Potential Changes Research Articles

Tabersonine Induces the Apoptosis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma In vitro and In vivo.

Tabersonine, a natural indole alkaloid derived from Apocynaceae plants, exhibits antiinflammatory and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities, among other pharmacological effects. However, its anti-tumor properties and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain underexplored. The present study aims to investigate the anti-tumor effects of tabersonine and its mechanisms in inducing apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. The inhibitory effects of tabersonine on the viability and proliferation of liver cancer cells were evaluated using MTT assay and colony formation assay. AO/EB, Hoechst, and Annexin V-FITC/ PI staining techniques were employed to observe cell damage and apoptosis. JC-1 staining was used to detect changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot analysis was conducted to study the anti-tumor mechanism of tabersonine on liver cancer cells. Additionally, a xenograft model using mice hepatoma HepG2 cells was established to assess the anti-tumor potency of tabersonine in vivo. Our findings revealed that tabersonine significantly inhibited cell viability and proliferation, inducing apoptosis in liver cancer cells. Treatment with tabersonine inhibited Akt phosphorylation, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, promoted cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytoplasm, and increased the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. These findings suggested that tabersonine induces apoptosis in liver cancer cells through the mitochondrial pathway. Furthermore, tabersonine treatment activated the death receptor pathway of apoptosis. In vivo studies demonstrated that tabersonine significantly inhibited xenograft tumor growth. Our study is the first to demonstrate that tabersonine induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells through both mitochondrial and death receptor apoptotic pathways, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent candidate for hepatic cancer.

Policy and Advocacy in Physical Education: Looking Back, Looking Forward

In this paper, we provide an overview of physical education (PE) policy and advocacy research in the United States. We examine the past policy and advocacy work that has been completed in the field and make connections to international policy work. We examine the potential changes the future holds for developing scholarship in the area. We define policy and advocacy and explain how teachers as policy actors are key figures in any policy enacted. The paper also examines the relationship between PE and the public health arena, which completes a lot of PE-focused policy research. The paper concludes with a focus on PE teacher education and the work that higher education must do to help educate future professionals to be advocates for policy change.

On the driving forces behind the change of reduction potentials and the prediction of redox properties through analysis of EPR hyperfine couplings in VO(acac)2pyr and VO(acac)2 imidazole complexes. A DFT study

The use of vanadium complexes for potential applications in medicine largely depends on the structural properties of the complex itself, as well as on the electronic configuration of the metal and its oxidation state. When the vanadium complex binds to biomolecules or by binding solvent molecules to the complex, there is a change in the structure but also a change in the redox properties of the complex. Using theoretical methods, especially Density Functional theory (DFT), it is possible to determine which factors influence changes in the redox properties of the complex. Furthermore, by calculating the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) constants of hyperfine coupling, it is possible to obtain not only data on the electronic configuration, but also to predict changes in redox properties upon changes in the structure of the complex. DFT results show that the binding of pyridine or imidazole to the VO(acac)2 complex leads to a lowering of the redox potential. The largest changes in the redox potential were observed in the case when the incoming ligand binds in a cis position relative to the VO bond.

Connecting De Donder’s equation with the differential changes of thermodynamic potentials: understanding thermodynamic potentials

Connecting De Donder’s equation with the differential changes of thermodynamic potentials: understanding thermodynamic potentials

Dynamics in a light-sensitive neuron with two capacitive variables

Involvement of two capacitive variables into neuron models provides better description of the cell membrane property and then the diversity effect of electromagnetic field inner and outer of the cell membrane can be estimated in clear way. Specific electric components can be combined to build equivalent neural circuits for reproducing similar neural activities under some self-adaptive control schemes. A phototube converts external light into electric stimuli and the injected energy is encoded to excite the cell membranes for presenting suitable firing patterns. Two capacitors are connected via a linear resistor for mimicking the energy exchange and changes of membrane potentials. Combination of memristor into an additive branch circuit of the neural circuit can estimate the effect of electromagnetic induction and energy absorption. The energy function H for this light-sensitive and memristive neuron is calculated in theoretical way, and the average energy function 〈H〉 can predict the occurrence of stochastic resonance, which can be confirmed by estimating the distribution of signal to noise ratios. The firing mode is relative to the energy value of the neuron, and a control law is suggested to control the mode transition in neural activities in an adaptive way.

