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The development of the nuclear industry in the countries of the Arabian Gulf demands an investigation of its potential impact on the environment and human activities. It should involve routine monitoring of radionuclide from existing nuclear facilities as well as modelling of accidental release of radioactivity. Agriculture is usually considered the human activity which is the most endangered with radioactive pollution. Although the traditional concept of low-developed agriculture in the United Arab Emirates has been already described from a radioecological point of view, herein, the recent trends of agriculture are recorded. Due to climatic changes and population increase, the use of saline lands will be more pressing. Apart from it, the risk assessment for nuclear events, which was formed mainly for temperate zones, neglected another aspect of arid zones which is underground water reservoirs refilled with episodic heavy rains. The sandy or saline soils are not an effective barrier for the migration of radionuclide deposited in topsoil. A hypersaline environment could prevent the adsorption of radionuclide on soil particles and allow their high bioavailability for halophyte plants. The new principal challenges in radioecological research in arid zones are impacts on (i) saline agriculture, (ii) underground water reservoirs, and (iii) proposal for countermeasures in order to minimise the impact of radioactive contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a global need to advance bio-aerosol sensing for CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) applications by compact and cost-effective devices. Employing digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and deep learning, we developed a system called HoloZcan to automate the analysis of airborne microbial pathogens and particles. DHM provides valuable information, but obtaining data from biological specimens for robust investigations is challenging. This paper introduces a custom simulation approach using the open-source software Meep and the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to overcome limitations of existing Mie-based simulators, especially when dealing with complex microbial shapes. The simulation tool enables the modelling of specific microorganisms, offering a safer and more flexible alternative for CBRN research by bypassing ethical and logistical constraints associated with live pathogens. The study details the simulation workflow, built upon the construction of a database of optical properties of biological materials, for realistic simulations of light-microbe interactions. Evaluations on homogeneous and non-homogeneous objects demonstrate the tool’s limited intrinsic errors and superior sensitivity to refractive index changes compared to traditional Mie-based simulations. This work significantly advances our capability to accurately simulate and analyse CBRN-related scenarios, enhancing comprehensive research in bio-aerosol sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helmets and shoulder pads are required equipment intended to protect American football athletes by attenuating collision forces during participation. Surprisingly, research differentiating kinematics from head impacts initiated by helmets from those initiated by shoulder pads among adolescent athletes has not been completed. The current study's purpose was to determine the effects of equipment on head impact kinematics. Sixty-nine male American football athletes from three high schools wore helmets equipped with Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System instrumentation to quantify peak linear (g) and rotational (rad/s2) accelerations. Data were extracted for video-confirmed impacts during two competitions. Separate multivariable linear regressions using ordinary least squares were conducted to determine if equipment type (helmet vs. shoulder pad) was associated with log-transformed linear and rotational accelerations. In total, 1150 video-confirmed impacts involved helmet (N = 960) or shoulder pad (N = 190) initiated contact. Linear (p = 0.809) and rotational (p = 0.351) acceleration were not associated with equipment type. Head impact kinematics were similar between impacts initiated by either helmets or shoulder pads and suggests an opponent's shoulder pads and helmet can deliver comparable forces to the struck player. Equipment manufacturers may need to consider the unintended role shoulder pads may contribute to head injury risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and occupational blast exposure in military Service Members may lead to impaired brain waste clearance which increases neurological disease risk. Perivascular spaces (PVS) are a key part of the glymphatic system which supports brain waste clearance, preferentially during sleep. Visible PVS on clinical magnetic resonance imaging have been previously observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and animal neurotrauma models. The purpose of this study was to determine associations between PVS morphological characteristics, military career stage, and mTBI history in Special Operations Forces (SOF) Soldiers. Participants underwent T2-weighed neuroimaging to capture three-dimensional whole brain volumes. Segmentation was performed using a previously validated, multi-scale deep convolutional encoder-decoder neural network. Only PVS clusters within the white matter mask were quantified for analyses. Due to non-normal PVS metric distribution, non-parametric Mann–Whitney U tests were used to determine group differences in PVS outcomes. In total, 223 healthy SOF combat Soldiers (age = 33.1 ± 4.3yrs) were included, 217 reported career stage. Soldiers with mTBI history had greater PVS number (z = 2.51, P = 0.013) and PVS volume (z = 2.42, P = 0.016). In-career SOF combat Soldiers had greater PVS number (z = 2.56, P = 0.01) and PVS volume (z = 2.28, P = 0.02) compared to a baseline cohort. Mild TBI history is associated with increased PVS burden in SOF combat Soldiers that are clinically recovered from mTBI. This may indicate ongoing physiological changes that could lead to impaired waste clearance via the glymphatic system. Future studies should determine if PVS number and volume are meaningful neurobiological outcomes for neurodegenerative disease risk and if clinical interventions such as improving sleep can reduce PVS burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative damage. Our study aims to address the lack of papers simultaneously analyzing the immunoreactivity of all three distinct isoforms of SOD in human exocrine pancreas cells. BACKGROUND: Superoxide dismutases (SODs) facilitate the conversion of superoxide radicals into less harmful substances. By neutralizing superoxide radicals, SODs help prevent the formation of highly reactive and destructive species that can adversely affect manifold cellular components. METHODS: The study analyzed immunoreactivity of SODs in samples of six healthy adult human pancreases, while using the indirect immunohistochemical method under a light microscope. RESULTS: SOD1 was predominantly found in centroacinar cells and epithelial cells of the duct system while SOD2 was mainly detected in the epithelial cells of interlobular ducts. Both enzymes were prominently present in the basal region of acinar cells near the cell nucleus. The expression of SOD3 was observed to be rare. CONCLUSION: Understanding the intracellular metabolism of SODs in healthy exocrine pancreas cells serves as a basis for determining the precise role of oxidative damage and SOD signaling in the pathogenesis of various pancreatic diseases, including chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connection patterns