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Accident; Analysis and Prevention Jul 2024Examining the relationship between streetscape features and road traffic accidents is pivotal for enhancing roadway safety. While previous studies have primarily focused...
Examining the relationship between streetscape features and road traffic accidents is pivotal for enhancing roadway safety. While previous studies have primarily focused on the influence of street design characteristics, sociodemographic features, and land use features on crash occurrence, the impact of streetscape features on pedestrian crashes has not been thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, while machine learning models demonstrate high accuracy in prediction and are increasingly utilized in traffic safety research, understanding the prediction results poses challenges. To address these gaps, this study extracts streetscape environment characteristics from street view images (SVIs) using a combination of semantic segmentation and object detection deep learning networks. These characteristics are then incorporated into the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm, along with a set of control variables, to model the occurrence of pedestrian crashes at intersections. Subsequently, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method is integrated with XGBoost to establish an interpretable framework for exploring the association between pedestrian crash occurrence and the surrounding streetscape built environment. The results are interpreted from global, local, and regional perspectives. The findings indicate that, from a global perspective, traffic volume and commercial land use are significant contributors to pedestrian-vehicle collisions at intersections, while road, person, and vehicle elements extracted from SVIs are associated with higher risks of pedestrian crash onset. At a local level, the XGBoost-SHAP framework enables quantification of features' local contributions for individual intersections, revealing spatial heterogeneity in factors influencing pedestrian crashes. From a regional perspective, similar intersections can be grouped to define geographical regions, facilitating the formulation of spatially responsive strategies for distinct regions to reduce traffic accidents. This approach can potentially enhance the quality and accuracy of local policy making. These findings underscore the underlying relationship between streetscape-level environmental characteristics and vehicle-pedestrian crashes. The integration of SVIs and deep learning techniques offers a visually descriptive portrayal of the streetscape environment at locations where traffic crashes occur at eye level. The proposed framework not only achieves excellent prediction performance but also enhances understanding of traffic crash occurrences, offering guidance for optimizing traffic accident prevention and treatment programs.
PubMed: 38955107
DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2024.107693 -
Talanta Jun 2024Sensitive and accurate analysis of pyrophosphate (PPi) is of great importance for preventing health hazard in environment. Nevertheless, most of sensors focus on...
Sensitive and accurate analysis of pyrophosphate (PPi) is of great importance for preventing health hazard in environment. Nevertheless, most of sensors focus on sensitivity and selectivity, but practicality is also a significant quota. How to reconciling sensitivity, selectivity and practicability in one single sensor is desirable but remains challenging. Here, we created a novel metal-carbon nanozyme VO@C with two-dimensional (2D) morphology and high yet exclusive peroxidase (POD)-like activity via a glucose and NHNO-co-directed avenue, and further showed its application in constructing a portable and disposable paper-based analytical chip (PA-chip) for rapid, visual and onsite analysis of PPi. PPi etched VO to prevent the decomposition of HO into ·OH, resulting in weakened POD-like activity. In comparison with PPi deficiency, colorless TMB couldn't be oxidized into oxidized TMB with a dropped absorption at 652 nm. Therefore, obviously shallowed blue color on PA-chip surface was recorded, and demonstrated a negative relationship with PPi dosage, enabling rapid and visual detection of PPi with a limit of detection of 2.6 nM. This study demonstrated the burgeoning applications of nanozymes with POD-like activity in construction of PA-chips for PPi and will quicken the advancement of practical sensors, guaranteeing environmental safety.
PubMed: 38955106
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126490 -
Talanta Jun 2024The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had an unprecedented impact, both by posing a serious risk to human health and by amplifying the burden on the global economy. The...
The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had an unprecedented impact, both by posing a serious risk to human health and by amplifying the burden on the global economy. The rapid identification of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been crucial to preventing and controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this study, we propose a multilayered plasmonic nanotrap (MPNT) device for the rapid identification of single particles of SARS-CoV-2 virus in ultra-high sensitivity by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The MPNT device is composed of arrays of concentric cylindrical cavities with Ag/SiO/Ag multilayers deposited on the top and at the bottom. By varying the diameter of the cylinders and the thickness of the multilayers, the resonant optical absorption and local electric field were optimized. The SERS enhancement factors of the proposed device are of the order of 10, which enable the rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 N protein in concentrations as low as 1.25 × 10-12.5 × 10 g mL within 1 min. The developed MPNT SERS device provides a label-free and rapid detection platform for SARS-CoV-2 virus. The general nature of the device makes it equally suitable to detect other infectious viruses.
PubMed: 38955100
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126494 -
Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome Jun 2024Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, is reported to have cardiac benefits, but its effects on preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) remain...
BACKGROUND
Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, is reported to have cardiac benefits, but its effects on preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) remain inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate whether semaglutide can prevent AF occurrence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, or overweight.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane CENTRAL database, and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to December 29, 2023. Randomized controlled trials of semaglutide in patients with T2DM, obesity, or overweight were included. The primary outcome was AF occurrence. Relative risks (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the overall population and subgroups.
