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Halide perovskites are promising semiconductors for inexpensive, high-performance optoelectronics. Despite a remarkable defect tolerance compared to conventional semiconductors, perovskite thin films still show substantial microscale heterogeneity in key properties such as luminescence efficiency and device performance. However, the origin of the variations remains a topic of debate, and a precise understanding is critical to the rational design of defect management strategies. Through a multi-scale investigation-combining correlative synchrotron scanning X-ray diffraction and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements on the same scan area-we reveal that lattice strain is directly associated with enhanced defect concentrations and non-radiative recombination. The strain patterns have a complex heterogeneity across multiple length scales. We propose that strain arises during the film growth and crystallization and provides a driving force for defect formation. Our work sheds new light on the presence and influence of structural defects in halide perovskites, revealing new pathways to manage defects and eliminate losses.

Beta-alanine supplementation has been found to increase intramuscular carnosine, strength, power, volume per training session and a host of other indices of aerobic and anaerobic capacity. However, there is a need to synthesize this research so that the athlete and strength coach alike can optimally benefit from beta-alanine supplementation. The purpose of this review is to provide an analysis of studies conducted on beta-alanine. The review will cover the optimal dosage of beta-alanine; its use in resistance training, intermittent, and endurance-based exercises; and when combined with creatine in trained and untrained individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TAPERING IS A TECHNIQUE OF SYSTEMATICALLY DECREASING TRAINING LOAD TO FACILITATE A PHYSIOLOGIC FITNESS PEAK. THE TAPER IS A COMPLEX TECHNIQUE BECAUSE LOAD CAN BE REDUCED THROUGH THE MANIPULATION OF NUMEROUS VARIABLES, SUCH AS TRAINING INTENSITY, VOLUME, DURATION, AND FREQUENCY. AN EXTENSIVE BODY OF RESEARCH HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO ANALYZING THE OPTIMAL COMBINATION OF THESE VARIABLES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE WAS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, AS IT PERTAINS TO THE TAPER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe clinical outcomes of a paediatric population with histologically confirmed lymphocytic myocarditis.Design: A retrospective review between November 1984 and February 1998.Setting: A major paediatric tertiary care hospital.Patients: 36 patients with histologically confirmed lymphocytic myocarditis.Main Outcome Measures: Survival, cardiac transplantation, recovery of ventricular function, and persistence of dysrhythmias.Results: Freedom from death or cardiac transplantation was 86% at one month and 79% after two years. Five deaths occurred within 72 hours of admission, and one late death at 1.9 years. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was used in four patients, and three patients underwent heart replacement. 34 patients were treated with intravenous corticosteroids. In the survivor/non-cardiac transplantation group (n = 29), the median follow up was 19 months (range 1.2-131.6 months), and the median period for recovery of a left ventricular ejection fraction to > 55% was 2.8 months (range 0-28 months). The mean (SD) final left ventricular ejection and shortening fractions were 66 (9)% and 34 (8)%, respectively. Two patients had residual ventricular dysfunction. No patient required antiarrhythmic treatment. All survivors reported no cardiac symptoms or restrictions in physical activity.Conclusions: Our experience documents good outcomes in paediatric patients presenting with acute heart failure secondary to acute lymphocytic myocarditis treated with immunosuppression. Excellent survival and recovery of ventricular function, with the absence of significant arrhythmias, continued cardiac medications, or restrictions in physical activity were the normal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation compared the relationship of isokinetic and isoinertial tests of muscular function to dynamic upper body performances. The electromyographic activity of each of the tests of muscular function, as recorded by surface electrodes, were examined to determine whether neural differences underlie the ability of the test to relate to performance. Twenty four subjects performed isokinetic and isoinertial tests of muscular function in a bench