Evaluation of the shear stability of aerobic granular sludge from a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor: Establishment of a quantitative method.

This work established a quantitative method to access the shear stability of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and validated its feasibility by using the mature AGS from a pilot-scale (50 tons/day) membrane bioreactor (MBR) for treating real municipal wastewater. The results showed that the changing rate (ΔS) of the peak area (S) of granule size distribution (GSD) exhibited an exponential relationship (R2≥0.76) with the shear time (y=a-b·cx), which was a suitable indicative index to reflect the shear stability of different AGS samples. The limiting granule size (LGS) was defined and proposed to characterize the equilibrium size for AGS after being sheared for a period of time, whose value in terms of Dv50 showed high correlation (R2=0.92) with the parameter a. The free Ca2+ (28.44-34.21 mg/L) in the influent specifically interacted with polysaccharides (PS) in the granule's extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) as a nucleation site, thereby inducing the formation of Ca precipitation to enhance its Young's modulus, while Ca2+ primarily interacted with PS in soluble metabolic product (SMP) during the initial granulation process. Furthermore, the Young's modulus significantly affected the parameter a related to shear stability (R2=0.99). Since the parameter a was more closely related (R2=1.00) to ΔS than that of the parameter b or c, the excellent correlation (R2=0.99) between the parameter a and the wet density further verified the feasibility of this method.

Periampullary duodenal neuroendocrine tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis-1: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are exposed to a higher risk of developing neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Periampullary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) in NF1 patients primarily affect the duodenum and periampullary region. CASE SUMMARY: A 50-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital due to progressive skin and scleral yellowing for over 6 months. An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a tumor in the periampullary region, which measured 1.2 cm × 1.4 cm in size and showed a progressive enhancement. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography indicated the dilation of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. The patient was diagnosed with an ampullary tumor with the possibility of malignancy. A Whipple procedure was performed. Microscopically, the duodenum tumor was found to invade the mucosa, sphincter, and muscular layer of the duodenal papilla. Histologic hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed the presence of duodenal G1 NET. Subsequently, a bibliometric analysis was performed to evaluate the state of NEN research. Publications about periampullary NENs showed an annual increase, with most of them focusing on the treatment and diagnosis of NENs. CONCLUSION: This article reported a case of periampullary duodenal NET in a patient with NF1, and a bibliometric analysis was conducted.

C-CAR066, a novel fully human anti-CD20 CAR-T therapy for relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after failure of anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy: A phase I clinical study.

Managing large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) that is refractory to or relapsed after chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy remains a significant challenge. Here we aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of C-CAR066, an autologous fully human anti-CD20 specific CAR-T, for relapsed/refractory LBCL after failure of anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy. This first-in-human, single-arm, phase 1 study was conducted at two sites in China. Eligible patients had to be histologically confirmed with CD20-positive LBCL and must have received prior anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy. Patients received a single intravenous infusion of C-CAR066 at a target dose of 2.0 × 106 or 3.0 × 106 CAR-T cells/kg. The primary endpoint was the incidence of adverse events (AEs). As of October 10, 2023, 14 patients had received C-CAR066. The most common AEs of Grade 3 or higher were hematological toxicities. Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 12 (85.7%) patients, with only one was Grade 4 event. No patient experienced immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome events. The overall response rate was 92.9% with a complete response rate of 57.1%. With a median follow-up of 27.7 months (range, 3.3-40.9), the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 9.4 months (95% CI, 2.0 to NA) and 34.8 months (95% CI, 7.5 to NA), respectively. C-CAR066 demonstrated a manageable safety profile and promising efficacy in patients in whom prior anti-CD19 CAR-T therapies had failed, providing a promising treatment option for those patients. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04316624 and NCT04036019.

Nisin A elevates adenosine to achieve anti-inflammatory activity.

