Can we gain translational insights into the functional roles of cerebral cortex from acortical rodent and naturally acortical zebrafish models?

Cerebral cortex is found only in mammals and is particularly prominent and developed in humans. Various rodent models with fully or partially ablated cortex are commonly used to probe the role of cortex in brain functions and its multiple subcortical projections, including pallium, thalamus and the limbic system. Various rodent models are traditionally used to study the role of cortex in brain functions. A small teleost fish, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), has gained popularity in neuroscience research, and albeit (like other fishes) lacking cortex, its brain performs well some key functions (e.g., memory, consciousness and motivation) with complex, context-specific and well-defined behaviors. Can rodent and zebrafish models help generate insights into the role of cortex in brain functions, and dissect its cortex-specific (vs. non-cortical) functions? To address this conceptual question, here we evaluate brain functionality in intact vs. decorticated rodents and further compare it in the zebrafish, a naturally occurring acortical species. Overall, comparing cortical and acortical rodent models with naturally acortical zebrafish reveals both distinct and overlapping contributions of neocortex and 'precortical' zebrafish telencephalic regions to higher brain functions. Albeit morphologically different, mammalian neocortex and fish pallium may possess more functional similarities than it is presently recognized, calling for further integrative research utilizing both cortical and decorticated/acortical vertebrate model organisms.

Development of a LC-QTOF-MS based dilute-and-shoot approach for the botanical discrimination of honeys

Honeys of particular botanical origins can be associated with premium market prices, a trait which also makes them susceptible to fraud. Currently available authenticity testing methods for botanical classification of honeys are either time-consuming or only target a few "known" types of markers. Simple and effective methods are therefore needed to monitor and guarantee the authenticity of honey. In this study, a 'dilute-and-shoot' approach using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS) was applied to the non-targeted fingerprinting of honeys of different floral origin (buckwheat, clover and blueberry). This work investigated for the first time the impact of different instrumental conditions such as the column type, the mobile phase composition, the chromatographic gradient, and the MS fragmentor voltage (in-source collision-induced dissociation) on the botanical classification of honeys as well as the data quality. Results indicated that the data sets obtained for the various LC-QTOF-MS conditions tested were all suitable to discriminate the three honeys of different floral origin regardless of the mathematical model applied (random forest, partial least squares-discriminant analysis, soft independent modelling by class analogy and linear discriminant analysis). The present study investigated different LC-QTOF-MS conditions in a "dilute and shoot" method for honey analysis, in order to establish a relatively fast, simple and reliable analytical method to record the chemical fingerprints of honey. This approach is suitable for marker discovery and will be used for the future development of advanced predictive models for honey botanical origin.

Relationship between clinical belonging, professional identity, and nursing information ability among nursing interns: Model construction

BACKGROUND

Clinical belonging refers to the feeling that clinical medical staff feel recognized and accepted by others or groups. The level of clinical belonging of nursing interns affects students’ learning motivation and confidence, which in turn affects their clinical practice behavior.

AIM

To explore the effects of professional identity and nursing information ability on clinical belonging among nursing interns and establish a relationship model for these factors.

METHODS

The researchers used the convenience sampling method to select 682 nursing interns from China. The survey was conducted using a general information questionnaire, clinical sense of belonging scale, nursing information ability self-assessment scale, and a nursing student professional identity questionnaire. The mediating effect of nursing information ability between their professional identity and clinical sense of belonging was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and the path analysis in structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

The total scores of clinical belonging, professional identity, and nursing information ability of nursing interns were (104.29 ± 13.11) points, (57.89 ± 7.16) points, and (70.29 ± 6.20) points, respectively. Nursing information ability had a direct effect on the clinical sense of belonging (effect value = 0.46, P < 0.05). Occupational identity had a direct effect (effect value = 0.52, P < 0.05) and an indirect effect (effect value = 0.21, P < 0.05) on clinical belonging.

CONCLUSION

Nursing administrators in nursing colleges and hospitals should take effective measures to improve the professional identity and nursing information ability of nursing interns, as well as the clinical sense of belonging among nursing interns.

Opioid craving does not incubate over time in inpatient or outpatient treatment studies: Is the preclinical incubation of craving model lost in translation?

Within addiction science, incubation of craving is an operational label used to describe time-dependent increases in drug seeking during periods of drug deprivation. The purpose of this systematic review was to describe the preclinical literature on incubation of craving and the clinical literature on craving measured over extended periods of abstinence to document this translational homology and factors impacting correspondence. Across the 44 preclinical studies that met inclusion criteria, 31 reported evidence of greater lever pressing, nose pokes, spout licks, or time spent in drug-paired compartments (i.e., drug seeking) relative to neutral compartments after longer periods of abstinence relative to shorter periods of abstinence, labelled as "incubation of craving." In contrast, no clinical studies (n = 20) identified an increase in opioid craving during longer abstinence periods. The lack of clinical evidence for increases in craving in clinical populations weakens the translational utility of operationalizing the time-dependent increase in drug-seeking behavior observed in preclinical models as models of incubation of "craving".

Models and data used to predict the abundance and distribution of Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged tick) in North America: a scoping review

Tick-borne diseases (TBD) remain prevalent worldwide, and risk assessment of tick habitat suitability is crucial to prevent or reduce their burden. This scoping review provides a comprehensive survey of models and data used to predict I. scapularis distribution and abundance in North America. We identified 4661 relevant primary research articles published in English between January 1st, 2012, and July 18th, 2022, and selected 41 articles following full-text review. Models used data-driven and mechanistic modelling frameworks informed by diverse tick, hydroclimatic, and ecological variables. Predictions captured tick abundance (n = 14, 34.1%), distribution (n = 22, 53.6%) and both (n = 5, 12.1%). All studies used tick data, and many incorporated both hydroclimatic and ecological variables. Minimal host- and human-specific data were utilized. Biases related to data collection, protocols, and tick data quality affect completeness and representativeness of prediction models. Further research and collaboration are needed to improve prediction accuracy and develop effective strategies to reduce TBD.

Adsorption of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs traces in water on clay minerals

The aim of this study was to assess the adsorption of four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), namely Paracetamol (PRC), Diclofenac (DIC), Ibuprofen (IBU), and Ketoprofen (KET), using both batch and continuous experiments with clay. Various analytical techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM coupled to EDX, and Zeta potential, were employed to characterize both raw and calcined clay. XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the kaolinite nature of the clay. SEM data revealed a lamellar structure formed in the clay after calcination at 550 °C. Adsorption tests were conducted to determine the optimal adsorption conditions. Batch kinetics of adsorption demonstrated rapid adsorption of all four NSAIDs, with the highest adsorption occurring at pH 4 (DIC, IBU, and KET) and pH 6 for PRC, using a concentration of 20 mg L-1 of calcined clay. Additionally, the pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit for all NSAIDs adsorption processes. Maximum adsorption capacities, as determined by the Langmuir model, were 80 mg g-1 for PRC, 238 mg -1g for DIC, 138 mg g-1 for IBU, and 245 mg g-1 for KET. In fixed bed column studies, three dynamic models (Thomas, Adams-Bohart, and Yoon-Nelson) were utilized to describe the breakthrough curves, with linear regression used to identify key characteristics for process design. The fixed bed column adsorption study revealed that DIC exhibited the highest removal efficiency at 98%, while KET, IBU, and PRC were more persistent, with removal efficiencies of 77.1%, 76.7%, and 67.1%, respectively. The Thomas model was deemed appropriate for describing the breakthrough curve. These findings offer valuable insights into the interactions between clay and pharmaceuticals with varying physicochemical properties. They also provide information on the adsorption models, saturation, and adsorption capacities of various pharmaceuticals on natural clays, which can be crucial for further research and environmental remediation efforts.

