Electricity production and nutrient recovery from waste activated sludge via microbial fuel cell and subsequent struvite crystallization: Effect of low temperature thermo-alkaline pretreatment.

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) and subsequent struvite crystallization are available low-carbon environmental- friendly techniques for resource utilization of waste activated sludge (WAS). In this study, low temperature thermo-alkaline pretreatment (LTTAP) was innovatively proposed for enhancing MFC electricity generation and subsequent struvite crystallization from WAS. The results indicated that LTTAP at 75 °C and pH 10 not only substantially shortened the start-up time of MFC to 3-4 days, but also significantly increased maximum power density to 5.

Case report: Drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in liver metastasis and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases of renal cell carcinoma: effective local therapy with the first report.

The liver is the fourth most common site of metastasis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is usually treated with systemic therapies and local treatments. However, local treatments are challenging in RCC patients with liver metastasis who failed in first-line systemic therapy. Here, we report a case of a patient with both liver-dominant RCC metastasis and recurrence in the operative site who had failed in first-line targeted therapy plus immunotherapy, received drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE), and achieved a complete response.

Using machine learning to develop preoperative model for lymph node metastasis in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is associated with worse prognosis in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) patients. This study aimed to develop and validate machine learning (ML) models to preoperatively predict LNM in BUC patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC).

Methods: We retrospectively collected demographic, pathological, imaging, and laboratory information of BUC patients who underwent RC and bilateral lymphadenectomy in our institution.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Modern Augmented ACL Repair and Autograft ACL Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Studies With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been the gold standard for primary ACL rupture since the 1990s. In the past decade, ACL repair has received renewed attention and increased research.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of modern augmented ACL repair versus autograft reconstruction for ACL ruptures.

Characteristics and survival of primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate: A multi-center retrospective study of 18 cases.

Objectives: To explore the features, treatment, and outcomes of primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate (PUCP) in a multicenter study.

Methods: The clinical and imaging features, pathological findings, treatment, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with PUCP from January 2011 to April 2022 at three institutions were collected and analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to assess survival rates of the overall group and survival differences between groups according to TNM stage.

Impact of BMI on the Survival of Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with Targeted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

It is unclear whether obese renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients treated with targeted therapy have better survival. We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the prognostic significance of body mass index (BMI) in RCC patients treated with targeted therapy. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science by November 17, 2021.

Development and validation of a preoperative nomogram to predict lymph node metastasis in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Purpose: Predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) before radical cystectomy aids clinical decision making. Here, we aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to preoperatively predict LNM in BUC patients.

Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed BUC, who underwent radical cystectomy and bilateral lymphadenectomy, were retrospectively recruited from two institutions.

Localization on a-priori information of plane extraction.

Localization constitutes a critical challenge for autonomous mobile robots, with flattened walls serving as a fundamental reference for indoor localization. In numerous scenarios, prior knowledge of a wall's surface plane is available, such as planes in building information modeling (BIM) systems. This article presents a localization technique based on a-priori plane point cloud extraction.

Efficacy and adverse reactions of intra-arterial chemotherapy in patients with bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis investigated the efficacies of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) plus intravesical chemotherapy (IVC) versus IVC alone in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), and preoperative IAC versus preoperative intravenous chemotherapy (IV) in patients with bladder cancer. We also assessed the adverse reactions (ARs) of IAC. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for English articles published before April 2021.

Precision-Driven Multi-Target Path Planning and Fine Position Error Estimation on a Dual-Movement-Mode Mobile Robot Using a Three-Parameter Error Model.

The multi-target path planning problem is a universal problem to mobile robots and mobile manipulators. The two movement modes of forward movement and rotation are universally implemented in integrated, commercially accessible mobile platforms used in logistics robots, construction robots, etc. Localization error in multi-target path tracking is one of the crucial measures in mobile robot applications.

Testis and epididymis-unusual sites of metastatic gastric cancer: A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Although gastric cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, cases of gastric cancer metastasis to the male reproductive system are rare. Here, we report a case involving testicular and epididymal gastric cancer metastases.

Case Summary: A 75-year-old Chinese man complained of experiencing a palpable painful mass in the right scrotum for 6 mo.

GHSR1a deficiency suppresses inhibitory drive on dCA1 pyramidal neurons and contributes to memory reinforcement.

Growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a)-the receptor for orexigenic hormone ghrelin-is a G protein-coupled receptor that is widely distributed in the brain, including the hippocampus. Studies have demonstrated that genetic deletion of GHSR1a affects memory, suggesting the importance of ghrelin/GHSR1a signaling in cognitive control. However, current reports are controversial, and the mechanism underlying GHSR1a modulation of memory is uncertain.

Bioaugmentation for low C/N ratio wastewater treatment by combining endogenous partial denitrification (EPD) and denitrifying phosphorous removal (DPR) in the continuous A/O - MBBR system.

