Two distinct networks for encoding goals and forms of action: An effective connectivity study.

Goal-directed actions are characterized by two main features: the content (i.e., the action goal) and the form, called vitality forms (VF) (i.e., how actions are executed). It is well established that both the action content and the capacity to understand the content of another's action are mediated by a network formed by a set of parietal and frontal brain areas. In contrast, the neural bases of action forms (e.g., gentle or rude actions) have not been characterized. However, there are now studies showing that the observation and execution of actions endowed with VF activate, in addition to the parieto-frontal network, the dorso-central insula (DCI). In the present study, we established-using dynamic causal modeling (DCM)-the direction of information flow during observation and execution of actions endowed with gentle and rude VF in the human brain. Based on previous fMRI studies, the selected nodes for the DCM comprised the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), the premotor cortex (PM), and the DCI. Bayesian model comparison showed that, during action observation, two streams arose from pSTS: one toward IPL, concerning the action goal, and one toward DCI, concerning the action vitality forms. During action execution, two streams arose from PM: one toward IPL, concerning the action goal and one toward DCI concerning action vitality forms. This last finding opens an interesting question concerning the possibility to elicit VF in two distinct ways: cognitively (from PM to DCI) and affectively (from DCI to PM).

Incomplete filling in the basal region of maize endosperm: timing of development of starch synthesis and cell vitality.

Starch synthesis in maize endosperm adheres to the basipetal sequence from the apex downwards. However, the mechanism underlying nonuniformity among regions of the endosperm in starch accumulation and its significance is poorly understood. Here, we examined the spatiotemporal transcriptomes and starch accumulation dynamics in apical (AE), middle (ME), and basal (BE) regions of endosperm throughout the filling stage. Results demonstrated that the BE had lower levels of gene transcripts and enzymes facilitating starch synthesis, corresponding to incomplete starch storage at maturity, compared with AE and ME. Contrarily, the BE showed abundant gene expression for genetic processing and slow progress in physiological development (quantified by an index calculated from the expression values of development progress marker genes), revealing a sustained cell vitality of the BE. Further analysis demonstrated a significant parabolic correlation between starch synthesis and physiological development. An in-depth examination showed that the BE had more active signaling pathways of IAA and ABA than the AE throughout the filling stage, while ethylene showed the opposite pattern. Besides, SNF1-related protein kinase1 (SnRK1) activity, a regulator for starch synthesis modulated by trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) signaling, was kept at a lower level in the BE than the AE and ME, corresponding to the distinct gene expression in the T6P pathway in starch synthesis regulation. Collectively, the findings support an improved understanding of the timing of starch synthesis and cell vitality in regions of the endosperm during development, and potential regulation from hormone signaling and T6P/SnRK1 signaling.

The Dark Side of the pollen: BSA-seq identified genomic regions linked to male sterility in globe artichoke.

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus; 2n = 2x = 34) is a food crop consumed for its immature flower heads. Traditionally, globe artichoke varietal types are vegetatively propagated. However, seed propagation makes it possible to treat the crop as annual, increasing field uniformity and reducing farmers costs, as well as pathogens diffusion. Despite globe artichoke's significant agricultural value and the critical role of heterosis in the development of superior varieties, the production of hybrids remains challenging without a reliable system for large-scale industrial seed production. Male sterility (MS) presents a promising avenue for overcoming these challenges by simplifying the hybridization process and enabling cost-effective seed production. However, within the Cynara genus, genic male sterility has been linked to three recessive loci in globe artichoke, with no definitive genetic mechanism elucidated to date. A 250 offsprings F2 population, derived from a cross between a MS globe artichoke and a male fertile (MF) cultivated cardoon (C. cardunculus var. altilis) and fitting a monogenic segregation model (3:1), was analyzed through BSA-seq, aiming at the identification of genomic regions/genes affecting male sterility. Four QTL regions were identified on chromosomes 4, 12, and 14. By analyzing the sequence around the highest pick on chromosome 14, a cytochrome P450 (CYP703A2) was identified, carrying a deleterious substitution (R/Q) fixed in the male sterile parent. A single dCAPS marker was developed around this SNP, allowing the discrimination between MS and MF genotypes within the population, suitable for applications in plant breeding programs. A 3D model of the protein was generated by homology modeling, revealing that the mutated amino acid is part of a highly conserved motif crucial for protein folding.