Drought Responses in Three Apple Cultivars Using an Autonomous Sensor-based Irrigation System

Irrigation decision support systems evolving in the domestic temperate tree fruit production industry incorporate measures of soil moisture status, which diverges from classic physiological indicators of edaphic stress. This study used an autonomous sensor-based irrigation system to impose a water deficit (soil matric potential targets of –25, –40, –60, and –80 kPa) on ‘Autumn Gala’, ‘CrimsonCrisp’, and ‘Golden Delicious’ apple (Malus domestica) cultivars grafted to ‘Budagovsky 9’ rootstock in the greenhouse (n = 60). It was hypothesized that relationships between physiological plant function, assessed via infrared gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, and the soil matric potential may be used to advance emerging irrigation decision support systems. Complications arising from defoliation by day 11 at –60 and –80 kPa indicate the generation of substrate-specific soil–water relationships in research applications of autonomous sensor-based irrigation systems. ‘Autumn Gala’ carbon assimilation rates at –80 kPa declined from day 0 to day 8 (9.93 and 5.86 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1 carbon dioxide), whereas the transpiration rate was maintained, potentially reducing observed defoliation as other cultivars increased transpiration to maintain carbon assimilation. Correlation matrices revealed Pearson’s r ≤ |0.43| for all physiological metrics considered with soil matric potential. Nevertheless, exploratory regression analysis on predawn leaf water potential, carbon assimilation, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and nonphotochemical quenching exposed speculatively useful data and data shapes that warrant additional study. Nonlinear piecewise regression suggested soil matric potential may useful as a predictor for the rate of change in predawn leaf water potential upon exposure to a water deficit. The critical point bridging the linear spans, –30.6 kPa, could be useful for incorporating in emerging irrigation decision support systems.

Asleep triple-modality motor mapping for perirolandic gliomas: an update on outcomes.

Maximal safe resection of gliomas near motor pathways is facilitated by intraoperative mapping. Here, the authors review their results with triple-modality asleep motor mapping with motor evoked potentials and bipolar and monopolar stimulation for cortical and subcortical mapping during glioma surgery in an expanded cohort. This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent resection of a perirolandic glioma near motor pathways. Clinical and neuromonitoring data were extracted from the electronic medical records for review. All patients with new or worsened postoperative motor deficits were followed for at least 6 months. Regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with a persistent motor deficit. Between January 2018 and December 2021, 160 operations were performed in 151 patients with perirolandic glioma. Sixty-four patients (40%) had preoperative motor deficits, and the median extent of resection was 98%. Overall, patients in 38 cases (23.8%) had new or worse immediate postoperative deficits by discharge, and persistent deficits by 6 months were seen in 6 cases (3.8%), all in patients with high-grade gliomas. There were no new persistent deficits in low-grade glioma patients (0%). The risk factors for a persistent deficit included an insular tumor component (OR 8.6, p = 0.01), preoperative motor weakness (OR 8.1, p = 0.03), intraoperative motor evoked potential (MEP) changes (OR 36.5, p < 0.0001), and peri-resection cavity ischemia (OR 7.5, p = 0.04). Most persistent deficits were attributable to ischemic injury despite structural preservation of the descending motor tracts. For patients with persistent motor deficits, there were 3 cases (50%) in which a change in MEP was noted but subsequent subcortical monopolar stimulation still elicited a response in the corresponding muscle groups, suggesting axonal activation distal to a point of injury. Asleep triple motor mapping results in a low rate of permanent deficits, especially for low-grade gliomas. Peri-resection cavity ischemia continues to be a significant risk factor for permanent deficit despite maintaining appropriate distance for subcortical tracts based on monopolar feedback.

