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European Urology May 2024
Randomized Controlled Trial
Re: Ivo I. de Vos II, Sebastiaan Remmers, Renée Hogenhout, Monique J. Roobol, ERSPC Rotterdam Study Group. Prostate Cancer Mortality Among Elderly Men After Discontinuing Organised Screening: Long-term Results from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer Rotterdam. Eur Urol...
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Early Detection of Cancer; Prostatic Neoplasms; Prostate; Mass Screening; Prostate-Specific Antigen
PubMed: 38429126
DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2024.01.029 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024One-third of the human population consumes insufficient zinc (Zn) to sustain a healthy life. Zn deficiency can be relieved by increasing the Zn concentration ([Zn]) in...
INTRODUCTION
One-third of the human population consumes insufficient zinc (Zn) to sustain a healthy life. Zn deficiency can be relieved by increasing the Zn concentration ([Zn]) in staple food crops through biofortification breeding. Rice is a poor source of Zn, and in countries predominantly relying on rice without sufficient dietary diversification, such as Madagascar, Zn biofortification is a priority.
METHODS
Multi-environmental trials were performed in Madagascar over two years, 2019 and 2020, to screen a total of 28 genotypes including local and imported germplasm. The trials were conducted in the highlands of Ankazomiriotra, Anjiro, and Behenji and in Morovoay, a location representative of the coastal ecosystem. Contributions of genotype (G), environment (E), and G by E interactions (GEIs) were investigated.
RESULT
The grain [Zn] of local Malagasy rice varieties was similar to the internationally established grain [Zn] baseline of 18-20 μg/g for brown rice. While several imported breeding lines reached 50% of our breeding target set at +12 μg/g, only few met farmers' appreciation criteria. Levels of grain [Zn] were stable across E. The G effects accounted for a main fraction of the variation, 76% to 83% of the variation for year 1 and year 2 trials, respectively, while GEI effects were comparatively small, contributing 23% to 9%. This contrasted with dominant E and GEI effects for grain yield. Our results indicate that local varieties tested contained insufficient Zn to alleviate Zn malnutrition, and developing new Zn-biofortified varieties should therefore be a priority. GGE analysis did not distinguish mega-environments for grain [Zn], whereas at least three mega-environments existed for grain yield, differentiated by the presence of limiting environmental conditions and responsiveness to improved soil fertility.
DISCUSSION
Our main conclusion reveals that grain [Zn] seems to be under strong genetic control in the agro-climatic conditions of Madagascar. We could identify several interesting genotypes as potential donors for the breeding program, among those BF156, with a relatively stable grain [Zn] (AMMI stability value (ASV) = 0.89) reaching our target (>26 μg/g). While selection for grain yield, general adaptation, and farmers' appreciation would have to rely on multi-environment testing, selection for grain [Zn] could be centralized in earlier generations.
PubMed: 38414643
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1293831 -
Heliyon Feb 2024Sorghum grain is a vital staple cereal crop for food and nutritional security for rural households in Burkina Faso. However, its yields are regularly affected by... (Review)
Review
Assessing yield performance and stability of local sorghum genotypes: A methodological framework combining multi-environment trials and participatory multi-trait evaluation.
Sorghum grain is a vital staple cereal crop for food and nutritional security for rural households in Burkina Faso. However, its yields are regularly affected by environmental and socio-economic constraints. Here, we aim to assess the performance and grain yield stability of local sorghum genotypes, as well as their acceptability by smallholder farmers. Nine genotypes were assessed across five environments in the North-Sudanian zone (700-900 mm) in Burkina Faso during the 2019, 2020, and 2021 rainy seasons. A randomized complete block with three replications was used to establish the experiments, from which data were collected on five quantitative traits as well as five participatory assessment criteria chosen by sorghum farmers and users. Grain yield analysis for each environment revealed significant differences between genotypes. The combined analysis showed highly significant differences between genotypes, environments and years, as well as their interactions. Most of the variation in grain yield was hexplained by the environment effect (29.0%), followed by the environment-by-year interaction (20.3%). The GGE biplot analysis identified two mega-environments (ME) with ME1 consisting of one environment (E1) and ME2, represented by four environments (E2, E3, E4, and E5). The E1 is a non-discriminating and poor environment with the lowest grain yield (1506 kg ha). The E5 and E2 were respectively, the most discriminating and representative environments, with also the highest grain yields (2406 and 2102 kg ha). In terms of stability, genotypes G6, G3, G5, and G9 exhibited the highest stability but lower performance, while G4 was the most unstable. G2 and G8, which produced respectively 2240 and 2072 kg ha, were better adapted to ME2. G2 was identified as the closest to the "ideal genotype". The principal component analysis showed that genotypes G2, G8, G7, G4, and G9 were the most selected in both individual and group assessments, owing to the panicle productivity, the good grain quality for storability, the grain attractiveness, and grain heaviness. This study highlighted the potential of genotypes G2 and G8 as promising varieties that could broaden the range of improved varieties and offer income opportunities for sorghum smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso.
