Group Of MPs Research Articles

As you wish? Public preferences for models of representation and MPs’ role orientations

AbstractHow much autonomy elected representatives should have in looking after the interests of their constituents is a central question of democratic theory. While much research has been conducted on the representational roles adopted by elected representatives, we currently lack an understanding of citizens’ preferences for contrasting models of representation, more specifically whether they believe representatives should primarily act as instructed delegates, closely following public opinion or rather as trustees, relying on their own convictions and judgement. As a result, we know relatively little about how congruent citizens’ and politicians’ representational preferences are, whether some subgroups of citizens and politicians are more congruent with each other than others and whether citizens’ and politicians’ representational preferences are driven by the same determinants. Using data from 13 countries, we assess the level of congruence between voters’ and MPs’ preferences in representational style. In all countries, citizens favouring delegate‐style MPs are poorly represented as the vast majority of representatives display a moderate to strong preference for trusteeship. Analysing subgroups of politicians and citizens according to party family, ideology, inclusion in government, populism and social class reveals that MPs from left‐wing or right‐wing radical and populist parties, representatives sitting on the opposition benches and those belonging to lower classes tend to hold representational preferences that are more in line with the preferences of their own supporters or individuals belonging to the same group as themselves, but also with those of the entire electorate. However, even among these politicians there are few delegates. Examining whether citizens’ and politicians’ representational preferences are driven by similar determinants, we assessed the influence of their ideological orientations, socioeconomic status and support for (or affiliation with) a party in government on their representational preferences. For citizens, our results indicate that locating oneself on the right of the ideological spectrum is related to higher scores on the delegate–trustee scale, while supporting a populist party seems to decrease voters’ favourability toward trusteeship. Politicians’ preferences could not be explained by similar factors as none of the tested factors were significant. In line with our congruence analysis, there seems to be little variation in MPs’ representational preferences. Even groups of MPs that can be thought of as most likely to be delegates turn out to be staunch trustees, potentially causing frustration among citizens preferring delegate‐style representation.

Microplastics and TiO2 nanoparticles mixture as an emerging threat to amphibians: A case study on bullfrog embryos

Emerging contaminants can act as contributing factors to the decline of amphibian populations worldwide. Recently, scientists have drawn attention to the potential ecotoxicity of microplastics and nanomaterials in amphibians, however, their possible effects on embryonic developmental stages are still absent. Thus, the present study analyzed the developmental toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs; 60 mg/L) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs; 10 μg/L), isolated or in combination (Mix group) on bullfrog embryos, Aquarana catesbeiana, adapting the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay (FETAX, 96h). Allied to the FETAX protocol, we also analyzed the heart rate and morphometric data. The exposure reduced the survival and hatching rates in groups exposed to TiO2 NPs, and to a lesser extent, also affected the Mix group. TiO2 NPs possibly interacted with the hatching enzymes of the embryos, preventing hatching, and reducing their survival. The reduced effects in the Mix group are due to the agglomeration of both toxicants, making the NPs less available for the embryos. PE MPs got attached to the gelatinous capsule of the chorion (confirmed by fluorescence microscopy), which protected the embryos from eventual direct effects of the microplastics on the hatching and survival rates. Although there were no cardiotoxic effects nor morphometric alterations, there was a significant increase in abdominal edemas in the hatched embryos of the PE MPs group, which indicates that osmoregulation might have been affected by the attachment of the microplastics on the embryos’ gelatinous capsule. This study presents the first evidence of developmental toxicity of environmental mixtures of microplastics and nanoparticles on amphibians and reinforces the need for more studies with other amphibian species, especially neotropical specimens that could present bigger sensibility. Our study also highlighted several features of the FETAX protocol as useful tools to evaluate the embryotoxicity of several pollutants on amphibians.

Political Professionalization Beyond National Borders: An Analysis of Italian MPs in Overseas Constituencies

Among European countries, Italy is one of the relatively few cases to provide a quota of reserved parliamentary seats for non-resident citizens. Despite an increased scientific interest in the topic, the group of MPs elected in Overseas Constituencies remains overlooked in the available literature. The gap relates to factors such as their socio-biographical profile, precedent careers, parliamentary activity, the role played in their recruitment by the party abroad or at a national level, and their style of representation. In this vein, the article investigates the career profiles of Italian MPs elected in Overseas Constituencies from 2006 (the first elections with the introduction of citizen representatives living abroad) to 2022. Based on an original data set and through an analysis of their biographical and political characteristics, the article builds a typology of elected MPs abroad by cross-referencing two dimensions derived from the literature: the linkage with the host country and the presence of previous political and associational experiences. The analysis shows that different types of MPs have different career lengths and a different capacity to collect preference votes.

A Single Preservation Solution for Static Cold Storage and Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion of Marginal Liver Grafts: A Preclinical Study.

Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) improves outcomes of marginal liver grafts. However, to date, no preservation solution exists for both static cold storage (SCS) and HOPE. After 30 min of asystolic warm ischemia, porcine livers underwent 6 h of SCS followed by 2 h of HOPE. Liver grafts were either preserved with a single preservation solution (IGL2) designed for SCS and HOPE (IGL2-Machine Perfusion Solution [MPS] group, n = 6) or with the gold-standard University of Wisconsin designed for for SCS and Belzer MPS designed for HOPE (MPS group, n = 5). All liver grafts underwent warm reperfusion with whole autologous blood for 2 h, and surrogate markers of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) were assessed in the hepatocyte, cholangiocyte, vascular, and immunological compartments. After 2 h of warm reperfusion, livers in the IGL2-MPS group showed no significant differences in transaminase release (aspartate aminotransferase: 65.58 versus 104.9 UI/L/100 g liver; P = 0.178), lactate clearance, and histological IRI compared with livers in the MPS group. There were no significant differences in biliary acid composition, bile production, and histological biliary IRI. Mitochondrial and endothelial damage was also not significantly different and resulted in similar hepatic inflammasome activation. This preclinical study shows that a novel IGL2 allows for the safe preservation of marginal liver grafts with SCS and HOPE. Hepatic IRI was comparable with the current gold standard of combining 2 different preservation solutions (University of Wisconsin + Belzer MPS). These data pave the way for a phase I first-in-human study and it is a first step toward tailored preservation solutions for machine perfusion of liver grafts.

Effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of micro(nano)plastics on aquatic microorganisms: Changes in potential function but not in overall composition

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are a growing problem as persistent environmental pollutants. Here, we investigated the impact of MNPs on microorganisms in aquatic microbial floc exposed to NPs (80 ​nm) and MPs (8 ​μm) for 35 days. Water quality indicators were tested weekly and microbiological analyses were conducted on Day 7 and 28 after exposure. The results showed that there were significant differences in the levels of total ammonia nitrogen or nitrite between the MNPs groups and the control group, spanning from Day 7 to Day 28. For the microbial response, microbial community richness in the NPs and MPs groups were significantly increased at Day 7. Functional prediction showed that the relative abundances of bacteria associated with the “Forms Biofilms”, “Potentially Pathogenic”, “Plastic Degradation” and nitrogen cycle processes were significantly different after MNPs exposure. The results suggest that MNPs had no significant effect on the microbial diversity of mature microbial flocs. Findings suggest MPs could cause an increase in the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria, while NPs do not. In addition, stress associated with MNPs affected the nitrogen cycle of microorganisms, and NPs exerted greater impacts than MPs. Findings from this study further our understanding of the impact of MNPs at environmentally relevant concentrations on microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems.

Nanoplastics promote the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and diversify their bacterial hosts in soil

The wide application of plastics has led to the ubiquitous presence of nanoplastics and microplastics in terrestrial environments. However, few studies have focused on the mechanism underlying the effects of plastic particles on soil microbiomes and resistomes, especially the differences between nanoplastics and microplastics. This study investigated the microbiome and resistome in soil exposed to polystyrene microplastics (mPS) or nanoplastics (nPS) through 16S rRNA and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Distinct microbial communities were observed between mPS and nPS exposure groups, and nPS exposure significantly changed the bacterial composition even at the lowest amended rate (0.01%, w/w). The abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in nPS exposure (1%) was 0.26 copies per cell, significantly higher than that in control (0.21 copies per cell) and mPS exposure groups (0.21 copies per cell). It was observed that nanoplastics, bacterial community, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) directly affected the ARG abundance in nPS exposure groups, while in mPS exposure groups, only MGEs directly induced the change of ARGs. Streptomyces was the predominant host for multidrug in the control and mPS exposure, whereas the primary host was changed to Bacillus in nPS exposure. Additionally, exposure to nPS induced several bacterial hosts to exhibit possible multi-antibiotic resistance characteristics. Our results indicated that the effects of plastic particles on the soil microbial community were size-dependent, and nano-sized plastic particles exhibited more substantial impacts. Both microplastics and nanoplastics promoted ARG transfer and diversified their bacterial hosts. These findings bear implications for the regulation of plastic waste and ARGs.

