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Background: Ablation zone segmentation in contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images enables the quantitative assessment of treatment success in the ablation of liver lesions. However, fully automatic liver ablation zone segmentation in CT images still remains challenging, such as low accuracy and time‐consuming manual refinement of the incorrect regions. Purpose: Therefore, in this study, we developed a semi‐automatic technique to address the remaining drawbacks and improve the accuracy of the liver ablation zone segmentation in the CT images. Methods: Our approach uses a combination of a CNN‐based automatic segmentation method and an interactive CNN‐based segmentation method. First, automatic segmentation is applied for coarse ablation zone segmentation in the whole CT image. Human experts then visually validate the segmentation results. If there are errors in the coarse segmentation, local corrections can be performed on each slice via an interactive CNN‐based segmentation method. The models were trained and the proposed method was evaluated using two internal datasets of post‐interventional CECT images (n1$n_{1}$ = 22, n2$n_{2}$ = 145; 62 patients in total) and then further tested using an external benchmark dataset (n3$n_{3}$ = 12; 10 patients). Results: To evaluate the accuracy of the proposed approach, we used Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), average symmetric surface distance (ASSD), Hausdorff distance (HD), and volume difference (VD). The quantitative evaluation results show that the proposed approach obtained mean DSC, ASSD, HD, and VD scores of 94.0%, 0.4 mm, 8.4 mm, 0.02, respectively, on the internal dataset, and 87.8%, 0.9 mm, 9.5 mm, and −0.03, respectively, on the benchmark dataset. We also compared the performance of the proposed approach to that of five well‐known segmentation methods; the proposed semi‐automatic method achieved state‐of‐the‐art performance on ablation segmentation accuracy, and on average, 2 min are required to correct the segmentation. Furthermore, we found that the accuracy of the proposed method on the benchmark dataset is comparable to that of manual segmentation by human experts (p$p$ = 0.55, t$t$‐test). Conclusions: The proposed semi‐automatic CNN‐based segmentation method can be used to effectively segment the ablation zones, increasing the value of CECT for an assessment of treatment success. For reproducibility, the trained models, source code, and demonstration tool are publicly available at https://github.com/lqanh11/Interactive_AblationZone_Segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phototransistor with a sol–gel‐based Cd‐doped indium‐gallium‐zinc‐oxide (IGZO) photoactive sensing channel on a dual‐purpose indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) substrate (gate electrode and embedded transparent heater) is reported for the first time. The Cd‐doped IGZO layer is fabricated in situ by a one‐step microwave‐assisted sol–gel process with reduced temperature (<125 °C) and time (<15 min). Despite the wide bandgap of the IGZO (≈3.83 eV) channel, visible‐light (≈2 eV) photosensing is achieved in the developed phototransistor upon Cd doping owing to the reduced bandgap (≈3.71 eV) and increased density of subgap states associated with oxygen vacancies in the metal–oxygen bonding structure. In addition, the Cd‐doped IGZO phototransistor exhibits excellent operational stability (up to 10 000 cycles) and long‐term reliability (up to 30 days). Finally, the embedded Joule heater, based on the inherent transparent ITO substrate, significantly improves the recovery characteristics of the IGZO phototransistor owing to relaxation of the photoexcited charges at the oxygen‐vacancy‐related trap states upon heating, resulting in 100% recovery in a significantly reduced timeframe (≈10 s). These findings pave the way for the development of high‐performance, stable, and reliable visible‐light phototransistors based on wide‐bandgap IGZO active sensing channels with fast and full recovery, expanding their practical applicability of optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to analyze extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD)‐specific survival, overall survival, and recurrence rate (RR) in patients with EMPD in South Korea, with a focus on wide local excision. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with EMPD from 1993 to 2020 at Kyungpook National University Hospital. We determined the survival and RRs after wide local excision. Results: A total of 95 patients (66 males and 29 females; mean age 67.4 years) were included. The 5‐year disease‐specific survival and overall survival were 91.8% and 79.3%, respectively, whereas the 10‐year rates were 81.6% and 64.7%, respectively. No significant sex differences were observed. Seventy‐five patients (78.9%) underwent wide local excision. Mucosal involvement and lymphadenopathy were identified as the significant prognostic factors of disease‐specific survival in multivariate analysis. The RR was 14.7% in patients who underwent wide local excision: seven local, two regional, and two distant metastases, with a mean recurrence‐free interval of 42.3 months. Conclusion: Based on the survival and RRs obtained, surgical treatment of EMPD with wide local excision provides fair curative resection. Practitioner points: Wide local excision can be a feasible treatment option for extramammary Paget's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a cost‐effective, small‐size, and portable impedance analyzer using the AD5941 Analog Front End (AFE) that makes frequency sweep measurement for various applications. The design utilizes a microcontroller and an AD5941 circuit for impedance measurement. The AD541 is a high precision impedance converter system that consists of a 16‐bit, 1.6 MSPS, analog to digital converter (ADC), an integrated waveform generator, and a digital signal processing (DSP) block. The AD5941 has many advantages over the AD5933 which was used in numerous studies in the past decade. Also, the device implements the four‐wire impedance method which is an impedance measuring technique that reduces the effect of electrodes to achieve higher accuracy. A supporting Graphic User Interface (GUI) software is employed to control the Impedance Analyzer device and to visualize the measurement. This impedance analyzer achieves a frequency resolution of 0.015 Hz and can generate sinusoid up to 200 kHz. In frequency range from 10 kHz to 150 kHz, the device can measure impedance in the range of 10 Ω–100 kΩ with less than 4.3% of error in comparison with benchtop impedance analyzer, Microtest 6632. Moreover, our impedance measurement device has undergone testing involving human calf measurements and electrochemical quantification, particularly for estimating Sodium Chlorite. The experimental outcomes demonstrate that our design not only fulfills the criteria of an impedance analyzer device but also performs effectively across diverse applications. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the role of Ninjurin1 (Ninj1), encoding a small transmembrane protein, in colitis‐associated colon tumorigenesis in relation to sex hormones. Male and female wild‐type (WT) and Ninj1 knockout (KO) mice were treated with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), with or without testosterone propionate (TP). At week 2 (acute colitis stage), Ninj1 KO exhibited an alleviation in the colitis symptoms in both male and female mice. The M2 macrophage population increased and CD8+ T cell population decreased only in the female Ninj1 KO than in the female WT AOM/DSS group. In the female AOM/DSS group, TP treatment exacerbated colon shortening in the Ninj1 KO than in the WT. At week 13 (tumorigenesis stage), male Ninj1 KO mice had fewer tumors, but females showed similar tumors. In the WT AOM/DSS group, females had more M2 macrophages and fewer M1 macrophages than males, but this difference was absent in Ninj1 KO mice. In the Ninj1 KO versus WT group, the expression of pro‐inflammatory mediators and Ho‐1 and CD8+ T cell populations decreased in both female and male Ninj1 KO mice. In the WT group, M2 macrophage populations were increased by AOM/DSS treatment and decreased by TP treatment. However, neither treatment changed the cell populations in the Ninj1 KO group. These results suggest that Ninj1 is involved in colorectal cancer development in a testosterone‐dependent manner, which was different in male and female. This highlights the importance of considering sex disparities in understanding Ninj1's role in cancer pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inertial forward–backward splitting algorithm can be considered as a modified form of the forward–backward algorithm for variational inequality problems with monotone and Lipschitz continuous cost mappings. By using parallel and inertial techniques and the forward–backward splitting algorithm, in this paper, we propose a new parallel inertial forward–backward splitting algorithm for solving variational inequality problems, where the constraints are the intersection of common solution sets of a finite family of variational inclusion problems. Then, strong convergence of proposed iteration sequences is showed under standard assumptions imposed on cost mappings in a real Hilbert space. Finally, some numerical experiments demonstrate the reliability and benefits of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Predose trough concentrations (Ctrough) of intravenous infliximab (IV‐IFX) during maintenance therapy are associated with therapeutic outcomes in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). A subcutaneous formulation of infliximab (SC‐IFX) has shown high Ctrough values due to its favourable pharmacokinetics. Aims: To evaluate the association of Ctrough of SC‐IFX with therapeutic outcomes and the threshold of SC‐IFX Ctrough for achieving mucosal healing (MH) and transmural healing (TH) in patients with CD. Methods: We performed this cross‐sectional study in patients with CD who had received SC‐IFX maintenance therapy for ≥ 6 months. We measured SC‐IFX Ctrough immediately before SC‐IFX injection. We performed ileocolonoscopy/single‐balloon enteroscopy and/or magnetic resonance enterography within 3 months of SC‐IFX Ctrough measurement. MH was defined as SES‐CD–ulcerated surface subscore of 0. TH was defined as simplified MaRIA score of 0. Results: We enrolled 124 patients with MH in 77.9% (74/95) and TH in 36.3% (37/102). SC‐IFX Ctrough was significantly higher in patients with MH (24.1 vs.16.9 μg/mL; p = 0.001) and TH (26.0 vs. 20.5 μg/mL; p = 0.007) than in those without. ROC analysis identified that the threshold of SC‐IFX Ctrough for MH and TH were 17.5 and 30.3 μg/mL, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that SC‐IFX Ctrough was significantly associated with MH (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.05–1.27; p = 0.002) and TH (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02–1.14; p = 0.005). Conclusions: SC‐IFX Ctrough was positively associated with MH (≥ 18 μg/mL) and TH (≥ 30 μg/mL) in patients with CD, which may guide treatment decisions to optimise therapeutic response in the era of treat‐to‐target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Objective Methods Results Conclusions An evidence gap exists concerning the timing of delivery at 37–42 weeks and the risk of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring.To determine the association between timing of delivery in low‐risk pregnancies at term (37–42 weeks) gestations and ADHD in offspring.This population‐based cohort study comprised 1,424,453 singletons in Sweden and 403,765 in British Columbia (BC), Canada, live‐born at 37–42 completed weeks to low‐risk pregnant women between 2000 and 2018. Children were followed up from age 1 until the date of death, emigration, their first diagnosis, or December 2020 (study's end date). The exposure was time of delivery assessed through gestational age, and the outcome was the diagnosis of ADHD. Cox regression models were used to examine the association between gestational age at delivery and ADHD.During the follow‐up period, 59,989 children in Sweden were diagnosed with ADHD (4.5 per 1000 child‐years). Correspondingly, in BC, during the same period, there were 27,445 children diagnosed with ADHD (7.4 per 1000 child‐years). In Sweden, the adjusted hazard of ADHD was 10%, 6%, and 3% higher at 37, 38, and 39 weeks gestation compared with those born at ≥ 38, ≥ 39, and ≥ 40 weeks, respectively. In BC, the corresponding hazards were 9%, 6%, and 3%, respectively. Both regions showed no elevated ADHD risks for infants born at 40 weeks compared to those born at ≥ 41 weeks, with slightly lower rates at 40 weeks.In low‐risk pregnancies, births at 37 and 38 weeks were associated with a higher ADHD risk, while births at 40 weeks showed no increased risk compared with those born at later gestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging biomarkers for monitoring disease activity in plaque psoriasis. The study aimed to identify predictive imaging biomarkers for assessing disease activity, tracking treatment response, and predicting therapy outcomes. Results showed significant changes in imaging biomarkers as early as 4 weeks after treatment initiation, with potential for enhancing predictive modeling and tailoring treatments for chronic inflammatory skin diseases. The study highlights the potential of OCT as a complementary method to clinical scores for monitoring disease activity in psoriasis, offering prospects for improving objective diagnostics and guiding treatment decisions. [Extracted from the article]

This study highlights the synergistic interplay between a Lewis acidic copper ion and a dissociated ligand from Cu(triNHC) complexes in the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 and epoxy compounds. The reactions were found to proceed efficiently under Cu(triNHC)‐catalyzed conditions, yielding significant quantities of cyclic carbonates across various epoxy substrates encompassing amine, sulfide, and ether functionalities. Stereochemical analyses underscore a pronounced propensity for retaining the stereochemistry of epoxy compounds in the resultant carbonates. This suggests a mechanism involving double inversion of stereochemistry during the reaction, which comprises catalyst‐mediated epoxide ring opening, subsequent CO2 addition, and carbonate ring closing. These findings align with established mechanisms for CO2 fixation reactions, shedding light on the intricate pathways underlying this catalytic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decommissioning of a nuclear power plant generates a large amount of radioactive waste that requires significant disposal costs. Consequently, it is an important factor in assessing decommissioning costs. The most effective approach to minimizing decommissioning waste is rapid classification based on radioactivity levels. However, some nuclear sites do not have their own radiochemical analysis laboratory. Even in Korea, the analysis process does not' occur at the decommissioning site but rather at an external analysis institution to ascertain concentrations. This analysis procedure is time‐consuming and may result in cross‐contamination among radioactive wastes. Therefore, rapid analysis of decommissioning waste can reduce the amount of radioactive waste disposal and ultimately improve the economics. To address these issues, research is ongoing to develop a mobile radiochemistry laboratory. This study evaluated the radiological effects on workers as a basis for the application of mobile facilities on‐site. Worker exposure doses were assessed using computational code, considering the analysis workload in single and continuous processes under both normal and abnormal operations. The preliminary evaluation results from this prestudy confirm regulatory dose limits, and it is anticipated that future studies can be augmented with field data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aims of this study were to confirm the non‐inferiority of tegoprazan to lansoprazole up to week 4 in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) and to evaluate its effectiveness in rapid mucosal healing and symptom relief at week 2. Methods: In this multi‐center, randomized, double‐blind, active‐comparator non‐inferiority trial, 218 patients with endoscopically confirmed EE (Los Angeles Classification Grades A–D) were randomly allocated to either the tegoprazan (50 mg) or lansoprazole (30 mg) group. The primary endpoint was the cumulative proportion of patients with healed EE up to week 4, as confirmed through endoscopy. The proportion of patients with healed EE at week 2 was also evaluated. Furthermore, CYP2C19 genotypes, symptoms, safety, and tolerability were assessed. Key Results: In the full‐analysis set, 103 and 109 participants in the tegoprazan and lansoprazole groups, respectively, were analyzed. The cumulative healing rates up to week 4 were 95.2% (98/103) and 86.2% (94/109) (difference [95% confidence interval], 8.91 [1.22–16.59]; p < 0.0001 for non‐inferiority and 0.0266 for superiority), while those at week 2 were 88.4% (91/103) and 82.6% (90/109) (5.78 [−3.66–15.22], p = 0.0005 for non‐inferiority) for tegoprazan and lansoprazole, respectively. Tegoprazan showed consistent healing rates regardless of CYP2C19 genotypes. Conclusions and Inferences: Tegoprazan was superior to lansoprazole in the treatment of EE up to 4 weeks. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings and clarify the superiority of tegoprazan, especially in the treatment of severe EE. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05267743 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Amorphous carbon‐bearing sulfonic acid groups (AC–SO3H) are a kind of solid acid that exhibits high acidity and belongs to the new generation of solid acids. The presence of acidic functional groups, including carboxylic acid, phenolic and sulfonic acid groups, allows for several key activities such as strong Brønsted acid properties, high surface area, stability, reusability and recyclability. RESULTS: In this work, we synthesized indolyl 1H‐pyrroles from indoles, phenylglyoxal monohydrate, 1,3‐diketones and ammonium acetate using rice‐husk‐derived carbonaceous sulfonation (AC–SO3H) as a catalyst. We explored the impact of catalyst quantity, reaction time, solvent, mineral acid and temperature in order to determine the optimal reaction conditions. Additionally, indolyl 1H‐pyrrole derivatives were also synthesized based on the optimal conditions that were completely investigated, and the structure of these synthetic compounds was characterized by 1H‐ and 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance. CONCLUSION: The yield of indolyl 1H‐pyrroles was up to 84% in 6 h at 100 °C with the activity of 30 mg AC–SO3H. Besides, based on the optimal conditions, 21 indolyl 1H‐pyrrole derivatives were formed with the high‐yield and green method. The catalyst could be reused multiple times without a significant decrease in catalytic performance. According to the findings from the experiments, a potential mechanism that included a radical process has been suggested. This eco‐friendly approach provided a straightforward and efficient method to produce a variety of indole–pyrrole conjugates in a single step. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the regional and ethnic differences in ocular axial elongation and refractive error progression in myopic and non‐myopic children. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 15 longitudinal clinical and population‐based studies was conducted in the UK, Sweden, Australia (classified as European), China, and Vietnam (classified as East Asian) between 2005 and 2021. A total of 14,593 data points from 6208 participants aged 6–16 years with spherical equivalent from +6 to −6 D were analysed. Progression was annualised from longitudinal axial length and cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) refraction. Generalised estimating equation models including main effects and interactions were used for model building. Age and region‐specific estimates for myopes and non‐myopes and confidence intervals are reported. Results: Factors affecting axial elongation and SE progression in children included being myopic, followed by age, region/ethnicity and sex. The magnitude of regional/ethnic differences was dependent on myopia and age. Axial elongation and SE progression were lower in European compared with East Asian children, but differences were reduced with increasing age and differences in axial elongation were larger in myopes than non‐myopes. Age‐specific regional/ethnic differences indicated that axial elongation for a 6‐year‐old East Asian myopic child was greater than a European child by 0.15 mm/year (0.58 vs. 0.43 mm/year) and by 0.09 mm/year (0.35 vs. 0.26 mm/year) for a 10‐year‐old myope. SE progression was lower in a 6‐year‐old European myope by 0.48 D/year and at 10 years of age by 0.34 D/year compared with an East Asian myope. Conclusions: There are regional/ethnic differences in age‐specific refractive and axial growth patterns in both myopic and non‐myopic eyes, with more marked differences in younger East Asian children who demonstrated a higher axial growth and greater negative SE shift than their non‐Asian peers. Regional/ethnic differences in progression reflect environmental and ethnic variations. Age and region/ethnicity‐specific estimates could contribute as a reference for future comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate intraoperative identification of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) is vital to avoid hypocalcemia post total thyroidectomy. Although ultrasonography (US) has been shown to identify normal PTGs, the significance of preoperative US PTG mapping in this context is not well studied. This study evaluated the impact of preoperative US PTG mapping on intraoperative identification of normal PTGs during total thyroidectomy. Methods: The study involved 161 consecutive patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between January 2020 and June 2022. These included patients without preoperative US PTG mapping (group 1, n = 91) and those with the mapping (group 2, n = 70). Propensity score matching yielded 61 matched patients from each group. We developed a preoperative US PTG mapping technique combining US identification of normal PTGs with their localization on thyroid CT images. The intraoperative detectability of normal PTGs during thyroid surgery and detectability of normal PTGs by the preoperative US mapping were assessed by the number of PTGs identified per patient and by location. Results: In the matched cohort, group 2 demonstrated a higher median number of identified PTGs (3 vs. 2, p = 0.011), a greater proportion of patients with three or more identified PTGs (65.5% vs. 44.3%, p = 0.018), and a higher ratio of identified to expected PTGs (70.5% vs. 60.2%, p = 0.011) than group 1. In group 2, the median number of normal PTGs identified preoperatively was 3, with at least one identified in 95.7% of patients, two or more in 84.3%, three or more in 52.9%, and four or five in 24.3%. Conclusions: Preoperative US PTG mapping identified two or more normal PTGs in the majority of adult patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. Those with preoperative mapping showed a higher number of intraoperatively identified normal PTGs, including inferior PTGs, compared to those without. This technique appears to enhance the intraoperative identification of normal PTGs, thereby potentially improving surgical outcomes in total thyroidectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the first research on the synthesis of nano‐ZIF‐90 from zinc chloride. More specifically, the paper also introduces the results of large‐scale pure nano‐ZIF‐90 synthesis with a high specific surface, uniform cubic crystals, and good thermal strength. ZIF‐90 is synthesized from zinc chloride‐containing medium capillaries, which have both a weak acid center and a strong base center. The post‐synthetic ZIF‐90 was also evaluated for heat storage based on its ability to adsorb water, methanol, and ethanol. XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption and desorption methods, TG mass thermal analysis, and NH3‐TPD/CO2‐TPD were used to study the ZIF‐90 crystallization process with modifications of precursors, solvents, additives, and reaction conditions. From this, a large‐scale synthesis of nano‐ZIF‐90 from high‐efficiency zinc chloride has been derived. DSC measurements are used to evaluate the enthalpy adsorption of water, methanol, and ethanol on ZIF‐90. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluorooctanesulfonic (PFOS) acid is a persistent anthropogenic organic fluorinated compound ubiquitous in industrial applications and is resistant to conventional wastewater treatment methods. Human exposure to PFOS can cause adverse health effects. In this study, a low‐content titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst coated on glass beads was synthesized through a simple method and showed improved activity and durability. This material exhibited easy recovery and potential for large‐scale applications. The efficacy of the TiO2 nanoparticle‐deposited glass beads' (TiO2@GBs) photocatalyst in treating PFOS contaminants in wastewater was explored, demonstrating its ability to promote photocatalytic reactions to break down PFOS into shorter chain byproducts. The study employed the response surface method (RSM) using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) to optimize treatment conditions at a PFOS concentration of 0.1 mg/L. Investigated factors included pH (4–9), TiO2 dosage (0.11–0.53 g/L), and irradiation time (4–8 h). Design‐Expert 12 software was used to plan and optimize the experiments. Fifteen experiments were conducted, and triplicate runs occurred at the center points of the experimental plan. ANOVA and Fisher's test yielded an F value of 73.88 (p < 0.0001) which demonstrated the model's statistical significance with over 99% confidence regression prediction. The optimized treatment conditions that achieved 100% degradation of PFOS included a pH of 4.55, TiO2 dosage of 0.396 mg/L, and irradiation time of 6.59 hours. After the photocatalytic treatment, PFOS was transformed into intermediate products such as PFPeA, PFHpA, L‐PFBS, and L‐PFHxS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a commonly used insecticide that is recalcitrant and highly stable in the environment. Currently, DDT residue contamination, especially in agricultural soil, is still a concern in many countries, threatening human health and the environment. Among the approaches to resolve such an issue, novel biodegradation‐based methods are now preferred to physicochemical methods, due to the sustainability and the effectiveness of the former. In this study, we explored the possibility of building mixed microbial cultures that can offer improved DDT‐degrading efficiencies and be more environmentally transilient, based on genome annotation using the KEGG database and prediction of interactions between single strains using the obtained metabolic maps. We then proposed 10 potential DDT‐degrading mixed cultures of different strain combinations and evaluated their DDT degradation performances in liquid, semi‐solid and solid media. The results demonstrated the superiority of the mixtures over the single strains in terms of degrading DDT, particularly in a semi‐solid medium, with up to 40–50% more efficiency. Not only did the mixed cultures degrade DDT more efficiently, but they also adapted to broader spectra of environmental conditions. The three best DDT‐degrading and transilient mixtures were selected, and it turned out that their component strains seemed to have more metabolic interactions than those in the other mixtures. Thus, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of exploiting genome‐mining techniques and the use of constructed mixed cultures in improving biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have reported the functional role, biochemical features and synthesis pathway of podophyllotoxin (PTOX) in plants. In this study, we employed combined morphological and molecular techniques to identify an endophytic fungus and extract PTOX derivatives. Based on the analysis of ITS sequences and the phylogenetic tree, the isolate was classified as Penicillium herquei HGN12.1C, with a sequence identity of 98.58%. Morphologically, the HGN12.1C strain exhibits white colonies, short‐branched mycelia and densely packed hyphae. Using PacBio sequencing at an average read depth of 195×, we obtained a high‐quality genome for the HGN12.1C strain, which is 34.9 Mb in size, containing eight chromosomes, one mitochondrial genome and a GC content of 46.5%. Genome analysis revealed 10 genes potentially involved in PTOX biosynthesis. These genes include VdtD, Pinoresinollariciresinol reductase (PLR), Secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase (SDH), CYP719A23, CYP71BE54, O‐methyltransferase 1 (OMT1), O‐methyltransferase 3 (OMT3), 2‐ODD, CYP71CU and CYP82D61. Notably, the VdtD gene in fungi shares functional similarities with the DIR gene found in plants. Additionally, we identified peltatin, a PTOX derivative, in the HGN12.1C extract. Docking analysis suggests a potential role for the 2‐ODD enzyme in converting yatein to deoxypodophyllotoxin. These findings offer invaluable insights into the synthesis mechanism of PTOX in fungi, shedding light on the relationship between host plants and endophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a nanohybrid based on montmorillonite (oMMT2) was prepared through a two‐step method using Arquad MCB‐80 and 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) as intercalation agents. The nanohybrid exhibited a basal spacing of 31.5 Å, which contained approximately 12.3% of Arquad MCB‐80 and 31.6% of DOPO. Various amount of oMMT2 nanohybrid was incorporated into a flame‐retardant polyethylene system containing aluminum trihydroxide and red phosphorus with a constant total additive content of 20 wt%. The dispersibility of oMMT2 in the composite matrix was evaluated by energy dispersive x‐ray mapping and x‐ray diffraction analyses. At a content of 3 wt% in the nanocomposite, oMMT2 showed a highly exfoliated state, while