bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current status of schistosomiasis in school-aged children in Mwanga district, Tanzania: impact of two decades of annual Mass Drug Administration programme
Authors: Pyuza Jeremia J. , Meulah Brice , Hoekstra Pytsje T. , Mdende Noel , Mvilli Elizabeth , Lieshout Lisette van , Hilt Stan T. , Corstjens Paul L. A. M. , Yazdanbakhsh Maria , Msuya Sia E. , van Dam Govert J.
Published: October 2024

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with significant health implications, particularly among children. A cross-sectional study was conducted among school-aged children (SAC) in Mwanga district, Tanzania, a region known to be co-endemic for S. haematobium and S. mansoni infection and where annual mass drug administration (MDA) has been conducted for 20 years. In total, 576 SAC from 5 schools provided a urine sample for the detection of Schistosoma circulating anodic antigen using the upconverting particle-based lateral flow (UCP-LF CAA) test. Additionally, the potential of the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) and microhaematuria dipstick test as field-applicable diagnostic alternatives for schistosomiasis were assessed and the prevalence outcome compared to UCP-LF CAA. Risk factors associated with schistosomiasis was assessed based on UCP-LF CAA. The UCP-LF CAA test revealed an overall schistosomiasis prevalence of 20.3%, compared to 65.3% based on a combination of POC-CCA and microhaematuria dipstick. No agreement was observed between the combined POC tests and UCP-LF CAA. Factors associated with schistosomiasis included age (5–10 years), involvement in fishing, farming, swimming activities and attending 2 of the 5 primary schools. Our findings suggest a significant progress in infection control in Mwanga district due to annual MDA, although not enough to interrupt transmission. Accurate diagnostics play a crucial role in monitoring intervention measures to effectively combat schistosomiasis.
Crisis-proof households? How social policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic imagined work and care in Germany
Authors: Zagel Hannah , Struffolino Emanuela
Published: October 2024

Social policies convey normative assumptions about how households should make ends meet and organise care, but how do these ideals withstand crises such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic? Previous research shows continuity of welfare state models in the crisis, but mostly looked at single policy fields and produced mixed findings regarding the role of pre-crisis reform trajectories. This paper contributes a detailed analysis of assumptions about the ‘standard productive household’ in terms of three dimensions: labour market participation, coverage of economic needs and coverage of care needs. Drawing on original policy documents enacted in 2020 in Germany – which had dismantled many of its institutional strongholds for the male-breadwinner model before the crisis – we provide two novel insights. First, social policy responses to the pandemic were relatively coherent regarding assumptions about labour market participation, but expectations towards households’ abilities to make ends meet and parents’ care involvement were less coherent. In addition to relaxing conditions on stable employment and income, policy responses normalised patchwork incomes and relied on parents to compress paid and unpaid work. Second, we propose that crises may slow down reform processes that are already underway by reverting to ideas that were dominant in the past.
Applied logic and semantics on indoor and urban adaptive design through knowledge graphs, reasoning and explainable argumentation
Authors: Stathopoulos Evangelos A. , Vassiliades Alexandros , Diplaris Sotiris , Vrochidis Stefanos , Kompatsiaris Ioannis
Published: October 2024

In the previous two decades, knowledge graphs (KGs) have evolved significantly, inspiring developers to build ever-more context-related KGs. Due to this development, artificial intelligence (AI) applications can now access open domain-specific information in a format that is both semantically rich and machine comprehensible. In this article, a framework that depicts functional design for indoor workspaces and urban adaptive design, in order to help architects, artists, and interior designers for the design and construction of an urban or indoor workspace, based on the emotions of human individuals, is introduced. For the creation of online adaptive environments, the framework may incorporate emotional, physiological, visual, and textual measures. Additionally, an information retrieval mechanism that extracts critical information from the framework in order to assist the architects, artists, and the interior designers is presented. The framework provides access to commonsense knowledge about the (re-)design of an urban area and an indoor workspace, by suggesting objects that need to be placed, and other modifications that can be applied to the location, in order to achieve positive emotions. The emotions referred reflect to the emotions experienced by an individual when being in the indoor or urban area, which are pointers for the functionality, the memorability, and the admiration of the location. The framework also performs semantic matching between entities from the web KG ConceptNet, using semantic knowledge from ConceptNet and WordNet, with the ones existing in the KG of the framework. The paper provides a set of predefined SPARQL templates that specifically handle the ontology upon which the knowledge retrieval system is based. The framework has an additional argumentation function that allows users to challenge the knowledge retrieval component findings. In the event that the user prevails in the reasoning, the framework will learn new knowledge.
Soldiering in the Special Zone: The People's Liberation Army Engineering Corps in Shenzhen
Authors: Zhou Taomo , Weng Cuifen
Published: October 2024

Between 1979 and 1982, 20,000 troops from the People's Liberation Army Engineering Corps travelled from military-industrial sites in the interior to Shenzhen, China's first Special Economic Zone (SEZ). They were the first batch of state-sponsored migrants to the SEZ and the pioneer builders of the city's urban infrastructure. This article uses the case of military workers in the SEZ to examine state–market relations during the early phase of China's post-socialist transition. On one hand, the Deng administration strategically repurposed a disciplined labour force from Mao's command economy to jump-start marketization. On the other hand, the Mao-era power structure of the Engineering Corps not only persisted but became even more entrenched in the SEZ at the forefront of China's reform. The higher one's military rank was before demobilization, the more easily one could monetize socialist-era political credentials, particularly by taking advantage of the rising value of land in Shenzhen's urbanization process. Academic credentials served as a moderate booster of status within the public sector and a more powerful ingredient leading to success for private entrepreneurs. The lower the military rank before demobilization, the less meaningful the agency to obtain material rewards commensurate with past contributions.
A cross-sectional survey of knowledge and attitudes towards scabies control in Australian aged care facilities
Authors: Lightbody Isabelle , Cash-Deans Skye , Pasay Cielo , Oprescu Florin , Mounsey Kate
Published: October 2024

