77 (95% confidence interval [CI] -1.47 to -0.07, P=0.04, I

=91%). Improvements in IBS-QoL scores were also observed, albeit not statistically significant (SMD 0.54; 95% CI -0.34 to 1.41, P=0.15, I

=87%). However, small sample sizes, a relatively young study population, limited ethnicities, and varied vitamin D dosing strategies across the studies were notable limitations.

Vitamin D supplementation could be part of our clinical armamentarium when managing IBS patients due to the potential efficacy and good safety profile. Further randomized, controlled trials are required to confirm the therapeutic effects.

Vitamin D supplementation could be part of our clinical armamentarium when managing IBS patients due to the potential efficacy and good safety profile. Further randomized, controlled trials are required to confirm the therapeutic effects.

The present study sought to study the imaging associations of left atrioventricular valve (mitral) atresia and patent aortic root in patients with isomerism of atrial appendages as detected on multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography MATERIALS AND METHODS The CT angiography studies performed at a tertiary medical center from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated to identify patients with left atrioventricular valve atresia and patent aortic root with isometric atrial chambers. The morphology of the atrial appendage and extent of pectinate muscles was used to identify the type of isomeric atrial chambers. A comprehensive assessment of discordant arrangement of organs and the variations in venoatrial connections was done.

Left atrioventricular valve atresia in the presence of patent aortic root and isomeric atrial appendages was identified in eight patients (four males). The mean age at diagnosis was 7 years. Right isomerism of the atrial appendages was seen in five patientsricular valve atresia and patent aortic root with isomeric atrial appendages is a rare congenital anomaly frequently associated with anomalous systemic and pulmonary drainage, conotruncal anomalies, and right ventricular outflow obstruction. Hence, comprehensive CT-based evaluation is indispensable in providing detailed anatomy and aids in presurgical planning.

Speech and language therapists and nurses need to work together to keep patients with swallowing difficulties safe throughout their acute stroke admission. Speech and language therapists make recommendations for safe swallowing following assessment and nurses put recommendations into practice and monitor how patients cope. There has been little research into the everyday realities of ongoing swallow safety management by these two disciplines. Patient safety research in other fields of healthcare indicates that safety can be enhanced through understanding the cultural context in which risk decisions are made.

To generate new understanding for how speech and language therapists (SLTs) and nurses share information for ongoing management of swallows safety on stroke units.

An ethnographic methodology involving 40 weeks of fieldwork on three stroke wards in England between 2015 and 2017. Fieldwork observation (357 h) and interviews with 43 members of SLT and nursing staff. Observational and interview data welications of this work? Findings can underpin SLT and nurse discussion about how swallow safety could be improved in their own settings.

The current scenario of COVID-19 pandemic has presented an almost insurmountable challenge even for the most sophisticated hospitals equipped with modern biomedical technology. There is an urgency to develop simple, fast and highly accurate methods for the rapid identification and isolation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients. To address the ongoing challenge, the present study offers a CLEVER assay (CRISPR-Cas integrated RT-LAMP Easy, Visual and Extraction-free RNA) which will allow RNA extraction-free method to visually diagnose COVID-19. RNA extraction is a major hurdle in preventing rapid and large-scale screening of samples particularly in low-resource regions because of the logistics and costs involved.

Herein, the visual SARS-CoV-2 detection method consists of RNA extraction-free method directly utilizing the patient’s nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples for reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). Additionally, the aaction step, which could limit the deployment of the previous assays in a testing site having limited lab infrastructure.

To address the challenges associated with COVID-19 diagnosis, we need a faster, direct and more versatile detection method for an efficient epidemiological management of the COVID-19 outbreak. The present study involves developing a method for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in human body without RNA isolation step that can visually be detected with unaided eye. Taken together, our assay offers to overcome one major defect of the prior art, that is, RNA extraction step, which could limit the deployment of the previous assays in a testing site having limited lab infrastructure.Neddylation is a posttranslational modification that is similar to ubiquitination, and involved in some critical biological processes, such as DNA repair, transcription regulation, and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Recently, it was found that neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 has potent antiviral activity against human viruses including herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1, HSV-2, and influenza viruses. Here, we report that MLN4924 could dramatically and dose-dependently inhibits the propagation, formation of budding virus (BV) and occlusion body (OB) of a lepidopteran virus-Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), impaired OB assembly. In addition, the neddylation modification protein NEDD8 is colocalized with aggresome and autophagosome. Our findings suggest that inhibiting neddylation could be an antibaculovirus strategy and MLN4924 may be used as candidate drug for that purpose.

To evaluate the safety of irrigation water sources based on phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Enterococcus spp., a potential environmental reservoir for AMR determinants.

Eleven sites representing fresh and brackish water rivers, ponds and reclaimed water, were sampled over 2 years. Samples (n=333) yielded 198 unique isolates of Ent. faecalis and Ent. faecium which were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by microbroth dilution. Species distribution was influenced by water type and season. Enterococcus faecalis was more likely found in freshwater rivers and in summer, and Ent. faecium in reclaimed water and in spring. Only 11% of isolates were pansusceptible, while 48.5% and 26.3% were single (SDR) and multidrug resistant (MDR), respectively. MDR was more likely detected in Ent. faecium than Ent. faecalis. Winter isolates were more likely than summer isolates to exhibit MDR than SDR.

