Browse Articles

Novel melasma therapy using combined low fluence and microsecond pulse Q switched 1064 nm neodymium doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser

Intracranial directed connectivity links subregions of the prefrontal cortex to major depression

Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence

Abstract Workplace violence is a significant public health issue, particularly affecting female healthcare professionals. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the vulnerability of female dentists in São Paulo, Brazil, to workplace violence. A sample of 165 female dentists participated by responding to a structured digital questionnaire. The findings revealed that approximately 55% of the respondents had experienced some form of violence, with verbal and psychological abuse being the most common. Intimidation and stalking by patients or their companions were significant predictors of such incidents, increasing the likelihood of exposure by 16-fold (p < 0.001) and 3-fold (p = 0.001), respectively. Dentists in public healthcare services and those assisted by clinical staff were more frequently exposed to workplace violence. Among the respondents, 28% sought help, with psychological treatment being the most utilized form of support (p < 0.001), especially among less experienced professionals (p = 0.034). Although certain environmental and professional variables, such as working alone or during night shifts, did not reach statistical significance, they remained important factors for risk assessment. The results highlight the intimate nature of dental practice as a potential vulnerability factor, particularly due to the prolonged close contact with patients and their companions. This study underscores the importance of implementing preventive and protective strategies, including digital monitoring tools and institutional support, and advocates for accessible mental health resources to help mitigate the impact of workplace violence on female dentists.

A Chemoproteomic Approach for System-Wide and Site-Specific Uncovering of Functional Protein N-Glycosylation

Metastability and Ostwald step rule in the crystallisation of diamond and graphite from molten carbon

Abstract Experimental challenges in determining the phase diagram of carbon at temperatures and pressures near the graphite-diamond-liquid triple point are often related to the persistence of metastable crystalline or glassy phases, superheated crystals, or supercooled liquids. A deeper understanding of the crystallisation kinetics of diamond and graphite is crucial for effectively interpreting the outcomes of these experiments. Here, we reveal the microscopic mechanisms of diamond and graphite nucleation from liquid carbon through molecular simulations with first-principles machine learning potentials. Our simulations accurately reproduce the experimental phase diagram of carbon near the triple point and show that liquid carbon crystallises spontaneously upon cooling. Metastable graphite crystallises in the domain of diamond thermodynamic stability at pressures above the triple point. Furthermore, whereas diamond crystallises through a classical nucleation pathway, graphite follows a two-step process in which low-density fluctuations forego ordering. Calculations of the nucleation rates of the two competing phases confirm this result and reveal a manifestation of Ostwald’s step rule, where the strong metastability of graphite hinders the transformation to the stable diamond phase. Our results provide a key to interpreting melting and recrystallisation experiments and shed light on nucleation kinetics in polymorphic materials with deep metastable states.

Efficient secretion of a plastic degrading enzyme from the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Abstract Plastic pollution has become a global crisis, with microplastics contaminating every environment on the planet, including our food, water, and even our bodies. In response, there is a growing interest in developing plastics that biodegrade naturally, thus avoiding the creation of persistent microplastics. As a mechanism to increase the rate of polyester plastic degradation, we examined the potential of using the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for the expression and secretion of PHL7, an enzyme that breaks down post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. We engineered C. reinhardtii to secrete active PHL7 enzyme and selected strains showing robust expression, by using agar plates containing a polyester polyurethane (PU) dispersion as an efficient screening tool. This method demonstrated the enzyme’s efficacy in degrading ester bond-containing plastics, such as PET and bio-based polyurethanes, and highlights the potential for microalgae to be implemented in environmental biotechnology. The effectiveness of algal-expressed PHL7 in degrading plastics was shown by incubating PET with the supernatant from engineered strains, resulting in substantial plastic degradation, confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis of terephthalic acid formation from PET. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of polyester plastic recycling using microalgae to produce plastic-degrading enzymes. This eco-friendly approach can support global efforts toward eliminating plastic in our environment, and aligns with the pursuit of low-carbon materials, as these engineered algae can also produce plastic monomer precursors. Finally, this data demonstrates C. reinhardtii capabilities for recombinant enzyme production and secretion, offering a “green” alternative to traditional industrial enzyme production methods.