Uncovering the cellular and omics characteristics of natural killer cells in the bone marrow microenvironment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous hematologic malignancy and the most frequently acute leukemia of stem cell precursors and the myeloid derivatives in adult. Longitudinal studies have indicated the therapeutic landscape and drug resistance for patients with AML are still intractable, which largely attribute to the deficiency of detailed information upon the pathogenesis. METHODS: In this study, we compared the cellular phenotype of resident NK cells (rAML-NKs, rHD-NKs) and expanded NK cells (eAML-NKs, eHD-NKs) from bone marrow of AML patients (AML) and healthy donors (HD). Then, we took advantage of the co-culture strategy for the evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxicity of NK cells upon diverse tumor cell lines (e.g., K562, Nalm6, U937). With the aid of RNA-sequencing (RNA-SEQ) and bioinformatics analyses (e.g., GOBP analysis, KEGG analysis, GSEA, volcano plot), we verified the similarities and differences of the omics features between eAML-NKs and eHD-NKs. RESULTS: Herein, we verified the sharp decline in the content of total resident NK cells (CD3-CD56+) in rAML-NKs compared to rHD-NKs. Differ from the expanded eHD-NKs, eAML-NKs revealed decline in diverse NK cell subsets (NKG2D+, CD25+, NKp44+, NKp46+) and alterations in cellular vitality but conservations in cytotoxicity. According to transcriptomic analysis, AML-NKs and HD-NKs showed multifaceted distinctions in gene expression profiling and genetic variations. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our data revealed the variations in the cytobiological and transcriptomic features between AML-NKs and HD-NKs in bone marrow environment. Our findings would benefit the further development of novel biomarkers for AML diagnosis and NK cell-based cytotherapy in future.

Redefine photoprotection: Sun protection beyond sunburn.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light leads to acute and chronic UV damage and is the main risk factor for the development of skin cancer. In most countries with western lifestyle, the topical application of sunscreens on UV-exposed skin areas is by far the most frequently used preventive measure against sunburn. Further than preventing sunburns, increasing numbers of consumers are appreciating sunscreens with a medium- to high-level sun protective factor (SPF) as basis for sustainable-skin ageing or skin cancer prevention programs. However, recent investigations indicate that clinically significant DNA damages as well as a lasting impairment of cutaneous immunosurveillance already occur far below the standard of one minimal erythema dose (MED) sunburn level, which contributes to the current discussion of the clinical value of high-protective SPF values. Ex vivo investigations on human skin showed that the application of SPF30 reduces DNA damage for a day long sun exposure (24 MED) drastically by about 53% but is significantly surpassed by SPF100 reducing DNA damage by approx. 73%. Further analysis on different SPF protection levels in UV-exposed cell culture assays focusing on IL-18, cell vitality and cis/trans-urocanic acid support these findings. Whereas SPF30 and SPF50+ sunscreens already offer a solid UVB cover for most indications, our results indicate that SPF100 provides significant additional protection against mutagenic (non-apoptotic-) DNA damage and functional impairment of the cutaneous immunosurveillance and therefore qualifies as an optimized sunscreen for specifically vulnerable patient groups such as immunosuppressed patients, or skin cancer patients.

Non-senescent species are not immortal: Stress and decline in two planaria species.

Potential immortality is observed in several species (e.g. prickly pear cactus, hydra and flatworms) and is indicative of their negligible or even negative senescence rates. Unlike in senescent species, which experience reduced individual performance with age due to physiological degradation, species with negligible or negative senescence display mortality rates that remain constant or decline with age, respectively. These rates vary across taxa and are correlated with life history traits. Yet, the extent to which variable resource availability, a key driver of variation in life history traits, impacts species that show negligible or negative senescence is currently unknown. Here, we examine whether and how variation in the quantity, quality and feeding interval of resources impact population structure, population performance and life history trait trade-offs in two long-lived planaria that do not senesce: Schmidtea mediterranea and Dugesia tahitiensis. In a full factorial design, different combinations of resource quantity (reduced intake, standard intake and high intake) and quality (high and low quality) were provided in two different feeding intervals (7-day and 14-day intervals) for 19 weeks. We show that variability in resource availability, via decreases in quantity, quality and frequency of resources, does not diminish population viability in either species but does result in suboptimal conditions of stress in S. mediterranea. The high population viability we report can be attributed to two different mechanisms: increased reproduction or increased investment into maintenance at the expense of reproduction. Moreover, which mechanism was responsible for said high population viability was context-dependent and modulated by the specific life history strategy of the two planaria species. We show that suboptimal conditions can cause stress responses that have significant impacts on non-senescent species. The context-dependent response we observe suggests that species that do not senesce but are subject to suboptimal conditions of stress may ultimately exhibit declines in performance and ultimately die. A clearer understanding of the impact of suboptimal conditions of resource availability on non-senescent species is needed to determine the extent of stress experienced and ultimately whether a species can truly be immortal.