Quercetin Enhances 5-fluorouracil Sensitivity by Regulating the Autophagic Flux and Inducing Drp-1 Mediated Mitochondrial Fragmentation in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

While chemotherapy treatment demonstrates its initial effectiveness in eliminating the majority of the tumor cell population, nevertheless, most patients relapse and eventually succumb to the disease upon its recurrence. One promising approach is to explore novel, effective chemotherapeutic adjuvants to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, we explored the effect of quercetin on the sensitivity of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to conventional chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the molecular mechanisms. MTT assay, colony formation assay and Hoechst staining were performed to investigate the growth inhibition effect of quercetin alone or combined with 5-FU. The expression levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins were assessed by western blotting. Intracellular ROS was detected using DCFH-DA. The change in the mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by a JC-1 probe. The effect of quercetin on mitochondrial morphology was examined using a mitochondrial-specific fluorescence probe, Mito-Tracker red. The results demonstrated quercetin-induced apoptosis and autophagy, as well as imbalanced ROS, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and Drp-1-mediated mitochondrial fission in CRC cells. Autophagy blockage with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) enhanced quercetininduced cytotoxicity, indicating that quercetin-induced cytoprotective autophagy. Meanwhile, quercetin enhanced the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5- FU via the induction of mitochondrial fragmentation, which could be further enhanced when the quercetin-induced protective autophagy was blocked by CQ. Our findings suggested that quercetin could induce protective autophagy and Drp-1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and enhance the sensitivity of CRC cells to conventional agent 5-FU, which not only suggests that quercetin may act as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant but also implies that the regulation of autophagic flux may be a potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.

Surface Modification of p‐type ZnO Nanorods by Nitrogen Doped SiO2 Dots as an Efficient Solar Photocatalyst for Degradation of Ciprofloxacin in Water

AbstractA simple two step hydrothermal method is developed for synthesizing p‐type zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods surface modified with nitrogen doped silicon dioxide dots (ZnO/N‐SiO2). The structure, morphology, and chemical compositions are confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and by Mott‐Schottky studies. The N‐SiO2 dots on the surface of p‐type ZnO nanorods are formed during hydrothermal treatment at 90 °C (i.e., at 363 K), named as [ZnO/N‐SiO2]363K. While N‐SiO2 dots are embedded in the ZnO nanorods of the batch synthesized at 453 K. The band gap of the batches of ZnO/N‐SiO2 are wider (3.24–3.30 eV) than the pristine ZnO (3.16 eV). The modification of ZnO nanorods by the N‐SiO2 dots is corroborated by changes in the flat band potential, revealed from Mott‐Schottky measurements. The EPR and photoluminescence studies confirm p‐type ZnO attributable to zinc vacancies (VZn). The batch [ZnO/N‐SiO2]363 exhibits maximum photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin in water. The specific rate constant is k′ = 0.97 min−1 g−1, which is nearly three times higher than that exhibited by the irregularly spherical pristine ZnO nanoparticles (k′ = 0.36 min−1 g−1). The enhanced photocatalytic degradation is attributed to holes mediated hydroxyl radical generation. The degradation mechanism is proposed by carrier mobility studies, radical scavenging studies and by identifying the degradation products.

Visually evoked local field potential changes in the caudate nucleus are remarkably more frequent in awake, behaving cats than in anaesthetized animals.

