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Enhancement of in vitro and in vivo bone repair performance of decalcified bone/gelma by desferrioxamine
A protein tunnel that shuttles lipids around the cell
Testing job wellbeing indicators among community behavioral health workers: Community-based participatory research
Many community behavioral health organizations (CBHOs) continue to struggle with their employees’ reduced job wellbeing and job disengagement (i.e., turnover intentions, actual turnover). Understanding employees’ job wellbeing priorities in their organizational contexts is essential to address the challenges, especially for workers in diverse work settings such as CBHOs. We used community-based participatory research (CBPR) strategies to develop and test job wellbeing indicators. The current study implemented 11 indicators with 168 people employed at a CBHO through initial and 6-month follow-up surveys. Positive endorsement of job wellbeing indicators differed based on employees’ demographic (e.g., race, education, marital status) and job (e.g., exempt status, clinical positions) characteristics. Several indicators declined from the initial to the follow-up surveys (e.g., communication, job fairness, decision-making involvement, expectation alignment, supervisory support, career development opportunities). The change rates also varied by employee characteristics (e.g., work years, race, exempt status, full-time). The current study illustrates the utility of CBPR strategies to implement job wellbeing indicators based on employees’ priorities and diverse job wellbeing experiences among employee subpopulations. Further, the developed indicators revealed job wellbeing heterogeneity by employee subpopulations within an organization that is often overlooked. Efforts to understand varying job wellbeing characteristics among diverse employees may eventually help develop organization-tailored interventions to improve job wellbeing and reduce turnover.
An enhanced framework for knowledge graph embedding based on negative sample analogical reasoning
Answers to a 160-year-old riddle about the genetics of Mendel’s pea traits
Optimal adaptive cancer therapy based on evolutionary game theory
Cancer development is a dynamic and continuously evolving process, with the emergence of drug-resistant cancer cells being one of the primary reasons for the failure of traditional treatments. Adaptive therapy, as an emerging cancer treatment strategy, is increasingly being applied in oncology. In this study, we incorporate pharmacokinetics into a cancer evolutionary game theory model and propose an optimal control problem constrained by maximum drug concentration and maximum tumor burden. Firstly, we demonstrate the existence of an optimal control for this problem. Secondly, using Pontryagin’s minimum principle, we formulated the structure of the optimal control to design an optimal adaptive therapy strategy. Finally, through numerical simulations, we compare the optimal adaptive therapy strategy with other adaptive therapies and traditional treatments, and further develop personalized treatment plans for different patient groups. The results demonstrate that the optimized adaptive treatment strategy effectively preserves a high survival rate of healthy cells during treatment. By maintaining drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cell populations in a state of low-level competition, this approach prevents the proliferation of drug-resistant cells, reduces the tumor burden on patients, and extends overall survival.
Haptic size perception is influenced by body and object orientation
Abstract Changes in body orientation from standing have been shown to impact our perception of visual size. This has been attributed to the vestibular system’s involvement in constructing a representation of the space around our body. In the current study we investigated how body posture influences haptic size perception. Blindfolded participants were tasked with estimating the felt length of a rod and then adjusting it back to its previously felt size (after it had been set to a random length). Participants could feel and adjust the rod in the same posture, standing or supine, or after a change in posture. If the body orientation relative to gravity impacts size perception, we might expect changes in haptic size perception following body tilt. In support of this hypothesis, after changing between standing and supine postures there was a change in the rod’s haptically perceived length but only when the orientation of the rod itself also changed with respect to gravity but not when its orientation was constant. This suggests that body posture influences not only visual but also haptic size perception, potentially due to the vestibular system contributing to the encoding of space with respect to gravity.