Smartphone survey data reveal the timecourse of changes in mood outcomes following vitamin C or kiwifruit intervention in adults with low vitamin C.

Vitamin C-rich foods can improve mood; however, the timecourse of these benefits is unknown. This study utilised intensive longitudinal smartphone surveys from a three-armed placebo-controlled trial to determine mood-related changes following supplementation with vitamin C (250 mg tablet/d), kiwifruit (2 SunGold™ kiwifruit/d) or a placebo (1 tablet/d). Secondary data were analysed from the KiwiC for Vitality trial (Trial ID: ACTRN12617001031358). Adults (n 155, 63 % female, aged 18-35 years) with low plasma vitamin C (<40 µmol/l) completed a 14-d lead-in, 28-d intervention and 14-d washout. Participants self-reported vitality (SF-36), mood (POMS total mood disturbance), flourishing (flourishing scale), sleep quality, sleep quantity and physical activity every second day using smartphone surveys. Plasma vitamin C, measured fortnightly, reached saturation after 2 weeks of vitamin C or kiwifruit supplementation. Kiwifruit supplementation improved vitality and mood within 4 days, peaking around 14-16 days, and improved flourishing from day 14. Vitamin C marginally improved mood until day 12. Incremental AUC analyses revealed significant overall effects of kiwifruit consumption on vitality and mood compared with placebo, which were stronger than effects for vitamin C tablets, but attenuated when adjusting for covariates. Sensitivity analyses of participants with low baseline vitamin C status revealed improved mood (vitamin C and kiwifruit) and flourishing (kiwifruit only). This is the first study to use intensive smartphone surveys to model the day-to-day timecourse of mood-related states following vitamin C intervention and highlights the value of using smartphone surveys to reveal the temporal changes in mood-related outcomes following nutrient supplementation.

PoCXCL8, a teleost chemokine, exerts direct bactericidal, chemotactic/phagocytic, and NETs releasing properties, promoting host anti-bacterial immunity.

As an important CXC chemokine, CXCL8 plays pleiotropic roles in immunological response. In teleost, CXCL8 is involved in cell migration and bacterial invasion. However, the immune antibacterial function of CXCL8 in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) (PoCXCL8) is largely scarce. In this research, we investigated the antibacterial property and leukocyte activation of PoCXCL8. PoCXCL8 consists of 100 amino acid residues, with a conserved chemokine CXC domain. PoCXCL8 was expressed in various tissues, with the highest level in liver and the lowest level in muscle, and sharply induced by V. harveyi or E. tarda in liver, spleen, and head kidney. In vitro, the recombinant PoCXCL8 (rPoCXCL8) could bind to Bacillus subtilis, Edwardsiella tarda, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio harveyi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Micrococcus luteus, affect the growth of E. coli, E. tarda, M. luteus, and P. fluorescens, and have a direct bactericidal effect on E. coli and E. tarda. Moreover, rPoCXCL8 was able to bind the outer membranal protein rPilA of E. tarda. In addition, rPoCXCL8 could bind to PBLs, activating the PBLs activity including chemotaxis, proliferation, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species, acid phosphatase activity. At same time, rPoCXCL8 could induce neutrophil to generate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and promote the expression of inflammatory genes including IL-1ß, IL6, MMP13, TNF-α, and NF-κB. In flounder, the presence of rPoCXCL8 could enhance the in vivo resistance to E. tarda in liver, spleen, and head kidney. Moreover, the PoCXCL8-deficient could attenuate the fish defense against E. tarda infection in in spleen and head kidney. In conclusion, these results provided new insights into the antibacterial properties of CXCL8 in P. olivaceus.

Investigating form and content of emotional and non-emotional laughing.

