Endoscopic findings and outcomes of gastric mucosal changes relating to potassium-competitive acid blocker and proton pump inhibitor therapy.

Gastric mucosal changes associated with long-term potassium-competitive acid blocker and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy may raise concern. In contrast to that for PPIs, the evidence concerning the safety of long-term potassium-competitive acid blocker use is scant. Vonoprazan (VPZ) is a representative potassium-competitive acid blocker released in Japan in 2015. In order to shed some comparative light regarding the outcomes of gastric mucosal lesions associated with a long-term acid blockade, we have reviewed six representative gastric mucosal lesions: fundic gland polyps, gastric hyperplastic polyps, multiple white and flat elevated lesions, cobblestone-like gastric mucosal changes, gastric black spots, and stardust gastric mucosal changes. For these mucosal lesions, we have evaluated the association with the type of acid blockade, patient gender, Helicobacter pylori infection status, the degree of gastric atrophy, and serum gastrin levels. There is no concrete evidence to support a significant relationship between VPZ/PPI use and the development of neuroendocrine tumors. Current data also shows that the risk of gastric mucosal changes is similar for long-term VPZ and PPI use. Serum hypergastrinemia is not correlated with the development of some gastric mucosal lesions. Therefore, serum gastrin level is unhelpful for risk estimation and for decision-making relating to the cessation of these drugs in routine clinical practice. Given the confounding potential neoplastic risk relating to H. pylori infection, this should be eradicated before VPZ/PPI therapy is commenced. The evidence to date does not support the cessation of clinically appropriate VPZ/PPI therapy solely because of the presence of these associated gastric mucosal lesions.

Quantitative analysis of soil potassium by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with a three-step progressive hybrid variable selection strategy.

Soil potassium is a crucial nutrient element necessary for crop growth, and its efficient measurement has become essential for developing rational fertilization plans and optimizing crop growth benefits. At present, data mining technology based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy analysis has proven to be a powerful tool for real-time monitoring of soil potassium content. However, as technology and instruments improve, the curse of the dimensionality problem also increases accordingly. Therefore, it is urgent to develop efficient variable selection methods suitable for NIR spectroscopy analysis techniques. In this study, we proposed a three-step progressive hybrid variable selection strategy, which fully leveraged the respective strengths of several high-performance variable selection methods. By sequentially equipping synergy interval partial least squares (SiPLS), the random forest variable importance measurement (RF(VIM)), and the improved mean impact value algorithm (IMIV) into a fusion framework, a soil important potassium variable selection method was proposed, termed as SiPLS-RF(VIM)-IMIV. Finally, the optimized variables were fitted into a partial least squares (PLS) model. Experimental results demonstrated that the PLS model embedded with the hybrid strategy effectively improved the prediction performance while reducing the model complexity. The RMSET and RT on the test set were 0.01181% and 0.88246, respectively, better than the RMSET and RT of the full spectrum PLS, SiPLS, and SiPLS-RF(VIM) methods. This study demonstrated that the hybrid strategy established based on the combination of NIR spectroscopy data and the SiPLS-RF(VIM)-IMIV method could quantitatively analyze soil potassium content levels and potentially solve other issues of data-driven soil dynamic monitoring.

Synthesis of nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon nanotubes from novel cobalt-based MOF precursors for improving potassium-ion storage capability.

Amorphous carbon materials with sophisticated morphologies, variable carbon layer structures, abundant defects, and tunable porosities are favorable as anodes for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Synthesizing amorphous carbon materials typically involves the pyrolysis of carbonaceous precursors. Nonetheless, there is still a lack of studies focused on achieving multifaceted structural optimizations of amorphous carbon through precursor formulation. Herein, nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon nanotubes (NACNTs) are derived from a novel composite precursor of cobalt-based metal-organic framework (CMOF) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN). The addition of g-CN in the precursor optimizes the structure of amorphous carbon such as morphology, interlayer spacing, nitrogen doping, and porosity. As a result, NACNTs demonstrate significantly improved electrochemical performance. The specific capacities of NACNTs after cycling at current densities of 100 mA/g and 1000 mA/g increased by 194 % and 230 %, reaching 346.6 mAh/g and 211.8 mAh/g, respectively. Furthermore, the NACNTs anode is matched with an organic cathode for full-cell evaluation. The full-cell attains a high specific capacity of 106 mAh/gcathode at a current density of 100 mA/g, retaining 90.5 % of the specific capacity of the cathode half-cell. This study provides a valuable reference for multifaceted structural optimization of amorphous carbon to improve potassium-ion storage capability.