Sex hormones correlate with heart rate variability in healthy women and this correlation is conserved in women with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus
The autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system regulate cardiovascular physiology, and their alterations, as occurs in type 2 diabetes mellitus, are related to the development of cardiovascular complications. Sex hormones are major regulators of both cardiovascular and nervous tissue, and during postmenopause, the lack in hormone production can increase the risk for cardiovascular and autonomic diseases, even more in metabolic impairment such as in T2DM However, the evidence regarding whether sex hormones are related to autonomic activity is inconclusive. The goal of this paper was to evaluate the correlation between sex hormones and cardiac autonomic activity, as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV), women with well-controlled type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and healthy women as the control group. Subjects and methods In this study, four groups of women were designated according to their health status (control or T2DM) and fertility status (premenopausal or postmenopausal). Five serum sex hormones were measured (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, LH and FSH), and time-domain and frequency-domain HRV indices were determined during three conditions: supine position, active standing, and rhythmic breathing. For the complete sample (n=118), bivariate Pearson correlations and linear multiple regressions were used to analyze the relationship between sex hormones, HRV indices, and other independent variables, such as glycemia and age. A p-value <0.05 was considered as significant. Results There were no differences in sex hormones or HRV indices when comparing the healthy and T2DM groups. All bivariate Pearson correlations were significant between sex hormones and HRV indices; estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone have positive correlations; meanwhile, LH and FSH were negative in the time-domain (SDNN, RMSSD, pNN20) and frequency domain (PLF and PHF) indices. Regression models adjusted for mean heartbeat intervals confirmed an association between all sex hormones and HRV indices. Estradiol maintained significance in the regression models for specific HRV indices during supine and active standing conditions even after adjusting for age and glucose levels. Conclusions All sex hormones correlate with HRV indices. Regression analysis confirms that this correlation is independent from the mean heartbeat interval. However, in regression models adjusted for age and glucose levels, only estradiol was found to be significant, and should be considered an important variable related to cardiovascular and autonomic balance in T2DM women and may provide crucial information to improve cardiovascular risk algorithms.
Enhancing xanthan hydrogels for water shutoff treatment in sandstone oil reservoirs through core flooding and CCD approach
Daily briefing: Sea-turtle conservation is working
Minimally Protected and Stereoselective <i>O</i>-Glycosylation of Carboxylic Acid Allows Rapid Access to α-1-<i>O</i>- and 2-<i>O</i>-Acyl Glycosides
Prevalence and associated factors of antenatal depression in rural Bangladesh
Background According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 322 million individuals all over the world suffered from depressive disorders in 2015. The risk of depression increases in pregnancy due to certain hormonal changes in the body. Despite the severe impacts of antenatal depression on both maternal and infant health, research on this issue remains limited in Bangladesh. Objective To identify the prevalence and associated factors of antenatal depression in rural Bangladesh. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 08 to January 14, 2024, in Lohagara, a rural subdistrict of Narail in southern Bangladesh. The study recruited 350 pregnant women in different trimesters who attended antenatal checkups at a government health complex and a private hospital. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews using the Bengali-translated version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and another structured questionnaire. Pearson’s chi-square test, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to identify associated factors. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14. Result The point prevalence of antenatal depression was 39% (38.9%, 95% CI = 33.9% to 44%). Gestational week (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2, 0.8), unintended pregnancy (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1, 3), intimate partner violence (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.1, 9.7), a history of previous diseases (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.1, 5.2), and having polygamous husbands (AOR = 13.6, 95% CI = 1.1, 164) were found significantly associated with the development of depression in pregnancy. Conclusion The high prevalence of prenatal depression in rural Bangladesh highlights the urgent need for effective intervention. Raising awareness among healthcare professionals and families of pregnant women is essential to reducing its impact. Strategic planning and policymaking are necessary to address underlying social issues such as polygamy and intimate partner violence. Additionally, providing enhanced counseling and care for women with unplanned pregnancies or pre-existing health conditions is crucial for improving maternal mental well-being.
