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Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the long-term outcome in seizure-free patients and to explore the risk factors of seizure relapse following antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal. Methods This study included 161 patients who had been seizure-free for at least 2 years. These patients were monitored over a follow-up period of at least 3 years or until seizure relapse after AED withdrawal. Patients were grouped into a seizure-free group and a relapse group. Risk factors of seizure relapse were analyzed. Results During the follow-up period, 72 patients (44.7%) relapsed while 89 patients (55.3%) did not. The average time of relapse was 19.12 ± 27.17 months after the initiation of AED withdrawal, and majority of cases occurred within the first 24 months of AED withdrawal (73.6%). Univariate analysis showed that the likelihood of relapse was higher in patients with uncontrolled seizures beyond the first 6 months of AED therapy initiation, patients with a history of perinatal injury, patients with multiple seizure types, and patients who had been treated with a combination of AEDs. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that uncontrolled seizures beyond the first 6 months of AED treatment and a history of perinatal injury were independent risk factors of seizure relapse. Conclusion In the majority of cases, epilepsy relapse occurred within the first two years after the initiation of AED withdrawal. The independent risk factors of seizure relapse were uncontrolled seizures beyond the first 6 months of AED therapy and cases with a history of perinatal injury. Highlights • The prognosis of seizure-free patients is generally good. The seizure-free retention rate 5 years after AED withdrawal is 57%. • The AED treatment efficacy in the first 6 months of treatment was significantly related to the prognosis of AED withdrawal. • The seizure-free interval before AED withdrawal has no significant impact on the long-term outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alleviating bacterial-induced clogging is of great importance to improve the efficiency of managed aquifer recharge (MAR). Enzymes (lysozyme and alkaline protease) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) are common biological and chemical reagents for inhibiting bacterial growth and activity. To investigate the applicability of these reagents to reduce bioclogging, percolation experiments were performed to simulate a weak alkaline recharge water infiltration through laboratory-scale sand columns, with adding 10 mg/L lysozyme, alkaline protease, and NaClO, respectively. The results showed that, with the addition of lysozyme, alkaline protease, and NaClO, the average clogging rates (the reduced percentages of relative saturated hydraulic conductivity of the sand columns per hour during the percolation experiments) were 0.53%/h, 0.32%/h and 0.06%/h, respectively, which were much lower than that in the control group (0.99%/h). This implied that bioclogging could be alleviated to some extent following the treatments. For further analyzing the mechanisms of the regents on alleviating bioclogging, the bacterial cell amount and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) concentration were also measured to study the effects of lysozyme, alkaline protease, and NaClO on bacterial growth and EPS secretion. Lysozyme and alkaline protease could disintegrate bacterial EPS by hydrolyzing polysaccharides and proteins, respectively, while they had little effect on the bacterial cell amount. The addition of NaClO significantly decreased the bacterial cell amount (P < 0.05) and thus greatly alleviated bioclogging. Although the lowest average clogging rate was achieved in the NaClO group, it can generate disinfection by-products that are potentially harmful to the environment and human health. Therefore, the biological-based method, i.e., enzyme treatment, could be a promising option for bioclogging control. Our results provide insights for understanding the mechanisms of lysozyme, alkaline protease, and NaClO to alleviate bioclogging, which is of great importance for addressing the clogging problem during MAR activities and achieving groundwater resources sustainable utilization. • Lysozyme, alkaline protease, and sodium hypochlorite could reduce bioclogging. • Sodium hypochlorite alleviated bioclogging by removing bacteria and dissolving EPS. • Lysozyme and alkaline protease hydrolyzed PSs and PNs, respectively. • Enzymes are promising options to reduce bioclogging in managed aquifer recharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to serious influences on well performance, bacteria-induced clogging has become a dilemma for managed aquifer recharge (MAR). During MAR, surface river water is inoculated into aquifer and mixed with groundwater. Therefore, the clogging-functional bacteria may originate from the river water or the groundwater. However, the origin of the clogging-functional bacteria in the aquifer