of neural circuits form a complex network. How signaling in these circuits manifests as complex cognition and adaptive behaviour remains the central question in neuroscience. Concomitant advances in connectomics and artificial intelligence open fundamentally new opportunities to understand how connection patterns shape computational capacity in biological brain networks. Reservoir computing is a versatile paradigm that uses high-dimensional, nonlinear dynamical systems to perform computations and approximate cognitive functions. Here we present conn2res: an open-source Python toolbox for implementing biological neural networks as artificial neural networks. conn2res is modular, allowing arbitrary network architecture and dynamics to be imposed. The toolbox allows researchers to input connectomes reconstructed using multiple techniques, from tract tracing to noninvasive diffusion imaging, and to impose multiple dynamical systems, from spiking neurons to memristive dynamics. The versatility of the conn2res toolbox allows us to ask new questions at the confluence of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. By reconceptualizing function as computation, conn2res sets the stage for a more mechanistic understanding of structure-function relationships in brain networks.Brain connectivity patterns shape computational capacity of biological neural networks, however mapping empirically measured connectivity to artificial networks remains challenging. The authors present a toolbox for implementing biological neural networks as artificial reservoir networks. The toolbox allows for a variety of empirical/measured connectomes and is equipped with various dynamical systems, and cognitive tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our work was to determine the presence of GPx8, the latest discovered member of glutathione peroxidase family, in rat male genital organs. BACKGROUND: The oxidative stress is considered as one of the most important causalities of male infertility. To defend itself, the organism comprises many different antioxidants. METHODS: We assessed the GPx8 presence in tissues of genital organs from adult rat Sprague-Dawley males by mRNA expression, Western Blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The highest mRNA and protein levels were detected in the testis, followed by seminal vesicle. Within testis the enzyme was observed predominantly in the Leydig and Sertoli cells, residual and Hermes bodies. In other organs, such as epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland, the GPx8 was seen in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. The enzyme was also observed in the muscular layer of hollow organs, in blood plasma and extracellular matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant enzyme GPx8 was detected in all examined male genital organs. The fact, that the enzyme was released into lumen of genital organs probably means, that GPx8 is also a component of the semen. To our knowledge, this is the first paper describing GPx8 presence in male genital organs of mammals (Fig. 8, Ref. 63). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the presence of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 1 and 2 in oocytes, preimplantation embryos, and mouse female genital organs. BACKGROUND: GPx1 and 2 are antioxidant enzymes, which play important roles in protection of cells against oxidation, which may be formed during cell physiological processes. METHODS: After superovulation of female mice, oocytes and preimplantation embryos (O/PE) were isolated for immunofluorescent analysis, female genital organs were removed for immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses. RESULTS: Using immunofluorescence, GPx1 was detected in all OP/E, where it formed clusters near nuclei, or under the cytoplasmic membrane. GPx2 was not detected in any O/PE. Using immunohistochemistry, GPx1 was observed in corpus luteum and oocytes, and in oviductal and uterine epithelium. GPx2 was detected in corpus luteum, but not in oocytes. Oviductal and uterine epithelium was mostly negative. Using Western blot, two GPx1 bands of different molecular weights were detected in uterus. One GPx2 band was observed in all investigated organs. CONCLUSION: These results show that both enzymes may be important during preimplantation period of pregnancy in genital organs, GPx1 also in O/PE. GPx2 may play roles in embryo after the implantation, when gastrointestinal tract is formed (Fig. 10, Ref. 75). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sport-related concussions (SRCs) affect millions of adolescents and young adults annually in the USA; however, current SRC consensus statements provide limited guidance on academic support for students within higher education. Objective: To generate consensus on appropriate academic recommendations for clinicians, students, and academic stakeholders to support university students during their recovery. Methods: Panelists participated in three stages of a modified Delphi procedure: the first stage included a series of open-ended questions after reviewing a literature review on post-SRC return-to-learn (RTL) in higher education; the second stage asked panelists to anonymously rate the recommendations developed through the first Delphi stage using a 9-point scale; and the final stage offered panelists the opportunity to change their responses and/or provide feedback based on the group's overall ratings. Results: Twenty-two panelists including clinicians, concussion researchers, and academic stakeholders (54.5% female) from 15 institutions and/or healthcare systems participated in a modified Delphi procedure. A total of 42 statements were developed after round one. Following the next two rounds, 27 statements achieved consensus amongst the panel resulting in the four-stage Post-Concussion Collegiate RTL Protocol. Conclusion: There are several unique challenges when assisting university students back to the classroom after SRC. Explicit guidelines on when to seek additional medical care (e.g., if they are experiencing worsening or persistent symptoms) and how to approach their instructor(s) regarding academic support may help the student self-advocate. Findings from the present study address barriers and provide a framework for universities to facilitate a multidisciplinary approach amongst medical and academic stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sport participation, concussion history, and age of first exposure to football on preseason cerebrovascular function in adolescent athletes. Athletes (n = 53, age = 15.8 ± 1.2 years) were examined based on three exposure groupings: (1) sport participation (football vs. non-collision), (2) concussion history (none vs. ≥ 1), and (3) age of first exposure (football participants only). Transcranial Doppler assessed cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and neurovascular coupling (NVC), and separate independent samples t-tests evaluated group differences in CVR and NVC outcomes. Separate univariate linear regressions determined how age of first exposure related to CVR and NVC outcomes. Linear mixed effects models assessed group differences in CVR and NVC relative response curves. Differential response to NVC visual task response was significantly greater in non-collision sport athletes (F1,2946 = 38.69, p < 0.0001) and athletes without a concussion history (F1,2946 = 25.23, p < 0.0001). Older age of first exposure significantly predicted reduced breath-holding CVR response (F1,1560 = 2.92, p = 0.03). Healthy adolescent athletes have similar pre-season cerebrovascular function despite different sport participation and concussion history. However, age of first exposure may predict CVR in adolescent football