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The low fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet (LFD) is a second-line dietary intervention for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, involving FODMAP restriction, reintroduction, and personalization, and it needs to be delivered by dietitians. However, the application of this diet among Malaysian IBS patients is not well understood. This study aimed to explore the practices and barriers in delivering the LFD among Malaysia dietitians. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted online with practicing dietitians until the data reached saturation. All the interview sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Eleven dietitians were interviewed, with 36.4% (n = 4) having more than 10 years of experience. The following four themes regarding their practices emerged: 1. dietary advice on FODMAP restriction; 2. duration of FODMAP restriction phase; 3. references used to get information about FODMAPs, and 4. strategies on reintroduction. Meanwhile, the following seven barriers were identified: 1. lack of culturally relevant educational materials; 2. limited knowledge about the LFD; 3. inadequate formal training among dietitians; 4. lack of integration in multi-disciplinary care; 5. low health literacy of patients; 6. low compliance rate among patients, and 7. restrictions for certain populations. LFD implementation in Malaysia is not standardized as only experienced dietitians can provide dietary evidence-based advice. Lack of training and culturally specific resources are some of the main barriers that were identified to be limiting the implementation of the diet. Therefore, there is a need for training programs and resource development to support Malaysian dietitians in managing IBS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, considering the increased cases of terroristic operations, structural design engineers are starting to acknowledge blast-induced loads alongside other design parameters. Since a blast-induced load exhibits a much shorter period than the natural period of the structure, it is unlikely to induce general damages or stimulate the entire structure immediately after the loading, but rather local damages in individual structural elements are the common form of damage. These local damages, however, can set the scene for the gradual failure of the structure. The present study on structures with moment-resisting frames, buckling-restrained braces (BRBs), and conventional steel braces was conducted through an alternative load path (ALP, also known as column elimination) and exact modeling of the blast on the steel frames was undertaken using LS-DYNA software. In this work, the behavior of three five-story steel frames under a blast-induced load of 100 kg TNT equivalent at a distance of 10 m from the structural columns for a period of 100 ms was investigated. Results of analyzing the blast-induced effect on the frames showed that the frame equipped with buckling-restrained braces (BRB) exhibited improved overall peak displacement across the entire frame, peak induced velocity, and peak induced acceleration by 30%, 30%, and 46%, respectively, as compared to other steel frames exposed to blast loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to compare outcomes in patients with complete surgical resection versus partial resection of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (OM). A post hoc analysis of 171 patients with OM was performed using data from two randomized clinical trials. OM was confirmed with bone culture or histopathology. Surgical culture specimens were obtained from resected bone and sent for histopathology and microbiology. Residual osteomyelitis (RO) was defined as a positive resected margin on culture or histopathology. No residual osteomyelitis (NRO) was defined as no growth from bone culture and no histopathological inflammation in the biopsy of the resection margin. Data from the 12‐month follow‐up were used to determine clinical outcomes. During the index hospitalization, NRO patients had significantly shorter duration of antibiotic therapy (NRO 21.0, 13.0–38.0 vs. RO 37.0, 20.8–50.0, p <0.01) and more amputations than patients with RO (NRO 89.9% vs. RO 60.9%, p <0.01). During the 12‐month follow‐up, patients with NRO also had significantly shorter duration of antibiotic therapy (NRO 42, 21.0–66.5 vs. RO 50.5, 35.0–75.0, p = 0.02). During the 12‐month follow‐up, there was no difference in ulceration at the same site (NRO 3.7%, RO 4.3% p = 0.85), hospitalization (NRO 32.6%, RO 34.8%, p = 0.76), total re‐infections (NRO 25.3%, RO 29.3%, p = 0.56), re‐infection with osteomyelitis (NRO 13.3% vs. 13.5%, p = 0.36), amputation (NRO 8.8%, RO 5.4%, p = 0.86) and time to wound healing in days (NRO 94, 41.0–365 vs. RO 106, 42.8–365, p = 0.77). Successful treatment of osteomyelitis was achieved by 86.7% and 86.5% of patients. During the index hospitalization, patients with no residual osteomyelitis had more amputations and were treated with antibiotics for a shorter duration. During the 12‐month follow‐up, patients with no residual osteomyelitis had shorter durations of antibiotics. There were no differences in re‐infection, amputation, re‐ulceration or hospitalization. Level of evidence: 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of repeated cycles of drying and rehydration on some physiological traits were assessed in long shelf-life tomatoes cultivated in a typical semi-arid area of Southern Italy. Three Sicilian landraces ('Custonaci', 'Salina', and 'Vulcano') from the germplasm collection at CNR-IBE (Catania, Italy) and a commercial tomato mini-plum ('Faino Hy., control) were investigated under three water regimes: DRY (no irrigation), IRR (long-season full irrigation) and REW (post-drought rewaterings). Net photosynthetic assimilation rate (Pn), leaf transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEi), leaf intercellular CO2 (Ci, ppm), and leaf temperature (°C), were measured during the growing season. At harvest (late July), fruit production per plant was measured and ripened fruits were analysed for total solids (TS), soluble solids (SS), reducing sugars (RS), vitamin C (AscA), and total phenols (TP). Pn promptly responded to rewatering (REW), quickly increasing immediately after irrigation, and declined with soil drying up. All genotypes had similar physiological pathways in DRY, but in IRR, 'Faino' had higher Pn (up to 31 μmol CO2 m−2s−1) and E (up to 18 mmol H2O m−2s−1). Stomatal conductance (gs) after rewatering steeply increased and quickly declined after that. All local landraces had the same gs in IRR and REW. Variations in RWC were less pronounced than those in other physiological parameters. WUEi in REW and DRY proceeded similarly (up to 3 μmol CO2 mmol H2O). Irrigation in REW significantly promoted plant productivity over the DRY control (up to +150% in 'Vulcano'). TS and SS in REW were lower than those in DRY, but higher (+19 and +7%, respectively) than in IRR. Vitamin C was greater in DRY and REW (26 and 18% higher than in IRR, respectively). TP in all local tomatoes were significantly higher (up to +29% in 'Vulcano') than those in the commercial control. Water regime had a minor effect on TP in 'Custonaci' and 'Salina'. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) provided information on the changes in physiological and fruit quality traits in tomatoes in relation to cultivars and water regimes. The results of this study also revealed that a water-saving irrigation strategy where few irrigations are applied after prolonged periods of drought might be profitable in terms of fruit production enhancement in long shelf-life tomatoes and that limited rewaterings in most cases, help retaining high levels of fruit quality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious causes of diarrhea contribute significantly to morbidity in Asia. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the prevalence of infectious etiologies of persistent and chronic diarrhea in Asian adults. Searches were performed on PubMed and Scopus for studies from January 1, 1970, to May 30, 2023. Sixteen studies were identified and included. The meta‐analysis was conducted with the random‐effects method, estimating the pooled prevalence of groups of infectious pathogens as causes of persistent and chronic diarrhea among Asian adults. The findings were highly heterogeneous and indicative of publication bias. The majority of studies were conducted on persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection (PLHIV). The studies were predominantly from low‐income and middle‐income Asian countries. The most common cause was parasitic, with a pooled prevalence of 0.52 (95% confidence interval 0.28–0.65, I2 = 99%, Cochran's Q = 1027.44, P < 0.01), followed by bacterial, fungal, and viral causes, which were substantially rarer. Negative microbiological testing was also common, with a pooled prevalence for a negative test being 0.37 (95% confidence interval 0.17–0.52, I2 = 99%, Cochran's Q = 1027.44, P < 0.01). Subgroup analyses of studies conducted among PLHIV, from year 2000 and among those conducted in Southeast Asia showed a similar prevalence of parasitic causes of diarrhea. In conclusion, in Asian adults with persistent and chronic diarrhea, parasitic causes were most prevalent. However, the estimate of true prevalence is limited by significant heterogeneity among the available studies. More study in this field is required, especially examining PLHIV in the post‐antiretroviral therapy era and from high‐income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with roots in genetic, immune, psychological, and dietary factors. Recently, the potential correlation between environmental exposures, such as air pollution, and IBS has gained attention. This review aimed to systematically examine existing studies on environmental factors associated with IBS, elucidating this interplay and guiding future research. Methods: A literature search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from database inception to October 10, 2023, using the keywords "Irritable Bowel" or IBS or "Irritable Colon" or "Mucous Colitis" or "Spastic Colitis" or "Spastic Colon" AND "environment* exposure*". Studies were included if they were original, published in English, described defined environmental exposure(s), and had documented diagnosis of IBS. For the purposes of this review, articles reporting physical (e.g. radiation and climate change), biological (e.g. bacteria and viruses), and chemical (e.g. harmful gases) exposures were included while psychological and dietary factors, which have been reviewed in detail elsewhere, are outside of the scope. Results: A total of seven studies focusing on air quality, microbial exposure, and other environmental factors were reviewed. Studies highlighted a potential association between air pollutants and increased IBS incidence. Microbial exposure, post‐natural disaster or due to poor sanitation, was linked to IBS development and gut dysbiosis. Other exposures, such as early pet ownership, were also associated with IBS risk. Conclusion: Existing research demonstrates an epidemiologic relationship between environmental exposures and the development of IBS. Further research is needed to understand these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the incidence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, reinfection and clinical outcomes. Four hundred forty‐six patients that were admitted to the hospital with moderate or severe foot infections were retrospectively reviewed. Tissue and bone cultures were obtained from the index hospital admission. Conversion was defined as methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in the first culture and subsequently MRSA when there was a reinfection. The incidence of MRSA was 7.8% (n = 35), with no significant difference between soft tissue infections (7.7%) and osteomyelitis (8.0%). MRSA incidence was 9.4 times higher in non‐diabetics (23.8% vs. 3.2%, p = <0.01). The incidence of reinfection was 40.8% (n = 182). Conversion to MRSA was seen in 2.2% (n = 4) total, occurring in 5.4%. Non‐diabetics were 20.1 times more likely to have MRSA reinfection than people with diabetes (28.6% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). MRSA patients had a higher proportion of healed wounds (82.4% vs. 69.3%, p = 0.02). There were no differences in other clinical outcomes in MRSA vs. other infections in reinfection (28.6% vs. 24.3%, p = 0.11), amputation (48.6% vs. 52.0%, p = 0.69) or hospitalization (28.6% vs. 42.6, p = 0.11). The incidence of MRSA for the first infection (7.8%), reinfection (6.0%) and conversion to MRSA (2.2%) was low. MRSA was 9.4 times more common in people without diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent decades have seen an increase in using self‐healing technology in fabricating multifunctional rubber materials, which incorporate intrinsic mechanisms. However, achieving commendable self‐healing efficiency while maintaining strength in thin rubber films remains challenging. Herewith, the preparation of self‐healing carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber thin films is presented with 0.40 ± 0.05 mm thickness, reinforced with sustainable TEMPO‐oxidized cellulose nanofibers. The thin films are fabricated using wet mixing and casting methods and translated to prototype fabrication via dipping. The study involves the effect of varying zinc stearate and filler concentrations on healing efficiency via ionic mechanisms alongside other characterization techniques, such as chemical composition, surface morphology, cross‐link density, and thermal stability. The fabricated thin films exhibited a tensile strength of 5.38 MPa and an elongation‐at‐break of 518%. After undergoing a temperature‐induced healing process at 100 °C for 1 h, the healing efficiency for both properties reached 72% and 90%, respectively. Moreover, these films demonstrates the ability to heal repeatedly at the same fracture site over multiple cycles, maintaining a healing efficiency of over 45% after the third cycle. A glove prototype is fabricated and tested using water and air leakage tests to prove the self‐healing technology's successful transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the establishment of the Emerging Leaders Committee (ELC) by the Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) to support and develop emerging leaders in digestive health from the Asia-Pacific region. The ELC aims to create a community of young healthcare professionals and provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and leadership development. The committee has established focus groups and plans to organize webinars, forums, and collaborations with the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (JGH) to enhance education, research, and publication opportunities. The ELC also aims to foster international engagement and strengthen ties with other young chapters of global organizations. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Community-driven research in primary healthcare (PHC) may reduce the chronic disease burden in Indigenous peoples. This systematic review assessed the cultural safety of reports of research on PHC use by Indigenous peoples from four countries with similar colonial histories. Methods: Medline, CINAHL and Embase were all systematically searched from 1st January 2002 to 4th April 2023. Papers were included if they were original studies, published in English and included data (quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed methods) on primary healthcare use for chronic disease (chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes mellitus) by Indigenous Peoples from Western colonial countries. Study screening and data extraction were undertaken independently by two authors, at least one of whom was Indigenous. The baseline characteristics of the papers were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Aspects of cultural safety of the research papers were assessed using two quality appraisal tools: the CONSIDER tool and the CREATE tool (subset analysis). This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool. Results: We identified 35 papers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Most papers were quantitative (n = 21) and included data on 42,438 people. Cultural safety across the included papers varied significantly with gaps in adequate reporting of research partnerships, provision of clear collective consent from participants and Indigenous research governance throughout the research process, particularly in dissemination. The majority of the papers (94%, 33/35) stated that research aims emerged from communities or empirical evidence. We also found that 71.4% (25/35) of papers reported of using strengths-based approaches by considering the impacts of colonization on reduced primary healthcare access. Conclusion: Research on Indigenous PHC use should adopt more culturally safe ways of providing care and producing research outputs which are relevant to community needs by privileging Indigenous voices throughout the research process including dissemination. Indigenous stakeholders should participate more formally and explicitly throughout the process to guide research practices, inclusive of Indigenous values and community needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the role of factors such as the virtual world, social networks, and online games and their impacts on learners' lives under no circumstances cannot be overlooked and are starting to show their usefulness in second/foreign language learning and testing through creative methods of teaching, learning, and testing (Qiao et al., 2022). Today's learners who have been grown up via Internet facilities almost never experienced a globe without the internet, Children between the ages of five and eight are most likely to learn how to use computers (Dede, 2005; Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005). The