Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Some studies indicate that more than 10% of pregnant women are affected by psychological problems. The current COVID‐19 pandemic has increased mental health problems in more than half of pregnant women. The present study compared the effectiveness of virtual (VSIT) and semi-attendance Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) techniques on the improvement of the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress of pregnant women with psychological distress. Methods This study was conducted on 96 pregnant women with psychological distress in a 2-arm parallel-group, randomized control trial between November 2020 and January 2022. The semi-attendance SIT received treatment for six sessions, sessions 1, 3 and 5 as individual face-to-face and sessions 2, 4 and 6 as virtual once a week for 60 min continuously [ n  = 48], and the virtual SIT received six sessions simultaneously once a week for 60 min ( n  = 48) in pregnant women of 14–32 weeks’ gestation referred to two selected hospitals. The primary outcome of this study was BSI-18 [Brief Symptom Inventory] and NuPDQ-17 [Prenatal Distress Questionnaire]. The secondary outcomes were the PSS-14 [Cohen’s General Perceived Stress Scale]. Both groups completed questionnaires measuring anxiety, depression, pregnancy-specific stress, and generally perceived stress questionnaires before and after the treatment. Results The post-intervention results showed that the stress inoculation training technique in both VSIT and SIT interventions effectively reduced anxiety, depression, psychological distress, pregnancy-specific stress and general perceived stress [ P  < 0.01]. Also, the SIT interventions on decreasing anxiety [ P  < 0.001, η2 = 0.40], depression [ P  < 0.001, η2 = 0.52] and psychological distress [ P  < 0.001, η2 = 0.41] were more considerable than that of VSIT. However, There was no significant difference between SIT and VSIT intervention in terms of their effects on pregnancy-specific stress [ P  < 0.38, η2 = 0.01] and general stress [ P  < 0.42, η2 = 0.008]. Conclusion The semi-attendance SIT group has been a more effective and practical model than the VSIT group, for reducing psychological distress. Therefore, semi-attendance SIT is recommended for pregnant women.

With the aim of producing a 3D representation of tumors, imaging and molecular annotation of xenografts and tumors (IMAXT) uses a large variety of modalities in order to acquire tumor samples and produce a map of every cell in the tumor and its host environment. With the large volume and variety of data produced in the project, we developed automatic data workflows and analysis pipelines. We introduce a research methodology where scientists connect to a cloud environment to perform analysis close to where data are located, instead of bringing data to their local computers. Here, we present the data and analysis infrastructure, discuss the unique computational challenges and describe the analysis chains developed and deployed to generate molecularly annotated tumor models. Registration is achieved by use of a novel technique involving spherical fiducial marks that are visible in all imaging modalities used within IMAXT. The automatic pipelines are highly optimized and allow to obtain processed datasets several times quicker than current solutions narrowing the gap between data acquisition and scientific exploitation.

Progress in defining genomic fitness landscapes in cancer, especially those defined by copy number alterations (CNAs), has been impeded by lack of time-series single-cell sampling of polyclonal populations and temporal statistical models 1 – 7 . Here we generated 42,000 genomes from multi-year time-series single-cell whole-genome sequencing of breast epithelium and primary triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), revealing the nature of CNA-defined clonal fitness dynamics induced by TP53 mutation and cisplatin chemotherapy. Using a new Wright–Fisher population genetics model 8 , 9 to infer clonal fitness, we found that TP53 mutation alters the fitness landscape, reproducibly distributing fitness over a larger number of clones associated with distinct CNAs. Furthermore, in TNBC PDX models with mutated TP53 , inferred fitness coefficients from CNA-based genotypes accurately forecast experimentally enforced clonal competition dynamics. Drug treatment in three long-term serially passaged TNBC PDXs resulted in cisplatin-resistant clones emerging from low-fitness phylogenetic lineages in the untreated setting. Conversely, high-fitness clones from treatment-naive controls were eradicated, signalling an inversion of the fitness landscape. Finally, upon release of drug, selection pressure dynamics were reversed, indicating a fitness cost of treatment resistance. Together, our findings define clonal fitness linked to both CNA and therapeutic resistance in polyclonal tumours. Whole-genome sequencing of human cancer cells in patient-derived mouse xenograft models indicates a key role for TP53 in determining the fitness landscape of polyclonal cancer cell populations.

