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Obesity has become a global epidemic and is associated with comorbidities, including diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. While appreciable insight has been gained into the mechanisms of obesity‐associated comorbidities, effects of age, and duration of obesity on the female brain remain obscure. To address this gap, adolescent and mature adult female mice were subjected to a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 13 or 26 weeks, whereas age‐matched controls were fed a standard diet. Subsequently, the expression of inflammatory cytokines, neurotrophic/neuroprotective factors, and markers of microgliosis and astrogliosis were analyzed in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex, along with inflammation in visceral adipose tissue. HFD led to a typical obese phenotype in all groups independent of age and duration of HFD. However, the intermediate duration of obesity induced a limited inflammatory response in adolescent females' hypothalamus while the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and visceral adipose tissue remained unaffected. In contrast, the prolonged duration of obesity resulted in inflammation in all three brain regions and visceral adipose tissue along with upregulation of microgliosis/astrogliosis and suppression of neurotrophic/neuroprotective factors in all brain regions, denoting the duration of obesity as a critical risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Importantly, when female mice were older (i.e., mature adult), even the intermediate duration of obesity induced similar adverse effects in all brain regions. Taken together, our findings suggest that (1) both age and duration of obesity have a significant impact on obesity‐associated comorbidities and (2) early interventions to end obesity are critical to preserving brain health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria and fungi are natural sources of metabolites exhibiting diverse bioactive properties such as wound healing, antioxidative, antibacterial, antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Two important groups of bacteria or fungi‐derived metabolites with wound‐healing potential are polysaccharides and peptides. In addition to bacteria‐derived cellulose and hyaluronic acid and fungi‐derived chitin and chitosan, these organisms also produce different polysaccharides (e.g., exopolysaccharides) with wound‐healing potential. The most commonly used bacterial peptides in wound healing studies are bacteriocins and lipopeptides. Bacteria or fungi‐derived polysaccharides and peptides exhibit both the in vitro and the in vivo wound healing potency. In the in vivo models, including animals and humans, these metabolites positively affect wound healing by inhibiting pathogens, exhibiting antioxidant activity, modulating inflammatory response, moisturizing the wound environment, promoting the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, increasing collagen synthesis, re‐epithelialization, and angiogenesis. Therefore, peptides and polysaccharides derived from bacteria and fungi have medicinal importance. This study aims to overview current literature knowledge (especially within the past 5 years) on the in vitro and in vivo wound repair potentials of polysaccharides and peptides obtained from bacteria (Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria) and fungi (yeasts, filamentous microfungi, and mushrooms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In the current study investigated the psychopathologies of parents, family functioning, child temperament characteristics, and attachment of kindergarten and primary school‐age children who were brought to the child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic due to school refusal behavior. Fifty‐two children with school refusal and 64 children without school refusal and their parents participated in the current study. School Refusal Assessment Scale, Systemic Family Functionality Scale(SFFS), Family Harmony Scale(FHS), Kerns Secure Attachment Scale(KSAS), Temperament Scale for Children(TSC), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales(DASS) for parents were used. It was determined that, compared to children without school refusal, the children with school refusal had lower KSAS score(mother)(p = 0.049), higher DASS‐stress and anxiety(mother) scores(p = 0.014 and p = 0.020, respectively), lower TSC‐Responsiveness/Reactivity subscale score (p = 0.005), lower SFFS‐intrafamilial support and SFFS‐intrafamilial connection scores (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively), and lower FHS‐total score (p = 0.002). It was determined that school refusal was 11 times more common in children who had difficulty adjusting to school in previous years. Each point increase in the SFFS‐intrafamilial connection score reduced school refusal by 30%. In the current study shows that among the interventions required for treatment, the family should also be targeted in addition to the child and adolescent. Therefore, it is essential to identify factors such as parents' psychopathology and their roles in the family, family functioning, and family harmony in school refusal. Because parents play a crucial role in both the development and maintenance of school refusal, using more parent‐targeted strategies or techniques is necessary to improve interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of different preparation designs and scan patterns on the accuracy of intraoral scans for complete‐arch maxillary laminate veneers. Materials and Methods: Three maxillary typodonts were used to obtain reference models with three different laminate veneer preparation designs: windows (W), beveled (B), and incisal overlap (IO). Reference scans were obtained with a desktop scanner. A total of 90 complete arch intraoral scans were made with an intraoral scanner (Medit i700) following three different scan patterns: straight motion (SM), zigzag motion (ZM), and combined motion (CM). Ten scans were made in each subgroup and exported as standard tessellation language (STL) files. Assessment of accuracy was conducted with a 3D software analysis program (Geomagic Control X). Each STL file was individually aligned with the reference scan using the best fit algorithm tool, and 3D differences were calculated using the root mean square (RMS) value. Two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc comparison tests were applied to analyze precision and trueness data (α = 0.05). Results: Two‐way ANOVA and post hoc comparison tests revealed significant differences among different preparation designs and scan patterns (p < 0.05). Regarding trueness, the IO when scanned with SM presented higher mean RMS than the other preparation designs (W and B) scanned with the same scanning pattern (p < 0.05). Regarding precision, the groups of W and IO presented significantly higher mean RMS than the group of B when scanned with ZM (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Accuracy of intraoral scans for complete‐arch laminate veneers was affected by different laminate veneer preparation designs and scan patterns. Clinical Significance: Modifying scan pattern according to preparation design helps to improve scan accuracy for complete‐arch laminate veneers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the clinical, laboratory findings and signal intensity index (SII) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with bilateral and unilateral macronodular mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). Patients and Measurements: Clinical and laboratory findings of 81 patients with MACS were examined from retrospective records. SII of adenomas and internodular areas were evaluated by MRI. The unilateral group included patients with an adrenal macronodule (≥1 cm) in a single adrenal gland, while the bilateral group included patients with at least one macronodule in both adrenal glands. Results: In total, 46 patients were in the unilateral (57%), while 35 (43%) patients were in the bilateral groups. The dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA‐S) level was lower in the unilateral than in the bilateral group (p <.001). The presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations were higher in the bilateral group (p <.05). However, no significant difference was detected in terms of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) between the two groups (p >.05). There was no difference in SII between adenomas within the same patient, as well as between the unilateral and bilateral groups (p >.05). Logistic regression analysis based on the differentiation between unilateral and bilateral macronodular MACS demonstrated that DHEA‐S, HbA1c and LDL concentrations were associated factors. Conclusion: DHEA‐S levels may not be as suppressed in patients with bilateral macronodular MACS as compared to those with unilateral adenoma. T2DM and hypercholesterolaemia have a higher frequency in bilateral patients. However, ACTH, overnight 1 mg DST and SII may not provide additional information for differentiation of bilaterality and unilaterality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review comprehensively explores the engineering of nitrogen vacancies (N‐vacancies) in polymeric carbon nitride (CN) and uncovering their profound impact on the photocatalytic applications of CN. The intentional creation of N‐vacancies in CN obtained by removing the targeted N atoms emerges as a crucial strategy for fine‐tuning its photo(catalytic)physical properties. Defect‐centric investigations illuminate enlarged surface areas, increased substrate interactions and spotlight the correlation between N‐vacancy and photoredox transformations. Key N‐vacancies (NHx, N2C, N3C) play exceptional roles in elevating the photocatalytic activity of CN. Besides comprehensively navigating the competitive literature of CN research, this review highlights the controlled manipulation of N‐vacancies in CN as an instrumental avenue for customized property tailoring. Additionally, it provides a perspective on the generation of N‐vacancies considering temperature, time, and reaction atmosphere by inspecting available synthesis strategies, particularly thermal treatments, along with advanced characterization techniques shedding light on the profound influence of N‐vacancies on the structural and electronic properties of CN. Moreover, this review underlines the impact of defects in CN on its photocatalytic performance, tuning bandgaps, midgap state formation, and creating active sites within the lattice. The versatile strategy employed in vacancy engineering within CN shows great potential for designing new‐generation photocatalysts with tailored functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare skin cancer associated with poor survival. Based on a previous Phase II trial of adults with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma by Kim and colleagues (2022), there is now a strong rationale for combination therapy (i.e., nivolumab and ipilimumab) to become a treatment option for patients with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma. The goal of this paper was to report on the secondary outcome of quality of life (QOL) among patients on this trial. Methods: Patients receiving combined nivolumab and ipilimumab, with or without stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ‐C30 prior to starting treatment and every 2 weeks thereafter. Changes in QOL during treatment and post‐treatment were evaluated using piecewise random‐effects mixed models. Exploratory analyses compared changes in QOL between study arms. The original trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03071406). Results: Study participants (n = 50) reported no changes in overall QOL (ps > 0.05), but emotional functioning improved during treatment (p = 0.01). Cognitive and social functioning worsened post‐treatment (ps < 0.01). In general, patients treated with combination therapy only (n = 25) reported no change in QOL over time, whereas patients also treated with SBRT (n = 25) consistently demonstrated worsening QOL post‐treatment. Conclusion: QOL is generally preserved in patients treated with combination therapy, but the addition of SBRT may worsen QOL. Combined with clinical efficacy data published previously, results support the use of combination therapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab as a treatment option for patients with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A phase 2 cemiplimab study (NCT03132636) demonstrated a 24.1% objective response rate in patients diagnosed with metastatic basal cell carcinoma (mBCC) who were not candidates for continued hedgehog inhibitor (HHI) therapy due to intolerance to previous HHI therapy, disease progression while receiving HHI therapy, or having not better than stable disease on HHI therapy after 9 months. Here, health‐related quality of life (QoL) for this patient population is reported. Methods: Adult patients with mBCC were treated with intravenous cemiplimab at a dose of 350 mg every 3 weeks for 5 treatment cycles of 9 weeks/cycle then 4 treatment cycles of 12 weeks/cycle. Patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life‐Core 30 (QLQ‐C30) and Skindex‐16 questionnaires at baseline and Day 1 of each cycle. Across Cycles 2 to 9, the overall change from baseline was analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Responder analyses determined clinically meaningful improvement or deterioration (changes ≥10 points) or maintenance across all scales. Results: Patients reported low symptom burden and moderate‐to‐high functioning at baseline. Maintenance for QLQ‐C30 global health status (GHS)/QoL and across all functioning and symptom scales was indicated by overall mean changes from baseline. Clinically meaningful improvement or maintenance was reported at Cycle 2 for GHS/QoL (77%), functioning scales (77% to 86%), and symptom scales (70% to 93%), with similar proportions of improvement or maintenance at Cycles 6 and 9, excluding fatigue. On the Skindex‐16, clinically meaningful improvement or maintenance was reported across the emotional, symptom, and functional subscales, in 76%–88% of patients at Cycle 2, which were generally maintained at Cycles 6 and 9. Overall mean changes from baseline showed maintenance across these subscales. Conclusions: The majority of patients treated with cemiplimab reported improvement or maintenance in GHS/QoL and functioning while maintaining a low symptom burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore predictors of spiritual well‐being behaviors among heart failure patients based on Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model of health‐related quality of life and to clarify the interrelationships among these variables. Design: A descriptive and correlational study design was used. Methods: This study included 202 heart failure patients treated between October 2020 and July 2021. Data were collected using the Symptom Status Questionnaire‐Heart Failure, Perception of Health Scale, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Spiritual Well‐Being Scale. Descriptive analysis, correlation, and structural equation modeling were performed. Results: Characteristic factors positively affected spiritual well‐being both directly (β = 0.19, p = 0.007) and indirectly (β = 0.19; CI (0.106; 0.311)). The direct relationship between health perception and spiritual well‐being was significant (β = 0.83, p < 0.05). Symptom status acted as an essential mediator between model variables and spiritual well‐being (β = −0.28; CI (−0.449; −0.133)). Comorbidity and symptom status also influence spiritual well‐being through health perceptions. These variables explain 77% of the variance in spiritual well‐being. Conclusion: The modified structural equation modeling based on Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model fits well in predicting spiritual well‐being in patients with heart failure. Spiritual well‐being was reported to be poor, and changes in spiritual well‐being were predicted by age, educational level, marital status, comorbidity, symptom status, and health perception. The results can be applied to patients with heart failure and may serve as a guide for assessment and interventions for improving spiritual well‐being. Clinical Relevance: This study mainly concludes that symptom status and perceived health status affect spiritual well‐being in heart failure patients. Symptom relief and improvement in perceived health status interventions may help enhance spiritual well‐being in this population. Future studies are needed to investigate the different predictor's effects on spiritual well‐being and examine whether symptom management and health status‐enhancing interventions result in improved spiritual well‐being in the heart failure population. Reporting Method: This study was reported following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cross‐sectional studies. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polysulfide (PS) shuttle mechanism (PSM) is one of the biggest problems of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, resulting in fast capacity fading and low Coulombic efficiency. Due to electrostatic interactions, polar materials can adsorb the PS intermediates on their surfaces, decreasing the PSM effect. These polar materials should also have high electronic conductivity and surface area to be used in sulfur cathodes of Li–S batteries. In this respect, metal‐organic frameworks (MOF) and their derivatives gain significant attention. In this work, UiO‐66/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)/sulfur composites are prepared with different UiO‐66/GNP ratios to investigate the effect of MOF amount on the electrochemical performance of Li–S batteries. MOF amount in the composite does not significantly influence performance for moderate S loadings. In contrast, Li–S cells with higher MOF‐loaded cathodes present superior performance at higher sulfur loadings and C rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polysulfide shuttle mechanism and insulating characteristics of sulfur and discharge products are the two major drawbacks of Li−S batteries. These increase internal cell resistances, resulting in low battery performance and life. In this study, we investigate the effect of cathode material on the cell resistances by preparing two different cathodes: by encapsulating sulfur (S) with pure Ketjen black (KBS) and with atomic vanadium and cobalt‐modified Ketjen black (VCKBS). In addition to the cathode material, the influence of crucial cell design parameters, namely electrolyte‐to‐sulfur (E/S) ratio and sulfur loading, on the cell resistances and battery performance is also compared. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is applied to determine the individual cell resistances, whereas a system‐level performance model is used to estimate the system‐level specific energies and energy densities. The comparison of the cathodes shows that VCKBS significantly improves both cell‐ and system‐level performances, which are attributed to a significant decrease in cell resistances. The cells with higher sulfur loadings and lower E/S ratios show poorer performance for both cathodes. On the other hand, an E/S ratio of 6 mg L−1 can result in high cell‐ and system‐level performances for the VCKBS cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess Australian and New Zealand emergency clinicians' attitudes towards the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in emergency medicine. Methods: We undertook a qualitative interview‐based study based on grounded theory. Participants were recruited through ED internal mailing lists, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Bulletin, and the research teams' personal networks. Interviews were transcribed, coded and themes presented. Results: Twenty‐five interviews were conducted between July 2021 and May 2022. Thematic saturation was achieved after 22 interviews. Most participants were from either Western Australia (52%) or Victoria (16%) and were consultants (96%). More participants reported feeling optimistic (10/25) than neutral (6/25), pessimistic (2/25) or mixed (7/25) towards the use of AI in the ED. A minority expressed scepticism regarding the feasibility or value of implementing AI into the ED. Multiple potential risks and ethical issues were discussed by participants including skill loss from overreliance on AI, algorithmic bias, patient privacy and concerns over liability. Participants also discussed perceived inadequacies in existing information technology systems. Participants felt that AI technologies would be used as decision support tools and not replace the roles of emergency clinicians. Participants were not concerned about the impact of AI on their job security. Most (17/25) participants thought that AI would impact emergency medicine within the next 10 years. Conclusions: Emergency clinicians interviewed were generally optimistic about the use of AI in emergency medicine, so long as it is used as a decision support tool and they maintain the ability to override its recommendations. This qualitative study found that emergency clinicians in Australia and New Zealand were generally optimistic about the use of artificial intelligence (AI)‐enabled decision support tools in EDs. A number of issues were raised that require attention before full acceptance. AI‐enabled tools must operate as decision support only, be locally validated, be effectively integrated into existing workflows and take ethical concerns into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discussion models the IRI-2012 TEC map over a moderate geomagnetic storm period (5 days) in February 2015 and compares the yield of the models. The models are constructed with the help of cubic Bézier curves and machine learning. In a sense, the comparison of a classical and mechanical approach with a modern and computer-based one is a considerable experience for the paper. The parametric curve approach governs models of piecewise continuous Bézier cubics, while the models employ only the TEC map. The design is separated into curve components at every five-hour curvature point, and each component is handled independently. Instead of the traditional least squares method for finding control points of cubics, it utilizes the mean of every five-hour of the piecewise curves of the TEC data. Accordingly, the prediction error can be controlled at a rate that can compete with the modern network approach. In the network model, 120 hours of the solar wind parameters and the TEC map of the storm are processed. The reliability of the network model is assessed by the (R) correlation coefficient and mean square error. In modeling the TEC map with the classical approach, the mean absolute error is 0.0901% and the correlation coefficient (R) score is 99.9%. The R score of the network model is 99.6%, and the mean square error is 0.71958 (TECU) (at epoch 47). The results agree with the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In ovo application is the process of administering some nutrients or components into the egg. The main purpose of this application is to ensure that some nutrients are provided to chicks with a short incubation period. Few studies were conducted with taurine in fertile eggs; especially, no observation of hatchability and chick quality has been found. In addition, taurine has an anti‐stress impact that fights oxidative factors. Objective: To assess the hatchability and chick quality after in ovo taurine administration. To determine the stress that may occur as a result of in ovo application and whether taurine has a stress‐reducing effect. Methods: A total of 1200 fertile eggs from a 34‐week‐old broiler breeder (Ross 308) flock were categorized into 4 groups with 75 eggs per replicate: control (uninjected), taurine group (0.30 mL dissolved taurine in distilled water), sham control (sterile distilled water) and perforation (eggs perforated and then waxed). On day 14 of incubation, an in ovo injection was administered to the albumen. Data on hatching parameters and hepatic HSP70 levels were obtained using relevant formulas and western blotting, respectively. Results: Control chicks exhibited higher hatchability than other groups, with the taurine group showing the lowest hatchability. The HSP70 levels were the highest in the perforation group compared to the control group. An increase of 21.37% in the taurine group and 83.45% in the sham control group was observed compared to the control group. Conclusions: The findings suggest that in ovo application may induce increased stress, whereas taurine may have positive effects in mitigating the stress caused by in ovo application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors in BRAF V600‐mutant melanoma is common. Multiple resistance mechanisms involve heat‐shock protein 90 (HSP90) clients, and a phase 1 study of vemurafenib with the HSP90 inhibitor XL888 in patients with advanced melanoma showed activity equivalent to that of BRAF and MEK inhibitors. Methods: Vemurafenib (960 mg orally twice daily) and cobimetinib (60 mg orally once daily for 21 of 28 days) with escalating dose cohorts of XL888 (30, 45, 60, or 90 mg orally twice weekly) was investigated in a phase 1 trial of advanced melanoma, with a modified Ji dose‐escalation design. Results: Twenty‐five patients were enrolled. After two dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) (rash and acute kidney injury) in the first cohort, lower doses of vemurafenib (720 mg) and cobimetinib (40 mg) were investigated with the same XL888 doses. Three DLTs (rash) were observed in 12 patients in the XL888 60‐mg cohort, and this was determined as the maximum tolerated dose. Objective responses were observed in 19 patients (76%), and the median progression‐free survival was 7.6 months, with a 5‐year progression‐free survival rate of 20%. The median overall survival was 41.7 months, with a 5‐year overall survival rate of 37%. Single‐cell RNA sequencing was performed on baseline and on‐treatment biopsies; treatment was associated with increased immune cell influx (CD4‐positive and CD8‐positive T cells) and decreased melanoma cells. Conclusions: Combined vemurafenib and cobimetinib plus XL888 had significant toxicity, requiring frequent dose reductions, which may have contributed to the relatively low progression‐free survival despite a high tumor response rate. Given overlapping toxicities, caution must be used when combining HSP90 inhibitors with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. Resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors in BRAF V600‐mutant melanoma is common, and many of the resistance mechanisms involve heat‐shock protein 90 client proteins. The combination of vemurafenib plus cobimetinib plus XL888 was evaluated in a phase 1 trial of patients with advanced melanoma and had significant toxicity, requiring frequent dose reductions, which may have contributed to the relatively low progression‐free survival despite a high tumor response rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction are usually present in heart transplant (HTx) patients and worsened with residual pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to determine the ability of different echocardiographic modalities to evaluate RV function in comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and their relations with pulmonary hemodynamics in HTx patients. Methods: A total of 62 data sets [echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and CMR] were acquired from 35 HTx patients. Comprehensive echocardiography, including two‐dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography, speckle tracking echocardiography, and three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography, was performed. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was obtained invasively from right heart catheterization. The correlations between all echocardiographic parameters and CMR imaging data and the differences between patients with and without residual PH were evaluated. Results: Diastolic and systolic RV volumes and RV ejection fraction (RVEF) by 3D echocardiography correlated strongly with CMR‐derived volumes and RVEF (r =.91, r =.79, r =.64; p <.0001 for each, respectively). Among other parameters, RV fractional area change (r =.439; p <.001) and RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFW‐LS) (r = −.34; p <.05) correlated moderately with CMR‐RVEF, whereas tricuspid annulus S' velocity (r =.29; p <.05) and tricuspid annular systolic plane excursion (r =.27; p <.05) correlated weakly with CMR‐RVEF. Additionally, 3D‐RVEF and RVFW‐LS were significantly decreased in studies with mPAP ≥ 20 mm Hg in comparison to those with mPAP < 20 mm Hg (47.7 ± 3.7 vs. 50.9 ± 5.3, p =.04 and −15.5 ± 3.1 vs. −17.5 ± 3, p =.03, respectively). Conclusion: The best method for the evaluation of RV function in HTx recipients is 3D echocardiography. Besides, the subclinical impact of residual PH on RV function can be best determined by RVFW‐LS and 3D‐RVEF in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Molybdenum isotopic composition (δ98/95Mo) of arc lavas is highly variable. While source processes play an important role in controlling the δ98/95Mo of arc magmas, the impact of differentiation on this variability remains poorly understood. In this study, we assess and deconvolute the effects of source and crustal processes on the δ98/95Mo of lavas and enclaves with adakitic compositions from Solander volcano, located above the incipient Puysegur subduction zone. These rocks show extreme δ98/95Mo variation (−0.35‰ to +0.79‰). The most mafic samples have light δ98/95Mo (−0.35‰ to −0.29‰) and low Mo/Ce ratios (0.006–0.007) consistent with published models invoking the addition of altered oceanic crust melts to their mantle source. However, the range of δ98/95Mo in the rest of the sample set is unlikely to result from source processes. Covariations of δ98/95Mo and Mo contents with MgO concentrations indicate that the δ98/95Mo and Mo content variability was generated during differentiation. Similar Sr‐Nd isotope compositions of all Solander lavas exclude a significant role for crustal assimilation. Mineral fractionation alone cannot reproduce the observed systematics without invoking unreasonable δ98/95Mo for the fractionated phases. Instead, we suggest that Mo mobility and associated isotopic fractionation during supercritical fluid exsolution and unmixing, followed by brine assimilation and magma mixing, are the first order controls on δ98/95Mo and Mo concentration variation in the Solander adakitic magmas. Thus, the role of magmatic fluids on the δ98/95Mo of intermediate‐silicic arc rocks can be significant, at least in adakitic systems, and needs to be considered prior to a source assessment.Plain Language Summary: The Molybdenum isotopic composition (δ98/95Mo) of volcanic arc lavas is highly variable. While mantle source processes play an important role in controlling the δ98/95Mo of arc lavas, the impact of magmatic differentiation (dominantly occurring at crustal levels) on this variability remains poorly understood. In this study, we assess and deconvolute the effects of source and crustal processes on the δ98/95Mo of lavas and enclaves with adakitic compositions (a type of volcanic arc rock with high Sr/Y, La/Yb, and low Y and HREE contents) from Solander volcano, located above the incipient Puysegur subduction zone. These rocks show extreme δ98/95Mo variation. We show that, apart from the δ98/95Mo of the most mafic samples that are consistent with previously inferred mantle source processes at Solander volcano, the range of δ98/95Mo in the rest of the sample set is best explained by magmatic differentiation effects. We suggest that most of the δ98/95Mo variability in Solander lavas reflects the effects of fluid loss from the magma as well as the unmixing of that fluid into brine (high‐density and high‐salinity fluid) and vapor (low‐density and low‐salinity fluid) and the assimilation of brine by magma located at the roof of the chamber.Key Points: The range of Mo isotopic compositions of the Solander adakitic rocks is extremeMost of this variation was created during magmatic differentiation but does not result from mineral fractionation or crustal assimilationMo isotope fractionation during supercritical fluid exsolution and unmixing followed by brine assimilation led to the isotopic variability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly efficient generation of deletions, substitutions, and small insertions (up to ~ 150 bp) into the Caenorhabditis elegans genome by CRISPR/Cas9 has been facilitated by the use of single‐stranded oligonucleotide donors as repair templates. However, insertion of larger sequences such as fluorescent markers and other functional domains remains challenging due to uncertainty of optimal performance between single‐stranded or double‐stranded repair templates and labor‐intensive as well as inefficient protocols for their preparations. Here, we simplify the generation of long ssDNA as donors in CRISPR/Cas9. High yields of ssDNA can be rapidly generated using a standard PCR followed by a single enzymatic digest with lambda exonuclease. Comparison of long ssDNA donors obtained using this method to dsDNA demonstrates orders of magnitude increased insertion frequency for ssDNA donors. This can be leveraged to simultaneously generate multiple large insertions as well as successful edits without the use of selection or co‐conversion (co‐CRISPR) markers when necessary. Our approach complements the CRISPR/Cas9 toolkit for C. elegans to enable highly efficient insertion of longer sequences with a simple, standardized, and labor‐minimal protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoskeletal networks are proteins that effectively maintain cell integrity and provide mechanical support to cells by actively transmitting mechanical signals. Intermediate filaments, which are from the cytoskeleton family and are 10 nanometres in diameter, are unlike actin and microtubules, which are highly dynamic cytoskeletal elements. Intermediate filaments are flexible at low strain, harden at high strain and resist breaking. For this reason, these filaments fulfil structural functions by providing mechanical support to the cells through their different strain‐hardening properties. Intermediate filaments are suitable in that cells both cope with mechanical forces and modulate signal transmission. These filaments are composed of fibrous proteins that exhibit a central α‐helical rod domain with a conserved substructure. Intermediate filament proteins are divided into six groups. Type I and type II include acidic and basic keratins, type III, vimentin, desmin, peripheralin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), respectively. Type IV intermediate filament group includes neurofilament proteins and a fourth neurofilament subunit, α‐internexin proteins. Type V consists of lamins located in the nucleus, and the type VI group consists of lens‐specific intermediate filaments, CP49/phakinin and filen. Intermediate filament proteins show specific immunoreactivity in differentiating cells and mature cells of various types. Various carcinomas such as colorectal, urothelial and ovarian, diseases such as chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis and cataract have been associated with intermediate filaments. Accordingly, this section reviews available immunohistochemical antibodies to intermediate filament proteins. Identification of intermediate filament proteins by methodological methods may contribute to the understanding of complex diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to investigate haematological, pro‐inflammatory, inflammatory, anti‐inflammatory and immunological responses in naturally Theileria annulata‐infected cattle. The study material consisted of 25 Simmental cattle, 2–4 years of age, one of which was a control group consisting of healthy animals (Control group, n = 10), and the other was a Theileria group that include animals positive for Theileria annulata (Theileria group, n = 15). Haematological analysis (red blood cell [RBC], haemoglobin [HGB], haematocrit [HCT]), pro‐inflammatory (tumour necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α], nuclear factor kappa B [NF‐ĸB] and interleukin‐1 beta, [IL‐1β]), inflammatory (neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio [NLR]), anti‐inflammatory (interleukin‐10 [IL‐10]) and antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) analyses were performed by using ELISA kit from blood samples. It was found that the rectal temperature of the Theileria group was found to be significantly higher (p <.001) than that of the control group. Haematological and biochemical analysis revealed that the RBC and HGB count and HCT percentage decreased (p <.001), while NF‐ĸB (p <.001), TNF‐α (p =.002), IL‐1β (p <.001), IL‐10 (p =.012), NLR (p <.001) and CAMP (p =.037) levels increased in Theileria group compared to the control group. There was a strong correlation between NF‐ĸB and TNF‐α, NF‐ĸB and IL‐10, NLR and IL‐1β, NF‐ĸB and CAMP, TNF‐α and CAMP and IL‐10 and CAMP. As a result of this study, it was revealed