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Acta Biomaterialia Jun 2024In this study, we developed polydopamine (PDA)-functionalized alginate dialdehyde-gelatine (ADA-GEL) scaffolds for subchondral bone regeneration. These polymeric...
In this study, we developed polydopamine (PDA)-functionalized alginate dialdehyde-gelatine (ADA-GEL) scaffolds for subchondral bone regeneration. These polymeric scaffolds were then coated with β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG) at concentrations of 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml. Morphological analysis indicated a homogeneous coating of the β-LG layer on the surface of network-like scaffolds. The β-LG-coated scaffolds exhibited improved swelling capacity as a function of the β-LG concentration. Compared to ADA-GEL/PDA scaffolds, the β-LG-coated scaffolds demonstrated delayed degradation and enhanced biomineralization. Here, a lower concentration of β-LG showed long-lasting stability and superior biomimetic hydroxyapatite mineralization. According to the theoretical findings, the single-state, representing the low concentration of β-LG, exhibited a homogeneous distribution on the surface of the PDA, while the dimer-state (high concentration) displayed a high likelihood of uncontrolled interactions. β-LG-coated ADA-GEL/PDA scaffolds with a lower concentration of β-LG provided a biocompatible substrate that supported adhesion, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) secretion of sheep bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, as well as increased expression of osteopontin (SPP1) and collagen type 1 (COL1A1) in human osteoblasts. These findings indicate the potential of protein-coated scaffolds for subchondral bone tissue regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study addresses a crucial aspect of osteochondral defect repair, emphasizing the pivotal role of subchondral bone regeneration. The development of polydopamine-functionalized alginate dialdehyde-gelatine (ADA-GEL) scaffolds, coated with β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG), represents a novel approach to potentially enhance subchondral bone repair. β-LG, a milk protein rich in essential amino acids and bioactive peptides, is investigated for its potential to promote subchondral bone regeneration. This research explores computationally and experimentally the influence of protein concentration on the ordered or irregular deposition, unravelling the interplay between coating structure, scaffold properties, and in-vitro performance. This work contributes to advancing ordered protein coating strategies for subchondral bone regeneration, providing a biocompatible solution with potential implications for supporting subsequent cartilage repair.
Topics: Alginates; Indoles; Tissue Scaffolds; Animals; Polymers; Bone Regeneration; Gelatin; Sheep; Lactoglobulins; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Aldehydes; Cell Proliferation
PubMed: 38642788
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.04.028 -
PLoS Pathogens Apr 2024Prions or prion-like aggregates such as those composed of PrP, α-synuclein, and tau are key features of proteinopathies such as prion, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's...
Prions or prion-like aggregates such as those composed of PrP, α-synuclein, and tau are key features of proteinopathies such as prion, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, respectively. Their presence on solid surfaces may be biohazardous under some circumstances. PrP prions bound to solids are detectable by ultrasensitive real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assays if the solids can be immersed in assay wells or the prions transferred to pads. Here we show that prion-like seeds can remain detectable on steel wires for at least a year, or even after enzymatic cleaning and sterilization. We also show that contamination of larger objects with pathological seeds of α-synuclein, tau, and PrP can be detected by simply assaying a sampling medium that has been transiently applied to the surface. Human α-synuclein seeds in dementia with Lewy bodies brain tissue were detected by α-synuclein RT-QuIC after drying of tissue dilutions with concentrations as low as 10-6 onto stainless steel. Tau RT-QuIC detected tau seeding activity on steel exposed to Alzheimer's disease brain tissue diluted as much as a billion fold. Prion RT-QuIC assays detected seeding activity on plates exposed to brain dilutions as extreme as 10-5-10-8 from prion-affected humans, sheep, cattle and cervids. Sampling medium collected from surgical instruments used in necropsies of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease-infected transgenic mice was positive down to 10-6 dilution. Sensitivity for prion detection was not sacrificed by omitting the recombinant PrP substrate from the sampling medium during its application to a surface and subsequent storage as long as the substrate was added prior to performing the assay reaction. Our findings demonstrate practical prototypic surface RT-QuIC protocols for the highly sensitive detection of pathologic seeds of α-synuclein, tau, and PrP on solid objects.
