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Dual RNA-seq reveals transcriptome changes during Fusarium virguliforme-Trichoderma afroharzianum interactions

Trichoderma spp. are among the most studied biocontrol agents. While extensive work has been done to understand Trichoderma antagonistic mechanisms, additional research is needed to fully understand how Trichoderma spp. recognize the pathogen-host and the intra-species variability i frequently observed upon interaction with a specific pathogen-host. This study focuses on elucidating the mechanisms underlying observed phenotypic differences among the T. afroharzianum isolates Th19A and Th4 during confrontation with Fusarium virguliforme by investigating differences in their transcriptome at different stages of interaction. In a dual plate assay, Th19A overgrows F. virguliforme, whereas Th4 forms an inhibition zone. Significant differences were observed in the F. virguliforme transcriptome upon interaction with Th19A compared to Th4 and across the different stages of interaction. GO molecular function categories enriched for F. virguliforme genes differed, indicating possible transcriptional plasticity upon interaction with Th19A versus Th4. Significant transcriptome changes were also observed in T. afroharzianum, with several differences in GO-enriched categories between isolates. Several differentially expressed genes-encoding secreted proteins, including CAZymes and CBM1-domain-containing proteins, were up-regulated in Th19A and Th4 upon interaction with the pathogen, even before physical contact, demonstrating possible volatile-mediated recognition of both isolates by F. virguliforme. This study contributes to a better understanding of the interaction between T. afroharzianum and F. virguliforme, which is crucial for developing efficient biological control programs.

Radar versus optical: The impact of cloud cover when mapping seasonal surface water for health applications in monsoon-affected India

Surface water plays a vital role in the spread of infectious diseases. Information on the spatial and temporal dynamics of surface water availability is thus critical to understanding, monitoring and forecasting disease outbreaks. Before the launch of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) missions, surface water availability has been captured at various spatial scales through approaches based on optical remote sensing data. A critical drawback of the latter is data loss due to cloud cover, however few studies have quantified this. This study evaluated data loss due to clouds in three Western Ghats (India) districts. These forest-agricultural mosaic landscapes, where water-related diseases are prevalent, experience the Indian monsoon. We compared surface water areas mapped by thresholding 10m Sentinel-1A SAR data with the optical 30m Landsat-derived Joint Research Centre (JRC) Global Surface Water product, currently the only globally available long-term monthly surface water data product. Backscatter thresholds were identified manually, and our Bayesian algorithm found these thresholds were very likely (>97%). While the Sentinel-1 SAR-based and JRC’s optical-based approach mapped surface water extent with high overall accuracy (> 98%) when the cloud cover was low, the unmapped surface water area was substantial in the JRC product during the monsoon months. Across the districts, the average cloud cover in the July-August period was 92% or 90% for 2017 and 2018 respectively, resulting in 25% or 23% of the surface water area being unmapped. Also, the more detailed 10m resolution of Sentinel-1A SAR helped detect the many small water features missed by 30m JRC. Thus, for predicting water-related disease risks linked to small water features or monsoon rainfall, Sentinel-1A SAR is more effective. Finally, automatic backscatter thresholding for unvegetated surface water mapping can be effective if threshold values are adapted to regional-specific backscatter spatial and temporal variations.

Incidence and predictors of mortality among HIV positive children on anti-retroviral therapy in the selected health facilities of West Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia: Retrospective cohort study

