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CRISPR-Cas system, a natural acquired immune system in prokaryotes that defends against exogenous DNA invasion because of its simple structure and easy operation, has been widely used in many research fields such as synthetic biology, crop genetics and breeding, precision medicine, and so on. The miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system has been an emerging genome editing tool in recent years. Compared to the commonly used CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a, the miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system has unique advantages, such as rich PAM sites, higher specificity, smaller volume, and cytotoxicity. However, the application of miniature Cas12 proteins and the methods to improve its editing efficiency have not been systematically summarized. In this review, we introduce the classification of CRISPR-Cas system and summarize the structural characteristics of type V CRISPR-Cas system and the cleavage mechanism of five miniature Cas12 proteins. The application of a miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system in the gene editing of animals, plants, and microorganisms is summarized, and the strategies to improve the editing efficiency of the miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system are discussed, aiming to provide reference for further understanding the functional mechanism and engineering modification of the miniature CRISPR-Cas12 system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although hypertension is highly prevalent among the elderly and significantly contributes to cardiovascular disease risk, studies focusing on male elderly individuals over 85 years old are relatively scarce. This study aimed to investigate ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) characteristics in male hypertensive patients aged over 85 years. These included demographic characteristics, antihypertensive drug use, 24‐h ABPM values, diabetes, coronary heart disease, sleep disorders, smoking history, and drinking history, and the differences in ABPM between the age groups over and under 85 years old were analyzed. A total of 585 elderly hypertensive patients were included. The mean systolic blood pressure in individuals aged over 85 years was significantly greater throughout the day (131.57 ± 12.52 mmHg vs. 123.75 ± 2.74 mmHg, p <.001). In the 85 years older age group, the nighttime variability coefficient of SBP was lower at 7.84 ± 2.9 than the under 85 years age group 8.92 ± 3.13 (p <.001). The 85 years older age group age group presented a significantly greater whole‐day systolic blood pressure standard deviation of ABPM (13.2 ± 3.19 vs. 12.47 ± 3.05, p =.005) compared with those under the age of 85 years. In the 85 years older age group, the proportion of individuals with the reverse dipper pattern was higher (48.15% vs. 38.31%, p =.017) than under 85 years age group. This study revealed that elderly male hypertensive patients aged over 85 years presented elevated average blood pressure levels. The research investigated ABPM characteristics. Older hypertensive individuals are more likely to have a reverse‐dipper blood pressure pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Programmed cell death receptor (ligand)‐1 inhibitors (PD‐(L)1), as the preferred immunotherapy, have been widely used in the Chinese mainland and drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) has been reported. The study aimed to investigate the clinical features or risk factors for immunotherapy‐related DILI. Methods: Patients who received PD‐(L)1 inhibitors from January 2020 to July 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The likelihood of DILI was adjudicated by the Roussel‐Uclaf causality assessment. Results: A total of 1175 patients were included in the study and 89 patients (7.6%) developed DILI, of which 12 (13.5%) progressed to acute liver failure (ALF) and three (3.4%) died. Among the DILI population, 56 (62.9%) had a cholestatic pattern and exhibited a prolonged treatment course and duration for resolution compared to the hepatocellular and mixed patterns. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and abnormal baseline of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) had increased risks of DILI by 2.1‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.231–3.621), 1.9‐fold [95% CI, 1.123–3.325] and 2.1‐fold [95% CI, 1.317–3.508], respectively. The model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score had a c‐statistic of 0.894 (95% CI, 0.778–1.000) with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 95% for poor outcomes. COX analysis showed that the MELD ≥ 18 was predictive of immunotherapy‐related ALF or death. Conclusions: PD‐(L)1 inhibitor‐related liver injury manifests primarily as a cholestatic pattern, on which corticosteroid treatment has minimal effect compared to hepatocellular and mixed patterns. MELD score ≥ 18 at the time of liver injury performed best in the prediction of ALF or death in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)‐related DILI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a study titled for Investigation on the characteristics of 24-hour blood pressure (BP) dipping patterns in hypertensive stroke patients. Methods: Descriptive research, analysis, and comparison, the research was conducted from July 2019 to September 2020 at the Vietnam Heart Institute - Bach Mai Hospital. There are 100 patients diagnosed with idiopathic hypertension who were divided into two groups (without stroke complications and another group with chronic stroke complications > 6 weeks), both groups were similar in age (45– 64 years old). Results: The daytime systolic BP (SBP) indices, 24-hour BP including SBP, diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP), and particularly night-time BP indices were elevated in the stroke group compared with those without stroke complications (p < 0.05); there were no significant differences observed in daytime DBP and MAP between the two groups. SBP indices were higher in those with hemorrhage stroke compared with those with ischemic stroke, albeit without statistical significance. The prevalence of non-dipper was significantly higher in the stroke group compared with the non-stroke group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The daytime SBP indices, 24-hour BP (SBP, DBP, MAP), and particularly night-time BP indices were elevated in the stroke group compared with those without stroke complications. The prevalence of non-dipper was significantly higher in the stroke group compared with the non-stroke group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) is a tool to identify locomotive syndrome, however, this tool is associated with the problem of a low complete response rate. We conducted this cross-sectional study of 2,474 community-dwelling residents to investigate the clinical characteristics of individuals who are prone to provide incomplete responses to the GLFS-25 questionnaire. The participants were divided into the following four groups based on the number of the GLFS-25 items they answered: 0 (n=279), 1-21 (n=36), 22-24 (n=273), and 25 (n=1,886). We investigated clinical characteristics including age, sex, body mass index, health consciousness, housemate status, smoking and drinking habits, physical activity level, the presence of body pain, and comorbidities. To achieve the study objective, we focused on a comparison of the clinical characteristics between the group of participants who answered 22-24 items (target group) and 0 items (control group). The participants who answered 22-24 items were older, more likely to be health-conscious, more likely to live alone, less likely to have lower levels of physical activity, and were more likely to report neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain, hip pain, knee pain, ankle pain, and ophthalmic disease than those who answered 0 items. Among the significant factors, the only factor that can be changed to improve the number of answered items on the GLFS-25 is health consciousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Doxorubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic widely used in cancer therapy. However, its cytotoxic properties affect both cancerous and healthy cells. Combining doxorubicin with antioxidants such as ferulic acid reduces its side effects, while simultaneously enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. The low bioavailability of these drugs demonstrate that drug delivery carriers are required to enable the target site to be accessed. The doxorubicin and ferulic acid-loaded liposome composed of HSPC, Cholesterol, and DSPE-mPEG2000 (55:40:5 molar ratio) was prepared by thin film hydration method. The findings indicate that the encapsulation of ferulic acid had an impact on liposome characteristics, i.e., increasing the particle size of Lipo-DOX from 134.5 ± 4.8 nm to 154.1 ± 5.2 nm for Lipo DOX-FA, increasing the zeta potential of Lipo-DOX from − 16.04 ± 2.59 to 0.2 ± 0.0 mV for Lipo DOX-FA, and reducing the entrapment efficiency percentage of Lipo-DOX from 88.30 ± 1.89% to 85.99 ± 3.02% for Lipo DOX-FA. The infrared spectra of Lipo DOX-FA exhibited shifted absorption bands, indicating the interaction between the carboxyl group of ferulic acid and the choline polar head of phospholipid. Moreover, changes to the DSC thermogram were observed following the incorporation of ferulic acid into the liposome, while the Lipo DOX-FA exhibited a relatively rapid drug release compared to Lipo DOX suggesting a slightly shorter period necessary to attain both therapeutic efficacy and the maintenance of a stable drug encapsulation in the systemic circulation. An in vitro study of LLC and HeLa cells showed that the IC50 values of Lipo DOX-FA were 0.70 µg/mL and 1.56 µg/mL, while the CC50 value in normal HEK cells was 6.50 µg/mL. This study suggested that while co-loading FA into Lipo DOX reduced the IC50 value, indicating enhanced cytotoxicity in cancer cells, it had no effect on DOX liposome cytotoxicity in normal HEK cells.