athletes. Developmental literature identifies cerebrovascular function as dynamically changing throughout adolescence. Our study provides fundamental data informing the clinical meaningfulness of short- and long-term physiological function changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying associations between interindividual variability in brain structure and behaviour requires large cohorts, multivariate methods, out-of-sample validation and, ideally, out-of-cohort replication. Moreover, the influence of nature vs nurture on brain-behaviour associations should be analysed. We analysed associations between brain structure (grey matter volume, cortical thickness, and surface area) and behaviour (spanning cognition, emotion, and alertness) using regularized canonical correlation analysis and a machine learning framework that tests the generalisability and stability of such associations. The replicability of brain-behaviour associations was assessed in two large, independent cohorts. The load of genetic factors on these associations was analysed with heritability and genetic correlation. We found one heritable and replicable latent dimension linking cognitive-control/executive-functions and positive affect to brain structural variability in areas typically associated with higher cognitive functions, and with areas typically associated with sensorimotor functions. These results revealed a major axis of interindividual behavioural variability linking to a whole-brain structural pattern. Multivariate brain-behaviour associations are studied with regularized canonical correlation analysis and a machine learning framework, showing that behavioural inter-individual variability is linked to inter-individual variability in brain structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head impact measurement devices enable opportunities to collect impact data directly from humans to study topics like concussion biomechanics, head impact exposure and its effects, and concussion risk reduction techniques in sports when paired with other relevant data. With recent advances in head impact measurement devices and cost-effective price points, more and more investigators are using them to study brain health questions. However, as the field's literature grows, the variance in study quality is apparent. This brief paper aims to provide a high-level set of key considerations for the design and analysis of head impact measurement studies that can help avoid flaws introduced by sampling biases, false data, missing data, and confounding factors. We discuss key points through four overarching themes: study design, operational management, data quality, and data analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head impacts and physical exertion are ubiquitous in American football, but the relationship between these factors is poorly understood across a competitive season or even within an individual session. Gameplay characteristics, including player position and session type, may contribute to these relationships but have not been prospectively examined. The current study aimed to determine if an association exists between head impact biomechanics and physical load metrics. We prospectively studied college football players during the 2017–2021 football seasons across representative playing positions (15 offensive and defensive linemen, 11 linebackers and tight ends, and 15 defensive backs, running backs, and receivers). Participants wore halters embedded with Catapult Vector GPS monitoring systems to quantify player load and participant helmets were equipped with the Head Impact Telemetry System to quantify head impact biomechanics and repetitive head impact exposure (RHIE). Generalized linear models and linear regression models were employed to analyze in-session and season-long outcomes, while addressing factors such as player position and session type on our data. Player load was associated with RHIE (p < 0.001). Season-long player load predicted season-long RHIE (R2 = 0.31; p < 0.001). Position group affected in-session player load (p = 0.025). Both player load and RHIE were greater in games than in practices (p < 0.001), and position group did not affect RHIE (p = 0.343). Physical load burden was associated with RHIE within sessions and across an entire season. Session type affected both RHIE and player load, while position group only affected player load. Our data point to tracking physical load burden as a potential proxy for monitoring anticipated RHIE during the season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport-related concussions can result from a single high magnitude impact that generates concussive symptoms, repeated subconcussive head impacts aggregating to generate concussive symptoms, or a combined effect from the two mechanisms. The array of symptoms produced by these mechanisms may be clinically interpreted as a sport-related concussion. It was hypothesized that head impact exposure resulting in concussion is influenced by severity, total number, and frequency of subconcussive head impacts. The influence of total number and magnitude of impacts was previously explored, but frequency was investigated to a lesser degree. In this analysis, head impact frequency was investigated over a new metric called 'time delta', the time difference from the first recorded head impact of the day until the concussive impact. Four exposure metrics were analyzed over the time delta to determine whether frequency of head impact exposure was greater for athletes on their concussion date relative to other dates of contact participation. Those metrics included head impact frequency, head impact accrual rate, risk weighted exposure (RWE), and RWE accrual rate. Athletes experienced an elevated median number of impacts, RWE, and RWE accrual rate over the time delta on their concussion date compared to non-injury sessions. This finding suggests elevated frequency of head impact exposure on the concussion date compared to other dates that may precipitate the onset of concussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable sensors are an important tool in the study of head acceleration events and head impact injuries in sporting and military activities. Recent advances in sensor technology have improved our understanding of head kinematics during on-field activities; however, proper utilization and interpretation of data from wearable devices requires careful implementation of best practices. The objective of this paper is to summarize minimum requirements and best practices for on-field deployment of wearable devices for the measurement of head acceleration events in vivo to ensure data evaluated are representative of real events and limitations are accurately defined. Best practices covered in this document include the definition of a verified head acceleration event, data windowing, video verification, advanced post-processing techniques, and on-field logistics, as determined through review of the literature and expert opinion. Careful use of best practices, with accurate acknowledgement of limitations, will allow research teams to ensure data evaluated is representative of real events, will improve the robustness of head acceleration event exposure studies, and generally improve the quality and validity of research into head impact injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brain adapts dynamically to the changing sensory statistics of its environment. Recent research has started to delineate the neural circuitries and representations that support this cross-sensory plasticity. Combining psychophysics and model-based representational fMRI and EEG we characterized how the adult human brain adapts to misaligned audiovisual signals. We show that audiovisual