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Abstract Addressing the global disparity in cancer care necessitates the development of rapid and affordable nucleic acid (NA) testing technologies. This need is particularly critical for cervical cancer, where molecular detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) has emerged as an accurate screening method. However, implementing this transition in low- and middle-income countries has been challenging due to the high costs and centralized facilities required for current NA tests. Here, we present CreDiT (CRISPR Enhanced Digital Testing) for on-site NA detection. The CreDiT platform integrates i) a one-pot CRISPR strategy that simultaneously amplifies both target NAs and analytical signals and ii) a robust fluorescent detection based on digital communication (encoding/decoding) technology. These features enable a rapid assay (

Because both spelling and reading abilities tap orthographic knowledge, improvements in one ability may lead to improvements in the other. Here, we test whether spelling performance in a second-language (L2) can be improved by a short L2 reading task, as brief exposure to an L2 can increase the activation of L2 representations, making orthographic conventions more available. Participants were 89 adult native Hebrew speakers who were advanced learners of English as an L2. They performed a dictation task on 80 English words, before and after a brief exposure phase. In the Reading Aloud condition participants orally read two stories during the exposure phase, whereas in the Reading while Listening condition, participants silently read the same stories while listening to a recorded narration of the text. Of relevance, words targeted in the dictation task did not appear in the text, such that exposure effects could not be the result of item-specific learning. Results showed better spelling performance post-exposure than pre-exposure in the Reading Aloud condition. Further, analysis of spelling errors revealed that participants in the Reading while Listening condition preserved the phonology of the spelled words, more so post-exposure than pre-exposure. Critically, participants in a control nonlinguistic condition, who were not exposed to English during the exposure phase, did not show such spelling gains. Together, the findings reveal that spelling performance may be dynamically modulated by brief language exposure and suggest that brief reading experience may affect subsequent access to orthographic knowledge required for spelling.

Expanded donor criteria have been established to reduce organ wastage, as various factors can lead the disposal of kidneys, such as anatomical abnormalities, traumatic injuries, and iatrogenic injuries during organ retrieval surgery. We report a case of kidney transplantation in which a capsular lesion was identified and repaired during organ preparation (back table) and review of the literature regarding transplant kidney injuries. A diabetic and hypertensive 52-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis therapy for 2 years was admitted for a deceased donor kidney transplant. The donor was a 35-year-old man with brain death secondary to traumatic brain injury in a car accident. During the kidney preparation on the back table, a capsular lesion was visualized on the upper pole of the right kidney. Continuous suture of the renal capsule was performed using a 3-0 CatGut suture to correct the defect and reconstruct the renal surface. After renal reperfusion, no active bleeding was observed from the sutured area. The patient had a good postoperative course with no complications. The main complications associated with capsular lesions and complete capsular denudation are bleeding and hematoma formation, as well as urinary and lymphatic extravasation through the exposed renal parenchyma. Treatment may involve direct cauterization using electrocautery or argon plasma, or the use of hemostatic agents. Successful repair of capsular lesions not only prevents complications such as bleeding during reperfusion and urinary fistulae but also plays a crucial role in expanding the pool of organs available for transplantation.

The key to keep the rising slope of perovskite solar cell performances is to reduce non-radiative losses by minimizing defect density. To this end, a large variety of strategies have been adopted spanning from the use of interfacial layers, surface modifiers, to interface engineering. Although winning concepts have been demonstrated, they result from a mere trial and error approach, which is time consuming and operator-dependent. To face this challenge, in this work, we propose the use of a machine learning approach for an educated and rational material screening with optimal characteristics in terms of surface passivation. In particular, we applied Shapley additive explanation to extract the specific chemical features of the passivator, which directly impact the device parameters, specifically the open circuit voltage (Voc). By monitoring the different material parameters as input, we were able to list the most promising passivators and directly test them in working solar cells. By comparing the device performances with the results of the modeling and with additional optical and morphological characterization, we retrieved the most significant material properties linked to the highest efficiency, which are (i) the presence of chlorine and its strong binding capacity to positively charged defects on perovskite surface, reducing the non-radiative recombination and (ii) an increased flexibility of the molecule, resulting in better coverage of the surface. Finally, we tested the predictive power of the ML algorithm proposing a new passivator, which, implemented in a working device, leads to the predicted high Voc confirming the results of the modeling.