We identify the sodium leak channel non-selective protein (NALCN) as a key regulator of cancer metastasis and nonmalignant cell dissemination. Among 10,022 human cancers, NALCN loss-of-function mutations were enriched in gastric and colorectal cancers. Deletion of Nalcn from gastric, intestinal or pancreatic adenocarcinomas in mice did not alter tumor incidence, but markedly increased the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and metastases. Treatment of these mice with gadolinium—a NALCN channel blocker—similarly increased CTCs and metastases. Deletion of Nalcn from mice that lacked oncogenic mutations and never developed cancer caused shedding of epithelial cells into the blood at levels equivalent to those seen in tumor-bearing animals. These cells trafficked to distant organs to form normal structures including lung epithelium, and kidney glomeruli and tubules. Thus, NALCN regulates cell shedding from solid tissues independent of cancer, divorcing this process from tumorigenesis and unmasking a potential new target for antimetastatic therapies. The ion channel NALCN regulates cell shedding in mice and enhances metastasis in mouse models of cancer. Disseminated cells without oncogenic mutations form normal structures at secondary sites, suggesting that cell shedding is a physiological process that is hijacked during tumorigenesis.

Some studies indicate that more than 10% of pregnant women are affected by psychological problems. The current COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health problems in more than half of pregnant women. The present study compared the effectiveness of virtual (VSIT) and semi-attendance Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) techniques on the improvement of the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress of pregnant women with psychological distress.BACKGROUNDSome studies indicate that more than 10% of pregnant women are affected by psychological problems. The current COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health problems in more than half of pregnant women. The present study compared the effectiveness of virtual (VSIT) and semi-attendance Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) techniques on the improvement of the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress of pregnant women with psychological distress.This study was conducted on 96 pregnant women with psychological distress in a 2-arm parallel-group, randomized control trial between November 2020 and January 2022. The semi-attendance SIT received treatment for six sessions, sessions 1, 3 and 5 as individual face-to-face and sessions 2, 4 and 6 as virtual once a week for 60 min continuously [n = 48], and the virtual SIT received six sessions simultaneously once a week for 60 min (n = 48) in pregnant women of 14-32 weeks' gestation referred to two selected hospitals. The primary outcome of this study was BSI-18 [Brief Symptom Inventory] and NuPDQ-17 [Prenatal Distress Questionnaire]. The secondary outcomes were the PSS-14 [Cohen's General Perceived Stress Scale]. Both groups completed questionnaires measuring anxiety, depression, pregnancy-specific stress, and generally perceived stress questionnaires before and after the treatment.METHODSThis study was conducted on 96 pregnant women with psychological distress in a 2-arm parallel-group, randomized control trial between November 2020 and January 2022. The semi-attendance SIT received treatment for six sessions, sessions 1, 3 and 5 as individual face-to-face and sessions 2, 4 and 6 as virtual once a week for 60 min continuously [n = 48], and the virtual SIT received six sessions simultaneously once a week for 60 min (n = 48) in pregnant women of 14-32 weeks' gestation referred to two selected hospitals. The primary outcome of this study was BSI-18 [Brief Symptom Inventory] and NuPDQ-17 [Prenatal Distress Questionnaire]. The secondary outcomes were the PSS-14 [Cohen's General Perceived Stress Scale]. Both groups completed questionnaires measuring anxiety, depression, pregnancy-specific stress, and generally perceived stress questionnaires before and after the treatment.The post-intervention results showed that the stress inoculation training technique in both VSIT and SIT interventions effectively reduced anxiety, depression, psychological distress, pregnancy-specific stress and general perceived stress [P < 0.01]. Also, the SIT interventions on decreasing anxiety [P < 0.001, η2 = 0.40], depression [P < 0.001, η2 = 0.52] and psychological distress [P < 0.001, η2 = 0.41] were more considerable than that of VSIT. However, There was no significant difference between SIT and VSIT intervention in terms of their effects on pregnancy-specific stress [P < 0.38, η2 = 0.01] and general stress [P < 0.42, η2 = 0.008].RESULTSThe post-intervention results showed that the stress inoculation training technique in both VSIT and SIT interventions effectively reduced anxiety, depression, psychological distress, pregnancy-specific stress and general perceived stress [P < 0.01]. Also, the SIT interventions on decreasing anxiety [P < 0.001, η2 = 0.40], depression [P < 0.001, η2 = 0.52] and psychological distress [P < 0.001, η2 = 0.41] were more considerable than that of VSIT. However, There was no significant difference between SIT and VSIT intervention in terms of their effects on pregnancy-specific stress [P < 0.38, η2 = 0.01] and general stress [P < 0.42, η2 = 0.008].The semi-attendance SIT group has been a more effective and practical model than the VSIT group, for reducing psychological distress. Therefore, semi-attendance SIT is recommended for pregnant women.CONCLUSIONThe semi-attendance SIT group has been a more effective and practical model than the VSIT group, for reducing psychological distress. Therefore, semi-attendance SIT is recommended for pregnant women.

