Initial Stage Research Articles

The Gaze of Schizophrenia Patients Captured by Bottom-up Saliency

Schizophrenia (SCHZ) notably impacts various human perceptual modalities, including vision. Prior research has identified marked abnormalities in perceptual organization in SCHZ, predominantly attributed to deficits in bottom-up processing. Our study introduces a novel paradigm to differentiate the roles of top-down and bottom-up processes in visual perception in SCHZ. We analysed eye-tracking fixation ground truth maps from 28 SCHZ patients and 25 healthy controls (HC), comparing these with two mathematical models of visual saliency: one bottom-up, based on the physical attributes of images, and the other top-down, incorporating machine learning. While the bottom-up (GBVS) model revealed no significant overall differences between groups (beta = 0.01, p = 0.281, with a marginal increase in SCHZ patients), it did show enhanced performance by SCHZ patients with highly salient images. Conversely, the top-down (EML-Net) model indicated no general group difference (beta = −0.03, p = 0.206, lower in SCHZ patients) but highlighted significantly reduced performance in SCHZ patients for images depicting social interactions (beta = −0.06, p < 0.001). Over time, the disparity between the groups diminished for both models. The previously reported bottom-up bias in SCHZ patients was apparent only during the initial stages of visual exploration and corresponded with progressively shorter fixation durations in this group. Our research proposes an innovative approach to understanding early visual information processing in SCHZ patients, shedding light on the interplay between bottom-up perception and top-down cognition.

99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-ALUG SPECT/CT in the initial staging of 227 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer: a 5-year monocentric retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-ALUG SPECT/CT in the initial staging of patients with newly diagnosed PCa. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 227 consecutive patients who underwent [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-ALUG SPECT/CT imaging for the primary staging of newly diagnosed PCa. The presence and location of PSMA-positive lesions were determined, and the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the primary prostate tumor were also measured. The metastatic findings and SUVmax were stratified according to International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and D'Amico classification. Furthermore, the [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-ALUG SPECT/CT findings were compared to the histopathological findings in patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). Of the 227 patients, 92.1% (209/227) had positive [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-ALUG SPECT/CT findings. Advanced disease was detected in 38.8% (88/227) of the patients and was positively correlated with increasing ISUP grade and PSA levels. Lymph node metastases (both pelvic and extrapelvic), bone metastases, and visceral metastases were detected in 30.0% (68/227), 25.6% (58/227), and 3.1% (7/227) of the patients, respectively. For the 129 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy with PLND, the sensitivity of [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-ALUG SPECT/CT in the evaluation of PCa was 90.7% (117/129). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values for detecting pelvic lymph node metastases on [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-ALUG SPECT/CT were 23.5% (12/51), 93.6% (73/78), 65.9% (85/129), 70.6% (12/17), and 65.2% (73/112), respectively. Among the 209 patients with PSMA-avid primary prostate disease, the SUVmax of the primary prostate tumor was significantly associated with ISUP grade (p<0.0001), PSA levels (p<0.0001), D'Amico classification (p<0.0001), and advanced disease (p<0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that a PSA level >19.8 ng/ml and SUVmax of the primary prostate tumor >7.4 had a sensitivity of 71.6% and 71.6% and specificity of 76.9% and 82.6%, respectively, for detecting metastatic disease. [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-ALUG SPECT/CT emerges as a valuable imaging tool for the initial staging of newly diagnosed PCa. The presence of advanced disease and the SUVmax of the primary prostate tumor were positively correlated with ISUP grade and PSA levels.

PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN PROBLEM BASED LEARNING PADA MATERI MASALAH EKONOMI DALAM SISTEM EKONOMI DI KELAS X-TKJ SMK NEGERI 1 FANAYAMA

