Hg2+ removal characteristics of a strain of mercury-tolerant bacteria screened from heavy metal-contaminated soil in a molybdenum-lead mining area.

In this study, the mercury-tolerant strain LTC105 was isolated from a contaminated soil sample collected from a molybdenum-lead mine in Luanchuan County, Henan Province, China. The strain was shown to be highly resistant to mercury, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 32 mg·L-1. After a 24-h incubation in LB medium with 10 mg·L-1 Hg2+, the removal, adsorption, and volatilization rates of Hg2+ were 97.37%, 7.3%, and 90.07%, respectively, indicating that the strain had significant influence on mercury removal. Based on the results of Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the investigation revealed that the primary function of LTC105 was to encourage the volatilization of mercury. The LTC105 strain also showed strong tolerance to heavy metals such as Mn2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+. According to the results of the soil incubation test, the total mercury removal rate of the LTC105 inoculation increased by 16.34% when the initial mercury concentration of the soil was 100 mg·L-1 and by 62.28% when the initial mercury concentration of the soil was 50 mg·kg-1. These findings indicate that LTC105 has certain bioremediation ability for Hg-contaminated soil and is a suitable candidate strain for microbial remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil in mining areas.

Clinicopathological characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of BRAF mutations in ameloblastoma: A Bayesian network analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to analyze the associations between clinicopathological characteristics and BRAF mutations in ameloblastoma (AM) patients and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched from 2010 to 2024. The search terms used were specific to BRAF and AM. Observational studies or randomized controlled trials were considered eligible. The incidence of BRAF mutation and corresponding clinicopathological features in AM patients were subjected to Bayesian network analyses and diagnostic accuracy evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 937 AM patients from 20 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of BRAF mutations in AM patients was 72%. According to the Bayesian network analysis, BRAF mutations are more likely to occur in younger (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; credible interval [CrI]: 1.2-4.5), mandible site (OR, 3.6; 95% CrI: 2.7-5.2), and unicystic (OR, 1.6; 95% CrI: 1.1-2.4) AM patients. Similarly, higher diagnostic accuracy was found in the younger, mandible, and unicystic AM groups. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence, risk, and diagnostic accuracy of BRAF mutation in AM were greater in younger patients, those with mandible involvement, and those with unicystic AM than in patients with other clinicopathological features. In addition, there was a strong concordance in the diagnostic accuracy between molecular tests and immunohistochemical analysis.

Few-shot learning based oral cancer diagnosis using a dual feature extractor prototypical network.

A large global health issue is cancer, wherein early diagnosis and treatment have proven to be life-saving. This holds true for oral cancer, thus emphasizing the significance of timely intervention. Deep learning techniques have gained traction in early cancer detection, exhibiting promising outcomes in accurate diagnosis. However, collecting a substantial amount of training data poses a challenge for deep learning models in cancer diagnosis. To address this limitation, this study proposes an oral cancer diagnosis approach based on a few-shot learning framework that circumvents the need for extensive training data. Specifically, a prototypical network is employed to construct a diagnostic model, wherein two feature extractors are utilized to extract prototypical features and query features respectively, departing from the conventional use of a single feature extraction function in prototypical networks. Moreover, a customized loss function is designed for the proposed method. Rigorous experimentation using a histopathological image dataset demonstrates the superior performance of our proposed approach over comparison methods.

CT-based radiomics analysis of different machine learning models for differentiating gnathic fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, our aim was to develop and validate the effectiveness of diverse radiomic models for distinguishing between gnathic fibrous dysplasia (FD) and ossifying fibroma (OF) before surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 220 patients with confirmed FD or OF. We extracted radiomic features from nonenhanced CT images. Following dimensionality reduction and feature selection, we constructed radiomic models using logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, light gradient boosting machine, and eXtreme gradient boosting. We then identified the best radiomic model using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. After combining radiomics features with clinical features, we developed a comprehensive model. ROC curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated the models' robustness and clinical value. RESULTS: We extracted 1834 radiomic features from CT images, reduced them to eight valuable features, and achieved high predictive efficiency, with area under curves (AUC) exceeding 0.95 for all the models. Ultimately, our combined model, which integrates radiomic and clinical data, displayed superior discriminatory ability (AUC: training cohort 0.970; test cohort 0.967). DCA highlighted its optimal clinical efficacy. CONCLUSION: Our combined model effectively differentiates between FD and OF, offering a noninvasive and efficient approach to clinical decision-making.