Exploring particle concentrations and inside-to-outside ratios in vehicles: A real-time road test study

In transportation microenvironments, humans exposed to particulate matter (PM) inside vehicles can experience higher levels of daily exposure. To make inside-vehicle PM exposure measurements more feasible and easy under real driving conditions, and to quantify the relationship between the concentrations and influencing factors, we assessed PM1, PM2.5, and PM10. levels. Additionally, we collected key influencing factors to develop predictive models. The measurements of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations showed that the ventilation setting was a significant influencing factor. The concentrations decreased significantly under the recirculation setting (RC) compared to the outside air setting (OA). The inside-to-outside (I/O) ratios of PM were 1.69 to 1.93-fold higher than those of RC under OA conditions. However, a substantial reduction in the I/O ratios was observed when RC was employed. Although both the concentrations and I/O ratios exhibited significant differences, they demonstrated strong potential relationships. PM2.5 I/O ratios accounted for over 85 % of the variation in the PM1 and PM10 I/O ratios. The developed models for the I/O ratios of PM accounted for >40 and 60 % of the variation in the measured I/O ratios for RC and OA, respectively. We used the vehicle age, vehicle interior volume, speed, cabin temperature, cabin humidity, and their higher-order terms as predictive variables. It is important to note that the influential predictive feature importance differed under RC and OA, and considering the vehicle characteristics between vehicles of the same type may be necessary when using RC. Overall, these findings indicate that the inside-vehicle PM exposure can be measured more easily under real driving conditions by considering the key influencing factors and utilizing the developed predictive models.

Visiting the studies of resilience in language learning: From concepts to themes

Resilience, as a positive personal trait, has been a topic of hot debate in the field of general education with the booming perspective of positive psychology. The exploration of learner resilience is conducive to understanding how learners grapple with setbacks, positively adapt, and function well in the presence of challenging situations. To date, some attention is paid to the structure of learner resilience, its relationships with other psychological variables, and its impacts on academic achievement. However, research on the overall profile of resilience in the field of foreign language (FL) or second language (L2) from a holistic and systematic perspective is still lacking. Against this backdrop, the current study reviewed and synthesized research evidence on resilience in the FL/L2 learning context. Specifically, 27 high-quality empirical studies published between 2017 and 2023 were selected, and then they were analyzed in terms of substantive characteristics of the literature and research participants, models of resilience, methodological features, and research foci. The results revealed a steady increase in language learner resilience research and displayed the detailed distribution of reviewed articles in publication year and sources as well as participants' educational backgrounds. Moreover, the conceptualization of resilience displayed complex and diverse features, the quantitative approach took a dominant position in the reviewed literature, and resilience models from psychology were widely utilized in language learner resilience research directly or indirectly. Finally, the implications of these findings were discussed for the further development of language learner resilience research.

The importance of preclinical models in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an adenocarcinoma of the hepatobiliary system with a grim prognosis. Incidence is rising globally and surgery is currently the only curative treatment, but is only available for patients who are fit and diagnosed in an early-stage of disease progression. Great importance has been placed on developing preclinical models to help further our understanding of CCA and potential treatments to improve therapeutic outcomes. Preclinical models of varying complexity and cost have been established, ranging from more simplistic in vitro 2D CCA cell lines in culture, to more complex in vivo genetically engineered mouse models. Currently there is no single model that faithfully recaptures the complexities of human CCA and the in vivo tumour microenvironment. Instead a multi-model approach should be used when designing preclinical trials to study CCA and potential therapies.

Raising awareness among adolescent cyberbullies and their parents in Türkiye through a web-based cyberbullying education program based on Pender's health promotion model

PURPOSE

The present study was carried out to examine the efficacy of a web-based Cyberbullying Awareness and Education (CBAE) program that was designed to raise awareness of cyberbullying among adolescents and their parents.

DESIGN AND METHOD

Included in this quasi-experimental study were 64 adolescents (intervention group = 33, control group = 31) and 64 parents (intervention group = 33, control group = 31). The adolescents and parents in the intervention group took part in a 5-week CBAE program that was conducted through the website www.dijitalgencdijitalebeveyn.com, and included educational videos on (1) the Definition and Types of Cyberbullying, (2) the Causes and Outcomes of Cyberbullying, (3) Digital Citizenship, (4) Empathy (5) and Safe Internet Use; while the parents in the intervention group attended courses on (1) the Definition and Types of Cyberbullying, (2) the Causes and Outcomes of Cyberbullying, (3) Digital Parenting, (4) Empathy (5) and Safe Internet Use. The adolescents and parents in the control group, on the other hand, took part in no such interventions. Data were collected online using the Adolescent and Parent Data Collection Form, the Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory (RCBI-II) and the Adolescent and Parent Cyberbullying Awareness Form, and the acquired data were subjected to Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon and Independent samples t-tests for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The findings revealed a significant increase in the scores obtained from the CBAE Adolescent and Parent Evaluation Forms after the course, and the scores of the adolescents in the RCBI-II "I have engaged in cyberbullying" section were noted to decrease significantly in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

The CBAE web-based program was found to be effective in raising awareness of cyberbullying. As such, the use of the web-based CBAE program, which involves the parents of adolescents in the education process, is recommended as an interventional approach to the prevention of cyberbullying among adolescents.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Nurses should have the necessary competences to provide cyberbullying education to adolescents and their parents.

Flavor precursors identification and thermal degradation mechanisms of glucoerucin in fragrant rapeseed oil

The degradation products of glucosinolates endow rapeseed oil with a characteristic aroma, however, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, 29 individual glucosinolates were identified in six rapeseeds (Brassica napus) using widely targeted metabolism, including 22 aliphatic, 5 aromatic, and 2 indole glucosinolates. Characterization of thermally induced aromas from new precursors-glucoerucin was performed in different pH matrices via headspace-solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Six glucoerucin degradation were identified including 5-methylthio-pentanenitrile and dimethyl trisulfide et al. The results of thermal model showed that Glucoerucin could generate volatile 5-methylthio-pentanenitrile via dehydration and formed 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfanyl)butane via (394.9 μg/kg) by the Rosen rearrangement further product pungent odors 4-isothiocyanato-1-butene (5.6 μg/kg) at pH 5. Sulfur-containing compounds included dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide can provide pungent and cabbage notes in matrices at pH 7 and 9. The results provide a new understanding in the forming mechanism of characteristic odor in fragrant rapeseed oil.

Changes in the numbers of hospital-based abortions and outpatient early medical abortions in Victoria, 2012-22: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To assess changes in the monthly numbers of hospital-based abortions and outpatient early medical abortions in Victoria during January 2012 - March 2022, with a particular interest in the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

STUDY DESIGN

Population-based retrospective cohort study; time series analysis of Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset (VAED) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data.

SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

All admitted care episodes in Victoria during 1 January 2012 - 31 March 2022 with medical abortion as the principal diagnosis; all PBS claims for mifepristone-misoprostol (MS-2 Step) during 1 January 2015 (date of listing) - 31 March 2022.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in monthly numbers (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of admissions for hospital-based and outpatient early medical abortions during the pre-pandemic period (January 2012 - March 2020), the first full month of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020), and the pandemic period (May 2020 - March 2022).

RESULTS

The monthly number of hospital-based abortions declined in Victoria during the pre-pandemic period (slope, -2.92 [95% CI, -3.45 to -2.38] per month); the rate of decline was greater during the pandemic period (slope, -5.74 [95% CI, -10.5 to -0.96] per month). The monthly number of outpatient early medical abortions increased during the pre-pandemic period (slope, 5.94 [95% CI, 5.34-6.34] per month); it declined during the first month of the pandemic (slope, -26.4 [95% CI, -70.1 to -17.3] per month), but did not significantly change thereafter. The total monthly number of abortions during the pandemic period did not deviate markedly from the pre-pandemic median value. The pre-pandemic declines in monthly numbers of abortions in major city hospitals, in private hospitals, or at earlier than 14 weeks' gestation intensified during the pandemic period. During January 2015 - March 2020, 14 634 of 103 496 abortions were outpatient medical abortions (14%); during the pandemic period, 11 154 of 33 056 abortions were outpatient medical abortions (33%).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of outpatient early medical abortion has steadily increased in Victoria since the PBS listing of mifepristone-misoprostol, which helped ensure access to abortion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outpatient medical abortions may eventually outnumber surgical early abortions in Victoria, but they are not always appropriate: hospitals will continue to be essential for comprehensive abortion care.

