Emotional and visual responses to trypophobic images with object, animal, or human body backgrounds: an eye-tracking study.

Background: Trypophobia refers to the visual discomfort (e.g., disgust or anxiety) experienced by some people when viewing clusters of bumps or holes.

Directed evolution of glutamate decarboxylase B for enhancing its enzyme activity towards nearly neutral pHs based on error-prone PCR.

Glutamate decarboxylases (GADs) can catalyze the conversion of l-glutamate to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), while consuming one H. However, the GADs found so far are catalytically active in the pHs of 3.8-5.

[A clinical comparative study of domestic nasal packing sponge and imported nasopore sponge in post-sinusotomy care].

This study aims to investigate the differences in hemostatic efficacy and patient comfort between an innovative domestically produced biodegradable nasal packing sponge and a traditional absorbent sponge following endoscopic nasal surgery. A prospective, randomized controlled trial design was utilized, including 30 patients who were divided into two groups according to random allocation, each receiving one of the two types of nasal packing. The study assessed the hemostatic efficacy, comfort, and safety of the materials by comparing the rates of no bleeding within 24 hours after packing, re-bleeding rates after 48 hours, pain ratings in the head and nasal areas, scores on a visual analog scale for nasal ocular symptoms, and safety indicators between the two groups.

Relic DNA obscures bacterial diversity and interactions in ballast tank sediment.

The dark and anoxic environment of ballast tank sediment (BTS) harbors substantial amounts of relic DNA, yet its impact on microbial diversity estimates in BTS management remains poorly understood. This study employed propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment to eliminate relic DNA and used 16S amplicon high-throughput sequencing to characterize both total and viable bacteria. Our findings revealed that relic DNA is abundant in BTS.

Biochar reduces containerized pepper blight caused by Phytophthora Capsici.

Phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora capsici is a serious disease affecting a wide range of plants. Biochar as a soil amendment could partially replace peat moss and has the potential to suppress plant diseases, but its effects on controlling phytophthora blight of container-grown peppers have less been explored, especially in combination of biological control using Trichoderma. In vitro (petri dish) and in vivo (greenhouse) studies were conducted to test sugarcane bagasse biochar (SBB) and mixed hardwood biochar (HB) controlling effects on pepper phytophthora blight disease with and without Trichoderma.

Deep Learning Model for the Differential Diagnosis of Nasal Polyps and Inverted Papilloma by CT Images: A Multicenter Study.

Rationale And Objectives: Nasal polyps (NP) and inverted papilloma (IP) are benign tumors within the nasal cavity, each necessitating distinct treatment approaches. Herein, we investigate the utility of a deep learning (DL) model for distinguishing between NP and IP.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1791 patients with nasal benign tumors from two hospitals were retrospectively enrolled.

Carbonized Plant Powder Gel for Rapid Hemostasis and Sterilization in Regard to Irregular Wounds.

Irregularly shaped wounds cause severe chronic infections, which have attracted worldwide attention due to their high prevalence and poor treatment outcomes. In this study, we designed a new composite functional dressing consisting of traditional Chinese herb carbonized plant powder (CPP) and a polyacrylic acid (PAA)/polyethylenimine (PEI) gel. The rapid gelation of the dressing within 6-8 s allowed the gel to be firmly attached to an irregularly shaped wound surface and avoided powder detachment.

An efficient co-culture of and for phenol degradation under high salt conditions.

Phenol is one of the major organic pollutants in high salt industrial wastewater. The biological treatment method is considered to be a cost-effective and eco-friendly method, in which the co-culture of microalgae and bacteria shows a number of advantages. In the previous study, a co-culture system featuring () and () was established and could degrade 400 mg L phenol at 3% NaCl concentration.

Effects of PM components on hypertension and diabetes: Assessing the mitigating influence of green spaces.

Background: Particulate matter with diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM) is a significant air pollutant associated with hypertension and diabetes. However, the specific contributions of its components and their joint exposure with green spaces remain poorly understood, especially in developing regions.

Sarcopenia and risk of postoperative pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Identifying patients at risk for postoperative pneumonia and preventing it in advance is crucial for improving the prognoses of patients undergoing surgery. This review aimed to interpret the predictive value of sarcopenia on postoperative pneumonia.

Methods: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to August 2nd, 2023 to retrieve eligible studies.

3D-Porous Carbon Nitride Through Proton Regulation and Photocatalytic Synergy for Efficient Uranium Extraction From Seawater.

Extracting uranium from seawater is crucial for tapping oceanic resources vital to future energy supply. This study synthesized a novel nitrogen vacancy carbon nitride (NCN) grafted polyethyleneimine (PEI) composite material (NCNP). Experiments and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that NCNP effectively hinders the diffusion of uranyl ions (UO ) to the NCN surface, thereby inhibiting electron transfer reactions.

CMAP prediction and experimental validation of Forskolin as a podocyte protective and anti-proteinuric drug for nephrotoxic serum-treated mice.

Podocyte injury leads to proteinuria and glomerular diseases. Different podocyte injuries have distinct mechanisms. It is desirable to use a regimen that targets the mechanism of a given podocyte injury for a specific and improved result.

Revealing Local Structure of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor (S086) Drug Cocrystal by Linear and Nonlinear Infrared Spectroscopies.

Structurally knowing the active sites of a drug is important for understanding its therapeutic functions. S086 is a novel angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor that consists of the molecular moieties of EXP3174 (the active metabolite of the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan) and sacubitril (a neprilysin inhibitor prodrug) in a 1:1 molar ratio. There are two forms of cocrystals of S086, namely, ξ-crystal and α-crystal, which were formed both via intermolecular coordination bonding to calcium ions, with the aid of internal water.

Association between influenza vaccination and prognosis in patients with ischemic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is substantial epidemiological evidence demonstrating that influenza contributes to cardiovascular events in patients who already have cardiovascular diseases. However, it is unclear the extent to which influenza vaccination influences the prognosis of patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Methods: We conducted a search for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase on March 11, 2024, to investigate the effect of the influenza vaccine on the prognosis of patients with IHD.

Development of a territory-wide household-based composite index for measuring relative distribution of households by economic status in individual small areas throughout Hong Kong.

Background: Many countries have developed their country/nation-wide multidimensional area-based index on deprivation or socioeconomic status for resource allocation, service planning and research. However, whether each geographical unit proxied by a single index is sufficiently small to contain a relatively homogeneous population remains questionable. Globally, this is the first study that presents the distribution of domestic households by the territory-wide economic status index decile groups within each of the 2,252 small subunit groups (SSUGs) throughout Hong Kong, with a median study population of 1,300 and a median area of 42,400 m.

Unveiling relationships of human instinctive behaviors and blood pressure in Chinese adults: A network analysis.

Objectives: Human behaviors and blood pressure (BP) are closely intertwined, affecting health. However, few studies have demonstrated their complex relationships. Using network analysis, we aimed to untangle the intricate and potential causal relationships between BP and human instinctive behaviors, identifying potential action points for hypertension prevention and control.

Gyosaponin ameliorates sevoflurane anesthesia-induced cognitive dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis in rats through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Background: Sevoflurane (Sev) is an inhalational anesthetic for surgical procedures where it can trigger cognitive dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis. Gyosaponin (GpS) was studied for its effects on brain morphology and cognitive behaviors in Sev-anesthetized rats.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced by 3 % Sev anesthesia, and 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg GpS were injected into the rats by tail vein.

Effectiveness of high-intensity inspiratory muscle training, and resistance and aerobic exercise for cardiovascular health in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HIRAC-COPD): a randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common and clinically significant comorbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and high-intensity inspiratory muscle training (H-IMT) has emerged as a promising intervention for improving arterial stiffness in individuals with COPD. Yet, there is limited evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the impact of H-IMT alone or in combination with exercise on reducing arterial stiffness in COPD.

Tolerance mechanisms and molecular epidemiology of reduced susceptibility to chlorhexidine digluconate in different species of the Acinetobacter baumannii complex.

The objective of this study was to compare chlorhexidine digluconate and other antibiotics susceptibility of 4 species in Acinetobacter baumannii complex, and further investigate the CHG tolerance mechanisms and molecular epidemic characteristics. Of 889 A. baumannii complex isolates, A.

Associations of elevated cardiac biomarkers with hyperuricemia and mortality in US adults without prevalent cardiovascular disease.

Background: NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-troponin T), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-troponin I) have been widely recognized as significant cardiac biomarkers, and are increasingly being recommended for early risk identification in cardiovascular high-risk populations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of elevated cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP, hs-troponin T, hs-troponin I) and their association with the risk of hyperuricemia in the general US adults without known cardiovascular disease. We further studied whether elevated cardiac biomarkers are associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in individuals with or without hyperuricemia.

Genomic characteristics and genetic manipulation of the marine yeast Scheffersomyces spartinae.

The halotolerant yeast Scheffersomyces spartinae, commonly found in marine environments, holds significant potential for various industrial applications. Despite this, its genetic characteristics have been relatively underexplored. In this study, we isolated a strain of S.

Identification and Therapeutic Targeting of METTL8-Mediated Lenvatinib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Rabdosiin.

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), lenvatinib is a key first-line treatment that significantly improves survival in some patients with advanced stage. However, lenvatinib resistance presents a major clinical challenge. This study aims to identify key molecular factors driving lenvatinib resistance in HCC and propose intervention strategies to overcome this resistance, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

Cryogenic Single-molecule Fluorescence Imaging.

Cryo-fixation techniques, including cryo-electron and cryo-fluorescence microscopy, enable the preservation of biological samples in a near-native state by rapidly freezing them into an amorphous ice phase. These methods prevent the structural distortions often caused by chemical fixation, allowing for high-resolution imaging. At low temperatures, fluorophores exhibit improved properties, such as extended fluorescence lifetimes, reduced photobleaching, and enhanced signal-to-noise ratios, making single-molecule imaging more accurate and insightful.