bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced cytotoxicity of a Pseudomonas Exotoxin A based immunotoxin against prostate cancer by addition of the endosomal escape enhancer SO1861
Authors: Masilamani Anie P. , Huber Nathalie , Nagl Constanze , Dettmer-Monaco Viviane , Monaco Gianni , Wolf Isis , Schultze-Seemann Susanne , Taromi Sanaz , Gratzke Christian , Fuchs Hendrik , Wolf Philipp
Published: July 2023

Immunotoxins consist of an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a specific cell surface structure and a cytotoxic domain that kills the cell after cytosolic uptake. Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) based immunotoxins directed against a variety of tumor entities have successfully entered the clinic. PE possesses a KDEL-like motif (REDLK) that enables the toxin to travel from sorting endosomes via the KDEL-receptor pathway to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), from where it is transported into the cytosol. There, it ADP-ribosylates the eukaryotic elongation factor 2, resulting in ribosome inhibition and finally apoptosis. One major problem of immunotoxins is their lysosomal degradation causing the need for much more immunotoxin molecules than finally required for induction of cell death. The resulting dose limitations and substantially increased side effects require new strategies to achieve improved cytosolic uptake. Here we generated an immunotoxin consisting of a humanized single chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and the de-immunized PE variant PE24mut. This immunotoxin, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mut, showed high and specific cytotoxicity in PSMA-expressing prostate cancer cells. We deleted the REDLK sequence to prevent transport to the ER and achieve endosomal entrapment. The cytotoxicity of this immunotoxin, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK, was greatly reduced. To restore activity, we added the endosomal escape enhancer SO1861 and observed an up to 190,000-fold enhanced cytotoxicity corresponding to a 57-fold enhancement compared to the initial immunotoxin with the REDLK sequence. A biodistribution study with different routes of administration clearly showed that the subcutaneous injection of hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK in mice resulted in the highest tumor uptake. Treatment of mice bearing prostate tumors with a combination of hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK plus SO1861 resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and enhanced overall survival compared to the monotherapies. The endosomal entrapment of non-toxic anti-PSMA immunotoxins followed by enhanced endosomal escape by SO1861 provides new therapeutic options in the future management of prostate cancer.
Identification of PROK2 gene polymorphisms as predictors of methamphetamine use disorder risk and indicators of craving scale in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Jiang Zhao , Zhang Tianxiao , Han Wei , Xiao Jing , Zhang Wenpei , Wang Xiaochen , Liu Jianing , Yang Ying , Yang Congying , Guan Fanglin , Li Tao , Rice John P.
Published: July 2023

Background: Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) has become a global problem due to the highly addictive nature of methamphetamine. Earlier research have demonstrated that PROK2 functions as a compensatory and protective response against neurotoxic stress by stimulating astrocyte reactivity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between the PROK2 gene and both MUD risk susceptibility and craving scale in the Chinese Han population.

Methods: A total of 5,282 participants (1,796 MUD patients and 3,486 controls) were recruited. Seven tag SNPs of the PROK2 gene were chosen and genotyped in the samples. Genetic association analyses were performed to capture the significant SNPs. To investigate the relationship between PROK2 levels and craving scores with the associated-SNP genotypes, we conducted a linear model.

Results: SNP rs75433452 was significantly linked with MUD risk (p-value = 1.54 × 10−8), with the A allele being positively correlated with an increased risk of MUD. Moreover, the average serum level of PROK2 decreased when more copies of the A allele were presented in both MUD patients (p-value = 4.57 × 10−6) and controls (p-value = 1.13 × 10−5). Furthermore, the genotypes of SNP rs75433452 were strongly correlated with the craving scores in MUD patients (p-value = 4.05 × 10−4).

Conclusion: Our study identified a significant association signal of the PROK2 gene with MUD risk susceptibility and methamphetamine craving scores in the Chinese Han population, providing potential valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of METH dependence.
The NAC transcription factor MdNAC29 negatively regulates drought tolerance in apple
Authors: Li Sen , Jing Xiuli , Tan Qiuping , Wen Binbin , Fu Xiling , Li Dongmei , Chen Xiude , Xiao Wei , Li Ling
Published: July 2023

Drought stress is an adverse stimulus that affects agricultural production worldwide. NAC transcription factors are involved in plant development and growth but also play different roles in the abiotic stress response. Here, we isolated the apple MdNAC29 gene and investigated its role in regulating drought tolerance. Subcellular localization experiments showed that MdNAC29 was localized to the nucleus and transcription was induced by the PEG treatment. Over-expression of MdNAC29 reduced drought tolerance in apple plants, calli, and tobacco, and exhibited higher relative conductivity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and lower chlorophyll content under drought stress. The transcriptomic analyses revealed that MdNAC29 reduced drought resistance by modulating the expression of photosynthesis and leaf senescence-related genes. The qRT-PCR results showed that overexpression of MdNAC29 repressed the expression of drought-resistance genes. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that MdNAC29 directly repressed MdDREB2A expression. Moreover, the yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated that MdNAC29 interacted with the MdPP2-B10 (F-box protein), which responded to drought stress, and MdPP2-B10 enhanced the repressive effect of MdNAC29 on the transcriptional activity of the MdDREB2A. Taken together, our results indicate that MdNAC29 is a negative regulator of drought resistance, and provide a theoretical basis for further molecular mechanism research.
Plant dehydrins and dehydrin-like proteins: characterization and participation in abiotic stress response
Authors: Szlachtowska Zofia , Rurek Michał
Published: July 2023

Abiotic stress has a significant impact on plant growth and development. It causes changes in the subcellular organelles, which, due to their stress sensitivity, can be affected. Cellular components involved in the abiotic stress response include dehydrins, widely distributed proteins forming a class II of late embryogenesis abundant protein family with characteristic properties including the presence of evolutionarily conserved sequence motifs (including lysine-rich K-segment, N-terminal Y-segment, and often phosphorylated S motif) and high hydrophilicity and disordered structure in the unbound state. Selected dehydrins and few poorly characterized dehydrin-like proteins participate in cellular stress acclimation and are also shown to interact with organelles. Through their functioning in stabilizing biological membranes and binding reactive oxygen species, dehydrins and dehydrin-like proteins contribute to the protection of fragile organellar structures under adverse conditions. Our review characterizes the participation of plant dehydrins and dehydrin-like proteins (including some organellar proteins) in plant acclimation to diverse abiotic stress conditions and summarizes recent updates on their structure (the identification of dehydrin less conserved motifs), classification (new proposed subclasses), tissue- and developmentally specific accumulation, and key cellular activities (including organellar protection under stress acclimation). Recent findings on the subcellular localization (with emphasis on the mitochondria and plastids) and prospective applications of dehydrins and dehydrin-like proteins in functional studies to alleviate the harmful stress consequences by means of plant genetic engineering and a genome editing strategy are also discussed.
No size fits all – a qualitative study of factors that enable adaptive capacity in diverse hospital teams
Authors: Fagerdal Birte , Lyng Hilda Bø , Guise Veslemøy , Anderson Janet E. , Wiig Siri
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Resilient healthcare research studies how healthcare systems and stakeholders adapt and cope with challenges and changes to enable high quality care. By examining how performance emerges in everyday work in different healthcare settings, the research seeks to receive knowledge of the enablers for adaptive capacity. Hospitals are defined as complex organizations with a large number of actors collaborating on increasingly complexity tasks. Consequently, most of today’s work in hospitals is team based. The study aims to explore and describe what kind of team factors enable adaptive capacity in hospital teams.

Methods

The article reports from a multiple embedded case study in two Norwegian hospitals. A case was defined as one hospital containing four different types of teams in a hospital setting. Data collection used triangulation of observation (115 h) and interviews (30), followed by a combined deductive and inductive analysis of the material.

Results

The study identified four main themes of team related factors for enabling adaptive capacity; (1) technology and tools, (2) roles, procedures, and organization of work, (3) competence, experience, knowledge, and learning, (4) team culture and relations.

Discussion

Investigating adaptive capacity in four different types of teams allowed for consideration of a range of team types within healthcare and how the team factors vary within and across these teams. All of the four identified team factors are of importance in enabling adaptive capacity, the various attributes of the respective team types prompt differences in the significance of the different factors and indicates that different types of teams could need diverse types of training, structural and relational emphasis in team composition, leadership, and non-technical skills in order to optimize everyday functionality and adaptive capacity.
Feel-Own-Move: a psychomotor therapy program for victims of intimate partner violence living in shelter homes. Feasibility and effects on mental health, bodily dissociation, and quality of life
Authors: Machorrinho Joana , Marmeleira José , Veiga Guida , Santos Graça Duarte
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide concern, impacting victims’ mental health, physical health, and quality of life. High rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, bodily dissociation, and somatic symptoms have been found in victims of IPV, with an important impact on the chronicity of impairments and on the outcomes of psychological interventions. Therapeutic interventions available in shelter homes for victims are scarce in addressing their body–mind needs therefore asking for better empirical research. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effects of Feel-Own-Move (FOM), an 8-week psychomotor therapy program for victims of IPV, on their mental health, levels of bodily dissociation, and general quality of life.

Methods

A within-subject repeated measures design was used to evaluate the intervention effects, and feasibility results were analyzed.

Results

Seventeen women completed the program (mean age 42.8 years, range 21–64). Results showed a significant decrease in levels of bodily dissociation, with FOM having a large effect size. The intervention also had a large effect size at increasing the environment domain of quality of life, although no statistically significant differences were found. FOM ended with excellent rates of reach, adherence, acceptability, and satisfaction. A positive retention rate was also found.

Discussion

In conclusion, FOM seems to be a feasible psychomotor therapy intervention for female victims of IPV living in shelters. Importantly, this program showed to be effective in reducing bodily dissociation among participants, which is suggested to prospectively contribute to their mental health and quality of life.
Defining collective irrationality of COVID-19: shared mentality, mimicry, affective contagion, and psychosocial adaptivity
Authors: Kaftanski Wojciech
Published: July 2023

This paper defines the nature of collective irrationality that flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic and lays out specific individual and shared traits and dispositions that facilitate it. Drawing on the example of globally experienced phenomenon of panicked toilet paper buying and hoarding during the COVID-19 pandemic and resources from philosophy, psychology, sociology, and economics this paper identifies four essential features of collective irrationality: weak shared mentality; non-cognitive and immediate mimicry; affective contagion; and psychosocial adaptivity. After (I) initially pointing out conceptual problems around benchmarking collectivity and irrationality, this paper (II) identifies weak mentality as serving the goals of “group” recognition internally and externally. It is argued that (III) the non-cognitive and immediate mimicry and emotional contagion are shared and individual dispositional conditions that facilitate collective irrationality in environments affected by uncertainty (IV). The human mimetic faculty and susceptibility to emotional contagion are presented as enabling and augmenting conditions under which collective irrationality flourishes. Finally, (IV) presenting collective irrationality in the context of psychosocial adaptivity, the paper provides evolutionary reasons for engaging in irrational behaviors, rendering collective irrationality as an adaptive strategy.
COVID-19 hospital indoor environments and how it helped patients’ recovery and staff’s work: a case study in South Korea
Authors: Park Sang Hee , Shin Hye-Kyung , Kim Kyoung-Woo
Published: July 2023

The indoor environment has been recognized as a crucial factor that can influence health and wellbeing of occupants. This is particularly true in hospital settings, where various environmental attributes can significantly affect patients’ recovery and staff members’ productivity. The present study aimed to investigate how occupants in hospitals perceived indoor environment, focusing specifically on COVID-19 hospitals across Republic of Korea. The study recruited two groups of participants: patients (n = 100) who had been hospitalized in COVID-19 hospitals and staff members (n = 103) who worked in COVID-19 hospitals. The data collected from the participants were analyzed using multiple regression models to determine which environmental attributes significantly affected their perception of the indoor environment. The study revealed that satisfaction with indoor acoustic environment and odor were significant predictors for how patients perceived the indoor environment as helpful for their recovery from COVID-19. On the other hand, odor was also the significant factor affecting staff members’ perceived helpfulness for work. The results suggested that different environmental attributes can have a significant impact on the perception of the indoor environment, depending on the characteristics of occupancy. The study’s findings provided insights into the certain environmental factors that COVID-19 hospitals can prioritize. These insights can help policymakers and hospital administrators to develop strategies to create hospital environments that meet the needs of both groups. The study also suggested that further research is needed to investigate additional factors affecting occupants’ perception of the indoor environment in hospital settings.
The Toronto Mindfulness Scale and the State Mindfulness Scale: psychometric properties of the Spanish versions
Authors: Navarrete Jaime , Fontana-McNally Marta , Colomer-Carbonell Ariadna , Sanabria-Mazo Juan P. , Pinazo Daniel , Silvestre-López Antonio-José , Lau Mark , Tanay Galia , García-Campayo Javier , Demarzo Marcelo , Soler Joaquim , Cebolla Ausiàs , Feliu-Soler Albert , Luciano Juan V.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS) and the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) are two relevant self-report measures of state mindfulness. The purpose of this study was to examine the internal structure and to offer evidence of the reliability and validity of the Spanish versions of the TMS and SMS.

Methods

Data from six distinct non-clinical samples in Spain were obtained. They responded to the TMS (n = 119), SMS (n = 223), and measures of trait mindfulness, decentering, non-attachment, depression, anxiety, stress, positive and negative affect, self-criticism, and self-reassurance. The internal structure of the TMS and SMS was analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability, construct validity, and sensitivity to change analyses were performed.

Results

The correlated two-factor structure (curiosity and decentering) was the best-fitting model for the TMS (CFI = 0.932; TLI = 0.913; RMSEA = 0.100 [0.077–0.123]; WRMR = 0.908). The bifactor structure (general factor, mindfulness of body, and mindfulness of mind) was the best-fitting model for the SMS (CFI = 0.961; TLI = 0.950; RMSEA = 0.096 [0.086–0.106]; WRMR = 0.993). Adequate reliability was found for both measures. The reliability of the SMS specific factors was very poor when controlling for the general factor. The patterns of correlations were mainly as expected and according to previous literature. The TMS and SMS have been able to detect state mindfulness changes after different meditation practices.

