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Aggregation control of anionic pentamethine cyanine enabling excitation wavelength selective NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic therapy

Effectiveness of couple-based violence prevention education in reducing intimate partner violence during pregnancy in rural Ethiopia: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Background Pregnancy is often seen as a joyful and fulfilling time for many women. However, a significant number of women in Ethiopia experience intimate partner violence (IPV) during this period. Despite this, there is limited evidence on interventions aimed at preventing violence during pregnancy. The purpose of this trial was to examine the effectiveness of Couple-Based Violence Prevention Education (CBVPE) in reducing IPV during pregnancy in rural Ethiopia. Method A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted using a two-arm parallel group design. The 16 clusters were randomly allocated into 8 intervention groups and 8 control groups. A total of 432 pregnant women (216 in the intervention group and 216 in the control group) participated in the trial. Couple-based violence prevention education was provided to the participants in the intervention group, while the control group received routine or standard care. We used difference-in-difference analysis and the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Result At the endline, 94.9% of women in the intervention group and 95.3% of women in the control group were available for intention-to-treat analysis. There was a substantial drop in the proportion of any IPV during pregnancy from 39.4% at baseline to 13.0% at endline (p<0.001). Women in the intervention group were 74.1% less likely to report any IPV during pregnancy compared to the control group (AOR = 0.259; 95% CI 0.161–0.417). Specifically, the intervention also reduced psychological, physical, and sexual violence during pregnancy. Conclusion The study found that CBVPE is effective in reducing IPV during pregnancy in the study setting. Scale-up and adaptation to similar settings are recommended. Trial registration The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT05856214 on May 4, 2023.

A two-tier optimization strategy for feature selection in robust adversarial attack mitigation on internet of things network security

Author Correction: Classification of distinct tendinopathy subtypes for precision therapeutics

Effects of antioxidant nutrients on muscle mass, strength and function in COPD patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Aim To comprehensively investigate the effects of antioxidant nutrients on muscle mass, strength and function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched from the inception to January 3, 2024. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was measured using the Jadad scale. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the effect size for measurement data. Further, subgroup analysis was conducted based on whether patients participated in lung rehabilitation plans while receiving nutritional interventions. Sensitivity analysis was performed on all outcomes. Results A total of 12 studies involving 595 patients with COPD were included, with 11 studies had high quality, and one study had low quality. For muscle mass, patients receiving antioxidant nutrients had a significantly increased lean body mass index compared with those not receiving antioxidant nutrients (pooled WMD: 0.903, 95% CI: 0.264, 1.541, P = 0.006). For patients who did not participate in lung rehabilitation plan while receiving nutritional interventions, antioxidant nutrients brought about a significantly higher lean body mass index (pooled WMD: 1.360, 95% CI: 0.560, 2.160, P = 0.001). For muscle strength, patients in the antioxidant nutrient intervention group had significantly higher hand grip strength (HGS) than those in the non-antioxidant nutrient intervention group (pooled WMD: 1.976, 95% CI: 1.337, 2.615, P < 0.001). Patients receiving antioxidant nutrients had significantly greater inspiratory muscle strength (MIP) than those not receiving antioxidant nutrients (pooled WMD: 8.127, 95% CI: 2.677, 13.577, P = 0.003). Conclusion Antioxidant nutrient intervention significantly improved HGS, MIP and lean body mass index in COPD. Clinicians should consider increasing food intake or supplementation rich in antioxidants in the treatment plan of patients with COPD.

The relationship between interpersonal trust, family capital, and physical activity behavior among university students: a cross-lagged study

Author Correction: Noninvasive rejuvenation strategy of nickel-rich layered positive electrode for Li-ion battery through magneto-electrochemical synergistic activation

Psilocybin-assisted massed cognitive processing therapy for chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: Protocol for an open-label pilot feasibility trial

Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 3.9% of the general population. While massed cognitive processing therapy (CPT) has demonstrated efficacy in treating chronic PTSD, a substantial proportion of patients still continue to meet PTSD criteria after treatment, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Preliminary evidence supports the potential therapeutic action of psilocybin to alleviate PTSD symptoms. This open-label pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of a single dose 25 mg psilocybin in combination with one week of massed CPT in patients with chronic PTSD. Method Fifteen participants with chronic PTSD will undergo 12 CPT sessions, two psilocybin-related psychotherapy sessions, and one psilocybin dosing session over a 7-days period. The primary outcomes are feasibility and tolerability, which will be measured by recruitment rates, withdrawal, data completion, adherence, number and nature of adverse events. Secondary objectives include assessing the preliminary efficacy of psilocybin-assisted CPT in reducing PTSD severity, self-reported treatment outcomes and exploring putative mechanisms of change. Participants will be monitored weekly for 12 weeks post-treatment and passive data relevant to mental health and well-being will be collected using a wearable device. Discussion This trial will generate important preliminary data on the use of psilocybin-assisted CPT for treating PTSD. The findings will guide the design of a multi-site, large-scale randomized control trial to more rigorously assess the efficacy of this intervention. De-identified data from this study will be available upon request after publication of the results. This study represents a promising and innovative approach to PTSD treatment, potentially offering an alternative therapeutic option for individuals unresponsive to conventional therapies. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06386003.

Evolution of the umbilical cord blood proteome across gestational development

Rationally designed universal passivator for high-performance single-junction and tandem perovskite solar cells

Optimization of HIV drugs through MCDM technique Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)

Topological indices are crucial tools for predicting the physicochemical and biological features of different drugs. They are numerical values obtained from the structure of chemical molecules. These indices, particularly the degree-based TIs are a useful tools for evaluating the connection between a compound’s structure and its attributes. This study addresses the research problemof how to optimize drug design for HIV treatment using degree-based topological indices. The need for safer and more effective medicines for HIV is further emphasized by the advent of drug resistance and severe negative effects from current therapies. Employing degree-based graph invariants, the study investigates 13 HIV drugs by applying a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) technique to associate their molecular structures with their physical properties. HIV drugs are ranked using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) according to specific parameters. The findings of the study demonstrate how well these approaches can determine the most effective possible drug combinations and designs, offering insightful information in developing improved HIV treatments.

Mini-open transosseous repair with bursal augmentation improves outcomes in massive rotator cuff tears

Abstract Treatment of Massive rotator cuff tears (MRCT) is difficult, with high rates of retears. Using biological augmentation in the form of the highly vascular subacromial bursa, was used to improve tendon healing. This work aimed to evaluate the results of arthroscopic guided mini-open transosseous repair with bursal augmentation in the treatment of MRCTs in a five-step approach. Forty-eight patients, with a mean age of 63.15 years, were treated with this technique. The patients were evaluated with the constant, UCLA and VAS scores. Plain X-rays were performed to evaluate the CSA and MRI was done to confirm the diagnosis of MRCT and determine the degree of fatty degeneration. Ultrasound was done at 1 year post-operative to determine any retears. The mean follow-up period was 29 months ± 4.95. The Constant and UCLA mean scores improved from (52.52) to (89) and (13.2) to (30.5) respectively (p < 0.0001). The post-operative active flexion and abduction improved from a mean of (112° to 170°) and (136.2° to 167°) respectively, while ER improved from (62.8° to 70°) with their p values (p < 0.0001). Pain improved from a mean VAS of (5.85) to (0.5) (p < 0.0001). No deterioration of function was noted throughout the follow-up period, and no retears occurred on post-operative ultrasound evaluation. Mini-open transosseous repair with bursal augmentation in the treatment of MRCT is an effective and low-cost method that achieves satisfactory results with no retears.