Enterococcus faecalis and Ent. faecium in surface and reclaimed water exhibited diverse phenotypic AMR and a low-level resistance to clinically important antimicrobials such as ampicillin, vancomycin and linezolid.

Single and multidrug resistance in E. faecalis and E. faecium varied by season but not water type. Antimicrobial resistance prevalence can assist decisions on the safety of irrigation water sources for fresh produce crops.

Single and multidrug resistance in E. faecalis and E. faecium varied by season but not water type. Antimicrobial resistance prevalence can assist decisions on the safety of irrigation water sources for fresh produce crops.

To systematically examine the effect of peer mentoring applied to patients with cancer on physical activity.

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted as a result of reviewing randomised controlled trials. No year limitation was set, and studies published in English were included in the study. Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost/CINAHL Complete, Springer Link, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Ovid databases were searched up to January 2022. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3software was used to analyse the meta-analysis data. PRISMA was employed. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was evaluated by two independent researchers.

Six studies with a total of 1.551 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that peer mentoring had positive medium effects on the physical activity process (95% Cl = 0.15 to 0.49, p<.001 and Hedge’s g=0.322). The results of the sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability of the outcome measures.

Peer mentoring was found to have positive effects on improving the level of physical activity in patients with cancer. The use of peer mentoring can offer a holistic perspective by improving the quality and functional status of care.

Peer mentoring can be beneficial in terms of being a comfortable method and improving the physical activity levels of patients. In addition, health professionals’ awareness of peer mentoring in terms of the provision of holistic care will increase.

Peer mentoring can be beneficial in terms of being a comfortable method and improving the physical activity levels of patients. In addition, health professionals’ awareness of peer mentoring in terms of the provision of holistic care will increase.Ichthyosis follicularis (IF) manifests as generalized spiny follicular projections found in syndromic diseases secondary to SREBF1 and MBTPS2 mutations. We sought the genetic cause of IF in two distinct families from a cohort of 180 patients with ichthyosis. In Family 1, the proband (Patient 1) presented with IF, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and punctate palmoplantar keratoderma. Using DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes, two compound heterozygous mutations, c.526A>G and c.35delG, were discovered in GJB2. In Family 2, the proband (Patient 2) presented with a previously unreported IF phenotype in the context of keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome, and whole-exome sequencing found a de novo heterozygous mutation, c.148G>A in GJB2. Histopathology was consistent with porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct naevus (PEODDN) and IF in Patients 1 and 2, respectively. Our findings add to the clinical and histopathological spectrum of IF and emphasize the association of PEODDN-like entities with GJB2 variants.Culex pipiens (Linnaeus), one of the most abundant mosquito species in Europe, plays a crucial role in the endemic transmission of West Nile virus and caused the large outbreak with >1600 human cases in 2018. Although evidence of resistance to pyrethroids has been reported for Cx. pipiens populations from Spain and Greece, resistance monitoring has been largely neglected in Italy. Herein, we investigate susceptibility of Italian Cx. pipiens populations to the pyrethroids permethrin and deltamethrin. Results from WHO-tube-bioassays revealed mortalities ranging from 14-54%, indicating high levels of resistance, in four out of 10 populations exposed to permethrin (0.75%) and of 63% in one of three populations exposed to deltamethrin (0.05%). Reduced susceptibility (mortality less then 98%) was detected in almost all other populations. A clear association is shown between the resistant phenotype and the presence of kdr-alleles in position 1014 of the VSSC, strongly suggesting its role in reducing susceptibility. The study provides the first evidence of pyrethroid-resistance in Italian Cx. pipiens populations and reports levels of resistance paralleled in the European region only in Turkey. This highlights the urgent need to implement insecticide-resistance management plans to restore the efficacy of the nowadays only chemical weapon available to control arbovirus transmission in Europe.

The existing methods for needle electromyography are confusing as to which is the safest and most effective. Our aim was to identify the optimal and safest needle electromyographic insertion site in the supinator muscle.

We performed a two-step cadaveric dissection of the supinator muscle and related neurovascular structures. The study was performed using 18 upper limbs of 9 fresh adult cadavers (step 1) and 14 upper limbs of 7 fresh adult cadavers (step 2). In step 1, an imaginary line connecting the radial head (RH) and midpoint of the dorsal wrist (RW line) was drawn, and the distance from the RH to the point where the RW line and posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) intersect (L_CROSS) was measured on the RW line. In step 2, the needle was inserted 30 mm distal to the RH according to the results of step 1. After injection with India ink, dissection was performed to measure the distance between the needle insertion site and PIN (L_CROSS_Inj) on the RW line.

The median L_CROSS was 51.4 (35.5-65.6) mm. Needle insertion spared the PIN in all cases during step 2, and the needle was inserted into the supinator muscle in all cases. The median L_CROSS_Inj was 27.4 (13.2-39.8) mm.

A safe and accurate needle insertion site for the supinator muscle is approximately 30 to 40 mm distal to the RH along the RW line.