RESULTS
Twenty-one trials comprising 25957 patients were included. In the overall pooled analysis, semaglutide decreased AF occurrence compared to control drugs (RR 0.70, 95 % CI 0.52-0.95). This result was consistent in trials using other antihyperglycemic medications as controls (RR 0.43, 95 % CI 0.21-0.89), but not in placebo-controlled trials (RR 0.77, 95 % CI 0.56-1.07). The outcome was favorable for patients with T2DM (RR 0.71, 95 % CI 0.52-0.97), but not for patients with overweight or obesity (RR 0.56, 95 % CI 0.18-1.73). Results varied by type of semaglutide, with oral semaglutide showing an RR of 0.49 (95 % CI 0.25-0.97) and subcutaneous semaglutide showing an RR of 0.77 (95 % CI 0.55-1.07).
CONCLUSION
Semaglutide was associated with a reduced risk of AF occurrence in the overall analysis. Favorable outcomes were observed in subsets using other antihyperglycemic medications as controls, in patients with T2DM, and with oral semaglutide.
PubMed: 38955095
DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2024.103067 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Jul 2024Metal materials undergo severe corrosion in eutrophic environments. The effect of DO decay stimulated by high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants on... (Review)
Review
Metal materials undergo severe corrosion in eutrophic environments. The effect of DO decay stimulated by high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants on microorganisms leads to the coupling of electrochemical and microbial corrosion processes. However, there are few studies on microbial corrosion mechanisms in eutrophic environments. This article discusses the corrosive factors of marine eutrophication, summarizes the impact of marine eutrophication on microbial corrosion and the potential mechanisms, including aerobic biofilm corrosion, aerobic & anaerobic mixed biofilm corrosion, and anaerobic microbial electron transfer corrosion, and expounds on the research methods for microbial corrosion of materials serving in estuarine areas prone to pollution. Microbial prevention and control, such as nutrient restriction and microbial interspecies competition, are of research value in the field of green protection. Microbial corrosion mechanisms studies in marine eutrophication environments are significant for environment monitor development, water intake and algae control technologies, and corrosion protection in polluted environments.
PubMed: 38955090
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116637 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jul 2024β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor involved in cardiac protection. In chronic heart failure (CHF), persistent sympathetic nervous system...
β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor involved in cardiac protection. In chronic heart failure (CHF), persistent sympathetic nervous system activation occurs, resulting in prolonged β2AR activation and subsequent receptor desensitization and downregulation. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) has the functions of enhancing myocardial energy metabolism and mitigating myocardial fibrosis. The mechanisms of NGR1 against ischemic heart failure are unclear. A left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation procedure was performed on C57BL/6 J mice for four weeks. From the 4th week onwards, they were treated with various doses (3, 10, 30 mg/kg/day) of NGR1. Subsequently, the impacts of NGR1 on ischemic heart failure were evaluated by assessing cardiac function, morphological changes in cardiac tissue, and the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC). H9c2 cells were protected by NGR1 when exposed to OGD/R conditions. H9c2 cells were likewise protected from OGD/R damage by NGR1. Furthermore, NGR1 increased β2AR levels and decreased β2AR ubiquitination. Mechanistic studies revealed that NGR1 enhanced MDM2 protein stability and increased the expression of MDM2 and β-arrestin2 while inhibiting their interaction. Additionally, under conditions produced by OGD/R, the protective benefits of NGR1 on H9c2 cells were attenuated upon administration of the MDM2 inhibitor SP141. According to these findings, NGR1 impedes the interplay between β-arrestin2 and MDM2, thereby preventing the ubiquitination and degradation of β2AR to improve CHF.
PubMed: 38955084
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117004 -
Virology Jun 2024Plant viruses threaten global food security by infecting commercial crops, highlighting the critical need for efficient virus detection to enable timely preventive... (Review)
Review
Plant viruses threaten global food security by infecting commercial crops, highlighting the critical need for efficient virus detection to enable timely preventive measures. Current techniques rely on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for viral genome amplification and require laboratory conditions. This review explores the applications of CRISPR-Cas assisted diagnostic tools, specifically CRISPR-Cas12a and CRISPR-Cas13a/d systems for plant virus detection and analysis. The CRISPR-Cas12a system can detect viral DNA/RNA amplicons and can be coupled with PCR or isothermal amplification, allowing multiplexed detection in plants with mixed infections. Recent studies have eliminated the need for expensive RNA purification, streamlining the process by providing a visible readout through lateral flow strips. The CRISPR-Cas13a/d system can directly detect viral RNA with minimal preamplification, offering a proportional readout to the viral load. These approaches enable rapid viral diagnostics within 30 min of leaf harvest, making them valuable for onsite field applications. Timely identification of diseases associated with pathogens is crucial for effective treatment; yet developing rapid, specific, sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic technologies remains challenging. The current gold standard, PCR technology, has drawbacks such as lengthy operational cycles, high costs, and demanding requirements. Here we update the technical advancements of CRISPR-Cas in viral detection, providing insights into future developments, versatile applications, and potential clinical translation. There is a need for approaches enabling field plant viral nucleic acid detection with high sensitivity, specificity, affordability, and portability. Despite challenges, CRISPR-Cas-mediated pathogen diagnostic solutions hold robust capabilities, paving the way for ideal diagnostic tools. Alternative applications in virus research are also explored, acknowledging the technology's limitations and challenges.
