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ACI 318-19 and ASCE 7-22 specify code-compliant and emulative seismic force-resisting systems (SFRS) including intermediate precast shear wall systems. For the seismic design of a precast shear wall system, its successful performance heavily depends on the capacity design of inevitable discrete connections between precast wall panels, thus playing a critical role in controlling yielding to occur within steel reinforcements at the vicinity of intended locations or components. This is imperative for achieving not only ductility but also adequate energy dissipation, ensuring the system can effectively withstand seismic forces. To this end, the overstrength is essentially required to prevent any brittle failure, and the connections designed not to yield can be protected by addressing the 1.5Sy condition as specified in ACI 318-19 and ASCE 7-22. However, there can be a blind spot for the precast connections designed to yield. To this end, this study showed some cases based on practical examples from which a reasonable magnitude of overstrength (Sy) was tentatively recommended for better safety in the seismic design of the intermediate precast shear wall system with precast connections designed to be yielded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron is crucial for the metabolism and growth of most prokaryotic cells. The ferric uptake regulator (Fur) protein plays a central role in regulating iron homeostasis and metabolic processes in bacteria. It ensures the proper utilization of iron and the maintenance of cellular functions in response to environmental cues. Fur proteins are composed of an N-terminal DNA-binding domain (DBD) and a C-terminal dimerization domain (DD), typically existing as dimers in solution. Fur proteins have conserved metal-binding sites named S1, S2, and S3. Among them, site S2 serves as a regulatory site, and metal binding at S2 results in conformational changes. Additionally, as a transcriptional regulator, Fur specifically binds to a consensus DNA sequence called the Fur box. To elucidate the structural and functional properties of Fur proteins, various structures of metal- or DNA-bound Fur proteins or apo-Fur proteins have been determined. In this review, we focus on the structural properties of Fur proteins according to their ligand-bound state and the drug development strategies targeting Fur proteins. This information provides valuable insights for drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study longitudinally investigated the relationships between Korean tertiary-level students' English names adopted and used at their teacher's request, and native speakerism, identity, and emotions. Thirteen graduate students enrolled in an English-medium course and their Korean teacher participated in the study. The research instruments included classroom observations, reflective journal writing, and in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that the English names bore, in complicated and changing ways, on the identities and emotions of the students and teacher. Native speakerism was found to be constantly supported by all the students, regardless of their attitudes and perceptions toward English names, and the teacher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining EW-7197 with irreversible electroporation (IRE) for improving wound healing, 16 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of four rats each after dorsal excisional wound induction: sham control group; oral administration of EW-7197 for 7 days group; one-time application of IRE group; and one-time application of IRE followed by oral administration of EW-7197 for 7 days group. Measurement of wound closure rate, laser Doppler scanning, histological staining (hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome), and immunohistochemical analyses (Ki-67 and α-SMA) were performed to evaluate the efficacy. Fifteen of 16 rats survived throughout the study. Statistically significant differences in wound closure rates were observed between the combination therapy group and the other three groups (all P < 0.05). The degrees of inflammation, α-SMA, and Ki-67 were reduced in the EW-7197 and IRE monotherapy groups; however, not statistically significant. The fibrosis score exhibited significant reduction in all three treatment groups, with the most prominent being in the combination therapy group. This study concludes that oral administration of EW-7197 combined with IRE demonstrated effectiveness in improving skin wound in a rat excisional model and may serve as a potential alternative for promoting healing outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of transportation machinery has played a crucial role in driving global economic and societal growth. However, this progress has also given rise to challenges, such as the depletion of chemical resources and the escalating impact of climate change. As a result, automobile companies are now prioritizing energy efficiency and transitioning towards eco-friendly vehicles. In response to this demand, various efforts have been made to harvest energy and improve the efficiency of eco-friendly vehicles, with energy-harvesting dampers emerging as a promising solution. This study focuses on the optimization of the shape and design of a rotary power generation system integrated within an energy harvesting system. The primary objective of the rotary power generation system is to convert mechanical motion into electrical energy, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and sustainability of eco-friendly vehicles. By considering the specific characteristics of SAE 30 W working oil within the damper, the optimal blade shape and generator can be determined to maximize the power generation capabilities of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a non-thermal ablation technique for local tumor treatment known to be influenced by pulse duration and voltage settings, affecting its efficacy. This study aims to investigate the effects of bipolar IRE with different pulse durations in a prostate cancer mouse model. The therapeutic effectiveness was assessed with in vitro cell experiments, in vivo tumor volume changes with magnetic resonance imaging, and gross and histological analysis in a mouse model. The tumor volume continuously decreased over time in all IRE-treated groups. The tumor volume changes, necroptosis (%), necrosis (%), the degree of TUNEL-positive cell expression, and ROS1-positive cell (%) in the long pulse duration-treated groups (300 μs) were significantly increased compared to the short pulse duration-treated groups (100 μs) (all p < 0.001). The bipolar IRE with a relatively long pulse duration at the same voltage significantly increased IRE-induced cell death in a prostate cancer mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharide coatings are of interest for marine antifouling applications because of their good marine antifouling properties and environmentally benign characteristics. However, the hydrophilic nature of polysaccharide coatings can lead to the adsorption of marine sediment, which can negatively impact their antifouling properties. Amphiphilic modification of polysaccharide coatings has been demonstrated to address these issues. In this study, we report a simple method for post‐modification of a sulfated polysaccharide carrageenan (CAR) coating to make it amphiphilic. A hydrophilic CAR coating is first formed on solid substrates, followed by grafting hydrophobic molecules onto the CAR‐coated surfaces through metal‐ion‐mediated coordinate bond formation. The resulting amphiphilic CAR coating effectively reduces both marine sediment (silt) adsorption and marine diatom adhesion, achieving a balanced marine antifouling performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Advancements in the field of liver surgery have led to a critical need for precise estimations of preoperative liver function to prevent post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. This study introduces a novel application of artificial intelligence (AI) in determining safe resection volumes according to a patient's liver function in major hepatectomies. (2) Methods: We incorporated a deep learning approach, incorporating a unique liver-specific loss function, to analyze patient characteristics, laboratory data, and liver volumetry from computed tomography scans of 52 patients. Our approach was evaluated against existing machine and deep