Aerosol emission and exposure in non-invasive ventilation
Abstract From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been concern among clinicians whether the use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) contributes to aerosol generation and consequently spreading of pathogens. Most guidelines still classify these treatments as high-risk aerosol-generating procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in aerosol emissions and exposure with CPAP and HFNC compared to no breathing aid (NBA). Aerosol emissions of 16 healthy volunteers using CPAP, HFNC and NBA were measured with a portable aerosol spectrometer. During each measurement, the volunteers were instructed consecutively to breathe normally, breathe deeply, cough and read aloud a predefined text. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used in statistical analysis. Non-invasive ventilation (CPAP, HFNC) does not produce significantly more aerosol than the same respiratory activities without a breathing aid (median CPAP-NBA − 4.54 1/L, p = 0.816, and HFNC-NBA 2.27 1/L, p = 0.244), deep breathing (median CPAP-NBA − 2.27 1/L, p = 0.378 and HFNC-NBA 4.55 1/L, p = 0.623), speaking (median CPAP-NBA 0 1/L, p = 0.0523 and HFNC-NBA 9.09 1/L, p = 0.0140), or coughing (median CPAP-NBA − 17.31 1/L, p = 0.587 and HFNC-NBA 1.92 1/L, p = 0.365). The results indicate that both CPAP and HFNC have no clinically meaningful impact on aerosol emission. Therefore, the use of CPAP or HFNC does not expose healthcare personnel to greater concentrations of aerosols when compared to normal breathing in healthy participants.
The role of telehealth in sepsis care in rural emergency departments: A qualitative study of emergency department sepsis telehealth user perspectives
Purpose Sepsis is a leading cause of hospitalization and death in the United States, and rural patients are at particularly high risk. Telehealth has been proposed as one strategy to narrow rural-urban disparities. The objective of this study was to understand why rural emergency department (ED) staff use provider-to-provider telehealth (tele-ED) and how tele-ED care changes the care for rural patients with sepsis. Methods We conducted a qualitative interview study between February 15, 2022, and May 22, 2023, with participants from upper Midwest rural EDs and tele-ED hub physicians in a single tele-ED network that delivers provider-to-provider consultation for sepsis patients. One interviewer conducted individual telephone interviews, then we used standard qualitative methods based on modified grounded theory to identify themes and domains. Findings We interviewed 27 participants, and from the interviews we identified nine themes within three domains. Participants largely felt tele-ED for sepsis was valuable in their practice. We identified that telehealth was consulted to facilitate interhospital transfer, provide surge capacity for small teams, to adhere with provider scope-of-practice policies, for inexperienced providers, and for patients with increased severity of illness or complex comorbidities. Barriers to tele-ED use and impact included increased sepsis care standardization, provider reluctance, and sepsis diagnostic uncertainty. Additionally, we identified that real-time education and training were important secondary benefits identified from tele-ED use. Conclusions Tele-ED care was used by rural providers for sepsis treatment, but many barriers existed that may have limited potential benefits to its use.
Increased risk of anxiety and coping strategies in patients with selected genodermatoses with cornification disruption
Abstract People with genodermatoses face physical pain, social discrimination, and daily life challenges, all of which have an impact on their emotional and psychological well-being. The assessment of anxiety and the development of coping strategies are crucial. This study aimed to compare state and trait anxiety between healthy adults (n = 30) and patients with Mendelian Disorders of cornification (MeDOC) (n = 29). Using the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory and Coping in Stressful Situations Questionnaire, we compared anxiety levels and coping strategies between patients with MeDOC and healthy controls. Given the rarity of MeDOC, the study group is small, but the findings are highly relevant and can significantly improve patients’ well-being. Average or high levels of trait anxiety were significantly more common in the study group compared to the control group (25 vs. 18 cases; 86.2% vs. 60%, respectively; p = 0.0488). It was estimated that the risk of average or a high level of trait anxiety was over 4 times higher in the study group than in the control group (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.1–15; p = 0.0293). High-level emotion-oriented coping was significantly more frequent in the study group compared to the control group (8 vs. 1 case; 27.6% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.0259), with the risk being 11 times higher in the study group (OR = 11, 95% CI 1.3–95.2; p = 0.0288). No significant correlation was found between demographic, social, educational, clinical factors, and anxiety levels or avoidant-distracted coping. Patients with MeDOC have an increased risk of experiencing anxiety. Understanding the emotions and behaviors of patients with this disease is essential for clinical specialists to guide their coping strategies effectively.
