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GHOST (Globally Harmonised Observations in Space and Time) represents one of the biggest collections of harmonised measurements of atmospheric composition at the surface. In total, 7 275 148 646 measurements from 1970 to 2023, of 227 different components from 38 reporting networks, are compiled, parsed, and standardised. The components processed include gaseous species, total and speciated particulate matter, and aerosol optical properties. The main goal of GHOST is to provide a dataset that can serve as a basis for the reproducibility of model evaluation efforts across the community. Exhaustive efforts have been made towards standardising almost every facet of the information provided by major public reporting networks, which is saved in 21 data variables and 163 metadata variables. Extensive effort in particular is made towards the standardisation of measurement process information and station classifications. Extra complementary information is also associated with measurements, such as metadata from various popular gridded datasets (e.g. land use) and temporal classifications per measurement (e.g. day or night). A range of standardised network quality assurance flags is associated with each individual measurement. GHOST's own quality assurance is also performed and associated with measurements. Measurements pre-filtered by the default GHOST quality assurance are also provided. In this paper, we outline all steps undertaken to create the GHOST dataset and give insights and recommendations for data providers based on the experiences gleaned through our efforts. The GHOST dataset is made freely available via the following repository: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10637449 (Bowdalo, 2024a).

Abstract Viral vectors and lipofection‐based gene therapies have dispersion‐dependent transduction/transfection profiles that thwart precise targeting. The study describes the development of focused close‐field gene electrotransfer (GET) technology, refining spatial control of gene expression. Integration of fluidics for precise delivery of “naked” plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in sucrose carrier within the focused electric field enables negative biasing of near‐field conductivity (“conductivity‐clamping”–CC), increasing the efficiency of plasma membrane molecular translocation. This enables titratable gene delivery with unprecedently low charge transfer. The clinic‐ready bionics‐derived CC‐GET device achieved neurotrophin‐encoding miniplasmid DNA delivery to the cochlea to promote auditory nerve regeneration; validated in deafened guinea pig and cat models, leading to improved central auditory tuning with bionics‐based hearing. The performance of CC‐GET is evaluated in the brain, an organ problematic for pulsed electric field‐based plasmid DNA delivery, due to high required currents causing Joule‐heating and damaging electroporation. Here CC‐GET enables safe precision targeting of gene expression. In the guinea pig, reporter expression is enabled in physiologically critical brainstem regions, and in the striatum (globus pallidus region) delivery of a red‐shifted channelrhodopsin and a genetically‐encoded Ca2+ sensor, achieved photoactivated neuromodulation relevant to the treatment of Parkinson's Disease and other focal brain disorders.

Abstract Bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS) systems can serve as decarbonization pathways for climate mitigation. Perennial grasses are a promising second‐generation lignocellulosic bioenergy feedstock for BECCS expansion, but optimizing their sustainability, productivity, and climate mitigation potential requires an evaluation of how nitrogen (N) fertilizer strategies interact with greenhouse gas (GHG) and soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. Furthermore, crop and fertilizer choice can affect the soil microbiome which is critical to soil organic matter turnover, nutrient cycling, and sustaining crop productivity but these feedbacks are poorly understood due to the paucity of data from certain agroecosystems. Here, we examine the climate mitigation potential and soil microbiome response to establishing two functionally different perennial grasses, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, C4) and tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum, C3), in a cool semi‐arid agroecosystem under two fertilizer applications, a novel cyanobacterial biofertilizer (CBF) and urea. We find that in contrast to the C4 grass, the C3 grass achieved 98% greater productivity and had a higher N use efficiency when fertilized. For both crops, the CBF produced the same biomass enhancement as urea. Non‐CO2 GHG fluxes across all treatments were low and we observed a 3‐year net loss of SOC under the C4 crop and a net gain under the C3 crop at a 0–30 cm soil depth regardless of fertilization. Finally, we detected crop‐specific changes in the soil microbiome, including an increased relative abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under the C3, and potentially pathogenic fungi in the C4 grass. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of CBF‐fertilized C3 crops as a second‐generation bioenergy feedstock in semi‐arid regions as a part of a climate mitigation strategy.

Dust storms on Mars drive water escape to space. Here, the authors show the impact Martian dust storms have on the abundance of atmospheric hydrogen and oxygen, and how this helps to overall oxidize the Martian atmosphere.

