Real-time quantification of activated sludge concentration and viscosity through deep learning of microscopic images.

The parameters of activatedg sludge are crucial for the daily operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In particular, mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and apparent viscosity provide metrics for the biomass and rheological properties of activated sludge. Traditional methods for determining these parameters are time-consuming, require separate measurements for each index, and fail to provide real-time data for future 'smart' WWTPs.

Harnessing Macrophages in Cancer Therapy: from Immune Modulators to Therapeutic Targets.

Macrophages, as the predominant phagocytes, play an essential role in pathogens defense and tissue homeostasis maintenance. In the context of cancer, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have evolved into cunning actors involved in angiogenesis, cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, as well as the construction of immunosuppressive microenvironment. Once properly activated, macrophages can kill tumor cells directly through phagocytosis or attack tumor cells indirectly by stimulating innate and adaptive immunity.

Study on the Adsorption Characteristics of Methylene Blue by Magnesium-Modified Fly Ash.

Aiming at the pollution problem of methylene blue dye wastewater, a new type of methylene blue adsorbent magnesium-modified fly ash (Mg@FA) was prepared by using solid waste fly ash as raw material. The effects of Mg@FA dosage, adsorption time, and methylene blue concentration on the adsorption of methylene blue by Mg@FA and pH values were analyzed. The adsorption characteristics of Mg@FA on methylene blue were investigated by adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and adsorption thermodynamics, as well as SEM, EDS, XRD, BET, and FTIR.

Role of Protein Lysine Acetylation in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.

Purpose Of Review: This review aimed to highlight the known role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) in individuals with obesity, better understand the role of HDACs and KATs enzymes in obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Recent Findings: Numerous cellular activities, including DNA replication, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, RNA splicing, signal transmission, metabolic function, protein stability, transportation, and transcriptional regulation, are influenced by lysine acetylation. Protein lysine acetylation serves several purposes, which not only contribute to the development of metabolic disorders linked to obesity but also hold promise for therapeutic approaches.

Trust in Virtual Agents: Exploring the Role of Stylization and Voice.

With the continuous advancement of artificial intelligence technology, data-driven methods for reconstructing and animating virtual agents have achieved increasing levels of realism. However, there is limited research on how these novel data-driven methods, combined with voice cues, affect user perceptions. We use advanced data-driven methods to reconstruct stylized agents and combine them with synthesized voices to study their effects on users' trust and other perceptions (e.

Metabolic engineering for sustainable xylitol production from diverse carbon sources in Pichia pastoris.

Xylitol, known for its health benefits, is a valuable compound in the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, conventional chemical production methods are often unsustainable for large-scale applications, prompting the need for alternative approaches. This study demonstrates a significant enhancement in xylitol production using microbial cell factories, optimized through metabolic engineering.

Emerging translocator protein-positron emission tomographic imaging improves detection of focal cortical dysplasia.

Objective: The identification of epileptic lesions is crucial for improving surgical outcomes. Nevertheless, substantial focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) may be invisible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We aimed to characterize the expression pattern of 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in FCD and to evaluate the effectiveness of this inflammation-reflective molecular imaging technique for detecting FCD.

Rapid COD Sensing in Complex Surface Water Using Physicochemical-Informed Spectral Transformer with UV-Vis-SWNIR Spectroscopy.

Water, as a finite and vital resource, necessitates water quality monitoring to ensure its sustainable use. A key aspect of this process is the accurate measurement of critical parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD). However, current spectroscopic methods struggle with accurately and consistently measuring COD in large-scale, complex water environments due to an insufficient understanding of water spectra and limited generalizability.

Anatomic distribution and analysis of influencing factors on deep vein thrombosis in patients with spinal fractures caused by high-energy injuries.

Purpose: To analyze the anatomic distribution and influencing factors on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with spinal fractures caused by high-energy injuries.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 302 patients of lower extremity DVT who were admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2023. All patients underwent ultrasonography of DVT before and after surgery.

Baseline HBsAg quantitative and CD4 T cell counts are associated with HBsAg loss in people living with HIV/HBV coinfection after combined antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Achieving Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is a significant goal for chronic hepatitis B patients. This study aims to evaluate HBsAg loss in individuals with HIV/HBV coinfection and explore the association of clinical variables with this outcome.

Methods: We enrolled 138 individuals coinfected with HIV/HBV and 480 HBV mono-infected individuals who initiated antiviral treatment.

Correlation Between Monocyte Count, Monocyte-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Other Inflammatory Cells With Sleep and Psychiatric Symptoms in First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients.

Background: More and more evidence shows that infection and immune abnormality are closely related to the increased severity of schizophrenia symptoms. This study aimed to explore the correlation between inflammatory cell counts, sleep quality, and psychiatric symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia patients.

Methods: A total of 103 first-episode schizophrenia patients (patient group) admitted to the Anhui Provincial Mental Health Center from November 2021 to August 2022 were included in the study, while 57 healthy individuals (control group) who met the criteria were recruited as the study subjects.

The impact of multiple myeloma drugs treatments on autologous stem cell transplantation in the era of new drugs.

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients who are eligible for transplantation. This procedure follows response achieved through induction therapy. The key to the success of ASCT lies in the quantity and quality of hematopoietic stem cells collected after mobilization.

Effects of different crushing methods on the properties and flavor of selenium-enriched sweet potato leaves.

