors were not associated with time taken to make a supportive care decision or the mortality outcome. Amongst those on KRT, more socially advantaged patients had decreased rates of hospital admissions compared with those less advantaged (incident rate ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.92–0.99).

Conclusion

Predictive factors for choosing supportive care were clinical, rather than socioeconomic. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with increased rates of hospitalization in the KRT group. This is a possible signal that these groups experienced greater morbidity on KRT versus supportive care, an association not demonstrated amongst higher socioeconomic groups.
Left main bifurcation stenting: impact of residual ischaemia on cardiovascular mortality
Authors: Wang Hao-Yu , Zhang Rui , Dou Kefei , Huang Yunfei , Xie Lihua , Qiao Zheng , Zou Tongqiang , Guan Changdong , Song Lei , Yang Weixian , Wu Yongjian , Tu Shengxian , Wijns William , Xu Bo
Published: May 2023

Aims

The present study sought to determine the rate and prognostic implications of post-procedural physiologically significant residual ischemia according to Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR) after left main (LM) bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and results

Consecutive patients undergoing LM bifurcation stenting at a large tertiary care center between January 2014 and December 2016 with available post-PCI μQFR were included. Physiologically significant residual ischemia was defined by post-PCI μQFR values ≤0.80 in the left anterior descending (LAD) or left circumflex artery (LCX). The primary outcome was 3-year cardiovascular death. The major secondary outcome was 3-year bifurcation-oriented composite endpoint (BOCE). Among 1170 included patients with analyzable post-PCI μQFR, 155 (13.2%) had residual ischemia in either LAD or LCX. Patients with vs. those without residual ischemia had a higher risk of 3-year cardiovascular mortality [5.4% vs. 1.3%; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 3.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16–8.80]. The 3-year risk of BOCE was significantly higher in the residual ischemia group (17.8% vs. 5.8%; adjusted HR 2.79, 95% CI: 1.68–4.64), driven by higher incidence of the composite of cardiovascular death and target bifurcation-related myocardial infarction (14.0% vs. 3.3%; adjusted HR 4.06, 95% CI: 2.22–7.42). A significant, inverse association was observed between continuous post-PCI μQFR and the risk of clinical outcomes (per 0.1 μQFR decrease, HR of cardiovascular death 1.27, 95% CI: 1.00–1.62; HR of BOCE 1.29, 95% CI: 1.14–1.47).

Conclusion

After angiographically successful LM bifurcation PCI, residual ischemia assessed by μQFR was identified in 13.2% of patients and was associated with higher risk of 3-year cardiovascular death, indicating the superior prognostic value of post-PCI physiological assessment.
Contrasting sensitivity of soil bacterial and fungal community composition to one year of water limitation in Scots pine mesocosms
Authors: Jaeger Astrid C H , Hartmann Martin , Six Johan , Solly Emily F
Published: May 2023

The soil microbiome is crucial for regulating biogeochemical processes and can, thus, strongly influence tree health, especially under stress conditions. However, little is known about the effect of prolonged water deficit on soil microbial communities during the development of saplings. We assessed the response of prokaryotic and fungal communities to different levels of experimental water limitation in mesocosms with Scots pine saplings. We combined analyses of physicochemical soil properties and tree growth with DNA metabarcoding of soil microbial communities throughout four seasons. Seasonal changes in soil temperature and soil water content and a decreasing soil pH strongly influenced the composition of microbial communities but not their total abundance. Contrasting levels of soil water contents gradually altered the soil microbial community structure over the four seasons. Results indicated that prokaryotic communities were less resistant to water limitation than fungal communities. Water limitation promoted the proliferation of desiccation tolerant, oligotrophic taxa. Moreover, water limitation and an associated increase in soil C/N ratio induced a shift in the potential lifestyle of taxa from symbiotic to saprotrophic. Overall, water limitation appeared to alter soil microbial communities involved in nutrient cycling, pointing to potential consequences for forest health affected by prolonged episodes of drought.
How molecular techniques are developed from natural systems
Authors: Ronai Isobel
Published: May 2023

