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Degradable film mulching recruited beneficial microbiota and increased rhizosphere bacterial diversity in sunflower
Structural plasticity of the FOXO-DBD:p53-TAD interaction
Developing an evaluation framework for public health environmental surveillance: Protocol for an international, multidisciplinary Delphi consensus study
Introduction Public health environmental surveillance has evolved, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, with wastewater-based surveillance being a prominent example. As surveillance methods expand, it is important to have a robust evaluation of surveillance systems. This consensus study will develop an evaluation framework for public health environmental surveillance, informed by the expanding practice of wastewater-based surveillance during the pandemic. Methods The public health environmental surveillance evaluation framework will be developed in five steps. In Step 1, a multinational and multidisciplinary executive group will be formed to guide the framework development process. In Step 2, candidate items will be generated by conducting relevant scoping reviews and consultation with the study executive group. In Step 3, an international electronic Delphi will be conducted over two rounds to develop consensus on items for the framework. In Step 4, the executive group will reconvene to finalize the evaluation framework, discuss standout items, and determine the dissemination strategies. Lastly, Step 5 will focus on disseminating the evaluation framework to all parties involved with or affected by wastewater-based surveillance using traditional and public-oriented methods. Discussion The Delphi consensus study will provide multidisciplinary and multinational consensus for the evaluation framework, by providing a set of minimum criteria required for the evaluation of public health environmental surveillance systems. The evaluation framework is intended to support the sustainability of environmental surveillance and improve its implementation, reliability, credibility, and value.
Probe amplifications in the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay for non-tuberculous mycobacteria identified from diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease patients in Ethiopia
Chiral polaron formation on the edge of topological quantum matter
Optimization of dried blood spot for hepatitis B virus surface antibody quantification
Dried blood spot (DBS) cards can be used as an alternative sample collection method to plasma, however, there is no optimized elution protocol for DBS cards specifically for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) testing. The study aimed to develop a DBS elution protocol for anti-HBs quantification. Our study sought to determine the ideal phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) volume to use by comparing three PBS volumes (300 µL, 450 µL, and 500 µL), and the optimal time to agitate DBS discs on a plate shaker (1, 2, 3, and 4 hours) to yield DBS anti-HBs concentrations that are comparable to corresponding plasma anti-HBs concentrations. The optimal DBS storage temperature (25°C, -20°C, and -80°C) was investigated to determine the ideal long-term storage temperature of the cards. Residual samples were used for optimization (2019–2021). A total of 50 DBS-plasma pairs were used throughout the study, with plasma anti-HBs concentrations being used as the golden standard to compare. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was also performed to determine the impact of PBS elution volumes, elution time, and storage temperature on the anti-HBs concentration of DBS samples. No statistically significant difference between the DBS-plasma anti-HBs pairs was observed when using 450 or 500 µL of PBS and when samples were agitated for 3 hours (p = 0.59, p = 0.50) respectively. The optimal storage temperature for DBS cards was 25°C because the results showed no statistically significant difference between DBS-plasma anti-HBs titers (p = 0.59). The two-way ANOVA analysis showed that elution volumes and time had no statistically significant impact on the DBS anti-HBs concentrations, p = 0.95 and p = 0.38 respectively. Storage temperature had a statistically significant impact on the DBS anti-HBs concentrations, p = 0.002. The optimized DBS elution protocol for anti-HBs quantification will help monitor vaccine efficacy in infants due to the low sample volumes required compared to plasma and also can be used for anti-HBs testing in resource-limited areas around the country.