The main human echinococcal infections are caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, which causes cystic echinococcosis (CE), and E. multilocularis, which causes alveolar echinococcosis (AE). The parasites have different life [...]

This paper presents an autonomous multi-agent drone system utilized for an artificial pollination task to address the declining bee population and its impact on natural pollination. The main goal is to visit all the targets (flowers) by drones. The system receives the position of the targets located on a vertical fruiting wall from a single sensor mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). Then, it determines the sequence of target allocation to minimize the task time and to minimize the accumulated distance each drone travels. The limited payload capacity of each drone and the need to refill stock carried by the UGV are also considered. After allocating the targets, a safe trajectory is generated for each drone to avoid collision with other drones, considering uncertainty in the drones’ positions. When a drone reaches a target, the system allocates a new target, and the cycle repeats until the task is completed. The system is reactive to the evolution of the task and adjusts accordingly. An additional tested factor is the impact of the positioning error on the task time. The system was evaluated through dynamic simulations using real datasets of peach and pear orchards and finally in a laboratory proof-of-concept experiment using a micro-drone system.

Magnaporthiopsis maydis is a maize pathogen that causes severe damage to commercial corn fields in the late growth stages. Late wilt disease (LWD) has spread since its discovery in the 1960s in Egypt and is now reported in about 10 countries. The pathogen has a hidden endophytic lifecycle in resistant corn plants and secondary hosts such as green foxtail, watermelon lupin and cotton. At the same time, it could be an opportunist and hinder the host development under the right conditions. This study uncovered M. maydis interactions with newly identified maize endophytes. To this end, six fungi were isolated from the seeds of three sweet corn cultivars having varying susceptibility to LWD. These isolates were identified using colony morphology and microscopic characterization, universal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) molecular targeting and phylogenetic analysis. Most of them belonged to pathogenic species. Compared to three previously identified bioprotective microorganisms, the new species were tested for their ability to secrete metabolites that repress M. maydis in vitro and to antagonize it in a solid media confront test and a seedlings pathogenicity assay. The opportunistic fungal species Aspergillus flavus (ME1), Aspergillus terreus (PE3) and the reference biocontrol bacteria Bacillus subtilis (R2) achieved the highest M. maydis inhibition degree in the plates tests (74-100% inhibition). The seedlings’ pathogenicity assay that predicts the seeds’ microflora resistance to M. maydis highlighted the bio-shielding potential of most species (23% or more epicotyl elongation over the infected control). Fusarium sp. (ME2) was the leading species in this measure (43% enhancement), and B. subtilis gave the best protection in terms of seeds’ germination (50%) and sprouts’ biomass (34%). The results of this study could enhance our understanding of the pathobiome’s role in the context of LWD and represent a first step in using the seeds’ natural protective microflora to develop novel management strategies.

Abstract. Objectives:. To determine venous thromboembolism (VTE) testing patterns in an orthopaedic trauma population and to evaluate for differences in VTE surveillance by prophylaxis regimen through a secondary analysis of the ADAPT trial. Design:. Prospective randomized trial. Setting:. Level I trauma center. Patients:. Three hundred twenty-nine adult (18 years and older) trauma patients presenting with an operative extremity fracture proximal to the metatarsals/carpals or any pelvic or acetabular fracture requiring VTE prophylaxis. Intervention:. VTE imaging studies recorded within 90 days post injury. Main Outcome Measurements:. Percentage of patients tested for VTE were compared between treatment groups using Fisher's exact test. Subsequently, multivariable regression was used to determine patient factors significantly associated with risk of receiving a VTE imaging study. Results:. Sixty-seven patients (20.4%) had VTE tests ordered during the study period. Twenty (29.9%) of these 67 patients with ordered VTE imaging tests had a positive finding. No difference in proportion of patients tested for VTE by prophylaxis regimen (18.8% on aspirin vs. 22.0% on LMWH, P = 0.50) was observed. Factors associated with increased likelihood of VTE testing included White race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.26–5.42), increased Injury Severity Score (aOR for every 1-point increase: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05–1.15), and lower socioeconomic status based on the Area Deprivation Index (aOR for every 10-point increase: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.00–1.30). Conclusions:. VTE surveillance did not significantly differ by prophylaxis regimen. Patient demographic factors including race, injury severity, and socioeconomic status were associated with differences in VTE surveillance. Level of Evidence:. Level I, Therapeutic.

