Using SCENTinel® to predict SARS-CoV-2 infection: insights from a community sample during dominance of Delta and Omicron variants.

Introduction: Based on a large body of previous research suggesting that smell loss was a predictor of COVID-19, we investigated the ability of SCENTinel®, a newly validated rapid olfactory test that assesses odor detection, intensity, and identification, to predict SARS-CoV-2 infection in a community sample. Methods: Between April 5, 2021, and July 5, 2022, 1,979 individuals took one SCENTinel® test, completed at least one physician-ordered SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, and endorsed a list of self-reported symptoms. Results: Among the of SCENTinel® subtests, the self-rated odor intensity score, especially when dichotomized using a previously established threshold, was the strongest predictor of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SCENTinel® had high specificity and negative predictive value, indicating that those who passed SCENTinel® likely did not have a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Predictability of the SCENTinel® performance was stronger when the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was dominant rather than when the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was dominant. Additionally, SCENTinel® predicted SARS-CoV-2 positivity better than using a self-reported symptom checklist alone. Discussion: These results indicate that SCENTinel® is a rapid assessment tool that can be used for population-level screening to monitor abrupt changes in olfactory function, and to evaluate spread of viral infections like SARS-CoV-2 that often have smell loss as a symptom.

Phase II trial of domatinostat (4SC-202) in combination with avelumab in patients with previously treated advanced mismatch repair proficient oesophagogastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma: EMERGE.

BACKGROUND: Most oesophagogastric adenocarcinomas (OGAs) and colorectal cancers (CRCs) are mismatch repair proficient (MMRp), responding poorly to immune checkpoint inhibition. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of domatinostat (histone deacetylase inhibitor) plus avelumab (anti-PD-L1 antibody) in patients with previously treated inoperable, advanced/metastatic MMRp OGA and CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients were evaluated in a multicentre, open-label dose escalation/dose expansion phase II trial. In the escalation phase, patients received escalating doses of domatinostat [100 mg once daily (OD), 200 mg OD, 200 mg twice daily (BD)] orally for 14 days followed by continuous dosing plus avelumab 10 mg/kg administered intravenously 2-weekly (2qw) to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). The trial expansion phase evaluated the best objective response rate (ORR) during 6 months by RECIST version 1.1 using a Simon two-stage optimal design with 2/9 and 1/10 responses required to proceed to stage 2 in the OGA and CRC cohorts, respectively. RESULTS: Patients (n = 40) were registered between February 2019 and October 2021. Patients in the dose escalation phase (n = 12) were evaluated to confirm the RP2D of domatinostat 200 mg BD plus avelumab 10 mg/kg. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Twenty-one patients were treated at the RP2D, 19 (9 OGA and 10 CRC) were assessable for the best ORR; 2 patients with CRC did not receive combination treatment and were not assessable for the primary endpoint analysis. Six patients were evaluated in the dose escalation and expansion phases. In the OGA cohort, the best ORR was 22.2% (95% one-sided confidence interval lower bound 4.1) and the median duration of disease control was 11.3 months (range 9.9-12.7 months). No responses were observed in the CRC cohort. No treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events were reported at the RP2D. CONCLUSIONS: Responses in the OGA cohort met the criteria to expand to stage 2 of recruitment with an acceptable safety profile. There was insufficient signal in the CRC cohort to progress to stage 2. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03812796 (registered 23rd January 2019).

Half-life determination of 215At and 221Ra with high-purity radioactive ion beams.

At CERN-ISOLDE, high-purity radioactive ion beams of 219Fr and 221RaF were investigated with α-decay spectroscopy at the CRIS and ASET experiments in the course of three different experimental campaigns. The half-life of 215At, α-decay daughter of 219Fr, is measured to be 36.3(3)[9]µs, and that of 221Ra was determined to be 26.2(1)[6]s, both of which are well in line with the trends in this region of the nuclear landscape but at odds with some of the reported literature.

Impact of psychosocial factors on the success of neuromodulation treatment for patients with persistent pain.

INTRODUCTION: Significant interindividual variability in spinal cord stimulation (SCS) outcomes exists. Due to its high cost and risks of complications, criteria to guide patient selection for SCS trials and their outcomes would be helpful. With increased focus on the use of patient-reported outcomes to improve care, we aim to evaluate the National Institute of Health Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System measures for an association with successful SCS trials in patients with persistent pain. METHODS: Our prospective, observational study enrolled 60 patients with persistent pain who underwent an SCS trial. Patients completed demographic and Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System computer adaptive test (PROMIS CAT) assessments to measure self-reported pain interference, depression, anxiety, physical functioning, and sleep disturbance at the time they presented for placement of their trial device. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients who underwent successful electrode placement, 11 had an unsuccessful trial. There were no differences in patient demographics between patients with a successful and an unsuccessful trial. Patients who had a successful SCS trial reported lower pre-trial levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance and decreased post-trial levels of depression, sleep disturbance, and pain interference. CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients with high levels of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance using the PROMIS CAT were predictive of unsuccessful trials. In addition, we found that patients with successful SCS trials reported lower levels of these domains on PROMIS CAT administered at the end of the trial.

Retraction: Carbon content drives high temperature superconductivity in a carbonaceous sulfur hydride below 100 GPa.

Retraction of 'Carbon content drives high temperature superconductivity in a carbonaceous sulfur hydride below 100 GPa' by G. Alexander Smith et al., Chem. Commun., 2022, 58, 9064-9067, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC03170A.

GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

GDF15, a hormone acting on the brainstem, has been implicated in the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, including its most severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), but a full mechanistic understanding is lacking1-4. Here we report that fetal production of GDF15 and maternal sensitivity to it both contribute substantially to the risk of HG. We confirmed that higher GDF15 levels in maternal blood are associated with vomiting in pregnancy and HG. Using mass spectrometry to detect a naturally labelled GDF15 variant, we demonstrate that the vast majority of GDF15 in the maternal plasma is derived from the feto-placental unit. By studying carriers of rare and common genetic variants, we found that low levels of GDF15 in the non-pregnant state increase the risk of developing HG. Conversely, women with ß-thalassaemia, a condition in which GDF15 levels are chronically high5, report very low levels of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. In mice, the acute food intake response to a bolus of GDF15 is influenced bi-directionally by prior levels of circulating GDF15 in a manner suggesting that this system is susceptible to desensitization. Our findings support a putative causal role for fetally derived GDF15 in the nausea and vomiting of human pregnancy, with maternal sensitivity, at least partly determined by prepregnancy exposure to the hormone, being a major influence on its severity. They also suggest mechanism-based approaches to the treatment and prevention of HG.

Deformation versus Sphericity in the Ground States of the Lightest Gold Isotopes.

The changes in mean-squared charge radii of neutron-deficient gold nuclei have been determined using the in-source, resonance-ionization laser spectroscopy technique, at the ISOLDE facility (CERN). From these new data, nuclear deformations are inferred, revealing a competition between deformed and spherical configurations. The isotopes ^{180,181,182}Au are observed to possess well-deformed ground states and, when moving to lighter masses, a sudden transition to near-spherical shapes is seen in the extremely neutron-deficient nuclides, ^{176,177,179}Au. A case of shape coexistence and shape staggering is identified in ^{178}Au which has a ground and isomeric state with different deformations. These new data reveal a pattern in ground-state deformation unique to the gold isotopes, whereby, when moving from the heavy to light masses, a plateau of well-deformed isotopes exists around the neutron midshell, flanked by near-spherical shapes in the heavier and lighter isotopes-a trend hitherto unseen elsewhere in the nuclear chart. The experimental charge radii are compared to those from Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations using the D1M Gogny interaction and configuration mixing between states of different deformation. The calculations are constrained by the known spins, parities, and magnetic moments of the ground states in gold nuclei and show a good agreement with the experimental results.

Molecular Forecasting of Domoic Acid during a Pervasive Toxic Diatom Bloom.

In 2015, the largest recorded harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurred in the Northeast Pacific, causing nearly 100 million dollars in damages to fisheries and killing many protected marine mammals. Dominated by the toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia australis , this bloom produced high levels of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA). Through molecular and transcriptional characterization of 52 near-weekly phytoplankton net-tow samples collected at a bloom hotspot in Monterey Bay, California, we identified active transcription of known DA biosynthesis ( dab ) genes from the three identified toxigenic species, including P. australis as the primary origin of toxicity. Elevated expression of silicon transporters ( sit1 ) during the bloom supports the previously hypothesized role of dissolved silica (Si) exhaustion in contributing to bloom physiology and toxicity. We find that co-expression of the dabA and sit1 genes serves as a robust predictor of DA one week in advance, potentially enabling the forecasting of DA-producing HABs. We additionally present evidence that low levels of iron could have co-limited the diatom population along with low Si. Iron limitation represents a previously unrecognized driver of both toxin production and ecological success of the low iron adapted Pseudo-nitzschia genus during the 2015 bloom, and increasing pervasiveness of iron limitation may fuel the escalating magnitude and frequency of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia blooms globally. Our results advance understanding of bloom physiology underlying toxin production, bloom prediction, and the impact of global change on toxic blooms. Significance: Pseudo-nitzschia diatoms form oceanic harmful algal blooms that threaten human health through production of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA). DA biosynthetic gene expression is hypothesized to control DA production in the environment, yet what regulates expression of these genes is yet to be discovered. In this study, we uncovered expression of DA biosynthesis genes by multiple toxigenic Pseudo-nitzschia species during an economically impactful bloom along the North American West Coast, and identified genes that predict DA in advance of its production. We discovered that iron and silica co-limitation restrained the bloom and likely promoted toxin production. This work suggests that increasing iron limitation due to global change may play a previously unrecognized role in driving bloom frequency and toxicity.

Effect of Complementary Interventions to Redesign Care on Teamwork and Quality for Hospitalized Medical Patients : A Pragmatic Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Multiple challenges impede interprofessional teamwork and the provision of high-quality care to hospitalized patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of interventions to redesign hospital care delivery on teamwork and patient outcomes. DESIGN: Pragmatic controlled trial. Hospitals selected 1 unit for implementation of interventions and a second to serve as a control. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03745677). SETTING: Medical units at 4 U.S. hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Health care professionals and hospitalized medical patients. INTERVENTION: Mentored implementation of unit-based physician teams, unit nurse-physician coleadership, enhanced interprofessional rounds, unit-level performance reports, and patient engagement activities. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were teamwork climate among health care professionals and adverse events experienced by patients. Secondary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmissions, and patient experience. Difference-in-differences (DID) analyses of patient outcomes compared intervention versus control units before and after implementation of interventions. RESULTS: Among 155 professionals who completed pre- and postintervention surveys, the median teamwork climate score was higher after than before the intervention only for nurses (n = 77) (median score, 88.0 [IQR, 77.0 to 91.0] vs. 80.0 [IQR, 70.0 to 89.0]; P = 0.022). Among 3773 patients, a greater percentage had at least 1 adverse event after compared with before the intervention on control units (change, 1.61 percentage points [95% CI, 0.01 to 3.22 percentage points]). A similar percentage of patients had at least 1 adverse event after compared with before the intervention on intervention units (change, 0.43 percentage point [CI, -1.25 to 2.12 percentage points]). A DID analysis of adverse events did not show a significant difference in change (adjusted DID, -0.92 percentage point [CI, -2.49 to 0.64 percentage point]; P = 0.25). Similarly, there were no differences in LOS, readmissions, or patient experience. LIMITATION: Adverse events occurred less frequently than anticipated, limiting statistical power. CONCLUSION: Despite improved teamwork climate among nurses, interventions to redesign care for hospitalized patients were not associated with improved patient outcomes. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Further development and application of a method for assessing radionuclide surface activity distribution and source location based on measurements of ambient dose equivalent rate.

A method has been developed for solving the Fredholm equation in the barrier geometry for reconstructing the surface activity density (SAD) from the results of measuring the ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER). Inclusion of the barrier geometry means that the method takes into account the shielding effect of buildings and structures on the contaminated site. The method was based on the representation of the industrial site, buildings and radiation fields in the form of a raster and the use of the visibility matrix (VM) of raster cells to describe the barrier geometry. The developed method was applied to a hypothetical industrial site with a size of 200 × 200 conventional units for four types of SAD distribution over the surface of the industrial site: 'fragmentation', 'diffuse', 'uniform' and 'random'. The method of Lorentz curves was applied to estimate the compactness of the distributions of SAD and the ADER for the considered radiation sources. It was shown that the difference between the Lorentz curve for SAD and ADER means that the determination of the spatial distribution of SAD over the industrial site by solving the integral equation is essentially useful for determining the location of radiation source locations on the industrial site. The accuracy of SAD reconstruction depends on the following parameters: resolution (fragmentation) of the raster, the height of the radiation detector above the scanned surface, and the angular aperture of the radiation detector. The measurement of ADER is simpler and quicker than the direct measurement of SAD and its distribution. This represents a significant advantage if SAD distribution needs to be determined in areas with high radiation dose-rate during limited time. The developed method is useful for supporting radiation monitoring and optimizing the remediation of nuclear legacies, as well as during the recovery phase after a major accident.

Further development and application of a method for assessing radionuclide surface activity distribution and source location based on measurements of ambient dose equivalent rate. Examples for Andreeva Bay, Chernobyl NPP and Istiklol.

A method for reconstructing surface activity density (SAD) maps based on the solution of the Fredholm equation has been developed and applied. The construction of SAD maps was carried out for the site of the temporary storage (STS) of spent fuel and radioactive waste (RW) in Andreeva Bay using the results of measuring campaign in 2001-2002 and for the sheltering construction of the solid RW using the results of measurements in 2021. The Fredholm equation was solved in two versions: under conditions of a barrier-free environment and taking into account buildings and structures located on the industrial site of the STS Andreeva Bay. Lorenz curves were generated to assess the compactness of the distributions of SAD and ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER) for the industrial site and the sheltering construction at STS Andreeva Bay, the area of the IV stage uranium tailing site near the city of Istiklol in the Republic of Tajikistan, and for roofs of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The nature of impact of the resolution (fragmentation) of the raster, the value of the radius of mutual influence of points (contamination sites), the height of the radiation detector above the scanned surface and the angular aperture of the radiation detector on the accuracy of the SAD reconstruction is shown. The method developed allows more accurate planning of decontamination work when only ADER measurements data is available. The proposed method can be applied to support the process of decontamination of radioactively contaminated territories, in particular during the remediation of the STS Andreeva Bay.

PRESS survey: PREvention of surgical site infection-a global pan-specialty survey of practice protocol.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) complicate up to 40% of surgical procedures, leading to increased patient morbidity and mortality. Previous research identified disparities in SSI prevention guidelines and clinical practices across different institutions. The study aims to identify variations in SSI prevention practices within and between specialties and financial systems and provide a representation of existing SSI preventative measures to help improve the standardization of SSI prevention practices. Methods: This collaborative cross-sectional survey will be aimed at pan-surgical specialties internationally. The study has been designed and will be reported in line with the CROSS and CHERRIES standards. An international study steering committee will design and internally validate the survey in multiple consensus-based rounds. This will be based on SSI prevention measures outlined in the CDC (2017), WHO (2018), NICE (2019), Wounds UK (2020) and the International Surgical Wound Complications Advisory Panel (ISWCAP) guidelines. The questionnaire will include demographics, SSI surveillance, preoperative, peri-operative and postoperative SSI prevention. Data will be collected on participants' surgical specialty, operative grade, of practice and financial healthcare system of practice. The online survey will be designed and disseminated using QualtricsXM Platform™ through national and international surgical colleges and societies, in addition to social media and snowballing. Data collection will be open for 3 months with reminders, and raking will be used to ascertain the sample. Responses will be analyzed, and the chi-square test used to evaluate the impact of SSI prevention variables on responses. Discussion: Current SSI prevention practice in UK Vascular surgery varies considerably, with little consensus on many measures. Given the inconsistency in guidelines on how to prevent SSIs, there is a need for standardization. This survey will investigate the disparity in SSI preventative measures between different surgical fields and countries.

Retraction: Colossal Density-Driven Resistance Response in the Negative Charge Transfer Insulator MnS_{2} [Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 016401 (2021)].

Retraction of DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.016401.

Evolution of androgen receptors contributes to species variation in androgenic regulation of communication signals in electric fishes.

Hormones and receptors coevolve to generate species diversity in hormone action. We compared the structure and function of androgen receptors (ARs) across fishes, with a focus on ARs in ghost knifefishes (Apteronotidae). Apteronotids, like many other teleosts, have two ARs (ARα and ARß). ARß is largely conserved, whereas ARα sequences vary considerably across species. The ARα ligand binding domain (LBD) has evolved under positive selection, and differences in the LBD across apteronotid species are associated with diversity in androgenic regulation of behavior. The Apteronotus leptorhynchus ARα LBD differs substantially from that of the Apteronotus albifrons ARα or the ancestral AR. Structural modeling and transactivation assays demonstrated that A. leptorhynchus ARα cannot bind androgens. We propose a model whereby relative expression of ARα versus ARß in the brain, coupled with loss of androgen binding by ARα in A. leptorhynchus might explain reversals in androgenic regulation and sex differences in electrocommunication behavior.

A multi-organ, lung-derived inflammatory response following in vitro airway exposure to cigarette smoke and next-generation nicotine delivery products.

Despite increasing use of in vitro models that closely resemble in vivo human biology, their application in understanding downstream effects of airway toxicity, such as inflammation, are at an early stage. In this study, we used various assays to examine the inflammatory response induced in MucilAir™ tissues and A549 cells exposed to three products known to induce toxicity. Reduced barrier integrity was observed in tissues following exposure to each product, with reduced viability and increased cytotoxicity also shown. Similar changes in viability were also observed in A549 cells. Furthermore, whole cigarette smoke (CS) induced downstream phenotypic THP-1 changes and endothelial cell adhesion, an early marker of atherosclerosis. In contrast, exposure to next-generation delivery product (NGP) aerosol did not induce this response. Cytokine, histological and RNA analysis highlighted increased biomarkers linked to inflammatory pathways and immune cell differentiation following exposure to whole cigarette smoke, including GM-CSF, IL-1ß, cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome P450 enzymes. As a result of similar observations in human airway inflammation, we propose that our exposure platform could act as a representative model for studying such events in vitro. Furthermore, this model could be used to test the inflammatory or anti-inflammatory impact posed by inhaled compounds delivered to the lung.

Cdk12 maintains the integrity of adult axons by suppressing actin remodeling.

The role of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that are ubiquitously expressed in the adult nervous system remains unclear. Cdk12 is enriched in terminally differentiated neurons where its conical role in the cell cycle progression is redundant. We find that in adult neurons Cdk12 acts a negative regulator of actin formation, mitochondrial dynamics and neuronal physiology. Cdk12 maintains the size of the axon at sites proximal to the cell body through the transcription of homeostatic enzymes in the 1-carbon by folate pathway which utilize the amino acid homocysteine. Loss of Cdk12 leads to elevated homocysteine and in turn leads to uncontrolled F-actin formation and axonal swelling. Actin remodeling further induces Drp1-dependent fission of mitochondria and the breakdown of axon-soma filtration barrier allowing soma restricted cargos to enter the axon. We demonstrate that Cdk12 is also an essential gene for long-term neuronal survival and loss of this gene causes age-dependent neurodegeneration. Hyperhomocysteinemia, actin changes, and mitochondrial fragmentation are associated with several neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and we provide a candidate molecular pathway to link together such pathological events.

Preliminary assessment of the radiological consequences of the hostile military occupation of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces on 24 February 2022 put the radiological well-being of the people in Ukraine under unprecedented threat. Apart from the risks linked to operating nuclear power plants, there was substantial evidence of looting of facilities of all kinds, including those holding radioactive materials, as well as the scope for physical disturbance of radioactively contaminated areas and waste storage facilities. The actions of Russian military personnel invading Ukraine through the territory of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (the ChEZ) were of serious concern. Before its shutdown a few days after the beginning of the occupation, the automated radiation monitoring system of the ChEZ recorded sharp increases in the gamma-background in several areas which indicated some non-typical processes taking place on its territory. The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) and its technical support organisation, the Scientific and Technical Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (SSTC NRS), as well as the rest of the professional nuclear community in Ukraine and worldwide, recognised the potential for movement of the radioactive contamination (reaching 101-104kBq m-2Cs-137 in the most of the territory) by the Russian military machinery and personnel to areas outside the ChEZ, creating locally contaminated spots along the routes taken by the invaders towards Kyiv. Certain apprehensions were caused by the inventory carried out after the liberation of the ChEZ which revealed the theft of calibration sources and radioactive samples from laboratories located in Chornobyl. As soon as this information became available to the public, it caused a wide response and anxiety, as a result of which SNRIU made a decision to conduct a radiation survey of the liberated territories in the Kyiv region. The survey was conducted between June and December 2022 by SSTC NRS specialists with the support of DSA. The scope of the survey was limited by available time and resources; however, the total route of the survey was about 840 km, and covered more than 50 settlements and a limited part of the ChEZ. The radiation survey combined the continuous gamma-dose rate measurements by the detectors installed in the laboratory vehicle and additional manual measurements at specified points. As a result of the radiation survey, no deterioration of the radiation situation was observed in the liberated territories. No contaminated objects, radiation sources, or other radioactive material removed from the ChEZ were found either. Measurements of the Cs-137 soil contamination in the ChEZ, although limited, corresponded to the results which had been obtained before the war. It can be concluded that in the surveyed territories, the direct impact on the public in the form of additional radioactive contamination removed from the ChEZ in February-March 2022 was negligible. The same applies to the radiation consequences of forest fires that occurred in the ChEZ during its occupation. However, due to the damage of the radiation monitoring system, explosive hazard, and destruction of transport infrastructure, the consequences of the occupation of the ChEZ by Russian troops will be long-term.

Proximate composition and anti-nutritional factors in Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) seed flour as affected by several processing methods.

Mucuna pruriens seed being an underutilized legume with antinutrients was processed to reduce antinutrients and improve nutritional quality. The seeds were cleaned, washed and subjected to single treatments of soaking (24 h, 48 h, 72 h), cooking (20 min, 40 min, 60 min, 80 min), roasting (10 min, 15 min, 20 min), germination (24 h, 48 h, 72 h) and fermentation (24 h, 48 h, 72 h). Combined treatments: soaking (72 h) + cooking (60 min); germination (48 h) + roasting (15 min); germination (48 h) + cooking (60 min); fermentation (72 h) + roasting (15 min) were also separately carried out. Proximate composition and antinutrients were evaluated. Crude protein ranged from 25.34 to 29.50%, ash 3.02-3.82% and crude fibre 0.70-4.69. Crude protein was increased by single and double treatments while ash content was increased by only single treatments. All the treatments reduced the crude fibre. For single and double treatments, phenol, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and trypsin inhibitor were in the range of 0.69-3.49%, 0.01-6.83% and 0.00-12.58 TIU/mg protein respectively. This research indicated that the use of up to 72 h soaking, 80 min cooking, 20 min roasting, 72 h germination or 72 h fermentation (Rhizopus oligosporus) is not adequate to reduce phenol and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine in Mucuna pruriens seed flour to below the recommended safe limits of 0.003% and 0.1% respectively. The double treatment of 72 h fermentation +15 m roasting was the only treatment that reduced L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine to safe limit of 0.01%.

Stable and metastable structures of tin (IV) oxide at high pressure.

We have analysed [Formula: see text] with a combination of synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy across a pressure range of [Formula: see text] GPa with thermal annealing by a [Formula: see text] laser allowing access to all of the known high-density polymorphs of [Formula: see text], and here report their crystallographic information. The metastability of the post-rutile [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] structures in [Formula: see text] are investigated by experiment and PW-DFT simulations, revealing a complex energetic landscape and suggesting a significant dependence of the observed phases on the pressure-temperature pathway taken in experiment. This article is part of the theme issue 'Exploring the length scales, timescales and chemistry of challenging materials (Part 1)'.

State of research, feasibility, safety, acceptability, and outcomes examined on remotely delivered exercises using technology for older adult with cancer: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Technology-based exercise is gaining attention as a promising strategy for increasing physical activity (PA) in older adults with cancer (OACA). However, a comprehensive understanding of the interventions, their feasibility, outcomes, and safety is limited. This scoping review (1) assessed the prevalence and type of technology-based remotely delivered exercise interventions for OACA and (2) explored the feasibility, safety, acceptability, and outcomes in these interventions. METHODS: Studies with participant mean/median age ≥ 65 reporting at least one outcome measure were included. Databases searched included the following: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library Online, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO. Multiple independent reviewers completed screening and data abstractions of articles in English, French, and Spanish. RESULTS: The search yielded 2339 citations after removing duplicates. Following title and abstract screening, 96 full texts were review, and 15 were included. Study designs were heterogeneous, and sample sizes were diverse (range 14-478). The most common technologies used were website/web portal (n = 6), videos (n = 5), exergaming (n = 2), accelerometer/pedometer with video and/or website (n = 4), and live-videoconferencing (n = 2). Over half (9/15) of the studies examined feasibility using various definitions; feasibility outcomes were reached in all. Common outcomes examined include lower body function and quality of life. Adverse events were uncommon and minor were reported. Qualitative studies identified cost- and time-savings, healthcare professional support, and technology features that encourage engagement as facilitators. CONCLUSION: Remote exercise interventions using technology appear to be feasible and acceptable in OACA. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Some remote exercise interventions may be a viable way to increase PA for OACA.