use of digital gaming in conjunction with instructional material may aid language learners in comprehending linguistic information. Clandestine assessment games have been found to be excellent learning aids in which learning activities are inserted covertly, enable deep understanding, and results can be measured based on the intended skill without the students being aware of it. In the English classrooms of the Safir language institution, this qualitative case study investigated an instructor's perspectives to determine to what extent teaching and learning are affected by such assessment games. This study uncovered trends in how and why Iranian EFL learners' linguistic knowledge growth might be guided and supported by covert assessment games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of Motor Neuron Disease and is traditionally associated with motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord degeneration. Neuropsychological deficits are also increasingly recognized in ALS and have considerable clinical ramifications, but existing studies of cognitive impairment in ALS have primarily focused on cortical frontotemporal disease burden. The aim of this study is the comprehensive assessment of the grey and white matter components of limbic networks in a large cohort of patients with ALS, stratified for the C9orf72 genotype. Our MRI analyses reveal that the cortical, subcortical and white matter components of limbic circuits are not only affected in C9orf72-positive patients, but also in those who test negative for this genetic variant. Our radiological findings are consistent with previous neuropsychological observations and highlight the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological testing in ALS, irrespective of the underlying genotype. Cognitive impairment in ALS has widespread practical implications, including compliance with assistive devices, participation in clinical trials, and it has been associated with increased caregiver burden and is widely regarded as an adverse prognostic indicator. Our data provide radiological evidence of widespread limbic degeneration in ALS, which is particularly severe in C9orf72 mutation carriers. Background: While frontotemporal involvement is increasingly recognized in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the degeneration of limbic networks remains poorly characterized, despite growing evidence of amnestic deficits, impaired emotional processing and deficits in social cognition. Methods: A prospective neuroimaging study was conducted with 204 individuals with ALS and 111 healthy controls. Patients were stratified for hexanucleotide expansion status in C9orf72. A deep-learning-based segmentation approach was implemented to segment the nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, fornix, mammillary body, basal forebrain and septal nuclei. The cortical, subcortical and white matter components of the Papez circuit were also systematically evaluated. Results: Hexanucleotide repeat expansion carriers exhibited bilateral amygdala, hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens atrophy, and C9orf72 negative patients showed bilateral basal forebrain volume reductions compared to controls. Both patient groups showed left rostral anterior cingulate atrophy, left entorhinal cortex thinning and cingulum and fornix alterations, irrespective of the genotype. Fornix, cingulum, posterior cingulate, nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hypothalamus degeneration was more marked in C9orf72-positive ALS patients. Conclusions: Our results highlighted that mesial temporal and parasagittal subcortical degeneration is not unique to C9orf72 carriers. Our radiological findings were consistent with neuropsychological observations and highlighted the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological testing in ALS, irrespective of the underlying genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving agricultural nitrogen management is one of the key objectives of the recent Green Deal in Europe. Current technological developments in agriculture offer new opportunities to improve nitrogen fertilization practices. The aim of this study was to adapt to Sentinel-2 data a proven delineation method initially developed for yield maps, in order to facilitate precise nitrogen management by farmers. The study was conducted in two steps. Firstly, an analysis at annual level was conducted to assess the relationship between vegetation indices and yield at the subfield scale, for different sensing period. The second step consisted in performing a pluri- annual analysis through the delineation of management zones and compare the results achieved from yield maps and from NDVI maps. Among different vegetation indices, NDVI proved to be an interesting candidate for subfield detection of yield variation, specifically when the index was sensed was sensed around the second half of May. In this area, this period usually corresponds to phenological development between the flag leaf stage and heading stage, just prior the initiation of winter wheat flowering. Using NDVI maps within Blackmore's delineation approach instead of yield maps. Allowed to reach an accuracy of 69% on zone classification. However, as yields and NDVI distribution do not respond to similar statistical distributions, we considered that the delineation threshold used to differentiate high from low yielding zones had to be adapted. The adaptation of the "performance threshold" in favor of the median NDVI, made it possible to achieve a higher accuracy (71%) of the delineation. But above all, the improvement lies also in a more robust satellite-based delineation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Natural products are widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries due to their high‐value bioactive compounds, which make for "greener" and more environmentally friendly ingredients. These natural compounds are also considered a safer alternative to antibiotics, which may result in antibiotic resistance as well as unfavorable side effects. The development of cosmeceuticals, which combine the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields to create skincare products with therapeutic value, has increased the demand for unique natural resources. The objective of this review is to discuss the biological properties of extracts derived from larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens), the appropriate extraction methods, and the potential of this insect as a novel active ingredient in the formulation of new cosmeceutical products. This review also addresses the biological actions of compounds originating from the BSF, and the possible association between the diets of BSF larvae and their subsequent bioactive composition. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify and evaluate the various biological properties of the BSF. Results: One such natural resource that may be useful in the cosmeceutical field is the BSF, a versatile insect with numerous potential applications due to its nutrient content and scavenging behavior. Previous research has also shown that the BSF has several biological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and wound healing effects. Conclusion: Given the range of biological activities and metabolites possessed by the BSF, this insect may have the cosmeceutical potential to treat a number of skin pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrononutrition, an emerging body of evidence on the relationship between biological rhythms and metabolism, has been established to be associated with glycemic responses. However, the available evidence is inconsistent, due to protocol variations. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the findings on chrononutrition characteristics and their association with glycemic responses among adults. Systematic searches were conducted across six databases (PubMed, EBSCO Host, ProQuest Central, MEDLINE & Ovid, Scopus and Web of Science) to identify all relevant studies published from January 2012. Two reviewers independently screened the abstracts and full-text articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Details about population characteristics, study methods and key findings were extracted following the PRISMA-ScR guideline. The quality of selected studies was evaluated using the mixed methods appraisal tool. The searchers identified 49 studies eligible for analysis. The results showed that meal timing, particularly night-time eating and snacking were associated with glycemic responses. Regarding meal regularity, skipping breakfast may affect glycemic responses, but no clear conclusion was drawn about its effect on insulin. The association between meal frequency and glycemic responses was inconclusive. Night fasting duration and restricted eating window are potentially associated with glycemic responses. The current review extensively investigates the association between chrononutrition factors and glycemic responses in adults. However, more prospective cohort and interventional studies are needed to better understand this causal-effect relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until recently, the main pharmaceuticals used to control cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) were statin-related drugs, known for their historical side effects. Therefore, there is growing interest in exploring alternatives, such as nutritional and dietary components, that could play a central role in CVD prevention. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how natural phytosterols found in various diets combat CVDs. We begin with a description of the overall approach, then we explore in detail the different direct and indirect mechanisms that contribute to reducing cardiovascular incidents. Phytosterols, including stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, ergosterol, and fucosterol, emerge as promising molecules within nutritional systems for protection against CVDs due to their beneficial effects at different levels through direct or indirect cellular, subcellular, and molecular mechanisms. Specifically, the mentioned phytosterols exhibit the ability to diminish the generation of various radicals, including hydroperoxides and hydrogen peroxide. They also promote the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione, while inhibiting lipid peroxidation through the activation of Nrf2 and Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathways. Additionally, they demonstrate a significant inhibitory capacity in the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus playing a crucial role in regulating the inflammatory/immune response by inhibiting the expression of proteins involved in cellular signaling pathways such as JAK3/STAT3 and NF-κB. Moreover, phytosterols play a key role in reducing cholesterol absorption and improving the lipid profile. These compounds can be used as dietary supplements or included in specific diets to aid control cholesterol levels, particularly in individuals suffering from hypercholesterolemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To provide a preliminary descriptive analysis of the change in fall concern among family caregiver–care recipient dyads during hospitalization and after discharge as part of a prospective study exploring the psychometric properties of the Carers' Fall Concern Instrument. Method: Using a prospective cohort design, an interviewer-administered survey was completed by dyads at 48 hours before discharge and 1 week and 30 days after discharge. Results: Of family caregivers, 76.9% thought their care recipient was at risk of falling and 61.5% were afraid of them falling. However, only 34.6% of older adults thought that they were at risk of falling and only 42.3% were afraid of falling. Family caregivers reported significantly less concern about falls after their care recipients were discharged. Conclusion: This study provided greater insight into caregiver–care recipient dyads' fall concern during their transition from hospital to home that may guide post-discharge fall prevention education on falls. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(5), 14–18.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pickering emulsions (PEs) have garnered wide attention due to their high physical stability as bioactive carrier agents in the food industry. PEs are highly stable against coalescence due to the irreversible adsorption of particles forming a physical barrier at the oil-water interface between the droplets. As a sustainable alternative to conventional emulsifiers, there is an increasing interest in developing food-grade colloidal particles by forming PEs. Cellulose-based nanoparticles have proven to be efficient materials due to their renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic and controllable surface-active characteristics. Nanocellulose can be modified by various topochemical functionalization to modulate wettability and stimuli-responsive behaviour, endowing its vast potential as Pickering stabilisers for food applications. This review highlights the recent studies of protein functionalized nanocellulose for stabilising food PEs. We hope this review will assist in improving the performance and development of nanocellulose in PEs, which is vital for developing new functional foods and delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disadvantaged socioeconomic position (SEP) is an important predictor of poor health in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The time course over which SEP influences the health of children with CKD and their carers is unknown. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included 377 children, aged 6–18 years with CKD (stages I–V, dialysis, and transplant), and their primary carers. Mixed effects ordinal regression was performed to assess the association between SEP and carer-rated child health and carer self-rated health over a 4-year follow-up. Results: Adjusted for CKD stage, higher family household income (adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) 3.3, 1.8–6.0), employed status of primary carers (1.7, 0.9–3.0), higher carer-perceived financial status (2.6, 1.4–4.8), and carer home ownership (2.2, 1.2–4.0) were associated with better carer-rated child health. Household income also had a differential effect on the carer's self-rated health over time (p = 0.005). The predicted probabilities for carers' overall health being 'very good' among lower income groups at 0, 2, and 4 years were 0.43 (0.28–0.60), 0.34 (0.20–0.51), and 0.25 (0.12–0.44), respectively, and 0.81 (0.69–0.88), 0.84 (0.74–0.91), and 0.88 (0.76–0.94) for carers within the higher income group. Conclusions: Carers and their children with CKD in higher SEP report better overall child and carer health compared with those in lower SEP. Carers of children with CKD in low-income households had poorer self-rated health compared with carers in higher-income households at baseline, and this worsened over time. These cumulative effects may contribute to health inequities between higher and lower SEP groups over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document explores the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and allergic disorders. It discusses the involvement of the immune system in IBS and the potential impact of allergies on gastrointestinal symptoms. The document suggests that further research is needed to fully understand this relationship and develop personalized treatment options. It also mentions some promising results from using anti-allergy drugs for IBS treatment. [Extracted from the article]

Biodegradation is an eco-friendly measure to address plastic pollution. This study screened four bacterial isolates that were capable of degrading recalcitrant polymers, i.e., low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene. The unique bacterial isolates were obtained from plastic polluted environment. Dermacoccus sp. MR5 (accession no. OP592184) and Corynebacterium sp. MR10 (accession no. OP536169) from Malaysian mangroves and Bacillus sp. BS5 (accession no. OP536168) and Priestia sp. TL1 (accession no. OP536170) from a sanitary landfill. The four isolates showed a gradual increase in the microbial count and the production of laccase and esterase enzymes after 4 weeks of incubation with the polymers (independent experiment set). Bacillus sp. BS5 produced the highest laccase 15.35 ± 0.19 U/mL and showed the highest weight loss i.e., 4.84 ± 0.6% for PS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups as a result of oxidation reactions by enzymes. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis showed the oxidation of the polymers to small molecules (alcohol, ethers, and acids) assimilated by the microbes during the degradation. Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed bacterial colonization, biofilm formation, and surface erosion on the polymer surface. The result provided significant insight into enzyme activities and the potential of isolates to target more than one type of polymer for degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate normative data for near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in 110 healthy volunteers by Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) and region of the foot. We obtained measurements of the dorsum and plantar foot using a commercially available device (SnapshotNIR, Kent Imaging, Calgary Canada). On the dorsum of the foot, people with FST6 had significantly lower oxygen saturation compared to FST1‐5 (p < 0.001), lower oxyhaemoglobin compared to FST2‐5 (p = 0.001), but there was no difference in deoxyhaemoglobin. No differences were found on the plantar foot. When comparing dorsal and plantar foot, there was higher oxyhaemoglobin (0.40 ± 0.09 vs. 0.51 ± 0.12, p < 0.001) and deoxyhaemoglobin (0.16 ± 0.05 vs. 0.21 ± 0.05, p < 0.001) on the plantar foot, but no differences in oxygen saturation (dorsal 70.7 ± 10.8, plantar 70.0 ± 9.5, p = 0.414). In 6.4% of feet, there were black areas, for which no NIRS measurements could be generated. All areas with no data were on the dorsal foot and only found in FST 5–6. People with FST6 had significantly larger areas with no data compared to FST 5 (22.2 cm2 ± 20.4 vs. 1.9 cm2 ± 0.90, p = 0.007). These findings should be considered when using NIRS technology. Skin pigmentation should be evaluated in future NIRS studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the use of podcasts about aging as a teaching tool and its impact in creating awareness and understanding about aging. Topics discussed include the methods used in the study, the benefits of podcasting to students, and recommendations to address the shortcomings of the use of podcasting as a teaching tool.