A safe and accurate needle insertion site for the supinator muscle is approximately 30 to 40 mm distal to the RH along the RW line.

For patients after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), clopidogrel combined with aspirin is a conventional dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) method. Because the genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19gene leads to clopidogrel resistance, guidelines for antiplatelet recommendations in CYP2C19 of ultrarapid metabolizers (UM), extended metabolizers (EM) and poor metabolizers (PM) are clear. However, there is no clear recommendation as to whether ticagrelor or double dose clopidogrel is the best antiplatelet regimen for CYP2C19 of intermediate metabolizers (IM). To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor (combined with aspirin) and high-dose clopidogrel (combined with aspirin) in patients after PCI with CYP2C19loss-of-function (LOF) alleles.

We searched the following databases to select RCTs of comparing ticagrelor with high-dose clopidogrel in patients after PCI with CYP2C19 LOF alleles CNKI, Wanfang Data, PubMed, Clinical trials, Cochrane, Web of Science and Embase. Major adverse cardiovascular events ;0.00001).

For patients carrying CYP2C19 LOF alleles after PCI, ticagrelor may be better than high-dose clopidogrel in reducing the risk of MACEs, while dyspnoea incidents should be alerted.

For patients carrying CYP2C19 LOF alleles after PCI, ticagrelor may be better than high-dose clopidogrel in reducing the risk of MACEs, while dyspnoea incidents should be alerted.Solvent molecules within the solvation sheath of cations (e.g., Li+ , Na+ , Zn2+ ) are easily to be dehydrogenated especially when coupled with high-voltage cathodes, and lead to detrimental electrolytes decompositions which finally accelerate capacity decays of rechargeable batteries. Tremendous efforts are devoted to tackle with this long-lasting issue. Among them, salt-concentrated strategies are frequently employed to tailor the solvation sheath of cations and improve the stabilities of electrolytes. However, the cost challenges caused by adding extra dose of expensive salts, additives/cosolvents in preparing highly concentrated electrolytes, hinder their further utilizations to some extent. Introducing porous materials-based electrode front-faces on the surface of electrodes even within dilute electrolytes can transfer the high-energy-state desolvated solvents from the reactive electrodes to the nonconductive porous material surfaces, thus eliminate the contact chances between desolvated solvents and electrode materials, and greatly reduce solvents-related decomposition issues. Herein, recent advances in using electrode front-faces to tailor the solvation sheath of metal ions for rechargeable batteries are discussed. Finally, perspectives to the future challenges and opportunities of constructing electrode front-faces to tailor the solvation sheath of cations by constructing electrode front-face for rechargeable batteries are provided.Zuogui Wan (ZGW) is a common prescription medication used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to significantly improve the sperm quality and treat male infertility. This study evaluated the repair effect of ZGW and Levocarnitine (LEV) on GC1-spg cell injury induced by Glucosides of Tripterygium WilforDII Hook (GTW). The results showed that the ultrastructure and apoptosis rate of GC1- spg cells in LEV and ZGW group were considerably better than GTW. The transcriptional and translational level of CYP1A1, CYP17A1, androgen receptor (AR), SRD5A2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in GC-1spg cells of the LEV group were considerably elevated than GTW group (p less then 0.05 or 0.01). Furthermore, the transcriptional and translational levels of CYP19A1, CYP17A1, AR, SRD5A2 and PCNA in GC-1spg cells in ZGW group were found to be considerably elevated than the LEV group (p less then 0.05 or 0.01). The findings indicate that ZGW and LEV could increase the expression of PCNA, CYP17A1, CYP19A1, SRD5A2 and AR at transcriptional and translational levels, inhibit GC-1spg cell apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation, and the effect of ZGW was found to be significantly better than that of LEV.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) serve as critical regulators in the chemoresistance of human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to explore the role of hsa_circ_0011298 (circ_0011298) and its mechanism in Taxol resistance of NSCLC.

Circ_0011298, microRNA-486-3p (miR-486-3p), and CRABP2mRNA expression were determined using qRT-PCR. EdU and MTT assays were used to detect cell proliferation. Cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Cell migratory and invasive abilities were detected using transwell assay. Cellular glycolysis was determined by specific kits. Protein levels were examined by western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter and RIP assays were performed to confirm the relationship between miR-486-3p and circ_0011298 or CRABP2. Xenograft mice model was established to confirm the function of circ_0011298 in vivo.

Circ_0011298 was overexpressed in Taxol-resistant NSCLC cells and tissues. Circ_0011298knockdown enhanced Taxol sensitivity by decreasing cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis and inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in Taxol-resistant NSCLC cells. Circ_0011298 was a sponge of miR-486-3p, and the impact of circ_0011298silencing on Taxol resistance was rescued by miR-486-3p inhibition. Moreover, miR-486-3p directly targeted CRABP2, and miR-486-3p inhibited Taxol resistance by targeting CRABP2. Furthermore, circ_0011298 regulated CRABP2 expression through targeting miR-486-3p. Importantly, circ_0011298 interference elevated Taxol sensitivity of NSCLC in vivo.

Circ_0011298 elevated Taxol resistance of NSCLC by sponging miR-486-3p and upregulating CRABP2, providing a possible circRNA-targeted therapy for NSCLC.

