In this study, copper-nickel ferrite (CuNiFe2O4) nanoparticles were successfully loaded onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by using the coprecipitation method and used as new catalysts (MWCNT-CuNiFe2O4) in the sonophotocatalytic degradation process of the acid blue 113 (AB113) dye. The success of the MWCNT-CuNiFe2O4 synthesis and its properties were determined by analyzing it using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A high efficiency of dye removal (100%), total organic carbon (93%), and chemical oxygen demand (95%) were achieved with the following conditions pH of dye solution = 5, MWCNT-CuNiFe2O4 dosage = 0.6 g/L, AB113 dye concentration = 50 mg/L, UV light intensity = 36 W, ultrasonic wave frequency = 35 kHz, and treatment time = 30 min. The kinetic results revealed that the efficiency of the sonophotocatalytic process using MWCNT-CuNiFe2O4 was higher than ttechnology to protect the aquatic environment.The pertinent challenges associated with effective treatment of fecal sludge in medium scales necessitate alternative means for land application. The methods of compost preparation from sewage sludge and their modes of application to the agricultural fields have profound impacts on the soil ecology and environment. Besides the chemical conditioning effects on soil organic matter, they also impart physical attributes to the soil texture and structure. Though it is expected that compost addition improves water holding capacity and nutrient sequestration, there is lack of clarity in correlating the field outcomes with conditions of excess nutrient storage/leaching despite the agronomic benefits. In this study, we present a systematic cause-evidence-impact relationship on the feedstock composition, processing, and applications of co-composted sewage sludge. Various analytical tools were compared to elucidate the unique characteristics of co-composted sewage sludge to get a realistic understanding of the complex soil-compost interactions. Results from the spectroscopic characterization reveal the implications of selection of bulking agents and sludge pre-treatment in determining the final quality of the compost. Based on the results, we postulate a unique attribution of parent material influence to the formation of well-defined porous structures which influences the nutrient leaching/sequestrating behavior of the soil. Thus, the compounded impacts of composted organic matter on the soil and crop can be proactively determined in terms of elemental composition, functional groups, and stability indices. The present approach provides good scope for customizing the preparations and applications of aerobic microbial composts in order to derive the preferred field outputs.This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of the epidemic spread and the role of the physical, social, and economic characteristics in this spreading. A geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was built within a GIS environment using infection data monitored by the Iraqi Ministry of Health records for 10 months from March to December 2020. The factors adopted in this model are the size of urban interaction areas and human gatherings, movement level and accessibility, and the volume of public services and facilities that attract people. The results show that it would be possible to deal with each administrative unit in proportion to its circumstances in light of the factors that appear in it. So, there will not be a single treatment for all areas with different urban characteristics, which sometimes helps not to stop social and economic life due to the imposition of a comprehensive ban on movement and activities. Therefore, there will be other supportive policies other than the ban, depending on the urban indicators for each region, such as reducing external movement from it or relying on preventing public activities only.Hunger and food insecurity remained some of the serious challenges facing our world in present time with great concerns from Sub-Saharan Africa especially countries like Nigeria. This study investigates food insecurity (FI), health and environment-related factors, and agricultural commercialization among smallholder farm households. This study was conducted in Southwestern Nigeria utilizing cross-sectional survey data from 352 farm households and employed multi-stage sampling procedure. The household FI levels was determined using food insecurity access scale (HFIAS), crop commercialization index (CCI) was used to compute each household’s CCI (four levels), while ordered logit model was used to analyse factors influencing FI. Health and environment-related factors’ access were assessed across each FI category. The results indicated that about 13% of cassava farm households are non-participant in the marketing of their produce. The findings revealed that less than 20%, 30%. and 40% of households in all four FI categories had access to piped water, improved toilet facilities, and electricity respectively. The ordered logit regression analysis indicated that age, gender, education level, farm experience, nonfarm income, and ownership of motorcycle significantly influencing FI in the study areas. Therefore, this study stressed the implementation of policy actions capable of promoting rural infrastructure development that will lead to increased agricultural production, marketing, and improved quality of life of rural dwellers.

Although the current guidelines recommend the use of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI), the evidence indicating benefit is limited. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of ICP monitoring on patients with sTBI in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The patient data were obtained from the Collaborative European Neurotrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury China Registry, a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal, observational, cohort study. Patients with sTBI who were admitted to 52 ICUs across China, managed with ICP monitoring or without, were analyzed in this study. Patients with missing information on discharge survival status, Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission to hospital, and record of ICP monitoring application were excluded from the analysis. Data on demographic characteristics, injury, clinical features, treatments, survival at discharge, discharge destination, and length of stay were collected and assessed. The prim; 0.001), and a higher proportion of survivors were discharged to the home with better recovery in self-care.

Although ICP monitoring was not widely used by all of the centers participating in this study, patients with sTBI managed with ICP monitoring show a better outcome in overall survival. Nevertheless, the use of ICP monitoring makes the management of sTBI more complex and increases the costs of medical care by prolonging the patient’s stay in the ICU or hospital.

Although ICP monitoring was not widely used by all of the centers participating in this study, patients with sTBI managed with ICP monitoring show a better outcome in overall survival. Nevertheless, the use of ICP monitoring makes the management of sTBI more complex and increases the costs of medical care by prolonging the patient’s stay in the ICU or hospital.The ability to remember and internally represent events is often accompanied by a subjective sense of „vividness”. Vividness measures are frequently used to evaluate the experience of remembering and imagining events, yet little research has considered the objective attributes of event memories that underlie this subjective judgment, and individual differences in this mapping. Here, we tested how the content and specificity of event memories support subjectively vivid recollection. Over three experiments, participants encoded events containing a theme word and three distinct elements – a person, a place, and an object. In a memory test, memory for event elements was assessed at two levels of specificity – semantic gist (names) and perceptual details (lure discrimination). We found a strong correspondence between memory vividness and memory for gist information that did not vary by which elements were contained in memory. There was a smaller, additive benefit of remembering specific perceptual details on vividness, which, in one study, was driven by memory for place details. Moreover, we found individual differences in the relationship between memory vividness and objective memory attributes primarily along the specificity dimension, such that one cluster of participants used perceptual detail to inform memory vividness whereas another cluster was more driven by gist information. Therefore, while gist memory appears to drive vividness on average, there were idiosyncrasies in this pattern across participants. When assessing subjective ratings of memory and imagination, research should consider how these ratings map onto objective memory attributes in the context of their study design and population.Compassion is a key quality in palliative care; however, there is a lack of evidence of the need to discuss the theme of compassion and professionals’ training in the subject. The study aimed to investigate the knowledge of the construct of a sample of Italian healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in palliative care. In addition, their learning needs and training opportunities were explored. An online survey was completed by 330 HCPs. It was divided into five sections which examined knowledge of the construct of compassion and the perception of its utility in palliative care, the activities carried out in eventual training in compassion, and professionals’ learning needs thereof. Professionals who had knowledge of the right definition of compassion considered it more useful and training more necessary. Most of the sample never received training about compassion. However, 97% of those who received training believed it to be necessary. Satisfaction with training was higher among those who received multidisciplinary team education. Training occasions are relatively rare in the Italian context, although they seem to increase knowledge and awareness about the construct utility and training necessity. Besides, multidisciplinary team training seems to be more satisfying. Offering team training on compassion can promote a deeper awareness of it and of its utility in clinical practice.Hyper-IgM syndrome type 2 (HIGM2) is a B cell intrinsic primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in AICDA encoding activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) which impair immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM). Whereas autosomal-recessive AID-deficiency (AR-AID) affects both CSR and SHM, the autosomal-dominant form (AD-AID) due to C-terminal heterozygous variants completely abolishes CSR but only partially affects SHM. AR-AID patients display enhanced germinal center (GC) reactions and autoimmune manifestations, which are not present in AD-AID, suggesting that SHM but not CSR regulates GC reactions and peripheral B cell tolerance. Herein, we describe two siblings with HIGM2 due to a novel homozygous AICDA mutation (c.428-1G > T) which disrupts the splice acceptor site of exon 4 and results in the sole expression of a truncated AID variant that lacks 10 highly conserved amino acids encoded by exon 4 (AID-ΔE4a). AID-ΔE4a patients suffered from defective CSR and enhanced GC reactions and were therefore indistinguishable from other AR-AID patients. However, the AID-ΔE4a variant only partially affected SHM as observed in AD-AID patients. In addition, AID-ΔE4a but not AD-AID patients revealed impaired targeting of mutational hotspot motives and distorted mutational patterns. Hence, qualitative defects in AID function and altered SHM rather than global decreased SHM activity may account for the disease phenotype in these patients.Most anatomical textbooks list both the C5 and C6 spinal nerves as contributing to the deltoid muscle’s innervation via the axillary nerve. To our knowledge, no previous study has detailed the exact spinal nerve components of the axillary nerve terminating in the deltoid via cadaveric dissection. Twenty formalin-fixed cadavers (40 sides) underwent dissection of the brachial plexus. The fascicles making up the axillary nerve branch that specifically terminated in the deltoid muscle were traced proximally. The axillary nerve branch to the deltoid muscle was most commonly (70%) made up of three spinal nerve segments and less commonly (30%) by two spinal nerve segments. For all axillary nerve branches to the deltoid muscle, C4 spinal nerves contributed 0-5%, C5 spinal nerves contributed 1-80%, C6 spinal nerve contributed 15-99%, C7 spinal nerves contributed 0-30%, and C8 and T1 spinal nerves were not found to contribute any fibers to any deltoid muscle branches. The nerve to the deltoid muscle was contributed to equally by C5 and C6 nerve fibers on 10% of sides. On 16% of sides, C5 contributed the most nerve fibers to this muscle. On 35% of sides, C6 contributed the majority fibers found in the axillary nerve branches to the deltoid. Based on our anatomical study, C6 is more often than not the main level of innervation. C5 was never the sole component of the axillary nerve branches to the deltoid muscle. Such anatomical data will now need to be reconciled with clinical studies.Residents and advocacy groups began voicing concerns over the environmental quality located in the neighborhoods of Kashmere Gardens, Fifth Ward, and Denver Harbor in Houston, TX, following the confirmation of a cancer cluster in 2019 and another in 2021. These neighborhoods are in close proximity to a railyard and former wood treatment plant known to have utilized coal tar creosote and contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This research took core soil samples in September and October 2020 from 46 sites to assess for the presence and concentration of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) 7 Carcinogenic PAHs. Results showed the cumulative concentration of these PAHs in each sample was variable with a range of 13,767 ng/g to 328 ng/g and a mean of 2,517.2 ng/g ± 3122. A regional soil screening evaluation revealed that 40 of the 46 soil samples were in excess of the USEPAs most conservative screening levels of 1.0 × 10-6 increased cancer risk, but none exceeding levels considered actionable for remediation. This study is a fundamental first step for quantifying the environmental pollutants in this minority-majority community. Findings revealed a low risk of cancer risk based on current PAH concentrations alone but cannot assess contributions from other contaminants or from past, possibly higher, levels of contamination. Further research is needed to identify the potential casual pathways of the observed cancer cluster and to explore possible remediation needs.

To determine if rapid switching dual-energy CT (rsDECT) provides improvements in vascular attenuation, subjective diagnostic quality, and detection of vascular injuries compared to conventional CT in trauma patients undergoing lower extremity CT angiography.

The IRB approved this HIPAA-compliant retrospective study. Informed consent was waived. Thirty-nine patients with acute lower extremity trauma including gunshot wounds (19 patients), falls (6 patients), motor vehicle accidents (5 patients), stab wounds (4 patients), pedestrian struck (2 patients), and unspecified trauma (3 patients) who underwent IV contrast-enhanced rsDECT angiography of the lower extremities on a rapid-kilovoltage-switching dual-energy CT scanner (Revolution CT, GE Healthcare) from 6/4/2019 to 1/14/2021 were studied. 7 patients were initially positive for vascular injury on conventional CT, while 32 patients were negative. Blended CT reconstructions simulating conventional 120 kVp single-energy CT, and rsDECT reconstructions (50keV s caused by poor contrast opacification.

rsDECT provides greater vascular contrast density than conventional CT, with potential to salvage suboptimal examinations caused by poor contrast opacification.The central aim of this Special Issue, devoted to a multifocal study of the geometry and phenomenology of the living, is to show the need of working with models that integrate geometrical and topological objects and operations, dynamical variables and specific biological mechanisms and their relationships with one another. A multilevel and integrative approach has essentially to consider the fact that simply knowing the parts list of genes and proteins does not tell us much about how life’s many biological processes works. The cellular organization is a complex dynamical system with hundreds of thousands of bio-molecules interacting with one another to execute organism’s many related functions. It is argued that the production of complex living organisms owes much of its working to some topological mechanisms (i.e. four-dimensional transformations and deformations) which operate markedly on the three levels of the organization, regulation and evolution of biological systems. Thus, one can speak of a specific functionality are deeply related, (ii) the biological information and signification is inherently spatial and temporal, it is not unidirectional, and it essentially evolve following a complex and changing network-like organization, (iii) finally, gene ontology is incomplete and it as to be supplied by integrating other fundamental levels of the organization and regulation of the living systems.The increasing use of total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk (FET) is expected to lead to an increase in the prevalence of graft infections requiring replacement involving an FET, which is generally a more invasive procedure than the initial surgery. Herein, we describe a novel method for FET removal using a polyvinyl tube as the storage device. The procedure is completed using the same median sternotomy approach as the initial surgery. We report on the outcomes for six patients. Our procedure is simple to perform and safe and caused no injury to the aorta in our case series.

Lymphopenia is a hallmark of severe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Similar alterations have been described in bacterial sepsis and therapeutic strategies targeting T cell function such as recombinant human interleukin 7 (rhIL-7) have been proposed in this clinical context. As COVID-19 is a viral sepsis, the objectives of this study were to characterize T lymphocyte response over time in severe COVID-19 patients and to assess the effect of ex vivo administration of rhIL-7.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from COVID-19 patients hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) were collected at admission and after 20days. Transcriptomic profile was evaluated through NanoString technology. Inhibitory immune checkpoints expressions were determined by flow cytometry. T lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-γ production were evaluated after ex vivo stimulation in the presence or not of rhIL-7. COVID-19 ICU patients were markedly lymphopenic at admission. Mononuclear cells presented with inhibited transcriptomic profiof patients are now warranted to confirm the ex vivo results described so far. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04392401 Registered 18 May 2020, http// clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04392401.

Severe COVID-19 patients present with features of profound T cell exhaustion upon ICU admission which can be reversed ex vivo by rhIL-7. These results reinforce our understanding of severe COVID-19 pathophysiology and opens novel therapeutic avenues to treat such critically ill patients based of immunomodulation approaches. Defining the appropriate timing for initiating such immune-adjuvant therapy in clinical setting and the pertinent markers for a careful selection of patients are now warranted to confirm the ex vivo results described so far. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04392401 Registered 18 May 2020, http// clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04392401.This randomized controlled trial tested the Vermont Family Based Approach (VFBA) in primary care pediatrics. The VFBA is a model of healthcare delivery that shifts the focus from the individual to the family, emphasizes emotional and behavioral health, and uses evidence-based health promotion/prevention along with the treatment of emotional and behavioral problems. Participants were 81 families of 3-15-year-olds. For children, the VFBA was associated with greater reductions than the Control condition on the Child Behavior Checklist Emotionally Reactive, Withdrawn, Sleep Problems, Aggressive Behavior and Total Problems scales. For parents, the VFBA was associated with greater reductions than the Control condition on the Adult Self-Report Anxious/Depressed, Rule-Breaking Behavior, Internalizing Problems and Total Problems scales. The VFBA was also associated with greater improvement than the Control condition in the parents’ health-related quality of life, as indicated by all scales of the Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey.Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an underdiagnosed form of restrictive cardiomyopathy leading to a rapid progression into heart failure. Evaluation of CA requires a multimodality approach making use of echocardiography, cardiac magnetic imaging (CMR), and nuclear imaging. With superior tissue characterization, high-resolution imaging, and precise cardiac assessment, CMR has emerged as a versatile tool in the workup of cardiac amyloidosis with a wide array of parameters both visual and quantitative. This includes late gadolinium enhancement patterns, T1/T2 mapping, and extracellular volume (ECV) measurement providing robust diagnostic accuracies, patient stratification, and prognostication. Recent advancements have introduced new measures able to identify early disease, track disease progression, and response to therapy positioning CMR as an instrumental imaging modality in the era of rising interest in CA screening and emerging effective therapies.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using radio-pharmaceutical and a blue dye is gold standard for axillary staging in clinically node-negative breast cancer. High costs and limited availability of radio-pharmaceutical and/or gamma probe are major deterrents in performing SLNB in developing countries. In this study, we evaluated feasibility of SLN identification (SLN-IR) of fluorescein-guided (FG) SLNB in combination with methylene blue dye (MBD).

This was a prospective cross-sectional non-randomized validation study in patients with clinically node-negative axilla. Patients underwent validation SLNB using fluorescein (and blue LED light) and MBD. Axillary dissection was performed irrespective of SLNB histology. SLIN-IR and False Negative Rate (FNR) were assessed for both groups.

The SLNs were identified in 29 (96.6%) pre-chemotherapy patients and 23 (82%) post Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NACT) patients. The median number of sentinel lymph nodes identified was 3 (range of 1-5) in pre-chemotherapy patients a needs further evaluation.

Explorations of the Kaladan River of Mizoram, India during the last decade have given a large number of new species. Integrative taxonomy, when used at the time of discovery of new species, can correlate the morphological characters with the species-specific DNA signatures and ameliorate the process of species identification. Based on this approach, Amblyceps hmolaii sp. nov., a new torrent catfish species is described from the Kaladan River drainage.

The new species is distinguished from all twenty-two congeners by morphometric measurements and meristic counts. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), generated in this study and those available in NCBI, separated A. hmolaii sp. nov. from seven species of Amblyceps. Analysis of COI sequences, with ABGD software to delimit the species, also provided eight stable groups corresponding to the eight species of Amblyceps. The new species was separated from its congeners with an average genetic distance of 11.77%. Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree was constructed using the best fit nucleotide substitution model HKY + G + I.

This study used all the twenty-two congeners in morphomeristic analysis and seven congeners in molecular analysis, for comparison with the new species. This approach unambiguously resolved the new species from other species of Amblyceps and created its species-specific DNA signatures. The discovery of new species even marked the first record of genus Amblyceps from the Kaladan drainage.

This study used all the twenty-two congeners in morphomeristic analysis and seven congeners in molecular analysis, for comparison with the new species. This approach unambiguously resolved the new species from other species of Amblyceps and created its species-specific DNA signatures. The discovery of new species even marked the first record of genus Amblyceps from the Kaladan drainage.

The concept of „textbook outcome” (TO) as composite quality measure depicting the ideal surgical has not yet been defined for patients undergoing major hepatectomy (MH) for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). This study sought to propose a uniform definition through a systematic literature review as well as to identify patient- or procedure-related factors influencing TO.

In this retrospective study, we analyzed all patients undergoing MH for PHC at our department between January 2005 and August 2019. After conducting a systematic literature search, we defined TO as the absence of 90-day mortality and major complications, no hospital readmission within 90 days after discharge, and no prolonged hospital stay (<75. percentile). A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing TO.

Of 283 patients, TO was achieved in 67 (24%) patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative biliary drainage was associated with a decreased (OR= 0.405, 95% CI 0.194-0.845, p=0.016) and left-sided-resection (OR= 1.899, 95% CI 1.048-3.440, p=0.035) with increased odds for TO. Overall survival (OS) and DFS (disease-free survival) did not differ significantly between the outcome groups (OS p=0.280, DFS p=0.735). However, there was a trend towards better overall survival, especially in the late course with TO.

Our analysis proposed a uniform definition of TO after MH for PHC. We identified left hepatectomy as an independent factor positively influencing TO. In patients where both right- and left-sided resections are feasible, this underlines the importance of a careful selection of patients who are scheduled for right hepatectomy.

Our analysis proposed a uniform definition of TO after MH for PHC. We identified left hepatectomy as an independent factor positively influencing TO. In patients where both right- and left-sided resections are feasible, this underlines the importance of a careful selection of patients who are scheduled for right hepatectomy.A patient with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation and recurrences after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) underwent a second ablation procedure. The PVs were found isolated and the left atrial substrate tissue was mapped. During sinus rhythm, the voltage map resulted in a normal range (>0,5mV) while a map of EGMs durations revealed an area presenting prolonged EGMs (>45 ms) in the anterior region. The activation map of this area demonstrated abnormal conduction and a non-uniform anisotropism when compared with areas in which EGM’s normal durations were recorded. The EGMs duration map may offer additional clinical information on the areas presenting abnormal conduction predisposing arrhythmias maintenance in patients suffering from persistent atrial fibrillation.

In patients with previously diagnosed glioblastoma who are suspected of experiencing progression, does repeat cytoreductive surgery improve progression free survival or overall survival compared to alternative interventions?

These recommendations apply to adults with previously diagnosed glioblastoma who are suspected of experiencing progression of the neoplastic process and are amenable to surgical resection.

Level II Repeat cytoreductive surgery is recommended in progressive glioblastoma patients to improve overall survival.

Level II Repeat cytoreductive surgery is recommended in progressive glioblastoma patients to improve overall survival.We evaluated the leishmanicidal activity of commercially available 5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol [5α-chol], (+)-4-cholesten-3-one [(+)-4-chol] and the equimolar mixture of the two of them in promastigotes and amastigotes of two different strains of Leishmania mexicana (LCL) and (DCL). The leishmanicidal effectiveness of these sterols was determined by promastigote growth-kinetic experiments and promastigote viability using the propidium iodide staining procedure. The proliferation test was performed using the CFSE (5-Carboxyfluorescein N-succinimidyl ester) staining of parasites at different time points. To determine the leishmanicidal effectiveness of these sterols in amastigotes, we evaluated parasite killing inside of macrophages at different time points. The trypan blue exclusion test was used to determine cytotoxicity of sterols in uninfected macrophages. We included in all experiments a control group of parasites treated with 2% DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) and another one treated with the reference drug sodium stibogluconate (Sb). Our results showed that the equimolar mixture at 2000 times lower concentration presented similar leishmanicidal activity as Sb. This mixture was similarly effective at 100 times lower concentration than individual sterols tested separately indicating the existence of a synergistic effect against LCL and DCL parasites. The therapeutic index of the equimolar mixture was 10,000-16,000 times higher than the one recorded by Sb and was not cytotoxic to macrophages. Therefore, the equimolar mixture of 5α-Chol and (+)-4-chol may represent a potential alternative for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.A 28-day study was done to explore the impact of nano-iron alone or combined with methionine on growth, blood chemistry, liver biomarkers, and tissue histology of heat-stressed chicken. One-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to three groups. Each group was divided into three replicates (13 chicks/replicate). The first group was the control one that was fed a basal diet without supplementation (T0). The second group was fed a basal diet with nano-iron 4 mg kg-1 diet (T1). The third group was fed a basal diet with nano-iron 4 mg kg-1 diet plus methionine 4 g kg-1 diet (T2). The results showed that the birds in the control group had significantly (p  less then  0.05) higher final weights. Also, a partial relief of heat stress adverse effects was observed on growth by T1 compared to T2. The T2 showed a significantly increased (p  less then  0.05) free iron (Fe) level and transferrin saturation index. Likewise, T2 significantly (p  less then  0.05) reduced total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin level in comparison with T0 and T1. Also, hepatic impairment and inflammatory response were observed in the T2 group when compared to T0 and T1, besides a bad lipid profile. Further, T2 showed raised levels of Fe and ferritin in their hepatic tissues compared to those T1 and T0. A significant increment of thiobarbituric acid reactive and decrement of reduced glutathione levels in the hepatic tissues of T2 and T1 versus T0 levels were recorded. It is concluded that nano-iron at the level of 4 mg kg-1 in this study is highly absorbed, leading to harmful effects. Further investigations are needed to detect the proper supplemental level.Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) is often used to treat musculoskeletal disorders such as chronic non-specific low back pain (NSCLBP) as it can have positive effects on biomarkers-creatine kinase (CK) and serum cortisol levels-related to stress caused by physical exercise, such as deep water running (DWR) or by pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the combination of PBM and aquatic exercise (DWR) on the intensity of pain, disability, 6-min walk test adapted (6WTA), and on cortisol and creatine kinase (CK) levels in a population with NSCLBP. The participants were allocated into three groups TGPBM (Photobiomodulation and Training Group), TGPLA (Placebo Photobiomodulation and Training Group), and the GPBM (Photobiomodulation Group). Information regarding anthropometric data, blood pressure, and heart rate were collected, and the questionnaires were applied IPAQ-Short Form, Oswestry Disability Index, and the Visual Analog Scale for Pain. The submaximal exercise test (6WTA) was performed. BloTrial registration number NCT03465228-April 3, 2019; retrospectively registered (ClinicalTrials.gov).The study aims to replicate the previous found association of 5-HTTLPR and inertia of negative affect in daily life of adolescents and young adults. Data of 877 adolescents (aged 14-21 years) of the Behavior and Mind Health (BeMIND) study (epidemiological cohort study, Dresden, Germany) were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR/rs25531, grouped into SS/SLG/SLA/LGLA/LGLG vs. LALA, and provided ratings on negative affect items, depression and anxiety (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) eight times a day over 4 days. Multilevel regression models did not reveal an association of 5-HTTLPR genotype and inertia of negative affect, nor associations with inertia of anxiety or depression. Inertia of negative affect seems not to be a psychological mechanism through which 5-HTTLPR acts on psychopathology.

We aimed to illustrate gut microbiota and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients, and investigate the mechanism of sodium butyrate in diabetic mellitus (DM) rats.

Gut microbiota and serum SCFA levels were measured by 16S rDNA and GC-MS. After being built by streptozotocin (DM rats), the DM rats were administered 300 mg/kg sodium butyrate for 12 weeks (DM + BU rats). Gut microbiota, serum and fecal butyrate level were measured. RT-PCR, WB and transmission electron microscopy were performed to explore LC3mRNA or LC3B protein expression, and autophagosomes in kidney tissues. AMPK/mTOR protein expression in renal tissue were also measured.

The gut microbial dysbiosis was found in DM and DN groups, and some SCFAs-producing bacteria were decreased in DN group. The serum butyrate concentrations were lower in SCFA-DN group compared with SCFA-HC group and SCFA-DM group in the other cohort. Serum butyrate level was positively correlated with eGFR. Sodium butyrate increased serum and fecal butyrate levels, and improved the enlargement of glomerular area and fibronectin and collagen IV expressions in renal tissues in DM + BU rats. The LC3 mRNA, LC3BII/I ratio and number of autophagosomes were increased in renal tissue of DM + BU rats. Higher p-AMPK/AMPK ratio and lower p-mTOR/ mTOR ratio were shown in renal tissue of DM + BU rats compared with DM rats.

We found the decrease in SCFAs-producing bacteria and low SCFAs concentrations in DN patients. Oral butyrate supplementation may improve kidney injury in DM rats, possibly by increasing autophagy via activating AMPK/mTOR pathway.

We found the decrease in SCFAs-producing bacteria and low SCFAs concentrations in DN patients. Oral butyrate supplementation may improve kidney injury in DM rats, possibly by increasing autophagy via activating AMPK/mTOR pathway.Domesticating solar energy by exploiting photovoltaic technology has become a quintessential strategy for future global energy production. Since 2015, non-fullerene organic solar cells (NF-OSC) have attracted a great deal of attention owing to the marvellous properties of non-fullerene acceptors (NFA) such as structural versability, broad absorption, suitable energy levels, tunable charge transport and morphology, leading to remarkable accomplishments in power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 1% to nearly 20%. One class of materials is provided by the fused ring aromatic indacenodithiophene (IDT) and its derivatives, which are emerging continuously as promising next-generation building blocks to construct high performance photovoltaic materials. Encouraging PCEs of more than 15% have been achieved in their binary NF-OSCs, while careful device engineering and proper amalgamation of a third component have led to PCEs of almost 18% in ternary devices. This review surveys recent developments in the area of IDT-based materials for photovoltaic applications. Different strategies to develop efficient IDT-based NFA and factors influencing the bandgaps, molecular energy levels, charge transport properties, and film morphologies, as well as the photovoltaic performance of these materials, are discussed.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (MSCs-EVs), including exosomes, are known to participate in different diseases. However, the function of miR-301b-3p from MSCs-EVs on the chemoresistance of gastric cancer (GC) cells remains poorly characterized. Thus, we aim to explore the role of MSCs-EVs-derived miR-301b-3p in multidrug resistance of GC cells.

Cisplatin (DDP)/vincristine (VCR)-resistant and sensitive GC clinical samples were harvested to detect expression of miR-301b-3p and thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP). MSCs were respectively transfected with miR-301b-3p oligonucleotides and/or TXNIP plasmids to extract the EVs, which were then co-cultured with multidrug-resistant GC cells. Then, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), IC50, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of resistant GC cells were determined. The tumor growth was observed in nude mice. Targeting relationship between miR-301b-3p and TXNIP was confirmed.

miR-301b-3p was upregulated, and TXNIP was downregulated in DDP/VCR-resistant GC tissues and cells. MSC-EVs induced drug resistance, proliferation, and migration and inhibited apoptosis of DDP/VCR-resistant GC cells in vitro, as well as facilitated tumor growth in vivo. Inhibition of miR-301b-3p or upregulation of TXNIP reversed the promoting effect of MSC-EVson DDP/VCR resistant GC cells to DDP/VCR resistance and malignant behaviors. The effects of MSC-EVs carryingmiR-301b-3p inhibitionon DDP/VCR-resistant GC cells were reversed by TXNIP downregulation. TXNIP was confirmed as a target gene of miR-301b-3p.

miR-301b-3p from MSCs-EVs inhibits TXNIP to promote multidrug resistance of GC cells, providing a novel insight for chemotherapy in GC.

miR-301b-3p from MSCs-EVs inhibits TXNIP to promote multidrug resistance of GC cells, providing a novel insight for chemotherapy in GC.Dexamethasone is widely used to treat pregnancy disorders related to premature delivery. However, lots of researches have confirmed that prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) could increase the risk of offspring multiple diseases. This study was designed to elucidate the epigenetic mechanism of adrenal developmental programming and explore its early warning marker in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We found the adrenal morphological and functional changes of PDE male offspring rats before and after birth, which were mainly performed as the decreased serum corticosterone concentration, steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein expression, and histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) level of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) promoter region and its expression. Simultaneously, the expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and histone acetylation enzyme 5 (HDAC5) in the PDE male fetal rats were increased. In vitro, dexamethasone reduced the expression of SF1, StAR, and cortisol production and still increased the expression of GR and HDAC5, the binding between GR and SF1 promoter region, and protein interaction between GR and HDAC5. GR siRNA or HDAC5 siRNA was able to reverse the above roles of dexamethasone. Furthermore, in vivo, we confirmed that H3K27ac levels of SF1 promoter region and its expression in PBMC of the PDE group were decreased before and after birth, showing a positive correlation with the same indexes in adrenal. Meanwhile, in clinical trials, we confirmed that prenatal dexamethasone application decreased H3K27ac of SF1 promoter region and its expression in neonatal PBMC. In conclusion, PDE-caused adrenal insufficiency of male offspring rats was related to adrenal GR activated by dexamethasone in uterus. The activated GR, on the one hand, increased its direct binding to SF1 promoter region to inhibit its expression, on the other hand, upregulated and recruited HDAC5 to decrease H3K27ac level of SF1 promoter region, and strengthened the inhibition of SF1 and subsequent StAR expression.

To increase CO

elimination and to reduce work of breathing in hypercapnic patients, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) can be applied via mask either with non-vented CO

exhalation systems or with vented systems with leak port. The effect of the exhalation system on CO

rebreathing in the mask and total gas exchange remains widely unknown. Aim of this study was to compare the exhalation systems in terms of inspiratory O

and CO

concentrations, breathing patterns and gas exchange.

We prospectively examined 10 healthy subjects and 10 hypercapnic patients with both exhalation systems. O

and CO

were measured in the nose, in the mask, and in the ventilation circuit, and respiratory rate, tidal volume, and transcutaneous capnometry (PtcCO

) were recorded during the experiments.

Using the non-vented system, CO

concentrations in the mask were significantly higher in both subject groups, and PtcCO

values in the patient group increased up to 3.6mmHg compared to the vented system (p = 0.011). O

concentrations increased with higher O

flow rates, but were significantly lower in the vented settings in both groups. No effect in breathing pattern could be demonstrated during the measurement time.

Using NIV, the chosen exhalation system influences CO

and O

concentrations under the mask, CO

rebreathing from the mask and could influence the effectiveness of the ventilation support with regards to hypercapnia treatment. To compensate for relevant hypoxia, the O

supplementation must be set up to a sufficient level under a vented system.

Using NIV, the chosen exhalation system influences CO2 and O2 concentrations under the mask, CO2 rebreathing from the mask and could influence the effectiveness of the ventilation support with regards to hypercapnia treatment. To compensate for relevant hypoxia, the O2 supplementation must be set up to a sufficient level under a vented system.The bioavailability and cycling of nutrients in soil are two of the most important factors for healthy plant growth and development in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Seasonal variations of some soil macronutrient (phosphorus and potassium) and micronutrient (copper, manganese, and zinc) contents were investigated in a natural olive (Olea europaea L.) grove (NO) and an agricultural olive gene garden (OGG) located in Adana, Turkey. Soils were sampled at 0-10 cm and at 10-20 cm depth in the months of November, February, May, and August between 2013 and 2015. Soil phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, and zinc contents were in the range between 0.37 and 8.65 mg kg-1, 181.81 and 1030.67 mg kg-1, 1.41 and 2.74 mg kg-1, 13.88 and 51.06 mg kg-1, and 0.39 and 2.27 mg kg-1, respectively. All soil nutrients significantly decreased as soil depth increased in all sampling times (P  less then  0.05). In general, significant seasonal effects were observed in all soil nutrients at 0-10 cm depth that was more variable than at 10-20 cm depth. Soil phosphorus negatively and positively correlated with soil potassium in NO and in OGG at 0-10 cm depth, respectively (P  less then  0.05). Soil zinc was negatively and positively correlated with soil phosphorus in NO and in OGG at 10-20 cm depth, respectively (P  less then  0.05). In conclusion, soil depth might be a more important factor than seasonality on the vertical distribution of soil nutrients in olive groves. In addition, correlations between soil nutrients in this study should be taken into consideration for the optimum management of agricultural practices in biological olive groves.Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally with most of the reported cases (> 85%) associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Current therapies have enhanced the overall survival rate of patients but treatment-related adverse effects and increase in drug-resistance limit the success of these treatment options. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained interest as anticancer agents as they selectively target cancer cells and decrease the possibility of resistance. Nisin ZP is a polycyclic antimicrobial peptide produced by the Gram-positive bacterium, Lactococcus lactis and is commonly used as a food preservative. Nisin ZP has recently demonstrated anticancer activity in melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, hepatic, colon, and blood cancer. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer potential of nisin ZP and assessed the underlying mechanisms in NSCLC cells. The results revealed that nisin ZP induced selective toxicity in cancer (A549 and H1299) cells compared to healthy (HEK293) cells after 48 h of treatment. Nisin ZP exposure induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest (G0/G1 phase) in NSCLC cells irrespective of tumor protein p53 expression. The cancer cell proliferation was inhibited via non-membranolytic pathways by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and elevation in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, nisin ZP decreased cancer cells’ clonal expansion and migration, demonstrating potential use against highly metastatic NSCLC. The 3D spheroid growth and cell viability of the A549 cells were significantly inhibited by nisin ZP compared to control. Overall, the results suggest an excellent antitumor potential in vitro and, thus, can further be developed as a novel therapeutic for NSCLC.

To develop a minimal physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (mPBPK) model in quantifying the relationships between the charge and pharmacokinetics (PK) of therapeutic monoclonal IgG antibody (TMAb).

PK data used in this study were native IgG and five humanized anti-HCVE2-IgG antibodies in rats. Different models that related the effect of charge on interstitial distribution, transcapillary transport, and cellular uptake for FcRn-mediated metabolism were tested. External validation was conducted to assess if the charge-parameter relationships derived from rats could be used to predict the PK of TMAbs in mice. The final mPBPK model was used to construct the relationships between the FcRn binding and charge on the PK of TMAbs.

Increasing the isoelectric point (pI) of IgG was associated with higher interstitial space distribution and cellular uptake. The transcapillary transport of IgG from plasma to interstitial space remains constant with pI values below 7.96 and then increased linearly with pI. The model-bs.A common object found within medical museums is the developmental series an arrangement of embryos depicting the transformation of an unremarkable blob into an anatomically organized and recognizable organism. The developmental series depicts a normative process, one where bodies emerge in reliable sequential stages to reveal anatomically perfect beings. Yet a century before the developmental series would become a visual model of embryological development, the very process of development itself was discerned through the comparative study of preserved human fetuses-specifically, those deemed „monstrous” or characterized as „malformations.” This article examines how anatomically diverse fetal bodies were reformulated from singular curiosities into alternative developmental pathways whose characteristics testified to the laws of nature and to the primordial, physical relationship between humans and other species. In early nineteenth century Amsterdam, the father-son team of physicians Gerard and Willem Vrolik built up an internationally renowned anatomical museum famous especially for Willem’s collection of fetal malformations. Physical preparations of fetal malformations play a central role in Willem’s monumental handbook on developmental embryology comparing human embryos against one another and the embryos of other species, Willem plots out a sequence of embryological development in which a body’s form marks its place within the ever-unfolding natural order. In conversation with the literature on model organisms, this article explores how the „monstrous” gets standardized and, in doing so, contributes to the scientific production of a normative physiological process.The organic soils (Histosols) are important as filters for organic and inorganic pollutants, mainly because they are usually located on the banks of rivers and lakes. The aim of this study was to evaluate which functional groups of soil organic matter (SOM) most contribute for the Pb2+ and H2AsO4- adsorption in Histosols. This study used 20 samples (160 ~ 290 g kg-1 of organic carbon (OC) collected at 0-5 cm in five areas of Histosols from Curitiba, Southern of Brazil. Hydrofluoric acid (10%) was used to solubilize minerals to concentrate organic matter (391 to 510 g kg-1 of OC) in the samples. Samples having been submitted to pyrolysis in combination with gas chromatography (Py-GC/MS) that identified 186 organic compounds grouped based on their chemical similarity. The samples were saturated separately with Pb2+ and H2AsO4- under acid conditions (pH 4.0). The exchangeable (electrostatic interactions with SOM charges) and nonexchangeable (complexed to SOM) Pb2+ and H2AsO4- were determined for sequential methods (Ca(NO3)2 and EPA 3051A, respectively. Positive correlations occurred between exchangeable Pb2+ and phenolic compounds (r = 0.6, p  less then  0.05), lignin phenols (r = 0.5, p  less then  0.05), and sterols (r = 0.6, p  less then  0.05). For nonexchangeable Pb2+, there was a significant correlation with alkenes (r = 0.8, p  less then  0.01), alkanes (r = 0.8, p  less then  0.01), and methyl ketones (r = 0.7 p  less then  0.01). The exchangeable H2AsO4- is related to alkanes, alkenes, and methyl ketones. Therefore, in acid Histosols constituted of aliphatic organic matter tend to have less environmental fragility, due to the lesser transportation of these contaminants to other compartments like surface and subsurface waters.

Using petrolatum gel as an antitranspirant on the flowers of California poppy and giant bindweed, we show that transpiration provides a large contribution to floral humidity generation. Floral humidity, an area of elevated humidity in the headspace of flowers, is believed to be produced predominantly through a combination of evaporation of liquid nectar and transpirational water loss from the flower. However, the role of transpiration in floral humidity generation has not been directly tested and is largely inferred by continued humidity production when nectar is removed from flowers. We test whether transpiration contributes to the floral humidity generation of two species previously identified to produce elevated floral humidity, Calystegia silvatica and Eschscholzia californica. Floral humidity production of flowers that underwent an antitranspirant treatment, petrolatum gel which blocks transpiration from treated tissues, is compared to flowers that did not receive such treatments. Gel treatments reduced floral humidity production to approximately a third of that produced by untreated flowers in C.