Regulation of enzymatic lipid peroxidation in osteoblasts protects against postmenopausal osteoporosis

Carbon information disclosure and corporate financial performance—Empirical evidence based on heavily polluting industries in China

Global climate change has become one of the most large-scale, widespread, and far-reaching challenges facing mankind. Against this background, China has proposed a "dual-carbon" target in 2020, which greatly demonstrates China’s determination and commitment to carbon emission reduction, and the burden of realizing the "dual-carbon" target is mainly borne by heavy polluters. The burden of achieving the "dual-carbon" goal is mainly borne by the heavily polluting firms. Although this has increased the economic burden of the firms to a certain extent, carbon information disclosure reduces the degree of information asymmetry and also obtains the support of the government, which improves the financial performance of the firms. Based on the data of A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen in the heavy pollution industry in 2013–2023, this paper analyzes the relationship between carbon information disclosure, and corporate financial performance according to signaling theory, rent-seeking theory, and sustainable development theory. It is found that enhanced corporate carbon disclosure can significantly improve corporate financial performance, and the main effect is realized through reducing debt financing costs and increasing the proportion of institutional investors’ shareholding. In the heterogeneity analysis, this paper finds that the main effect is more significant in the samples of firms located in the western region and the central region. Based on existing research, this paper deepens the study of the relationship between carbon disclosure and corporate financial performance. By integrating the multiple perspectives of signaling theory, rent-seeking theory and sustainable development theory, this paper systematically analyzes how creditors, institutional investors and other stakeholders play a role in the dynamic interaction between carbon disclosure and corporate financial performance, and reveals the motives and mechanisms behind the behaviors of these stakeholders. In order to further refine the analysis path, this paper constructs an intermediary model in order to deconstruct the deep logic of the path and mechanism through which carbon disclosure indirectly affects corporate financial performance. This model not only enhances the theoretical explanatory power, but also provides a more refined analytical framework for empirical testing, which helps to reveal the “black box” mechanism of carbon disclosure’s impact on corporate financial performance. In addition, in view of China’s vast territory and the uneven level of economic development between regions, this paper adopts a differentiated analysis strategy, based on the economic characteristics of the regions where the heavy polluters are located, and divides the whole sample into three sub-samples for independent regression analysis. This heterogeneity test incorporates inter-regional development differences into the scope of analysis, making the research conclusions more geographically specific and policy-guiding significance. By comparing and analyzing the differences in the impact of carbon disclosure on the financial performance of enterprises in different regions, this paper provides a reference for the government to formulate differentiated carbon disclosure policies in the future, accurately promote the construction of the carbon trading market, and efficiently achieve the carbon emission reduction targets at the national level.

No significant relationship found between spontaneous motor tempo, heartbeat, and individual alpha frequency: an analysis of internal tempos

Unidirectional MCM translocation away from ORC drives origin licensing

Abstract The MCM motor of the eukaryotic replicative helicase is loaded as a double hexamer onto DNA by the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC), Cdc6, and Cdt1. ATP binding supports formation of the ORC-Cdc6-Cdt1-MCM (OCCM) helicase-recruitment complex where ORC-Cdc6 and one MCM hexamer form two juxtaposed rings around duplex DNA. ATP hydrolysis by MCM completes MCM loading but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we used cryo-EM to characterise helicase loading with ATPase-dead Arginine Finger variants of the six MCM subunits. We report the structure of two MCM complexes with different DNA grips, stalled as they mature to loaded MCM. The Mcm2 Arginine Finger-variant stabilises DNA binding by Mcm2 away from ORC/Cdc6. The Arginine Finger-variant of the neighbouring Mcm5 subunit stabilises DNA engagement by Mcm5 downstream of the Mcm2 binding site. Cdc6 and Orc1 progressively disengage from ORC as MCM translocates along DNA. We observe that duplex DNA translocation by MCM involves a set of leading-strand contacts by the pre-sensor 1 ATPase hairpins and lagging-strand contacts by the helix-2-insert hairpins. Mutating any of the MCM residues involved impairs high-salt resistant DNA binding in vitro and double-hexamer formation assessed by electron microscopy. Thus, ATPase-powered duplex DNA translocation away from ORC underlies MCM loading.