This research aims to enhance the activity, interest, and learning outcomes of tenth-grade students at SMK Negeri 1 Fanayama in the subject of economics after participating in Problem-Based Learning (PBL). This study employed a Classroom Action Research (CAR) conducted in two cycles, each comprising three sessions. The research was conducted in the tenth-grade classrooms of SMK Negeri 1 Fanayama. Data collection techniques included tests, observations, and questionnaires, while data analysis utilized quantitative descriptive analysis. Test techniques were employed to measure student learning outcomes, observations were carried out to assess student activity during learning sessions, and questionnaires were used to gauge student interest in learning while participating in PBL sessions. The findings revealed an improvement in learning mastery, learning interest, and learning activity from the initial stage to the second cycle. The learning outcomes in the second cycle reached the predetermined success indicator, with learning outcomes in the second cycle increasing to 100% from 89% in the first cycle, while student interest in the first cycle, at 89%, increased to 100% in the second cycle, and student learning activity at 100% in the first cycle increased to 100% in the second cycle. These improvements indicate the success of implementing the PBL learning model. Thus, it can be concluded that the enhancement of students' economics learning activity, interest, and outcomes through the PBL learning model has been successfully achieved.

Значение ПЭТ, совмещенной с КТ, при диффузной В-крупноклеточной лимфоме: история вопроса, эволюция представлений и современные возможности метода (обзор литературы)

Combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is broadly used not only during initial staging of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) but also during as well as after treatment. Due to an increasing body of accessible data on classical Hodgkin lymphoma revealing high significance of PET/CT, the amount of relevant information on NHL is also growing day by day. At the moment, there is a consensus that PET/CT results can be effectively used in prognostic risk stratification of patients with different NHL variants, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, a huge volume of information collected by now hinders a full insight because of clinical variability of DLBCL, different time-points and methods of evaluating PET/CT results. The present review focuses on the role of PET/CT in the diagnosis and assessment of response to DLBCL therapy.

Early Jurassic and Late Cretaceous plagiogranites in Nain–Baft ophiolitic mélange zone in Iran: remnants of rift–drift and SSZ evolution of a Neotethyan seaway

We have investigated the geology, geochemistry and geochronology of various plagiogranite intrusions that are spatially associated with ophiolitic subunits in a mélange terrain exposed within the Nain–Baft fault zone along the western boundary of the Central–East Iranian Microcontinent (CEIM). One group of plagiogranites is intrusive into foliated amphibolites, whereas the plagiogranites of the other group are intrusive into gabbros, dyke swarms and pillow lavas that are tectonically juxtaposed. U–Pb zircon dating of the first group of plagiogranites has revealed near-concordant crystallization ages of 176.94 ± 0.71, 179.84 ± 0.92 and 190.40 ± 2.1 Ma, indicating the early Jurassic timing of their emplacement. U–Pb zircon dating of the second group of plagiogranites has revealed a weighted average age of 92.34 ± 0.38 Ma, indicating that they were emplaced in the early Late Cretaceous. The Early Jurassic plagiogranites are low-K, sub-alkaline rocks with negative Eu anomalies, low Ti and high La and Ce contents. They display elevated ratios of large ion lithophile elements to high field strength elements. They were part of a magmatic system that facilitated the earliest rift–drift stages of a Neotethyan seaway development, and their magmas were produced by fractional crystallization of a mafic melt associated with asthenospheric upwelling beneath a rift system. The Late Cretaceous plagiogranites are low-K, sub-alkaline rocks with negative Eu anomalies, high Y and low Ta contents. They show light REE depletion relative to flat heavy REE patterns, and high Ba/Th ratios. Magmas of these plagiogranites were the products of partial melting of amphibolites in the subducting oceanic lithosphere in the same Neotethyan seaway. Thus, we posit that plagiogranite rocks in suture zones can be excellent trackers of geochemical, geochronological and magmatic evolution of various types of oceanic crust through rift–drift, seafloor spreading and subduction initiation stages within the same ocean basins in the past. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Ophiolites, melanges and blueschists collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/ophiolites-melanges-and-blueschists

In-situ FT-IR study of alcohols degradation in the gas phase using different TiO2 composites