Introduction The mortality rate among Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) who have started antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to be increased in resource-limited countries, despite a decline in developed nations. Furthermore, research within this age group is limited and has not previously been conducted in the study area. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the incidence of mortality and its predictors among HIV-positive children who have been receiving ART at public health facilities in West Wollega. Objective To assess incidence rate and predictors of mortality among HIV-positive children on ART at selected health facilities of West Wollega, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods A retrospective cohort study design was conducted. A simple random sampling method was employed to select 286 children living with HIV who started ART from 01 January 2012 to 31 October 2021. Data were entered into Epi-Data Version 3.1, and STATA Version 14 was used for statistical analysis. A Kaplan-Meir survival curve and Long Rank test were used to estimate survival probability and assess statistical differences. The Cox regression model was used to determine independent predictors of mortality. Results The total follow-up time was 15, 652 child-months, and the overall incidence of mortality was 1.92 (95%CI: 1.34, 2.74) per 1000 child-months. The median time to death following the initiation of ART was 6 months. This study also showed that children with WHO clinical stage III (AHR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 7.4), stage IV (AHR = 5.4, 95%CI: 1.5, 19.8), Being anemic (AHR = 4.9, 95%CI: 1.8, 13.4), CD4 cell count below threshold (AHR = 3.7, 95%CI = 1.4, 9.5), delayed developmental milestone (AHR = 4.5, 95%CI: 1.7, 11.7) were at higher risk of mortality. Conclusion The overall mortality rate was lower compared to the previous study findings. Anemia, WHO clinical stage, CD4 cell count, and delayed developmental milestones were independent predictors of mortality. Therefore, the focus should be given to all children on ART during the early periods of ART initiation, advanced HIV disease, presence of anemia, severe immune deficiency, and delayed developmental milestones.

Mathematical assessment of the role of temperature on desert locust population dynamics

This study presents a novel non-autonomous mathematical model to explore the intricate relationship between temperature and desert locust population dynamics, considering the influence of both solitarious and gregarious phases across all life stages. The model incorporates temperature-dependent parameters for key biological processes, including egg development, hopper growth, adult maturation, and reproduction. Theoretical analysis reveals the model’s capacity for complex dynamical behaviors, such as multiple stable states and backward bifurcations, suggesting the potential for sudden and unpredictable population shifts. Sensitivity analysis identifies temperature-related parameters as critical drivers of population fluctuations, highlighting the importance of accurate temperature predictions for effective management. Numerical simulations demonstrate the significant impact of temperature on population growth, with optimal conditions promoting rapid development and increased survival, while extreme temperatures can hinder population growth and trigger phase transitions. By providing a deeper understanding of temperature-driven population shifts, this model enhances the ability to predict locust outbreaks, optimize control strategies, and reduce the socio-economic and ecological impacts of locust invasions.

Thrips dynamics in Allium crops: Unraveling the role of reproductive mode and weather variables in Thrips tabaci population development

Thrips tabaci is the main thrips species affecting onion and related species. It is a cryptic species complex comprising three phylogenetic groups characterized by different reproductive modes (thelytoky or arrhenotoky) and host plant specialization. Thrips tabaci populations vary widely in genetic diversity, raising questions about the factor(s) that drive this diversity. We investigated the genetic diversity, reproductive mode, and heteroplasmy frequency in T. tabaci populations from different Allium spp fields in six locations in the Netherlands in 2021 and at two locations from the North and South of Uruguay over three years to unravel how the diversity is structured in the populations and if changes can be associated with weather variables. The thrips populations from each location studied were characterized by sequencing 33 individuals per sampling using the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The reproductive mode was determined using specific primers and a phylogenetic analysis. Daily data for the weather variables was obtained from agrometeorological experimental stations located in the Uruguayan sampled crop fields. The diversity, reproductive mode, and heteroplasmy of T. tabaci populations in onion crops exhibited significant year-to-year variation depending on the location. Changes in the relative frequency of each reproductive mode in populations are associated with weather variables: precipitation, temperature, number of frosts, and relative humidity. Heteroplasmy frequency was associated with the same weather variables except temperature. In Uruguay and the Netherlands, T. tabaci thelytokous haplotype H1 was the most common, showing different heteroplasmy levels within and between the populations. In the field populations, a high frequency of heteroplasmic H1 individuals was associated with low precipitation, while all H1 individuals were also associated with high temperature and high relative humidity. In Uruguay, heteroplasmy was associated with arrhenotokous T. tabaci haplotypes, which were highly common in the North, pointing at specific adaptations leading to a faster population build-up. All this information may be instrumental for designing more precise integrated pest management techniques in both conventional and organic production.