If You Build It, Will They Come? Patient and Provider Use of a Novel Hybrid Telehealth Care Pathway for Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to describe the referrals and use of a hybrid care model for low back pain that includes on-site care by physical therapists, physical activity training, and psychologically informed practice (PiP) delivered by telehealth in the Improving Veteran Access to Integrated Management of Low Back Pain (AIM-Back) trial.

METHODS

Data were collected from November 2020 through February 2023 from 5 Veteran Health Administration clinics participating in AIM-Back, a multisite, cluster-randomized embedded pragmatic trial. The authors extracted data from the Veteran Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse to describe referral and enrollment metrics, telehealth use (eg, distribution of physical activity and PiP calls), and treatments used by physical therapists and telehealth providers.

RESULTS

Seven hundred one veterans were referred to the AIM-Back trial with 422 enrolling in the program (consult-to-enrollment rate = 60.2%). After travel restrictions were lifted, site visits resulted in a significant increase in referrals and a number of new referring providers. At initial evaluation by on-site physical therapists, 92.2% of veterans received pain modulation (eg, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, manual therapy). Over 81% of enrollees completed at least 1 telehealth physical activity call, with a mean of 2.8 (SD = 2.0) calls out of 6. Of the 167 veterans who screened as medium to high risk of persistent disability, 74.9% completed at least 1 PiP call, with a mean of 2.5 (SD = 2.0) calls out of 6. Of those who completed at least 1 PiP call (n = 125), 100% received communication strategies, 97.6% received pain coping skills training, 89.6% received activity-based treatments, and 99.2% received education in a home program.

CONCLUSION

In implementing a hybrid care pathway for low back pain, the authors observed consistency in the delivery of core components (ie, pain modulation, use of physical activity training, and risk stratification to PiP), notable variability in telehealth calls, high use of PiP components, and increased referrals with tailored provider engagement.

IMPACT

These findings describe variability occurring within a hybrid care pathway and can inform future implementation efforts.

Modelling selenium behavior in aquatic systems: a review of status, challenges, and opportunities

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for aquatic organisms as well as humans. It can be toxic to organisms depending on its concentration and chemical speciation; thus, considerable efforts have been made to unravel the biogeochemical cycling of Se in aquatic systems. Mathematical models provide an important tool to better understand the fate of Se in different environment compartments. However, a comprehensive review of modeling Se in aquatic systems with current challenges and opportunities is missing. To fill this gap, we firstly summarize the processes governing Se cycling in aquatic systems, including particle adsorption and desorption, diffusion, biological uptake, redox reactions, and volatilization. Then, we critically review the available models, identifying the compartments modelled, environmental factors considered, and the Se species and geochemical processes used in each model, providing an assessment of their advantages and limitations. Data availability for modeling studies is investigated, highlighting how to better quantify the redox reactions, estimate of Se loadings, and mass balance. For the modeling of Se cycling in aquatic systems, the ability of the models to link sources to biota concentrations under a range of hydrodynamic conditions and with mechanistic representations of transport, transformation, and uptake processes is required. The majority of the current models can conduct this task; however, to better present the uptake processes of Se in the food web, two-way coupling of the Se cycling model with a food web model is recommended.

Protective Effects of Hydrogen Gas Inhalation for Hindlimb Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury in a Mouse Model

OBJECTIVE

Ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a severe post-operative complication that triggers an inflammatory response and causes severe damage. Hydrogen gas has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties and has been shown to be safe in humans. The study aimed to investigate whether hydrogen gas protects against skeletal muscle I/R injury.

METHODS

Experimental basic research using mice. A total of 160 eight to 10 week old albino laboratory bred strain of house mice (25.8 ± 0.68 g) were used in this study. The mice were cable tied to the hindlimb under anaesthesia and then placed in an anaesthesia box filled with air and 2% isoflurane (control group); 80 mice were additionally subjected to 1.3% hydrogen gas in this mix (hydrogen group). After two hours, the cable ties were removed to initiate reperfusion, and hydrogen inhalation lasted for six hours in the hydrogen group. After six hours, the mice were taken out of the box and kept in cages under standard conditions until time for observation at 16 different time points after reperfusion: zero, two, four, six, eight, and 10 hours and one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, 14, 21, and 28 days. Five mice were sacrificed using excess anaesthesia at each time point, and the bilateral hindlimb tissues were harvested. The inflammatory effects of the I/R injury were assessed by evaluating serum interleukin-6 concentrations using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, as well as histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Untreated mice with I/R injury were used as controls.

RESULTS

Hydrogen gas showed protective effects associated with a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration (neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes), a reduced area of damaged muscle, maintenance of normal muscle cells, and replacement of damaged muscle cells with neoplastic myocytes.

CONCLUSION

Inhalation of hydrogen gas had a protective effect against hindlimb I/R injury in mice, in part by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and in part by preserving normal muscle cells.

The use of implementation science theories, models, and frameworks in implementation research for medicinal products: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

The uptake, adoption and integration of new medicines and treatment regimens within healthcare delivery can take a decade or more. Increasingly, implementation science (IS) research is being used to bridge this gap between the availability of new therapeutic evidence and its actual application in clinical practice. Little is known, however, about the quality of IS research in this area, including the degree to which theories, models and frameworks (TMFs) are being used. The objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review of the use of TMFs in implementation research involving medicinal products.

METHODS

A search was conducted for English language abstracts and manuscripts describing the application of TMFs in IS studies for medicinal products. Eligible publications were those published between 1 January 1974 and 12 December 2022. All records were screened at the title and abstract stage; included full-text papers were abstracted using data extraction tables designed for the study. Study quality was appraised using the Implementation Research Development Tool.

RESULTS

The initial scoping search identified 2697 publications, of which 9 were ultimately eligible for inclusion in the review. Most studies were published after 2020 and varied in their objectives, design and therapeutic area. Most studies had sample sizes of fewer than 50 participants, and all focused on the post-marketing phase of drug development. The TMF most frequently used was the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Although most studies applied all TMF domains, TMF use was limited to instrument development and/or qualitative analysis. Quality appraisals indicated the need for engaging patients and other stakeholders in the implementation research, reporting on the cost of implementation strategies, and evaluating the unintended consequences of implementation efforts.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that few IS studies involving medicinal products reported using TMFs. Those that did encompassed a wide variety of therapeutic indications and medicinal products; all were in the post-marketing phase and involved limited application of the TMFs. Researchers should consider conducting IS in earlier phases of drug development and integrating the TMFs throughout the research process. More consistent and in-depth use of TMFs may help advance research in this area.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in the quantification of brain perfusion parameters of a rat stroke model: Analysis of contrast agent bolus kinetic dynamics

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke represents a significant global health concern, necessitating thorough investigations and the utilization of stroke animal models to explore novel treatment modalities and diagnostic imaging techniques.

NEW METHOD

Ultrasound biomicroscopy (BMU), operating at a center frequency of 21 MHz, along with ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs), was used to quantify microcirculation cerebral blood flow in a rat model of ischemic stroke. The microcirculation parameters were derived from time intensity curve (TIC) plots obtained based on UCA-bolus kinetics.

RESULTS

Semiquantitative perfusion-related parameters were assessed. The TIC curves showed differences in amplitude when compared intra-animal between the left and right sides, and three situations were observed: normal perfusion, hypoperfusion, and nonperfusion. ROC analysis of delays between the left and right time intensity peak (TIP) for regions of interest (ROIs) in the control and stroke-hypoperfusion groups revealed an optimal cutpoint of 0.39 s to indicate when hypoperfusion is occurring in rats, with a sensitivity of 93.33 % and a specificity of 80 %.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S)

Ultrasound perfusion imaging through the temporal bone window has been clinically applied to stroke patients using a UCA bolus for TIC analysis. TIC parameters were correlated with MRI- and CT-based measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation quantified cerebral blood flow in a rat model of ischemic stroke by measuring microcirculation parameters. The study demonstrated the efficacy of this approach as a valuable tool for conducting preclinical studies.

