New strategy for integration of anaerobic side-stream reactor with mainstream B-stage nitritation for short-cut nitrogen removal with granulation.

This study reported a successful mainstream B-stage nitritation reactor with sludge granulation that incorporated a side-stream anaerobic reactor to treat municipal wastewater A-stage effluent. With influent COD/N and COD/P ratios of 2.60 and 27.

Individualized Nutritional Support Improves Cardiac Function and Nutritional Status of Elderly Heart Failure Patients.

Background    The quality of life of the patient is diminished by chronic heart failure (CHF), which also costs the healthcare system. This study examined the benefits of individualized nutritional support provided by a specialized nursing team on the nutritional status and cardiac function of elderly patients with CHF.Material and methods    This study included 102 elderly, hospitalized CHF patients.

HumanTestisDB: A Comprehensive Atlas of Testicular Transcriptomics and Cellular Interactions.

Advances in single-cell technology have enabled the detailed mapping of testicular cell transcriptomes, which is essential for understanding spermatogenesis. However, the fragmented nature of age-specific data from various literature sources has hindered comprehensive analysis. To overcome this, the Human Testis Database (HumanTestisDB) was developed, consolidating multiple human testicular sequencing datasets to address this limitation.

Study on Mechanism of Mechanical Property Enhancement of Expansive Soil by Alkali-Activated Slag.

Expansive soil poses significant challenges for engineering due to its susceptibility to swelling and shrinkage. This study aims to explore effective methods for improving its mechanical properties using single alkaline activators, single slag, and their combination. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and analyze curing mechanisms through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Understanding Diagnostic Costs Using Hospital-Based Encounters in the Year Before Diagnosis for Canadian Patients with Malignant Central Nervous System Tumours Compared to Common Cancers.

Rare cancers pose significant diagnostic challenges, leading to more tests and higher healthcare expenditures (HEs). Understanding the financial implications of diagnosing rare cancers is crucial, particularly in Canada, where overall HEs are high (12% of the GDP in 2023). We investigated the pre-diagnostic hospital-based HE for patients with malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumours and compared it to patients with common cancers across Canadian provinces, using in-patient and ambulatory care data (2010-2014) from the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Ultrasound-assisted ternary temperature-responsive deep eutectic solvents for extraction of carotenoids from tomato samples.

As new green solvents, the low volatility of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) limits their development in natural product extraction. In this work, a series of novel lower critical solution temperature (LCST) type temperature-responsive DESs (TRDESs) were prepared and applied to the extraction of carotenoids from tomato. The highest yields (408.

Prognostic Value of Inflammatory and Nutritional Indicators in Non-Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

Background: Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) has lacked reliable prognostic indicators. This study evaluates blood-based inflammatory and nutritional indexes to identify good predictors for STS outcomes. These indicators included neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (PNI), albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), and platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR).

Characterization of Metabolic Patterns in Mouse Spermatogenesis and Its Clinical Implications in Humans.

Spermatogenesis is a complex process requiring precisely controlled metabolic adaptations. Although the genetic and cellular aspects of spermatogenesis have been extensively studied, the underlying metabolic mechanisms remain largely underexplored. In this study, we utilized STA-PUT technology to separate three key cell types involved in mouse spermatogenesis: pachytene spermatocytes (PAC), round spermatids (RS), and elongated spermatids (ES).

The impact of long-acting Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist pretreatment on the clinical pregnancy outcomes of hormone replacement therapy-frozen embryo transfer in recurrent implantation failure patients with and without polycystic ovary syndrome: a retrospective clinical study.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that pre-treatment with long-acting Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone agonists (GnRHa) can significantly enhance the clinical pregnancy rate among recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients. Investigations have also suggested that GnRHa pre-treatment could ameliorate the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. But there is a dearth of research on whether long-acting GnRHa pre-treatment yields superior clinical outcomes for RIF patients with PCOS.

A review on eye diseases induced by blue light: pathology, model, active ingredients and mechanisms.

Blue light induced eye damage (BLED) belongs to modern diseases. It is an ophthalmic disease caused by prolonged exposure to electronic devices or screens containing a large amount of high-energy short waves (blue light). Specific symptoms include dryness and discomfort in the eyes, blurred vision, headache, insomnia, and in severe cases, it may also cause various eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.

Modulation of gut propionate and intestinal mucosal protection by Bifidobacterium longum: Mitigating methotrexate side effects without compromising the efficacy of psoriasis therapy.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used medication that can also be employed in the treatment of psoriasis. Previous studies have emphasized that MTX can induce dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, leading to intestinal damage. In this study, the serum levels of calprotectin and zonulin were elevated in patients treated with MTX, while no significant increase in patients treated with MTX combined with probiotics.

Van der Waals Engineering of One-Transistor-One-Ferroelectric-Memristor Architecture for an Energy-Efficient Neuromorphic Array.

Two-dimensional-material-based memristor arrays hold promise for data-centric applications such as artificial intelligence and big data. However, accessing individual memristor cells and effectively controlling sneak current paths remain challenging. Here, we propose a van der Waals engineering approach to create one-transistor-one-memristor (1T1M) cells by assembling the emerging two-dimensional ferroelectric CuCrPS with MoS and -BN.

Highly sensitive, responsive, and selective iodine gas sensor fabricated using AgI-functionalized graphene.

Radioactive molecular iodine (I) is a critical volatile pollutant generated in nuclear energy applications, necessitating sensors that rapidly and selectively detect low concentrations of I vapor to protect human health and the environment. In this study, we design and prepare a three-component sensing material comprising reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as the substrate, silver iodide (AgI) particles as active sites, and polystyrene sulfonate as an additive. The AgI particles enable reversible adsorption and conversion of I molecules into polyiodides, inducing substantial charge density variation in rGO.

Refining MR-guided thermal ablation for HCC within the Milan criteria: a decade of clinical outcomes and predictive modeling at a single institution.

Background: The appropriateness of ablation for liver cancer patients meeting the Milan criteria remains controversial.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of MR-guided thermal ablation for HCC patients meeting the Milan criteria and develop a nomogram for predicting survival rates.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted from January 2009 to December 2021 at a single institution.

Trade-Off Between Enzymatic Antioxidant Defense and Accumulation of Organic Metabolite Affects Salt Tolerance of White Clover Associated with Redox, Water, and Metabolic Homeostases.

White clover () is an excellent perennial cold-season ground-cover plant for municipal landscaping and urban greening. It is, therefore, widely distributed and utilized throughout the world. However, poor salt tolerance greatly limits its promotion and application.

Progress in the development of macrophage migration inhibitory factor small-molecule inhibitors.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) functions as a critical cytokine regulating inflammatory and immune responses. Extensive research has demonstrated its involvement in the progression of various cancers, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory disorders, establishing it as a pivotal target for anti-inflammatory and anticancer interventions. Therapeutic strategies aimed at MIF primarily focus on suppressing its activity through small molecule inhibitors and natural compounds.

MR-Guided Microwave Ablation for Patients with Cirrhosis Complicated by Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: To assess the technical effectiveness and therapeutic outcomes of percutaneous magnetic resonance (MR)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis complicated by small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive cases involving 1.5T MR-guided MWA for HCC was performed.

CPT1 deficiency blocks autophagic flux to promote lipid accumulation induced by co-exposure to polystyrene microplastic and cadmium.

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) and polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), two ubiquitous environmental contaminants, produce unique synergistic toxicity when co-existing. Key unanswered questions include specific effects on liver function and potential mechanisms.

Methods: In this study, C57BL/6 mice and AML12 cells were used to establish and models to elucidate the effects of combined exposure to PS-MPs and Cd on the liver and their mechanisms.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and salt sensitivity of blood pressure offer new insights in obesity phenotypes.

Objective: Individuals who have metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHOO) do not have cardiometabolic complications despite an elevated BMI. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation and salt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP) are cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, which are increased in individuals with higher BMI values. Little is known about the differences in RAAS activation and SSBP between MHOO and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity (MUOO) phenotypes.

Genetic and clinical spectrum of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome with nuclear pore gene mutation.

Background: Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is insensitive to steroid therapy and overwhelmingly progresses to kidney failure (KF), the known pathogenic genes of which include key subunits of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), a less-recognized contributor to glomerular podocyte injury.

Methods: After analyzing their clinical characterizations and obtaining parental consent, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on patients with SRNS. Several nucleoporin (NUP) biallelic pathogenic variants were identified and further analyzed by cDNA-PCR sequencing from white cells of peripheral blood, minigene assay, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and electron microscopy (EM) ultrastructure observation of kidney biopsy, as well as multiple in silico prediction tools, including 3D protein modeling.

Noncoding RNAs in sepsis-associated acute liver injury: Roles, mechanisms, and therapeutic applications.

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis-associated acute liver injury (SA-ALI) is a frequent and serious complication of sepsis that considerably impacts both short-term and long-term survival outcomes. In intensive care units (ICUs), the mortality rate of patients with SA-ALI remains high, mostly due to the absence of effective early diagnostic markers and suitable therapeutic strategies.

Phytohormonal homeostasis, chloroplast stability, and heat shock transcription pathways related to the adaptability of creeping bentgrass species to heat stress.

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is a cool-season perennial turfgrass and is frequently utilized in high-quality turf areas. However, a poor to moderate resistance to heat stress limits its promotion and utilization in transitional and worm climate zones. The objectives of the study were to assess the heat tolerance of 18 creeping bentgrass genotypes in the field and to further uncover differential mechanisms of heat tolerance between heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive genotypes.

Temporal Trends of Subsequent CNS Malignancies Among Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

Purpose: It is not known whether temporal changes in childhood cancer therapy have reduced risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) of the central nervous system (CNS), a frequently fatal late effect of cancer therapy.

Methods: Five-year survivors of primary childhood cancers diagnosed between 1970-1999 in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study with a subsequent CNS SMN were identified. Cumulative incidence rates and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were compared among survivors diagnosed between 1970-1979 (N = 6223), 1980-1989 (N = 9680), and 1990-1999 (N = 8999).

Comparison of differences in transcriptional and genetic profiles between intra-central nervous system and extra-central nervous system large B-cell lymphoma.

Primary central nervous system diffused large B-cell lymphoma (PCNS-DLBCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma restricted to the central nervous system (CNS). To explore its specific pathogenesis and therapeutic targets, we performed multi-omics sequencing on tumor samples from patients diagnosed with PCNS-DLBCL, secondary CNS-DLBCL or extracranial (ec) DLBCL.By single-cell RNA sequencing, highly proliferated and dark zone (DZ)-related B cell subclusters, MKI67_B1, PTTG1_B2 and BTG1_B3, were predominant significantly in PCNS-DLBCL.

Macrocyclic Compounds with Diverse Skeletons from the Roots of and Their Spasmolytic Activity.

Six undescribed macrocyclic compounds, including diarylhexanoids ( and ), a diarylhexanoid glucoside (), diarylheptanoids ( and ), and an aceroside (), were isolated from the roots of Cheval., along with 11 known analogues (-). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, as well as by calculated optical rotatory dispersion and derivatization reactions.