Search

• A Systematic design approach of elastic metagratings for retroreflection of flexural waves was proposed. • Near-perfect efficiency were accomplished for single- and multiple-angle retroreflection. • Simply configured, easily manufacturable hole-type scatterers compose the unit cells of the retroreflecting metagratings. • An optimization-based design formulation is posed for effective suppression of unwanted diffraction modes. The potential of elastic wave retroreflection is substantial for various applications such as structural identification and detection. However, realizing accurate retroreflection presents significant challenges owing to the need for high-efficiency anomalous reflection from boundaries. This study delves into the relatively less-explored field of flexural wave retroreflection in thin plates and proposes the use of metagratings for its realization. The present metagratings, which are built from unit cells created by possibly-overlapping circular holes, offer a simple fabrication process owing to their straightforward geometry. They hold an advantage over metasurfaces, which often struggle with wave steering because of their unmanageable higher-order diffraction modes. However, no systematic approach has been proposed so far to design metagratings for flexural wave retroreflection. To address this gap, we have established an optimization problem that identifies the optimal geometries and locations of the circular holes built into the proposed retroreflecting metagratings using a gradient-based optimizer. The design process involves diffraction grating theory and spatial fast Fourier transform. Both single and multiple retroreflections at various angles were considered and the numerical findings were substantiated by experimental results. The findings of this study imply that the investigated metagratings and design approaches have promising potential for more sophisticated wave manipulations. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objective We investigated the association of adipose tissue volume and metabolic activity with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods 232 healthy subjects (43.23 ± 4.09 y) having 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) results were included. Clinical information, anthropometry and laboratory results were obtained. Volume and metabolic activity of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was obtained from FDG PET/CT. Metabolic activity was presented as mean standardised uptake value (SUV). Adipose tissue parameters were compared with clinical and biochemical factors. Independent factors affecting adipose tissue volume were assessed. Results Both SAT and VAT volume showed strong positive correlation with most of cardiometabolic risk factors. Among them, lipid profiles, insulin and C-reactive protein (CRP) had more significant relationship with SUV of SAT than that of VAT. On the contrary, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and degree of fatty liver showed more significant correlation with SUV of VAT. BMI, age, sex and CRP were independent predictors of SAT volume. BMI, age, triglyceride, CRP and fatty liver were independent variables predicting VAT volume. Adding SUV of adipose tissue improved the model performance. Conclusion This study demonstrated that metabolic activities of SAT and VAT were differently correlated with risk factors, suggesting different biologic mechanism for obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Trisomy 21 (T21) is the most common aneuploidy affecting humans and is caused by an extra copy of all or part of chromosome 21 (chr21). DNA methylation is an epigenetic event that plays an important role in human diseases via regulation of gene expression. However, the integrative association between DNA methylation and gene expression in T21 fetal placenta has yet to be determined.Methods: We profiled expression of 207 genes on chr21 and their DNA methylation patterns in placenta samples from normal and DS fetuses using microarray analysis and predicted the functions of differentially expressed genes using bioinformatics tools.Results: We found 47 genes with significantly increased expression in the T21 placenta compared to the normal placenta. Hypomethylation of the 47 genes was observed in the T21 placenta. Most of hypomethylated DNA positions were intragenic regions, i.e. regions inside a gene. Moreover, gene expression and hypomethylated DNA position showed significantly positive associations. By analyzing the properties of the gene-disease network, we found that increased genes in the T21 placenta were significantly associated with T21 and T21 complications such as mental retardation, neurobehavioral manifestations, and congenital abnormalities.Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively survey the association between gene expression and DNA methylation in chr21 of the T21 fetal placenta. Our findings provide a broad overview of the relationships between gene expression and DNA methylation in the placentas of fetuses with T21 and could contribute to future research efforts concerning genes involvement in disease pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllodes tumor of the male breast is an extremely rare disease, and far fewer cases of borderline phyllodes tumors than benign or malignant tumors in the male breast have been reported. We report a case of borderline phyllodes tumor in the male breast with imaging findings of the tumor and pathologic correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the literature, numerous trials using neuroimaging techniques have investigated brain function in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the contrasting results showed that improvements, including in the study design, were required to reach consistent and convincing conclusions. This study evaluated