Synthesis, Physicochemical Properties, and Ion Recognition Ability of Azulene-Based Bis-(Thio)Semicarbazone.

Azulene-1,3-bis(semicarbazone), , and azulene-1,3-bis(thiosemicarbazone), , were synthesized by the acid-catalyzed condensation reactions of semicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide, respectively, with azulene-1,3-dicarboxaldehyde in stoichiometric amounts. Compounds and were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry and characterized by IR, H-NMR, C-NMR, and UV-vis spectroscopic techniques. Crystal structure determination of azulene-1,3-bis(thiosemicarbazone) shows that the thiosemicarbazone units exhibit a -closed conformation, with both arms oriented in the same direction and adopting an configuration with respect to the imine linkages.

A Review on Current Aspects of Curcumin-Based Effects in Relation to Neurodegenerative, Neuroinflammatory and Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Curcumin is among the most well-studied natural substances, known for its biological actions within the central nervous system, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and human health benefits. However, challenges persist in effectively utilising curcumin, addressing its metabolism and passage through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in therapies targeting cerebrovascular diseases. Current challenges in curcumin's applications revolve around its effects within neoplastic tissues alongside the development of intelligent formulations to enhance its bioavailability.

Diseases of Economic Importance in Feedlot Cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review with a Focus on Existing and Potential Options for Control.

A large number of livestock are found in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including 20-25% of the world's ruminants [...

Comparison of Muscle Growth and Dynamic Strength Adaptations Induced by Unilateral and Bilateral Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Currently, great debate exists over the proposed superiority of some resistance exercises to induce muscular adaptations. For example, some argue that unilateral exercise (meaning one limb at a time) is superior to bilateral exercises (meaning both limbs). Of note, an evidence-based answer to this question is yet to be determined, particularly regarding muscle hypertrophy.

Autologous macrophage therapy for liver cirrhosis: a phase 2 open-label randomized controlled trial.

Cirrhosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality; however, there are no approved therapies except orthotopic liver transplantation. Preclinical studies showed that bone-marrow-derived macrophage injections reduce inflammation, resolve fibrosis and stimulate liver regeneration. In a multicenter, open-label, parallel-group, phase 2 randomized controlled trial ( ISRCTN10368050 ) in n = 51 adult patients with compensated cirrhosis and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ≥10 and ≤17, we evaluated the efficacy of autologous monocyte-derived macrophage therapy (n = 27) compared to standard medical care (n = 24).

A bedside sensory phenomenon that can help explain functional sensory symptoms.

Explaining basic illness mechanisms is an important step in communicating functional neurological symptoms. Clinical signs for motor symptoms, such as the Hoover test, have proven an excellent basis for mechanistic explanations. Here, I recommend a simple technique for eliciting tingling sensations through directed bodily attention, as a helpful experiential starting point for explanations of sensory gating and somatosensory amplification in patients with functional hyperaesthesia, paraesthesia and chronic pain.

Long-term outcome for neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer and the prognostic impact of nodal therapy response: A population-based study.

Introduction: Although neoadjuvant systemic treatment for non-metastatic breast cancer has gained ground during the past decade, there is no compelling evidence that it improves overall survival compared to primary tumor resection and adjuvant treatment. At the same time, the approach to responders to neoadjuvant treatment in the axilla is evolving.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected population-based registry.

[Analysis of the effect of inflatable mediastinoscopy esophagectomy and minimally invasive Mckeown esophagectomy combined with thoracoscopy and laparoscopy in the treatment of early esophageal cancer].

To explore the operioperative and long-term outcomes of inflatable mediastinoscopic resection of esophageal carcinoma (IVMTE) and minimally invasive Mckeown resection of esophageal carcinoma (MIME) in early esophageal cancer. This is a retrospective cohort study. A retrospectively analysis was conducted on 176 patients with cT1N0M0 esophageal cancer who underwent IVMTE or MIME at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University from April 2017 to April 2019.

Introduction of the single-lumen oocyte retrieval needle in an assisted reproductive technology center: Propensity score matching analysis of grouping.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of oocyte retrieval using a single-lumen aspiration needle compared to a double-lumen aspiration needle in IVF (in vitro fertilization) patients.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all IVF cycles between 1st January, 2020 and 31st December, 2022 in Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan. Pairwise comparisons were conducted through propensity score matching analysis at a 1:3 ratio according to patients' age, anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and body weight.

