BACKGROUND Carriers of chromosomal balanced translocations are often physically healthy with no obvious developmental problems.However,potential chromosomal imbalance in their gametes can lead to implantation failure,...BACKGROUND Carriers of chromosomal balanced translocations are often physically healthy with no obvious developmental problems.However,potential chromosomal imbalance in their gametes can lead to implantation failure,miscarriage,or the birth of a child with a chromosomal abnormality.CASE SUMMARY We report six cases of chromosomal translocations involving three families,including the specific Robertson(Roche)translocation.Case 1:The karyotype of the proband was 46,XX,t(18;19)(q22;p12).Case 2:Interventional prenatal diagnosis at 18 weeks of gestation confirmed that the karyotype of the fetus was 46,XY,t(18;19)(q22;p12).Case 3:The karyotype of the proband was 46,XY,t(5;18)(p13;p11).Case 4:Interventional prenatal diagnosis at 14+6 weeks confirmed that the karyotype of the fetus was 46,XX,der(18)t(5;18)(p13;p11)pat.Case 5:The karyotype of the proband was 45,XY,der(14;22)(q10;q10).Case 6:Interventional prenatal diagnosis at 19+4 weeks confirmed that the karyotype of the fetus was 45,XX,rob(14;22)(q10;q10).CONCLUSION Carriers of chromosomal translocations have a high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes,though they can still have normal offspring.This report on six cases of chromosomal translocations from three families could serve as a reference for future prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal translocations and decision-making on whether to continue the pregnancy.展开更多
Background Breast cancer(BC)incidence and mortality vary significantly across countries,highlighting the need to update the global burden of female BC,including current trends and future projections.Methods Data were ...Background Breast cancer(BC)incidence and mortality vary significantly across countries,highlighting the need to update the global burden of female BC,including current trends and future projections.Methods Data were sourced from GLOBOCAN 2022,including estimated new cases and deaths from BC across 21 United Nation(UN)regions and 185 countries,the age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)and mortality rate(ASMR),the estimated annual percentage changes(EAPC),and demographic projections through 2050.The region-specific and country-specific BC burden for women of all ages and for young women(<40 years old)was reorganized and re-plotted to highlight subgroup differences.Linear regression was used to explore the link between ASIR/ASMR and the human development index(HDI).Transitioning countries referred to those with low or medium HDI,while transitioned countries were those with high or very high HDI.Results In 2022,an estimated 2.3 million new BC cases and 666,000 BC-related deaths occurred globally,accounting for 23.8%and 15.4%of all cancer cases and deaths in women,respectively.Regionally,Eastern Asia reported the highest number of cases(480,019,ASIR:37.54/100,000),while South-Central Asia had the highest number of deaths(135,348,ASMR:13.41/100,000).At the country level,China had the highest number of cases due to its large population,whereas India reported the highest number of deaths.ASIR for both overall and early-onset BC increased with HDI,while ASMR for early-onset BC decreased with HDI(P<0.05).Overall BC showed an increasing trend in ASIR during 2003–2015(EAPC:0.92%)and a decreasing trend in ASMR during 2006–2016(EAPC:-1.06%).Early-onset BC showed a more significant rise in ASIR(EAPCs:1.4%)and a slight increase in ASMR(EAPCs:0.16%).If national rates remain stable,BC cases and deaths will increase by 54.7%and 70.9%,respectively,by 2050.Notably,increased early-onset BC cases are only observed in transitioning countries,while decreased cases are seen in transitioned countries.Conclusions Breast cancer remains the leading cancer burden in women,particularly in transitioning countries.Addressing this growing burden requires urgent integration of primary prevention,early detection and high-quality treatment through multi-sectoral collaboration.展开更多
Highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI)H5 viruses have caused widespread mortality in wild birds and poultry,with increasing spillover risk into mammals.The recently dominant clade 2.3.4.4b has produced multiple epide...Highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI)H5 viruses have caused widespread mortality in wild birds and poultry,with increasing spillover risk into mammals.The recently dominant clade 2.3.4.4b has produced multiple epidemic waves,first driven by H5N8 and more recently by H5N1,which has spread more rapidly,infected a broader host range,and caused higher mortality.While earlier studies identified consistent roles of waterbird community composition in shaping HPAI outbreaks,it remains unclear whether these factors also apply to the currently circulating H5N1.We analyzed HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in European wild birds during the 2021/22epidemic,examining the influence of waterbird communities and environmental variables,and compared these patterns with earlier epidemics,including H5N1 in 2005/06 and H5N8 in 2016/17 and 2020/21.Our results showed that waterbird abundance,species richness,and the abundance of key species were positively associated with disease occurrence,whereas phylogenetic diversity was negatively associated,suggesting greater interspecific transmission among closely related hosts.Models trained on earlier epidemics accurately predicted the H5N1 occurrence in 2021/22.These findings demonstrate consistent effects of waterbird community composition across multiple epidemics and highlight their values as predictors of HPAI risk.Integrating community metrics into surveillance and early-warning systems can strengthen our capacity to anticipate future outbreaks across clades and subtypes.展开更多
Fipronil is an insecticide with low residual activity and high efficacy at low concentrations.Due to its widespread use and long half-life,fipronil can persist during wastewater treatment and is found even in surface ...Fipronil is an insecticide with low residual activity and high efficacy at low concentrations.Due to its widespread use and long half-life,fipronil can persist during wastewater treatment and is found even in surface waters.When released into the environment,it can accumulate over time and can lead to concentrations in soil and plant tissues that are harmful to both target and non-target organisms.As the reuse of treated wastewater and sewage sludge presents challenges and opportunities for farmers,this study investigates the effects of irrigation with environmentally relevant doses of fipronil on zucchini plants and their main insect pest,Aphis gossypii.Traces of fipronil were found in the zucchini leaves,but not in the flowers,after 35-days of cumulative exposure.A decrease in nymph-to-adult survival and a dose-dependent reduction in the fecundity of A.gossypii feeding on contaminated host plants was observed.Also,aphids feeding on contaminated host plants exhibited the same mortality rate as the control group when exposed to an acute dose of fipronil.However,when natural pyrethrins were used,there was a significant increase in resistance to this insecticide.Our results demonstrate the potential for fipronil to accumulate in plant tissues and highlight the risk of changes in insecticide susceptibility in insect pests.This suggests a need for a holistic approach to the complex dynamics of wastewater reuse in agriculture.展开更多
For the new subclass B of the bi-univalent functions constructed with the help of the(u,v)-Chebyshev polynomials of the second type,we get estimates for the first two initial coefficients and upper bounds of the Feket...For the new subclass B of the bi-univalent functions constructed with the help of the(u,v)-Chebyshev polynomials of the second type,we get estimates for the first two initial coefficients and upper bounds of the Fekete-Szeg o functional.展开更多
