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Phenomic prediction (PP), a novel approach utilizing Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) data, offers an alternative to genomic prediction (GP) for breeding applications. In PP, a hyperspectral relationship matrix replaces the genomic relationship matrix, potentially capturing both additive and non-additive genetic effects. While PP boasts advantages in cost and throughput compared to GP, the factors influencing its accuracy remain unclear and need to be defined. This study investigated the impact of various factors, namely the training population size, the multi-environment information integration, and the incorporations of genotype x environment (GxE) effects, on PP compared to GP. We evaluated the prediction accuracies for several agronomically important traits (days to flowering, plant height, yield, harvest index, thousand-grain weight, and grain nitrogen content) in a rice diversity panel grown in four distinct environments. Training population size and GxE effects inclusion had minimal influence on PP accuracy. The key factor impacting the accuracy of PP was the number of environments included. Using data from a single environment, GP generally outperformed PP. However, with data from multiple environments, using genotypic random effect and relationship matrix per environment, PP achieved comparable accuracies to GP. Combining PP and GP information did not significantly improve predictions compared to the best model using a single source of information (e.g., average predictive ability of GP, PP, and combined GP and PP for grain yield were of 0.44, 0.42, and 0.44, respectively). Our findings suggest that PP can be as accurate as GP when all genotypes have at least one NIRS measurement, potentially offering significant advantages for rice breeding programs, reducing the breeding cycles and lowering program costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: People's beliefs about cancer can affect the actions they take to prevent and detect the disease. We investigated socio‐economic inequalities in beliefs about cancer and its causes in the general population. Methods: We analyzed data from the representative probabilistic Spanish Oncobarometer survey (N = 4769, 2020) and the non‐probabilistic weight‐corrected Spanish Cancer Awareness Survey (N = 1029, 2022). Beliefs about cancer, recognition of cancer symptoms, and recognition of risk factors were measured with the Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer questionnaire. Endorsement of mythical causes was measured with the CAM‐Mythical Causes questionnaire. The effects of socio‐economic status (SES) were investigated in multiple regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and personal and family cancer history. Results: Individuals with lower SES were more likely to endorse pessimistic beliefs (e.g., "cancer is a death sentence"), and less likely to endorse optimistic beliefs about cancer (e.g., "people with cancer continue with normal activities"). Individuals with lower SES also recognized fewer cancer symptoms and risk factors and endorsed more mythical causes of cancer. The gap in knowledge regarding cancer causes was wider among people with low SES, who were more likely to endorse several mythical causes than some established risk factors included in cancer prevention recommendations. Conclusions: Socio‐economic inequalities in beliefs about cancer are robust and multidimensional and indicate worse preparedness to act against the disease among lower socio‐economic groups. Differences in beliefs about disease outcomes and causes are likely one of the multiple contributors to cancer disparities and should be targeted and monitored in prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluated the utilization rate of organic substrates contained in sanitary landfill leachates (SLLs) by fixed and suspended biomass reactors. Five bioreactors were designed, constructed, and tested for chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. We applied three levels of organic loading in the influent for each bioreactor, including (1) a rotating biological contactor (RBC) (12, 20, and 25 g COD/m2/day); (2) a trickling filter (TF) (2.67, 5.33, and 8 kg COD/m3/day); (3) an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) (13.31, 15.98, and 18.65 kg COD/m3/day); (4) an upflow anaerobic filter in two separated stages (UAF-2SS) (3.71, 2.76, and 1.8 kg COD/m3/day); and (5) an upflow anaerobic filter in three separated stages (UAF-3SS) (2.25, 3.45, and 4.44 kg COD/m3/day). Two equations for predicting the substrate utilization rate (SUR) of organic compounds by microorganisms were calibrated and validated, modeled under a nonsteady state condition. We modified Monod's equation to obtain the significant organic SUR and COD removal efficiency by the biomasses. These kinetic parameters were performed by the microorganisms fixing controlled experimental conditions for pH (8–9) and temperature for the UAFs (20°C, 27°C, and 34°C) and the remaining reactors (18°C– 20°C). The SUR and COD removal efficiency results were as follows: for UASB, −400 to −800 mg/L/h , 70% to 85%; for UAF-3SS, −100 to −300 mg/L/h , 85% to 95%; for UAF-2SS, −100 to −200 mg/L/h , 70% to 85%; and for RBC and TF, −50 to −250 mg/L/h , 70% to 80%. The results were mainly influenced by the structural arrangement of the organic compounds being biodegraded and the geometric configurations of the bioreactors in multiple separated stages, allowing the influence of the solubility of the recalcitrant substances, which varied from 7 to 14:1 COD dilition, to obtain subinhibitory levels for the microbial metabolism and achieve a high COD removal efficiency. Practical Applications: Two of the five bioreactors evaluated in this study, the upflow anaerobic filter in two separated stages and the upflow anaerobic filter in three separated stages, are proposed and designed as innovative reactors for treating