The project “Immigration Enforcement Across the World: Drivers and Consequences of Deportation Risk (DEPRISK)” created a country-by-country database on annual deportation corridors by collecting administrative data from governmental sources in the deporting countries, both through publicly available statistics and via official requests for access to information. The database currently includes bilateral data from 42 deporting countries, including most OECD countries, spanning the period from 2000 to 2023, encompassing 7,200 deportation corridors. This methodological note describes the variables of the DEPRISK database and the challenges that arose from joining data across countries with different legal terms, procedures, and reporting systems. The country annexe presents the country-specific legal terms and data sources, and justifies all steps and decisions taken in creating variables.

This Review surveys the properties and applications of the pentafluoroorthotellurate (“teflate”, OTeF5) ligand and highlights the syntheses of the known teflate-based compounds across the periodic table. Due to the accessibility to several useful teflate transfer reagents and its unique properties, including strong electron-withdrawing character, considerable steric bulk, and stability against oxidation, a variety of intriguing p-block and d-block species have been reported. These encompass highly reactive Lewis acids, versatile weakly coordinating anions, neutral and cationic noble gas compounds, and a wide number of transition metal complexes. The lower analogues of the pentafluoroorthochalcogenate group, OSeF5 and OSF5, are described as well, although fewer examples are known. Recent progress in the derivatization of the OTeF5 group to cis- and trans-PhTeF4O or trans-(C6F5)2TeF3O moieties is also discussed, opening pathways to exciting new research directions.

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), which include mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), are a group of lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by clonal accumulation of neoplastic T-lymphocytes in the skin. Severe pruritus, one of the most common and distressing symptoms in primary CTCL, can significantly impair emotional well-being, physical functioning, and interpersonal relationships, thus greatly reducing quality of life. Unfortunately, effectively managing pruritus remains challenging in CTCL patients as the underlying mechanisms are, as of yet, not fully understood. Previous studies investigating the mechanisms of itch in CTCL have identified several mediators and their corresponding antagonists used for treatment. However, a comprehensive overview of the mediators and receptors contributing to pruritus in primary CTCL is lacking in the current literature. Here, we summarize and review the mediators and receptors that may contribute to pruritus in primary CTCL to explore the mechanisms of CTCL pruritus and identify effective therapeutic targets using the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Studies were included if they described itch mediators and receptors in MF and SS. Overall, the available data suggest that proteases (mainly tryptase), and neuropeptides (particularly Substance P) may be of greatest interest. At the receptor level, cytokine receptors, MRGPRs, and TRP channels are most likely important. Future drug development efforts should concentrate on targeting these mediators and receptors for the treatment of CTCL pruritus.

We aimed to identify diagnosis-specific/transdiagnostic/transoutcome multivariable candidate predictors (MCPs) of key outcomes in mental disorders. We conducted an umbrella review (protocol link), searching MEDLINE/Embase (19/07/2022), including systematic reviews of studies reporting on MCPs of response, remission, recovery, or relapse, in DSM/ICD-defined mental disorders. From published predictors, we filtered MCPs, validating MCP criteria. AMSTAR2/PROBAST measured quality/risk of bias of systematic reviews/individual studies. We included 117 systematic reviews, 403 studies, 299,888 individuals with mental disorders, testing 796 prediction models. Only 4.3%/1.2% of the systematic reviews/individual studies were at low risk of bias. The most frequently targeted outcome was remission (36.9%), the least frequent was recovery (2.5%). Studies mainly focused on depressive (39.4%), substance-use (17.9%), and schizophrenia-spectrum (11.9%) disorders. We identified numerous MCPs within disorders for response, remission and relapse, but none for recovery. Transdiagnostic MCPs of remission included lower disease-specific symptoms (disorders = 5), female sex/higher education (disorders = 3), and quality of life/functioning (disorders = 2). Transdiagnostic MCPs of relapse included higher disease-specific symptoms (disorders = 5), higher depressive symptoms (disorders = 3), and younger age/higher anxiety symptoms/global illness severity/ number of previous episodes/negative life events (disorders = 2). Finally, positive trans-outcome MCPs for depression included less negative life events/depressive symptoms (response, remission, less relapse), female sex (response, remission) and better functioning (response, less relapse); for schizophrenia, less positive symptoms/higher depressive symptoms (remission, less relapse); for substance use disorder, marital status/higher education (remission, less relapse). Male sex, younger age, more clinical symptoms and comorbid mental/physical symptoms/disorders were poor prognostic factors, while positive factors included social contacts and employment, absent negative life events, higher education, early access/intervention, lower disease-specific and comorbid mental and physical symptoms/conditions, across mental disorders. Current data limitations include high risk of bias of studies and extraction of single predictors from multivariable models. Identified MCPs can inform future development, validation or refinement of prediction models of key outcomes in mental disorders.

