Microscopic Approaches Research Articles

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Affects Sperm Quality and Epididymis Function in Sedentary and Exercised Wistar Rats.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Besides the effects on the lungs and heart, PAH can affect other organs, including the liver, kidneys, brain, glands, and testis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PAH and physical resistance training (RT), a complementary treatment for hypertension, on epididymis morphology and function and sperm parameters. Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8/ group): sedentary control, sedentary PAH, RT control, and RT + PAH. PAH was induced using monocrotaline injections on Day 1 and 7 of the experiment. Sixteen rats from RT groups underwent RT training for 30days, while rats from sedentary groups did not exercise. The epididymis was processed and analyzed using microscopic, biochemical, and functional approaches. Sperm were harvested from the cauda epididymis and evaluated for morphology and motility. Our results showed that PAH compromised the epididymis antioxidant defense system and reduced NO levels, leading to an imbalance in the organ's mineral content. These alterations affected the epididymis morphology and reduced the sperm transit time in the proximal epididymis, resulting in an increase in abnormal sperm morphology in the cauda region. Unfortunately, RT was not a good therapy against the PAH effect on the epididymis. PAH negatively affected epididymis functions with consequences to male gametes. Dysfunctions in the post-testicular environment may lead to male infertility due to the disturbance of spermatozoa fecundity.

Characteristics of the Integument of Phyllomedusa burmeisteri (Anura, Phyllomedusidae) and Boana semilineata (Anura, Hylidae) Males Can Contribute to Understanding its Relation to Habitat.

The integument of anurans plays vital physiological roles, crucial for understanding the species' survival in their environment. Despite its significance, there are few studies describing the cutaneous morphology of anurans from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This study aimed to characterize the integument of Phyllomedusa burmeisteri and Boana semilineata in males using microscopic and histochemical approaches. Histological sections were stained with various dyes, and additional fragments underwent electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results showed different projections on the dorsal and ventral regions of males from these species, without the Eberth-Katschenko layer. Differences in the arrangement of chromatophore cells in regions with varying solar incidence were observed in the spongy dermis. Various gland types were identified, aiding taxonomic differentiation and validation of behavioral data. Both species had seromucous and granular glands, while only P. burmeisteri displayed lipid glands. Histochemical analysis revealed higher production of polysaccharides and proteins, contributing to the integument's moisture and protection. Lipid secretions in P. burmeisteri helped waterproof the integument more effectively against desiccation. This study concludes that analyzing anuran integument provides valuable insights into their behavior, with integument composition potentially influenced by habitat choice among different species.

Frequent and asymmetric cell division in endosymbiotic bacteria of cockroaches.

Many insects are obligatorily associated with and dependent on specific microbial species as essential mutualistic partners. In the host insects, such microbial mutualists are usually maintained in specialized cells or organs, called bacteriocytes or symbiotic organs. Hence, potentially exponential microbial growth cannot be realized but must be strongly constrained by spatial and resource limitations within the host cells or tissues. How such endosymbiotic bacteria grow, divide, and proliferate is important for understanding the interactions and dynamics underpinning intimate host-microbe symbiotic associations. Here we report that Blattabacterium, the ancient and essential endosymbiont of cockroaches, exhibits unexpectedly high rates of cell division (20%-58%) and, in addition, the cell division is asymmetric (average asymmetry index >1.5) when isolated from the German cockroach Blattella germanica. The asymmetric division of endosymbiont cells at high frequencies was observed irrespective of host tissues (fat bodies vs ovaries) or developmental stages (adults vs nymphs vs embryos) of B. germanica, and also observed in several different cockroach species. By contrast, such asymmetric and frequent cell division was observed neither in Buchnera, the obligatory bacterial endosymbiont of aphids, nor in Pantoea, the obligatory bacterial gut symbiont of stinkbugs. Comparative genomics of cell division-related genes uncovered that the Blattabacterium genome lacks the Min system genes that determine the cell division plane, which may be relevant to asymmetric cell division. These observations combined with comparative symbiont genomics provide insight into what processes and regulations may underpin the growth, division, and proliferation of such bacterial mutualists continuously constrained under within-host conditions.IMPORTANCEDiverse insects are dependent on specific bacterial mutualists for their survival and reproduction. Due to the long-lasting coevolutionary history, such symbiotic bacteria tend to exhibit degenerative genomes and suffer uncultivability. Because of their microbiological fastidiousness, the cell division patterns of such uncultivable symbiotic bacteria have been poorly described. Here, using fine microscopic and quantitative morphometric approaches, we report that, although bacterial cell division usually proceeds through symmetric binary fission, Blattabacterium, the ancient and essential endosymbiont of cockroaches, exhibits frequent and asymmetric cell division. Such peculiar cell division patterns were not observed with other uncultivable essential symbiotic bacteria of aphids and stinkbugs. Gene repertoire analysis revealed that the molecular machinery for regulating the bacterial cell division plane are lost in the Blattabacterium genome, suggesting the possibility that the general trend toward the reductive genome evolution of symbiotic bacteria may underpin their bizarre cytological/morphological traits.

