Cytokine preconditioning of engineered cartilage provides protection against interleukin-1 insult

Research reported in this publication was supported in part by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01AR60361, R01AR061988, P41EB002520). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. ART was supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship

The Role of Ethnic Directors in Corporate Social Responsibility: Does Culture matter? The Cultural Trait Theory Perspectives

This paper investigates the effect of cultural differences between ethnic directors on corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Public Liability Companies (PLCs) in Nigeria. Using the cultural trait theory, the study focuses on how the ethnic directors are influenced when making decisions concerning CSR. Adopting multiple regression analysis of data, the study investigates the three major ethnic groups (Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa) and finds cultural differences between the ethnic directors affect the adoption of CSR. Empirical results indicate that ethnic directors (Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa) were positively and significantly related to CSR. The paper contributes to the corporate governance and CSR debate concerning how ethnic directors’ decisions impact on CSR activities, particularly on the directors who are individualistic and collectivists towards CSR

Fabrication of La-Doped MoS<inf>2</inf> Nanosheets with Tuned Bandgap for Dye Degradation and Antimicrobial Activities, Experimental and Computational Investigations

The development of efficient catalysts with a large number of active sites, tunable bandgap, and large surface area has been very challenging. In addition, a significant bottleneck in the application of catalysts for water treatment is their dissolution under extreme conditions, such as highly acidic or highly alkaline conditions that lead to poor application of the reported materials in real-world applications. In this study, the lanthanum (La)-doped molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets are reported for efficient breakdown of toxic pollutants from wastewater under a wide pH range from strongly alkaline to strongly acidic solutions. The La-MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) are prepared by a facile hydrothermal approach using a two-step methodology. A redshift is observed upon La doping, indicating that the bandgap is lowered after La doping in MoS2. The changes in bandgap and electronic structure are further investigated using the density functional theory (DFT), which reveal that doping of La introduces new states within the bandgap region, allowing for further induced energy transitions. The La-MoS2, having a doping concentration of 2%, exhibits the highest catalytic activity against methylene blue (MB) in neutral, acidic, and alkaline solutions, as well as substantial inhibitory activity for bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). In summary, the modified catalyst provides a pathway to design highly efficient catalysts for all pH range water treatment as well as good activity against microbes

Intelligent frozen gait monitoring using software-defined radio frequency sensing

Frozen gait (FG) is an increasingly prevalent concern in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) that limits mobility and increases the risk of falls. Traditional FG detection and monitoring methods using clinical observations and wearable sensors face limitations, such as inflexibility, lack of portability, inaccessibility to individuals, and the inability to provide continuous monitoring in real-life environments. To address these challenges, this experimental study presents the development of a software-defined radio (SDR)-based radio frequency (RF) sensing platform for continuous FG monitoring. Data were collected through multiple experiments involving various physical activities, including FG episodes. The acquired data were processed using advanced signal-processing (ASP) techniques to extract relevant wireless channel state information (WCSI) patterns. The physical activities were classified using machine learning and deep learning models developed on the dataset prepared from the SDR-based RF sensing system. The results demonstrated that the deep learning models outperformed the machine learning models. The bidirectional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU) achieved the highest accuracy of 99.7%. This indicates that the developed system has the potential for accurate, real-time monitoring of FG and other PD symptoms. The proposed RF sensing platform using SDR technology and artificial intelligence (AI) offers an intelligent and continuous monitoring solution, addressing the limitations of traditional methods. This system provides portable, continuous detection of FG events, potentially improving patient care, safety, and early intervention

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Human exposures to by-products from animals suspected to have died of anthrax in Bangladesh: An exploratory study

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis that is considered endemic in Bangladesh, where cases among animals and people have been reported almost annually since 2009. Contaminated by-products from animals are suspected to play a role in transmission to people, but minimal information is known on the supply chain of these potentially contaminated products. Between April 2013 and May 2016, we conducted a qualitative study in 17 villages located in five districts in Bangladesh, which had experienced suspected anthrax outbreaks. The study explored how by-products from suspected animal cases were collected, discarded, processed, distributed and used by people. We conducted open-ended interviews, group discussions and unstructured observations of people's exposure to animal by-products. The practice of slaughtering acutely ill domestic ruminants before they died was common. Respondents reported that moribund animals were typically butchered, and the waste products were discarded in nearby rivers, ditches, bamboo bushes, or on privately owned land. Regardless of health status before death, very few carcasses were buried, and none were incinerated or burned. The hides were reportedly used to make wallets, belts, shoes, balls and clothing. Discarded bones were often ground into granular and powder forms to produce bone meal and fertilizer. Therefore, given anthrax is endemic in the study region, livestock with acute onset of fatal disease or found dead with no known cause of death may be an anthrax case and subsequently pose a health risk to those involved in the collection and processing of the carcass, as well as the end-user of these products. Improved bio-security practices and safe carcass disposal measures could reduce the risk of human exposure, but resource and other constraints make implementation a challenge. Therefore, targeting at-risk animal populations for vaccination may be the most effective strategy to reduce anthrax outbreaks, protect the supply chain and reduce the risk of exposure to B. anthracis

Zeolite synthesis from low-cost materials and environmental applications: A review

Zeolites with the three-dimensional structures occur naturally or can be synthesized in the laboratory. Zeolites have versatile applications such as environmental remediation, catalytic activity, biotechnological application, gas sensing and medicinal applications. Although, naturally occurring zeolites are readily available, nowadays, more emphasis is given on the synthesis of the zeolites due to their easy synthesis in the pure form, better ion exchange capabilities and uniform in size. Recently, much attention has also been paid on how zeolite is being synthesized from low-cost material (e.g., rice husk), particularly, by resolving the major environmental issues. Hence, the main purpose of this review is to make an effective resolution of zeolite synthesis methods together with potential applications in environmental engineering. Among different synthesis methods, hydrothermal method is commonly found to be used widely in the synthesis of various zeolites from inexpensive raw materials such as fly ash, rice husk ash, blast furnace slag, municipal solid waste, paper sludge, lithium slag and kaolin. Besides, future expectation in the field of synthetic zeolites research is also included

Epidemiology and genetic characterization of Peste des petits ruminants virus in Bangladesh

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute, highly contagious disease responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates in susceptible sheep and goats. Adequate knowledge of the diversity of circulating strains of PPR virus will help livestock authorities choose appropriate vaccines. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of PPR and characterize the strains circulating in Bangladesh. Veterinarians enrolled goats showing signs consistent with PPR, including diarrhoea, fever and respiratory distress, from three veterinary hospitals. Post-treatment follow up was carried out to ascertain health outcomes of the goats. Faecal and throat swab samples were collected from the goats and tested for PPRV RNA using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Nucleotide sequence-based phylogenetic analyses of two structural genes, the nucleocapsid (N gene), and the haemagglutinin (H gene) were studied to determine the genetic variations of PPRV strains. Of the 539 goats enrolled, 38% (203/539) had detectable RNA for PPRV. We were able to follow up with 91% (184/203) of the PPRV infected goats; 44 of them died (24%). PPRV was more frequently identified in the summer (45%) than in the rainy season (29%) (Odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–3.1). Bangladeshi strains were phylogenetically similar to the lineage IV PPRV strains; showing particularly strong affiliation with Tibetan and Indian strains. PPR is a common viral infection of the goats in Bangladesh, with a high case-fatality rate. This study confirms the circulation of lineage IV PPRV in the country with unique amino acid substitutions in N and H proteins and provides baseline data for vaccine development and implementation

Community-based intervention to promote breast cancer awareness and screening: The Korean experience

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are many differences in culture, community identity, community participation, and ownership between communities in Western and Asian countries; thus, it is difficult to adopt the results of community intervention studies from Western countries. In this study, we conducted a multicity, multicomponent community intervention trial to correct breast cancer myths and promote screening mammography for women living in an urban community in Korea.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A 6-month, 2-city community intervention trial was conducted. In the intervention city, 480 women were surveyed at baseline and 7 months later to evaluate the effects of the intervention program. Strategies implemented in the intervention city included community outreach and clinic and pharmacy-based in-reach strategies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This study showed a 20.4-percentage-point decrease in myths about the link between cancer and breast size, a 19.2-percentage-point decrease in myths concerning mammography costs, and a 14.1-percentage-point increase in intention to undergo screening mammography. We also saw a 23.4-percentage-point increase in the proportion of women at the action stage of the transtheoretical model in the intervention city. In the comparison city, smaller decreases and increases were observed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study showed the value of an intervention study aimed at reducing belief in breast cancer myths in an urban community in Korea. The invention also made women more likely to undergo mammography in future.</p