Background:Cervical and breast cancers are among the top 4 leading causes of cancer-related mortality in women.This study aimed to examine age-specific temporal trends in mortality for cervical and breast cancers in u...Background:Cervical and breast cancers are among the top 4 leading causes of cancer-related mortality in women.This study aimed to examine age-specific temporal trends in mortality for cervical and breast cancers in urban and rural areas of China from 2009 to 2021.Methods:Age-specific mortality data for cervical and breast cancers among Chinese women aged 20-84 years were obtained from China’s National Disease Surveillance Points system spanning the years 2009 to 2021.Negative binomial regression models were utilized to assess urban-rural differences in mortality rate ratios,while Joinpoint models with estimated average annual percent changes(AAPC)and slopes were employed to compare temporal trends and the acceleration of mortality rates within different age groups.Results:From 2009 to 2021,there was a relative increase in age-specific mortality associated with the two cancers observed in rural areas compared with urban areas.A rising trend in the screening age of 35-64[AAPC:4.0%,95%confidence interval(CI)0.5-7.6,P=0.026]for cervical cancer was noted in rural areas,while a stable trend(AAPC:-0.7%,95%CI-5.8 to 4.6,P=0.780)was observed in urban areas.As for breast cancer,a stable trend(AAPC:0.3%,95%CI-0.3 to 0.9,P=0.280)was observed in rural areas compared to a decreasing trend(AAPC:-2.7%,95%CI-4.6 to-0.7,P=0.007)in urban areas.Urban-rural differences in mortality rates increased over time for cervical cancer but decreased for breast cancer.Mortality trends for both cervical and breast cancers showed an increase with age across 4 segments,with the most significant surge in mortality observed among the 35-54 age group across urban and rural areas,periods,and regions in China.Conclusions:Special attention should be given to women aged 35-54 years due to mortality trends and rural-urban disparities.Focusing on vulnerable age groups and addressing rural-urban differences in the delivery of cancer control programs can enhance resource efficiency and promote health equity.展开更多
Boron suboxide(B_(6)O)is recognized as a superhard material with a low mass density,high resistance to chemical wear,and excellent wear resistance.Despite its desirable properties,the limited fracture tough-ness of B_...Boron suboxide(B_(6)O)is recognized as a superhard material with a low mass density,high resistance to chemical wear,and excellent wear resistance.Despite its desirable properties,the limited fracture tough-ness of B_(6)O restricts its application in industrial contexts.This study presents the structural and me-chanical characterization of B_(6)O-SiC nanocomposites,which were synthesized via a high-pressure high-temperature sintering process of B_(6)O powders and SiC whiskers.The sintering process induced fragmen-tation of SiC whiskers,resulting in the homogenous distribution of SiC fragments within the B_(6)O matrix.An increase in SiC content was observed to decrease the composite’s hardness,while initially reducing then enhancing its toughness.The nanocomposites containing 20 wt%and 30 wt%SiC whiskers exhibited significant improvements in fracture toughness,averaging 6.5 MPa m^(1/2)and 7.0 MPa m^(1/2),respectively-approximately threefold the toughness of polycrystalline B_(6)O-while sustaining high hardness values of 36.3 GPa and 35.6 GPa on average.Microstructural analyses revealed that the composites’superior me-chanical performance is due to the presence of strong grain boundaries,as well as a high density of nan-otwins and stacking faults.The findings demonstrate a viable method for producing B_(6)O-based nanocom-posites with enhanced hardness and toughness,potentially expanding their industrial applicability.展开更多
Background:Knee osteoarthritis(KOA)characterized by degeneration of knee cartilage and subsequent bone hyperplasia is a prevalent joint condition primarily affecting aging adults.The pathophysiology of KOA remains poo...Background:Knee osteoarthritis(KOA)characterized by degeneration of knee cartilage and subsequent bone hyperplasia is a prevalent joint condition primarily affecting aging adults.The pathophysiology of KOA remains poorly understood,as it involves complex mechanisms that result in the same outcome.Consequently,researchers are interested in studying KOA and require appropriate animal models for basic research.Chinese herbal compounds,which consist of multiple herbs with diverse pharmacological properties,possess characteristics such as multicomponent,multipathway,and multitarget effects.The potential benefits in the treatment of KOA continue to attract attention.Purpose:This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages,limitations,and specific considerations in selecting different species and methods for KOA animal models.This will help researchers make informed decisions when choosing an animal model.Methods:Online academic databases(e.g.,PubMed,Google Scholar,Web of Science,and CNKI)were searched using the search terms“knee osteoarthritis,”“animal models,”“traditional Chinese medicine,”and their combinations,primarily including KOA studies published from 2010 to 2023.Results:Based on literature retrieval,this review provides a comprehensive overview of the methods of establishing KOA animal models;introduces the current status of advantages and disadvantages of various animal models,including mice,rats,rabbits,dogs,and sheep/goats;and presents the current status of methods used to establish KOA animal models.Conclusion:This study provides a review of the animal models used in recent KOA research,discusses the common modeling methods,and emphasizes the role of traditional Chinese medicine compounds in the treatment of KOA.展开更多
BACKGROUND The study on predicting the differentiation grade of colorectal cancer(CRC)based on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has not been reported yet.Developing a non-invasive model to predict the differentiation gr...BACKGROUND The study on predicting the differentiation grade of colorectal cancer(CRC)based on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has not been reported yet.Developing a non-invasive model to predict the differentiation grade of CRC is of great value.AIM To develop and validate machine learning-based models for predicting the differ-entiation grade of CRC based on T2-weighted images(T2WI).METHODS We retrospectively collected the preoperative imaging and clinical data of 315 patients with CRC who underwent surgery from March 2018 to July 2023.Patients were randomly assigned to a training cohort(n=220)or a validation cohort(n=95)at a 7:3 ratio.Lesions were delineated layer by layer on high-resolution T2WI.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was applied to screen for radiomic features.Radiomics and clinical models were constructed using the multilayer perceptron(MLP)algorithm.These radiomic features and clinically relevant variables(selected based on a significance level of P<0.05 in the training set)were used to construct radiomics-clinical models.The performance of the three models(clinical,radiomic,and radiomic-clinical model)were evaluated using the area under the curve(AUC),calibration curve and decision curve analysis(DCA).RESULTS After feature selection,eight radiomic features were retained from the initial 1781 features to construct the radiomic model.Eight different classifiers,including logistic regression,support vector machine,k-nearest neighbours,random forest,extreme trees,extreme gradient boosting,light gradient boosting machine,and MLP,were used to construct the model,with MLP demonstrating the best diagnostic performance.The AUC of the radiomic-clinical model was 0.862(95%CI:0.796-0.927)in the training cohort and 0.761(95%CI:0.635-0.887)in the validation cohort.The AUC for the radiomic model was 0.796(95%CI:0.723-0.869)in the training cohort and 0.735(95%CI:0.604-0.866)in the validation cohort.The clinical model achieved an AUC of 0.751(95%CI:0.661-0.842)in the training cohort and 0.676(95%CI:0.525-0.827)in the validation cohort.All three models demonstrated good accuracy.In the training cohort,the AUC of the radiomic-clinical model was significantly greater than that of the clinical model(P=0.005)and the radiomic model(P=0.016).DCA confirmed the clinical practicality of incorporating radiomic features into the diagnostic process.CONCLUSION In this study,we successfully developed and validated a T2WI-based machine learning model as an auxiliary tool for the preoperative differentiation between well/moderately and poorly differentiated CRC.This novel approach may assist clinicians in personalizing treatment strategies for patients and improving treatment efficacy.展开更多
BACKGROUND Current osteoarthritis(OA)treatments focus on symptom relief without addressing the underlying disease process.In regenerative medicine,current treatments have limitations.In regenerative medicine,more rese...BACKGROUND Current osteoarthritis(OA)treatments focus on symptom relief without addressing the underlying disease process.In regenerative medicine,current treatments have limitations.In regenerative medicine,more research is needed for intra-articular stromal vascular fraction(SVF)injections in OA,including dosage optimization,long-term efficacy,safety,comparisons with other treatments,and mechanism exploration.AIM To compare the efficacy of intra-articular SVF with corticosteroid(ICS)injections in patients with primary knee OA.METHODS The study included 50 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grades II and III OA.Patients were randomly assigned(1:1)to receive either a single intra-articular SVF injection(group A)or a single intra-articular ICS(triamcinolone)(group B)injection.Patients were followed up at 1,3,6,12,and 24 months.Visual analog score(VAS)and International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)scores were administered before the procedure and at all followups.The safety of SVF in terms of adverse and severe adverse events was recorded.Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Version 26.0,IBM Corp,Chicago,IL,United States.RESULTS Both groups had similar demographics and baseline clinical characteristics.Follow-up showed minor patient loss,resulting in 23 and 24 in groups A and B respectively.Group A experienced a notable reduction in pain,with VAS scores decreasing from 7.7 to 2.4 over 24 months,compared to a minor reduction from 7.8 to 6.2 in Group B.This difference in pain reduction in group A was statistically significant from the third month onwards.Additionally,Group A showed significant improvements in knee functionality,with IKDC scores rising from 33.4 to 83.10,whereas Group B saw a modest increase from 36.7 to 45.16.The improvement in Group A was statistically significant from 6 months and maintained through 24 months.CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that intra-articular administration of SVF can lead to reduced pain and improved knee function in patients with primary knee OA.More adequately powered,multi-center,double-blinded,randomised clinical trials with longer follow-ups are needed to further establish safety and justify its clinical use.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the potential of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)and zinc sulphate(ZnSO_(4))in mitigating reproductive dysfunction caused by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)in rats and to understand the underlying mechan...Objective:To investigate the potential of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)and zinc sulphate(ZnSO_(4))in mitigating reproductive dysfunction caused by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)in rats and to understand the underlying mechanisms,specifically oxidative stress and sex hormone receptor activity.Methods:Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups(n=7 per group).Group 1 was administered 0.5 mL of distilled water and served as the control group.Group 2 was given only DEHP(750 mg/kg/day),while group 3,4 and 5 were given DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus NAC(100 mg/kg/day),DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus ZnSO_(4)(0.5 mg/kg/day),and DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus NAC(100 mg/kg/day)as well as ZnSO_(4)(0.5 mg/kg/day),respectively.All treatments lasted for 21 days.Samples were obtained after the rats were sacrificed,and hormones levels in the serum and markers of oxidative stress in the testicles were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The amount of androgen receptors in the testicles was determined by immunohistochemistry,and the susceptibility of testosterone and DEHP to bind to androgen receptor and 5α-reductase was determined by molecular docking studies.Results:DEHP decreased reproductive hormones,testicular antioxidant enzymes,increased malondialdehyde levels,and negatively impacted histology of the pituitary and testes.NAC or ZnSO_(4) treatment showed a marked improvement in testicular antioxidant status and hormone levels,as well as a positive effect on the histology of the pituitary and testes.The combination of both treatments appeared to be more effective.The affinity of DEHP to bind to androgen receptors may lead to disruption of androgen receptor signaling,which can further result in dysfunction of hormones related to androgen.However,NAC is more likely to form stronger binding interactions with follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptors,as well as gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors,when compared to DEHP.Conclusions:The possibility that NAC and ZnSO_(4) could downregulate DEHP-induced sex hormone changes is suggested by their potential to reduce toxicity.展开更多
The influence of cathodic pulse parameters was evaluated on plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)coatings grown on 7075 aluminum alloy in a silicate-based electrolyte containing potassium titanyl oxalate(PTO)using pulsed...The influence of cathodic pulse parameters was evaluated on plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)coatings grown on 7075 aluminum alloy in a silicate-based electrolyte containing potassium titanyl oxalate(PTO)using pulsed bipolar waveforms with various cathodic duty cycles and cathodic current densities.The coatings were characterized by SEM,EDS,and XRD.EIS was applied to investigate the electrochemical properties.It was observed that the increase of cathodic duty cycle and cathodic current density from 20%and 6 A/dm^(2) to 40%and 12 A/dm^(2) enhances the growth rate of the inner layer from 0.22 to 0.75μm/min.Adding PTO into the bath showed a fortifying effect on influence of the cathodic pulse and the mentioned change of cathodic pulse parameters,resulting in an increase of the inner layer growth rate from 0.25 to 1.10μm/min.Based on EDS analysis,Si and Ti were incorporated dominantly in the upper parts of the coatings.XRD technique merely detectedγ-Al_(2)O_(3),and there were no detectable peaks related to Ti and Si compounds.However,the EIS results confirmed that the incorporation of Ti^(4+)into alumina changed the electronic properties of the coating.The coatings obtained from the bath containing PTO using the bipolar waveforms with a cathodic duty cycle of 40%and current density values higher than 6 A/dm^(2) showed highly appropriate electrochemical behavior during 240 d of immersion due to an efficient repairing mechanism.Regarding the effects of studied parameters on the coating properties,the roles of cathodic pulse parameters and PTO in the PEO process were highlighted.展开更多
Pedicle screw is employed in several cases of spine disorders such as fractures, pseudarthrosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative changes among others. Its essence is to fix the vertebral body in position until fusion ...Pedicle screw is employed in several cases of spine disorders such as fractures, pseudarthrosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative changes among others. Its essence is to fix the vertebral body in position until fusion is complete. The success of this technique depends on factors like choice of size of screw for a particular pedicle size and shape. Thus, adequate knowledge of the morphometry of lumbar pedicle may avert intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with this technique, especially, neurological impairments. In this study, we determined the vertical and horizontal diameters, interpedicular distance and gender differences of 180 lumbar vertebral pedicles (140 male, 40 female pedicles) using digital vernier calipers. Results revealed a significant increase in pedicle height and width from L2 to L5. Interpedicular distance increased significantly down the vertebrae from L2 to L5. Mean vertical and horizontal diameters, interpedicular distance were not significantly different in both sexes. This study recommends a thorough check of individual’s spinal anatomy in pre-operative assessments.展开更多
G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)represent the most substantial family of membrane receptors that are targeted by U.S.Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs.Much of the preclinical research to understand the pha...G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)represent the most substantial family of membrane receptors that are targeted by U.S.Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs.Much of the preclinical research to understand the pharmacology of many membrane receptors including GPCRs is derived from studies in male animal models(Karp and Reavey,2019).展开更多
Data compression plays a key role in optimizing the use of memory storage space and also reducing latency in data transmission. In this paper, we are interested in lossless compression techniques because their perform...Data compression plays a key role in optimizing the use of memory storage space and also reducing latency in data transmission. In this paper, we are interested in lossless compression techniques because their performance is exploited with lossy compression techniques for images and videos generally using a mixed approach. To achieve our intended objective, which is to study the performance of lossless compression methods, we first carried out a literature review, a summary of which enabled us to select the most relevant, namely the following: arithmetic coding, LZW, Tunstall’s algorithm, RLE, BWT, Huffman coding and Shannon-Fano. Secondly, we designed a purposive text dataset with a repeating pattern in order to test the behavior and effectiveness of the selected compression techniques. Thirdly, we designed the compression algorithms and developed the programs (scripts) in Matlab in order to test their performance. Finally, following the tests conducted on relevant data that we constructed according to a deliberate model, the results show that these methods presented in order of performance are very satisfactory:- LZW- Arithmetic coding- Tunstall algorithm- BWT + RLELikewise, it appears that on the one hand, the performance of certain techniques relative to others is strongly linked to the sequencing and/or recurrence of symbols that make up the message, and on the other hand, to the cumulative time of encoding and decoding.展开更多
