Search

In this theoretical study, the high‐frequency response of the electrothermal NbO2‐Mott threshold switch is focused, a real‐world electronic device, which has been proved to be relevant in several applications and is classified as a volatile memristor. Memristors of this kind, have been shown to exhibit distinctive non‐linear behaviors crucial for cutting‐edge neuromorphic circuits. In accordance with well‐established models for these devices, their resistances depend on their body temperatures, which evolve over time following Newton's Law of Cooling. Here, it is demonstrated that HP's NbO2‐Mott memristor can manifest up to three distinct steady‐state oscillatory behaviors under a suitable high‐frequency periodic voltage input, showcasing increased versatility despite its volatile nature. Additionally, when subjected to a high‐frequency periodic voltage signal, the device body temperature oscillates with a negligible peak‐to‐peak amplitude. Since the temperature remains almost constant over an input cycle, the devices under study behave as linear resistors during each input cycle. Based on these insights, this paper presents analytical equations characterizing the response of the NbO2‐Mott memristor to high‐frequency voltage inputs, demarcating regions in the state space where distinct initial conditions lead to various asymptotic oscillatory behaviors. Importantly, the mathematical methods introduced in this manuscript are applicable to any volatile electrothermal resistive switch. Additionally, this work presents analytical equations that accurately reproduce the temperature time‐waveform of the studied device during both its transient and steady‐state phases when subjected to a zero‐mean sinusoidal voltage input oscillating in the high‐frequency limit. This analytical approach not only increases the comprehension of volatile electrothermal memristors but also provides a theoretical framework to harness the enhanced dynamical capabilities of real‐world volatile memristors in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many of the familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients present with arthritis during attacks, which may vary in its characteristics. Aims: In this study, we aimed to describe and characterise arthritis in FMF patients. Methods: We used our hospital's record system to retrospectively identify FMF patients with arthritis who presented to our clinic between 2005 and 2020. The prevalence, laboratory results of attack, remission periods, genetic mutations, demographic data, characteristics of attacks, characteristics of arthritis, comorbidities, treatments and treatment responses were recorded. Results: Nine hundred fifty‐four patients from a cohort of 2350 FMF patients had arthritis (40%). The male/female ratio was 0.49 in patients with arthritis. The frequency of at least one exon 10 mutation was high. The age of onset of symptoms was earlier for patients with arthritis. Monoarticular pattern was more frequent compared to oligo‐ and polyarticular patterns. Colchicine resistance was higher; the required colchicine dose for disease control and the frequency of use of biological agents were higher compared to general FMF population. Conclusion: Since M694V mutation is common and the colchicine dose required for disease control is high, we can conclude that the disease activity is high in FMF patients with arthritis. The frequency of sacroiliitis and spondyloarthropathy is significantly increased, especially in individuals with M694V mutation, suggesting that there may be a common pathway in their pathogenesis. FMF should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with arthritis in FMF endemic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artemis deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a combined immunodeficiency with increased cellular radiosensitivity. In this review, the clinical and genetic characteristics of 15 patients with DCLRE1C variants are presented. Methods: The demographic, clinical, immunologic, and genetic characteristics of patients with confirmed DCLRE1C variants diagnosed between 2013 and 2023 were collected retrospectively. Three patients were evaluated for radiosensitivity by the Comet assay, compared with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control. Results: Seven patients who had severe infections in the first 6 months of life were diagnosed with T‐B‐NK+ SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency). Among them, four individuals underwent transplantation, and one of those died due to post‐transplant complications in early life. Eight patients had hypomorphic variants. Half of them were awaiting a suitable donor, while the other half had already undergone transplantation. The majority of patients were born into a consanguineous family (93.3%). Most patients had recurrent sinopulmonary infections (73.3%), and one patient had no other infection than an acute respiratory infection before diagnosis. Two patients (13.3%) had autoimmunity in the form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Growth retardation was observed in only one patient (6.6%), and no malignancy was detected in the surviving 11 patients during the median (IQR) of 21.5 (12–45) months of follow‐up. Three patients who had novel variants exhibited increased radiosensitivity and compromised DNA repair, providing a potential vulnerability to malignant transformation. Conclusion: Early diagnosis, radiation avoidance, and careful preparation for transplantation contribute to minimizing complications, enhancing life expectancy, and improving the patient's quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amino acid‐related disorders are caused by a defect in the metabolic pathways of amino acid groups. These patients must follow a lifelong protein diet. The objective of this study was to produce a low‐protein cocoa powder (LPP) with enzymatic hydrolysis and precipitation method. First, the solubility of cocoa powder was increased by heat and enzyme treatments (Amylase, Viscozyme, and Alcalase). Then, the protein level was decreased by isoelectric precipitation. According to the obtained results, the solubility of cocoa powder rose from 28.61% to 50.69%. Protein content decreased by almost 40% and significant reductions in the amino acid profile were also provided; the highest ones were detected in methionine (100%), lysine (73.65%), leucine (53.64%), alanine (46.17%), and isoleucine (44.73%) levels. LPP had high phenolic content (25.10 mg/g GAE) and the changes in the antioxidant activities were not significant (p >.05). Moreover, chocolate production with LPP and control powder was also carried out under laboratory conditions. Hardness (1732.52 g), moisture content (0.60%), and water activity (0.37) of chocolate samples produced with low‐protein cocoa powder (LPC) were lower than those of the control sample. The Casson model well fitted to the rheological data (R2 >.990) and chocolate samples showed elastic behavior. The removal of proteins from the cocoa was verified with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The melting temperatures of chocolates (31.84 and 31.54°C for control and LPC samples, respectively) did not change with the applied process. As a conclusion, it was revealed that the production of low‐protein cocoa powder and chocolate is feasible for patients with amino acid disorders with this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a novel class of magnetic curves and call it pseudo‐solitonic magnetic curves by considering the connection between two significant types of integrable equations, that is, the nonlinear heat system/the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and moving space curves in the Minkowski 3‐space. Later, we construct a very special class of soliton surfaces and call it pseudo‐solitonic magnetic surfaces by considering the effects of the pseudo‐solitonic magnetic flows in the Minkowski 3‐space. These curves and surfaces are very useful since they not only contain geometric and physical features in their inner forms but also their constructions rely on a simple geometric procedure compared to other models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intro: Thymoquinone(TQ), a compound derived from Nigella sativa, has been found to impede cancer progression, including proliferation, migration, and invasion. Previous research has explored the potential benefits of augmenting TQ with functional groups to enhance its activity, particularly when combined with traditional drugs. The aim of our study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of Thymoquinone‐Oxime(TQ−Ox) on lung cancer cell lines. Methods: To determine the structure of the novel TQ−Ox substance, we employed NMR spectroscopy. We also performed in vitro assays to assess the anti‐cancer mechanisms of TQ−Ox on lung cancer cells(A549) and healthy lung cells(BEAS‐2B). These assays included assessments of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and apoptosis, as well as measurements of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species(iROS), intracellular Calcium(iCa2+), and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential(MMP). Results: Our results demonstrate that TQ−Ox induces dose‐dependent cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and apoptosis in cancer cells, along with an increase in iROS production. The IC50 values