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Simple Summary: Research on the clinical impact of body composition parameters, such as myosteatosis, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited. Our study examined the effects of computed tomography-based body composition measurements and traditional risk factors on the survival outcomes of sorafenib-treated HCC patients. Myosteatosis, evaluated using Hounsfield units, is associated with unfavorable survival outcomes, independent of traditional risk factors including vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastasis, and high alpha-fetoprotein levels. Two or more of these risk factors are associated with adverse outcomes. Thus, myosteatosis could serve as a prognostic factor in sorafenib-treated HCC patients. The role of body composition parameters in sorafenib-treated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is still not fully elucidated. Here, we aimed to evaluate the impact of computed tomography (CT)-based body composition parameters on the survival of such patients. In this multicenter study, we analyzed the data of 245 sorafenib-treated HCC patients from January 2008 to December 2019. Sarcopenia, visceral obesity, and myosteatosis were defined by using cross-sectional CT images at the third lumbar vertebra level. The effects of these parameters on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. The median age was 67.0 years (interquartile range: 61.0–78.0 year), and 211 patients (86.1%) were male. The median OS and PFS were 7.9 months and 4.8 months, respectively. Vascular invasion (hazard ratio (HR), 1.727; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.258–2.371; p = 0.001), extrahepatic metastasis (HR, 1.401; 95% CI, 1.028–1.908; p = 0.033), alpha-fetoprotein level > 200 ng/mL (HR, 1.559; 95% CI, 1.105–2.201; p = 0.012), and myosteatosis (HR, 1.814; 95% CI, 1.112–2.960; p = 0.017) were associated with OS. Patient mortality was significantly higher in the group with two or more risk factors than in the group with fewer risk factors. In conclusion, myosteatosis may be a novel prognostic CT-based radiological biomarker in sorafenib-treated HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitophagy stimulation has been shown to have a therapeutic effect on various neurodegenerative diseases. However, nontoxic mitophagy inducers are still very limited. In this study, we found that the natural alkaloid berberine exhibited mitophagy stimulation activity in various human cells. Berberine did not interfere with mitochondrial function, unlike the well-known mitophagy inducer carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), and subsequently induced mitochondrial biogenesis. Berberine treatment induced the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the AMPK inhibitor compound C abolished berberine-induced mitophagy, suggesting that AMPK activation is essential for berberine-induced mitophagy. Notably, berberine treatment reversed mitochondrial dysfunction in PINK1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Our results suggest that berberine is a mitophagy-specific inducer and can be used as a therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, and that natural alkaloids are potential sources of mitophagy inducers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing "You only look once" (YOLO) v4 AI offers valuable support in fracture detection and diagnostic decision-making. The purpose of this study was to help doctors to detect and diagnose fractures more accurately and intuitively, with fewer errors. The data accepted into the backbone are diversified through CSPDarkNet-53. Feature maps are extracted using Spatial Pyramid Pooling and a Path Aggregation Network in the neck part. The head part aggregates and generates the final output. All bounding boxes by the YOLO v4 are mapped onto the 3D reconstructed bone images after being resized to match the same region as shown in the 2D CT images. The YOLO v4-based AI model was evaluated through precision–recall (PR) curves and the intersection over union (IoU). Our proposed system facilitated an intuitive display of the fractured area through a distinctive red mask overlaid on the 3D reconstructed bone images. The high average precision values (>0.60) were reported as 0.71 and 0.81 from the PR curves of the tibia and elbow, respectively. The IoU values were calculated as 0.6327 (tibia) and 0.6638 (elbow). When utilized by orthopedic surgeons in real clinical scenarios, this AI-powered 3D diagnosis support system could enable a quick and accurate trauma diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are effective against BRCA1/2-mutated cancers through synthetic lethality. Unfortunately, most cases ultimately develop acquired resistance. Therefore, enhancing PARP inhibitor sensitivity and preventing resistance in those cells are an unmet clinical need. Here, we investigated the ability of paraspeckle component 1 (PSPC1), as an additional synthetic lethal partner with BRCA1/2, to enhance olaparib sensitivity in preclinical models of BRCA1/2-mutated breast and ovarian cancers. In vitro, the combined olaparib and PSPC1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) exhibited synergistic anti-proliferative activity in BRCA1/2-mutated breast and ovarian cancer cells. The combination therapy also demonstrated synergistic tumor inhibition in a xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, olaparib monotherapy increased the expressions of p-ATM and DNA-PKcs, suggesting the activation of a DNA repair pathway, whereas combining PSPC1 siRNA with olaparib decreased the expressions of p-ATM and DNA-PKcs again. As such, the combination increased the formation of γH2AX foci, indicating stronger DNA double-strand breaks. Subsequently, these DNA-damaged cells escaped G2/M checkpoint activation, as indicated by the suppression of p-cdc25C (Ser216) and p-cdc2 (Tyr15) after combination treatment. Finally, these cells entered mitosis, which induced increased apoptosis. Thus, this proves that PSPC1 inhibition enhances olaparib sensitivity by targeting DNA damage response in our preclinical model. The combination of olaparib and PSPC1 inhibition merits further clinical investigation to enhance PARP inhibitor efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although proteinuria is a risk factor for heart failure (HF), proteinuria can be reversible or persistent. Our objective was to explore the link between changes in the proteinuria status and the risk of HF. We included participants from a Korean national health screening cohort who underwent health examinations in 2003–2004 and 2005–2006 and had no history of HF. Participants were categorized into four groups: proteinuria-free, proteinuria-resolved, proteinuria-developed, and proteinuria-persistent. The outcome of interest was the occurrence of HF. The study included 1,703,651 participants, among whom 17,543 (1.03%) were in the proteinuria-resolved group and 4585 (0.27%) were in the proteinuria-persistent group. After a median follow-up period of 14.04 years (interquartile range 14.19–15.07), HF occurred in 75,064 (4.41%) participants. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that the proteinuria-persistent group had a higher risk of HF compared with the proteinuria-free group (hazard ratio (HR): 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.03–2.36, p < 0.001). In a further pairwise comparison analysis, participants in the proteinuria-resolved group had a relatively low risk of HF compared with those in the proteinuria-persistent group (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.58–0.70, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the risk of HF can change with alterations in the proteinuria status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palmatine, a natural alkaloid found in various plants, has been reported to have diverse pharmacological and biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardiovascular effects. However, the role of palmatine in mitophagy, a fundamental process crucial for maintaining mitochondrial function, remains elusive. In this study, we found that palmatine efficiently induces mitophagy in various human cell lines. Palmatine specifically induces mitophagy and subsequently stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis. Palmatine did not interfere with mitochondrial function, similar to CCCP, suggesting that palmatine is not toxic to mitochondria. Importantly, palmatine treatment alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction in PINK1-knockout MEFs. Moreover, the administration of palmatine resulted in significant improvements in cognitive function and restored mitochondrial function in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. This study identifies palmatine as a novel inducer of selective mitophagy. Our results suggest that palmatine-mediated mitophagy induction could be a potential strategy for Alzheimer's disease treatment and that natural alkaloids are potential sources of mitophagy inducers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective study investigated white matter tracts associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) severity in 69 patients