Scabies outbreaks cause significant morbidity and disruption in aged care facilities and other institutional settings. Failure to manage scabies outbreaks may be attributable to low awareness amongst healthcare workers. A survey was distributed to healthcare workers across aged care facilities in South-East Queensland, Australia. The survey captured demographics, prior scabies experience, knowledge-based questions, and attitudes. Scabies was common in aged care facilities, with 41% of 128 respondents encountering the disease while working in aged care. Participants demonstrated sound theoretical knowledge regarding scabies (median knowledge score 82%). Scabies knowledge was not associated with years of experience in the sector or educational level but was associated with respondent age (p = 0.017). Knowledge gaps were evident regarding diagnosis, incubation periods, and treatment. Respondents demonstrated an inconsistent ability to identify atypical clinical presentations of scabies, showing discordance between theoretical knowledge and its practical application. The ability to identify crusted scabies was low, reflecting the high frequency of misdiagnosis of index cases in scabies outbreaks. Respondents considered scabies to be a problem and were supportive of improved management guidelines. These study outcomes will inform the design of accessible, targeted educational resources for scabies to help prevent and reduce the impact of outbreaks.
From worries to resilience: a qualitative study of the psychosocial experiences of diverse adolescents and young adults with heart failure and their caregivers
Authors: Glenn Thomas , Smith Cynthia , Miller Victoria A. , Wolfe Joanne , Blume Elizabeth D. , Lumeng Julie , Schumacher Kurt R. , Cousino Melissa K.
Published: October 2024

Background and Objectives:

Despite advances in treatment and outcomes for paediatric heart failure, both physical and psychosocial comorbidities remain notable among this patient population. We aimed to qualitatively describe the psychosocial experiences of adolescent and young adults with heart failure and their caregivers’ perceptions, with specific focus on personal challenges, worries, coping skills, and resilience.

Methods:

Structured, in-depth interviews were performed with 16 adolescent and young adults with heart failure and 14 of their caregivers. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was performed, and themes were generated. Transcripts were coded by independent reviewers.

Results:

Ten (63%) adolescent and young adults with heart failure identified as male and six (37.5%) patients self-identified with a racial or ethnic minority group. Adolescent and young adults with heart failure generally perceived their overall illness experience more positively and less burdensome than their caregivers. Some adolescent and young adults noted specific worries related to surgeries, admissions, major complications, death, and prognostic/treatment uncertainty, while caregivers perceived their adolescent and young adult’s greatest worries to be around major complications and death. Adolescent and young adults and their caregivers were able to define and reflect on adolescent and young adult experiences of resilience, with many adolescent and young adults expressing a sense of optimism and gratitude as it relates to their medical journey.

Conclusions:

This study is the first of its kind to qualitatively describe the psychosocial experiences of a racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of adolescent and young adults with heart failure, as well as their caregivers’ perceptions of patient experiences. Findings underscore the importance of identifying distress and fostering resilient processes and outcomes in young people with advanced heart disease.
A data-driven model for personalised risk prediction of radiation-induced oral mucositis in oral cavity cancer patients
Authors: Anbumani Surega , S Narendran , AR Suresh , P Balasubramaniam , T Godwin PaulDas , V Kaviyarasi , C Sundaresan , B Jabapriya
Published: October 2024

Aim:

Radiation-induced oral mucositis (OM) is the most common complication presenting with chemo radiation therapy of oral cavity cancer. Tobacco use, oral hygiene and nutritional status are important entities that impact the incidence of OM. These entities must also be studied along with treatment planning strategies, to alleviate its incidence. Our study aims to present a novel method to model the OM incidence using a mucosal surface contour (MSC).

Methods:

Computed tomography (CT) images of 60 oral cavity patients who have started their intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)/volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with concomitant chemotherapy (Cisplatin) were delineated with MSC as one of the organs at risk by three expert radiation oncologists. V30, V50 and Dmean doses of MSC and the PTV 60 (planning target volume for 60 Gy), along with Dmax of PTV60, were extracted from the dose volume histograms. OM toxicity was assessed once weekly, and the outcome was scored using CTCAE v5·0 grading. Tobacco use (Tb), oral hygiene (OHy) and nutritional status (Ns) were also numerically scored. A multiple linear regression analysis was done using the patient parameters and the outcome scores as predictor variables and response variables, respectively. Optimal dose volume constraints (Dmean, V30, V50) for a 20% reduction of OM were derived from the mathematical equations. Another 20 patients were planned prospectively using IMRT/VMAT with the above resulted in dose constraints. Clinical outcome was scored for these patients using CTCAE v5·0. Outcome results of the two phases (60 patients and 20 patients) were statistically compared with two-sample t-test.

Results:

For MSC, three mathematical equations were formulated using multiple linear regression analysis. Derived values of V30, V50 and Dmean constraints were used for dose optimisation in the second phase of treatment planning. It has showed a statistically significant deviation from the first phase of the study, with a confidence interval of 95% (p value: 0·0348) by introducing calculated dose constraints for MSC in dose optimisation.

