High Intensity Research Articles

GIS-based Characterization of Land Use, Land Cover Patterns and Microclimate of Agricultural and Agroforestry Landscapes in a Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

There is increasing need for development of sustainable land use and landscape management practices to avert accelerating trends of land, water and ecosystem degradation and for climate mitigation. This study characterized land use and land cover patterns and microclimate of permanent (forest, agroforestry, fallow, cocoa, oil palm, citrus and ornamental plant field) and annual crop land use systems in a rainforest zone of Nigeria using space-based remote sensing technology. The goal is to evaluate land use and land cover patterns and microclimate along agricultural and agroforestry landscapes in a rainforest zone of Nigeria. Land use types were: permanent (forest, agroforestry, fallow, cocoa, oil palm, citrus and ornamental plant field) and annual cropland. Vegetation indices (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index: NDVI, Normalized Difference Water Index: NDWI and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index: SAVI) were deployed for characterizing land use vegetation cover patterns in relation to vigour and health in addition to responses to weather variables (temperature and rainfall). The NDVI intensities of vegetation cover from the land use types showed differences in vigour and health of vegetation during the rainy and dry seasons of 2017 to 2019. The NDWI of vegetation cover intensity indicates differences in moisture conditions of vegetation cover, the vegetation of the land use systems had more water content (received more rainfall) in 2017 compared to 2018 and 2019 during the rainy season while during the dry season of 2019, NDWI intensity was highest compare to 2018 and 2017. NDVI and NDWI also showed that vegetation cover of permanent land uses had better vigour and health compared to annual (maize) field. SAVI was applied to correct NDVI of vegetation cover patterns of land use types with reference to canopy gaps (soil brightness within canopy especially in spots where vegetation cover is sparse). High SAVI intensities were obtained during rainy compared to the low values during dry season (sparse vegetation cover). Decreasing order of SAVI intensities were agroforestry, oil palm, ornamental plant field, citrus, cocoa, fallow land and maize crop field. Result from the correlations among vegetation indices (NDVI, NDWI and DSAVI) were strong association (R2 = 1) among the years and seasons. The strong R2 values imply that less than 10% of changes in NDWI (the explanatory variables) can be explained by changes in NDVI and SAVI (the dependent variable). Temperature and rainfall differed within months and years of study. Temperatures were highest for March, April and May while rainfall was highest for September of 2017 and 2018 and in October, 2019. Significantly lower rainfall amounts were received for January, February, November and December. The vegetation indices (NDVI, NDWI and SAVI) indicated vigour and water contents of the land use types within seasons and years as well as responses to weather variables (rainfall and temperature in particular). The biophysical findings from this study may advance capacities to cope with climate change challenges and ecosystem conservation. Information generated will find use as strategies for ecologically sound and sustainable land use systems and policy for mainstreaming climate mitigation in in the study area.

Dental health in the adult population of Arkhangelsk: а study protocol

BACKGROUND: The Arkhangelsk region is characterized by a high prevalence and intensity of dental diseases among adults, but most of the studies were either hospital-based or used small samples with questionable representativeness.
 AIM: This article is a protocol of an original study, the purpose of which is to assess the dental status and its association with somatic health in a representative sample of the adult population of Arkhangelsk.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2022, a cross-sectional study “Prevalence of dental pathology among the population of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (using the example of Arkhangelsk) and associated characteristics of the microbiome of the intestine and the respiratory tract” (hereinafter referred to as the dental study) was conducted in Arkhangelsk. The dental study was a part of the study “Molecular and genetic markers of the response to coronavirus infection and changes in the human microbiota and metabolome during the COVID-19 pandemic” (hereinafter referred to as the study on the effects of COVID-19). Data collection for the study was carried out from October 3 to November 10, 2022 at the Northern State Medical University. The study involved 463 adults aged 42–76 years living in the city of Arkhangelsk, representing a random sample of the adult population who had previously taken part in the “Know Your Heart” project in 2015–2017. All participants were asked to undergo an additional dental examination. The response rate was 91.6%. The dental examination included a questionnaire, assessment of dental status as recommended by the World Health Organization (2013), assessment of oral hygiene and gum inflammation, dental aesthetic index (DAI), collection of gingival fluid, autofluorescence stomatoscopy (AFS), examination by an orthodontist with periotestometry, performing a photo protocol, conducting biometrics of plaster models. When indicated, participants were asked to undergo an in-depth diagnostic to identify orthodontic pathology, namely, teleradiography and a cone-beam computed tomography.
 EXPECTED RESULTS: The proposed study using validated instruments and a representative sample has a major strength in providing unbiased assessment of the prevalence of oral health conditions in Arkhangelsk in the studied age group. Moreover, the material collected in this study has a potential to provide a unique opportunity to assess the associations between dental health and somatic health, lifestyle, microbiota, and metabolome since the data on the abovementioned characteristics were collected during the other projects and stored in a biobank.