In September 2023, a patient in Italy who had never traveled abroad was referred for testing for suspected hepatic cystic echinococcosis. Lesions were incompatible with cystic echinococcosis; instead, autochthonous alveolar echinococcosis was confirmed. Alveolar echinococcosis can be fatal, and awareness must be raised of the infection’s expanding distribution.

This study aimed to describe an ultrasound-guided technique for implanting catheters for local anesthetic administration into the quadratus lumborum (QL) inter-fascial plane in canine cadavers and assessing the spread along the vertebral bodies (VBs) by computed tomography (CT). Phase 1: eight canine cadavers received one catheter per hemiabdomen, followed by injection of contrast media solution [low volume (LV) 0.3 mL kg−1 or high volume (HV) 0.6 mL kg−1]. Phase 2: postoperative pain of five dogs was managed by injecting 0.3 mL kg−1 of ropivacaine 0.5% through QL catheters every eight hours, up to 72 h after abdominal surgery. Pain was assessed using the Short Form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale, and methadone 0.2 mg kg−1 was administered intravenously when the pain score was ≥6. The number of VBs stained by the contrast solution between the QL and psoas minor muscles was significantly higher in group HV than group LV. The catheter tip was visualized in the retroperitoneal space in 1/16 and 2/10 hemiabdomens in phases 1 and 2, respectively. Rescue analgesia was required in 3/5 dogs during the postoperative period. The QL catheter placement technique appears feasible and may be included in a multimodal analgesic approach for dogs undergoing abdominal surgeries.

Introdução: O uso de questionários efetivos para uso em ensaios clínicos é necessário para a validação dos resultados de cirurgias ortopédicas. Muitos questionários são encontrados apenas na língua inglesa e é necessária uma adaptação linguística e cultural para o uso preciso da ferramenta pelos pesquisadores. O objetivo deste estudo é realizar a tradução, adaptação cultural e avaliação da reprodutibilidade do Questionário “American Orthopaedic Foot And Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale” para a língua portuguesa. Métodos: Foram aplicados os questionários AOFAS e SF-36 em 50 pacientes com patologias de hálux. A metodologia seguiu os critérios definidos por Reichenheim & Moraes para tradução e adaptação cultural de questionários. Resultados: O coeficiente alfa de Chronbach dos domínios foi de 0,99, considerado excelente. Na primeira e segunda avaliação dos domínios os valores foram 65,5 e 64,2 respectivamente. A concordância inter-observador foi elevada (65,5 x 65,3). A análise de consistência alfa de Cronbach e a análise de correlação de Spearman foi de 1.0, um índice extremamente alto. Conclusão: Segundo os crirérios estabelecidos, a tradução do questionário e sua adaptação cultural foram conduzidas de forma efetiva, com concordância inter-observador muito alta, podendo ser reproduzido com segurança na língua portuguesa.

Inspired by nature, intelligent self‐healing materials have recently been exploited also in the field of photovoltaics to mimic natural systems achieving self‐repairing. The past decade has witnessed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) skyrocketing to a certified power conversion efficiency of 26.1%. However, their intrinsic instability, when exposing to moisture, high temperature, and continuous illumination, hampers their commercial development for a long‐term use in ambient operating conditions. Therefore, the use of smart self‐healing materials, based on self‐assembling properties and dynamic interactions, empowers PSCs with self‐recovery abilities to reinforce their pivotal role as efficient photovoltaic devices and encourage their exploitation in the market. Herein, the current progress in self‐healing perovskite materials with a special focus on self‐recovery after moisture exposure or mechanical damage with the aim to provide a valuable insight for research on this topic to accelerate the PSC commercialization process is highlighted.

Background: Rapid recognition and early medical intervention are essential to reduce stroke-related mortality and long-term disability. This study aimed to evaluate awareness of stroke symptoms/signs and determine factors delaying the hospital arrival of patients with acute stroke in Kinshasa. Methods: Patients with stroke and/or accompanying family members were interviewed using a standard questionnaire, and their medical records were reviewed. Factors independently associated with a late arrival (≥4.5 h) to the hospital were identified using the logistic regression test in forward multivariate analysis. Results: Overall, 202 patients with an average age of 57.9 ± 13.1 years were included. Only 27 (13.4%) patients immediately associated the initial symptoms with a stroke episode. Delayed hospital arrival was observed in 180 (89.1%) patients. Unmarried status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–4.88; p = 0.007), low education level (aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, (1.12–5.10; p = 0,014), absence of impaired consciousness (aOR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.52–4.43; p = 0.005), absence of a history of hypertention (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.18–3.78; p = 0.041), absence of a history of diabetes (aOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.15–4.58; p = 0.013), heavy alcohol consumption (aOR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.12–2.83; p = 0.045), absence of a severe to very severe stroke (aOR, 4.93; 95% CI, 0.82–1.01; p = 0.002), and presence of ischemic stroke (aOR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.54–4.59; p = 0.001) were identified as independent determinants of delayed hospital arrival. Conclusions: This study depicted a low stroke awareness rate and a much longer prehospital delay than evidence-based guidelines recommend and identified eight factors that public health actions could target to promote the earliest management of stroke.

Background:. Fracture-related infection is one of the most challenging complications in orthopaedic trauma surgery. However, the effect of infection on functional and pain-related outcomes has not been well established. The aims of this study were to evaluate functional recovery for patients with fracture and a deep surgical site infection compared with patients with fracture without infection and to evaluate whether pain severity, social support, and preinjury mental health have a moderating effect on the magnitude and direction of the relationship between deep surgical site infection and functional recovery. Methods:. This is a secondary retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data from the VANCO trial (Local Antibiotic Therapy to Reduce Infection After Operative Treatment of Fractures at High Risk of Infection) and the OXYGEN (Supplemental Perioperative Oxygen to Reduce Surgical Site Infection After High Energy Fracture Surgery) trial. In this study, 2,116 patients with tibial plateau, pilon, or calcaneal fractures at high risk for infection were included. Patients were divided into cohorts of patients who experienced a deep surgical site infection and those who did not. The primary outcome measure was the functional outcome using the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). Results:. After controlling for covariates, deep surgical site infection was independently associated with functional outcome, with a 3.3-point reduction in the VR-12 Physical Component Score, and pain severity was independently associated with functional outcome, with a 2.5-point reduction in the VR-12 Physical Component Score. Furthermore, the Brief Pain Inventory pain severity demonstrated an important moderating effect on the relationship between infection and functional outcome. In patients with lower pain scores, infection had a large negative impact on functional outcome, whereas, in patients with higher pain scores, infection had no significant impact on functional outcome. Furthermore, the functional outcome in the entire cohort remains at only 61% of baseline. Conclusions:. This study documents the negative impact of postoperative infection on functional recovery after injury, as well as the novel finding of pain severity as an important moderating factor. This study emphasizes not only the importance of developing effective interventions designed to reduce postoperative infection, but also the role that factors that moderate pain severity plays in limiting recovery of physical function. Level of evidence:. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A novel class of reagents (L1-3) containing arylazopyrazole moiety linked to a Schiff base have been synthesized and investigated for anion sensing applications. All three compounds exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity toward selective colorimetric detection of F.sup.- in dimethyl sulfoxide. F.sup.- sensing mechanisms have been explored by various spectroscopic techniques, viz., .sup.1H NMR, IR, UV-visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy. A clear qualitative and quantitative detection of F.sup.- was possible with specificity and good sensitivity with L2 giving optimum results. The LOD value of L2 toward F.sup.- was found to be 7 [micro]M. These reagents were applied for fluoride detection in commercial toothpaste as well., Author(s): Manish Kumar [sup.1] , Harshawardhan Agarkar [sup.2] , Mariam S. Degani [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.479974.0, 0000 0004 1804 9320, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical [...]

