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The pervasive social bias of perceiving outgroup members as less than human can contribute to discrimination and intergroup harm. Given the strong influence of our emotional states on how we perceive others, we theorized that pro-social emotions may offer a route to ameliorating ethnic outgroup dehumanization. In particular, witnessing exemplary moral acts elicits self-transcending and pro-social affective reactions referred to as moral elevation. In two experiments (Ntot =714), we examined the effect of induced moral elevation on ethnic outgroup dehumanization, relative to effects of a neutral baseline and a positive affect control condition. Dehumanization was assessed via endorsements of animalistic traits attributed to members of commonly dehumanized outgroups in the US, including Muslims and African-Americans. Across both studies, moral elevation significantly reduced dehumanization, whereas positive affect alone did not. Furthermore, Study 2 showed that the effect of moral elevation on dehumanization was mediated by a sense of superordinate identity (i.e., shared humanity). Taken together, these findings point to the power of witnessing moral acts for helping us fully recognize the humanity of others.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all domains of human life, including the economic and social fabric of societies. One of the central strategies for managing public health throughout the pandemic has been through persuasive messaging and collective behaviour change. To help scholars better understand the social and moral psychology behind public health behaviour, we present a dataset comprising of 51,404 individuals from 69 countries. This dataset was collected for the International Collaboration on Social & Moral Psychology of COVID-19 project (ICSMP COVID-19). This social science survey invited participants around the world to complete a series of moral and psychological measures and public health attitudes about COVID-19 during an early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (between April and June 2020). The survey included seven broad categories of questions: COVID-19 beliefs and compliance behaviours; identity and social attitudes; ideology; health and well-being; moral beliefs and motivation; personality traits; and demographic variables. We report both raw and cleaned data, along with all survey materials, data visualisations, and psychometric evaluations of key variables.

Understanding collective behaviour is an important aspect of managing the pandemic response. Here the authors show in a large global study that participants that reported identifying more strongly with their nation reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies in the context of the pandemic.

Despite the popularity of social media, the psychological processes that drive people to engage in it remain poorly understood. The authors applied a computational modeling approach to data from multiple social media platforms to show that engagement can be explained by mechanisms of reward learning.

Do habits play a role in our social impressions? To investigate the contribution of habits to the formation of social attitudes, we examined the roles of model-free and model-based reinforcement learning in social interactions – computations linked in past work to habit and planning, respectively. Participants in this study learned about novel individuals in a sequential reinforcement learning paradigm, choosing financial advisors who led them to high- or low-paying stocks. Results indicated that participants relied on both model-based and model-free learning, such that each type of learning was expressed in both advisor choices and post-task self-reported liking of advisors. Specifically, participants preferred advisors who could provide large future rewards as well as advisors who had provided them with large rewards in the past. Although participants relied more heavily on model-based learning overall, they varied in their use of model-based and model-free learning strategies, and this individual difference influenced the way in which learning related to self-reported attitudes: among participants who relied more on model-free learning, model-free social learning related more to post-task attitudes. We discuss implications for attitudes, trait impressions, and social behavior, as well as the role of habits in a memory systems model of social cognition.

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22067-6

A high time-resolved monitoring campaign of bulk deposition of PAHs and metals was conducted near the industrial area and at an urban background site in province of Taranto (Italy) in order to evaluate the impact of the biggest European steel plant. The deposition fluxes of the sum of detected PAHs at the industrial area ranged from 92 to 2432 ng m−2d−1. In particular the deposition fluxes of BaP, BaA, and BkF were, on average, 10, 14, and 8 times higher than those detected at the urban background site, respectively. The same finding was for metals. The deposition fluxes of Ni (19.8 µg m−2 d−1) and As (2.2 µg m−2 d−1) at the industrial site were about 5 times higher than those at the urban background site, while the deposition fluxes of Fe (57 mg m−2d−1) and Mn (1.02 mg m−2d−1) about 31 times higher. Precipitation and wind speed played an important role in PAH deposition fluxes. Fe and Mn fluxes at the industrial site resulted high when wind direction favored the transport of air masses from the steel plant to the receptor site. The impact of the industrial area was also confirmed by IP/(IP + BgP), IP/BgP, and BaP/BgP diagnostic ratios.

The atmosphere is a carrier on which some natural and anthropogenic organic and inorganic chemicals are transported, and the wet and dry deposition events are the most important processes that remove those chemicals, depositing it on soil and water. A wide variety of different collectors were tested to evaluate site-specificity, seasonality and daily variability of settleable particle concentrations. Deposition fluxes of POPs showed spatial and seasonal variations, diagnostic ratios of PAHs on deposited particles, allowed the discrimination between pyrolytic or petrogenic sources. Congener pattern analysis and bulk deposition fluxes in rural sites confirmed long-range atmospheric transport of PCDDs/Fs. More and more sophisticated and newly designed deposition samplers have being used for characterization of deposited mercury, demonstrating the importance of rain scavenging and the relatively higher magnitude of Hg deposition from Chinese anthropogenic sources. Recently biological monitors demonstrated that PAH concentrations in lichens were comparable with concentrations measured in a conventional active sampler in an outdoor environment. In this review the authors explore the methodological approaches used for the assessment of atmospheric deposition, from the analysis of the sampling methods, the analytical procedures for chemical characterization of pollutants and the main results from the scientific literature.

Odour impacts are assessed according to two principal approaches: evaluation and estimation of the pollutant relapse on the territory and monitoring through standard methodologies. In particular, odour monitoring is characterized by a great complexity due principally to the strict association of odour pollution to human perception. The standardized methodology for the determination of odour concentration is represented by an instrumental sensory technique, the dynamic olfactometry, that is affected by some limitations. This methodology provides punctual odour concentration data and it does not allow to perform continuous and field measurements, useful for monitoring the industrial processes causing odour emissions. The need of carrying out a continuous monitoring having been encouraged the use of an odour surrogate monitoring, performed by specific or not specific instruments (chemical analysers or electronic noses). The surrogate measurements employment is based on the fact that the ratio of surrogate concentration to odour units must be relatively constant and known. This paper focuses on the development of a multiparametric system for the evaluation of odour impact caused by an industrial source. The system has been tested during olfactometric monitoring campaigns conducted at the industrial site, coupling the results of electronic noses. The purpose of the research work has been to find an indicator for the odour emissions produced by the examined industrial site, and to correlate it with odour concentrations. This study has allowed to demonstrate the real applicability of not specific instruments to odour continuous monitoring, useful to detect a change of state in operating conditions of industrial processes and control it.

