white matter were confirmed as functional nodes particularly sensitive to surgical injuries.To determine the extent of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGluR5) network abnormalities associated with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), we performed graph theoretical analysis of [11C]ABP688 PET binding potentials (BPND), which allows for quantification of mGluR5 availability. Undirected graphs were constructed for the entire cortex in 17 FCD patients and 33 healthy controls using inter-regional similarity of [11C]ABP688 BPND. We assessed group differences in network integration between healthy controls and the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres of FCD patients. Compared to healthy controls, FCD patients showed reduced network efficiency and reduced small-world connectivity. The mGluR5 network of FCD patients was also less resilient to targeted removal of high centrality nodes, suggesting a less integrated network organization. In highly efficient hub nodes of FCD patients, we observed a significant negative correlation between local efficiency and duration of epilepsy only in the contralateral hemisphere, suggesting that some nodes may be more vulnerable to persistent epileptic activity. Our study provides the first in vivo evidence for a widespread reduction in cortical mGluR5 network integration in FCD patients. In addition, we find that ongoing epileptic activity may alter chemoarchitectural brain organization resulting in reduced efficiency in distant regions that are essential for network integration.

Thalamus atrophy has been linked to cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis (MS) using various segmentation methods. We investigated the consistency of the association between thalamus volume and cognition in MS for two common automated segmentation approaches, as well as fully manual outlining.

Standardized neuropsychological assessment and 3-Tesla 3D-T1-weighted brain MRI were collected (multi-center) from 57 MS patients and 17 healthy controls. Thalamus segmentations were generated manually and using five automated methods. Agreement between the algorithms and manual outlines was assessed with Bland-Altman plots; linear regression assessed the presence of proportional bias. The effect of segmentation method on the separation of cognitively impaired (CI) and preserved (CP) patients was investigated through Generalized Estimating Equations; associations with cognitive measures were investigated using linear mixed models, for each method and vendor.

In smaller thalami, automated methods systematically overestimated volumes compared to manual segmentations [ρ=(-0.42)-(-0.76); p-values<0.001). All methods significantly distinguished CI from CP MS patients, except manual outlines of the left thalamus (p=0.23). Poorer global neuropsychological test performance was significantly associated with smaller thalamus volumes bilaterally using all methods. Vendor significantly affected the findings.

Automated and manual thalamus segmentation consistently demonstrated an association between thalamus atrophy and cognitive impairment in MS. However, a proportional bias in smaller thalami and choice of MRI acquisition system might impact the effect size of these findings.

Automated and manual thalamus segmentation consistently demonstrated an association between thalamus atrophy and cognitive impairment in MS. However, a proportional bias in smaller thalami and choice of MRI acquisition system might impact the effect size of these findings.The setae of mites are not regarded as secretory structures, yet in the flat mite genus Raoiella, each developmental stage presents droplets of fluid associated with the tips of their dorsal setae. To understand the origin of this fluid, the ultrastructure of the dorsal setae is investigated in females of Raoiella bauchani Beard & Ochoa and the invasive pest species Raoiella indica Hirst using scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The dorsal setae are barbed along their entire length and have either a broadened plumose or a flat spatulate tip. Ultrastructurally, they present the typical features of mechanoreceptors, but have a „hollow” axis represented by a protoplasmatic core containing dendritic branches. This combination of ultrastructural characters indicates that the setae might be multimodal receptors acting as both mechanoreceptors and contact chemoreceptors. The epidermal cells that underlie the setal sockets are columnar and have an ultrastructure that suggests they have a glandular function. Moreover, these cells present regular microvilli apically and form extracellular cuticular canals, containing epicuticular filaments, that are connected with the microvilli proximally and which open via pores onto the surface of the setal base distally. This arrangement indicates that the secretion from the microvilli passes into the canals and is then conducted to pores at the base of the seta, where it then accumulates and moves up the setal shaft, along the longitudinal grooves of the barbs. Based on similar arrangements in some insect taxa, the organization of the structures here observed in Raoiella suggests the passage of a non-polar, water insoluble, lipoid fluid through the cuticle, the function of which is still obscure.Short open reading frame (sORF)-encoded polypeptides (SEPs) have recently emerged as key regulators of major cellular processes. Computational methods for the annotation of sORFs combined with transcriptomics and ribosome profiling approaches predicted the existence of tens of thousands of SEPs across the kingdom of life. Although, we still lack unambiguous evidence for most of them. The method of choice to validate the expression of SEPs is mass spectrometry (MS)-based peptidomics. Peptides are less abundant than proteins, which tends to hinder their detection. Therefore, optimization and enrichment methods are necessary to validate the existence of SEPs. In this article, we discuss the challenges for the detection of SEPs by MS and recent developments of biochemical approaches applied to the study of these peptides. We detail the advances made in the different key steps of a typical peptidomics workflow and highlight possible alternatives that have not been explored yet.The illegal trade has been threatening tortoise populations worldwide for decades. Nowadays, however, DNA typing and forensic genetic approaches allow us to investigate the geographic origin of confiscated animals and to relocate them into the wild, providing that suitable molecular tools and reference data are available. Here we assess the suitability of a small panel of microsatellite markers to investigate patterns of illegal translocations and to assist forensic genetic applications in the endangered Mediterranean land tortoise Testudo hermanni hermanni. Specific allelic ladders were created for each locus and tested on several reference samples. We used the microsatellite panel to (i) increase our understanding of the population genetic structure in wild populations with new data from previously unsampled geographic areas (overall 461 wild individuals from 28 sampling sites); (ii) detect the presence of non-native individuals in wild populations; and (iii) identify the most likely geographic area of origviduals need to be re-assigned to their respective macro-area of origin before release, and can assist future forensic genetic applications in detecting the illegal trade and possession of Testudo hermanni individuals.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) pose a great danger to society and now we have shreds of evidence for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) being one of the major causative agents for it. Though the prevalence of HPV varies throughout the world, it is gradually on the rise. The present systematic review aims to retrospect all the available studies on the prevalence of HPV in HNSCC in India and its clinicopathological aspect to study how it is different from HPV negative HNSCC.

An objective electronic database search was conducted in PUBMED Central, MeSH, NLM Catalog, Bookshelf, and PUBMED published in 25 years period from 1994 till 2019. A total of 33 articles were shortlisted for the present review.

Studies conducted across India show the prevalence of HPV in Head and Neck Cancers ranging from 0-86.6%. Some studies reported that HPV positive HNSCC is more common in younger age, presents with advanced stage disease, and more commonly presents with nodal metastasis. As opposed to western literature HPV positive HNSCC in India is associated with a well-differentiated tumor grade. There is no difference in treatment outcome and survival among HPV positive and negative HNSCC.

Exact prevalence of HPV in HNSCC is still doubtful but now we have some insight into it. The prevalence of HPV in Indian HNSCC patients has risen gradually but treatment outcome and survival may be poorer compared to other countries. However definite conclusions cannot be drawn without proper prospective study.

Exact prevalence of HPV in HNSCC is still doubtful but now we have some insight into it. The prevalence of HPV in Indian HNSCC patients has risen gradually but treatment outcome and survival may be poorer compared to other countries. However definite conclusions cannot be drawn without proper prospective study.Low back pain (LBP) can lead to motor control disturbance which can be one of the causes of reoccurrence of the complaint. It is important to improve our knowledge of movement related disturbances during assessment in LBP and to classify patients according to the severity. The aim of this study is to present differences in kinematic variables using a RGB-D camera in order to classify LBP patients with different severity. A cross-sectional study was carried out. Subjects with non-specific subacute and chronic LBP were screened 6 weeks following an episode. Functional tests were bending trunk test, sock test and sit to stand test. Participants performed as many repetitions as possible during 30 s for each functional test. Angular displacement, velocity and acceleration, linear acceleration, time and repetitions were analysed. Participants were divided into two groups to determine their different LBP severity with a k-means clusters according to the results obtained in Roland Morris questionnaire (RMQ). Comparing different severity groups based on RMQ score (high impact = 17.15, low impact = 7.47), bending trunk test obtained significative differences in linear acceleration (p = 0.002-0.01). The differences of total linear acceleration during the Sit to Stand test were significative (p = 0.004-0.02). Sock test showed not significative differences between groups (p > 0.05). Linear acceleration variables during Sit to Stand test and Bending trunk test were significatively different between the different severity groups. RGB-D camera system and functional tests can detect kinematic differences in different type of LBP according to the functionality. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03293095 „Functional Task Kinematic in Musculoskeletal Pathology” September 26, 2017.Beliefs about the malleability of attributes, also known as mindsets, have been studied for decades in social-personality psychology and education. Here, I review the many applications of mindset theory to clinical psychology and psychotherapy. First, I review social psychological and cognitive neuroscience evidence that mindsets and mindset-related messages are, to a large extent, focused on emotional tolerance. Specifically, the growth mindset, or the belief that attributes are malleable, encourages confronting and tolerating anxiety, frustration, and disappointment in healthy and adaptive ways that promote resilience, whereas the fixed mindset and related messages discourage the experience of these emotions and often leads to helplessness. Second, I review the emerging research on the anxiety mindset and discuss its relevance to clinical work. A model is proposed illustrating connections between mindsets, emotion regulation strategies, treatment preferences, and outcomes. Case examples are used to illustrate practical applications. I conclude that mindsets can inform psychotherapy, research, and public policy.

Anxiety is common during pregnancy. The 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) is a self-rating scale for detecting anxiety and has been validated in various populations, but it has not been validated in pregnant Chinese women. The objective of this study was to validate the GAD-7 as a screening tool to detect anxiety during pregnancy among Chinese women.

The GAD-7 and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS-A) were administered to 140 pregnant Chinese women to evaluate the Cronbach’s alpha and the criterion-related validity. Additionally, a diagnostic study (n=170) was conducted by using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) as a gold standard to examine the screening performance of the GAD-7. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Cronbach’s alpha for the GAD-7 was 0.84. The Pearson correlation coefficient between GAD-7 and HADS-A scores was 0.66 (P<0.01). At the maximum Youden Index of 0.53, the optimal cutoff score for the GAD-7 among pregnant women was 7, and an AUC of 0.83, a sensitivity of 96.8%, and a specificity of 56.1% were obtained.

The majority of the participants were in the first trimester, and thus, the findings cannot be generalized to all pregnant women.

The GAD-7 is a suitable screening instrument for detecting antenatal anxiety in mainland China. Further validation is warranted in women in different trimesters of pregnancy.

The GAD-7 is a suitable screening instrument for detecting antenatal anxiety in mainland China. Further validation is warranted in women in different trimesters of pregnancy.

Alterations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) have frequently been reported in depressed patients. These parameters might prove to be a consistent finding in depression. In addition, peripheral DNA methylation of the MORC1 gene promoter showed stable associations with depression across independent samples. However, the question arises whether MORC1, supposedly acting as transcription factor, might also be involved in neurobiological alterations accompanying depression. This study further analyses the role of MORC1 in depression by investigating a potential correlation between peripheral MORC1 DNA methylation and neuronal structural properties previously associated with depression in humans.

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was assessed in 52 healthy participants. DNA was extracted from buccal cells and MORC1 methylation correlated with micro- and macrostructural properties derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) in the hippocupport this hypothesis.

Neural abnormalities in emotional response inhibition still exist in the euthymic phase of bipolar disorder (BD). Few studies on comparisons of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) manifestations between different mood phases of pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) have ever been published. The goal of this study was to explore the differences in neural activities between manic and euthymic PBD during emotional response inhibition.

Simultaneous imaging of neural activity was recorded during an emotional Go/Nogo paradigm and the effect of emotional response inhibition was analyzed. Neural activities were compared between the three groups.

In the presence of emotional versus neutral distractors, both manic and euthymic PBD subjects similarly showed widespreadly increased activities in the cognitive and emotional regulation circuits compared with healthy individuals. Compared with euthymic PBD patients, those with manic PBD exhibited increased activities in the left superior frontal gyrus. Hyperactivity in the left superior frontal, left middle frontal and right inferior frontal gyrus in manic PBD was positively associated with false response errors.

Increased activity in the left superior frontal gyrus may be characteristic of manic episodes in PBD patients, and such a disparity between manic and euthymic phrases may attribute to more severe emotional dysregulation.

Increased activity in the left superior frontal gyrus may be characteristic of manic episodes in PBD patients, and such a disparity between manic and euthymic phrases may attribute to more severe emotional dysregulation.

A smartphone application (i.e., SPSRS) was developed to help people with subthreshold depression (StD) improve depressive symptoms by presenting positive word stimuli in videos. However, to date, no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to investigate SPSRS application interventions for depressive symptoms in people with StD. Therefore, a pilot RCT was conducted to assess the preliminary efficacy of the SPSRS application intervention for people with StD.

In a pilot RCT, 32 participants (female=34.4%, mean age=20.06, SD=1.24) with StD were randomized to SPSRS application intervention for approximately 10 min/a day for 5 weeks (experimental group; n=16) or no intervention (wait list control group; n=16). The primary outcome is the change from baseline in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score after the 5-week intervention. The secondary outcomes are the change from baseline in the Kessler Screening Scale for Psychological Distress (K-6) score and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) after the 5-week intervention.

No participants dropped out of the study. The experimental group displayed medium, small, and small improvements in CES-D, K-6, and GAD-7 scores (adjusted Hedge’s g=-0.64, -0.29, and -0.40), respectively, compared with control.

The observed effects must be considered preliminary due to the small sample size.

The results suggest the potential of intervention using the SPSRS application to reduce depressive symptoms in people with StD. Future studies should replicate these findings in a full-scale RCT.

The results suggest the potential of intervention using the SPSRS application to reduce depressive symptoms in people with StD. Future studies should replicate these findings in a full-scale RCT.

The status of melancholia as a categorical or dimensional condition remains unclear, and no measure of melancholia has achieved definitive status. This study aimed to use a machine learning approach to assess whether a pre-established cut-off score on the Sydney Melancholia Prototype Index (SMPI) provided clear differentiation of melancholic/non-melancholic depression, and to identify the items making the most distinct contribution.

We analysed amalgamated data sets of 1513 clinically depressed patients assessed via the clinician-rated version of the SMPI (SMPI-CR). We also evaluated the self-report version of the SMPI (SMPI-SR) in a combined clinical/community sample of 2025 depressed patients and senior high school students. Rule ensembles were derived in which the outcome measure was the presence/absence of melancholia (defined as scoring at or above a SMPI cut-off score that had been established in previous studies) and the predictive variables were the individual SMPI items.

The pre-established SMPelancholia is categorically or dimensionally distinct from non-melancholic depression.

Recently, mindfulness-based therapies have emerged as a treatment modality for OCD, but there is sparse controlled data. We report the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in treating OCD in comparison with stress management training (SMT).

60 outpatients with DSM-IV-TR OCD attending a specialty OCD clinic were randomly assigned in 11 ratioto either MBCT (n=30) or SMT (n= 30). Both the groups received 12 weekly sessions of assigned intervention. An independent blind rater assessed the primary outcome measure at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks.