Tracing the emergence of domesticated grapevine in Italy
This study presents an extensive analysis of 1,768 well-preserved waterlogged archaeological grape pips covering approximately 7000 years of history. These samples originate from 25 Italian archaeological sites spanning from the Early Neolithic (6th millemmium BC) to the Medieval period (8th-14th centuries AD). Employing geometric morphometrics and linear discriminant analyses, we compared these archaeological grape pips with modern reference collections to differentiate between wild and domestic grape types. Additionally, we analysed phenotypic changes in grape pip length and shape over the studied period to the present day to highlight traits associated with domestication syndrome. During the Early Neolithic, no evidence of morphologically domesticated grapes was observed. Data from Early Bronze Age sites (ca. 2050–1850 BC) display the same trend observed for the Early Neolithic period. The Middle Bronze Age sites (ca. 1600–1300 BC) continue to exhibit a predominance of wild grape pips. However, a notable transition occurs at the end of the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1300–1100 BC), with the majority of grape pips classified as domestic, indicating the definitive establishment of cultivation practices and selection of domestic grape by these communities. In the Iron Age, grape pips from Etruscan sites dating to the 4th century BC are predominantly domestic, suggesting an advanced viticulture for this period. During the Roman period (1st-6th centuries AD), some sites exhibited a high presence of domestic grape pips and intermediate forms between wild and domestic morphotypes, suggesting introgression between local wild and domestic grape allowing the formation of new varieties. Finally, the Medieval period (8th-14th centuries AD) sites demonstrate a widespread prevalence of domestic grape pips across archaeological sites, indicating a reduction of intermediate forms between wild and domestic morphotypes and displaying morphometric characteristics entirely similar to modern domestic grape references. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the evolution of grapevine cultivation in Italy, highlighting the gradual transition from wild to domesticated types over millennia.
Shenfu injection alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in septic mice
How we’re battling Trump’s science cuts across small-town America
Shedding new light on the context and temporality of Iberian warrior stelae: The Cañaveral de León 2 Stela and Las Capellanías burial complex (Huelva, SW Spain)
Iberian late prehistoric stelae stand out as a significant expression of European prehistoric art. For well over a hundred years, the context of use of the c. 300 Iberian stelae known to this date has been intensely discussed. This debate, however, was inherently flawed and limited in its scope, as almost all the available examples were found by chance, and no good-quality empirical evidence was available to understand their primary context. In this paper, we present the first conclusive scientific evidence demonstrating that Iberian late prehistoric stelae were used both as grave markers and landscape landmarks associated with pathways. This incontrovertible evidence stems from fieldwork undertaken in June 2022 and September 2023 at the site of Las Capellanías (Cañaveral de León, Huelva) in south-west Spain, including field walking, geophysics and excavation. The ground-breaking discoveries made at this remarkable site within barely a year reveal the contextual association of three different stelae to as many graves within the context of a large long-standing burial complex. Specifically, in this paper we study Stela #2 through a broad combination of methods ranging from geoarchaeology to luminescence dating and archaeoastronomy, as well as multiple digital visualization and remote sensing techniques. This multidisciplinary approach provides data that reveal multiple lines of evidence concerning the context and temporality of the stela, its manufacture and its graphic design. Altogether, this lays out a much needed and long-awaited reliable empirical base to understand where, when and how Iberian prehistoric stelae were used. “We hewed logs and built his pyre upon the tallest headland where it runs out above the sea: duly we made his funeral, bewailing him with bitter tears. After body and armour were quite burned away, we piled a mound over them and to crown it dragged up a monolith”, Homer, The Odyssey (London, Arcturus, 2021. Trans. by Alexander Pope). “As he spoke he began stripping the spoils from the son of Paeon, but Alexandrus husband of lovely Helen aimed an arrow at him, leaning against a pillar of the monument which men had raised to Ilus son of Dardanus, a ruler in days of old”, Homer, The Illiad (Project Gutenberg, 2022. Trans. by Samuel Butler).