Effects of venetoclax, a BCL2 inhibitor, in systemic chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease
Abstract Systemic chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease (sCAEBV) is a chemotherapy-resistant, EBV-positive T- or NK-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by persistent systemic inflammation driven by the activation of EBV-infected cells. In this study, we explored BCL2, an anti-apoptotic factor implicated in various hematopoietic malignancies, as a potential therapeutic target for sCAEBV, focusing on the effects of its inhibitor, venetoclax. We confirmed BCL2 expression in EBV-positive T- and NK-cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from sCAEBV patients using western blotting. Immunofluorescence staining further revealed BCL2 expression in EBV-infected cells within patient-derived PBMCs. Venetoclax treatment reduced the viability of EBV-positive cell lines and patient-derived PBMCs in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis in these cells. Moreover, venetoclax suppressed the mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ in patient-derived PBMCs. To evaluate the in vivo effects of venetoclax, we utilized sCAEBV xenograft model generated by transplanting patient-derived PBMCs into NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rγnull mice. No engraftment of EBV-infected cells was observed in mice treated with venetoclax, whereas one out of three mice in the untreated group exhibited engraftment of EBV-positive cells and tumor formation. Venetoclax treatment showed an insignificant trend to reducing IFN-γ levels in peripheral blood in established xenograft models. To our knowledge, this is the first report to suggest that venetoclax exerts not only anti-tumor effects but also potential anti-inflammatory effects in sCAEBV. BCL2 represents a promising therapeutic target to address the two pathological characteristics of sCAEBV: malignancy and inflammation.
Local nutrient addition drives plant diversity losses but not biotic homogenization in global grasslands
Abstract Nutrient enrichment typically causes local plant diversity declines. A common but untested expectation is that nutrient enrichment also reduces variation in nutrient conditions among localities and selects for a smaller pool of species, causing greater diversity declines at larger than local scales and thus biotic homogenization. Here we apply a framework that links changes in species richness across scales to changes in the numbers of spatially restricted and widespread species for a standardized nutrient addition experiment across 72 grasslands on six continents. Overall, we find proportionally similar species loss at local and larger scales, suggesting similar declines of spatially restricted and widespread species, and no biotic homogenization after 4 years and up to 14 years of treatment. These patterns of diversity changes are generally consistent across species groups. Thus, nutrient enrichment poses threats to plant diversity, including for widespread species that are often critical for ecosystem functions.
Anxiety and depression among patients with migraine: A single-center cross-sectional study in Malaysia
Background Migraine is a chronic neurological problem with a psychological comorbidity. However, anxiety and depression among patients with migraine have not been thoroughly investigated in Southeast Asia. Thus, we aimed to elucidate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with migraine, as well as the associated factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and March 2024 at the National University of Malaysia. The participants’ data were collected prior to completing two questionnaires, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), which were used to evaluate depression and anxiety, respectively. Results A total of 246 participants who were diagnosed with migraine were recruited for this study. The mean age of the participants was 46.19 years (SD: ± 14.75). Additionally, 77.6% of the participants were female. Moreover, 27.7% of the participants had anxiety alone, 15.9% had depression alone, and 11.8% had both anxiety and depression. A younger age (p = 0.03), earlier age of migraine onset (r(246) -0.178, p < 0.01), background history of asthma (r(246) 0.161, p < 0.05), lower household income range (r(246) -0.179, p < 0.01), increased pain severity (r(246) 0.211, p < 0.01), frequency of attack (r(246) 0.139, p < 0.05), use of NSAIDs (r(246) 0.134, p < 0.05), use of pizotifen (r(246) 0.169, p < 0.01), use of propranolol (r(246) 0.286, p < 0.01), use of sodium valproate (r(246) 0.146, p < 0.05), use of topiramate (r(246) 0.178, p < 0.01), use of more than one medication (r(246) 0.240, p < 0.01), use of cold therapy (r(246) 0.223, p < 0.01) and use of acupuncture (r(246) 0.260, p < 0.01) were associated with anxiety and depression in migraine patients. Conclusions Anxiety and depression are commonly observed in patients with migraine in Asia. Routine assessments for anxiety and depression should be performed to ensure holistic management of migraine.
