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Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), among the most simple and efficient means to harvest mechanical energy, have great potential as self-powered gadgets and sensors for multipurpose applications. In this work, Nylon-11/TiO2 nanofiber membranes have been developed as a prospective tribopositive material for wearable TENG devices with superior properties of high mechanical strength, thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and antibacterial activity. The addition of TiO2 in the electrospun Nylon-11 nanofiber matrix resulted in high-quality, uniformly spun membranes with reduced fiber diameter and self-cleaning property. Incorporating TiO2 nanocrystals imparted semicrystalline nature, good physicochemical properties, enhanced piezoelectric γ phase, and antibacterial properties in the as-fabricated Nylon-11/TiO2 nanofibers, which are advantageous to wearable TENGs. 5 wt% Nylon-11/TiO2 TENGs of [2 × 2 cm2] area were found to have exceptional triboelectric properties with short circuit current (ISC) of 5.1 μA and open circuit voltage (VOC) of 56 V measured at an applied force of 10 N and frequency 10 Hz. The as-fabricated TENGs also showed extraordinary performance towards simple palm tapping with high outputs of 53 μA and 283 V, powering 80 LEDs by the rectified output.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are meeting significant advancements in biomedical sectors by replacing conventional healthcare systems. TENGs have a significant productive impact on the future commercialization of self-powered medical devices. Architecting biocompatible TENGs for in vivo and in vitro applications without compromising their overall performance is one amongst the significant challenge in impregnating TENG science into biomedical technologies. This review article is committed to presenting the most recent advancements of TENG materials in therapeutics and healthcare monitoring, tissue repairing, cell proliferation and regenerative medicine, implantable devices, drug delivery, and microbial disinfection. A special emphasis on cutting-edge TENG applications in neural prosthesis and muscle stimulation which are inevitable assets to the near future medical ailment is discussed in detail. Besides, a thrust on the importance of impregnating biomaterials in TENG-based healthcare system is specified. Eventually, the difficulties and challenges in the current methods are examined, along with discussions on workable ideas for future improvements in the conclusive remarks.

Cyber threats are one of the main concerns in this growing technology epoch. To tackle this issue, highly skilled and motivated cybersecurity professionals are increasingly in demand to prevent, detect, respond to, or even mitigate the effects of such threats. However, the world faces a workforce shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals and practitioners. To address this dilemma, several cybersecurity educational programs have been introduced, such as specialized cybersecurity courses in computer science graduate programs. With the increasing demand, different cybersecurity courses are introduced at the high school level, undergraduate computer science and information systems programs, and even at the government level. Due to the peculiar nature of cybersecurity, educational institutions face many issues when designing a curriculum or cybersecurity activities. In this paper, we study existing cybersecurity curriculum approaches and activities. We also present case studies on cybersecurity education around the globe.

Summary: Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) significantly contributes to neonatal sepsis and meningitis, with varying disease rates reported globally and limited population-based data. We estimated infant GBS disease burden in Ontario, Canada and assessed the association of maternal GBS screening (35–37 weeks' gestation) and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) provision with infant disease rates. Methods: Our population-based cohort study included pregnant individuals and their offspring from April 2012 to March 2018, utilising the provincial birth registry linked to health administrative data. GBS cases were ascertained through culture results and diagnostic codes. We calculated incidence rates for early-onset disease (EOD: 0–6 days), late-onset disease (LOD: 7–89 days), and ultra-LOD (ULOD: 90–365 days). Adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) were derived via log-binomial regression to compare infant GBS rates according to screening and IAP-receipt. Findings: Among 776,148 liveborn infants, we identified 803 with GBS, with multiples exhibiting a threefold incidence increase. Incidence rates of EOD, LOD and ULOD were 0.49, 0.46 and 0.07 per 1000 livebirths, respectively. Of eligible pregnancies, 94% were screened; 23% screened positive, and 81% of them received IAP. Nearly 12% of term EOD infants had mothers who missed IAP despite screening positive. Maternal screening was associated with lower rates of any infant GBS disease (aIRR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.80). Among screen-positive births, IAP-receipt was associated with reduced rates of EOD (aIRR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.48, 1.29) and LOD/ULOD (aIRR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.05), but confidence intervals included 1.0. Interpretation: Our study, the largest Canadian investigation into infant GBS disease, highlights both widespread adoption and ongoing challenges of the current prevention strategy. Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Objective: To compare myocarditis/pericarditis risk after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination versus SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to assess if myocarditis/pericarditis risk varies by vaccine dosing interval. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we used linked databases in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia between January 26, 2020, and September 9, 2021. We included individuals aged 12 or above who received an mRNA vaccine as the second dose or were SARS-CoV-2-positive by RT-PCR. The outcome was hospitalization/emergency department visit for myocarditis/pericarditis within 21 days of exposure. We calculated age- and sex-stratified incidence ratios (IRs) of myocarditis/pericarditis following mRNA vaccination versus SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also calculated myocarditis/pericarditis incidence by vaccine type, homologous/heterologous schedule, and dosing interval. We pooled province-specific estimates using meta-analysis. Results: Following 18,860,817 mRNA vaccinations and 860,335 SARS-CoV-2 infections, we observed 686 and 160 myocarditis/pericarditis cases, respectively. Myocarditis/pericarditis incidence was lower after vaccination than infection (IR [BNT162b2/SARS-CoV-2], 0.14; 95%CI, 0.07–0.29; IR [mRNA-1273/SARS-CoV-2], 0.28; 95%CI, 0.20–0.39). Within the vaccinated cohort, myocarditis/pericarditis incidence was lower with longer dosing intervals; IR (56 or more days/15–30 days) was 0.28 (95%CI, 0.19–0.41) for BNT162b2 and 0.26 (95%CI, 0.18–0.38) for mRNA-1273. Conclusion: Myocarditis/pericarditis risk was lower after mRNA vaccination than SARS-CoV-2 infection, and with longer intervals between primary vaccine doses.

