A pilot airlift reactor integrated a low-shear swirl microbubble generator for yeast production using straw as substrate.

A pilot-scale airlift loop reactor (ALR) coupled with a low-shear swirl microbubble generator was first successfully designed and verified to improve mass transfer, mixing, and yeast production using straw. The hydrodynamics was explored in an air-straw-liquid system. With enhanced external circulation and microbubbles less than 150 μm, mass transfer was promoted by 11.

Nonlinear Small Sample Data Regression with a New Rational-Quadratic Minkowski Kernel for Tobacco Laser Perforation Process Tar Reduction Estimation.

This paper investigates the nonlinear relationship between tobacco harmful content tar reduction and laser perforation parameters. To find a model to demonstrate the relationship between the laser perforation parameters and the cigarette tar reduction level, an online platform based on Python Streamlit was built to collect and publish related data. After the initial analysis of the collected experimental data, the quadratic nonlinear regression model demonstrates a significant fit to the experimental data.

Improved enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover by a low-temperature and low-pressure holding post-treatment.

Lignocellulose is one of the world's most abundant and underutilized biomass resources, and its proper treatment and utilization are critical to environmental issues and sustainable development. However, lignocellulose's inherently compact and intricate structure reduces enzymatic hydrolysis's efficiency, which is still an obstacle to overcome. A new pretreatment method with relatively low-temperature and low-pressure holding (LTLPH) after the traditional extrusion, pulp refining instrument (PFI), and instant catapult steam explosion (ICSE) was proposed to obtain a better output of corn stover saccharification.

Morphologic Characteristics Seen in High-grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma Metastases in Postneoadjuvant Chemotherapy Resections.

The morphologic features of metastatic high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have not been described. We conducted a 1-year retrospective, single-institution review of pretreatment biopsy and posttreatment metastases in cases of HGSOC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Two gynecologic pathologists and 1 pathology resident reviewed 11 cases looking for 6 morphologic features.

Local-strain-induced CO adsorption geometries and electrochemical reduction pathway shift.

Unravelling the influence of strain and geometric effects on the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CORR) on Cu-based (or Pd-based) alloys remains challenging due to complex local microenvironment variables. Herein, we employ two PdCu alloys (nanoparticles and nanodendrites) to demonstrate how CORR selectivity can shift from CO to HCOO. Despite sharing consistent phases, exposed crystal facets, and overall oxidative states, these alloys exhibit different local strain profiles due to their distinct geometries.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and pregnancy complications: new challenges and clinical perspectives.

The term metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), with a global prevalence estimated at 38.77%, has gradually replaced the traditional concept of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Compared to the general population, the incidence of MAFLD is notably higher among pregnant women, posing potential risks to both maternal and neonatal health.

Advancing Precision in 3D Echocardiography: Incorporating 3D Markers to Aid Spatial Orientation.

The incorporation of 3D imaging into diagnostic and interventional echocardiography has rapidly expanded in recent years. Applications such as multiplanar reconstruction that were once considered research tools and required off-cart analysis can now readily be performed at the point of image acquisition and in real-time during live image acquisition for procedural guidance. While the application and quality of 3D images have significantly improved in recent years, there remains a noticeable lag in the evolution of artificial intelligence that would further simplify the interpretative processes, both during live sessions and offline analyses.

Fluorinated 1,7-DO2A-Based Iron(II) Complexes as Sensitive F MRI Molecular Probes for Visualizing Renal Dysfunction in Living Mice.

Kidney diseases have become an important global health concern due to their high incidence, inefficient diagnosis, and poor prognosis. Devising direct methods, especially imaging means, to assess renal function is the key for better understanding the mechanisms of various kidney diseases and subsequent development of effective treatment. Herein, we developed a fluorinated ferrous chelate-based sensitive probe, 1,7-DO2A-Fe(II)-F18 (Probe ), for F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Fur-mediated regulation of hydrogen sulfide synthesis, stress response, and virulence in Edwardsiella piscicida.

The production of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (HS) is an important phenotype of bacteria. HS plays an important role in bacterial resistance to ROS and antibiotics, which significantly contributes to bacterial pathogenicity. Edwardsiella piscicida, the Gram-negative pathogen causing fish edwardsiellosis, has been documented to produce hydrogen sulfide.

Complete genome sequence and genome-wide transposon mutagenesis enable the determination of genes required for sodium hypochlorite tolerance and drug resistance in pathogen Aeromonas veronii GD2019.

Aeromonas veronii, a significant pathogen in aquatic environments, poses a substantial threat to both human and animal health, particularly in aquaculture. In this study, we isolated A. veronii strain GD2019 from diseased largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) during a severe outbreak of aeromonad septicemia in Guangdong Province, China.

Global, Regional, and National Burdens of Stroke in Children and Adolescents From 1990 to 2019: A Population-Based Study.

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death among children, yet evidence on stroke incidence and prognosis in this population is largely neglected worldwide. The aim of this study was to estimate the latest burden of childhood stroke, as well as trends, risk factors, and inequalities from 1990 to 2019, at the global, regional, and national levels.

Methods: The Global Burden of Disease 2019 study was utilized to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, years lived with disability, years of life lost (YLLs), and average annual percentage changes in stroke among populations aged 0 to 19 years from 1990 to 2019.

Misidentification of the True Aortic Annulus With 2-dimensional Echocardiography: A Critical Appraisal Using 3-Dimensional Imaging.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of identifying the true aortic valve (AV) annulus using 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography, with the goal of highlighting potential misidentification issues in clinical practice.

Design: An observational study employing 3-dimensional (3D) datasets to generate 2D images of the AV annulus for analysis.

Setting: The study was conducted in an academic medical center.

Artificial Intelligence for Anesthesiology Board-Style Examination Questions: Role of Large Language Models.

New artificial intelligence tools have been developed that have implications for medical usage. Large language models (LLMs), such as the widely used ChatGPT developed by OpenAI, have not been explored in the context of anesthesiology education. Understanding the reliability of various publicly available LLMs for medical specialties could offer insight into their understanding of the physiology, pharmacology, and practical applications of anesthesiology.

Lysine acetylation regulates the AT-rich DNA possession ability of H-NS.

H-NS, the histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein in bacteria, regulates the stability of the bacterial genome by inhibiting the transcription of horizontally transferred genes, such as the type III and type VI secretion systems (T3/T6SS). While eukaryotic histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) have been extensively studied, little is known about prokaryotic H-NS PTMs. Here, we report that the acetylation of H-NS attenuates its ability to silence horizontally transferred genes in response to amino acid nutrition and immune metabolites.

zPoseScore model for accurate and robust protein-ligand docking pose scoring in CASP15.

We introduce a deep learning-based ligand pose scoring model called zPoseScore for predicting protein-ligand complexes in the 15th Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP15). Our contributions are threefold: first, we generate six training and evaluation data sets by employing advanced data augmentation and sampling methods. Second, we redesign the "zFormer" module, inspired by AlphaFold2's Evoformer, to efficiently describe protein-ligand interactions.

The claim of primacy of human gut in dietary cellobiose degradation.

A demonstration of cellulose degrading bacterium from human gut changed our view that human cannot degrade the cellulose. However, investigation of cellulose degradation by human gut microbiota on molecular level has not been completed so far. We showed here, using cellobiose as a model that promoted the growth of human gut key members, such as (BO), to clarify the molecular mechanism.

Novel Three-Dimensionally Printed Ultrasound Probe Simulator and Heart Model for Transthoracic Echocardiography Education.

Simulation-based training is an essential component in the education of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Nevertheless, current TTE teaching methods may be subject to certain limitations. Hence, the authors in this study aimed to invent a novel TTE training system employing three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to teach the basic principles and psychomotor skills of TTE imaging more intuitively and understandably.

Geological events and climate change drive diversification and speciation of mute cicadas in eastern continental Asia.

The poor mobility of nymphs living underground, usually for many years, and the weak flying ability of adults make cicadas unique for evolutionary biology and bio-geographical study. Cicadas of the genus Karenia are unusual in Cicadidae in lacking the timbals that produce sound. Population differentiation, genetic structure, dispersal and evolutionary history of the eastern Asian mute cicada Karenia caelatata were investigated based on morphological, acoustic and molecular data.

Constructing sequence-controlled heterolayered dendritic lanthanide chelates a one-pot strategy using orthogonal chemistry.

The construction of sequence-controlled heterometallic lanthanide complexes is challenging despite their intriguing physical/chemical properties and enormous potential applications. Here we report a one-pot strategy that exploits orthogonal chemical reactions for modular assembly, which allows for rapid preparation of sequence-controlled heterolayered lanthanide-complex dendritic structures.

Structural and Electrical Integrity of Transesophageal Echocardiography Probes: Importance and Key Concepts.

The clinical utility of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is well-established for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. With the increase in percutaneous structural heart disease procedures that rely on TEE for procedural guidance, the use of TEE probes is expanding. Although there are well-established protocols for routine cleaning and decontaminating TEE probes between patient use, there is a lack of awareness and misconceptions about maintaining TEE probes' structural and electrical integrity.

Novel Three-Dimensional Printed Human Heart Models and Ultrasound Omniplane Simulator for Transesophageal Echocardiography Training.

Simulation-based training plays an essential role in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) education. Using 3-dimensional printing technology, the authors invented a novel TEE teaching system consisting of a series of heart models that can be segmented according to actual TEE views, and an ultrasound omniplane simulator to demonstrate how ultrasound beams intersect the heart at different angles and generate images. This novel teaching system is able to provide a more direct way to visualize the mechanics of obtaining TEE images than traditional online or mannequin-based simulators.

Xenogeneic nucleoid-associated EnrR thwarts H-NS silencing of bacterial virulence with unique DNA binding.

Type III and type VI secretion systems (T3/T6SS) are encoded in horizontally acquired genomic islands (GIs) that play crucial roles in evolution and virulence in bacterial pathogens. T3/T6SS expression is subjected to tight control by the host xenogeneic silencer H-NS, but how this mechanism is counteracted remains to be illuminated. Here, we report that xenogeneic nucleoid-associated protein EnrR encoded in a GI is essential for virulence in pathogenic bacteria Edwardsiella and Salmonella.

Improved Performance of D-Psicose 3-Epimerase by Immobilisation on Amino-Epoxide Support with Intense Multipoint Attachment.

D-allulose is an epimer of D-fructose at the C-3 position. With similar sweetness to sucrose and a low-calorie profile, D-allulose has been considered a promising functional sweetener. D-psicose 3-epimerase (DPEase; EC 5.

Pain Relief during Oocyte Retrieval by Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Multicenter Trial.

Acupuncture has pain-relief effects, but no data were available on the use of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in pain relief during oocyte retrieval. This study was designed to examine the effect of TEAS for pain relief in women undergoing transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration. This single-blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was performed in China between May 2013 and May 2015.

Bioretrosynthesis of Functionalized -Heterocycles from Glucose via One-Pot Tandem Collaborations of Designed Microbes.

The design of multistrain systems has markedly expanded the prospects of using long biosynthetic pathways to produce natural compounds. However, the cooperative use of artificially engineered microbes to synthesize xenobiotic chemicals from renewable carbohydrates is still in its infancy. Here, a microbial system is developed for the production of high-added-value -heterocycles directly from glucose.