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The female Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector for several arboviral diseases, due to their blood feeding behavior and their association with urban communities. While ion transport in Ae. aegypti has been studied, much less is known about mechanisms of water transport. Rapid water and ion excretion occurs in the adult female mosquito post blood meal and involves a set of organs including the midgut, Malpighian tubules (MTs), and hindgut. The MTs are responsible for the formation of primary urine and are considered the most important site for active transport of ions. Within the cells of the MTs, along with various ion transporters, there are aquaporin water channels that aid in the transport of water across the tubule cell membrane. Six aquaporin genes have been molecularly identified in Ae. aegypti (AQP1–6) and found to be responsible for the transport of water and in some cases, small solutes such as glycerol. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to localize AaAQP1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 in the adult female Ae. aegypti, in non-blood fed and post blood feeding (0.5 and 24hr) conditions. We further examined the main water transporting aquaporin, AaAQP1, using western blotting to determine protein abundance changes in isolated MTs pre and post-blood feeding. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, aqp1 mRNA was found exclusively in the principal cells of female MTs. Finally, we used immunogold staining with transmission electron microscopy to determine subcellular localization of AaAQP1 in the Malpighian tubules under non-blood fed conditions. Interestingly, AaAQP1 was found to be predominantly in the principal cells of the MTs, dispersed throughout the brush border; however, there was also evidence of some AaAQP1 localization in the stellate cells of the MTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insect ion transport peptide (ITP) and its alternatively spliced variant, ITP-like peptide (ITP-L), belong to the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone family of peptides and are widely conserved among insect species. While limited, studies have characterized the ITP/ITP-L signaling system within insects, and putative functions including regulation of ion and fluid transport, ovarian maturation, and thirst/excretion have been proposed. Herein, we aimed to molecularly investigate Itp and Itp-l expression profiles in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, examine peptide immunolocalization and distribution within the adult central nervous system, and elucidate physiological roles for these neuropeptides. Transcript expression profiles of both AedaeItp and AedaeItp-l revealed distinct enrichment patterns in adults, with AedaeItp expressed in the brain and AedaeItp-l expression predominantly within the abdominal ganglia. Immunohistochemical analysis within the central nervous system revealed expression of AedaeITP peptide in a number of cells in the brain and in the terminal ganglion. Comparatively, AedaeITP-L peptide was localized solely within the pre-terminal abdominal ganglia of the central nervous system. Interestingly, prolonged desiccation stress caused upregulation of AedaeItp and AedaeItp-l levels in adult mosquitoes, suggesting possible functional roles in water conservation and feeding-related activities. RNAi-mediated knockdown of AedaeItp caused an increase in urine excretion, while knockdown of both AedaeItp and AedaeItp-l reduced blood feeding and egg-laying in females as well as hindered egg viability, suggesting roles in reproductive physiology and behavior. Altogether, this study identifies AedaeITP and AedaeITP-L as key pleiotropic hormones, regulating various critical physiological processes in the disease vector, A. aegypti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arynes are fleeting, high‐energy intermediates that undergo myriad trapping reactions by nucleophiles. Their unusual reactivity compared to other electrophiles can spur unexpected mechanistic pathways enroute to the formation of benzenoid products. Herein we explore a particularly unique case of thermally generated arynes reacting with phosphoranes to form helical dibenzothiophenes and ‐selenophenes. Multiple new helical polycyclic aromatic products are reported. DP4+ and X‐ray crystallographic analysis were used in tandem to confirm the structural topologies of selected products and to demonstrate the utility of DP4+ for distinguishing between isomeric polycyclic aromatic compounds. Lastly, we discuss a plausible mechanism consistent with DFT computations that accounts for the product formation; namely, ligand coupling (i.e. reductive elimination) within a hypervalent, pentacarbon‐ligated σ‐phosphorane furnishes the dibenzothio‐ or dibenzoselenophene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arynes are fleeting, high‐energy intermediates that undergo myriad trapping reactions by nucleophiles. Their unusual reactivity compared to other electrophiles can spur unexpected mechanistic pathways enroute to the formation of benzenoid products. Herein we explore a particularly unique case of thermally generated arynes reacting with phosphoranes to form helical dibenzothiophenes and ‐selenophenes. Multiple new helical polycyclic aromatic products are reported. DP4+ and X‐ray crystallographic analysis were used in tandem to confirm the structural topologies of selected products and to demonstrate the utility of DP4+ for distinguishing between isomeric polycyclic aromatic compounds. Lastly, we discuss a plausible mechanism consistent with DFT computations that accounts for the product formation; namely, ligand coupling (i.e. reductive elimination) within a hypervalent, pentacarbon‐ligated σ‐phosphorane furnishes the dibenzothio‐ or dibenzoselenophene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundance of shark and actinopterygian fossils in the Cretaceous and Paleogene strata of the Atlantic Coastal Plain is well documented; but much remains unknown about the survivorship patterns of these major components of shallow marine faunas in the western Atlantic through the K/Pg mass extinction. To shed light on this subject, we describe an assemblage of new actinopterygian, chondrichthyan, and reptilian microfossils recently recovered from the Maastrichtian Navesink and Maastrichtian-Danian Hornerstown formations at the Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park at Rowan University in Mantua Township, New Jersey. The new microfossils clarify extinction patterns across the K/Pg, create temporal and geographic range extensions for several taxa, and expand the known fauna of this regionally-rare and important K/Pg-boundary locality. We report 11 new additions to the vertebrate fauna of Edelman Fossil Park, the first Paleocene record of Saurocephalus lanciformis, the first Cretaceous records ofParalbula marylandica and Palaeogaleus vincenti, and the first recovery of gar and dercetid fish remains from the Paleocene in New Jersey (the last indicating that these fish survived the K/Pg extinction in the western Atlantic). Geographic range extensions include: Notidanodon brotzeni into the Western Hemisphere, Saurocephalus into northeastern North America and Phyllodus paulkatoi to the eastern coast of North America. A dentary of a juvenile alligatorid, Bottosaurus harlani, indicate that the mandible exhibited isometric growth through ontogeny. Our findings generally agree with other studies that these groups were significantly impacted by the extinction event, that extinctions were selective, and recovery was slow. This wealth of novel insights garnered from microfossils in this study highlights their critical importance for elaborating past faunas and illuminating the character of ancient ecosystems. We therefore recommend microsieving as a fruitful method for future faunal studies of shallow-marine strata and predict that such efforts will frequently yield similar important insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metaphor is crucial in human cognition and creativity, facilitating abstract thinking, analogical reasoning, and idea generation. Typically, human raters manually score the originality of responses to creative thinking tasks – a laborious and error-prone process. Previous research sought to remedy these risks by scoring creativity tasks automatically using semantic distance and large language models (LLMs). Here, we extend research on automatic creativity scoring to metaphor generation – the ability to creatively describe episodes and concepts using nonliteral language. Metaphor is arguably more abstract and naturalistic than prior targets of automated creativity assessment. We collected 4,589 