Time Of Collection Research Articles

Kelps may compensate for low nitrate availability by using regenerated forms of nitrogen, including urea and ammonium.

Nitrate, the form of nitrogen often associated with kelp growth, is typically low in summer during periods of high macroalgal growth. More ephemeral, regenerated forms of nitrogen, such as ammonium and urea, are much less studied as sources of nitrogen for kelps, despite the relatively high concentrations of regenerated nitrogen found in the Southern California Bight, where kelps are common. To assess how nitrogen uptake by kelps varies by species and nitrogen form in southern California, USA, we measured uptake rates of nitrate, ammonium, and urea by Macrocystis pyrifera and Eisenia arborea individuals from four regions characterized by differences in nitrogen availability-Orange County, San Pedro, eastern Santa Catalina Island, and western Santa Catalina Island-during the summers of 2021 and 2022. Seawater samples collected at each location showed that overall nitrogen availability was low, but ammonium and urea were often more abundant than nitrate. We also quantified the internal %nitrogen of each kelp blade collected, which was positively associated with ambient environmental nitrogen concentrations at the time of collection. We observed that both kelp species readily took up nitrate, ammonium, and urea, with M. pyrifera taking up nitrate and ammonium more efficiently than E. arborea. Urea uptake efficiency for both species increased as internal percent nitrogen decreased. Our results indicate that lesser-studied, more ephemeral forms of nitrogen can readily be taken up by these kelps, with possible upregulation of urea uptake as nitrogen availability declines.

PSIII-4 Evaluating the variability of the dual sugar absorption test as a measure of intestinal permeability in pigs

Abstract The intestinal barrier of pigs can be compromised by many factors including health challenges, off-feed events, and environmental stressors. If dysregulated barrier function is caught early, proper treatment can be initiated to potentially prevent more severe complications to overall health. However, there are few procedures to measure intestinal function in pigs that are both validated, sensitive, and minimally invasive. In this research, the dual sugar test using lactulose and mannitol was conducted on a total of 534 pigs of varying age, sex, body weight (BW), and health status. Each pig received the same oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight lactulose and 50 mg/kg BW mannitol, and blood was collected either 60 or 240 min following the dose. Plasma concentrations of lactulose and mannitol were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography using validated methods. The ratio of lactulose to mannitol absorption (L:M) served as the indicator of barrier function such that a larger L:M ratio was indicative of greater intestinal permeability. In these pigs, L:M ratios ranged from 0 to 6.96. The median L:M ratio was 0.41 while the average was 0.70, indicating that the distribution of the data was right skewed, influenced by 21.0% of pigs exhibiting a L:M of 0. Collecting blood sooner after oral gavage yielded better detectability as only 2.71% of L:M in pigs from the 60 min group was 0 compared with 43.5% from the 240 min group. Ostensibly, an L:M ratio of 0 is biologically relevant, but interpretation of such values is challenging both from statistical and biological perspectives. Intestinal barrier permeability, absorption kinetics between pigs, and delivery efficiency of the L:M solution may all affect lactulose absorption yielding a ratio of 0. In general, the data werewere highly variable, with a standard deviation of 0.95, so a regression analysis was performed to determine which factors may be influencing this variation. Neither a forward nor a backward elimination model determined any of the five explanatory variables (i.e., BW, timing of blood collection, health status, age, or sex) to be significant. Additional correlational analyses further confirmed that there were no significant interactions. Overall, it appears that these factors do not help to explain the variability in the L:M ratio. Further investigation is warranted to validate this process and understand the source and impact of L:M ratios equaling 0.

PSIV-A-10 Pilot study: Acute changes in mare milk composition in response to concentrate feeding

Abstract Evaluating dietary effects on mare milk composition is important for optimizing nutrition programs for broodmares. Additionally, accurately measuring milk composition is important for many research studies. Different techniques have been used to collect milk samples, however, the effect time of collection after feeding has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term changes in mare milk composition after a concentrate meal. We hypothesized that milk composition, specifically lactose, follows a similar pattern as blood glucose after a high starch meal. Milk samples were collected from four mares at 6 to 7 d postpartum. Baseline blood samples and milk samples were collected, then mares were fed a concentrate meal containing 0.697 g starch/kg body weight (BW). Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture at 60, 120, 240, 360, and 480 min postprandial. Blood glucose was measured using a glucometer (OneTouch Ultra 2, LifeScan, USA). Milk samples were collected every 60 min for 480 min postprandial. Foals were muzzled for 60 min intervals and allowed to nurse at each time point to induce milk ejection. Milk samples (> 50 mL) were collected by hand while foals nursed. Milk lactose was measured using an infrared-based milk analyzer (MilkoScan FT+, Foss, Denmark). Area under the curve for lactose and glucose were calculated using the trapezoid method. Changes over time in milk lactose and blood glucose were evaluated using mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate relationships between variables (SAS 9.4). Results were considered significant when P < 0.05. There was a change over time in milk lactose after the concentrate meal (P < 0.0001). Milk lactose was the least pre-feeding (59.0 ± 0.50 g/L) and greatest between 240 to 360 min postprandial (61.6 ± 0.47 g/L; P < 0.05). Blood glucose changed over time after the concentrate meal (P = 0.0365). Pre-feeding glucose was 88.25 ± 2.10 mg/dL which increased to 126.75 ± 10.82 mg/dL by 60 min postprandial (P < 0.05). By 240 min blood glucose was similar to pre-feeding (91.25 ± 6.90 mg/dL; P >0.05). Mean blood glucose AUC was 663 and mean milk lactose AUC was 834. Time to peak glucose was 82.5 min whereas time to peak milk lactose was 225 min. There was no relationship between peak blood glucose and peak milk lactose (P = 0.7311) or AUC for blood glucose or milk lactose (P = 0.8256). The lack of significant relationships may be due to the small sample size. The results from this pilot study demonstrated short term changes in milk lactose after a concentrate meal. Collecting milk samples between 240 to 360 min may be suitable to evaluate dietary effects on milk lactose. However, additional research is needed to evaluate other milk components.