In continuously progressive tumor tissues, the causes of cellular stress are multiple: metabolic alterations, nutrient deprivation, chronic inflammation and hypoxia. To survive, tumor cells activate the stress response program, a highly conserved molecular reprogramming proposed to cope with challenges in a hostile environment. Not only cancer cells are affected, but stress responses in tumors also have a profound impact on their normal cellular counterparts: fibroblasts, endothelial cells and infiltrating immune cells. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the interaction between cancer and immune cells, especially in difficult conditions of cellular stress. A growing literature indicates that knowledge of the molecular pathways activated in tumor and immune cells under stress conditions may offer new insights for possible therapeutic interventions. Counter-regulating the stress caused by the presence of a growing tumor can therefore be a weapon to limit disease progression. Here, we review the main pathways activated in cellular stress responses with a focus on immune cells present in the tumor microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proximal tubule endocytosis is essential to produce protein-free urine as well as to regulate system-wide metabolic pathways, such as the activation of Vitamin D. We have determined that the proximal tubule expresses an endolysosomal membrane protein, protein spinster homolog1 (Spns1), which engenders a novel iron conductance that is indispensable during embryonic development. Conditional knockout of Spns1 with a novel Cre-LoxP construct specific to megalin-expressing cells led to the arrest of megalin receptor-mediated endocytosis as well as dextran pinocytosis in proximal tubules. The endocytic defect was accompanied by changes in megalin phosphorylation as well as enlargement of lysosomes, confirming previous findings in Drosophila and Zebrafish. The endocytic defect was also accompanied by iron overload in proximal tubules. Remarkably, iron levels regulated the Spns1 phenotypes because feeding an iron-deficient diet or mating Spns1 knockout with divalent metal transporter1 knockout rescued the phenotypes. Conversely, iron-loading wild-type mice reproduced the endocytic defect. These data demonstrate a reversible, negative feedback for apical endocytosis and raise the possibility that regulation of endocytosis, pinocytosis, megalin activation, and organellar size and function is nutrient-responsive. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Spns1 mediates a novel iron conductance essential during embryogenesis. Spns1 knockout leads to endocytic and lysosomal defects, accompanied by iron overload in the kidney. Reversal of iron overload by restricting dietary iron or by concurrent knockout of the iron transporter, DMT1 rescued the endocytic and organellar defects and reverted markers of iron overload. These data suggest feedback between iron and proximal tubule endocytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goji berry is acknowledged for its notable medicinal attributes and elevated free radical scavenger properties. Nevertheless, its susceptibility to mechanical injuries and biological disorders reduces the commercial diffusion of the fruit. A hyperspectral imaging system (HSI) was employed to identify common defects in the Vis-NIR range (400–1000 nm). The sensorial evaluation of visual appearance was used to obtain the reference measurement of defects. A supervised classification model employing PLS-DA was developed using raw and pre-processed spectra, followed by applying a covariance selection algorithm (CovSel). The classification model demonstrated superior performance in two classifications distinguishing between sound and defective fruit, achieving an accuracy and sensitivity of 94.9% and 96.9%, respectively. However, when extended to a more complex task of classifying fruit into four categories, the model exhibited reliable results with an accuracy and sensitivity of 74.5% and 77.9%, respectively. These results indicate that a method based on hyperspectral visible-NIR can be implemented for rapid and reliable methods of online quality inspection securing high-quality goji berries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfactory loss accompanies at least 139 neurological, somatic, and congenital/hereditary conditions. This observation leads to the question of whether these associations are correlations or whether they are ever causal. Temporal precedence and prospective predictive power suggest that olfactory loss is causally implicated in many medical conditions. The causal relationship between olfaction with memory dysfunction deserves particular attention because this sensory system has the only direct projection to memory centers. Mechanisms that may underlie the connections between medical conditions and olfactory loss include inflammation as well as neuroanatomical and environmental factors, and all 139 of the medical conditions listed here are also associated with inflammation. Olfactory enrichment shows efficacy for both prevention and treatment, potentially mediated by decreasing inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension drives the development of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, the relative contribution of pentraxin‐3 (PTX‐3), a novel marker for inflammatory cardiovascular disease, in the hypertrophic response to pressure overload has not been adequately elucidated. We investigated the role of PTX‐3 in the development of LVH in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), untreated and treated with either captopril (an ACE inhibitor) or hydralazine (a non‐specific vasodilator). Three‐month‐old SHR received either 20 mg/kg/day hydralazine (SHR + H, n = 6), 40 mg/kg/day captopril (SHR + C, n = 6), or plain gelatine cubes (untreated SHR, n = 7) orally for 4 months. Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 7) were used as the normotensive controls. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using the tail‐cuff method. Cardiac geometry and function were determined using M‐mode echocardiography. Circulating concentrations of inflammatory markers were measured in plasma by ELISA. LV fibrosis and cardiomyocyte width were assessed by histology. Relative mRNA expression of PTX‐3 was determined in the LV by RT‐PCR. Untreated SHR exhibited greater systolic BP and relative wall thickness (RWT) compared to WKY. Captopril and hydralazine normalized BP but only captopril reversed RWT in SHR. Circulating PTX‐3 and VCAM‐1 levels were elevated in untreated SHR and reduced with captopril and hydralazine. Circulating PTX‐3 was positively associated with systolic BP but lacked independent relations with indices of LVH. LV relative mRNA expression of PTX‐3 was similar between the groups. PTX‐3 may not be involved in the development of LVH in SHR, but plausibly reflects the localized inflammatory milieu associated with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising loneliness in the Western world has weakened social networks and reduced interpersonal trust. Concurrently, malign information influence (MII) has become more pervasive. Albin Östervall and Charlotte Wagnsson synthesise literature from multiple fields to argue that loneliness may heighten susceptibility to MII, and that Russia, as a key disseminator of MII, is both exploiting and exacerbating Western loneliness. They explore how these dynamics impact personal and societal MII resilience. ◼ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methamphetamine (METH) is a drug of abuse, which induces behavioral sensitization following repeated doses. Since METH alters blood pressure, in the present study we assessed whether systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) are sensitized as well. In this context, we investigated whether alterations develop within A1/C1 neurons in the vasomotor center. C57Bl/6J male mice were administered METH (5 mg/kg, daily for 5 consecutive days). Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography. We found a sensitized response both to SBP and DBP, along with a significant decrease of catecholamine neurons within A1/C1 (both in the rostral and caudal ventrolateral medulla), while no changes were detected in glutamic acid decarboxylase. The decrease of catecholamine neurons was neither associated with the appearance of degeneration-related marker Fluoro-Jade B nor with altered expression of α-synuclein. Rather, it was associated with reduced free radicals and phospho-cJun and increased heat shock protein-70 and p62/sequestosome within A1/C1 cells. Blood pressure sensitization was not associated with altered arterial reactivity. These data indicate that reiterated METH administration may increase blood pressure persistently and may predispose to an increased cardiovascular response to METH. These data may be relevant to explain cardiovascular events following METH administration and stressful conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult T cell leukaemia (ATL), caused by infection with human T‐ lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1), is often complicated by hypercalcemia and osteolytic lesions. Therefore, we studied the communication between patient‐derived ATL cells (ATL‐PDX) and HTLV‐1 immortalized CD4+ T cell lines (HTLV/T) with osteoclasts and their effects on bone mass in mice. Intratibial inoculation of some HTLV/T leads to a profound local decrease in bone mass similar to marrow‐replacing ATL‐PDX, despite the fact that few HTLV/T cells persisted in the bone. To study the direct effect of HTLV/T and ATL‐PDX on osteoclasts, supernatants were added to murine and human osteoclast precursors. ATL‐PDX supernatants from hypercalcemic patients promoted the formation of mature osteoclasts, while those from HTLV/T were variably stimulatory, but had largely consistent effects between human and murine cultures. Interestingly, this osteoclastic activity did not correlate with expression of osteoclastogenic cytokine receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL), suggesting an alternative mechanism. HTLV/T and ATL‐PDX produce small extracellular vesicles (sEV), known to facilitate HTLV‐1 infection. We hypothesized that these sEV also mediate bone loss by targeting osteoclasts. We isolated sEV from both HTLV/T and ATL‐PDX, and found they carried most of the activity found in supernatants. In contrast, sEV from uninfected activated T cells had little effect. Analysis of sEV (both active and inactive) by mass spectrometry and electron microscopy confirmed absence of RANKL and intact virus. Viral proteins Tax and Env were only present in sEV from the active, osteoclast‐stimulatory group, along with increased representation of proteins involved in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. sEV from osteoclast‐active HTLV/T injected over mouse calvaria in the presence of low‐dose RANKL caused more osteolysis than osteoclast‐inactive sEV or RANKL alone. Thus, HTLV‐1 infection of T cells can cause release of sEV with strong osteolytic potential, providing a mechanism beyond RANKL production that modifies the bone microenvironment, even in the absence of overt leukaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is currently no effective treatment strategy for recurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (R/M ACC). Furthermore, recent single-agent and combination immunotherapy trials have failed in unselected ACC cohorts, unlike non-ACC salivary gland cancers. Genomic profiling revealed no actionable targets but NOTCH1 and KDM6A frameshift and CTCF splice site mutations (no MYB/L fusion) with a low tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite stable (MSS) and negative programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) were observed. We recommended an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) plus anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (anti-CTLA-4) combination based on TMB 2-fold greater-than-median TMB in ACC, tumor harboring multiple immunogenic frameshift or splice site mutations, and PD-L1 negativity. Accordingly, we achieved a complete response in a radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT)-refractory patient with locally recurrent lacrimal gland (LG) ACC and lung metastasis following personalized immunotherapy in combination with integrative therapeutics. Therefore, it is crucial to assess not only conventional immune biomarkers but also patient-specific parameters, especially in "immune-cold" cancer types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Teaching students about race and racism is critical to and relevant in psychology classrooms. Objective: We explored whether direct instruction dismantling ideas that race is genetic affects students' race essentialist and other related beliefs. Method: Undergraduate students enrolled in four social psychology courses completed measures of race essentialism and other related beliefs before and after engaging in course-directed activities designed to reduce endorsement of biological essentialist beliefs about race. Results: After class activities, students reported lower levels of general racial essentialist beliefs and estimated that more progress is needed to reduce racial inequality. However, attitudes towards racially minoritized groups or perceived need for anti-racist actions did not shift, and colorblind ideology may have increased. Conclusion: These data provide evidence that essentialism shifts can be accomplished in the psychology classroom, but shifting related beliefs may require additional instruction. Teaching Implications: The class activities described in this research provide a way for instructors to introduce students to a new concept (race essentialism) and change students' beliefs in the genetic underpinning of race. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible flowers are becoming increasingly popular as food products, since they give aroma, color, and visual appeal and are also health-promoting compounds. However, they are a highly perishable product, thus post-harvest technologies are needed to extend their marketability. In this study, active (N2: 100%) and passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technologies were applied to three edible flower species, namely Begonia grandiflora 'Viking', Tropaeolum majus, and Viola cornuta, stored at 4 °C. Even if the flowers' quality decay occurred differently according to the species, active MAP better maintained petal colors and slowed down the edible flowers' decay than passive MAP by decreasing flower respiration in all three species and sugars consumption in begonia; there was weight loss in nasturtium, and better preserved total phenolic content in begonia and viola. Coupling cold storage with active MAP can be an effective method to extend edible flowers' post-harvest life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have witnessed an uptick in research highlighting the gut microbiota's role as a primary determinant of athletes' health, which has piqued interest in the hypothesis that it correlates with athletes' physical performance. Athletes' physical performances could be impacted by the metabolic activity of the assortment of microbes found in their gut. Intestinal microbiota impacts multiple facets of an athlete's physiology, including immune response, gut membrane integrity, macro- and micronutrient absorption, muscle endurance, and the gut–brain axis. Several physiological variables govern the gut microbiota; hence, an intricately tailored and complex framework must be implemented to comprehend the performance–microbiota interaction. Emerging evidence underscores the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and physical fitness, revealing that athletes who engage in regular physical