Exogenously Applied Triacontanol Mitigates Cadmium Toxicity in L. by Optimizing Growth, Nutritional Orchestration, and Metal Accumulation.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the foremost phytotoxic elements. Its proportion in agricultural soil is increasing critically due to anthropogenic activities. Cd stress is a major crop production threat affecting food security globally.

Microplastics as an Emerging Potential Threat: Toxicity, Life Cycle Assessment, and Management.

The pervasiveness of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has become a significant environmental concern in recent years. Because of their slow rate of disposal, MPs are ubiquitous in the environment. As a consequence of indiscriminate use, landfill deposits, and inadequate recycling methods, MP production and environmental accumulation are expanding at an alarming rate, resulting in a range of economic, social, and environmental repercussions.

Assessment of Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Plasma-Treated Perfluorooctanesulfonate Containing Water Using In Vitro Bioassays.

The contamination of ground and surface waters with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is of major concern due to their potential adverse effects on human health. The carbon-fluorine bond makes these compounds extremely stable and hardly degradable by natural processes. Therefore, methods for PFAS removal from water are desperately needed.

Targeting the Calcium-Sensing Receptor in Chemically Induced Medium-Grade Colitis in Female BALB/C Mice.

Background/objectives: The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a multifunctional receptor proposed as a possible drug target for inflammatory bowel disease. We showed previously that CaSR inhibition with NPS 2143, a negative allosteric modulator of the CaSR, somewhat ameliorated the symptoms of chemically induced severe colitis in mice. However, it was unclear whether the potential of CaSR inhibition to reduce colitis may have been overshadowed by the severity of the induced inflammation in our previous study.

Predictive Feasibility of the Graz Malnutrition Screening, Controlling Nutritional Status Score, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, and Prognostic Nutritional Index for Postoperative Long-Term Mortality After Surgically Treated Proximal Femur Fracture.

Background: Hip fractures are a prevalent and serious health issue, particularly among the elderly population aged >65 years. These injuries are associated with elevated rates of postoperative complications and mortality, significantly diminishing patients' quality of life in both the short- and long-term. The prognosis for recovery is further exacerbated in individuals with signs of malnutrition.

Molecular Testing of Zoonotic Bacteria in Cattle, Sheep, and Goat Abortion Cases in Botswana.

Abortion is one of the major causes of economic losses in livestock production worldwide. Because several factors can lead to abortion in cattle, sheep and goats, laboratory diagnosis, including the molecular detection of pathogens causing abortion, is often necessary. Bacterial zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis, coxiellosis, leptospirosis, and listeriosis have been implicated in livestock abortion, but they are under diagnosed and under-reported in most developing countries, including Botswana.

Cardiac Damage in Patients Infected with Different SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 causes significant morbidity, and different variants of concern (VOCs) can impact organ systems differently. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort analysis comparing biomarkers and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients infected with the wild-type or Alpha (wt/Alpha) VOC against patients infected with the Omicron VOC. We included 428 patients infected with the wt/Alpha VOC and 117 patients infected with the Omicron VOC.

Multilocus Sequence Typing and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Isolated from Foods Surveyed in Kosovo.

In the absence of data on the reporting of resistance to antibiotics, we sought to determine which clonal complexes (CCs)/sequence types (STs) circulate in the food chain in Kosovo and to determine their antibiogram profiles to a panel of 18 antibiotics. From a total of 114 isolates, 21 different typical STs were identified by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Each isolate derived from the food categories was subjected to tests to verify its susceptibility to the selected antibiotics according to the designed Sensititre GPN3F panel.

Autism-Linked Mutations in αδ-1 and αδ-3 Reduce Protein Membrane Expression but Affect Neither Calcium Channels nor Trans-Synaptic Signaling.

Background: αδ proteins regulate membrane trafficking and biophysical properties of voltage-gated calcium channels. Moreover, they modulate axonal wiring, synapse formation, and trans-synaptic signaling. Several rare missense variants in CACNA2D1 (coding for αδ-1) and CACNA2D3 (coding for αδ-3) genes were identified in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Comparison of Two Chelator Scaffolds as Basis for Cholecystokinin-2 Receptor Targeting Bimodal Imaging Probes.

: Dual-modality probes, combining positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorescence imaging (FI) capabilities in a single molecule, are of high relevance for the accurate staging and guided resection of tumours. We herein present a pair of candidates targeting the cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R), namely [Ga]Ga-CyTMG and [Ga]Ga-CyFMG. In these probes, the SulfoCy5.

Modelling the Impact of Argon Atoms on a WO Surface by Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Machine learning potential energy functions can drive the atomistic dynamics of molecules, clusters, and condensed phases. They are amongst the first examples that showed how quantum mechanics together with machine learning can predict chemical reactions as well as material properties and even lead to new materials. In this work, we study the behaviour of tungsten trioxide (WO) surfaces upon particle impact by employing potential energy surfaces represented by neural networks.

Fastening in Rock Mass-Structural Design of Shallow Embedded Anchors in Inhomogeneous Substrate.

Unlike traditional base materials such as concrete or masonry, there are no guidelines for rock as a base material for post-installed anchors. The varying rock properties (e.g.

Invasion History and Dispersion Dynamics of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in the Balkan Peninsula.

The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), (Wiedemann 1824; Diptera, Tephritidae), is considered one of the most important pests, infesting more than 300 species of fresh fruit and vegetables worldwide. The medfly is an important invasive species, which has spread from the eastern part of sub-Saharan Africa to all of the world's continents in recent centuries. Currently, the medfly is expanding its geographical range to cooler, temperate areas of the world, including northern areas of Mediterranean countries and continental areas of Central Europe.

Precision Oncology Approach for Urachal Carcinoma: A Clinical Case Report.

Urachal cancer (UrC) is a rare disease which is mostly diagnosed late due to symptoms caused by its local invasion to the urinary bladder. Given the lack of clinical trials and guideline recommendations for systemic treatment, a molecularly informed precision oncology approach is a viable option for UrC already in the early lines of systemic treatment. While single case experiences may provide valuable reference for later decision-making, well-documented clinical experience with off-label targeted treatments is limited to a few patients.

Graft Selection in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comprehensive Review of Current Trends.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in sports and often require surgical intervention, e.g., ACL reconstruction (ACLR), aimed at restoring knee stability and enabling a return to pre-injury activity levels.

ChatGPT's Performance in Spinal Metastasis Cases-Can We Discuss Our Complex Cases with ChatGPT?

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT-4, is transforming healthcare. ChatGPT's potential to assist in decision-making for complex cases, such as spinal metastasis treatment, is promising but widely untested. Especially in cancer patients who develop spinal metastases, precise and personalized treatment is essential.

His108Arg Transthyretin Amyloidosis-Shedding Light on a Distinctively Malignant Variant.

Variant transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTRv-CM) is a rare form of cardiac amyloidosis associated with many possible mutations in the transthyretin gene, presenting as various distinct clinical phenotypes. Among these, the His108Arg mutation is the most prevalent TTR variant in Austria. However, data describing its clinical phenotype are lacking.

Minimally Invasive Surgery in Acute Bowel Obstruction: Should It Become the Standard of Care? A Prospective, Single Center, Observational Study.

: This study was conducted to determine whether a structured clinical pathway can help to safely implement minimally invasive surgery (MIS) as the standard approach in surgery for acute bowel obstruction (ABO). : A prospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients undergoing MIS for ABO at a single center in 2021 and 2022. Prior to the study onset, a structured treatment pathway was defined to apply MIS in all patients.

Changes in Prolactin and Insulin Resistance in PCOS Patients Undergoing Metformin Treatment: A Retrospective Study.

Prolactin levels have been shown to influence metabolic outcomes, including insulin resistance. Metformin is known to be beneficial in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. PCOS women might react differently to metformin treatment depending on their baseline prolactin levels.

Lipedema: Complications in High-Volume Liposuction Are Linked to Preoperative Anemia.

Lipedema is a subcutaneous adipose tissue disorder mainly affecting women. Its progressive nature often requires high-volume liposuction for efficient pain reduction. However, aspiration volumes of more than 5 L within a single session may lead to a variety of complications.

Skeletal Muscle Mass Loss Leads to Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation and Higher Tracheotomy Rates in Critically Ill Patients.

: Skeletal muscle mass depletion adversely affects critically ill patient outcomes. Standardized methods for assessing muscle mass in this population are limited, particularly regarding changes during ICU stays and their implications for risk stratification. : In this secondary analysis of our prospective data registry of surgical ICU patients, we used a single slice extracted from a computed tomography scan to determine the patient's direction of absolute change in skeletal muscle mass between two different time points (-14 d to +0 d and +5 d to +21 d) during his or her critical illness.

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 as a Marker for Chronic Ventricular Pacing.

Right ventricular pacing is an effective and safe treatment option for patients experiencing symptomatic bradycardia. However, some individuals may develop left ventricular dysfunction as a consequence. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), which is not present in a healthy adult heart, is upregulated in cardiomyocytes in response to various stress stimuli.

Urinary Output as a Predictor of Mortality in Cardiogenic Shock: An Explorative Retrospective Analysis.

: Cardiogenic shock (CS) remains a critical condition with high mortality rates despite advances in treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of urinary output at various time intervals during CS and its effectiveness as a predictor of 30-day mortality, particularly in comparison to the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3). : We conducted a retrospective analysis of 96 patients diagnosed with CS, assessing urinary output at different intervals (0-6 h, 6-12 h, 12-24 h, and 0-24 h) as potential predictors of 30-day mortality.

Postprocedural Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury and Prognosis of Patients Undergoing Recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusions.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs) requires advanced techniques and prolonged procedural efforts, often necessitating high contrast volumes, which may increase the risk of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI). However, evidence suggests that factors beyond contrast exposure contribute to CA-AKI, though data specific to CTO PCI remain limited. Patients undergoing contemporary CTO PCI at our university-affiliated tertiary care center were enrolled.

Risk of Surgical Site Infection in Posterior Spine Surgery Using Different Closing Techniques: A Retrospective Study of Two Neurosurgical Centers.

To determine whether a closed dressing protocol reduces the surgical site infections (SSI) rate compared to conventional closing techniques. Patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery at two neurosurgical centers were retrospectively included from June 2015 to December 2019. Data on patients, general risk factors, and surgical risk factors for SSI were collected.