at a 5% content, a partially exfoliated and intercalated state was observed. A synergistic flame‐retardant effect between the nanohybrid and the mixture of aluminum trihydroxide and red phosphorus was found. The nanocomposite loading 3 wt% oMMT2 demonstrated the best flame retardancy, achieving a V‐0 rating of the vertical burning test with a limiting oxygen index of 27.6%. Moreover, the addition of the low oMMT2 contents (≤3 wt%) improved the mechanical properties of the flame‐retardant composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In response to the growing interest in plant‐based alternatives and vegan diets, this study aimed to develop novel sweet potato‐based vegan protein bars enriched with rice protein (RP) as an alternative protein source. The vegan protein bars (VPBs) formulated with varying RP content (0–32 g) were evaluated for nutritional, textural, microstructural and sensory properties. Nutritional analysis revealed a proportional increase in protein content (8.94%–21.77%) and energy value (310.29–353.32 kcal/100 g) with increasing RP content. The progressive inclusion of RP significantly (P < 0.05) improved the textural properties of VPBs, notably increasing cohesiveness (0.07%–0.60%), chewiness (8.71–105.02 g) and firmness (1453.80–3444.03 kg cm−2), with all VPBs receiving favourable sensory evaluation scores. Importantly, all VPBs received favourable sensory scores. Microstructural analysis revealed the mechanism for textural enhancement in enriched VPBs, indicating a positive correlation between higher RP content and the number and size of surface clumps. Amino acid profiling indicated over 50% increases in valine content and essential amino acid scores in enriched VPBs compared to those without RP. Moreover, protein‐enriched VPBs exhibited superior antioxidant activity. In conclusion, these findings suggest the potential of sweet potato and RP in developing VPBs, highlighting the value of plant‐based ingredients in vegan food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, deep‐red‐emitting phosphors that can be excited by ultraviolet (UV) and near‐ultraviolet (NUV) light have been extensively investigated for plant growth LED applications. However, due to the harmful effects of these high‐energy rays on plants, violet‐ or blue‐excited deep‐red‐emitting phosphors are considered a more appropriate solution. In this work, SrAl12O19:Cr3+ phosphors were synthesized using a simple solid‐state reaction, revealing a strikingly sharp deep‐red emission band centered at 694 nm and effective excitation by violet light. The optimal SrAl12O19:1.0%Cr3+ phosphor, annealed at 1500°C, exhibits an extended lifetime of 0.549 ms, an energy activation level of 0.239 eV, a good quantum efficiency (QE) of 36.2%, and superior color purity at 100%. Further, an LED prototype with a precise absorption spectrum for far‐red phytochrome (Pfr) has been demonstrated. These results indicate that the synthesized SrAl12O19:1.0%Cr3+ phosphors could be used as a promising deep‐red‐emitting phosphor for plant growth LED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick‐borne pathogens (TBPs) are an emerging concern to humans and animals in the Republic of Korea, especially within the military zones of Gangwon Province, a mountainous region abundant with wild fauna and ticks. This study aimed to detect six TBPs in military working dogs (MWDs) and ticks in this region using Nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) and sequencing. The targeted pathogens included Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella henselae, Borrelia spp., Orientia tsutsugamushi, Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). A total of 164 serum samples from MWDs were collected at the Korean Army Military working dog training center and 1418 ticks were collected at various training sites between June 2021 and August 2022. Haemaphysalis longicornis was identified as the predominant species (98.3%, n = 1394), followed by Haemaphysalis flava (1.6%, n = 22) and Ixodes nipponensis (0.1%, n = 2). This study detected A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia theileri in 1.4% (1/72) of the tick pools and detected SFTSV in 0.6% (1/164) of MWD serum samples. The MWD found to be infected with SFTS was a German Shepherd, but showed no significant clinical signs, with a normal complete blood count (CBC). In the phylogenetic analysis, three sequences were acquired. One sequence (OR865211) exhibited 100% homology with 16S rRNA of A. phagocytophilum identified from animals and human patients in the Republic of Korea. Another sequence (OR865152) displayed 99.34%–100% sequence similarity with 16S rRNA of B. theileri fragments. The third sequence (OR865115), which belongs to the SFTS B‐1 genotype, showed 94.7% sequence similarity to a strain identified in the Republic of Korea (KY789441). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Study Setting and Design Data Sources and Analytic Sample Principal Findings Conclusions To determine whether rural hospital closures affected hospital and post‐acute care (PAC) use and outcomes.Using a staggered difference‐in‐differences design, we evaluated associations between 32 rural hospital closures and changes in county‐level: (1) travel distances to and lengths of stay at hospitals; (2) functional limitations at and time from hospital discharge to start of PAC episode; (3) 30‐day readmissions and mortality and hospitalizations for a fall‐related injury; and (4) population‐level hospitalization and death rates.100% Medicare claims and home health and skilled nursing facility clinical data to identify approximately 3 million discharges for older fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries.We found that hospitals that closed compared to those remaining open served more minoritized, lower‐income populations, including more Medicaid and fewer commercial patients, and had lower profit margins. Following a closure, quarterly hospitalization rates (111.6 quarterly hospitalizations per 10,000 older adults; 95% CI: 53.4, 170.9) and average hospital lengths of stay increased (0.34 days; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.56 days). We observed no change in the average distance between patients' residential ZIP code and the hospital used (0.29 miles; 95% CI: −1.06, 1.64 miles); average number of standardized ADL limitations at PAC (0.08 SDs from the pre‐closure average; 95% CI: −0.12, 0.28 SDs); or PAC time to start (0.02 days; 95% CI: −1.2, 1.2 days). Among more isolated hospitals, closures were associated with an increase in the likelihood of readmission (0.10 percentage‐points; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.19).Closures were not associated with notably worsened health care access, function, or health, potentially because closures triggered care delivery adjustments involving increased numbers of patients seeking out higher quality care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Rising global warming concerns drive the demand for cost‐effective CO2 capture technologies for industrial reuse. In this study, a novel composite material for CO2 adsorption based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and copper benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (CuBTC) was proposed by a chronoamperometry electrochemical method. XRD, FT‐IR, and SEM–EDX techniques confirmed the presence of SPION and CuBTC in the synthesized composites. SPIONs were small, uniform, and spherical, facilitating their effective combination with CuBTC. Among the synthesized composites, the 1:1 ratio of SPION to CuBTC exhibited the