activity exhibit a richer diversity of gut microbes, particularly within the Firmicutes phylum, e.g., Ruminococcaceae genera, compared to their sedentary counterparts. In elite sport, it is challenging to implement an unconventional strategy whilst simultaneously aiding an athlete to accomplish feasible, balanced development. This review compiles the research on the effects of gut microbiota modulation on performance in sports and illustrates how different supplementation strategies for gut microbiota have the ability to improve athletic performance by enhancing physical capacities. In addition to promoting athletes' overall health, this study evaluates the existing literature in an effort to shed light on how interventions involving the gut microbiota can dramatically improve performance on the field. The findings should inform both theoretical and practical developments in the fields of sports nutrition and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the microbiological quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from aquaculture farms located within the "Dolina Słupi" (Slupia Valley) Landscape Park, with a focus on regional sustainability practices. The research aims to evaluate water hygiene, the microbiological quality of feed, the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and their impact on the final quality of the farmed trout. This study seeks to contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable aquaculture by highlighting the importance of quality and risk management practices in maintaining food safety and environmental stewardship. Design/methodology/approach: The research employed a comprehensive microbiological analysis of samples collected from trout farms, including external and internal parts of trout, viscera, water, and feed. The study focused on identifying the presence of specific pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. The approach combined field sampling with laboratory testing to assess the hygienic conditions of the aquaculture environment and the quality of the final fish products. The research focuses on evaluating the microbiological quality of trout from aquaculture farms, with particular attention to local practices and their alignment with sustainability goals. Findings: The study revealed that the trout from the examined farms generally met good microbiological quality standards. Specifically, no methicillin-resistant S. aureus or vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and E. faecalis were detected, indicating effective risk management. However, Salmonella spp. were present in 30.5% of water samples, yet their presence did not significantly affect the contamination levels in fish samples. The highest S. aureus count was found on the skin of rainbow trout (1.5±101 cfu/g), while E. coli was detected on brook trout skin and viscera (11%). Enterococcus spp. were found in 17% of feed samples, but at low concentrations (<10 cfu/g). These results suggest that while overall microbiological quality is satisfactory, ongoing monitoring and adherence to good management practices are crucial for maintaining safety and quality in aquaculture. Research limitations/implications: One limitation of the research is the geographical focus on aquaculture farms within the "Dolina Słupi" Landscape Park, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions or types of aquaculture systems. Future research could expand the scope to include a broader range of aquaculture environments and examine the long-term impact of sustainability practices on fish quality. Practical implications: The research underscores the critical role of continuous monitoring and rigorous quality management practices in aquaculture. The findings indicate that by implementing effective hygiene protocols and risk management strategies, aquaculture farms can achieve high safety standards for their fish products. These practices not only ensure product quality and consumer safety but also support the sustainability and economic viability of the aquaculture industry. Social implications: The study demonstrates that sustainable aquaculture enhances food security and environmental conservation. By promoting effective practices, it builds public trust in farmed fish, potentially influencing consumer behavior and supporting more sustainable industry practices. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge on sustainable aquaculture by providing empirical evidence on the microbiological quality of trout from farms in a specific regional context. It offers practical insights for industry professionals and consumers on optimizing quality and risk management to ensure safe and sustainable fish production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The most common adverse events (AEs) that occurred in response to targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma were appetite loss (adverse event grade 0/1/2/3 = 97/23/55/12), general fatigue (102/31/44/6), hypertension (120/6/40/17), hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (135/21/24/3), proteinuria (140/13/16/14), and hypothyroidism (148/12/23/0). Among these, appetite loss and general fatigue negatively affect overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Increasing AE grades of hypertension, proteinuria, and hypothyroidism were associated with better OS, whereas hypertension, HFS, and hypothyroidism were associated with better PFS. To assess the impact of adverse event (AE) severity, caused by targeted therapy, on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a total of 183 patients with HCC treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (40), lenvatinib (57), sorafenib (79), cabozantinib (3), ramucirumab (3), and regorafenib (1) were included in this study. Age-, AFP-, and ALBI score-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of AE grades 1 to 3 versus grade 0 for OS and PFS were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models. The linear trend of the HRs was assessed by calculating the p values for this trend. The most common AEs were appetite loss (AE grade 0/1/2/3 = 97/23/55/12), general fatigue (102/31/44/6), hypertension (120/6/40/17), hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (135/21/24/3), proteinuria (140/13/16/14), and hypothyroidism (148/12/23/0). The adjusted HRs for OS of these AEs were 0.532–1.450–2.361 (p for trend 0.037), 1.057–1.691–3.364 (p for trend 0.004), 1.176–0.686–0.281 (p for trend 0.002), 0.639–0.759–1.820 (p for trend 0.462), 1.030–0.959–0.147 (p for trend 0.011), and 0.697–0.609 (p for trend 0.119), respectively. Those for PFS of the corresponding AEs were 0.592–1.073–2.811 (p for trend 0.255), 1.161–1.282–4.324 (p for trend 0.03), 0.965–0.781–0.655 (p for trend 0.095), 0.737–0.623–2.147 (p for trend 0.153), 1.061–0.832–0.800 (p for trend 0.391), and 1.412–0.560 (p for trend 0.081), respectively. Appetite loss and general fatigue negatively affected clinical outcomes, whereas hypertension, HFS, proteinuria, and hypothyroidism had positive effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic habitat destruction and climate change are reshaping the geographic distribution of plants worldwide. However, we are still unable to map species shifts at high spatial, temporal, and taxonomic resolution. Here, we develop a deep learning model trained using remote sensing images from California paired with half a million citizen science observations that can map the distribution of over 2,000 plant species. Our model--Deepbiosphere--not only outperforms many common species distribution modeling approaches (AUC 0.95 vs. 0.88) but can map species at up to a few meters resolution and finely delineate plant communities with high accuracy, including the pristine and clear-cut forests of Redwood National Park. These fine-scale predictions can further be used to map the intensity of habitat fragmentation and sharp ecosystem transitions