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Evaluation of ocular surface temperature in post-COVID-19 patients with different degrees of fever via infrared thermal imaging
Mechanical and microscopic characterization of expansive soils modified by water-soluble polymers
Climate change influences on the potential geographic distribution of the invasive Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis
Abstract The Asian long-horned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann, 1901, is the competent vector for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). Haemaphysalis longicornis originated mainly in eastern Asia and invaded many areas like Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands, and was recently introduced to eastern parts of the USA. This species is characterized by high adaptability to a wide range of temperatures and can reproduce parthenogenically under stressful conditions. Migratory birds are important hosts of H. longicornis and are thought to be responsible for its unexpected invasion and introduction into new areas worldwide. This study predicted the historical (near current) global environmental suitability and the possible shifts in environmental suitability for H. longicornis under the ongoing climate change between 2021 and 2100. The results demonstrated that Europe is at potential of high environmental suitability for H. longicornis invasion although this species has not been recorded in any regions of Europe yet. Our model also anticipated the environmental suitability for H. longicornis in eastern parts of the USA, although the recently recorded occurrences there were not used in the model calibration. Climate change is thought to affect and increase the range of suitable environments for H. longicornis. The different maps introduced in this study may help improve understanding of the global environmental suitability for this invasive disease vector and predict the areas at high environmental suitability for possible invasion to prioritize the control programs and enhance quarantine procedures in these areas.
Diffuseness of coronary artery disease impacts on immediate hemodynamic and predicted clinical outcomes
Exosomal miR-21-5p from glioma associated mesenchymal stem cells promotes the progression and glycolysis of glioblastoma via PDHA1
Impact of electric vehicle battery recycling on reducing raw material demand and battery life-cycle carbon emissions in China
Abstract The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) in China challenges raw material demand. This study evaluates the impact of recycling and reusing EV batteries on reducing material demand and carbon emissions. Integrating a national-level vehicle stock turnover model with life-cycle carbon emission assessment, we found that replacing nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries with lithium iron phosphate batteries with battery recycling can reduce lithium, cobalt, and nickel demand between 2021 and 2060 by up to 7.8 million tons (Mt) (67%), 12.4 Mt (96%), and 37.2 Mt (93%), respectively, significantly decreasing reliance on import. Moreover, battery recycling coupled with reuse can reduce carbon emissions by up to 6,532-6,864 Mt (36.0-37.9%), depending on four recycling methods employed. However, this reuse strategy delays battery recycling and risks lithium supply shortage, necessitating trade-offs between carbon reduction and material supply. Future technologies, such as lithium-sulfur and all-solid-state batteries, despite their energy efficiency, might exacerbate lithium shortage, underscoring the crucial need for increased lithium supply.
Investigating the effect of ceramic fiber on the mechanical properties of glassphalt
Body composition changes and clinical outcomes in pediatric cystic fibrosis during 24 months of lumacaftor ivacaftor therapy based on real-world data
Abstract Clinical trials demonstrate the short-term efficacy of dual CFTR modulators, but long-term real-world data is limited. We aimed to investigate the effects of 24-month lumacaftor/ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) therapy in pediatric CF patients (pwCF). This observational study included pwCF homozygous for F508del mutation treated between 2021 and 2023. We report data for the first 24 months from therapy initiation. Variables were analyzed separately for ages 2–5, 6–11, and over 12. Data from 49 pwCF (median age: 9.3 years (5.5–14.2)) showed that ppFEV1 values after a transient increase at 12 months, decreased from 102% (82–114) at baseline to 87% (74–96) at 24 months. The decrease was more pronounced with higher initial ppFEV1. Median sweat chloride concentration decreased from 75 mmol/L (69–82) to 57 mmol/L (43–70) without any association with respiratory function change. Median BMI z-score increased from − 0.81 (− 1.37–0.49) to − 0.39 (− 0.88 to − 0.04) (p = 0.288), and the proportion of underweight and overweight children decreased. Skeletal muscle mass remained stable, while fat mass significantly increased (p = 0.011). Fecal elastase levels improved, especially among younger patients. These findings underscore the potential benefits of early initiation of CFTR modulator therapy in pediatric CF patients, highlighting improvements in nutritional status and pancreatic function.
Enhanced targeted treatment of cervical cancer using nanoparticle-based doxycycline delivery system
Cobalt oxide nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity and excessive ROS mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and p53-independent apoptosis in melanoma cells
Abstract Nanotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for the targeted and efficient treatment of melanoma, the most aggressive and lethal form of skin cancer, with minimized systemic toxicity. However, the therapeutic efficacy of cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4NPs) in melanoma treatment remains unexplored. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of Co3O4NPs in melanoma treatment by evaluating their impact on cell viability, genomic DNA and mitochondrial integrity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis induction in melanoma A-375 cells. Our findings demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction in cell viability upon treatment with five Co3O4NP concentrations (0.2, 2, 20, 200, and 2000 µg/ml), with an IC50 value of 303.80 µg/ml. Treatment with this IC50 concentration significantly increased ROS generation, induced dramatic DNA damage, and disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential integrity. Flow cytometric analysis revealed apoptosis and necrosis induction following Co3O4NP exposure at the IC50 concentration value. Results of qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated remarkable dysregulation of apoptotic and mitochondrial genes, including a significant downregulation of apoptotic p53 and mitochondrial ND3 genes and marked upregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2. These findings highlight the novel potential of Co3O4NPs as potent inducers of melanoma A-375 cell death in a concentration-dependent manner through excessive ROS production, genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulation of apoptotic and mitochondrial gene expression, ultimately promoting apoptosis in A-375 cells. This study thus underscores the potential of Co3O4NPs as a promising nanotherapeutic candidate for melanoma treatment, warranting further exploration to elucidate their full biological and clinical applicability.
Structural and vascular assessment of the optic nerve head and macula in chronic Chagas disease
Optimized digital workflow for pathologist-grade evaluation in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model
Balanced dung beetle optimization algorithm based on parameter substitution and escape strategy
Study on the vibration characteristics and influence range of buried dam pipeline
Evaluation of ozonated and ultrasonically treated corn starch as an adsorbent for patulin in buffer solutions
Abstract This study evaluates the potential of ozonated corn starch (OCS) and ultrasonicated ozonated corn starch (USOCS) as adsorbents for patulin removal in buffer solutions. The results indicated that dual modification significantly altered the starch’s structure, introducing functional groups such as carbonyl and carboxyl groups, and increasing its surface area. These modifications led to enhanced patulin adsorption capacity. Adsorption efficiency was tested across different adsorbent doses (150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg) and contact times (15, 30, 45, and 60 min). The highest removal efficiency of 92.5% was recorded for the 250 mg dose at 60 min, with USOCS showing superior performance compared to native corn starch and OCS. Kinetic studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit for the adsorption process, indicating chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the adsorption behavior, with a maximum adsorption capacity (q max ) of 15.19 µg/mg and a Langmuir constant (K L ) of 54.00 L/µg for the 250 mg dose. Additionally, the modified starch demonstrated consistent adsorption performance at varying concentrations, with a favorable adsorption intensity (n > 1), supporting its potential for practical applications. These findings highlight the modified corn starch as an efficient, biodegradable, and low-cost adsorbent suitable for mitigating patulin contamination in food products, offering a sustainable alternative for improving food safety.