bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Simple Extraction Procedure and an HPLC Method for the Determination of Delmopinol in a Challenging Rubbery Dental Chew
Authors: Zhang Jinyou , Rustum Abu M , Adhikari Sarju
Published: January 2023

Background

Delmopinol hydrochloride (delmopinol) is widely used in oral hygiene products such as dental chews for preventing dental plaque buildup and gingivitis.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a simple and inexpensive extraction method, followed by a stability-indicating reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) method for the determination of delmopinol from rubbery dental chews.

Methods

The extraction method was optimized in terms of pH, temperature, solvents, repeatability, and reproducibility. Delmopinol was extracted from the rubbery dental chews using 6 N NaOH–MeOH (1 + 1, v/v) at 65°C. The delmopinol peak was eluted in about 7 min by gradient elution on a pH-stable (alkaline) Phenomenex Gemini-NX-C18 column (50 × 4.6 mm id, 110 Å, 3 µm particle size) maintained at 50°C. Mobile phase A was composed of aqueous 10 mM ammonium hydroxide and mobile phase B was acetonitrile. The analyte was monitored by UV detection at 220 nm with a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min.

Results

The method was successfully validated as per the current International Conference on Harmonization guidelines for delmopinol with respect to specificity, linearity (R2 >0.999), accuracy, precision, LOQ (2 µg/mL), LOD (0.6 µg/mL), and robustness. The reliability of the method was also demonstrated by batch analysis of 132 dental chews.

Conclusion

A simple extraction method and RP-HPLC method were successfully developed and validated for the determination of delmopinol from rubbery dental chews.

Highlights

The overall method was demonstrated to be accurate, robust, specific, and stability-indicating. Therefore, the developed method is suitable and highly desirable for routine analysis of delmopinol in its finished drug products.
Interlaboratory Evaluation of Multiple LC–MS/MS Methods and a Commercial ELISA Method for Determination of Tetrodotoxin in Oysters and Mussels
Authors: Turner Andrew D , Dean Karl J , Dhanji-Rapkova Monika , Dall’Ara Sonia , Pino Florella , McVey Claire , Haughey Simon , Logan Natasha , Elliott Christopher , Gago-Martinez Ana , Leao Jose Manuel , Giraldez Jorge , Gibbs Ryan , Thomas Krista , Perez-Calderon Ruth , Faulkner Dermot , McEneny Hugh , Savar Veronique , Reveillon Damien , Hess Philipp , Arevalo Fabiola , Lamas J Pablo , Cagide Eva , Alvarez Mercedes , Antelo Alvaro , Klijnstra Mirjam D , Oplatowska-Stachowiak Michalina , Kleintjens Tim , Sajic Nermin , Boundy Michael J , Maskrey Benjamin H , Harwood D Tim , González Jartín Jesús M , Alfonso Amparo , Botana Luis
Published: January 2023

Background

Given the recent detection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in bivalve molluscs but the absence of a full collaborative validation study for TTX determination in a large number of shellfish samples, interlaboratory assessment of method performance was required to better understand current capabilities for accurate and reproducible TTX quantitation using chemical and immunoassay methods.

Objective

The aim was to conduct an interlaboratory study with multiple laboratories, using results to assess method performance and acceptability of different TTX testing methods.

Methods

Homogenous and stable mussel and oyster materials were assessed by participants using a range of published and in-house detection methods to determine mean TTX concentrations. Data were used to calculate recoveries, repeatability, and reproducibility, together with participant acceptability z-scores.

Results

Method performance characteristics were good, showing excellent sensitivity, recovery, and repeatability. Acceptable reproducibility was evidenced by HorRat values for all LC–MS/MS and ELISA methods being less than the 2.0 limit of acceptability. Method differences between the LC–MS/MS participants did not result in statistically different results. Method performance characteristics compared well with previously published single-laboratory validated methods and no statistical difference was found in results returned by ELISA in comparison with LC–MS/MS.

Conclusion

The results from this study demonstrate that current LC–MS/MS methods and ELISA are on the whole capable of sensitive, accurate, and reproducible TTX quantitation in shellfish. Further work is recommended to expand the number of laboratories testing ELISA and to standardize an LC–MS/MS protocol to further improve interlaboratory precision.

Highlights

Multiple mass spectrometric methods and a commercial ELISA have been successfully assessed through an interlaboratory study, demonstrating excellent performance.
Roughage level and supplemental fat for newly received finishing calves: effects on growth performance, health, and physiological responses
Authors: Gouvêa Vinícius N , Oliveira Mario O , Giacomelli Hiam Jardel M , Colombo Eduardo A , Batistel Fernanda , Santos Flávio A P , Duff Glenn C , Marques Rodrigo S , Cooke Reinaldo F
Published: January 2023