press movement. The isokinetic tests were performed at velocities of 60, 90 and 120 deg/s while the isoinertial tests were performed at loads of 30%, 60% and 130% of the one repetition maximum. Subjects also performed the following tests of dynamic performance: a maximum one repetition bench press (1 RM), a seated shotput throw and two drop bench press throws from a height of 0.25 m at various loads. Forces/torques, displacement and electromyographic data were recorded from the isoinertial and isokinetic tests. Both the isoinertial and isokinetic parameters were related to the various measures of upper body performance (r=(0.33-0.94), however, neither was superior at predicting performance. Further, the relationship between the tests of muscular function were consistently high (r=0.75-0.88). This was the case, even though the magnitude of the EMG signals were significantly higher in the isoinertial, as compared to the isokinetic tests. It is postulated that structural considerations, such as a specific testing position, rather than neural factors, underlie the observed results. These results support previous research which has reported the existence of a generality of strength across dynamic testing modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous in vitro studies have described sub-linear longitudinal and heightened transverse H 2 O relaxivities of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in blood due to their extracellular nature. However, in vivo validation is lacking., Purpose: Validate theory describing blood behavior of R 1 and R 2 * in an animal model., Study Type: Prospective, animal., Animal Model: Seven swine (54-65 kg)., Field Strength/sequence: 1.5 T; time-resolved 3D spoiled gradient-recalled echo (SPGR) and quantitative Look-Locker and multi-echo fast field echo sequences., Assessment: Seven swine were each injected three times with 0.1 mmol/kg intravenous doses of one of three GBCAs: gadoteridol, gadobutrol, and gadobenate dimeglumine. Injections were randomized for rate (1, 2, and 3 mL/s) and order, during which time-resolved aortic 3D SPGR imaging was performed concurrently with aortic blood sampling via an indwelling catheter. Time-varying [GBCA] was measured by mass spectrometry of sampled blood. Predicted signal intensity (SI) was determined from a model incorporating sub-linear R 1 and R 2 * effects (whole-blood model) and simpler models incorporating linear R 1 , with and without R 2 * effects. Predicted SIs were compared to measured aortic SI., Statistical Tests: Linear correlation (coefficient of determination, R 2 ) and mean errors were compared across the SI prediction models., Results: There was an excellent correlation between predicted and measured SI across all injections and swine when accounting for the non-linear dependence of R 1 and high blood R 2 * (regression slopes 0.91-1.04, R 2  ≥ 0.91). Simplified models (linear R 1 with and without R 2 * effects) showed poorer correlation (slopes 0.67-0.85 and 0.54-0.64 respectively, both R 2  ≥ 0.89) and higher averaged mean absolute and mean square errors (128.4 and 177.4 vs. 42.0, respectively, and 5506 and 11,419 vs. 699, respectively)., Data Conclusion: Incorporating sub-linear R 1 and high first-pass R 2 * effects in arterial blood models allows accurate SPGR SI prediction in an in vivo animal model, and might be utilized when modeling MR blood SI., Level of Evidence: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1., (© 2023 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Common organisms associated with community-acquired pneumonia include Streptococcus pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , and Staphylococcus aureus . Pneumonia can rarely be caused by an organism such as Streptococcus cristatus , as in our case. This organism belongs to the Mitis group within the Streptococcus genus and typically coexists with humans in the oral cavity. We present a case of Streptococcus cristatus bacteremia and community acquired pneumonia in a previously healthy 40-year-old male, for whom infective endocarditis has been ruled out, and who was successfully treated with ceftriaxone. While most reported cases of Streptococcus cristatus involve infective endocarditis, our case is the first identified instance of community acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus cristatus . This case highlights that pneumonia with Streptococcus cristatus , typically considered a commensal in the oral mucosa microbiota of humans, is possible, as seen in our case. Unlike previous cases in the literature, our patient did not have infective endocarditis, which is the common presentation of this bacterium. Instead, he solely presented with pneumonia, marking the first reported case in the literature of Streptococcus cristatus causing pneumonia., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