highest CO2 adsorption capacity. Under controlled laboratory conditions (0°C, 1 bar, without the influence of ambient moisture or CO2 diffusion limitations), the SPION/CuBTC 1:1 composite demonstrated a CO2 adsorption capacity of 3.5 mmol/g. Under more realistic conditions (25°C, 1 bar, with the influence of ambient moisture) the SPION/CuBTC 1:1 composite exhibited the highest CO2 adsorption efficiency of 12% (expressed as weigh percentage of dry sorbent). The CO2 adsorption capacity of the composite decreased by more than half when the CO2 concentration dropped from 100% to 15%. The adsorption mechanism is primarily driven by chemical adsorption via surface functional groups and physical adsorption through microcapillary formation and van der Waals interactions, mainly due to CuBTC. The incorporation of SPION in the composite accelerated the CO2 desorption process. The combined magnetic behavior and heat generation results suggest that SPION/CuBTC composites possess enhanced magnetic properties and thermal responses, highlighting their potential for efficient heat‐mediated desorption in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how community perceptions, family‐related factors, and other psychosocial factors collectively shape young adults' intentions to stay in their nonmetropolitan communities for employment. Research on nonmetropolitan populations' intentions to stay has increasingly highlighted community factors, including perceptions of the community and social connections. However, perceptions of the community have often been studied linearly and researchers have overlooked the multidimensional nature of employment decisions. Thus, this study conducted a latent profile analysis of 513 nonmetropolitan young adults and identified four distinct profiles: positive perceptions of social and professional characteristics (38.79%), positive perceptions of overall community characteristics (35.28%), positive perceptions of long‐term life planning characteristics (15.79%), and negative perceptions of overall community characteristics (10.14%). Path analyses indicated that community perception profiles, characterized by more positive perceptions of family‐friendliness and enjoyment of an active social and professional life, are associated with greater intention to obtain or retain local employment in a nonmetropolitan community. The findings are mediated by the effects of embeddedness within a community and organization. Family support also plays a crucial role in job seekers' intentions to stay for employment. They also value their own perceptions of fewer barriers to staying in nonmetropolitan organizations. These findings provide policy implications for attracting and retaining young nonmetropolitan workers by aligning their aspirations with community, work, and social characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variants of concern (VOCs) of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) exhibit high infectivity due to mutations, particularly in the spike protein, that facilitate enhanced binding of virus to human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). The D614G mutation, situated in S1‐domain, promotes the open conformation of spike protein, augmenting its interaction with hACE2. Activated water neutralizes pathogens by damaging biological molecules; however, its effect on mutated SARS‐CoV‐2 or VOCs requires further exploration. Here, the efficacy of nitric oxide (NOx)‐plasma activated water (PAW) in inhibiting infections by SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus expressing D614G‐mutated spike protein is investigated, which serves as a model for mutated SARS‐CoV‐2. Results demonstrated high prevalence of D614G mutation in SARS‐CoV‐2 and its VOCs. NOx‐PAW is non‐toxic to cells at high concentration, inhibiting infection by 71%. Moreover, NOx‐PAW induced structural changes in S1‐domain of spike protein, reducing its binding affinity and lowering clathrin‐mediated endocytosis‐related gene expression. Additionally, in silico analysis revealed NOx species in NOx‐PAW played key role in impairing S1‐domain function of the mutated SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus by interacting directly with it. Collectively, these findings reveal the potent inactivation ability of PAW against mutated SARS‐CoV‐2 and suggest its potential application in combating emerging variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 and other viral threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In elderly women, hormonal changes lead to elevated body fat content, which results in elevated levels of vascular inflammatory factors, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with endothelial dysfunction. Regular physical exercises tend to keep these in check and are protective to the body. Aerobic exercise has been reported to improve CVD in obese elderly women; in this regard, aquatic exercises have been demonstrated to be more efficient in energy metabolism than land‐based exercise. This study aimed to examine the effect of aquatic walking exercises on the levels of inflammatory factors, nitric oxide (NO), and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in obese elderly women. We measured these in 26 obese elderly women who were randomly assigned to control (n = 12) and aquatic walking exercise (n = 14) groups. After subjecting them to aquatic walking exercises thrice a week for 12 weeks, we specifically found a significant reduction in IL‐6 levels and an increase in NO levels in these obese elderly women. This was paralleled with a reduction in the right baPWV (baPWV‐R). Together, these results indicate that aquatic walking exercises can help improve vascular inflammatory factors, NO levels, and arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is an emerging alternative green fuel for global decarbonization with a high energy density and zero‐emission. Developing electrocatalysts with strong adhesion, active, and highly efficient that can be operated at high current densities is vital to producing green hydrogen at a large scale via electrocatalytic water splitting (EWS). The sputtering technique is an innovative and prospective alternative to fabricate electrodes for EWS due to its scalability, purity, strong adhesion, chemical‐, solvent‐, and waste‐free catalyst preparation. This review article provides an overview of recent electrocatalyst advances for EWS made by the sputtering technique, emphasizing its distinct advantages over other methods, such as hydrothermal synthesis and drop‐casting. We also provide the recent difficulties associated with the scale‐up issue and outlook to overcome those difficulties, as well as the future direction of the electrocatalysts to meet industrial needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methods based on the assumption of inviscid flow are typically used for the initial design of the scramjet inlet geometry, but the presence of a viscous boundary layer can degrade the validity of the results and lead to nonoptimal operation. This study explored the design space of three‐dimensional ramp‐type scramjet inlet geometry and investigated the intake performance including the viscous effect based on computational fluid dynamics. The baseline scramjet inlet was defined, and Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) analysis was performed to identify the basic flow structure and the intake performance. The major geometric parameters of the inlet were defined, and the one‐factor‐at‐a‐time (OFAT) method was applied to the baseline geometry to investigate the changes in intake performance