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Abstract Background Pangolins are the only mammals that have overlapping scales covering most of their bodies, and they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, biological research, and human health and disease. Previous studies indicated pangolin scale might provide an important mechanical defense to themselves. The origin and exact functions of this unique trait remain a mystery. Using a multi-omics analysis approach, we report a novel functional explanation for how mammalian scales can provide host–pathogen defense. Results Our data suggest that pangolin scales have a sophisticated structure that could potentially trap pathogens. We identified numerous proteins and metabolites exhibiting antimicrobial activity, which could suggest a role for scales in pathogen defense. Notably, we found evidence suggesting the presence of exosomes derived from diverse cellular origins, including mesenchymal stem cells, immune cells, and keratinocytes. This observation suggests a complex interplay where various cell types may contribute to the release of exosomes and antimicrobial compounds at the interface between scales and viable tissue. These findings indicate that pangolin scales may serve as a multifaceted defense system, potentially contributing to innate immunity. Comparisons with human nail and hair revealed pangolin-specific proteins that were enriched in functions relating to sensing, immune responses, neutrophil degranulation, and stress responses. We demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of key pangolin scale components on pathogenic bacteria by antimicrobial assays. Conclusions This study identifies a potential role of pangolin scales and implicates scales, as possible determinants of pathogen defense due to their structure and contents. We indicate for the first time the presence of exosomes in pangolin scales and propose the new functions of scales and their mechanisms. This new mechanism could have implications for multiple fields, including providing interesting new research directions and important insights that can be useful for synthesizing and implementing new biomimetic antimicrobial approaches.

Abstract The retina plays a crucial role in processing and decoding visual information, both in normal development and during myopia progression. Recent advancements have introduced a library-independent approach for data-independent acquisition (DIA) analyses. This study demonstrates deep proteome identification and quantification in individual mice retinas during myopia development, with an average of 6,263 ± 86 unique protein groups. We anticipate that the use of a predicted retinal-specific spectral library combined with the robust quantification achieved within this dataset will contribute to a better understanding of the proteome complexity. Furthermore, a comprehensive mice retinal-specific spectral library was generated, encompassing a total identification of 9,401 protein groups, 70,041 peptides, 95,339 precursors, and 761,868 transitions acquired using SWATH-MS acquisition on a ZenoTOF 7600 mass spectrometer. This dataset surpasses the spectral library generated through high-pH reversed-phase fractionation by data-dependent acquisition (DDA). The data is available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD046983. It will also serve as an indispensable reference for investigations in myopia research and other retinal or neurological diseases.

Background: Fibroadenoma (FA) is documented as the most common benign breast disease typically presenting as a lump. A wide variety of other diseases including breast cancer can similarly present as lumps hence the need for further differentiation. Ultrasonography plays a vital role in the evaluation and treatment of breast lumps with histological analysis as the gold standard. Objective: This study compared the physical and sonographic features of the breast in women with FA and women with breast lumps due to other diseases. Materials and Methods: This is a single-centre comparative study. Clinical and sonographic breast evaluations of the recruited patients with lumps were done and reported using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System score. The lumps were biopsied, and histological diagnosis was documented. Clinical and imaging features of the breasts of women with FA were then compared with those of women with lumps from other breast diseases, and collated data were analysed using SPSS Statistical version 23.0. Results: Data from 118 subjects (59 in each group) were used for this study. There was a significant difference in the physical and sonographic appearance of FA concerning the patient’s age, parity, change in lesion size, perilesional architecture, echogenicity, borders, capsule and background breast density. No FA was found in women with less dense breasts. Conclusion: The sonographic features of breasts showed some differences from the corresponding features of FA and other breast lesions. This has the potential to increase the efficiency of pre-operative diagnosis of FA and could be further applied in developing diagnostic criteria for FA in our environment.

