Earlier Studies Research Articles

Induced abortion in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

One of the main factors contributing to maternal morbidity and mortality is induced abortion. The WHO estimates that over 44 million induced abortions take place annually around the world. The majority of these abortions-about 50%-are unsafe, significantly increasing maternal morbidity and contributing to 13% of maternal deaths. Thus, this review aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of induced abortion and its associated factors in Africa. To find literature on the prevalence of induced abortion and its associated factors, a thorough search of the internet databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar was conducted. The data were extracted using a structured method of data collection. Software called STATA 14 was used to do the analysis. funnel plot and Egger regression test were used to evaluate potential publication bias. I2 statistics and Cochrane's Q were used to measure the heterogeneity at a p-value < 0.05. 976 studies were found through a thorough search of electronic databases. Finally, 46 full-text abstract papers were included in this study. The estimated pooled prevalence of induced abortion was 16% (95% CI: 13%-19%). According to the sub-group analysis, most studies were conducted in Ethiopia, and the pooled prevalence was 19% (95% CI: 10%-30%). Similarly, the subgroup analysis by year of study showed that the prevalence of induced abortion was 39% (95% CI: 17%-64%) among studies conducted in 2019. The results of this study thus imply that the pooled prevalence of induced abortion is higher than that of earlier studies that were published in some nations. the data from this study are needed to support reproductive and adolescent health programmers and policymakers and to formulate recommendations for future clinical practice and guidelines.

Psychophysiological effects of walking in forests and urban built environments with disparate road traffic noise exposure: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundStress is a widespread phenomenon and reality of everyday life, entailing negative consequences for physical and psychological wellbeing. Previous studies have indicated that exposure to greenspaces and nature-based interventions are promising approaches to reducing stress and promoting restoration. However, an increasing percentage of the population lives in urban regions with limited opportunities to spend time in greenspaces. In addition, urban settings typically feature increased levels of noise, which represents a major environmental stressor. Although various studies have compared the effects of exposure to greenspaces versus urban built environments, evidence of the effects of noise in this context is very limited. Psychophysiological benefits of exposure to greenspaces compared to urban built environments reported in earlier studies might be less (or at least not only) due to features of the greenspaces than to additional stressors, such as road traffic noise in the urban built environment. Hence, differences in the effects attributed to greenness in previous studies may also be due to potentially detrimental noise effects in comparison settings. This paper reports the study protocol for a randomized, controlled intervention study comparing the effects of walking in forest versus urban built environments, taking road traffic noise exposure during walks in the respective settings into account.MethodsThe protocol envisages a field study employing a pretest–posttest design to compare the effects of 30-min walks in urban built environments and forests with different road traffic noise levels. Assessments will consist of self-reported measures, physiological data (salivary cortisol and skin conductance), an attention test, and noise, as well as greenness measurements. The outcomes will be restoration, stress, positive and negative affect, attention, rumination, and nature connectedness.DiscussionThe results will inform about the restorative effect of walking in general, of exposure to different types of environments, and to different noise levels in these sites. The study will provide insights into the benefits of walking and nature-based interventions, taking into account the potential detrimental effects of noise exposure. It will thus facilitate a better understanding of low-threshold interventions to prevent stress and foster wellbeing.Trial registrationISRCTN48943261; Registered 23.11.2023.

Predictors of Disease Progression and Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Moderate Aortic Stenosis Using an Artificial Intelligence-Based Software Platform

