Assessment of hard and soft tissue thickness at mandibular symphysis in skeletal Class III patients with different vertical patterns.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the bony and soft tissue parameters at mandibular symphysis among skeletal Class III patients with different vertical growth patterns, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 60 skeletal Class III non-growing patients were evaluated (mean age 24.9 ± 8.4 years). Study samples were classified into three facial types based on the mandibular plane angle (SN-MP angle): low, normal, and high angle. The bony and soft tissue parameters at the mandibular symphysis were evaluated. RESULTS: Among hard tissue variables, symphysis and pogonion width were significantly narrower in the high-angle group (P < .05). The thickness of the buccal cortex at pogonion was also significantly thinner in subjects with high angles (P < .01). Symphysis height showed an increasing tendency from the low-angle to the high-angle group. However, no significant differences were found in chin width and height according to vertical patterns. Across all soft tissue measurements, the low-angle group exhibited the highest thickness, which gradually decreased in the high-angle group. Statistically significant differences in soft tissue thickness were observed at Menton (Me) and Gnathion (Gn) (P < .05). A significant negative correlation was observed between the SN-MP angle and the thickness of both hard and soft tissues. CONCLUSIONS: In skeletal Class III subjects, significant differences existed in both hard and soft tissues at the mandibular symphysis, depending on the vertical patterns. These results provide a comprehensive evaluation of symphyseal area, which can aid clinicians in identifying appropriate treatment approaches, especially for combined orthognathic and orthodontic treatment.

Influence of mucosal tissue height on implant crestal bone: A 10-year follow-up of a controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 10-year influence of soft tissue height (STH) on crestal bone level changes (CBC) in bone-level implants with non-matching internal conical connections. MATERIAL & METHODS: From the initial 97 patients, 59 (19 men, 40 women, age 55.86 ± 9.5 years) returned for the recall visit. Based on baseline STH, they were categorized into T1 (thin STH ≤2 mm, n = 33), T2 (thin STH augmented with allogenic tissue matrix (ATM), n = 32), and C (thick STH >2mm, n = 32). Implants were placed in the posterior mandible using a one-stage approach and received single screw-retained restorations. Clinical (PPD, BOP, PI) and radiographic examinations were conducted after 10 years, with CBC calculated mesial and distal to each implant. RESULTS: After 10 years, implants in surgically thickened (T2) or naturally thick STH (C) showed bone gains of 0.57 ± 0.55mm and 0.56 ± 0.40mm, respectively (p < 0.0001) shifting from an initial CBC of -0.21 ± 0.33 mm to 0.36 ± 0.29 mm in the thick STH group and -0.2 ± 0.35 mm to 0.37 ± 0.29 mm in the surgically thickened STH group after 10 years. Implants in naturally thin STH yielded a non-significant trend of bone loss (-0.12 ± 0.41mm; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Implants in thin STH (≤2 mm) exhibited greater CBC over the study period. Significant bone gains were observed in thick STH cases, indicating that naturally thick STH or STH augmentation with ATM and may contribute to maintaining CBC in long-term around implants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first long-term follow-up study suggesting that adequate soft tissue height around implants helps maintain stable peri-implant bone levels. While tissue thickness plays a key role, other factors also interact with peri-implant tissue height to sustain crestal bone stability over time.

Riverbed depth-specific microplastics distribution and potential use as process marker.

Riverbed sediments have been identified as temporary and long-term accumulation sites for microplastic particles (MPs), but the relocation and retention mechanisms in riverbeds still need to be better understood. In this study, we investigated the depth-specific occurrence and distribution (abundance, type, and size) of MPs in river sediments down to a depth of 100 cm, which had not been previously investigated in riverbeds. In four sediment freeze cores taken for the Main River (Germany), MPs (≥ 100 µm) were detected using two complementary analytical approaches (spectroscopy and thermoanalytical) over the entire depth with an average of 21.7 ± 21.4 MP/kg or 31.5 ± 28.0 mg/kg. Three vertical trends for MP abundance could be derived, fairly constant in top layers (0-|30 cm), a decrease in middle layers (30-60 cm), and a strong increase in deep layers (60-100 cm). The dominant polymer types were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and PP were also found in deep layers, albeit with the youngest age of earliest possible occurrence (EPO age of 1973 and 1954). The fraction of smaller-sized MPs (100-500 µm) increased with depth in shallow layers, but the largest MPs (> 1 mm) were detected in deep layers. Based on these findings, we elucidate the relationship between the depth-specific MP distribution and the prevailing processes of MP retention and sediment dynamics in the riverbed. We propose some implications and offer an initial conceptual approach, suggesting the use of microplastics as a potential environmental process tracer for driving riverbed sediment dynamics.

