A mini-review on the impact of common gorse in its introduced ranges.

It is indisputable that invasive plant species strongly impact the ecosystems they invade. Many of such impacts can be negative and threaten the local species through competition, environmental change, or habitat loss. However, introduced plants may also have positive roles in the ecosystems they invade. This review extracted information from reports on common gorse (Ulex europaeus), one of the top 100 invasive plants on the earth, including its detrimental effects and potential beneficial roles in invaded ecosystems. The reduction of native fauna and flora are the main harmful effects of common gorse identified by the literature review. Soil impoverishment and fire hazards are other negative impacts reported for common gorse that could affect agricultural systems and local economies. Despite the negative impacts, reports of positive ecological services provided by common gorse also exist, e.g., as a nursery plant or habitat for endangered native animals. We also reviewed the known human uses of this plant that could support management strategies through harvest and benefit the local communities, including its use as biofuel, raw matter for xylan extraction, medicine, and food. Finally, our review identified the gaps in the literature regarding the understanding of the beneficial role of common gorse on native ecosystems and potential human uses, especially in the tropics.

Risks of Using Sterilization by Gamma Radiation: The Other Side of the Coin.

The standard sterilization method for most medical devices over the past 40 years involves gamma irradiation. During sterilization, gamma rays efficiently eliminate microorganisms from the medical devices and tissue allografts, but also significantly change molecular structure of irradiated products, particularly fragile biologics such as cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Accordingly, gamma radiation significantly alters biomechanical properties of bone, tendon, tracheal, skin, amnion tissue grafts and micronized amniotic membrane injectable products. Similarly, when polymer medical devices are sterilized by gamma radiation, their physico-chemical characteristics undergo modification significantly affecting their clinical use. Several animal studies demonstrated that consummation of irradiated food provoked genome instability raising serious concerns regarding oncogenic potential of irradiated consumables. These findings strongly suggest that new, long-term, prospective clinical studies should be conducted in near future to investigate whether irradiated food is safe for human consumption. In this review, we summarized current knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms responsible for deleterious effects of gamma radiation with focusing on its significance for food safety and biomechanical characteristics of medical devices, and tissue allografts, especially injectable biologics.

Subacromial corticosteroid injections transiently decrease suture anchor pullout strength: biomechanical studies in rats.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic rotator cuff (RC) repair incorporates suture anchors to secure torn RC tendons to the greater tuberosity (GT) bone. RC repair strength depends on the anchor-bone interface and on the quality of the GT. We evaluated the effect of single and multiple corticosteroid injections on the pullout strength of suture anchors. METHODS: Fifty rats were divided into those receiving saline solution injection (control group), a single methylprednisolone acetate (MTA) injection (MTA1 group), or 3 once-weekly MTA injections (MTA3 group). Rats were killed humanely at 1 or 4 weeks after the last injection. A mini-suture anchor was inserted into the humeral head through the GT. Specimens were tested biomechanically. RESULTS: At 1 week after the last injection, the mean maximal pullout strength was significantly reduced in the MTA1 group (63.5%) and MTA3 group (56%) compared with the control group (P < .05 for both). Mean stiffness decreased significantly in both treatment groups compared with controls (P < .05). At 4 weeks after the last injection, there was a significant increase in the mean maximal pullout strength after single and triple MTA injections compared with values recorded at the 1-week time point (P < .05). At 4 weeks, the mean maximal pullout strength after a single MTA injection was 92.8% of the pullout strength measured in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: We showed a significant detrimental effect of corticosteroid exposure on the pullout strength of a suture anchor at 1 week. However, this effect was transient and resolved within a relatively short period. These findings indicate that a waiting period is required between subacromial corticosteroid injection and RC repair surgery that involves the use of suture anchors.

Unpacking Detrimental Effects of Network Externalities on Privacy Invasion, Communication Overload and Mobile App Discontinued Intentions: A Cognition-Affect-Conation Perspective.

