bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of gold nanorods‐assisted photothermal treatment on cancer with laser power in stepwise modulation
Authors: Kim Yeongeun , Kim Hyejin , Kang Hyun Wook
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a minimally invasive or noninvasive method by destructing cancer cells through selective thermal decomposition. However, a long period of laser irradiation to achieve coagulative necrosis often causes unfavorable thermal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. The current study aims to evaluate the feasibility of temporal power modulation to improve the treatment efficacy of gold nanorods‐assisted PTT against tumor tissue.

Materials and Methods

A total of 25 µg/ml of PEGylated gold nanorods (PEG‐GNR) was used as an absorbing agent during 1064 nm laser irradiation for PTT. Temperature monitoring was conducted on the aqueous solution of PEG‐GNR for dosimetry comparison. For in vivo tests, CT‐26 tumor‐bearing murine models with PEG‐GNR injected were treated with three irradiation conditions: 3 W/cm2 for 90 s, 1.5 W/cm2 for 180 s, and 3 W/cm2 for 60 s followed by 1.5 W/cm2 for 60 s (modulated). Ten days after the treatments, histology analysis was performed to assess the extent of coagulation necrosis in the treated tissues.

Results

The temporal power modulation maintained the tissue temperature of around 50°C for a longer period during the irradiation. Histology analysis confirmed that the modulated group entailed a larger coagulative necrosis area with less thermal damage to the peripheral tissue, compared to the other irradiation conditions.

Conclusion

Therefore, the power‐modulated PTT could improve treatment efficacy with reduced injury by maintaining the constant tissue temperature. Further studies will examine the feasibility of the proposed technique in large animal models in terms of acute and chronic tissue responses and treatment margin for clinical translations.
Biomaterial Integration in the Joint: Pathological Considerations, Immunomodulation, and the Extracellular Matrix
Authors: von Mentzer Ula , Corciulo Carmen , Stubelius Alexandra
Published: April 2022

Defects of articular joints are becoming an increasing societal burden due to a persistent increase in obesity and aging. For some patients suffering from cartilage erosion, joint replacement is the final option to regain proper motion and limit pain. Extensive research has been undertaken to identify novel strategies enabling earlier intervention to promote regeneration and cartilage healing. With the introduction of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM), researchers have tapped into the potential for increased tissue regeneration by designing biomaterials with inherent biochemical and immunomodulatory signals. Compared to conventional and synthetic materials, dECM‐based materials invoke a reduced foreign body response. It is therefore highly beneficial to understand the interplay of how these native tissue‐based materials initiate a favorable remodeling process by the immune system. Yet, such an understanding also demands increasing considerations of the pathological environment and remodeling processes, especially for materials designed for early disease intervention. This knowledge will avoid rejection and help predict complications in conditions with inflammatory components such as arthritides. This review outlines general issues facing biomaterial integration and emphasizes the importance of tissue‐derived macromolecular components in regulating essential homeostatic, immunological, and pathological processes to increase biomaterial integration for patients suffering from joint degenerative diseases.
Uncertainty‐guided symmetric multilevel supervision network for 3D left atrium segmentation in late gadolinium‐enhanced MRI
Authors: Liu Yashu , Wang Wei , Luo Gongning , Wang Kuanquan , Liang Dong , Li Shuo
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia and requires volumetric imaging to guide the therapy procedure. Late gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (LGE MRI) is an efficient noninvasive technology for imaging the diseased heart. Three‐dimensional segmentation of the left atrium (LA) in LGE MRI is a fundamental step for guiding the therapy of patients with AF. However, the low contrast and fuzzy surface of the LA in LGE MRI make accurate and objective LA segmentation a challenge. The purpose of this study is to propose an automatic and efficient LA segmentation model based on a convolutional neural network to obtain a more accurate predicted surface and improve the LA segmentation results.

Methods

In this study, we proposed an uncertainty‐guided symmetric multilevel supervision (SML) network for 3D LA segmentation in LGE MRI. First, we constructed an SML structure to combine the corresponding features from the encoding and decoding stages to learn the multiscale representation of LA. Second, we formulated the discrepancy of predictions of our model as model uncertainty. Then we proposed an uncertainty‐guided objective function to further increase the segmentation accuracy on the surface.

Results

We evaluated our proposed model on the public LA segmentation database using four universal metrics. The proposed model achieved Hausdorff Distance (HD) of 11.68 mm, average symmetric surface distance of 0.92 mm, Dice score of 0.92, and Jaccard of 0.85. Compared with state‐of‐the‐art models, our model achieved the best HD that is sensitive to surface accuracy. For the other three metrics, our model also achieved better or comparable performance.