Study on multi-parameter optimization of seismic isolation bearings for continuous girder bridges considering interactions among key parameters
Surveillance of avian influenza through bird guano in remote regions of the global south to uncover transmission dynamics
The impact of physical activity variety on physical activity participation
Background and aims Variety (i.e., multiple types of activities) may be effective for increasing physical activity (PA) based on previous research; however, research is needed to evaluate variety’s impact on psychosocial variables. Methods This exploratory study examined the effect of a home-based PA variety intervention on PA participation and psychosocial variables (motivation, psychological needs satisfaction, enjoyment, boredom, variety perception, PA feeling, self-efficacy, and affect) in an eight-week randomized intervention trial. Participants (n = 47; mean age, 19.9 + /- 1.9; 75% female) were low-active, 18–25-year-old college students randomized to participate in the PA variety intervention or the consistency comparison condition. All participants received weekly individual counseling. The PA variety intervention received 14 unique high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts with instructions to complete at least three different workouts per week, and the consistency comparison received one HIIT workout to complete at least three times per week. Priori comparisons and between groups analysis of covariance were used to examine findings. Results Participants in the variety condition reported marginally significant more weekly moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = .072) over the course of the intervention and higher psychological needs satisfaction (p = .099) at four weeks relative to the comparison. The variety intervention condition reported significantly higher perceived autonomy (p = .013) within psychological needs at four weeks, PA feelings of tranquility (p = .005) at eight weeks, and PA self-efficacy (p = .025) at eight weeks relative to the comparison. Conclusions This exploratory study revealed there was preliminary evidence that variety may lead to improved psychological responses to PA among college-age individuals, although findings should be interpreted with caution given the use of marginal significance. Future studies should examine how a variety of different activities (e.g., cycling, tennis, group fitness classes) influence motivation and PA, in addition to including larger and more diverse samples. Practitioners should support clients’ psychological needs and provide home-based PA options.
Nutrient intakes and metabolomic profiles associated with animal source energy percentage in children’s diets
Abstract The purpose of the study was to calculate the relative intake of animal source energy (animal source energy percentage, ASEP) and examine its utility in nutrition and metabolic research with a special attention on children. In addition, the capacity of ASEP to identify potential metabolic biomarkers of plant-forward diets was tested. Four-day food records and 7-day dietary screeners of 51 Finnish children aged 1–7 years, consuming a vegan (n = 7), pesco-/lacto-/ovo-vegetarian (n = 11) or omnivorous diet (n = 33), were used for assessing general performance of ASEP as diet measure. Blood samples of 40 children (six vegans, eight vegetarians, 26 omnivores) were analyzed for plasma LDL cholesterol, erythrocyte folate concentration and serum untargeted MS-metabolomics. Estimated ASEPs varied between 0% and 52%. Vegetarians and omnivores showed overlapping ASEPs. ASEP had a strong positive correlation with saturated fatty acid (percent of energy, E%; r = 0.785) and cholesterol intake (r = 0.715) and a strong negative correlation with fibre (r = − 0.811) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (E%; r = − 0.819) intake. ASEP also correlated with plasma LDL cholesterol (r = 0.699) concentration. Serum indoleacrylic acid (IAA) is suggested to be further investigated as a possible biomarker of plant-forward diet. ASEP provides a useful tool for objective and quantitative assessment of diet characteristics in research.
Uneven renewable energy supply constrains the decarbonization effects of excessively deployed hydrogen-based DRI technology
Correction: A cross-sectional study on the assessment of adherence to cardiovascular medications in Sudan heart center
Immunogenic cell death biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis and mechanism via integrated bioinformatics
Mercapto-functionalized scaffold improves perovskite buried interfaces for tandem photovoltaics
A novel approach to explore common prime divisor graphs and their degree based topological descriptor
For the construction of a common prime divisor graph, we consider an integer ζ=∏i=1kpiγi≥2 with its prime factorization, where pi′s are distinct primes and γi′s are fixed positive integers. Every divisor of the integer ζ has the form x=∏i=1kpixi, with 0≤xi≤γi. There are ∏i=1k(γi+1) distinct divisors of integer ζ. Let D(ζ) be the collection of all positive divisors of ζ other than integer 1. Then we can define a simple graph on the set of divisors D(ζ) of ζ, called a common prime divisor graph ℨ(ζ) with D(ζ) as the vertex set, and we insert an edge between two distinct divisors x and y of ζ if the gcd(x,y)=pi. In this article, we will introduce and discuss some basic properties of common prime divisor graphs and we will compute some indices of symmetries associated with a class of such graphs. This study will open a new domain of graphs to investigate their invariant and to explore such indices on the different classes of common prime divisor graphs.