Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Other Treatment Modalities for Deep Space Missions.

INTRODUCTION: As humankind ventures further into the depths of space, planning is already underway for long-duration exploration missions that will test the bounds of human performance. Deep space travel will include added risk related to stressors from the isolated, confined, and extreme environment that lies outside the boundaries of low Earth orbit. Currently, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered the standard of care for many mental health diagnoses, including anxiety and depression; however, SSRIs are also associated with several undesired side effects. The utility of nonpharmacological therapies for the management of behavioral health conditions has not yet been fully explored.METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed. Relevant articles pertaining to the psychological impacts of isolated, confined, and extreme environments, use of SSRIs in spaceflight, side effects associated with SSRIs, and nonpharmacological treatments for anxiety and depression were reviewed. Over 70 studies were reviewed in total.RESULTS: Reduced bone mineral density, impaired hemostatic function, significant individual variability resulting from gene polymorphisms, and drug-drug interactions are well described adverse effects of SSRIs that may complicate their operational use in the deep space environment. Four alternative therapies for the treatment of anxiety and depression may show promise for long duration missions.DISCUSSION: Although SSRIs have long been considered standard of care treatment for many behavioral health conditions, we cannot trivialize the risk that prolonged pharmacological therapy may pose. The need to mitigate these risks by exploring alternative therapies has never been more relevant.El-Khoury BB, Ray KL, Altchuler SI, Reichard JF, Dukes CH. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other treatment modalities for deep space missions. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(11):843-851.

Entropy optimization and response surface methodology of blood hybrid nanofluid flow through composite stenosis artery with magnetized nanoparticles (Au-Ta) for drug delivery application.

Entropy creation by a blood-hybrid nanofluid flow with gold-tantalum nanoparticles in a tilted cylindrical artery with composite stenosis under the influence of Joule heating, body acceleration, and thermal radiation is the focus of this research. Using the Sisko fluid model, the non-Newtonian behaviour of blood is investigated. The finite difference (FD) approach is used to solve the equations of motion and entropy for a system subject to certain constraints. The optimal heat transfer rate with respect to radiation, Hartmann number, and nanoparticle volume fraction is calculated using a response surface technique and sensitivity analysis. The impacts of significant parameters such as Hartmann number, angle parameter, nanoparticle volume fraction, body acceleration amplitude, radiation, and Reynolds number on the velocity, temperature, entropy generation, flow rate, shear stress of wall, and heat transfer rate are exhibited via the graphs and tables. Present results disclose that the flow rate profile increase by improving the Womersley number and the opposite nature is noticed in nanoparticle volume fraction. The total entropy generation reduces by improving radiation. The Hartmann number expose a positive sensitivity for all level of nanoparticle volume fraction. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the radiation and nanoparticle volume fraction showed a negative sensitivity for all magnetic field levels. It is seen that the presence of hybrid nanoparticles in the bloodstream leads to a more substantial reduction in the axial velocity of blood compared to Sisko blood. An increase in the volume fraction results in a noticeable decrease in the volumetric flow rate in the axial direction, while higher values of infinite shear rate viscosity lead to a significant reduction in the magnitude of the blood flow pattern. The blood temperature exhibits a linear increase with respect to the volume fraction of hybrid nanoparticles. Specifically, utilizing a hybrid nanofluid with a volume fraction of 3% leads to a 2.01316% higher temperature compared to the base fluid (blood). Similarly, a 5% volume fraction corresponds to a temperature increase of 3.45093%.

Plastome phylogenomics and biogeography of the subfam. Polygonoideae (Polygonaceae).

Polygonaceae has a complex taxonomic history, although a few studies using plastid or nuclear DNA fragments have explored relationships within this family, intrafamilial relationships remain controversial. Here, we newly sequenced and annotated 17 plastomes representing 12 genera within Polygonaceae. Combined with previously published data, a total of 49 plastomes representing 22/46 Polygonaceae genera and 16/20 Polygonoideae genera were collected to infer the phylogeny of Polygonaceae, with an emphasis on Polygonoideae. Plastome comparisons revealed high conservation within Polygonoideae in structure and gene order. Phylogenetic analyses using both Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods revealed two major clades and seven tribes within Polygonoideae. BEAST and S-DIVA analyses suggested a Paleocene origin of Polygonoideae in Asia. While most genera of Polygonoideae originated and further diversified in Asia, a few genera experienced multiple long-distance dispersal events from Eurasia to North America after the Miocene, with a few dispersal events to the Southern Hemisphere also being detected. Both ancient vicariance and long-distance events have played important roles in shaping the current distribution pattern of Polygonoideae.

Transcriptomes of Saussurea (Asteraceae) Provide Insights into High-Altitude Adaptation.

Understanding how species adapt to extreme environments is an extension of the main goals of evolutionary biology. While alpine plants are an ideal system for investigating the genetic basis of high-altitude adaptation, genomic resources in these species are still limited. In the present study, we generated reference-level transcriptomic data of five Saussurea species through high-throughput sequencing and de novo assembly. Three of them are located in the highland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), and the other two are close relatives distributed in the lowland. A series of comparative and evolutionary genomics analyses were conducted to explore the genetic signatures of adaptive evolution to high-altitude environments. Estimation of divergence time using single-copy orthologs revealed that Saussurea species diversified during the Miocene, a period with extensive tectonic movement and climatic fluctuation on the QTP. We characterized gene families specific to the alpine species, including genes involved in oxidoreductase activity, pectin catabolic process, lipid transport, and polysaccharide metabolic process, which may play important roles in defense of hypoxia and freezing temperatures of the QTP. Furthermore, in a phylogenetic context with the branch model, we identified hundreds of genes with signatures of positive selection. These genes are involved in DNA repair, membrane transport, response to UV-B and hypoxia, and reproductive processes, as well as some metabolic processes associated with nutrient intake, potentially responsible for Saussurea adaptation to the harsh environments of high altitude. Overall, our study provides valuable genomic resources for alpine species and gained helpful insights into the genomic basis of plants adapting to extreme environments.

Association of clinical factors and recent anticancer therapy with COVID-19 severity among patients with cancer: a report from the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer may be at high risk of adverse outcomes from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We analyzed a cohort of patients with cancer and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) reported to the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) to identify prognostic clinical factors, including laboratory measurements and anticancer therapies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with active or historical cancer and a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis recorded between 17 March and 18 November 2020 were included. The primary outcome was COVID-19 severity measured on an ordinal scale (uncomplicated, hospitalized, admitted to intensive care unit, mechanically ventilated, died within 30 days). Multivariable regression models included demographics, cancer status, anticancer therapy and timing, COVID-19-directed therapies, and laboratory measurements (among hospitalized patients). RESULTS: A total of 4966 patients were included (median age 66 years, 51% female, 50% non-Hispanic white); 2872 (58%) were hospitalized and 695 (14%) died; 61% had cancer that was present, diagnosed, or treated within the year prior to COVID-19 diagnosis. Older age, male sex, obesity, cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities, renal disease, diabetes mellitus, non-Hispanic black race, Hispanic ethnicity, worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, recent cytotoxic chemotherapy, and hematologic malignancy were associated with higher COVID-19 severity. Among hospitalized patients, low or high absolute lymphocyte count; high absolute neutrophil count; low platelet count; abnormal creatinine; troponin; lactate dehydrogenase; and C-reactive protein were associated with higher COVID-19 severity. Patients diagnosed early in the COVID-19 pandemic (January-April 2020) had worse outcomes than those diagnosed later. Specific anticancer therapies (e.g. R-CHOP, platinum combined with etoposide, and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors) were associated with high 30-day all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical factors (e.g. older age, hematological malignancy, recent chemotherapy) and laboratory measurements were associated with poor outcomes among patients with cancer and COVID-19. Although further studies are needed, caution may be required in utilizing particular anticancer therapies. CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFIER: NCT04354701.

Does dissemination of guidelines alone increase the use of palliative single-fraction radiotherapy? Initial report of a longitudinal change management campaign at a provincial cancer program.

Background: Despite level 1 evidence demonstrating the equivalence of single-fraction radiotherapy (sfrt) and multiple-fraction radiotherapy (mfrt) for the palliation of painful bone metastases, sfrt remains underused. In 2015, to encourage the sustainable use of palliative radiation oncology resources, CancerCare Manitoba disseminated, to each radiation oncologist in Manitoba, guidelines from Choosing Wisely Canada (cwc) that recommend sfrt. We assessed whether dissemination of the guidelines influenced sfrt use in Manitoba in 2016, and we identified factors associated with mfrt. Methods: All patients treated with palliative radiotherapy for bone metastasis in Manitoba from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 were identified from the provincial radiotherapy database. Patient, treatment, and disease characteristics were extracted from the electronic medical record and tabulated by fractionation schedule. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with mfrt. Results: In 2016, 807 patients (mean age: 70 years; range: 35-96 years) received palliative radiotherapy for bone metastasis, with 69% of the patients having uncomplicated bone metastasis. The most common primary malignancies were prostate (27.1%), lung (20.6%), and breast cancer (15.9%). In 62% of cases, mfrt was used-a proportion that was unchanged from 2015. On multivariable analysis, a gastrointestinal [odds ratio (or): 5.3] or lung primary (or: 3.3), complicated bone metastasis (or: 4.3), and treatment at a subsidiary site (or: 4.4) increased the odds of mfrt use. Conclusions: Dissemination of cwc recommendations alone did not increase sfrt use by radiation oncologists in 2016. A more comprehensive knowledge translation effort is therefore warranted and is now underway to encourage increased uptake of sfrt in Manitoba.

Prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders among school children in Saudi Arabia: results of a national iodine nutrition study.

This study aimed at establishing updated data on iodine nutrition among schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional cluster survey among schoolchildren aged 8-10 years was conducted during February-April 2012. Children were clinically examined for goitre, urine and household salt samples were collected to estimate urinary iodine concenteration (UIC) and iodine content in salt. The overall goitre prevalence at the national level among 4 016 children was 4.2%. The prevalence was < 5% in all regions of the country except southern region with a prevalence of 12.7%. The median UIC of 2224 samples was 133 µg/L, with 74.3% of the surveyed children with UIC ≥ 100 µg/L. Analysis of salt samples (n = 4242) revealed that 69.8% of households were consuming adequately iodized salt. The findings suggest iodine sufficiency at the national level, however southern region still has a goitre prevalence of mild degree severity and the proportion of households consuming adequately iodized salt is still below recommendations.

Prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders among school children in Saudi Arabia: results of a national iodine nutrition study

This study aimed at establishing updated data on iodine nutrition among schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional cluster survey among schoolchildren aged 8-10 years was conducted during February-April 2012. Children were clinically examined for goitre, urine and household salt samples were collected to estimate urinary iodine concenteration [UIC] and iodine content in salt. The overall goitre prevalence at the national level among 4 016 children was 4.2%. The prevalence was < 5% in all regions of the country except southern region with a prevalence of 12.7%. The median UIC of 2224 samples was 133 microg/L, with 74.3% of the surveyed children with UIC>/=100 microg/L. Analysis of salt samples [n = 4242] revealed that 69.8% of households were consuming adequately iodized salt. The findings suggest iodine sufficiency at the national level, however southern region still has a goitre prevalence of mild degree severity and the proportion of households consuming adequately iodized salt is still below recommendations

Cette étude visait à recueillir des données mises à jour sur la nutrition en iode parmi les enfants d'âge scolaire en Arabie saoudite. Une étude transversale par sondage en grappes a été menée auprès enfants d'âge scolaire âgés de 8 à 10 ans entre février et avril 2012. Les enfants ont été soumis à un examen clinique pour le goître, et des échantillons d'urine et de sel de cuisine ont été collectés afin d'estimer la concentration d'iode urinaire et la teneur en iode dans le sel. La prévalence globale du goître au niveau national parmi les 4016 enfants était de 4,2%. La prévalence était inférieure à 5% dans l'ensemble des régions du pays, exception faite de la partie sud qui présentait une prévalence de 12,7%. La concentration médiane d'iode urinaire de 2224 échantillons était de 133 micro g/L, 74,3% des enfants examinés ayant une concentration d'iode urinaire inférieure ou égale à 100 micro g/L. Les proportions d'enfants ayant des taux de concentration d'iode urinaire inférieurs à 20, compris entre 20 et 49 et 50 et 99 micro g/L, étaient de 2,0%, 5,3% et 18,5% respectivement. L'analyse des échantillons de sel [n = 4242] a révélé que 69,8% des ménages consommaient du sel adéquatement iodé. Les résultats suggèrent un niveau de consommation en iode suffisant à l'échelle nationale, bien que la partie sud du pays continue d'avoir une prévalence du goître de sévérité moyenne, et que la proportion des ménages consommant du sel adéquatement iodé reste en deçà des recommandations

Bladder calculus resulting from an intravesical translocation of intrauterine contraceptive device in a postmenopausal woman.

Although perforation of the uterus by an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is commonly encountered, intravesical translocation and secondary calculus formation is a very rare complication. We report a case of a 60-year old multiparous woman in whom an intrauterine contraceptive Copper-T device inserted 12 years earlier translocated from the uterus to the bladder and resulted in formation of a calculus. Diagnosis was established with pelvic ultrasonography and plain abdominal radiograph. The cystoscopic removal was not successful due to the large size of the calculus. The patient later underwent cystolithotomy. Sonographic follow-up immediately after the insertion and at six month intervals will go a long way in early detection of any possible complications.

Infant feeding in Saudi Arabia: mothers' attitudes and practices.

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey of 4872 mothers (mostly Saudi) to study infant feeding patterns. Information was collected about their feeding practices with their youngest child using pre-tested questionnaires. About four-fifths of the mothers had received health education about breastfeeding, most often from medical staff; younger mothers tended to be better informed. Approximately 92% fed colostrum to the newborn, but 76.1% had introduced bottle-feeding by 3 months (48.3% cited insufficient milk as the reason for introducing the bottle). This was significantly related to nationality and education level. Mixed feeding (breastfeeding and bottle-feeding) was popular. Solid foods tended to be introduced late and this was significantly related to nationality, age and education level.

Infant feeding in Saudi Arabia: mothers' attitudes and practices

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey of 4872 mothers [mostly Saudi] to study infant feeding patterns. Information was collected about their feeding practices with their youngest child using pre-tested questionnaires. About four-fifths of the mothers had received health education about breastfeeding, most often from medical staff; younger mothers tended to be better informed. Approximately 92% fed colostrum to the newborn, but 76.1% had introduced bottle-feeding by 3 months [48.3% cited insufficient milk as the reason for introducing the bottle]. This was significantly related to nationality and education level. Mixed feeding [breastfeeding and bottle-feeding] was popular. Solid foods tended to be introduced late and this was significantly related to nationality, age and education level

Adsorption of phenol by bentonite.

The potential of bentonite for phenol adsorption from aqueous solutions was studied. Batch kinetics and isotherm studies were carried out to evaluate the effect of contact time, initial concentration, pH, presence of solvent, and the desorption characteristics of bentonite. The adsorption of phenol increases with increasing initial phenol concentration and decreases with increasing the solution pH value. The adsorption process was significantly influenced by the solvent type in which phenol was dissolved. The affinity of phenol to bentonite in the presence of cyclohexane was greater than that in water and was lowest in the presence of methanol. Methanol was used to extract phenol from bentonite. The degree of extraction was dependent on the amount of phenol adsorbed by bentonite. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystalline structure of bentonite was destroyed when cyclohexane was used. The ability of bentonite to adsorb phenol from cyclohexane decreased as the water to cyclohexane ratio was increased. Furthermore, hysteresis was observed in phenol desorption from bentonite in aqueous solutions. The equilibrium data in aqueous solutions was well represented by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The removal of phenol from aqueous solutions was observed without surface modification.

Effect of soil/contaminant interactions on the biodegradation of naphthalene in flooded soil under denitrifying conditions.

The mineralization of 14C-labelled naphthalene was studied in pristine and oil-contaminated soil slurry (30% solids) under denitrifying conditions using a range of concentrations from below to above the aqueous phase saturation level. Results from sorption-desorption experiments indicated that naphthalene desorption was highly irreversible and decreased with an increase in the soil organic content, thus influencing the availability for microbial consumption. Under denitrifying conditions, the mineralization of naphthalene to CO2 occurred in parallel with the consumption of nitrate and an increase in pH from 7.0 to 8.6. When the initial substrate concentration was 50 ppm (i.e. close to the aqueous phase saturation level), about 90% of the total naphthalene was mineralized within 50 days, and a maximum mineralization rate of 1.3 ppm day-1 was achieved after a lag period of approx. 18 days. When added at concentrations higher than the aqueous phase saturation level (200 and 500 ppm), similar mineralization rates (1.8 ppm day-1) occurred until about 50 ppm of the naphthalene was mineralized. After that the mineralization rates decreased logarithmically to a minimum of 0.24 ppm day-1 for the rest of the 160 days of the experiments. For both of these higher concentrations, the reaction kinetics were independent of the concentration, indicating that desorption of the substrate governs the mineralization rate. Other results indicated that pre-exposure of soil to oil contamination did not improve the degradation rates nor reduce the lag periods. This study clearly shows the potential of denitrifying conditions for the biodegradation of low molecular weight PAHs.

[The effect of histamine H2 receptor blockaders on the proteolytic activity in patients with ulcers]. / Vliianie blokatorov H2-retseptorov gistamina na proteoliticheskuiu aktivnost' u bol'nykh iazvennoi bolezn'iu.

Fifty-three patients with duodenal ulcer and chronic duodenitis and 8 normal subjects were examined for the proteolytic activity parameters in the duodenal cavity and in withdrawn duodenal contents. In 13 duodenal ulcer patients these parameters were examined before and after therapy with histadyl (histamine H2-receptor blocker). The findings evidence that intraduodenal proteolytic activity is lower in peptic ulcer than in health, whereas the digestion of protein substrate preincubated in the duodenal cavity and put into acid solution (pH 1.68) is active in the patients and absent in normal subjects. This latter parameter reduces in peptic ulcer patients under the effect of histadyl therapy.