BackgroundThird window syndrome is a vestibular-cochlear disorder in humans in which a third mobile window of the otic capsule creates changes to the flow of sound pressure energy through the perilymph/endolymph. The nature and location of this third mobile window can occur at many different sites (or multiple sites); however, the most common third mobile window is superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). There are two essential objective diagnostic characteristics needed to validate a model of SSCD: the creation of a pseudoconductive hearing loss and cVEMP increased amplitude and decreased threshold.MethodsAdult Mongolian gerbils (n = 36) received surgical fenestration of the superior semicircular canal of the left inner ear. ABR and c+VEMP testing were carried out prior to surgery and over acute (small 1 mm SSCD, 1–10 days) or prolonged (large 2 mm SSCD, 28 days) recovery. Because recovery of function occurred quickly, condenser brightfield stereomicroscopic examination of the dehiscence site was carried out for the small SSCD animals post-hoc and compared to both ABRs and c+VEMPs. Micro-CT analysis was also completed with representative samples of control, day 3 and 10 post-SSCD animals.ResultsThe SSCD created a significant worsening of hearing thresholds of the left ear; especially in the lower frequency domain (1–4 kHz). Left (EXP)/right (CTL) ear comparisons via ABR show significant worsening thresholds at the same frequency representations, which is a proxy for the human pseudoconductive hearing loss seen in SSCD. For the c+VEMP measurements, increased amplitude of the sound-induced response (N1 2.5 ms and P1 3.2 ms) was observed in animals that received larger fenestrations. As the bone regrew, the c+VEMP and ABR responses returned toward preoperative values. For small SSCD animals, micro-CT data show that progressive osteoneogenesis results in resurfacing of the SSCD without bony obliteration.ConclusionThe large (2 mm) SSCD used in our gerbil model results in similar electrophysiologic findings observed in patients with SSCD. The changes observed also reverse and return to baseline as the SSCD heals by bone resurfacing (with the lumen intact). Hence, this model does not require a second surgical procedure to plug the SSCD.

Abstract The need for sustainable agricultural practices to meet the food, feed, and fuel demands of a growing global population while reducing detrimental environmental impacts has driven research in multi‐faceted approaches to agricultural sustainability. Perennial cropping systems and microbial biofertilizer supplements are two emerging strategies to increase agricultural sustainability that are studied in tandem for the first time in this study. During the establishment phase of a perennial switchgrass stand in SW Montana, USA, we supplemented synthetic fertilization with a nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacterial biofertilizer (CBF) and were able to maintain aboveground crop productivity in comparison to a synthetic only (urea) fertilizer treatment. Soil chemical analysis conducted at the end of the growing season revealed that late‐season nitrogen availability in CBF‐supplemented field plots increased relative to urea‐only plots. High‐throughput sequencing of bacterial/archaeal and fungal communities suggested fine‐scale responses of the microbial community and sensitivity to fertilization among arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Given their critical role in plant productivity and soil nutrient cycling, soil microbiome monitoring is vital to understand the impacts of implementation of alternative agricultural practices on soil health.

Abstract Schistosome parasites cause a chronic inflammatory disease in humans, and recent studies have emphasized the importance of control programs for understanding the aquatic phases of schistosomiasis transmission. The host‐seeking behavior of larval schistosomes (miracidia) for their snail intermediate hosts plays a critical role in parasite transmission. Using field‐derived strains of Kenyan snails and parasites, we tested two main hypotheses: (1) Parasites prefer the most compatible host, and (2) parasites avoid hosts that are already infected. We tested preference to three Biomphalaria host snail taxa (B. pfeifferi, B. sudanica, and B. choanomphala), using allopatric and sympatric Schistosoma mansoni isolates and two different nonhost snail species that co‐occur with Biomphalaria, Bulinus globosus, and Physa acuta. We also tested whether schistosomes avoid snail hosts that are already infected by another trematode species and whether competitive dominance played a role in their behavior. Preference was assessed using two‐way choice chambers and by visually counting parasites that moved toward competing stimuli. In pairwise comparisons, we found that S. mansoni did not always prefer the more compatible snail taxon, but never favored an incompatible host over a compatible host. While parasites preferred B. pfeifferi to the nonhost species B. globosus, they did not significantly prefer B. pfeifferi versus P. acuta, an introduced species in Kenya. Finally, we demonstrated that parasites avoid infected snails if the resident parasite was competitively dominant (Patagifer sp.), and preferred snails infected with subordinates (xiphidiocercariae) to uninfected snails. These results provide evidence of “fine tuning” in the ability of schistosome miracidia to detect hosts; however, they did not always select hosts that would maximize fitness. Appreciating such discriminatory abilities could lead to a better understanding of how ecosystem host and parasite diversity influences disease transmission and could provide novel control mechanisms to improve human health.

