Pelvic irradiation induces behavioural and neuronal damage through gut dysbiosis in a rat model.

Radiation exposure can cause gut dysbiosis and there is a positive correlation between gut microbial imbalance and radiation-induced side effects in cancer patients. However, the influence of radiation on the gut-brain axis (GBA) and its neurological consequences are not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of pelvic irradiation on gut microbiota and the brain. Sprague Dawley rats were irradiated with a single dose of 6 Gy, and faecal samples were collected at different time points (7 and 12-days post-irradiation) for microbial analysis. Behavioural, histological, and gene expression analysis were performed to assess the effect of microbial dysbiosis on the brain. The findings indicated alterations in microbial diversity, disrupted intestinal morphology and integrity, neuronal death-related brain changes, neuroinflammation and reduced locomotor activity. Hippocampal gene expression analysis also showed a reduced expression of neural plasticity-related genes. Overall, this study demonstrated that pelvic irradiation affects gut microbiota, intestinal morphology, integrity, brain neuronal maturation, neural plasticity gene expression, and behaviour.

Organophosphate pesticide-induced toxicity through DNA damage and DNA repair mechanisms.

Organophosphate pesticides (OPs) are widely used in agriculture, healthcare, and other industries due to their ability to kill pests. However, OPs can also have genotoxic effects on humans who are exposed to them. This review summarizes the research on DNA damage caused by OPs, the mechanisms behind this damage, and the resulting cellular effects. Even at low doses, OPs have been shown to damage DNA and cause cellular dysfunction. Common phenomena seen in cells that are exposed to OPs include the formation of DNA adducts and lesions, single-strand and double-strand DNA breaks, and DNA and protein inter and intra-cross-links. The present review will aid in comprehending the extent of genetic damage and the impact on DNA repair pathways caused by acute or chronic exposure to OPs. Additionally, understanding the mechanisms of the effects of OPs will aid in correlating them with various diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease. Overall, knowledge of the potential adverse effects of different OPs will help in monitoring the health complications they may cause.

A cooperative deep learning model for stock market prediction using deep autoencoder and sentiment analysis.

Stock market prediction is a challenging and complex problem that has received the attention of researchers due to the high returns resulting from an improved prediction. Even though machine learning models are popular in this domain dynamic and the volatile nature of the stock markets limits the accuracy of stock prediction. Studies show that incorporating news sentiment in stock market predictions enhances performance compared to models using stock features alone. There is a need to develop an architecture that facilitates noise removal from stock data, captures market sentiments, and ensures prediction to a reasonable degree of accuracy. The proposed cooperative deep-learning architecture comprises a deep autoencoder, lexicon-based software for sentiment analysis of news headlines, and LSTM/GRU layers for prediction. The autoencoder is used to denoise the historical stock data, and the denoised data is transferred into the deep learning model along with news sentiments. The stock data is concatenated with the sentiment score and is fed to the LSTM/GRU model for output prediction. The model's performance is evaluated using the standard measures used in the literature. The results show that the combined model using deep autoencoder with news sentiments performs better than the standalone LSTM/GRU models. The performance of our model also compares favorably with state-of-the-art models in the literature.

Pesticides Exposure-Induced Changes in Brain Metabolome: Implications in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Pesticides have been used in agriculture, public health programs, and pharmaceuticals for many decades. Though pesticides primarily target pests by affecting their nervous system and causing other lethal effects, these chemical entities also exert toxic effects in inadvertently exposed humans through inhalation or ingestion. Mounting pieces of evidence from cellular, animal, and clinical studies indicate that pesticide-exposed models display metabolite alterations of pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, identifying common key metabolites/metabolic pathways between pesticide-induced metabolic reprogramming and neurodegenerative diseases is necessary to understand the etiology of pesticides in the rise of neurodegenerative disorders. The present review provides an overview of specific metabolic pathways, including tryptophan metabolism, glutathione metabolism, dopamine metabolism, energy metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, fatty acids, and lipid metabolism that are specifically altered in response to pesticides. Furthermore, we discuss how these metabolite alterations are linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and to identify novel biomarkers for targeted therapeutic approaches.

Multisociety statement on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination as a condition of employment for healthcare personnel.

This consensus statement by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA), the Association for Professionals in Epidemiology and Infection Control (APIC), the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) recommends that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination should be a condition of employment for all healthcare personnel in facilities in the United States. Exemptions from this policy apply to those with medical contraindications to all COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States and other exemptions as specified by federal or state law. The consensus statement also supports COVID-19 vaccination of nonemployees functioning at a healthcare facility (eg, students, contract workers, volunteers, etc).

Effects of low dose ionizing radiation on the brain- a functional, cellular, and molecular perspective.