the functional neuroimaging pattern of resting cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism in patients with PTSD related to sexual assault. Twelve patients were enrolled for both brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) investigations. All data were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping 2 (SPM2). The PTSD patients showed significant relative decreases in perfusion in the left hippocampus and in the basal ganglia compared with the control group. The PTSD group also had significantly lower cerebral glucosemetabolic activity in the left hippocampus and the superior temporal and precentral gyri than in the control group. These specific patterns of perfusion and glucose metabolism may be closely related to various neurophysiologic symptoms of PTSD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Breast lymphoma is uncommon, accounting for approximately 0.15% of malignant breast lesions. It usually originates from lymphocytes in breast parenchyma and ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes. In breast, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is more common than T-cell lymphoma. Here, we report a rare case of cutaneous natural killer/T-cell (NK/T) lymphoma mimicking panniculitis of the breast, that was presented as a growing palpable mass and pain in both breasts of a 33-year-old male patient. Ultrasonographic appearance was extensive hyperechogenicity in subcutaneous fat layer of mammary areas, mimicking panniculitis or fat necrosis. Pathologically, a histologic subtype was extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between anger management style, depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms in anxiety disorder and somatoform disorder patients. The subjects comprised 71 patients with anxiety disorders and 47 with somatoform disorders. The level of anger expression or anger suppression was assessed by the Anger Expression Scale, the severity of anxiety and depression by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) anxiety and depression subscales, and the severity of somatic symptoms by the Somatization Rating Scale and the SCL-90-R somatization subscale. The results of path analyses showed that anger suppression had only an indirect effect on somatic symptoms through depression and anxiety in each of the disorders. In addition, only anxiety had a direct effect on somatic symptoms in anxiety disorder patients, whereas both anxiety and depression had direct effects on somatic symptoms in somatoform disorder patients. However, the anxiety disorder group showed a significant negative correlation between anger expression and anger suppression in the path from anger-out to anger-in to depression to anxiety to somatic symptoms, unlike the somatoform disorder group. The results suggest that anger suppression, but not anger expression, is associated with mood, i.e. depression and anxiety, and somatic symptoms characterize anxiety disorder and somatoform disorder patients. Anxiety is likely to be an important source of somatic symptoms in anxiety disorders, whereas both anxiety and depression are likely to be important sources of somatic symptoms in somatoform disorders. In addition, anger suppression preceded by inhibited anger expression is associated with anxiety and somatic symptoms in anxiety disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) are both involved in the degradation of various biogenic amines which have been hypothesized to have a relationship with personality traits. The present study investigated the possible relationships between the genotypes of COMT Val158Met and MAOA-uVNTR polymorphisms and personality traits measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). We recruited 286 normal, unrelated Korean subjects (138 males and 148 females). There were no associations between the COMT Val158Met genotypes or the TCI subscales in the male subjects. However, a significant correlation was observed between the COMT genotype and harm avoidance (HA, F =6.0, p =0.003) in females. Post hoc analyses showed that the subjects with the Met/Met genotype had the lowest mean HA (HA=13.8±5.7, p =0.02), Val/Met group had an intermediate mean HA score (HA=16.3±7.0, p =0.02), and Val/Val group had the highest mean HA value (HA=19.6±7.0, p =0.02). There were no associations between the MAOA-uVNTR and the TCI subscales in either the male or female subjects. These results suggest that genetic variants of the COMT Val158Met gene may play a role in HA in Korean females but not in males. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although cisplatin is an effective platinum-based anticancer drug against solid cancer, its availability is limited owing to its adverse side effects. Our study aimed to identify the potential relationship within cisplatin-induced multi-organ physiological changes and genetic factors associated with sex differences in nephrotoxicity susceptibility. To investigate this, mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin. Cisplatin administration resulted in renal dysfunction, as evidenced by the elevation in serum biomarkers of renal damage (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) and the degree of histopathological alterations. In particular, along with testicular damage and low testosterone levels, we also observed a decrease in male-specific (CYP3A2) or male-dominant (CYP2B1 and CYP3A1) CYP isoforms in the livers of rats with hepatotoxicity following cisplatin treatment, which may be associated with an imbalance in male hormone regulation caused by renal and testicular injury. Notably, we found that male rats were more susceptible to cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, as characterized by histopathological and biochemical analyses. Therefore, RNA sequencing was performed at baseline (pre-treatment) and at 48 h