Project ECHO®: a global cross-sectional examination of implementation success

BackgroundOrganizations implement innovations to disrupt the status quo and create value. Within sectors such as healthcare, innovations need to navigate large scale system and organizational factors to succeed. This research explores the implementation of a global innovation– Project ECHO®. Project ECHO® is a validated virtual communities of practice model organizational teams implement to build workforce capacity and capability. Project ECHO® has experienced broad global adoption, particularly within the healthcare sector, and is experiencing growth across other sectors. This study sought to examine the state of implementation success for Project ECHO® globally, to understand how these implementations compare across geographic and sectoral contexts, and understand what enablers/barriers exist for organizational teams implementing the innovation.MethodsAn empirical study was conducted to collect data on 54 Project ECHO® implementation success indicators across an international sample. An online survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to all Project ECHO® hub organizations globally to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsThe 54 implementation success indicators measured in this survey revealed that the adoption of Project ECHO® across 13 organizations varied on a case-by-case basis, with a strong rate of adoption within the healthcare sector. Implementation teams from these organizations successfully implemented Project ECHO® within 12–18 months after completing Immersion partner launch training and operated 51 ECHO® Networks at the time of data collection. Implementation teams which liaised more regularly with ECHO® Superhub mentors often went on to launch a higher number of ECHO® Networks that were sustained over the longer term. This suggests that these implementation teams better aligned and consolidated their Project ECHO® pilots as new innovations within the local context and strategic organizational priorities. Access to research and evaluation capability, and a more automated digital client relationship management system were key limitations to showcasing implementation success outcomes experienced by the majority of implementation teams.ConclusionsThese findings make a valuable contribution to address a knowledge gap regarding how a global sample of organizations adopting Project ECHO® measured and reported their implementation successes. Key successes included pre-launch experimentation and expansion, Superhub mentorship, stakeholder engagement, and alignment to strategic priorities.

Induction of volatile organic compounds in chrysanthemum plants following infection by Rhizoctonia solani.

This study investigated the effects of Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn infestation on the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and biochemical composition of ten cultivars of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium /Ramat./ Hemsl.) to bring new insights for future disease management strategies and the development of resistant chrysanthemum cultivars. The chrysanthemum plants were propagated vegetatively and cultivated in a greenhouse under semi-controlled conditions. VOCs emitted by the plants were collected using a specialized system and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Biochemical analyses of the leaves were performed, including the extraction and quantification of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. The emission of VOCs varied among the cultivars, with some cultivars producing a wider range of VOCs compared to others. The analysis of the VOC emissions from control plants revealed differences in both their quality and quantity among the tested cultivars. R. solani infection influenced the VOC emissions, with different cultivars exhibiting varying responses to the infection. Statistical analyses confirmed the significant effects of cultivar, collection time, and their interaction on the VOCs. Correlation analyses revealed positive relationships between certain pairs of VOCs. The results show significant differences in the biochemical composition among the cultivars, with variations in chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds content. Interestingly, R. solani soil and leaf infestation decreased the content of carotenoids in chrysanthemums. Plants subjected to soil infestation were characterized with the highest content of phenolics. This study unveils alterations in the volatile and biochemical responses of chrysanthemum plants to R. solani infestation, which can contribute to the development of strategies for disease management and the improvement of chrysanthemum cultivars with enhanced resistance to R. solani.

Effects of Acupuncture on Autonomic Nervous System Parameters and Salivary Cortisol Level Among Mental Stress University Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Stress is a common and often unavoidable aspect of daily life that can negatively impact the autonomic nervous system, which controls the functions of internal organs and glands. Chronic stress has been associated with an imbalance in autonomic nervous system function, leading to a range of health conditions. Acupuncture is a medical treatment modality that has been applied to health care in different dimensions including physical, mental, and spiritual. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure, heart rate, and salivary cortisol level in mild stress university students, a population particularly vulnerable to stress. Twenty-eight university students were recruited and divided into two groups, a real acupuncture group and a sham acupuncture group. Heart rate, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol level were evaluated before and after a 30-minute acupuncture session on the ST36 acupoint. The results showed that the real acupuncture group had a significant decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, whereas the sham acupuncture group showed no change. Both groups had a slightly decrease in salivary cortisol level with no statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference in the decrease of systolic blood pressure and heart rate after acupuncture between the two groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups in salivary cortisol level after acupuncture. The findings suggest that the acupuncture can be a valuable treatment for restoring balance to the symptoms of the autonomic nervous system in university students experiencing stress. A larger sample size, a non-intervention control, as well as different sources and times of cortisol collection, could contribute to the validation of the findings in this study.