Circ_0011298 elevated Taxol resistance of NSCLC by sponging miR-486-3p and upregulating CRABP2, providing a possible circRNA-targeted therapy for NSCLC.

Interest revolving around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinfection is escalating rapidly. By definition, reinfection denotes severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), PCR redetection, and COVID-19 recurrence within three months of the initial symptoms. The main aim of the current systematic review was to evaluate the features of COVID-19 relapse patients.

For this study, we used a string of terms developed by a skilled librarian and through a systematical search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for eligible studies. Clinical surveys of any type were included from January 2019 to March 2021. Eligible studies consisted of two positive assessments separated by a negative result via RT-PCR.

Fifty-four studies included 207 cases of COVID-19 reinfection. Children were less likely to have COVID-19 relapse. However, the most patients were in the age group of 20-40years. Asthenia (66.6%), headache (66.6%), and cough (54.7%) were prevalent symptoms in the first SARS-CoV-2 infectionof COVID-19 recurrence as an outstanding issue. This feature should be regarded in the COVID-19 management. Furthermore, the first and second COVID-19 are similar in clinical features. For clinically practical comparison of the symptoms severity between two epochs of infection, uniform data of both are required. We suggest that future studies undertake a homogenous approach to establish the clinical patterns of the reinfection phenomena.

Cancer causes a serious health burden on patients worldwide. Chronic low-level inflammation plays a key role in tumorigenesis and prognosis. However, the role of the red blood cell distribution width (RDW)-to-albumin (RA) ratio in cancer mortality remains unclear.

In this retrospective cohort study, we collected clinical information from cancer patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) version 1.4 database and then calculated RA by dividing RDW by albumin concentration. The primary outcome was 30days mortality, while secondary outcomes were 90days and 1year mortality. Next, we adopted Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HR) together with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all-cause mortalities associated with the RA ratio.

For 30days mortality, the HR (95% CI) for the high RA ratio (≥5.51) was 2.17 [95CI% (1.87-2.51); p=<0.0001], compared with the low RA ratio (<5.51). In Model 2, we adjusted sex and age and obtained HR (95% CI) of 2.17 [95CI% (1.87-2.52); p=<0.0001] for the high RA ratio (≥5.51) group, compared to that in the low RA ratio (<5.51). In Model 3, adjusting for age, sex, anion gap, hematocrit, white blood cell count, congestive heart failure, SOFA, liver disease, and renal failure resulted in HR (95% CI) of 1.74 [95CI% (1.48-2.04); p=<0.0001] for the high RA ratio (≥5.51) relative to the low RA ratio (<5.51). We also analyzed common diseases in cancer patients but found no significant association.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that increased RA ratio is independently associated with increased all-cause mortality in cancer patients.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that increased RA ratio is independently associated with increased all-cause mortality in cancer patients.

The maturity of honey has a great impact on its quality and contents. Additionally, stingless bee honey contains high moisture, which allows microorganisms to survive and ferment, contributing to honey’s variable flavor and physicochemical properties. Therefore, there is a need for better quality control of the honey process, especially the harvest time of honey.

We gathered honey from the nest of stingless bees Heterotrigona itama and Tetrigona binghami over different time periods, i.e. 15, 30, and 45 days. The results show harvest time considerably affects the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity of honey. Good antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity can be found in honey produced from a longer harvest time. Compared with 15-day harvest time, at 30- or 45-day harvest time water, trehalulose, and protein content and total acidity increased, and the content of reducing sugars, fructose and glucose, and pH values, decreased in both types of honey. Moreover, compared with 15-day harvest time, the sum of six organic acids in the 45-day honey of H. itama fluctuated between 2.78 to 4.12 g 100 g

and in the 45-day honey of T. binghami increased from 1.66 to 3.61 g 100 g

, respectively.

Honey harvest time had a significant effect on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity of stingless bee honey (H. itama or T. binghami). This study provides a reference for beekeepers to adjust harvest time to obtain honey with suitable physicochemical parameters. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Honey harvest time had a significant effect on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity of stingless bee honey (H. itama or T. binghami). This study provides a reference for beekeepers to adjust harvest time to obtain honey with suitable physicochemical parameters. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.Chia mucilage (CM) is an emerging resource in food applications. However, the mechanism of this biopolymer as a stabilizer/emulsifier ingredient has not yet been well defined. A non-uniform viscoelastic tridimensional network was observed on emulsions with CM, while the surface activity of the CM ingredient has been associated with its protein content. To understand its functionality in food, this review focused on discussing and summarizing the rheological properties of dispersions and emulsions composed of CM under different conditions, such as pH, temperature, salt content, and mucilage content. For example, emulsions and dispersions with CM showed pseudoplastic behavior. An increase in the CM concentration increased the viscosity and the consistency index and decreased the behavior index. The consistency index of dispersions with CM increased with pH. The future evaluation of emulsions and dispersions properties, such as viscoelastic properties and microstructure, is particularly important for the successful use of CM in the food industry. The principal studies have evaluated the use of CM in dairy and meat systems as an emulsifier, stabilizer, or lipid replacer. The nutritional quality of the products with CM was maintained or improved, but sometimes an undesirable darkening was observed. Future evaluation of the cold extraction method of CM might improve the color and overall sensory acceptability of food products with CM. Integrated chia seed processing, including mucilage, oil, and protein extraction could be carried out to make chia seed industrial processing viable. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.Marchantia polymorpha is a model liverwort and its overall low genetic redundancy is advantageous for dissecting complex pathways. Proximity-dependent in vivo biotin-labelling methods have emerged as powerful interactomics tools in recent years. However, interactomics studies applying proximity labelling are currently limited to angiosperm species in plants. Here, we established and evaluated a miniTurbo-based interactomics method in M. polymorpha using MpSYP12A and MpSYP13B, two plasma membrane-localized SNARE proteins, as baits. We show that our method yields a manifold of potential interactors of MpSYP12A and MpSYP13B compared to a coimmunoprecipitation approach. Our method could capture specific candidates for each SNARE. We conclude that a miniTurbo-based method is a feasible tool for interactomics in M. polymorpha and potentially applicable to other model bryophytes. Our interactome dataset on MpSYP12A and MpSYP13B will be a useful resource to elucidate the evolution of SNARE functions.