Extension agents are finding themselves engaged in problem-solving roles as public needs adjust to a climate where issues facing the agricultural and natural resource industry are more often contentious than benign. As connectors between the Land-grant university system and the public, Extension agents need to know how to effectively communicate about contentious issues with clientele. This study used an online survey design to determine Extension agents’ attitudes toward contentious issues, challenges that they face, and effective means of communication. The findings revealed Extension agents’ attitudes toward communicating about contentious issues were more positive than negative. Additionally, they found the availability of misinformation and the complexity of contentious issues to be most challenging when communicating with clientele. One-on-one in-person, workshops, phone calls, and group meetings were identified as the most effective methods of communicating about contentious issues. Additional training and familiarization with current contentious issues were recommended. Future research should examine the contentious issues Extension agents are discussing, methods being used to facilitate conversations, the effect of contentious issues on job satisfaction, and the factors hindering Extension agents as they address contentious issues.

Abstract Introduction: The goal of clinical and translational science (CTS) is to fill gaps in medical knowledge toward improving human health. However, one of our most pressing challenges does not reside within the biological map we navigate to find sustainable cures but rather the moral compass to recognize and overcome racial and ethnic injustices that continue to influence our society and hinder diverse research rigor. The Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science includes an inter-institutional TL1-funded training program for predoctoral/postdoctoral trainees in Translational Biomedical Science (TBS). Methods: In the fall of 2020, the TBS program responded to the national social justice crisis by incorporating a curriculum focused on structural racism in biomedical research. Educational platforms, including movie reviews, Journal Clubs, and other workshops, were threaded throughout the curriculum by ensuring safe spaces to discuss racial and ethnic injustices and providing trainees with practical steps to recognize, approach, and respond to these harmful biases in the CTS. Workshops also focused on why individuals underrepresented in science are vital for addressing and closing gaps in CTS. Results: Paring analysis using REDCap software de-identified participants after invitations were sent and collected in the system to maintain anonymity for pre- and post-analysis. The Likert scale evaluated respondents’ understanding of diverse scientific circumstances. The pre/Fall and post/Spring surveys suggested this curriculum was successful at raising institutional awareness of racial and ethnic biases. Evaluating the effectiveness of our program with other training Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) consortiums will strengthen both the academic and professional TBS programs.

Proglumide is an orally administered cholecystokinin receptor antagonist that was found to improve nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, reverse liver fibrosis, and decrease incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in animal models. The current investigation aimed to test the pharmacokinetics and safety of proglumide in subjects with hepatic impairment compared with healthy controls. In this translational study, subjects with confirmed cirrhosis, Child-Pugh stage A or B, or healthy controls were recruited for a single-dosing study. Baseline urine and blood samples were obtained before administration of proglumide and also collected after ingestion up to 24 h. Drug concentrations measured by mass spectroscopy revealed peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of 7847, 9721, and 10,635 ng/mL at about 1 h (Tmax) for healthy controls, subjects with Child-Pugh A, and B cirrhosis, respectively. The serum elimination half time was 3 h. Maximum urine drug concentration (Cmax = ~411 µg/mL) was observed at 3 h, and urinary drug concentration declined at 5 h. There were no adverse events reported, and follow-up liver panels in cirrhosis subjects were unchanged or improved. This investigation demonstrated that proglumide is safe and has similar pharmacokinetic properties in subjects with cirrhosis as in healthy controls; therefore, it will be safe to test the efficacy of proglumide as a therapeutic agent in those subjects with cirrhosis or HCC.

The demand for local food has risen dramatically over the last decade, and many states have created brands to promote products grown within that state. However, the effect of state brands on consumer perceptions remains unknown. Extension agents serve as change agents and a bridge between science and the public to purvey information for adoption decisions. This study sought to determine if differences existed between consumers’ perceptions of food labeled local and food labeled Fresh from Florida to inform Extension programming. Florida residents (N = 530) were surveyed utilizing a between-subjects experimental design. Respondents were asked questions about their attitudes, trust and transparency, and information preferences toward food labeled Fresh from Florida or local food, depending on the experimental treatment they received. Results of this study indicated that consumers shared similar perceptions of local and Fresh from Florida food, except for the belief that Fresh from Florida comes from larger farms, Fresh from Florida labeling is more trustworthy, and there is a greater desire to see a definition of Fresh from Florida food. When Extension agents develop programming on economic viability, information on local food and state brands should be included to help producers market their products and increase revenues.