Conclusions

We proposed an efficient automatic LA segmentation model that consisted of an SML structure and an uncertainty‐guided objective function. Compared to other models, we designed an additional supervision branch in the encoding stage to learn more detailed representations of LA while learning global context information through the multilevel structure of each supervision branch. To address the fuzzy surface challenge of LA segmentation in LGE MRI, we leveraged the model uncertainty to enhance the distinguishing ability of the model on the surface, thereby the predicted accuracy of the LA surface can be further increased. We conducted extensive ablation and comparative experiments with state‐of‐the‐art models. The experiment results demonstrated that our proposed model could handle the complex structure of LA and had superior advantages in improving the segmentation performance on the surface.
A systematic review of obesity as a barrier to accessing cancer screening services
Authors: Graham Yitka , Hayes Catherine , Cox Julie , Mahawar Kamal , Fox Ann , Yemm Heather
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Obesity is a known risk factor for the development of cancers, and a significant proportion of the population may be at risk of developing cancer owing to their weight status. There is acknowledged societal stigma towards people living with obesity, which can influence health behaviors and deter help seeking, such as cancer screening. Healthcare professionals’ attitudes and views toward people living with obesity may adversely affect the patient–professional interface and treatment.

Methods

A systematic review was carried out which aimed to explore the impact of living with obesity on the uptake of three main cancer‐screening services: breast, cervical, and colorectal.

Results

Ten studies were included in the review. Three main areas were identified from both a patient and healthcare professional perspective: barriers and challenges to screening, gender issues, and disparities in the population living with obesity.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to improve uptake of cancer screening services, and for education on weight bias, which is often unconscious, to be considered for healthcare professionals working in cancer screening services. This may help to increase the incidence of early differential diagnosis of potential cancers and improve health outcomes for people living with obesity.
Participation of students with extensive support needs in SWPBIS: Administrator and educator perspectives
Authors: Walker Virginia L. , Loman Sheldon L. , Mickelson Ann M. , Lyon Kristin J.
Published: April 2022

We explored the involvement of students with extensive support needs (ESN) in School‐wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS). We interviewed 15 administrators and special and general educators from elementary schools implementing SWPBIS during the 2019–2020 school year and analyzed responses using qualitative content analysis. In spite of reported challenges related to student characteristics and low expectations among school personnel, participants indicated that students with ESN were taught school‐wide expectations and received public acknowledgement at Tier 1, often with adaptations and evidence‐based practices, and were considered for Tier 2. Although participants reported commitment to inclusion as a central aspect of SWPBIS, inclusion primarily occurred outside academic classrooms, which limited student involvement across SWPBIS activities. Finally, few participants indicated that students with ESN were involved in SWPBIS data collection activities. Implications include that schools should systematically include students with ESN in all tiers of SWPBIS in such a way that focuses on students' meaningful benefit rather than solely on their physical inclusion and create systems that ensure special and general educators collaborate in SWPBIS implementation. Our findings provide a framework for future studies to identify conditions and effective strategies that ensure SWPBIS benefits all students.
Isolation and molecular characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki toxic to lepidopteran pests Spodoptera spp. and Plutella xylostella
Authors: Park Min Gu , Choi Jae Young , Kim Jong Hoon , Park Dong Hwan , Wang Minghui , Kim Hyun Ji , Kim Sang Hee , Lee Ho Yeon , Je Yeon Ho
Published: April 2022

Background

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been widely used as a biological control agent for lepidopteran pests. However, resistance to Bt is a major concern associated with Spodoptera spp. (Noctuidae) and Plutella xylostella (Plutellidae). For efficient control of Noctuidae and Plutellidae, novel Bt strains which have high toxicity and a broad host range are needed.

Results

To develop novel Bt strains as used for bio‐insecticides, the Bt IMBL‐B9 with high toxicity against Spodoptera exigua, Spodoptera frugiperda and P. xylostella was isolated and characterized. The Bt kurstaki IMBL‐B9 strain produced bipyramidal and cuboidal crystals consisting of cry toxins with molecular weights of 130 and 65 kDa, respectively. This strain harbors eight crystal protein genes in total, including cry1Ea and one vegetative insecticidal protein gene. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values of IMBL‐B9 against S. exigua and S. frugiperda were 21.8‐ and 19.3‐fold lower than those of the Bt kusrstaki strain, and 5.6‐ and 4.9‐fold lower than those of Bt aizawai strain, respectively. To evaluate the insecticidal activity of Cry proteins from IMBL‐B9, cry gene‐sourced recombinant Bt strains were constructed. These strains have insecticidal activity and synergic action against lepidopteran pests.

Conclusion

In this study, a novel Bt kurstaki IMBL‐B9 strain was isolated and this could be useful for the development of new bio‐insecticide or cry gene‐based recombinant products as an alternative solution against lepidopterans, including Noctuidae and Plutellidae. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sugar alcohols have the potential as bee‐safe baits for the common wasp
Authors: Neupert Stefanie , Jandt Jennifer M , Szyszka Paul
Published: April 2022

Background

Pest insects are often baited with poisoned feeding stimulants, the most common of which are sugars. However, sugars are attractive for most animal species, which makes it difficult to target only a specific pest insect species. Here, we assessed different sugar alcohols for their potential as more species‐selective feeding stimulants for pest insects.

Results

We tested the attractiveness of the sugar alcohols sorbitol, xylitol and erythritol with a capillary feeder assay in wasps (as potential pest insects, because introduced wasps are a pest in many regions) and bees (as non‐target insects). For the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), sorbitol and xylitol acted as nutritive feeding stimulants, and erythritol acted as a non‐nutritive feeding stimulant. For the buff‐tailed bumble bee (Bombus terrestris), sorbitol acted as a feeding stimulant, while for the honey bee (Apis mellifera), none of the sugar alcohols acted as feeding stimulant.