Abstract PS06-03: Differences in ctDNA genomic profiles and outcomes of Black and White patients with metastatic breast cancer: results from a large multicenter consortium

Abstract Background: Black breast cancer patients have a well-documented survival disparity when compared to White patients. It is imperative to explore the reasons for this disparity from both a socioeconomic and biological perspective. Prior studies evaluating somatic genetic differences have primarily focused on tumor tissue analysis, which could be limited by inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing allows for non-invasive detection of these heterogenous somatic mutations in the peripheral blood. We hypothesized that there could be differences in cancer-specific genetic profiles across Black and White patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and that these differences may impact treatment response and clinical outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included a total of 1327 patients with MBC who were treated at Washington University in St. Louis (N=474 patients), Massachusetts General Hospital (N=412), and Northwestern University (N=441). All patients underwent ctDNA profiling using the commercially available Guardant360 assay. Race information was patient-reported, and ancestry data were not available. Descriptive analysis of clinical variables and pathway variants was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to evaluate single gene mutations and genetic pathways in both the entire cohort and the hormone-receptor positive (HR+), HER2-negative population (HR+/HER2-). The potential prognostic impact of these somatic mutations was assessed through multivariate analysis in both White and Black patient populations. Results: The cohort of 1327 patients included 1057 White patients (79.6%) and 140 Black patients (10.5%). The remaining patients (9.9%) were not included in the analysis due to low numbers. Black patients had significantly higher rates of GATA3 single nucleotide variants (snv) (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.07-4.25, P=0.03), PTPN11 snv (OR 7.90, CI 1.10-56.56, P=0.04), and CCND2 copy number variants (cnv) (OR 3.78, CI 1.51-9.45, P=0.004). These alterations were also significantly more common in Black patients in the HR+/HER2- population (N = 812) for GATA3 snv (OR 2.28, CI 1.09-4.76, P=0.028), PTPN11 snv (OR 16.60, CI 1.49-184.93, p=0.022), and CCND2 cnv (OR 4.17, CI 1.02-16.97, P=0.046). Multivariate analysis confirmed that GATA3 snv (OR 2.23, CI 1.12-4.45, P=0.023) and CCND2 cnv (OR 3.97, CI 1.59-9.94, P=0.003) were significantly more common in Black patients in both the full cohort and HR+/HER2- subset. Mutations in the PI3K pathway were more prevalent in White patients, but this difference was not statistically significant in univariate or multivariate analysis. Overall survival (OS) from time of ctDNA collection was significantly worse in Black patients compared to White patients when corrected for lines of therapy and sites of metastasis (median 22 vs. 29 months, log-rank test, P=0.03). Among HR+/HER2- patients specifically, worse prognosis in White patients was associated with TP53 snv (HR 1.55, CI 1.19-2.01, P=0.001), NF1 snv (HR 1.99, CI 1.11-3.56, P=0.021), MYC cnv (HR 1.76, CI 1.09-2.87, P=0.02), PIK3CA cnv pathway (HR 1.69, CI 1.07-2.66, P=0.024), and MYC cnv pathway (HR 1.85, CI 1.15-2.97, P=0.011). No significant gene mutation or pathway association was found in Black patients. Prognostic differences in the cohort based on clinical, pathological, and treatment history were also explored and will be presented. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the largest clinical genomic dataset examining ctDNA differences across Black and White patients. Our findings revealed that Black patients had higher frequencies of GATA3 snv and CCND2 cnv. The shorter OS observed in Black patients in our study aligns with previous studies and is likely multifactorial, especially given the early separation of the survival curves. Future research should focus on both socioeconomic and genetic factors to explain this disparity. Citation Format: Emily Podany, Lorenzo Foffano, Lorenzo Gerratana, Arielle Medford, Katherine Clifton, Whitney Hensing, Renee Morecroft, Marko Velimirovic, Ami Shah, Carolina REDUZZI, Laura Munoz Arcos, Charles S. Dai, Jennifer Keenan, Elyssa Denault, Foluso Ademuyiwa, Fabio Puglisi, Cynthia Ma, Aditya Bardia, Massimo Cristofanilli, Andrew Davis. Differences in ctDNA genomic profiles and outcomes of Black and White patients with metastatic breast cancer: results from a large multicenter consortium [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS06-03.

