Causes and global, regional, and national burdens of traumatic brain injury from 1990 to 2019.

PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), currently a major global public health problem, imposes a significant economic burden on society and families. We aimed to quantify and predict the incidence and severity of TBI by analyzing its incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs). The epidemiological changes in TBI from 1990 to 2019 were described and updated to provide a reference for developing prevention, treatment, and incidence-reducing measures for TBI. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on the incidence, prevalence, and YLDs of TBI by sex, age group, and region (n = 21,204 countries and territories) between 1990 and 2019 using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019. Proportions in the age-standardized incidence rate due to underlying causes of TBI and proportions of minor and moderate or severe TBI were also reported. RESULTS: In 2019, there were 27.16 million (95% uncertainty intervals (UI): 23.36 - 31.42) new cases of TBI worldwide, with age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of 346 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 298-401) and 599 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 573-627), respectively. From 1990 to 2019, there were no significant trends in global age-standardized incidence (estimated annual percentage changes: -0.11%, 95% UI: -0.18% - -0.04%) or prevalence (estimated annual percentage changes: 0.01%, 95% UI: -0.04% - 0.06%). TBI caused 7.08 million (95% UI: 5.00 - 9.59) YLDs in 2019, with age-standardized rates of 86.5 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 61.1 - 117.2). In 2019, the countries with higher incidence rates were mainly distributed in Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Australia. The 2019 global age-standardized incidence rate was higher in males than in females. The 2019 global incidence of moderate and severe TBI was 182.7 per 100,000 population, accounting for 52.8% of all TBI, with falls and road traffic injuries being the main causes in most regions. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of moderate and severe TBI was slightly higher in 2019, and TBI still accounts for a significant portion of the global injury burden. The likelihood of moderate to severe TBI and the trend of major injury under each injury cause from 1990 to 2019 and the characteristics of injury mechanisms in each age group are presented, providing a basis for further research on injury causes in each age group and the future establishment of corresponding policies and protective measures.

Ratiometric peptide-based fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift for detection of Hg2+ and S2- and its applications in cells imaging and smartphone-assisted recognition.

In this work, a new ratiometric fluorescent probe DKA was synthesized based on the double sides of lysine backbone conjugated with alanine and dansyl groups. DKA exhibited fluorescence ratiometric response for Hg2+ with high sensitivity (13.4 nM), specific selectivity (only Hg2+), strong anti-interference ability (no interference), fast recognition (within 60 s) and wide pH range (5-10). The stoichiometry of binding of DKA and Hg2+ was determined to be 1:1 via Job's plot, ESI-HRMS and 1HNMR titration analysis. Subsequently, the in situ formation of DKA-Hg2+ complex was used for highly selective detection of S2- as a novel fluorescence "on-off" probe, and the lowest detection limit for S2- was 12.9 nM. In addition, DKA possessed excellent cells permeation and low toxicity, and fluorescence imaging of Hg2+ and S2- was performed in living Hacat cells. Most importantly, the digital imaging using a smartphone color recognition APP indicated that DKA could semi-quantitatively and visually detected Hg2+ and S2- without expensive equipment.

Habitat use of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles at the northern limit of their distribution range of the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

Verifying habitats, including the foraging and nesting areas for sea turtles, enables an understanding of their spatial ecology and successful planning of their conservation and management strategies. Recently, the observation frequency and bycatch of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles have increased in the northern limit of their distribution range, in the northern part of the East China Sea and East (Japan) Sea. We conducted satellite tracking to investigate the habitat use of seven loggerhead and eight green turtles from June 2016 to August 2022 in this area, where little is known about their spatial ecology. We applied a 50 percent volume contour method to determine their main foraging areas and analyzed 6 environmental variables to characterize their habitats. Loggerhead turtles mainly stayed in and used the East China Sea as a foraging area during the tracking period, while two individuals among them also used the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area. Most green turtles also used the East China Sea as a foraging area, near South Korea and Japan, with one individual among them using the lower area of the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area. Notably, one green turtle traveled to Hainan Island in the South China Sea, a historical nesting area. Our results showed that the two sea turtle species included the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area, possibly owing to the abundance of food sources available, despite its relatively lower sea temperature. Considering that loggerhead and green sea turtles were observed using the northern part of the East China Sea and East Sea more frequently than previously known and that the sea temperature gradually increases due to climate change, conservation and management activities are required for sea turtles in these areas.

