Synthesis of nanoscale zero-valent iron by one-pot route and study of its potential in passivating coexistent heavy metal anions and cations in soil.

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was synthesized by a one-pot liquid-phase chemical method in the presence of FeSO as the iron source and NaBH as the reducing agent. The synthesized nZVI was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Its ability to passivate Pb, Cd, and AsO in soils was evaluated by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, and the passivation mechanism was explored based on adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics simulations.

Developing an EQ-5D-5L Value Set for Singapore.

Objectives: The EQ-5D-5L is a multi-attribute utility instrument recommended by many health technology assessment agencies. This study aimed to develop an EQ-5D-5L value set for Singapore.

Methods: A 'lite' version of the EuroQol Research Foundation's EQ-5D-5L valuation protocol, which was designed to value a total of 91 health states using a composite time trade-off (cTTO) method, was followed.

Valuation of cognition bolt-ons for EQ-5D-5L in Japan: A comparative analysis of scaling factor and conventional models.

BackgroundA cognition bolt-on version for EQ-5D is needed to comprehensively assess health states of the general population.ObjectiveTo experimentally evaluate the valuation methods of the EQ-5D-5L bolt-ons using scaling factor and conventional models, we used the cognition bolt-on version of the Japanese EQ-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L + C) and two previously developed cognition dimensions Remembering things and Thinking clearly.MethodsEligible participants, recruited from the general Japanese population, included adults living in three cities.

Organic Ionic Plastic Crystal Composite Solid Electrolytes with Efficient Interfacial Lithium-Ion Percolation for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

Solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) are hindered by the intrinsic limitations of conventional solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), including low ionic conductivity and interfacial instability. To address these challenges, we developed an innovative ternary composite electrolyte (TCE) by incorporating an organic ionic plastic crystal (OIPC), PTFSI, along with a LiTFSI lithium salt, into a lithiophilic poly(ethylene oxide) polymer matrix. The synergistic coordination and defect engineering of the high-plasticity OIPC with the Li-rich polymer electrolyte create a low-tortuosity (τ = 0.

Exploring subjective constructions of quality of life in patients, carers and the healthy general public: a Q-methodological study.

Purpose: To explore similarities and differences in perceptions of quality of life (QoL) outcome, among different groups of populations, including patients, informal carers and the healthy general publics.

Methods: This study used Q-methodology, which combined both qualitative and quantitative components, to investigate the subjective constructions of QoL across the groups. We developed a list of 35 Q-sample items and collected a total of 151 Q-sort data for use in the standard by-person factor analytic procedure designed for Q-methodology.

Eliciting and Anchoring Health State Preferences Using Discrete Choice Experiments Among Adults, Adolescents, and Children.

Objective: We aimed to compare EQ-5D-Y-5L health state preferences among children, adolescents, and adults in Canada using a discrete choice experiment (DCE), and to explore the feasibility of a rescaling latent DCE using anchoring tasks collected from adolescents.

Methods: An online survey was conducted to elicit preferences for EQ-5D-Y-5L health states from children (aged 12-15 years), adolescents (aged 16-17 years), and adults (aged ≥ 18 years). All respondents completed 12 latent DCE tasks.

Bi-encoder-based approach to biomedical document-level entity recognition and relation extraction.

Large-scale biomedical entity recognition and relation extraction are essential foundational tasks for downstream text mining tasks and applications, such as knowledge graph construction. Because many relations span sentence boundaries, document-level entity recognition and relation extraction is closely aligned with real-world demands. However, identifying complex and diverse entities and relations within a limited timeframe is challenging.

The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish.

Ready-to-eat meat products face quality challenges during storage and reheating. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physicochemical/microbiological changes in stewed mutton during storage (4 °C/-18 °C, 0-28 days) and (ii) evaluate reheating methods (boiling vs. microwaving) on day-7 samples.

The prevalence and risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder following road traffic accidents in China: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: While the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after road traffic accidents (RTA) has been widely studied, there is a gap in research in the context of China. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a pooled estimation of PTSD prevalence after RTA based on Chinese data and compare it to existing international prevalence.

Methods: A systematic literature search of English and Chinese databases was performed from their inception dates to December 31, 2024.

Boosting lithium-ion transport in halide solid-state electrolytes by aliovalent substitution for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries.

We report a novel chemical aliovalent substitution strategy that induces lithium vacancy generation, expands 3D Li migration channels, and reduces activation energy. The optimized composition LiZrNbCl achieves a room-temperature ionic conductivity twice higher than that of pristine LiZrCl, realizing stable cycling in all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries.

Testing the valuation of the EQ-5D-Y-5L in adults and adolescents: Results from a five-country study and implications for the descriptive system.

Objectives: The EQ-5D-Y-5L ('Y-5L') is a new health-related quality of life instrument for children and adolescents. Value sets for the Y-5L are planned. This paper aimed to test the ability of adult and adolescent respondents to differentiate the ordinal levels of the Y-5L in valuation tasks, and to explore the characteristics of stated preferences for the Y-5L between adults and adolescents.

Functional Nanomaterials for Advanced Bioelectrode Interfaces: Recent Advances in Disease Detection and Metabolic Monitoring.

As critical interfaces bridging biological systems and electronic devices, the performance of bioelectrodes directly determines the sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability of biosensors. Recent advancements in functional nanomaterials (e.g.

Biocontrol Potential of Strain DXQ-1 Against Rice Blast Fungus Guy11.

Fungal diseases severely threaten global agriculture, while conventional chemical fungicides face increasing restrictions due to environmental and safety concerns. In this study, we isolated a soil-derived strain, DXQ-1, exhibiting strong antagonistic activity against plant pathogenic fungi, notably , the causal agent of rice blast. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that DXQ-1 disrupts fungal hyphae and inhibits conidial germination, with a 24 h crude broth treatment reducing germination to 83.

Building a dynamic web calculator for individualized conditional survival estimation in brainstem ependymoma.

Brainstem ependymomas (EPNs) are rare and aggressive central nervous system tumors with unique anatomical challenges and poor prognosis. Traditional survival estimates offer limited clinical guidance due to their static nature. This study aimed to investigate the dynamic survival patterns of brainstem EPNs using conditional survival (CS) analysis and to develop a web-based nomogram model for individualized, real-time prognostication.

Recent Advances in Flexible Sensors for Neural Interfaces: Multimodal Sensing, Signal Integration, and Closed-Loop Feedback.

The rapid advancement of flexible sensor technology has profoundly transformed neural interface research, enabling multimodal information acquisition, real-time neurochemical and electrophysiological signal monitoring, and adaptive closed-loop regulation. This review systematically summarizes recent developments in flexible materials and microstructural designs optimized for enhanced biocompatibility, mechanical compliance, and sensing performance. We highlight the progress in integrated sensing systems capable of simultaneously capturing electrophysiological, mechanical, and neurochemical signals.

Identifying and developing culturally relevant EQ-5D-5L bolt-on items for Chinese population: qualitative phase of a mixed-methods study.

Purpose: EQ-5D might not fully capture certain aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) important to the Chinese population. The study aimed to identify and develop culturally relevant additional items (bolt-ons) for the EQ-5D-5L in China.

Methods: This study represents the qualitative phase of a larger mixed-methods project.

A carboxymethyl cellulose enhanced F127 hydrogel with anti-inflammation and peritoneum regeneration activities for preventing peritoneal adhesion.

Postoperative peritoneal adhesion (PPA) is a common and severe postoperative complication that does not require satisfactory precautions by surgeons. By combining Pluronic F127 and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), we developed an F127- CMC hydrogel (designated as FC hydrogel), and characterized and tested its physicochemical properties, biosafety, bioactivities, and anti-PPA effects. The FC hydrogel was free-flowing and injectable below 12.

Comparisons of Preferences Toward EQ-5D-Y-3L Health States Between Adult Own and Child Perspectives.

Objectives: The international valuation protocol for EQ-5D-Y-3L recommends elicitation of utilities using adults' preference for a hypothetical 10-year-old child. Published studies have reported preference difference in adults when valuing for a child and valuing for themselves. This study aimed to obtain EQ-5D-Y-3L preferences in Hong Kong and understand the preference difference between the adult own perspective and the child perspective.

Diminutive tuning of lattice oxygen controlled by sulfur-mediated vacancies for oxygen evolution reaction.

Though heteroatom-doped metal-based electrocatalysts are estimated to display potential advantages in oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the great distortion of their bulk lattice by corresponding heteroatoms usually lead to irreversible structure deformation and thus unacceptable durability. In this work, we propose a novel "minimally invasive surgery" (MIS) design to delicately modify the electrocatalyst lattice to match the requirement of both high efficiency and long lifespan for OER. Briefly, NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) is accurately doped with only 2.

Efficacy and safety of donafenib plus transarterial chemoembolization and immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective treatment options. This is particularly true for advanced HCC, for which conventional therapies often lead to a poor prognosis.

Aim: To assess the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with donafenib and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for unresectable HCC.

Validation of EuroQol instruments in paediatric patients and their caregivers in China: protocol for a prospective observational study.

Introduction: The EQ-5D-Y (the youth version of EQ-5D) is widely used to assess children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), yet its psychometric properties across administration modes remain insufficiently explored, particularly in paediatric oncology and rare diseases. Additionally, the broader impact of childhood illness on family caregivers (spillover effects) is underexamined. This study aims to evaluate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the three-level version of EQ-5D-Y (EQ-5D-Y-3L) and the five-level version of EQ-5D-Y (EQ-5D-Y-5L) across different modes while also assessing the EQ-5D five-level version (EQ-5D-5L) and the new EQ Health and Well-being Short Version (EQ-HWB-9) in capturing spillover effects.

High-entropy strategies for designing advanced solid-state electrolytes: a comprehensive review.

All-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) have garnered significant attention due to their potential for high energy densities and enhanced safety. Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are critical components in ASSLMBs, with their ionic conductivity and interfacial compatibility directly influencing battery performance. However, current SSEs often exhibit lower ionic conductivity and higher interfacial resistance compared to liquid electrolytes.

Potent mitochondria-targeting ruthenium and iridium anticancer complexes containing hybrid N^NH-chelated ligands.

A series of half-sandwich ruthenium and iridium complexes bearing hybrid sp-N/sp-N amine-imine bidentate chelating ligands were strategically designed and synthesized. Their structures were fully characterized by H and C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing nonplanar five-membered metallacycles in representative complexes. The complexes exhibited potent cytotoxicity against A549 lung, HeLa cervical, and HepG2 liver cancer cell lines, with IC values ranging from 0.

Performance Evaluation of Image Segmentation Using Dual-Energy Spectral CT Images with Deep Learning Image Reconstruction: A Phantom Study.

: To evaluate the medical image segmentation performance of monochromatic images in various energy levels. : The low-density module (25 mm in diameter, 6 Hounsfield Unit (HU) in density difference from background) from the ACR464 phantom was scanned at both 10 mGy and 5 mGy dose levels. Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) at different energy levels of 40, 50, 60, 68, 74, and 100 keV were generated.