Assessing the Environmental Determinants of Micropollutant Contamination in Streams Using Explainable Machine Learning and Network Analysis.

Even at trace concentrations, micropollutants, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals, pose considerable ecological risks, and the increasing presence of synthetic chemical substances in aquatic systems has emerged as a growing concern. Moreover, limited machine-learning (ML) approaches exist for analyzing environmental data, and the increasing complexity of ML models has made it challenging to understand predictor-outcome relationships. In particular, understanding complex interactions among multiple variables remains challenging.

Arthrodesis Versus Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Arthrodesis and ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) are commonly performed procedures for treatment of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis. Although LRTI is the most common surgical treatment, CMC arthrodesis has been performed because of its reported advantages. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the differences between CMC arthrodesis and LRTI to better inform surgeons and patients when they are making treatment decisions.

Prognostic value of gray-white matter ratio measured by brain MRI-based CT structures in comatose patients after cardiac arrest.

Background: Post-cardiac arrest care advancements have improved resuscitation outcomes, but many survivors still face severe neurological deficits or death from brain injury. Herein, we propose a consistent prognosis prediction approach using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyze anatomical regions represented by the gray and white matter, and subsequently apply it on computed tomography (CT) to calculate the gray-white matter ratio (GWR). We compared this novel method with traditional measures to validate its ability to predict the prognosis of patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest.

Factors affecting the occurrence of maxillary sinus fungus ball.

Objective: We identified patients who initially did not have a maxillary sinus fungus ball on computed tomography (CT) but developed it on a subsequent CT scan. We assessed potential risk factors for developing a maxillary sinus fungus ball between the two scans.

Patients And Methods: This study included 35 patients with 38 lesions who initially had no maxillary sinus fungus balls on CT but were later diagnosed with the condition and underwent surgery.

Lymphadenopathy Secondary to Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mistaken for Malignant Lymphoma.

Objective: It is difficult to identify disease entities underlying lymphadenopathy in the head and neck region based solely on imaging. This often results in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (Sqcc)-induced lymphadenopathy being mistaken for lymphoma. This study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics and computed tomographic features that aid in distinguishing between metastatic Sqcc and lymphoma when lymphadenopathy resembles a large solitary lymphoma.

Real-Time Visualization of HIV-1 RNA Detection Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification-Enabled Particle Diffusometry.

Isothermal nucleic acid amplification tests, NAATs, such as reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), offer promising capabilities to perform real-time semiquantitative detection of viral pathogens. These tests provide rapid results, utilize simple instrumentation for single-temperature reactions, support efficient user workflows, and are suitable for field use. Herein, we present a novel and robust method for real-time monitoring of HIV-1 RNA RT-LAMP utilizing a novel implementation of particle diffusometry (PD), a diffusivity quantification technique using fluorescent particles, to quantify viral concentration in nuclease-free water.

Kimura Disease of the Head and Neck Region.

We analyzed the clinical characteristics and treatment results in surgical patients with a final diagnosis of Kimura disease. A total of 8 patients with a final diagnosis of Kimura disease of the head and neck region after surgery from January 2007 to December 2022 were enrolled. The most common symptom was a mass in the head and neck region (n = 7), followed by incidental detection (n = 1).

Dietary and lifestyle insulinemic potentials, plasma metabolome, and risk of diverticulitis: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Diet and lifestyle factors have been linked to developing diverticulitis. However, it remains largely unknown whether the associations are mediated by metabolic disturbance, such as hyperinsulinemia and corresponding metabolomic perturbations.

Objectives: We investigated associations of the insulinemic potential of diet, lifestyle (diet, physical activity, body weight), and metabolomic patterns with the risk of incident diverticulitis.

Changes in gut microbiome can be associated with abrupt seizure exacerbation in epilepsy patients.