The bioavailability of curcumin (Cur) is generally limited by its poor stability. However, it is beneficial to improve the stability of Cur by using self-assembled zein hydrolysate (ZH) as delivery carrier. This paper aimed to explore the formation mechanism of zein hydrolysate-curcumin nanocomplexes as a function of critical micelle concentration (CMC).

In this work, The CMC of ZH (0.535 mg mL

) was obtained by the pyrene fluorescent probe method. ZH-Cur nanocomplexes undergo hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, and the fluorescence quenching effect was concentration dependent with the process of static quenching. Moreover, the differences of colloidal properties on ZH and ZH-Cur nanocomplexes were systematically compared by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy near CMC. ZH presented irregular spherical shapes and would aggregate to form micelles at the CMC and above. The tight micellar structure promoted more uniform size distribution (double peaks reduced) and higher potentials (over -30 mV) within 10 days. In addition, the nanocomplexes demonstrated an obvious core-shell structure. Within 10 days of storage, the particle size distributions were uniform and the potentials increased significantly, indicating that the micellar nanostructure made the Cur stably embedded in the hydrophobic core of ZH. Finally, ZH-Cur nanocomplexes effectively improved the water solubility and encapsulation rate (over 70%) of Cur. Moreover, over 90% of Cur was released steadily within 91 h.

This work provided a theoretical basis for the application of amphiphilic peptide micellar nanostructure as novel food-grade nanocarriers to transport hydrophobic bioactive substances. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

This work provided a theoretical basis for the application of amphiphilic peptide micellar nanostructure as novel food-grade nanocarriers to transport hydrophobic bioactive substances. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

To overcome the limitations in the use of protein as an emulsifier, soy lecithin, a natural surfactant, was used along with whey protein isolate (WPI) to produce o/w emulsions containing cholecalciferol and α-tocopherol. The physical stability of the emulsions prepared with WPI and varying concentrations of lecithin (0, 1, 2, and 3% w/w) was measured in different heat, pH, and ionic-strength food environmental conditions.

All emulsions were shown to be less than 250 nm in size and less than 0.3 in polydispersity index (PDI). The morphology of the emulsions was spherical, and the droplets of the emulsion containing lecithin were thicker and larger than those of the emulsion without lecithin (WPI_L0). After autoclaving, WPI_L0 increased in size from 197.8 ± 1.7nm to 528.5 ± 28.4nm, and the retention of cholecalciferol and α-tocopherol decreased to 40.83 ± 0.63% and 49.68 ± 1.84%, respectively. At pH5.5, near the isoelectric point of WPI, WPI_L0 increased in size due to aggregation, but emulsions containing lecithin remained stable at a PDI under 0.3. Turbiscan stability index of the emulsion prepared with WPI and 3% lecithin was the lowest, indicating good storage stability. In addition, it was confirmed that the higher the lecithin content, the higher the viscosity, and the higher the amount of free fatty acids released in the in vitro digestion model.

This study can provide theoretical evidence for enhancing the physical stability of protein emulsions by co-stabilization with lecithin, promoting their application in various foods. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

This study can provide theoretical evidence for enhancing the physical stability of protein emulsions by co-stabilization with lecithin, promoting their application in various foods. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Improving the accuracy of relative stopping power (RSP) in proton therapy may allow reducing range margins. Proton computed tomography (pCT) has been shown to provide state-of-the-art RSP accuracy estimation, and various scanner prototypes have recently been built. The different approaches used in scanner design are expected to impact spatial resolution and RSPaccuracy.

The goal of this study was to perform the first direct comparison, in terms of spatial resolution and RSP accuracy, of two pCT prototype scanners installed at the same facility and by using the same image reconstructionalgorithm.

A phantom containing cylindrical inserts of known RSP was scanned at the phase-II pCT prototype of the U.S. pCT collaboration and at the commercially oriented ProtonVDA scanner. Following distance-driven binning filtered backprojection reconstruction, the radial edge spread function of high-density inserts was used to estimate the spatial resolution. RSP accuracy was evaluated by the mean absolute percent error between two prototype pCT scanners operated in the same clinical facility showed that they both fulfill the requirement of an RSP accuracy of about 1%. Their spatial resolution performance reflects the different design choices of either a scanner with full tracking capabilities (phase-II) or of a more compact tracker system, which only provides the positions of protons but not their directions (ProtonVDA).