Conclusion:

In this study, the feasibility of using multiple linear regression analysis to model OM incidence in radiation therapy clinics was explored. Derived dose–volume constraints for MSC could be used in IMRT/VMAT optimization to reduce its incidence. Patient treatment could be individualised by incorporating dose–volume parameters, nutritional status, tobacco use and oral hygiene status in the treatment planning procedure.
The Antidemocratic Harms of Mansplaining
Authors: Montanaro Laura
Published: October 2024

The neologism “mansplaining” captures an insidious dynamic in which men explain things to women that women already understand, assuming that, by virtue of being a woman, she lacks the man’s knowledge. Mansplaining has started to receive some attention in contemporary scholarship, conceptualizing the phenomenon and identifying its epistemic harm. My purpose is to consider mansplaining and its harms from the perspective of democratic theory. Setting the problem of mansplaining against the norms we expect of democracy—equality, inclusion, and recognition—I argue that mansplaining poses harms that are not only individual and epistemic but also collective and relational. I distinguish two types of mansplaining based on women’s expertise and experience to elaborate on its collective epistemic harms to decision making and its relational harm of political exclusion. Mansplaining poses further relational harms of inequality and misrecognition, undermining the equal social relations and social trust required for deliberation.
Elio hat sich verzählt
Authors: Köppchen Lisa , Nadler Lea , Pankerl Chris , Reingruber Emma , Najdoska Elena
Published: October 2024

Einfühlsam schildert dieses Buch die Sorgen und Nöte von Kindern, die von einer Rechenstörung betroffen sind.

Elio hat sich verzählt! Und nicht nur das – von verwechselten Ziffern über Schwierigkeiten beim Bezahlen bis hin zu Problemen, die Uhr zu lesen –
alles scheint schief zu gehen. Dem Eichhörnchen begegnen im Mathe­unterricht und im Alltag immer mehr Probleme mit Zahlen und Mengen. Er fühlt sich damit allein und unverstanden, denn seine Eltern und Mitschüler*innen können das nicht nachvollziehen, er ist doch sonst so gut in der Schule. Elio wird alles zu viel und die Angst vor dem Mathe­unterricht nimmt überhand. Da bemerken auch seine Eltern, wie ernst seine Schwierigkeiten sind. Gemeinsam suchen sie Hilfe bei einer Lerntherapeutin.

Dieses Buch richtet sich an Kinder, die von einer Rechenstörung betroffen sind. Es soll Kinder, Eltern, Lehrpersonen und das weitere Umfeld dafür sensibilisieren, wie der (Schul-)Alltag mit einer Rechenstörung aussehen kann.

Das Buch „Elio hat sich verzählt“ ist ein Band aus der Reihe „Psycho­logische Kinderbücher“. Das Störungsbild wird für Kinder im Grund­schulalter zwischen 6 und 12 Jahren vertständlich erklärt. Neben Elios Geschichte gibt es weiterführende Informationen und Übungen für betroffene Kinder und ihr Umfeld.
Nur weil ich nicht fliegen kann...
Authors: Aoun Natalie , Kwasny Seline , Sallander Liv Trine , Schönwetter Anika
Published: October 2024

Traurigkeit, Selbstzweifel und sozialer Rückzug sind oft die psychischen Folgen von Mobbing. Pablos Geschichte zeigt dir, wie man die negativen Meinungen anderer nicht an sich heranlässt und die eigenen Stärken entdecken kann.

Der junge Pinguin Pablo wird durch seine fehlenden Flügel und kleinen Flossen zur Zielscheibe des Spotts seiner Klassenkameraden. Pablo fühlt sich allein und unverstanden, und das Leiden begleitet ihn bis nach Hause. Schließlich trifft Pablo auf Dalia, das Straußenmädchen, und lernt zusammen mit ihr seine ganz eigenen Talente wertzuschätzen. Er lernt, dass wahre Freundinnen und Freunde einem dabei helfen, das Beste aus sich selbst herauszuholen, und wie man die negativen Meinungen anderer nicht an sich heranlässt.

Kinder werden mit Pablos Geschichte mitfühlen, seine Entwicklung miterleben und die wichtige Botschaft mitnehmen, dass sie einzigartig sind.

„Nur weil ich nicht fliegen kann…“ ist ein Band aus der Reihe „Psycho­logische Kinderbücher“. Das Buch bietet Eltern von betroffenen Kindern, ihrem Umfeld und Lehrkräften die wichtigsten Informationen zu Mobbing und dessen Auswirkungen. Mithilfe von praktischen Übungen und Interventionen wird das Finden der eigenen Stärken gefördert und der Umgang mit Mobbingsituationen angeregt. Das Buch richtet sich an Kinder im Grundschulalter zwischen 6 und 12 Jahren.
Charlies verrückter neuer Schultag
Authors: Lohoff Jasmin , Mohr Lea , Ziemer Mathilda , Eckstein Tessa
Published: October 2024

Der Wechsel auf die weiterführende Schule ist ein einschneidendes Erlebnis. Charlie zeigt dir, wie du mit deinen Sorgen und Ängsten vor dem Schulübergang umgehen kannst.

An Charlies erstem Schultag an der weiterführenden Schule geht alles drunter und drüber: Die neue Schule ist riesig, die anderen Kinder sind unfreundlich und die Lehrkräfte ganz schön eigenartig … Ob es hier mit rechten Dingen zugeht? Zum Glück weiß Charlie sich zu helfen!

Mithilfe dieses Buches soll Kindern der Übertritt in die weiter­führende Schule leichter gemacht werden. Einfühlsam wird geschildert, welche Sorgen und Ängste Kinder vor dem Übertritt haben, aber auch, auf welche Dinge sie sich an der neuen Schule freuen können. Zudem gibt es wertvolle Tipps zur Vorbereitung auf den Übertritt.

„Charlies verrückter neuer Schultag“ ist ein Band der Reihe „Psychologische Kinderbücher“ und richtet sich an Kinder im Grund­schulalter zwischen
8 und 12 Jahren. Das Buch liefert Kindern vor dem Schulübergang, ihren Eltern, Geschwistern und Therapeut*innen wichtige Informationen über dieses Thema sowie praktische Aufgaben und Übungen.
Development and Evaluation of an Out-of-Control Scale Measuring Global Contextual Stressors Across 20 Countries and Regions
Authors: Duan Wenjie , Wang Jingying , Ho Mandy , Wong Janet Y. H. , Choi Edmond P. H. , Lok Kris Y. W. , Fong Daniel Y. T.
Published: October 2024

Abstract: Stressful contexts like the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated remarkable socio-economic changes, exacerbating universal uncertainty and a pervasive loss of control. Improving mental health outcomes on the operational definition and measurement of related concepts. This study analyzed cross-sectional data from 20 countries and regions, collected between January 25 and November 10, 2021. Psychometric evaluation occurred in two stages: initially, item review and factor analysis with a 2,749 adult sample from Mainland of China and Hong Kong SAR; subsequently, confirmation of factor structure, measurement invariance testing, and advanced analyses with a 4,000 adult sample from 20 countries and regions. A six-item, single-factor structure was verified, confirming satisfactory factor loading, fit indices and consistency. Measurement invariance across geographies and groupings was also confirmed. Three Out-of-Control profiles representing low, medium, and high stress levels, were identified, with age, depression/anxiety symptoms, education, socio-economic status, and exposure to COVID-19-affected acquaintances significantly influencing affiliation. The item “I think I cannot control things that I previously could” was the most critical node. This newly validated scale represents a substantial advancement in measuring stress within the context of global health crises, thus enhancing comprehension of psychological responses. Continual evaluation of the scale’s effectiveness and accuracy is crucial.
The Streamflow Response to Multi‐Day Warm Anomaly Events: Sensitivity to Future Warming and Spatiotemporal Variability by Event Magnitude
Authors: Anderson Sam , Chartrand Shawn
Published: October 2024

Persistent warm temperature anomalies can drive streamflow in regions where snow and glacier melt are important constituents of streamflow. However, the spatiotemporal variability of the streamflow response depends on both the magnitude of the forcing temperature anomalies and the nature of the underlying hydrological system. Here we ask: when, where, and for what magnitude of temperature anomalies will the streamflow response change most rapidly under warming? We use observed streamflow and temperature for 868 basins across Canada to quantify the streamflow response during warm temperature anomalies and how such responses vary in space, time, and by anomaly magnitude. We first identify two temporal modes of the streamflow response, one in autumn and one in spring, the relative strength of which varies by climate. We then use sinusoidal approximations of seasonal temperature cycles to characterize the sensitivity of such modes to changes in annual temperature. At individual basins, we find that relative to moderate warm events, the streamflow response to more extreme warm events is more sensitive to changes in mean annual temperatures, and this sensitivity is greatest in the coastal, southern, and central regions of Canada. Our results have implications for how the hydrological impacts of extreme events, such as heatwaves, will change in space and time under future climate change.
Associations of body composition measures with circulating insulin-like growth factor-I, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations in 16,000 men
Authors: Hynes Matthew C. , Watling Cody Z. , Dunneram Yashvee , Key Timothy J. , Perez-Cornago Aurora
Published: October 2024

Background

Adiposity is positively associated with risk of some cancer sites and other health conditions in men; however, it is unclear if endogenous hormones play a role in these associations. We examined how body composition, measured from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and common measures of adiposity (e.g., body mass index (BMI)), are related to hormone concentrations in men from the UK Biobank study.

Methods

Up to 16,237 men with available body composition data (including visceral, subcutaneous, and liver fat, muscle fat infiltration (MFI), lean tissue, and common adiposity measures) and serum hormone measurements (insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and calculated free testosterone) were included. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models were used to determine the geometric mean hormone and SHBG concentrations across categories of each exposure.

Results

Common measurements of adiposity were highly correlated with MRI measures of central and total adiposity (r = 0.76–0.91), although correlations with ectopic fat (liver fat and MFI) were lower (r = 0.43–0.54). Most adiposity measurements showed an inverse U- or J-shaped association with circulating IGF-I and free testosterone; however, MFI was linearly inversely associated, and lean tissue volume was positively associated with both IGF-I and free testosterone concentrations. All body composition measures were inversely associated with total testosterone and SHBG concentrations (relative geometric mean difference between Q5 vs. Q1: 20–30%).

Conclusion

Our results show that common adiposity and most MRI measures of adiposity relate similarly to serum hormone concentrations; however, associations with ectopic fat (particularly MFI) and lean tissue were different.
What internet- and mobile-based interventions are currently available for adults with overweight or obesity experiencing symptoms of depression? A systematic review
Authors: Schladitz Katja , Seibel Alina , Luppa Melanie , Riedel-Heller Steffi G. , Löbner Margrit
Published: October 2024

Given the high prevalence of overweight and obesity and high comorbidity of depressive symptoms, there is a need for low-threshold, accessible care approaches for people with overweight/obesity aimed at improving mental health. Internet and mobile-based interventions (IMI) represent an innovative complementary treatment option. This review systematically searches for IMI aimed at improving mental health in people with overweight/obesity. We conducted a systematic literature search according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria in the databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of IMI for adults with overweight/obesity and comorbid depressive symptoms aiming at improving mental health were screened and extracted. Study quality was assessed with RoB 2 (revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool in RCTs). After excluding duplicates, n = 790 results were included in title and abstract screening. After full-text-screening of n = 26 studies, n = 3 RCT studies were included. All interventions aimed to reduce both weight and depressive symptoms. In two RCTs, a significant reduction in both depressive symptoms and weight was achieved. One RCT indicated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, but not in weight. Two intervention had a duration of 6 months and were guided by health carers, the third takes 3 months and can be used without professional guidance. There is evidence that IMI are effective in improving mental health for people with overweight/obesity and comorbid depressive symptoms. However, currently there are few interventions aiming at reducing depressive symptoms, all targeting English-speaking people. As IMI for depressive symptoms can be easily integrated in the somatic therapy of obesity as additional option and has high public health potential, target group-adapted and low-threshold accessible interventions in different languages should be developed and implemented for improving mental health in people with overweight/obesity. Prospero registration number: CRD42023361771.
Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity characteristics of experimental epoxy -based endodontic sealer loaded with silver gold nanoparticles: in vitro study
Authors: Hassan Nermine , Riad Mona , Ibrahim Shereen Hafez , Mahmoud Khaled , Abulnoor Bassam Ahmed , Hassan Reham
Published: October 2024

Background

Enhancing the antibacterial capabilities of dental materials by adding nanoparticles has been the subject of some research. However, the potential toxic effect of this material on the vital tissues should be investigated to avoid additional damage to the tissue.

Objective

This study aimed to validate the long-term cytotoxic and antibacterial properties of an epoxy resin-based endodontic sealer (AH Plus) with and without loading with silver gold nanoparticles (Nano Care Plus Silver Gold®).

Material and methods

The tested groups were Nano Care Gold (group I), modified resin sealer (m AH Plus; group II) and AH Plus served as a control group (group III). Agar diffusion was used to measure the antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. Using the MTT test, cytotoxicity assessment was carried out in accordance with ISO-10993-5 guidelines to assess the cells’ viability as soon as possible and after two and four weeks. The t-test was used to statistically examine the data. The chosen significance threshold was P <0.05.

Results

Antibacterial results revealed that there was no difference in the diameter of the inhibition zones measured in all groups at 24 h. While in 48 and 72 h, the difference was statistically significant (p <0.05). In 48-h Nanogold was significantly higher than AH Plus when tested alone (p <0.05), however their mixture showed insignificant difference. After 72 h, the Nano gold was significantly higher than that of AH Plus & Nano gold mixture (p <0.05). Cytotoxicity result revealed there was a significant difference between tested groups at different intervals (p <0.001). For immediate measurements, values measured with the AH group were significantly higher than those of other groups (p <0.001). For the AH& nanogold group, there was no significant difference between values measured at different intervals (p = 0.578).

Conclusions

Silver gold nanoparticles have acceptable antibacterial properties and low cytotoxicity to be used as canal pretreatment prior to the application of the sealer or even incorporated with AH Plus sealer.
Oncogenic GALNT5 confers FOLFIRINOX resistance via activating the MYH9/ NOTCH/ DDR axis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jia Qinyuan , Zhu Yuheng , Yao Hongfei , Yin Yifan , Duan Zonghao , Zheng Jiahao , Ma Ding , Yang Minwei , Yang Jianyu , Zhang Junfeng , Liu Dejun , Hua Rong , Huo Yanmiao , Fu Xueliang , Sun Yongwei , Liu Wei
Published: October 2024

Chemotherapy resistance has been a great challenge in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) treatments. Current first-line chemotherapy regimens for PDAC include gemcitabine-based regimens such as AG regimen (albumin paclitaxel and gemcitabine), fluorouracil-based regiments such as FOLFIRINOX regimen ((5-fluorouracil5-FU), oxaliplatin, Irinotecan) and platinum-based regimens for patients with BRCA mutations. large amounts of work have been done on exploring the mechanism underlying resistance of gemcitabine-based and platinum-based regimens, while little research has been achieved on the mechanism of FOLFIRINOX regimens resistance. Hence, we identified Polypeptide N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 5, (GALNT5) as a vital regulator and a potential therapeutic target in FOLFIRINOX regimens resistance. Colony formation assays and flow cytometry assays were performed to explore the roles of GALNT5 in cell proliferation and apoptosis in PDAC treated with FOLFIRINOX. IC50 alterations were calculated in GALNT5 knockdown and overexpressed cell lines. RNA-seq followed by GSEA (gene set enrichment analysis) was displayed to explore the potential mechanism. WB (western blotting), real-time PCR, and IF (immunofluorescence) were performed to validate relative pathways. The mouse orthotopic xenograft PDAC model was established to examine GALNT5 functions in vivo. GALNT5 was highly expressed in PDAC tissues and predicted poor prognosis in PDAC. Upregulation of GALNT5 in PDAC cells conferred FOLFIRINOX resistance on PDAC by inhibiting DNA damage. Moreover, GALNT5 interacted with MYH9, thus participating in the activation of the NOTCH pathways, resulting in hampering FOI-induced DNA damage. Functions of GALNT5 promoting FOLFIRINOX resistance were validated in vivo. In this study, we found that aberrantly overexpressed GALNT5 in PDAC took part in the activation of the NOTCH pathway by interacting with MYH9, thus inhibiting the DDR to achieve FOLFIRINOX resistance and causing poor prognosis. We identified GALNT5 as a potential therapeutic target for PDAC patients resistant to FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy.
Mitochondrial-derived peptides, HNG and SHLP3, protect cochlear hair cells against gentamicin
Authors: Lu Yu , Bartoszek Ewelina M. , Cortada Maurizio , Bodmer Daniel , Levano Huaman Soledad
Published: October 2024