Patients with moderate aortic stenosis (AS) have a greater risk of adverse clinical outcomes than that of the general population. How this risk compares with those with severe AS, along with factors associated with outcomes and disease progression, is less clear. We analyzed serial echoes (from 2017 to 2019) from a single healthcare system using Tempus Next (Chicago, Illinois) software. AS severity was defined according to American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines. Outcomes of interest included death or heart failure hospitalization. We used Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression to identify predictors of clinical outcome and disease progression, respectively. From 82,805 echoes for 61,546 patients, 1,770; 914; 565; and 1,463 patients had no, mild, moderate, or severe AS, respectively. Both patients with moderate and those with severe AS experienced a similar prevalence of adverse clinical outcomes (p = 0.45) that was significantly greater than that of patients without AS (p <0.01). In patients with moderate AS, atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 3.29, 95% confidence interval 1.79 to 6.02, p <0.001) and end-stage renal disease (hazard ratio 3.34, 95% confidence interval 1.87 to 5.95, p <0.001) were associated with adverse clinical outcomes. One-third of patients with moderate AS with a subsequent echo (139/434) progressed to severe AS within 1 year. In conclusion, patients with moderate AS can progress rapidly to severe AS and experience a similar risk of adverse clinical outcomes; predictors include atrial fibrillation and low left ventricular ejection fraction. Machine learning algorithms may help identify these patients. Whether these patients may warrant earlier intervention merits further study.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay of metal-binding activator MAC1 is dependent on copper levels and 3'-UTR length in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway was initially identified as a surveillance pathway that degrades mRNAs containing premature termination codons (PTCs). NMD is now also recognized as a post-transcriptional regulatory pathway that regulates the expression of natural mRNAs. Earlier studies demonstrated that regulation of functionally related natural mRNAs by NMD can be differential and condition-specific in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we investigated the regulation of MAC1 mRNAs by NMD in response to copper as well as the role the MAC1 3'-UTR plays in this regulation. MAC1 is a copper-sensing transcription factor that regulates the high-affinity copper uptake system. MAC1 expression is activated upon copper deprivation. We found that MAC1 mRNAs are regulated by NMD under complete minimal (CM) but escaped NMD under low and high copper conditions. Mac1 protein regulated gene, CTR1 is not regulated by NMD in conditions where MAC1 mRNAs are NMD sensitive. We also found that the MAC1 3'-UTR is the NMD targeting feature on the mRNAs, and that MAC1 mRNAs lacking 3'-UTRs were stabilized during copper deprivation. Our results demonstrate a mechanism of regulation for a metal-sensing transcription factor, at both the post-transcriptional and post-translational levels, where MAC1 mRNA levels are regulated by NMD and copper, while the activity of Mac1p is controlled by copper levels.

Preliminary study of distal forearm bone mineral density in residents of Doi Lo District: Observation and comparison with Mae Chaem, and Omkoi Districts, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Background: We previously reported distal forearm bone mineral density (BMD) information for individuals residing in Mae Chaem and Omkoi districts, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Objective: This study was aimed to observe distal forearm BMD in residents of Doi Lo District and compare this data with individuals residing in Mae Chaem District and Omkoi District in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Materials and methods: Two hundred fifty-one subjects (215 women, 36 men), aged 24 to 69 years, currently reside in Doi Lo District. BMD was measured on the non-dominant distal forearm using peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (pDEXA). Subsequently, data from Doi Lo District were compared with data from Mae Chaem District and Omkoi District obtained from earlier studies. Results: Distal forearm BMD decreased, and the prevalence of osteoporosis increased in both females and males across age groups. This trend was consistent with data from Mae Chaem District and Omkoi District. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the prevalence of distal forearm BMD and osteoporosis among females and males in Doi Lo District. The findings from Doi Lo District were consistent with those from Mae Chaem District and Omkoi District in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. These results provide valuable insights into bone health among residents of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

Jung Personality Complexes: Evidence from Mahabharata Characters

Purpose: The research paper is an interesting blend of social science and mythology. The researchers explain how Jung personality complexes to Professional &amp; Psychology students with the help of characters from Mahabharata. As the personality grows person develops some complex in their personality and which guides person’s behavior and aspirations in life. Each individual has different personalities and different type of complexes in them with different level of intensity. Thus, the outcome of the research helps individual personalities to discover them as well as to understand basic individual personality complexes. Objectives: The researchers have set the following primary objective and the current study investigates 1 broad research question: To interpret characters from Mahabharata to explain Jung personality complexes. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study is based on both secondary &amp; primary evidence. Hypotheses are stated for the various variables selected and analyzed to prove or disprove the same without any errors. Findings/Result: There were correlations between Jung personality complexes &amp; from Mahabharata characters to individuals with the ancient Indian texts. As much as individuals behave differently in different situations, our behavioural reactions can be clubbed into personality complexes as similar reactions across ages and cultures. To conclude, we can say that each one of us is uniquely different yet distinctively similar as well. Research Limitations/Implications: In the present research an attempt is made by the researchers to understand the research gap in the area hence a conceptual idea is proposed and the research goes further to advance significance to discover the degree of relationship to interpret characters from Mahabharata to explain Jung personality complexes. Originality/Value: Many of the earlier studies have proved the soul of Indian mythology is beyond simple good and evil. If one cares to dig deep, there’s an interesting story at each and every step. Psychologists explain this by segregating personality into a private and public persona. Private is the ‘real’ inner person, while public is the way that the individual presents themselves to the outside world. We may be confident and outgoing in some situations and less sure of ourselves and more retiring in other situations. A case where a shy reserved person joins an organization but eventually becomes an arrogant and stubborn boss. This fits the explanation of how our personalities differ situationally. Paper Type: The study is based on both secondary &amp; primary evidence. There are many characters in the Mahabharata, with each one having good and bad qualities. Many characters are similar in personality complexes but differ in their ethical characteristics. Hence researchers have tried to identify and give the major characters in the research. However, this is not a definitive list.

Advancing Rock-Socketed Pile Design with a Unified Interface Shear Strength Framework for Soft Rocks

AbstractThe shaft resistance of rock-socketed piles (RSPs) is primarily influenced by the interactions between the pile, rock and any soft interface materials. This study presents a fundamental experimental and numerical investigation to predict the shaft resistance of model RSPs in soft rocks through a comprehensive shear strength framework incorporating the major variables such as roughness and smear fabric. By calibrating the Discrete Element Method (DEM) results with the experimental outcomes, this study evaluates the load-resistance attributes of RSPs in three different soft rocks for a wide range of roughness and smear configurations. The interface roughness effect of the RSPs in terms of the friction coefficient was correlated with the ultimate shaft resistances, uniaxial compressive strength and Young’s modulus of the rock. The study then incorporated the effect of smear fabric (placement, thickness and area proportion) in the shear strength framework of clean shafts. Comprehensive review of the DEM results revealed that the socket roughness effect diminishes at a critical roughness factor $$({\text{RF}})$$ ( RF ) of 0.4, beyond which the smear predominantly influences the shaft capacity. Following this, the effects of roughness and smear fabric were incorporated into a single equation representing the interface shear strength of RSPs, where the existence of smear results in a maximum reduction of up to 75% of the ultimate shaft resistance. The distinctive feature of this unified interface shear strength framework lies in its integration of the new smear fabric parameter and the linkage to the mechanical properties of soft rocks, which is the limitation of the earlier studies. It thereby sets a strong base for future studies aimed at advancing the pile-rock interface models.

Trophic interactions between common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and their prey during summer in the northern Barents Sea

Global warming is causing rapid change in marine food webs, particularly at northern latitudes where temperatures are increasing most rapidly. In this study, the diet of common minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata was assessed both in terms of short-term (morphological analyses of digestive tract contents) and longer-term (tissue chemical markers: fatty acids and stable isotopes) prey use in the northern Barents Sea to see if they are prey shifting. Samples (blubber cores, muscle, and stomach contents) were obtained from 158 common minke whales taken during Norwegian commercial whaling operations during summer over the period 2016–2020. Two prey items, capelin Mallotus villosus and krill (primarily Thysanoessa sp.), dominated the stomach contents in the entire period of investigation, which included sampling both in June and in August, similar to findings from earlier studies. A few gadoids were also observed in the whale stomachs. Lower blubber fatty acid (FA) contents in 2016/2017 as compared with 2018/2019 were observed. This is most likely explained by differences in sampling time (June in 2016/2017 vs August in 2018/2019, i.e., after a longer feeding period during the summer in the latter case). This explanation also fits with the fact that FA profiles of the 2018/2019 whales were more similar to the FA profiles of the potential prey, presumably reflecting the two months longer assimilation time for these whales. Multidimensional mixing models based on carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of the most likely prey groups suggested that the whales ate mostly krill in four of the five sampling years. In 2018 there were indications of a higher proportion of gadoid fish, showing some dietary flexibility. The trophic level of the whales’ feeding, as interpreted from the nitrogen isotope values, was positively correlated with blubber thickness suggesting that fish-eaters tended to assimilate more energy than whales that focused more exclusively on lower trophic prey. The variation suggested by different dietary analyses methods − stomach contents, fatty acids, and stable isotopes – most likely reflects different turnover times, with muscle stable isotopes likely representing several months of dietary integration, while lipid stores are more dynamic and may represent weeks, and stomach contents represent feeding events during the last few hours. The change in diet of minke whales from small pelagic fishes (in the past) to a greater quantity of krill and demersal fish (seen in this study) suggests that the whales are responding to the ongoing borealization of the Barents Sea ecosystem.