Significantly greater proportion of patients responded to MBCT than to SMT (80% vs. 27%, P <0.001). In the linear mixed-effects modelling for intent-to-treat analysis, there was a significant reduction in the illness severity measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, obsessive beliefs of 'responsibility/threat estimation’ and 'perfectionism/intolerance of uncertainty’ measured using the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire and anxiety.

Small sample size with a relatively high attrition in the control group. Lack of a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) control group.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is efficacious in the treatment of OCD. Future studies should compare MBCT with CBT in larger representative samples and also examine the sustainability of change in longitudinal studies.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is efficacious in the treatment of OCD. Future studies should compare MBCT with CBT in larger representative samples and also examine the sustainability of change in longitudinal studies.

Recent studies have demonstrated that passive smartphone and wearable sensor data collected throughout daily life can predict anxiety symptoms cross-sectionally. However, to date, no research has demonstrated the capacity for these digital biomarkers to predict long-term prognosis.

We utilized deep learning models based on wearable sensor technology to predict long-term (17-18-year) deterioration in generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder symptoms from actigraphy data on daytime movement and nighttime sleeping patterns. As part of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), a national longitudinal study of health and well-being, subjects (N=265) (i) completed a phone-based interview that assessed generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder symptoms at enrollment, (ii) participated in a one-week actigraphy study 9-14 years later, and (iii) completed a long-term follow-up, phone-based interview to quantify generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder symptoms 17-18 years from initial enrollment. A deep auto-encoder paired with a multi-layered ensemble deep learning model was leveraged to predict whether participants experienced increased anxiety disorder symptoms across this 17-18 year period.

Out-of-sample cross-validated results suggested that wearable movement data could significantly predict which individuals would experience symptom deterioration (AUC=0.696, CI [0.598, 0.793], 84.6% sensitivity, 52.7% specificity, balanced accuracy=68.7%).

Passive wearable actigraphy data could be utilized to predict long-term deterioration of anxiety disorder symptoms. Future studies should examine whether these methods could be implemented to prevent deterioration of anxiety disorder symptoms.

Passive wearable actigraphy data could be utilized to predict long-term deterioration of anxiety disorder symptoms. Future studies should examine whether these methods could be implemented to prevent deterioration of anxiety disorder symptoms.

Health-care disparities based on race and socioeconomic status among trauma patients are well-documented. However, the influence of these factors on the management of rib fractures following thoracic trauma is unknown. The aim of this study is to describe the association of race and insurance status on management and outcomes in patients who sustain rib fractures.

The Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify adult patients who presented with rib fractures between 2015 and 2016. Patient demographics, injury severity, procedures performed, and outcomes were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of race and insurance status on mortality and the likelihood of rib fixation surgery and epidural analgesia for pain management.

