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Background. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an actual problem of pediatrics due to its wide prevalence. The aim is to give clinical and morphological characteristic of the skin in children with AD and reveal its relationship with clinical manifestations. Material and methods. Morphological and immunohistochemical study of 27 biopsies of atopic and 48 biopsies of non-atopic skin was carried out. Results. Expression of IgE and CD8 in the epidermis is a favorable sign, since the intensity of itching and the area of skin lesions is less (p=0.03 in both cases). 100% of samples of the erythematous-squamous form were infiltrated with CD4+ in derma, which is more common than in other clinical forms (p=0.01). The dynamics of the SCORAD was greater in children without infiltration of CD4 cells in the epidermis (p=0.04) due to the higher initial amount of SCORAD points (p=0.02). Conclusions. Morphological and immunohistochemical markers are significantly associated with clinical features of AD

J-domain proteins (JDPs) are the largest family of chaperones in most organisms, but much of how they function within the network of other chaperones and protein quality control machineries is still an enigma. Here, we report on the latest findings related to JDP functions presented at a dedicated JDP workshop in Gdansk, Poland. The report does not include all (details) of what was shared and discussed at the meeting, because some of these original data have not yet been accepted for publication elsewhere or represented still preliminary observations at the time.

Abstract This study explores the enhancement of cupric oxide (CuO) thin films for photovoltaic applications through chromium doping and subsequent annealing. Thin films of CuO were deposited on silicon and glass substrates using reactive magnetron sputtering. Chromium was introduced via ion implantation, and samples were annealed to restore the crystal structure. The optical and structural properties of the films were characterized using X-ray diffraction, spectrophotometry, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Results indicated that implantation reduced the absorbance and conductivity of the films, while annealing effectively restored these properties. Sample implanted with 10 keV energy and 1 × 1014 cm−2 dose of Cr ions, after annealing had sheet resistance of 1.1 × 106 Ω/sq compared to 1.7 × 106 Ω/sq for non implanted and annealed CuO. Study of crystalline structure confirmed the importance of annealing as it reduced the stress present in the material after deposition and implantation. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed to investigate the electronic structure and optical properties of CuO with varying levels of chromium doping. Calculations revealed an energy gap of 1.8 eV for undoped CuO, with significant changes in optical absorption for doped samples. Energy band gap determined using absorbance measurement and Tauc plot method had value of 1.10 eV for as deposited CuO. Samples after implantation and annealing had energy band gap value increased to about 1.20 eV. The study demonstrates that chromium doping and subsequent annealing can enhance the optical and electronic properties of CuO thin films, making them more efficient for photovoltaic applications.

Objective Coverage for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination in north-east London (NEL) is the lowest in the United Kingdom. It has been hypothesised that children who move home frequently are less likely to receive vaccinations. We examined the association between number of addresses in the first two years of life, and receipt of MMR vaccination by age two. Approach We derived households by pseudonymously linking the addresses of 178,028 children registered with a NEL general practitioner (GP) on their second birthday (2015-2021). We included 135,221 (76.0%) children (51.0% male) after excluding 42,807 with invalid household characteristics at age 24 months. The outcome was MMR vaccination by 24 months. Residential mobility was categorised by number of addresses (1, 2, ≥3) between earliest GP-registration and vaccination date/second birthday. We calculated the percentage receiving MMR by residential mobility and estimated adjusted odds (aOR; 95% confidence intervals [CI]) for MMR receipt. Results 105,392 (77.9%) children received MMR by age two, and 26,652 (19.7%) had more than one address. Receipt of MMR decreased with increasing residential mobility: 80.9% (95% CI: 80.6,81.1), 66.5% (65.9,67.1), and 58.6% (56.2,60.9) for children with one, two, or three or more addresses respectively. Children with multiple addresses were less likely to receive MMR by age two: aOR: 0.53 (0.51,0.55); 0.36 (0.32,0.40) for 2 and ≥3 addresses respectively. Conclusions Uptake of MMR vaccine by two years of age is lower in children with multiple addresses. Further research is needed to identify actionable opportunities to improve MMR uptake in mobile populations.

Abstract Immunotherapy is emerging as a promising avenue in oncology, gaining increasing importance and offering substantial advantages when compared to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, in the context of immunotherapy, there is the potential for the immune system to either support or hinder the administered treatment. This review encompasses recent and pivotal studies that assess the influence of dietary elements, including vitamins, fatty acids, nutrients, small dietary molecules, dietary patterns, and caloric restriction, on the ability to modulate immune responses. Furthermore, the article underscores how these dietary factors have the potential to modify and enhance the effectiveness of anticancer immunotherapy. It emphasizes the necessity for additional research to comprehend the underlying mechanisms for optimizing the efficacy of anticancer therapy and defining dietary strategies that may reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Persistent investigation in this field holds significant promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes and maximizing the benefits of immunotherapy.

Microplastics are a pervasive environmental contaminant and represent a newly emerging threat to human health. They enter the body through various pathways, including food consumption, drinking water, and inhalation. The present study is concerned with the issue of dietary and inhalational exposure to microplastics. The presence of microplastics has been identified in a range of food products and drinking water, with analyses of faecal samples also indicating their passage through the human digestive tract, thereby suggesting the potential for their absorption by the body. It is also important to consider the potential for inhalational exposure, given the presence of microplastics in the air. This suggests that inhalation by humans may also be a possibility. Furthermore, these particles have been identified in sputum samples from patients and lung tissues, indicating the potential for bioaccumulation and the induction of inflammatory responses. While there is documented evidence of microplastics in the human body, there is currently a lack of specific data on their impact on human health. The available evidence from animal studies and in vitro models indicates that microplastics have the potential to traverse epithelial barriers in the digestive and respiratory systems, resulting in inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and, in extreme cases, tissue fibrosis. Furthermore, microplastics may act as carriers for heavy metals and toxic chemicals, thereby increasing the risk of neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and potentially carcinogenic effects. Further research, including long-term clinical studies, is required to gain a full understanding of the impact of microplastics on human health.

ObjectivePreclinical models of seizures and epilepsy in rodents contributed substantially to the discovery of currently available antiseizure medications. These were also broadly used for investigation of processes of epileptogenesis. Nevertheless, rodent models pose some limitations, thus, new models using alternative species are in high demand. The aim of this study was to describe a new model of seizures/epilepsy induced by the cholinomimetic agent, pilocarpine (PILO), in larval zebrafish.MethodsLocal field potential (LFP) recordings were conducted to analyze electroencephalographic discharges and correlate it with larval behavior. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, as well as TUNEL staining were performed to analyze morphology and apoptosis, respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was undertaken for gene expression analysis.ResultsAcute exposure to PILO, in a concentration-dependent manner, induces electroencephalographic discharges in larval zebrafish, which behaviorally manifest as decreased locomotion and moving time, but enhanced movement velocity. The PILO-induced seizure-like activity is behaviorally distinct from this induced by the application of chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Zebrafish larvae previously exposed to PILO (2 h), after a washing out period, exhibit spontaneous, unprovoked discharges and apoptotic changes in their brains.SignificanceHere, we comprehensively investigated a new model of PILO-induced seizures/epilepsy in larval zebrafish. We propose that this model may be used to study epileptogenesis and for antiseizure drug screening purposes.

Background/objectives We identified household members from electronic health records linked to National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) data to estimate the likelihood of obesity among children living with an older child with obesity.Methods We included 126 829 NCMP participants in four London boroughs and assigned households from encrypted Unique Property Reference Numbers for 115 466 (91.0%). We categorised the ethnic-adjusted body mass index of the youngest and oldest household children (underweight/healthy weight