Microplastics cause reproductive toxicity in male mice through inducing apoptosis of spermatogenic cells via p53 signaling.

Studies on male reproductive toxicity of microplastics are still scarce and the precise mechanism is not distinct. C57BL/6 male mice were given oral gavage treatments treated with 5 μm (MPs) and 80 nm (NPs) polystyrene microplastics every day for 60 consecutive days in a row at dosages of 0, 10 and 40 mg/kg/d. The major damage of MPs and NPs were assessed by the assays in vivo and in vitro. Transcriptome sequencing was applied to screen the key involved pathways. In the 10 mg/kg/d NPs group, there was an increase in testicular organ coefficient, and in the 40 mg/kg/d MPs group, an increase in epididymal weight was observed. Vacuolization of spermatogenic cell layer, interstitial congestion, and germ cell apoptosis were found in the testes of MPs and NPs treatment mice at different dose groups. Higher apoptosis rate was observed in GC-2 cells after MPs and NPs treatment at different concentrations. Transcriptome analysis suggested that p53 pathway might be the key signal pathway of the cell apoptosis, and the expressions of p53 and other markers of cell apoptosis were indeed altered after exposure to MPs and NPs. MPs and NPs can cause reproductive toxicity in male mice through inducing apoptosis of spermatogenic cells via p53 signaling pathway, indicating MPs and NPs exposure be an unnegligible risk factor for reproductive health in male mice.

Native and non-native variation in adverbial and adjectival intensification: A corpus-based study of UK and Ghanaian parliamentary debates

Studies on the use of adverbs and adjectives by nonnative speakers of English have largely focused on learner corpus. Using Hansards of British and Ghanaian parliamentary debates as data, this paper attempts to partly fill this gap by comparatively examining the use of adverbs and adjectives as intensifiers by British parliamentarians as first/native speakers of English and Ghanaian parliamentarians as second language/non-native speakers of English. Parliamentarians’ use of adverbial and adjectival intensification is consequent on parliamentary debates being truth and validity judgement, which includes speaker involvement and commitment. While both groups of MPs employ intensifiers to strengthen their convictions and arguments, it leads to exaggeration. However, the British parliamentarians use more complex adverbs and adjectives than their Ghanaian counterparts, who use simpler forms. The paper has implications for second language teaching and learning, the theory of nativisation and the characterisation of Ghanaian English.

Riluzole is Effective on Spinal Decompression for Treating Acute Spinal Injury When Compared With Methylprednisolone and the Combination of Two Drugs: In Vivo Rat Model.

Randomized controlled animal experiment. To determine and compare the efficacy of riluzole, MPS and the combination of two drugs in a rat model with acute spinal trauma, electrophysiologically and histopathologically. 59 rats were divided into 4 groups as control, riluzole (6mg/kg, every 12hours for 7days), MPS (30mg/kg, 2nd and 4th hours after injury) and riluzole + MPS. Spinal trauma was created and the subjects were followed for 7days. Electrophysiological recordings were made via neuromonitoring. The subjects were sacrificed and histopathological examination was made. For the amplitude values, mean alteration in the period from the spinal cord injury to the end of the 7th day is 15.89 ± 20.00%, 210.93 ± 199.44%, 24.75% ± 10.13% increase and 18.91 ± 30.01% decrease for the control, riluzole, riluzole + MPS and MPS groups, respectively. Although the riluzole treatment group produced the greatest increase in amplitude, it was observed that no treatment provided a significant improvement compared to the control group, in terms of latency and amplitude. It was observed that there was significantly less cavitation area in the riluzole treatment group compared to the control group (P = .020). (P < .05). Electrophysiologically, no treatment was found to provide significant improvement. Histopathologically, it was observed that riluzole provided significant neural tissue protection.

