Tailoring PbTe quantum dot Size and morphology via ligand composition.

The literature shows a lack of significant research on the synthesis of large spherical PbTe quantum dots (QDs), particularly with controllable sizes and morphology. Here, we present for the first time a novel hot-injection method for the tunable, high-quality synthesis of cubooctahedral PbTe QDs within the size range of 10 nm to 16 nm. This method employs a combination of oleic acid (OA) with shorter carboxylic acids, including octanoic (OctA), decanoic (DA), and lauric acids (LA), tested at various volumetric ratios.

New Insights on Iron-Trimesate MOFs for Inorganic As(III) and As(V) Adsorption from Aqueous Media.

Arsenic contamination of water endangers the health of millions of people worldwide, affecting certain countries and regions with especial severity. Interest in the use of Fe-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) to remove inorganic arsenic species has increased due to their stability and adsorptive properties. In this study, the performance of a synthesized Nano-{Fe-BTC} MOF, containing iron oxide octahedral chains connected by trimesic acid linkers, in adsorbing As(III) and As(V) species was investigated and compared with commercial BasoliteF300 MOF.

Enhancing diagnostic accuracy in symptom-based health checkers: a comprehensive machine learning approach with clinical vignettes and benchmarking.

Introduction: The development of machine learning models for symptom-based health checkers is a rapidly evolving area with significant implications for healthcare. Accurate and efficient diagnostic tools can enhance patient outcomes and optimize healthcare resources. This study focuses on evaluating and optimizing machine learning models using a dataset of 10 diseases and 9,572 samples.

A two-dimensional vertex model for curvy cell-cell interfaces at the subcellular scale.

Cross-sections of cell shapes in a tissue monolayer typically resemble a tiling of convex polygons. Yet, examples exist where the polygons are not convex with curved cell-cell interfaces, as seen in the adaxial epidermis. To date, two-dimensional vertex models predicting the structure and mechanics of cell monolayers have been mostly limited to convex polygons.

Origins and Genetic Characteristics of Egyptian Peach.

Peach (), a significant economic fruit tree in the Rosaceae family, is extensively cultivated in temperate and subtropical regions due to its abundant genetic diversity, robust adaptability, and high nutritional value. Originating from China over 4000 years ago, peaches were introduced to Persia through the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty and gradually spread to India, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Europe, and America. Currently grown in more than 80 countries worldwide, the expansion of peach cultivation in Egypt is mainly due to the development and utilization of peach varieties with low chilling requirements.

Standardized approach to the conservative surgery of hepatic cystic echinococcosis: A prospective study.

Objective: Surgery is the mainstay of hepatic cystic echinococcosis (HCE). The conservative surgery of HCE carries a non-negligible risk of recurrence and significant morbidity, dominated by Deep Surgical Site Infections (DSSI). To address these issues, we have improved and standardized this technique, which could reduce complications and achieve better postoperative outcomes.

Cyclic muscle contractions reinforce the actomyosin motors and mediate the full elongation of embryo.

The paramount importance of mechanical forces in morphogenesis and embryogenesis is widely recognized, but understanding the mechanism at the cellular and molecular level remains challenging. Because of its simple internal organization, is a rewarding system of study. As demonstrated experimentally, after an initial period of steady elongation driven by the actomyosin network, muscle contractions operate a quasi-periodic sequence of bending, rotation, and torsion, that leads to the final fourfold size of the embryos before hatching.

Secondary prophylaxis for Clostridioides difficile infection for patients on non-C. difficile antibiotics: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) poses healthcare challenges and morbidity. Preventing recurrence with prophylactic oral CDI antibiotics lack consensus.

Methods: We used data from the largest healthcare provider in Israel to identify all adults aged 18 years or older diagnosed with a first episode of CDI (Index CDI) between February 2018 and December 2022 and subsequently received a non-CDI antibiotic within 2-8 weeks.

Cystic Echinococcosis of the Liver: Correlation Between Intra-Operative Ultrasound and Pre-Operative Imaging.

Imaging plays an essential role in the management of hepatic hydatid cysts (HCE). The objective of our study was to determine the correlation between pre-operative ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and intra-operative ultrasound (IOUS) in studying the characteristics and complications of HCE. This was a prospective, descriptive, and analytical study conducted in the General Surgery Department of Habib Bourguiba Hospital in Sfax.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of patients with healthcare-acquired multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli: a retrospective study from a tertiary care hospital.

The numbers of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and those that are carbapenem resistant, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), are increasing, and these infections are becoming a global public health problem.

Competitive heavy metal adsorption on pinecone shells: Mathematical modelling of fixed-bed column and surface interaction insights.

Pinecone shells are assessed as a cost-effective biosorbent for the removal of metal ions Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), and Cr(VI) in a fixed-bed column. Influent concentration, bed height, and flowrate are studied to improve efficiency. The breakthrough data is well fitted by the Sips adsorption model, suggesting a surface complexation mechanism, with maximum adsorption capacities of 11.

Optimization of time interval for the measurement of plasma lipids for cardiovascular disease risk assessment.

Background: Lipid testing for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk is often performed every 4-6 years, but we hypothesized that the optimum time interval may vary depending on baseline risk.

Research Design And Methods: Using lipid values and other risk factors from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) ( = 9,704), we calculated a 10-year risk score with the pooled-cohort equations. Future risk scores were predicted by increasing age and projecting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and lipid changes, using the mean-percentile age group change in NHANES for SBP ( = 17,329) and the Lifelines Cohort study for lipids ( = 133,540).

Predicting Waist Circumference From a Single Computed Tomography Image Using a Mobile App (Measure It): Development and Evaluation Study.

Background: Despite the existing evidence that waist circumference (WC) provides independent and additive information to BMI when predicting morbidity and mortality, this measurement is not routinely obtained in clinical practice. Using computed tomography (CT) scan images, mobile health (mHealth) has the potential to make this abdominal obesity parameter easily available even in retrospective studies.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a mobile app as a tool for facilitating the measurement of WC based on a cross-sectional CT image.

Viability predictive factors of the daughter vesicles in hepatic cystic echinococcosis.

Introduction: Management of cystic echinococcosis (CE) requires knowledge of certain aspects related to the survival of Echinococcus granulosus. The viability of daughter vesicles (DV) is a determining factor in guiding therapeutic indications, particularly for transiently active Cysts type CE3b.

Purpose: To determine the predictive factors of DV viability and its impact on the therapeutic management of CE3b type.

Exploring the hemicellulolytic properties and safety of Bacillus paralicheniformis as stepping stone in the use of new fibrolytic beneficial microbes.

Bacillus strains from the Moroccan Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (CCMM) were characterised and tested for fibrolytic function and safety properties that would be beneficial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, and recommend beneficial microbes in the field of health promotion research. Forty strains were investigated for their fibrolytic activities towards complex purified polysaccharides and natural fibres representative of dietary fibres (DFs) entering the colon for digestion. We demonstrated hemicellulolytic activities for nine strains of Bacillus aerius, re-identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis and Bacillus licheniformis, using xylan, xyloglucan or lichenan as purified polysaccharides, and orange, apple and carrot natural fibres, with strain- and substrate-dependent production of glycoside hydrolases (GHs).

Skin Rash as a Side Effect of Bortezomib: A Case Report.

Bortezomib is a novel proteasome inhibitor widely used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, especially in the case of recurrent, relapsing, or refractory myeloma. Its common side effects include nausea, vomiting, neuropathic pain, and hemorrhage. Cutaneous manifestations are considered rare.

Listening to understand: The role of high-quality listening on speakers' attitude depolarization during disagreements.

Disagreements can polarize attitudes when they evoke defensiveness from the conversation partners. When a speaker talks, listeners often think about ways to counterargue. This process often fails to depolarize attitudes and might even backfire (i.

The Influence of External Sulfate Attack on the Durability of Reinforced Mortars in the Presence of Calcined River Sediments.

In France, the annual volume of dredged sediments is significantly increasing, which has become a real environmental problem. Nevertheless, these sediments can be used beneficially as supplementary cementing material. On the other hand, external sulfate attack is one of the most aggressive causes of deterioration that affects the durability of concrete structures.

Is moderate-intensity interval training more tolerable than high-intensity interval training in adults with obesity?

Interval training (IT) has been shown to be a time-effective alternative to traditional training programmes in the management of obesity. Nevertheless, studies comparing the effects of different IT intensities on inflammation, muscle and liver damage, and perceptual responses in people with obesity are relatively scarce. This study aimed to compare the acute effects of two different IT protocols matched by the mean load and duration on biochemical and perceptual responses in sedentary adults with obesity.

Optimizing the average distance between a blue light photosensitizer and a harmonic nanoparticle for effective infrared photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy can be significantly improved by techniques utilizing light windows of higher tissue penetration depths with optimally matched photoactive agents to provide deep interstitial treatment. Classical blue light photosensitizers were photodynamically activated using infrared light via coupled harmonic nanoparticles with optimized intermediary distances using spacers. Upon 800 nm pulsed laser irradiation perovskite nanoparticles with optimized coupling to either curcumin or protoporphyrin IX reduced the viability of MCF7 breast cancer cells by 73 percent and 64 percent, respectively, while exhibiting negligible dark toxicity.

Comparative genomics analysis of endangered wild Egyptian (Forssk.) Fiori plastome, with implications for the evolution of Brassicales order.

is a mono-genus belonging to the Moringaceae family, which includes 13 species. Among them, is plant species native to the Arabian Peninsula, Southern Sinai in Egypt, and the Horn of Africa, and comprehensive studies on its nutritional, industrial, and medicinal values have been performed. Herein, we sequenced and analyzed the initial complete chloroplast genome of .

Approach to the Patient With a Suboptimal Statin Response: Causes and Algorithm for Clinical Management.

Context: Statins are the lipid-lowering therapy of choice for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) but their effectiveness in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) can substantially differ between individuals. In this mini-review, we describe the different causes for a suboptimal statin response and an algorithm for the diagnosis and clinical management of these patients.

Evidence Acquisition: A PubMed search using the terms "statin resistance," "statin sensitivity," "statin pharmacokinetics," "cardiovascular disease," and "lipid-lowering therapies" was performed.