Predictive Value of Varicocele Grade and Histopathology in Simultaneous Varicocelectomy and Sperm Retrieval in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Varicocele repair in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) remains a subject of debate due to inconsistent outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of microsurgical varicocelectomy on sperm recovery rates in men with NOA and to assess the role of varicocele grade and testicular histopathology in predicting postoperative outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 78 men diagnosed with NOA and clinical varicocele who underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy with simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic testicular biopsy at the Department of Urology of the University of Ioannina between September 2013 and December 2021.

Unveiling Trade-Off and Synergy in Simultaneous Removal of NO, CO, and NH on Mixed Metal Oxide Nanostructure Catalysts.

The simultaneous removal reaction (SRR) is a pioneering approach for achieving the simultaneous removal of anthropogenic NO and CO pollutants through catalytic reactions. To facilitate this removal across diverse industrial fields, it is crucial to understand the trade-offs and synergies among the multiple reactions involved in the SRR process. In this study, we developed mixed metal oxide nanostructures derived from layered double hydroxides as catalysts for the SRR, achieving high catalytic conversions of 93.

Development of an advanced multimode refractive index plasmonic optical sensor utilizing split ring resonators for brain cancer cell detection.

In this paper, we propose and theoretically investigate a novel multimode refractive index (MMRI) plasmonic optical sensor for detecting various brain cancer cells, leveraging the unique capabilities of split ring resonators (SRRs). The sensor, simulated using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, exhibits dual resonance modes in its reflection spectrum within the 1500 nm to 3500 nm wavelength range, marking a significant advancement in multimode plasmonic biosensing. Through detailed parametric analysis, we optimize critical dimensional parameters to achieve superior performance.

Resonance frequency prediction of dielectric antennas for liquid sensing via support vector regression.

This paper presents a slot antenna integrated with a split ring resonator (SRR) and feed line, designed to achieve a high Q-factor while maximizing channel capacity utilization. By incorporating a lens into the dielectric resonator antenna (DRA), we enhance both bandwidth and directivity, with the dielectric material's permittivity serving as a key control parameter for radiation characteristics. We explore water and ethanol as controllable dielectrics within the terahertz (THz) frequency range (0.

Hybrid Mexican axolotl and bitterling fish optimization algorithm-based spectrum sensing multi‑hop clustering routing protocol for cognitive sensor networks.

In clustered cognitive radio sensor networks (CRSNs), availability of free channels, spectrum sensing and energy utilization during clustering and cluster head (CH) selection is essential for fairness of time and event-driven data traffic. The existing multi-hop routing protocols in CRSNs generally adopt a perfect spectrum sensing which is not same in the practical spectrum sensing of nodes in real networks. High imbalance in residual energy between the selected CHs negatively impacts the delivery of data packets.

Tailoring a Transition Metal Dual-Atom Catalyst via a Screening Descriptor in Li-S Batteries.

The adsorption-conversion paradigm of polysulfides during the sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) is appealing to tackle the shuttle effect in Li-S batteries, especially based upon atomically dispersed electrocatalysts. However, mechanistic insights into such catalytic systems remain ambiguous, limiting the understanding of sulfur electrochemistry and retarding the rational design of available catalysts. Herein, we systematically explore the polysulfide adsorption-conversion essence via a geminal-atom model system to understand the catalyst roles toward an expedited SRR.

Treatment and prediction of wastewater from waste transfer station in the eastern rural area of China by a combined system of anaerobic-oxic-anoxic-oxic, coagulation and adsorption.

In this study, a combined system of anaerobic-oxic-anoxic-oxic, coagulation and adsorption (AOAOCA) was used to treat the real waste transfer station (WTS) wastewater. The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT), sludge reflux ratio (SRR), mixed liquid reflux ratio (MLRR), coagulant and zeolite on the contaminants removal efficiency were investigated. When the AOAOCA system was operated at the optimal conditions (HRT of 8 d, SRR of 70%, MLRR of 200%, PAFC as coagulant with dosage of 750 ppm and 1-3 mm zeolite with filling rate of 60%), the effluent COD, NH-N and TP could reach 82.

Optimizing s-p Orbital Overlap between Sodium Polysulfides and Single-Atom Indium Catalyst for Efficient Sulfur Redox Reaction.

P-block metal carbon-supported single-atom catalysts (C-SACs) have emerged as a promising candidate for high-performance room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries, due to their high atom utilization and unique electronic structure. However, the ambiguous electronic-level understanding of Na-dominant s-p hybridization between sodium polysulfides (NaPSs) and p-block C-SACs limits the precise control of coordination environment tuning and electro-catalytic activity manipulation. Here, s-p orbital overlap degree (OOD) between the s orbitals of Na in NaPSs and the p orbitals of p-block C-SACs is proposed as a descriptor for sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) and sulfur oxidation reaction (SOR).

Thgraphene with High Polysulfide Anchoring Ability and Catalytic Performance for Advanced Na-S Batteries: A First-Principles Study.

The sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries, with advantages such as high energy density, high specific capacity, and low cost, have attracted significant attention in the field of rechargeable batteries in recent years. However, their practical application still faces many challenges. In this study, we employ first-principles calculations to investigate the performance of a 2D carbon allotrope, thgraphene, as an anchoring material in Na-S batteries.

Liver-related mortality in homeless-experienced adults over a 16-year period.

Homeless-experienced adults have higher liver-related mortality than the general population. The objective of our study was to examine temporal liver-related mortality trends and assess cause-specific liver-related mortality disparities in a large cohort of homeless-experienced adults. We linked a cohort of 60,092 adults who received care at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) from 2003-2017 to Massachusetts death occurrence files spanning 2003-2018.

Dual metal synergistic modulation of boron nitride for high-temperature wave-transparent metamaterials.

Electromagnetic metamaterials have demonstrated immense potential in the development of novel high-temperature wave-transparent materials, yet the requirements of their intricate structural design and strict stability pose dual challenges, particularly in high-speed radome applications. A strategy involving the synergistic modulation of boron nitride (BN) by dual metallic elements of Ca and Al (0.5Ca-0.

Fertility and abortion: A population-based comparison between women with cancer and those in childbearing age.

Objectives: Concurrence of pregnancy and cancer diagnosis is increasingly frequent in Italy. The study aimed to compare women with pregnancy-associated cancers (PACs) to those of childbearing age, focusing on fertility, induced abortion, and miscarriage.

Methods: The population-based study included women aged 15-49 years, both with and without PAC, who were residents in the area covered by the 19 participating Cancer Registries between 2003 and 2015 and identified by individual deterministic linkage with the Hospital Discharge Database.

The changing treatment landscape of EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer.

The discovery of the association between EGFR mutations and the efficacy of EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has revolutionized the treatment paradigm for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Currently, third-generation EGFR TKIs, which are often characterized by potent central nervous system penetrance, are the standard-of-care first-line treatment for advanced-stage EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Rational combinations of third-generation EGFR TKIs with anti-angiogenic drugs, chemotherapy, the EGFR-MET bispecific antibody amivantamab or local tumour ablation are being investigated as strategies to delay drug resistance and increase clinical benefit.

Decelerating and Accelerating Sulfur Reduction Reaction via P-O-InO Enables High-Performance Li-S Batteries.

The sluggish sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) kinetics of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries seriously limits the development of Li-S batteries. The initial reduction of solid (S) to liquid (soluble LiS (4≤n≤8)) is relatively easy due to the low activation energy, whereas the subsequent conversion of liquid (soluble LiS) to solid (insoluble LiS/LiS) has much higher activation energy, which leads to the accumulation of LiS and exacerbates the shuttle effect of LiS. Therefore, establishing one selective catalyst that decelerates the previous solid-liquid reaction and accelerates the subsequent liquid-solid reaction is essential for rational tailoring of the SRR for improved performance of Li-S batteries, but it represents a daunting challenge.

DNA-guided CRISPR/Cas12 for RNA targeting.

CRISPR-Cas nucleases are transforming genome editing, RNA editing, and diagnostics but have been limited to RNA-guided systems. We present ΨDNA, a DNA-based guide for Cas12 enzymes, engineered for specific and efficient RNA targeting. ΨDNA mimics a crRNA but with a reverse orientation, enabling stable Cas12-RNA assembly and activating trans-cleavage without RNA components.

Asymmetric Polarization Modulation of d-p Hybridization-Enhanced Bidirectional Sulfur Redox Kinetics with Heteronuclear Dual-Atom Catalysts.

Lithium sulfur batteries (LiSBs) represent a highly promising avenue for future energy storage systems, offering high energy density and eco-friendliness. However, the sluggish kinetics of the sulfur redox reaction (SRR) poses a significant challenge to their widespread applications. To tackle this challenge, we have developed an efficient heteronuclear dual-atom catalyst (hetero-DAC) that leverages surface charge polarization to enhance the asymmetric adsorption of sulfur intermediates.

Molecular Electrocatalysts in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries face challenges due to the sluggish reaction kinetics of sulfur species, which reduces sulfur utilization and thus lowers performance. Molecular electrocatalysts, with their clear and adequately exposed active sites, offer a reliable way to enhance reaction kinetics in lithium-sulfur batteries. This review elaborates on the reaction processes and mechanisms of molecular electrocatalysts, focusing on both the sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) and sulfur evolution reaction (SER) to explore their potential working principles.

Mechanism insights for impedance matching in split-ring resonator topologies under bio-medical scenarios.

The utilization of microwave radiation has gained increasing importance in various biological applications. However, a significant challenge remains in the interaction between the microwaves and the human skin, primarily due to the impedance mismatch. Recently, the employment of split-ring resonator (SRR) topologies has become increasingly prevalent for addressing such a problem.

Stereochemistry of phosphatidylglycerols from thermotolerant bacteria isolated thermal springs.

Phosphatidylglycerol (1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-glycerol) (PG) is one of the most abundant lipids in biological membranes. However, the chirality of the carbon atom in glycerol phosphate differs among the three kingdoms: bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. It is commonly assumed that archaea, as well as bacteria and eukaryotes, produce only one isomer of PG.

Cerebral Blood Flow Dynamics in Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) causes pathological falls in standing blood pressure that may or may not be symptomatic. nOH also raises the risk of poor neurological outcomes irrespective of symptom presence, possibly reflecting subclinical cerebral hypoperfusion. Dynamic changes in cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) help infer how blood pressure fluctuations influence CBFv and cerebral autoregulation.

Bilateral Distal Femoral Osteotomy for Valgus Knee Deformity May Result in Improved Patient-Reported Outcome Scores.

Background: The lateral opening wedge distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) is an effective treatment for genu valgum to improve mechanical alignment, decrease lateral compartment loads, and decrease the risk of knee osteoarthritis. Multiple studies have utilized outcome scores assessing functional changes related to pain and joint stability, with a focus solely on knee pain and functional outcomes.

Questions/purposes: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that assessed knee function, pain, patient's perception of body image, and limb deformity-related quality of life, both preoperatively and at least 1-year postoperatively.

Does minimally invasive external fixation of proximal humerus fractures provide adequate stability? A biomechanical in vitro study.

Introduction: Proximal humerus fractures are usually treated with rigid angle-stable plates or nails. As an alternative, semi-rigid, minimally invasive systems have been developed for supportive fixation. A new system uses this principle with 2.

An observational study: Correlation between self-perceived readiness and physical performance in healthy individuals.

Introduction: In complex environments, individuals need to anticipate and react to stimuli by integrating complex systems and skills. Identifying the perceptual-cognitive, physical, and health characteristics that afford effective performance is necessary for developing training and readiness strategies. Measuring readiness by establishing a relationship between the Acute Readiness Monitoring Scale (ARMS) and performance during perceptual-cognitive tasks is essential.