Over the years, the advancement of radio diagnostic imaging tools and techniques has radically improved the diagnosis of different pathophysiological conditions, accompanied by increased exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation. Though the consequences of high dose radiation exposure on humans are very well comprehended, the more publicly relevant effects of low dose radiation (LDR) (≤100 mGy) exposure on the biological system remain ambiguous. The central nervous system, predominantly the developing brain with more neuronal precursor cells, is exceptionally radiosensitive and thus more liable to neurological insult even at low doses, as shown through several rodent studies. Further molecular studies have unraveled the various inflammatory and signaling mechanisms involved in cellular damage and repair that drive these physiological alterations that lead to functional alterations. Interestingly, few studies also claim that LDR exerts therapeutic effects on the brain by initiating an adaptive response. The present review summarizes the current understanding of the effects of low dose radiation at functional, cellular, and molecular levels and the various risks and benefits associated with it based on the evidence available from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Although the consensus indicates minimum consequences, the overall evidence suggests that LDR can bring about considerable neurological effects in the exposed individual, and hence a re-evaluation of the LDR usage levels and frequency of exposure is required.

Reliability of nonlocalizing signs and symptoms as indicators of the presence of infection in nursing-home residents.

Antibiotics are among the most common medications prescribed in nursing homes. The annual prevalence of antibiotic use in residents of nursing homes ranges from 47% to 79%, and more than half of antibiotic courses initiated in nursing-home settings are unnecessary or prescribed inappropriately (wrong drug, dose, or duration). Inappropriate antibiotic use is associated with a variety of negative consequences including Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), adverse drug effects, drug-drug interactions, and antimicrobial resistance. In response to this problem, public health authorities have called for efforts to improve the quality of antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes.

Hevea brasiliensis coniferaldehyde-5-hydroxylase (HbCAld5H) regulates xylogenesis, structure and lignin chemistry of xylem cell wall in Nicotiana tabacum.

KEY MESSAGE: The HbCAld5H1 gene cloned from Hevea brasiliensis regulates the cambial activity, xylem differentiation, syringyl-guaiacyl ratio, secondary wall structure, lignification pattern and xylan distribution in xylem fibres of transgenic tobacco plants. Molecular characterization of lignin biosynthesis gene coniferaldehyde-5-hydroxylase (CAld5H) from Hevea brasiliensis and its functional validation was performed. Both sense and antisense constructs of HbCAld5H1 gene were introduced into tobacco through Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation for over expression and down-regulation of this key enzyme to understand its role affecting structural and cell wall chemistry. The anatomical studies of transgenic tobacco plants revealed the increase of cambial activity leading to xylogenesis in sense lines and considerable reduction in antisense lines. The ultra-structural studies showed that the thickness of secondary wall (S2 layer) of fibre had been decreased with non-homogenous lignin distribution in antisense lines, while sense lines showed an increase in S2 layer thickness. Maule color reaction revealed that syringyl lignin distribution in the xylem elements was increased in sense and decreased in antisense lines. The immunoelectron microscopy revealed a reduction in LM 10 and LM 11 labelling in the secondary wall of antisense tobacco lines. Biochemical studies showed a radical increase in syringyl lignin in sense lines without any significant change in total lignin content, while S/G ratio decreased considerably in antisense lines. Our results suggest that CAld5H gene plays an important role in xylogenesis stages such as cambial cell division, secondary wall thickness, xylan and syringyl lignin distribution in tobacco. Therefore, CAld5H gene could be considered as a promising target for lignin modification essential for timber quality improvement in rubber.

Comparative studies on removal of heavy metals from electroplating wastewater through soil aquifer treatment (SAT) in conjunction with adsorbents.

The study demonstrates the efficiency of the soil aquifer treatment (SAT) towards removal of heavy metals within electroplating wastewater thereby rendering it suitable for ground water discharge. The unique proposition of this research is to use a combination of soil and adsorbent properties to enhance the remediation of heavy metals such as nickel, copper and zinc. A comparative study through statistical analysis is employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the various SAT systems build using various combinations of SM and SC soil types along with bioadsorbents such as eucalyptus leaves, sawdust and Mosambi peel. Further, the mass balance analysis of heavy metals is carried out to comprehend the course of expulsion. The study, through a statistical approach, endorses that the SAT in conjunction with adsorbent gives much better removal efficiency than the SAT without adsorbent. Additional removal efficiency of 14% to 30% can be achieved with introduction of adsorbents within the SAT system. The optimal removal efficiency of nickel, copper and zinc was observed to be at 87, 98 and 93% respectively when passed through the combination of SM soil with sawdust.

Bi-Directional interactions between microbiota and ionizing radiation in head and neck and pelvic radiotherapy - clinical relevance.

Purpose: Rapid developments in high throughput screening technology for the detection and identification of the human microbiota have helped in understanding its influence on human health and disease. In the recent past, several seminal studies have demonstrated the influence of microbiota on outcomes of therapy-associated radiation exposure. In this review, we highlight the concepts related to the mechanisms by which radiation alters the microbiota composition linked with radiation-associated toxicity in head and neck and pelvic regions. We further discuss specific microbial changes that can be employed as a biomarker for radiation and tumor response.Conclusion: Knowledge of the influence of microbiota in radiation response and advances in microbiota manipulation techniques would help to design personalized treatment augmenting the efficacy of radiotherapy.

Introducing a nursing maintenance bundle for patients with pulmonary arterial catheters.

We undertook a quality improvement project to address challenges with pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) line maintenance in a setting of low-baseline central-line infection rates. We observed a subsequent reduction in Staphylococcal PAC line infections and a trend toward a reduction in overall PAC infection rates over 1 year.

Optimizing utilization of beta-lactam surgical prophylaxis through implementation of a structured allergy assessment tool in a presurgical clinic.

In patients with ß-lactam allergies, administration of non-ß-lactam surgical prophylaxis is associated with increased risk of infection. Although many patients self-report ß-lactam allergies, most are unconfirmed or mislabeled. A quality improvement process, utilizing a structured ß-lactam allergy tool, was implemented to improve the utilization of preferred ß-lactam surgical prophylaxis.

Pilot Survey of Female Anesthesiologists' Childbearing and Parental Leave Experiences.

While the literature regarding physicians' childbearing experiences is growing, there are no studies documenting those of anesthesiologists. We surveyed a convenience sample of 72 female anesthesiologists to obtain pilot data. Sixty-six women completed the survey (91.7% response rate), reporting 113 total births from before 1990 to present. Of all birth experiences, proportions of respondents reporting parental leave, lactation facilities, and lactation duration as adequate were 52.3%, 45.2%, and 58.3%, respectively. Most mothers (51.8%) gave birth to their first child while they were trainees. The majority (94.9%) favored an official statement supporting parental leave. These results may serve as groundwork for larger studies.

Distinguished Service Awards in Anesthesiology Specialty Societies: Analysis of Gender Differences.

The authors queried 9 anesthesiology societies to examine Distinguished Service Award recipients over time by gender. Of the 211 total Distinguished Service Awards given by all 9 societies, women received 25 (11.8%). Comparing pre-2008 data to the most recent decade, there was no statistical difference in the number of women Distinguished Service Award recipients with 8.9% and 17.1% women Distinguished Service Award recipients, respectively (P = .076). Societies varied greatly in their women awardees, from 40% to 0% in the last decade. Low levels of awardees stand in contrast to the increasing number of women in the academic pipeline. The authors recommend that societies collect gender membership data and study their award processes from nomination to selection.

New Developments in the Prevention of Gastrointestinal Scope-Related Infections.

Gastrointestinal endoscopes are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and are the most common medical device implicated in health care-associated outbreaks. Infections can be divided into endogenous or exogenous. Exogenous infections were associated with lapses in reprocessing. Recent outbreaks have occurred despite compliance with reprocessing guidelines and highlight the challenges with clearance of all organisms from the duodenoscopes and the potential role of biofilms in hindering adequate reprocessing. This review provides an overview of recent developments and the current understanding of the key contributing factors related to gastrointestinal endoscope-related infections and current approaches to identify and prevent these complications.

Over-expression of 3-hydroxy-3- methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase 1 (hmgr1) gene under super-promoter for enhanced latex biosynthesis in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.).

Natural rubber (cis-1, 4-polyisoprene) is being produced from bark laticifer cells of Hevea brasiliensis and the popular high latex yielding Indian rubber clones are easily prone to onset of tapping panel dryness syndrome (TPD) which is considered as a physiological syndrome affecting latex production either partially or completely. This report describes an efficient protocol for development of transgenic rubber plants by over-expression of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl Co-enzyme A reductase 1 (hmgr1) gene which is considered as rate limiting factor for latex biosynthesis via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The pBIB plasmid vector containing hmgr1 gene cloned under the control of a super-promoter was used for genetic transformation using embryogenic callus. Putatively transgenic cell lines were obtained on selection medium and produced plantlets with 44% regeneration efficiency. Transgene integration was confirmed by PCR amplification of 1.8 kb hmgr1 and 0.6 kb hpt genes from all putatively transformed callus lines as well as transgenic plants. Southern blot analysis showed the stable integration and presence of transgene in the transgenic plants. Over expression of hmgr1 transgene was determined by Northern blot hybridization, semi-quantitative PCR and real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Accumulation of hmgr1 mRNA transcripts was more abundant in transgenic plants than control. Increased level of photosynthetic pigments, protein contents and HMGR enzyme activity was also noticed in transgenic plants over control. Interestingly, the latex yield was significantly enhanced in all transgenic plants compared to the control. The qRT-PCR results exhibit that the hmgr1 mRNA transcript levels was 160-fold more abundance in transgenic plants over untransformed control. These results altogether suggest that there is a positive correlation between latex yield and accumulation of mRNA transcripts level as well as HMGR enzyme activity in transgenic rubber plants. It is presumed that there is a possibility for enhanced level of latex biosynthesis in transgenic plants as the level of mRNA transcripts and HMGR enzyme activity is directly correlated with latex yield in rubber tree. Further, the present results clearly suggest that the quantification of HMGR enzyme activity in young seedlings will be highly beneficial for early selection of high latex yielding plants in rubber breeding programs.