Abstract PO4-15-04: Differential genomic profiling of progesterone receptor (PR) negative, estrogen receptor (ER) positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) through circulating tumor DNA

Abstract Background: MBC is usually classified based on ER and HER2 status. Although the absence of PR expression is commonly associated with a poorer response to endocrine therapy (ET) and an unfavorable prognosis, data regarding the underlining molecular features that occur in this subgroup are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate genomic differences between ER/PRpos HER2neg (PRpos) and ERpos PR/HER2neg (PRneg) MBC through circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiling in a large multicenter consortium. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a cohort of 1089 patients at Weill Cornell Medicine, Northwestern University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Washington University in St. Louis with HER2neg MBC and ctDNA testing by Guardant360. Oncogenic pathway status (i.e., RTK, RAS, RAF, MEK, NRF2, ER, WNT, MYC, P53, cell cycle, notch, and PI3K) was defined based on previous research (Sanchez-Vega et al. Cell, 2018). Associations across single nucleotide variations (SNVs), copy number variations (CNVs), pathway classification, and ER/PR status were tested by multinomial logistic regression and corrected for significant clinical characteristics (i.e., lines of treatment, metastatic sites). Prognosis was analyzed through Cox regression for overall survival (OS) defined from time of ctDNA collection. Results: Among the 1089 analyzed patients, PRpos was the most represented subtype (N:580, 53%), followed by PRneg (N:300, 28%) and Triple Negative (TNBC) (N:209, 19%). In the hormone receptor positive subgroup, bone (N:663, 75%), liver (N:323, 37%) and lymph nodes (N:314, 36%) were the main sites of distant involvement. The TNBC group was exposed to significantly fewer lines of therapy (RRR:0.37, P= 0.005 for ≥5 lines). As compared to PRneg, TNBC had less frequent and PRpos had more frequent bone involvement (RRR:0.44, P< 0.001 and RRR:1.80, P< 0.001, respectively) and less frequent liver involvement (RRR:0.64, P=0.019 and RRR:0.71, P=0.020, respectively for TNBC and PRpos). After multivariable analysis, a significant difference with respect to PRneg was observed in SNVs for the PI3K and P53 pathways for TNBC (RRR 0.49 P = 0.013 and RRR 4.06 P < 0.001, respectively) but not for PRpos. On a single gene level, a lower incidence in CDH1 SNVs (RRR 0.09 P = 0.036) and a higher incidence of ESR1 SNVs (RRR 0.09 P = 0.036) was present in PRpos compared to PRneg. TNBC, on the other hand, was characterized by a lower prevalence of KRAS SNVs (RRR 0.09 P = 0.036) and PIK3CA SNVs (RRR 0.25 P < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of TP53 SNVs (RRR 0.09 P < 0.001). No ESR1mutations were detected in TNBC. Median OS was 15 months (mo) for TNBC, 21 mo for PRneg and 31 mo for PRpos (P < 0.001). The differential prognostic impact of ctDNA features on OS was then analyzed across the PRpos and PRneg subpopulations. ESR1 SNVs was prognostic for both subgroups in univariable analysis (HR 2.19 P < 0.001 and HR 1.96 P = 0.001 for PRpos and PRneg, respectively). In multivariable analysis corrected for lines of therapy, ESR1 SNVs retained its significance only in the PRpos subgroup (HR 1.41 P = 0.021) together with NF1 SNVs (HR 2.04 P = 0.034). On the other hand, TP53 SNVs had a significant impact on OS in the PRneg subgroup (HR 2.02 P = 0.014). Conclusions: Our study confirmed the prognostic impact of PR status in ER positive, HER2 negative MBC. Moreover, it suggested a differential profile in terms of ctDNA-detectable genomic features and their impact on survival, including well-established markers such as ESR1 SNVs, with a potential relevance for disease subtyping and future algorithms for drug development trials. Citation Format: Lorenzo Gerratana, Andrew Davis, Arielle Medford, Carolina Reduzzi, Katherine Clifton, Emily Podany, Whitney Hensing, Marko Velimirovic, Ami N. Shah, Lorenzo Foffano, Laura Munoz Arcos, Eleonora Nicolò, Charles S. Dai, Jennifer Keenan, Amir Behdad, Seth Wander, William Gradishar, Cynthia Ma, Fabio Puglisi, Aditya Bardia, Massimo Cristofanilli. Differential genomic profiling of progesterone receptor (PR) negative, estrogen receptor (ER) positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) through circulating tumor DNA [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-15-04.