Transient receptor potential cation channel-6 (TRPC6) gene mutations cause familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease. In patients with TRPC6-related FSGS, all mutations map to the N- or C-terminal TRPC6 protein domains. Thus far, the majority of TRPC6 mutations are missense resulting in increased or decreased calcium influx; however, the fundamental molecular mechanisms causing cell injury and kidney pathology are unclear. We report a novel heterozygous TRPC6 mutation (V691Kfs*) in a large kindred with no signs of FSGS despite a largely truncated TRPC6 protein. We studied the molecular effects of V691Kfs* TRPC6 mutant using the tridimensional cryo-EM structure of the tetrameric TRPC6 protein. The results indicated that V691 is localized at the pore-forming transmembrane region affecting the ion conduction pathway, and predicted that V691Kfs* causes closure of the ion-conducting pathway leading to channel inactivation. We assessed the impact of V691Kfs* and two previously reported TRPC6 disease mutants (P112Q and G757D) on calcium influx in cells. Our data show that the V691Kfs* fully inactivated the TRCP6 channel-specific calcium influx consistent with a complete loss-of-function phenotype. Furthermore, the V691Kfs* truncation exerted a dominant negative effect on the full-length TRPC6 proteins. In conclusion, the V691Kfs* non-functional truncated TRPC6 is not sufficient to cause FSGS. Our data corroborate recently characterized TRPC6 loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutants suggesting that one defective TRPC6 gene copy is not sufficient to cause FSGS. We underscore the importance of increased rather than reduced calcium influx through TRPC6 for podocyte cell death.

In microglia, changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) may regulate process motility, inflammasome activation, and phagocytosis. However, while neurons and astrocytes exhibit frequent spontaneous Ca2+ activity, microglial Ca2+ signals are much rarer and poorly understood. Here, we studied [Ca2+]i changes of microglia in acute brain slices using Fluo-4–loaded cells and mice expressing GCaMP5g in microglia. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients occurred ~ 5 times more frequently in individual microglial processes than in their somata. We assessed whether microglial Ca2+ responses change in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using AppNL−G−F knock-in mice. Proximity to Aβ plaques strongly affected microglial Ca2+ activity. Although spontaneous Ca2+ transients were unaffected in microglial processes, they were fivefold more frequent in microglial somata near Aβ plaques than in wild-type microglia. Microglia away from Aβ plaques in AD mice showed intermediate properties for morphology and Ca2+ responses, partly resembling those of wild-type microglia. By contrast, somatic Ca2+ responses evoked by tissue damage were less intense in microglia near Aβ plaques than in wild-type microglia, suggesting different mechanisms underlying spontaneous vs. damage-evoked Ca2+ signals. Finally, as similar processes occur in neurodegeneration and old age, we studied whether ageing affected microglial [Ca2+]i. Somatic damage-evoked Ca2+ responses were greatly reduced in microglia from old mice, as in the AD mice. In contrast to AD, however, old age did not alter the occurrence of spontaneous Ca2+ signals in microglial somata but reduced the rate of events in processes. Thus, we demonstrate distinct compartmentalised Ca2+ activity in microglia from healthy, aged and AD-like brains.

Background A perennial house dust mite-associated allergic rhinitis has a major impact on the quality of life of patients and is associated with a high socioeconomic burden. The most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include a runny nose and nasal congestion, sneezing, itching of nose, mouth and/or throat, and/or ocular symptoms. Affected patients often develop allergic bronchial asthma. Therapy options for allergic rhinitis include allergen avoidance, symptomatic treatment, and allergen immunotherapy. Allergen immunotherapy is the only disease-modifying treatment that can permanently alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. In July 2021, a new sublingual mite tablet was approved in Germany.

Methods This review summarizes clinical studies on the 300 IR (index of reactivity) mite tablet in adolescents and adults with house dust mite-associated allergic rhinitis and presents the results.

Results In the phase II and phase III studies considered here, different dosages of the mite tablet were investigated. The 300 IR mite tablet showed the best benefit–risk profile and has been approved in Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand for the treatment of house dust mite-associated allergic rhinitis.

Conclusion Allergen immunotherapy with the 300 IR mite tablet is an effective treatment that relieves allergic symptoms, reduces the need for symptomatic medication, and improves the quality of life in both adults and adolescents with house dust mite-associated allergic rhinitis. At the same time, treatment with the 300 IR mite tablet is well tolerated. Mild to moderate reactions at the application site subside after a few days.

Hintergrund Klinisch tätige Psycholog:innen sind in ihrer Arbeit mit Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen oft zahlreichen Stressoren ausgesetzt; diese können sich in psychischer Belastung und einer verringerten Lebensqualität niederschlagen. Körperliche Aktivität könnte eine protektive Ressource darstellen, diesbezüglich fehlen jedoch bisher empirische Befunde.

Methoden Im Rahmen einer querschnittlichen Online-Befragung über SoSci-Survey (Januar bis April 2020) wurden die körperliche Aktivität und die berufsbezogene Lebensqualität (positive Dimension: Mitgefühlszufriedenheit; negative Dimension: Mitgefühlsmüdigkeit) einer Gelegenheitsstichprobe aus 443 klinisch tätigen Psycholog:innen mithilfe etablierter Selbstberichtfragebogen (International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form [IPAQ-SF], Professional Quality of Life Scale [ProQOL]) erfasst.

Ergebnisse Der Großteil der befragten Psycholog:innen erfüllte das von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation empfohlene Mindestmaß an körperlicher Aktivität. Die Mitgefühlszufriedenheit war im Schnitt relativ hoch, während eher geringe bis moderate Ausprägungen an Burn-out-Symptomatik sowie sekundärem traumatischem Stress (Facetten der Mitgefühlsmüdigkeit) berichtet wurden. Außer vereinzelten kleinen negativen Korrelationen zwischen körperlicher Inaktivität und Mitgefühlszufriedenheit bei Psycholog:innen in Weiterbildung sowie Burn-out-Symptomen und körperlicher Gesamtaktivität bei Psychologischen Psychotherapeut:innen waren keine Zusammenhänge zwischen körperlicher Aktivität und berufsbezogener Lebensqualität ersichtlich.

Schlussfolgerungen Psycholog:innen scheinen zu großen Teilen eine körperlich aktive und tendenziell zufriedene Berufsgruppe darzustellen. Zusammenhänge zwischen körperlicher Aktivität und Lebensqualität könnten teilweise durch Deckeneffekte verdeckt sein. Des Weiteren könnte eine Analyse der Ursachen für diese adaptiven Ausprägungen in Aktivität und Lebensqualität Anhaltspunkte für Maßnahmen zur Förderung anderer Professionen liefern.

Purpose While the etiopathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remains unclear, it is assumed that muscular asymmetries contribute to curve progression. As previous studies have found asymmetries of the thoracic paraspinal muscles in AIS patients, our study’s aim was to analyze differences in the erector spinae, multifidus, quadratus lumborum, and psoas muscles of the lumbar spine depending on the curve’s radiographic characteristics.

Methods We retrospectively included all patients who received posterior reposition spondylodesis for AIS treatment at our institution. Patients were classified according to the Lenke classification. Muscle cross-sectional areas were obtained from magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. Data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon rank sum test, the Kruskal–Wallis test with post hoc testing, or the Spearman’s correlation coefficient.

Results Seventy-four (14 males and 60 females) AIS patients with a median age of 16 (IQR ± 4) years and a mean Cobb angle of 56.0° (± 18.0°) were included. In curve types Lenke 1 and 2 (n = 45), the erector spinae (p < 0.001) and multifidus (p < 0.001) muscles had a significantly larger cross-sectional area on the convex side, whereas the quadratus lumborum (p = 0.034) and psoas (p < 0.001) muscles each had a significantly larger cross-sectional area on the lumbar contralateral side.

Conclusion Our results show an asymmetry of the lumbar spine’s muscles which depends on both the convexity and the extent of the scoliotic curve. While our results cannot prove whether these differences are the deformity’s cause or effect, they may contribute to a better understanding of AIS pathogenesis and may allow for more specific preoperative physiotherapy.

Scientists have investigated the thermal tolerance of organisms for centuries, yet the field has not lost relevance as the environmental threats of thermal pollution and global change sharpen the need to understand the thermal vulnerability of organisms in landscapes increasingly subjected to multiple stressors. Freshwater fish and invertebrates are greatly underrepresented in recent large-scale compilations of thermal tolerance, despite the importance of freshwaters as a crucial resource and as havens for biodiversity. Therefore we compiled ThermoFresh, a thermal tolerance database for these organisms that includes literature from 1900 until the present, sourced from five languages to counteract geographic bias. The database contains over 6800 records for over 900 species, including 470 invertebrates, as well as 505 thermal tolerance tests conducted with additional stressors present. We provide a valuable resource to test hypotheses on thermal risks to freshwater organisms in present and future environments subject to multiple stressors.

1. The influence of common mycorrhizal fungal networks (CMNs) on their components—namely the plants and the linking fungal genet—has been studied for decades and is under constant debate. Besides new research evidence on mechanisms and functionality of CMNs, the actual ecological importance of effects mediated by CMNs on the plant and fungal components is still understudied. 2. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis focusing on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi as linking genets and evaluated the magnitude of effects mediated by CMNs on plant and fungal parameters. 3. We found neutral or inconsistent effects for the tested plant and fungal parameters. The detected effects were small. The wide range of positive to negative CMN effects in our database indicates strong context dependence. In combination with data limitations for the different tested parameters, any attempts at general inferences must be done very carefully. 4. Given the widespread lack of significant responses, it is very difficult to derive well-supported conclusions about the meaning of the CMN for the biology of the fungi and the plants and the general ecological significance of the CMN. Thus, we call for a renewed research effort to strengthen the evidence base for effects mediated by CMNs on plant and fungal parameters. We recommend exercising caution when communicating to the public about effects mediated by CMNs formed by AM fungi.

Aims

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5th Edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Diseases – 11th Revision (ICD-11) employ different post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) criteria, necessitating updated prevalence estimates. Most of the existing evidence is still based on ICD-Tenth Revision and DSM-Fourth Edition criteria, leading to varied estimates across populations. This study provides current PTSD prevalence rates in the German general population, comparing DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria and examines variations by age and gender.

Methods

In a 2016 cross-sectional survey of 2404 adults (18–94 years) representative of the German general population, participants completed the Life-Events-Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5) for trauma exposure and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) for PTSD symptoms. Probable PTSD diagnoses were based on DSM-5-, ICD-11-algorithms and suggested cut-off scores. Chi-square and McNemar’s tests were used to test differences in prevalence rates by diagnostic framework, age and gender.

Results

Of the total sample, 47.2% (n = 1135) reported experiencing at least one lifetime traumatic event (TE), with transportation accidents (7.3%) and life-threatening injuries (4.9%) being most common. Probable PTSD prevalence was 4.7% under both DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria, and 2.6% based on a conservative cut-off normed for prevalence estimation. Gender and age were not significantly associated with TE exposure or PTSD prevalence, though trauma types varied: female participants more often reported sexual violence and severe suffering, while more male participants reported physical assaults and various types of accidents. DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic algorithms had substantial yet not perfect agreement (κ = 0.62). Particularly within the re-experiencing symptoms, cluster agreement was only moderate (κ = 0.57). The cut-off method aligned more closely with DSM-5 (κ = 0.60) than ICD-11 algorithm (κ = 0.42).

Conclusions

This study provides updated PTSD prevalence estimates for the German general population and underscores differences between DSM-5 and ICD-11 in identifying cases, particularly with respect to re-experiencing symptoms. These findings emphasize that while overall PTSD prevalence rates under DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria are similar, the diagnostic frameworks identify partially distinct cases, reflecting differences in symptom definitions. This highlights the need to carefully consider the impact of evolving diagnostic criteria when interpreting prevalence estimates and comparing results across studies.

A tumor cell membrane (CM)-based biomimetic membrane tumor vaccine is an emerging prevention and treatment strategy in tumor immunotherapy. However, a single CM mostly has a weak immune-boosting effect. Here, a heterogenic fusion membrane tumor vaccine, EV–CM, was successfully constructed by fusing extracellular vesicles (EVs) from S. aureus and CM from B16F10 melanoma cells. Inheriting the advantages of parental components, the EV–CM combines tumor antigens with natural adjuvants that can be used for immunotherapy and can be easily synergistic with complementary therapies. In vivo vaccine tests have shown that EV–CM can activate immune antitumor responses and prevent tumorigenesis. To further enhance the immunotherapeutic and antimetastatic effects of EV–CM, Pt-porphyrin coordination polymer as an immunopotentiator (CPIP) was implanted into an EV–CM nanoplatform (CPIP@EV–CM), which combines localized sonodynamic/chemodynamic therapy-induced immunogenic cell death with heterogenic fusion membrane-mediated antigen-presenting functions. In vitro performance tests, cell experiments, and in vivo animal models have confirmed that the CPIP@EV–CM combined with US has better ROS production, tumor cell killing, and antimetastasis abilities. The heterogenic fusion membrane strategy and ultrasound-augmented nanoplatform present exciting prospects for designing tumor-immunogenic, self-adjuvant, and expandable vaccines, providing new ideas for exploring new melanoma immunotherapy and antimetastasis strategies, which is expected to be used as a safe and effective treatment in clinical practice.

Ammonia was first discovered as a chemical solvent in the 19th century. Extensive investigations during the 20th century toward its physical and chemical properties have yielded substantial knowledge regarding the compound. Historically, its merit was mainly seen in chemical synthesis and its ability to accommodate syntheses that could not be pursued in aqueous solvents. With a growing demand for low-emission energy systems, the scientific focus on ammonia shifted toward its potential for efficient hydrogen storage and transportation, as well as for direct combustion. Herein, a brief overview of the development of the role of ammonia, with the goal of highlighting its unique properties as a solvent, is provided, in particular, in the chemical syntheses of unprecedented species and reactive compounds.

Two-dimensional materials provide a rich platform to explore phenomena such as emerging electronic and excitonic states, strong light–matter coupling, and new optoelectronic device concepts. The optical response of monolayers is entangled with the substrate on which they are grown or deposited on, often a two-dimensional material itself. Understanding how the properties of the two-dimensional monolayers can be tuned via the substrate is therefore essential. Here we employ angle-resolved reflectivity and photoluminescence spectroscopy on highly ordered molecular monolayers on hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) to systematically investigate the angle-dependent optical response as a function of the thickness of the hBN flake. We observe that light reflection and emission occur in a strongly directed fashion and that the direction of light reflection and emission is dictated by the hBN flake thickness. Transfer matrix simulations reproduce the experimental data and show that optical interference effects in hBN are at the origin of the angle-dependent optical properties. While our study focuses on molecular monolayers on hBN, our findings are expected to be general and relevant for any 2D material placed on top of a substrate given the ubiquitous presence of optical interferences. Our findings demonstrate the need to carefully choose substrate parameters for a given experimental geometry but also highlight opportunities in applications such as lighting technology, where the direction of light emission can be controlled via substrate thickness.

This essay explores Plato’s rudimentary epistemology of non-discursive thought. I will proceed in three steps, beginning with a general view of Plato’s philosophy, subsequently focusing on the Meno, and ending with a close reading of the passages on music in Republic. In the first section, I will outline a general framework to examine the relation between truth (alētheia) and discourse (logos) in Plato’s philosophy. My central argument is that, for Plato, discourse is a necessary yet not sufficient condition for truth. Accordingly, I identify two sides of Plato’s philosophy: his “logocentric” project, which aims to demonstrate the necessity of discourse in truth-finding, and his “logoskeptic” project, which underscores the insufficiency of discourse in truth-finding. This double philosophical undertaking, then, raises the question of how both aspects—discourse’s necessity and its insufficiency—relate to each other in a combined extra-discursive pursuit of truth. In the subsequent two sections, I will focus on two Platonic dialogues to characterize the relation between logoskepticism and logocentrism as a dialectical circle. First, I will analyze this relation through a reading of the Meno, in particular the aporia of the ‘‘paradox of inquiry”. This interpretation aims both to solidify the general framework presented in the previous section and to introduce the notion of “dialectics” to conceptualize the relation between one’s discourse and that which transcends one’s discursive abilities. In the Meno, I argue, this dialectic unfolds as a circular mode of thinking in which a form of passivity ultimately proves decisive. However, in the Meno, the dialectical mode of thought remains largely confined to the realm of discursivity, leaving unresolved the question of how discourse and the non-discursive might collaborate in a similarly dialectical yet extra-discursive mode of reason. Finally, in the third section, I argue that a close reading of the passages on music in Book III of the Republic (398b–403c) reveals an insight into the dialectical relation between discursive and non-discursive reason. Throughout these passages, Plato launches a paradoxical theory of musical pedagogy. In short, Plato makes a case for the cognitive value of music’s non-discursive nature, while simultaneously explaining this non-discursive quality in a thoroughly logocentric manner. Much of the scholarship on Plato’s philosophy of music tends to emphasize only one side of this paradox. However, I contend that by recognizing both contrasting aspects of Plato’s musical pedagogy, by preserving rather than resolving their circular relation to each other, we can see how discourse and non-discursive material interact dialectically in music. In doing so, I aim to show how Plato’s paradoxical theory of music bridges two key aspects of his overall philosophy, namely discourse’s necessity and its insufficiency in the pursuit of truth.

Caffeine is metabolized through various pathways in the human body, with the primary two steps yielding isomeric products. Distinguishing these metabolites is crucial for mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, for example, to assess specific drug interactions. Here, we investigate the gas-phase structures of caffeine and its metabolitestheophylline, theobromine, paraxanthine, 1-methylxanthine, 3-methylxanthine, and 7-methylxanthinein their respective protonated ions using cryogenic gas-phase infrared spectroscopy, supported by density functional theory. The analytes exhibit varying preferences for protonation and tautomerism, particularly N9 protonation and, where applicable, a tendency for N3O2 and N1O2 amide–imidic acid and N7N9 imine–imine tautomerism. We further demonstrate that the two isomeric sets of caffeine metabolites can easily be distinguished with gas-phase IR spectroscopy, paving the way for robust identification of such molecules in metabolomics using hyphenated gas-phase techniques.

Mucus is the biological hydrogel that lines the mucosal surfaces of mammals and acts as a protective barrier. Its main proteinaceous component is mucin, the high molecular weight, degree of glycosylation, and hardly uniquely defined nature of which hamper precise structures/property investigations based on biological samples. In contrast, chemically precisely defined peptide model systems inspired by such natural glycoproteins represent synthetically readily obtainable tools with excellent properties for both fundamental research and biomedical applications. Herein, we report the design and characterization of a library of histidine- and monosaccharide-containing coiled coil peptides that form hydrogels to different degrees in the presence of divalent metal ions Cu2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, and Fe2+. Using rheology, circular dichroism, and transmission electron microscopy, we determined the viscoelastic properties and global structures of these glycopeptide materials. This study reflects the interplay between glycan identity, histidine position, and divalent metal ion on the mechanical strength of these hydrogels.