A total of 95,227 patients were identified. Of these, 2923 (3.1%) underwent rib fixation. Compared to White patients, Asians (AOR 0.57, P=0.001), Blacks or African-Americans (AA) (AOR 0.70, P<0.001), and Hispanics/are warranted.We need to produce higher foods even under declining natural resources to feed the projected population of 9 billion by 2050 and to sustain food security and nutrition. Abiotic stress has adversely affected canola crop and oil quality especially in sandy soils. To combat this stress, adaptation at the farm level using new and cost-effective amendments are required. Field trials were conducted in two different climatic zones to determine the efficacy of cane molasses, bagasse ash, sugar beet factory lime, and their compost mixtures to improve soil quality and heat stress-adapting canola. The results showed a significant improvement in bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, organic matter content, and available macronutrients of sandy soil and subsequent canola growth, yield, quality and water productivity due to the application of the tested soil amendments, particularly those mixed with compost. Despite the estimated reduction of yield by 18.5% due to heat stress, application of sugar beet lime and compost mixture not only compensated for this reduction but also increased the seed yield by 27.0%. These findings highlight the value of recycling compost-based sugar crop disposal as a cost-effective technology to boost crop tolerance to abiotic stress, ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security in arid environments.Agricultural antibiotic contamination into milk and beef products has been considered extensively, but antibiotic transport into soil and water environments is less regulated and studied. Farmer perceptions of these transport processes are critical to understanding how antibiotics reach soils and surface waters and what management strategies can be implemented to reduce environmental antibiotic loads. We have conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty-seven dairy farmers in central New York to understand farmer perceptions of environmental transport of antibiotics and decisions that reduce environmental antibiotic loads. Interviews were qualitatively analyzed and coded using thematic analysis. We found that farmers extensively considered transport of antibiotics into milk and beef, while consideration of antibiotic transport into manure was less common, and no farmers discussed antibiotic transport from carcasses into soil from on-farm animal mortality. Farmers highlighted decisions that reduce antibiotic environmental loads through disease prevention actions, usage of non-antibiotic treatments, and culturing bacterial samples before antibiotic treatment. Farmers did not cite reduction of environmental antibiotic loads as a driver of their waste management decisions. Farmers perceived antibiotic usage was already minimized on farms in the region, suggesting future environmental antibiotic contamination mitigation strategies should focus on waste management pathways.To ensure sustainable use of antifouling paints, the European Union have developed a new environmental risk assessment tool, which a product must pass prior to its placement on the market. In this new tool, environmental concentrations are predicted based on estimated release rates of biocides to the aquatic environment and risk characterization ratios are calculated in regional spreadsheets. There are currently two methods in use to predict release rates of biocides; a calculation method and a laboratory method. These methods have been believed to overestimate environmental release of biocides and therefore fixed correction factors to reduce the release rate can be applied. An alternative method, known as the XRF method, has recently been developed and used to derive field release rates from antifouling paints. The aim of this study was to review the new environmental risk assessment tool and assess how the choice of release rate method and application of correction factors impact the approval of antifoulinghe pressure of biocides to the environment from leisure boating will result in degradation of marine ecosystems.Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology is addressed in the framework of sewage digestate management. HTC converts digestate into a stabilized and sterilized solid (the hydrochar) and a liquor (HTCL) rich in organic carbon. This study aims to optimize the HTC operating parameters, namely the treatment time, in terms of hydrochar production, HTC slurry dewaterability, HTCL bio-methane yields in anaerobic digestion (AD), and process energy consumption. Digestate slurry was processed through HTC at different treatment times (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h) at 190 °C, and the dewaterability of the treated slurries was addressed through capillary suction time and centrifuge lab-testing. In addition, biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests were conducted for HTCL under mesophilic conditions. Results show that by increasing the HTC treatment time the dewaterability was further improved, ammonium concentration in HTCL increased, and methane potential of HTCL decreased. 0.5 h HTCL had the highest bio-methane potential of 142 ± 3 mL CH4/g COD yet the treatment time was not sufficient for improving the slurry’s dewaterability. HTC treatment time of 1 h at 190 °C was identified as the optimum trade-off for improved dewaterability and utilisation of HTCL for biogas production. 1 h HTCL bio-methane potential can cover around 25% of the HTC and AD thermal and electrical energy needs without considering the eventual use of the hydrochar as a biofuel.Arsenic (As), a geogenic and extremely toxic metalloid can jeopardize terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through environmental partitioning in natural soil-water compartment, geothermal and marine environments. Although, many researchers have investigated the decontamination potential of different mesoporous engineered bio sorbents for a suite of contaminants, still the removal efficiency of various pyrolyzed agricultural residues needs special attention. In the present study, rice straw derived biochar (RSBC) produced from slow pyrolysis process at 600 °C was used to remove As (V) from aqueous medium. Batch experiments were conducted at room temperature (25 ± 2 °C) under different initial concentrations (10, 30, 50, 100 μg L-1), adsorbent dosages (0.5-5 μg L-1), pH (4.0-10.0) and contact times (0-180 min). The adsorption equilibrium was established in 120 min. Adsorption process mainly followed pseudo-second order kinetics (R2 ≥ 0.96) and Langmuir isotherm models (R2 ≥ 0.99), and the monolayer sorption capacity of 25.6 μg g-1 for As (V) on RSBC was achieved. Among the different adsorbent dosages and initial concentrations used in the present study, 0.2 g L-1 (14.8 μg g-1) and 100 μg L-1 (13.1 μg g-1) were selected as an optimum parameters. A comparative analysis of RSBC with other pyrolyzed waste materials revealed that RSBC had comparable adsorption ability (per unit area). These acidic groups are responsible for the electron exchange (electrostatic attraction, ion-exchange, π-π/n-πinteractions) with the anionic arsenate, which facilitates optimum removal (>60%) at 7 less then pH less then pHPZC. The future areas of research will focus on decontamination of real wastewater samples containing mixtures of different emerging contaminants and installation of biofilter beds that contains different spent adsorbents/organic substrates (including biochar) for biopurification study in real case scenario.An 1H NMR-based metabolomics approach was conducted to holisticly explore the effect of Xue Fu Zhu Yu (XFZY) capsule (a well-known Chinese herbal medicine) on high-fat diets combined with coronary artery ligation induced coronary heart disease (CHD) model rats. 1H NMR-based metabolomics approach combined with multivariate analysis was performed to explore potential biomarkers, a total of 20 metabolites were confirmed as contributors to the discrimination of model group and sham group. We investigated the dynamic metabolic characteristics of XFZY capsule on CHD rats, lactate, glutamine, pyruvate, citrate, choline and taurine were potential biomarkers of early effect. More potential biomarkers changed after 28 days of medication, XFZY capsules primarily influenced the taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, purine metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis.The traceability of mineral element fingerprints to mutton in a small area of China was studied. The element data of 104 sheep and 24 goat samples from Inner Mongolia were measured, and the data were analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis from different origins, species and feeding patterns. The results shows that 11 elements (Mg, Al, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Ba) in sheep meat had significant differences between different regions (P less then 0.05), and the results of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) showed that the accuracy of the original classification rate was 95.2%, and the cross-validation rate was 85.9%. Goat meat and sheep meat samples from Alxa League were also clearly identified with LDA results showing that the cross-validation accuracy of the two species was 70.2%. Then the feeding patterns of sheep meat were effectively classified. The results showed that the multi-element analysis has certain potential as a method to distinguish mutton in a small area.In recent years, deep learning has emerged as a powerful tool for developing Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems. However, for deep learning models trained entirely on the data from a specific individual, the performance increase has only been marginal owing to the limited availability of subject-specific data. To overcome this, many transfer-based approaches have been proposed, in which deep networks are trained using pre-existing data from other subjects and evaluated on new target subjects. This mode of transfer learning however faces the challenge of substantial inter-subject variability in brain data. Addressing this, in this paper, we propose 5 schemes for adaptation of a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) based electroencephalography (EEG)-BCI system for decoding hand motor imagery (MI). Each scheme fine-tunes an extensively trained, pre-trained model and adapt it to enhance the evaluation performance on a target subject. We report the highest subject-independent performance with an average (N=54) accuracy of 84.19% (±9.98%) for two-class motor imagery, while the best accuracy on this dataset is 74.15% (±15.83%) in the literature. Further, we obtain a statistically significant improvement (p=0.005) in classification using the proposed adaptation schemes compared to the baseline subject-independent model.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether three dimentional (3D)- Coronary CT angiography (CCTA)- feature tracking (FT) can measure global myocardial strain of the left ventricle (LV) in patients with heart failure using cardiac MR (CMR) as reference.