adaptation is associated with changes in regional BOLD-responses and fine-scale activity patterns in a widespread network from Heschl's gyrus to dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. Audiovisual recalibration relies on distinct spatial and decisional codes that are expressed with opposite gradients and time courses across the auditory processing hierarchy. Early activity patterns in auditory cortices encode sounds in a continuous space that flexibly adapts to misaligned visual inputs. Later activity patterns in frontoparietal cortices code decisional uncertainty consistent with these spatial transformations. Our findings suggest that regions within the auditory processing hierarchy multiplex spatial and decisional codes to adapt flexibly to the changing sensory statistics in the environment. The brain adapts dynamically to the statistics of its environment. Here, the authors use psychophysics and model-based representational fMRI and EEG to show that audiovisual recalibration relies on distinct spatial and decisional codes that are expressed with opposite gradients and time courses across the auditory processing hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common pheasant, a game species widely introduced throughout the world, can be considered as an ideal model to study the effects of introduction events on local adaptations, biogeographic patterns, and genetic divergence processes. We aimed to assess the origin, spatial patterns of genetic variation, and demographic history of the introduced populations in the contact zone of Central and Southeast Europe, using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and microsatellite loci. Both types of molecular markers indicated relatively low to moderate levels of genetic variation. The mtDNA analyses revealed that common pheasants across the study area are divided into two distinct clades: B (mongolicus group) and F (colchicus group). Analyses of the microsatellite data consistently suggested a differentiation between Hungary and Serbia, with the pheasant population in Hungary being much more genetically homogeneous, while that of Serbia has much more genetic mixture and admixture. This cryptic differentiation was not detected using a non-spatial Bayesian clustering model. The analyses also provided strong evidence for a recent population expansion. This fundamental information is essential for adequate and effective conservation management of populations of a game species of great economic and ecological importance in the studied geographical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has demonstrated notable clinical activity in cancer immunotherapy, but it is limited by systemic toxicities, poor bioavailability, rapid clearance, and instability in vivo. Nanoparticles (NPs) may overcome these limitations and provide a mechanism for passive targeting of tumors. This study aimed to develop GM-CSF-loaded PLGA/PLGA-PEG NPs and evaluate them in vitro as a potential candidate for in vivo administration. NPs were created by a phase-separation technique that did not require toxic/protein-denaturing solvents or harsh agitation techniques and encapsulated GM-CSF in a more stable precipitated form. NP sizes were within 200 nm for enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect with negative zeta potentials, spherical morphology, and high entrapment efficiencies. The optimal formulation was identified by sustained release of approximately 70% of loaded GM-CSF over 24 h, alongside an average size of 143 ± 35 nm and entrapment efficiency of 84 ± 5%. These NPs were successfully freeze-dried in 5% (w/v) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for long-term storage and further characterized. Bioactivity of released GM-CSF was determined by observing GM-CSF receptor activation on murine monocytes and remained fully intact. NPs were not cytotoxic to murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) at concentrations up to 1 mg/mL as determined by MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. Lastly, NP components generated no significant transcription of inflammation-regulating genes from BMDMs compared to IFNγ+LPS "M1" controls. This report lays the preliminary groundwork to validate in vivo studies with GM-CSF-loaded PLGA/PEG-PLGA NPs for tumor immunomodulation. Overall, these data suggest that in vivo delivery will be well tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a predictive model for sport-related concussion in collegiate athletes and military service academy cadets using baseline data collecting during the pre-participation examination. Methods: Baseline assessments were performed in 15,682 participants from 21 US academic institutions and military service academies participating in the CARE Consortium Study during the 2015–2016 academic year. Participants were monitored for sport-related concussion during the subsequent season. 176 baseline covariates mapped to 957 binary features were used as input into a support vector machine model with the goal of learning to stratify participants according to their risk for sport-related concussion. Performance was evaluated in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) on a held-out test set. Model inputs significantly associated with either increased or decreased risk were identified. Results: 595 participants (3.79%) sustained a concussion during the study period. The predictive model achieved an AUROC of 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.70–0.76), with variable performance across sports. Features with significant positive and negative associations with subsequent sport-related concussion were identified. Conclusion(s): This predictive model using only baseline data identified athletes and cadets who would go on to sustain sport-related concussion with comparable accuracy to many existing concussion assessment tools for identifying concussion. Furthermore, this study provides insight into potential concussion risk and protective factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate how concussion history affects neurovascular coupling in Special Operations Forces (SOF) combat Soldiers. We studied 100 SOF combat Soldiers [age = 33.5 ± 4.3 years; height = 180.4 ± 6.0 cm; 55 (55.0%) with self-reported concussion history]. We employed transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound to assess neurovascular coupling (NVC) via changes in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) velocity in response to a reading and a visual search task. Baseline TCD data were collected for 2 min. NVC was quantified by the percent change in overall PCA response curves. We employed linear mixed effect models using a linear spline with one knot to assess group differences in percent change observed in the PCA velocity response curves between SOF combat Soldiers with and without a concussion history. Baseline PCA velocity did not significantly differ (t98 = 1.28, p = 0.20) between those with and without concussion history. Relative PCA velocity response curves did not differ between those with and without a concussion history during the reading task (F1,98 = 0.80, p = 0.37) or the visual search task (F1,98 = 0.52, p = 0.47). When assessing only SOF combat Soldiers with a concussion history, differential response to task was significantly greater in those with 3 or more concussions (F1,4341 = 27.24, p < 0.0001) relative to those with 1–2 concussions. Despite no main effect of concussion history on neurovascular coupling response in SOF combat Soldiers, we observed a dose-response based on lifetime concussion incidence. While long-term neurophysiological effects associated with head impact and blast-related injury are currently unknown, assessing NVC response