A striking characteristic of the molecular techniques of genetics is that they are derived from natural occurring systems. RNA interference, for example, utilizes a mechanism that evolved in eukaryotes to destroy foreign nucleic acid. Other case studies I highlight are restriction enzymes, DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, gene targeting, fluorescent proteins (such as, green fluorescent protein), induced pluripotent stem cells, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated 9. The natural systems’ strategy for technique development means that biologists utilize the activity of a mechanism's effector (protein or RNA) and exploit biological specificity (protein or nucleic acid can cause precise reactions). I also argue that the developmental trajectory of novel molecular techniques, such as RNA interference, has 4 characteristic phases. The first phase is discovery of a biological phenomenon. The second phase is identification of the biological mechanism's trigger(s): the effector and biological specificity. The third phase is the application of the trigger(s) as a technique. The final phase is the maturation and refinement of the technique. Developing new molecular techniques from nature is crucial for future genetic research.
Implementation of efficient low-storage techniques for 3-D seismic simulation using the curved grid finite-difference method
Authors: Wang Wenqiang , Zhang Zhenguo , Zhang Wenqiang , Liu Qi
Published: May 2023

High-resolution 3-D seismic simulation imposes severe demands for computational memory, making low-storage seismic simulation particularly important. Due to its high-efficiency and low-storage, the half-precision floating-point 16-bit format (FP16) is widely used in heterogeneous computing platforms, such as Sunway series supercomputers and graphics processing unit (GPU) computing platforms. Furthermore, the low-storage Runge–Kutta (LSRK) technique requires lower memory resources compared with the classical Runge–Kutta. Therefore, FP16 and LSRK provide the possibility for low-storage seismic simulation. However, the orders of magnitude of the physical quantities (velocity, stress and Lamé constants) in the elastic wave equations are influenced by the P-wave and S-wave velocities and the densities of the elastic media. This results in a huge order of magnitude difference between the stored velocity and stress values, which exceed the range of the stored values of FP16. In this paper, we introduce three dimensionless constants, Cv, Cs and Cp, into elastic wave equations, and new elastic wave equations are derived. The three constants, Cv, Cs and Cp, keep the orders of magnitude of the velocity and stress at a similar level in the new elastic wave equations. Thus, the stored values of these variables in new equations remain within the range of the stored values of FP16. In addition, we introduce the use of the LSRK due to its low-storage characteristic. In this paper, based on the FP16 and LSRK low-storage techniques, we develop 3 optimized multi-GPU solvers for seismic simulation using the curved grid finite-difference method (CGFDM). Moreover, we perform a series of seismic simulations to verify the accuracy, stability, and validity of the optimized solver coupled with the two techniques. The verifications indicate that through maintaining the calculation accuracy, the computational efficiency of the solver is significantly optimized, and the memory usage is remarkably reduced. In particular, under the best conditions, the memory usage can be reduced to nearly 1/3 that of the original CGFDM solver.
The mechanism of the present-day crustal deformation in southeast Tibet: from numerical modelling and geodetic observations
Authors: Pang Yajin , Wu Yanqiang , Li Yujiang , Chen Changyun
Published: May 2023

The mechanism of present-day crustal deformation in southeast Tibet remains controversial. 3-D high-precision geodetic data can provide significant clues to analyse the key driving forces. Here, we conduct a series of 3-D finite-element modelling to investigate the influences of gravitational collapse, tectonic extrusion and mid-to-lower crustal flow on crustal deformation in southeast Tibet. The numerical results show that the gravitational collapse leads to predominant N-S extension and surface subsidence in the northern region, and predominant NW-SE compression and uplift in the southern region, which can explain the normal-faulting earthquakes in the interior. The gravity-driven horizontal velocity depends on the upper crustal viscosity, while the vertical velocity is determined by mid-to-lower crustal viscosity. The eastward tectonic extrusion causes slight southeastward rotation and predominant E-W compression in the northern region but has a little effect on the deformation in the southern region. By considering the joint effects of gravitational collapse and tectonic extrusion, we simulate the crustal deformation that reconciles with present-day geodetic observations. Both the two driving forces lead to positive shear strain rates along the major fault zones, with more contributions from the tectonic extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau. Constrained by the 3-D geodetic observations, the numerical results argue against the presence of massive fast mid-to-lower crustal flow from the Tibetan Plateau. Overall, the present-day crustal deformation in southeast Tibet is jointly driven by gravitational collapse and tectonic extrusion, which play distinct roles in shaping the faulting kinematics and regional strain partitioning.
Phenoloxidases: catechol oxidase – the temporary employer and laccase – the rising star of vascular plants
Authors: Liao Jugou , Wei Xuemei , Tao Keliang , Deng Gang , Shu Jie , Qiao Qin , Chen Gonglin , Wei Zhuo , Fan Meihui , Saud Shah , Fahad Shah , Chen Suiyun
Published: May 2023