Abstract Direct copper-to-copper (Cu-Cu) bonding is a promising technology for advanced electronic packaging. Nanocrystalline (NC) Cu receives increasing attention due to its unique ability to promote grain growth across the bonding interface. However, achieving sufficient grain growth still requires a high thermal budget. This study explores how reducing grain size and controlling impurity concentration in NC Cu leads to substantial grain growth at low temperatures. The fabricated NC Cu has a uniform nanograin size of around 50 nm and a low impurity level of 300 ppm. To prevent ungrown NC and void formation caused by impurity aggregation, we propose a double-layer (DL) structure comprising a normal coarse-grained (CG) layer underneath the NC layer. The CG layer, with a grain size of 1 μm and an impurity level of 3 ppm, acts as a sink, facilitating impurity diffusion from the NC layer to the CG layer. Thanks to sufficient grain growth throughout the entire NC layer, cross-interface Cu-Cu bonding becomes possible under a low thermal budget, either at 100 °C for 60 min or at 200 °C for only 5 min.

Abstract Light is fundamental for biological life, with most mammals possessing light-sensing photoreceptors in various organs. Opsin3 is highly expressed in adipose tissue which has extensive communication with other organs, particularly with the brain through the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Our study reveals a new light-triggered crosstalk between adipose tissue and the hypothalamus. Direct blue-light exposure to subcutaneous white fat improves high-fat diet-induced metabolic abnormalities in an Opsin3-dependent manner. Metabolomic analysis shows that blue light increases circulating levels of histidine, which activates histaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and stimulates brown adipose tissue (BAT) via SNS. Blocking central actions of histidine and denervating peripheral BAT blunts the effects of blue light. Human white adipocytes respond to direct blue light stimulation in a cell-autonomous manner, highlighting the translational relevance of this pathway. Together, these data demonstrate a light-responsive metabolic circuit involving adipose-hypothalamus communication, offering a potential strategy to alleviate obesity-induced metabolic abnormalities.

Dupuytren’s contracture (DC) is a fibroproliferative disorder of the palmar fascia characterised by the digits’ flexion contractures and is associated with abnormal build-up of type III collagen. The prevalence of the disease is reported to be highest among Northern European descendants. However, the disease is widespread globally with varying prevalence. DC is a multifactorial disease, having both genetic and environmental factors contributing to the causality of the disease. Over the years, various studies have been conducted to understand the molecular mechanism and genetic aspects of DC but there is a lack of reports on the variants found in the exonic regions. Most reports are backdated making it necessary to re-evaluate the variants to further understand the genetic aetiology of DC. In this review, we first highlight the genetic aspects and previous genetic studies on DC. The report is followed by a discussion on the molecular pathways suggested to be associated with DC and a summary of the genetic variants in the exonic regions found in DC and their connections with the molecular pathways. A total of nine variants were reported originating from six genes comprising three pathways. Most variants reported are involved in the Wnt signalling pathway. Moreover, all variants identified are in European/Caucasian subjects and the variants found in the exonic regions are missense variants. A comparison of these findings with variants from populations of other regions can be conducted to identify the variants with the most occurrence to act as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for DC.

Inspired by a recent study associating shifting temperature conditions with changes in the efficiency with which predators convert prey to offspring, we propose a predator prey model of reaction-diffusion type to analyze the consequence of such effects on the population dynamics and spread of {the predator} species. In the model, the predator conversion efficiency is represented by a spatially heterogeneous function depending on the variable $\xi=x-c_1t$ for some given $c_1>0$. Using the Hamilton-Jacobi approach, we provide explicit formulas for the spreading speed of the predator species. When the conversion function is monotone increasing, the spreading speed is determined in all cases and non-local pulling is possible. When the function is monotone decreasing, we provide formulas for the spreading speed when the rate of shift of the conversion function is sufficiently fast or slow.