Urgency and deliberateness are often at odds when executing conservation projects, especially as the scale and complexity of objectives increases. The pace of environmental degradation supports immediate and measurable action. However, best practices for adaptive governance and building resilient social-ecological systems call for more deliberate efforts and participatory processes, which can be slow. We explore conflicts between urgency and deliberateness and the potential for their reconciliation through a case study of the challenges of conserving native rangelands in North America's Northern Great Plains, an ecoregion targeted for global conservation initiatives. This region is undergoing a significant social-ecological transition, which underscores a need to rethink conservation strategies in light of the social-ecological system dynamics and potential future trajectories. Based on a structured narrative literature review process and iterative engagement with key regional stakeholders, we identify three interrelated factors critical to the system's future outcomes that illustrate system complexity as well as trade-offs between urgent and deliberate action and unilateral and multilateral approaches to conservation: (1) influences of land management on biodiversity, (2) economic restructuring and shifting land use priorities, and (3) changing climate and disturbance regimes. We identify key gaps in the literature for each factor and across the factors - an effort that informs our call for research and practice agendas that address uncertainty and complexity at regional scales through more inclusive and future-oriented approaches.

Listeners with hearing loss have difficulty processing sounds in noisy environments. This is most noticeable for speech perception, but is reflected in a basic auditory processing task: detecting a tonal signal in a noise background, i.e. simultaneous masking. It is unresolved whether the mechanisms underlying simultaneous masking arise from the auditory periphery or from the central auditory system. Poor detection in listeners with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is attributed to cochlear hair cell damage. However, hearing loss alters neural processing in the central auditory system. Additionally, both psychophysical and neurophysiological data from normally hearing and impaired listeners suggest that there are additional contributions to simultaneous masking that arise centrally. With SNHL, it is difficult to separate peripheral from central contributions to signal detection deficits. We have thus excluded peripheral contributions by using an animal model of early conductive hearing loss (CHL) that provides auditory deprivation but does not induce cochlear damage. When tested as adults, animals raised with CHL had increased thresholds for detecting tones in simultaneous noise. Furthermore, intracellular in vivo recordings in control animals revealed a cortical correlate of simultaneous masking: local cortical processing reduced tone-evoked responses in the presence of noise. This raises the possibility that altered cortical responses which occur with early CHL can influence even simple signal detection in noise.

This article informs that thirteen fossil Erica-type seeds extracted by D.G. Wilson from samples collected from the Cromer Forest Bed Series at Pakefield, Suffolk, and Beeston, Norfolk, were examined in the Cambridge Stereoscan Mark II scanning electron microscope at the New University of Ulster. Of the thirteen fossil seeds examined under S.E.M. five were assigned with varying degree of certainty to Erica lusitanica. They could be distinguished from Bruckenthalia spiculifolia on the basis of the characteristics already noted. One seed was tentatively identified with Erica tetralix L., though poor preservation made confirmation impossible. All but one of the remainder were too poorly preserved to permit confident identification.