Phenolics are vital for the adaptation of plants to terrestrial habitats and for species diversity. Phenoloxidases (catechol oxidases, COs, and laccases, LACs) are responsible for the oxidation and polymerization of phenolics. However, their origin, evolution, and differential roles during plant development and land colonization are unclear. We performed the phylogeny, domain, amino acids, compositional biases, and intron analyses to clarify the origin and evolution of COs and LACs, and analysed the structure, selective pressure, and chloroplast targeting to understand the species-dependent distribution of COs. We found that Streptophyta COs were not homologous to the Chlorophyta tyrosinases (TYRs), and might have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer from bacteria. COs expanded in bryophytes. Structural-functionality and selective pressure were partially responsible for the species-dependent retention of COs in embryophytes. LACs emerged in Zygnemaphyceae, having evolved from ascorbate oxidases (AAOs), and prevailed in the vascular plants and strongly expanded in seed plants. COs and LACs coevolved with the phenolic metabolism pathway genes. These results suggested that TYRs and AAOs were the first-stage phenoloxidases in Chlorophyta. COs might be the second key for the early land colonization. LACs were the third one (dominating in the vascular plants) and might be advantageous for diversified phenol substrates and the erect growth of plants. This work provided new insights into how phenoloxidases evolved and were devoted to plant evolution.
Marine Invertebrates One Cell at A Time: Insights from Single-Cell Analysis
Authors: Bump Paul , Lubeck Lauren
Published: May 2023

Synopsis

Over the past decade, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has made it possible to study the cellular diversity of a broad range of organisms. Technological advances in single-cell isolation and sequencing have expanded rapidly, allowing the transcriptomic profile of individual cells to be captured. As a result, there has been an explosion of cell type atlases created for many different marine invertebrate species from across the tree of life. Our focus in this review is to synthesize current literature on marine invertebrate scRNA-seq. Specifically, we provide perspectives on key insights from scRNA-seq studies, including descriptive studies of cell type composition, how cells respond in dynamic processes such as development and regeneration, and the evolution of new cell types. Despite these tremendous advances, there also lie several challenges ahead. We discuss the important considerations that are essential when making comparisons between experiments, or between datasets from different species. Finally, we address the future of single-cell analyses in marine invertebrates, including combining scRNA-seq data with other ‘omics methods to get a fuller understanding of cellular complexities. The full diversity of cell types across marine invertebrates remains unknown and understanding this diversity and evolution will provide rich areas for future study.
Fish community dynamics in a coastal no-take marine protected area compared to a harvested area before and after protection from fishing
Authors: Varnes B K , Olsen E M
Published: May 2023

An ecosystem's ability to maintain key functions during environmental change is largely determined by its biodiversity. We compared fish species composition, richness, diversity, catch per unit effort (CPUE), and fish size between a 1.5 km2 no-take marine protected area (MPA) and a nearby fished area on the southern Norwegian coast annually for one decade (2011–2021), including before-protection status. In total, >26 thousand fish representing 31 species were sampled using a beach seine. No significant effect of protection was detected on either species richness, diversity, or evenness. For selected species of small-bodied intermediate predators, there was a significant decline in mean body size in the MPA area compared to the fished area, indicative of a response to protection involving trophic interactions. No significant effect of the MPA was detected on either CPUE or body size of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), a top predator mainly captured at the juvenile stage by our sampling. The limited responses seen in this study may be linked to the small size of the MPA compared to the dispersal and movement capabilities of species such as the cod.
Constrained and composite optimization via adaptive sampling methods
Authors: Xie Yuchen , Bollapragada Raghu , Byrd Richard , Nocedal Jorge
Published: May 2023