Asymmetry of the Subjective Visual Vertical in Patients With Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Deficit.

Background and Objectives: : Perception of verticality is clinically assessed using the subjective visual vertical (SVV), a test of the otolith system that consists of aligning a bar on the gravitational vertical in darkness. Patients with acute unilateral vestibulopathy (AUVP) show a systematic SVV bias toward the affected side, whichever the side of line orientation. Whether SVV estimates are symmetrical has not been investigated. Subjects and Methods: : This study included 10 patients with AUVP (vestibular neuritis) and 10 with BPPV (posterior semicircular canal). SVV measurements were made at two preset angles of line orientation (15° and 30°) toward the ipsilateral and contralateral sides, relative to the affected side. Results: : The results showed asymmetrical SVV estimates in the AUVP group, with significantly greater SVV errors for ipsilateral than contralateral line orientation, as well as for the preset angle of 30° compared to 15°. SVV estimates were significantly lower in patients with BPPV who also exhibited SVV asymmetry. SVV estimates remained unchanged just after the maneuver and were normalized some days later or after supplementary maneuvers. Conclusions: : SVV asymmetry should be routinely considered in the clinic. We recommend individually assessing ipsilateral and contralateral SVV and using at least two preset angles. This allows for a better assessment and diagnosis of otolith organ imbalance that can trigger chronic instability and dizziness. The contribution of neck afferents related to head position in space seems to be the main source of SVV asymmetry.

Dependence of Ultrafast Electron Emission Characteristics of Graphene Cold Cathode on Femtosecond Photoexcitation Polarization Angle.

Ultrafast electron pulses, generated through femtosecond photoexcitation in nanocathode materials, introduce high-frequency characteristics and ultrahigh temporal-spatial resolution to vacuum micro-nano electronic devices. To advance the development of ultrafast electron sources sensitive to polarized light, we propose an ultrafast pulsed electron source based on a vertical few-layer graphene cold cathode. This source exhibits selective electron emission properties for varying polarization angles, with high switching ratios of 277 (at 0°) and 235 (at 90°). The electron emission of the graphene evolves from cosine to sine as the polarization angle increases from 0° to 90°. The variation of electron emission current with polarization angle is intrinsically related to light absorption, local field enhancement, and photothermal conversion efficiency. A physical mechanism model and semiempirical expression were presented to reveal the MPP and PTE mechanisms at different polarization angles. This tunable conversion between mechanisms indicates potential applications in tunable ultrafast optoelectronic devices.

Observational evidence of changing cloud macro-physical properties under warming climate over the Indian summer monsoon region.

The cloud responses to global warming are captured in various global climate models with distinct inferences on changes in cloud vertical structure as function of surface warming. However, long term observational evidences are scarce to validate the model outputs. Here, we have studied the changes in radiosonde derived cloud macro-physical properties and their association with other atmospheric variables during the period 2000-2019 in response to warming climate over the Indian summer monsoon region. We have observed a statistically significant increase in the frequency of cloudy days (~13 % decade-1), high-level clouds (HLCs ~11 % decade-1) and simultaneous decrease in low-level clouds (LLCs ~8 % decade-1) over the Indian region during the monsoon season. The multiple linear regression, principle component analyses and further correlation analyses suggest significant associations between cloud vertical structure variations and large-scale climate indicators, such as global warming and El Niño-Southern Oscillation. The vertical extension of the tropospheric column and the upward shift of clouds, attributed to global warming, explain the changes observed in both HLCs and LLCs. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between global climate change and regional cloud dynamics, with implications for weather and climate modeling.

