Metagenomics reveals the resistance patterns of electrochemically treated erythromycin fermentation residue.

Erythromycin fermentation residue (EFR) represents a typical hazardous waste produced by the microbial pharmaceutical industry. Although electrolysis is promising for EFR disposal, its microbial threats remain unclear. Herein, metagenomics was coupled with the random forest technique to decipher the antibiotic resistance patterns of electrochemically treated EFR. Results showed that 95.75% of erythromycin could be removed in 2 hr. Electrolysis temporarily influenced EFR microbiota, where the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria increased, while those of Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes decreased. A total of 505 antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) subtypes encoding resistance to 21 antibiotic types and 150 mobile genetic elements (MGEs), mainly including plasmid (72) and transposase (52) were assembled in EFR. Significant linear regression models were identified among microbial richness, ARG subtypes, and MGE numbers (r2=0.50-0.81, p< 0.001). Physicochemical factors of EFR (Total nitrogen, total organic carbon, protein, and humus) regulated ARG and MGE assembly (%IncMSE value = 5.14-14.85). The core ARG, MGE, and microbe sets (93.08%-99.85%) successfully explained 89.71%-92.92% of total ARG and MGE abundances. Specifically, gene aph(3')-I, transposase tnpA, and Mycolicibacterium were the primary drivers of the resistance dissemination system. This study also proposes efficient resistance mitigation measures, and provides recommendations for future management of antibiotic fermentation residue.

Enhancing the expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferases by N-terminal truncation.

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), a unique DNA polymerase that catalyzes the template-free incorporation of nucleotides into single-stranded DNA, has facilitated the development of various oligonucleotide-based tools and methods, especially in the field of template-free enzymatic DNA synthesis. However, expressing vertebrate-derived TdTs in Escherichia coli complicates purification and increases production costs. In this study, N-terminal truncation of TdTs was performed to improve their expression and stability. The results revealed that N-terminal truncation could enhance the expression level of six TdTs. Among the truncated mutants, N-140-ZaTdT and N-140-CpTdT, with 140 amino acids removed, exhibited an increase in protein expression, which was 9.5- and 23-fold higher than their wild-types, respectively. Importantly, the truncation preserves the catalytic function of TdT. Additionally, the Tm values of N-140-ZaTdT increased by 4.9°C. The improved expression of the truncated mutants makes them more suitable for reducing production costs and advancing enzyme engineering.

MXene-Coated Porous Films Prepared by Breathing Figure Method for Efficient Solar Steam Generation.

The interfacial solar steam generation for seawater desalination has attracted attention because of its excellent photothermal performance and efficiency. However, the process of preparing evaporators is often complex and costly, which limits their further practicality. Here, we report an integrated solar evaporator that is easy to prepare and has good salt resistance. The porous structure of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polycarbonate (PMMA-PC) films prepared by the breathing figure (BF) method was used as the upper layer, while MXene was deposited on the as-resulted PMMA-PC film and served as a light absorption layer. Meanwhile, the hydrophilicity of the lower layer of expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam can promote the upward transfer of water and inhibit heat loss. Under one solar irradiation, the water evaporation rate of the composite film was found to be 1.79 kg m-2 h-1 in distilled water and 1.67 kg m-2 h-1 in a 15 wt % NaCl solution, exhibiting excellent evaporation performance and salt resistance. In addition, the PMMA-PC/MXene films exhibit excellent mechanical properties. Based on these merits of the PMMA-PC/MXene solar generator, it may find useful applications in practical solar interfacial evaporation. Moreover, the findings of this investigation may provide a new opportunity for the rational design of large-aperture photothermal conversion materials via a simple breathing figure method.