that a pro‐inflammatory and immunological response also occurs along with the anti‐inflammatory response in the inflammatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have substantially improved overall survival in patients with advanced melanoma; however, the lack of biomarkers to monitor treatment response and relapse remains an important clinical challenge. Thus, a reliable biomarker is needed that can risk‐stratify patients for disease recurrence and predict response to treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis using a personalized, tumor‐informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay on prospectively collected plasma samples (n = 555) from 69 patients with advanced melanoma was performed. Patients were divided into three cohorts: cohort A (N = 30), stage III patients receiving adjuvant ICI/observation; cohort B (N = 29), unresectable stage III/IV patients receiving ICI therapy; and cohort C (N = 10), stage III/IV patients on surveillance after planned completion of ICI therapy for metastatic disease. Results: In cohort A, compared to molecular residual disease (MRD)‐negative patients, MRD‐positivity was associated with significantly shorter distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS; hazard ratio [HR], 10.77; p =.01). Increasing ctDNA levels from the post‐surgical or pre‐treatment time point to after 6 weeks of ICI were predictive of shorter DMFS in cohort A (HR, 34.54; p <.0001) and shorter progression‐free survival (PFS) in cohort B (HR, 22; p =.006). In cohort C, all ctDNA‐negative patients remained progression‐free for a median follow‐up of 14.67 months, whereas ctDNA‐positive patients experienced disease progression. Conclusion: Personalized and tumor‐informed longitudinal ctDNA monitoring is a valuable prognostic and predictive tool that may be used throughout the clinical course of patients with advanced melanoma. Personalized and tumor‐informed longitudinal circulating tumor DNA monitoring is a valuable prognostic and predictive tool that can be used throughout the clinical course of patients with advanced melanoma, including post surgery adjuvant therapy, during therapy for metastatic disease, and post therapy surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are at increased risk of reactivation when they receive immunosuppressive therapies. Although exogenous corticosteroid use as immunosuppressive therapy is elaborated in current guidelines on HBV reactivation, Cushing's syndrome (CS) with endogenous hypercortisolemia is not addressed. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV infection and discuss the necessity of antiviral prophylaxis in patients with CS as in other immunosuppressed patients. Design and Patients: We included 72 patients with CS (Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dependent or independent) who were screened for HBV between 2016 and 2021. Patients were categorized into three groups: overt, mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), and remission according to the cortisol burden. Changes in patients' HBV serology and clinical findings over time were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Twenty‐six patients had overt hypercortisolism, 18 had mild autonomous cortisol secretion and 28 patients were in remission. Nineteen (26.3%) patients were anti‐HBc IgG positive, 4 of them were chronic HBV and 15 were isolated anti‐HBc IgG positive. HBsAg was positive in four (5.5%) of the patients, who were all compatible with inactive chronic HBV. While two patients developed HBV reactivation, HBV flare was observed in one patient. Conclusion: Since it is not always possible to achieve rapid remission in CS and these patients have long‐term hypercortisolemia, we suggest that consensus should be reached on HBV serological assessment, standardization of follow‐up, and planning of HBV prophylaxis in required instances in patients with CS especially in regions with a high prevalence of HBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries often employ an excess of carbon in the cathode to obtain high electrical conductivity and surface area, the kind and qualities of the carbon in the cathode significantly impact battery performance. Sulfur loading is an essential design element with a considerable influence on battery performance. To anticipate the relationship between the sulfur loading and the cycling performance, discharge capacity, and energy density/specific energy at the cell/pack level of the Li−S battery for different carbon types, an integrated research technique that couples experimental characterization and system‐level performance modeling is used. The capacity retention of Li−S cells with acetylene black is insensitive to S loading, while Li−S cells with carbon black present higher capacity retention at higher S loadings. Li−S cells with Ketjen Black cannot perform well at higher S loadings. At moderate S loadings, when discharge capacities are at maximum, Li−S cells achieve the highest system‐level metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to synthesize the outcomes of theory‐based nursing interventions for coronary heart disease management. Design and Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed databases were electronically searched from January 2013 to August 2021. The Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses statement guidelines was followed for this meta‐analysis. Randomized controlled trials on patients with coronary heart disease, using a theory‐based nursing intervention were eligible. Methodological quality was examined by two authors using the Modified Jadad Scale. Based on the heterogeneity test, the results were analyzed using a pool of data with 95% confidence intervals, p‐values, and fixed or random‐effect models (PROSPERO registration number X). Findings A total of 1030 studies were initially retrieved, and 8 randomized controlled trials were eventually included in the meta‐analysis after screening. The big majority (81.3%) of participants were males, and the mean age was 54.8 (SD = 8.7) years. This meta‐analysis found theory‐based nursing interventions had no significant effect on blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and healthy lifestyle. However, these interventions significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, and body mass index and improved the physical and psychological domains of quality of life. Conclusions: The evidence from this meta‐analysis reveals that theory‐based nursing interventions have a positive effect on fasting blood glucose, body mass index, and quality of life. However, their effects on blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and a healthy lifestyle are inconclusive. The results of this metanalysis are largely based on a few trials and were limited in terms of the number of outcomes. Conducting well‐designed randomized controlled trials with adequate power is needed to make a firm conclusion on the influence of theory‐based nursing interventions on patient outcomes in the CHD population. Clinical relevance: Considering the high mortality and morbidity of coronary heart disease, nurses may play a significant role in coronary heart disease management by providing interventions that are based on a certain theoretical framework. This meta‐analysis provides insights into the implementation of theory‐based nursing interventions in heart attack survivors or those newly diagnosed with coronary heart disease led by nurses and lasting longer than 6 months in coronary heart disease. In addition, future studies should consider enhancing the content of training programs for a healthy lifestyle within the theory‐based nursing interventions and compare the effects of these interventions on acute and chronic coronary syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) is a species of great conservation concern throughout its range. Over the past century, it has experienced a dramatic decline in abundance and distribution in the Black Sea basin. Information regarding the genetic structure of the species is very limited in the region, despite its crucial importance for developing adequate management plans for the species' conservation and recovery.Samples from 163 A. stellatus were analysed using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers to investigate the species' genetic characteristics in the north‐western and southern Black Sea.Both genetic markers revealed high genetic diversity (153 haplotypes and 264 alleles) and low genetic differentiation of marine and freshwater catches. The north‐western Black Sea population is undergoing a slight demographic expansion after a bottleneck event induced by overfishing and dam constructions.The genetic population structure indicates a single genetic cluster in the north‐western Black Sea region and signs of admixture of two genetic clusters in the southern region. It also provides the first evidence for a remnant reproductive stellate sturgeon micro‐population in rivers of Turkey and Georgia.A sturgeon fishing ban and stocking activities carried out during the last decades, largely without any prior genetic assessment of the sturgeon populations, added little conservation value. Outreach initiatives and urgent actions are required to foster the recovery of this Critically Endangered species in the region.Reconstruction