Enhancing Localized Electron Density over Pd1.4Cu Decorated Oxygen Defective TiO2-x Nanoarray for Electrocatalytic Nitrite Reduction to Ammonia.

Electrocatalytic nitrite (NO2 -) reduction to ammonia (NH3) is a promising method for reducing pollution and aiding industrial production. However, progress is limited by the lack of efficient selective catalysts and ambiguous catalytic mechanisms. This study explores the loading of PdCu alloy onto oxygen defective TiO2-x, resulting in a significant increase in NH3 yield (from 70.6 to 366.4 µmol cm-2 h-1 at -0.6 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode) by modulating localized electron density. In situ and operando studies illustrate that the reduction of NO2 - to NH3 involves gradual deoxygenation and hydrogenation. The process also demonstrated excellent selectivity and stability, with long-term durability in cycling and 50 h stability tests. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate that the introduction of PdCu alloys further amplified electron density at oxygen vacancies (Ovs). Additionally, the Ti─O bond is strengthened as the d-band center of the Ti 3d rising after PdCu loading, facilitating the adsorption and activation of *NO2. Moreover, the presence of Ovs and PdCu alloy lowers the energy barriers for deoxygenation and hydrogenation, leading to high yield and selectivity of NH3. This insight of controlling localized electron density offers valuable insights for advancing sustainable NH3 synthesis methods.

Trapped in Endosome PEGylated Ultra-Small Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Enable Extraordinarily High MR Imaging Contrast for Hepatocellular Carcinomas.

The early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) remains challenging in the clinic. Primovist-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) aids HCC diagnosis but loses sensitivity for tumors <2 cm. Therefore, developing advanced MRI contrast agents is imperative for improving the diagnostic accuracy of HCCs in very-early-stage. To address this challenge, PEGylated ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles (PUSIONPs) are synthesized and employed as liver-specific T1 MRI contrast agents. Intravenous delivery produces simultaneous hyperintense HCC and hypointense hepatic parenchyma signals on T1 imaging, creating an extraordinarily high tumor-to-liver contrast. Systematic studies uncover PUSIONP distribution in hepatic parenchyma, HCC lesions at the organ, tissue, cellular, and subcellular levels, revealing endosomal confinement of PUSIONP without aggregation. By mimicking such situations, the dependency of relaxometric properties on local PUSIONP concentration is investigated, emphasizing the key role of different endosomal concentrations in liver and tumor cells for high tumor-to-liver contrast and clear tumor boundaries. These findings offer exceptional imaging capabilities for early HCC diagnosis, potentially benefiting real HCC patients.

Endometrial cancer risk stratification using MRI radiomics: corroborating with choline metabolism.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiomics offers little explainability. This study aims to develop a radiomics model (Rad-Score) using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to predict high-risk patients for nodal metastasis or recurrence in endometrial cancer (EC) and corroborate with choline metabolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2015 to July 2018, 356 EC patients were enrolled. Rad-Score was developed using LASSO regression in a training cohort (n = 287) and validated in an independent test cohort (n = 69). MR spectroscopy (MRS) was also used in 230 patients. Nuclear MRS measured choline metabolites in 70 tissue samples. The performance was compared against European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) risk groups. A P < .05 denoted statistical significance. RESULTS: Rad-Score achieved 71.1% accuracy in the training and 71.0% in the testing cohorts. Incorporating clinical parameters of age, tumor type, size, and grade, Rad-Signature reached accuracies of 73.2% in training and 75.4% in testing cohorts, closely matching the performance to the post-operatively based ESMO's 70.7% and 78.3%. Rad-Score was significantly associated with increased total choline levels on MRS (P = .034) and tissue levels (P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: Development of a preoperative radiomics risk score, comparable to ESMO clinical standard and associated with altered choline metabolism, shows translational relevance for radiomics in high-risk EC patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on 2015-08-01 with Identifier NCT02528864.