Impact of emergency department overcrowding on the occurrence of in-hospital cardiac arrest

We aimed to determine whether emergency department (ED) overcrowding affects the occurrence of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) requiring resuscitation in the ED. This retrospective study was conducted in the ED of a single hospital. We applied the propensity score-matching method to adjust for differences in clinical characteristics in patients who visited the ED during overcrowded conditions. The indicators of overcrowding were: the total number of patients, number of patients undergoing treatment, and number of boarded patients awaiting hospital admission at the time of a patient’s arrival. We defined the existence of ED overcrowding based on the 75%, 80%, and 90% thresholds of each indicator. We included 153,353 patients, and 160 cases of IHCA occurred, showing an incidence rate of 0.10%. The IHCA incidence rate increased during overcrowding, as indicated by the total number of patients and the number of boarded patients rising to 0.15% and 0.17%, respectively, at the 90% threshold (p = 0.0407 and 0.0203, respectively). The IHCA incidence rate did not increase during overcrowding based on the number of patients undergoing treatment. In the comparison conducted after propensity score matching, the incidence of IHCA was significantly higher in the overcrowding group than in the non-overcrowding group, indicated by 80% boarded patients (0.15% vs. 0.08%, p = 0.0222). The logistic regression results indicated that both the full-study and propensity score-matched cohorts showed a tendency for increased IHCA during overcrowding, as indicated by the total number of patients and number of boarded patients. The number of patients undergoing treatment did not affect the occurrence of IHCA. Although this needs to be confirmed in larger studies, we found in this study that ED overcrowding, particularly blocked access, tends to increase the incidence of IHCA requiring resuscitation in the ED. This suggests that to protect patient safety in ED overcrowding, it is essential for the entire hospital to make concerted efforts to maintain the flow of patients in the ED.

Energy feature extraction and visualization of voltage sags using wavelet packet analysis for enhanced power quality monitoring

Thermoelectric porous laser-induced graphene-based strain-temperature decoupling and self-powered sensing

At what cycle threshold level are dogs able to detect SARS-CoV-2 in humans?

Dogs can discriminate between people infected with SARS-CoV-2 from those uninfected, although their results vary depending on the settings in which they are exposed to infected individuals or samples of urine, sweat or saliva. This variability likely depends on the viral load of infected people, which may be closely associated with physiological changes in infected patients. Determining this viral load is challenging, and a practical approach is to use the cycle threshold (Ct) value of a RT-qPCR test. The hypothesis was that dogs should have a specific Ct range at which they could detect people infected with SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the objective was to determine this Ct range. Sweat samples and epidemiological data were collected from 89 infected and 289 non-infected individuals at real life settings (e.g. health centers, offices, football fields). To determine each person’s infection status, the Norgen Biotek kit for RT-qPCR was used; targeting the N1 and N2 regions of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid N gene. The performance of 11 trained dogs was evaluated on sweat samples of 379 individuals to determine their sensitivity and specificity (± 95% Confidence Intervals; CI) in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections. Additionally, the SARS-CoV-2 viral load was calculated from Ct values using a reference curve, and the Ct range at which dogs showed optimal performance was determined. Six dogs exhibited a marginal performance, as their sensitivity 95% CI overlapped with the region of randomness (50%). The remaining five dogs demonstrated sensitivity values between 67% and 87%, with none of their 95% CIs overlapping the randomness region. Regarding specificity, three dogs showed values between 87% and 92%, while all other dogs exhibited values of ≥ 90%. Dogs demonstrated higher detection accuracy in a range of Ct values between 18.49 and 29.17 for the N1 region and between 24.07 and 26.69 for the N2 region of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid gene. Detection significantly decreases for Ct values greater than 30 or less than 16, indicating an optimal range in which dogs are most effective. These performance values concur well with those reported for commercial rapid antigen tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2. Consequently, it is considered that using properly trained animals could offer a viable option to supplement existing diagnostic methods, allowing for rapid diagnosis while optimizing time and economic resources. Moreover, this approach is ecologically sustainable, as it generates less waste compared to the use of rapid tests, while continuing to confirm positive cases.