Objective: Seizures can be triggered by a variety of endogenous or exogenous factors. We hypothesized that alterations in the gut microbiome may be a seizure precipitant and analyzed the composition and characteristics of the gut microbiome in epilepsy patients who experienced an abrupt seizure exacerbation without a clear seizure precipitant.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 25 adult patients with epilepsy and collected fecal samples on the admission and after seizure recovery for next-generation sequencing analysis.

Impaired olfactory system in metabolic imbalance-related neuropathology.

Olfactory dysfunction, influenced by factors such as aging and environmental stress, is linked to various neurological disorders. The olfactory bulb's connections to brain areas like the hypothalamus, piriform cortex, entorhinal cortex, and limbic system make olfactory dysfunction a contributor to a range of neuropathological conditions. Recent research has underscored that olfactory deficits are prevalent in individuals with both metabolic syndrome and dementia.

Machine learning approaches to identify spatial factors and their influential distances for heavy metal contamination in downstream sediment.

Contaminated sediments can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems, making the identification and management of pollutant sources extremely important. In this study, we proposed machine learning approaches to reveal sources and their influential distances for heavy metal contamination of downstream sediment. We employed classification models with artificial neural networks (ANN) and random forest (RF), respectively, to predict the heavy metal contamination of stream sediments using upland environmental variables as input features.

Treatment outcomes of elective neck dissection in intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma.

In the present study, the outcomes of elective neck dissection in patients with intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were investigated. From January 2016 to December 2022, 21 patients who underwent esophagectomy and elective neck dissection (both neck level IV) for intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled. Of these 21 patients, 19 patients were male and 2 were female.

Dermoid Cysts on the Floor of the Mouth.

Objective: The authors analyzed the clinical features and treatment results of surgical patients with a final diagnosis of dermoid cyst on the floor of the mouth over 14 years at our hospital.

Patients And Methods: A total of 5 patients with a final diagnosis of dermoid cyst of the floor of the mouth from January 2010 to December 2023 were enrolled.

Results: All patients complained of swelling in the submentum or floor of the mouth.

Grey-to-White Matter Ratio Values in Early Head Computed Tomography (CT) as a Predictor of Neurologic Outcomes in Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Based on Severity of Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury.

Background: Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) is a common complication of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Objectives: We investigated whether grey-to-white matter ratio (GWR) values, measured using early head computed tomography (HCT), were associated with neurologic outcomes based on the severity of HIBI in survivors of OHCA.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included adult comatose OHCA survivors who underwent an HCT scan within 2 h after the return of spontaneous circulation.

Effects of exercise during active surveillance for prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The efficacy of exercise in men with prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance (AS) remains unclear. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to examine the effects of exercise in PCa patients on AS.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library using search terms, including exercise, PCa, AS, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Positive Effects of Adiponectin, BDNF, and GLP-1 on Cortical Neurons Counteracting Palmitic Acid Induced Neurotoxicity.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome caused by diets containing excessive fatty acids is increasing worldwide. Patients with metabolic syndrome exhibit abnormal lipid profiles, chronic inflammation, increased levels of saturated fatty acids, impaired insulin sensitivity, excessive fat accumulation, and neuropathological issues such as memory deficits. In particular, palmitic acid (PA) in saturated fatty acids aggravates inflammation, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, and synaptic failure.

Solitary large malignant lymphoma in the head and neck region.

The present study examined the clinical characteristics of patients with a final diagnosis of solitary large malignant lymphoma of the head and neck after surgery. Between January 2015 and December 2022, 13 patients with a final diagnosis of solitary large malignant lymphoma of the head and neck after surgery were enrolled. The most common symptom of solitary large malignant lymphoma was a neck mass (n=11; 84.

CNUC13 Enhances Salt Tolerance in Maize by Modulating Osmotic and Oxidative Stress.

Soil salinization is one of the leading threats to global ecosystems, food security, and crop production. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) are potential bioinoculants that offer an alternative eco-friendly agricultural approach to enhance crop productivity from salt-deteriorating lands. The current work presents bacterial strain CNUC13 from maize rhizosphere soil that exerted several PGPR traits and abiotic stress tolerance.