Chirality plays a major role in nature, from particle physics to DNA, and its control is much sought-after due to the scientific and technological opportunities it unlocks. For magnetic materials, ...chiral interactions between spins promote the formation of sophisticated swirling magnetic states such as skyrmions, with rich topological properties and great potential for future technologies. Currently, chiral magnetism requires either a restricted group of natural materials or synthetic thin-film systems that exploit interfacial effects. Here, using state-of-the-art nanofabrication and magnetic X-ray microscopy, we demonstrate the imprinting of complex chiral spin states via three-dimensional geometric effects at the nanoscale. By balancing dipolar and exchange interactions in an artificial ferromagnetic double-helix nanostructure, we create magnetic domains and domain walls with a well-defined spin chirality, determined solely by the chiral geometry. We further demonstrate the ability to create confined 3D spin textures and topological defects by locally interfacing geometries of opposite chirality. The ability to create chiral spin textures via 3D nanopatterning alone enables exquisite control over the properties and location of complex topological magnetic states, of great importance for the development of future metamaterials and devices in which chirality provides enhanced functionality.
The diagnosis of myeloid neoplasms (MN) has significantly evolved through the last few decades. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is gradually becoming an essential tool to help clinicians with ...disease management. To this end, most specialized genetic laboratories have implemented NGS panels targeting a number of different genes relevant to MN. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the performance of four different targeted NGS gene panels based on their technical features and clinical utility. A total of 32 patient bone marrow samples were accrued and sequenced with 3 commercially available panels and 1 custom panel. Variants were classified by two geneticists based on their clinical relevance in MN. There was a difference in panel's depth of coverage. We found 11 discordant clinically relevant variants between panels, with a trend to miss long insertions. Our data show that there is a high risk of finding different mutations depending on the panel of choice, due both to the panel design and the data analysis method. Of note, CEBPA, CALR and FLT3 genes, remains challenging the use of NGS for diagnosis of MN in compliance with current guidelines. Therefore, conventional molecular testing might need to be kept in place for the correct diagnosis of MN for now.
During the Holocene (last ~11,700 years), societies have continuously modified the landscape of the Mediterranean Basin through changes in land-use, exerting extraordinary pressures onto the ...environment and adding variability to the climate. Despite its importance to current land management, knowledge of how past land-use practices have impacted the regional climate of the Basin remains largely in the scientific sphere. Thereby, this work aims to inform non-scientific actors and practitioners about the environmental effects of past land-use changes on the hydrologic cycle of the Mediterranean Basin. For this purpose we: i) summarize fundamental observed interactions between land-use change and the environment, identified through a semi-systematic review of 23 scientific case-studies from around the Basin; ii) reflect on the consequences to the Mediterranean environment (atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere) in a synthesized and integrated way; iii) argue the need for taking into account the impact of local land-use practices from a regional-scale perspective; iv) highlight the importance of recognizing historical factors, such as past land-use changes, for developing protective strategies in the rural areas of the Basin. With this work, we provide a synthesized and more integrated understanding of the effects of past and local land-use changes in the regional Mediterranean environment, assisting to bridge the gap between scientific findings, Mediterranean watersheds stakeholders, and regional policy-makers.
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•Collects specific case-studies and displays identified effects using a network map•Highlights the importance of historical practices for developing adaptation strategies•Argues the need for regional coordinated action within the Mediterranean Basin•Assists in bridging the gap between scientific findings and policy-makers' knowledge
The use of drones for triage in mass-casualty incidents has recently emerged as a promising technology. However, there is no triage system specifically adapted to a remote usage. Our study aimed to ...develop a remote triage procedure using drones. The research was performed in three stages: literature review, the development of a remote triage algorithm using drones and evaluation of the algorithm by experts. Qualitative synthesis and the calculation of content validity ratios were done to achieve the Aerial Remote Triage System. This algorithm assesses (in this order): major bleeding, walking, consciousness and signs of life; and then classify the injured people into several priority categories: priority 1 (red), priority 2 (yellow), priority 3 (green) and priority * (violet). It includes the possibility to indicate save-living interventions to injured people and bystanders, like the compression of bleeding injuries or the adoption of the recovery position. The Aerial Remote Triage System may be a useful way to perform triage by drone in complex emergencies when it is difficult to access to the scene due to physical, chemical or biological risks.
The search for healthy diets has led to a surge in the demand for functional foods or ‘superfoods’, which have now become popular among the middle‐ and high‐income fractions of the society in ...developed regions of the world. ‘Superfoods’ are predominantly consumed far from their centres of origin and out of their cultural context with different environmental and social effects.
Here, we present a series of case studies to provide an overview of the different environmental impacts driven by superfood expansion.
We show that if these crops are to follow the path of other global commodities, then strong environmental impacts and large carbon footprints are expected in terms of land clearing, use of agrochemicals and transportation during times of high prices (boom) and social problems as farmers have to abandon their livelihoods when prices sink below the cost of production (bust).
We also showcase how a combination of management practices, consumer choices and policy changes could help in alleviating the ecological footprint of these crops.
A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article
Background: To analyze the course of microglial and macroglial activation in injured and contralateral retinas after unilateral optic nerve crush (ONC). Methods: The left optic nerve of adult ...pigmented C57Bl/6 female mice was intraorbitally crushed and injured, and contralateral retinas were analyzed from 1 to 45 days post-lesion (dpl) in cross-sections and flat mounts. As controls, intact retinas were studied. Iba1+ microglial cells (MCs), activated phagocytic CD68+MCs and M2 CD206+MCs were quantified. Macroglial cell changes were analyzed by GFAP and vimentin signal intensity. Results: After ONC, MC density increased significantly from 5 to 21 dpl in the inner layers of injured retinas, remaining within intact values in the contralateral ones. However, in both retinas there was a significant and long-lasting increase of CD68+MCs. Constitutive CD206+MCs were rare and mostly found in the ciliary body and around the optic-nerve head. While in the injured retinas their number increased in the retina and ciliary body, in the contralateral retinas decreased. Astrocytes and Müller cells transiently hypertrophied in the injured retinas and to a lesser extent in the contralateral ones. Conclusions: Unilateral ONC triggers a bilateral and persistent activation of MCs and an opposed response of M2 MCs between both retinas. Macroglial hypertrophy is transient.
Background
Nonsurgical treatment, resective surgery, reconstructive surgery, or combined approaches have been proposed for the treatment of peri‐implantitis, with variable results.
Purpose
To ...evaluate the 1‐year clinical and radiographic outcomes following combined resective and reconstructive surgical treatment with topical piperacillin/tazobactam antibiotic in the management of peri‐implantitis.
Material and Methods
Forty‐three patients diagnosed with peri‐implantitis were included. Surgical treatment consisted of implantoplasty of the supra‐crestal component of the defect, the application of a topical antibiotic solution over the implant surface, and subsequent reconstruction of the intra‐osseous component of the peri‐implant defect. The primary outcome was disease resolution, defined as the absence of bleeding on probing (BoP) and/or suppuration on probing (SoP), a peri‐implant pocket probing depth (PPD) ≤5 mm, and no bone loss >0.5 mm 1 year after surgery. Secondary outcomes included changes in BoP, PPD, SoP, and peri‐implant marginal bone levels. One implant per patient was included in the analysis.
Results
The treatment success rate of the 43 dental implants included in the study was 86% at 1 year after surgery. Mean PPD and BoP decreased from 6.41 ± 2.11 mm and 100% at baseline to 3.19 ± 0.99 mm (p < 0.001) and 14% (p < 0.001) at 1 year, respectively. SoP was significantly reduced from 48.8% at baseline to 0% 1 year after surgery (p < 0.001). Radiographically, a mean defect fill of 2.64 ± 1.59 mm was recorded (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The combination of a resective and reconstructive surgical approach together with locally delivered antibiotic achieved a high disease resolution rate after 1 year of follow‐up and constitutes a viable option for the management of peri‐implantitis.
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