In this study, the physical, chemical, structural, and antioxidant characteristics of selenium (Se)-enriched sweet potato leaves (SSPL) powder produced through shear breaking and superfine grinding were examined. The superfine grinding SSPL powder had a brighter color, smaller particle size, and spherical shape. The superfine grinding SSPL powder showed improved dispersibility and solubility but reduced liquidity.

Identification of Schizophrenia-Risk Regulatory Variant rs1399178 in the Non-coding Region With Its Impact on NRF1 Binding.

Aims: The challenges in identifying functional variants from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and unraveling regulatory mechanisms in schizophrenia research persist, particularly in intronic regions. A non-coding regulatory variant, rs1399178, associated with schizophrenia risk, is identified and its impact on NRF1 binding is investigated.

Methods: This study focuses on schizophrenia GWAS risk loci, using functional genomics, expression analyses and structural analysis to identify 736 schizophrenia risk single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that disrupt transcription factor (TF) binding.

Corrigendum to 'SrHPO-coated Mg alloy implant attenuates postoperative pain by suppressing osteoclast-induced sensory innervation in osteoporotic fractures' [Mater. Today Bio (2024) 101227].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.

TUBGCP2 variants cause lissencephaly spectrum disorders: a case report and literature review.

Background: TUBGCP2 variants are associated with the LIS spectrum disorders, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. To retrospectively analyze the clinical features and genetic information of patients having lissencephaly spectrum disorders associated with TUBGCP2 variants.

Methods: Clinical and genetic data of a patient diagnosed with TUBGCP2-related lissencephaly spectrum disorder at the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Shengjing Hospital, in March 2022 were collected.

Mitigating Nephrotoxicity Risks and Ranking Drug Candidates Using MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging: A Case Study.

Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is a major challenge in drug discovery and development, accounting for nearly a quarter of severe adverse effects in current pharmacotherapy. Antimicrobial use may be associated with this problem, with one-third of nephrotoxicity related to these drugs. During the lead optimization stage of our antibacterial programs, nephrotoxicity was observed with renal tubule degeneration and tubular granular casts.

Incidence and temporal trends of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Shenzhen, China (2011-2018).

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a significant global public health issue, few studies describe characteristics and trends in China. This study examines OHCA features and trends in Shenzhen, one of the fastest-growing cities.

Methods: This retrospective study analysed data from the Shenzhen Emergency Center database (2011-2018), including ambulance dispatch and pre-hospital medical records.

Temporal trends of presumed cardiac origin out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidence in Guangzhou, southern China: A 10-year consecutive analysis.

Background: Despite the rising disease mortality rates, there is a dearth of studies on the incidence and trends of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) in China. This study aims to investigate the incidence and temporal trends of presumed cardiac origin OHCA in Guangzhou, Southern China, from 2011 to 2020.

Methods And Results: In this population-based retrospective cohort study, pre-hospital data from the Guangzhou Emergency Medical Service (GZ-EMS) from 2011 to 2020 were analyzed.

3D printable organic room-temperature phosphorescent materials and printed real-time sensing and display devices.

Polymer-based host-guest organic room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials are promising candidates for new flexible electronic devices. Nowadays, the insufficient fabrication processes of polymeric RTP materials have hindered the development of these materials. Herein, we propose a strategy to realize 3D printable organic RTP materials and have successfully demonstrated real-time sensing and display devices through a Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing process.

A Multidimensional Exploration Based on Hofstede's Cultural Theory: An Empirical Study on Chinese Audience Acceptance of American Animated Films.

In the context of globalization, cross-cultural research is essential for understanding behaviors and values across different cultural backgrounds. The way audiences from diverse cultures interpret and accept film content significantly impacts the international dissemination and market performance of films. This study, grounded in Hofstede's six cultural dimensions-power distance index (PDI), individualism vs.

CRISPR-Cas9-based one-step multiplexed genome editing through optimizing guide RNA processing strategies in .

The important methylotrophic yeast has been utilized for the production of a variety of heterologous recombinant proteins and has great potential for use in the production of value-added compounds using methanol as a substrate. However, the lack of convenient and efficient genome engineering tools has hindered further applications of , especially in complex and multistep metabolic engineering scenarios. Hence, we developed a rapid and convenient multi-gene editing system based on CRISPR/Cas9 by optimizing the guide RNA processing strategy, which can achieve dual-gene knockout or multi-gene integration in single step.

Molecular mechanism of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: The heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts and key signaling pathways.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma stands out as an exceptionally fatal cancer owing to the complexities associated with its treatment and diagnosis, leading to a notably low five-year survival rate. This study offers a detailed exploration of epidemiological trends in pancreatic cancer and key molecular drivers, such as mutations in , , , and , along with the influence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on disease progression. In particular, we focused on the pivotal roles of signaling pathways such as the transforming growth factor-β and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in the development of pancreatic cancer and investigated their application in emerging therapeutic strategies.

Directed transformation of glyphosate to orthophosphate in EAOP based on Ti/SnO/PbO anode: First unraveling the role of high-valent Pb in various reactive oxygen species.

The discharge of wastewater containing non-reactive phosphorus (NRPs), which does not exist in the form of P(V) (PO), poses significant environmental risks and phosphorus loss. In this study, electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) based twenty pairs of electrodes is used to simultaneously achieve the pollution-reducing and targeted conversion of NRPs to P(V). Significantly, EAOP driven by Ti/SnO/PbO-Ti plate electrode pair achieved more than five-fold of glyphosate (Gly) removal with only 16 %-56 % of energy consumption compared with that in other anode-based EAOP systems.