Topics: tau Proteins; alpha-Synuclein; Humans; Prion Proteins; Animals; Mice; Brain; Prions; Lewy Body Disease
PubMed: 38640117
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012175 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Apr 2024Functional neuroimaging studies indicate that the human brain can represent concepts and their relational structure in memory using coding schemes typical of spatial...
Functional neuroimaging studies indicate that the human brain can represent concepts and their relational structure in memory using coding schemes typical of spatial navigation. However, whether we can read out the internal representational geometries of conceptual spaces solely from human behavior remains unclear. Here, we report that the relational structure between concepts in memory might be reflected in spontaneous eye movements during verbal fluency tasks: When we asked participants to randomly generate numbers, their eye movements correlated with distances along the left-to-right one-dimensional geometry of the number space (mental number line), while they scaled with distance along the ring-like two-dimensional geometry of the color space (color wheel) when they randomly generated color names. Moreover, when participants randomly produced animal names, eye movements correlated with low-dimensional similarity in word frequencies. These results suggest that the representational geometries used to internally organize conceptual spaces might be read out from gaze behavior.
Topics: Humans; Eye Movements; Brain; Movement; Functional Neuroimaging; Spatial Navigation
PubMed: 38635638
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403858121 -
Implementation Science Communications Apr 2024Embedding researchers into policy and other settings may enhance research capacity within organisations to enable them to become more research active. We aimed to...
BACKGROUND
Embedding researchers into policy and other settings may enhance research capacity within organisations to enable them to become more research active. We aimed to generate an evidence map on evaluations of embedded researcher interventions to (i) identify where systematic reviews and primary research are needed and (ii) develop conceptual understandings of 'embedded researchers'. We define 'embedded researchers' through a set of principles that incorporate elements such as the aim of activities, the types of relationships and learning involved, and the affiliations and identities adopted.
METHODS
We included studies published across all sectors, searching fourteen databases, other web sources and two journals for evaluations published between 1991 and spring 2021. Data were extracted using a coding tool developed for this study. We identified new typologies of embedded researcher interventions through undertaking Latent Class Analysis.
RESULTS
The map describes 229 evaluations spanning a variety of contexts. Our set of principles allowed us to move beyond a narrow focus on embedded researchers in name alone, towards consideration of the wide range of roles, activities, identities, and affiliations related to embedded researchers. We identified 108 different allied terms describing an embedded researcher. Embedded researcher activity spanned a continuum across lines of physical, cultural, institutional, and procedural embeddedness (from weaker to more intense forms of embeddedness) and took a range of forms that bridge or blur boundaries between academia and policy/practice.
CONCLUSIONS
We developed a broad map of international embedded researcher activity in a wide range of sectors. The map suggests that embedded researcher interventions occupy a broader suite of models than previously acknowledged and our findings also offer insight on the type and nature of this literature. Given the clear policy interest in this area, a better understanding of the processes involved with becoming embedded within an organisation is needed. Further work is also necessary to address the challenges of evaluating the work of embedded researchers, including consideration for which outcome measures are most appropriate, to better understand their influence.
PubMed: 38627834
DOI: 10.1186/s43058-024-00570-3 -
International Journal of Systematic and... Apr 2024Phytopathogenic bacteria (MAFF 302110 and MAFF 302107) were isolated from lesions on Japanese angelica trees affected by bacterial soft rot in Yamanashi Prefecture,...
Phytopathogenic bacteria (MAFF 302110 and MAFF 302107) were isolated from lesions on Japanese angelica trees affected by bacterial soft rot in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The strains were Gram-reaction-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile with peritrichous flagella, rod-shaped, and non-spore-forming. The genomic DNA G+C content was 51.1 mol % and the predominant cellular fatty acids included summed feature 3 (C ω7 and/or C ω6), C, summed feature 8 (C ω7 and/or C ω6), summed feature 2 (comprising any combination of C aldehyde, an unknown fatty acid with an equivalent chain length of 10.928, C iso I, and C 3OH), and C. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and gene sequences, along with phylogenomic analysis utilizing whole-genome sequences, consistently placed these strains within the genus . However, their phylogenetic positions did not align with any known species within the genus. Comparative studies involving average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization with the closely related species indicated values below the thresholds employed for the prokaryotic species delineation (95-96 % and 70 %, respectively), with the highest values observed for DPMP315 (92.10 and 47.1 %, respectively). Phenotypic characteristics, cellular fatty acid composition, and a repertoire of secretion systems could differentiate the strains from their closest relatives. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic data obtained in this study show that MAFF 302110/MAFF 302107 represent a novel species of the genus , for which we propose the name sp. nov., designating MAFF 302110 (=ICMP 25161) as the type strain.
