Exploring the Accuracy and Limits of Algorithms for Localizing Recombination Breakpoints.

Phylogenetic methods are widely used to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships among species and individuals. However, recombination can obscure ancestral relationships as individuals may inherit different regions of their genome from different ancestors. It is, therefore, often necessary to detect recombination events, locate recombination breakpoints, and select recombination-free alignments prior to reconstructing phylogenetic trees.

Determination of Sr and Pb in food samples by liquid scintillation counting after sequential separation with an extraction chromatographic column.

Sr and Pb are considered to be key radionuclides in internal exposure resulting from dietary intake, however, the established methods employed for their detection are time-comsuming. A method for the sequential separation of Sr and Pb using a Sr·spec resin by LSC measurement is developed, which is highly suitable for food safety monitoring as its minimal sample requirements. The sequential separation of Sr and Pb from the sample was using 0.

Radiomics Analysis to Predict Lymphovascular Invasion of Gastric Cancer Based on Iodine-Based Material Decomposition Images and Virtual Monoenergetic Images.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the utility of virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) and iodine-based material decomposition images (IMDIs) in the assessment of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in gastric cancer (GC) patients.

Methods: A total of 103 GC patients who underwent dual-energy spectral computed tomography preoperatively were enrolled. The LVI status was confirmed by pathological analysis.

Boosting Simultaneous Uranium Decorporation and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Efficiency by Lacunary Polyoxometalates.

The chemical toxicity and the oxidative stress induced by the internal exposure of uranium is responsible for the long-term adverse effect of in vivo contamination of uranium. An agent with simultaneous removal capability of uranium and excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) is highly desired. Herein, the lacunary Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM) is demonstrated to selectively bind with uranyl ions in the presence of excess essential divalent ions and exhibits a compelling ROS scavenging efficiency of 78.

The added value of radiomics from dual-energy spectral CT derived iodine-based material decomposition images in predicting histological grade of gastric cancer.

Background: The histological differentiation grades of gastric cancer (GC) are closely related to treatment choices and prognostic evaluation. Radiomics from dual-energy spectral CT (DESCT) derived iodine-based material decomposition (IMD) images may have the potential to reflect histological grades.

Methods: A total of 103 patients with pathologically proven GC (low-grade in 40 patients and high-grade in 63 patients) who underwent preoperative DESCT were enrolled in our study.

Effective mitigation of gadolinium deposition using the bidentate hydroxypyridinone ligand Me-3,2-HOPO.

With the extensive usage of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), gadolinium deposition has been observed in the brain, kidneys, liver, ., and this is also closely related to the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with renal dysfunction. Chelation, thereby promoting the elimination of deposited Gd(III), seems to be promising for alleviating these problems.

Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI radiomics to predict vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) and patient prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: The study was to develop a Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI radiomics model for preoperative prediction of VETC and patient prognosis in hepatocellular cancer (HCC).

Methods: The study included 182 (training cohort: 128; validation cohort: 54) HCC patients who underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. Volumes of interest including intratumoral and peritumoral regions were manually delineated in the hepatobiliary phase images, from which 1316 radiomics features were extracted.

Pioneering Iodine-125-Labeled Nanoscale Covalent Organic Frameworks for Brachytherapy.

Brachytherapy has been clinically used for the treatment of malignant solid tumors. However, the classic therapeutic radioactive I seed must be surgically implanted directly into tumors. To avoid the surgery and prevent irrational radioactive distribution, radioiodine-loaded nanomaterials are ever-developing for brachytherapy.

Niche-Specific Adaptive Evolution of Strains Isolated From Human Feces and Paocai.

, a widely used probiotic in the food industry, exists in diverse habitats, which has led to its niche-specific genetic evolution. However, the relationship between this type of genetic evolution and the bacterial phenotype remains unclear. Here, six strains derived from paocai and human feces were analyzed at the genomic and phenotypic levels to investigate the features of adaptive evolution in different habitats.

In Vivo Uranium Sequestration using a Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework.

An agent for actinide sequestration with fast uranium uptake kinetics and efficient in vivo uranium removal using a nanoscale metal-organic framework (nano-MOF) is proposed. UiO-66 nanoparticles post-synthetically functionalized with carboxyl groups, UiO-66-(COOH) -180, exhibit the fastest uranium uptake kinetics reported with more than 65 % of uranyl in fetal bovine serum (FBS) removed within 5 min. Moreover, the in vivo bio-distribution studies show that the material partially accumulates in kidneys and femurs where uranium mainly deposits facilitating the in vivo sequestration of uranium.

Concurrent OPA1 mutation and chromosome 3q deletion leading to Behr syndrome: a case report.

Background: Optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) gene mutations are associated with dominantly inherited optic neuropathy resulting in a progressive loss of visual acuity. Compound heterozygous or homozygous variants that lead to severe phenotypes, including Behr syndrome, have been reported rarely.

Case Presentation: Here, we present a 14-month-old boy with early onset optic atrophy, congenital cataracts, neuromuscular disorders, mental retardation, and developmental delay.

Lactobacillus plantarum-Mediated Regulation of Dietary Aluminum Induces Changes in the Human Gut Microbiota: an In Vitro Colonic Fermentation Study.

The gut microbiota has been identified as a target of toxic metals and a potentially crucial mediator of the bioavailability and toxicity of these metals. In this study, we show that aluminum (Al) exposure, even at low dose, affected the growth of representative strains from the human intestine via pure culture experiments. In vitro, Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM639 could bind Al on its cell surface as shown by electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis.

Beneficial effect of GABA-rich fermented milk on insomnia involving regulation of gut microbiota.

Insomnia is a common health problem in modern societies. GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, can promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. In this study, milk was fermented with Lactobacillus brevis DL1-11, a strain with high GABA-producing capacity.

Screening of Lactobacillus salivarius strains from the feces of Chinese populations and the evaluation of their effects against intestinal inflammation in mice.

Lactobacillus salivarius is a species of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic potency. Compared to such well-known probiotics as L. rhamnosus and L.

Resting-State Functional MRI Study: Connection Strength of Brain Networks in DR Patients.

Purpose: To explore the functional connection strength (FCS) changes of brain networks in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and uncover the underlying mechanism.

Methods And Materials: Twenty-one patients with DR and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled from August 2012 to September 2014. Subjects were scanned using 3T MR with blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) and 3-dimension fast spoiled gradient echo (3D-FSPGR) sequences.

A 3,2-Hydroxypyridinone-based Decorporation Agent that Removes Uranium from Bones In Vivo.

Searching for actinide decorporation agents with advantages of high decorporation efficiency, minimal biological toxicity, and high oral efficiency is crucial for nuclear safety and the sustainable development of nuclear energy. Removing actinides deposited in bones after intake is one of the most significant challenges remaining in this field because of the instantaneous formation of highly stable actinide phosphate complexes upon contact with hydroxyapatite. Here we report a hydroxypyridinone-based ligand (5LIO-1-Cm-3,2-HOPO) exhibiting stronger affinity for U(VI) compared with the reported tetradentate hydroxypyridinone ligands.

Modulation of the gut microbiota by a galactooligosaccharide protects against heavy metal lead accumulation in mice.

The heavy metal lead (Pb) is a toxic contaminant that induces a range of adverse effects in humans. The present study demonstrated for the first time that dietary supplementation with a galactooligosaccharide (GOS) promotes fecal Pb excretion and reduces Pb accumulation in the blood and tissues of mice. The effects against Pb exposure were also observed in mice that received the fecal microbiota from donors treated with GOS, but were diminished in gut microbiota-depleted mice that received antibiotic pre-treatment, indicating that the protection by GOS administration was dependent on the modulation of the gut microbiota.

Spectral Computed Tomography Imaging in the Differential Diagnosis of Lung Cancer and Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the value of spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging in differentiating lung cancer from inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT).

Methods: One hundred twelve patients with 96 lung cancers and 16 IMTs underwent spectral CT during arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP). The normalized iodine concentration in AP (NICAP) and VP (NICVP), slope of spectral Hounsfield unit curve in AP (λAP) and VP (λVP), and normalized iodine concentration difference between AP and VP (ICD) were calculated.

Disturbance of trace element and gut microbiota profiles as indicators of autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study of Chinese children.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder that is characterized by impairments of reciprocal social interaction and restricted stereotyped repetitive behavior. The goal of the present study was to investigate the trace element and gut microbiota profiles of Chinese autistic children and screen out potential metallic or microbial indicators of the disease. One hundred and thirty-six children (78 with ASD and 58 healthy controls) aged from 3 to 7 years were enrolled.

3-Hydroxy-2-Pyrrolidinone as a Potential Bidentate Ligand for in Vivo Chelation of Uranyl with Low Cytotoxicity and Moderate Decorporation Efficacy: A Solution Thermodynamics, Structural Chemistry, and in Vivo Uranyl Removal Survey.

Uranium poses a threat for severe renal and bone damage in vivo. With the rapid development of nuclear industry, it is more urgent than ever to search for potential in vivo uranium chelators. In this work, 3-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone (HPD) is investigated as a new potential uranium decorporation ligand.

3,2-Hydroxypyridinone-Grafted Chitosan Oligosaccharide Nanoparticles as Efficient Decorporation Agents for Simultaneous Removal of Uranium and Radiation-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species in Vivo.

Most of the key radionuclides in the nuclear fuel cycle, such as actinides, possess a combination of heavy metal chemotoxicity and radiotoxicity and therefore represent a severe threat to the ecological environment and public safety. The radiotoxicity originates from direct radiation-induced organ damage and indirect damage, mostly through radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although effective chelating agents that can accelerate the excretion of actinides, such as uranium, have been developed in the past several decades, very few of them can reduce radiation-induced damage from internal contamination.

Structural and thermodynamic stability of uranyl-deferiprone complexes and the removal efficacy of U(vi) at the cellular level.

Deferiprone (3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridone, DFP), which is a drug clinically used for removing heavy metals in vivo, was explored for its removal efficiency towards uranium. The reaction of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate with DFP at room temperature yielded the compound [(UO2)(H2O)(C7NO2H8)2]·4H2O (1), which crystallizes from a mixed solution of methanol and water (pH = 7.0).

Decreased stage migration rate of early gastric cancer with a new reconstruction algorithm using dual-energy CT images: a preliminary study.

Objectives: To evaluate the potential value of advanced monoenergetic images (AMEIs) on early gastric cancer (EGC) using dual-energy CT (DECT).

Methods: 31 EGC patients (19 men, 12 women; age range, 38-81 years; mean age, 57.19 years) were retrospectively enrolled in this study.

Gastric Cancer: Preoperative TNM Staging With Individually Adjusted Computed Tomography Scanning Phase.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate test bolus scan technology on preoperative diagnostic performance, vascular enhancement, and artery visualization for gastric cancer.

Methods: The institutional review board approved this study. Fifty-four patients in protocol 1 were resigned to a fixed delay time scan method, and their images were obtained in the late arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PP), with start delays of 40 and 70 seconds, respectively.