Activated carbons (ACs) calcined at 400˚C, 500˚C, and 600˚C (AC-400, AC-500, and AC-600) were prepared using palm nut shells from Gabon as raw material and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as a chemical activating agent. Prepare...Activated carbons (ACs) calcined at 400˚C, 500˚C, and 600˚C (AC-400, AC-500, and AC-600) were prepared using palm nut shells from Gabon as raw material and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as a chemical activating agent. Prepared ACs were characterized by physisorption of nitrogen (N2), determination of diode and methylene blue numbers for studies of porosity and by quantification and determination of surface functional groups and pH at point of zero charge (pHpzc) respectively, for studies of chemical properties of prepared ACs. Then, effects of calcination temperature (Tcal) on porosity and chemical properties of prepared ACs were studied. The results obtained showed that when the calcination temperature increases from 500˚C to 600˚C, the porosity and chemical properties of prepared ACs are modified. Indeed, the methylene blue and iodine numbers determined for activated carbons AC-400 (460 and 7.94 mg·g−1, respectively) and AC-500 (680 and 8.90 mg·g−1, respectively) are higher than those obtained for AC-600 (360 and 5.75 mg·g−1, respectively). Compared to the AC-500 adsorbent, specific surface areas (SBET) and microporous volume losses for AC-600 were estimated to 44.7% and 45.8%, respectively. Moreover, in our experimental conditions, the effect of Tcal on the quantities of acidic and basic functional groups on the surface of the ACs appears negligible. In addition, results of the pHpzc of prepared ACs showed that as Tcal increases, the pH of the adsorbents increases and tends towards neutrality. Indeed, a stronger acidity was determined on AC-400 (pHpzc = 5.60) compared to those on AC-500 and AC-600 (pHpzc = 6.85 and 6.70, respectively). Also according to the results of porosity and chemical characterizations, adsorption being a surface phenomenon, 500˚C appears to be the optimal calcination temperature for the preparation of activated carbons from palm nut shells in our experimental conditions.展开更多
This work investigated the removal, kinetics and thermodynamics of iron(II) ions (Fe(II)) by adsorption in static and dynamic conditions in aqueous media on activated carbons (AC-i30min, AC-i1h, and AC-i24h), prepared...This work investigated the removal, kinetics and thermodynamics of iron(II) ions (Fe(II)) by adsorption in static and dynamic conditions in aqueous media on activated carbons (AC-i30min, AC-i1h, and AC-i24h), prepared from palm nut shells collected in the city of Franceville to Gabon, using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the activating agent. Results on the elimination of Fe(II) in static and dynamic adsorption on prepared activated carbons (ACs) showed that the AC-i24h adsorbent has the best Fe(II) adsorption capacities at saturation (Qsat). The Qsat obtained on AC-i24h in static and dynamic conditions (17.87 and 10.38 mg/g, respectively) were higher than those of AC-i30min (13.89 and 5.54 mg/g respectively) and AC-i1h (14.92 and 8.64 mg/g respectively). Moreover, the static adsorption was more effective in the removal of Fe(II) ions in aqueous media in our experimental conditions. The percentage removal (%E) of Fe(II) obtained on prepared activated carbons in static conditions was better than those obtained in dynamic conditions, especially on AC-i24h, where the %E was 89.27% in static and 61.56% in dynamic. In kinetics, results showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the adsorption mechanisms of Fe(II) on prepared activated carbons in static adsorption, with mainly of chemisorption on the solid surfaces. However, in dynamic conditions, the pseudo-first-order kinetic model was more suitable. In addition to the weak interactions between Fe(II) and the activated carbon surfaces, strong interactions (chemisorption) were also observed. Also, thermodynamic data obtained on AC-i24h in static adsorption indicated that the adsorption of Fe(II) was spontaneous and increased with temperature (ΔG˚ H˚ = 503.54 KJ/mol).展开更多
The study evaluated the growth performance and carcass quality of COBB500 broilers fed two experimental rations incorporating feed and mango fine ED<sub>10</sub> for a batch of 83 birds, ED<sub>20<...The study evaluated the growth performance and carcass quality of COBB500 broilers fed two experimental rations incorporating feed and mango fine ED<sub>10</sub> for a batch of 83 birds, ED<sub>20</sub> (batch of 83 birds) in comparison with a commercial control ration CCD (84 birds). For this purpose, 250 day-old chicks of this breed were purchased in Korhogo and transported to Tengréla in Ivory Coast for rearing. The results show that substituting mango provender ans and mango seed flour for maize resulted in rations with costs per kgMS of 215.35FCFA, 2016.93FCFA and 320FCFA for the ED<sub>10</sub>, ED<sub>20</sub> and CCD rations respectively. The production costs per kg of chicken (FCPkgLW) of the CCD ration were significantly higher than those of the ED10 and ED<sub>20</sub> (p 0.05). ADGs were significantly different and decreasing from CCD, ED<sub>20</sub> to ED<sub>10</sub> (p 0.05). Average weights at 42nd day for ED<sub>20</sub> and CCD were homogeneous (p > 0.05) and significantly higher than for ED<sub>10</sub> (p 0.05). By day 49th the average weight of ED<sub>20</sub> had reached and exceeded that of CCD by day 42nd. PSLW, HCW and CCW were significantly different and decreasing from CCW, ED<sub>20</sub> to ED<sub>10</sub> (p 0.05). Average hot (HCY) and cooled (CCY) carcass yields of ED<sub>20</sub> and CCD rations were comparable (p > 0.05) and significantly higher than those of ED<sub>10</sub> ration (p = 0.009) and 0.003). Average drumstick and neck weights were significantly higher and lower for CCD, ED<sub>20</sub> and ED<sub>10</sub> (p 0.05). For all other parts of the cut, the average weights of the CCD ration were significantly higher (p 0.05) than those of the ED<sub>20</sub> and ED<sub>10</sub> rations, which were homogeneous (p 0.05). The incorporation of mango provender and mango seed flour in broiler rations offers the prospect of reduced production costs, less competition between man and animals over cereals, and lean meat production that is more appreciated than that of chickens fed conventional feed. As it stands, the ED<sub>20</sub> ration can be recommended as a growth diet for broilers. It would be necessary to determine the levels of anti-nutritional substances in mango feeds and to assess the in vivo digestibility of mango ingredients and the diets incorporating them.展开更多
AIM: To investigate gene variants in a large Italian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cohort, and to analyze the correlation of sub-phenotypes (including age at diagnosis) and epistatic interaction with other IBD gene...AIM: To investigate gene variants in a large Italian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cohort, and to analyze the correlation of sub-phenotypes (including age at diagnosis) and epistatic interaction with other IBD genes. METHODS: Total of 763 patients with Crohn's disease (CD, 189 diagnosed at age < 19 years), 843 with ulcerative colitis (UC, 179 diagnosed <19 years), 749 healthy controls, and 546 healthy parents (273 trios) were included in the study. The rs2241880 [autophagy-related 16-like 1 (ATG16L1)], rs11209026 and rs7517847 [interleukin 23 receptor (IL23R)], rs2066844, rs2066845, rs2066847 (CARD15), rs1050152 (OCTN1), and rs2631367 (OCTN2) gene variants were genotyped. RESULTS: The frequency of G allele of ATG16L1 SNP (Ala197Thr) was increased in patients with CD compared with controls (59% vs 54% respectively) (OR = 1.25, CI = 1.08-1.45, P = 0.003), but not in UC (55%). The frequency of A and G (minor) alleles of Arg381Gln, rs11209026 and rs7517847 variants of IL23R were reduced significantly in CD (4%, OR = 0.62, CI = 0.45-0.87, P = 0.005; 28%, OR = 0.64, CI = 0.55-0.75, P < 0.01), compared with controls (6% and 38%, respectively). The A allele (but not G) was also reduced signifi cantly in UC (4%, OR = 0.69, CI = 0.5-0.94, P = 0.019). No association was demonstrated with sub-phenotypes and interaction with CARD15 , and OCTN1/2 genes, although both gene variants were associated with pediatric-onset disease. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms the association of IL23R polymorphisms with IBD, and ATG16L1 with CD, in both adult- and pediatric-onset subsets in our study population.展开更多
基金Supported by The Science and Technology Department of Jilin Province,China,No.YDZJ202301ZYTS002The Jilin Province Medical and Health Talents Project,No.2019SRCJ010.
文摘BACKGROUND Carriers of chromosomal balanced translocations are often physically healthy with no obvious developmental problems.However,potential chromosomal imbalance in their gametes can lead to implantation failure,miscarriage,or the birth of a child with a chromosomal abnormality.CASE SUMMARY We report six cases of chromosomal translocations involving three families,including the specific Robertson(Roche)translocation.Case 1:The karyotype of the proband was 46,XX,t(18;19)(q22;p12).Case 2:Interventional prenatal diagnosis at 18 weeks of gestation confirmed that the karyotype of the fetus was 46,XY,t(18;19)(q22;p12).Case 3:The karyotype of the proband was 46,XY,t(5;18)(p13;p11).Case 4:Interventional prenatal diagnosis at 14+6 weeks confirmed that the karyotype of the fetus was 46,XX,der(18)t(5;18)(p13;p11)pat.Case 5:The karyotype of the proband was 45,XY,der(14;22)(q10;q10).Case 6:Interventional prenatal diagnosis at 19+4 weeks confirmed that the karyotype of the fetus was 45,XX,rob(14;22)(q10;q10).CONCLUSION Carriers of chromosomal translocations have a high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes,though they can still have normal offspring.This report on six cases of chromosomal translocations from three families could serve as a reference for future prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal translocations and decision-making on whether to continue the pregnancy.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(grant number:2021YFC2500400)Tianjin Health Committee Foundation(grant number:TJWJ2021MS008).
文摘Background Breast cancer(BC)incidence and mortality vary significantly across countries,highlighting the need to update the global burden of female BC,including current trends and future projections.Methods Data were sourced from GLOBOCAN 2022,including estimated new cases and deaths from BC across 21 United Nation(UN)regions and 185 countries,the age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)and mortality rate(ASMR),the estimated annual percentage changes(EAPC),and demographic projections through 2050.The region-specific and country-specific BC burden for women of all ages and for young women(<40 years old)was reorganized and re-plotted to highlight subgroup differences.Linear regression was used to explore the link between ASIR/ASMR and the human development index(HDI).Transitioning countries referred to those with low or medium HDI,while transitioned countries were those with high or very high HDI.Results In 2022,an estimated 2.3 million new BC cases and 666,000 BC-related deaths occurred globally,accounting for 23.8%and 15.4%of all cancer cases and deaths in women,respectively.Regionally,Eastern Asia reported the highest number of cases(480,019,ASIR:37.54/100,000),while South-Central Asia had the highest number of deaths(135,348,ASMR:13.41/100,000).At the country level,China had the highest number of cases due to its large population,whereas India reported the highest number of deaths.ASIR for both overall and early-onset BC increased with HDI,while ASMR for early-onset BC decreased with HDI(P<0.05).Overall BC showed an increasing trend in ASIR during 2003–2015(EAPC:0.92%)and a decreasing trend in ASMR during 2006–2016(EAPC:-1.06%).Early-onset BC showed a more significant rise in ASIR(EAPCs:1.4%)and a slight increase in ASMR(EAPCs:0.16%).If national rates remain stable,BC cases and deaths will increase by 54.7%and 70.9%,respectively,by 2050.Notably,increased early-onset BC cases are only observed in transitioning countries,while decreased cases are seen in transitioned countries.Conclusions Breast cancer remains the leading cancer burden in women,particularly in transitioning countries.Addressing this growing burden requires urgent integration of primary prevention,early detection and high-quality treatment through multi-sectoral collaboration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32271605)。
文摘Highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI)H5 viruses have caused widespread mortality in wild birds and poultry,with increasing spillover risk into mammals.The recently dominant clade 2.3.4.4b has produced multiple epidemic waves,first driven by H5N8 and more recently by H5N1,which has spread more rapidly,infected a broader host range,and caused higher mortality.While earlier studies identified consistent roles of waterbird community composition in shaping HPAI outbreaks,it remains unclear whether these factors also apply to the currently circulating H5N1.We analyzed HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in European wild birds during the 2021/22epidemic,examining the influence of waterbird communities and environmental variables,and compared these patterns with earlier epidemics,including H5N1 in 2005/06 and H5N8 in 2016/17 and 2020/21.Our results showed that waterbird abundance,species richness,and the abundance of key species were positively associated with disease occurrence,whereas phylogenetic diversity was negatively associated,suggesting greater interspecific transmission among closely related hosts.Models trained on earlier epidemics accurately predicted the H5N1 occurrence in 2021/22.These findings demonstrate consistent effects of waterbird community composition across multiple epidemics and highlight their values as predictors of HPAI risk.Integrating community metrics into surveillance and early-warning systems can strengthen our capacity to anticipate future outbreaks across clades and subtypes.
基金funding from MUR under the umbrella of the PRIMA-Partnership for Research&Innovation in the Mediterranean Area through the research project SAFE"Sustainable water reuse practices improving safety in agriculture,food and environment"support from the CERCA Institute through the CERCAGINYS programme,funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovationsupport from the Economy and Knowledge Department of the Catalan Government through a Consolidated Research Groups(ICRA-ENV-2021 SGR 01282 and ICRA-TECH 2021 SGR 01283)。
文摘Fipronil is an insecticide with low residual activity and high efficacy at low concentrations.Due to its widespread use and long half-life,fipronil can persist during wastewater treatment and is found even in surface waters.When released into the environment,it can accumulate over time and can lead to concentrations in soil and plant tissues that are harmful to both target and non-target organisms.As the reuse of treated wastewater and sewage sludge presents challenges and opportunities for farmers,this study investigates the effects of irrigation with environmentally relevant doses of fipronil on zucchini plants and their main insect pest,Aphis gossypii.Traces of fipronil were found in the zucchini leaves,but not in the flowers,after 35-days of cumulative exposure.A decrease in nymph-to-adult survival and a dose-dependent reduction in the fecundity of A.gossypii feeding on contaminated host plants was observed.Also,aphids feeding on contaminated host plants exhibited the same mortality rate as the control group when exposed to an acute dose of fipronil.However,when natural pyrethrins were used,there was a significant increase in resistance to this insecticide.Our results demonstrate the potential for fipronil to accumulate in plant tissues and highlight the risk of changes in insecticide susceptibility in insect pests.This suggests a need for a holistic approach to the complex dynamics of wastewater reuse in agriculture.
文摘For the new subclass B of the bi-univalent functions constructed with the help of the(u,v)-Chebyshev polynomials of the second type,we get estimates for the first two initial coefficients and upper bounds of the Fekete-Szeg o functional.
基金supported by the High-Level Public Health Specialized Talents Project of Beijing Municipal Health Commission(YFH,2024-3-028)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(YFH,72061137007)SHV is supported,in part,by U.S.National Institutes of Health(P30CA016359).
文摘Background:Cervical and breast cancers are among the top 4 leading causes of cancer-related mortality in women.This study aimed to examine age-specific temporal trends in mortality for cervical and breast cancers in urban and rural areas of China from 2009 to 2021.Methods:Age-specific mortality data for cervical and breast cancers among Chinese women aged 20-84 years were obtained from China’s National Disease Surveillance Points system spanning the years 2009 to 2021.Negative binomial regression models were utilized to assess urban-rural differences in mortality rate ratios,while Joinpoint models with estimated average annual percent changes(AAPC)and slopes were employed to compare temporal trends and the acceleration of mortality rates within different age groups.Results:From 2009 to 2021,there was a relative increase in age-specific mortality associated with the two cancers observed in rural areas compared with urban areas.A rising trend in the screening age of 35-64[AAPC:4.0%,95%confidence interval(CI)0.5-7.6,P=0.026]for cervical cancer was noted in rural areas,while a stable trend(AAPC:-0.7%,95%CI-5.8 to 4.6,P=0.780)was observed in urban areas.As for breast cancer,a stable trend(AAPC:0.3%,95%CI-0.3 to 0.9,P=0.280)was observed in rural areas compared to a decreasing trend(AAPC:-2.7%,95%CI-4.6 to-0.7,P=0.007)in urban areas.Urban-rural differences in mortality rates increased over time for cervical cancer but decreased for breast cancer.Mortality trends for both cervical and breast cancers showed an increase with age across 4 segments,with the most significant surge in mortality observed among the 35-54 age group across urban and rural areas,periods,and regions in China.Conclusions:Special attention should be given to women aged 35-54 years due to mortality trends and rural-urban disparities.Focusing on vulnerable age groups and addressing rural-urban differences in the delivery of cancer control programs can enhance resource efficiency and promote health equity.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province of China(E2022203109)the National Natural Sci-ence Foundation of China(Grant No.52202049,52103322)+5 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province of China(Grant No.20202BAB214010)the Open Funds of the State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology(Grant No.201906)Ganzhou Science and Technology Project(Grant No.202060)the Program of Qingjiang Excellent Young Talents,Jiangxi Univer-sity of Science and Technology(JXUSTQJYX2020002)China Post-doctoral Science Foundation(2023M731866)the Macao Young Scholars Program(AM2021015).
文摘Boron suboxide(B_(6)O)is recognized as a superhard material with a low mass density,high resistance to chemical wear,and excellent wear resistance.Despite its desirable properties,the limited fracture tough-ness of B_(6)O restricts its application in industrial contexts.This study presents the structural and me-chanical characterization of B_(6)O-SiC nanocomposites,which were synthesized via a high-pressure high-temperature sintering process of B_(6)O powders and SiC whiskers.The sintering process induced fragmen-tation of SiC whiskers,resulting in the homogenous distribution of SiC fragments within the B_(6)O matrix.An increase in SiC content was observed to decrease the composite’s hardness,while initially reducing then enhancing its toughness.The nanocomposites containing 20 wt%and 30 wt%SiC whiskers exhibited significant improvements in fracture toughness,averaging 6.5 MPa m^(1/2)and 7.0 MPa m^(1/2),respectively-approximately threefold the toughness of polycrystalline B_(6)O-while sustaining high hardness values of 36.3 GPa and 35.6 GPa on average.Microstructural analyses revealed that the composites’superior me-chanical performance is due to the presence of strong grain boundaries,as well as a high density of nan-otwins and stacking faults.The findings demonstrate a viable method for producing B_(6)O-based nanocom-posites with enhanced hardness and toughness,potentially expanding their industrial applicability.
基金supported by the Cutting Edge Development Fund of Advanced Medical Research Institute(GYY2023QY01)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(certificate number:2023M732093)。
文摘Background:Knee osteoarthritis(KOA)characterized by degeneration of knee cartilage and subsequent bone hyperplasia is a prevalent joint condition primarily affecting aging adults.The pathophysiology of KOA remains poorly understood,as it involves complex mechanisms that result in the same outcome.Consequently,researchers are interested in studying KOA and require appropriate animal models for basic research.Chinese herbal compounds,which consist of multiple herbs with diverse pharmacological properties,possess characteristics such as multicomponent,multipathway,and multitarget effects.The potential benefits in the treatment of KOA continue to attract attention.Purpose:This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages,limitations,and specific considerations in selecting different species and methods for KOA animal models.This will help researchers make informed decisions when choosing an animal model.Methods:Online academic databases(e.g.,PubMed,Google Scholar,Web of Science,and CNKI)were searched using the search terms“knee osteoarthritis,”“animal models,”“traditional Chinese medicine,”and their combinations,primarily including KOA studies published from 2010 to 2023.Results:Based on literature retrieval,this review provides a comprehensive overview of the methods of establishing KOA animal models;introduces the current status of advantages and disadvantages of various animal models,including mice,rats,rabbits,dogs,and sheep/goats;and presents the current status of methods used to establish KOA animal models.Conclusion:This study provides a review of the animal models used in recent KOA research,discusses the common modeling methods,and emphasizes the role of traditional Chinese medicine compounds in the treatment of KOA.
基金the Fujian Province Clinical Key Specialty Construction Project,No.2022884Quanzhou Science and Technology Plan Project,No.2021N034S+1 种基金The Youth Research Project of Fujian Provincial Health Commission,No.2022QNA067Malignant Tumor Clinical Medicine Research Center,No.2020N090s.
文摘BACKGROUND The study on predicting the differentiation grade of colorectal cancer(CRC)based on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has not been reported yet.Developing a non-invasive model to predict the differentiation grade of CRC is of great value.AIM To develop and validate machine learning-based models for predicting the differ-entiation grade of CRC based on T2-weighted images(T2WI).METHODS We retrospectively collected the preoperative imaging and clinical data of 315 patients with CRC who underwent surgery from March 2018 to July 2023.Patients were randomly assigned to a training cohort(n=220)or a validation cohort(n=95)at a 7:3 ratio.Lesions were delineated layer by layer on high-resolution T2WI.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was applied to screen for radiomic features.Radiomics and clinical models were constructed using the multilayer perceptron(MLP)algorithm.These radiomic features and clinically relevant variables(selected based on a significance level of P<0.05 in the training set)were used to construct radiomics-clinical models.The performance of the three models(clinical,radiomic,and radiomic-clinical model)were evaluated using the area under the curve(AUC),calibration curve and decision curve analysis(DCA).RESULTS After feature selection,eight radiomic features were retained from the initial 1781 features to construct the radiomic model.Eight different classifiers,including logistic regression,support vector machine,k-nearest neighbours,random forest,extreme trees,extreme gradient boosting,light gradient boosting machine,and MLP,were used to construct the model,with MLP demonstrating the best diagnostic performance.The AUC of the radiomic-clinical model was 0.862(95%CI:0.796-0.927)in the training cohort and 0.761(95%CI:0.635-0.887)in the validation cohort.The AUC for the radiomic model was 0.796(95%CI:0.723-0.869)in the training cohort and 0.735(95%CI:0.604-0.866)in the validation cohort.The clinical model achieved an AUC of 0.751(95%CI:0.661-0.842)in the training cohort and 0.676(95%CI:0.525-0.827)in the validation cohort.All three models demonstrated good accuracy.In the training cohort,the AUC of the radiomic-clinical model was significantly greater than that of the clinical model(P=0.005)and the radiomic model(P=0.016).DCA confirmed the clinical practicality of incorporating radiomic features into the diagnostic process.CONCLUSION In this study,we successfully developed and validated a T2WI-based machine learning model as an auxiliary tool for the preoperative differentiation between well/moderately and poorly differentiated CRC.This novel approach may assist clinicians in personalizing treatment strategies for patients and improving treatment efficacy.