Resurgence of syphilis: focusing on emerging clinical strategies and preclinical models

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum), has had a worldwide resurgence in recent years and remains a public health threat. As such, there has been a great deal of research into clinical strategies for the disease, including diagnostic biomarkers and possible strategies for treatment and prevention. Although serological testing remains the predominant laboratory diagnostic method for syphilis, it is worth noting that investigations pertaining to the DNA of T. pallidum, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), chemokines, and metabolites in peripheral blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and other bodily fluids have the potential to offer novel perspectives on the diagnosis of syphilis. In addition, the global spread of antibiotic resistance, such as macrolides and tetracyclines, has posed significant challenges for the treatment of syphilis. Fortunately, there is still no evidence of penicillin resistance. Hence, penicillin is the recommended course of treatment for syphilis, whereas doxycycline, tetracycline, ceftriaxone, and amoxicillin are viable alternative options. In recent years, efforts to discover a vaccine for syphilis have been reignited with better knowledge of the repertoire of T. pallidum outer membrane proteins (OMPs), which are the most probable syphilis vaccine candidates. However, research on therapeutic interventions and vaccine development for human subjects is limited due to practical and ethical considerations. Thus, the preclinical model is ideal for conducting research, and it plays an important role in clinical transformation. Different preclinical models have recently emerged, such as in vitro culture and mouse models, which will lay a solid foundation for clinical treatment and prevention of syphilis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent syphilis tactics, including detection, drug resistance treatments, vaccine development, and preclinical models in clinical practice.

Treatment with Rapamycin in Animal Models of Traumatic Brain Injuries; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction

In light of the potential of enhanced functional and neurological recovery in traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the administration of rapamycin, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy of rapamycin treatment in animal models of TBI.

Methods

An extensive search was conducted in the electronic databases of Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science by July 1st, 2023. Two independent researchers performed the screening process by reviewing the titles and abstracts and the full texts of the relevant articles, including those meeting the inclusion criteria. Apoptosis rate, inflammation, locomotion, and neurological status were assessed as outcomes. A standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was calculated for each experiment, and a pooled effect size was reported. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 17.0 software.

Results

Twelve articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Pooled data analysis indicated notable reductions in the number of apoptotic cells (SMD for Tunnel-positive cells = -1.60; 95%CI: -2.21, -0.99, p<0.001), p-mTOR (SMD=-1.41; 95%CI: -2.03, -0.80, p<0.001), and p-S6 (SMD=-2.27; 95%CI: -3.03, -1.50, p<0.001) in TBI post-treatment. Our analysis also indicated substantial IL-1β reductions after rapamycin administration (SMD= -1.91; 95%CI: -2.61, -1.21, p<0.001). Moreover, pooled data analysis found significant neurological severity score (NSS) improvements at 24 hours (SMD= -1.16; 95%CI: -1.69, -0.62, p<0.001; I²=0.00%), 72 hours (SMD= -1.44; 95%CI: -2.00, -0.88, p<0.001; I²=0.00%), and 168 hours post-TBI (SMD= -1.56; 95%CI: -2.44, -0.68, p<0.001; I²=63.37%). No such improvement was observed in the grip test.

Conclusion

Low to moderate-level evidence demonstrated a significant decrease in apoptotic and inflammatory markers and improved neurological status in rodents with TBI. However, no such improvements were observed in locomotion recovery.

The postgraduate medical educational climate assessed by the Danish Residency Educational Climate Test (DK-RECT): a validation and cross-sectional observational study

BACKGROUND

A good educational climate is essential for delivering high-quality training for medical trainees, professional development, and patient care. The aim of this study was to (1) validate the Dutch Residency Educational Climate Test (D-RECT) in a Danish setting and (2) describe and evaluate the educational climate among medical trainees.

METHODS

D-RECT was adopted in a three-step process: translation of D-RECT into Danish (DK-RECT), psychometric validation, and evaluation of educational climate. Trainees from 31 medical specialties at Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Denmark were asked to complete an online survey in a cross-sectional study.

RESULTS

We performed a forward-backward translation from Dutch to Danish. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that DK-RECT was robust and valid. The reliability analysis showed that only seven trainees from one specialty were needed for a reliable result. With 304 trainees completing DK-RECT, the response rate was 68%. The subsequent analysis indicated a positive overall educational climate, with a median score of 4.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 3.0-5.0) on a five-point Likert scale. Analysis of the subscales showed that the subscale Feedback received the lowest ratings, while Supervision and Peer collaboration were evaluated highest.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychometric validation of D-RECT in a Danish context demonstrated valid results on the educational climate in specialist training. DK-RECT can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in the future and can facilitate the conversation on the educational climate.

Responding to the US opioid crisis: leveraging analytics to support decision making

The US is experiencing a severe opioid epidemic with more than 80,000 opioid overdose deaths occurring in 2022. Beyond the tragic loss of life, opioid use disorder (OUD) has emerged as a major contributor to morbidity, lost productivity, mounting criminal justice system costs, and significant social disruption. This Current Opinion article highlights opportunities for analytics in supporting policy making for effective response to this crisis. We describe modeling opportunities in the following areas: understanding the opioid epidemic (e.g., the prevalence and incidence of OUD in different geographic regions, demographics of individuals with OUD, rates of overdose and overdose death, patterns of drug use and associated disease outbreaks, and access to and use of treatment for OUD); assessing policies for preventing and treating OUD, including mitigation of social conditions that increase the risk of OUD; and evaluating potential regulatory and criminal justice system reforms.

2,4,6-TCP migrates and transforms in different cultivated soil in China: Kinetic analysis and mechanistic modeling

Organochlorine pesticides are widely used in agriculture, wood preservation, pulp bleaching and other fields, which increased the pollution risk of cultivated land. In this study, a typical organochlorine pesticides-2,4,6-TCP was conducted as the target pollutants to investigated the migration and transformation characteristics in different cultivated soils in China. The results indicated that the adsorption of 2,4,6-TCP in soil samples was in order: black soil＞laterite＞fluvo-aquic soil, and the maximum adsorption was 71.0870, 27.0575 and 6.1292 mg/kg, respectively. The dispersion coefficient of black soil, laterite and fluvo-aquic soil was 0.0329, 0.0501 and 0.0149, and the hysteretic factor R was 5.381, 1.455 and 2.238, respectively, indicating that the migration ability of 2,4,6-TCP in different cultivated soils samples was in order: black soil＞laterite＞fluvo-aquic soil. The fitting results of one-dimensional migration model indicated that the model well reflected the migration and transformation of 2,4,6-TCP in different cultivated soil samples. Meanwhile, the Two-dimensional migration model fitting results indicated that the maximum concentration of 2,4,6-TCP of different cultivated soil samples were found along the longitudinal flow direction, reaching 40% of the initial pollution concentration at 15 m, corresponding to the center of the pollutant plume.

Applicability of Chronic Multiple Linear Regression Models for Predicting Zinc Toxicity in Australian and New Zealand Freshwaters

Bioavailability models, for example, multiple linear regressions (MLRs) of water quality parameters, are increasingly being used to develop bioavailability-based water quality criteria for metals. However, models developed for the Northern Hemisphere cannot be adopted for Australia and New Zealand without first validating them against local species and local water chemistry characteristics. We investigated the applicability of zinc chronic bioavailability models to predict toxicity in a range of uncontaminated natural waters in Australia and New Zealand. Water chemistry data were compiled to guide a selection of waters with different zinc toxicity-modifying factors. Predicted toxicities using several bioavailability models were compared with observed chronic toxicities for the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata and the native cladocerans Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia and Daphnia thomsoni. The most sensitive species to zinc in five New Zealand freshwaters was R. subcapitata (72-h growth rate), with toxicity ameliorated by high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or low pH, and hardness having a minimal influence. Zinc toxicity to D. thomsoni (reproduction) was ameliorated by both high DOC and hardness in these same waters. No single trophic level-specific effect concentration, 10% (EC10) MLR was the best predictor of chronic toxicity to the cladocerans, and MLRs based on EC10 values both over- and under-predicted zinc toxicity. The EC50 MLRs better predicted toxicities to both the Australian and New Zealand cladocerans to within a factor of 2 of the observed toxicities in most waters. These findings suggest that existing MLRs may be useful for normalizing local ecotoxicity data to derive water quality criteria for Australia and New Zealand. The final choice of models will depend on their predictive ability, level of protection, and ease of use. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2614-2629. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Deep learning structural insights into heterotrimeric alternatively spliced P2X7 receptors

P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) are membrane-bound ATP-gated ion channels that are composed of three subunits. Different subunit structures may be expressed due to alternative splicing of the P2RX7 gene, altering the receptor's function when combined with the wild-type P2X7A subunits. In this study, the application of the deep-learning method, AlphaFold2-Multimer (AF2M), for the generation of trimeric P2X7Rs was validated by comparing an AF2M-generated rat wild-type P2X7A receptor with a structure determined by cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) (Protein Data Bank Identification: 6U9V). The results suggested AF2M could firstly, accurately predict the structures of P2X7Rs and secondly, accurately identify the highest quality model through the ranking system. Subsequently, AF2M was used to generate models of heterotrimeric alternatively spliced P2X7Rs consisting of one or two wild-type P2X7A subunits in combination with one or two P2X7B, P2X7E, P2X7J, and P2X7L splice variant subunits. The top-ranking models were deemed valid based on AF2M's confidence measures, stability in molecular dynamics simulations, and consistent flexibility of the conserved regions between the models. The structure of the heterotrimeric receptors, which were missing key residues in the ATP binding sites and carboxyl terminal domains (CTDs) compared to the wild-type receptor, help to explain their observed functions. Overall, the models produced in this study (available as supplementary material) unlock the possibility of structure-based studies into the heterotrimeric P2X7Rs.

Methodological Issues with Head and Neck Cancer Prognostic Risk Prediction Models

OBJECTIVE

Prognostic risk prediction models estimate the probability of developing head and neck cancer (HNC), providing valuable information for managing the disease. While different prognostic HNC risk prediction models have been developed worldwide, a comprehensive evaluation of their methods is lacking. We conducted a scoping review with a critical assessment aiming to identify the methodological strengths and limitations of HNC risk prediction models.

METHOD

We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and CAB Abstracts databases and included full-text-available peer-reviewed published papers on developing or validating a prognostic HNC risk prediction model. Study quality was appraised using the PROBAST tool.

RESULTS

Nine papers were included. Although all had a high risk of bias, mainly in the analysis domain, only two studies had high concerns about clinical applicability.

CONCLUSION

Currently published studies provide insufficient information on methods, making it difficult to judge the models' quality and applicability. Future investigations should follow the guidelines in reporting the prediction modelling studies.

Practical Guide to Measuring Wetland Carbon Pools and Fluxes

Wetlands cover a small portion of the world, but have disproportionate influence on global carbon (C) sequestration, carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and aquatic C fluxes. However, the underlying biogeochemical processes that affect wetland C pools and fluxes are complex and dynamic, making measurements of wetland C challenging. Over decades of research, many observational, experimental, and analytical approaches have been developed to understand and quantify pools and fluxes of wetland C. Sampling approaches range in their representation of wetland C from short to long timeframes and local to landscape spatial scales. This review summarizes common and cutting-edge methodological approaches for quantifying wetland C pools and fluxes. We first define each of the major C pools and fluxes and provide rationale for their importance to wetland C dynamics. For each approach, we clarify what component of wetland C is measured and its spatial and temporal representativeness and constraints. We describe practical considerations for each approach, such as where and when an approach is typically used, who can conduct the measurements (expertise, training requirements), and how approaches are conducted, including considerations on equipment complexity and costs. Finally, we review key covariates and ancillary measurements that enhance the interpretation of findings and facilitate model development. The protocols that we describe to measure soil, water, vegetation, and gases are also relevant for related disciplines such as ecology. Improved quality and consistency of data collection and reporting across studies will help reduce global uncertainties and develop management strategies to use wetlands as nature-based climate solutions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13157-023-01722-2.

[Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for pneumoconiosis patients complicated with chronic pulmonary heart disease based on Tei index]

Objective: To conduct a statistical analysis on the condition of patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with chronic pulmonary heart disease based on the Tei index, and to establish a relevant prediction model. Methods: In March 2022, a retrospective analysis of 226 patients diagnosed with pneumoconiosis in the Department of Occupational Disease of Yantai Yantaishan Hospital from January 2016 to January 2022 was conducted. The patients with pneumoconiosis complicated by pulmonary heart disease were included in the pulmonary heart disease group and others were included in the non-pulmonary heart disease group. logistic regression analysis was used to screen out the relevant factors and establish a risk prediction model. Hosmer-Lemeshow test was applied to determine the goodness of fit of the model, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive effect of the model. Results: Among the 226 patients with pneumoconiosis, 58 patients had chronic pulmonary heart disease, accounting for 25.7% of the surveyed population. The logistic analysis showed that the course of disease, pneumoconiosis stage and Tei index were influencing factors of pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary heart disease (P<0.05). A risk prediction model for pneumoconiosis patients complicated with pulmonary heart disease was developed: Z=6.253X(1)+1.265X(2)+1.423X(3)+9.264, in which X(1) was the stage of pneumoconiosis, X(2) was the course of disease, and X(3) was the Tei index. Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the goodness of fit of the risk prediction model for pneumoconiosis patients complicated with pulmonary heart disease, the results indicated that the prediction model was in good agreement with the actual situation (χ(2)=11.59, P=0.254). The diagnostic ability of the model was evaluated by the ROC curve, and the results showed that its AUC was 0.897, the sensitivity was 0.947, and the specificity was 0.784. Conclusion: The course of disease, pneumoconiosis stage and Tei index are the influencing factors of pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary heart disease. The model constructed based on these factors has a good prediction effect, which can provide a basis for the early detection and intervention of pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary heart disease.

Developing the intersectionality supplemented Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and tools for intersectionality considerations

BACKGROUND

The concept of intersectionality proposes that demographic and social constructs intersect with larger social structures of oppression and privilege to shape experiences. While intersectionality is a widely accepted concept in feminist and gender studies, there has been little attempt to use this lens in implementation science. We aimed to supplement the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), a commonly used framework in implementation science, to support the incorporation of intersectionality in implementation science projects by (1) integrating an intersectional lens to the CFIR; and (2) developing a tool for researchers to be used alongside the updated framework.

METHODS

Using a nominal group technique, an interdisciplinary framework committee (n = 17) prioritized the CFIR as one of three implementation science models, theories, and frameworks to supplement with intersectionality considerations; the modification of the other two frameworks are described in other papers. The CFIR subgroup (n = 7) reviewed the five domains and 26 constructs in the CFIR and prioritized domains and constructs for supplementation with intersectional considerations. The subgroup then iteratively developed recommendations and prompts for incorporating an intersectional approach within the prioritized domains and constructs. We developed recommendations and prompts to help researchers consider how personal identities and power structures may affect the facilitators and inhibitors of behavior change and the implementation of subsequent interventions.

RESULTS

We achieved consensus on how to apply an intersectional lens to CFIR after six rounds of meetings. The final intersectionality supplemented CFIR includes the five original domains, and 28 constructs; the outer systems and structures and the outer cultures constructs were added to the outer setting domain. Intersectionality prompts were added to 13 of the 28 constructs.

CONCLUSION

Through an expert-consensus approach, we modified the CFIR to include intersectionality considerations and developed a tool with prompts to help implementation users apply an intersectional lens using the updated framework.

Estimate of lysine nutritional requirements for Japanese quail breeders

Background

Japanese quail breeders are the basis for genetic improvement and multiplication for commercial layers, however, there have been no known studies on the optimal lysine level for these birds. Thus, study the egg output response to the lysine (Lys) supply using different e-functions and evaluate the that best fit, have allowed the partition the lysine requirements for maintenance, both weight and egg output maximum.

Methods

The objectives of this study were to identify the responses to various Lys levels, identify the functions related to these responses and determine the ideal Lys intake amount for Japanese quail breeders. A completely randomized design of seven treatments with seven replicated was used. Treatments consisted of diet supplementation by Lys in concentrations of 16.8, 11.8, 8.4, 6.7, 5.0, 3.4, and 1.7 g/kg. Six exponential models were adjusted.