Previous results show that halothane gas anaesthesia has a suppressive effect on the visually evoked single-cell activities in the feline caudate nucleus (CN). In this study, we asked whether the low-frequency neuronal signals, the local field potentials (LFP) are also suppressed in the CN of anaesthetized animals.To answer this question, we compared the LFPs recorded from the CN of two halothane-anaesthetized (1.0%), paralyzed, and two awake, behaving cats during static and dynamic visual stimulation. The behaving animals were trained to perform a visual fixation task.Our results denoted a lower proportion of significant power changes to visual stimulation in the CN ofthe anesthetized cats in each frequency range (from delta to beta) of the LFPs, except gamma. Thesedifferences in power changes were more obvious in static visual stimulation, but still, remarkable differences were found in dynamic stimulation, too. The largest differences were found in the alpha and beta frequency bands for static stimulation. Concerning dynamic stimulation, the differences were the biggest in the theta, alpha and beta bands.Similar to the single-cell activities, remarkable differences were found between the visually evoked LFP changes in the CN of the anaesthetized, paralyzed and awake, behaving cats. The halothane gas anaesthesia and the immobilization suppressed the significant LFP power alterations in the CN to both static and dynamic stimulation. These results suggest the priority of the application of behaving animals even in the analysis of the visually evoked low-frequency electric signals, the LFPs recorded from the CN.

An examination of the effects of eye-tracking on behavior in psychology experiments.

Eye-tracking is emerging as a tool for researchers to better understand cognition and behavior. However, it is possible that experiment participants adjust their behavior when they know their eyes are being tracked. This potential change would be considered a type of Hawthorne effect, in which participants alter their behavior in response to being watched and could potentially compromise the outcomes and conclusions of experimental studies that use eye tracking. We examined whether eye-tracking produced Hawthorne effects in six commonly used psychological scales and five behavioral tasks. The dependent measures were selected because they are widely used and cited and because they involved measures of sensitive topics, including gambling behavior, racial bias, undesirable personality characteristics, or because they require working memory or executive attention resources, which might be affected by Hawthorne effects. The only task where Hawthorne effects manifested was the mixed gambles task, in which participants accepted or rejected gambles involving a 50/50 chance of gaining or losing different monetary amounts. Participants in the eye-tracking condition accepted fewer gambles that were low in expected value, and they also took longer to respond for these low-value gambles. These results suggest that eye-tracking is not likely to produce Hawthorne effects in most common psychology laboratory tasks, except for those involving risky decisions where the probability of the outcomes from each choice are known.

Effects of sea level rise and tidal flat growth on tidal dynamics and geometry of the Elbe estuary

Abstract. Future global mean sea level rise (SLR) will affect coastlines and estuaries in the North Sea and therefore also coastal protection structures, unique local ecosystems and important waterways. SLR will not only raise water levels but also influence tidal dynamics and morphodynamics, which is why the tidal flats of the Wadden Sea can grow to a certain extent with SLR. Investigations on the effects of climate-change-induced SLR and the related potential bathymetric changes inside of estuaries form an important basis for identifying vulnerabilities and developing appropriate adaptation strategies. To analyse the influence of potential SLR and tidal flat elevation scenarios on the tidal dynamics in the Elbe estuary, we used a highly resolved hydrodynamic numerical model of the German Bight. The analysis results show increasing tidal range in the Elbe estuary solely due to SLR. They also reveal strongly varying changes with different tidal flat growth scenarios: while tidal flat elevation up to the mouth of the estuary can cause tidal range to decrease relative to SLR alone, tidal flat elevation in the entire estuary can lead to an increase in tidal range relative to SLR alone. Further analyses show how the geometric parameters of the Elbe estuary are changing due to SLR and tidal flat elevation. We discuss how these changes in estuarine geometry can provide an explanation for the changes in tidal range.