The motivation for this paper stems from the desire to develop an adaptive sampling method for solving constrained optimization problems, in which the objective function is stochastic and the constraints are deterministic. The method proposed in this paper is a proximal gradient method that can also be applied to the composite optimization problem min $f(x) + h(x)$, where $f$ is stochastic and $h$ is convex (but not necessarily differentiable). Adaptive sampling methods employ a mechanism for gradually improving the quality of the gradient approximation so as to keep computational cost to a minimum. The mechanism commonly employed in unconstrained optimization is no longer reliable in the constrained or composite optimization settings, because it is based on pointwise decisions that cannot correctly predict the quality of the proximal gradient step. The method proposed in this paper measures the result of a complete step to determine if the gradient approximation is accurate enough; otherwise, a more accurate gradient is generated and a new step is computed. Convergence results are established both for strongly convex and general convex $f$. Numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the practical behavior of the method.
The Flexibility of β-Content, γ-Confidence Tolerance Intervals to Qualimetry a Simultaneous 22 Aromatic Amines Derived from Azo Dyes in Fabric Using a Sensitive GC–MS Technique
Authors: Ait Lhaj Raja , Saffaj Taoufiq , Ihssane Bouchaib
Published: May 2023

Background

Azo dyes are among the most widely used dyes in the textile industry, releasing a series of carcinogenic aromatic amines that can be absorbed through the skin.

Objective

This work aims to show that 22 azo dye amines in a textile matrix can be quantified using a GC–MS method.

Methods

Based on the notion of total error and β-content, γ-confidence tolerance intervals (β,γ-CCTI), a chemometric approach known as the “uncertainty profile” has been used to completely validate a GC–MS method for the simultaneous assay of 22 azo amines in fabrics. According to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in ISO 17025 guidelines, analytical validation and measurement uncertainty estimates have evolved to be two main principles for ensuring the accuracy of analytical results and controlling the risk associated with their use.

Results

The calculated tolerance intervals allowed for the determination of the uncertainty limits at each concentration level. These limits when compared to the acceptable limits show that a significant portion of the expected outcomes is in conformity. Additionally, the relative expanded uncertainty values, calculated with a proportion of 66.7% and a 10% risk, do not exceed 27.7, 12.2, and 10.9% for concentration levels 1, 15, and 30 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusion

The capability and flexibility of the β-content, γ-confidence intervals have been established through the use of this innovative approach to carrying out qualimetry of the GC–MS method depending on the behavior, required conformity proportion, and acceptable tolerance limits of each amine.

Highlights

An efficient GC–MS technique for the simultaneous determination of 22 azo amines in a textile matrix has been developed. Analytical validation using a new strategy based on the uncertainty concept is reported, uncertainty associated to measurement results is estimated, and the applicability of our approach to the GC–MS method is investigated.
Eye disease and international travel: a critical literature review and practical recommendations
Authors: Lee Jay Jun , Forristal Mark T , Harney Fiona , Flaherty Gerard T
Published: May 2023

Rationale for review

Eye diseases pose a significant public health and economic burden, particularly for travellers exposed to ocular hazards who may lack access to specialist eye care. This article offers an evidence-based review for travel-health practitioners, with a particular emphasis on ocular infections and trauma that are more prevalent among travellers. Providing an overview of these issues will allow travel health practitioners to comprehensively address ophthalmic considerations of travel.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed and Embase electronic databases, using keywords related to travel medicine and ophthalmology. Inclusion was based on the relevant contribution to epidemiology, aetiology, diagnostics, management and long-term consequences of travel-related eye conditions. The data were analysed using narrative synthesis.

Key findings

This literature review highlighted that various travel-related eye conditions may occur. Travellers should be aware of the risk of travel-related ocular complications, which can arise from ocular infections, high-risk activities, high altitude and space travel. The economic and logistical challenges associated with medical tourism for ophthalmic procedures are discussed. For travellers with pre-existing eye conditions or visual impairment, careful planning may be needed to promote eye health and ensure safety of travel.

