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Background: Existing studies on breast cancer survivors (BCS) have primarily focused on individual aspects of either diet or exercise preferences and barriers. Our study aims to examine BCS’ perceptions toward diet and exercise combined. Given the transformative impact of COVID-19, there is a crucial need for insights in the post-pandemic era to address the distinct challenges faced by BCS in maintaining their health and well-being. Objectives: This exploratory study aims to understand BCS’ preferences for and barriers to diet and exercise to inform future intervention development. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to adults diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ or stage I–IV breast cancer (BC) from 2019 to 2021 regarding interest, preferences, and barriers to participating in diet and exercise interventions. Descriptive analysis compared pre-COVID-19 (pre-C) and during-COVID-19 pandemic (during-C) subsets. Results: There were 224 participants. Over half expressed interest in a BC research study related to diet and exercise. Most preferred receiving consultations in-person with relevant specialists, education or counseling in one-on-one sections, and information from written materials, in-person, or via technology. Barriers were fatigue, family, and work. One hundred and thirty participants completed the survey pre-C, and 94 during-C. Compared with pre-C, during-C participants preferred visual communication tools for information on nutrition and exercise over in-person methods (P < 0.05). In most categories, the percentage of barriers noted during-C was greater than pre-C. Conclusions: Participants indicated preference for dual-modal diet and exercise interventions. The pandemic impacted participation preferences and barriers, with shifts toward favoring visual communication tools over in-person services and increasing psychosocial and COVID-related barriers. Hybrid care, combining in-person with technology-based delivery, shows promise in enhancing flexibility and accessibility in nutrition and exercise interventions amid the pandemic.

Gas diffusion, D, in partially saturated soils, constitutes a critical topic in soil sciences. However, it is a complex process and this limits its characterization and estimation. In this study, we analyzed and parameterized the soil gas diffusion using a combination of percolation theory (PT) and the effective-medium approximation (EMA). Here, we selected 126 coarse-textured soils with measurements including sand, silt, and clay content, bulk density, organic matter, porosity, soil water content measured at different pressure heads and saturation-dependent gas diffusion. First, we adopted the van Genuchten model, fit it to the soil water retention curve (SWRC), optimized its parameters, and determined the water content at the inflection point. Second, the parameters of the universal scaling law from PT and EMA were optimized by directly fitting the model to the saturation-dependent gas diffusion data. Those parameters are (1) the critical air-filled porosity, εc, (2) the crossover air-filled porosity, εx, at which the gas movement behavior changes from the percolation theory domain to the EMA domain; and (3) the average pore coordination number, z. Next, a multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA) was applied to link εc, εx and z to other soil parameters, such as soil textural and/or hydraulic properties. Uncertainties in our results were evaluated using a jack-knife resampling technique, which involved applying the MLRA more than 7000 times. Results revealed that the most accurate estimations were obtained when both soil textural and hydraulic properties were used simultaneously. However, the use of only soil textural parameters presents practical advantages, as it provides excellent estimations for εx and z, although not for εc. The latter is a critical parameter in the application of the PT and EMA to gas diffusion that requires both the soil basic properties and water saturation curve properties to be correctly estimated.

In recent years, there has been a focus on developing and discovering novel Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, as they offer an effective treatment strategy for B-cell malignancies. BTK plays a crucial role in B cell receptor (BCR)-mediated activation and proliferation by regulating downstream factors such as the NF-κB and MAP kinase pathways. To address this challenge and propose potential therapeutic options for B-cell lymphomas, researchers conducted 2D-QSAR and ADMET studies on pyrrolopyrimidine derivatives that act as inhibitors of the BCR site in cytochrome b. These studies aim to improve and identify new compounds that could serve as more potent potential BTK inhibitors, which would lead to the identification of new drug candidates in this field.In our study, we used 2D-QSAR (multiple linear regression, multiple nonlinear regression, and artificial neural networks), molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and ADMET properties to investigate the potential of 35 pyrrolopyrimidine derivatives as BTK inhibitors. A molecular docking study and molecular dynamics simulations of molecule 13 over 10 ns revealed that it establishes multiple hydrogen bonds with several residues and exhibits frequent stability throughout the simulation period. Based on the results obtained by molecular modeling, we proposed six new compounds (Pred1, Pred2, Pred3, Pred4, Pred5, and Pred6) with highly significant predicted activity by MLR models. A study based on the in silico evaluation of the predicted ADMET properties of the new candidate molecules is strongly recommended to classify these molecules as promising candidates for new anticancer agents specifically designed to target Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibition.

