CS Group Research Articles

MP65-20 SMALL MOLECULE-DIRECTED BLADDER TISSUE REGENERATION

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP65-20 SMALL MOLECULE-DIRECTED BLADDER TISSUE REGENERATION Mitali Kini, Matthew Bury, Natalie Fuller, Larry Wang, Tiffany Sharma, and Arun Sharma Mitali KiniMitali Kini More articles by this author , Matthew BuryMatthew Bury More articles by this author , Natalie FullerNatalie Fuller More articles by this author , Larry WangLarry Wang More articles by this author , Tiffany SharmaTiffany Sharma More articles by this author , and Arun SharmaArun Sharma More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003323.20AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Co-seeded mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)/CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) citrate based scaffolds (CBS) have been successfully utilized to regenerate bladder tissue. However, the acquisition and downstream utility of these cells remains an obstacle. Here, we compare the bladder tissue regenerative capacity of the small molecule PRKR against MSC/HSC seeded CBS in a rat bladder augmentation model. METHODS: Nude rats underwent an∼75% bladder cystectomy then augmented with a CBS and then 1) instilled with saline (SAL, n=7); 2) instilled with PRKR 1x/week for 2 weeks (n=7); or 3) seeded with human MSC/CD34+ HSCs (CS, n=4). Animals were sacrificed 10 weeks post-augmentation. Quantitative morphometrics was used to assess regenerated tissue with regards to muscle content, urothelium width, and vascularization via histology. Peripheral nerve regeneration was assessed by βIII tubulin staining. Urodynamic studies (UDS) and capacity measures were performed pre- and 10 weeks post-augmentation. RESULTS: SAL instilled animals demonstrated 24.50±2.27% muscle content while PRKR and CS instilled animals were 47.00±1.81% and 50.72±1.67% muscle content, respectively. PRKR vs SAL was p<0.0001 and CS vs SAL was p<0.0001. Urothelium width (µm) measurements demonstrated that SAL maintained a 40.82±2.15µm width where PRKR and CS constructs were 52.98±2.55 µm and 59.38±5.07µm in width, respectively. PRKR vs SAL p<0.05; CS vs SAL p<0.01. There was no statistical significance between PRKR and CS groups. Furthermore, SAL instilled animals demonstrated 1.49±0.13% vascularization while PRKR instilled and CS animals were 3.60±0.24% and 4.76±0.34% vascularization, respectively. PRKR vs SAL and CS vs SAL was p<0.0001 and PRKR vs CS groups was p<0.05. With regards to UDS, SAL instilled animals demonstrated an approximate return to pre-augmentation intravesical pressure (40cm H2O) at 10 weeks post-augmentation. PRKR instilled animals showed a decrease in pressure reaching ∼25cm H2O. Similarly, CS animals returned to pre-augmentation values. Regarding percent bladder recovery, PRKR vs SAL was p<0.0001 (206.93±11.93% vs 80.28±5.61%) and CS vs SAL was p<0.0001 (111.13±2.67% vs 80.28±5.61%). There was a statistical significance between PRKR and CS groups, p<0.0001. In all studies, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant and data represents means±SE. βIII tubulin staining was evident in PRKR and CS groups but diminished in SAL groups. CONCLUSIONS: Data demonstrate that PRKR can be used in lieu of CS scaffolds and may also provide an alternative to bladder augmentation enterocystoplasty. Source of Funding: None © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e899 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Mitali Kini More articles by this author Matthew Bury More articles by this author Natalie Fuller More articles by this author Larry Wang More articles by this author Tiffany Sharma More articles by this author Arun Sharma More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Insights into wavelength-mediated excited state intramolecular proton transfer in solution: UV resonance Raman spectroscopy and theoretical calculation

The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) has been increasingly applied in the fields of chemistry, biology, materials science and so on. Herein, we proposed the efficiency and applicability of Raman spectroscopy (RS) toward the direct observation and characterization of transient species and monitoring of excited-state proton transfer reaction mediated by different excitation wavelength. We hope this help to understand the photochemical reactivity of the organic compounds containing CS and SH groups.

Implant rehabilitation of the esthetic area: A five-year retrospective study comparing conventional and fully guided surgery.