The flourishing of university students is influenced by various factors that significantly impact their well-being and academic performance, with suboptimal levels being a serious concern. Global issues of high dropout rates and low levels of flourishing among university students have prompted this study to identify factors contributing to student flourishing and describe the characteristics of students who achieve it. The review followed a rigorous protocol, including a comprehensive search across multiple databases, screening based on pre-established criteria, quality assessment using the MMAT tool, data extraction using NVivo 12 version 12.6.0.959 (64-bit), and matrix synthesis to identify patterns and gaps in the literature. Results reveal that psychological factors, meaning and purpose, personal projects, social support, social relationships, and environmental factors influence student flourishing. Flourishing students exhibit emotional and psychological well-being (37.5%), positive social functioning (31.25%), achievement and competence (18.75%), and positive psychological functioning (12.5%). These findings, consistent with previous research and flourishing theory, suggest the need for a holistic approach to promoting student flourishing through targeted interventions and recognition of flourishing characteristics. This comprehensive mapping of factors and characteristics of student flourishing can guide theory development and practical implementation in universities. Future research should consider longitudinal studies, replication in different contexts, qualitative research, and exploration of additional factors.

Owing to the soaring urge to meet the demand for oil and gas on different frontiers, its exploration all over the world is of paramount importance. Exploration and production of oil calls for handling a huge volume of associated water, produced along with it, referred to as Oilfield Produced Water (OFPW). OFPW is considered a potential threat to the environment due to the presence of toxic constituents such as dissolved and dispersed oil compounds, dissolved formation minerals, production chemical compounds, production solids (formation, corrosion, scale, bacteria, waxes, and asphaltenes), dissolved gases. This review is intended to provide information on OFPW, its constituents, impact, and treatment technologies of OFPW from various oilfields across the world. It presents a meticulous analysis of the scope of reusing OFPW instead of freshwater for various processes such as well drilling and completion, re-injection to the reservoir for pressure maintenance, and water flooding process for secondary recovery of crude oil. The reuse of OFPW can reduce the demand for fresh water and turn the wastewater into useable water resources after proper treatment. The paper provides rigorous information on the importance of developing an eco-friendly treatment process for the proper reuse and management of OFPW.

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a group of disorders characterized by hallucinations, delusions, changes in thought flow, affect, and agitation. This disease attacks people of various ages, genders, and educational and economic levels. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of patients with schizophrenia in mental hospitals. Methods: This quantitative research used a descriptive approach, with a sample of 319 patients. Data was taken using a purposive sampling technique, the data source was from the medical records of the Menur Mental Hospital, Surabaya in January-March 2023. Variables, namely the characteristics of schizophrenia patients, include age, gender, education, employment, and marital status. Data analysis uses quantitative description. Results: The average age of patients is 25-44 years with a mean value (2.78), the largest age is 25-44 years (37.6%), 3-4 years (20.1%), a small percentage is >65 years (4.4 %), there were more men (63.3%) than women, the majority, 77.1%, did not work, the majority of patients had a high school or equivalent education (36.7%), and 68% were not married. Conclusions: Characteristics of schizophrenic patients, most of them are adults, men, not working, lower middle school education, and not married. Identification of important characteristics is used as basic information in early patient treatment.

Abstract Background Students are among the groups that use smartphones for long periods throughout the day and night. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between smartphone characteristics and the prevalence of hand discomfort among university students. Methods This study included 204 university students, selected based on their willingness to participate and inclusion criteria. Participants reported hand pain and discomfort by completing the Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire (CHDQ). Personal information was collected through a demographic questionnaire. Smartphone characteristics were obtained from the Internet based on the smartphone model self-reported by students. Results According to the Cornell questionnaire, 59.3% of students reported experiencing discomfort in their right hand, while 38.2% reported discomfort in their left hand due to smartphone use. Furthermore, 36.3% of students reported experiencing pain in two or more regions on their right hand, while 20.1% reported pain in two or more areas on their left hand. More than half of the students in the right hand (53.5%) and more than one-third (33.3%) in the left hand obtained pain scores of more than 1.5. The chi-square test indicated a statistically significant relationship between the weight of the smartphone and the prevalence of discomfort in the right hand (χ2 = 4.80, p = 0.03). Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between the discomfort or pain scores experienced in both hands and the number of painful areas in those hands (right hand: χ2 = 219.04, p = 0.00; left hand: χ2 = 213.13, p = 0.00). Conclusions Smartphone use can cause discomfort and pain in the hands of university students. The physical characteristics of the smartphone, such as its weight, play a significant role in contributing to right-hand-related pain among students. It is important to consider ergonomic factors in smartphone design and usage to reduce musculoskeletal problems among users, especially students.

The research aims to reveal the factors which contribute to the unique characteristics of Semarangan gending. Analysis involved four theories: Rahayu Supanggah’s garap theory, Stenberg’s creativity theory, C. A. van Peursen’s cultural development theory, and Marc Benamou’s rasa theory. There were three stages of data collection: literature study, observation, and interview. Results show three main characteristics of Semarangan gending: irama and laya, garap ricikan, and vocal garap. The tabuhan from this ricikan shows integration of musical styles from other areas, such as Yogyakarta, Banyumas, Surakarta, and East Java. In Semarangan gending, there are rasa of sigrak, prenès, and gobyog because of the support of gérong, keplok, and alok. To sum up, Semarangan gending has a high cultural value because it is widely enjoyed by both the art community and art consumers in general.

