Overcoming the Tradeoff Between Reaction Rate and Overpotential in Dinuclear Cobalt Complex Catalyzed Electrochemical Water Oxidation.

This study focuses on enhancing the water oxidation reaction (WOR) efficacy of dinuclear cobalt complex catalysts from both kinetic (turnover frequency, TOF) and thermodynamic (overpotential, η) perspectives. For this purpose, we synthesized six dinuclear cobalt complexes 1-6 comprising non-innocent ligands with different electronically active substituents (-OMe (1), -Me (2), -H (3), -F (4), -Cl (5), and -CN (6)). The electronic effects on the electrochemical WOR under neutral, acidic, and alkaline conditions were investigated experimentally and computationally.

Excitation Spillover from PSII to PSI in Leaves at 77K.

Heterogeneous distribution of PSI and PSII in thick grana in shade chloroplasts is argued to hinder spillover of chlorophyll excitations from PSII to PSI. To examine this dogma, we measured fluorescence induction at 77K at 690 nm (PSII) and 760 nm (mostly PSI) in the leaf discs of Spinacia oleracea, Cucumis sativus and shade tolerant Alocasia odora, grown at high and low light, and quantified their spillover capacities. PSI fluorescence (FI) consists of the intrinsic PSI fluorescence (FIα) and fluorescence caused by excitations spilt over from PSII (FIβ).

Thermal ablation included in multimodality treatment predicts enhanced survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a propensity score-matched outcome study.

Background: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents significant treatment challenges, with limited effective therapies for late-stage patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of adding thermal ablation (TA) in treatment regimens for advanced NSCLC to improve survival outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a medical center in Taiwan, analyzing data from 1,083 patients diagnosed with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC between 2008 and 2020.

High SAFE scores predict hepatocellular carcinoma in viral and non-viral hepatitis and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Background/aims: There are no hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance recommendations for non-viral chronic liver diseases (CLD), such as metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We explored the Steatosis-Associated Fibrosis Estimator (SAFE) score to predict HCC in MASLD and other CLD etiologies.

Methods: Patients with various CLDs were included from medical centers in Taiwan.

Structural insights into signaling promiscuity of the CBASS anti-phage defense system from a radiation-resistant bacterium.

Radiation-resistant bacteria are of great application potential in various fields, including bioindustry and bioremediation of radioactive waste. However, how radiation-resistant bacteria combat against invading phages is seldom addressed. Here, we present a series of crystal structures of a sensor and an effector of the cyclic oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signaling system (CBASS) from a radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus wulumuqiensis.

Selenium Interface Layers Boost High Mobility and Switch Ratios in van der Waals Electronics.

Achieving high mobility while minimizing off-current and static power consumption is critical for applications of two-dimensional field-effect transistors. Herein, a selenium (Se) sacrificial layer is introduced between the rhenium sulfide (ReS) semiconductor and source/drain electrode. With the Se layer and postannealing process, the ReS transistor significantly decreases the off-state current with a substantial increase in the on-state current density.

A new genus and species of isosporoid coccidium from captive green tree frogs, (Anura: Hylidae).

A new genus and a new species of isosporoid coccidium (Apicomplexa: Conoidasida: Eimeriorina) are described and illustrated from green tree frogs () (Anura: Hylidae) imported from Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The described species has disporocystic and tetrasporozoic oocysts without a Stieda body. Nine species originally belonging to the genus Schneider, 1881 in the family Eimeriidae Minchin, 1903 described from Anura are recognized as members of the new genus and new combinations of the species names are proposed.

The incidence of and risk factors for axillary web syndrome with limited shoulder movement after surgery for breast cancer, and the effect of early physical therapy intervention.

Background: The aims of this cohort study were to identify (1) the incidence and risk factors for axillary web syndrome (AWS) with shoulder movement limitation within 4 weeks after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for Asian women with breast cancer (BC), and (2) whether early intervention with physical therapy (PT) could improve AWS, and how many PT sessions would be needed.

Methods: A cohort study of patients with BC receiving ALND was performed at Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan, between January 2019 and December 2020. Those patients who were diagnosed with AWS with shoulder movement limitation were referred to receive PT twice weekly at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Ultrasonication-assisted lipase-catalyzed esterification of chlorogenic acid: A comparative study using fatty alcohol and acids in solvent and solvent-free conditions.

Chlorogenic acid, a well-known antioxidant, has potential applications in health care, food, and cosmetic sectors. However, its low solubility hinders its application at the industrial scale. The primary goal of the present study was to increase the lipophilic property of chlorogenic acid through esterification using an ultrasonication approach and Novozym® 435 as the catalyst.

Through-tunnel reconstruction with Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS) for managing post-arthroplasty patellofemoral instability.

Background: Despite advancements in prosthetic designs and surgical techniques, patellar dislocation remains a rare but significant complication following total knee arthroplasty, with an incidence ranging between 0.15% and 0.5%.

Proximity to petrochemical industry and risk of childhood asthma occurrence.

Adverse effects on the respiratory system were associated with intensive petroleum-related industrial activities. The study aimed to assess the impact of petrochemical exposure on childhood asthma using various surrogate indices. A singleton birth cohort from 2004 to 2017 was conducted, leveraging two linked nationwide databases in Taiwan.

Evaluation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and urine non-transferrin-bound iron concentrations in cats with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) regulate gene transcription, which aids hypoxia adaptation while promoting renal fibrosis. Non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) is a catalytic form of iron that can lead to oxidative damage. However, NTBI in cat biofluids has rarely been evaluated.

Determinants of outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus-decompensated cirrhosis.

The role of pre-treatment HBV DNA levels on the prognosis of hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis is unclear. This study investigated the effects of pre-treatment HBV DNA and other determinants on short-term and long-term survival of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with decompensated cirrhosis. A total of 278 cirrhotic decompensated CHB patients treated with entecavir or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate were retrospectively enrolled.

The feasibility of batch-wise polyester degradation and recycling using recombinant Escherichia coli expressing PHB depolymerase (PhaZ).

This study investigates the feasibility of PhaZ (PHB depolymerase derived from Caldimonas manganoxidans) in developing the PHB degradation and recycling process. PhaZ can be efficiently expressed and secreted at an OD of 0.5 and using 0.

Developing a Serum-Free and Cytokine-Optimizing Induction Medium to Increase the Production of CD14CD16 and CD14CD16 Monocytes from Human CD133 Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells.

Immunotherapy utilizes immune cells to target cancer and improves treatment outcomes with few side effects. Despite the effectiveness of immunotherapy, the limited availability of monocytes, which are essential for the differentiation of antigen-presenting cells, remains a major challenge. In this study, we developed a technique for inducing monocytes from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by using a serum-free (SF) medium supplemented with optimal concentrations of serum substitutes and cytokines.

The association between the polymorphism of RAR related orphan receptor beta and the clinical manifestations of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) affects a substantial proportion of the Asian population and is influenced by various genetic risk factors. The (), a regulator of the circadian rhythm, has been implicated in certain neoplasms. Accordingly, this study investigated the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and clinical manifestations of OSCC.

Amended Ferrozine Assay for Quantifying Magnetosome Iron Content in Magnetotactic Bacteria.

MSR-1 can biomineralize the magnetosome, nanoscale magnetite (FeO) surrounded by a lipid bilayer, inside the cell. The magnetosome chain(s) enables MSR-1 to move along with the magnetic field (magnetoaerotaxis). Due to its unique characteristics, MSR-1 has attracted attention for biotechnological applications.

Post-COVID-19 Condition and Pulmonary Embolism.

Purpose: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including pulmonary vasculopathy, increasing thrombotic risk. Screening and treating survivors are essential to reduce associated disabilities. We aim to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with post-COVID-19 condition and pulmonary embolism, as well as their health-related quality of life one year after COVID-19 diagnosis.

Impact of DNA Ligase 1 Genotypes on Childhood Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Background/aim: Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair mechanisms can modulate overall DNA repair capacity, potentially influencing individual susceptibility to cancer. This study investigated the relationship between polymorphic variations in DNA ligase 1 and the risk of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (cALL).

Materials And Methods: The genotypes of DNA ligase 1 rs20579 were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

Reprogramming Dysfunctional Dendritic Cells by a Versatile Catalytic Dual Oxide Antigen-Captured Nanosponge for Remotely Enhancing Lung Metastasis Immunotherapy.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in initiating antitumor immune responses. However, in the tumor environment, dendritic cells often exhibit impaired antigen presentation and adopt an immunosuppressive phenotype, which hinders their function and reduces their ability to efficiently present antigens. Here, a dual catalytic oxide nanosponge (DON) doubling as a remotely boosted catalyst and an inducer of programming DCs to program immune therapy is reported.

Assessment of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

The background of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is complex, and its influence on adverse pregnancy outcomes is inconsistently reported. We performed a multi-institutional, retrospective analysis using de-identified electronic health records from the TriNetX Research Network to compare various pregnancy outcomes in women with and those without H.

Improving the early diagnosis and clinical outcomes of shock patients via laser speckle contrast imaging assessment of peripheral hemodynamics.

Shock is defined as a critical circulatory failure that requires prompt diagnosis to optimize patient outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods have limitations, including contact-based measurements, high costs, and lengthy procedures. The study evaluated the efficacy of laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), a noncontact technique, for assessing peripheral hemodynamics in shock patients.

Link between pharyngeal acid reflux episodes and the effectiveness of proton pump inhibitor therapy.

Background: Diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is challenging due to overlapping symptoms. While proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed, reliable predictors of their responsiveness are unclear. Reflux monitoring technologies like dual potential of hydrogen (pH) sensors and multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) could improve diagnosis.

Lactoferrin targeting INTL1 receptor inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression via apoptosis and cell cycle signaling pathways.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes 90% of liver cancer cases and ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality, necessitating urgent development of alternative therapies. Lactoferrin (LF), a natural iron-binding glycoprotein with reported anticancer effects, is investigated for its potential in liver cancer treatment, an area with limited existing studies. This study focuses on evaluating LF's anti-liver cancer effects on HCC cells and assessing the preventive efficacy of oral LF administration in a murine model.