Bulletin of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (BCSEE)
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Effects of elevated CO2 on metabolic rate and nitrogenous waste handling in the early life stages of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
No full textOcean acidification is predicted to have a wide range of impacts on fish, but there has been little focus on broad-ranging pelagic fish species. Early life stages of fish are thought to be particularly susceptible to CO2 exposure, since acid-base regulatory faculties may not be fully developed. We obtained yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from a captive spawning broodstock population and exposed them to control or 1900 μatm CO2 through the first three days of development as embryos transitioned into yolk sac larvae. Metabolic rate, yolk sac depletion, and oil globule depletion were measured to assess overall energy usage. To determine if CO2 altered protein catabolism, tissue nitrogen content and nitrogenous waste excretion were quantified. CO2 exposure did not significantly impact embryonic metabolic rate, yolk sac depletion, or oil globule depletion, however, there was a significant decrease in metabolic rate at the latest measured yolk sac larval stage (36 h post fertilization). CO2-exposure led to a significant increase in nitrogenous waste excretion in larvae, but there were no differences in nitrogen tissue accumulation. Nitrogenous waste accumulated in embryos as they developed but decreased after hatch, coinciding with a large increase in nitrogenous waste excretion and increased metabolic rate in newly hatched larvae. Our results provide insight into how yellowfin tuna are impacted by increases in CO2 in early development, but more research with higher levels of replication is needed to better understand long-term impacts and acid-base regulatory mechanisms in this important pelagic fish.[Display omitted]•Little is known about how tuna species will respond to ocean acidification (OA).•CO2 altered nitrogenous waste excretion and metabolic rate in yolk sac larvae.•CO2 did not change yolk sac depletion in embryos.•CO2 did not alter nitrogen accumulation in yellowfin tuna.•Yellowfin tuna were more robust to CO2 than predicted
Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers, Symptoms, and Functional Outcomes in Individuals Who have Sustained Traumatic Brain Injury 3-12 Months Post-Injury
No full textThe purpose of this research study was to obtain a better understanding of symptoms, functional outcomes and neuroinflammation during the 3-12-month recovery period following a traumatic brain injury.A cross-sectional sample of (n = 39) TBI patients were recruited from a South Florida TBI clinic. Clinical data were obtained from the Electronic Health Record. Participants completed a self-reported comprehensive symptom checklist and targeted symptom assessments and cognitive battery. The Disability Rating Scale (DRS) was used as an assessment of physical function. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) was used as an assessment of quality of life. Blood was obtained from thirty-six patients and the plasma analyzed to determine concentrations of selected biomarkers, including S100 calcium-binding protein B (S-100β), Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Interleukin (IL-) 1α, 1β, 6, 8 and 10, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α).The sample consisted of 69.23% male participants, with 17 sustaining mild, 3 sustaining moderate, and 19 sustaining severe TBI, as measured by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. Changes in concentrations of the biomarkers over time was assessed and only BDNF concentrations increased (4191.38 ± 275.87 pg/ml 3-6 months post-TBI, 5121.33 ± 251.70 pg/ml 6-9 months post-TBI, and 5872.92 ± 195.54 pg/ml 9-12 months post-TBI, p = .045). Our findings also suggest markers of inflammation may be more prominent during the beginning of the TBI recovery period, while concentrations of markers of neural growth may increase over time
Chronic False Positive Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) Tests Induced by COVID-19 Vaccination
No full textFalse positive reactive plasmin reagin (RPR) reactivity following a COVID-19 vaccine has been reported, and it is therefore conceivable that individuals who receive frequent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations may exhibit durable RPR responses. Here, we sought to investigate the extent to which repeated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can elicit chronic false RPR reactivity in a longitudinal cohort. Participants (n = 119) in an IRB-approved (#20201026), longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 cohort study were screened for RPR reactivity via manual RPR card assays. Samples with reactive results underwent additional testing, including follow-on RPR screening at additional timepoints, confirmatory fluorescent treponemal antibody (FTA-ABS) testing and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing. Medical histories were collected. We observed (n = 2) screen-positive RPR results (1.7% [2/119]) following booster vaccination, for which two individuals exhibited chronic, vaccine-induced RPR reactivity for up to 9 months following booster vaccination. Both participants were ANA-negative. It is imperative for clinicians to be mindful of the potential immunologic interference of COVID-19 vaccines with standard infectious disease assays, including RPR testing. Detailed medical histories and clinical contexts, including recent vaccination, should be reviewed prior to proceeding with distressing and invasive workups
Ligand‐independent Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Attenuation of Glutamine Levels by Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent
No full textNatural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are emerging sustainable alternatives to conventional organic solvents. Beyond their role as laboratory solvents, NADESs are increasingly explored in drug delivery and as therapeutics. Their increasing applications notwithstanding, our understanding of how they interact with biomolecules at multiple levels – metabolome, proteome, and transcriptome – within human cell remain poor. Here, we deploy integrated metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics to probe how NADESs perturb the molecular landscape of human cells. In a human cell line model, we found that an archetypal NADES derived from choline and geranic acid (CAGE) significantly altered the metabolome, proteome, and transcriptome. CAGE upregulated indole‐3‐lactic acid and 4‐hydroxyphenyllactic acid levels, resulting in ligand‐independent activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor to signal the transcription of genes with implications for inflammation, immunomodulation, cell development, and chemical detoxification. Further, treating the cell line with CAGE downregulated glutamine biosynthesis, a nutrient rapidly proliferating cancer cells require. The ability of CAGE to attenuate glutamine levels is potentially relevant for cancer treatment. These findings suggest that NADESs, even when derived from natural components like choline, can indirectly modulate cell biology at multiple levels, expanding their applications beyond chemistry to biomedicine and biotechnology
External and Internal Validity Considerations in Youth Effectiveness Trials: Lessons Learned from the COMET Study
No full textEffectiveness trials aim to increase the generalizability and public health impact of interventions. However, challenges associated with this design present threats to external and internal validity. This paper illustrates these challenges using data from a two-site randomized effectiveness trial, the Community Study of Outcome Monitoring for Emotional Disorders in Teens (COMET) and presents recommendations for future research.
COMET was a randomized effectiveness trial conducted in 19 community mental health clinics in two states comparing three interventions: treatment as usual (TAU), TAU with measurement-based care (TAU+), and the Unified Protocol forTransdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents with MBC (UPA). Participants included 176 clinicians (mean age = 35.5; 85.8% cisgender female; 53.0% racially and/or ethnically minorized) and 196 adolescents (mean age = 14.7; 65.3% cisgender female; 69.4% racially and/or ethnically minorized). Analyses outlined participant flow from recruitment to study completion, described participant characteristics, and examined site differences.
Analysis of participant flow suggested that recruitment and retention of clinicians and adolescents was challenging, raising questions about whether participants were representative of participating clinics. Both the clinician and adolescent samples were racially and ethnically diverse and adolescents were low income and clinically complex. Significant site differences were observed in clinician and adolescent characteristics.
While this study was successful in recruiting a diverse and historically under-represented sample, difficulties in recruitment and retention raise questions about external validity and site differences present challenges to internal validity of study findings. Suggestions for future effectiveness studies, drawing from implementation science approaches, are discussed
From Tragedy to Activism: Publics’ Emotions, Efficacy, and Communicative Action on Twitter in the Case of the 2017 Las Vegas Mass Shooting
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Unexpected expansion of the voltage-gated proton channel family
No full textVoltage-gated ion channels, whose first identified function was to generate action potentials, are divided into subfamilies with numerous members. The family of voltage-gated proton channels (H-V) is tiny. To date, all species found to express H-V have exclusively one gene that codes for this unique ion channel. Here we report the discovery and characterization of three proton channel genes in the classical model system of neural plasticity, Aplysia californica. The three channels (AcH(V)1, AcH(V)2, and AcH(V)3) are distributed throughout the whole animal. Patch-clamp analysis confirmed proton selectivity of these channels but they all differed markedly in gating. AcH(V)1 gating resembled H-V in mammalian cells where it is responsible for proton extrusion and charge compensation. AcH(V)2 activates more negatively and conducts extensive inward proton current, properties likely to acidify the cytosol. AcH(V)3, which differs from AcH(V)1 and AcH(V)2 in lacking the first arginine in the S4 helix, exhibits proton selective leak currents and weak voltage dependence. We report the expansion of the proton channel family, demonstrating for the first time the expression of three functionally distinct proton channels in a single species
Syndemic Profiles for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Sextually Transmitted Infections Among Mexican American Women Formerly Affiliated with Youth Street Gangs
No full textWe examine syndemic profiles of intimate partner violence, mental health, drug use, incarceration, and infectious diseases (HIV, HCV, and STIs) among a sample of adult Mexican American women who were affiliated with youth street gangs during adolescence through their relationships to boys and men. Latent class analysis included multiple factors along the following dimensions: intimate partner violence, drug use, mental illness, and incarceration. Five unique syndemic profiles were found with varying associations to HIV, HCV, and STI: (1) no syndemic, (2) intimate partner violence, no syndemic, (3) drug use, mental health, and incarceration syndemic, (4) intimate partner violence, drug use (without injection drug use), and mental health syndemic, and (5) intimate partner violence, drug use with injection drug use, mental health, and incarceration syndemic. To successfully prevent HIV, HCV, and STI among gang-involved girls and women, it is necessary to address syndemic factors