Summary: Developmental causes of the most common arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF), are poorly defined, with compensation potentially masking arrhythmic risk. Here, we delete 9 amino acids (Δ9) within a conserved domain of the giant protein titin’s A-band in zebrafish and human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-aCMs). We find that ttnaΔ9/Δ9 zebrafish embryos’ cardiac morphology is perturbed and accompanied by reduced functional output, but ventricular function recovers within days. Despite normal ventricular function, ttnaΔ9/Δ9 adults exhibit AF and atrial myopathy, which are recapitulated in TTNΔ9/Δ9-hiPSC-aCMs. Additionally, action potential is shortened and slow delayed rectifier potassium current (IKs) is increased due to aberrant atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels. Strikingly, suppression of IKs in both models prevents AF and improves atrial contractility. Thus, a small internal deletion in titin causes developmental abnormalities that increase the risk of AF via ion channel remodeling, with implications for patients who harbor disease-causing variants in sarcomeric proteins.

Organic solar cells are a promising candidate for practical use because of their low material cost and simple production procedures. The challenge is selecting materials with the right properties and how they interrelate in the context of manufacturing the device. This paper presents studies on CdSe/ZnS nanodots as dopants in a polymer–fullerene matrix for application in organic solar cells. An assembly of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and 6,6-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester was used as the active reference layer. Absorption and luminescence spectra as well as the dispersion relations of refractive indices and extinction coefficient were investigated. The morphologies of the thin films were studied with atomic force microscopy. The chemical boundaries of the ternary layers were determined by Raman spectroscopy. Based on UPS studies, the energy diagram of the potential devices was determined. The resistivity of the layers was determined using impedance spectroscopy. Simulations (General-Purpose Photovoltaic Device Model) showed a performance improvement in the cells with quantum dots of 0.36–1.45% compared to those without quantum dots.

Abstract In this paper, we present modelling of spectroscopic ellipsometry data. The measured samples are thin films of copper oxides modified with the ion implantation method. The samples were prepared using reactive magnetron sputtering. Thin films of CuO and Cu4O3 were deposited and subjected to Cr ion implantation with an energy of 15 keV and a dose of 5 × 1016 ions/cm2. The decrease in crystallinity of the thin film as a result of the implantation was inspected with X-ray diffraction measurements. The implantation of Cr+ ions was simulated using the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter software by Ziegler and Biersack. Ion beam energy of 15 keV was simulated to estimate the distribution of Cr ions in the copper oxides thin films. Optical parameters, such as refractive index, extinction coefficient, and absorption coefficient of the thin films, were investigated with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Multilayered models based on Tauc–Lorentz oscillators were developed for both oxides. Analysis of the optical properties showed that the ion implantation with Cr decreased the absorption of copper oxides thin films and the modelling proved that the material properties of top layers changed the most.

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a metabolite of tryptophan formed on the kynurenine pathway. Its pharmacological effects are relatively well characterized in mammals, whereas its role in fish is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to expand the knowledge of KYNA’s presence inside a fish’s body and its impact on fish development and function. The study was performed on zebrafish larvae and adult rainbow trout. We provide evidence that KYNA is present in the embryo, larva and mature fish and that its distribution in organs varies considerably. A study of KYNA’s effect on early larval development suggests that it can accelerate larval maturation, especially under conditions that are suboptimal for fish growth. Moreover, KYNA in concentrations over 1 mM caused morphological impairment and death of larvae. However, long-lasting exposure of larvae to subtoxic concentrations of KYNA does not affect the behavior of 5-day-old larvae kept under standard optimal conditions. We also show that ingestion of KYNA-supplemented feed can lead to KYNA accumulation, particularly in the pyloric caeca of mature trout. These results shed new light on the relevance of KYNA and provide new impulse for further research on the importance of the kynurenine pathway in fish.

We discuss 1D, 2D and 3D bifurcation diagrams of two nonlinear dynamical systems: an electric arc system having both chaotic and periodic steady-state responses and a cytosolic calcium system with both periodic/chaotic and constant steady-state outputs. The diagrams are mostly obtained by using the 0–1 test for chaos, but other types of diagrams are also mentioned; for example, typical 1D diagrams with local maxiumum values of oscillatory responses (periodic and chaotic), the entropy method and the largest Lyapunov exponent approach. Important features and properties of each of the three classes of diagrams with one, two and three varying parameters in the 1D, 2D and 3D cases, respectively, are presented and illustrated via certain diagrams of the K values, −1≤K≤1, from the 0–1 test and the sample entropy values SaEn>0. The K values close to 0 indicate periodic and quasi-periodic responses, while those close to 1 are for chaotic ones. The sample entropy 3D diagrams for an electric arc system are also provided to illustrate the variety of possible bifurcation diagrams available. We also provide a comparative study of the diagrams obtained using different methods with the goal of obtaining diagrams that appear similar (or close to each other) for the same dynamical system. Three examples of such comparisons are provided, each in the 1D, 2D and 3D cases. Additionally, this paper serves as a brief review of the many possible types of diagrams one can employ to identify and classify time-series obtained either as numerical solutions of models of nonlinear dynamical systems or recorded in a laboratory environment when a mathematical model is unknown. In the concluding section, we present a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of using the 1D, 2D and 3D diagrams. Several illustrative examples are included.

Introduction Households are increasingly studied in population health research as an important context for understanding health and social behaviours and outcomes. Identifying household units of analysis in routinely collected data rather than traditional surveys requires innovative and standardised tools, which do not currently exist. Objectives To design a utility that identifies households at a point in time from pseudonymised Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) known as Residential Anonymised Linkage Fields (RALFs) assigned to general practitioner (GP) patient addresses in electronic health records (EHRs) in north east London (NEL). Methods Rule-based logic was developed to identify households based on GP registration, address date, and RALF validity. The logic was tested on a use case on the household clustering of childhood weight status, and bias in success of identifying households was examined in the use case cohort and in a full population cohort. Results 92.1% of the use case cohort was assigned a household. The most frequent dominant reason (55.3%) for a household not assigned was that a person had no valid household RALFs available across their patient registration address records. Other reasons are having none or multiple valid household RALFs, or not being alive at the event date. In the use case, children not assigned to a household were more likely to attend schools in City & Hackney and living in the third most deprived quintile of lower super output areas. 88.9% of the population cohort was assigned a household. Patients not assigned to a household were more likely to be aged 18 to 45 years, living in City & Hackney, and living in the second quintile of most deprived lower super output areas. Conclusions We have developed a method for deriving households from primary care EHRs that can be implemented quickly and in real-time, providing timely data to support population health research on households.

Previously, we demonstrated that palmatine (PALM) – an isoquinoline alkaloid from Berberis sibrica radix, exerted antiseizure activity in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure assay in larval zebrafish. The aim of the present study was to more precisely characterize PALM as a potential anticonvulsant drug candidate. A range of zebrafish and mouse seizure/epilepsy models were applied in the investigation. Immunostaining analysis was conducted to assess the changes in mouse brains, while in silico molecular modelling was performed to determine potential targets for PALM. Accordingly, PALM had anticonvulsant effect in ethyl 2-ketopent-4-enoate (EKP)-induced seizure assay in zebrafish larvae as well as in the 6 Hz-induced psychomotor seizure threshold and timed infusion PTZ tests in mice. The protective effect in the EKP-induced seizure assay was confirmed in the local field potential recordings. PALM did not affect seizures in the gabra1a knockout line of zebrafish larvae. In the scn1Lab-/- zebrafish line, pretreatment with PALM potentiated seizure-like behaviour of larvae. Repetitive treatment with PALM, however, did not reduce development of PTZ-induced seizure activity nor prevent the loss of parvalbumin-interneurons in the hippocampus of the PTZ kindled mice. In silico molecular modelling revealed that the noted anticonvulsant effect of PALM in EKP-induced seizure assay might result from its interactions with glutamic acid decarboxylase and/or via AMPA receptor non-competitive antagonism. Our study has demonstrated the anticonvulsant activity of PALM in some experimental models of seizures, including a model of pharmacoresistant seizures induced by EKP. These results indicate that PALM might be a suitable new drug candidate but the precise mechanism of its anticonvulsant activity has to be determined.