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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes Q fever, a life-threatening zoonotic disease. replicates within an acidified parasitophorous vacuole...
is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes Q fever, a life-threatening zoonotic disease. replicates within an acidified parasitophorous vacuole derived from the host lysosome. The ability of to replicate and achieve successful intracellular life in the cell cytosol is vastly dependent on the Dot/Icm type 4B secretion system (T4SSB). Although several T4SSB effector proteins have been shown to be important for virulence and intracellular replication, the role of the icmE protein in the host- interaction has not been investigated. In this study, we generated a Nine Mile Phase II (NMII) mutant library and identified 146 transposon mutants with a single transposon insertion. Transposon mutagenesis screening revealed that disruption of gene resulted in the attenuation of NMII virulence in SCID mice. ELISA analysis indicated that the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-12p70, in serum from Tn::icmE mutant-infected SCID mice were significantly lower than those in serum from wild-type (WT) NMII-infected mice. Additionally, Tn::icmE mutant bacteria were unable to replicate in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (MBMDM) and human macrophage-like cells (THP-1). Immunoblotting results showed that the Tn::icmE mutant failed to activate inflammasome components such as IL-1β, caspase 1, and gasdermin-D in THP-1 macrophages. Collectively, these results suggest that the icmE protein may play a vital role in virulence, intracellular replication, and activation of inflammasome mediators during NMII infection.
PubMed: 38787259
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050405 -
Journal of Functional Biomaterials May 2024Biodegradable vascular stents (BVS) are deemed as great potential alternatives for overcoming the inherent limitations of permanent metallic stents in the treatment of...
Biodegradable vascular stents (BVS) are deemed as great potential alternatives for overcoming the inherent limitations of permanent metallic stents in the treatment of coronary artery diseases. The current study aimed to comprehensively compare the mechanical behaviors of four poly(lactic acid) (PLA) BVS designs with varying geometries via numerical methods and to clarify the optimal BVS selection. Four PLA BVS (i.e., Absorb, DESolve, Igaki-Tamai, and Fantom) were first constructed. A degradation model was refined by simply including the fatigue effect induced by pulsatile blood pressures, and an explicit solver was employed to simulate the crimping and degradation behaviors of the four PLA BVS. The degradation dynamics here were characterized by four indices. The results indicated that the stent designs affected crimping and degradation behaviors. Compared to the other three stents, the DESolve stent had the greatest radial stiffness in the crimping simulation and the best diameter maintenance ability despite its faster degradation; moreover, the stent was considered to perform better according to a pilot scoring system. The current work provides a theoretical method for studying and understanding the degradation dynamics of the PLA BVS, and it could be helpful for the design of next-generation BVS.
PubMed: 38786646
DOI: 10.3390/jfb15050135 -
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024We build on the view of the Exact Renormalization Group (ERG) as an instantiation of Optimal Transport described by a functional convection-diffusion equation. We...
We build on the view of the Exact Renormalization Group (ERG) as an instantiation of Optimal Transport described by a functional convection-diffusion equation. We provide a new information-theoretic perspective for understanding the ERG through the intermediary of Bayesian Statistical Inference. This connection is facilitated by the Dynamical Bayesian Inference scheme, which encodes Bayesian inference in the form of a one-parameter family of probability distributions solving an integro-differential equation derived from Bayes' law. In this note, we demonstrate how the Dynamical Bayesian Inference equation is, itself, equivalent to a diffusion equation, which we dub . By identifying the features that define Bayesian Diffusion and mapping them onto the features that define the ERG, we obtain a dictionary outlining how renormalization can be understood as the inverse of statistical inference.
PubMed: 38785639
DOI: 10.3390/e26050389 -
Waste Management & Research : the... May 2024In the area of Solid Waste Management, transportation of the collected waste is a critical aspect considering the substantial time spent by garbage trucks on public...
In the area of Solid Waste Management, transportation of the collected waste is a critical aspect considering the substantial time spent by garbage trucks on public roads. Studies have reported that transporting garbage has challenges related to public exposure and aesthetics. This study presents a generalised bi-objective formulation for the optimal routing of garbage trucks from transfer stations to recycling sites/landfills considering the trade-off between public exposure and aesthetic loss and constraining the operating cost. The formulation uses the novel link capacity function to account for the delay at traffic signals and the mix of trucks and cars on link performance. The proposed formulation is solved using the weighted sum and ε-constraint methods and applied to a realistic case study of the City of Chicago, USA. The Pareto Front obtained for the bi-objective formulation offers diverse trade-off solutions catering to distinct performance metrics. The results highlight the disparity across the solutions; the solution (P0.95 on Pareto Front) for minimum operating cost (or travel time or distance travelled) is very different from the solution (P0.4 on Pareto Front) for aesthetic cost and public exposure. The parametric study indicated that a modest operating budget may suffice for achieving aesthetic benefits, but minimising public exposure requires a higher operating budget. Finally, the proposed framework is adaptable to address various challenges pertaining to waste transportation, thereby serving as a valuable tool for evaluating policies and practices geared towards sustainability objectives.
PubMed: 38785075
DOI: 10.1177/0734242X241252914 -
Decorporation dilemma: Interplay of prussian blue and potassium iodide in radioactive contamination.Journal of Environmental Radioactivity Jul 2024The expansion of the nuclear industry has led to various radioactive effluents, originating from routine operations or catastrophic incidents such as those at Three Mile... (Review)
Review
The expansion of the nuclear industry has led to various radioactive effluents, originating from routine operations or catastrophic incidents such as those at Three Mile Island (USA), Chernobyl (Ukraine), and Fukushima (Japan). Research conducted after these events emphasizes Cesium-137 (137Cs) and iodine 131 (131I) as major contributors to harmful airborne dispersion and fallout. These isotopes infiltrate the human body via inhalation, ingestion, or wounds, posing significant health risks. Understanding contamination mechanisms and devising effective countermeasures are crucial in mitigating nuclear incident consequences. We propose that concurrent administration of Pru-Decorp™/Pru-Decorp-MG and potassium iodide (KI) could synergistically reduce the levels of 137Cs and block uptake of 131I, respectively, in nuclear incident scenarios. Pru-Decorp™ capsules contain insoluble ferric hexacyanoferrate(II) and are equivalent to USFDA-approved Radiogardase®-Cs, offering radiation exposure mitigation for Cs and Tl contamination. Pru-Decorp-MG capsules consist of insoluble PB and magnesium hydroxide, serving as a prophylactic measure to reduce the risk of internal Cs and Tl contamination for rescue responders. Pru-Decorp™/Pru-Decorp-MG binds Cs/Tl ions in the gastrointestinal tract, hindering absorption and promoting excretion, while KI saturates the thyroid gland with stable iodine, decreasing the uptake of radioactive iodine isotopes. Our hypothesis is supported by studies demonstrating the effectiveness of combination therapies, such as calcium alginate, iron(III) ferrocyanide, and KI, in decreasing the retention of radioisotopes in vital organs. To test this hypothesis, we propose a comprehensive research plan, including in vitro studies simulating gastrointestinal conditions, animal studies to evaluate the efficacy of both drugs simultaneously, and safety clinical trials comparing Pru-Decorp™/Pru-Decorp-MG alone, KI alone, and their combination. Expected outcomes include insights into the synergistic effects of Pru-Decorp™/Pru-Decorp-MG and KI, guiding the development of optimized treatment protocols for simultaneous administration during radioactive contamination incidents. This research aims to address significant critical gaps in nuclear incident preparedness by providing evidence-based recommendations for concurrent antidote use in scenarios involving multiple isotope contamination. Ultimately, this will enhance public health and safety during nuclear emergencies.
Topics: Potassium Iodide; Ferrocyanides; Cesium Radioisotopes; Iodine Radioisotopes; Humans; Radiation Monitoring; Fukushima Nuclear Accident; Radioactive Hazard Release
PubMed: 38781769
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2024.107458 -
The Journal of Applied Psychology May 2024Organizations are increasingly expecting individuals to engage in task proactivity, that is, to find better ways of doing their job. While prior research has...
Organizations are increasingly expecting individuals to engage in task proactivity, that is, to find better ways of doing their job. While prior research has demonstrated the benefits of task proactivity, little is known about its cognitive costs. To investigate this issue, we build theory on how task proactivity affects end-of-day cognitive performance. We propose that task proactivity involves deviating from established ways of working and engaging in cognitively demanding activities requiring high levels of mental effort, which manifest as an erosion of end-of-day cognitive performance. In two daily diary studies, we found that individuals engaging in task proactivity experience lower end-of-day cognitive performance (Study 1 over five consecutive workdays: = 163, = 701; Study 2 with multiple daily assessments over seven consecutive workdays: = 93, = 471), even when controlling for task performance (Study 1) and beginning-of-day cognitive performance (Study 2). In two experiments, we then show that simulating task proactivity results in greater mental effort and lower routineness but not in greater ego depletion (Study 3: = 318 and Study 4: = 319) or increased self-control demands, -effort, or -motivation (Study 4). This provides support for our proposed cognitive pathway. Our findings enhance our understanding of the cognitively demanding nature of task proactivity and provide empirical support for its cognitive costs using a mental fatigue lens. They also suggest that the impact of a cognitively demanding activity like task proactivity may persist throughout the day and carry over to other tasks involving cognitive performance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
PubMed: 38780551
DOI: 10.1037/apl0001199 -
The Journals of Gerontology. Series A,... Jul 2024Neighborhood walkability may encourage greater out-of-home travel (ie, community mobility) to support independent functioning in later life. We examined associations... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Neighborhood walkability may encourage greater out-of-home travel (ie, community mobility) to support independent functioning in later life. We examined associations between a novel walkability audit index and Global Positioning System (GPS)-derived community mobility in community-dwelling older adults. We compared associations with the validated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Walkability Index and further examined moderation by clinical walking speed.
METHODS
Participants were 146 older adults (Mean = 77.0 ± 6.5 years, 68% women) at baseline of a randomized trial to improve walking speed. A walkability index (range: 0-5; eg, land-use mix, crosswalks, and so on) was created using Google Street View audits within 1/8-mile of the home. Participants carried a GPS device for 5-7 days to derive objective measures of community mobility (eg, time spent out of home, accumulated distance from home).
RESULTS
Each 1 SD (~1.3-point) greater walkability audit score was associated with a median 2.16% more time spent out of home (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.30-4.03, p = .023), adjusting for individual demographics/health and neighborhood socioeconomic status. For slower walkers (4-m walking speed <1 m/s), each 1 SD greater audit score was also associated with a median 4.54 km greater accumulated distance from home (95% CI: 0.01-9.07, p (interaction) = .034). No significant associations were found for the EPA walkability index.
CONCLUSIONS
Walkability immediately outside the home was related to greater community mobility, especially for older adults with slower walking speeds. Results emphasize the need to consider the joint influence of local environment and individual functioning when addressing community mobility in older populations.
