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In this paper, based on the viscosity approximation method and the hybrid steepest-descent iterative method, a new implicit iterative algorithm is presented for finding the common fixed points set of a finite family of nonexpansive mappings in a reflexive Hilbert space, which is called a symmetric space. We prove that the sequence generated by this new implicit rule strongly converges to the unique solution of a class of variational inequalities under certain appropriate conditions of the parameters. Moreover, we also study the applications to a broader family of strictly pseudo-contractive mappings and generalized equilibrium problems that involve several variational inequality problems, optimization problems, and fixed-point problems. Finally, numerical results are provided to clarify the stability and effectiveness of the algorithm and to compare with some existing iterative algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by fungi growing in food or feed, which can produce toxic effects and seriously threaten the health of humans and animals. Mycotoxins are commonly found in food and feed, and are of significant concern due to their hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and ability to damage the immune and reproductive systems. Traditional physical and chemical detoxification methods to treat mycotoxins in food and feed products have limitations, such as loss of nutrients, reagent residues, and secondary pollution to the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need for new detoxification methods to effectively control mycotoxins and treat mycotoxin pollution. In recent years, microbial detoxification technology has been widely used for the degradation of mycotoxins in food and feed because this approach offers the potential for treatment with high efficiency, low toxicity, and strong specificity, without damage to nutrients. This article reviews the application of microbial detoxification technology for removal of common mycotoxins such as Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, Zearalenone, Deoxynivalenol, and Fumonisins, and discusses the development trend of this important technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PDA selectively adsorbs aflatoxins and ochratoxins from edible vegetable oil. • The process of PDA@Fe 3 O 4 -MWCNTs is physical multi-molecular layer adsorption. • The recovery was 70.15-89.25%, RSD was ≤6.3%, show that the method is reliable. A new, green, and cost-effective magnetic solid-phase extraction of aflatoxins and ochratoxins from edible vegetable oils samples was developed using polydopamine-coated magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PDA@Fe 3 O 4 -MWCNTs) as the absorbent. PDA@Fe 3 O 4 -MWCNTs nanomaterials were prepared by chemical co-precipitation and in situ oxidation and self-polymerization of dopamine and was characterized. Factors affecting MSPE and the adsorption behavior of the adsorbent to mycotoxins were studied, and the optimal extraction conditions of MSPE and the complexity of the adsorption process were determined. Based on this, the magnetic solid-phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection method (MSPE-HPLC-FLD) was established for determining six mycotoxins [aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1), AFB 2 , AFG 1 , and AFG 2 , and ochratoxin A (OTA) and OTB)] in vegetable oils. The recovery was 70.15%~89.25%, and RSD was ≤6.4%. PDA@Fe 3 O 4 -MWCNTs showed a high affinity toward aflatoxins and ochratoxins, allowing selective extraction and quantification of aflatoxins and ochratoxins from complex sample matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the incidence of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) treated conservatively or surgically and factors influencing the incidence of THA. Methods: Long-term follow-up studies on the conservative or surgical treatments of LCPD from 1950 to 2021 were conducted using six public databases. Articles were screened by two investigators (PRISMA guidelines), and the quality of the included publications (n = 27) was assessed (MINORS criteria). R version 4.2.1 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall incidences of THA were 6.8% and 5.14% in patients who were treated conservatively and surgically, respectively. At disease onset, the incidences of THA were 6.79% and 6.17% after conservative treatment and surgery in patients aged < seven years, respectively, and 16.97% and 3.61% in patients aged > seven years, respectively. The incidences of THA were 4.91%, 5.19%, and 23.18% in patients who were treated conservatively with ≤ 30, 30–40, and > 40 years of follow-up, respectively, and 3.68%, 3.11%, 9.66%, and 17.92% in patients who were treated surgically with ≤ ten, ten to 20, 20–40, and > 40 years of follow-up, respectively. In patients who received conservative treatment, the incidences of THA were 5.79% and 5.29% in patients with Stulberg I–II and III–V, respectively. In surgically treated patients, the incidence of THA was 0% in Stulberg I-II and 8% in Stulberg III-V. Conclusion: Patients with LCPD had relatively low incidences of THA. The greater the age at disease onset and longer the follow-up, the higher the incidence of THA; however, the Stulberg classification was not directly associated with the incidence of THA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distal arthrogryposis (DA) is a group of congenital autosomal‐dominant disorders secondary to defects in joint and muscle function, characterized by multiple joint contractures of the hands and feet. DA can be divided into 10 types according to clinical features. DA has been confirmed to be caused by mutations in genes encoding components of the contractile apparatus of skeletal muscle fibers, such as troponin I2 (TNNI2). Methods: In this study, we report a three‐generation DA family belonging to the DA2B type. The clinical characteristics of affected members are genetically stable and consistent, with severe deformities in hands and feet, and two affected adults had short stature. None exhibited facial abnormalities. Blood from three affected and three healthy members were collected for whole‐exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing. Results: A missense variant in TNNI2 (NM_003282.4: c.525G>T: p.K175N) was successfully identified, which resulted in the substitution of amino acid at position 175 of TNNI2 from lysine to asparagines. Conclusion: The variant c.525G>T in TNNI2 explains the cause of DA in the family. This variant was identified in Chinese people for the first time, and the same variant had been reported in another study but no description of clinical symptoms. Our study comprehensively characterized the c.525G>T variant in TNNI2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The management of type 3 lateral condyle fractures (LCFs) remains controversial. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) in patients with type 3 LCFs and to assess the outcome of such injuries according to the type of treatment, CRPP, or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).Methods: This is a retrospective review of prospectively enrolled children with type 3 LCF managed by CRPP or ORIF between 2018 and 2021. All patients were followed for at least 12 months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of treatment, CRPP or ORIF. Demographic characteristics were recorded for all patients. Standard radiographs were used to identify, evaluate, and classify each fracture and to detect the presence of other concomitant bone lesions. The clinical outcome was assessed according to the Hardacre et al. criteria.Results: Seventy-eight children with type 3 LCF were included; 42 were treated by CRPP (53.8%) and 36 by ORIF (46.2%); the mean follow-up time was 17.7 months (range, 12.3-40.9). The baseline characteristics did not differ between the two groups of patients. Overall, successful CRPP could be achieved in 39 out of 42 patients (92.9%). The mean surgical time was 63.4 and 84.5 min in patients treated by CRPP and ORIF, respectively (p = 0.01). Fluoroscopy time was significantly shorter in patients managed by ORIF than in those treated by CRPP (12 versus 40 s, respectively; p < 0.001). Clinical outcome according to the Hardacre et al. criteria was excellent in 37 out of 39 (94.4%) and in 35 out of 36 patients (97.2%) treated by CRPP and ORIF, respectively (p = 0.09).Conclusions: CRPP management of paediatric type 3 LCF has clinical and radiographic outcomes similar to ORIF; if satisfactory reduction cannot be achieved by CRPP, conversion to ORIF should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • PAW pre-exposure and subsequent US treatment has energy-efficient in MRSA inactivation. • The enhanced inactivation was partly due to the in-situ generation of RONS. • Elevated arginine levels induced the formation of VBNC bacteria. • Regrowth potential of MRSA cells was negligible. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and antibiotic resistance gene (mecA) are considered emerging contaminants that have been extensively identified in aqueous environments due to their high resistance to disinfectants. Herein, we report for the first time the inactivation of MRSA through a sequential application of plasma-activated water and ultrasound (PAW-SU). While the impact of PAW alone on bacterial culturability and mecA integrity was negligible, the combined PAW-SU treatment outperformed the inactivation method involving PAW with direct US (PAW-DU). It exhibited a shorter lag phase and a higher maximum inactivation rate constant. We numerically demonstrated that sonolysis processes induced by external ultrasound sources considerably improved the intracellular and extracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) of MRSA in PAW system, thereby increasing the PAW reactivity and applicability. The highest inactivation efficiency of PAW-SU can be attributed to the synergistic effect of enhanced intracellular RONS (i.e., peroxynitrite and singlet oxygen) and membrane disruption induced by US, resulting in irreparable oxidative damage to the Save our Soul response and energy metabolic system. In particular, the elevated arginine metabolites in MRSA cells were primarily responsible for the formation of the viable but nonculturable state (VBNC) bacteria associated with high resistance to PAW system. Surprisingly, a decrease in arginine synthesis capacity was observed to expedite the flow of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, accelerating the detrimental effects of PAW-SU on intracellular components in VBNC bacteria. Finally, the limited regrowth potential of injured MRSA caused by cyclic inactivation of PAW-SU process was further confirmed in wastewater from meat and dairy models and therefore, advocates the possible real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Severe cervical kyphosis (CK) in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is associated with a high risk for progression and neurologic impairment in children. We present our surgical technique and mid-term outcomes of uninstrumented anterior tibial strut grafting for severe CK secondary to NF-1.Case report. The Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting Guideline Development (CARE) guidelines were followed.Two paediatric patients (8- and 3-year-old) presented with severe CK secondary to NF-1. A halo body jacket (HV) allowed the progressive distraction of the cervical spine, avoiding neurological compromise and deformity progression. Circumferential fusion was obtained with anterior tibial strut autograft and posterior onlay bone graft. Cervical spine fusion was successfully maintained at a minimum 4-year follow-up in both patients.In children with severe CK secondary to NF-1, cervical distraction and immobilisation with a HV followed by uninstrumented anterior tibial strut grafting and posterior bone grafting, provided spinal fusion and stability without increasing the risk of neurological injury and donor site morbidity. The reported surgical technique appears to be a valuable tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon.Methods: Severe cervical kyphosis (CK) in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is associated with a high risk for progression and neurologic impairment in children. We present our surgical technique and mid-term outcomes of uninstrumented anterior tibial strut grafting for severe CK secondary to NF-1.Case report. The Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting Guideline Development (CARE) guidelines were followed.Two paediatric patients (8- and 3-year-old) presented with severe CK secondary to NF-1. A halo body jacket (HV) allowed the progressive distraction of the cervical spine, avoiding neurological compromise and deformity progression. Circumferential fusion was obtained with anterior tibial strut autograft and posterior onlay bone graft. Cervical spine fusion was successfully maintained at a minimum 4-year follow-up in both patients.In children with severe CK secondary to NF-1, cervical distraction and immobilisation with a HV followed by uninstrumented anterior tibial strut grafting and posterior bone grafting, provided spinal fusion and stability without increasing the risk of neurological injury and donor site morbidity. The reported surgical technique appears to be a valuable tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon.Results: Severe cervical kyphosis (CK) in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is associated with a high risk for progression and neurologic impairment in children. We present our surgical technique and mid-term outcomes of uninstrumented anterior tibial strut grafting for severe CK secondary to NF-1.Case report. The Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting Guideline Development (CARE) guidelines were followed.Two paediatric patients (8- and 3-year-old) presented with severe CK secondary to NF-1. A halo body jacket (HV) allowed the progressive distraction of the cervical spine, avoiding neurological compromise and deformity progression. Circumferential fusion was obtained with anterior tibial strut autograft and posterior onlay bone graft. Cervical spine fusion was successfully maintained at a minimum 4-year follow-up in both patients.In children with severe CK secondary to NF-1, cervical distraction and immobilisation with a HV followed by uninstrumented anterior tibial strut grafting and posterior bone grafting, provided spinal fusion and stability without increasing the risk of neurological injury and donor site morbidity. The reported surgical technique appears to be a valuable tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon.Conclusion: Severe cervical kyphosis (CK) in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is associated with a high risk for progression and neurologic impairment in children. We present our surgical technique and mid-term outcomes of uninstrumented anterior tibial strut grafting for severe CK secondary to NF-1.Case report. The Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting Guideline Development (CARE) guidelines were followed.Two paediatric patients (8- and 3-year-old) presented with severe CK secondary to NF-1. A halo body jacket (HV) allowed the progressive distraction of the cervical spine, avoiding neurological compromise and deformity progression. Circumferential fusion was obtained with anterior tibial strut autograft and posterior onlay bone graft. Cervical spine fusion was successfully maintained at a minimum 4-year follow-up in both patients.In children with severe CK secondary to NF-1, cervical distraction and immobilisation with a HV followed by uninstrumented anterior tibial strut grafting and posterior bone grafting, provided spinal fusion and stability without increasing the risk of neurological injury