Browse Articles

Dietary intake of live microbes mitigates the mortality risk associated with sedentary behavior in US hypertensive individuals

What drives the effectiveness of social distancing in combating COVID-19 across U.S. states?

We propose a new theory of information-based voluntary social distancing in which people’s responses to disease prevalence depend on the credibility of reported cases and fatalities and vary locally. We embed this theory into a new pandemic prediction and policy analysis framework that blends compartmental epidemiological/economic models with Machine Learning. We find that lockdown effectiveness varies widely across US States during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that voluntary social distancing is higher in more informed states, and increasing information could have substantially changed social distancing and fatalities.

Accelerated synthesis of 3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives using nano-SiO2-SO3H as an efficient acidic catalyst

Retraction: Urban transportation system toughness assessment under New Crown epidemics

Enhancing noninvasive pancreatic cystic neoplasm diagnosis with multimodal machine learning

Correction: Clusters from chronic conditions in the Danish adult population

Mesophotic reefs offer thermal refuge to the 2023 Caribbean mass bleaching event in the Cayman Islands

Assessing potential collateral effects on amphibians from insecticide applications for flea control and plague mitigation

Ideal disease mitigation measures for wildlife are safe and benign for target species, non-target organisms, the environment, and humans. Identifying collateral (i.e., unintended) effects is a key consideration in implementing such actions. Deltamethrin dust and fipronil-laced baits represent a group of insecticides that target fleas (pulicides) and are used to control flea (Siphonaptera) vectors of the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis to protect prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) and their plague-susceptible obligate predators, endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes). A variety of animals use prairie dog burrows as refuge, which potentially exposes them to deltamethrin, and to fipronil and its metabolites in fecal pellets excreted by prairie dogs and other mammals that have eaten fipronil baits. We assessed the potential effects of deltamethrin and fipronil residues on survival, body mass, and activity of western tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium), a burrow-inhabiting amphibian. Pulicides were applied at realistic concentrations in mesocosms mimicking burrows. Treatments included (1) deltamethrin dust and non-treated prairie dog fecal pellets, (2) prairie dog fecal pellets containing fipronil and fipronil sulfone, and (3) un-treated prairie dog fecal pellets as controls. All 29 salamanders survived the experiment. We did not detect pulicide residues in any control salamanders. Fipronil sulfone was detected in tissues from 3 of 10 salamanders in the fipronil treatment and deltamethrin was detected in tissues from 9 of 11 salamanders in the deltamethrin treatment. Salamanders were observed outside of burrows more frequently after treatments than before. Deltamethrin concentrations in whole body samples correlated positively with the amount of time salamanders were inside burrows. Acute, lethal effects were not detected, but uptake of deltamethrin and, to a lesser extent fipronil sulfone, into salamander tissues indicated the potential for long-term effects on this non-target species. Identifying potential collateral effects is an important aspect of evaluating mitigation actions implemented to protect endangered species.

Tomographic and volcanotectonic control on the 2021–2023 Fagradalsfjall eruptions, Iceland

Abstract Shortly before the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption tomographic images indicated a large high Vp/Vs anomaly with a top at about 9 km depth directly below the ongoing seismic swarm. Using volcanotectonic principles we interpret this anomaly as part of the roof of a magma reservoir which, furthermore, ruptured on 24 February 2021. The roof rupture resulted in an injected dike-segment propagating vertically at an average rate of about 0.2 m s− 1 until it became arrested beneath a stress barrier at ~ 2 km depth, from where the dike-segment propagated laterally. Further magma injections took place, following largely the path of the first dike-segment, resulting in part of the dike reaching outside the stress barrier and propagating vertically as a tiny ‘finger’ to form a 180-m-long disconnected fissure at the surface on 19 March 2021. The estimated maximum length of the arrested dike is about 9 km, its height 7 km, and its thickness 4 m – in excellent agreement with direct field measurements of basaltic dikes in Iceland. Seismicity also indicates that the same dike path was partly used during the 2022 and 2023 eruptions, in agreement with the location of the resulting volcanic fissures, resulting in the formation of a multiple feeder-dike.

Rubus coreanus extract prevents kidney fibrosis through TGF-β/Smad pathway inhibition