Herein, we present an in-situ FT-IR study analysing the interactions and photocatalytic degradation of 1-butanol and methanol in the gas phase through the catalysts Hombikat-b (commercial) and EST-1023 (synthesised in lab), as well as composites of them in a range of pH between 5 and 9. Composite Homb@EST at neutral pH (Homb@EST-pH7) has presented a photocatalytic efficiency much higher than that of the separate catalysts in both the degradation of alcohols and carboxylates. Characterisation analyses have shown that EST-1023 exhibits low surface area and surface hydroxylation, which suggests practically no adsorption of alcohols at the initial stages of the process. Notwithstanding, we have determined a large concentration of surface electronic traps in EST-1023. On the contrary, Hombikat-b presents high surface area and surface hydroxylation, leading to high adsorption rates of the studied alcohols. Aggregate distribution, SEM, and HR-TEM studies have shown that neutral pH is the most appropriate condition to aggregate both catalysts, generating the so-called composite Homb@EST-pH7. The high photocatalytic capability of this composite is attributed to the transfer of photogenerated electrons from the Hombikat-b nanoparticles to the electron traps present in EST-1023, which implies a decrease in the recombination speed of the photogenerated electron-hole (e–/h+) pairs.

Flood risk investigation of pedestrians and vehicles in a mountainous city using a coupled coastal ocean and stormwater management model

AbstractTo examine the attributes, underlying mechanisms, and impacts of rainfall patterns on the vulnerability of pedestrians and vehicles to flood‐induced instability within mountainous urban areas, we introduced an integrated urban flood model that combined the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM). We implemented this model in the Yuelai New Town of Chongqing, China. Our findings indicated that in the case of early peak rainfalls, there was a rapid surge in flood volume during the initial stages of rainfall , while this increase was more gradual when the peak rainfall was delayed. Furthermore, for events with the same return period, flood peaks resulting from later peak rainfalls covered a larger area compared with those from earlier peak rainfalls; however, this effect diminished with increasing return periods. As the return period was extended, the exposed risk area for pedestrians and vehicles expanded. Analysis of instability indices revealed that pedestrians exhibit a lower index compared with vehicles, adults fare better than children, and SUVs outperform sedans. The efficacy of our proposed model framework was demonstrated through its successful application in assessing urban flood risk and evaluating the instability index for pedestrians and vehicles within a mountainous urban setting.

Screening cotton genotypes for their drought tolerance ability based on the expression level of dehydration-responsive element-binding protein and proline biosynthesis-related genes and morpho-physio-biochemical responses.

Drought stress adversely affects growth, development, productivity, and fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L). Breeding strategies to enhance drought tolerance require an improved knowledge of plant drought responses necessitating proper identification of drought-tolerant genotypes of crops, including cotton. The objective of this study was to classify the selected cotton genotypes for their drought tolerance ability based on morpho-physio-biochemical traits using Hierarchical Ward's cluster analysis. Five genotypes of cotton (Takfa 3, Takfa 6, Takfa 7, Takfa 84-4, and Takfa 86-5) were selected as plant materials, and were grown under well-watered (WW; 98 ± 2% field capacity) and water-deficit (WD; 50 ± 2% field capacity) conditions for 16days during the flower initiation stage. Data on morpho-physio-biochemical parameters and gene expression levels for these parameters were collected, and subsequently genotypes were classified either as a drought tolerant or drought susceptible one. Upregulation of GhPRP (proline-rich protein), GhP5CS (Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase), and GhP5CR (Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase) in relation to free proline enrichment was observed in Takfa 3 genotype under WD condition. An accumulation of free proline, total soluble sugar, and potassium in plants under WD conditions was detected, which played a key role as major osmolytes controlling cellular osmotic potential. Magnesium and calcium concentrations were also enriched in leaves under WD conditions, functioning as essential elements and regulating photosynthetic abilities. Leaf greenness, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were also declined under WD conditions, leading to growth retardation, especially aboveground traits of Takfa 6, Takfa 7, Takfa 84-4, and Takfa 86-5 genotypes. An increase in leaf temperature (1.1 - 4.0°C) and crop water stress index (CWSI > 0.75) in relation to stomatal closure and reduced transpiration rate was recorded in cotton genotypes under WD conditions compared with WW conditions. Based on the increase of free proline, soluble sugar, leaf temperature, and CWSI, as well as the decrease of aboveground growth traits and physiological attributes, five genotypes were categorized into two cluster groups: drought tolerant (Takfa 3) and drought susceptible (Takfa 6, Takfa 7, Takfa 84-4, and Takfa 86-5). The identified drought-tolerant cotton genotype, namely, Takfa 3, may be grown in areas experiencing drought conditions. It is recommended to further validate the yield traits of Takfa 3 under rainfed field conditions in drought-prone environments.