Improved Optics for Super-Resolution Time-Lapse Observations of Biological Phenomenon Using Speckle Interferometry

This study proposes a new optical system with the potential for time-lapse observation of living cellular tissue beyond the diffraction limit through speckle interferometry to facilitate biological research. The spatial resolution of this optical system was investigated and improved upon. This study also experimentally verified a finding from an earlier simulation study that the new super-resolution technology could be realised by analysing the phase distribution related to the shape of the measured object, preserved in the light reflected from the object. Additionally, a method was presented to confirm the positions of microstructures, based on the extracted characteristics of the structure.

Abstract PO1-13-12: Mechanistic Analysis and Potential Therapeutic Implications in Breast Cancer with Fibrotic Focus

Abstract A fibrotic focus (FF) is a scar-like region that forms in the center of carcinoma due to excessive tumor stroma formation. In our earlier studies, we found FF as an independent poor prognostic factor for breast cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms of how the presence of FF contributed to a poor prognosis are still unknown. To improve our understanding of FF in breast cancer, we have investigated genes associated with FF and their impacts on breast cancer prognosis. Analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) indicated that Bone Morphogenetic Protein 8A (BMP8A) was significantly upregulated in breast cancers with FF. To further validate this finding, immunohistochemistry (IHC) on BMP8A was performed on a local cohort of breast cancers (N= 900). Of these samples, 147 (16.3%) were found to be BMP8A positive, and there was a significant association between the presence of FF and high expression of BMP8A (p-value=0.026). We also found that high expression of BMP8A was positively correlated with apocrine phenotype, necrosis, increased Ki67 expression, and triple-negative breast cancer subtype; and most of these are poor prognostic factors for breast cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival estimate analysis revealed that high expression of BMP8A was significantly associated with poor overall survival (p-value=0.035). Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that "Extracellular matrix organization" was the prominent biological process associated with BMP8A. KEGG pathway analysis suggested that BMP8A was significantly related to "Protein digestion and absorption", "ECM-receptor interaction", and "Focal adhesion" pathways, further validating its correlation with stromal FF. In cellular studies using MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, overexpression of BMP8A was found to enhance breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Similar tumor-promoting phenotypes were exhibited when stimulating the cell lines with recombinant human BMP8A. In conclusion, our findings suggested that BMP8A was associated with FF in breast cancer, contributing at least partly to the aggressive features of these cancers. Our findings also provided new insights into the precision treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer. Further exploration of BMP8A as a therapeutic target and prognostic factor may contribute to improved management of breast cancer patients. Citation Format: Canbin Fang, Julia Y. S. Tsang, Gary M.K. Tse. Mechanistic Analysis and Potential Therapeutic Implications in Breast Cancer with Fibrotic Focus [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-13-12.

Organisational growth and decline in Indonesian Islamic banks

Purpose This study aims to investigate the growth of Indonesian Islamic banks and explores organisational growth determinants from different perspectives, namely, organisational climate, intellectual capital (IC) and organisational service orientation. The study also attempts to develop a model to measure the growth of Islamic banks and uncovers the root causes of the stagnancy in Indonesian Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach The study used survey questionnaires distributed to Islamic bank managers, who were considered representative experts in the field of Islamic banking. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 21.0), and two analyses were performed with different strategies to build the regression model, namely, multiple linear regression and automatic linear regression. Findings The study found that IC significantly affected Islamic banks’ growth in Indonesia; however, organisational climate and service orientation did not predict such growth. Concerning service orientation as a mediating model, climate or IC had no indirect effect on growth. Research limitations/implications This study’s results contribute to fill the gap by analysing the growth of Islamic banks. Hence, the study results will be especially practical and helpful for Islamic bank managers and policymakers to help develop mechanisms for Islamic banks in Indonesia. Originality/value By combining the aspects of organisational climate, IC and service orientation from earlier studies and categorising them by organisational growth, together with a comprehensive literature review, the study proposes a model specific to Islamic banks. It also offers new insight and discussion for determining organisational growth in Indonesian Islamic banks.

Post-transcriptional regulation and subcellular localization of G-protein γ7 subunit: implications for striatal function and behavioral responses to cocaine.

