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Photoinduced Copper‐Catalyzed Stereoselective C(sp ³ )‐H Amination Enabled by Preorganized Multiple Noncovalent Interactions

ABSTRACT Chiral α ‐amino cyclic amines are essential bioactive molecular skeletons that play a crucial role in regulating the biological functions of diverse molecules. Despite their significance, the asymmetric C─H amination of saturated cyclic amines using readily available nitrogen sources has not been accomplished. In this work, a photoinduced copper‐catalyzed highly enantioselective α ‐C(sp 3 )‐H amination of cyclic amines with pharmaceutically valuable aromatic and α , β ‐unsaturated amides is developed. In addition to amides, diverse aromatic N ‐heterocycles, as well as the unstable and challenging imine, can also participate in the reaction, delivering various functionalized α ‐amino cyclic amines with high diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic study and DFT calculation indicate that the C─N bond is formed through the radical addition of α ‐amino radical to Cu(II)‐amide species followed by the inner‐sphere reductive elimination. The preassembly of ( R )‐BINOL with the BOPA‐copper(II) benzamide via hydrogen bonding and CH···π interactions can enhance the stereoselectivity through exclusive π···π stacking interaction in ( R )‐pathway. The unique reaction model featuring photoredox transition‐metal catalysis, radical cross‐coupling, and multiple noncovalent interactions is the key to success of this chemistry.

Harnessing Supramolecular Circularly Polarized Scattering for Enhanced Chiroptical Performance

ABSTRACT Recent advancements in circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials have shifted the emphasis from optimizing intrinsic CPL properties to leveraging synergistic photophysical processes for enhanced system‐level performance. In this study, we designed and synthesized a class of chiral small organic molecules, termed ( R / S )‐4LC, whose supramolecular assemblies exhibit Rayleigh‐like scattering behavior. More importantly, these nanostructures exhibit circularly polarized scattering (CPS) behavior, selectively amplifying left‐ or right‐handed CPL signals and achieving an unprecedented 200‐fold increase in the luminescence dissymmetry factor ( g lum = 0.73), compared with the g lum value obtained in the absence of scattering contributions. Furthermore, these architectures serve as efficient chiral energy donors, transferring polarized energy to achiral quantum dots (QDs) through radiative energy transfer, thereby inducing CPL activity in otherwise nonchiral emitters. Leveraging this platform, we developed two types of CPS‐enhanced QD light‐emitting diodes (CPS‐QLEDs), demonstrating amplified chiroptical signals in both photoluminescence and electroluminescence systems. This work marks the first demonstration of utilizing supramolecular CPS effects to enhance chiroptical performance, offering a robust framework for the design of next‐generation polarized optoelectronic devices.

Inside Front Cover: Metal–Organic Framework‐Gated Biocatalysis Enables Triggered Depolymerization of Melt‐Processed Polyesters

Polymer Brushes Govern Defect‐Selective Oxidative Etching of Penta‐Twinned Gold Nanorods

ABSTRACT Oxidative etching of plasmonic nanoparticles provides an effective approach to the variation of their morphology and optical properties, yet polymer ligands are generally treated as passive steric barriers. Here, we show that polymer molecules end‐grafted to the surface of penta‐twinned gold nanorods (AuNRs) perform as active interfacial regulators controlling defect‐selective oxidative metal etching. Through a combination of experiments and simulations, we show that polymer brushes localize etchant ions on the AuNR surface, lowering the energetic barrier for Au atom removal at defect‐rich regions. This defect–ligand interplay leads to the emergence of surface corrugations along the AuNR longitudinal facets, in stark contrast to the etching behavior of single‐crystal AuNR counterparts. By varying polymer molecular weight and grafting density, we achieve precise control of the plasmonic properties of etched AuNRs. These findings establish polymer brushes as active modulators of nanoscale interfacial reaction pathways, providing a strategy for defect‐directed nanoengineering with applications in catalysis, sensing, and photonics.