Characterization and quantification of iron species in the banded iron formations (BIFs) in China Craton to explore the potential for H2 production using XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Banded iron formations (BIFs), significant iron ore deposits formed approximately 2.3 billion years ago under low-oxygen conditions, have recently gained attention as potential geological sources for evaluating hydrogen (H₂) production. BIFs are characterized by high concentrations of iron oxide (20 to 40 wt.%) and low Fe3⁺/Fetot ratios, representing a major source of ferrous iron on Earth. This study investigates the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of iron ore samples from the Wugang and Hengyang BIFs in China using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy to examine H2 generation potential. XRD analysis and microscopic observations showed that the magnetite and hematite are the primary ore minerals in BIFs in China Craton. Mössbauer spectroscopic results provided the quantified information on the fractions of each iron species in varying minerals. Particularly, the Fe3+ tetrahedral sites and octahedral sites occupied by both Fe2+ and Fe3+ in magnetite and Fe3+ octahedral sites in hematite were determined. We estimated H₂ production potential by calculating the relative fraction of Fe2+ in magnetite relative to total number of iron atoms in the bulk samples from the Mössbauer results. The pyroxene-bearing BIF in Wugang (P-BIF) contains magnetite predominantly (~30.4 wt%), and the fraction of Fe2+ in magnetite is ~26%. Based on the quantified values, the maximum potential for H2 generation from P-BIF in Wugang could be ~630 mmol H₂/kg rock. Due to the variation of mineralogical composition depending on the types and locations of occurrence of BIF, the H2 generation potential also varies. For example, contrast to P-BIF in Wugang, the hematite-rich BIF from Hengyang, containing ~6.0 wt% of magnetite, showed significantly lower Fe2+ fraction in magnetite (~5%), resulting in low H2 potential (~120 mmol H₂/kg rock). This study presents that a prevalence of magnetite in BIFs has considerable potential for H₂ production due to low Fe3+/Fetot, suggesting that the magnetite-rich iron ore can be effectively utilized as the source of stimulated hydrogen production. The current results also highlight that the Mössbauer spectroscopy is essential to provide the database of relative fractions for each iron species in BIFs, which allows us to estimate the quantity of H2 released from BIFs.

Occupational burnout during war: The role of stress, disruptions in routine, sleep, work-family conflict, and organizational support as a moderator

Background Occupational burnout, resulting from long-term exposure to work-related stressors, is a significant risk factor for both physical and mental health of employees. Most research on burnout focuses on routine situations, with less attention given to its causes and manifestations during prolonged national crises such as war. According to the Conservation of Resources theory, wartime conditions are associated with a loss of resources, leading to accelerated burnout. This study aimed to examine burnout among employees during the war in Israel that broke out in October 2023, placing the population nationwide in a state of existential threat and functional crisis. The researchers hypothesized that Stress, work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict, sleep disruption, and routine disruption (H1-H5) would be positively associated with occupational burnout. In addition, the study examined whether organizational strategies, such as flexibility and volunteering, would be negatively associated with burnout (H6) and whether they would moderate the relationship between work-family conflict and burnout during wartime (H7). Methods The study involved 374 employees recruited through social networks via a snowball sampling method during the war. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing demographic details, burnout, stress, routine disruptions, work family conflict (work-to-family and family-to-work conflict), sleep disturbances, and organizational support measures. Hierarchical linear regression and Pearson correlation were utilized to model the outcome variable of occupational burnout and Process Model 1 was utilized for the moderation hypothesis. Results Findings revealed a notable level of burnout during wartime (M = 3.95, SD = 1.15). Routine disruptions, work-to-family conflict, and sleep disturbances significantly contributed to burnout beyond stress levels, thus hypotheses H1 to H5 were partly supported. Additionally, the organizational resource variable of offering volunteering opportunities was associated with lower burnout levels and moderated the relationship between work-to-family conflict and burnout, thus partially supporting hypotheses H6 and H7. Conclusion The findings enhance the understanding of burnout during prolonged crises like war, highlighting the importance of maintaining routine as a key resource for order and control. They also emphasize the role of organizational volunteering in preventing burnout. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Development of a unique crosslinked glycosaminoglycan for soft tissue repair: Treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