Remote measurement and calibration of alpha-emitting radionuclides through the utilization of characteristic ultraviolet fluorescence

During the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and spent fuel reprocessing, conventional alpha particle detectors are insufficient for accurately measuring the emissivity of alpha particles due to their high radiation intensity and complex nuclide types. The air fluorescence method is developed to detect the α particle emissivity through measuring the intensity of ultraviolet fluorescence generated by the interaction between α particles and nitrogen or other inert gas mediums. This method offers advantages such as long detection range and immunity to γ radiation interference. The measurement results are primarily influenced by factors including α particle energy, detection distance, and gas medium composition, with photon noise and detection distance determining the detection limit. The obtained results indicate that: In the condition of measured in darkness, measurement time for 1000s, and distance for 1 m, The minimum detection limit for α sources is 7.6 kBq with a relative standard uncertainty of 10%.

Feasibility of a physical exercise intervention for patients on a palliative care unit: a critical analysis

BackgroundRecent exercise intervention studies have shown promising results in improving quality of life (QoL) and physical function (PF) in diverse chronic disease and advanced cancer patients. However, the effects of structured exercise in palliative care patients, having different therapeutic needs, lower life expectancies and PFs remain unknown. This study primarily aimed to assess the feasibility of an exercise intervention with follow-up by analysing recruitment numbers, screening procedures, acceptability, preferences, and safety of the exercise intervention as well as retention in follow-up. Our secondary aims related to changes in QoL and PF.MethodsThis study comprised of a one-arm design without a control group. Over 6 months, every in-hospital palliative care unit (PCU) patient was screened for eligibility. Eligible patients were asked to participate in a 2-week exercise intervention consisting of resistance training and/or endurance training with moderate or high intensity based on personal preferences and a 4-week follow-up. Before and after the exercise intervention, QoL and PF were assessed and a qualitative interview after the intervention addressed expectations and experiences of the exercise intervention. For follow-up, patients were provided with information on independent training and after 1 and 4 weeks a QoL assessment and qualitative interview were conducted.ResultsOf 124 patients screened, 10 completed the intervention with an adherence rate of (80 ± 25%), of which 6 patients completed follow-up. Endurance training was the most performed training type and only a few minor adverse events occurred in certain or likely connection to the exercise intervention. While physical QoL and PF measured by arm curl strength and time up and go performance improved, mental QoL and the other PF tests remained unchanged.ConclusionDespite the challenges that were faced in our screening and testing process, that are specific to the palliative patient population with their unique therapeutic requirements and varying mental-/ physical capabilities, we discovered the 2-week exercise intervention to be feasible, safe, and well tolerated by palliative care patients. Moreover, it seems that short-term improvements in QoL and PF are possible. Further full scale studies are required to confirm our findings.Trial registrationThe study was retrospectively registered on 25.01.2022 in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00027861)

Magnesium and magnesium alloy dissolution by high intensity focused ultrasound: erosion/cavitation vs. Wave propagation

