Efficient extraction and determination of Au(III) ions from acid mine drainage and water samples using silica gel immobilized with .

The analysis of gold, which is a precious metal with limited resources, in environmental samples is crucial for the sustainable utilization of natural resources. Therefore, in the present research we have aimed to develop a novel and environmentally friendly bioadsorbent, loaded on silica gel (BB@Si), with outstanding adsorptive properties that can be implemented for quantitative recovery of Au(III) ions the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique. After characterizing the developed adsorbent using FTIR and SEM techniques, we conducted a detailed investigation of the critical parameters that influence the extraction performance of Au(III) ions.

Hyperandrogenemia impairs endometrial vitamin D receptor expression in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives: To determine the effects of hyperandrogenemia and other phenotypic parameters on endometrial vitamin D receptor (VDR-X2 and VDR-X4) expression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing ovarian stimulation and total embryo freezing.

Methods: Forty-four PCOS patients were divided into four phenotypes according to the criteria for hyperandrogenemia (HA), ovulatory dysfunction (OD), and polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM): phenotype A (HA+OD+PCOM), phenotype B (HA+OD), phenotype C (HA+PCOM), and phenotype D (OD+PCOM). Endometrial VDR expression was determined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.

Divergent Oxidation Reactions of E- and Z-Allylic Primary Alcohols by an Unspecific Peroxygenase.

Unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) catalyze the selective oxygenation of organic substrates using only hydrogen peroxide as the external oxidant. The PaDa-I variant of the UPO from Agrocybe aegerita catalyses the oxidation of Z- and E-allylic alcohols with complementary selectivity, giving epoxide and carboxylic acid/aldehyde products respectively. Both reactions can be performed on preparative scale with isolated yields up to 80 %, and the epoxidations proceed with excellent enantioselectivity (>99 % ee).

Technique and Long-Term Results of Laparoscopic Aorto-Bi-Femoral Bypass for Juxta-Renal Aortic Occlusion.

Background: Describe the technique and the long-term results of total laparoscopic aorto-bifemoral bypass for juxtarenal aortic occlusion (JRAO).

Methods: From December 2000 to January 2023, 16 patients with a JRAO (TASC D lesions) underwent total laparoscopic aorto-bifemoral bypass. The patients' database was prospective and the file analysis was retrospective.

Altering Active-Site Loop Dynamics Enhances Standalone Activity of the Tryptophan Synthase Alpha Subunit.

The α-subunit (TrpA) of the allosterically regulated bifunctional tryptophan synthase αββα enzyme catalyzes the retro-aldol cleavage of indole-glycerol phosphate (IGP) to d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) and indole. The activity of the enzyme is highly dependent on the β-subunit (TrpB), which allosterically regulates and activates TrpA for enhanced function. This contrasts with the homologous BX1 enzyme from that can catalyze the same reaction as TrpA without requiring the presence of any additional binding partner.

Gut Microbiome in Human Melioidosis: Composition and Resistome Dynamics from Diagnosis to Discovery.

Background: Melioidosis, attributable to the soil-dwelling bacterium , stands as a paramount global health challenge, necessitating extended courses of antibiotics. While murine studies identified the gut microbiota as a modulator of bacterial dissemination during melioidosis, the human intestinal microbiota during melioidosis remains uncharacterized. Here, we characterized gut microbiota composition and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes at diagnosis, during treatment, and postdischarge for melioidosis.

Importance of eukaryotes in shaping microbial benthic communities in Charente-maritime marshes, France.

Marshes are wetlands known for providing major ecosystem services in terms of water quality and human activities. These ecosystem services are mainly provided by marshes' benthic community, composed of prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) but also of eukaryotes (micro-eukaryotes and meiofauna). The aim of this study is to (1) assess the environmental parameters affecting benthic community composition in marshes, (2) highlight the associations between organisms from the three domains of life, and (3) determine the parameters controlling these associations.

Should Gallbladder Pathologies Be Investigated in Patients With Colon Polyps?

Background Data regarding the frequency of development of gallbladder pathologies in patients with colon polyps are quite limited and heterogeneous. Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether colon polyps cause an increased risk of developing gallbladder pathologies and the necessity of ultrasonographic screening. Methodology This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients who underwent a colonoscopy and hepatobiliary ultrasound as part of their health check-up from January 2018 to January 2023.

Incidence of severe and non-severe SARS-CoV-2 infections in children and adolescents: a population-based cohort study using six healthcare databases from Italy, Spain, and Norway.

Unlabelled: We aim to estimate the incidence rates (IRs) of SARS-CoV-2 infections stratified by disease severity and comorbidities in pediatric population and to describe the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in children with and without comorbidities. A population-based cohort study was conducted in 6 electronic healthcare records databases from Italy, Spain, and Norway. The study lasted from 1 January 2020 to the latest databases' available data in each site, i.

Takayasu's arteritis associated with tuberculosis: a retrospective study.

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TA) and tuberculosis (TB) share similar histopathological and immunological characteristics. Studies comparing patients with TA with or without active or latent TB infection (LTBI) have revealed some differences in clinical and angiographic profiles. Patient with TA and history of TB exhibited more constitutional symptoms and structural damage to the aorta.

