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Reliable description of stacking interaction of aromatic molecules is important for the understanding structure, stability, and functions of biopolymers. The caffeine molecule is an ideal object for this study as the stacking interactions are the preferential ones for self-associations of this hydrophobic molecule without H-bond donor groups. The analysis of anhydrous caffeine crystal structures revealed five types of caffeine stacking dimers. Geometry optimization of these dimers was performed using two molecular mechanics force fields, ab-initio method Møller Plesset of the second order (MP2), and density functional theory (DFT) with different functionals. The comparison of geometric parameters of the caffeine dimers obtained using different theoretical methods with those in crystals enables us to suggest the methods providing the most reliable stacking characteristics. These methods are: the MP2 with Basis Set Superposition Error correction (MP2/CP), Poltev force field, along with PBE0-DH, SCAN and PBE-D3 functionals of DFT. For the methods, which give the dimer interaction energy close to that obtained by MP2/CP method, the evaluated sublimation enthalpy values are shown to be close to the experimental data. Additionally, MP2/CP, Poltev FF and PBE0-DH functional showed to be the methods that describe well both the energy and geometry of the caffeine stacking dimer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the survival rates of cancer patients. However, this has also led to an increase in side effects, such as dyspnoea, which can negatively impact of patients. We propose a programme for re-educating effort. The main objective is to test the effectiveness of this programme in improving respiratory symptoms and functionality in cancer patients. Methodology: Experimental, prospective, longitudinal, randomised study with a parallel fixed-assignment scheme (CG-IG). The patients were selected from the Medical Oncology Service of the University Hospital Complex of Salamanca (CAUSA), Spain. Two parallel intervention programmes were designed for the two study groups (Conventional Clinical Practice-Effort Re-education Programme). Primary variables: dyspnoea (MRC), functionality (Barthel); secondary variables: physical performance (SPPB) and functional capacity (ECOG) and the socio-demographic variables (age, sex, anatomopathological diagnosis, and number of treatment lines). Results: The study sample consisted of 182 patients, with 12 excluded, resulting in a final sample size of n = 170. Sex distribution (CG: 52.9% male and 47.1% female; IG: 49.4% male and 50.6% female). The primary oncological diagnosis was lung cancer, and the most frequent tumour stages were III and IV. Statistically significant differences were found between the IG and CG scores (p < 0.001, d = 0.887, 95% CI) and between the IG and CG scores (p = 0.004, d = 0.358, 95% CI), indicating that the IG performed better. Conclusion: The results of this study support the beneficial effects of an exercise re-education programme, carried out by an interdisciplinary team in improving the autonomy of oncology patients with dyspnoea. Trial registration: The clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04186754). (03 September 2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is one of the major diseases and concerns of public health systems that affects over 200 million patients worldwide. It is estimated that 90% of these patients suffer from diabetes type 2, while 10% present diabetes type 1. This type of diabetes and certain types of diabetes type 2, are characterized by dysregulation of blood glycemic levels due to the total or partial depletion of insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells. Different approaches have been proposed for long-term treatment of insulin-dependent patients; amongst them, cell-based approaches have been the subject of basic and clinical research since they allow blood glucose level sensing and in situ insulin secretion. The current gold standard for insulin-dependent patients is on-demand exogenous insulin application; cell-based therapies aim to remove this burden from the patient and caregivers. In recent years, protocols to isolate and implant pancreatic islets from diseased donors have been developed and tested in clinical trials. Nevertheless, the shortage of donors, along with the need of immunosuppressive companion therapies, have pushed researchers to focus their attention and efforts to overcome these disadvantages and develop alternative strategies. This review discusses current tested clinical approaches and future potential alternatives for diabetes type 1, and some diabetes type 2, insulin-dependent patients. Additionally, advantages and disadvantages of these discussed methods [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sustainable Development Goal 2 of the United Nations towards 2030 aimed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. According to the 2023 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the world is not on track to end hunger or promote sustainable agriculture by that time. Climate change acts as a "crisis multiplier", resulting in lower food productivity and higher prices, contributing further to poverty, hunger, and instability. The number of undernourished people in drought-sensitive and low-income regions of the world has increased this decade. In this review, we analyze the potential of microalgae and cyanobacteria to aid conventional agriculture in providing critical services such as carbon capture, wastewater management, food/feed, biofuels, and other higher value bioproducts. Specifically, we focus on the use of filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacteria for providing those benefits, even in semidry regions of the world with limited access to affordable nitrogen fertilizers to boost crop productivity. We comprehensively consider the eco-physiological basis of this potential, and the available alternative technologies for large-scale biomass production. We analyze venues for filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacteria applications in standalone processes, or integrated into more complex industrial symbioses, towards increased crop productivity, and water and N-fertilizer use efficiency. Throughout the text, we highlight aspects which still require further optimization, or technological breakthroughs, for full realization of the potential of filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacteria for contributing to Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbohydrate stress reduces grain size and head rice percentage and increases the chalkiness in rice. This study aims to compare low and high-quality cultivars for their milled rice and chalky grain percentages, as well as grain size, in the top, middle, and bottom panicle portions. Low-chalky and chalky long-grain rice cultivars were grown at Beaumont in 2019 and 2022. Panicles were harvested, partitioned into top, middle, and bottom portions, and phenotyped for grain size, head rice percentage, and chalkiness. Grain area reduction percentage from top to middle panicle portions is higher in the low-chalky cultivars, Presidio and Kaybonnet. This could relieve the carbohydrate stress that leads to chalkiness. The rice cultivars were also genotyped for Chalk5 and OsPPDK. The low-chalky cultivars had the same allele as the low-chalk Lemont for Chalk5. Presidio had a different allele for OsPPDK compared with the cultivars tested. Consistent with the genotyping result for Chalk5, Presidio and Kaybonnet had lower chalkiness than LaGrue and Leah. There was a positive correlation between the number of primary panicle branches and head rice percentage. The improvement in breeding efficiency for high grain quality requires phenotypic screening for a high number of primary panicle branches and for low chalky and partially chalky grain percentages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRSH) or liver resection have led to increased survival in patients with peritoneal or liver metastases of colorectal cancer. Selected patients undergo concomitant CRSH and liver resection. Differences in survival and morbidity between patients who underwent concomitant surgery, CRSH or liver resection for peritoneal and/or liver metastases were compared. Methods: Patients who underwent liver resection and/or CRSH for colorectal liver and/or peritoneal metastases, 2006–2016, were included. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between baseline characteristics and survival. Results: Overall, 634 patients were studied. Twenty-eight patients had peritoneal and liver metastases, 121 patients had peritoneal metastases only, and 485 patients had isolated liver metastases. Median survival after concomitant treatment was 23.8 months (95% CI 12.8–43.8), after CRSH 34.5 months (95% CI 27.1–41.9), and after liver resection 54.2 months (95% CI 47.4–61.0) (p < 0.001). Increased hepatic tumor burden (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8–5.8) and high-volume peritoneal disease (HR 6.0, 95% CI 3.7–9.8) were associated with decreased survival in multivariate analysis. Postoperative complications according to a Clavien–Dindo score > 3a were observed in 11% in the liver resection group, 15% in the CRSH group, and 11% in the concomitant treatment group (p = 0.945). Conclusions: Patients treated with concomitant surgery for liver and peritoneal metastases experienced a shorter median overall survival than patients treated for metastases at an isolated site but had a similar rate of severe postoperative complications. The extent of peritoneal spread seemed to impact survival more than the tumor burden in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on central nervous system tumors (CNSTs) has a significant impact on the diagnosis and prognosis of patients. Currently, CNSTs are classified according to the schema proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which considers clinical, histopathological, and molecular characteristics, highlighting the importance of tumor biology for accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment approaches. Despite these advances, assessing DNA ploidy—a marker of tumor aggressiveness—remains complex in CNSTs. This review investigates the utility of DNA index (DNAi) and DNA ploidy analysis by flow cytometry in diagnosing CNSTs and prognosing their outcomes. We systematically reviewed studies in the PubMed database from 1990 to the present using the keywords "DNA Index", "Brain", "Flow cytometry", and "Ploidy". We identified 151 studies, 36 of which met our inclusion criteria. We found considerable variation in sample sizes and methodological variation across the studies. Discrepancies between the reported DNAi and ploidy values were observed. Aneuploidy is generally associated with more aggressive tumors, although exceptions exist. Higher DNAi levels correlate with increased malignancy, notably in glioblastomas, astrocytomas, and meningiomas, whereas diploid astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are associated with shorter survival rates. DNA ploidy assessment via flow cytometry could predict CNST behavior, yet methodological issues with tissue selection, adequate control samples, and technique variability remain. DNAi and ploidy assessments show promise as prognostic markers in CNSTs. However, the standardization of flow cytometry protocols and alignment with the current WHO classification schema are essential steps to integrate ploidy analysis in routine CNST assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an exploration of the effect of electron-phonon coupling and broken inversion symmetry on the electronic and thermal properties of the semimetal LaRhGe3. Our transport measurements reveal evidence for electron-hole compensation at low temperatures, resulting in a large magnetoresistance of 3000% at 1.8 K and 14 T. The carrier concentration is on the order of 1021/cm3 with high carrier mobilities of 2000 cm2/Vs. When coupled to our theoretical demonstration of symmetry-protected almost movable Weyl nodal lines, we conclude that LaRhGe3 supports a Weyl semimetallic state. We discover superconductivity in this compound with a Tc of 0.39(1) K and Bc(0) of 2.2(1) mT, with evidence from specific heat and transverse-field muon spin relaxation. We find an exponential dependence in the normal state electrical resistivity below ~50 K, while Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity measurements each reveal a prominent peak at low temperatures, indicative of strong electron-phonon interactions. To this end, we examine the temperature-dependent Raman spectra of LaRhGe3 and find that the lifetime of the lowest energy A1 phonon is dominated by phonon-electron scattering instead of anharmonic decay. We conclude that LaRhGe3 has strong electron-phonon coupling in the normal state, while the superconductivity emerges from weak electron-phonon coupling. These results open up the investigation of electron-phonon interactions in the normal state of superconducting non-centrosymmetric Weyl semimetals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce an experimental setup to chemically image corrosion processes at metal-electrolyte interfaces under stagnant, confined conditions—relevant in a wide range of situations. The setup is based on a glass capillary, in which precipitation of corrosion products in the interfacial aqueous phase can be monitored over time with optical microscopy, and chemically and structurally characterized with microscopic synchrotron-based techniques (X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy). Moreover, quantification of precipitates through X-ray transmission measurements provides in-situ corrosion rates. We illustrate this setup for iron corrosion in a pH 8 electrolyte, revealing the critical role of O2 and iron diffusion in governing the precipitation of ferrihydrite and its transformation to goethite. Corrosion and coupled reactive transport processes can thus be monitored and fundamentally investigated at the metal-electrolyte interface, with micrometer-scale resolution. This capillary setup has potential applications for in-situ corrosion studies of various metals and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 800 loci associated with kidney function, yet the specific genes, variants, and pathways involved remain elusive. By integrating kidney function GWAS with human kidney expression and methylation quantitative trait analyses, we identified Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) DNA demethylase 2 (TET2) as a novel kidney disease risk gene. Utilizing single-cell chromatin accessibility and CRISPR-based genome editing, we highlight GWAS variants that influence TET2 expression in kidney proximal tubule cells. Experiments using kidney/tubule-specific Tet2 knockout mice indicated its protective role in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury, as well as in chronic kidney disease and fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction or adenine diet. Single-cell gene profiling of kidneys from Tet2 knockout mice and TET2-knockdown tubule cells revealed the altered expression of DNA damage repair and chromosome segregation genes, notably including INO80, another kidney function GWAS target gene itself. Remarkably, both TET2-null and INO80-null cells exhibited an increased accumulation of micronuclei after injury, leading to the activation of cytosolic nucleotide sensor cGAS-STING. Genetic deletion of cGAS or STING in kidney tubules, or pharmacological inhibition of STING, protected TET2-null mice from disease development. In conclusion, our findings highlight TET2 and INO80 as key genes in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases, indicating the importance of DNA damage repair mechanisms. Here, the authors have integrated genome-wide association data with functional genomics data relevant to the kidney and performed in vitro and in vivo experiments which support TET2 as a kidney disease risk gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are 11 species of triatomines in the USA, with seven reported in the American Southwest. These species are capable of transmitting Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, but are generally sylvatic and rarely infect humans in the USA. iNaturalist is one of the most popular citizen science data portals, where users record encounters with any individual organism. As of November 2023, iNaturalist reported 722 confirmed triatomine observations in the American Southwest. Maximum entropy ecological niche modelling and bioclimatic environmental variables were used to predict zones of highest human-triatomine interaction. Models fit well for Triatoma protracta (0.85), T. rubida (0.94), and T. recurva (0.96). Precipitation in the warmest quarter was most predictive of T. protracta presence, while precipitation in the driest quarter was most predictive of T. rubida and T. recurva. Locations identified in the American Southwest with highest potential for human-triatomine interaction, and potential T. cruzi transmission, were coastal California, the Sierra Nevada foothills, southern Arizona and border areas of northern Mexico. Study findings can be used for targeted surveillance efforts to address the paucity of contemporary information regarding triatomine species diversity and geographical and ecological associations in the American Southwest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat accumulation, de novo lipogenesis, and glycolysis are key drivers of hepatocyte reprogramming and the consequent metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Here we report that obesity leads to dysregulated expression of hepatic protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). PTPRK was found to be increased in steatotic hepatocytes in both humans and mice, and correlates positively with PPARγ-induced lipogenic signaling. High-fat-fed PTPRK knockout male and female mice have lower weight gain and reduced hepatic fat accumulation. Phosphoproteomic analysis in primary hepatocytes and hepatic metabolomics identified fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 and glycolysis as PTPRK targets in metabolic reprogramming. Mechanistically, PTPRK-induced glycolysis enhances PPARγ and lipogenesis in hepatocytes. Silencing PTPRK in liver cancer cell lines reduces colony-forming capacity and high-fat-fed PTPRK knockout mice exposed to a hepatic carcinogen develop smaller tumours. Our study defines the role of PTPRK in the regulation of hepatic