ACKR3 scavenges and degrades the stem cell recruiting chemokine CXCL12, which is essential for proper embryonic and, in particular, haematopoietic development. Here, we demonstrate strong expression of ACKR3 on trophoblasts. Using a maternally administered pharmacological blocker and Cre-mediated genetic approaches, we demonstrate that trophoblast ACKR3 is essential for preventing movement of CXCL12 from the mother to the embryo, with elevated plasma CXCL12 levels being detected in embryos from ACKR3-blocker-treated mothers. Mice born to mothers treated with the blocker are lighter and shorter than those born to vehicle-treated mothers and, in addition, display profound anaemia associated with a markedly reduced bone marrow haematopoietic stem cell population. Importantly, although the haematopoietic abnormalities are corrected as mice age, our studies reveal a postnatal window during which offspring of ACKR3-blocker-treated mice are unable to mount effective inflammatory responses to inflammatory/infectious stimuli. Overall, these data demonstrate that ACKR3 is essential for preventing CXCL12 transfer from mother to embryo and for ensuring properly regulated CXCL12 control over the development of the haematopoietic system., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2024. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), poses a significant global health threat as these bacteria increasingly become resistant to the most available therapeutic options. Thus, developing an efficient approach to rapidly screen MRSA directly from clinical specimens has become vital. In this study, we establish a closed-tube loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method incorporating hydroxy-naphthol blue (HNB) colorimetric dye assay to directly detect MRSA from clinical samples based on the presence of mecA and spa genes. In total, 125 preidentified S. aureus isolates and 93 clinical samples containing S. aureus were sourced from the microbiology laboratory at Hamad General Hospital (HGH). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were computed based on conventional PCR. The assay demonstrated 100% specificity, 91.23% sensitivity, 0.90 Cohen Kappa (CK), 100% PPV, and 87.8% NPV for the clinical samples, while clinical isolates exhibited 100% specificity, 97% sensitivity, 0.926 CK, 100% PPV, and 88.89% NPV. Compared to cefoxitin disk diffusion, LAMP provided 100% specificity and sensitivity, 1.00 CK, and 100% for PPV and NPV. The study revealed that the closed-tube LAMP incorporating (HNB) dye is a rapid technique with a turnaround time of less than 1 h and high specificity and sensitivity.

Background and Purpose: To assess the feasibility of 3-dimensional stereotactic surface projection (3D-SSP) as applied to arterial spin labeling (ASL) in a clinical pilot study., Methods: A retrospective sample of 10 consecutive patients who underwent ASL as part of a clinically indicated MR examination was collected during this pilot study. Five additional subjects with normal cerebral perfusion served as a control group. Following voxel-wise M0-correction, cerebral blood flow (CBF) quantification, and stereotactic anatomic standardization, voxel-wise CBF from an individual's ASL dataset was extracted to a set of predefined surface pixels (3D-SSP). A normal database was created from averaging the extracted CBF datasets of the control group. Patients' datasets were compared individually with the normal database by calculating a Z-score on a pixel-by-pixel basis and were displayed in 3D-SSP views for visual inspection. Independent, two-expert reader assessment, using a 3-point scale, compared standard quantitative CBF images to the 3D-SSP maps., Results: Patterns and severities of regionally reduced CBF were identified, by both independent readers, in the 3D-SSP maps. Reader assessment demonstrated preference for 3D-SSP over traditionally displayed standard quantitative CBF images in three of four evaluated imaging metrics (p = .026, .031, and .013, respectively); 3D-SSP maps were never found to be inferior to the standard quantitative CBF images., Conclusions: Three-dimensional SSP maps are feasible in a clinical population and enable quantitative data extraction and localization of perfusion abnormalities by means of stereotactic coordinates in a condensed display. The proposed method is a promising approach for interpreting cerebrovascular pathophysiology., (© 2023 American Society of Neuroimaging.)

