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Arterial macrophage cholesterol accumulation and impaired cholesterol efflux lead to foam cell formation and the development of atherosclerosis. Modified lipoproteins interact with toll-like receptors (TLR), causing an increased inflammatory response and altered cholesterol homeostasis. We aimed to determine the effects of TLR antagonists on cholesterol efflux and foam cell formation in human macrophages. Stimulated monocytes were treated with TLR antagonists (MIP2), and the cholesterol efflux transporter expression and foam cell formation were analyzed. The administration of MIP2 attenuated the foam cell formation induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL) in stimulated THP-1 cells (p < 0.001). The expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters A (ABCA)-1, ABCG-1, scavenger receptor (SR)-B1, liver X receptor (LXR)-α, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ mRNA and proteins were increased (p < 0.001) following MIP2 administration. A concentration-dependent decrease in the phosphorylation of p65, p38, and JNK was also observed following MIP2 administration. Moreover, an inhibition of p65 phosphorylation enhanced the expression of ABCA1, ABCG1, SR-B1, and LXR-α. TLR inhibition promoted the cholesterol efflux pathway by increasing the expression of ABCA-1, ABCG-1, and SR-B1, thereby reducing foam cell formation. Our results suggest a potential role of the p65/NF-kB/LXR-α/ABCA1 axis in TLR-mediated cholesterol homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the challenges associated with difficult casing running, limited annular space, and poor cementing quality in the completion of ultra-deep wells, the extreme line casing offers an effective solution over conventional casings. However, due to its smaller size, the joint strength of extreme line casing is reduced, which may cause failure when running in the hole. To address this issue, this study focuses on the CST-ZT F139.7 mm x 7.72 mm extreme line casing and employs the elastic-plastic mechanics to establish a comprehensive analysis of the casing joint, taking into account the influence of geometric and material nonlinearities. A finite element model is developed to analyze the forces and deformations of the extreme line casing joint under axial tension and external collapse load. The model investigates the stress distribution of each thread tooth subjected to various tensile forces and external pressures. Additionally, the tensile strength and crushing strength of the extreme line casing joint are determined through both analytical and experimental approaches. The findings reveal that, under axial tensile load, the bearing surface of each thread tooth experiences uneven stress, with relatively high equivalent stress at the root of each thread tooth. The end thread teeth are valuable spots for failure. It is observed that the critical fracture axial load of thread decreases linearly with the increase of thread tooth sequence. Under external pressure, the circumferential stress is highest at the small end of the external thread, leading to yield deformation. The tensile strength of the joint obtained from the finite element model exhibits a relative error of less than 7% compared to the analytical and experimental values, proving the reliability of the finite element model. The tensile strength of the joint is 3091.9 kN. Moreover, in terms of anti-collapse capability, the joints demonstrate higher resistance to collapse compared to the casing body, which is consistent with the test results where the pipe body experiences collapse and failure while the joints remain intact during the experiment. The failure load of the casing body under external collapse pressure is 87.4 MPa. The present study provides a basic understanding of the mechanical strengths of extreme line casing joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on antimicrobial use at the national level are crucial for establishing domestic antimicrobial stewardship policies and enabling medical institutions to benchmark each other. This study aimed to analyze antimicrobial use in Korean hospitals. Materials and Methods: We investigated antimicrobials prescribed in Korean hospitals between 2018 and 2021 using data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment. Primary care hospitals (PCHs), secondary care hospitals (SCHs), and tertiary care hospitals (TCHs) were included in this analysis. Antimicrobials were categorized according to the Korea National Antimicrobial Use Analysis System (KONAS) classification, which is suitable for measuring antimicrobial use in Korean hospitals. Results: Among over 1,900 hospitals, PCHs constituted the highest proportion, whereas TCHs had the lowest representation. The most frequently prescribed antimicrobials in 2021 were piperacillin/β-lactamase inhibitor (9.3%) in TCHs, ceftriaxone (11.0%) in SCHs, and cefazedone (18.9%) in PCHs. Between 2018 and 2021, the most used antimicrobial classes according to the KONAS classification were ‘broad-spectrum antibacterial agents predominantly used for community-acquired infections’ in SCHs and TCHs and 'narrow spectrum beta-lactam agents' in PCHs. Total consumption of antimicrobials decreased from 951.7 to 929.9 days of therapy (DOT)/1,000 patient-days in TCHs and 817.8 to 752.2 DOT/1,000 patient-days in SCHs during study period; however, no reduction was noted in PCHs (from 504.3 to 527.2 DOT/1,000 patient-days). Moreover, in 2021, the use of reserve antimicrobials