Tumour heterogeneity is thought to be a major barrier to successful cancer treatment due to the presence of drug resistant clonal lineages. However, identifying the characteristics of such lineages that underpin resistance to therapy has remained challenging. Here, we utilise clonal transcriptomics with WILD-seq; W holistic I nterrogation of L ineage D ynamics by seq uencing, in mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to understand response and resistance to therapy, including BET bromodomain inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy. These analyses revealed oxidative stress protection by NRF2 as a major mechanism of taxane resistance and led to the discovery that our tumour models are collaterally sensitive to asparagine deprivation therapy using the clinical stage drug L-asparaginase after frontline treatment with docetaxel. In summary, clonal transcriptomics with WILD-seq identifies mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy that are also operative in patients and pin points asparagine bioavailability as a druggable vulnerability of taxane-resistant lineages. Cancer begins when a cell multiplies again and again to form a tumour. By the time that tumour measures a centimetre across, it can contain upwards of a hundred million cells. And even though they all came from the same ancestor, they are far from identical. The tumour's family tree has many branches, and each one responds differently to treatment. If some are susceptible to a drug the cells die, the tumour shrinks, and the therapy will appear to be successful. But, if even a small number of cancer cells survive, they will regrow, often more persistently, causing a relapse. Identifying resistant cells, their characteristics, and how to kill them has been challenging due to a lack of good animal models. One way to keep track of a cancer family tree is to insert so-called genetic barcodes into the ancestral cells. As the tumour grows, the cells will pass the barcodes to their descendants. Scientists do this by using viruses that naturally paste their genes into the cells they infect. Applying this technique to an animal model of cancer could reveal which genes allow some cells to survive, and how to overcome them. Wild, Cannell et al. developed a genetic barcoding system called WILD-seq and used it to track all the cells in a mouse tumour. The mice received the same drugs used to treat patients with breast cancer. By scanning the genetic barcodes using recently developed single cell sequencing technologies, Wild, Cannell et al. were able to identify and count each type of cancer cell and work out which genes they were using. This revealed which cells the standard treatment could not kill and exposed their genetic weaknesses. Wild, Cannell et al. used this information to target the cells with a drug currently used to treat leukaemia. The drug identified by this new genetic barcoding approach is already licensed for use in humans. Further investigation could reveal whether it might help to shrink breast tumours that do not respond to standard therapy. Similar experiments could uncover more information about how other types of tumour evolve too.