Inflammation is a ubiquitous physiological status that exists during the occurrence, development and prognosis of numerous diseases. Clinical anti-inflammatory drugs mainly include antibiotics, antivirals, non-steroids and corticosteroids, and the treatments are often accompanied by side effects, including nausea, abdominal pain, allergy, nerve injury and organ dysfunction. Current studies have focused on continuously exploring efficient anti-inflammatory natural components with high biosafety, while nisin, a natural bioactive anti-microbial peptide produced by Lactococcus, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity via its superior anti-bacterial abilities. Several recent studies have focused on the potent direct anti-inflammation of nisin, whereas its effects and the corresponding mechanism still remain unclear. The cellular and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) models were constructed in this study to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of nisin A both in vitro and in vivo, while the inflammatory mechanism was further uncovered based on omics analysis. This study reveals the direct anti-inflammatory activity of nisin A and elucidates the regulatory actions of nisin A on adenosine, followed by alteration of the sphingolipid signaling pathway and purine metabolism, enhancing the deep understanding of nisin A with its anti-inflammatory capacity, providing new ideas for future nisin A-based anti-inflammatory strategies.

Inheritance of chlorantraniliprole resistance and fitness costs in a field population of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in China.

BACKGROUND: Cnaphalocrocis medinalis is one of the major rice insect pests in Asia. Chlorantraniliprole is one of the most important insecticides for the control of C. medinalis. In this study, a field-resistant population and a susceptible strain of C. medinalis were used to evaluate the inheritance of chlorantraniliprole resistance and fitness costs in the field. RESULTS: The field-resistant population (Cm-RR) showed 128.4-fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole compared with the susceptible strain (Cm-SS). The dose-response of reciprocal cross progeny (F1 and F1') showed no significant difference, which indicated the inheritance of resistance to chlorantraniliprole in C. medinalis was autosomal. The degrees of dominance (D) of resistance for F1 and F1' were -0.19 and -0.05, respectively, indicating that the chlorantraniliprole resistance of C. medinalis was incompletely recessive inheritance. At the same time, significant differences between observed and expected mortalities of self-cross (F2 and F2') and backcross (BC and BC') progenies suggested chlorantraniliprole resistance is controlled by multiple genes. Furthermore, the Cm-RR population had a relative fitness of 0.32 with a substantially decreased pupation rate, emergence rate, fecundity, and substantially increased developmental time of larval and pupa stages. CONCLUSION: Current research showed that the inheritance of chlorantraniliprole resistance to C. medinalis was autosomal, incompletely recessive and multigene. The field-resistant population had a relative fitness of 0.32 when compared with the susceptible strain. This study provided valuable information for facilitating the development of chlorantraniliprole resistance management strategies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Enhanced O/W emulsifying properties of pea proteins via deamidation: Insights into interfacial behavior.

This study examines the effects of protein glutaminase modification on the interfacial properties and emulsion stability of pea protein isolates (PPI). Emulsions were prepared using native (NPPI) and deamidated PPI (DPPI) at concentrations from 0.5 wt% to 3.6 wt%. The stability of these emulsions was evaluated by examining droplet size distribution, flocculation index, ζ-potential, and CLSM. DPPI demonstrated superior emulsifying ability and stability, requiring only 2.0 wt% to prevent flocculation compared to NPPI's 3.6 wt%. Interfacial properties, such as protein coverage, composition, thickness, tension, and rheology, were characterized. Large Amplitude Oscillatory Dilatation analysis showed minimal differences between NPPI and DPPI-stabilized interfaces at 1 wt%. However, at 3.6 wt%, NPPI interfaces demonstrated abrupt intra-cycle yielding and viscous behavior, whereas DPPI interfaces exhibited gradual softening and a higher maximum linear strain. Additionally, DPPI showed higher interfacial protein coverage and lower interfacial tension. NPPI formed dense, brittle films prone to rupture under dynamic deformation, leading to poor stability. Deamidation of PPI unfolded the protein structure, exposing hydrophobic groups and increasing carboxyl groups, which reduced aggregation. This resulted in a uniform, extensible, and elastic interfacial film resistant to large deformations. Thus, DPPI-stabilized emulsions demonstrated superior stability, showcasing their potential for industrial applications.

Influence of panic disorder and paroxetine on brain functional hubs in drug-free patients.

BACKGROUND: The effects of panic disorder (PD) and pharmacotherapy on brain functional hubs in drug-free patients, and the utility of their degree centrality (DC) in diagnosing and predicting treatment response (TR) for PD, remained unclear. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the effects of PD and paroxetine on brain functional hubs in drug-free patients and to identify neuroimaging biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting TR in patients with PD. METHODS: Imaging data from 54 medication-free PD patients and 54 matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent DC and functional connectivity (FC) analyses before and after a 4-week paroxetine treatment. Diagnosis and prediction of TR models for PD were constructed using support vector machine (SVM) and support vector regression (SVR), with DC as features. RESULTS: Patients with PD showed aberrant DC and FC in the anterior cingulum, temporal, and occipital areas compared with HCs at baseline. After treatment, DC of the patients increased in the calcarine cortex, lingual gyrus, and cerebellum IV/V, along with improved clinical symptoms. Utilizing voxel-wise DC values at baseline, the SVM effectively distinguished patients with PD from HCs with an accuracy of 83.33%. In SVR, the predicted TR significantly correlated with the observed TR (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.893, Mean Squared Error = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Patients with PD exhibited abnormal DC and FC, notably in the limbic network, temporal, and occipital regions. Paroxetine ameliorated patients' symptoms while altering their brain FC. SVM and SVR models, utilizing baseline DC, effectively distinguished the patients from HCs and accurately predicted TR.

Ginsenoside Rg3 targets glycosylation of PD-L1 to enhance anti-tumor immunity in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Reactivate the T cell immunity by PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade is widely used in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, while the post-translational modification of Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is commonly existed in various cancer cells, thus increases the complexity and difficulty in therapy development. Ginsenoside Rg3 is an active component of traditional Chinese herb Ginseng with multiple pharmacological effects including immune regulation. However, the effect on the glycosylation of PD-L1 is unknown. Methods: NSCLC cell lines were tested for glycosylation of PD-L1, and the potential mechanisms were investigated. Tumor cell-T cell coculture experiment was conducted and the activation of T cells and cytotoxicity were measured by flow cytometry. In vivo xenograft mouse tumor model was used to investigate the effects of Rg3 on PD-L1-mediated immunosuppression and tumor growth. Results: Here, we identified PD-L1 is widely N-linked glycosylated in NSCLC cell lines, while Rg3 could inhibit the glycosylation of PD-L1 by downregulating the EGFR signaling and further activate GSK3b-mediated degradation, thus resulted in reduced PD-L1 expression. Moreover, the inhibition of PD-L1 glycosylation promoted the activation and cytotoxicity of T cells under coculture condition. In addition, Rg3 could decrease the tumor volume and enhance anti-tumor T cell immunity as evidence by the upregulated expression of Granzyme B and perforin in CD8+T cells, along with elevated serum IL-2, IFN-g and TNF-a level in Rg3-treated mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that Rg3 inhibits PD-L1 glycosylation and thus enhance anti-tumor immunity, which provide new therapeutic insight into drug discovery.

Promoting medication compliance in epileptic children: a cross sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Compliance with medication is crucial for the favorable prognosis of children with epilepsy. The objective of this study was to assess the determinants of medication compliance and to construct a predictive model for the risk of non-compliance among pediatric epilepsy patients. METHODS: The study included children diagnosed with epilepsy and treated at our hospital between February 1 and September 30, 2023. We evaluated the demographic characteristics and medication compliance profiles of these patients. The predictive model's performance was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine its sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: A total of 168 children with epilepsy were analyzed. The rate of non-compliance with medication was found to be 32.74% (55 out of 168). Logistic regression identified the educational level of parents (OR = 2.844, 95% CI: 2.182-3.214), monthly household income (OR = 1.945, 95% CI: 1.203-2.422), the number of medications taken (OR = 1.883, 95% CI: 1.314-2.201), and the level of epilepsy knowledge received (OR = 2.517, 95% CI: 1.852-3.009) as significant factors influencing non-compliance (all p < 0.05). A total score threshold of 6 was set for the predictive model. The area under the ROC curve was 0.713 (95% CI: 0.686-0.751), indicating the model's discriminative ability. CONCLUSIONS: The compliance to medication regimens among children with epilepsy is suboptimal and influenced by a multitude of factors. This study has developed a predictive model for medication compliance, which could serve as a valuable tool for clinical assessment and intervention planning regarding medication compliance in pediatric epilepsy patients.

The clinical value of nonpharmacological interventions for preventing postoperative delirium: a narrative review.

