Assessing the Effects of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on the Natural Microbiota and Quality of Pork during Storage

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a novel non-thermal technology with significant potential for use in meat processing to prolong shelf life. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of CAP treatment on the natural microbiota and quality traits of pork stored for 8 days at 4 °C. CAP treatment was applied by employing piezoelectric direct discharge technology to treat pork samples for 0, 3, 6, and 9 min. Reductions of approximately 0.8-1.7 log CFU/g were observed in total viable counts (TVC) and Pseudomonas spp. levels for CAP treatments longer than 3 min, immediately after treatment. A storage study revealed that CAP-treated pork (>6 min) had significantly lower levels of TVC, Pseudomonas spp., and Enterobacteriaceae throughout storage. Regarding quality traits, CAP application for longer than 3 min significantly increased water retention and yellowness and decreased meat redness compared to untreated pork. However, other parameters such as pH, tenderness, and lightness exhibited no statistically significant differences between untreated and CAP-treated pork. Lipid oxidation levels were higher only for the 9-min treatment compared to untreated pork. Our results revealed that CAP is a promising technology that can extend the microbiological shelf life of pork during refrigeration storage.

Task shifting eating disorders prevention: A pilot study of selective interventions adapted for teacher-led universal delivery in secondary schools

OBJECTIVE

Increasing effectiveness and sustainability of universal school-based eating disorder prevention is needed. This study adapted two existing selective prevention programmes for universal delivery, investigating feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects when delivered by trained teachers to classes of mixed-gender adolescents.

METHOD

A three-arm controlled pilot study with Year 9 students (N = 288; Mage  = 13.61 SDage  = .50). Three schools in south Wales and south-west England were allocated to mindfulness-based intervention (MBI), dissonance-based intervention (DBI), or classes-as-usual (CAU) control. Self-reported eating disorder risk factors were collected at baseline, 6-week post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up. Focus groups were conducted post-intervention.

RESULTS

Delivery and evaluation were feasible, allowing for flexibility in scheduling, with good retention. Student and teacher ratings indicated moderate acceptability of both interventions, with recommendations for refinement. Mixed model analyses, controlling for baseline, showed significant effects of condition across post-intervention and follow-up for body esteem (DBI > CAU; Cohen's d = .34) and positive affect (MBI > CAU, d = .58). For girls only, both MBI and DBI improved body satisfaction and internalization, and the MBI additionally resulted in improved weight and shape concerns, negative affect, and life disengagement (d's = .39-1.12), across post-intervention and follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Selective eating disorder prevention programmes based on cognitive dissonance and mindfulness can be delivered universally in schools, by teachers, allowing for appropriate flexibility necessary for real world implementation. Moderate acceptability indicates areas for improving content and delivery; positive effects on key outcomes are encouraging. These findings provide support for further robust evaluation.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Existing universal eating disorder prevention is limited by small effects and reliance on highly trained facilitators. This study is the first to adapt mindfulness- and dissonance-based interventions for delivery by teachers, to adolescents of all genders in a classroom setting. Delivery was largely feasible and acceptable, and both interventions showed significant effects across key risk factors for eating disorders, with larger effect sizes than found previously. This underpins further robust evaluation.

The efficacy of biodiversity and ecosystem assessment approaches for informing a regenerative approach to built development

The built environment, even at its "greenest," inevitably entails changing ecosystem structure and function. Multiple sustainable development tools and approaches are available to reduce environmental harm from built development. However, the reality that society exists within fully integrated socioecological systems, wholly interdependent on supporting ecosystems, is not yet adequately represented in regulation or supporting tools. Regenerative development seeks to address this interdependence in part by improving the health of supporting socioecological systems through the development process. We demonstrate the relevance of a series of approaches-Local Nature-Related Planning Policy (LNRPP), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), the Environmental Benefits from Nature Tool (EBN Tool), Nature Assessment Tool for Urban and Rural Environments (NATURE Tool), and Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services+ (RAWES+)-for their ability to meet their stated aims and objectives and how these relate to wider regenerative themes. A comparative analysis of the five approaches is done by applying them to a practical case study site, resulting in policy- and practice-relevant learning and recommendations. The research reveals current gaps in methodology, which can lead to adverse outcomes for sustainability. This is particularly clear for the spatial and temporal scales across which each approach operates. In addition, this research discusses the inherent limitations of taking a reductionist approach to examining complex systems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:248-262. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Methodological innovations within the RAWES framework for use in development scenarios

Built development changes the nature of land and its ecosystems, with diverse ramifications for human well-being and the resilience of the socioecological system. Robust and replicable approaches are required to assess ecosystem services generated by sites both predevelopment and for evaluation of postdevelopment options, to assess change and to support a paradigm shift from a "do less harm" to a "regenerative" approach. The Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES) approach provides an internationally recognized methodology for systemic assessment of the ecosystem services generated by a site, taking account of all ecosystem services and service categories across multiple spatial scales. The RAWES assessments of constituent ecosystem services can be combined into Ecosystem Service Index scores. This article outlines innovations in RAWES methods to assess changes in ecosystem services likely to result from differing development scenarios in the context of a case study site in eastern England. These adaptations of the RAWES approach include revised methods for the analysis of ecosystem service beneficiaries across multiple spatial scales, the establishment of a common baseline against which to compare likely ecosystem service outcomes under a range of development scenarios, and a standardized method for accounting for supporting services through their contributions to other more directly exploited services. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:189-200. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Amylase production from marine sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis; potentials sustainability benefits

The marine sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis is a globally distributed and invasive species with extensive filter-feeding characteristics. The symbiotic relationship fostered between the sea sponge and the inhabiting microorganism is key in the production of metabolic enzymes which is the focus of this study. Sponge bacterial symbionts were grown on starch agar for 48hrs. Colourimetric analyses of amylase were conducted at 540nm using a spectrophotometric plate reader. Using an X-Bridge column (3.5μM, 4.6x150mm), 80/20 acetonitrile/water in 0.1% ammonium were the conditions used for the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses. Seven reducing sugars were used to optimise LC-MS to determine the presence of the crude enzyme formed. Not all the bacterial symbionts isolated from H perlevis produced alpha and beta amylases to break down starch. From the statistical mean of crude enzyme concentrations from the hydrolysis of starch by amylase, isolate seven had the highest optical density (OD) at 0.43475 while isolate twelve had the lowest OD at 0.141417. From the LC-MS analysis, out of the seven sugars, Glucose and maltose constituted > 65% of the reducing sugars formed from the hydrolysis of starch by the amylases. Isolates 3,6 and 7 produced 6.906 mg/l, 12.309 mg/l, and 5.909 mg/l of glucose, while isolates 3,4,5,6 and 7 produced 203.391 mg/l, 176.238 mg/l, 139.938 mg/l, 39.030 mg/l, and 18.809 mg/l of maltose, respectively. Isolate two had the highest amount of maltose at a concentration of 267.237 mg/l while isolate four had the highest amount of glucose concentration of 53.084 mg/l. Enzymes from marine sponge bacteria offer greater potential for a green and sustainable production process. Amylase extraction from bacterial symbionts in H perlevis is sustainable and should be supported. They can serve as reliable sources of revenue for enzyme industries, and applications in food industries and biotechnological processes.

Non-pharmacological fatigue interventions for patients with a primary brain tumour: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Fatigue is the most prevalent symptom for patients with a primary brain tumour (PBT), significantly reducing quality of life and limiting daily activities. Currently, there are limited options for managing cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with a PBT, using non-pharmacological methods. The objective of this scoping review is to identify current and emerging evidence in relation to non-pharmacological CRF interventions for patients with a PBT.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Electronic databases OVID and EBSCO platforms: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL will be searched. In addition, PROSPERO, The Cochrane Library and ISI Web of Science will be searched. Trials registries CENTRAL and the International Clinical Trials Registry platform will also be searched for ongoing research.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

studies from 2006 onwards, primary research on non-pharmacological interventions in patients with a PBT (>18 years). A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram will be utilised to summarise the screening process and results.Quantitative data will be analysed descriptively, while content analysis will be used for qualitative data.Findings will map the existing and emerging evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for CRF in patients with PBTs. This will provide insights into the extent and nature of the evidence in this evolving field, identifying gaps in knowledge and research priorities, and guide further investigations in this area.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required for this scoping review. Findings will be disseminated via relevant peer-reviewed journals, PhD thesis, conference presentations, and shared with relevant charities and health professionals.

Nurse-led care for people with early rheumatoid arthritis: Interview study with thematic analysis

AIMS

To develop an understanding of what comprises nurse-led care in early rheumatoid arthritis from the perspective of rheumatology nurse specialists in England.

DESIGN

Qualitative study.

METHODS

Semi-structured telephone interviews with rheumatology nurse specialists in England were conducted in Summer 2020. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Reporting follows the appropriate elements of consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research.

RESULTS

Sixteen nurses were recruited and interviews lasted 30-60 min. Four themes with 14 subthemes were identified. A SPECIALIST SERVICE DELIVERED BY EXPERIENCED RHEUMATOLOGY NURSES: Specialist care is provided by experienced nurse specialists with a high degree of autonomy in the rheumatology multidisciplinary team context.

ADDRESSING PATIENTS' COMPLEX CARE NEEDS

Care is evidence-based and aims to start treatment, keep in treatment, educate and support. Access to psychology expertise is needed. CARE WITH COMPASSION USING PERSON-CENTRED, HOLISTIC AND EMPATHETIC APPROACHES: Nurses create patient relationships and a positive therapeutic environment. Nurse-led telephone advice lines are essential for treatment adjustment, patient support and empowerment.

CONTINUED EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE

Consultations are reviewed, and patients are asked for feedback. The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption, but changes streamlined procedures and improved documentation and communication.

CONCLUSION

Nurse-led care in early rheumatoid arthritis is a specialist service delivered with compassion, addressing complex care needs and using person-centred approaches. This study identifies key aspects of care in early disease from the nurse perspective.

Measuring the impact of steroid therapy on health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases: international development of a glucocorticoid treatment-specific patient-reported outcome measure

OBJECTIVES

Glucocorticoids (GCs) ('steroids') are used to treat rheumatic diseases but adverse effects are common. We aimed to explore the impact of GC therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), to inform the development of a treatment-specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for use in clinical trials and practice.

METHODS

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with patients from the UK, USA and Australia, treated for a rheumatic condition with GCs in the last 2 years. Purposive sampling was used to select participants with a range of demographic and disease features. An initial conceptual framework informed interview prompts and cues. Interviews elicited GC-related physical and psychological symptoms and salient aspects of HRQoL in relation to GC therapy. Interview data were analysed inductively to develop initial individual themes and domains. Candidate questionnaire items were developed and refined.

RESULTS

Sixty semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted (UK n = 34, USA n = 10, Australia n = 16). The mean age was 58 years; 39/60 were female; and 18 rheumatic diseases were represented. Some 126 individual themes were identified and organized into six domains: physical symptoms; psychological symptoms; psychological impact of steroids; impact of steroids on participation; impact of steroids on relationships; and benefits of steroids. Candidate questionnaire items were tested and refined by piloting with patient research partners, iterative rounds of cognitive interviews and linguistic translatability assessment, informing a draft questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

We describe an international qualitative study to develop candidate items for a treatment-specific PROM for patients with rheumatic diseases. A future survey will enable the validation of a final version of the PROM.

Gut bacteria promote proliferation in benign S/RG/C2 colorectal tumour cells, and promote proliferation, migration and invasion in malignant HCT116 cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health burden with a rising incidence worldwide. Distinct bacterial populations are associated with CRC development and progression, and it is thought that the relationship between CRC and associated gut bacteria changes during the progression from normal epithelium to benign adenoma and eventually malignant carcinoma and metastasis. This study compared the interaction of CRC-associated species Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum and one probiotic species, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 with a colorectal adenoma (S/RG/C2) and a colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT116) derived cell line. Gentamicin protection assays showed that all species displayed higher attachment to benign tumour monolayers when compared to malignant monolayers. However, invasion of 3/4 species was higher in the HCT116 cells than in the adenoma cells. All species were found to persist within tumour cell monolayers for a minimum of 48 h under standard aerobic cell culture conditions, with persistence significantly higher in HCT116 cells. Downstream assays were performed to analyse the behaviour of S/RG/C2 and HCT116 cells post-infection and revealed that all species increased the tumour cell yield of both cell lines. The migratory and invasive potential of HCT116 cells was increased after infection with F. nucleatum; however, no species significantly altered these characteristics in S/RG/C2 cells. These results add to the growing evidence for the involvement of microorganisms in CRC progression and suggest that these interactions may be dependent on tumour cell-specific characteristics.

'I think it affects every aspect of my life, really': Cancer survivors' experience of living with chronic pain after curative cancer treatment in England, UK

AIM

To explore cancer survivors' experiences of living with chronic pain after curative cancer treatment in England, UK.

METHODS

A qualitative study using telephone interviews with adult cancer survivors experiencing chronic pain after curative cancer treatment. Interview data was analysed using a reflexive thematic approach [1-3].

FINDINGS

Nineteen participants: 14 female, 5 male, mean age 62.4 years, 1.5-48 years since cancer diagnosis, eight tumour groups represented. Six participants (31.6%) developed chronic pain more than ten years after completing cancer treatment (range 0-25 years). Five themes were generated which highlighted the experience of chronic pain after cancer treatment for cancer survivors: 1) 'Hear me… believe me…. Please'. Survivors felt that they had not been listened to when they tried to talk about their chronic pain after cancer treatment, nor at times, believed. 2) 'Expectation versus reality'. Survivors had anticipated returning to pre cancer quality of life yet living in chronic pain prevented them from doing so. 3) 'They don't understand…. We don't understand'. Cancer survivors did not feel informed or prepared for the risk or reality of chronic pain after cancer treatment and this compounded the difficulties of coping with and managing their pain. They felt health care professionals lacked knowledge and understanding of chronic pain after cancer. 4) 'Negotiating the maze'. Cancer survivors encountered unclear and limited pathways for support, often bouncing from one support team to another. Identifying and accessing services was a challenge, and the responsibility of this was often left to the survivor. 5) 'Validate my pain, validate me'. Palpable relief and benefit was felt when health care professionals diagnosed and acknowledged their chronic pain after cancer treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer survivors can feel ill prepared for the risk of chronic pain after cancer treatment and can experience challenges accessing support from healthcare professionals and clinical services.

Human stem cell-derived ventral midbrain astrocytes exhibit a region-specific secretory profile

This scientific commentary refers to 'Human stem cell-derived astrocytes exhibit region-specific heterogeneity in their secretory profiles', by Clarke et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaa258) in Brain.

Development of Geraniol-Loaded Liposomal Nanoformulations against Salmonella Colonization in the Pig Gut

Salmonella is a global health threat, with pig production being one of the main sources of human salmonellosis. The current study investigated the antivirulence properties of geraniol for inhibiting the in vitro colonization of Salmonella. The minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of geraniol against Salmonella typhimurium followed by the sub-MIC of geraniol were determined. Results provided clear evidence that geraniol at 1/8 MIC can be used as an effective, non-toxic antivirulence compound to inhibit virulence factors (motility, adhesion, and invasiveness) affecting the colonization of S. typhimurium on IPEC-J2 cells. Additionally, the findings signified that microfluidics is an emerging technology suitable for the preparation of stable liposomes with a small size (<200 nm) and high encapsulation efficiency (EE) of up to 92.53%, which can act as effective carriers of geraniol into the pig gastrointestinal tract (GIT), targeting Salmonella, preventing colonization, and thus increasing the safety of the food supply chain.

The Over-Extended Mind? Pink Noise and the Ethics of Interaction-Dominant Systems

There is a growing recognition within cognitive enhancement and neuroethics debates of the need for greater emphasis on cognitive artefacts. This paper aims to contribute to this broadening and expansion of the cognitive-enhancement and neuroethics debates by focusing on a particular form of relation or coupling between humans and cognitive artefacts: interaction-dominance. We argue that interaction-dominance as an emergent property of some human-cognitive artefact relations has important implications for understanding the attribution and distribution of causal and other forms of responsibility as well as agency relating to the actions of human-cognitive artefact couplings. Interaction-dominance is both indicated and constituted by the phenomenon of "pink noise". Understanding the role of noise in this regard will establish a necessary theoretical groundwork for approaching the ethical and political dimensions of relations between human cognition and digital cognitive artefacts. We argue that pink noise in this context plays a salient role in the practical, ethical, and political evaluation of coupling relations between humans and cognitive artefacts, and subsequently in the responsible innovation of cognitive artefacts and human-artefact interfaces.

Emigration, remittances, and the subjective well-being of those staying behind

We offer the first global perspective on the well-being consequences of emigration for those staying behind using several subjective well-being measures (evaluations of best possible life, positive affect, stress, and depression). Using the Gallup World Poll data for 114 countries during 2009-2011, we find that having family members abroad is associated with greater evaluative well-being and positive affect, and receiving remittances is linked with further increases in evaluative well-being, especially in poorer contexts-both across and within countries. We also document that having household members abroad is linked with increased stress and depression, which are not offset by remittances. The out-migration of family members appears less traumatic in countries where migration is more common, indicating that people in such contexts might be able to cope better with separation. Overall, subjective well-being measures, which reflect both material and non-material aspects of life, furnish additional insights and a well-rounded picture of the consequences of emigration on migrant family members staying behind relative to standard outcomes employed in the literature, such as the left-behind's consumption, income, or labor market outcomes.

Routine gastric residual volume measurement and energy target achievement in the PICU: a comparison study

Critically ill children frequently fail to achieve adequate energy intake, and some care practices, such as the measurement of gastric residual volume (GRV), may contribute to this problem. We compared outcomes in two similar European Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs): one which routinely measures GRV (PICU-GRV) to one unit that does not (PICU-noGRV). An observational pilot comparison study was undertaken. Eighty-seven children were included in the study, 42 (PICU-GRV) and 45 (PICU-noGRV). There were no significant differences in the percentage of energy targets achieved in the first 4 days of PICU admission although PICU-noGRV showed more consistent delivery of median (and IQR) energy targets and less under and over feeding for PICU-GRV and PICU-noGRV: day 1 37 (14-72) vs 44 (0-100), day 2 97 (53-126) vs 100 (100-100), day 3 84 (45-112) vs 100 (100-100) and day 4 101 (63-124) vs 100 (100-100). The incidence of vomiting was higher in PICU-GRV. No necrotising enterocolitis was confirmed in either unit, and ventilator-acquired pneumonia rates were not significantly different (7.01 vs 12 5.31 per 1000 ventilator days; p = 0.70) between PICU-GRV and PICU-noGRV units.

CONCLUSIONS

The practice of routine gastric residual measurement did not significantly impair energy targets in the first 4 days of PICU admission. However, not measuring GRV did not increase vomiting, ventilator-acquired pneumonia or necrotising enterocolitis, which is the main reason clinicians cite for measuring GRV. What is known: • The practice of routinely measuring gastric residual volume is widespread in critical care units • This practice is increasingly being questioned in critically ill patients, both as a practice that increases • The likelihood of delivering inadequate enteral nutrition amounts and as a tool to assess feeding tolerance What is new: • Not routinely measuring gastric residual volume did not increase adverse events of ventilator acquired pneumonia, necrotising enterocolitis or vomiting. • In the first 4 days of PICU stay, energy target achievement was not significantly different, but the rates of under and over feeding were higher in the routine GRV measurement unit.

Variants of the EAAT2 Glutamate Transporter Gene Promoter Are Associated with Cerebral Palsy in Preterm Infants

Preterm delivery is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment caused by environmental and genetic factors. Dysfunction of the excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) and the resultant impaired glutamate uptake can lead to neurological disorders. In this study, we investigated the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; g.-200C>A and g.-181A>C) in the EAAT2 promoter in susceptibility to brain injury and neurodisability in very preterm infants born at or before 32-week gestation. DNA isolated from newborns’ dried blood spots were used for pyrosequencing to detect both SNPs. Association between EAAT2 genotypes and cerebral palsy, cystic periventricular leukomalacia and a low developmental score was then assessed. The two SNPs were concordant in 89.4% of infants resulting in three common genotypes all carrying two C and two A alleles in different combinations. However, in 10.6% of cases, non-concordance was found, generating six additional rare genotypes. The A alleles at both loci appeared to be detrimental and consequently, the risk of developing cerebral palsy increased four- and sixfold for each additional detrimental allele at -200 and -181 bp, respectively. The two SNPs altered the regulation of the EAAT2 promoter activity and glutamate homeostasis. This study highlights the significance of glutamate in the pathogenesis of preterm brain injury and subsequent development of cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Furthermore, the described EAAT2 SNPs may be an early biomarker of vulnerability to neurodisability and may aid the development of targeted treatment strategies.

Characterisation and genome sequence of the lytic Acinetobacter baumannii bacteriophage vB_AbaS_Loki

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen in healthcare and community settings. While over 100 of Acinetobacter phages have been described in the literature, relatively few have been sequenced. This work describes the characterisation and genome annotation of a new lytic Acinetobacter siphovirus, vB_AbaS_Loki, isolated from activated sewage sludge. Sequencing revealed that Loki encapsulates a 41,308 bp genome, encoding 51 predicted open reading frames. Loki is most closely related to Acinetobacter phage IME_AB3 and more distantly related to Burkholderia phage KL1, Paracoccus phage vB_PmaS_IMEP1 and Pseudomonas phages vB_Pae_Kakheti25, vB_PaeS_SCH_Ab26 and PA73. Loki is characterised by a narrow host range, among the 40 Acinetobacter isolates tested, productive infection was only observed for the propagating host, A. baumannii ATCC 17978. Plaque formation was found to be dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ ions and adsorption to host cells was abolished upon incubation with a mutant of ATCC 17978 encoding a premature stop codon in lpxA. The complete genome sequence of vB_AbaS_Loki was deposited in the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) under the accession number LN890663.