With the aim of producing a 3D representation of tumours, IMAXT uses a large variety of modalities in order to acquire tumour samples and produce a map of every cell in the tumour and its host environment. With the large volume and variety of data produced in the project we develop automatic data workflows and analysis pipelines and introduce a research methodology where scientists connect to a cloud environment to perform analysis close to where data are located instead of bringing data to their local computers. Here we present the data and analysis infrastructure, discuss the unique computational challenges and describe the analysis chains developed and deployed to generate molecularly annotated tumour models. Registration is achieved by use of a novel technique involving spherical fiducial marks that are visible in all imaging modalities used within IMAXT. Competing Interest Statement Sohrab P. Shah is a founder and shareholder of Canexia Health Inc. Footnotes * https://imaxt.ast.cam.ac.uk/release

Soil-occupant fungi produce a variety of mycotoxins as secondary metabolites, one of which is mycophenolic acid (MPA), an antibiotic and immunosuppressive agent. MPA is mainly produced by several species of Penicillium, especially Penicillium brevicompactum. Here, we present the first report of MPA production by a local strain belonging to Penicillium glabrum species. We screened ascomycete cultures isolated from moldy food and fruits, as well as soils, collected from different parts of Iran. MPA production of one hundred and forty Penicillium isolates was analyzed using HPLC. Three MPA producer isolates were identified, among which the most producer was subjected to further characterization, based on morphological and microscopic analysis, as well as molecular approach (ITS, rDNA and beta-tubulin gene sequences). The results revealed that the best MPA producer belongs to P. glabrum IBRC-M 30518, and can produce 1079 mg/L MPA in Czapek-Dox medium.

Over the years, detecting stable communities in a complex network has been a major challenge in network science. The global and local structures help to detect communities from different perspectives. However, previous methods based on them suffer from high complexity and fall into local optimum, respectively. The Four-Stage Algorithm (FSA) is proposed to reduce these issues and to allocate nodes to stable communities. Balancing global and local information, as well as accuracy and time complexity, while ensuring the allocation of nodes to stable communities, are the fundamental goals of this research. The Four-Stage Algorithm (FSA) is described and demonstrated using four real-world data with ground truth and three real networks without ground truth. In addition, it is evaluated with the results of seven community detection methods: Three-stage algorithm (TS), Louvain, Infomap, Fastgreedy, Walktrap, Eigenvector, and Label propagation (LPA). Experimental results on seven real network data sets show the effectiveness of our proposed approach and confirm that it is sufficiently capable of identifying those communities that are more desirable. The experimental results confirm that the proposed method can detect more stable and assured communities. For future work, deep learning methods can also be used to extract semantic content features that are more beneficial to investigating networks.

Background Recent studies suggest a link between dietary fat quality and obesity. Genetic risk scores (GRS) can predict obesity risk based on genetic factors. This study investigates how GRS and fatty acid quality affect visceral adiposity index (VAI) and body adiposity index (BAI) in overweight and obese women. Methods In this study, 278 overweight and obese women (aged 18–58) participated. We have used a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to evaluate dietary intake and the fatty acids quality indexes. We have employed standard methods to measure biochemical factors, anthropometrics, and physical activity levels. Finally, the GRS was created by combining three SNPs [CAV-1 (rs3807992), Cry-1 (rs2287161), and MC4R (rs17782313)]. Results The study found that there was no significant association between the quality of fat intake (as measured by CSI score and N6/N3 score) and VAI or BAI in both crude (B = 70.70, SE = 35.14, CI:1.81-139.55, P  = 0.04) and adjusted models (B = 93.67, SE = 39.28, CI:16.68–17.68, P  = 0.01). CSI provides information on cholesterol and saturated fats. However, there was a notable interaction between the GRS and the N6/N3 score on VAI, suggesting that obese women with high obesity-related SNPs who consumed foods with a higher ratio of N6/N3 fatty acids tended to have an increased VAI. Conclusion This study shows; that eating more food sources containing a higher ratio of N6/N3 may be the reason for the increase in VAI in obese women who have high obesity-related SNPs and emphasizes the matter of personalized nutrition in obesity issues.