This experiment evaluated the effects of roughage levels and supplemental fat on intake, growth performance, health, and physiological responses of newly received finishing cattle during 58-d receiving period. A total of 72 crossbred steers (initial body weight [BW] = 200 ± 13 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, consisting of two roughage levels (wheat hay at 30% [R30] or 60% [R60]; dry matter [DM] basis) and two levels of supplemental fat (yellow grease at 0% [−FAT; no additional fat] or 3.5% [+FAT]; DM basis). Upon arrival, calves were individually weighed, blocked by off-truck shrunk BW, and assigned to 24 soil-surfaced pens (three calves per pen). Shrunk BW was also collected on day 58 for the calculation of average daily gain (ADG). Throughout the study, calves were assessed for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Effects of roughage level × supplemental fat interaction were only observed for diet particle size distribution and estimated physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) of diets (P ≤ 0.10). Adding fat to R60 diets tended to increase the percentage of particles retained in the 8-mm screen (P = 0.06) and the estimated peNDF (P = 0.10), but did not affect R30 diets. Dietary roughage level did not affect DM intake (DMI; P = 0.85). Calves-fed R30 tended to have greater ADG and final BW than calves-fed R60 (P ≤ 0.08). Gain efficiency (gain:feed ratio; G:F) was greater for calves-fed R30 than calves-fed R60 (P = 0.01). Dietary roughage level did not affect morbidity and mortality (P ≥ 0.11). Supplemental fat did not affect DMI (P = 0.6) but tended (P = 0.09) to increase ADG compared to –FAT diets. The G:F was greater for calves-fed +FAT than –FAT (P = 0.03). The +FAT diet tended (P = 0.10) to increase the number of retreatments against BRD compared to −FAT, although the total number of antimicrobial treatments required to treat sick calves (P = 0.78) and the mortality rate (P = 0.99) were not affected by supplemental fat. Feeding +FAT diet tended (P ≤ 0.09) to increase plasma concentration of cortisol and immunoglobulin-G compared to –FAT. In summary, feeding 30% roughage diets or adding 3.5% yellow grease (DM basis) as supplemental fat increased G:F during the feedlot receiving period.
Impact of age at first calving on performance traits in Irish beef herds
Authors: Twomey Alan J , Cromie Andrew R
Published: January 2023

Reducing age at first calving (AFC) has been a challenge in beef herds. There is anecdotal evidence that herd owners choose to calve heifers older because of the perceived consequences of calving heifers at 24 mo of age compared to 36 mo on performance traits in beef herds. The objective of this study was to estimate the association of calving heifers at younger ages on subsequent performance traits, calving interval, longevity, cow weight, dystocia, and progeny weaning weight for parities 1 to 5. Available to the study after data edits were 219,818 calving interval records, 219,818 longevity records, 118,504 cow live-weight records, 230,998 dystocia records, and 230,998 weaning weight records. Linear mixed models were used to quantify performance of each trait in AFC groups for each parity. As parity increased, there was a favorable reduction in calving interval and dystocia (P < 0.001), while the likelihood of cows surviving reduced (P < 0.001). Both cow live weight and progeny weaning weight increased as parity increased. Age at first calving only had a significant association with dystocia within parity 1 (P < 0.001), where older heifers at first calving subsequently had lower risk of calving. Calving interval for parity 1 cows was observed to be longer by 6 d in cows that calved for the first time at 33 to 36 mo compared to cows calved for the first time at 22 to 24 mo (P < 0.001). No statistical difference was observed for longevity between cows with an AFC of 22 to 24 mo compared to cows with an AFC of 33 to 36 mo (P > 0.05). Cows that calved at a younger age did wean lighter calves for their first three lactations (P < 0.01) but had no association with weaning weight for parity 4 and 5 cows (P > 0.05). Cows with a lower AFC were lighter for parity 1 to 4 (P < 0.001); at parity 5, AFC had no association with cow live weight (P > 0.05). The performance of mature cows for calving interval, longevity, calving difficulty, cow live weight, and weaning weight was not impacted by AFC. In conclusion, calving cows for the first time at younger ages do pose risks and associated performance loss but this risk and loss should be minimized by good management.
Dietary embelin supplementation during mid-to-late gestation improves performance and maternal–fetal glucose metabolism of pigs
Authors: Wang Tongxin , Yao Weilei , Liu Xiaomeng , Bao Zhengxi , Lv Chenrui , Huang Feiruo
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary embelin supplementation during late gestation (from days 60 to 110) on performance and maternal–fetal glucose metabolism of pigs. Sixty sows (Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace; parity = 1.68 ± 0.03; N = 20) were randomly divided into three gestation (day 60 of pregnancy) treatments, Control pigs (CON) were fed a basal diet, and the other animals were fed a basal diet supplemented with 200 or 600 mg/kg embelin per kg of feed. The body weight, backfat thickness and litter size of the sows, and birth weight and mortality of piglets were recorded. Sows’ blood and piglets’ umbilical cord blood were collected for the measurements of hematological parameters and anti-oxidative and immune indexes, and maternal–fetal glucose metabolism parameters, respectively. The colostrum and milk and fecal samples of the sows were also collected for analysis of milk composition and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility. Dietary embelin had no effect on the BW and backfat thickness of the sows but significantly increased the birth weight of piglets (P < 0.05) and decreased the mortality (P < 0.05). Moreover, the white blood cell counts (day 90), neutrophil count and mean cell hemoglobin (day 110), total anti-oxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) content of the sows were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the embelin groups than that in the CON group, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was decreased (P < 0.05). Embelin significantly increased immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) content in plasma of piglets as well as those in colostrum and milk of sows than the CON treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, dry matter, ash, and ether extract in the colostrum were similar between groups (P > 0.05), whereas the embelin significantly increased the crude protein in the milk. The apparent total tract nutrient digestibility was similar between treatments (P > 0.05). The embelin treatment significantly increased the glucose levels and lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) activity in sows plasma, and decreased the lactate levels in both sows and fetuses plasma (P < 0.05). Collectively, this study indicates that sows fed with embelin in mid-to-late gestation showed improved maternal health and anti-oxidative status, milk protein content, and maternal–fetal glucose metabolism, showing promise in natural plant extract nutrition for sows.
Amino acid digestibility and protein quality of mealworm-based ingredients using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay
Authors: Smola Meredith A , Oba Patricia M , Utterback Pamela L , Sánchez-Sánchez Lorena , Parsons Carl M , Swanson Kelly S
Published: January 2023