across human-altered landscapes. In addition, from frequent collections of remote sensing data, Deepbiosphere can detect the rapid effects of severe wildfire on plant community composition across a 2-y time period. These findings demonstrate that integrating public earth observations and citizen science with deep learning can pave the way toward automated systems for monitoring biodiversity change in real-time worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploration of targeted therapy has proven to be a highly promising avenue in the realm of drug development research. The human body generates a substantial amount of free radicals during metabolic processes, and if not promptly eliminated, these free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, disrupting homeostasis and potentially contributing to chronic diseases and cancers. Before the development of contemporary medicine with synthetic pharmaceuticals and antioxidants, there was a long-standing practice of employing raw, natural ingredients to cure a variety of illnesses. This practice persisted even after the active antioxidant molecules were known. The ability of natural antioxidants to neutralise excess free radicals in the human body and so prevent and cure a wide range of illnesses. The term "natural antioxidant" refers to compounds derived from plants or other living organisms that have the ability to control the production of free radicals, scavenge them, stop free radical-mediated chain reactions, and prevent lipid peroxidation. These compounds have a strong potential to inhibit oxidative stress. Phytochemicals (antioxidants) derived from plants, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, and others, are central to the discussion of natural antioxidants. Not only may these chemicals increase endogenous antioxidant defenses, affect communication cascades, and control gene expression, but they have also shown strong free radical scavenging properties. This study comprehensively summarizes the primary classes of natural antioxidants found in different plant and animal source that contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases. Additionally, it outlines the research progress and outlines future development prospects. These discoveries not only establish a theoretical groundwork for pharmacological development but also present inventive ideas for addressing challenges in medical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study aimed to elucidate the genetic causes underlying the juvenile parkinsonism (JP) diagnosed in a girl with several family members diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). To achieve this, whole-exome sequencing, analysis of CAG repeats, RNA sequencing analysis on fibroblasts, and metabolite identification were performed. As a result, a homozygous missense mutation SNP T>C (rs2254562) in synaptojamin 1 (SYNJ1), which has been implicated in the regulation of membrane trafficking in the synaptic vesicles, was identified. Additionally, we observed overexpression of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), Cdc37, GPX1, and GPX4 and lower expression of ceruloplasmin in the patient compared to the control. We also found changes in sphingolipid, inositol, and inositol phosphate metabolism. These findings help to clarify the mechanisms of JP and suggest that the etiology of JP in the patient may be multifactorial. This is the first report of the rs2254562 mutation in the SYNJ gene identified in a JP patient with seizures and cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional cancer therapy strategies, although centered around killing tumor cells, often lead to severe side effects on surrounding normal tissues, thus compromising the chronic quality of life in cancer survivors. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a secondary signaling molecule that has an array of functions in both tumor and normal cells, including the promotion of cell survival pathways and immune cell modulation in the tumor microenvironment. H2O2 is a reactive oxygen species (ROS) crucial in cellular homeostasis and signaling (at concentrations maintained under nM levels), with increased steady-state levels in tumors relative to their normal tissue counterparts. Increased steady-state levels of H2O2 in tumor cells, make them vulnerable to oxidative stress and ultimately, cell death. Recently, H2O2-producing therapies—namely, pharmacological ascorbate and superoxide dismutase mimetics—have emerged as compelling complementary treatment strategies in cancer. Both pharmacological ascorbate and superoxide dismutase mimetics can generate excess H2O2 to overwhelm the impaired H2O2 removal capacity of cancer cells. This review presents an overview of H2O2 metabolism in the physiological and malignant states, in addition to discussing the anti-tumor and normal tissue-sparing mechanism(s) of, and clinical evidence for, two H2O2-based therapies, pharmacological ascorbate and superoxide dismutase mimetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous single‐cell transcriptomic datasets from identical tissues or cell lines are generated from different laboratories or single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) protocols. The denoising of these datasets to eliminate batch effects is crucial for data integration, ensuring accurate interpretation and comprehensive analysis of biological questions. Although many scRNA‐seq data integration methods exist, most are inefficient and/or not conducive to downstream analysis. Here, DeepBID, a novel deep learning‐based method for batch effect correction, non‐linear dimensionality reduction, embedding, and cell clustering concurrently, is introduced. DeepBID utilizes a negative binomial‐based autoencoder with dual Kullback–Leibler divergence loss functions, aligning cell points from different batches within a consistent low‐dimensional latent space and progressively mitigating batch effects through iterative clustering. Extensive validation on multiple‐batch scRNA‐seq datasets demonstrates that DeepBID surpasses existing tools in removing batch effects and achieving superior clustering accuracy. When integrating multiple scRNA‐seq datasets from patients with Alzheimer's disease, DeepBID significantly improves cell clustering, effectively annotating unidentified cells, and detecting cell‐specific differentially expressed genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents heterogeneous and relapsing intestinal conditions with a severe impact on the quality of life of individuals and a continuously increasing prevalence. In recent years, the development of sequencing technology has provided new means of exploring the complex pathogenesis of IBD. An ideal solution is represented by the approach of precision medicine that investigates multiple cellular and molecular interactions, which are tools that perform a holistic, systematic, and impartial analysis of the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiomics sets. Hence, it has led to the orientation of current research towards the identification of new biomarkers that could be successfully used in the management of IBD patients. Multi-omics explores the dimension of variation in the characteristics of these diseases, offering the advantage of understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that affect intestinal homeostasis for a much better prediction of disease development and choice of treatment. This review focuses on the progress made in the field of prognostic and predictive biomarkers, highlighting the limitations, challenges, and also the opportunities associated with the application of genomics and epigenomics technologies in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Respiratory system compliance (Crs) is a simple indicator of lung flexibility. However, it remains unclear whether a low Crs during anesthesia induction (iCrs) is associated with