Browse Articles

Exquisite Complex Reaction Cascade in the Natural 1,2,4-Triazine Assembly

Tip60 HAT activators as therapeutic modulators for Alzheimer’s disease

Estimation of the prevalence of substance use by wastewater-based epidemiology study in four cities of Guangdong, China

Introduction The widespread use of illegal drugs and their associated problems have emerged as a significant public health concern. This study was conducted to estimate the consumption and prevalence of substance use in selected cities of Guangdong Province through wastewater-based epidemiology. Methods We collected influent wastewater samples from 67 wastewater treatment plants across four cities of Guangdong from May 2023 to April 2024. The samples were analyzed using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify 10 commonly used drugs and their metabolites in wastewater. By measuring the concentrations of these drug biomarkers, we estimated drug consumption, prevalence, and the number of individuals abusing drugs. Results Our analysis revealed the presence of six out of ten monitored illicit drugs in the samples from the four cities. Methamphetamine emerged as the most consumed drug in Guangdong Province, with consumption ranging from 65 to 223 mg/1000 inh/d. This was followed by heroin (19–55 mg/1000 inh/d), codeine (7–20 mg/1000 inh/d) and ketamine (1–13 mg/1000 inh/d). The prevalence rates of methamphetamine, heroin, and ketamine across four cities of Guangdong Province were found to be 0.149%-0.411%, 0.003%-0.019%, and 0.003%-0.196%, respectively. Notably, between 2023 and 2024, the prevalence of heroin displayed a notable downward trend, while the prevalence of both methamphetamine and ketamine exhibited a marked upward trend. Discussion Our comprehensive analysis of the substance use situation in these cities indicated that methamphetamine, heroin, and ketamine were the most used substances. Cocaine was detected in only two WWTPs whereas MDMA was found in two separate plants. The cities with the highest and lowest prevalence rates of these three drugs were variant. This study provides valuable data that can support real-time monitoring of regional substance use situations, aiding in developing effective intervention strategies.

Genetic susceptibility to recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in an African population from Nairobi, Kenya

Controlling Reaction Pathways of Ethylene Hydroformylation Using Isolated Bimetallic Rhodium–Cobalt Sites

Dual parallel stream-specific and generalized effects of corticogeniculate feedback on LGN neurons in primate and carnivore

Abstract Sensory circuits are organized in parallel, e.g. parallel streams relay feedforward visual information from retina to cortex. Corticogeniculate (CG) feedback is also organized in parallel; however, stream-specific influences of CG feedback remained unresolved. We utilized optogenetics to manipulate CG feedback in monkeys while recording geniculate responses to a comprehensive set of visual stimuli designed to probe stream-specific responses. Here we show that CG feedback improved the spatial resolution of magnocellular, but not parvocellular neurons. Optogenetically enhancing CG feedback increased extraclassical surround suppression, shrunk classical receptive fields, and increased preferred spatial frequencies among magnocellular neurons. Optogenetically suppressing CG feedback reduced surround suppression. Enhancing CG feedback in female ferrets revealed similar stream-specific effects in geniculate Y, but not X neurons. Furthermore, optogenetically enhancing CG feedback improved temporal response precision across neuronal types. These results support dual functional roles for CG feedback in enhancing spatial resolution in a stream-specific manner and improving temporal precision broadly.