This study evaluates the concentrations of seventeen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil and selected vegetable samples (onions, tomatoes, hot peppers, sweet peppers, and garden eggs) from Tiga agricultural locations in Kano State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from ten plots (depth profiles of 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) and combined at each depth to create composite samples. Additionally, 20 g of each vegetable were collected and divided into fruit, stem, and root components. Standard procedures were used for the extraction and clean-up of PAHs from both soil and vegetable samples, and instrumental analysis was conducted using SHIMADZU GC-MS (GC-17A). PAH levels in soil ranged from 1.20E-02 mg/kg to 3.80E-02 mg/kg, while vegetables showed concentrations from 1.00E-03 mg/kg to 8.90E-02 mg/kg. The 0–10 cm soil samples displayed higher PAH concentrations among all the depths studied, while the vegetables with the highest PAH concentration followed the trend: Onions > Sweet Pepper > Tomatoes > Hot Pepper > Garden Egg. Overall, total PAH concentrations in vegetables exceeded those in soil. Estimated daily PAH doses were below the Tolerable Daily Dose Limit set by FAO, indicating low health risks. Incremental lifetime cancer risk values also fell below US EPA acceptable levels (10E-06), suggesting negligible cancer risk while the hazard index was less than 1, implying no appreciable non-cancer health risks. PAH pollution was attributed to both petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. The findings of this study indicate that under the assessed conditions, the five vegetables evaluated from Tiga pose no significant risk and are considered safe for consumption.

We report electron attachment (EA) measurements for the parent anion radical formation from coenzyme Q0 (CoQ0) at low electron energies (

Aging is a natural process but may lead to aging anxiety due to physical and mental health changes. Aging anxiety is more prevalent among African Americans compared to Whites. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between aging anxiety, its four constructs including fear of older adults (contact with older adults), psychological concerns (personal/internal issues), physical appearance (physical changes), and fear of loss (loss of autonomy and social relationships), with the different types of physical activity (PA), as well as the attitudes toward PA. A total of 178 African American adults aged 40 years and older completed an online Qualtrics survey. The Lasher and Faulkender survey was utilized for the purposes of obtaining data on aging anxiety. PA was measured using questions derived from the National Health Interview Survey questionnaire and miscellaneous Questions for PA attitudes. The results revealed that fear of loss was the most anxiety-inducing factor among the participants. Females were more fearful of older adults and more anxious about aging than males. Possessing an enjoyable attitude toward PA was associated with less fear of older adults, fewer psychological concerns, and a lower total score of aging anxiety. Physical appearance constructs were correlated with age and strengthening exercises. Younger participants were more worried about their appearance than older participants. Fear of loss was higher among single and lower-income participants. Interventions and mental health programs should consider addressing the fear of loss and promoting a positive attitude toward PA to alleviate aging anxiety among middle-aged and older African Americans.

Summary: The cGAS-STING pathway is central to the interferon response against DNA viruses. However, recent studies are increasingly demonstrating its role in the restriction of some RNA viruses. Here, we show that the cGAS-STING pathway also contributes to the interferon response against noroviruses, currently the commonest causes of infectious gastroenteritis worldwide. We show a significant reduction in interferon-β induction and a corresponding increase in viral replication in norovirus-infected cells after deletion of STING, cGAS, or IFI16. Further, we find that immunostimulatory host genome-derived DNA and mitochondrial DNA accumulate in the cytosol of norovirus-infected cells. Lastly, overexpression of the viral NS4 protein is sufficient to drive the accumulation of cytosolic DNA. Together, our data find a role for cGAS, IFI16, and STING in the restriction of noroviruses and show the utility of host genomic DNA as a damage-associated molecular pattern in cells infected with an RNA virus.

No studies, to date, have scrutinized the role of a priori dietary patterns on prognosis following a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) diagnosis. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the associations between adherence to six a priori defined diet quality indices (including AHEI-2010, aMED, DASH, and three low-carbohydrate indices) throughout the first 3 years of observation and all-cause and cancer-specific mortalities in 468 newly diagnosed HNSCC patients from the University of Michigan Head and Neck Specialized Program of Research Excellence (UM-SPORE). The dietary intake data were measured using a food frequency questionnaire administered at three annual time points commencing at study entry. Deaths and their causes were documented throughout the study using various data sources. Marginal structural Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the role of diet quality, as a time-varying covariate, on mortality. There were 93 deaths from all causes and 74 cancer-related deaths adjudicated throughout the observation period. There was a strong inverse association between adherence to the AHEI-2010, all-cause mortality (HRQ5–Q1:0.07, 95% CI:0.01–0.43, ptrend:0.04), and cancer-specific mortality (HRQ5–Q1:0.15, 95% CI:0.02–1.07, ptrend:0.04). Other more modest associations were noted for the low-carbohydrate indices. In sum, higher adherence to the AHEI-2010 and a plant-based low-carbohydrate index throughout the first 3 years since diagnosis may bolster survival and prognosis in newly diagnosed patients with HNSCC.

Abstract Background Dietary preferences vary depending on cancer type. The purpose of this study was to report dietary intervention preferences and a study program evaluation from post-treatment head and neck cancer survivors participating in a dietary intervention. Methods Between January 2015 and August 2016, 24 head and neck cancer survivors participated in a 12-week randomized clinical dietary intervention trial that promoted weekly consumption of 2.5 cups of cruciferous vegetables and 3.5 cups of green leafy vegetables. At study completion, survivors completed a preferences survey and a study program evaluation to probe interests and improvement aspects for planning future dietary intervention trials. Descriptive statistics (means and frequencies) were generated for multiple choice question responses. Responses to open-ended questions were recorded and grouped based on themes, and verified by quality assurance checks by a second study team member. Results Twenty-three survivors completed the preferences and evaluation surveys (response rate 96%). Overall, most participants reported a preference for one-on-one telephone counseling from a registered dietitian nutritionist before beginning treatment. Ninety-six percent of participants ranked the overall study program as “very good” to “excellent,” and all agreed the objectives of the study were clear, the study staff was helpful and easy to contact, and the registered dietitian nutritionist was knowledgeable. Conclusions Future research and dietary intervention planning for head and neck cancer survivors should focus on strategies to promote one-on-one telephone or other distance-based counseling combined with face-to-face visits, according to survivor preference.

Author(s): Yan Rizal [sup.1] , Kira E. Westaway [sup.2] , Yahdi Zaim [sup.1] , Gerrit D. van den Bergh [sup.3] , E. Arthur Bettis III [sup.4] , Michael J. Morwood [...], Homo erectus is the founding early hominin species of Island Southeast Asia, and reached Java (Indonesia) more than 1.5 million years ago.sup.1,2. Twelve H. erectus calvaria (skull caps) and two tibiae (lower leg bones) were discovered from a bone bed located about 20 m above the Solo River at Ngandong (Central Java) between 1931 and 1933.sup.3,4, and are of the youngest, most-advanced form of H. erectus.sup.5-8. Despite the importance of the Ngandong fossils, the relationship between the fossils, terrace fill and ages have been heavily debated.sup.9-14. Here, to resolve the age of the Ngandong evidence, we use Bayesian modelling of 52 radiometric age estimates to establish--to our knowledge--the first robust chronology at regional, valley and local scales. We used uranium-series dating of speleothems to constrain regional landscape evolution; luminescence, .sup.40argon/.sup.39argon (.sup.40Ar/.sup.39Ar) and uranium-series dating to constrain the sequence of terrace evolution; and applied uranium-series and uranium series-electron-spin resonance (US-ESR) dating to non-human fossils to directly date our re-excavation of Ngandong.sup.5,15. We show that at least by 500 thousand years ago (ka) the Solo River was diverted into the Kendeng Hills, and that it formed the Solo terrace sequence between 316 and 31 ka and the Ngandong terrace between about 140 and 92 ka. Non-human fossils recovered during the re-excavation of Ngandong date to between 109 and 106 ka (uranium-series minimum).sup.16 and 134 and 118 ka (US-ESR), with modelled ages of 117 to 108 thousand years (kyr) for the H. erectus bone bed, which accumulated during flood conditions.sup.3,17. These results negate the extreme ages that have been proposed for the site and solidify Ngandong as the last known occurrence of this long-lived species. Bayesian modelling of radiometric age estimates provides a robust chronology for Homo erectus at Ngandong (Java), confirming that this site currently represents the last known occurrence of this species.

Diet is a major route of phthalate exposure in humans due to use in food packaging materials. School lunches may be an important contributor to phthalate exposure in children and adolescents in the US because of the large amount of packaging necessary for mass-produced foods. We used 2003–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data to study the association between school lunch consumption and urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in children (ages 6–11 years, N = 2196) and adolescents (ages 12–19 years, N = 2314). After adjustment for other covariates, children who Always consumed school lunch had significantly elevated urinary concentrations of the following phthalate metabolites compared to levels in children who Never ate school lunch: sum of di(2‑ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites, (28% higher, 95% confidence interval, CI: 10, 49%); mono‑(carboxy‑octyl) phthalate (MCOP; 43% higher, 95% CI: 17, 76%) and mono‑n‑butyl phthalate (18% higher, 95% CI: 3.5, 34%). We did not find statistically significant associations in adolescents, but the trend for MCOP concentrations was similar to that of children. In sensitivity analyses, associations between 24-hour recall of cafeteria food and urinary phthalate metabolites were not statistically significant, which could indicate that associations observed with Always consuming school lunch are due to residual confounding. Our findings show that children who Always eat school lunch had higher levels of exposure to some phthalates, but the source of differences in exposure need to be evaluated in additional studies. Keywords: Phthalates, Diet, Cafeteria, Exposure assessment, Plasticizers, Endocrine disruptors

The driver mutations for the two main molecular subgroups of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are poorly defined. Here, an integrative genomics analysis identifies 3′ UTR NFKBIZ mutations within the activated B-cell DLBCL subgroup and small FCGR2B amplifications in the germinal centre B-cell DLBCL subgroup.

ABSTRACT Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the main cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, yet no therapeutics are currently available. Here, we utilize a human norovirus replicon in human gastric tumor (HGT) cells to identify host factors involved in promoting or inhibiting HuNoV replication. We observed that an interferon (IFN)-cured population of replicon-harboring HGT cells (HGT-Cured) was enhanced in their ability to replicate transfected HuNoV RNA compared to parental HGT cells, suggesting that differential gene expression in HGT-Cured cells created an environment favoring norovirus replication. Microarrays were used to identify genes differentially regulated in HGT-NV and HGT-Cured compared to parental cells. We found that IFN lambda receptor (IFNLR1) expression was highly reduced in HGT-NV and HGT-Cured cells. While all three cell lines responded to exogenous IFN-β by inducing interferon-stimulated genes, HGT-NV and HGT-Cured cells failed to respond to exogenous IFN-λ. Methylation-sensitive PCR showed that an increased methylation of the IFNLR1 promoter and inhibition of DNA methyltransferase activity partially reactivated IFNLR1 expression in HGT-NV and HGT-Cured cells, indicating that host adaptation occurred via epigenetic reprogramming. Moreover, IFNLR1 ectopic expression rescued response to IFN-λ and restricted HuNoV replication in HGT-NV cells. We conclude that type III IFN is important in inhibiting HuNoV replication in vitro and that the loss of IFNLR1 enhances replication of HuNoV. This study unravels for the first time epigenetic reprogramming of the interferon lambda receptor as a new mechanism of cellular adaptation during long-term RNA virus replication and shows that an endogenous level of interferon lambda signaling is able to control human norovirus replication. IMPORTANCE Noroviruses are one of the most widespread causes of gastroenteritis, yet no suitable therapeutics are available for their control. Moreover, to date, knowledge of the precise cellular processes that control the replication of the human norovirus remains ill defined. Recent work has highlighted the importance of type III interferon (IFN) responses in the restriction of viruses that infect the intestine. Here, we analyzed the adaptive changes required to support long-term replication of noroviruses in cell culture and found that the receptor for type III IFN is decreased in its expression. We confirmed that this decreased expression was driven by epigenetic modifications and that cells lacking the type III IFN receptor are more permissive for norovirus replication. This work provides new insights into key host-virus interactions required for the control of noroviruses and opens potential novel avenues for their therapeutic control.

