Health risk and germ cell toxicity of five commercially available sachet waters in Nigeria: a public health concern.

Background: Sachet water is the most common form of portable water commercially available in Nigeria. Methodology: Using the murine sperm count and sperm abnormality assay, the germ cell toxicity of five common commercially available sachet waters in Nigeria was assessed in this study. The levels of hormones such as Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Total Testosterone (TT); and activities of catalase (CAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were evaluated. The heavy metal and physicochemical parameters of the sachet waters were also analyzed. Healthy male mice were allowed to freely drink the sachet waters for 35 days after which they were sacrificed. Results: The findings indicated that the concentrations of some heavy metals (As, Cr, and Cd) in the sachet waters exceeded the limit by regulatory organizations. The data of the total carcinogenic risk (TCR) and total non-carcinogenic risk (THQ) of some heavy metals associated with the ingestion of sachet water for adults and children showed that the values exceeded the acceptable threshold, and thus, is indicative of a high non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The data of the sperm abnormality assay showed that in the exposed mice, the five sachet waters induced a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in abnormal sperm cells and a significantly lower mean sperm count. Additionally noted were changes in the serum activities of TT, FSH, ALP, AST, ALT, and LH. Conclusion: Thus, the sachet waters studied contained agents that can induce reproductive toxicity in exposed humans. This is of public health importance and calls for immediate action by regulatory bodies.

Enhancing the Structural Stability and Electrochemical Performance of High-Nickel Cathode Materials through Ti Doping with an Exothermic Non-oxide Precursor.

The foreseeable global cobalt (Co) crisis has driven the demand for cathode materials with less Co dependence, where high-nickel layered oxides are a promising solution due to their high energy density and low cost. However, these materials suffer from poor cycling stability and rapid voltage decay due to lattice displacement and nanostrain accumulation. Here, we introduced an exothermic TiN dopant via a scalable coating method to stabilize LiNi0.917Co0.056Mn0.026O2 (NCM92) materials. The exothermic reaction of TiN conversion generates extra heat during the calcination process on the cathode surface, promotes the lithiation process, and tunes the morphology of the cathode material, resulting in compact and conformal smaller particle sizes to provide better particle integration and lithium diffusion coefficient. Moreover, the Ti dopant substitutes the Ni3+ site to generate stronger Ti-O bonding, leading to higher structural stability and extended cycle life. The Ti-doped NCM (NCM92_TiN) shows a remarkable cycling stability of maintaining 80% capacity retention for 400 cycles, while bare NCM92 can only reach 88 cycles. Furthermore, the NCM92_TiN cathodes demonstrate an enhanced rate capability and achieve a discharge capacity of over 168 mAh g-1 at 5C.

Breast segmentation in infrared thermography from characteristical inframammary shape.

Infrared thermography is gaining relevance in breast cancer assessment. For this purpose, breast segmentation in thermograms is an important task for performing automatic image analysis and detecting possible temperature changes that indicate the presence of malignancy. However, it is not a simple task since the breast limit borders, especially the top borders, often have low contrast, making it difficult to isolate the breast area. Several algorithms have been proposed for breast segmentation, but these highly depend on the contrast at the lower breast borders and on filtering algorithms to remove false edges. This work focuses on taking advantage of the distinctive inframammary shape to simplify the definition of the lower breast border, regardless of the contrast level, which indeed also provides a strong anatomical reference to support the definition of the poorly marked upper boundary of the breasts, which has been one of the major challenges in the literature. In order to demonstrate viability of the proposed technique for an automatic breast segmentation, we applied it to a database with 180 thermograms and compared their results with those reported by others in the literature. We found that our approach achieved a high performance, in terms of Intersection over Union of 0.934, even higher than that reported by artificial intelligence algorithms. The performance is invariant to breast sizes and thermal contrast of the images.