Consecutive patients (n = 44) with variable degrees of heart failure who underwent an ECG-gated CCTA and CMR within 24 h were included. Both modalities were compared for 2D/3D LV global radial strain (2D/3D-GRS), circumferential strain (2D/3D-GCS), longitudinal strain (2D/3D-GLS) and conventional functional parameters.

Compared to CMR, CCTA-derived 3D-GLS and LVEF showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). Bland-Altman plots showed a small bias (0.3 %) between CCTA-derived 3D-GLS and CMR 3D-GLS. Close correlations were observed between the two modalities regarding LV global strain (3D-GRS, r = 0.89; 3D-GCS, r = 0.86; 3D-GLS, r = 0.79, respectively, p < 0.001 for all). However, CCTA-derived 3D-GRS and 3D-GCS were statistically different compared with CMR. CCTA-derived 3D-GLS had an inverse correlation with CCTA-LVEF(r=-0.75, p < 0.05). Intraobserver agreements for CCTA-derived 3D-global strain were good (ICC = 0.856 for 3D-GLS, ICC = 0.741 for 3D-GCS and ICC = 0.762 for 3D-GRS). 2D global strain showed statistical differences between the two modalities (p＜0.05 for all), but close correlations were observed regarding 2D LV global strain (2D-GRS, r = 0.80; 2D-GCS, r = 0.81; 2D-GLS, r = 0.81, respectively, p < 0.001 for all). The average radiation dose-long-product (DLP) of CCTA was 387.86 ± 89.3 mGy*cm.

CCTA-derived 3D-GLS can provide both reliable and interchangeable results for quantitative assessment of myocardial mechanical changes in HF patients compared to CMR with good intra-observer agreement.

CCTA-derived 3D-GLS can provide both reliable and interchangeable results for quantitative assessment of myocardial mechanical changes in HF patients compared to CMR with good intra-observer agreement.

To compare the image quality and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) quantification between free-breathing motion-corrected and conventional breath-hold LGE method in a variety of cardiovascular diseases.

149 consecutive patients underwent contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance examination employing both free-breathing motion-corrected LGE and conventional breath-hold LGE method. Scan time, contrast-to-noise ratio, overall image quality score and LGE mass were measured and analyzed statistically.

Free-breathing motion-corrected LGE method had a shorter scan time and higher overall image quality score in comparison with conventional breath-hold LGE method (p < 0.001). Univariate/multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that breath-holding difficulty, high heart rate and arrhythmia could be predictive factors possibly for an inferior image quality score (p < 0.05 for all). The contrast-to-noise ratios of free-breathing motion-corrected LGE images were higher than those of conventional br free-breathing motion-corrected LGE image should be taken into consideration when LGE pattern involves subepicardial and/or transmural myocardium.

To investigate whether or not

F-FDG accumulation in normal or less-affected lung fields increased in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with postoperative acute exacerbation (PAE) of interstitial lung disease (ILD) MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-six NSCLC patients with ILD and 50 patients without ILD (non-ILD patients) underwent pre-operative

F-FDG-PET/CT at 2 institutions. Volume-of-interest (VOI) was placed to measure the mean standardized uptake value (SUV

) in normal or less-affected lung fields at pre-defined 12 areas on ventral and dorsal locations of both lungs. SUV

was defined as corrected SUV

by using TF and mean computed tomography density on PET/CT. Harmonized SUV

(hSUV

) and SUV

(hSUV

) were calculated based on results of phantom study, which was performed to optimize the measured SUV difference among 2 institutions. Both the h-SUV

and the h-SUV

were compared between 8 patients with PAE of ILD (PAE group) or remaining 28 patients without PAE of ILD (non-PAE group) and non-ILD patients in each of the 12 areas.

