Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by symbiotic bacteria plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture. However, current quantification methods are often expensive and impractical. This study explores the potential of Raman spectroscopy, a non-invasive technique, for rapid assessment of BNF activity in soybeans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe tunable properties of stimuli-responsive copolymers or hydrogels enable their application in different fields such as biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, or even drug release. Here we introduce a new PNIPAM-based triblock copolymer material comprising a controlled amount of a novel hydrophobic crosslinker 2,4'-diacryloyloxy benzophenone (DABP) and acrylic acid (AAc) to achieve lower critical solution temperature (LCST) between ambient and body temperatures. The dual stimuli-responsive p(NIPAM--DABP--AAc) triblock copolymer material and hydrogel were synthesized, and their temperature and pH-responsive behaviors were systematically investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLimited evidence is available on the vulnerability of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) to sexual risk behaviour and STI/HIV. Though there are almost no statistics available on vulnerability, related literature suggests that AGYW have low awareness about sexual risk behaviour/ transmission and the prevalence of STI/HIV, making them vulnerable. We conducted a rapid review of peer-reviewed studies addressing transmission network, prevalence, incidence awareness, common determinants of sexual risk behaviour/STI/HIV, health-seeking behaviour and existing interventions addressing the situation among AGYW (age 15-24) to inform the evidence gap in this crucial area of research.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Methionine adenosyltransferase alpha1 (MATα1) is responsible for the biosynthesis of S-adenosylmethionine in normal liver. Alcohol consumption enhances MATα1 interaction with peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN1), which blocks MATα1 mitochondrial targeting, resulting in lower mitochondrial MATα1 content and mitochondrial dysfunction in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) in part through upregulation of cytochrome P450 2E1. Conversely, alcohol intake enhances SUMOylation, which enhances cytochrome P450 2E1 expression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: This study investigates the association between preoperative intraretinal fluid (IRF) area and preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in surgically repaired idiopathic macular holes (MH). This study further evaluates other prognostic indices related to MH repair that may assist clinicians' understanding of MH operative management.
Design: Retrospective cohort study conducted at a single institution.