Potassium dynamics in sickle cell anemia: clinical implications and pathophysiological insights.

Potassium dynamics are critical in the pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia (SCA), a genetic disorder characterized by the presence of abnormally shaped red blood cells that lead to various complications such as vaso-occlusive crises and hemolytic anemia. This review focuses on the clinical implications and pathophysiological insights of potassium regulation in SCA, highlighting its impact on disease progression and potential therapeutic strategies. The dysregulation of potassium transport in SCA leads to significant K+ efflux and cellular dehydration, exacerbating the sickling process. Dehydrated sickle cells, due to potassium loss, become more rigid and prone to causing blockages in small blood vessels, leading to painful vaso-occlusive crises and ischemia. Furthermore, chronic hemolysis in SCA, aggravated by potassium imbalance, contributes to severe anemia and systemic complications. These insights underscore the importance of maintaining potassium homeostasis to mitigate disease severity and improve patient outcomes. Therapeutic strategies targeting potassium regulation show promise in managing SCA. Inhibitors of the Gardos channel, such as senicapoc, have demonstrated potential in reducing sickling and hemolysis. Additionally, hydration therapy plays a crucial role in maintaining electrolyte balance and preventing RBC dehydration. A comprehensive approach that includes monitoring and correcting electrolyte imbalances, along with standard treatments like hydroxyurea and blood transfusions, is essential for effective disease management.

Prevalence of and factors associated with Na + /K + imbalances in a population of children hospitalized with febrile urinary tract infection.

We aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with Na + /K + imbalances in children hospitalized for febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI). This retrospective Italian multicenter study included children aged 18 years or younger (median age = 0.5 years) who were discharged with a primary diagnosis of fUTI. Na + /K + imbalances were classified as hyponatremia (sodium < 135 mEq/L), hypernatremia (sodium > 145 mEq/L), hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L), hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.5 mEq/L), and concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, in the absence of evidence of hemolyzed blood samples. Among the 849 enrolled children, 23% had hyponatremia, 6.4% had hyperkalemia, 2.9% had concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, 0.7% had hypokalemia, and 0.4% had hypernatremia. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, after applying the Bonferroni correction, only C-reactive protein (C-RP) levels were significantly associated with hyponatremia (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02-1.06; p < 0.001), only age was significantly associated with hyperkalemia (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.7; p = 0.01), and only CAKUT was significantly associated with concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia (OR = 4.3; 95% CI: 1.7-10.8; p = 0.002). Even after adjusting for the presence of kidney hypoplasia, abnormal renal echogenicity, pelvi-caliceal dilation, ureteral dilation, uroepithelial thickening of the renal pelvis, bladder abnormalities, pathogen other than E. coli, concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia persisted significantly associated with CAKUT (OR = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.2-10.9; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia was the most common Na + /K + imbalance in children hospitalized for fUTI, followed by hyperkalemia and concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. C-RP levels were most strongly associated with hyponatremia, age with hyperkalemia, and CAKUT with concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia (suggestive of transient secondary pseudo-hypoaldosteronism). Therefore, in children who develop concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia during the course of a fUTI, an underlying CAKUT could be suspected. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Na+ and K+ abnormalities can occur in patients hospitalized for febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI). • Concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia during fUTI may suggest transient secondary pseudo-hypoaldosteronism (TPHA), for which limited data on prevalence are available. WHAT IS NEW: • The most common Na+/K+ imbalance in children hospitalized with fUTI was hyponatremia (23%), followed by hyperkalemia (6.4%), concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia (2.9%), hypokalemia (0.7%), and hypernatremia (0.4%). • Concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia were mainly associated with CAKUT, while hyponatremia alone correlated with high C-reactive protein and hyperkalemia alone with younger age. In cases of concurrent hyponatremia and hyperkalemia during fUTI, an underlying CAKUT should be suspected.