Prediction of Postoperative Sore Throat in Patients After Day-case Surgery With General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a major complaint after day-case surgery. The objectives of this study were to investigate the risk factors for POST and develop a stratified nursing model for POST after day-case surgery. DESIGN: This case-control study was conducted at Department of Anesthesiology of 1st Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. METHODS: Anesthesia records and postanesthesia care files of adult patients undergoing day-case surgery with general anesthesia were reviewed. The primary outcome was the incidence of POST at 24 hours after day-case surgery or before discharge within 24 hours. Multivariate logistics regression was used to identify risk factors for POST. A nomogram was created to predict the probability of POST after day-case surgery. FINDINGS: A total of 9,312 records were retrieved from June 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022, including 8,499 files in the training group and 813 files in the validation group. One thousand five hundred and twenty-five cases in the training group experienced POST. The independent risk factors for POST included: thyroid surgery (odds ratios [OR] = 22.42, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 18.45 to 27.25), shorter thyromental distance (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.30), smaller neck circumference (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.11), duration of anesthesia (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.22), female (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.41 to 1.96), age (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.00) and the presence of bloody sputum (OR = 8.33, 95% CI: 6.53 to 10.63). A nomogram that involved five factors was established to predict the probability of POST after day-case surgery. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the training and validation groups was 0.77 and 0.81, respectively. The calibration curve demonstrated good consistency between the actual POST and the predicted probability. CONCLUSIONS: The following variables are independently associated with POST: thyroid surgery, age approaching to 40 years old, female, shorter thyromental distance and smaller neck circumference, longer duration of anesthesia, and the presence of bloody sputum. A novel stratified nursing model is feasible for predicting the probability of POST.

Using Adaptive Imaging Parameters to Improve PEGylated Ultrasmall Iron Oxide Nanoparticles-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography.

The PEGylated ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (PUSIONPs) exhibit longer blood residence time and better biodegradability than conventional gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), enabling prolonged acquisitions in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) applications. The image quality of CE-MRA is dependent on the contrast agent concentration and the parameters of the pulse sequences. Here, a closed-form mathematical model is demonstrated and validated to automatically optimize the concentration, echo time (TE), repetition time (TR) and flip angle (FA). The pharmacokinetic studies are performed to estimate the dynamic intravascular concentrations within 12 h postinjection, and the adaptive concentration-dependent sequence parameters are determined to achieve optimal signal enhancement during a prolonged measurement window. The presented model is tested on phantom and in vivo rat images acquired from a 3T scanner. Imaging results demonstrate excellent agreement between experimental measurements and theoretical predictions, and the adaptive sequence parameters obtain better signal enhancement than the fixed ones. The low-dose PUSIONPs (0.03 mmol kg-1 and 0.05 mmol kg-1) give a comparable signal intensity to the high-dose one (0.10 mmol kg-1) within 2 h postinjection. The presented mathematical model provides guidance for the optimization of the concentration and sequence parameters in PUSIONPs-enhanced MRA, and has great potential for further clinical translation.

Percutaneous cervical cordotomy for managing refractory pain in a patient with a Pancoast tumor: A case report.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization analgesic ladder, cancer-related pain generally begins with pharmacotherapy in a stepwise approach. Nevertheless, some patients continue to experience poorly controlled pain despite medications, particularly when considering adverse effects and self-care quality. Percutaneous cervical cordotomy is an alternative interventional procedure for unremitting unilateral intractable cancer-related pain. CASE SUMMARY: The patient was diagnosed with lung cancer with destruction of the brachial plexus and ribs. For 2 mo, the patient experienced progressive severe weakness and pain in the right upper extremity. Notably, the pain intensity reached an extreme level, particularly when lying supine, even under heavy sedation. This heightened pain response posed a significant challenge; as a result, the patient was unable to undergo further evaluation through magnetic resonance imaging. Ultimately, he underwent percutaneous cervical cordotomy for symptom relief, resulting in complete resolution of right arm pain. After a 3-mo follow-up, the pain did not recur, and only a flurbiprofen local patch was required for mild scapular tightness. CONCLUSION: Cordotomy, under careful patient selection, appears to enhance the quality of life of patients with unilateral cancer-related pain.