Conclusion

Validity evidence is provided to support the use of the TMS and SMS in Spanish populations, though the reliability of the SMS specific factors merit revision.
The Perceived Stress Scale 2&2: a two-factorial German short version of the Perceived Stress Scale
Authors: Schäfer Sarah K. , von Boros Lisa , Göritz Anja S. , Baumann Sophie , Wessa Michèle , Tüscher Oliver , Lieb Klaus , Möhring Anne
Published: July 2023

Background

Stress is among the leading causes for diseases. The assessment of subjectively perceived stress is essential for resilience research. While the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a widely used questionnaire, a German short version of the scale is not yet available. In the current study, we developed such a short version using a machine learning approach for item reduction to facilitate the simultaneous optimization of multiple psychometric criteria.

Method

We recruited 1,437 participants from an online panel, who completed the German long version of the PSS along with measures of mental health and resilience. An ant-colony-optimization algorithm was used to select items, taking reliability, and construct validity into account. Findings on validity were visualized by psychological network models.

Results

We replicated a bifactor structure for the long version of the PSS and derived a two-factor German short version of the PSS with four items, the PSS-2&2. Its factors helplessness and self-efficacy showed differential associations with mental health indicators and resilience-related factors, with helplessness being mainly linked to mental distress.

Conclusion

The valid and economic short version of the PSS lends itself to be used in future resilience research. Our findings highlight the importance of the two-factor structure of the PSS short versions and challenge the validity of commonly used one-factor models. In cases where the general stress factor is of interest, researchers should use the longer versions of the PSS that allow for the interpretation of total scores, while the PSS-2&2 allows of an economic assessment of the PSS factors helplessness and self-efficacy.
Prevalence of post-traumatic stress and tests of metacognition as a PTSD risk marker in patients with coronary heart disease and elevated HADS scores: analysis of data from the PATHWAY RCT's in UK cardiac rehabilitation
Authors: Wells Adrian , Heal Calvin , Reeves David , Capobianco Lora
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Anxiety and depression in coronary heart disease (CHD) are associated with poorer health outcomes, greater healthcare use and reduced quality of life. Post-traumatic stress symptoms may be a particular concern as they are associated with increased mortality at follow-up. We examined prevalence of PTSD in patients with elevated anxiety/depression scores referred for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) across seven NHS sites in North-West England. We tested a possible mechanism (metacognition) linking CHD to PTSD symptom severity as implicated in the metacognitive model.

Methods

Data was collected at baseline as part of the NIHR funded PATHWAY trial of metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression in CHD. Patients (n = 572) with at least mild symptoms of anxiety and depression under routine screening (assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and attending CR were eligible for the study. A battery of questionnaires, including assessment of demographic variables, PTSD symptoms (using the IES-R) and metacognitive beliefs was administered prior to random allocation and intervention delivery.

Results

Rates of PTSD were high, with 48% of patients meeting threshold for PTSD and a further 15% partial PTSD. All five metacognition subscales were positively associated with PTSD vs. no PTSD, with beliefs about the uncontrollability and danger of worry and beliefs about need to control thoughts being most strongly related. For every unit increase in uncontrollability and danger metacognitions the odds of being in the PTSD group increased 30%, whilst the odds of partial PTSD increased 16%. Stepwise regression analysis using the metacognitive subscales along with demographic and health-related covariates found that uncontrollability/danger and need for control metacognitions explained unique variation in PTSD symptom severity, with unique contributions also for age, sex, and number of comorbidities.

Conclusion

PTSD symptoms appeared highly prevalent in the current CR sample. Metacognitive beliefs were individually associated with symptom severity with the strongest positive relationship observed for beliefs about uncontrollability and dangerousness of worry, followed by need to control thoughts. The results highlight the importance in assessing PTSD in CR patients and add support to implementing metacognitive therapy in CHD to target particular metacognition risk factors in anxiety, depression and PTSD.
Toward reframing brain-social dynamics: current assumptions and future challenges
Authors: Faraji Jamshid , Metz Gerlinde A. S.
Published: July 2023

Evolutionary analyses suggest that the human social brain and sociality appeared together. The two fundamental tools that accelerated the concurrent emergence of the social brain and sociality include learning and plasticity. The prevailing core idea is that the primate brain and the cortex in particular became reorganised over the course of evolution to facilitate dynamic adaptation to ongoing changes in physical and social environments. Encouraged by computational or survival demands or even by instinctual drives for living in social groups, the brain eventually learned how to learn from social experience via its massive plastic capacity. A fundamental framework for modeling these orchestrated dynamic responses is that social plasticity relies upon neuroplasticity. In the present article, we first provide a glimpse into the concepts of plasticity, experience, with emphasis on social experience. We then acknowledge and integrate the current theoretical concepts to highlight five key intertwined assumptions within social neuroscience that underlie empirical approaches for explaining the brain-social dynamics. We suggest that this epistemological view provides key insights into the ontology of current conceptual frameworks driving future research to successfully deal with new challenges and possible caveats in favour of the formulation of novel assumptions. In the light of contemporary societal challenges, such as global pandemics, natural disasters, violent conflict, and other human tragedies, discovering the mechanisms of social brain plasticity will provide new approaches to support adaptive brain plasticity and social resilience.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers on early gastrointestinal cancer in China
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhao Changdong , Song Chengwen , Wu Youshan , Wei Dongying , Li Xiuqing
Published: July 2023

Objective

Gastrointestinal cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in China, and its early screening is largely recommended by healthcare workers. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of healthcare workers on early gastrointestinal cancer (EGC).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on healthcare workers who volunteered to participate from 30 hospitals in China between September and December 2022. A self-administered questionnaire including 37 questions was developed.

Results

A total of 545 completed questionnaires were finally obtained. Healthcare workers had moderate knowledge level [9.22 ± 1.80 (65.88±12.89%), total score: 14], positive attitude [21.84 ± 2.67 (91.01 ± 11.14%), total score: 24], and excellent practice level [19.07 ± 4.43 (79.47 ± 18.44%), total score: 24] on EGC. Pearson's correlation analysis suggested that knowledge score was positively correlated with attitude (r = 0.264, P < 0.001) and practice score (r = 0.140, P = 0.001), and higher attitude score was significantly correlated with higher practice score (r = 0.380, P < 0.001), which were supported and reinforced by structural equation modeling. In addition, subgroup analysis showed that knowledge scores might be influenced by sex, age, education, type of hospital, type of occupation, professional title, and years of working (all P < 0.05); attitude scores might be influenced by years of working (P < 0.05); and practice scores were statistically distinct among groups of different sex, department, and years of working (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Healthcare workers have moderate knowledge level, positive attitude, and excellent practice levels on EGC. Good knowledge and positive attitude might be correlated with excellent practice. KAP level might be influenced by sociodemographic characteristics.
Health behavioral responses to parental myocardial infarction and impact on own risk of disease in the general population
Authors: Skouenborg Christian , Jørgensen Martin Lucas , Nielsen Torben Heien , Benn Marianne
Published: July 2023

Aims

A family history of coronary heart disease increases one's own risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease and death. An implication of the hereditary nature of the disease is that individuals are provided information about their own risk when a parent is affected, potentially leading them to engage in behaviors that reduce their own risk. In this study, we assessed how a 10-year risk of a cardiovascular event, measured by SCORE, changes for the offspring in response to a parent experiencing a myocardial infarction.

Methods

We analyzed 19,995 individuals from the general population in the Copenhagen City Heart Study of whom 2,071 had a parent, who suffered from a myocardial infarction during four decades of observation using fixed-effects regressions.

Results

Following a parental myocardial infarction, individuals reduced their 10-year risk by 0.16 percentage points constituting a 7.1% reduction of baseline risk. Male participants had the largest change in the risk SCORE following an event of the mother, with a 12.4% reduction from the baseline risk. The degree of response contingent on their own level of risk was found to be the largest for individuals with a 10-year risk between 5% and 10%, who also showed a reduction in systolic blood pressure following paternal myocardial infarction. Parental myocardial infarction was associated with an increased smoking rate in individuals with a baseline risk above 10%, while reductions in risk were seen for individuals with a lower baseline risk.

Conclusion

Following a parental event, individuals reduced their 10-year risk with the largest reductions in their own risk, as observed in men and individuals experiencing a maternal event. The response was the largest for individuals with a 10-year risk for myocardial infarction between 5 and 10%.
Profiling of patients with type 2 diabetes based on medication adherence data
Authors: Markovič Rene , Grubelnik Vladimir , Završnik Tadej , Blažun Vošner Helena , Kokol Peter , Perc Matjaž , Marhl Marko , Završnik Matej , Završnik Jernej
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex, chronic disease affecting multiple organs with varying symptoms and comorbidities. Profiling patients helps identify those with unfavorable disease progression, allowing for tailored therapy and addressing special needs. This study aims to uncover different T2DM profiles based on medication intake records and laboratory measurements, with a focus on how individuals with diabetes move through disease phases.