Results

The level of Lys was found to affect bird responses (P < 0.001). The birds responded to the levels provided, allowing for the creation of a lysine response curve. A monomolecular function with four parameters was balanced against the statistics of adjustment and selection of models. It was possible to estimate the level of lysine required for maintenance as 133 ± 2 mg/kg BW0.67, and based an average of 41% efficiency, 22 mg Lys produced 1 g of egg output (EO). The daily intake calculated by the monomolecular factorial model was 284 mg Lys for a bird with 0.170 kg body weight and production of 10 g EO/day. The four-parameter monomolecular function proposed in this study is adequate for interpreting the animal response and calculating lysine intake for breeders.

Murine models of colorectal cancer: the azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colitis-associated cancer

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer. It is a heterogeneous disease, including both hereditary and sporadic types of tumors. CRC results from complex interactions between various genetic and environmental factors. Inflammatory bowel disease is an important risk factor for developing CRC. Despite growing understanding of the CRC biology, preclinical models are still needed to investigate the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease, as well as to find new methods of treatment and prevention.

Objectives

The purpose of this review is to describe existing murine models of CRC with a focus on the models of colitis-associated CRC. This manuscript could be relevant for experimental biologists and oncologists.

Methodology

We checked PubMed and Google from 01/2018 to 05/2023 for reviews of CRC models. In addition, we searched PubMed from 01/2022 to 01/2023 for articles using the azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) CRC model.

Results

Existing murine models of CRC include spontaneous, genetically engineered, transplantation, and chemically induced models. For the study of colitis-associated cancer (CAC), the AOM/DSS model is predominantly used. This model is very similar in histological and molecular characteristics to the human CAC, and is highly reproducible, inexpensive, and easy to use. Despite its popularity, the AOM/DSS model is not standardized, which makes it difficult to analyze and compare data from different studies.

Conclusions

Each model demonstrates particular advantages and disadvantages, and allows to reproduce different subtypes or aspects of the pathogenesis of CRC.

A scoping review of equity-focused implementation theories, models and frameworks in healthcare and their application in addressing ethnicity-related health inequities

BACKGROUND

Inequities in implementation contribute to the unequal benefit of health interventions between groups of people with differing levels of advantage in society. Implementation science theories, models and frameworks (TMFs) provide a theoretical basis for understanding the multi-level factors that influence implementation outcomes and are used to guide implementation processes. This study aimed to identify and analyse TMFs that have an equity focus or have been used to implement interventions in populations who experience ethnicity or 'race'-related health inequities.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted to identify the relevant literature published from January 2011 to April 2022 by searching electronic databases (MEDLINE and CINAHL), the Dissemination and Implementation model database, hand-searching key journals and searching the reference lists and citations of studies that met the inclusion criteria. Titles, abstracts and full-text articles were screened independently by at least two researchers. Data were extracted from studies meeting the inclusion criteria, including the study characteristics, TMF description and operationalisation. TMFs were categorised as determinant frameworks, classic theories, implementation theories, process models and evaluation frameworks according to their overarching aim and described with respect to how equity and system-level factors influencing implementation were incorporated.

RESULTS

Database searches yielded 610 results, 70 of which were eligible for full-text review, and 18 met the inclusion criteria. A further eight publications were identified from additional sources. In total, 26 papers describing 15 TMFs and their operationalisation were included. Categorisation resulted in four determinant frameworks, one implementation theory, six process models and three evaluation frameworks. One framework included elements of determinant, process and evaluation TMFs and was therefore classified as a 'hybrid' framework. TMFs varied in their equity and systems focus. Twelve TMFs had an equity focus and three were established TMFs applied in an equity context. All TMFs at least partially considered systems-level factors, with five fully considering macro-, meso- and micro-level influences on equity and implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review identifies and summarises the implementation science TMFs available to support equity-focused implementation. This review may be used as a resource to guide TMF selection and illustrate how TMFs have been utilised in equity-focused implementation activities.

Are assessment measures for components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health reproducible for use on pre-frail and frail older adults? A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the internal consistency, reliability and measurement error of assessment measures for body structure and function (postural balance, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory function and physical fitness), activity (walking and mobility) and participation (quality of life and social reintegration) outcomes for use on pre-frail and frail older adults.

METHODS

Searches were performed in six databases (Medline, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Lilacs) and reproducibility studies were included. Cronbach's alpha and the classification proposed by Terwee et al. (2007) were used for the interpretation of internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Munro classification were used for the determination of reliability. The standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change (MDC) as well as percentages of error (SEM%) and change (MDC%) were calculated. Methodological quality of the studies was appraised using Boxes 4, 6 and 7 of the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist.

RESULTS

Six studies were included in the present systematic review, with a total of 835 (82.4 years; 582 women and 253 men) pre-frail and frail older adults analyzed. Seven measures were identified for the assessment of body structure and function, activity and participation outcomes (Hierarchical Assessment of Balance and Mobility, Self-Assessment of Physical Fitness, Sarcopenia Quality of Life, Reintegration to Normal Living Index, Two-Minute Walking test, Six-Minute Walking test and Ten-Meter Walking test). The following measurement properties were identified: internal consistency = 0.84 (mean Cronbach's alpha); reliability = 0.87 (mean ICC); SEM range = 0.06 to 10.10; MDC range = 0.13 to 28.10; SEM% range = 5.2 % to 9.5 %; and MDC% range = 10.7 % to 28.5 %.

CONCLUSION

The present systematic review found adequate internal consistency, high reliability and an acceptable measurement error for assessment measures of body structure and function, activity and participation outcomes for use on pre-frail and frail older adults.

Mediterranean fish communities are struggling to adapt to global warming. Evidence from the western coast of Italy

Climate change has significant impacts on marine ecosystems, resulting in disruptions in biological interactions, shifts in community composition, and changes in the physiology of fish and other marine organisms. In this study conducted in the central Mediterranean Sea, the mean temperature of the catch (MTC) was employed as an indicator to investigate the climatological factors influencing the fish community. The MTC, which utilizes species-preferred temperatures, was calculated using bottom temperature (BT) data weighted against scientific catches. The estimated MTC increasing rates were 0.01 °C year-1 for the entire community, 0.017 °C year-1 for the shelf break, and 0.004 °C year-1 for the continental slope assemblage. We found that MTC is increasing at a lower rate compared to BT, suggesting a progressive under-adaptation of the fish community that seems not fully able to keep up with the ongoing pace of warming. The study identified sea surface temperature and bottom temperature as key drivers of changes in fish community composition. Notably, the fish community composition exhibited drastic changes over the studied period, and we suggest that the MTC can be a useful index to monitor such changes within the context of the EU's climate change adaptation strategy.

Selecting optimal air diving gradient factors for Belgian military divers: more conservative settings are not necessarily safer

Introduction

In 2018, the Belgian Defence introduced a commercial off-the-shelf dive computer (Shearwater Perdix™) for use by its military divers. There were operational constraints when using its default gradient factors (GF). We aimed to provide guidelines for optimal GF selection.

Methods

The Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine (DCIEM) dive tables and the United States Navy (USN) air decompression tables are considered acceptably safe by the Belgian Navy Diving Unit. The decompression model used in the Shearwater Perdix (Bühlmann ZH-L16C algorithm with GF) was programmed in Python. Using a sequential search of the parameter space, the GF settings were optimised to produce decompression schedules as close as possible to those prescribed by the USN and DCIEM tables.

Results

All reference profiles are approached when GFLO is kept equal to 100 and only GFHI is reduced to a minimum of 75 to prolong shallower stop times. Using the Perdix default settings (GFLO = 30 and GFHI = 70) yields deeper initial stops, leading to increased supersaturation of the 'slower' tissues, which potentially leads to an increased DCS risk. However, Perdix software does not currently allow for the selection of our calculated optimal settings (by convention GFLO < GFHI). A sub-optimal solution would be a symmetrical GF setting between 75/75 and 95/95.

Conclusions

For non-repetitive air dives, the optimal GF setting is GFLO 100, with only the GFHI parameter lowered to increase safety. No evidence was found that using the default GF setting (30/70) would lead to a safer decompression for air dives as deep as 60 metres of seawater; rather the opposite. Belgian Navy divers have been advised against using the default GF settings of the Shearwater Perdix dive computer and instead adopt symmetrical GF settings which is currently the optimal achievable approach considering the software constraints.