Ganoderic acids alleviate atherosclerosis by inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by lipid infiltration and plaque formation in blood vessel walls. Ganoderic acids (GA), a class of major bioactive compounds isolated from the Chinese traditional medicine Ganoderma lucidum, have multiple pharmacological activities. This study aimed to determine the anti-atherosclerotic effect of GA and reveal the pharmacological mechanism. METHODS: ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet and treated with GA for 16 weeks to induce AS and identify the effect of GA. Network pharmacological analysis was performed to predict the anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms. An invitro cell model was used to explore the effect of GA on macrophage polarization and the possible mechanism involved in bone marrow dereived macrophages (BMDMs) and RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or oxidized low-density lipoprotein. RESULTS: It was found that GA at 5 and 25 mg/kg/d significantly inhibited the development of AS and increased plaque stability, as evidenced by decreased plaque in the aorta, reduced necrotic core size and increased collagen/lipid ratio in lesions. GA reduced the proportion of M1 macrophages in plaques, but had no effect on M2 macrophages. In vitro experiments showed that GA (1, 5, 25 µg/mL) significantly decreased the proportion of CD86+ macrophages and the mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1ß, and MCP-1 in macrophages. Experimental results showed that GA inhibited M1 macrophage polarization by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that GA play an important role in plaque stability and macrophage polarization. GA exert the anti-atherosclerotic effect partly by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways to inhibit M1 polarization of macrophages. Our study provides theoretical basis and experimental data for the pharmacological activity and mechanisms of GA against AS.

Clinical characteristics of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness and its visual subtype in Korean patients: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic functional vestibular disorder for which the Bárány Society has established diagnostic criteria. This nationwide multicenter study aims to investigate the clinical features of individuals with definite PPPD and clinical variant PPPD who do not fully meet the diagnostic criteria, with a particular focus on visual exaggeration. METHODS: Between September 2020 and September 2021, a total of 76 individuals with definite PPPD and 109 individuals with clinical variant PPPD who did not meet all three exacerbating factors outlined in Criterion B were recruited from 18 medical centers in South Korea. The study gathered information on demographic factors, clinical manifestations, balance scales, and personality assessments. RESULTS: Comparative analysis between groups with definite PPPD and clinical variant with visual exacerbation revealed no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, clinical course, dizziness impact, and specific precipitants. Only disease duration was significantly longer in definite PPPD compared with variant with visual exacerbation. However, the variant without visual exacerbation displayed significantly reduced rates of panic disorder, diminished space-motion discomfort, lesser impact of dizziness, and decreased prevalence of depression when compared with the definitive PPPD. CONCLUSION: This is the first comprehensive nationwide study examining clinical features of both definite PPPD patients and its clinical variants, considering visual exacerbating factors. Differences in dizziness and personality traits emerged between definite PPPD and its potential variant without visual issues. Our results highlight the possibility of a distinct clinical variant of PPPD influenced by visual dependency.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in children.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric bronchiectasis is a common respiratory disease in children. The use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for its treatment remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic surgery and thoracotomy in the treatment of pediatric bronchiectasis and summarize the surgical treatment experience of VATS in children with bronchiectasis. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center cohort study. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 46 pediatric patients who underwent surgery with bronchiectasis at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from May 2015 to May 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: the VATS group (25 cases) and the thoracotomy group (21 cases). Comparative analysis was performed on various parameters including basic clinical data, surgical methods, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion status, postoperative pain, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, chest tube drainage time, length of hospital stay, incidence of complications, and follow-up information. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in terms of age, weight, gender, etiology, duration of symptoms, site of onset, and comorbidities (p > 0.05). The operation time in the VATS group was longer than that in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.001). However, the VATS group had better outcomes in terms of intraoperative blood loss, transfusion status, postoperative pain, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, chest tube drainage time, and length of hospital stay (p < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the VATS group was lower than that in the thoracotomy group, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.152). Follow-up data showed no statistically significant difference in the surgical treatment outcomes between the two groups (p = 0.493). CONCLUSION: The incidence of complications and mortality in surgical treatment of bronchiectasis is acceptable. Compared with thoracotomy surgery, VATS has advantages such as smaller trauma, less pain, faster recovery, and fewer complications. For suitable pediatric patients with bronchiectasis, VATS is a safe and effective surgical method.