The dissolution of metals, influenced by mechanical and chemical factors, plays a crucial role in various applications. Ultrasonic irradiation has been explored for its ability to enhance dissolution rates and modify surface characteristics. In this study, we investigate the dissolution of magnesium (Mg) and magnesium alloys under high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) conditions with frequency sweeping (wobbling). Our findings reveal distinct effects of cavitation and acoustic streaming on the dissolution process. For pure magnesium, ultrasonic treatment significantly increases dissolution rates compared to silent conditions. Negative frequency sweeps result in the highest dissolution rates, linked to increased cavitation activity, while positive sweeps reduce dissolution rates but maintain acoustic streaming effects. The removal of surface oxides is accelerated in all sonication conditions. Macro- and micro-roughness patterns on the surface correspond to the wobbling frequency range, with wavelengths matching the average ultrasonic frequency. However, dissolution is not uniform across the sample, and preferential attack occurs at the focal point during negative frequency sweeps. In contrast, magnesium alloys exhibit lower dissolution rates than pure Mg. The alloy's mechanical properties make it less susceptible to cavitation erosion but more sensitive to acoustic streaming-induced dissolution. Grain boundaries are preferentially attacked, revealing differences between ductile pure Mg and the harder, more cavitation-resistant, alloy. This study highlights the complex interplay between cavitation and acoustic streaming in the dissolution of magnesium and its alloys under HIFU conditions, shedding light on the limits and potential applications of this technique, particularly in microstructure analysis.

Transcription factor encoding gene OsC1 regulates leaf sheath color through anthocyanidin metabolism in Oryza rufipogon and Oryza sativa

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins are nutrient substances commonly seen in rice grains, but anthocyanidin, with benefit for plant growth and animal health, exists mainly in the common wild rice but hardly in the cultivated rice. To screen the rice germplasm with high intensity of anthocyanidins and identify the variations, we used metabolomics technique and detected significant different accumulation of anthocyanidins in common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon, with purple leaf sheath) and cultivated rice (Oryza sativa, with green leaf sheath). In this study, we identified and characterized a well-known MYB transcription factor, OsC1, through phenotypic (leaf sheath color) and metabolic (metabolite profiling) genome-wide association studies (pGWAS and mGWAS) in 160 common wild rice (O. rufipogon) and 151 cultivated (O. sativa) rice varieties. Transgenic experiments demonstrated that biosynthesis and accumulation of cyanidin-3-Galc, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin O-syringic acid, as well as purple pigmentation in leaf sheath were regulated by OsC1. A total of 25 sequence variations of OsC1 constructed 16 functional haplotypes (higher accumulation of the three anthocyanidin types within purple leaf sheath) and 9 non-functional haplotypes (less accumulation of anthocyanidins within green leaf sheath). Three haplotypes of OsC1 were newly identified in our germplasm, which have potential values in functional genomics and molecular breeding of rice. Gene-to-metabolite analysis by mGWAS and pGWAS provides a useful and efficient tool for functional gene identification and omics-based crop genetic improvement.

Decreasing fishy odour from catfish (Clarias sp.) flour as a food ingredient by using various soaking solutions

Catfish (Clarias sp.) has become one of Indonesia's most popular aquaculture products. However, it is very perishable and has a short shelf life. It can be preserved by drying it into catfish flour. Therefore, it is easy to be further utilized for substituting other flour in the production of foods to enhance their nutritional value. However, the fishy odour of catfish flour hinders this flour for wide utilization. Various soaking solutions such as lime juice, lemon juice, milk, coconut water and vinegar are commonly used to decrease the fishy odour. This study aimed to establish a sensory lexicon by Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) and to evaluate the pH and trimethylamine (TMA) value of catfish flour soaked by various types of soaking solutions. According to a sensory evaluation, 19 attributes were identified. The coconut water at 5% was determined as the most preferred with a score of 0.74±0.72. It had a high intensity of saltiness and smoky fish aroma (pleasant attributes), as well as a low fishy smell (unpleasant attribute). The lime juice at 5% had the strongest fishy smell (unpleasant attribute) and umami taste (pleasant attribute). The pH values of all samples were in the range of 4.16-6.59. The highest pH value was found in milk at 5%, whereas the lowest one was found in lime juice at 100%. TMA values ranged from 2.44 to 5.19 mg N/100 g catfish flour. The highest TMA value was found in lime juice at 5%, but it was within an acceptable range and lower than the control (6.10±0.86 mg N/100 g catfish flour). The results of this study indicated that catfish flour made from catfish meat soaked in lime juice, lemon juice, milk, coconut water, and vinegar provided good quality characteristics, as well as pH and TMA values within an acceptable range. Therefore, they had the potential to be further developed and could be considered as an alternative for other flours in developing food products.