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Altered redox metabolism is one of the hallmarks of tumor cells, which not only contributes to tumor proliferation, metastasis, and immune evasion, but also has great relevance to therapeutic resistance. Therefore, regulation of redox metabolism of tumor cells has been proposed as an attractive therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor growth and reverse therapeutic resistance. In this respect, nanomedicines have exhibited significant therapeutic advantages as intensively reported in recent studies. In this review, we would like to summarize the latest advances in nanomaterial-assisted strategies for redox metabolic regulation therapy, with a focus on the regulation of redox metabolism-related metabolite levels, enzyme activity, and signaling pathways. In the end, future expectations and challenges of such emerging strategies have been discussed, hoping to enlighten and promote their further development for meeting the various demands of advanced cancer therapies. It is highly expected that these therapeutic strategies based on redox metabolism regulation will play a more important role in the field of nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a well-established predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response in metastatic colon cancer. Both high MSI and tumor mutational burden (TMB) are markers of genomic instability. However, the prognostic and predictive value of TMB in patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors remains unclear. Methods: We evaluated the prognostic significance of TMB levels in MSS metastatic colon cancer patients undergoing standard treatments. Tumor responses were assessed using RECIST v1.1 criteria. Comprehensive clinical and molecular profiling was conducted, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) for TMB evaluation with the TruSight Oncology® kit. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship among potential prognostic factors. Results: Among 102 MSS metastatic colon cancer patients, high TMB (> 10 mut/mb) was associated with a significantly longer median OS compared to low TMB (70.0 vs 45.0 months, respectively; HR: 0.45; 95% CIs 0.21 to 0.96; P = 0.0396). Multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, gender, number of metastatic sites, response to first-line chemotherapy, RAS mutational status, and liver involvement, identified TMB as an independent prognostic factor, along with response to first-line chemotherapy. Conclusions: Our results highlight the prognostic significance of TMB in MSS metastatic colon cancer patients, suggesting its potential role in patient stratification and treatment decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal recreation infrastructure is critical for enhancing people’s opportunities to be physically active during leisure time and reducing usage inequities. Yet, the literature on municipal equity-sensitive strategies is limited. To address this gap, we combined a socio-ecological framework with equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and health equity lenses to examine intersecting social and structural determinants of municipal recreation (indoor and outdoor) infrastructure usage. We used data from 22 focus groups involving youth, adult regular users, and adult non-regular users. The intersecting factors influencing people’s utilization experiences were organized at intrapersonal, socio-cultural environment, organization, and built and natural environment levels. Policy and practice implications for municipal governments vis-à-vis EDI and health equity considerations are discussed. Recommendations include public transportation improvement, design of strategic communication plans, and linking activities with opportunities for socialization, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal depression, which can affect pregnant women’s physical and psychological health and cause postpartum depression, is increasing dramatically. Therefore, it is essential to detect prenatal depression early and conduct an attribution analysis. Many studies have used questionnaires to screen for prenatal depression, but the existing methods lack attributability. To diagnose the early signs of prenatal depression and identify the key factors that may lead to prenatal depression from questionnaires, we present the semantically enhanced option embedding (SEOE) model to represent questionnaire options. It can quantitatively determine the relationship and patterns between options and depression. SEOE first quantifies options and resorts them, gathering options with little difference, since Word2Vec is highly dependent on context. The resort task is transformed into an optimization problem involving the traveling salesman problem. Moreover, all questionnaire samples are used to train the options’ vector using Word2Vec. Finally, an LSTM and GRU fused model incorporating the cycle learning rate is constructed to detect whether a pregnant woman is suffering from depression. To verify the model, we compare it with other deep learning and traditional machine learning methods. The experiment results show that our proposed model can accurately identify pregnant women with depression and reach an F1 score of 0.8. The most relevant factors of depression found by SEOE are also verified in the literature. In addition, our model is of low computational complexity and strong generalization, which can be widely applied to other questionnaire analyses of psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg white (EW)‐derived hydrogels hold promise as biomaterials for in vitro cell culture due to their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. However, their highly cross‐linked structures restrict their potential for in vivo applications, as they are unable to integrate dynamically with tissues before degradation. In this study, this limitation is addressed by introducing carbon dots (CDs) as cross‐linking agents for EW in a dilute aqueous solution. The resulting CDs‐crosslinked EW hydrogel (CEWH) exhibits tensile strength comparable