The Role of Polarizability in Isoelectronic Ions: The Case of Pseudohalides.

Specific ion effects are widespread and have been studied for over a century, yet they remain poorly understood. Terms like "kosmotropes" and "chaotropes" are convenient rules of thumb but the frequent reversal of the Hofmeister series implies their limitations. Polarizability is often used to classify ions, with kosmotropes considered low in polarizability and chaotropes high.

The Influence of Lifestyle Modifications on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Adults: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults. Lifestyle modifications, including diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation, are key to reducing cardiovascular risk. This study examines the combined effects of these behaviors on cardiovascular outcomes and their mediating mechanisms.

Pilot Study on AI Image Analysis for Lower-Limb Reconstruction-Assessing ChatGPT-4's Recommendations in Comparison to Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons and Resident Physicians.

AI, especially ChatGPT, is impacting healthcare through applications in research, patient communication, and training. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine ChatGPT-4's ability to analyze images of lower leg defects and assesses its understanding of complex case reports in comparison to the performance of board-certified surgeons and residents. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, where 52 participants reviewed images depicting lower leg defects within fictitious patient profiles and selected the optimal reconstruction techniques.

Development of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel for Low-Power Selective Laser Sintering.

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one of the prominent methods of polymer additive manufacturing (AM). A low-power laser source is used to directly melt and sinter polymer material into the desired shape. This study focuses on the utilization of the low-power laser SLS system to successfully manufacture metallic components through the development of a metal-polymer composite material.

Deformation Behavior of Inconel 625 Alloy with TPMS Structure.

Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs) are known for their smooth, fully interconnected, and naturally porous characteristics, offering a superior alternative to traditional porous structures. These structures often suffer from stress concentration and a lack of adjustability. Using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), we have fabricated Inconel 625 sheet-based TPMS lattice structures with four distinct topologies: Primitive, IWP, Diamond, and Gyroid.

Size Influence of Laminated Bamboo on Tensile Mechanical Properties with the Consideration of Density.

Laminated bamboo (LB), as a novel eco-friendly composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio, has garnered increasing interest. However, there is a gap in comprehending the impact of size on the tensile properties of LB, particularly tensile strength and modulus. In contrast with conventional materials such as concrete and wood, which have specified specimen sizes and size effect factors to address performance variances linked to size, LB lacks such standards and references.

Citric Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate as an Alternative Carbon Dioxide Source for Mosquito Surveillance.

Most mosquito surveillance programs rely on traps baited with carbon dioxide (CO) to attract host-seeking mosquitoes. The source of CO, traditionally dry ice or gas cylinders, poses operational challenges, especially in remote locations. CO production from citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO) using low-cost intravenous fluid bags ('acid traps') was evaluated in laboratory experiments.

Effects of Microbes on Insect Host Physiology and Behavior Mediated by the Host Immune System.

Innate immunity is critical for insects to adjust to complicated environments. Studying the insect immune system can aid in identifying novel insecticide targets and provide insights for developing novel pest control strategies. Insects recognize environmental pathogens through pattern recognition receptors, thus activating the innate immune system to eliminate pathogens.

Improving Replication in Endometrial Omics: Understanding the Influence of the Menstrual Cycle.

The dynamic nature of human endometrial tissue presents unique challenges in analysis. Despite extensive research into endometrial disorders such as endometriosis and infertility, recent systematic reviews have highlighted concerning issues with the reproducibility of omics studies attempting to identify biomarkers. This review examines factors contributing to poor reproducibility in endometrial omics research.

Cellular Signaling of Amino Acid Metabolism in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, necessitating a deeper understanding of its underlying biochemical pathways. Similar to other cancer types, prostate cancer is also characterised by aberrantly activated metabolic pathways that support tumour development, such as amino acid metabolism, which is involved in modulating key physiological and pathological cellular processes during the progression of this disease. The metabolism of several amino acids, such as glutamine and methionine, crucial for tumorigenesis, is dysregulated and commonly discussed in prostate cancer.

Genome-Wide Identification of - () Gene Family and the Potential Function of Under Salt Stress in .

is an important medicinal herb known as a "natural antibiotic", which has been used in Southeast Asia for thousands of years. The () gene is an important regulatory factor for plant photoperiod flowering and stress response. However, there is currently no detailed research on the genes of .

Deciphering the Complexities of Adult Human Steady State and Stress-Induced Hematopoiesis: Progress and Challenges.

Human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have traditionally been viewed as self-renewing, multipotent cells with enormous potential in sustaining essential steady state blood and immune cell production throughout life. Indeed, around 86% (10-10) of new cells generated daily in a healthy young human adult are of hematopoietic origin. Therapeutically, human HSCs have contributed to over 1.

Evidence for the Worldwide Distribution of a Bile Salt Hydrolase Gene in Through Horizontal Gene Transfer.

Bile salt hydrolase (BSH), a probiotic-related enzyme with cholesterol-assimilating and anti-hypercholesterolemic abilities, has been isolated from intestinal bacteria; however, BSH activity of bacteria in bile-salt-free (non-intestinal) environments is largely unknown. Here, we aimed to identify BSH from non-intestinal and characterize its enzymatic function. We successfully isolated a plasmid-encoded () from , and the recombinant EfpBSH showed BSH activity that preferentially hydrolyzed taurine-conjugated bile salts, unlike the activity of known BSHs.

Harnessing Molecular Insights for Translational Impact: Highlights from the Special Issue Titled "New Insights in Translational Bioinformatics".

The field of translational bioinformatics is rapidly evolving, driving the convergence of molecular sciences and computational methods with their applications in industrial and clinical practice [...

Jun, an Oncological Foe or Friend?

Jun/JUN is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein and a prototypic member of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) family of transcription factors that can act as homo- or heterodimers, interact with DNA elements and co-factors, and regulate gene transcription. Jun is expressed by both immune and inflammatory cells. Jun is traditionally seen as an oncoprotein that regulates processes involved in transformation and oncogenesis in human tumours.

Special Issue: "New Trends in Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Diseases-2nd Edition".

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass a range of conditions affecting both the heart (e.g., coronary heart disease and heart failure [1]) and blood vessels (e.

Impact of COVID-19 on Utilization of Healthcare Services Among People Living with HIV (PLHIV): A Systematic Review.

People living with HIV/AIDS have been impacted notably by the COVID-19 pandemic in diverse dimensions. Although some impacts of COVID-19 on PLHIV have been well documented, there is still insufficient research that captures the overall understanding of the implications of COVID-19 for the healthcare utilization among PLHIV. This review aims to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on PLHIV, narrowing it down to women living with HIV/AIDS.

Impact of Obesity on Short-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic/Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy for Benign or Malignant Adrenal Diseases: A Meta-Analysis.

: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA) is one of two laparoscopic procedures used to treat benign and malignant adrenal diseases. Obesity in patients undergoing minimally invasive adrenal surgery is a frequently discussed topic. Our meta-analysis aimed to provide updated evidence by comparing intraoperative and perioperative outcomes on non-obese (NOb) and obese (Ob) patients who underwent RLA due to benign or malignant disease.

Exploring Metal Ions as Potential Antimicrobial Agents to Combat Future Drug Resistance in .

The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in underscores the urgent need for alternative treatments. This study evaluated the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of four metal ions (cobalt, copper, silver, and zinc) and colloidal silver against 15 clinical isolates, alongside conventional antimicrobials (florfenicol, tetracycline, tulathromycin, and tylosin). Colloidal silver demonstrated the most effective antimicrobial activity, inhibiting 81.

Lower Semen Quality Among Men in the Modern Era-Is There a Role for Diet and the Microbiome?

The prevalence of infertility is increasing worldwide; poor nutrition, increased sedentary lifestyles, obesity, stress, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and advanced age of childbearing may contribute to the disruption of ovulation and influence oocyte and sperm quality and overall reproductive health. Historically, infertility has been primarily attributed to female factors, neglecting the importance of male fertility; this has resulted in an incomplete understanding of reproductive health. Male factors account for 40-50% of infertility cases.

Evaluation of Faecal Microbiota Following Probiotics in Infants of Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Trial: Protocol for Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial.

(1) Background: The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rising globally. The current evidence indicates that GDM, especially in conjunction with maternal overweight, can alter the composition of infants' gut microbiota, potentially increasing the risk of inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and neurodevelopmental issues later in life. Probiotic supplantation early in life might establish eubiosis and mitigate future complications.

An Overview of the Skin Microbiome, the Potential for Pathogen Shift, and Dysbiosis in Common Skin Pathologies.

Recent interest in the diverse ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that make up the skin microbiome has led to several studies investigating the microbiome in healthy skin and in a variety of dermatological conditions. An imbalance of the normal skin flora can cause some skin diseases, and current culture techniques are often unable to detect a microorganism to further our understanding of the clinical-microbiological correlates of disease and dysbiosis. Atopic dermatitis and rosacea are presentations that GPs often manage that may have an infective or microbiological component and can be challenging to treat.

The Impact of on Oral and Systemic Health: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Research.

Oral diseases, particularly dental caries and periodontal disease, pose significant global health challenges. The imbalance of the oral microbiota plays a key role in the occurrence of these diseases, prompting researchers to seek new strategies to restore oral ecological balance. is a Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium that exists in various body parts of humans, including the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, skin, and so on.

A High-Precision Micro-Roll Forming Facility for Fuel Cell Metal Bipolar Plate Production.

The metal bipolar plate is a critical component of the hydrogen fuel cell stack used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Bipolar plates must have high accuracy micro-channels with a high aspect ratio () between the channel depth and the half periodic width to achieve optimal cell performance. Conventional forming methods, such as micro-stamping, hydroforming, and rubber pad forming, cannot achieve these high ARs given that in these processes, material deformation is dominated by stretch deformation.

Exploring the Potential of Genome-Wide Hybridization Capture Enrichment for Forensic DNA Profiling of Degraded Bones.

Unlabelled: In many human rights and criminal contexts, skeletal remains are often the only available samples, and they present a significant challenge for forensic DNA profiling due to DNA degradation. Ancient DNA methods, particularly capture hybridization enrichment, have been proposed for dealing with severely degraded bones, given their capacity to yield results in ancient remains.

Background/objectives: This paper aims to test the efficacy of genome-wide capture enrichment on degraded forensic human remains compared to autosomal STRs analysis.