Preservation of hair cells is critical for maintaining hearing function, as damage to sensory cells potentially leads to irreparable sensorineural hearing loss. Hair cell loss is often associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. One promising class of bioactive peptides is mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs), which have already been proven to protect various tissues from cellular stresses and delay aging processes. Humanin (HN) is one of the best-known members of this family, and recently, we have shown its protective effect in hair cells. The synthetic derivate HN S14G (HNG) has a more potent protective effect than natural HN making it a more useful peptide candidate to promote cytoprotection. A less-known MDP is small humanin-like peptide 3 (SHLP3), which has cytoprotective effects similar to HN, but likely acts through different signaling pathways. Therefore, we examined the effect of exogenous HNG and SHLP3 in auditory hair cells and investigated the molecular mechanisms involved. For this purpose, explants of the organ of Corti (OC) were treated with gentamicin in the presence and absence of HNG or SHLP3. Administration of HNG and SHLP3 reduced gentamicin-induced hair cell loss. The protective mechanisms of HNG and SHLP3 in OC explants included, in part, modulation of AKT and AMPKα. In addition, treatment with HNG and SHLP3 reduced gentamicin-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory gene overexpression. Overall, our data show that HNG and SHLP3 protect hair cells from gentamicin-induced toxicity. This offers new perspectives for the development of therapeutic strategies with MDPs against hearing loss.
Out-of-plane coordination of iridium single atoms with organic molecules and cobalt–iron hydroxides to boost oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhao Jie , Guo Yue , Zhang Zhiqi , Zhang Xilin , Ji Qianqian , Zhang Hua , Song Zhaoqi , Liu Dongqing , Zeng Jianrong , Chuang Chenghao , Zhang Erhuan , Wang Yuhao , Hu Guangzhi , Mushtaq Muhammad Asim , Raza Waseem , Cai Xingke , Ciucci Francesco
Published: October 2024

Advancements in single-atom-based catalysts are crucial for enhancing oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance while reducing precious metal usage. A comprehensive understanding of underlying mechanisms will expedite this progress further. Here we report Ir single atoms coordinated out-of-plane with dimethylimidazole (MI) on CoFe hydroxide (Ir1/(Co,Fe)-OH/MI). This Ir1/(Co,Fe)-OH/MI catalyst, which was prepared using a simple immersion method, delivers ultralow overpotentials of 179 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and 257 mV at 600 mA cm−2 as well as an ultra-small Tafel slope of 24 mV dec−1. Furthermore, Ir1/(Co,Fe)-OH/MI has a total mass activity exceeding that of commercial IrO2 by a factor of 58.4. Ab initio simulations indicate that the coordination of MI leads to electron redistribution around the Ir sites. This causes a positive shift in the d-band centre at adjacent Ir and Co sites, facilitating an optimal energy pathway for OER.
Dynamical clustering and wetting phenomena in inertial active matter
Authors: Caprini Lorenzo , Breoni Davide , Ldov Anton , Scholz Christian , Löwen Hartmut
Published: October 2024

Dynamical clustering is a key feature of active matter systems composed of self-propelled agents that convert environmental energy into mechanical motion. At the micron scale, where overdamped dynamics dominate, particles with opposite motility can obstruct each other’s movement, leading to transient dynamical arrest. This arrest can promote cluster formation and motility-induced phase separation. However, in macroscopic agents, where inertia plays a significant role, clustering is heavily influenced by bounce-back effects during collisions, which can impede cluster growth. Here we present an experiment based on active granular particles, in which inertia can be systematically tuned by changing the shaker frequency. As a result, a set of phenomena driven and controlled by inertia emerges. Before the suppression of clustering, inertia induces a transition in the cluster’s inner structure. For small inertia, clusters are characterized by the crystalline order typical of overdamped particles, while for large inertia clusters with liquid-like order are observed. In addition, in contrast to microswimmers, where active particles wet the boundary by primarily forming clusters attached to the container walls, in an underdamped inertial active system, walls do not favor cluster formation and effectively annihilate motility-induced wetting phenomena. As a consequence, inertia suppresses cluster nucleation at the system boundaries.
PRC2-EZH1 contributes to circadian gene expression by orchestrating chromatin states and RNA polymerase II complex stability
Authors: Liu Peng , Nadeef Seba , Serag Maged F , Paytuví-Gallart Andreu , Abadi Maram , Della Valle Francesco , Radío Santiago , Roda Xènia , Dilmé Capó Jaïr , Adroub Sabir , Hosny El Said Nadine , Fallatah Bodor , Celii Mirko , Messa Gian Marco , Wang Mengge , Li Mo , Tognini Paola , Aguilar-Arnal Lorena , Habuchi Satoshi , Masri Selma , Sassone-Corsi Paolo , Orlando Valerio
Published: October 2024

Circadian rhythmicity of gene expression is a conserved feature of cell physiology. This involves fine-tuning between transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms and strongly depends on the metabolic state of the cell. Together these processes guarantee an adaptive plasticity of tissue-specific genetic programs. However, it is unclear how the epigenome and RNA Pol II rhythmicity are integrated. Here we show that the PcG protein EZH1 has a gateway bridging function in postmitotic skeletal muscle cells. On the one hand, the circadian clock master regulator BMAL1 directly controls oscillatory behavior and periodic assembly of core components of the PRC2–EZH1 complex. On the other hand, EZH1 is essential for circadian gene expression at alternate Zeitgeber times, through stabilization of RNA Polymerase II preinitiation complexes, thereby controlling nascent transcription. Collectively, our data show that PRC2–EZH1 regulates circadian transcription both negatively and positively by modulating chromatin states and basal transcription complex stability.
BMP suppresses Wnt signaling via the Bcl11b-regulated NuRD complex to maintain intestinal stem cells
Authors: Li Yehua , Wang Xiaodan , Huang Meimei , Wang Xu , Li Chunlin , Li Siqi , Tang Yuhui , Yu Shicheng , Wang Yalong , Song Wanglu , Wu Wei , Liu Yuan , Chen Ye-Guang
Published: October 2024

Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are crucial for the intestinal epithelium renewal and regeneration after injury. However, the mechanism underlying the interplay between Wnt and BMP signaling in this process is not fully understood. Here we report that Bcl11b, which is downregulated by BMP signaling, enhances Wnt signaling to maintain Lgr5+ ISCs and thus promotes the regeneration of the intestinal epithelium upon injury. Loss of Bcl11b function leads to a significant decrease of Lgr5+ ISCs in both intestinal crypts and cultured organoids. Mechanistically, BMP suppresses the expression of Bcl11b, which can positively regulate Wnt target genes by inhibiting the function of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex and facilitating the β-catenin-TCF4 interaction. Bcl11b can also promote intestinal epithelium repair after injuries elicited by both irradiation and DSS-induced inflammation. Furthermore, Bcl11b deletion prevents proliferation and tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer cells. Together, our findings suggest that BMP suppresses Wnt signaling via Bcl11b regulation, thus balancing homeostasis and regeneration in the intestinal epithelium.
Liquid saliva-based Raman spectroscopy device with on-board machine learning detects COVID-19 infection in real-time
Authors: Ember Katherine J. I. , Ksantini Nassim , Dallaire Frédérick , Sheehy Guillaume , Tran Trang , Dehaes Mathieu , Durand Madeleine , Trudel Dominique , Leblond Frédéric
Published: October 2024

Raman spectroscopy and machine learning is used in combination to detect COVID-19 positive saliva in liquid form.
Ti-based MOF nanosheets as a mass spectrometry imaging matrix for low molecular weight compounds to reveal the spatiotemporal content changes of hepatotoxic components during the processing of Polygonum multiflorum
Authors: Kuang Feng-yan , Hu De-jun , Wang Lu , Chen Fei , Lv Guang-ping
Published: October 2024

The selection of the matrix is crucial for matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI).
Hyperpolarised [2-13C]-pyruvate by 13C SABRE in an acetone/water mixture
Authors: Bondar Oksana A. , Moustafa Gamal A. I. , Robertson Thomas B. R.
Published: October 2024

The NMR hyperpolarisation technique SABRE has been used to hyperpolarise 13C labelled pyruvate in a predominantly aqueous solution which has then been measured by benchtop NMR.
The development of a method to produce diagnostic reagents using LaNiO3 nanospheres and their application in nanozyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the colorimetric screening of C-reactive protein with high sensitivity
Authors: Nikitina Maria , Khramtsov Pavel , Devyatov Stepan , Valeev Rishat , Eryomina Marina , Chukavin Andrey , Rayev Mikhail
Published: October 2024

LaNiO3 nanosphere-based NLISA has been demonstrated for the first time. The assay enables the CRP effective detection with high sensitivity.
The development of an analytical procedure for the determination of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Sotnikova Yulia S. , Karpova Elena V. , Song Dae Il , Polovyanenko Dmitriy N. , Kuznetsova Tatiana A. , Radionova Svetlana G. , Bagryanskaya Elena G.
Published: October 2024

The time spent on this new procedure is no more than 3 hours, which is 6 to 12 times faster than the most widely used methods. This approach makes it possible to obtain samples suitable for subsequent analysis by any analytical instrumental method.
Splitting and separation mechanism of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate chiral isomers based on indirect chiral ligand exchange chromatography
Authors: Lin Li , Xie Longchao , Huang Lingyi , Huang Liying , Wu Youjia
Published: October 2024

The separation and analysis of chiral isomers is an important part of ensuring the safety, efficacy and reliable quality of drugs, as well as being a key step in the drug discovery and development process.
Droplet-based fluorescence anisotropy insulin immunoassay
Authors: Adeoye Damilola I. , Masitas Rafael A. , Thornham James , Meng Xiangyue , Steyer Daniel J. , Roper Michael G.
Published: October 2024

Fluorescence anisotropy immunoassay encapsulated in droplets for insulin detection on a microfluidic device.
Anomeric oxyacetamide assisted site-selective C-2 arylation and its application in O/S glycosylation of 2,3 eno-pyranoside
Authors: Zargar Irshad Ahmad , Rasool Bisma , Bappa S. K. , Mukherjee Debaraj
Published: October 2024