an increased risk of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted using a local database. All mechanically ventilated postoperative ICU patients were included in this study. The duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, and in‐hospital mortality were compared between the low iCrs group (<25% of distribution) and the normal iCrs group. Results: A total of 315 patients were classified into the low iCrs (<39 mL/cmH2O) group (n = 78) or the normal iCrs group (n = 237). Low iCrs was associated with a higher chance of mechanical ventilation in 28 days (log‐rank test, p < 0.001). The duration of hospital stay was similar. Multivariate analysis showed that in‐hospital mortality was higher in the low iCrs group than in the normal iCrs group (adjusted odds ratio, 6.04 [1.13, 32.26]; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Low iCrs was associated with an increased risk of requiring postoperative mechanical ventilation. An additional result of poor survival related to low iCrs may require further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a key crop within the Solanaceae family and ranks as the most significant non-cereal crop globally following major staples such as wheat, rice, and corn. Potatoes can reproduce sexually and asexually via tubers, and plant tissue culture is emerging as an effective method for vegetative propagation, addressing the increasing global demand for agricultural products. Ethylene, a critical plant growth regulator, influences various physiological processes including growth and development. During in vitro culture and due to the wounding of explants, ethylene accumulation can lead to abnormal biological responses, with potato seedlings being susceptible. Thus, investigating the effects of ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors such as pyrazinamide (PZA) and AgNO3 on potato growth in vitro is essential. Material and Methods: In this study, potato seedlings were cultivated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, with concentrations of PZA ranging from 0 to 6 mg L-1 and AgNO3 at 2 mg L-1. After four weeks, the seedlings were harvested and stored at -70°C for later analysis. The growth parameters measured included fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), stem and root lengths, leaf area, and leaf and root number. In addition, biochemical parameters, such as photosynthetic pigment levels, total phenol content (TPC), total reactive oxygen species (ROS), and proline concentration were analyzed. Statistical evaluations were conducted using SPSS and PAST software Results: The results showed that the 2 mg L-1 PZA treatment led to the highest FW and DW and increased leaf numbers; however, it was also correlated with a lower number of rooted plants. Conversely, treatments with 6 mg L-1 PZA promoted longer stem growth, whereas control plants exhibited the largest leaf area, and AgNO3-treated plants produced the longest roots. The accumulation of H2O2 in plants treated with ethylene inhibitors was like controls, but total ROS levels soared by 36% in those treated with 6 mg L-1 PZA compared to controls. This suggests a link between reduced ethylene production, oxidative stress mitigation, and enhanced potato growth. Additionally, total ROS was positively correlated with stem length, but negatively correlated with root length. Plants use several strategies to combat the damaging effects of ROS, such as the production of antioxidant compounds such as phenolics. Although PZA did not significantly alter TPC compared to controls, treatment with AgNO3 caused a 61% reduction in TPC. Therefore, PZA did not appear to significantly affect phenolics production in the potato seedlings. Proline, another critical antioxidant in plants, was found to accumulate significantly in the leaves of plants treated with 6 mg L-1 PZA, which was more than 2.3 times higher than that in controls. This accumulation correlated positively with ROS levels at higher PZA concentrations but showed an inverse relationship with photosynthetic pigment levels. The PCA revealed the relationships between the measured parameters and the applied elicitors. The samples were categorized into four distinct groups: 1. Control group: This group primarily exhibited higher FW, DW, and longer roots compared to the treated plants. 2. Low PZA dose group: These plants displayed elevated levels of photosynthetic pigments, TPC, and leaf area. 3. Medium PZA dose group: Correlations were observed with an increased number of roots. 4. 6 mg L-1 PZA and AgNO3 group: These samples contained elevated levels of total ROS and proline. Conclusion: The study concludes that low concentrations of PZA can stimulate growth while inhibiting ethylene production, resulting in fewer growth abnormalities compared to control plants. However, at elevated PZA concentrations, increased ROS levels may lead to oxidative stress, emphasizing the delicate balance in ethylene's role in plant growth and the necessity for further research to optimize conditions for potato cultivation in vitro. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how ethylene inhibitors can enhance potato propagation and possibly other crops in controlled agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the non-communicable neurological diseases, epilepsy is characterized by abnormal brain activity with several peripheral implications. The role of peripheral inflammation in the relationship between seizure development and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease based on sex difference remains still overlooked. Severe early-life infections lead to increased inflammation that can aggravate epilepsy and hepatic damage progression, both related to increased odds of hospitalization for epileptic patients with liver diseases. Here, we induced a post-natal-day 3 (PND3) infection by LPS (1 mg/kg, i.p.) to determine the hepatic damage in a genetic model of young epileptic WAG/Rij rats (PND45). We evaluated intra- and inter-gender differences in systemic and liver inflammation, hepatic lipid dysmetabolism, and oxidative damage related to mitochondrial functional impairment. First, epileptic rats exposed to LPS, regardless of gender, displayed increased serum hepatic enzymes and altered lipid profile. Endotoxin challenge triggered a more severe inflammatory and immune response in male epileptic rats, compared to females in both serum and liver, increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and hepatic immune cell recruitment. Conversely, LPS-treated female rats showed significant alterations in systemic and hepatic lipid profiles and reduced mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. The two different sex-dependent mechanisms of LPS-induced liver injury converge in increased ROS production and related mitochondrial oxidative damage in both sexes. Notably, a compensatory increase in antioxidant defense was evidenced only in female rats. Our study with a translational potential demonstrates, for the first time, that early post-natal infections in epileptic rats induced or worsened hepatic disorders in a sex-dependent manner, amplifying inflammation, lipid dysmetabolism, and mitochondrial impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer and oxidative stress are interrelated, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) playing crucial roles in physiological processes and oncogenesis. Excessive ROS levels can induce DNA damage, leading to cancer, and disrupt antioxidant defenses, contributing to diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Antioxidant mechanisms include enzymes and small molecules that mitigate ROS damage. However, cancer cells often exploit oxidative conditions to evade apoptosis and promote tumor growth. Antioxidant therapy has shown mixed results, with timing and cancer-type influencing outcomes. Multifunctional drugs targeting multiple pathways offer a promising approach, reducing side effects and improving efficacy. Recent research focuses on sulfur-nitrogen heterocyclic derivatives for their dual antioxidant and anticancer properties, potentially enhancing therapeutic efficacy in oncology. The newly synthesized compounds often do not demonstrate both antioxidant and anticancer properties simultaneously. Heterocyclic rings are typically combined with phenyl groups, where hydroxy substitutions enhance antioxidant activity. On the other hand, electron-withdrawing substituents, particularly at the p-position on the phenyl ring, tend to enhance anticancer activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the better understanding of the molecular mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and improved patient survival in recent years, AML therapy still remains a clinical challenge. For this reason, it is important to search for new therapies that will enable the achievement of remission. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved three mutant IDH (mIDH) inhibitors for the treatment of AML. However, the use of mIDH inhibitors in monotherapy usually leads to the development of resistance and the subsequent recurrence of the cancer, despite the initial effectiveness of the therapy. A complete understanding of the mechanisms by which IDH mutations influence the development of leukemia, as well as the processes that enable resistance to mIDH inhibitors, may significantly improve the efficacy of this therapy through the use of an appropriate synergistic approach. The aim of this literature review is to present the role of IDH1/IDH2 mutations in the pathogenesis of AML and the results of clinical trials using mIDH1/IDH2 inhibitors in AML and to discuss the challenges related to the use of mIDH1/IDH2 inhibitors in practice and future prospects related to the potential methods of overcoming resistance to these agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the growing demand for algae in Western countries is due to their richness in nutrients and bioactive compounds, and their use as ingredients for foods, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, fertilizers, biofuels,, etc. Evaluation of the qualitative characteristics of algae involves assessing their physicochemical and nutritional components to determine their suitability for specific end uses, but this assessment is generally performed using destructive, expensive, and time-consuming traditional chemical analyses, and requires sample preparation. The hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technique has been successfully applied in food quality assessment and control and has the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional biochemical methods. In this study, the nutritional profile (proteins, lipids, and fibers) of seventeen edible macro- and microalgae species widely grown throughout the world were investigated using traditional methods. Moreover, a shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging device and artificial neural network (ANN) algorithms were used to develop multi-species models for proteins, lipids, and fibers. The predictive power of the models was characterized by different metrics, which showed very high predictive performances for all nutritional parameters (for example, R2 = 0.9952, 0.9767, 0.9828 for proteins, lipids, and fibers, respectively). Our results demonstrated the ability of SWIR hyperspectral imaging coupled with ANN algorithms in quantifying biomolecules in algal species in a fast and sustainable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While devices in the Internet of Things (hereinafter "IoT") such as smart appliances, smart watches, and pacemakers are intended to make life easier and safer, they sometimes complicate users' lives with system failures and expose them to new risks instead. Users suffer the risks stemming from hastily developed cybersecurity in IoT devices, sometimes with serious consequences and without recourse against manufacturers or cybercriminals. Cybercriminals' ability to exploit gaps in cybersecurity from anywhere makes the IoT especially risk-prone to transnational crime and may make tort claims against multinational manufacturers tenuous on issues of causation and actual harm suffered. Most problematically, the IoT represents an underdeveloped area of law that courts and legislatures in many countries have attempted to address with vastly differing approaches. In turn, this patchwork of underdeveloped IoT jurisprudence leaves manufacturers without clear standards to follow and consumers without adequate paths to pursue remedies. Though ambitious, multilateral international collaboration is necessary to set uniform standards for the ubiquitous issues associated with IoT cybersecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin introduced through the diet with anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant activities. Today, this vitamin is integrated into the treatment of many inflammatory pathologies. However, there is increasing evidence of possible use in treating autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. We reviewed the literature to delve deeper into the rationale for using vitamin C in treating this type of pathology. There is much evidence in the literature regarding the beneficial effects of vitamin C supplementation for treating autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and neoplasms, particularly hematological neoplastic diseases. Vitamin C integration regulates the cytokines microenvironment, modulates immune response to autoantigens and cancer cells, and regulates oxidative stress. Moreover, integration therapy has an enhanced effect on chemotherapies, ionizing radiation, and target therapy used in treating hematological neoplasm. In the future, integrative therapy will have an increasingly important role in preventing pathologies and as an adjuvant to standard treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decompensated liver disease is complicated by multi‐organ failure and poor prognosis. The prognosis of patients with liver failure often dictates clinical management. Current prognostic models have focused on biomarkers considered as individual isolated units. Network physiology assesses the interactions among multiple physiological systems in health and disease irrespective of anatomical connectivity and defines the influence or dependence of one organ system on another. Indeed, recent applications of network mapping methods to patient data have shown improved prediction of response to therapy or prognosis in cirrhosis. Initially, different physical markers have been used to assess physiological coupling in cirrhosis including heart rate variability, heart rate turbulence, and skin temperature variability measures. Further, the parenclitic network analysis was recently applied showing that organ systems connectivity is impaired in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and can predict mortality in cirrhosis independent of current prognostic models while also providing valuable insights into the associated pathological pathways. Moreover, network mapping also predicts response to intravenous albumin in patients hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis. Thus, this review highlights the importance of evaluating decompensated cirrhosis through the network physiologic prism. It emphasizes the limitations of current prognostic models and the values of network physiologic techniques in cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperspectral imaging was used to predict the total polyphenol content in low-temperature stressed tomato seedlings for the development of a multispectral image sensor. The spectral data with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 5 nm were merged to obtain FWHMs of 10 nm, 25 nm, and 50 nm using a commercialized bandpass filter. Using the permutation importance