COVID-19 presents a unique and significant challenge to healthcare systems across the globe. Dental workforce redeployment, in England, during the response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), is the first reported national effort to redeploy a professional body into new clinical environments. The policy decision to facilitate redeployment of the dental workforce, in March 2020, by the Office of the Chief Dental Officer (OCDO), increased flexibility within workforce systems and allowed increasing demand on healthcare services to be managed safely and effectively. This paper outlines how this policy change was achieved via a multi-professional approach, mapping competencies of the dental workforce to high-priority areas of healthcare need. The dental workforce has a varied and often specialised skill set, offering expertise in infection prevention and control, airway management and often, behaviour management. These skills can be an important contribution to tackling a pandemic where expertise in these areas is vital. This increase in workforce supply allows healthcare systems to improve their surge response capabilities. Additionally, redeployment presents an opportunity to create greater and sustained collaboration between the medical and dental professions, leading to greater understanding of the contribution of oral health to wider medical wellbeing., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: HIV subtypes B and C together account for around 60% of HIV-1 cases worldwide. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a subtype B DNA vaccine prime followed by a subtype C viral vector boost., Methods: Fourteen healthy adults received DNA plasmid encoding HIV-1 subtype B nef/tat/vif and env (n = 11) or placebo (n = 3) intramuscularly (IM) via electroporation (EP) at 0, 1, and 3 months, followed by IM injection of recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus encoding subtype C Env or placebo at 6 and 9 months. Participants were assessed for safety, tolerability of EP, and Env-specific T-cell and antibody responses., Results: EP was generally well tolerated, although some device-related adverse events did occur, and vaccine reactogenicity was mild to moderate. The vaccine stimulated Env-specific CD4 + T-cell responses in greater than 80% of recipients, and CD8 + T-cell responses in 30%. Subtype C Env-specific IgG binding antibodies (bAb) were elicited in all vaccine recipients, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses to vaccine-matched subtype C targets in 80%. Negligible V1/V2 and neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses were detected., Conclusions: This prime/boost regimen was safe and tolerable, with some device-related events, and immunogenic. Although immunogenicity missed targets for an HIV vaccine, the DNA/rVSV platform may be useful for other applications., Clinicaltrials: gov: NCT02654080., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The following authors declare no conflicts of interest: MT, MDM, JE, DCM, JMJ, ME, DKC, GJW, GDT, GF, SK, ER, ME, TL, RX, SL. MA and MP are employed by NIAID but had no role in the funding decisions or grant oversight. DH is a full-time employee of Ichor Medical Systems, Inc. and receives a salary and equity for this work. SCDR reports funding from NIH, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the work. IF gets research support from Moderna, Janssen, Pfizer and Sanofi, and is a consultant for Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We introduce a new 1 H 2 O magnetic resonance approach: metabolic activity diffusion imaging (MADI). Numerical diffusion-weighted imaging decay simulations characterized by the mean cellular water efflux (unidirectional) rate constant (k io ), mean cell volume (V), and cell number density (ρ) are produced from Monte Carlo random walks in virtual stochastically sized/shaped cell ensembles. Because of active steady-state trans-membrane water cycling (AWC), k io reflects the cytolemmal Na + , K + ATPase (NKA) homeostatic cellular metabolic rate ( c MR NKA ). A digital 3D "library" contains thousands of simulated single diffusion-encoded (SDE) decays. Library entries match well with disparate, animal, and human experimental SDE decays. The V and ρ values are consistent with estimates from pertinent in vitro cytometric and ex vivo histopathological literature: in vivo V and ρ values were previously unavailable. The library allows noniterative pixel-by-pixel experimental SDE decay library matchings that can be used to advantage. They yield proof-of-concept MADI parametric mappings of the awake, resting human brain. These reflect the tissue morphology seen in conventional MRI. While V is larger in gray matter (GM) than in white matter (WM), the reverse is true for ρ. Many brain structures have k io values too large for current, invasive methods. For example, the median WM k io is 22s -1 ; likely reflecting mostly exchange within myelin. The k io •V product map displays brain tissue c MR NKA variation. The GM activity correlates, quantitatively and qualitatively, with the analogous resting-state brain 18 FDG-PET tissue glucose consumption rate ( t MR glucose ) map; but noninvasively, with higher spatial resolution, and no pharmacokinetic requirement. The cortex, thalamus, putamen, and caudate exhibit elevated metabolic activity. MADI accuracy and precision are assessed. The results are contextualized with literature overall homeostatic brain glucose consumption and ATP