Quality of Root Canal Filling in Curved Canals Utilizing Warm Vertical Compaction and Two Different Single Cone Techniques: A Three-Dimensional Micro-Computed Tomography Study.

Statement of the Problem: Successful endodontic treatment depends on three-dimensional (3D) root canal filling to prevent the leakage of residual bacteria. Different obturation techniques with different sealers should be compared by employing advanced assessment tools. Purpose: This study compared the obturation quality of warm vertical compaction (WVC) and two different single-cone (SC) techniques using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and Method: Thirty-three extracted maxillary molars with mesial root canal curvature of 20‒40º were prepared in vitro with One-Curve files and randomly assigned to three groups (n=11) for root canal obturation with WVC, SC technique with AH Plus sealer (SC-AH), or SC technique with SureSeal bioceramic (BC) sealer (SC-Su). The root canals underwent micro-CT examinations before and after obturation to determine the volume percentages (VPs) of voids and gaps at different distances from the apex (coronal, middle, and apical thirds). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The highest VP of voids and gaps was recorded in the SC-Su group, with no significant difference from other groups (p> 0.05). There were significant differences in VP of gaps at different distances from the apex (p<0.05). The VPs of gaps in the apical third of all the samples were significantly higher than in the coronal and middle thirds. However, the difference in VP of voids was not significant at different distances from the apex (p>0.05). Conclusion: None of the tested techniques could provide a void-free and gap-free filling. The apical third of the canals showed the highest VP of gaps in all obturation techniques.

Knowledge and attitudes in the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in referral hospitals.

Background: Prevention of HIV vertical transmission programmes (VTPs) in South Africa has decreased paediatric HIV. These programmes require integration in referral hospitals. Objectives: To determine knowledge of and attitudes to the national VTP guidelines in staff from Obstetric and Paediatric disciplines at two referral hospitals. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, a questionnaire to assess knowledge of the guidelines and attitudes (awareness, ease-of-use and non-silo practice, measuring integrated practice) was developed and validated locally. Using standard statistical analyses, data from these questionnaires were used to draw comparisons and determine factors associated with knowledge and attitudes. Results: Of the 249 participants, 138 (55.4%) were in obstetrics, 125 (50.2%) were nurses, and 168 (67.5%) self-identified as junior staff. Knowledge scores were good, median score (Q1-Q3) was 91.7% (79.1-95.8), and higher in those who had discipline-specific training (P = 0.003). Junior staff (P = 0.002) had higher knowledge levels than senior staff. Most (80%) found the guidelines easy to use and had good awareness, which correlated with knowledge and training. Gaps included understanding of antenatal testing of HIV-negative women and timelines for neonatal HIV testing. Staff scored poorly on integrated practice; the median score (Q1-Q3) was 50% (33.3-58.3), which was inversely correlated with knowledge (r= -0.146, n = 249, P = 0.022). Conclusion: Staff in referral hospitals appear to be practising within silos when implementing VTPs, and this may result in failures to ensure integrated practice. Regularised interdisciplinary and interprofessional training may be important to ensure the integrated implementation of VTPs in referral hospitals.

Microbiome of two adult tick species and their laboratory-reared offspring shows intra- and inter-species differences.

Tick-borne pathogens are a significant threat to human and animal health. Exposing the microbial composition of ticks elucidates their potential role in transmitting pathogens and causing disease as well as uncovering their potential interaction with the hosting tick. Our study focused on characterizing the tick microbiome of adult females and their lab-reared larval offspring of two prevalent tick species found on dogs in Nigeria [Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. tropical lineage (R. linnaei) and Haemaphysalis leachi]. We investigated the relative phyla abundance, the alpha and beta diversities of microbial communities comparing tick species, and different development stages (adults versus larvae). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first analysis on H. leachi microbiome described from West Africa. Our findings revealed a diverse microbiome with significant differences across species and their developmental stages, highlighting the dominance of the Proteobacteria phylum, followed by Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota. In contrast to H. leachi, for R. linnaei we observed significant differences in the alpha and beta diversities of the microbiome of larvae and adult females. Predominant bacterial genera were identified in R. linnaei, particularly Arsenophonus and Coxiella, which showed increased abundance in adult ticks. In H. leachi, other predominant genera were detected, including Sphingomonas, Comamonas, and Williamsia. Our results contribute to the understanding of microbiome dynamics within ticks and offers insights of tick physiology for addressing public health concerns and developing effective strategies for pathogen control.

Design of dual mode antenna using CMA and broadband dual-polarized antenna for 5G networks.

This article proposes a dual mode dual-polarized antenna configuration for IRNSS and fifth generation (5G) applications, operating at a frequency of 3.5 GHz based on characteristic mode analysis (CMA), and aims to provide broadband dual-polarized functionality. The original design of the antenna is a traditional patch antenna, and its dual-polarized features are determined using characteristic mode analysis. The full-wave method is used to stimulate both orthogonal modes using a 50 Ω coaxial input line at 3.5 GHz. In this design, the circular patch has been extended into an elliptical patch through a process of mode separation. The circular patch exhibits resonance at a frequency of 2.5 GHz, whereas the extended elliptical radiator demonstrates two resonance modes at 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz. The operational mechanism is elucidated by modal analysis and characteristic angle. This antenna operates on two different frequencies at the 2.5 GHz IRNSS band with horizontal polarization and the 3.5 GHz 5G service with vertical polarization. The maximum gain achieved with these frequency ranges is 5.31 dBi and 4.72 dBi, respectively. A ring resonator is chosen to improve the axial ratio and impedance bandwidth of the suggested prototype. The antenna's ground plane is shaped like a rectangle and features a V-shaped slot in the radiating patch. The antenna's physical footprint is 50 mm × 50 mm × 1.6 mm and an FR4 dielectric substrate serves as its foundation. Through its interaction with a PIN diode, the diode modifies the polarization of the antenna. The antenna functions as a right-handed circular polarization (RHCP), when the diode is operational. The bandwidth from 4.3 to 7.5 GHz is covered. On the other hand, it generates linear polarization (LP) between 4.2 and 5.3 GHz. The experimental antenna is evaluated and examined for its performance characteristics. The simulations are carried out utilizing the CST simulator. A prototype antenna has been manufactured and its performance has been validated against simulated findings.

Developing evidence-based clinical imaging guidelines for the diagnosis of vertically fractured teeth.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop an evidence-based clinical imaging guideline for teeth suspected with vertical root fractures. METHODS: An adaptation methodology based on the Korean Clinical Imaging Guidelines (K-CIG) was used in the guideline development process. After searching for guidelines using major databases such as Ovid-Medline, Elsevier-Embase, National Guideline Clearinghouse, and Guideline International Network, as well as domestic databases such as KoreaMed, KMbase, and KoMGI, two reviewers analyzed the retrieved articles. The retrieved articles were included in this review using well-established inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Twenty articles were identified through an online search, of which three were selected for guideline development. Based on these three guidelines, this study developed specific recommendations concerning the optimal imaging modality for diagnosing teeth suspected of vertical root fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Periapical radiography is the preferred method for assessing teeth with mastication-related pain and suspected vertical root fractures. However, if intraoral radiographs do not provide sufficient information about root fractures, a small FOV CBCT may be considered. However, the use of CBCT in endodontically treated teeth is significantly constrained by the presence of artificial shading.

Vertically Phase Separated Photomultiplication Organic Photodetectors with p-n Heterojunction Type Ultrafast Dynamic Characteristics.

Photomultiplication (PM)-type organic photodetectors (OPDs), which typically form a homogeneous distribution (HD) of n-type dopants in a p-type polymer host (HD PM-type OPDs), have achieved a breakthrough in device responsivity by surpassing a theoretical limit of external quantum efficiency (EQE). However, they face limitations in higher dark current and slower dynamic characteristics compared to p-n heterojunction (p-n HJ) OPDs due to inherent long lifetime of trapped electrons. To overcome this, we have developed a new PM-type OPD that demonstrates ultrafast dynamic properties through a vertical phase separation (VPS) strategy between the p-type polymer (host) and n-type acceptor (dopant), referred to as VPS PM-type OPDs. Notably, VPS PM-type OPDs show a remarkable increase (by three orders of magnitude) in -3 dB cut-off frequency (120 kHz) and over a 200-fold faster response time (rising time = 4.8 µs, falling time = 8.3 µs) compared to HD PM-type OPDs, while maintaining high EQE of 1,121% and specific detectivity of 2.53 × 1013 Jones at -10 V. The VPS PM OPD represents a groundbreaking advancement by demonstrating the coexistence of p-n HJ and PM modes within a single photoactive layer for the first time. This innovative approach holds the potential to enhance both static and dynamic properties of OPDs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Construction of an ideotype root system architecture of subsurface flow constructed wetland macrophytes by vertical spatial stress: strengthening of rhizosphere effects and determination of appropriate substrate depth.

Strengthening rhizosphere effects to enhance pollutant removal is a hotspot of constructed wetlands (CWs) research in recent years, and improving the root traits and metabolic capacity of macrophytes is crucial for strengthening rhizosphere effects. In the field experiment, two types of subsurface flow (SSF) CWs (CW10 and CW20, with substrate depths of 10 and 20 cm, respectively) under the vertical spatial stress of roots (VSSR) and two types of non-VSSR SSF CWs (CW40 and CW60) were adopted with Typha orientalis as cultivated plants to investigate the variability of root development, metabolism, and pollutant removal at different substrate depths. VSSR induced substantial redundant root development, which significantly increased root-shoot ratio, fine and lateral root biomass, root porosity, and root activity, with lateral and fine root biomass of CW20 reaching 409.17 and 237.42 g/m2, respectively, which were 3.18 and 5.28 times those of CW60. The radical oxygen loss (ROL) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels of CW20 single plant were 1.36 and 4.57 times higher than those of CW60, respectively, and more types of root exudates were determined (e.g., aldehydes, ketones and amides). More aerobic heterotrophs (e.g., Massilia, Planomicrobium), nitrification bacteria (e.g., Ellin6067, Nitrospira), aerobic denitrification bacteria (e.g., Bacillu, Chryseobacterium, Pseudomonas) and denitrification phosphorus accumulating organisms (e.g., Flavobacterium) were enriched in the rhizosphere of CW20. This changed the main transformation pathways of pollutants and enhanced the removal of pollutants, with the COD, TN and TP average removal rates of CW20 increasing by 9.99%, 13.28% and 8.92%, respectively, compared with CW60. The ideotype root system architecture CW (RSACW; CW20) constructed in this study, which consists of a large number of fine and lateral roots, can stimulate more efficient rhizosphere effects stably and continuously.

Tailoring Defects in B, N-Codoped Carbon Nanowalls for Direct Electrochemical Oxidation of Glyphosate and its Metabolites.

Tailoring the defects in graphene and its related carbon allotropes has great potential to exploit their enhanced electrochemical properties for energy applications, environmental remediation, and sensing. Vertical graphene, also known as carbon nanowalls (CNWs), exhibits a large surface area, enhanced charge transfer capability, and high defect density, making it suitable for a wide range of emerging applications. However, precise control and tuning of the defect size, position, and density remain challenging; moreover, due to their characteristic labyrinthine morphology, conventional characterization techniques and widely accepted quality indicators fail or need to be reformulated. This study primarily focuses on examining the impact of boron heterodoping and argon plasma treatment on CNW structures, uncovering complex interplays between specific defect-induced three-dimensional nanostructures and electrochemical performance. Moreover, the study introduces the use of defect-rich CNWs as a label-free electrode for directly oxidizing glyphosate (GLY), a common herbicide, and its metabolites (sarcosine and aminomethylphosphonic acid) for the first time. Crucially, we discovered that the presence of specific boron bonds (BC and BN), coupled with the absence of Lewis-base functional groups such as pyridinic-N, is essential for the oxidation of these analytes. Notably, the D+D* second-order combinational Raman modes at ≈2570 cm-1 emerged as a reliable indicator of the analytes' affinity. Contrary to expectations, the electrochemically active surface area and the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups played a secondary role. Argon-plasma post-treatment was found to adversely affect both the morphology and surface chemistry of CNWs, leading to an increase in sp3-hybridized carbon, the introduction of oxygen, and alterations in the types of nitrogen functional groups. Simulations support that certain defects are functional for GLY rather than AMPA. Sarcosine oxidation is the least affected by defect type.

Micropattern Fabricated by Acropetal Migration Controlled through Sequential Photo and Thermal Polymerization.

Bottom-up patterning technology plays a significant role in both nature and synthetic materials, owing to its inherent advantages such as ease of implementation, spontaneity, and noncontact attributes, etc. However, constrained by the uncontrollability of molecular movement, energy interaction, and stress, obtained micropatterns tend to exhibit an inevitable arched outline, resulting in the limitation of applicability. Herein, inspired by auxin's action mode in apical dominance, a versatile strategy is proposed for fabricating precision self-organizing micropatterns with impressive height based on polymerization-induced acropetal migration. The copolymer containing fluorocarbon chains (low surface energy) and tertiary amine (coinitiator) is designed to self-assemble on the surface of the photo-curing system. The selective exposure under a photomask establishes a photocuring boundary and the radicals would be generated on the surface, which is pivotal in generating a vertical concentration difference of monomer. Subsequent heating treatment activates the material continuously transfers from the unexposed area to the exposed area and is accompanied by the obviously vertical upward mass transfer, resulting in the manufacture of a rectilinear profile micropattern. This strategy significantly broadens the applicability of self-organizing patterns, offering the potential to mitigate the complexity and time-consuming limitations associated with top-down methods.

Secondary IOL implantation for an aphakic patient with congenital cataract living in Bonin Islands; follow-up study.

Introduction: We previously reported a case of a patient with bilateral congenital cataract identified in the Ogasawara village, Bonin Islands, Japan, on a visit by an ophthalmologist and describe its course over 17 years from initial surgery. Here, we report on a secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation that was subsequently performed at 22 years and 5 months of age. Methods: After cataract surgery at 7 months, the aphakic patient began amblyopia treatment using extended-wear soft contact lenses (SCLs). After 10 years of age, SCLs were chosen to achieve crossed monovision considering the cosmetic appearance when facing other people. At 22 years of age, a secondary IOL implantation was performed. Secondary implant in the patient considered appearance and postoperative vision without glasses, we selected the crossed monovision method using a monofocal IOL. The postoperative targeted refraction for the right (non-dominant eye) and left eyes (dominant eye) planed - 0.33D and - 2.25D, respectively. Results: At 3 months after surgery, the corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) with IOLs for the right and left eyes was 20/16 and 20/60, respectively, and the binocular visual acuity was 20/16 for distant vision and 20/25 for near vision. The CDVA for the right eye was: 20/13 × IOL = sph-0.25D and that for the left eye was: 20/13 × IOL = sph -1.75D D/cyl -0.50D/Ax170°. Although the exotropia was complicated by dissociated horizontal deviation and dissociated vertical deviation, there were no significant changes in ocular position before and after surgery. The patient was satisfied with achieving independence from spectacles and SCLs. Conclusion: The use of the crossed monovision method with monofocal IOLs in this patient and defective binocular function created a visual environment with no inconvenience in everyday life after secondary IOL implantation. In terms of secondary implant after amblyopia treatment, the IOL type or postoperative targeted refraction must be chosen to maintain or improve the visual environment obtained with the amblyopia treatment.

Effect of red and blue light versus white light on fruit biomass radiation-use efficiency in dwarf tomatoes.

The effect of the ratio of red and blue light on fruit biomass radiation-use efficiency (FBRUE) in dwarf tomatoes has not been well studied. Additionally, whether white light offers a greater advantage in improving radiation-use efficiency (RUE) and FBRUE over red and blue light under LED light remains unknown. In this study, two dwarf tomato cultivars ('Micro-Tom' and 'Rejina') were cultivated in three red-blue light treatments (monochromatic red light, red/blue light ratio = 9, and red/blue light ratio = 3) and a white light treatment at the same photosynthetic photon flux density of 300 µmol m-2 s-1. The results evidently demonstrated that the red and blue light had an effect on FBRUE by affecting RUE rather than the fraction of dry mass partitioned into fruits (Ffruits). The monochromatic red light increased specific leaf area, reflectance, and transmittance of leaves but decreased the absorptance and photosynthetic rate, ultimately resulting in the lowest RUE, which induced the lowest FBRUE among all treatments. A higher proportion of blue light (up to 25%) led to a higher photosynthetic rate, resulting in a higher RUE and FBRUE in the three red-blue light treatments. Compared with red and blue light, white light increased RUE by 0.09-0.38 g mol-1 and FBRUE by 0.14-0.25 g mol-1. Moreover, white light improved the Ffruits in 'Rejina' and Brix of fruits in 'Micro-Tom' and both effects were cultivar-specific. In conclusion, white light may have greater potential than mixed red and blue light for enhancing the dwarf tomato FBRUE during their reproductive growth stage.

The Potential Mechanism of Remission in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with bariatric surgery remaining the most effective treatment strategy for these conditions. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) has emerged as the most popular surgical procedure for bariatric/metabolic surgeries, effectively promoting weight loss and improving or curing T2DM. The alterations in the gastrointestinal tract following VSG may improve insulin secretion and resistance by increasing incretin secretion (especially GLP-1), modifying the gut microbiota composition, and through mechanisms dependent on weight loss. This review focuses on the potential mechanisms through which the enhanced action of incretin and metabolic changes in the digestive system after VSG may contribute to the remission of T2DM.

Prevention of vertical transmission of hepatitis B: A retrospective review of a 5-year maternal-infant cohort in London.

AIMS: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.5% of the population live with hepatitis B virus (HBV); migrants to Europe are disproportionately affected. UK birth dose HBV vaccination is limited to infants born to those living with HBV (LWHBV). High-risk infants (high maternal infectivity, low birthweight) also receive HBV immunoglobulin (HBIG). The Family Hepatitis Clinic follows infants and those LWHBV working towards WHO goals of combating viral hepatitis by 2030. METHODS: A trust-wide electronic note review of outcomes for infants born to those LWHBV (2016-2020). RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-three infants, 134 (47%) females, born to those LWHBV were referred. Two hundred and thirty-one (82%) attended follow-up with a vertical transmission rate of 0%. Twenty (7%) individuals LWHBV received tenofovir disoproxil fumerate in pregnancy; median viral load (VL) at initiation 125 416 376 DNA IU/mL, one having birth VL. Twenty-eight (10%) infants were stratified as high risk and all received HBIG and birth dose vaccination with 9 (32%) subsequently lost to follow-up, compared to 48 (19%) low-risk infants. 267/283 (94%) had birth dose vaccination documented and 206/283 (73%) received at least four vaccine doses. 215/283 (76%) infants had serology by 24 months; 17 (6%) with suboptimal vaccine responses: hepatitis B surface antibody <100 IU/mL. Serology before 18 months resulted in higher rates of maternal hepatitis B core antibody detection (15% vs. 3%). CONCLUSION: Prevention of vertical transmission of HBV was universal in those attending, although high-risk infants were more likely lost to follow up. HBV post-vaccine serological protection was comparable with national data from 2021 (77% >4 doses, 77% HBsAb >100).

Historical sedimentary and evolutionary characteristics of POPs and EDCs in typical regions of the three Gorges reservoir, China.

The historical sedimentary and evolutionary characteristics of persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors in typical regions of the Three Gorges Reservoir are scarcely studied. Herein, the 96-year data on contaminated sediment history were reconstructed using Caesium 137 isotope dating. Polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in the involved sediment cores ranged from non-detected (ND) to 11.39 ng/g. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from ND to 2075.20 ng/g and peaked in the 1970s owing to natural, agricultural and human activities. Further, phthalate esters (PAEs) and heavy metals (HMs) were detected at concentrations ranging from ND to 589.2 ng/g and 12.10-93.67 µg/g, respectively, with highest values recorded in the 1980s owing to rapid industrialisation and insufficient management during China's early reform and development stages. PAE and HM concentrations have increased in recent years, suggesting the need to focus on industrial and agricultural activities that have caused this impact. Although current pollutant concentrations in sediments do not pose a risk to the aquatic ecosystem, they should be continuously monitored.