The present study investigated the ecotoxicity of raw mining effluent from the largest molybdenum (Mo) open-pit mine in the Qinling mountains, China, and the treated effluent with neutralization and coagulation/adsorption processes, using zebrafish (Danio rerio). The results showed the following (1) the mining effluent is acid mine drainage (AMD) and is highly toxic to zebrafish with a 96-h median lethal concentration (LC50) of 3.80% (volume percentage) of the raw effluent; (2) sublethal concentrations of the raw effluent (1/50, 1/10, and 1/2 96-h LC50) induced oxidative stress and osmoregulatory impairment, as reflected by the alterations in activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and contents of malondialdehyde, and inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity in gills and muscle after 28 days of sub-chronic exposure when compared with the unexposed group; and (3) the treatment of the raw effluent with neutralizer (NaOH) and adsorbent activated carbon reduced the acute lethal effect of raw effluent. The used endpoints including acute lethal and biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress and osmoregulatory impairment in zebrafish are cost-effective for toxicity assessment of AMD like the studied Mo mining effluent. Mining effluent management strategies extended by these results, i.e., the restriction of discharging raw and diluted effluent to adjacent waterways and the introduction of bio-monitoring system across all mining drainages in this area, were also proposed and discussed.Trafimow (2017) used probabilistic reasoning to argue that more complex causal models are less likely to be true than simpler ones, and that researchers should be skeptical of causal models involving more than a handful of variables (or even a single correlation coefficient) [Trafimow, D. (2017). The probability of simple versus complex causal models in causal analyses. Behavior Research Methods, 49, 739-746]. In this comment, I point out that Trafimow’s argument is misleading, and reduces to the observation that more informative models (that make definite statements about certain causal relations) are less likely to be true than less informative models (that remain silent about those relations, by omitting some variables from consideration). This correct but trivial statement does not deliver the epistemological leverage promised in the paper. find more When complexity is evaluated with reasonable criteria (such as the number of nonzero effects in alternative models involving the same variables), more complex models can be more, less, or equally likely to be true compared with simpler ones. I also discuss Trafimow’s claim that, if a model is unlikely to be true a priori, researchers will seldom be able to gather evidence of sufficient quality to support it; in practice, even low-probability models can receive strong support without the need for extraordinary evidence. Researchers should evaluate the plausibility of causal models on a case-by-case basis, and be skeptical of overblown claims about the dangers of complex theories.

Digital interventions that consider end-user needs, preferences, and concerns may address suboptimal rates of e-health uptake, usage, and engagement. We explored target-user perspectives of e-health treatment and prevention programs for eating disorders (EDs), with a focus on investigating (1) perceived advantages and barriers of e-health; (2) help-seeking intentions; and (3) preferences for different digital functionality, device types, and content-delivery formats.

Survey data were analysed from 722 community-based participants. Participants were categorized into one of four groups based on symptom presentation and severity, ranging from low risk to probable bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder.

e-health advantages that received the highest endorsement (~ 84%) were “always there in times of need” and “travel not required”. e-health barriers that received the highest endorsement (~ 50%) were concerns about data privacy and the accuracy of content presented. Nearly three-quarters reported an intention to use an e-health platform for preventing or treating EDs. Preference ratings were highest for programs to be available on all digital devices (relative to restricting the program to one type of device) and for content to be presented via graphics and video tutorials (rather than audio-based). e-health functionality that received highest preference ratings (~ 80%) were added clinician support, tailored feedback, strategies to change unhelpful ED thoughts, screening scales to assess symptoms, ED psychoeducation, and just-in-time intervention prompts. Preference and intention ratings were strikingly similar across all subgroups.

Findings may inform the development and design of e-health platforms that meet the needs of people at different stages of an ED.

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.Potent beneficial immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of whole-molecule erythropoietin have been demonstrated in a variety of animal disease models including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE); however, excessive hematopoiesis limits its use in clinical applications. Our group previously generated an Epo-derived small peptide JM4 that is side-effect free and has strong neuroprotective activity without hematologic effects. Here, we investigated the long-term clinical effects of brief treatment with JM4 in chronic relapsing EAE using bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in transgenic mice containing the luciferase gene driven by the murine GFAP promoter. EAE mice treated with JM4 exhibited marked improvement in clinical scores and showed fewer disease flareups than control animals. JM4 therapy concomitantly led to markedly decreased GFAP bioluminescence in the brain and spinal cord in both acute and chronic relapsing EAE mouse models. We found a marker for toxic A1 astrocytes, complement component C3, that is upregulated in the brain and cord of EAE mice and sharply reduced in JM4-treated animals. In addition, an abnormally leaky neurovascular unit permeability was rapidly normalized within 5 days by JM4 therapy. The prolonged therapeutic benefit seen following brief JM4 treatment in EAE mice closely resemble that recently described in humans receiving pulsed immune reconstitution therapy with the disease-modifying compounds, alemtuzumab and cladribine. Our study suggests that JM4 therapy may have widespread clinical applicability for long-term treatment of inflammatory demyelinating diseases and that BLI is a useful noninvasive means of monitoring murine disease activity of the central nervous system.