and donor site morbidity. The reported surgical technique appears to be a valuable tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A strategy was proposed to enhance sensitivity of immunochromatographic assay (ICA). • Two probes were constructed based on quantum dot nanobeads, protein A and anti-IgG antibody. • The probes are oriented to Fc region of anti-E2 antibody to fully expose Fab region. • The ICA based on universal probes achieved high-sensitivity and rapid detection of E2 in milk. • The prepared universal probes could be applied for the detection of any antigen per strip. The pollution caused by estrogens in the environment and food has received increasing attention. It is still challenging for on-site immunochromatographic assay (ICA) detection of estrogens. The performance of the prepared probes plays a decisive role in the sensitivity and stability of the ICA system. The published probes usually directly couple the detection antibody to the label, ignoring the influence of the label on the activity of the antibody. In this study, 17β-estradiol (E 2) was used as a model analyte for the ICA system. Two universal probes were constructed based on quantum dot nanobeads (QBs), recombinant protein A (SPA, from Staphylococcus aureus), and rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulin G antibody (anti-IgG). The probes were prepared by coupling QBs with SPA, releasing anti-E 2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), and maintaining its activity. The prepared universal probes can orient recognize the Fc region of mAb and fully expose its Fab region, improving the detection sensitivity of the ICA system. The free anti-E 2 mAb and the universal probe (QBs@SPA or QBs@SPA@anti-IgG) were used as the detection antibodies and signal donors, respectively. The results show that the proposed ICA based on QBs@SPA and QBs@SPA@anti-IgG probes could detect E 2 with IC 50 of 8.83 and 0.93 ng/mL, respectively, within 15 min under optimal conditions. The recovery results of ICA based on QBs@SPA and QBs@SPA@anti-IgG probes showed good agreement with the findings of the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis for spiked samples. The developed ICA system based on universal probes was superior in terms of sensitivity, rapidity, and applicability, and held great promise for its implementation in detecting environmental and food small-molecule pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease that is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. Various studies have previously demonstrated that the mTOR complex 1 signaling pathway is essential for the NF1-modulated osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Additionally, the mTOR signaling pathway plays a notable role in autophagy. The present study hypothesized that NF1 could modulate the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by regulating the autophagic activities of BMSCs. In the present study, human BMSCs were cultured in an osteogenic induction medium. The expression of the NF1 gene was either knocked down or overexpressed by transfection with a specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NF1 or the pcDNA3.0 NF1-overexpression plasmid, respectively. Autophagic activities of BMSCs (Beclin-1, P62, LC3B I, and LC3B II) were determined using western blotting, electron microscopy, acridine orange (AO) staining and autophagic flux/lysosomal detection by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, the autophagy activator rapamycin (RAPA) and inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) were used to investigate the effects of autophagy on NF1-modulated osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Inhibiting NF1 with siRNA significantly decreased the expression levels of autophagy markers Beclin-1 and LC3B-II, in addition to osteogenic differentiation markers osterix, runt-related transcription factor 2 and alkaline phosphatase. By contrast, overexpressing NF1 with pcDNA3.0 significantly increased their levels. Transmission electron microscopy, AO staining and autophagic flux/lysosomal detection assays revealed that the extent of autophagosome formation was significantly decreased in the NF1-siRNA group but significantly increased in the NF1-pcDNA3.0 group when compared with the NC-siRNA and pcDNA3.0 groups, respectively. In addition, the activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway [phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR and p-p70S6 kinase] was significantly upregulated in the NF1-siRNA group compared with the NC-siRNA group, and significantly inhibited in the NF1-pcDNA3.0 group, compared with the pcDNA3.0 group. The knockdown effects of NF1-siRNA on the autophagy and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs were reversed by the autophagy activator RAPA, while the overexpression effects of NF1-pcDNA3.0 on the autophagy and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs were reversed by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. In conclusion, results from the present study suggest at the involvement of autophagy in the NF1-modulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Furthermore, NF1 may partially regulate the autophagic activity of BMSCs through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]