As cold actions (i.e. actions devoid of an emotional content), also emotions are expressed with different vitality forms. For example, when an individual experiences a positive emotion, such as laughing as expression of happiness, this emotion can be conveyed to others by different intensities of face expressions and body postures. In the present study, we investigated whether the observation of emotions, expressed with different vitality forms, activates the same neural structures as those involved in cold action vitality forms processing. To this purpose, we carried out a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in which participants were tested in 2 conditions: emotional and non-emotional laughing both conveying different vitality forms. There are 3 main results. First, the observation of emotional and non-emotional laughing conveying different vitality forms activates the insula. Second, the observation of emotional laughing activates a series of subcortical structures known to be related to emotions. Furthermore, a region of interest analysis carried out in these structures reveals a significant modulation of the blood-oxygen-leveldependent (BOLD) signal during the processing of different vitality forms exclusively in the right amygdala, right anterior thalamus/hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray. Third, in a subsequent electromyography study, we found a correlation between the zygomatic muscles activity and BOLD signal in the right amygdala only.

Camel filariasis (Dipetalonema evansi) and its association with clinical balanoposthitis with reference to prominent changes in clinical findings, serum testosterone, semen analysis, and testicular histopathology.

BACKGROUND: Camel filariasis induced variable clinical syndromes characterized by fever, lethargy, localized dermal lesions, loss of condition, and testicular and scrotal swelling. The objective of the present work focused on clarifying the diagnostic importance of clinical findings, serum testosterone, and semen analysis as well as blood smear and testicular histopathology as a differential tool between only balanoposthitis without filariasis male camels group (OnlyBpgr) and balanoposthitis-filariasis infected male camels group (BpFlgr). The study also monitored the associations between the severity of ticks' infestations in investigated male camels and the occurrence of balanoposthitis only or balanoposthitis with filariasis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The study reported significant correlation between serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and sperm vitality and abnormalities percentages. The study included male camels (n = 250) classified into three groups: healthy control group (Contgr; n = 30), OnlyBpgr (n = 210), and BpFlgr (n = 10). These male camels were clinically and laboratory examined, and skin scraping tests and testicular histopathology were conducted. The study confirmed the association of the changes in clinical findings, whole blood picture, serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and semen analysis, with OnlyBpgr and BpFlgr. These changes were more prominent in BpFlgr than in OnlyBpgr. Skin scraping test results revealed a higher severity of live ticks' infestation in BpFlgr than in OnlyBpgr because, unlike OnlyBpgr, all camels in BpFlgr (n = 10) were suffering from live ticks' infestation. It also concluded the higher efficacy of histopathology of testicular tissues in male camels as a diagnostic tool for adult filaria in balanoposthitis-affected male camels than blood smear because all cases of camel filariasis in the current work were negative for microfilaria on microscopic examination of diurnal blood smear as well as testicular histopathology revealed detection of adult filaria in all camel filariasis associated with balanoposthitis. Strong correlation relationships were demonstrated between serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and semen analysis results. Positive correlations were reported between serum testosterone levels and sperm vitality percentages. However, negative correlations were stated between serum testosterone and each of serum cortisol and sperm abnormalities either in Contgr, OnlyBpgr, or BpFlgr.

Transcriptome Study of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Treated with Fomepizole Reveals a Serine/Threonine-Protein Phosphatase Gene that Is Substantially Linked with Vitality and Pathogenicity.

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the pine wood nematode (PWN), is the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), which causes enormous economic loss annually. According to our previous research, fomepizole, as a selective inhibitor of PWN alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), has the potential to be a preferable lead compound for developing novel nematicides. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. The result of molecular docking showed that the stronger interactions between fomepizole and PWN ADH at the active site of ADH were attributed to hydrogen bonds. Low-dose fomepizole had a substantial negative impact on the egg hatchability, development, oviposition, and lifespan of PWN. Transcriptome analysis indicated that 2,124 upregulated genes and 490 downregulated genes in fomepizole-treated PWN were obtained. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes indicated that fomepizole could be involved in controlling PWN vitality mainly by regulating key signaling pathways, such as the ribosome, hippo signaling pathway, and lysosome. Remarkably, the results of RNA interference indicated that the downregulated serine/threonine-protein phosphatase gene (stpp) could reduce the egg hatchability, development, oviposition, and lifespan of PWN, which was closely similar to the consequences of nematodes with low-dose fomepizole treatment. In addition, the silencing of stpp resulted in weakness of PWN pathogenicity, which indicated that stpp could be a potential drug target to control PWN.