We report a site-selective Pd(ii)-catalyzed C–H activation of 2,3-enopyranosides using an oxyacetamide directing group, synthesizing a variety of C-2 aryl sugars. This methodology was further applied to O/S glycosylation, enabling the regio- and stereoselective formation of 1,2-disubstituted sugars.
Mo2C catalyst leads to highly efficient hydrogen transfer of alcohols and amines to synthesize N-alkylamines
Authors: Chen Yimei , Wang Zhe , Long Zhouyang , Wang Yunfei , Zhang Pingbo , Leng Yan
Published: October 2024

Highly efficient hydrogen transfer coupling of alcohols and amines achieved by molybdenum carbide.
Efficient electrocoupling of CO2 and N2 to urea by a gas-penetrable Bi nanosheet-wrapped Cu hollow fiber
Authors: Wang Jinning , Wang Yuyu , Wang Fang , Ma Jinfu , Zhang Zhengguo , Min Shixiong
Published: October 2024

A gas-penetrable electrode of Bi nanosheet-wrapped Cu hollow fiber (Bi NSAs@Cu HF) exhibits high activity and stability for urea production from the electrocoupling of CO2 and N2.
Sb nanoparticles embedded uniformly on the surface of porous carbon fibres for high-efficiency sodium storage
Authors: Zhao Yafei , Xue Kai , Liu Xinyu , Gao Zhiyuan , Zhang Junhao , Liu Yuanjun , Zheng Xiangjun , Duan ZhongYao , Fan Qianqian , Guo Xingmei
Published: October 2024

Sb nanoparticles (∼5 nm) are embedded uniformly on the surface of carbon fibers to prepare Sb NPs–SCFs, which exhibit excellent sodium storage with a stable capacity of 381.9 mA h g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 after 200 cycles, due to their unique structure.
Expedient (3+3)-annulation of carbonyl ylides with azaoxyallyl cations: formal access to oxa-benzo[c]azepin-3-ones
Authors: Verma Kshitiz , Bhattacharyya Hemanga , Saha Sharajit , Punniyamurthy Tharmalingam
Published: October 2024

Cascade C–C/C–N bond formation of carbonyl ylides with azaoxyallyl cations generated in situ using Rh-catalysis has been accomplished in the presence of a base at room temperature.
Electrochemical system of nitrogen-doped TiO2, Fe–N–C, and copper hexacyanoferrate electrodes for photo-assisted energy conversion in acidic wastewater treatment
Authors: Ferreira Bianca Tainá , Martins Matheus , Huguenin Fritz
Published: October 2024

This study examines the electrochemical performance of nitrogen-doped TiO2, Fe–N–C, and CuHCF electrodes for energy conversion in acidic solution neutralization, capturing 62.9 kJ per mole of protons.
Near equivalence of polarizability and bond order flux metrics for describing covalent bond rearrangements
Authors: Kim Lukas , Head-Gordon Teresa
Published: October 2024

Identification of the breaking point for the chemical bond is essential for our understanding of chemical reactivity.
Experimental and theoretical study of the Sn–O bond formation between atomic tin and molecular oxygen
Authors: Medvedkov Iakov A. , Nikolayev Anatoliy A. , Goettl Shane J. , Yang Zhenghai , Mebel Alexander M. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: October 2024

In this article, we combine state-of-art electronic structure calculations and crossed beam experiments to expose the reaction dynamics of 120Sn(3Pj) + 16O2(X3Σ−g) → 120Sn16O(X1Σ+) + 16O(3P) reaction that involve extensive ISC.
Correction: 1D Zn(ii)/2D Cu(i) halogen pyridyl coordination polymers. Band gap engineering by DFT for predicting more efficient photocatalysts in water treatment
Authors: García-Hernán Andrea , Aguilar-Galindo Fernando , Castillo Oscar , Amo-Ochoa Pilar
Published: October 2024

Correction for ‘1D Zn(ii)/2D Cu(i) halogen pyridyl coordination polymers. Band gap engineering by DFT for predicting more efficient photocatalysts in water treatment’ by Andrea García-Hernán et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cy00969j.
Distortion/interaction analysis via machine learning
Authors: Espley Samuel G. , Allsop Samuel S. , Buttar David , Tomasi Simone , Grayson Matthew N.
Published: October 2024

Machine learning can provide rapid access to DFT quality distortion and interaction energies for use in reactivity analysis.
Spin and dielectric transitions promoted by dimerization of anionic radical stacks and volume-conserving motion of cations in an ion-pair compound
Authors: Feng Zi-Heng , Zhu Qin-Yu , Qian Yin , Gao Xu-Sheng , Ren Xiao-Ming
Published: October 2024

An ion-pair compound consisting of S = ½ planar metal–dithiolene anions and dialkylimidazolium cations underwent a structural phase transition, resulting in a spin transition and a dielectric anomaly.
High-performance electromagnetic wave absorption in FeS2/SnS2@multi-walled carbon nanotube composites with honeycomb-shaped structure
Authors: Kong Weiao , Lin Xiaohan , Wang Chuanhe , Li Gen , Xue Zhiqiang , Wang Shoubing , Zhang Yani , Liu Zhidong , Zhang Huanian , Zhang Min , Ding Wei , Guo Liping , Tan Shugang
Published: October 2024

The honeycomb structure increases the reflection and scattering of electromagnetic waves. Various polarization and defects enhance the microwave absorption performance of the material.
Economic and environmental sustainability of bio-based HMF production and recovery from lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Jia Yuyao , Maitra Shraddha , Kudli Lavanya , Guest Jeremy S. , Singh Vijay
Published: October 2024

Transforming waste stream of biorefinery into high-value bioproducts.