Combined Endonasal and Transseptal Approach to Achieve Binostril Access in Endoscopic Skull Base Approaches to Minimize Nasal Morbidity: A Technical Note

IntroductionOver the years, feasibility & safety of EEAs has become well established & the focus has now shifted to minimising the nasal morbidity. To this end, several modifications in nasal stage have been described that have focussed primarily on preservation of nasal mucosa on right side of nasal cavity (NC). However, the issue of nasal mucosal preservation on left side of NC has largely been ignored. In this paper, the author describes a modified technique that can eliminate mucosal damage in left NC. MethodIn modified technique, trans-septal approach is utilised on left & endonasal on right side. A hemitransfixion incision is used to raise left submucosal tunnel. The mucosa of tunnel lies laterally in apposition with lateral nasal wall, thereby protecting it from injury by repeated passage of instruments. When tunnel mucosa is pushed back medially, left NC appears absolutely normal without any evidence of mucosal damage. ResultsCombined endonasal & trans-septal technique for nasal stage was performed in 51 patients with sellar/suprasellar lesions. Nonfunctional pituitary adenomas were the most common pathology (macroadenomas-n=14; Giant adenomas-n=10) followed by functional adenomas (acromegaly-n=10; prolactinomas- n=3; Cushings’s disease- n=1), craniopharyngiomas (n=6), clival tumours (n=5), & tuberculum sella meningiomas (n=2). ConclusionsA combination of endonasal and trans-septal approaches utilises the advantages of both endoscopic & microscopic approaches sans the disadvantage of restricted space seen in microscopic approaches. It makes binostril approach least disruptive to left nasal mucosa & thus can reduce overall morbidity of EEAs.

Comparison of Endoscopic and Microscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Acquired Cholesteatoma by EAONO/JOS Staging.

Cholesteatoma is a benign tumor of the middle ear. Tympanoplasty is performed to remove cholesteatoma, prevent recurrence, and avoid complications. Previously, microscopy was used for tympanoplasty; however, endoscopy has become increasingly popular for this procedure. The effectiveness of endoscopy and the appropriate candidacy for endoscopic ear surgery remain controversial. In this retrospective chart review study, we enrolled 107 patients with cholesteatoma who underwent tympanoplasty and compared the microscopic approach (71 patients) and the endoscopic approach (36 patients) at different stages to clarify the benefits of using endoscopy and to determine candidacy for endoscopic ear surgery. Approach selection, complication rate, recurrence rate, and postoperative hearing threshold were compared between microscopic and endoscopic approaches in stages I, II, and III. Endoscopy was used more often than microscopy for early-stage (stage I) cholesteatoma (p = 0.005) and less frequently for advanced-stage (stage II) cholesteatoma (p = 0.02). Endoscopy surgery resulted in chorda tympani injury less often than microscopic surgery (p = 0.049); however, there were no significant differences between these two groups in terms of recurrence rate or postoperative hearing outcome. Endoscopy is particularly useful for early-stage cholesteatoma, and both approaches show no difference in hearing outcome in stage I and II; nevertheless, further research is required to determine an appropriate approach for more advanced stages (stage III).

Epigenetic Targeting of Heparan Sulfate 3-O- and 6-O-Sulfation in Breast Cancer Cells: Prospects for Attenuating Prothrombotic Tumor Cell Activities.

The deregulation of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) is a main issue of cancer cells for increasing their malignancy. In these terms, the sulfation pattern of HS, created by an orchestrated activity of enzymes balancing a site-specific sulfation, is of key importance. These enzymes are often deregulated by epigenetic processes in cancer, e.g., being silenced by DNA hypermethylation. Here, we address this issue in human breast cancer cell lines aiming to target epigenetic processes to reactivate HS sulfation, shifting HS into an antithrombotic phenotype for which 3-O-sulfation is particularly important. Treatment of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with nontoxic concentrations of 5-azacytidine (azacytidine) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (FdCyd) as DNMT inhibitors or vorinostat for targeting HDAC increased HS3-O-sulfation remarkably, as confirmed by fluorescence microscopy, by upregulating HS3-O-sulfotransferases, detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Flow cytometry and microscopic approaches confirm that upon inhibitor treatment, increased HS3-O-sulfation improves cell binding to antithrombin, leading to an antithrombotic activity. Nevertheless, only azacytidine- and vorinostat-treated cells display anticoagulative properties, represented by attenuated thrombin formation, a lower activation of human platelet aggregation, or ATP release. In contrast, FdCyd additionally upregulated tissue factor expression in both cell lines, overshadowing the anticoagulant effects of HS, leading to an overall prothrombotic phenotype. Our data provide evidence for the first time that targeting epigenetic processes in HS sulfation is a valuable means to foster anticoagulative cell properties for decreasing malignancy and metastatic potency. These data warrant further investigations to fine-tune epigenetic targeting and to search for potential biomarkers attributed to these activities.

Exoscope-assisted surgery in otology and neurotology.

This review addresses the pressing need for an updated understanding of high-definition 3D exoscope role in contemporary otologic and neurotologic practice. With technological advancements driving innovations in surgical visualization, it is crucial to evaluate the efficacy of exoscope-assisted surgery compared to traditional microscopic approaches. By synthesizing recent literature, this review offers insights into the current state of exoscopic ear and lateral skull base surgery and its implications for clinical practice and research. Recent literature has focused on several key themes. Firstly, studies have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of exoscopic approaches for various otologic and neurotologic procedures. Secondly, comparative studies have highlighted similar outcomes with exoscopic techniques compared to conventional microscopic surgery, particularly in terms of operative time and complication rates. Thirdly, the exoscope can be a valuable tool for the education and training of surgeons. The findings from recent literature underscore the growing significance of exoscope-assisted surgery in otology and lateral skull base practice. However, challenges such as high magnification image quality and learning curve must be addressed to optimize its widespread adoption. Overall, this review highlights the importance of continued research and innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

Comparison of endoscopic and microscopic stapedotomy in the same patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of audiological and postoperative clinical outcomes between the endoscopic and microscopic stapedotomy approaches. This study employed a randomized, controlled design. Twenty-seven patients with bilateral otosclerosis underwent stapedotomy in both ears, with randomized allocation of the surgical technique (endoscopic vs. microscopic) for the first operated ear. Air-bone gap (ABG) and ABG gain were measured at least 12 months postoperatively. Postoperative outcomes including pain (Visual Analog Scale-VAS), dizziness, early-term (day 1) and late-term (6 months) dysgeusia were evaluated. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) assessed health-related quality of life at one month postoperatively, and operative time was measured. This study compared endoscopic (n = 27 ears) and microscopic (n = 27 ears) stapedotomy for otosclerosis. Both groups achieved similar hearing improvement with no significant differences in pre-operative and post-operative bone/air conduction thresholds, ABG, and ABG gain (all p > 0.05). The endoscopic stapedotomy group demonstrated reduced postoperative pain (lower VAS scores, p < 0.001), lower early dysgeusia (3.7% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.005), shorter operative time (47.3 vs. 75.4min, p < 0.001) and improved patient-reported outcomes (higher GBI score, p = 0.014) when compared to microscopic stapedotomy group. No significant differences were observed in postoperative dizziness or late-term dysgeusia between groups. This study found similar hearing improvement with both endoscopic and microscopic stapedotomy for otosclerosis. However, the endoscopic approach showed advantages in reduced postoperative pain, early dysgeusia, and operative time, with improved patient-reported quality of life. These findings suggest endoscopic stapedotomy as a valuable alternative to the conventional microscopic approach.

Mussel‐inspired self‐assembly of silver nanoclusters into multifunctional silver aerogels for enhanced catalytic and bactericidal applications

AbstractSilver nanoclusters (AgNCs) have shown broad application prospects in catalysis, sensing, and biological fields. However, the limited stability of AgNCs has become the main challenge restricting their practical application in complex environments. Herein, a mussel‐inspired, dopamine‐assisted self‐assembly approach is reported to fabricate 3D AgNC aerogels (PDA/AgNCs), which possess significantly enhanced structural stability and synergistic functional properties. The prepared AgNC aerogels display a hierarchical network structure with an ultrafine ligament size of 10.3 ± 1.2 nm and a high specific surface area of 50.7 m2 g−1. The gelation mechanism is elucidated by in‐depth characterization and time‐lapse monitoring of the gelation process vis spectroscopic and microscopic approaches. Owing to the distinct features of aerogels and the synergistic effect of AgNCs and PDA, the fabricated aerogels can not only efficiently decolorize dyes with a faster kinetic than individual AgNCs, but also exhibit remarkable broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity. Consequently, a conceptual water‐treatment device is established by depositing PDA/AgNC aerogels on the cotton substrate, which shows good performance in both catalytic dye degradation and bacterial killing in the flowing system. This mussel‐inspired self‐assembly strategy has great potential in developing robust AgNC‐based functional materials, which also provides a new guideline for designing sophisticated materials with integrated functions and synergistic properties.

Intradural anatomy and mobilization techniques of oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nerve after microsurgical dissection: a cadaveric study

BackgroundThis study investigates the mobilization of cranial nerves in the upper clival region to improve surgical approaches. Cadaveric specimens (n = 20) were dissected to examine the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves. Dissection techniques focused on the nerves' intradural course and their relationship to surrounding structures. MethodsPre-dissection revealed the nerves' entry points into the clival dura and their proximity to each other. Measurements were taken to quantify these distances. Following intradural dissection, measurements were again obtained to assess the degree of nerve mobilization. ResultsDissection showed that the abducens nerve takes three folds during its course: at the dural foramen, towards the posterior cavernous sinus, and lastly within the cavernous sinus. The trochlear nerve enters the dura and makes two bends before entering the cavernous sinus. The oculomotor nerve enters the cavernous sinus directly and runs parallel to the trochlear nerve. Importantly, intradural dissection increased the space between the abducens nerves (by 4.21 mm) and between the oculomotor and trochlear nerves (by 3.09 mm on average). This indicates that nerve mobilization can create wider surgical corridors for approaching lesions in the upper clivus region. ConclusionsThis study provides a detailed anatomical analysis of the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves in the upper clivus. The cadaveric dissections and measurements demonstrate the feasibility of mobilizing these nerves to achieve wider surgical corridors. This information can be valuable for surgeons planning endoscopic or microscopic approaches to lesions in the upper clivus region.

Multi-scale pore model construction and damage behavior analysis of SiCf/SiC composite tubes

SiCf/SiC composite materials are essential for spacecraft thermal protection, determining the safety of spacecraft. However, their complex structures and intricate fabrication processes have led to an unclear understanding of their failure mechanisms, limiting their application. In this study, circumferential compression experiments were conducted, and X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) was used to analyze the distribution characteristics of pore spaces. The experimental results indicate that damage manifests as secondary fracture phenomena based on temporal evolution characteristics. Specifically, after experiencing performance degradation of 24.73–60.96%, the material still maintained basic stability, exhibiting a performance recovery of 31.55–36.1% under the applied load until failure. To predict the dynamic damage behavior of materials at multiple scales, a multi-scale method combining statistical and microscopic approaches was proposed. A micro representative volume element (RVE) random fiber pore distribution model was established based on random processes and random medium theory. Finally, considering the CT data and the principle of minimum potential energy, a macroscopic finite element model of the micro-pores' structural characteristics in a three-dimensional wound tube was reconstructed. The results indicate that cracks initiate around pore defects and gradually propagate to form crack bands. The model closely matches the macroscopic damage and microscopic characteristics of the material. This work provides a new approach for the numerical simulation of pore defects in such materials.

Prediction of antioxidant enzyme activity in tomato leaves based on microhyperspectral imaging technique

Antioxidant enzymes play an important role in defending of tomato leaves against damage under different types of adversity stresses. In this paper, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology was used to predict the peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in tomato leaves. Spectra was preprocessed using Baseline, Smoothing and Normalize methods. Characteristic wavelengths were selected using competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), interval random frog (IRF) and genetic algorithm-combined partial least squares (GAPLS). Macroscopic prediction models for antioxidant enzyme activity were developed using partial least squares regression (PLSR), principal components regression (PCR) and least square support vector machines (LSSVM) algorithms. To establish microscopic prediction models for microzone cell image and spectral detection, the antioxidant enzyme activity in the observed leaf area was migrated to the microzone using the macroscopic prediction model and the ratio of microzone area to sliced leaf area. As results of model evaluation, the correlation coefficients of calibration (Rc) and prediction (Rp) were 0.853 and 0.832 for POD activity, 0.790 and 0.715 for CAT activity, and 0.975 and 0.937 for SOD activity, respectively. The results indicated the possibility of transfer learning between macroscopic and microscopic models in quantitatively predicting antioxidant enzymes in tomato leaves by HSI. The findings in this study provided a reference data in quantitatively detection of trace substances in tomato leaves and suggested macroscopic to microscopic modelling approaches for the future HSI applications.

Lunar regolith water ice simulation method and characterization

The exploration of lunar water resources has always been a cutting-edge topic in human space exploration. This paper presents a method for gas deposition and ice formation to simulate the mixture of ice and regolith in lunar polar shadowed regions. Following the principles of “physical structure equivalence and environmental parameter approximation,” based on the principle of water molecule deposition and adsorption in a cold trap environment, water ice is converted into water vapor by raising the temperature in a vacuum environment. Then, water molecules deposit and adsorb on the surface of dry, low-temperature mineral particles, forming an ice film under the action of the cold trap capture principle. The morphology and occurrence status of the particle surface ice film has been obtained through microscopic characterization of the samples in a cold environment. Vacuum pressure monitoring equipment is used to verify the pressure changes of water during the sublimation and deposition, and the phase diagram of water is analyzed to understand its state changes within the simulated setup. Samples are retrieved from a high-purity nitrogen glove box, and their water content is verified using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effectiveness of the proposed lunar regolith simulation method is validated through macroscopic and microscopic approaches. This method provides high-fidelity samples for lunar water resource utilization, scientific exploration, and payload development on the Moon.

Ultimate bearing behavior in the post-buckling stage of composite pressure hulls based on new detection methods

This study employs novel testing methods and analysis techniques to investigate the ultimate load-bearing characteristics and failure mechanisms of composite thin-walled pressure hulls. An analytical model based on the classical laminated plate theory, incorporating the Hashin damage failure criterion, is developed to determine their ultimate bearing capacity. Five carbon fiber cylindrical shells are manufactured to validate the failure mechanism and evaluate the model's predictions. Deep-sea pressure testing and ultrasonic testing are conducted on these shells. The resulting data is analyzed using both macroscopic and microscopic approaches to gain insights into their load-bearing behavior and failure mechanisms. The study demonstrates the significant influence of the thickness (t) to radius (R) ratio on the ultimate load-bearing capacity of these composite thin-walled pressure hulls. Failure primarily arises from compression failure in both the matrix and fibers. The load-bearing process encompasses uniform shrinkage, critical buckling, and post-buckling states. Material failure primarily occurs during the post-buckling stage, while no damage occurs during the initial buckling. On a microscale, failure at the interface between the fibers and matrix is identified as the primary contributor to overall structural failure. Enhancing the fracture energy of the interface is recommended to enhance the ultimate load-bearing capacity of the hulls.

Enhancing milk quality assessment with watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) urease immobilized on VS2-chitosan nanocomposite beads using response surface methodology

An eco-friendly hydrothermal method synthesized VS2 nanosheets. Several spectroscopic and microscopic approaches (TEM) were used to characterize the produced VS2 nanosheet microstructure. VS2, Chitosan, and nanocomposite were used to immobilize watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) urease. Optimization using the Response Surface Methodology and the Box-Behnken design yielded immobilization efficiencies of 65.23 %, 72.52 %, and 87.68 % for chitosan, VS2, and nanocomposite, respectively. The analysis of variance confirmed the mathematical model's validity, enabling additional research. AFM, SEM, FTIR, Fluorescence microscopy, and Cary Eclipse Fluorescence Spectrometer showed urease conjugation to the matrix. During and after immobilization, FTIR spectra showed a dynamic connectivity of chemical processes and bonding. The nanocomposite outperformed VS2 and chitosan in pH and temperature. Chitosan and VS2-immobilized urease were more thermally stable than soluble urease, but the nanocomposite-urease system was even more resilient. The nanocomposite retained 60 % of its residual activity after three months of storage. It retains 91.8 % of its initial activity after 12 reuse cycles. Nanocomposite-immobilized urease measured milk urea at 23.62 mg/dl. This result was compared favorably to the gold standard p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde spectrophotometric result of 20 mg/dl. The linear range is 5 to 70 mg/dl, with a LOD of 1.07 (±0.05) mg/dl and SD of less than 5 %. The nanocomposite's ksel coefficient for interferents was exceptionally low (ksel < 0.07), indicating urea detection sensitivity. Watermelon urease is suitable for dairy sector applications due to its availability, immobilization on nanocomposite, and reuse.

Structural determinants for activation of the Tau kinase CDK5 by the serotonin receptor 5-HT7R

BackgroundMultiple neurodegenerative diseases are induced by the formation and deposition of protein aggregates. In particular, the microtubule-associated protein Tau leads to the development of so-called tauopathies characterized by the aggregation of hyperphosphorylated Tau within neurons. We recently showed that the constitutive activity of the serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) is required for Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation through activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5). We also demonstrated physical interaction between 5-HT7R and CDK5 at the plasma membrane suggesting that the 5-HT7R/CDK5 complex is an integral part of the signaling network involved in Tau-mediated pathology.MethodsUsing biochemical, microscopic, molecular biological, computational and AI-based approaches, we investigated structural requirements for the formation of 5-HT7R/CDK5 complex.ResultsWe demonstrated that 5-HT7R domains responsible for coupling to Gs proteins are not involved in receptor interaction with CDK5. We also created a structural model of the 5-HT7R/CDK5 complex and refined the interaction interface. The model predicted two conserved phenylalanine residues, F278 and F281, within the third intracellular loop of 5-HT7R to be potentially important for complex formation. While site-directed mutagenesis of these residues did not influence Gs protein-mediated receptor signaling, replacement of both phenylalanines by alanine residues significantly reduced 5-HT7R/CDK5 interaction and receptor-mediated CDK5 activation, leading to reduced Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation. Molecular dynamics simulations of 5-HT7R/CDK5 complex for wild-type and receptor mutants confirmed binding interface stability of the initial model.ConclusionsOur results provide a structural basis for the development of novel drugs targeting the 5-HT7R/CDK5 interaction interface for the selective treatment of Tau-related disorders, including frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Refolding SDS-mediated partially-unfolded proteins: A distinguishing role of tetraalkylammonium ionic liquids via mixed micellar aggregation

The current study reports a new strategy for ionic liquid (ILs) assisted refolding of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-induced partially unfolded protein via mixed micellar aggregate formation between SDS and the ionic liquid. This approach can indeed be utilized to keep many essential and sensitive proteins as active and prolong their shelf life. For SDS-induced partially unfolded proteins, the ionic liquid has been identified to function as a refolding agent. The phenomenon has been observed by us for the first time and we have thoroughly investigated the same utilizing a variety of spectroscopic, microscopic approaches, and attempted to rationalize from computational techniques as well. The steady-state fluorescence emission spectra and time-resolved fluorescence decay show that both the intrinsic emission intensity and the average lifetime, respectively, of the surfactant-induced partially-unfolded protein increase in the presence of ionic liquid, indicating a possible reversal of unfolding (refolding) of the protein (up to ∼95 % revival of luminescence intensity and average lifetime with respect to the native protein). The CD and FTIR results also confirmed that the α-helical content of the pre-unfolded protein reverts substantially and is very close to that of the native protein. To understand the refolding process of SDS-induced partially-unfolded protein, we have further studied the structural recovery of urea-induced pre-denatured protein utilizing the same ionic liquid. Interestingly, no such refolding was observed in this case. From the experimental results, it appears that ionic liquid is involved in scavenging the unfolding surfactant monomers by forming mixed-micellar aggregates where the ion-ion attachment is likely to have impact on the said process.

Study of Advanced Techniques for Inquisition, Segregation and Removal of Microplastics from Water Streams: Current Insights and Future Directions

The present research covers different analytical methods utilized for the diagnosis and characterization of microplastics (MPs) in water and wastewater, such as particle size distribution analysis, and focuses on the sources and forms of MPs in receiving environments. First, we look at the most recent collection techniques, which include a variety of spectroscopic, chromatographic, and microscopic approaches used to identify and measure microplastics in water samples. We then investigate separation techniques designed to separate microplastics from diverse environmental matrices. This involves applying existing methods of separation based on density, such as centrifugation, flotation, and sedimentation, as well as more recent ones, like the use of microfluidic devices and materials for selective adsorption. Lastly, we look into removal methods aimed to reduce the buildup of microplastics in aquatic environments. These include enzymatic breakdown, coagulation/flocculation, and filtering, among other physical, chemical, and biological techniques.

Risk Factors for Isolated Sphenoid Sinusitis after Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery.

(1) Background: Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery can be conducted via microscopic or endoscopic approaches, and there has been a growing preference for the latter in recent years. However, the occurrence of rare complications such as postoperative sinusitis remains inadequately documented in the existing literature. (2) Methods: To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive retrospective analysis of medical records spanning from 2018 to 2023, focusing on patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (formerly called pituitary adenoma). Our study encompassed detailed evaluations of pituitary function and MRI imaging pre- and postsurgery, supplemented by transnasal endoscopic follow-up assessments at the otolaryngology outpatient department. Risk factors for sinusitis were compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. (3) Results: Out of the 203 patients included in our analysis, a subset of 17 individuals developed isolated sphenoid sinusitis within three months postoperation. Further scrutiny of the data revealed significant associations between certain factors and the occurrence of postoperative sphenoid sinusitis. Specifically, the classification of the primary tumor emerged as a notable risk factor, with patients exhibiting nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors with 3.71 times the odds of developing sinusitis compared to other tumor types. Additionally, postoperative cortisol levels demonstrated a significant inverse relationship, with lower cortisol levels correlating with an increased risk of sphenoid sinusitis postsurgery. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings underscore the importance of considering tumor classification and postoperative cortisol levels as potential predictors of postoperative sinusitis in patients undergoing transsphenoidal endoscopic pituitary surgery. These insights offer valuable guidance for clinicians in identifying at-risk individuals and implementing tailored preventive and management strategies to mitigate the occurrence and impact of sinusitis complications in this patient population.

Novel insight into the genetic diversity of strongylid nematodes infecting South-East and East Asian primates.

With many non-human primates (NHPs) showing continued population decline, there is an ongoing need to better understand their ecology and conservation threats. One such threat is the risk of disease, with various bacterial, viral and parasitic infections previously reported to have damaging consequences for NHP hosts. Strongylid nematodes are one of the most commonly reported parasitic infections in NHPs. Current knowledge of NHP strongylid infections is restricted by their typical occurrence as mixed infections of multiple genera, which are indistinguishable through traditional microscopic approaches. Here, modern metagenomics approaches were applied for insight into the genetic diversity of strongylid infections in South-East and East Asian NHPs. We hypothesized that strongylid nematodes occur in mixed communities of multiple taxa, dominated by Oesophagostomum, matching previous findings using single-specimen genetics. Utilizing the Illumina MiSeq platform, ITS-2 strongylid metabarcoding was applied to 90 samples from various wild NHPs occurring in Malaysian Borneo and Japan. A clear dominance of Oesophagostomum aculeatum was found, with almost all sequences assigned to this species. This study suggests that strongylid communities of Asian NHPs may be less species-rich than those in African NHPs, where multi-genera communities are reported. Such knowledge contributes baseline data, assisting with ongoing monitoring of health threats to NHPs.