Laser scribed proton exchange membranes for enhanced fuel cell performance and stability.

High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) offer solutions to challenges intrinsic to low-temperature PEMFCs, such as complex water management, fuel inflexibility, and thermal integration. However, they are hindered by phosphoric acid (PA) leaching and catalyst migration, which destabilize the critical three-phase interface within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). This study presents an innovative approach to enhance HT-PEMFC performance through membrane modification using picosecond laser scribing, which optimises the three-phase interface by forming a graphene-like structure that mitigates PA leaching.

Continuous collective analysis of chemical reactions.

The automated synthesis of small organic molecules from modular building blocks has the potential to transform our capacity to create medicines and materials. Disruptive acceleration of this molecule-building strategy broadly unlocks its functional potential and requires the integration of many new assembly chemistries. Although recent advances in high-throughput chemistry can speed up the development of appropriate synthetic methods, for example, in selecting appropriate chemical reaction conditions from the vast range of potential options, equivalent high-throughput analytical methods are needed.

Production of Ultrathin and High-Quality Nanosheet Networks via Layer-by-Layer Assembly at Liquid-Liquid Interfaces.

Solution-processable 2D materials are promising candidates for a range of printed electronics applications. Yet maximizing their potential requires solution-phase processing of nanosheets into high-quality networks with carrier mobility (μ) as close as possible to that of individual nanosheets (μ). In practice, the presence of internanosheet junctions generally limits electronic conduction, such that the ratio of junction resistance () to nanosheet resistance (), determines the network mobility via μ/μ ≈ / + 1.

A Cross-Sectional Survey of Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge, Attitude and Current Behaviours towards Female Fertility Preservation Services within the UK.

(1) Background: This study aims to establish the knowledge, attitudes and current behaviours towards female fertility preservation (FP) services amongst healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the UK. (2) Methods: An online survey was advertised publicly on the social media platform between 25 February 2021 and 11 March 2021. (3) Results: In total, 415 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria and completed the survey.

Proteomic analysis reveals a potential role for extracellular vesicles within the erythroblastic island niche.

Erythroblastic island (EBI) macrophages play an essential role in the production and maturation of the vast numbers of red blood cells (RBCs) that are produced throughout life. Their location within the bone marrow makes it difficult to study the cellular and molecular interactions associated with their action so we have used an model of the EBI niche using macrophages derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). We previously demonstrated that the activation of the transcription factor KLF1 enhanced the activity of hiPSC-derived EBI macrophages.

A 20-year overview of fertility preservation in boys: new insights gained through a comprehensive international survey.

Study Question: Twenty years after the inception of the first fertility preservation programme for pre-pubertal boys, what are the current international practices with regard to cryopreservation of immature testicular tissue?

Summary Answer: Worldwide, testicular tissue has been cryopreserved from over 3000 boys under the age of 18 years for a variety of malignant and non-malignant indications; there is variability in practices related to eligibility, clinical assessment, storage, and funding.

What Is Known Already: For male patients receiving gonadotoxic treatment prior to puberty, testicular tissue cryopreservation may provide a method of fertility preservation. While this technique remains experimental, an increasing number of centres worldwide are cryopreserving immature testicular tissue and are approaching clinical application of methods to use this stored tissue to restore fertility.

Diagnosis and management of endometrial hyperplasia: A UK national audit of adherence to national guidance 2012-2020.

Background: Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a precusor lesion for endometrial cancer (EC), the commonest gynaecological malignancy in high-income countries. EH is a proliferation of glandular tissue, classified as either non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia (NEH) or, if the cytological features are abnormal, atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH). The clinical significance of AEH is that patients face both a high risk of having occult EC and a high risk of progression to EC if untreated.

Induction of labour care in the UK: A cross-sectional survey of maternity units.

Objectives: To explore local induction of labour pathways in the UK National Health Service to provide insight into current practice.

Design: National survey.

Setting: Hospital maternity services in all four nations of the UK.

Efficacy of virtual reality for pain relief in medical procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Effective pain control is crucial to optimise the success of medical procedures. Immersive virtual reality (VR) technology could offer an effective non-invasive, non-pharmacological option to distract patients and reduce their experience of pain. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Immersive virtual reality (VR) technology in reducing patient's pain perception during various medical procedures by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A bromodomain-independent mechanism of gene regulation by the BET inhibitor JQ1: direct activation of nuclear receptor PXR.

Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins are extensively studied in multiple pathologies, including cancer. BET proteins modulate transcription of various genes, including those synonymous with cancer, such as MYC. Thus, BET inhibitors are a major area of drug development efforts.

Do sperm and lubricants well with each other? A systematic review.

Vaginal lubricants are commonly used to aid sexual pleasure and/or to help combat vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. Several studies have reported their impact on sperm function, however there are no published guidelines to help healthcare professionals and couples select a vaginal lubricant that is 'sperm-safe'. To address this, we conducted a literature search using both PubMed and Scopus to identify and appraise manuscripts that reported the impact of lubricants on sperm function.

Fabrication of angstrom-scale two-dimensional channels for mass transport.

Fluidic channels at atomic scales regulate cellular trafficking and molecular filtration across membranes, and thus play crucial roles in the functioning of living systems. However, constructing synthetic channels experimentally at these scales has been a significant challenge due to the limitations in nanofabrication techniques and the surface roughness of the commonly used materials. Angstrom (Å)-scale slit-like channels overcome such challenges as these are made with precise control over their dimensions and can be used to study the fluidic properties of gases, ions and water at unprecedented scales.

A high-throughput quality control method for assessing the serial dilution performance of dose-response plates with acoustic ejection mass spectrometry.

This study aimed to develop a streamlined method for evaluating the dilution ratio of drug dose-response plates created by automated liquid handlers in the early stages of drug discovery. The quantitative techniques commonly used for this purpose have restrictions due to their limited linear dynamic range and inaccuracies in assessing serial dilution performance. To address this challenge, we describe a method based on acoustic ejection mass spectrometry (AEMS).

Extracellular vesicles arising from apoptosis: forms, functions, and applications.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-enclosed subcellular bodies produced by most, if not all cells. Research over the last two decades has recognised the importance of EVs in intercellular communication and horizontal transfer of biological material. EVs range in diameter from tens of nanometres up to several micrometres and are able to transfer a spectrum of biologically active cargoes - from whole organelles, through macromolecules including nucleic acids and proteins, to metabolites and small molecules - from their cells of origin to recipient cells, which may consequently become physiologically or pathologically altered.

COVID-19 and Pediatric Mental Health Hospitalizations.

Objectives: To analyze Australian national data to examine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on mental health-related hospital presentations among children and adolescents during the pandemic period with restrictions, and the period after the restrictions eased.

Methods: We analyzed the monthly mental health-related inpatient admissions and emergency department (ED) attendances data from 6 large pediatric hospitals across Australia, using the Bayesian structural time series models. The COVID-19 restriction period was from March 2020 to December 2021 and the COVID-19 restriction-eased period from January to June 2022.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor does not prevent in vitro cisplatin-induced germ cell reduction in immature human and mouse testis.

Background: Currently there are no established fertility preservation options for pre-pubertal boys facing cancer treatment. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment has been proposed to be chemoprotective against spermatogonial cell loss in an alkylating chemotherapy model of busulfan treated adult mice. Having previously shown that exposure to the alkylating-like chemotherapy cisplatin resulted in a reduction in germ cell numbers in immature human testicular tissues, we here investigate whether G-CSF would prevent cisplatin-induced germ cell loss in immature human and mouse (fetal and pre-pubertal) testicular tissues.

Impact of taxane-based chemotherapeutics on male reproductive function.

Men and boys with cancer treated with chemotherapy are known to have reduced fertility following their treatment. This is because some chemotherapy drugs can damage the cells in the testicles that make sperm. This study found there is limited information available on the effect of one group of chemotherapy drugs, called taxanes, on testicular function and fertility.

The risk of miscarriage following COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Question: What is the risk of miscarriage among pregnant women who received any of the COVID-19 vaccines?

Summary Answer: There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.

What Is Known Already: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mass roll-out of vaccines helped to boost herd immunity and reduced hospital admissions, morbidity, and mortality. Still, many were concerned about the safety of vaccines for pregnancy, which may have limited their uptake among pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy.

Metal 3D printing: Patent law, trade secrets, and additive manufacturing.

There has been significant investment in research and development in respect of metal 3D printing in the United States (as well as a number of other jurisdictions). There has been growing conflict over the ownership of intellectual property in respect of metal 3D printing (involving not only patents but also trade secrets and confidential information, as well as contract law and unfair competition). In 2018, Desktop Metal Inc.

Ethical and economic implications of the adoption of novel plant-based beef substitutes in the USA: a general equilibrium modelling study.

Background: Slowing climate change is crucial to the future wellbeing of human societies and the greater environment. Current beef production systems in the USA are a major source of negative environmental impacts and raise various animal welfare concerns. Nevertheless, beef production provides a food source high in protein and many nutrients as well as providing employment and income to millions of people.

Cisplatin Effects on the Human Fetal Testis - Establishing the Sensitive Period for (Pre)Spermatogonial Loss and Relevance for Fertility Preservation in Pre-Pubertal Boys.

Background: Exposure to chemotherapy during childhood can impair future fertility. Studies using culture have shown exposure to platinum-based alkylating-like chemotherapy reduces the germ cell number in the human fetal testicular tissues. We aimed to determine whether effects of exposure to cisplatin on the germ cell sub-populations are dependent on the gestational age of the fetus and what impact this might have on the utility of using human fetal testis cultures to model chemotherapy exposure in childhood testis.

Worth the paper it's written on? A cross-sectional study of Medical Certificate of Stillbirth accuracy in the UK.

Background: The Medical Certificate of Stillbirth (MCS) records data about a baby's death after 24 weeks of gestation but before birth. Major errors that could alter interpretation of the MCS were widespread in two UK-based regional studies.

Methods: A multicentre evaluation was conducted, examining MCS issued 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 in 76 UK obstetric units.