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A nanoscale chemical oscillator: reversible formation of palladium nanoparticles in ionic liquid
Get PDFFrom the theory of chaos-to-order transitions to the origins of life on Earth, oscillating chemical reactions play a fundamental role in nature. This study demonstrates how chemical oscillators can exist at the nanoscale, bridging the gap between molecules and living cells. We identify three necessary conditions for nanoscale chemical oscillations: (i) a continuous energy flux; (ii) alternating fluxes of two chemical species with opposing effects—specifically, a reductant and an oxidant; and (iii) a redox-active metal. Irradiating palladium ions dissolved in benzyl imidazolium bromide ([BnMIm]+Br−) with a 200 keV electron beam meets these requirements, resulting in the oscillating, dendritic assembly of palladium nanoparticles. By encapsulating the solution inside carbon nanotubes, we can slow down the rate of chemical oscillations, allowing for real-time analysis at the individual nanoparticle level. Our results indicate that nanoparticles in liquids are far from the thermodynamic equilibrium during transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, which is an important consideration for studying nanoparticles using in situ TEM methods or employing them for catalysis in the liquid phase
Alternate Choice Organ Counselling in Altruistic Non-Directed Solid Organ Donation: An Ethical Analysis
Get PDFIntroduction: Currently, recruitment of non-directed altruistic (NDA) kidney and liver lobe donors in the UK regards these individuals as potential NDA donors of the particular organ type they initially express an interest in donating. Conceptualising these individuals instead as potential NDA donors of either a kidney or a liver lobe would require them to be counselled on both kidney donation and liver lobe donation. This can be referred to as ‘alternate choice organ counselling’. Methods: This paper conducts an ethical analysis of alternate choice organ counselling using the ethical framework of Principlism, and suggests changes to current policy and practice, accordingly. Findings: This paper finds multiple strong ethical reasons to carry out alternate choice organ counselling for potential NDA donors of kidneys or liver lobes: the duty to respect autonomy requires alternate choice organ counselling such that the potential donor's decision to become a NDA donor of a particular organ type is fully informed; the duty of non-maleficence requires alternate choice organ counselling such that the harm subjected to the donor through living donation can be minimised (although such counselling might generate serial NDA donors, which would expose them to greater total harm); the asymmetry in the degree to which the living kidney and living liver lobe donation mechanisms promote justice requires alternate choice organ counselling for potential donors who wish to maximise the utility of their single NDA donation; finally, alternate choice organ counselling is likely to promote beneficence in potential NDA donors. Discussion: This paper finds ethical reasons for potential NDA donors to be conceptualised as potential NDA donors of either a kidney or liver lobe, and for these individuals to be provided with alternate choice organ counselling. Suggestions on how this might be delivered in practice are offered, and the necessary further quantitative and qualitative research outlined
Cross-species neuroanatomy in primates using tractography
Get PDFDue to their integrative role in brain function, long-range white matter connections exhibit high individual variability, giving rise to personalised brain circuits. This neurovariability is more evident in the connection patterns of brain areas that have evolved more recently. Diffusion MRI tractography allows unique opportunities for comparative neuroanatomy across species to study evolution and provide unique insights into the phylogeny of brain networks, which we overview in this note, inspired by discussions at the International Society for Tractography (IST) retreat
Key features of effective yoga interventions in addition to standard medical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFObjective: This systematic review aimed to synthesise the content, structure, and delivery characteristics of effective yoga interventions in addition to standard medical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: JBI guidelines were followed. 17 databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing yoga’s effectiveness in treating RA outcomes - disease activity score, pain, and function. Meta-analyses and narrative synthesis were conducted.Results: Nine articles representing 5 RCTs were included and had low methodological quality scores. Yoga interventions, in addition to standard medical treatment, improved disease activity scores (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.73 to -0.18) and function (-0.42; -0.78 to -0.07) but did not effectively reduce pain (-1.06; -2.62 to 0.50) compared to standard medical treatment alone. All 5 RCTs found yoga’s beneficial effects on one or more outcomes. All yoga interventions included centre-based (supervised, group) sessions, and 2 included additional home-based (unsupervised, individual) sessions. All interventions incorporated 20 yogic poses (6 standing, 5 supine, 5 prone, and 4 seated), 7 breathing practices, and 4 meditation and relaxation practices. 2 interventions offered RA-specific yogic pose modifications. Centre-based sessions were delivered at least once weekly for 8 weeks median duration and around 68 minutes per session. Home-based yoga was recommended thrice weekly for a 10-week mean duration and 40 minutes per session. Conclusion: Yoga might be useful in addition to standard medical treatment for RA. Given previous studies’ methodological limitations, a high-quality RCT should be conducted based on our synthesised key features of effective yoga interventions. Keywords: meta-analysis; rheumatoid arthritis; systematic review; treatment; yoga PROSPERO registration number: CRD4202232033