Rubus coreanus has been found to have various health benefits including anti-oxidative effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of water-soluble extract of Rubus coreanus (MN705) in preventing kidney fibrosis in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and in an in vitro model of TGF-β-challenged HK-2 cells. Male C57BL/6 mice (7 weeks old) were randomly assigned to the sham/vehicle (distilled water), sham/MN705 (600 mg/kg/day), UUO/vehicle, UUO/MN705-low dose (300 mg/kg/day), and UUO/MN705-high dose (600 mg/kg/day) groups. After 7 days of pre-treatment, sham or UUO operation was performed, and treatment drugs were administered at the same dose for 7 days. In addition, HK-2 cells and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells were cultured and challenged with TGF-β (2 ng/ml) with or without an extract of Rubus coreanus (0.05–0.2 mg/ml). In the histopathological specimen of Masson’s trichrome stain, areas of kidney interstitial fibrosis were attenuated in the treatment group (10.6 ± 1.3% area vs. 17.2 ± 2.3% area, P < 0.001). In the western blot analysis, protein abundance of α-SMA (12.9 ± 5.9 vs. 19.8 ± 3.1 fold changes compared to sham group, P = 0.046) significantly decreased in the treatment group. In the in vitro experiment, HK-2 cells treated with TGF-β and MN705 showed a dose-dependent significant decrease in the protein expression of fibronectin and phospho-Smad2/3 with increase of MnSOD. The extract of Rubus coreanus attenuates kidney fibrosis in the UUO mouse model and TGF-β-treated human kidney proximal tubular cells. TGF-β-related Smad and Smurf signaling pathways involved in the development of fibrosis are effectively inhibited through extract of Rubus coreanus and can be a potential target for prevention of kidney fibrosis.

A quasiexperimental study of assessing the impact of stress management program on health science students at Kuwait University

Heparinase I treatment to overcome RNA quantification interference in heparinized liver donor samples: One size fits all?

Background MicroRNAs have emerged as potential biomarkers of liver injury during organ transplantation due to their specificity, easy detection and stability in many biofluids. Heparin, which has a well-known inhibitory effect on RT-qPCR based measurements, is commonly used during organ donation. Heparinase I treatment has been used to overcome the inhibiting effect of heparin in RNA RT-qPCR analysis. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding its effective, feasible use improving specific miRNA quantification yield in the liver transplant setting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of heparinase I on miRNA detection levels by RT-qPCR in different samples from liver donors. Methods Prospective, single-centre study including evaluation of liver biopsy, perfusate fluid and serum from deceased organ donors from October 2019 to May 2021. Samples from brain death donors (DBD, n = 4) and donors after circulatory death recovered with abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (DCD n = 4) were analysed for the presence of liver-injury related miRNAs (miR-122 and miR-148a) in the absence or presence of heparinase I (6 IU or 12 IU) to evaluate its effect on miRNA detection levels by RT-qPCR. A subgroup of heparinized serum samples from patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass was analysed for validation purposes. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06611046), and accrual is complete. Results The expression of miR-122 relative to reference genes was 44.5, 16.8 and 4.2-fold higher in liver biopsy, perfusates and serum respectively, while miR-148a was 3.4, 2.2 and 2.6-fold higher, without differential expression between donor groups (p > 0.05). Heparinase I treatment did not improve PCR results and affected miRNA detection yields in a dose-dependent way with delayed and dispersed Ct values. In highly heparinized DCD serum samples, heparinase I treatment significantly reduced the relative expression of miR-122 and miR-148a compared to non-treated samples, 2-fold and 6.1-fold, p < 0.05 respectively. Moreover, treatment with heparinase I led to a rise in lost values, from 12.5% to 25% in perfusates and 67.7% to 68.7% in serum samples treated with 6IU and 12IU of heparinase I respectively. Conclusions The need for heparinase I treatment to overcome RNA quantification interference in heparinized samples should be addressed in each individual analysis. Heparin inhibition seems variable among miRNAs, and the additional handling with heparinase may affect reliable miRNA quantification due to RNA degradation, introducing bias in gene expression interpretation.

A novel approach to cancer treatment planning using inverse sum indeg index of fuzzy graphs

Internationalization of family firms on innovation: Moderating impact of socioemotional wealth and institutional environment

Currently, there is a lack of research specifically investigating the influence of internationalization on the innovation of family firms. This paper aims to investigate the influence of both internationalization depth and breadth on the innovation of family firms. Additionally, it aims to analyze how socioemotional wealth (SEW) and regional institutional environment in the home country influence this relationship. To test the hypotheses, a questionnaire survey was carried out with a sample of 253 family firms situated in eight provinces or municipalities in China. The results are as follows: First, internationalization depth negatively influenced family firm innovation, whereas internationalization breadth positively influenced family firm innovation. Second, the negative influence of internationalization depth on innovation was pronounced at a high level of family control, whereas the positive influence of internationalization breadth on innovation was pronounced at a low level of transgenerational succession intention in family firms. Third, a well-developed institutional environment strengthened the relationship between internationalization and innovation in family firms. This research enriches the literature on internationalization and innovation in family firms, and offers useful insights for practitioners.