Recently, mobile apps are rapidly emerging as an important information instrument, with the potential to boost convenience and efficiency in everyday life. The adoption of mobile apps can exert a positive influence on individuals, but also lead to adverse perceptions in different ways. The crucial issue arising is what motivates people's discontinued use of such services. Furthermore, the roles of communication overload and privacy invasion between network externalities and discontinued use intentions have not been thoroughly examined. The primary objective of this article is to investigate if negative network externalities may result in privacy invasion, communication overload and discontinued intentions, and how the underlying mechanism operates. This current research collected and evaluated data from 696 mobile app users utilizing the structural equation model (SEM) technique. The findings demonstrate that perceived critical mass and perceived complementarity positively affect the privacy invasion of mobile app users. Particularly, it was discovered that privacy invasion and communication overload mediate the association between network externalities and mobile app discontinued use intentions. This article may not only enrich the ongoing contemporary critical discussion on new information technology usage, but also offer significant theoretical and practical implications for mobile app researchers and practitioners.

Lipid-Derived Aldehydes: New Key Mediators of Plant Growth and Stress Responses.

Aldehydes, derivatives of lipids, are ubiquitously produced through non-enzymatic and enzymatic pathways in higher plants and participate in many physiological and biological processes. Increasing evidence demonstrates that aldehydes are involved in plants response to many abiotic stresses, such as light, drought, heat and nutrient deficiency. In plant cells, endogenously triggered or exogenously applied high concentrations of aldehydes can damage proteins and nucleic acid, disturb redox homeostasis, and consequently inhibit plant growth; therefore, they are considered cytotoxins. Aldehyde levels are also used as biomarkers to evaluate the health status of plants. Further genetic research shows that several enzymes have strong capacities to detoxify these electrophilic aldehydes. Small molecules, such as carnosine and glutathione, also exhibit the ability to scavenge aldehydes, effectively promoting plant growth. Recently, increasing evidence has shown that certain aldehydes at certain concentrations can upregulate survival genes, activate antioxidant responses, increase defense against pathogens and stimulate plant growth. This review summarizes recent studies of lipid-derived aldehydes in higher plants, mainly focusing on the generation pathway, toxic effects, and detoxification strategies. In addition, the signaling effects of aldehydes in plants are also discussed.

A Review of Spatter in Laser Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing: In Situ Detection, Generation, Effects, and Countermeasures.

Spatter is an inherent, unpreventable, and undesired phenomenon in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing. Spatter behavior has an intrinsic correlation with the forming quality in L-PBF because it leads to metallurgical defects and the degradation of mechanical properties. This impact becomes more severe in the fabrication of large-sized parts during the multi-laser L-PBF process. Therefore, investigations of spatter generation and countermeasures have become more urgent. Although much research has provided insights into the melt pool, microstructure, and mechanical property, reviews of spatter in L-PBF are still limited. This work reviews the literature on the in situ detection, generation, effects, and countermeasures of spatter in L-PBF. It is expected to pave the way towards a novel generation of highly efficient and intelligent L-PBF systems.

Copper Effect on Microalgae: Toxicity and Bioremediation Strategies.

Microalgae are increasingly recognised as suitable microorganisms for heavy metal (HM) removal, since they are able to adsorb them onto their cell wall and, in some cases, compartmentalise them inside organelles. However, at relatively high HM concentrations, they could also show signs of stress, such as organelle impairments and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes. The main aim of this review is to report on the mechanisms adopted by microalgae to counteract detrimental effects of high copper (Cu) concentrations, and on the microalgal potential for Cu bioremediation of aquatic environments. Studying the delicate balance between beneficial and detrimental effects of Cu on microalgae is of particular relevance as this metal is widely present in aquatic environments facing industrial discharges. This metal often induces chloroplast functioning impairment, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and growth rate reduction in a dose-dependent manner. However, microalgae also possess proteins and small molecules with protective role against Cu and, in general, metal stress, which increase their resistance towards these pollutants. Our critical literature analysis reveals that microalgae can be suitable indicators of Cu pollution in aquatic environments, and could also be considered as components of eco-sustainable devices for HM bioremediation in association with other organisms.

Cholesterol enhances the negative impact of vaping additives on lung surfactant model systems.

Aims: Vaping has given rise to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury. Model lung surfactant films were used to assess the impact of vape additives (vitamin E, vitamin E acetate, tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol). This work builds upon our previous findings, by incorporating cholesterol, to understand the interplay between the additives and the sterol in surfactant function. Materials & methods: Compression-expansion cycles of lipid monofilm at the air-water interface and Brewster angle microscopy allowed elucidating the effects of vape additives. Results & conclusion: Vape additives at 5 mol% inhibited proper lipid packing and reduced film stability. Cholesterol enhanced the additive effects, resulting in significantly destabilized films and altered domains. The observed impact could signify dysfunctional lung surfactant and impaired lung function.