Abstract Indonesia released a new regional geoid model in 2020—the Indonesian Geoid 2020 (INAGEOID2020). It covers the Indonesian region with a spatial resolution of 0.01 × 0.01 degree with the unit in meters. The model was generated through a series of data and computations. Three components of gravity data, i.e., the observed free-air anomaly, the long-wave from the global geoid model, and the short-wave from the terrain model, were employed. The computation was performed using the Remove-Compute-Restore technique with the Fast Fourier Transformation approach. The output was then fitted to the geoid at tide stations by adding a fitting plane to the geoid model. The fitting plane was constructed based on the difference between the geoid model and each tide gauge benchmark. The final geoid model was evaluated by comparing the model with the reference data. Based on quality metrics, the accuracy of INAGEOID2020 varied between 6 cm to 29 cm. Any interested user can use this gridded geoid model to convert geodetic to orthometric heights and vice versa.

Background Weaning protocols from Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) are scant. We set out to study a protocol that was different from the British Thoracic Society protocol and lay down a weaning protocol from NIV in patients with Acute acidotic hypercapnic respiratory failure (AAHRF). Materials and Methods Patients admitted with AAHRF and treated with NIV (baseline pH45 mmHg, and not requiring intubation) at a tertiary care teaching hospital, after taking into consideration the inclusion and the exclusion criteria were randomised in to one of the two group of weaning form NIV and serial ABGs were monitored. Results The primary outcome of the study shows that there was no significant differences in the success rates of weaning from NIV in both the arms. The secondary outcome shows a few factors such as age, gender, SAPS2 score having an effect on the determination of weaning failure. Conclusion Our study showed that both weaning by duration reduction and pressure reduction had equal success rates but a point on noting the SAPS II score on admission and the age of a particular patient will help decide on weaning initiation. CTRI/2019/12/022560 [Registered on: 30/12/2019].

The growth performance of short-rotation woody coppice (SRWC) is strongly influenced by successful establishment in the initial months after planting. Future climates, expected to be warmer due to elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2), may bring about more frequent soil droughts alongside increased vapour pressure deficit (eVPD). Hence, this growth chamber experiment aimed to explore the interactive effects of eVPD, eCO2, and soil drought on growth and physiology traits of juvenile hybrid poplars under warmer climates. Our findings with juvenile hybrid poplar J-105 revealed that eVPD resulted in reductions in leaf area (–21%), root (–20%) and stem biomass (–9%), as well as in net assimilation (–15%), stomatal conductance (–26%), and transpiration (–13%). However, these decreases were relatively minor compared to the compensating effect of eCO2, which generally exerted a stronger influence than eVPD. While soil drought emerged as the primary growth-limiting factor in our study, elevated VPD is not expected to pose a significant additional threat to central European SRWC plantations of juvenile hybrid poplars under future conditions of ongoing climate change.

As advanced silicon manufacturing processes slow down in scaling, three-dimensional stacking of chips has become a future trend in microelectronic industry. High-density bonding technology is one of the core technologies used to achieve the stacking. In this work, we explored a new bonding technology that is possible to manufacture future high-density interconnects. We fabricated a series of sandwich structure solder joints with different thicknesses using SnBiIn-based nanoparticles under a low bonding temperature of 100 °C. The intermetallic compound (IMC) at the interface is proven to be η′-Cu6(Sn, In)5 nanocrystals with random grain orientations through X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and atomic probe tomography (APT). The hardness and elastic modulus of η′-Cu6(Sn, In)5 were measured to be 4.093 GPa and 79.586 GPa by micropillar compression tests, respectively, decreasing by 35% and 29.1% compared to Cu6Sn5. Therefore, doping In atoms reduces the brittleness of IMCs, providing a new approach for mitigating the mechanical failures of full IMC bump. First-principles calculation also verified the change in mechanical properties. Furthermore, a full-Cux(Sn, In)y IMCs solder joint and an array of 3 μm solder joints were fabricated experimentally using the bonding technology. This technology successfully demonstrates a pioneer interconnection bonding methodology for future ultra-high-density chip stacking using low melting point solder nanoparticles.