Background: Epidemiological studies in achalasia and its clinical management in Australia are limited. Aims: To determine the prevalence and trends in incidence rates and describe the types of treatment stratified by subtypes of achalasia. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a single site that offers a state‐wide high‐resolution manometry (HRM) service in Western Australia (WA). Patients (aged ≥ 18 years) newly diagnosed with achalasia based on HRM findings between 2012 and 2021 were extracted from the HRM database. The crude incidence rate and age‐standardised incidence rate (ASIR) along with the 2021‐point prevalence were calculated. Trends were assessed by the Kendall τb test. The patients' initial and subsequent treatment modalities were described. Results: A total of 296 new cases were identified, and the median age at diagnosis was 56 years. The patient's median age, sex and year of the first treatment did not vary significantly with the subtypes. The lowest and highest ASIR (cases/100 000 person‐years) were 0.8 in 2012 and 2.1 in 2021, respectively. Only type 2 achalasia showed a significant increasing trend (P = 0.009). The 2021‐point prevalence was 16.9 cases/100 000 people and increased with age. Pneumatic balloon dilatation (PBD) was the most common treatment for types 1 and 2, while laparoscopic Heller myotomy was most common for type 3. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become common in the past 5 years. Conclusion: The ASIR of type 2 achalasia significantly increased in WA. PBD was most commonly performed, although peroral endoscopic myotomy has recently increased as a preferred treatment option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Investigations on plant-pathogen interactions require quantitative, accurate, and rapid phenotyping of crop diseases. However, visual assessment of disease symptoms is preferred over available numerical tools due to transferability challenges. These assessments are laborious, time-consuming, require expertise, and are rater dependent. More recently, deep learning has produced interesting results for evaluating plant diseases. Nevertheless, it has yet to be used to quantify the severity of Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by Zymoseptoria tritici—a frequently occurring and damaging disease on wheat crops. Results: We developed an image analysis script in Python, called SeptoSympto. This script uses deep learning models based on the U-Net and YOLO architectures to quantify necrosis and pycnidia on detached, flattened and scanned leaves of wheat seedlings. Datasets of different sizes (containing 50, 100, 200, and 300 leaves) were annotated to train Convolutional Neural Networks models. Five different datasets were tested to develop a robust tool for the accurate analysis of STB symptoms and facilitate its transferability. The results show that (i) the amount of annotated data does not influence the performances of models, (ii) the outputs of SeptoSympto are highly correlated with those of the experts, with a similar magnitude to the correlations between experts, and (iii) the accuracy of SeptoSympto allows precise and rapid quantification of necrosis and pycnidia on both durum and bread wheat leaves inoculated with different strains of the pathogen, scanned with different scanners and grown under different conditions. Conclusions: SeptoSympto takes the same amount of time as a visual assessment to evaluate STB symptoms. However, unlike visual assessments, it allows for data to be stored and evaluated by experts and non-experts in a more accurate and unbiased manner. The methods used in SeptoSympto make it a transferable, highly accurate, computationally inexpensive, easy-to-use, and adaptable tool. This study demonstrates the potential of using deep learning to assess complex plant disease symptoms such as STB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid-phase pulsed laser ablation (LP-PLA) is a physical deposition technique to fabricate micro- and nanoscale particles of polymer, glass, and ceramic materials. In this work, graphene oxide (GO) that was immersed in tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and ethanol was used to fabricate the graphene-silicone polymer using the LP-PLA technique. The GO-TEOS solution was ablated with different fluences of the laser. The ablated GO-TEOS solution was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy to study the graphene-silicone polymer properties. The FTIR result shows that the laser ablation has provided sufficient laser energy to create or break the chemical species of GO and TEOS compounds as observed on Si–O and C–O bonds. The Raman result shows the changes in the intensity in the D band, which suggests that the carbon atom of the GO has been functionalized with other compounds. Several large flakes were observed in the SEM images, representing the silicon polymer with the GO aggregation. The particle size in the range of 3–8 and 66–110 μm was formed due to the presence of uniformly sized nanoparticles of the GO-TEOS mixture and aggregation of the GO-TEOS nanoparticles into clusters. The zeta potential results indicated that the stability of the GO-TEOS mixture decreases after laser ablation. The UV-Vis result shows a broad absorption band with center at 492 and 532 nm with increasing absorbance at low fluence then saturated and decreased at maximum laser fluence. From the results above, several chemical interactions between GO and TEOS were observed, and the data suggested the laser fluence as the major source to cause both photothermal and photochemical reactions on the samples. In short, laser ablations provide sufficient energy to induce chemical bonding, which further allows structural modification of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Executive Functions has been considered as the main correlation of ADHD few studies have examined the effect of EFs on ADHD symptoms, in the samples with ADHD. This study aimed to examine the structure of EFs on ADHD students in a hypothesized model. After careful screening of ADHD among 1368 university students (with stratified and multistage cluster sampling), out of them, 211 students with ADHD diagnosis were selected purposefully. They received scales on their emotion regulation, motivation, adult ADHD, deficits in EFs, and diagnostic interview. Emotion regulation and intrinsic motivation were considered as input; behavioral-inhibition, time-management, and problem-solving were the mediators and ADHD subscales were as the output variables. Results showed that the model adequately fit the data. The model fit indices were χ2 = 27.081, df = 1, CFI = 0.99, GFI = 0.97, and PGFI = 0.02. The direct effects of intrinsic-motivation and emotion-regulation on all three mediators and indirect effects of them to ADHD subscales were significant. Based on the results, time-management mediated the relationship between motivation and emotion regulation and ADHD. Among EFs, emotion-regulation and intrinsic-motivation had fundamental influence to other aspects of EFs factors such as behavioral-inhibition, time-management, problem-solving, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frequently prescribed to cirrhotic patients, but there is limited longitudinal evidence regarding their effects. This study aimed to assess the impact of PPIs on adverse events in cirrhotic patients. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using the Medline and Embase databases to identify relevant articles. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model were calculated to evaluate the risk of adverse events such as long-term mortality, hepatic decompensation, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), and overall infection in cirrhotic patients with PPI use. Results: The analysis included 28 studies with 260,854 cirrhotic patients. The prevalence of PPI use among cirrhotic patients was 55.93%. The use of PPIs was not significantly associated with short-term mortality in cirrhotic patients. However, long-term mortality (HR 1.321, 95% CI 1.103–1.581, P = 0.002), decompensation (HR 1.646, 95% CI 1.477–1.835, P < 0.001), HE (HR 1.968, 95% CI 1.372–2.822, P < 0.001), SBP (HR 1.751, 95% CI 1.649–1.859, P < 0.001), and infection (HR 1.370, 95% CI 1.148–1.634, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with PPI use. Sensitivity analysis with prospective studies yielded similar results. Conclusion: PPIs should be reserved for appropriate indications at lowest effective dose for cirrhotic patients due to the potential harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Biocontrol products based on microorganisms and natural substances are promising alternatives to chemical pesticides that could contribute to develop a more sustainable agriculture. Here, we investigated the potential of cell-free culture filtrates (CFCFs) from two strains of the Bacillus subtilis group to inhibit Zymoseptoria tritici , a major fungal pathogen of wheat. Methods and results Foliar application of CFCFs from Bacillus velezensis GA1 and Bacillus sp. III1 on wheat seedlings in a greenhouse strongly reduced Z. tritici disease severity (>90%). In vitro bioassays showed that CFCFs completely inhibited the spore germination and fungal growth (100%). In planta cytological investigations revealed a significant impact of the treatments on both spore germination (∼40% inhibition) and fungal growth of Z. tritici (>80% inhibition). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the Bacillus strains displayed different lipopeptide profiles. The CFCF obtained from Bacillus GA1 contained 90 mg l−1 of iturin A + surfactins + fengycins and the CFCF obtained from Bacillus sp. III1 contained 25 mg l−1 of mojavensin A (iturin family) + surfactins + fengycins. Conclusions Strains of the B. subtilis group producing different iturins could provide several CFCF-based solutions for the biocontrol of Z. tritici. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is common in breast cancer survivors (BCS). This study examined the mediating role of illness representations in the relationships between FCR and physical symptoms, social constraint and self‐care self‐efficacy. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, 385 women with breast cancer completed a series of questionnaires including the FCR Inventory, Social Constraints Scale‐15, Cancer Survivors Self‐Efficacy Scale, Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised and European Organization for Research and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Breast Cancer. Structural equation modelling method was conduct by using a bootstrapping method. Results: Physical symptoms (β = 0.272, p < 0.01), social constraints (β = 0.130, p < 0.01), self‐efficacy (β = −0.233, p < 0.01) and illness representation (β = 0.261, p < 0.01) have direct effects on FCR. The indirect effects of physical symptoms (β = 0.10, p < 0.01), social constraints (β = 0.076, p < 0.01) and self‐efficacy (β = −0.025, p < 0.05) on FCR were partially mediated by illness representations. Conclusions: In this study, the effects of physical symptoms, social constraints and self‐efficacy on FCR were found to be mediated by illness representation. Reducing the impact of negative illness representations on FCR by reducing physical symptoms, increasing self‐efficacy, and promoting open disclosure of cancer‐related concerns may be effective in reducing FCR in BCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nurses who are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 have faced problems such as anxiety and stress due to the high contagiousness of this disease and the challenges of providing services to infected patients. Death anxiety and the resulting fear following the Covid-19 pandemic can affect caring behaviors and the quality of nursing care services. Objective: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the association between caring behaviors and death anxiety among Iranian nurses working in COVID-19 wards. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 in Tehran. The participants consisted of 233 nurses who were purposively selected from university hospitals in Iran. Data collection tools included Demographic Information Form, Death Anxiety Scale, and Caring Dimension Inventory (CDI-25). Data analysis was done using SPSS (version 16). Results: Most of the participants were female (79.4%), had less than 5 years of work experience (50.6%), and had bachelor's degree (88.8%). Based on the results, the level of death anxiety among nurses was moderate (7.05 ± 3.85) and their caring behavior was at optimal level (103.03 ± 13.15). Among the subscales of caring behavior, physical-technical behaviors with mean of 46.43 ± 6.20 got the highest score, and unnecessary behaviors with mean of 4.39 ± 0.73 got the lowest score compared to other subscales. Based on data analysis findings, caring behavior and its dimensions had no significant correlation with nurses' death anxiety (p = 0.111). Conclusions: Our results showed that despite having a moderate level of anxiety, nurses try to provide good care behaviors to patients with covid-19. However, reducing nurses' anxiety can improve caring behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains an important chronic condition worldwide requiring integrated patient-centred care as advocated by the Chronic Care Model (CCM). The Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Singapore organise general practitioners (GPs) with nurses and care coordinators to deliver team-based care for patients with chronic conditions. This study examined the quality of care in the PCNs as defined by the CCM from the patients' perspective. Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional convergent mixed-method design with T2D patients across three PCN types (GP-led, Group, and Cluster). The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC, range 1-5) was completed by a convenience sample of 343 patients. Multivariate linear regression was performed to estimate the associations between patient and service characteristics and PACIC summary score. Twenty-four participants were purposively recruited for interviews on the experienced care until thematic saturation was reached. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently and independently. Integration occurred during study design and data analysis using the CCM as guidance. Quantitative and qualitative results were compared side-by-side in a joint comparison table to develop key concepts supported by themes, subthemes, and patients' quotes. Results: The PACIC mean summary score of 3.21 for 343 patients evidenced that some have received CCM consistent care in the PCNs. Being younger and spending more time with the GP were associated with higher PACIC summary scores. PACIC summary scores did not differ across PCN types. The 24 patients interviewed in the qualitative study reported receiving team-based care, nurse services, good continuity of care, as well as patient-centred care, convenient access, and affordable care. Key concepts showed that integrated care consistent with the CCM was sometimes received by patients in the PCNs. Patient activation, delivery system design/decision support, goal setting/tailoring, and problem-solving/contextual counselling were sometimes received by patients, while follow-up/coordination was generally not received. Conclusions: Patients with T2D from the Singapore Primary Care Networks received integrated care consistent with the Chronic Care Model, particularly in patient activation, delivery system design/decision support, goal setting/tailoring, and problem-solving/contextual counselling. Follow-up/coordination needed improvement to ensure higher quality of diabetes care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escalating costs have made the accessibility of drugs one of the biggest challenges faced by the Malaysian government. The government agreed to regulate drug prices by means of external reference pricing, but its proposed policy had a setback owing to much opposition from the pharmaceutical industry. The policy did gain support from the public and from non-governmental organisations because it ensured easy access to affordable medicines. Comments from public consultations with key stakeholders were used to explore stakeholders' perceptions of the external reference pricing policy. A total of 140 comments were analysed for this study. Stakeholders' views were classified as being from the Socioeconomic, industrial, and government sectors. To summarise, the government must carefully manage and consider stakeholders' views to ensure a sound policy. Using Mendelow's stakeholder mapping, this study mapped out stakeholders' views in a systematic approach. The classification of different stakeholders' views and recommendations led to suggestions for reviewing current practices in pharmaceutical pricing regulations in the Malaysian healthcare system. The analyses can be extended to other countries that face similar concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The maintenance of nursing professional competency is essential to ensure patients' health outcomes. With the current shortage of nursing workforce, a novel approach is necessary to refresh clinical skills and