The striatal D1 dopamine receptor (D1R) and A2a adenosine receptor (A2aR) signaling pathways play important roles in drug-related behaviors. These receptors activate the Golf protein comprised of a specific combination of αolfβ2γ7 subunits. During assembly, the γ7 subunit sets the cellular level of the Golf protein. In turn, the amount of Golf protein determines the collective output from both D1R and A2aR signaling pathways. This study shows the Gng7 gene encodes multiple γ7 transcripts differing only in their non-coding regions. In striatum, Transcript 1 is the predominant isoform. Preferentially expressed in the neuropil, Transcript 1 is localized in dendrites where it undergoes post-transcriptional regulation mediated by regulatory elements in its 3' untranslated region that contribute to translational suppression of the γ7 protein. Earlier studies on gene-targeted mice demonstrated loss of γ7 protein disrupts assembly of the Golf protein. In the current study, morphological analysis reveals the loss of the Golf protein is associated with altered dendritic morphology of medium spiny neurons. Finally, behavioral analysis of conditional knockout mice with cell-specific deletion of the γ7 protein in distinct populations of medium spiny neurons reveals differential roles of the Golf protein in mediating behavioral responses to cocaine. Altogether, these findings provide a better understanding of the regulation of γ7 protein expression, its impact on Golf function, and point to a new potential target and mechanisms for treating addiction and related disorders.

Abstract PO3-02-04: Comparison of OncotypeDX Recurrence Scores (RS) and MammaPrint (MP) scores, and chemotherapy indications in early-stage Estrogen Receptor positive/HER2 negative (ER-/HER2-) breast cancer

Abstract Background: Both RS and MP are endorsed by ASCO and NCCN practice guidelines to estimate prognosis of early-stage ER+/HER2- breast cancers and results guide adjuvant chemotherapy treatment recommendations. Earlier studies reported around 30% discordance in risk assignments by different genomic assays, but these comparisons were complicated by the 3-way (low, intermediate, high) versus 2-way (low, high) risk assignment by RS and MP respectively. More recently, RS thresholds were re-evaluated in the context of the TAILORx and RxPONDER randomized clinical trials and RS &amp;gt;25 is now considered indication for adjuvant chemotherapy. MP results are now also reported as continuous scores similar to RS, and MP high risk patients can be subdivided into MP1 (high) and MP2 (ultra-high) risk groups. The goal of this analysis was to assess correlation between RS and MP scores as continuous variables and examine concordance in chemotherapy eligibility and risk category assignments. Methods: 168 patients treated at the West Cancer Center and Research Institute had patients with both MP and RS results available for the same patient generated by Agendia as a research activity and Exact Sciences in the context of routine care. Molecular class was assigned by the MammaPrint Blueprint assay. Results and clinical information were retrieved from the medical records. Median age was 64 years (range 25-92), 77% were postmenopausal, 59% White, 37% Black and 4% other. 78% had histologic grade 1 or 2 cancers, 53%, 38%, and 8% were stage I, II, and III, respectively. 84% were invasive ductal carcinoma, 13% invasive lobular carcinoma, the rest mixed or other rare histologies. Patients were considered high-risk and chemotherapy eligible if the RS was &amp;gt;25 or the MP score was &amp;lt; 0 (i.e. any negative value), MP high-risk patients were further categorized into MP1 (MP score between 0 to -0.5699) and MP2 (MPs score -0.57 or less). Correlation between scores were assessed using Pearson correlation. Results: There was statistically significant correlation between RS and MP scores with a Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.61, (p&amp;lt; 0.0001). 51 (30%) cancers were MP low-risk (Luminal A), and 122 (73%) were RS low risk (RS≤25). Among the MP low-risk cancers, 47 (92%) had concordant low risk assignment by RS. Based on RS, 46 (27%) patients were high-risk chemotherapy eligible and 42 of these (91%) were concordantly classified as MP high-risk. MP high-risk cancers included 115 Luminal B and 1 Basal-like cancers, and 64% of these (n=74) had low-risk status by RS. When the MP high category was subdivided into MP 1 (n=105) and MP2 (n=11) subgroups, (35/105) 33% and (7/11) 64% of cases were RS &amp;gt;25, respectively. Black patients had a statistically higher mean index MP score of -0.191 compared to -0.082 for White patients (p=0.02). No statistical difference was noted by race for RS. Conclusions: There was strong concordance (92%) between low-risk MP and low-risk RS. Similar concordance was not identified when comparing chemotherapy eligible high-risk MP (MP1 and MP2) to high-risk ( &amp;gt;25) recurrence scores. Only 36% of chemotherapy eligible MP patients (MP1 and MP2) would be chemotherapy eligible by RS. Higher concordance (58%) for chemotherapy eligibility was seen when limited to the ultra-high (MP2) scores. By contrast most (92%) of chemotherapy eligible patients by RS (&amp;gt;25) were considered high risk by MP (MP1 or MP2). Table1. RS and MP risk categories Citation Format: Rishika Singh, William Barlow, Nupur Singh, James Elliott, Richard Fine, Michael Berry, Erin Cobain, Lajos Pusztai, Gregory Vidal. Comparison of OncotypeDX Recurrence Scores (RS) and MammaPrint (MP) scores, and chemotherapy indications in early-stage Estrogen Receptor positive/HER2 negative (ER-/HER2-) breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-02-04.

Assessment of the excitation-inhibition ratio in the Fmr1 KO2 mouse using neuronal oscillation dynamics.

In vitro and ex vivo studies have shown consistent indications of hyperexcitability in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (Fmr1) knockout mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. We recently introduced a method to quantify network-level functional excitation-inhibition ratio from the neuronal oscillations. Here, we used this measure to study whether the implicated synaptic excitation-inhibition disturbances translate to disturbances in network physiology in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (Fmr1) gene knockout model. Vigilance-state scoring was used to extract segments of inactive wakefulness as an equivalent behavioral condition to the human resting-state and, subsequently, we performed high-frequency resolution analysis of the functional excitation-inhibition biomarker, long-range temporal correlations, and spectral power. We corroborated earlier studies showing increased high-frequency power in Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (Fmr1) knockout mice. Long-range temporal correlations were higher in the gamma frequency ranges. Contrary to expectations, functional excitation-inhibition was lower in the knockout mice in high frequency ranges, suggesting more inhibition-dominated networks. Exposure to the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-agonist clonazepam decreased the functional excitation-inhibition in both genotypes, confirming that increasing inhibitory tone results in a reduction of functional excitation-inhibition. In addition, clonazepam decreased electroencephalogram power and increased long-range temporal correlations in both genotypes. These findings show applicability of these new resting-state electroencephalogram biomarkers to animal for translational studies and allow investigation of the effects of lower-level disturbances in excitation-inhibition balance.

A Regionally Refined and Mass‐Consistent Atmospheric and Hydrological De‐Aliasing Product for GRACE, GRACE‐FO and Future Gravity Missions

AbstractDe‐aliasing products are used in the estimation process of satellite‐based gravity field computation to reduce errors from high‐frequency mass variations that alias into monthly gravity fields. The latest official product is AOD1B RL07 and describes non‐tidal atmosphere and oceanic mass variations at 3‐hourly resolution. However, the model‐based de‐aliasing products are inevitably incomplete and prone to temporally and spatially correlated errors that substantially contribute to errors in the estimated gravity fields. Here, we investigate possible enhancement of current de‐aliasing products by nesting a regional high‐resolution atmospheric reanalysis over Europe into a global reanalysis. As further novelty we include almost mass consistent terrestrial water storage variability from a regional hydrological model nested into a global model as additional component of the de‐aliasing product. While we find in agreement with earlier studies only minor contributions from increasing the temporal resolution beyond 3‐hourly data, our investigations suggest that contributions from continental hydrology and from regional non‐hydrostatic atmospheric modeling to sub‐monthly mass variations could be relevant already for gravity fields estimated from current gravity missions. Moreover, in the context of extreme events, we find regionally contributions from additional moisture fields, such as cloud liquid water, in the order of a few mm over Europe. We suggest this needs to be taken into account when preparing data analysis schemes for future space gravimetric missions.

