Exploring the Relationship Between Biochar Pore Structure and Microbial Community Composition in Promoting Tobacco Growth.

The potential benefits of biochar, a carbon-rich substance derived from biomass, for enhancing agricultural yield and soil health have drawn increasing interest. Nevertheless, owing to the lack of specialized studies, the role of its poly-spatial structure in the success of fostering plant growth remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the effects of various biochar pore shapes on tobacco growth and the underlying microbiological processes.

Clinical experiences and learning curves from robot-assisted neurosurgical biopsies with Stealth Autoguide™.

Background: Biopsies of intracranial lesions are a cornerstone in the diagnosis of unresectable tumors to guide neurooncological treatment; however, the procedure is also associated with risks. The results from the cranial robot guidance system Stealth Autoguide™ were studied after introduction at a neurosurgical department. Primary aims include the presentation of clinical and radiological data, accuracy of radiological diagnosis, learning curves of the new technology, diagnostic yield, and precision.

Clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): a systematic review.

Background: Knowledge about multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is evolving, and evidence-based standardised diagnostic and management protocols are lacking. Our review aims to summarise the clinical and diagnostic features, management strategies and outcomes of MIS-C and evaluate the variances in disease parameters and outcomes between high-income countries (HIC) and middle-income countries (MIC).

Methods: We searched four databases from December 2019 to March 2023.

An integrated group decision-making method under q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic context with partial weight information.

Considering the advantages of q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic set (q-RFLS), which includes both linguistic and numeric data to describe evaluations, this article aims to design a new decision-making methodology by integrating Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) and qualitative flexible (QUALIFLEX) methods based on the revised aggregation operators to solve multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM). To accomplish this, we first revise the extant operational laws of q-RFLSs to make up for their shortcomings. Based on novel operational laws, we develop q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic (q-RFL) weighted averaging and geometric operators and provide the corresponding results.

q-Rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic WASPAS algorithm for patients' prioritization based on prioritized Maclaurin symmetric mean aggregation operators.

Due to the fuzziness of the medical field, q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic (q-RF2L) set is the privileged way to aid medical professionals in conveying their assessments in the patient prioritization problem. The theme of the present study is to put forward a novel approach centered around the merging of prioritized averaging (PA) and the Maclaurin symmetric mean (MSM) operator within q-RF2L context. According to the prioritization of the professionals and the correlation among the defined criteria, we apply both PA and MSM to assess priority degrees and relationships, respectively.

Analysis of the effect of the scorpion toxin AaH-II on action potential generation in the axon initial segment.

The toxin AaH-II, from the scorpion Androctonus australis Hector venom, is a 64 amino acid peptide that targets voltage-gated Na channels (VGNCs) and slows their inactivation. While at macroscopic cellular level AaH-II prolongs the action potential (AP), a functional analysis of the effect of the toxin in the axon initial segment (AIS), where VGNCs are highly expressed, was never performed so far. Here, we report an original analysis of the effect of AaH-II on the AP generation in the AIS of neocortical layer-5 pyramidal neurons from mouse brain slices.

Kinetics and functional consequences of BK channels activation by N-type Ca channels in the dendrite of mouse neocortical layer-5 pyramidal neurons.

The back-propagation of an action potential (AP) from the axon/soma to the dendrites plays a central role in dendritic integration. This process involves an intricate orchestration of various ion channels, but a comprehensive understanding of the contribution of each channel type remains elusive. In this study, we leverage ultrafast membrane potential recordings (V) and Ca imaging techniques to shed light on the involvement of N-type voltage-gated Ca channels (VGCCs) in layer-5 neocortical pyramidal neurons' apical dendrites.

Zone-specific computer-aided diagnosis system aimed at characterizing ISUP ≥ 2 prostate cancers on multiparametric magnetic resonance images: evaluation in a cohort of patients on active surveillance.

Purpose: To assess a region-of-interest-based computer-assisted diagnosis system (CAD) in characterizing aggressive prostate cancer on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from patients under active surveillance (AS).

Methods: A prospective biopsy database was retrospectively searched for patients under AS who underwent MRI and subsequent biopsy at our institution. MRI lesions targeted at baseline biopsy were retrospectively delineated to calculate the CAD score that was compared to the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2 score assigned at baseline biopsy.

q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic clustering algorithm and its applications to clustering analysis.

q-ROPFLS, including numeric and linguistic data, has a wide range of applications in handling uncertain information. This article aims to investigate q-ROPFL correlation coefficient based on the proposed information energy and covariance formulas. Moreover, considering that different q-ROPFL elements may have varying criteria weights, the weighted correlation coefficient is further explored.

Harnessing inorganic nanomaterials for chemodynamic cancer therapy.

The most important aspect of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is the harnessing of Fenton or Fenton-like chemistry for cancer therapy within the tumor microenvironment, which occurs because of the moderate acidity and overexpressed HO in the tumor microenvironment. Hydroxyl radicals (OH) produced within tumor cells via Fenton and Fenton-like reactions cause cancer cell death. Reactive oxygen species-mediated CDT demonstrates a desired anticancer impact without the need for external stimulation or the development of drug resistance.

Optimizing the Setup and Conditions for Ex Vivo Electroretinogram to Study Retina Function in Small and Large Eyes.

Measurements of retinal neuronal light responses are critical to investigating the physiology of the healthy retina, determining pathological changes in retinal diseases, and testing therapeutic interventions. The ex vivo electroretinogram (ERG) allows the quantification of contributions from individual cell types in the isolated retina by addition of specific pharmacological agents and evaluation of tissue-intrinsic changes independently of systemic influences. Retinal light responses can be measured using a specialized ex vivo ERG specimen holder and recording setup, modified from existing patch clamp or microelectrode array equipment.

Revival of light signalling in the postmortem mouse and human retina.

Death is defined as the irreversible cessation of circulatory, respiratory or brain activity. Many peripheral human organs can be transplanted from deceased donors using protocols to optimize viability. However, tissues from the central nervous system rapidly lose viability after circulation ceases, impeding their potential for transplantation.

Diverging levels of COVID-19 governmental response satisfaction across middle eastern Arab countries: a multinational study.

Background: Public acceptance of governmental measures are key to controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems for high-income countries as well as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The ability of LMICs to respond to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic has been limited and may have affected the impact of governmental strategies to control the spread of COVID-19.

An unusual occurrence of opsoclonus and liver enzymes elevation in a patient with acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Background: Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) is a subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) differentiated by nerve conduction studies (NCS) and characterized by symmetric ascending paralysis often involving respiratory muscles. While opsoclonus, which is involuntary chaotic rapid eye movements, is not a common manifestation of GBS. Moreover, little published data are available on the relation between liver enzymes elevation and GBS.

Impact of Thyroid Autoimmunity in euthyroid women on the outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization.

Objective: Infertility is inadequately acknowledged as a problem in developing countries. Thyroid Autoimmunity (TAI) has been neatly investigated for its association with unfavorable pregnancy and reproductive consequences. We aim to evaluate Clinical Pregnancy Rate (CPR) as a primary outcome following In Vitro Fertilization/Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) in women with Thyroid Autoimmunity (TAI).

Transduction and Adaptation Mechanisms in the Cilium or Microvilli of Photoreceptors and Olfactory Receptors From Insects to Humans.

Sensing changes in the environment is crucial for survival. Animals from invertebrates to vertebrates use both visual and olfactory stimuli to direct survival behaviors including identification of food sources, finding mates, and predator avoidance. In primary sensory neurons there are signal transduction mechanisms that convert chemical or light signals into an electrical response through ligand binding or photoactivation of a receptor, that can be propagated to the olfactory and visual centers of the brain to create a perception of the odor and visual landscapes surrounding us.

Fast diagnostic test for familial Mediterranean fever based on a kinase inhibitor.

Background And Objective: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most frequent hereditary autoinflammatory disease. Its diagnosis relies on a set of clinical criteria and a genetic confirmation on identification of biallelic pathogenic variants. encodes pyrin, an inflammasome sensor.

Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU) deficiency reveals an alternate path for Ca uptake in photoreceptor mitochondria.

Rods and cones use intracellular Ca to regulate many functions, including phototransduction and neurotransmission. The Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU) complex is thought to be the primary pathway for Ca entry into mitochondria in eukaryotes. We investigate the hypothesis that mitochondrial Ca uptake via MCU influences phototransduction and energy metabolism in photoreceptors using a mcu zebrafish and a rod photoreceptor-specific Mcu mouse.

Prevalence of Thyroid Autoimmune Antibodies in Women Seeking Fertility Care in Damascus, Syria.

Introduction Thyroid autoimmune (TAI) disease with a prevalence varying between 5 and 15%, represents the most common endocrine disorder in women with reproductive age. Not only is TAI disease five to 10 folds more common in women than men but also TAI diseases is often undiagnosed because it may be present without overt thyroid dysfunction for several years. Studies found an increased prevalence of TAI in women referred to fertility clinics compared with normal population.

Increasing Ca in photoreceptor mitochondria alters metabolites, accelerates photoresponse recovery, and reveals adaptations to mitochondrial stress.

Photoreceptors are specialized neurons that rely on Ca to regulate phototransduction and neurotransmission. Photoreceptor dysfunction and degeneration occur when intracellular Ca homeostasis is disrupted. Ca homeostasis is maintained partly by mitochondrial Ca uptake through the mitochondrial Ca uniporter (MCU), which can influence cytosolic Ca signals, stimulate energy production, and trigger apoptosis.

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia with brain metastasis at initial presentation: a retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the survival and functional outcome of patients with brain metastasis due to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).

Methods: A 17-year retrospective study based on case review of women with brain metastasis from GTN identified by the electronic databases held in the French Reference Centre.

Primary Outcome Measure: 5-year overall survival calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method.

Peers versus professional training of basic life support in Syria: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Peer training has been identified as a useful tool for delivering undergraduate training in basic life support (BLS) which is fundamental as an initial response in cases of emergency. This study aimed to (1) Evaluate the efficacy of peer-led model in basic life support training among medical students in their first three years of study, compared to professional-led training and (2) To assess the efficacy of the course program and students' satisfaction of peer-led training.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors was conducted on 72 medical students from the pre-clinical years (1st to 3rd years in Syria) at Syrian Private University.

Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) with mini-thoracotomy for the management of pulmonary hydatid cysts.

Background: Hydatid cyst is an endemic infectious disease. Various modalities have been provided to approach hydatosis. This article reports a 20-years-experience of a new minimally invasive technique for the management of solitary pulmonary hydatid cysts using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with mini-thoracotomy.