Optimized hydrothermal carbonization of chicken manure and anaerobic digestion of its process water for better energy management.

Modern poultry production is faced with the challenge of properly managing its associated wastes, in particular chicken manure (CM). There is a need to improve the management of CM through conversion processes that allow the production of value-added products, particularly for energy purposes, such as hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and anaerobic digestion (AD). The objectives of this study were: i) to optimize the CM-HTC, using response surface methodology with simultaneous optimization of mass yield and higher heating value (HHV), and ii) to evaluate the biomethane potential of the process water generated from hydrochar production under the optimized condition.

Nanoplastic in aqueous environments: The role of chemo-electric properties for nanoplastic-mineral interaction.

Due to increasing plastic production, the continuous release of primary and secondary nanoplastic particles (NPs, <1 μm) has become an emerging contaminant in terrestrial environments. The fate and transport of NPs in subsurface environments remain poorly understood, largely due to the complex interplay of mineralogical, chemical, biological, and morphological heterogeneity. This study examines interactions between abundant subsurface minerals and NPs under controlled water chemistry (1 mM KCl, pH 5.

Structural elucidation of the O-antigen polysaccharide from shigatoxin-producing E. coli O179 using genetic information, NMR spectroscopy and the CASPER program.

The serological properties of the O-antigen polysaccharide region of the lipopolysaccharides are used to differentiate E. coli strains into serogroups. In this study, we report the structure elucidation of the O-specific chain of E.

Targeting CD84 protein on myeloid-derived suppressor cells as a novel immunotherapy in solid tumors.

Background And Objective: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a crucial and diverse group of cells found in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that facilitate progression, invasion, and metastasis within solid tumors. CD84, a homophilic adhesion molecule expressed on MDSCs, plays a critical role in their accumulation and function within the TME. This study aims to investigate the protein-protein interactions of CD84 using molecular dynamics simulations and to explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting these interactions.

Loneliness is positively associated with populist radical right support.

Objectives: The mental and physical health consequences of loneliness are well documented. However, loneliness's socio-political ramifications have been largely unexplored. We theorize that loneliness, due to its physiologically dysregulating impact on the nervous system, facilitates greater susceptibility towards populist radical right parties.

Hyperplex PCR enables highly multiplexed analysis of point mutations in wastewater: Long-term SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance in Sweden as a case study.

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) allows the analysis of pathogens, chemicals or other biomarkers in wastewater to derive unbiased epidemiological information at population scale. After re-gaining attention during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the field holds promise as a surveillance and early warning system by tracking emerging pathogens with pandemic potential. Expanding the current toolbox of analytical techniques for wastewater analysis, we explored the use of Hyperplex PCR (hpPCR) to analyse SARS-CoV-2 mutations in wastewater samples collected weekly in up to 22 sites across Sweden between October 2022 and December 2023.

Selenoprotein P predicting mortallity in acute ill patients with dyspnea.

Background And Aims: Good Selenium (Se) status predicts favorable prognoses for various diseases and a reduced overall mortality. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether Selenium status, i.e.

Circuit Modules for Flexible Locomotion.

Locomotion, like all behaviors, possesses an inherent flexibility that allows for the scaling of movement kinematic features, such as speed and vigor, in response to an ever-changing external world and internal drives. This flexibility is embedded in the organization of the spinal locomotor circuits, which encode and decode commands from the brainstem and proprioceptive feedback. This review highlights our current understanding of the modular organization of these locomotor circuits and how this modularity endows them with intrinsic mechanisms to adjust speed and vigor, thereby contributing to the flexibility of locomotor movements.

Technologies for Interoperable Internet of Medical Things Platforms to Manage Medical Emergencies in Home and Prehospital Care: Scoping Review.

Background: The aging global population and the rising prevalence of chronic disease and multimorbidity have strained health care systems, driving the need for expanded health care resources. Transitioning to home-based care (HBC) may offer a sustainable solution, supported by technological innovations such as Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) platforms. However, the full potential of IoMT platforms to streamline health care delivery is often limited by interoperability challenges that hinder communication and pose risks to patient safety.

Computational Study on the Dynamics of a Bis(benzoxazole)-Based Overcrowded Alkene.

Understanding and controlling molecular motions is of pivotal importance for designing molecular machinery and functional molecular systems, capable of performing complex tasks. Herein, we report a comprehensive theoretical study to elucidate the dynamic behavior of a bis(benzoxazole)-based overcrowded alkene displaying several coupled and uncoupled molecular motions. The benzoxazole moieties give rise to 4 different stable conformers that interconvert through single-bond rotations.

Modulation of the modulated magnetic structure of an Ho i-MAX phase described by a magnetic (3+2)-dimensional superspace group.

The magnetic structures of the Ho-based i-MAX phase (MoHo)GaC were studied with neutron powder diffraction at low temperature. (MoHo)GaC crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm. The material undergoes two successive antiferromagnetic transitions at T = 10 K and T = 7.

Expanding the brain's terrain for reward.

A previously unknown region in the brainstem controls dopamine activity.

Systematic identification of Y-chromosome gene functions in mouse spermatogenesis.

The mammalian Y chromosome is essential for male fertility, but which Y genes regulate spermatogenesis is unresolved. We addressed this by generating 13 Y-deletant mouse models. In , , and deletants, spermatogenesis was impaired.

Using feedback in pooled experiments augmented with imputation for high genotyping accuracy at reduced cost.

Conducting genomic selection in plant breeding programs can substantially speed up the development of new varieties. Genomic selection provides more reliable insights when it is based on dense marker data, in which the rare variants can be particularly informative. Despite the availability of new technologies, the cost of large-scale genotyping remains a major limitation to the implementation of genomic selection.

Short, extended and continuous infusion of β-lactams: predicted impact on target attainment and risk for toxicity in an ICU patient cohort.

Objectives: This study aimed to predict the impact of different infusion strategies on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target attainment and the potential risk for toxicity in an ICU cohort treated with β-lactams.

Method: Using collected patient data from 137 adult ICU patients, and applying population PK models, individual PK parameters were estimated and used to predict concentrations and target attainment following cefotaxime 2 g q8h, piperacillin/tazobactam 4.5 g q6h and meropenem 1 g q8h, applying 15 min short infusions (SI), 3 h extended infusions (EI) and 24 h continuous infusion (CI).

Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Bacterial Spores via SERS.

Bacterial spores are highly resilient and capable of surviving extreme conditions, making them a persistent threat in contexts such as disease transmission, food safety, and bioterrorism. Their ability to withstand conventional sterilization methods necessitates rapid and accurate detection techniques to effectively mitigate the risks they present. In this study, we introduce a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) approach for detecting spores by targeting calcium dipicolinate acid (CaDPA), a biomarker uniquely associated with bacterial spores.

TIGIT-expression on natural killer cell subsets is an early indicator of alleviating liver inflammation following bulevirtide treatment in chronic hepatitis D.

Background Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) is a novel and the only approved treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD). BLV alleviates liver inflammation already early during treatment when only minor HDV RNA changes are observed. We hypothesized that BLV-treatment may influence immune cells in CHD patients and performed a high-resolution analysis of natural killer (NK) cells before and during BLV-therapy.

Dose-Response Relationship of Phloretin Therapy on Water and Glucose Transport during Experimental Peritoneal Dialysis.

Background: Water retention, ultrafiltration insufficiency, and metabolic complications due to abnormally high glucose concentrations are still common problems in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis. Phloretin, a nonselective inhibitor of facilitative glucose transporter channels (GLUT), has shown to improve water transport and lower glucose absorption in experimental peritoneal dialysis. However, the dose-response relationship remains unknown, and we therefore performed a dose-response study to elucidate the pharmacodynamic properties of intra-peritoneal phloretin therapy.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Resection of Localized Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Preoperative FOLFIRINOX.

Importance: The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX (combination leucovorin calcium [folinic acid], fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and oxaliplatin in full or modified dosing) chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) is unclear because current studies do not account for the number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.

Objective: To investigate the association of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX with OS, taking into account the number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study included patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with 2 to 11 cycles of preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX followed by resection across 48 centers in 20 countries from 2010 to 2018.

A literature-based cost-effectiveness analysis of device-assisted suturing versus needle-driven suturing during laparotomy closure.

Purpose: Small-bites suturing technique for laparotomy closure is now recommended as the standard of care. However, uptake of the practice remains slow. A medical technology called the SutureTOOL has been developed which can facilitate implementation of small-bites.

CRISPR-Cas-mediated adaptation of Thermus thermophilus HB8 to environmental stress conditions.

Bacteria experience a continual array of environmental stresses, necessitating adaptive mechanisms crucial for their survival. Thermophilic bacteria, such as Thermus thermophilus, face constant environmental challenges, particularly high temperatures, which requires robust adaptive mechanisms for survival. Studying these extremophiles provides valuable insights into the intricate molecular and physiological processes used by extremophiles to adapt and survive in harsh environments.

Survey of legislative frameworks and national recommendations governing paediatric maintenance haemodialysis in Europe.

Background: The application of international recommendations for paediatric maintenance haemodialysis (HD) could be strengthened by national laws or written recommendations. Our aim was therefore to describe the national rules governing paediatric maintenance HD in European countries.

Methods: A national representative, approved by the president of each paediatric nephrology society, was contacted in all 42 European countries to complete two online questionnaires.

Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Allene-Allene Cross-Coupling.

Direct cross-coupling reactions between two similar unactivated partners are challenging but constitute a powerful strategy for the creation of new carbon-carbon bonds in organic synthesis. [4]Dendralenes are a class of acyclic branched conjugated oligoenes with great synthetic potential for the rapid generation of structural complexity, yet the chemistry of [4]dendralenes remains an unexplored field due to their limited accessibility. Herein, we report a highly selective palladium-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of two allenes with the presence of a directing olefin in one of the allenes, enabling the facile synthesis of a broad range of functionalized [4]dendralenes in a convergent modular manner.

Effect of a GnRH injection on kisspeptin levels in girls with suspected precocious puberty: a randomized-controlled pilot study.

Objectives: Kisspeptin plays a major role in the onset of puberty by stimulating the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GnRH inhibits kisspeptin secretion via a negative feedback mechanism and potential associations between kisspeptin levels and other hormones of importance for pubertal onset.

Methods: Thirteen girls with suspected central precocious puberty underwent a GnRH stimulation test twice in a randomized, placebo-controlled manner.