Dissecting the dynamics of cell death pathways in Hirschsprung's disease: a comparative analysis of viable and non-viable cells under proinflammatory conditions.

Purpose: The present study explores the dynamics of cell death in Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) and control (CO) groups under inflammatory stress conditions.

Methods: Using flow cytometry, we analyzed intestinal colonic organoid cultures derived from the ganglionic segment of the HSCR and CO groups. Our analysis focused on the quantification of RIPK1-independent and RIPK1-dependent apoptosis, as well as necroptosis in both viable and non-viable cells under acute and chronic inflammatory stress.

Biliatresone induces cholangiopathy in C57BL/6J neonates.

Exposure to plant toxins or microbiota that are able to digest common food ingredients to toxic structures might be responsible for biliary atresia (BA). An isoflavonoid, biliatresone is known to effectively alter the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) development in BALB/c mice. Biliatresone causes a reduction of Glutathione (GSH) levels, SOX17 downregulation and is effectively countered with N-Acetyl-L-cysteine treatment in vitro.

Pandemics and Politics: Analyzing the politicization and polarization of pandemic-related reporting.

The COVID-19 pandemic generated tremendous journalistic attention, and occurred during a period of increasing politicization and polarization in America's news media. This study considers the intersection of both phenomena, and the extent of politicization in recent and historical pandemic-related reporting. Results suggest that political topics, actions and actors have frequently been the focus of COVID-19-related reporting, and that such political content has grown more substantial over time.

Extrahepatic Bile Duct and Gall Bladder Dissection in Nine-Day-Old Mouse Neonates.

The dissection of murine neonatal bile ducts has been described as difficult. The main aim of the described standard operating procedure is the isolation of the extrahepatic bile duct (EBD) in mouse neonates without damaging the bile duct during preparation. Because of its exceptionally close preparation compared to the cholangiocytes cell line and harvesting of the entire extrahepatic bile duct system (EBDS), the described approach is extremely useful in researching animal models of newborn bile duct disorders, such as biliary atresia.

The Native Bees of Lolland (Denmark) Revisited after 100 Years: The Demise of the Specialists.

There is a global concern over insect declines, including both species loss and population declines. In particular, declines of species, such as bees that anchor trophic interactions and shoulder many of the essential ecosystem services, have been the focus of broad public concern. However, our understanding of what characterizes those species that are lost because of declines over long periods is limited by a scarcity of comparative studies.

Depletion of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in RBCs and Changes of Inflammation Markers in Patients With Morbid Obesity Undergoing Gastric Bypass.

Background: Bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment for severe obesity. Despite this wide success, bariatric surgery is associated with increased risks of nutritional deficiencies.

Objectives: To examine whether Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) alters essential fatty acid (FA) status and inflammation markers.

Insurance-Mandated Medical Weight Management Programs in Sleeve Gastrectomy Patients Do Not Improve Postoperative Weight Loss Outcomes at 1 Year.

Background/introduction: Qualification for bariatric surgery is based upon strict medical guidelines, but individual insurance companies may introduce additional requirements for approval and coverage as they deem necessary. A mandatory preoperative medical weight loss management (MWM) program is commonly such a requirement.

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of MWM programs on weight loss outcomes.

Waste timber pyrolysis in a medium-scale unit: Emission budgets and biochar quality.

Pyrolysis of organic waste or woody materials yields a stable carbonaceous product that can be mixed into soil and is often termed "biochar". During pyrolysis carbon-containing gases are emitted, mainly volatile organic carbon species, carbon monoxide and aerosols. In modern pyrolysis units, gases are after-combusted, which reduces emissions substantially.

Large series examining laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding as a salvage solution for failed gastric bypass.

Background: The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has long been considered the gold standard of weight loss procedures. However, there is limited evidence on revisional options with both minimal risk and long-term weight loss results.

Objective: To examine percent excess weight loss, change in body mass index (BMI), and complications in patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) over prior RYGB.

Biochar improves maize growth by alleviation of nutrient stress in a moderately acidic low-input Nepalese soil.

We studied the role of biochar in improving soil fertility for maize production. The effects of biochar on the alleviation of three potential physical-chemical soil limitations for maize growth were investigated, i.e.

Biochar for composting improvement and contaminants reduction. A review.

Biochar is characterised by a large specific surface area, porosity, and a large amount of functional groups. All of those features cause that biochar can be a potentially good material in the optimisation of the process of composting and final compost quality. The objective of this study was to compile the current knowledge on the possibility of biochar application in the process of composting and on the effect of biochar on compost properties and on the content of contaminants in compost.

Biochar from "Kon Tiki" flame curtain and other kilns: Effects of nutrient enrichment and kiln type on crop yield and soil chemistry.