update practice. Objective: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of using head-mounted display virtual reality to refresh knowledge and skills and explore nurses' perceptions towards using this technology for refresher training. Design: A pre-test post-test mixed-method experimental design was employed. Results: Participants (n = 88) were registered nurses with a diploma in nursing. The intravenous therapy and subcutaneous injection procedures were implemented using headmounted display virtual reality. The study showed significant improvement in knowledge for the procedures, cognitive absorption, online readiness, self-directed learning, and motivation for learning. In the qualitative focus group discussions, three themes were identified using thematic analyses: enjoyable way to refresh clinical knowledge; learning outside classroom and limitations in maneuver. Conclusion: Using head-mounted display virtual reality is promising in refreshing clinical skills for nurses. Training and refresher courses can explore using this novel technology, which may be a viable alternative to ensure professional competence with reduced manpower and resources used by the healthcare institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 26-item Smartphone Addiction Inventory with four factors (SPAI; Lin et al., PLoS One,9(6), e98312, 2014) is a useful measurement of smartphone addiction. However, some studies have found cultural differences when using it and therefore, support a five-factor model with 24 items (5F-SPAI) instead. Moreover, it is unclear whether the SPAI is applicable to the Malaysian population. The present study examined the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the SPAI in the Malaysian context. Confirmatory factor analyses on the responses provided by 308 undergraduate students favored the five-factor model over the four-factor model. Furthermore, on an exploratory basis, the present study discovered and tested a new five-factor SPAI short-form with 10 items (5F-SPAI-SF). Interestingly, the 5F-SPAI-SF was found to be superior when compared with all other competing factor solutions, including the (four-factor) short-form developed previously. Results also showed that the 5F-SPAI and the 5F-SPAI-SF have satisfactory internal consistency and do not show floor and ceiling effects. Both the 5F-SPAI and the 5F-SPAI-SF are considered to have acceptable convergent validity. Moreover, the 5F-SPAI-SF showed good discriminant validity while the results for the 5F-SPAI were mixed. The present findings suggest that, while the five-factor solution is preferable, some items may not be applicable to Malaysian young adults. The 5F-SPAI-SF is a potential factor solution for future researchers' consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) with a right aortic arch (RAA) and aberrant left subclavian artery (aLSCA) is a rare congenital anomaly of the aortic arch. Treatment is not well defined due to its uncommon presentation, with rupture and dissection risk rates of up to 53%. Case summary: A 54-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension presented with difficulty breathing during exercise without dysphagia. Follow-up computerized tomography angiogram (CTA) revealed the presence of a RAA and aLSCA arising from the descending thoracic aorta with an adjacent 58 × 41-mm KD and tracheal and esophageal displacement. Due to the size of the KD, risk of rupture, unsuitable anatomy for total endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), and high COPD burden, the patient was planned to undergo a hybrid surgical repair. Left common carotid (LCCA) artery to LSCA bypass, full aortic debranching, LSCA embolization and percutaneous thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) were performed. Successful device position and exclusion of the diverticulum and aneurysmal aorta were observed after completion thoracic aortogram. 18-month follow-up CTA demonstrated patency of the LSCA to LCCA bypass graft and arch vessel branches, as well as stable exclusion of the KD. Persistence of a type II endoleak originated at the right first posterior intercostal artery has been noted and is being followed conservatively since no sac growth has occurred. Conclusion: We highlight the presence of a KD with RAA and aberrant subclavian artery, a rare congenital anatomic variation of the aortic arch with complex anatomy. Surgical planning must be individualized according to comorbidities and anatomical variations identified on imaging and 3D reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are responsible for the long‐chain fatty acids (FAs) transport inside the cell. However, despite the years, since their structure is known and the many studies published, there is no definitive answer about the stages of the lipid entry‐exit mechanism. Their structure forms a β‐barrel of 10 anti‐parallel strands with a cap in a helix‐turn‐helix motif, and there is some consensus on the role of the so‐called portal region, involving the second α‐helix from the cap (α2), βC–βD, and βE–βF turns in FAs exchange. To test the idea of a lid that opens, we performed a soaking experiment on an h‐FABP crystal in which the cap is part of the packing contacts, and its movement is strongly restricted. Even in these conditions, we observed the replacement of palmitic acid by 2‐Bromohexadecanoic acid (Br‐palmitic acid). Our MD simulations reveal a two‐step lipid entry process: (i) The travel of the lipid head through the cavity in the order of tens of nanoseconds, and (ii) The accommodation of its hydrophobic tail in hundreds to thousands of nanoseconds. We observed this even in the cases in which the FAs enter the cavity by their tail. During this process, the FAs do not follow a single trajectory, but multiple ones through which they get into the protein cavity. Thanks to the complementary views between experiment and simulation, we can give an approach to a mechanistic view of the exchange process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been used in the development of novel therapies as a way of delivery of both stimulatory and tolerogenic peptide cargoes. Here we report that intradermal injection of GNPs loaded with the proinsulin peptide C19-A3, in patients with type 1 diabetes, results in recruitment and retention of immune cells in the skin. These include large numbers of clonally expanded Tcells sharing the same paired T-cell receptors (TCRs) with activated phenotypes, half of which, when the TCRs were re-expressed in a cell-based system, were confirmed to be specific for either GNP or proinsulin. All the identified goldspecific clones were CD8+, whilst proinsulin-specific clones were both CD8+ and CD4+. Proinsulin-specific CD8+ clones had a distinctive cytotoxic phenotype with overexpression of granulysin (GNLY) and KIR receptors. Clonally expanded antigen-specific T cells remained in situ for months to years, with a spectrum of tissue resident memory and effector memory phenotypes. As the T-cell response is divided between targeting the gold core and the antigenic cargo, this offers a route to improving resident memory T-cells formation in response to vaccines. In addition, our scRNAseq data indicate that focusing on clonally expanded skin infiltrating T-cells recruited to intradermally injected antigen is a highly efficient method to enrich and identify antigen-specific cells. This approach has the potential to be used to monitor the intradermal delivery of antigens and nanoparticles for immune modulation in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In light-emitting diode (LED) and LASER colonoscopy, linked color imaging (LCI) and blue light/laser imaging (BLI) are used for lesion detection and characterization worldwide. We analyzed the difference of LCI and BLI images of colorectal lesions between LED and LASER in a multinational study. Methods: We prospectively observed lesions with white light imaging (WLI), LCI, and BLI using both LED and LASER colonoscopies from January 2020 to August 2021. Images were graded by 27 endoscopists from nine countries using the polyp visibility score: 4 (excellent), 3 (good), 2 (fair), and 1 (poor) and the comparison score (LED better/similar/LASER better) for WLI/LCI/BLI images of each lesion. Results: Finally, 32 lesions (polyp size: 20.0 ± 15.2 mm) including 9 serrated lesions, 13 adenomas, and 10 T1 cancers were evaluated. The polyp visibility scores of LCI/WLI for international and Japan-expert endoscopists were 3.17 ± 0.73/3.17 ± 0.79 (p = 0.92) and 3.34 ± 0.78/2.84 ± 1.22 (p < 0.01) for LED and 3.30 ± 0.71/3.12 ± 0.77 (p < 0.01) and 3.31 ± 0.82/2.78 ± 1.23 (p < 0.01) for LASER. Regarding the comparison of lesion visibility about between LED and LASER colonoscopy in international endoscopists, a significant difference was achieved not for WLI, but for LCI. The rates of LED better/similar/LASER better for brightness under WLI were 54.5%/31.6%/13.9% (International) and 75.0%/21.9%/3.1% (Japan expert). Those under LCI were 39.2%/35.4%/25.3% (International) and 