A scoping review of implementation science theories, models, and frameworks - an appraisal of purpose, characteristics, usability, applicability, and testability

BACKGROUND

A proliferation of theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) have been developed in the implementation science field to facilitate the implementation process. The basic features of these TMFs have been identified by several reviews. However, systematic appraisals on the quality of these TMFs are inadequate. To fill this gap, this study aimed to assess the usability, applicability, and testability of the current TMFs in a structured way.

METHODS

A scoping review method was employed. Electronic databases were searched to locate English and Chinese articles published between January 2000 and April 2022. Search terms were specific to implementation science. Additionally, hand searches were administered to identify articles from related reviews. Purpose and characteristics such as the type of TMF, analytical level, and observation unit were extracted. Structured appraisal criteria were adapted from Birken et al.'s Theory Comparison and Selection Tool (T-CaST) to conduct an in-depth analysis of the TMFs' usability, applicability, and testability.

RESULTS

A total of 143 TMFs were included in this analysis. Among them, the most common purpose was to identify barriers and facilitators. Most TMFs applied the descriptive method to summarize the included constructs or the prescriptive method to propose courses of implementation actions. TMFs were mainly mid-range theories built on existing conceptual frameworks or demonstrated grand theories. The usability of the TMFs needs to be improved in terms of the provision of conceptually matched strategies to barriers and facilitators and instructions on the TMFs usage. Regarding the applicability, little attention was paid to the constructs of macro-level context, stages of scale-up and sustainability, and implementation outcomes like feasibility, cost, and penetration. Also, fewer TMFs could propose recommended research and measurement methods to apply the TMFs. Lastly, explicit hypotheses or propositions were lacking in most of the TMFs, and empirical evidence was lacking to support the claimed mechanisms between framework elements in testability.

CONCLUSIONS

Common limitations were found in the usability, application, and testability of the current TMFs. The findings of this review could provide insights for developers of TMFs for future theoretical advancements.

Effective vaccination strategies to control COVID-19 in Korea: a modeling study

OBJECTIVES

In Korea, as immunity levels of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the population acquired through previous infections and vaccinations have decreased, booster vaccinations have emerged as a necessary measure to control new outbreaks. The objective of this study was to identify the most suitable vaccination strategy for controlling the surge in COVID-19 cases.

METHODS

A mathematical model was developed to concurrently evaluate the immunity levels induced by vaccines and infections. This model was then employed to investigate the potential for future resurgence and the possibility of control through the use of vaccines and antivirals.

RESULTS

As of May 11, 2023, if the current epidemic trend persists without further vaccination efforts, a peak in resurgence is anticipated to occur around mid-October of the same year. Under the most favorable circumstances, the peak number of severely hospitalized patients could be reduced by 43% (n=480) compared to the scenario without vaccine intervention (n=849). Depending on outbreak trends and vaccination strategies, the best timing for vaccination in terms of minimizing this peak varies from May 2023 to August 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that if the epidemic persist, the best timing for administering vaccinations would need to be earlier than currently outlined in the Korean plan. It is imperative to continue monitoring outbreak trends, as this is key to determining the best vaccination timing in order to manage potential future surges.

Use of Assistive Technologies and Alternative Means by Older People: The "Actional Model of Older People´s Coping with Health-Related Declines"

This paper presents the "Actional Model of Older people´s Coping with Health-Related Declines" to explain the use of a broad range of action alternatives of older persons for dealing with current or anticipated diseases, functional declines, activity limitations and participation restrictions. The general background is the action-theoretical model of intentional self-regulation of human development (e.g., Brandtstädter, 2006; Rothermund & Brandtstädter, 2019). Yet, our model provides an increased specification of major model components toward the situation of older people coping with current or anticipated health-related declines. The model development follows an adapted theory construction methodology (TCM) by Borsboom et al. (Perspectives on Psychological Science, 16(4), 756-766, 2021) and adapted principles for constructing practically useful theories by Berkman & Wilson (Perspectives on Psychological Science, 16(4), 864-874, 2021). Regarding content, we further draw on models of the use of assistive technologies (ATs) and medical services, qualitative studies on reasons for using ATs, and quantitative studies on health-related goals. The resulting model includes these components: (1) Discrepancies between perceived or anticipated and desired health-related development, (2) health-related discrepancy reduction and prevention goals, (3) action possibilities for reducing or preventing health-related discrepancies, (4) further motivating and demotivating goals, (5) beliefs about effective means for reaching the goals (2) and (4), (6) generation of the particular coping actions by goals (2) and (4) in combination with beliefs about effective means, (7) external context factors, and (8) modes of joint decision-making and decision-making on behalf of older people. The explanatory and practical value of the model are discussed as well as its implications for future research and geropsychology teaching.

Let's play pretend: Towards effective modelling in experimental psycho(patho)logy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Models are omnipresent in science. We introduce a novel framework to achieve more effective modelling practices in general psychology and experimental psychopathology.

METHOD

We analyze three types of models that are common in psychology: laboratory models, computational models, and cognitive models. We then evaluate two common ways to assess the translational value of models (phenomenological similarity and deep similarity) as well as an arguably underappreciated way (functional similarity). Functional similarity is based on an assessment of whether variables (e.g., the administration of a pharmacological substance) have a similar effect (a) in the model (e.g., in a fear conditioning procedure) and (b) on the real-life target phenomenon (e.g., on real-life anxiety complaints).

CONCLUSIONS

We argue that the assessment of functional similarity is a powerful tool to assess the translational value of models in the field of experimental psychopathology and beyond.

A Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Analogue Prevents Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease in Preterm Yorkshire Piglets

BACKGROUND & AIMS

At least 20%-30% of patients with intestinal failure receiving long-term parenteral nutrition will develop intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), for which there are few therapeutic options. SEFA-6179 is a first-in-class structurally engineered medium-chain fatty acid analogue that acts through GPR84, PPARα, and PPARγ agonism. We hypothesized that SEFA-6179 would prevent biochemical and histologic liver injury in a preterm piglet model of IFALD.

METHODS

Preterm Yorkshire piglets were delivered by cesarean section, and parenteral nutrition was provided for 14 days via implanted central venous catheters. Animals were treated with either medium-chain triglyceride vehicle control or SEFA-6179.

RESULTS

Compared to medium-chain triglyceride vehicle at day of life 15, SEFA-6179 prevented biochemical cholestasis (direct bilirubin: 1.9 vs <0.2 mg/dL, P = .01; total bilirubin: 2.7 vs 0.4 mg/dL, P = .02; gamma glutamyl transferase: 172 vs 30 U/L, P = .01). SEFA-6179 also prevented steatosis (45.6 vs 13.9 mg triglycerides/g liver tissue, P = .009), reduced bile duct proliferation (1.6% vs 0.5% area cytokeratin 7 positive, P = .009), and reduced fibrosis assessed by a masked pathologist (median Ishak score: 3 vs 1, P = 0.007). RNA sequencing of liver tissue demonstrated that SEFA-6179 broadly impacted inflammatory, metabolic, and fibrotic pathways, consistent with its in vitro receptor activity (GPR84/PPARα/PPARγ agonist).

CONCLUSIONS

In a preterm piglet model of IFALD, SEFA-6179 treatment prevented biochemical cholestasis and steatosis and reduced bile duct proliferation and fibrosis. SEFA-6179 is a promising first-in-class therapy for the prevention and treatment of IFALD that will be investigated in an upcoming phase II clinical trial.

The Role of Glutamate Underlying Treatment-resistant Depression

The monoamine hypothesis has significantly improved our understanding of mood disorders and their treatment by linking monoaminergic abnormalities to the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Even 50 years after the monoamine hypothesis was established, some patients do not respond to treatments for depression, including selective serotonin reuptake drugs. Accumulating evidence shows that patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) have severe abnormalities in the neuroplasticity and neurotrophic factor pathways, indicating that different treatment approaches may be necessary. Therefore, the glutamate hypothesis is gaining attention as a novel hypothesis that can overcome monoamine restrictions. Glutamate has been linked to structural and maladaptive morphological alterations in several brain areas associated with mood disorders. Recently, ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, has shown efficacy in TRD treatment and has received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, revitalizing psychiatry research. However, the mechanism by which ketamine improves TRD remains unclear. In this review, we re-examined the glutamate hypothesis, bringing the glutamate system onboard to join the modulation of the monoamine systems, emphasizing the most prominent ketamine antidepressant mechanisms, such as NMDAR inhibition and NMDAR disinhibition in GABAergic interneurons. Furthermore, we discuss the animal models used in preclinical studies and the sex differences in the effects of ketamine.