Recent insights into egg quality and larval vitality of the European eel Anguilla anguilla.

To date, the eel industry still depends on wild-caught juveniles that are grown to marketable size. There is an urgent need to close the eel life cycle in captivity to make aquaculture independent of the natural population. With this artificial reproduction protocol, yolk-sac larvae can be produced but egg quality may be impaired. Low survival rates and high deformity rates are frequently observed during the first week after hatching. Over the past four years, we have conducted studies with the aim to optimize the artificial reproduction protocol, thereby focussing on increasing egg and larval quality. Weekly carp or salmon pituitary extract (PE) treatment was successfully replaced with recombinant gonadotropins (rGTHs) to mature female eels and produce larvae. 17α,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) was replaced with upstream precursor progesterone (P) to induce the endogenous production of DHP by the female eel. DHP and P were found equally potent in inducing oocyte maturation and ovulation. The effects of antibiotics on larval survival and the occurrence of deformities were investigated. Antibiotic treatment increased survival and decreased the occurrence of deformities indicating bacterial infection as an important cause. A deformity determination key for young eel larvae has been developed that provides a framework of reference for larval deformities which will be instrumental with gaining insights on the reasons behind each larval deformity. These improvements of the artificial reproduction protocol and hatchery practices will contribute to the production of robust eel larvae that survive, grow and metamorphose into juveniles that will later be able to reproduce in captivity.

Low-temperature-induced disruption of reproductive axis and sperm vitality via stress axis in Monopterus albus.

The ricefield eel (Monopterus albus) is inherently timid and highly sensitive to stress. Our previous studies have shown that low-temperature weather could significantly affect the sperm vitality of ricefield eels. This study aims to investigate the regulatory mechanism of low-temperature effects on testicular function and sperm vitality in ricefield eels. The ricefield eels were initially reared at low (10 °C) and normal (25 °C) temperatures for 24 h. Low temperatures were found to induce the expression of pituitary pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and testes insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) mRNA expression, suggesting that the reduction in sperm vitality could be attributed to the activation of the stress axis. Moreover, the results indicated a significant decrease in sperm occupancy and count in the testes, along with a reduced percentage of motile sperm. Subsequent transcriptome analysis showed substantial inhibition of reproductive hormone genes (gnrh1, lh, and fsh) in the brain and pituitary, and downregulation of meiosis-related genes (dmc1, rec8, and sycp3) in the testes. These findings suggest that low temperatures might disrupt testicular development and spermatogenesis by inhibiting the reproductive axis. Metabolomics analysis then demonstrated a significant reduction in the levels of metabolites related to glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in the testes after low-temperature treatment. Interestingly, the expression of zona pellucida sperm-binding proteins 3 and 4 (ZP3 and ZP4), which may affect sperm vitality and spermatogenesis, was significantly induced by low temperatures in the testes. In conclusion, these findings suggested that low temperatures might affect testicular function and sperm vitality by simultaneously activating the stress axis and inhibiting the reproductive axis and energy metabolism in the testes.

Mindfulness intervention effect on endometriosis-related pain dimensions and its mediator role on stress and vitality: a path analysis approach.

Endometriosis-related pain is supposedly mainly responsible for generating psychological stress and deteriorating the quality of life. However, the interaction between these factors has not been investigated, considering its multidimensional nature and through the path of effects of psychosocial approaches. The present study aims to investigate the effect of a brief mindfulness-based intervention (bMBI) on pain dimensions and its mediator role on psychological stress and QoL-Vitality improvement. A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial using a series of parallel and serial mediators was carried out. The results showed that bMBI improves the sensory (B = -6.09 [-9.81, -2.52], ß = -0.42) and affective (B = -3.40 [-5.02, -1.80], ß = -0.47) pain. The bMBI effect on psychological stress reduction was mediated by these changes in sensory (B = -2.81 [-6.06, -0.41], ß = -0.21) and affective (B = -1.97 [-5.07, -0.17], ß = -0.15) pain. Serial sensory pain and psychological stress reduction (B = 2.27 [0.11, 5.81], ß = -0.09) mediated the bMBI effect on quality of life vitality. Meditation training promotes additional improvement in affective and sensory pain characteristics through which psychological stress is reduced. The sensory pain dimension must be positively impacted in combination with psychological stress for the bMBI improves women's vitality. Adding a psychosocial intervention like meditation training to the standard treatment plan may be required for some women to achieve the needed changes to restore well-being.