learning techniques. (3) Results: Our approach achieved 68.8% accuracy in predicting safe resection volumes, demonstrating superior performance over traditional models. Furthermore, it significantly reduced the mean absolute error in under-predicted volumes to 23.72, indicating a more precise estimation of safe resection limits. These findings highlight the potential of integrating AI into surgical planning for liver resections. (4) Conclusion: By providing more accurate predictions of safe resection volumes, our method aims to minimize the risk of PHLF, thereby improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing hepatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a major cause of mortality from a single infectious agent, possesses a remarkable mycobacterial cell envelope. Penicillin-Binding Proteins (PBPs) are a family of bacterial enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan. PBP4 (DacB) from M. tuberculosis (MtbPBP4) has been known to function as a carboxypeptidase, and the role and significance of carboxypeptidases as targets for anti-tuberculosis drugs or antibiotics have been extensively investigated over the past decade. However, their precise involvement remains incompletely understood. In this study, we employed predictive modeling and analyzed the three-dimensional structure of MtbPBP4. Interestingly, MtbPBP4 displayed a distinct domain structure compared to its homologs. Docking studies with meropenem verified the presence of active site residues conserved in PBPs. These findings establish a structural foundation for comprehending the molecular function of MtbPBP4 and offer a platform for the exploration of novel antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi2Se3 alloys are promising thermoelectric materials for use at near room temperature. In this study, we investigated the thermoelectric transport properties of Co-doped Bi2Se3, Bi2−xCoxSe3 (x = 0 , 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, and 0.12) polycrystalline alloys. The electrical conductivity of Bi2Se3 increased with Co doping as the electron concentration increased. The power factor increased by 83% (1.17 mW/mK2) with the Co doping compared with 0.64 mW/mK2 for pristine Bi2Se3 at room temperature. The density-of-states effective mass significantly increased to 0.30 m 0 (free electron mass) by high Co doping of x =0.12 compared to 0.14 m 0 for pristine Bi2Se3. The total thermal conductivity of the Co-doped samples increased owing to the increase in electronic thermal conductivity, despite the systematic decrease in the lattice thermal conductivity caused by Co doping due to additional phonon scattering. Nevertheless, an enhancement in z T was observed for all the Co-doped samples. The maximum z T value of 0.39 in highly Co-doped Bi1.88Co0.12Se3 is observed at 520K, which is 18% higher than that of pristine Bi2Se3. The z T value of the Co-doped sample could be further increased with the decrease in carrier concentration, which could be attained with the decrease in total thermal conductivity owing to the decreased electronic thermal conductivity while maintaining a high power factor originating from the increased effective mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perovskite manganese oxide, La 0.7 Sr 0.3 Mn 1+ x O 3 (x = −0.4, −0.2, 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0), was synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. A single-phase perovskite structure was obtained at the stoichiometric composition (x = 0). However, with an increase in Mn excess (x > 0), secondary phases of Mn 2 O 3 and Mn 3 O 4 formed and increased, while La 2 O 3 and Sr-rich phases emerged when Mn is deficient (x < 0). The electrical conductivity, permittivity, and permeability of the samples showed significant variations with x , as both charge transport and magnetism originate from the presence of Mn. Complex permittivity (ε', ε") and permeability (μ', μ") spectra were utilized to calculate RL maps based on a transmission line theory. For samples with x ≥ 0, which exhibited relatively high values of ε' and ε", there was no significant absorption of electromagnetic (EM) waves within the measured frequency range (0.1 ≤ f ≤ 18 GHz) due to high EM wave reflection. Conversely, the Mn-deficient samples (x = −0.2, −0.4) demonstrated excellent EM wave absorption properties in the GHz range. This can be attributed to their favorable impedance matching characteristics, resulting from significantly reduced ε' and ε" values in the Mn-deficient samples. Notably, the sample with x = −0.2 exhibited the most outstanding EM wave absorption characteristics, with an RL value of −56 dB at a frequency of 2.33 GHz and a thickness of 7.59 mm. Additionally, it achieved an RL value of −50 dB at 9.8 GHz and 2.90 mm thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of construction materials, the development of fundamental technologies to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, such as manufacturing process improvement and the expanded use of alternative materials, is required. Technologies for effectively reducing energy consumption and improving CO2 absorption and reduction that can meet domestic greenhouse gas reduction targets are also required. In this study, calcium–aluminate–ferrite (CAF), a ternary system of CaO·Al2O3·Fe2O3, was sintered at a low temperature (1100 °C) to examine the possibility of CO2 adsorption, and excellent CO2 absorption performance was confirmed, as the calcite content was found to be 11.01% after 3 h of the reaction between synthetic CAF (SCAF) and CO2. In addition, the physical and carbonation characteristics were investigated with respect to the SCAF substitution rate for cement (10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%). It was found that SCAF 10% developed a compressive strength similar to that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC 100%), but the compressive strength tended to decrease as the SCAF substitution rate increased. An increase in the SCAF substitution rate led to the rapid penetration of CO2, and carbonation was observed in all the specimens after 7 days. As carbonation time increased, the CO2 diffusion coefficient tended to decrease. This is because the diffusion of CO2 in the cement matrix follows the semi-infinite model of Fick's second law. SCAF can contribute to reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions because of the low-temperature sintering and can absorb and fix CO2 when a certain amount is substituted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a hybrid power supply system for commercial drones. The proposed hybrid power supply system consists of a lithium polymer battery, a supercapacitor, and a power converter for charging the supercapacitor. In the proposed system, the supercapacitor is pre-charged with a lithium polymer battery through a power converter, and the supercapacitor first supplies the power required for the drone's initial startup and lift-up. Afterward, in the section where the power consumption of the drone is low, the battery and the supercapacitor supply power together, minimizing the stress on the battery. To verify the proposed hybrid power supply system, a computer simulation was conducted, the actual hardware was fabricated, and experiments were performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening for normal fetal aneuploidy has been widely adopted worldwide due to its convenience, non-invasiveness, and high positive predictive rate. We retrospectively evaluated 9327 Korean women with single pregnancies who underwent a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) to investigate how various factors such as maternal weight, age, and the method of conception affect the fetal fraction (FF). The average FF was 9.15 ± 3.31%, which decreased significantly as the maternal body mass index (BMI) increased (p < 0.001). The highly obese group showed a 'no-call' rate of 8.01%, which is higher than that of the normal weight group (0.33%). The FF was 8.74 ± 3.20% when mothers were in their 40s, and lower than that when in their 30s (9.23 ± 3.34, p < 0.001) and in the natural pregnancy group (9.31% ± 3.33). The FF of male fetuses was observed to be approximately 2.76% higher on average than that of female fetuses. As the gestational age increased, there was no significant increase in the fraction of fetuses up to 21 weeks compared to that at 10–12 weeks, and a significant increase was observed in the case of 21 weeks or