Biochar application to soils has been investigated as a means of improving soil fertility and mitigating climate change through soil carbon sequestration. In the present work, the invasive shrub "Eupatorium adenophorum" was utilized as a sustainable feedstock for making biochar under different pyrolysis conditions in Nepal. Biochar was produced using several different types of kilns; four sub types of flame curtain kilns (deep-cone metal kiln, steel shielded soil pit, conical soil pit and steel small cone), brick-made traditional kiln, traditional earth-mound kiln and top lift up draft (TLUD).

Distribution, phenology and host plants of Danish bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea).

Based on the examination of 47.629 specimens of bees from Denmark (54.6ºN to 57.

Emissions and Char Quality of Flame-Curtain "Kon Tiki" Kilns for Farmer-Scale Charcoal/Biochar Production.

Flame Curtain Biochar Kilns: Pyrolysis of organic waste or woody materials yields charcoal, a stable carbonaceous product that can be used for cooking or mixed into soil, in the latter case often termed "biochar". Traditional kiln technologies for charcoal production are slow and without treatment of the pyrolysis gases, resulting in emissions of gases (mainly methane and carbon monoxide) and aerosols that are both toxic and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In retort kilns pyrolysis gases are led back to a combustion chamber.

Immediate responses to individual dialogic music therapy in patients in low awareness states.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse immediate responses to individual dialogic music therapy (IDMT) of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and individuals in a minimally conscious state (MCS) and to develop an assessment tool for IDMT.

Methods: Seven patients were subjected to three conditions: (1) sounds and stimuli of the daily environment immediately before IDMT, (2) specific improvisational music therapy intended to establish a dialogue with the patient (IDMT) and (3) sounds and stimuli of the daily environment immediately after IDMT. Video recordings were analysed by six independent assessors using 'Music Therapy in a Vegetative or Minimally Conscious State (MUVES)', an assessment tool developed in this study.

Colour patterns do not diagnose species: quantitative evaluation of a DNA barcoded cryptic bumblebee complex.

Cryptic diversity within bumblebees (Bombus) has the potential to undermine crucial conservation efforts designed to reverse the observed decline in many bumblebee species worldwide. Central to such efforts is the ability to correctly recognise and diagnose species. The B.

Visualizing a homogeneous blend in bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells by analytical electron microscopy.

To increase efficiency of bulk heterojunctions for photovoltaic devices, the functional morphology of active layers has to be understood, requiring visualization and discrimination of materials with very similar characteristics. Here we combine high-resolution spectroscopic imaging using an analytical transmission electron microscope with nonlinear multivariate statistical analysis for classification of multispectral image data. We obtain a visual representation showing homogeneous phases of donor and acceptor, connected by a third composite phase, depending in its extent on the way the heterojunction is fabricated.

One-year readmission rates at a high volume bariatric surgery center: laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and vertical banded gastroplasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: An increasing importance has been placed on a bariatric program's readmission rates. Despite the importance of such data, there have been few studies that document 1-year readmission rates. There have been even fewer studies that delineate the causes of readmission.

Bariatric surgery: low mortality at a high-volume center.

Background: The American Society of Bariatric Surgery has initiated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence Program and the American College of Surgeons has followed with their Bariatric Surgery Center Network Accreditation Program. These programs postulate that concentration of weight loss operations in high-volume centers will decrease surgical mortality and improve outcomes.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to calculate the in-hospital mortality for bariatric operations accomplished at the highest volume bariatric surgery center in the state of New Jersey.

[Origin of patients admitted involuntarily from an urban catchment area].

Objective: This investigation highlights some aspects of migration of patients between catchment areas.

Methods: From January till June 2003 all committed patients admitted from Linz, capital of the Austrian province Upper Austria, were investigated for their origin.

Results: Out of a total of 214 patients 111 (52%) were not native to Linz.

Short-term outcomes for super-super obese (BMI > or =60 kg/m2) patients undergoing weight loss surgery at a high-volume bariatric surgery center: laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and open tubular gastric bypass.

Background: We previously reported significantly longer operating room times and a trend toward increased complications and mortality in the super-super obese (body mass index [BMI] > or =60 kg/m(2)) early in our experience with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The goal of this study was to re-examine the short-term outcomes for super-super obese patients undergoing weight loss surgery at our high-volume bariatric surgery center well beyond our learning curve.

Methods: The records for all patients who had undergone weight loss surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center from 2002 to June 2006 were harvested from the hospital's electronic medical database.

30-day readmission rates at a high volume bariatric surgery center: laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and vertical banded gastroplasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: Recent studies suggest that weight loss operations may actually increase the costs to society due to increased hospital readmission rates. The purpose of this study was to determine the 30-day readmission rates following bariatric operations at a high volume bariatric surgery program.

Methods: Records for all patients undergoing bariatric operations during a 3-year period were harvested from the hospital electronic medical database.