Search Results (2,009)

The prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) among blood donors is critical for ensuring blood safety. Aim: To provide an updated assessment of TTIs at a tertiary care hospital in Mexico over a ten-year period. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study. Blood samples were analyzed from potential donors at tertiary care hospital between 2012 and 2022. Donors completed a questionnaire and were screened for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C using nucleic acid testing and serological tests. Prevalence and trends were estimated. Among the 117,756 donors analyzed, 0.48% were positive for syphilis, with a significant annual decrease of −5.9% (p < 0.001), although notable fluctuations occurred, including a peak in 2021. HIV showed a significant annual increase of 9.8% (p = 0.029), with a peak in approximately 2019–2020. Hepatitis C maintained a stable trend, with a slight annual decrease of −5.6% (p = 0.170). Hepatitis B consistently decreased, with an annual decrease of −11.3% (p = 0.06). This study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and screening of blood donors to ensure blood safety. These findings underscore the need for localized public health interventions, particularly to address the increasing incidence of HIV. Further research should focus on enhancing donor screening practices and public health strategies to reduce the prevalence of TTIs. Full article

The consumption of vegetables is essential for reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases, yet global intake falls short of recommended levels. Enhancing the nutraceutical content of vegetables through postharvest abiotic stress, such as ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, offers a promising solution to increase health benefits. This study developed a user-friendly, at-home UVB device designed to increase the phytochemical content in common vegetables like carrots, lettuce, and broccoli. The device applies UVB radiation (305–315 nm) to fresh-cut vegetables, optimizing exposure time and intensity to maximize nutraceutical enrichment. The results demonstrated that UVB exposure increased the phenolic content by 44% in carrots, 58% in broccoli, and 10% in lettuce, with chlorogenic acid levels rising by 367% in lettuce, 547% in broccoli, and 43% in carrots after 48 h of storage. UVB treatment also enhanced antioxidant activity by up to 41% in broccoli and anti-inflammatory potential by 22% in carrots. In terms of gene expression, UVB treatment upregulated UCP-1 expression by 555% in carrots, enhanced thermogenesis, and increased SIRT-1 and ATGL expression by over 200%, promoting lipid metabolism. This process provides a convenient and efficient method for consumers to boost the health benefits of their vegetables. The study concludes that UVB-induced abiotic stress is an effective strategy to improve vegetable nutritional quality, offering a novel approach to increasing bioactive compound intake and aiding in the prevention of diet-related diseases. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate growth performance, dietary energy utilization, and carcass characteristics (carcass weight, dressing percentage, and visceral organ mass) of feedlot lambs fed different levels of AZOMITE (AZO), a source of volcanic clay composed of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate, the same as that included in a finishing diet. For this reason, 36 Pelibuey × Katahdin crossbred intact male lambs (18.81 ± 3.04 kg initial weight) were used in a feeding trial lasting 81 d. Lambs were grouped by initial weight and assigned within six weight groupings to 18 pens in a randomized complete block design. Diets, offered ad libitum, were corn-based finishing diets with an 88:12 concentrate-to-forage ratio supplemented as follows: 1) no AZO inclusion (CTRL), 2) AZO inclusion at a 0.75% level (0.75AZO) in diet dry matter, 3) AZO inclusion at a 1.50% level (1.5AZO) in diet dry matter. Cracked corn was replaced by AZO. After the feeding trial was finished, lambs were slaughtered and carcass weight was registered and dressing percentage was calculated. The data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design, with the pen as the experimental unit. Water consumption and dry matter intake were not affected (p ≥ 0.11) by supplemental AZO. The incorporation of AZO into the diet increased gain efficiency and observed dietary net energy (NE), being maximal with 0.75% AZO inclusion (quadratic effect, p = 0.02). The observed-to-expected dietary NE in the control group was as anticipated (1.00) according to the estimated energy based on the ingredient composition in diet, while in the 0.75AZO group, the observed dietary energy was 6% above expected, indicating a greater efficiency in energy utilization destined to growth (quadratic effect, p = 0.006). Lambs that were fed the AZO treatment showed an improvement (linear effect, p = 0.04) in hot carcass weight (HCW), and tended (linear effect, p = 0.06) to improve dressing percentage (DP) as AZO was increased in the diet. Visceral organ mass was not affected by the treatments. It is concluded that AZOMITE clay can be included up to 1.5% in finishing diets for lambs without negative effects on the intake of water and feed. Lambs that received diets supplemented with 0.75% AZO showed greater improvements in feed efficiency and dietary energy utilization, but an inclusion of 1.50% resulted in greater improvements to HCW and DP. This is the first report regarding the effects of AZO supplementation in the dietary energy utilization of fattening hairy lambs. Further research about the effects of AZO supplementation on ruminal and total tract digestion, carcass and meat quality, and the health of lambs is needed in order to more deeply understand the effects of AZO on its productivity performance. Full article

Introduction: Obesity is characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation, which can be modulated by lipid mediators derived from omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Obesity is a multifactorial disease, where genetic and environmental factors strongly interact to increase its development. In this context, the FADS1 gene encodes the delta-5 desaturase protein, which catalyzes the desaturation of PUFA. The rs174547 genetic variant of FADS1 has been associated with alterations in lipid metabolism, particularly with decreases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations. Objective: To analyze the effect of an n-3-supplemented diet on the fatty acid profile and composition in red blood cells (RBCs) of obese subjects carrying the rs174547 variant of the FADS1 gene. Methodology: Seventy-six subjects with obesity were divided into two groups: omega-3 (1.5 g of n-3/day) and placebo (1.5 g of sunflower oil/day). The dietary intervention consisted of a four-month follow-up. Anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary variables were evaluated monthly. The total fatty acid profile in RBC was determined using gas chromatography. The rs174547 variant was analyzed through allelic discrimination. Results: The n-3 index (O3I) increased at the end of the intervention in both groups. Subjects carrying the CC genotype showed significant differences (minor increase) in n-6, n-3, total PUFA, EPA, DHA, and the O3I in RBCs compared to TT genotype carriers in the n-3 group. Conclusions: The diet supplemented with EPA and DHA is ideal for providing the direct products that bypass the synthesis step affected by the FADS1 rs174547 variant in subjects carrying the CC genotype. The O3I confirmed an increase in n-3 fatty acids in RBCs at the end of the intervention. Full article

Background/Objectives: The interest in processing human speech and other human-generated audio signals as a diagnostic tool has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project OSCAR (vOice Screening of CoronA viRus) aimed to develop an algorithm to screen for COVID-19 using a dataset of Portuguese participants with voice recordings and clinical data. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to characterise the pattern of sounds produced by the vocal apparatus in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection documented by a positive RT-PCR test, and to develop and validate a screening algorithm. In Phase II, the algorithm developed in Phase I was tested in a real-world setting. Results: In Phase I, after filtering, the training group consisted of 166 subjects who were effectively available to train the classification model (34.3% SARS-CoV-2 positive/65.7% SARS-CoV-2 negative). Phase II enrolled 58 participants (69.0% SARS-CoV-2 positive/31.0% SARS-CoV-2 negative). The final model achieved a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 88.9%, and an F1-score of 84.7%, suggesting voice screening algorithms as an attractive strategy for COVID-19 diagnosis. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential of a voice-based detection strategy as an alternative method for respiratory tract screening. Full article

The deposition of agglomerated hydroxyapatite (HAp) powders by low-pressure cold spray has been a topic of interest in recent years. Key parameters influencing the deposition of HAp powders include particle morphology and impact kinetic energy. This work examines the deposition of HAp powders on various metal surfaces to assess the impact of substrate properties on the formation of HAp deposits via cold spray. The substrates studied here encompass metals with varying hardness and thermal conductivities, including Al6061, Inconel alloy 625, AISI 316 stainless steel, H13 tool steel, Ti6Al4V, and AZ31 alloy. Single-track experiments offer insights into the initial interactions between HAp particles and different substrate surfaces. In this study, the results indicate that the ductility of the substrate may enhance HAp particle deposition only at the first deposition stages where substrate/particle interaction is the most critical factor for deposition. Features on the substrate associated with the first deposition sprayed layer include localized substrate deformation and the formation of clusters of HAp agglomerates, which aid in HAp deposition. Furthermore, after multiple spraying passes on the various metallic surfaces, deposition efficiency was significantly reduced when the build-up process of HAp coatings shifted from ceramic/metal to ceramic/ceramic interactions. Overall, this study achieved agglomerated HAp deposits with high deposition efficiencies (30–60%) through single-track experiments and resulted in the preparation of HAp coatings on various substrates with thickness values ranging from 24 to 53 µm. These coatings exhibited bioactive behavior in simulated body fluid. Full article

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), widely used in disease diagnosis and drug delivery, face the challenge of being surrounded by biological macromolecules such as proteins upon entering the human body. These molecules compete for binding sites on the nanoparticle surfaces, forming a protein corona. The impact of different types of protein coronas on LNP delivery remains unclear. In this study, we employed a newly developed, highly sensitive LNP labeling platform and analyzed the endocytosis of HeLa cells under different nutritional conditions using proteomics to address this critical issue. Our research found that under conditions of complete medium and amino acid starvation, most DNA-FITC vesicles in HeLa cells were located in the perinuclear region 4 h after transfection. In contrast, under serum starvation conditions, only a small portion of DNA-FITC vesicles were in the perinuclear region. On the other hand, through proteomics, we discovered that cells that were enriched in amino acids and complete medium contained more proteins, whereas those under serum starvation had relatively fewer enriched proteins. Through KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, we identified the phagosome and endocytosis pathways as particularly important. Lastly, differential analysis of proteins in these pathways revealed that proteins such as F-actin, Coronin, vATPase, TUBA, TUBB, MHCII, and TSP may have significant impacts on cellular endocytosis. Our research findings indicate that it is necessary to regulate cellular endocytosis based on different protein coronas to achieve optimal cytoplasmic release. Full article

Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have shown promise in reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions, but their potential for simultaneous NOx reduction in small-scale combustion systems remains underexplored. This study focuses on using non-thermal plasma generated in a corona discharge to reduce PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustion. ESP was specifically designed for a commercially available 15 kW boiler with wood pellet combustion and used with both positive and negative discharge polarity to control emissions without any chemical additives. ESP performance was evaluated across a range of specific input energies (SIE) in terms of particle mass and number concentrations and NOx concentrations obtained by continuous gas analysis. ESP ensured the reduction in PM concentrations from 48 mg/m³ to the magnitude of PM content in the ambient air. The highest precipitation efficiency was observed for particles in the 20–200 nm range. Concurrently, NOx emissions were reduced by up to 78%, from 178 mg/m³ to 39 mg/m³. These results were achieved at specific input energies of 36 for positive and 48 J/L for negative corona, which is significantly lower than those reported for many existing separate PM and NOx control systems. This study demonstrates the potential of ESPs as a compact, energy-efficient solution for simultaneous PM and NOx removal in small-scale combustion systems, offering promising implications for improving air pollution control technologies for small-scale combustion systems. Full article

Dual-fraction proteomics reveals a novel class of proteins impacted by nanoparticle exposure. Background: Nanoparticles (NPs) interact with cellular proteomes, altering biological processes. Understanding these interactions requires comprehensive analyses beyond solely characterizing the NP corona. Methods: We utilized a dual-fraction mass spectrometry (MS) approach to analyze both NP-bound and unbound proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae sp. protein extracts exposed to silica nanoparticles (SiNPs). We identified unique protein signatures for each fraction and quantified protein abundance changes using spectral counts. Results: Strong correlations were observed between protein profiles in each fraction and non-exposed controls, while minimal correlation existed between the fractions themselves. Linear models demonstrated equal contributions from both fractions in predicting control sample abundance. Combining both fractions revealed a larger proteomic response to SiNP exposure compared to single-fraction analysis. We identified 302/56 proteins bound/unbound to SiNPs and an additional 196 “impacted” proteins demonstrably affected by SiNPs. Conclusion: This dual-fraction MS approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of nanoparticle interactions with cellular proteomes. It reveals a novel class of “impacted” proteins, potentially undergoing conformational changes or aggregation due to NP exposure. Further research is needed to elucidate their biological functions and the mechanisms underlying their impact. Full article

Enhancing the corona resistance of epoxy resin (EP) is crucial for ensuring the reliable operation of electrical equipment and power systems, and the incorporation of inorganic nanofillers into epoxy resin has shown significant potential in achieving this. In this study, functionalized graphene oxide (KHGO) was synthesized via a sol-gel method to enhance the corona resistance of EP with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) used to assess the properties of KHGO/EP composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) verified the successful grafting of epoxy groups onto the GO surface. The thermal conductivity and stability of the KHGO/EP composite initially increased with KHGO content but declined when the content exceeded 1.2 wt.%. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) indicated that KHGO improved interfacial compatibility with EP compared to GO, with agglomeration occurring when KHGO content exceeded a threshold value (1.2 wt.%). EIS analysis revealed that the corona resistance of the KHGO/EP composite was optimal at a filler content of 0.9 wt.%. After corona treatment, the saturation water uptake of the 0.9 wt.% KHGO/EP composite decreased by 15% compared to pure EP with its porosity reduced to just 1/40th of that of pure EP. This study underscores that well-dispersed KHGO/EP composite exhibits excellent corona resistance property suggesting the potential for industrial applications in high-voltage equipment insulation. Full article

Black hole X-ray binary systems consist of a black hole accreting mass from its binary companion, forming an accretion disk. As a result, twin relativistic plasma ejections (jets) are launched towards opposite and perpendicular directions. Moreover, multiple broadband emission observations from X-ray binary systems range from radio to high-energy gamma rays. The emission mechanisms exhibit thermal origins from the disk, stellar companion, and non-thermal jet-related components (i.e., synchrotron emission, inverse comptonization of less energetic photons, etc.). In many attempts at fitting the emitted spectra, a static black hole is often assumed regarding the accretion disk modeling, ignoring the Kerr metric properties that significantly impact the geometry around the usually rotating black hole. In this work, we study the possible implications of the spin inclusion in predictions of the X-ray binary spectrum. We mainly focus on the most significant aspect inserted by the Kerr geometry, the innermost stable circular orbit radius dictating the disk’s inner boundary. The outcome suggests a higher-peaked and hardened X-ray spectrum from the accretion disk and a substantial increase in the inverse Compton component of disk-originated photons. Jet-photon absorption is also heavily affected at higher energy regimes dominated by hadron-induced emission mechanisms. Nevertheless, a complete investigation requires the full examination of the spin contribution and the resulting relativistic effects beyond the disk truncation. Full article

Plasma from electric discharges can be used in the abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The application of gas-phase pulsed corona discharge (PCD) in air–water mixtures provides favorable conditions for the oxidation of VOCs at unsurpassed energy efficiency. This research investigates the impact of water sprinkling on PCD performance in the oxidation of m-xylene as a model compound. Experimental research into the plasma treatment of continuous air flow was undertaken using the PCD reactor in dry and water-sprinkled modes. Water sprinkling more than doubled the m-xylene oxidation rate, which can be attributed to abundant OH-radicals produced at the plasma–water interface. Water sprinkling substantially reduced the formation of nitrous oxide, which is considered to be a secondary pollutant in the outlet air. Ozone is considered a by-product helping the subsequent photocatalytic oxidation of potential residues and photocatalyst maintenance. The use of water-sprinkled PCD is a promising approach to energy-efficient abatement of VOCs. Full article

Type IV gas cylinders are widely used in the field of vehicles due to their advantages such as light weight, cleanliness, and low cost. Ramie fiber/degradable epoxy resin composites (RFRDE) provide new ideas for the material selection of Type IV gas cylinders due to their advantages of low carbon emissions, low environmental pollution, and renewable resource utilization. However, the poor interfacial bonding strength and moisture resistance between polyethylene plastics and RFRDE have limited their application areas. This study tested the mechanical properties of ramie fibers at different heat treatment temperatures, and studied the thermal mechanical properties of RFRDE through differential scanning calorimeter and curing kinetics methods. At 180 °C, the tensile strength of fiber bundles decreased by 34% compared to untreated fibers. As the highest curing temperature decreases, the tensile strength of RFRDE increases but the curing degree decreases. At the highest curing temperature of 100 °C, the tensile strength of RFRDE is 296 MPa. The effect of the corona discharge and flexible adhesive on the surface modification of polyethylene was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. These results provide guidance for the development of natural fiber/degradable epoxy resin composite materials. Full article

The characteristics of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are essential in orthodontic and prosthetic treatments. Previous studies have suggested an association between articular eminence inclinations (AEI) and occlusal plane characteristics using radiographs, but no bilateral analysis has been conducted using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the specific characteristics of the occlusal plane inclinations associated with unilateral and bilateral AEI using CBCT. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate 200 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) from 100 records obtained at the orthodontic department. We evaluated the association between the AEI, and occlusal plane characteristics like the cant of the occlusal angle, occlusal plane angles, inclination of the upper incisor to the Frankfort plane and palatal plane using both bivariate and multivariate analyses both unilaterally and bilaterally. Results: Our findings suggested statistically significant associations (p < 0.050) between AEI (bilateral) and occlusal inclination parameters, including the cant of the occlusal plane (Coef. −0.38; 95%CI −0.70:−0.06; p = 0.017), occlusal plane angle (Coef. −0.39; 95%CI −0.740:−0.05; p = 0.024), and position of the upper incisor relative to the palatal plane (Coef. −0.34; 95%CI −0.63:−0.06; p = 0.016). Conclusion: This study suggests an association between dental inclinations and AEI, which reflects the anatomical characteristics of TMJ and its related dental structures. Full article