more. The FFs in the NIPT high-risk result group compared to that in the low-risk group were not significantly different (p = 0.62). In conclusion, BMI was the factor most associated with the fetal fraction. Although the NIPT is a highly prevalent method in prenatal analysis, factors affecting the fetal fraction should be thoroughly analyzed to obtain more accurate results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rational design and fabrication method is proposed for fabricating polymeric directional droplet sliding surfaces inspired by butterfly wing microline arrays. The bioinspired structures are fabricated using a simple and well‐designed process that combines the conventional micro‐electromechanical system process with subsequent soft lithography. Three criteria to avoid fabrication errors during silicon mold production are suggested. The fabricated silicon master serves as a reliable and robust semi‐permanent mold for polymeric replication, resulting in bioinspired surfaces with high fidelity. The successfully fabricated bioinspired fabricated structure surface has a re‐entrant shape line structure and exhibits directional omniphobic properties while maintaining transparency. The fabricated surface is found to transport droplets in the direction where microlines are formed without wetting by various droplets, including water and oil. The results show that this surface can be applied to various fields. This study has implications for the development of artificial surfaces inspired by nature for various fields, including microfluidics, biotechnology, and energy‐harvesting devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a lethal infectious disease of significant public health concern. The rise of multidrug-resistant and drug-tolerant strains has necessitated novel approaches to combat the disease. Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems, key players in bacterial adaptive responses, are prevalent in prokaryotic genomes and have been linked to tuberculosis. The genome of M. tuberculosis strains harbors an unusually high number of TA systems, prompting questions about their biological roles. The VapBC family, a representative type II TA system, is characterized by the VapC toxin, featuring a PilT N-terminal domain with nuclease activity. Its counterpart, VapB, functions as an antitoxin, inhibiting VapC's activity. Additionally, we explore peptide mimics designed to replicate protein helical structures in this review. Investigating these synthetic peptides offers fresh insights into molecular interactions, potentially leading to therapeutic applications. These synthetic peptides show promise as versatile tools for modulating cellular processes and protein–protein interactions. We examine the rational design strategies employed to mimic helical motifs, their biophysical properties, and potential applications in drug development and bioengineering. This review aims to provide an in-depth understanding of TA systems by introducing known complex structures, with a focus on both structural aspects and functional and molecular details associated with each system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We evaluated real‐world data on the patterns and outcomes of radiotherapy (RT) for brain metastases (BM) in a population‐based cohort of patients with lung cancer (LC) in Victoria. Methods: The Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Data set (VRMDS) and the Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) were linked to identify patients with LC who underwent RT for BM between 2013 and 2016. We determined: (i) proportion of patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS); (ii) overall survival (OS); and (iii) 30‐day mortality (30M) following RT for BM. Results: Of the 1001 patients included in the study, 193 (19%) had SRS. There was no significant increase in SRS use over time – from 18% in 2013 to 21% in 2016 (P‐trend = 0.8). In multivariate analyses, increased age (P = 0.03) and treatment in regional centres (P < 0.001) were independently associated with lower likelihood of SRS treatment. The median OS following RT for BM was 3.6 months. Patients who had SRS had better OS than those who did not have SRS (median OS 8.9 months vs. 3 months, P < 0.01). SRS use, age, sex and year of treatment were independently associated with OS in multivariate analyses. A total of 184 (18%) patients died within 30 days of RT for BM, and the proportion was higher in older (P = 0.001) and male patients (P = 0.004). Conclusion: One‐in‐five LC patients who received RT for BM had SRS. The improved OS with SRS is likely confounded by patient selection. It is important to reduce 30M by better selecting patients who may not benefit from RT for BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: This review discusses the status and perspectives of nano- to micron-scale patterning method for the optical management of perovskite optoelectronic devices. We provide an overview of nanopatterning/texturing technologies for perovskites to achieve a high device performance and categorize them into top-down and bottom-up approaches. In recent years, metal halide perovskites have received significant attention as materials for next-generation optoelectronic devices owing to their excellent optoelectronic properties. The unprecedented rapid evolution in the device performance has been achieved by gaining an advanced understanding of the composition, crystal growth, and defect engineering of perovskites. As device performances approach their theoretical limits, effective optical management becomes essential for achieving higher efficiency. In this review, we discuss the status and perspectives of nano to micron-scale patterning methods for the optical management of perovskite optoelectronic devices. We initially discuss the importance of effective light harvesting and light outcoupling via optical management. Subsequently, the recent progress in various patterning/texturing techniques applied to perovskite optoelectronic devices is summarized by categorizing them into top-down and bottom-up methods. Finally, we discuss the perspectives of advanced patterning/texturing technologies for the development and commercialization of perovskite optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan, a biomass raw material, was utilized as a carbon skeleton source and served as a nitrogen (N) atom dopant in this study. By co-doping phosphorus (P) atoms from H3PO4 and nitrogen (N) atoms with a carbon (C) skeleton and hybridizing them with Mn3O4 on a carbon fiber cloth (CC), an Mn3O4@NPC/CC electrode was fabricated, which exhibited an excellent capacitive performance. The N, P-codoped carbon polycrystalline material was hybridized with Mn3O4 during the chitosan carbonization process. This carbon polycrystalline structure exhibited an enhanced conductivity and increased mesopore content, thereby optimizing the micropore/mesopore ratio in the electrode material. This optimization contributed to the improved storage, transmission, and diffusion of electrolyte ions within the Mn3O4@NPC electrode. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated via cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests using a 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The capacitance significantly increased to 256.8 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, and the capacitance retention rate reached 97.3% after 5000 charge/discharge cycles, owing to the higher concentration of the P-dopant in the Mn3O4@NPC/CC electrode. These findings highlight the tremendous potential of flexible supercapacitor electrodes in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study looked at the influence of different L1s, different proficiency levels, and other factors on the think-alouds in connection with oppositional speech acts by eighty tertiary-level Korean and Chinese learners of L2 English at two proficiency levels. The research instruments consisted of think-aloud protocols elicited during the learners’ production of written oppositional speech acts in the form of responses to the other learners’ essays, questionnaires, and focus group interviews. In particular, in the think-aloud protocols the number and content of pragmatic-related episodes (PREs) were identified. The results indicated that proficiency level, but not L1, significantly impacted the learners’ think-alouds. Other factors were revealed to include intensification of claims, focus on face issues, pragmatic