responses from 1,546 participants to various metaphor prompts and corresponding human creativity ratings. We fine-tuned two open-source LLMs (RoBERTa and GPT-2) – effectively “teaching” them to score metaphors like humans – before testing their ability to accurately assess the creativity of new metaphors. Results showed both models reliably predicted new human creativity ratings (RoBERTa r = .72, GPT-2 r = .70), significantly more strongly than semantic distance (r = .42). Importantly, the fine-tuned models generalized accurately to metaphor prompts they had not been trained on (RoBERTa r = .68, GPT-2 r = .63). We provide open access to the fine-tuned models, allowing researchers to assess metaphor creativity in a reproducible and timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a broad but comprehensive foundation for understanding the widespread practice of using the bioelectric properties of plants to create music and sound. We begin by describing how plant biosignals are harvested by several commercial electronic devices and a custom-designed interface. Then, we analyze large data samples of potential musical content generated by such technologies. Next we investigate the artistic and musical choices artists make when they interpret this data, analyzing work by British sonic artist Augustine Leudar, the Philadelphia Museum of Art7s Data Garden Quartet, and Japanese composer Mamoru Fujieda. Finally we position the entire enterprise within a posthumanist semiotic framework, specifically referencing work by Uexkull, Deleuze, Krampen, Watkins, and Marder. This interpretation allows us to speculate on the nature of communication and musical collaboration that can potentially take place between the human and vegetative domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterised by elevated pH. As a central homeostatic regulator, an increased pH accelerates desquamation and suppresses lipid processing, resulting in diminished skin barrier function. The aim of this study was to determine whether a novel zinc lactobionate emollient cream can strengthen the skin barrier by lowering skin surface pH. Methods: A double-blind, forearm-controlled cohort study was undertaken in patients with AD. Participants applied the test cream to one forearm and a vehicle cream to the other (randomised allocation) twice daily for 56 days. Skin surface pH and barrier function (primary outcomes) were assessed at baseline and after 28 days and 56 days of treatment, amongst other tests. Results: A total of 23 adults with AD completed the study. During and after treatment, a sustained difference in skin surface pH was observed between areas treated with the test cream and vehicle (4.50 ± 0.38 versus 5.25 ± 0.54, respectively, p < 0.0001). This was associated with significantly reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) on the test cream treated areas compared with control (9.71 ± 2.47 versus 11.20 ± 3.62 g/m2/h, p = 0.0005). Improvements in skin barrier integrity, skin sensitivity to sodium lauryl sulphate, skin hydration, and chymotrypsin-like protease activity were all observed at sites treated with the test cream compared with the control. Conclusion: Maintenance of an acidic skin surface pH and delivery of physiologic lipids are beneficial for skin health and may help improve AD control by reducing sensitivity to irritants and allergens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Alterations in two or more of the tumor suppressors TP53, RB1, and PTEN enrich for prostate cancers with an aggressive disease course which benefits from combination chemotherapies, but with poor survival. This signature could aid in patient selection for clinical trials that study novel therapies aimed towards these aggressive tumors. We assess the operational characteristics of staining tumor tissues, studying DNA obtained from the tumor directly, or studying DNA from tumor cells circulating in the blood to detect this signature. We encountered various challenges that limited the number of evaluable samples for all three assays in each patient. Overall, tissue staining had a higher detection rate and the shortest turnaround times, making it an attractive choice for use in clinical trials. There were operational barriers to accurately detecting the signature in tumor DNA as well as difficulty detecting sufficient tumor content in circulating tumor DNA. Aggressive-variant prostate cancers (AVPCs) are a subset of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancers (mCRPCs) characterized by defects in ≥ two of three of TP53, RB1, and PTEN (AVPCm), a profile linked to lineage plasticity, androgen indifference, and platinum sensitivity. Men with mCRPC undergoing biopsies for progression were assessed for AVPCm using immunohistochemistry (IHC), next-generation sequencing (NGS) of solid tumor DNA (stDNA), and NGS of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assays in CLIA-certified labs. Biopsy characteristics, turnaround times, inter-reader concordance, and inter-assay concordance were assessed. AVPCm was detected in 13 (27%) patients via IHC, two (6%) based on stDNA, and seven (39%) based on ctDNA. The concordance of the IHC reads between pathologists was variable. IHC had a higher detection rate of AVPCm+ tumors with the shortest turnaround times. stDNA had challenges with copy number loss detection, limiting its detection rate. ctDNA detected the greatest proportion of AVPCm+ tumors but had a low tumor content in two thirds of patients. These data show the operational characteristics of AVPCm detection using various assays, and inform trial design using AVPCm as a criterion for patient selection or stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate 90-day outcomes and complications following radial head arthroplasty (RHA) for Mason Type III and IV radial head fractures (RHFs) and determine factors predisposing patients to early complications and revision surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing RHA for Mason Type III and IV RHFs were identified retrospectively from an institutional database. Postoperative complications, reoperations, elbow range of motion, radiographs and concomitant injuries on the ipsilateral upper extremity were reviewed. Additionally, injuries were sub-classified as low-energy trauma (LET) or high-energy trauma (HET). Univariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the risk for complications using patient factors not limited to the presence of concomitant ligamentous or bony injuries. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Seventy four patients were included in our study with an average follow-up time of 12.7 months. Complications within 90-days of operation occurred in 8.1% of patients: heterotopic ossification (4.1%), superficial wound dehiscence (2.7%), and posterior interosseous nerve palsy (1.4%). No patients required readmission or revision surgery in the 90-day postoperative period. Univariate regression analysis did not demonstrate a significant association between diabetes, ASA status, HET versus LET, or the presence of concomitant injury. Concomitant injuries were found in 92% of patients. Conclusion: Radial head arthroplasty for RHFs demonstrates a low complication rate in the short-term. Diabetes, ASA class, high versus low energy trauma, and presence of concomitant injury were not found to be associated with higher complication rates in the 90-day postoperative period. Level of evidence: Level of evidence IV, retrospective case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multitude of applications to which Saccharomyces spp. are put makes these yeasts the most prolific of industrial microorganisms. This review considers biological aspects pertaining to the manufacture of industrial yeast biomass. It is proposed that the production of yeast biomass can be considered in two distinct but interdependent phases. Firstly, there is a cell replication phase that involves reproduction of cells by their transitions through multiple budding and metabolic cycles. Secondly, there needs to be a cell conditioning phase that enables the accrued biomass to withstand the physicochemical challenges associated with downstream processing and storage. The production of yeast biomass is not simply a case of providing sugar, nutrients, and other growth conditions to enable multiple budding cycles to occur. In the latter stages of culturing, it is important that all cells are induced to complete their current budding cycle and subsequently enter into a quiescent state engendering robustness. Both the cell replication and conditioning phases need to be optimized and considered in concert to ensure good biomass production economics, and optimum performance of industrial yeasts in food and fermentation applications. Key features of metabolism and cell biology affecting replication and conditioning of industrial Saccharomyces are presented. Alternatives for growth substrates are discussed, along with the challenges and prospects associated with defining the genetic bases of industrially important phenotypes, and the generation of new yeast strains. "I must be cruel only to be kind: Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind." William Shakespeare: Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: The extent of education regarding dental trauma within dental schools around the world is believed to be very diverse, but also largely unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze and depict the current curriculum regarding dental trauma education among all Canadian dental schools, in an effort to refine and consolidate the education system. Methods: A survey was conducted over a scheduled meeting with dental trauma Instructors from all 10 dental schools in Canada. Questions were categorized into three sections investigating the dental trauma curriculum, the examinations/assessments of students, and the clinical exposure provided to students during the course of their dental studies. Data were first analyzed individually, and then common findings were grouped together. Results: A total of 17 instructors were interviewed. In 9 out of the 10 universities, dental trauma education remains fragmented with an overall mean of only 4 ± 5.2 h allocated to teaching dental trauma throughout the dental courses. Only one single university reported testing students following the completion of their dental trauma course, and only one university conducted a final examination dedicated separately to dental trauma only. All instructors reported a lack of ample exposure to trauma cases during clinical rotations. Conclusions: Many deficiencies exist in teaching dental trauma among Canadian universities. Due to low clinical exposure, students might be under‐prepared to clinically manage trauma cases. Also, the lack of unification in the curriculum creates confusion among students. Additional clinical exposure along with unification within, and between, dental schools could result in a more coherent and a better presented dental trauma curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms use resource allocation strategies to survive seasonal environmental changes and life-history stage transitions. Earlier studies found a transcription cofactor, vgll3, associating with maturation timing that inhibits adipogenesis in mice and affects body condition in juvenile salmon. Owing to a lack of temporal studies examining seasonality effects on phenotypes such as vgll3 genotype, body condition, maturation and different life stages, we investigated the influence of different larval and juvenile temperatures, vgll3 genotype and interactions with body condition and maturation rate. We reared Atlantic salmon for 2 years in four larval–juvenile phase temperature groups until the occurrence of mature males. We found no effect of larval temperature on the measured phenotypes or maturation rate. However, we observed an increased maturation rate in individuals of the warm juvenile temperature treatment and differences in body condition associated with vgll3 genotype. Early maturation genotype individuals had a less variable body condition across seasons compared with late maturation genotype individuals. This result suggests a vgll3 influence on resource allocation strategies; possibly linked with the early maturation process, with early maturation genotype individuals having a higher maturation rate and a higher body condition in the spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent experiments have heightened our understanding of reactions which can stabilize biomolecules during early diagenesis, yet little remains known about how groundwater chemistry can aid or hinder molecular preservation within a bone through geologic time. To elucidate this issue, we conducted actualistic experiments of bone decay employing varied fluid compositions to simulate a suite of groundwaters. Modern domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) femora were placed in a matrix of compositionally- and texturally-mature, fluvially-deposited sand. To simulate groundwater flow, deionized water or solutions enriched in calcium carbonate, phosphate, or iron were percolated through separate trials for a period of 90 days. After completion of the experiment, degradation of the bones was examined via histologic thin sectioning and two immunoassays against collagen I, the primary bone structural protein: immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Collagen loss was found to be greatest in the iron trial and least in the calcium carbonate trial, the latter of which experienced partial permineralization with calcite over the course of the experiment. Specifically, the iron trial was found to retain only ~35 ng of collagen I per 100 ng of protein extract, whereas the calcium carbonate trial retained ~90 ng of collagen I. Further, in the iron and calcium carbonate trials, cementation of sediment onto bone surfaces preferentially occurred over more porous regions of the epiphyses, perhaps stimulated by greater release of decay compounds from these regions of the bones. Of the two trials exhibiting intermediate results, the phosphate trial induced slightly greater decay of collagen than the deionized water control, which retained ~60 ng and ~80 ng of collagen I per 100 ng of protein extract, respectively. These results demonstrate that highly acidic conditions during early diagenesis can overwhelm any preservative effects of free radical-mediated stabilization reactions, whereas early-diagenetic permineralization can drastically slow biomolecular decay (ostensibly by hampering microbial access to the interior of a bone), thereby increasing the likelihood of a bone to retain biomolecules and/or their decay products through protracted diagenesis. Future variations of this actualistic experiment employing varied durations, solute concentrations, bacterial communities, pH values, and/or host sediments could provide further important insights into the ways in which early-diagenetic environments control the initial decay of biomolecules within bone and other tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate measurement of redox potentials of small molecules is a relatively straightforward task using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry. However, proteins, in most cases, are not amenable to the same approach due to slow heterogeneous electron transfer and the possibility of denaturing at the electrode surface. This necessitates the use of small molecular weight redox mediators to facilitate electron transfer. This leads to spectroelectrochemical techniques where the applied electrochemical potential is coupled to a spectroscopic signal of the protein. Traditionally this is done at different applied (fixed) potentials akin to an electrochemical titration, but the time required for electrochemical equilibrium to be established, and its consistent application, are major sources of experimental error. Here we have utilised a continuously scanning potential synchronised with time‐resolved UV‐vis spectroscopy to provide an automated approach that can be used to measure protein redox potentials accurately in an expedient manner. The test cases are the heme proteins cytochrome c and myoglobin. The scope and limitations of the method are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmentalists target their own behaviour choices as part of their identity, including recycling, transportation, and clothing. Based on interviews with older adult environmentalists, we investigate whether their environmentalism extends beyond their lives. That is, do they want to be disposed of or dispersed upon their death? In terms of environmentalism, then, considering the materials involved, including one's body, how might we explain older adult environmentalists' thoughts on their own death care? Is there a gap between one's identity as an environmentalist and one's anticipated choices about death care? We examine the death care discourse of 20 older adult environmentalists to examine Rumble et al.'s 2014 debate between disposal and dispersal. We conclude that environmental activists maintain their identity as environmental activists through their death care deliberations, but that both the ecological science of burial choices and the knowledge about green burial options is evolving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this short overview we discuss the manifestation of the chirality‐induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect in photoelectron spectroscopy experiments with direct spin analysis. Various systems, from the initially investigated monolayers of molecular biosystems and organic hepta‐helicene to recent chirally grown solid oxide films, are evaluated. High spin polarization values of up to P=60 % have been observed for samples at room temperature. For all classes it was shown that the longitudinal spin orientation changes sign with a change of the enantiomeric form. Recent advances allow to distinguish the contributions of electrons with different kinetic energies to the electron spin polarization, and thus to distinguish the CISS effect from bulk contributions to the spin originating from different mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of two severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines targeting the WA1/2020 spike protein and Spike ferritin nanoparticle in nonhuman primates. Topics discussed include the different delivery approaches to increase vaccine immunogenicity, the protective efficacy against Omicron BA.1 challenge, and analysis of immune correlates.

This paper analyses and evaluates the ongoing modernisation process of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). The ECT, an international investment agreement in force since 1998, has been subject to international criticism and is therefore currently undergoing a process of modernisation. The EU and its member states have a vital role to play in the process and are currently striving to align the ECT with more recent investment agreements. This submission aims to shed light on the feasibility, prospects and pitfalls of the modernisation process. For that purpose, it reviews and contextualises the amendments proposed by the EU with regards to the question of whether they are suitable for achieving their intended objectives and whether they are legally and politically feasible. It concludes that while each proposed amendment would be suitable in itself to achieve the objective pursued, the current process finds its limit in the political feasibility: any amendment requires a unanimous decision. As a result, the objectives may not be achieved. Therefore, this article suggests an alternative means to the current process through encouraging the maintenance of the positive impacts of the ECT while undergoing modernisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulforaphane has been investigated in human pathologies and preclinical models of airway diseases. To provide further mechanistic insights, we explored L-sulforaphane (LSF) in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced chronic allergic airways murine model, with key hallmarks of asthma. Histological analysis indicated that LSF prevented or reversed OVA-induced epithelial thickening, collagen deposition, goblet cell metaplasia, and inflammation. Well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms contribute to the beneficial effects of LSF. Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy revealed altered composition of macromolecules, following OVA sensitization, which were restored by LSF. RNA sequencing in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells highlighted the anti-inflammatory signature of LSF. Findings indicated that LSF may alter gene expression via an epigenetic mechanism which involves regulation of protein acetylation status. LSF resulted in histone and α-tubulin hyperacetylation in vivo, and cellular and enzymatic assays indicated decreased expression and modest histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition activity, in comparison with the well-known pan-HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Molecular modeling confirmed interaction of LSF and LSF metabolites with the catalytic domain of metal-dependent HDAC enzymes. More generally, this study confirmed known mechanisms and identified potential epigenetic pathways accounting for the protective effects and provide support for the potential clinical utility of LSF in allergic airways disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the role of orthodontic treatment in preventing traumatic dental injuries (TDI). The article highlights that certain malocclusions, such as increased overjet and lip incompetence, can increase the risk of TDI, particularly in young boys and girls. Early orthodontic intervention through the use of braces or removable appliances can help reposition the teeth and reduce the likelihood of dental injuries. Scientific reviews support the effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment in reducing the incidence of dental trauma. However, other factors should also be considered when deciding whether to initiate orthodontic treatment at a young age. [Extracted from the article]

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guidelines for Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To review variables and management techniques that may affect anaesthesia failure during root canal treatment and methods of overcoming anaesthesia failure. Methodology: The PubMed and Cochran databases were searched for evidence‐based investigations regarding pain during needle insertion, pain on injection, efficacy of the anaesthetic solutions and anaesthesia techniques, and premedication. Results: Variables such as pain on injection, premedication with various types of drugs, volume of anaesthetic solutions, supplemental anaesthetic techniques, and additives to the anaesthetic solutions may influence pain perception during root canal treatment. Differences between teeth with healthy pulps versus those with irreversible pulpitis should be considered when the effects of variables are interpreted. However, there are several concerns regarding the methodology of investigations that have evaluated anaesthesia success rates. Conclusion: Several variables may influence anaesthesia success rates. There are conditions that may help to predict a patient's pain during endodontic procedures. These conditions could be overcome either by employing methods such as premedication with a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug prior to the treatment visit or by using supplementary techniques before or during the treatment. However, investigators need to be more careful when reporting details of their studies to reduce concerns regarding their study bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article assesses strategies for managing the economic returns to an aquaponics production system with joint products of lettuce and tilapia. Experimental data from Brazil that varied fish stocking density and the fish feeding rate are analyzed using nonparametric efficiency testing methods to identify potentially profitable technologies and their sensitivities to prices of inputs and outputs. Plants and fish production are symbiotic in an aquaponics system, with fish waste providing nutrients for plant growth and plants helping maintain water quality for the fish via filtration. The optimal input/output mix among alternatives is identified, and sensitivity analysis is used to assess the price ranges around recent market conditions (0.18 R$/tilapia fingerling, 2.8 R$/kg for fish feed, 20 R$/kg for juvenile fish, and 1.57 R$/kg for lettuce) over which that technology choice remains optimal. The configuration of production controls is robust to price changes. Results show that at low fish stocking densities (100 fish/m3), the effluent in the water provides insufficient nutrients to plants. In addition, early lettuce harvests (before 26 days) are generally less efficient than treatments that allow more time for plant growth. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the optimality of the identified configuration of production controls is robust with respect to input and output prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Traumatic dental injuries are the result of impact injuries to the teeth and/or soft and hard tissues within and around the vicinity of the oral cavity and pose a very serious public health dilemma. The aim of this study was to appraise the level of knowledge of dentists in Australia regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries based on the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines. Methodology: A link to an electronic questionnaire investigating personal and professional information and twelve questions about dental trauma was distributed by email using the Qualtrics Survey Software to ensure anonymity of the respondents, to members of the Australian Dental Association. The respondents were grouped according to demographic characteristics and practice profiles. Data were evaluated by the Student's T test or one‐way ANOVA with post hoc testing using Fisher's least significant difference, with the α level set at 5%. Results: A total of 180 complete responses were obtained. The overall mean number of correct answers was 7.55 ± 1.91 from a maximum possible score of twelve. Gender, year of primary dental qualification, dentist identity (general dentist or specialist), area of main practice or region worked by the practitioner did not significantly affect the mean scores. However, increased knowledge of the IADT guidelines was significantly associated with the number of trauma cases treated and the dentists' self‐reported knowledge. Conclusions: The overall knowledge of Australian dentists regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries based on the IADT guidelines was generally good but it was also deficient in some areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Studies of coactivation have typically utilized single movement isometric or isokinetic fatiguing muscle actions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to examine coactivation of the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) in response to a maximal, reciprocal, isokinetic fatiguing task of the forearm flexors and extensors at slow (60 ∘ /s) and moderate (180 ∘ /s) isokinetic velocities in men. METHODS: Ten men (mean ± SD: age = 21.6 ± 1.3 years) completed 50 consecutive, maximal, reciprocal, isokinetic muscle actions of the right forearm flexors and extensors at 60 and 180 ∘ /s. The amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) contents of the electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) signals from the BB and TB were recorded simultaneously throughout the fatiguing task. Repeated measures ANOVAs with Tukey post hocs were used to determine mean differences for the torque and neuromuscular parameters across repetitions. RESULTS: The torque analyses indicated greater fatigability at 180 ∘ /s, compared to 60 ∘ /s (p = 0.02). There were no significant changes in EMG AMP for either muscle during flexion or extension at 60 ∘ /s (p > 0.05). At 180 ∘ /s, there were significant increases in agonist EMG AMP (p = 0.01 to 0.004), however, no changes in antagonist EMG AMP (p > 0.05). For EMG MPF, there were significant decreases during flexion and extension (p < 0.001 to p = 0.02) at both velocities, collapsed across muscle. There were no significant (p > 0.05) changes across repetition for MMG AMP or MPF. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated velocity-specific responses to fatigue, with a greater magnitude of fatigability at 180 ∘ /s. Furthermore, despite increases in EMG AMP of the agonist muscles at 180 ∘ /s only, it was not sufficient to alter the ratio of coactivation, likely due to common neural drive between muscles. Thus, the decreases in torque in the present study were not attributable to increases in coactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (hMcl-1) is an anti-apoptotic multi-partner protein, belonging to the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins. Studies have linked hMcl-1 alleviated expression with resistance to hemopoietic chemotherapeutics, which makes it a key drug target in blood cancers. However, most of the developed small- to medium-sized hMcl-1 inhibitors have typical off-target activity towards other members of the Bcl-2 family. To improve the hMcl-1 inhibitor design, especially exploring a suitable scaffold with pharmacophoric features, we focused on natural hMcl-1 inhibitors. To date, seven classes of natural compounds have been isolated, which display a low micromolar affinity for hMcl-1 and have limited biophysical studies. We screened hMcl-1 co-crystal structures, and identified nine co-crystal structures of hMcl-1 protein, which were later evaluated by multiple receptor conformations (which indicates that the differences between hMcl-1 in crystal structures are low (RMSD values between 0.52 and 1.13 Å, average RMSD of 0.638–0.888 Å, with a standard deviation of 0.102–0.185Å)), and multiple ligand conformations (which led to the selection of the PDB structure, 3WIX (RMSD value = 0.879 Å, standard deviation 0.116 Å), to accommodate various Mcl-1 ligands from a range of co-crystal PDB files) methods. Later, the three adopted docking methods were assessed for their ability to reproduce the conformation bound to the crystal as well as predict trends in Ki values based on calculated RMSD and docking energies. Iterative docking and clustering of the docked pose within ≤1.0 Å was used to evaluate the reproducibility of the adopted docking methods and compared with their experimentally determined hMcl-1 affinity data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Reports of the recovery of proteins and other molecules from fossils have become so common over the last two decades that some paleontologists now focus almost entirely on studying how biologic molecules can persist in fossils. In this study, we explored the fossilization history of a specimen of the hadrosaurid dinosaur Brachylophosaurus which was previously shown to preserve original cells, tissues, and structural proteins. Trace element analyses of the tibia of this specimen revealed that after its bones were buried in a brackish estuarine channel, they fossilized under wet conditions which shifted in redox state multiple times. The successful recovery of proteins from this specimen, despite this complex history of chemical alterations, shows that the processes which bind and stabilize biologic molecules shortly after death provide them remarkable physical and chemical resiliency. By uniting our results with those of similar studies on other dinosaur fossils known to also preserve original proteins, we also conclude that exposure to oxidizing conditions in the initial ~48 h postmortem likely promotes molecular stabilization reactions, and the retention of early-diagenetic trace element signatures may be a useful proxy for molecular recovery potential. Recent recoveries of peptide sequences from two Cretaceous dinosaur bones require paleontologists to rethink traditional notions about how fossilization occurs. As part of this shifting paradigm, several research groups have recently begun attempting to characterize biomolecular decay and stabilization pathways in diverse paleoenvironmental and diagenetic settings. To advance these efforts, we assessed the taphonomic and geochemical history of Brachylophosaurus canadensis specimen MOR 2598, the left femur of which was previously found to retain endogenous cells, tissues, and structural proteins. Combined stratigraphic and trace element data show that after brief fluvial transport, this articulated hind limb was buried in a sandy, likely-brackish, estuarine channel. During early diagenesis, percolating groundwaters stagnated within the bones, forming reducing internal microenvironments. Recent exposure and weathering also caused the surficial leaching of trace elements from the specimen. Despite these shifting redox regimes, proteins within the bones were able to survive through diagenesis, attesting to their remarkable resiliency over geologic time. Synthesizing our findings with other recent studies reveals that oxidizing conditions in the initial ~48 h postmortem likely promote molecular stabilization reactions and that the retention of early-diagenetic trace element signatures may be a useful proxy for molecular recovery potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Although many analytical techniques have shown that organic material can be preserved in fossils for millions of years, the geochemical factors that allow this preservation are not well understood. This is partly because paleomolecular studies often do not include geochemical analyses of the fossil or burial environment from which it came. We conducted in-depth geological, geochemical, and molecular analyses of a specimen of Dreadnoughtus schrani, an immense dinosaur from Argentina. We reviewed physical aspects of the sediments in which Dreadnoughtus was deposited, then characterize the following features: the structural integrity of the bone microstructure; the amount and type of external mineral that infiltrated the bone; the concentration of elements that are rare in the Earth's crust (REEs) throughout the bone; the preservation of soft-tissue structures (e.g., bone cells and blood vessels); the preservation of bone protein using antibodies that specifically recognize collagen I. Our data show that original bone microstructures and protein are preserved in Dreadnoughtus, and that after burial, the specimen was exposed to weakly-oxidizing conditions and groundwaters rich in "light" REEs but experienced little further chemical alteration after this early stage of fossilization. Our findings support the idea that fossils showing lower concentrations of REEs are well suited for molecular analyses. Evidence that organic material preserves in deep time (>1 Ma) has been reported using a wide variety of analytical techniques. However, the comprehensive geochemical data that could aid in building robust hypotheses for how soft-tissues persist over millions of years are lacking from most paleomolecular reports. Here, we analyze the molecular preservation and taphonomic history of the Dreadnougtus schrani holotype (MPM-PV 1156) at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. We review the stratigraphy, depositional setting, and physical taphonomy of the D. schrani skeletal assemblage, and extensively characterize the preservation and taphonomic history of the humerus at a micro-scale via: (1) histological analysis (structural integrity) and X-ray diffraction (exogenous mineral content); (2) laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (analyses of rare earth element content throughout cortex); (3) demineralization and optical microscopy (soft-tissue microstructures); (4) in situ and in-solution immunological assays (presence of endogenous protein). Our data show the D. schrani holotype preserves soft-tissue microstructures and remnants of endogenous bone protein. Further, it was exposed to LREE-enriched groundwaters and weakly-oxidizing conditions after burial, but experienced negligible further chemical alteration after early-diagenetic fossilization. These findings support previous hypotheses that fossils that display low trace element uptake are favorable targets for paleomolecular analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth resorption is either a physiological or a pathological process resulting in loss of dentin and/or cementum. It may also be associated with bone loss. Currently there is no universal classification for the different types of tooth resorption. This lack of a universal classification leads to both confusion amongst practitioners and poor understanding of the resorptive processes occurring in teeth which can result in incorrect/inappropriate diagnoses and mis‐management. When developing a classification of diseases and/or conditions that occur within the body, several criteria should be followed to ensure a useful classification. The classification should not only include pathological conditions but also physiological conditions. Since tooth resorption can be either pathological or physiological, a classification of tooth resorption should include both of these categories. Any classification of diseases should be possible to use clinically, meaningful, useful, clear and universal. It should enable easy storage, retrieval and analysis of health information for evidenced‐based decision‐making. It should also be possible to share and compare data and information between different institutions, settings and countries. A classification of tooth resorption should be developed by combining anatomical, physiological and pathological approaches. For some types of resorption, the aetiological approach should also be incorporated. A classification of tooth resorption that uses simple, relevant and appropriate terminology based on the nature and location of the resorptive process occurring in teeth is proposed. There are two broad categories of internal and external tooth resorption which are sub‐divided into three types of internal tooth resorption (surface, inflammatory, replacement) and eight types of external tooth resorption (surface, inflammatory, replacement, invasive, pressure, orthodontic, physiological, idiopathic). The clinician's understanding, diagnosis and management of tooth resorption can be facilitated by using this simple classification which should ideally be used universally by the entire dental profession to ensure clarity and to avoid confusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a fetal glycoprotein produced by most human hepatocellular carcinoma tumors. Research has focused on its immunosuppressive properties in pregnancy, autoimmunity, and cancer, and human AFP directly limits the viability and functionality of human natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, and dendritic cells (DCs). AFP-altered DCs can promote the differentiation of naïve T cells into regulatory T cells. These properties may work to shield tumors from the immune system. Recent efforts to define the molecular characteristics of AFP identified key structural immunoregulatory domains and bioactive roles of AFP-bound ligands in immunomodulation. We propose that a key mechanism of AFP immunomodulation skews DC function through cellular metabolism. Delineating differences between fetal 'normal' AFP (nAFP) and tumor-derived AFP (tAFP) has uncovered a novel role for tAFP in altering metabolism via lipid-binding partners. Cord blood-derived alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has an incompletely understood role in pregnancy, as well as in autoimmune diseases. AFP is currently being investigated as a potential therapeutic for multiple autoimmune diseases. These diverse biological roles are complicated by earlier approaches that did not account for AFP sources (where a tumor-derived AFP might be more potently immunosuppressive than normal AFP due to differential binding partner molecules. Tumor-derived AFP has broad immunosuppressive effects on multiple cell types, including NK cells, NKT cells, and dendritic cells (DC). The mechanisms of action include AFP protein and non-protein binding partners. AFP can also have indirect effects on lymphocytes after uptake by DCs, as well as after direct uptake by lymphocytes. A key mechanism of AFP-mediated immunosuppression involves the binding of lipid partners which can modulate cellular metabolism. Lipid-AFP complexes can impact DC phenotype, function, and metabolic pathway utilization. Some of these lipids have been identified as polyunsaturated fatty acids which can preferentially bind AFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Eczema (atopic dermatitis; AD) is a very common itchy skin condition affecting 1 in 5 children and up to 1 in 10 adults worldwide. The skin of eczema sufferers is prone to redness, irritation and dryness because it does not form an effective barrier, i.e. the ability of the skin to stop irritants, allergens and microorganisms getting into the body. Skin barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of AD. The regular and liberal (600 g/week for an adult) use of emollients is recommended for all patients with eczema), even between episodes of itching and redness, to soften and soothe the skin. In England alone, almost 9 million prescriptions for emollient creams were issued in 2018, at a cost of over £50 million. Despite this widespread use, relatively little is known about how commonly prescribed emollient creams affect the skin's barrier, and thus the role of moisturizers in AD development and progression remains unclear. We set out to compare three different types of emollient cream and a no‐treatment control. Aim: To compare the barrier‐strengthening properties of a new moisturizer containing urea and glycerol (urea–glycerol cream; UGC), with those of a glycerol‐containing moisturizer (glycerol cream; GC), a simple paraffin cream (PC) with no humectant, and a no‐treatment control (NTC). Methods: This was an observer‐blinded prospective Phase 2 within‐subject multilateral single‐centre randomized controlled trial in adults with AD (Clinical Trials #NCT03901144). The intervention involved 4 weeks of treatment, twice daily, with the three products applied to one of four areas on the forearms the (the fourth area was the untreated control, randomized allocation). Skin properties [dryness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) levels] were assessed before, during and after treatment to see what happened to the skin's barrier. The primary outcome was skin sensitivity to the irritant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) after treatment. We performed tests on the skin before and after treatment to see what happened to the skin's barrier. Results: In total, 49 patients were randomized, completed treatment and included in the analysis. UGC significantly reduced the response to SLS as indicated by a reduction in TEWL compared with NTC (−9.0 g/m2/h; 95% CI −12.56 to −5.49), with PC (−9.0 g/m2/h; 95% CI −12.60 to −5.44) and with GC −4.2 g/m2/h; 95% CI 7.76 to −0.63). Skin moisturization improved at sites treated with UGC compared with NTC and PC, and this was accompanied by concordant changes in dryness and NMF levels. Subgroup analysis suggested FLG‐dependent enhancement of treatment effects. Conclusion: The study showed that not all emollient creams for eczema are equal. The simple paraffin‐based emollient, which represents the most widely prescribed type of emollient cream in England, had no effect on the skin's barrier and reduced the skin's NMF. UGC markedly improved the skin's barrier and protected against irritation. GC performed better than PC, but not as well as UGC. UGC strengthened the skin barrier through a mechanism involving increased NMF levels in the skin, and imparted protection from SLS‐induced irritation. By helping correct a major pathophysiological process, UGC has the potential to improve the long‐term control of AD. The results show that different emollient creams have different effects on our skin, and only certain types have the ability to improve the skin's barrier and protect against irritants that trigger eczema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Since T-VEC is already approved for treatment of melanoma, its promising efficacy shown here also for NUT carcinoma (NC) cell lines may create a rapid transition to individual treatments as well as clinical trials in NC patients. The idea of combining T-VEC immunotherapy with BET inhibitors is strengthened by the assumption that the initial rapid response of NC to BET inhibitor therapy and the additional direct tumor cell lysis triggered by virotherapeutics may be able to effectively stabilize or even shrink the tumor cell mass to bridge the time gap until the durable immune response, induced by immunovirotherapy, can lead to complete tumor remission. This would signify a real breakthrough for patients suffering from this extremely aggressive tumor, whose average survival time is currently in the range of only six months. NUT carcinoma (NC) is an extremely aggressive tumor and current treatment regimens offer patients a median survival of six months only. This article reports on the first in vitro studies using immunovirotherapy as a promising therapy option for NC and its feasible combination with BET inhibitors (iBET). Using NC cell lines harboring the BRD4-NUT fusion protein, the cytotoxicity of oncolytic virus talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and the iBET compounds BI894999 and GSK525762 were assessed in vitro in monotherapeutic and combinatorial approaches. Viral replication, marker gene expression, cell proliferation, and IFN-β dependence of T-VEC efficiency were monitored. T-VEC efficiently infected and replicated in NC cell lines and showed strong cytotoxic effects. This implication could be enhanced by iBET treatment following viral infection. Viral replication was not impaired by iBET treatment. In addition, it was shown that pretreatment of NC cells with IFN-β does impede the replication as well as the cytotoxicity of T-VEC. T-VEC was found to show great potential for patients suffering from NC. Of note, when applied in combination with iBETs, a reinforcing influence was observed, leading to an even stronger anti-tumor effect. These findings suggest combining virotherapy with diverse molecular therapeutics for the treatment of NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endodontic emergencies are common in both general dental practices and specialist Endodontic practices. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of endodontic emergencies. Endodontic emergencies can be a result of many different conditions of the pulp, root canal and periradicular tissues. They may occur before endodontic treatment has been started, between appointments when treatment is being performed over multiple visits, or after endodontic treatment has been completed. In the latter situation, the emergency may be very soon after the treatment or it may occur many years later, in which case it is usually a new disease process as a result of the root canal system becoming infected. An emergency can be a stressful situation for both the patient and the dentist (or endodontist) as it is usually an unexpected event. It is incumbent on dental professionals to provide timely assistance to patients who have an emergency, and it is also important to allow sufficient time to manage the situation comprehensively. Management of endodontic emergencies should follow the principles of the 3D's—Diagnosis, Definitive dental treatment and Drugs—and in that sequence. An accurate diagnosis, the first "D", is essential so the appropriate treatment can be provided. Diagnosis requires a thorough understanding of the various conditions that can cause the emergency and this can be helped by having a comprehensive classification of the various conditions. The diagnosis should also direct the clinician to the appropriate Definitive dental treatment, the second "D". Root canal treatment will not always be required as some cases can be managed conservatively. Other cases may require root canal re‐treatment. The specific details of how the treatment are done can also vary, according to the diagnosis. The final "D" is Drugs—the use of drugs should also be dependent on the diagnosis and the dental treatment. Drugs should only be an adjunct following the treatment. The clinician must also differentiate between inflammation and infection in order to provide the appropriate treatment and to prescribe the appropriate medication for effective pain relief and resolution of other symptoms or signs such as swelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial Transmission Rights (FTRs) are financial derivatives in wholesale electricity markets that are sold in auctions. The revenue collected from FTR auctions is passed through to electricity customers to reimburse them for transmission congestion payments they make in the spot energy market. On average, electricity customers’ congestion payments greatly exceed auction reimbursements in electricity markets across the United States. We study the issue of auction revenue deficiency through the lens of Auction Revenue Rights (ARRs), which is the predominant mechanism used in U.S. electricity markets to distribute auction revenue to electricity customers. We demonstrate how the ARR process influences fundamental supply conditions in the FTR auction market and show how divergent auction equilibria emerge under different ARR decision-making regimes. Using market data from PJM, we find empirical evidence that variation in ARR management strategies helps explain differences between an FTR’s auction price and its realized ex post value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis is characterized by abnormal stratum corneum lipid levels. Consequently, the lamellar matrices are disrupted and skin barrier function is diminished, increasing skin sensitivity to irritants and allergens. Objectives: To determine whether a cream containing ceramides, triglycerides and cholesterol in a multivesicular emulsion can reinforce the skin barrier and protect against skin irritation. Methods: A randomized observer‐blind intrapatient‐controlled study in 34 adults with dry, eczema‐prone skin was conducted. Each participant underwent 4 weeks of treatment with the test cream on one forearm and lower leg and a reference emollient cream on the other. Skin properties were determined before and after treatment. Lipid structure was assessed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy using a novel interface. Results: Skin barrier integrity was greater at sites treated with the test cream [effect size for area under the transepidermal water loss curve −162, 95% confidence interval (CI) −206 to −118]. Skin sensitivity to sodium lauryl sulfate was reduced (−0·5 points visual redness, 97·57% CI −1·00 to −0·25), as was transepidermal water loss (−15·3 g m−2 h−1, 95% CI −20·3 to −10·4) compared with the reference. Sites treated with the test cream displayed enhanced lipid chain ordering, which was significantly associated with skin barrier integrity (r = 0·61). Compared with the reference, treatment with the test cream increased hydration (8·61 capacitance units, 95% CI 6·61–10·6) and decreased signs of dryness. Conclusions: The test cream facilitates skin barrier restoration and protects the skin from dryness and irritation. Compared with a commonly prescribed emollient in the UK, the test cream is highly suited to the management of dry, sensitive skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of ligand charge on transition energies in a series of CuN2S2 complexes based on dithiocarbazate Schiff base ligands using Cu K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Kβ valence-to-core (VtC) X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). By comparing the formally Cu(II) complexes [CuII(HL1)] (HL12− = dimethyl pentane-2,4-diylidenebis[carbonodithiohydrazonate]) and [CuII(HL2)] (HL22− = dibenzyl pentane-2,4-diylidenebis[carbonodithiohydrazonate]) and the formally Cu(III) complex [CuIII(L2)], distinct changes in transition energies are observed, primarily attributed to the metal oxidation state. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate how an increased negative charge on the deprotonated L23− ligand stabilizes the Cu(III) center through enhanced charge donation, modulating the core transition energies. Overall, significant shifts to higher energies are noted upon metal oxidation, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing ligand structure in XAS/VtC XES analysis. The data further support the redox-innocent role of the Schiff base ligands and underscore the criticality of ligand protonation levels in future spectroscopic studies, particularly for catalytic intermediates. The combined XAS-VtC XES methodology validates the Cu(III) oxidation state assignment while offering insights into ligand protonation effects on core-level spectroscopic transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a range of materials used in endodontics may cause tooth discolouration, exploration of factors responsible for the darkening of the tooth crown or root is warranted. This narrative review paper discusses the range of technical factors that apply in laboratory studies that assess endodontic discolouration. As an example of how these factors operate, particular examples relating to discolouration caused by endodontic medicaments containing tetracycline antibiotics are used. Following the PRILE 2021 guideline approach, a summary of key variables to be addressed in the methodology for laboratory studies is presented, to inform future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a range of materials used in endodontics may cause tooth discolouration, exploration of factors responsible for the darkening of the tooth crown or root is warranted. This narrative review paper discusses the range of technical factors that apply in laboratory studies that assess endodontic discolouration. As an example of how these factors operate, particular examples relating to discolouration caused by endodontic medicaments containing tetracycline antibiotics are used. Following the PRILE 2021 guideline approach, a summary of key variables to be addressed in the methodology for laboratory studies is presented, to inform future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐quality systematic reviews in the field of Dentistry provide the most definitive overarching evidence for clinicians, guideline developers and healthcare policy makers to judge the foreseeable risks, anticipated benefits, and potential harms of dental treatment. In the process of carrying out a systematic review, it is essential that authors appraise the methodological quality of the primary studies they include, because studies which follow poor methodology will have a potentially serious negative impact on the overall strength of the evidence and the recommendations that can be drawn. In Endodontology, systematic reviews of laboratory studies have used quality assessment criteria developed subjectively by the individual authors as there are no comprehensive, well‐structured, and universally accepted criteria that can be applied objectively and universally to individual studies included in reviews. Unfortunately, these subjective criteria are likely to be inaccurately defined, unreliably applied, inadequately analysed, unreasonably biased, defective, and non‐repeatable. The aim of the present paper is to outline the process to be followed in the development of comprehensive methodological quality assessment criteria to be used when evaluating laboratory studies, that is research not conducted in vivo on humans or animals, included in systematic reviews within Endodontology. The development of new methodological quality assessment criteria for appraising the laboratory‐based studies included in systematic reviews within Endodontology will follow a three‐stage process. First, a steering committee will be formed by the project leaders to develop a preliminary list of assessment criteria by modifying and adapting those already available, but with the addition of several new items relevant for Endodontology. The initial draft assessment criteria will be reviewed and refined by a Delphi Group (n = 40) for their relevance and inclusion using a nine‐point Likert scale. Second, the agreed items will then be discussed in an online or face‐to‐face meeting by a group of experts (n = 10) to further refine the assessment criteria. Third, based on the feedback received from the online/face‐to‐face meeting, the steering committee will revise the quality assessment criteria and subsequently a group of authors will be selected to pilot the new system. Based on the feedback collected, the criteria may be revised further before being approved by the steering committee. The assessment criteria will be published in relevant journals, presented at national and international congresses/meetings, and will be freely available on a dedicated website. The steering committee will update the assessment criteria periodically based on feedback received from end‐users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neltner, TJ, Anders, JPV, Keller, JL, Smith, RW, Housh, TJ, Schmidt, RJ, and Johnson, GO. Velocity-specific coactivation and neuromuscular responses to fatiguing, reciprocal, isokinetic, forearm flexion, and extension muscle actions. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 649-660, 2022-The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of fatiguing, reciprocal, maximal, isokinetic, forearm flexion, and extension on coactivation. Ten recreationally trained women (mean +/- SD : age = 21 +/- 1.63 years) performed 50 maximal, reciprocal, isokinetic, forearm flexion, and extension muscle actions at 60 and 180[degrees][middle dot]s-1 on separate days. Electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) signals from the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) were recorded. A 2 (time) x 2 (velocity) x 2 (movement) and 4 separate 2 (time) x 2 (velocity) x 2 (muscle) x 2 (movement) repeated-measures analysis of variances were used to examine normalized torque and normalized EMG and MMG amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency, respectively, with an alpha of p < 0.05. There were no significant interactions for torque but a main effect for time (p < 0.001, d = 3.29) such that it decreased. There was a significant four-way interaction for EMG AMP (p = 0.004, = 0.61) which revealed parallel responses between the BB and TB during both movements, with no changes at 60[degrees][middle dot]s-1 and increases at 180[degrees][middle dot]s-1. The current findings suggested a common drive between agonist and antagonist muscles during fatiguing forearm flexion and extension muscle actions, with velocity-specific activation strategies. In addition, both EMG and MMG are viable techniques for assessing coactivation during fatiguing exercise. Equation (Uncited) Opens a popup window Opens a popup window Opens a popup window [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nevertheless, we share the authors' caution over corneometer measurements, and included visual skin dryness scoring in this study and have included additional measures of skin water content in our second study [[4]]. The authors offer evidence of the inferiority of the test products compared with another glycerol-containing but non-skin lipid/ceramide-containing product in the form of a single figure in a review article. The authors suggest that "The skin capacitance measures give the expected hydration improvements... due to the presence of glycerol in the products based upon its dielectric constant". [Extracted from the article]

Clinical work with offenders with histories of sexual violence is an important aspect of forensic practice. A key feature of this is the clinical interview, which allows individual and offence-related issues to be explored. Research suggests that some sexual offences contain sexual motivations and may therefore be related to deviant sexual fantasies. This case study reports on the assessment and formulation of a patient detained in a regional secure unit. Although he had no previous sexual convictions, he had a history of being sexually violent towards others. During clinical interviews the patient disclosed having deviant sexual fantasies for several years relating to the rape and strangulation of women. These fantasies fuelled his daily masturbatory behaviour and he reported several attempts to enact them before his detention in hospital. Once in hospital the object of his sexual desires became a female nurse, whom he wanted to rape and strangle, the idea of which again fuelled his daily masturbatory behaviour. These disclosures necessitated preventative measures being taken by his clinical team and re-enforced the importance of giving due consideration to violent sexual fantasies and the importance of evidence-based risk formulations that inform the care and management of forensic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]