glycolysis, lipid metabolism, and tumour development in obesity. PTPRK is a key protein in the transformation of normal to tumorigenic liver cells in obesity, providing fuel and lipids. Here, the authors show that genetic deletion of PTPRK in mice protects against fatty liver in an obesogenic diet and the development of liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term outcomes of the non-operative management of acute left-sided complicated diverticulitis (ALCD) in severely immunocompromised patients (IMS group) and compare them with immunocompetent patients (IC group). The secondary aim was to assess the necessity of an elective surgery following a successful prior non-operative management in the IMS group after a non-operative management of the first episode of ALCD. Methods: Patients presented with their first episode of ALCD between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Only severely immunosuppressed patients were considered for the analysis, including the following: long-term oral or intravenous steroid intake, current malignancy undergoing chemotherapy, chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis, or solid organ transplant with immunosuppressive medication. For each group, demographic data, severity of the episode, management decisions (conservative or operative), and short- and long-term outcomes were recorded and compared. A sub-analysis of patients with ALCD associating and abscess (modified Hinchey classification Ib/II) was performed. Results: A total of 290 patients were included in the study: 50 among the IMS and 240 among the IC group. The rate of emergent surgery was higher in the IMS group (50.0% vs. 22.5%, p < 0.001) and was associated with increased morbidity (72.4% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.041) and mortality (24.1% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.003). The duration of the hospital stay was significantly longer in the IMS group (15 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001). The final stoma rate was significantly higher in the IMS group (82.1% vs. 22.9, p < 0.001), with a median follow-up of 51.4 months. A total of 141 patients presented ALCD with an abscess; 25 in the IMS and 116 in the IC group. There was a higher rate of surgical intervention among the IMS group as the initial treatment approach (24.0% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.002), even though the conservative treatment had a similar rate of success (81.3% vs. 92.0%, p = 0.178). The recurrence rate following a non-operative approach was similar (IMS: 31.2% vs. 35.4% in the IC group, p = 0.169). Furthermore, 81.2% of non-operatively managed IMS patients (13 out of 16) did not require a surgical intervention at the end of the follow-up, with similar findings in the IC group (78/96, 81.2%, p = 0.148). Conclusion: Medical treatment of immunosuppressed patients during their first ALCD episode associated with an abscess is feasible, with a high success rate and results comparable with the IC group. Moreover, taking into account the readmission rates, the need for emergent surgery of the recurrence, and the perioperative mortality and morbidity in the IMS group, conservative management with no differed scheduled surgery seems to be a safe option in this subgroup of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-pressure and high-temperature structural, mechanical, and dinamical stability of rhodium has been investigated via synchrotron X-ray diffraction using a resistively heated diamond anvil cell and density functional theory. The isothermal compression data have been fitted with a Rydberg-Vinet equation of state (EoS) with best-fitting parameters V 0 =55.046(16) Å 3 , K 0 = 251(3) GPa, and K 0 ′ = 5.7(2). The thermal equation of state has been determined based upon the data collected following four different isotherms and has been fitted to a Holland and Powell thermal equation-of-state model with α 0 = 3.36(7)x10 - 5 K - 1 . The measured equation of state and structural parameters have been compared to the results of ab initio simulations. The agreement between theory and experiments is generally quite good. The present results solve controversies between previous studies which reported values of the bulk modulus from 240 to 300 GPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a high-value crop for irrigation districts in the low deserts of the USA Southwest. To ensure maximal crop quality, negligible soil salinity stress, minimal nutrient loss and reduced pathogen susceptibility, lettuce irrigation must meet, but not exceed, crop water use requirements. However, lettuce crop water use information is outdated in this region: prior studies were conducted at least four decades ago (1960–1980) and do not represent current varieties, management practices, and climate. To address this shortcoming, 12 commercial sites in Yuma, Arizona, USA were evaluated between 2016 and 2020 to update lettuce water use requirements and crop coefficients. The study measured crop evapotranspiration (ETc) using eddy covariance observations at eight iceberg and four romaine sites, where planting dates varied throughout the fall. Observed ETc and remote sensing data were used to model the daily soil water balance and derive crop coefficients: single (Kc), basal (Kcb), and soil evaporation (Ke). The analysis was supported by lettuce crop height estimates and fractional vegetative cover (fc) via remote sensing. Days to maturity averaged 75 ± 15 and 89 ± 12 days for romaine and iceberg, respectively, where season lengths increased as planting dates progressed from early fall to late winter. Average planting date for romaine sites was about 20 days earlier than average iceberg sites. When growing intervals are cast in heat units, dependence on crop type and time of planting was reduced. Average cumulative growing-degree-day and enhanced-degree-day metrics were 1133 ± 87 and 754 ± 48 °C-days, respectively. Seasonal lettuce ETc averaged 278 ± 24 mm. Cumulative irrigation applied, plus precipitation, averaged 355 ± 88 mm. Lettuce Kc for sites varied from 0.90 ± 0.13 to 1.19 ± 0.11 and Kcb from 0.20 ± 0.05 to 1.01 ± 0.11 for the initial and mid-season growth stages, respectively. These updates will help growers improve their irrigation efficiency for lettuce and provide important documentation needed by water managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of natural fibers obtained from leather industrial wastes contributes to a circular economy and aids to the reduction in the usually high loadings of mineral flame-retardant additives employed to impart the flame retardancy in polymer systems. The present work investigates the relationship between viscoelastic properties and flame retardancy of thermoplastic starch multicomponent systems loaded with leather waste, aluminum trihydroxide used as flame-retardant additive, and bentonite clay. Different blending temperatures and rotational speeds during extrusion process are tested for the multicomponent systems. Rheological, morphological, flammability, thermal analysis, and tensile mechanical test are also used to characterize the obtained multicomponent systems. A detailed investigation of the viscoelastic properties through Han, Cole–Cole, and van Gurp–Palmen diagrams indicated that the fibers have to be well dispersed in the polymer matrix forming a network structure and that the material has to exhibit viscoelasticity to a moderate level, i.e., not too viscous and not too elastic as observed in the VGP diagram in order to impart the flame retardancy effect in the multicomponent system. These multicomponent systems with enhanced properties are a promising and sustainable alternative to traditional high-loaded flame-retardant systems taking advantage of the landfill disposal in local areas where leather wastes are a problem the great attention contributing to a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous (inter)national standards are in place for assessing the resistance to carbonation of mortar and concrete. Within the framework of RILEM TC 281-CCC 'Carbonation of Concrete with SCMs,' an extensive interlaboratory test campaign (ILT) involving twenty-two participating laboratories worldwide was initiated to compare natural carbonation of concrete and mortar with three different cement types (Portland cement (CEM I), Portland-fly ash cement (CEM II/B-V) and blast-furnace cement (CEM III/B)) and investigate its relation to accelerated carbonation as reported in Vanoutrive et al. (Mater Struct 55:1–29, 2022). It could be concluded that ranking of cement types was analogous between accelerated and natural carbonation methods. Environmental parameters have an important effect on the carbonation rate, however, differences between the mean carbonation rates originating from indoor and sheltered outdoor natural exposure with different exposure conditions and curing regimes were insignificant for each considered cement type. This is caused by the scatter related to carbonation testing among different laboratories. Nevertheless, results showed that a natural exposure period of at least one year is essential to reach a constant carbonation rate over time. For both natural and accelerated carbonation, the carbonation rate increased by 18% when the aggregate-to-cement ratio increased by 1.79 (concrete versus mortar). This correlation seems insensitive to binder type and exposure method. Finally, the best correlation between natural and accelerated carbonation was found for EN 12390–10 (specifically natural indoor exposure) and EN 12390–12 (accelerated exposure) when only test methods performed by more than one laboratory were considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing the centers of richness and endemism is crucial for prioritizing biodiversity conservation efforts, particularly in taxa susceptible to environmental changes and in regions of significant biological importance. We used species occurrence data from species lists, online information sources, and herbarium records to identify the centers of endemism of liverworts in Colombia. Sampling biases were assessed using the 'sampbias' package. Geospatial analyses were applied to identify species richness and endemism centers, with the latter identified using the NDM/VNDM algorithm. Species conservation status was evaluated based on IUCN Red List criterion B using the 'ConR' package. Despite low sampling efforts across all regions, the collection bias model revealed disparities in sampling, with fewer expected records in the Orinoco, Caribbean, and Amazon regions, highlighting the need for new inventories in these priority areas. The Andean (567 total species, 16 endemic species and subspecies) and Pacific (301 total species, 7 endemic species) regions stood out with higher richness. Two centers of endemism were identified: the Pacific and the Andean regions, emerging as priorities for conservation investments. Only 4% of the total area of the centers of endemism in Colombia was found within protected areas (PAs), and 40% of species were classified as threatened. Despite the challenges, 22.7% of the endemic species are found within PAs, underscoring the urgent need for efficient PA management, especially those located along the central Andes Mountain range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, little is known about body image and eating concerns among men in midlife. To bridge this gap in the literature, this study tested an adapted and integrated sociocultural model of body image and eating concerns among men in midlife. A sample of men (N = 213) between the ages of 45 and 60 years living in the United States completed an online survey and reported on sociocultural pressures from media, friends, family and partners, body image in younger years, internalization of a youthful lean and muscular ideal, appearance comparison, sexual objectification, body dissatisfaction, attitudes towards muscularity, drive for leanness and thinness, participation in muscularity-oriented behaviors, and restrictive eating. After modification, the final model revealed good fit to the data. Although not all predicted pathways were supported, overall, interpersonal and media pressures were related to internalization of ideals and appearance comparison. In turn, internalization and comparison were related to higher body dissatisfaction, drive for leanness and muscularity, and engagement in muscularity-oriented behaviors and restrictive eating. Findings support the usefulness of an adapted and integrated sociocultural model of body image and eating concerns in midlife men. The model suggests that the pressures that may increase body image and eating concerns in younger men may also be relevant in midlife men. Findings also highlight the usefulness of considering age-specific body-change behaviors and disordered eating in midlife men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the relationship between family ownership and a firm's leverage from the socioemotional wealth (SEW) theory. We propose that SEW objectives (i.e., family control, long-term horizon, and family firm reputation) might have a mediating effect on the family ownership-leverage link. In addition, we argue that an internal contingency—such as below aspiration performance—may moderate SEW's influence on the family ownership-leverage relationship as a result of a shift in focus from non-economic to economic goals. Using a sample of European listed firms from 2011 to 2018, we find that the negative impact of family ownership on a firm's leverage is mediated through SEW objectives. Moreover, our evidence suggests that a negative performance-aspiration gap weakens the mediating influence of these SEW objectives on leverage. Over all, our study reveals that SEW is a key channel which drives family firms' reluctance to leverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with body weight-support treadmill training (BWSTT) for improving walking function of individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). A 4-week, double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled pilot study involved 12 sessions of real (10 Hz, 1800 pulses) or sham rTMS combined with BWSTT (15–20 min, moderate intensity). Walking independence was assessed using the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI-II). Lower extremity motor function (lower extremity motor score [LEMS]) and spasticity, sensory function, functional independence (Spinal Cord Injury Measure III [SCIM-III]), and quality of life were also assessed. Walking independence (WISCI-II) after the 6th session was higher in the BWSTT/rTMS real (n = 7) (median change (IQR): 3 (1.5 to 3.5)) than in the sham group (n = 8) (median change (IQR): 0 (0 to 0.25), but there was no difference between groups after 12th session (BWSTT/rTMS real median change (IQR): 4 (2 to 5); BWSSTT/rTMS sham median change (IQR): 0 (0 to 3.25). Compared to baseline, LEMS and SCIM-III mobility scores were increased after 12 sessions in the BWSTT/rTMS real but not in the sham group. Within- and between-group sensory function, functional independence, and quality of life remained similar. This preliminary result suggests that combining BWSTT with rTMS could lead to earlier gait improvement in patients with chronic iSCI. Significance: Adding neuroplasticity-facilitation strategies to conventional rehabilitation can facilitate earlier walking independence and promote long-term functional recovery after chronic iSCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of "mismatch repair deficient (MMRd)-crypt foci" in non-neoplastic intestinal mucosa in Lynch syndrome (LS) has significantly enhanced our understanding of how tumors and tumor immunity form and evolve in LS. In this study, we report the frequent presence of "mismatch repair proficient (MMRp)-crypt foci" in both non-neoplastic and neoplastic intestinal mucosa in a patient with constitutional MMR deficiency (CMMRD), who carried a germline MSH6 pathogenic variant (c.3261dupC) in trans with an MSH6 likely pathogenic variant (c.3724_3726del) and whose tissues were otherwise deficient in MMR globally. The MMRp-crypts occurred at a rate of 1.1/100 crypts in non-neoplastic intestinal mucosa and were readily discernible in adenomas > 1 cm. Sequencing analysis revealed normalization of the MSH6c.3261dupC variant in MMRp-adenoma crypts, indicating reverse frameshifting of the exon 5 C8 microsatellite. Interestingly but not surprisingly, the MMRp-adenoma crypts remained microsatellite-instability-high (MSI-H), and shared oncogenic APC mutations with the background MMRd-adenoma. Contrasting with MSH6-CMMRD, no PMS2-CMMRD individuals (0/5) harbored MMRp-crypts. In conclusion, our study documents distinct MMRp-crypts in MSH6-CMMRD, a phenomenon in keeping with MSH6 being a frequent target of MSI-H due to its coding microsatellite and suggesting that MSH6-CMMRD can potentially serve as a unique model system to further our understanding of MSH6's role in MSI-H tumor formation and evolution. Our findings also bear diagnostic implications; when using MMR immunohistochemistry as an ancillary tool in detecting CMMRD, awareness of these MMRp crypts can help avoid diagnostic pitfalls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the role of CT venography (CTV) in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during the postpartum period. Materials and methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted between April 2016 and April 2020 in 14 university hospitals. All women referred for CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) within the first 6 weeks postpartum were eligible. All CTPAs were performed on multidetector CT machines with the usual parameters and followed by CTV of the abdomen, pelvis, and proximal lower limbs. On-site reports were compared to expert consensus reading, and the added value of CTV was assessed for both. Results: The final study population consisted of 123 women. On-site CTPA reports mentioned PE in seven women (7/123, 5.7%), all confirmed following expert consensus reading, three involving proximal pulmonary arteries and four limited to distal arteries. Positive CTV was reported on-site in nine women, five of whom had negative and two indeterminate CTPAs, bringing the VTE detection rate to 11.4% (14/123) (95%CI: 6.4–18.4, p = 0.03). Expert consensus reading confirmed all positive on-site CTV results, but detected a periuterine vein thrombosis in an additional woman who had a negative CTPA, increasing the VTE detection rate to 12.2% (15/123) (95%CI: 7.0–19.3, p = 0.008). Follow-up at 3 months revealed no adverse events in this woman, who was