Comparison between arthroplasty and non-operative treatment for proximal humeral fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The clinical efficacy of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), hemiarthroplasty (HA), and non-surgical management in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) is inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the clinical outcomes of arthroplasty and non-surgical management of PHFs. Methods: The databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched on 5 May 2023 for studies comparing arthroplasty and non-surgical treatment of PHFs. Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs), were included. Standard methodological quality assessments were conducted for both types of studies. The primary outcome was the Constant-Murley Score (CMS) after surgical or non-surgical treatment. Secondary study outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS), range of motion, and complications. All functional scores and complications were subjected to subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Results: A total of four RCTs and six nRCTs were included in this study, which provided 508 patients in total for meta-analysis: 238 treated with arthroplasty and 270 treated non-surgically, of which 83 were treated with HA and 155 with RSA. All relevant information was collected, including functional scores, VAS, range of motion, and complications. The study found no significant difference in functional outcomes (mean difference, 2.82; 95% confidence interval, -0.49 to 6.14; P = 0.10; I 2 = 77%) and complications (mean difference, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-2.25; P = 0.85; I 2 = 47%) between arthroplasty and non-surgical treatment. Both RCTs and nRCTs showed the same results. However, VAS scores were significantly lower in surgical treatment compared to non-surgical treatment. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed that RSA could achieve better functional scores than non-surgical treatment (mean difference, 6.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.97-10.03; P = 0.004; I 2 = 0%), while the results for HA were not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: There were no significant differences in complications between arthroplasty and non-surgical treatment for PHFs. RSA could achieve better functional results than non-surgical treatment, while HA could only achieve better forward flexion.

Antifungal Activity of Phloroglucinol Derivatives against Botrytis cinerea and Monilinia fructicola.

Naturally derived compounds show promise as treatments for microbial infections. Polyphenols, abundantly found in various plants, fruits, and vegetables, are noted for their physiological benefits including antimicrobial effects. This study introduced a new set of acylated phloroglucinol derivatives, synthesized and tested for their antifungal activity in vitro against seven different pathogenic fungi. The standout compound, 3-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl) butan-1-one (2b), exhibited remarkable fungicidal strength, with EC50 values of 1.39 µg/mL against Botrytis cinerea and 1.18 µg/mL against Monilinia fructicola, outperforming previously screened phenolic compounds. When tested in vivo, 2b demonstrated effective antifungal properties, with cure rates of 76.26% for brown rot and 83.35% for gray mold at a concentration of 200 µg/mL, rivaling the commercial fungicide Pyrimethanil in its efficacy against B. cinerea. Preliminary research suggests that 2b's antifungal mechanism may involve the disruption of spore germination, damage to the fungal cell membrane, and leakage of cellular contents. These results indicate that compound 2b has excellent fungicidal properties against B. cinerea and holds potential as a treatment for gray mold.

Effectiveness of electro-acupuncture for cognitive improvement on Alzheimer's disease quantified via PET imaging of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1.

INTRODUCTION: Electro-acupuncture (EA) has demonstrated potential in improving mild-to-moderate dementia in clinics, but the underlying scientific target remains unclear. METHODS: EA was administered to APP/PS1 Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, with untreated AD, and wild type (WT) mice serving as controls. The efficacy of EA was assessed by the Morris water maze cognitive functional tests. Brain magnetic resonance imaging-positron emission tomography (PET) scans using [18F]TZ4877 targeting sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) and [18F]AV45 targeting amyloid beta fibrils were conducted. The correlation between regional brain PET quantifications and cognitive functions was analyzed. RESULTS: EA significantly improved cognitive and memory functions of AD (p  = 0.04) and reduced the uptake of [18F]TZ4877 in the cortex (p  = 0.02) and hippocampus (p  = 0.03). Immunofluorescence confirmed colocalizations of S1PR1 with glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry showed a significant reduction of interleukin 1ß and tumor necrosis factor α after EA treatment. DISCUSSION: EA may reverse AD by suppressing neuroinflammation, and the PET imaging of S1PR1 seemed potent in evaluating the treatment for AD patients HIGHLIGHTS: Electro-acupuncture (EA) was administered to APP/PS1 Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, with untreated AD, and wild type (WT) mice serving as controls. The efficacy of EA was assessed by the Morris water maze cognitive functional tests and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging quantifications. PET tracer [18F]AV45 was used to detect amyloid beta deposition. An increased uptake of [18F]AV45 was found in AD compared to WT mice, with significance observed only in the cortex and not in the hippocampus. EA treatment exhibited a trend toward reduced [18F]AV45 uptake in AD mouse brains post-treatment. However, statistical difference was not attained in most brain regions. EA "Baihui (DU20) and Sishencong (EX-HN1)" significantly improved cognitive and memory functions of AD (p = 0.04). Brain magnetic resonance imaging p(MRI)-positron emission tomography (PET) quantifications revealed that significantly reduced the uptake of [18F]TZ4877 in the cortex (p = 0.02) and hippocampus (p = 0.03) after EA treatment. The correlation between PET quantifications and cognitive functions was analyzed and the most notable correlations were found between escape latency (reaction cognitive and memory behavior) and volume distribution (VT) quantifications of [18F]TZ4877. VT quantifications of [18F]TZ4877 in key brain regions for cognitive and memory ability, such as the cortex and hippocampus, positively correlated with platform latency (cortex p < 0.01, r = 0.7102; hippocampus p < 0.01, r = 0.6891). Immunofluorescence confirmed colocalizations of S1PR1 with glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 in the AD brain. And the EA treatment significantly reduced the signals in the cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry showed a significant reduction of interleukin 1ß and tumor necrosis factor α after EA treatment. EA reversed AD by suppressing neuroinflammation in the cortex and hippocampus. The S1PR1 targeting PET tracer [18F]TZ4877 showed promise in evaluating the pathological progression of AD in clinical settings.

