Phenomenon Of Sensitivity Research Articles

Visual and patient-reported outcomes of an enhanced versus monofocal intraocular lenses in cataract surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Understanding the functional outcomes achieved with new enhanced monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) is crucial for adequately managing patient expectations. This study evaluated visual and patient-reported outcomes of an enhanced range of field IOL versus other monofocal IOLs in cataract patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis, pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024561611), included studies from Medline (PubMed), Embase (Ovid), and trial registries (2019-2024) focused on binocular cataract surgeries with various IOL models. Primary outcomes assessed were monocular distance-corrected visual acuities (CDVA, DCIVA, DCNVA), defocus curves, and contrast sensitivity; secondary measures included binocular visual acuities and patient-reported outcomes such as spectacle independence and photic phenomena. Out of 31 studies (8 randomized clinical trials, 23 case series), high-certainty evidence indicated no significant difference in CDVA between enhanced and conventional IOLs. However, enhanced IOLs demonstrated better intermediate (DCIVA: -0.11 logMAR, CI 95%: -0.13 to -0.10) and near (DCNVA: -0.12 logMAR, CI 95%: -0.17 to -0.07) visual acuities, supported by defocus curves, though with lower-certainty evidence. No significant differences were observed in contrast sensitivity or photic phenomena, and evidence for positive dysphotopsia was moderate to low. Enhanced IOLs significantly favored intermediate-distance spectacle independence, with an odds ratio of 7.85 (CI 95%: 4.08-15.09), though no differences were observed for distance spectacle independence. Near-distance spectacle independence also favored enhanced IOLs, though with low-certainty evidence. In summary, enhanced IOLs provide improved intermediate and near visual acuities compared to conventional monofocal IOLs, though further studies are needed to confirm outcomes in contrast sensitivity and patient-reported outcomes across various enhanced monofocal IOLs.

CamKIIα and VPAC1 Expressions in the Caudal Trigeminal Nucleus of Rats After Systemic Nitroglycerin Treatment: Interaction with Anandamide

Migraines are a frequently occurring neurological condition that affects up to 16% of the global population. The precise pathomechanism of the disease remains unknown, but from animal and human observations, it appears that calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha (CamKIIα), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are involved in its pathogenesis. One of the animal models of migraines uses the systemic administration of nitroglycerin (NTG), which, as a nitric oxide (NO) donor, initiates a self-amplifying process in the trigeminal system, leading to central sensitization. Endocannabinoids, such as anandamide (AEA), are thought to play a modulatory role in trigeminal activation and sensitization phenomena. In the present experiment, we aimed to investigate the effect of NTG and AEA on CamKIIα, PACAP/VIP, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide type 1 receptor (VPAC1) expression levels in the upper cervical spinal cord (C1-C2) of rats, where trigeminal nociceptive afferents are clustered. Four groups of animals were formed: in the first group, the rats received only the vehicle; in the second group, they were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of NTG (10 mg/kg); animals in the third and fourth groups received AEA (2 × 5 mg/kg) half an hour before and one hour after the placebo or treatment with NTG. Four hours after the placebo/NTG injection, the animals were transcardially perfused, and the cervical spinal cords were removed for Western blot. Our results show that both NTG and AEA alone can increase the expression of CamKIIα and VPAC1 in the C1-C2 segments. Interestingly, the combination of NTG and AEA had no such effect on these markers, possibly due to various negative feedback mechanisms.

Tobramycin-resistant small colony variant mutant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium shows collateral sensitivity to nitrofurantoin

ABSTRACT The increasing antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health challenge, threatening our ability to combat infectious diseases. The phenomenon of collateral sensitivity, whereby resistance to one antibiotic is accompanied by increased sensitivity to another, offers potential avenues for novel therapeutic interventions against infections unresponsive to classical treatments. In this study, we elucidate the emergence of tobramycin (TOB)-resistant small colony variants (SCVs) due to mutations in the hemL gene, which render S. Typhimurium more susceptible to nitrofurantoin (NIT). Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the collateral sensitivity in TOB-resistant S. Typhimurium SCVs primarily stems from disruptions in haem biosynthesis. This leads to dysfunction in the electron transport chain (ETC) and redox imbalance, ultimately inducing lethal accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, the upregulation of nfsA/B expressions facilitates the conversion of NIT prodrug into its active form, promoting ROS-mediated bacterial killing and contributing to this collateral sensitivity pattern. Importantly, alternative NIT therapy demonstrates a significant reduction of bacterial load by more than 2.24-log10 cfu/g in the murine thigh infection and colitis models. Our findings corroborate the collateral sensitivity of S. Typhimurium to nitrofurans as a consequence of evolving resistance to aminoglycosides. This provides a promising approach for treating infections due to aminoglycoside-resistant strains.