Endogenous partial denitrification (EPD) and denitrifying phosphorous removal (DPR) were combined in a novel A/O - MBBR (Anaerobic Anoxic Oxic - Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) system for low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio wastewater treatment. The DPR performance was compared and the nutrient metabolism was elucidated based on the optimization of hydraulic retention time (HRT, 4-12 h) and nitrate recycling (R, 200%-600%). In the continuous-flow, the nitrate (NO) denitrification accompanied by nitrite (NO, via EPD) accumulation with the nitrate-to-nitrite transformation ratio (NTR) of 35.

Elucidating nitrifying performance, nitrite accumulation and microbial community in a three-stage plug flow moving bed biofilm reactor (PF - MBBR).

A three-stage plug flow moving bed biofilm reactor (PF - MBBR, consisting of three identical chambers of N1, N2 and N3) was proposed for nitrifier enrichment using synthetic wastewater. During the stable operation, the average NH-N effluent was 0.67 mg/L and NH-N removal was as high as 97.

Multi-omics integrative analysis and survival risk model construction of non-small cell lung cancer based on The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets.

Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. However, the association between multi-omics data and survival in lung cancer is not fully understood. The present study investigated the performance of the methylation survival risk model in multi-platform integrative molecular subtypes and aimed to identify copy number (CN) variations and mutations that are associated with survival risk.

Angelica Essential Oil Loaded Electrospun Gelatin Nanofibers for Active Food Packaging Application.

The development of food packaging possessing bioactivities which could extend the shelf life of food has gained increased interest in recent years. In this study, gelatin nanofibers with encapsulated angelica essential oil (AEO) were fabricated via electrospinning. The morphology of gelatin/AEO nanofibers was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the addition of AEO resulted in the increase of fiber diameter.

Electrospun Gelatin Nanofibers Encapsulated with Peppermint and Chamomile Essential Oils as Potential Edible Packaging.

Natural and edible materials have attracted increasing attention in food packaging, which could overcome the serious environmental issues caused by conventional non-biodegradable synthetic packaging. In this work, gelatin nanofibers incorporated with two kinds of essential oil (EO), peppermint essential oil (PO) and chamomile essential oil (CO), were fabricated by electrospinning for potential edible packaging application. Electron microscopy showed that smooth and uniform morphology of the gelatin/EOs was obtained, and the diameter of nanofibers was mostly enlarged with the increase of the EO content.

3D-QSAR and Molecular Docking Studies on Design Anti-Prostate Cancer Curcumin Analogues.

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumors in the world and the fifth leading cause of male cancer death. Although the treatment of localized androgen-dependent prostate cancer has been successful, the efficacy of androgen-independent metastatic disease is limited. Curcumin, a natural product, has been found to inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

Stereospecificity of Enoylreductase Domains from Modular Polyketide Synthases.

An enoylreductase (ER) domain of a polyketide synthase module recruiting a methylmalonate extender unit sets the C2 methyl branch to either the S or R configuration during processing of a polyketide intermediate carried by an acyl carrier protein (ACP) domain. In the present study, pantetheine- and ACP-bound trans-2-methylcrotonyl substrate surrogates were used to scrutinize the stereospecificity of the ER domains. The pantetheine-bound thioester was reduced to mixtures of both 2 R and 2 S products, whereas the expected 2 S epimer was almost exclusively generated when the cognate ACP-bound substrate surrogate was utilized.

[Heterologous expression and characterization of a thermostable acylCoA synthetase].

Objective: An acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) was characterized by in vitro biochemical assays to get a potential biocatalyst for the generation of polyketide precursors such as propionyl-CoA and butyryl-CoA.

Methods: An ACS was identified in Caldicellulosiruptor owensensis OL genome by BLAST program using malonyl-CoA synthetase as the query sequence. The enzyme was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli cells and purified to homogeneity by affinity purification.

[Evaluation of penicillin expandase mutants and complex substrate inhibition characteristics at high concentrations of penicillin G].

Penicillin expandase, also known as deacetoxycephalosporin C synthase (DAOCS), is an essential enzyme involved in cephalosporin C biosynthesis. To evaluate the catalytic behaviors of penicillin expandase under high penicillin G concentration and to identify mutants suitable for industrial applications, the specific activities of wild-type DAOCS and several mutants with increased activities toward penicillin G were determined by HPLC under high penicillin G concentrations. Their specific activity profiles were compared with theoretical predictions by different catalytic dynamics models.

[Heterologous expression and substrate specificity of ketoreductase domain in bacillaene polyketide synthase].

The ketoreductase (KR) domain in the first extending module of the polyketide synthase (PKS) catalyzes the reductions of both an α-keto group and a β-keto group in the biosynthesis of bacillaene, suggesting the intrinsic substrate promiscuity. In order to further investigate the substrate specificity, the KR domain (BacKR1) was heterologously overexpressed in Escherichia coli. In vitro enzymatic analysis showed that only one of the four diastereomers was formed in the reduction of the racemic (±)-2-methyl-3-oxopentanoyl-N-acetylcysteamine thioester catalyzed by BacKR1.