Dietary patterns and periodontitis: A systematic review.

The systematic review aimed to investigate the associations between index-based dietary patterns and the risk and severity of periodontitis. Four public databases were searched for relevant published articles. Two independent researchers conducted the study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction. Methodological quality of the selected studies was evaluated using Joanna Briggs Institute Checklists. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023395049). Twenty-five studies were eligible for this review, including 23 cross-sectional studies and two prospective cohort studies. The most utilized dietary indices were the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). The results indicated a positive association between higher diet quality (i.e., higher HEI and MDSs and lower DII scores) and healthier periodontal status. Subgroup meta-analysis for four studies utilizing HEI and CDC/AAP case definition indicates the protective effect of higher HEI scores on the risk of periodontitis (OR [95% CI] = 0.77[0.68, 0.88]) with statistical significance (Z = 3.91 [p < 0.0001]). Dietary assessment was conducted by validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) in 52% of the studies and 24-h dietary recalls in 36% of the studies. One study utilized a validated 15-item questionnaire to measure patients' adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (QueMD). The quality assessment showed that all studies were of high quality. High HEI and MDSs and low DII scores were associated with a low risk of periodontitis and better periodontal conditions. The standardized and repeatable diet guidelines might be provided for preventing periodontitis. Future prospective studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm this causal association.

Characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of subtypes of gestational diabetes mellitus based on HOMA-IR and BMI.

AIM: To identify the characteristics and pregnancy outcomes across different subgroups of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) categorized by insulin resistance index and body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 1804 women who underwent a 75 g-OGTT during 22-28 weeks of gestation, categorized into normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (1487) and GDM (317 [17.57%] of the total cohort). Metabolic parameters were assessed, and equation of homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) were utilized to compute indices of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), ß-cell secretory (HOMA-B), and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-%S) in early and mid-pregnancy. The cut-off value of HOMA-IR (1.61) in early pregnancy was determined via ROC curve analysis. This value, combined with pre-pregnancy BMI, further categorized NGT and GDM into six subgroups respectively, based on HOMA-IR levels (≥ 1.61 or < 1.61) and BMI categories (< 18.5 kg/m2, 18.5-25 kg/m2, or ≥ 25 kg/m2). RESULTS: In comparison to women with NGT, those with GDM were notably older, had higher pre-BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, and lipid levels in early pregnancy. They also exhibited more pronounced insulin resistance in both early and mid-pregnancy, leading to poorer outcomes. Following an oral glucose load, the peaks of glucose and insulin were out of sync in GDM and its subgroups, accompanied by further increases in HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, and a decrease in HOMA-%S, except for the GDM subgroup with HOMA-IR < 1.61/BMI < 18.5 kg/m2. Conversely, glucose and insulin secretion in NGT and its subgroups peaked synchronously at 60 min. GDM women with HOMA-IR ≥ 1.61/18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2 had higher rates of neonatal jaundice (34.5% vs 13.9%, p < 0.0001), LGA (28.9% vs 13.2%, p = 0.001), macrosomia (9.8% vs 3.7%, p = 0.025) compared to peers, while in GDM women with HOMA-IR ≥ 1.61/BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, the rates of LGA and macrosomia were 26.6% and 8.4%, respectively. The GDM subgroup with HOMA-IR < 1.61/BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 exhibited the highest rates of premature rupture of membrane (46.7%) and postpartum hemorrhage (20%), predominantly with vaginal delivery and a 1 min Apgar score of 4.5% in GDM women with HOMA-IR < 1.61/18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2. CONCLUSION: GDM and its subgroups displayed severe insulin resistance and poorer insulin sensitivity, leading to an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. GDM women with higher IR and normal or over weight were more likely to experience LGA and macrosomia, while those with lower IR and underweight were prone to premature rupture of membrane and postpartum hemorrhage during vaginal delivery.