according to changes in each geometric parameter. The variations of the intake performance as a function of multiple geometric parameters are also examined through the surrogate model generated for the response surface of the intake performance parameters. The combinations of geometric parameters were sampled by using Latin hypercube sampling, RANS analysis was performed for sampled points, and the surrogate model was generated using ordinary kriging. The overall tendency of intake performance from the response surfaces was compared to observation from OFAT analysis. The optimal inlet geometries were explored by selecting appropriate objective functions and applying the genetic algorithm‐based multiobjective optimization. Several optimal solutions were selected from the resulting Pareto front, and their intake performance was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Introduction Methods Results Conclusion The role of afatinib in the first‐line treatment of EGFR‐mutant advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has been proven through clinical trials and real‐world studies. However, additional data on the effectiveness of afatinib in patients with brain metastases are lacking.EGFR‐mutant NSCLC patients with brain metastases were retrospectively reviewed across nine cancer centers in Vietnam from April 1, 2018 to June 1, 2022. The primary endpoints included central nervous system progression‐free survival (CNS‐PFS) and overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were the objective response rate (ORR) and CNS‐ORR.Among 87 enrolled patients, 21.8%, 17.2%, and 60.9% received whole‐brain radiation, gamma knife, and no locoregional therapy, respectively. With a median follow‐up of 32.2 months for CNS‐PFS and 35.3 months for OS, the median CNS‐PFS and OS were 17.9 and 29.9 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, patients receiving whole‐brain radiation had significantly shorter CNS‐PFS than those untreated with local therapy (16.1 vs. 22.6 months, p = 0.019), but not translating to an inferior OS. Furthermore, both the CNS‐PFS and OS of patients with uncommon mutations were significantly worse than those of patients with Del19 (11.3 vs. 24.2 months, p = 0.013 and 17.7 vs. 34.0 months, p = 0.003, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that a lower afatinib starting dose did not significantly affect CNS‐PFS or OS. The CNS‐ORR and ORR were 77.4% and 71.3%, respectively.In our real‐world study, afatinib showed encouraging effectiveness in Vietnamese patients with EGFR‐mutant NSCLC and brain metastases at baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Methods Results Conclusions This study aims to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) model predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients after the first 5 years of entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TFV) therapy.CHB patients treated with ETV/TFV for > 5 years and not diagnosed with HCC during the first 5 years of therapy were selected from two hospitals. We used 36 variables, including baseline characteristics (age, sex, cirrhosis, and type of antiviral agent) and laboratory values (at baseline, at 5 years, and changes between 5 years) for model development. Five machine learning algorithms were applied to the training dataset and internally validated using a test dataset. External validation was performed.In years 5–15, a total of 279/5908 (4.7%) and 25/562 (4.5%) patients developed HCC in the derivation and external validation cohorts, respectively. In the training dataset (n = 4726), logistic regression showed the highest area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.803 and a balanced accuracy of 0.735, outperforming other ML algorithms. An ensemble model combining logistic regression and random forest performed best (AUC, 0.811 and balanced accuracy, 0.754). The results from the test dataset (n = 1182) verified the good performance of the ensemble model (AUC, 0.784 and balanced accuracy, 0.712). External validation confirmed the predictive accuracy of our ensemble model (AUC, 0.862 and balanced accuracy, 0.771). A web‐based calculator was developed (http://ai‐wm.khu.ac.kr/HCC/).The proposed ML model excellently predicted HCC risk beyond year 5 of ETV/TFV therapy and, therefore, could facilitate individualised HCC surveillance based on risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the transformation of carbohydrates into valuable chemicals offers a promising and eco‐friendly method for utilizing renewable biomass resources. Developing a bi‐functional, sustainable heterogeneous catalyst is of utmost importance to attain a high level of selectivity for the desired product, 2,5‐diformylfuran (DFF), in this direct conversion process. In this study, we developed a highly effective catalytic system to convert diverse carbohydrates into DFF. Our approach involved utilizing a MoS2 catalyst supported by amorphous carbon derived from sulfonated sugarcane biomass. The MoS2@SBG‐SO3H composite was successfully synthesized using a facile and highly efficient method. The transformation of fructose into DFF achieved a significant yield of 70 % for 5 h at 160 °C using a one‐step and one‐pot reaction through dehydration and oxidation with oxygen. The oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into DFF using MoS2@SBG‐SO3H was obtained at 94 % DFF within 5 h; the activation energy was 38.3 kJ. mol−1. The catalyst displayed convenient recovery and reusability. The direct synthesis of DFF from various carbohydrates, such as sucrose, glucose, maltose, and lactose, resulted in favorable yields. Our research provides a quick, green, and efficient process for preparing carbon‐based solid acid catalysts and DFF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conversion‐chemistry‐based zinc–selenium aqueous battery is reported that delivers high specific capacity, good rate capability, and excellent cycle life. In this work, an electronically conjugated covalent triazine framework is used to physicochemically lock selenium (Se8) clusters. As a control sample, the traditional melt‐diffusion approach is used to physically lock Se8. While the melt‐diffused selenium cathode exhibited a precipitous drop in capacity with cycling, the physicochemically locked selenium cathode can be cycled in a stable manner and delivered a specific capacity of ≈600 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of ≈70% after 1000 continuous charge/discharge steps. Ab initio density functional theory calculations and various structural and morphological characterizations indicate that the superiority of the physicochemically locked selenium cathode stems from its ability to suppress the polyselenide shuttle phenomenon and thus prevent loss of active material during cycling. This work opens the door toward the development of conversion chemistries for high performing, non‐flammable, and low‐cost zinc‐based rechargeable batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seepage‐induced backward erosion is a complex and significant issue in geotechnical engineering that threatens the stability of infrastructure. Numerical prediction of the full development of backward erosion, pipe formation and induced failure remains challenging. For the first time, this study addresses this issue by modifying a recently developed five‐phase smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) erosion framework. Full development of backward erosion was subsequently analysed in a rigid flume test and a field‐scale backward erosion‐induced levee failure test. The seepage and erosion analysis