Morphology, immunophenotype, and suggested diagnostic criteria of TCL1 family-negative T-prolymphocytic leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the morphologic and immunophenotypic characteristics of TCL1 family-negative T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL). METHODS: Twenty cases of TCL1 family-negative T-PLL were studied. RESULTS: The doubling time of leukemic cells ranged from less than 2 days to more than 5 years, with a median of 5.5 months. Leukemic cells were small to medium-sized, with round to irregular nuclei, variably condensed chromatin, and small amounts of agranular cytoplasm. A visible nucleolus was identified in 11 (55%) cases. Cytoplasmic blebs/protrusions were identified in all cases, but their occurrence was highly variable from case to case. Bone marrow biopsy showed an interstitial pattern in 90% of cases and a diffuse pattern in the remaining 10% of cases. Flow cytometric immunophenotypic analysis showed that the leukemic cells in all cases were CD4 positive; 3 (15%) also showed concurrent CD8 expression. All cases were positive for CD2 and CD5. Surface CD3 and CD7 were positive in 19 of 20 (95%) cases, and all CD3-positive cases expressed the T-cell receptor αß. Compared with prototypic T-PLL cases, these 2 groups shared many immunophenotypic findings, except CD8 and CD26, both of which were more commonly expressed in prototypic T-PLL cases. CONCLUSIONS: TCL1 family-negative T-PLL cases have morphologic and immunophenotypic features that are similar to prototypic T-PLL. They are characterized by neoplastic proliferation of small to medium-sized mature T cells with CD4-positive T-cell receptor αß phenotype. Tumor cells frequently maintain pan-T antigen expression. Recognizing these morphologic and immunophenotypic features will aid in accurately diagnosing this rare subset of T-PLL.

Influence of polyploidy on morphology and distribution of the Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias, Euphorbiaceae).

Polyploidy can cause differences in phenotypic and physiological traits among different cytotypes of the same species. Polyploids may have larger organs or occupy different ecological niches than their diploid counterparts, therefore they are hypothesized to have larger distributions or prosper in stressful environments, such as higher elevations. The Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias L.; Euphorbiaceae) is a widespread European heteroploid species including di- (2x), tetra- (4x) and hexaploid (6x) cytotypes. We tested the hypotheses that polyploids are more widespread and more abundant at higher elevations and have larger organs than their diploid ancestors in the case of E. cyparissias. We also analysed whether genome downsizing had occurred after polyploidisation. We conducted a comprehensive geographic sampling of 617 populations of E. cyparissias throughout Europe. We estimated their relative genome size using flow cytometry and inferred ploidy level of each population. We scored 13 morphological traits of vegetative and seed characters and performed statistical analyses. The study indicates that polyploidisation facilitated colonisation of new areas in E. cyparissias, where the tetraploids are most widespread, whereas the diploids are limited to putative Pleistocene refugia, mostly in southern Europe. On the other hand, the three ploidies do not differ in their elevational distribution. Although some quantitative morphological traits exhibited an increasing trend with increasing ploidy, most traits did not differ significantly among the three ploidies, and there was no overall phenotypic differentiation among them. Given that individuals of different ploidies thrive in similar habitats across the same elevations, we suggest that ecological segregation following polyploidisation is a more important trigger for morphological differentiation than polyploidisation itself in autopolyploid plants. The study demonstrates that polyploidisation can be crucial for the colonisation of new areas and for range expansion, but it does not necessarily influence elevational distribution nor confer a different phenotype.

Enhancing photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in water through morphological manipulation of g-C3N4 photocatalysts: A comparative study of 1D, 2D, and 3D structures.