Conclusion

The species‐specific preferences for sugar alcohols suggest their potential as species‐selective insect baits. The wasp‐specific preference for xylitol suggests its potential as a bee‐safe alternative to sugar‐containing bait for controlling the common wasp. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Global Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control Based on Fractional Order Differentiation for Angular Position Synchronization Control of PMSM
Authors: Shu Huidong , Tu Qunzhang , Jiang Chengming , Huang Hao , Zhu Changlin
Published: April 2022

This paper is aimed at improve accuracy of angular position synchronization control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor driving system. Traditional PID controller could not meet requirement due to poor dynamic characteristics. The Global Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control (GFTSMC) has good ant‐disturbance ability, could make system more robust and realize synchronization control of angular position. But due to error in load torque observation, system state convergence error will be caused, which will reduce the accuracy of synchronization. In this paper, fractional‐order differentiation is used to replace the nonlinear part of GFTSMC, constructed Fractional Order Differentiation—GFTSMC (FOD‐GFTSMC) controller to improve accuracy of synchronization. Theoretical analysis will be used to demonstrate that this control strategy could improve convergence accuracy of system state, reduces error of synchronization, and some experiments will be carried out to verify that this kind of controller has high synchronization accuracy, fast dynamic response ability and strong robustness. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Anthony John Mudd
Authors: Byrne Aoife
Published: April 2022

Much of his career was spent in the pharmaceutical industry, which involved travelling and living abroad.
Characterization of Brucella spp. and other abortigenic pathogens from aborted tissues of cattle and goats in Rwanda
Authors: Ntivuguruzwa Jean Bosco , Kolo Francis Babaman , Mwikarago Emil Ivan , van Heerden Henriette
Published: April 2022

Background

Abortions cause tremendous economic losses in food‐producing animals and may lead to food insecurity.

Objectives

This study aimed to characterize Brucella spp. and other abortigenic pathogens from aborted tissues of cattle.

Methods

For cattle, aborted tissues (n = 19) were cultured, and Brucella spp. were detected using the genus‐specific 16S‐23S ribosomal DNA interspacer region (ITS) assay and speciated using Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella ovis, and Brucella suis (AMOS) and Bruce‐ladder PCR assays. Brucella negative samples were screened using the eight abortigenic pathogens PCR panel. Samples from an abortion outbreak that occurred within a goat tribe were included in this investigation. Sera of females (n = 8) and males (n = 2) were analyzed using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (i‐ELISA), while vaginal swabs (n = 3) and aborted tissues (n = 1) were cultured and characterized.

Results

The ITS‐PCR detected Brucella DNA in cultures from two aborted tissues of cattle (10.5%, [2/19]), which were identified as B. melitensis (n = 1), and B. abortus (n = 1) using AMOS and Bruce‐ladder PCR assays. Campylobacter fetus (n = 7) and Leptospira spp. (n = 4) including co‐infections (n = 2) of C. fetus and Leptospira spp. were identified from the Brucella negative samples of cattle. Goats (100.0%, 10/10) were brucellosis seropositive on RBT and i‐ELISA. Mixed infections caused by B. melitensis and B. abortus were isolated from the vaginal swabs (n = 3) and aborted tissues (n = 1).

Discussion and conclusions

This is the first identification of abortion‐associated pathogens in aborted cattle indicating the enormous financial losses and a threat to public health. It is therefore essential to include these identified pathogens in the surveillance scheme of veterinary and human services.
Latent heat must be visible in climate communications
Authors: Matthews Tom , Byrne Michael , Horton Radley , Murphy Conor , Pielke Roger , Raymond Colin , Thorne Peter , Wilby Robert L.
Published: April 2022

Anthropogenic forcing is driving energy accumulation in the Earth system, including increases in the sensible heat content of the atmosphere, as measured by dry‐bulb temperature—the metric that is almost universally used for communications about climate change. The atmosphere is also moistening, though, representing an accumulation of latent heat, which is partly concealed by dry‐bulb temperature trends. We highlight that, consistent with basic theory, latent heat gains are outpacing sensible heat gains over about half of the Earth's surface. The difference is largest in the tropics, where global “hotspots” of total heat accumulation are located, and where regional disparities in heating rates are very poorly represented by dry‐bulb temperatures. Including latent heat in climate‐change metrics captures this heat accumulation and therefore improves adaptation‐relevant understanding of the extreme humid heat and precipitation hazards that threaten these latitudes so acutely. For example, irrigation can lower peak dry‐bulb temperatures, but amplify latent heat content by a larger margin, intensifying dangerous heat stress. Based on a review of the research literature, our Perspective therefore calls for routine use of equivalent temperature, a measure that expresses the combined sensible and latent heat content of the atmosphere in the familiar units of °C or K. We recognize that dry‐bulb air temperature must remain a key indicator of the atmospheric state, not least for the many sectors that are sensitive to sensible heat transfer. However, we assert here that more widespread use of equivalent temperature could improve process understanding, public messaging, and adaptation to climate change.

