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Background: Learning Health Networks (LHN) have evolved within medicine over the past two decades, but their integration into transplantation has been more recent. Objectives and Methods: In this paper, we describe three LHNs in end‐stage organ disease/transplantation, their common and unique features, and how their "actor‐oriented" architecture allowed for rapid adaptation to meet the needs of their patients and practitioners during the recent COVID‐19 pandemic. Result: The structure and focus of the Improving Renal Outcomes Collaborative (IROC), Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation (SNEPT), and the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) are reviewed. We discuss the critical role of patient and family engagement, focusing on collaboration with Transplant Families. Finally, we review challenges common to the LHN concept and potential common areas of alignment to achieve the goal of more rapid and sustained progress to improve health in pediatric transplantation. Conclusion: LHN in transplantation are essential to accelerate knowledge dissemination and improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in‐plane anisotropic properties of 2D group IV monochalcogenides offer an additional degree of freedom which can be advantageous in optoelectronic applications. Here, it is demonstrated that the third harmonic generation (THG) produced by ultrathin tin (II) sulfide (SnS) is in‐plane anisotropic with respect to the direction of the excitation linear polarization. The polarization‐resolved THG (P‐THG) measurements are described with a nonlinear optics model, which accounts for the orthorhombic crystal structure of the 2D SnS. The relative magnitudes of the χ(3) tensor components are calculated by recording and simultaneously fitting two orthogonal polarization components of the P‐THG signals. Furthermore, the "THG anisotropy ratio" is introduced, which compares the THG intensity produced when the excitation linear polarization is along the armchair crystallographic direction, with the case when it is along the zigzag direction. The experimental findings provide quantitative information on the anisotropic nature of the THG process in various SnS flakes. Nonlinear anisotropic 2D materials can be used in future optoelectronic devices, where anisotropic polarization sensitivity is required. Having an optical tool that quantitatively probes the effect of the in‐plane anisotropy among different 2D materials, could be of considerable importance for evaluating the performance of such materials and devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Chronic hepatitis delta represents a major global health burden. Clinical features of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection vary largely between different regions worldwide. Treatment approaches are dependent on the approval status of distinct drugs and financial resources. Methods: The Hepatitis Delta International Network (HDIN) registry involves researchers from all continents (Wranke, Liver International 2018). We here report long‐term follow‐up data of 648 hepatitis D patients recruited by 14 centres in 11 countries. Liver‐related clinical endpoints were defined as hepatic decompensation (ascites, encephalopathy and variceal bleeding), liver transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma or liver‐related death. Results: Patient data were available from all continents but Africa: 22% from Eastern Mediterranean, 32% from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, 13% from Central and Southern Europe, 14% from South Asia (mainly Pakistan) and 19% from South America (mainly Brazil). The mean follow‐up was 6.4 (.6–28) years. During follow‐up, 195 patients (32%) developed a liver‐related clinical event after 3.5 (±3.3) years. Liver cirrhosis at baseline and a detectable HDV RNA test during follow‐up were associated with a worse clinical outcome in multivariate regression analysis while patients receiving interferon alfa‐based therapies developed clinical endpoints less frequently. Patients from South Asia developed endpoints earlier and had the highest mortality. Conclusions: The HDIN registry confirms the severity of hepatitis D and provides further evidence for HDV viraemia as a main risk factor for disease progression. Hepatitis D seems to take a particularly severe course in patients born in Pakistan. There is an urgent need to extend access to antiviral therapies and to provide appropriate education about HDV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on empirical evidence from a 3‐year research project in Northern Uganda examining the educational experiences of refugees with disabilities. The authors present the compounded and interrelated challenges children with disabilities and their families face as they navigate their educational experiences and seek out opportunities to live well. The authors seek to make a contribution towards improving educational experiences by first highlighting compounding challenges faced by refugee children living with disabilities and their families and related policy gaps that have ramifications for refugee children's access to education in particular, and second by expanding discourse about refugee children with disabilities agency in relation to these liminal gaps and the impact the gaps have for accessing education. The authors use Powell and McGrath's (in Skills for human development: Transforming vocational education and training, Routledge, 2019; Handbook of vocational education and training, Springer, 2019) concept of critical capabilities and relationality, to expand Klocker's (in Global perspectives on rural childhood and youth: Young rural lives, Routledge, 2007) notions of thick and thin agency and to interrogate refugee children living with disabilities' agency in relation to education opportunities and rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is ongoing debate around rate versus rhythm control strategies for managing atrial fibrillation (AF), however, much of the data comes from Western cohorts. Kerala‐AF represents the largest prospective AF cohort study from the Indian subcontinent. Objectives: To compare 12‐month outcomes between rate and rhythm control strategies. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with non‐transient AF were recruited from 53 hospitals across Kerala. Patients were stratified by rate or rhythm control. The primary outcome was a composite of all‐cause mortality, arterial thromboembolism, acute coronary syndrome or hospitalization due to heart failure or arrhythmia at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included bleeding events and individual components of the primary. Predictors of the composite outcome were analysed by logistic regression. Results: A total of 2901 patients (mean age 64.6 years, 51% female) were included (2464 rate control, 437 rhythm control). Rates of the primary composite outcome did not differ between groups (29.7% vs 30.0%; p =.955), nor did any component of the primary. Bleeding outcomes were also similar (1.6% vs 1.9%; p =.848). Independent predictors of the primary composite outcome were older age (aOR 1.01; p =.013), BMI <18 (aOR 1.51; p =.025), permanent AF (aOR 0.78; p =.010), HFpEF (aOR 1.40; p =.023), HFrEF (aOR 1.39; p =.004), chronic kidney disease (aOR 1.36; p <.001), and prior thromboembolism (aOR 1.31; p =.014). Conclusion: In the Kerala‐AF registry, 12‐month outcomes did not differ between rate and rhythm control cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the synthesis of N‐doped nanoporous carbon materials using the Ionic Liquid (IL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide [BMIM][TCM] as a fluidic carbon precursor, employing two carbonization pathways: templated precursor and pyrolysis/activation. Operando monitoring of mass loss during pyrolytic and activation treatments provides insights into chemical processes, including IL decomposition, polycondensation reactions and pore formation. Comparatively low mass reduction rates were observed at all stages. Heat treatments indicated stable pore size and increasing volume/surface area over time. The resulting N‐doped carbon structures were evaluated as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and adsorbents for gases and organic vapors. Materials from the templated precursor pathway exhibited high electrocatalytic performance in ORR, analyzed using Rotating Ring‐Disk electrode (RRDE). Enhanced adsorption of m‐xylene was attributed to wide micropores, while satisfactory CO2 adsorption