following cisplatin administration (post-treatment) to identify the genes associated with sex differences in nephrotoxicity susceptibility. Gap junctions, which play a role in replenishing damaged cells to maintain tissue homeostasis, and mismatch repair associated with a pathological apoptotic mechanism against cisplatin nephrotoxicity were significantly enriched only in males following cisplatin treatment. Moreover, among the 322 DEGs showing different basal expression patterns between males and females before cisplatin treatment, the male expressed high levels of genes, which are responsible for transmembrane transport and regulation of apoptotic process, pre-cisplatin treatment; additionally, genes involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the oxidation–reduction process were significantly lower in males before cisplatin treatment. Collectively, our comprehensive findings provided valuable insight into the potential mechanisms of sex differences in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity susceptibility. [Display omitted] • Along with renal and testicular damage, cisplatin reduced male-specific hepatic CYPs. • Male rats were more vulnerable to cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. • KEGG categories for gap junction and mismatch repair were significantly enriched only in cisplatin-treated males. • Male showed higher mRNA expressions on transmembrane transport and regulation of apoptotic process pre-cisplatin treatment. • Genes involved in PI3K-Akt signaling and oxidation–reduction process were expressed lower in males pre-cisplatin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical cisplatin use is often limited by its drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Particularly, individual differences in susceptibility to DILI can cause life-threatening medical conditions. This study aimed to uncover the inherent genetic factors determining individual variations in hepatotoxicity susceptibility. Rats were subjected to liver biopsy and a 3-week postoperative recovery period before cisplatin administration. At 2 days post-treatment with cisplatin, the rats exhibited histopathological and serum biochemical alterations in the liver, and changes in hydrogen peroxide and cytochrome P450-2E1 levels. Based on these results of liver-related biochemical markers, 32 rats were grouped into the susceptible (top five) and resistant (bottom five) groups. Using RNA-sequencing, we compared gene expressions in the liver pre-biopsied from these two groups before cisplatin treatment and found 161 differently expressed genes between the Susceptible and Resistant groups. Among them, the clock-controlled Ccrn4l responsible for 'rhythmic process' was identified as a common gene downregulated inherently prior to drug exposure in both cisplatin- and acetaminophen-sensitive animals. Additionally, low Ccrn4l levels before cisplatin treatment in the Susceptible group were maintained even after treatment, with decreased antioxidants, increased nitration, and apoptosis. The relationship of Ccrn4l with catalase and mitochondrial RNAs in the liver was confirmed by correlation of their hepatic levels among individuals and similar patterns of circadian variation in their mRNA expression. Remarkably, Ccrn4l knockdown promoted cisplatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in WB-F344 cells with antioxidant catalase and apoptosis-related Bax changes. Inherent individual hepatic Ccrn4l level might be a novel factor affecting cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity susceptibility, possibly through regulation of mitochondrial and antioxidant functions. Image 1 • We used a pre-biopsy method to discover the genetic factors for DIH susceptibility. • Cisplatin caused hepatotoxicity with increased hepatic CYP2E1 and H 2 O 2 levels. • Ccrn4l was found to be lower before drug exposure in cisplatin-sensitive animals. • Ccrn4l expressions were positively correlated with catalase expressions in individuals. • Ccrn4l -siRNA silencing aggravated cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Evaluation of Engerer Model for derving DNI from GHI at minute scale in the Korean Peninsula. • Producing the prediction interval of DNI estimates by using Monte-Carlo simulation. • Comparison of Monte-Carlo simulation with multi-model ensembles and bootstrap technique. Abstract Solar resource assessment is carried out in a feasibility study using reliable meteorological elements including solar irradiance. In concentrating solar power plants, the direct normal irradiance is the key variable in the system operation. However, direct normal irradiance is rarely measured as compared to global horizontal irradiance. There are several models that can be used to derive the direct normal irradiance from global horizontal irradiance. In this study, the Engerer model is used as a decomposition model, then evaluated against in situ observations at three ground stations: Seoul, Buan, and Jeju ground stations. The relative root mean square errors between the observed and direct normal irradiance estimated by the Engerer model are 15.0%, 19.4%, and 17.1% at Seoul, Buan, and Jeju ground stations, respectively. The uncertainty of estimates is represented by the prediction interval from probabilistic prediction through Monte-Carlo simulation that employs the bias between estimation and ground truth for training datasets. The prediction interval for 90% confidence level is 117.9 W m−2 at the Seoul station, resulting from Monte-Carlo simulation. The prediction interval coverage probability is 92.8%, implying that the probability that observed DNI is not included in the prediction interval is 7.2%. The error metrics for probabilistic prediction indicates that Monte-Carlo simulation provides both valid and more informative estimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]