left untreated. Median Dose-Length-Product was 117 mGy.cm for CTPA and 675 mGy.cm for CTPA + CTV. Conclusion: Performing CTV in women suspected of postpartum PE doubles the detection of venous thromboembolism, at the cost of increased radiation exposure. Clinical relevance statement: CTV can help in the decision-making process concerning curative anticoagulation in women with suspected postpartum PE, particularly those whose CTPA results are indeterminate or whose PE is limited to the subsegmental level. Key Points: Postpartum women are at risk of pulmonary embolism, and CT pulmonary angiography can give equivocal results. CT venography (CTV) positivity increased the venous thromboembolism detection rate from 5.7 to 11.4%. CTV may help clinical decision-making, especially in women with indeterminate CTPA results or subsegmental emboli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous surgical techniques are currently available for minimally invasive left hepatic resection, each offering its own advantages and disadvantages. Patients and methods: This multimedia manuscript delves into the primary approaches for minimally invasive left hepatectomy, with a focus on particular topics such as left hepatic vein approach, transection and middle hepatic vein exposure, and Glissonean approach. We examine key factors that surgeons should consider when choosing among these methods and provide practical recommendations. Results: To enhance understanding, our article includes video footage from multiple centres, showcasing expertly executed surgeries for each approach along with their main considerations. Conclusions: This multimedia resource will serve as a valuable guide for surgeons, aiding in the selection of the most suitable strategy for minimally invasive left hepatectomies, tailored to the specific needs of the patient and the characteristics of the lesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The north and central coast of Chile is influenced by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) through oceanic and atmospheric teleconnections. However, it also experiences episodic oceanic warmings off central Chile (30°S) lasting a few months that are not necessarily associated with ENSO. These episodes, called "Chile Niño" events, besides their ecological and socio-economical impacts, have also the potential to influence tropical Pacific variability. Here, we investigate how realistically the models in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP, Phases 5 and 6) simulate Chile Niño/Niña (CN) events, and quantify their changes under anthropogenic forcing. Despite limitations of the global models in simulating realistically coastal upwelling dynamics, we show that they simulate reasonably well the observed spatial pattern, amplitude and seasonal evolution of CN events. They however fail to properly represent the positive skewness from observations. The analysis of a sub-group of models (36) that simulate ENSO realistically reveals that CN events increase in amplitude and variance in the future climate with no changes in their frequency of occurence. This is interpreted as resulting from compensating effects amongst changes in remote drivers and local feedbacks. In particular, ENSO variance increases while that of the South Pacific Oscillation decreases. Conversely, we found that while the Wind-Evaporation-SST feedback tends to increase and the coupling between mixed-layer depth and SST weakens, favoring the development of CN events, the thermocline and wind-SST feedbacks decrease. However, only the change in the thermocline feedback is correlated to changes in CN variance amongst the models, suggesting a dominant role of local oceanic stratification changes in constraining the sensitivity of CN to global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of advanced sequencing technologies, new insights into the genomes of pathogens, including those in the genus Curtobacterium, have emerged. This research investigates a newly isolated C. flaccumfaciens strain 208 (Cf208) from Arthrocereus glaziovii, and endemic plant from Iron Quadrangle. Previous results show that Cf208 exhibits the potential to remediate soils, facilitating the growth of tomato plants. Furthermore, Cf208 showed no virulence towards bean plants, thus, confounding its phytopathogenic origins. Using a comprehensive comparative genomics approach, we analyzed the Cf208 genome against 34 other Curtobacterium strains, aiming to discern the genomic landmarks associated with its adaptation as an endophyte and its avirulence in bean crops. This revealed a predominant core genome comprising about 2426 genes (68%). Notably, Cf208 possesses a unique plasmid, pCF208-73, which contains 84 unique genes (2.5%). However, unlike the plasmids previously described for pathogenic strains, pCF208-73 does not feature genes associated with virulence induction. In contrast, while several genes traditionally linked to virulence, like pectate lyases and proteases were identified, but the T4P apparatus emerged as new crucial factor for understanding virulence in the Curtobacterium genus. The presence or absence of this apparatus, especially in strains from different clades, may determine their virulence towards leguminous plants. In conclusion, this work highlights the significance of comparative genomics in unraveling the complexities of pathogenicity within the Curtobacterium genus. Our findings suggest that, although the limited genetic variations, specific genes, particularly those linked to the T4P apparatus, play a fundamental role in their interactions with host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopsy-based histology has been the foundation of disease diagnosis and management for over a century. A long-sought goal in dermatology is the development of an imaging modality with sufficient resolution and compositional detail to noninvasively interrogate skin histology in vivo. Here, we describe a system that achieves this goal using cross-sectionally scanned, multimodal microscopy (cross-modal). Cross-modal combines multiphoton and reflectance confocal microscopy into one compact system with coordinated three-axis scanning that preserves optical resolution in cross-section. A custom pinhole-free mechanism employing finite-infinite conjugates further simplifies and stabilizes confocal alignment. Evaluated in participants ages 9–81 and Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) 1–5, cross-modal images revealed histological details analogous to those obtained from traditional biopsied tissue. We observed dermal elastosis in sun-damaged skin, elevated melanin in pigmented skin, basaloid nests in basal cell carcinoma, and elongated rete ridges in seborrheic keratosis, supporting cross-modal's potential to deliver histological insights noninvasively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing global food demand, coupled with the limitations of traditional pest control methods, has driven the search for innovative and sustainable solutions in agricultural pest management. In this review, we highlight polymeric nanocarriers for their potential to deliver double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and control pests through the gene-silencing mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi). Polymer-dsRNA systems have shown promise in protecting dsRNA, facilitating cellular uptake, and ensuring precise release. Despite these advances, challenges such as scalability, cost-efficiency, regulatory approval, and public acceptance persist, necessitating further research to overcome these obstacles and fully unlock the potential of RNAi in sustainable agriculture. Application of RNAi-based technology for crop pest control is hampered by the lacking of efficient system for the delivery of dsRNA molecules to pests or plants. Here, the authors review polymer systems for dsRNA delivery and provide perspectives on their application in sustainable agriculture production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urate-lowering treatment (ULT) to target with xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs) paradoxically causes early increase in gouty arthritis flares. Because delayed reduction in flare burden is mechanistically unclear, we tested for ULT inflammation responsiveness markers. Unbiased proteomics analyzed blood samples (baseline, 48 weeks ULT) in two, independent ULT out trial cohorts (n = 19, n = 30). STRING-db and multivariate analyses supplemented determinations of altered proteins via Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank testing in XOI ULT responders. Mechanistic studies characterized proteomes of cultured XOI-treated murine bone marrow macrophages (BMDMs). At 48 weeks ULT, serum urate normalized in all gout patients, and flares declined in association with significantly altered proteins (p < 0.05) in clustering and proteome networks in sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Sera demonstrated altered complement activation and regulatory gene ontology biologic processes. In both cohorts, a treatment-emergent serum interactome included key gouty inflammation mediators (C5, IL-1B, CXCL8, IL6). Last, febuxostat treatment decreased complement activation biologic process proteins in cultured BMDMs. Reduced gout flares are linked with a XOI treatment-emergent serum protein interactome that includes inflammation regulators, associated with altered complement activation and regulatory biologic processes. Serum and leukocyte proteomics could help identify when gouty inflammatory processes begin to subside in response to ULT. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02579096, posted October 19, 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brain is a complex non-equilibrium system capable of expressing many different dynamics as well as the transitions between them. We hypothesized that the level of non-equilibrium can serve as a signature of a given brain state, which was quantified using the arrow of time (the level of irreversibility). Using this thermodynamic framework, the irreversibility of emergent cortical activity was quantified from local field potential recordings in male Lister-hooded rats at different anesthesia levels and during the sleep-wake cycle. This measure was carried out on five distinct brain states: slow-wave sleep, awake, deep anesthesia–slow waves, light anesthesia–slow waves, and microarousals. Low levels of irreversibility were associated with synchronous activity found both in deep anesthesia and slow-wave sleep states, suggesting that slow waves were the state closest to the thermodynamic equilibrium (maximum symmetry), thus requiring minimum energy. Higher levels of irreversibility were found when brain dynamics became more asynchronous, for example, in wakefulness. These changes were also reflected in the hierarchy of cortical dynamics across different cortical areas. The neural dynamics associated with different brain states were characterized by different degrees of irreversibility and hierarchy, also acting as markers of brain state transitions. This could open new routes to monitoring, controlling, and even changing brain states in health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antisense transcripts are a unique group of non-coding RNAs and play regulatory roles in a variety of biological processes, including circadian rhythms. Per2AS is an antisense transcript to the sense core clock gene Period2 (Per2) in mouse and its expression is rhythmic and antiphasic to Per2. To understand the impact of Per2AS-Per2 interaction, we developed a new mathematical model that mechanistically described the mutually repressive relationship between Per2 and Per2AS. This mutual repression can regulate both amplitude and period of circadian oscillation by affecting a negative feedback regulation of Per2. Simulations from this model also fit with experimental observations that could not be fully explained by our previous model. Our revised model can not only serve as a foundation to build more detailed models to better understand the impact of Per2AS-Per2 interaction in the future, but also be used to analyze other sense-antisense RNA pairs that mutually repress each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination is initiated by DNA end resection, a process involving the controlled degradation of the 5′-terminated strands at DSB sites1,2. The breast cancer suppressor BRCA1–BARD1 not only promotes resection and homologous recombination, but it also protects DNA upon replication stress1,3–9. BRCA1–BARD1 counteracts the anti-resection and pro-non-homologous end-joining factor 53BP1, but whether it functions in resection directly has been unclear10–16. Using purified recombinant proteins, we show here that BRCA1–BARD1 directly promotes long-range DNA end resection pathways catalysed by the EXO1 or DNA2 nucleases. In the DNA2-dependent pathway, BRCA1–BARD1 stimulates DNA unwinding by the Werner or Bloom helicase. Together with MRE11–RAD50–NBS1 and phosphorylated CtIP, BRCA1–BARD1 forms the BRCA1–C complex17,18, which stimulates resection synergistically to an even greater extent. A mutation in phosphorylated CtIP (S327A), which disrupts its binding to the BRCT repeats of BRCA1 and hence the integrity of the BRCA1–C complex19–21, inhibits resection, showing that BRCA1–C is a functionally integrated ensemble. Whereas BRCA1–BARD1 stimulates resection in DSB repair, it paradoxically also protects replication forks from unscheduled degradation upon stress, which involves a homologous recombination-independent function of the recombinase RAD51 (refs. 4–6,8). We show that in the presence of RAD51, BRCA1–BARD1 instead inhibits DNA degradation. On the basis of our data, the presence and local concentration of RAD51 might determine the balance between the pronuclease and the DNA protection functions of BRCA1–BARD1 in various physiological contexts.BRCA1–BARD1 directly promotes double-strand break repair by stimulating long-range DNA end resection pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vector-borne diseases account for nearly 20% of all globally recognised infectious diseases. Within the spectrum of flea-borne pathogens, Bartonella and Rickettsia bacteria are prominent, contributing to the emergence and resurgence of diseases on a global scale. This study investigates the presence of species of Bartonella and Rickettsia harboured by fleas collected from wild rodents in northwestern Argentina (NWA). A total of 28 fleas from three genera and seven species were assessed. DNA of Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. was found in 12 fleas (42.8%). Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of gltA and rpoB genes showed the presence of Bartonella quintana in eight fleas of two species, Craneopsylla minerva minerva and Polygenis acodontis. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of gltA, ompA and ompB genes identified Rickettsia felis in ten fleas of five species, C. m. minerva, P. acodontis, Polygenis bohlsi bohlsi, Polygenis byturus and Tiamastus palpalis. These bacterial species mark the first report in all flea species studied. This study represents the first survey of flea-borne bacteria for NWA. The results provide information to address strategies for the control and prevention of bartonellosis and rickettsiosis that could have an impact on public health in one of the geographical areas of Argentina with the highest incidence of infections transmitted to humans by ectoparasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extractive fisheries and marine aquaculture share space and target species. Several regional-scale examples exist of escapees entering wild fisheries landings, yet no study has assessed the influence of aquaculture on landings at an ecosystem scale. We examined the effects of farmed fish escapes on fisheries using FAO data and published escape rates for Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Seabream landings were significantly correlated with the estimated biomass of escaped seabream entering the wild. There was a similar pattern for seabass until 2005, but the overall relationship between landings and escapes was not significant due to the dramatic drop in catches in recent years. We argue that seabass escapees' relatively high mortality, lower capturability, and minor 'leaking' from farms may obscure their influence on landings. Significant positive fisheries regime shifts were detected for both species, matching the onset of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the period when escapees from aquaculture surpassed landings. Our results suggest that fish escapes of these two iconic species may mask wild stock overexploitation, confound stock assessments, alter genetic diversity, increase the risk of spreading pathogens and parasites, and compete with wild conspecifics while boosting fisheries landings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses aliasing oscillations encountered in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation caused by inaccurate duty cycle detection in high-frequency power electronic applications. Oversampling has been commonly used as a solution to detect switching events more accurately. Traditional oversampling methods use the extra information obtained by oversampling the inputs for further computations to enhance the precision of the simulation. However, these techniques increase the complexity of the model since they take into account several switch states during each simulation step. To mitigate these complexities, the integration oversampling method (IOM) was introduced as a recent alternative with minimum impact on the model complexity. IOM provides a modified switching pattern that effectively prevents aliasing oscillations while maintaining a single switch-state for each simulation step. It can be implemented as an independent block between the controller and the HIL model, so it keeps the HIL model unchanged. This study highlights the limitations detected in applying IOM to the models with complementary switches, including possible undesired short circuits. To overcome these limitations, a novel oversampling method called 4PIOM is presented. 