Impact of Psychological Stress and Spontaneous Tumour Regression on the Hippocampal Proteome in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer
Get PDFCognitive impairment is common in people diagnosed with breast cancer, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie maladaptive changes in the brain are unknown. The psychological stress of a cancer diagnosis is certainly a contributing factor. Here, we investigated alterations in the hippocampal proteome in response to both cancer and psychological stress using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry techniques. An orthotopic syngeneic model of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) was established by injecting Py230 cells into the mammary fat pads of female C57Bl/6 mice. Half of the mice were subjected to a daily restraint stress paradigm. Mice that experienced both cancer and restraint stress lost weight and displayed larger tumours compared to non-stressed mice. Their urinary corticosterone levels were also elevated, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Non-stressed tumour-bearing mice displayed higher levels of TNFα in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) compared to stressed mice with cancer. Flow cytometry results suggested that the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratios were also raised in non-stressed tumour-bearing mice compared to both controls and stressed mice with TNBC. Bioinformatic analysis of hippocampal proteomes indicated that cancer alone causes reduced mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis, as well as impaired glutamate recycling and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, daily stress in TNBC mice caused further mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative phosphorylation, and altered lipid metabolism. Importantly, over half of the mammary tumours that initially developed spontaneously regressed after 7–9 weeks in these young immunocompetent mice. Tumour regression inhibited TNFα increases in the PFC. However, the hippocampal proteomes of tumour-bearing mice were largely similar to mice in which tumours regressed, suggesting that spontaneous regression of breast cancer confers lasting physiological dysregulations that impact hippocampal protein expression. This study in mice may help to identify molecular mechanisms responsible for long-term memory impairments in cancer survivors and reveal novel drug targets for cancer-related cognitive impairment
Factors influencing the nature of client complaint behaviour in the aftermath of adverse events
Get PDFBackground: Negative veterinary client complaint behaviour poses wellbeing and reputational risks. Adverse events are one source of complaint. Identifying factors that influence adverse event-related complaint behaviour is key to mitigating detrimental consequences and harnessing information that can be used to improve service quality, patient safety and business sustainability. Methods: Interviews were conducted with five veterinary client complainants and five veterinary client mediators. Qualitative content analysis of the transcripts was used to identify categories of capability, opportunity and motivation influencing client behaviour. One category of motivation identified focused on the desired outcomes of complainants. Two hundred and eighty resolved veterinary‒client mediation cases related to adverse events subsequently underwent content analysis to quantify these desired outcomes. Results: Client complaint behaviour was motivated by clients’ emotional reactions, perceptions and beliefs and desire to achieve an outcome as a result, and was influenced by previous complaint experience, technological ability, self-confidence and broader organisational and societal factors. Although financial redress was the most commonly identified desired outcome, apology, honesty, accountability and prevention of future events were valued. Limitations: Small data sets and interpretative analyses limit the generalisability of the findings. Conclusions: Proactively engaging clients in relation to adverse events is likely to reduce negative complaint behaviour and facilitate veterinary quality improvement
Octopamine alters yellow mealworm body composition
Get PDFThere is the potential to increase the production yield within the emerging insect industry in order to produce high-quality, sustainable protein. In invertebrates, the monoamine, octopamine (OA), has a similar role to that of noradrenaline in mammals. Beta-2 adrenergic agonists increase protein and decrease fat deposition in mammals, thereby inducing favourable changes in body composition. We hypothesised that OA would have similar effects in insects. Tenebrio molitor larvae, commonly called yellow mealworms, were fed for 35 days on either control wheat bran or wheat bran containing OA at 5 μg OA/g. There were trends for treatment × time interactions for mealworm group weight (P = 0.075) and individual mealworm weight (P = 0.069), with the OA group becoming heavier/bigger after 18 days. In addition, there was a trend for a treatment × time interaction on cumulative pupation (P = 0.099), with OA−treated mealworms having delayed pupation. After 35 days of OA treatment, there were significant effects on mealworm final body proximate nutrient composition on a DM basis, with fat content being significantly decreased (by 8%, P = 0.006), whilst CP was significantly increased (by 6%, P = 0.019) in OA−treated mealworms compared to control. There was little effect of OA on the fatty acid composition of the mealworms, with small reductions in palmitoleic acid (P < 0.001) and oleic acid (P = 0.082). Despite a significant increase in protein content with OA treatment, SDS-PAGE did not reveal any changes in the proteins being expressed. Hence, OA treatment of mealworms resulted in an increase in the proportion of protein and a decrease in fat, demonstrating that mealworm nutrient composition can potentially be manipulated to provide a higher−value feed ingredient
A qualitative interview study exploring patients' views and experiences of treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa in the UK
Get PDFBackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a long-term skin condition where evidence for management after first-line treatment fails is limited and practice varies across the UK. Medical and surgical treatment options are potential avenues of treatment. Furthermore, patient perspectives on HS treatments have received little attention in research to date.ObjectivesTo explore patients’ views and experiences of treatment for HS to inform clinical care.MethodsWe conducted a nested qualitative study within a prospective cohort study. Interviews with 35 participants were completed by telephone. Purposive sampling was undertaken. Framework analysis was used to develop themes.ResultsPast experiences and knowledge informed patient beliefs and whether an individual felt a treatment option was appropriate or a good ‘fit’ for them at a specific moment in time. Healthcare professional recommendations can influence a patient’s views and which treatment option they ultimately receive. Positive experiences were reported across all treatment types covered in the study. Negative experiences included mediation side-effects, lack of efficacy, delays to procedures and burden of wound care. However, even when personal experiences were not wholly positive for an individual, participants often believed the same treatment may potentially help others with HS, owing to the importance placed on personalization of treatment.ConclusionsThis paper has implications for how healthcare professionals discuss treatment options with people with HS. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is inappropriate, and shared decision-making that elicits patients’ beliefs and preferences is crucial
Association between UK assistance dogs’ British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club hip scores and their risk of clinical hip disease in later life
No full textBackground: Screening schemes for hip dysplasia have long been used to guide breeding. However, the risks of clinical disease for dogs with high versus low scores are not well documented. Methods: Longitudinal data were used to quantify the risk of clinical hip disease in dogs with ‘low’ and ‘high’ hip scores, as determined by radiographic examination at 10‒14 months of age, using survival and risk analysis. Results: Survival probabilities indicate that diagnoses of hip disease occurred throughout the lifespan of dogs, but the ‘high’ hip score cohort was 2.1‒3.0 times more likely than the ‘low’ hip score cohort to have a diagnosis of hip arthritis. This pattern was repeated in breed-specific analyses of Labradors and Golden Retrievers, with a possible breed influence on hip score and risk of arthritis at comparable scores. Limitations: Diagnoses may include both false positives and negatives, and the threshold for the determination of ‘clear’ dogs at 12 years of age used in the risk analysis may have had an influence on the results. Conclusions: This study provides empirical evidence that dogs with a high hip score at about 1 year of age are at greater risk of being diagnosed with arthritis of the hip later in life than dogs with a low hip score at the same age
Rapid screening for resistance to Sitobion avenae (F.) and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) in winter wheat seedlings and selection of efficient assessment methods
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Sitobion avenae (F.) and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) are harmful pests of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)]. No genetic resistance against the aphids has been identified in commercial wheat varieties and resistance phenotyping can be time-consuming and laborious. Here, we tested a high-throughput phenotyping method to screen 29 commercial winter wheat varieties for alate antixenosis and antibiosis. We validated this method using comprehensive behavioural analyses, including alate attraction to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a feeding bioassay using an electrical penetration graph (EPG), subsequently highlighting possible sources of resistance. RESULTS: We observed differences in alate behaviour upon assessing alate settlement on wheat seedlings and attraction towards VOCs, revealing the importance of visual and early post-alighting cues for alate host selection. Aphid settlement was four times higher on the most preferred variety than on the least preferred variety. Using an EPG bioassay, we identified phloem feeding and stylet derailment parameters linked to resistance. We found antibiosis assessment on detached leaves to be an inadequate screen because it produced results inconsistent with intact leaves assessment. Alate and nymph mortality were identified as key traits signifying antibiosis, showing significant positive relationships with alate reproduction and nymph mean relative growth rate. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, antixenosis and antibiosis varietal responses were consistent for both aphid species. Alate settlement on wheat seedlings was a more efficient antixenosis screen than an olfactometer assay using VOCs. In addition to assessing alate and nymph survival for antibiosis, this allows for more rapid phenotyping of large numbers of genotypes to identify novel aphid resistance genes for varietal improvement. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry
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