Effects of the FHL2 gene on the development of subcutaneous and intramuscular adipocytes in goats.

BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue affects not only the meat quality of domestic animals, but also human health. Adipocyte differentiation is regulated by a series of regulatory genes and cyclins. Four and half-LIM protein (FHL2) is positively correlated with the hypertrophy of adipocytes and can cause symptoms such as obesity and diabetes. RESULT: In the transcriptome sequencing analysis of intramuscular adipocytes after three days of differentiation, the differentially expressed gene FHL2 was found. To further explore the biological significance of the differentially expressed gene FHL2, which was downregulated in the mature adipocytes. We revealed the function of FHL2 in adipogenesis through the acquisition and loss of function of FHL2. The results showed that the overexpression of FHL2 significantly increased the expression of adipogenic genes (PPARγ, C/EBPß) and the differentiation of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes. However, silencing FHL2 significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation. The overexpression of FHL2 increased the number of adipocytes stained with crystal violet and increased the mRNA expression of proliferation marker genes such as CCNE, PCNA, CCND and CDK2. In addition, it significantly increased the rate of EdU positive cells. In terms of apoptosis, overexpression of FHL2 significantly inhibited the expression of P53 and BAX in both intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes, which are involved in cell apoptosis. However, overexpression of FHL2 promoted the expression of BCL, but was rescued by the silencing of FHL2. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, FHL2 may be a positive regulator of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocyte differentiation and proliferation, and acts as a negative regulator of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocyte apoptosis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent elucidation of FHL2 in adipocytes.

Dendrite-free zinc metal anode for long-life zinc-ion batteries enabled by an artificial hydrophobic-zincophilic coating.

Considering the desired energy density, safety and cost-effectiveness, rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are regarded as one of the most promising energy storage units in next-generation energy systems. Nonetheless, the service life of the current ZIBs is significantly limited by rampant dendrite growth and severe parasitic reactions occurring on the anode side. To overcome these issues caused by poor interfacial ionic conduction and water erosion, we have developed a facile strategy to fabricate a uniform zinc borate layer at the zinc anode/electrolyte interface (ZnBO). Such protective layer integrates superhydrophobic-zincopholic properties, which can effectively eliminate the direct contact of water molecules on the anode, and homogenize the interfacial ionic transfer, thereby enhancing the cyclic stability of the zinc plating/stripping. As a result, the as-prepared ZnBO-coated anode exhibits extended lifespan of 1200 h at 1 mA cm-2 and demonstrates remarkable durability of 570 h at 20 mA cm-2 in Zn||Zn symmetric cells. Additionally, when coupled to an NH4V4O10 (NVO) cathode, it also delivers a superior cyclability (203.5 mAh/g after 2000 cycles at 5 A/g, 89.3 % capacity retention) in coin full cells and a feasible capacity of 2.5 mAh at 1 A/g after 200 cycles in pouch full cells. This work offers a unique perspective on integrating hydrophobicity and zincophilicity at the anode/electrolyte interface through an artificial layer, thereby enhancing the cycle lifespan of ZIBs.

Electrosynthesis of adipic acid with high faradaic efficiency within a wide potential window.

Electrosynthesis of adipic acid (a precursor for nylon-66) from KA oil (a mixture of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol) represents a sustainable strategy to replace conventional method that requires harsh conditions. However, its industrial possibility is greatly restricted by the low current density and competitive oxygen evolution reaction. Herein, we modify nickel layered double hydroxide with vanadium to promote current density and maintain high faradaic efficiency (>80%) within a wide potential window (1.5 ~ 1.9 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode). Experimental and theoretical studies reveal two key roles of V modification, including accelerating catalyst reconstruction and strengthening cyclohexanone adsorption. As a proof-of-the-concept, we construct a membrane electrode assembly, producing adipic acid with high faradaic efficiency (82%) and productivity (1536 µmol cm-2 h-1) at industrially relevant current density (300 mA cm-2), while achieving >50 hours stability. This work demonstrates an efficient catalyst for adipic acid electrosynthesis with high productivity that shows industrial potential.

Investigation of cardiorenal outcomes and incidence of genitourinary tract infection after combined SGLT2 inhibitor and ACEI/ARB use in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-5: A real-world retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: Sodium‒glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors offer glycaemic and cardiorenal benefits in the early stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the use of SGLT2 inhibitors may increase the risk of genitourinary tract infection (GUTI). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may also cause deterioration of kidney function. The long-term follow-up of cardiorenal outcomes and GUTI incidence in patients with advanced CKD receiving SGLT2 inhibitors combined with ACEIs/ARBs should be further investigated. Methods: We analysed data from 5,503 patients in Taiwan's Taipei Medical University Research Database (2016-2020) who were part of a pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) program (CKD stages 3-5) and received ACEIs/ARBs. SGLT2 inhibitor users were matched 1:4 with nonusers on the basis of sex, CKD, and program entry duration. Results: The final cohort included 205 SGLT2 inhibitor users and 820 nonusers. SGLT2 inhibitor users experienced a significant reduction in ESRD/dialysis risk (aHR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.190.67), and SGLT2 inhibitor use was not significantly associated with acute kidney injury or acute kidney disease risk. Among SGLT2 inhibitor users, those with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) had greater CVD rates. Conversely, those without a CVD history had lower rates of congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, acute pulmonary oedema, and acute myocardial infarction, although the differences were not statistically significant. Notably, SGLT2 inhibitor usage was associated with a greater GUTI incidence (aHR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.122.84) shortly after initiation, irrespective of prior GUTI history status. Conclusion: Among patients with CKD stages 3-5, SGLT2 inhibitor use was linked to increased GUTI incidence, but it also significantly reduced the ESRD/dialysis risk without an episodic AKI or AKD risk. Clinical physicians should consider a personalized medicine approach by balancing GUTI episodes and cardiorenal outcomes for advanced CKD patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors.

Application Progress of Multi-Functional Polymer Composite Nanofibers Based on Electrospinning: A Brief Review.

Nanomaterials are known as the most promising materials of the 21st century, among which nanofibers have become a hot research and development topic in academia and industry due to their high aspect ratio, high specific surface area, high molecular orientation, high crystallinity, excellent mechanical properties, and many other advantages. Electrospinning is the most important preparation method for nanofibers and their thin membranes due to its controllability, versatility, low cost, and simplicity. Adding nanofillers such as ceramics, metals, and carbon materials to the electrospinning polymer solutions to prepare composites can further improve the mechanical strength and multi-functionality of nanofibers and their thin membranes and also provide possibilities for their widespread applications. Based on the rapid development in the field of polymer composite nanofibers, this review focuses on polyurethane (PU)-based composite nanofibers as the main representative and reviews their latest practical applications in many fields such as sound-absorbing materials, biomedical materials (including tissue engineering implants, drug delivery systems, wound dressings and other anti-bacterial materials, health materials, etc.), wearable sensing devices and energy harvesters, adsorbent materials, electromagnetic shielding materials, and reinforcement materials. Finally, a summary of their performance-application relationship and prospects for further development are given. This review is expected to provide some practical experience and theoretical guidance for further developments in related fields.

One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorod Array Grown on Ag Nanowire Mesh/ZnO Composite Seed Layer for H2 Gas Sensing and UV Detection Applications.

Photodetectors and gas sensors are vital in modern technology, spanning from environmental monitoring to biomedical diagnostics. This paper explores the UV detection and gas sensing properties of a zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod array (ZNA) grown on silver nanowire mesh (AgNM) using a hydrothermal method. We examined the impact of different zinc acetate precursor concentrations on their properties. Results show the AgNM forms a network with high transparency (79%) and low sheet resistance (7.23 Ω/□). A sol-gel ZnO thin film was coated on this mesh, providing a seed layer with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Increasing the precursor concentration alters the diameter, length, and area density of ZNAs, affecting their performance. The ZNA-AgNM-based photodetector shows enhanced dark current and photocurrent with increasing precursor concentration, achieving a maximum photoresponsivity of 114 A/W at 374 nm and a detectivity of 6.37 × 1014 Jones at 0.05 M zinc acetate. For gas sensing, the resistance of ZNA-AgNM-based sensors decreases with temperature, with the best hydrogen response (2.71) at 300 °C and 0.04 M precursor concentration. These findings highlight the potential of ZNA-AgNM for high-performance UV photodetectors and hydrogen gas sensors, offering an alternative way for the development of future sensing devices with enhanced performance and functionality.

Accuracy of robotic computer-assisted implant surgery for immediate implant placement: A retrospective case series study.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the accuracy of robotic computer-assisted implant surgery (r-CAIS) for immediate implant placement. METHODS: Twenty cases with 20 implant sites were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. The preparation of the implant bed and implant placement followed the standardized dental implant robotic surgery protocol. Postoperative cone-beam computed tomography scans were conducted to assess possible discrepancies between actual and planned implant positions. RESULTS: The r-CAIS technology for immediate implant placement exhibited a mean global coronal deviation of 0.71 ± 0.27 mm (95% CI: 0.58-0.83 mm), a mean global apical deviation of 0.69 ± 0.26 mm (95% CI: 0.56-0.81 mm), and an angular deviation of 1.27 ± 0.47° (95% CI: 1.05-1.49°). A substantial number of deviations were observed buccally at both coronal (90%) and apical (95%) levels, with a consistent tendency for buccal deviation. CONCLUSIONS: The r-CAIS technology proved a promising approach for immediate implantation in the anterior region, with satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, an optimized surgical protocol for r-CAIS technology is required for particular implant sites like extraction sockets or bone defects.

A Robust Adenine-Based Microporous Metal-Organic Framework with Hydrophobic Alkyl Groups and Abundant Lewis Basic Sites for CO2/N2 Separation.

The development of a chemically robust metal-organic framework (MOF) with appropriate pore nanospace for efficient CO2 capture and separation from flue gas under humid conditions is sought after. Herein, an adenine-based microporous MOF, Cu-AD-SA, bearing abundant Lewis basic sites and alkyl groups has been utilized to capture and separate CO2 from CO2/N2 gas mixtures. The introduction of alkyl groups enable Cu-AD-SA with high chemical stability. The confined pore nanospace involving small pore size and functionalized pore surface decorated by Lewis basic amino and alkyl groups bestows the framework with stronger CO2 affinity versus N2, thus resulting in a high CO2/N2 separation performance even at high operating temperature (323 K) and humidity (80%), as evidenced by breakthrough experiments. Moreover, molecular modeling studies were implemented to establish the adsorption mechanism, in which the ditopic aliphatic carboxylic acids and adenine linkers collaboratively play a vital role in the separation of CO2/N2 gas mixtures via C-H···OCO2, CCO2···O, CCO2···N, and CCO2···π interactions.

Experts consensus on management of tooth luxation and avulsion.

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) of teeth occur frequently in children and adolescents. TDIs that impact the periodontal tissues and alveolar tissue can be classified into concussion, subluxation, extrusive luxation, intrusive luxation, lateral luxation, and avulsion. In these TDIs, management of injured soft tissue, mainly periodontal ligament, and dental pulp, is crucial in maintaining the function and longevity of the injured teeth. Factors that need to be considered for management in laxation injuries include the maturation stage of the traumatic teeth, mobility, direction of displacement, distance of displacement, and whether there are alveolar fractures. In avulsion, the maturation stage of the permanent tooth, the out-socket time, storage media/condition of the avulsed tooth, and management of the PDL should also be considered. Especially, in this review, we have subdivided the immature tooth into the adolescent tooth (Nolla stage 9) and the very young tooth (Nolla stage 8 and below). This consensus paper aimed to discuss the impacts of those factors on the trauma management and prognosis of TDI to provide a streamlined guide for clinicians from clinical evaluation, diagnostic process, management plan decision, follow-up, and orthodontic treatment for tooth luxation and avulsion injuries.

Metals in sediment of the upper Great Lakes: Spatial distribution, temporal trends, anthropogenic enrichment, and risk assessments.

Thirteen elements including Al, Ag, As, Co, Cu, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, Zn, and Pb were measured in 107 surface grab sediment samples and 175 segments of eight cores from Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations in Ponar grabs vary considerably among metals and among locations, ranging from the highest median for Fe in Lake Superior (42,000 mg/kg) to the lowest median for Ag in the main Lake Huron (0.05 mg/kg). The inventory at coring sites ranged from 7 × 106 mg/m2 of Fe to 3 mg/m2 of Ag. The background concentrations were estimated from deeper core segments, and enrichment factors (EFs) were calculated with Fe or Al as the reference element. The results show that Al, Fe, Co, Cr, and Mn did not enrich, Ag, Cu, and Ni were present higher than expected from natural sources alone, while Pb, Cd, Se, Zn, and As have been enriched at most sites after European settlement in the region. EFs of most metals are higher for Lake Michigan than the other lakes. However, EF comparison among sampling sites revealed intrinsic problems of this approach for the assessment of human interference. Preliminary risk assessment, conducted by calculating risk quotients, revealed environmental risks of some metals in each lake; however, the results should be interpreted with caution because the approach used is considered to be conservative.

Prenylated Flavonoids Isolated from the Root of Sophora flavescens as Potent Antifungal Agents against Botrytis cinerea.

Sophora flavescens, a traditional Chinese herb, produces a wide range of secondary metabolites with a broad spectrum of biological activities. In this study, we isolated six isopentenyl flavonoids (1-6) from the roots of S. flavescens and evaluated their activities against phytopathogenic fungi. In vitro activities showed that kurarinone and sophoraflavanone G displayed broad spectrum and superior activities, among which sophoraflavanone G displayed excellent activity against tested fungi, with EC50 values ranging from 4.76 to 13.94 µg/mL. Notably, kurarinone was easily purified and showed potential activity against Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, and Fusarium graminearum with EC50 values of 16.12, 16.55, and 16.99 µg/mL, respectively. Consequently, we initially investigated the mechanism of kurarinone against B. cinerea. It was found that kurarinone disrupted cell wall components, impaired cell membrane integrity, increased cell membrane permeability, and affected cellular energy metabolism, thereby exerting its effect against B. cinerea. Therefore, kurarinone is expected to be a potential candidate for the development of plant fungicides.

α-1 antitrypsin is promising for the identification of glaucoma severity and is associated with glaucomatous neural damage.

Aim: To investigate the association between plasma AAT level and glaucoma.Methods: 163 glaucoma patients and 111 healthy controls were recruited. The plasma AAT levels were measured by ELISA.Results: Plasma AAT level was significantly higher in glaucoma patients than those in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Patients with higher plasma AAT level exhibited severer disease stage (early vs. severe: p < 0.05; H-P-A; early vs. severe: p < 0.05; early vs. end-stage: p < 0.01; AGIS). ROC curves yielded that AAT can distinguish patients with early glaucoma from those with advanced glaucoma (early vs. severe: AUC: 0.616; H-P-A; early vs. severe: AUC: 0.763; early vs. end-stage: AUC: 0.660; AGIS).Conclusion: Plasma AAT is a useful biomarker for the identification of glaucoma severity.

[Box: see text].