Abstract For the need of direct contact with the skin, electronic skins (E‐skins) should not only fulfill electric functions, but also ensure comfort during wearing, including permeability, waterproofness, and easy removal. Herein, the study has developed a self‐adhesive, detach‐on‐demand, breathable, and waterproof E‐skin (PDSC) for motion sensing and wearable comfort by electrospinning styrene‐isoprene block copolymer rubber with carbon black nanosheets as the sensing layer and liner copolymers of N, N‐dimethylacrylamide, n‐octadecyl acrylate and lauryl methacrylate as the adhesive layer. The high elasticity and microfiber network structure endow the PDSC with good sensitivity and high linearity for strain sensing. The hydrophobic and crystallizable adhesive layer ensures robust, waterproof, and detaching‐on‐demand skin adhesion. Meanwhile, the fiber structure enables the PDSC good air and water permeability. The integration of electric and wearable functions endows the PDSC with great potential for motion sensing during human activities as both the sensing and wearable performances.

Summary: Background: Rotavirus vaccine has not been included in the Hong Kong Government's Childhood Immunisation Programme. This randomised controlled trial examined whether a simple intervention package can increase rotavirus vaccine uptake in Hong Kong children. Methods: Postpartum mothers were recruited from two public hospitals in Hong Kong and randomly allocated into three groups using block randomisation, with block sizes kept unknown to investigators and research staff. Control-subjects received public rotavirus information. Subjects in intervention group 1 additionally received: key rotavirus information with a hyperlink to a webpage showing private clinics providing rotavirus vaccines and guidance on searching the clinics, and vaccination reminders. Subjects in intervention group 2 received the same intervention as group 1, plus tokens to receive free rotavirus vaccines at specific health centres. Rotavirus vaccination status was collected when children were approximately 8 months old. Maternal attitudes towards rotavirus vaccine were assessed at enrolment and at the end of the study. This trial has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (Ref.:ChiCTR2000039791). Findings: From 16 February to 30 July 2021, 788 eligible mothers were recruited and randomly allocated to control group (n = 263), intervention group 1 (n = 263), and intervention group 2 (n = 262). The full intervention package (intervention group 2 relative to control group) increased rotavirus vaccine uptake by 1.7 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.49–1.97) or by 33 percent-points (from 48% to 81% uptake). Provision of key rotavirus information with vaccination reminders (intervention group 1 relative to control group) and removal of financial barrier (intervention group 2 relative to intervention group 1) increased uptake by 1.17 times (95% CI = 0.99–1.38) or 8 percent-points, and by 1.46 times (95% CI = 1.29–1.66) or 25 percent-points, respectively. Interpretation: A multiple-component intervention package, and in particular providing free vaccine, could increase the uptake of rotavirus vaccine in Hong Kong children. The impact of the intervention package was greatest in low-income families, emphasising the importance of removing financial barriers to vaccination to promote equity. Incorporating rotavirus vaccine into the routine CIP could further protect more young children from rotavirus infection and improve equity. Funding: This work was supported by the Health and Medical Research Fund by the Health Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR [Ref.: 19180202].

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted tuberculosis (TB) services in many countries, but the impacts on sites of involvement, drug susceptibility, smear positivity and clinical outcomes, and clinical outcomes of co-infection with influenza and COVID-19 remain unclear. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological study using episode-based and patient unique data of tuberculosis from Hospital Authority’s territory-wide electronic medical record database, comparing baseline (January 2015-December 2019) and COVID-19 period (January 2020-December 2022), followed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Effects of co-infection with influenza and COVID-19 were investigated. Results: The study included 10,473 episodes of laboratory-confirmed TB, with 6818 in baseline period and 3655 during COVID-19 period. During COVID-19 period, TB patients had a lower proportion of smear positivity (49.2 % vs 54.7 %, P