Conclusions

Travel medicine practitioners should have a comprehensive understanding of the major ocular risks associated with overseas travel, including eye infections, eye injuries and solar eye damage. Further research in this area can enhance overall wellness and alleviate the burden of ocular diseases on travellers. Evidence-based guidelines based on research can also improve the quality of care and prevent long-term vision problems.
Phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C3 negatively regulates the hypersensitive response via complex signaling with MAP kinase, phytohormones, and reactive oxygen species in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Takasato Shiori , Bando Takuya , Ohnishi Kouhei , Tsuzuki Masayuki , Hikichi Yasufumi , Kiba Akinori
Published: May 2023

Phospholipid signaling plays important roles in plant immune responses. Here, we focused on two phospholipase C3 (PLC3) orthologs in the Nicotiana benthamiana genome, NbPLC3-1 and NbPLC3-2. We generated NbPLC3-1 and NbPLC3-2-double-silenced plants (NbPLC3s-silenced plants). In NbPLC3s-silenced plants challenged with Ralstonia solanacearum 8107, induction of hypersensitive response (HR)-related cell death and bacterial population reduction was accelerated, and the expression level of Nbhin1, a HR marker gene, was enhanced. Furthermore, the expression levels of genes involved in salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signaling drastically increased, reactive oxygen species production was accelerated, and NbMEK2-induced HR-related cell death was also enhanced. Accelerated HR-related cell death was also observed by bacterial pathogens Pseudomonas cichorii, P. syringae, bacterial AvrA, oomycete INF1, and TMGMV-CP with L1 in NbPLC3s-silenced plants. Although HR-related cell death was accelerated, the bacterial population was not reduced in double NbPLC3s and NbCoi1-suppressed plants nor in NbPLC3s-silenced NahG plants. HR-related cell death acceleration and bacterial population reduction resulting from NbPLC3s-silencing were compromised by the concomitant suppression of either NbPLC3s and NbrbohB (respiratory oxidase homolog B) or NbPLC3s and NbMEK2 (mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 2). Thus, NbPLC3s may negatively regulate both HR-related cell death and disease resistance through MAP kinase- and reactive oxygen species-dependent signaling. Disease resistance was also regulated by NbPLC3s through jasmonic acid- and salicylic acid-dependent pathways.
A “Phase Scrambling” Algorithm for Parallel Multislice Simulation of Multiple Phonon and Plasmon Scattering Configurations
Authors: Mendis B G
Published: May 2023

Multislice simulations of 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM) data are computationally demanding due to the large number of STEM probe positions that must be calculated. For accurate analysis, inelastic scattering from phonons and plasmons must also be included. However, current frozen phonon and Monte Carlo plasmon techniques require a separate calculation for each different phonon/plasmon configuration, and are therefore not suitable for scaling up to 4D STEM. Here a phase scrambling algorithm (PSA) is proposed, which treats all phonon/plasmon configurations simultaneously. A random phase is introduced to maintain incoherence between the different inelastic scattering events; this is the phase scrambling part of the algorithm. While for most applications, a few tens of frozen phonon iterations are sufficient for convergence, in the case of plasmon scattering as many as tens of thousands of iterations may be required. A PSA is statistically more representative of inelastic scattering, and achieves significant savings in computation time for plasmons. The increase in speed is a pre-requisite for 4D STEM inelastic scattering simulations.
Online Virtual Patient Cases vs. Weekly Classroom Lectures in an Internal Medicine Clerkship: Effects on Military Learner Outcomes
Authors: Petersen Kyle , Dong Ting , Hemmer Paul A , Kelly William F
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Virtual patient cases (VPCs), a type of simulated, interactive electronic learning, are a potentially important tool for military health care providers in austere or pandemic settings to maintain skills but need more validation. Our military internal medicine clerkship is spread across military treatment facilities around the country and has 15 weekly live student lectures, but students randomly miss the first, second, or third 5 weeks due to their psychiatry clerkship. We hypothesized that VPCs would be an adequate replacement for lost lectures.

Materials and Methods

We compared live lectures to a web-based VPC and analyzed the academic outcomes of 734 students from 2015 to 2022.