Usefulness of plasma glucose to potassium ratio in predicting the short-term mortality of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Rationale and objectives: To investigate the relationship between the glucose/potassium ratio (GPR) at admission and 30-day mortality in patients diagnosed with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the emergency department (ED). Materials and methods: Patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of ≤2 before SAH and patients aged 18 years or older were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on their functional outcomes (poor-good) and 30-day mortality rates (survivor and non-survivor) and their clinical and laboratory values were compared. Results: The study included 134 patients with a mean age of 65.9 ± 16.7 years, of whom 68 (50.7 %) were female. The mean glucose and GPR levels in the poor functional outcome group were significantly higher than those in the good functional outcome group (p = 0.003, p = 0.03, respectively). The mean glucose and GPR levels in the non-survivor group were significantly higher than those in the survivor group (p = 0.004, p = 0.023, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified GPR as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (p = 0.043, OR: 4.041, 95 % CI: 1.45-26.147), alongside the Rankin Scale score (p = 0.002, OR: 12.714, 95 % CI: 2.578-62.706). Other variables, including age, Hunt-Hess score, and Glasgow Coma Scale, were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the GPR is a significant independent predictor of short-term mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The translation of these findings into clinical practice may help achieve better outcomes in the management of SAH patients.

Serum glucose/potassium ratio as an indicator of early and delayed outcomes of acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a major health problem associated with a high rate of severe morbidity and mortality. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the serum glucose/potassium (Glu/K) ratio as a quick predictor of both early and delayed unfavorable outcomes following acute CO poisoning. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 136 patients with acute CO poisoning admitted at Tanta Poison Control Center, Egypt, between January 2023 and June 2024. The serum Glu/K ratio was calculated for all patients. The primary outcome was a prediction of mortality. Secondary outcomes were the prediction of delayed neurological sequelae (DNS) within six months after CO exposure, the need for mechanical ventilation, and the need for hyperbaric oxygen. A receiver operating curve analysis was applied to test the performance of the Glu/K ratio in predicting acute CO poisoning outcomes. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 12.5% of patients with acute CO poisoning. Meanwhile, 14.7% of patients developed DNS. Furthermore, mechanical ventilation was required in 16.9% of patients. An elevated Glu/K ratio was significantly associated with the severity of acute CO poisoning. At a cut-off value of >31.62, the Glu/K ratio demonstrated an AUC of 0.649 for predicting mortality. The Glu/K ratio was employed to predict DNS at a cut-off value of 33.10, with a sensitivity of 60.0%, a specificity of 82.76%, and an AUC of 0.692. CONCLUSIONS: Early Glu/K ratio may be an effective, reliable, and convenient laboratory predictor of mortality, DNS, and the need for mechanical ventilation in patients with acute CO poisoning.

Binding kinetics of quaternary ammonium ions in Kcv potassium channels.

Kcv channels from plant viruses represent the autonomous pore module of potassium channels, devoid of any regulatory domains. These small proteins show very reproducible single-channel behavior in planar lipid bilayers. Thus, they are an optimum system for the study of the biophysics of ion transport and gating. Structural models based on homology modeling have been used successfully, but experimental structural data are currently not available. Here we determine the size of the cytosolic pore entrance by studying the blocker kinetics. Blocker binding and dissociation rate constants ranging from 0.01 to 1000 ms-1 were determined for different quaternary ammonium ions. We found that the cytosolic pore entrance of KcvNTS must be at least 11 Å wide. The results further indicate that the residues controlling a cytosolic gate in one of the Kcv isoforms influence blocker binding/dissociation as well as a second gate even when the cytosolic gate is in the open state. The voltage dependence of the rate constant of blocker release is used to test, which blockers bind to the same binding site.

Exploring new horizons: angiotensin II, angiotensin II type 1 receptor, and renal outer medullary potassium channel interaction in distal convoluted tubule.

Background: This study investigates angiotensin II (Ang II)'s regulatory mechanism on renal outer medullary potassium channel (ROMK) activity in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) during low potassium intake, focusing on the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) pathway activation mediated by the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R). Methods: Utilizing a low potassium diet mouse model, various methods including patch clamping, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining were applied to analyze ROMK channel activity and the expression of related proteins. Results: The findings reveal that Ang II inhibits ROMK activity in the DCT2 membrane through AT1R activation, with the JAK2 pathway playing a central role. Further, inhibiting JAK2 reverses this effect, indicating its potential in hypertension treatment. Conclusion: This study provides novel insights into the role of Ang II in renal potassium excretion and hypertension pathophysiology.

Synergistic effect of nano-potassium and chitosan as stimulants inducing growth and yield of bird of paradise (Sterlitiza reginae L.) in newly lands.

The bird of paradise plant is a clumping tropical species native to South Africa. It is a dramatic plant with distinctive iridescent orange and midnight blue flowers that resemble an exotic bird peeking out from the broad leaves in autumn, winter and spring. An experiment was conducted during the two seasons of 2021 and 2022 at a private farm in Damanhour, Beheira Governorate, Egypt (31"°" 04 "°"N, 30"°" 47' °E) to study the effect different concentrations of nano-potassium and chitosan and their combinations on the bird of Paradise (Sterlitiza reginae). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block in a split-plot design with five replicates; nano-potassium was used at 0, 100, 150, and 200 mg/l and assigned to the main plots, whereas the sub-plots involved 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 g/l of chitosan. An increase in plant height and leaf length was recorded when the plants were treated with 200 mg/l nano-potassium and 0.75 g/l chitosan. Spraying plants with concentrations of 150 mg/l nano-potassium and 0.75 g/l chitosan is associated with the superiority of S. reginae plants in other traits, such as leaves wide, number of leaves/plant, days to flowering, number of inflorescence/plant, number of florets/inflorescence, stalk length and diameter, inflorescence weight, longevity of inflorescence, and flowering period, compared to the other treatments. We conclude that adding nano-potassium and/or chitosan to the bird of paradise plant leads to an improvement in terms of vegetative and yield characteristics under newly reclaimed lands.

Association of Adding Salt to Foods and Potassium Intake with Incident Atrial Fibrillation in the UK Biobank Study.

Background: High sodium and low potassium consumption are related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the relationship between the frequency of salt addition and potassium consumption with the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Our study used the UK Biobank cohort, which included over 500,000 individuals enrolled from the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2010. This study involved 416,868 participants who filled out the dietary recall regarding the frequency of salt addition. Results: During follow-up, 19,164 (4.6%) developed AF. The incidence of new-onset AF was increased based on the frequency of salt addition (never/rarely 3.83; always 4.72 per 1000 person-years). Compared with the group that never/rarely added salt, those adding salt always were at significantly higher risk of incident AF after adjusting for multiple variables (hazard ratio (HR) 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.24), and additional adjustment of dietary and total energy consumption (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.08-1.73). In the subgroup analysis, the risk of AF incident according to the frequency of salt addition significantly increased in low urine potassium levels compared to high (p for interaction = 0.046). In the subgroup analysis for AF patients, higher salt addition frequency was related to increased all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that adding salt to foods more frequently increases the risk of incident AF, even after adjusting for dietary and total energy consumption. In the high urine potassium group, the impact of high sodium consumption on incident AF was attenuated.

Management of hyperkalemia: Expert consensus from Kuwait - a Modified Delphi Approach.

Introduction: Hyperkalemia is common in heart failure (HF) patients on renin angiotensin aldosterone inhibitors (RAASi), in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and in hemodialysis, and it negatively impacts their management. New potassium binders, such as sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), are effective in management of acute and chronic hyperkalemia. However, guidelines inconsistencies and lack of standardized treatment protocols are hindering proper and wider use of such agents. Therefore, an expert panel from Kuwait developed a consensus statement to address hyperkalemia management in acute settings, in HF, in CKD, and in hemodialysis. Methods: A three-step modified Delphi method was adopted to develop the present consensus, which consisted of two rounds of voting and in-between a virtual meeting. Twelve experts from Kuwait participated in this consensus. Statements were developed and shared with experts for voting. A meeting was held to discuss statements that did not reach consensus at the first round and then the remaining statements were shared for final voting. Results: The consensus consists of 44 statements involving an introduction to and the management of hyperkalemia in acute settings, HF, CKD, and hemodialysis. Thirty-six statements approved unanimously in the first vote. In the second vote, four statements were removed and four were approved after editing. Conclusion: Hyperkalemia management lacks standardized definitions, treatment thresholds and consistent guidelines and laboratory practices. This consensus is in response to lack of standardized treatment in the Arabian Gulf, and it aims to establish guidance on hyperkalemia management for healthcare practitioners in Kuwait and highlight future needs.

Electrolyte Design Enables Stable and Energy-dense Potassium-ion Batteries.

Free from strategically important elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper, potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are heralded as promising low-cost and sustainable electrochemical energy storage systems that complement the existing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the reported electrochemical performance of PIBs is still suboptimal, especially under practically relevant battery manufacturing conditions. The primary challenge stems from the lack of electrolytes capable of concurrently supporting both the low-voltage anode and high-voltage cathode with satisfactory Coulombic efficiency (CE) and cycling stability. Herein, we report a promising electrolyte that facilitates the commercially mature graphite anode (> 3 mAh cm-2) to achieve an initial CE of 91.14% (with an average cycling CE around 99.94%), fast redox kinetics, and negligible capacity fading for hundreds of cycles. Meanwhile, the electrolyte also demonstrates good compatibility with the 4.4 V (vs. K+/K) high-voltage K2Mn[Fe(CN)6] (KMF) cathode. Consequently, the KMF||graphite full-cell without precycling treatment of both electrodes can provide an average discharge voltage of 3.61 V with a specific energy of 316.5 Wh kg-1-(KMF+graphite), comparable to the LiFePO4||graphite LIBs, and maintain 71.01% capacity retention after 2000 cycles.

Photoconductivity and Photovoltaic Effect Strengthened via Microstructural Cotuning in Ferroelectrics: Intuitively Assessed by Macroscopic Transparency.

Photoferroelectrics that involve strong light-matter coupling are regarded as promising candidates for realizing bulk photovoltaic and photoelectric effects via light absorption. Nonetheless, understanding the photoresponse mechanism or modulation of performance from a microscopic point of view is scarcely explored through quantification of macroscopic properties. Herein, we design a model material, Gd3+-doped (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 ferroelectric-transparent ceramics, and present an advantageous strategy to enhance the optoelectronic coupling through joint modulations of lattice distortion and oxygen vacancies, along with inner defects and ferroelectric domains. Significantly, their microcosmic manipulation can be intuitively and facilely evaluated by the optical transparency of each ceramic. An approximately 104 fold increase in conductivity under ultraviolet irradiation was produced. Under the cocoupling between external physical fields, the synergy of photoelectric stimulation increased the photoconductivity of the ceramics by 13.89 times. Additionally, a significant increase (4.5-fold) in the current output from the photovoltaic effect was achieved via ferroelectric domains of moderate size, whose size could be easily assessed by optical transmittance. In situ microscopic observations confirmed that the configuration of oxygen vacancy-dependent ferroelectric domains contributes to the enhanced optoelectronic response. This research provides a distinct way to develop inexpensive optocoupler devices and meet the requirements for multifunctional integration in single photoferroelectrics.

Characteristics of exposure to radioactive iodine during a nuclear incident.

BACKGROUND: During a nuclear accident, numerous products of nuclear fission are released, including isotopes of radioactive iodine. Among them is iodine-131, with a half-life of 8.02 days, which emits ß radiation. For decades, it has been effectively and safely used in medicine. However, in the event of a nuclear accident, uncontrolled exposure can have harmful biological effects. The main sources of internal contamination with iodine-131 are contaminated air, food and water. The most exposed organ is the thyroid gland, where radioactive iodine accumulates via the Na+/I- symporter (NIS). NIS does not distinguish between radioactive iodine isotopes and the stable isotope iodine-127, which is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Exposure to radioactive iodine during a nuclear accident is primarily associated with papillary thyroid cancer, whose incidence begins to increase a few years after exposure. Children and adolescents are at the highest risk, and the risk is particularly significant for individuals living in iodine-deficient areas. CONCLUSIONS: Ensuring an adequate iodine supply is therefore crucial for lowering the risk of the harmful effects of exposure to radioactive iodine at the population level. Protecting the thyroid with potassium iodide tablets significantly reduces radiation exposure, as stable iodine prevents the entry of radioactive iodine into the thyroid. Such protection is effective only within a narrow time window - a few hours before and after the exposure and is recommended only for those under 40 years of age, as the risks of excessive iodine intake outweigh the potential benefits in older individuals.

The Paradox of Hyperkalaemia: When Treatment Isn't the Answer.

Hyperkalaemia is a relatively common medical emergency that necessitates prompt and urgent intervention. There is an ongoing debate over the precise threshold for treating hyperkalaemia due to variability in clinical scenarios. This case report highlights the need to differentiate true hyperkalaemia from pseudohyperkalaemia by analysing serum and plasma potassium levels, thus avoiding unnecessary treatment and the risk of iatrogenic hypokalemia. This case report discusses an 89-year-old male who presented with recurrent falls and fluctuating serum potassium levels but showed no symptoms of hyperkalaemia and had no relevant drug history. Further investigation revealed an underlying myeloproliferative neoplasm with thrombocytosis, leading to the diagnosis of pseudohyperkalaemia, reflected by a significant discrepancy between serum and plasma potassium levels, showcasing the importance of considering pseudohyperkalaemia in patients with haematological malignancies and thrombocytosis.

A Case Report of an Atypical Presentation of Morvan Syndrome.

Morvan syndrome, also known as Morvan's fibrillary chorea, is a rare paraneoplastic neurological syndrome presenting with central nervous system (CNS) symptoms, peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) manifestations. The etiology and severity of the disease are not well understood. An adult female presented with a sudden onset of chest pain, unilateral extremity weakness, blepharospasms, and muscle spasms, with positive voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) antibody and positive neuronal antibody (amphiphysin) in serum. Morvan syndrome can be diagnosed in patients with myokymia, positive VGKC antibody, and neuropsychiatric symptoms with a high clinical index of suspicion. This atypical presentation of Morvan syndrome in a female identifies a novel association of amphiphysin positivity in this rare disease.

Polar Covalent Triazine Frameworks as High-Performance Potassium Metal Battery Cathodes.

The exploration of potassium metal batteries (PMBs) has been intensified, leveraging potassium's abundant availability, low redox potential, and small Stokes radius. Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) stand out for their accessible nitrogen sites and customizable structures, making them attractive electrode materials. Nonetheless, there is a lack of established design principles to guide the development of high-performance PMBs using CTFs. In this work, CTFs consisting of different monomers are used as PMB cathodes to investigate the structure-performance correlation. The electronic structure analysis reveals the polar characteristic of a CTF derived from the tetracyanoquinodimethane monomer, setting it apart with superior capacity (161 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1), rate performance (85 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1), and stability (capacity retention of 81% after 1000 cycles) over three non-polar counterparts in PMBs. Calculations based on density functional theory support the exceptional performance with increased K+ adsorption energy. Ultimately, among multifaceted factors, the polarity of CTF is the leading element that determines the K+ storage capability. These findings pave the way for the development of prudent CTF electrodes for high-performance PMBs.

Efficacy of Potassium Iodide and Glutathione for Correlation of Dentin Discoloration Caused by Silver Diamine Fluoride.

OBJECTIVE:  This study aimed to investigate and contrast the degree of dentin discoloration resulting from the application of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) alone, SDF in combination with potassium iodide (KI), and SDF in combination with glutathione. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of these combinations in reducing the aesthetic issues associated with SDF treatment in minimally invasive dentistry and preventive procedures. METHODOLOGY: We conducted this in-vitro study on 136 permanent molar teeth. The teeth were randomly assigned to two main groups of total-etch and self-etch and four subgroups of control, SDF, SDF plus KI, and SDF with glutathione. The teeth underwent colorimetry before and 1 week after applying materials to compare the color change. We mounted the teeth in acrylic resin 1 mm below their cementoenamel junction. A low-speed diamond saw and 600-grit silicon carbide abrasive paper eliminated the occlusal enamel for 10 seconds under water coolant, exposing the dentin. The teeth were then immersed in a demineralizing solution (pH of 4.4, 50 mmol acetate, 2.2 mmol potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and 2.2 mmol calcium chloride) for 7 days at 37°C to induce dentin demineralization and simulate demineralized dentin artificially. The teeth were then gently polished with 600-grit silicon carbide abrasive paper to create a standard smear layer and eliminate the demineralized dentin layer. RESULTS: 136 teeth were evaluated in the total-etch (n = 68) and self-etch (n = 68) groups. Glutathione and KI significantly decreased the discoloration caused by SDF (P<0.05). No significant difference was noted in color change between SDF/glutathione and SDF plus KI groups (P > 0.05). In self-etch groups, glutathione yielded an ∆E=4.12, while KI yielded an ∆E=4.44, with no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The application of glutathione and KI can significantly decrease dentin discoloration caused by SDF.

Estimation of radiological health risks due to 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in foods consumed in Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

This study investigates the activity concentration of natural radionuclides in a diverse range of food samples in the Koya district markets food baskets, including both domestic and imported products. The samples cover annual crops (e.g. coffee, tea, kidney beans), tree nuts (e.g. almonds, pistachios), and other items (e.g. beef, fish, milk) by using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. This research addresses a notable gap by providing baseline data on radionuclide concentrations and assessing potential health risks. Average activity concentrations for ²²6Ra, ²³²Th, and 4°K were 0.943, 0.367, and 191.8 Bq kg-1, respectively. Radium equivalent activity values ranged from 2.88-58.48 Bq kg-1, all below the safety limit. The average excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was 0.154 mSv a-1, indicating safety for most samples, though coffee and tea showed higher levels. This study provides new data crucial for future research and regulatory monitoring, underscoring the need for further investigation into geological impacts on radionuclide levels.