Hand hygiene compliance is well known as an important measure in preventing the transmission of infectious disease. Even though general public was aware of this health message during the COVID-19 pandemic, sustaining such personal hygiene behavior is difficult. While personal hygiene virtual reality intervention via an immersive experience has been found as an effective health promotion strategy, its prior implementation was mostly among healthcare workers but not among people in the community. Using a mixed methods approach, this study draws on the theory of planned behaviors to design two experimental studies for testing this interventional approach's sustainability and applicability to the general population. The result confirmed the virtual reality scenario with both presence and embodiment demonstrated a more sustainable treatment effect in boosting individual's self-efficacy over other experimental arms. Post-hoc analysis revealed the reduction of perceived barrier after exposure to immersive environment was attributable to treatment effect. The findings were reconfirmed through triangulation in the qualitative post-intervention interviews. Finally, we highlight the theoretical and practical implication of the study for the future development of personal hygiene immersive environment-based intervention.

IntroductionMultifactorial Eye disorders are a significant public health concern and have a huge impact on quality of life. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these eye disorders were not completely understood since functional and low-throughput biological tests were used. By identifying biomarkers linked to eye disorders, metabolomics enables early identification, tracking of the course of the disease, and personalized treatment.MethodsThe electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched for research related to Age-Related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, myopia, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The search was conducted in August 2023. The number of cases and controls, the study’s design, the analytical methods used, and the results of the metabolomics analysis were all extracted. Using the QUADOMICS tool, the quality of the studies included was evaluated, and metabolic pathways were examined for distinct metabolic profiles. We used MetaboAnalyst 5.0 to undertake pathway analysis of differential metabolites.ResultsMetabolomics studies included in this review consisted of 36 human studies (5 Age-related macular degeneration, 10 Glaucoma, 13 Diabetic retinopathy, and 8 Myopia). The most networked metabolites in AMD include glycine and adenosine monophosphate, while methionine, lysine, alanine, glyoxylic acid, and cysteine were identified in glaucoma. Furthermore, in myopia, glycerol, glutamic acid, pyruvic acid, glycine, cysteine, and oxoglutaric acid constituted significant metabolites, while glycerol, glutamic acid, lysine, citric acid, alanine, and serotonin are highly networked metabolites in cases of diabetic retinopathy. The common top metabolic pathways significantly enriched and associated with AMD, glaucoma, DR, and myopia were arginine and proline metabolism, methionine metabolism, glycine and serine metabolism, urea cycle metabolism, and purine metabolism.ConclusionThis review recapitulates potential metabolic biomarkers, networks and pathways in AMD, glaucoma, DR, and myopia, providing new clues to elucidate disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. The emergence of advanced metabolomics techniques has significantly enhanced the capability of metabolic profiling and provides novel perspectives on the metabolism and underlying pathogenesis of these multifactorial eye conditions. The advancement of metabolomics is anticipated to foster a deeper comprehension of disease etiology, facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets, and usher in an era of personalized medicine in eye research.

The majority of AI literacy studies have designed and developed self-reported questionnaires to assess AI learning and understanding. These studies assessed students' perceived AI capability rather than AI literacy because self-perceptions are seldom an accurate account of true measures. International assessment programs that use objective measures to assess science, mathematical, digital, and computational literacy back up this argument. Furthermore, because AI education research is still in its infancy, the current definition of AI literacy in the literature may not meet the needs of young students. Therefore, this study aims to develop and validate an AI literacy test for school students within the interdisciplinary project known as AI4future. Engineering and education researchers created and selected 25 multiple-choice questions to accomplish this goal, and school teachers validated them while developing an AI curriculum for middle schools. 2390 students in grades 7 to 9 took the test. We used a Rasch model to investigate the discrimination, reliability, and validity of the items. The results showed that the model met the unidimensionality assumption and demonstrated a set of reliable and valid items. They indicate the quality of the test items. The test enables AI education researchers and practitioners to appropriately evaluate their AI-related education interventions.