Mealworms may serve as an alternative protein source for pet foods because of their high protein content and low environmental footprint. The amino acid (AA) content and protein quality of mealworm-based ingredients may vary depending on their composition and processing, however, so testing is required. Our objective was to measure the AA composition, AA digestibility, and protein quality of mealworm-based ingredients using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. The University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved all animal procedures prior to experimentation. Sixteen cecectomized roosters (4 roosters per substrate) were randomly allotted to one of four test substrates: 1) whole lesser mealworm (A. diaperinus) meal (ADw); 2) defatted lesser mealworm (A. diaperinus) meal (ADd); 3) defatted yellow mealworm (T. molitor) meal (TMd); and 4) hydrolyzed T. molitor protein meal (TMh). Ingredients were provided by Ÿnsect, France. After 26 h of feed withdrawal, roosters were tube-fed test substrates. Following crop intubation, excreta samples were collected for 48 h. Endogenous loss corrections for AA were made by using five additional cecectomized roosters. All data were analyzed using SAS version 9.4. All substrates had high AA digestibilities, with all indispensable AA digestibilities being >90% with the exception of histidine (87.9% to 91.1%) and valine (77.9% to 79.7%). Amino acid digestibilities were not different among substrates (P > 0.05). Digestible indispensable AA score (DIAAS)-like values were calculated to determine protein quality according to Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profiles, The European Pet Food Industry Nutritional Guidelines (FEDIAF) nutritional guidelines, National Research Council (NRC) recommended allowances for adult dogs, adult cats, growing puppies, and growing kittens, and NRC minimal requirements for growing puppies and growing kittens. In general, TMh had the highest and TMd had the lowest DIAAS-like values for most indispensable AA. Methionine (TMh; TMd; ADw) and phenylalanine (ADd) were the first-limiting AA. Our results demonstrate that mealworm-based ingredients are high-quality protein sources. Further research in dogs and cats is necessary to confirm sufficient palatability and digestibility, but these data suggest that they are valuable sources of protein for pet foods.
Pulverization Is a Crucial Step—A Comparative Study of Different Pretreatments in Hair Drug Testing
Authors: Hu Jing , Chen Hang , Liu Wei , Ji Jiaojiao , Liu Mengxi , Li Bo , Di Bin
Published: January 2023

In forensic toxicology, hair has become a hot biological material for drug testing due to its wider detection window and noninvasive sampling process compared to traditional liquid biological materials (e.g., blood and urine). However, hair as a matrix differs from body fluids, as it is not as easily aliquoted for analysis. Nevertheless, pretreatment methods for hair detection have gradually improved from the first chemical methods, such as alkali digestion and acid hydrolysis, to now include the physical method of pulverization and further improvements beyond “pulverization” protocols. In a previous study, we updated and developed a “micropulverized extraction” method. In the present study, our aim was to gain a more complete understanding of the “micropulverized extraction” method by comparing pulverization temperature and hair particle size, as these two factors are known to influence the effectiveness of sample processing. The analytes we selected were those commonly encountered in traditional drug abuse cases: (±)-methamphetamine, (±)-amphetamine, morphine, 6-acetylmorphine, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, (--)-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, ketamine, (±)-norketamine and (±)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. The analysis method was liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.
From Bumps to Binges: Overview of Deaths Associated with Cocaine in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2000–2019)
Authors: Rooney Brian , Sobiecka Pola , Rock Kirsten , Copeland Caroline
Published: January 2023