Psychometric validation of the Hospital Stress Questionnaire

Background Psychological stress experienced by inpatients has been shown to be associated with poorer post-hospital outcomes. Research that explores and intervenes to address in-hospital stress and ameliorate negative patient outcomes requires a valid measurement tool. The Hospital Stress Questionnaire (HSQ) was developed for this purpose. The aims of the current study were to psychometrically validate the HSQ, identify latent factors, reduce the number of items within the HSQ, and explore the psychometric properties of longer and shorter versions of the scale. Methods A nationally representative sample of recent NHS hospital inpatients (N =  660; mean age =  54.0, range =  18–97) completed the HSQ within a survey of patient experiences; 32 of which completed the measure a second time two weeks later. Factor structure, convergent validity, known-groups validity, predictive validity, and test-retest reliability were assessed. Results Seven domains of in-hospital stress were identified: quality of care, away from home, inconvenienced, health anxiety, negative effects of treatment, ward environment, and disrupted patient experience. Long (55 items), medium (28 items), and short (10 items) versions of the measure were produced, all exhibiting excellent psychometric properties. The highest rated stressor was “poor sleep”. Conclusion The HSQ is a valid and reliable tool, now available to be used by researchers and clinicians. It has potential to be used in intervention studies to reduce in-hospital stress, and to identify patients most at risk of the effects of post-hospital syndrome.

ZTE MRI improves detection of calcific deposits and differentiation between resorptive and formative phases in calcific tendinitis of shoulder

Abstract The purpose of study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the ZTE sequence of shoulder MRI in patients with calcific tendinitis by comparing conventional sequences. Seventy-nine patients (43 patients with calcific tendinitis and 36 control group) who underwent both radiography and MRI including ZTE sequence were enrolled in our study. Two radiologists assessed the SNR, image quality, presence, size, multiplicity, shape, margin, signal intensity, composition, and location of calcific deposits on ZTE image, FSPDWI, and T2WI. The diagnostic performance was calculated with radiography as the standard of reference. The inter-reader agreement and differentiation of the resorptive phase and formative phase on ZTE were compared to that on FSPDWI and T2WI. A total 59 calcific deposits in 43 patients were found on radiography and classified into type 1 resorptive phases (n = 20) and type 2 formative phases (n = 39). ZTE image quality was for diagnostic use with substantial inter-reader agreement. Sensitivity and detection rate of ZTE image was better than those of FSPDWI and T2WI. The inter-reader agreement of ZTE image was equal to FSPDWI and better than T2WI. The features of calcific deposits on ZTE images were significantly different between two phases. In the resorptive phase, a greater percentage of calcific deposits showed irregular shapes, ill-defined margin, heterogeneous compositions on ZTE images. In conclusion, ZTE sequence may provide useful information for the diagnosis of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.

Reactivating Molecular Cobalt Catalysts for Electrochemical CO₂ Conversion to Methanol

Alchemically-glazed plasmonic nanocavities using atomic layer metals: controllably synergizing catalysis and plasmonics

Abstract Plasmonic nanocavities offer exceptional confinement of light, making them effective for energy conversion applications. However, limitations with stability, materials, and chemical activity have impeded their practical implementation. Here we integrate ultrathin palladium (Pd) metal films from sub- to few- atomic monolayers inside plasmonic nanocavities using underpotential deposition. Despite the poor plasmonic properties of bulk Pd in the visible region, minimal loss in optical field enhancement is delivered along with Pd chemical enhancement, as confirmed by ab initio calculations. Such synergistic effects significantly enhance photocatalytic activity of the plasmonic nanocavities as well as photostability by suppressing surface atom migration. We show the atomic alchemical-glazing approach is general for a range of catalytic metals that bridge plasmonic and chemical catalysis, yielding broad applications in photocatalysis for optimal chemical transformation.

Retraction: Single image super-resolution via image quality assessment-guided deep learning network

Regulation of FOXL2 gene in ovarian granulosa cell tumor by JNK inhibitor

<i>O</i>-Cyanobenzaldehydes Irreversibly Modify Both Buried and Exposed Lysine Residues in Live Cells

Energy landscape of a Kv channel revealed by temperature steps while perturbing its electromechanical coupling

Investigating influential factors through crash frequency models considering excess zeros and heterogeneity: New insights into mountain freeway safety