Probing Depth Variations of Solar Inertial Modes through Normal Mode Coupling

Recently discovered inertial waves, observed on the solar surface, likely extend to the deeper layers of the Sun. Utilizing helioseismic techniques, we explore these motions, allowing us to discern inertial mode eigenfunctions in both radial and latitudinal orientations. We analyze 8 yr of space-based observations (2010–2017) taken by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory using normal mode coupling. Couplings between the same and different-degree acoustic modes and different frequency bins are measured in order to capture the various length scales of the inertial modes. We detect inertial modes at high latitude with azimuthal order t = 1 and frequency ∼ −80 nHz, measured in a corotating frame with a rotation frequency of 453.1 nHz. This mode is present in the entire convection zone. The presence of Rossby modes may be seen down to a depth of ∼0.83R ⊙, and the Rossby signal is indistinguishable from noise below that depth for high azimuthal order. We find that the amplitudes of these modes increase with depth down to around 0.92R ⊙ and decrease below that depth. We find that the latitudinal eigenfunctions of Rossby modes deviate from sectoral spherical harmonics if we use a similar approach as adopted in earlier studies. We find that spatial leakage and even pure noise in the measurements of nonsectoral components can also explain the abovementioned characteristics of the latitudinal eigenfunctions. This realization underscores the necessity for careful interpretation when considering the latitudinal eigenfunctions of Rossby modes. Exploring the depth-dependent characteristics of these modes will enable us to capture interior dynamics distinctly, separate from p-mode seismology.

THE FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT, INSTITUTIONS, AND POVERTY REDUCTION: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

Fighting poverty is one of the most critical targets of development plans and initiatives. In the pursuit of lasting growth, emerging nations now face the most challenging issue of eliminating poverty, which remains one of the most significant challenges addressing humanity nowadays. The study explores the relationships between the institutional quality, financial development, and poverty-fighting initiatives of South Asian states. It goes beyond the potential bias in earlier studies caused by omitting variables by considering the impact of the interaction between the financial sector and institutional framework. The fixed effects models with STATA15 are employed in this study from 2000 to 2019. This study's analysis uses panel data and secondary sources to conduct the inquiry with a sample of 7 South Asian economies such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This comprehensive compilation of annual data was done with consultation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Development Indicators (WDI). The study results show that a 1% increase in financial development is associated with a 39.88% decrease in poverty, which is statistically significant and favourable. It also reveals that institutional quality plays a vital role in poverty reduction in South Asia, with a 1% increase in institutional quality leading to a 2.61% increase in poverty. Besides, a 1% increase in GDP per capita growth correlates with a 0.12% decrease in poverty. The study's findings provide significant insights into poverty reduction by considering the relationship between institutional challenges and financial development through a flexible, functional structure in South Asian countries.

Unraveling a Novel Mechanism of Altered Glomerular Hemodynamics in Pre-diabetic Obesity

Background: In pre-diabetic obesity, disrupted glomerular autoregulation leads to increased glomerular capillary pressure and renal blood flow, causing potential barotrauma-induced glomerular damage. A decrease in Afferent arteriole ( Af-Art) resistance causes higher glomerular capillary pressure but the underlying mechanism behind this, specifically in pre-diabetic obesity, remains unclear. Hyperinsulinemia is common in pre-diabetic obesity, but its role in reducing Af-Art resistance in the kidneys is unknown. Kidney blood flow is auto-regulated by vasoconstriction via tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) and vasodilation through the Distal convoluted tubule-2/connecting tubule (DCT-2/CNT) mechanism. Our earlier studies indicate increased Af-Art dilation in pre-diabetic obese rats through the DCT-2/CNT mechanism without affecting TGF. This DCT-2/CNT induced Af-Art dilation requires initiation from epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) present at this tubular segment and interestingly insulin is a known ENaC activator. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that in the context of pre-diabetic obesity, hyperinsulinemia contributes to an increase in renal cortical blood flow (CBF) by increasing DCT-2/CNT-induced Af-Art dilation, subsequently leading to glomerular injury. Methods: We assessed the effects of insulin on Af-Art dilation by perfusing juxtaposed DCT-2/CNT segments with insulin in normal rabbits. Contribution of DCT-2/CNT induced Af-Art dilation was measured by co-administration of the ENaC blocker benzamil. To study hyperinsulinemia's role in an in-vivo setting without altering blood glucose levels, we used a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic (HI-EUG) clamp in obese rats with intravenous (IV) glucose and insulin infusions. Renal CBF and blood pressure were monitored using a laser Doppler probe and femoral artery catheter, respectively, both with and without benzamil administration (400 μg/kg, IV). To evaluate insulin's potential role in causation of renal damage, we infused insulin directly into one kidney of lean rats for 6 weeks via a renal sub-capsular catheter, with the contralateral kidney serving as control. Glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickness, a marker of renal damage, was measured via electron microscopy. Untargeted lipidomic analysis of the renal cortex was performed to identify potential renal damage pathways in insulin infused kidneys. Results: Insulin perfusion in rabbits' DCT-2/CNT potentiated the dilation of adherent Af-Art compared to control infusions with artificial tubular fluid. ENaC inhibition reversed the insulin-induced Af-Art dilation, confirming that insulin increases Af-Art dilation through the ENaC-initiated DCT-2/CNT mechanism. In obese rats, insulin delivery using a HI-EUG clamp resulted in a significant 20.8±4.9% increase in CBF, which was negated by the administration of the ENaC blocker benzamil, indicating the potential involvement of DCT-2/CNT-mediated vasodilation. Neither the HI-EUG clamp nor benzamil infusion affected blood pressure. Additionally, continuous direct insulin infusion into the kidneys of lean rats led to an increase in glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickness and ceramide accumulation in the renal cortex, both indicative of renal damage. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that insulin directly augments DCT-2/CNT-mediated Af-Art dilation and increases renal cortical blood flow in obese rats. Chronic renal insulin infusion led to structural changes and damage markers in the kidney, independent of blood glucose and blood pressure levels. Henry Ford Health System Internal Funding. Pilot and Feasibility grant from southeast center for integrated metabolomics. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effects on Voice Quality of Thyroidectomy: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study Using Voice Maps

ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the effects of thyroidectomy - a surgical intervention involving the removal of the thyroid gland—on voice quality, as represented by acoustic and electroglottographic measures. Given the thyroid gland's proximity to the inferior and superior laryngeal nerves, thyroidectomy carries a potential risk of affecting vocal function. While earlier studies have documented effects on the voice range, few studies have looked at voice quality after thyroidectomy. Since voice quality effects could manifest in many ways, that a priori are unknown, we wish to apply an exploratory approach that collects many data points from several metrics. MethodsA voice-mapping analysis paradigm was applied retrospectively on a corpus of spoken and sung sentences produced by patients who had had thyroid surgery. Voice quality changes were assessed objectively for 57 patients prior to surgery and two months after surgery, by making comparative voice maps, pre- and post-intervention, of six acoustic and electroglottographic (EGG) metrics. ResultsAfter thyroidectomy, statistically significant changes consistent with a worsening of voice quality were observed in most metrics. For all individual metrics, however, the effect sizes were too small to be clinically relevant. Statistical clustering of the metrics helped to clarify the nature of these changes. While partial thyroidectomy demonstrated greater uniformity than did total thyroidectomy, the type of perioperative damage had no discernible impact on voice quality. ConclusionsChanges in voice quality after thyroidectomy were related mostly to increased phonatory instability in both the acoustic and EGG metrics. Clustered voice metrics exhibited a higher correlation to voice complaints than did individual voice metrics.

Characteristics of forensic psychiatric patients with a neurocognitive disorder.

Emotional and behavioural disturbances accompanying neurocognitive disorders may sometimes lead to a criminal offence. Our knowledge of this specific forensic subpopulation is lagging behind the knowledge on, and attention for, 'classic' psychiatric disorders in forensic populations. To gain knowledge on the prevalence and characteristics of individuals with neurocognitive disorders in the forensic population. This retrospective database study uses an anonymised data-set of the National Database of penitentiary psychiatric centres (PPC) (N = 8391), which collects data on all patients admitted to one of the four PPCs (mental health clinics within the prison system) in The Netherlands since May 2013. Inclusion criterion for this study was the presence of a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnostic code belonging to the category of neurocognitive disorders. A DSM-IV-TR or DSM-5 diagnostic code of a neurocognitive disorder was classified in 254 out of 8391 unique individuals, resulting in a prevalence of 3.0% in the total PPC population. The most prevalent diagnosis was unspecified neurocognitive disorder (59.1%). The neurocognitive disorder group significantly differed from a random control group from the database (n = 762) on demographic, clinical and criminological variables. The prevalence of neurocognitive disorders in this real-world clinical sample is remarkably lower than in two earlier studies in similar populations. Also remarkable is the relatively high prevalence of an unspecified neurocognitive disorder. These findings lead us to hypothesise that neurocognitive disorders may be underdiagnosed in this population. Forensic psychiatric settings should evaluate whether they have sufficient expertise available in neuropsychological assessment.