Untargeted LC-HRMS metabolomics reveals candidate biomarkers for mucopolysaccharidoses

BackgroundMucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are inherited genetic diseases caused by an absence or deficiency of lysosomal enzymes responsible for catabolizing glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Undiagnosed patients, or those without adequate treatment in early life, can be severely and irreversibly affected by the disease. In this study, we applied liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)-based untargeted metabolomics to identify potential biomarkers for MPS disorders to better understand how MPS may affect the metabolome of patients. MethodsUrine samples from 37 MPS patients (types I, II, III, IV, and VI; untreated and treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT)) and 38 controls were analyzed by LC-HRMS. Data were processed by an untargeted metabolomics workflow and submitted to multivariate statistical analyses to reveal significant differences between the MPS and control groups. ResultsA total of 12 increased metabolites common to all MPS types were identified. Dipeptides, amino acids and derivatives were increased in the MPS group compared to controls. N-acetylgalactosamines 4- or 6-sulfate, important constituents of GAGs, were also elevated in MPS patients, most prominently in those with MPS VI. Notably, treated patients exhibited lower levels of the aforementioned acylaminosugars than untreated patients in all MPS types. ConclusionsUntargeted metabolomics has enabled the detection of metabolites that could improve our understanding of MPS physiopathology. These potential biomarkers can be utilized in screening methods to support diagnosis and ERT monitoring.

Superfine Marigold Powder Improves the Quality of Sponge Cake: Lutein Fortification, Texture, and Sensory Properties.

This study aimed to investigate and optimize the quality and sensory properties of baked products with lutein-enriched marigold flower powder (MP). Lutein-enriched marigold flowers produced via hydroponic methods using LED lights were used as a functional material in sponge cakes to increase lutein content. MP particles were divided into coarse (Dv50 = 315 μm), fine (Dv50 = 119 μm), and superfine MP (Dv50 = 10 μm) fractions and added to the sponge cake after being designated to control (sponge cake prepared without MP), coarse MPS (sponge cake prepared with coarse MP), fine MPS (sponge cake prepared with fine MP), and superfine MPS (sponge cake prepared with superfine MP) groups. The sizes and surface properties of superfine MP particles were more homogeneous and smoother than the other samples. As the particle size decreased, the specific volume increased, whereas baking loss, hardness, and chewiness of the sponge cake decreased. Superfine MP and superfine MPS had the highest lutein content. The flavor of marigold and the overall acceptability of sponge cake with superfine MP were 7.90 ± 0.97 and 7.55 ± 0.76, which represents the highest values among the samples. The results of this study have shown that jet milling can contribute to improvements in texture, lutein content, and sensory qualities for baked products with MP.

Intravenous immunoglobulin versus methylprednisolone in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with COVID-19: an observational study

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is temporally associated with SARS CoV 2 infection with a possible immune dysregulation. Presents with a multi organ involvement with dreaded complication of LV dysfunction and a long term sequalae of coronary involvement.Methods: Prospective observational study of a cohort of 35 patients who fulfilled the CDC criteria for MIS-C. Demographic, clinical, lab, echocardiographic, treatment and outcome details were noted and analysed.Results: The 35 children fulfilled CDC definition of MIS-C. Fever was present in 100% cases, rash in 62%, diarrhoea in 57%, RTI in 43%, hypotension in 43% and lymphadenopathy in 19% cases. The 23 patients had moderate MIS-C and 12 patients had severe MIS-C on admission. The 38% had normal contracting heart, 19% had dilated coronaries, 17% had mild LV dysfunction,12% had moderate LV dysfunction,12% had severe LV dysfunction, two patients had prolonged PR interval, one patient had AV block. Four patients had acute kidney injury; one patient had brachial vein thrombosis. 52% patients received combination of methylprednisolone and IVIG while 48% received only methylprednisolone. Defervescence was earlier in IVIG+MPS group compared to MPS group (1.72 days vs 2.8 days [p&lt;0.05]). Improvement in LV dysfunction was earlier in IVIG+MPS group compared to MPS group (33 hours vs 40 hours, p&lt;0.05). At 3 months followup Z score of coronaries was 1.9 (SD=0.125) in LMCA and 1.8 (SD=0.1) in LAD.Conclusions: Patients treated with IVIG+MPS had better outcome compared to MPS only. Older children had more severe disease presentation. Coronary artery dilatation tends to improve with time.