Topics: Japan; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Base Composition; Fatty Acids; Sequence Analysis, DNA; DNA, Bacterial; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Bacteria; Angelica; Pectobacterium
PubMed: 38625720
DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006326 -
International Journal of Health Policy... 2024Alcohol industry organisations occupy a prominent position in UK alcohol policy, but their involvement has been contested by public health bodies on the basis that a...
BACKGROUND
Alcohol industry organisations occupy a prominent position in UK alcohol policy, but their involvement has been contested by public health bodies on the basis that a conflict of interest (COI) exists between their economic objectives and those of public health. There are ongoing debates in the research literature about how to conceptualise COI and mitigate this in health research and practise. However, less attention has been paid to these issues in relation to the alcohol industry specifically. This article explores similarities and differences in beliefs among alcohol policy actors regarding COI and the implications of engagement with the alcohol industry in the context of UK public health policy.
METHODS
Semi-structured interviews with a range of policy actors (n=26) including medical professionals, parliamentarians, civil servants, academic researchers, health campaigners, and alcohol industry representatives. Interviews with alcohol industry representatives were supplemented with an analysis of industry responses to a public consultation. All data was thematically coded using NVivo software.
RESULTS
Two competing "coalitions" were identified, expressing beliefs about COI linked to alcohol industry engagement. Both divergent and convergent beliefs were expressed by the two coalitions in relation to the type of industry actor, form of engagement, the policy issue under discussion and the stage of policy process.
CONCLUSION
Alcohol policy is a complex and contested space in which policy actors have differing, nuanced and contingent understandings of COI and identify varying risks associated with alcohol industry engagement. In identifying the areas of convergence and diversion in both understanding and evaluation of COI in alcohol-specific settings, these findings will assist both decision-makers and non-governmental actors in developing policies and guidelines to manage potential COI in future.
Topics: Humans; Conflict of Interest; Public Policy; Ethanol; Public Health; United Kingdom
PubMed: 38618829
DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2024.8068 -
BMC Medical Ethics Apr 2024Despite decades of anti-racism and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) interventions in academic medicine, medical racism continues to harm patients and healthcare...
BACKGROUND
Despite decades of anti-racism and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) interventions in academic medicine, medical racism continues to harm patients and healthcare providers. We sought to deeply explore experiences and beliefs about medical racism among academic clinicians to understand the drivers of persistent medical racism and to inform intervention design.
METHODS
We interviewed academically-affiliated clinicians with any racial identity from the Departments of Family Medicine, Cardiac Sciences, Emergency Medicine, and Medicine to understand their experiences and perceptions of medical racism. We performed thematic content analysis of semi-structured interview data to understand the barriers and facilitators of ongoing medical racism. Based on participant narratives, we developed a logic framework that demonstrates the necessary steps in the process of addressing racism using if/then logic. This framework was then applied to all narratives and the barriers to addressing medical racism were aligned with each step in the logic framework. Proposed interventions, as suggested by participants or study team members and/or identified in the literature, were matched to these identified barriers to addressing racism.
RESULTS
Participant narratives of their experiences of medical racism demonstrated multiple barriers to addressing racism, such as a perceived lack of empathy from white colleagues. Few potential facilitators to addressing racism were also identified, including shared language to understand racism. The logic framework suggested that addressing racism requires individuals to understand, recognize, name, and confront medical racism.
CONCLUSIONS
Organizations can use this logic framework to understand their local context and select targeted anti-racism or EDI interventions. Theory-informed approaches to medical racism may be more effective than interventions that do not address local barriers or facilitators for persistent medical racism.
Topics: Humans; Racism; Data Accuracy; Empathy; Family Practice; Health Personnel
PubMed: 38616267
DOI: 10.1186/s12910-024-01045-9 -
Schizophrenia Research May 2024This survey explores Swiss mental health professionals', users', and relatives' opinions on re-naming schizophrenia exploiting Switzerland's specific multilingualism to...
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS
This survey explores Swiss mental health professionals', users', and relatives' opinions on re-naming schizophrenia exploiting Switzerland's specific multilingualism to examine possible effects of linguistic and microcultural differences on the issue.
STUDY DESIGN
Opinions on 'schizophrenia' were collected using a self-rated online questionnaire incl. Freetext answers available in the three main Swiss languages, German, French and Italian. It was distributed to the main professional and self-help organizations in Switzerland between June and October 2021.
STUDY RESULTS
Overall, 449 persons completed the questionnaire, 263 in German, 172 in French and 14 in Italian. Of the total sample, 339 identified as mental health professionals, 81 as relatives and 29 as users. Considering the whole sample, almost half favored a name-change with a significant difference between stakeholder- and between language groups. Also, the name 'schizophrenia' was evaluated more critically than the diagnostic concept. Qualitative analysis of freetext answers showed a highly heterogenous argumentation, but no difference between language groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest the attitude towards re-naming might itself be subject to (micro)cultural difference, and they highlight the nature of 'schizophrenia' as not only a scientific, but also a linguistic and cultural object. Such local factors ought to be taken into consideration in the global debate.
Topics: Humans; Switzerland; Schizophrenia; Adult; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Multilingualism; Surveys and Questionnaires; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Family; Attitude of Health Personnel; Language
PubMed: 38615562
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.03.045 -
International Journal of Hygiene and... Jun 2024To accurately assess evidence from environmental and public health field trials, context and implementation details of the intervention must be weighed with trial... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
To accurately assess evidence from environmental and public health field trials, context and implementation details of the intervention must be weighed with trial results; yet these details are under and inconsistently reported for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), limiting the external validity of the evidence.
METHODS
To quantify the level of reporting of context and implementation in WASH evaluations, we conducted a scoping review of the 40 most cited evaluations of WASH interventions published in the last 10 years (2012-2022). We applied criteria derived from a review of existing reporting guidance from other sectors including healthcare and implementation science. We subsequently reviewed main articles, supplements, protocols, and other associated resources to assess thoroughness of context and implementation reporting.
RESULTS
Of the final 25 reporting items we searched for, four-intervention name, approach, location, and temporality-were reported by all studies. Five items-theory, implementer qualifications, dose intensity, targeting, and measured fidelity-were not reported in over a third of reviewed articles. Only two studies (5%) reported all items in our checklist. Only 74% of items were found in the main article, while the rest were found in separate papers (7%) or not at all (19%).
DISCUSSION
Inconsistent reporting of WASH implementation illustrates a major challenge in the sector. It is difficult to know what interventions are actually being evaluated and how to compare evaluation results. This inconsistent and incomplete implementation reporting limits the ability of programmers and policy makers to apply the available evidence to their contexts. Standardized reporting guidelines would improve the application of the evidence for WASH field evaluations.
Topics: Hygiene; Sanitation; Water Supply
PubMed: 38604106
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114363 -
Heliyon Apr 2024Intuitionistic fuzzy hypersoft sets (IFHSSs) are a novel model that is projected to address the limitations of Intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets (IFSSs) regarding the...
Intuitionistic fuzzy hypersoft sets (IFHSSs) are a novel model that is projected to address the limitations of Intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets (IFSSs) regarding the entitlement of a multi-argument domain for the approximation of parameters under consideration. It is more flexible and reliable as it considers the further classification of parameters into their relevant parametric valued sets. In this paper, we proposed some trigonometric (cosine and cotangent) similarity measures and their weighted trigonometric similarity measures (SMs). Trigonometric Similarity measures (SMs) for intuitionistic fuzzy hypersoft sets (IFHSSs) are significantly implied to check the similarity measures and help to determine the similarity between different factors. Also, in order to evaluate the validity of the significant study and apply the results to a daily life problem. We use them to solve problems involving the selection of renewable energy sources. According to several technical contributing factors, the analysis identifies the ideal location for the implementation of the energy production units. Future case studies with many features and additional bifurcation along with multiple decision-makers can use the suggested methodologies. Also, several existing structures, such as fuzzy, Pythagorean fuzzy, Neutrosophic theories, etc., can be utilized with the suggested method.
PubMed: 38590855
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27886