The middle cingulate cortex and dorso-central insula: A mirror circuit encoding observation and execution of vitality forms.

Actions with identical goals can be executed in different ways (gentle, rude, vigorous, etc.), which D. N. Stern called vitality forms [D. N. Stern, Forms of Vitality Exploring Dynamic Experience in Psychology, Arts, Psychotherapy, and Development (2010)]. Vitality forms express the agent's attitudes toward others. In a series of fMRI studies, we found that the dorso-central insula (DCI) is the region that is selectively active during both vitality form observation and execution. In one previous experiment, however, the middle cingulate gyrus also exhibited activation. In the present study, in order to assess the role of the cingulate cortex in vitality form processing, we adopted a classical vitality form paradigm, but making the control condition devoid of vitality forms using jerky movements. Participants performed two different tasks: Observation of actions performed gently or rudely and execution of the same actions. The results showed that in addition to the insula, the middle cingulate cortex (MCC) was strongly activated during both action observation and execution. Using a voxel-based analysis, voxels showing a similar trend of the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal in both action observation and execution were found in the DCI and in the MCC. Finally, using a multifiber tractography analysis, we showed that the active sites in MCC and DCI are reciprocally connected.

Circadian Activity Rhythms and Psychopathology in Major Depressive Episodes.

BACKGROUND: Identifying suicidal risk based on clinical assessment is challenging. Suicidal ideation fluctuates, can be downplayed or denied, and seems stigmatizing if divulged. In contrast, vitality is foundational to subjectivity in being immediately conscious before reflection. Including its assessment may improve detection of suicidal risk compared to relying on suicidal ideation alone. We hypothesized that objective motility measures would be associated with vitality and enhance assessment of suicidal risk. METHODS: We evaluated 83 adult-psychiatric outpatients with a DSM-5 bipolar (BD) or major depressive disorder (MDD): BD-I (n = 48), BD-II (20), and MDD (15) during a major depressive episode. They were actigraphically monitored continuously over 3 weekdays and self-rated their subjective states at regular intervals. We applied cosinor analysis to actigraphic data and analyzed associations of subjective psychopathology measures with circadian activity parameters. RESULTS: Actigraphic circadian mesor, amplitude, day- and nighttime activity were lower with BD versus MDD. Self-rated vitality (wish-to-live) was significantly lower, self-rated suicidality (wish-to-die) was higher, and their difference was lower, with BD versus MDD. There were no other significant diagnostic differences in actigraphic sleep parameters or in self-rated depression, dysphoria, or anxiety. By linear regression, the difference between vitality and passive suicidal ideation was strongly positively correlated with mesor (p < 0.0001), daytime activity (p < 0.0001), and amplitude (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher circadian activity measures reflected enhanced levels of subjective vitality and were associated with lesser suicidal ideation. Current suicidal-risk assessment might usefully include monitoring of motility and vitality in addition to examining negative affects and suicidal thinking.

Exploring approaches to pulp vitality assessment: A scoping review of nontraditional methods.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic procedures for pulp vitality assessment are a crucial aspect of routine dental practice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of nontraditional techniques and methodologies for assessing pulp vitality, specifically exploring promising approaches that are currently not used in dental practice. METHODS: The study protocol was registered a priori (https://osf.io/3m97z/). An extensive electronic search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Inclusion criteria were guided by the research question based on the PCC model as follows: "What are the potential nontraditional techniques (Concept) for assessing pulp vitality (Population) in the field of endodontics or clinical practice (Context)?" Studies were included that explored possible approaches to pulp vitality assessment, utilizing a range of techniques, whilst any studies using traditional pulp tests (cold, heat, and electric stimulation) or well-known methods (pulse oximetry and laser Doppler flowmetry) were excluded. Reviewers independently screened articles and extracted data. A patent search was also performed. RESULTS: Of 3062 studies, 65 were included that described nontraditional approaches for assessing pulp vitality. These included a range of optical diagnostic methods, ultrasound Doppler flowmetry (UDF), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), terahertz imaging, tooth temperature measurements, as well as invasive methodologies, including 133xenon washout, radioisotope-labelled tracers, hydrogen gas desaturation, intravital microscopy and fluorescent microspheres isotope clearance. The patent search included artificial intelligence and biomarkers methods. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides details for potential innovative tests that may directly describe pulp vitality. Importantly, these methods range from clinically impractical through to promising methods that may transform clinical practice. Several nontraditional techniques have the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and could provide valuable insights into the assessment of pulp vitality in challenging clinical scenarios.

