Telehealth use in the well-child health setting. A systematic review of acceptability and effectiveness for families and practitioners.

Background: Universal well-child health nursing services in high-resource countries promote the health and well-being of children and families while preventing health inequities. The COVID-19 pandemic and technological advancements have led to the increased use of telehealth in this field. To enhance policies and practices, it's important to understand the acceptability and effectiveness of telehealth, as well as the barriers and enablers to its implementation, and to determine when its use is appropriate and safe.

H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Reveals Changes in Metabolic Phenotype Associated with Disease Stage in Patients with Chronic Venous Disease.

Objective: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a condition presenting a great burden to patients and society, with poorly characterised pathophysiology. Metabolic phenotyping can elucidate mechanisms of disease and identify candidate biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the metabolic signature between symptomatic patients with CVD and asymptomatic volunteers using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-NMR).

Tracking clonal evolution of drug resistance in ovarian cancer patients by exploiting structural variants in cfDNA.

Drug resistance is the major cause of therapeutic failure in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Yet, the mechanisms by which tumors evolve to drug resistant states remains largely unknown. To address this, we aimed to exploit clone-specific genomic structural variations by combining scaled single-cell whole genome sequencing with longitudinally collected cell-free DNA (cfDNA), enabling clonal tracking before, during and after treatment.

Imaging brain glucose metabolism in vivo reveals propionate as a major anaplerotic substrate in pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency.

A vexing problem in mitochondrial medicine is our limited capacity to evaluate the extent of brain disease in vivo. This limitation has hindered our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the imaging phenotype in the brain of patients with mitochondrial diseases and our capacity to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Using comprehensive imaging, we analyzed the metabolic network that drives the brain structural and metabolic features of a mouse model of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (PDHD).

Matched dielectric slot waveguide as an all-dielectric terahertz magnetic dipole.

We observe that the modal field distribution of a dielectric slot waveguide closely resembles a magnetic dipole antenna. Such an aperture distribution traditionally demands metals, making it ill-suited to high frequencies due to excessive ohmic loss. By terminating a dielectric slot waveguide with a matched free-space interface, a compact all-dielectric radiating magnetic dipole is realized.

Preparation and characterization of lignin-derived carbon aerogels.

Lignin is considered a valuable renewable resource for building new chemicals and materials, particularly resins and polymers. The aromatic nature of lignin suggests a synthetic route for synthesizing organic aerogels (AGs) similar to the aqueous polycondensation of resorcinol with formaldehyde (FA). The structure and reactivity of lignin largely depend on the severity of the isolation method used, which challenges the development of new organic and carbon materials.

Infection leaves a genetic and functional mark on the gut population of a commensal bacterium.

Gastrointestinal infection changes microbiome composition and gene expression. In this study, we demonstrate that enteric infection also promotes rapid genetic adaptation in a gut commensal. Measurements of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron population dynamics within gnotobiotic mice reveal that these populations are relatively stable in the absence of infection, and the introduction of the enteropathogen Citrobacter rodentium reproducibly promotes rapid selection for a single-nucleotide variant with increased fitness.

All-silicon, low-cross-talk terahertz waveguide crossing based on effective medium.

All-silicon effective-medium-clad waveguides are a promising candidate for an integrated terahertz platform with high efficiency and broad bandwidth. Waveguide crossings are essential circuit components, allowing for wave routing over shorter paths to increase circuit density. However, the simple intersection of two orthogonal effective-medium-clad waveguides results in terahertz wave scattering, leading to relatively high cross talk.

Multi-sample measurement of hyperpolarized pyruvate-to-lactate flux in melanoma cells.

Hyperpolarized [1- C] pyruvate can be used to examine the metabolic state of cancer cells, highlighting a key metabolic characteristic of cancer: the upregulated metabolic flux to lactate, even in the presence of oxygen (Warburg effect). Thus, the rate constant of C exchange of pyruvate to lactate, k , can serve as a metabolic biomarker of cancer presence, aggressiveness and therapy response. Established in vitro hyperpolarized experiments dissolve the probe for each cell sample independently, an inefficient process that consumes excessive time and resources.