Topics: Humans; Geographic Information Systems; Aged; Male; Female; Walking; Independent Living; Environment Design; Neighborhood Characteristics; Residence Characteristics; Aged, 80 and over; Walking Speed
PubMed: 38777885
DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glae132 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a major cause of disability and healthcare expenditure worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing globally from somatic and psychosocial... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a major cause of disability and healthcare expenditure worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing globally from somatic and psychosocial factors. While non-pharmacological management, and in particular physiotherapy, has been recommended as a first-line treatment for cLBP, it is not clear what type of physiotherapeutic approach is the most effective in terms of pain reduction and function improvement. This analysis is rendered more difficult by the vast number of available therapies and a lack of a widely accepted classification that can effectively highlight the differences in the outcomes of different management options. This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. In January 2024, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. All the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared the efficacy of physiotherapy programs in patients with cLBP were accessed. Studies reporting on non-specific or mechanical cLPB were included. Data concerning the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) or numeric rating scale (NRS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data from 12,773 patients were collected. The mean symptom duration was 61.2 ± 51.0 months and the mean follow-up was 4.3 ± 5.9 months. The mean age was 44.5 ± 9.4 years. The mean BMI was 25.8 ± 2.9 kg/m. The Adapted Physical Exercise group evidenced the lowest pain score, followed by Multidisciplinary and Adapted Training Exercise/Complementary Medicine. The Adapted Physical Exercise group evidenced the lowest RMQ score followed by Therapeutic Exercises and Multidisciplinary. The Multidisciplinary group evidenced the lowest ODI score, followed by Adapted Physical Exercise and Physical Agent modalities. Within the considered physiotherapeutic and non-conventional approaches to manage nonspecific and/or mechanic cLBP, adapted physical exercise, physical agent modalities, and a multidisciplinary approach might represent the most effective strategy to reduce pain and disability.
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Physical Therapy Modalities; Network Meta-Analysis; Bayes Theorem; Chronic Pain; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Pain Measurement; Adult; Middle Aged; Female; Male
PubMed: 38773302
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62276-9 -
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 2024To compare the analgesic effect of a bilateral ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy using either a low-volume... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Retrospective comparison between low-volume high-concentration and high-volume low-concentration levobupivacaine for bilateral erector spinae plane block in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the analgesic effect of a bilateral ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy using either a low-volume high-concentration (LV-HC) or a high-volume low-concentration (HV-LC) local anaesthetic solution.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective observational equivalence trial.
ANIMALS
A total of 391 client-owned dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy.
METHODS
Dogs were assigned to group LV-HC or HV-LC depending on whether 0.2-0.25% levobupivacaine (0.4-0.5 mL kg) or 0.125-0.15% levobupivacaine (0.8-1 mL kg) was used to perform the ESPB, respectively. The number of dogs in which intraoperative rescue fentanyl boluses were administered, the total dose of fentanyl administered, the overall methadone consumption during the first 24 hours postoperatively and anaesthetic complications were recorded. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed considering p < 0.05 significant.
RESULTS
A total of 248 and 143 dogs were assigned to groups LV-HC and HV-LC, respectively. In group HV-LC, the number of dogs requiring fentanyl intraoperatively (64.3%) was higher (p = 0.0001) than that in group LV-HC (43.5%). The overall intraoperative fentanyl consumption was higher in group HV-LC between the first skin incision and the end of the lamina drilling (p = 0.028). According to the regression analysis, the group allocation was the best variable to predict the intraoperative fentanyl consumption (p < 0.001). Antimuscarinic drugs were administered more frequently in group LV-HC (p < 0.02). However, the prevalence of hypotension and other pharmacological cardiovascular interventions did not differ between groups. No differences in methadone consumption during the first 24 hours postoperatively were found between the groups.
CONCLUSIONSAND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
When performing a bilateral ESPB in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy, compared with HV-LC, the use of LV-HC local anaesthetic solution reduces the intraoperative fentanyl consumption without affecting the postoperative methadone requirement.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Levobupivacaine; Retrospective Studies; Anesthetics, Local; Male; Female; Nerve Block; Laminectomy; Fentanyl; Pain, Postoperative; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 38772850
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2024.03.007 -
Water Research Jul 2024
Comment on "Approaching easy water disinfection for all: Can in situ electrochlorination outperform conventional chlorination under realistic conditions?, published by Atrashkevich et al. [Water Research 250 (2024) 121,014]".
Topics: Water Purification; Disinfection; Halogenation; Chlorine
PubMed: 38772319
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121787