Peranan Notaris dalam Kepastian Hukum Prinsip Pemilik Manfaat (Beneficial Ownership) Berdasarkan Permenkumham Nomor 13 Tahun 2018

The increasingly rapid development of globalization will have good and even bad impacts on social life. This is in line with the process of the birth of a legal entity which confirms the evidence that law involves several stages, and the role of a notary is crucial in the initial stages of forming a legal entity. Beneficial Ownership can be a serious issue in the business world. A beneficial owner is an individual or entity who ultimately owns, controls, or obtains economic benefits from a company or business entity. In Indonesia, BO is regulated in the Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation (Permenkumham) Number 13 of 2018. The aim of this research is to explain the role of notaries in legal certainty regarding the principle of beneficial ownership based on Permenkumham Number 13 of 2018. The research method uses descriptive , namely research that describes or explains the problems discussed. The results of this research are that based on Government Regulation Number 13 of 2018 concerning the Actual Beneficial Owners of Corporations, this is a regulation that stipulates the obligation to record and report information regarding the beneficial owners of a company. Notaries have the obligation to record information regarding beneficial owners in the deed of establishment of a company. This information includes the name, identification number, address and amount of ownership of the beneficial owner. The role of a notary in the principle of beneficial ownership covers various aspects that support legal certainty and transparency in the ownership of a company or business entity.

Investigative Situations Arising at the Initial and Subsequent Stages of Investigating the Creation, Distribution and Use of Malicious Software

The paper is devoted to the analysis of investigative situations that may arise at different stages of the investigation of a crime under Article 273 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: creation, distribution and use of malicious software. Based on the data presented, the opinions of scientists and scientific literature, the need for a more precise study of the circumstances under which this or that investigative situation is considered at the initial and subsequent stages of the investigation was identified, since there are a huge number of combinations of circumstances. In this regard, we propose to highlight certain types of circumstances of investigative situations that arise at the initial and subsequent stages of the investigation, describe possible options for their forms and then, based on the tasks that arise for the investigator and law enforcement agencies in connection with them, describe recommended actions that could allow you to solve problems during the preliminary investigation and achieve a legal decision within the framework of the preliminary investigation.

Types and Evolution of the Miocene Reefs Based on Seismic Data in the Beikang Basin, South China Sea

During the Miocene, several reefs formed in the Beikang Basin, South China Sea, which may be potential targets for hydrocarbon exploration. This is due to the environment that developed as a result of the collision, splitting, and splicing of the Nansha Block, which was influenced by the Neogene expansion of the area. However, studies on the types, distribution, controlling factors, and evolution stages of these reefs are scarce. In this study, we used high-resolution seismic data and extensive well-drilling records to gain insights into the evolution of reefs in this particular area. Six distinct types of reefs, namely, the point reef, the platform-edge reef, the block reef, the bedded reef, the pinnacle reef, and the atoll reef, were identified based on our data. These reefs underwent four stages of development. During the initial stage, a few small-sized point reefs emerged in the basin and experienced significant growth during the early Middle Miocene. In the flourishing stage, the reefs predominantly thrived around the Central Uplift and Eastern Uplift areas. In the recession stage, the reefs began to deteriorate during the late Middle Miocene period as a result of the rapid increase in relative sea level caused by tectonic subsidence. In the submerged stage, since the Late Miocene, as the relative sea level continued to rise steadily over time, many reefs that had previously flourished surrounding the Central Uplift and Eastern Uplift areas became submerged underwater, with only a handful of atoll reefs surviving near islands located on the Eastern Uplift. This study indicated the presence of a significant number of well-preserved reefs in the Beikang Basin that have experienced minimal subsequent diagenesis and therefore exhibit high potential as reservoirs for oil and gas exploration.