Impact of Diabetes on Heart

Diabetes is sometimes described as the "coronary equivalent." A coronary equivalent refers to a condition or risk factor that increases the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels supplying the heart. Identifying and managing these coronary equivalents is crucial for preventing and mitigating the severity of CAD". These illnesses are regarded as coronary equivalents since they have been linked to a higher risk of CAD and would need the same therapies and management techniques as CAD. Diabetes has the potential to significantly affect the heart and circulatory system. Additionally, diabetes patients are more likely to smoke, be obese, be inactive physically, and have other heart disease risk factors. some diabetic treatments, including insulin, and sulfonylureas, might raise the danger of hypoglycaemia, which can cause heart rhythm problems and even sudden death. The risk of heart disease can be decreased by preventing and controlling diabetes by lifestyle modifications like consistent exercise, a balanced diet, and weight management, as well as with the use of the proper medical care. Diabetes complications, especially impact on heart and circulatory system, must be prevented and managed by closely monitoring blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Lowering cardiovascular risk factors and treating the illness he high frequency of health issues and death from cardiovascular disease in those at risk for and with diabetes has made this a more crucial and all-encompassing component of diabetes care. Additionally, there are drugs that can aid in lowering risk factors and the prevalence of heart-related illnesses. With precise guidelines, more attention is placed on lowering the likelihood of developing heart and kidney issues and safeguarding these organs from harm. For patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and/or those at high risk for heart and kidney disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, the recommendations center on selecting drugs properly. SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists are typically the recommended treatments. More than ever, there are drugs available now that help treat or prevent these additional illnesses as well as blood glucose levels. The Standards synchronized the blood pressure target with other significant organizations that established these recommendations. A systolic blood pressure of less than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of less than 80 mmHg (130/80 mmHg) is now considered high blood pressure. For adults with diabetes and risk factors for ASCVD who are 40 to 75 years old, the target LDL-cholesterol level is 70 mg/dL, and for those who already have ASCVD, the target LDL-cholesterol level is 55 mg/dL. In addition, if the goal level is not reached, it is advised to achieve an LDL reduction of 50% or more from the beginning point LDL with a high intensity statin drug and then use a different drug, such as ezetimibe or a PCSK9, if necessary. This emphasizes the significance of managing and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Hysteresis measurement and generic modeling of magnetostrictive materials under high-frequency excitation and high-intensity bias field

The applied DC (direct-current) bias fields can cause the changes of hysteresis and loss properties of magnetostrictive alloys materials, which further affect the output characteristics of electromagnetic devices. This study investigates the impact of high-frequency AC (alternating-current) excitation and high intensity DC bias magnetic field on hysteresis characterization for different magnetostrictive materials. To obtain the hysteresis properties of materials, a generic dynamic magnetic measured system is established, which can test the low-permeability magnetic materials with a DC bias strength range of 0–20000 A/m at AC excitation frequency range of 1–9 kHz. The tested results show that the Terfenol-D, Fe83Ga17, and Fe30Co70 exhibit different DC bias sensitivities, which cause the largest deviation (31.68 %) of losses compared with unapplied DC bias field. To better predict these changes, a generic high-frequency dynamic Jiles-Atherton (J-A) model with the coupling AC excitation and DC bias field is proposed. The AC excitation and DC bias related terms are introduced to characterize distortion and ellipticity phenomenon for these hysteresis loops. A combined method of Simulated Annealing Particle Swarm Optimization-Linear Decreasing Inertia Weight (SA-PSO-LDIW) algorithm and Neural Network (NN) are proposed to identify the introduced relevant parameters. This paper solves the problem of high-frequency hysteresis measurement and loss calculation for low permeability and high electrical impedance magnetostrictive rods-shaped material which can help guide the high frequency application for magnetostrictive materials.