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Observed Impacts of Climate Change

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Earth System Behavior
Human adaptative behavior to Antarctic conditions: A review of physiological aspects
Authors: Spinelli Eliani , Werner Junior Jairo
Published: April 2022

The Antarctic environment induces adaptive metabolic and neuroendocrine changes associated with survival, as well as increased risks to physical and mental health. Circadian disruption has been observed in Antarctic expeditioners. The main consequences appear in quality of sleep, which can affect physical and cognitive performance. Physiological adaptation to cold is mediated by the norepinephrine and thyroid hormones (T3 and 3,5‐T2 metabolite). The observed changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis of expeditioners varied according to temperature, photoperiod, time spent in the cold environment and stress level. The decrease in T3 levels has frequently been associated with mood swings. Psychological and physical stressors cause disturbances in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, with consequent maintenance of high cortisol levels, leading to memory impairment, immunosuppression, and cardiometabolic and reproductive disorders. Preventive measures, such as provision of adequate food, well‐established eating times, physical activity and even the use of phototherapy, can all help maintain the circadian rhythm. In addition, the use of high‐tech clothing and room temperature control in research stations provide greater protection against the effects of intense cold. However, psychological stress requires a more individualized approach based on the crew's sociocultural characteristics, but it can be mitigated by mental healthcare and training in coping strategies.

This article is categorized under:

Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Cardiovascular Diseases > Environmental Factors

Metabolic Diseases > Environmental Factors
A prospective cohort study to evaluate the incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients receiving pegfilgrastim on-body injector versus other options for prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia: breast cancer subgroup analysis
Authors: Mahtani Reshma L. , Belani Rajesh , Crawford Jeffrey , Dale David , DeCosta Lucy , Gawade Prasad L. , Huynh Chanh , Lawrence Tatiana , Lewis Sandra , MacLaughlin William W. , Narang Mohit , Rifkin Robert
Published: April 2022

Background

Breast cancer chemotherapy often carries a high risk of febrile neutropenia (FN); guidelines recommend prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), such as pegfilgrastim. Neulasta® Onpro® on-body injector (OBI) is a delivery device administering pegfilgrastim approximately 27 h after application.

Methods

This prospective study examined patients with breast cancer who received chemotherapy with a high risk of FN, receiving OBI (“OBI”) or other options (other G-CSF or none; “other”). The primary endpoint was FN incidence; secondary endpoints included chemotherapy delivery, adherence (G-CSF in all cycles), compliance (G-CSF day after chemotherapy), and FN incidence in patients receiving curative or palliative treatment.

Results

A total of 1776 patients with breast cancer were enrolled (OBI, n = 1196; other, n = 580). Across all cycles, FN incidence was lower for OBI (4.4% [95% CI, 3.3–5.6%]) than other (7.4% [5.3–9.6%]). For curative treatment, the FN incidence across all cycles was lower for OBI (4.6% [3.4–5.8%]) than for other (7.1% [5.0–9.3%]). For palliative treatment (OBI, n = 33; other, n = 20), 3 patients (15%) in the other and none in the OBI group had FN. After adjusting for baseline covariates, FN incidence remained lower for OBI (4.6% [3.5–6.1%]) versus other (7.8% [5.7–10.5%]). Adherence was higher for OBI (93.8%) than for other G-CSF (69.8%), as was compliance (90.5 and 53.2%, respectively). Chemotherapy dose delays/reductions were similar for OBI (4.7%/32.3%, respectively) and other (4.7%/30.0%) groups.

Conclusion

Pegfilgrastim OBI was associated with a lower FN incidence in patients with breast cancer compared to other options for FN prophylaxis.

Trial registration

www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02178475, registered 30 June, 2014
Neuropsychologie der Epilepsien im höheren Lebensalter
Authors: Heerwig Carina , Möller Hendrik , Brückner Katja
Published: April 2022

Infolge des demografischen Wandels nimmt die Häufigkeit von Epilepsien im höheren Alter zu. Zudem wird ein Zusammenhang von Epilepsien und einem beschleunigten kognitiven Alterungsprozess angenommen. Kognitive Einschränkungen betreffen dabei überwiegend die Gedächtnisleistungen und die exekutiven Funktionen. Die ältere Patientengruppe stellt eine Herausforderung für die neuropsychologische Diagnostik dar, da nur wenige Testverfahren mit altersspezifischen Normen vorhanden sind und neben der Diagnose der Epilepsie weitere Risikofaktoren für einen kognitiven Leistungsabbau berücksichtigt werden müssen. Ältere Menschen mit Epilepsie können neben kognitiven Einschränkungen auch an damit einhergehenden komorbiden affektiven Störungen leiden. Bei älteren (50+) und alten (65+) Menschen mit Epilepsie können diese Einschränkungen zunehmen und stärker als bei Jüngeren Auswirkungen auf den Alltag und die Alltagskompetenzen haben. Aufgrund der zunehmenden Einschränkungen sowie eines höheren Risikos für kognitive Konsequenzen und Komplikationen werden epilepsiechirurgische Eingriffe weiterhin bei Älteren kontrovers diskutiert. Mehrere Studien konnten jedoch ein postoperatives stabiles kognitives Leistungsprofil und eine Verbesserung der Stimmung bei älteren Menschen mit Epilepsie beobachten.
Klimaschutzinstrumente aus KSG, TEHG und BEHG
Authors: Guckelberger Annette
Published: April 2022