The UK, as the “cocaine capital of Europe,” currently accounts for ∼75% of all cocaine-related hospital admissions in Europe. This study aims to analyze the trends in cocaine-related deaths in England, Wales and Northern Ireland over 20 years (2000–2019). Cases reported to the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (NPSAD) occurring between 2000 and 2019 where cocaine was detected at post-mortem (PM) were extracted for analysis. A total of 5,339 cases were retrieved, with an increase in the rate of reporting over time. Cocaine was deemed a cause of death and quantified in PM blood samples along with its major metabolite benzoylecgonine in 685 cases. Of these 685 cases, 25% (n = 170/685) occurred following acute use, 22% (n = 154/685) following chronic/binge use, 40% (n = 271/685) in combination with morphine, 4% (n = 29/685) in drug packer/swallower circumstances and 9% (n = 61/685) in a suicide context. Cardiac complications were evident in 22% of cases (n = 154/685). The average concentration of cocaine detected in cardiac cases (900 ng/mL) was considerably lower than that detected in cases where acute (19,100 ng/mL) or chronic/binge (6,200 ng/mL) dosing was evident. This is the first cocaine-related mortality study in these geographical areas. Deaths following cocaine use continue to rise despite its Class A drug listing in the UK. While underlying and external risk factors including polydrug use, cardiac complications and mental health can all contribute to the incidence of fatal drug toxicity following cocaine use, this study demonstrates that the risk of a cocaine overdose cannot be attributed to a specific blood concentration range.
Structural insight into the recognition of the linear ubiquitin assembly complex by Shigella E3 ligase IpaH1.4/2.5
Authors: Hiragi Keito , Nishide Akira , Takagi Kenji , Iwai Kazuhiro , Kim Minsoo , Mizushima Tsunehiro
Published: January 2023

Pathogenic bacteria deliver virulence factors called effectors into host cells in order to facilitate infection. The Shigella effector proteins IpaH1.4 and IpaH2.5 are members of the ‘novel E3 ligase’ (NEL)-type bacterial E3 ligase family. These proteins ubiquitinate the linear ubiquitin assembly complex (LUBAC) to inhibit nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and, concomitantly, the inflammatory response. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction and recognition between IpaH1.4 and IpaH2.5 and LUBAC are unclear. Here we present the crystal structures of the substrate-recognition domains of IpaH1.4 and IpaH2.5 at resolutions of 1.4 and 3.4 Å, respectively. The LUBAC-binding site on IpaH1.4 was predicted based on structural comparisons with the structures of other NEL-type E3s. Structural and biochemical data were collected and analysed to determine the specific residues of IpaH1.4 that are involved in interactions with LUBAC and influence NF-κB signaling. The new structural insight presented here demonstrates how bacterial pathogens target innate immune signaling pathways.
Chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans function as extra/pericellular ligands for cell surface receptors
Authors: Mikami Tadahisa , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: January 2023

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) chains, a class of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) polysaccharides, are ubiquitously distributed in extra/pericellular matrices that establish microenvironmental niches to support a multitude of cellular events. Such wide-ranging functions of CS chains are attributable not only to their sulfation pattern-dependent structural divergence, but also to their multiple modes of action. Although it has long been accepted that CS chains act as passive structural scaffolds that often behave as co-receptors and/or reservoirs for various humoral factors, the discovery of cell surface receptor molecules for distinct CS chains has offered insights into a novel mode of CS function as dynamic extra/pericellular signaling ligands. A recent report by Gong et al. (Identification of PTPRσ-interacting proteins by proximity-labeling assay. J. Biochem. 2021; 169:187–194) also strongly reinforced the physiological importance of CS receptor-mediated signaling pathways. In this commentary, we briefly introduce the functional aspects of CS chains as extra/pericellular signaling molecules.
Ultrasound Guidance Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation of the Medial Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve for Palliation of Chronic Pain after Burn Injury: A Case Report
Authors: Yayik Ahmet Murat , Narayanan Madan , Karapinar Yunus Emre , Simsek Nagihan , Aydin Muhammed Enes , Ahiskalioglu Ali
Published: January 2023

Chronic burn pain persists for 6 months or longer after the wound has healed, affecting the patient’s quality of life and daily activities. Pharmacological treatments are essential in the treatment of chronic pain after burns, but interventional methods come to the fore in cases where there is no response to pharmacological treatments. Radiofrequency ablation is known as a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment for patients with intractable chronic pain. Various pain syndromes can be successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation however, there is no publication of chronic pain management associated with burn injury. Here, we first describe the successful management of chronic burn pain using radiofrequency ablation of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve.
Cauchy mutation boosted Harris hawk algorithm: optimal performance design and engineering applications
Authors: Shan Weifeng , He Xinxin , Liu Haijun , Heidari Ali Asghar , Wang Maofa , Cai Zhennao , Chen Huiling
Published: January 2023

