Sodium alginate-based nanocomposite hydrogel membrane for removal of heavy metal ions and dyes in water.

Membrane filtration technology plays a crucial role in the field of water treatment because of its efficient separation and purification capability. However, it remains a major challenge to develop reusable membranes with high retention, stable filtration to remove heavy metal ions and dyes from water in the field. In this study, sodium alginate (SA), cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and metal-organic frame UiO-66 were innovatively used as raw materials to prepare SA/CNF/UiO-66 dual-network composite hydrogel membrane by unique cooking method.

Encapsulation of FeS within N/S-Doped bamboo-like carbon nanotubes for facilitated rapid catalytic conversion of polysulfides in high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered to be competitive next-generation electrochemical energy storage devices, but their practical application is severely hampered by the shuttle effect and slow redox kinetics of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). To address this challenge, FeS encapsulated within N/S co-doped bamboo-like carbon nanotubes (FeS/NSC) is synthesized via a pyrolysis sulfidation process, and act as a coating separator for LSBs. The 1-dimensional (1D) S and N co-doped carbon substrate materials can act as conductive networks, exposing more adsorption sites and enhancing the capture of LiPSs.

Real-time quantification of activated sludge concentration and viscosity through deep learning of microscopic images.

The parameters of activatedg sludge are crucial for the daily operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In particular, mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and apparent viscosity provide metrics for the biomass and rheological properties of activated sludge. Traditional methods for determining these parameters are time-consuming, require separate measurements for each index, and fail to provide real-time data for future 'smart' WWTPs.

A systematic benchmark of Nanopore long-read RNA sequencing for transcript-level analysis in human cell lines.

The human genome contains instructions to transcribe more than 200,000 RNAs. However, many RNA transcripts are generated from the same gene, resulting in alternative isoforms that are highly similar and that remain difficult to quantify. To evaluate the ability to study RNA transcript expression, we profiled seven human cell lines with five different RNA-sequencing protocols, including short-read cDNA, Nanopore long-read direct RNA, amplification-free direct cDNA and PCR-amplified cDNA sequencing, and PacBio IsoSeq, with multiple spike-in controls, and additional transcriptome-wide N-methyladenosine profiling data.

Comparative prognosis of liver transplantation versus liver resection in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Liver resection (LR) remains the only curative approach for patients diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Although margin-negative resection can be achieved, long-term oncological outcomes still need improvement. Recent studies from both single and multi-institutional settings have indicated that liver transplantation (LT) could be a feasible treatment option for ICC under particular conditions.

Inhibition of Putative Ibrutinib Targets Promotes Atrial Fibrillation, Conduction Blocks, and Proarrhythmic Electrocardiogram Indices: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Background: The mechanism by which ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, can elevate the risk of arrhythmias is not fully elucidated. In this study, we explored how inhibition of off-target kinases can contribute to this phenomenon.

Methods: We performed a Mendelian randomization analysis to examine the causal associations between genetically proxied inhibition of six putative ibrutinib drug targets (ErbB2/HER2, CSK, JAK3, TEC, BLK, and PLCG2) and the atrial fibrillation (AF) risk, proarrhythmic ECG indices, and cardiometabolic traits and diseases.

Development of a Sensitive Enzyme Immunoassay Using Phage-Displayed Antigen-Binding Fragments for Zearalenone Detection in Cereal Samples.

Zearalenone (ZEN), a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin, contaminates animal feed and grain crops, thereby entering the food chain and posing a significant threat to human health. Consequently, there is an urgent need for a sensitive and rapid method for detecting trace levels of ZEN. In this study, we developed a phage-displayed antigen-binding fragment (Fab-phage) and established a Fab-phage-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Fab-pELISA) for ZEN detection.

Exploration of Conditions for the Scaled Application of Laparoscopic Ovum Pick-Up in Sheep and Comparison of Follicular Development Differences Among Breeds.

In small ruminants, laparotomy for ovarian exploration followed by oocyte collection has been progressively replaced by laparoscopic puncture of follicles, which has become an important method for obtaining oocytes in vivo. However, the superovulation protocols and collection frequency used for laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) in sheep still require further investigation. This study explored the factors influencing LOPU efficiency in sheep, including Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) for estrus synchronization, FSH source and dose, and recovery intervals.

Isothermal Equation of State of Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) by Optical Imaging Method in Diamond Anvil Cell.

Polymers serve as important functional materials in various environments, including high-pressure conditions. However, the behavior of polymers under high pressure is currently less understood. In this study, the isothermal equation of state of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), an important polymer, was measured using the diamond anvil cell technique at up to 8 GPa.

In Situ Crystalline Growth ZnS Nanoparticles on Conjugated Polymer for Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Performance.

Photocatalysis is an important means of realizing the efficient use of solar energy and alleviating energy consumption and environmental pollution. This work used a simple solvothermal synthesis method to prepare a series of zinc sulfide/sulfur-doped polyimide (ZnS/SPI) direct Z-type heterostructured photocatalysts. ZnS/SPI heterostructured photocatalysts have better photogenerated electron-hole pairs separation and wider visible light absorption region.

Predictive value of machine learning for in-hospital mortality risk in acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Machine learning (ML) models have been constructed to predict the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Due to diverse ML models and modeling variables, along with the significant imbalance in data, the predictive accuracy of these models remains controversial.

Objective: This study aimed to review the accuracy of ML in predicting in-hospital mortality risk in MI patients and to provide evidence-based advices for the development or updating of clinical tools.

Impact of Humanistic and Psychological Nursing on Postpartum Women: A Comparative Study.