Results

Using our end-of-clerkship Script Concordance Test (SCT) as the primary outcome, there was no significant difference in performance between the 2 learning methods (VPC, 63.9% correct; lectures 63.2%, P = .27). After controlling for gender, baseline knowledge, and the total number of VPCs completed, there was still not a statistically significant difference between teaching methods (F(1,728) = 0.52, P = .47). There was also no significant differences in all other clerkship outcomes including National Board of Medical Examiner and Objective Structured Clinical Examination scores.

Conclusion

VPCs appear noninferior at teaching clinical reasoning as measured by SCT. VPCs might be substituted for traditional, live lectures in clerkships when time or other resources are limited, in austere environments such as military deployments, or during conditions limiting interpersonal contact such as pandemics but are not a complete substitution for in-person learning.
A Review of Electrolyte, Mineral, and Vitamin Changes After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kocik Veronica I , April Michael D , Rizzo Julie A , Dengler Bradley A , Schauer Steven G
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Despite the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in both civilian and military populations, the management guidelines developed by the Joint Trauma System involve minimal recommendations for electrolyte physiology optimization during the acute phase of TBI recovery. This narrative review aims to assess the current state of the science for electrolyte and mineral derangements found after TBI.

Materials and Methods

We used Google Scholar and PubMed to identify literature on electrolyte derangements caused by TBI and supplements that may mitigate secondary injuries after TBI between 1991 and 2022.

Results

We screened 94 sources, of which 26 met all inclusion criteria. Most were retrospective studies (n = 9), followed by clinical trials (n = 7), observational studies (n = 7), and case reports (n = 2). Of those, 29% covered the use of some type of supplement to support recovery after TBI, 28% covered electrolyte or mineral derangements after TBI, 16% covered the mechanisms of secondary injury after TBI and how they are related to mineral and electrolyte derangements, 14% covered current management of TBI, and 13% covered the potential toxic effects of the supplements during TBI recovery.

Conclusions

Knowledge of mechanisms and subsequent derangements of electrolyte, mineral, and vitamin physiology after TBI remains incomplete. Sodium and potassium tended to be the most well-studied derangements after TBI. Overall, data involving human subjects were limited and mostly involved observational studies. The data on vitamin and mineral effects were limited, and targeted research is needed before further recommendations can be made. Data on electrolyte derangements were stronger, but interventional studies are needed to assess causation.
Therapeutic Relationship in mTBI Rehabilitation: The Disparity Between the Illness Experience and Clinical Definitions
Authors: Cogan Alison M , Bailie Jason M
Published: May 2023

Introduction

A positive therapeutic relationship is characterized by trust and mutually perceived genuineness. It is positively associated with patients’ adherence to treatment, satisfaction, and health outcomes. When service members with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) present to rehabilitation clinics with nonspecific symptoms, a disparity between their experience of disability and clinical expectations of mTBI may disrupt the establishment of a positive therapeutic relationship between patients and providers. The objectives of this study are to (1) explore disparities between military service members and rehabilitation clinicians about the clinical diagnosis and illness experience of mTBI and (2) identify barriers to the establishment of a positive therapeutic relationship.

Materials and Methods

This is a qualitative descriptive study of military service members with prior mTBI (n = 18) and clinicians (n = 16) who participated in interviews and focus groups. Data were analyzed thematically using Kleinman’s framing of illness experience and clinical diagnosis.

Results

Three themes reflected the potential breakdowns in the therapeutic relationship. The first theme, clinical expectations for post-injury recovery versus patients’ experience of ongoing disability, reflects the inconsistency between clinicians’ expectations of symptom resolution within 90 days following mTBI and service members’ experiences of symptoms that worsened over several months or years. The second theme, symptom attribution to mental health conditions versus tissue injury, describes the difficulty in attributing symptoms to the physical impact of the mTBI or mental health diagnoses that may also stem from the injury event. The third theme, suspected malingering versus valid disability, describes clinicians’ reports of frustration with cases in which they suspected malingering for secondary gains in contrast with service members’ feelings that their problems were not taken seriously by clinicians.