Interspecific recognition based on cuticular hydrocarbons mediates reproduction control in aphids

The preset study tested whether an aphid species can control its reproduction by recognizing the presence and density of a rival species. Acyrthosiphon pisum and Megoura crassicauda often coexist on the same leguminous plant. We established clonal colonies from each species and mixed colonies with one A. pisum and one M. crassicauda adult. There were no significant differences in the population growth patterns of the two species at 20 °C. However, mixed colonies increased faster and attained larger colony sizes than the clonal colonies. Thus, positive interspecific interactions were confirmed. A mixed colony was dominated by the members of a clone that produced a greater number of newborns in the initial stage, irrespective of the species. Thus, we confirmed the priority effect in the interspecific competition. To simulate the priority effect, 15 glass beads coated with the hexane extract of M. crassicauda aphids were attached to a cut leaf, to which one A. pisum adult was transferred. The presence of the hexane extract of M. crassicauda greatly reduced the reproductive rate of A. pisum adults. We conclude that aphids can control their reproduction by evaluating the relative density of rivals to fellow aphids based on the cuticular hydrocarbons.

Immune profiles to predict bortezomib-based treatment response for multiple myeloma patients

BackgroundTo evaluate the distribution of bone marrow immune cell subsets and their correlation with treatment efficacy in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). MethodsWe analyzed the bone marrow lymphocyte subsets of 186 newly diagnosed MM patients at diagnosis and their correlation with clinical characteristics. In our study, eight-color flow cytometry, a method commonly used to detect plasma cell phenotypes, was used to analyze seven bone marrow immune cell groups by change gate-strategy. ResultsFirst, for all the 7 immune cell groups, the percentage of immature B cells was significantly lower in stage III patients than in stage I patients, while the trend was reversed in memory B cells in both the International Staging System(p = 0.004) and Revised International Staging System(p = 0.018). Second, the percentage of naïve B cells were significantly lower in patients with severe anemia, while the percentage of memory B cells had reversed trend. The percentage of immature B cells were lower in patients with Cr ≥ 2 mg/dL than in patients with Cr < 2 mg/dL. Then we followed the treatment efficacy of 152 patients who received four cycles of induction therapy (bortezomib + dexamethasone or bortezomib + lenalidomide + dexamethasone) and analyzed the relationship between bone marrow lymphocyte subsets at the initial stage and treatment response datasets. We found that both the percentage of B cells(p＜0.001) and immature B(p = 0.002) were increased in patients who achieved very good partial remission(VGPR) after four cycles of induction therapy. The ROC results indicated the combination of the multiple immune subgroups had predictive values (AUC = 0.802, p<0.001) in the treatment effect after four cycles of induction therapy. ConclusionsOverall, these results suggest that the analysis of lymphocyte subsets along with plasma cell immunophenotyping could be a potential index for determining the prognosis of MM patients.

Upcycling Romaine lettuce outer leaves by infrared blanching and hot air drying.

Romaine lettuce outer leaves, as opposed to the more commonly marketed heart, are typically discarded and present an opportunity for upcycling as dried powders. Duquesne Romaine lettuce was evaluated to quantify and compare quality attributes of fresh outer and heart leaves, dried powders following hot air drying, and dried powders following an infrared (IR) blanching pretreatment before drying. Attributes measured for fresh leaves included moisture, water activity (Aw), color, total soluble phenolics (TSP), and antioxidant capacity (AC). Drying kinetics and time/energy saving through IR blanching were evaluated. Attributes measured for dried powders included moisture, Aw, color, true density, water vapor isotherms, TSP, AC, cadmium (Cd) content, and pesticide residues. TSP, AC, Cd, and pesticide residues were higher, whereas moisture content and Aw were lower in fresh outer versus heart leaves. Hot air drying reduced TSP and AC to 63.6% and 35.2% of fresh values, respectively, whereas IR blanching further reduced TSP and AC to 37.3% and 25.4% in outer leave powders. On the other hand, TSP and AC increased 237% and 151%, respectively, for unblanched heart powders. Higher increase of TSP than AC in heart leaf powder may indicate synthesis of phenolic compounds activated by abiotic stresses such as cutting and high temperatures at the initial drying stage. IR blanching resulted in significant time/energy savings for drying of outer leaves. Microbial loads were substantially reduced during drying, although microbial population on outer leaves were more resistant. Safe to eat outer leaf Romaine lettuce powders can be produced, assuming appropriate agricultural practices.

