Agential realism as an alternative philosophy of science perspective for quantitative psychology.

This paper introduces Karen Barad's philosophical framework of agential realism as an alternative philosophy of science perspective for quantitative psychology and measurement. Agential realism offers a rethinking of the research object, measurement process and outcome, causality, and the researcher's responsibility by proposing an ethico-epistem-ontological understanding of material-discursive practices that co-construct our world. The contemporary, canonical underlying philosophy of science perspective of quantitative psychology entails entity realism, a difference between ontic existence and epistemic approaches, complete causality, and determinism.

Thermoresponsive Brush Coatings for Cell Sheet Engineering with Low Protein Adsorption above the Polymers' Phase Transition Temperature.

Thermoresponsive polymer coatings on cell culture substrates enable noninvasive cell detachment and cell sheet fabrication for biomedical applications. Optimized coatings should support controlled culture and detachment of various cell types and allow chemical modifications, e.g.

Decisive role of mDia-family formins in cell cortex function of highly adherent cells.

Cortical formins, pivotal for the assembly of linear actin filaments beneath the membrane, exert only minor effects on unconfined cell migration of weakly and moderately adherent cells. However, their impact on migration and mechanostability of highly adherent cells remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that loss of cortical actin filaments generated by the formins mDia1 and mDia3 drastically compromises cell migration and mechanics in highly adherent fibroblasts.

-containing spheres are a novel and predominant form of egress by the pathogen .

The egress of intracellular bacteria from host cells and cellular tissues is a critical process during the infection cycle. This process is essential for bacteria to spread inside the host and can influence the outcome of an infection. For the obligate intracellular Gram-negative zoonotic bacterium little is known about the mechanisms resulting in bacterial egress from the infected epithelium.

Hyphenation of supercritical fluid chromatography and trapped ion mobility-mass spectrometry for quantitative lipidomics.

Background: Lipidomics studies require rapid separations with accurate and reliable quantification results to further elucidate the role of lipids in biological processes and their biological functions. Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), in particular, can provide this rapid and high-resolution separation. The combination with trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) has not yet been applied, although the post-ionization separation method in combination with liquid chromatography or imaging techniques has already proven itself in resolving isomeric and isobaric lipids and preventing false identifications.

Hydrogel-Integrated Millifluidic Systems: Advancing the Fabrication of Mucus-Producing Human Intestinal Models.

The luminal surface of the intestinal epithelium is protected by a vital mucus layer, which is essential for lubrication, hydration, and fostering symbiotic bacterial relationships. Replicating and studying this complex mucus structure in vitro presents considerable challenges. To address this, we developed a hydrogel-integrated millifluidic tissue chamber capable of applying precise apical shear stress to intestinal models cultured on flat or 3D structured hydrogel scaffolds with adjustable stiffness.

High-Speed Fluorescence Imaging Corroborates Biological Data on the Influence of Different Nozzle Types on Cell Spray Viability and Formation.

Treating severe dermal disruptions often presents significant challenges. Recent advancements have explored biological cell sprays as a promising treatment, but their success hinges on efficient cell delivery and complete wound coverage. This requires a good spray distribution with a small droplet size, high particle number, and ample surface coverage.

Smoking cessation decreases arterial blood pressure in hypertensive smokers: A subgroup analysis of the randomized controlled trial GENTSMOKING.

Introduction: High blood pressure in hypertensive smokers is affected by nicotine consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking cessation treatments on blood pressure in hypertensive smokers.

Methods: A total of 113 hypertensive smokers on antihypertensives during smoking cessation treatment in the randomized controlled trial GENTSMOKING were considered for analysis.

Dual-mobility bearings reduce instability but may not be the only answer in revision total hip arthroplasty for recurrent dislocation.

Aims: There is little information in the literature about the use of dual-mobility (DM) bearings in preventing re-dislocation in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to compare the use of DM bearings, standard bearings, and constrained liners in revision THA for recurrent dislocation, and to identify risk factors for re-dislocation.

Methods: We reviewed 86 consecutive revision THAs performed for dislocation between August 2012 and July 2019.

Efficacy of bupropion and varenicline genetic markers in choosing pharmacological treatment for smoking cessation, and implications for combining drugs: A randomized controlled trial - GENTSMOKING.

Introduction: Smoking cessation is the best strategy for reducing tobacco-related morbimortality. The goal of this randomized controlled trial was to test whether using the genetically favorable markers to choose a smoking cessation drug treatment (precision medicine) was superior to using the most effective drug (varenicline) in terms of abstinence rates. Additionally, combination therapy was tested when monotherapy failed.

Does deep TMS really works for smoking cessation? A prospective, double blind, randomized, sham controlled study.

Introduction: A substantial proportion of smokers wishing to quit do not stop smoking when using current therapies to aid cessation. Magnetic pulses to specific brain areas designated as transcranial magnetic stimulation may modulate brain activity and thereby change chemical dependencies. Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) with the H4 coil stimulates neuronal pathways in the lateral prefrontal cortex and insula bilaterally, areas involved in tobacco addiction.

Heat stability of foodborne viruses - Findings, methodological challenges and current developments.

Heat treatment of food represents an important measure to prevent pathogen transmission. Thus far, evaluation of heat treatment processes is mainly based on data from bacteria. However, foodborne viruses have gained increasing attention during the last decades.

A novel computational pipeline for gene expression augments the discovery of changes in the transcriptome during transition from in vivo to short-term in vitro culture.

The pathogenesis of severe malaria involves cytoadhesive microvascular sequestration of infected erythrocytes, mediated by erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). PfEMP1 variants are encoded by the highly polymorphic family of genes, the sequences of which are largely unknown in clinical samples. Previously, we published new approaches for gene profiling and classification of predicted binding phenotypes in clinical isolates (Wichers et al.

Sculpting nuclear envelope identity from the endoplasmic reticulum during the cell cycle.

The nuclear envelope (NE) regulates nuclear functions, including transcription, nucleocytoplasmic transport, and protein quality control. While the outer membrane of the NE is directly continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the NE has an overall distinct protein composition from the ER, which is crucial for its functions. During open mitosis in higher eukaryotes, the NE disassembles during mitotic entry and then reforms as a functional territory at the end of mitosis to reestablish nucleocytoplasmic compartmentalization.

Fatty acid synthesis suppresses dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid use.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are increasingly recognized for their health benefits, whereas a high production of endogenous fatty acids - a process called de novo lipogenesis (DNL) - is closely linked to metabolic diseases. Determinants of PUFA incorporation into complex lipids are insufficiently understood and may influence the onset and progression of metabolic diseases. Here we show that fatty acid synthase (FASN), the key enzyme of DNL, critically determines the use of dietary PUFA in mice and humans.

Structural basis for subversion of host cell actin cytoskeleton during infection.

Secreted bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS) proteins are essential for successful infection by many human pathogens. Both T3SS translocator SipC and effector SipA are critical for infection by subversion of the host cell cytoskeleton, but the precise molecular interplay between them remains unknown. Here, using cryo-electron microscopy, we show that SipA binds along the F-actin grooves with a unique binding pattern.

High-Voltage Instability of Vinylene Carbonate (VC): Impact of Formed Poly-VC on Interphases and Toxicity.

Full exhaustion in specific energy/energy density of state-of-the-art LiNi Co Mn O (NCM)-based Li-ion batteries (LIB) is currently limited for reasons of NCM stability by upper cut-off voltages (UCV) below 4.3 V. At higher UCV, structural decomposition triggers electrode crosstalk in the course of enhanced transition metal dissolution and leads to severe specific capacity/energy fade; in the worst case to a sudden death phenomenon (roll-over failure).

Gram negative periprosthetic hip infection: nearly 25% same pathogen infection persistence at a mean of 2 years.

Purpose: While gram negative (GN) periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) have previously been described as difficult to treat pathogens with high rates of reinfection, limited investigations have addressed midterm outcomes and risk of infection persistence by the same pathogen. This study analyzed (1) baseline demographics, treatment strategy, and midterm outcomes of GN PJIs, as well as (2) differences in reinfection and relapse rates compared to gram positive (GP) PJIs.

Methods: We identified 29 patients that were revised for 30 GN PJIs of total hip arthroplasties (THAs) between 2010 and 2020 using a university-based hip registry.

Epithelial restitution in 3D - Revealing biomechanical and physiochemical dynamics in intestinal organoids via fs laser nanosurgery.

Intestinal organoids represent a three-dimensional cell culture system mimicking the mammalian intestine. The application of single-cell ablation for defined wounding via a femtosecond laser system within the crypt base allowed us to study cell dynamics during epithelial restitution. Neighboring cells formed a contractile actin ring encircling the damaged cell, changed the cellular aspect ratio, and immediately closed the barrier.

Public health risk communication through the lens of a quarantined community: Insights from a coronavirus hotspot in Germany.

Background: Quarantine is one of the most effective interventions to contain an infectious disease outbreak, yet it is one of the most disruptive. We investigated the quarantine of an entire village to better understand risk communication requirements for groups.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey study on a single cohort of adult residents in Neustadt am Rennsteig, Germany, six weeks after the removal of a 14-day mandatory community quarantine.

Single Center Experience with Voretigene Neparvovec Gene Augmentation Therapy in RPE65 Mutation-Associated Inherited Retinal Degeneration in a Clinical Setting.

Purpose: To assess the impact of baseline data on psychophysical and morphological outcomes of subretinal voretigene neparvovec (VN) (Luxturna, Spark Therapeutics, Inc.) treatment.

Design: Single-center, retrospective, longitudinal, consecutive case series.