groundwater from tropical aquifers contaminated with hydrocarbons. Additionally, UAFs were configured in a coupled bioreactor arrangement (i.e., a sequencing batch reactor followed by UAFs) to restore water quality by removing organic compounds in tropical rivers. By comparing the five bioreactors, the capacity for the chemical oxygen demand removal was significant related to the organic substrate utilization rate (SUR) for treating sanitary landfill leachates with low recalcitrance levels (i.e., rapidly biodegradable). Rapidly biodegradable SLLs can be associated with La Cortada-SLL percolated from the cells/trenches excavated for the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) (i.e., Pamplona Municipality, Colombia) due to the contents of a high fraction of putrescible wastes (67%) and a high biochemical oxygen demand/chemical oxygen demand ratio (62%). This level ratio produced a suitable SUR obtained from the microbial metabolism starting with the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (−400 to −1,200 mg/L/h) followed by the remaining bioreactors (−150 to −350 mg/L/h). Upflow anaerobic filters in multiple separated stages reactors constitute a feasible technical option for overcoming medium to high recalcitrance levels in SLLs obtained from cells/trenches excavated storing around 25% components fraction (e.g., metals, plastics, rubber, leather, textiles). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with an approach for hybrid and coupled modeling of the design of fixed and suspended biomass reactors for organic matter removal from sanitary landfill leachates. Five bioreactors, comprising Rotating Biological Contactors, Trickling Filter, Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket, Upflow Anaerobic Filter in Two Separated Stages (UAF-2SS) and Upflow Anaerobic Filter in Three Separated Stages (UAF-3SS) were evaluated by treating the organic matter contained in the leachates produced in two sanitary landfills. With respect to the hybrid and coupled models, the best performance in the approximation of the measured values in the Se/Si ratio to the predicted results of models were the equations for UAF-2SS and UAF-3SS reactors. Hybrid models were made up of a combination of mass conservation law and equations for estimating transformation process. Coupled models consisted of a combination of transport process models and transformation models based on the substrate utilization rate by the microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histoplasmosis is an increasing infection that mainly affects immunocompromised individuals such as patients with HIV/AIDS, with the disseminated form, especially gastrointestinal, being common in this population. The clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic to symptoms that mimic other abdominal diseases. Jejunal perforation due to histoplasmosis, although rare, has been reported in a few cases, typically in men living with HIV in their fourth decade of life. We present the case of a 34-year-old male, with a history of HIV and colonic histoplasmosis who presented with acute abdominal pain requiring exploratory laparotomy and intestinal resection due to jejunal perforation, with histological confirmation of histoplasmosis in the resected intestinal segment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the kinetics of microbial cell growth, utilization of organic substrates and methane production in upflow anaerobic filters in two and three separated stages (UAF‐2SS and UAF‐3SS) treating sanitary landfill leachates, under three temperatures (20, 27, and 34°C), fed with volumetric organic loads (VOLs) for UAF‐2SS (1.8, 2.25, 2.76, 3.45, 3.71, 4.64 kgCOD (chemical oxygen demand)/m3/d) and UAF‐3SS (1.7, 2.25, 2.44, 2.6, 3.15, 3.45, 3.5, 4.57, 4.64, 6.31, 11.61, 14.18, 17.48 kgCOD/m3/d). Kinetic parameters were obtained at temperature (20–34°C), pH (8.8–9.1), each one of three stages within the UAF‐2SS and UAF‐3SS reactors containing methanogenic bacteria (Methanococcus sp., and Methanobacterium sp.) and Clostridium sp.: Maximum substrate utilization rate (rm,s) resulted in 102 mg COD/L/h, maximum microbial cell growth rate (μm) varied 102–103 CFU (colony forming units)/mL/h, methane (CH4) production rate (rm,CH4) tended to vary 100–101 mg CH4/d and the maximum production coefficient (Y) varied 0–102 CFU/mL/h/mgCOD/L/h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SS18-SSX fusion protein is an oncogenic driver in synovial sarcoma. At the molecular level, SS18-SSX functions as both an activator and a repressor to coordinate transcription of different genes responsible for tumorigenesis. Here, we identify the proto-oncogene FYN as a new SS18-SSX target gene and examine its relation to synovial sarcoma therapy. FYN is a tyrosine kinase that promotes cancer growth, metastasis and therapeutic resistance, but SS18-SSX appears to negatively regulate FYN expression in synovial sarcoma cells. Using both genetic and histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi)-based pharmacologic approaches, we show that suppression of SS18-SSX leads to FYN reactivation. In support of this notion, we find that blockade of FYN activity synergistically enhances HDACi action to reduce synovial sarcoma cell proliferation and migration. Our results support a role for FYN in attenuation of anti-cancer activity upon inhibition of SS18-SSX function and demonstrate the feasibility of targeting FYN to improve the effectiveness of HDACi treatment against synovial sarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diverse morphological configurations in teeth present clinical challenges in root canal treatment, complicating instrumentation and irrigation processes, which can lead to treatment failure. Understanding anatomical variations, such as C-shaped canals and radix entomolaris, enhances clinical skills and improves long-term endodontic treatment success rates. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers superior diagnostic capabilities over conventional radiography, enabling the pre-operative detection of root configurations and canal numbers, facilitating personalized endodontic treatments. A total of 2173 teeth of a Mexican population, including 1057 first mandibular molars and 1116 s mandibular molars, were studied using only CBCT to identify C-shaped canals and radix configurations of patients who were treated from 2018 to 2023 at the Department of Radiology at the Faculty of Dentistry, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Mexico. C-shaped canals were identified in 160 teeth, with a prevalence of 0.2% in first mandibular molars and 14.1% in second mandibular molars. The highest frequency was in the left second mandibular molar (3.7) at 14.8%. Gender differences were significant, with higher prevalence in females (27.3%) compared to males (13.3%). The most common C-shaped canal configuration was type C2 (39.3%). Radix entomolaris was found in 52 teeth, with a prevalence of 3.4% in first mandibular molars and 1.4% in second mandibular molars. This research on a Mexican population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) highlights significant findings in the prevalence and types of C-shaped canals and radix entomolaris in mandibular molars for this population. The left second mandibular molar (3.7) showed the highest prevalence at 14.8%, followed closely by the right second mandibular molar (4.7) at 13.5%, with a significant difference (p < 0.001). We found a significant difference in the prevalence of C-shaped canals between genders (p = 0.004, OR 1.78). Additionally, radix entomolaris (p < 0.001) was more frequently identified in first mandibular molars to a significant degree. These insights underscore the importance of CBCT in diagnosing complex root anatomies, which can greatly enhance the success rates of endodontic procedures by allowing for more tailored and precise treatments for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The objective of this work is to analyze and interpret the components or hydrogeological, physical, and chemical variables of the San Diego aquifer to describe it and explain its influence on the sustainable use of groundwater for the providing of this locality. The San Diego municipality covers most of the area of the aquifer and is an area of high urban development that currently needs the contribution of groundwater due to the deficit presented by the main supply from the Central Regional System. Said aquifer is a set of geological strata located within the limits of the San Diego River basin, in the state of Carabobo, which are capable of storing groundwater and transmitting it. Data on lithology, porosity, and pumping level were investigated, which allows calculating an estimate of the volume of water available in the aquifer. Regarding the quality of the water, the data on hardness, chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, conductivity, calcium, magnesium, and pH, show that the water towards the center and north of the aquifer is of good quality, being able to classify it as type 1A, while toward the southern end—this is of lower quality, where the mineral parameters are higher, which is related to the probable intrusion of brackish water from Lake Valencia. It is concluded by establishing that the volume of groundwater, its availability, extraction feasibility, and its quality, make it suitable for urban supply and that said extraction is sustainable. But a better‐integrated type of management must be designed, considering the contribution of the Regional System of the Center and the adequacy of the distribution networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with an approach for the water quality restoration with emphasis on the removal of organochlorine pesticides and eutrophic conditions in tropical rivers, causing influence on the management of the central‐regional aqueduct, as a source of water supply for human consumption (4 million people) and industrial production in the states of Carabobo, Cojedes and Aragua, Venezuela, testing the phytoremediation techniques through Vetiveria zizanioides (VZ) species and coupled bioreactors, Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) followed by an Upflow Anaerobic Filter in Three Separate Stages (UAF‐3SS). Five rivers are involved known as Chirgua, Paito Guacara, Ereigüe, and Tucutunemo, whose waters have been classified as hypereutrophic, and containing organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). As a sample, for Tucutunemo River, OCPs included to DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and its isomers and DRINs (Aldrin, Endrin and Dieldrin) dissolved in water and sorbed on sediments, which were measured during the dry and rainy seasons in the period 2013 to 2016, in three monitoring stations distributed in a reach of 15 km. The results indicated that p.p′‐DDT concentration dissolved in water was increased up to 10 times from rainy to dry seasons, indicating that a permanent use of it is being carried out by farmers in the agricultural activity development. Steady concentrations of the DTT isomers (e.g., p.p′‐DDD and p.p′‐DDE) and Aldrin isomers (e.g., Dieldrin) demonstrated that the anaerobic and aerobic biodegradation processes occurred along the river and between climatic seasons. At experimental scale, VZ hydroponic system developed over a period of 6 months for the removal of nutrients demonstrated moderately low to high removal efficiencies. With respect coupled bioreactors, each bioreactor has been experimentally tested, demonstrating satisfactory performance in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal from industrial wastewater containing recalcitrant and inhibitory substances (46%–98%), which was estimated in the influent ranging from 3500 to 5500 mg/L, evidencing that coupling of bioreactors might lead to a effluent COD complying with environmental regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]