PubMed: 38955083
DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110160 -
Journal of Photochemistry and... Jun 2024Bovine mastitis (BM) represents a significant challenge in the dairy industry. Limitations of conventional treatments have prompted the exploration of alternative...
Bovine mastitis (BM) represents a significant challenge in the dairy industry. Limitations of conventional treatments have prompted the exploration of alternative approaches, such as photodynamic inactivation (PDI). In this study, we developed a PDI protocol to eliminate BM-associated pathogens using porphyrin-doped conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPN). The PDI-CPN protocol was evaluated in four mastitis isolates of Staphylococcus and in a hyper-biofilm-forming reference strain. The results in planktonic cultures demonstrated that PDI-CPN exhibited a bactericidal profile upon relatively low light doses (∼9.6 J/cm). Furthermore, following a seven-hour incubation period, no evidence of cellular reactivation was observed, indicating a highly efficient post-photodynamic inactivation effect. The successful elimination of bacterial suspensions encouraged us to test the PDI-CPN protocol on mature biofilms. Treatment using moderate light dose (∼64.8 J/cm) reduced biofilm biomass and metabolic activity by up to 74% and 88%, respectively. The impact of PDI-CPN therapy on biofilms was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed nearly complete removal of the extracellular matrix and cocci. Moreover, ex vivo studies conducted on bovine udder skin demonstrated the efficacy of the therapy in eliminating bacteria from these scaffolds and its potential as a prophylactic method. Notably, the histological analysis of skin revealed no signs of cellular degeneration, suggesting that the protocol is safe and effective for BM treatment. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of PDI-CPN in treating and preventing BM pathogens. It also provides insights into the effects of PDI-CPN on bacterial growth, metabolism, and survival over extended periods, aiding the development of effective control strategies and the optimization of future treatments.
PubMed: 38955081
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.112971 -
Journal of Environmental Management Jul 2024Savannas and grasslands have lost almost 50% of their original cover worldwide. Therefore, the development of methods and information on open-canopy ecosystem...
Savannas and grasslands have lost almost 50% of their original cover worldwide. Therefore, the development of methods and information on open-canopy ecosystem restoration is urgent for the inclusion of these ecosystems into global and regional priorities. In the Brazilian savanna, the most diverse savanna in the world, restoration efforts focused on open ecosystems have been virtually absent, but have increased in the last 10 years. Such efforts are frequently threatened by invasive exotic grasses (IEG) that invade and dominate areas excluding native species, oftentimes aided by altered soil conditions. Long-term studies of savanna restoration trajectories are rare. In this study, we surveyed 22 savanna restoration areas established two to ten years before the study with similar restoration methods to assess their current status. We show that the current restoration methods are successful in establishing native species and allowing species turnover but they are threatened by IEG. Restoration success varies and is affected by soil conditions, IEG landscape cover and post-sowing weeding. Despite that, the simultaneous introduction of different plant functional groups allows turnover from fast to slow-growing plants. Establishing savanna native species is possible at an operational scale with current knowledge and techniques. However, native species establishment fails to prevent IEG reinfestation, which needs to be managed in restoration efforts in the Brazilian savanna.
PubMed: 38955045
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121576 -
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Jun 2024Silver (Ag) recovery is essential for ecological protection, human health and economic benefits. Effective capture of Ag(I) from wastewater is still challenging due to...
Silver (Ag) recovery is essential for ecological protection, human health and economic benefits. Effective capture of Ag(I) from wastewater is still challenging due to insufficient accessible sites of adsorbents. Herein, an acyl chloride-mediated strategy is developed to synthesize rhodanine (Rd) modified UiO-66 derivatives for Ag(I) adsorption. Benefitting from the high grafting density of Rd, the optimal Rd-modified UiO-66-NH (UiO-66-NH@20Rd) features an ultra-high uptake capacity (maximum capacity of 923.9 mg·g) and selectivity (maximum selectivity coefficient of 1665.52) for Ag(I). Almost 90 % of Ag(I) could be captured in one minute over UiO-66-NH@20Rd and maintained a removal rate of 98.9 % even after six cycles. Moreover, a fixed-bed column test demonstrates that approximately 21,780 bed volumes of Ag(I) simulated wastewater can be effectively treated, indicating great promise for practical application. Mechanism investigation illustrates that outstanding performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag(I) adsorption and reduction on dense rhodanine sites. This study highlights that such a general strategy can provide a valuable avenue toward various functional adsorption materials.
PubMed: 38955019
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.06.199