has not yet been well understood. This study conducted a series of laboratory-scale column experiments involving different recharge modes (using river water, groundwater) to simulate the processes of bacteria-induced clogging and used the high-throughput sequencing technology, aiming to elucidate the community characteristics and the origin of the clogging-functional bacteria involved in MAR bioclogging. Analyses of the bacterial-community characteristics showed significant differences between the river water and groundwater. The bacterial-community characteristics of the clogging aquifer in the different recharge modes were similar to each other and have common genera, namely, Acinetobacter , Brevundimonas , Exiguobacterium , Porphyrobacter , Cloacibacterium , and Sphingobium , which suggests that MAR activity could promote bacterial communities to become identical during surface water infiltration into aquifers, despite differences in the bacterial communities present in the subsurface- and surface systems. This knowledge will assist greatly in targeted treatment and prophylaxis of clogging-functional bacteria during managed aquifer recharge. • Clogging occurred in all column experiments involving groundwater and river water. • Bacterial-community features in groundwater were different from those in river water. • Bacterial-community features of biofilms under different recharge modes were similar. • MAR activity might alter the bacterial community to become identical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal embankments are extensively employed in coastal salt marshes; however, knowledge is still lacking regarding the seasonal effects of embankments on nitrogen (N) storage in Phragmites australis salt marshes. Therefore, we surveyed live and dead aboveground N (AGN) storage, and belowground N (BGN) storage of plant system. Further, the soil total, recalcitrant, labile, and dissolved organic N (STON, SRON, SLON and SDON, respectively), ammonia (NH 4 +-N), nitrate (NO 3 −-N), and microbial biomass N (MBN) in soil system of embanked and neighbouring natural P. australis salt marshes were examined during the initial stage and vigorous stage of plant growth. Additionally, the soil physicochemical properties were quantified, as well as the microbial ammonization (R A) and nitrification (R N) rates. The embankment significantly strengthened the BGN storage during the initial (582.6%) and vigorous stage of plant growth (228.1%), and markedly decreased the dead AGN storage during the initial (70.3%) and vigorous stage of plant growth (65.5%). It also significantly amplified STON (51.9%) and SLON (58.1%) during the initial stage of plant growth, and STON (51.9%) and SRON (55.9%) during the vigorous stage of plant growth. However, the embankment had negligible effects on soil soluble N (e.g., SDON, NH 4 +-N and NO 3 −-N). Moreover, the microbial capacity of N immobilization (e.g., MBN) and mineralization (e.g., R N) were remarkably stimulated during the vigorous stage of plant growth due to the embankment. Our results implied that changes in physicochemical properties (e.g., soil moisture, electrical conductivity) due to the embankment were likely more suitable for the growth and survivability of P. australis during both the initial and vigorous stage of plant growth. Decreased N inputs from aboveground P. australis residues were offset by the increased N inputs from its immense complement of belowground tissues; thus, soil organic N storage was enhanced due to the embankment. Furthermore, soil soluble organic N was primarily derived from the AGN inputs of P. australis residues, which resisted decomposition, and the inorganic N that was mostly derived from soluble organic N. This meant that the soil soluble N was stabilized and not influenced by the embankment. Finally, due to weakening N demands by vegetation and additional soil N that microorganisms could utilize during the vigorous stage of plant growth, the microbial N immobilization and mineralization capacity strengthened. This study provides further comprehensive knowledge to elucidate the effects of coastal embankments on the N pool in P. australis salt marshes. • The coastal embankment facilitated vegetal N storage in a P. australis salt marsh. • Belowground tissues are primarily contributors to the amplified soil organic N pool of the P. australis salt marsh. • Soil soluble N was stabilized and not affected by the embankment in the P. australis salt marsh. • The embankment stimulated microbial N immobilization and mineralization capacity in P. australis vigorous growth stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence that glycolysis is involved in cancer progression. Aldolase is a glycolytic enzyme that catalyzes the reversible conversion of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Disruption of the aldolase genes also plays a role in the progression of multiple types of cancer. However, the underlying mechanism of the action of aldolases in colon cancer progression remains elusive. In this study, aldolase A expression was investigated and found to be upregulated along with human colon cancer progression and metastasis at both the mRNA and protein levels in human colon cancer tissues. In addition, silencing aldolase A suppressed colon cancer cell proliferation and invasion and inhibited the EMT phenotype. Aldolase A protein expression in colon cancer was related to tumor location, tumor clinical stage and survival. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that high aldolase A protein expression was associated with an unfavorable outcome. Moreover, aldolase A affected the development of colon cancer not only by affecting the glucose metabolism but also by interacting with the HIF-1 and other EMT-related signaling pathways; silencing aldolase A resulted in the reduced activity of these signaling pathways. These results indicate that aldolase A has additional non-glycolytic functions in transcriptional EMT regulation and may therefore have potential as a therapeutic target or a biomarker for identifying patients at risk for poorer survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is an environmentally friendly material with potential applications in water purification. In this study, herb residue nitrogen-doped biochar (N-BC) was fabricated and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Characterization and density-functional theory (DFT) studies were conducted to explore the influence of nitrogen doping. Radical scavenging activity and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy revealed that non-radical singlet oxygen (1O 2) is the main reactive oxidative species. Additionally, pyridinic-N was shown to play a pivotal role in the 1O 2 -dominated pathway. Three possible degradation pathways were proposed based on the identified degradation intermediates. Batch experiments confirmed that N-BC showed excellent catalytic performance and reusability. The best condition for tetracycline (TC) degradation efficiency (>99%) in 60 min was obtained when the dosage of N-BC was 1 g/L and the concentration of PMS was 5 mM. Furthermore, N-BC showed approximately 65.5% degradation efficiency within 4 cycles. Furthermore, the toxicity of degradation intermediates was examined using ECOSAR and T.E.S.T procedures. This study brings forth a feasible strategy to synthesize biochar. Furthermore, the proposed approach will facilitate the use of biochar in water purification. [Display omitted] • Nitrogen doped biochar was an efficient catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation. • Non-radical singlet oxygen was the dominant reactive oxidative species. • Nitrogen doped biochar maintained catalytic effect after four cycles. • The toxicity of TC degradation intermediates was evaluated using T.E.S.T and ECOSAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifestyle factors after cancer diagnosis could influence cancer survival. This study aimed to investigate the joint effects of smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, diet and sleep duration on all-cause, cancer and non-cancer mortality of cancer survivors in UK biobank. The follow-up period concluded in December 2021, with post-diagnostic lifestyle factors assessed at baseline. A lifestyle score ranging from 0 to 5 was assigned based on adherence to the selected lifestyle factors. The study employed Cox regression models for hazard ratios (HRs) and Kaplan-Meier for survival rates, with stratified and sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of our findings under various assumptions. During a median follow-up of 12.7 years, 5652 deaths were documented from 34,184 cancer survivors. Compared to scoring 0–1, the HRs (95% CIs) for all-cause mortality with lifestyle scores of 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.76), 0.57 (0.52, 0.62), 0.50 (0.45, 0.54) and 0.43 (0.38, 0.48), respectively. Specific cancer types, particularly digestive, breast, female reproductive, non-solid, and skin cancers, showed notable benefits from adherence to healthy lifestyle, with the HRs of 0.55 (0.39, 0.79), 0.54 (0.42, 0.70), 0.32 (0.19, 0.53), 0.58 (0.39, 0.86), and 0.36 (0.28, 0.46) for lifestyle score of 5, respectively. Stratified analyses indicated the association was particularly significant among those with normal/lower BMI and higher Townsend Deprivation Index (P interaction = 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Healthier lifestyles were significantly linked with reduced mortality among cancer survivors. These findings highlight the need for adherence to healthy lifestyle habits to improve survival. • Healthier lifestyle scores reduced mortality among cancer survivors. • Healthy lifestyles showed more mortality reduction in lower socioeconomic status. • Specific cancer types demonstrated greater benefits from healthy lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine mastitis (BM) is mainly caused by bacterial infection that has a highly impact on dairy production, affecting both economic viability and animal well-being. A cross-sectional study was conducted in dairy farms to investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens associated with BM. The analysis revealed that Staphylococcus (49%) , Escherichia (16%), Pseudomonas (11%) , and Klebsiella (6%) were the primary bacterial pathogens associated with mastitis. A significant proportion of Staphylococcus strains displayed multiple drug resistance. The use of disinfectants is an important conventional measure to control the pathogenic bacteria in the environment. Bacteriophages (Phages), possessing antibacterial properties, are natural green and effective disinfectants. Moreover, they mitigate the risk of generating harmful disinfection byproducts, which are commonly associated with traditional disinfection methods. Based on the primary bacterial pathogens associated with mastitis in the investigation area, a phage cocktail, named SPBC-SJ, containing seven phages capable of lysing S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa was formulated. SPBC-SJ exhibited superior bactericidal activity and catharsis effect on pollutants (glass surface) compared to chemical disinfectants. Clinical trials confirmed that the SPBC-SJ-based superimposed disinfection group (phage combined with chemical disinfectants) not only cut down the dosage of disinfectants used, but significantly reduced total bacterial counts on the ground and in the feeding trough of dairy farms. Furthermore, SPBC-SJ significantly reduced the abundance of Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas in the environment of the dairy farm. These findings suggest that phage-based superimposed disinfection is a promising alternative method to combat mastitis pathogens in dairy farms due to its highly efficient and environmentally-friendly properties. • A phage cocktail (SPBC-SJ) with high bactericidal activity against S. aureus , E. coli , and P. aeruginosa was prepared. • Compared with traditional disinfectant strategy, SPBC-SJ-based superimposed disinfection can more effectively combat mastitis-related pathogens. • The green, environmentally friendly, and efficient SPBC -SJ-based superimposed disinfection can be used for the prevention of mastitis in farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil caused by mineral resource exploitation and its ancillary industrial processes poses a threat to ecology and public health. Effective risk control measures require a quantification of the impacts and contributions to health risks from individual sources of soil HMs. Based on high-density sampling, soil contamination risk indexes, positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, Monte Carlo simulation and human health risk analysis model were applied to investigate the risk of HMs in a typical mining town in North China. The results showed that As was the most dominant soil pollutant factor, Cd and Hg were the most dominant soil ecological risk factors, and Cr and Ni were the most dominant health risk factors in the study area. Overall, both pollution and ecological risks were at low levels, while there were still some higher hazard areas located in the central and south-central part of the region. According to the probabilistic health risk assessment (HRA), children suffered greater health risks than adults, with 21.63% of non-carcinogenic risks and 53.24% of carcinogenic risks exceeding the prescribed thresholds (HI > 1 and TCR >1E-4). The PMF model identified five potential sources: fuel combustion (FC), processing of building materials with limestone as raw materials (PBML), industry source (IS), iron ore mining combined with garbage (IOG), and agriculture source (AS). PBML is the primary source of soil HM contamination, as well as the major anthropogenic source of carcinogenic risk for all populations. Agricultural inputs associated with As are the major source of non-carcinogenic risk. This study offers a good example of probabilistic HRA using specific sources, which can provide a valuable reference for strategy establishment of pollution remediation and risk prevention and control. [Display omitted] • As, Cd and Hg are main HMs causing soil contamination and ecological risk. • Probabilistic health risks from different sources were quantitatively calculated. • PBML is the main source of heavy metals, follow by IOG. • 21.63% non-carcinogenic and 53.24% carcinogenic risks for child cannot be negligible. • PBML and AS contribute the most to the health risks of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We synthesized a series of Dihydropteridone derivatives and detected their antiviral activity against Porcine Delta Coronavirus (PDCoV). • Dihydropteridone derivative W8 can reduce the upregulation of inflammatory factors and apoptosis induced by PDCoV infection. • Dihydropteridone derivative W8 can significantly alleviate the body damage caused by PDCoV infection. Porcine Delta Coronavirus (PDCoV) infection can induce serious dehydration, diarrhea and even death of piglets, which has caused huge losses to the breeding industry. PDCoV has been reported to have the potential for cross species transmission, and even reports of infecting humans have emerged. At present, there are still no effective prevention and control measures for PDCoV. In this study, we have designed and synthesized a series of unreported Dihydropteridone derivatives. All of these compounds were evaluated for the against PDCoV in vivo and in vitro for the first time. In this study, antiviral activity (17.34 ± 7.20 μM) and low cytotoxicity (>800 μM) was found in compound W8. Compound W8 exerts antiviral effect on PDCoV by inhibiting cell apoptosis and inflammatory factors caused by virus infection in vitro. In addition, lung and small intestinal lesions caused by PDCoV infection in mice could be significantly reduced by compound W8. These findings highlight the potential of compound W8 as a valuable therapeutic option against PDCoV infection, and lay a foundation for further research and development in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have revealed associations between high intake of whole grains and reduced risk of various cancers. Yet, in recent decades, the traditional Chinese diets have been challenged by reduction in whole grains and increase in refined grains. To assess the impact of this dietary transition on cancer prevention, we analyzed the time trend of whole grain intake using nationally representative sampling data of over 15 thousand individuals from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. We applied the comparative risk assessment method to estimate the population attributable fraction of cancers due to insufficient whole grain intake from 1997 to 2011 and projected the trend of whole grain intake and the associated burden of cancers to 2035. We found a significant decrease of approximately 59% of whole grain intake in the Chinese population from 1997 to 2011. Compared with 1997, insufficient intake of whole grains was responsible for 9940 more cases of breast cancer, 12,903 more cases of colorectal cancer and 434 more cases of pancreatic cancer in 2011. Our projections suggest that if every Chinese would consume 125 g whole grain per day as recommended by the latest Chinese Dietary Guidelines, 0.63% bladder cancer, 8.98% breast cancer, 15.85% colorectal cancer, 3.86% esophageal cancer, 2.52% liver cancer and 2.22% pancreatic cancer (totaling 186,659 incident cases) could theoretically be averted by 2035. Even if everyone maintained the 2011 whole grain intake level, an estimated 8.38% of cancer events could still be prevented by 2035. • From 1997 to 2011, whole grain intake decreased by 59% in the Chinese population. • If everyone consumes 125 g/d whole grain may reduce 8.43% of cancer in China by 2035. • Keeping the whole grain intake in 2011 may reduce 8.38% of cancer in China by 2035. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To develop a kit for detecting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) in the human body. Methods The HER-2 kit was evaluated based on an automated magnetic particle chemiluminescence platform. The kit was developed using the double antibody sandwich-complexation method. Results The kit showed a linear range of 0.01–800 ng/mL, with a linear R2 of >0.999. The limit of the blank was 0.0039 ng/mL, and the precision at 1.00 ng/mL was 9.4%. The recovery rate at 10.00 ng/mL was 97.81–101.81%. The negative serum reference range was 0–8.23 ng/mL. Conclusions The kit had a wide linear range, high accuracy, good precision, and high sensitivity, indicating that it has good application prospects. Based on this principle, different optimization conditions were used to improve the performance of the HER-2 kit. [Display omitted] • Optimize preparation method. • Optimize reaction conditions. • Perform performance evaluation of the HER-2 kit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunotherapy has been a promising, emerging treatment for various cancers. Gamma delta (γδ) T cells own a T cell receptor composed of γ- and δ- chain and act as crucial players in the anti-tumor immune effect. Currently, Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, the predominate γδ T cell subset in human peripheral blood, has been shown to exert multiple biological functions. In addition, a growing body of evidence notes that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells interact with tumor cells in many ways, such as TCR-mediated nonpeptidic-phosphorylated phosphoantigens (pAgs) recognization, NKG2D/NKG2D ligand (NKG2DL) pathway, Fas-FasL axis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) as well as exosome. More importantly, clinical studies with Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in cancers have propelled several clinical applications to investigate their safety and efficacy. Herein, this review summarized the underlying ways and mechanisms of interplay cancer cells and Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, which may help us to generate new strategies for tumor immunotherapy in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]