Corneal nerves and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an in vivo corneal confocal imaging study.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe motor neuron disorder. Diagnosis is challenging due to its clinical heterogeneity and the absence of definitive diagnostic tools, leading to delays averaging between 9.1 and 27months. In vivo corneal confocal microscopy, assessing the sub-basal nerve plexus of the cornea, has been proposed as a potential biomarker for ALS. We aimed to determine whether the assessment of corneal nerves using in vivo confocal microscopy can serve as an imaging biomarker for ALS. A single-centre prospective case-control study was conducted in France from September 2021 to March 2023 including patients with ALS according to the revised EI Escorial criteria. The corneal sub-basal nerve plexus was analysed using in vivo confocal microscopy. An automated algorithm (ACCMetrics) was used to evaluate corneal parameters: nerve fibre density, nerve branch density, nerve fibre length, nerve fibre area, nerve total branch density, nerve fibre width, and nerve fractal dimension. Twenty-two patients with ALS and 30 controls were included. No significant differences were found between ALS and control groups for all corneal parameters (p > 0.05). Corneal sensitivity did not differ between groups, and no correlation was identified between corneal nerve parameters and ALS disease duration, severity and rate of progression (p > 0.05). The present study does not support the use of in vivo corneal confocal microscopy as an early diagnostic or prognostic tool for ALS. Further research, especially longitudinal investigations, is needed to understand any potential corneal innervation changes as ALS progresses.

Investigation of fabric tactile perception using the event-related potential method

The mechanism of the neuro-electrophysiological response of the human brain to skin tactile stimulation has always been an important research topic in the field of comfort perception of textile materials. In order to explore the characteristic neural potential components induced by various fabric tactile stimulation and their influence rules, event-related potential technology with ultra-high time resolution was introduced to monitor the somatosensory brain region under tactile stimulation of fabrics with different tactile properties, and the signal changes of related potentials were extracted and analyzed. The results showed that the amplitudes of N100 increased with the stiffness of the fabric, the amplitudes of P200 decreased with the smoothness of the fabric, and the amplitudes of P300 decreased with the smoothness and softness of the fabric. These results indicated that N100, P200, and P300 potentials could be used as neurophysiological response indexes of brain neurons to distinguish the subtle differences in fabric tactile properties. This finding not only laid a scientific theoretical basis for the brain perception mechanism of fabric tactile properties, but also provided a possibility for further quantification characterization of textile comfort perception.

The Role of Procedure Duration in the Sustainability Assessment of Contaminated Site Management in Italy

The European Union (EU) has placed a strong focus on soil contamination and remediation in its Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive soil data at the EU level. To effectively support EU soil management strategies, it is necessary to develop soil-related indicators and standardized datasets across all EU member states. However, the lack of standardized methodologies for estimating the time required for contaminated site remediation is a dilemma in Italy and throughout Europe. This study examines statistical data on the time-consuming nature of the contaminated site remediation process in Italy. In fact, early intervention not only simplifies site remediation but also reduces long-term financial obligations such as monitoring costs and potential legal implications. This study categorized data according to remedial procedures, explored different management phases, and revealed different timescales for completing the procedure. The findings show that processes completed after preliminary investigations are often shorter in time than those completed following conceptual model assessments. In contrast, processes that require corrective measures typically take a longer period of time to complete. Notably, remedial interventions tend to have a shorter duration compared to risk management interventions. Furthermore, procedures that address both soil and groundwater contamination generally require more time compared to those that focus only on soil remediation. This study provides valuable insight into the time-consuming aspects of remediation procedures, recommending potential changes to regulatory frameworks to accelerate site remediation activities.

Future ecosystem service provision under land-use change scenarios in southwestern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Continued pressure and transformation of land-use by humans are key drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem services (ES) loss. To determine the sustainability of possible future land-use practices, it is important to anticipate likely future changes to biodiversity and ES. This can help stakeholders and decision-makers to understand and assess the viability of current development policies and design alternative future pathways. Focusing on a biodiversity hotspot in southwestern Ethiopia, we considered four future land-use scenarios (namely: ‘Gain over grain’, ‘Coffee and conservation’, ‘Mining green gold’ and ‘Food first’ scenarios) that were developed in an earlier project via participatory scenario planning. We modelled and mapped the spatial distribution of six ES (erosion control, carbon storage, coffee production, crop production, livestock feed, and woody-plant richness) for the current landscape and the four scenarios. Our results show that potential ES changes differed strongly across the scenarios. Changes were strongest for land-use scenarios involving large-scale agricultural intensification; and changes were not uniformly distributed across the landscape. Smallholder farmers specializing on cash crops (‘Gain over grain’ scenario) would likely cause little change to ES generation, but major losses in ES would result from expanding either food or coffee production (‘Mining green gold’ and ‘Food first’). Finally, the ‘Coffee and conservation’ scenario appears to be the most sustainable scenario because it would secure diverse ES for the long term. Our findings provide valuable input for decision-makers and stakeholders and could help to identify sustainable land-use options.

