CBCT study of adenoid and nasopharyngeal airway in boys with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

Introduction: This study aims to assess the structural features of adenoids and nasopharyngeal airways in boys with nonsyndromic unilateral complete cleft of lip and palate (UCLP group) compared to non-cleft lip and palate patients of the same age (control group), and to identify differences in the growth and development of adenoids and nasopharyngeal airways between two groups.

Methods: Adenoid and nasopharyngeal airway length, area, and volume were retrospectively analyzed using CBCT images (n = 120). The UCLP group comprised boys aged 6-11 with UCLP (n = 60), while the control group consisted of boys without cleft lip and palate (n = 60).

From Chinemys reevesii shell to trauma care: Preparation and characterization of chitosan-tortoiseshell collagen composite sponge with hemostasis property.

Effective hemostasis is a critical step in the treatment of injuries. The chitosan-tortoiseshell collagen composite sponge cross-linked by glutaraldehyde (C-G-TCS) was prepared. The potential of it as a biomedical material was explored through comparative analysis.

In Situ Polymerization Controlled Growth of Perovskite via Benzoic Acid Crosslinking Agent for Highly Efficient and Mechanically Robust Flexible Perovskite Solar Cell.

The controlled growth of perovskite on flexible substrates is essential for achieving highly efficient and stable flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs). Herein, a novel strategy of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) is developed to regulate the crystallization dynamics of perovskite. In situ cross-linking network of 4-HBA provided an excellent formwork for high-quality perovskite growth by controlling excessive nucleation and prolonging crystallization.

Innovative applications of plasma-activated water in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis): Improving quality, safety and sustainability.

This study explores plasma-activated water (PAW) as a sustainable aquaculture water treatment for Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), evaluating its impact on antioxidant responses, microbial dynamics, and crab quality. We evaluated the physiological and microbial responses of E. sinensis using high-throughput sequencing and antioxidant enzyme assays.

Multi-label classification for image tamper detection based on Swin-T segmentation network in the spatial domain.

The majority of deep learning methods for detecting image forgery fail to accurately detect and localize the tampering operations. Furthermore, they only support a single image tampering type. Our method introduces three key innovations: (1) A spatial perception module that combines the spatial rich model (SRM) with constrained convolution, enabling focused detection of tampering traces while suppressing interference from image content; (2) A hierarchical feature learning architecture that integrates Swin Transformer with UperNet for effective multi-scale tampering pattern recognition; and (3) A comprehensive optimization strategy including auxiliary supervision, self-supervised learning, and hard example mining, which significantly improves model convergence and detection accuracy.

Synergistic effects of alternating magnetic field and sodium tripolyphosphate on functional properties of myofibrillar proteins in low-salt systems.

This study investigated the synergistic regulatory mechanisms of alternating magnetic field (AMF) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) on the functional properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) in a low-salt environment. It was found that AMF promotes an increase in MP solubility. When the magnetic field strength was >6 mT, the formation of hydrophobic interactions within the MP molecules reached a dynamic equilibrium with the action of the AMF, resulting in a slowing down of the increase in MP solubility and emulsification activity.

IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement Attacks.

Infrared (IR) images record the temperature radiation distribution of the object being captured. The hue and color difference in the image reflect the caloric and temperature difference, respectively. However, due to the thermal diffusion effect, the target information in IR images can be relatively large and the objects' boundaries are blurred.

Mixing Time of Open Quantum Systems via Hypocoercivity.

Understanding the mixing of open quantum systems is a fundamental problem in physics and quantum information science. Existing approaches for estimating the mixing time often rely on the spectral gap estimation of the Lindbladian generator, which can be challenging to obtain in practice. We propose a novel theoretical framework to estimate the mixing time of open quantum systems that treats the Hamiltonian and dissipative part separately, thus circumventing the need for a priori estimation of the spectral gap of the full Lindbladian generator.

Gelatin sponge patch grafting of microcryogel-based three-dimensional mesenchymal stem cells to alleviate acute liver failure.

The clinical application of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) in the treatment of liver failure faces challenges due to cell quality, short engraftment time, and limited efficacy. Here, gelatin microcryogel (GM) microcarriers with pore sizes ranging from 15 to 36 μm were tuned from mixed gelatin and glutaraldehyde to develop a 3D culture system of hUCMSCs with improved therapeutic effects. Bulk RNA sequencing and in vitro assays showed that 3D-hUCMSCs exhibited significant improvement in signaling pathways related to paracrine secretion and anti-inflammation.

MXene-Regulated Indium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Material for Electrochemical Reduction of CO into Pure Formic Acid Aqueous Solution.

Electrochemical CO reduction reaction provides a mild avenue for resource utilization of CO. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials are considered among the promising catalysts due to unique structural advantages. However, the catalytic performance of MOFs is hindered by poor conductivity, making it crucial to enhance the charge transfer for improved efficiency.

High-Quality Application of Crayfish Muscle in Surimi Gels: Fortification of Blended Gels by Transglutaminase.

The application of crayfish muscle in surimi products is a potential way to promote their processing and ensure that it is of a high value. In this study, a one-way completely randomized design was used to prepare mixed surimi gels with different proportions of crayfish muscle. The effect of transglutaminase (TGase) on the improvement in the structural properties, water-binding capacity, micromorphology and protein conformation of blended gels was explored using mass spectrometry, centrifugation, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Influence of droplet size and surface hydrophobicity of soybean protein-based nanoemulsion fillers on the quality of silver carp myofibrillar protein gels.