Chemical modification of naturally derived glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) expands their potential utility for applications in soft tissue repair and regenerative medicine. Here we report the preparation of a novel crosslinked chondroitin sulfate (~200 to 2000 kilodaltons) that is both soluble in aqueous solution and microfilterable. We refer to these materials as “SuperGAGs.” One can further conjugate these materials with diverse capture agents to further modify polymer properties and add new capabilities. A representative material (GLX-100) demonstrated durable restoration of bladder impermeability in a gold standard animal model of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). Histologic examination of the animal bladders treated with a GLX-100 SuperGAG conjugated to biotin as a reporter demonstrated that the residence time of GLX-100 is superior to chondroitin sulfate (a product that is currently used for clinical treatment of patients with IC/BPS). As expected, this novel crosslinked GAG biopolymer was restricted to the luminal surface of the bladder wall. In this communication we describe a simple and versatile synthesis of a crosslinked glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biopolymer for soft tissue repair. Chondroitin sulfate (~12 kD) was crosslinked to form a water soluble and microfilterable polymer with approximately 200 to 2000 kD molecular weight. The synthesis presented here allows for control of molecular weight while avoiding formation of an extended block gel. Moreover, the procedure enables further chemical modification of the SuperGAG through the selection of a capture agent. A set of agents have been used, demonstrating the preparation of a family of SuperGAGs with diverse capabilities. We can optimize polymer properties, adjust adherence to various tissues, add reporters, and engage the biochemistry of surrounding tissues with peptides and other bioactives.

A protocol for loading Calcein-AM into extracellular vesicles from mammalian cells for clear visualization with a fluorescence microscope coupled to a deconvolution system

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound structures produced and released into the extracellular space by all types of cells. Due to their characteristics, EVs play crucial roles in cellular communication and signaling, holding an immense potential as biomarkers and molecular transporters. Various methods have been developed to label and characterize EVs, however, visualizing EVs remains a process that requires highly specialized and expensive equipment, which is not always available in all the laboratories. In this study, we adapted a protocol originally designed for EVs analysis by flow cytometry using Calcein-AM, and convert it into a useful and effective tool for visualizing EVs by epifluorescence microscopy coupled with a deconvolution system. This approach can be very useful for basic EVs analyses, enabling researchers to verify their distribution and internalization across cells. Such insights can guide decisions on whether to advance to more detailed analysis using confocal microscopy or to perform additional assays.

Mucosal leishmaniasis is associated with the Leishmania RNA virus and inappropriate cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment

Background Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a severe clinical form of leishmaniasis that is characterized by the destruction of the nasal and/or the oral mucosae and appears as a late complication in 5% to 10% of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases produced by species belonging to Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus. Some strains of Leishmania spp. carry an RNA virus known as Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) that may contribute to the appearance of ML. Methods To examine the role of LRV type 1 (LRV1) as a risk factor associated with ML, a retrospective case-control study involving 103 patients was conducted. Cases were defined as patients with ML (n = 33), and controls corresponded to patients with CL and without mucosal lesions (n = 70). Clinical data were recorded from the patient’s medical records. Cryopreserved biopsies were used to detect LRV1 and identify Leishmania species. Results The frequency of LRV1 in the 103 patients was 16.5% (95% CI,10.4–25.12) being higher in samples from cases [33.33% (95% CI,18.89–51.76) than from controls [8.57% (95% CI, 3.82–18.10)]. L. (V.) braziliensis was identified in 63.6% of cases and 55.7% of the controls. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that infection with Leishmania spp. carrying LRV1 (OR = 6.30; 95% CI,1.52–26.10, p = 0.011) acts as risk factors for ML occurrence, while the completed treatment for the cutaneous event decreases the risk of ML (OR = 0.039; 95% CI, 0.01–0.12, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Our data support the association between LRV1 and ML occurrence and emphasize the effect of completed treatment for CL in preventing ML.