Vaping additives negatively impact the stability and lateral film organization of lung surfactant model systems.

Aims: Inhalation of vaping additives has recently been shown to impair respiratory function, leading to e-cigarette or vaping product use associated with lung injuries. This work was designed to understand the impact of additives (vitamin E, vitamin E acetate, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol) on model lung surfactants. Materials & methods: Lipid monofilms at the air-water interface and Brewster angle microscopy were used to assess the impact of vaping additives on model lung surfactant films. Results & conclusion: The addition of 5 mol % of vaping additives, and even more so mixtures of vitamins and cannabinoids, negatively impacts lipid packing and film stability, induces material loss upon cycling and significantly reduces functionally relevant lipid domains. This range of detrimental effects could affect proper lung function.

The increasing use of vaping products in young adults and the emergence of associated lung injuries have resulted in significant health concerns for healthcare professionals and the public alike. These detrimental effects were linked to additives such as vitamin E and cannabinoids. The deep lung is composed of many small compartments, where oxygen is taken up into the body. The ultimate barrier between the outer gas phase and the lung cells is a layer composed of mainly lipids and some proteins, the lung surfactant. The authors present data for lung surfactant models based on the composition of human lung surfactant. The selected components reflect key lung surfactant roles, stability upon exhalation and fast spreading after inhalation. Additives have recently been shown to impair respiratory function, leading to e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injuries. This work was designed to understand the impact of additives (vitamin E, vitamin E acetate, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol) on model lung surfactants. All tested additives, and more so their mixtures, clearly affected the lung surfactant model in terms of stability and elasticity, which impairs its ability to perform the aforementioned roles. Lipid monofilms at the air­water interface and Brewster angle microscopy were used to assess the impact of vaping additives on model lung surfactant films. The addition of 5 mol % of vaping additives, and even more so mixtures of vitamins and cannabinoids, negatively impacts lipid packing and film stability, induces material loss upon cycling and significantly reduces functionally relevant lipid domains. This range of detrimental effects could affect proper lung function.

Human transthyretin binding affinity of halogenated thiophenols and halogenated phenols: An in vitro and in silico study.

Serious harmful effects have been reported for thiophenols, which are widely used industrial materials. To date, little information is available on whether such chemicals can elicit endocrine-related detrimental effects. Herein the potential binding affinity and underlying mechanism of action between human transthyretin (hTTR) and seven halogenated-thiophenols were examined experimentally and computationally. Experimental results indicated that the halogenated-thiophenols, except for pentafluorothiophenol, were powerful hTTR binders. The differentiated hTTR binding affinity of halogenated-thiophenols and halogenated-phenols were observed. The hTTR binding affinity of mono- and di-halo-thiophenols was higher than that of corresponding phenols; while the opposite relationship was observed for tri- and penta-halo-thiophenols and phenols. Our results also confirmed that the binding interactions were influenced by the degree of ligand dissociation. Molecular modeling results implied that the dominant noncovalent interactions in the molecular recognition processes between hTTR and halogenated-thiophenols were ionic pair, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Finally, a model with acceptable predictive ability was developed, which can be used to computationally predict the potential hTTR binding affinity of other halogenated-thiophenols and phenols. Taken together, our results highlighted that more research is needed to determine their potential endocrine-related harmful effects and appropriate management actions should be taken to promote their sustainable use.

Lifetime radiation risk of stochastic effects - prospective evaluation for space flight or medicine.