A great deal of effort has been applied to maximizing switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) production for bioenergy by leveraging existing local adaptation to climate and via nutrient management in this perennial grass crop. However, the biotic component of soils can also affect plant production and long-term suitability at a given site. Here, we tested how productivity of four switchgrass cultivars were affected by four microbial sources from the Great Plains. All inoculum soil sources were previously conditioned by a mixture of switchgrass cultivars, allowing us to explicitly address plant-soil feedback effects. Microbial soil inocula were added to a consistent background soil to avoid physicochemical variation across the sources. We found that the soil microbial inoculum source mattered more than cultivar in determining switchgrass biomass. The addition of microbes resulted in smaller plants, with the largest plants found on control soils with no inoculum, but some inocula were less negative than others. There was no geographic matching between cultivars and soil microbial inoculum, suggesting little local adaptation to the biotic component of soils. In addition, measurements of fungal root colonization suggest that fungi are not responsible for the observed patterns. Based on these results, we suggest that switchgrass cultivation could benefit from considering effects of the soil biota. Additional work is needed to generalize these patterns over time, to a wider geographic area, and to a broader range of cultivars.

Agricultural activities in the Midwestern United States have potentially altered geochemical fluxes within the critical zone (CZ) compared to native prairie systems that previously dominated the region. To quantify the impact of agricultural land use on soil and stream solute behavior, we are studying two watersheds in the region: Glacier Creek Preserve (GCP) in eastern Nebraska and the Intensively Managed Landscapes Critical Zone Observatory (IML-CZO) in eastern Iowa. Both watersheds were initially under agricultural land use for over 100 years, but part of each watershed was restored to prairie 20 – 50 years ago. Soils at both sites formed in thick Peoria loess (≥6 m) overlying glacial till with similar mean annual temperatures (∼10°C) but slightly higher mean annual precipitation in Iowa (89 cm) compared to Nebraska (78 cm). At both sites, soil pore water and precipitation were collected every 2–4 weeks to measure anions, cations, and alkalinity; stream waters draining either restored prairie or agriculture were sampled similarly in Nebraska. Both soil moisture content and electrical conductivity were consistently higher in the upper one meter of agricultural soils compared to prairie soils in Nebraska, implying slower drainage and higher solute concentrations in the agricultural soils. At both sites, soil pore water Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations and annual fluxes were significantly higher in agricultural soils compared to restored prairie. Conversely, streams draining restored prairie have significantly higher Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations than the agricultural streams. Fluxes from agricultural streams, however, were higher than the prairie, pointing to a potential dilution effect of runoff from the agricultural land use. These observations lead to a conceptual model where deeply infiltrating water in restored prairie soils interacts with minerals present deeper in the soil before reaching the stream whereas in agricultural soils water does not infiltrate as deeply and thus experiences more shallow flowpaths to the stream. Furthermore, changes in geochemical and hydrologic fluxes have been realized in just a few decades since switching land use from agriculture to prairie. Thus, intensive agricultural land use may alter soil function and solute transport to streams compared to critical zones hosting tallgrass prairie vegetation.