transfer, and insufficient syntactic/semantic knowledge. These factors related to the sub-categories of the PREs involving ‘lexical upgrading’ and ‘external downgrading’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced highly transparent films or membranes are required for diverse optical applications, including ophthalmology and the display industry. In general, bioinspired engineering is the most promising technology for obtaining highly transparent surfaces. This study proposes a novel perfluoropolyether (PFPE) highly transparent thin membrane with nanopatterns on both sides of the surface, inspired by the wings (clearwing) of Greta‐oto. PFPE is a superior material for achieving this goal because of its low refractive index and low surface energy. A clearwing‐inspired antireflective membrane (CAM) composed of PFPE is fabricated using a well‐designed polymer replica method. CAM exhibits outstanding optical properties and intriguing demonstrations of invisible trap sensors, both in air and water, with long‐term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absorbable magnesium (Mg) stents have an attractive biocompatibility and rapid degradation rate, but their degradable behavior and efficacy in the Eustachian tube (ET) have not yet been investigated. In this study, the degradable behavior of the Mg stent in artificial nasal mucus was evaluated. The Mg stents in the porcine ET model were also investigated to evaluate their safety and efficacy. Four Mg stents were placed into the four ETs of two pigs. The mass loss rate of the Mg stents gradually decreased over time. The decrease rates were 30.96% at one week, 49.00% at two weeks, and 71.80% at four weeks. On the basis of histological findings, the thickness of submucosal tissue hyperplasia and the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration significantly decreased at four weeks compared with two weeks. Biodegradation of the Mg stent occurred before tissue proliferative reactions, and the ET patency was successfully maintained without stent-induced tissue hyperplasia at four weeks. The Mg stent that biodegrades rapidly seems to be effective and safe in porcine ET. Further investigation is required to verify the optimal stent shape and indwell period in the ET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is the main characteristic of an aged brain showing cerebrovascular alterations. Our previous study that the morphological changes in the pial arteries accompany a decrease in the cerebral blood flow in aged mouse brains, and it raises the question of whether artificial CCH can induce the same changes in brain vessel morphology. Here, we examined the effect of CCH on cerebrovascular morphology. Using a microcoil-induced chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (MCH) model, we induced CCH for 8 and 12 weeks. The cerebrovasculature morphology was evaluated using three-dimensional vessel analysis and compared with that of aging mice. We found the morphological changes in brain vessels of MCH mice, indicating that the CCH can induce cerebrovascular alteration. However, the changes in brain vessel morphology in the MCH mice were different in detail from those in the aging mice. Aging mice showed an increase in vessel tortuosity and thinned string vessels; MCH mice mainly showed thinned string vessels. This suggests that CCH may be a cause of age-related cerebrovascular alterations. • Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) causes changes in cerebrovascular morphology. • We found morphological differences in cerebrovasculature between CCH and aged mice. • CCH is a possible cause of age-related cerebrovascular changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: As the aging population is rapidly increasing worldwide, consumer interest in age-friendly foods and healthy foods is increasing. Recently, as the nutritional value of black goat meat has been proven, the consumption of black goats has increased. However, the best age of slaughter has not been established for black goats, and studies on meat characteristics according to the age of slaughter are also insufficient. Therefore, in this study, the physicochemical properties of black goat meat according to the slaughter age (3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 36 months of age) were investigated. As the age of the black goats increased, the shear force, redness, and yellowness increased, and the brightness decreased. In addition, the results for water holding capacity, cooking yield, mineral content, and fatty acid composition, showed that it is appropriate to slaughter black goats after 12 months of age. This study was conducted to analyze the physicochemical properties of black goat meat according to the slaughter age (3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 months). The moisture content tended to decrease, whereas the fat content, pH, and free amino acid composition tended to increase with increasing slaughter age. The collagen content increased significantly with the increasing slaughter age (p < 0.05). The cooking yield showed a tendency to increase up to 12 months of age, and there was no significant difference after 12 months of age. In all mineral contents, the sample for 12 months of age showed higher values than the others. Considering fatty acid composition, the saturated fatty acid content of the 12-month sample had a lower value than the other samples. However, the unsaturated fatty acid of the 12-month sample had higher values than the other samples. Therefore, the best slaughter age for black goats occurs at 12 months of age when nutrition is excellent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is a widely distributed, cultivated, and commercialized vegetable crop. It contains antioxidant constituents including lycopene, tocopherols, vitamin C, γ-aminobutyric acid, phenols, and flavonoids. This study determined the contents of the antioxidant components and activities of the pulp with skin of ten regular, six medium-sized, and two small cherry tomato cultivars at red ripe (BR + 10) stage cultivated in Korea. The relationships among the Hunter color coordinates, the content of each component, and antioxidant activities were measured by Pearson's correlation coefficients. As the a* value increased, the carotenoid and vitamin C contents increased, while the L* value, hue angle and tocopherol content decreased. As the b* value increased, the lycopene and total carotenoid contents decreased, and the flavonoid content in the hydrophilic extracts increased. The contents of vitamin C and total carotenoids including lycopene showed high positive correlations with the DPPH radical scavenging activities of both the lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts. Tocopherols and total phenolics in the hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts were not major positive contributors to the antioxidant activity. These findings suggest the quality standards for consumer requirements and inputs for on-going research for the development of better breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the child increases with increasing maternal age. Although non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a safe and effective prenatal screening method, the accuracy of the test results needs to be improved owing to various testing conditions. We attempted to achieve a more accurate and robust prediction of chromosomal abnormalities by combining multiple methods. Here, three different methods, namely standard Z-score, normalized chromosome value, and within-sample reference bin, were used for 1698 reference and 109 test samples of whole-genome sequencing. The logistic regression model combining the three methods achieved a higher accuracy than any single method. In conclusion, the proposed method offers a promising approach for increasing the reliability of NIPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular aberrations, particularly corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs), which impair visual quality, should be minimized or corrected during any laser vision correction. We compared changes in visual outcomes, including HOAs, in patients who underwent Topography-Guided laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (TG-LASIK) or small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) after propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce selection bias. Of 2749 patients who underwent SMILE or TG-LASIK