Methods

We use medical records from databases of the last 20 years from the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology of the University Medical Center in Maribor. Using the standard ATC medication classification system, we created a patient-specific drug profile, created using advanced natural language processing methods combined with data mining and hierarchical clustering.

Results

Our results show a well-structured profile distribution characterizing different age groups of individuals with diabetes. Interestingly, only two main profiles characterize the early 40–50 age group, and the same is true for the last 80+ age group. One of these profiles includes individuals with diabetes with very low use of various medications, while the other profile includes individuals with diabetes with much higher use. The number in both groups is reciprocal. Conversely, the middle-aged groups are characterized by several distinct profiles with a wide range of medications that are associated with the distinct concomitant complications of T2DM. It is intuitive that the number of profiles increases in the later age groups, but it is not obvious why it is reduced later in the 80+ age group. In this context, further studies are needed to evaluate the contributions of a range of factors, such as drug development, drug adoption, and the impact of mortality associated with all T2DM-related diseases, which characterize these middle-aged groups, particularly those aged 55–75.

Conclusion

Our approach aligns with existing studies and can be widely implemented without complex or expensive analyses. Treatment and drug use data are readily available in healthcare facilities worldwide, allowing for profiling insights into individuals with diabetes. Integrating data from other departments, such as cardiology and renal disease, may provide a more sophisticated understanding of T2DM patient profiles.
Advances in large amplitude oscillatory shear Rheology of food materials
Authors: Erturk Merve Yildirim , Le Anh Nghi Minh , Kokini Jozef
Published: July 2023

Molecular interactions determine the microstructure of food, as well as its response to deformation and flow. In order to design efficient processing equipment, to produce high-quality, stable end products, to predict textural and sensory properties, and to ensure consumer acceptance, the characterization of food rheology is essential. Deformations are rapid and large during the processing of foods and during consumption. In food studies, large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) has become increasingly popular due to its ability to mimic real-life processes. When food is subjected to dynamic oscillatory shear tests, a sinusoidal deformation is applied, the mechanical stress (or strain) is probed, and the response is recorded. This chapter summarize main methods to extract meaningful rheological parameters from complex LAOS response of selected food materials. A time-resolved nonlinear rheology method, sequence of physical processes (SPP), gave detailed interpretations of transient microstructures, whereas the Fourier Transform coupled with Chebyshev decomposition (FTC) method provide static measurements at specific strains. LAOS behavior and its relationship to food microstructures and texture still needed to be studied in depth. By constructing more accurate mechanical models of complex food systems, the fundamental knowledge can be applied to evaluate the nonlinear rheology of food for consumer acceptance and efficient processing.
Participant experiences with a multipurpose vaginal ring for HIV and pregnancy prevention during a phase 1 clinical trial: learning from users to improve acceptability
Authors: Shapley-Quinn Mary Kate , Song Mei , Chen Beatrice A. , Devlin Brid , Luecke Ellen , Brown Jill , Blithe Diana L. , Achilles Sharon L. , van der Straten Ariane
Published: July 2023

Introduction

With high concurrent global rates of HIV incidence and unintended pregnancy, there is a need to provide options beyond condoms to enable users to simultaneously prevent HIV acquisition and pregnancy. Multiple vaginal rings are in development as “MPTs” (multipurpose prevention technologies) as they are shown to provide several co-occurring benefits such as discretion, convenience, reversibility and user control.

Methods

In this Phase 1 trial of a 3-month MPT ring in the U.S., 25 participants (low-risk for HIV and pregnancy) were randomized to use the study ring for 90 days continuously or in 28-day cycles with 2-day removal periods in between. All participants completed in-depth interviews at the end of their study participation.

Results

Overall, the ring was well tolerated. Participants resoundingly endorsed the concept of an extended-use, dual-purpose vaginal ring, but reported too many functional challenges and side effects to endorse this particular ring. Participants assigned to the continuous regimen reported more positive experiences with ring use than those in the cyclic group. A minority of participants who experienced minimal side effects and did not experience challenges with vaginal retention of the ring found it appealing. However, the majority of participants experienced challenges (ring slippage, expulsions, side effects, vaginal bleeding changes) with product use that outweighed the potential benefits and led them to report that – in the future – they would not be interested in using this specific version of the ring in its current form. A subset expressed interest in using the current MPT ring under certain conditions (e.g., if fewer expulsions, less bleeding, higher risk for HIV/pregnancy).