Oxygen‐Radical Capture Enabled Nickel‐Catalyzed Carbon(sp ² )‐Heteroatom Coupling of Two Nucleophiles

ABSTRACT Hypervalent transition‐metal complexes serve as pivotal intermediates enabling reductive elimination for carbon–heteroatom bond formation. Significant efforts have focused on nickel‐catalyzed couplings of aryl (pseudo)halides with nucleophiles, utilizing, for example, photo‐ or electrochemical strategies to access high‐valent Ni(III) species. Nevertheless, the analogous Ni(III)‐mediated oxidative cross‐coupling of two nucleophilic partners for carbon–heteroatom bond construction remains elusive, despite the central role of such nucleophiles, for example, boronic acids, in cross‐coupling chemistry. Herein, we report a general oxygen‐radical capture strategy that accelerates the single‐electron oxidation of Ni(II) and subsequent reductive elimination, enabling diverse carbon–heteroatom bond formations with aryl boronic acids. We demonstrate the oxidative coupling of aryl boronic acids with alcohols, a transformation that has never been realized by nickel catalysis, likely due to the facile β‐hydride elimination of the corresponding metal alkoxides. Mechanistic investigations and DFT calculations suggest the crucial role of the tert ‐butoxyl radical in the transformation of Ni(II) to Ni(III), enabling facile reductive elimination that bypass other possible side pathways. Furthermore, we show that a broad range of nucleophiles can be employed for the construction of C–O, C–S, C–N, and C–P bonds using this method.

n‐Type Oxazine‐Fused Higher‐Acene Analogues With High Stability and High Charge Mobility

ABSTRACT Acenes are a fascinating class of molecules. And higher‐acenes (>7 rings) with big beautiful structures are more likely to be continuously pursued. However, the instability, poor solubility, and challenging synthesis of higher‐acenes significantly hinder their fundamental investigation. Of greater concern is that no stable n‐type higher‐acene analogues have been obtained to date. Here, using oxazine and benzene units as the building blocks, a novel series of higher‐acene analogues (9 rings) named pentaphenotetraoxazines ( PPTOs) , is synthesized by chemical solution method. These compounds exhibit high solubility in common organic solvents, high stability under ambient conditions, deep lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels below −4.1 eV, strong NIR absorbance, and narrow optical bandgap (<1.4 eV). In solution‐processed organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), the devices demonstrate electron mobilities exceeding 0.1 cm 2  V −1  s −1 , which are two and three orders of magnitude higher than those of prior reported higher‐acene analogues and the homologous 5‐ring derivative—triphenodioxazine ( TPDO ), respectively. Moreover, these n‐type OFETs demonstrate excellent stability under ambient conditions without encapsulation. These results highlight the high stability and outstanding n‐type semiconductor performance of oxazine‐fused higher‐acene analogues and demonstrate the potential of this strategy to develop even larger acene systems.

The Reproducibility Crisis: Shining a Light Where Photo‐Induced Process Descriptions Fall Short

ABSTRACT Ensuring reproducibility should be a central priority for authors, editors, and reviewers throughout manuscript preparation and evaluation. Reports of photo‐mediated processes are particularly susceptible to reproducibility challenges because their apparent simplicity often obscures how strongly reliable outcomes depend on carefully controlled and thoroughly reported experimental conditions. To assess current practice, 150 articles describing photo‐mediated processes were randomly selected from high‐impact journals in the Web of Science categories of “polymer science,” “chemistry,” and “physics.” Each was evaluated for the minimum information necessary to reproduce a photo‐induced process: exposure conditions (light source emission spectrum, incident irradiance, and irradiation duration), sample geometry (boundary conditions and thickness), and sample composition (identity and amount of the active chromophore and any other absorbing species). Only 8% of polymer science, 4% of chemistry, and 10% of physics papers provided sufficient detail to enable reproduction. The most significant deficiencies involved the light source; just 25% reported enough to reproduce both emission spectrum and irradiance. This work explains why each element is essential across diverse photo‐induced processes and presents modeling and representative case studies illustrating the variability that arises when conditions are under‐specified, using photopolymerization as a sensitive benchmark.

Agonist-Dependent Signaling through Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Is a Key Gatekeeper of Synaptic Upscaling

Kinetic Trapping of Pressure‐Induced Symmetry Breaking in Hybrid Metal Halides via Fluorine‐Mediated Molecular Locking

ABSTRACT Permanently capturing pressure‐induced metastable phases at ambient conditions is a fundamental challenge that, if solved, would unlock a new realm of materials with exotic functionalities. A central obstacle is the reversibility of pressure‐driven transitions, particularly symmetry‐breaking ones that yield valuable properties like nonlinear optical activity. Here, we report a kinetic trapping strategy that permanently preserves high‐pressure noncentrosymmetric phases in hybrid tin bromides via a fluorine‐mediated “molecular lock.” Using a two‐dimensional perovskite (3‐CF 3 py) 2 SnBr 4 (3‐CF 3 py + = 3‐(trifluoromethyl)pyridinium) as a model system, we demonstrate that hydrostatic compression induces a symmetry‐breaking transition at ∼4.0 GPa with a strong second‐harmonic generation (SHG) response, which peaks at ∼8 GPa with a staggering ∼400‐fold enhancement relative to the signal at ∼4.0 GPa. Remarkably, the noncentrosymmetric phase and its SHG activity remain after full pressure release. Single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction reveals that pressure‐enhanced directional F···F interactions cooperatively reorganize the organic–inorganic framework, suppressing elastic recovery and locking in the metastable structure. Importantly, this design principle is generalizable, as demonstrated by trapping of the high‐pressure noncentrosymmetric phase in the one‐dimensional analogue, (3‐CF 3 py)SnBr 3 . Our work establishes a powerful design strategy to induce and stabilize high‐pressure phases, making their otherwise inaccessible functionalities available for ambient‐condition applications.

How antiretroviral data cleaning reshaped Mozambique’s progress to reaching HIV epidemic control

Quality data is fundamental for any public health program, especially for long-term care programs that rely on longitudinal data for decision making. In Mozambique, there had been a growing discrepancy between the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) reported in the national system when compared to pharmacy and electronic medical records. A national ART data cleaning exercise was conducted in the first semester of 2024 to improve the accuracy and reliability of the nationally reported data. All health facilities with ART services (n = 1,757) compared their nationally reported data between the clinical data available at the health facility and the pharmacy medication pick-up data. The records that were successfully validated were marked as active, while the others were non-active. Upon completion of the review, the nationally reported data were revised. There was a 9.9% decrease (2,166,941–1,951,724) in the number of PLHIV considered currently on ART between December 2023 and June 2024. Among age groups, there was a 28.7% decrease among those less than 10 years of age, 26.4% among those between 10 and 19 years, and 8.0% for those 20 years or more. Cabo Delgado was the province with the largest percentage difference (21.1%, −28,799 PLHIV currently on treatment), while Zambezia had the largest absolute decline, of 41,445 (−8.9%). The notable decreases in PLHIV on ART resulted in an increase in Mozambique’s estimates for new infections, AIDS-related deaths, and vertical transmission. These updates allowed for a more realistic understanding of the HIV epidemic in Mozambique, including highlighting provinces with large data quality issues evidenced by substantial changes in PLHIV on ART numbers. This activity highlighted challenges that exist in paper-based reporting systems and provides evidence for a renewed focus on improving data quality for decision making.

A designathon to collaboratively develop sustainable HIV prevention services for youth with community-based organizations in Nigeria

Introduction The engagement of youth in the design of services that promote and increase the uptake of essential services to reduce HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is vital to sustaining these preventive services. The study objective is to identify strategies for sustaining HIV prevention services among Nigerian youth, in partnership with community-based organizations, through a crowdsourced open call and designathon in Nigeria. Materials and methods From February to March 2024, Nigerian youth (ages 14–24) submitted ideas to an open crowdsourcing call on how community-based organizations in Nigeria might sustain HIV self-testing and youth-friendly preventive services for at-risk youth. The submissions were scored in each domain: relevance, novelty, scalability, replicability, potential for sustainability, and promotion of equity and fairness, with an integer score of 1 (low) to 3 (high)(S1). Ten teams were selected to participate in the 72-hour designathon. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted. The study used thematic analysis and the PEN 3-Cultural Model to categorize qualitative data into six themes. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate participants’ demographic characteristics. Results One hundred and seventy-eight participants submitted entries; 161 were online entries, and 17 were received via WhatsApp. The majority of participants were female (57.1%) and aged 19–23 years (55.0%), with a mean age of 21.7 (±4.1). Most participants were from the southwest of Nigeria (53.8%), had secondary education (68.9%), and were students (67.9%). About one-third of teams (31.1%) indicated collaborating with non-governmental organizations as a promising way to sustain preventive services. Six themes emerged: Adapted Intervention Design and Delivery, Youth Engagement and Education, Organization Setting, Socio-cultural and Community Context, Community Leadership Through Training and Financial Resources, and Sustainment Through Community Collaboration. Conclusion The crowdsourcing contest open call and designathon engaged youth from diverse backgrounds, and it is a practical way to generate solutions from key stakeholders affected by the community’s prevailing health issues. Developing service delivery strategies that engage, educate, and collaborate with youth on HIV prevention could be sustainable. However, this will not be conclusive without implementing them over time to test their feasibility and sustainability.

Real‑world analysis of Macular Oedema associated with Paclitaxel Formulations using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database

Aim This study explored the potential association between paclitaxel (PTX) and macular oedema (ME), a rare adverse event, through pharmacovigilance analysis using a large-scale spontaneous reporting database. Methods Disproportionality analysis of ME associated with PTX formulations, including nanoparticle albumin-bound PTX (nab‑PTX) was conducted using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database on data collected during April 2004–June 2025. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted reporting odds ratios (RORs) for ME. A positive signal was defined as a lower 95% confidence interval (CI) for the ROR exceeding 1.0 with at least three ME cases. Results Among 585,738 reports, 123 involved ME. A significant signal was observed for overall PTX (adjusted ROR: 19.5; 95% CI: 13.5–28.3). By formulation, significant signals were identified for conventional PTX (adjusted ROR: 9.4; 95% CI: 5.5–16.1) and nab‑PTX (adjusted ROR: 47.0; 95% CI: 30.4–72.8). Multivariable logistic regression indicated significant signals for diabetes mellitus (adjusted ROR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2–2.9) and co-administration of prostaglandin analogue eye drops (adjusted ROR: 19.9; 95% CI: 8.6–45.7). Conclusion PTX formulations were associated with an increased reporting signal of ME. Notably, patients with diabetes mellitus and those using prostaglandin analogue eye drops may require closer ophthalmologic monitoring during PTX therapy.

A comparative analysis of readability, quality, and reliability in large language model outputs pertaining to knee osteoarthritis queries

This study aims to comparatively examine the readability, accuracy, and quality of responses provided by artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbots such as Perplexity, ChatGPT-5, and Gemini to questions about knee osteoarthritis (KOA), which accounts for approximately four-fifths of the global osteoarthritis (OA) burden. In this study, 8 keywords were determined by excluding repetitive, irrelevant or synonymous ones from the 25 most frequently used English keywords associated with KOA based on Google Trends data, and these terms were asked as questions to three different artificial intelligence-based chatbots. The study measured readability using formulas like Coleman-Liau Index (CLI), Automated Readability Index (ARI), and Linsear Write (LW). Reliability of the information was assessed using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks along with the modified DISCERN instrument. To determine overall content quality, the Global Quality Score (GQS) and the Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) scale were applied. Together, these tools provided a comprehensive assessment of how understandable, reliable, and high-quality each chatbot’s responses were. The most frequently searched keywords related to OA were “osteoarthritis of knee,” “knee pain,” and “osteoarthritis knee pain.” A readability analysis of responses from three different AI-based chat systems revealed that all platforms had text levels above the Grade 6 threshold, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Comparisons demonstrated that ChatGPT-5 produced the most readable content (FRES:45, GFOG:11.9, FKGL:9.24, CLI:14.03, SMOG:8.37, ARI:11.37, LW:7.2). However, Perplexity achieved significantly higher scores than ChatGPT-5 across all quality and reliability assessments, yielding superior median scores (DISCERN: 4, JAMA: 2, GQS: 4, EQIP: 92.8). Perplexity also outperformed Gemini in the mDISCERN reliability assessment (p = 0.001), while no significant difference in quality or reliability was found between Gemini and ChatGPT-5. No statistically significant difference was found between Gemini and ChatGPT in reliability and quality surveys. This analysis of KOA highlights significant challenges regarding the potential of popular AI chatbots for patient information. When examining readability levels, responses from these tools consistently exceed the recommended comprehensibility threshold, making it difficult for patients to absorb critical information. Furthermore, the relatively low scores recorded in reliability and content quality assessments raise significant concerns about the scientific validity and integrity of the medical information presented. Given these findings, the sufficient quality, robustness, and appropriate levels of understandability of future AI-based tools can only be ensured by the establishment and operation of an effective oversight mechanism.