The use of statistical modeling methods to quantify crash causation on mountain freeways is limited by crash data availability and technical challenges posed by excess zeros and heterogeneity, resulting in a lack of significant targeting of proactive crash prevention measures on mountain freeways. We collected multidimensional crash-related information on mountainous freeways in China, including road design characteristics, traffic conditions, pavement performance, and weather conditions. To overcome the challenges of excess zeros and heterogeneity on modeling techniques, we innovatively developed two new models: the Random Parameter Negative Binomial Lindley (RPNB-L) model and the Random Parameter Negative Binomial Generalized Exponential (RPNB-GE) model. The goodness-of-fit indicates that the RPNB-L and RPNB-GE models stand out among the six competing models, suggesting that the Lindley and GE distributions are conducive to portraying the multi-zero attributes, while the regression coefficients randomization treatment provides a deeper portrayal of heterogeneous effects. Moreover, the analysis reveals a considerable number of causes for crash frequency on mountainous freeways in China. These include several interesting results, such as special segments like tunnels and interchanges, Pavement Damage Condition Index (PCI) and the stormy rainfall (TR), which have not been extensively studied in previous research. The research results provided important reference values for the selection of active safety countermeasures for mountain freeways.

CCL3 correlates with ferroptosis in intervertebral disc degeneration and its prognostic significance

Phase I study on the pharmacokinetics of intravaginal, self-administered artesunate vaginal pessaries among women in Kenya

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to prevention and treatment is limited and women are at a higher risk of cervical cancer. Artesunate, a widely available drug used to treat malaria, has shown promise in treating human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anogenital lesions including high-grade cervical precancer, in a recent Phase I studies in the United States. Data on the pharmacokinetics of artesunate following intravaginal use, and its implications on malaria resistance, are lacking. Objectives The primary objective of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetics of Artesunate (AS) and its active metabolite, dihydroartemisinin (DHA) following intravaginal use at the dosing and frequency intended for cervical precancer treatment. A secondary objective is to assess safety among study participants. Methods We are conducting a single-arm, phase I trial with a sample size of 12 female volunteers. Participants will self-administer artesunate vaginal pessaries in the study clinic daily for 5 consecutive days. Participants will have their blood drawn prior to receiving the first dose of artesunate on day one of the study and then will receive 8 blood draws on study day five, prior to artesunate administration and at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, and 8 hours after pessary administration. Pharmacokinetic parameters of artesunate and DHA will be calculated by way of quantitative analysis of with determination of maximum concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax (Tmax), area under the serum concentration versus time curve (AUC), apparent clearance, and elimination half-life (t1/2).

Author Correction: The influence of emotional states induced by emotion-related auditory stimulus on ankle proprioception performance in healthy individuals

Titanium Phosphinidene and Phosphide Moieties from Oxidative Phosphorylation and Desilylation

Effectiveness and satisfaction of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children on anxiety, depression, and internet addiction in adolescents: Study protocol for a randomized control trial

Adolescents with Internet addiction (IA) frequently encounter elevated levels of anxiety and depression, which subsequently results in the perpetuation of their addiction behaviors. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children (MBCT-C) is an adapted version of traditional MBCT that targets emotional problems in children. The present study aimed to provide a framework for the implementation of a clinical trial for its effectiveness in reducing anxiety, depression, and IA in adolescents with IA. This study protocol proposes a randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms (MBCT-C versus active control). Eighty Iranian adolescents (Persian ethnicity; males and females; 12 to 15 years) diagnosed with IA will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (12 sessions of MBCT-C group therapy) or the control group (12 life skills training sessions). Pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up assessments will be conducted using Mindful Attention Awareness Scale-Adolescents (MAAS-A), Mindfulness Program Satisfaction Questioner (MPSQ), Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Children (STAI-C), MBCT-C Adherence Scale (MBCT-C-AS), and Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Data will be analyzed using mixed regression model using STATA-18 to assess the effectiveness of MBCT-C. The current study has the potential to make a significant contribution to evaluate the effectiveness of MBCT-C to address IA, anxiety, and depression in adolescents with IA.