Discussion

User feedback regarding participant experiences and challenges with the study ring was continuously shared with the product developer, underscoring the value of early-stage end-user feedback in product development.
Transitioning circular economy from policy to practice in Kenya
Authors: Muriithi Joseph K. , Ngare Innocent O.
Published: July 2023

Policies are imperative in assessing how certain proposed actions or practices can be implemented. In the context of the circular economy, public policies have been influential in determining the way practices are adopted and implemented. In specific contexts, policies can be used to assess a country's preparedness to transition to the circular economy by examining how those that are formulated support the transition. This study examines Kenya's circular economy policy landscape by looking at the strides made by the country to embrace the concept and principles of the circular economy and focusing on the policies formulated so far. Using the thematic analysis approach, the study examines relevant circular economy laws, policies, and regulations to capture the initiatives the country has taken to embrace circular economy principles. The study's overall finding points to environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, sustainable economic development, and stakeholder engagement as the four primary policy areas shaping Kenya's transition to a circular economy. However, there persist certain obstacles to the effective implementation of circular economy principles. These challenges encompass the prevailing dominance of the government in the circular economy sector, which ought to be a collaborative endeavor involving both the private and public sectors. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of financing mechanisms to support circular economy initiatives, inadequate infrastructure to effectively implement circular economy practices, and a lack of capacity to propel progress in both the public and private sectors. Given that many of these challenges revolve around the financial aspect, the study recommends that the Kenyan government considers providing financial incentives to foster dynamism in harnessing the environmental and economic potential offered by the emerging circular economy.
Assessment of the influence on Hypsizygus marmoreus stem waste as a sustainable alternative to corn in Holdobagy geese dietary
Authors: Li Guangquan , Liu Yi , Wang Xianze , Gong Shaoming , Yang Yunzhou , Wang Cui , Wang Huiying , He Daqian
Published: July 2023

The processing of edible mushrooms generates a large amount of mushroom residue. How to handle this mushroom residue in a way that avoids environmental pollution and maximizes effective utilization is a current issue that needs to be explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of substituting dietary corn with Hypsizygus marmoreus mushroom stem waste (HSW) in the diet of geese. The control group was fed with a basal diet (BD), and the other groups were fed the basal diet to which 12% (HSW12 group), 24% (HSW24 group), or 32% (HSW32 group) of HSW were added to replace the equivalent proportion of corn. The test lasted 28 days. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the HSW12 and HSW24 groups at 35–49 d, and the HSW12 and HSW32 groups at 35–63 d, was significantly higher compared to the BD group (p<0.05). The average daily gain (ADG) of the HSW12 group was significantly higher than BD at 35–49 d (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the feed/gain (F/G) among the groups. The levels of serum total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLOB), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in HSW24 group were significantly higher than those in the BD group (p<0.05). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly, and there were no significant differences in carcass traits and meat quality. As 24% HSW supplementation had the best overall effect on the growth performance, serum biochemical indicators, meat quality, and carcass traits of geese, gut microbiota analysis was only performed on this group. The microbiota α-diversity of the cecum and ileum did not differ significantly between the BD and HSW24 groups. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated that the difference in the cecum was significant in the β-diversity (p<0.05). Short chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and decomposing protein and carbohydrate bacteria (Prevotella) were enriched in the cecum in the HSW24 group. Gut immune regulating and nutritional bacteria, Lactococcus and Bacillus, respectively, were enriched in the ileum in HSW24 group. Spearman’s analysis indicated that Bacillus, Prevotella, and Clostridium were positively associated with serum protein and lipid metabolism. These results indicate that 24% HSW substitution of corn could improve goose serum ALB and fat metabolism, and increase serum antioxidant capacity, which may becaused by the improvement of goose cecal microbiota.
Agricultural innovation system: analysis from the subsystems of R&D, training, extension, and sustainability
Authors: Gutiérrez Cano Luis Fernando , Zartha Sossa Jhon Wilder , Orozco Mendoza Gina Lía , Suárez Guzmán Lina María , Agudelo Tapasco Diego Alejandro , Quintero Saavedra Jorge Iván
Published: July 2023

The challenges faced by agricultural innovation systems (A.I.S.) are complex to solve, however, the authors consider that understanding the processes of innovation and development (R&D), sustainability, use of information and communication technologies, training, and outreach, as the focus of discussion in this review, have great potential to close the gaps in the system; as well as exploring strategies, projects and best practices that dynamize the operation of the system. The objective of this article is to review the literature on A.I.S.A. to identify its obstacles, challenges, and solution to close its gaps. The methodology identified the critical factors of system monitoring and defines search suitability to obtain 55 documents. With the results, a qualitative analysis is conducted on the mentioned axes, which is complemented with the text mining software Vantage Point V 15.1 to observe in graphical form the most relevant aspects. Within the conclusions is a constant demand from actors for access to information, and knowledge in the training processes, it is recommended in this regard the additional skills for innovation and participation in concerted practices. As regards the limitations of agricultural innovation processes, it suggests the involvement of cooperatives, technological platforms, and farmers’ organizations as intermediaries relevant to closing gaps. With regard to sustainability, A.I.S. thinking is recommended for an inclusive dialogue among actors and to facilitate sustainability transitions. Finally, to address the socio-technical and ethical challenges of access to technologies and technological transition, it is recommended to design appropriate policies for access to resources and the development of markets that enhance business opportunities and the development of sustainable innovations.
A bibliometric analysis of research for climate impact on agriculture
Authors: Wu You , Meng Shuhan , Liu Chaoshun , Gao Wei , Liang Xin-Zhong
Published: July 2023