for myopia, 152 eyes underwent complete ophthalmic examination preoperatively and over six months postoperatively. Visual outcomes were comparatively analyzed after PSM. As a result, 45 eyes were included in each group after PSM. There was a comparable improvement in visual acuity (VA) and refractive parameters postoperatively, with no difference between the two PSM-groups. However, 6.6% in the SMILE PSM-group lost two or more lines of Snellen VA at the six-month follow-up, while none in the TG-LASIK PSM-group did. Specifically, the SMILE PSM-group showed a significant increase in corneal HOAs, including spherical aberration, coma, and total HOAs (0.0736 ± 0.162 μm; 0.181 ± 0.233 μm; and 0.151 ± 0.178 μm, respectively), whereas TG-LASIK PSM-group did not. Furthermore, SMILE PSM-group had greater postoperative corneal HOAs than those in TG-LASIK PSM-group. Collectively, TG-LASIK induces fewer corneal HOAs even after facilitating between-group comparability using PSM analysis. TG-LASIK provides better visual quality than SMILE for myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that the Neumann boundary condition appears along the boundary of an inner domain when the diffusivity of the outer domain goes to zero. We take Fick's diffusion law with a bistable reaction function, and the diffusivity is 1 in the inner domain and ϵ > 0 in the outer domain. The convergence of the solution as ϵ → 0 is shown, where the limit satisfies the Neumann boundary condition along the boundary of an inner domain. This observation says that the Neumann boundary condition is a natural choice of boundary conditions when Fick's diffusion law is taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FeSe 2 is a p -type semiconductor with a narrow band gap, which can be considered a potential thermoelectric material. Herin, the electrical and thermal properties of Cr-doped FeSe 2 , Fe 1-x Cr x Se 2 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09), polycrystalline alloys are investigated. All compositions show single-phase marcasite structures of FeSe 2 with gradual decreases in lattice parameters with Cr doping x. With increasing x , the electrical conductivity gradually increases from 13 (x = 0) to 46 S/cm (x = 0.09), owing to a large increase in carrier concentration originated from the substitution of Cr2+ and Cr3+ at the Fe site. However, the magnitude of Seebeck coefficient decreases considerably at 300 K, resulting in decrease in power factor. In addition, the density-of-state effective mass decreases significantly from 6.0 m 0 –1.04 m 0. At 700 K, the decrease in Seebeck coefficient is less severe. Although the total and lattice thermal conductivity decrease at all temperatures owing to additional phonon scattering of the extrinsic Cr ions, a thermoelectric figure of merit, zT , generally decreases compared to that of the pristine sample due to power factor decrease at 300 K. Meanwhile, a slight increase of zT to 0.11 is observed for x = 0.06 at 700 K. • A series of Fe 1-x Cr x Se 2 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09) alloys was investigated. • Carrier concentration increased by to doping of Cr2+ and Cr3+. • The density-of-state effective mass decreases significantly by Cr doping. • Lattice thermal conductivity decreased owing to additional phonon scattering. • A slight increase of thermoelectric figure of merit zT to 0.11 is observed for x = 0.06 at 700 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the relationships between aural and orthographic knowledge of L2 phrasal verbs (PVs) and between these and listening comprehension. A total of 188 Chinese university English as a foreign language (EFL) students participated in the study. The research instruments were aural and orthographic PV meaning recall tests and a version of the listening section of the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). The results indicated that the L2 learners' orthographic PV knowledge was significantly correlated to their aural PV knowledge. In addition, the former was significantly larger than the latter. Regarding their relationships with L2 listening comprehension, aural PV knowledge was more strongly correlated to listening comprehension than orthographic PV knowledge; and these correlations were both significant. Further, although aural PV knowledge better predicted listening comprehension than orthographic PV knowledge, the differences between their predictive capacities were not large. Based on the findings of the study, implications are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current design codes specify the need for two-way shear strength analysis for prestressed slab-to-column connections. This paper is an investigative study of said interaction for post-tensioned (PT) transfer slabs. Two-way shear strength and failure mode of the tested PT slab specimens were evaluated. To analyze the interaction quantitatively, concentric compression tests were performed on recent PT transfer slabs having small shear span-to-depth ratios. Test parameters included the number and layout of post-tensioning reinforcement. The test results demonstrated that the two-way shear strength of the PT transfer slab specimens was 53%–87% greater than that of conventional RC transfer slab specimen. Increase was tied to concentrated layout of post-tensioning tendons rather than distributed layout. The two-way shear strengths of the test specimens were compared with predictions under current design methods for PT flat plates and the strut-tie model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved pulsatile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) device is needed to reduce the high risk of complications associated with existing ECMO devices, due to continuous blood outflow (which reduces blood perfusion) and a complex structure that makes setup and management difficult. This study introduces a new pulsatile ECMO device to maintain sufficient pulsatility (an "energy equivalent pressure increment" [EEPI] of at least 20 %) and simplify the structure of the pulsatile pump by removing artificial valves and complex actuators. The hemodynamic characteristics and pulsatility of the proposed pulsatile ECMO device were evaluated in-vitro using a MOCK system. Although the pulsatile ECMO device has the same dual pumping structure as existing pulsatile ECMOs, the newly applied preload control mechanism increases the outflow of the proposed pulsatile ECMO compared to the previous device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although balloon dilation has shown promising results in the treatment of dilatory Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction, the histological effects of ET balloon dilation (ETBD) is unknown because histological examination of the whole human cartilaginous ET is impossible. Animal studies are needed to elucidate the effect of ETBD so we evaluated the histological changes after ETBD in a rat model. The left ET of 20 Wistar rats was dilated with a balloon catheter and the right ET was used as a control. Five rats were sacrificed immediately after ETBD, at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after the procedure for histological examination. The epithelial cells, presence of epithelial hyperplasia, and the proportion of the goblet cells in the epithelium; the vascular structures and dimensions of the submucosa; and presence of cartilage fracture and the area of the ET lumen were evaluated and compared between the groups. Desquamation of nearly all epithelial cells and the fracture of tubal cartilages were observed immediately after ETBD. At 1-week post-ETBD, the ciliated epithelial cells started to recover with epithelial hyperplasia. The goblet cells recovered by 4 weeks post-ETBD and epithelial hyperplasia decreased but was still present at 12 weeks post-ETBD. The depth of the submucosa increased and neovascularization in this region was observed at 1-week post-ETBD and persisted up to 12 weeks post-ETBD. The lumen of the cartilaginous ET increased immediately after ETBD but decreased at 1-week post-ETBD. The cartilaginous ET lumen recovered to the normal value at 4 weeks post-ETBD. This study is the first to describe the serial histological changes to the cartilaginous ET after ETBD and helps our understanding of the histological changes that occur after an ETBD intervention for intractable ET dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor which seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, studies