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94 before intervention to 4.40 ± 1.87 following the workshop (P value less then .001). As for the intended practices, the educational intervention improved the participants' intent to exercise, eat healthy foods, and do annual screening. Conclusions Participants' knowledge, attitudes, and intended practices improved following a trained pharmacy led educational intervention. These encouraging results highlight the need for continuous national educational interventions about diabetes provided by trained health care professionals such as pharmacists. Future studies are needed to evaluate the impact of improved knowledge and perceptions on actual long-term practice.Host-parasite relationships are likely to change over the coming decades in response to climate change and increased anthropogenic stressors. Understanding the genetic architecture of parasite resistance will aid prediction of species' responses to intensified parasite challenge. The gapeworm "Syngamus trachea" is prevalent in natural bird populations and causes symptomatic infections ranging from mild to severe. The parasite may affect ecological processes by curtailing bird populations and is important due to its propensity to spread to commercially farmed birds. Our large-scale data set on an insular house sparrow metapopulation in northern Norway includes information on gapeworm prevalence and infection intensity, allowing assessment of the genetics of parasite resistance in a natural system. To determine whether parasite resistance has a heritable genetic component, we performed variance component analyses using animal models. Resistance to gapeworm had substantial additive genetic and dominance variance, and genome-wide association studies to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with gapeworm resistance yielded multiple loci linked to immune function. Together with genome partitioning results, this indicates that resistance to gapeworm is under polygenic control in the house sparrow, and probably in other bird species. Hence, our results provide the foundation needed to study any eco-evolutionary processes related to gapeworm infection, and show that it is necessary to use methods suitable for polygenic and nonadditive genetic effects on the phenotype.The death of a loved one may precipitate symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Brooding about the causes and consequences of one's negative affect (NA), also termed depressive rumination, has been linked to distress after loss. The role of dysregulation of positive affect (PA) has received less attention. We examined (1) the factor structure of depressive rumination and PA dysregulation and (2) to what extent these factors were related to PGD, PTSD and depression symptom levels. Self-report data were included from 235 Dutch bereaved people who completed measures tapping symptoms of PGD, PTSD and depression. Depressive rumination and PA regulation strategies were assessed with the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) Brooding Scale and the Response to Positive Affect (RPA) Questionnaire (including three subscales emotion-focused and self-focused rumination and dampening), respectively. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modelling were used for data analyses. The four-factor model (i.e., depressive rumination and the three RPA subscales) showed the best fit. An increase in depressive rumination was related to higher distress levels (across all outcomes in univariate and multivariate analyses). An increase in emotion-focused rumination about PA was associated with less depression. More dampening of PA was related to higher PTSD levels. Findings suggest that, alongside the regulation of NA, the regulation of PA plays a role in how people respond to the death of a loved one. This points to the need for more research on NA and PA regulation in grief.A high amount of blood and not the mere presence of blood in equine semen impacts fertility. The aim of this study was to develop an approach to rescue the fertility of stallions with high hemospermia levels. Semen from 15 stallions was divided into four experimental groups (1) Control-pure raw semen, (2) WB50-50% (v/v) whole blood added into semen, (3) E1-WB50 extended in a 11 (v/v) ratio with milk-based extender, and (4) E2-WB50 extended in a 21 ratio with milk-based extender. Sperm kinetics, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), lipid peroxidation (PER), and intracellular superoxide (O2 ) production were immediately evaluated. Four cycles of 20 mares were randomly assigned to the experimental groups. Mares were bred with an insemination dose of 1 billion total sperm and pregnancy was diagnosed 14 days after ovulation. Sperm kinetics could not be evaluated in the WB50 samples. Total motility was lower (P 0.05) for CT and E1 samples. The control (90%) and E2 (90%) groups had superior (P less then 0.05) fertility than the others (WB50-0% and E1-25%). It was concluded that sperm motility and fertility of semen with a large amount of blood can be rescued by dilution with a 21 extendersemen ratio using a milk-based extender.The use of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) as a wastewater treatment and anaerobic digestion pretreatment is a well-known process. However, most of the experiments have been done at laboratory scale and using a low concentration of total solids in the sludge treated. In this study, the waste-activated sludge has been mixed with pig slurry with the aim of treating two wastes rich in nutrients and organic matter. The HC has been studied not only at laboratory scale but also at industrial scale (up to 500 L), using a novel rotating device consisting of a rotor with multiple teeth that rotate inside a grooved stator. The effectiveness of the process has been calculated using the disintegration degree (DD) and analyzing the volatile fatty acids, while the energy efficiency has been determined with specific energy of the sludge solubilization (SESCOD ) and the specific energy. Results show that both the SESCOD and the specific energy decrease when the cavitation process is scaled from laboratory scale to industrial scale. Specifically, SESCOD decreases from 2.71 × 102 to 0.16 × 102 kJ/g SCOD and specific energy decreases from 3.58 × 104 to 2.85 × 103 kJ/kg TS while DD values show reasonable values up to 17%. PRACTITIONER POINTS A new industrial hydrodynamic cavitation device has been developed to treat industrial wastewater without chemical additives A volume up to 500 L