Climate anomalies and changes have complex and critical impacts on agriculture. Given global warming, the scientific community has dramatically increased research on these impacts. During 1996–2022, over 3,000 peer-reviewed papers in the Web of Science Core Collection database have investigated the fields. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of these papers for systematic mapping and inductive understanding to comprehensively review the research’s status, focus, network, and funding. After almost 30 years, the research is now centered in quantifying climate impacts on crop yields and agriculture productivity while seeking effective adaptation solutions. The hot keywords recently emerged include poverty, food security, water resource, climate service, climate-smart agriculture, sustainability, and policy. They suggest increasing concerns on global food and water shortage and pressing needs for action to adapt to climate change and sustain agricultural productivity. Given the uncertainty of climate change and the complexity of agriculture systems, most current studies are interdisciplinary research combining various agricultural fields with climate, environmental, and socioeconomic sciences. The United States, as the world’s leading food commodity producer, has the most diverse funding agencies and provides the largest number of awards to support the research. Future priority research should take the coupled earth system approach with the food-energy-water nexus principles to provide effective, actionable decision supports at local-regional scales to sustain national agricultural productivity and quantify climate-smart agricultural practices to mitigate global warming.
Numerical Investigation of Unsteady Characteristics of Gas Foil Journal Bearings with Fluid–Structure Interaction
Authors: Yang Changbao , Wang Zhisheng , Chen Zhe , Lyu Yuanwei , Zhang Jingyang
Published: July 2023

Gas foil journal bearings (GFJBs) have been widely employed in high-speed rotating machinery in the aviation industry. However, the role of fluid–structure interaction in the unsteady aerodynamic character of the gas film and the dynamic response of the elastic foils have not yet been clarified. In this study, an unsteady shearing flow interacting with an exciting deformation of the top or bump foils was investigated by means of a large eddy simulation with bidirectional fluid–structure interaction (BFSI). The result shows that the main frequencies and amplitudes of stable fluctuations of different flow field parameters at different positions are different. The oscillating duration in the solid domain is much less than that in the fluid domain. The main positions for the interaction between the gas film pressure and the elastic foil are on both sides of θ = π. Compared with the case without FSI, the presence of the elastic foil flattens the distribution of the pressure of the gas film. As the rotational speed increases, the main frequency and the amplitude of pressure in the fluid domain continuously increase. With FSI, there is no interference frequency near the main frequency, which improves the stability of the shearing flow. However, an interference frequency appears near the main frequency of total displacement in the solid domain. The analysis in this paper lays the foundation for unsteady fluid–structure interaction research.
Three-Dimensional Assessment of the Pharyngeal Airway in Growing versus Non-Growing Subjects with/without Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Abdelkarim Ahmed Z. , Khalifa Ayman R. , Hassan Mohamed G. , Abdou Ahmed , Duman Suayip Burak , Rezallah Nader N. , Abdraboh Abdelrahman Elsaid , Ghoneima Ahmed
Published: July 2023

Clefts of the lip or palate (CLPs) are the most common craniofacial birth defect, with a worldwide incidence of ~1 in 700 live births. The objective of this study is to assess the characteristics of the nasopharyngeal airway in growing vs. non-growing cleft lip/palate subjects and compare them with normal subjects. This retrospective study analyzed eighty-seven scans of three groups from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were coded and landmarks were identified using a Dolphin three-dimensional (3D) imaging software server (version 11.7; Patterson Dental Supply, Chatsworth, Calif). All values showed strong measurement reliability (>80), except for the nasopharynx measurement. Regarding gender difference, for the nasopharynx, female subjects (1261.32 ± 713.94) showed the lowest significant values in non-growing unilateral compared to males (6496.8 ± 2987) at p = 0.008. For oropharynx, in the growing bilateral cleft group, male subjects (13,046.79 ± 5521.89) showed a significant difference (p = 0.046) compared to females (8468.98 ± 4279.99). MP-SN, B, A, SNA., SN.B., and ANS-ME showed significant differences for cephalometric parameters (p < 0.05). Despite significant differences in linear and angular measurements, volumetric airway measurements showed no significant differences in the growing groups. For non-growing cleft subjects, the cleft anomaly significantly affected the nasal cavity and left maxillary sinus volumes.