الملخص: أهداف البحث: هدفت الدراسة لتحديد الخصائص والعوامل التحفيزية للمتقدمين لبرنامج الماجستير في تعليم المهن الصحية في جامعة تابعة للقطاع العام، كراتشي. طرق البحث: شملت هذه الدراسة الوصفية المقطعية، التي أجريت من سبتمبر حتى أكتوبر 2022، جميع المتقدمين البالغ عددهم 60 متقدم لبرنامج الماجستير في تعليم المهن الصحية في جامعة جناح السند الطبية. تم توزيع استبانة عبر نموذج غوغل تضمن أسئلة لجمع المعلومات الديموغرافية، وعدد قليل من الأسئلة ذات الخيارات للاختيار، و34 عبارة للاستجابة بمقياس من خمس نقاط. كما تضمن سؤالا مفتوحا حول العوامل التحفيزية. تم تحليل البيانات باستخدام برنامج الحزمة الإحصائية للعلوم الاجتماعية واستخدام اختبار ''تي'' للعينات المستقلة لتحديد الفروقات بين مجموعات المتقدمين بناء على العوامل الديموغرافية. النتائج: استجاب 48 مشاركا، بمتوسط عمر 35.8±7.3 سنة، وكان الغالبية من الذكور (81.3%)، وخريجي برامج الطب وطب الأسنان (عددهم 29)، ويعملون في أقسام التعليم الطبي (عددهم 36). معظم المتقدمين أرادوا الانضمام إلى البرنامج لتحسين مهاراتهم في التدريس، خاصة لتدريس المهارات النفسحركية (96%) والبحث التعليمي (90%). علمت الأغلبية (64.6%) عن البرنامج من خلال الزملاء، بينما اختار 29.9% متابعة البرنامج بشكل مستقل. كانت دوافعهم الرئيسية نابعة من عدم قدرتهم على الحصول على قبول في أماكن أخرى (متوسط الدرجات 4.58±0.87) والاعتقاد بأن الجهد المطلوب للحصول على الدرجة كان ضئيلا (متوسط الدرجات 4.42±0.94). بالنسبة لخريجي الطب وطب الأسنان، ظهرت استجابات متشابهة، مما أظهر ارتباطا ذا دلالة إحصائية. ومع ذلك، كان هناك عدم اتفاق مشترك حول هيكل البرنامج وأعضاء هيئة التدريس كعوامل تحفيزية. الاستنتاجات: كانت الدوافع الرئيسية للحصول على درجة الماجستير في تعليم المهن الصحية هي تحسين مهارات التدريس. كانت الدوافع للتقدم لهذا البرنامج تحديدا هي الفشل في القبول في أماكن أخرى والاعتقاد بأن الجهد المطلوب لإكمال هذا البرنامج كان ضئيلا. يجب أن يتم نشر أهداف وغرض البرنامج بشكل أفضل مع إدخال تغييرات في معايير وإجراءات القبول من أجل تشجيع الأفراد الذين لديهم دافع لمتابعة التعليم الطبي كمسار مهني. Abstract: Objective: To determine characteristics and motivational factors of applicants applying for MHPE program at a Public-sector University, Karachi. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted from September till October 2022, included all 60 applicants of MHPE program at Jinnah Sindh Medical University. The survey questionnaire was administered (google form) and comprised questions seeking demographic information, few questions with options to select and 34 statements to be responded on 5-point scale. One open-ended question asking motivational factor/s. Data was analyzed using SPSS and independent sample t-test was used to determine the differences between groups of applicants based on demographic factors. Results: 48 participants responded, mean age was 35.8 ± 7.3 years, with predominantly males (81.3%), graduates of medical and dental programs (n = 29), and employed in medical education departments (n = 36). Most of the applicants wanted to join the program to improve their teaching skills, especially psychomotor skills teaching (96%) and educational research [90%]. Majority (64.6%) learned about the program through peers, whereas 29.9% independently chose to pursue the program. Their primary motivation stemmed from their inability to secure admission elsewhere and the belief that minimal effort was needed to acquire the degree (mean score 4.58 ± 0.87 and 4.42 ± 0.94), respectively. For medical and dental graduates, comparable responses emerged, displaying a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05). However, there was mutual disagreement regarding the program's structure and faculty as motivating factors. Conclusion: Primary motivations to earn an MHPE degree were to improve teaching skills. Motivations to apply to this particular program was the failure to be accepted elsewhere and the perception that minimal efforts were needed to complete this program. The program goals and purpose need to be better propagated along with changes in the admission processes in order to encourage those individuals to apply who are motivated to pursue medical education as a career.

This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of MoO3 nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of dyeing wastewater. The XRD pattern of MoO3 shows distinct peaks at 2θ values of 12.8°, 23.4°, 25.7°, 27.3°, and 39.0°, corresponding to specific crystal planes and confirming its a-MoO3 phase, validated against JCPDS card number 05-0508. The morphology reveals stacked or crumpled particles with a high surface area conducive to catalytic activities. EDX analysis identifies molybdenum (Mo) and oxygen (O) with characteristic peaks at 2.29 keV (Mo La), 17.48 keV (Mo Ka), 19.63 keV (Mo Kß), and 0.52 keV (O Ka), confirming the material's composition. MoO3's layered structure, influenced by van der Waals forces, offers unique interlayer spacing advantageous for photocatalytic processes. Photodegradation experiments showed progressive efficiency: at 10 minutes, MoO3 achieved 8.58%; by 40 minutes, it increased to 30.42%, and at 50 minutes, reached 42.3%. Efficiency peaked at 60 minutes with 50.52%, progressing to 60.8% at 70 minutes and 71.03% at 90 minutes, finally achieving 75.25% at 100 minutes. These results demonstrate MoO3 nanoparticles' effectiveness in degrading dye pollutants, highlighting their potential for sustainable wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Students are among the groups that use smartphones for long periods throughout the day and night. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between smartphone characteristics and the prevalence of hand discomfort among university students. Methods: This study included 204 university students, selected based on their willingness to participate and inclusion criteria. Participants reported hand pain and discomfort by completing the Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire (CHDQ). Personal information was collected through a demographic questionnaire. Smartphone characteristics were obtained from the Internet based on the smartphone model self-reported by students. Results: According to the Cornell questionnaire, 59.3% of students reported experiencing discomfort in their right hand, while 38.2% reported discomfort in their left hand due to smartphone use. Furthermore, 36.3% of students reported experiencing pain in two or more regions on their right hand, while 20.1% reported pain in two or more areas on their left hand. More than half of the students in the right hand (53.5%) and more than one-third (33.3%) in the left hand obtained pain scores of more than 1.5. The chi-square test indicated a statistically significant relationship between the weight of the smartphone and the prevalence of discomfort in the right hand (χ2 = 4.80, p = 0.03). Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between the discomfort or pain scores experienced in both hands and the number of painful areas in those hands (right hand: χ2 = 219.04, p = 0.00; left hand: χ2 = 213.13, p = 0.00). Conclusions: Smartphone use can cause discomfort and pain in the hands of university students. The physical characteristics of the smartphone, such as its weight, play a significant role in contributing to right-hand-related pain among students. It is important to consider ergonomic factors in smartphone design and usage to reduce musculoskeletal problems among users, especially students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transfer and output characteristics of fully-depleted polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors, including both tail and deep acceptor-like trap states in bulk, in the above-threshold region with low drain bias are presented under low or high state density in the situation without or with interface charge, respectively. The characteristics are calculated by a simple surface-potential-based drain current model in the strong inversion region with valid bias condition explained, and 2D-device simulation. The above-threshold region is found to be divided into Regions I and II, with Vsi, indicating the channel beginning to be completely strongly-inverted and large currents, and explication of deviations between the model and simulation in Region I. The large-traps effect on the range of Region I and Vth in the high state density situation is discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of key parameters--volatile matter, carbon content, ash content, and gross energy--across various material samples intended for Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) briquette production. Through meticulous examination, promising trends emerge, highlighting optimal material combinations for efficient combustion and heat generation. Samples rich in volatile matter and carbon content, notably those incorporating wood powder, demonstrate elevated calorific values, indicating their potential for effective energy production. Conversely, material combinations with low ash content suggest cleaner combustion and reduced environmental impact. The gross energy analysis further validates the substantial heat generation potential of specific sample combinations, rendering them suitable for diverse heating applications. These findings emphasize the critical role of precise raw material selection and meticulous manufacturing process optimization in producing RDF briquettes with desirable properties. Such briquettes not only offer economic viability but also contribute to environmental sustainability by providing an alternative fuel source with reduced emissions. This research underscores the importance of continued exploration and refinement in the development of RDF briquettes, aiming to meet growing energy demands while mitigating environmental concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. To establish fundamental scientific data, we analyzed the amino acids and volatile compounds in seven tea cultivars grown in Korea investigated phenotype also. Phenotypically, the leaf area and greenness index of young shoots and leaf blades were particularly different among the four Korean cultivars. Nine amino acids were detected from each cultivar, with the total amino acid and theanine contents being 9.08–41.42 and 2.81–24.60 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, 107 volatile compounds were identified as common components among tea cultivars using headspace solid-phase microextraction / gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS), and 38 key compounds were identified using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The (Z)-linalool oxide (furanoid) concentrations were significantly high in Korean tea plant cultivars, and linalool concentrations were also high or low, but had high relative contents. Linalool and its various oxides are the major compounds responsible for the tea aroma. In conclusion, Korean tea cultivars have distinct characteristics, and the results of this study will form the basis for identifying Korean tea plant cultivars that can produce high-value tea products.