Um die Erderwärmung zu stoppen, sind Treibhausgasreduzierungen in fast allen Lebensbereichen
notwendig. Dazu bedarf es enormer Anstrengungen und zahlreicher Maßnahmen unterschiedlichster Art.
Nachfolgend soll beleuchtet werden, welche Möglichkeiten das KSG als Rahmengesetz bietet, um zu einem
möglichst optimalen Instrumentenmix zu gelangen. Unter den diversen Klimaschutzinstrumenten soll dabei
der Emissionshandel im Fokus stehen.
Fabrication of cornstarch biopolymer-derived nano porous carbon as electrode material for supercapacitor application
Authors: Nath Gaurav , Singh Pramod K. , Dhapola Pawan Singh , Dohare Sushil , Noor I. M. , Sharma Tejas , Singh Abhimanyu
Published: April 2022

Porous carbon is prepared from the cornstarch biopolymer by simple carbonization process initially at 800 °C. This carbon sample has been activated by gasification with the help of oxidizing gas and by reaction with certain chemicals for its pore development. The final product of activated carbon is then characterized by techniques like XRD, RAMAN, BET, TGA, FESEM, and EDX to study all its behavior. The results of these characterizations have been thoroughly studied in the Sect. 3. The carbon is used as an electrode material to decorate the supercapacitor electrode by 1 mg of coating. Polymer electrolyte film of PVDF-HFP doped with 300 wt% of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide (TCM) (optimized for better conductivity) ionic liquid is used as a separator. A supercapacitor device is then fabricated at laboratory scale with the prepared porous carbon electrodes sandwiched with the electrolyte film which yield a specific capacitance of 188.4 F/gm at 10 mHz confirmed from the electrochemical low-frequency impedance spectroscopy plot. Cyclic voltammetry results were also measured, yielding a high specific capacitance of 184.8 F/gm at 5 mV/s.
Disparity in Obesity and Hypertension Risks Observed Between Pacific Islander and Asian American Health Fair Attendees in Los Angeles, 2011–2019
Authors: Yang Hong-Ho , Dhanjani Suraj Avinash , Chwa Won Jong , Cowgill Burton , Gee Gilbert
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The Pacific Islander American population is understudied due to being aggregated with Asian Americans. In this study, we conduct a comparative analysis of directly measured body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%BF), and blood pressure (BP) between Pacific Islander Americans and Asian Americans from health screenings in Los Angeles, California. We hope to reveal intra-APIA health disparities masked by this data aggregation.

Methods

We analyzed BMI, %BF, and BP that were objectively measured by trained personnel at health screenings in Los Angeles between January 2011 and December 2019. We performed multivariable multinomial logistic regression models with obesity and hypertensive categories as outcome variables and ethnicity as the primary independent variable of interest. Models controlled for year of visit, participant age, sex, income, education level, years living in the USA, employment status, English proficiency, regular doctor access, and health insurance status.

Results

A total of 4,832 individuals were included in the analysis. Multivariable analyses revealed that Pacific Islander participants were at significantly higher risks for being classified as obese compared with all Asian American subgroups studied, including Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Japanese. Pacific Islanders also exhibited significantly lower predicted probability of having a normal blood pressure compared with Chinese and Thai participants. Some variation between Asian subgroups were also observed.

Conclusions

Pacific Islander participants had higher risk of several sentinel health problems compared to Asian American participants. Disaggregation of PI Americans from the APIA umbrella category in future studies is necessary to unmask the critical needs of this important community.
Pacific Parental Engagement and Intergenerational Storytelling in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Cunningham Emma , Jesson Rebecca , Wendt Samu Tanya
Published: April 2022

In this article, we focus on how Pacific family support places success of individuals within a wider narrative of intergenerational family stories, contributing to successful futures for the participating Pacific youth and their families. Guided by Pacific research principles, we used interviews with families and adolescents to explore the role of family narratives, in ten Pacific families in Aotearoa New Zealand, which supported academic success for their children. Our data sources included conversations with youth, their families, and visual representations created by the youth to illustrate their perceptions of parental support. The findings highlighted the role of families’ stories in supporting their children’s education. Strong intergenerational expectations were expressed from the dual perspectives of parents and their children. The formative role of family stories within the youths’ experiences of success provides opportunity to acknowledge the relational foundations of intergenerational stories.
Introduction of Plasmid to the Murine Gut via Consumption of an Escherichia coli Carrier and Examining the Impact of Bacterial Dosing and Antibiotics on Persistence
Authors: Kydd LeNaiya , Alalhareth Fawaz , Mendez Ana , Hohn Maryann , Radunskaya Ami , Kojouharov Hristo , Jaworski Justyn
Published: April 2022

Purpose

We examine the impacts of dosing strategies of plasmids on bacterial communities in the murine gut by measuring the quantity of plasmids in mouse feces.

Methods

We fed mice carrier bacteria, E. coli, that contain plasmids with both a reporter gene and an antibiotic resistant gene. We varied the quantity of the plasmid-carrying bacteria and the length of time the mice consumed the bacteria. We also pretreated the gut with broad-spectrum antibiotics and used continuous antibiotic treatment to investigate selection pressure. We collected bacteria from fecal pellets to quantify the number of plasmid-carrying bacteria via plate assay.

Results

Dosing regimens with plasmid-carrying bacteria resulted in a significantly increased duration of persistence of the plasmid within the gut when supplemented continuously with kanamycin during as well as after completion of bacterial dosing. The carrier bacteria concentration influenced the short-term abundance of carrier bacteria.

Conclusion

We evaluated the persistence of plasmid-carrying bacteria in the murine gut over time using varying dosage strategies. In future work, we will study how bacterial diversity in the gut impacts the degree of plasmid transfer and the prevalence of plasmid-carrying bacteria over time.

Lay Summary

Observing how plasmids persist within the gut can help us understand how newly introduced genes, including antibiotic resistance, are transmitted within the gut microbiome. In our experiments, mice were given bacteria containing a genetically engineered plasmid and were examined for the persistence of the plasmid in the gut. We found long-term persistence of the plasmid in the gut when administering antibiotics during and following dosing of the mice with bacteria carrying the plasmid. The use of higher concentrations of carrier bacteria influenced the short-term abundance of the plasmid-carrying bacteria in the gut.

Description of Future Works

Building on evidence from these initial studies that persistence of plasmids within the gut can be regulated by the dosage strategy, we will explore future studies and models of gene uptake in the context of spatial and taxonomic control and further determine if dosing strategies alter the compositional diversity of the gut microbiome.

Graphical abstract
Blue light photobiomodulation of dental pulp cells
Authors: Mohamad Sherif A. , Milward Michael R. , Hadis Mohammed A. , Kuehne Sarah A. , Cooper Paul R.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Blue light has been reported to enhance the differentiation and mineralisation potential of mesenchymal stem cells. No studies have investigated the photobiomodulation effects of blue light on the odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cell-containing populations. This study aimed to determine the effect of 405-nm wavelength on the mineralisation response in these cells.

Methods

Human dental pulp cells were irradiated using a calibrated 405 nm light source at an irradiance of 57.7 mW/cm2 for 35, 69, 90 and 104 s; delivering energy densities of 2, 4, 5 and 6 J/cm2. Cell proliferation was investigated on days 2 and 4. Alkaline phosphatase activity and dentine matrix protein-1 levels were investigated on days 3 and 5. Mineralised nodule formation was investigated on days 7, 4 and 21.

Results

The 405-nm blue light had significant inhibitory effects on dental pulp cell proliferation. Simultaneously, blue light irradiation enhanced the mineralisation response, as determined by the upregulation of odontogenic markers. Irradiated cultures also demonstrated a significant increase in mineralised nodule formation compared with the non-irradiated controls at all time points.

Conclusion

Data indicate that phototherapy utilising a 405-nm wavelength may have therapeutic potential in stimulating odontogenic responses of pulp cells.
A simple numerical approach for the pushover analysis of slender cantilever bridge piers taking into account geometric nonlinearity
Authors: Di Re Paolo , Bernardini Davide , Ruta Daniela , Paolone Achille
Published: April 2022

The response of slender bridge piers to horizontal actions may be significantly influenced by geometric nonlinearities. In such conditions, the use of sophisticated models implemented in complex structural analysis software can be economically disadvantageous, especially in the preliminary design phases. This paper proposes a simple numerical procedure to compute the nonlinear pushover response of cantilever bridge piers subject to horizontal loads. The procedure is based on an iterative approach to enforce the element equilibrium under large displacements, efficiently accounting for P-Delta effects induced by vertical loads. Evaluation of the bending moment–curvature response of the pier base cross section is required and used as basic input data. For fast preliminary analyses, sectional response can be manually computed in simplified linearized form, thus completely eliminating the need to use structural analysis software. Indeed, the entire procedure can be implemented in standard programming codes, such as PythonTMor Matlab®, and used to evaluate the pushover response of piers with arbitrary cross section. Comparison with experimental test results and solutions based on Finite Element models shows that proposed procedure can be used to get a fast, yet accurate, estimate of the entire force–displacement curve and, in particular, of the pier ultimate displacement.
LIBS and pXRF validation for the removal of Pb by bio-CaCO3 nanoparticles from contaminated water
Authors: Rezk R. A. , Abdel-Salam Z. , Abdel Ghany N. A. , Abdelkreem M. , Abdel-Harith M.
Published: April 2022

In this work, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied to qualitatively evaluate lead adsorbed from industrial wastewater by nano-CaCO3. Eggshell as a natural source of CaCO3 has been used as a sorbent owing to its low cost and unrivalled adsorption capacity to remove Pb from contaminated water. The structure and morphology of CaCO3 nano-powders were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR). LIBS results were experimentally validated by the results obtained using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), which confirmed the feasibility of using LIBS to detect traces of Pb ions, while the adsorption process is applied under governing parameters. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to model the experimental data. The kinetics of adsorption mechanisms were studied using Lagergren's pseudo-first-order and McKay and Ho's pseudo-second-order. The obtained results demonstrated that bio-CaCO3 nanoparticles could be used as an effective lead-sorbent from wastewater. Accordingly, it is possible to utilize this adsorption technique as a promising practical approach for the treatment of lead-contaminated industrial wastewater and its recirculation.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

Natural nano CaCO3 from eggshell was prepared mechanically as a low-cost adsorbent and characterized by SEM, TEM, and FTIR.