Summary: Background: Impaired wound healing is a growing medical problem and very few approved drugs with documented clinical efficacy are available. CXCL12-expressing lactic acid bacteria, Limosilactobacillus reuteri (ILP100-Topical), has been demonstrated to accelerate wound healing in controlled preclinical models. In this first-in-human study, the primary objective was to determine safety and tolerability of the drug candidate ILP100-Topical, while secondary objectives included assessments of clinical and biologic effects on wound healing by traditionally accepted methods and explorative and traceable assessments. Methods: SITU-SAFE is an adaptive, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, first-in-human phase 1 trial (EudraCT 2019-000680-24) consisting of a single (SAD) and a multiple ascending dose (MAD) part of three dose cohorts each. The study was performed at the Phase 1 Unit, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Data in this article were collected between Sep 20th, 2019 and Oct 20th 2021. In total 240 wounds were induced on the upper arms in 36 healthy volunteers. SAD: 12 participants, 4 wounds (2/arm), MAD: 24 participants, 8 wounds (4/arm). Wounds in each participant were randomised to treatment with placebo/saline or ILP100-Topical. Findings: In all individuals and doses, ILP100-Topical was safe and well-tolerated with no systemic exposure. A combined cohort analysis showed a significantly larger proportion of healed wounds (p = 0.020) on Day 32 by multi-dosing of ILP100-Topical when compared to saline/placebo (76% (73/96) and 59% (57/96) healed wounds, respectively). In addition, time to first registered healing was shortened by 6 days on average, and by 10 days at highest dose. ILP100-Topical increased the density of CXCL12+ cells in the wounds and local wound blood perfusion. Interpretation: The favourable safety profile and observed effects on wound healing support continued clinical development of ILP100-Topical for the treatment of complicated wounds in patients. Funding: Ilya Pharma AB (Sponsor), H2020 SME Instrument Phase II (#804438), Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation.

Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3)/SHAGGY-like Kinase (SK) proteins in plants govern growth, development, and several abiotic and biotic stress responses. GSK3 proteins are cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinases that control glycogen metabolism in eukaryotes. However, nothing is known about the discovery and characterization of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) genes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica). In the present study, eight Setaria italica GSK (SiGSKs) genes were identified and divided into four groups based on their phylogenetic affinities with rice and Arabidopsis. The gene structure and motif organizations were examined to delve deeper into SiGSKs function and its evolution. The SiGSKs encode active protein kinases, according to conserved motif and kinase domain analysis. Many growth hormones and stress-responsive elements were found in the SiGSK promoter regions, which is compatible with their expression in diverse organs and their changed expression in response to abiotic stress such as salt, drought, and oxidative damage. qRT-PCR expression analysis of SiGSKs under three different abiotic stresses suggests its role in signaling and regulating the mechanism under the mentioned abiotic stresses. The current research opens up new opportunities for SiGSK functional validation in S. italica (L.) by genetic engineering.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), associated with the outbreak of deadly virus originating in Wuhan, China, is now a global health emergency and a matter of serious concern. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is rapidly spreading worldwide, and WHO declared the outbreak of this disease a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Though some of the countries have succeeded in slowing down the rate of the spread of this pandemic, most the countries across the globe are still continuing to experience an increasing trend in the growth and spread of this deadly disease. Hence, in the current scenario, is has now become essential to control and finally irradicate this deadly disease using an effective vaccine. One can expect the prominent role of already available antivirals, antibodies and anti-inflammatory drugs in the market, in this pandemic. Immunomodulatory and biological therapeutics are also in the high expectations to combat COVID-19. RNA based vaccines might be more advantageous over traditional vaccines, to deal with the pandemic threat. Aiming towards this direction, clinical trials for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are currently underway all across the globe. Currently, about 150 health related organizations and research labs are in the progress for the evolution of COVID-19 vaccines, globally. The initial aim of these clinical trials is to assess vaccine’s safety, which is tested in Phase I/II/III studies where the primary outcomes typically examine the frequency of adverse effects. The vaccine is about to undergo phase III testing in several countries such as India, USA, South Africa, Brazil and England. US Government, under Operation Wrap Speed is even ready to sponsor three candidates, namely-The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca’s AZD1222; Moderna’s mRNA-1273; and Pfizer and BioNTech’s BNT162 for Phase III trials.

Background: Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are susceptible to chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection. Early eradication of PA has proven short-term efficacy. No studies have evaluated the long- term impact of early eradication for CF patients, particularly those diagnosed by newborn screening (NBS). Our objective was to quantify the long-term impact of early PA eradication on the risk of chronic PA infection in children (0–18 years old) with CF prior to and following the introduction of a province-wide NBS program. Methods: This 20-year retrospective cohort study compared 94 patients eligible for treatment with inhaled tobramycin at first PA isolation (“recent cohort”) with 27 historical controls (“historical cohort”). Results: A smaller proportion of patients in the recent cohort developed chronic PA (24% versus 78%; P