Future land use simulation model-based landscape ecological risk prediction under the localized shared socioeconomic pathways in the Xiangjiang River Basin, China.

Landscape ecological risk (LER) is an effective index to identify regional ecological risk and measure regional ecological security. The localized shared socioeconomic pathways (LSSPs) can provide multi-scenario parameters of social and economic development for LER research. The research of LER under LSSPs is of scientific significance and practical value in curbing the breeding and spread of LER risk areas. In this study, land-cover raster files from 2010 to 2020 were used as the foundational data. Future land use simulation (FLUS), regression, and Markov chain models were used to predict the land cover patterns under the five LSSP scenarios in the Xiangjiang River Basin (XJRB) in 2030. Thus, an evaluation model was established, and the LER of the watershed was evaluated. We found that the rate of land cover change (LCC) in the XJRB between 2010 and 2020 had a higher intensity (increasing at an average of 18.89% per decade) than that projected under the LSSPs for 2020-2030 (averaging an increase of 8.58% per decade). Among the growth rates of all land use types in the XJRB, that of urban land was the highest (33.3%). From 2010 to 2030, the LER in the XJRB was classified as lower risk (33.73%), lowest risk (33.11%), and moderate risk (24.13%) for each decade. Finally, the LER exhibited significant heterogeneity among different scenarios. Specifically, the percentages of regions characterized by the highest (9.77%) and higher LER (9.75%) were notably higher than those in the remaining scenarios. The higher-level risk area under the localized SSP1 demonstrated a clear spatial reduction compared to those of the other four scenarios. In addition, in order to facilitate the differential management and control of LER by relevant departments, risk zoning was carried out at the county level according to the prediction results of LER. And we got three types of risk management regions for the XJRB under the LSSPs.

MiRNA and DNA analysis by negative ion electron transfer dissociation and infrared multiple-photon dissociation mass spectrometry

BackgroundThe use of simple and hybrid fragmentation techniques for the identification of molecules in tandem mass spectrometry provides different and complementary information on the structure of molecules. Nevertheless, these techniques have not been as widely explored for oligonucleotides as for peptides or proteins. The analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) warrants special attention, given their regulatory role and their relationship with several diseases. The application of different fragmentation techniques will be very interesting for their identification. ResultsFour synthetic miRNAs and a DNA sequence were fragmented in an ESI-FT-ICR mass spectrometer using both simple and hybrid fragmentation techniques: CID, nETD followed by CID, IRMPD, and, for the first time, nETD in combination with IRMPD. The main fragmentation channel was base loss. The use of nETD-IRMPD resulted in d/z, a/w, and c/y ions at higher intensities. Moreover, nETD-IRMPD provided high sequence coverage and low internal fragmentation. Native MS analysis revealed that only miR159 and the DNA sequence formed stable dimers under physiological ionic strength. The use of organic co-solvents or additives resulted in a lower sequence coverage due to lesser overall ionization efficiency. NoveltyThis work demonstrates that the combination of nETD and IRMPD for miRNA fragmentation constitutes a suitable alternative to common fragmentation methods. This strategy resulted in efficient fragmentation of [miRNA]5- using low irradiation times and fewer internal fragments while ensuring a high sequence coverage. Moreover, given that such low charge states predominate upon spraying in physiological-like conditions, native MS can be applied for obtaining structural information at the same time.

Transcriptome analysis provides insights into high fat diet-induced kidney injury and moderate intensity continuous training-mediated protective effects

Although physics exercise has been utilized to prevent and treat a variety of metabolic diseases, its role in obesity-related kidney diseases remains poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the protective potential of moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) against high fat diet (HFD)-induced kidney injury and found that MICT could significantly reduce obesity indexes (body weight, serum glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol) and kidney injury indexes (serum creatinine and the expression of Kim-1 mRNA) in HFD-fed mice. PAS staining and Masson staining displayed that MICT maintained the morphological structure of kidney subunits and reduced kidney fibrosis in HFD-fed mice. By kidney RNA-seq, we identified several genes and pathways (Cd9, Foxq1, Mier3, TGF-β signaling pathway etc.) that might underlie HFD-induced kidney injury and MICT-mediated protective effects. In conclusion, this study revealed the protective role of MICT in HFD-induced kidney injury and suggested potential targets for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related kidney diseases.

Homodimeric peptide radiotracer [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2 for VEGFR-3 imaging of cervical cancer patients.

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) plays a critical role in tumor lymphangiogenesis and metastasis, holding promise as a promising therapeutic target for solid tumors. TMVP1 (LARGR) is a 5-amino acid peptide previously identified in our laboratory from bacterial peptide display system that specifically targets VEGFR-3. Radiolabeled TMVP1 can be used for non-invasive imaging of VEGFR-3 expressing tumors. Homodimeric peptides have better targeting ability than monomeric peptides, and it is worth exploring whether homodimers of TMVP1 ((TMVP1)2) can achieve better imaging effects. This study aimed to explore the peptide properties and tumor assessment value of [68Ga]Ga-labeled (TMVP1)2. In this study, we developed a TMVP1 homodimer that was conjugated with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N, N', N″-triacetic acid (NOTA) via tetraethyleneglycol (PEG4) and triglyicine (Gly3) spacer, and labeled with 68Ga, to construct [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2. Binding of VEGFR-3 by TMVP1 and (TMVP1)2, respectively, was modeled by molecular docking. The affinity of [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2 for VEGFR-3 and its ability to bind to cells were evaluated. MicroPET imaging and biodistribution studies of [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2 were performed in subcutaneous C33A cervical cancer xenografts. Five healthy volunteers and eight patients with cervical cancer underwent whole-body PET/CT acquisition 30-45min after intravenous injection of [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2. Both molecular docking and cellular experiments showed that homodimeric TMVP1 had a higher affinity for VEGFR-3 than monomeric TMVP1. [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2 was excreted mainly through the renal route and partly through the liver route. In mice bearing C33A xenografts, [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2 specifically localized in the tumor (2.32 ± 0.10% ID/g). Pretreatment of C33A xenograft mice with the unlabeled peptide NOTA-(TMVP1)2 reduced the enrichment of [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2 in tumors (0.58 ± 0.01% ID/g). [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2 proved to be safe in all healthy volunteers and recruited patients, with no side effects or allergies noted. In cervical cancer patients, a majority of the [18F]-FDG identified lesions (18/22, 81.8%) showed moderate to high signal intensity on [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2. SUVmax and SUVmean were 2.32 ± 0.77 and 1.61 ± 0.48, respectively. With normal muscle (gluteus maximus) as background, tumor-to-background ratios were 3.49 ± 1.32 and 3.95 ± 1.64 based on SUVmax and SUVmean, respectively. The favorable characterizations of [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-(TMVP1)2 such as convenient synthesis, high specific activity, and high tumor uptake enable the evaluation of VEGFR-3 in cervical cancer patients and warrant further clinical studies. ChiCTR-DOD-17012458. Registered August 23, 2017 (retrospectively registered).

Minicells as an Escherichia coli mechanism for the accumulation and disposal of fluorescent cadmium sulphide nanoparticles

BackgroundBacterial biosynthesis of fluorescent nanoparticles or quantum dots (QDs) has emerged as a unique mechanism for heavy metal tolerance. However, the physiological pathways governing the removal of QDs from bacterial cells remains elusive. This study investigates the role of minicells, previously identified as a means of eliminating damaged proteins and enhancing bacterial resistance to stress. Building on our prior work, which unveiled the formation of minicells during cadmium QDs biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, we hypothesize that minicells serve as a mechanism for the accumulation and detoxification of QDs in bacterial cells.ResultsIntracellular biosynthesis of CdS QDs was performed in E. coli mutants ΔminC and ΔminCDE, known for their minicell-producing capabilities. Fluorescence microscopy analysis demonstrated that the generated minicells exhibited fluorescence emission, indicative of QD loading. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the presence of nanoparticles in minicells, while energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the coexistence of cadmium and sulfur. Cadmium quantification through flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) demonstrated that minicells accumulated a higher cadmium content compared to rod cells. Moreover, fluorescence intensity analysis suggested that minicells accumulated a greater quantity of fluorescent nanoparticles, underscoring their efficacy in QD removal. Biosynthesis dynamics in minicell-producing strains indicated that biosynthesized QDs maintained high fluorescence intensity even during prolonged biosynthesis times, suggesting continuous QD clearance in minicells.ConclusionsThese findings support a model wherein E. coli utilizes minicells for the accumulation and removal of nanoparticles, highlighting their physiological role in eliminating harmful elements and maintaining cellular fitness. Additionally, this biosynthesis system presents an opportunity for generating minicell-coated nanoparticles with enhanced biocompatibility for diverse applications.Graphical

High prevalence and concomitant infection of Ranavirus and Eustrongylides sp. in the invasive American Bullfrog in Brazil

American Bullfrogs, Aquarana catesbeiana, are invasive anuran species distributed worldwide. One of the adverse impacts that this species causes in native communities is as a reservoir host for pathogens and parasites. Here, we report the coinfection of two pathogenic organisms in A. catesbeiana: Ranavirus and the nematode Eustrongylides. Bullfrogs were collected in the wild in a pond close to the urban area of São Paulo, Brazil. The prevalence of both pathogens was high: 77% were infected with ranavirus with a mean viral load of 1010.3 viral copies, and 100% of the bullfrogs were infected by Eustrongylides sp. with a mean intensity of infection of 13.4 specimens per host. Four host specimens (31%) presented pathological signs that seemed to be related to the Eustrongylides sp. infection, such as internal organs adhered to each other due to high intensity and large size of the nematodes, ulcers, and raw flesh wounds caused by the nematode. The pathogenic and concomitant infections have potential zoonotic implications and raise concerns about human infection risks for Eustrongylides infection. Moreover, such infections may represent an additional level of threat to native communities through the potential shifts in patterns of parasite and pathogen transmission. Future research involving the native anuran community is essential to ascertain whether invasive bullfrogs are attenuating or exacerbating diseases such as ranavirosis and eustrongylidiosis.

Relationship Between The Effectiveness Of Commucation In The Family with The Intensity Of The Use Of Early Childhood Gadgets In Kenagarian Pasar Baru Pesisir Selatan Regency

This research was motivated by the high intensity of playing with gadgets from early childhood in Kenagarian Pasar Baru, Pesisir Selatan Regency. The method used in the research is a quantitative approach with a correlational type. The population of this study was 52 parents who had children aged 3-6 years. The data collection method used is a questionnaire which contains statements that are used as a data collection tool. Next, the data was analyzed using a percentage formula with correlation using the Product Moment formula. The results of the research show that: (1) the effectiveness of communication in the family is classified as poor, (2) the intensity of gadget use in early childhood in Kenagarian Pasar Baru, Pesisir Selatan Regency is classified as high, and (3) there is a significant relationship between the effectiveness of communication in the family and the intensity of communication in the family. Early childhood gadget use in Kenagarian Pasar Baru, Pesisir Selatan Regency. Keywords: effectiveness of family communication, intensity of gadget use

Migrar sin salir de casa en Michoacán

Michoacán is one of the federal entities that has historically presented high migratory intensity and consequently is located in the first places regarding the attraction of remittances that enter the country annually. There is a close vertical link between localities in Michoacán and those North American cities where Mexican immigrants are concentrated; even more intense than with those cities in its immediate surroundings. The hypothesis supported in this article is that the exchange is such that, for many inhabitants, it is possible to experience a cultural dynamic strongly conditioned by the migratory dynamic, without having crossed to the other side.

Exploring influential factors and strategies for addressing speech delay of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in English (L2) language acquisition

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to exhibit a unique trajectory in the acquisition of language with some documented research. However, research investigating children with ASD in English (L2) language acquisition is limited, particularly in Indonesian ASD children. This research explores the factors that allowed this unanticipated foreign language acquisition, thereby causing delays in native speech, and investigates strategies that could help overcome the child's linguistic challenges. This case study research involved a six-year-old Indonesian ASD child experiencing early self-learning of English and speech delay in her native language. The data were garnered through observations, interviews, and field notes before being thematically analyzed. The results show that the internal factor of speech delay is prematurity, and the external influential factors are the high intensity of English language exposure through media, English daily interactions with family members, and the use of different first languages in the social environment. Successful strategies employed to acquire the child’s native language include the habituation of speaking Indonesian, the repetition method, and the implementation of a language teaching model by teachers at school. This study underscores the importance of the social environment to promote language acquisition and the possible interventions to cope with speech delay for ASD children.

Development of a high intensity focused ultrasound device for bio-samples preparation

A miniaturized, low-cost high-intensity focused ultrasound device is developed for the problems of cross-contamination and uneven sample fragmentation in conventional ultrasound devices. This device generates ultrasonic waves through a concave spherical self-focusing piezoelectric ceramic piece, and creates a cavitation effect in the focusing area to achieve sample fragmentation. The feasibility of the device is demonstrated by physical simulation, then a driving circuit with adjustable power is designed and manufactured to generate 0 ~ 22.4 W acoustic power, and finally paraffin-embedded sample dewaxing experiments are performed to verify the validation of the device. The experimental results show that the dewaxing efficiency and safety of the high-intensity focused ultrasound device is significantly better than those of traditional chemical methods, and this device is comparable with commercial ultrasonic instruments. In summary, the high-intensity focused ultrasound device is expected to be applied in automated nucleic acid extraction and purification equipment and has a broad application prospect in the field of sample pre-processing.

Effect of Statin Therapy on Cardiovascular Outcome in Stroke Patients with Low Baseline Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.

To investigate whether post-stroke statin therapy reduces subsequent major vascular events in statin-naïve patients with pretreatment low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) below the recommended target (≤70 mg/dL for atherosclerotic stroke and ≤100 mg/dL for non-atherosclerotic stroke) at stroke onset. Patients from an ongoing stroke registry who had an ischemic stroke between 2011 and 2020 were screened. Statin naïve patients with baseline LDL-C below the target were assessed. The effect of post-stroke statin therapy on major vascular events (composite of recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, and death) was investigated using weighted Cox regression analyses using stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting. The baseline LDL-C level of the 1,858 patients (mean age 67.9 ± 15.3 years, 61.4% men, 13.2% atherosclerotic stroke) included in the study was 75.7 ± 17.0 mg/dL. Statins were prescribed to 1,256 (67.7%) patients (low-to-moderate intensity, 23.5%; high intensity, 44.1%). Post-stroke statin therapy was associated with a lower risk of major vascular events during 1-year follow-up (weighted hazard ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.71). In a subgroup of patients who were at very high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with LDL-C <55 mg/dL or patients who were not at very high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with LDL-C <70 mg/dL, post-stroke statin therapy was also associated with a reduction in major vascular events (weighted hazard ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.70). The intensity of the most beneficial statin varied by subtype of stroke. Statin therapy may improve vascular outcomes after ischemic stroke, even in cases of LDL-C below the target without pre-stroke lipid-lowering therapy. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:876-885.