to that of skin tissue and features a large pore structure that promotes cell infiltration. Subcutaneous implantation of CEWH demonstrated excellent integration with surrounding tissue and a degradation rate aligned with the hair follicles (HFs) regeneration cycle. This allows the long‐term regeneration and establishment of an M2 macrophage‐dominated immune microenvironment, which in turn promotes the re‐entry of HFs into the anagen phase from the telogen phase. Additionally, CEWH demonstrated potential as a wound dressing material. Overall, this study paves the way for utilizing EW as a versatile biomaterial for tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA splicing is a fundamental step of gene expression. While constitutive splicing removes introns and joins exons unbiasedly, alternative splicing (AS) selectively determines the assembly of exons and introns to generate RNA variants corresponding to the same transcript. The biogenesis of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is inextricably associated with AS. Back-splicing, the biogenic process of circRNA, is a special form of AS. In cancer, both AS and circRNA deviate from the original track. In the present review, we delve into the intricate interplay between AS and circRNAs in the context of cancer. The relationship between AS and circRNAs is intricate, where AS modulates the biogenesis of circRNAs and circRNAs in return regulate AS events. Beyond that, epigenetic and posttranscriptional modifications concurrently regulate AS and circRNAs. On the basis of this modality, we summarize current knowledge on how splicing factors and other RNA binding proteins regulate circRNA biogenesis, and how circRNAs interact with splicing factors to influence AS events. Specifically, the feedback loop regulation between circRNAs and AS events contributes greatly to oncogenesis and cancer progression. In summary, resolving the crosstalk between AS and circRNA will not only provide better insight into cancer biology but also provoke novel strategies to combat cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Maternal mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression (SAD) in antenatal women are major public health challenges. This study aimed to determine the levels of SAD in antenatal women and associate the selected variables with them. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected primary health centers (PHC) in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The pregnant women were selected using systematic randomization, and their SAD levels were assessed using the perceived stress scale (PSS), the state anxiety scale (SAS), and the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Linear regression was used to associate factors related to stress, anxiety, and depression. Results: Out of 346 antenatal women, 4% had a high level of stress and 27.2% had a moderate level of stress. Regarding the level of anxiety, 2.6% of them had high anxiety, and 32.9% had moderate anxiety. Around 32 (9.2%) women had moderate depression, and 4 (1.2%) had severe depression. The mean score of SAD was 11.99, 28.88, and 4.73, respectively. A linear regression proved that there was an association between stress and age, occupation, gestational age (GA), gravida, para, abortions, and social support (SS) (p < 0.05). Anxiety was associated with age, GA, gravida, para, abortions, past obstetrical complications, and SS (p < 0.05). Depression was related to age, education, occupation, para, abortions, past obstetrical complications, and SS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Due to the prevalence of SAD in pregnancy, the screening of these conditions and awareness creation about the associated factors can help to identify potential risks earlier and prevent maternal and fetal complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neoantigen vaccines can induce or enhance highly specific antitumor immune responses with minimal risk of autoimmunity. We have developed a neoantigen DNA vaccine platform capable of efficiently presenting both HLA class I and II epitopes and performed a phase 1 clinical trial in triple-negative breast cancer patients with persistent disease on surgical pathology following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a patient population at high risk of disease recurrence. Methods: Expressed somatic mutations were identified by tumor/normal exome sequencing and tumor RNA sequencing. The pVACtools software suite of neoantigen prediction algorithms was used to identify and prioritize cancer neoantigens and facilitate vaccine design for manufacture in an academic GMP facility. Neoantigen DNA vaccines were administered via electroporation in the adjuvant setting (i.e., following surgical removal of the primary tumor and completion of standard of care therapy). Vaccines were monitored for safety and immune responses via ELISpot, intracellular cytokine production via flow cytometry, and TCR sequencing. Results: Eighteen subjects received three doses of a neoantigen DNA vaccine encoding on average 11 neoantigens per patient (range 4–20). The vaccinations were well tolerated with relatively few adverse events. Neoantigen-specific T cell responses were induced in 14/18 patients as measured by ELISpot and flow cytometry. At a median follow-up of 36 months, recurrence-free survival was 87.5% (95% CI: 72.7–100%) in the cohort of vaccinated patients. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates neoantigen DNA vaccines are safe, feasible, and capable of inducing neoantigen-specific immune responses. Clinical trial registration number: NCT02348320. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global mortality caused by non-communicable diseases is on the rise. Health-promoting lifestyles are among the most effective approaches, yet the physical activity domain consistently scores the lowest. Physical activity is linked to individual behaviour and influenced by numerous factors. Illness has been identified as a key factor in behavioural change. Therefore, the primary purpose of this review was to investigate the role of illness perception in the physical activity domain among patients with non-communicable disease. Method: This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. A literature search was conducted across three scientific databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science), targeting original articles published in English between 2014 and 2024. The quality of the eligible articles was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. The findings were synthesised through content analysis. Results: A total of 17 studies were included, identifying both the direct and indirect effects of illness perception variables as a whole or in their respective dimensions. The illness perception variable has demonstrated a significant positive and negative relationships with the physical activity domain. Limitation: The majority of the included studies had a cross-sectional design. Therefore, the evidence quality was relatively low and exhibited a high risk of bias. Furthermore, there was language bias as only English-language publications were selected. Conclusion: The findings of this review will serve as a guide for healthcare providers in enhancing physical activity adherence among patients with non-communicable diseases through an illness perception approach. This approach can be integrated into clinic consultations and intervention programmes. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of the illness perception approach in promoting physical activity adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The overall survival of patients with pancreatic cancer is extremely low. We aimed to establish machine learning (ML) based model to accurately predict three-year survival and prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: We analyzed pancreatic cancer patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2000 and 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were employed to select variables. Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) method based on 6 ML algorithms was utilized in feature selection. To construct predictive model, 13 ML algorithms were evaluated by area under the curve (AUC), area under precision-recall curve (PRAUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, cross-entropy, Brier scores and Balanced Accuracy (bacc) and F Beta Score (fbeta). An optimal ML model was constructed to predict three-year survival, and the predictive results were explained by SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) framework. Meanwhile, 101 ML algorithm combinations were developed to select the best model with highest C-index to predict prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Results: A total of 20,064 pancreatic cancer patients from SEER database was consecutively enrolled. We utilized eight clinical variables to establish prediction model for three-year survival. CatBoost model was selected as the best prediction model, and AUC was 0.932 [0.924, 0.939], 0.899 [0.873, 0.934] and 0.826 [0.735, 0.919] in training, internal test and external test sets, with 0.839 [0.831, 0.847] accuracy, 0.872 [0.858, 0.887] sensitivity, 0.803 [0.784, 0.825] specificity and 0.832 [0.821, 0.853] precision. Surgery type had the greatest effects on three-year survival according to SHAP results. For prognosis prediction, "RSF+GBM" algorithm was the best prognostic model with C-index of 0.774, 0.722 and 0.674 in training, internal test and external test sets. Conclusions: Our ML models demonstrate excellent accuracy and reliability, offering more precise personalized prognostic prediction to pancreatic cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract. About 75% of all BC patients present with non-muscle-invasive BC (NMIBC), of which up to 70% will recur, and 15% will progress in stage and grade. As the recurrence and progression rates of NMIBC are strongly associated with some clinical and pathological factors, several risk stratification models have been developed to individually predict the short- and long-term risks of disease recurrence and progression. The NMIBC patients are stratified into four risk groups as low-, intermediate-, high-risk, and very high-risk by the European Association of Urology (EAU). Significant heterogeneity in terms of oncological outcomes and prognosis has been observed among NMIBC patients within the same EAU risk group, which has been partly attributed to the intrinsic heterogeneity of BC at the molecular level. Currently, we have a poor understanding of how to distinguish intermediate- and (very-)high-risk NMIBC with poor outcomes from those with a more benign disease course and lack predictive/prognostic tools that can specifically stratify them according to their pathologic and molecular properties. There is an unmet need for developing a more accurate scoring system that considers the treatment they receive after TURBT to enable their better stratification for further follow-up regimens and treatment selection, based also on a better response prediction to the treatment. Based on these facts, by employing a multi-layered - omics (namely, genomics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics) and immunohistopathology approach, we hypothesize to decipher molecular heterogeneity of intermediate- and (very-)high-risk NMIBC and to better stratify the patients with this disease. A combination of different -omics will provide a more detailed and multi-dimensional characterization of the tumor and represent the broad spectrum of NMIBC phenotypes, which will help to decipher the molecular heterogeneity of intermediate- and (very-)high-risk NMIBC. We think that this combinatorial multi-omics approach has the potential to improve the prediction of recurrence and progression with higher precision and to develop a molecular feature-based algorithm for stratifying the patients properly and guiding their therapeutic interventions in a personalized manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the respiratory response and isocapnic buffering (IB) phase during an incremental exercise test to exhaustion in 16 child soccer players (11.9±0.9 