4PIOM further enhances the IOM algorithm by reducing the simulation step and sampling period. The validity of the new method is demonstrated by comparison with previous proposals and also with the same model without any oversampling. Both experimental and MATLAB simulation results prove its superior performance in attenuating the aliasing oscillations and improving the quality of the simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Antibiotics have been prescribed routinely in sialendoscopy procedures to reduce the risk of postoperative infection, despite the limited evidence supporting this practice. Being necessary to assess the need for antibiotics in Sialendoscopy, aiming to provide evidence-based guidance to clinicians regarding antibiotic administration in this procedure. Materials & method: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the of prophylactic antibiotics in Sialendoscopy was designed. Results: A total of 80 patients were included in this study, including 57 females (71.8%) and 23 males (28.8%). In terms of prophylaxis, 36 patients (45%) received prophylactic treatment, and 44 patients (55%) did not. The occurrence of infectious events was observed in 2 patients (5.6%) with prophylaxis and 4 patients (9.1%) without prophylaxis. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.556). Conclusion: In conclusion, our prospective, randomized clinical trial aimed to address the debate regarding the use of prophylactic antibiotics in sialendoscopy. Our study's findings suggest that the routine use antibiotics may not be necessary to prevent postoperative infections in sialendoscopy procedures. These results have important implications for clinical practice, potentially reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics and addressing concerns related to antibiotic resistance and adverse drug reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and use of diverse picturebooks to support reading development and social-emotional skills are gaining acceptance and broader use. With this shift, new measures of efficacy are needed to confirm, bolster, and source new policies and strategies for family and classroom literacy practices. To this end, the Reading Builds Empathy (RBE) literacy study sought to develop and pilot a new instrument that uses picturebook reading as a way to understand empathy development. The RBE study participants included 21 parent-child dyads (N = 42) and piloted a tool that was created to measure children's empathy development for children ages six–eight. The tool includes collecting parent reports of children's at-home literacy practices and engagement with picturebooks as well as parents' perspectives on their child's empathy development. The tool also includes a researcher-administered tool to directly measure children's empathy development in a developmentally appropriate format across three domains: affective, cognitive, and ethnocultural empathy. This paper describes the process for instrument development, initial pilot data, considerations for changes to the instrument, and ideas for how the instrument can be used in future intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable trimmings can be used to stabilize edible O/W Pickering emulsions. The lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) from the leek trimmings was mechanically treated to produce high-yield lignocellulose micro and nanofibrils (LCF) using a high-pressure homogenizer (HPH). Different O/W phase ratios (20/80, 30/70, and 40/60 wt.%) were studied. The use of the micro/nano cellulosic fibers increased the stabilization of the Pickering emulsions by 30–40%. In all cases, stable emulsions were obtained, with emulsification indexes > 92%. The respective stabilization mechanism was thoroughly analysed from confocal laser scanning, and cryo-scanning electron microscopy, which showed the fibers are not coating the droplets but forming a network that traps the droplets and prevents coalescence. The most stable batch formulations, O/W 30/70 wt.% (LCB 4.2 wt.%) and O/W 40/60 wt.% (LCB 3.6 wt.%), were also studied in continuous mode using NETmix technology. Results show the scale-up feasibility of the production of Pickering emulsions containing LCF. Most significantly, this work proposes a continuous process to produce Pickering emulsions stabilized with a natural biopolymer extracted from leek trimmings, which is suitable to industrial manufacturing processes. This valorizes the vegetable trimmings that are usually tossed away as waste, creating new market niches and business models based on circular economy concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs) in particular, contribute greatly to the global burden of disease. Psychedelics, including entactogens and dissociative substances, are currently being explored for the treatment of SUDs, yet with less empirical clinical evidence than for other mental health disorders, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this narrative review, we discuss the current clinical research evidence, therapeutic potential and safety of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ibogaine, particularly in the context of the SUD treatment. Our aim was to provide a balanced overview of the current research and findings on potential benefits and harms of psychedelics in clinical settings for SUD treatment. We highlight the need for more clinical research in this particular treatment area and point out some limitations and challenges to be addressed in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain tumour in adults. Its infiltrative nature and heterogeneity confer a dismal prognosis, despite multimodal treatment. Precision medicine is increasingly advocated to improve survival rates in glioblastoma management; however, conventional neuroimaging techniques are insufficient in providing the detail required for accurate diagnosis of this complex condition. Recent Findings: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging allows more comprehensive understanding of the tumour microenvironment. Combining diffusion and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging to create a multiparametric scan enhances diagnostic power and can overcome the unreliability of tumour characterisation by standard imaging. Recent progress in deep learning algorithms establishes their remarkable ability in image-recognition tasks. Integrating these with multiparametric scans could transform the diagnosis and monitoring of patients by ensuring that the entire tumour is captured. As a corollary, radiomics has emerged as a powerful approach to offer insights into diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and tumour response through extraction of information from radiological scans, and transformation of these tumour characteristics into quantitative data. Radiogenomics, which links imaging features with genomic profiles, has exhibited its ability in characterising glioblastoma, and determining therapeutic response, with the potential to revolutionise management of glioblastoma. Summary: The integration of deep learning algorithms into radiogenomic models has established an automated, highly reproducible means to predict glioblastoma molecular signatures, further aiding prognosis and targeted therapy. However, challenges including lack of large cohorts, absence of standardised guidelines and the 'black-box' nature of deep learning algorithms, must first be overcome before this workflow can be applied in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Natpara's submission to the US FDA, which led to the first recorded regulatory interaction where a decision was supported by Quantitative and Systems Pharmacology (QSP) simulations. It had taken about 5 years for the timid QSP discipline to emerge as an effective Model-Informed Drug Development (MIDD) tool with visible impact in the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, the presence of QSP in the regulatory environment has continued to increase, to the point that the Agency reported 60 QSP submissions in 2020 alone, representing ~ 4% of their annual IND submissions [1]. What sort of industry mindset has enabled QSP to reach this level of success? How does QSP fit within the MIDD paradigm? Does QSP mean the same to Discovery and to Clinical Development projects? How do 'platforms' compare to 'fit-for-purpose' QSP models in an industrial setting? Can QSP and empirical Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modelling be complementary? What level of validation is required to inform drug development decisions? This article reflects on all these questions, in particular addressing those audiences with limited line-of-sight into the drug industry decision-making machinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) modeling is increasingly applied in the pharmaceutical industry to influence decision making across a wide range of stages from early discovery to clinical development to post-marketing activities. Development of standards for how these models are constructed, assessed, and communicated is of active interest to the modeling community and regulators but is complicated by the wide variability in the structures and intended uses of the underlying models and the diverse expertise of QSP modelers. With this in mind, the IQ Consortium conducted a survey across the pharmaceutical/biotech industry to understand current practices for QSP modeling. This article presents the survey results and provides insights into current practices and methods used by QSP practitioners based on model type and the intended use at various stages of drug development. The survey also highlights key areas for future development including better integration with statistical methods, standardization