on intraocular ET-1 in DR have been limited. Thus, we investigated aqueous ET-1 levels in patients with DR. Methods: A total 85 subjects were included in this prospective study. Those were classified into three groups: advanced DR group included those with severe nonproliferative DR or proliferative DR, whereas early DR group included those with mild nonproliferative DR or moderative nonproliferative DR. Those who underwent cataract surgery and had no concomitant ocular disease were included in the control group. Aqueous humor levels of ET-1 were obtained before intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) and after 1 month for the DR patients, and at the time of cataract surgery for the control group. Results: Advanced DR group included 40 eyes (47.1%), whereas early DR group did 19 eyes (22.4%), and control group (26 eyes, 30.5%). Mean aqueous ET-1 level was 10.1±4.1 pg/mL (6.0–21.0 pg/mL) in advanced DR group, 1.9±0.7 pg/mL (0.6–2.8 pg/mL) in early DR group, and 2.1±1.0 pg/mL (0.7–3.9 pg/mL) in control group (P < 0.001). Advanced DR group was further subdivided into severe nonproliferative DR (15 eyes, 12.8%) and proliferative DR (25 eyes, 34.3%). Mean aqueous ET-1 level was 10.1±4.3 pg/mL (6.0–20.1 pg/mL) in patients with severe nonproliferative DR, and 10.0±4.0 pg/mL (6.0–21.0 pg/mL) in those with proliferative DR (P = 0.928) at baseline. Mean ET-1 level at 1 month after intravitreal injection was 2.5±1.0 pg/mL (0.3–4.8 pg/mL) in patients with severe proliferative DR and 2.9±1.7 pg/mL (1.0–7.0 pg/mL) in those with proliferative DR (P = 0.443). Mean aqueous ET-1 level was significantly reduced in both groups (P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The mean aqueous ET-1 level was significantly higher in the eyes with advanced DR than those with early DR and the control group. The mean aqueous ET-1 level was significantly reduced after intravitreal injections in the advanced DR group. Based on our results, future studies on the exact role of ET-1 in the pathogenesis of DR and future implication for intervention would be helpful for managing DR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing interest in hydrogen energy, the stability of hydrogen storage facilities and components is emphasized. In this study, we analyzed the effect of high-pressure hydrogen gas treatment in silica-filled EPDM composites with different silica contents. In detail, cure characteristics, crosslink density, mechanical properties, and hydrogen permeation properties were investigated. Results showed that material volume, remaining hydrogen content, and mechanical properties were changed after 96.3 MPa hydrogen gas exposure. With an increase in the silica content, the crosslink density and mechanical properties increased, but hydrogen permeability was decreased. After treatment, high-silica-content composites showed lower volume change than low-silica-content composites. The crack damage due to the decompression caused a decrease in mechanical properties, but high silica content can inhibit the reduction in mechanical properties. In particular, EPDM/silica composites with a silica content of above 60 phr exhibited excellent resistance to hydrogen gas, as no change in their physical and mechanical properties was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various preclinical studies with developed Eustachian tube (ET) stents are in progress but have not yet been clinically applied. ET stent is limited by stent-induced tissue hyperplasia in preclinical studies. The effectiveness of sirolimus-eluting cobalt–chrome alloy stent (SES) in suppressing stent-induced tissue hyperplasia after stent placement in the porcine ET model was investigated. Six pigs were divided into two groups (i.e., the control and the SES groups) with three pigs for each group. The control group received an uncoated cobalt–chrome alloy stent (n = 6), and the SES group received a sirolimus-eluting cobalt–chrome alloy stent (n = 6). All groups were sacrificed 4 weeks after stent placement. Stent placement was successful in all ETs without procedure-related complications. None of the stents was able to keep its round shape as original, and mucus accumulation was observed inside and around the stent in both groups. On histologic analysis, the tissue hyperplasia area and the thickness of submucosal fibrosis were significantly lower in the SES group than in the control group. SES seems to be effective in suppressing stent-induced tissue hyperplasia in porcine ET. However, further investigation was required to verify the optimal stent materials and antiproliferative drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcriptome wide association studies (TWAS) can be used as a powerful method to identify and interpret the underlying biological mechanisms behind GWAS by mapping gene expression levels with phenotypes. In TWAS, gene expression is often imputed from individual-level genotypes of regulatory variants identified from external resources, such as Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project. In this setting, a straightforward approach to impute expression levels of a specific tissue is to use the model trained from the same tissue type. When multiple tissues are available for the same subjects, it has been demonstrated that training imputation models from multiple tissue types improves the accuracy because of shared eQTLs between the tissues and increase in effective sample size. However, existing joint-tissue methods require access of genotype and expression data across all tissues. Moreover, they cannot leverage the abundance of various expression datasets across various tissues for non-overlapping individuals. Here, we explore the optimal way to combine imputed levels across training models from multiple tissues and datasets in a flexible manner using summary-level data. Our proposed method (SWAM) combines arbitrary number of transcriptome imputation models to linearly optimize the imputation accuracy given a target tissue. By integrating models across tissues and/or individuals, SWAM can improve the accuracy of transcriptome imputation or to improve power to TWAS while only requiring individual-level data from a single reference cohort. To evaluate the accuracy of SWAM, we combined 49 tissue-specific gene expression imputation models from the GTEx Project as well as from a large eQTL study of Depression Susceptibility Genes and Networks (DGN) Project and tested imputation accuracy in GEUVADIS lymphoblastoid cell lines samples. We also extend our meta-imputation method to meta-TWAS to leverage multiple tissues in TWAS analysis with summary-level statistics. Our results capitalize on the importance of integrating multiple tissues to unravel regulatory impacts of genetic variants on complex traits. Author summary: The gene expression levels within a cell are affected by various factors, including DNA variation, cell type, cellular microenvironment, disease status, and other environmental factors surrounding the individual. The genetic component of gene expression is known to explain a substantial fraction of transcriptional variation among individuals and can be imputed from genotypes in a tissue-specific manner, by training from population-scale transcriptomic profiles designed to identify expression quantitative loci (eQTLs). Imputing gene expression levels is shown to help understand the genetic basis of human disease through Transcriptome-wide association analysis (TWAS) and Mendelian Randomization (MR). However, it has been unclear how to integrate multiple imputation models trained from individual datasets to maximize their accuracy without having to access individual genotypes and expression levels that are often protected for privacy concerns. We developed SWAM (Smartly Weighted Averaging across Multiple datasets), a meta-imputation framework which can accurately impute gene expression levels from genotypes by integrating multiple imputation models without requiring individual-level data. Our method examines the similarity or differences between resources and borrowing information most relevant to the tissue of interest. We demonstrate that SWAM outperforms existing single-tissue and multi-tissue imputation models and continue to increase accuracy when integrating additional imputation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we fabricate and evaluate superhydrophobic surfaces with mushroom-shaped microstructures. Using a silicon master and polymer microstructure