has been treated at industrial scale experiments. Sludge with 7% of total solids content was satisfactorily disintegrated. The process scale-up lead to an energy efficiency enhancement.Tanneries are an important industrial sector in Ethiopia; consequently, gaps in wastewater treatment process performance are needed as the country increases its emphasis on compliance. A case study was conducted to evaluate physicochemical and microbial water quality at a tannery near Addis Ababa. The treatment process was designed for sulfide oxidation; biological oxygen demand reduction; and chromium removal. While some of Ethiopia's standards for industrial wastewater treatment were met through treatment, effluent COD, sulfide, total nitrogen and total chromium guidelines were not. 16S rRNA gene analysis was used to evaluate the microbial community composition across the treatment train. The results show that common ruminant phyla were dominant throughout, with Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes comprising 77% to 82% relative abundance. The Firmicutes Clostridium increased consistently in relative abundance with treatment, comprising 39% to 61% of the total bacterial community in the effluent. Improved treatment is needed to meet environmental and public health goals.Background Isometric exercises may provide an immediate analgesic effect in patients with lower-limb tendinopathy and have been proposed as initial treatment and for immediate pain relief. Current evidence is conflicting, and previous studies were small. Objective To study whether isometric exercises result in an immediate analgesic effect in patients with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Methods Patients with clinically diagnosed chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy were quasi-randomized to one of four arms isometric calf-muscle exercises (tiptoes), isometric calf-muscle exercises (dorsiflexed ankle position), isotonic calf-muscle exercises, or rest. The primary outcome was pain measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) score (0-100) during a functional task (10 unilateral hops) both before and after the intervention. Between-group differences were analyzed using a generalized estimation equations model. Results We included 91 patients. There was no significant reduction in pain on the 10 hop test after performing any of the four interventions isometric (tiptoes) group 0.2, 95%CI -11.2 to 11.5; isometric (dorsiflexed) group -1.9, 95%CI -13.6 to 9.7; isotonic group 1.4, 95%CI -8.3 to 11.1; and rest group 7.2, 95%CI -2.4 to 16.7. There were also no between-group differences after the interventions. Conclusion The isometric exercises investigated in this study did not result in immediate analgesic benefit in patients with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy. We do not recommend isometric exercises if the aim is providing immediate pain relief. Future research should focus on the use of isometric or isotonic exercise therapy as initial treatment as all exercise protocols used in this study were well-tolerated.Individuals with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) of psychosis experience high levels of distress, anxiety, low mood, and suicidal ideation. Families of ARMS individuals provide significant support but are often neglected by services. This study is the first of its kind to use a novel longitudinal qualitative methodology to directly compare family/carers' earlier experiences supporting ARMS individuals to 12 months later. This provides a more ecologically valid insight into how perceptions change over time and how family/carers adapt. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 family/carers at two points within a 12-month period. This study was embedded within a randomized control trial, the Individual and Family Cognitive Behavioural Therapy trial. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, with a focus on how experiences and reactions for family/carers changed over time. Over 12 months, four factors were important for family/carers to facilitate their caring role. These were summarized in the thematic map (LACE model) Looking after your own well-being; Accessing additional support from family intervention; Communicating openly with the individual; and Engaging with services for the individual. All four aspects of the model were important in improving family communication, meeting family/carers' unmet needs, and helping them to feel more confident and less isolated in their carer role. Novel implications suggest that when feasible, services should involve family/carers of ARMS individuals in sessions and explore family/carer support strategies in managing their own distress. The most significant insight was the need to develop family/carer resources to educate, normalize, and validate their own experiences.The novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) is a global pandemic with over 4.7 million cases and 316,000 deaths worldwide.1 Social media, defined as “electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content,”2 has played an important role during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In fact, social media usage amongst the public has previously been demonstrated to significantly increase in cases of natural disasters and crises.3 However, it is important to consider the benefits and limitations of this medium.Several New World atheriniforms have been recognized as temperature-dependent sex determined (TSD) and yet possess a genotypic sex determinant (amhy) which is primarily functional at mid-range temperatures. In contrast, little is known about the sex determination in Old World atheriniforms, even though such knowledge is crucial to understand the evolution of sex determination mechanisms in fishes and to model the effects of global warming and climate change on their populations. This study examined the effects of water temperature on sex determination of an Old World atheriniform, the cobaltcap silverside Hypoatherina tsurugae, in which we recently described an amhy homologue. We first assessed the occurrence of phenotypic/genotypic sex mismatches in wild specimens from Tokyo Bay for three years (2014-2016) and used otolith analysis to estimate their birth dates and approximate thermal history during the presumptive period of sex determination. Phenotypic sex ratios became progressively biased towards males (47.3%-78.2%) during the period and were associated with year-to-year increases in the frequency of XX-males (7.3%-52.0%) and decreases in XY/YY-females (14.5%-0%). The breeding season had similar length but was delayed by about 1 month per year between 2014 and 2016, causing larvae to experience higher temperatures during the period of sex determination from year to year. Larval rearing experiments confirmed increased likelihood of feminization and masculinization at low and high temperatures, respectively. The results suggest that cobaltcap silverside has TSD, or more specifically the coexistence of genotypic and environmental sex determinants, and that it affects sex ratios in wild populations.Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common neoplasm located in the liver. Accumulating evidence has highlighted that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are correlated with the survival of HCC patients. This study focuses on finding a lncRNA signature to predict the prognostic risk of HCC patients. Methods Statistical and machine learning analyses were conducted to analyze the lncRNA expression data and corresponding clinical data of 180 HCC patients collected from the public online Tanric and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Results From the training dataset, we obtained the four-lncRNA model comprising RP11-495K9.6, RP11-96O20.2, RP11-359K18.3, and LINC00556 which can divide HCC patients into two different groups with significantly different prognosis (n = 90, median 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-4.91 vs 8.56 years, 95% CI 6.96-9.97, log-rank test P less then .001). The test dataset confirmed the prognostic ability of the signature (n = 90, median 1.95, 95% CI 1.14-4.08 vs 5.80 years, 95% CI 3.11-6.82, log-rank test P = .007). Receiver operating characteristic curve displayed the better prediction efficiency of the four-lncRNA signature than the tumor/node/metastasis stage. Cox analysis showed the four-lncRNA signature was an independent predictor of HCC prognosis. Conclusion The four-lncRNA signature can be used as an independent biomarker for HCC patients to predict the prognostic risk.Balance disorders are a common problem among older adults that greatly increase susceptibility for falls and fractures. Aerobically trained older (masters) athletes tend to exhibit superior balance abilities compared to that of healthy age-matched counterparts. Olympic weightlifting involves tremendous power production and motor skill coordination throughout the body which may prompt unique sensory information acquisition and integration adaptations. The purpose of this investigation was to compare a modified clinical test of sensory interaction and balance performance between middle-aged (~40-60 years) masters Olympic weightlifters (OWL, n = 48) and runners (RUN, n = 42). Average mediolateral center of pressure velocity (MLCPV) was computed during completion of 2 double leg trials (30-s) completed on firm (FI) and foam (FO) surfaces with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). While there were no significant differences between the groups for either the EO-FI (P = .143, d = 0.34) or EO-FO (P = .209, d = 0.26), the OWL demonstrated significantly better balance (lower MLCPV) than the RUN for both the EC-FI (P = .009, d = 0.59) and EC-FO (P = .001, d = 0.70). The most salient result of this investigation was the identification of better balance performance by the OWL, particularly when visual inputs were unavailable (ie, EC), compared to the RUN. These results suggest that Olympic weightlifting may provide a superior training stimulus for somatosensory and vestibular function compared to running in middle-aged adults, a benefit that may help to offset archetypal age-related balance deficits.The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a major determinant of skin pigmentation and sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. When stimulated by its natural agonists, it promotes the switch from synthesis of poorly photoprotective and lightly colored pheomelanins to production of photoprotective and darker eumelanins. In addition to an unusually high number of single nucleotide polymorphisms, the MC1R is expressed as 3 protein-coding splice variants. Two transcripts display different 5' untranslated sequences but yield the same open reading frame corresponding to the canonical 317 aminoacids protein (termed MC1R). An alternative transcript named MC1R-203 encodes for a 382 amino acids protein of poorly characterized functional properties containing an additional 65 aminoacids C-terminal extension. Given the known roles of the MC1R C-terminal extension in forward trafficking, coupling to intracellular effectors and desensitization, the different structure of this domain in MC1R and MC1R-203 may lead to significant functional alteration(s). We have assessed the functional properties of MC1R-203, as compared with the canonical MC1R form. We show that unstimulated HBL human melanoma cells express the MC1R-203 spliceoform, although at much lower levels than canonical MC1R. When expressed in heterologous HEK293 cells, the presence of the 65 aminoacid-long cytosolic extension immediately after Cys316 in MC1R-203 did not impair the intracellular stability of the protein, but it interfered with functional coupling to the cAMP cascade and with the ubiquitylation of ARRB2 associated with MC1R desensitization. Conversely, MC1R-203 retained full capacity to activate ERK1/2 signaling. Accordingly, MC1R-203 displays biased signaling when expressed in HEK293 cells.In this study, l-isoleucine production in Corynebacterium glutamicum WM001 was improved by deleting three genes in the genome, replacing the native promoter of ilvA in the genome, and overexpression of five genes in an alr-based auxotrophic complementation expression system. The three genes deleted in the genome are alaT, brnQ, and alr. Deletion of alaT improved l-isoleucine production by increasing the supply of pyruvate, whereas deletion of brnQ improved l-isoleucine production by blocking the uptake of extracellular l-isoleucine. Exchange of the native promoter of ilvA with promoter tac or tacM could contribute to l-isoleucine production by increasing 2-ketobutyric acid; tac is better than tacM for improving l-isoleucine yield. Different combinations of the genes ilvBN, ppnK, lrp, and brnFE were overexpressed in an alr-based auxotrophic complementation expression system to further improve l-isoleucine production, and the best yield after 72-H flask fermentation was obtained from the strain WM005/pYCW-1-ilvBN2-ppnK1. Without addition of any antibiotics, WM005/pYCW-1-ilvBN2-ppnK1 could produce 32.1 g/L l-isoleucine