文摘BACKGROUND Current osteoarthritis(OA)treatments focus on symptom relief without addressing the underlying disease process.In regenerative medicine,current treatments have limitations.In regenerative medicine,more research is needed for intra-articular stromal vascular fraction(SVF)injections in OA,including dosage optimization,long-term efficacy,safety,comparisons with other treatments,and mechanism exploration.AIM To compare the efficacy of intra-articular SVF with corticosteroid(ICS)injections in patients with primary knee OA.METHODS The study included 50 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grades II and III OA.Patients were randomly assigned(1:1)to receive either a single intra-articular SVF injection(group A)or a single intra-articular ICS(triamcinolone)(group B)injection.Patients were followed up at 1,3,6,12,and 24 months.Visual analog score(VAS)and International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)scores were administered before the procedure and at all followups.The safety of SVF in terms of adverse and severe adverse events was recorded.Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Version 26.0,IBM Corp,Chicago,IL,United States.RESULTS Both groups had similar demographics and baseline clinical characteristics.Follow-up showed minor patient loss,resulting in 23 and 24 in groups A and B respectively.Group A experienced a notable reduction in pain,with VAS scores decreasing from 7.7 to 2.4 over 24 months,compared to a minor reduction from 7.8 to 6.2 in Group B.This difference in pain reduction in group A was statistically significant from the third month onwards.Additionally,Group A showed significant improvements in knee functionality,with IKDC scores rising from 33.4 to 83.10,whereas Group B saw a modest increase from 36.7 to 45.16.The improvement in Group A was statistically significant from 6 months and maintained through 24 months.CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that intra-articular administration of SVF can lead to reduced pain and improved knee function in patients with primary knee OA.More adequately powered,multi-center,double-blinded,randomised clinical trials with longer follow-ups are needed to further establish safety and justify its clinical use.
文摘Objective:To investigate the potential of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)and zinc sulphate(ZnSO_(4))in mitigating reproductive dysfunction caused by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)in rats and to understand the underlying mechanisms,specifically oxidative stress and sex hormone receptor activity.Methods:Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups(n=7 per group).Group 1 was administered 0.5 mL of distilled water and served as the control group.Group 2 was given only DEHP(750 mg/kg/day),while group 3,4 and 5 were given DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus NAC(100 mg/kg/day),DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus ZnSO_(4)(0.5 mg/kg/day),and DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus NAC(100 mg/kg/day)as well as ZnSO_(4)(0.5 mg/kg/day),respectively.All treatments lasted for 21 days.Samples were obtained after the rats were sacrificed,and hormones levels in the serum and markers of oxidative stress in the testicles were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The amount of androgen receptors in the testicles was determined by immunohistochemistry,and the susceptibility of testosterone and DEHP to bind to androgen receptor and 5α-reductase was determined by molecular docking studies.Results:DEHP decreased reproductive hormones,testicular antioxidant enzymes,increased malondialdehyde levels,and negatively impacted histology of the pituitary and testes.NAC or ZnSO_(4) treatment showed a marked improvement in testicular antioxidant status and hormone levels,as well as a positive effect on the histology of the pituitary and testes.The combination of both treatments appeared to be more effective.The affinity of DEHP to bind to androgen receptors may lead to disruption of androgen receptor signaling,which can further result in dysfunction of hormones related to androgen.However,NAC is more likely to form stronger binding interactions with follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptors,as well as gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors,when compared to DEHP.Conclusions:The possibility that NAC and ZnSO_(4) could downregulate DEHP-induced sex hormone changes is suggested by their potential to reduce toxicity.
文摘The influence of cathodic pulse parameters was evaluated on plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)coatings grown on 7075 aluminum alloy in a silicate-based electrolyte containing potassium titanyl oxalate(PTO)using pulsed bipolar waveforms with various cathodic duty cycles and cathodic current densities.The coatings were characterized by SEM,EDS,and XRD.EIS was applied to investigate the electrochemical properties.It was observed that the increase of cathodic duty cycle and cathodic current density from 20%and 6 A/dm^(2) to 40%and 12 A/dm^(2) enhances the growth rate of the inner layer from 0.22 to 0.75μm/min.Adding PTO into the bath showed a fortifying effect on influence of the cathodic pulse and the mentioned change of cathodic pulse parameters,resulting in an increase of the inner layer growth rate from 0.25 to 1.10μm/min.Based on EDS analysis,Si and Ti were incorporated dominantly in the upper parts of the coatings.XRD technique merely detectedγ-Al_(2)O_(3),and there were no detectable peaks related to Ti and Si compounds.However,the EIS results confirmed that the incorporation of Ti^(4+)into alumina changed the electronic properties of the coating.The coatings obtained from the bath containing PTO using the bipolar waveforms with a cathodic duty cycle of 40%and current density values higher than 6 A/dm^(2) showed highly appropriate electrochemical behavior during 240 d of immersion due to an efficient repairing mechanism.Regarding the effects of studied parameters on the coating properties,the roles of cathodic pulse parameters and PTO in the PEO process were highlighted.
文摘Pedicle screw is employed in several cases of spine disorders such as fractures, pseudarthrosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative changes among others. Its essence is to fix the vertebral body in position until fusion is complete. The success of this technique depends on factors like choice of size of screw for a particular pedicle size and shape. Thus, adequate knowledge of the morphometry of lumbar pedicle may avert intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with this technique, especially, neurological impairments. In this study, we determined the vertical and horizontal diameters, interpedicular distance and gender differences of 180 lumbar vertebral pedicles (140 male, 40 female pedicles) using digital vernier calipers. Results revealed a significant increase in pedicle height and width from L2 to L5. Interpedicular distance increased significantly down the vertebrae from L2 to L5. Mean vertical and horizontal diameters, interpedicular distance were not significantly different in both sexes. This study recommends a thorough check of individual’s spinal anatomy in pre-operative assessments.
基金supported by a New Investigator grant fram the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and Alzheimer Disease Research Grant from Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health(to KSAE)。
文摘G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)represent the most substantial family of membrane receptors that are targeted by U.S.Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs.Much of the preclinical research to understand the pharmacology of many membrane receptors including GPCRs is derived from studies in male animal models(Karp and Reavey,2019).
文摘Data compression plays a key role in optimizing the use of memory storage space and also reducing latency in data transmission. In this paper, we are interested in lossless compression techniques because their performance is exploited with lossy compression techniques for images and videos generally using a mixed approach. To achieve our intended objective, which is to study the performance of lossless compression methods, we first carried out a literature review, a summary of which enabled us to select the most relevant, namely the following: arithmetic coding, LZW, Tunstall’s algorithm, RLE, BWT, Huffman coding and Shannon-Fano. Secondly, we designed a purposive text dataset with a repeating pattern in order to test the behavior and effectiveness of the selected compression techniques. Thirdly, we designed the compression algorithms and developed the programs (scripts) in Matlab in order to test their performance. Finally, following the tests conducted on relevant data that we constructed according to a deliberate model, the results show that these methods presented in order of performance are very satisfactory:- LZW- Arithmetic coding- Tunstall algorithm- BWT + RLELikewise, it appears that on the one hand, the performance of certain techniques relative to others is strongly linked to the sequencing and/or recurrence of symbols that make up the message, and on the other hand, to the cumulative time of encoding and decoding.
文摘Activated carbons (ACs) calcined at 400˚C, 500˚C, and 600˚C (AC-400, AC-500, and AC-600) were prepared using palm nut shells from Gabon as raw material and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as a chemical activating agent. Prepared ACs were characterized by physisorption of nitrogen (N2), determination of diode and methylene blue numbers for studies of porosity and by quantification and determination of surface functional groups and pH at point of zero charge (pHpzc) respectively, for studies of chemical properties of prepared ACs. Then, effects of calcination temperature (Tcal) on porosity and chemical properties of prepared ACs were studied. The results obtained showed that when the calcination temperature increases from 500˚C to 600˚C, the porosity and chemical properties of prepared ACs are modified. Indeed, the methylene blue and iodine numbers determined for activated carbons AC-400 (460 and 7.94 mg·g−1, respectively) and AC-500 (680 and 8.90 mg·g−1, respectively) are higher than those obtained for AC-600 (360 and 5.75 mg·g−1, respectively). Compared to the AC-500 adsorbent, specific surface areas (SBET) and microporous volume losses for AC-600 were estimated to 44.7% and 45.8%, respectively. Moreover, in our experimental conditions, the effect of Tcal on the quantities of acidic and basic functional groups on the surface of the ACs appears negligible. In addition, results of the pHpzc of prepared ACs showed that as Tcal increases, the pH of the adsorbents increases and tends towards neutrality. Indeed, a stronger acidity was determined on AC-400 (pHpzc = 5.60) compared to those on AC-500 and AC-600 (pHpzc = 6.85 and 6.70, respectively). Also according to the results of porosity and chemical characterizations, adsorption being a surface phenomenon, 500˚C appears to be the optimal calcination temperature for the preparation of activated carbons from palm nut shells in our experimental conditions.
文摘This work investigated the removal, kinetics and thermodynamics of iron(II) ions (Fe(II)) by adsorption in static and dynamic conditions in aqueous media on activated carbons (AC-i30min, AC-i1h, and AC-i24h), prepared from palm nut shells collected in the city of Franceville to Gabon, using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the activating agent. Results on the elimination of Fe(II) in static and dynamic adsorption on prepared activated carbons (ACs) showed that the AC-i24h adsorbent has the best Fe(II) adsorption capacities at saturation (Qsat). The Qsat obtained on AC-i24h in static and dynamic conditions (17.87 and 10.38 mg/g, respectively) were higher than those of AC-i30min (13.89 and 5.54 mg/g respectively) and AC-i1h (14.92 and 8.64 mg/g respectively). Moreover, the static adsorption was more effective in the removal of Fe(II) ions in aqueous media in our experimental conditions. The percentage removal (%E) of Fe(II) obtained on prepared activated carbons in static conditions was better than those obtained in dynamic conditions, especially on AC-i24h, where the %E was 89.27% in static and 61.56% in dynamic. In kinetics, results showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the adsorption mechanisms of Fe(II) on prepared activated carbons in static adsorption, with mainly of chemisorption on the solid surfaces. However, in dynamic conditions, the pseudo-first-order kinetic model was more suitable. In addition to the weak interactions between Fe(II) and the activated carbon surfaces, strong interactions (chemisorption) were also observed. Also, thermodynamic data obtained on AC-i24h in static adsorption indicated that the adsorption of Fe(II) was spontaneous and increased with temperature (ΔG˚ H˚ = 503.54 KJ/mol).
文摘The study evaluated the growth performance and carcass quality of COBB500 broilers fed two experimental rations incorporating feed and mango fine ED<sub>10</sub> for a batch of 83 birds, ED<sub>20</sub> (batch of 83 birds) in comparison with a commercial control ration CCD (84 birds). For this purpose, 250 day-old chicks of this breed were purchased in Korhogo and transported to Tengréla in Ivory Coast for rearing. The results show that substituting mango provender ans and mango seed flour for maize resulted in rations with costs per kgMS of 215.35FCFA, 2016.93FCFA and 320FCFA for the ED<sub>10</sub>, ED<sub>20</sub> and CCD rations respectively. The production costs per kg of chicken (FCPkgLW) of the CCD ration were significantly higher than those of the ED10 and ED<sub>20</sub> (p 0.05). ADGs were significantly different and decreasing from CCD, ED<sub>20</sub> to ED<sub>10</sub> (p 0.05). Average weights at 42nd day for ED<sub>20</sub> and CCD were homogeneous (p > 0.05) and significantly higher than for ED<sub>10</sub> (p 0.05). By day 49th the average weight of ED<sub>20</sub> had reached and exceeded that of CCD by day 42nd. PSLW, HCW and CCW were significantly different and decreasing from CCW, ED<sub>20</sub> to ED<sub>10</sub> (p 0.05). Average hot (HCY) and cooled (CCY) carcass yields of ED<sub>20</sub> and CCD rations were comparable (p > 0.05) and significantly higher than those of ED<sub>10</sub> ration (p = 0.009) and 0.003). Average drumstick and neck weights were significantly higher and lower for CCD, ED<sub>20</sub> and ED<sub>10</sub> (p 0.05). For all other parts of the cut, the average weights of the CCD ration were significantly higher (p 0.05) than those of the ED<sub>20</sub> and ED<sub>10</sub> rations, which were homogeneous (p 0.05). The incorporation of mango provender and mango seed flour in broiler rations offers the prospect of reduced production costs, less competition between man and animals over cereals, and lean meat production that is more appreciated than that of chickens fed conventional feed. As it stands, the ED<sub>20</sub> ration can be recommended as a growth diet for broilers. It would be necessary to determine the levels of anti-nutritional substances in mango feeds and to assess the in vivo digestibility of mango ingredients and the diets incorporating them.
基金The National Minister of Health grant, No. RC0702GA35
文摘AIM: To investigate gene variants in a large Italian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cohort, and to analyze the correlation of sub-phenotypes (including age at diagnosis) and epistatic interaction with other IBD genes. METHODS: Total of 763 patients with Crohn's disease (CD, 189 diagnosed at age < 19 years), 843 with ulcerative colitis (UC, 179 diagnosed <19 years), 749 healthy controls, and 546 healthy parents (273 trios) were included in the study. The rs2241880 [autophagy-related 16-like 1 (ATG16L1)], rs11209026 and rs7517847 [interleukin 23 receptor (IL23R)], rs2066844, rs2066845, rs2066847 (CARD15), rs1050152 (OCTN1), and rs2631367 (OCTN2) gene variants were genotyped. RESULTS: The frequency of G allele of ATG16L1 SNP (Ala197Thr) was increased in patients with CD compared with controls (59% vs 54% respectively) (OR = 1.25, CI = 1.08-1.45, P = 0.003), but not in UC (55%). The frequency of A and G (minor) alleles of Arg381Gln, rs11209026 and rs7517847 variants of IL23R were reduced significantly in CD (4%, OR = 0.62, CI = 0.45-0.87, P = 0.005; 28%, OR = 0.64, CI = 0.55-0.75, P < 0.01), compared with controls (6% and 38%, respectively). The A allele (but not G) was also reduced signifi cantly in UC (4%, OR = 0.69, CI = 0.5-0.94, P = 0.019). No association was demonstrated with sub-phenotypes and interaction with CARD15 , and OCTN1/2 genes, although both gene variants were associated with pediatric-onset disease. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms the association of IL23R polymorphisms with IBD, and ATG16L1 with CD, in both adult- and pediatric-onset subsets in our study population.