Coprecipitated Enzyme-Encapsulated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Biocatalysis

Concurrent diffusion of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and fluorescent cholesterol disclosed by two-colour sub-millisecond MINFLUX-based single-molecule tracking

Abstract The diffusion and interaction dynamics of membrane proteins and lipids are key for cell function, but their disclosure is hampered by limited temporal and spatial resolution of conventional observation technologies. Here we exploit the capabilities of minimal fluorescence emission photon fluxes (MINFLUX) microscopy in single-molecule co-tracking experiments of an important membrane protein and cholesterol with enhanced spatiotemporal resolution. Specifically, we interrogate the 2D translational mobility of a ubiquitous cell-surface protein, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, in tandem with a fluorescent cholesterol analogue for minute-long periods, reaching nanometric precision and sub-millisecond time resolution. To this end, we implement a multiplexing procedure that enables the simultaneous excitation of the two fluorescent-labelled molecules using a single wavelength, followed by discrimination of their emissions via differential ratiometric recording. We disclose a cholesterol-dependent heterogeneous spectrum of diffusive behaviours with regions of joint translational motion.

Predicting the prognosis of breast cancer patients by using pan-immune-inflammation value: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Macroscopic Homochiral Twist Enables Continuous In Situ Rotational Movement in Photomechanical Assemblies

Author Correction: Developing brain asymmetry shapes cognitive and psychiatric outcomes in adolescence

Obstructive sleep apnea is ralated to metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Imaging and Tailoring Chemical Evolution Kinetics of (0001) Facet on Single β-Co(OH)₂ Nanoplates for the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Synthetic carbon-based lanthanide upconversion nanoparticles for enhanced photothermal therapy

Impact of Egyptian and Saudi Ziziphus spina-christi L. (Sidr) pulp incorporation on the nutritional, functional, and sensory properties of protein bars

Nature of the Active Sites and Reaction Mechanism during Methanol Steam Reforming over Cu/ZnO: An Isotopic Modulated Excitation Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy Study

Quantifying the intra- and inter-species community interactions in microbiomes by dynamic covariance mapping

Abstract A microbiome’s composition, stability, and response to perturbations are governed by its community interaction matrix, typically quantified through pairwise competition. However, in natural environments, microbes encounter multispecies interactions, complex conditions, and unculturable members. Moreover, evolutionary and ecological processes occur on overlapping timescales, making intra-species clonal diversity a critical but poorly understood factor influencing community interactions. Here, we present Dynamic Covariance Mapping (DCM), a general approach to infer microbiome interaction matrices from abundance time-series data. By combining DCM with high-resolution chromosomal barcoding, we quantify inter- and intra-species interactions during E. coli colonization in the mouse gut under three contexts: germ-free, antibiotic-perturbed, and innate microbiota. We identify distinct temporal phases in susceptible communities: (1) destabilization upon E. coli invasion, (2) partial recolonization of native bacteria, and (3) a quasi-steady state where E. coli sub-lineages coexist with resident microbes. These phases are shaped by specific interactions between E. coli clones and community members, emphasizing the dynamic and lineage-specific nature of microbial networks. Our results reveal how ecological and evolutionary dynamics jointly shape microbiome structure over time. The DCM framework provides a scalable method to dissect complex community interactions and is broadly applicable to bacterial ecosystems both in vitro and in situ.

Radiation exposure reduction in peripheral interventions using digital variance angiography versus conventional angiography

Abstract Digital variance angiography (DVA) exhibits promising prospects with respect to radiation exposure in digital subtraction angiography (DSA). This study aimed to determine the reduction of radiation dose in endovascular peripheral interventions (EPI) using DVA. The DVA imaging tool v6.0 (Kinepict Medical Imaging Tool, version 6.0.4, Kinepict Health Ltd., Budapest, Hungary) was utilized for patients undergoing EPI using digital angiography. EPI normal dose (EPI-ND) protocols were adapted from 1.20 to 0.81 µGy/frame to EPI low dose (EPI-LD) protocols using DVA-LD acquisitions with 0.36 µGy/frame and occasionally 0.24 µGy/frame based on specific examination requirements. The dose area product (DAP) was evaluated and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured for each DSA acquisition. Evaluation included 370 EPI-ND and 62 EPI-LD using DVA-LD of three lower extremity regions (mean age: 73 ± 11 years, 67% male). LD protocols decreased median DAP of ND protocols significantly by 62.0% in pelvic, 53.8% in femoral and popliteal, and 59.4% in cruro-pedal regions, respectively (p < .005). DVA-LD increased median CNR significantly compared to DSA-LD (p < .001), and was equal to DSA-ND (p > .15). Image quality was enhanced by CNRDVA−LD/CNRDSA−ND ratio of 1.9 in pelvic, 2.4 in femoral and popliteal and in cruro-pedal regions. DVA reveals significant radiation dose reduction in lower extremity EPIs and enhances image contrast while decreasing noise.

Nitrogen-Rich Porous-Conjugated Framework for Efficient Capture and Electroreduction of Simulated Flue Gas in Acidic Electrolyte

The subordinate role of pseudogenization to recombinative deletion following polyploidization in angiosperms