In this research, the dimensional catalysts of pure g-C3N4 photocatalysts (1D, 2D, and 3D) were investigated for the reduction of the highly toxic/carcinogenic Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation. The catalysts underwent explanation through various surface analysis techniques. According to the BET data, the specific surface area of the 3D catalyst was 1.3 and 7 times higher than those of the 2D and 1D CN catalysts, respectively. The 3D catalyst demonstrated superior performance, achieving an efficiency greater than 99% within 60 min under visible light irradiation in the presence of EDTA due to the abundance of active sites. The study also delved into the influence of factors such as the amount of EDTA-hole scavenger, pH, catalyst dosage, and temperature on the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI). Moreover, the 3D catalyst showed excellent reusability, maintaining an efficiency of more than 80% even after 10 cycles, and performed effectively in real water samples. The 3D CN catalyst, with its facile synthesis process, excellent visible light harvesting properties, high reduction efficiency that sustains over multiple cycles, and outstanding performance in real water samples, presents a significant advancement for practical applications in environmental remediation. This research contributes to a new understanding of developing efficient degradation methods for heavy metals in polluted water, highlighting the potential of 3D g-C3N4 catalysts in environmental cleanup efforts.

Influence of Age, Obesity, Smoking, Sleep duration, and Sleep Quality on Concentration, Morphology, and Sperm Motility: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Age, smoking, sleep duration, sleep quality, and obesity are risk factors that can affect the amount of sperm concentration, morphology, and motility. The aim of this study is to assess the lifestyle effects: of age, smoking, sleep duration, sleep quality, and obesity on the amount of concentration, morphology, and motility of sperm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study utilized an analytical observational approach with a cross-sectional design. The study subjects comprised 70 male partners of infertile couples admitted to the Sekar Fertility Clinic at the Dr. Moewardi General Hospital between March and August 2022. The study assessed variables including age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, sleep duration, sleep quality, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, and sperm motility. Furthermore, the data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate methods with SPSS 25 software. RESULTS: The research findings demonstrate that obesity is significantly associated with abnormal sperm concentration [odds ratio (OR)=40.07, confidence interval (CI)=3.90-411.67, P=0.002]. Furthermore, moderate or heavy smoking is significantly associated with abnormal sperm concentration (OR=17.45, CI=1.83-166.15, P=0.013) and sleep quality with severe disorders (OR=5.73, CI=1.12-29.21, P=0.036). Moreover, obesity is significantly associated with abnormal sperm motility (OR=12.97, CI=2.66-63.15, P=0.002), while moderate or heavy smoking (OR=5.89, CI=1.23- 28.20, P=0.026) and poor sleep duration (OR=6.21, CI=1.43-26.92, P=0.015) also exhibit significant associations with abnormal sperm motility. However, no significant findings were observed regarding sperm morphology. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that obesity, moderate or heavy smoking, and sleep quality have statistically significant effects on sperm concentration, while obesity, moderate or heavy smoking, and sleep duration have statistically significant effects on sperm motility. However, no statistically significant influence was observed on sperm morphology. Further research with larger sample sizes and more diverse populations is needed to validate these findings and explore other potential factors that may impact male fertility.

Optimization of spermatozoa analysis in mice: A comprehensive protocol.

Sperm quality is critical to predict reproductive alterations caused by immunological factors or toxicant agents. Yet, no detailed protocol has been published focusing on analyses of sperm parameters in mice. Our aim was to evaluate the most efficient diluent for mice sperm analyses and to optimize the sperm morphology classification, through the comparison of different staining methods. The diluents assessed were PBS (baseline), HTF, DMEM, 1 % BSA in PBS and 9 % skimmed powdered milk diluted in PBS. Spermatozoa were evaluated for vitality, motility, and morphology, smears were stained with Papanicolaou, HE, Giemsa, and Rapid staining. Sperm vitality and total motility reached better scores in milk based and DMEM diluents. HE raised up as an effective option since its combination with any of the diluents we tested, resulted in a fair staining, which was appropriated to evaluate mice spermatozoa. Finally, based on WHO manual, we have updated the current morphological classification for mice sperm, since we have detailed the head defects as well as included midpiece and tail defects on it. Taken together, we presented a useful, low cost, and reliable method to assess sperm morphology that could be employed worldwide by laboratories dedicated to study reproductive biology on mice model.

Comprehensive Analysis of Wettability in Waterproofed Gas Diffusion Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells.

In polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), the gas diffusion layer (GDL) is crucial for managing the flooding tolerance, which is the ability to remove the water produced during power generation from the assembled cell. However, an improved understanding of the properties of GDLs is required to develop effective waterproofing strategies. This study investigated the influence of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) content on the pore diameter, porosity, wettability, water saturation, and flooding tolerance of waterproofed carbon papers as cathode GDLs in PEFCs. The addition of minimal PTFE (∼6 wt %) to carbon paper provided external waterproofing, whereas internal waterproofing was achieved at a higher PTFE content (∼13 wt %). However, excessive PTFE (∼37 wt %) led to macropore collapse within the carbon paper, reducing fuel cell performance. Although PTFE addition was expected to improve the flooding tolerance, operando synchrotron X-ray radiography revealed that the water saturation level in carbon paper increased with increasing PTFE content. These findings provide a benchmark for assessing whether GDLs meet the flooding tolerance requirements of PEFCs and may be applicable to waterproofed GDLs in electrochemical devices for water and CO2 electrolysis.

Anaplastic Multiple Myeloma With a Novel Proliferation of Pleomorphic Binuclear Plasma Cells.

This study describes an unusual case of multiple myeloma that progressed to anaplastic multiple myeloma in the pleural fluid. The Wright-stained cytospin of the pleural fluid showed a predominant population of mononuclear plasma cells with pleomorphic nuclei, characterized by both small and large nuclei, which is typical of anaplastic multiple myeloma. However, there were also more binuclear plasma cells with pleomorphic nuclei. Morphometric analysis showed that the mean nuclear length was 1.9-fold and 2.3-fold higher in the large nuclei compared to the small nuclei for the mononuclear plasma cells and binuclear plasma cells, respectively (p<0.001). The patient received B cell maturation antigen chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy for relapsed disease, with a significant reduction of the serum monoclonal paraprotein level at day 51 post-therapy. Pathologists should be aware that pleomorphic binuclear plasma cells can be part of the morphologic spectrum in anaplastic multiple myeloma.

Influence of broach surface design of a fully hydroxyapatite coated, double tapered stem on periprosthetic bone mineral density after total hip arthroplasty: a study based on the morphology of the proximal femur.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the impact of different broach surface designs on post-operative clinical outcomes, bone reactions and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a fully hydroxyapatite coated and double tapered stem with either compaction shape (COM) or hybrid shape (HYB) broaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 76 patients (100 hips) who underwent primary THA using the Avenir complete stem®. Patients were divided into two groups: the COM broach group (50 hips) and HYB broach group (50 hips). We evaluated clinical outcomes using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association hip scores one month before the surgery, and 12 and 24 months after the surgery. Radiographic findings, including stem alignment angles, radiolucent lines, spot welds, and cortical hypertrophy, were assessed. BMD around the stem in Gruen zones 1-7 was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at 7 days, 12, and 24 months post-operatively. The Dorr classification was used to assess femoral morphology. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes, radiographic findings, or BMD changes between the COM and HYB broach groups in the overall patient cohort. However, in Dorr type A femurs, the COM broach group demonstrated superior BMD superior preservation in zones 1 and 7 after 12 months and in zones 1, 6 and 7 after 24 months. Additionally, in Dorr type B femurs, significant BMD preservation was observed in zone 3 at 24 months in the COM broach group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the broach surface design of fully hydroxyapatite coated stems may influence periprosthetic BMD changes, especially in Dorr type A and B femurs. Surgeons should consider broach selection based on patient-specific femoral morphology to optimize BMD preservation in THA procedures using fully hydroxyapatite coated stems.

Mining the interpretable prognostic features from pathological image of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using multi-modal deep learning.