production/consumption measures. The MADI/PET results suggest different GM and WM metabolic pathways. Preliminary human prostate results are also presented., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Evidence mounts that the steady-state cellular water efflux (unidirectional) first-order rate constant (k io [s -1 ]) magnitude reflects the ongoing, cellular metabolic rate of the cytolemmal Na + , K + -ATPase (NKA), c MR NKA (pmol [ATP consumed by NKA]/s/cell), perhaps biology's most vital enzyme. Optimal 1 H 2 O MR k io determinations require paramagnetic contrast agents (CAs) in model systems. However, results suggest that the homeostatic metabolic k io biomarker magnitude in vivo is often too large to be reached with allowable or possible CA living tissue distributions. Thus, we seek a noninvasive (CA-free) method to determine k io in vivo. Because membrane water permeability has long been considered important in tissue water diffusion, we turn to the well-known diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) modality. To analyze the diffusion tensor magnitude, we use a parsimoniously primitive model featuring Monte Carlo simulations of water diffusion in virtual ensembles comprising water-filled and -immersed randomly sized/shaped contracted Voronoi cells. We find this requires two additional, cytometric properties: the mean cell volume (V [pL]) and the cell number density (ρ [cells/μL]), important biomarkers in their own right. We call this approach metabolic activity diffusion imaging (MADI). We simulate water molecule displacements and transverse MR signal decays covering the entirety of b-space from pure water (ρ = V = 0; k io undefined; diffusion coefficient, D 0 ) to zero diffusion. The MADI model confirms that, in compartmented spaces with semipermeable boundaries, diffusion cannot be described as Gaussian: the nanoscopic D (D n ) is diffusion time-dependent, a manifestation of the "diffusion dispersion". When the "well-mixed" (steady-state) condition is reached, diffusion becomes limited, mainly by the probabilities of (1) encountering (ρ, V), and (2) permeating (k io ) cytoplasmic membranes, and less so by D n magnitudes. Importantly, for spaces with large area/volume (A/V; claustrophobia) ratios, this can happen in less than a millisecond. The model matches literature experimental data well, with implications for DWI interpretations., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Trial evidence to improve cardiovascular outcomes is limited by inconsistent reporting of outcomes, which may also lack patient-relevance. This study aimed to assess the range and consistency of cardiovascular outcomes reported by contemporary trials in kidney transplant recipients., Methods: A systematic review of all randomized controlled trials involving adult kidney transplant recipients that reported at least 1 cardiovascular outcome from January 2012 to December 2019 was performed, including Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov electronic databases. Trial characteristics were extracted and all levels of specification of the cardiovascular outcome measures reported were analyzed (the measure definition, metric' and method of aggregation). Measures assessing a similar aspect of cardiovascular disease were categorized into outcomes., Results: From 93 eligible trials involving 27 609 participants, 490 outcome measures were identified. The outcome measures were grouped into 38 outcomes. A cardiovascular composite was the most common outcome reported (40 trials, 43%) followed by cardiovascular mortality (42%) and acute coronary syndrome (31%). Cardiovascular composite was also the most heterogeneous outcome with 77 measures reported followed by cardiovascular mortality (n = 58) and inflammatory biomarkers (n = 51). The most common cardiovascular composite outcome components reported were major cardiovascular events (18 trials), stroke unspecified (11 trials), and myocardial infarction unspecified (10 trials)., Conclusions: There is substantial heterogeneity in cardiovascular outcome reporting in kidney transplant trials., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Transplantation Direct. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Neonatal circumcision (NNC) is the most frequently performed surgical procedure worldwide and is generally considered safe in Western societies. Deaths attributed to NNC are seldom reported and are mostly explained by lack of adherence to medical standards. We reviewed our emergency department database for circumcision-related emergency admissions. During 2000-2013, 19 previously healthy neonates were admitted for acute complications after circumcision. Four were admitted for bleeding, with hemophilia identified in two cases and von Willebrand disease in one. Eight boys required emergency surgery, three for severe bleeding. Four boys with amputation of the glans underwent immediate surgical reconstruction. One infant was taken to the operating room to remove an obstructing Plastibell ring. Seven boys were admitted to the intensive care unit with severe bleeding or sepsis, three of whom ultimately progressed to hemorrhagic or septic shock. Two of these children died of their complications. We estimate that the annual incidence of severe complications requiring hospitalization after NNC in the Greater Toronto Area was approximately 0.01%, and the incidence of fatalities over the 14-yr review period was approximately 0.0012%. Our results indicate that the risk of serious complications