decreased from 13.6 to 10.7 DOT/1,000 patient-days in TCHs and from 4.6 to 3.3 DOT/1,000 patient-days in SCHs. However, in PCHs, the use increased from 0.7 to 0.8 DOT/1,000 patient-days. Conclusion: This study confirmed that antimicrobial use differed according to hospital type in Korea. Recent increases in the use of total and reserve antimicrobials in PCHs reflect the challenges that must be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared optoelectronic sensors have attracted considerable research interest over the past few decades due to their wide-ranging applications in military, healthcare, environmental monitoring, industrial inspection, and human–computer interaction systems. A comprehensive understanding of infrared optoelectronic sensors is of great importance for achieving their future optimization. This paper comprehensively reviews the recent advancements in infrared optoelectronic sensors. Firstly, their working mechanisms are elucidated. Then, the key metrics for evaluating an infrared optoelectronic sensor are introduced. Subsequently, an overview of promising materials and nanostructures for high-performance infrared optoelectronic sensors, along with the performances of state-of-the-art devices, is presented. Finally, the challenges facing infrared optoelectronic sensors are posed, and some perspectives for the optimization of infrared optoelectronic sensors are discussed, thereby paving the way for the development of future infrared optoelectronic sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germanium-based nanomaterials have gained prominence as potential enhancers of energy harvesting efficiency and storage capacity, attributed to their superior electrical conductivity, mobility, and lithium-ion storage aptitude. However, their practical application is often hindered by chemical and physical instabilities. In this study, we introduce a facile synthesis method for boron-carbon-nitride (BCN) shell-coated germanium nanowires (Ge@BCN NWs), designed to shield the Ge core from environmental factors while augmenting its electrical conductivity. Through microscopic and spectroscopic analyses, we confirmed the Ge core is completely encapsulated by a highly crystalline BCN shell. Electron transport measurements on the Ge@BCN NWs field-effect transistor (FET) revealed minimal hysteresis alongside heightened electrical conductivity, suggesting that the BCN shell acts as an efficacious protective barrier, curtailing the degradation of Ge NWs. Our approach presents a reliable method for bolstering the stability of nanomaterials and achieving functional 2D coated NWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional sensors have played a crucial role in constructing high-integration electronic networks. Most of the current multifunctional sensors rely on multiple materials to simultaneously detect different physical stimuli. Here, we demonstrate the large piezo-pyroelectric effect in ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) single crystals for simultaneous pressure and temperature sensing. The outstanding piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of PMN-PT result in rapid response speed and high sensitivity, with values of 46 ms and 28.4 nA kPa−1 for pressure sensing, and 1.98 s and 94.66 nC °C−1 for temperature detection, respectively. By leveraging the distinct differences in the response speed of piezoelectric and pyroelectric responses, the piezo-pyroelectric effect of PMN-PT can effectively detect pressure and temperature from mixed-force thermal stimuli, which enables a robotic hand for stimuli classification. With appealing multifunctionality, fast speed, high sensitivity, and compact structure, the proposed self-powered bimodal sensor therefore holds significant potential for high-performance artificial perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU) are commonly used for patients with thyrotoxicosis. Agranulocytosis and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, requiring appropriate interventions. In this study, we compared adverse drug effects associated with MMI and PTU using a real‐world large pharmacovigilance database. Methods: We searched all Individual Case Safety Reports reported to be associated with MMI and PTU, from VigiBase between 1967 and June 2, 2021. We conducted disproportionality analysis (case/non‐case analysis) to analyze the difference in reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) between antithyroid drugs (case) and the entire database (non‐cases). We further analyzed information for the cases of agranulocytosis and AAV. Results: Among 11 632 cases of ADRs reported after MMI intake, agranulocytosis occurred in 1633 cases and AAV occurred in 41 cases. For 5055 cases of ADRs reported after PTU intake, agranulocytosis occurred in 459 cases and AAV occurred in 110 cases. Agranulocytosis occurred after a median of 28 days after PTU intake and 33 days after MMI intake. More than 95% of the agranulocytosis cases were classified as serious, but most of them (65.1% for PTU and 70.4% for MMI) were reported to have recovered after dechallenge actions; mostly drug withdrawal. AAV occurred after a median of 668 days after PTU intake, and 1162 days after MMI intake. Conclusions: This is a pharmacoepidemiological study investigating agranulocytosis and AAV caused by MMI and PTU. Through this research, we could provide more specific insights into a safe prescription of antithyroid drugs in a real‐world setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myosin Va (Myo Va) is one of three protein complexes involved in melanosome transport. In this study, we identified BMP-2 as an up-regulator of Myo Va expression using 2-methyl-naphtho[1,2,3-de]quinolin-8-one (MNQO). Our results showed that MNQO reduced the mRNA and protein expression of Myo Va and BMP-2 in melanocytes. Knockdown of BMP-2 by siRNA also affected Myo Va mRNA and protein expression, confirming that MNQO regulates Myo Va through BMP-2. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 by BMP2 treatment confirmed that the BMP-2/Smad signaling pathway regulates Myo Va expression in Melan-a melanocytes. Smad-binding elements were found in the Myo Va promoter and phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 bind directly to the Myo Va promoter to activate Myo Va transcription and BMP-2 enhances this binding. These findings provide insight into a new role for BMP-2 in Melan-a melanocytes and a mechanism of regulation of Myo Va expression that may be beneficial in the treatment of albinism or hyperpigmentation disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Programmed death-1 blockade with pembrolizumab has shown promising activity in relapsed/refractory (R/R) extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL), but studies are limited, with small patient numbers. Materials and Methods Thirteen institutes involved with the Consortium for Improving Survival of Lymphoma, a Korean lymphoma study group, collected the clinical data of 59 patients treated with pembrolizumab as salvage therapy between 2016 and 2022. Results The median age of the patients was 60 years (range, 22 to 87 years), and 76.3% had advanced Ann Abor stage disease. Pembrolizumab was given to 35.6%, 40.7%, and 23.7% of the patients as second-, third-, and fourth- or higher-line chemotherapy, respectively. The overall response rate was 40.7%, with 28.8% having complete response. The estimated 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival rates for all patients were 21.5% and 28.7%, respectively; for responders, the rates were 53.0% and 60.7%, respectively. Although not statistically significant, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status = 2 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.93 to 3.94; p=0.078) and stage III or IV disease (HR, 2.59; 95% CI, 0.96 to 6.96; p=0.060) were associated with a trend toward shorter PFS in multivariate analysis. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) were noted in 12 patients (20.3%); neutropenia (10.2%), fatigue (6.8%), and pneumonitis (5.1%) were most common AEs. Conclusion In conclusion, while pembrolizumab had a modest effect on patients with R/R NKTCL, it may be a useful salvage therapy for patients with localized disease and good performance status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) seed is used as spices and is known to have anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. The anti‐fatty liver effects of oregano seed ethyl acetate (OSEA) were evaluated in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. OSEA was orally administered with HFD for 10 weeks. The body weight, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol, triglyceride, and low‐density lipoprotein levels in the HFD with 100 mg/kg of OSEA significantly decreased by approximately 1.21‐, 1.44‐, 2.12‐, 1.12‐, 1.05, and 1.59 times, respectively, while high‐density lipoprotein levels increased by approximately 1.05 times compared to those in the HFD group (p <.05). In addition, the distribution of liver fat in the HFD with 100 mg/kg OSEA (OSEA 100) group decreased significantly (p <.05). Therefore, OSEA supplementation can ameliorate fatty liver disease and reduce the accumulation of triglycerides in adipose tissue. The expression of genes involved in liver fat accumulation, such as sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c (Srebp‐1c), fatty acid synthase (Fas), stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 (Scd1), and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase 1 (Acc1), significantly decreased in OSEA 100 by approximately 2.6‐, 1.74‐, 1.89‐, and 1.56‐times, respectively (p <.05). Therefore, OSEA may modify obesity and liver fat accumulation by regulating the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high risk of neurological disorders in postmenopausal women is an emerging medical issue. Based on the hypothesis of altered estrogen receptors (ERα and β) after the decline of estrogen production, we investigated the changes in ERs expressions across brain regions and depressive/amnesic behaviors. C57BL/6J female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) to establish a menopausal condition. Along with behavior tests (anxiety, depression, and memory), the expression of ERs, microglial activity, and neuronal activity was measured in six brain regions (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, striatum, raphe nucleus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) from 4 to 12 weeks after OVX. Mice exhibited anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors, as well as memory impairment. These behavioral alterations have been linked to a suppression in the expression of ERβ. The decreased ERβ expression coincided with microglial-derived neuroinflammation, as indicated by notable activations of Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 and Interleukin-1beta. Additionally, the activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), particularly in the hippocampus, decreased in a time-dependent manner from 4 to 12 weeks post-OVX. Our study provides evidence shedding light on the susceptibility to memory impairment and depression in women after menopause. This susceptibility is associated with the suppression of ERβ and alteration of ERα in six brain regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms are uncommon vascular lesions that can result from traumatic injuries to the nasal and facial areas. They pose a significant clinical challenge due to their potential to cause recurrent and life-threatening epistaxis. Understanding the underlying vascular anatomy, causes, and treatment options is essential for optimizing patient outcomes. In this case report, we present a 55-year-old man who developed a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the sphenoid sinus, arising from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery following a traumatic incident. This case was successfully managed with stent-assisted coil embolization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a significant medical challenge, with no indisputable pathophysiological mechanism identified to date. Methods: Based on clinical clues, we hypothesized that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) hyperactivation is implicated in the pathogenic causes of ME/CFS and the associated symptoms. We experimentally evaluated this hypothesis in a series of mouse models. Results: High-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment induced intra- and extracellular serotonin spillover in the dorsal raphe nuclei of mice. This condition resulted in severe fatigue (rota-rod, fatigue rotating wheel and home-cage activity tests) and ME/CFS-associated symptoms (nest building, plantar and open field test), along with dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to exercise challenge. These ME/CFS-like features induced by excess serotonin were additionally verified using both a 5-HT synthesis inhibitor and viral vector for Htr1a (5-HT1A receptor) gene knockdown. Conclusions: Our findings support the involvement of 5-HTergic hyperactivity in the pathophysiology of ME/CFS. This ME/CFS-mimicking animal model would be useful for understanding ME/CFS biology and its therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the virulence gene expression of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (CRAB) isolated from the respiratory samples of patients with CRAB pneumonia and those with CRAB colonization to identify the virulence genes contributing to CRAB pneumonia's development and mortality. Patients with CRAB identified from respiratory specimens were screened at a tertiary university hospital between January 2018 and January 2019. Patients were classified into CRAB pneumonia or CRAB colonization groups according to predefined clinical criteria. A. baumannii isolated from respiratory specimens was examined for the expression levels of ompA, uspA, hfq, hisF, feoA, and bfnL by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Among 156 patients with CRAB from respiratory specimens, 17 and 24 met the criteria for inclusion in the pneumonia and colonization groups, respectively. The expression level of ompA was significantly higher in the pneumonia group than in the colonization group (1.45 vs. 0.63, P = 0.03). The expression levels of ompA (1.97 vs. 0.86, P = 0.02), hisF (1.06 vs. 0.10, P < 0.01), uspA (1.62 vs. 1.01, P < 0.01), and bfnL (3.14 vs. 2.14, P = 0.03) were significantly higher in patients with 30-day mortality than in the surviving patients. Elevated expression of hisF (adjusted odds ratio = 5.93, P = 0.03) and uspA (adjusted odds ratio = 7.36, P = 0.02) were associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for age and the Charlson score. uspA and hisF may serve as putative targets for novel therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the impact of the FilmArray blood culture identification (BCID) panel on the time taken to administer effective antibiotics and the clinical outcomes of bloodstream infections. We retrospectively screened patients with bloodstream infections who underwent BCID testing and compared them to a historical control group that received conventional culture testing. A total of 144 and 214 patients who underwent BCID and conventional cultures, respectively, were compared. The 30-day mortality (BCID: 9.7% vs. conventional method: 10.7%, p = 0.755), time to effective antibiotic administration (3 h for both BCID and conventional method, p = 0.789), and time to appropriate antibiotic administration did not differ significantly between the groups. BCID was not significantly associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for the Pitt bacteremia score and the Charlson comorbidity index (adjusted OR = 0.833, CI; 0.398–1.743). Compared with conventional methods, BCID reduced the time to administration of effective antibiotics in cases of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) (39 h vs. 93 h, p = 0.012) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) (50 h vs. 92 h, p < 0.001) bacteremia. BCID did not affect the clinical outcomes of overall bloodstream infections; however, it contributed to the early administration of effective antibiotics in cases of CRE and VRE bacteremia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential associations between the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and circulating levels of amino acids have been implied in both experimental research and observational studies. However, because of the confounding and reverse causality, the findings could be biased. We aimed to determine whether circulating amino acid levels have potential effects on the risk of neurodegenerative diseases through a more robust analysis. So, we performed a total of two MR analyses, a discovery two‐sample MR analysis, and a replication test, using summary‐level genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data, both with circulating levels of amino acids as exposure and risk of neurodegenerative diseases as an outcome. The potential causalities between nine amino acids (Glutamine [Glu], Leucine [Leu], Isoleucine [Ile], Phenylalanine [Phe], Valine [Val], Alanine [Ala], Tyrosine [Tyr], Histidine [His], and Glycine [Gly]) and six neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease [AD], Parkinson's disease [PD], Multiple sclerosis [MS], Frontotemporal dementia [FTD], Lewy body dementia [DLB], Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS]) were explored in this study. According to the discovery MR analysis, 1 SD. increase in circulating levels of Gln was genetically determined to result in a 13% lower risk of AD (IVW ORSD [95% CI] = 0.872 [0.822, 0.926]; FDR = 7.46 × 10−5) while PD risk was decreased to 63% per SD. increase of circulating Leu levels (IVW ORSD [95% CI] = 0.628 [0.467, 0.843]; FDR = 0.021). Results from the replication test provide further evidence of the potential association between circulating Gln levels and AD risk (IVW ORSD [95% CI] = 0.094 [0.028, 0.311]; FDR = 9.98 × 10−4). Meanwhile, sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the significant relationships revealed by our two‐sample MR outcomes were reliable. Our analyses provided robust evidence of causal associations between circulating levels of Gln and AD risk as well as circulating Leu levels and risk of PD. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the intention-to-treat (ITT) population, nine patients completed six cycles of VAD, while eight, one and one patient each discontinued treatment due to disease progression, adverse events or death, respectively. Six of twelve patients with documented disease progression received subsequent anti-lymphoma treatment at the investigator's discretion. However, considering the incurable nature of MCL even with modern therapies,[6] the findings of BATMAN suggest that VAD may be a viable second- or later-line therapy for RRMCL. Despite recent advancements in frontline therapies, most mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients inevitably relapse.[1] Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors exhibit potent efficacy for relapsed or refractory MCL (RRMCL).[[2], [4]] However, these agents rarely cure the disease, requiring subsequent salvage treatments in many patients. [Extracted from the article]

Despite advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, and systemic therapy, gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Unfortunately, molecular heterogeneity and, consequently, acquired resistance in GC are the major causes of failure in the development of biomarker-guided targeted therapies. However, by showing promising survival benefits in some studies, the recent emergence of immunotherapy in GC has had a significant impact on treatment-selectable procedures. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), widely indicated in the treatment of several malignancies, target inhibitory receptors on T lymphocytes, including the programmed cell death protein (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4), and release effector T-cells from negative feedback signals. In this article, we review currently available predictive biomarkers (including PD-L1, microsatellite instability, Epstein–Barr virus, and tumor mutational burden) that affect the ICI treatment response, focusing on PD-L1 expression. We further briefly describe other potential biomarkers or mechanisms for predicting the response to ICIs in GC. This review may facilitate the expansion of the understanding of biomarkers for predicting the response to ICIs and help select the appropriate therapeutic approaches for patients with GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous nonsurgical but invasive cosmetic procedures are performed blindly in the dermis or subcutaneous fat layer of the facial skin. Objectives: To measure the numerical skin thickness of the facial areas where dermatological procedures are performed by applying ultrasound techniques, and to make it possible to estimate the skin thickness by investigating the influence of several individual constitutional factors such as age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), so that these variables can be applied to estimate skin thickness. Materials and methods: Skin thickness was measured at eight different facial points using an ultrasound machine (Affiniti 50; Philips Inc.). Demographic data were gathered using questionnaires. Manual BMI was calculated from the weight and height of each participant, and individual BMI measurements were performed using a body composition analyzer. Results: In terms of whole skin thickness, the thickest point was the mouth corner, and the thinnest point was the lateral forehead. The thickest point in the epidermis was the chin, and the thinnest point was the nasolabial fold. The thickest point in the dermis was the corner of the mouth, and the thinnest was the lateral forehead. Full skin thickness and dermal thickness were mostly lower in females. Skin thickness was not significantly correlated with BMI. Conclusion: The skin thickness at different points on the face was variable, and realistic data about skin thickness can be obtained by in vivo ultrasonographic analysis of the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of fungal genomes have revealed that fungi possess cryptic or silent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). This discovery suggests that our understanding of the universe of fungal secondary metabolomes is limited. In this review, we summarize recent strategies for activating cryptic BGCs in fungi, identify fungal secondary metabolites, and highlight their biological activities. We also briefly discuss the isolation and purification methods for these compounds. Our focus is on genetics-dependent and genetics-independent approaches for activating cryptic BGCs in fungi. Using the strategies discussed here, cryptic fungal natural products hold significant potential as a source for the discovery of new drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the incidence and risk factors of seizures related to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in Korean patients infected with HIV. Of the 34 patients, 14 (41.2%) developed epileptic seizures during a median follow-up of 82 months. The median time from PML diagnosis to seizure onset was 44 months, ranging from 0 to 133 months. Patients with PML who developed seizures more commonly had cognitive impairment and multiple or diffuse lesions on brain MRI. These findings highlight the increased seizure risk among HIV-infected patients with PML at any stage of the disease, particularly in cases with extensive involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and the factors associated with IPV during pregnancy and the early postnatal period in Korean community samples. Methods: We enrolled 5953 pregnant mothers and mothers with young children registered in the Early Life Health Management Program provided by 30 public health centers in Korea between 2020 and 2021. We used the Korean Hurt, Insult, Threaten, and Scream (K‐HITS) questionnaire to measure IPV. Sociodemographic, social support, and psychosocial variables were collected using self‐administered questionnaires. χ2 tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted using SAS. Results: Using a cut‐off score of 6 with K‐HITS, the prevalence of IPV was 7.6%. According to multivariable logistic analyses, "have seen domestic violence during childhood or adolescence" (odds ratio [OR] 2.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.95–3.50), unplanned pregnancy (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.73–2.75), depression during pregnancy (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.69–2.79), history of receiving treatment for emotional problems (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07–2.20), and living in a rural area (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01–2.29) increased the odds of IPV. "Having someone who talk to" was protective of IPV (for" "Not having someone to talk to": OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.49–3.35). Conclusions: Policies to prevent and address IPV during the perinatal period are urgently needed in Korea. Synopsis: This study provides the prevalence of and factors associated with intimate partner violence victimization among perinatal Korean women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, a significant fungal pathogen of crops and trees, causes large economic losses worldwide. However, its pathogenic mechanism remains totally unclear. In this study, four Ena ATPases (Exitus natru-type adenosine triphosphatases), homology of yeast Ena proteins, were identified in C. gloeosporioides. Gene deletion mutants of ΔCgena1, ΔCgena2, ΔCgena3, and ΔCgena4 were obtained through the method of gene replacement. First, a subcellular localization pattern indicated that CgEna1 and CgEna4 were localized in the plasma membrane, while the CgEna2 and CgEna3 were distributed in the endoparasitic reticulum. Next, it was found that CgEna1 and CgEna4 were required for sodium accumulation in C. gloeosporioides. CgEna3 was required for extracellular ion stress of sodium and potassium. CgEna1 and CgEna3 were involved in conidial germination, appressorium formation, invasive hyphal development, and full virulence. The mutant of ΔCgena4 was more sensitive to the conditions of high concentrations of ion and the alkaline. Together, these results indicated that CgEna ATPase proteins have distinct roles in sodium accumulation, stress resistance, and full virulence in C. gloeosporioides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The functional outcome after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is closely linked to how much the humerus shifts because of the implants. While two-dimensional (2D) angle measurements have been used to capture this shift, it can be measured in three dimensions (3D) as the arm change position (ACP). In a previous study, the ACP was measured using 3D preoperative planning software with the passive virtual shoulder range of motion obtained after RSA. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the ACP and the actual active shoulder range of motion measured after RSA. The hypothesis was that the ACP and the active clinical range of motion are related such that the ACP is a reliable parameter to guide the preoperative planning of an RSA. The secondary objective was to assess the relationship between 2D and 3D humeral displacement measurements. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 12 patients who underwent RSA and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The active range of motion in shoulder flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation was measured. At the same time, ACP measurements were taken from a reconstructed postoperative CT scan, in addition to the radiographic measurements of humeral lateralization and distalization angles on AP views in neutral rotation. Results: The mean humeral distalization induced by RSA was 33.3 mm (±3.8 mm). A non-statistically significant increase in shoulder flexion was observed for humeral distalization beyond 38 mm (R2 = 0.29, p = 0.07). This "threshold" effect of humeral distalization was also observed for the gains in abduction, as well as internal and external rotations, which seemed better with less than 38 mm or even 35 mm distalization. No statistical correlation was found between the 3D ACP measurements and 2D angle measurements. Conclusion: Excessive humeral distalization seems to be detrimental to joint mobility, especially shoulder flexion. Humeral lateralization and humeral anteriorization measured using the ACP seem to promote better shoulder range of motion, with no threshold effect. These findings could be evidence of tension in the soft tissues around the shoulder joint, which should be taken into consideration during preoperative planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA (miRNA) sensing strategies employing rolling circle amplification (RCA) coupled with the hairpin DNA (HD) probe–mediated FRET assay have shown promise, but achieving rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of target miRNA remains a challenge in clinical diagnostics. Herein, we incorporate PstI endonuclease cleavage (PEC) into a conventional RCA-based HD probe FRET assay to develop an effective and feasible method. Long single-stranded RCA products are synthesized from miRNA-21 loaded on a circular dumbbell DNA, and the resultant RCA products self-assemble to generate long HD structures with double-stranded stem regions that are specifically recognized and cleaved by PstI endonucleases when incubated with PstI enzymes. This releases large amounts of short single-stranded DNA fragments that hybridize and open to the complementary loop-stem regions of HD probes labeled with FAM at one end and BHQ-1 at the other, resulting in a reduction in FRET efficiency. This assay achieves a 39.7 aM detection limit for target miRNA-21, approximately 37-fold higher than that of the conventional assay (1.5 fM). Moreover, quantitative detection is possible in a wide range from 1 aM to 1 pM within 90 min with high sequence specificity. We demonstrate the assay with the detection of target miRNA-21 in total RNA extracted from MCF-7 cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginsenoside is the primary active substance of ginseng and has many pharmacological effects, such as anti-cancer, immune, regulating sugar and lipid metabolism, and antioxidant effects. It also protects the nervous and cardiovascular systems. This study analyzes the effects of thermal processing on the bioactivities of crude ginseng saponin. Heat treatment increased the contents of minor ginsenosides in crude saponins, such as Rg3, and heat-treated crude ginseng saponin (HGS) had better neuroprotective effects than non-treated crude saponin (NGS). HGS reduced glutamate-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species generation in pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells, significantly more than NGS. HGS protected PC12 cells against glutamate-induced oxidative stress by upregulating Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling and downregulating MAPK-mediated apoptotic signaling. HGS has the potential for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence and characteristics of acute vestibular symptoms, responsible structures, and lateralization of the causative lesions in supratentorial stroke remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the incidence, clinical features, and anatomical correlation of acute vestibular symptoms in supratentorial stroke. We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational study that had recruited patients with supratentorial stroke from the neurology clinics of referral-based four university hospitals in Korea. All patients received a constructed neuro-otological evaluations, and neuroimaging. We analyzed the incidence of acute vestibular symptoms, abnormal ocular motor and vestibular function tests, and stroke lesions. Of 1301 patients with supratentorial stroke, 48 (3.7%) presented with acute vestibular symptoms, and 13 of them (1%) had the vestibular symptoms in isolation. In patients with acute vestibular symptoms, abnormal findings included spontaneous nystagmus (5%), impaired horizontal smooth pursuit (41%), and abnormal tilt of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) (20%). Video head impulse and caloric tests were normal in all the patients. There was no clear correlation between acute vestibular symptoms and involvement of specific vestibular cortex. In patients with unilateral stroke, there was also no lateralization of the causative lesions of acute vestibular symptoms (left vs. right; 52 vs. 48%), even in patients with vertigo (left vs. right; 58 vs. 42%). This study demonstrates that the incidence of acute vestibular symptoms in supratentorial stroke is 3.7%, with being isolated in 1%. The widespread lesions responsible for acute vestibular symptoms