BACKGROUND: The advances in deep learning-based pathological image analysis have invoked tremendous insights into cancer prognostication. Still, lack of interpretability remains a significant barrier to clinical application. METHODS: We established an integrative prognostic neural network for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), towards a comprehensive evaluation of both architectural and fine-grained information from whole-slide images. Then, leveraging on multi-modal data, we conducted extensive interrogative approaches to the models, to extract and visualize the morphological features that most correlated with clinical outcome and underlying molecular alterations. RESULTS: The models were developed and optimized on 373 iCCA patients from our center and demonstrated consistent accuracy and robustness on both internal (n = 213) and external (n = 168) cohorts. The occlusion sensitivity map revealed that the distribution of tertiary lymphoid structures, the geometric traits of the invasive margin, the relative composition of tumor parenchyma and stroma, the extent of necrosis, the presence of the disseminated foci, and the tumor-adjacent micro-vessels were the determining architectural features that impacted on prognosis. Quantifiable morphological vector extracted by CellProfiler demonstrated that tumor nuclei from high-risk patients exhibited significant larger size, more distorted shape, with less prominent nuclear envelope and textural contrast. The multi-omics data (n = 187) further revealed key molecular alterations left morphological imprints that could be attended by the network, including glycolysis, hypoxia, apical junction, mTORC1 signaling, and immune infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: We proposed an interpretable deep-learning framework to gain insights into the biological behavior of iCCA. Most of the significant morphological prognosticators perceived by the network are comprehensible to human minds.

The tumor microenvironment of VETC+ hepatocellular carcinoma is enriched of immunosuppressive TAMs spatially close to endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: VETC (vessel that encapsulate tumor cluster) is a peculiar vascular phenotype observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), associated with distant metastases and poor outcome. VETC has been linked to the Tie2/Ang2 axis and is characterized by lymphocytes poor (cold) tumor microenvironment (TME). In this setting the role of Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs) has never been explored. Aim of the study is to investigate the presence and features of TAMs in VETC+ HCC and the possible interplay between TAMs and endothelial cells (ECs). METHODS: The series under study included 42 HCC. Once separated according to the VETC phenotype (21 VETC+; 21 VETC-) we stained consecutive slides with immunohistochemistry for CD68, CD163 and Tie2. Slides were then scanned and QuPath used to quantify morphological features. RESULTS: VETC+ cases were significantly (p < 0.001) enriched with large, lipid rich CD163+ TAMs (M2 oriented) that were spatially close to ECs; HCC cells significantly (p: 0.002) overexpressed Tie2 with a polarization toward ECs. CONCLUSIONS: The pro-metastatic attitude of VETC is sustained by a strict morphological relationship between immunosuppressive M2-TAMs, ECs and Tie2-expressing HCC cells.

Artificial Intelligence Used for Diagnosis in Facial Deformities: A Systematic Review.

AI is included in a lot of different systems. In facial surgery, there are some AI-based software programs oriented to diagnosis in facial surgery. This study aims to evaluate the capacity and training of models for diagnosis of dentofacial deformities in class II and class III patients using artificial intelligence and the potential use for indicating orthognathic surgery. The search strategy is from 1943 to April 2024 in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Lilacs, and Web of Science. Studies that used imaging to assess anatomical structures, airway volume, and craniofacial positions using the AI algorithm in the human population were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project instrument. The systematic search identified 697 articles. Eight studies were obtained for descriptive analysis after exclusion according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. All studies were retrospective in design. A total of 5552 subjects with an age range between 14.7 and 56 years were obtained; 2474 (44.56%) subjects were male, and 3078 (55.43%) were female. Six studies were analyzed using 2D imaging and obtained highly accurate results in diagnosing skeletal features and determining the need for orthognathic surgery, and two studies used 3D imaging for measurement and diagnosis. Limitations of the studies such as age, diagnosis in facial deformity, and the included variables were observed. Concerning the overall analysis bias, six studies were at moderate risk due to weak study designs, while two were at high risk of bias. We can conclude that, with the few articles included, using AI-based software allows for some craniometric recognition and measurements to determine the diagnosis of facial deformities using mainly 2D analysis. However, it is necessary to perform studies based on three-dimensional images, increase the sample size, and train models in different populations to ensure accuracy of AI applications in this field. After that, the models can be trained for dentofacial diagnosis.

Nailfold Capillaroscopy: A Comprehensive Review on Its Usefulness in Both Clinical Diagnosis and Improving Unhealthy Dietary Lifestyles.

Since the 1970s, the utility of nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) in diagnosing rheumatological disorders such as systemic sclerosis has been well established. Further studies have also shown that NFC can detect non-rheumatic diseases such as diabetes, glaucoma, dermatitis, and Alzheimer disease. In the past decade, nailfold capillary morphological changes have also been reported as symptoms of unhealthy lifestyle habits such as poor diet, smoking, sleep deprivation, and even psychological stress, all of which contribute to slow blood flow. Therefore, studying the relationships between the morphology of nailfold capillaries and lifestyle habits has a high potential to indicate unhealthy states or even pre-disease conditions. Simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive methods such as NFC are important and useful for routine medical examinations. The present study began with a systematic literature search of the PubMed database followed by a summary of studies reporting the assessment of morphological changes detected by NFC, and a comprehensive review of NFC's utility in clinical diagnosis and improving unhealthy dietary lifestyles. It culminates in a summary of dietary and lifestyle health promotion strategy, assessed based on NFC and other related measurements that indicate healthy microvascular blood flow and endothelial function.

Optimizing Coreopsis tinctoria Flower Extraction and Inhibiting CML Activity: Box-Behnken Design.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is an uncommon type of cancer of the bone marrow associated with high mortality. Although several effective therapies have been developed to reduce symptoms in patients with CML, many of these methods are associated with side effects. Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (C. tinctoria) is a natural medicinal material that possesses antioxidant and anticancer activities. Yet, its effect in treating leukemia has still not been fully explored. OBJECTIVE: To optimize the C. tinctoria flower extraction process and investigate whether these extracts can impair CML cell survival. METHODS: The extraction process of C. tinctoria was optimized by the Box-Behnken design response surface method. K562 cells were treated with different volumes (0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µL) of C. tinctoria flower extracts. The effect of C. tinctoria extract on cell morphology and cell apoptosis was assessed by light microscopy, laser confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: We established the following optimized C. tinctoria flower extraction conditions: temperature of 84.4 °C, extraction period of 10 mins, solid-liquid ratio of 1:65, and times 4. These conditions were applied for C. tinctoria flower extraction. Pre-incubation of extracts prepared under the aforementioned optimal conditions with K562 cells induced cell cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: C. tinctoria flower extracts exert obvious anti-leukemia effects in vitro and may be a potential drug candidate for leukemia treatment.

Relationships between pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, blood parameters and oxidative stress of white stork Ciconia ciconia chicks in Poland.

The white stork Ciconia ciconia is a bird species located at the top of the trophic pyramid in grassland and wetland ecosystems. This charismatic species is susceptible to pesticides and their environmental residues. In 2016, we collected blood samples from 114 white stork chicks across Western and Southern Poland. Chicks were sexed by molecular analysis and aged by development pattern. We studied the relationship between the concentration of pesticides (beta-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, endrin, 4.4'-DDD, 4.4'-DDE and 4.4'-DDT) and of PCB in the chicks' blood with blood morphology and biochemistry parameters in the blood. The mean (± SD) values of concentrations of above detection level pesticides were: for (1) beta-HCH 4.139 ± 19.205; (2) 4.4'-DDE 9.254 ± 91.491 and additionally (3) PCB 16.135 ± 44.777 ppb. We found negative relationships between beta-HCH and oxidative stress enzyme activity in the blood, between beta-HCH and leukocyte concentration and between 4.4'-DDE and catalase activity. We also found a positive relationship between the concentration of pesticides in blood and the age of chicks. Interestingly, we found a higher concentration of PCB in the blood of male stork chicks than in female stork chicks. We provide more evidence that the presence of pesticides in the environment can be a strong stress factor, shaping the health status of birds.

Particularities of Cataract Surgery in Elderly Patients: Corneal Structure and Endothelial Morphological Changes after Phacoemulsification.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasounds used in phacoemulsification during cataract surgery on the corneal structure and morphology in patients over 65 years. We compared the outcomes of phacoemulsification techniques in terms of corneal cell morphology in 77 patients over 65 years old and 43 patients under 65 years old. Corneal cell density, central corneal thickness and hexagonality were measured preoperatively and post-surgery (at 1 and 4 weeks) by specular microscopy. The effect of gender, axial length and anterior chamber depth on the parameters of corneal endothelium were evaluated. In both groups, a progressive decrease in endothelial cells was observed, starting from the first week post-surgery until the fourth postoperative week. The central corneal thickness increased in both groups with maximum values at the first week postoperatively, while their initial values were restored in the fourth week post-surgery, with no statistical difference between groups. Statistically significant differences were noticed in terms of cell hexagonality in the group over 65, showing smaller hexagonality at all preoperative and postoperative time points compared to group under 65. Our result highlights the importance of routine specular microscopy performed before surgery, regardless the age of the patients, with caution and careful attention to the phaco power intensity, ultrasound energy consumption and intraoperative manipulation of instruments, as well as proper use of viscoelastic substances to reduce corneal endothelium damage, especially in elderly patients.

Insight into selenium biofortification and the selenite metabolic mechanism of Monascus ruber M7.

Monascus species are functional fermentation fungi with great potential for selenium (Se) supplementation. This study investigated the effects of Se bio-fortification on the growth, morphology, and biosynthesis of Monascus ruber M7. The results demonstrated a significant increase in the yield of orange and red Monascus pigments (MPs) in red yeast rice (RYR) by 38.52% and 36.57%, respectively, under 20 µg/mL of selenite pressure. Meanwhile, the production of citrinin (CIT), a mycotoxin, decreased from 244.47 µg/g to 175.01 µg/g. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant upregulation of twelve genes involved in MPs biosynthesis, specifically MpigE, MpigF, and MpigN, and downregulation of four genes (mrr3, mrr4, mrr7, and mrr8) associated with CIT biosynthesis. Additionally, three genes encoding cysteine synthase cysK (Log2FC = 1.6), methionine synthase metH (Log2FC = 2.2), and methionyl-tRNA synthetase metG (Log2FC = 1.8) in selenocompound metabolism showed significantly upregulated. These findings provide insights into Se biotransformation and metabolism in filamentous fungi.

Unveiling the Role of PTFE Surface Coverage on Controlling Gas Diffusion Layer Water Content.

Gas diffusion layers (GDLs) are usually coated with a hydrophobic agent to achieve a delicate balance between liquid and gas phases to maximize mass transport. Yet, most GDL numerical models to date have assumed an average contact angle for all materials, thereby eliminating the possibility of studying the role of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) content. This study introduces two mixed wettability algorithms to predict the mixed wetting behavior of GDLs composed of multiple materials. The algorithms employ contact angle and distance to solid materials to determine the critical capillary pressure for each pore voxel. The application of the algorithms to the estimation of capillary pressure vs saturation curves for two GDLs, namely, a micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) reconstructed SGL 39BA GDL and a stochastically reconstructed Toray 120C GDL, showed that, in agreement with experimental data, the addition of PTFE resulted in a decrease in saturation at a given capillary pressure. For Toray-120C, the mixed wettability model was capable of reproducing experimentally observed features in the intrusion curve at low saturation that could not be reproduced with a single wettability model, providing a clear link between PTFE coverage and intrusion at low saturation. Numerical results also predicted an increased breakthrough pressure and a decrease in saturation with increasing PTFE, in agreement with experimental observations. The decreased saturation at breakthrough improves gas transport through the layer while maintaining the layer's ability to remove water. Diffusivity simulations confirm the increase in diffusivity at breakthrough with increasing PTFE, thereby providing a rationale for the addition of PTFE, as well as for the optimal amount. This study emphasizes the importance of multimaterial wetting models and calls for more detailed investigations into PTFE and ionomer distributions in GDLs and catalyst layers, respectively.