The hSUV

in PAE group was higher in 9 out of 12 locations as compared with non-ILD patients, whereas the hSUV

was mostly similar between non-PAE group and non-ILD patients. In contrast, the hSUV

in non-PAE group was similar to that in PAE group, and higher than in non-ILD patients in most locations.

F-FDG-PET/CT demonstrated increased SUV

along with elevated SUV

in normal or less-affected lung fields for NSCLC patients with PAE of ILD, which may reflect regional invisible fibrosis and inflammatory change.

18F-FDG-PET/CT demonstrated increased SUVmean along with elevated SUVTF in normal or less-affected lung fields for NSCLC patients with PAE of ILD, which may reflect regional invisible fibrosis and inflammatory change.

To investigate whether volumetric measurements of the whole-body tumor volume (WBTV) are feasible and whether they improve inter-reader variability in patients in whom conventional RECIST 1.1 assessment yielded discordant results.

50 patients (29 male, 21 female, mean age 60.9 ± 12.3 years) with metastases of solid tumors in whom three readers had selected different sets of target lesions and subsequently reached different results for response assessment (progressive vs. non-progressive disease) when using RECIST 1.1 were included. In a second read, all readers performed volumetric measurements of the WBTV on neck/chest/abdomen/pelvis CTs and measured the time needed for these measurements. Cohen’s kappa and Fleiss kappa statistics were used to compare the intra- and inter-reader agreement for response assessment.

In 8/50 patients (16 %), the WBTV was too extensive for volumetric measurements and these patients were therefore excluded. In the remaining 42 patients, WBTV measurements required a mean timeessment results when following conventional RECIST 1.1 guidelines. This supports the hypothesis, that a limited subset of metastases may not be sufficient to accurately assess response-to-treatment.Non-typhoidal Salmonella is one of the most common causes of bacterial foodborne disease and consumption of contaminated poultry products, including turkey, is one source of exposure. Minimizing Salmonella colonization of commercial turkeys could decrease the incidence of Salmonella-associated human foodborne illness. Understanding host responses to these bacteria is critical in developing strategies to minimize colonization and reduce food safety risk. In this study, we evaluated bacterial load and blood leukocyte transcriptomic responses of 3-week-old turkeys challenged with the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) UK1 strain. Turkeys (n = 8/dose) were inoculated by oral gavage with 108 or 1010 colony forming units (CFU) of S. Typhimurium UK1, and fecal shedding and tissue colonization were measured across multiple days post-inoculation (dpi). Fecal shedding was 1-2 log10 higher in the 1010 CFU group than the 108 CFU group, but both doses effectively colonized the crop, spleen, ileum, cecum, colon, bursa of Fabricius and cloaca without causing any detectable clinical signs in either group of birds. Blood leukocytes were isolated from a subset of the birds (n = 3-4/dpi) both pre-inoculation (0 dpi) and 2 dpi with 1010 CFU and their transcriptomic responses assayed by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). At 2 dpi, 647 genes had significant differential expression (DE), including large increases in expression of immune genes such as CCAH221, IL4I1, LYZ, IL13RA2, IL22RA2, and ACOD1. IL1β was predicted as a major regulator of DE in the leukocytes, which was predicted to activate cell migration, phagocytosis and proliferation, and to impact the STAT3 and toll-like receptor pathways. These analyses revealed genes and pathways by which turkey blood leukocytes responded to the pathogen and can provide potential targets for developing intervention strategies or diagnostic assays to mitigate S. Typhimurium colonization in turkeys.The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations of serum markers for systemic inflammation, liver, mineral, and energy status, and blood neutrophil counts with the function of circulating neutrophils in postpartum dairy cows. Blood samples were collected from 21 healthy Holstein cows at 5, 10, 14, and 21 d postpartum. Serum samples were used to measure concentrations of total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, urea, glucose, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, haptoglobin (Hp), β-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and insulin-like growth factor-1. The shift of percentage of activated neutrophils for phagocytosis (PPC) and oxidative burst (POB) and the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) for PC (MFIPC), OB (MFIOB), and endocytic and proteolytic degradation measured via DQ-ovalbumin (MFIDQ) were evaluated using flow cytometry. Mixed linear regression models were used to assess the associations unction. However, these associations only explained a small proportion of the variance in neutrophil function. Serum Hp concentration was most associated with neutrophil function changes but had opposite directions of association with OB- and PC-related functions. Future studies should focus on understanding the mechanisms by which Hp and other metabolic indicators affect neutrophil function in healthy and diseased postpartum dairy cows.There has been concern about possible long-term sequelae resembling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in COVID-19 patients. Clarifying the mechanisms underlying such a „post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome” is essential for the development of preventive and early treatment methods for this syndrome. In the present paper, by integrating insights pertaining to the glymphatic system and the nasal cerebrospinal fluid outflow pathway with findings in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and COVID-19, I provide a coherent conceptual framework for understanding the pathophysiology of post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome. According to this hypothesis, this syndrome may result from damage to olfactory sensory neurons, causing reduced outflow of cerebrospinal fluid through the cribriform plate, and further leading to congestion of the glymphatic system with subsequent toxic build-up within the central nervous system. I further postulate that patients with post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome may benefit from cerebrospinal fluid drainage by restoring glymphatic transport and waste removal from the brain. Obviously, further research is required to provide further evidence for the presence of this post-viral syndrome, and to provide additional insight regarding the relative contribution of the glymphatic-lymphatic system to it. Other mechanisms may also be involved. If confirmed, the glymphatic-lymphatic system could represent a target in combating post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome. Moreover, further research in this area could also provide new insights into the understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The outdated axiom that the dose of Folinic acid (FA) rescue used after high dose Methotrexate (HDMTX) should be kept to a minimum in order to prevent a reduction of prognosis („over rescue”) continues to be expressed even though the concept has been seriously challenged. Study aim The ways „problematic citations” are used to support an old theory, such as this, was examined.