Evaluation of Tricyclic Antidepressant Deprescribing in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy within Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a treatment option for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Existing evidence demonstrates the prolonged use of TCA therapy increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, likely due to the anticholinergic effects of these medications. The anticholinergic activity is thought to contribute significantly to the observed increase in cognitive decline and dementia risks associated with long-term TCA use. There is little information available to describe the usage patterns of TCAs in DPN, particularly within underserved populations who receive care at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The objective of this study was to characterize: 1) prescribing patterns of TCAs as a treatment for DPN and 2) evidence of deprescribing attempts in a FQHC population. A retrospective chart review of electronic medical record (EMR) data for patients at two different FQHCs was performed. A convenience sample of 100 adults ≥ 18 years of age was stratified into two age groups, 18-55 years, and 55+ years. All patients had a diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus and had been prescribed TCAs in the previous four years and had a visit with a primary care provider (PCP) in the past 12 months. The study population was comprised of 100 individuals. Seventy-four of 100 were persistent users of TCAs at the time of data collection, and the mean duration of utilization was 54.8 months. In total, 104 TCAs were prescribed across 100 individual patients. Of all 104 prescribed TCAs, 66 (63%) were prescribed at a rate that exceeded thresholds associated with a higher risk of dementia. Black older adults prescribed TCAs were more likely to exceed this dose threshold. 65% of patients used TCAs with a strength, frequency, and duration that exceeded risk thresholds for dementia in an older adult population. Interventions preventing use of or deprescribing TCAs in patients with DPN should be conducted for the potential benefits of preventing or delaying cognitive impairment and promoting equitable care.

EXERCISE & CANCER PROGRAM: A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO PROVIDE PRESCRIPTIVE EXERCISE OUTSIDE OF THE CLINICAL HEALTHCARE SETTING

CASE SETTING This study implemented a standardized exercise program for oncology patients in the Latrobe Valley region of Gippsland, Australia, aiming to assess its potential transferability to other regions. This was undertaken due to a lack of structured services available in Gippsland, limiting patient access to these programs, in which patients having to travel up to 2 hours for treatment in Melbourne. TREATMENT Implementation of a standardized exercise program for oncology patients, developed by a multidisciplinary team of exercise physiologists, oncology health professionals, and leisure centre fitness professionals. Exercise Physiologists conducted initial assessments and patients were placed in either individual, group exercise sessions and/or home-based programs. RESULTS The program demonstrated significant improvements in both physical and psychological well-being. The program has received 73 referrals, of which 48 participants completed initial assessments with an Exercise Physiologist. Of the remaining 25 participants, 2 were discharged to other services due to their location outside the program’s jurisdiction, 18 withdrew or did not attend their appointments, and 5 are currently on the waitlist for assessment. At the time of data collection, 17 participants had completed their reassessments.100% of participants improved on at least one physical test, and all participants improved on one of their subjective measures (fatigue, depression, anxiety, self-worth). Additionally, participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the program’s psycho-social support and the benefits of exercising outside a healthcare setting. REFLECTIONS/LEARNINGS This program successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration between healthcare services and leisure centres in delivering sustainable exercise programs for oncology patients outside of the healthcare setting. It also highlighted the value of providing both physical and psycho-social support, with the inclusion of care coordinators significantly reducing burdens on health services. The program’s success suggests strong potential for transferability to other regions.

Pollen Amount and Viability in Mchare and Selected Wild (AA) Banana (Musa acuminata) Genotypes: Prospects for Breeding

East African diploid cooking bananas, commonly called Mchare, are a staple crop for millions of subsistence farmers in Tanzania, particularly in the Pangani region in northern Tanzania. Several pathogens constrain Mchare production significantly and threaten food security. Sources of resistance to these pathogens have been identified; however, partial male and female sterility impedes successful resistance introgression, complicating the breeding process. Mchare cultivars are also the only known surviving representatives of a diploid banana subgroup that contributed unreduced gametes to many of the most widely grown and successful triploid dessert bananas (‘Cavendish’, ‘Gros-Michel’, ‘Silk’, and ‘Prata’). As such, they represent an essential intermediate step in the conventional improvement of bananas worldwide. We assess the amount and viability of pollen among Mchare and wild genotypes to identify the most fertile Mchare cultivars that can be used in conventional banana improvement. Pollen was collected from 14 banana genotypes for quantification and viability testing over 7 months, and the optimal time for pollen collection was determined to be 0800 HR. Significant variation among banana genotypes in terms of both overall pollen production and percentage of pollen viability was observed. The wild-type bananas ‘Calcutta 4’ (Indian Trade Classification (ITC) 0249] and ‘Borneo’ (ITC0253) had the greatest overall pollen production (> 31,000 pollen grains/anther) and viability (∼74%), whereas ‘Ijihu Inkundu’ (ITC1460; Mchare genotype) was the least productive (almost completely sterile), with an average pollen production of a few hundred grains per anther and a viability of 7%. There were significant differences among months in terms of pollen viability, with the greatest average viability observed in May, April, and February (> 51%), and the lowest average pollen viability in July (41%). Significant differences were observed among the Mchare genotypes, with ‘Huti-White’, ‘Huti green bell’ (ITC1559), and ‘Mchare Laini’ consistently producing more substantial amounts of total pollen and an overall more significant proportion of viable pollen. This information is vital to improve Mchare bananas and the global breeding of dessert bananas. The choice of Mchare banana used in improvement programs could affect fertility and the likelihood of breeding success.

Swedish massage as an adjunct approach to Help suppOrt individuals Pregnant after Experiencing a prior Stillbirth (HOPES): a convergent parallel mixed-methods single-arm feasibility trial protocol

BackgroundWomen experiencing pregnancy after stillbirth experience high levels of anxiety, fear and depression. Standard antenatal care may be emotionally unsuitable for many women at this time, and there is a lack of evidence on what interventions or approaches to care might benefit these women. Therapeutic massage may assist women after stillbirth by decreasing anxiety, worry and stress.ObjectiveThis paper outlines the objectives, methodology, outcome and assessment measures for the Helping suppOrt individuals Pregnant after Experiencing a Stillbirth (HOPES) feasibility trial which evaluates massage as an adjunct approach to care for pregnant women who have experienced a prior stillbirth. It also outlines data collection timing and considerations for analysing the data.MethodsHOPES will use a convergent parallel mixed-methods, single-arm repeated measures trial design in trained massage therapists’ private clinics across Australia. HOPES aims to recruit 75 individuals pregnant after a previous stillbirth. The intervention is massage therapy treatments, and participants will receive up to five massages within a 4-month period at intervals of their choosing. Primary quantitative outcomes are the feasibility and acceptability of the massage intervention. Secondary outcomes include determining the optimal timing of massage therapy delivery and the collection of measures for anxiety, worry, stress and self-management. A thematic analysis of women’s experiences undertaking the intervention will also be conducted. A narrative and joint display approach to integrate mixed-methods data is planned.DiscussionThe HOPES study will determine the feasibility and preliminary evidence for massage therapy as an intervention to support women who are pregnant after a stillbirth.Trial registration.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05636553. Registered on December 3, 2022, and the trial is ongoing.

PASC (Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19) is associated with decreased neutralizing antibody titers in both biological sexes and increased ANG-2 and GM-CSF in females.

Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or the continuation of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) symptoms past 12weeks may affect as many as 30% of people recovering from a SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2) infection. The mechanisms regulating the development of PASC are currently not known; however, hypotheses include virus reservoirs, pre-existing conditions, microblood clots, immune dysregulation, as well as poor antibody responses. Importantly, virus neutralizing antibodies are essential for COVID-19 recovery and protection from reinfection but there is currently limited information on these immune regulators and associated cytokines in PASC patients. Understanding the key drivers of general and specific symptoms associated with Long COVID and the presence of virus neutralizing antibodies in PASC will aid in the development of therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines which currently do not exist. We designed a cross-sectional study to investigate systemic antibody and cytokine responses during COVID-19 recovery and PASC. In total, 195 participants were recruited in one of four groups: (1) Those who never had COVID-19 (No COVID); (2) Those in acute COVID-19 recovery (Acute Recovery) (4-12weeks post infection); (3) Those who recovered from COVID-19 (Recovered) (+ 12weeks from infection); and (4) those who had PASC (PASC) (+ 12weeks from infection). Participants completed a questionnaire on health history, sex, gender, demographics, experiences with COVID-19 acute and COVID-19 recovery/continuing symptoms. Serum samples collected were evaluated for antibody binding to viral proteins, virus neutralizing antibody titers, and serum cytokine levels using Ella SimplePlex Immunoassay™ panels. We found participants with PASC reported more pre-existing conditions (e.g. such as hypertension, asthma, and obesity), and PASC symptoms (e.g. fatigue, brain fog, headaches, and shortness of breath) following COVID-19 than COVID-19 Recovered individuals. Importantly, we found PASC individuals to have significantly decreased levels of neutralizing antibodies toward both SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron BA.1 variant. Sex analysis indicated that female PASC study participants had sustained antibody levels as well as levels of the inflammatory cytokines GM-CSF and ANG-2 over time following COVID-19. Our study reports people experiencing PASC had lower levels of virus neutralizing antibodies; however, the results are limited by the collection time post-COVID-19 and post-vaccination. Moreover, we found females experiencing PASC had sustained levels of GM-CSF and ANG-2. With lower levels of virus neutralizing antibodies, this data suggests that PASC individuals not only have had a suboptimal antibody response during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection but may also have increased susceptibility to subsequent infections which may exacerbate or prolong current PASC illnesses. We also provide evidence suggesting GM-CSF and ANG-2 to play a role in the sex-bias of PASC. Taken together, our findings maybe important for understanding immune molecular drivers of PASC and PASC subgroups.

An audit to review the prescribing and monitoring of high-intensity statin therapy in acute coronary syndrome patients

Abstract Introduction High-intensity statin therapy (HIST) is recommended as secondary prevention following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Prior to initiating a statin, a baseline liver function test (LFT) and lipid profile are required, which should be repeated in primary care after 3 months for safety purposes and to measure efficacy. Targets to measure efficacy are defined as part of local, national[1] and European guidance.[2] Aim To investigate if a National Health Service (NHS) Health Board are compliant with current guidance on the prescribing and monitoring of HIST in ACS patients. Methods A retrospective audit of all new ACS diagnoses in the NHS Ayrshire & Arran in June 2022 was undertaken using inpatient prescribing data. The Clinical Portal system was used to obtain LFT and lipid profile results and these were recorded in Microsoft Excel for analysis. Results The patient cohort (n=57) was 58% male, with a mean age of 69 years. LFTs were measured in 96.5% patients on admission and 84.2% at follow-up. Conclusion HIST with Atorvastatin 80mg was initiated in most cases (84.2%), with appropriate clinical exceptions. HIST appeared effective with 78.9% of patients achieving a 40% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol and 63% of patients achieving an LDL-C target of <1.8mmol/L. These results highlight the need for clinical review at 3 months to optimise lipid lowering therapy as 37% of patients had not met an LDL-C target of <1.8mmol/L. Interpretation of this data is limited by small sample size due to limited allocation of time for data collection and by the fact that not all patients had both baseline and follow-up lipid profiles taken so it cannot be determined if they met treatment targets (n=38). There is a need for the NHS Health Board to improve lipid profile monitoring of HIST as although LFTs were measured in 96.5% patients on admission and 84.2% at follow-up, only 73.7% had a baseline lipid profile and 47.4% at follow-up. As both are measured using the same blood sample, it is suggested that targeted clinician education regarding lipid profile requesting alongside LFTs could significantly improve adherence to audit standards.

The impact of COVID-19 on the peer relationships of adolescents around the world: A rapid systematic review.

The main objective of this rapid systematic review was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted peer relationships for adolescents (10-25 years of age) around the globe. We focused on four indices of peer relationships: (1) loneliness, (2) social connectedness, (3) social support, and (4) social media use. In addition, we examined gender and age differences. Four databases (APA PsychInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for articles published from January 2020 to November 2022. A total of 96 studies (cross-sectional: n = 66, longitudinal: n = 30, quantitative: n = 67, qualitative: n = 12, mixed-methods: n = 17) met our inclusion criteria (empirical observational studies with data on at least one of the indices of interest, cross-sectional data on COVID-19-related experiences or longitudinal data collected during the pandemic, age range of 10-25 years, typically developing adolescents). We extracted data and conducted a narrative synthesis. Findings suggest that COVID-19 disruptions negatively impacted peer relationships for youth. Most studies reported either an increase in loneliness over the course of the pandemic or a positive association between loneliness and COVID-19-related experiences. Similar findings were observed for increased social media use as a means of continued communication and connection. Fewer studies focused on social support but those that did reported a decrease or negative association with COVID-19-related experiences. Lastly, findings suggest a mixed impact on social connectedness, which might be due to the strengthening of closer ties and weakening of more distant relationships. Results for gender differences were mixed, and a systematic comparison of differences across ages was not possible. The heterogeneity in measures of COVID-19-related experiences as well as timing of data collection prevented a more nuanced examination of short and more long-term impacts.

Predicting Soil Organic Matter, Available Nitrogen, Available Phosphorus and Available Potassium in a Black Soil Using a Nearby Hyperspectral Sensor System

Black soils, which play an important role in agricultural production and food security, are well known for their relatively high content of soil organic matter (SOM). SOM has a significant impact on the sustainability of farmland and provides nutrients for plants. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) in the visible and near-infrared region has shown the potential to detect soil nutrient levels in the laboratory. However, using portable spectrometers directly in the field remains challenging due to variations in soil moisture (SM). The current study used spectral data captured by a handheld spectrometer outdoors to predict SOM, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) with different SM levels. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were established to compare the predictive performance of air-dried soil samples with SMs around 20%, 30% and 40%. The results showed that the model established using dry sample data had the best performance (RMSE = 4.47 g/kg) for the prediction of SOM, followed by AN (RMSE = 20.92 mg/kg) and AK (RMSE = 22.67 mg/kg). The AP was better predicted by the model based on 30% SM (RMSE = 8.04 mg/kg). In general, model performance deteriorated with an increase in SM, except for the case of AP. Feature wavelengths for predicting four kinds of soil properties were recommended based on variable importance in the projection (VIP), which offered useful guidance for the development of portable hyperspectral sensors based on discrete wavebands to reduce cost and save time for on-site data collection.

DEVELOPMENT OF TIME-EFFICIENT WASTE COLLECTION ROUTES FOR THE UP DILIMAN CAMPUS USING GIS-BASED NETWORK ANALYSIS

Abstract. Accumulation of waste poses significant environmental and public health concerns. Currently, the Campus Maintenance Office (CMO) of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) facilitates all large-scale waste management procedures through contractual means with the Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works of Quezon City (DSQC), being guided by CMO upon entry into UPD. The study aims to create time-efficient routes and maps for the current conditions of UPD and CMO through GIS-based network analyses. The datasets utilized in this study include the current UPD traffic scheme, the managed CMO waste collection points, impedance factors like speed bumps, and digitized and estimated traffic data obtained through combined sources from field measurements and online materials. The workflows for the network analysis in ArcGIS involve the preparation of the road network layer, calibration of the network considering the observed collection routes, and the generation of time-efficient routes with appropriately split collection points for the north and south sectors of UPD. The study's new routes found slightly different collection times than the observed collection routes but were able to accommodate more stops that were not observed during fieldwork in comparison.

The Effects of Psychosocial and Traumatic Stressors on MCI Diagnosis

Background and Objective: Toxic stress exposure can have effects across the lifespan. Studies of civilians and veterans suggest a connection between psychosocial and traumatic stressor exposure in adulthood and a diagnosis of dementia later in life. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of psychosocial and traumatic stressors on rates of MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) diagnosis in Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging participants. Methods: 1,237 twin participants from the VETSA study were aged 61.72 ± 2.44 years at the time of data collection. Traumatic stress was measured by clinical interviewing, with psychosocial stressors quantified by self-report measures. Neuropsychological assessment determined MCI diagnosis. Previously conducted genotyping determined ApoE genotype. Mixed model analysis was used to determine effects on MCI diagnosis. Results: Our results from the mixed model analysis did not find a significant relationship between psychosocial and traumatic stress exposure and MCI diagnosis. PTSD diagnosis, measured by the DIS-III-R, collected for the Harvard Drug Study in 1996 (F = 0.249, p = 0.618) does not have a significant effect on MCI diagnosis. Life stress exposure, measured by the Holmes and Rahe (1967), (F = 0.249, p = 0.618) does not have a significant effect on MCI diagnosis. Significant associations were determined using the Type III fixed effects. Associations were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05, two-tailed. Implications: Few subjects in Wave 2 of VETSA had MCI (n = 147), due in part to the age of the participants at the time (Mean 61.72 ± (2.44 years)). This led to a lack of power in our analysis. Future studies should examine all available VETSA data.

Whole-Blood PCR Preferred for Timely Diagnosis of Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infections: Lessons From the 2021 Arizona Outbreak.

In 2021, the state of Arizona experienced the largest focal outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) in US history. Timely and accurate diagnostic testing remains a challenge for WNV due to transient viremia and limited immunoassay specificity. Recent studies have identified whole blood (WB) and urine as more sensitive specimen types for the detection of WNV RNA. We evaluated ordering practices, test performance, and patient characteristics of probable and confirmed cases. In total, we identified 190 probable and proven cases, including 127 patients (66.8%) with neuroinvasive disease. Among all cases, only 29.5% had WNV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing ordered on WB, of which 80.3% resulted as positive, including 7 cases in which WNV serologic testing was negative and 5 cases for which serologic testing was not ordered. In comparison, only 23.7% of cases that had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PCR ordered had a positive result, including 3 cases that were negative by PCR on WB. In contrast, WNV PCR on WB detected 12 neuroinvasive cases that were CSF PCR negative. WNV PCR testing in urine was only ordered on 2 patients, both of whom were positive. Crossing cycle threshold (Ct) values were not significantly different between WB and CSF specimen types, nor was there a correlation between Ct value and days from symptom onset at the time of sample collection; all specimen types and time points had Ct values, with 98% above 30. WB was positive by WNV PCR in several patients for >7 days (range, 7-25 days) after symptom onset, as was the CSF PCR. Taken together, these findings indicate that WNV PCR testing on WB may be the best initial test for timely diagnosis of WNV infection, irrespective of clinical manifestation; however, if negative in patients with suspected neuroinvasive disease, WNV PCR testing on CSF should be ordered.

Exploring and Establishing a Linguistic Method Illustrated through Exemplary Analyses on Time and Temporality in Text and Speech Collections Across Various Knowledge Domains

ZusammenfassungDer Beitrag reflektiert die Relevanz der Korpushermeneutik in der frühen und mittleren Phase linguistischer Studien anhand von Beispielanalysen zur Zeit(lichkeit) in Text- und Redesammlungen verschiedener Fach- und Wissensdomänen. Wenn Linguisti:innen ihre Fragestellung entwickeln, die Datengrundlage reflektieren und Korpora erstellen, so sind in dieser frühen Phase ebenso korpushermeneutische Fragestellungen von Relevanz wie in der mittleren Phase, in der üblicherweise automatisch und/oder manuell annotiert wird, Analysetools getestet und ausprobiert und erste Pilotstudien durchgeführt werden. Das Konzept der Korpushermeneutik soll dafür sensibilisieren, dass das Korpus als objektivierbare Größe zwar Daten enthält bzw. diesem Daten in iterativen Annotationsverfahren zugeordnet werden können, die sich wiederum in Hinblick auf ihre Frequenz und Distribution messen lassen. Zu einem wesentlichen Teil kann diesem Korpus, seinem Aufbau, seiner Aufbereitung und seiner Analyse zwischen Einzelbeleg und Musterbildung aber nur hermeneutisch im Sinne eines Verstehens- und Interpretationsprozesse begegnet werden. In dem Beitrag wird die These vertreten, dass Verstehen und Interpretieren miteinander verwoben sind und nicht nur für qualitative Analyseschritte relevant sind. Quantitative, also beispielsweise frequenz- und distributionsorientierte Korpusauswertung ist nicht ausschließlich von Mess- und Rechenverfahren geprägt, sondern mit Prozessen des Verstehens und Interpretierens verbunden. Wir interpretieren unsere korpuslinguistischen Daten ebenso, wie Texte und Reden. Mensch und Maschine interagieren in eng verzahnter Weise, bei der ein hermeneutisch sensibler Umgang gefragt ist.