Exploring occupational therapy practice in Australian residential aged care facilities: A cross-sectional survey.

Occupational therapy in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) can enhance residents' occupational engagement and wellbeing. However, industry reports suggest that occupational therapists in Australian RACFs have mostly provided physical therapies such as pain management via massage and not addressed residents' occupations. There is limited literature on what constitutes occupational therapists' practice in RACFs to inform policy and practice. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to explore practice patterns of occupational therapists working in Australian RACFs and influences on their practice. Occupational therapists working in Australian RACFs were invited from July 2019 to March 2020 to complete a self-report online questionnaire via email and advertisements on industry websites, newsletters, and social media. The questionnaire asked therapists about their caseload, referrals, assessments, and interventions. Data were analysed descriptively and presented as frequencies and percentages. A total of 214 occupational therapists completed the survey. Occupational therapists' daily practice largely focussed on pain management; other areas of practice included falls prevention, pressure care, and mobility. The Aged Care Funding Instrument in place at the time of the survey was identified as the leading factor influencing therapists' choice of assessments and interventions. Organisational policies and procedures were also perceived as key factors influencing occupational therapy practice. This paper highlights the influence of government funding and organisational policies in limiting occupational therapists' scope of practice and their ability to fully address the occupational needs of residents. Occupational therapists and the profession in general should be aware of factors in aged care funding models, and their application, that restrict occupational therapy practice and inhibit residents' function and advocate for change where needed. With the introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification funding model replacing Aged Care Funding Instrument, future research should explore potential changes to therapists practice following the implementation of the new funding model.

Physicochemical and Sensory Characterization of Whey Protein-Enriched Semihard Cheese.

In view of potential future changes of German food legislation with regard to cheese product quality parameters, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of whey protein-enriched semihard cheese (WPEC). Model WPEC was produced in a pilot plant and on an industrial scale by adding defined amounts of high-heat (HH) milk to the cheese milk and comprehensively analyzed during cheese processing. The dry matter, total protein, pure protein, fat, and sodium chloride content of six-week ripened cheese samples were not significantly different (p < 0.05) when the technologically necessary heating of the curd was adapted to the amount of HH milk. However, the ripening, firmness, and melting behavior of WPEC was different compared to cheese without HH milk. During ripening, no formation of whey protein peptides was observed, but differences in the amount of some bitter peptides deriving from the casein fraction were found. Sensory data suggested a slightly more bitter taste perception by the panelists for the WPEC. Further technological adjustments are recommended to obtain marketable WPEC.

Can Ensemble Techniques and Large-Scale Fire Datasets Improve Predictions of Forest Fire Probability Due to Climate Change?—A Case Study from the Republic of Korea

The frequency of forest fires worldwide has increased recently due to climate change, leading to severe and widespread damage. In this study, we investigate potential changes in the fire susceptibility of areas in South Korea arising from climate change. We constructed a dataset of large-scale forest fires from the past decade and employed it in machine learning models that integrate climatic, socioeconomic, and environmental variables to assess the risk of forest fires. According to the results of these models, the eastern region is identified as highly vulnerable to forest fires during the baseline period, while the western region is classified as relatively safe. However, in the future, certain areas along the western coast are predicted to become more susceptible to forest fires. Consequently, as climate change continues, the risk of domestic forest fires is expected to increase, leading to the need for proactive prevention measures and careful management. This study contributes to the understanding of forest fire occurrences under diverse climate scenarios.

Be careful about what you wish for in NHS patient safety reform.

John Tingle and Amanda Cattini discuss some recent reports on potential changes to litigation procedures for patient harm cases and to the Never Events framework.