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a prevalent perioperative complication among elderly individuals and is a cause of significant detrimental consequences for both individuals and society. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological prevention methods/therapies have been proposed to mitigate the risk of POD. Nevertheless, the efficacy of pharmacological interventions is controversial, and some of them cause side effects. Therefore, numerous studies have explored the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in mitigating POD and have recommended the use of nonpharmacological multicomponent interventions by an interdisciplinary team as primary interventions. However, dedicated units aimed at promoting comanagement are rare and are only present in academic hospitals. Therefore, there is increasing interest in nonpharmacological mono-component interventions for preventing POD, which offer advantages such as easy application, cost-effectiveness, patient acceptability and noninvasiveness. These interventions are divided into cognitive training and noncognitive interventions. The former is aimed at increasing cognitive reserve, thus decreasing the incidence rate of POD. Noncognitive interventions, including sensory stimuli (music therapy, odor enrichment), improving sleep disturbances, physical activity, acupuncture and transcranial magnetic/direct current stimulation, are aimed at decreasing the risk factors for POD. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recently reported nonpharmacological mono-component interventions for preventing POD and briefly describes their clinical value.

Quality deterioration of mashed potatoes during the freeze-thaw cycle: From the perspective of moisture and microstructure.

This study aimed to simulate cold chain sales temperatures to predict the effects of temperature fluctuations on the physicochemical properties, moisture distribution, microstructure, and flavor of mashed potatoes. The results showed a decline in the hardness and chewability of mashed potatoes alongside the migration of water from bound water states to weakly bound states under freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) conditions. Microstructural analysis indicated that the adhesive forces between proteins and starch granules were weakened, and the structure of mashed potatoes particles was destroyed following FTC. The oxidation and degradation of fat induced by FTC increased the content of key compounds such as octanal and nonanal, thereby contributing to an overall deterioration in the flavor of mashed potatoes. This study elucidates the effects of FTC on water migration, microstructure, and flavor characteristics of mashed potatoes, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for improving the quality of prefabricated frozen mashed potatoes dishes.

A versatile fluorescent probe for hydrogen peroxide in serotonergic neurons of living brains of mice with depression.

Depression, a prevalent mental illness, is intricately linked with the neurotransmitters in the brain, while serotonin as a crucial regulator of mood, energy levels, and memory, has been implicated in depression. So, the release of serotonin by serotonergic neurons plays a significant role in the development of depression. Notably, the foremost marker of oxidative stress, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can interfere with the functioning of serotonergic neurons and potentially contribute to depression. Investigating the impact of H2O2 on serotonergic neurons could offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying depression. However, there have been no effective tools for selectively imaging H2O2 in these neurons so far. To address this gap, we created a small molecular fluorescent probe, PF-H2O2, designed specifically for imaging H2O2 in serotonergic neurons under oxidative stress. PF-H2O2 exerts excellent serotonergic neuron-targetability and notable selectivity for H2O2. Furthermore, we discovered increased H2O2 in serotonergic neurons of mice with depressive symptoms. Altogether, this endeavour unveils a pioneering tool for exploring pathophysiology linked to serotonergic neuronal dysfunction.

Unraveling the proteomic landscape of fibrosis in lupus nephritis through CI-based analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The underlying mechanism by which lupus nephritis (LN) progresses to chronic kidney disease remains elusive. Fibrosis is a hallmark feature of chronic kidney disease, including LN. The chronicity index (CI) score, which incorporates glomerular sclerosis, fibrous crescents, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis, summarizes the extent of kidney tissue fibrosis. METHOD: In this study, we employed label-free quantitative proteomics based on mass spectrometry to generate kidney protein profiles with varying CI scores. RESULTS: A total of 98 proteins exhibiting linear correlation with CI scores were initially screened out by linear model (CI linearly related proteins), and subsequently, 12 key proteins were derived based on the CI linearly related proteins using Cytohubba. LN patients were stratified into two subtypes based on CI scores and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics. These subtypes exhibited significant disparities in immune infiltration and molecular pathways. The high EMT group exhibited heightened activation of immune cells, such as memory B cells, gamma delta T cells, and resting mast cells. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) uncovered substantial dysregulation in critical biological processes and signaling pathways, including NF-κB, JNK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, lipoprotein biosynthetic process, and endocytosis, in both subgroups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study establishes molecular subgroups based on the CI score, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms governing chronicity in the kidneys of diverse LN patients. Key Points • Fibrosis is a fundamental and characteristic pathological process underlying the NIH-CI in LN. • Different EMT status presented variant clinical characteristics, immune features in LN.

Construction of a risk prediction model for ureteral stricture after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the influencing factors of ureteral stenosis after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. METHODS: The clinical data of 427 patients treated with ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy were selected, and the patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of ureteral stenosis after the operation. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the independent risk factors for postoperative ureteral stenosis, and R software and regression coefficients were used to construct a predictive model. RESULTS: After a one-year follow-up of 427 patients, 28 patients (6.56%) developed ureteral stenosis; univariate analysis showed that the occurrence of ureteral stenosis after subureteral holmium laser lithotripsy was related to stone diameter, stone incarceration, degree of hydronephrosis, holmium laser injury of mucosa, and operation time (P<0.05); further logistic regression analysis showed that a large stone diameter, stone incarceration, and moderate to severe hydronephrosis were independent risk factors for ureteral stenosis after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy (P<0.05); According to H-L deviation degree and area under ROC curve test, the results show that the model has high accuracy（c2=2.475，P=0.613）and differentiation(0.875(95%CI:0.817-0.919)), and the external verification of the nomogram prediction model was carried out by the verification group. The results showed that the prediction probability of the calibration curve was close to the actual probability and had a good consistency(AUC:0.873 (95CI: 0.822-0.914)). CONCLUSION: The established nomogram model exhibits high accuracy and discriminative ability. It can effectively identify high-risk groups, enabling timely prevention of ureteral stenosis and minimizing the risk of postoperative ureteral stenosis.

Research hotspots and future trends in lipid metabolism in chronic kidney disease: a bibliometric and visualization analysis from 2004 to 2023.

Background: Disorders of lipid metabolism play a key role in the initiation and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recently, research on lipid metabolism in CKD has rapidly increased worldwide. However, comprehensive bibliometric analyses in this field are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate publications in the field of lipid metabolism in CKD over the past 20 years based on bibliometric analysis methods to understand the important achievements, popular research topics, and emerging thematic trends. Methods: Literature on lipid metabolism in CKD, published between 2004 and 2023, was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. The VOSviewer (v.1.6.19), CiteSpace (v.6.3 R1), R language (v.4.3.2), and Bibliometrix (v.4.1.4) packages (https://www.bibliometrix.org) were used for the bibliometric analysis and visualization. Annual output, author, country, institution, journal, cited literature, co-cited literature, and keywords were also included. The citation frequency and H-index were used to evaluate quality and influence. Results: In total, 1,285 publications in the field of lipid metabolism in CKD were identified in this study. A total of 7,615 authors from 1,885 institutions in 69 countries and regions published articles in 466 journals. Among them, China was the most productive (368 articles), and the United States had the most citations (17,880 times) and the highest H-index (75). Vaziri Nosratola D, Levi Moshe, Fornoni Alessia, Zhao Yingyong, and Merscher Sandra emerged as core authors. Levi Moshe (2,247 times) and Vaziri Nosratola D (1,969 times) were also authors of the top two most cited publications. The International Journal of Molecular Sciences and Kidney International are the most published and cited journals in this field, respectively. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) have attracted significant attention in the field of lipid metabolism. Oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, autophagy, and cell death are the key research topics in this field. Conclusion: Through bibliometric analysis, the current status and global trends in lipid metabolism in CKD were demonstrated. CVD and DKD are closely associated with the lipid metabolism of patients with CKD. Future studies should focus on effective CKD treatments using lipid-lowering targets.

Mechanism study of YangJing ZhongYu decoction on regulating mitochondrial dynamics of ovarian granular cells and improving diminished ovarian reserve.

OBJECTIVE: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) encompasses both reproductive and endocrine disorders, resulting in a decline in female fertility. This paper explored the mechanism of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YJZYD) regulating mitochondrial dynamics of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) to improve DOR. METHODS: DOR patients were treated with YJZYD, with ovarian volume (OV), antral follicle count (AFC), and endometrial thickness (EMT) detected. C57BL/6 female mice were treated by cyclophosphamide (Cy) intraperitoneal injection and YJZYD solution daily gavage, with serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) levels determined. Ovarian GCs (KGN) were interfered with 4-Hydroperoxy-Cyclophosphamide (4-HC) and treated with the MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitor or activator. RESULTS: DOR patients showed increased levels of serum AMH, E2, OV, AFC and EMT, while reduced FSH and LH levels after YJZYD treatment. After Cy induction, DOR mice exhibited irregular estrous cycles, diminished serum AMH and E2 levels, elevated FSH and LH levels, reduced follicle number and atresia follicle number, disorderly arranged GCs, and severe interstitial fibrosis. After 4-HC treatment, KGN proliferation and Bcl-2, MFN1, and MFN2 were suppressed, while apoptotic rate, Bax, Cleaved-caspase-3, and p-Drp1 (Ser616) levels, and mitochondrial fission and quantity increased. YJZYD promoted 4-HC-treated KGN proliferation, boosted mitochondrial fusion, and inhibited apoptosis and mitochondrial fission via the MAPK/ERK pathway. CONCLUSION: YJZYD promoted ovarian GC proliferation and mitochondrial fusion, suppressed cell apoptosis and mitochondrial fission, and effectively improved DOR in mice by activating the MAPK/ERK pathway, providing a theoretical basis for the clinical application value of YJZYD in DOR treatment.

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.

S2P-Matching: Self-supervised Patch-based Matching Using Transformer for Capsule Endoscopic Images Stitching.

The Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy (MCCE) has a limited shooting range, resulting in capturing numerous fragmented images and an inability to precisely locate and examine the region of interest (ROI) as traditional endoscopy can. Addressing this issue, image stitching around the ROI can be employed to aid in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) tract conditions. However, MCCE images possess unique characteristics, such as weak texture, close-up shooting, and large angle rotation, presenting challenges to current image-matching methods. In this context, a method named S2P-Matching is proposed for self-supervised patch-based matching in MCCE image stitching. The method involves augmenting the raw data by simulating the capsule endoscopic camera's behavior around the GI tract's ROI. Subsequently, an improved contrast learning encoder is utilized to extract local features, represented as deep feature descriptors. This encoder comprises two branches that extract distinct scale features, which are combined over the channel without manual labeling. The data-driven descriptors are then input into a Transformer model to obtain patch-level matches by learning the globally consented matching priors in the pseudo-ground-truth match pairs. Finally, the patch-level matching is refined and filtered to the pixel-level. The experimental results on real-world MCCE images demonstrate that S2P-Matching provides enhanced accuracy in addressing challenging issues in the GI tract environment with image parallax. The performance improvement can reach up to 203 and 55.8% in terms of NCM (Number of Correct Matches) and SR (Success Rate), respectively. This approach is expected to facilitate the wide adoption of MCCE-based gastrointestinal screening.

The Cytotoxic Activity and Metabolic Profiling of Hyptis rhomboidea Mart. et Gal.

Many naturally occurring chemical metabolites with significant cytotoxic activities have been isolated from medicinal plants and have become the leading hotspot of anti-cancer research in recent years. Hyptis rhomboidea Mart. et Gal is used as a folk medicine in South China to treat or assist in the treatment of liver disease, ulcers, and edema. But its chemical constituents have not been fully investigated yet. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of H. rhomboidea, which was chemically characterized by chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. The results showed that the 95% ethanol extract of H. rhomboidea has marked inhibitory effects on five human cancer cell lines (HL-60, A549, SMMC-7721, MDA-MB-231, and SW480), with IC50 values ranging from 15.8 to 40.0 µg/mL. A total of 64 compounds were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) and gas chromatograph-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis of H. rhomboidea crude extract. Among them, kaempferol, quercetin, rosmarinic acid, squalene, and campesterol were found to be abundant and might be the major metabolites involved to its bioactivity. The cytotoxic characterization and metabolite profiling of H. rhomboidea displayed in this research provides scientific evidence to support its use as medicinal properties.

Comprehensive determination of fatty acids in real samples without derivatization by DMU-SPME-GC methods.

The comprehensive determination of fatty acids without derivatization, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), is a big challenge but powerful for lipidomics in biology, food, and environment. Herein, the dual mode unity solid-phase microextraction (DMU-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) or mass spectrometry (MS) was proposed as a powerful method for the determination of comprehensive free fatty acids in real samples. Under the optimized DMU-SPME conditions, the proposed method has good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.994) and low limits of determination (0.01-0.14 mg/L). In the stability analysis, the intra-day relative standard deviation was 1.39-12.43 %, and the inter-day relative standard deviation was 2.84-10.79 %. The recoveries of selected 10 fatty acids in real samples ranged from 90.18 % to 110.75 %, indicating that the method has good accuracy. Fatty acids ranging from C2 to C22 were detected in real samples by the untargeted determination method of DMU-SPME combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The DMU-SPME method proposed in this study can be used for lipid metabolism analysis and free fatty acid determination in the fields of biology, food, and environment.