may provide further insight into cerebrovascular function and overall physiological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the food supply chain, quality control has a very important role in maintaining customer confidence. In the EU, food safety aspects are strictly regulated; however, composition requirements and standard control methods are generally undefined. The rapidly increasing wild boar population has a growing market share in venison or game meat production. Several methods have been described for species identification and control of composition in food products, but only some of these are suitable for routine measurements. The aim of our research was to design a rapid, reliable and simple PCR insertion/deletion (InDel)-based genetic tool suitable for species identification in food quality control laboratories. In total, 59 different swine (Sus scrofa) whole genomes were tested with bioinformatic tools to identify wild boar-specific insertions or deletions. Three independent InDels were suitable for marker development, multiplex PCR amplification and separation in agarose gel. Altogether, 209 samples of wild boar and ten other domestic pig breeds were taken for DNA extraction and validation of the three multiplexed InDel markers. Statistical analysis showed a very high combined predictive value (0.996), indicating the capability of the newly developed markers to detect wild boars with a probability over 99%. Breed assignment tests confirm that the InDel markers developed are suitable for rapid, sensitive and reliable identification of the wild boar meat content of food products. The use of the reported method in food quality control can mean a simple and cost-effective way to maintain consumer confidence and to support the competitiveness of fair producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying emergent patterns of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the local level presents a geographic challenge. The need is not only to integrate multiple data streams from different sources, scales, and cadences, but to also identify meaningful spatial patterns in these data, especially in vulnerable settings where even small numbers and low rates are important to pinpoint for early intervention. This paper identifies a gap in current analytical approaches and presents a near-real time assessment of emergent disease that can be used to guide a local intervention strategy: Geographic Monitoring for Early Disease Detection (GeoMEDD). Through integration of a spatial database and two types of clustering algorithms, GeoMEDD uses incoming test data to provide multiple spatial and temporal perspectives on an ever changing disease landscape by connecting cases using different spatial and temporal thresholds. GeoMEDD has proven effective in revealing these different types of clusters, as well as the influencers and accelerators that give insight as to why a cluster exists where it does, and why it evolves, leading to the saving of lives through more timely and geographically targeted intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manuscript is focused on analyze of βIII-Tubulin and Carbonic anhydrase IX proteins in experimental model of chemically induced rat mammary tumors. Overexpression of class III β-tubulin, a factor that confers dynamic properties to microtubules, is a candidate tumor biomarker for resistence to microtubule - targeting therapy in many solid tumors, including breast cancer. The expression of CAIX protein in malignant tumors plays an important role in progression of primary tumors and also contributes to increase risk of metastases. Nineteen rat females were used in this study. Mammary tumors were induced by 7,12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Rats were divided into two groups, group treated by paclitaxel and non-treated (control) group that was administered physiological solution. According to the tumor stage, they were subdivided into carcinoma in situ (CIS) and invasive carcinoma (IC). To detect the expression of both proteins, we used immunohistochemical staining (IHC). The ELISA method was used to detect the protein level in blood. The expression of CAIX and ßIII-tubulin increased significantly not only in mammary tumors, but also in blood of treated groups examined by ELISA method (p < 0.05). Additionally, the results revealed significant increase in the expression of ßIII-tubulin in IC samples and CAIX in CIS samples, when we compared treated to non-treated groups (p < 0.05). Paclitaxel-induced ßIII-tubulin and CAIX overexpression in mammary tumors and their increase in tissue and serum should indicate drug-induced increase of resistance. The potential benefits of this finding is still uncertain, but our findings can contribute to newly developing diagnostic opportunities and therapy of the mammary tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concussion tolerance and head impact exposure are highly variable among football players. Recent findings highlight that head impact data analyses need to be performed at the subject level. In this paper, we describe a method of characterizing concussion risk between individuals using a new survival analysis technique developed with real-world head impact data in mind. Our approach addresses the limitations and challenges seen in previous risk analyses of football head impact data. Specifically, this demonstrative analysis appropriately models risk for a combination of left-censored recurrent events (concussions) and right-censored recurrent non-events (head impacts without concussion). Furthermore, the analysis accounts for uneven impact sampling between players. In brief, we propose using the Consistent Threshold method to develop subject-specific risk curves and then determine average risk point estimates between subjects at injurious magnitude values. We describe an approach for selecting an optimal cumulative distribution function to model risk between subjects by minimizing injury prediction error. We illustrate that small differences in distribution fit can result in large predictive errors. Given the vast amounts of on-field data researchers are collecting across sports, this approach can be applied to develop population-specific risk curves that can ultimately inform interventions that reduce concussion incidence [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the associations between head impact biomechanics and clinical recovery may inform better head impact monitoring procedures and identify athletes who may benefit from early treatments aimed to enhance recovery. The purpose of this study was to test whether head injury biomechanics are associated with clinical recovery of symptom severity, balance, and mental status, as well as symptom resolution time (SRT) and return-to-participation (RTP) time. We studied 45 college American football players (n = 51 concussions) who sustained an incident concussion while participating in a multi-site study. Player race/ethnicity, prior concussion, medical history, position, body mass index, event type, and impact location were covariates in our multivariable analyses. Multivariable negative binomial regression models analyzed associations between our study outcomes and (1) injury-causing linear and rotational head impact severity, (2) season repetitive head impact exposure (RHIE), and (3) injury day RHIE. Median SRT was 6.1 days (IQR 5.8 days, n = 45) and median RTP time was 12.3 days (IQR 7.8 days, n = 36) across our study sample. RTP time was 86% (Ratio 1.86, 95% CI [1.05, 3.28]) longer in athletes with a concussion history. Offensive players had SRTs 49% shorter than defensive players (Ratio 0.51, 95% CI [0.29, 0.92]). Per-unit increases in season RHIE were associated with 22% longer SRT (Ratio 1.22, 95% CI [1.09, 1.36]) but 28% shorter RTP time (Ratio 0.72, 95% CI [0.56, 0.93]). No other head injury biomechanics predicted injury recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Of Review: To discuss recent literature concerning the application of the biopsychosocial model in the management of concussion and post-concussion headache.Recent Findings: Current research suggests that the biopsychosocial model is applicable to the concussion management process, particularly management of post-concussion headache. Such application is best illustrated by current active treatment strategies such as exercise, multifaceted rehabilitation, and psychosocial interventions targeting improved patient outcomes. Overall, the biopsychosocial model has significant applications to the management of concussion, particularly post-concussion headache. Presentation and recovery following concussion and post-traumatic headache is multifaceted and includes the continuum of biological, psychological, and social considerations. In order to fully understand the widespread clinical utility and application of such models, there is a continued need for researcher, practitioner, and patient integration and collaboration to determine the most effective assessment and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Collegiate football players who started playing tackle football before age 12 years did not show worse neuropsychological test performance than those who started playing tackle football after age 12 years. It is unknown if beginning other contact sports, such as lacrosse, at a younger age is associated with worse neurocognitive performance, greater psychological distress, or worse postural stability in collegiate student athletes. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between estimated age of first exposure (eAFE) to repetitive head impacts (RHI) and these outcome measures in collegiate student athletes. Methods: 1891 female and 4448 male collision/contact (i.e., football, ice hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, soccer) and non-contact (i.e., golf, rifle, rowing/crew, swimming, tennis) sport athletes completed baseline testing, including the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18), and Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Results: For women, the eAFE-by-sport interaction was associated with ImPACT Verbal Memory and Visual Memory, whereby earlier eAFE to contact sports was associated with higher composite scores (B = − 0.397, B = − 0.485, respectively). For men, the eAFE-by-sport interaction was associated with BSI-18 Depression and Global Severity Index and symptom severity scores, whereby earlier eAFE to football was associated with lower psychological distress and symptom severity [Depression, Exp(B) = 1.057; Global Severity Index, Exp(B) = 1.047; Symptom Severity, Exp(B) = 1.046]. Parameter estimates were small suggesting these results may have minimal practical relevance. Conclusion: Findings suggest that RHI during early adolescence is unrelated to brain health as measured by these specific outcome measures in collegiate student athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate how concussion history affects cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in Special Operations Forces (SOF) combat soldiers. We studied 104 SOF soldiers [age = 33.5 ± 4.3 years; height = 179.7 ± 6.3 cm; 59 (56.7%) with self-reported concussion history]. We employed transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound to measure middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocity. Baseline TCD data were collected for 2 min. Changes in MCA velocity were measured in response to five breath-holding trials and five hyperventilation trials. Cerebrovascular reactivity was quantified by the breath-holding index (BHI), vasomotor reactivity reserve (VMRr), and percent change in overall response curves. Independent t tests were employed to assess group differences in BHI, and VMRr values. We employed mixed effects models with quadratic mean structures to assess group differences in percent change MCA velocity response curves. There were no significant group differences in BHI (t102 = 0.04, p = 0.97) or VMRr (t102 = -0.33, p = 0.75). There were no group differences in relative MCA velocity response curves during the breath-holding task (F1,5092 = 0.19, p = 0.66) or during the hyperventilation task (F1,5092 = 0.41, p = 0.52) between SOF soldiers with and without a self-reported concussion history. If CVR deficits exist immediately post-concussion, our study suggests that these deficits recover over time in this population. While long-term neurophysiological effects of blast-related injury are currently unknown, assessing CVR response may provide further insight into cerebrovascular function and overall physiological health following blast exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of sex on head impact biomechanics is unknown for youth ice hockey. We sought to determine sex differences in head impact severity and frequency in youth ice hockey players. Male (n = 110) and female (n = 25) players (13–16 years old) were recruited from a local hockey organization. Players wore helmets instrumented with the Head Impact Telemetry System for all competitions and practices throughout the season. Seven team-seasons were captured. Random intercepts general mixed linear models determined whether linear acceleration and rotational acceleration differed by sex. Linear regression models evaluated the relationship between sex and impact frequency. All head impact biomechanics were natural log-transformed as their distributions were right-skewed. Females sustained fewer impacts per player than males (27 fewer impacts per player-season, p < 0.0001) even when analysis was limited to games only (21 fewer impacts per player-season, p < 0.0001). The linear acceleration was higher among females (1.07 g; 95% CI 1.00, 1.13; p = 0.04). There were no other meaningful sex differences in head impact severity. Female players are not permitted to body check, and this likely explains why they sustain fewer head impacts than males. However, as a result, females likely sustain a higher proportion of head impacts through illegal or unintentional head contact, and these impacts may result in more force being delivered to the head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport-related concussion (SRC) has become a major health problem, affecting millions of athletes each year. Despite the increasing occurrence and prevalence of SRC, its underlying mechanism and recovery course have yet to be fully elucidated. The National Collegiate Athletic Association-Department of Defense Grand Alliance: Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium is a large-scale, multisite study of the natural history of concussion across multiple sports. The Advanced Research Core (ARC) of CARE is focused on the advanced biomarker assessment of a reduced subject cohort. This paper reports findings from two ARC sites to evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes in acute SRC, as measured using advanced arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We compared relative CBF maps assessed in 24 concussed contact sport athletes obtained at 24-48 h after injury to those of a control group of 24 matched contact sport players. Significantly less CBF was detected in several brain regions in concussed athletes, while clinical assessments also indicated clinical symptom and performance impairments in SRC patients. Correlations were found between decreased CBF in acute SRC and clinical assessments, including Balance Error Scoring System total score and Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test memory composite and impulse control composite scores, as well as days from injury to asymptomatic. Although using different ASL MRI sequences, our preliminary results from two sites are consistent with previous reports and suggest that advanced ASL MRI methods might be useful for detecting acute neurobiological changes in acute SRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repetitive head impact exposure sustained by athletes of contact sports has been hypothesized to be a mechanism for concussion and a possible explanation for the high degree of variability in sport-related concussion biomechanics. In an attempt to limit repetitive head impact exposure during the football preseason, the NCAA eliminated two-a-day practices in 2017, while maintaining the total number of team practice sessions. The objective of this study was to quantify head impact exposure during the preseason and regular season in Division I college football athletes to determine whether the 2017 NCAA ruling decreased head impact exposure. 342 unique athletes from five NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs were consented and enrolled. Head impacts were recorded using the Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System during the entire fall preseasons and regular seasons in 2016 and 2017. Despite the elimination of two-a-day practices, the number of preseason contact days increased in 2017, with an increase in average hourly impact exposure (i.e., contact intensity), resulting in a significant increase in total head impact burden (+ 26%) for the 2017 preseason. This finding would indicate that the 2017 NCAA ruling was not effective at reducing the head impact burden during the football preseason. Additionally, athletes sustained a significantly higher number of recorded head impacts per week (+ 40%) during the preseason than the regular season, implicating the preseason as a time of elevated repetitive head impact burden. With increased recognition of a possible association between repetitive head impact exposure and concussion, increased preseason exposure may predispose certain athletes to a higher risk of concussion during the preseason and regular season. Accordingly, efforts at reducing concussion incidence in contact sports should include a reduction in overall head impact exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have been collecting head impact data from instrumented football players to characterize the biomechanics of concussion for the past 15 years, yet the link between biomechanical input and clinical outcome is still not well understood. We have previously shown that even though concussive biomechanics might be unremarkable in large datasets of head impacts, the impacts causing injury are of high magnitude for the concussed individuals relative to their impact history. This finding suggests a need to account for differences in tolerance at the individual level. In this study, we identified control subjects for our concussed subjects who demonstrated traits we believed were correlated to factors thought to affect injury tolerance, including height, mass, age, race, and concussion history. A total of 502 college football players were instrumented with helmet-mounted accelerometer arrays and provided complete baseline assessment data, 44 of which sustained a total of 49 concussion. Biomechanical measures quantifying impact frequency and acceleration magnitude were compared between groups. On average, we found that concussed subjects experienced 93.8 more head impacts (p = 0.0031), 10.2 more high magnitude impacts (p = 0.0157), and 1.9 × greater risk-weighted exposure (p = 0.0175) than their physically matched controls. This finding provides further evidence that head impact data need to be considered at the individual level and that cohort wide assessments may be of little value in the context of concussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomechanical data collected from head impacts in football have been used to characterize exposure and predict injury risk. This study sought to specifically quantify the factors that contribute towards player head impact exposure in college football practices. All players included in this study were outfitted with football helmets instrumented with accelerometer arrays (Head Impact Telemetry System). Head impact exposure was defined by the number of head impacts each player experienced in practice, the number of practice head impacts normalized by the number of practice sessions (practice head impact rate), and the 95th percentile linear and rotational resultant head impact accelerations. Practice head impact rate was observed to vary significantly with player position (p < 0.0001; η2 = 0.46), team (p = 0.0016; η2 = 0.03), and the number of game impacts (p < 0.0001; η2 = 0.03), which served as a correlate for player ability. Even after controlling for practice participation, player position, team, and ability, differences between individuals accounted for 48% of the variance in head impact exposure in practice. This work demonstrates the importance of considering head impact exposure on a subject-specific basis rather than estimating head impact exposure from aggregate data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of football athletes have implicated repetitive head impact exposure in the onset of cognitive and brain structural changes, even in the absence of diagnosed concussion. Those studies imply accumulating damage from successive head impacts reduces tolerance and increases risk for concussion. Support for this premise is that biomechanics of head impacts resulting in concussion are often not remarkable when compared to impacts sustained by athletes without diagnosed concussion. Accordingly, this analysis quantified repetitive head impact exposure in a cohort of 50 concussed NCAA Division I FBS college football athletes compared to controls that were matched for team and position group. The analysis quantified the number of head impacts and risk weighted exposure both on the day of injury and for the season to the date of injury. 43% of concussed athletes had the most severe head impact exposure on the day of injury compared to their matched control group and 46% of concussed athletes had the most severe head impact exposure for the season to the date of injury compared to their matched control group. When accounting for date of injury or season to date of injury, 72% of all concussed athletes had the most or second most severe head impact exposure compared to their matched control group. These trends associating cumulative head impact exposure with concussion onset were stronger for athletes that participated in a greater number of contact activities. For example, 77% of athletes that participated in ten or more days of contact activities had greater head impact exposure than their matched control group. This unique analysis provided further evidence for the role of repetitive head impact exposure as a predisposing factor for the onset of concussion. The clinical implication of these findings supports contemporary trends of limiting head impact exposure for college football athletes during practice activities in an effort to also reduce risk of concussive injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research in youth sports is often complex. As interest in youth sports injury prevention grows, scientists should consider community priorities beyond a specific research study. Main text: This commentary discusses the authors' personal experiences researching concussion prevention in middle school sports, as the overarching community faced multiple challenges. These challenges included a series of weather-related emergencies that resulted in a shift in the