provided results consistent with experimental data, including pore water pressure evolution, pipe length and water flux at the exit, demonstrating the good performance of the proposed numerical approach. Key factors influencing backward erosion, such as anisotropic flow and critical hydraulic gradient, are also investigated through a parametric study conducted with the rigid flume test. The results provide a better understanding of the mechanism of backward erosion, pipe formation and the induced post‐failure process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses a sociocultural perspective, which views literacy as embedded in people's daily practices and shaped by social contexts, to explore how a misinformation escape room can support learning about misinformation. While the sociocultural perspective has a rich theoretical foundation, it has rarely been used to examine, much less evaluate, information and media literacy interventions. In this paper, we posit that the topic of misinformation makes a strong case for using the sociocultural model and explore a misinformation escape room through this lens. We present findings of a nationwide study of an online misinformation escape room with post‐game debrief discussion conducted at 10 public libraries that hosted 53 game sessions involving 211 players. The mixed methods study finds the game and accompanying debrief supported players in reflecting upon social media platform infrastructures, the psychological and emotional dimensions of misinformation, and how their personal behaviors intersect with online misinformation. We discuss how the sociocultural perspective can enrich our understanding of the role played by certain attributes of the game—narrative, debrief, and collaboration—thereby providing insights for the design of media and information literacy interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a grafted copolymer based on chitosan and Brij S100 (CTS–Brij S100) was prepared to design a nanocarrier system that increases the sensitivity of tetracycline (Tetra) against methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The self‐assembly behavior of CTS–Brij S100 to micelles was confirmed by the benzoylacetone assay. About 4.6 ± 0.175% of Tetra was encapsulated into CTS–Brij S100 with an efficiency of 96.9 ± 0.213%. Dynamic light scattering determined the size of Tetra‐loaded nanoparticles (CTS–Brij S100@Tetra) to be 85.5 ± 1.913 nm with narrow distribution. The high‐positive value of CTS–Brij S100@Tetra (zeta = + 30.9 mV) indicates a stable colloidal system. The release profile of Tetra from CTS–Brij S100 followed the Weibull model with a complex diffusion mechanism. The bactericidal efficacy was tested against MSSA. Interestingly, the blank CTS–Brij S100 nanoparticle could express its inhibition to MSSA when the concentration was 150 μg/mL. Therefore, with the help of CTS–Brij S100, Tetra had superior bactericidal efficiency comparable to free form. In vitro biocompatibility test on fibroblast cells (L929) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) ensures the safety of CTS–Brij S100. It can be concluded that the CTS–Brij S100 system holds potential for applications in facilitating the delivery of the antibiotic Tetra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Plants have an amazing capacity to outcompete neighboring organisms for space and resources. Toxic metabolites are major players in these interactions, which can have a broad range of effectiveness by targeting conserved molecular mechanisms, such as protein biosynthesis. However, lack of knowledge about defensive metabolite pathways, their mechanisms of action, and resistance mechanisms limits our ability to manipulate these pathways for enhanced crop resilience. Nonproteogenic amino acids (NPAAs) are a structurally diverse class of metabolites with a variety of functions but are typically not incorporated during protein biosynthesis. Here, we investigate the mechanism of action of the NPAA azetidine‐2‐carboxylic acid (Aze), an analog of the amino acid proline (Pro). Using a combination of plate‐based assays, metabolite feeding, metabolomics, and proteomics, we show that Aze inhibits the root growth of Arabidopsis and other plants. Aze‐induced growth reduction was restored by supplementing L‐, but not D‐Pro, and nontargeted proteomics confirm that Aze is misincorporated for Pro during protein biosynthesis, specifically on cytosolically translated proteins. Gene expression analysis, free amino acid profiling, and proteomics show that the unfolded protein response is upregulated during Aze treatment implicating that Aze misincorporation results in accumulation of misfolded proteins triggering a global stress response. This study demonstrates the mechanism of action of Aze in plants and provides a foundation for understanding the biological functions of proteotoxic metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the use of prehospital blood transfusion (PHBT) and prehospital low titer O whole blood (LTOWB) in trauma cases, emphasizing the need for further research through large, randomized controlled trials. It discusses the safety and efficacy of PHBT, as well as the expansion of PHBT programs nationwide. The document also covers innovative practices and technologies for prehospital blood transfusion, including the benefits of prehospital plasma transfusion and the validation of the Injury Severity Score in diverse populations. [Extracted from the article]

Nucleic acid‐templated reactions are chemical processes driven by the increased effective concentration of reactants on nucleic acids through the sequence‐specific hybridization of nucleic acids. Because these reactions translate the signals of target nucleic acids to detectable specific outputs, such as fluorescence, they can be applied for nucleic acid sensing and imaging. Owing to their advantageous features, such as signal amplification, isothermal nonenzymatic operation, and diverse reaction outputs and designs, the templated reactions have considerable potential for designing next‐generation nucleic acid sensors with high sensitivity, selectivity, rapidity, and user‐friendliness. Thus, over the past two decades, numerous templated reactions have been developed for more efficient nucleic acid detection. This review highlights recent advances in nucleic acid‐templated reactions since 2020, focusing on the newly developed reactions and strategies for designing highly sensitive, selective, and accurate nucleic acid sensing systems. We also summarize templated reaction research since 2015 and explore how integrating these reactions with other signal amplification systems and readout methods has led to the development of practical nucleic acid sensors with improved properties. According to the analysis of each type of templated reactions (ligation, releasing, and transformation), design trends are discussed that inform the outlook for the future development of nucleic acid sensors utilizing templated reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triarylamines are frequently employed as electron donor functional groups in a variety of organic electronic materials. We herein report the synthesis and in‐depth characterisation of aza‐analogues of fully bridged triarylamines, consisting of 5‐, 6‐ and 7‐membered rings. The impact of nitrogen doping and π‐extension on the structural, electronic and optical‐properties of these contorted heteroaromatic PAHs is thoroughly investigated and paves the way for an improved understanding of the structure‐property relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]