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The rare-earth crisis, which peaked in the summer of 2011 with the prices of both light and heavy rare earths soaring to unprecedented levels, brought about the widespread realization that the long-term availability and price stability of rare earths could not be guaranteed. This triggered a rapid response from manufacturers involved in rare earths, as well as governments and national and international funding agencies. In the case of rare-earth-containing permanent magnets, three possibilities were given quick and serious consideration: (I) increased recycling of devices containing rare earths; (II) the search for new, mineable, rare-earth resources beyond those in China; and (III) the development of high-energy-product permanent magnets with little or no rare-earth content used in their manufacture. The Replacement and Original Magnet Engineering Options (ROMEO) project addresses the latter challenge using a two-pronged approach. With its basis on work packages that include materials modeling and advanced characterization, the ROMEO project is an attempt to develop a new class of novel permanent magnets that are free of rare earths. Furthermore, the project aims to minimize rare-earth content, particularly heavy-rare-earth (HRE) content, as much as possible in Nd-Fe-B-type magnets. Success has been achieved on both fronts. In terms of new, rare-earth-free magnets, a Heusler alloy database of 236,945 compounds has been narrowed down to approximately 20 new compounds. Of these compounds, Co 2 MnTi is expected to be a ferromagnet with a high Curie temperature and a high magnetic moment. Regarding the reduction in the amount of rare earths, and more specifically HREs, major progress is seen in electrophoretic deposition as a method for accurately positioning the HRE on the surface prior to its diffusion into the microstructure. This locally increases the coercivity of the rather small Nd-Fe-B-type magnet, thereby substantially reducing the dependence on the HREs Dy and Tb, two of the most critical raw materials identified by the European Commission. Overall, the ROMEO project has demonstrated that rapid progress can be achieved when experts in a specific area are brought together to focus on a particular challenge. With more than half a year of the ROMEO project remaining, further progress and additional breakthroughs can be expected.

Single-crystal Sm-Co nanoparticles have been successfully produced by a cluster beam deposition technique. Particles have been deposited by DC magnetron sputtering using high Ar pressures on both single-crystal Si substrates and Au grids for the magnetic and structural/microstructural properties, respectively. Oxidation of the particles is prevented by using carbon buffer and cover layers. Nanoparticles have a uniform size distribution with an average size of 4.2, 6 and 7 nm at 1, 1.5 and 2 Torr of Ar pressure, respectively. At 1 Torr, the particles have the disordered 1:7 structure and a high coercivity of 19 kOe at 10 K. These particles show a superparamagnetic behavior with a blocking temperature of T B  = 145 K. From this value of T B and the particle volume, the value of anisotropy constant K is estimated to be around 2.2 × 10 7  ergs/cc. Heat is introduced to the particles during their flight to the substrate to increase the particle size. Nanoparticles of SmCo 5 with an average size of 15 nm and high room temperature coercivity have been produced. No change in magnetic and structural properties of the samples has been observed even after 10 months. Cluster beam deposition could play a key role for the production of rare earth nanoparticles for many applications.

Researchers have recently been interested in employing nanoparticles (NPs) obtained from herbal extracts through green synthesis for various applications. This study investigated the detoxification of aflatoxins, which are toxic substances produced by molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The present work examined the levels of aflatoxins in hazelnut and peanut puree. Turkish black tea extract (BTE), Turkish green tea extract (GTE), green synthesized black tea-based iron oxide nanoparticles (BTFeONPs), and green tea-based iron oxide nanoparticles (GTFeONPs) were produced for aflatoxin removal. Characterizations and various antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the tea extracts and iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) were investigated. The aflatoxin levels of hazelnut puree used for this study were 6.57 ± 0.06 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 13.03 ± 0.16 µg/kg for total aflatoxin, whereas the aflatoxin levels of (AFLB1) peanut puree were 7.79 ± 0.15 µg/kg for AFLB1 and 15.21 ± 0.12 µg/kg for total aflatoxin. Using soluble BTE resulted in a 40 to 50% decrease in aflatoxin levels in hazelnut and peanut purees, while soluble GTE led to a 30 to 45% decrease. Meanwhile, using BTFeONPs and GTFeONPs resulted in a 33 to 48% and 40 to 50% decrease, respectively, in aflatoxin levels in hazelnut and peanut purees.

Local anesthetics (LA) are widely used and adverse drug reactions (ADR) occur in 2.5-10%, but hypersensitivity reactions are rare (ranging between 0% and 4.3%). Risk is so overestimated causing too many allergy clinic referrals. There are limited and also conflicting results over the management of LA allergy. We aimed to find out who should be referred to an allergy clinic for a LA allergy testing, to define the subjects with an increased risk of LA allergy and to assess the need for testing for identifying alternative LA. We performed a retrospective study of patients referred to our clinic for diagnostic workup of LA hypersensitivity from 2006 to 2020. In our cohort of 398 patients, tests were positive in 14 (3.52%) of them. Personal history of ADR with LA was the only independent risk factor for positive test (RR=4.007, p=0.033). Presence of generalized cutaneous symptoms and hypotension during past reaction were independent predictors of positive test (RR=9.043, p=0.021 and RR=10.445, p=0.038, respectively). The negative predictive value of intradermal test at dilution of 1:100 for immediate-type reaction was high (97.56%). Also, we demonstrated cross-reactivity within the amide-group LAs and co-occurrence of immediate- and delayed-type reactions. Only patients with an LA-induced ADR should be referred to an allergy clinic. History of generalized cutaneous symptoms and/or hypotension during the reaction may define subjects with an increased risk of LA allergy. A stepwise test procedure may start with skin tests especially for these patients with increased risk factors. In presence of LA allergy, alternative LA should always be confirmed by performing a challenge test.

Background:The concept of a ‘window of opportunity’ is well accepted in rheumatoid arthritis. Whether a similar approach applies to spondyloarthritis (SpA) remains uncertain.Objectives:This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of SpA patients started on biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) within two years of symptom onset and compare them with patients started on bDMARDs later.Methods:Hacettepe University Rheumatology Biologic Registry (HUR-BIO) is a prospective, single center registry of rheumatic disease patients treated with bDMARDs. A total of 3161 SpA patients enrolled in the database were included in the study. Patient demographic characteristics, date of disease onset and diagnosis, HLA-B27 results and radiographic findings, if present, extra-articular lesions, synthetic DMARDs used before bDMARDs, bDMARD initiation date, number of tender/swollen joints at bDMARD initiation and at the last visit, ESR, CRP, and BASDAI, BASFI, VAS, and HAQ scores were recorded.Results:It was found that 665 of the 3161 SpA patients (51.3% male) included in the study were started on a bDMARD within a median of 11 months (6-18 months) after the onset of symptoms. Patients who started bDMARDs in the early period had an older age at symptom onset (32 years (25-41) vs. 27 years (21-35), p<0.001) and shorter disease duration according to symptom onset (9 years (5-11) vs. 16.5 years (12-23), p<0.001). Age at diagnosis was similar between the groups. Syndesmophyte, bamboo spine, and hip involvement were more common in patients with longer disease duration and later bDMARD initiation (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). While there was no difference between the groups regarding extra-articular involvement, such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, uveitis was observed to be less common in patients started on early bDMARDs (6.8% vs. 13.3%, p<0.001). While the use of methotrexate (26% vs. 30%), salazopyrine (60% vs. 77%), and hydroxychloroquine (11% vs. 17%) was lower in the early bDMARD group than in the late bDMARD group, the use of steroids was higher (31% vs. 26%) (p=0.021, p<0.001, p<0.001 and p=0.021, respectively). The early and late bdMARD groups were similar for the first bDMARD selection [TNFi (98.5% vs. 98.1%) and IL-17i (%1.5 vs. 1.9%)]. There were no significant differences between groups in bDMARD switch rates (45.8% vs. 42.9%), drug adherence and disease activity indicators at first and last visit. Only the proportion of patients with a BASFI ≥4 at the time of bDMARD initiation was higher in the late bDMARD group (60.3% vs. 54.8%) (p=0.043). While the initial BASFI scores were similar between the groups, the BASFI score at the last visit was found to be lower in patients who started bDMARD early (2.3 (0.4-4.8) vs. 2.8 (0.9-5.3), p<0.001).Conclusion:This study showed no significant difference in medication adherence and disease activity in patients who started treatment earlier. However, this group had a lower rate of functional decline and a lower incidence of uveitis. Treatment decisions should be based not only on disease activity control but also on preserving the patient’s functional ability.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant limitations in existing data infrastructure, particularly the lack of systems for rapidly collecting, integrating, and analyzing data to support timely and evidence-based public health responses. These shortcomings hampered efforts to conduct comprehensive analyses and make rapid, data-driven decisions in response to emerging threats. To overcome these challenges, the US National Institutes of Health launched the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative. A key component of this initiative is the RADx Data Hub-a centralized, cloud-based platform designed to support data sharing, harmonization, and reuse across multiple COVID-19 research programs and data sources. We aim to present the design, implementation, and capabilities of the RADx Data Hub, a cloud-based platform developed to support findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable (FAIR) data practices and enable secondary analyses of the COVID-19-related data contributed by a nationwide network of researchers. The RADx Data Hub was developed on a scalable cloud infrastructure, grounded in the FAIR data principles. The platform integrates heterogeneous data types-including clinical data, diagnostic test results, behavioral data, and social determinants of health-submitted by over 100 research organizations across 46 US states and territories. The data pipeline includes automated and manual processes for deidentification, quality validation, expert curation, and harmonization. Metadata standards are enforced using tools such as the Center for Expanded Data Annotation and Retrieval (CEDAR) Workbench and BioPortal. Data files are structured using a unified specification to support consistent representation and machine-actionable metadata. As of May 2025, the RADx Data Hub hosts 187 studies and over 1700 data files, spanning 4 RADx programs: RADx Underserved Populations (RADx-UP), RADx Radical (RADx-rad), RADx Tech, and RADx Digital Health Technologies (RADx DHT). The Study Explorer and Analytics Workbench components enable researchers to discover relevant studies, inspect rich metadata, and conduct analyses within a secure cloud-based environment. Harmonized data conforming to a core set of common data elements facilitate cross-study integration and support secondary use. The platform provides persistent identifiers (digital object identifiers) for each study and supports access to structured metadata that adhere to the CEDAR specification, available in both JSON and YAML formats for seamless integration into computational workflows. The RADx Data Hub successfully addresses key data integration challenges by providing a centralized, FAIR-compliant platform for public health research. Its adaptable architecture and data management practices are designed to support secondary analyses and can be repurposed for other scientific disciplines, strengthening data infrastructure and enhancing preparedness for future health crises.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of infliximab on depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In this 6-week longitudinal study, 16 patients with AS were assessed. Active disease as defined by BASDAI ≥4.0 was sought for inclusion. Infliximab was administered 5 mg/kg at 0, 2 weeks and 6 weeks. Collected data included age, sex and date of onset of rheumatologic disease. Activity of disease was measured using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Biological activity was evaluated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). ESR and CRP were assessed at baseline and day 42. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate anxiety, depression and quality of life. BASDAI, SF-36, HADS and BDE were assessed prior to the initial infliximab dose and at 2nd, 14th and 42nd day. Seven (43.8%) AS patients had depression scores above the cut off value for both the HADS depression (HADS-D) and BDI and 4 (25 %) had high HADS anxiety scores at baseline. Significant time effect for BDI and HADS-D scores were observed. Although significantly lower BDI scores were found after first, second and third infusions of infliximab, compared to initial score, the significant decrease in HADS-D appeared after second and third infusions. A significant time effect for HADS-anxiety scores were found as well. All of the subscales of SF-36 improved significantly during the course, with an exception of role emotional, for which the difference approached to the significance. The change in BASDAI scores and CRP and ESR, in the treatment process, were not correlated with the change in depression and anxiety scores. Infliximab which is an anti-TNF-α drug, may be effective in the treatment of depression accompanying AS. Possible implications for the treatment of major depressive disorder were discussed, as well.

Despite intravascular bare metallic stents (BMS) being indispensable products in cardiovascular surgery, they face in-stent restenosis (ISR), resulting in stent failure or secondary surgical operation necessity. Accumulation or corrosion processes are key factors that promote ISR development in a vascular pathway, including an intravascular stent. The ISR can be inhibited by increasing the blood-repellency, and electrochemical corrosion resistance features using surface modification techniques on intravascular stent materials. In this study, Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) structures were deposited using the spin-coating method on stent specimens made of 316L, 316LVM, CoCr-alloy, and Ti-alloy. Hydrophobicity and blood-repellency functions of coated and uncoated specimens were analysed by the Contact Angle (CA) values for distilled water (DIW), glycerol, blood plasma, and total-blood droplets using a computer-controlled goniometer system. Using a potentiostat, the electrochemical corrosion resistance features were analysed from obtained Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel curves in 37 °C Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) mimicking the human blood plasma. Due to the CA values below 90°, the repellency limit for hydrophobicity and blood-repellency, bare specimens performed hydrophilic and blood-philic features. However, SWCNT coating increased the repellency functions to 95° for DIW and 96° for total blood. The electrochemical corrosion resistance analysis showed that 1.433 kΩ cm2 polarization resistance and 1.07 kΩ cm2 electrochemical impedance of bare specimens increased to 142.8 kΩ cm2 and 141.3 kΩ cm2 by SWCNT coating. These corrosion resistance enhancements led to ratios of 78.13% inhibition in the corrosion rate and mass loss rate per year for SWCNT-coated 316LVM specimens. The maximum inhibition efficiency was observed for SWCNT-coated 316LVM specimens with a ratio of 87.92%. Obtained results indicate that SWCNT coating of the intravascular stents can inhibit the ISR risks of the BMS group.

BackgroundIgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized condition with a wide range of organ involvements.Few data exist on the global perspective of IgG4-RD regarding prevalence and the frequencies of the different clinical presentations.ObjectivesThis study is aimed to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of a series of patients diagnosed with IgG4-RD in Turkey.MethodsA retrospective study was performed. Demographic, clinical characteristics and imaging studies including PET-CT, in addition to serum IgG4 levels were recorded. Totally 48 pathologic specimens of the patients were re-evaluated regarding IgG4-RD morphologic findings and IgG4/total Ig G ratio. Patients were diagnosed according to diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD.1ResultsTotally 27 patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria were included in the study, 18 of whom (66.7%) were male. Mean age at diagnosis was 55.9±11.8 years.Retroperitoneal fibrosis is the most common finding. Fourteen (51.8%) of the patients had more than one clinical involvement. Thirty percent of patients had lymphadenopathy. Nine (33.3%) of patients had any additional cardiovascular involvement (thoracic aortitis/inflammatory abdominal aneurisms/coronary periarteritis). The global distribution by specific organ involvement was shown in Table. Three of the patients had normal serum IgG4 levels. Six patients had PET-CT. Patients had a wide range of inflammation assessed by PET-CT (SUV max levels were between 2.2-11.4). Twenty of the patients were pathologically proven IgG4-RD -16 of them had morphologic features and all had a ratio of IgG4/IgG ≥40%.Table 1.The global distribution of organ involvement in pateints with IgG4-RDn (%)Lachrymal glands1 (3.7)Orbita and periorbital tissues5 (18.5)Ears, nose and sinuses2 (7.4)Salivary glands2 (7.4)Meninges1 (3.7)Lymphadenopathy8 (29.6)Thyroid1 (3.7)Lungs1 (3.7)Any additional cardiovascular involvement9 (33.3)Aorta7 (25.9)Inflammatory abdominal aneurism2 (7.4)Coronary periarteritis3 (11.1)Retroperitoneal Fibrosis19 (70.4)Pancreas5 (18.5)Biliary ducts2 (7.4)ConclusionsThe most usual presentation of IgG4 related disease in our study is middle aged males and as retroperitoneal fibrosis. Cardiovascular involvement, lymphadenopathy, and orbital/periorbital involvements were the other frequent findings. Not also the organ involvement but also inflammation level could be in a very wide range in IgG4-RD. More collaborative studies are required in order to assess the real prevalence of the disease and the frequencies of the different presentations.ReferencesGuma M, Firestein GS. IgG4 relateddiseases. Best PractClinRheum 2012;26:425-438.Disclosure of InterestNone declared

Essential oils are promising, safe, and eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides. This study aimed to develop an effective biological control agent using Cinnamomum cassia essential oil (CCEO) as potential fungicidal agent against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Acremonium sp, both isolated from natural orange juice. The yield, chemical composition and antifungal activity of CCEO were evaluated. The essential oil was extracted via hydro-distillation, and its composition was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antifungal activity was assessed using the disk diffusion agar method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined using microdilution methods. The extraction yield was 2.8%. (E)-cinnamaldehyde was identified as the major compound (37.72%). Inhibition zones ranged from 51 mm to 80 mm against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and from 75 mm to 90 mm against Acremonium sp. Equal MIC and MFC values were recorded for both fungal strains: MIC = MFC = 6.25% against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and MIC = MFC = 3.125% against Acremonium sp. These findings demonstrate for the first time that CCEO could be a promising antifungal agent against the two primary fungal contaminants of fruit products, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Acremonium sp.