Implementing a completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite process using a novel umbrella basalt fiber carrier.

The completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process is significantly hindered by prolonged start-up periods and unstable nitrogen removal efficiency. In this study, a novel umbrella basalt fiber (BF) carrier with good biological affinity and adsorption performance was used to initiate the CANON process. The CANON process was initiated on day 64 in a sequencing batch reactor equipped with umbrella BF carriers. During this period, the influent NH4+-N concentration gradually increased from 100 to 200 mg·L-1, and the dissolved oxygen was controlled below 0.8 mg L-1. Consequently, an average ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency (ARE) and total nitrogen removal efficiency (TNRE) of ∼90 and 80% were achieved, respectively. After 130 days, ARE and TNRE remained stable at 92 and 81.1%, respectively. This indicates a reliable method for achieving rapid start-up and stable operation of the CANON process. Moreover, Candidatus Kuenenia and Candidatus Brocadia were identified as dominant anammox genera on the carrier. Nitrosomonas was the predominant genus among ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Spatial differences were observed in the microbial population of umbrella BF carriers. This arrangement facilitated autotrophic nitrogen removal in a single reactor. This study indicates that the novel umbrella BF carrier is a highly suitable biocarrier for the CANON process.

[Rapid determination of 15 N-nitrosamines in air-dried yak meat using one-step QuEChERS-gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry].

A method based on gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) coupled with one-step QuEChERS technique was developed for the simultaneous determination of 15 N-nitrosamines in air-dried yak meat. The hydration volume, extraction solvent, extracting salt, and cleaning material were optimized according to the characteristics of the N-nitrosamines and sample matrix. The optimized conditions were as follows: 10 mL of purified water for sample hydration, acetonitrile as the extraction solvent for the sample after hydration, 4.0 g of anhydrous MgSO4 and 1.0 g of NaCl as extracting salts, 500 mg of MgSO4+25 mg of C18+50 mg of PSA as cleaning materials. Favorable recoveries of the 15 N-nitrosamines were obtained when the extraction solution was incompletely dried. Thus, the final extract was dried to below 0.5 mL under a mild nitrogen stream and then redissolved to 0.5 mL with acetonitrile. After filtration, 200 µL of the sample was transferred to an autosampler vial for GC-MS/MS analysis. The 15 N-nitrosamines were determined using GC-MS/MS on a DB-HeavyWAX column (30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 µm) with an electron impact ion source in multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, and quantified using an external standard method. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the results showed that the calibration curves exhibited good linearities for the 15 N-nitrosamines, with correlation coefficients (r2) greater than 0.9990. The limits of detection (LODs) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.05 to 0.20 µg/kg and from 0.10 to 0.50 µg/kg, respectively. At spiked levels of 1LOQ, 2LOQ, and 10LOQ, the average recoveries were 79.4%-102.1%, 80.6%-109.5%, and 83.0%-110.6%, respectively, and the relative standard deviations were in the range of 0.8%-16.0%. The low matrix effects of the 15 N-nitrosamines indicated the high sensitivity of the proposed method. The method was applied to detect representative commercial air-dried yak meat samples obtained using different processing techniques. Seven N-nitrosamines, including N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiisobutylamine, N-nitrosodibutylamine, N-methyl-N-phenylnitrous amide, N-ethyl-N-nitrosoaniline, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, and N-nitrosodiphenylamine were detected in all samples. The average contents of the seven N-nitrosamines was 0.08-20.18 µg/kg. The detection rates and average contents of the N-nitrosamines in cooked air-dried yak meat samples were higher than those in traditional raw air-dried yak meat samples. Compared with the manual QuEChERS method, the one-step QuEChERS method developed integrated the extraction and clean-up procedures into one single run, and the detection efficiency was considerably improved. The developed method is simple, rapid, highly sensitive, and insusceptible to human errors. Thus, it is useful for the determination of N-nitrosamines in air-dried yak meat and can be extended to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of N-nitrosamines in other meat products. It also provides method support and a data reference for the general determination of N-nitrosamines, which is of great significance for food safety.

Risk factors of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer with 1-2 sentinel lymph node macrometastases underwent total mastectomy: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The randomized trials which include ACOSOG Z0011 and IBCSG 23-01 had found that the survival rates were not different in patients with cT1/2N0 and 1-2 sentinel lymph node (SLN)-positive, macro/micrometastases who underwent breast-conserving therapy, and micrometastases who underwent total mastectomy (TM), when axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was omitted. However, for patients with cT1/2N0 and 1-2 SLN macrometastases who underwent TM; there was still insufficient evidence from clinical studies to support whether ALND can be exempted. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of non-sentinel lymph node (nSLN) metastasis in breast cancer patients with 1-2 SLN macrometastases undergoing TM. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 1491 breast cancer patients who underwent TM and SLNB from January 2017 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the risk factors for nSLN metastasis. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients with 1-2 SLN macrometastases who underwent TM were enrolled. Postoperative pathological data showed that 35.2% patients had nSLN metastasis. The results of multivariate analysis indicated that tumor size (TS) (P = 0.002; OR: 1.051; 95% CI: 1.019-1.084) and ratio of SLN macrometastases (P = 0.0001; OR: 12.597: 95% CI: 4.302-36.890) were the independent risk factors for nSLN metastasis in breast cancer patients with 1-2 SLN macrometastases that underwent TM. The ROC curve analysis suggested that when TS ≤22 mm and ratio of SLN macrometastases ≤0.33, the incidence of nSLN metastasis could be reduced to 17.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The breast cancer patients with cT1/2N0 stage, undergoing TM and 1-2 SLN macrometastases, when the TS ≤22 mm and macrometastatic SLN does not exceed 1/3 of the total number of detected SLN, the incidence of nSLN metastasis is significantly reduced, but whether ALND can be exempted needs further exploration.

Detection of Transdermal Drug Delivery Efficiency by Shock Wave.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe the drug distribution ex-vivo after transdermal drug delivery (TDD) by Shock Wave (SW) and to explore the different effects of the two types of shock waves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (i) control group; (ii) RESW group (0.35mJ/mm2, 2 Hz, 400 pulse); (iii) FESW group (0.16mJ/mm2, 2 Hz, 400 pulse). Micro positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was used to observe the distribution of [18]F-NaF. Furthermore, 12 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: (i) control group; (ii) FESW group 1 (0.03mJ/mm2, 2 Hz, 400 pulse); (iii) FESW group 2 (0.16mJ/mm2, 2 Hz, 400 pulse); (iv) FESW group 3 (0.35mJ/mm2, 2 Hz, 400 pulse). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tested diclofenac sodium and glucose percutaneously TDD by FESW. Statistical significance was conducted by analysis of variance of repeated measurement. RESULTS: The micro PET/CT observed FESW could penetrate [18]F-NaF through the skin, while RESW could not. The second study found the higher the energy of the FESW, the more diclofenac sodium and glucose penetration. Repeated measures analysis of variance found a within-subject effect (diclofenac sodium, F = 4.77, p = 0.03), (glucose, F = 8.95, p = 0.006), significant differences between the control group, FESW group 1, and FESW group 2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study found that FESW can penetrate [18]F-NaF, sugar and diclofenac sodium into the rat body. FESW has a good indication of drug penetration, which provides new biological evidence for route administration.

Rapid cultivation of anammox sludge based on Ca-alginate cell beads.

Current gel entrapment technology has certain advantages for the enrichment of anammox sludge. In this study, the optimal preparation conditions and cultivation equipment of Ca-alginate cell beads for the culturing anammox sludge were proposed. The preparation parameters of the Ca-alginate cell beads were as follows: 3% sodium alginate, 4% CaCl2, VSA:Vcell = 1:1, a drop height of 9 cm, stirring speed of 300 rpm, and cross-linking time of 24 h. The prepared cell beads were regular spheres with a uniform size and hard texture. Throughout the 9 days of cultivation, the number of anammox bacteria in the Ca-alginate cell beads was 4.3 times that of the initial sludge, and the color of the cell beads changed from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the SA gel beads had a good microporous structure. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results illustrated that the bacteria were mostly dispersed inside the Ca-alginate cell beads. Additionally, the qPCR results implied that only a relatively small amount of anammox biomass (2.74×106 copies/gel-bead) was required to quickly start the anammox process. The anammox bacteria in the Ca-alginate cell beads grew with a fast growth rate in a short period and exhibited high activity due to diffusion limitations. In addition, the anammox bacteria cultivated in the Ca-alginate cell beads could adapt to the increase in substrate concentration in a short period. The optimal incubation time of this gel entrapment method for anammox sludge was no more than 17 days under the experimental conditions of this work. Therefore, this simple and practicable gel entrapment method may serve as a suitable pre-culture means for the rapid enrichment of anammox bacteria.

Effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex versus motor cortex in patients with neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury: a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropathic pain is one of the common complications of spinal cord injuries (SCI), which will slow down the recovery process and result in lower quality of life. Previous studies have shown that repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the motor cortex (M1) can reduce the average pain and the most severe pain of neuropathic pain after SCI. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) area is a common target of rTMS. Recently, a few studies found that rTMS of DLPFC may relieve the neuropathic pain of SCI. Compared with the M1 area, the efficacy of rTMS treatment in the DLPFC area in improving neuropathic pain and pain-related symptoms in patients with SCI is still unclear. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the non-inferiority of rTMS in the DLPFC vs M1 in patients with neuropathic pain after SCI, in order to provide more options for rTMS in treating neuropathic pain after SCI. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will recruit 50 subjects with neuropathic pain after SCI. They will be randomly assigned to the DLPFC- rTMS and M1-rTMS groups and be treated with rTMS for 4 weeks. Except for the different stimulation sites, the rTMS treatment programmes of the two groups are the same: 10 Hz, 1250 pulses, 115% intensity threshold, once a day, five times a week for 4 weeks. VAS, simplified McGill Pain Questionnaire, Spinal Cord Injury Pain Date Set, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Hamilton Anxiety Scale will be evaluated at baseline, second week of treatment, fourth week of treatment and 4 weeks after the end of treatment. And VAS change will be calculated. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University has approved this trial, which is numbered KY2020041. Written informed consent will be provided to all participants after verification of the eligibility criteria. The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2000032362.

Effects of Umbilical Cord Milking on Anemia in Preterm Infants: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether umbilical cord milking (UCM) prevents and controls anemia in preterm infants, as compared with immediate cord clamping (ICC). STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant women delivering at <34 weeks' gestation in four hospitals were randomly assigned to undergo UCM or ICC from July 2017 to June 2019. Hematological parameters and iron status were collected and analyzed as primary outcomes at 24 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 months after delivery. RESULTS: Neonates receiving UCM had significant higher levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, and serum iron (p < 0.05). Lower prevalence of anemia and lower need for transfusions were noted in UCM group. Although UCM was associated with prolonged duration of phototherapy, the maximum levels of bilirubin were similar between two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: UCM is an effective intervention to help preterm infants experience less anemia with the potential to increase blood volume, as seen by higher Hb levels and more enhanced iron stores.

Effects of electromyography biofeedback for patients after knee surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

There has been no systematic review evaluating the efficacy of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback after knee surgery recently. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether EMG-biofeedback is effective for improving the range of motion (ROM), physical function, and pain relief in patients after knee. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of EMG-biofeedback after any knee surgery were retrieved from EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, ClinicalTrials.gov, ProQuest. This review identified 773 unique studies, and six RCTs were in the final meta-analysis. EMG-Biofeedback treatment has a significant difference compared to other rehabilitation therapy in knee ROM improving (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.82 to -0.14, p = 0.006, I2 = 37%). Moreover, there was no significant difference in pain (SMD = -0.33, 95% CI = -0.67 to0.02, p = 0.07, I2 = 41%) and physical function scores (MD = 1.83, 95% CI = -3.48 to7.14, p = 0.50, I2 = 0%). The results illustrate that EMG-biofeedback can improve knee ROM in patients after knee surgery. However, it is not superior to other rehabilitation methods for pain relief and physical function improvement.

The effect of VNS on the rehabilitation of stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for the rehabilitation of stroke remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of VNS on the rehabilitation of stroke. METHODS: We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through March 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of VNS on the rehabilitation of stroke. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model. RESULTS: Three RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group in stroke, VNS is associated with significantly improved FMA-UE (SMD = 3.86; 95% CI = 1.19 to 6.52; P = 0.005) and Motor Function Test (SMD = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.62; P = 0.03), but has no obvious impact on Box and Block Test (SMD = -0.31; 95% CI = -3.48 to 2.86; P = 0.85), Nine-Hole Peg Test (SMD = 8.35; 95% CI = -40.59 to 57.28; P = 0.74), atrial fibrillation (RR = 3.46; 95% CI = 0.39 to 30.57; P = 0.26) or adverse events (RR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.21 to 1.61; P = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: VNS may be beneficial to the rehabilitation of stroke.

What You Should Know About Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation: A Bibliometric Analysis of the 50 Most-Cited Articles.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that commonly occurs in middle-aged and elderly people. High-quality articles in the field of osteoarthritis rehabilitation have not been studied in detail. OBJECTIVE: To identify and conduct a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the 50 most-cited articles on osteoarthritis rehabilitation and provide valuable scientific information for researchers. METHODS: Fifty articles related to the rehabilitation of individuals with osteoarthritis were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Basic information, such as the authors, title, number of citations, year of publication, journal, country/territory, and research type, was extracted. CiteSpace was used to visualize the keywords. RESULTS: The average number of citations per article was 244.54. The top 50 articles were published in 27 journals and published by 262 authors. Most of the top 50 articles were published in the United States. The top 50 articles included 23 randomized controlled trials, 21 cohort studies, 2 case series, and 4 expert opinion articles. The most commonly studied topics in osteoarthritis rehabilitation included rehabilitation for pain, gait abnormalities, muscle strength deficiencies, and other functional impairments caused by osteoarthritis in elderly people. CONCLUSIONS: The top articles in the field of osteoarthritis rehabilitation have a high level of evidence. Collaboration between authors was high for highly-cited articles. Moreover, the eminent articles can provide important information for the education of doctors and therapists specializing in osteoarthritis rehabilitation.