Predicting in vivo concentrations of dietary hop phytoestrogens by physiologically based kinetic modeling.

Hop extracts containing prenylated polyphenols such as 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) and its precursor isoxanthohumol (iXN) are popular among women seeking natural alternatives to hormone therapy for postmenopausal symptoms. Due to structural similarities with estrogens, these compounds act as estrogen receptor agonists. Especially 8-PN, described as the most potent phytoestrogen known to date, poses a potential risk for endocrine disruption.

The role of hyperaccuracy CT three-dimensional reconstruction technology in partial nephrectomy for completely endophytic renal cell carcinoma: A retrospective propensity-matched cohort study.

Background: To compare the clinicopathological, perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes of completely endophytic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients who underwent partial nephrectomy (PN) with or without preoperative hyperaccuracy CT three-dimensional (HACT3D) reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 154 completely endophytic RCC patients treated with PN at our medical center from January 2018 to December 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received preoperative HACT3D reconstruction.

Advancing the Mechanosensitivity of Atropisomeric Diarylethene Mechanophores through a Lever-Arm Effect.

Understanding structure-mechanical activity relationships (SMARs) in polymer mechanochemistry is essential for the rational design of mechanophores with desired properties, yet SMARs in noncovalent mechanical transformations remain relatively underexplored. In this study, we designed a subset of diarylethene mechanophores based on a lever-arm hypothesis and systematically investigated their mechanical activity toward a noncovalent-yet-chemical conversion of atropisomer stereochemistry. Results from Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) measurements, and ultrasonication experiments collectively support the lever-arm hypothesis and confirm the exceptional sensitivity of chemo-mechanical coupling in these atropisomers.

High-performance ternary logic circuits and neural networks based on carbon nanotube source-gating transistors.

Multi-valued logics (MVLs) offer higher information density, reduced circuit and interconnect complexity, lower power dissipation, and faster speed over conventional binary logic system. Recent advancement in MVL research, particularly with emerging low-dimensional materials, suggests that breakthroughs may be imminent if multistates transistors can be fabricated controllably for large-scale integration. Here, a concept of source-gating transistors (SGTs) is developed and realized using carbon nanotubes (CNTs).

Repurposing Licensed Drugs with Activity Against Epstein-Barr Virus for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Approach.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated as a necessary factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may also be a driver of disease activity. Although it is not clear whether ongoing viral replication is the driver for MS pathology, MS researchers have considered the prospect of using drugs with potential efficacy against EBV in the treatment of MS. We have undertaken scientific and lived experience expert panel reviews to shortlist existing licensed therapies that could be used in later-stage clinical trials in MS.

Editor's Highlights-February 2025.

Understanding the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), and prurigo nodularis (PN), has led to the development of innovative treatments. In the February issue of the Journal, we provide insight into the global epidemiology and psychosocial impact of psoriasis. We also discuss the role of tissue-resident memory T cells in disease recurrence and evaluate the effectiveness of tildrakizumab in treating difficult areas in psoriasis.

Patient and Healthcare Professional Perspectives on Crohn's Perianal Fistula Treatment: Results From a Discrete Choice Experiment.

Background: Crohn's perianal fistulas (CPF) are difficult to manage and often require multiple interventions. This study aimed to assess the preferences of patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) for attributes of CPF-related procedures/surgeries to better inform CPF management.

Methods: This US cross-sectional, observational study was conducted via a web-enabled questionnaire (October 2021-January 2022) among patients aged 21-89 years with a self-reported physician diagnosis of CPF (with or without CPF-related surgery experience) and HCPs (gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons who managed ≥3 patients with CPF in the past 12 months).

Active biomonitoring of stream ecosystems: untargeted metabolomic and proteomic responses and free radical scavenging activities in mussels.

Many contaminants from scattered sources constantly endanger streams that flow through heavily inhabited areas, commercial districts, and industrial hubs. The responses of transplanted mussels in streams in active biomonitoring programs will reflect the dynamics of environmental stream conditions. This study evaluated the untargeted metabolomic and proteomic responses and free radical scavenging activities of transplanted mussels Sinanodonta woodiana in the Winongo Stream at three stations (S1, S2, S3) representing different pollution levels: low (S1), high (S2), and moderate (S3).

Effects of continuous cropping and application of bio-organic fertilizer on photosynthetic performance, dry matter accumulation and distribution of sugar beet.

One of the major problem in the cultivation of sugar beets is continuous cropping obstacle in China. In order to evaluate the effects of continuous cropping year on the photosynthetic performance, dry matter accumulation, and distribution of sugar beet, this study was conducted in the 2020-2021 crop season at the Agriculture and Forestry Sciences of Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. A split plot system arrangement with three replications was set up to carry out the field testing.

Wireless microwave-to-optical conversion via programmable metasurface without DC supply.

Microwave-optical interaction and its effective utilization are vital technologies at the frontier of classical and quantum sciences for communication, sensing, and imaging. Typically, state-of-the-art microwave-to-optical converters are realized by fiber and circuit approaches with multiple processing steps, and external powers are necessary, which leads to many limitations. Here, we propose a programmable metasurface that can achieve direct and high-speed free-space microwave-to-laser conversion.

Anomalous photovoltaics in Janus MoSSe monolayers.

The anomalous photovoltaic effect (APE) in polar crystals is a promising avenue for overcoming the energy conversion efficiency limits of conventional photoelectric devices utilizing p-n junction architectures. To facilitate effective photocarrier separation and enhance the APE, polar materials need to be thinned down to maximize the depolarization field. Here, we demonstrate Janus MoSSe monolayers (~0.

Three-dimensional CeO Nanosheets/CuO nanoflowers p-n heterostructure supported on carbon cloth as electrochemical sensor for sensitive nitrite detection.

Nitrite is widely used as a food additive, and it is of great significance to realize accurate detection of nitrite for food safety. Electrochemical technique is characterized by simple operation and portability, which enables rapid and accurate detection. The key factors affecting the nitrite detection performance are the electrocatalytic activity and interfacial electron transfer efficiency of the electrode.

Individualized brain radiomics-based network tracks distinct subtypes and abnormal patterns in prodromal Parkinson's disease.

Individuals in the prodromal phase of Parkinson's disease (PD) exhibit significant heterogeneity and can be divided into distinct subtypes based on clinical symptoms, pathological mechanisms, and brain network patterns. However, little has been done regarding the valid subtyping of prodromal PD, which hinders the early diagnosis of PD. Therefore, we aimed to identify the subtypes of prodromal PD using the brain radiomics-based network and examine the unique patterns linked to the clinical presentations of each subtype.

Analyze the impact of lignin depolymerization process and its products on humic substance formation.

This study aimed to identify types of lignin depolymerization products (LDP) and their role in humic substances (HS) formation, and little research has revealed which LDP could participate into HS formation during composting. Therefore, rice straw (RS), peanut straw (PS) and pine needles (PN) were selected for their different lignin structures to qualitatively and quantitative analyze LDP firstly. Qualitative results indicated that RS, PS and PN mainly produced LDP with G-type, common group and dimer structure.

Enhanced prediction of partial nitrification-anammox process in wastewater treatment by developing an attention-based deep learning network.

In the process of partial nitrification and anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) for nitrogen removal, the process offers simple metabolic pathways, low operating costs, and high nitrogenous loading rates. However, since the partial nitrification-anammox (PN-anammox) process combines partial nitrification and anammox reactions within the same reactor, strict control of dissolved oxygen (DO) is essential. Additionally, assessing treatment performance through chemical measurement involves time lag, making it challenging to recover the biological process when issue arise, especially in the PN-anammox process, where strict DO control and the sensitivity of anammox bacteria to conditions and substrates demand timely intervention.

Multi-omics reveals mechanism of hydroxylamine-enhanced ultimate nitrogen removal in pilot-scale anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic system.

Hydroxylamine (HA) dosing is an effective strategy for promoting partial nitrification (PN); however, its impact on endogenous denitrification remains underexplored. In this study, long-term continuous HA dosing (1.4 mg/L) was introduced for over 110 days in a pilot-scale anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic (AOA) system treating municipal wastewater (66.