Supplementation of sulfur (S) and folic acid (FA) are known to spare the dietary requirement of methionine (Met) in chicken. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding graded concentrations of FA (0, 2, 4, 6, 8mg kg

) and two concentrations of S (0 and 2g kg

) in 5 × 2 factorial design. Diet without FA and S was considered as negative control (NC). Another diet with the recommended concentration of Met was considered as the positive control (PC). Each diet was offered ad libitum from day 1 to 42 to 10 pens of 20 male chicks each.

Broilers fed the NC diet had lower body weight gain (BWG), high feed conversion ratio, lower ready-to-cook yield, higher lipid peroxidation and reduced concentrations of protein and albumin in serum. BWG improved with FA at day 21 and showed a trend of improvement at day 42. Similarly, BWG improved with S supplementation at day 42. The FA and S interaction indicated a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation with S supplementation at the majority of FA levels. Serum protein fractions increased with increased dietary FA content and increased further with S supplementation.

Based on the results, it is concluded that the combination of FA (4mg kg

) and S (2g kg

) improved BWG. Similarly, the feed efficiency with 6mg FA alone or with S was similar to the PC group. The improvement was probably due to the increase in protein accretion and reduction in lipid peroxidation with FA and S supplementation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Based on the results, it is concluded that the combination of FA (4 mg kg-1 ) and S (2 g kg-1 ) improved BWG. Similarly, the feed efficiency with 6 mg FA alone or with S was similar to the PC group. The improvement was probably due to the increase in protein accretion and reduction in lipid peroxidation with FA and S supplementation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.We aimed to assess the association between change in social participation and long-term improved cognitive function among older adults. Data were obtained from 9648 participants aged ≥60 years in the 2011, 2014 and 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, a national prospective cohort study. Cox regression models were used to calculate adjusted risk ratios (aRRs). Social participation was increased in 20.5% of the participants, decreased in 37.8% of the participants and stable in 41.7% of the participants from the 2011 wave to the 2014-2018 waves. The improved cognitive function rate was 17.9% at follow-up. Compared to individuals with decreased social participation from the 2011 wave to the 2014-2018 waves, individuals with unchanged total social participation were 59% (aRR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.35-1.87) more likely to have improved cognitive function in the 2014-2018 waves, and individuals with increased social participation were 61% (aRR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.43-1.82) more likely to have improved cognitive function, regardless of the baseline social participation status. As for the three forms of social participation, compared with the participants with decreased social participation, those with increased participation in organised social activities, increased participation in group leisure-time activities, unchanged informal social interactions and increased informal social interactions were 24% (aRR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.02-1.51), 49% (aRR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.21-1.84), 55% (aRR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.37-1.76) and 57% (aRR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.34-1.84) more likely to have improved cognitive function (all p less then 0.05) respectively. The results were stable in the sensitivity analysis. Our findings highlight the importance of promoting social participation from a multidimensional perspective (duration, frequency and forms) to improve cognitive function among older adults, for policy makers and healthcare workers in the community.Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs) occur in more than one-third of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors; they are often the first clinical manifestation, although they may occur months after initiation of therapy. We noticed that our patients usually have these cutaneous AEs on photodamaged skin. In fact, out of 19 patients being treated for metastatic melanoma, 8 (42%), all of whom had significant cutaneous actinic damage, developed cutaneous irAEs earlier and in a more serious form than those without such damage. Thus, we gave a high oral dose of nicotinamide (500 mg twice daily) to the patients with metastatic melanoma who had photodamaged skin, and continued this for the entire duration of the immunotherapy. The appearance of the first signs of cutaneous irAEs was 180 days after starting therapy in nicotinamide-treated patients, compared with 65 days for patients not treated with nicotinamide.In recent decades, interest in sustainable food packaging systems with additional functionality, able to increase the shelf life of products, has grown steadily. Following this trend, the present review analyzes the state of the art of this active renewable packaging. The focus is on antimicrobial systems containing nanocellulose and chitosan, as support for the incorporation of essential oils. These are the most sustainable and readily available options to produce completely natural active packaging materials. After a brief overview of the different active packaging technologies, the main features of nanocellulose, chitosan, and of the different essential oils used in the field of active packaging are introduced and described. The latest findings about the nanocellulose- and chitosan-based active packaging are then presented. The antimicrobial effectiveness of the different solutions is discussed, focusing on their effect on other material properties. The effect of the different inclusion strategies is also reviewed considering both in vivo and in vitro studies, in an attempt to understand more promising solutions and possible pathways for further development. In general, essential oils are very successful in exerting antimicrobial effects against the most diffused gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and affecting other material properties (tensile strength, water vapor transmission rate) positively. Due to the wide variety of biopolymer matrices and essential oils available, it is difficult to create general guidelines for the development of active packaging systems. However, more attention should be dedicated to sensory analysis, release kinetics, and synergetic action of different essential oils to optimize the active packaging on different food products. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Compared with free astaxanthin (Asta), docosahexaenoic acid astaxanthin monoester (Asta-C226) has higher stability and bioavailability. However, Asta-E is still unable to be used in the water system. Hence it is necessary to build a water-soluble delivery system. In this study, Asta-C226 microemulsion and microcapsule using whey protein isolate (WPI) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβ-CD) as composite wall material were prepared. They were added to three dairy products (milk powder, yogurt and flavored dairy product). A dairy product rich in Asta-C226 with high bioavailability was designed by measuring quality characteristics, sensory evaluation and in vivo experiments.