of the connectivity of the rivers and the enhancement of habitats and spawning grounds are beneficial to all sturgeon species. An ex‐situ conservation programme for Turkish rivers which flow into the Black Sea would be beneficial to help conserve the genetic resources until the habitats and migration routes become functional. Moreover, genetic screening and recruitment programmes must be functional for all rivers flowing into the Black Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, black cumin oil (BCO) oleogel was produced using natural waxes (beeswax: BW, sunflower wax: SFW, and carnauba wax: CW) to offer a healthy alternative to shortening. Oiling‐off was observed only in the BW oleogel (3.88 ± 0.02%). The CW oleogel had the lowest Ea (354.82 kJ/mol), indicating greater resistance to thermal degradation. The highest G′ and G″ were observed in the CW oleogel, while the lowest was observed in the BW oleogel. All oleogel samples displayed weak gel properties (tan δ > 0.1), but the lowest tan δ value belonged to the CW oleogel (0.12). After 4 weeks of storage, the peroxide values of the oleogels were lower than those of bulk oil (p <.05). Finally, the oxidation results showed that the BCO structuring by the waxes effectively protected it from oxidation over eight weeks of storage. Novelty impact statement: The most important innovation of the present study was to investigate the effect of BCO oleogelation on the stability of thymoquinone, the main phenolic compound of BCO. The BCO oleogels had higher thymoquinone content during the first half of the storage period compared with bulk BCO, showing that the oleogel network provides a protective effect against oxidation and thermal degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Perianal fistulas of the perianal soft tissues are an important cause of morbidity and a significant portion of colorectal surgery. To our knowledge, there is no study evaluating YouTube videos pertaining perianal fistulas. In this study, we aimed to evaluate YouTube video contents on this topic. Methods. Whether the videos contained real images, animations or presentations, video duration, number of views, comments and likes, uploading date, and daily view were recorded. Reliability of the videos was assessed using the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN) scale and quality of the videos using the Global Quality Score (GQS). Results. A total of 100 YouTube videos regarding perianal fistulas were included in the study. Sixty-four (64%) videos were uploaded by healthcare professionals and 36 (36%) videos by nonprofessionals. The mean video length was calculated as 6.70 ± 8.00 minutes for all videos. The mean DISCERN score of all videos was found as 3.92 ± 0.81 and the mean GQS score as 3.97 ± 0.83. According to the DISCERN score, most videos included (94%) were of good quality. There was an excellent agreement between the two surgeons in terms of the DISCERN and GQS scores. Conclusion. Most of the videos included in the study were uploaded by health-care professionals. On the other hand, the majority of the videos contained surgical management of perianal fistulas as it is the definitive treatment. Healthcare related content should be audited and filtered by YouTube with new and effective policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: New photocatalysts comprising the 2D/2D heterojunction of graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) semiconductors doped with nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), denoted as gCN/MoS2‐M (M: Ni, Co), were fabricated for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under visible light illumination. First, the binary gCN/MoS2 heterojunctions were fabricated by using an in‐situ solvothermal method and then they were doped with Ni or Co via a chemical reduction method. The photocatalytic HER experiments revealed that the prepared gCN/MoS2‐M (M: Ni, Co) photocatalysts showed enhanced HER activities and stabilities compared to pristine gCN and binary gCN/MoS2 heterojunctions. Total H2 productions of 5924 μmol gcat−1 and 5159 μmol gcat−1 in 8 hours were provided by using gCN/MoS2‐Ni and gCN/MoS2‐Co photocatalysts, respectively, under visible light illumination. The detailed structural characterization and examination of optical properties of gCN/MoS2‐M (M: Ni, Co) photocatalysts revealed that their enhanced photocatalytic activities were attributed to the formation of 'type‐I' 2D/2D heterojunction between gCN and MoS2 semiconductors and the creation of S‐deficient MoS2 nanostructures after Ni or Co doping, which promoted the separation of the photogenerated electron‐hole pairs, the charge mobility, and the visible light absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Crank–Nicolson (CN) finite element method is examined with a linear time relaxation term in this study. The linear differential filter κu−u‾ term is added to simplified magnetohydrodynamics (SMHD) equations for numerical regularization and it introduced SMHD linear time relaxation model (SMHDLTRM). The SMHDLTRM model is discretized by CN method in time and the finite element method in space. The stability and convergency of the method are also conducted. The method is unconditionally stable and convergent under the small time step condition. Additionally, this study summarizes the effectiveness of four methods for SMHD and SMHDLTRM. In previous works SMHD is solved with CN and BE methods and SMHDLTRM is solved with BE method. In this study, the CN solutions of the SMHDLTRM are obtained and compared with the other solutions. All computations are conducted by using FreeFem++. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Cell design is a compelling feature to attain lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries with superior performance and carbon‐to‐sulfur (C/S) ratio is a vital design parameter with a critical influence on the battery performance. Herein, the dependence of the Li‐S battery performance on the C/S ratio is examined for various electrolyte‐to‐sulfur (E/S) ratios based on experimentally measured peak discharge capacities and cycling performance aside from the gravimetric and volumetric energy densities projected by the cell‐ and system‐level performance models. C/S ratio has a great influence on the cycling performance and discharge capacity, particularly for cells with a limited amount of electrolyte. The Li‐S cell having a C/S ratio of 2 and an E/S ratio of 13 μL mg−1 has provided the highest initial capacity in addition to the best capacity retention. Model predictions suggest that increasing C/S ratio worsens the battery metrics at the pack level, particularly at low E/S ratios. Assessment of the performance based on the energy density is highly important; the best battery performance at the system level is calculated for the Li‐S battery with the lowest E/S and C/S ratios despite that a lower discharge capacity has been achieved with this cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: A few studies suggested that epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs with sodium channel‐blocking properties were independently associated with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, these findings have not yet been replicated. Methods: Using Danish registries, we conducted a nested case–control study in a cohort of individuals between 1 June 2001 and 31 December 2015. Cases were defined as OHCA from presumed cardiac causes, and were matched with non‐OHCA‐controls based on sex, and age on the date of OHCA. Exposure of interest was epilepsy or antiepileptic drug use. To study the association between individual antiepileptic drug use and the rate of OHCA, we compared each antiepileptic drug with valproic acid. Cox regression with time‐dependent covariates was conducted to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: We identified 35 195 OHCA‐cases and 351 950 matched non‐OHCA controls. Epilepsy (cases: 3.58%, controls: 1.60%) was associated with increased rate of OHCA compared with the general population (HR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.64–1.88) when common OHCA risk factors were taken into account. When we studied antiepileptic drug use, we found that 2 antiepileptic drugs without sodium channel blockage, clonazepam (HR: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.45–2.44) and pregabalin (HR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.05–1.69), were associated with OHCA, whereas none of the antiepileptic drugs with sodium channel blockage were associated with OHCA. Conclusion: Epilepsy is associated with increased rate of OHCA. Our findings do not support a possible association between antiepileptic drugs with sodium channel‐blocking properties and OHCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