Neck circumference as an anthropometric marker of overweight among school-aged children in Bharatpur, Nepal: A community-based study

Background Childhood overweight have become a major public health concern among children in developing countries. BMI, commonly used to diagnose overweight, requires standardized equipment and trained personnel, limiting their feasibility in large-scale screenings. Neck circumference (NC) has emerged as a simple and practical alternative for identifying overweight in children. This study aimed to examine the association between NC and established anthropometric indicators and to determine optimal NC cutoff values for identifying overweight among school-aged children. Methods A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2025 among 300 apparently healthy children aged 6–11 years in Ward No. 16, Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal. Sociodemographic data were collected using structured interviews. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, NC, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were obtained using standardized procedures. BMI-for-age classifications were based on WHO AnthroPlus growth references. Chi square test, pearson correlation, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed using SPSS version 16. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Among the 300 children, 48.3% had normal BMI-for-age, 10.3% were overweight and 41.3% were underweight. Chi square test revealed a statistically significant association between neck circumference and BMI-for-age (p < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated strong positive correlations between NC and weight (r = 0.792), height (r = 0.639), BMI (r = 0.723), waist circumference (r = 0.797), and hip circumference (r = 0.734) (p < 0.001 for all). ROC curve analysis indicated excellent diagnostic accuracy of NC for identifying overweight. The optimal cutoff values were 27.75 cm for boys (AUC = 0.884; sensitivity = 88.9%; specificity = 66.2%) and 26.75 cm for girls (AUC = 0.904; sensitivity = 100%; specificity = 69.4%). The overall cutoff value was 27.25 cm (AUC = 0.883; sensitivity = 80.6%; specificity = 74.3%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed NC had a statistically significant positive association with overweight with COR 12.077 (4.75–30.67) and AOR 20.817 (6.34–68.29). Conclusions Neck circumference is significantly correlated with established anthropometric indicators and demonstrates diagnostic accuracy for identifying overweight among school-aged children. NC measurement is a simple, reliable, and cost-effective screening tool that may be particularly useful in school-based and resource-limited settings.

Temptation as a key driver between affective states and usage outcomes of problematic usage of the Internet: A 14-day ambulatory assessment study

Theoretical models of problematic usage of the Internet (PUI) assume that stress and negative mood can trigger cravings and desires as central drivers to use certain online applications that are expected to provide pleasure and relief, which increases the likelihood of use. Learning and reinforcement mechanisms can result in increased and uncontrolled Internet use, that manifests itself in the form of, for example, neglecting important areas of life like relationships or work. To test these associations in a natural environment, we conducted a 14-day ambulatory end-of-day assessment together with a diagnostic interview at baseline to identify different severity levels of PUI. The sample (N = 900) was part of a multi-center study (FOR2974) including participants who engaged in at least one of the following online activities: gaming, pornography use, social network use, or buying-shopping in either a non-problematic ( n  = 419), risky ( n  = 242), or pathological ( n  = 239) way. The adherence rate was about 88%. The data were analyzed using ANOVAs, generalized linear mixed modeling (GLMM), and multigroup multilevel structural equation modeling (MG-ML-SEM). In participants experiencing more severe PUI, ANOVAs revealed greater neglect of other areas of life ( f  = 0.531), longer use times ( f  = 0.442), and more stress ( f  = 0.220–0.248) as well as worse mood in daily life ( f  = 0.220–0.237). Overall, the variables and random effects in the GLMM explained R² conditional  = 79.9% ( R² marginal  = 22.6%) of variance in the prediction of daily usage with temptation as primary within-person effect ( OR =2.53) and PUI severity as between-person effect ( OR = 0.41 to 11.33) being the main predictors. Results of the MG-ML-SEM indicate that pleasure and relief are reinforcing factors for continued use of the Internet with temptation as the central main driver (strongest effect sizes), as theoretically expected. With the extensive sample, the longitudinal approach, and the robust statistical methods, it shows that assumptions of common theoretical models for PUI can also be found in everyday life.

Muscle activity and airflow dynamics upon gradual weight-gain volumetric enlargement or acute surgical reduction of the tongue base during chewing and swallowing

We aimed to understand changes in activity of oropharyngeal muscles and respiratory airflow during chewing and swallowing in two clinically important conditions: gradual weight-gain volumetric enlargement and acute surgical reduction of the tongue base. Six same-sex sibling pairs of 8-to-9-month-old Yucatan minipigs, 3-each-sex, were studied. Of each pair one was fed with high-calorie pellets to reach obesity with a BMI > 50 (enlargement group), and the other was normal-weighted (BMI < 38) and underwent surgical volumetric reduction of the tongue base (reduction group). Electromyograms (EMG) of the tongue (genioglossus and styloglossus), palatal (tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini), hyoid/pharyngeal (thyrohyoid and middle pharyngeal constrictor), and jaw (masseter and digastric) muscles were recorded simultaneously with respiratory airflow monitoring and x-ray videofluoroscopy during unrestrained feeding of pellets mixed with barium-sulfate. Videofluoroscopic images and activity-bursts of the digastric and thyrohyoid muscles were references to detect chewing cycles and swallowing episodes. Recording sessions for both groups occurred at baseline (before surgery in reduction group), and weeks 1, 3, and 5 (after surgery in reduction group). EMG activity amplitudes, burst-durations, onsets (timings of muscle activity), and respiratory airflow were evaluated. Altered chewing EMG included delayed onsets of the tensor veli palatini and styloglossus in both groups at weeks 1, 3, and 5 compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). In addition, the activity amplitudes of the styloglossus and masseter muscles in the enlargement group were higher in comparison to those of the reduction group (p < 0.05). Effects on swallowing involved delayed timings of the palatal and tongue muscle activities in the reduction group with potential impaired swallowing after surgery. The enlargement group was susceptible to breathing alterations evidenced by decreased airflow velocity, airflow pressure and tidal volumes in comparison to those of the reduction group (p < 0.05). These findings reveal adaptations to ensure synchronized feeding and respiration under volumetric alterations of the tongue base, with risks of impaired swallowing and respiratory patency.

Morphology and articular configuration of the ceratopsid (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) lower hindlimb as revealed by a specimen from the Upper Cretaceous Dinosaur Park Formation of southern Alberta, Canada

Ceratopsid dinosaurs, such as Triceratops , are well-known for the striking horns and frills that are ubiquitous among members of the clade. But their postcranium has received little attention by comparison. Many questions persist regarding surprisingly fundamental aspects of the anatomy of the distal part of the hindlimb, such as the proper configuration of the metatarsals and the number and position of the distal tarsals. Here we use a taxonomically indeterminate but nearly complete lower hindlimb of a ceratopsid from the Upper Cretaceous Dinosaur Park Formation of southern Alberta, Canada, originally collected more than a century ago but never previously described, to address some of these uncertainties. The bones were CT scanned and segmented to create digital models that were then positioned based on morphological fit and comparisons with articulated specimens to establish the most plausible arrangement of the lower hindlimb elements. Proximally, the fibula articulated with the posterior surface of the laterally directed cnemial crest of the tibia and the lateral surface of the lateral condyle. The only distal tarsals present, distal tarsals III and IV, articulated with the proximal ends of the corresponding metatarsals, and their proximal surfaces were likely convex and concave, respectively. The metatarsals were closely appressed to one another throughout their lengths. The phalanges are asymmetric in varying ways and to varying degrees. Unguals of some ceratopsids have a visible shelf between the shaft and blade on the posterior side, while others, including the specimen described here, do not. The anatomical and arthrological insights obtained in this investigation of the distal part of the ceratopsid hindlimb will inform future biomechanical studies and contribute to comparisons of crural and pedal osteology among various ceratopsid taxa.

Barycentric rational interpolation collocation method for solving two-dimensional linear and nonlinear integro-differential equations

Barycentric rational interpolation is characterized by excellent numerical stability, high approximation accuracy, and strong adaptability to node distribution. In this paper, we propose a high-precision barycentric rational interpolation collocation method to provide approximate solutions for both linear and nonlinear two-dimensional integro-differential equations (2D-IDEs) subject to specified boundary conditions. Firstly, the discrete scheme for 2D-IDEs is derived by employing the two-dimensional barycentric rational interpolation formula and the two-dimensional Gauss-Legendre numerical integration formula. Then, the error estimation of the approximate solution and the convergence of the method are analyzed. Finally, numerical examples are provided to validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method.

Use of a hypercaloric and hyperprotein supplement enriched with immunonutrients in multi-pathological malnourished patients to improve the incidence and prevalence of pressure sores: A randomized controlled trial

Background Predisposing factors for the development of pressure-related injuries (PRIs) include the presence of chronic diseases, polypharmacy, immobility and malnutrition. Nutrients such as arginine play an essential role in wound healing. Methods and findings A single-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out. Intervention group received a complete hyperproteic and hypercaloric oral nutritional supplement with a fiber mixture enriched in omega 3, L-arginine and nucleotides, providing vitamin C and Zinc, and the control group received a hyperproteic and hypercaloric oral nutritional supplement with fiber mixture. Results Descriptive analysis indicated a lower frequency of PRIs at 15 and 30 days in the Atémpero ® group compared to the control group, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. However, both improved at the end of the study. In addition, the high risk decreased in both groups, with a higher decrease in the Atémpero ® group (72.5% vs 40.9%), as well as the categorization and parameters of the PUSH scale, with a reduction of the same in the Atémpero ® group. Conclusions While statistical significance was not achieved, the observed trends in PUSH scale scores and clinical observations within the Atémpero ® group suggest areas for further investigation. These preliminary data highlight a potential avenue for the nutritional management of multi-pathological patients, establishing a solid foundation for future large-scale confirmatory trials to validate the efficacy of immunonutrient-enriched ONS in pressure injury care. Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06726486 .

Investigation of certain miRNA expression levels in bovine mastitis cases caused by Escherichia coli and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules approximately 18–25 nucleotides in length that function as essential regulators in numerous biological processes, including immune system function and inflammatory conditions such as bovine mastitis. They hold considerable potential as biomarkers for this disease. This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of inflammation-associated miRNAs in the milk of cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis. In this study, 15 whole milk samples were collected from dairy cows, comprising three groups: clinical mastitis (N = 5), subclinical mastitis (N = 5), and healthy (N = 5). The expression levels of nine inflammation-related miRNAs (miR-146a, miR-92a, miR-155, miR-383, miR-29B-2, miR-223, miR-148a, miR-200a, and miR-205) were measured and analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The results revealed a significant upregulation in the expression levels of miR-92a, miR-155, miR-223, and miR-200a in clinical mastitis cases induced by Escherichia coli infection. In contrast, subclinical mastitis caused by coagulase-negativestaphylococci (CoNS) showed a significant downregulation of miR-146a, miR-92a, miR-148a, and miR-205. Furthermore, the expression levels of miR-223 and miR-200a were significantly upregulated in both clinical and subclinical forms of the disease. The findings of this study revealed significant alterations in the expression levels of miR-223 and miR-200a, particularly in clinical mastitis, which highlights greater discriminatory power of these miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers. Accordingly, milk miRNAs appear to have considerable potential for use as non-invasive biomarkers in the early and differential diagnosis of mastitis.