after 72-H fed-batch fermentation, which is 34.3% increase compared with the original strain WM001.Autophagy is a highly conserved intracellular degradation process that plays a crucial role in cell survival and stress reactions as well as in cancer development and metastasis. Autophagy process involves several steps including sequestration, fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes and degradation. Forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factors regulate the expression of genes involved in cellular metabolic activity and signaling pathways of cancer growth and metastasis. Recent evidence suggests that FOXO proteins are also involved in autophagy regulation. The relationship among FOXOs, autophagy, and cancer has been drawing attention of many who work in the field. This study summarizes the role of FOXO proteins and autophagy in cancer growth and metastasis and analyzes their potential roles in cancer disease management.Calorie restriction during gestation in rats has long-lasting adverse effects in the offspring. It induces metabolic syndrome-related alterations, which are partially reversed by leptin supplementation during lactation. We employed these conditions to identify transcript-based nutrient sensitive biomarkers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) predictive of later adverse metabolic health. The best candidate was validated in humans. Transcriptome analysis of PBMCs from adult male Wistar rats of three experimental groups was performed offspring of control dams (CON), and offspring of 20% calorie-restricted dams during gestation without (CR) and with leptin supplementation throughout lactation (CR-LEP). The expression of 401 genes was affected by gestational calorie restriction and reversed by leptin. The changes preceded metabolic syndrome-related phenotypic alterations. Of these genes, Npc1 mRNA levels were lower in CR vs CON, and normalized to CON in CR-LEP. In humans, NPC1 mRNA levels in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) were decreased in subjects with mildly impaired metabolic health compared to healthy subjects. Therefore, a set of potential transcript-based biomarkers indicative of a predisposition to metabolic syndrome-related alterations were identified, including NPC1, which was validated in humans. Low NPC1 transcript levels in PBCs are a candidate biomarker of increased risk for impaired metabolic health in humans.Phytoextraction endeavors to remove contaminants-e.g. metal(loid)s-from polluted soils through root uptake and accumulation in the harvested plant parts. Many articles propound phytoextraction as a low-cost means of cleaning up such polluted soils. However, if legislation is based on total soil metal(loid)s, phytoextraction is generally infeasible due to unrealistically long time-frames required for success in this process (Robinson et al., 2015). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.In vitro mouse spermatogenesis using a classical organ culture method became possible by supplementing basal culture medium with only the product of bovine serum albumin purified by chromatography (AlbuMAX), which indicated that AlbuMAX contained every chemical factor necessary for mouse spermatogenesis. However, since the identity of these factors was unclear, improvements in culture media and our understanding of the nutritional and signal substances required for spermatogenesis were hindered. In the present study, chemically defined media (CDM) without AlbuMAX was used to evaluate each supplementary factor and their combinations for the induction of spermatogenesis. Similar to in vivo conditions, retinoic acid, triiodothyronine (T3 ), and testosterone (T) were needed. Based on differences in spermatogenic competence between AlbuMAX, fetal bovine serum, and adult bovine serum, we identified α-tocopherol, which strongly promoted spermatogenesis when combined with ascorbic acid and glutathione. Differences were also observed in the abilities of lipids extracted from AlbuMAX using two different methods to induce spermatogenesis. This led to the identification of lysophospholipids, particularly lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidic acid, and lysophosphatidylserine, as important molecules for spermatogenesis. New CDM formulated based on these results induced and promoted spermatogenesis as efficiently as AlbuMAX-containing medium. In vitro spermatogenesis with CDM may provide a unique experimental system for research on spermatogenesis that cannot be performed in in vivo experiments.In the face of a novel infectious disease, changing our collective behaviour is critical to saving lives. One determinant of risk perception and risk behaviour that is often overlooked is the degree to which we share psychological group membership with others. We outline, and summarize supporting evidence for, a theoretical model that articulates the role of shared group membership in attenuating health risk perception and increasing health risk behaviour. We emphasize the importance of attending to these processes in the context of the ongoing response to COVID-19 and conclude with three recommendations for how group processes can be harnessed to improve this response.Patient-centred care has become the touchstone of healthcare policy in developed healthcare systems. The ensuing commodification of patients' experiences has resulted in a mass of data but little sense of whether and how such data are used. We sought to understand how front-line staff use patient experience data for quality improvement in the National Health Service (NHS). We conducted a 12-month ethnographic case study evaluation of improvement projects in six NHS hospitals in England in 2016-2017. Drawing on the sociology of everyday life, we show how front-line staff worked with a notion of data as interpersonal and embodied. In addition to consulting organisationally sanctioned forms of data, staff used their own embodied interactions with patients, carers, other staff and the ward environment to shape improvements. The data staff found useful involved face-to-face interaction and dialogue; were visual, emotive, and allowed for immediate action. We draw on de Certeau to re-conceptualise this as 'wild data'. We conclude that patient experience data are relational, and have material, social and affective dimensions, which have been elided in the literature to date. Practice-based theories of the everyday help to envision 'patient experience' not as a disembodied tool of managerialism but as an embedded part of healthcare staff professionalism.Alagille syndrome patients present with loss of function mutations in either JAG1 or NOTCH2. About 40%-50% of patients have kidney abnormalities, and frequently display multicystic, dysplastic kidneys. Additionally, gain-of-function mutations in NOTCH2 are associated with cystic kidneys in Hajdu-Cheney syndrome patients. How perturbations in Notch signaling cause renal tubular cysts remains unclear. Here, we have determined that reduced Notch signaling mediated transcription by ectopic expression of dominant-negative mastermind-like (dnMaml) peptide in the nephrogenic epithelia from after the s-shaped body formation and in the developing collecting ducts results in proximal tubular and collecting duct cysts, respectively. An acute inhibition of Notch signaling for two days during kidney development is sufficient to disrupt tubule formation, and significantly increases Akap12 expression. Ectopic expression of Akap12 in renal epithelia results in abnormally long primary cilia similar to that observed in Notch-signaling-deficient epithelia. Both loss of Notch signaling and elevated Akap12 expression disrupt the ability of renal epithelial cells to form spherical structures with a single lumen when grown embedded in matrix. Interestingly, Akap12 can inhibit Notch signaling mediated transcription, which likely explains how both loss of Notch signaling and ectopic expression of Akap12 result in similar renal epithelial abnormalities. We conclude that Notch signaling regulates Akap12 expression while also ensuring normal primary cilia length and renal epithelial morphogenesis, and suggest that one aspect of diseases associated with defective Notch signaling, such as Alagille syndrome, maybe mechanistically related to ciliopathies.Purpose Whereas there is compelling evidence for an association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and executive function and attention, its relation with social cognition has not been investigated yet. However, social cognition is linked with mental health and career success in jobs with high demands on social interaction. The present study aims to examine the association between CRF and the facial emotion recognition aspect of social cognition in police officers. Methods The study utilized a cross-sectional design. 198 male and female participants (aged 38.3 ± 1.3 years) completed the Åstrand submaximal bicycle ergometer test and their CRF was estimated using the Åstrand-Rhyming nomogram. Additionally, a 2-choice reaction time task and two facial emotion recognition tasks (labeling and matching) with low (emotion recognition from faces) and high (emotion recognition from eyes) difficulty trials were administered for the assessment of attention and social cognition. Results Adjusting for age, gender, education, and attention, hierarchical regression supported higher CRF to be related to higher performance on overall performance on the facial emotion labeling and matching tasks, Beta = 0.141, P = .046. With regard to difficulty levels, a similar association between CRF and task performance was found for the faces condition, Beta = 0.147, P = .043, but not for the eyes condition, Beta = 0.105, P = .132. Conclusions Social cognition appears to differ as a function of adults' CRF level. The present findings have a high relevance for police officers, because they need to rely on this cognitive domain for many decisions in their work-life.The current study explores the detoxification effect of Retro-2 on ricin toxin (RT) cytotoxicity, as well as the mechanisms underlying such effects, to provide a basis for follow-up clinical applications of Retro-2. The mouse-derived mononuclear/macrophage cell line, RAW264.7, was used to evaluate the detoxification effect of Retro-2 on RT by detecting cell viability, capacity for protein synthesis and the expression of cytokines, as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related mRNA. The results indicated that many cells died when challenged with concentrations of RT ≥50ng/mL. The protein synthesis capacity of cells decreased when challenged with 200ng/mL RT for 2hours. Furthermore, the synthesis and release of many cytokines decreased, while the expression of cytokines or ERS-related mRNA increased when challenged with 200ng/mL of RT for 12 or more hours. However, cell viability, capacity for protein synthesis and release levels of many cytokines were higher, while the expression levels of cytokine, or ERS-related mRNA, were lower in cells pretreated with 20μm Retro-2 and challenged with RT, compared with those that had not been pretreated with Retro-2. In conclusion, Retro-2 retained the capacity for protein synthesis inhibited by RT, alleviated ERS induced by RT and increased the viability of cells challenged with RT. Retro-2 shows the potential for clinical applications.Background While international agreement supports a causal relationship of benzene exposure with acute myeloid leukemia, there is debate about benzene and lymphoid neoplasm risks. Methods In a case-cohort study with follow-up of 110 631 Chinese workers during 1972-1999, we evaluated benzene exposure-response for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), lymphoid leukemias (LL), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and total lymphoid neoplasms (LN). We estimated benzene exposures using state-of-the-art hierarchical modeling of occupational factors calibrated with historical routine measurements and evaluated cumulative exposure-response using Cox regression. Results NHL and other specified LN were increased in exposed vs unexposed workers. However, there was no evidence of exposure-response for NHL or other specified LN. Based on a linear exposure-response, relative risks at 100 parts per million-years (RR at 100 ppm-years) for cumulative benzene exposure using a 2-year lag (exposure at least 2 years before the time at risk) were 1.05 for NHL (95 percent confidence interval (CI) = 0.97, 1.27; 32 cases), 1.11 for LL (95% CI less then 0, 1.66; 12 cases), 1.21 for ALL (95% CI less then 0, 3.53; 10 cases), and 1.02 for total LN (95% CI less then 0, 1.16; 49 cases). No statistically significant exposure-response trends were apparent for these LN for 2 to less then 10-year or ≥10-year lags. NHL risks were not significantly modified by sex, age, or year at first exposure, attained age, or time since exposure. Conclusion Given the study strengths and limitations, we found little evidence of exposure-response for benzene and NHL, LL, ALL, or total LN, although NHL and other specified LN were increased