Evaluation of the role of superoxide radical as chain carrier for the formation of hydroxyl radical during ozonation

Superoxide radicals (O2•-) have been suggested as an important chain carrier in the radical chain reaction that promotes ozone (O3) decomposition to hydroxyl radicals (•OH) during ozonation. However, due to the difficulty in measuring transient O2•- concentrations, this hypothesis has not been verified under realistic ozonation conditions during water treatment. In this study, a probe compound was used in combination with kinetic modeling to evaluate the role of O2•- for O3 decomposition during ozonation of synthetic solutions with model promotors and inhibitors (methanol and acetate or tert-butanol) and natural waters (one groundwater and two surface waters). By measurement of the abatement of spiked tetrachloromethane (as a O2•- probe), the O2•- exposure during ozonation was determined. Based on the measured O2•- exposures, the relative contribution of O2•- to O3 decomposition, in comparison to OH-, •OH, and dissolved organic matter (DOM), was quantitatively evaluated using kinetic modeling. The results show that water compositions (e.g., the concentration of promotors and inhibitors, and the O3 reactivity of DOM) have a considerable effect on the extent of the O2•--promoted radical chain reaction during ozonation. In general, the reaction with O2•- accounted for ∼59‒70% and ∼45‒52% of the overall O3 decomposition during ozonation of the selected synthetic solutions and natural waters, respectively. This confirms that O2•- plays a critical role in promoting O3 decomposition to •OH. Overall, this study provides new insights on the controlling factors for ozone stability during ozonation processes.

Topographic distribution of inflammation factors in a healing aneurysm

BACKGROUND

Healing of intracranial aneurysms following endovascular treatment relies on the organization of early thrombus into mature scar tissue and neointima formation. Activation and deactivation of the inflammation cascade plays an important role in this process. In addition to timely evolution, its topographic distribution is hypothesized to be crucial for successful aneurysm healing.

METHODS

Decellularized saccular sidewall aneurysms were created in Lewis rats and coiled. At follow-up (after 3 days (n = 16); 7 days (n = 19); 21 days (n = 8)), aneurysms were harvested and assessed for healing status. In situ hybridization was performed for soluble inflammatory markers (IL6, MMP2, MMP9, TNF-α, FGF23, VEGF), and immunohistochemical analysis to visualize inflammatory cells (CD45, CD3, CD20, CD31, CD163, HLA-DR). These markers were specifically documented for five regions of interest: aneurysm neck, dome, neointima, thrombus, and adjacent vessel wall.

RESULTS

Coiled aneurysms showed enhanced patterns of thrombus organization and neointima formation, whereas those without treatment demonstrated heterogeneous patterns of thrombosis, thrombus recanalization, and aneurysm growth (p = 0.02). In coiled aneurysms, inflammation markers tended to accumulate inside the thrombus and in the neointima (p < 0.001). Endothelial cells accumulated directly in the neointima (p < 0.0001), and their presence was associated with complete aneurysm healing.

CONCLUSION

The presence of proinflammatory cells plays a crucial role in aneurysm remodeling after coiling. Whereas thrombus organization is hallmarked by a pronounced intra-thrombotic inflammatory reaction, neointima maturation is characterized by direct invasion of endothelial cells. Knowledge concerning topographic distribution of regenerative inflammatory processes may pave the way for future treatment modalities which enhance aneurysm healing after endovascular therapy.

A Synchronized Two-Dimensional α-Ω Model of the Solar Dynamo

We consider a conventional α -Ω -dynamo model with meridional circulation that exhibits typical features of the solar dynamo, including a Hale-cycle period of around 20 years and a reasonable shape of the butterfly diagram. With regard to recent ideas of a tidal synchronization of the solar cycle, we complement this model by an additional time-periodic α -term that is localized in the tachocline region. It is shown that amplitudes of some decimeters per second are sufficient for this α -term to become capable of entraining the underlying dynamo. We argue that such amplitudes of α may indeed be realistic, since velocities in the range of m s-1 are reachable, e.g., for tidally excited magneto-Rossby waves.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11207-023-02173-y.

Gestational Breast Cancer - a Review of Outcomes, Pathophysiology, and Model Systems

The onset of pregnancy marks the start of offspring development, and represents the key physiological event that induces re-organization and specialization of breast tissue. Such drastic tissue remodeling has also been linked to epithelial cell transformation and the establishment of breast cancer (BC). While patient outcomes for BC overall continue to improve across subtypes, prognosis remains dismal for patients with gestational breast cancer (GBC) and post-partum breast cancer (PPBC), as pregnancy and lactation pose additional complications and barriers to several gold standard clinical approaches. Moreover, delayed diagnosis and treatment, coupled with the aggressive time-scale in which GBC metastasizes, inevitably contributes to the higher incidence of disease recurrence and patient mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent and evident need to better understand the factors contributing to the establishment and spreading of BC during pregnancy. In this review, we provide a literature-based overview of the diagnostics and treatments available to patients with BC more broadly, and highlight the treatment deficit patients face due to gestational status. Further, we review the current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving GBC, and discuss recent advances in model systems that may support the identification of targetable approaches to block BC development and dissemination during pregnancy. Our goal is to provide an updated perspective on GBC, and to inform critical areas needing further exploration to improve disease outcome.

Transmission of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Through Blood Transfusion and Plasma-Derived Products: A Narrative Review of Observed and Modeled Risks

Secondary transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) can occur through blood transfusion or receipt of plasma-derived products. However, published reviews on this topic are outdated, focused on a single country or product type, or did not comprehensively review modeling studies on the risk of transfusion-transmission. We reviewed existing data on observed and modeled risks of transfusion-transmission of vCJD. To date, five patients are suspected to have acquired clinical vCJD or a vCJD infection after receiving a blood or plasma-derived product from a donor who later developed clinical vCJD. All of these cases received a nonleukodepleted blood-derived product in the United Kingdom between 1994 and 1999. Thus, all transfusion-associated cases occurred before the adoption of universal leukodepletion in 1999, which supports the preferential tropism of vCJD for leukocytes. In descriptive cohort studies, no cases of clinical vCJD were observed over ∼13 years of follow-up. In modeling studies, the risk of collecting a contaminated donation was generally <23 per million donations, that of infection was generally <10 per million transfusions or doses, and that of clinical vCJD was generally <2 per million transfusions or doses. These low risk estimates and the two-decade long absence of new cases of transfusion-associated vCJD suggest vCJD poses minimal risks to the safety of the blood supply. Furthermore, despite concerns of a second wave driven by individuals harboring a non-MM genotype at codon 129 of PRNP, there has been only 1 autopsy-confirmed case of clinical vCJD in an MV individual in 2016. The current trend to reassess or (in some countries) fully withdraw the blood donation criteria related to vCJD therefore seems justified, safe, and may significantly expand the donor base.

On testing proportional odds assumptions for proportional odds models

Proportional odds models are commonly used to model ordinal responses, but the proportional odds assumption may not hold in practice, leading to biased inference. Tests such as score, Wald and likelihood ratio (LR) have been proposed to evaluate the proportional odds assumption based on models without the assumption. Brant has proposed an independent binary model-based Wald-type test, and Wolfe and Gould have extended the idea to propose an LR-type test. This paper provides a brief review of the Brant and Wolfe-Gould tests for evaluating the proportional odds assumption and evaluates their performance through simulation studies and a real data example. Sample programs are provided in SAS, SPSS and Stata to facilitate the implementation of these tests using standard statistical software packages. This study highlights the importance of evaluating the proportional odds assumption when using proportional odds models for ordinal responses. The sample programs provided in this paper make it easy for researchers to apply these tests in their own analyses using standard statistical software packages.