Ten patterns of „problematic citation” use were identified. In 8 of these patterns the articles used were scientifically sound and the problem was with the articles citing them. However in 2 other pattens, the articles and their conclusions were flawed and citing them, apparently, resulted from accepting the presented data or conclusions as sound and valid. The patterns were 1. Claims based on data that are not present in the cited article. 2. Selective inclusion of data from cited articles. 3. Citation of misleading data presented only in the abstract. 4. Reporting trends as statistically significant. 5. Copying the citations used brs are advised only to cite articles they have read in entirety not relying on the title, abstract or previous use and to check the content of citations before submission.Islet transplantation has proved one of the most remarkable transmissions from an experimental curiosity into a routine clinical application for the treatment of type I diabetes (T1D). Current efforts for taking this technology one-step further are now focusing on overcoming islet donor shortage, engraftment, prolonged islet availability, post-transplant vascularization, and coming up with new strategies to eliminate lifelong immunosuppression. To this end, insulin secreting 3D cell clusters composed of different types of cells, also referred as heterocellular islet organoids, spheroids, or pseudoislets, have been engineered to overcome the challenges encountered by the current islet transplantation protocols. β-cells or native islets are accompanied by helper cells, also referred to as accessory cells, to generate a cell cluster that is not only able to accurately secrete insulin in response to glucose, but also superior in terms of other key features (e.g. maintaining a vasculature, longer durability in vivo and not necessitating immunosuppression after transplantation). Over the past decade, numerous 3D cell culture techniques have been integrated to create an engineered heterocellular islet organoid that addresses current obstacles. Here, we first discuss the different cell types used to prepare heterocellular organoids for islet transplantation and their contribution to the organoids design. We then introduce various cell culture techniques that are incorporated to prepare a fully functional and insulin secreting organoids with select features. Finally, we discuss the challenges and present a future outlook for improving clinical outcomes of islet transplantation.

To test contemporary rates and predictors of open conversion at minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MIPN laparoscopic or robotic partial nephrectomy).

Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2015) we identified all MIPN patients and patients that underwent open conversion at MIPN. First, estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) tested temporal trends of open conversion. Second, univariable and multivariable logistic regression models predicted open conversion at MIPN. All models were weighted and adjusted for clustering, as well as all available patient and hospital characteristics.

Of 7649 MIPN patients, 287 (3.8%) underwent open conversion. The rates of open conversion decreased over time (from 12 to 2.4%; EAPC 24.8%; p=0.004). In multivariable logistic regression models predicting open conversion, patient obesity achieved independent predictor status (OR1.80; p<0.001). Moreover, compared to high volume hospitals, medium volume (OR1.48; p=0.02) and low volume hospitals (OR2.11; p<0.001) were associated with higher rates of open conversion. Last but not least, when the effect of obesity was tested according to hospital volume, the rates of open conversion ranged from 2.2 (non obese patients treated at high volume hospitals) to 9.8% (obese patients treated at low volume hospitals).

Overall contemporary (2008-2015) rate of open conversion at MIPN was 3.8% and it was strongly associated with patient obesity and hospital surgical volume. In consequence, these two parameters should be taken into account during preoperative patients counselling, as well as in clinical and administrative decision making.

Overall contemporary (2008-2015) rate of open conversion at MIPN was 3.8% and it was strongly associated with patient obesity and hospital surgical volume. In consequence, these two parameters should be taken into account during preoperative patients counselling, as well as in clinical and administrative decision making.Eutrophication is caused by excess nitrate and other nutrient exported via stormwater runoff to surface waters, which is projected to increase as a result of climate change. Despite recent increases in the implementation of stormwater control measures (SCM), nutrient export has not abated, indicating poor or inconsistent removal capacities of SCM for nitrate. However, the cause of the variability is unclear. We show that both design and local climate can explain nitrate removal variability by critically analyzing data reported on the international BMP database for nitrate removal by four common types of SCM bioretention cells, grass swales, media filters, and retention ponds. The relative importance of climate or design on nitrate removal depends on the SCM type. Nitrate removal in grass swales and bioretention systems is more sensitive to local climate than design specifications, whereas nitrate removal in the retention ponds is less sensitive to climate and more sensitive to design features such as vegetation and pond volume.