Spatial and temporal assessment of China's skiing climate resources.

This study introduces an improved Ski Climate Index (SCI) designed to assess skiing suitability in China by applying fuzzy logic. Using daily meteorological data from 733 weather stations for the periods 1961-1990 and 1991-2020, the study identifies significant changes in SCI distribution over time. Additionally, a coupled analysis is performed, integrating the SCI results with the distribution and spatial vitality of 389 ski resorts in China. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between actual ski resources and the ongoing evolution of the skiing industry in China and three significant results:1) The snow module has a major impact on SCI distribution, while other non-snow natural elements, such as sunshine duration, wind speed, and thermal comfort, influence the overall SCI assessment less; 2) High SCI values are concentrated in Northwestern and Northeastern China, with increased ski climate resources being observed in Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia, Southwest Tibet, and Sichuan due to climate change and noticeable declines in the Southern regions of Northeast China.; 3) In terms of the distribution and vitality of ski resorts, the SCI also partially reflects the development of ski resorts. This skiing suitability model uses climate resources to offer valuable insights for key decision-making in resort development and operation, thereby supporting advancement of the ice-snow economy.

Improving struggling medical and nursing students' subjective vitality, school engagement and academic performance through a peer mentorship intervention programme: an intervention protocol.

BACKGROUND: The undergraduate medical training programme is demanding and rigorous. This underlines the importance of a peer mentorship strategy to improve the well-being, self-determination, school connectedness, and performance of struggling medical and nursing students. This study is aimed at identifying struggling medical and nursing students using two cumulative continuous assessment test (CAT) scores, assess their subjective vitality and school engagement and evaluate the impact of the peer mentorship intervention on them. METHODS: The study will adopt a mixed-methods approach and will be conducted in the medical colleges of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, and the University of Rwanda. Three instruments will be used: The subjective Vitality Scale (SVS), the University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI), and the academic records of the students before and after the commencement of the intervention programme. The consenting least-performing medical and nursing students identified by their low CAT scores (below 45%) in basic medical sciences will be selected for study in each institution. The outcome measures will include students' CAT scores, subjective vitality, and school engagement scores. The data will be analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Thematic content analysis will be adopted in the analysis of the responses generated from the focus group discussion. The mean ± standard deviation or median and interquartile range statistic will be adopted for the quantitative data. DISCUSSION: Given the paucity of data on struggling medical and nursing students in Nigeria and Rwanda, this research was designed to help in exploring evidence-based interventions to improve and prevent poor subjective well-being of struggling students. The study is expected to fill these knowledge gaps. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trial registry, PACTR202405546896613, registration date: 27th May, 2024. This proposal has been supported by grant 1R25TW011217 from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Fogarty International Center (FIC) which also includes co-funds from the U.S. Department of State's Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy (S/GAC) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth). The Grant Principal Investigators are Profs. Nelson K.Sewankambo (contact PI), Prisca Adejumo, Jean Bisimwa Nachega, Fatima Suleman.

Significance of moss pretreatments in active biomonitoring surveys.

The present study examines the impact of pretreatment procedures on the metal concentrations in bags that are to be exposed. We examine Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb amounts in Sphagnum fallax and Dicranum polysetum mosses using atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration of Hg was also determined using a mercury analyzer. Two sample preparation ways were tested (with and without rinsing) and their influence was evaluated by determining the coefficient of variation (CV). Chlorophyll content was also determined in mosses collected from three habitats (deep woodland, forest road, and wood lot). The results indicate, that the concentration of elements deposited in mosses depends on the species and the habitat where they were collected (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Rinsing of mosses reduces the CV for Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn and uniform the material prior to exposure (CV for the majority of metals <10%). Selected correlations were found for element concentrations with chlorophyll content. Photosynthetic activity of mosses decreased by about 80% during their one-month storage in the laboratory. Due to the varying concentration of metals in the collected samples, proper, and standardized preparation of mosses before exposure, they can be effectively used in active biomonitoring.

Compared to other biomonitoring work the novel approach is the simultaneous study of two moss species, the analysis of three different habitats and the tie-in of accumulated trace elements by mosses and their vitality by measuring chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity.