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This research focuses on democratization and consolidation in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically examining the Visegrad Group (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic) after the Cold War and EU Eastern Enlargement. Using different democratization and European Integration theories, it explores the factors influencing democratization, consolidation, and stability in this region. This study analyzes the transition from communism to democracy, the impact of European Integration on democratization, and the role of civil society organizations in promoting democratic values. It acknowledges the challenges posed by populism and illiberalism and suggests practical policy solutions to strengthen democratic values and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.

Background: Compliance with colonoscopy among elderly individuals participating in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs is unsatisfactory, despite a high detection rate of bowel‐related diseases. In this study, our aim was to analyze the impact of risk factors on the trends of compliance and detection rates in colonoscopy among high‐risk individuals aged 60–74. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the high‐risk individuals aged 60–74 participating in the 2021 CRC screening program in Tianjin, China. Logistic regression analyses, including both univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed to explore the impact of different risk factors on colonoscopy compliance among the high‐risk individuals. Besides, the study investigated the influence of various risk factors on the detection rates of bowel‐related diseases among the high‐risk individuals who underwent colonoscopy. Results: A total of 24,064 high‐risk individuals were included, and 5478 individuals received a free colonoscopy, with an overall compliance of 22.76%. Among them, the adenoma detection rate was 55.46%. Males and individuals with a positive FIT had high compliance and detection rates for CRC, advanced adenomas (AA), advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN), and colorectal neoplasm (CN). Individuals aged 70–74 were associated with low compliance but high CRC, ACN, and CN detection rates. Individuals who reported a history of chronic constipation, bloody mucous, and CRC in first‐degree relative showed high compliance but no significantwere associated with the detection rates of CRC, AA, and CN. Conclusion: This study reported several risk factors associated with the screening behaviors for CRC. Patterns and trends in CRC, AA, ACN, and CN compliance and detection rates correlate with risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in individuals under 50 is increasing worldwide. We conducted an analysis of colonoscopy findings in high‐risk individuals under 50 in the CRC screening program in Tianjin, China, to determine the detection rate and risk factors of advanced adenomas (AA), advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN), colorectal neoplasia (CN). Methods: Our study investigated individuals aged 40–49 who underwent CRC screening and completed colonoscopy, 2012–2020, while the 50–54 age group served as a control. We compared the detection rates of AA, ACN, and CN among three age groups using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses, and investigated the risk factors associated with AA, ACN, and CN among individuals aged 40–49. Results: We found a gradual increase in the detection rate of AA, ACN, and CN among individuals aged 40–54. The detection rates for AA (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.41–0.81), ACN (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.43–0.77), and CN (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.56–0.74) were lower in individuals aged 40–44 compared to 45–49. The detection rates of AA (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.87–1.34) and ACN (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.93–1.35) in individuals aged 45–49 were comparable with 50–54. Besides, lifestyle factors, BMI, and FIT are not associated with the detection rates of AA, ACN, and CN among individuals aged 40–49. Conclusions: Our study reveals screening data in individuals under 50, indicating comparable detection rates of AA and ACN in individuals aged 45–49 and 50–54. These findings provide valuable data support for optimizing the optimal age to initiate screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The realization of a controllable transparent conducting system with selective light transparency is crucial for exploring many of the most intriguing effects in top‐illuminated optoelectronic devices. However, the performance is limited by insufficient electrical conductivity, low work function, and vulnerable interface of traditional transparent conducting materials, such as tin‐doped indium oxide. Here, it is reported that two‐dimensional (2D) titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene film acts as an efficient transparent conducting electrode for the lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) photodiode with controllable near infrared transmittance. The solution‐processed interface engineering of MXene and PbS layers remarkably reduces the interface defects of MXene/PbS CQDs and the carrier concentration in the PbS layer. The stable Ti3C2Tx/PbS CQDs photodiodes give rise to a high specific detectivity of 5.51 × 1012 cm W−1 Hz1/2, a large dynamic response range of 140 dB, and a large bandwidth of 0.76 MHz at 940 nm in the self‐powered state, ranking among the most exceptional in terms of comprehensive performance among reported PbS CQDs photodiodes. In contrast with the traditional photodiode technologies, this efficient and stable approach opens a new horizon to construct widely used infrared photodiodes with CQDs and MXenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of cyanidation in gold beneficiation leads to a large amount of SCN− in the gold extract tail solution, which poses a threat to the environment and human health. The present study successfully synthesized octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide/bentonite/titanium dioxide (OTAB/Bt/TiO2) photocatalysts through a sol–gel hydrothermal approach. Evaluation of the BET specific surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and zeta potential experiments unveiled the beneficial impact of incorporating OTAB. This inclusion led to an enlargement of the pore size and layer spacing of Bt, broadening the range of photoresponses. Additionally, it effectively neutralized the negative charge residing on the surface of Bt. Consequently, these enhancements contributed to the improved performance of the photocatalytic material in terms of adsorption and catalytic degradation of SCN−. The degradation rate of SCN− reached 98.78% under the reaction conditions of initial SCN− concentration of 50 mg/L, OTAB/Bt/TiO2 dosage of 0.8 g/L, pH = 8, and reaction time of 300 min. The degradation of the SCN− composite through the OTAB/Bt/TiO2 photocatalytic process followed a zero-order kinetic model with a calculated rate constant (k value) of 0.1148 min−1. Notably, this rate constant was 1.9 times greater than the degradation rate observed in the pure TiO2 system. The free radical quenching test showed that h+, ∙OH and ∙O2− were the main oxidizing substances for photocatalytic degradation. The identification of intermediates proved that the complete mineralization of SCN− could be achieved by OTAB/Bt/TiO2 adsorption and photocatalytic degradation without generating the highly toxic intermediate CN−. Overall, this study provides guidance for the development of more photocatalysts with strong adsorption properties and more effective removal of SCN− from gold extraction tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been increasing concern over water pollution, which poses a threat to human life and health. Absorption by low-cost absorbents is considered to be a cost-effective and efficient route. However, the non-reusability of absorbents greatly limits their applications. In this study, a novel vermiculite/TiO2 composite combining the inexpensive absorbent with the commonly used photocatalyst was firstly synthesized via the sol-gel method. On the one hand, the organic pollutants are absorbed by vermiculite and then decomposed through the photocatalysis process, enabling the next round of absorption and creating an absorption–decomposition reusable cycle. On the other hand, the modulation effect of optical and electronic structure on the prepared TiO2 photocatalyst by the vermiculite incorporation could significantly improve the photocatalytic activity and eventually enhance the aforementioned cyclic degradation capacity. The layer-structured vermiculite (Vt) supports a uniform coverage of TiO2 at an optimized ratio, providing an optimal adsorption environment and contact area between the photocatalyst and methylene blue (MB) molecules. Vt/TiO2 heterojunction is formed with Si-O-Ti bonding, at which electrons transfer from Vt to TiO2, enriching electron density in TiO2 and favoring its photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the incorporation of Vt increases the light absorption of TiO2 in the visible range by narrowing the optical band gap to 1.98 eV, which could promote the generation of photo-excited carriers. In addition, PL measurements revealed that the carrier recombination is substantially suppressed, and the charge separation and migration are greatly enhanced by a factor of 3. As a result, the decomposition rate of MB is substantially increased 5.3-fold, which is ascribed to the synergistic effects of the elevated photocatalysis and the large absorption capacity governed by the chemisorption mechanism of the intra-particle diffusion. These results pave the way for composite design towards efficient, economical, and pragmatic water pollution treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), in combination with various therapeutic agents, is the main strategy for patients with high risk of stage 2, and advanced stages of, human colorectal cancer. Although 5-FU-based chemotherapy causes myeloid cell suppression, which has long been considered as a major adverse effect in certain cancer patients, recent studies determined that 5-FU selectively kills myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), to increase cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying 5-FU's suppression of MDSCs is incompletely understood. We report here that 5-FU activates p53, to upregulate Fas expression in MDSCs, to increase MDSC sensitivity to FasL-induced apoptosis in vitro. 5-FU therapy upregulates Fas expression, to suppress MDSC accumulation, to increase CTL tumor infiltration in tumor-bearing mice. In human colorectal cancer patients, 5-FU-based chemotherapy suppresses MDSCs and increases CTLs level. Our findings determine that the p53-Fas pathway links 5-FU to MDSC suppression. Myelosuppression is a major adverse effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. However, recent findings indicate that 5-FU selectively suppresses myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), to enhance antitumor immunity in tumor-bearing mice. 5-FU-mediated myelosuppression may thus have a beneficial effect for cancer patients. The molecular mechanism underlying 5-FU's suppression of MDSCs is currently unknown. We aimed at testing the hypothesis that 5-FU suppresses MDSCs through enhancing MDSC sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis. We observed that, although FasL is highly expressed in T cells, Fas is weakly expressed in myeloid cells in human colon carcinoma, indicating that downregulation of Fas is a mechanism underlying myeloid cell survival and accumulation in human colon cancer. 5-FU treatment upregulated expression of both p53 and Fas, and knocking down p53 diminished 5-FU-induced Fas expression in MDSC-like cells, in vitro. 5-FU treatment also increased MDSC-like cell sensitivity to FasL-induced apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, we determined that 5-FU therapy increased expression of Fas on MDSCs, suppressed MDSC accumulation, and increased CTL tumor infiltration in colon tumor-bearing mice. In human colorectal cancer patients, 5-FU chemotherapy decreased MDSC accumulation and increased CTL level. Our findings determine that 5-FU chemotherapy activates the p53-Fas pathway, to suppress MDSC accumulation, to increase CTL tumor infiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of the prognostic markers and therapeutic targets might benefit the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD), one of the most aggressive malignancies. Vacuolar protein sorting associated protein 26 A (VPS26A) is a candidate prognosis gene for hepatocellular carcinoma, but its expression and function in PAAD remain unknown. The mRNA and protein expression of VPS26A in PAAD was explored and validated by bioinformatics and immunohistochemical analysis. The correlation between VPS26A expression and various clinical parameters, genetic status, diagnostic and prognostic value, survival and immune infiltration were evaluated, and the co-expressed gene-set enrichment analysis for VPS26A was performed. Cytologic and molecular experiments were further carried out to investigate the role and potential mechanism of VPS26A in PAAD. The mRNA and protein levels of VPS26A were elevated in PAAD tissues. High VPS26A expression was associated with the advanced histological type, tumor stage simplified, smoking status and tumor mutational burden score, and the poor prognosis of PAAD patients. VPS26A expression was significantly correlated with immune infiltration and immunotherapy response. VPS26A-co-expressed genes were mainly enriched in the regulation of cell adhesion and actin cytoskeleton and the immune-response-regulating signaling pathway. Our experiments further demonstrated that VPS26A promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion potentials of PAAD cell lines through activating the EGFR/ERK signaling. Our study suggested that VPS26A could be a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target for PAAD through comprehensive regulation of its growth, migration and immune microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic technology is currently the most promising technology for environmental pollution control. The preparation of photocatalysts with excellent properties is the core of the development of photocatalytic technology. TiO2 can form a heterojunction with g-C3N4, which can effectively inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, improve the mobility of photogenerated carriers, and thus improve the photocatalytic performance. In this study, NaCl was used as a template, and the loose and porous g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction composite photocatalysts were prepared by the template method. Compared to the pure g-C3N4 prepared by the conventional thermal polycondensation method and TiO2, the g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction composite photocatalysts prepared in this study exhibited a greatly increased specific surface area, an improved light absorption performance, a significantly suppressed recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. Furthermore, the g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction composite photocatalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance. In this study, NaCl was used as a template, and the loose and porous g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction composite photocatalysts were prepared by the template method. Compared to the pure g-C3N4 prepared by the conventional thermal polycondensation method and TiO2, the g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction composite photocatalysts prepared in this study exhibited a greatly increased specific surface area, an improved light absorption performance, a significantly suppressed recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. Furthermore, the g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction composite photocatalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We would like to express our gratitude to Safari, Farzad, and Noursina, Ali, for their insightful comments about our article regarding the questionnaire procedure and the assessment of symptoms, including a history of chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, and mucous blood stools. This questionnaire has been included in national screening programs since 2007 and has been used in many cities in China.[[1], [3]] Since 2012, CRC screening in community allied third-grade class-A hospitals has been initiated in Tianjin City, China. As stated in the manuscript, only 39.41% of the screening population completed a colonoscopy within 1 month, so those with symptoms at the time of initial screening were advised to seek a definitive diagnosis promptly and were excluded from screening. [Extracted from the article]

Driving ethanol electrooxidation in fuel cells is a promising technology for realizing the effective conversion of biomass energy into renewable electrical energy. However, it is still a challenge to broaden the application of fuel cells due to the limitation of effective electrocatalysts. Herein, we have proposed the design and synthesis of an advanced nonmetal-doped Pd nanocrystal catalyst for promoting the electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), in which the incorporation of nonmetal Te not only effectively modifies the electronic structure of Pd to enhance the intrinsic activity of the catalyst but also significantly boosts the further oxidation of intermediates, thereby promoting the electrocatalytic properties. Significantly, a mass activity of 1203 mA mgPd−1 for the optimized PdTe nanocrystals (NCs) has been realized, which is 4.7- and 2.5-fold enhancements as compared to the Pd NCs (255.4 mA mgPd−1) and commercial Pd/C (485 mA mgPd−1), respectively, presenting a promising electrocatalyst for fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is widely performed in early rectal cancer. This technique offers greater organ preservation and decreases the risk of subsequent surgery. However, postoperative local recurrence and distant metastasis remain challenges for patients with high-risk pathological factors. This single-center study reports the prognosis of early rectal cancer patients over 60 years old after TEM. Methods: The data of the patients over 60 years old who underwent local anal resection were collected retrospectively. Moreover, the 5-year follow-up data were analyzed to determine the 5-year DFS and OS. Results: 47 early rectal cancer patients over 60 years old underwent TEM. There were 27 patients with high-risk factors and 20 patients without high-risk factors. Two patients underwent radical surgery after TEM and ten patients received adjuvant treatment. Local recurrence occurred in 7 patients, of which 4 underwent salvage surgery. The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 75.6%, which was lower in the high-risk patients group (69.6%) than in the non-high-risk patients group (83.3%) (P >0.05). The 5-year OS was 90.2%, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (high-risk patients 87.0%, non-high-risk patients 94.4%). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in DFS and OS between people over and under 70 years old. Conclusion: Some high-risk factor patients over 60 years old do not have inferior 5-year DFS and OS to the non-high-risk patients. TEM is an option for old patients with high surgical risks. Even if postoperative pathology revealed high-risk factors, timely surgical treatment after local recurrence would be beneficial to improve the 5-year DFS and OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has demonstrated that the formation of composites of titanium dioxide (TiO2) with silver phosphate (Ag3PO4) through the construction of heterojunctions can expand its light absorption range and suppress the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, thereby improving the photocatalytic performance. However, this method offers only limited performance improvements, and the composite photocatalysts are costly due to the expensive Ag3PO4. In this study, Ti3C2 MXene, which has good hydrophilicity and excellent electrical conductivity, is first used to form Schottky junction composites with bronze TiO2 (TiO2(B)) via electrostatic self-assembly. Then, Ag3PO4 quantum dots were further formed on the surface of the TiO2(B)/Ti3C2 MXene by in situ self-growth, and Ag3PO4 formed heterojunctions and Schottky junctions with TiO2(B) and Ti3C2 MXene, respectively. Finally, a ternary composite photocatalyst TiO2(B)/Ti3C2 MXene/Ag3PO4 was jointly constructed by these functional junctions. Under the synergistic effect of these functional junctions, the mobility and fast separation performance of photogenerated electron–hole pairs of the composite photocatalyst were significantly improved, the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs was effectively suppressed, and the light absorption performance was enhanced. As a result, the composite photocatalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The recent uptrend in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in China is causing an increasingly overwhelming social burden. And its occurrence can be effectively reduced by sensitizing CRC screening for early diagnosis and treatment. However, a large number of people in China do not undergo screening due to multiple factors. To address this issue, since 2012, a CRC screening program has been initiated in Tianjin. Methods: Residents aged 40-74 years were eligible for CRC screening. The first was to complete the high-risk factor questionnaire (HRFQ) and undergo fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Then those with a positive result in any of the two screening methods were recommended for a free colonoscopy. Results: The detection rate of intestinal diseases increased with age, had a male predominance, and was higher in residents from central urban areas and those with primary school above education level. The sensitivity of predicting CRC after colonoscopy in the high-risk group was 76.02%; the specificity was 25.33%.A significant decrease in the detection rate of intestinal disease, CRC and advanced adenoma was observed from positive FIT, the high-risk group and positive HRFQ, 47.13%, 44.79%, 42.30%; 3.15%, 2.44%, 1.76%; 7.72%, 6.42%, 5.08%, in that order, while no inter-group difference was found for the detection of polyps. In addition, the different combinations of HRFQ and FIT can enroll more high-risk population than FIT or (and) HRFQ only, and thus detect more intestinal diseases (include CRC/AA/Polyp). Conclusion: The superimposition of different screening method for HRFQ and FIT is an effective strategy for the detection of CRC, AA, and Polyp, compared to HRFQ or FIT alone. However, further improvements in screening and interventions are needed to promote colonoscopy compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-targeting antimicrobial platforms have yielded new possibilities for the treatment of infectious biofilms. Self-targeting involves stealth transport through the blood circulation towards an infectious biofilm, where the antimicrobial platform penetrates and accumulates in a biofilm in response to a change in environmental conditions, such as local pH. In a final step, nano-antimicrobials need to be activated or the antimicrobial cargo of nanocarriers released. Zwitterions possess both cationic and anionic groups, allowing full reversal in zeta potential from below to above zero in response to a change in environmental conditions. Electrolyte-based platforms generally do not have the ability to change their zeta potentials from below to above zero. Zwitterions for use in self-targeting platforms are usually hydrophilic and have a negative charge under physiological conditions (pH 7.4) providing low adsorption of proteins and assisting blood circulation. However, near or in the acidic environment of a biofilm, they become positively-charged yielding targeting, penetration and accumulation in the biofilm through electrostatic double-layer attraction to negatively-charged bacteria. Response-times to pH changes vary, depending on the way the zwitterion or electrolyte is built in a platform. Self-targeting zwitterion-based platforms with a short response-time in vitro yield different accumulation kinetics in abdominal biofilms in living mice than platforms with a longer response-time. In vivo experiments in mice also proved that self-targeting, pH-responsive zwitterion-based platforms provide a feasible approach for clinical control of bacterial infections. Clinically however, also other conditions than infection may yield an acidic environment. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether pH is a sufficiently unique recognition sign to direct self-targeting platforms to an infectious biofilm or whether (additional) external targeting through e.g. near-infrared irradiation or magnetic field application is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To develop an autophagy-gene-based signature that could help to anticipate the therapeutic effects of Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Methods: We downloaded the gene expression profiles of CRC samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Genes with significant prognostic value in CRC were screened through univariate Cox regression analysis, while the LASSO Cox regression method was applied to screen optimal genes to construct the autophagy‐related prognostic signature. Results: 11 autophagy genes were identified and selected for the establishment of prognosis prediction model for CRC patients. The CRC patients were classified into the low- and high-risk groups according to the optimal cutoff value. The time-dependent ROC curves indicated the good performance of this model in prognosis prediction, with AUC values of 0.66, 0.66, and 0.67 at 1, 3 and 5 years for TCGA samples, as well as AUC values of 0.63, 0.65 and 0.64 for GEO samples, respectively. The multivariate Cox regression analysis results confirmed risk score as the independent marker for prognosis prediction in CRC. Besides, the constructed nomogram also had high predictive value. The results analysis on the tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) relative ratios and mRNA levels of key immune checkpoint receptors indicated the signature was closely related to immune microenvironment of CRC in the context of TIICs and immune checkpoint receptors' mRNA level. The proportion of MSI-L + MSI-H in the high-risk group was higher than that in the low-risk group. Moreover, the tumor purity was evaluated by estimate function package suggested that lower tumor purity in CRC might lead to a poorer prognosis. Conclusion: The autophagy-related features obtained in this study were able to divide the CRC patients into low- and high-risk groups, which should be contribute to the decision-making of CRC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow transit constipation is a common condition that would be difficult to treat in clinical practice with a widespread incidence in the population. Pharmacotherapy and surgery are common treatment modalities. However, the clinical effect is limited, and patients still suffer from it. As the researchers strived in this field for decades, the profound relationship between slow transit constipation and fecal microbiota transplantation has comprehensively been sustained. It is very pivotal to maintain intestinal homeostasis, the structure function and metabolic function of symbiotic bacteria, which can inhibit the engraftment of intestinal pathogens. This mini review explains the treatment effects and possible mechanisms of the fecal microbiota transplantation in treating slow transit constipation. Simultaneously, it is found that there is significant improvement in the disease by adjusting the intestinal microbes like fecal microbiota transplantation. Fecal microbiota transplantation has efficient therapeutic effects in slow transit constipation compared with traditional therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Shenfu injection (SFI) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine which has been clinically used for treatment of septic shock and cardiac shock. The aim of this study was to clarify effects of SFI on cerebral microcirculation and brain injury after hemorrhagic shock (HS). METHODS: Twenty-one domestic male Beijing Landrace pigs were randomly divided into three groups: SFI group (SFI, n = 8), saline group (SA, n = 8) or sham operation group (SO, n = 5). In the SFI group, animals were induced to HS by rapid bleeding to a mean arterial pressure of 40 mmHg within 10 minutes and maintained at 40±3 mmHg for 60 minutes. Volume resuscitation (shed blood and crystalloid) and SFI were given after 1 hour of HS. In the SA group, animals received the same dose of saline instead of SFI. In the SO group, the same surgical procedure was performed but without inducing HS and volume resuscitation. The cerebral microvascular flow index (MFI), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression, aquaporin-4 expression, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and ultrastructural of microvascular endothelia were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the SA group, SFI significantly improved cerebral MFI after HS. SFI up regulated cerebral endothelial NOS expression, but down regulated interleukin-6, TNF-α, inducible NOS and aquaporin-4 expression compared with the SA group. The cerebral microvascular endothelial injury and interstitial edema in the SFI group were lighter than those in the SA group. CONCLUSIONS: Combined application of SFI with volume resuscitation after HS can improve cerebral microcirculation and reduce brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of a commercial probiotic (Clostridium butyricum) on growth, gut microbiota, digestion‐related enzyme activity, antioxidant capacity and water quality in genetically improved, farmed tilapia (GIFT; Oreochromis niloticus) were assessed in a closed‐circuit, container culture system. A basal diet containing commercially available C. butyricum at 3.0 × 1010, 1.5 × 1011 and 3.0 × 1011 CFU/kg, and a control diet were fed to tilapia fries for 90 days. Growth performances and water quality were improved by probiotic treatment. Activities of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase and trypsin) were improved, especially with 1.5 × 1011 CFU/kg (p < 0.05). After feeding for 45 days and 90 days, antioxidant capacity in the liver, spleen and head kidney, and the plasma immunity in the treatment groups improved. The analysis of 16S rRNA indicated that C. butyricum did not significantly increase its abundance in the hindgut, but could modulate gut microbial communities and significantly increase functions relating to nitrogen metabolism, phosphorylation and proteinases. These results support the administration of C. butyricum, especially at 1.5 × 1011 CFU/kg. As a probiotic for high‐density tilapia, C. butyricum improves water quality, growth performance, antioxidant capacity and the immune response of GIFT under crowding stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanidation is the most commonly used method for leaching and recovering Au and Ag from ores. In the process, some copper species may dissolve and react with cyanide to form cyanide–copper complexes in a cyanide solution. Waste cyanide solutions must be treated to reduce their cyanide concentrations before they may be safely discharged into tailing storage facilities. In this preliminary work, precipitate flotation techniques were used to remove cyanide–copper complexes from synthetic solutions similar to those found in gold cyanidation plants. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (OTAB) were both employed as precipitants and frothers. Multiple parameters, including reaction time, bubbling time, pH, and surfactant dosage, were investigated. The results show that it is possible to remove up to 84.51% of the cyanide and 81.62% of the copper with a 7.60% water loss when adding 3.75 mg/mg Cu CTAB at a pH of 6. While further decreasing the pH may increase removal efficiencies, the contribution of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) volatilization and stripping will also be greatly increased. Tests performed with an industrial solution corroborated the results obtained using synthetic solutions. This study reveals that precipitation flotation can be used in the gold mining industry as a treatment for cyanidation solutions with high cyanide concentrations discharged into tailings facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]