Alice De Marchi Pereira de Souza, Amana Mattos, Edna Lúcia Tinoco Ponciano, Fábio Santos Bispo, Filipe Degani-Carneiro, Jimena de Garay Hernández, Laura Cristina de Toledo Quadros, Marcos Vinicius Brunhari, Nazaré Albuquerque Hayasida, Patrícia Lorena Quitério, Rebeca Valadão Bussinger, Rodolfo Rodrigues de Souza, Rosana Lazaro Rapizo, Sabrina Dal Ongaro Savegnago, Vitor Castro Gomes

The study of electrical activity in single cells and local circuits of excitable cells, such as neurons, requires an easy-to-use, high-throughput methodology that allows for the measurement of membrane potential. Investigating the electrical properties in specific subcompartments of neurons, or in a specific type of neurons, introduces additional complexity. An optical voltage-imaging technique that allows high spatial and temporal resolution could be an ideal solution. However, most valid voltage-imaging techniques are nonspecific. Those that are more site-directed require a lot of preliminary work and specific adaptations, among other drawbacks. Here, we explore a new method for membrane voltage imaging, based on Förster resonance energy transfer between fluorescent polystyrene (FPS) beads and dipicrylamine. Not only has it been shown that fluorescence intensity correlates with membrane potential, but more importantly, the membrane potential from individual particles can be detected. Among other advantages, FPS beads can be synthesized with surface functional groups and can be targeted to specific proteins by conjugation of recognition molecules. Therefore, in the presence of dipicrylamine, FPS beads represent single-particle detectors of membrane potential that can be localized to specific membrane compartments. This new and easily accessible platform for targeted optical voltage imaging can further elucidate the mechanisms of neuronal electrical activity.

Blue gourami (gourami, Trichogaster trichopterus) is a model for labyrinth fishes (Anabantoidei) adapted to partial air breathing. Its reproductive endocrinology has been extensively studied, and transcriptomic sex differences in the gonads were described. Nevertheless, sex differences in gene expression in non-gonadal tissues ostensibly affected by the sex-specific hormonal balance, e.g., the brain, are unknown. To assess such differences, we used bulk RNA-seq to assemble and compare polyA+ transcriptomes between whole brains of four adult male and five adult female gourami, in addition to other tissues (three dorsal fin and five ovary samples) from the same female group. While all nine brain transcriptomes clustered together relative to the other tissues, they showed separation according to sex. A total of 3568 genes were differentially expressed between male and female brains; of these, 1962 and 1606 showed lower and higher expression in males, respectively. Male brains showed stronger down-regulation of specific genes, which included hormone receptors, e.g., pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor (pacap-r1). Among the genes with lower expression in male brains, multiple pathways essential to brain function were over-represented, including GABA, acetylcholine and glutamate receptor signaling, calcium and potassium transmembrane transport, and neurogenesis. In contrast, genes with higher expression in male brains showed no significant over-representation of brain-specific functions. To measure the mRNA levels of specific hormone receptors known from prior studies to regulate reproductive function and behavior in gourami and to validate RNA-seq results for these specific genes, we performed RT-qPCR for five receptors, pacap-r1, gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 receptor (gnrh2r), kisspeptin receptor 1 (gpαr1/kiss1), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (igf1r), and membrane progesterone receptor 1 (mpr1), in the brain RNA sample groups. Of these, pacap-r1 showed a significant, three-fold down-regulation, while gpαr1/kiss1 showed a significant two-fold down-regulation in male vs. female gourami brains. Our results are novel in describing the suppression of brain function-related gene expression in male, as compared to female, gourami brains. Further research is needed to assess the behavioral significance of this effect and its prevalence in other vertebrate groups.

Nanodisc technology was implemented as a platform for voltage nanosensors. A fluorescence (Förster) resonance energy transfer (FRET)- based voltage-sensing scheme employing fluorescent nanodiscs and the hydrophobic ion dipicrylamine was developed and utilized to optically record membrane potentials on the single-nanodisc level. Ensemble and single-nanosensor recordings were demonstrated for HEK293 cells and primary cortical neuron cells. Conjugation of nanodiscs to anti-GABAA antibodies allowed for site-specific membrane potential measurements from postsynaptic sites.