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Zic family member ZIC4 is a transcription factor that has been shown to be silenced in several cancers. However, understanding the regulation and function of ZIC4 in pediatric choroid plexus tumors (CPTs) remained limited. This study employed data mining and bioinformatics analysis to investigate the DNA methylation status of ZIC4 in CPTs and its correlation with patient survival. Our results unveiled ZIC4 methylation as a segregating factor, dividing CPT cohorts into two clusters, with hyper-methylation linked to adverse prognosis. Hyper-methylation of ZIC4 was confirmed in a choroid plexus carcinoma-derived cell line (CCHE-45) by bisulfite sequencing. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that demethylating agent and a histone methyltransferase inhibitor could reverse ZIC4 silencing. RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis showed that ZIC4 over-expression influenced genes and proteins involved in immune response, antigen processing and presentation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and metabolism. Functionally, re-expressing ZIC4 negatively impacted cell proliferation and migration. Ultimately, these findings underscore ZIC4 hyper-methylation as a prognostic marker in CPTs and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying its tumor suppressor role in CPC. This insight paves the way for novel therapeutic targets in treating aggressive CPTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) has long been recognized for its therapeutic potential in treating various intestinal diseases. Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty shells of non-living bacterial cells that demonstrate enormous potential for medicinal applications. Genetic and chemical techniques can create these BGs. In the current study, we produced Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 ghosts (EcNGs) for the first time using benzoic acid (BA) and sodium hydroxide (SH). BA is a feeble acidic chemical that enhances gram-negative bacteria’s external membrane permeability, reduces energy production, and decreases internal pH. SH has shown success in producing BGs from some gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. This research aims to produce EcNGs using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SH and BA, specifically 3.125 mg/mL. We assessed the bacterial quality of the BGs produced using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Bradford protein assays. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed the three-dimensional structure of EcNGs. The study confirmed the presence of tunnel-like pores on the outer surface, indicating the preservation of cell membrane integrity. Importantly, this investigation introduces BA as a novel chemical inducer of EcNGs, suggesting its potential alongside SH for efficient EcNG formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epigenetic mechanisms have been shown to play an important role in the development of cancer. These include the activation of chromatin remodeling factors in various malignancies, including bromodomain plant homeodomain (PHD) finger transcription factor (BPTF), the largest component of the human nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF). In the last few years, BPTF has been identified as a pro-tumorigenic factor in melanoma, stimulated by research into the molecular mechanisms underlying BPTF function. Developing therapy targeting the BPTF bromodomain would represent a significant advance. Melanoma therapy has been revolutionized by the efficacy of immunotherapeutic and targeted strategies, but the development of drug resistance calls for alternative therapeutic approaches. Recent work has shown both a biomarker as well as functional role for BPTF in melanoma progression and as a possible target for its therapy. BPTF was shown to stimulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which is targeted by selective BRAF inhibitors. The advent of small molecule inhibitors that target bromodomain motifs has shown that bromodomains are druggable. By combining the bromodomain inhibitor bromosporine with existing treatments that target mutant BRAF, BPTF targeting has emerged as a novel and promising therapeutic approach for metastatic melanoma. This article summarizes the functional role of BPTF in tumor progression, reviews the clinical experience to date with bromodomain inhibitors, and discusses the promise of BPTF targeting in melanoma and other solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HLA alleles are representative of ethnicities and may play important roles in predisposition to hematological disorders. We analyzed DNA samples for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1 loci, from 1550 patients and 4450 potential related donors by PCR-SSO (Polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific oligonucleotides) and estimated allele frequencies in donors and patients from 1550 families who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in Egypt. We also studied the association between HLA allele frequencies and incidence of acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and severe aplastic anemia. The most frequently observed HLA class I alleles were HLA- A*01:01 (16.9%), A*02:01 (16.1%), B*41:01 (8.7%), B*49:01 (7.3%), C*06:02 (25.1%), and C*07:01 (25.1%), and the most frequently observed class II alleles were HLA-DRB1*11:01 (11.8%), DRB1*03:01 (11.6%), DQB1*03:01 (27.5%), and DQB1*05:01 (18.9%). The most frequently observed haplotypes were A*33:01~B*14:02 ~ DRB1*01:02 (2.35%) and A*01:01~B*52:01~DRB1*15:01 (2.11%). HLA-DRB1*07:01 was associated with higher AML odds (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.02–1.55; p = 0.030). Only HLA-B38 antigen showed a trend towards increased odds of ALL (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.00–2.30; p = 0.049) HLA-A*02:01, -B*14:02, and -DRB1*15:01 were associated with higher odds of SAA (A*02:01: OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.07–1.70; p = 0.010; B*14:02: OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.06–1.93; p = 0.020; DRB1*15:01: OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07–1.64; p = 0.011). This study provides estimates of HLA allele and haplotype frequencies and their association with hematological disorders in an Egyptian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accommodation Coefficients (ACs) are used in slip models to determine some important parameters for flowing dilute gases on solid surfaces such as: Cercignani–Lampis–Lord (CLL) model, drag coefficient, slip velocity, shear stress, and temperature jump. These coefficients in slip, transitional, and free molecular flow regimes take values other than unity. As a result, determining these coefficients for different gases and surfaces is crucial, especially where the continuum assumption with no-slip conditions at the surface is inaccurate. These coefficients can be extracted using experimental and simulation methods with different techniques. This paper provides a review of studies that have been conducted to determine the ACs, with a particular focus on the tangential momentum accommodation coefficient (TMAC), using both experimental and simulation methods. The research mainly pertains to microfluidics and nanofluidics. The reviewed studies have concluded that there is no clear relationship between the molecular weight of a gas and it's TMAC. Also, the values of ACs depend on various factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoenhanced oil recovery has emerged as a promising method for improving and enhancing oil recovery. However, nanoparticles face the challenge of clumping together under reservoir conditions, hindering their movement through the porous medium and interaction with the oil/water interface. To fully understand the impact of different nanoparticles and electromagnetic fields on phase transitions and oil recovery, it is crucial to consider the complex interactions involved. These interactions can be influenced by factors such as nanoparticle concentration, size distribution, surface chemistry, and base fluid properties. In this study, a core-flooding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of synthesized nanoparticles (BaTiO3, MnO2, CoO, BaTiO3/MnO2, and BaTiO3/CoO) for enhanced oil recovery using electromagnetic-assisted nanofluids. The synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed for morphology and elemental composition using FE-SEM with EDX. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups and mineral composition. XRD analysis examined the crystal structure of the materials, while XPS, capacitance, and resistance measurements determined the elemental composition, chemical state, and electronic state of the materials. These analyses aimed to investigate the influence of an electromagnet on fluid mobility. Electromagnetic fields improve the dispersion and stability of nanoparticles in the reservoir, preventing aggregation and maintaining the effectiveness of nanofluids. Enhance the viscosity and mobility of the injected fluids, leading to better sweep efficiency and displacement of oil. The core-flooding experiment allowed us to determine the recovery factor. The results demonstrated that BaTiO3/MnO2 nanofluids exhibited the highest recovery factor, reaching approximately 58%, compared to BaTiO3/CoO nanofluids, which achieved a recovery factor of 48%. It is important to note that all single nanofluids also had a positive effect on the recovery factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hip fracture (HF) in older adults is strongly associated with a greater decline in their activities of daily living (ADLs) and health-related (HRQoL). The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a family-based care transition program (FBCTP) on ADLs, HRQoL and social support in this age group after HF surgery. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted on 100 older adults who had undergone HFS and were selected by convenience sampling and allocated to the IG (n = 50) and the CG (n = 50). Data were collected utilizing the Barthel Index, the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The FBCTP was delivered in-hospital education sessions, home visit, and a follow-up and telephone counselling session. The data were collected at three stages, including the baseline, four weeks after discharge, and eight weeks later. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The results of the study indicated that the effects of time and group on the increase in ADLs were 15.2 and 36.69 (p < 0.000), respectively, following the completion of the FBCTP. Furthermore, time and group were found to have a positive effect on HRQoL, with an increase of 2.82 and 5.60 units, respectively (p < 0.000). In this context, time and group also interacted in the IG compared to the CG, with scores increasing by 1.86 units over time (p < 0.000). Although the study results indicated that social support improved by 1.98 units over time (p < 0.000), the effects of group alone and the time × group interaction were not statistically significant. This indicates that the program was not effective in accelerating social support. Conclusion: Consequently, nurses, policymakers, and planners engaged in geriatric healthcare may utilize these results to enhance the health status of this age group following HFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for intubation in methanol-poisoned patients, if not predicted in time, can lead to irreparable complications and even death. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques like machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) greatly aid in accurately predicting intubation needs for methanol-poisoned patients. So, our study aims to assess Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) for predicting intubation necessity in methanol-poisoned patients, comparing deep learning and machine learning models. This study analyzed a dataset of 897 patient records from Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran, encompassing cases of methanol poisoning, including those requiring intubation (202 cases) and those not requiring it (695 cases). Eight established ML (SVM, XGB, DT, RF) and DL (DNN, FNN, LSTM, CNN) models were used. Techniques such as tenfold cross-validation and hyperparameter tuning were applied to prevent overfitting. The study also focused on interpretability through SHAP and LIME methods. Model performance was evaluated based on accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, F1-score, and ROC curve metrics. Among DL models, LSTM showed superior performance in accuracy (94.0%), sensitivity (99.0%), specificity (94.0%), and F1-score (97.0%). CNN led in ROC with 78.0%. For ML models, RF excelled in accuracy (97.0%) and specificity (100%), followed by XGB with sensitivity (99.37%), F1-score (98.27%), and ROC (96.08%). Overall, RF and XGB outperformed other models, with accuracy (97.0%) and specificity (100%) for RF, and sensitivity (99.37%), F1-score (98.27%), and ROC (96.08%) for XGB. ML models surpassed DL models across all metrics, with accuracies from 93.0% to 97.0% for DL and 93.0% to 99.0% for ML. Sensitivities ranged from 98.0% to 99.37% for DL and 93.0% to 99.0% for ML. DL models achieved specificities from 78.0% to 94.0%, while ML models ranged from 93.0% to 100%. F1-scores for DL were between 93.0% and 97.0%, and for ML between 96.0% and 98.27%. DL models scored ROC between 68.0% and 78.0%, while ML models ranged from 84.0% to 96.08%. Key features for predicting intubation necessity include GCS at admission, ICU admission, age, longer folic acid therapy duration, elevated BUN and AST levels, VBG_HCO3 at initial record, and hemodialysis presence. This study as the showcases XAI's effectiveness in predicting intubation necessity in methanol-poisoned patients. ML models, particularly RF and XGB, outperform DL counterparts, underscoring their potential for clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the effect of copper nanoparticles and graphene oxide nanosheets on the tensile properties and impact strength of epoxy-based hybrid nanocomposites. A mechanical mixer and an ultrasonicator were used to mix the reinforcements with the epoxy resin. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) was used to examine the fracture surface morphology, and tensile and impact tests were conducted to assess the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. These properties were optimized by a genetic algorithm. The results showed that adding 0.75 wt% copper nanoparticles and 1 wt.% graphene oxide to the epoxy increased its tensile strength by 45.7 and 37.14%, respectively, compared with those of pure epoxy, and adding 0.5 wt% graphene oxide and 0.75 wt% copper nanoparticle led to a 61.76 and 32.35% increase in its fracture strength. The tensile test results indicated that the tensile strength of specimens reinforced with 0.125 wt% graphene oxide and 0.125 wt% copper nanoparticles increased by 47.51% compared with those of pure epoxy and adding 0.375 wt% graphene oxide and 0.375 wt% copper nanoparticles increased the fracture energy by 91.18%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of hyperuricemia in obese individuals with or without metabolic syndrome and assess the impact of sleeve gastrectomy surgery on the amelioration of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on patients with obesity who were candidates for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. These patients were diligently followed for 1 year after the surgical procedure. The assessment of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome was carried out both before and one year after the surgery. Results: A total of 198 patients (30 males and 168 females) underwent sleeve gastrectomy. After 1 year, there was a notable decline in the prevalence of hyperuricemia, decreasing from 77 to 36 cases (a reduction of 46.75%) among females and from 18 to 8 cases (a reduction of 44.44%) among males. Prior to the surgery, 60.6% of patients (120 out of 198) were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, and 36.7% of these patients exhibited improvements in their metabolic syndrome status. Among individuals with metabolic syndrome, significant enhancements were observed in various anthropometric and laboratory measurements, including reductions in hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, and hypercholesteremia. A logistic regression analysis revealed that in females, changes in creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), weight loss, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride reduction all had a notable impact on the likelihood of recovering from hyperuricemia. Conclusion: These findings underscore the clinical relevance of this surgical intervention in managing obesity-related conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cognitive disorders are associated with valproate and drugs used to treat neuropsychological diseases. Cannabidiol (CBD) has beneficial effects on cognitive function. This study examined the effects of co-administration of CBD and valproate on memory consolidation, cholinergic transmission, and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC). Methods: One-trial, step-through inhibitory test was used to evaluate memory consolidation in rats. The intra-CA1 injection of physostigmine and atropine was performed to assess the role of cholinergic transmission in this co-administration. Phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB)/CREB ratio and BDNF levels in the PFC and HPC were evaluated. Results: Post-training intraperitoneal (i.p.) valproate injection reduced memory consolidation; however, post-training co-administration of CBD with valproate ameliorated memory impairment induced by valproate. Post-training intra-CA1 injection of physostigmine at the ineffective doses in memory consolidation (0.5 and 1 µg/rat), plus injection of 10 mg/kg of CBD as an ineffective dose, improved memory loss induced by valproate, which was associated with BDNF and p-CREB level enhancement in the PFC and HPC. Conversely, post-training intra-CA1 injection of ineffective doses of atropine (1 and 2 µg/rat) reduced the positive effects of injection of CBD at a dose of 20 mg/kg on valproate-induced memory loss associated with BDNF and p-CREB level reduction in the PFC and HPC. Conclusion: The results indicated a beneficial interplay between valproate and CBD in the process of memory consolidation, which probably creates this interaction through the BDNF-CREB signaling pathways in the cholinergic transmission of the PFC and HPC regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound (US) has gained popularity as a guidance modality for percutaneous needle insertions because it is widely available and non-ionizing. However, coordinating scanning and needle insertion still requires significant experience. Current assistance solutions utilize optical or electromagnetic tracking (EMT) technology directly integrated into the US device or probe. This results in specialized devices or introduces additional hardware, limiting the ergonomics of both the scanning and insertion process. We developed the first ultrasound (US) navigation solution designed to be used as a non-permanent accessory for existing US devices while maintaining the ergonomics during the scanning process. A miniaturized EMT source is reversibly attached to the US probe, temporarily creating a combined modality that provides real-time anatomical imaging and instrument tracking at the same time. Studies performed with 11 clinical operators show that the proposed navigation solution can guide needle insertions with a targeting accuracy of about 5 mm, which is comparable to existing approaches and unaffected by repeated attachment and detachment of the miniaturized tracking solution. The assistance proved particularly helpful for non-expert users and needle insertions performed outside of the US plane. The small size and reversible attachability of the proposed navigation solution promises streamlined integration into the clinical workflow and widespread access to US navigated punctures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face-processing timing differences may underlie visual social attention differences between autistic and non-autistic people, and males and females. This study investigates the timing of the effects of neurotype and sex on face-processing, and their dependence on age. We analysed EEG data during upright and inverted photographs of faces from 492 participants from the Longitudinal European Autism Project (141 neurotypical males, 76 neurotypical females, 202 autistic males, 73 autistic females; age 6–30 years). We detected timings of sex/diagnosis effects on event-related potential amplitudes at the posterior–temporal channel P8 with Bootstrapped Cluster-based Permutation Analysis and conducted Growth Curve Analysis (GCA) to investigate the timecourse and dependence on age of neural signals. The periods of influence of neurotype and sex overlapped but differed in onset (respectively, 260 and 310 ms post-stimulus), with sex effects lasting longer. GCA revealed a smaller and later amplitude peak in autistic female children compared to non-autistic female children; this difference decreased in adolescence and was not significant in adulthood. No age-dependent neurotype difference was significant in males. These findings indicate that sex and neurotype influence longer latency face processing and implicates cognitive rather than perceptual processing. Sex may have more overarching effects than neurotype on configural face processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular (CVS) conditions remain the main etiology of death in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) even after control of classic risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aim: This study is to detect the sequalae of serum phosphorus and calcium level abnormalities in individuals with CKD and their relation to occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in those cases. Methods: A cross-sectional work involved 100 individuals with CKD managed with or without dialysis. They were admitted to Internal Medicine Department, Coronary Care Unit of Sohag University Hospital. Each participant had been subjected to full history taking, clinical assessment, and investigations including serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, blood urea, parathyroid hormone level, lipid profile, troponin, CK-MB, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography. Results: A substantial elevation in serum calcium and phosphorus levels was existed in individuals with CKD with ACS group compared to patients with CKD without ACS group (p = 0.026 and 0.001 respectively). The mean calcium/phosphorus ratio was 3.04 ± 2.14 in patients with CKD with ACS group, while it was 2.31 ± 1.17 in patients with CKD without ACS group. A substantial raise in calcium/phosphorus ratio was existed in CKD with ACS group as compared to patients with CKD without ACS group (p = 0.047). ROC curve analysis shows that calcium/phosphorus ratio can predict acute coronary syndrome at cutoff 1.94 with area under the curve 0.652 with sensitivity and specificity that were 77.8% and 52.1% correspondingly (p = 0.007). Conclusion: A substantial raise in calcium and phosphorus levels was existed in individuals with CKD with ACS group contrasted to individuals with CKD without ACS group. Calcium/phosphorus ratio can predict acute coronary syndrome at cutoff 1.94. Clinical trial registration number: NCT05134220. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a scheme for optimizing the extraction of Damask rose essential oil under supercritical conditions. The effects of temperature, pressure, and static time on the extraction process were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that increasing pressure and static time had a positive effect on extraction, while increasing temperature had a negative effect. The optimal conditions for extraction were found to be 45 °C, 180 bar, and 180 min, with an efficiency of approximately 92% and a content of 54.2% for 2-phenylethanol. The extraction process was modeled using Peng–Robinson equations based on equilibrium data, with values of kij and lij determined as 0.311 and 0.037, respectively. The separation unit was simulated using Aspen Hysys, with operating conditions set at 20 °C and 55 bar. An economic evaluation of the industrial plan was conducted using Aspen Plus. The fixed investment cost (FIC) for the project was calculated as $412,000, and the manufacturing cost was estimated at $220,000. The capital return period for the project was determined to be 8 months, indicating that the initial investment would be recovered within this timeframe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of nanotechnology and the widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs) in various industries have highlighted the importance of studying the potential harmful effects of nanomaterials on organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the lethal toxicity thresholds of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuO-NPs). The investigation focused on examining the sub-lethal toxicity effects of CuO-NPs on blood parameters, as well as their influence on the gill tissue and liver of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Goldfish were exposed to varying concentrations of CuO-NPs (10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/L) for 96 h. The Probit software was employed to determine the LC50 (lethal concentration causing 50% fish mortality) by monitoring and documenting fish deaths at 24, 48, 72, and 96-hour intervals. Subsequently, sub-lethal concentrations of 5% LC50 (T1), 10% LC50 (T2), and 15% LC50 (T3) of CuO-NPs were administered based on the LC50 level to investigate their effects on haematological parameters, encompassing the number of red blood cells and white blood cells, hematocrit and haemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Additionally, histopathological examinations were conducted on the gill and liver tissues of the studied fish. Results indicated concentration-response of fish mortalities. In general, changes in the blood biochemical parameters of fish exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of CuO-NPs included a significant decrease in leukocyte count and glucose level and an increase in protein and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, an escalation in tissue damage such as gill apical and basal hyperplasia, lamellae attachment, squamous cell swelling, blood cell infiltration, and cellular oedema in gills tissue. and bleeding, increased sinusoidal space, necrosis, lateralization of the nucleus, cell swelling, and water retention in the liver. The findings showed dose-dependent increasing toxicity in goldfish specimens exposed to CuO-NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In patients with acromegaly, secondary treatment options in cases of hormonal non-remission or tumor progression include repeat transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), radiation-based treatment (RT), or medical therapy (MT). In this study, we aim to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of various second-line treatment options for acromegaly. Methods: Using the PRISMA guideline, a systematic review was performed by searching MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane electronic bibliographic databases from conception to the end of 2022. Outcomes of interest included hormonal remission rate, complications, and mortality associated with each treatment modality for refractory acromegaly. Results: A total of 79 studies including 3,208 refractory acromegaly patients (44.90% males) were analyzed, with a mean patient age of 43.89 years. There was a statistically significant difference between various therapeutic modalities in terms of remission rate, with MT offering the highest remission rate (62.55%), followed by RT (50.15%) and TSS (37.39%). Subgroup analysis of radiotherapeutic and medical modalities did not show a significant difference in remission rate between different kinds of sub-modalities in each treatment approach. Recurrence following secondary treatment was not different in patients treated with reoperation TSS compared to other modalities. Conclusions: The management of persistent and recurrent acromegaly optimally requires a multimodal approach. In different scenarios of refractory acromegaly based on previous treatment, secondary treatments may vary in terms of remission rate and complications. Medical agents provide considerable effectiveness as a second-line therapy for recurrent or persistent disease. In selected cases, however, reoperation still provides an opportunity for cure or freedom from medications. The findings of this study may help clinicians to prioritize varying options involved in this multifaceted decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites, with an emphasis on the thermal characteristics of the materials. Employing a twin-screw extruder and injection molding techniques, the author aimed to elucidate the effects of varying MWCNT concentrations and dispersion patterns, deliberately excluding a compatibilizer from the study. The findings revealed a marginal increase in the crystallization peak temperatures of PP under non-isothermal conditions upon the addition of MWCNTs. Crucially, the research identified a significant "percolation threshold" of 0.5 mass% of MWCNTs, beyond which substantial improvements in physical properties were observed in the absence of a compatibilizer. Below this threshold, an augmented interfacial area between PP and MWCNTs notably enhanced PP's thermal stability. Noteworthy is the discernible reinforcing impact of MWCNTs, particularly evident at elevated temperatures, as indicated by the elucidated "n" index. Furthermore, the investigation showcased reduced shrinkage in composite fibers compared to control fibers, with heat-treated fibers exhibiting a narrow melting peak at 170 °C. This work is essential to the development of materials with improved physical characteristics because it provides valuable insights into the effects of MWCNTs on PP nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The androgenesis is efficiently used to produce doubled-haploid plants. Currently, the modified NLN medium is the only suggested medium for microspore culture in eggplant. In this study, we have investigated the effects of three different types of media (modified NLN, Gamborg's B5, and Murashige and Skoog (MS)) on the induction of microspore androgenesis in eggplant. B5 medium with 2% sucrose, 0.5 mg/L 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), and 0.5 mg/L 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) showed the best results for microspore-derived callus formation. The results exhibit the significant role of the B5 medium in improving microspore androgenesis in eggplant and suggest that this medium can be a new way to progress microspore culture in this plant. We also analyzed the potential of several hormone treatments in MS medium for plant regeneration from microspore-derived calli. The five treatments, M28 (4 mg/L BAP), M19 (8 mg/L BAP + 8 mg/L kinetin = Kin), M25 (4 mg/L Kin + 0.2 mg/L NAA), M20 (0.4 mg/L BAP + 0.4 mg/L Kin), and M27 (4 mg/L BAP + 0.2 mg/L Indole-3-butyric acid = IBA) produced the highest number of shoot primordia in the primary culture, respectively. After subculturing, the M28 treatment had the highest number of shoot primordia and shoots with 1–10 mm and 11–30 mm sizes. The 100 microspore-derived plants were randomly selected and analyzed to determine their ploidy level. The percentages of haploid, diploid, and mixoploid plants were 6%, 84%, and 10%, respectively.Key message: Gamborg’s B5 medium can be used to produce large numbers of microspore-derived calli in eggplant. Additionally, haploid plantlets can be regenerated using a BAP and Kin-based protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a promising neurological agent with potential beneficial effects on memory and cognitive function. The combination of CBD and topiramate in the treatment of some neurological diseases has been of great interest. Since Topiramate-induced memory loss is a major drawback of its clinical application and the overall effect of the combination of CBD and topiramate on memory is still unclear, here we investigated the effect of CBD on topiramate-induced memory loss and the underlying molecular mechanisms. A one trial step-through inhibitory test was used to evaluate memory consolidation in rats. Moreover, the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in the combination of CBD and topiramate in memory consolidation was evaluated through the intra-CA1 administration of MK-801 and NMDA. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate variations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (pCREB)/CREB ratio in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC). While the intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of topiramate (50, 75, and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced inhibitory time latency, the i.p. administration of CBD (20 and 40 mg/kg) could effectively reverse these effects. Similarly, the sub-effective doses of NMDA plus CBD (10 mg/kg) could improve the topiramate-induced memory loss along with an enhancement in BDNF and pCREB expression in the PFC and HPC. Contrarily, the administration of sub-effective doses of the NMDAR antagonist (MK-801) diminished the protective effects of CBD (20 mg/kg) on topiramate-induced memory loss associated with decreased BDNF and pCREB levels in the PFC and HPC. These findings suggest that CBD can improve topiramate-induced memory impairment, partially by the NMDARs of the PFC and HPC, possibly regulated by the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway. Considering the neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol and the deteriorative effect of topiramate on memory function, we investigated the overall effect of the interesting and novel option of their co-administration. Our findings revealed that cannabidiol has ameliorative effects on topiramate-induced memory loss, partially via hippocampal and prefrontal cortical NMDA receptors and CREB/BDNF signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of different morphologies of PbWO4 through a simple co-precipitation method was the aim of this work. This product was produced by reacting between a new source of lead, Pb(2-hydroxyacetophenone)2, and Na2W as a tungsten source. It tried to obtain the aim by changing solvent, pH, and surfactant as effective parameters on the morphology and purity of products. According to the results, surfactants can affect the purity of the product by preventing the reactions between reagents, complemently, so impurities were produced along with the main product. Then, the role of morphology products on their photocatalytic activity was studied. The studies showed that some of the morphologies can trap charge carriers (electron or holes generated by photo-excitation) and decrease the photocatalytic yield. The photocatalytic activity of the products was investigated by the degradation of rhodamine B as an organic pollutant under visible and ultraviolet irradiation. The high degradation percent of this dye under irradiations confirmed the potential of PbWO4 nanostructures for photocatalytic applications. The kinetics studies indicated that the photocatalytic reactions are following the first-order reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a cutaneous disorder identified by well-defined pigmented plaques mostly detected on skin folds. Timely diagnosis and treatment of AN is essential as it could be an early manifestation of an underlying condition. The treatment of choice for AN has not been determined yet. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of various lasers with topical medications, including cream and peel. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine, were thoroughly searched until May 1st, 2023. Study selection was restricted to clinical trials published in English language comparing lasers with topical treatments. This study followed the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Out of 1748 studies, Six clinical trials met our inclusion criteria, with 133 patients. We examined laser therapies, including fractional CO2 laser, 1550-nm erbium fiber laser, and long-pulsed alexandrite laser, while the topical treatments comprised glycolic acid (GA) peel, retinoic acid peel, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel, and tretinoin cream. In two studies, GA peel demonstrated favorable results compared to fractional CO2 laser. Besides, fractional CO2 laser exhibited efficacy, surpassing TCA peel in AN management. Additionally, a fractional 1550-nm erbium fiber laser displayed superiority over tretinoin cream in reducing average roughness. Similarly, a long-pulsed alexandrite laser demonstrated its effectiveness in axillary AN treatment compared to the combination of tretinoin and ammonium lactate. Overall, the findings revealed that laser therapy was associated with superior results. Moreover, topical treatments are safe and efficacious in AN management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) poses an additional risk for the development of coronary artery disease and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). In this study, we investigated the association between MetS and its components and MACCE after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The presence of MetS was calculated at baseline using the NCEP-ATP III criteria. The primary outcome was MACCE and its components were secondary outcomes. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox Regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the association between MetS or its components and MACCE and its components. A total of 13,459 ACS patients who underwent PCI (MetS: 7939 and non-MetS: 5520) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 11.0 years (male: 72.5%) were included and median follow-up time was 378 days. Patients with MetS had significantly higher MACCE risk (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.22, 95% CI 1.08–1.39). The only component of MACCE that exhibited a significantly higher incidence in MetS patients was myocardial infarction (aHR 1.43, 95% CI 1.15–1.76). MetS components that were significantly associated with a higher incidence of MACCE were hypertension and impaired fasting glucose. Having three MetS components did not increase MACCE (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 0.96–1.30) while having four (aHR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13–1.55) or five (aHR 1.42, 95% CI 1.15–1.75) MetS components was associated with a higher incidence of MACCE. MetS was associated with a higher risk of MACCE in ACS patients undergoing PCI. Among MACCE components, myocardial infarction was significantly higher in patients with MetS. Impaired fasting glucose and hypertension were associated with a higher risk of MACCE. Identifying these patterns can guide clinicians in choosing appropriate preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and synthesis of novel cytotoxic agents is still an interesting topic for medicinal chemistry researchers due to the unwanted side effects of anticancer drugs. In this study, a novel series of uracil–azole hybrids were designed and synthesized. The cytotoxic activity, along with computational studies: molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, density functional theory, and ADME properties were also, evaluated. The compounds were synthesized by using 3-methyl-6-chlorouracil as the starting material. Cytotoxicity was determined using MTT assay in the breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HEPG-2). These derivatives demonstrated powerful inhibitory activity against breast and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines in comparison to Cisplatin as positive control. Among these compounds, 4j displayed the best selectivity profile and good activity with IC50 values of 16.18 ± 1.02 and 7.56 ± 5.28 µM against MCF-7 and HEPG-2 cell lines respectively. Structure–activity relationships revealed that the variation in the cytotoxic potency of the synthesized compounds was affected by various substitutions of benzyl moiety. The docking output showed that 4j bind well in the active site of EGFR and formed a stable complex with the EGFR protein. DFT was used to investigate the reactivity descriptors of 4a and 4j. The outputs demonstrated that these uracil–azole hybrids can be considered as potential cytotoxic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are synthesized by a green chemistry method, and their structural, compositional, chemical, morphological and optical properties are characterized by different techniques. The resulting CQDs contain nitrogen from chestnut fruits, making them suitable for detecting cancer drugs as evaluated by the photoluminescence (PL) method. For this purpose, a sensitive and straightforward sensor based on the CQDs is developed for selective detection of fluorouracil (5-FU) as an anticancer drug. The fluorescence (FL) quenching method is also investigated and optimized for the CQD-based sensor, resulting in a linear range and limit of detection (LOD) of 0–7.5 μM and 41 nM, respectively. Moreover, the quantum yield (QY) is calculated to be QY = 1.32%, which is a promising result. In addition, good results are achieved by using the sensor in a urine sample. Accordingly, the simply synthesized CQD-based sensor offers a high sensitivity for the measurement of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Tramadol and ethanol, as psychoactive agents, are often abused. Discovering the molecular pathways of drug-induced memory creation may contribute to preventing drug addiction and relapse. Objective: The tramadol- and ethanol-induced state-dependent memory (SDM) and cross-SDM retrieval between tramadol and ethanol were examined in this study. Moreover, because of the confirmed involvement of GABAA receptors and GABAergic neurotransmission in memory retrieval impairment, we assessed cross-SDM retrieval between tramadol and ethanol with a specific emphasis on the role of the GABAA receptors. The first hypothesis of this study was the presence of cross-SDM between tramadol and ethanol, and the second hypothesis was related to possible role of GABAA receptors in memory retrieval impairment within the dorsal hippocampus. The cannulae were inserted into the hippocampal CA1 area of NMRI mice, and a step-down inhibitory avoidance test was used to evaluate state dependence and memory recovery. Results: The post-training and/or pre-test administration of tramadol (2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) and/or ethanol (0.5 and 1 g/kg, i.p.) induced amnesia, which was restored after the administration of the drugs 24 h later during the pre-test period, proposing ethanol and tramadol SDM. The pre-test injection of ethanol (0.25 and 0.5 g/kg, i.p.) with tramadol at an ineffective dose (1.25 mg/kg) enhanced tramadol SDM. Moreover, tramadol injection (1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg) with ethanol at the ineffective dose (0.25 g/kg) promoted ethanol SDM. Furthermore, the pre-test intra-CA1 injection of bicuculline (0.0625, 0.125, and 0.25 μg/mouse), a GABAA receptor antagonist, 5 min before the injection of tramadol (5 mg/kg) or ethanol (1 g/kg) inhibited tramadol- and ethanol-induced SDM dose-dependently. Conclusion: The findings strongly confirmed cross-SDM between tramadol and ethanol and the critical role of dorsal hippocampal GABAA receptors in the cross-SDM between tramadol and ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, diffusion bonding was employed to joint AA2024 and AA6061 alloys. To select the alloy material of the interlayer, the atomic diffusion of tin, zinc, and gallium elements was modeled at a concentration of 90.1 wt % in pure aluminum. According to the modeling results, tin was selected as the main element of the interlayer alloy. Diffusion bonding was carried out in a tube furnace at a heating rate of 5°C/min under vacuum (7.5 × 10–3 Torr) and the temperature of 453°C for 210 min for Sn–5.3Ag–4.6Bi interlayer. This experiment was performed considering one interlayer with different thicknesses (20, 50, and 70 µm). Joints were assessed by SEM, and elemental mapping. Ag3Al, Mg45Al40Ag15 inter-metallic compounds, Sn-rich in solid solutions, and Sn + Cu6Sn5 phase were formed at the joint site of the interlayer. The maximum tensile strength of the samples with a joint thickness of 20 µm was 52 MPa after 210 min. By the increase of the Sn–5.3Ag–4.6Bi interlayer thickness (20–70 µm), the average unit tensile stress showed a decline. The effect of the interlayer thickness (20, 50, 70 µm) was investigated on the hardness, strength, and particle size as well as the joint phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most prevalent malignancies among males is prostate carcinoma (PCa). For the diagnosis of PCa, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) constitutes by far the most accurate imaging technique. The PI-RADS v2.1 indications for dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequence include identifying PI-RADS score 3 lesions, as clinically significant prostate carcinoma, aiding evaluation of examinations having poor quality of T2 as well as diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and helping readers having relatively reduced expertise. Most articles don't provide outcomes pertaining to these indications, which weakens their conclusions. All MRI scans, even those with low quality T2 or DWI, were included in our study. Additionally, special emphasis on assessing peripheral zone lesions was made. Our objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the various mpMRI pulse sequences, including the T2 sequence, diffusion and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) sequences, both T2 and diffusion sequences (biparametric (bp) MRI), DCE sequence, and the entire examination (mpMRI), in the diagnosis of PCa in the peripheral as well as the transitional zone using PI-RADS version 2.1 scoring system, once when malignant lesions are considered as those having PI-RADS scores 4 and 5 and once when PI-RADS categories 3, 4 and 5 were regarded as malignant. Results: In the assessment of peripheral zone lesions, when PI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 were considered malignant, both bpMRI and mpMRI showed similar sensitivity (94.29%) and diagnostic accuracy (77.78%) while when considering scores 4 and 5 malignant, mpMRI demonstrated increased diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity but lower specificity (sensitivity was 82.86%/60%, specificity was 80%/100%, and diagnostic accuracy was 82.22%/68.89% for mpMRI/bpMRI test comparaison). Both bpMRI and mpMRI had similar sensitivity (95.83%) and diagnostic accuracy (71.05%) when PI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 were regarded as malignant; however, mpMRI demonstrated better diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity considering scores 4 and 5 malignant (sensitivity was 77.08% for mpMRI compared to 60.42% for bpMRI and diagnostic accuracy was 82.89% for mpMRI compared to 75% for bpMRI). Conclusions: Both bpMRI and mpMRI demonstrated similar diagnostic accuracy when PI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 were taken into account as malignant while mpMRI had higher diagnostic accuracy considering categories 4 and 5 malignant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway is of central importance for the immune function. It prevents hyperinflammation and induces long-term immune tolerance. Accumulating evidence also demonstrates cytoprotective and immunomodulatory properties of kynurenine pathway in conditions affecting either central or peripheral nervous system as well as other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although multilevel association exists between the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and various neurologic (e.g., neurodegenerative) disorders, it is believed that the kynurenine pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of both IBD and neurodegenerative disorders. In this setting, there is strong evidence linking the gut-brain axis with intestinal dysfunctions including IBD which is consistent with the fact that the risk of neurodegenerative diseases is higher in IBD patients. This review aims to highlight the role of kynurenine metabolic pathway in various neurologic and psychiatric diseases as well as relationship between IBD and neurodegenerative disorders in the light of the kynurenine metabolic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graves' disease is one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism. Guideline recommendations advocate the intake of thionamides for at least 1 year. If hyperthyroidism persists, subsequent radioiodine-131 treatment (RIT) is a therapeutic option. Thionamides are known to influence intra-thyroidal bio-kinetics of iodine and should therefore be discontinued at least 3 days prior to RIT if possible. However, the required therapeutic activity has to be calculated individually by pre-therapeutic measurement of the uptake prior to RIT [radioiodine-131 uptake test (RIUT)] in Germany according to national guidelines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the influence of thionamides on intra-therapeutic uptake. A cohort of 829 patients with Graves' disease undergoing RIUT and RIT was analysed. Patients were subdivided into three groups. Group A: patients with carbimazole medication (n = 312), group B: patients with methimazole medication (n = 252) and group C: patients without thionamides (n = 265). Group A and B were further subdivided depending on the reduction of dosage of thionamides. In order to analyse the influence of thionamides, the variance of the determined individual extrapolated maximum intra-thyroidal uptake (EMU) between RIUT and RIT within the single groups and within the subgroups was statistically evaluated. When administering an equal dose of thionamides or no thionamides in RIUT and RIT (groups A1, B1 and C) no significant differences were detected when comparing EMU in RIT to EMU in RIUT (p > 0.05). In the subgroups A2–A4 (reduced dosage of carbimazole prior to RIT) EMU was significantly increased in RIT compared to RIUT [21% for a reduction of 0 to < 10 mg/d (A2), 39% for a reduction of 10–15 mg/d (A3) and 80% for a reduction of > 15 mg/d (A4)]. In the subgroups B2–B4 (reduced dosage of methimazole prior to RIT) EMU was as well significantly increased in RIT compared to RIUT [26% for a reduction of 0 to < 10 mg/d (B2), 36% for a reduction of 10–15 mg/d (B3) and 59% for a reduction of > 15 mg/d (B4)]. A significant dose-dependent increase of EMU in RIT compared to EMU in RIUT in patients discontinuing or reducing thionamides was detected. Therefore, thionamides should be discontinued at least 2 days prior to RIUT in order to achieve the designated target dose more precisely and to minimize radiation exposure of organs at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to assess groundwater resources in Sinai's central area using remote sensing, geoelectric, and well-logging data, utilising techniques for modelling hydrogeological frameworks and evaluating desert regions' groundwater potential. Its utilized satellite image sources, soil maps, and geological maps to map the effects of various factors on groundwater potentiality recharge, dividing it into five zones. Eighteen deep VES stations were used to examine the upper part of the groundwater aquifer in Central Sinai, Egypt, comparing it with available borehole information (Well-1, and JICA-1) to establish subsurface geology and hydro-geology positioning. Borehole data, VES interpretation results, hydro-geophysical maps, and four geoelectrical cross-sections were used to visualize the rearward expansion of eight lithological units, groundwater-bearing sections, and aquifer-filled thicknesses. From interpretation data output reveal three zones with significant recharge and storage potential, including two groundwater aquifers. The shallow aquifer has a saturation thickness of the fractured limestone of 35–250 m, while the deep aquifer Nubian sandstone is detected at depths ranging from 660–1030 m. NW–SE and NE–SW faults likely recharge conduits connecting shallow and deep aquifers, providing sites with acceptable groundwater potential for living, agriculture, and development in Sinai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate heat sink effects in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under thyroid-specific conditions. In an ex vivo model, bovine thyroid lobes were ablated using bipolar RFA with 2.0 kJ energy input at a power level set to 10 W (n = 35) and 25 W (n = 35). Glass vessels (3.0 mm outer diameter) placed within the ablation zone were used to deliver tissue perfusion at various flow rates (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 20 ml/min). Temperature was measured in the proximity of the vessel (Tv) and in the non-perfused contralateral region of the ablation zone (Tc), at equal distances to the ablation electrode (d = 8 mm). Maximum temperature within the perfused zone was significantly lowered with Tv ranging from 54.1 ± 1.5 °C (20 ml/min) to 56.9 ± 1.5 °C (0.25 ml/min), compared to Tc from 63.2 ± 3.5 °C (20 ml/min) to 63.2 ± 2.6 °C (0.25 ml/min) (10 W group). The cross-sectional ablation zone area decreased with increasing flow rates from 184 ± 12 mm2 (0 ml/min) to 141 ± 20 mm2 (20 ml/min) at 10 W, and from 207 ± 22 mm2 (0 ml/min) to 158 ± 31 mm2 (20 ml/min) in the 25 W group. Significant heat sink effects were observed under thyroid-specific conditions even at flow rates ≤ 1 ml/min. In thyroid nodules with prominent vasculature, heat dissipation through perfusion may therefore result in clinically relevant limitations to ablation efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing heat transfer and reducing pressure in plate heat exchanger were presented in this study. Due to higher thermal conductivity and good thermophysical properties, nanofluids are promising candidate to increase the heat transfer rate in heat exchangers. In this study, carbon nanotube was applied in a plate heat exchanger to fabricate nanofluid and then compared with basefluid. Multiwall carbon nanotube was stabilized in a water-based fluid by sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactan. The nanofluid with mass percentage (or concentration) of 0.01 was placed adjacent to the warm fluid of deionized water in a heat exchanger with 13 plates. In order to investigate the functional groups, structural analysis and morphology of the nanoparticle, energy‑dispersive X‑ray spectroscopy, Fourier infrared spectrometer, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used. The effect of changing the flow rate of hot fluid and nanofluid on the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of nanofluid were experimentally analyzed. The results in the range of laminar flow demonstrated that increasing the flow rate of hot fluid increases the overall heat transfer coefficient (53.47%) and decreases the pressure drop of nanofluid. Furthermore, the results show that increasing the nanofluid flow rate increases the nanofluid's overall heat transfer coefficient by 43.4%. Finally, investigations on evaluation of the effect of nanofluid on the efficiency of the heat exchanger compared to the state without nanofluid show that the increase in the flow rate of hot fluid and cold fluid leads to an increase of 22.9% and 17.3% in efficiency, respectively, which indicates carbon nanotubes improve heat exchanger performance in high flow rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lot of interest in examining high-entropy alloys (HEAs) due to the high work hardening and, consequently, increased strength and ductility synergy. In this research, the addition of 5 at.% Al element to the MnCrCoFeNi alloy and its effect on work hardening, deformation activation energy, critical temperature, and work-hardening exponent were investigated. For this purpose, the alloy was melted in a vacuum arc remelting furnace. After casting, homogenization, and cold rolling, the samples were annealed at 1100°C for 1 h. The produced alloy is a single-phase solid solution with a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal lattice. Examining the work-hardening diagrams indicates that twinning exists in the microstructure of the alloy and is involved in the deformation mechanism. By adding 5 at.% aluminum to the Cantor alloy, the work-hardening exponent increased by 20% at room temperature and 200% at 600°C, recrystallization temperature increased up to ~ 200°C, and the activation energy of the deformation, ~ 445 kJ/mol, was calculated. The steady-state stress equation was also calculated versus to the strain rate, temperature, and the Zener parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recombinant human KGF1 (rhKGF) is a fibroblast growth factor that promotes epidermal cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and wound repair. In this study, we used the cell culture of a hazelnut expression system to produce rhKGF. These cells have a high growth rate. A cassette containing the rhKGF gene fused to hydrophobin tag was modified based on the hazelnut optimized codon usage and subsequently introduced into a hazelnut suspension culture under the control of a RAmy3D promoter, and secreted into the plant cell culture medium. The results showed that the highest transcription rate of the rhKGF gene was obtained under the RAmy3D promoter on the third day of transgenic cell placement in the promoter induction medium. To optimize the production of rhKGF secreted into the culture medium, the pH of the medium was adjusted during the production phase. After exposing the hazelnut cells to a pH of 7 for 12 d in the production phase, it was observed that approximately 95.35% of the cells remained viable. Western blotting analysis revealed the presence of two specific bands at approximately 30 and 40 kDa, corresponding to the fusion protein in the purified hydrophobin-rhKGF. The higher molecular weight of the fusion protein (~ 40 kDa) compared to the calculated weight is likely due to glycosylation. These results indicate that the transient expression system is effective in producing a significant amount of rhKGF within a few weeks using hazelnut cells. The amount of biomass produced could increase up to 7 times within a 24-d period, indicating that cell suspension could be a viable option for producing foreign proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nubian sandstone aquifer (NSA) is defined by using 19 vertical electrical sounding (VES) stations, 201 gravity stations, which define the structures that control the configuration of the NSA, and 183 land magnetic stations, which define the lower surface of the NSA by determining the depth of the basement surface. In order to assess the top of the NSA, we collected and analyzed 19 deep VESes. The upper surface depth of the NSA spans from 707 to 1154 m, according to the interpretation results for various geophysical data. Additionally, the aquifer's resistivities ranged from 30.2 to 477 Ω m, which indicates good groundwater quality. According to the interpretation of the gravity result, the study region is influenced by many structural characteristics of different trends, including northwest–southeast, northeast–southwest, and east–west trends. The upper surface depth of crystalline rocks (also known as basement rocks) is determined by three-dimensional magnetic modeling to range between 967 and 4122 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study investigated the deposition of micro-scaled particles using the lattice Boltzmann (LBM) and finite volume (FVM). A real-time data transfer is used to transfer data between LBM and FVM, while a special grid generation algorithm is used to generate a boundary grid around the micro-particles. In order to track particle information such as velocity, direction, and concentration over time, an adaptive interface is developed between FVM and LBM zones. The pore-scale porous media approach is assumed to further improve the results' quality and reliability. Pores have an average diameter of two mm, while micro-particles have an average diameter of 0.2 mm. The results showed that the deposition layer's formation directly affected the fluid's flux rate at the inlet. Heat transfer coefficients of the fluid change in response to the density of the fluid as the deposition layer thickness increases. The thermal conductivity coefficient of the wall decreases as the deposition layer increases, which is variable over time and along the path. Furthermore, we found that heat transfer and pressure drop are affected by the deposition process in the porous medium. Porous media with an increasing pressure drop are also subject to an increasing pressure drop due to the deposition process. In addition, the particles' thermal conductivity can affect the porous medium's net heat transfer rate. The heat transfer coefficient has been evaluated, and the results showed that 8.43% exists between the numerical analysis and the results of the empirical test at the highest error value. Existing particles' density bank in the porous medium beats, such particles exhibit little change due to their extremely small size, resulting in a 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent increase in pressure drop due to deposition at 100. It showed that the suggested method of grid generation based on the cell birth–death algorithm, which serves as the foundation for the particle's transfer tracking algorithm, the porous medium abled track 70 million particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study region is in Sinai (Egypt), which lies almost in the center of the Sinai Peninsula. It is situated between two latitudes 29°28′48.8″ and 30°11′43.5″ N and longitudes 33°05′34.4″ and 34°37′09″ E. The present study of magnetic and gravity methods were used in this investigation to delineate subsurface structures (structural elements and basins), and the basement depth serves as the area planning foundation. Aquifers of water or oil can be found in basins. There were measured 1202 magnetic and gravity stations placed in the study region. Oasis Montaj was used to process data of both magnetic and gravity. The ground data of magnetic was subjected to reductions to the North Pole, high and low pass filtering, tilt derivatives, structural interpretation, and Euler solution techniques. A basement relief map was built using 2D gravity and magnetic modeling. The research area basement rocks lay between 1500 and 5700 m beneath the surface. The depth was estimated using 2D modeling, and the results suggest that a deep underground (basin) may be visible in the northern regions of the study area. However, the southern parts of the area under research show a shallower depth of crystalline rocks and thinner sediment layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Today, methods that enable students to benefit from online programs to the fullest and learn independently and self-directed are of critical importance. Many scales have been developed to measure self-directed learning in the physical classroom. This study was conducted to design and assess the psychometric properties of an instrument to assess learning process in a virtual environment. Materials and methods: A questionnaire for assessing s learning process in a virtual environment was developed following six steps. The process began with a systematic search for related articles. A qualitative study was then conducted to identify self-directed learning strategies and processes in virtual environments. The identified strategies were then compared with those from a literature review, and the scale items were developed accordingly. Expert validation, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability analysis were conducted to ensure questionnaire validity and reliability. This study included online postgraduate students from Iranian medical science universities in 2019. Results: The scale consisted of 5 factors and 44 items. In exploratory factor analysis, five subscales explained 90% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for the total scale. The interclass correlation coefficient between the test and retest was 0.77. Conclusion: A questionnaire designed to assess learning process in a virtual environment for postgraduate virtual students has reasonable psychometric properties, including reasonable internal reliability and construct validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to examine the effect of spirituality-based palliative care on pain, nausea, vomiting, and the quality of life in 80 Iranian colon cancer inpatients from January to June 2020 in southern Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group took part in four 120-min sessions while the control group received standard care. Pain, nausea, vomiting, and quality of life were assessed before the intervention and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test. Between-groups differences analysis showed a significant difference in the quality of life scores, pain score, as well as nausea and vomiting scores following the one-month intervention. In conclusion, this group spirituality-based palliative care intervention might be beneficial in improving quality of life and reducing symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) includ the largest classes of non-specific plant acid phosphatases. Most characterized PAPs were found to play physiological functions in phosphorus metabolism. In this study, we investigated the function of AtPAP17 gene encoding an important purple acid phosphatase in Arabidopsis thaliana. Methods: The full-length cDNA sequence of AtPAP17 gene under the control of CaMV-35S promoter was transferred to the A. thaliana WT plant. The generated homozygote AtPAP17-overexpressed plants were compared by the types of analyses with corresponding homozygote atpap17-mutant plant and WT in both + P (1.2 mM) and − P (0 mM) conditions. Results: In the + P condition, the highest and the lowest amount of Pi was observed in AtPAP17-overexpressed plants and atpap17-mutant plants by 111% increase and 38% decrease compared with the WT plants, respectively. Furthermore, under the same condition, APase activity of AtPAP17-overexpressed plants increased by 24% compared to the WT. Inversely, atpap17-mutant plant represented a 71% fall compared to WT plants. The comparison of fresh weight and dry weight in the studied plants showed that the highest and the lowest amount of absorbed water belonged to OE plants (with 38 and 12 mg plant−1) and Mu plants (with 22 and 7 mg plant−1) in + P and − P conditions, respectively. Conclusion: The lack of AtPAP17 gene in the A. thaliana genome led to a remarkable reduction in the development of root biomass. Thus, AtPAP17 could have an important role in the root but not shoot developmental and structural programming. Consequently, this function enables them to absorb more water and eventually associated with more phosphate absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Curcumin is active ingredient of turmeric The main purpose of this study is evaluating impact of curcumin on suger, hypoalgesia and inflammatory factors in diabetic mice. Materials and methods: Male mice divided into six groups of 6. One group as a negative and the other five groups injected with Streptozotocin (STZ) (200 mg/kg). Diabetic mice in each group given different treatments for twenty-one days.After that, blood sugar and neuroathy studies have been done and tissue samples the liver were studied for gene expression. Result: Curcumin reduced blood sugar, but the rate of hypoglycemia was significantly lower than metformin group P > 0.05, and the comparison of the synergistic effect of curcumin and metformin with metformin was not significant P > 0.05. Also, in neuropathy studies, the groups which recieved curcumin and metformin have shown a significant difference with diabetic group P < 0.01, Also, by evaluating inflammatory factors, there was a significant difference in the expression of TNF-a, IL-6 and NfkB, but there is no significant difference in the expression of Sirt1 P < 0.05. Conclusions: The analgesic effect of curcumin was quite evident, probably due to the significant impact of this herbal drug in reducing the expression of inflammatory genes NF-kB, IL6, and TNF-α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The currently used scheme for radioligand therapy (RLT) of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) consists of 4–6 cycles of 6.0–7.4 GBq [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 each. This standard treatment scheme has proved safe and effective resulting in objective response in most patients with no significant toxicity. Many patients, however, show high-volume residual tumor burden after the sixth cycle and may benefit from treatment continuation. Extended treatment with additional cycles has been withheld due to concerns on potential increased toxicity. Methods: Twenty-six patients with high-volume residual tumor burden (according to CHAARTED) after standard RLT with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and no alternative treatment option received additional RLT cycles reaching a median of 10 (range 7–16) cycles with a mean activity of 7.4 ± 0.9 GBq per cycle. Response assessment with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was done every 2–3 cycles or if disease progression was clinically suspected or based on change in PSA value (according to the PCWG3 criteria). Toxicity was measured using routine blood work up including blood counts, liver and renal function, and was graded according to CTCAE v5.0 criteria. Survival outcome was calculated based on the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Further PSA decline of 33 ± 28% during the extended treatment was observed in 21/26 (81%) patients, whereas 5/26 (19%) patients showed a PSA increase; correspondingly in 11/21 patients with an initial response (PR or SD) to extended cycles, treatment was discontinued due to progressive disease, whereas six (23%) patients achieved low-volume residual disease. Two (8%) patients died without showing progression, and two (8%) patients are still under therapy. The median progression-free survival was 19 (95% CI: 15–23) months, and the overall survival was 29 (95% CI: 18–40) months. Grade ≥ 3 hematological toxicities occurred in 4/26 (15%) patients during treatment extension, and nephrotoxicity (grade ≥ 3) was observed in 1/26 (4%) patient during the follow-up. Conclusion: Extended radioligand therapy is a feasible treatment option in patients with high-volume residual tumor after the completion of standard treatment with six cycles of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. Improved survival and the acceptable safety profile warrant further investigation of the concept of additional cycles in selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I investigate the impact of voter turnout on top marginal tax rates in OECD countries between 1974 and 2013. I find that higher turnout leads to higher taxes for top earners, a result broadly consistent with the median voter theorem. Using novel survey data, I confirm that individuals in all but the wealthiest income bracket prefer higher taxes on the rich more than they prefer greater government spending in the economy. In line with these preferences, I find that turnout has a significantly negative effect on top income shares but no effect on the size of government or on public welfare expenditure. An instrumental variables approach confirms my findings. Overall, the paper is the first of its kind to link turnout to measures of redistribution that affect top earners and to preferences for redistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]