Indirect improvement of pepino () productivity via nitrogen fertilizer-mediated microbial and enzymatic stimulation.

Introduction: To meet the both escalating production requirements of pepino cultivation and maintaining soil sustainable development through precise exploration of chemical fertilizer input amounts.

Methods: A 5-month greenhouse experiment evaluated how varying nitrogen fertilization rates (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg⋅ha) modulate soil biochemical properties and their subsequent effects on pepino productivity and fruit nutrients components.

Results: Our study revealed that the N300 treatment maximized vegetative growth (plant height, leaf and fruit dry biomass), as well as plant nitrogen and fruit calcium contents, but significantly reduced root-to-shoot ratio, vitamin C, and soluble sugars versus N0.

Multi-metallic nanoparticles: synthesis and their catalytic applications.

Multi-metallic nanoparticles (MMNPs) have recently garnered significant interest due to their inclusion of different metal atoms within a single nanostructure. The interactions among these metal atoms induce novel properties in MMNPs, making them an ideal platform for exploring the complex interplay between structure and properties, particularly in terms of catalytic properties. This review summarizes recent advancements in the synthesis and catalytic studies of MMNPs.

Gold Nanoparticles Grafted with Molecular N-Heterocyclic Carbenes for CO Electroreduction: Combining Electronic and Hydrophobic Effects.

Tuning the surface microenvironment offers a powerful strategy to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of presynthesized metal nanocatalysts. Here, we demonstrate that N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), as a self-assembled monolayer on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), synergistically promote the electrochemical reduction of CO to CO. This NHC functionalization boosts the partial current density for CO formation by ∼30% while concurrently suppressing competing proton reduction.

Endoscopic Transnasal Approach to Atlantoaxial Decompression and C1-2 Fixation in Basilar Invagination of Adults: A Feasibility Study.

Objective: To explore a surgical technique for completing ventral bone decompression and C1-2 plate-screw fixation in the craniocervical junction (CVJ) through nasal approach by stage I at the imaging and physical anatomy levels, and to evaluate its feasibility.

Methods: Radiographic parameters of 80 patients with basilar invagination (BI) and 56 with normal CVJ anatomy were retrospectively analyzed. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions were performed in 31 patients with BI.

Corrigendum to "Extracellular vesicles from human adipose-derived stem cell spheroids: Characterization and therapeutic implications in diabetic wound healing" [Mater. Today Bio Volume 29, December 2024, 101333].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.

Spliceosomal GTPase EFTUD2 mediates DDX41 intron retention to promote the malignant progression of ovarian cancer.

Background: Dysregulation of alternative splicing (AS) has been identified as a promising target for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms by which AS influences ovarian cancer (OC) progression have not yet been fully elucidated.

Methods: A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identify and screen core splicing factors in OC.

Craniectomy Combined with Rapid Internal Decompression in Massive Cerebral Infarction : Surgical Technique and Outcomes.

Objective: Massive cerebral infarction caused by middle cerebral artery infarction leads to extensive cerebral infarction in one hemisphere, resulting in swelling of the brain and further compression of surrounding normal brain tissue, ultimately leading to a complete cerebral infarction and a mortality rate of about 50-80% for patients. Although early decompressive craniectomy and partial internal decompression can reduce mortality rates, neurosurgeons should strive to achieve lower mortality rates in the face of patients' lives. This study introduces a surgical method with lower mortality rate, which is a rapid internal decompression technique for cerebral hemisphere resection through a flat bone window after decompressive craniectomy (DC) and partial temporal lobe resection.

-Heterocyclic Carbene Polymer-Stabilized Au Nanowires for Selective and Stable Reduction of CO.

The structural stability of nanocatalysts during electrochemical CO reduction (CORR) is crucial for practical applications. However, highly active nanocatalysts often reconstruct under reductive conditions, requiring stabilization strategies to maintain activity. Here, we demonstrate that the -heterocyclic carbene (NHC) polymer stabilizes Au nanowire (NW) catalysts for selective CO reduction to CO over a broad potential range, enabling coupling with Cu NWs for one-step tandem conversion of CO to CH.

L-shaped association between fasting blood glucose and urea in a non-diabetic population.

Background: The relationship between fasting blood glucose and urea in non-diabetic individuals is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between fasting blood glucose and urea in a non-diabetic population.

Methods: Data from a cohort of non-diabetic individuals were collected from the 2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey dataset.

Determination of insulin with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry enhanced by Mg-based micromotors.

An active drug delivery vector of Mg-based micromotor is proposed for enhanced intestinal drug mass spectrometry (MS) detection from proof of concept. Taking diabetes as a disease model, insulin nanoparticles (Ins-NPs) were successfully loaded in chitosan (CHI) layer of Mg-based micromotor (Mg/Au/PLGA/CHI@Ins-NPs) due to electrostatic adsorption with PLGA. The penetration ability of micromotors was evaluated on artificial mucin, which is distributed within about 300 μm of the mucus.

Structural characteristics, sugar metabolizing enzyme activity and biological activity of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides at different growth stages.

The Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) content, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, sugar metabolism-related enzyme activities and in vitro antioxidant activities of Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body (GLFB) from cassava stalk cultivation at different growth stages (namely, differentiation stage, umbrella stage, maturity stage and spore stage) were determined. The results showed that the monosaccharides of GLPs in GLFB were mainly composed of galactose, glucose, and mannose. During the maturation of GLFB, the polysaccharide content, hexose kinase and phosphoglucose isomerase activities showed an increasing trend, the structure of functional groups did not change significantly, and the molecular weight of GLPs showed a tendency to increase (112 kDa up to 11358 kDa) and then decrease (11358 kDa down to 7678 kDa).

U-shaped associations between body mass index and serum liver enzyme levels.

Liver enzymes are associated with liver function, but their relationship with body mass index (BMI) remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify correlations between serum liver enzyme levels and BMI in the general population. The data were derived from the Dryad Digital Repository.

Hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio is negatively associated with stroke: a cross-sectional study from NHANES.

Numerous studies have suggested that the hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) is associated with the onset, progression, and prognosis of various diseases. However, to the best of our knowledge, no research has conducted statistical analyses to determine the association between HRR and stroke. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with complete data on hemoglobin-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and stroke from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Identification of alternative lengthening of telomeres-related genes prognosis model in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide, characterized by high mortality. This study aimed to explore the prognostic value and function of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)-related genes in HCC.

Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and then intersected with ALT-related genes to obtain ALTDEGs.

Parallel Logic Operations in Electrically Tunable Two-Dimensional Homojunctions.

Two-dimensional materials show great potential for future electronics beyond silicon materials. Here, we report an exotic multiple-port device based on multiple electrically tunable planar p-n homojunctions formed in a two-dimensional (2D) ambipolar semiconductor, tungsten diselenide (WSe). In this device, we prepare multiple gates consisting of a global gate and several local gates, by which electrostatically induced holes and electrons are simultaneously accumulated in a WSe channel, and furthermore, at the boundaries, p-n junctions are formed as directly visualized by Kelvin probe force microscopy.

Complex Frontal Bone Reconstruction Using Computer-designed Polyetheretherketone Implant: Case Report and Literature Review.

Calvarial reconstruction of complex frontal bone defects after head trauma surgery is challenging, especially when it coexists with an absence of eyebrow arch and supraorbital wall. Due to various reasons, the patient's bone flap could not be used. Common alternative materials include polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and titanium.

Computational elements based on coupled VO oscillators via tunable thermal triggering.

Computational technologies based on coupled oscillators are of great interest for energy efficient computing. A key to developing such technologies is the tunable control of the interaction among oscillators which today is accomplished by additional electronic components. Here we show that the synchronization of closely spaced vanadium dioxide (VO) oscillators can be controlled via a simple thermal triggering element that itself is formed from VO.

Light-driven rGO/CuO tubular nanomotor with active targeted drug delivery for combination treatment of cancer cells.

The unprecedented navigation ability in micro/nanoscale and tailored functionality tunes micro/nanomotors as new target drug delivery systems, open up new horizons for biomedical applications. Herein, we designed a light-driven rGO/CuO tubular nanomotor for active targeting of cancer cells as a drug delivery system. The propulsion performance is greatly enhanced in real cell media (5% glucose cells isotonic solution), attributing to the introduction of oxygen vacancy and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layer for separating photo-induced electron-hole pairs.

Kriging-based surrogate data-enriching artificial neural network prediction of strength and permeability of permeable cement-stabilized base.

Limited test data hinder the accurate prediction of mechanical strength and permeability of permeable cement-stabilized base materials (PCBM). Here we show a kriging-based surrogate model assisted artificial neural network (KS-ANN) framework that integrates laboratory testing, mathematical modeling, and machine learning. A statistical distribution model was established from limited test data to enrich the dataset through the combination of markov chain monte carlo simulation and kriging-based surrogate modeling.

Characteristics and outcomes associated with sarcomere mutations in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited heart disease that can lead to sudden cardiac death. Impact of genetic testing for the prognosis and treatment of patients with HCM needs to be improved. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the characteristics and outcomes associated with sarcomere genotypes in index patients with HCM.

Evaluation of drug resistance for EGFR-TKIs in lung cancer via multicellular lung-on-a-chip.

Drug resistance to irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is a primary factor affecting their therapeutic efficacy in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC cells can undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by many factors in the tumour microenvironment (TME), which plays a crucial role in tumour drug resistance. In this study, a multicellular lung-on-a-chip that can realise the cell co-culture of the human non-small cell lung cancer cell line HCC827, human foetal lung fibroblasts (HFL-1), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is prepared.

Phenylacetylene-Terminated Poly(Ethylene Glycol) as Ligands for Colloidal Noble Metal Nanoparticles: a New Tool for "Grafting to" Approach.

We report a new design of polymer phenylacetylene (PA) ligands and the ligand exchange methodology for colloidal noble metal nanoparticles (NPs). PA-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can bind to metal NPs through acetylide (M-C≡C-R) that affords a high grafting density. The ligand-metal interaction can be switched between σ bonding and extended π backbonding by changing grafting conditions.

Evaluating the effectiveness of dual dye combination of indocyanine green and carbon nanoparticles with parathyroid hormone test in preserving parathyroid gland during papillary thyroid cancer surgery: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Preserving the integrity of parathyroid glands is crucial in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) surgery to avoid hypoparathyroidism. In recent years, two novel dyes, activated carbon nanoparticles (CNP) and indocyanine green (ICG), have been utilized to assist in parathyroid gland identification. However, the use of CNP or ICG alone can result in extravasation of dye or excessive fluorescence of non-parathyroid tissue, which can affect the accuracy of surgical outcomes by yielding false negative or false positive results.