ABSTRAK Produk teh dapat dibuat dari bahan non teh seperti daun jambu air. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk mempelajari sifat kimia teh daun jambu biji delima melalui perlakuan non-oksidasi dan oksidasi enzimatik menggunakan berbagai teknik pengeringan seperti pengering kabinet, oven, dan sangrai. Metodologi penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian iniyaitu desain Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) Faktorial dengan 2 faktor. Faktor pertama adalah metode pengeringan dengan Pengering kabinet, oven dan Sangrai dengan kwali dari tanah. Faktor kedua adalah dengan oksidasi enzimatis dan non-oksidasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan non-oksidasi enzimatis dengan metode pengering oven memberikan pengaruh hasil tertinggi teh daun jambu air delima pada sifat kimia meliputi kadar abu (5.70%), pH (4.61). Selanjutnya, perlakuan non-oksidasi enzimatis dengan metode pengering pengering kabinetmemberikan hasil tertinggi teh daun jambu air delima pada sifat dan kimia meliputi kadar air (10.44%), kadar tannin (13.74%), dan total fenol (186.97 mg GAE/gr). Kata kunci: Pengering kabinet, Karakteristik, Metode pengeringan, Oksidasi, Teh daun jambu air. ABSTRACT Tea products are not only made from tea leaves, but can also be made from non-tea leaves, one of which is from water guava leaves. The objectiveof this study was to determine the chemical characteristics of water guava leaf tea with non-oxidation and enzymatic oxidation treatments using different drying methods (pengering kabinet, oven, and roast). The experimental design used in this study was a Factorial Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with 2 factors.The first factor is dryingmethodwith pengering kabinet, oven and roasting with kwali from the ground. The second factor is enzymatic oxidation and non-oxidationtreatment. The results showed that the enzymatic non-oxidation treatment using the oven drying method hasthe highest yield of guava leaf tea on chemical properties including ash content, pH. Furthermore, the enzymatic non-oxidation treatment using the pengering kabinetmethod also hasthe highest yield of guava leaf tea on properties and chemistry including water content, tannin content, and total phenols. Keywords: Pengering kabinet, Drying Method, Oxidation, Characteristic, Water Guava Leaf Tea.

Among central nervous system-associated malignancies, glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and has the highest mortality rate. The high heterogeneity of GBM cell types and the complex tumor microenvironment frequently lead to tumor recurrence and sudden relapse in patients treated with temozolomide. In precision medicine, research on GBM treatment is increasingly focusing on molecular subtyping to precisely characterize the cellular and molecular heterogeneity, as well as the refractory nature of GBM toward therapy. Deep understanding of the different molecular expression patterns of GBM subtypes is critical. Researchers have recently proposed tetra fractional or tripartite methods for detecting GBM molecular subtypes. The various molecular subtypes of GBM show significant differences in gene expression patterns and biological behaviors. These subtypes also exhibit high plasticity in their regulatory pathways, oncogene expression, tumor microenvironment alterations, and differential responses to standard therapy. Herein, we summarize the current molecular typing scheme of GBM and the major molecular/genetic characteristics of each subtype. Furthermore, we review the mesenchymal transition mechanisms of GBM under various regulators.

Abstract Objective Most studies investigated the relationship between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) by comparing the incidence of GBS before and during the pandemic of COVID-19. However, the findings were inconsistent, probably owing to varying degrees of the lockdown policy. The quarantine requirements and travel restrictions in China were lifted around December 7, 2022. This study aimed to explore whether the relative frequency of GBS increased during the major outbreak in the absence of COVID-19-mandated social restrictions in China. Methods GBS patients admitted to the First Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, from December 7, 2022 to February 20, 2023, and from June, 2017 to August, 2019 were included. The relative frequencies of GBS in hospitalized patients during different periods were compared. The patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection within six weeks prior to GBS onset formed the COVID-GBS group and non-COVID-GBS group, respectively. Results The relative frequency of GBS among hospitalized patients during the major outbreak of COVID-19 (13/14,408) was significantly higher than that before the COVID-19 epidemic (29/160,669, P

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. To establish fundamental scientific data, we analyzed the amino acids and volatile compounds in seven tea cultivars grown in Korea investigated phenotype also. Phenotypically, the leaf area and greenness index of young shoots and leaf blades were particularly different among the four Korean cultivars. Nine amino acids were detected from each cultivar, with the total amino acid and theanine contents being 9.08–41.42 and 2.81–24.60 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, 107 volatile compounds were identified as common components among tea cultivars using headspace solid-phase microextraction / gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS), and 38 key compounds were identified using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The (Z)-linalool oxide (furanoid) concentrations were significantly high in Korean tea plant cultivars, and linalool concentrations were also high or low, but had high relative contents. Linalool and its various oxides are the major compounds responsible for the tea aroma. In conclusion, Korean tea cultivars have distinct characteristics, and the results of this study will form the basis for identifying Korean tea plant cultivars that can produce high-value tea products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the characteristics of automotive mass air flow sensors is made. A test system has been developed to study the sensors. The measurement data is processed with MATLAB using curve fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study to determine the prevalence of mother postpartum depression and to examine the association between infant characteristics and postpartum depression in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was conducted in three government teaching hospitals in Jordan. A convenience sample of 188 mothers with hospitalized 188 infants in NICU was recruited. Questionnaires were used to collect the quantitative data, which include Infant Demographic Data Questionnaire, Mother Demographic Data Questionnaire and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The study revealed that infant characteristics such as gestational age, medical condition classification, and birth weight are found to be significant factors that influence depression among mothers. Results: The results showed that mothers with infants admitted to NICU experience postpartum depression with a mean of 3.82 and median of 4.04. There were significant differences based on gestational age, birth weight, and classification of medical condition and mothers' postpartum depression. Conclusion: Knowing the relationship of certain infant's characteristics and postpartum depression can help to focus on relevant infant characteristics so that timely interventions to improve mothers' well-being can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that, in general, the characteristic polynomial of a hypergraph is not determined by its "polynomial deck", the multiset of characteristic polynomials of its vertex-deleted subgraphs, thus settling the "polynomial reconstruction problem" for hypergraphs in the negative. The proof proceeds by showing that a construction due to Kocay of an infinite family of pairs of 3-uniform hypergraphs which are non-isomorphic but share the same hypergraph deck, in fact, have different characteristic polynomials. The question remains unresolved for ordinary graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sago, the other source of sugar production need to be pursued in Indonesia, as Indonesia is highly dependent on sugar cane. This study aimed to analyze the production of liquid sugar based on sago by enzymatic method. The characteristics of liquid sugar made from sago has met with the standard provisions of Indonesian National Standard (SNI 01-2978992) except for the parameter of color. However, the color of sago liquid sugar is acceptable to consumers and market. The liquid sugar produced from sago could reach 0.6 to 0.8 liters per kg. If the sago is obtained from around 50,000 hectares of sago plantations and converted into liquid sugar, then around 600,000 kiloliters of sugar will be produced, or equivalent to 27% of the total national sugar production. The feasibility study showed that the sago liquid sugar business was profitable, which might be seen from the BCR value of 1.16, NPV Rp 58,754,955.64, PBP of 2 years 11 months, and IRR of 34.73%. Even though sago has a great potential, but the development still faces various problems such as unproper sago cultivation, difficulty to access sago land, limited mastery of farmer technology, and unestablished farmer institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lube oil cooling is a very important heat transfer process on board, and the use of liquid-liquid heat pipe heat exchangers (HPHE) is easier to maintain and save energy, and does not have the risk of leakage. In this work, the heat transfer and flow in the heat pipe row of liquid-liquid HPHE is analyzed. The numerical model of HPHE based on the thermal resistance network of heat pipe is constructed and verified with the actual experimental data, and its maximum deviation is 8.1%. Results show that increasing the working fluid temperature in the evaporative section improved the operating performance of the heat pipe inside the HPHE, with the maximum equivalent thermal conductivity reaching 7112 W·m−1·K−1 at 70 °C. Furthermore, increasing the hot fluid flow rate improved the heat transfer rate of the HPHE more than increasing the cold fluid inlet flow rate. The convective heat transfer performance equations were fitted to the HPHE, with reliable accuracy within 5% obtained for both the forced convection correlations in the condensing and evaporating sections. The pipe row effect was observed to have some variability, with the periodic variation of the heat transfer coefficient per pipe row being more pronounced. The heat transfer coefficient of the pipe row at the outlet decreased by 15.5%, and the heat transfer coefficient of the pipe row at the baffle gap was also about 15% lower than that of the middle pipe row. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Currently the use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) in fitness and gym settings is a public health concern as adverse health consequences are emerging. Understanding the characteristics of gymgoers who do not use these substances could lead to an important complement to the ongoing research about risk factors for PES use. The aim of this study was to identify the profile of PES non-use in gym-goers. Methods: In total, 453 gym-goers (mean age = 35.64 years; SD = 13.08 - measure of central tendency location and measure of absolute dispersion, respectively) completed an online survey assessing sociodemographic factors, exercise characteristics, gym modalities, peers, social influence, attitudes, subjective norms, beliefs, intentions, and self-reported use of PES. Results: Decision Trees showed that being a woman, training less frequently, not practicing bodybuilding and having a negative intention to consume PES were identified as characteristics of non-users of PES. Discussion: These results may support evidence-based anti-doping interventions to prevent abusive use of PES in the fitness context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytogenic feed additives play an important role in broilers' nutrition, contributing to the improvement of the performance and quality of meat. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Cinnamon (Cinnamon zeylanicum) on broiler chicken production, fatty acid profile, and meat quality. In the present study, 140-day-old Vencob-400 broiler chicks were divided into 7 groups, including the control group (with no additives, T0), and T1 to T6 groups receiving varying concentrations of cinnamon and ginger. Accordingly, the chickens' diet in T1 was supplemented with 1.0% cinnamon, T2 with 2.0% cinnamon, T3 with 3.0% cinnamon, T4 with 1.0% ginger, T5 with 2.0% ginger, and T6 with 3.0% ginger, all calculated based on dry matter. The carcass traits, weight of immune organs, organoleptic tests, and fatty acid profile of meat (breast and thigh) were recorded after the age of 42 days. The findings indicated that the breast and thigh had the highest organ weights in group T4 compared to other groups, however, the neck, back, drumstick, wing, and heart were not affected. The inclusion of 2% cinnamon (T2) and 1% ginger (T4) in the diet, significantly enhanced the color, texture, flavor, juiciness, and overall acceptability of the meat, compared to the diet of the control group. Adding a supplement of 2% cinnamon or 1% ginger powder to the diet of broiler chickens significantly decreased the percentage of total saturated fatty acid and increased the total unsaturated fatty acid (breast and thigh). The improvement in fatty acid composition is beneficial for the quality of the broiler meat. Based on these findings, it is recommended to supplement the diet of the broiler with either 2% cinnamon or 1% ginger powder to improve the carcass parameters and quality of the meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, more and more studies have shown that the air may be an important source of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. But there is still a lack of research on MPs in the atmosphere. Here, we obtained the results of MPs concentration in atmospheric deposition in Shaanxi Province. Sampling was carried out for 6 months in 10 cities in Shaanxi Province and three different functional areas in Xi'an City. The results show that the MPs exist widely in the air of Shaanxi Province. The lowest MPs concentration of MPs was observed in Tongchuan (TC) and the highest in Xi'an (XA). Factors affecting the distribution of MPs in the atmosphere may include climate and urban population. Spectral analysis revealed that these MPs consisted of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PET, PAN, PE, and PP constituted the majority (90%) of the detected polymer types. The current research aims to contribute to the limited existing knowledge by examining the presence of MPs in all (wet and dry) atmospheric deposition in the urban environment of Shaanxi Province. The quantity, size, shape, and polymer type are evaluated, thereby improving our understanding of the characteristics of MPs deposition in urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Most studies investigated the relationship between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) by comparing the incidence of GBS before and during the pandemic of COVID-19. However, the findings were inconsistent, probably owing to varying degrees of the lockdown policy. The quarantine requirements and travel restrictions in China were lifted around December 7, 2022. This study aimed to explore whether the relative frequency of GBS increased during the major outbreak in the absence of COVID-19-mandated social restrictions in China. Methods: GBS patients admitted to the First Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, from December 7, 2022 to February 20, 2023, and from June, 2017 to August, 2019 were included. The relative frequencies of GBS in hospitalized patients during different periods were compared. The patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection within six weeks prior to GBS onset formed the COVID-GBS group and non-COVID-GBS group, respectively. Results: The relative frequency of GBS among hospitalized patients during the major outbreak of COVID-19 (13/14,408) was significantly higher than that before the COVID-19 epidemic (29/160,669, P < 0.001). More COVID-GBS patients (11/13) presented AIDP subtype than non-COVID-GBS cases (10/27, P = 0.003). The mean interval between onset of infective symptoms and GBS was longer in COVID-GBS (21.54 ± 11.56 days) than in non-COVID-GBS (5.76 ± 3.18 days, P < 0.001). Conclusions: COVID-19 significantly increased the incidence of GBS. Most COVID-GBS patients fell into the category of AIDP, responded well to IVIg, and had a favorable prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and thorough treatment of dye wastewater is essential to achieve ecological harmony. In this study, a new type of calcium-based modified coal gangue (Ca-CG) was prepared by using solid waste coal gangue as raw material and a CaCl2 modifier, which was used for the removal of malachite green, methylene blue, crystal violet, methyl violet and other dyes in water. When the dosage of Ca-CG was 1–5 g/L, the dosage of Ca-CG was the main factor affecting the dye adsorption effect. The adsorption effects of Ca-CG on four dyes were as follows: malachite green > crystal violet > methylene blue > methyl violet. Kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption of malachite green, methyl blue, crystal violet and methyl violet by Ca-CG fitted the second-order kinetic model, and adsorption with chemical reaction is the main process. The adsorption of four dyes by Ca-CG conformed to the Freundlich model, which is dominated by multi-molecular layer adsorption, and the adsorption was easy to carry out. The adsorption process of Ca-CG on the four dyes was spontaneous. The results of FTIR, XRD and SEM showed that the calcium-based materials such as lipscombite and dolomite were the key to the adsorption of malachite green by Ca-CG, and the main mechanisms for the adsorption of malachite green by Ca-CG are surface precipitation, electrostatic action, and chelation reaction. Ca-CG adsorption has great potential for the removal of dye wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee pulp (CP), a by-product of coffee production, is an underutilized resource with significant potential value. CP contains monosaccharides that can serve as an ideal carbon source for bacterial cultivation, enabling the production of value-added components such as medical-grade cellulose. Herein, we extracted the sugar fraction from Arabica CP and used it as a supplement in a growing media of a bacteria cellulose (BC), Komagataeibacter nataicola. The BC was then characterized and tested for cytotoxicity. The CP sugar fraction yielded approximately 7% (w/w) and contained glucose at 4.52 mg/g extract and fructose at 7.34 mg/g extract. Supplementing the sugar fraction at different concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 g/10 mL) in sterilized glucose yeast extract broth, the highest yield of cellulose (0.0020 g) occurred at 0.3 g/10 mL. It possessed similar physicochemical attributes to the BC using glucose, with some notable improvements in fine structure and arrangement of the functional groups. In cytotoxicity assessments on HaCaT keratinocyte cells, bacterial cellulose concentrations of 2–1000 µg/mL exhibited viability of ≥ 80%. However, higher concentrations were toxic. This research innovatively uses coffee pulp for bacterial cellulose, aligning with the principles of a bio-circular economy that focuses on sustainable biomass utilization. The sugar fraction of Arabica CP (6.64 g/100 g sample) contained glucose and fructose of 4.52 and 7.34 mg/g extract respectively. Different sugar fraction concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 g/10 mL) were tested in sterilized glucose yeast extract broth. Optimal BC yield (0.0020 g) was achieved at 0.3 g/10 mL. The BC exhibited comparable physicochemical characteristics to cellulose obtained from glucose. The cytotoxicity indicate that HaCaT cells exposed to 2–1000 µg/mL of BC had a percentage cell viability of ≥80%, but it was toxic at higher concentrations. CP represents a cheap and readily-available source for BC production, contributing to the bio-circular economic goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background More than 670 million people have been infected by COVID-19. This case series reports 8 of 55 cases in a broader study of COVID-positive clients who sought homeopathic care for symptoms. Existing studies of homeopathy and COVID-19 have sometimes failed to employ the underpinning theoretical framework of homeopathy—the genus epidemicus. Special focus has been placed on standout symptoms not often reported in conventional medical outlets, known among homeopaths as "strange, rare and peculiar" (SRP) symptoms. The Homeopathy Help Network (HHN) team of practitioners noted SRP symptoms across dozens of cases and studied how they shifted collectively as different variants of the virus emerged. Methods COVID-positive individuals self-selected for individualized care for their symptoms using homeopathy. They received tele-health consultations and individualized homeopathy interventions in an out-patient homeopathy clinical setting. Clients were seen by individual professional homeopathy practitioners and students under supervision working at the HHN in the United States. Cases for the series were hand-picked with the aim of being an average representation of the more than 4,000 COVID-positive cases seen by members of the HHN. Cases in the full compendium are grouped according to a predominant case feature: Multiple remedies, Posology, Time ill, Single remedy resolution, Hospitalization and, in this case series, SRP symptoms. Results SRP symptoms included: continually on the verge of unconsciousness; dark green stools; very low pulse alternating with tachycardia; sensation of strong or burning chemical smells; sensation of inhaling water through the nose; recurring electric shock sensations in head or extremities; yellow-green stools. Conclusion Collective SRP symptoms from the pandemic provided the opportunity to study the hallmark features of COVID-19 in depth. The importance of these symptoms highlights the applicability of Hahnemannian principles and good case-taking practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the antioxidant activity and physicochemical properties of dried noodles mixed with wheat flour and red bean flour with the addition of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria Ternatea L.) extract. The design used in this study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications. Data analysis using ANOVA and further test with Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) analysis at 5% level. The treatments used in this study were treatment A (20 ml water: 0 ml butterfly pea extract), B (15 ml water: 5 ml butterfly pea extract), C (10 ml water: 10 ml butterfly pea extract), D (water 5 ml: 15 ml butterfly pea extract), and E (0 ml of water: 20 ml of butterfly pea extract). The results of this study significantly affected the 5% level on the water content test, ash content, fat test, protein test, carbohydrates, antioxidant activity, and physical analysis of color. Based on the physical and chemical analysis of dried noodle products, the best treatment was in treatment C (addition of 10g telang flower extract) with a color test value of 232.98°Hue, an elasticity test of 26.50%, a moisture content of 6,36%, a ash 1.49%, fat content 2.14%, protein content 19.36%, carbohydrate content 70.63%, and antioxidant activity 33.32%.

Whole egg powder has a longer shelf life than fresh eggs, easier to apply, and can be applied in bakery industry. This study aims to evaluate the differences in the characteristics of bread made from chicken whole egg powder dried using the oven and foam mat drying methods compared to bread made from fresh eggs. The results obtained show that bread from chicken whole egg powder dried using the oven drying and foam mat drying methods was liked and accepted by consumers, especially from a sensory perspective (color, aroma, taste and texture), and even has a preference compared to bread made with the use of fresh eggs. The best formulation for bread was obtained from bread made using chicken whole egg powder dried with foam mat drying with color, taste, aroma and texture parameter value are 4.1, 4.3, 3.9 and 4.2 respectively, while the increasing volume was 289.6% and hardness value was 50.8 N/cm2. However, the characteristics of the bread produced using chicken whole egg powder from both the oven drying and foam mat drying methods were not much different from bread made using fresh eggs and can be a new alternative in food industry.

This research aims to get the best formulation which liked by panelist by considering the chemical characteristics from blending of purple sweet potato flour, mung bean flour and corn flour. This research has done at laboratory of agricultural technology, Andalas University, Padang on October until November 2021. The research has used Completely Randomized Design with 5 treatment and 3 repitition. Anlysis of data use Analysis of Varian ( ANOVA), obvious difference result will be continued with Duncan’s New Multiple Range ( DMRT) at 5% obvious level. Some treatment are blending purple sweet potato flour, mung bean flour and corn flour they are A (40% : 60%), B ( 40% :50% : 10%), C (40%: 40% : 20%), D ( 40% : 30% : 20% and E ( 40% : 20% : 40%). The research result indicate that blending of purple sweet potato flour, mung bean flour and corn flour is obvious significantly influenced to some analysis of water, ash, fat, protein,carbohidrate,antioxidan activity, water activity, crude fiber instant steamed sponge cake flour.

The aim of this study to determine the addition effect of red dragon fruit peel powder on the physical and chemical quality characteristics of young coconut jam and get out the right concentration of making young coconut jam on sensory analysis.This study used a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 3 replications. The research data were analyzed statistically using ANOVA and continued with the Duncan' New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at the 5% level. The treatment in this study was the addition of red dragon fruit peel powder with a concentration of 4% (treatment A), 12% (treatment B), 20% (treatment C), 28% (treatment D) and 36% (treatment E). The results showed that the addition of red dragon fruit peel powder had a significant effect on water content, ash content, pH, total dissolved solids, total sugar, Vitamin C, antioxidant activity and betacyanin.

ABSTRACT: In chicken, primordial germ cells (PGC) are crucial for the preservation and manipulation of genetic resources in poultry production. The HiS and FAcs culture systems are two important methods for the in vitro cultivation of chicken PGCs. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the two cultivation systems for PGCs (His and FAcs culture systems) to assess their efficacy and applicability in supporting PGC growth, maintaining PGC characteristics, and lineage transmission ability. The study found that both HiS and FAcs culture systems could maintain the basic biological characteristics of chicken PGCs, including the simultaneous expression of pluripotency and reproductive marker genes, as well as the presence of abundant glycogen granules. Subsequently, we identified 2,145 differentially expressed genes (DEG) through RNA sequencing. GO and KEGG analysis revealed a large number of DEGs enriched in the cell adhesion and calcium ion binding pathways, and the analysis found that these genes maintained a higher level in HiS-PGCs. Further personalized analysis found that the regulatory genes for maintaining PGC pluripotency were highly expressed in HiS-PGCs, while germ cell-related genes showed similar expression in both systems. Additionally, through RNA sequencing data and cell proliferation ability, it was found that PGCs in the FAcs system had a higher proliferation rate and a faster cell cycle. Finally, it was discovered that the expression of cell migration-related genes was maintained at a higher level in HiS-PGCs, but the migration efficiency of HiS-PGCs did not show a significant difference compared to FAcs-PGCs. These results suggest that both HiS and FAcs culture systems can maintain the proliferation and basic characteristics of chicken PGCs, but differences exist in cell proliferation, pluripotency regulation, and cell adhesion. These findings provide new information for optimizing PGC cultivation systems and are important for the preservation and genetic improvement of chicken PGCs.

Heat shock transcription factors (Hsf-s) have been considered one of the major regulatory proteins that play important roles in various biological processes during the growth and development of plants. Unfortunately, no comprehensive studies of the Hsf family in papaya (Carica papaya), a popular tropical fruit crop, have been performed, even the papaya genome assembly has been released recently. In this study, a total of 18 members of the Hsf family, namely CpHsf-s have been identified in papaya. Based on various computational tools, a systematic characterization of the CpHsf family, such as gene structure, physic-chemical features, categorization, and protein-protein interaction, has been conducted. We found that the physic-chemical properties of the CpHsf proteins were highly variable, while all proteins were hydrophilic and localized in the nucleus. Our classification indicated that the CpHsf proteins could be categorized into three groups, including HsfA, HsfB, and HsfC, and members in the same clade share similar gene structure. According to the previous RNA-Seq datasets, our re-analysis revealed that the CpHsf genes exhibited different expressions in various major organs or tissues during fruit ripening and under the ultra-low temperature stress. Taken together, our study could provide a list of candidate genes for further functional characterization towards the improvement of stress tolerance in papaya.

PurposeTo investigate the prevalence and characteristics of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and its prognostic value in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA).Materials and methodsSixty TA patients with a CMR examination were retrospectively included. All TA patients were divided into with LGE-positive and LGE-negative groups. Bi-ventricular function and location, distribution, and pattern of left ventricular (LV) LGE were evaluated in both LGE-positive and LGE-negative groups. Primary outcome was defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, coronary artery revascularization, and stroke. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between variables and primary outcomes.ResultsSixty consecutive TA patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 38.2 ± 13.8 years and 54 patients (54/60, 90.0%) were female. LGE-positive was observed in twenty-one (21/60, 35%) patients in the total patients with TA. LGE was predominantly distributed in the middle wall and subendocardial. The patchy and infarcted LGE patterns were the most common. Compared with the LGE-negative group, the LGE-positive group had reduced LV ejection fraction (P = 0.033), elevated LV end-diastolic volume index (P = 0.008), LV end-systolic volume index (P = 0.012), and LV mass (P = 0.008). During a median follow-up period of 1,892 days (interquartile range: 1,764–1,988 days), the primary outcomes occurred in thirteen patients. In the univariate analysis, LGE-positive (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.478, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.376–14.570; P = 0.013) were independently associated with the primary outcomes. However, LGE-positive did not retain its value as an independent predictor of primary outcomes in the multivariate analysis. Instead, LVMI (HR = 1.030, 95%CI: 1.013–1.048; P = 0.001) was the strongest independent predictor of primary outcomes in patients with TA. The Kaplan-Meier plot revealed that patients with LVMI ≥ 57.5 g/m2 have a worse prognosis.ConclusionLGE-positive detected by CMR was observed in 35% of total TA patients with different distributions and patterns. LGE is associated with adverse LV remodeling and worsen cardiac function. However, LVMI rather than LGE can provide independent prognostic information in patients with TA.

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of key parameters—volatile matter, carbon content, ash content, and gross energy—across various material samples intended for Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) briquette production. Through meticulous examination, promising trends emerge, highlighting optimal material combinations for efficient combustion and heat generation. Samples rich in volatile matter and carbon content, notably those incorporating wood powder, demonstrate elevated calorific values, indicating their potential for effective energy production. Conversely, material combinations with low ash content suggest cleaner combustion and reduced environmental impact. The gross energy analysis further validates the substantial heat generation potential of specific sample combinations, rendering them suitable for diverse heating applications. These findings emphasize the critical role of precise raw material selection and meticulous manufacturing process optimization in producing RDF briquettes with desirable properties. Such briquettes not only offer economic viability but also contribute to environmental sustainability by providing an alternative fuel source with reduced emissions. This research underscores the importance of continued exploration and refinement in the development of RDF briquettes, aiming to meet growing energy demands while mitigating environmental concerns.

The effluent of WWTPs is an important source of microplastics (MP) for the aquatic environment. In this review study, MPs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Türkiye and their removal from WWTPs are reviewed for the first time. First, MP characteristics in the influent and effluent of WWTPs in Türkiye are discussed. In the next section, the abundance of MPs in the influent and effluent of WWTPs in Türkiye and the MP removal efficiency of WWTPs in Türkiye are evaluated. Then, the results of studies on MP abundance and characteristics in Türkiye's aquatic environments are presented and suggestions are made to reduce MPs released from WWTPs into the receiving environments. Strategies for reducing MPs released to the receiving environment from WWTPs of Türkiye are summarized. In the last section, research gaps regarding MPs in WWTPs in Türkiye are identified and suggestions are made for future studies. This review paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the abundance, dominant characteristics, and removal of MPs in WWTPs in Türkiye, as well as the current status and deficiencies in Türkiye. Therefore, this review can serve as a scientific guide to improve the MP removal efficiency of WWTPs in Türkiye. HIGHLIGHTS Although WWTPs in Türkiye have high MP removal efficiencies, they cannot remove 100% of MP from wastewater.; Millions of MPs are released into aquatic environments every day from WWTPs in Türkiye.; In general, the dominant shape and size of MPs released to the aquatic environment from WWTPs in Türkiye are fiber and 0.5 mm, respectively.; Both citizens and the government have responsibilities to reduce MP emissions from WWTPs in Türkiye.;

Background. Sports science experts play a crucial role in providing insights and appropriatere commendations to delineate the desired traits of professional group exercise instructors. Objectives. The study aimed to investigate the using expert Delphi techniques in developing a core model for expected characteristics of group exercise instructors in sports science students. Materials and methods. The study involved 18 exercise experts who served as group exercise instructors and lecturers in sports science. Across three questionnaire rounds, the data was assessed using a rating scale, considering Mode (Mo), Median (Mdn), and Interquartile range (IQR). Results. The experts consistently emphasized the development of the eight core characteristics of group exercise at the highest importance level (Mo = 5, Mdn = 5, IQR = 0). Their focus encompassed areas such as knowledge in anatomy and exercise physiology, proficiency in exercise techniques, understanding of movement, psychological aspects, the role of aerobic dance leadership, and attitude towards group exercise. Additionally, knowledge related to injury prevention and nutrition received respective scores of Mo = 4, Mdn = 4, IQR = 1. Being a group exercise instructor necessitated both physical and mental preparedness. Conclusions. The desired characteristics for sports science students who will develop themselves to be group exercise leaders have to include a broad range of knowledge to become a personality model, proficiency in all 8 areas, and the ability to effectively teach that lead students to success. And most importantly, the FITT-VS (Frequency Intensity Training Time Training Type-Volume Progression) principles of teaching should be applied in organizing the group exercise program to ensure appropriateness for each format.

Abstract Introduction If a large amount of urate crystals is deposited in a joint cavity for an extended period of time, bone erosion will occur and gradually cause skeletal muscle necrosis and joint deformity. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and factors associated with bone erosion in gout patients with tophi. Methods A total of 210 gout patients with tophi were enrolled and divided into a bone erosion group (n = 135) and a non-bone erosion group (n = 75). Digital radiography (DR) was performed to detect bone erosion in the elbow, wrist, knee, ankle joints, interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. The clinical characteristics were recorded and compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with bone erosion. Results Compared with the non-bone erosion group, the bone erosion group had an older age, longer disease duration of gout and tophi, higher level of serum creatinine (sCr), higher proportion of drinking history and ulceration, and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Univariate logistic regression analysis results showed that sex, age, body mass index (BMI), gout duration, tophi duration, GFR, white blood cell (WBC) count, sCr level, smoking history, drinking history, and presence of ulceration were associated with bone destruction. Multivariable logistic regression analysis results indicated that tophi duration, drinking history, ulceration and sCr were positively and independently related to bone erosion. Conclusions Tophi patients with bone erosion presented different clinical characteristics. Tophi duration, drinking history, ulceration and sCr were associated with bone erosion in gout patients with tophi.

Thermal storage has not yet been classified in a unified way. By analyzing the factors of thermal storage and the interactions of fluids, spaces, and solids, this study proposes a three-level classification scheme based on fluid–space–solid thermal storage and dissects the main thermal storage types in the Eryuan, Midu, and Lancang areas of Yunnan Province. The results show that the hydrothermal-karst-carbonate reservoirs of the lower Devonian Kanglang Formation, Carboniferous, and Lower Permian are the main reservoirs in the Eryuan area, the hydrothermal-fracture-carbonate reservoirs are Carboniferous and Lower Permian in the Midu area, and the hydrothermal-fracture-metamorphic reservoirs of the Manlai and Huimin formations are the main reservoirs in the Lancang area. These reservoirs are characterized by high porosity and permeability, high thermal conductivity, high thermal diffusivity, and high specific heat capacity. The classification scheme is systematic, comprehensive, and unified, is capable of conveying multiple information points, and provides a new method for geological exploration personnel to analyze the thermal storage characteristics.

Matcha is a very popular tea food around the world, being widely used in the food, beverage, health food, and cosmetic industries, among others. At present, matcha shade covering methods, matcha superfine powder processing technology, and digital evaluations of matcha flavor quality are receiving research attention. However, research on the differences in flavor and quality characteristics of matcha from the same tea tree variety from different typical regions in China is relatively weak and urgently required. Taking Japan Shizuoka matcha (R) as a reference, the differences in sensory quality characteristics and non-volatile substances of matcha processed with the same tea variety from different regions in China were analyzed. The samples were China Hangzhou matcha (Z1), China Wuyi matcha (Z2), China Enshi matcha (H), and China Tongren matcha (G), which represent the typical matcha of eastern, central, and western China. A total of 1131 differential metabolites were identified in the matcha samples, comprising 118 flavonoids, 14 tannins, 365 organic acids, 42 phenolic acids, 22 alkaloids, 39 saccharides, 208 amino acids and derivatives, 17 lignans and coumarins, seven quinones, 44 nucleotides and derivatives, 14 glycerophospholipids, two glycolipids, 15 alcohols and amines, 140 benzenes and substituted derivatives, 38 terpenoids, 30 heterocyclic compounds, and 15 lipids. Kaempferol-7-O-rhamnoside, 3,7-Di-O-methylquercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin were detected in Z1, Z2, H, and G. A total of 1243 metabolites differed among Z1, Z2, and R. A total of 1617 metabolites differed among G, H, and R. The content of non-volatile difference metabolites of Z2 was higher than that of Z1. The content of non-volatile difference metabolites of G was higher than that of H. The 20 key differential non-volatile metabolites of Z1, Z2, G, and H were screened out separately. The types of non-volatile flavor differential metabolites of G and H were more numerous than those of Z1 and Z2. The metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, biosynthesis of co-factors, flavonoid biosynthesis, biosynthesis of amino acids, biosynthesis of various plant secondary metabolites, and purine metabolism of metabolic pathways were the main KEGG pathways. This study provides new insights into the differences in metabolite profiles among typical Chinese matcha geographic regions with the same tea variety.

Geum japonicum Thunb. var. Chinese F. Bolle, a traditional Miao medicine with significant clinical potential, is rich in polysaccharides. Despite its importance, there is a scarcity of research on the structure and activities of these polysaccharides. In this study, polysaccharides from Geum japonicum (GJPs) were extracted using various methods, including heated reflux extraction (HRE), acidic extraction (ACE), alkaline extraction (AAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), enzymatic extraction (EAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and deep eutectic solvents extraction (DESE). The extraction yield, physicochemical properties, structural characteristics, and antioxidant activities of these polysaccharides were comprehensively investigated and compared. Physicochemical analysis, including FT-IR spectral features and monosaccharide compositions, revealed that the GJPs are acidic heteropolysaccharides with both α- and β-configurations. DESE and ACE were the most effective methods for obtaining the highest neutral and acidic sugars with yields of 29.1%/64.2%, and 39.8%/55.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, AAE was preferable for extracting the polysaccharide–protein complex, achieving a yield of 14.21% and exhibiting superior thermal stability. In particular, DESE and PLE showed the best homogeneity with distinct molecular weights of 39.5 kDa and 17.6 kDa, respectively. In addition, biological evaluation indicated that DESE and MAE exhibited relatively stronger antioxidant activities as evidenced by DPPH and ABTS assays. Conversely, ACE demonstrated highest Fe2+ chelating ability but the lowest activity in DPPH and ABTS assays. Furthermore, the results of correlation analysis showed that the monosaccharides composition, protein and polyphenol content were significantly associated with the antioxidant activity. The choice of extraction method greatly affects the property and activity of G. japonicum polysaccharides. Polysaccharides extracted by deep eutectic solvents from G. japonicum show promise as natural antioxidants in the food and medicine industries.