Alternate levels versus all levels mini-plate fixation in C3-6 cervical laminoplasty: a retrospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare radiological and clinical outcomes between alternate levels (C4 and C6) and all levels mini-plate fixation in C3-6 unilateral open-door laminoplasty. METHODS: Ninety-six patients who underwent C3-6 unilateral open-door laminoplasty with alternate levels mini-plate fixation (54 patients in group A) or all levels mini-plate fixation (42 patients in group B) between September 2014 and September 2019 were reviewed in this study. Radiologic and clinical outcomes were assessed. Clinical results included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of axial neck pain and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Radiographic results included cervical range of motion (ROM), cervical curvature index (CCI), and the spinal canal expansive parameters including open angle, anteroposterior diameter (APD), and Pavlov`s ratio. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in VAS, JOA score, ROM, and CCI between two groups. There was no significant difference in canal expansion postoperatively between two groups. However, open angle, APD, and Pavlov`s ratio in group A decreased significantly during the follow-up. In group B, APD, Pavlov`s ratio, and open angle were maintained until the final follow-up. There was no hardware failure or lamina reclosure occurred in both groups during the follow-up. The mean cost of group B was higher than that of group A. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the differences in the maintenance of canal expansion, alternate levels mini-plate fixation can achieve similar clinical outcomes as all levels mini-plate fixation in C3-6 unilateral open-door laminoplasty. As evidenced in this study, we believe C3-6 laminoplasty with alternate levels (C4 and C6) mini-plate fixation is an economical, effective, and safe treatment method.

Hyperpolarized Carbon-13 Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Technical Considerations and Clinical Applications.

Hyperpolarized (HP) carbon-13 (13C) MRI represents an innovative approach for noninvasive, real-time assessment of dynamic metabolic flux, with potential integration into routine clinical MRI. The use of [1-13C]pyruvate as a probe and its conversion to [1-13C]lactate constitute an extensively explored metabolic pathway. This review comprehensively outlines the establishment of HP 13C-MRI, covering multidisciplinary team collaboration, hardware prerequisites, probe preparation, hyperpolarization techniques, imaging acquisition, and data analysis. This article discusses the clinical applications of HP 13C-MRI across various anatomical domains, including the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, breast, liver, kidney, pancreas, and prostate. Each section highlights the specific applications and findings pertinent to these regions, emphasizing the potential versatility of HP 13C-MRI in diverse clinical contexts. This review serves as a comprehensive update, bridging technical aspects with clinical applications and offering insights into the ongoing advancements in HP 13C-MRI.

Clinical efficacy and imaging analysis of oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of different types of lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis.

PURPOSE: To analyze and study the clinical efficacy and imaging indexes of oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis(LFS) caused by different causes. METHOD: 33 patients with LFS treated with OLIF from January 2018 to May 2022 were reviewed. Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were calculated before and after operation. Segmental lordotic angle (SLA), lumbar lordotic angle (LLA) and segmental scoliosis angle (SSA), disc height (DH), posterior disc height (PDH), lateral disc height (LDH), foraminal height (FH), foramen width (FW) and foraminal cross-sectional area (FSCA) were measured before and after operation. RESULT: The VAS and ODI after operation were significantly improved as compared with those before operation. Compared with pre-operation, the DH, PHD increased by 67.6%, 94.6%, LDH increased by 107.4% (left), 101.7% (right), and FH increased by 30.2% (left), 34.5% (right). The FSCA increased by 93.1% (left), 89.0% (right), and the FW increased by 137.0% (left), 149.6% (right). The postoperative SSA was corrected by 74.5%, the postoperative SLA, LLA were corrected by 70.2%, 38.1%, respectively. All the imaging indexes were significantly improved (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The clinical efficacy and imaging data of OLIF in the treatment of LFS caused by low and moderate lumbar spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc bulge and reduced intervertebral space height, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, articular process hyperplasia or dislocation have been well improved. OLIF may be one of the better surgical treatments for LFS caused by the above conditions.

Genomic characterization and probiotic potential assessment of an exopolysaccharide-producing strain Pediococcus pentosaceus LL-07 isolated from fermented meat.

BACKGROUND: The genomic information available for Pediococcus pentosaceus is primarily derived from fermented fruits and vegetables, with less information available from fermented meat. P. pentosaceus LL-07, a strain isolated from fermented meat, has the capability of producing exopolysaccharides (EPS). To assess the probiotic attributes of P. pentosaceus LL-07, we conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using the PacBio SequelIIe and Illumina MiSeq platforms, followed by in vitro experiments to explore its probiotic potential. RESULTS: The genome size of P. pentosaceus LL-07 is 1,782,685 bp, comprising a circular chromosome and a circular plasmid. Our investigation revealed the absence of a CRISPR/Cas system. Sugar fermentation experiments demonstrated the characteristics of carbohydrate metabolism. P. pentosaceus LL-07 contains an EPS synthesis gene cluster consisting of 13 genes, which is different from the currently known gene cluster structure. NO genes associated with hemolysis or toxin synthesis were detected. Additionally, eighty-six genes related to antibiotic resistance were identified but not present in the prophage, transposon or plasmid. In vitro experiments demonstrated that P. pentosaceus LL-07 was comparable to the reference strain P. pentosaceus ATCC25745 in terms of tolerance to artificial digestive juice and bile, autoaggregation and antioxidation, and provided corresponding genomic evidence. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the safety and probiotic properties of P. pentosaceus LL-07 via complete genome and phenotype analysis, supporting its characterization as a potential probiotic candidate.

Hyperpolarized [1-13C]-pyruvate MRS evaluates immune potential and predicts response to radiotherapy in cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring pyruvate metabolism in the spleen is important for assessing immune activity and achieving successful radiotherapy for cervical cancer due to the significance of the abscopal effect. We aimed to explore the feasibility of utilizing hyperpolarized (HP) [1-13C]-pyruvate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to evaluate pyruvate metabolism in the human spleen, with the aim of identifying potential candidates for radiotherapy in cervical cancer. METHODS: This prospective study recruited six female patients with cervical cancer (median age 55 years; range 39-60) evaluated using HP [1-13C]-pyruvate MRI/MRS at baseline and 2 weeks after radiotherapy. Proton (1H) diffusion-weighted MRI was performed in parallel to estimate splenic cellularity. The primary outcome was defined as tumor response to radiotherapy. The Student t-test was used for comparing 13C data between the groups. RESULTS: The splenic HP [1-13C]-lactate-to-total carbon (tC) ratio was 5.6-fold lower in the responders than in the non-responders at baseline (p = 0.009). The splenic [1-13C]-lactate-to-tC ratio revealed a 1.7-fold increase (p = 0.415) and the splenic [1-13C]-alanine-to-tC ratio revealed a 1.8-fold increase after radiotherapy (p = 0.482). The blood leukocyte differential count revealed an increased proportion of neutrophils two weeks following treatment, indicating enhanced immune activity (p = 0.013). The splenic apparent diffusion coefficient values between the groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study revealed the feasibility of HP [1-13C]-pyruvate MRS of the spleen for evaluating baseline immune potential, which was associated with clinical outcomes of cervical cancer after radiotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04951921 , registered 7 July 2021. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This prospective study revealed the feasibility of using HP 13C MRI/MRS for assessing pyruvate metabolism of the spleen to evaluate the patients' immune potential that is associated with radiotherapeutic clinical outcomes in cervical cancer. KEY POINTS: • Effective radiotherapy induces abscopal effect via altering immune metabolism. • Hyperpolarized 13C MRS evaluates patients' immune potential non-invasively. • Pyruvate-to-lactate conversion in the spleen is elevated following radiotherapy.

Metabolomic profiling of maternal plasma identifies inverse associations of acetate and urea with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers following COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.

We conducted a comprehensive metabolomic analysis of plasma samples obtained from pregnant women who displayed varying post-vaccination antibody titers after receiving mRNA-1273-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. The study involved 62 pregnant women, all of whom had been vaccinated after reaching 24 weeks of gestation. To quantify post-vaccination plasma antibody titers, we employed binding antibody units (BAU) in accordance with the World Health Organization International Standard. Subsequently, we classified the study participants into three distinct BAU/mL categories: those with high titers (above 2000), medium titers (ranging from 1000 to 2000), and low titers (below 1000). Plasma metabolomic profiling was conducted using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the obtained data were correlated with the categorized antibody titers. Notably, in pregnant women exhibiting elevated anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers, reduced plasma concentrations of acetate and urea were observed. A significant negative correlation between these compounds and antibody titers was also evident. An analysis of metabolomics pathways revealed significant inverse associations between antibody titers and four distinct amino acid metabolic pathways: (1) biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; (2) biosynthesis of valine, leucine, and isoleucine; (3) phenylalanine metabolism; and (4) degradation of valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Additionally, an association between the synthesis and degradation pathways of ketone bodies was evident. In conclusion, we identified different metabolic pathways that underlie the diverse humoral responses triggered by COVID-19 mRNA vaccines during pregnancy. Our data hold significant implications for refining COVID-19 vaccination approaches in expectant mothers. KEY MESSAGES : Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers decline as the number of days since COVID-19 vaccination increases. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers are inversely associated with acetate, a microbial-derived metabolite, and urea. Amino acid metabolism is significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers.

Lovastatin impairs cellular proliferation and enhances hyaluronic acid production in fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

INTRODUCTION: Statins have demonstrated chondroprotective effects by reducing inflammation and mitigating extracellular matrix degradation. However, statins are also reported to be cytotoxic to several types of cells. Early-onset osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by synovial inflammation, which adversely affects hyaluronan (HA) production in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs). Nevertheless, the precise effects of statins on the synovium remain unclear. METHODS: This study investigated the impact of lovastatin on human FLSs, and HA secretion-related genes, signaling pathways, and production were evaluated. RESULTS: The findings revealed that high doses of lovastatin (20 or 40 µM) decreased FLS viability and increased cell death. FLS proliferation ceased when cultured in a medium containing 5 or 10 µM lovastatin. mRNA expression analysis demonstrated that lovastatin (5 and 10 µM) upregulated the gene level of hyaluronan synthase 1 (HAS1), HAS2, and proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), but not HAS3. While the expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein 5 transporter gene remained unaffected, both inward-rectifying potassium channel and acid-sensing ion channel 3 were upregulated. Western blot further confirmed that lovastatin increased the production of HAS1 and PRG4, and activated the PKC-α, ERK1/2, and p38-MAPK signaling pathways. Additionally, lovastatin elevated intracellular cAMP levels and HA production in FLSs. CONCLUSION: Lovastatin impairs cellular proliferation but enhances HA production in human FLSs.

Sciatica caused by spinal epidural abscess as the initial clinical presentation of colon cancer: a rare case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed forms of cancer, and it is associated with several common symptoms and signs such as rectal bleeding, altered bowel habits, abdominal pain, anemia, and unintentional weight loss. Sciatica, a debilitating condition in which the patient experiences paresthesia and pain in the dermatome of associated lumbosacral nerve roots or sciatic nerve distribution, is not considered one of these. Here we present a case of colorectal cancer manifesting symptoms of sciatica alone. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old male presented with progressive lower back pain radiating to his left thigh and calf over L5/S1 dermatome. Sciatica was suspected and initially underwent conservative treatment with analgesics. However, the symptoms progressed and MRI revealed an epidural abscess surprisingly. Surgical debridement was performed and pus culture isolated Streptococcus gallolyticus. Based on the strong association of S. gallolyticus with colorectal cancer, the presence of this pathogen prompted further tumor evaluation, even in the absence of the typical symptoms and signs. This investigation ultimately leads to the diagnosis of sigmoid adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, sciatica caused by S. gallolyticus infection of the spinal epidural space may serve as the initial presentation of colorectal cancer. Physicians should be aware of the strong association between S. gallolyticus and colorectal cancer. Based on what we currently know about the condition; a thorough systematic assessment of occult neoplasia for patients with S. gallolyticus infection is recommended.

Intracranial solitary fibrous tumor in a 15-year-old girl: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is an infrequent spindle cell tumor derived from mesenchymal tissue, which can manifest in diverse anatomical locations, primarily in the pleural cavity and infrequently in the central nervous system. SFT is predominantly observed in individuals aged between 40 and 50 years old, with a slightly higher occurrence in males than in females. OBSERVATIONS: This case report describes a female, age 15, who had migraines for 2 months prior to the diagnosis of an intracranial tumor. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass located in the right parietooccipital region with surrounding edema and a compressed right lateral ventricle. Neurosurgery was utilized to successfully remove the mass, and single intracranial fibrous tumor (grade I) was identified by postoperative pathological analysis. During an 8-month follow-up period, the patient did not experience any recurrences. LESSONS: SFT is often misdiagnosed as meningioma because of their similar imaging characteristics. However, identifying the distinctive features of SFT on magnetic resonance imaging can distinguish it from meningioma and help to select appropriate treatment. The complete preoperative imaging data for this case indicated a highly vascularized tumor. Preoperative vascular embolization treatment reduced any difficulties during the subsequent tumor resection and minimized intraoperative bleeding.

How to Choose Surgical Corridor in Left Oblique Approach Lumbar Interbody Fusion at the L5-S1 Segment: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: There are 2 surgical corridors to L5-S1 lumbar interbody fusion via the left oblique approach: anterior to psoas-oblique lateral interbody fusion (ATP-OLIF) and oblique-anterior lumbar interbody fusion (O-ALIF). The aim of this study was to evaluate criteria to guide the selection of surgical corridors for L5-S1 lumbar interbody fusion via the left oblique approach. METHODS: According to the structure of L5-S1 segment left common iliac vein (LCIV) in axial magnetic resonance image, the LCIV was divided into 6 types. O-ALIF was performed for type I and type II. ATP-OLIF was performed for type A and type B. For sexually active men, ATP-OLIF was chosen. Between April 2020 and April 2022, 22 patients were assigned to ATP-OLIF or O-ALIF based on the type of LCIV. Clinical outcomes and radiographic outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: There were 11 cases in O-ALIF group (type I, n = 10; type II, n = 1) and 11 cases in ATP-OLIF group (type A, n = 8; type B, n = 3). No differences were observed in clinical outcomes (Oswestry Disability Index, VAS, and complication rate); radiographic outcomes (mean disk height and segmental lordosis angle); length of hospital stay; operation time; and blood loss. No vascular injury occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This may be an appropriate criterion to guide the selection of surgical corridor for L5-S1 lumbar interbody fusion through the left oblique approach. O-ALIF was performed for type I and type II. ATP-OLIF was performed for type A and type B. For sexually active men, ATP-OLIF was chosen. According to this standard, the operation can be performed safely and with good clinical results.

Micro FT-IR spectroscopic measurements of CH4: Experimental calibration with high-pressure and high temperature optical cell (HPOC).

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a prevalent nondestructive in situ analytical technique widely employed for the qualitative characterization of natural fluid inclusions. Presently, the quantitative determination of the temperature, pressure, and composition of natural inclusions stands as a pivotal challenge in the geological application of laser spectroscopy. Through the integration of the capillary high-pressure optical cell (HPOC) technique and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, infrared quantitative models for the C-H symmetric stretching band (v3) in the vapor phase of CH4 under varying temperature (40-200 °C) and pressure (20-500 bar) conditions are established for the first time. This accomplishment is achieved through fitting and calculation of infrared spectra. A linear quantitative relationship and the dynamic evolution of infrared spectral parameters (peak area, full width at half maximum, peak height ratio, and peak shifts) concerning temperature, pressure, and density are meticulously investigated. The findings reveal that the peak area and full width at half maximum exhibit an upward trend with increasing pressure and density, and are inversely proportional to temperature. The height ratio (P band/Q band, R band/Q band) experiences an increase as density escalates. Moreover, the CH4v3 band position shows a higher wavenumber shift with increasing temperature, while its position correlates negatively with pressure and density. Thus, this method demonstrates its applicability in deducing the PVT-x properties of CH4-bearing systems, including CH4-rich fluid inclusions, CH4 content within hydrocarbon inclusions, and experimental fluid investigations. In contrast to the Raman quantitative approach, the infrared quantitative formula can be universally adopted in any infrared laboratory owing to the quantitative theory (Beer-Lambert law) governing infrared absorption spectra. By collecting Raman spectra and infrared spectra of pure methane fluid inclusions from the central region of the Alps and subsequently calculating the results using two distinct quantitative methods for fluid inclusions, we have demonstrated the feasibility of applying infrared spectroscopy in natural fluid inclusion studies.

Unveiling the Biologically Dynamic Degradation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles via a Continuous Flow System.

Nanomaterials are increasingly being employed for biomedical applications, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of their degradation behavior and potential toxicity in the biological environment. This study utilizes a continuous flow system to simulate the biologically relevant degradation conditions and investigate the effects of pH, protein, redox species, and chelation ligand on the degradation of iron oxide nanoparticles. The morphology, aggregation state, and relaxivity of iron oxide nanoparticles after degradation are systematically characterized. The results reveal that the iron oxide nanoparticles degrade at a significantly higher rate under the acidic environment. Moreover, incubation with bovine serum albumin enhances the stability and decreases the dissolution rate of iron oxide nanoparticles. In contrast, glutathione accelerates the degradation of iron oxide nanoparticles, while the presence of sodium citrate leads to the fastest degradation. This study reveals that iron oxide nanoparticles undergo degradation through various mechanisms in different biological microenvironments. Furthermore, the dissolution and aggregation of iron oxide nanoparticles during degradation significantly impact their relaxivity, which has implications for their efficacy as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents in vivo. The results provide valuable insights for assessing biosafety and bridge the gap between fundamental research and clinical applications of iron oxide nanoparticles.

Divergence of trafficking and polarization mechanisms for PIN auxin transporters during land plant evolution.

The phytohormone auxin, and its directional transport through tissues, plays a fundamental role in the development of higher plants. This polar auxin transport predominantly relies on PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin exporters. Hence, PIN polarization is crucial for development, but its evolution during the rise of morphological complexity in land plants remains unclear. Here, we performed a cross-species investigation by observing the trafficking and localization of endogenous and exogenous PINs in two bryophytes, Physcomitrium patens and Marchantia polymorpha, and in the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We confirmed that the GFP fusion did not compromise the auxin export function of all examined PINs by using a radioactive auxin export assay and by observing the phenotypic changes in transgenic bryophytes. Endogenous PINs polarize to filamentous apices, while exogenous Arabidopsis PINs distribute symmetrically on the membrane in both bryophytes. In the Arabidopsis root epidermis, bryophytic PINs have no defined polarity. Pharmacological interference revealed a strong cytoskeletal dependence of bryophytic but not Arabidopsis PIN polarization. The divergence of PIN polarization and trafficking is also observed within the bryophyte clade and between tissues of individual species. These results collectively reveal the divergence of PIN trafficking and polarity mechanisms throughout land plant evolution and the co-evolution of PIN sequence-based and cell-based polarity mechanisms.