l‐Arginine, a nitric oxide (NO) donor; sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor; and tricarbonyldichlororuthenium(II) dimer (CORM‐2), carbon monoxide (CO) donor, are characterized as bioactive gas mediators that have been researched for their roles in human physiology. This study aimed to compare the effects of these mediators on pain, anxiety, and depression. Ninety‐one adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were used for the experiments. Locomotor activity, elevated plus maze, forced swimming, tail clip, hot plate, and writhing tests were used for the assessments after the administration of l‐arginine (30–100 mg/kg), a NO donor; NaHS (5–10 mg/kg), a H2S donor; and CORM‐2 (5–10 mg/kg), CO donor. Intraperitoneal H2S, NO, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No statistical significance was found in the locomotor activity. NO and CO significantly extended latency at high doses in tail clip test. No significant activity was observed at any dose of all three substances on a hot plate. Both doses of CO and high doses of NO and H2S showed an antinociceptive effect in the writhing test. While the opioidergic system plays a role in the spinal antinociceptive effect of l‐arginine, both serotonergic and opioidergic systems play a role in its peripheral antinociceptive effect. The serotonergic system plays a role in the peripheral antinociceptive effect of CORM‐2. The time spent in open arm increased significantly in all groups an elevated plus maze. High doses of all three substances significantly increased the duration of immobility in the forced swimming test. No statistical significance was observed in MDA, GSH, and TNF‐α levels. High doses of NO and CO showed a spinal antinociceptive effect. Both doses of CO and high doses of NO and H2S showed a peripheral antinociceptive effect. All three agents showed anxiolytic and depression‐like effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflicting results have been reported regarding the association between antidepressant use and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) risk. We investigated whether the use of antidepressants is associated with OHCA. Methods: We conducted a nationwide nested case–control study to assess the association of individual antidepressant drugs within drug classes with the hazard of OHCA. Cases were defined as OHCA from presumed cardiac causes. Cox regression with time‐dependent exposure and time‐dependent covariates was conducted to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) overall and in subgroups defined by established cardiac disease and cardiovascular risk factors. Also, we studied antidepressants with and without sodium channel blocking or potassium channel blocking properties separately. Results: During the study period from 2001 to 2015 we observed 10 987 OHCA cases, and found increased OHCA rate for high‐dose citalopram (>20 mg) and high‐dose escitalopram (>10 mg; HR:1.46 [95% CI:1.27–1.69], HR:1.43 [95% CI:1.16–1.75], respectively) among selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (reference drug sertraline), and for high‐dose mirtazapine (>30; HR:1.59 [95% CI:1.18–2.14]) among the serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (reference drug duloxetine). Among tricyclic antidepressants (reference drug amitriptyline), no drug was associated with significantly increased OHCA rate. Increased OHCA rate was found for antidepressants with known potassium channel blocking properties (HR:1.14 [95% CI:1.05–1.23]), but for not those with sodium channel blocking properties. Citalopram, although not statistically significant, and mirtazapine were associated with increased OHCA rate in patients without cardiac disease and cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that careful titration of citalopram, escitalopram and mirtazapine dose may have to be considered due to drug safety issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Victims of incest are usually women and children who are mostly girls. The abuse between siblings may remain hidden because of the family's fear of social stigma, though it may result in pregnancy. This article presents a case of incestuous childhood sexual abuse between siblings resulting in pregnancy without intercourse, an event rarely reported in the literature. An 11‐year‐old girl was brought to the hospital because of a stomachache and was detected pregnancy from examinations. Forensic medicine experts determined that the girl's hymen was still intact and non‐elastic in the genital examination. Gynecology and Obstetrics Department confirmed the pregnant compatibility with 14 weeks, 4 days; after ultrasonographic monitoring. She was abused by her 14‐year‐old brother by rubbing for 1 year and this resulted in pregnancy. During the psychiatric examination, her attitude was negative and symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder emerged. Medical abortion was applied after psychiatric and gynecological examinations. The girl's brother was confirmed as the biological father after the DNA paternity test was conducted on the fetus. Based on this case, this article aimed to examine the medical, social, and legal problems caused by incestuous childhood sexual abuse and contribute to the literature by emphasizing what forensic medicine and preventive medicine approaches should consider in such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a hereditary coproporphyria patient with acute psychiatric symptoms and skin lesions initially misdiagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and later developed hyperactive delirium and atrial fibrillation requiring intensive care unit admission. He recovered after administering glucose infusions and the discontinuation of porphyrinogenic medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have examined the relationship between inventory management and financial performance. However, the focus of such empirical work has primarily been on how a firm's own inventory characteristics affect its performance. Our objective is to extend this body of literature beyond the firm-level. We draw on inventory theory and resource-based theories to hypothesize about the effect of supplier inventory leanness on a focal firm's financial performance and how supplier and focal firm inventory leanness interact to affect such outcomes. We test our hypotheses using a large panel dataset of supplier-focal firm relationships obtained from Compustat's Customer Segment database and aggregated to the focal firm-quarter level, as well as firm financial information from Compustat's Fundamentals Quarterly database. The econometric analyses provide evidence that supplier inventory leanness influences focal firm financial performance indirectly through the interaction with the firm's own inventory leanness. In particular, our estimation results detail how supplier inventory leanness affects the non-linearity of the focal firm's inventory leanness-financial performance relationship and its optimal inventory leanness level. The findings broaden the scope of empirical inventory literature and highlight supplier inventory leanness as an important consideration in firm-level inventory decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miniaturized bioreactors, such as the coiled flow inverter (CFI), offer several benefits within process development such as lower time and cost factors. In this study, we demonstrate continuous flow experiments in a CFI and transferred them to experiments in a batch reactor by using the oxygen transfer coefficient kLa as a key parameter. In order to simplify the parameter transfer and at the same time develop a basis for future data handling according to the FAIR data principles, an equipment and process ontology was developed for these examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus‐indica L.) is a plant belonging to the Cactaceae family. Due to its high sugar content, fruits can be used as raw materials in many products from fresh or jam to alcoholic beverages by end consumers. This study aims to determine some phytochemical and physical properties of prickly pear collected at different harvest time in Turkey. The fruit characteristics evaluated are color, moisture, ash, some pomological properties, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, sugar composition, total antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid, and total ascorbic acid content. August was preferred more than the others in terms of total soluble dry matter, TSS/acidity value and lightness, redness, and color intensity. However, fruits harvested early and late reached higher phytochemical content than August and September. Especially October was considered more remarkable in terms of total antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid, and total ascorbic acid content. Novelty impact statement: Prickly pear fruits harvested in August should be preferred in terms of total soluble dry matter, TSS/acidity value and lightness, redness, and color intensity. October is more preferable harvest time with regard to total antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, flavonoid, and ascorbic acid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Opioid use has substantially increased in the last decade and is associated with overdose mortality, but also with increased mortality from cardiovascular causes. This finding may partly reflect an association between opioids and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Therefore, we aimed to investigate OHCA‐risk of opioids in the community. Methods: We conducted 2 population‐based case–control studies separately in the Netherlands (2009–2018) and Denmark (2001–2015). Cases were individuals who experienced OHCA of presumed cardiac cause. Each case was matched with up to 5 non‐OHCA‐controls according to age, sex and OHCA‐date. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We included 5473 OHCA‐cases matched with 21 866 non‐OHCA‐controls in the Netherlands, and 35 017 OHCA‐cases matched with 175 085 non‐OHCA‐controls in Denmark. We found that use of opioids (the Netherlands: cases: 5.4%, controls: 1.8%; Denmark: cases: 11.9%, controls: 4.4%) was associated with increased OHCA‐risk in both regions (the Netherlands: OR 2.1 [95% CI 1.8–2.5]; Denmark: OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.5–2.1]). The association was observed in both sexes, and in individuals with cardiovascular disease (the Netherlands: OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.5–2.1]; Denmark: OR 1.6 [95% CI 1.5–1.7]) or without (the Netherlands: OR 3.4 [95% CI: 2.4–4.8], Pinteraction <.0001; Denmark: OR 2.3 [95% CI: 2.0–2.5], Pinteraction <.0001). Conclusion: Use of opioids is associated with increased OHCA‐risk in both sexes, independently of concomitant cardiovascular disease. These findings should be considered when evaluating the harms and benefits of treatment with opioids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim was to assess two macronutrient interventions in a 2 × 2 factorial dietary design to determine their effects on oral health. Materials and Methods: Participants (65–75 years old) with a body mass index between 20 and 35 kg/m2 of a larger randomized control trial who consented to an oral health assessment were recruited. They had ad libitum access to one of four experimental diets (omnivorous higher fat or higher carbohydrate, semi‐vegetarian higher fat or higher carbohydrate) for 4 weeks. The periodontal examination included periodontal probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing. Oral plaque and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected before and after the intervention. Results: Between baseline and follow up, the number of sites with a CAL <5 mm (mean difference [MD] −5.11 ± 9.68, p =.039) increased and the GCF amount (MD −23.42 ± 39.42 Periotron Units [PU], p =.050) decreased for the semi‐vegetarian high‐fat diet. For the mean proportion of sites with PPD reduction of >1 mm and CAL gain of >1 mm, significant differences were calculated between the diets investigated. The clinical parameters were not associated with changes in the oral microbiota. Conclusions: The results of this study provided evidence that a semi‐vegetarian high‐fat diet provides benefits to clinical parameters of periodontal health. This study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ACTRN12616001606471). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative fatal disease characterized by a decrease in mental functions. Although there is no definitive treatment for the disease, there are some treatment methods that delay the course of the disease in case of early diagnosis. Therefore, early diagnosis and classification of the disease are important to determine the most appropriate treatment. The most commonly used method for imaging the brain with a high soft‐tissue resolution is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Brain MRI help in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with some specific imaging findings. In this study, we aimed to classify Alzheimer's disease in brain MRI using machine learning architectures. An mRMR‐based hybrid CNN was proposed in the study. First, features of MRI in Darknet53, InceptionV3, and Resnet101 models were extracted. These extracted features were concatenated. Then the obtained features were optimized using the mRMR method. SVM and KNN classifiers were used to classify the optimized features. The accuracy value obtained in the proposed model was 99.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a 1‐D electrochemical model was employed to predict the effect of key design parameters, such as carbon‐to‐sulfur (C/S) ratio, electrolyte‐to‐sulfur (E/S) ratio, and sulfur loading on the discharge capacity and voltage profile of a lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) battery. Herein, a novel definition for the electrochemically active area is proposed based on the weight fraction of carbon and a reference porosity in the cathode. The experimental trends of the discharge behavior of a Li−S cell were captured by the model regarding the change in key design parameters. Results were given in comparison with the predictions of two other models that use different active area definitions, and it was concluded that a sensible representation of the electrochemically active area is critical for modeling the effect of cell design on the discharge performance of a Li−S battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposites of semiconducting two‐dimensional (2D) materials provide advantageous for combating bacterial infections to overcome antibiotic resistance. In this study, the nanocomposites of 2D black phoshorus (BP) and silver nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by anchoring as‐synthesized Ag NPs on few‐layer BP nanosheets via liquid self‐assembly method and used as a NIR‐light‐driven antibacterial agent against Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and Gram‐positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus cereus). The BP/Ag nanocomposites showed excellent photothermal effect and oxidative stress ability to inhibit the initial logarithmic growth phase of E. faecalis and B. cereus. According to the bacterial growth curve, agar plate assay and live/dead viability test, as‐synthesized BP/Ag nanocomposites were found to be more effective antibacterial agent for Gram‐positive bacteria than Gram‐negative bacteria. The presented NIR‐light‐driven BP‐based nanoplatform can open a new avenue for avoiding bacterial resistance and combating pathogenic bacteria and also broad‐spectrum disinfection applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Drugs that prolong the QT interval, either by design (cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs: anti‐arrhythmics) or as off‐target effect (non‐cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs), may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Risk mitigation measures were instituted, in particular, surrounding prescription of cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs. We studied OHCA risk of both drug types in current clinical practice. Methods: Using data from large population‐based OHCA registries in the Netherlands and Denmark, we conducted two independent case–control studies. OHCA cases with presumed cardiac causes were matched on age/sex/index date with up to five non‐OHCA controls. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for the association of cardiac or non‐cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs with OHCA risk using conditional logistic regression analyses. Results: We identified 2503 OHCA cases and 10 543 non‐OHCA controls in the Netherlands, and 35 017 OHCA cases and 175 085 non‐OHCA controls in Denmark. Compared to no use of QT‐prolonging drugs, use of non‐cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs (Netherlands: cases: 3.0%, controls: 1.9%; Denmark: cases: 14.9%, controls: 7.5%) was associated with increased OHCA risk (Netherlands: OR 1.37 [95% CI: 1.03–1.81]; Denmark: OR 1.63 [95% CI: 1.57–1.70]). The association between cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs (Netherlands: cases: 4.0%, controls: 2.5%; Denmark: cases: 2.1%, controls: 0.9%) and OHCA was weaker (Netherlands: OR 1.17 [95% CI: 0.92–1.50]; Denmark: OR 1.21 [95% CI: 1.09–1.33]), although users of cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs had more medication use and comorbidities associated with OHCA risk than users of non‐cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs. Conclusion: In clinical practice, cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs confer lower OHCA risk than non‐cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs, although users of the former have higher a priori risk. This is likely due to risk mitigation measures surrounding prescription of cardiac QT‐prolonging drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of stevia and inulin interactions on fermentation profile of Lactobacillus acidophilus in milk and in vitro systems was investigated. The medium were analysed for pH, cell density (OD600), probiotic bacterial counts, prebiotic activity score (PAS), lactic acid and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) content. In the second stage of the study, the potential prebiotic activity of stevia and its effect on milk fermentation characteristics as sugar substitute were evaluated in symbiotic milk system. Consequently, it was found that stevia improved the survival of L. acidophilus in in vitro and in the milk matrix and could be assigned as a potential prebiotic source and sugar replacer for the manufacture of sugar‐reduced dairy products. These results show that the in vitro‐positive prebiotic activity of stevia is closer to inulin and is related to its fermentation profile and growth parameters with high short‐chain fatty acid production. The counts of probiotic bacteria remained within the biotherapeutic level (>7 log10 cfu/mL) during 28 days of storage in stevia and inulin milk system with high viscosity index and gel characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]