method and regression coefficients, we developed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression models by setting the band number to ≥11, ≤10, and ≤5 for each FWHM. The regression model using 56 bands with an FWHM of 5 nm resulted in an R2 of 0.71, an RMSE of 3.99 mg/g, and an RE of 9.04%, whereas the model developed using the spectral data of only 5 bands with a FWHM of 25 nm (at 519.5 nm, 620.1 nm, 660.3 nm, 719.8 nm, and 980.3 nm) provided an R2 of 0.62, an RMSE of 4.54 mg/g, and an RE of 10.3%. These results show that a multispectral image sensor can be developed to predict the total polyphenol content of tomato seedlings subjected to low-temperature stress, paving the way for energy saving and low-temperature stress damage prevention in vegetable seedling production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with biological essentialist beliefs about social groups also tend to endorse biased beliefs about individuals in those groups, including intensified emphasis on the group, stereotypes, and prejudices. These correlations could be due to biological essentialism causing bias, and some experimental studies support this causal direction. Given this prior work, we expected to find that biological essentialism would lead to increased bias compared with a control condition and set out to extend this prior work in a new direction (regarding "value-based" essentialism). But although the manipulation affected essentialist beliefs and essentialist beliefs were correlated with group emphasis (Study 1), stereotyping (Studies 2, 3a, 3b, and 3c), prejudice (Studies 3a), there was no evidence that biological essentialism caused these outcomes (N Total = 1,903). Given these findings, our initial research question became moot. We thus focus on reexamining the relationship between essentialism and bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fight or flight phenomena is of evolutionary origin and responsible for the type of defensive behaviours enacted, when in the face of threat. This review attempts to draw the link between fear and aggression as motivational levers for fight or flight defensive behaviours. Furthermore, this review investigates whether human biological motion is modulated by the affective behaviours associated with the fight or flight phenomenon. It examines how threat informed emotion and motor systems have the potential to result in the modulation of empathetic appraisal. This is of interest to this systematic review, as empathetic modulation is crucial to prosocial drive, which has the potential to alleviate the perceived threat. Hence, this review investigates the role of affective computing in capturing the potential outcome of threat perception and associated empathetic responses. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the affective responses and biological motion evoked from threat scenarios, affective computing methods used to capture these neurophysiological and behavioural responses are discussed. A systematic review using Google Scholar and Web of Science was conducted as of 2023, and findings were supplemented by bibliographies of key articles. A total of 26 studies were analysed from initial web searches to explore the topics of empathy, threat perception, fight or flight, fear, aggression, and human motion. Relationships between affective behaviours (fear, aggression) and corresponding motor defensive behaviours (fight or flight) were examined within threat scenarios, and whether existing affective computing methods are effective in capturing these responses, identifying the varying consensus in the literature, challenges, and limitations of existing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), as essential amino acids, engage in various physiological processes, such as protein synthesis, energy supply, and cellular signaling. The liver is a crucial site for BCAA metabolism, linking the changes in BCAA homeostasis with the pathogenesis of a variety of liver diseases and their complications. Peripheral circulating BCAA levels show complex trends in different liver diseases. This review delineates the alterations of BCAAs in conditions including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatitis C virus infection, and acute liver failure, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying these changes. A significant amount of clinical research has utilized BCAA supplements in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, the efficacy of BCAA supplementation in clinical practice remains uncertain and controversial due to the heterogeneity of studies. This review delves into the complicated relationship between BCAAs and liver diseases and tries to untangle what role BCAAs play in the occurrence, development, and outcomes of liver diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of metastatic melanoma has been revolutionised by immunotherapy, yet a significant number of patients do not respond, and many experience autoimmune adverse events. Associations have been reported between patient outcome and monocyte subsets, whereas vitamin C (ascorbate) has been shown to mediate changes in cancer-stimulated monocytes in vitro. We therefore investigated the relationship of ascorbate with monocyte subsets and epigenetic modifications in patients with metastatic melanoma receiving immunotherapy. Patients receiving immunotherapy were compared to other cancer cohorts and age-matched healthy controls. Ascorbate levels in plasma and peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocyte subtype and epigenetic markers were measured, and adverse events, tumour response and survival were recorded. A quarter of the immunotherapy cohort had hypovitaminosis C, with plasma and PBMC ascorbate levels significantly lower than those from other cancer patients or healthy controls. PBMCs from the immunotherapy cohort contained similar frequencies of non-classical and classical monocytes. DNA methylation markers and intracellular ascorbate concentration were correlated with monocyte subset frequency in healthy controls, but correlation was lost in immunotherapy patients. No associations between ascorbate status and immune-related adverse events or tumour response or overall survival were apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social scientists have long been interested in how attitudes and values influence fertility intentions and behaviors. The role of political ideology has, on the contrary, been overlooked. Right-wing people tend to be more religious, to hold more traditional views on gender roles and on the importance of the family. Therefore, right-wing people may be more likely to hold positive fertility intentions that individuals with other political orientations. In addition, political ideology may have an effect on fertility intention independent of other attitudes. Using two rounds of the European Social Survey, we show that people that position at the extreme right of the political ideology scale are more likely to intend to have a child during the three years following the interview. This association holds even after accounting for several socio-demographic and economic factors, values and attitudes. Heterogeneity tests show that the association is restricted to younger individuals (aged 20–34), with higher levels of education (at least upper secondary), and individuals in Eastern Europe. In Southern Europe right-wing individuals show significantly higher predicted probabilities of a positive fertility intention compared people that locate themselves in the political center. The statistically significant associations are also sizeable (differences in terms of predicted probabilities vary between 4 and 9 percentage points). These results point to the importance of considering a neglected factor in fertility research and contribute to the growing field of Political Demography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]