The concept of a critical zone (CZ) supporting terrestrial life has fostered groundbreaking interdisciplinary science addressing complex interactions among water, soil, rock, air, and life near Earth's surface. Pioneering work has focused on the CZ in areas with residual soils and steady-state or erosional topography. CZ evolution in these areas is conceptualized as progressive weathering of local bedrock (e.g., in the flow-through reactor model). However, this model is not applicable to areas in which weathering profiles form in transported materials including the formerly glaciated portion of the Central Lowland of North America. We present a new conceptual model of CZ evolution in landscapes impacted by continental glaciation based on investigations at three study sites in the Intensively Managed Landscapes Critical Zone Observatory (IML-CZO) The IML-CZO is devoted to the study of CZ processes in a region characterized by thick surficial deposits resulting from multiple continental glaciations, with bedrock at depths of up to 150 m. Here the physical (glacial ice, loess, developing soil profiles) and biological (microbes, tundra, forest, prairie) components of the CZ vary significantly in time. Moreover, the spatial relationships between mineral components of the CZ record a history of glacial-interglacial cycles and landscape evolution. We present cross-sections from IML-CZO sites to provide specific examples of how environmental change is recorded by the structure of the mineral components of the CZ. We build on these examples to create an idealized model of CZ evolution through a glacial cycle that represents the IML-CZO sites and other areas of low relief that have experienced continental glaciation. In addition, we identify two main characteristics of CZ structure which should be included in a conceptual model of CZ development in the IML-CZO and similar settings: (1) mineral components have diverse origins and transport trajectories including alteration in past CZs, and, (2) variability in climate, ecosystems, and hydrology during glacial-interglacial cycles profoundly influence the CZ composition, creating a legacy retained in its structure. This legacy is important because the current physical CZ structure influences the occurrence and rates of CZ processes, as well as future CZ responses to land use and climate change.

Stable isotopic compositions in animal tissues have been widely used to gain insight into trophic dynamics, especially of mobile aquatic predators whose behavior and dietary preferences are difficult to directly measure. Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) range across >3 million km2 of the tropical and subtropical eastern Pacific Ocean and their trophic ecology in open ocean areas has not yet been adequately described. Individuals feed within biogeographic regions where varying nutrient cycling regimes result in phytoplankton with distinct δ13C and δ15N values that are assimilated by the turtles. We sampled 346 turtles at-sea between 2003 and 2009 and used bulk tissue (n = 346) and amino acid compound specific isotope analysis (AA-CSIA, n = 31) to empirically support the conventional understanding that olive ridleys are omnivores. Bulk δ15N values did not significantly vary with carapace length, a proxy for age, or with putative sex of adults. We therefore hypothesize that trophic position (TP) does not vary across age or sex. In line with other isotopic studies of this biogeographic scale in the same region, we observed a trend of bulk tissue 15N enrichment with increasing latitude. Using AA-CSIA to account for δ15N baseline shifts among food webs (space), we estimated the TP of adult foragers using two methods. We found that across their eastern Pacific range, olive ridley δ13C and δ15N niche area varied, but median TP of adults remained constant (~3.1). Using a two-amino acid TP estimation method, we detected a small but notable elevation of TP for olive ridleys on the Costa Rica Dome. This study underscores the value of large-scale in-water olive ridley sea turtle research across oceanic foraging habitats to confirm or challenge anecdotal understanding of trophic roles, susceptibility to environmental change, and critical habitats. Further, it improves our understanding of why this species is now abundant in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A prey generalist with plenty of suitable foraging habitat can recover from the brink of extinction despite the presence of major threats. However, such foraging characteristics may require dynamic open ocean management approaches to meet conservation objectives if threats persist and/or increase.