This study investigated the mechanisms underlying the influence of droplet size and emulsifier wettability on gel properties when oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions serve as fillers in myofibrillar protein (MP) gels. Pickering emulsions with varying droplet sizes were prepared using soybean protein isolate (SPI) and SPI-curcumin nanoparticles, then used to construct composite gels. Findings showed that decreased droplet size and increased emulsifier surface hydrophobicity enhanced hydrophobic interactions in the gel, increasing the β-sheet content of MP molecules.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Reveal the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphylla against Acute Pharyngitis.

Background: Acute pharyngitis (AP) is a prevalent ailment. Gynostemma pentaphylla (GP), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), may treat AP due to its anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties, but this remains unexplored.

Methods: This study utilized the TCMSP and Swiss Target Prediction databases to analyze GP's chemical composition and target proteins.

Effects of water-soluble protein of turtle shell on the quality and in vitro digestibility of rice noodles.

Turtle shell, as a nourishing product with high nutritional value, offers significant potential as a functional food ingredient. The underlying mechanism by which the turtle shell extract (TSE) 's water-soluble protein affected the quality and digestibility of rice noodles was explored through studying the starch gelatinization, microstructure, and protein interaction forces. Adding 1.

Tissue-specific vitellogenesis and 17β-estradiol facilitate ovarian maturation of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus.

The present study investigated the changes of expression and localization of PtVg mRNA, tissue Vg/ Vn concentrations, the contents of progesterone and 17ß-estradiol during the ovarian development of P. trituberculatus. The results showed that: 1) The most abundant mRNA levels of PtVg were found in stage IV, and hepatopancreatic PtVg mRNA was markedly greater than that in ovaries from stage II to stage V.

Effect of cold plasma and ultrasonic pretreatment on drying characteristics and nutritional quality of vacuum freeze-dried kiwifruit crisps.

The effect of ultrasound and plasma pretreatment on freeze-dried kiwifruit crisps was investigated in this study. Using unpretreated kiwifruit as a control group (CG), the effects of ultrasound (US), plasma-activated water (PAW), ultrasound combined with plasma-activated water (UPAW), plasma-jet (PJ), and ultrasound combined with plasma-jet (UPJ) on the quality of vacuum freeze-dried kiwifruit were investigated. The results showed that all the pretreatments could change the microstructure of the crisps.

Microencapsulation of Pickering nanoemulsions containing walnut oil stabilized using soy protein-curcumin composite nanoparticles: Fabrication and evaluation of a novel plant-based milk substitute.

Plant protein-stabilized Pickering nanoemulsions show potential as plant-based milk substitutes; however, their stability is challenged by mechanical stress during transportation and oxidative deterioration during storage. Herein, soybean isolate protein-curcumin composite nanoparticle (SPI-Cur-NPs)-stabilized Pickering nanoemulsions were converted into microcapsule powders via spray-drying with maltodextrin (MD), trehalose anhydrous (TA), and inulin (IN) as wall materials. Robust intermolecular hydrogen bonds and an amorphous structure were formed using composite wall materials, reducing microcapsule surface fissures while improving encapsulation rate (92.

Scalable Slot-Die Coating of Passivation Layers for Improved Performance of Perovskite Solar Cell Modules.

Upscaling the perovskite solar cell (PSC) while avoiding losses in the power conversion efficiency presents a substantial challenge, especially when transitioning from ≤1 cm cells to ≥10 cm modules. In addition to the fabrication of key functional layers, scalable technologies for surface passivation, considered indispensable for achieving high-performance PSCs, are urgently required. However, studies on this topic remain limited.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis-mediated ceramides elevation contributes to corticosterone-induced depression by impairing mitochondrial function.

The role of gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of depression has received widespread attention, but the mechanism remains elusive. Corticosterone (CORT)-treated mice showed depression-like behaviors, reduced hippocampal neurogenesis, and altered composition of the GM. Fecal microbial transplantation from CORT-treated mice transferred depression-like phenotypes and their dominant GM to the recipients.

Scalable Fabrication of High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cell Modules by Mediated Vapor Deposition.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can enable renewable electricity generation at low levelized costs, subject to the invention of an economically feasible technology for their large-scale fabrication, like vapor deposition. This approach is effective for the fabrication of small area (<1 cm) PSCs, but its scale-up to produce high-efficiency larger area modules has been limited by a severe imbalance between the vapor-solid reaction kinetics and the mass-transport of the volatile ammonium salt precursor. In this study, an amidine-based low-dimensional perovskite is introduced as an intermediate of the solid-vapor reaction to help resolve this limitation.

In Situ Synthesis of Copper-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks with Ligand Defects for Electrochemical Reduction of CO into C Products.

Electrochemical reduction of CO into high-value-added products is a potential approach to solving environmental problems but is limited by poor product selectivity and low efficiency. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have been considered one of the most promising catalysts, but their application is limited by complicated preparation processes, especially during the synthesis of organic ligands. In this work, a new three-dimensional Cu-MOF () with high porosity was constructed based on the naphthalene diimide (NDI) ligand.

UCLN: Toward the Causal Understanding of Brain Disorders With Temporal Lag Dynamics.

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has emerged as a powerful tool for exploring interactions among brain regions. A growing body of research is actively investigating various computational approaches for estimating causal effects among brain regions. Compared to traditional methods, causal relationship reveals the causal influences among distinct brain regions, offering a deeper understanding of brain network dynamics.

Sustainable development of fishery resources: Precipitation of protein from surimi rinsing wastewater by low-temperature plasma.

This study aimed to determine the impact of low-temperature plasma (LTP) on the protein stability and composition in surimi rinsing wastewater (SRW). When SRW (300 mL) was treated with LTP at a power of 420 W and a flow rate of 1.1 L/min for 106 s, the protein precipitation was 76.