31.3%/53.1%/15.6% (Japan expert). There were no significant differences in the diagnostic accuracy and the comparison score of BLI images between LED and LASER. Conclusions: The differences of lesion visibility for WLI/LCI/BLI between LED and LASER in international endoscopists could be compared to those in Japanese endoscopists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflict of interests is a situation in which a person sees his personal interests in conflict with the interests he is responsible for; These situations exist in different fields of legal relations, and their lack of management will cause a series of corruptions; Therefore, the ruler is obliged to identify these situations and to manage them and in order to avoid corruption or compensate them, he must make regulations. Now the question is, what are the jurisprudential foundations of solving the problem of conflict of interests and the need to manage it? There are several jurisprudential rules as the basis and documentation of the rulers' intervening and lawmaking in the field of conflict of interest management, which include: the obligation to avoid possible harm, the priority of the more important over the important, the priority of avoiding the corrupt over the gaining of benefits, the Shari'a function of Hasbah, and the obligation to avoid the evil. Considering that situations of conflict of interests are considered as important sources of corruption, the first three rules are solid documents for intervening and lawmaking in the field of prevention of these situations and also the need to get out of them. The rule of Hasbah as well as the obligation to dispose of evil is also worthy of use from the perspective of prevention (removal) and elimination (remedial) of the grounds for committing evil, which are situations of conflict of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic electronic devices (OEDs) are prone to oxygen‐ and water‐induced degradation and therefore need to be encapsulated with barrier materials. In this work, an aerosol jet (AJ)‐printing process is developed to coat perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) directly onto OEDs by adapting the print setup and systematically optimizing the process parameters. Furthermore, a novel curing process that converts PHPS to silica barrier layers is developed by combining damp heat (DH) exposure with subsequent vacuum–UV irradiation. This two‐step treatment is shown to be considerably faster and gentler than the state‐of‐the‐art curing processes and also yields a quantitatively higher conversion. Both the printing and the conversion process are fully compatible with OED devices, which is demonstrated by a damage‐free direct encapsulation of organic solar cells. The encapsulated cells show a significant reduction of degradation in DH conditions (65 °C/85% r.h.), maintaining >95% of their initial performance for >100 h. Complementary electroluminescence measurements reveal that the AJ‐printed barrier layers effectively prevent lateral water ingress into the devices. Herein, the proof of principle is provided that AJ printing can be used to print barrier layers directly onto OEDs and is thus an industrially highly relevant technology to precisely encapsulate such devices even on 3D objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Achieving success often requires persistent effort. We study the effectiveness of two reward mechanisms, all-or-nothing and piece-rate, to incentivize full completion of repeated tasks over time. Our theoretical analysis shows that exogenously imposing the all-or-nothing mechanism can be ineffective due to the potential discouragement effect. In contrast, empowering individuals to choose between the two reward mechanisms can significantly improve the full completion rate. Data from a series of field experiments and follow-up replications provide robust evidence that the all-or-nothing mechanism is effective only when it is presented as an option. Our results highlight the importance of choice in incentivizing persistent effort. This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis. Funding: This work was supported by Monash University [Grant MUM-BTBL-2016-010], Australia-Malaysia 2021–2022 Research Collaboration Development Scheme (Monash Faculty of Business and Economic), and University of Technology Sydney Business School. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4649. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much research has been carried out to discover partnership critical success factors that influence public-private partnership success. Since most public-private partnership projects are long-term in nature and include contractual arrangements, there is still a lot to learn about contract governance's role in public-private partnership performance. Therefore, this study examines the effect of contract governance on the relationship between partnership critical success factors and partnership performance in Malaysia. Stakeholder Theory serves as the underpinning theory for this study. This study employed a quantitative method based on the positivist paradigm to distribute questionnaires. The information was collected from 261 contracting parties' officials in Malaysian public-private partnership projects regulated by the Malaysian Public-Private Partnership Unit, and a stratified random sampling method was employed. The structural equation model analysis found that eight out of ten hypotheses were supported. According to this study, it has been established that contract governance has a direct favorable influence on partnership performance. However, it is also found that contract governance does not moderate the relationship between partnership critical success factors and partnership performance. Due to time constraints and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study was from a cross-sectional viewpoint and adopted a quantitative methodology. The findings of this study are important in the contract governance and partnership performance literature, providing policymakers and concessionaires with new information on the impact of contract governance on public-private partnership project performance. Managers of public-private partnership projects should also be able to enhance their projects' performance by understanding how contract governance influences the performance of their projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many refugee children have not only suffered from their negative past experiences but also faced challenges to cope with their current difficulties and to improve themselves for a better future. Education is a strategy to assist these refugee children in tackling these difficulties, and a key factor in ensuring the success of education is the quality of teachers. This study uses the job demands and job resource model as a framework to understand the job demands of teachers at refugee community learning centres in Malaysia and their available resources, and the resources that the teachers need to meet their job demands. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 52 refugee teachers, and focus group discussion was used to collect data. Thematic analysis was then used to analyze the data. The results showed that the main difficult job demands are handling the classroom due to the lack of facilities, space and professional training. The diversities in students' language levels and cultural backgrounds and the psychological problems of students increase the difficulties in classroom management. Support from different parties to provide relevant resources is needed for refugee teachers to tackle their job demands so that a better-quality education can be provided to refugee children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is one of the factors that link to the suicidal behaviors that are the most severe negative consequence exhibited among cybervictims. Besides, depression has been reported to be associated with various long-term psychosocial outcomes. Accordingly, this study used a scoping review method to examine the relationship between cybervictimization and depression among adolescents. Eleven English articles published in or after 2017 at the Scopus database were selected in the review based on the inclusive and exclusive criteria. The findings found that the association between cybervictimization and depression is robust, as the associations were found among cybervictims from different countries, even if different designs and measurements were used. Besides, the findings also suggested that cybervictimization and depression can be a bidirectional rather than a unidirectional relationship. Moreover, the relationships between cybervictimization and depression can be mediated or moderated by some psychological factors. The findings provide information to educators in their planning of strategies to assist cybervictims and to scholars in their building of the theory of cybervictimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]