Obesity and Cage Environment Modulate Metabolism in the Zucker Rat: A Multiple Biological Matrix Approach to Characterizing Metabolic Phenomena.

Obesity and its comorbidities are increasing worldwide imposing a heavy socioeconomic burden. The effects of obesity on the metabolic profiles of tissues (liver, kidney, pancreas), urine, and the systemic circulation were investigated in the Zucker rat model using H NMR spectroscopy coupled to multivariate statistical analysis. The metabolic profiles of the obese ( fa/ fa) animals were clearly differentiated from the two phenotypically lean phenotypes, ((+/+) and ( fa/+)) within each biological compartment studied, and across all matrices combined.

Study of the adhesion of explosive residues to the finger and transfer to clothing and luggage.

It is important to understand the extent of transfer of explosive particles to different surfaces in order to better evaluate potential cross-contamination by explosives in crowded security controls such as those at airports. This work investigated the transfer of nine explosive residues (ANFO, dynamite, black powder, TNT, HMTD, PETN, NHNO, KNO, NaClO) through fingerprints from one surface to another. First, the extent of adhesion of explosive residues from different surfaces to the bare finger, nitrile and latex gloves was studied.

Simple multispectral imaging approach for determining the transfer of explosive residues in consecutive fingerprints.

This novel investigation focused on studying the transfer of explosive residues (TNT, HMTD, PETN, ANFO, dynamite, black powder, NHNO, KNO, NaClO) in ten consecutive fingerprints to two different surfaces - cotton fabric and polycarbonate plastic - by using multispectral imaging (MSI). Imaging was performed employing a reflex camera in a purpose-built photo studio. Images were processed in MATLAB to select the most discriminating frame - the one that provided the sharpest contrast between the explosive and the material in the red-green-blue (RGB) visible region.

Development and comparison of HPLC and MEKC methods for the analysis of cyclic sulfur mustard degradation products.

In this study, novel, fast, and simple methods based on RP-HPLC and MEKC with DAD are developed and validated for the qualitative and quantitative determination of five cyclic sulfur mustard (HD) degradation products (1,4-thioxane, 1,3-dithiolane, 1,4-dithiane, 1,2,5-trithiepane, and 1,4,5-oxadithiepane) in water samples. The HPLC method employs a C18 column and an isocratic water-ACN (55:45, v/v) mobile phase. This method enables separation of all five cyclic compounds within 8 min.

Systems-level metabolism of the altered Schaedler flora, a complete gut microbiota.

The altered Schaedler flora (ASF) is a model microbial community with both in vivo and in vitro relevance. Here we provide the first characterization of the ASF community in vitro, independent of a murine host. We compared the functional genetic content of the ASF to wild murine metagenomes and found that the ASF functionally represents wild microbiomes better than random consortia of similar taxonomic composition.

Animal and human models to understand ageing.

Human ageing is the gradual decline in organ and tissue function with increasing chronological time, leading eventually to loss of function and death. To study the processes involved over research-relevant timescales requires the use of accessible model systems that share significant similarities with humans. In this review, we assess the usefulness of various models, including unicellular yeasts, invertebrate worms and flies, mice and primates including humans, and highlight the benefits and possible drawbacks of each model system in its ability to illuminate human ageing mechanisms.

Systemic Characterization of an Obese Phenotype in the Zucker Rat Model Defining Metabolic Axes of Energy Metabolism and Host-Microbial Interactions.

The Zucker (fa/fa) rat is a valuable and extensively utilized model for obesity research. However, the metabolic networks underlying the systemic response in the obese Zucker rats remain to be elucidated. This information is important to further our understanding of the circulation of the microbial or host-microbial metabolites and their impact on host metabolism.

Diagnostic accuracy of PAT-POPS and ManChEWS for admissions of children from the emergency department.