Identification and characterization of a temperature sensitive chlorotic soybean mutant.

Screening a transposon-mutagenized soybean population led to the discovery of a recessively inherited chlorotic phenotype. This "vir1" phenotype results in smaller stature, weaker stems, and a smaller root system with smaller nodules. Genome sequencing identified 15 candidate genes with mutations likely to result in a loss of function. Amplicon sequencing of a segregating population was then used to narrow the list to a single candidate mutation, a single-base change in Glyma.07G102300 that disrupts splicing of the second intron. Single cell transcriptomic profiling indicates that this gene is expressed primarily in mesophyll cells and RNA sequencing data indicates it is upregulated in germinating seedlings by cold stress. Previous studies have shown that mutations to Os05g34040, the rice homolog of Glyma.07G102300, produced a chlorotic phenotype that was more pronounced in cool temperatures. Growing soybean vir1 mutants at lower temperatures also resulted in a more severe phenotype. In addition, transgenic expression of wild type Glyma.07G102300 in the knockout mutant of the Arabidopsis homolog At4930720 rescues the chlorotic phenotype, further supporting the hypothesis that the mutation in Glyma.07G102300 is causal of the vir1 phenotype.

The artificial amino acid change in the sialic acid-binding domain of the hemagglutinin neuraminidase of newcastle disease virus increases its specificity to HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells and tumor suppression effect.

BACKGROUND: Oncolytic viruses are being studied and developed as novel cancer treatments. Using directed evolution technology, structural modification of the viral surface protein increases the specificity of the oncolytic virus for a particular cancer cell. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) does not show specificity for certain types of cancer cells during infection; therefore, it has low cancer cell specificity. Hemagglutinin is an NDV receptor-binding protein on the cell surface that determines host cell tropism. NDV selectivity for specific cancer cells can be increased by artificial amino acid changes in hemagglutinin neuraminidase HN proteins via directed evolution, leading to improved therapeutic effects. METHODS: Sialic acid-binding sites (H domains) of the HN protein mutant library were generated using error-prone PCR. Variants of the H domain protein were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using HCT 116 cancer cell surface molecules. The mutant S519G H domain protein showed the highest affinity for the surface protein of HCT 116 cells compared to that of different types of cancer cells. This showed that the S519G mutant H domain protein gene replaced the same part of the original HN protein gene, and S519G mutant recombinant NDV (rNDV) was constructed and recovered. S519G rNDV cancer cell killing effects were tested using the MTT assay with various cancer cell types, and the tumor suppression effect of the S519G mutant rNDV was tested in a xenograft mouse model implanted with cancer cells, including HCT 116 cells. RESULTS: S519G rNDV showed increased specificity and enhanced killing ability of HCT 116 cells among various cancer cells and a stronger suppressive effect on tumor growth than the original recombinant NDV. Directed evolution using an artificial amino acid change in the NDV HN (S519G mutant) protein increased its specificity and oncolytic effect in colorectal cancer without changing its virulence. CONCLUSION: These results provide a new methodology for the use of directed evolution technology for more effective oncolytic virus development.

A novel ratiometric peptide-based fluorescent probe for sequential detection of Hg2+ and S2- ions and its application in living cells and zebrafish imaging.

