Efficient simultaneous degradation of multiple sulfonamide antibiotics in soil using biocarbon-based nanomaterials as catalysts for persulfate activation.

There is an urgent need to develop effective and sustainable methods to decrease sulfonamide (SA) contamination of soil. Herein, a non-homogeneous system of zero-valent metal-biochar-based composites was proposed and tested for persulfate (PS) activation. This system employed zero-valent iron (Fe) as an electron donor to catalyze the cleavage of the OO bond in PS, thereby generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that degrade SAs.

Fabrication of high-density vertical CNT arrays using thin porous alumina template for biosensing applications.

This paper explores the process of forming arrays of vertically oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) localized on metal electrodes using thin porous anodic alumina (PAA) on a solid substrate. On a silicon substrate, a titanium film served as the electrode layer, and an aluminium film served as the base layer in the initial film structure. A PAA template was formed from the Al film using two-step electrochemical anodizing.

Exploring dental students' knowledge on oral cancer prevention: a cross-sectional study in Moldova, Armenia, and Belarus.

Background: Survival rate of patients with oral cancer (OC) remains to be very low despite advancements in therapy and surgical techniques. This is attributed to the fact that most OC cases are discovered at a late stage. Dentists play a vital role in early detection of OC through oral mucosal examination, and in informing the patients about avoidable risk factors of the disease, such as tobacco and excessive alcohol use.

Use of generative large language models for patient education on common surgical conditions: a comparative analysis between ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

There is a growing importance for patients to easily access information regarding their medical conditions to improve their understanding and participation in health care decisions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has proven as a fast, efficient, and effective tool in educating patients regarding their health care conditions. The aim of the study is to compare the responses provided by AI tools, ChatGPT and Google Gemini, to assess for conciseness and understandability of information provided for the medical conditions Deep vein thrombosis, decubitus ulcers, and hemorrhoids.

Deciphering key nano-bio interface descriptors to predict nanoparticle-induced lung fibrosis.

Background: The advancement of nanotechnology underscores the imperative need for establishing in silico predictive models to assess safety, particularly in the context of chronic respiratory afflictions such as lung fibrosis, a pathogenic transformation that is irreversible. While the compilation of predictive descriptors is pivotal for in silico model development, key features specifically tailored for predicting lung fibrosis remain elusive. This study aimed to uncover the essential predictive descriptors governing nanoparticle-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Occupational exposure and sarcoidosis: a case-control study in three countries.

Background: Preceding studies of environmental and occupational risk factors of sarcoidosis yielded inconsistent findings.

Aims: We aimed to ascertain the occupational risk factors for sarcoidosis in a case-control study.

Methods: A total of 237 sarcoidosis patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis were matched with 474 controls for sex and age (median 49, interquartile range 37; 60 years) recruited from the university hospitals and outpatient centres in Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.

The incidence trends of papillary thyroid carcinoma in Belarus during the post-Chernobyl epoch.

Background: The increase of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) rate among children who were exposed to post-Chernobyl 131-I release was reported only four years after the accident, first in Belarus where the heaviest fallout happened. The evolution of the occurrence of thyroid carcinoma based on the age-period-cohort analysis and the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on time trends aimed to reveal if post-Chernobyl follicular cells irradiation still has been impacting on incidence rate of papillary thyroid carcinoma nowadays.

Methods: The Belarusian Cancer Registry was used to identify patients with PTC diagnosed during the years 1980-2019.

The Potential of Using Shungite Mineral from Eastern Kazakhstan in Formulations for Rubber Technical Products.

This study examined the effect of partially replacing semi-reinforcing carbon black grade N550 (up to 10 pts. wt.) and fully replacing industrial chalk with natural shungite mineral in industrial formulations of elastomer compositions intended for manufacturing various rubber technical products.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Investigation of Corona Formation of Dipeptide-Based Nanomaterials.

Peptide-based nanomaterials can be easily functionalized due to their functional groups, as well as being biocompatible, stable under physiological conditions, and nontoxic. Here, diphenylalanineamide-based nanomaterials (FFANMs) were synthesized, decorated with Ca ions to set the surface charge, and characterized for possible use in gene delivery and drug release studies. FFANMs were characterized by SEM, TEM, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and LC-MS/MS.

Multilateral Use of Dandelion in Folk Medicine of Central-Eastern Europe.

Background: Dandelion ( sect. , also referred to as F.H.

Sr and Cs distribution in Chornobyl forests: 30 years after the nuclear accident.

The primary aim of this study was to quantify patterns in the distribution of Sr and Cs activity in pine (Pinus sylvestris L.: 18 sites) and birch (Betula pendula Roth.: 2 sites) forests within the Chornobyl exclusion zone, 30 years after the Chornobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) accident (1986).

Multiomics dissection of human RAG deficiency reveals distinctive patterns of immune dysregulation but a common inflammatory signature.

Human recombination-activating gene (RAG) deficiency can manifest with distinct clinical and immunological phenotypes. By applying a multiomics approach to a large group of -mutated patients, we aimed at characterizing the immunopathology associated with each phenotype. Although defective T and B cell development is common to all phenotypes, patients with hypomorphic variants can generate T and B cells with signatures of immune dysregulation and produce autoantibodies to a broad range of self-antigens, including type I interferons.

Impact of Adding -hexylamine to Nickel Metallophotoredox C-N Coupling to Form Diarylamines.

The mechanistic understanding of how alkylamines impact Ni-metallophotoredox C-N coupling to form diarylamines remains unclear. In this study, 12-alkylamines were evaluated as additives to determine their effects on the synthesis of diarylamines in a flow photochemical system. Notably, -hexylamine demonstrated the most significant promotional effect.

Superstable lipid vacuoles endow cartilage with its shape and biomechanics.

Conventionally, the size, shape, and biomechanics of cartilages are determined by their voluminous extracellular matrix. By contrast, we found that multiple murine cartilages consist of lipid-filled cells called lipochondrocytes. Despite resembling adipocytes, lipochondrocytes were molecularly distinct and produced lipids exclusively through de novo lipogenesis.

Correction: Amanzhulov et al. Composition and Structure of NiCoFeCr and NiCoFeCrMn High-Entropy Alloys Irradiated by Helium Ions. 2023, , 3695.

In the original publication [...

An Insight into Chip and Surface Texture Shaping Under Finish Turning of Powder Steels Infiltrated with Tin Bronze.

The manufacturing of work parts made of powder (sintered) steels is currently widespread in industry, as it provides minimal processing allowances and high dimensional accuracy, as well as the required properties and unconventional chemical composition. At the same time, their low tensile or bending strength must be considered a serious disadvantage. In order to minimize these disadvantages, a number of strengthening technologies are used, among which is the infiltration of porous base materials with metal alloys.

A Phosphatidyl Conjugated Telomerase-Dependent Telomere-Targeting Nucleoside Demonstrates Colorectal Cancer Direct Killing and Immune Signaling.

Telomerase and telomeres are crucial in cancer cell immortalization, making them key targets for anticancer therapies. Currently, 6-thio-dG (THIO) combined with the anti-PD-1 inhibitor Cemiplimab is under phase II clinical investigation (NCT05208944) in NSCLC patients resistant to prior immunotherapies. This study presents the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel bimodular conjugate molecules combining telomere-targeting nucleoside analogs and phosphatidyl diglyceride groups.

Achievements, priorities and strategies in pediatric nephrology in Europe: need for unifying approaches or acceptance of differences?

Background: There is a lack of information on the current healthcare systems for children with kidney diseases across Europe. The aim of this study was to explore the different national approaches to the organization and delivery of pediatric nephrology services within Europe.

Methods: In 2020, the European society for Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN) conducted a cross-sectional survey to identify the existing pediatric nephrology healthcare systems in 48 European countries covering a population of more than 200 million children.

Curbside Consult Optimizing Statin Therapy in the Elderly: A Personalized Approach to Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) play a vital role in managing and preventing cardiovascular disease, particularly in elderly populations who face elevated risks for atherosclerosis and related conditions. This review delves into the mechanisms of statin action, emphasizing their impact on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, anti-inflammatory properties, and potential genetic factors influencing efficacy and drug tolerability. Consideration is given to statin intolerance and management strategies, drug interactions, and guidelines for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of R6G dimerization during self-healing of gel.

Traditional surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates seeking uniformity and reproducibility of the Raman signal often assume and require that hot spots remain consistently stable during Raman testing. Recently, the non-uniform accumulation in SERS sample pre-concentration strategies have inspired the direct use of self-healing noble metal aerogels (NMAs), as the sample pretreatment presented in this work, and uncovered more diverse Raman information of substances during the dynamic process of laser irradiation. Rare characteristic peaks such as 820 cm⁻ for R6G within a specific concentration range were observed, and potential processes including R6G dimerization and desorption were analyzed.

Polygenic score distribution differences across European ancestry populations: implications for breast cancer risk prediction.

Background: The 313-variant polygenic risk score (PRS) provides a promising tool for clinical breast cancer risk prediction. However, evaluation of the PRS across different European populations which could influence risk estimation has not been performed.

Methods: We explored the distribution of PRS across European populations using genotype data from 94,072 females without breast cancer diagnosis, of European-ancestry from 21 countries participating in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) and 223,316 females without breast cancer diagnosis from the UK Biobank.

[Breathing disorders during sleep in patients with dystrophic myotonia].

Objective: To analyze the results of nocturnal breathing parameters during sleep based on nocturnal pulse oximetry and to study of characteristics of external respiration in genetically confirmed patients with dystrophic myotonia (DM).

Material And Methods: The subjects of the study were patients with genetically confirmed DM types 1 and 2 who were hospitalized in the neurological departments of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery. The clinical picture of the disease, comorbidities, sleep questionnaires, laboratory tests, overnight pulse oximetry and spirometry were performed and analyzed.

Programmable Wrinkled MXene-Based Soft Actuators with Moisture- and Light-Responsive Deformation and Water-Surface Locomotion Capabilities.

Soft actuators are limited by single-mode driving technology, which poses challenges in dealing with complex and multidimensional movements. In this study, a multiresponsive soft actuator was fabricated by integrating a microwrinkling structure into an MXene-based film, enabling programmable motions. To achieve this, we introduced -hexane into the film preparation process and utilized its rapid volatilization to accelerate the shrinkage difference between the film and the substrate.