Compared with spray drying, the freeze-drying microcapsule had a higher encapsulation efficiency (72.5%), water content (4%) and better solubility, and Asta-C226 microcapsule (1g L

) yogurt had the best quality. The bioavailability of Asta-C226 microcapsule yogurt was further evaluated. After a single oral dose in mice, the bioavailability of Asta-C226 microcapsule in yogurt was significantly increased (C

=0.31 μg mL

, AUC

=3.20 hμg mL

).

We successfully prepared Asta-C226 microcapsule yogurt, which improved the stability and bioavailability of Asta. The present research is meaningful for delivering unstable bioactive small molecules based on WPI and HPβ-CD. It provides an experimental basis for the application of Asta-C226 and the development of functional dairy products. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

We successfully prepared Asta-C226 microcapsule yogurt, which improved the stability and bioavailability of Asta. The present research is meaningful for delivering unstable bioactive small molecules based on WPI and HPβ-CD. It provides an experimental basis for the application of Asta-C226 and the development of functional dairy products. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.Over the past decades, an increase of male infertility through the decrease of sperm count has been noted. It has been suggested that environmental factors and lifestyle could a negative impact over sperm quality. Among these factors, the consumption of foods high in fat, which leads to overweight and obesity, can negatively influence fertility. The present study was designed to highlight the protective effect of Kefir, natural probiotic, against the decline in sperm quality related to fat high diet. Thirty adult rats were divided into four groups Control (1 ml/100 g of body weight (bw) of semi-shimmed cow milk), KM (1 ml/100 g bw of Kefir milk), HFD (1 ml/100 g bw of semi-shimmed cow milk + high-fat diet) and KM/HFD (1 ml/100 g bw Kefir milk + high-fat diet). After 60 days of treatment, sperm quality, biochemical assays of lipids profil, blood cell count and histological examination in testis were assessed. The results described an improved of sperm density (64.28 106 ml vs 54.14 106 ml), viability (70.50% vs 55.33%), mobility (65.40% vs 63.60%) and morphological abnormalities (52% vs 25%) in the KM/HFD group compared to HFD group. In the same group, the lipid profil (Triglycerides (128.39 mg/dl vs 102.85 mg/dl), C-LDL (13.65 mg/dl vs 15.32 mg/dl) and C-HDL (23.21 mg/dl vs 19.15 mg/dl)) was corrected compared to HFD group. The histological observation of testis revealed a normal spermatogenesis compared to seminiferous tubules of HFD group, which showed a serious disruption and damage of testicular epithelium exerted by the high-fat diet. These findings corroborated the previous beneficial effect of Kefir and brought new insights into its beneficial effect against deteriorated spermatogenesis in obese adult rats.

To describe the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Quality Improvement Award (QIA) program, award patterns, and early lessons learned.

1413 health centers were eligible for QIA from 2014 to 2018.

We assessed cumulative QIA funding earned and modified funding excluding payments for per-patient bonuses, electronic health record (EHR) use, patient-centered medical home (PCMH) accreditation, and health information technology. We compared health centers on rural/urban location, PCMH accreditation, EHR reporting, and size.

Organizational and quality measures are reported in the Uniform Data System, QIA program data.

Average cumulative funding was higher for health centers that were not rural (USD 380,387 [± USD 233,467] vs. USD 303,526 [± USD 164,272]), had PCMH accreditation (USD 401,675 [± USD 218,246] vs. USD 250,784 [± USD 144,404]), used their EHR for quality reporting (USD 374,214 (± USD 222,866) vs. USD 331,150 (± USD 198,689)), and were large (USD 435,473 (± USD 238,193) vs. USD 270,681 (± USD 114,484) an USD 231,917 (± USD 97,847) for small and medium centers, respectively). There were similar patterns, with smaller differences, for average modified payments.

QIA is an important feasible initiative to introduce value-based payment principles to health centers. Early lessons for program design include announcing award criteria in advance and focusing on a smaller number of priority targets.