The concept of lifetime radiation risk of stochastic detrimental health outcomes is important in contemporary radiation protection, being used either to calculate detriment-weighted effective dose or to express risks following radiation accidents or medical uses of radiation. The conventionally applied time-integrated risks of radiation exposure are computed using average values of current population and health statistical data that need to be projected far into the future. By definition, the lifetime attributable risk (AR) is an approximation to more general lifetime risk quantities and is only valid for exposures under 1 Gy. The more general quantities, such as excess lifetime risk (ELR) and risk of exposure-induced cancer, are free of dose range constraints, but rely on assumptions concerning the unknown total radiation effect on demographic and health statistical data, and are more computationally complex than AR. Consideration of highly uncertain competing risks for other radiation-attributed outcomes are required in appropriate assessments of time-integrated risks of specific outcomes following high-dose (>1 Gy) exposures, causing non-linear dose responses in the resulting ELR estimate.Being based on the current population and health statistical data, the conventionally applied time-integrated risks of radiation exposure are: (i) not well suited for projections many years into the future because of the large uncertainties in future secular trends in the population-specific disease rates; and (ii) not optimal for application to atypical groups of exposed persons not well represented by the general population. Specifically, medical patients are atypical in this respect because their prospective risks depend strongly on the original diagnosis, the treatment modality, general cure rates, individual radiation sensitivity, and genetic predisposition. Another situation challenging the application of conventional risk quantities is a projection of occupational radiation risks associated with space flight, both due to higher radiation doses and astronauts' generally excellent health condition due to pre-selection, training, and intensive medical screening.An alternative quantity, named 'radiation-attributed decrease of survival' (RADS), known in past general statistical literature as 'cumulative risk', is recommended here for applications in space and medicine to represent the cumulative radiation risk conditional on survival until a certain age. RADS is only based on the radiation-attributed hazard rendering an insensitivity to competing risks or projections of current population statistics far into the future. Therefore, RADS is highly suitable for assessing semi-personalised radiation risks after radiation exposures from space missions or medical applications of radiation.

The impact of brief intensive trauma-focused treatment for PTSD on symptoms of borderline personality disorder.

Background: It is generally recommended to exercise caution in applying trauma-focused treatment to individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid borderline personality disorder (BPD). Objective: To investigate the effects of a brief, intensive, direct trauma-focused treatment programme for individuals with PTSD on BPD symptom severity. Methods: Individuals (n = 72) with severe PTSD (87.5% had one or more comorbidities; 52.8% fulfilled the criteria for the dissociative subtype of PTSD) due to multiple traumas (e.g. 90.3% sexual abuse) participated in an intensive eight-day trauma-focused treatment programme consisting of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, physical activity, and psychoeducation. Treatment did not include any form of stabilization (e.g. emotion regulation training) prior to trauma-focused therapy. Assessments took place at pre- and post-treatment (Borderline Symptom List, BSL-23; PTSD symptom severity, Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5, CAPS-5), and across the eight treatment days (PTSD Checklist, PCL-5). Results: Treatment resulted in significant decreases of BPD symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.70). Of the 35 patients with a positive screen for BPD at pre-treatment, 32.7% lost their positive screen at post-treatment. No adverse events nor dropouts occurred during the study time frame, and none of the patients experienced symptom deterioration in response to treatment. Conclusion: The results suggest that an intensive trauma-focused treatment is a feasible and safe treatment for PTSD patients with clinically elevated symptoms of BPD, and that BPD symptoms decrease along with the PTSD symptoms.

Antecedentes: generalmente se recomienda tener precaución al aplicar un tratamiento centrado en el trauma a las personas con trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) y trastorno de personalidad límite comórbido (TPL).Objetivo: Investigar los efectos de un programa de tratamiento breve, intensivo y directo centrado en el trauma para personas con TEPT sobre la gravedad de los síntomas de TPL.Métodos: los participantes (n = 72) con TEPT grave (87.5% tenían una o más comorbilidades; 52.8% cumplieron los criterios para el subtipo disociativo de TEPT) debido a múltiples traumas (por ejemplo, 90.3% abuso sexual) participaron en un programa intensivo de ocho días de tratamiento centrado en el trauma, consistente en EMDR, terapia de exposición prolongada (PE), actividad física y psicoeducación. El tratamiento no incluyó ninguna forma de estabilización (por ejemplo, entrenamiento de regulación emocional) antes de la terapia centrada en el trauma. Las evaluaciones se realizaron antes y después del tratamiento (Lista de síntomas límite, BSL-23; severidad de los síntomas de TEPT, Escala de TEPT administrada por clínicos para DSM-5, CAPS-5) y durante los ocho días de tratamiento (Lista de verificación de TEPT, PCL-5).Resultados: el tratamiento resultó en una disminución significativa de los síntomas de TPL (d de Cohen = 0.70). De los 35 pacientes con un tamizaje positivo de TPL en el pretratamiento, el 32,7% perdió su tamizaje positivo en el postratamiento. No ocurrieron eventos adversos ni abandonos durante el período de tiempo del estudio, y ninguno de los pacientes experimentó deterioro de los síntomas en respuesta al tratamiento.Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren que un tratamiento intensivo centrado en el trauma es un tratamiento factible y seguro para pacientes con TEPT con síntomas clínicamente elevados de TPL, y que los síntomas de TLP disminuyen junto con los síntomas de TEPT.