Multi-method comparison and multi-index evaluation of cracking characteristics of asphalt mixture

The micro crack inside asphalt pavement are potential and antecedent factors for macroscopic cracking of the pavement. The position and quantity of micro cracks have a significant impact on the service life and failure mode of asphalt pavement. The purpose of this study was to conduct multi-scale analysis and multi-index evaluation on the whole process of generation, expansion, and transformation of micro-crack inside asphalt pavement (asphalt mixture) based on multiple testing methods. Firstly, synchronous tests were conducted on the cracking process of asphalt mixture by using three-point bending loading method, acoustic emission (AE) monitoring method, and digital image correlation (DIC) analysis method. Secondly, a three-dimensional finite element model of the asphalt mixture beam was established for AE source location simulation. Finally, the advantages and limitations of multi-methods were compared and analyzed. The principal strain points with different sizes were randomly distributed in the tensile area of the asphalt mixture beam bottom at the initial loading stage, and the number of the principal strain points increased with the decrease of the loading rate. The macroscopic main crack of the asphalt mixture beam generated and expanded from the maximum principal strain point (P1) at the later loading stage. The AE dominant-frequency distribution ranges of micro-crack expanding process, macro-crack generating process, and failure process of asphalt mixture beam were 78.125–156.25 kHz, 234.375–312.5 kHz, and 0–78.125 kHz, respectively. Four stages of damage evolution and cracking process inside the asphalt mixture beam were obtained by the AE source location simulation. A comprehensive and systematic evaluation of bending cracking characteristics of asphalt mixture beam was realized by obtaining multiple indexes from multiple scales with multiple methods.

An Update Review to Cast Light on the Possible Role of Altered Oropharyngeal Microbiota in Differentiating True Psychosis from Malingered Psychosis in a Forensic Psychiatric Setting

Over the past few years, malingered psychosis has had a progressive occurrence since a great deal of attention has been directed to the closures of long-stay psychiatric institutions and care in the community. Therefore, malingered psychosis needs to be identified to conduct precise forensic assessments and prevent miscarriages of justice and misuse of restricted healthcare resources. Although, over the past decades, researchers have introduced a number of workable psychometric strategies and tools for diagnosing true psychosis, it is still sometimes challenging to differentiate between true and malingered psychosis. Hence, identifying reliable and innovative diagnostic alternatives seems crucial. Accordingly, a summary of gathered evidence is provided by the present review for enhancing future evaluation of oropharyngeal microbiome composition as a practical indicator for diagnosing true psychosis in a forensic psychiatric setting. As per the systematic search terms (namely, “diagnostic marker,” “oropharyngeal microbiome,” “forensic psychiatric setting,” “psychosis,” and “oropharyngeal microbiota”), relevant English publications were searched from January 1, 1980, to September 15, 2023, in Scopus, the Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Finally, eight articles were included in the present review. Also, we adopted the narrative technique so that the material synthesis leads to a cohesive and compelling story. The results revealed that the periodontal disease and saliva microbiome were possibly associated with true psychosis. Thus, since oropharyngeal microbial compositions are highly different among healthy controls and patients with true psychosis, future research can take advantage of saliva to differentiate between fake and true fake psychosis throughout the initial stages of forensic psychiatric assessment. As a substrate of interest, saliva could also be used for characterizing the various stages of psychosis under a forensic psychiatric setting.

Psychological distress among Brazilian workers during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive study.

COVID-19 pandemic imposed drastic and abrupt changes to working environment and organization and that might have caused additional negative effects on mental health. Thus, this study aimed to quantify and assess the severity of psychological distress experienced by Brazilian essential and nonessential workers during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive study included 2,903 participants who answered an online questionnaire between April and May 2020. The research questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted to the Brazilian population from a questionnaire developed and validated for the Spanish population. Variables were analyzed using simple and cumulative percentage distributions and measures of central tendency and dispersion. The Wilson score interval was used to calculate confidence interval (CI) for the main outcome, psychological distress. It was observed a high prevalence (72.6%) of psychological distress among the study's participants. They also presented a median risk perception score of 60 (out of a maximum of 90), and their greatest concern was transmitting the virus to family members, close contacts or patients. Furthermore, it was found a lower sense of coherence and work engagement among the participants than those observed in previous studies conducted in other countries. Almost three quarters of the study's participants were classified as presenting psychological distress. Thus, it is imperative to provide mental health remotely delivered interventions to workers during public health events that require prolonged social distancing measures.

