Characterization of gelatin-based composite films loaded with polysaccharide and carbon dots from Stropharia rugosoannulata and their application in pork fresh-keeping.

In this study, bio-based composite films with enhanced barrier, mechanical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were prepared by incorporating Stropharia rugosoannulata waste (SP)-derived polysaccharides (SPP) and carbon dots (SPCDs) as an active substance into gelatin (GEL) matrix, which were evaluated for their potential application in pork preservation. The effects of varying concentrations of SPCDs on the morphology, microstructure, and overall performance of the films were systematically investigated. The findings demonstrated that the addition of SPCDs to the GEL/SPP matrix significantly improved the mechanical strength, water vapor permeability, and ultraviolet light blocking ability of the composite films.

Gelatins derived from aronia-supplemented fish diets: Structural effect and molecular simulation.

Fish gelatin, a sustainable substitute for mammalian gelatin, frequently exhibits weaker gel strength and thermal stability, limiting its industrial uses. This study investigated an in vivo method to improve functional characteristics by supplementing Nile tilapia diets with Aronia extract. The control diet (A0) contained no Aronia extract, while the remaining four diets consisted of commercial pelleted feed enriched with 250 mg/kg (A250), 500 mg/kg (A500), 750 mg/kg (A750), and 1000 mg/kg (A1000) of Aronia extract.

Microalgae-based membrane bioreactor for wastewater treatment, biogas production, and sustainable energy: A review.

Managing wastewater and using renewable energy sources are challenges in achieving sustainable development goals. This study provides an overview of the factors influencing the performance of algae-based membrane bioreactors (AMBRs) for contaminant removal from wastewater and biogas production. This review highlights that the performance of AMBRs in removing total phosphorus (TP) and nitrogen (N) from wastewater can reach up to 93% and 97%, respectively, depending on parameters such as pH, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and algae concentration.

Land cover changes reduce dust aerosol concentrations in Northern China (2000-2020).

Dust aerosols significantly impact climate, human health, and ecosystems, but how land cover changes (LCC) influence dust concentrations remains unclear. Here, we applied the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) to assess the effects of LCC on dust aerosol concentrations from 2000 to 2020 in northern China. Based on land cover data derived from multi-source satellite remote sensing data, we conducted two simulation scenarios: one incorporating actual annual LCC and another assuming static land cover since 2000.

Engineering nanoliposomal tiotropium bromide embedded in a lactose-arginine carrier forming Trojan-particle dry powders for efficient pulmonary drug delivery: A combined approach of in vitro-3D printing and in silico-CFD modeling.

Nanocarrier-based dry powders for lung disease treatment are crucial, with in vitro and in silico research being pivotal to their success. This study introduces a method for creating Tiotropium-bromide liposomal inhalation dry powder, termed "Trojan-particles," utilizing thin-film hydration and spray-drying with lactose-arginine carriers. Encapsulating tiotropium-bromide in nanoliposomes enhances lung treatment via liposomes' unique features.

Longitudinal metagenomic analysis on antibiotic resistome, mobilome, and microbiome of river ecosystems in a sub-tropical metropolitan city.

Rivers play an important role as reservoirs and sinks for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, it remains underexplored for the resistome and associated mobilome in river ecosystems, and hosts of riverine ARGs particularly the pathogenic ones are rarely studied. This study for the first time conducted a longitudinal metagenomic analysis to unveil the resistome, mobilome, and microbiome in river water, by collecting samples from 16 rivers in Hong Kong over a three-year period and using both short-read and long-read sequencing.

State estimation in water distribution system via diffusion on the edge space.

The steady state of a water distribution system abides by the laws of mass and energy conservation. Hydraulic solvers, such as the one used by EPANET approach the simulation for a given topology with a Newton-Raphson algorithm. However, iterative approximation involves a matrix inversion which acts as a computational bottleneck and may significantly slow down the process.

Exploring cigarette butts pollution in Vung Tau beaches: A case study in Vietnam.

Cigarette butts (CBs), alongside other plastic items, are widely recognized as a significant source of marine litter in coastal areas worldwide. This research is the first to examine CB pollution, offering valuable insights into its impact across various beaches in Vung Tau, Vietnam. A total of 512 CBs were collected, with an average density of 0.

Alterations of subcortical structural volume in pediatric bipolar disorder patients with and without psychotic symptoms.

Background: Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) with psychotic symptoms may predict more severe impairment in social functioning, but the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in subcortical structural volume in PBD with and without psychotic symptoms.

Methods: We recruited 24 psychotic PBD (P-PBD) patients, 24 non-psychotic PBD (NP-PBD) patients, and 18 healthy controls (HCs).

pH-sensitive phthalocyanine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles as a novel treatment strategy for breast cancer.

Novel pH-sensitive polymeric photosensitizer carriers from the phthalocyanine (Pc) group were investigated as potential photodynamic therapy drugs for the treatment of breast cancer. Their high antiproliferative activity was confirmed by photocytotoxicity studies, which indicated their high efficacy and specificity toward the SK-BR-3 cell line. Importantly, the Pcs encapsulated in the polymeric nanoparticle (NP) carrier exhibited a much better penetration into the acidic environment of tumor cells than their free form.

Monitoring of indoor air quality at a large sailing cruise ship to assess ventilation performance and disease transmission risk.

Large passenger ships are characterised as enclosed and crowded indoor spaces with frequent interactions between travellers, providing conditions that facilitate disease transmission. This study aims to provide an indoor ship CO dataset for inferring thermal comfort, ventilation and infectious disease transmission risk evaluation. Indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring was conducted in nine environments (three cabins, buffet, gym, bar, restaurant, pub and theatre), on board a cruise ship voyaging across the UK and EU, with the study conducted in the framework of the EU HEALTHY SAILING project.

Blood-brain barrier water permeability across the adult lifespan: A multi-echo ASL study.

An emerging biomarker of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability is the time of exchange (Tex) of water from the blood to tissue, as measured by multi-echo arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI. This new non-invasive sequence, already tested in mice, has recently been adapted to humans and optimized for clinical scanning time. In this study, we studied the normal variability of Tex over age and sex, which needs to be established as a reference for studying changes in neurological disease.

STAT3-related lncRNAs in colorectal cancer progression; Special focus on immune cell's evasion.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is globally ranked as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women. There is an urgent need for novel biomarkers to facilitate early diagnosis and enhance patient care, thereby improving treatment response and reducing mortality rates. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is essential for controlling the anti-tumor immune response since it is a hub for several oncogenic signaling pathways.

Waste control by waste: Metals recovery from electroplating sludge via a chlorination roasting followed by silicothermic reduction using solar-grade silicon cutting waste.

Electroplating sludge (ES) is a hazardous waste, because it contains heavy metals. It poses severe environmental and health risk if not properly disposed. This study proposed a combined pyro-metallurgical process to separate and recover copper, nickel, chromium and iron from it.

Quantifying DNA Lesions and Circulating Free DNA: Diagnostic Marker for Electropathology and Clinical Stage of AF.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) persistence is associated with molecular remodeling that fuels electrical conduction abnormalities in atrial tissue. Previous research revealed DNA damage as a molecular driver of AF.

Objectives: This study sought to explore the diagnostic value of DNA damage in atrial tissue and blood samples as an indicator of the prevalence of electrical conduction abnormalities and stage of AF.

Deciphering repair pathways of clustered DNA damage in human TK6 cells: insights from atomic force microscopy direct visualization.

Ionizing radiation induces various types of DNA damage, and the reparability and lethal effects of DNA damage differ depending on its spatial density. Elucidating the structure of radiation-induced clustered DNA damage and its repair processes will enhance our understanding of the lethal impact of ionizing radiation and advance progress toward precise therapeutics. Previously, we developed a method to directly visualize DNA damage using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and classified clustered DNA damage into simple base damage clusters (BDCs), complex BDCs and complex double-strand breaks (DSBs).

Value-based healthcare for social insurance medicine: key enablers for adoption in practice.

Background: Driven by rising retirement age and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases impacting work participation, there is an increasing need for quality and efficiency improvement in social insurance medicine (SIM). SIM provides guidance to individuals facing long-term work disability, assess their functional abilities and eligibility for long-term disability benefits. Value-based healthcare (VBHC) targets quality and efficiency improvements in healthcare by placing a priority on improving patient value.

Predictors of cytomegalovirus corneal endotheliitis postcorneal transplantation.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate risk factors for the development of cytomegalovirus (CMV) corneal endotheliitis following corneal transplantation.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 1225 corneal transplants for bullous keratopathy between 2011 and 2021. 31 cases who were administered the treatment of CMV corneal endotheliitis preoperatively were excluded, and 1194 cases were analysed for risk factors for the development of CMV corneal endotheliitis following corneal transplantation.

Realizing Antithermal Quenching Red Emission in Mn-Activated RbNaVF for Optical Thermometry Sensor Application.

Currently, the development of red Mn-activated fluoride luminescent materials attracts a lot of attention in optical thermometry sensors, solid lighting, display, and plant growth areas. Nevertheless, the thermal stability of Mn-activated fluoride luminescent materials is still a crucial issue. Herein, a new red RbNaVF:Mn luminescent material with outstanding thermal stability was successfully synthesized through the facial coprecipitation method.

Spindle-Shaped Ni-Fe-Layered Double Hydroxide: Effect of Etching Time on Flexible Energy Storage.

The rising demand for efficient energy storage in flexible electronics is driving the search for materials that are well-suited for the fabrication of these devices. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) stand out as a remarkable material with a layered structure that embodies exceptional electrochemical properties. In this study, both double-shelled and single-shelled NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) particles are prepared using spindle-shaped MIL-101(Fe) as the template.

Protein-Guided Biomimetic Calcification Constructing 3D Nitrogen-Rich Core-Shell Structures Realizing High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Biomimetic calcification is a micro-crystallization process that mimics the natural biomineralization process, where biomacromolecules regulate the formation of inorganic minerals. In this study, it is presented that a protein-assisted biomimetic calcification method for the in situ synthesis of nitrogen-doped metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. A series of unique core-shell structures are created by utilizing proteins as templates and guiding agents in the nucleation step, creating ideal conditions for shell growth.

Comparative Analysis of Protist Communities in Oilsands Tailings Using Amplicon Sequencing and Metagenomics.

The Canadian province of Alberta contains substantial oilsands reservoirs, consisting of bitumen, clay and sand. Extracting oil involves separating bitumen from inorganic particles using hot water and chemical diluents, resulting in liquid tailings waste with ecotoxicologically significant compounds. Ongoing efforts aim to reclaim tailings-affected areas, with protist colonisation serving as one assessment method of reclamation progress.

Deciphering the Complexity of Step Profiles on Vicinal Si(001) Surfaces Through Multiscale Simulations.

The behavior of vicinal Si(001) surfaces are a subject of intense research for years, yet the mechanism behind its step modulation remains unresolved. Step B, in particular, can meander randomly or form a periodic zigzag profile, a surface phenomenon that has eluded explanation due to the lack of appropriate simulation tools. Here, a multiscale simulation strategy, enhanced by machine learning potentials are proposed, to investigate this mesoscale behavior.

The Association Between Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA), Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number.

: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease induced by bacteria in dental plaque that can activate the host's immune-inflammatory response and invade the bloodstream. We hypothesized that a higher periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) is associated with higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers, lower levels of antioxidants, and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn). : Using periodontal parameters, we calculated the PISA score, measured the levels of inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidants in the serum, and took buccal swabs for mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) extraction.