community's priorities, multi-day school closures, and cancellations of sports activities and meetings. We discuss the importance of considering community priorities and providing support as scientists, colleagues, and members of the communities in which we conduct research. Conclusion: Scientists should consider the changing circumstances and dynamics surrounding community priorities in order to help drive their research-based decisions and ensure successful and respectful applications of research based on community values and priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NCAA-DoD Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) consortium is performing a large-scale, comprehensive study of sport related concussions in college student-athletes and military service academy cadets. The CARE "Advanced Research Core" (ARC), is focused on executing a cutting-edge investigative protocol on a subset of the overall CARE athlete population. Here, we present the details of the CARE ARC MRI acquisition and processing protocol along with preliminary analyzes of within-subject, between-site, and between-subject stability across a variety of MRI biomarkers. Two experimental datasets were utilized for this analysis. First, two "human phantom" subjects were imaged multiple times at each of the four CARE ARC imaging sites, which utilize equipment from two imaging vendors. Additionally, a control cohort of healthy athletes participating in non-contact sports were enrolled in the study at each CARE ARC site and imaged at four time points. Multiple morphological image contrasts were acquired in each MRI exam; along with quantitative diffusion, functional, perfusion, and relaxometry imaging metrics. As expected, the imaging markers were found to have varying levels of stability throughout the brain. Importantly, between-subject variance was generally found to be greater than within-subject and between-site variance. These results lend support to the expectation that cross-site and cross-vendor advanced quantitative MRI metrics can be utilized to improve analytic power in assessing sensitive neurological variations; such as those effects hypothesized to occur in sports-related-concussion. This stability analysis provides a crucial foundation for further work utilizing this expansive dataset, which will ultimately be freely available through the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research Informatics System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinematic measurements of head impacts are sensitive to sports concussion, but not highly specific. One potential reason is these measures reflect input conditions only and may have varying degrees of correlation to regional brain tissue deformation. In this study, previously reported head impact data recorded in the field from high school and collegiate football players were analyzed using two finite element head models (FEHM). Forty-five impacts associated with immediately diagnosed concussion were simulated along with 532 control impacts without identified concussion obtained from the same players. For each simulation, intracranial response measures (max principal strain, strain rate, von Mises stress, and pressure) were obtained for the whole brain and within four regions of interest (ROI; cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, corpus callosum). All response measures were sensitive to diagnosed concussion; however, large inter-athlete variability was observed and sensitivity strength depended on measure, ROI, and FEHM. Interestingly, peak linear acceleration was more sensitive to diagnosed concussion than all intracranial response measures except pressure. These findings suggest FEHM may provide unique and potentially important information on brain injury mechanisms, but estimations of concussion risk based on individual intracranial response measures evaluated in this study did not improve upon those derived from input kinematics alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation was focused on the role of humic acid-like compounds during the biodegradation of plant mass contaminated with Cs. The experiments were set up to distinguish cases of external and internal contamination. The results showed that Cs was associated with humic acid-like compounds in eluates from biomass and especially with their lighter fraction. The Cs in detritus was markedly mobile and only minor amounts were retained in biomass. These two variants differed in the rate of Cs release: while in the internally contaminated biomass the rate decreased during composting, in the externally contaminated biomass the rate increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concussions sustained during college and professional football careers have been associated with both acute and chronic neurologic impairment. The contribution of subconcussive impacts to this impairment has not been adequately studied. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between subconcussive impacts and concussion history on clinical measures of neurologic function. Forty-six collegiate football players completed five clinical measures of neurologic function commonly employed in the evaluation of concussion before and after a single season. These tests included the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics, Sensory Organization Test, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, Balance Error Scoring System, and Graded Symptom Checklist. The Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System recorded head impact data including the frequency, magnitude, and location of impacts. College football players sustain approximately 1,000 subconcussive impacts to the head over the course of a season, but for the most part, do not demonstrate any clinically meaningful changes from preseason to postseason on measures of neurologic function. Changes in performance were mostly independent of prior concussion history, and the total number, magnitude and location of sustained impacts over one season as observed R values ranged between 0.30 and 0.35. Repetitive subconcussive head impacts over a single season do not appear to result in short-term neurologic impairment, but these relationships should be further investigated for a potential dose-response over a player's career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinoprotective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) are well-known and have been demonstrated in various pathological conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, excitotoxic retinal injury, UV light-induced degeneration, and ischemic retinal lesion. The neuronal degeneration observed in the different retinal layers under the above pathological conditions can be successfully decreased by PACAP; however, whether this morphological improvement is also reflected in functional amelioration remains unknown. Therefore, our purpose was to investigate the protective effect of PACAP on the rat retina after bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) with electroretinography (ERG) to parallel the functional data with the previous morphological and neurochemical observations. Control eyes received saline treatment while PACAP was injected into the vitreous space of the other eye immediately after the induction of ischemia. Retinal damage and protective effects of PACAP were quantified by the changes in the wave forms and amplitudes. On postoperative days 2 and 14, several parameters were assessed with special attention to the changes of b wave. The results confirm that the previously described morphological protection induced by PACAP treatment is reflected in functional improvement in ischemic retinal lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]