Activation of S1PR2 on macrophages and the hepatocyte S1PR2/RhoA/ROCK1/MLC2 pathway in vanishing bile duct syndrome

Immunologic bile duct destruction is a pathogenic condition associated with vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) after liver transplantation and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. As the bile acid receptor sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) plays a critical role in recruitment of bone marrow-derived monocytes/macrophages to sites of cholestatic liver injury, S1PR2 expression was examined using cultured macrophages and patient tissues. Bile canaliculi destruction precedes intrahepatic ductopenia; therefore, we focused on hepatocyte S1PR2 and the downstream RhoA/Rho kinase 1 (ROCK1) signaling pathway and bile canaliculi alterations using three-dimensional hepatocyte culture models that form obvious bile canaliculus-like networks. Multiplex immunohistochemistry revealed increased numbers of S1PR2+CD45+CD68+FCN1+ inflammatory macrophages and S1PR2+CD45+CD68+MARCO+ Kupffer cells in liver tissues showing ductopenia due to graft-versus-host disease and rejection post-liver transplant compared with normal liver. Macrophage expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including MCP1, was reduced following S1PR2 inhibition. Taurocholic acid and S1P2 agonist induced hepatocyte S1PR2 and reduced RhoA/ROCK1 expression, resulting in bile canaliculi dilatation. S1PR2 inhibition reversed the effect on RhoA/ROCK1 expression, resulting in maintenance of bile canaliculi through myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) phosphorylation. Activation of S1PR2 on macrophages and S1PR2 on hepatocytes may disrupt bile canaliculi dynamics in VBDS under regulation by RhoA/ROCK1 through MLC2 phosphorylation.

Comparative study of bovine and synthetic hydroxyapatite in micro- and nanosized on osteoblasts action and bone growth

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is widely used as a bone graft. However, information on the head-to-head osteoinductivity and in vivo performance of micro- and nanosized natural and synthetic HA is still lacking. Here, we fabricated nanosized bovine HA (nanoBHA) by using a wet ball milling method and compared its in vitro and in vivo performance with microsized BHA, nanosized synthetic HA (nanoHA), and microsized synthetic HA (HA). The results showed that the wet ball milling method successfully reduced the particle size of BHA to 40 nm without changing its natural characteristics. NanoBHA was able to maintain cell viability and induce cell proliferation and calcium deposits. NanoBHA promoted osteogenic differentiation via OPN as a specific regulator, with a 13-fold greater expression level. NanoBHA and HA also activated ERK1/2 indicated corresponding to the proliferation-differentiation and death of cells, respectively. The calvarial bone defect model showed that nanoBHA induced bone growth based on CT images, which is in line with the histological results showing the presence of bone cells and connective tissue at the nanoBHA implantation site. In conclusion, natural HA outperformed synthetic HA. Our findings will attract interest in further research into nanomaterials and their mechanism of action in bone remodeling.

Enhancing trauma cardiopulmonary resuscitation simulation training with the use of virtual reality (Trauma SimVR): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background With the increasing availability and use of digital tools such as virtual reality in medical education, there is a need to evaluate their impact on clinical performance and decision-making among healthcare professionals. The Trauma SimVR study is investigating the efficacy of virtual reality training in the context of traumatic in-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods and analysis This study protocol (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT06445764) for a single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled trial focuses on first-year residents in anesthesiology/intensive care, traumatology, and emergency medicine. The study will compare the clinical performance in a simulated scenario between participants who received virtual reality training and those who received traditional e-learning courses for preparation. The primary endpoint is the time to a predefined intervention to treat the underlying cause of the simulated traumatic cardiac arrest. Secondary endpoints include protocol deviations, cognitive load during simulated scenarios, and the influence of gender and personality characteristics on learning outcomes. The e-learning and the virtual reality training content will be developed in collaboration with experts from various medical specialties and nursing, focusing on procedural processes, guideline adherence specific to trauma patient care, and traumatic in-hospital cardiac arrest. Results The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the efficacy of virtual reality training, contributing to the advancement of medical education, and serve as a foundation for future research in this rapidly evolving field.

Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Vitamin D has been identified as contributing environmental risk factor, with higher prevalence at latitudes further from the equator. Mongolia, at 45°N, has limited sunlight exposure, increasing the population’s risk for vitamin D deficiency. Objectives To compare vitamin D levels between persons with MS (pwMS) and persons without MS and to identify factors associated with low vitamin D. Methods We investigated associations with vitamin D levels using data from MS cases and controls from Mongolia. We used linear mixed-effects regression with fixed effects (case status, sociodemographics, and predefined variables) and participant-specific random intercepts. Results Of 62 participants (31 pwMS, 31 controls), pwMS had lower summer [median 23.00 ng/ml (interquartile range 11.30–31.50) vs. 25.00 ng/ml (19.25–32.00)] and winter vitamin D levels [21.00 ng/ml (10.60–27.60) vs. 23.50 ng/ml (15.55–28.60)], with a smaller seasonal decline. Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in pwMS. None of these findings reached statistical significance. Winter season and being breastfed as a child were associated with significantly lower vitamin D levels. Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency was common among pwMS, which could be influenced by behavioural factors. These findings may inform more targeted recommendations for pwMS to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels.

Changes in urinary concentrations of contemporary and emerging chemicals in commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program

Previous research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed alterations in behaviors that may impact exposures to environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals. This includes changes in the use of chemicals found in consumer products, food packaging, and exposure to air pollutants. Within the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, a national consortium initiated to understand the effects of environmental exposures on child health and development, our objective was to assess whether urinary concentrations of a wide range of potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals varied before and during the pandemic. Drawing from three racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse ECHO cohorts, we assessed key differences in urinary chemical concentrations related to environmental exposures through food packaging, use of disinfectants, personal care products and air pollutants using repeated urine samples in a subset of 47 participants, who contributed a urine sample prior to the pandemic (between October 2018 and February 2020) and a subsequent urine sample after the pandemic began (between March 2020 and April 2021). We measured urinary concentrations of analytes across several chemical groups, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates/alternative plasticizers, synthetic phenols (parabens, bisphenols, triclosan, benzophenones), organophosphate esters (OPEs), insecticides and fungicides. Multivariable linear mixed models accounting for key covariates and clustering within cohort and across repeated samples were used to estimate the change in urinary analyte concentrations across time points. We observed decreases in urinary concentrations of some PAHs, bisphenols, benzophenones, and triclosan, and increases in specific OPEs. These biomarker data mirror some of the behavior changes reported in our prior work and support the observation that the pandemic-related behavior changes lead to alterations in chemical exposures that have been linked to adverse health outcomes.

The impact of The Quality and Safety Education (QSEN) program on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of junior nurses

Background The quality and safety education for nurses (QSEN) competency program represents a valuable initiative in nursing practice and education, equipping nurses with the essential knowledge, attitude, and skills (KAS) required to deliver safe, efficient, and patient-centered care. Purpose This study aims to determine the impact of QSEN competency on the KAS of nurses in Palestine. Method A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design with two groups was used utilizing a questionnaire to collect data from 164 Junior nurses in two governmental hospitals within the period of 25th, January to the 10th February 2024. Patricia Benner’s theory suggests that a strong educational foundation and diverse experiences enable nurses to enhance their patient care knowledge and abilities over time. Results The findings indicate that nurses in Palestine can benefit from targeted interventions and QSEN educational programs aimed at improving their patient-centered care competence, as post-test scores show a significant rise over pre-test scores. Junior nurses who participated in the QSEN program experienced a 57% increase in knowledge, a 57% increase in skills, and a 64% increase in attitudes. The intervention significantly improved knowledge (77.02 vs. 49.19, p < 0.001), quality and safety skills (70.16 vs. 44.61, p < 0.001), and attitudes (75.47 vs. 46.16, p < 0.001) among participants post-procedure, indicating a substantial positive impact on these areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of the educational intervention. Conclusion The study demonstrates that an educational intervention improves junior nurses’ KSAs for six QSEN competencies, leading to higher average scores in quality and safety competence subscales, thereby enhancing staff satisfaction, and reducing medical errors, and patient safety.

Gender biases and hate speech: Promoters and targets in the Argentinean political context

Hate speech found in social media a place to flourish. In the Argentinean context, new right-wing parties have disrupted the political arena, winning the elections of 2023. Many of these new right-wing figures grew in popularity due to their use of social media, on a background of increasing political violence. In this article, we use quantitative and qualitative tools to investigate the prevalence of hate speech targeting women politicians and analyze the role of different political affiliations in promoting such discourse. Furthermore, we propose a model that predicts users’ political alignments based on their profile descriptions, allowing us to explore the distribution of hate speech among different political orientations. Our results provide a descriptive account of the relationship between hate speech by politicians and other users and shows that right-wing political figures and supporters are strong emissors of hate speech, while women, especially those from the left-wing are more prone to receive violent content.

The ionic liquid-assisted sample preparation method pTRUST allows sensitive proteome characterization of a variety of bacterial endospores to aid in the search for protein biomarkers

Bacterial endospores are ubiquitous and are responsible for various human infections. Recently, we reported that an ionic liquid (IL)-based sample preparation method (named pTRUST) facilitated highly efficient shotgun analysis of the Bacillus subtilis spore proteome in trace samples. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency and applicability of the pTRUST technology using three different spore preparations: one purified from the closely related subspecies B. subtilis natto and two from B. licheniformis and B. cereus. We showed that the pTRUST method allowed rapid solubilization and processing of all tested spore samples prepared for highly sensitive mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Bioinformatics analysis using the BLAST program suggested that a set of 25 proteins commonly identified between the above three species and B. subtilis spores may be universal biomarkers among various bacterial species, including 43 spore-producing bacteria associated with industrial dairy processing environments and product spoilage. In contrast, the two identified proteins, D4FV94 in B. subtilis natto and Q737A2 in B. cereus, are likely species-specific biomarkers, because their orthologs are absent or rare in all organisms. The sensitivity and applicability of pTRUST, along with the putative protein biomarkers identified in this study, will facilitate a wide spectrum of spore research for biological and clinical applications.

Precise phenotyping method using image data for carcass marbling score in Hanwoo cattle

With the development of the Korean economy, demand for high-quality beef, specifically Hanwoo beef, is escalating, with marbling traits—measured by the widely used marbling score—being a key contributor to meat palatability. The differences between the high-quality and the lower-quality meat, according to the satisfaction of the customers, are not the result from only the degree of marbling but also from the delicacy of the marbling flecks distribution. Using the computer marbling analysis technique, an index for quantifying marbling fineness of 256 sirloin cuts at 12th– 13th thoracic vertebra named F7 index was developed in this study. F7 index is defined as the standard deviation of the ratios of marbling particles area to the tile area, was developed in this study. At the optimal step size of 70 tiles per axis, F7 index discriminated dramatically the finely marbled and coarsely marbled sirloin with Beef Marbling Score from 6 to 9, with P value = 1.340 × 10−27 < 0.05 of. Although the efficiency of computer image analysis procedure with the F7 index is still being optimized, the F7 index shows great potential to enhance the accuracy of Hanwoo beef quality grading alongside marbling score and support the development of improved breeding strategies for the Hanwoo cattle population in Korea.