Vigorous Appraisal of Fluoride on Industrial Proponent in Thermal Power Plant over Anthropoid Biosphere Using F(-) Ion-Selective Electrode.

This study was conducted to analyze the impact of fluoride in the anthropogenic condition in an industrial region promoting and affecting the health of the workers. Fluoride is toxic to humans in high concentrations, such as can occur in persons working in fluoride-containing mineral industries like aluminum industries. When workers are exposed to fluoride-containing minerals, they can suffer from a variety of health problems, such as dental disease. This paper presents the relationship of different clinical conditions correlated against the fluoride level. Contributing clinical aspects, such as morbidity, dysentery, overcrowding, and skin disease, are also studied to assess the consequences of fluoride upon consistent exposure. The relationship between pH and hardness of water with fluoride was measured, and then spatial maps were generated. The investigations resulted in a conclusion that hardness of water had a more pronounced impact on the level of fluoride concentration as compared with pH. Water with more hardness contains more fluoride concentration (25 mg/ml) as compared with soft water (4 mg/ml). This paper also revealed the concentration of fluoride content in the bodies of aluminum plant workers, which varied from 0.06 to 0.17 mg/L of blood serum in the case of pot room workers and 0.01 to 0.04 mg/L in the case of non-pot room workers. In fingernails, it varied from 0.09 to 3.77 mg/L and 0.39 to 1.15 mg/L in the case of pot room and non-pot room workers, respectively. In urine, it varied from 0.53 to 9.50 mg/L in pot room workers and 0.29 to 1.80 mg/L in non-pot room workers. This paper concluded that water was safe for drinking purposes if it has a low hardness (60-140 mg/ml) and pH (7.1-7.4).

New steps forward in the neuroactive steroid field.

Evidence accumulated in recent years suggests that the systemic treatment with neuroactive steroids, or the pharmacological modulation of its production by brain cells, represent therapeutic options to promote neuroprotection. However, new findings, which are reviewed in this paper, suggest that the factors to be considered for the design of possible therapies based on neuroactive steroids are more complex than previously thought. Thus, although as recently reported, the nervous system regulates neuroactive steroid synthesis and metabolism in adaptation to modifications in peripheral steroidogenesis, the neuroactive steroid levels in the brain do not fully reflect its levels in plasma. Even, in some cases, neuroactive steroid level modifications occurring in the nervous tissues, under physiological and pathological conditions, are in the opposite direction than in the periphery. This suggests that the systemic treatment with these molecules may have unexpected outcomes on neural steroid levels. In addition, the multiple metabolic pathways and signaling mechanisms of neuroactive steroids, which may change from one brain region to another, together with the existence of regional and sex differences in its neural levels are additional sources of complexity that should be clarified. This complexity in the levels and actions of these molecules may explain why in some cases these molecules have detrimental rather than beneficial actions for the nervous system. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Steroid Perspectives'.

Nanostructured magnesium has fewer detrimental effects on osteoblast function.

Efforts have been made recently to implement nanoscale surface features on magnesium, a biodegradable metal, to increase bone formation. Compared with normal magnesium, nanostructured magnesium has unique characteristics, including increased grain boundary properties, surface to volume ratio, surface roughness, and surface energy, which may influence the initial adsorption of proteins known to promote the function of osteoblasts (bone-forming cells). Previous studies have shown that one way to increase nanosurface roughness on magnesium is to soak the metal in NaOH. However, it has not been determined if degradation of magnesium is altered by creating nanoscale features on its surface to influence osteoblast density. The aim of the present in vitro study was to determine the influence of degradation of nanostructured magnesium, created by soaking in NaOH, on osteoblast density. Our results showed a less detrimental effect of magnesium degradation on osteoblast density when magnesium was treated with NaOH to create nanoscale surface features. The detrimental degradation products of magnesium are of significant concern when considering use of magnesium as an orthopedic implant material, and this study identified a surface treatment, ie, soaking in NaOH to create nanoscale features for magnesium that can improve its use in numerous orthopedic applications.