The capacity of removing Pb (II) by nano-CaCO3 was dependent on pH, metal concentration and contact time .

LIBS was used for qualitative analysis of adsorbed Pb (II) and the results were validated with those obtained by EDX and pXRF spectrometry; in addition, isotherm models and kinetics of adsorption mechanisms were investigated.
Understanding the Private–Public Divide
Authors: Offer Avner
Published: April 2022

Markets are taken as the norm in economics and in much of political and media discourse. But if markets are superior why does the public sector remain so large? Avner Offer provides a distinctive new account of the effective temporal limits on private, public, and social activity. Understanding the Private–Public Divide accounts for the division of labour between business and the public sector, how it changes over time, where the boundaries ought to run, and the harm that follows if they are violated. He explains how finance forces markets to focus on short-term objectives and why business requires special privileges in return for long-term commitment. He shows how a private sector policy bias leads to inequality, insecurity, and corruption. Integrity used to be the norm and it can be achieved again. Only governments can manage uncertainty in the long-term interests of society, as shown by the challenge of climate change.
Tectonophysics Perspectives on Integrated, Coordinated, Open, Networked (ICON) Science
Authors: Abbey Alyssa L. , Choi Eunseo , Neumann Florian , Ortiz‐Guerrero Carolina , Tondi Rosaria
Published: April 2022

This article is composed of two independent opinion pieces about the state of integrated, coordinated, open, and networked (ICON) principles (Goldman et al., 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EO153180; Goldman et al., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021ea002099) in Tectonophysics and discussion on the opportunities and challenges of adopting them. Each opinion piece focuses on a different topic: (a) global collaboration, technology transfer and application, reproducibility, and data sharing and infrastructure; and (b) field, experimental, remote sensing, and real‐time data research and application. Within tectonophysics science, ICON‐FAIR principles are starting to be adopted and implemented, however they have not become frequent and there are still plenty of opportunities for further development. During the last decade, standardization reduced fragmentation, facilitated openly available databases, and enabled different modeling methods to be combined. On the other hand, integration and coordination remained insufficient as exemplified by numerous geophysical interpretation programs running on different platforms, lacking the proper documentation and with diverse output formats. We agree that adapting the principles of ICON‐FAIR brings high efforts and risks, but in the end, it has great benefits and potential in the tectonophysics community.
Radiation Pattern Nulling in Phased Array Antennas Using Superior Discrete Fourier Transform and Dolph‐Tschebyscheff Based Synthesis Techniques
Authors: Panigrahi Siddhartha , Chou Hsi‐Tseng , Chang Chen‐Yi
Published: April 2022

This study proposes an improved method for sector nulling in the radiation pattern of rectangular phased array antennas using two different synthesis techniques; an orthogonal Discrete Fourier transform and a quasi‐orthogonal Dolph‐Tschebyscheff based technique. In traditional synthesis techniques, broad elemental beams serve as local field basis functions (FBFs) in an array. Instead, the proposed methods produce low sidelobe narrow beams as FBFs. A set of these FBFs can effectively constitute the array's radiation pattern in a confined angular region. By properly weighting these FBFs, sector pattern nulls in a designated angular range are synthesized without severely distorting the patterns outside this area. The FBFs' optimal weights can be efficiently calculated using a nonlinear minimum least squares error technique, which is later transformed into the array's elemental excitation coefficients. Along with faster convergence, this technique allows control over peak sidelobe level, null depth, and width, making it suitable for GPS anti‐jamming, 5G communications, and other applications requiring interference suppression.
Divergent Drivers of Various Topsoil Phosphorus Fractions Across Tibetan Alpine Grasslands
Authors: Li Ziliang , Zhang Dianye , Peng Yunfeng , Qin Shuqi , Wang Lu , Hou Enqing , Yang Yuanhe
Published: April 2022