PubMed: 38370242
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25114 -
European Urology May 2024
Reply to Borivoj Golijanin, Anthony Mega, and Dragan Golijanin's Letter to the Editor re: Ivo I. de Vos, Sebastiaan Remmers, Renée Hogenhout, Monique J. Roobol, ERSPC Rotterdam Study Group. Prostate Cancer Mortality Among Elderly Men After Discontinuing Organised Screening: Long-term Results from...
Topics: Aged; Humans; Male; Early Detection of Cancer; Prostate; Prostatic Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38369420
DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2024.01.020 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024Campylobacter mitigation along the food production chain is considered effective for minimizing the public health burden of human campylobacteriosis. This study is the...
Campylobacter mitigation along the food production chain is considered effective for minimizing the public health burden of human campylobacteriosis. This study is the first combining different measures in a multiple-hurdle approach, using drinking water additives and feed additives in single and combined application schemes in commercial broiler plants. Broiler chickens in the study groups were naturally contaminated with Campylobacter. Application of an organic acid blend via drinking water, consisting of sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, and sodium diacetate, resulted in significant reductions of up to 4.9 log CFU/mL in fecal samples and in cecal samples at slaughter. The application of a phage mixture, consisting of Fletchervirus phage NCTC 12673 and Firehammervirus phage vB_CcM-LmqsCPL1/1, resulted in reductions of up to 1.1 log CFU/mL in fecal samples 1 day after dosing. The sole administration of curcumin via feed resulted in small and inconsistent reductions. In the group receiving a combination of all tested measures, reductions of up to 1.1 log CFU/mL were observed. Based on the results of our field trials, it was shown that both the sole application and the combined application of mitigation measures in primary production can reduce the Campylobacter load in broiler chickens, while no synergism could be observed.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Campylobacter; Chickens; Drinking Water; Bacteriophages; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Poultry Diseases
PubMed: 38326411
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53365-w -
The Analyst Mar 2024Carrier-based polymeric membrane potentiometric sensors are an ideal tool for detecting ionic species. However, in the fabrication of these sensors, the screening of...
Carrier-based polymeric membrane potentiometric sensors are an ideal tool for detecting ionic species. However, in the fabrication of these sensors, the screening of carriers still relies on empirical trial- and error-based optimization, which requires tedious and time-consuming experimental verification. In this work, computer-aided screening of carriers is applied in the preparation of polymeric membrane potentiometric sensors. Molecular docking is used to study the host-guest interactions between receptors and targets. Binding energies are employed as the standard to screen the appropriate carrier. As a proof-of-concept experiment, the antibiotic ciprofloxacin is selected as the target model. A series of supramolecular macrocyclic receptors including cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils and calixarenes are chosen as potential receptors. The proposed sensor based on the receptor calix[4]arene screened by molecular docking shows a lower detection limit of 0.5 μmol L for ciprofloxacin. It can be expected that the proposed computer-aided screening technique of carriers can provide a simple but highly efficient method for the fabrication of carrier-based electrochemical and optical sensors.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Molecular Docking Simulation; Potentiometry; Macrocyclic Compounds; Polymers; Calixarenes; Ciprofloxacin
PubMed: 38324339
DOI: 10.1039/d3an02154h -
Therapeutic Advances in... 2024Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental disorder with various hypotheses regarding its pathogenesis. This article provides a summary of numerous studies on the... (Review)
Review
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental disorder with various hypotheses regarding its pathogenesis. This article provides a summary of numerous studies on the variations in inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with BD and the effects of treatment with antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants on these levels. In addition, patients with autoimmune diseases who use anti-inflammatory monoclonal antibodies experience symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. These pieces of evidence suggest a potential association between immune inflammation and BD and offer new possibilities for therapy. Building upon this relationship, the authors propose an innovative approach for treating BD through individualized and precise therapy using anti-inflammatory monoclonal antibody drugs. To support this proposal, the authors compile information on pharmacological effects and relevant studies, including trials of various anti-inflammatory therapeutic monoclonal antibody drugs (e.g. infliximab, tocilizumab, and canakinumab) for the potential treatment of BD and its associated side effects in psychiatry. The authors categorize these anti-inflammatory monoclonal antibody drugs into levels I-IV through a comprehensive analysis of their advantages and disadvantages. Their potential is examined, and the need for further exploration of their pharmaceutical effects is established.
PubMed: 38322010
DOI: 10.1177/20451253241227772 -
Behavior Research Methods Apr 2024Intrusive memories can be downregulated using intentional memory control, as measured via the Think/No-Think paradigm. In this task, participants retrieve or suppress...