and death as a result of NNC is greater than generally assumed., (Copyright © 2021 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Inflammatory chemokines and their receptors are central to the development of inflammatory/immune pathologies. The apparent complexity of this system, coupled with lack of appropriate in vivo models, has limited our understanding of how chemokines orchestrate inflammatory responses and has hampered attempts at targeting this system in inflammatory disease. Novel approaches are therefore needed to provide crucial biological, and therapeutic, insights into the chemokine-chemokine receptor family. Here, we report the generation of transgenic multi-chemokine receptor reporter mice in which spectrally distinct fluorescent reporters mark expression of CCRs 1, 2, 3, and 5, key receptors for myeloid cell recruitment in inflammation. Analysis of these animals has allowed us to define, for the first time, individual and combinatorial receptor expression patterns on myeloid cells in resting and inflamed conditions. Our results demonstrate that chemokine receptor expression is highly specific, and more selective than previously anticipated., Competing Interests: LM, RB, GW, DD, FV, CH, FS, SL, MP, AH, JF, AS, GG No competing interests declared, (© 2022, Medina-Ruiz et al.)

Background: Contrast bolus variation during contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) acquisition may lead to vessel blurring., Purpose: To combine knowledge of how contrast signal intensity (SI) evolves for different injection strategies with anatomically familiar parametric computer models to measure and visually assess the effects of a wide range of variables on modeled CE-MRA, and in doing so develop contrast rate injection guidelines., Study Type: Computer modeling., Phantom: Digital three-dimensional phantom consisting of orthogonal "aorta," 7 mm diameter "renal arteries" (with 57% and 86% diameter stenoses), and 7 mm diameter "superior mesenteric artery" (with 57% diameter stenosis)., Field Strength/sequence: One millimeter in-plane resolution arterial CE-MRA imaging at 3 T., Assessment: "Background" (time invariant) and "vascular" (time varying) components of the phantom were each Fourier transformed into the spatial frequency domain, the latter modulated by the SI evolution of a contrast bolus of varying "plateau" lengths and "tail" heights. Data are presented as surface plots of stenosis measurement error and blurring vs. a reference-standard injection., Statistical Tests: Descriptive., Results: Shorter plateau lengths and lower tail heights resulted in increased measured stenosis error and blurring vs. the reference standard. Under a 44-second acquisition, full width half maximum stenosis error of the 86% stenosis with 25% plateau length and 25% tail height is 24% as compared to that from the reference standard. As plateau length and tail height approach 100%, stenosis error and blurring approach a floor defined by the MR acquisition's limitations., Data Conclusion: We propose that to achieve minimal degradation with CE-MRA, one can create a contrast bolus with either 60% plateau and 50% tail height or 80% plateau with any tail. These considerations may well prove to be of practical importance, possibly via manipulating the tail by means of multiphasic contrast injections., Level of Evidence: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1., (© 2021 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms., Aim: to estimate the prevalence of ESBL-UTI in adults and to identify potential risk factors that may predispose to ESBL-UTI., Methods: A retrospective study involving adult patients with UTI caused by ESBL-producing organisms was undertaken. Patients with UTI caused by non-ESBL-producing organisms represented the control group., Results: In total, 1100 UTI isolates were included in the study, 277 of which were ESBL positive. The prevalence rate was 25.2%. The mean age of patients was 55.87 years. On univariate analysis, prior history of UTI or ESBL-UTI, invasive urological procedure within preceding 3 months, hospital admission within preceding 3 months, and exposure to antibiotics were found to be significant risk factors for ESBL-UTI. On multi-variate analysis, use of cephalosporins [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.61, P =0.048], previous ESBL-UTI (adjusted OR 2.67, P <0.001), and invasive urological procedure in the preceding year (adjusted OR 1.61, P =0.022) were found to be independent risk factors for ESBL-UTI., Conclusions: In Qatar, the prevalence of ESBL-UTI in adults is modest. Recent exposure to antibiotics, previous ESBL-UTI and invasive urological procedures were found to be independent risk factors for ESBL-UTI., Competing Interests: None declared., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Climate change is the defining crisis of our time and experts fear it is happening faster than first predicted. In November 2021, the UK hosted COP26 where world leaders met to coordinate actions and renew commitments to tackle the problem head on. Whether COP26 galvanised the international community enough to turn a corner remains to be seen; however, as dental professionals, we face significant considerations regarding our opportunities to effect positive change. The aim of this paper is to provide a short account of the impact of dentistry on the environment, as well as to highlight some challenges and the potential for change available to the dental profession to become more sustainability-conscious. In dentistry, the main sources of carbon emissions are travel, procurement and energy use. Prevention of oral and dental disease is the single most important factor in reducing the environmental impact of dentistry long-term. It is essential that clinicians, manufacturers and relevant stakeholders are united in dealing with the environmental crisis to bring about effective change. Clinicians and patients should be encouraged to consciously think about their impact on the environment and to consider what adjustments they can make to their clinical practice and oral health habits., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.)

The immune system plays fundamental roles in the mammary gland, shaping developmental processes and controlling inflammation during infection and cancer.Here, we reveal unanticipated heterogeneity in the myeloid cell compartment duringdevelopment of virgin, pregnant, lactating and involuting mouse mammary glands,and in milk. We investigate the functional consequences of individual and compoundchemokine receptor deficiency on cell recruitment. Diverse myeloid cell recruitmentwas also shown in models of sterile inflammation and bacterial infection.Strikingly, we have shown that inflammation and infection can alter the abundanceof terminal end buds, a key developmental structure, within the pubertal mammarygland. This previously unknown effect of inflammatory burden during puberty couldhave important implications for understanding pubertal development., (© 2021 The Authors. Immunology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to increase the proportion of youth living with HIV (YLWH) aged ≥11 years who undergo developmentally appropriate disclosure about their HIV status., Methods: A quality improvement project was initiated at an urban pediatric HIV clinic between July 2018 and March 2020. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of YLWH aged ≥11 years who were disclosed to about their HIV status. The proportion of undisclosed YLWH who had documented nondisclosure status was also assessed as a process measure. Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles for change included monthly clinic staff check-ins to discuss new disclosures, quarterly team meetings to discuss strategies to improve disclosure, and modifying a clinic note template to prompt providers to document disclosure status. Annotated run charts were used to analyze the data., Results: Before the first PDSA cycle, 26/46 (57%) of the target population of YLWH aged ≥11 years had their HIV status disclosed to them, and none of the undisclosed youth had disclosure status documented in their medical record. After 20 months and six PDSA cycles, the proportion of YLWH aged ≥11 years disclosed to about their HIV status increased to 80% and the proportion of undisclosed YLWH with documentation of their disclosure status increased to 100%., Conclusions: Several interventions integrated throughout the pediatric HIV care process were associated with an increase in the proportion of YLWH with developmentally appropriate HIV disclosure and documentation of disclosure status, an important psychosocial aspect of care in these individuals., (Copyright © 2020 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Intracellular protein homeostasis is maintained by a network of chaperones that function to fold proteins into their native conformation. The eukaryotic TRiC chaperonin (TCP1-ring complex, also called CCT for cytosolic chaperonin containing TCP1) facilitates folding of a subset of proteins with folding constraints such as complex topologies. To better understand the mechanism of TRiC folding, we investigated the biogenesis of an obligate TRiC substrate, the reovirus σ3 capsid protein. We discovered that the σ3 protein interacts with a network of chaperones, including TRiC and prefoldin. Using a combination of cryoelectron microscopy, cross-linking mass spectrometry, and biochemical approaches, we establish functions for TRiC and prefoldin in folding σ3 and promoting its assembly into higher-order oligomers. These studies illuminate the molecular dynamics of σ3 folding and establish a biological function for TRiC in virus assembly. In addition, our findings provide structural and functional insight into the mechanism by which TRiC and prefoldin participate in the assembly of protein complexes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

The aim of the current study is to review the molecular characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) in Hamad Medical Corporation, which is the provider of secondary and tertiary care in the state of Qatar. A total of 39 isolates of N. meningitidis from the period of 2013 to 2018 were revived and identified by Vitek, and susceptibility on the basis of the E test was retrieved from the patient's files. The revived isolates were subjected to multilocus sequence typing. The most common serogroup (19) of N. meningitidis was W135, of which 12 were isolated from blood and CSF. ST-11 was the most predominant ST clonal complex causing N. meningitidis cases (61.53%). Clonal complex ST-41/44 was the second most observed complex (3, 2 of which were related to serogroup B). The most frequent sequence type was 9596 (8 isolates). Determining the molecular pattern of N. meningitidis in Qatar is helpful for understanding the strains circulating in Qatar, and the study of the resistance trend of such strains may be very helpful for empirical treatment of future patients.

Transition metal complexes offer cost-effective alternatives as hole-transport materials (HTMs) in perovskite solar cells. However, the devices suffer from low performance. We boost the power conversion efficiency of devices with transition metal complex HTMs from 2% to above 10% through energy level tuning. We further demonstrate the excellent photostability of the device based on the additive-free HTM.

Background: In this large-scale cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) we sought to assess the effectiveness of facemasks against viral respiratory infections., Methods and Results: Over three consecutive Hajj seasons (2013, 2014, 2015) pilgrims' tents in Makkah were allocated to 'facemask' or 'no facemask' group. Fifty facemasks were offered to participants in intervention tents, to be worn over four days, and none were offered to participants in control tents. All participants recorded facemask use and respiratory symptoms in health diaries. Nasal swabs were collected from the symptomatic for virus detection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical symptoms and laboratory results were analyzed by 'intention- to-treat' and 'per-protocol'. A total of 7687 adult participants from 318 tents were randomized: 3864 from 149 tents to the intervention group, and 3823 from 169 tents to the control group. Participants were aged 18 to 95 (median 34, mean 37) years, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Overall, respiratory viruses were detected in 277 of 650 (43%) nasal/pharyngeal swabs collected from symptomatic pilgrims. Common viruses were rhinovirus (35.1%), influenza (4.5%) and parainfluenza (1.7%). In the intervention arm, respectively 954 (24.7%) and 1842 (47.7%) participants used facemasks daily and intermittently, while in the control arm, respectively 546 (14.3%) and 1334 (34.9%) used facemasks daily and intermittently. By intention-to-treat analysis, facemask use did not seem to be effective against laboratory-confirmed viral respiratory infections (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9 to 2.1, p = 0.18) nor against clinical respiratory infection (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.9 to 1.4, p = 0.40). Similarly, in a per-protocol analysis, facemask use did not seem to be effective against laboratory-confirmed viral respiratory infections (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.9-1.7, p = 0.26) nor against clinical respiratory infection (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.8, p = 0.06)., Conclusion: This trial was unable to provide conclusive evidence on facemask efficacy against viral respiratory infections most likely due to poor adherence to protocol., Competing Interests: Professor Robert Booy has received funding from Baxter, CSL, GSK, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Romark and Sanofi Pasteur for conducting research other than this, travel to conferences or consultancy work; all funding received is directed to research accounts at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Dr Harunor Rashid has received fees from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur and Novartis for consulting or serving on an advisory board. The other authors have no competing interests to declare.

Defects at discontinuities of the perovskite lattice limit the performance of the perovskite solar cell (PSC). Lead iodide (PbI 2 ) and pyridine have been shown to passivate these defects. We treat methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3 ) films with pyridine solutions to investigate the effects of the two passivators. By comparing confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM) images at 405 nm excitation and then at 559 nm excitation we demonstrate the pyridine treatment passivates and forms PbI 2 crystallites which cause additional passivation., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)