of approaches towards virtual populations, and increased use of QSP models for late-stage clinical development and regulatory submissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current climate change situation could bring critical effects for marine species, especially those already considered endangered. Although some species can adapt fast to the environmental changes, it is necessary to get into the worst scenario and develop tools to anticipatedly assess the physiological effects of such environmental change. With this purpose, our study aims to determine the effect of a range of seawater temperatures and pHs on sperm motility in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Low seawater pH (6.5–7.4) decreased the eel sperm motility in comparison to the control (pH = 8.2). We also studied the combined effect of the pH of the artificial seminal plasma (the plasma where the sperm cells are suspended) with the pH of Artificial Sea Water (ASW, pH 7.8 or and 8.2). We did not find statistical differences in sperm motility and kinetic parameters caused by the artificial seminal plasma pH. However, seawater pH induced significantly higher values of total sperm motility, and the percentage of fast spermatozoa with a pH of 8.2 in comparison with a pH of 7.8. In contrast, the seawater temperature did not affect sperm motility parameters or sperm longevity. To study the effect of the interaction between seawater temperature and pH on sperm motility, two temperatures: 4 and 24 °C, and two pHs 7.8 and 8.2, were tested. There were significant differences between temperature and pH in several kinetic parameters and, in general, the lowest values were observed in the samples activated at low temperature and low pH (4 °C, pH 7.8). This work suggest that eel sperm motility and kinetics will not be affected by the expected changes in pH or temperature due to the climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative AI (GenAI) is a rapidly growing technology that is expected to transform business and society. An important question is how it will affect platforms and their ecosystems, especially human-generated content upon which many platforms rely. We develop an analytical model to study the economic impact of content platforms that use GenAI, namely GenAI content platforms (GCPs). A GCP connects consumers to content generated by creators or the GenAI and offers APIs and tools to developers who build new applications in a third market. We find that although platforms have incentives to moderate the use of GenAI, this technology increases prices and reduces the quantity and number of content creators. This effect is not homogeneous, as GenAI has less influence on competitive or high entry-cost markets. Consequently, consumer welfare in content markets is reduced, but this decline varies by market. Overall, our analysis contributes to the platform and the AI economics research literature by providing testable hypotheses about the impact of GenAI in platform settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the link between peer victimization and callous-unemotional (CU) traits has primarily relied on cross-sectional designs and yielded equivocal findings. In light of the poor outcomes related to peer victimization and CU traits, it is important to determine whether this link is reciprocal in nature and to identify factors that may influence its strength. Accordingly, the current study investigated the bidirectional association between peer victimization and CU traits over a 6-month period, accounting for the moderating effects of parents (i.e., support and hostility) and teachers (i.e., support and conflict). Participants included 284 third- through fifth-grade students (ages 7–12; 51.8% boys; 51.1% Hispanic) and their homeroom teachers. Children provided ratings of peer victimization, parental hostility, and parent and teacher support. Teachers provided ratings of CU traits and student-teacher conflict. A series of cross-lagged panel models were estimated. Results revealed that, at higher levels of parental hostility, peer victimization predicted increases in CU traits over time; in contrast, peer victimization predicted decreases in CU traits at lower levels of parental hostility. Surprisingly, at higher levels of teacher conflict, peer victimization predicted decreases in CU traits over time. CU traits did not interact with parent or teacher variables to predict subsequent peer victimization. Moreover, parental hostility was positively associated with subsequent peer victimization, whereas teacher support predicted decreases in victimization over time. These findings build on previous research examining environmental influences on the expression of CU traits by highlighting peer victimization and parental hostility as potential risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The day gecko Phelsuma borbonica displays marked differences in coloration and occupies a variety of habitats across its very small range on the volcanic oceanic island of Reunion in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Such differences might reflect geographic and ecological divergence and thus be associated with an underlying genetic differentiation. We examined the partitioning of genetic diversity in Phelsuma borbonica across Reunion at a very small spatial scale (< 10 km) using mtDNA and nuDNA sequences, along with microsatellite genotype data. This study provides an account of the evolutionary history of Phelsuma borbonica, along with a quantification of effective population sizes, which constitute important information for the conservation of this endangered species, which may represent a previously unrecognized case of incipient speciation. We found that populations of Phelsuma borbonica are genetically strongly differentiated, highlighting historically low levels of gene flow. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that Phelsuma borbonica reached its present range through two parallel southward expansions from an ancestral population located in the northern part of the island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we model an evolutionary noncooperative game between politicians and citizens that, given the level of infection, describes the observed variety of mitigation policies and citizens' compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Our results show that different stable equilibria exist and that different ways/paths exist to reach these equilibria may be present, depending on the choice of parameters. When the parameters are chosen opportunistically, in the short run, our model generates transitions between hard and soft policy measures to deal with the pandemic. In the long-run, convergence is achieved toward one of the possible stable steady states (obey or not obey lockdown rules) as functions of politicians' and citizens' incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as an essential bedside tool for clinicians, but lack of access to ultrasound equipment has been a top barrier to POCUS use. Recently, several handheld ultrasound devices ("handhelds") have become available, and clinicians are seeking data to guide purchasing decisions. Few comparative studies of different handhelds have been done. We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing 6 handhelds readily available in the United States (Butterfly iQ + ™ by Butterfly Network Inc.; Clarius™ by Clarius Mobile Health; Kosmos™ by EchoNous; TE Air™ by Mindray; Vscan Air™ SL and CL by General Electric; and Lumify™ by Philips Healthcare). A multi-specialty group of physician POCUS experts (n = 35) acquired three standard ultrasound views (abdominal right upper quadrant, cardiac apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views) in random order on the same standardized patients and rated the image quality. Afterward, a final survey of the overall ease of use, image quality, and satisfaction of each handheld was completed. Results: Thirty-five POCUS experts specializing in internal medicine/hospital medicine, critical care, emergency medicine, and nephrology acquired and rated right upper quadrant, apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views with 6 different handhelds. For image quality, the highest-rated handhelds were Vscan Air™ for the right upper quadrant view, Mindray TE Air™ for the cardiac apical 4-chamber view, and Lumify™ for superficial views of the neck and lung. Overall satisfaction with image quality was highest with Vscan Air™, Lumify™, and Mindray, while overall satisfaction with ease of use was highest with Vscan Air™. The 5 most desirable characteristics of handhelds were image quality, ease of use, portability, probe size, and battery life. Ultimately, all 6 handhelds had notable advantages and disadvantages, with no single device having all desired qualities or features. Conclusions: The overall satisfaction with image quality was rated highest with Vscan Air™, Lumify™, and Mindray TE Air™when acquiring right upper quadrant, apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views. No single handheld was perceived to be superior in image quality for all views. Vscan Air™ was rated highest for overall ease of use and was the most preferred handheld for purchase by POCUS experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]