Increase of temperature exacerbates the conversion of P fractions in organic horizon

In terrestrial ecosystems, phosphorus (P) is the limiting nutrient of primary production. The soil organic horizon is a vital source of bioavailable P in subalpine coniferous forests. However, the response of organic horizon P to temperature increase in subalpine coniferous forests is not well characterized. By studying different decomposed degree of organic horizon across an altitudinal gradient, we aimed to simulate responses of the organic horizon P conversion to MAT increase in subalpine ecosystems. In this study, relative enrichment and relative depletion of P fractions were defined as the conversions between different P fractions. We initially observed only unidirectional conversion from labile inorganic P (LIP) to highly resistant organic P (HOP) at a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 1 °C. However, with increasing MAT, there was a relative depletion of moderately resistant inorganic P (MIP) (MAT = 2.4 °C), followed by a successive depletion of moderately resistant organic P (MOP) (MAT = 4.1 °C). Concurrently, we observed relative enrichment of labile organic P (LOP) (MAT = 2.4 °C). Combined with indoor incubation experiments, we further found that the concentration of available P peaked (81.79 mg kg−1) at the initial stage of MIP relative depletion (MAT = 2.4 °C), while the net P mineralization rate (2.19 mg kg−1 d−1) reached a maximum following the initial relative depletion of MOP (MAT = 4.1 °C). Under elevated temperature, the pH of the organic horizon plays a crucial role in determining P fractions variation. These findings suggest that temperature increase can exacerbate the conversion of P fractions and the release of bioavailable P from organic horizon by successively triggering the relative depletion of MIP, the relative enrichment of LOP and relative depletion of MOP at specific MAT thresholds, which has important implications for the enhancement of primary production and carbon sequestration in subtropical coniferous forests under future climate warming.

Bronchogenic carcinoma: the added value of FDG PET/CT advanced volumetric and metabolic parameters in initial evaluation and their impact on prognosis and clinical outcome

Abstract Background Bronchogenic carcinoma is considered to be one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortalities. It is divided into two main subtypes; small cell and non-small cell carcinoma. CT is considered the most commonly used radiological modality for early detection and staging. PET/CT can efficiently give both structural and functional information about the tumoral mass and malignant activity overall the body and hence can accurately assess the tumor staging and tumor response to therapy. Our study aim was to evaluate the different 18F-FDG PET/CT advanced volumetric and metabolic parameters in initial staging of bronchogenic carcinoma and their capability to predict the impact on prognostic pathway and hence the clinical outcomes. Results Forty patients with pathologically proven bronchogenic carcinoma were included in this study, and all of them did PET/CT in which different volumetric and metabolic parameters were measured and showed significant differences in different tumor grades. Conclusion PET/CT can give both structural and functional data about the tumor mass adding to its proper assessment of the initial evaluation and predicting its prognostic pathway.

SLC15A3 plays a crucial role in pulmonary fibrosis by regulating macrophage oxidative stress.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal and irreversible disease with few effective treatments. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are involved in the development of IPF from the initial stages due to direct exposure to air and respond to external oxidative damage (a major inducement of pulmonary fibrosis). Oxidative stress in AMs plays an indispensable role in promoting fibrosis development. The oligopeptide histidine transporter SLC15A3, mainly expressed on the lysosomal membrane of macrophages and highly expressed in the lung, has proved to be involved in innate immune and antiviral signaling pathways. In this study, we demonstrated that during bleomycin (BLM)- or radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, the recruitment of macrophages induced an increase of SLC15A3 in the lung, and the deficiency of SLC15A3 protected mice from pulmonary fibrosis and maintained the homeostasis of the pulmonary microenvironment. Mechanistically, deficiency of SLC15A3 resisted oxidative stress in macrophages, and SLC15A3 interacted with the scaffold protein p62 to regulate its expression and phosphorylation activation, thereby regulating p62-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) antioxidant stress pathway protein, which is related to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overall, our data provided a novel mechanism for targeting SLC15A3 to regulate oxidative stress in macrophages, supporting the therapeutic potential of inhibiting or silencing SLC15A3 for the precautions and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.