The storage and dynamics of various soil phosphorus (P) fractions could determine soil P availability, and thus regulate terrestrial carbon cycle and its feedback to climate warming. However, little evidence is available about patterns and drivers of soil P fractions in alpine ecosystems which could play a crucial role in terrestrial carbon cycle. Here we evaluated various topsoil P fractions and their determinants in Tibetan alpine grasslands using systematic measurements along a 3,000 km transect. Our results showed that topsoil P concentrations in Tibetan alpine grasslands were higher or equivalent than those in temperate and tropical‐subtropical ecosystems. Our results also revealed distinct drivers among various soil P fractions: microbial properties and soil pH were dominant drivers of labile P and secondary mineral P fractions, respectively. Mineral properties were key determinants of occluded P and organic P fractions, whereas primary mineral P fraction was largely predicted by precipitation and mineral properties. The large‐scale evidence obtained in this study offers new insights for better predicting the trajectory of soil P availability and its interactions with ecosystem carbon cycle in alpine ecosystems under changing environment.
Impact of chosen cutoff on response rate differences between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and placebo
Authors: Lisinski Alexander , Hieronymus Fredrik , Nilsson Staffan , Eriksson Elias
Published: April 2022

Response defined as a 50% reduction in the sum score of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17-sum) is often used to assess the efficacy of antidepressants. Critics have, however, argued that dichotomising ratings with a cutoff close to the median may lead to scores clustering on either side, the result being inflation of miniscule drug-placebo differences. Using pooled patient-level data sets from trials of three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (citalopram, paroxetine and sertraline) (n = 7909), and from similar trials of duloxetine (n = 3478), we thus assessed the impact of different cutoffs on response rates. Response criteria were based on (i) HDRS-17-sum, (ii) the sum score of the HDRS-6 subscale (HDRS-6-sum) and (iii) the depressed mood item. The separation between SSRI and placebo with respect to response rates increased when HDRS-17-sum was replaced by HDRS-6-sum or depressed mood as effect parameter and was markedly dependent on SSRI dose. With the exception of extreme cutoff values, differences in response rates were largely similar regardless of where the cutoff was placed, and also not markedly changed by the exclusion of subjects close to the selected cutoff (e.g., ±10%). The observation of similar response rate differences between active drugs and placebo for different cutoffs was corroborated by the analysis of duloxetine data. In conclusion, the suggestion that using a cutoff close to the median when defining response has markedly overestimated the separation between antidepressants and placebo may be discarded.
Identification of potential blood biomarkers associated with suicide in major depressive disorder
Authors: Mamdani Firoza , Weber Matthieu D. , Bunney Blynn , Burke Kathleen , Cartagena Preston , Walsh David , Lee Francis S. , Barchas Jack , Schatzberg Alan F. , Myers Richard M. , Watson Stanley J. , Akil Huda , Vawter Marquis P. , Bunney William E. , Sequeira Adolfo
Published: April 2022

Suicides have increased to over 48,000 deaths yearly in the United States. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common diagnosis among suicides, and identifying those at the highest risk for suicide is a pressing challenge. The objective of this study is to identify changes in gene expression associated with suicide in brain and blood for the development of biomarkers for suicide. Blood and brain were available for 45 subjects (53 blood samples and 69 dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) samples in total). Samples were collected from MDD patients who died by suicide (MDD-S), MDDs who died by other means (MDD-NS) and non-psychiatric controls. We analyzed gene expression using RNA and the NanoString platform. In blood, we identified 14 genes which significantly differentiated MDD-S versus MDD-NS. The top six genes differentially expressed in blood were: PER3, MTPAP, SLC25A26, CD19, SOX9, and GAR1. Additionally, four genes showed significant changes in brain and blood between MDD-S and MDD-NS; SOX9 was decreased and PER3 was increased in MDD-S in both tissues, while CD19 and TERF1 were increased in blood but decreased in DLPFC. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze matched blood and brain samples in a well-defined population of MDDs demonstrating significant differences in gene expression associated with completed suicide. Our results strongly suggest that blood gene expression is highly informative to understand molecular changes in suicide. Developing a suicide biomarker signature in blood could help health care professionals to identify subjects at high risk for suicide.
Functional characterization of variants of unknown significance in a spinocerebellar ataxia patient using an unsupervised machine learning pipeline
Authors: Nath Siddharth , Caron Nicholas S. , May Linda , Gluscencova Oxana B. , Kolesar Jill , Brady Lauren , Kaufman Brett A. , Boulianne Gabrielle L. , Rodriguez Amadeo R. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Truant Ray
Published: April 2022

CAG-expanded ATXN7 has been previously defined in the pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7), a polyglutamine expansion autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia. Pathology in SCA7 occurs as a result of a CAG triplet repeat expansion in excess of 37 in the first exon of ATXN7, which encodes ataxin-7. SCA7 presents clinically with spinocerebellar ataxia and cone-rod dystrophy. Here, we present a novel spinocerebellar ataxia variant occurring in a patient with mutations in both ATXN7 and TOP1MT, which encodes mitochondrial topoisomerase I (top1mt). Using machine-guided, unbiased microscopy image analysis, we demonstrate alterations in ataxin-7 subcellular localization, and through high-fidelity measurements of cellular respiration, bioenergetic defects in association with top1mt mutations. We identify ataxin-7 Q35P and top1mt R111W as deleterious mutations, potentially contributing to disease states. We recapitulate our mutations through Drosophila genetic models. Our work provides important insight into the cellular biology of ataxin-7 and top1mt and offers insight into the pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia applicable to multiple subtypes of the illness. Moreover, our study demonstrates an effective pipeline for the characterization of previously unreported genetic variants at the level of cell biology.