Context: Postpartum care primarily focuses on the mother's physical recuperation, encompassing the prevention and treatment of postpartum ailments. However, healthcare practitioners have relatively neglected the psychological needs of mothers. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a psychological health concern that necessitates attention and timely intervention.

Functional diversity of two apple paralogs MADS5 and MADS35 in regulating flowering and parthenocarpy.

MADS-box genes play important roles in plant development, especially flowering and fruiting. In this study, we identified 54 type I and 69 type II MADS-box genes from the apple reference genome 'GDDH13'. The type II MADS-box genes were further divided into 12 closely related subgroups, each exhibiting similar gene structures and conserved domains.

Molecular mechanism of Mfn2 alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress and inhibiting apoptosis of sheep follicular granulosa cells.

Follicle development is a crucial step in mammalian reproductive processes, the specific role of Mfn2 in regulating mitochondrial function and endoplasmic reticulum stress in this process is still unclear, this study aimed to investigate the role of Mfn2 in the follicular development of adult sheep. Large, medium, and small follicles were collected, and granulosa cells (GCs) were isolated from large follicles. The expression levels of Mfn2 in different follicles were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blot, and the localization of Mfn2 in follicles was determined through immunofluorescence.

Insight into carbon structural variation from steam gasification of rice straw on enhancing hydrogen generation.

Converting biomass waste into hydrogen energy through gasification is a crucial pathway for producing "green hydrogen". In a fixed bed reactor, a representative biomass waste, rice straw (RS), was pyrolyzed at N, HO, CO, and O atmospheres to generate hydrogen. Solid C-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (C-NMR) and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to elucidate the carbon structure and functional groups of the samples.

Chain length of fatty acid determines the reassembly behaviors of starch-lipid complexes following microwave heat-moisture treatment.

Food postprocessing can induce the structural changes of starch-lipid complexes, however, how the chain length of fatty acids affects their reassembly behaviors during postprocessing has not been researched. Accordingly, starch-lipid complexes containing varying chain lengths of fatty acids were prepared and the changes in their structures and digestibility were investigated during microwave heat-moisture treatment. After treatment, the contents of complexed lipids, complex index, and single helix in the complexes increased, and the values were lower for complexes containing longer-chain fatty acids.

Canagliflozin Attenuates Podocyte Inflammatory Injury through Suppressing the TXNIP/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Kidney Disease Mice.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), poses a serious threat to global health. Aseptic inflammation and pyroptosis of podocytes are crucial factors contributing to the pathogenesis and progression of DKD. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), a novel class of antidiabetic agents widely used in clinical settings, may exert a protective effect on podocyte injury, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Edaravone dexborneol for ischemic stroke with sufficient recanalization after thrombectomy: a randomized phase II trial.

phase II, randomized, double blinded, multi-center study aims to explore whether intravenous edaravone dexborneol (ED) could improve clinical outcomes in patients with anterior circulation stroke with successful endovascular reperfusion (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04667637 Eligible patients were randomly (1:1) assigned into ED, which received intravenous ED (37.5 mg, 2/day, for 12 days) or control group, which received placebo.

The prevalence and correlation of cancer-related fatigue and locomotive syndrome in geriatric cancer patients.

Objective: To explore the relationship between cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and locomotive syndrome (LS) among Chinese older adults with cancer.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey. Staged random sampling method was employed to enroll 500 geriatric cancer patients from the Oncology Center of Jiangnan University Hospital in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.

Farnesoid X receptor induction decreases invasion and tumor progression by JAK2/occludin signaling in human glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain cancer characterized by low survival and high recurrence rates. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor for bile acids, is expressed at low levels in GBM. This study explores the impact of FXR regulation on GBM cell migration and invasion.

Kai-Xin-San polysaccharides exert therapeutic effects on D-gal and Aβ-induced AD rats by regulating gut microbiota and metabolic profile.

Metabolic abnormalities and gut microbiota imbalance are intricately linked to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Kai-Xin-San (KXS) is a traditional herbal formula known for its therapeutic effects on AD. Our previous research indicated that Kai-Xin-San polysaccharide (KXS-P) exhibits a significant therapeutic impact on AD, but the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood.

Disease burden and health-related quality of life among children with X-linked hypophosphataemia in China: a national cross-sectional survey.

Background: X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH) is a rare inherited disorder often misdiagnosed and lacking sufficient aetiological treatment. Previous studies have shown that XLH is associated with worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and greater economic burden for children and their families compared with the general population, but evidence from China is scarce. This study aimed to comprehensively explore the burden and HRQoL of XLH children in China.

Enhanced AtAAP1 endocytosis is correlated with calcium induced-proline hyper-sensitivity in Arabidopsis.

The calcium (Ca) could enhance the toxicity of exogenous proline and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the molecular mechanism underlying calcium-enhanced proline toxicity (CEPT) is still elusive. Here, we find that CEPT depends on the presence of the amino acid permease 1 in Arabidopsis (AtAAP1), since CEPT was significantly attenuated in ataap1 mutant than in wild-type plants.

INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: A Clinical Evaluation of Scalp Barrier Function, Ceramide Levels, and Microbiome in Diverse Dandruff Patients.

Dandruff is a common chronic scalp condition that affects approximately half the population irrespective of their origin. Dandruff scalps are characterized by flaking skin, pruritus, and minimal visible scalp inflammation. At the biological level, dandruff scalp presents a disruption of the barrier function supported by lower levels of ceramides in the stratum corneum and typically accompanied by altered microbiome diversity, including a higher abundance of Malassezia yeasts and exacerbated sebum peroxidation.