Intratumoral CXCL12 Gradients Contextualize Tumor Cell Invasion, Migration and Immune Suppression in Breast Cancer.

Although the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway has been prior investigated for its prometastatic and immuno- suppressive roles in the tumor microenvironment, evidence on the spatiotemporal regulation of these hallmarks has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate that CXCL12 forms a gradient specifically around cancer cell intravasation doorways, also known as Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis (TMEM) doorways, thus facilitating the chemotactic translocation of prometastatic tumor cells expressing CXCR4 toward the perivascular TMEM doorways for subsequent entry into peripheral circulation. Fur- thermore, we demonstrate that the CXCL12-rich micro-environment around TMEM doorways may cre- ate immunosuppressive niches, whereby CD8 T cells, despite being attracted to these regions, often exhibit reduced effector functions, limiting their efficacy.

Effectiveness of temocillin in treatment of non-urinary tract infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacterales and risk factors for failure.

Objectives: To describe the real-life use of temocillin for non-urinary tract infections, to assess its effectiveness in infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacterales, and to identify risk factors for treatment failure.

Method: Retrospective multicentric study in 14 tertiary care hospitals, including all patients who received at least one dose of temocillin for ESBL infections from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2021 for non-urinary tract infections. Failure was a composite criterion defined within 28 day follow-up by persistence or reappearance of signs of infection, and/or switch to suppressive antibiotic treatment and/or death from infection.

Photobiomodulation therapy on puncture-associated pain: A controlled randomized double-blind clinical trial.

Dental fear and phobia are prevalent worldwide, with local anesthesia being the most feared procedure. This study aimed to determine whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), used as a pre-anesthetic, could modulate puncture pain and enhance the effectiveness of local anesthesia. In this controlled, randomized, double-blind study, 49 participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 24), which received infrared laser therapy (100 mW, at 808 nm, 8 J, 80 s at a single point) immediately before standard anesthesia; and control group (n = 25), which received the standard anesthetic technique and sham laser.

Patients' Perspectives on the Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Community Health Worker-Led Intervention to Increase Chronic Kidney Disease Knowledge and Screening among Underserved Latine Adults: The CARE 2.0 Study.

In the United States, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects approximately 1 in 7 adults. Despite its significant impact, CKD awareness, education, and screening are often lacking among underserved Latine populations, leading to poorer health outcomes and higher mortality rates. Various studies highlight the crucial role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in improving health outcomes within minority communities both domestically and globally.

Determination of fundic accommodation in gastric emptying scintigraphy. Evaluation of its clinical usefulness.

Aim: Gastric emptying scintigraphy is used to assess patients with symptoms of dyspepsia or gastroparesis. An alteration of fundus accommodation may explain these symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the accommodation in gastric emptying scintigraphy studies performed in our institution.

Long-Term Evaluation of a Ternary Mixture of Molten Salts in Solar Thermal Storage Systems: Impact on Thermophysical Properties and Corrosion.

Solar thermal plants typically undergo trough operational cycles spanning between 20 and 25 years, highlighting the critical need for accurate assessments of long-term component evolution. Among these components, the heat storage media (molten salt) is crucial in plant design, as it significantly influences both the thermophysical properties of the working fluid and the corrosion of the steel components in thermal storage systems. Our research focused on evaluating the long-term effects of operating a low-melting-point ternary mixture consisting of 30 wt% LiNO, 57 wt% KNO, and 13 wt% NaNO.

Applying two approaches to detect unmeasured confounding due to time-varying variables in a self-controlled risk interval design evaluating COVID-19 vaccine safety signals, using myocarditis as a case example.

We test the robustness of the self-controlled risk interval (SCRI) design in a setting where time between doses may introduce time-varying confounding, using both negative control outcomes (NCOs) and quantitative bias analysis (QBA). All vaccinated cases identified from 5 European databases between 1 September 2020 and end of data availability were included. Exposures were doses 1-3 of the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines; outcomes were myocarditis and otitis externa (NCO).

Harnessing conformational dynamics in enzyme catalysis to achieve nature-like catalytic efficiencies: the shortest path map tool for computational enzyme redesign.

Enzymes exhibit diverse conformations, as represented in the free energy landscape (FEL). Such conformational diversity provides enzymes with the ability to evolve towards novel functions. The challenge lies in identifying mutations that enhance specific conformational changes, especially if located in distal sites from the active site cavity.

Evaluation of the Oral Microbiome before and after Treatments for Halitosis with Photodynamic Therapy and Probiotics-Pilot Study.

Background: To compare photodynamic therapy and the use of probiotics in reducing halitosis assessed through gas chromatography and microbiome analysis.

Methods: Participants aged from 18 to 25 years showing sulfide (SH2) ≥ 112 ppb on gas chromatography were selected. They were divided into four treatment groups: Group 1-Tongue Scraping; Group 2-Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT); Group 3-Probiotics; and Group 4-Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) and Probiotics.