Intrusive memories can be downregulated using intentional memory control, as measured via the Think/No-Think paradigm. In this task, participants retrieve or suppress memories in response to an associated reminder cue. After each suppression trial, participants rate whether the association intruded into awareness. Previous research has found that repeatedly exerting intentional control over memory intrusions reduces their frequency. This decrease is often summarised with a linear index, which may miss more complex patterns characterising the temporal dynamics of intrusion control. The goal of this paper is to propose a novel metric of intrusion control that captures those dynamic changes over time as a single index. Results from a mega-analysis of published datasets revealed that the change in intrusion frequencies across time is not purely linear, but also includes non-linear dynamics that seem best captured by a log function of the number of suppression attempts. To capture those linear and non-linear dynamics, we propose the Index of Intrusion Control (IIC), which relies on the integral of intrusion changes across suppression attempts. Simulations revealed that the IIC best captured the linear and non-linear dynamics of intrusion suppression when compared with other linear or non-linear indexes of control, such as the regression slope or Spearman correlation, respectively. Our findings demonstrate how the IIC may therefore act as a more reliable metric to capture individual differences in intrusion control, and examine the role of non-linear dynamics characterizing the conscious access to unwanted memories.
Topics: Humans; Individuality; Intention; Memory; Mental Recall
PubMed: 38291222
DOI: 10.3758/s13428-024-02345-z -
The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology Feb 2024There is debate over whether the glycaemic index of foods relates to chronic disease. We aimed to assess the associations between glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Association of glycaemic index and glycaemic load with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of mega cohorts of more than 100 000 participants.
BACKGROUND
There is debate over whether the glycaemic index of foods relates to chronic disease. We aimed to assess the associations between glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, diabetes-related cancers, and all-cause mortality.
METHODS
We did a meta-analysis of large cohorts (≥100 000 participants) identified from the Richard Doll Consortium. We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus for cohorts that prospectively examined associations between GI or GL and chronic disease outcomes published from database inception to Aug 4, 2023. Full-article review and extraction of summary estimates data were conducted by three independent reviewers. Primary outcomes were incident type 2 diabetes, total cardiovascular disease (including mortality), diabetes-related cancers (ie, bladder, breast, colorectal, endometrial, hepatic, pancreatic, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma), and all-cause mortality. We assessed comparisons between the lowest and highest quantiles of GI and GL, adjusting for dietary factors, and pooling their most adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates using a fixed-effects model. We also assessed associations between diets high in fibre and whole grains and the four main outcomes. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42023394689.
FINDINGS
From ten prospective large cohorts (six from the USA, one from Europe, two from Asia, and one international), we identified a total of 48 studies reporting associations between GI or GL and the outcomes of interest: 34 (71%) on various cancers, nine (19%) on cardiovascular disease, five (10%) on type 2 diabetes, and three (6%) on all-cause mortality. Consumption of high GI foods was associated with an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes (RR 1·27 [95% CI 1·21-1·34]; p<0·0001), total cardiovascular disease (1·15 [1·11-1·19]; p<0·0001), diabetes-related cancer (1·05 [1·02-1·08]; p=0·0010), and all-cause mortality (1·08 [1·05-1·12]; p<0·0001). Similar associations were seen between high GL and diabetes (RR 1·15 [95% CI 1·09-1·21]; p<0·0001) and total cardiovascular disease (1·15 [1·10-1·20]; p<0·0001). Associations between diets high in fibre and whole grains and the four main outcomes were similar to those for low GI diets.
INTERPRETATION
Dietary recommendations to reduce GI and GL could have effects on health outcomes that are similar to outcomes of recommendations to increase intake of fibre and whole grain.
FUNDING
Banting and Best and the Karuna Foundation.
Topics: Humans; Glycemic Index; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Cardiovascular Diseases; Prospective Studies; Glycemic Load; Neoplasms; Diet; Chronic Disease; Dietary Carbohydrates; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38272606
DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00344-3 -
Molecular Therapy : the Journal of the... Mar 2024Passive delivery of antibodies to mucosal sites may be a valuable adjunct to COVID-19 vaccination to prevent infection, treat viral carriage, or block transmission....
Passive delivery of antibodies to mucosal sites may be a valuable adjunct to COVID-19 vaccination to prevent infection, treat viral carriage, or block transmission. Neutralizing monoclonal IgG antibodies are already approved for systemic delivery, and several clinical trials have been reported for delivery to mucosal sites where SARS-CoV-2 resides and replicates in early infection. However, secretory IgA may be preferred because the polymeric complex is adapted for the harsh, unstable external mucosal environment. Here, we investigated the feasibility of producing neutralizing monoclonal IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. We engineered two class-switched mAbs that express well as monomeric and secretory IgA (SIgA) variants with high antigen-binding affinities and increased stability in mucosal secretions compared to their IgG counterparts. SIgAs had stronger virus neutralization activities than IgG mAbs and were protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection in an in vivo murine model. Furthermore, SIgA1 can be aerosolized for topical delivery using a mesh nebulizer. Our findings provide a persuasive case for developing recombinant SIgAs for mucosal application as a new tool in the fight against COVID-19.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Vaccines; COVID-19; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Immunoglobulin G; Antibodies, Viral
PubMed: 38268188
DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.01.025