Background: The Pennine Acute Trust (PAT) Paediatric Observation Priority Score (PAT-POPS) is a specific emergency department (ED) physiological and observational aggregate scoring system, with scores of 0-18. A higher score indicates greater likelihood of admission. The Manchester Children's Early Warning System (ManChEWS) assesses six physiological observations to create a trigger score, classified as Green, Amber or Red.

Development of a capillary electrophoresis method with direct UV detection for the analysis of thiodiglycol and its oxidation products.

A novel method based on CE with precolumn derivatization and direct UV detection for the determination of thiodiglycol (TDG), TDG sulfoxide, and TDG sulfone in water samples was developed. The lack of a UV chromophore of target analytes was overcome by derivatization with phthalic anhydride. The reactant concentrations, as well as the derivatization dependence on heating temperature and time, were carefully investigated.

Age and microenvironment outweigh genetic influence on the Zucker rat microbiome.

Animal models are invaluable tools which allow us to investigate the microbiome-host dialogue. However, experimental design introduces biases in the data that we collect, also potentially leading to biased conclusions. With obesity at pandemic levels animal models of this disease have been developed; we investigated the role of experimental design on one such rodent model.

Fingerprinting postblast explosive residues by portable capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection.

A portable capillary electrophoretic system with contactless conductivity detection was used for fingerprint analysis of postblast explosive residues from commercial organic and improvised inorganic explosives on various surfaces (sand, concrete, metal witness plates). Simple extraction methods were developed for each of the surfaces for subsequent simultaneous capillary electrophoretic analysis of anions and cations. Dual-opposite end injection principle was used for fast (<4 min) separation of 10 common anions and cations from postblast residues using an optimized separation electrolyte composed of 20 mM MES, 20 mM l-histidine, 30 μM CTAB and 2 mM 18-crown-6.

Hippurate: the natural history of a mammalian-microbial cometabolite.

Hippurate, the glycine conjugate of benzoic acid, is a normal constituent of the endogenous urinary metabolite profile and has long been associated with the microbial degradation of certain dietary components, hepatic function and toluene exposure, and is also commonly used as a measure of renal clearance. Here we discuss the potential relevance of hippurate excretion with regard to normal endogenous metabolism and trends in excretion relating to gender, age, and the intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the significance of hippurate excretion with respect to disease states including obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, impaired renal function, psychological disorders and autism, as well as toxicity and parasitic infection, are considered.

The tomato cis-prenyltransferase gene family.

cis-prenyltransferases (CPTs) are predicted to be involved in the synthesis of long-chain polyisoprenoids, all with five or more isoprene (C5) units. Recently, we identified a short-chain CPT, neryl diphosphate synthase (NDPS1), in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Here, we searched the tomato genome and identified and characterized its entire CPT gene family, which comprises seven members (SlCPT1-7, with NDPS1 designated as SlCPT1).

The impact of aging on mitochondrial function and biogenesis pathways in skeletal muscle of sedentary high- and low-functioning elderly individuals.

Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) leads to a decline in physical function and frailty in the elderly. Among the many proposed underlying causes of sarcopenia, mitochondrial dysfunction is inherent in a variety of aged tissues. The intent of this study was to examine the effect of aging on key groups of regulatory proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and how this relates to physical performance in two groups of sedentary elderly participants, classified as high- and low-functioning based on the Short Physical Performance Battery test.

Late-life enalapril administration induces nitric oxide-dependent and independent metabolic adaptations in the rat skeletal muscle.

Recently, we showed that administration of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril to aged rats attenuated muscle strength decline and mitigated apoptosis in the gastrocnemius muscle. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible mechanisms underlying the muscle-protective effects of enalapril. We also sought to discern the effects of enalapril mediated by nitric oxide (NO) from those independent of this signaling molecule.

Skeletal muscle apoptotic signaling predicts thigh muscle volume and gait speed in community-dwelling older persons: an exploratory study.

Background: Preclinical studies strongly suggest that accelerated apoptosis in skeletal myocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. However, evidence in humans is sparse. In the present study, we investigated whether apoptotic signaling in the skeletal muscle was associated with indices of muscle mass and function in older persons.