Harris hawks optimization (HHO) has been accepted as one of the well-established swarm-based methods in the community of optimization and machine learning that primarily works based on multiple dynamic features and various exploratory and exploitative traits. Compared with other optimization algorithms, it has been observed that HHO can obtain high-quality solutions for continuous and constrained complex and real-world problems. While there is a wide variety of strategies in the HHO for dealing with diverse situations, there are chances for sluggish performance, where the convergence rate can gradually slow with time, and the HHO may stay stuck in the current relatively better place and may be unable to explore other better areas. To mitigate this concern, this paper combines the Cauchy mutation mechanism into the HHO algorithm named CMHHO. This idea can boost performance and provide a promising optimizer for solving complex optimization problems. The Cauchy mutation mechanism can speed up the convergence of the solution and help HHO explore more promising regions compared to its basic release. On 30 IEEE CEC2017 benchmark functions, the study compared the proposed CMHHO with various conventional and advanced metaheuristics to validate its performance and quality of solutions. It has been found through experiments that the overall optimization performance of CMHHO is far superior to all competitors. The CMHHO method is applied to four engineering challenges to investigate the capabilities of the proposed algorithm in solving real-world problems, and experimental results show that the suggested algorithm is more successful than existing algorithms.
A novel feed rate scheduling method with acc-jerk-continuity and round-off error elimination for non-uniform rational B-spline interpolation
Authors: Hu Yifei , Jiang Xin , Huo Guanying , Su Cheng , Zhou Shiwei , Wang Bolun , Li Hexiong , Zheng Zhiming
Published: January 2023

Feed rate scheduling is a critical step in computer numerical control machining, as it has a close relationship with machining time and surface quality. It has now become a hot issue in both industry and academia. In this article, we present a novel and complete S-shape-based feed rate scheduling method for three-axis non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) tool paths, which can reduce high chord errors and round-off errors, and generate continuous velocity, acceleration, and jerk profile. The proposed feed rate scheduling method consists of three modules: a bidirectional scanning module, a velocity scheduling module, and a round-off error elimination module. The bidirectional scanning module aims to guarantee the continuity of the feed rate at the junctions between successive NURBS blocks, where the chord error, tangential acceleration, and tangential jerk limitations are considered. After the NURBS blocks have been classified into two cases by the previous module, the velocity scheduling module first calculates the actual maximum feed rate. It then generates the feed rate profiles of all NURBS blocks according to the proposed velocity profile. Later, the round-off error elimination module is applied to adjust the actual maximum feed rate so that the total interpolation time becomes an integer multiple of the interpolation period, which leads to the elimination of round-off errors. Finally, benchmarks are conducted to verify the applicability of the proposed method. Compared with the traditional method, the proposed method can save the interpolation time by $4.67$ to $14.26\% $.
People, places, and time: a large-scale, longitudinal study of transformed avatars and environmental context in group interaction in the metaverse
Authors: Han Eugy , Miller Mark R , DeVeaux Cyan , Jun Hanseul , Nowak Kristine L , Hancock Jeffrey T , Ram Nilam , Bailenson Jeremy N
Published: January 2023

As the metaverse expands, understanding how people use virtual reality to learn and connect is increasingly important. We used the Transformed Social Interaction paradigm (Bailenson et al., 2004) to examine different avatar identities and environments over time. In Study 1 (n = 81), entitativity, presence, enjoyment, and realism increased over 8 weeks. Avatars that resembled participants increased synchrony, similarities in moment-to-moment nonverbal behaviors between participants. Moreover, self-avatars increased self-presence and realism, but decreased enjoyment, compared to uniform avatars. In Study 2 (n = 137), participants cycled through 192 unique virtual environments. As visible space increased, so did nonverbal synchrony, perceived restorativeness, entitativity, pleasure, arousal, self- and spatial presence, enjoyment, and realism. Outdoor environments increased perceived restorativeness and enjoyment more than indoor environments. Self-presence and realism increased over time in both studies. We discuss implications of avatar appearance and environmental context on social behavior in classroom contexts over time.
Potential Alternatives to Spinosad as the Killing Agent Mixed With Two Attractant Products in Attract-and-Kill Formulations Used to Manage the Spotted-Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Rhodes Elena M , Babu Arun , Sial Ashfaq A , Liburd Oscar E
Published: January 2023

Spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a key pest of many berry and fruit crops worldwide. The primary method of controlling this pest is the application of insecticides. Attract-and-kill is a management tactic that may reduce the number of insecticide applications needed to manage D. suzukii. ACTTRA SWD OR1 and ACTTRA SWD TD, developed by ISCA Technologies Inc., combine D. suzukii attractants with a gel matrix. Growers add an insecticide as a killing agent. The only USDA National Organic Program approved organic insecticide that has been shown to be effective as a killing agent is spinosad. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of other USDA National Organic Program approved organic insecticides, including Grandevo 30 WDG (Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 30%), MBI-203 SC2 (C. subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 98%), Venerate XC (Burkholderia spp. Strain A396 94.45%), MBI-306 SC1 (B. rinojensis Strain A396 94.45%), Azera (azadirachtin 1.2% + pyrethrins 1.4%), and PyGanic (pyrethrins 1.4%), when used as the killing agent with the two ACTTRA SWD products. Lab and cage bioassays were conducted. Entrust (spinosad 22.5%) and PyGanic were the only compounds that showed some efficacy when used with ACTTRA SWD OR1 and ACTTRA SWD TD.
Spatial Relevance: Teaching History to Medical Students at a Medical Museum in Hong Kong
Authors: Wu Harry Yi-Jui , Wong Samson Ki Sum
Published: January 2023

This article examines the pedagogical significance of history workshops as part of the mandatory medical curriculum in Hong Kong. At the University of Hong Kong, year one medical students must take a three-hour long history workshop at the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences. We argue that by immersing experiential museum learning into the official medical curriculum, students can grow interest in Hong Kong’s local medical history and discover its spatial relevance to their future practice. Moreover, students are equipped with analytical skills to tackle important agendas, such as historical contingency, multicausality of diseases, and perspectivism in dealing with conflicting narratives. However, we also notice that the way histories are curated in the museum and through the heritage trail could potentially constrain students to develop a limited historiography. The museum exhibitions and the trail walk mostly curated by medical professionals emphasize too much of the comparison of the bubonic plague and SARS that took place in 1894 and 2003. Students might assume the linear progression of medical sciences and the oversimplified dichotomy between traditional and modern medicine. In addition, disproportionate narratives of infectious and non-infectious disease in Hong Kong might result in oversight of the chronicity of general ill health conditions that have long been suffered by local people. Workshop conveners, therefore, need to constantly modify discussion questions to balance demands between the advancement of contemporary medicine emphasized in medical education and the critical thinking process offered by history.
Exploring the World’s First Successful Truth Commission: Argentina’s CONADEP and the Role of Victims in Truth-Seeking
Authors: Vegh Weis Valeria
Published: January 2023

This article will present the case of Argentina and the conditions, struggles and social actors that made the establishment of the world’s first successful truth commission possible after the most recent dictatorship, in power between 1976 and 1983. This study is aimed at not only acknowledging the work of civil society organizations, who pressure powerholders to be responsive to victims’ concerns, but to argue that victims’ organizations were the ones who took a leading role in the truth commissions/achieving justice or human rights. The article will also show that victims’ organizations have worked to reach their goals by engaging with the state from a proactive and empowered position that pushed the process forward over government resistance. Through this in-depth case study, the article aims to transform the question from what shall be done in terms of truth commissions to who shall do it. The assumption is that the leading role of victims’ organizations in engaging with the state through participatory democracy can foster truth-seeking mechanisms beyond the limits of realpolitik.
Investment Law in the Twenty-First Century: Things Will Have to Change in Order to Remain the Same
Authors: van Aaken Anne
Published: January 2023

The future of investment law has in store fundamental shifts, not incremental changes, in three substantive issue areas, which pose immense challenges to the system as it currently stands, namely, climate change, national security, and investor obligations. This article describes those challenges and argues that for these shifts to be accommodated, abolition is not desirable, but reform is necessary and urgent. It suggests procedural ways forward.
Trade Agreements and Sustainability: Exploring the Potential of Global Value Chain (GVC) Obligations
Authors: Harrison James
Published: January 2023

This article investigates the potential of global value chain (GVC)-orientated sustainability provisions in regional and bilateral trade agreements (FTAs). Such provisions impose social and environmental obligations directly onto GVCs, as opposed to creating obligations for governments. The theoretical potential of GVC provisions is examined, and the concepts of effectiveness and legitimacy are introduced as values by which to assess them. Four recent sets of provisions are then scrutinized. These are (i) palm oil sustainability standards from the Indonesia–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Comprehensive Economic Partnerhsip Agreement (CEPA) FTA, (ii) hen welfare standards in the European Union–Mercosur Association Agreement, (iii) a stipulation of a minimum average wage for the automobile industry in the US–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), and (iv) enforcement of collective bargaining and freedom of association directly against factories, also in the USMCA. All of these provisions are found to have significant deficiencies. At the same time, it is argued that three different governance models underpin them, namely (i) third-party certification schemes, (ii) domestic regulations of one of the parties, and (iii) bespoke arrangements created for the FTA in question. The article therefore considers the potential and drawbacks of each governance model in terms of their effectiveness and legitimacy, as well as alternative and complementary commitments including unilateral measures and subject-specific trade agreements.
Novel Microsatellite Markers for Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): A North American Pollinator of Agricultural Crops and Wildland Plants
Authors: Koch Jonathan Berenguer Uhuad , Branstetter Michael G , Cox-Foster Diana L , Knoblett Joyce , Lindsay Thuy-Tien Thai , Pitts-Singer Theresa L , Rohde Ashley T , Strange James P , Tobin Kerrigan B
Published: January 2023

Comprehensive decisions on the management of commercially produced bees, depend largely on associated knowledge of genetic diversity. In this study, we present novel microsatellite markers to support the breeding, management, and conservation of the blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria Say (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Native to North America, O. lignaria has been trapped from wildlands and propagated on-crop and used to pollinate certain fruit, nut, and berry crops. Harnessing the O. lignaria genome assembly, we identified 59,632 candidate microsatellite loci in silico, of which 22 were tested using molecular techniques. Of the 22 loci, 12 loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), demonstrated no linkage disequilibrium (LD), and achieved low genotyping error in two Intermountain North American wild populations in Idaho and Utah, USA. We found no difference in population genetic diversity between the two populations, but there was evidence for low but significant population differentiation. Also, to determine if these markers amplify in other Osmia, we assessed 23 species across the clades apicata, bicornis, emarginata, and ribifloris. Nine loci amplified in three species/subspecies of apicata, 22 loci amplified in 11 species/subspecies of bicornis, 11 loci amplified in seven species/subspecies of emarginata, and 22 loci amplified in two species/subspecies of ribifloris. Further testing is necessary to determine the capacity of these microsatellite loci to characterize genetic diversity and structure under the assumption of HWE and LD for species beyond O. lignaria. These markers will inform the conservation and commercial use of trapped and managed O. lignaria and other Osmia species for both agricultural and nonagricultural systems.
Don’t go breaking my heart: Peli1 and myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Walker Wendy E
Published: January 2023

Peli1 plays a key role in macrophage M1 polarization, via IRF5 activation, and thereby contributes to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Appearances are deceptive: a cryptic lineage within the assumed distributional boundaries ofCtenomys talarum(Rodentia, Ctenomyidae)
Authors: Austrich Ailin , Tomasco Ivanna Haydée , Mapelli Fernando Javier , Kittlein Marcelo Javier , Cutrera Ana Paula , Mora Matías Sebastián
Published: January 2023

The coastal dunes of the southeast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, present two different described species of tuco-tucos: Ctenomys talarum and C. australis. Formerly, C. talarum was subdivided into three subspecies (C. t. talarum, C. t. recessus, and C. t. occidentalis), mainly based on its geographic distribution and phenotypic variation in characters of external morphology (e.g., body size and pelage color). This study assesses the phylogenetic relationships of C. talarum, focusing on the populations at the western end of its coastal distribution (localities of Pehuen-Có and Sauce Grande), which have been previously identified as highly genetically divergent. In this regard, populations distributed throughout the range of the species were sampled. Complete DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1,140 bp), partial sequences of the mitochondrial D-loop region (426 bp), and partial sequences of the nuclear DNA intron 8 of the β-fibrinogen (about 870 bp) gene were used for the analyses. Phylogenetic inferences based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers were performed separately or combined to obtain a species tree. Populations distributed at the western end of the coastal dunes (between Pehuen-Có and Sauce Grande), previously assumed as C. talarum, were found to belong to an independent lineage relative to the other populations from the Pampas region. The average genetic distance between these two lineages is within the order of the genetic distances observed between different species of the genus. Also, our results show that this lineage of Ctenomys presents a high affinity with the magellanicus group, which is distributed further south, in Patagonia. In conclusion, tuco-tuco populations occurring in the coastal expanse between these two localities should be considered a possible distinct cryptic species, highly differentiated from C. talarum.
Population Genetic Structure ofPhlebotomus sergenti(Diptera: Psychodidae) Collected in Four Regions of Morocco Based on the Analysis ofCyt bandEF-1αGenes
Authors: El Kacem Sofia , Ait Kbaich Mouad , Mhaidi Idris , Daoui Othmane , Bennani Houda , Dvořák Vít , Lemrani Meryem
Published: January 2023

Phlebotomus (Ph.) sergenti is the main vector of Leishmania (L.) tropica (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae), the causative agent of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Morocco. This species has an extended geographical distribution, wider than that of the parasite. The main objective of our study was to analyze the genetic diversity of Ph. sergenti collected in four foci in Morocco: Taza, Foum Jemâa, El Hanchane, and Ouarzazate. We studied a set of diversity and population structure indices by sequencing two markers; nuclear EF-1α and mitochondrial Cyt b from 175 individual sand flies. Our results showed a considerable degree of intraspecific polymorphism with a high number of haplotypes identified in both genes. Many polymorphic sites detected in the Cyt b sequences (SCyt b = 45) indicate that it is the most polymorphic marker showing a distinct distribution of haplotypes according to their geographical origin, whereas the EF-1α marker showed no geographical isolation. Analysis by Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs tests revealed a possible recent expansion of the populations, especially with the EF-1α marker, showing significant values in Taza and Ouarzazate sequences. The present study revealed significant genetic diversity within Ph. sergenti populations in Morocco. The results warrant further research using a combination of more than two markers including mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial markers, which may provide more information to clarify the genetic status of Ph. sergenti.
A polygenic two-hit hypothesis for prostate cancer
Authors: Houlahan Kathleen E , Livingstone Julie , Fox Natalie S , Kurganovs Natalie , Zhu Helen , Sietsma Penington Jocelyn , Jung Chol-Hee , Yamaguchi Takafumi N , Heisler Lawrence E , Jovelin Richard , Costello Anthony J , Pope Bernard J , Kishan Amar U , Corcoran Niall M , Bristow Robert G , Waszak Sebastian M , Weischenfeldt Joachim , He Housheng H , Hung Rayjean J , Hovens Christopher M , Boutros Paul C
Published: January 2023

Prostate cancer is one of the most heritable cancers. Hundreds of germline polymorphisms have been linked to prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Polygenic risk scores can predict genetic risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis. Although these scores inform the probability of developing a tumor, it remains unknown how germline risk influences the tumor molecular evolution. We cultivated a cohort of 1250 localized European-descent patients with germline and somatic DNA profiling. Men of European descent with higher genetic risk were diagnosed earlier and had less genomic instability and fewer driver genes mutated. Higher genetic risk was associated with better outcome. These data imply a polygenic “two-hit” model where germline risk reduces the number of somatic alterations required for tumorigenesis. These findings support further clinical studies of polygenic risk scores as inexpensive and minimally invasive adjuncts to standard risk stratification. Further studies are required to interrogate generalizability to more ancestrally and clinically diverse populations.
Vascular injury is associated with repetitive head impacts and tau pathology in chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Authors: Kirsch Daniel , Shah Arsal , Dixon Erin , Kelley Hunter , Cherry Jonathan D , Xia Weiming , Daley Sarah , Aytan Nurgul , Cormier Kerry , Kubilus Carol , Mathias Rebecca , Alvarez Victor E , Huber Bertrand R , McKee Ann C , Stein Thor D
Published: January 2023

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease linked to repetitive head impacts (RHI) and characterized by perivascular hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) deposits. The role of vascular injury, blood-brain barrier leakage, and neuroinflammation in CTE pathogenesis is not well understood. We performed quantitative immunoassays for intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), and C-reactive protein (CRP) within the postmortem dorsolateral frontal cortex of participants with and without a history of RHI and CTE (n = 156), and tested for associations with RHI, microgliosis, and tau pathology measures. Levels of vascular injury-associated markers ICAM1, VCAM1, and CRP were increased in CTE compared to RHI-exposed and -naïve controls. ICAM1 and CRP increased with RHI exposure duration (p < 0.01) and were associated with increased microglial density (p < 0.001) and tau pathology (AT8, p-tau396, p-tau202; p < 0.05). Histologically, there was significantly increased ICAM1 staining of the microvasculature, extracellular space, and astrocytes at the sulcal depths in high stage CTE compared to both low stage CTE and controls. Multifocal perivascular immunoreactivity for serum albumin was present in all RHI-exposed individuals. These findings demonstrate that vascular injury markers are associated with RHI exposure, duration, and microgliosis, are elevated in CTE, and increase with disease severity.
Japanese pharmacists’ information strategy using behavioural economics: provision of numerical information with ‘peak-end rule’ improves willingness to take a hypothetical medication
Authors: Yoshida Akira , Horii Norimitsu , Oshima Shinji , Oshima Shigeru , Kobayashi Daisuke
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Low medication adherence is considered a cause of exacerbated diseases and greater economic losses. Hence, information strategies that improve patients’ willingness to take medications have received considerable attention. Newer information strategies that utilise the ‘peak-end rule’ proposed in behavioural economics were investigated in this study to advance strategy development.

Methods

An online scenario survey was conducted among adults aged 20–79 years in Japan. One of four medication counselling videos on a hypothetical hypertension drug narrated by a pharmacist was viewed by the respondents and their willingness to take the medication was evaluated. The four scenarios differed according to the presence or absence of risk probability and the order in which risk and benefit were provided.

Key findings

The responses of 383 participants were analysed and the results revealed that providing risk probability increased their willingness to take medication (3%), whereas the estimated risk probability by the participants was 28.7% on an average when no numerical probability was provided. Moreover, when risk probability was provided in a benefit/risk order, the willingness to take medication increased than in the risk/benefit order.

Conclusions

The participants’ willingness to take medication improved when the pharmacists provided risk probability; this helped participants comprehend that the risk probability was lesser than their assumptions. Moreover, the participants’ attention to the numeric information in medication counselling can be elicited by the peak-end rule. The findings from the hypothetical scenarios employed in this study merit further testing in real-life situations for clinical application.
Inula japonica ameliorated the inflammation and oxidative stress in LPS-induced acute lung injury through the MAPK/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathways
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhang Juan , Zhu Qi-Meng , Zhao Wen-Yu , Lv Xia , Yi Jing , Huo Xiao-Kui , Wang Mi-Jia , Sun Cheng-Peng
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Inula japonica (TEIJ) in the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI).

Methods

Protective effects of TEIJ in the inflammation and oxidative stress were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice. Meanwhile, Western blot and real-time qPCR were carried out to investigate the underlying mechanism of TEIJ for ALI as well as immunohistochemistry.

Key findings

TEIJ significantly alleviated the course of ALI via suppressing the interstitial infiltrated inflammatory cells, the increase of inflammatory factors and the decrease of anti-oxidative factors. TEIJ inactivated the MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathway to suppress the transcription of its downstream target genes, such as TNF-α, IL-6, etc. Meanwhile, TEIJ activated the Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathway to regulate expression levels of Nrf2 and its target proteins. The results of LC-QTOF-MS/MS indicated potential active constituents of I. japonica, terpenoids and flavonoids. Additionally, terpenoids and flavonoids synergistically alleviated LPS-induced ALI depending on MAPK/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathways.

Conclusion

I. japonica could be considered a potential agent to treat ALI via regulating the MAPK/NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathways.