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Protein Recognition and Assembly by a Phosphocavitand
Activities of daily living mediate the association between balance and falls in middle aged and older adults
Can cognitive function tests discriminate between patients with glioma and healthy controls prior to treatment? A systematic review
Background Brain tumours affect 7 per 100,000 people in the UK, glioma being most prevalent, with only 12% five-year survival rates and devastating impacts. Primary care triage tools could facilitate earlier detection of glioma. One option for triage is cognitive function testing. The aim of this systematic review was to determine if cognitive function tests can discriminate between patients with glioma and healthy controls, and their potential suitability for primary care use. Methods Studies were included that conducted cognitive function tests with adult patients with glioma, prior to treatment, compared to healthy controls. Two independent researchers performed screening and data extraction. The primary outcome explored test discrimination between people with glioma and healthy controls. Results Seventeen studies were identified. Findings indicated multiple cognitive function and language function have potential discriminatory capacity between patients with glioma and healthy controls. Over half of cognitive function tests measuring multiple cognitive functions (59%, n = 17) and language function (54%, n = 30) found significant differences between patients with glioma and healthy controls with medium or large effect size. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment has short test duration, high feasibility and acceptability, suggesting potential primary care suitability. Further acceptability and feasibility studies are needed for other potential tests. Conclusions Acknowledging high heterogeneity of included studies, this review suggests tests of multiple cognitive functions or language could support primary care practitioners with decision-making for urgent neuroimaging referral. However, interpretations should be treated with caution and the applicability to primary care requires further exploration. Prospero registration number: CRD42023408671
Impact of precursor materials and activator interactions on the microstructural and mechanical properties of one part alkali activated concrete
Abstract The practical implementation of alkali activateds is frequently constrained by the complexities associated with preparing alkaline solutions. The advent of one-part alkali activated concrete presents substantial advantages over conventional two-part systems by negating the need for a separate activation process. This simplification not only enhances consistency, workability, and sustainability but also minimizes mixing errors, thereby facilitating broader adoption in construction applications. This study comprehensively examines the effects of various activators on the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of one-part alkali activated concrete. Utilizing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDAX), we investigate the elemental compositions and microstructural features of the alkali activated samples. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of both precursor materials and activator selection in determining hydration products and overall material performance. Notably, the slag-only alkali activated exhibited a dense microstructure characterized by the formation of calcium–aluminum–silicate–hydrate (C–A–S–H) and sodium–aluminum–silicate–hydrate (N–A–S–H) gel phases. The addition of bentonite introduced a more heterogeneous microstructure, with elevated aluminum content indicative of a complex N–A–S–H structure. Furthermore, the choice of activator markedly influenced hydration reactions. The optimal ternary activator (6:3:1 Na-silicate: Na-hydroxide: Na-carbonate) achieved 47 MPa compressive strength, reducing CO₂ emissions by 80% compared to OPC [8]. This research provides critical insights for optimizing alkali activated concrete formulations, highlighting the significance of precursor materials and activator interactions. By advancing the understanding of one-part alkali activateds, this study establishes a foundation for innovative and sustainable solutions in building engineering, addressing practical challenges while enhancing the performance of construction materials.