efficiency was linked to specific morphological features and a relatively high content of N‐sites within the C‐networks. This research contributes valuable insights into the synthesis and applications of N‐doped nanoporous carbon materials, highlighting their potential in electrocatalysis and adsorption processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the impact of the excited electromagnetic surface modes in a comprehensive investigation of the formation of laser‐induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) is analyzed. It is demonstrated that the electromagnetic origin of low spatial‐frequency LIPSS (LSFL) is the frequency detuning between propagating and localized modes due to their coupling/hybridization. The influence of the pattern profile, inhomogeneity, and material type on the coupling strength, electric‐field spatial distribution, and associated near‐field scattering are highlighted. Exploiting the potential of the approach, evidence of a universal manifestation of LSFLs is provided irrespective of the material and the authors are able to predict and validate the experimentally‐proven lower limit of LSFL periodicity (i.e., λL/2, where λL stands for the laser wavelength). Furthermore, the analysis of the electromagnetic modes predicts that the periodicity of LSFL is practically unaffected by the laser fluence, while a suppression of LSFL at high excitation levels or large number of pulses is also predicted. It is also shown that plasmonic‐active materials are not necessary for LSFL formation perpendicular to polarization. Toward these directions, an important generic metric, namely the resonance quality factor, is additionally inserted. The approach can, thus, serve as a guide for controlling laser‐induced surface topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acne vulgaris, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa are enduring inflammatory skin conditions that frequently manifest with akin clinical attributes, posing a considerable challenge for their distinctive diagnosis. While these conditions do exhibit certain resemblances, they also demonstrate distinct underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment modalities. Delving into both the molecular parallels and disparities among these three disorders can yield invaluable insights for refined diagnostics, effective management, and targeted therapeutic interventions. In this report, we present a comparative analysis of transcriptomic data across these three diseases, elucidating differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways specific to each ailment, as well as those shared among them. Specifically, we identified multiple zinc‐binding proteins (SERPINA1, S100A7, S100A8, S100A9 and KRT16) as consistently highly upregulated genes across all three diseases. Our hypothesis suggests that these proteins could bind and sequester zinc, potentially leading to localized zinc deficiency and heightened inflammation. We identified high‐dose dietary zinc as a promising therapeutic approach and confirmed its effectiveness through validation in an acne mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the synthesis of N‐doped nanoporous carbon materials using the Ionic Liquid (IL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide [BMIM][TCM] as a fluidic carbon precursor, employing two carbonization pathways: templated precursor and pyrolysis/activation. Operando monitoring of mass loss during pyrolytic and activation treatments provides insights into chemical processes, including IL decomposition, polycondensation reactions and pore formation. Comparatively low mass reduction rates were observed at all stages. Heat treatments indicated stable pore size and increasing volume/surface area over time. The resulting N‐doped carbon structures were evaluated as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and adsorbents for gases and organic vapors. Materials from the templated precursor pathway exhibited high electrocatalytic performance in ORR, analyzed using Rotating Ring‐Disk electrode (RRDE). Enhanced adsorption of m‐xylene was attributed to wide micropores, while satisfactory CO2 adsorption efficiency was linked to specific morphological features and a relatively high content of N‐sites within the C‐networks. This research contributes valuable insights into the synthesis and applications of N‐doped nanoporous carbon materials, highlighting their potential in electrocatalysis and adsorption processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Systemic to pulmonary venous collaterals (SPVCs) are common findings in patients with Fontan and may be responsible for desaturation in this group of patients. In selected cases, percutaneous closure of SPVCs with coils or vascular plugs could be offered as a safe and effective treatment modality for these patients. A 27‐year‐old female patient who had operated primarily with Glenn operation and she underwent later a lateral tunnel Fontan operation. After 5 years, she presented with desaturation due to significant systemic to pulmonary venous collateral development, and a decision was made to proceed with interventional occlusion. Afterward, the arterial saturations increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infidelity is any behavior that breaks the implied agreement of exclusivity within a romantic relationship and is a leading cause of divorce. Previous literature has established a relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and infidelity perpetration. As experiencing childhood adversity does not guarantee an individual will engage in infidelity, mechanisms explaining this relationship should be explored. We investigated whether avoidant and anxious attachment styles mediate the relationship between ACEs and cheating frequency. A sample of 584 participants aged 18–82 years (M = 35.31, SD = 11.68, 67.0% female) was recruited and completed online versions of the Childhood Experiences Survey—17, the Relationship Structures Questionnaire, and frequency of cheating behavior in their current or most recent relationship. After dichotomizing gender and testing assumptions, data from 553 participants were available for analysis. A parallel mediation provided support for the first hypothesis, and partial support for the second. Specifically, ACEs were positively associated with anxious and avoidant attachment styles, but only avoidant attachment was significantly and positively associated with cheating frequency. As such, only avoidant attachment acted in a manner consistent with a mediator in the relationship between ACEs and infidelity. This result suggests a potential link between childhood adversity and the development of both avoidant and anxious attachment styles, but that individuals with an avoidant attachment style are more likely to engage in infidelity. These findings provide insight into the role attachment styles play in infidelity post‐childhood adversity, and have the potential to guide therapeutic interventions for affected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion Previously, we developed a mathematical model capable of predicting pubertal development (PD) through seven anthropometric variables, with an accuracy of 75%. We believe that it is possible to develop a similar model that uses fewer anthropometric measurements and provides greater precision.Develop a mathematical model capable of predicting PD through anthropometric variables.We evaluated the anthropometric profile and PD by medical analysis in 203 boys (Age = 12.6 ± 2.6). Subsequently, we divided the boys into groups: development (n = 121) and cross‐validation (n = 82). Data from the development group were subjected to discriminant analysis to identify which anthropometric indicators would be potential predictors of PD. We subsequently developed an equation based on the indicated indicators and tested its validation using data from the cross‐validation group.Discriminant analyses showed that age and sitting‐height were the variables with the greatest power to predict PD (p < 0.05). Consequently, the mathematical model was developed: Puberty‐score = −17.357 + (0.603 × Age [years]) + (0.127 × Sitting‐height [cm]). Based on the scores generated, we classified PD into stage‐I (score ≤ −1.815), stage‐II (score = −1.816 to −0.605), stage‐III (score = −0.606 to 0.695), stage‐IV (score = 0.696–3.410), and stage‐V (score > 3.410). No differences were found between PD assessments performed by doctors and assessments using the mathematical model (p > 0.5). The prediction model showed high agreement (R2 = 0.867; CCC = 0.899; ICC = 0.900; Kappa = 0.922; α‐Krippendorff = 0.885; Bland–Altman LoAs = −2.0, 2.0; pure error = 0.0009) with accuracy of 82.8% and precision of 82%. Analyses in the cross‐validation group confirmed the reliability of the prediction model.The developed mathematical model presents high reliability, validity and accuracy and precision above 80% for determining PD in boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have developed a europium‐DPA lanthanide complex for the sensitive detection of uric acid. Since, uric acid plays a major role as a biomarker for kidney related diseases and metabolic diseases. Its detection is of high clinical significance. Our probe exhibits a bright red fluorescence with an emission at 613 nm, which is subsequently quenched by the addition of uric acid in a linear range of 0–16.39 µM with a low LOD of 7.54 µM. The probe shows good selectivity and sensitivity towards the detection of uric acid in the presence of coexisting biomarkers and ions present in body fluid. The clinical significance is evaluated in biological samples such as human serum and urine with satisfactory recovery percentage in the range of 86%–104%, respectively. Moreover, the practical applicability is studied in a paper strip model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrocatalytic recycling of waste nitrate (NO3RR) is a promising decentralized route for green ammonia synthesis. Nonetheless, it suffers from the competing hydrogen evolution reaction and the insufficient proton supply in high pH conditions. Herein, iron oxide nanoparticles anchored on ZnO is introduced as a strategy to enhance the water dissociation ability and proton transfer rate, advancing NH4+ production from alkaline NO3RR. Supported by a set of ex situ and in situ characterization, the findings reveal the reduction of iron oxides, along with improvements in charge transfer properties and proton generation from H2O. Theoretical calculations show that iron oxides reduce the kinetic barrier of the rate‐limiting step (*NO2‐to‐*NO2H) and result in a thermodynamically favorable process to hydrogenation steps, which in turn reduce the overall energy barrier of alkaline NO3RR. Optimal catalytic activity is realized with a Fe loading of 0.5 wt.%, delivering a Faradaic efficiency of ≈83% for ammonium with a NH4+ yield rate of 31 nmol s−1 cm−2 at −0.7 V versus RHE. The results pave the way for the utilization of bi‐metal interaction to tune the reaction pathway for achieving sustainable ammonium synthesis in alkaline, contributing to ongoing efforts to achieve a sustainable nitrogen cycle via N‐based electrochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Particulate matter consisting of fine particles measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5), a component of air pollution, has been linked to adverse health outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the association between ambient PM2.5 exposure and survival in children with cancer in the United States. Methods: Individuals aged birth to 19 years who were diagnosed with cancer between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2019, were selected from the National Cancer Database. The association between the annual PM2.5 level at the patient's zip code of residence at the time of diagnosis and overall survival was evaluated using time‐varying Cox proportional hazards models (crude and adjusted for diagnosis year and age). To address concerns that exposure to air pollution is correlated with other social determinants of health, the authors tested the association between PM2.5 levels and survival among sociodemographic subgroups. Results: Of the 172,550 patients included, 27,456 (15.9%) resided in areas with annual PM2.5 concentrations above the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) annual PM2.5 standard of 12 μg/m3. Residing in these high‐pollution areas was associated with worse overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.012–1.10). Similarly, when PM2.5 was evaluated as a linear measure, each unit increase in PM2.5 exposure was associated with worse survival (aHR, 1.011; CI, 1.005–1.017). Exposure to PM2.5 at levels above the EPA standards was also significantly associated with worse overall survival among sociodemographic subgroups. Conclusions: Exposure to PM2.5 was significantly associated with worse overall survival among children with cancer, even at levels below EPA air quality standards. These results underscore the importance of setting appropriate air quality standards to protect the health of this sensitive population. Plain Language Summary: The authors investigated how living in areas with high air pollution (defined as particulate matter consisting of fine particles measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter; PM2.5) affects the overall survival of children with cancer in the United States.The results indicated that children living in areas with higher PM2.5 levels, and even at levels below prior and current US Environmental Protection Agency standards, had lower survival rates than children living in areas with lower levels of PM2.5.This finding emphasizes the need for stricter air quality standards to better protect children, particularly those with serious health conditions like childhood cancer. Exposure to particulate matter consisting of fine particles less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter was significantly associated with worse overall survival in children with cancer, even at levels below US Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards. These findings highlight the need for stricter air quality regulations to protect vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred ninety years ago, Lamé introduced the celebrated ellipsoidal system, which is an orthogonal curvilinear system that incorporates any anisotropic characteristics of three‐dimensional space. Since then, the theory of ellipsoidal harmonics has been successfully developed, but almost nothing has been achieved for ellipsoidal waves. This is due to the fact that, in order to deal with the ellipsoidal harmonics, Lamé introduced some ingenious arguments that led to a complete spectral theory for the Kernel space of the Laplacian, but no such arguments have been proposed for the Kernel space of the d'Alembert operator. So, one possible approach to develop a method that will give us ellipsoidal wave functions is to try to generalize the Lamé arguments (to the extent that this is possible) to four‐dimensional ellipsoidal harmonics. This procedure will give us the hyperellipsoidal harmonics. Then we can replace the fourth coordinate by ict in order for the four‐dimensional Laplace operator to become the three‐dimensional wave operator of d'Alembert and the four‐dimensional harmonics to become three dimensional waves. The present work is the first stage of this project. It develops the geometry of a four‐dimensional ellipsoidal system and calculates the Laplace operator in this hyperellipsoidal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring electrical activity across multiple planes in 3D cell cultures and organoids is imperative to comprehensively understand their functional connections and behavior. However, traditional planar microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are intended for surface recordings and are inadequate in addressing this aspect. The limitations, such as longer production times and limited adaptability imposed by standard clean‐room techniques, constrain the design possibilities for 3D electrode arrays and potentially hinder effective cell‐electrode coupling. To tackle this challenge, a novel approach is presented that leverages rapid prototyping processes and additive manufacturing in combination with wet etching and electrodeposition to enhance electrode fabrication and performance. The laser‐patterned MEAs on glass, polyimide (PI) foil, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil substrates incorporate high‐aspect ratio (up to 44:1) ink‐jet printed 3D electrode structures with heights up to 1 mm at a pitch of 200 µm, enabling precise recording within cell tissues. The specific shapes of the electrode tips and customizable 3D structures provide great flexibility in electrode placement. The versatility of the 3D MEAs is demonstrated by recording the electrophysiological activity of cortical organoids in situ, paving the way for investigating neural activity under regular or various pathologically altered conditions in vitro in a high throughput manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Nevertheless, stagnation has been seen in incidence rates also in countries with well‐functioning healthcare. On this basis, we investigated associations between control interventions and changes in cervical cancer incidence in Denmark from 2009 to 2022. Data on human papillomavirus (HPV)‐vaccination were retrieved from Staten's Serum Institute; on screening recommendations from Danish Health Authority, on screening performance from Danish Quality Database for Cervical Screening; and on cervical cancer incidence from Nordcan and Danish Cancer Register. We reported coverage with HPV vaccination (1+ dose); coverage with cervical cell samples; number of women with primary HPV tests; proportion of non‐normal cell samples without timely follow‐up; number of conizations; and cervical cancer incidence rates. In 2022, all women aged ≤29 had been offered childhood HPV vaccination with coverage of 80%–90%. By 2020–2022, the cervical cancer incidence rate in women aged 20–29 was 3 per 100,000; at level of disease elimination. In 2017, women aged 70+ were offered a one‐time HPV screening, and by 2020–2022, the old‐age peak in cervical cancer incidence had largely disappeared. From 2009 to 2022, proportion of non‐normal cell samples without timely follow‐up decreased from 20% to 10%, and conventional cytology was largely replaced by SurePath liquid‐based cytology; these factors could explain the steady decrease in cervical cancer incidence rate. Implementation of primary HPV screening in women aged 30–59 in 2021 was reflected in a, probably temporary, increase in the 2022 cervical cancer incidence rate. In conclusion, combined interventions with childhood HPV vaccination; one‐time HPV screening of elderly women; and better management of screening broke previous stagnation in cervical cancer incidence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A synthesis of the five membered iminosugar DAB and a divergent synthesis of the six membered iminosugar 1‐dehydromannojirimycin (DMJ) and the corresponding sugar imino acid are reported. They involve double nucleophilic displacements of a D‐xylose ditriflate by benzyl carbazate and a D‐glucose ditriflate by allyl amine, respectively. They are followed by a similar protocol consisting of hydrolysis and oxidation or reduction of the resulting bicyclic glycosides. This allowed DMJ to be obtained from the cheap sugar D‐glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐rich transition metal chalcogenides are witnessing a revival as candidates for Li‐ion cathode materials, spurred by the boost in their capacities from transcending conventional redox processes based on cationic states and tapping into additional chalcogenide states. A particularly striking case is Li2TiS3‐ySey, which features a d0 metal. While the end members are expectedly inactive, substantial capacities are measured when both Se and S are present. Using X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, it is shown that the electronic structure of Li2TiS3‐ySey is not a simple combination of the end members. The data confirm previous hypotheses that, in Li2TiS2.4Se0.6, this behavior is underpinned by concurrent and reversible redox of only S and Se, and identify key electronic states. Moreover, wavelet transforms of the extended X‐ray absorption fine structure provide direct evidence of the formation of short Se–Se units upon charging. The study uncovers the underpinnings of this intriguing reactivity and highlights the richness of redox chemistry in complex solids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses cases of spurious lymphocyte differential counts caused by the presence of target cells in automated hematology analyzers. The study highlights discrepancies between different analyzers and manual counts, with target cells identified in all cases. The presence of unlysed target cells interfered with the differential analysis, leading to inaccurate results. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding analyzer technology to identify and address spurious results effectively. [Extracted from the article]

The editorial in the Anaesthesia journal discusses the importance of a patient-centric approach to labour analgesia, focusing on the combined spinal-epidural (CSE) technique. The article highlights the benefits and challenges of CSE compared to the dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique, emphasizing patient satisfaction and outcomes. The study by Zang et al. compares the quality of labour analgesia between CSE and DPE, indicating no significant differences in outcomes. The editorial suggests that CSE may offer more efficient pain relief, but further research is needed to determine the best approach for labour analgesia. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT Increasing drought events coupled with dwindling water reserves threaten global food production and security. This issue is exacerbated by the use of crops that overconsume water, undermining yield. We show here that microorganisms naturally associated with plant roots can undermine efficient water use, whereas modified bacteria can enhance it. We demonstrate that microbe‐encoded genes shape drought tolerance, likely by modulating plant hormonal balance. Specifically, we built a minimal holobiont out of Arabidopsis thaliana and either the bacterium Pseudomonas putida UW4 or its isogenic AcdS− mutant, lacking the enzyme ACC deaminase. This enzyme breaks down the precursor of ethylene, a key regulator in plant response to drought. This single mutation profoundly affected plant physiology and shifted the plant from a ‘water‐spender’ (with more growth under well‐watered conditions) to a ‘water‐spender’ phenotype. Under drought, plants associated with wild‐type bacteria consumed soil water faster, leading to a shorter period of growth followed by death. In contrast, plants associated with the AcdS− mutant managed to maintain growth by reducing water consumption via stomatal closure, thus conserving soil water. This allowed plants to survive severe water deficiency. We conclude that plant‐associated bacteria can modulate plant water use strategies, opening possibilities to engineer water‐savvy crop‐production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Interval Time Series are present in everyday life. An example is the opening and closing value of some stock in a market for certain time intervals. The forecasting plays an essential role in many financial organisations. The development of new mathematical tools or improving the existing ones will lead to more accurate forecasting techniques. Interval Arithmetic is a mathematical field that uses intervals by nature and algorithms that use it are involved in the solution of Interval Time Series. Another classical algorithm is VAR models. In this paper, a method that comes from the insurance sector is used to forecast Brent Oil monthly values. The innovation of what we propose is that it converts the Interval Time Series system into a single time series and can propagate the results back to each time series of the system. This way the researcher works with only one time series instead of two (or more). The forecasting algorithm is a choice of the researcher, expediting the development of forecasting (even ARIMA can be applied). We demonstrate our methodology in forecasting the Brent Oil monthly prices by applying the ANFIS algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome transcription and replication of influenza A virus (FluA), catalyzed by viral RNA polymerase (FluAPol), are delicately controlled across the virus life cycle. A switch from transcription to replication occurring at later stage of an infection is critical for progeny virion production and viral non-structural protein NS2 has been implicated in regulating the switch. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms and the structure of NS2 remained elusive for years. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of the FluAPol-NS2 complex at ~3.0 Å resolution. Surprisingly, three domain-swapped NS2 dimers arrange three symmetrical FluPol dimers into a highly ordered barrel-like hexamer. Further structural and functional analyses demonstrate that NS2 binding not only hampers the interaction between FluAPol and the Pol II CTD because of steric conflicts, but also impairs FluAPol transcriptase activity by stalling it in the replicase conformation. Moreover, this is the first visualization of the full-length NS2 structure. Our findings uncover key molecular mechanisms of the FluA transcription-replication switch and have implications for the development of antivirals. Synopsis: The cryo-EM structure of the influenza A virus Pol-NS2 complex shows a highly ordered barrel-like hexamer. This study explains how the NS2-FluAPol interaction inhibits viral transcription and promotes genome replication. The structure of the full-length NS2 as part of the FluPol-NS2 complex is resolved at ~3.0 Å. NS2 forms a pseudo two-fold domain-swapped dimer. The binding of NS2 to FluAPol impairs FluAPol transcriptase activity by hampering FluAPol-Pol II CTD interactions. NS2 stalls FluAPol in the replicase conformation. The cryo-EM structure of the influenza A virus Pol-NS2 complex shows a highly ordered barrel-like hexamer. This study explains how the NS2-FluAPol interaction inhibits viral transcription and promotes genome replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, there was interest in using machine learning methods to predict COVID‐19 infection status based on vocal audio signals, for example, cough recordings. However, early studies had limitations in terms of data collection and of how the performances of the proposed predictive models were assessed. This article describes how these limitations have been overcome in a study carried out by the Turing‐RSS Health Data Laboratory and the UK Health Security Agency. As part of the study, the UK Health Security Agency collected a dataset of acoustic recordings, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status and extensive study participant meta‐data. This allowed us to rigorously assess state‐of‐the‐art machine learning techniques to predict SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status based on vocal audio signals. The lessons learned from this project should inform future studies on statistical evaluation methods to assess the performance of machine learning techniques for public health tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid composite molding (LCM) is a promising option for low‐cost manufacturing of high‐performance composites compared to traditional prepreg‐autoclave methods. Void formation may be the most significant roadblock to such adaptation of LCM. In this article, the hypothesis that higher wettability, that is, lower contact angles of liquid on solids, would lead to lower void content for LCM is tested. First, a theory that calculates the energy required to form a bubble with varying contact angles is formulated by considering interfacial energy differences of a system with and without it. To experimentally prove this hypothesis, six different carbon fiber reinforcement samples were prepared each with a different fiber surface treatment. The wettability from the surface treatments was evaluated with contact angle measurements based on capillary rise between two fiber yarns. Void formation in situ during infusion was evaluated by a series of 1D infusion experiments using the same six surface modifications. Of the six samples, the reinforcements coated with fluorinated alkane and aminosilane showed the highest wettability and lowest void content, confirming that a lower contact angle can reduce the formation of voids during the infusion process. Highlights: Higher wettability was correlated with less bubble (void) formation.Theoretical model and LCM experimental confirmation.Various surface modifications of carbon fibers tested.Potential application: enhancement of properties from LCM manufactured parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallo‐β‐lactamases (MBLs), enzymes of class B, employ zinc ions to degrade β‐lactam antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and cephamycins. Carbapenem‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is linked to the existence of carbapenemase enzymes such as oxacillinase and MBL. The most prevalent resistance mechanisms include imipenemases (IMP), verona integron‐encoded MBL, and New Delhi MBL‐1. The effectiveness of current antibiotics against the MBL enzyme is limited due to the presence of metal ions, underscoring the need for new antimicrobial agents. Recent research has demonstrated that natural compounds can effectively inhibit MBL. This study aims to screen natural phytochemicals against IMP‐2 MBL using in silico virtual screening techniques via AutoDock Vina and molecular dynamic simulations with GROMACS for 200 ns, followed by molecular mechanics/Poisson‒Boltzmann surface area analysis. This procedure identified new lead molecules against A. baumannii that produce IMP. A total of 588 natural compounds were screened against IMP, along with the imipenem substrate and known inhibitors of L‐captopril. The top four compounds, N025‐0038 (NC1), N062‐0008 (NC2), eupalitin, and Rosmorinic acid, demonstrated binding affinities of ‒8.5, ‒8.4, ‒7.5, and ‒7.2 kcal/mol, respectively. The structural stability of these complexes was observed to be maintained throughout the simulation in a dynamic environment, as determined by molecular dynamics trajectory analysis, and all these compounds met the SWISS‐ADME (adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties. NC1 and NC2 compounds are considered potential drug molecules against IMP. However, while these selected compounds showed superior binding energy in computational analysis, further in vitro analysis is required to establish an effective drug regimen against A. baumannii that produces IMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinnamon, an Indigenous species, is extensively used as a folk medicine in India, China, and other parts of the world due to its therapeutic potential inherited via the latent chemical composition. The vital component presented is cinnamaldehyde, along with cinnamic acid and cinnamate, which contributes to being an anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer agent together with the capability to control neurological syndromes like Alzheimer's and even Parkinson's diseases. Given the importance of the anticarcinogenic properties of cinnamon on various cell strains concerning the curable effect, this review focuses on evaluating different extraction methods like steam distillation, Soxhlet extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction, and more, in addition to a summary of new technologies like gas chromatography, HPLC, DART‐MS, and NMR, etc. which paved the way in characterizing the chemical composition of cinnamon. Cinnamaldehyde showed its apoptosis through various mechanistic pathways on an adequate number of cell lines and antineoplastic potential on specific multifaceted cancerous cells, which advocates for continued research and investment in this vital area of drug discovery and suggestions for future scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid receptor‐sensor for anions originating from the merging of positively charged ammonium moieties for electrostatic attraction/stronger binding of azacrowns with directionality of calixpyrrole hydrogen bond donors for selectivity is investigated. As demonstrated this hybrid receptor‐sensor shows a remarkable selectivity for orthophosphate even in the presence of other phosphates and anions found in cellular materials (Kassoc H2PO4−>H2P2O72−>AMP−≫ADP2− or ATP3− over halides, nitrate, or hydrogen sulfate; all Na+ salts in water) but also cellular polyphosphate or phospholipids. This selectivity is harnessed in a real‐time monitoring of cell lysis by lysozyme, which releases orthophosphate and other phosphates and anions from the cells. This sensitive (LOD 0.4 μM) fluorescence‐based microscale method compares favorably with the state‐of‐the‐art techniques but can easily be practiced in a high‐throughput screening (HTS) manner. The anion binding and selectivity in aqueous solutions were investigated by NMR and put in context with phosphate binding of the parent calix[4]pyrrole. The microscopic understanding of anion binding by the hybrid receptor was then obtained from a combination of density functional theory (DFT), classical molecular dynamics (MD) with explicit water solvation, and ab initio MD (AIMD) simulations. Correlating the NMR and fluorescence binding data with studies of solvation of the receptor, phosphate anion, and the resulting complex confirms the binding is largely driven by entropic component (TΔS) associated with receptor and anion desolvation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is the most resorted biomarker for the detection of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The means of rapid quantification of cTnI levels in the blood can substantially minimize the risk of acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. A sensor for the non‐enzymatic evaluation of cardiac troponin‐I has been developed using fluorescent iron nanoclusters via a one‐pot synthesis employing (BSA) as the template and reducing agent, and hydrogen peroxide as the additive. The fluorescence of Iron Nanocluster is quenched with graphene oxide (GO) via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between conjugate iron nanoclusters and graphene oxide. The sensor shows a low detection limit of 0.011 ng/mL. The benefits of utilizing a non‐enzymatic probe for detecting cardiac troponin I is that it avoids the need for enzymes and hence is economical, stable, and less impacted by environmental conditions such as temperature and pH. Non‐enzymatic probes are more useful for clinical use since they are more stable and have a longer shelf life. The developed non‐enzymatic probes are also highly selective and sensitive to the target analyte, making them suitable for the direct detection of cardiac troponin I in actual biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is increasingly being used to support patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, consensus guidance recommended extracorporeal life support for patients with COVID‐19‐related cardiopulmonary disease refractory to optimal conventional therapy, prompting a substantial expansion in the use of this support modality. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was particularly integral to the bridging of COVID‐19 patients to heart or lung transplantation. Limited human and physical resources precluded widespread utilization of mechanical support during the COVID‐19 pandemic, necessitating careful patient selection and optimal management by expert healthcare teams for judicious extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use. This review outlines the evidence supporting the use of extracorporeal life support in COVID‐19, describes the practice and outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for COVID‐19‐related respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock, and proposes lessons learned for the implementation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to transplantation in future public health emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histone lysine demethylase 4 A (KDM4A), a non‐heme Fe(II)/2‐oxoglutarate (2OG) dependent oxygenase that catalyzes the demethylation of tri‐methylated lysine residues at the 9, 27, and 36 positions of histone H3 (H3 K9me3, H3 K27me3, and H3 K36me3). These methylated residues show contrasting transcriptional roles; therefore, understanding KDM4A's catalytic mechanisms with these substrates is essential to explain the factors that control the different sequence‐dependent demethylations. In this study, we use molecular dynamics (MD)‐based combined quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods to investigate determinants of KDM4A catalysis with H3 K9me3, H3 K27me3 and H3 K36me3 substrates. In KDM4A‐H3(5–14)K9me3 and KDM4A‐H3(23–32)K27me3 ferryl complexes, the O−H distance positively correlates with the activation barrier of the rate‐limiting step, however in the KDM4A‐H3(32–41)K36me3, no direct one‐to‐one relationship was found implying that the synergistic effects between the geometric parameters, second sphere interactions and the intrinsic electric field contribute for the effective catalysis for this substrate. The intrinsic electric field along the Fe−O bond changes between the three complexes and shows a positive correlation with the HAT activation barrier, suggesting that modulating electric field can be used for fine engineering KDM catalysis with a specific substrate. The results reveal how KDM4A uses a combination of strategies to enable near equally efficient demethylation of different H3Kme3 residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased frequency and severity of cybersecurity incidents impacting healthcare organizations has prompted the publication of suggested best practices for these organizations, when attempting to respond to incidents in their respective settings. While these best practices provide a wealth of information on how to respond to a cybersecurity incident impacting medical devices, minimal information is provided related to the forensics investigation of the devices themselves. A growing appetite for digital evidence from medical devices, coupled with limited practical guidance from industry best practices prompts an investigation into identifying tools and techniques to assist digital forensic investigators with device disassembly, data acquisition, and preservation of evidence in medical devices. This paper presents the results of a detailed exploratory case study involving the digital forensic investigation of a General Electric MAC 800 electrocardiogram medical device. The contributions of this research are threefold. First, it provides an empirical demonstration of practical techniques for acquiring and examining residual data from the electrocardiogram medical device. Second, the research documents the artifacts that can be recovered from the medical device, which could be used as potential evidence. Third, it provides the foundation for future investigations regarding the tools and processes suitable for examining additional medical devices. This article is categorized under:Digital and Multimedia Science > Cybercrime InvestigationDigital and Multimedia Science > IoT Forensics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The British HIV Association (BHIVA) guidelines were amended during the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic, allowing for less frequent monitoring of routine bloods. We assessed the impact of this on patient outcomes. Methods: Between April 2020 and March 2021, routine blood appointments at our HIV clinic were replaced by virtual consultations in 'stable' people living with HIV (PLWH), defined using standard operating procedure (SOP) criteria. All had an undetectable HIV viral load (VL) (<50 copies/mL). Demographic, HIV clinical information, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) data were collated using the electronic patient record (EPR). Blood results from before (baseline) and after (follow‐up) the omitted appointment were analysed for each parameter. Results: In all, 791/2395 PLWH were scheduled to have blood tests omitted; 381 were excluded for reasons including not fitting the SOP criteria or presenting to clinic early, and 410 were included in analysis. The demographics of the group were consistent with our whole HIV cohort. HIV VL became detectable in 8/410 individuals (1.95%, range 51–730 copies/mL). VL resuppressed in 6/8 after a median of 29 days. VL remained detectable in two individuals, both of whom remain in care. Routine blood monitoring revealed baseline and follow‐up blood parameters that were largely within normal range. Four out of 12 parameters had statistically significant changes but were not considered clinically significant; 59/410 (14.4%) changed ART, most commonly for simplification. Conclusion: For the majority of stable PLWH included in our evaluation, the omission of routine blood monitoring during the pandemic did not have a negative impact on HIV suppression or blood monitoring outcomes. ART switch was uncommon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internationally, there is an increasing trend in using Rapid Response Systems (RRS) to stabilize in‐patient deterioration. Despite a growing evidence base, there remains limited understanding of the processes in place to aid the early recognition and response to deteriorating children in hospitals across Europe. Aim: To describe the processes in place for early recognition and response to in‐patient deterioration in children in European hospitals. Study Design: A cross‐sectional opportunistic multi‐centre European study, of hospitals with paediatric in‐patients, using a descriptive self‐reported, web‐based survey, was conducted between September 2021 and March 2022. The sampling method used chain referral through members of European and national societies, led by country leads. The survey instrument was an adaptation to the survey of Recognition and Response Systems in Australia. The study received ethics approval. Descriptive analysis and Chi‐squared tests were performed to compare results in European regions. Results: A total of 185 questionnaires from 21 European countries were received. The majority of respondents (n = 153, 83%) reported having written policies, protocols, or guidelines, regarding the measurement of physiological observations. Over half (n = 120, 65%) reported that their