P-Phenyleneethynylene copolymer CdS quantum dot Superstructures. Synthesis, photophysics and vesicle formation

CdS QDs were synthesized by using (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPS) as ligand to form CdS(MPS) and mixed with an amphiphilic p(phenyleneethynylene) copolymer, coPE, which presents alternating p(phenyleneethynylene) moieties bearing dodecanoxy and 1-OH undecanoate lateral chains, at different pHs. SS NMR and XPS spectroscopy confirmed the functionalization of CdS(MPS) with coPE at pH 5.5 to yield an inorganic–organic hybrid, CdS(MPS)-coPE but they also revealed hydrolysis and successive polymerization of the silane group of MPS, which leads to spherical superstructures, as found by STEM. STEM tomography confirms the 3D nature of the superstructures and demonstrates that they are stable under high vacuum conditions. AFM revealed that they are preserved even in spun films, which tunes the fluorescence from yellow (copolymer) to green (hybrid). This peculiar supramolecular behavior could be profited for host–guest white light emission or biosensing.

The Ban on Participation of Children and Teenagers in the Hunt in Poland – A Case Study of Parliamentary Law Enactment Process and its Consequences

We are witnessing a clash of (i) biocentric or ecocentric ideologies that grant equal rights to all living creatures, with (ii) an ideology that arose on the basis of anthropocentrism that gives the palm of priority to man. Hunters who are accused of killing defenseless animals for entertainment are at the heart of this dispute. Meanwhile, hunters argue that their activity results from the need to manage game populations, thus the necessity to limit the threats to human life and health and to minimize the extent of damage to field crops or forests. In the atmosphere of such public disputes between activists and hunters, decisions are made by politicians who shape specific legal solutions. In 2018, the Hunting Law (Polish Act of 13 October 1995, Journal of Laws of 2020.) in Poland was amended and children and adolescents under 18 were banned from participating in hunting. It has aroused dissatisfaction of hunters who have taken initiatives to amend these legal provisions, e.g. a complaint to the Constitutional Tribunal, a social draft amendment to the act. The legal initiatives of hunters have been fuelling a broad social debate that often have gone beyond the scope of sustainable hunting management. The amendment has been questioned by a group of Polish MPs as infringing the constitutional right of parents to bring up and educate their children in accordance with their worldviews. Moreover, the teenagers, frequently considered as adults under numerous provisions of Polish law, have been deprived of their constitutional freedom of making decisions about their pastimes. The opponents in turn claim that under the Constitution of the Republic of Poland (Polish Act of 21 August 1997, Journal of Laws of 2020.) children must be protected against violence and cruelty. The aim of the study is to present the mechanisms of a legal, political, sociological and ideological dispute and to provide some basic insight into the Parliamentary debate and the outcome of legislation process as a result of which children have been deprived of the right to accompany their parents during hunting expeditions also in the character of passive observers. The research methods applied included the following ones: the analysis of the discourses and legislation under scrutiny in Poland and a few selected countries, and empirical observation of debates carried out in public space. The research material encompassed the recorded Parliament speeches focusing on the issue in question, legislative process, social media posts and various blogs. The assessment of the current legal solutions and the analysis of the attitudes of both parties to the dispute leads to a reflection that the problem of prohibiting the participation of children under 18 in hunting is not solved. There is a need to search for new solutions on the basis of substantive knowledge, including, inter alia, legal science or social psychology. Politicians should be aware that the emotional pressure may not and should not be the basis for law amendments.

Comparison of growth dynamics in different types of MPS: an attempt to explain the causes

BackgroundMucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficient activity of enzymes responsible for the catabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), resulting in progressive damage to various tissues and organs. Affected individuals present with skeletal deformities, bone growth impairment, joint stiffness and frequently mental retardation.ResultsThe objective of the study was to summarise over 30 years of observations of the growth dynamics in patients with different types of MPS, performed at the Children’s Memorial Health Institute (CMHI, Warsaw, Poland). A retrospective analysis of anthropometric data collected from 1989 to 2020 was performed for 195 patients with MPS I, MPS II, MPS III, MPS IVA and MPS VI. Mean values for birth body length were statistically significantly greater than in the general population. The mean z-scores for other MPS groups showed that until the 24th month of life, the growth pattern for all patients was similar, and the average z-scores for body height were greater than in reference charts. Afterwards, growth patterns began to differentiate for MPS groups.ConclusionsThe long-term follow up showed that the growth pattern in patients with all types of mucopolysaccharidoses significantly deviates from the general population. Patients with MPS IVA had the most severe growth impairments compared to other patients in the study group. Neuropathic MPS I and II demonstrated severe growth impairments compared to other patients in this study. Patients with MPS III showed the mildest growth impairments compared to other MPS patients and reached the 3rd percentile last.

The impact of mTOR inhibitors in the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in elderly kidney transplant recipients.

End-stage kidney disease is frequently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a condition more prevalent in the elderly, that may increase mortality after renal transplantation (RTx). Previous studies suggested that mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) can improve LVH, but this has never been tested in elderly kidney transplant recipients. In this prospective randomized clinical trial, we analyzed the impact of Everolimus (EVL) on the reversal of LVH after RTx in elderly recipients (≥60 years) submitted to different immunosuppressive regimens: EVL/lowTacrolimus (EVL group, n=53) or mycophenolate sodium/regularTacrolimus (MPS group, n=47). Patients performed echocardiograms (Echo) up to 3 months after RTx and then annually. At baseline, mean age was 65±3 years in both groups and LVH was observed in 63.6% of patients in EVL group and in 61.8% of MPS group. Last Echo was performed at mean time of 47 and 49 months after RTx in EVL and MPS groups, respectively (P=.34). LVH regression was observed in 23.8% (EVL group) and 19% (MPS group) of patients (P=1.00). Mean eGFR, blood pressure, and use of RAS blockers were similar between groups throughout follow-up. EVL did not improve LVH in this cohort, and this lack of benefit may be attributed to concomitant use of TAC, senescence, or both.

Micro(nano)plastic size and concentration co-differentiate nitrogen transformation, microbiota dynamics, and assembly patterns in constructed wetlands

Micro/nano-sized plastics (MPs/NPs) existing in wastewater system are the potential threats to nitrogen (N) biotransformation. Constructed wetlands (CWs) as wastewater treatment systems are considered the important barriers preventing MPs/NPs from entering the open water. However, little is known about how the accumulation of MPs/NPs affects microbial N transformation, dynamics, assembly, and metabolism of wetland microbiota. Herein, we constructed 12 wetland systems to address the above knowledge gaps over 300-day exposure to different sizes (3 mm - 60 nm) and concentrations (10 - 1000 μg/L) of MPs/NPs. The results showed that MPs/NPs accumulation caused decrease in NH4+-N removal (by 7.6% - 71.2%) and microbial diversity and intriguingly altered microbiota composition (especially in the high-concentration groups) without damage on the high removal efficiency of NO3−-N and NO2−-N (66.2% - 99.8%) in all except for the nano-sized plastic-exposed wetlands. Moreover, MPs/NPs exposure induced shift in the strengths of non-random species aggregation and segregation patterns co-differentiated by the size and concentration of MPs/NPs, and MPs/NPs accumulation created size-differentiated alternative niches for nitrogen-transforming bacteria, e.g., canonical nitrifiers (Nitrospira and Nitrosomonas) and denitrifiers (Thauera, Comamonas, and Aquabacterium), which were enriched in MPs groups where denitrifying enzyme-coding genes were also enriched, suggesting potential positive impact of larger plastics on denitrification. Our study highlights MPs/NPs-induced divergence in microbiota dynamics and nitrogen transformation in CWs, and provides important insights into how microbiota structurally and functionally respond to long-term MPs/NPs disturbance.

Effects of titanium dioxide microparticles and nanoparticles on cytoskeletal organization, cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation in human gingival fibroblasts in the presence of lipopolysaccharide.