in exposed vs unexposed individuals.microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important for endometrial receptivity establishment and embryo implantation in mammals. miR-34a and miR-34c are highly expressed in caprine receptive endometrium (RE). Herein, the functions and mechanisms of miR-34a/c in caprine endometrial epithelial cell (CEEC) apoptosis and RE establishment were investigated. miR-34a/c downregulated the expression level of centrosomal protein 55 (CEP55) and were sponged by circRNA8073 (circ-8073), thereby exhibiting a negative interaction in CEEC. miR-34a/c induced CEEC apoptosis by targeting circ-8073/CEP55 through the regulation of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and phosphoitide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Positive and negative feedback loops and cross-talk were documented between the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. miR-34a/c regulated the levels of RE marker genes, including forkhead box M1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and osteopontin (OPN). These results suggest that miR-34a/c not only induce CEEC apoptosis by binding to circ-8073 and CEP55 via the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, but may also regulate RE establishment in dairy goats.Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease which results in damage in neuronal cells. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 was previously reported to play a role of neuroprotection in some diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) can also regulate neuronal cells. However, the mechanisms underlying IGF-1 and NO in PD still need to be elucidated. In present study, we explored the interaction between IGF-1 and inducible Nitric-Oxide Synthase (iNOS) in PD progression. We firstly constructed PD models by methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or MPP+ treatment. Then RT-qPCR revealed that IGF-1 expression was downregulated while iNOS expression was upregulated in MPTP model. Moreover, IGF-1 elevation or iNOS depletion enhanced cell viability and blocked cell apoptosis. Rescue assay disclosed iNOS overexpression reversed the effect on viability and apoptosis mediated by IGF-1 upregulation. Furthermore, IGF-1 was identified to positively regulate miR-302b-5p which could target iNOS. MiR-302b-5p could abolish the inhibitory function IGF-1 exerted on cell apoptosis and iNOS could counteract miR-302b-5p upregulation-triggered inhibition on cell apoptosis as well. Besides, we observed the deficiency of miR-302b-5p improved the lesioned neurobehavior of MPTP-treated mice. To sum up, present study proved that miR-302b-5p enhanced the neuroprotective effect of IGF-1 in MPTP-induced PD by regulating iNOS, recommending a novel therapeutic target for PD treatment. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY In this study, we mainly explored that IGF-1 was decreased while iNOS was boosted in MPTP-induced PD mice model; IGF-1 suppressed while iNOS promoted MPP+ -induced toxicity and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells; miR-302b-5p ehanhced the neuroprotective effect of IGF-1 via targeting Inos; deficiency of miR-302b-5p improved the lesioned neurobehavior of MPTP-treated mice.Background and objectives Pasireotide was shown in a randomized trial to decrease the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). However, retrospective series from other centers have failed to confirm these results. Methods Patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy between January 2014 and February 2019 were included. Patients treated after November 2016 routinely received pasireotide and were compared to a retrospective cohort. Multivariate analysis was performed for the outcome of clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF), with stratification by fistula risk score (FRS). Results Ninety-nine of 300 patients received pasireotide. The distribution of high, intermediate, low, and negligible risk patients by FRS was comparable (P = .487). There were similar rates of CR-POPF (19.2% pasireotide vs 14.9% control, P = .347) and percutaneous drainage (12.1% vs 10.0%, P = .567), with greater median number of drain days in the pasireotide group (6 vs 4 days, P less then .001). Multivariate modeling for CR-POPF showed no correlation with operation or pasireotide use. Adjustment with propensity weighted models for high (OR, 1.02, 95% CI, 0.45-2.29) and intermediate (OR, 1.02, CI, 0.57-1.81) risk groups showed no correlation of pasireotide with reduction in CR-POPF. Conclusions Pasireotide administration after pancreatectomy was not associated with a decrease in CR-POPF, even when patients were stratified by FRS.Aim Sports activities provide social interaction for humans. Commitment to a given team is a salient feature of being a sports fan and becomes a prominent part of self-identification for fanatics. Emotion, subjective hedonic experience, and non-romantic love are related to fan behaviors. Few studies have evaluated the neural basis of sports fanaticism. Methods Thirty men, including 16 football fanatics and 14 non-fanatics, with a mean age of 27.4 ± 6.4 years (range, 20-48) were enrolled. Subjects underwent fMRI while watching a set of goals scored by favorite, rival, and neutral teams. Results The analysis of variance in GLM revealed a significant Group-by-Condition interaction effect in the bilateral dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), more prominent in the left hemisphere. In the post-hoc comparisons, fanatics showed increased activation in bilateral dACC, supplementary motor cortex (SMA), superior frontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right insula for favorite&gt;neutral contrast and an increased activation in bilateral dACC and SMA for rival&gt;neutral contrast. Seed-based connectivity analyses using the areas with significant activation differences revealed increased connectivity between dACC and several regions, including left posterior lateral temporal area, insula, and bilateral medial temporal, medial superior frontal areas as well as basal ganglia in fanatics compared to non-fanatics. Conclusion Our results suggest that football fanatics exhibit different brain activation and connectivity pattern, both under favorable and unfavorable conditions. This brain activity and connectivity pattern under emotionally-laden conditions may represent higher responses to rewards, higher emotional valence attribution, and stronger motivational state of the football fanatics that might underlie