hospital uses a Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) and 75 (41%) reported having a Rapid Response Team (RRT). Approximately one‐third (38%) reported that their hospital collects specific data about the effectiveness of their RRS, while 100 (54%) reported providing regular training and education to support it. European regional differences existed in PEWS utilization (North = 98%, Centre = 25%, South = 44%, p <.001) and process evaluation (North = 49%, Centre = 6%, South = 36%, p <.001). Conclusions: RRS practices in European hospitals are heterogeneous. Differences in the uptake of PEWS and RRS process evaluation emerged across Europe. Relevance to Clinical Practice: It is important to scope practices for the safe monitoring and management of deteriorating children in hospital across Europe. To reduce variance in practice, a consensus statement endorsed by paediatric and intensive care societies could provide guidance and resources to support PEWS implementation and for the operational governance required for continuous quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of aldosterone has yet to be well appreciated in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Two variables define CKD: an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and a spot urine albumin‐creatinine ratio of >30 mg/g. Both are needed for an accurate diagnosis. The presence of CKD at this level is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular death and a greater risk of CKD progression to kidney failure and subsequent dialysis. This paper presents an overview of aldosterone's importance in CKD and its contribution to the inflammatory processes involved in CKD development. Data on outcomes, both surrogate and hard, related to outcomes on CKD progression will also be discussed in the context of mineralocorticoid blockade. Based on recent epidemiological data as well as data examining markers of diabetic kidney disease progression, it is clear that use of both renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors and aldosterone receptor antagonists have a significant role in altering the natural history of kidney disease progression itself, as well as reducing the risk of cardiovascular events that generally accompany long‐standing kidney disease. This paper will discuss these issues and the management of consequent hyperkalaemia when both steroidal and non‐steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are used in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2023, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV); however, the proportion of US adults screened before implementing this recommendation is unknown. We analysed nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey (2013–2017) on self‐reported HBV testing among noninstitutionalized US adults ≥18 years. We employed Poisson logistic regression to identify factors associated with self‐reported testing, using a conceptual framework that included four overarching factors: sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare access, health‐seeking behaviours and experiences, and access to internet‐based health information. Among 149,628 survey respondents, the self‐reported HBV testing rate was 27.2% (95% CI 26.2–28.7) and increased by 1.7% from 2013 to 2017 (p =.006). In adjusted analysis, health‐seeking behaviours and experiences had the strongest associations of self‐reported testing including a history of hepatitis (AOR 2.68, 95% CI 1.92–3.73), receipt of hepatitis B vaccination (AOR 5.11, 95% CI 4.61–5.68) and prior testing for hepatitis C (AOR 9.14, 95% CI 7.97–10.48) and HIV (AOR 2.69, 95% CI 2.44–2.97). Other factors associated with testing included being male (AOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.26), ages 30–44 years (AOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.17–1.61), 45–60 years (AOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.30–1.80) and ≥60 years (AOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.28–1.84), residence in the Western US region (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.06–1.43), and access to internet‐based health information (AOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18–1.47). Being Hispanic was associated with lower odds of testing (AOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.97). These findings may help guide optimal HBV screening in the universal testing era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Clinical guidelines and quality improvement initiatives have identified reducing the use of end‐of‐life cancer therapies as an opportunity to improve care. We examined the extent to which oncologists differed in prescribing systemic therapies in the last 30 days of life. Methods: Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare data, we identified patients who died of cancer from 2012 to 2017 (N = 17,609), their treating oncologists (N = 960), and the corresponding physician practice (N = 388). We used multilevel models to estimate oncologists' rates of providing cancer therapy for patients in their last 30 days of life, adjusted for patient characteristics and practice variation. Results: Patients' median age at the time of death was 74 years (interquartile range, 69–79); patients had lung (62%), colorectal (17%), breast (13%), and prostate (8%) cancers. We observed substantial variation across oncologists in their adjusted rate of treating patients in the last 30 days of life: oncologists in the 95th percentile exhibited a 45% adjusted rate of treatment, versus 17% among the 5th percentile. A patient treated by an oncologist with a high end‐of‐life prescribing behavior (top quartile), compared to an oncologist with a low prescribing behavior (bottom quartile), had more than four times greater odds of receiving end‐of‐life cancer therapy (OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 4.00–4.89). Conclusions: Oncologists show substantial variation in end‐of‐life prescribing behavior. Future research should examine why some oncologists more often continue systemic therapy at the end of life than others, the consequences of this for patient and care outcomes, and whether interventions shaping oncologist decision‐making can reduce overuse of end‐of‐life cancer therapies. We examined the extent to which oncologists differed in prescribing systemic therapies to their patients in the last 30 days of life. Results showed substantial variation in end‐of‐life prescribing behavior, with oncologists in the 95th percentile exhibiting a 45% adjusted rate of treatment, compared to just 17% among oncologists in the 5th percentile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper applies connectivity measures—membership status, contiguity, inverse distance, and power projection—to investigate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) defense burden sharing at the operational or (defense spending) categorical levels (i.e., personnel, infrastructure, equipment, and operations and maintenance [O&M]) during the post‐Cold War era, 1991–2022. Alternative spatial weights, assigned to allies' operational‐based spillovers, indicate diverse free‐riding responses with the greatest free riding characterizing equipment, followed by O&M and then personnel outlays. Infrastructure spending, which does not permit much substitution among allies, is understandably characterized by the least inter‐ally free riding. After the Wales Summit and Russia's invasion of Crimea in 2014, there are marked changes to NATO free riding at the operational levels, with equipment spending displaying reduced free riding. Generally, there is little evidence of a positive reaction to increased Russian military expenditures; however, there is some enhanced operational spending by NATO allies nearest to Russia after 2014. Also, we estimate simultaneous spatial autoregressive models to gauge inter‐operational spending responses to the four kinds of spillovers, where we find interesting inter‐operational substitutions and complementarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: As aggregation underpins Tau toxicity, aggregation inhibitor peptides may have disease‐modifying potential. They are therefore currently being designed and target either the 306VQIVYK311 aggregation‐promoting hotspot found in all Tau isoforms or the 275VQIINK280 aggregation‐promoting hotspot found in 4R isoforms. However, for any Tau aggregation inhibitor to potentially be clinically relevant for other tauopathies, it should target both hotspots to suppress aggregation of Tau isoforms, be stable, cross the blood‐brain barrier, and rescue aggregation‐dependent Tau phenotypes in vivo. METHODS: We developed a retro‐inverso, stable D‐amino peptide, RI‐AG03 [Ac‐rrrrrrrrGpkyk(ac)iqvGr‐NH2], based on the 306VQIVYK311 hotspots which exhibit these disease‐relevant attributes. RESULTS: Unlike other aggregation inhibitors, RI‐AG03 effectively suppresses aggregation of multiple Tau species containing both hotspots in vitro and in vivo, is non‐toxic, and suppresses aggregation‐dependent neurodegenerative and behavioral phenotypes. DISCUSSION: RI‐AG03 therefore meets many clinically relevant requirements for an anti‐aggregation Tau therapeutic and should be explored further for its disease‐modifying potential for Tauopathies. Highlights: Our manuscript describes the development of a novel peptide inhibitor of Tau aggregation, a retro‐inverso, stable D‐amino peptide called RI‐AG03 that displays many clinically relevant attributes. We show its efficacy in preventing Tau aggregation in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models while being non‐toxic to cells. RI‐AG03 also rescues a biosensor cell line that stably expresses Tau repeat domains with the P301S mutation fused to Cer/Clo and rescues aggregation‐dependent phenotypes in vivo, suppressing neurodegeneration and extending lifespan.Collectively our data describe several properties and attributes of RI‐AG03 that make it a promising disease‐modifying candidate to explore for reducing pathogenic Tau aggregation in Tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease. Given the real interest in reducing Tau aggregation and the potential clinical benefit of using such agents in clinical practice, RI‐AG03 should be investigated further for the treatment of Tauopathies after validation in mammalian models.Tau aggregation inhibitors are the obvious first choice as Tau‐based therapies as much of Tau‐mediated toxicity is aggregation dependent. Indeed, there are many research efforts focusing on this therapeutic strategy with aggregation inhibitors being designed against one of the two aggregation‐promoting hotspots of the Tau protein. To our knowledge, RI‐AG03 is the only peptide aggregation inhibitor that inhibits aggregation of Tau by targeting both aggregation‐promoting hotspot motifs simultaneously. As such, we believe that our study will have a significant impact on drug discovery efforts in this arena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial inclusion universally remains one of the critical means to end poverty in the world, especially Africa, where the level of poverty is high. It has however been argued that financial inclusion equally has the tendency to destabilize the financial system, thwarting the poverty reduction efforts, which necessitates the interrogation of the relationship between the variables. This study therefore investigates how financial stability mediates the financial inclusion and poverty reduction relationship in Africa. Using the panel Autoregressive Distributive Lag model, covering a period of 2004–2020, the study found that financial inclusion is positively related to financial stability in both short and long‐run, with education, Gross National Income per capita (GNI) and domestic credit to private sector, contributing to financial stability, and trade openness negatively related to financial stability in the long‐run. The study further established that financial stability is positively related to household consumption expenditure as such leads to poverty reduction with trade openness, government expenditure, GNI, education, domestic credit to private sector, and institutional quality contributing significantly to poverty reduction. This confirms the mediating role financial stability plays in enhancing the impact of financial inclusion on poverty reduction in Africa and must therefore be given the necessary attention, through proper regulatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of currency volatility on investments in Africa continues to dominate the headlines, especially in the recent period of global crisis and heightened geopolitical tensions. This paper tackles the dynamic relationship between stock returns and exchange rates in nine emerging and frontier African markets. The study departs from the usual VAR and GARCH models and employs a tool that accounts for time–frequency co‐movements and lead/lag relationships between exchange rates and stock returns in Africa. The bivariate wavelet technique applied to daily data from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2022 established a profound negative co‐movement between stock returns and exchange rates, especially in the medium to long‐term frequencies. With exchange rates dominantly playing a leading role, it presents a case for policy consideration toward currency stability. We employed the partial wavelet approach to determine how stock returns and exchange rates related during the peak period of the COVID‐19 pandemic and found negative co‐movements within the short‐term frequency, revealing that investors preferred the short‐term horizon in times of crisis. However, when the covariate (COVID‐19) was controlled or suppressed, we discovered the health pandemic failed to drive both stock returns and exchange rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermal substitutes have been introduced in burn care to improve wound healing outcomes; however, their use remains limited in standard treatments. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the outcomes of dermal substitutes in patients with burns and patients requiring burn scar reconstruction and subsequently contribute to optimising the integration of dermal substitutes into clinical practice and reducing the knowledge gap. A comprehensive search across various databases included human studies from peer‐reviewed journals on dermal substitutes for deep dermal and full‐thickness burns, and scar reconstruction across all ages. Data from comparative trials were extracted, focusing on patient and wound characteristics, treatment specifics, and outcomes related to wound healing and scar quality. Meta‐analysis was performed on trials reporting similar post‐burn measures, with statistical heterogeneity assessed. Outcomes were presented using mean differences or odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 31 comparative trials were included. The overall quality of the studies was considered moderate. The meta‐analysis indicated delayed re‐epithelialization 4–7 days after treatment with a collagen‐elastin matrix compared to split‐thickness skin graft in acute burns (−7.30%, p = 0.02). Significant improvement in subjective scar quality was observed with acellular dermal matrix compared to split‐thickness skin graft in acute burn wounds 6 months post‐operative (−1.95, p <0.01). While acknowledging the initially delayed wound healing, incorporating dermal substitutes into the surgical treatment of burn patients holds promise for enhancing scar quality. However, future research must prioritise outcome measure uniformity, address variations in dermal substitute application, and standardise indications for consistent and effective practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural nature of glucan chains in the amorphous part of granular starch was examined by iodine vapor treatment and lintnerization. Four iodine‐stained amylose‐containing normal starches and their waxy counterparts were examined under a microscope before, during, and after lintnerization. The presence of amylose retarded the lintnerization rate. The degree of retardation correlated with the structural type of the amylopectin component, suggesting that potato amylopectin (type 4 structure) interacts with amylose in the granules, whereas in barley granules (type 1 structure) the interaction is very weak. The inclusion complexes with iodine were not degraded by the acid treatment. Therefore, the iodine‐glucan chain complex formation could be used to study the structural nature of the flexible, amorphous parts of the starch granules. Indeed, at the end of lintnerization, when 20%–30% of the granules remained, substantial amounts of blue‐stained complexes were washed out from the granules especially from amylose‐containing barley and maize starch, but also from both normal and waxy cassava and potato starch. The complexation with iodine did not affect the rate of lintnerization. This suggested that single helical structures were present during lintnerization also in the absence of iodine and this conformation was the reason for the acid resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]