years) and 18 youth soccer players (18.2±2.9 years). Methods: The IB phase was calculated as the difference in oxygen uptake (VO2) between the respiratory compensation point (RCP) and metabolic threshold (MT) and expressed in either absolute or relative values. Results: The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was higher in youth players than in child players. For youth players, VO2max was measured at 55.9 ± 3.6 mL min−1 kg−1 and 74.9 ± 4.8 mL min−1 kg−0.75, while for child players, VO2max was 50.8 ± 4.1 mL min−1 kg−1 and 67.2 ± 6.1 mL min−1 kg−0.75 (p < 0.001). MT and RCP occurred at 69.8 ± 6.7% and 90.9 ± 6.9% of VO2max in child players and at 73.9 ± 5.1% and 91.5 ± 4.5% of VO2max in youth players, respectively. The two groups had no significant difference (p > 0.05). Absolute IB (10.6 ± 2.8 vs 9.7 ± 3.1 mL min−1 kg−1), relative IB (23.1 ± 5.7 vs 19.1 ± 6.1), and the ratio of RCP VO2 to MT VO2 (1.3 ± 0.09 vs 1.24 ± 0.09) were similar in child and youth players (p > 0.05). There was no difference in minute ventilation (V̇E, mL min−1 kg−1) and respiratory exchange ratio during exercise between the two groups (p > 0.05). During exercise, respiratory frequency, ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) and oxygen (VE/VO2), VE/VCO2 slope, end-tidal O2 pressure were higher in child players than in youth players, while tidal volume (L kg−1), O2 pulse, and end-tidal CO2 pressure were lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite differences in aerobic capacity and ventilatory response to exercise, child players showed similar IB phase as youth players. Although child players have lower ventilation efficiency than youth players, the higher ventilation response for a given VCO2 may provide an advantage in regulating acid-base balance during intense exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how often New Zealanders' deliberately disconnect from the Internet ("digital disconnection"). Utilizing a nationally representative survey of 1,012 participants, the research investigates the frequency of disconnection from the Internet, the motivations, and the challenges associated with disconnection. The study also explores the relationship between these factors and demographic variables. The findings reveal that a majority of New Zealanders intentionally disconnect from the Internet. The primary motivations for disconnection are to enhance face-to-face interactions, particularly with family and friends, and to reduce distractions associated with Internet use. However, disconnecting presents challenges, particularly the necessity of an Internet connection for accessing certain services. The study also uncovers significant correlations between age and gender and the motivations and challenges of disconnecting. This research provides a crucial first step in understanding digital disconnection in Aotearoa, laying the foundation for future studies on how individuals balance their online and offline lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of arbovirus infections has increased in recent decades. Other than dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses, the data on arbovirus in solid organ transplant (SOT) are limited to case reports, and infections in renal transplant recipients account for most of the reported cases. Dengue and West Nile infections seem to be more severe with higher mortality in SOT patients than in the general population. Acute kidney injury is more frequent in patients with dengue and chikungunya although persistent arthralgia with the latter is less frequent. There is no clear relationship between arboviral infection and acute cellular rejection. Pre-transplant screening of donors should be implemented during increased arboviral activity but, despite donor screening and negative donor nucleic acid amplification test (NAT), donor derived infection can occur. NAT may be transiently positive. IgM tests lack specificity, and neutralizing antibody assays are more specific but not readily available. Other tests, such as immunohistochemistry, antigen tests, PCR, metagenomic assays, and viral culture, can also be performed. There are a few vaccines available against some arboviruses, but live vaccines should be avoided. Treatment is largely supportive. More data on arboviral infection in SOT are needed to understand its epidemiology and clinical course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cationic vaccines of nanometric sizes can directly perform the delivery of antigen(s) and immunomodulator(s) to dendritic cells in the lymph nodes. The positively charged nanovaccines are taken up by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of the lymphatic system often originating the cellular immunological defense required to fight intracellular microbial infections and the proliferation of cancers. Cationic molecules imparting the positive charges to nanovaccines exhibit a dose-dependent toxicity which needs to be systematically addressed. Against the coronavirus, mRNA cationic nanovaccines evolved rapidly. Nowadays cationic nanovaccines have been formulated against several infections with the advantage of cationic compounds granting protection of nucleic acids in vivo against biodegradation by nucleases. Up to the threshold concentration of cationic molecules for nanovaccine delivery, cationic nanovaccines perform well eliciting the desired Th 1 improved immune response in the absence of cytotoxicity. A second strategy in the literature involves dilution of cationic components in biocompatible polymeric matrixes. Polymeric nanoparticles incorporating cationic molecules at reduced concentrations for the cationic component often result in an absence of toxic effects. The progress in vaccinology against cancer involves in situ designs for cationic nanovaccines. The lysis of transformed cancer cells releases several tumoral antigens, which in the presence of cationic nanoadjuvants can be systemically presented for the prevention of metastatic cancer. In addition, these local cationic nanovaccines allow immunotherapeutic tumor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]