Development and evaluation of serological screening based on one dried plasma spot for HIV, syphilis, and HCV.

BACKGROUND: In the effort to prevent and control HIV/AIDS, China has established a national sentinel surveillance system. However, some sentinel sites face limitations in environmental resources and accessibility, prompting the exploration of alternative sample strategies. Dried plasma spots (DPS) samples are viewed as promising alternatives to traditional plasma samples due to their advantages, including sample stability, easy storage, and convenient transport. This study aims to develop a method for screening HIV, Treponema pallidum (TP), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) using DPS samples and assess their performance. METHODS: Based on existing commercial assay kits, a detection method was established through the optimization of experimental parameters, including the amount of plasma on filter paper, the volume of elution solution applied to dried plasma spots, the size of dried plasma spots, elution solution volume, elution solution components, elution temperature, and elution time. A series of laboratory evaluation panels were constructed for laboratory assessments, including the laboratory basic panel, laboratory interference panel, and laboratory precision panel. Additionally, clinical samples were used for evaluation. RESULTS: Optimal conditions for DPS sample extraction were: plasma volume, 100 µL; DPS size, whole spot; eluent volume, 500 µL; eluent, PBS with 1‰ Tween20; elution time, 2 h; elution temperature, room temperature. A total of 619 paired plasma/DPS samples were tested by both methods. The DPS-based ELISA method exhibited 100% sensitivity/specificity for HIV, 98.6%/100% for TP, and 99.6%/100% for HCV. Kappa values between the plasma samples and DPS samples were 100% for HIV, 99% for TP, and 100% for HCV. The DPS-based ELISA method failed to detect 1 HCV mono-infected sample and TP in 1 HIV/HCV/TP co-infected sample. For the HIV/HCV/TP co-infected sample, the S/CO in the plasma sample was 2.143 and in the DPS sample was 0.5. For HCV, the S/CO (sample OD/cut-off) was 3.049 in the plasma sample and 0.878 in the DPS sample. CONCLUSIONS: A single DPS, following one-time standardized processing, can be used to detect HIV, HCV, and TP. Researching and establishing laboratory testing methods better suited for China's sentinel surveillance have significant practical applications in improving HIV testing in resource-constrained environments.

NGF/TrkA promotes the vitality, migration and adhesion of bone marrow stromal cells in hypoxia by regulating the Nrf2 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transplantation is a treatment strategy for ischemic stroke (IS) with great potential. However, the vitality, migration and adhesion of BMSCs are greatly impaired due to the harsh environment of the ischemic area, which affects the therapeutic effects. Herein, we aimed to investigate the roles of nerve growth factor (NGF) in regulating cell behaviors of BMSCs in IS. METHODS: The mRNA and protein expressions were assessed using qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. To simulate ischemic-like conditions in vitro, Brain microvascular (bEnd.3) cells were exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). Cell viability and cell proliferation were evaluated by MTT assay and BrdU assay, respectively. Transwell migration and cell adhesion assays were carried out to determine cell migration and adhesion of BMSCs, respectively, coupled with flow cytometry to evaluate cell apoptosis of bEnd.3 cells. Finally, angiogenesis assay was performed to assess the angiogenesis ability of bEnd.3 cells. RESULTS: NGF overexpression resulted in increased cell vitality, adhesion and migration of BMSCs, while NGF knockdown presented the opposite effects. We subsequently discovered that TrkA was a receptor for NGF, and TrkA knockdown significantly inhibited the cell viability, migration and adhesion of BMSCs. Besides, Nrf2 was confirmed as the downstream target of NGF/TrkA to promote the viability, adhesion and migration of BMSC cells. Finally, NGF-silenced BMSCs could not effectively restore the OGD-induced brain microvascular cell damage. CONCLUSIONS: NGF/TrkA promoted the viability, migration and adhesion of BMSCs in IS via activating Nrf2 pathway.

The associations of birth outcome differences in twins with prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and its alternatives.

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) and its alternatives, including BPF and BPS, exhibit endocrine disruption activities. However, the effects of bisphenols on fetal growth in twins remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations of prenatal BPA, BPF, and BPS exposure with birth outcome differences in twins. METHODS: We recruited 289 twin pregnant women who visited the hospital for prenatal examination during the first trimester from 2013 to 2016. Urinary bisphenol levels were determined during the first, second, and third trimesters. The associations of maternal exposure to bisphenols with birth outcome differences in twins were analyzed after stratification by different trimesters. We applied the multiple informant model to estimate trimester-specific associations between urinary bisphenol concentrations and birth outcome differences in twins. RESULTS: We found low reproducibility (ICC<0.40) for maternal urinary BPA and moderate reproducibility (0.40 < ICC<0.75) for BPF and BPS. Urinary BPA concentrations were positively associated with within-pair twin birth weight difference when comparing the third vs. the first tertile in each of the three trimesters (i.e., 133.06 g, 95% CI: 68.19, 197.94; 144.5 g, 95%CI: 81.82-207.18 g; and 135.04 g, 95%CI: 71.37-198.71 g for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester, respectively). The effect of urinary BPA concentration on increased birth length difference within-pair twins were also observed across different trimesters (All P for trends < 0.05). Urinary BPA levels were positively associated with the within-pair birth weight and birth length differences across pregnancy trimesters (All of Type 3 P for values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Maternal BPA exposure appeared to influence birth wight and birth length differences in twins. Our results warrant further confirmation.

A Review of Passive RFID Tag Antenna-Based Sensors and Systems for Structural Health Monitoring Applications.

In recent few years, the antenna and sensor communities have witnessed a considerable integration of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag antennas and sensors because of the impetus provided by internet of things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems (CPS). Such types of sensor can find potential applications in structural health monitoring (SHM) because of their passive, wireless, simple, compact size, and multimodal nature, particular in large scale infrastructures during their lifecycle. The big data from these ubiquitous sensors are expected to generate a big impact for intelligent monitoring. A remarkable number of scientific papers demonstrate the possibility that objects can be remotely tracked and intelligently monitored for their physical/chemical/mechanical properties and environment conditions. Most of the work focuses on antenna design, and significant information has been generated to demonstrate feasibilities. Further information is needed to gain deep understanding of the passive RFID antenna sensor systems in order to make them reliable and practical. Nevertheless, this information is scattered over much literature. This paper is to comprehensively summarize and clearly highlight the challenges and state-of-the-art methods of passive RFID antenna sensors and systems in terms of sensing and communication from system point of view. Future trends are also discussed. The future research and development in UK are suggested as well.

Fluorescence enhancement of europium (III) perchlorate by 1,10-phenanthroline on the 1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-(phenylsulthio)ethanone complex and luminescence mechanism.

A novel ligand, 1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-(phenylsulthio)ethanone was synthesized using a new method and its two europium (Eu) (III) complexes were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, coordination titration analysis, molar conductivity, infrared, thermo gravimetric analyzer-differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), (1)H NMR and UV spectra. The composition was suggested as EuL5 · (ClO4)3 · 2H2O and EuL4 · phen(ClO4)3 · 2H2O (L = C(10)H(7)COCH(2)SOC(6)H(5)). The fluorescence spectra showed that the Eu(III) displayed strong characteristic metal-centered fluorescence in the solid state. The ternary rare earth complex showed stronger fluorescence intensity than the binary rare earth complex in such material. The strongest characteristic fluorescence emission intensity of the ternary system was 1.49 times as strong as that of the binary system. The phosphorescence spectra were also discussed.

Relationships between screen time and childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: In previous observational studies and meta-analyses, childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is found to have a significant association with screen time. However, the causal associations between them remain unclear. Method: This study performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to confirm the causality between screen time and childhood ADHD. Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) datasets derived from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and the UK Biobank were used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with exposure and outcome. Four categories of datasets were selected to represent screen time. The SNPs that are significantly associated with exposure data (P < 5e-08) and have a strong correlation with the exposure in the F-statistic (F > 10) were selected as instrumental variables. This study also used the PhenoScanner V2 database and the LDlink webtool to exclude confounding factors, and the MR-PRESSO method (p < 0.05) was employed to eliminate outliers with bias. Five commonly used methods were employed to assess the interaction and the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method was utilized as the primary basis for determining the MR estimates in this study. Results: The MR analysis revealed that the length of mobile phone use (OR, 1.848; 95% CI, 1.3360-2.5558; p=2.07e-4) and the time spent watching television (OR, 2.104; 95% CI, 1.3958-3.1703; p=3.8e-4) increased the risk of childhood ADHD. Although the causal relationships were exclusively identified through the IVW and weighted median methods, the results retained their statistical significance following correction. In the reverse analysis, no evidence was found to support an effect of childhood ADHD on screen time. The sensitivity analysis conducted on the significant findings revealed no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity. Conclusion: This study provides some evidence for the causality of screen time and childhood ADHD. Given the limitations of our study, further research is required to comprehensively investigate this relationship.

Preparation methods, structural characteristics, and biological activity of polysaccharides from Platycodon grandiflorus.

Platycodon grandiflorus (P. grandiflorus), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for both medicine and food, has a long history of treating respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other lung-related diseases. The therapeutic effects of P. grandiflorus are attributed to its chemical components, including polysaccharides. Among these components, Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharides (PGP) are recognized as one of the most important and abundant active ingredients, exhibiting various biological activities such as prebiotic, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antiangiogenic, and immune regulatory properties. Incorporating the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, carrier concepts, and modern targeted drug delivery technologies, PGP can influence the target sites and therapeutic effects of other drugs while also serving as a drug carrier for targeted and precise treatments. Therefore, it is essential to provide a comprehensive review of the extraction, separation, purification, physicochemical properties, and biological activities of PGP. In the future, by integrating new concepts, technologies, and processes, further references and guidance can be provided for the comprehensive development of PGP. This will contribute to the advancement of P. grandiflorus in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, health products, and food.

Nanoclay-Modified Hyaluronic Acid Microspheres for Bone Induction by Sustained rhBMP-2 Delivery.

Microspheres (MSs) are ideal candidates as biological scaffolds loading with growth factors or cells for bone tissue engineering to repair irregular alveolar bone defects by minimally invasive injection. However, the high initial burst release of growth factor and low cell attachment limit the application of microspheres. The modification of microspheres often needs expensive experiments facility or complex chemical reactions, which is difficult to achieve and may bring other problems. In this study, a sol-grade nanoclay, laponite XLS is used to modify the surface of MSs to enhance its affinity to either positively or negatively charged proteins and cells without changing the interior structure of the MSs. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is used as a representation of growth factor to check the osteoinduction ability of laponite XLS-modified MSs. By modification, the protein sustained release, cell loading, and osteoinduction ability of MSs are improved. Modified by 1% laponite XLS, the MSs can not only promote osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells by themselves, but also enhance the effect of the rhBMP-2 below the effective dose. Collectively, the study provides an easy and viable method to modify the biological behavior of microspheres for bone tissue regeneration.

Can botulinum toxin injection alleviate the pain of bruxism? A Bayesian network analysis and a single-arm analysis.

Background/purpose: There is inconsistent evidence regarding whether the botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection can relieve pain caused by bruxism. This study aimed to estimate the efficiency of BTA injection in relieving pain caused by bruxism at different follow-up periods. Materials and methods: Five electronic databases were searched from 2005 to 2022 using search terms related to botulinum toxin and bruxism. Only controlled clinical trials were included. Two investigators reviewed each article and discussed any disagreements until a consensus was reached. Pain outcomes as evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) were subjected to single-arm and Bayesian network meta-analyses. Pooling data were measured by a random-effects model. Results: Eleven studies with a total of 365 bruxism patients were included. According to the single-arm analyses of the pooled data, the reduction in bruxism-related pain after BTA injection measured 4.06 points (95% CI = 3.37 to 4.75) on the VAS, and the pain relief was significant in the first 6 months after treatment (P < 0.01). According to the Bayesian analysis, BTA also resulted in significantly greater pain relief than oral splinting (mean difference (MD), -1.5; 95% credible interval (CrI) = -2.7 to -0.19) or saline injection (MD, -3.3; 95% CrI = -6.2 to -0.32). Conclusion: BTA significantly relieves the pain of bruxism for 6 months after injection, and its therapeutic efficacy was higher than that of oral splinting. Nevertheless, further long-term follow-up randomized controlled trials comparing BTA with other management or drugs are warranted.

Synthesis of Tellurium Nanoparticles Using Moringa oleifera Extract, and Their Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Effects against Bacterial Pathogens.

Today, pathogenic microorganisms are increasingly developing resistance to conventional drugs, necessitating the exploration of alternative strategies. In addressing this challenge, nano-based antibacterial agents offer a promising avenue of research. In the present study, we used an extract of Moringa oleifera, a widely recognized edible and medicinal plant, to synthesize biogenetic tellurium nanoparticles (Bio-TeNPs). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering analyses revealed that the obtained Bio-TeNPs had diameters between 20 and 50 nm, and zeta potential values of 23.7 ± 3.3 mV. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the Bio-TeNPs consisted primarily of Te(0), along with some organic constituents. Remarkably, these Bio-TeNPs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against a spectrum of pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhimurium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus agalactiae. In addition, findings from growth curve experiments, live/dead cell staining, and scanning electron microscopy observations of cell morphology demonstrated that Bio-TeNPs at a concentration of 0.07 mg/mL effectively disrupted E. coli and K. pneumoniae cells, leading to cell rupture or shrinkage. The biofilm inhibition rates of 0.7 mg/mL Bio-TeNPs against E. coli and K. pneumoniae reached 92% and 90%, respectively. In addition, 7 mg/mL Bio-TeNPs effectively eradicated E. coli from the surfaces of glass slides, with a 100% clearance rate. These outcomes underscore the exceptional antibacterial efficacy of Bio-TeNPs and highlight their potential as promising nanomaterials for combating bacterial infections.

The prevalence, diagnostic accuracy and genotype-phenotype correlation of GNAS mutations in fibrous dysplasia: a meta-analysis.

Background: There is inconsistent evidence regarding the accuracy of GNAS mutations identification for the diagnosis of FD/MAS. This study was performed to estimate the prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of GNAS mutations detection and to preliminarily investigate the genotype-phenotype correlation in FD patients. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched from 1995 to 2024 using search terms related to GNAS and fibrous dysplasia. Observational studies of FD patients undergoing GNAS mutation detection in FD were included. Results: A total of 878 FD patients were included. The pooled prevalence of GNAS mutations in FD based on the random effects model was 74% (95% CI = 64%-83%). Regarding diagnostic accuracy, a sensitivity of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.65-0.96), specificity of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-1.00) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 98.38% were found. Additionally, meta-analysis and Fisher's test showed the GNAS mutation types were significantly associated with FD types (OR = 3.51, 95% CI = 1.05 to 11.72; p < 0.05). Conclusion: A high detection rate of GNAS mutations occurred in FD, and its detection is reliable for diagnosing FD. Additionally, GNAS mutation type was types were significantly associated with FD type. Systematic Review Registration: Identifier CRD42024553469.

High patatin like phospholipase domain containing 8 expression as a biomarker for poor prognosis of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patatin like phospholipase domain containing 8 (PNPLA8) has been shown to play a significant role in various cancer entities. Previous studies have focused on its roles as an antioxidant and in lipid peroxidation. However, the role of PNPLA8 in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is unclear. AIM: To explore the prognostic effects of PNPLA8 expression in CRC. METHODS: A retrospective cohort containing 751 consecutive CRC patients was enrolled. PNPLA8 expression in tumor samples was evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining and semi-quantitated with immunoreactive scores. CRC patients were divided into high and low PNPLA8 expression groups based on the cut-off values, which were calculated by X-tile software. The prognostic value of PNPLA8 was identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The overall survival (OS) rates of CRC patients in the study cohort were compared with Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-rank test. RESULTS: PNPLA8 expression was significantly associated with distant metastases in our cohort (P = 0.048). CRC patients with high PNPLA8 expression indicated poor OS (median OS = 35.3, P = 0.005). CRC patients with a higher PNPLA8 expression at either stage I and II or stage III and IV had statistically significant shorter OS. For patients with left-sided colon and rectal cancer, the survival curves of two PNPLA8-expression groups showed statistically significant differences. Multivariate analysis also confirmed that high PNPLA8 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio HR = 1.328, 95%CI: 1.016-1.734, P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: PNPLA8 is a novel independent prognostic factor for CRC. These findings suggest that PNPLA8 is a potential target in clinical CRC management.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of two novel lanthanide (III) complexes of acetophenonylcarboxymethyl sulphoxide.

A novel ligand containing multiple coordinating groups (sulfinyl, carboxyl and carbonyl groups), acetophenonylcarboxymethyl sulphoxide, was synthesized. Its corresponding two lanthanide (III) binary complexes were synthesized and characterized by element analysis, molar conductivity, FT-IR, TG-DTA and UV spectroscopy. Results showed that the composition of these complexes was REL3 L(-) (ClO4)2 · 3H2O (RE = Eu (III), Tb (III); L = C6 H5 COCH2 SOCH2 COOH; L(-) = C6H5 COCH2 SOCH2 COO(-)). FT-IR results indicated that acetophenonylcarboxymethyl sulphoxide was bonded with an RE (III) ion by an oxygen atom of the sulfinyl and carboxyl groups and not by an oxygen atom of the carbonyl group due to high steric hinderance. Fluorescent spectra showed that the Tb (III) complex had excellent luminescence as a result of a transfer of energy from the ligand to the excitation state energy level ((5)D4) of Tb (III). The Eu (III) complex displayed weak luminescence, attributed to low energy transfer efficiency between the triplet state energy level of its ligand and the excited state ((5)D0 ) of Eu (III). As a result, the Tb (III) complex displayed a good antenna effect for luminescence. The fluorescence decay curves of Eu (III) and Tb (III) complexes were also measured.

A review on synthesis and antibacterial potential of bio-selenium nanoparticles in the food industry.

Effective control of foodborne pathogen contamination is a significant challenge to the food industry, but the development of new antibacterial nanotechnologies offers new opportunities. Notably, selenium nanoparticles have been extensively studied and successfully applied in various food fields. Selenium nanoparticles act as food antibacterial agents with a number of benefits, including selenium as an essential trace element in food, prevention of drug resistance induction in foodborne pathogens, and improvement of shelf life and food storage conditions. Compared to physical and chemical methods, biogenic selenium nanoparticles (Bio-SeNPs) are safer and more multifunctional due to the bioactive molecules in Bio-SeNPs. This review includes a summarization of (1) biosynthesized of Bio-SeNPs from different sources (plant extracts, fungi and bacteria) and their antibacterial activity against various foodborne bacteria; (2) the antibacterial mechanisms of Bio-SeNPs, including penetration of cell wall, damage to cell membrane and contents leakage, inhibition of biofilm formation, and induction of oxidative stress; (3) the potential antibacterial applications of Bio-SeNPs as food packaging materials, food additives and fertilizers/feeds for crops and animals in the food industry; and (4) the cytotoxicity and animal toxicity of Bio-SeNPs. The related knowledge contributes to enhancing our understanding of Bio-SeNP applications and makes a valuable contribution to ensuring food safety.

Association of hypothyroidism during pregnancy with preconception and early pregnancy exposure to ambient particulate matter.

BACKGROUND: Limited research has been conducted on the association between preconception exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and hypothyroidism. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preconception PM exposure and hypothyroidism. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study at China-Japan Friendship Hospital was performed. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and inhalable particulate matter (PM10) were obtained from the China High Air Pollution Dataset. Buffer analysis methods were used to calculate the exposure of pregnant women to PM in a circular area of 250, 500, and 750 m in diameter at preconception and in early pregnancy. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between PM and hypothyroidism. Odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the effect of PM on the risk of hypothyroidism. RESULTS: A total of 3,180 participants were studied, and they comprised 795 hypothyroid patients and 2,385 matched controls. The mean age was 31.01 years (standard deviation: 3.66) in the control group and 31.16 years (standard deviation: 3.71) in the case group. Logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 in the 60-day period before the last menstrual period month (LMPM), 30-day period before the LMPM, and LMP, across all distance buffers, was associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism (all P < 0.05). The most pronounced effect was observed during the LMPM, with PM2.5 (OR: 1.137, 95% CI: 1.096-1.180) and PM10 (OR: 1.098, 95% CI: 1.067-1.130) in the 250-m buffer. Subgroup analysis in the Changping District yielded consistent results with the main analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that preconception PM2.5 and PM10 exposure increases the risk of hypothyroidism during pregnancy.

Syntheses and fluorescence properties of two novel lanthanide (III) perchlorate complexes with bis(benzylsulfinyl)methane.

A novel ligand with double sulfinyl groups, bis(benzylsulfinyl)methane, was synthesized by a new method and its two lanthanide (III) complexes were synthesized and characterized by element analysis, molar conductivity, coordination titration analysis, IR, TG-DSC, (1)HNMR and UV spectra. The results indicated that the composition of these complexes was REL(2.5)(ClO(4))(3)·3H(2)O (RE = Tb (III), Dy (III), L = C(6)H(5)CH(2)SOCH(2)SOCH(2)C(6)H(5)). The FT-IR results revealed that the perchlorate group was bonded with the lanthanide ion by the oxygen atoms, and the coordination was bidentate. The fluorescent spectra illustrated that both the Tb (III) and Dy (III) complexes displayed characteristic fluorescence in solid state, especially for the Tb (III) complex, the peak of (5)D(4) → (7)F(5) of the Tb (III) ion in 544 nm was stronger than that of others. It indicated that the Tb (III) complex could emit purer green fluorescence. By analysis fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra, it was found that the ligand had the advantage to absorb energy and transfer it to the Tb (III) and Dy (III) ions. The phosphorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetimes of the complexes were also measured.