A new ratiometric peptide-based fluorescent probe DWPH was designed and synthesized, comprising dansyl fluorophore as a fluorescent dye, and tripeptide backbone (Trp-Pro-His-NH2) as a recognition group. The addition of Hg2+ caused the maximum emission peak of DWPH to blue shift from 560 nm to 510 nm. DWPH exhibited large Stokes shift (230 nm), satisfactory water solubility (100 % aqueous medium), good selectivity (only Hg2+), high sensitivity (24.6 nM), rapid response (within 50 s) and strong anti-interference ability for Hg2+ detection over a wide pH range (7-11). Additionally, the complex DWPH-Hg2+ as a relay response probe could also be applied to S2- according to displacement approach. Notably, the detection limit for S2- was calculated as 23.3 nM, exhibiting that DWPH showed great potential for environmental monitoring and bioimaging. In addition, DWPH were successfully used to determine Hg2+ and S2- in living cells and zebrafish based on excellent permeability and low cytotoxicity. What's more, the gradient concentration color changes of Hg2+ and S2- were combined with the smartphone APP to obtain red-green-blue (RGB) values, thus enabling rapid semi-quantitative detection of Hg2+ and S2- without expensive instruments.

Theoretical investigations into the bonding and separation properties of non-rigid, partially rigid, and rigid ligands derived from Et-Tol-PTA with trivalent lanthanides and actinides.

The separation of trivalent actinide elements from lanthanide elements represents one of the most formidable challenges within the context of nuclear waste partitioning and transmutation (P&T) processes. Consequently, we embarked on a systematic investigation aimed at elucidating the bonding properties and thermodynamic behavior of a N-ethyl-N-tolyl-2-amide-1,10-phenanthroline (Et-Tol-PTA) ligand in conjunction with trivalent actinide and lanthanide elements. This investigation involved the utilization of various density functional theory (DFT) methods and a comparative analysis between small-core pseudopotential basis sets and all-electron basis sets. It was found that well-performing results were achieved using the PBE0 functional in both bond length and thermodynamic energy calculations, with minimal impact being exerted by the basis set on the results. Furthermore, an exploration was carried out into the bonding and thermodynamic properties of trivalent actinides and lanthanides with ligands derived from Et-Tol-PTA, encompassing non-rigid (La), partially rigid (Lb, Lc), and rigid (Ld) ligands. Thermodynamically, advantages in the separation of Am(III)/Eu(III) were exhibited by Lb and Lc ligands, while excellent performance in the separation of Am(III)/Cm(III) was demonstrated by the La ligand. Analyses conducted using quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), reduced density gradient (RDG), and natural bond orbital (NBO) methodologies revealed the presence of partial covalent character in the bonds between oxygen (O) and metal (M), as well as between nitrogen (N) and metal (M), with a higher degree of covalent character being observed in O-Am and N-Am bonds compared to O-Cm/Eu and N-Cm/Eu interactions.

Mannitol inhibits the proliferation of neural stem cell by a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: Mannitol is one of the first-line drugs for reducing cerebral edema through increasing the extracellular osmotic pressure. However, long-term administration of mannitol in the treatment of cerebral edema triggers damage to neurons and astrocytes. Given that neural stem cell (NSC) is a subpopulation of main regenerative cells in the central nervous system after injury, the effect of mannitol on NSC is still elusive. The present study aims to elucidate the role of mannitol in NSC proliferation. METHODS: C57 mice were derived from the animal house of Zunyi Medical University. A total of 15 pregnant mice were employed for the purpose of isolating NSCs in this investigation. Initially, mouse primary NSCs were isolated from the embryonic cortex of mice and subsequently identified through immunofluorescence staining. In order to investigate the impact of mannitol on NSC proliferation, both cell counting kit-8 assays and neurospheres formation assays were conducted. The in vitro effects of mannitol were examined at various doses and time points. In order to elucidate the role of Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the suppressive effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation, various assays including reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were conducted on control and mannitol-treated groups. Additionally, the phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) was examined to explore the potential mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation. Finally, to further confirm the involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent (MAPK) signaling pathway in the observed inhibition of NSC proliferation by mannitol, SB203580 was employed. All data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The statistical analysis among multiple comparisons was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey's post hoc test in case of the data following a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Comparisons between 2 groups were determined using Student's t-test, if the data exhibited a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Meanwhile, data were shown as median and interquartile range and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, if the data failed the normality test. A p < 0.05 was considered as significant difference. RESULTS: Primary NSC were isolated from the mice, and the characteristics were identified using immunostaining analysis. Thereafter, the results indicated that mannitol held the capability of inhibiting NSC proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner using cell counting kit-8, neurospheres formation, and immunostaining of Nestin and Ki67 assays. During the process of mannitol suppressing NSC proliferation, the expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein was downregulated, while the gene expression of p-p38 was elevated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunostaining, and western blotting assays. Subsequently, the administration of SB203580, one of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors, partially abrogated this inhibitory effect resulting from mannitol, supporting the fact that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway participated in curbing NSC proliferation induced by mannitol. CONCLUSIONS: Mannitol inhibits NSC proliferation through downregulating AQP4, while upregulating the expression of p-p38 MAPK.

What interventions can treat arthrogenic muscle inhibition in patients with chronic ankle instability? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify, critically appraise, and synthesize the existing evidence regarding the effects of therapeutic interventions on arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two reviewers independently performed exhaustive database searches in Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus. RESULTS: Nine studies were finally included. Five types of disinhibitory interventions were identified: focal ankle joint cooling (FAJC), manual therapy, fibular reposition taping (FRT), whole-body vibration (WBV), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). There were moderate effects of FAJC on spinal excitability in ankle muscles (g = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.03-1.08, p = 0.040 for the soleus and g = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.01-1.07, p = 0.046 for the fibularis longus). In contrast, manual therapy, FRT, WBV were not effective. Finally, 4 weeks of tDCS combined with eccentric exercise showed large effects on corticospinal excitability in 2 weeks after the intervention (g = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.14-1.85 for the fibularis longus and g = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.16-1.87 for the tibialis anterior). CONCLUSIONS: FAJC and tDCS may be effective in counteracting AMI. However, the current evidence of mainly short-term studies to support the use of disinhibitory interventions is too limited to draw definitive conclusions.

Therapeutic interventions on arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) in patients with chronic ankle instability are scarce.Current studies incorporate mainly short-term therapeutic interventions.Focal ankle joint cooling seems effective to treat AMI.Several weeks of transcranial direct current stimulation may also be effective to counteract arthrogenic muscle inhibition but more studies are needed.

Peptide-based probe for colorimetric and fluorescent detection of Cu2+ and S2- in environmental and biological systems.

Pollution caused by Copper and hydrogen sulfide pollution has severe adverse effects on the environment and organisms. Real-time, fast and accurate monitoring of Cu2+ and S2- faces serious challenges. In this study, we designed a novel biosensor and synthesized it by mimicking the structure of the main Cu(II)-binding site on bovine serum albumin. As a peptide-based sensor, FGGH (FITC-Gly-Gly-His-NH2) can perform the sequential detection of Cu2+ and S2- by fluorescence and colorimetry. The high water solubility and selectivity make it suitable for monitoring Cu2+ and S2- in environmental water samples with high sensitivity; its limit of detection (LOD) is as low as 1.42 nM for Cu2+ and 22.2 nM for S2-. The paper-based sensing platform of this probe was found to be a promising tool for the on-site visualization of real-time quantitative analysis of Cu2+ and S2- due to its rapid response and recyclable detection characteristics. Additionally, FGGH was successfully used to image Cu2+ and S2- in living cells and zebrafish models with adequate fluorescence stability and low cytotoxicity, providing the first visual evidence of the effect of the interactions between Cu2+ and S2- on the redox homeostasis of organisms.

A rapid and specific fluorescent probe based on aggregation-induced emission enhancement for mercury ion detection in living systems.

Mercury is a harmful heavy metal that seriously threatens the environment and organisms. In this study, we combined the aggregation-induced emission mechanism and the advantages of peptides to design a novel tetraphenylene (TPE)-based peptide fluorescent probe, TPE-Cys-Pro-Gly-His (TPE-CPGH), in which the sulfhydryl group of Cys in the peptide chain and the imidazolium nitrogen provided by His were used to mimic the Hg2+ binding site of metalloproteins. The ß-fold formed by Pro-Gly was used to promote the spatial coordination of the probe with Hg2+ and the formation of the coordination complex aggregates, these changes led to the "turn on" response to Hg2+. The detection of Hg2+ by TPE-CPGH not only showed high specificity and sensitivity (LOD=46.2 nM), but also had the advantages of fast response and applicability for detection over a wide pH range. Additionally, TPE-CPGH effectively detected Hg2+ in environmental samples, living cells and organisms due to its low cytotoxicity, high water solubility and cell membrane permeability. More interestingly, TPE-CPGH was also mitigated Hg2+ exposure-induced oxidative stress toxicity in vitro and in vivo.

Theoretical investigation on the ligands constructed from phenanthroline and five-membered N-heterocyclic rings for bonding and separation properties of Am(III) and Eu(III).

The ligands, derived from the combination of phenanthroline and various five-membered N-heterocyclic rings, were subject to a comprehensive investigation for their potential in the extraction and separation of actinides and lanthanides. This study employed DFT methods to thoroughly explore the properties of both phenanthroline (Ph) and the diverse five-membered N-heterocyclic rings (R1-R8). Additionally, tridentate ligands RlPh (l = 1-8) and tetradentate ligands RlPhRr (l, r = 1-8) were analyzed in detail, encompassing their electrostatic potential (ESP), protonation energy, coordination bonding with the metals Am(III) and Eu(III), and the thermodynamics of extraction separation for Am(III) and Eu(III). The findings highlight that the electrostatic potential (ESP) and binding capabilities of the five-membered N-heterocyclic ring units serve as effective predictors for the properties of intricate tridentate and tetradentate ligands, as well as their coordination bonding affinity with metals. The ligands' binding energy is closely associated with their ESP, and notably, the binding energy of tridentate and tetradentate ligands correlates well with the binding energies of their constituent structural units. The computational results reveal that the R2 unit, along with its corresponding tridentate ligand R2Ph and tetradentate ligands R2PhRr, exhibits the highest ESP, superior binding energies, and the strongest coordination bonding affinity with the metals. The theoretical calculations further identify several promising extractants for the effective separation of Am(III) and Eu(III). The tridentate ligands R1Ph, R7Ph, and R4Ph, and the tetradentate ligands R4PhR4, R6PhR6, R2PhR2, R1PhR5 and R3PhR6 were identified as having excellent separation performance for Am(III) and Eu(III). This study would provide insights for the design of extractants for the separation of Am(III) and Eu(III) by use of five-membered N-heterocyclic rings as structural units.

Road traffic mortality in Zunyi city, China: A 10 - year data analysis (2013-2022).

PURPOSE: The study aimed to examine the pattern of motorization and the mortality rate related to road traffic crashes in Zunyi (a city in northern Guizhou province of China) from 2013 to 2022, and to identify the epidemiological characteristics of these crashes with to provide insights that could help improve road safety. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Zunyi traffic management data platform, and the mortality rates were calculated. We deployed various analytical methods, including descriptive analysis, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test of categorical variable, circular distribution map analysis, and Rayleigh test to characterize the traits of road traffic crashes in the region. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, 7488 people died due to road traffic accidents, with males accounting for 70.4% and females 29.6% (χ2 = 101.97, p < 0.001). The mortality rate increased from 7.80 deaths per 100,000 people in 2013 to 10.70 deaths per 100,000 people in 2016, but then decreased to 9.54 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019. A notable finding was that the death rate per 10,000 vehicles declined from 16.09 deaths per 10,000 vehicles in 2013 to 5.48 deaths per 10,000 vehicles in 2022. The study also found that vulnerable road users represented nearly half (48.76%) of all accident fatalities, and unlicensed or inexperienced driving contributed significantly to the occurrence of road traffic accidents. CONCLUSION: Although the number of road traffic accidents in Zunyi has decreased, there are still some critical issues that need to be addressed, particularly for vulnerable road users and unlicensed drivers. Our results highlight the need of targeted interventions to address the specific risk factors of road traffic crashes, particularly those affecting vulnerable road users and drivers without sufficient experience or license.

Geographic and Ecological Diversity of Green Sulfur Bacteria in Hot Spring Mat Communities.

Three strains of thermophilic green sulfur bacteria (GSB) are known; all are from microbial mats in hot springs in Rotorua, New Zealand (NZ) and belong to the species Chlorobaculum tepidum. Here, we describe diverse populations of GSB inhabiting Travel Lodge Spring (TLS) (NZ) and hot springs ranging from 36.1 °C to 51.1 °C in the Republic of the Philippines (PHL) and Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Wyoming, USA. Using targeted amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, GSB 16S rRNA sequences were detected in mats in TLS, one PHL site, and three regions of YNP. GSB enrichments from YNP and PHL mats contained small, green, nonmotile rods possessing chlorosomes, chlorobactene, and bacteriochlorophyll c. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences from YNP, NZ, and PHL mats and enrichments from YNP and PHL samples formed distinct phylogenetic clades, suggesting geographic isolation, and were associated with samples differing in temperature and pH, suggesting adaptations to these parameters. Sequences from enrichments and corresponding mats formed clades that were sometimes distinct, increasing the diversity detected. Sequence differences, monophyly, distribution patterns, and evolutionary simulation modeling support our discovery of at least four new putative moderately thermophilic Chlorobaculum species that grew rapidly at 40 °C to 44 °C.

Personalized Neuromodulation: A Novel Strategy for Improving Tinnitus Treatment.

This study evaluated the efficacy of personalized neuromodulation, where treatment modalities are chosen based on the patient's responses in a pilot trial. A total of 71 patients with tinnitus were divided into two groups: a personalized group and a randomized neuromodulation group. In the personalized group (n = 35), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) were assessed in a pilot trial, and responsive modalities were administered to 16 patients, while the non-responders (n = 19) were randomly assigned to rTMS, tDCS, or combined modalities. Patients in the randomized group (n = 36) were randomly allocated to rTMS, tDCS, or combined modalities. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score improvement after 10 sessions of each neuromodulation was significantly greater in the personalized group than in the randomized group (p = 0.043), with no significant differences in tinnitus loudness, distress, or awareness. The treatment success rate was highest in the personalized responder subgroup (92.3%), and significantly greater than that in the non-responder subgroup (53.0%; p = 0.042) and the randomized group (56.7%; p = 0.033). Personalized neuromodulation, where the treatment modality is chosen based on the patient's responses in a pilot trial, is an advantageous strategy for treating tinnitus.

TREX2 enables efficient genome disruption mediated by paired CRISPR-Cas9 nickases that generate 3'-overhanging ends.

Paired SpCas9 nickases (SpCas9n) are an effective strategy to reduce off-target effect in genome editing. However, this approach is not efficient with 3'-overhanging ends, limiting its applications. In order to expand the utility of paired SpCas9n in genome editing, we tested the effect of the TREX2 3'-5' exonuclease on repair of 3'-overhanging ends. We found ectopic overexpression of Trex2 stimulates the efficiency of paired SpCas9n in genome disruption with 3'-overhanging ends up to 400-fold with little stimulation of off-target editing. TREX2 overexpressed preferentially deletes entire 3' overhangs but has no significant effect on 5' overhangs. Trex2 overexpression also stimulates genome disruption by paired SpCas9n that potentially generate short 3'-overhanging ends at overlapping SpCas9n target sites, suggesting sequential nicking of overlapping target sites by SpCas9n. This approach is further simplified with improved efficiency and safety by fusion of TREX2 and particularly its DNA-binding-deficient mutant to SpCas9n. Junction analysis at overlapping targets revealed the different extent of end resection of 3' single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) by free TREX2 and TREX2 fused to SpCas9n. SpCas9n-TREX2 fusion is more convenient and safer than overexpression of free TREX2 to process 3'-overhanging ends for efficient genome disruption by paired SpCas9n, allowing practical use of this TREX2-based strategy in genome editing.