Application of mechanical quantitative techniques in postoperative rehabilitation assessment of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A study protocol
This study protocol aims to explore the application of mechanical quantitative techniques in the postoperative rehabilitation assessment following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are prevalent among athletes and pose a considerable threat to their careers. While ACLR remains the primary therapeutic intervention for such injuries, the assessment of postoperative rehabilitation still encounters significant challenges. Traditional assessment methods are limited by subjectivity and the absence of quantitative data. Mechanical quantitative techniques present a novel approach, offering objective and precise quantitative metrics for knee functional rehabilitation through the analysis of soft tissue mechanical properties. Methods: An observational methodology will be employed to gather clinical data from patients with ACL injuries. A soft tissue mechanical quantitative measurement device will be utilized for knee functional assessment. The anticipated sample size is 66 cases, with inclusion criteria encompassing specific age ranges, injury durations, and other pertinent factors. Exclusion criteria will exclude participants with other injuries or diseases that may impact rehabilitation. The assessment protocol will consist of traditional knee functional assessments, including knee muscle strength, range of motion, and Lysholm scores, as well as mechanical quantitative assessments of the quadriceps and hamstrings. Blinding: Due to the inherent challenges in clinical controlled trials, a strict double-blind design is infeasible. Therefore, participants will be aware of their group assignments, whereas assessors will remain blinded to the specific research objectives and group allocations. Data entry and statistical grouping will be managed by independent personnel. Statistical Analysis: Data analysis is conducted using SPSS 20.0 software. Categorical data are represented as frequencies (percentages), with intergroup comparisons made using chi-square tests or exact probability methods; continuous data are represented as means ± standard deviations, with intergroup comparisons made using t-tests, analysis of variance, or rank sum tests, and correlation analysis is performed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. A P-value <0.05 is considered statistically significant. Expected Results: Firstly, It is anticipated that there will be a significant correlation between the assessment results of mechanical quantitative techniques and traditional functional assessment methods. This will validate the reliability of mechanical quantitative techniques and facilitate their complementary use alongside traditional assessment methods. Secondly. It is expected that this study will develop new scientific measurement tools and methods, mitigating errors associated with subjective judgments and ensuring the objectivity and accuracy of assessment results. By providing specific, quantifiable data, this study will offer physicians a more intuitive and precise basis for assessment.
Chiroptical Signal Amplification in Amorphous Siloxane Network by Asymmetric Ring Distortion
Life history of a new Paraceratheriid from the Early Oligocene of Northwest China
Abstract Understanding life history is crucial for elucidating mammalian evolution. Body size and tooth development have long been fundamental parameters in reconstructing the life histories of both fossil and extant species. The superfamily Rhinocerotoidea exhibits a protracted evolutionary history from the Eocene to the present, with its large body sizes and high-crowned teeth providing compelling evidence for such studies. In this research, we describe Turpanotherium qiui sp. nov., a new species within the family Paraceratheriidae, identified from a mandible recovered from the Early Oligocene of Northwest China. Analysis of elemental concentrations revealed insights into both longitudinal life history patterns and discrete developmental events. Significant variations in barium and strontium concentrations in the enamel were associated with neonatal development and breastfeeding phases, whereas zinc, strontium, and barium concentrations in the dentine displayed marked seasonal variability. Analysis of Retzius lines in enamel and annual lines in cementum from tooth histology reveals that this Paleogene species exhibited a life history pace comparable to its Quaternary relatives. The evolution of life history traits in Rhinocerotoidea has been relatively conservative since the Oligocene and does not consistently correlate with shifts in body size. This study establishes a foundation for understanding the evolution of life histories in this group.
An unexpected role of CLASP1 in radiation response and S-phase regulation of head and neck cancer cells
Radiotherapy is a mainstay of treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), either definitive or adjuvant to surgery. Biological factors known to affect radiation response are hypoxia and DNA repair capacity, but several lines of evidence indicate that other genes and pathways in the tumor cells might be involved that have not been elucidated. Here, we report the results of a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 functional genomics screen in HNSCC cells to identify radiosensitizing genes. Remarkably, microtubule organizing genes were identified with CLASP1 as most unexpected radiosensitizing hit. Clonogenic assay confirmed the radiosensitizing effect of CLASP1 knockout. Functional analysis showed that CLASP1 knockout has major impact during S-phase, and resulted in mitotic cells with broken chromosomes and cell death. CLASP1 and possibly the microtubule machinery in broader sense seem involved in protection of HNSCC cells against radiation–induced DNA damage. This newly identified mechanism provides an outlook for novel treatment approaches in HNSCC.
Cosolvent Electrolyte Design for High-Voltage Aqueous Zinc–Sulfur Batteries
LMF1 frameshift deletion in Franches-Montagnes horses with hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis
Abstract Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) may be inherited and caused by variants in genes encoding enzymes of lipid metabolism. This study was prompted by the observation of eight Franches-Montagnes (FM) foals showing elevated plasma triglyceride levels and episodes of fatal acute pancreatitis. We termed this phenotype hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis (HIP). The affected foals were distantly related and inbred to a prominent stallion suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance. Whole genome sequencing of an affected foal identified a homozygous loss of function variant in LMF1 encoding lipase maturation factor 1. The variant, XM_023616679.1:c.369_373delinsTCT, leads to an early frameshift and is predicted to alter or truncate 78% of the LMF1 coding sequence. We genotyped the variant in a cohort of 2122 FM horses and identified 11 homozygous mutant animals including all eight foals that had initially been identified based on their clinical presentation. The three additional homozygous mutant animals had a comparable phenotype and were inbred to the same stallion. We concluded that all 11 had been affected by the same disease. Thus, we found perfect genotype-phenotype association in the tested cohort. The carrier frequency in the 2111 unaffected FM horses was 15.0%. Our findings enable genetic testing to prevent the unintentional breeding of further HIP-affected foals.
Precision medicine in rheumatoid arthritis: Evaluation of a new approach to predict clinical response to methotrexate in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis
Background International guidelines recommend methotrexate (MTX) as the first-choice treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although most patients with recently diagnosed arthritis achieve low disease activity or remission with MTX, about 30–40% do not significantly decrease disease activity after 6-month treatment. Predicting response is essential for choosing the best therapeutic option during the window of opportunity. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the performance of two new tests measuring the in vitro response to MTX in MTX-naive patients with RA and the association of the test results with clinical remission after 6-month treatment with MTX. Methods This prospective 6-month study was conducted on 31 RA patients starting MTX treatment. Monocyte metabolic activity (Monocytes Test) and reactive oxygen species (ROS Test) in peripheral blood were measured in vitro before treatment, and response to MTX and remission was measured at 6 months. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for predicting 6-month remission was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each test. Results Patients in remission (71%) and not in remission (29%) at 6 months showed no statistically significant clinical differences at baseline. They only differed in test results: ROS levels were higher in patients who achieved 6-month remission than in those who did not (p < 0.001), and monocyte levels were lower in patients who achieved remission than in those who did not (p < 0.05). Prediction accuracy was high, with AUC values of 0.919 (95% CI [0.813–1.025]) and 0.826 (95% CI [0.664–0.989]), respectively, for ROS and monocyte levels. Conclusions In MTX-naive patients with RA, the pharmacological response to MTX can be adequately predicted in vitro by quantifying ROS production and total monocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Inoculation of Bacillus subtilis in acidic soil amended with biochar and liming materials in maize cultivation
Hyperuricemia in ob/ob mice relates to hepatocellular pyruvate metabolism/ xanthine oxidase axis
Objective The study aimed to examine the association between obesity and hyperuricemia in ob/ob mice. Methods An animal model of obesity was developed using male ob/ob mice. Biochemical parameter test kits were used to measure serum uric acid (UA), hepatic xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity, serum creatinine (Scr), serum lipid profiles, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Then, liver tissues were collected for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, flow cytometry, and western blot (WB) analysis. Furthermore, Huh-7 cells were co-cultured with THP-1 macrophages for 24 hours, with or without LPS + IFN-γ or PA, and subsequently analyzed for XOD activity. In addition, the Huh-7 cells stimulated with PA were analyzed by metabolomics and validated by WB and RT-qPCR. Results Levels of Serum lipid profiles, UA, and XOD activity are elevated in ob/ob mice. In ob/ob mice, liver M1 macrophage polarization is markedly enhanced. In vitro studies show that elevated XOD activity in hepatocytes during hyperlipidemia does not correlate with M1 macrophage polarization. Metabolomics showed that the XOD activity of hepatocytes in hyperlipidemia may be related to pyruvate metabolism. Moreover, the protein and mRNA levels of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), an enzyme that limits pyruvate accumulation, were significantly down-regulated in Huh-7 cells with PA stimulation. Conclusion Hyperuricemia in ob/ob mice relates to hepatocellular pyruvate metabolism/ xanthine oxidase axis.
Self-Assembled Ion Transport Channels in Block Copolymer Electrolytes for Dendrite-Free All-Solid-State Sodium Batteries
Energy saving and low carbon oriented renovation framework for educational buildings with Tianjin University case study
Protocol for a scoping review of the evidence concerning the unique needs and experiences of Orthodox Jewish women and their partners using maternity services
Background Orthodox Jews follow the Jewish law, Halacha, that determines most daily activities and behaviours. Halacha restrictions and the insular lifestyle of groups within the Orthodox community have led to cultural barriers when interacting with NHS maternity services in the UK. Aims and objectives This protocol describes a scoping review that will aim to: explore the needs of Orthodox Jews when interacting with maternity services and their experiences in the UK; to what extend this topic has been studied; and identify any gaps that need further research. Rationale The literature on this topic is scarce. There is an urgent need to understand the unique needs of these communities in order to make NHS maternity services accessible to all. Methods The scoping review will follow Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for scoping reviews. We will utilise a broad search strategy that will include terms such as Orthodox Jewish, Haredi, Halacha, Needs, Experiences and Maternity Services. We will search the grey literature and databases such as OpenGrey, PubMed, Web of Science, CINHAL, SocINDEX and ProQuest. The search will be an iterative process that will be led by the search itself and the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) work done in parallel. Inclusion criteria Using the terms above, we will include English papers from all OECD countries, applying no restrictions on publication year. Expected outcomes Mapping the literature will allow a better understanding of the needs and experiences of the Orthodox community when interacting with NHS maternity services in the UK and will lead to the next stage of the project that aims to make these services more culturally sensitive.
Constructing Dual-Functional Organic Cuboctahedron Cages with Two Different Triangular Building Units for Efficient Artificial Photosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide from Water and Oxygen
Identification of typical marker proteins of Treponema pallidum in compact human bone using morphological and biochemical techniques
Abstract In ancient human compact bone tissue, we can present the identified marker proteins of Treponema pallidum, the lipoproteins 47 kDa, 17 kDa and 15 kDa in three adult individuals from Austria (thirteenth–seventeenth century CE), and in a 5 to 6-years-old child from Germany (seventeenth–nineteenth century CE). These three identified lipoproteins are also used to diagnose syphilis in current medicine. The individuals selected for this study predominantly exhibit the macroscopic and microscopic features of treponemal disease. However, the result of the proteomic analysis can confirm the diagnosis of treponematosis without any doubt. The extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in well-preserved ancient human compact bone are still tightly bound to hydroxyapatite and/or collagen. With our solubilization technique, the entrapped ECM proteins are solubilized and identified with special antibodies in Western blot. Our techniques open up more possibilities to diagnose also other infectious diseases and tumors in humans who lived many thousands years ago.
The influence of audience’s regulatory focus on the persuasive effect of different pro-vaccine messages
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an audience’s regulatory focus on the persuasive effect of different pro-vaccine messages. Study 1 (N = 169) examined attitude changes among audiences with different regulatory focus after reading pro-vaccine messages, and Study 2 (N = 201) added the exploration of message persuasiveness and vaccination intentions as well. The results of Study 1 and Study 2 showed that both high promotion fucus and high prevention focus could facilitate the attitude change elicited by messages emphasizing vaccine safety, official position and credibility. Meanwhile, high-promotion individuals were also more easily influenced by messages highlighting the benefits of vaccination, while high-prevention individuals were more receptive to messages focusing on the personal responsibility. Similar results also appeared when measuring perceived persuasiveness as dependent variable. However, these impacts of regulatory focus did not remain statistically significant on behavioral intention for most messages, except for the messages emphasizing vaccine effectiveness. The behavioral intention changes after reading these messages were significantly promoted by high promotion focus. Our findings could shed some light on the mechanism underlying personalized persuasion as well as more targeted vaccination promotion strategies.