Conclusions

This study extended previous research on therapeutic relationships by examining the situation of mTBI rehabilitation services for military service members. The findings reinforce the best practice recommendations of acknowledging patients’ experiences, addressing the presenting symptoms and problems, and encouraging progressive return to activity following mTBI. Acknowledgment of and attention to patients’ illness experience by rehabilitation clinicians is necessary and important for supporting a positive therapeutic relationship and ultimately to optimize patients’ health outcomes and reduce disability.
Factors Associated With the Acceptance of Military Applicants to a U.S. Allopathic Medical School
Authors: Ditzel Ricky M , Nield Linda S , Nease Emily K , Wamsley Lauren M , Eisenhart William , Fisher Andrew D , Vallejo Manuel C
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Service members and veterans applying to medical schools can be a challenging experience. Often, the applicants have difficulty providing descriptions of their experiences. Additionally, their pathway to medical school is significantly different compared to traditional applicants. We sought to determine if there were statistically significant factors within a cohort of U.S. military medical school applications to a U.S.-based allopathic medical school to provide recommendations on how to best advise military applicants.

Methods

Data about social, academic, and military factors were collected and analyzed from the American College Application Service (AMCAS) applications to the West Virginia University School of Medicine (WVU SoM) from the 2017 to 2021 cycles. Eligibility criteria included the applications that indicated that the applicant listed any type of military experience.

Results

In the 5-year study period, there were 25,514 applicants to the WVU SoM, and 1.6% (n = 414) self-identified as military applicants. Of the military applicants, 28 (7%) were accepted to the WVU SoM. Statistically significant differences were found in several factors, including but not limited to academic performance, number of total experiences (14.5 vs. 12, P = .01), and number of military experiences (4 vs. 2, P = .003) listed on the AMCAS applications. In the accepted group, 88% of the applications included information about military experiences, which was understandable to the nonmilitary researchers compared to 79% in the nonaccepted group (P = .24).

Conclusions

Premedical advisors can share statistically significant findings with military applicants, so they are informed about the academic and experiential factors associated with medical school acceptance. Applicants should also be advised to provide clear explanations of any military lexicon used in their applications. Although not statistically significant, there were a higher percentage of applications that contained descriptions of military language that was understandable to the civilian researchers in the accepted group vs. the nonaccepted group.
Humanitarian Assistance Lessons Learned From Providing Acute Medical Care for Afghan Nationals on a U.S. Military Base
Authors: Koch Eric J , Lopachin Tyler , Fayos Zane , Lynch Timothy , Korduba Adrian , Barry Michael
Published: May 2023

Operation Allies Welcome provided a unique opportunity for military medical personnel to engage in humanitarian assistance operations on military bases in the USA. With thousands of Afghan nationals evacuated from Kabul in August 2021 to various military installations across the USA, the Military Health System was tasked with health screening, emergency care, and disease prevention and surveillance in resource-limited settings. Marine Corps Base Quantico served as a “safe haven” site from August to December 2021, providing refuge to nearly 5000 travelers awaiting resettlement. During this time, active duty medical personnel provided 10,122 primary and acute patient encounters to patients aged < 1 to 90 years. Pediatrics represented 44% of the total encounters and children aged less than 5 years represented nearly 62% of the pediatric visits. In caring for this population, the authors were able to learn important lessons about humanitarian assistance capabilities, the difficulties of establishing acute care centers in a resource-limited environment, and the importance of cultural competency. Recommendations include staffing with medical providers that can see a large volume of pediatric, obstetrics, and urgent care visits, with less emphasis on trauma and surgical capabilities, which are the more traditional focus of military medicine. To this end, the authors advocate for the creation of specific humanitarian assistance supply blocks that would focus more on urgent and primary care treatments as well as an ample supply of pediatric, neonatal, and prenatal medicines. Further, early engagement with telecommunications companies when practicing in a remote location can be crucial to mission success. Finally, the medical care team should maintain continued mindfulness of the cultural norms of the population to which aid is given, particularly the gender norms and expectations of Afghan nationals. The authors hope that these lessons can prove informative and may provide increased readiness for future humanitarian assistance missions.
Fire and Brimstone: SO2 as a Chemical Weapon in History
Authors: Turner Matthew D , Sapp Jason
Published: May 2023

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), a chemical produced from the burning of sulfur-containing materials, has a long history in chemical warfare. While it was largely used during ancient sieges, there were numerous proposals to weaponize it for the open battlefield in the early modern age.