To compare the clinical outcomes of anterior single maxillary implants placed using conventional or guided implant surgery. In this retrospective clinical study 44 patients rehabilitated with a single anterior implant in the maxillary arch were included. Twenty-four implants were inserted applying a guided surgery approach (GS), and 20 applying a conventional freehand approach (CS). Outcome measures were: implant survival rate and complications; mean bone level (MBL) evaluated at surgery (T0), after 6 weeks (6W), and after 1 year (1Y), 2 years (2Y), 3 years (3Y), 4 years (4Y), and 5 years (5Y); patients' satisfaction evaluated through a questionnaire filled out before surgery (BS) and at 1week, 6W, 2Y and 5Y; Pink esthetic score (PES) and white esthetic score (WES) evaluated at 1Y, 3Y and 5 Y. Significance of differences between groups were tested by Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon's signed rank test. During the 5-year follow-up there were no drop-outs and no implant failed. No significant differences between groups were found in MBL. A significant difference between groups was found in VAS scores regarding speech at 2 years, aesthetics at 6 weeks, confidence at 1week and 6 weeks, satisfaction at T0 and at 1W, pain/comfort at 1W and at 6W; all VAS scores resulted significantly improved compared to baseline. No significant differences in WES were found, while significant differences in PES scores between CS and GS groups were found at 3 and 5 years (p value=0.023 and 0.004 respectively) with better outcomes for GS. A significant difference over time was found in PES between 5-year and one-year values. Guided surgery and conventional surgery implants did not show any difference in MBL during the 5-year observation period. Guided surgical procedure guarantee optimal esthetic outcome and seems able to guarantee better soft tissue result over time, even though more long-term studies are necessary to confirm this data.

Does final intraoperative endoscopic control increase surgical success in conventional septoplasty?

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the final endoscopic control performed intraoperatively in conventional septoplasty on operative time, residual deviation, and changes in Nasal Obstruction and Septoplasty Effectiveness Scale (NOSE) scores. Patients and Methods: One hundred twenty-five patients who applied with the complaint of nasal obstruction between June 2020 and May 2021 and were found to have isolated nasal septum deviation were evaluated in this prospective study. Patients with comorbidities were excluded from the study. Remaining 80 patients (55 males, 25 females; mean age: 30.1±8.9 years; range, 18 to 58 years) included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups of 40 individuals using the blocked randomization method. In the first group (CS-EC group; 26 male, 14 female; mean age: 31.7±8.3 year; range 18 to 58 year), after conventional septoplasty with head light, additional pathologies were corrected with the conventional method if it was detected by the endoscope. For the second group (CS group; 29 male, 11 female; mean age: 28.6±9.3 year; range 18 to 53 year), only conventional septoplasty was performed. The patients were evaluated with NOSE before and three months after the operation to evaluate the complaint of nasal obstruction. The groups were compared in terms of NOSE scores, operation time, and postoperative residual deviation. Results: The mean operation times in the CS-EC and CS groups were 44.9±9.3 and 39.0±7.7 min, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). While there was no statistically significant difference between the CS-EC and CS groups in terms of preoperative total NOSE scores (p=0.211), the postoperative total NOSE score was found to be statistically significantly lower in the CS-EC group compared to the CS group (p=0.001). Conclusion: Final intraoperative endoscopic control of the nasal passage in classical septoplasty may be an effective method to detect septal deviations that cannot be adequately evaluated.

The efficacy of venous-arterial membrane oxygenation for emergency extracorporeal life support: results from a single-center large series over 6 years.

The efficacy of venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in supporting cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for cardiac arrest is still debated. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of patients treated with VA-ECMO positioned according to different clinical indications. The method is retrospective data analysis from patients admitted to a tertiary referral center for VA-ECMO in 6 years. The study population was divided into three groups based on the VA-ECMO indication: patients with refractory cardiac arrest (CA group), cardiogenic shock after return of spontaneous circulation (CS-ROSC group), and cardiogenic shock without cardiac arrest (CS group). Seventy-nine patients underwent emergency VA-ECMO, 49 patients (62.0%) were in the CA group, 14 (17.7%) in the CS-ROSC group, and 16 patients (20.3%) in the CS group. The overall survival at 28 days was different between the three groups (6.1% in the CA group, 64.2% in the CS-ROSC group, and 50.0% in the CS group, p < 0.001) and remained significant at 12months (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the Cerebral Performance Category at 12months differed between groups with good outcomes in 4.1% of patients in CA, 50.0% in CS-ROSC, and 31.2% in CS groups (p < 0.001). In the studied population, emergency VA-ECMO had negligible efficacy in refractory cardiac arrest, while it was correlated with a good outcome in cardiogenic shock after cardiac arrest, such as in cardiogenic shock alone. Patients with ROSC appear to benefit from VA-ECMO in the setting of persistent shock at rates comparable to cardiogenic shock patients who never sustained cardiac arrest.

Fabrication of polyvinylidene fluoride and acylthiourea composite membrane and its adsorption performance and mechanism on silver ions

Silver-containing wastewater poses a great threat to the surrounding living areas due to its toxicity and non-biodegradable. In this study, a novel polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based composite membrane (PVDF/BDBTU) was fabricated by blending PVDF and N-benzoyl-N′,N′-dibutyl thiourea (BDBTU) for the enrichment of Ag+ ions from the aqueous solution. The structure and morphology of the membrane were characterized using FTIR, XPS, AFM and SEM, and its adsorption performances for Ag+ ions were deeply studied. The results revealed that the adsorption amount of Ag+ ions adsorbed by the membrane was 1.45 mmol/g at pH 6.0, and the adsorption can be described very well by the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, respectively, showing a monolayer chemisorption process. The coexisting substances had little impact on the adsorption of PVDF/BDBTU membrane to Ag+ ions, suggesting an excellent adsorption selectivity to Ag+ ions. In addition, the membrane showed a noticeable reusability for Ag+ ions since no significant loss in adsorption capacity was observed after ten cycles of adsorption-desorption. The adsorption mechanism elucidated that the binding reaction between the CO and CS groups in BDBTU and Ag+ ions contributed to the adsorption of Ag+ ions onto the PVDF/BDBTU membrane surface, as confirmed by FTIR, XPS and DFT calculation.

Superior stability and electrochemical performance of Li2ZnTi3O8 anode enabled by the derivatives from the isomers of trithiocyanuric acid

Rechargeable Li-ion batteries with fast-charging performance, long cycle life and safety are desirable. Herein, an efficient hydrothermal avenue was adopted to modify Li2ZnTi3O8 (LZTO) with trithiocyanuric acid (TCA). The two isomers of keto and enol TCA undergo different evolutions in the hydrothermal and electrochemical processes. For the enol TCA in the hydrothermal process, the HS– bonds close to LZTO react with LZTO to introduce superficial S-doping to facilitate electron conductance, and the others oxidize into –SO3– groups which transform into –SO3Li groups in lithiation process to favor Li+ migration. The keto TCA is stable in the hydrothermal process, yet the CS groups oxidize into –SO3– groups in anodic process and yield –SO3Li groups in subsequent cathodic process for Li+ diffusion. Despite these changes, the six-membered cyclic structures in both the keto and enol TCA are stable and coordinate with LZTO to create coating layer. The organic coating with good mechanical performance and strong interaction with PVDF protects LZTO from electrolyte corrosion and side reactions. Therefore, the TCA-modified LZTO demonstrates accelerated Li-ion migration and electron transfer, significantly enhanced rate capability and cycling stability.

Effect of delivery mode on postnatal platelet count dynamics in neonates born to mothers with immune thrombocytopenia.

We aimed to determine the effect of delivery mode on postnatal platelet count dynamics in neonates born to mothers with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This single-center, retrospective study included 41 mothers with ITP and their 65 infants born by vaginal delivery (VD, n = 30) and cesarean section (CS, n = 35) between January 1997 and March 2022. The median difference in platelet counts from day 0 to day 2 (ΔPlt [D 0-2]) was significantly lower in the VD group (-39 × 109/L, interquartile range [IQR]: -47 to -24 × 109/L) than the CS group (15 × 109/L, IQR: -6.5 to 33 × 109/L) (p < 0.001). The median ΔPlt (D 0-5) was significantly lower in the VD group (-55 × 109/L, IQR: -85 to -31 × 109/L) than the CS group (33 × 109/L, IQR: 1-69 × 109/L) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis also showed a significant association of delivery mode with ΔPlt (D 0-2) and ΔPlt (D 0-5) (both p < 0.001). VD neonates with platelet counts ≥ 100 × 109/L at birth were significantly more likely than CS neonates to develop thrombocytopenia < 100 × 109/L at nadir (1/26 vs. 6/25) (p = 0.0496). Our findings indicate that mode of delivery is a useful predictor of postnatal platelet count dynamics in neonates born to mothers with ITP.

Special Issue “CMMSE 2020” in Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences (MMA)

Mathematical Methods in the Applied SciencesEarly View EDITORIAL Special Issue “CMMSE 2020” in Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences (MMA) Jesús Vigo Aguiar, Corresponding Author Jesús Vigo Aguiar jvigo@usal.es University Salamanca, 37008 Spain Correspondence Jesús Vigo Aguiar, University Salamanca, 37008, Spain. Email: jvigo@usal.esSearch for more papers by this authorSandra Ranilla-Cortina, Sandra Ranilla-Cortina Credit Suisse Bank, Madrid, 28001 SpainSearch for more papers by this author Jesús Vigo Aguiar, Corresponding Author Jesús Vigo Aguiar jvigo@usal.es University Salamanca, 37008 Spain Correspondence Jesús Vigo Aguiar, University Salamanca, 37008, Spain. Email: jvigo@usal.esSearch for more papers by this authorSandra Ranilla-Cortina, Sandra Ranilla-Cortina Credit Suisse Bank, Madrid, 28001 SpainSearch for more papers by this author First published: 21 March 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/mma.9194Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

Randomized clinical trial: Long-term Staphylococcus aureus decolonization in patients on home parenteral nutrition

Staphylococcus aureus decolonization has proven successful in prevention of S.aureus infections and is a key strategy to maintain venous access and avoid hospitalization in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). We aimed to determine the most effective and safe long-term S.aureus decolonization regimen. A randomized, open-label, multicenter clinical trial was conducted. Adult intestinal failure patients with HPN support and carrying S.aureus were randomly assigned to a 'continuous suppression' (CS) strategy, a repeated chronic topical antibiotic treatment or a 'search and destroy' (SD) strategy, a short and systemic antibiotic treatment. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients in whom S.aureus was totally eradicated during a 1-year period. Secondary outcomes included risk factors for decolonization failure and S.aureus infections, antimicrobial resistance, adverse events, patient compliance and cost-effectivity. 63 participants were included (CS 31; SD 32). The mean 1-year S.aureus decolonization rate was 61% (95% CI 44, 75) for the CS group and 39% (95% CI 25, 56) for the SD group with an OR of 2.38 (95% CI 0.92, 6.11, P=0.07). More adverse effects occurred in the SD group (P=0.01). Predictors for eradication failure were a S.aureus positive caregiver and presence of a (gastro)enterostomy. We did not demonstrate an increased efficacy of a short and systemic S.aureus decolonization strategy over a continuous topical suppression treatment. The latter may be the best option for HPN patients as it achieved a higher long-term decolonization rate and was well-tolerated (NCT03173053).

Synthesis, spectral, DFT, intrinsic constant of DNA binding and antioxidant activity of vanadyl (IV)2+ complexes of a symmetrical bisthiosemicarbazides

A new series of complexes were prepared by reacting vanadyl (II) sulphate with three multidentate bisthiosemicarbazides, TSCs in search for synthesizing a series of vanadyl complexes to be good candidates for utilization as anti-diabetic drugs. The TSCs 1(H4DDAT), 3 (H4DDET) and 5 (H4DDPT) were characterized by partial elemental analyses, 2DNMR, mass, FTIR and UV–vis. Spectra. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N, S, M), spectral (FTIR, UV–vis., mass, ESR and XRD), magnetic susceptibility and molar conductivity measurements and assigned the formulae: [(VO)(H4DDAT) (H2O) (OH)]. H2O (2), [(VO)(H4DDET)(SO4)(H2O)].1·5H2O (4) and [(VO)(H4DDPT)(H2O)(SO4)2].2H2O (6). TSC`s were found to bind metal ion in keto or enol/thiol forms as neutral, monobasic or dibasic tridentate and / or hexadentate selective chelate as proved by the data of FTIR and NMR (heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQCNMR), correlated spectroscopy (COSY-NMR). UV–vis. and EPR data suggested a square pyramidal arrangement for complex (2) and an octahedral geometry for complexes (4) and (6), respectively. The anisotropic Lande splitting factor evaluated from EPR spectra for the complexes gave values; g|| < g⊥ < ge =2 0.0023. Orbital energy levels for magnetic electrons were determined from theoretically well fitted Spin Hamiltonian parameters. The thermal stability and nature of solvent molecules nature were studied by TGA and DrTGA. XRD data complex (2) suggested a triclinic complex (2); a cubic structure for complex (4) and a monoclinic for complex (6). Molecular modeling evaluated by DFT theory suggested oxygen atoms, N of NH or S of CS groups as donor atoms of TSc moiety and the geometry, Mullikan population, Mullikan charge and HOMO–LUMO gap were computed. Moreover, all compounds were screened for antioxidant activity such as SOD-like activity, scavenging of hydroxyl radicals as well as DNA binding ability.

Factors Associated with Sarcopenia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND Sarcopenia is a recognized complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increases risk of increased morbidity from cardiovascular events and mortality. This single-center cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in CKD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with non-dialysis-dependent (NDD)-CKD were examined for sarcopenia by handgrip strength testing, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and 4-minute gait speed test. We divided 220 patients into 2 groups - No Probable Sarcopenia (NPS; n=120) and Probable Sarcopenia (PS; n=100) - according to muscle strength defined by handgrip strength, then into another 2 groups - No Sarcopenia (NS; n=189) and Confirmed Sarcopenia (CS; n=31) - according to muscle mass defined by BIA. RESULTS Mean age and prevalence of coronary heart disease were significantly higher and mean body mass index (BMI) was lower in the PS and CS groups than that of NPS and NS groups (P.

Layered aerogel embedded with thiourea-resorcinol-formaldehyde resin for efficient adsorption of Au(III)

Current adsorbents for Au(III) recovery suffer from high costs, low adsorption capacity, recycling difficulty, as well as small-scale applications, making most of them have no commercialization potential. We report a complex adsorbent SA-TRF in this work. The aerogel made of sodium alginate (SA) serves as the carrier, and TRF resin (a resin composed of thiourea, resorcinol and formaldehyde) is used as the functional element. The thin-layered SA aerogel is evenly embedded with functionalized micron adsorbent (TRF) particles. Owing to the multiple functional groups of TRF, SA-TRF exhibited a high adsorption capacity. TRF was capable of making complete contact with Au (III) in the solution owing to the thin-layered SA aerogel. The SA aerogel's macrostructure makes it simple to collect SA-TRF in solution. The repeating unit of TRF's CS and NH functional groups were identified as being responsible for Au(III) binding, with its sulfhydryl functional group performing as the strongest binding site. The conveniently synthesized SA-TRF outperformed most other adsorbents and demonstrated significant adsorption capacity for Au (III) up to 600.2 mg/g in 70 mg/L Au-spiked water (corresponding removal efficiency is 85.7 %), which makes it particularly promising for industrial applications.

The Credit Suisse CoCo wipeout: Facts, misperceptions, and lessons for financial regulation

The Credit Suisse CoCo wipeout: Facts, misperceptions, and lessons for financial regulation

Protective Mechanism of Cordyceps sinensis Treatment on Acute Kidney Injury-Induced Acute Lung Injury through AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

To investigate protective effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) through autophagy-associated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in acute kidney injury (AKI)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups according to a random number table, including the normal saline (NS)-treated sham group (sham group), NS-treated ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) group (IRI group), and low- (5 g/kg·d) and high-dose (10 g/kg·d) CS-treated IRI groups (CS1 and CS2 groups), 12 rats in each group. Nephrectomy of the right kidney was performed on the IRI rat model that was subjected to 60 min of left renal pedicle occlusion followed by 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of reperfusion. The wet-to-dry (W/D) ratio of lung, levels of serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin- β and tumor necrosis factor- α, and biomarkers of oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase, malonaldehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), were assayed. Histological examinations were conducted to determine damage of tissues in the kidney and lung. The protein expressions of light chain 3 II/light chain 3 I (LC3-II/LC3-I), uncoordinated-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), P62, AMPK and mTOR were measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The renal IRI induced pulmonary injury following AKI, resulting in significant increases in W/D ratio of lung, and the levels of Scr, BUN, inflammatory cytokines, MDA and MPO (P<0.01); all of these were reduced in the CS groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the IRI groups, the expression levels of P62 and mTOR were significantly lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while those of LC3-II/LC3-I, ULK1, and AMPK were significantly higher in the CS2 group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CS had a potential in treating lung injury following renal IRI through activation of the autophagy-related AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in AKI-induced ALI.

Effect of corn straw or corncobs in total mixed ration during peri-puberty on testis development in Hu lambs

Corn straw and corncobs contain large amounts of crude fibers and are widely used in mutton sheep husbandry in northwest China. The aim of this study was to determine whether feeding with corn straw or corncobs affects lamb testis development. A total of 50 healthy Hu lamb at two-month-old (average body weight of 22.3 ± 0.1 kg) were randomly and equally divided into two groups, and the lambs were equally allocated to five pens in each group. The corn straw group (CS) received a diet containing 20% corn straw, whereas the corncobs group (CC) received a diet containing 20% corncobs. After a 77-day feeding trial, the lambs, except the heaviest and lightest in each pen, were humanely slaughtered and investigated. Results revealed no differences in body weight (40.38 ± 0.45 kg vs. 39.08 ± 0.52 kg) between the CS and CC groups. Feeding diet containing corn straw significantly (P < 0.05) increased testis weight (243.24 ± 18.78 g vs. 167.00 ± 15.20 g), testis index (0.60 ± 0.05 vs. 0.43 ± 0.04), testis volume (247.08 ± 19.99 mL vs. 162.31 ± 14.15 mL), diameter of seminiferous tubule (213.90 ± 4.91 μm vs. 173.11 ± 5.93 μm), and the number of sperm in the epididymis (49.91 ± 13.53 × 108/g vs. 19.34 ± 6.79 × 108/g) compared with those in the CC group. The RNA sequencing results showed 286 differentially expressed genes, and 116 upregulated and 170 downregulated genes were found in the CS group compared with the CC group. The genes affecting immune functions and fertility were screened out. Corn straw decreased the mtDNA relative copy number in the testis (P < 0.05). These results suggest that compared with corncobs, feeding corn straw in the early reproductive development stage of lambs increased the testis weight, diameter of seminiferous tubule and the number of cauda sperm.

Top-End Wealth Accumulation: The &lt;i&gt;Forbes&lt;/i&gt; Lists and Wealth Inequality

The annual Forbes magazine’s lists of the wealthiest individuals in the world are a widely used source of data about the dynamics of wealth concentration. They complement the estimates of global and national wealth concentration published annually by Credit Suisse Bank and the World Inequality Database. Both sources enable analysis of the dynamics of wealth accumulation. This paper seeks to assess the degree to which political–institutional forces as opposed to market forces shape the process of wealth accumulation. The paper finds that the growth rate of the total wealth of the top 400 individuals between 2000 and 2020 was much higher than for their countries as a whole. Moreover, wealth at the very top has become significantly more concentrated. The processes generating accumulation of wealth nationally foster higher rates of wealth accumulation for the wealthiest. The paper proposes political and institutional explanations based on opportunities for rent-extraction by the wealthiest. Rising market power on the part of some firms and sectors enables profitability to become decoupled from productivity and enables individual-level wealth to accumulate at a rate proportional to the level of wealth.

Individual and Combined Effects of a Direct-Fed Microbial and Calcium Butyrate on Growth Performance, Intestinal Histology and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the effects of a Bacillus direct-fed microbial and microencapsulated calcium butyrate fed individually and in combination, as compared to an antibiotic growth promoter, on growth performance, processing characteristics, intestinal morphology, and intestinal microbiota of Ross 708 broilers reared from 0 to 47 d post-hatch. Dietary treatments included: (1) a negative control with no antimicrobial (NC), (2) a positive control diet containing bacitracin methylene disalicylate (PC), (3) a diet containing a Bacillus direct-fed microbial (CS), (4) a diet containing microencapsulated calcium butyrate (BP), and (5) a diet containing both CS and BP. Treatments were replicated with 10 pens of 20 birds each. From 0 to 15 d post-hatch, the FCR of broilers fed the PC, CS, BP, and CS + BP diets were lower (p &lt; 0.05) than those fed the NC diet, but treatment effects (p &gt; 0.05) were not observed on subsequent performance. BP supplementation improved (p &lt; 0.05) total breast meat weight and yield at processing. Intestinal histology was not influenced (p &gt; 0.05) by the treatment. Analysis of the jejunal microbiota collected at 15 d post-hatch revealed that the genus SMB53 was significantly lower for the CS group, and Sporanaerobacter was lower in the CS and CS + BP groups compared with the NC (p &lt; 0.05). The jejunal microbiota from broilers in the CS + BP group had higher (p &lt; 0.05) alpha and beta diversities compared with broilers fed the NC and CS diets. The results reflected synergistic effects between CS and BP in modulating the jejunal microbiota at 15 d that may have been related to enhanced feed efficiency (i.e., lower FCR) observed during this period.

Fabrication and Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Corn Starch/Patchouli Oil Hydrogel Films Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized in Pogostemon cablin Benth Leaves’ Extract

Research on the manufacture of hydrogel films from polyvinyl alcohol, corn starch, patchouli oil, and silver nanoparticles, (PVA/CS/PO/AgNPs, respectively) was completed. The silver nanoparticles used in this study resulted from green synthesis using local patchouli plants (Pogostemon cablin Benth). Aqueous patchouli leaf extract (APLE) and methanol patchouli leaf extract (MPLE) are used in the synthesis of phytochemicals (green synthesis), which are then blended in the production of PVA/CS/PO/AgNPs hydrogel films, which are then cross linked with glutaraldehyde. The results demonstrated that the hydrogel film was flexible, easy to fold, and free of holes and air bubbles. The presence of hydrogen bonds between the functional groups of PVA, CS, and PO was revealed using FTIR spectroscopy. SEM analysis revealed that the hydrogel film was slightly agglomerated and did not exhibit cracking or pinholes. The analysis of pH, spreadability, gel fraction, and swelling index showed that the resulting PVA/CS/PO/AgNP hydrogel films met expected standards except for the organoleptic properties of the resulting colors, which tended to be slightly darker in color. The formula with silver nanoparticles synthesized in methanolic of patchouli leaf extract (AgMENPs) had the highest thermal stability compared to hydrogel films with silver nanoparticles synthesized in aqueous of patchouli leaf extract (AgAENPs). The hydrogel films can be safely used up to 200 °C. The antibacterial studies revealed that the films inhibited the growth of both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, as determined by the disc diffusion method, with the best antibacterial activity being against Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, the hydrogel film F1, loaded with silver nanoparticles biosynthesized in aqueous of patchouli leave extract (AgAENPs) and light fraction of patchouli oil (LFoPO) performed the best activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis.

Charge-transfer complex promotes energy storage performance of single-moiety organic electrode materials in aqueous zinc-ion battery at low temperatures

Charge-transfer organic materials are molecular metallic materials with high electronic conductivity, but their potential in rechargeable batteries, especially at low temperatures, has not been investigated. In this work, micro-structured organic charge-transfer complex tetrathiofluorene-7,7,8,8-tetroquinolinedimethane (TTF-TCNQ) is applied as cathode material in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Ionic storage behavior of TTF–TCNQ complex is systematically investigated from 25 ℃ to −40 ℃. Owing to higher electrical conductivity and higher ionic diffusivity in ionic storage, smaller charge transfer resistance, and lower activation energy, TTF-TCNQ shows much superior rate and cycling performance than each single-moiety counterpart, especially at low temperatures. Reaction mechanism is explored by ex-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and in-situ Raman technologies, confirming that CN and CS groups are the redox centers and the redox reaction is highly reversible. Our research not only provides a new type of choice for AZIBs at low temperatures, but also greatly broads the application field of charge-transfer complexes.