Titanium wear particles may participate in the etiology of peri-implantitis. However, the influence of titanium wear particles on biological behavior of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in the presence of LPS is still not clear. The present study demonstrated the effects of titanium dioxide micro- and nanoparticles (TiO2 MPs and NPs) on HGF cell viability, cytoskeletal organization, adhesion, migration, and proliferation in vitro, and LPS was used to mimic the in vivo condition. Primary HGFs were treated with TiO2 MPs (primaryparticle size <5μm, 0.1mg/ml) and NPs (primary particle size <100nm, 0.1mg/ml) with or without 1μg/ml LPS. The effects of TiO2 MPs and NPs on HGFs cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The proliferation of HGF was detected by Ki67 nuclear staining. The confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) was used to detect the internalization of TiO2 MPs and NPs in HGFs as well as the arrangement of F-actin, vinculin, and vimentin organization. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were performed to measure the migration of HGFs induced by TiO2 MPs and NPs. Cell adhesion was measured using fibronectin-coated plates. The relative mRNA and protein expression of adhesion relative protein such as focal adhesion kinase (FAK), fibronectin (FN), and type I collagen (COL1) were measured using quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analysis. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test were used to analyze the statistical significance, and p<.05 was considered statistically significant. TiO2 NPs significantly inhibited HGF cell viability, proliferation, and migration compared with TiO2 MPs group and control group. Compared with control group (2.64±0.09), the mean absorbance of the cells in 1mg/ml TiO2 MPs group and 0.25mg/ml TiO2 NPs group were significantly decreased to 1.93±0.33 (p<.05) and 2.22±0.18 (p<.01), respectively. The cytoskeleton disruption was found in TiO2 NPs group. The mRNA and protein expression were significantly downregulated by TiO2 NPs. Furthermore, both TiO2 NPs and MPs induced more adverse effects on HGFs in the presence of LPS. Our results indicate that TiO2 NPs but not TiO2 MPs significantly disrupt the cytoskeletal organization and inhibited cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation of HGFs. However, in the presence of LPS, TiO2 MPs, and TiO2 NPs enhance these negative effects in HGFs. Titanium wear particles are probably involved in the initiation and progression of peri-implant diseases.

The Effects of Active Range of Motion on Upper Trapezius’ Fasciae Displacement among Individuals with and without Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Aim: This study determined the differences in upper trapezius' superficial and deep fascia slides among MPS and non-MPS participants after performing cervical active range of motion (AROM). The association between the fascia slides, age, sex, occupation, clinical diagnosis, and symptoms’ chronicity were determined. Methods: This retrospective study constituted a reliability and case-control study. Three hundred participants (174 MPS: 126 non-MPS) were included. For each fascia level, six physiotherapy interns read 19 MSUS videos. Bland Altman Plot and Single Measures Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) determined the physiotherapy interns' intratester and intertester reliability. Twelve physiotherapy interns quantified the fascia slides in 3,600 MSUS videos. MPS and non-MPS groups were compared against differences in fascia slides using independent samples t-test. A p-value of &lt;0.05 indicated significant differences in fascia slides. Multiple regression analyses determined fascia slides and independent variables’ relationship. Results: Intertester reliability in tracking the superficial and deep fasciae was very good (ICC = 0.90 to 1.00). Intratester reliability showed minimal to no individual bias (95% CI). A significant difference in superficial fascia displacement between groups was only observed during active cervical extension (p&lt; 0.05). No difference in cervical AROM was reported in deep fascia displacement between groups (p&gt; 0.05). No associations were found between superficial fascia slides and independent variables (p &gt;0.05). Sex was the only variable associated with deep fascia slide difference (p &lt;0.05). Conclusion and Implications: Limited fascia slide is not a characteristic of individuals with MPS. There is no association between differences in fascia slides and independent variables.

Effect of 3-mercapto-1-propane sulfonate sulfonic acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone on the growth of cobalt pillar by electrodeposition

Abstract Cobalt is a promising material for electronic interconnections in the post-Moore law period. However, the vertical cobalt pillar is not fully compatible with the current electroplating-involved manufacturing process due to hydrogen evolution at the cathode and poor throwing power of the products. In this article, electrodeposition with multiple organic additives was employed to realize the fabrication of cobalt pillars. Electrochemical measurements were used to investigate the depolarization of 3-mercapto-1-propane sulfonate sulfonic acid (MPS) and the polarization of the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) during cobalt electrodeposition. Notably, the competitive adsorption between MPS and PVP was verified and discussed in cobalt electrodeposition. In order to understand the adsorption and functional groups of the additives, quantum chemical calculations were performed to simulate the distribution of electrostatic potential and molecular orbital energy of the additives. Accordingly, the thiol group of MPS and the amide group of PVP were speculated to be the molecular adsorption sites in cobalt electrodeposition. The mechanism including three stages was proposed for cobalt pillar electrodeposition in solution with MPS and PVP. The electrodeposition of practical cobalt pillars with a depth of 50 µm and diameters of 60, 80, and 100 µm was successfully achieved by electroplating experiments, thereby promoting the application of metal cobalt for electronic packaging.