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Background: To explore the association between growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) rs572169 and serum lipid and glucose levels in a long-lived population to reveal its putative roles in longevity. Methods: Participantswere recruited in three groups: longevity group (LG, aged 90 and above, n = 496), offspring group (OG, aged 60-75, n = 723) and control group (CG, aged 60-75, n = 611). Genotyping of SNP rs572169 was performed by improved multiple ligase detection reaction (iMLDR). Association between the SNP and fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid levels were evaluated thereafter. Results: Genotypic frequency of GHSR rs572169 showed no significant difference among groups, but females in CG exhibited higher CT/TT frequency than that of LG. Total cholesterol (TC) levels in T allele carriers of controls were higher than that in non-T carriers. T carriers exhibited higher TG levels than those of T noncarriers in the females of combined population and in OG. When BMI, FBG and lipid statuswere taken into account, T carriers tended to have an elevated FBG in the normal BMI subgroup of CG and in the hyperglycemic subgroup of OG and CG, an increased TG in the hyperlipidemic subgroup of OG, TC and HDL-C levels in the hyperlipidemic subgroup of CG while a lowered HDL-C in the normolipidemic subclass of LG. Conclusions: GHSR rs572169 derived T allele is significantly enriched in average females and mainly linked to disadvantageous metabolic measures, while ancestral C allele is well maintained in long-lived families which is associated with favorable metabolic profiles and better survivorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malignancies-related esophagogastric junction (EGJ) obstruction is usually diagnosed in inoperable status with poor clinical outcomes. Metallic stent placement at EGJ could improve dysphagia for these patients. However, studies regarding the outcomes in these patients receiving metallic stents are still limited. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of metallic stent placement in malignant EGJ obstruction. Methods: Forty-one patients with inoperable malignant EGJ obstruction receiving metallic stent placement were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical outcomes between different stents and deployment techniques were analyzed. Results: The overall technical success rate was 97.6% and clinical success rate was 92.1%. The median overall survival time was 77 (4-893) days, and the patency time was 71 (4-893) days, respectively. Poststent radiotherapy significantly prolonged survival and stent patency. Between patients receiving uncovered or partially covered metal stents, there was no difference in procedurerelated complications, survival time, and stent patency time. Moreover, the clinical outcomes in patients receiving duodenal stents for malignant EGJ obstruction are not inferior to those receiving esophageal stents. Conclusion: This study provides crucial information for endoscopists to establish individualized stenting strategies for malignant EGJ obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) offers a universal language of codes to document childhood functioning. The ICF-CY Code Set for Infants with Early Delay and Disabilities (EDD Code Set) has been developed to facilitate the practical application of the ICF for children. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the EDD Code Set by exploring the linkage between ICF and children's assessment reports. We reviewed 30 Comprehensive Assessment Reports (CAR) for children with developmental delay (DD), aged 9-34 months in a joint evaluation center. Meaningful concepts in compulsory and supplementary sections of the CAR were identified and linked to the EDD Code Set. Linkage was measured by (a) number of linked codes and (b) average of code-only and code-with-qualifier percentages. Content in the CAR was linked to 72 of the 82 EDD codes with more codes linked from the supplementary (71) than the compulsory section (58). The largest proportion of linked codes was activities and participation (85%). The EDD Code Set can be used to examine the ICF linkage of pediatric assessment reports and guide future development or revision of pediatric documentation and participation-based intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southwestern China has the largest geological phosphorus-rich mountain in the world, which is seriously degraded by mining activities. Understanding the trajectory of soil microbial recovery and identifying the driving factors behind such restoration, as well as conducting corresponding predictive simulations, can be instrumental in facilitating ecological rehabilitation. Here, high-throughput sequencing and machine learning-based approaches were employed to investigate restoration chronosequences under four restoration strategies (spontaneous re-vegetation with or without topsoil; artificial re-vegetation with or without the addition of topsoil) in one of the largest and oldest open-pit phosphate mines worldwide. Although soil phosphorus (P) is extremely high here (max = 68.3 mg/g), some phosphate solubilizing bacteria and mycorrhiza fungi remain as the predominant functional types. Soil stoichiometry ratios (C:P and N:P) closely relate to the bacterial variation, but soil P content contributes less to microbial dynamics. Meanwhile, as restoration age increases, denitrifying bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi significantly increased. Significantly, based on partial least squares path analysis, it was found that the restoration strategy is the primary factor that drives soil bacterial and fungal composition as well as functional types through both direct and indirect effects. These indirect effects arise from factors such as soil thickness, moisture, nutrient stoichiometry, pH, and plant composition. Moreover, its indirect effects constitute the main driving force towards microbial diversity and functional variation. Using a hierarchical Bayesian model, scenario analysis reveals that the recovery trajectories of soil microbes are contingent upon changes in restoration stage and treatment strategy; inappropriate plant allocation may impede the recovery of the soil microbial community. This study is helpful for understanding the dynamics of the restoration process in degraded phosphorus-rich ecosystems, and subsequently selecting more reasonable recovery strategies. [Display omitted] • Restoration in one of the largest and oldest open-pit phosphate mines worldwide. • Microbial features are predicted using machine learning-based approaches. • Restoration age is still not the most primary factor in affecting soil microbes. • The recovery trajectories of soil microbes vary by the changes in treatment strategies. • Inappropriate plant allocation hinders the recovery of the soil microbial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron nanoparticles were first green synthesized using polyphenols extracted from Garcinia mangostana L. pericarp (GM-Fe NPs) and used as a catalyst to decolorize Reactive Brilliant Blue KN-R (RBB, anthraquinone dye) in the Fenton-like oxidation system. Polyphenols were used as reducing and capping agents in the synthesis of GM-Fe NPs, which was demonstrated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of GM-Fe NPs and the variations of total polyphenols during synthesis. The XRD patterns suggested that the synthesized GM-Fe NPs were mainly amorphous in nature. The effects of extract to FeCl3 ratio, dosage of GM-Fe NPs and initial dye concentration on the RBB decolorization were also investigated. The optimal ratio of extract to FeCl3 for the synthesis was 5 : 1. The decolorization efficiency of RBB increased with the increasing GM-Fe NPs dosage. With the initial RBB concentration ranging from 250 to 750 mg/L, the decolorization efficiency can reach more than 97.83 % after 180 min. The combined first-order kinetic model can well explain the RBB degradation. UV-vis spectra showed that color groups in the visible region had been degraded and no new peaks appeared. The green synthesized GM-Fe NPs could be employed as a low-cost, efficient and alternative catalyst in Fenton-like oxidation system for RBB removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Li-rich layered oxides as cathode materials have attracted considerable attention worldwide owing to their high capacity and low cost. However, one of the inherent drawbacks of Li-rich layered oxides is the gradual capacity fading and potential decline during long cycling, caused by the slow structure transition from layered structure to spinel. Therefore, slowing down the intrinsic structure transition is an effective strategy to stabilize the discharge energy density of Li-rich layered oxides. In this work, SiO44- and SO42- polyanions with large radii are introduced into Li-rich layered oxides. The polyanion-doping can slightly change the local environment in the layered structure and enhance the binding energy of cations to anions. In addition, some crystal defects are induced inside the lattice by doping with large polyanions. The further extension of the structure transition from the surface region to the bulk phase can be blocked by the defect structure to a certain extent. Consequently, polyanion-doped oxides present much better cycle performance, including stable discharge capacity, much less potential decline, as well as more stable thermal stability. These results imply that the polyanion doping is an effective method to stabilize energy density of Li-rich layered oxide for advanced lithium ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjacent natural teeth with untreated pulpal or periodontal pathology may be a potential risk for implant infection. We report a rare case of an implant periapical lesion (IPL) possibly caused by direct extension of a periradicular lesion of an adjacent tooth. A 40-year-old female patient, who had previously received three implants on the edentulous areas of teeth 16, 36 and 46, had a recurrent infection over the lower left second molar area for 2 years. A periapical radiograph revealed incomplete root canal treatment and an infrabony defect on the mesial side of the lower left second molar; the defect extended to the apical third of the adjacent implant on tooth 36. Open flap debridement was performed 1 year after implant placement, but pain and swelling persisted for another year. Therefore, the second molar was extracted at the patient's request. The patient was unable to seek earlier and prompt treatment as she was abroad; therefore, we were able to observe the progression of severity in the IPL. One year after the extraction, the symptoms had subsided, and a periapical radiograph showed that the radiolucent lesion had decreased in size. She was followed for another 1.5 years and showed marked improvement. In this case, the IPL probably originated from the endodontic-periodontic problem of the adjacent molar, and the infected implant was saved by removing the infection source. We also discuss the treatment and prognosis of IPLs. To prevent the occurrence of an IPL, it is important to evaluate the pulpal and periodontal status of the teeth near the implant site when making a comprehensive treatment plan for an implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the GRB2-associated binding protein 2 (GAB2) as a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Chinese population. A case-control study was used to determine the prevalence of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GAB2 gene and to investigate the risk factor for AD. The study concludes that the implications of the three SNPs with an association at SNP rs7101429 C allele might increase the risk factor for AD.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including digital storytelling, disaster management in business, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) project success.

An abstract of the article "Electrochemical Catalytic Carbon-skeleton Rearrangement Mediated by Imine/Oxime-type B12 Model Complex, by Keishiro Tahara and colleagues is presented.

The catalytic methyl-transfer reaction from methyl tosylate to 1-octanethiol was carried out in the presence of heptamethyl cobyrinate perchlorate, hydrophobic vitamin B12, under electrochemical conditions at -1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl using a carbon-felt cathode and a zinc plate anode as the sacrificial electrode in an undivided cell. This catalytic reaction proceeded via the formation and dissociation of the cobalt-carbon bond in the hydrophobic vitamin B12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]