QIA is an important feasible initiative to introduce value-based payment principles to health centers. Early lessons for program design include announcing award criteria in advance and focusing on a smaller number of priority targets.The aim of this scoping review was to assess the composition, terminology, and anatomy of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) of the wrist and propose unambiguous terminology regarding the individual components. The review was conducted according to the methodological framework by Arksey and O’Malley (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2005, 8, 19-32). Electronic databases were searched from inception until September 1, 2021 for original anatomical studies, using MeSH terms and keywords on terminology and anatomy of TFCC components. Studies using gross dissections or macro- or microscopic histology were included. Animal studies, fetal studies and studies with unknown disease status, were excluded. A total of 24 studies were included. The articular disc, the radioulnar ligaments, the meniscus homologue and the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon (sub)sheath were unanimously classified as TFCC components. One study did not include the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments and only one study did include the ligamentum subcruentum. The largest disagreement existed regarding the inclusion of the ulnar collateral ligament. Terminological ambiguity was seen in „triangular fibrocartilage,” „triangular ligament,” „igamentum subcruentum,” and the „proximal and distal lamina.” Anatomical ambiguity existed especially regarding the radioulnar ligaments, the ulnar attachments of the TFCC and the ulnar collateral ligament. Definitions of the individual TFCC components are redundant, ambiguous, and ill-defined and therefore subject to different interpretations. In order to preclude confusion, consensus regarding terminology is recommended. We proposed a concise definition of the healthy TFCC that can be used as a starting point for future studies and current clinical practice.

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical relationship between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients treated with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Data was collected on patients from 128 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers throughout the United States.

This study included veterans aged 18-89 years with viremic HCV who received a full course of SOF/VEL treatment from June 2016 – July 2017.

Sustained viral response was compared in patients taking SOF/VEL with or without concurrent PPI prescriptions.

Analysis of the primary outcome was completed utilizing logistic regression. The relationship between SVR and PPI use was adjusted for African-American race, presence of cirrhosis, prior treatment, BMI greater than 30 kg/m2, and HCV genotype. The final analysis included 4,008 veterans, 830 with concomitant PPI use and 3,178 without PPI use. After adjuse PPI therapy while receiving SOF/VEL, and ensure prescribing instructions are closely followed in regard to concomitant PPI use, especially in patients with other risk factors for decreased SVR.Some consumers have become very suspicious of certain health products such as medicines, medical devices and cosmetics. This can lead them to choose to make such products themselves. The aim of this work was therefore to analyse recipes for eye makeup and makeup removal products, as well as eyelash and eye contour care products. We collected recipes for do-it-yourself products found on blogs and social media (YouTube channels, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok) in French and English and then analyse their composition as well as how practical it is to make these recipes. We compiled and studied 275 recipes for products that can be used in or around the eye (periocular area). This work has shown that the quantities of the various ingredients are very imprecise, that the proposed substances are not suitable for the intended use and that the preservation of the finished products is not sufficiently guaranteed. The results obtained suggest that recipes for products intended for use in the eye or in the periocular area are not safe to use and that their use is likely to have relatively serious consequences.SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve and the vaccine efficacy against variants is challenging to estimate. It is now common in phase III vaccine trials to provide vaccine to those randomized to placebo once efficacy has been demonstrated, precluding a direct assessment of placebo controlled vaccine efficacy after placebo vaccination. In this work, we extend methods developed for estimating vaccine efficacy post placebo vaccination to allow variant specific time varying vaccine efficacy, where time is measured since vaccination. The key idea is to infer counterfactual strain specific placebo case counts by using surveillance data that provide the proportions of the different strains. This blending of clinical trial and observational data allows estimation of strain-specific time varying vaccine efficacy, or sieve effects, including for strains that emerge after placebo vaccination. The key requirements are that the surveillance strain distribution accurately reflects the strain distribution for a placebo group throughout follow-up after placebo group vaccination, and that at least one strain is present before and after placebo vaccination. For illustration, we develop a Poisson approach for an idealized design under a rare disease assumption and then use a proportional hazards model to address staggered entry, staggered crossover, and smoothly varying strain specific vaccine efficacy. We evaluate these methods by theoretical work and simulations, and demonstrate that useful estimation of the efficacy profile is possible for strains that emerge after vaccination of the placebo group. An important principle is to incorporate sensitivity analyses to guard against misspecification of the strain distribution.Skin penetration studies of topically applied drugs are a challenging topic in the development of semisolid formulations. The most commonly used methods can be differentiated by their character into ex vivo/in vivo, invasive/non-invasive and offline/in-line measurements. In this study, we compare ex vivo tape stripping, an invasive technique, which is often used, to confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM), ex and in vivo, to establish a correlation between those methods. Retinol was used as a model drug, applied in an oil-in-water emulsion, to compare the skin penetration profiles obtained by the different methods.Leaf senescence is the final stage of leaf development and is influenced by numerous internal and environmental factors. CLE family peptides are plant-specific peptide hormones that regulate various developmental processes. However, the role of CLE in regulating Arabidopsis leaf senescence remains unclear. Here, we found that CLE42 is a negative regulator of leaf senescence by using a CRISPR/Cas9-produced CLE mutant collection. The cle42 mutant displayed earlier senescence phenotypes, while overexpression of CLE42 delayed age-dependent and dark-induced leaf senescence. Moreover, application of the synthesized 12-amino-acid peptide (CLE42p) also delayed leaf senescence under natural and dark conditions. CLE42 and CLE41/44 displayed functional redundancy in leaf senescence, and the cle41 cle42 cle44 triple mutant displayed more pronounced earlier senescence phenotypes than any single mutant. Analysis of differentially expressed genes obtained by RNA-Seq methodology revealed that the ethylene pathway was suppressed by overexpressing CLE42.