Circadian rhythm and aryl hydrocarbon receptor crosstalk in bone marrow adipose tissue and implications in leukemia

Insomnia symptoms among individuals with osteoarthritis and symptoms indicative of osteoarthritis: A population-based cross-sectional study using the CLSA

Objective To compare the prevalence and examine the likelihood of insomnia symptoms in middle- and older-aged adults with an osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis and with joint symptoms indicative of OA but without a diagnosis, in a population-based sample. Methods Data are from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (participants aged >45). Individuals reported on doctor-diagnosed OA (hand, hip, or knee) and joint symptoms typical of OA, irrespective of OA diagnosis. A three-level ‘OA-status’ variable was derived: diagnosed OA; joint symptoms-no OA; no symptoms-no OA (controls). Participants responded to sleep-related questions and were categorized as experiencing insomnia symptoms (yes/no). Logistic regression analysis examined the association between insomnia symptoms and OA status, adjusting for a number of covariates. Results Of 21,422 respondents, OA was reported by 29.1% (mean age 68.2) and 17.2% reported joint symptoms-no OA (mean age 63.9). One third of those with diagnosed OA and with joint symptoms-no OA reported insomnia symptoms compared to a quarter of controls. Those with OA and with joint symptoms-no OA were similarly more likely to report insomnia symptoms than controls (odds ratio (OR) 1.25, 95% CI 1.17–1.35 and OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21–1.43). Also significantly associated with insomnia symptoms were female sex, current smoker, lower activity level, multiple chronic conditions and depressive symptoms. Odds ratio magnitudes were greatest for depressive symptoms (OR 2.50, 95% CI 2.26–2.76), comorbidity count (3 + vs. 0 OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.47–1.91) and female sex (OR 1.46, 95% 1.37–1.55). Conclusion Insomnia symptoms were not uncommon among comparatively younger individuals with typical OA joint symptoms and those with OA. This suggests that healthcare providers should address sleep-related issues in those consulting for joint pain, irrespective of diagnosis. Given their high prevalence, this also has implications for sleep-related issues at a population level.

Augustus’ solar meridian functioning and the birth of the western leap year

The protocol for a pilot feasibility trial of Improving Neurodevelopmental ouTcomes After prenatal Cannabinoid in uTero exposure (INTACT) study for a multi-center trial

Background Legalization of recreational cannabis use is expanding across the United States, and prenatal cannabis has steadily increased. Evidence suggests that many pregnant individuals use cannabis to relieve symptoms like nausea. Research has demonstrated an association between prenatal cannabinoid exposure and infant deficits in attention, planning, and memory. In other high-risk populations, interventions aimed at increasing parental responsiveness have improved cognitive functioning in the children. This pilot trial aims to utilize a contingent responding training program in birthing parent-infant dyads with prenatal cannabinoid exposure to assess the feasibility of recruitment, completion of the proposed intervention and adherence. Methods This study will enroll post-partum birthing parents who used cannabinoid products during pregnancy at three clinical sites. After consenting and confirming eligibility, birthing parents will be oriented to the online program Play and Learning Strategies (ePALS) by the study team member, after which they will complete asynchronous monthly modules for 12 months that highlight aspects of contingent responding. Study staff at each site will be trained as coaches, meeting monthly with the birthing parent to review and reinforce the areas of focus. The primary objectives of the study will focus on the ability to recruit eligible birthing caregivers with cannabinoid use during pregnancy, the ability to retain participants for the intervention duration as measured through completion of the study session when the child is 12 months of age, and to assess the overall participant adherence of monthly sessions. Discussion As cannabinoid use during pregnancy becomes more prevalent, it is critical that we can provide interventions to optimize infant developmental outcomes. This pilot trial is focused on adapting a proven intervention used in other high-risk populations to determine if it can be applied to this population. If successful, a future trial would focus on the efficacy of this intervention following prenatal cannabinoid exposure. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT06423664.

Optimal entanglement distribution within a multi-ring topology

Automated self-service cohort selection for large-scale population sciences and observational research: The California Teachers Study researcher platform

Objective Cohort selection is ubiquitous and essential, but manual and ad hoc approaches are time-consuming, labor-intense, and difficult to scale. We sought to automate the task of cohort selection by building self-service tools that enable researchers to independently generate datasets for population sciences research. Materials and Methods The California Teachers Study (CTS) is a prospective observational study of 133,477 women who have been followed continuously since 1995. The CTS includes extensive survey-based and real-world data from cancer, hospitalization, and mortality linkages. We curated data from our data warehouse into a column-oriented database and developed a researcher-facing web application that guides researchers through the project lifecycle; captures researchers’ inputs; and automatically generates custom and analysis-ready data, code, dictionaries, and documentation. Results Researchers can register, access data, and propose projects on the CTS Researcher Platform via our CTS website. The Platform supports cohort and cross-sectional study designs for cancer, mortality, and any other ICD-based phenotypes or endpoints. User-friendly prompts and menus capture analytic design, inclusion/exclusion criteria, endpoint definitions, censoring rules, and covariate selection. Our platform empowers researchers everywhere to query, choose, review, and automatically and quickly receive custom data, analytic scripts, and documentation for their research projects. Research teams can review, revise, and update their choices anytime. Discussion We replaced inefficient traditional cohort-selection processes with an integrated self-service approach that simplifies and improves cohort selection for all stakeholders. Compared with manual methods, our solution is faster and more scalable, user-friendly, and collaborative. Other studies could re-configure our individual database, project-tracking, website, and data-delivery components for their own specific needs, or they could utilize other widely available solutions (e.g., alternative database or project-tracking tools) to enable similarly automated cohort-selection in their own settings. Our comprehensive and flexible framework could be adopted to improve cohort selection in other population sciences and observational research settings.