Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine Hesitancy: 2020 California Health Interview Survey.

Although the COVID-19 vaccine is a key intervention against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitancy is a barrier to vaccination coverage, leading to a higher risk of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. To reduce vaccine hesitancy, the factors affecting it must be addressed. Based on the determinants of health approach, this study aimed to investigate whether the distribution of determinants of health differed between the vaccine hesitancy group and the vaccine acceptance group and to identify determinants of participants' hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it was available.

Comparative biomechanics of the and mandibles during mastication: finite element modelling of loading, deformation and strain regimes.

The mechanical behaviour of the mandibles of and during mastication was compared using finite element modelling. Muscle forces were calculated using species-specific measures of physiological cross-sectional area and scaled using electromyographic estimates of muscle recruitment in . Loading regimes were compared using moments acting on the mandible and strain regimes were qualitatively compared using maps of principal, shear and axial strains.

Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulation into Virus Protein Cages by Self-Assembly in an Aprotic Organic Solvent.

While extensive studies of virus capsid assembly in environments mimicking conditions have led to an understanding of the thermodynamic driving forces at work, applying this knowledge to virus assembly in other solvents than aqueous buffers has not been attempted yet. In this study, Brome mosaic virus (BMV) capsid proteins were shown to preserve their self-assembly abilities in an aprotic polar solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). This facilitated protein cage encapsulation of nanoparticles and dye molecules that favor organic solvents, such as β-NaYF-based upconversion nanoparticles and BODIPY dye.

Developmental Issues and Mental Health.

The trajectory of human development follows a predictable course of milestones. As genomic research has brought us more understanding of the brain, the etiology of mental illness is progressing from psychodynamic origins postulated by Freud in 1960 to organic pathways and epigenetic derivations. Humans develop on normal pathways that can be derailed by poverty, illness, and trauma.

Preparation of a core-double shell chitosan-graphene oxide composite and investigation of Pb (II) absorption.

The need for new and impactful materials to address the global problem of water pollution continues to be driving force in chemical research. This report presents the preparation of a core-double shell composite consisting of sand base substrate onto which sequential layers of chitosan and graphene oxide (GO) are deposited. The adsorption characteristics of this material for Pb (II) from aqueous solutions is investigated.

Implementation of a Screening and Management of Overweight and Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline in an Ambulatory Care Setting.

Introduction: Obesity is a rapidly growing health problem reaching epidemic levels around the world (World Health Organization, 2014). According to the World Health Organization, the current incident rate of obesity makes it the leading risk for deaths across the globe. The United States (USA) is amidst in this growing global epidemic.

Ontogeny of bite force in a validated biomechanical model of the American alligator.

Three-dimensional computational modeling offers tools with which to investigate forces experienced by the skull during feeding and other behaviors. American alligators () generate some of the highest measured bite forces among extant tetrapods. A concomitant increase in bite force accompanies ontogenetic increases in body mass, which has been linked with dietary changes as animals increase in size.

DNA and BSA damage inhibitory activities, and anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-porcine α-amylase and antioxidant properties of Dolichos lablab beans.

The underutilized Kenyan variety of Dolichos lablab bean seeds serve as a good source of natural antioxidants, which can probably be effective in reducing the risk of occurrence of several diseases. This study was undertaken for the first time to address the limited knowledge regarding the antioxidant activities of lablab beans. Moreover, their DNA damage inhibitory activity, bovine serum albumin (BSA) damage inhibitory activity, and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and porcine α-amylase were also investigated.

Functional, bioactive, biochemical, and physicochemical properties of the Dolichos lablab bean.

The underutilized Kenyan variety of Dolichos lablab bean seeds serves as a good source of nutrients. This study was undertaken for the first time to address the limited knowledge regarding the bioactive, biochemical, physicochemical, and functional properties of Dolichos lablab beans. Proximate analysis, mineral, total and free amino acid profiles, total protein, total dietary and profile of fiber, carotenoids and fat soluble vitamins, total phenolics, and total flavonoids were evaluated.

On the nature of cross-disciplinary integration: A philosophical framework.

Meeting grand challenges requires responses that constructively combine multiple forms of expertise, both academic and non-academic; that is, it requires cross-disciplinary integration. But just what is cross-disciplinary integration? In this paper, we supply a preliminary answer by reviewing prominent accounts of cross-disciplinary integration from two literatures that are rarely brought together: cross-disciplinarity and philosophy of biology. Reflecting on similarities and differences in these accounts, we develop a framework that integrates their insights-integration as a generic combination process the details of which are determined by the specific contexts in which particular integrations occur.

Analysis of Npl4 deletion mutants in mammalian cells unravels new Ufd1-interacting motifs and suggests a regulatory role of Npl4 in ERAD.

Npl4 is a 67 kDa protein forming a stable heterodimer with Ufd1, which in turn binds the ubiquitous p97/VCP ATPase. According to a widely accepted model, VCP(Ufd1-Npl4) promotes the retrotranslocation of emerging ER proteins, their ubiquitination by associated ligases, and handling to the 26S proteasome for degradation in a process known as ERAD (ER-associated degradation). Using a series of Npl4 deletion mutants we have revealed that the binding of Ufd1 to Npl4 is mediated by two regions: a conserved stretch of amino acids from 113 to 255 within the zf-Npl4 domain and by the Npl4 homology domain between amino acids 263 and 344.

TNF potentiates anticancer activity of bortezomib (Velcade) through reduced expression of proteasome subunits and dysregulation of unfolded protein response.

Bortezomib (Velcade) exploits proteasome inhibition as a unique mechanism of anticancer activity. The effectiveness of bortezomib is, however, limited, therefore, the search for therapeutic regimens combining bortezomib with other agents. In the present work we demonstrate enhanced anticancer activity of bortezomib by its combination with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the experimental model of C-26 colon carcinoma in mice.

From program director to senior faculty: a new direction?

Describes the transition from program director to senior scholar in the life of an occupational therapy academic.

Destabilization of the VCP-Ufd1-Npl4 complex is associated with decreased levels of ERAD substrates.

p97/VCP associated with Ufd1-Npl4 is considered a key player in ER-associated degradation (ERAD). RNA interference (RNAi) of one component of the Ufd1-Npl4 heterodimer destabilizes the VCP-Ufd1-Npl4 complex inducing proteasome-dependent degradation of the other component and releasing free VCP. In contrast to RNAi of VCP, RNAi of Ufd1 or Npl4 depleting approximately 90% of the VCP-Ufd1-Npl4 complexes does not induce unfolded protein response, indicating that the Ufd1-Npl4 dimer is not involved in the regulation of ER function by VCP.

Controlled endurance exercise training and VO2max changes in older adults: a meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials quantifies the effect of aerobic exercise on VO2max (aerobic fitness) among sedentary older adults and examines the associations of such magnitude with variables of intervention. Forty-one trials including 2102 older subjects (within-group mean age of 60 years and older) were identified by searches of databases, hand searching, and cross-referencing. Outcomes were homogeneous.

Animal models of Graves' hyperthyroidism.

An animal model of Graves' disease (GD) will help us to clearly understand the role of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR)-specific T cells and TSHR-Abs during the development of GD and to develop TSHR-specific immunotherapy. This review focuses on four different recent approaches towards the development of an animal model of GD. These approaches are: (1) Immunization of AKR/N mice with fibroblasts coexpressing syngeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and TSHR.

Central GABAergic systems and depressive illness.

Clinical depression and other mood disorders are relatively common mental illnesses but therapy for a substantial number of patients is unsatisfactory. For many years clinicians and neuroscientists believed that the evidence pointed toward alterations in brain monoamine function as the underlying cause of depression. This point of view is still valid.

Asymmetric Fos labeling in lobule X of the cerebellum following transtympanic tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the rat.

Unilateral transtympanic administration of the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (75 microl of 3 mM TTX in 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 5.0) produced behavioral symptoms indicative of unilateral vestibular disruption.

Antidepressant effects on GABA-stimulated 36Cl(-) influx in rat cerebral cortex are altered after treatment with GABA(A) receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides.

Antidepressants act at the GABA(A) receptor to inhibit GABA-stimulated 36Cl(-) influx and GABA reduction of [35S]TBPS binding. This study examined how selective knock-down (via antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, aODNs) of GABA(A) receptor subunits modified antidepressant activity. The specific aODNs used were for the alpha1, beta1, beta2 or gamma2 subunits of the GABA(A) receptor.

Irreversible inhibition of plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ transport by 4-OH-2,3-trans-nonenal.

4-OH-2,3-trans-nonenal (HNE), a major aldehydic lipid peroxidation product, has been shown to cause cellular toxicities and has been linked to a number of pathophysiological processes including atherogenesis. Specifically, in vitro exposure of erythrocyte plasma membrane preparations to HNE resulted in the inhibition of membrane transport function and integrity. To characterize the nature of the inhibitory effects of HNE on plasma membrane regulatory mechanisms, we investigated its effects on substrate and calmodulin (CaM) stimulation on erythrocyte Ca2+ transport and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activities.

Subacute toxicity of the water-soluble fractions of Kuwait crude oil and partially combusted crude oil on Menidia beryllina and Palaemonetes pugio.

As a consequence of the 1991 Gulf War, a substantial amount of crude oil (CO) and partially combusted crude oil (PCO) were emitted into the environment. Therefore, the study objective was to evaluate the toxicity of the water soluble fraction (WSF) of CO and PCO on a fish, Menidia beryllina, and an invertebrate, Palaemonetes pugio, in 16-d flow-through tests. Specific growth rate (SGR) was studied as a function of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHC) concentration in water.

Characterization of a phenylglyoxal-sensitive passive Ca2+ permeability in human erythrocytes.

In viable human erythrocytes, passive downhill entry of Ca2+ through the plasma membrane is opposed by an active extrusion Ca2+-pump mechanism which maintains a free [Ca2+]i approximately 10(-7) M. This passive Ca2+ permeability can be determined reliably in cells with a completely arrested Ca2+ pump, as can be achieved in cells which are both ATP-depleted and vanadate-treated. With this approach, whole-cell preparations from banked human erythrocytes exhibited passive net uptake of Ca2+ that has characteristics of a carrier-mediated process which could be shunted by the addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187.