Exploring adsorption dynamics of heavy metals onto varied commercial microplastic substrates: Isothermal models and kinetics analysis.

The increasing presence of plastics in the environment has raised concerns about their potential impact, especially as carriers of heavy metals such as Cd, Ni, and Pb. However, the adsorption mechanism of heavy metals on microplastics remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the adsorption behavior of Cd, Ni, and Pb by polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics to better comprehend their interaction and potential environmental implications.

FACT maintains chromatin architecture and thereby stimulates RNA polymerase II pausing during transcription in vivo.

Facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) is a histone chaperone that supports transcription through chromatin in vitro, but its functional roles in vivo remain unclear. Here, we analyze the in vivo functions of FACT with the use of multi-omics analysis after rapid FACT depletion from human cells. We show that FACT depletion destabilizes chromatin and leads to transcriptional defects, including defective promoter-proximal pausing and elongation, and increased premature termination of RNA polymerase II.

Is 10 min post heparin bolus ACT, alongside aPTT monitoring, predictive for CRRT filter survival?

Objective: When using heparin anticoagulation for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), the main challenge is to tailor the dosage to patient response. This study aimed to determine if the first activated thromboplastin time (aPTT) (measured after 3 hours post heparin bolus) can be a predictor for CRRT filter survival and if the first activated clotting time-low range (ACT-LR) (10 min post heparin bolus) can be predictive for subtherapeutic or therapeutic first aPTT.

Materials And Methods: An unfractionated heparin (UF) anticoagulation protocol was used in CRRT and heparin monitoring was performed by aPTT and ACT-LR.

Two distinct mechanisms of RNA polymerase II elongation stimulation in vivo.

Transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) relies on the elongation factors PAF1 complex (PAF), RTF1, and SPT6. Here, we use rapid factor depletion and multi-omics analysis to investigate how these elongation factors influence RNA Pol II elongation activity in human cells. Whereas depletion of PAF subunits PAF1 and CTR9 has little effect on cellular RNA synthesis, depletion of RTF1 or SPT6 strongly compromises RNA Pol II activity, albeit in fundamentally different ways.

Monitoring Anticoagulation with Unfractionated Heparin on Renal Replacement Therapy. Which is the Best aPTT Sampling Site?

Background: Controlled anticoagulation is key to maintaining continuous blood filtration therapies. Objective: The study aimed to compare different blood sampling sites for activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) to evaluate anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and identify the most appropriate sampling site for safe patient anticoagulation and increased filter life span.

Method: The study was a prospective observational single-centre investigation targeting intensive care unit (ICU) patients on CRRT using an anticoagulation protocol based on patient characteristics and a weight-based modified nomogram.

The Value of Staging Laparoscopy for Optimal Multidisciplinary Treatment in Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Despite improvements in the conventional preoperative tools used for staging of gastric cancer, their accuracy still needs to be improved. Laparoscopy has the potential to visualize and characterize the tumor, the peritoneal cavity and the lymph nodes and thus to better select patients for the optimal treatment strategy. Material and Method: Patients with gastric cancer staged initially with contrast enhanced computer tomography and endoscopic ultrasound were also evaluated by laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound in a distinct preoperative staging procedure.

-regulatory elements explain most of the mRNA stability variation across genes in yeast.

The stability of mRNA is one of the major determinants of gene expression. Although a wealth of sequence elements regulating mRNA stability has been described, their quantitative contributions to half-life are unknown. Here, we built a quantitative model for based on functional mRNA sequence features that explains 59% of the half-life variation between genes and predicts half-life at a median relative error of 30%.

Genome-wide Analysis of RNA Polymerase II Termination at Protein-Coding Genes.

At the end of protein-coding genes, RNA polymerase (Pol) II undergoes a concerted transition that involves 3'-processing of the pre-mRNA and transcription termination. Here, we present a genome-wide analysis of the 3'-transition in budding yeast. We find that the 3'-transition globally requires the Pol II elongation factor Spt5 and factors involved in the recognition of the polyadenylation (pA) site and in endonucleolytic RNA cleavage.

A Genetic Study of Ulcerative Colitis.

A group of 152 patients with a verified diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (including haemorrhagic proctitis) was compared with a control group with an identical sex ratio, age, and social class distribution. All patients attended an ulcerative colitis out-patient clinic, and had been examined and followed by the members of the team. By the use of questionnaires information was gathered concerning familial incidence of the following diseases: ulcerative colitis, regional ileitis, cancer of the colon and rectum, allergic diseases of the immediate type (bronchial asthma, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis), diseases presumably caused by delayed hypersensitivity (erythema nodosum), or auto-allergy (rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylarthritis).