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Objective To establish a depression prediction model for adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and validate the model. Methods Patients' data were collected from the gynecological clinic of Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University according to the item pool of risk factors for depression in adolescents with PCOS. Data collected between October 2021 and September 2022. In this study, R software (version 4.2.1) was used to perform regression analysis by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), so as to screen out strong risk factors related to depression in adolescents with PCOS. These risk factors were then incorporated into logistic regression to develop a depression warning model in adolescents with PCOS. The model has been visualized by nomogram and has been verified both internally and externally. The predicted effect of the model was evaluated through discrimination, specificity and sensitivity. Decision curve analysis was used to analyze the clinical effect of the model. Results The model was as follows: depression risk = 1/(1 + exp-(-4. 055 + 0.221 x sleep + 0.729 x hormonal contraceptive use + 0.920 x hirsutism + 0.079 x illness perception -0.058 x social support + 1.049 x (luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone) ≥2)). The area under the ROC curve for this model was 0.881. The optimal cut-off value on the ROC curve was 0.278, corresponding to a high specificity and sensitivity of 76.2% and 88.0%, respectively. The corrected area under the ROC curve obtained was 0.867. In addition, the result of decision curve analysis showed that the model could provide effective evidence support for clinical decision-making. The area under the ROC curve obtained from external validation was 0.871. Conclusion In this study, an early warning model of depression risk in adolescents with PCOS was constructed. It can effectively identify people at high risk of depression in adolescents with PCOS at an early stage, thus providing a theoretical basis for the implementation of comprehensive and effective risk prevention measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic pain is often a debilitating condition that affects individuals physically and mentally. Reliance on pharmacotherapy for pain management comes with risks of analgesic misuse and dependence. Hence, non-pharmacologic treatment plays a crucial role in pain management. Virtual reality is a novel method in chronic pain management. However, there is little understanding about healthcare providers' perspectives on the use of virtual reality technology in managing chronic pain. This study aims to explore the current management challenges faced by chronic pain healthcare providers and their perspectives on using virtual reality as adjunctive therapy in managing chronic pain. Method: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted among all chronic pain healthcare providers in a tertiary hospital. The interviews were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Eight chronic pain healthcare providers participated in this study. Financial issues were cited as one of the biggest barriers to utilisation of non-pharmacological treatment. Participants highlighted the importance of psychosocial support from family and healthcare providers. Challenges identified included absence of patient engagement and lack of awareness about pain management among healthcare providers as well as the lack of an integrated multidisciplinary approach in our healthcare system. Participants were receptive towards the use of virtual reality in chronic pain management and offered ample opinions and suggestions for its application in chronic pain management. Conclusions: A multilevel, multifaceted approach is needed to improve chronic pain management. Virtual reality technology could be considered as an adjunct therapy to address some of the challenges and limitations identified in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While cancel culture has become a social media buzzword, scholarly understanding of this phenomenon is still at its nascent stage. To contribute to a more nuanced understanding of cancel culture, this study uses a sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach by starting with in-depth interviews with social media users (n = 20) followed by a national online survey (n = 786) in Singapore. Through the interviews, we found that our participants understand cancel culture as more than just a mob engaged in public shaming on social media; it also involves perceptions of power imbalance and social justice. Building on these perspectives from our interviews, we tested the framework of theory of planned behavior in predicting intention to engage in cancel culture and expanded it by examining the effects of people's belief in a just world using an online national survey in Singapore. The analysis showed that attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were positively related to intention to engage in cancel culture, while general belief in a just world was a negative predictor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3), an important renal uptake transporter, is associated with drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Screening and identifying potent OAT3 inhibitors with little toxicity in natural products, especially flavonoids, in reducing OAT3-mediated AKI is of great value. The five strongest OAT3 inhibitors from the 97 flavonoids markedly decreased aristolochic acid I-induced cytotoxicity and alleviated methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity. The pharmacophore model clarified hydrogen bond acceptors and hydrophobic groups are the critical pharmacophores. These findings would provide valuable information in predicting the potential risks of flavonoid-containing food/herb-drug interactions and optimizing flavonoid structure to alleviate OAT3-related AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing evidence has showed that inflammatory biomarkers, including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and fibrinogen can be used as predictors in the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of this study was to explore prognostic value of these biomarkers and evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of combined score based on plasma fibrinogen and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (F-PLR score). Methods: A total of 506 patients with ESCC were enrolled in this study. Harrell’s concordance index (c-index) was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of these markers and evaluate their prognostic significance. The relationship between factors with survival rates (including overall survival [OS] and disease-free survival [DFS]) was explored by Kaplan-Meier curve, univariate analysis and multivariate cox hazard analysis. Results: Our result indicated that high F-PLR score was significantly associated with longer tumor length and deeper depth of tumor invasion (p < 0.01). The result of Cox multivariable analysis showed that F-PLR score was an independent prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.002) and DFS (p = 0.003). In addition, F-PLR score presented the greater c-index values for OS and DFS compared with NLR, PLR and fibrinogen level. Our result also showed that the c-index values for OS and DFS were both greater in TNM + F-PLR than those in TNM stage alone. Conclusions: In conclusion, F-PLR score is a predictive biomarker for prognosis in patients with ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a bid to produce rice flour noodles with improved texture and reduced cooking time, rice flour-soy protein isolate noodles (RNS) were structurally enhanced by a combined treatment (COM) of microbial transglutaminase (MTG) with glucono-δ-lactone (GDL). The RNS-COM was either dried using superheated steam (SHS) to yield RNS-COM-SHS or steamed for 10 min (S10) before air drying to produce RNS-COM-S10 noodles. Control samples were SHS-dried rice flour (RN-SHS) and air-dried RN-S10 noodles. In general, textural and microstructural properties indicated higher textural properties and a more robust network in RNS-COM-SHS and RNS-COM-S10 than in other noodles. However, optimum cooking time (P < 0.5) was in the order; RN-SHS, RNS-COM-SHS < RN-S10 < RNS-COM-S10. As a result of the COM treatment, structurally enhanced noodles were more resistant to cooking. As applied in RNS-COM-SHS noodles, SHS was able to improve cooking quality, probably through the formation of bigger and evenly spread pores that had promoted faster gelatinisation of starch, with a high order of relative starch crystallinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly altered the treatment landscape for cancer in the last decade. However, their benefits are often offset by therapy-limiting immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is the most common renal irAE, but the exact mechanisms underlying its development are poorly understood. ICI-induced immune activation against drug-derived antigens, leading to an inflammatory response within the kidney interstitium, has been postulated, evidenced by current observations of a higher incidence of ICI-associated AIN in patients receiving AIN-inducing drugs such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The role of PPIs in this specific context has garnered significant attention, given their ubiquitous use and sometimes misuse. In this issue of CKJ Miao et al. summarise and synthesize the best available evidence to clarify the interactions of PPIs with ICIs in the development of AIN and other adverse kidney outcomes. The sum of evidence provided appear to implicate PPIs in the development of clinically significant short- and long-term kidney-related adverse effects in patients on immune checkpoint blockade, although causality cannot be proven. In this editorial we discuss the key practical implications of these findings and emphasize the need for further quality studies to delineate the true relationship of ICIs and PPIs in the development of AIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For II |$_1$| factors, we show that property (T) is equivalent to having weak spectral gap in any inclusion into a larger tracial von Neumann algebra. We also show that not having non-zero almost central vectors in weakly mixing bimodules characterizes property (T) for II |$_1$| factors, which allows us to obtain a stronger characterization of property (T) where only weak spectral gap in any irreducible inclusion is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identifying patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is often performed in epidemiological studies using electronic health records (EHR), but currently available algorithms have features that limit their generalizability. Methods: We developed a rule-based algorithm to determine DM status using the nationally aggregated EHR database. The algorithm was validated on two chart-reviewed samples (n = 2813) of (a) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF, n = 1194) and (b) randomly sampled hospitalized patients (n = 1619). Results: DM diagnosis codes alone resulted in a sensitivity of 77.0% and 83.4% in the AF and random hospitalized samples, respectively. The proposed algorithm combines blood glucose values and DM medication usage with diagnostic codes and exhibits sensitivities between 96.9% and 98.0%, while positive predictive values (PPV) ranged between 61.1% and 75.6%. Performances were comparable across sexes, but a lower specificity was observed in younger patients (below 65 versus 65 and above) in both validation samples (75.8% vs. 90.8% and 60.6% vs. 88.8%). The algorithm was robust for missing laboratory data but not for missing medication data. Conclusions: In this nationwide EHR database analysis, an algorithm for identifying patients with DM has been developed and validated. The algorithm supports quantitative bias analyses in future studies involving EHR-based DM studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ubiquity of solid–liquid interfaces in nature and the significant role of their atomic-scale structure in determining interfacial properties have led to intensive research. Particularly in electrocatalysis, however, a molecular-level picture that clearly describes the dynamic interfacial structures and organizations with their correlation to preferred reaction pathways in electrochemical reactions remains poorly understood. In this review, CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) is spatially and temporally understood as a result of intricate interactions at the interface, in which the interfacial features are highly relevant. We start with the discussion of current understandings and model development associated with the charged electrochemical interface as well as its dynamic landscape. We further highlight the interactive dynamics from the interfacial field, catalyst surface charges and various gradients in electrolyte and interfacial water structures at interfaces under CO2RR working conditions, with emphasis on the interfacial-structure dependence of catalytic reactivity/selectivity. Significantly, a probing energy-dependent "in situ characterization map" for dynamic interfaces based on various complementary in situ/operando techniques is proposed, aiming to present a comprehensive picture of interfacial electrocatalysis and to provide a more unified research framework. Moreover, recent milestones in both experimental and theoretical aspects to establish the correct profile of electrochemical interfaces are stressed. Finally, we present key scientific challenges with related perspectives toward future opportunities for this exciting frontier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Validation of [18F]FDG PET/CT at ultralow-dose (0.37 MBq/kg) and compared to imaging at half-dose (1.85 MBq/kg). Methods: This prospective head-to-head intraindividual study compared dynamic and static parameters of ultralow-dose with half-dose [18F]FDG total-body PET/CT. In static imaging, the ultralow-dose groups of PET images were denoted ULD5, 60–65 min; ULD8, 60–68 min; ULD10, 60–70 min; and ULD15, 60–75 min. The half-dose group images were reconstructed to 60–61, 60–62, 60–63, and 60–75 min, defined as LD1, LD2, LD3, and LD15, respectively. A 5-point Likert scale was used to subjectively evaluate the quality of static PET images, with a score greater than 3 considered to meet the requirements for clinical diagnosis. Results: Thirty participants were included in this study, and in terms of kinetic indicators, no special differences were found between the two groups of normal organs and lesions. In static images, those in groups ULD8 and LD2 achieved scores of ≥ 3.0, meeting the requirements for clinical diagnosis. In static imaging, four lesions were missed in the LD1 group with a lesion detectability of 89.7% (35/39). In the meantime, lesions were not missed in the whole ultra-low dose group (ULD5, ULD8, ULD10, and ULD15) and half-dose groups (LD2 and LD3). Conclusions: Compared with half-dose imaging, ultralow-dose [18F]FDG total-body PET/CT imaging is clinically feasible, and there was no meaningful difference between the two groups of quantitative and qualitative analysis either dynamic or static images. Total-body PET/CT with ultralow-dose activity, the corresponding acquisition time of 8 min provides acceptable image quality and lesion detection. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: ChiCTR2000036487 Key Points: • A prospective single-center study showed that the total-body PET scanner allows ultralow-dose [18F]FDG imaging with acceptable image quality and lesion detectability. • For the participant, radiation exposure can be reduced with ultralow-dose [18F]FDG total-body PET/CT imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leading shock in a steady shock train takes one of two forms: oblique or normal. However, the phenomenon and mechanism of the normal-to-oblique transition of the leading shock in a forced shock train have not been widely reported. In this study, leading normal and oblique shocks are experimentally observed at the same position and similar velocities in a forced oscillation shock train with an incoming Mach number of 1.83. The normal-to-oblique transition is found to be closely related to the self-excited oscillation of the shock train. In addition, we find that the direct use of free-interaction theory cannot accurately predict the leading shock angle in a moving shock train. Thus, free-interaction theory requires appropriate correction for this scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to classify and standardize graphene-related materials giving the growing use of this materials industrially. One of the most used and more difficult to classify is graphene oxide (GO). Inconsistent definitions of GO, closely relating it to graphene, are found in the literature and industrial brochures. Hence, although they have very different physicochemical properties and industrial applications, commonly used classifications of graphene and GO definitions are not substantial. Consequently, the lack of regulation and standardization create trust issues among sellers and buyers that impede industrial development and progress. With that in mind, this study offers a critical assessment of 34 commercially available GOs, characterized using a systematic and reliable protocol for accessing their quality. We establish correlations between GO physicochemical properties and its applications leading to rationale for its classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon spheres (NHPCS) with ultrahigh nitrogen content of 25.57 at% and high specific surface area (SSA) of 303.4 m2 g−1 are explored as a competitive sulfur host for high-performance lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. The fabrication strategy, spray drying followed by annealing treatment, is simple and economical. Applied as sulfur host, high-content nitrogen doping endows NHPCS with efficient immobilization for lithium polysulfides(LiPSs), which significantly relieves the shuttle effect. Additionally, porous structure with high SSA and large pore volume provides enough space for accommodating sulfur and buffering volume expansion on the one hand and boosts the exposure of LiPSs anchoring sites on the other hand. Finally, NHPCS/S cathode delivers an impressive specific capacity of 1588.6 mAh g−1 at C-rate of 0.2 C, corresponding to ultrahigh sulfur utilization of 94.6%. And at 0.5 C, NHPCS/S cathode still reveals highly initial capacity of 1244.2 mAh g−1 and maintains high capacity of 605.7 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles. This work proposes a facile and low-lost strategy to achieve ultrahigh nitrogen content in nitrogen-doped carbon and provides a promising sulfur host to achieve high-performance Li–S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some cyanobacteria species have a high capacity for accumulating phycobiliprotein contents in their cells. However, there is a lack of information on screening tropical freshwater cyanobacteria, particularly phycobiliproteins. In addition, it is unclear which characteristics of cyanobacteria (morphological and/or growth) could affect phycobiliprotein contents. This study aimed to screen and characterise Malaysian indigenous freshwater cyanobacteria for the growth, biomass, and pigment contents and determine the major characteristic that contributed to the variation of phycobiliproteins. The surface/volume (S/V) ratio, specific growth rate, biomass productivity, and pigment contents of the isolated cyanobacteria were analysed. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to distinguish the factor responsible for phycobiliprotein variations in cyanobacteria. For the phycobiliprotein contents, Arthrospira sp., Pseudanabaena sp., and Synechococcus elongatus showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) amounts of cyanobacterial phycocyanin (C-PC), phycoerythrin (C-PE), and allophycocyanin (C-APC), respectively, than other studied cyanobacteria. This study showed no apparent trend of similarity and difference between the unicellular and filamentous cyanobacteria. In addition, carotenoid contents demonstrated a positive correlation with total phycobiliproteins, C-PC and C-APC. Based on the current findings, Arthrospira sp., Pseudanabaena sp. and Synechococcus elongatus might be the promising candidate to be the C-PC, C-PE and C-APC sources, respectively, for commercial production purposes. The selection of optimal cyanobacterial strain is crucial for efficient phycobiliprotein production. This study underlined the potential of freshwater cyanobacteria in producing respective and total phycobiliproteins. Future studies such as the optimization process should be adopted to improve the phycobiliprotein production of these cyanobacteria significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource partitioning may facilitate the coexistence of sympatric species with similar ecological requirements. Here, we study a colony of unusual echolocating birds called swiftlets, which nest underground on an island off the coast of Singapore. The colony comprises two congeneric swiftlet species, black‐nest swiftlets (Aerodramus maximus) and edible‐nest swiftlets (A. fuciphagus), nesting at high densities and in close proximity. Bioacoustic recordings and monitoring of nesting biology at the site across multiple seasons revealed significant differences in echolocation calls as well as survival rates between the species, with the larger black‐nest swiftlet nesting at locations with the highest fledging rates. We also observe an additional off‐season breeding peak by the smaller species, the edible‐nest swiftlet. Unexpectedly, off‐season egg‐hatching rates were significantly higher compared with the rates during the shared breeding season (mean difference = 14%). Our study on the breeding biology of these echolocating cave‐dwelling birds provides an example of spatial and temporal strategies that animals employ to partition resources within a confined habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated by means of Sniffin' Sticks (SS) test and validated QoL questionnaires the effects of persistent COVID-19-related OD on QoL in patients with a history of OD longer than 1 year. Keywords: olfaction; olfactory disorders; olfactory test; quality of life; SNOT-22 EN olfaction olfactory disorders olfactory test quality of life SNOT-22 160 164 5 01/27/23 20230201 NES 230201 INTRODUCTION Olfactory dysfunction (OD) impacts patients' lives, and the causes for this are multiple.[1] It results in decreased flavor perception, and the inability to recognize spoiled food, hazardous odors, or volatile chemicals poses a health and safety risk. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients with a history of mild to moderate COVID-19 referred to our long-COVID smell clinic between December 2020 and April 2022 for persistent COVID-19-related OD. [Extracted from the article]

Post stroke aphasia is a communication disorder that occurs after stroke which affects their daily life. With the aging of the population, an increasing number of stroke sequelae patients have brought a heavy burden to their families and society. For the treatment of post stroke aphasia, western medicine mostly uses a combination of western medicine treatment with speech rehabilitation training which are not particularly satisfying. Meanwhile acupuncture plays an important role in treating this disease due to its own unique effectiveness. The objective of this study is to review the effectiveness of the different types of acupuncture methods on treating post stroke aphasia. All the data are collected from online databases based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data collection is tabulated using the Microsoft Excel and results are discussed. There are 40 selected journals that are eligible for inclusion criteria. Based on the results, the highest clinical efficacy in tongue acupuncture is needling the tongue tip without retending the needle method whereas in scalp acupuncture, the highest clinical efficacy is language I, II, III area method, while in body acupuncture, the highest clinical efficacy is Bai Hui, Feng Chi, Jin Jin, Yu Ye, Lian Quan, He Gu, Ren Zhong, Nei Guan, Ji Quan and San Yin Jiao method. Overall, the combined acupuncture method has the highest frequency and effectiveness rate among the four different types of acupuncture methods in treating post stroke aphasia. In conclusion by reviewing all the recent experimental articles, acupuncture showed higher effectiveness in treating post stroke aphasia compared to conventional therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC beta-lactamases (AmpCs)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been increasingly reported and imposing significant threat to public. Livestock production industry might be the important source for clinically important ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. This study aims to investigate the resistance profile, phenotypic ESBL production, beta-lactamase genes, virulence factors, and plasmid replicon types among 59 Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from poultry faecal samples in Malaysia's commercial poultry farm. There were 38.7% and 32.3% of Escherichia coli resistant to cefotaxime and cefoxitin, respectively, while Klebsiella spp. demonstrated resistance rate of 52.6% to both mentioned antimicrobials. Majority of the E. coli isolates carried bla TEM and bla CMY-2 group. bla SHV was the most prevalent gene detected in Klebsiella spp. followed by bla DHA and bla TEM. Resistance to extended spectrum cephalosporin in our isolates was primarily mediated by plasmid mediated AmpC beta-lactamase such as CMY-2 group and DHA enzyme. The CTX-M genes were found in two ESBL-producing E. coli. IncF, IncI1, and IncN plasmids were most frequently detected in E. coli and Klebsiella spp. The virulence factor, including EAST1 and pAA were identified at low frequency. This study highlights the poultry as a reservoir of resistance and virulence determinants and prevalence of plasmids in Enterobacteriaceae might drive their dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurological involvement associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection has been reported from different regions of the world. However, data from South East Asia are scarce. We described the neurological manifestations and their associated factors among the hospitalized COVID‐19 patients from an academic tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Methods: A cross‐sectional observational study of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients was conducted. The neurological manifestations were divided into the self‐reported central nervous system (CNS) symptoms, stroke associated symptoms, symptoms of encephalitis or encephalopathy and specific neurological complications. Multiple logistic regression was performed using demographic and clinical variables to determine the factors associated with outcome. Results: Of 156 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with mean age of 55.88 ± 6.11 (SD) years, 23.7% developed neurological complications, which included stroke, encephalitis and encephalopathy. Patients with neurological complications were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (p = 0.033), symptoms of stroke [limb weakness (p < 0.001), slurred speech (p < 0.001)]; and encephalitis or encephalopathy [confusion (p < 0.001), forgetfulness (p = 0.006) and seizure (p = 0.019)]. Unvaccinated patients had a 4.25‐fold increased risk of having neurological complications (adjusted OR = 4.25; 95% CI: 1.02, 17.71, p = 0.047). Anosmia and dysgeusia were less associated with neurological complications (adjusted OR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.96, p = 0.044). The odds of neurological complications were increased by 18% in patients with leukocytosis (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.003, p = 0.0460). Conclusions: Stroke, encephalitis and encephalopathy were the common neurological complications from our study. Diabetes mellitus, presence of symptoms of stroke, symptoms of encephalitis or encephalopathy, leukocytosis, and being unvaccinated against COVID‐19 were the associated risk factors of developing neurological complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black and white Americans tend to have different names today. This divide was long in the making. I show that the racial divergence in naming patterns was a gradual and continuous process spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I then exploit the migration of households from the South to determine if place matters for name choices. Children born after their households moved receive names that are less black or more white than their older siblings, a difference that widens with time spent outside the South. This may reflect the cultural assimilation of households rather than a response to economic incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizing pneumonia (OP) promptly responds to corticosteroids. However, a minority of patients demonstrate corticosteroid resistance or relapse on corticosteroid tapering. We describe post COVID‐19 OP patients with clinically inadequate response to corticosteroids but that improved after the addition of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF). Case 1: A gentleman was diagnosed with post COVID‐19 OP but had suboptimal clinico‐physiologic‐radiologic response and steroid toxicity during outpatient reviews. MMF was initiated resulting in marked clinical response and quick weaning from corticosteroids. Case 2: A gentleman with post COVID‐19 OP relapsed during tapering of steroids. Clarithromycin and MMF were added to his regimen, which improved his clinico‐physiologic parameters and allowed corticosteroid tapering. Unfortunately, he developed MMF‐related colitis needing therapy cessation. Currently, no studies have reported on MMF utilization in difficult post COVID‐19 OP patients. Nevertheless, we believe, similar as in non‐COVID OPs, MMF or other immunomodulators, potentially have a role in treating difficult or steroid‐resistant OPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sodium chloride (NaCl) has a significant role in food's texture, shelf life, and flavour. The increasing consumption of foods with high amounts of NaCl leads to life‐threatening pathologies. Salt reduction was a cost‐effective strategy. Recent publications on sodium reductions were on fish products, seafoods, meat products, and Asian foods. However, there are no previous reviews on the application effects of salt substitutes (SS) on staple foods. This review article aimed to analyse current application of SS in food products, recent advancements to increase SS intake via food formulation, findings from published literature on various food products, and latest innovations to aid NaCl reduction approach. Approaches that are taken including NaCl reduction based on sensory acceptability of foods, replacing NaCl with low‐sodium blends, and usage of flavour enhancers. The usage of cross‐linking agents, hydrocolloids, and NaCl coating are innovations that reduce NaCl and maintain qualities of food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key point that Cones makes concerns inclusivity: the liturgy must be designed with the worshiping people with all their differences in mind, rather than only the majority. This means that some of his conclusions make sense only within those contexts as the rituals and liturgies he discusses are quite specific to these - for example, the idea of the liturgical presider playing the role of Christ in the liturgy is not one that is common across all liturgies. Cones points out that the gathered assembly as a symbol of the liturgy is a widely accepted point among liturgical theologians, although one that has been largely ignored as a theological source of inquiry. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the thermal inactivation kinetics of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in starfruit juice. It followed the Malaysia Food Regulations 1985 and CODEX STAN 247‐2005. Glucose, fructose and sucrose were the main sugars in starfruit juice. The total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and total phenolics content of the starfruit juice produced were 8.13 ± 0.25 °Brix, 3.80 ± 0.05, 0.43% ± 0.02% malic acid, and 93.67 ± 4.96 mg GAEL−1, respectively. Thermal inactivation kinetics of PPO and POD followed the first‐order kinetic model. The decimal reduction time at 83.6 °C (D83.6) of PPO and POD was 198.48 and 98.4 s, respectively, while the thermal resistance constant (z value) of PPO and POD was 12.8 and 5.4 °C, respectively. In conclusion, PPO might be a suitable signal for thermal processing on starfruit juice since it has higher heat resistance than POD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Discharge summaries contain valuable information about adverse drug reactions, but their unstructured nature makes them challenging to analyse and use as a signal source for pharmacovigilance. Machine learning has shown promise in identifying discharge summaries that contain related drug-adverse event pairs but has fared relatively poorer in entity extraction.Methods: A hybrid model is developed combining rule-based and machine learning algorithms using discharge summaries with the aim of maximising capture of related drug-adverse event pairs. The rule first identifies segments containing adverse event entities within a 100-character distance from a drug term; machine learning subsequently estimates the relatedness of the drug and adverse event entities contained. The approach is validated on four independent datasets that are temporally and geographically separated from model development data. The impact of restricted drug-adverse event pair detection on recall is evaluated by using two of the four validation datasets that do not impose rule-based restrictions to annotations.Results: The hybrid model achieves a recall of 0.80 (fivefold cross validation), 0.80 (temporal) and 0.76 (geographical) on validation using datasets containing only pre-identified target text segments that fulfil the rule-based algorithm criteria. When tested on datasets that additionally contained drug-adverse event pairs not restricted by the rule-based criteria, recall of the model declines to 0.68 and 0.62 on temporally and geographically separated datasets, respectively.Conclusions: The proposed hybrid model demonstrates reasonable generalisability on external validation. Rule-based restriction of the detection space results in an approximately 12-14% reduction in recall but improves identification of the related drug and adverse event terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 86.2% of tea production in Asia, teas consumed in other parts of the world are usually imported. The intricacies of the supply chain make tea vulnerable to fraudulent activities, highlighting the importance of ensuring authenticity and detecting fraud committed in teas. Conventionally, tea authentication is done by sensory evaluation. Moreover, the standardised chemical analysis techniques used for the evaluation of tea quality and authenticity are laborious. Thus, metabolomics, particularly the non-targeted metabolic fingerprinting approach, has been increasingly applied for high throughput authentication of tea. A brief overview of the metabolomics approach is provided. Then, this review delves into recent applications (i.e., from 2017 to 2023) of metabolomics to detect fraud committed in the form of mislabelling, substitution adulteration, and artificial enhancement. It concludes with future directions that could be undertaken. Targeted and non-targeted metabolomics were found to be largely successful in authenticating tea and detecting fraud. There is a growing interest in the use of non-targeted fingerprinting approach using rapid, non-destructive, and easy-to-use analytical platforms (e.g., vibrational spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging). These techniques provide the possibility for high-throughput, large-scale, and point-of-site screening of teas. Nonetheless, more work on building a reliable database of chemical fingerprints/profiles for future authentication efforts and developing a tier-based approach for a confident confirmation of fraudulent activity perpetrated in tea is needed. • Tea is one of the food categories with high rates of fraud. • Metabolomics can complement conventional methods for tea authentication. • Metabolomics using rapid tools are useful for high-throughput screening of teas. • Metabolomics approaches to tackle various categories of tea fraud were detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their proliferation, limited knowledge exists regarding possible benefits of brief mindfulness ecological momentary interventions (MEMIs) for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Propositions that MEMIs could alleviate SAD symptoms and related clinical outcomes remain untested. This trial evaluated a 14-day MEMI for SAD. Participants with self-reported SAD were randomized to MEMI (n = 96) or self-monitoring app (SM; n = 95). Whereas MEMI instructed mindfulness exercises, SM prompted only self-monitoring five times daily for 14 days. Participants completed state-level self-reports of depression, anxiety, and mindfulness pre-post-mindfulness practice and SAD symptoms, worry, depression severity, repetitive negative thinking, and trait mindfulness at pre-randomization, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up (1MFU). Hierarchical linear modeling was conducted. The MEMI yielded statistically significantly larger improvements in momentary depression, anxiety, and mindfulness (Cohen's d = −0.10–0.11). Although no between-group effects emerged in alleviating SAD fear and avoidance, excessive worry, depression severity, repetitive negative thinking, and trait mindfulness (−0.13–0.15), within-group effects were significantly small-to-large from pre-post and pre-1MFU (−4.62–0.67). A significant reduction in depression severity occurred in MEMI (−0.63–−0.60) but not SM (−0.31–−0.29). Brief MEMI and SM yielded nondifferent sustained effects on SAD, comorbid symptoms, and risk factors, highlighting its potential value within stepped-care delivery settings. • MEMI (vs. SM) notably improved state depression, anxiety, and mindfulness. • MEMI and SM enhanced SAD, worry, repetitive thinking, and trait mindfulness. • Depression severity was reduced in the MEMI but not the SM arm. • Brief MEMI might be efficacious for targeting pathological worry but not SAD. • MEMIs for SAD must be high-intensity and have exposure therapy to be efficacious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The isolation of a new monoterpenoid, neoroseoside (1), and known compounds 2″- O - α - l -rhamnosyl-6-C-fucosylluteolin (2) and farobin A (3). • Antibacterial activity of compounds 2 and 3 against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33478. • Anti-inflammatory of neoroseoside (1), 2″- O - α - l -rhamnosyl-6-C-fucosylluteolin (2) and farobin A (3) on cytokine IL-6 and TNF-α. A new monoterpenoid, neoroseoside (1), along with two previously reported compounds, 2″- O - α - l -rhamnosyl-6-C-fucosylluteolin (2) and farobin A (3) were isolated from the Zea mays. The structure of compound 1 was determined through the analysis spectroscopic data, including mass spectrometry (MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. The absolute configurations of 1 were deduced from the comparing the values of optical rotations and from the interpretation of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compounds 2 and 3 displayed moderate antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 (inhibition rates 24 % and 28 %, respectively) and Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33478 (inhibition rate of 26 %), at a concentration of 100 μ g /mL, whereas compound 1 did not have any significant antibacterial activities. The compounds 1–3 also showed anti-inflammatory activity on cytokine IL-6 and TNF- α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adipocytic tumors are the most common subtype of soft tissue tumors. In current clinical practice, distinguishing benign lipomas from well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLPS), as well as dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLPS) from their morphologic mimics, remains a significant diagnostic challenge. This is especially so when examining small biopsy samples and without the aid of additional ancillary tests. Recognizing the important role that microRNAs (miRNAs) play in tumorigenesis and their potential utility in tumor classification, we analyzed routine clinical tissue samples of benign and malignant lipomatous tumors, as well as other sarcoma mimics, to identify distinguishing miRNA-based signatures that can aid in the differential diagnosis of these entities. We discovered a 6-miRNA signature that separated lipomas from WDLPS with high confidence (AUC of 0.963), as well as a separate 6-miRNA signature that distinguished DDLPS from their more aggressive histologic mimics (AUC of 0.740). Functional enrichment analysis unveiled possible mechanistic involvement of these predictive miRNAs in adipocytic cancer-related biological processes and pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling, further supporting the relevance of these miRNAs as biomarkers for adipocytic tumors. Our results demonstrate that miRNA expression profiling may potentially be used as an adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of benign and malignant adipocytic tumors. Further validation studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Burn injuries remain common in the world, with an average of more than thousands of cases requiring medical attention each year. Singapore sees an average of 220 burns admissions annually. Given the high number of burn cases in Singapore, the authors identified that there is a need for more public awareness on first aid burn treatment. Acute management of burns can improve eventual patient outcome. The authors devised a simple mnemonic that can be used in burns education for first aid treatment, intended to be taught to trained personnel, who will have the first contact with these burn patients. The aim of the study was to assess the viability of implementing this mnemonic, B.U.R.N.S, to facilitate first aid education for burns.Material and Methods: In this study, we presented this mnemonic as a poster to 30 full-time burn care medical professionals. Feedback was then obtained from this group of medical professionals and used to revise the mnemonic. The mnemonic was then subsequently taught to 400 medical professionals, who are predominantly involved in the pre-hospital management of burns. They are then asked to reiterate the mnemonic to test the ease of remembering the mnemonic. Objective feedback was obtained with a 5-point scoring system.Results: The results indicated a significant improvement in burn first aid knowledge after the implementation of the mnemonic, from a score of 3.67-4.77, The content was deemed as appropriate and easy to understand and recall, and participants were able to reiterate the content, and will recommend this mnemonic to be used for burns teaching for first aid.Conclusion: The study results suggest that this B.U.R.N.S. mnemonic and visual aid is simple and easy to apply, especially for uniformed personnel, as these individuals may have the first contact with the burns victims, and it is important for them to render the appropriate burns first aid treatment. Overall, burns first aid awareness and education can be improved with the implementation of this mnemonic and poster. Moving forward, we aim to integrate the B.U.R.N.S. into educational programmes in professional institutions involved in responding to burns (medical and nursing schools of Singapore), as well as in schools and public institutions, for educational purpose to raise public awareness. We wish to also be able to do so on an international level when courses are conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the image quality and diagnostic performance of different reconstructions over a wide range of patient body mass indices (BMIs) obtained by total-body PET/CT with ultra-low 18F-FDG activity (0.37 MBq/kg). Methods: A total of 63 patients who underwent total-body PET/CT with ultra-low activity (0.37 MBq/kg) 18F-FDG were enrolled. Patients were grouped by their BMIs. Images were reconstructed with the following two algorithms: the ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm (2, 3 iterations), both with time of flight (TOF) and point spread function (PSF) corrections (hereinafter referred as OSEM2, OSEM3) and HYPER Iterative algorithm (β-values of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6) embedded TOF and PSF technologies (hereinafter referred as HYPER0.3, HYPER0.4, HYPER0.5 and HYPER0.6, respectively). Subjective image quality was assessed by two experienced nuclear medicine physicians according to the Likert quintile, including overall image quality, image noise and lesion conspicuity. The standard deviation (SD) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the liver, and maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), peak standard uptake value (SUVpeak), tumour background ratio (T/N) and the largest diameter of lesions were quantitatively analysed by a third reader who did not participate in the subjective image assessment. Results: Increased noise was associated with increased BMI in all reconstruction groups. Significant differences occurred in the liver SNR among BMI categories of OSEM reconstructions (P < 0.001) but no difference was seen in the HYPER Iterative reconstructions between any of the BMI categories (P > 0.05). With the increase in BMI, overall image quality and image noise scores decreased significantly in all reconstructions, but there was no statistically significant difference of lesion conspicuity. The overall image quality score of the obese group was not qualified (score = 2.7) in OSEM3, while the others were qualified. The lesion conspicuity scores were significantly higher in HYPER Iterative reconstructions and lower in OSEM2 than in OSEM3 (all P < 0.05). The values of SUVmax, SUVpeak and T/N in HYPER0.3, HYPER0.4 and HYPER0.5 were higher than those in OSEM3. In different reconstructions, there was a correlation between lesion size (median, 1.55 cm; range, 0.7–11.0 cm) and SUVpeak variation rate compared to OSEM3 (r = 0.388, − 0.515, − 0.495, − 0.464, and − 0.423, respectively, and all P < 0.001). Conclusion: Considering the image quality and lesion analysis in 18F-FDG total-body PET/CT with ultra-low activity injection, OSEM reconstructions with 3 iterations meet the clinical requirements in patients with BMI < 30. In patients with BMI ≥ 30, it is recommended that the HYPER Iterative algorithm (β-value of 0.3–0.5) be used to ensure consistent visual image quality and quantitative assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effects of an ultra-low dose of [18F]-FDG on the image quality of total-body PET/CT and its lesion detectability in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Sixty-two CRC patients who underwent total-body PET/CT (uEXPLORER, United Imaging Healthcare, Shanghai, China) with an ultra-low dose (0.37 MBq/kg) of [18F]-FDG were enrolled in this retrospective study. The PET images were reconstructed with the entire 15-min dataset first and then split into 13-, 8-, 5-, 4-, 3-, 2-, and 1-min duration groups to simulate fast scanning images. For simplicity, the images reconstructed with the data from 15 to 1 min were referred to as G15, G13, and so on until G1. Subjective image quality was assessed with 5-point Likert scales. The objective image quality parameters included the SUVmax, SUVmean, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the liver and blood pool and the SUVmax and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) of the lesions. G15 served as the control to evaluate lesion detectability. Results: A total of 62 patients (43 men, 19 women; age 41–88, mean ± SD 64.0 ± 10.9 years) with 64 CRC primary tumor lesions and 10 low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) lesions were enrolled in this study. The subjective scores were highest for G15 (4.5 ± 0.5) and then decreased from G13 (4.3 ± 0.4) to G8 (3.7 ± 0.5). The liver SNR increased with the extension of acquisition time from G8 (17.2 ± 2.8) to G13 (20.6 ± 3.4) and G15 (21.9 ± 3.4). The liver SNR of G8 was not significantly different from that of G13 (p = 0.15) and was significantly different from that of G15 (p = 0.001). All 64 CRC lesions could be identified in all image groups, even on G1. One of ten LGINs was missed on G1, G2, and G3, and one LGIN was missed on G1, G2, G3, and G4. G15 served as the control, and 100% (48/48) lymph nodes could be found on G13 and G8 compared to 93.8% (45/48) lymph nodes on G5 and G4, 85.4% (41/48) lymph nodes on G3, 81.3% (39/48) lymph nodes on G2, and 77.1% (37/48) lymph nodes on G1. For liver metastases, there were no missed liver lesions on G13 and G8 and 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 missed liver lesions on G5, G4, G3, G2, and G1, respectively. For other areas of metastasis, including the lung, peritoneum, and ovaries, there were no missed lesions in any group. Conclusions: Total-body PET/CT with an ultra-low dose of [18F]-FDG can maintain satisfactory image quality and lesion detectability in CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mo–Si–B alloys with good wear resistance are prominent for high-temperature applications. In this work, the effects of ZrB 2 content and test temperature on the tribological properties of the Mo–Si–B/ZrB 2 composites at 25–800 °C were investigated. It indicates that the composites show an enhanced wear resistance, which can be ascribed to the improved hardness and formation of Zr-rich borosilicate layer by introducing ZrB 2 particles. The main wear mechanism is abrasive wear accompanies with adhesive wear at 25–400 °C, where ZrB 2 addition can reduce the wear loss. And adhesive wear dominates at 600–800 °C, where the formed tribo-layer can provide a good self-lubricity and is beneficial for improving the wear resistance of the composites. • Tribological properties and wear mechanism at 25–800 °C were investigated. • The composites show lowest COF and wear rate at 600 °C for good self-lubricity. • The self-lubricity is mainly derived from MoO 3 containing oxides film. • The formation of Zr-rich borosilicate layer improves the wear resistance at 800 °C. • Abrasive wear dominates at 25–400 °C and adhesive wear dominates at 600–800 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-hardness wear-resistant Cu-Ni-Al-Sn coatings were fabricated by laser cladding, and the effect of Sn content on the microstructure, hardness and high temperature tribological behaviors of the coatings was investigated. The results revealed that the hardness of the coatings increased from 177.6 to 674.0 HV 0.3 due to the strengthening of Cu 9 NiSn 3 , FeNi and NiSn precipitations. In addition, Sn plays an important role in improving the high temperature tribological properties of the coatings. At 25–200 ℃, Sn can form a low shear-stress film to reduce the friction coefficient and wear rate. When the temperature exceeds 300 ℃, a tribo-oxides layer containing SnO 2 , CuO and Fe 2 O 3 forms on worn surfaces, which play a role in improving the tribological properties. • High-hardness wear-resistant Cu-Ni-Al-Sn coatings were prepared by laser cladding. • The coatings show increased hardness due to the precipitation strengthening. • The tribological behaviors are influenced by Sn content and test temperature. • Sn is conducive to reducing the friction coefficient and wear rate at 25–500 ℃. • The oxides layer of SnO 2 , CuO and Fe 2 O 3 provides wear resistance above 300 ℃. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survival in cardiac arrest is associated with rapid initiation of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support. To improve ROSC rates and survival, we identified the need to reduce response times and implement coordinated resuscitation by dedicated cardiac arrest teams (CATs). We aimed to improve ROSC rates by 10% within 6 months, and subsequent survival to hospital discharge. We used the Model for Improvement to implement a ward-based cardiac arrest quality improvement (QI) initiative across 3 Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. QI interventions focused on instituting dedicated CATs and resuscitation equipment, staff training, communications, audit framework, performance feedback, as well as a cardiac arrest documentation form. The primary outcome was the rate of ROSC, and the secondary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Process measures were call center processing times, CAT response times and CAT nurses' knowledge and confidence regarding CPR. Balancing measures were the number of non-cardiac arrest activations and the number of cardiac arrest activations in patients with existing do-not-resuscitate orders. After adjustments for possible confounders in the multivariate analysis, there was a significant improvement in ROSC rate post-intervention as compared to the pre-intervention period (OR 2.05 [1.04–4.05], p = 0.04). Median (IQR) call center processing times decreased from 1.8 (1.6–2.0) pre-intervention to 1.4 (1.4–1.6) minutes post-intervention (p = 0.03). Median (IQR) CAT response times decreased from 5.1 (4.5–7.0) pre-intervention to 3.6 (3.4–4.3) minutes post-intervention (p < 0.001). After adjustments for possible confounders in the multivariate analysis, there was no significant improvement in survival to hospital discharge post-intervention as compared to the pre-intervention period (OR 0.71 [0.25–2.06], p = 0.53). Implementation of a ward-based cardiac arrest QI initiative resulted in an improvement in ROSC rates, median call center and CAT response times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that if a separable II 1 factor M is existentially closed, then every M -bimodule is weakly contained in the trivial M -bimodule, L 2 (M) , and, equivalently, every normal completely positive map on M is a pointwise 2-norm limit of maps of the form x ↦ ∑ i = 1 k a i ⁎ x a i , for some k ∈ N and (a i) i = 1 k ⊂ M. This provides the first examples of non-hyperfinite separable II 1 factors M with the latter properties. We also obtain new characterizations of M -bimodules which are weakly contained in the trivial or coarse M -bimodule and of relative amenability inside M. Additionally, we give an operator algebraic presentation of the proof of the existence of existentially closed II 1 factors. While existentially closed II 1 factors have property Gamma, by adapting this proof we construct non-Gamma II 1 factors which are existentially closed in every weakly coarse extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic value of bone marrow (BM) imaging pattern and other imaging findings assessed by 18F-FDG PET-CT in multiple myeloma(MM) and to find out the image interpretation cut-off to define different BM tracer uptake pattern. Materials and methods: We retrospectively studied PET-CT examinations and clinical data of 100 healthy individuals and 172 newly diagnosed MM patients. A BM uptake > liver SUVmean was selected as the positivity cut-off of pathological uptake in BM after comparing BM uptake in normal control and MM patients. With this interpretation cut-off, we defined the BM FDG uptake pattern as four types: normal, focal, diffuse, and mixed. The clinical correlation and prognostic value of BM uptake pattern were evaluated. The findings were validated in an independent prospective cohort with 72 MM patients. Results: In MM cohort, 34.9% patients had focal BM uptake pattern, 3.5% had diffuse pattern, 38.4% had mixed pattern, and 23.3% had normal BM uptake. Diffuse/mixed pattern was correlated with clinical and imaging parameters indicating high tumor burden, and inferior progression free survival (PFS; 3-year-PFS 26.8%) and overall survival (OS; 3-year-OS 50.6%). BM uptake pattern was an independent prognostic factor and diffuse/mixed pattern was associated with inferior OS (P = 0.037, HR 7.16) and PFS (P = 0.015, HR 7.77). The prognostic value of BM uptake pattern was also confirmed in validation set. Conclusion: We propose an FDG uptake higher than liver as the positivity cut-off to discriminate between physiological and pathological uptake in BM and defined four BM FDG uptake pattern. BM FDG uptake pattern is a reliable prognostic predictor of MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are characterized by paracrine and immunomodulatory functions capable of changing the microenvironment of damaged brain tissue toward a more regenerative and less inflammatory milieu. The authors conducted a phase 2, single-center, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of intravenous autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) in patients with subacute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct. Patients aged 30–75 years who had severe ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score of 10–35) involving the MCA territory were recruited within 2 months of stroke onset. Using permuted block randomization, patients were assigned to receive 2 million BMMSCs per kilogram of body weight (treatment group) or standard medical care (control group). The primary outcomes were the NIHSS, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Barthel Index (BI) and total infarct volume on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 12 months. All outcome assessments were performed by blinded assessors. Per protocol, analyses were performed for between-group comparisons. Seventeen patients were recruited. Nine were assigned to the treatment group, and eight were controls. All patients were severely disabled following their MCA infarct (median mRS = 4.0 [4.0–5.0], BI = 5.0 [5.0–25.0], NIHSS = 16.0 [11.5–21.0]). The baseline infarct volume on the MRI was larger in the treatment group (median, 71.7 [30.5–101.7] mL versus 26.7 [12.9–75.3] mL, P = 0.10). There were no between-group differences in median NIHSS score (7.0 versus 6.0, P = 0.96), mRS (2.0 versus 3.0, P = 0.38) or BI (95.0 versus 67.5, P = 0.33) at 12 months. At 12 months, there was significant improvement in absolute change in median infarct volume, but not in total infarct volume, from baseline in the treatment group (P = 0.027). No treatment-related adverse effects occurred in the BMMSC group. Intravenous infusion of BMMSCs in patients with subacute MCA infarct was safe and well tolerated. Although there was no neurological recovery or functional outcome improvement at 12 months, there was improvement in absolute change in median infarct volume in the treatment group. Larger, well-designed studies are warranted to confirm this and the efficacy of BMMSCs in ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promoted activity and enhanced selectivity of electrocatalysts is commonly ascribed to specific structural features such as surface facets, morphology, and atomic defects. However, unraveling the factors that really govern the direct electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) is still very challenging since the surface state of electrocatalysts is dynamic and difficult to predict under working conditions. Moreover, theoretical predictions from the viewpoint of thermodynamics alone often fail to specify the actual configuration of a catalyst for the dynamic CO2RR process. Herein, we re‐survey recent studies with the emphasis on revealing the dynamic chemical state of Cu sites under CO2RR conditions extracted by in situ/operando characterizations, and further validate a critical link between the chemical state of Cu and the product profile of CO2RR. This point of view provides a generalizable concept of dynamic chemical‐state‐driven CO2RR selectivity that offers an inspiration in both fundamental understanding and efficient electrocatalysts design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promoted activity and enhanced selectivity of electrocatalysts is commonly ascribed to specific structural features such as surface facets, morphology, and atomic defects. However, unraveling the factors that really govern the direct electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) is still very challenging since the surface state of electrocatalysts is dynamic and difficult to predict under working conditions. Moreover, theoretical predictions from the viewpoint of thermodynamics alone often fail to specify the actual configuration of a catalyst for the dynamic CO2RR process. Herein, we re‐survey recent studies with the emphasis on revealing the dynamic chemical state of Cu sites under CO2RR conditions extracted by in situ/operando characterizations, and further validate a critical link between the chemical state of Cu and the product profile of CO2RR. This point of view provides a generalizable concept of dynamic chemical‐state‐driven CO2RR selectivity that offers an inspiration in both fundamental understanding and efficient electrocatalysts design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hence, in patients with AKI and hypothyroidism, a normal CRP may favour the differential of hypothyroidism-induced kidney dysfunction in addition to a discrepant serum cystatin-C level, if available. Although kidney biopsy was not performed in these cases to confirm the cause of creatinine rise due to the presence of relative contraindications, their creatinine trends closely paralleled the course of their thyroid dysfunction, supporting the diagnosis of hypothyroidism-related kidney dysfunction. Acute kidney injury (AKI) during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy often raises concern for immune-related adverse events (irAE) [[1]]. [Extracted from the article]

As the dominant indigenous minority in southern China, Hmong-Mien-speaking Miao people were thought to be the descendants of Neolithic Yangtze rice farmers. However, the fine-scale population structure and genetic profile of the Miao populations remain unclear due to the limited Miao samples from southern China and Southeast Asia. We genotyped 19 individuals from the two largest Miao tribes in Guizhou Province (Southwest China) via SNP chips and co-analyzed the data with published modern and ancient East Asians. The Guizhou Miao displayed a closer genomic affinity with present-day and Neolithic to Iron Age southern East Asians (SEAs) than with most northern East Asians (NEAs). The genetic substructure within Miao groups was driven by different levels of genetic interaction with other ethnolinguistic groups: Hunan Miao (Central China) harbored higher proportions of NEA-related ancestry; Guizhou Miao (Southwest China) and Vietnam Miao (mainland Southeast Asia) received additional gene flow mainly from surrounding groups with Tai-Kadai–related ancestry. There were also more complex admixture events in the newly studied groups between Guizhou Xijiang Miao and surrounding populations compared with Guizhou Congjiang Miao. The qpAdm model further demonstrated that the primary ancestry of Hunan Miao, Guizhou Miao studied here, and Vietnam Miao derived from ancient SEA-related ancestry (represented by coastal early Neolithic SEA Liangdao2), with the additional gene flow from ancient NEA-related ancestry (represented by spatiotemporally inland Yellow River farmers), with slightly different proportions. Our genomic evidence reveals the complex and distinct demographic history of different Miao tribes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a metabolic disorder syndrome characterized by excessive fat accumulation that is related to many diseases. Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) have a great potential for cell-based therapy due to their characteristics such as pluripotency, low immunogenicity, no tumorigenicity, potent paracrine effects, and no ethical concern. Recently, we observed that both hAMSCs and their conditioned medium (hAMSCs-CM) efficiently repaired skin injury, inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma, and alleviated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetes. However, the effects and the underlying mechanisms of hAMSCs-CM on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity were not explored. Methods: The characteristics of hAMSCs were confirmed by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. Obese mice were induced by administrating HFD for 15 weeks and simultaneously, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with hAMSCs-CM weekly to evaluate the effects of hAMSCs-CM on HFD-induced obesity. GTT and ITT assays were used to assess the effects of hAMSCs-CM on HFD-induced glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. The lipid accumulation and adipocytes hypertrophy in mouse adipose tissues were determined by histological staining, in which the alterations of blood lipid, liver, and kidney function were also examined. The role of hAMSCs-CM in energy homeostasis was monitored by examining the oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and food and water intake in mice. Furthermore, the expressions of the genes related to glucose metabolism, fatty acid β oxidation, thermogenesis, adipogenesis, and inflammation were determined by western blot analysis, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence staining. The roles of hAMSCs-CM in adipogenesis and M1/M2 macrophage polarization were investigated with 3T3-L1 preadipocytes or RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Results: hAMSCs-CM significantly restrained HFD-induced obesity in mice by inhibiting adipogenesis and lipogenesis, promoting energy expenditure, and reducing inflammation. The underlying mechanisms of the anti-obesity of hAMSCs-CM might be involved in inhibiting PPARγ and C/EBPα-mediated lipid synthesis and adipogenesis, promoting GLUT4-mediated glucose metabolism, elevating UCP1/PPARα/PGC1α-regulated energy expenditure, and enhancing STAT3-ARG1-mediated M2-type macrophage polarization. Conclusion: Our studies demonstrated that hAMSCs significantly alleviated HFD-induced obesity through their paracrine effects. Obviously, our results open up an attractive therapeutic modality for the prevention and treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders clinically. The cytokines, exosomes, or micro-vesicles secreted from hAMSCs significantly inhibited HFD-induced obesity in mice by inhibiting lipid production and adipogenesis, promoting energy consumption, and reducing inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose was to explore the effects of total-body PET/CT with half-dose 18F-FDG activity on image quality, compared with those of conventional PET/CT with clinical routine full-dose 18F-FDG in lung cancer. Methods: Fifty-six primary lung cancer patients who underwent total-body PET/CT on a uEXPLORER scanner with half-dose (1.85 MBq/kg) 18F-FDG activity before treatment were retrospectively studied; among them, 28 patients were confirmed by postoperative pathologic examination and 28 patients by biopsy. After matching with the pathological study results, the other 28 patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery were selected for the full-dose (3.70 MBq/kg) group. Patients in the full-dose group were studied with a conventional uM780 PET/CT scanner. The acquisition time of the half-dose group was 15 min, split into 4-min and 2-min duration groups, which were all referred to as G15, G4 and G2, respectively. The PET/CT scanning speed in the full-dose group was 2 min/bed. Image quality was evaluated by subjective and objective analyses. The subjective analysis method was carried out with a 5-point scale (5-excellent, 1-poor). Objective analysis indicators of PET image quality included the SUVmax, SUVmean and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the liver; the SUVmax and SUVmean of the blood pool; and the SUVmax and tumour-to-background ratio (TBR) of the lesions. G15 served as the reference for G2 and G4 to test lesion detectability. Results: Image quality scores in G2 (4.3 ± 0.7) were significantly higher than those in the full-dose group (3.7 ± 0.6) (p = 0.004). The mean and SD of the image quality scores in G4 and G15 were 4.9 ± 0.2 and 5.0 ± 0.0, respectively. The liver SNR in G2 was significantly higher than that in the full-dose group; the corresponding SNR were 11.7 ± 1.5 and 8.3 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001), respectively. The liver SNR significantly increased with the time of acquisition among G2, G4 and G15 (11.1 ± 1.7, 15.2 ± 3.4 and 30.5 ± 6.0, all p < 0.05). G15 served as the reference, and all these lesions (100%) could be identified by G2 and G4. Conclusion: Total-body PET/CT with half-dose 18F-FDG activity in G2 and G4 achieved comparable image quality to conventional PET/CT, and its image quality was better than that of conventional PET/CT with clinical routine full-dose 18F-FDG in lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the effects and feasibility of a virtual screen‐based stress management programme (V‐DESSERTS) on inpatients with mental disorders. A single‐blinded, pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Convenience sampling was used and participants were randomised into either the intervention group or the waitlisted control group (WL). The intervention group received individual‐based, twice‐daily sessions of the programme. Each session comprised education and virtual screen‐based relaxation practice. Data were collected through self‐reported questionnaires and physiological measures. The intervention group showed a significant increase in perceived relaxation and knowledge in comparison with the WL group. However, inconclusive results were observed on subjective and objective stress. The findings in this study indicated that the V‐DESSERTS programme is feasible to be implemented for patients with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kidney biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing kidney disease but may result in bleeding, especially in uraemia. DDAVP (1‐deamino‐8‐d‐arginine vasopressin) may reduce uraemic bleeding but guidelines on its use are lacking. Aim: To evaluate whether DDAVP reduced bleeding complications after percutaneous kidney biopsies. Methods: We searched CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, LILACS, WHO Trials Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov until May 2019 for randomised controlled trials (RCT), quasi‐RCT and prospective cohort studies that compared DDAVP with placebo or no intervention, prior to native or allograft kidney biopsy. The primary outcome was post‐biopsy bleeding. Secondary outcome was adverse events related to DDAVP. Results: Abstracts of 270 identified papers were examined and 24 selected for evaluation. Two studies, one RCT and one prospective cohort that collectively evaluated 738 native kidney biopsies, met the inclusion criteria. One enrolled individuals with serum creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dL (132 μmol/L) and/or estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 while the other evaluated biopsies with serum creatinine >150 μmol/L. DDAVP was administered as a single subcutaneous dose of 0.3 μg/kg in both studies. Data were not pooled for meta‐analysis due to clinical heterogeneity. GRADE quality of evidence from these two studies was low for DDAVP preventing any bleeding complication after native kidney biopsy. Low quality evidence suggested that adverse effects were not increased in DDAVP therapy. No prospective studies evaluated DDAVP in transplant kidney biopsies. Conclusion: Currently available prospective data are insufficient to support the routine use of DDAVP prior to percutaneous kidney biopsies hence high quality trials are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare indocyanine green dye fluorescence cholangiography (ICG-FC) with intra-operative cholangiography (IOC) in minimal access cholecystectomy for visualization of the extrahepatic biliary tree. Background: Although studies have shown that ICG-FC is safe, feasible, and comparable to IOC to visualize the extrahepatic biliary tree, there is no comparative review. Methods: We searched The Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases up to 8 April 2020 for all studies comparing ICG-FC with IOC in patients undergoing minimal access cholecystectomy. The primary outcomes were percentage visualization of the cystic duct (CD), common bile duct (CBD), CD-CBD junction, and the common hepatic duct (CHD). We used RevMan v5.3 software to analyze the data. Results: Seven studies including 481 patients were included. Five studies, comprising 275 patients reported higher CD (RR = 0.90, p = 0.12, 95% CI 0.79–1.03, I2 = 74%) and CBD visualization rates (RR = 0.82, p = 0.09, 95% CI 0.65–1.03, I2 = 87%) by ICG-FC. Four studies, comprising 223 patients, reported higher CD-CBD junction visualization rates using ICG-FC compared to IOC (RR = 0.68, p = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.45–1.02, I2 = 94%). Four studies, comprising 210 patients, reported higher CHD visualization rates using ICG-FC compared to IOC (RR = 0.58, p = 0.03, 95% CI 0.35–0.93, I2 = 91%). Conclusion: ICG-FC is safe, and it improves visualization of CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to opposite Berry phases for two valleys in the α-T3 model, the quasiparticles in two valleys have different responses to a perpendicular magnetic field, such as different Landau levels in a strong magnetic field. In this work, we theoretically demonstrate the manipulation of the valley degree of freedom in the α-T3 model via an external magnetic field. In zigzag α-T3 nanoribbons with moderate α, we show that a weak magnetic field lifts the valley degeneracy of the spectrum and the ribbon acts as a valley filter. Furthermore, we propose a valley-valve which contains two successive magnetic sections. The valve exhibits a giant magnetoresistance and the on–off ratio reaches up to 106. These findings should be useful to potential valleytronic applications and magnetic read heads based on α-T3 materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promoted activity and enhanced selectivity of electrocatalysts is commonly ascribed to specific structural features such as surface facets, morphology, and atomic defects. However, unraveling the factors that really govern the direct electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) is still very challenging since the surface state of electrocatalysts is dynamic and difficult to predict under working conditions. Moreover, theoretical predictions from the viewpoint of thermodynamics alone often fail to specify the actual configuration of a catalyst for the dynamic CO2RR process. Herein, we re‐survey recent studies with the emphasis on revealing the dynamic chemical state of Cu sites under CO2RR conditions extracted by in situ/operando characterizations, and further validate a critical link between the chemical state of Cu and the product profile of CO2RR. This point of view provides a generalizable concept of dynamic chemical‐state‐driven CO2RR selectivity that offers an inspiration in both fundamental understanding and efficient electrocatalysts design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]