with primary RLS using correlational tractography based on diffusion tensor imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and quantitative anisotropy (QA) were analyzed separately to understand white matter abnormalities in RLS patients. Connectometry analysis revealed positive correlations between RLS severity and FA values in various white matter tracts, including the left and right cerebellum, corpus callosum forceps minor and major, corpus callosum body, right cingulum, and frontoparietal tract. In addition, connectometry analysis revealed that the FA of the middle cerebellar peduncle, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, left corticospinal tract, corpus callosum forceps minor, right cerebellum, left frontal aslant tract, left dentatorubrothalamic tract, right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, left corticostriatal tract superior, and left cingulum parahippocampoparietal tract was negatively correlated with RLS severity in patients with RLS. However, there were no significant correlations between QA values and RLS severity. It is implied that RLS symptoms may be potentially reversible with appropriate treatment. This study highlights the importance of considering white matter alterations in understanding the pathophysiology of RLS and in developing effective treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian aging is a major obstacle in assisted reproductive medicine because it leads to ovarian dysfunction in women of advanced age. Currently, there are no effective treatments to cure age-related ovarian dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the effect of MIT-001 on the function of aged ovaries. Young and old mice were utilized in this study. MIT-001 was intraperitoneally administered, and the number of follicles and oocytes was analyzed. Each group was then retrieved for RNA and protein isolation. Total RNA was subjected to mRNA next-generation sequencing. Protein extracts from ovarian lysates were used to evaluate various cytokine levels in the ovaries. MIT-001 enhanced follicles and the number of oocytes were compared with non-treated old mice. MIT-001 downregulated immune response-related transcripts and cytokines in the ovaries of old mice. MIT-001 modulates the immune complex responsible for generating inflammatory signals and has the potential to restore the function of old ovaries and improve female fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is an aggressive subtype of ovarian cancer. Recent advances have introduced prognostic markers and targeted therapies. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has emerged as a potential biomarker for HGSOC, with implications for prognosis and targeted therapy eligibility; (2) Methods: A literature search was conducted on major databases, and extracted data were categorized and pooled. Subgroup analysis was performed for studies with high heterogeneity. (3) Results: Data from 18 eligible studies were categorized and pooled based on PD-L1 scoring methods, survival analysis types, and endpoints. The result showed an association between high PD-L1 expression and a favorable prognosis in progression-free survival (HR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.35–0.78, p = 0.0015). Subgroup analyses showed similar associations in subgroups of neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients (HR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4–0.88, p = 0.009) and European studies (HR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.42–0.82, p = 0.0017). In addition, subgroup analyses using data from studies using FDA-approved PD-L1 antibodies suggested a significant association between favorable prognosis and high PD-L1 expression in a subgroup including high and low stage data in overall survival data (HR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.3–0.73, p = 0.0009). (4) Conclusions: This meta-analysis revealed a potential association between high PD-L1 expression and favorable prognosis. However, caution is warranted due to several limitations. Validation via large-scale studies, with mRNA analysis, whole tissue sections, and assessments using FDA-approved antibodies is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical significance of hsa_circ_0004018 and hsa_circ_0003570 in patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) is unclear. We aimed to explore the clinical significance and prognostic utility of these two circular RNAs (circRNAs) in patients with HBV-HCC. Based on 86 paired tissue samples of HCC and adjacent non-HCC, the relative expression profiles of hsa_circ_0004018 and hsa_circ_0003570 were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. The cut-off values were the median expression of each of the two circRNAs in 86 patients with HBV-HCC. The combination group comprised patients with high levels of the two circRNAs. Clinicopathological features, body composition profiles at the L3 level, and survival rates were investigated. The expression of hsa_circ_0004018 and hsa_circ_0003570 was downregulated in HCC tissues compared with non-HCC tissues. High expression levels of hsa_circ_0003570 (hazard ratio (HR), 0.437; p = 0.009) and hsa_circ_0004018 (HR, 0.435; p = 0.005) were inversely independent risk factors for overall and progression-free survival in patients with HBV-HCC, whereas the combination group was also an inversely independent risk factor for overall (HR, 0.399; p = 0.005) and progression-free survival (HR, 0.422; p = 0.003) in patients with HBV-HCC. The combination of hsa_circ_0003570 and hsa_circ_0004018 may be a potential prognostic biomarker for HBV-HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All eukaryotic cells, including oocytes, utilize an engine called cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) to drive the cell cycle. Cdks are activated by a co-factor called cyclin, which regulates their activity. The key Cdk–cyclin complex that regulates the oocyte cell cycle is known as Cdk1–cyclin B1. Recent studies have elucidated the roles of other cyclins, such as B2, B3, A2, and O, in oocyte cell cycle regulation. This review aims to discuss the recently discovered roles of various cyclins in mouse oocyte cell cycle regulation in accordance with the sequential progression of the cell cycle. In addition, this review addresses the translation and degradation of cyclins to modulate the activity of Cdks. Overall, the literature indicates that each cyclin performs unique and redundant functions at various stages of the cell cycle, while their expression and degradation are tightly regulated. Taken together, this review provides new insights into the regulatory role and function of cyclins in oocyte cell cycle progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate differences in prefrontal cortex activation between older adults with and without depressive symptoms during cognitive tasks using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We examined 204 older participants without psychiatric or neurological disorders who completed the Geriatric Depression Scale, digit span, Verbal Fluency Test, and Stroop test. At the same time, prefrontal cortex activation was recorded using fNIRS. During the Stroop test, significantly reduced hemodynamics were observed in the depressive-symptom group. The mean accΔHbO2 of all channel averages was 0.14 μM in the control group and −0.75 μM in the depressive-symptom group (p = 0.03). The right hemisphere average was 0.13 μM and −0.96 μM, respectively (p = 0.02), and the left hemisphere average was 0.14 μM and −0.54 μM, respectively (p = 0.12). There was no significant difference in hemodynamic response (mean accΔHbO2) between the two groups during the digit span backward and VFT. In conclusion, reduced hemodynamics in the frontal cortex of the depressive-symptom group has been observed. The frontal fNIRS signal and the Stroop task may be used to measure depressive symptoms sensitively in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: CTHRC1 is a protein with pro-tumoral effects that is highly expressed in tumors. We found that cancer stroma is the major source of CTHRC1 secretion in pancreatic cancer, and CTHRC1 regulates cancer extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling by activating pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), a main component of pancreatic cancer stroma. Our results show that CTHRC1-activated PSCs differentiated into myofibroblast-like CAFs (myCAFs). Moreover, the pro-tumoral effects manifested by CTHRC1 were more potent through PSC activation than via autocrine action. Periostin, a stroma-specific molecule, demonstrated an essential role in the CTHRC1–PSCs–cancer metastasis axis. Blocking CTHRC1 reversed PSC activation in vitro and showed significant anti-tumoral effects in animal models. However, long-term CTHRC1 treatment likely caused a shift from myCAFs into inflammatory CAFs. This study elucidates PSC activation as the central mechanism underlying the pro-tumoral effects of CTHRC1 and suggests that future studies on CTHRC1 as a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer are warranted. [BACKGROUND] Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1) is a secreted protein that contributes to the progression of various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The higher expression of CTHRC1 in tumor tissues is associated with poorer survival outcomes. However, its specific roles in tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling remain unclear. Our study aims to investigate the influences of CTHRC1 on pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), a main source of ECM production in pancreatic cancer. [METHODS AND RESULTS] The analyses of the publicly available pancreatic cancer patient data revealed that CTHRC1 is mainly expressed in cancer stroma and highly correlated with ECM-related genes. An in vitro study showed that more than 40% of these genes can be upregulated by CTHRC1. CTHRC1 specifically activated PSC into myofibroblast-like cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs), which are characterized by a significantly upregulated POSTN gene expression. Periostin (coded by the POSTN gene) has a central role in the CTHRC1–PSCs–cancer metastasis axis. Furthermore, CTHRC1 promoted pancreatic cancer cell proliferation through PSC activation to a greater extent than via direct stimulation. Proof-of-concept experiments showed that the long-term (4-week) inhibition of CTHRC1 led to significant tumor suppression and ECM reduction, and also resulted in an unexpected shift in the CAF subtype from myCAFs to inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs). [CONCLUSION] PSC activation was demonstrated to be the key molecular mechanism responsible for the tumor-promoting effects of CTHRC1, and CTHRC1 has a critical role in CAF subtype differentiation and tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling. The inhibition of CTHRC1 as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Z)-5-Benzylidene-2-phenylthiazol-4(5H)-one ((Z)-BPT) derivatives were designed by combining the structural characteristics of two tyrosinase inhibitors. The double-bond geometry of trisubstituted alkenes, (Z)-BPTs 1–14, was determined based on the 3JC,Hβ coupling constant of 1H-coupled 13C NMR spectra. Three (Z)-BPT derivatives (1–3) showed stronger tyrosinase inhibitory activities than kojic acid; in particular, 2 was to be 189-fold more potent than kojic acid. Kinetic analysis using mushroom tyrosinase indicated that 1 and 2 were competitive inhibitors, whereas 3 was a mixed-type inhibitor. The in silico results revealed that 1–3 could strongly bind to the active sites of mushroom and human tyrosinases, supporting the kinetic results. Derivatives 1 and 2 decreased the intracellular melanin contents in a concentration-dependent manner in B16F10 cells, and their anti-melanogenic efficacy exceeded that of kojic acid. The anti-tyrosinase activity of 1 and 2 in B16F10 cells was similar to their anti-melanogenic effects, suggesting that their anti-melanogenic effects were primarily owing to their anti-tyrosinase activity. Western blotting of B16F10 cells revealed that the derivatives 1 and 2 inhibited tyrosinase expression, which partially contributes to their anti-melanogenic ability. Several derivatives, including 2 and 3, exhibited potent antioxidant activities against ABTS cation radicals, DPPH radicals, ROS, and peroxynitrite. These results suggest that (Z)-BPT derivatives 1 and 2 have promising potential as novel anti-melanogenic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a method for rapid prototyping of a three-phase AC drive system for educational purposes. The proposed method allows college students to design and manufacture a drive system comprising three-phase inverters, a permanent-magnet (PM) machine, a controller, and sensors within a semester. The rapid prototyping process, which requires less than a day, enables efficient iteration and testing during the development process. In addition to addressing the electrical design considerations, this study also addresses the mechanical aspects of the drive system, including the use of coreless PM machines fabricated, using additive manufacturing technology, and the inverter manufacturing process, utilizing an auto-milling machine. Finally, we provide details of the rapid prototyping of closed-loop control, based on sensor feedback to regulate the rotating magnetic fields and output torque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multilayer soil structure model is fundamental to design grounding systems. A new method is presented to invert the structure parameters of horizontal multilayer soil. The structure parameters of soil are determined by analyzing the kernel function of the integral equation of the apparent resistivity. The essence of the proposed method avoids the difficulties encountered in general optimization methods; namely, the calculation of the apparent resistivity and its derivative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of a patient with Dubin–Johnson syndrome confirmed by a genetic study. A 50-year-old woman who had symptoms of intermittent right upper quadrant abdominal pain was diagnosed with calculous cholecystitis at another institute and was presented to our hospital for a cholecystectomy. She had no history of liver disease, and her physical examination was normal. Abdominal computed tomography showed a gallbladder stone with chronic cholecystitis. During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystitis, a smooth, black-colored liver was noted, and a liver biopsy was performed. The biopsy specimen showed coarse, dark brown granules in centrilobular hepatocytes via hematoxylin and eosin staining. We performed a genetic study using the blood samples of the patient. In the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily C member 2 (ABCC2) mutation study, a missense mutation in exon 18 was noted. Based on the black-colored liver without nodularity, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, the liver biopsy results of the coarse pigment in centrilobular hepatocytes, and the ABCC2 mutation, Dubin–Johnson syndrome was diagnosed. The patient was managed with conservative care using hepatotonics. One month after follow-up, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin remained in a similar range. Another follow-up was planned a month later, and the patient maintained her use of hepatotonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous vehicles are equipped with multiple heterogeneous sensors and drive while processing data from each sensor in real time. Among the sensors, the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is essential to the localization of the vehicle itself. However, if a GNSS-denied situation occurs while driving, the accident risk may be high due to the degradation of the vehicle positioning performance. This paper presents a cooperative positioning technique based on the lidar sensor and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. The ego-vehicle continuously tracks surrounding vehicles and objects, and localizes itself using tracking information from the surroundings, especially in GNSS-denied situations. We present the effectiveness of the cooperative positioning technique by constructing a GNSS-denied case during autonomous driving. A numerical simulation using a driving simulator is included in the paper to evaluate and verify the proposed method in various scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most methanotrophs produce Mb to facilitate copper uptake, maintain Cu homeostasis, and protect against the toxic effects of high Cu concentration ( I M. trichosporium i OB3b on 10 µM Cu) [[98]]. The chelation of copper forms the Cu-Mb complex, which is a copper uptaking strategy of MOB in copper-limited conditions [[97]]. In the culture of I Methylococcus capsulatus i Bath, pMMO facilitates CH SB 4 sb oxidation in the cytoplasm when Cu/cell ratios are high (increased from 0 to 55 µM of Cu), while sMMO is activated in the periplasmic membrane space when Cu/cell ratios are low (decreased to 0 µM of Cu) because of different expression patterns (see above). Keywords: ammonia and methane oxidation; monooxygenase; copper; iron; methanobactin; siderophore EN ammonia and methane oxidation monooxygenase copper iron methanobactin siderophore 1806 18 11/17/22 20221101 NES 221101 1. On the other hand, Cu-chelating Mb also played a critical role in maintaining Cu homeostasis and protection against the potentially toxic effects of a high Cu concentration ( I M. trichosporium i OB3b on 10 µM copper) (see Figure 2) [[98]]. [Extracted from the article]

Spinal surgeons have not yet considered sleep disturbance an area of concern; thus, a comprehensive study investigating the epidemiology of sleep disturbance in patients with degenerative spinal disease is yet to be conducted. This study aimed to fill this research gap by investigating the epidemiology of sleep disturbance in patients who underwent spinal surgery for degenerative spinal disease and identifying the associated risk factors. This nationwide, population-based, cohort study, used data from January 2016 and December 2018 from the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. This study included 106,837 patients older than 19 years who underwent surgery for degenerative spinal disease. Sleep disorder was initially defined as a diagnosis of a sleep disorder made within one year before the index surgery and identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, codes F51 and G47 (main analysis). We also investigated the use of sleep medication within 90 days prior to the index surgery, which was the target outcome of the sensitivity analysis. The prevalence of sleep disturbance was precisely investigated according to various factors, including demographics, comorbidities, and spinal region. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors associated with sleep disturbance. The results of the statistical analysis were validated using sensitivity analysis and bootstrap sampling. The prevalence of sleep disorder was 5.5% (n = 5847) in our cohort. During the 90 days before spinal surgery, sleep medication was used for over four weeks in 5.5% (n = 5864) and over eight weeks in 3.8% (n = 4009) of the cohort. Although the prevalence of sleep disturbance differed according to the spinal region, the spinal region was not a significant risk factor for sleep disorder in multivariable analysis. We also identified four groups of independent risk factors: (1) Age, (2) other demographic factors and general comorbidities, (3) neuropsychiatric disorders, and (4) osteoarthritis of the extremities. Our results, including the prevalence rates of sleep disturbance in the entire patient population and the identified risk factors, provide clinicians with a reasonable reference for evaluating sleep disturbance in patients with degenerative spinal disease and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of the light intensity of curing and the post-curing duration on the mechanical properties and accuracy of the interim dental material. After designing the specimen, 3D printing was performed, and the light intensity was divided into groups G20, G60, G80, and G120 (corresponding to 1.4–1.6, 2.2–3.0, 3.8–4.4, and 6.4–7.0 mW/cm2, respectively), with no post-curing or 5, 10, or 20 min of post-curing being performed. The flexural properties, Vickers microhardness, degree of conversion (DC), and 3D accuracy were then evaluated. The flexural properties and Vickers microhardness showed a sharp increase at the beginning of the post-curing and then tended to increase gradually as the light intensity and post-curing time increased (p < 0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between groups in the accuracy analysis of a 3D-printed three-unit bridge. These results indicate that the light intensity of the post-curing equipment influences the final mechanical properties of 3D-printed resin and that post-curing can be made more efficient by optimizing the light intensity and post-curing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body composition, including sarcopenia, adipose tissue, and myosteatosis, is associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, few studies have identified the impact of body composition, including pre-existing risk factors, on COVID-19 mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of body composition, including pre-existing risk factors, on mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. This two-center retrospective study included 127 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who underwent unenhanced chest computed tomography (CT) between February and April 2020. Using the cross-sectional CT images at the L2 vertebra level, we analyzed the body composition, including skeletal muscle mass, visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (VSR), and muscle density using the Hounsfield unit (HU). Of 127 patients with COVID-19, 16 (12.6%) died. Compared with survivors, non-survivors had low muscle density (41.9 vs. 32.2 HU, p < 0.001) and high proportion of myosteatosis (4.5 vs. 62.5%, p < 0.001). Cox regression analyses revealed diabetes (hazard ratio [HR], 3.587), myosteatosis (HR, 3.667), and a high fibrosis-4 index (HR, 1.213) as significant risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19. Myosteatosis was associated with mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, independent of pre-existing prognostic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA) between eyes with nearly recovered and partially recovered outer retina after full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) surgery and to identify OCTA findings associated with visual acuity. We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients who underwent surgery for idiopathic FTMH. Swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) and OCTA were performed preoperatively and at three and six months postoperatively. Subgroups were divided according to the integrity of the external limiting membranes and ellipsoid zones postoperatively. Correlations of best-corrected visual acuity six months postoperatively with SS-OCT and OCTA measurements were analyzed. There was no difference in preoperative retinal or choroidal vascular index on OCTA between the nearly and partially recovered groups. Six months postoperatively, the choriocapillaris flow-void area was significantly higher in the partially recovered group than in the fellow eye. The nearly recovered group showed better choroidal vascular flow, and vision at six months postoperatively correlated with the ratio of the operated eye's choriocapillaris flow-void area to the fellow eye. Sufficient choriocapillaris flow on OCTA is associated with better outer retinal recovery and visual outcomes after macular hole surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to prepare ciprofloxacin (CIP) or levofloxacin (LEVO)-incorporated and polydopamine (PDA)-coated nephrite composites for application in drug-eluting contact lenses. PDA was coated onto the surface of nephrite to improve antibacterial activity and to payload antibiotics. CIP or LEVO was incorporated into the PDA layer on the surface of nephrite. Furthermore, CIP-incorporated/PDA-coated nephrite composites were embedded into the contact lenses. PDA-coated nephrite composites showed dull and smooth surfaces according to the dopamine concentration while nephrite itself has sharp surface morphology. CIP- or LEVO-loaded/PDA-coated nephrite composites also have dull and smooth surface properties. Nano and/or sub-micron clusters were observed in field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) observation, indicating that PDA nanoparticles were accumulated and coated onto the surface of nephrite. Furthermore, CIP- or LEVO-incorporated/PDA-coated nephrite composites showed the sustained release of CIP or LEVO in vitro and these properties contributed to the enhanced antibacterial activity of composites compared to nephrite or PDA-coated nephrite composites. CIP-incorporated/PDA-coated nephrite composites were embedded in the contact lenses and then, in an antibacterial study, they showed higher bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) compared to nephrite itself or PDA-coated nephrite composites. We suggest that CIP- or LEVO-loaded/PDA-coated nephrite composite-embedded contact lenses are a promising candidate for therapeutic application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, chemotherapeutic drugs and treatment have failed to increase the five-year survival rate over the last three decades. We previously demonstrated that type 5 metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR5, is required to proliferate metastatic osteosarcoma cells. In this work, we delivered mGluR5 siRNAs in vitro using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocages (IO-nanocages) as delivery vehicles and applied alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) to improve mGluR5 siRNAs release. We observed functional outcomes when mGluR5 expression is silenced in human and mouse osteosarcoma cell lines. The results elucidated that the mGluR5 siRNAs were successfully delivered by IO-nanocages and their release was enhanced by AMFs, leading to mGluR5 silencing. Moreover, we observed that the proliferation of both human and mouse osteosarcoma cells decreased significantly when mGluR5 expression was silenced in the cells. This novel magnetic siRNA delivery methodology was capable of silencing mGluR5 expression significantly in osteosarcoma cell lines under the AMFs, and our data suggested that this method can be further used in future clinical applications in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vastus medialis function has been implicated in the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis; however, studies evaluating the influence of its preoperative volume and quality on functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remain scarce. This study aimed to determine the association between vastus medialis volume, quality, and clinical outcomes after TKA. Methods: Among the patients who underwent unilateral TKA, 92 who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before TKA were included. Preoperative vastus medialis volume and quality were assessed using the cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration ratio on MRI. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Knee Society knee score (KSKS) and Knee Society function score (KSFS) at baseline and 1 year after surgery. The relationships between preoperative CSA, fatty infiltration ratio, and clinical outcomes were analyzed using univariate and multivariate linear regression. Results: Only the fatty infiltration ratio was significantly associated with postoperative KSFS in the univariate linear regression analysis. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, age and fatty infiltration ratio were significantly associated with postoperative KSFS. Conclusions: Increased vastus medialis fat infiltration is associated with worse functional outcomes after TKA. Preserving vastus medialis quality could improve functional outcomes, and surgeons should encourage patients to perform quadriceps strengthening exercises before surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tomato cultivation, a rare natural mutation in the flowering repressor antiflorigen gene SELF-PRUNING (sp-classic) induces precocious shoot termination and is the foundation in determinate tomato breeding for open field production. Heterozygous single flower truss (sft) mutants in the florigen SFT gene in the background of sp-classic provide a heterosis-like effect by delaying shoot termination, suggesting the subtle suppression of determinacy by genetic modification of the florigen–antiflorigen balance could improve yield. Here, we isolated three new sp alleles from the tomato germplasm that show modified determinate growth compared to sp-classic, including one allele that mimics the effect of sft heterozygosity. Two deletion alleles eliminated functional transcripts and showed similar shoot termination, determinate growth, and yields as sp-classic. In contrast, amino acid substitution allele sp-5732 showed semi-determinate growth with more leaves and sympodial shoots on all shoots. This translated to greater yield compared to the other stronger alleles by up to 42%. Transcriptome profiling of axillary (sympodial) shoot meristems (SYM) from sp-classic and wild type plants revealed six mis-regulated genes related to the floral transition, which were used as biomarkers to show that the maturation of SYMs in the weaker sp-5732 genotype is delayed compared to sp-classic, consistent with delayed shoot termination and semi-determinate growth. Assessing sp allele frequencies from over 500 accessions indicated that one of the strong sp alleles (sp-2798) arose in early breeding cultivars but was not selected. The newly discovered sp alleles are potentially valuable resources to quantitatively manipulate shoot growth and yield in determinate breeding programs, with sp-5732 providing an opportunity to develop semi-determinate field varieties with higher yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted attention as an important energy source for various applications owing to their high power outputs and outstanding energy densities. The electrochemical performance of an SC device is predominantly determined by electrode materials, and thus, the selection and synthesis of the materials are crucial. Metal oxides (MOs) and their composites are the most widely used pseudocapacitive SC electrode materials. The basic requirements for fabricating high-performance SC electrodes include synthesizing and/or chemically modifying unique conducting nanostructures, optimizing a heterostructure morphology, and generating large-surface-area electroactive sites, all of which predominantly rely on various techniques used for synthesizing MO materials and fabricating MO- and MO-composite-based SC electrodes. Therefore, an SC's background and critical aspects, the challenges associated with the predominant synthesis techniques (including hydrothermal and microwave-assisted syntheses and chemical-bath and atomic-layer depositions), and resulting electrode electrochemical performances should be summarized in a convenient, accessible report to accelerate the development of materials for industrial SC applications. Therefore, we reviewed the most pertinent studies on these synthesis techniques to provide insight into the most recent advances in synthesizing MOs and fabricating their composite-based SC electrodes as well as to propose research directions for developing MO-based electrodes for applications to next-generation SCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research studies on industrial cyber-physical systems (ICPSs) have witnessed vast patronage with emphasis on data utility for improved design, maintenance, and high-level decision making. The design of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) is geared towards improving performance and extending life cycles. More often, material selection of PEMFC components contributes a major determining factor for efficiency and durability with the seal/gasket quality being one of the most critical components. Finite element analysis (FEA) offers a simulated alternative to real-life stress analysis of components and has been employed on different rubber-like gasket materials for hydrogen fuel cells for determining an optimal strain energy density function using different hyperelastic models following uniaxial tensile testing. The results show that the Mooney–Rivlin, Ogden, and Yeoh models were the most fitting model with the best stress–strain fit following a weighted error evaluation criteria which returned 18.54%, 19.31%, and 21.96% for 25% displacement, and 22.1%, 21.7%, and 21.17% for 40% displacements, respectively. Further empirical analysis using the multi-metric regression technique for compatibility testing (curve similarity) between the hyperelastic model outputs and the tensile data reveal that the Yeoh model is the most consistent as seen in the marginal error difference amidst increasing displacement while the Arruda–Boyce model is most inconsistent as shown in the high error margin as the displacement increases from 25% to 40%. Lastly, a comparative assessment between different rubber-like materials (RLM) was presented and is expected to contribute to improved decision-making and material selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) is characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) before 65 years of age. Mutations in pathological genes, including amyloid protein precursor (APP), presenilin-1 (PSEN1), and presenilin-2 (PSEN2), were associated with EOAD. Seventy-six mutations in PSEN2 have been found around the world, which could affect the activity of γ-secretase in amyloid beta processing. Here, a heterozygous PSEN2 point mutation from G to A nucleotide change at position 166 (codon 56; c.166G>A, Gly56Ser) was identified in a 64-year-old Korean female with AD with progressive cognitive memory impairment for the 4 years prior to the hospital visit. Hippocampal atrophy was observed from magnetic resonance imaging-based neuroimaging analyses. Temporal and parietal cortex hypometabolisms were identified using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. This mutation was at the N-terminal portion of the presenilin 2 protein on the cytosolic side. Therefore, the serine substitution may have promoted AD pathogenesis by perturbing to the mutation region through altered phosphorylation of presenilin. In silico analysis revealed that the mutation altered protein bulkiness with increased hydrophilicity and reduced flexibility of the mutated region of the protein. Structural changes were likely caused by intramolecular interactions between serine and other residues, which may have affected APP processing. The functional study will clarify the pathogenicity of the mutation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cultured meat development relies on diverse cell types, with muscle stem cells (MuSCs) standing out for their superior muscle differentiation abilities. Extracting MuSCs from muscles involves methods like pre-plating based on cell adhesion, density gradient centrifugation using cell density variations, and fluorescence- and magnetic-activated cell sorting relying on molecular markers. As the cultured meat industry progresses, the demand for more efficient separation techniques is expected to grow. This review delves into these existing methods and explores future avenues for isolating MuSCs for cultured meat production. Cultured meat production relies on various cell types, including muscle stem cells (MuSCs), embryonic stem cell lines, induced pluripotent cell lines, and naturally immortalized cell lines. MuSCs possess superior muscle differentiation capabilities compared to the other three cell lines, making them key for cultured meat development. Therefore, to produce cultured meat using MuSCs, they must first be effectively separated from muscles. At present, the methods used to isolate MuSCs from muscles include (1) the pre-plating method, using the ability of cells to adhere differently, which is a biological characteristic of MuSCs; (2) the density gradient centrifugation method, using the intrinsic density difference of cells, which is a physical characteristic of MuSCs; and (3) fluorescence- and magnetic-activated cell sorting methods, using the surface marker protein on the cell surface of MuSCs, which is a molecular characteristic of MuSCs. Further efficient and valuable methods for separating MuSCs are expected to be required as the cell-based cultured meat industry develops. Thus, we take a closer look at the four methods currently in use and discuss future development directions in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As cyber-attacks increase in unencrypted communication environments such as the traditional Internet, protected communication channels based on cryptographic protocols, such as transport layer security (TLS), have been introduced to the Internet. Accordingly, attackers have been carrying out cyber-attacks by hiding themselves in protected communication channels. However, the nature of channels protected by cryptographic protocols makes it difficult to distinguish between normal and malicious network traffic behaviors. This means that traditional anomaly detection models with features from packets extracted a deep packet inspection (DPI) have been neutralized. Recently, studies on anomaly detection using artificial intelligence (AI) and statistical characteristics of traffic have been proposed as an alternative. In this review, we provide a systematic review for AI-based anomaly detection techniques over encrypted traffic. We set several research questions on the review topic and collected research according to eligibility criteria. Through the screening process and quality assessment, 30 research articles were selected with high suitability to be included in the review from the collected literature. We reviewed the selected research in terms of dataset, feature extraction, feature selection, preprocessing, anomaly detection algorithm, and performance indicators. As a result of the literature review, it was confirmed that various techniques used for AI-based anomaly detection over encrypted traffic were used. Some techniques are similar to those used for AI-based anomaly detection over unencrypted traffic, but some technologies are different from those used for unencrypted traffic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the association between bioimpedance profiles and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). This cross-sectional study included 100 eyes of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The systemic fluid status was assessed using extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) and phase angle (PhA), which was measured using bioimpedance equipment. ECW/TBW was higher in the DR (diabetic retinopathy) with DME group than in the no DR and DR without DME groups (p = 0.007 and p = 0.047, respectively); however, no significant difference was observed between the no DR and DR without DME groups. The PhA values were significantly lower in the DR with DME group (5.45 ± 0.84) than in the no DR (6.69 ± 0.69) and DR without DME groups (6.05 ± 1.15) (p < 0.001, p = 0.032, respectively). The presence of multiple HRF (hyper-reflective foci) was associated with a significantly higher ECW/TBW (p = 0.001). In the group with the most significant HRF, PhA was lower than in those with none or moderate amounts of HRF (p < 0.05). Bioimpedance fluid profiles of patients with OCT features of DME suggest a connection between the overall systemic state, including fluid status and DME development. Further research is required to fully understand and utilize this information for effective clinical assessment and treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, preliminary simulations were performed to manufacture thermoplastic composites that can be processed by injection. For analysis, a basalt particulate–polymer composite model was manufactured and its elastic modulus, shear modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, and thermal conductivity were predicted using finite-element analysis (FEA) and micromechanics. Polypropylene (PP), polyamide 6, polyamide 66, and polyamide (PA) were employed as the polymer matrix, with the variations in their properties investigated based on the volume fraction of basalt. The polymer–basalt composite's properties were analyzed effectively using FEA and the micromechanics model. FEA was performed by constructing a 3D model based on the homogenization technique to analyze the effective properties. The micromechanics model was analyzed numerically using the mixture rule, and the Mital, Guth, and Halpin–Tsai models. As a result, it is best to analyze the effective properties of polymer–basalt composites using the Halpin–Tsai model, and it is necessary to conduct a comparative analysis through actual experiments. In the future, actual composite materials need to be developed and evaluated based on the findings of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GD2, a disialoganglioside, is present on the surface of most neuroblastomas, as well as on some other cancers, such as melanoma and osteogenic sarcoma. The anti-GD2 antibody ch14.18 (dinutuximab) has an FDA-registered indication for use as maintenance therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma with cytokines and 13-cis-retinoic acid after myeloablative therapy. Recent studies using immunohistochemistry of tumor or tumor cells in marrow have shown that some neuroblastomas are negative for GD2. Dinutuximab and other anti-GD2 antibodies are increasingly used in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy for treating relapsed neuroblastoma, so it is important to be able to identify patients with tumor cells with low GD2 expression, as such patients may experience toxicity but not benefit from the antibody therapy. As the most common clinical samples available for relapsed neuroblastoma are bone marrow aspirates, we developed a method to quantify dinutuximab binding density and the frequency of neuroblastoma cells positive for the antibody in bone marrow aspirates. Here, we describe a multi-color flow cytometry assay that employs non-GD2 antibodies to identify neuroblastoma cells in a mixed population (tumor, bone marrow, or blood) and an anti-GD2 antibody to quantify both the frequency and density of GD2 expression on neuroblastoma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is the standard front-line therapy for advanced or metastatic endometrial cancer. However, paclitaxel resistance eternally develops. Based on the high prevalence of PIK3CA mutation, reaching 50%, in endometrial cancer, we preclinically investigated the effectiveness of a combination of a PI3K inhibitor with eribulin, a post-paclitaxel therapy for breast cancer, in treating paclitaxel-resistant, PIK3CA-mutated endometrial cancer. Based on our in vitro and in vivo results, we suggest that paclitaxel resistance is associated with the activation of the PIK3/AKT pathway in PIK3CA-mutated endometrial cancer, and the combination of a PI3K inhibitor and eribulin merits further clinical investigation. Endometrial cancer stands as the predominant gynecological malignancy in developed nations. For advanced or recurrent disease, paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is the standard front-line therapy. However, paclitaxel resistance eternally develops. Based on the high prevalence of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutation, reaching 50%, in endometrial cancer, we preclinically investigated the effectiveness of a combination of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor with eribulin, a post-paclitaxel therapy for breast cancer, in treating paclitaxel-resistant, PIK3CA-mutated endometrial cancer. We generated paclitaxel-resistant cell lines from PIK3CA-mutated endometrial cancer cell lines by gradually increasing the concentration of paclitaxel in cell cultures. We observed that the PI3K/AKT and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathways in paclitaxel-resistant cells were significantly upregulated compared with those in parental cells. Then, we demonstrated that the combination of alpelisib (a PI3K inhibitor) and eribulin more effectively suppressed the cellular growth of paclitaxel-resistant cells in in vitro and in vivo xenograft models. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that the effect of the combination could be enhanced by inhibiting both the PI3K/AKT and EMT pathways. Therefore, we suggest that paclitaxel resistance is associated with the activation of the PIK3/AKT pathway in PIK3CA-mutated endometrial cancer, and the combination of a PI3K inhibitor and eribulin merits further clinical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Interleukin 31 (IL-31), a novel cytokine in AD, causes pruritus, typically characteristic of AD patients. The transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) is a cation channel activated by diverse noxious stimuli that has been studied in a variety of pruritic skin diseases. In this study, the AD animal model was generated by administering the hapten, trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB), to Nc/Nga mice, and the degree of expression of the IL-31 receptor alpha (IL-31RA) and TRPV1 in the skin of these atopic models was evaluated. The Nc/Nga mice were divided into 3 groups: control, TNCB 2-weeks treated, and TNCB 8-weeks treated. After inducing AD, the skin lesions in each group were scored and compared, and the histology of the skin lesions and the IL-31RA and TRPV1 expression for each group were evaluated by analyzing immunohistochemistry. The results show a significant difference in the skin lesion scores between the groups. The immunohistochemistry evaluation highlighted the remarkable expression of IL-31RA and TRPV1 in the nerve fibers of the TNCB 8-weeks-treated group. We thus confirmed that the long-term application of TNCB induced chronic atopic-like dermatitis and that IL-31RA and TRPV1 were overexpressed in the peripheral nerve fibers in this AD model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteinuria is associated with cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between changes in proteinuria status and hypertension remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between changes in proteinuria status and the risk of developing hypertension with the data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database. We included participants without prior hypertension history who underwent their first health examination in 2003–2004 and a second examination in 2005–2006. Based on their proteinuria status during these two examinations, participants were classified into four groups: the proteinuria-free, proteinuria-resolved, proteinuria-developed, and chronic proteinuria groups. The study outcome was the incidence of hypertension. The study included 935,723 participants followed for a median of 14.2 years (mean age: 40.96 ± 11.01, 62.5% male participants). During this period, 346,686 (37.1%) cases of hypertension were reported. The chronic proteinuria group had the highest hypertension risk, followed by the proteinuria-developed, proteinuria-resolved, and proteinuria-free groups (p < 0.001). Those who recovered from proteinuria had a lower risk of developing hypertension than those with chronic proteinuria (hazard ratio: 0.58; 95% confidence interval: 0.53–0.63, p < 0.001). In contrast, individuals who developed proteinuria had a higher risk of hypertension than proteinuria-free individuals (hazard ratio: 1.31; 95% confidence interval: 1.26–1.35, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest a significant association between proteinuria status changes and hypertension. Effective management of proteinuria may potentially decrease the risk of developing hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the characteristics of a composite material composed of polypropylene (PP) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are investigated. The elastic properties of the PP/UHMWPE composite material composed of short UHMWPE fibers with a low aspect ratio and long UHMWPE fibers with a high aspect ratio are compared and analyzed. In addition, the elastic properties of the PP/UHMWPE composite materials are calculated via finite element analysis and the Halpin–Tsai model by changing the volume fraction of the UHMWPE fibers. The results show that when UHMWPE fibers with a low aspect ratio and volume fraction are used, the results of the modulus of elasticity based on the finite element analysis are consistent with those obtained using the Halpin–Tsai model, although the fiber volume fraction of the UHMWPE fibers increases. Meanwhile, the deviation between the results yielded by both methods increases with the aspect ratio of the fiber. In terms of the shear modulus, the Halpin–Tsai model shows a linear trend. The results from the finite element analysis differ significantly from those of the Halpin–Tsai model owing to the random orientation of the UHMWPE fibers inside the fiber. Using a contour graph constructed based on the finite element analysis results, the aspect ratio and volume fraction of the UHMWPE fibers can be inversely calculated based on the elastic properties when synthesizing a PP/UHMWPE fiber composite. In future studies, the interfacial bonding properties of UHMWPE fibers and PP should be compared and analyzed experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses the finite element method and numerical analysis to develop an eco-friendly composite material with shielding capabilities. A preliminary study was performed to predict the mechanical properties of the composite material. Polyethylene terephthalate and aluminum powder (AP) were selected as the matrix and enhancer, respectively. The particles of AP are spherical, with a diameter of 1 μm. Material properties were investigated as the AP volume fraction (VF) increased from 5–70%. The FEM results show that the physical properties for AP VFs improve by up to 40%, but there is no significant change in the elastic modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio at an AP VF of 50–70%. However, the numerical analysis models show that the elastic properties for AP VFs improve by up to 70%. The mechanical properties improved as the VF increased, and the FEM predicted values were reliable for VFs up to 40%. However, it was confirmed that 40% is the limit of AP VF in the FEM. In addition, the FEM and numerical analysis predictions showed that the most similar numerical analysis model was the Halpin–Tsai model. The predictions of the Halpin–Tsai model allowed prediction of the maximum VF above the FEM limit. If the correction coefficients of the FEM and numerical analysis models are derived based on the predictions of this study and future experimental results, reliable predictions can be obtained for the physical properties of composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to reduce global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is driving the conversion of coal-fired power plants to use methane, which can reduce CO2 emissions by >40%. However, conducting gas firing in coal boilers changes the heat transfer profile; therefore, preliminary evaluations using computational fluid dynamics are required prior to conversion. Here, methane was used as a heat input source in the simulation of an existing coal boiler, and combustion, nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission characteristics, and heat transfer profile changes inside the boiler were analyzed. Furthermore, changes in the burner zone stoichiometric ratio (BZSR) were simulated to restore the decreased heat absorption of the furnace waterwall, revealing that air distribution could change the heat absorption of the waterwall and tube bundles. However, this change was smaller than that caused by conversion from coal to methane. Therefore, to implement gas firing in coal boilers, alternatives such as output derating, using an attemperator, or modifying heat transfer surfaces are necessary. Despite these limitations, a 70% reduction in NOx emissions was achieved at a BZSR of 0.76, compared with coal. As the BZSR contributes significantly to NOx emissions, conducting gas firing in existing coal boilers could significantly reduce NOx and CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles are regarded as an ideal candidate for anticancer drug targeting. We synthesized glutathione (GSH) and magnetic-sensitive nanocomposites for a dual-targeting strategy. To achieve this goal, methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) (MePEG) was grafted to water-soluble chitosan (abbreviated as ChitoPEG). Then doxorubicin (DOX) was conjugated to the backbone of chitosan via disulfide linkage. Iron oxide (IO) magnetic nanoparticles were also conjugated to the backbone of chitosan to provide magnetic sensitivity. In morphological observation, images from a transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that IO nanoparticles were embedded in the ChitoPEG/DOX/IO nanocomposites. In a drug release study, GSH addition accelerated DOX release rate from nanocomposites, indicating that nanocomposites have redox-responsiveness. Furthermore, external magnetic stimulus concentrated nanocomposites in the magnetic field and then provided efficient internalization of nanocomposites into cancer cells in cell culture experiments. In an animal study with CT26 cell-bearing mice, nanocomposites showed superior magnetic sensitivity and then preferentially targeted tumor tissues in the field of external magnetic stimulus. Nanocomposites composed of ChitoPEG/DOX/IO nanoparticle conjugates have excellent anticancer drug targeting properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse effects of radiation are proportional to the total dose and dose rate. We aimed to investigate the effects of radiation dose rate on different organs in mice. The mice were subjected to low dose rate (LDR, ~3.4 mGy/h) and high dose rate (HDR, ~51 Gy/h) radiation. LDR radiation caused severe tissue toxicity, as observed in the histological analysis of testis. It adversely influenced sperm production, including sperm count and motility, and induced greater sperm abnormalities. The expression of markers of early stage spermatogonial stem cells, such as Plzf, c-Kit, and Oct4, decreased significantly after LDR irradiation, compared to that following exposure of HDR radiation, in qPCR analysis. The compositional ratios of all stages of spermatogonia and meiotic cells, except round spermatid, were considerably reduced by LDR in FACS analysis. Therefore, LDR radiation caused more adverse testicular damage than that by HDR radiation, contrary to the response observed in other organs. Therefore, the dose rate of radiation may have differential effects, depending on the organ; it is necessary to evaluate the effect of radiation in terms of radiation dose, dose rate, organ type, and other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The successful management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with proper screening and treatment methods could prevent cervical cancer progression. We propose a bioimpedance spectroscopic measurement device and a multi-electrode probe as an independent screening tool for CIN. To evaluate the performance of this screening method, we enrolled 123 patients, including 69 patients with suspected CIN and 54 control patients without cervical dysplasia who underwent a hysterectomy for benign disease (non-CIN). Following conization, the electrical properties of the excised cervical tissue were characterized using an electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy-based multi-electrode probe. Twenty-eight multifrequency voltages were collected through the two concentric array electrodes via a sensitivity-optimized measurement protocol based on an electrical energy concentration method. The electrical properties of the CIN and non-CIN groups were compared with the results of the pathology reports. Reconstructed resistivity tended to decrease in the CIN and non-CIN groups as frequency increased. Reconstructed resistivity from 625 Hz to 50 kHz differed significantly between the CIN and non-CIN groups (p < 0.001). Using 100 kHz as the reference, the difference between the CIN and non-CIN groups was significant. Based on the difference in reconstructed resistivity between 100 kHz and the other frequencies, this method had a sensitivity of 94.3%, a specificity of 84%, and an accuracy of 90% in CIN screening. The feasibility of noninvasive CIN screening was confirmed through the difference in the frequency spectra evaluated in the excised tissue using the electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy-based multi-electrode screening probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation in favor of resorption results in bone loss and deterioration of bone architecture. Osteoblast differentiation is a sequential event accompanying biogenesis of matrix vesicles and mineralization of collagen matrix with hydroxyapatite crystals. Considerable efforts have been made in developing naturally-occurring plant compounds, preventing bone pathologies, or enhancing bone regeneration. Coumarin aesculetin inhibits osteoporosis through hampering the ruffled border formation of mature osteoclasts. However, little is known regarding the effects of aesculetin on the impairment of matrix vesicle biogenesis. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in differentiation media with 1–10 μM aesculetin for up to 21 days. Aesculetin boosted the bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression, and alkaline phosphatase activation of differentiating MC3T3-E1 cells. The presence of aesculetin strengthened the expression of collagen type 1 and osteoprotegerin and transcription of Runt-related transcription factor 2 in differentiating osteoblasts for 9 days. When ≥1–5 μM aesculetin was added to differentiating cells for 15–18 days, the induction of non-collagenous proteins of bone sialoprotein II, osteopontin, osteocalcin, and osteonectin was markedly enhanced, facilitating the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals and mineralized collagen matrix. The induction of annexin V and PHOSPHO 1 was further augmented in ≥5 μM aesculetin-treated differentiating osteoblasts for 21 days. In addition, the levels of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase and collagen type 1 were further enhanced within the extracellular space and on matrix vesicles of mature osteoblasts treated with aesculetin, indicating matrix vesicle-mediated bone mineralization. Finally, aesculetin markedly accelerated the production of thrombospondin-1 and tenascin C in mature osteoblasts, leading to their adhesion to preformed collagen matrix. Therefore, aesculetin enhanced osteoblast differentiation, and matrix vesicle biogenesis and mineralization. These findings suggest that aesculetin may be a potential osteo-inductive agent preventing bone pathologies or enhancing bone regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a 40-year-old female patient who presented with sleep disturbance, intermittent headache, and gradual subjective cognitive decline. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) showed mild FDG hypometabolism in bilateral parietal and temporal lobes. However, 18F-florbetaben (FBB) amyloid PET revealed diffuse amyloid retention in the lateral temporal cortex, frontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus, parietal cortex, and cerebellum. This finding supports the clinical significance of amyloid imaging in diagnostic work-up of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pterygium is a common conjunctival degeneration and inflammatory condition. It grows onto the corneal surface or limbus, causing blurred vision and cosmetic issues. Ultraviolet is a well-known risk factor for the development of a pterygium, although its pathogenesis remains unclear, with only limited understanding of its hereditary basis. In this study, we collected RNA-seq from both pterygial tissues and conjunctival tissues (as controls) from six patients (a total of twelve biological samples) and retrieved publicly available data, including eight pterygium samples and eight controls. We investigated the intrinsic gene regulatory mechanisms closely linked to the inflammatory reactions of pterygiums and compared Asian (Korea) and the European (Germany) pterygiums using multiple analysis approaches from different perspectives. The increased expression of antioxidant genes in response to oxidative stress and DNA damage implies an association between these factors and pterygium development. Also, our comparative analysis revealed both similarities and differences between Asian and European pterygiums. The decrease in gene expressions involved in the three primary inflammatory signaling pathways—JAK/STAT, MAPK, and NF-kappa B signaling—suggests a connection between pathway dysfunction and pterygium development. We also observed relatively higher activity of autophagy and antioxidants in the Asian group, while the European group exhibited more pronounced stress responses against oxidative stress. These differences could potentially be necessitated by energy-associated pathways, specifically oxidative phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuO nanosheets, Cr-doped CuO nanosheets, and Cr-doped CuO nanorods were prepared by heating a slurry containing Cu-hydroxide/Cr-hydroxide. Their responses to 100 ppm NO2, C2H5OH, NH3, trimethylamine, C3H8, and CO were measured. For 2.2 at% Cr-doped CuO nanorods, the response (Ra/Rg, Ra: resistance in air, Rg: resistance in gas) to 100 ppm NO2 was 134.2 at 250 °C, which was significantly higher than that of pure CuO nano-sheets (Ra/Rg = 7.5) and 0.76 at% Cr-doped CuO nanosheets (Ra/Rg = 19.9). In addition, the sensitivity for NO2 was also markedly enhanced by Cr doping. Highly sensitive and selective detection of NO2 in 2.2 at% Cr-doped CuO nanorods is explained in relation to Cr-doping induced changes in donor density, morphology, and catalytic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various ZnO nanostructures such as porous nanorods and two hierarchical structures consisting of porous nanosheets or crystalline nanorods were prepared by the reaction of mixtures of oleic-acid-dissolved ethanol solutions and aqueous dissolved Znprecursor solutions in the presence of NaOH. All three ZnO nanostructures showed sensitive and selective detection of C2H5OH. In particular, ultra-high responses (Ra/Rg = ∼1,200, Ra: resistance in air, Rg: resistance in gas) to 100 ppm C2H5OH was attained using porous nanorods and hierarchical structures assembled from porous nanosheets, which is one of the highest values reported in the literature. The gas response and linearity of gas sensors were discussed in relation to the size, surface area, and porosity of the nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) was blended with polyetherimide (PEI) as a thermoplastic toughener for thermal stability and mechanical properties as a function of PEI contents. The thermal stability and mechanical properties were investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a universal test machine, respectively. The TGA results indicate that PEI addition enhanced the thermal stability of the epoxy resins in terms of the integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT) and pyrolysis activation energy (Et). The IPDT and Et values of the DGEBA/PEI blends containing 2 wt% of PEI increased by 2% and 22%, respectively, compared to those of neat DGEBA. Moreover, the critical stress intensity factor and critical strain energy release rate for the DGEBA/PEI blends containing 2 wt% of PEI increased by 83% and 194%, respectively, compared to those of neat DGEBA. These results demonstrate that PEI plays a key role in enhancing the flexural strength and fracture toughness of epoxy blends. This can be attributed to the newly formed semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) composed of the epoxy network and linear PEI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]