patterning, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces bearing mushroom-shaped structures with five different spacing ratios are prepared and tested with water droplets of different temperatures. The fabricated PDMS surfaces demonstrate superhydrophobicity even to high-temperature water droplets with decreased surface tension. We compare the experimental data with the theoretical results calculated based on the Cassie state and Eötvös rule. Our work suggests potential applications to control wettability with liquids of various temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As environmental regulations on exhaust gas are enforced worldwide and marine transportation is progressively strengthened, various methods are being explored to comply with emission regulations by using alternative energy sources. This study involved the optimization of a thermoelectric power generation (TEG) system, which converts thermal energy into electrical energy. The design of the TEG system was optimized by using CFD to analyze the heat transfer phenomena resulting from the relative positions of the TEG modules, and the results of this analysis were validated with 1/100 experimental scale measurement data. The comparison of the CFD results with the experimental measurements revealed that the maximum discrepancy exists for the temperature near the cooling jacket and for the amount of power generated by the system. The significant difference between the CFD and experimental results is attributable to the adiabatic conditions assumed for CFD since the experimental facility experiences heat loss to the atmosphere. In this study, we established an analysis methodology by conducting a comparative validation between CFD calculations and experimental data. The methodology is expected to play a significant role in optimizing the design of thermoelectric power generation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While studies on embryonic stem cells have been actively conducted, little is known about the epigenetic mechanisms in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in extended culture systems. Here, we investigated whether CpG island (CGI) methylation patterns of 24 tumor suppressor genes could be maintained during extended hESC cultures. In total, 10 hESC lines were analyzed. For each cell line, genomic DNA was extracted from early and late passages of cell cultures. CGI methylation levels of 24 tumor suppressor genes were analyzed using methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA), pyrosequencing, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Different CGI methylation patterns of CASP8, FHIT, and CHFR genes were identified in between early and late passages in some hESC lines. CGI methylation levels of CASP8 significantly increased at late passage in CHA-36, CHA-40, and CHA-42 cell lines compared to those at early passage. The CGI methylation of the FHIT gene was higher at late passage than at early passage in CHA-15, CHA-31, CHA-32, and iPS (FS)-1 cell lines but decreased at the late passage in CHA-20 and H1 cell lines. Different CGI methylation patterns were detected for the CHFR gene only in iPS (FS)-1, and the level significantly increased at late passage. Thus, our findings show that CGI methylation patterns could be altered during prolonged ESC cultures and examining these epigenetic changes is important to assess the maintenance, differentiation, and clinical usage of stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We sought to evaluate changes of mean peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) over 12 months in patients with unilateral central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: Our retrospective, observational study included 19 patients with treatment-naïve, unilateral CRVO who completed at least 12 months of follow-up period. Mean PCT and mean SFCT in CRVO-affected eyes and unaffected contralateral eyes were measured at each follow-up visit, and then compared. Differences between baseline and 12 months (ΔSFCT and ΔPCT) and percentage changes (ΔSFCT or ΔPCT/baseline×100%) were determined. We also investigated the predictive factors for visual outcome in the CRVO-affected eyes. Results: In the CRVO-affected eyes, mean PCT was 146.7±41.9 μm at baseline, and 106.5±24.2 μm at 12 months (P < 0.001). Mean PCT of the contralateral eyes was 129.8±42.6 μm at baseline and 124.6±39.7 μm at 12 months (P = 0.089). Mean SFCT of CRVO-affected eyes was 225.8±77.9 μm at baseline, and 199.4±66.6 μm at 12 months (P = 0.009). Mean SFCT of the contralateral eyes was 218.4±83.0 μm at baseline, and 208.4±78.1 μm at 12 months (P = 0.089). Δ PCT was -41.6±25.3 μm in the CRVO-affected eyes, and -5.2±5.8 μm in the contralateral eyes (P<0.001). % PCT was -24.9±14.0% in the CRVO-affected eyes, and -4.0±0.4% in the contralateral eyes (P = 0.001). Δ SFCT was -26.4±24.6 μm in the CRVO-affected eyes, and -9.5±16.7μm in the contralateral eyes (P = 0.016). % SFCT was -10.4±9.8% in the CRVO-affected eyes, and -3.4±6.4% in the contralateral eyes (P = 0.015). Among the various factors, BCVA at baseline (β = 0.797, P = 0.001) and % SFCT (β = 0.712, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with visual outcome at 12 months in the CRVO-affected eyes. Conclusion: Both peripapillary and subfoveal choroidal thickness reduced significantly over 12 months in the CRVO-affected eyes, but not in the contralateral eyes. In addition, the absolute reduction amount and reduction ratio of PCT and SFCT were significantly greater in the CRVO-affected eyes than the contralateral eyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since oxidative stress has been recognized as a major factor contributing to the progression of several neurodegenerative disorders, reactive oxygen species (ROS) including superoxide have received great attention as a representative molecular marker for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, superoxide-sensitive fluorogenic molecular probes, benzenesulfonylated resorufin derivatives (BSRs), were newly devised for optical bioimaging of oxidative events in neurodegenerative processes. BSRs, fluorescence-quenched benzenesulfonylated derivatives of resorufin, were designed to recover their fluorescence upon exposure to superoxide through a selective nucleophilic uncaging reaction of the benzenesulfonyl cage. Among BSRs, BSR6 presented the best sensitivity and selectivity to superoxide likely due to the optimal reactivity matching between the nucleophilicity of superoxide and its electrophilicity ascribed to the highly electron-withdrawing pentafluoro-substitution on the benzenesulfonyl cage. Fluorescence imaging of inflammatory cells and animal models presented the potential of BSR6 for optical sensing of superoxide in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, microglial cell (Bv2) imaging with BSR6 enabled the optical monitoring of intracellular oxidative events upon treatment with an oxidative stimulus (amyloid beta, Aβ) or the byproduct of oxidative stress (4-hydroxynonenal, HNE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate aqueous humor concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) compared with patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and a normal control group. Methods: A total 80 subjects were included in this prospective study, including 15 patients with CRVO, 20 patients with BRVO, and 45 patients who underwent cataract surgery and had no concomitant ocular disease. Aqueous humor levels of ET-1 were obtained before intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) and after 1 month. Results: At baseline, the mean aqueous ET-1 level was 12.7±3.6 pg/mL in the CRVO group, 8.0±2.3 pg/mL in the BRVO group, and 2.0±0.9 pg/mL in the control group (P<0.001). After IVB, the mean aqueous level of ET-1 was 3.4±1.9 pg/mL (0.5–6.9 pg/mL) in the CRVO group and 1.8±1.0 pg/mL (0.3–3.2 pg/mL) in the BRVO group (P = 0.008). The mean aqueous ET-1 level was significantly reduced in both the patients with CRVO and those with BRVO (P<0.001). Conclusion: The mean aqueous humor ET-1 level was significant higher in the patients with CRVO than those with BRVO and in the control group. After IVB, the mean level was significantly reduced in both the patients with CRVO and those with BRVO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimally invasive therapies using stent technology are currently limited by stent-induced granulation tissue formation adjacent to the stent. The effectiveness of photothermal therapy (PTT) using a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-coated stent for treating stent-induced granulation tissue formation in the rat esophagus was investigated. All experiments were approved by the animal research committee of our institution. An AuNP-coated, self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) was produced to conduct PTT under near-infrared laser irradiation. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats each). The animals in group A (non-coated SEMS) and group B (AuNP-coated SEMS with local heating at 65 °C at 4 weeks) were sacrificed 4 weeks after stent placement. The rats in group C (AuNP-coated SEMS with local heating at 65 °C at 4 weeks) and group D (AuNP-coated SEMS with local heating at 65 °C at 4 and 8 weeks) were sacrificed 8 weeks after stent placement. The effectiveness of local heating was assessed by histopathology. All procedures were successful in all of the animals. Seven rats were excluded because of stent migration (n = 2) and death (n = 5). Granulation tissue formation-related variables were significantly higher in group A than in groups B–D (all p < 0.05). Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) and TUNEL expression were significantly lower in group A than in groups B–D (all p < 0.05). Granulation tissue formation-related variables were significantly higher in group C than in groups B and D (all p < 0.05). PTT using AuNP-coated SEMS successfully treated granulation tissue formation after stent placement in the rat esophagus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpenes significantly affect the flavor and quality of grapes and wine. This review summarizes recent research on terpenoids with regard to grape wine. Although, the grapevine terpene synthase gene family is the largest identified, genetic modifications involving terpenes to improve wine flavor have received little attention. Key enzyme modulation alters metabolite production. Over the last decade, the heterologous manipulation of grape glycosidase has been used to alter terpenoids, and cytochrome P450s may affect terpene synthesis. Metabolic and genetic engineering can further modify terpenoid metabolism, while using transgenic grapevines (trait transfer to the plant) could yield more flavorful wine. We also discuss traits involved in wine aroma quality, and the strategies that can be used to improve grapevine breeding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To define a "super stable" subset of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients that have a long period of remission following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. Methods: Twenty-one eyes that showed no recurrence for over 18 months following anti-VEGF monotherapy were included in the "super stable PCV group" and compared with 37 eyes with recurring disease. Patient demographics, visual acuity, and imaging data from optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography/indocyanine green angiography were compared between the two groups at baseline and at 3 months after treatment initiation. Results: The super stable group maintained remission for a mean duration of 31.0 months following a mean of 4.1 anti-VEGF injections. The super stable group was younger at baseline (64.6 ± 8.8 vs. 71.4 ± 7.9 years, P < 0.05) with a higher ratio of females (52.4% vs. 24.3%, P < 0.05) compared with the control group. The super stable group had a higher percentage of eyes with a single polyp, as opposed to multiple polyps (66.7% vs. 32.4%, P < 0.05), and the diameter of the largest polyp was smaller (328.4 ± 98.2 vs. 398.3 ± 112.2 μm, P < 0.05). Baseline choroidal thickness was greater in the super stable group (357 ± 102.7 vs. 293.2 ± 94.6 μm, P < 0.05). At 3 months after treatment, OCT features including central retinal thickness, pigment epithelial detachment (PED) size, and presence of subretinal fluid showed superior response in the super stable group. The reduction in PED height was almost 3 times as large in the super stable group (− 250.1 ± 228.5 μm vs. − 84.4 ± 221.1 μm, P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression further showed that factors such as age, polyp configuration, PED diameter at 3 months, and change in PED height at 3 months were associated with super stable remission. Conclusion: Identifying super stable PCV patients can prevent overtreatment and lessen treatment burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems regulate key cellular functions in bacteria. Here, we report a unique structure of the Streptococcus pneumoniae HigBA system and a novel antimicrobial agent that activates HigB toxin, which results in mRNA degradation as an antibacterial strategy. In this study, protein structure‐based peptides were designed and successfully penetrated the S. pneumoniae cell membrane and exerted bactericidal activity. This result represents the time during which inhibitors triggered S. pneumoniae cell death via the TA system. This discovery is a remarkable milestone in the treatment of antibiotic‐resistant S. pneumoniae, and the mechanism of bactericidal activity is completely different from those of current antibiotics. Furthermore, we found that the HigBA complex shows a crossed‐scissor interface with two intermolecular β‐sheets at both the N and C termini of the HigA antitoxin. Our biochemical and structural studies provided valuable information regarding the transcriptional regulation mechanisms associated with the structural variability of HigAs. Our in vivo study also revealed the potential catalytic residues of HigB and their functional relationships. An inhibition study with peptides additionally proved that peptide binding may allosterically inhibit HigB activity. Overall, our results provide insights into the molecular basis of HigBA TA systems in S. pneumoniae, which can be applied for the development of new antibacterial strategies. Databases: Structural data are available in the PDB database under the accession number 6AF4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rapid and thorough quality assessment of sequenced genomes on an ultra-high-throughput scale is crucial for successful large-scale genomic studies. Comprehensive quality assessment typically requires full genome alignment, which costs a substantial amount of computational resources and turnaround time. Existing tools are either computationally expensive owing to full alignment or lacking essential quality metrics by skipping read alignment. Findings We developed a set of rapid and accurate methods to produce comprehensive quality metrics directly from a subset of raw sequence reads (from whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing) without full alignment. Our methods offer orders of magnitude faster turnaround time than existing full alignment–based methods while providing comprehensive and sophisticated quality metrics, including estimates of genetic ancestry and cross-sample contamination. Conclusions By rapidly and comprehensively performing the quality assessment, our tool will help investigators detect potential issues in ultra-high-throughput sequence reads in real time within a low computational cost at the early stages of the analyses, ensuring high-quality downstream results and preventing unexpected loss in time, money, and invaluable specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visually impaired and blind people due to diabetic retinopathy were 2.6 million in 2015 and estimated to be 3.2 million in 2020 globally. Though the incidence of diabetic retinopathy is expected to decrease for high-income countries, detection and treatment of it in the early stages are crucial for low-income and middle-income countries. Due to the recent advancement of deep learning technologies, researchers showed that automated screening and grading of diabetic retinopathy are efficient in saving time and workforce. However, most automatic systems utilize conventional fundus photography, despite ultra-wide-field fundus photography provides up to 82% of the retinal surface. In this study, we present a diabetic retinopathy detection system based on ultra-wide-field fundus photography and deep learning. In experiments, we show that the use of early treatment diabetic retinopathy study 7-standard field image extracted from ultra-wide-field fundus photography outperforms that of the optic disc and macula centered image in a statistical sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]