for A549 and BEAS‐2B cells were 41.01 μM and 48.71 μM, respectively. We also observed that as iCa2+ levels increased, there was a decrease in MMP levels(p<0.001). Conclusion: TQ−Ox shows potential as a therapeutic option for lung cancer, justifying further in vitro and in vivo research to explore its clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Türkiye has a long history of hosting millions of refugees, but since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, it has emerged as the world's leading refugee‐hosting country. Due to this fact, the frequency of refugee inflows to Türkiye has attracted us to explore refugees' macroeconomic impacts as the ongoing political and social debates in Türkiye regarding refugees are immensely focused on their economic impacts. Hence, this paper investigates the effect of refugees on unemployment in Türkiye. The study utilizes the Auto Regressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) Bounds Test approach from 1991 to 2021. Our results yield the pronounced positive and aggravating impact of refugees on unemployment rates in Türkiye. Türkiye's policymakers should focus on local economic policies to improve the refugees' formal integration into the labour market to resolve the negative economic effect of refugee hosting on the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic foot ulcers can have vital consequences, such as amputation for patients. The primary purpose of this study is to predict the amputation risk of diabetic foot patients using machine‐learning classification algorithms. In this research, 407 patients treated with the diagnosis of diabetic foot between January 2009–September 2019 in Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine were retrospectively evaluated. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the key features associated with the amputation risk in diabetic foot patients within the dataset. Thus, various prediction/classification models were created to predict the "overall" risk of diabetic foot patients. Predictive machine‐learning models were created using various algorithms. Additionally to optimize the hyperparameters of the Random Forest Algorithm (RF), experimental use of Bayesian Optimization (BO) has been employed. The sub‐dimension data set comprising categorical and numerical values was subjected to a feature selection procedure. Among all the algorithms tested under the defined experimental conditions, the BO‐optimized "RF" based on the hybrid approach (PCA‐RF‐BO) and "Logistic Regression" algorithms demonstrated superior performance with 85% and 90% test accuracies, respectively. In conclusion, our findings would serve as an essential benchmark, offering valuable guidance in reducing such hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with obtaining some new characterizations on the dynamics of the moving charged particle acting under particular forces in the three‐dimensional space. In this perspective, we have enlarged the research of magnetic curves and associated Killing magnetic fields by adding the Fermi–Walker parallelism and derivative. By doing this, we investigate the Hall–Killing–Fermi effect on the charged particle, then we define new types of Fermi–Walker magnetic curves corresponding to the Killing magnetic field. We carefully construct the Fermi–Walker character of the magnetic field to prove the parallelism of the magnetic trajectories and uniformly accelerated motion of the charged particle. It leads to defining a very special family of magnetic fields, that is, Fermi–Walker uniform magnetic fields. Moreover, we use the Killing feature of the magnetic field to show that the Frenet–Serret scalars and quasislopes of the magnetic curves must meet particular differential equations that lead to obtaining some geometric interpretations of the magnetic trajectories. Last but not the least, both of these two characters allow us to define Killing and Fermi–Walker electric vector fields influencing the motion of the charged particle experiencing the Lorentz force in the three‐dimensional setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classic galactosemia (OMIM#230400) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism caused by a deficiency of the galactose‐1‐phosphate‐uridyl‐transferase enzyme encoded by the GALT gene. Even though a galactose‐restricted diet efficiently resolves the acute complications, it is insufficient to prevent long‐term complications regarding speech defects, intellectual functioning, premature ovarian failure, cataract, hepatomegaly, dysarthria, ataxia, and tremor. Seventy‐seven patients who were genetically diagnosed with classic galactosemia were included in this cohort. Identified novel variants were classified based on their predicted effect on the GALT function. Further, potential genotype–phenotype correlations were investigated via statistical analysis. In total, 18 different sequence variants were identified, including four novels (c.200delG/p.(Arg67Profs*19), c.533T>G/ p.(Met178Arg), c.708_709delGT/p.(Ser236Argfs*30), c.467C>A/p.(Ser156*)). Jaundice was the most common short‐term finding with 80% (61/77). Even with early diagnosis, intellectual disability is encountered with 36% (27/74) of the long‐term complications. Patients with biallelic missense variants have a significantly higher prevalence of cataracts (OR: 17.9). Longitudinal observations showed attenuation of cataracts and hepatomegaly. This study has shown the GALT variation spectrum of the Turkish population with a 30‐year retrospective cohort, submitting a significant contribution to the genotype/phenotype correlation in galactosemia. This study also highlights the cost‐effective importance of Sanger sequencing in the diagnosis of single‐gene metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tobacco use and related mortality is common in people receiving opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Smoking cessation medications are available and e‐cigarettes are increasingly recommended for high risk populations. This study explores experience, knowledge and attitudes around smoking cessation medications (nicotine replacement therapy [NRT], bupropion and varenicline) and e‐cigarettes in patients and clinicians in two public Australian OAT clinics. Methods: Cross‐sectional surveys of patients and clinicians and a randomly sampled retrospective medical record review. Patients were recruited through an advertisement in the clinic, and clinicians through advertisement at an educational session. Results: Ninety‐one patients and 10 clinicians completed the surveys. Most patients had at least one quit attempt and 43% were currently trying to quit. There were high levels of exposure to NRT, lower levels with varenicline and very limited exposure to bupropion. Patients considered e‐cigarettes most helpful, but were more likely to consider using NRT. Few patients reported smoking cessation interventions from their clinicians. Most clinicians identified high tobacco use prevalence, considered this problematic, but reported low rates of smoking cessation intervention. NRT was the preferred medication. E‐cigarettes were not considered helpful. Sixty‐six percent of the 140 records reviewed documented patients as smokers. Tobacco cessation medication was rarely discussed or provided. Discussion and Conclusions: Patients report high rates of tobacco cessation planning, but low rates of intervention. Experience of varenicline and bupropion is limited. E‐cigarettes were preferred over varenicline and bupropion. Improving patient's and clinician's knowledge of tobacco cessation medications could improve smoking cessation interventions and uptake of approved medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new evolution of polarized light ray by optical fiber in the pseudohyperbolic space ℍ02 is examined. Firstly, the characterization of the parallel transportation law associated with the geometric pseudohyperbolic phase of the light ray is given. Later, a principle nature of electric and magnetic field along with the light ray in the pseudohyperbolic space ℍ02 is defined by the geometric invariants. Finally, optical solutions of nonlinear pseudohyperbolic Schrödinger's equations governing the propagation of electromagnetic fields are successfully derived by using the traveling wave hypothesis approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholinesterases catalyze the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), a naturally occurring neurotransmitter, into choline and acetic acid, allowing the nervous system to function properly. In the human body, cholinesterases come in two types, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE; E.C.3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; E.C.3.1.1.8). Both cholinergic enzyme inhibitors are essential in the biochemical processes of the human body, notably in the brain. On the other hand, GSTs are found all across nature and are the principal Phase II detoxifying enzymes in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Specific isozymes are identified as therapeutic targets because they are overexpressed in various malignancies and may have a role in the genesis of other diseases such as neurological disorders, multiple sclerosis, asthma, and especially cancer cell. Piperazine chemicals have a role in many biological processes and have fascinating pharmacological properties. As a result, therapeutically effective piperazine research is becoming more prominent. Half maximal inhibition concentrations (IC50) of piperazine derivatives were found in ranging of 4.59–6.48 µM for AChE, 4.85–8.35 µM for BChE, and 3.94‐8.66 µM for GST. Also, piperazine derivatives exhibited Ki values of 8.04 ± 5.73–61.94 ± 54.56, 0.24 ± 0.03–32.14 ± 16.20, and 7.73 ± 1.13–22.97 ± 9.10 µM toward AChE, BChE, and GST, respectively. Consequently, the inhibitory properties of the AChE/BChE and GST enzymes have been compared to Tacrine (for AChE and BChE) and Etacrynic acid (for GST). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to reveal the effects of discrimination perceived by Turkish immigrants on their mental health. Design and Methods: The participants of this pilot study were 111 Turkish immigrant patients treated at the Neuro‐Psychiatrisches Zentrum Riem. Findings: The preliminary findings illustrated that perceived individual discrimination was significantly correlated with three coping strategies, namely, substance use, friend support, and personal support. Practice Implications: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the coping strategies and social support mechanisms of Turkish immigrants who perceived discrimination and employed strategies to combat it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lipopolysaccharide‐responsive beige‐like anchor protein (LRBA) deficiency and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte protein‐4 (CTLA‐4) insufficiency are recently described disorders that present with susceptibility to infections, autoimmunity, and lymphoproliferation. Clinical and immunological comparisons of the diseases with long‐term follow‐up have not been previously reported. We sought to compare the clinical and laboratory manifestations of both diseases and investigate the role of flow cytometry in predicting the genetic defect in patients with LRBA deficiency and CTLA‐4 insufficiency. Methods: Patients were evaluated clinically with laboratory assessments for lymphocyte subsets, T follicular helper cells (TFH), LRBA expression, and expression of CD25, FOXP3, and CTLA4 in regulatory T cells (Tregs) at baseline and 16 h post‐stimulation. Results: LRBA‐deficient patients (n = 29) showed significantly early age of symptom onset, higher rates of pneumonia, autoimmunity, chronic diarrhea, and failure to thrive compared to CTLA‐4 insufficiency (n = 12). In total, 29 patients received abatacept with favorable responses and the overall survival probability was not different between transplanted versus non‐transplanted patients in LRBA deficiency. Meanwhile, higher probability of survival was observed in CTLA‐4‐insufficient patients (p = 0.04). The T‐cell subsets showed more deviation to memory cells in CTLA‐4‐insufficiency, accompanied by low percentages of Treg and dysregulated cTFH cells response in both diseases. Cumulative numbers of autoimmunities positively correlated with cTFH frequencies. Baseline CTLA‐4 expression was significantly diminished in LRBA deficiency and CTLA‐4 insufficiency, but significant induction in CTLA‐4 was observed after short‐term T‐cell stimulation in LRBA deficiency and controls, while this elevation was less in CTLA‐4 insufficiency, allowing to differentiate this disease from LRBA deficiency with high sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (90%). Conclusion: This cohort provided detailed clinical and laboratory comparisons for LRBA deficiency and CTLA‐4 insufficiency. The flow cytometric approach is useful in predicting the defective gene; thus, targeted sequencing can be conducted to provide rapid diagnosis and treatment for these diseases impacting the CTLA‐4 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multidisciplinary field of memristors calls for the necessity for theoretically‐inclined researchers and experimenters to join forces, merging complementary expertise and technical know‐how, to develop and implement rigorous and systematic techniques to design variability‐aware memristor‐based circuits and systems. The availability of a predictive physics‐based model for a memristor is a necessary requirement before commencing these investigations. An interesting dynamic phenomenon, occurring ubiquitously in non‐volatile memristors, is fading memory. The latter may be defined as the appearance of a unique steady‐state behavior, irrespective of the choice of the initial condition from an admissible range of values, for each stimulus from a certain family, for example, the DC or the purely‐AC periodic input class. This paper first provides experimental evidence for the emergence of fading memory effects in the response of a TaOx redox‐based random access memory cell to inputs from both of these classes. Leveraging the predictive capability of a physics‐based device model, called JART VCM v1, a thorough system‐theoretic analysis, revolving around the Dynamic Route Map graphic tool, is presented. This analysis allows to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms, underlying the emergence of history erase effects, and to identify the main factors, that modulate this nonlinear phenomenon, toward future potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although most unintentional opioid deaths in Australia are attributed to pharmaceutical opioids, take‐home naloxone (THN) programmes have to date predominantly targeted people using illicit opioids in drug treatment and harm reduction settings. We sought to examine the feasibility of delivering THN brief interventions (THN‐BIs) with intranasal naloxone in EDs. Methods: This pilot feasibility study was conducted across three major metropolitan EDs in Sydney and Melbourne. ED staff were surveyed about their perspectives regarding THN before completing a 30‐min training programme in THN‐BI delivery. Patients presenting with opioid overdose or considered high risk for future overdose were eligible to receive the THN‐BI. Staff survey responses were compared between hospitals and provider types using one‐way analysis of variances. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were extracted from medical records and compared between hospitals and overdose type using Fisher's exact test and one‐way analysis of variances. Results: One hundred and twenty‐two ED staff completed the survey. One hundred and ten (90.2%) agreed that EDs should provide THN‐BIs, whereas 23 (19.2%) identified time constraints and 17 (12.9%) felt uncomfortable discussing overdose with patients. Fifty‐seven patients received the THN‐BI, with the majority (n = 50, 87.7%) having presented following opioid overdose. The median age was 44 years and 40 (71.4%) were men. Two‐thirds of the overdoses (n = 31, 66.0%) were attributed to heroin with one‐third (n = 16, 34%) being attributed to pharmaceutical opioids. Conclusions: ED‐based delivery of THN‐BIs can reach a wide range of individuals at‐risk of overdose. The present study supports the feasibility of THN interventions in EDs and underscores the importance of addressing implementation barriers including staff training. Most unintentional opioid deaths in Australia are attributed to pharmaceutical opioids, but take‐home naloxone (THN) programmes have to date predominantly targeted people using illicit opioids in drug treatment and harm‐reduction settings. This pilot study examined whether it was feasible to deliver a THN brief intervention (THN‐BI) to people at risk of opioid overdose in three EDs in New South Wales and Victoria. There were 122 ED staff who participated with most (n = 110, 90.2%) agreeing that EDs should provide THN‐BIs, and there were 57 patients who received the THN‐BI, with the majority (n = 50, 87.7%) having presented following opioid overdose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In early 2020, many services modified their delivery of opioid treatment in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, to limit viral spread and maintain treatment continuity. We describe the changes to treatment and preliminary analysis of the association with patients' substance use and well‐being. Methods: A pre‐post comparison of treatment conditions and patient self‐reported outcomes using data extracted from electronic medical records in the 5 months before (December 2019–April 2020) and after (May 2020–September 2020) changes were implemented in three public treatment services in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Results: Data are available for 429/460 (93%) patients. Few (21, 5%) dropped out of treatment. In the 'post' period there was significantly more use of depot buprenorphine (12–24%), access to any take‐away doses (TAD; 24–69%), access to ≥6 TAD per week (7–31%), pharmacy dosing (24–52%) and telehealth services. There were significant reductions in average opioid and benzodiazepine use, increases in cannabis use, with limited group changes in social conditions, or quality of life, psychological and physical health. At an individual level, 22% of patients reported increases in their use of either alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or stimulants of ≥4 days in the past 4 weeks. Regression analysis indicates increases in substance use were associated with higher levels of supervised dosing. Discussion and Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that the modified model of care continued to provide safe and effective treatment, during the pandemic. Notably, there was no association between more TAD and significant increases in substance use. Limitations are discussed and further evaluation is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furthermore, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) as well as anti-CD3/CD28-induced CD4 SP + sp T-cell proliferation was defective in the patient, compared to healthy family members (Figure S1B,C). Lymphocyte immunophenotyping revealed moderate low CD3 SP + sp and CD8 SP + sp T cells, accompanied by decreased naive and increased memory CD4 SP + sp and CD8 SP + sp T cells. Dermatitis was described in all of these patients, but apart from our report, other patients also presented respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.2,5-7 The majority of described patients with I ZAP70 i mutations had a clinical diagnosis of CID. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Biallelic loss‐of‐function mutations in CARMIL2 cause combined immunodeficiency associated with dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and EBV‐related smooth muscle tumors. Clinical and immunological characterizations of the disease with long‐term follow‐up and treatment options have not been previously reported in large cohorts. We sought to determine the clinical and immunological features of CARMIL2 deficiency and long‐term efficacy of treatment in controlling different disease manifestations. Methods: The presenting phenotypes, long‐term outcomes, and treatment responses were evaluated prospectively in 15 CARMIL2‐deficient patients, including 13 novel cases. Lymphocyte subpopulations, protein expression, regulatory T (Treg), and circulating T follicular helper (cTFH) cells were analyzed. Three‐dimensional (3D) migration assay was performed to determine T‐cell shape. Results: Mean age at disease onset was 38 ± 23 months. Main clinical features were skin manifestations (n = 14, 93%), failure to thrive (n = 10, 67%), recurrent infections (n = 10, 67%), allergic symptoms (n = 8, 53%), chronic diarrhea (n = 4, 27%), and EBV‐related leiomyoma (n = 2, 13%). Skin manifestations ranged from atopic and seborrheic dermatitis to psoriasiform rash. Patients had reduced proportions of memory CD4+ T cells, Treg, and cTFH cells. Memory B and NK cells were also decreased. CARMIL2‐deficient T cells exhibited reduced T‐cell proliferation and cytokine production following CD28 co‐stimulation and normal morphology when migrating in a high‐density 3D collagen gel matrix. IBD was the most severe clinical manifestation, leading to growth retardation, requiring multiple interventional treatments. All patients were alive with a median follow‐up of 10.8 years (range: 3–17 years). Conclusion: This cohort provides clinical and immunological features and long‐term follow‐up of different manifestations of CARMIL2 deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is of great importance as it is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in childhood. The diagnosis is made by the prolongation of the QTc interval on the electrocardiography. However, clinical heterogeneity and nondiagnostic QTc intervals may cause a delay in the diagnosis. In such cases, genetic tests such as next‐generation sequencing (NGS) panel analysis enable a definitive diagnosis. We present the first study that aimed to expand the LQTS's mutational spectrum by NGS panel analysis from Turkey. Methods: Fifty‐seven unrelated patients with clinically diagnosed LQTS were investigated using an NGS panel that includes six LQTS‐related genes. Clinical aspects, outcome, and molecular analysis results were reviewed. Results: Pathogenic (53%)/likely pathogenic (23%)/variant of unknown significance (4%) variants were detected in any of the genes examined in 79% of the patients. Among all detected variants, KCNQ1(71%) was the most common gene, followed by SCN5A (11%), KCNH2 (10%), CALM1 (5%), and CACNA1C (3%). Twelve novel variants were detected. Among the variants in KCNQ1, the c.1097G>A variant was present in 42% of patients. This variant also composed 31% of the variants detected in all of the genes. Conclusion: Our study expands the spectrum of the variations associated with LQTS with twelve novel variants in five genes. And also it draws attention to the frequency of the KCNQ1 c.1097G>A variant and forms the basis for new studies to determine the possible founder effect in the Turkish population. Furthermore, identifying new variants and clinical findings has importance in elaborating the roles of related genes in pathophysiology and determining the variable expression and incomplete penetration rates in this syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to current advances and growing experience in the management of coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the outcome of COVID-19 patients with severe/critical illness would be expected to be better in the second wave compared with the first wave. As our hospitalization criteria changed in the second wave, we aimed to investigate whether a favorable outcome occurred in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with only severe/critical illness. Among 642 laboratory-confirmed hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the first wave and 1121 in the second wave, those who met World Health Organization (WHO) definitions for severe or critical illness on admission or during follow-up were surveyed. Data on demographics, comorbidities, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on admission, and outcomes were obtained from an electronic hospital database. Univariate analysis was performed to compare the characteristics of patients in the first and second waves. There were 228 (35.5%) patients with severe/critical illness in the first wave and 681 (60.7%) in the second wave. Both groups were similar in terms of age, gender, and comorbidities, other than chronic kidney disease. Median serum CRP levels were significantly higher in patients in the second wave compared with those in the first wave [109 mg/L (interquartile range [IQR]: 65-157) vs. 87 mg/L (IQR: 39-140); p < 0.001]. However, intensive care unit admission and mortality rates were similar among the waves. Even though a lower mortality rate in the second wave has been reported in previous studies, including all hospitalized COVID-19 patients, we found similar demographics and outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with severe/critical illness in the first and second wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Replacing equipment and software can improve efficiency and allow updates to laboratory procedures, but has the potential to introduce changes in established values for a laboratory. Replacement of an electron microscope (EM), fitted with an updated digital camera, and use of new software for imaging and analysis prompted this QA study to ensure that new equipment, imaging, and measurement of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) produced data consistent with the laboratory's established range of normal width. GBM measurements from 14 randomly selected human renal biopsies were compared using five different approaches. Original measurements of GBMs obtained on the laboratory's previous EM were compared to images collected on the new microscope with measurements performed using new software, as well as the original images and the new images measured using a separate software method as a control. The widths obtained by five approaches were compared to each other. While measurements showed minor variability between the approaches, significant difference in GBM width was noted in three of the paired comparisons. In some cases, these differences suggested slight diagnostic changes. Evaluation of new equipment, software, and techniques is important for a laboratory's quality assurance. While new equipment and/or procedures can introduce errors in test outcomes, we found that different EMs, cameras, and software made slight differences in our laboratory's values for kidney GBM width. However, a few cases showed enough difference in GBM width to suggest a change in diagnosis, illustrating the necessity of calibration adjustments in the setting of new equipment and software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAODs) cause impairment in energy metabolism and can lead to a spectrum of cardiac pathologies including cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. The frequency of underlying cardiac pathologies and the response to recommended treatment in FAODs was investigated. Methods: Sixty-eight children (35 males, 33 females) with the diagnosis of a FAOD were included in the study. Cardiac function was evaluated with 12-lead standard electrocardiography, echocardiography, and 24 h Holter monitoring. Results: Forty-five patients (66%) were diagnosed after disease symptoms developed and 23 patients (34%) were diagnosed in the pre-symptomatic period. Among symptomatic patients (n: 45), cardiovascular findings were detected in 18 (40%) patients, including cardiomyopathy in 14 (31.1%) and conduction abnormalities in 4 (8.8%) patients. Cardiac symptoms were more frequently detected in primary systemic carnitine deficiency (57.1%). Patients with multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiencies also had an increased frequency of cardiac symptoms. Patients with medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I deficiencies had a lower prevalence of cardiac symptoms both during admission and during clinical follow up. Cardiomyopathy resolved completely in 8/14 (57%) patients and partially in 2/14 (14.3%) patients with treatment. Two patients with cardiomyopathy died in the newborn period; cardiomyopathy persisted in 1 (7.1%) patient with very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Conclusion: Early diagnosis, treatment and follow up made a significant contribution to the improvement of cardiac symptoms of patients with FAODs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of Recommendations and Levels Of Evidence: Chapter 2: Screening and assessment for unhealthy alcohol use Screening Screening for unhealthy alcohol use and appropriate interventions should be implemented in general practice (Level A), hospitals (Level B), emergency departments and community health and welfare settings (Level C). Quantity-frequency measures can detect consumption that exceeds levels in the current Australian guidelines (Level B). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is the most effective screening tool and is recommended for use in primary care and hospital settings. For screening in the general community, the AUDIT-C is a suitable alternative (Level A). Indirect biological markers should be used as an adjunct to screening (Level A), and direct measures of alcohol in breath and/or blood can be useful markers of recent use (Level B). Assessment Assessment should include evaluation of alcohol use and its effects, physical examination, clinical investigations and collateral history taking (Level C). Assessment for alcohol-related physical problems, mental health problems and social support should be undertaken routinely (GPP). Where there are concerns regarding the safety of the patient or others, specialist consultation is recommended (Level C). Assessment should lead to a clear, mutually acceptable treatment plan which specifies interventions to meet the patient's needs (Level D). Sustained abstinence is the optimal outcome for most patients with alcohol dependence (Level C). Chapter 3: Caring for and managing patients with alcohol problems: interventions, treatments, relapse prevention, aftercare, and long term follow-up Brief interventions Brief motivational interviewing interventions are more effective than no treatment for people who consume alcohol at risky levels (Level A). Their effectiveness compared with standard care or alternative psychosocial interventions varies by treatment setting. They are most effective in primary care settings (Level A). Psychosocial interventions Cognitive behaviour therapy should be a first-line psychosocial intervention for alcohol dependence. Its clinical benefit is enhanced when it is combined with pharmacotherapy for alcohol dependence or an additional psychosocial intervention (eg, motivational interviewing) (Level A). Motivational interviewing is effective in the short term and in patients with less severe alcohol dependence (Level A). Residential rehabilitation may be of benefit to patients who have moderate-to-severe alcohol dependence and require a structured residential treatment setting (Level D). Alcohol withdrawal management Most cases of withdrawal can be managed in an ambulatory setting with appropriate support (Level B). Tapering diazepam regimens (Level A) with daily staged supply from a pharmacy or clinic are recommended (GPP). Pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence Acamprosate is recommended to help maintain abstinence from alcohol (Level A). Naltrexone is recommended for prevention of relapse to heavy drinking (Level A). Disulfiram is only recommended in close supervision settings where patients are motivated for abstinence (Level A). Some evidence for off-label therapies baclofen and topiramate exists, but their side effect profiles are complex and neither should be a first-line medication (Level B). Peer support programs Peer-led support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery are effective at maintaining abstinence or reductions in drinking (Level A). Relapse prevention, aftercare and long-term follow-up Return to problematic drinking is common and aftercare should focus on addressing factors that contribute to relapse (GPP). A harm-minimisation approach should be considered for patients who are unable to reduce their drinking (GPP). Chapter 4: Providing appropriate treatment and care to people with alcohol problems: a summary for key specific populations Gender-specific issues Screen women and men for domestic abuse (Level C). Consider child protection assessments for caregivers with alcohol use disorder (GPP). Explore contraceptive options with women of reproductive age who regularly consume alcohol (Level B). Pregnant and breastfeeding women Advise pregnant and breastfeeding women that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption (Level B). Pregnant women who are alcohol dependent should be admitted to hospital for treatment in an appropriate maternity unit that has an addiction specialist (GPP). Young people Perform a comprehensive HEEADSSS assessment for young people with alcohol problems (Level B). Treatment should focus on tangible benefits of reducing drinking through psychotherapy and engagement of family and peer networks (Level B). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Collaborate with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health workers, organisations and communities, and seek guidance on patient engagement approaches (GPP). Use validated screening tools and consider integrated mainstream and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander-specific approaches to care (Level B). Culturally and linguistically diverse groups Use an appropriate method, such as the "teach-back" technique, to assess the need for language and health literacy support (Level C). Engage with culture-specific agencies as this can improve treatment access and success (Level C). Sexually diverse and gender diverse populations Be mindful that sexually diverse and gender diverse populations experience lower levels of satisfaction, connection and treatment completion (Level C). Seek to incorporate LGBTQ-specific treatment and agencies (Level C). Older people All new patients aged over 50 years should be screened for harmful alcohol use (Level D). Consider alcohol as a possible cause for older patients presenting with unexplained physical or psychological symptoms (Level D). Consider shorter acting benzodiazepines for withdrawal management (Level D). Cognitive impairment Cognitive impairment may impair engagement with treatment (Level A). Perform cognitive screening for patients who have alcohol problems and refer them for neuropsychological assessment if significant impairment is suspected (Level A).Summary Of Key Recommendations and Levels Of Evidence: Chapter 5: Understanding and managing comorbidities for people with alcohol problems: polydrug use and dependence, co-occurring mental disorders, and physical comorbidities Polydrug use and dependence Active alcohol use disorder, including dependence, significantly increases the risk of overdose associated with the administration of opioid drugs. Specialist advice is recommended before treatment of people dependent on both alcohol and opioid drugs (GPP). Older patients requiring management of alcohol withdrawal should have their use of pharmaceutical medications reviewed, given the prevalence of polypharmacy in this age group (GPP). Smoking cessation can be undertaken in patients with alcohol dependence and/or polydrug use problems; some evidence suggests varenicline may help support reduction of both tobacco and alcohol consumption (Level C). Co-occurring mental disorders More intensive interventions are needed for people with comorbid conditions, as this population tends to have more severe problems and carries a worse prognosis than those with single pathology (GPP). The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10 or K6) is recommended for screening for comorbid mental disorders in people presenting for alcohol use disorders (Level A). People with alcohol use disorder and comorbid mental disorders should be offered treatment for both disorders; care should be taken to coordinate intervention (Level C). Physical comorbidities Patients should be advised that alcohol use has no beneficial health effects. There is no clear risk-free threshold for alcohol intake. The safe dose for alcohol intake is dependent on many factors such as underlying liver disease, comorbidities, age and sex (Level A). In patients with alcohol use disorder, early recognition of the risk for liver cirrhosis is critical. Patients with cirrhosis should abstain from alcohol and should be offered referral to a hepatologist for liver disease management and to an addiction physician for management of alcohol use disorder (Level A). Alcohol abstinence reduces the risk of cancer and improves outcomes after a diagnosis of cancer (Level A). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to evaluate the effect of shift work on semen parameters together with the effect of sleep quality in men attending infertility clinic. The participants were divided into two groups as follows: 104 shift worker men (Group 1) and 116 nonshift worker men (Group 2). Groups were compared in terms of semen parameters, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale‐21 (DASS‐21), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. A higher rate of oligozoospermia and poor sleep quality and a lower mean normal morphology percentage was observed in shift workers than nonshift workers (p =.006,.039 and.036 respectively). In addition, a positive correlation was seen between sleep duration and sperm concentration, while a negative correlation was found between sleep latency and total sperm count. Shift working together with high PSQI score was also a significant association with oligozoospermia when controlling for the other variables of age, total testosterone, DASS‐21 stress score, smoking and varicocele (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.03–4.34 and OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.01–1.39 respectively). In this study, infertile shift workers had a lower percentage of normal morphology and higher rates of oligozoospermia and poor sleep quality. Considering that shift workers have lower sleep quality, it seems that shift working negatively affects the circadian rhythm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, laboratorial parameters of hospitalized novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) patients, who were complicated with severe pneumonia, were compared with the findings of cytokine storm developing in macrophage activation syndrome (MAS)/secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH). Severe pneumonia occurred as a result of cytokine storm in some patients who needed intensive care unit (ICU), and it is aimed to determine the precursive parameters in this situation. Also in this study, the aim is to identify laboratory criteria that predict worsening disease and ICU intensification, as well as the development of cytokine storm. This article comprises a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to a single institution with COVID‐19 pneumonia. This study includes 150 confirmed COVID‐19 patients with severe pneumonia. When they were considered as severe pneumonia patients, the clinic and laboratory parameters of this group are compared with H‐score criteria. Patients are divided into two subgroups; patients with worsened symptoms who were transferred into tertiary ICU, and patients with stable symptoms followed in the clinic. For the patients with confirmed COVID‐19 infection, after they become complicated with severe pneumonia, lymphocytopenia (55.3%), anemia (12.0%), thrombocytopenia (19.3%), hyperferritinemia (72.5%), hyperfibrinogenemia (63.7%) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (90.8%), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) (31.3%), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) (20.7%) are detected. There were no significant changes in other parameters. Blood parameters between the pre‐ICU period and the ICU period (in which their situation had been worsened and acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS] was developed) were also compared. In the latter group lymphocyte levels were found significantly reduced (p = 0.01), and LDH, highly sensitive troponin (hs‐troponin), procalcitonin, and triglyceride levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In addition, there was no change in hemoglobin, leukocyte, platelet, ferritin, and liver function test levels, including patients who developed ARDS, similar to the cytokine storm developed in MAS/sHLH. COVID‐19 pneumonia has similar findings as hyperinflammatory syndromes but does not seem to have typical features as in cytokine storm developed in MAS/sHLH. In the severe patient group who has started to develop ARDS signs, a decrease in lymphocyte level in addition to the elevated LDH, hs‐troponin, procalcitonin, and triglyceride levels can be a predictor in progression to ICU admission and could help in the planning of anti‐cytokine therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of inactivated yeast cells on the oxidative stability, color, and sensory properties of cocoa hazelnut cream. For this purpose, yeast cells were inactivated and added in the cocoa hazelnut cream. Glutathione content, antioxidant properties, TBARS, color, and sensory properties of the samples were examined during 150 days. According to the results, the GSH content in the cocoa hazelnut cream after yeast addition was 47.55 nmol GSH/g sample. In addition, TBARS value was lower in yeast‐added sample (0.1846 mg MDA/kg sample) compared to control (0.2262 mg MDA/kg sample) at the end of storage. Moreover, the DPPH values of the hazelnut cream did not change with the yeast addition, significantly. However, yeast‐added samples had higher FRAP, CUPRAC, and total phenolic content than the control sample. Sensory scores of yeast‐added samples were also acceptable compared to control samples. Practical applications: In this study, the effect of inactive industrial baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) addition on the functional and sensory properties of the cocoa hazelnut cream was investigated. The results have shown that industrial baker's yeast can be encapsulated by heat treatment and helps to maintain oxidative stability of cocoa hazelnut cream without causing significant changes in the sensory properties during storage. Thus, the addition of inactivate yeast cells can be recommended for the further development of novel and innovative nutritional products with natural ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, new energy functionals are described via the variational approach method. By doing this, a new class of elastic curves is described in the three‐dimensional ordinary space. An alternative method is also investigated to compute critical points of the bending energy functionals acting on a class of magnetic curves. Then, classifications of these critical curves are presented as elastic magnetic curves of the Frenet–Serret vectors family. Moreover, the dynamics of the elastic magnetic curves of ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic models are discussed with their numerical and analytical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heterozygous relatives of ataxia‐telangiectasia (AT) patients are at an increased risk for certain AT‐related manifestations. We also show that there is an increase of infection frequency in parents of AT patients. Thus, we hypothesized that the parents might exhibit immune alterations similar to their affected children. Methods: Lymphocyte phenotyping to enumerate T‐ and B‐cell subsets was performed. Functional analyses included in vitro quantified γ‐H2AX, poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase‐9 proteins. Chromosomal instability was determined by comet assay. Results: We analyzed 20 AT patients (14F/6M), 31 parents (16F/15M), and 35 age‐matched healthy controls. The AT patients' parents exhibited low frequency of naive CD4+ T‐ (n = 14, 45%) and recent thymic emigrants (n = 11, 35%) in comparison with the age‐matched healthy donors. Interestingly, parents with low naive T cells also demonstrated high rate of recurrent infections (9/14, 64%). In comparison with age‐matched controls, parents who had recurrent infections and low naive T cells showed significantly higher baseline γ‐H2AX levels and H2O2‐induced DNA damage as well as increased cleaved caspase‐9 and PARP proteins. Conclusion: Parents of AT patients could present with recurrent infections and display cellular defects that mimic AT patients. The observed immunological changes could be associated with increased DNA double‐strand breaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective triage and early detection are very important for the control and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019. For this purpose, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and chest computed tomography are used in emergency departments. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the diagnostic performance of computed tomography and to compare the inter-observer agreement among radiologists and between clinicians, in a coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia high-prevalence area. Methods: After exclusions, 534 patients were retrospectively included in this study. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was considered as gold standard for diagnosis. All computed tomography images were independently reviewed by two radiologists who were blinded to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results and other clinical information. Each computed tomography scan was scored in four categories as typical, intermediate, atypical, and negative, regarding coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia according to Radiological Society of North America guideline. As for the evaluation of the diagnostic performance, typical and intermediate appearances were accepted as positive for coronavirus disease 2019. In addition, the computed tomography scans were scored by two clinicians as coronavirus disease 2019 positive and negative. Results: The study group included 534 patients after the exclusion criteria. As a result of the repeated reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests, 396 (74%) patients were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019, 138 (26%) patients had a negative result and were evaluated as a control group. When the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results were referenced as the gold standard; the accuracy rates of radiologists and clinicians (R1, R2, C1, and C2) in the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 were 78%, 79%, 73%, and 71%, their sensitivity rates were 83%, 83%, 74%, and 75%, and the negative predictive values were 57%, 58%, 49%, and 46%, respectively. Inter-observer agreements among the reviewers ranged from good to excellent. Conclusions: Radiological Society of North America guideline related to coronavirus disease 2019 has excellent inter-observer agreement among chest radiologists. In this study, radiologists and clinicians have presented similar and good diagnostic performances in the evaluation of coronavirus disease 2019–suspected patients with chest computed tomography in high-epidemic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of sodium metabisulphite and the thiol compounds, glutathione (GSH), L‐cysteine (CYS), and N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), on the enzymatic browning, antioxidant activities, total phenolic, and ascorbic acid content of potatoes after 1, 24, and 48 hr. Three different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%) of each thiol compound were tested. While sulphite solution inhibited polyphenol oxidase as expected, NAC and CYS also decreased its activity. CYS‐treated samples exhibited the highest residual thiol content, while the amount of residual thiol in GSH‐treated samples was the lowest. The 2.0% NAC and 2.0% CYS solutions were the most effective at increasing antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid content; however, the results of total phenolic content assays were complicated. In summary, solutions containing 2.0% NAC, 1.0% CYS, and 2.0% CYS prevented enzymatic browning and increased the residual thiol content, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activities of fresh‐cut potatoes significantly, but GSH did not significantly inhibit browning. Practical applications: Fresh‐cut potatoes are susceptible to enzymatic browning, which significantly reduces their commercial value. In literature, there have been several methods to protect the enzymatic browning of fruits and vegetables. Among these methods, thiols are good inhibitors of enzymatic browning. So, GSH, CYS, and NAC were used in this study. The outcomes of current work may help to inhibit polyphenol oxidase activity and increase the ascorbic acid content, residual thiol content, and antioxidant activity of fresh‐cut potatoes. Both CYS and NAC may be useful alternatives to sulphite anti‐browning agents, which may have adverse health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano‐devices are featured to communicate via molecular interaction, the so‐called molecular communication (MC). In MC systems, the information is carried by molecules where the amount of molecules constitutes the level of the signal. In this study, an MC‐based system was analysed with different receiver topology and related parameters, such as size, shape, and orientation of receptors on the receiver. Also in the concept of nano‐medicine, the effect of amyloid‐beta (Aβ), which is believed as the main cause of Alzheimer disease, on the successful reception ratio of molecules with the proposed receiver models was investigated. It was demonstrated that the cubic receiver model is superior to sphere one in terms of the correct reception ratio of the molecular signal. A cubic model where its edge (not rotated around the centre) is placed across the transmitter demonstrated a better performance in reducing the effect of Aβ as compared to the sphere model while a cubic model where its corner (rotated around the centre) is placed across the transmitter demonstrated a worse performance than the spherical model. From this expression, it may be concluded that with the adjustment of topological system parameters the probability of successful reception ratio in MC may be possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain during pregnancy is common, and its management is complex. Certain analgesics may increase the risk for adverse fetal and pregnancy outcomes, while poorly managed pain can result in adverse maternal outcomes such as depression and hypertension. Guidelines to assist clinicians in assessing risks and benefits of exposure to analgesics for the mother and unborn infant are lacking, necessitating evidence‐based recommendations for managing pain in pregnancy. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to assess pregnancy safety data for pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management methods. Relevant clinical trials and observational studies were identified using multiple medical databases, and included studies were evaluated for quality and possible biases. Results: Paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are appropriate for mild to moderate pain, but NSAIDs should be avoided in the third trimester due to established risks. Short courses of weaker opioids are generally safe in pregnancy, although neonatal abstinence syndrome must be monitored following third trimester exposure. Limited safety data for pregabalin and gabapentin indicate that these are unlikely to be major teratogens, and tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors have limited but overall reassuring safety data. Many of the included studies were limited by methodological issues. Conclusions: Findings from this review can guide clinicians in their decision to prescribe analgesics for pregnant women. Treatment should be tailored to the lowest therapeutic dose and shortest possible duration, and management should involve a discussion of risks and benefits and monitoring for response. Further research is required to better understand the safety profile of various analgesics in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the geometric characterization of the trajectory of a moving charged particle, for the case of a homogeneous electromagnetic field, in Minkowski space E24 when the motion is governed by the Lorentz equation. We employ a totally relativistic approach during the discussion. It is based on a systematic use of the Faraday antisymmetric tensor properties of the electromagnetic field and of the four‐dimensional Frenet‐Serret formula, which is adapted to the Minkowski 4‐space with index two to determine the worldline geometry of the electromagnetic field acting on the particle. Finally, we present the necessary and sufficient conditions to obtain uniform motion of the relativistic charged particle in a homogeneous electromagnetic field in E24. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sariçiçek howardite meteorite shower consisting of 343 documented stones occurred on September 2, 2015 in Turkey and is the first documented howardite fall. Cosmogenic isotopes show that Sariçiçek experienced a complex cosmic‐ray exposure history, exposed during ~12–14 Ma in a regolith near the surface of a parent asteroid, and that an ~1 m sized meteoroid was launched by an impact 22 ± 2 Ma ago to Earth (as did one‐third of all HED meteorites). SIMS dating of zircon and baddeleyite yielded 4550.4 ± 2.5 Ma and 4553 ± 8.8 Ma crystallization ages for the basaltic magma clasts. The apatite U‐Pb age of 4525 ± 17 Ma, K‐Ar age of ~3.9 Ga, and the U,Th‐He ages of 1.8 ± 0.7 and 2.6 ± 0.3 Ga are interpreted to represent thermal metamorphic and impact‐related resetting ages, respectively. Petrographic; geochemical; and O‐, Cr‐, and Ti‐isotopic studies confirm that Sariçiçek belongs to the normal clan of HED meteorites. Petrographic observations and analysis of organic material indicate a small portion of carbonaceous chondrite material in the Sariçiçek regolith and organic contamination of the meteorite after a few days on soil. Video observations of the fall show an atmospheric entry at 17.3 ± 0.8 km s−1 from NW; fragmentations at 37, 33, 31, and 27 km altitude; and provide a pre‐atmospheric orbit that is the first dynamical link between the normal HED meteorite clan and the inner Main Belt. Spectral data indicate the similarity of Sariçiçek with the Vesta asteroid family (V‐class) spectra, a group of asteroids stretching to delivery resonances, which includes (4) Vesta. Dynamical modeling of meteoroid delivery to Earth shows that the complete disruption of a ~1 km sized Vesta family asteroid or a ~10 km sized impact crater on Vesta is required to provide sufficient meteoroids ≤4 m in size to account for the influx of meteorites from this HED clan. The 16.7 km diameter Antionia impact crater on Vesta was formed on terrain of the same age as given by the 4He retention age of Sariçiçek. Lunar scaling for crater production to crater counts of its ejecta blanket show it was formed ~22 Ma ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stabilization of biomolecules on matrices is critically important. Here we constructed composite nanofibers with magnetic features by electro‐spinning of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) in an appropriate polymer matrix on a collector surface for multiple uses. 'Poly(vinylalcohol)‐polyethyleneimine/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles' (PVA‐PEI/MNP) composite nanofiber was used on the screen printed electrodes (SPE) to serve as a platform for the glucose oxidase (GOx) biofilm as the model biomolecule. To show the potential application of this material as a biosensor component, the resulted biofilm, called 'PVA‐PEI/MNP/GOx', was fixed on SPE via a neodymium magnet for the electrochemical detection of glucose at −0.7 V where oxygen consumption due to enzymatic reaction was measured. The main advantage of the obtained magnetic biomembrane is that it allows analysis with a single drop. After step‐by‐step surface modifications, analytical characterization was performed using various techniques, such as voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as microscopic techniques. The linear range of the PVA‐PEI/MNP/GOx surface was found as 0.0125 to 0.5 mM with a limit of detection of 11.5 μM for glucose as analyte. The application of PVA‐PEI/MNP/GOx for glucose detection in synthetic samples was carried out. Data proved the potential use of the 'PVA‐PEI/MNP' surface as a biomolecule immobilization platform for disposable biosensor applications. 'Poly(vinylalcohol)‐polyethyleneimine/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles' (PVA‐PEI/MNP) composite nanofiber was used on the screen printed electrodes (SPE) to serve as a platform for the glucose oxidase (GOx) biofilm as the model biomolecule. The main advantage of the obtained magnetic biomembrane is that it allows analysis with a single drop. Data proved the potential use of the 'PVA‐PEI/MNP' surface as a biomolecule immobilization platform for disposable biosensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims: Despite large increases in pharmaceutical opioid dependence and related mortality, few studies have focused on the characteristics and treatment experiences of those with pharmaceutical opioid dependence. We describe the formation of a prospective cohort of people receiving treatment for pharmaceutical opioid dependence and describe their baseline characteristics.Design and Methods: People who had entered treatment for pharmaceutical opioid dependence (n = 108) were recruited through drug treatment services in New South Wales, Australia. We describe baseline characteristics of those that commenced pharmaceutical opioids for pain or other reasons and conducted a thematic analysis of responses regarding their treatment experience.Results: Mean age was 41 years (SD 11), half were male (48%). Just over half reported lifetime heroin use (57%). Oxycodone (49%) and codeine (29%) were the most common opioids reported. Most (85%) reported past-year problematic pain, 38% reported chronic pain. Half (52%) reported moderate to severe depression symptoms. Most (66%) commenced opioids for pain, and this group were older, less likely to report a previous overdose and less likely to report use of illicit drugs compared to those commencing for other reasons. Five themes related to treatment expectations: (i) stigma; (ii) the restrictive nature of treatment; (iii) knowledge; (iv) pain; and (v) positive experience with buprenorphine.Discussion and Conclusions: This study describes the complexities in an important emerging treatment population of pharmaceutical opioid-dependent people. Findings highlights that addressing knowledge and perceptions around treatment may be critical to address the rising mortality associated with pharmaceutical opioid dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, hyperbranched copolymers (HBCs), namely poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-co-poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) and PMMA-copoly( 2-dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate), are photochemically synthesized by self-condensing vinyl polymerization of methyl methacrylate with the corresponding inimer using Type II photoinitiators. HBCs with different functional group and branching densities are used as surface coating materials in cellular adhesion and the respective electrochemical-based studies. After the main surface characterization of the synthesized three HBCs with contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy, HaCaT keratinocytes and human neuroglioblastoma (U-87MG) cell lines to the surfaces are conducted. The adherence of cells is proven by both fluorescence cell imaging and electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The described strategy involving hyperbranched polymers offers great potential for fabricating various new surfaces in particular "on-chip-sensing" applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Diagnosing blood-borne virus ( BBV) infection is an essential first step in eliminating transmission and securing access to treatment amongst substance misusers. Aims To determine the proportion of substance misusers presenting to hospital who undergo BBV testing and the factors influencing testing. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed of patients presenting to two Sydney teaching hospitals with substance misuse diagnoses between January and April 2015. Proportions tested for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C and hepatitis B previously and during the index hospitalisation presentation were examined. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine factors associated with testing. Results Of 239 patients, 47 (19.7%) had a documented BBV at baseline. Of those with unknown BBV status, 29 (12.8%) had undergone some attempt at testing during presentation; 3.1% had their hepatitis B immunity assessed. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of testing during presentation included documented injecting drug use (odds ratio ( OR) 15.14; 95% confidence interval ( CI) 4.21-54.50; P < 0.001), admission under a physician ( OR 11.79; 95% CI 2.82-49.40; P = 0.001) and admission on a Friday ( OR 4.46; 95% CI 1.28-15.48; P = 0.02). Patients who had had more than one previous admission in the preceding 6 months ( OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.078-0.73; P = 0.01) or a length of stay of 1 day or less ( OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.032-0.87; P = 0.033) were less likely to be tested. Conclusion Despite the high baseline prevalence of BBV infections in the population, there were many missed opportunities for BBV testing. We found patient-, admission- and clinician-level barriers that could be addressed to enhance BBV testing uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Use of opioid agonist treatments for prescription opioid (PO) dependence is rapidly increasing. Current guidelines are based on research with heroin users. This study aimed to examine methadone and buprenorphine dose requirements for PO-dependent people.Design and Methods: A retrospective case series of PO-dependent patients entering methadone and buprenorphine treatment. Daily oral morphine equivalent (OME) doses at baseline were calculated using standard dose conversion calculations. Dose conversion tables were used to estimate opioid agonist doses, based on starting dose of PO. Baseline methadone and buprenorphine dose at days 7 and 28 were examined. Linear models were fit to the data.Results: Participants (n = 44) were 67% male, mean age 41 years (SD 10 years); 69% reported a pain condition. The methadone group (n = 21) had a mean PO dose of 704.5 mg OME (SD 783.5 mg) prior to treatment, and mean methadone dose of 45.3 mg (SD 13.1 mg) at day 7 and 61.6 mg (SD 20.8 mg) at day 28. The buprenorphine group (n = 23) had a mean PO dose of 771.7 mg OME (SD 867.7 mg) prior to treatment, with a mean dose of 14.6 mg (SD 8.3 mg) at day 7 and 18.1 (SD 8.9 mg) at day 28. Linear relationships were not found between OME and opioid agonist dose.Conclusions: Opioid agonist dosages varied substantially between individuals, and from predicted dosages based on dose conversion tables. Use of conversion tables to guide selection of opioid agonist dosage may compromise patient safety. [Nielsen S, Bruno R, Degenhardt L, Demirkol A, Lintzeris N. Opioid agonist doses for oxycodone and morphine dependence: Findings from a retrospective case series Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:311-316]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Governments force companies to stabilize ergonomic risk levels of the manufacturing environment and keep it below an acceptable risk level in order to prevent aftermaths. As a result, companies need more manufacturing engineers who are aware of ergonomics risk analysis. Thus, undergraduate students in the 3rd year in Industrial Engineering at Dokuz Eylül University are invited to take part in a real-life experience. This paper introduces an Excel-based program which is called Quick Ergonomic Assessment Techniques (QEAT); in order to support teaching students ergonomic risk assessment techniques; facilitate understanding characteristics of different techniques, and enable to compare the results of them. Three of the well-known ergonomic risk assessment techniques are coded in QEAT and applied on an electronics company which manufactures TV. The proposed QEAT procedure is easy to apply in various manufacturing environments and is suitable to be implemented in undergraduate engineering laboratories in order to support and encourage ergonomics study. The results show that by using the combination of three techniques in QEAT, an ergonomic risk assessment which covers most of the body areas could be presented and manufacturing environment could be reanalyzed easily if it is needed due to the changes in production processes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:489-507, 2017; View this article online at ; DOI [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]