their unusual behavioral responses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.In this study, UV-LED was employed as a novel light source to investigate the degradation of a representative antibiotic compound, chloramphenicol (CAP), in the absence or presence of H2 O2 . The UV-LED irradiation showed a higher capability for degradation of CAP than conventional UV-Hg vapor lamps. Effects of the initial CAP concentration, UV wavelength, and light intensity on the degradation of CAP by UV-LED were evaluated. Introduction of H2 O2 evidently enhanced the degradation efficiency of CAP due to the production of reactive hydroxyl radicals. Results showed that the UV-LED/H2 O2 removed CAP by up to 95% within 60 min at pH 5.0, which was twice as that achieved by the UV-LED alone. The degradation products were identified to propose plausible degradation pathways. Moreover, the formation potentials of typical carbonaceous disinfection by-products (C-DBPs) and nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs) were assessed for the CAP polluted water treated by the UV-LED alone and UV-LED/H2 O2 processes. Results indicate unintended formation of certain DBPs, thereby highlighting the importance of health risk assessments before practical application. This study opens a new avenue for developing environment-friendly and high-performance UV-LED photocatalytic reactors for abatement of CAP pollution in water. PRACTITIONER POINTS UV-LED bore higher capability to degrade CAP than low-pressure Hg lamp. The optimal performance to degrade CAP can be achieved at the UV wavelength of 280 nm. The degradation efficiency under UV-LED/H2 O2 process was double of that under UV-LED process. TCM, DCAN, and TCNM formation were higher under the existence of UV-LED radiation. The addition of H2 O2 had greater influence on the formation of DCAcAm than the introduction of UV-LED.Objectives Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder characterised by an isolated thrombocytopenia in the absence of an alternative diagnosis. The condition is highly heterogeneous with some patients requiring multiple of therapy before achieving response. In this study, we collected data on a large cohort of primary ITP patients with the objective of identifying variables which may predict treatment requirements. Methods We collected data on 379 patients, 275 with a confirmed diagnosis of primary ITP included demographics, baseline laboratory results and treatments. These were compared against treatment responses and lines of therapy. Results Patients who presented with a platelet count of 2 lines of therapy (P-value less then 0.001). Superior response rates were demonstrated with thrombopoietin receptor agonists when compared with other agents irrespective of baseline characteristics. Conclusions Platelet counts at diagnosis are a potentially strong predictive indicator of subsequent lines of therapy. Patients with bleeding symptoms at diagnosis were more likely to have lower median platelets counts.Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients have a barrier disorder in association with Th2 dominant skin inflammation. Galectin-7 (Gal-7), a soluble unglycosylated lectin, is highly expressed in the stratum corneum of AD patients. However, the biological significance of increased Gal-7 expression in AD skin lesions remains unclear. Objective We aimed to investigate the production mechanism and functional role of Gal-7 in AD patients and IL-4/IL-13-stimulated epidermal keratinocytes. Methods We assessed the Gal-7 expression levels in skin lesions and sera from AD patients. Gal-7 levels were also measured in monolayered normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and 3-dimensional (3D)-reconstructed epidermis in the presence or absence of IL-4/IL-13 with or without Stat3, Stat6 or Gal-7 gene silencing. Results Gal-7 was highly expressed in the stratum corneum or intercellular space of AD lesional epidermis as assessed by the stratum corneum proteome analysis and immunohistochemistry. A positive correlation was noted between serum Gal-7 level and transepidermal water loss in patients with AD. These clinical findings were corroborated by our in vitro data, which showed that IL-4/IL-13 facilitated the extracellular release of endogenous Gal-7 in both monolayered NHEKs and 3D-reconstructed epidermis. This machinery was caused by IL-4/IL-13-induced cell damage and inhibited by knockdown of Stat6 but not Stat3 in NHEKs. Moreover, we performed Gal-7 knockdown experiment on 3D-reconstructed epidermis and the result suggested that endogenous Gal-7 serves as a protector from IL-4/IL-13-induced disruption of cell-to-cell adhesion and/or cell-to-extracellular matrix adhesion. Conclusion and clinical relevance Our study unveils the characteristic of Gal-7 and its possible role as an alarmin that reflects the IL-4/IL-13-induced skin barrier impairment in AD.Environmental and human health challenges are pronounced in Asia, an exceptionally diverse and complex region where global megatrends are extensive and numerous stresses to environmental quality exist. Identifying priorities necessary to engage grand challenges can be facilitated through horizon scanning exercises, and to this end we identified and examined 23 priority research questions needed to advance toward more sustainable environmental quality in Asia, as part of the Global Horizon Scanning Project. Advances in environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, biological monitoring and risk assessment methodologies are necessary to address adverse impact of environmental stressors on ecosystem services and biodiversity, for which Asia is home to numerous biodiversity hotspots. Intersections of the food-energy-water nexus are profound in Asia; innovative and aggressive technologies are necessary to provide clean water, ensure food safety, and stimulate energy efficiency, while improving ecological integrity and addressing legacy and emerging threats to public health and the environment, particularly with increased aquaculture production. Asia is the largest chemical producing continent globally. Accordingly, sustainable and green chemistry and engineering presents decided opportunities to stimulate innovation and realize a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Engaging the priority research questions identified herein will require transdisciplinary coordination through existing and non-traditional partnerships within and among countries and sectors. Answering these questions will not be easy, but is necessary to achieve more sustainable environmental quality in Asia. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Perfluoro alkyl acids (PFAAs) are known to bioconcentrate in plants grown in contaminated soils; the potential risk from consuming these plants is currently less understood. We determined that the USEPA's current RfDs could be met by consuming a single radish grown in soils with a PFOA concentration of 9.7 ng/g or a PFOS concentration of 90.5 ng/g. Using a combination of our own research and literature data on plant uptake of PFAAs from soil, we developed equations for predicting PFAA bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for plant shoot and root tissues grown in soils with a known percent organic carbon. This calculated BCF was then applied to six scenarios with measured soil PFAA concentrations to estimate PFAA concentrations in plants and potential exposure to humans and animals consuming harvested vegetation. Five of the six scenarios showed potential for surpassing USEPA PFAA RfDs at soil concentrations as low as 24 ng/g PFOA and 28 ng/g PFOS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Background Nutritional deficiencies are seen in patients with food allergy. Low vitamin D levels have been found in patients with atopic conditions. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune antigen-mediated disease found to be highly associated in patients with atopic disease and treated with dietary elimination with recommendations to utilize a dietician to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Nonetheless, the relationship between EoE and vitamin deficiency remains unclear. We aimed to systematically review the evidence to support a possible association between vitamin deficiency and eosinophilic esophagitis. Methods Electronic searches were performed with keywords relating to EoE and vitamins among pediatric patients in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library. Summary estimates were calculated. Citations were reviewed against pre-defined criteria. (Inclusion human subjects, aged 0-18, with eosinophilic esophagitis. Exclusion adults over 18 years, non-English papers). Results The search yielded 1707 studies. Five of these studies with a total of 137 pediatric patients were included in the systematic review. Outcome measures were assessed at different points in EoE treatment across studies. The single common outcome measure across all included studies was vitamin D. Reported prevalence of low vitamin D varied in these studies (0%-52%). Vitamin D levels of children with EoE both pre- and post-intervention were low. Conclusions There is limited published literature on vitamin deficiencies associated with EoE both pre- and post-intervention. The limited data on vitamin D suggest that insufficiency or deficiency may be present in these patients, but it remains unclear whether deficiency is caused by diet. More prospective, well-defined studies, in addition to routine reporting on dietary intake and nutritional status, are needed to make any conclusions or recommendations for screening.Antibiotic resistance in acne was first observed in the 1970s and has been a major concern in dermatology since the 1980s. The resistance rates and types of antimicrobials have subsequently shown great variations in regions and countries. Illustrative of this is the resistance to topical erythromycin and clindamycin which continues to be a problem worldwide, while resistance to systemic treatment with tetracyclines has remained low during the past decade. The resistance for the newer macrolides like azithromycin and clarithromycin has been increasing. The results of antibiotic resistance may include treatment failure of acne, disturbance of skin microbiota, induction of opportunistic pathogens locally and systemically, and dissemination of resistant strains to both healthcare personnel and the general population. The ensuing complications, such as aggravated opportunistic infections caused by Propionibacterium acnes and the emergence of multiresistant superbugs, have not yet been confirmed.Background Acral chilblain-like lesions are being increasingly reported during COVID-19 pandemic. However, only few patients proved positivity for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The relationship between this skin manifestation and COVID-19 infection has not been clarified yet. Objective To thoroughly characterize a prospective group of patients with chilblain-like lesions, and to investigate the possible relationship with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Following informed consent, patients underwent (i) clinical evaluation, (ii) RT-PCR and serology testing for SARS-CoV-2, (iii) digital videocapillaroscopy of finger- and toe-nailfolds, (iv) blood testing to screen for autoimmune diseases and coagulation anomalies, and (v) skin biopsy for histopathology, direct immunofluorescence, and, in selected cases, electron microscopy. Results Nineteen patients, all adolescents (mean age 14 years), were recruited. 11/19 (58%) of them and/or their cohabitants reported flu-like symptoms one to two months prior to skin manifestation on history data and the detection of anti-SARS-COV-2 IgA strongly suggest a relationship between skin lesions and COVID-19. Further investigations on the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and pathogenesis of chilblain-like lesions are warranted.Depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concern has compelled us to search for alternative fuel. Hydrogen is considered as a dream fuel as it has high energy content (142 kJ g-1 ) and is not chemically bound to carbon. At present, fossil fuel-based methods for producing hydrogen require high-energy input, which makes the processes expensive. The major processes for biohydrogen production are biophotolysis, microbial electrolysis, dark fermentation, and photofermentation. Fermentative hydrogen production has the additional advantages of potentially using various waste streams from different industries as feedstock. Novel strategies to enhance the productivity of fermentative hydrogen production include optimization in pretreatment methods, integrated fermentation systems (sequential and combined fermentation), use of nanoparticles as additives, metabolic engineering of microorganisms, improving the light utilization efficiency, developing more efficient photobioreactors, etc. More focus has been given to produce biohydrogen in a biorefinery approach in which, along with hydrogen gas, other metabolites (ethanol, butyric acid, 1,3-propanediol, etc.