A receptor-inactivation model for single-celled habituation in Stentor coeruleus.

The single-celled ciliate Stentor coeruleus demonstrates habituation to mechanical stimuli, showing that even single cells can manifest a basic form of learning. Although the ability of Stentor to habituate has been extensively documented, the mechanism of learning is currently not known. Here we take a bottom-up approach and investigate a simple biochemistry-based model based on prior electrophysiological measurements in Stentor along with general properties of receptor molecules. In this model, a mechanoreceptor senses the stimulus and leads to channel opening to change membrane potential, with a sufficient change in polarization triggering an action potential that drives contraction. Receptors that are activated can become internalized, after which they can either be degraded or recycled back to the cell surface. This activity-dependent internalization provides a potential means for the cell to learn. Stochastic simulations of this model confirm that it is capable of showing habituation similar to what is seen in actual Stentor cells, including the lack of dishabituation by strong stimuli and the apparently step-like response of individual cells during habituation. The model also can account for several habituation hallmarks that a previous two-state Markov model could not, namely, the dependence of habituation rate on stimulus magnitude, which had to be added onto the two state model but arises naturally in the receptor inactivation model; the rate of response recovery after cessation of stimulation; the ability of high frequency stimulus sequences to drive faster habituation that results in a lower response probability, and the potentiation of habituation by repeated rounds of training and recovery. The model makes the prediction that application of high force stimuli that do not normally habituate should drive habituation to weaker stimuli due to decrease in the receptor number, which serves as an internal hidden variable. We confirmed this prediction using two new sets of experiments involving alternation of weak and strong stimuli. Furthermore, the model predicts that training with high force stimuli delays response recovery to low force stimuli, which aligns with our new experimental data. The model also predicts subliminal accumulation, wherein continuation of training even after habituation has reached asymptotic levels should lead to delayed response recovery, which was also confirmed by new experiments. The model is unable to account for the phenomenon of rate sensitivity, in which habituation caused by higher frequency stimuli is more easily reversed leading to a frequency dependence of response recovery. Such rate sensitivity has not been reported in Stentor . Here we carried out a new set of experiments which are consistent with the model's prediction of the lack of rate sensitivity. This work demonstrates how a simple model can suggest new ways to probe single-cell learning at an experimental level. Finally, we interpret the model in terms of a kernel estimator that the cell may use to guide its decisions about how to response to new stimuli as they arise based on information, or the lack thereof, from past stimuli.

Non-linear optics for an online probing of the specific surface area of nanoparticles in the aerosol phase

In the present study the generation of non-linear optical (NLO) effects, such as second harmonic generation (SHG), by black carbon particles, also named soot, and by other types of nanoparticles in aerosol phase is quantified and analysed. Its potential for measuring the specific surface area of an aerosol is put forward. SHG is a Non Linear Optical phenomenon that is typically used in biosciences and fundamental physics and has shown to have large potential for the investigation of surface sensitive phenomena. It exists in two forms, coherent SHG and incoherent SHG, also named Hyper Rayleigh Scattering (HRS). While applications on particles in solution or organic molecules located on the surface of droplets exist, the SHG naturally induced by solid nanoparticles in aerosol phase without any SHG enhancing additive has neither been detected nor quantified yet. The present work aims at narrowing this gap by exposing a jet of well-characterized nanoaerosols to a femtosecond laser featuring high peak pulse energies allowing to induce NLO phenomena. The experiments are carried out in an innovative optical setup allowing to analyse the NLO response resolved in time, wavelength and angle, thus having the capability to isolate SHG from other phenomena, such as laser filamentation. The optical setup was calibrated in order to quantify the generated signal power and optimized in order to have a high sensitivity and in order to avoid NLO generation from its own optical elements. The results confirm that soot particles, as well as DEHS droplets and arc generated carbon nanoparticles, feature SHG at intensities that are more than 7 orders of magnitude smaller than that of static light scattering. SHG depends in particular on aggregate and/or monomer size. On the other hand, SHG induced by soot does not seem to depend on the organic or elementary carbon content. The experiments also show that the detected NLO signal increases linearly with particle surface area, independently of the particle shape or composition. Finally, the angular response of NLO signal is fundamentally different from that of linear scattering. Due to the isotropic nature of the angular response, the observed SHG signal is probably non-coherent and thus related to Hyper Raleigh Scattering. These findings show the potential of non-linear optics, in particular to quantify in situ the specific surface of an aerosol. Giving access to this information which is crucial in the evaluation of toxicity of aerosols, the present work can thus give way to a new class of laser based diagnostics for aerosols.

Prediction of visual outcomes using virtual implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens in presbyopic lens exchange patients.

To assess the reliability of a novel virtual IOL implantation device to predict the outcomes of a trifocal IOL. Clinical sites in Spain and Germany. Prospective multicenter study. Preoperative measurements obtained by the virtual implantation of AT LISA tri 839MP IOL (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) with VirtIOL device (10Lens S.L.U., Terrassa, Spain) were compared to postoperative (month 3) outcomes following the IOL implantation. Evaluated metrics were defocus curve, contrast sensitivity (both in photopic conditions), and visual phenomena (visual angle size of burst and annular pattern) in mesopic conditions. The study included 45 presbyopic non-cataract patients (mean age 56.16±5.03 years). VirtIOL device reasonably predicted the shape of the defocus curve, especially in the intermediate vision range, but underestimated postoperative visual acuities mainly at the defocus range between +1.0D and -3.5D. The difference between predicted and achieved visual acuity was -0.11±0.13 logMAR (p<0.001) for 0.0D defocus and -0.16±0.15D logMAR (p<0.001) for -2.50D defocus. The shape of the contrast sensitivity curve was almost identical for predicted and achieved measurements, but the device underestimated the values by ≈0.3 logCS units for each spatial frequency. Visual phenomena were similar between the predicted and achieved outcome (predicted vs. achieved: burst pattern 2.65±0.97° vs. 2.74°±0.95°, p=0.63; annular pattern: 0.88±0.42° vs. 0.93±0.49°, p=0.59). The device reasonably predicted the pattern of measured variables. Visual acuity/contrast sensitivity reduction might be attributed to viewing the objects through a more complex optical system and would need to be accounted for in clinical studies.

Literature as a Remedy for the (De)sensitization of the Contemporary Child. Attempt of Practical Approach Using the Theme of War

The text is theoretical in its nature and deals with the subject of the influence of literature on the child in early school age in terms of affecting the sensitivity of the recipient. The author considers the phenomenon of (de)sensitization as a process that would help the modern child to accept taboo phenomena on the example of the subject of war. The article refers to the theory of the Highly Sensitive Child and the “bitter-sweet” impact of art, recalling the works of Elaine Aron and Susan Cain. It was emphasized that the child’s hypersensitivity to certain images or sounds is related not only to natural stages of development, but also, or perhaps mainly, to individual predispositions to sensitivity to stimuli. The considerations included in the article also refer to war-themed texts for children published in Poland. The researcher provides a list of reading materials that may be interesting for contemporary child readers, but are not part of the school canon. The text is supplemented by a practical example of working with Liliana Bardijewska’s work entitled Karim’s Cat and Pictures with the use of a board game as a form of work with text at the level of grades I–III of primary school.

Skin Delivery and Innovative Carrier’s Effectiveness

The skin serves as the body first protecting barrier against the external attacks of chemicals and microorganisms. On the other hand, it is an obstacle to penetration and transdermal delivery of any substance applied on its surface. Thus, a need to report some news on the skin composition for a better understanding of the transdermal delivery mechanisms of topical products applied on its surface. Therefore, due to the actual increased use of topical drugs, cosmetics, and diet supplement treatments, further feasibility research studies have been carried out to extend the knowledge of the percutaneous absorption ‘rules and means. These studies are retained necessary to control the release through the skin layers of various selected active ingredients, loaded and carried out by different vehicles. The paper will focus on the effectiveness of innovative tissue carriers that, are able to deliver active ingredients throughout the skin layers, are made by a very low consumption of water, and are free of chemicals also. In conclusion, these novel eco-sustainable carriers, resulting skin- and environmentally friendly, might be used as innovative vehicles in substitution of the normal emulsions that, made by the use of preservatives, emulsifiers, fragrances, and other chemicals may often cause allergic and/or sensitization phenomena, consuming a great quantity of water also.

HfAlOx-based ferroelectric memristor for nociceptor and synapse functions.

Efficient data processing is heavily reliant on prioritizing specific stimuli and categorizing incoming information. Within human biological systems, dorsal root ganglions (particularly nociceptors situated in the skin) perform a pivotal role in detecting external stimuli. These neurons send warnings to our brain, priming it to anticipate potential harm and prevent injury. In this study, we explore the potential of using a ferroelectric memristor device structured as a metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor as an artificial nociceptor. The aim of this device is to electrically receive external damage and interpret signals of danger. The TiN/HfAlOx (HAO)/HfSiOx (HSO)/n+ Si configuration of this device replicates the key functions of a biological nociceptor. The emulation includes crucial aspects, such as threshold reactivity, relaxation, no adaptation, and sensitization phenomena known as "allodynia" and "hyperalgesia." Moreover, we propose establishing a connection between nociceptors and synapses by training the Hebbian learning rule. This involves exposing the device to injurious stimuli and using this experience to enhance its responsiveness, replicating synaptic plasticity.

Skin Delivery and Innovative Carrier’s Effectiveness

The skin serves as the body first protecting barrier against the external attacks of chemicals and microorganisms. On the other hand, it is an obstacle to penetration and transdermal delivery of any substance applied on its surface. Thus, a need to report some news on the skin composition for a better understanding of the transdermal delivery mechanisms of topical products applied on its surface. Therefore, due to the actual increased use of topical drugs, cosmetics, and diet supplement treatments, further feasibility research studies have been carried out to extend the knowledge of the percutaneous absorption ‘rules and means. These studies are retained necessary to control the release through the skin layers of various selected active ingredients, loaded and carried out by different vehicles. The paper will focus on the effectiveness of innovative tissue carriers that, are able to deliver active ingredients throughout the skin layers, are made by a very low consumption of water, and are free of chemicals also. In conclusion, these novel eco-sustainable carriers, resulting skin- and environmentally friendly, might be used as innovative vehicles in substitution of the normal emulsions that, made by the use of preservatives, emulsifiers, fragrances, and other chemicals may often cause allergic and/or sensitization phenomena, consuming a great quantity of water also.

A room temperature NO2 gas sensor based on Rb-doped ZnO/In2O3 nano-heterojunction with high performance

In this study, we prepared Rb-doped ZnO/In2O3 n-n nano-heterojunction, which functioned as highly responsive gas sensors for NO2 at room temperature. The experiments demonstrated a significant enhancement in the gas-sensing capabilities for low concentrations of NO2 at room temperature. ZnO/In2O3 NO2 gas sensors were synthesized with varying concentrations of Rb-doped using a two-step method. Gas-sensing experiments showed that the sensor with 6 mol% Rb-doped exhibited excellent selectivity and remarkable response values to NO2. At a NO2 concentration of 1 ppm, the response value was ten times greater than that of the undoped ZnO/In2O3 sensor, reaching a value as high as 119.5. This exceptional NO2 detection performance can be attributed to several factors. The presence of Rb-doped increased the concentration of oxygen vacancies on the material's surface, leading to a 14 % increase in adsorbed oxygen content compared to the undoped material. Additionally, Rb-doped resulted in a thicker depletion layer on the material's surface, which enhanced charge-transfer density. The band gap of Rb-doped ZnO/In2O3 decreased by 0.21 eV compared to the undoped ZnO/In2O3, enhancing the electron-leaping capability. The combined effects of these sensitization phenomena resulted in a significant improvement in the NO2 detection performance of the Rb-doped ZnO/In2O3 gas sensor.

Sex Differences in the Expression of Central Sensitization Symptoms in Migraine: An Observational Study.

Background: Migraine is the fourth most common cause of disability in women and the eighth most common cause in men. Central sensitization phenomena predispose to chronic migraine and are generally more pronounced in women. Objective: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to look for sex differences in a population of migraine subjects attending a tertiary headache center, focusing on symptoms of central sensitization such as allodynia and pericranial tenderness. Methods: This study is based on data collected at a tertiary headache center between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. The clinical interview included the main features of migraine, allodynia, a disability questionnaire, the pericranial tenderness score, and anxiety and depression scales. Results: We selected a total of 1,087 migraine subjects (233 men). Osmophobia predominated in women, as did nausea. Disability scores, headache intensity, allodynia, anxiety, and depression predominated in women, without menopausal age playing a role. The frequency of symptomatic medication use was similar in both sexes. Allodynia score was the largest discriminating factor between women and men. Conclusions: Women with migraine are more likely than men to report acute allodynia, nausea, and osmophobia and are also more likely to be anxious, depressed, and disabled. These features appear to be independent of fertile age and are probably related to sex-specific genetic characteristics. These symptoms represent a tendency toward sensory hypersensitivity and central sensitization that should be carefully assessed in both women and men with migraine with a view to possibly predicting chronic development.

Further quality analytical investigation on soliton solutions of some nonlinear PDEs with analyses: Bifurcation, sensitivity, and chaotic phenomena

In this investigation, the analytical behavior of two prominent nonlinear wave equations, namely the doubly dispersive equation (DDE) and the Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur equation (AKNSE), have been scrutinized. Bifurcation analysis, sensitivity as well as chaotic phenomena are also performed for the earlier-mentioned dynamical systems. These analyzes have profuse applications in the field of electrical circuits and control systems, phase transitions in materials, climate patterns, chemical reaction networks, forecasting market trends, signal processing, and quantum mechanics. Using an advanced mathematical technique, the exact solutions of the mentioned two-wave equations with singular bell-shaped soliton, bell-shaped soliton, anti-bell-shaped soliton, singular soliton, and singular periodic soliton have been studied. The technique utilized in the study is dependable for solving complex nonlinear problems in various natural science and engineering disciplines employed by many researchers. This study identified ten general solutions and ten particular solutions for the two mentioned equations that are novel and precise wave solutions. The solutions obtained in our study are significant not only for understanding the mentioned field but also may be used in revealing other interesting phenomena, such as the analysis of seismology, the study of compulsive collapse, and the study of the material effects and inner construction of solids.

Цервикалгия у пациентов с мигренью – коморбидная нозология или клинический аспект центральной сенситизации?

Relevance. The phenomenon of central sensitization occurs when physiological activity in nociceptive pathways increases and leads to abnormal sensitivity; it is defined as “increased sensitivity of nociceptive neurons of the central nervous system to their normal or subthreshold afferent input,” according to the definition provided by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). The excitability of spinal cord neurons significantly modifies the gain of the somatosensory system. Chronic pain syndromes, anxiety-depressive disorder, sleep disorders are currently very common in the population, significantly reducing the quality of life of the population; the pathogenesis of these nosologies lies in central sensitization. Objective. To study the clinical manifestations of central sensitization in patients with episodic migraine associated with neck pain or cervicogenic headache. Materials and methods. The longitudinal prospective study included 180 patients, divided into 3 groups: 1) patients with a combination of migraine and cervicogenic headache – 60 people (study group); 2) patients with a combination of migraine and cervicalgia diagnoses – 60 people (control group); 3) patients diagnosed with migraine without complaints of pain and limitation of movements in the cervical spine – 60 people (additional group). Results. In patients with migraine and comorbid cervical headache, more pronounced central sensitization was revealed when compared with comorbid cervicalgia. Myofascial pain syndrome involving the trapezius and temporal muscles can resolve on its own with specific migraine therapy with monoclonal antibodies, however, to relieve tension and soreness in the masseter and inferior oblique muscles, the addition of therapeutic exercises and gentle manual techniques is more effective. Taking into account the identified direct relationships of moderate strength between the number of painful points of exit of the trigeminal nerve, the muscles of the pericranial region involved, as well as the effect of treatment of migraine attacks with monoclonal antibodies, it can be concluded that central sensitization is more pronounced when the masseter and inferior oblique muscles are involved. Conclusions. During examination of patients with migraine with comorbid active cervicalgic factor or even if it is absence, it is necessary to make a thorough examination of the facial and cranioverebral region muscles, even in the absence of patient complaints of pain in the face or neck, and also prescribe specific therapeutic exercises to increase the effectiveness of treatment. In all patients with migraine, regardless of chronicity, it is necessary to assess the intensity of central sensitization for timely and more complete provision of medical care.

Dynamic strain aging and negative strain rate sensitivity in coarse-grained Al0.3CoCrFeNi high entropy alloy under hot compression

This study investigates the deformation behavior of coarse-grained (CG) Al0.3CoCrFeNi alloy under hot compression, revealing notable strain rate sensitivity (SRS) and dynamic strain aging (DSA) phenomena. DSA is observed at temperatures between 1223 K and 1373 K, exclusively at lower strain rates (0.5 s−1 – 1 s−1), while higher strain rates (≥5 s−1) exhibit DSA absence. Non-compact {112} slip activation on dislocation forest structures is proposed as the driving force behind DSA. Negative SRS behavior at 1223 K is attributed to Ni–Al cluster-based solid solution strengthening. Activation energy calculations highlight lattice diffusion and partial dislocation constriction as contributors to hot deformation. Consistency is observed in the activation volume (V*) calculation, indicating dislocation forest formation (127–519 b3, b = Bureger's vector), diminishing to 22–46 b3 upon DSA initiation. The alloy displays delayed dislocation hardening/softening transition due to CG's impact on retarding dislocation accumulation. This behavior stems from a higher V* at yielding, prolonging the typical transition observed in fine-grained alloys with lower V*. The study elucidates the intricate interplay of microstructure, strain rate, and deformation mechanisms in CG Al0.3CoCrFeNi.

Novel modification strategy via GO and polyurethane for epoxy nanocomposites: Simultaneous enhancements of fracture toughness and liquid oxygen compatibility for cryotank applications

Fracture toughness and liquid oxygen (LOX) compatibility of epoxy nanocomposites for liquid oxygen composite cryotank applications are two main concerns. In this work, a novel rigid-and-soft hybrid-microstructure modification strategy is proposed to improve these two properties simultaneously. Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets are physically incorporated, and polyurethane (PU) particles are formed through phase-separation process. When 10 parts of PU and 0.1 parts of GO are added into 100 parts of epoxy (i.e., 10 phr PU and 0.1 phr GO), the fracture toughness is enhanced by 207.26 % at room temperature and 243.02 % at 90 K, respectively. Meanwhile, no sensitivity phenomena such as explosion, burning, flash, or charring for the nanocomposite are observed during liquid oxygen impact testing. Consequently, experimental characterizations and multiscale finite element models are utilized to reveal the synergistic effects of GO and PU on fracture behaviors and impact energy absorption.

Simulating Virtual Organizations for Research: A Comparative Empirical Evaluation of Text-Based, Video, and Virtual Reality Video Vignettes

Due to recent technological developments, vignette studies that have traditionally been done in text or video formats can now be done in immersive formats using virtual reality—but are such virtual reality video vignettes superior to traditional vignettes? To address this question, we examine participants’ experiences within a fictitious organization by comparing their responses to a relevant and particularly sensitive organizational phenomenon presented either through written text, a video recording, or a virtual reality experience. The results indicate that participants prefer more immersive methods, and that these increase their attention to critical study details. Moreover, this augments the effect sizes of several measured employee reactions—particularly those with high emotional content—suggesting that virtual reality technology offers a promising avenue for developing ecologically valid vignette studies to measure employee affect. To facilitate and expediate the use of virtual reality video vignettes in organizational research, we provide organizational scholars with a step-by-step instructional guide to develop immersive vignette studies.

Ambient PM2.5 and specific sources increase inflammatory cytokine responses to stimulators and reduce sensitivity to inhibitors

Ambient exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from multiple diseases. Recent observations suggest the hypothesis that trained immunity contributes to these risks, by demonstrating that ambient PM2.5 sensitizes innate immune cells to mount larger inflammatory response to subsequent bacterial stimuli. However, little is known about how general and durable this sensitization phenomenon is, and whether specific sources of PM2.5 are responsible. Here we consider these issues in a longitudinal study of children. The sample consisted of 277 children (mean age 13.92 years; 63.8% female; 38.4% Black; 32.2% Latinx) who completed baseline visits and were re-assessed two years later. Fasting whole blood was ex vivo incubated with 4 stimulating agents reflecting microbial and sterile triggers of inflammation, and with 2 inhibitory agents, followed by assays for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Blood also was assayed for 6 circulating biomarkers of low-grade inflammation: C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, -8, and -10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor. Using machine learning, levels of 15 p.m.2.5 constituents were estimated for a 50 m grid around children's homes. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race, pubertal status, and household income. In cross-sectional analyses, higher neighborhood PM2.5 was associated with larger cytokine responses to the four stimulating agents. These associations were strongest for constituents released by motor vehicles and soil/crustal dust. In longitudinal analyses, residential PM2.5 was associated with declining sensitivity to inhibitory agents; this pattern was strongest for constituents from fuel/biomass combustion and motor vehicles. By contrast, PM2.5 constituents were not associated with the circulating biomarkers of low-grade inflammation. Overall, these findings suggest the possibility of a trained immunity scenario, where PM2.5 heightens inflammatory cytokine responses to multiple stimulators, and dampens sensitivity to inhibitors which counter-regulate these responses.

A biomimetic nociceptor system with tactile perception based on Ni-Al layered double hydroxides/gelatin heterojunction memristor

The sensations of touch and pain are fundamental components of our daily existence, serving as conduits for providing crucial insights into our environment and ensuring the safeguarding of our health. To date, the exploration of artificial systems that combine pain and touch perception has remained very limited. Moreover, memristor based visualization of pain degree is rarely reported. The electronic simulation of the from pressure stimuli to nociceptors was conducted in this work. For this purpose, a bionic sensory system has been developed to present tactile perception. In this system, the piezoelectric film sensor serves as an electronic skin to mimic artificial mechanoreceptors for sensing external pressure stimulation and generating signals. Meanwhile, the Ni-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs)/gelatin heterojunction memristor emulates biological nociceptors to receive and process receptor signals, with luminous diode used as displays to indicate the degree of artificial contusion. The Ni-Al LDHs/gelatin heterojunction memristor demonstrates essential characteristics of nociceptors, including threshold, no adaptation, relaxation, and sensitization phenomena of allodynia and hyperalgesia. This biomimetic artificial tactile and pain perception system successfully simulates the perception threshold and sensitivity to pressure stimuli. The potential ability of humanoid robots could be demonstrated by utilizing the system as an artificial tactile alarm system.

Grammar of Impact Sensitivity: An Incremental Theory.

In this paper, we report the first attempt to quantify impact sensitivity using the second-order incremental approach based on the structural features of explosives. It has been found that impact height (h50) can be expressed via a multiplicative incremental exponential form, in which the exponents are characteristic coefficients of structural increments multiplied by their numbers in the molecule. The method was developed on a large array of experimental data (450 molecules and salts) of different energetic materials, namely, nitro compounds, peroxides, nitrogen-rich salts, heterocycles, etc., while testing of the model was performed for 170 compounds. The results demonstrate a noticeable correlation with the experimental h50 values. Thus, the corresponding R2 and RMSE for the training and test sets are 0.56 (12.5 J) and 0.63 (18.8 J), respectively. In this work, we use 53 individual structural increments, but their number can be extended, and the corresponding coefficients can be refined; this allows for increasing the prediction accuracy on-the-fly. The calculation algorithm is discussed, and the corresponding examples are presented. The performed machine-based regression analysis using genetic function approximation, multiple linear regression, and artificial neural network has proven the reasonability and informativity of the proposed incremental theory. Thus, the developed approach significantly extends our understanding of the impact sensitivity phenomenon and translates it into the category of one that can be calculated by a pocket calculator.