implicate diffuse multisensory cortical–subcortical networks in the cerebral hemispheres without a lateralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, donepezil-loaded PLGA and PLA microspheres (Dp-PLGA-M/Dp-PLA-M) and Dp-PLA-M wrapped in a polyethylene glycol- b -polycaprolactone (PC) hydrogel (Dp-PLA-M/PC) were prepared to reduce the dosing frequency of injections to treat Alzheimer's disease patients. Dp-PLGA-M and Dp-PLA-M with a uniform particle size distribution were repeatably fabricated in nearly quantitative yield and with high encapsulated Dp yields using an ultrasonic atomizer. The injectability and in vitro and in vivo Dp release, biodegradation, and inflammatory response elicited by the Dp-PLGA-M, Dp-PLA-M, and Dp-PLA-M/PC formulations were then compared. All injectable formulations showed good injectability with ease of injection, even flow, and no clogging using a syringe needle under 21-G. The injections required a force of <1 N. According to the biodegradation rate of micro-CT, GPC and NMR analyses, the biodegradation of Dp-PLA-M was slower than that of Dp-PLGA-M, and the biodegradation rate of Dp-PLA-M/PC was also slower. In the Dp release experiment, Dp-PLA-M sustained Dp for longer compared with Dp-PLGA-M. Dp-PLA-M/PC exhibited a longer sustained release pattern of two months. In vivo bioavailability of Dp-PLA-M/PC was almost 1.4 times higher than that of Dp-PLA-M and 1.9 times higher than that of Dp-PLGA-M. The variations in the Dp release patterns of Dp-PLGA-M and Dp-PLA-M were explained by differences in the degradation rates of PLGA and PLA. The sustained release of Dp by Dp-PLA-M/PC was attributed to the fact that the PC hydrogel served as a wrapping matrix for Dp-PLA-M, which could slow down the biodegradation of PLA-M, thus delaying the release of Dp from Dp-PLA-M. Dp-PLGA-M induced a higher inflammatory response compared to Dp-PLA-M/PC, suggesting that the rapid degradation of PLGA triggered a strong inflammatory response. In conclusion, Dp-PLA-M/PC is a promising injectable Dp formulation that could be used to reduce the dosing frequency of Dp injections. [Display omitted] • Dp-PLA-M wrapped hydrogel was prepared for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. • Dp-PLA-M wrapped hydrogel was slowed down the release of Dp for an extended period. • Promising injectable Dp formulation reduced the dosing frequency of Dp injections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the prognostic indicators of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) for future EAC diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The EAC dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas was screened for differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs associated with EAC. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was performed to cluster miRNAs or mRNA with similar expression patterns to identify the miRNAs or mRNA that are highly associated with EAC. Prognostic miRNAs for overall survival (OS) were identified using Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator based on survival duration and status. Two types of miRNAs were selected to develop a prognostic signature model for EAC using multiple Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, the signature was validated using internal validation sets 1 and 2. The receiver operating characteristic curve and concordance index were used to evaluate the accuracy of the signature and validation sets. The expression of miR-421, miR-550a-3p, and miR-550a-5p was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The proliferation, invasion, and migration of EAC cells were assessed using CCK8 and transwell assays. The OS of target mRNAs was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Functional enrichment analysis of the target mRNAs was performed using Metascape. Results: The prognostic signature and validation sets comprising mir-421 and mir-550a-1 had favorable predictive power in OS. Compared with the patients with EAC in the high-expression group, those assigned to the low-expression group displayed increased OS according to survival analysis. Differential and qPCR analysis showed that miR-421, miR-550a-3p, and miR-550a-5p were highly expressed in the EAC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, the downregulation of miR-421 and miR-550a-3p with inhibitor markedly suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration in OE33 cells compared with the negative control. A total of 20 target mRNAs of three miRNAs were predicted, among which seven target mRNAs—ASAP3, BCL2L2, LMF1, PPM1L, PTPN21, SLC18A2, and NR3C2—had prognostic value; PRKACB, PDCD4, RPS6KA5, and BCL2L2 were enriched in the miRNA cancer pathway. Conclusion: Prognostic indicators of EAC may be useful in future EAC diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a serious neurodegenerative brain disease that interferes with daily life. The accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ), along with oxidative stress-inducing neurocellular apoptosis, has been considered one of the causes of AD. Thus, the purpose of this study is to find natural products that can reduce Aβ accumulation. The ethanol extract of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & Cheng fruits (Cupressaceae) significantly reduced the aggregation of Aβ into oligomers and fibrils determined by Thioflavin T (ThT) assay. The solvent-partitioned ethyl acetate layer was further separated based on the bioassay-guided isolation method combined with the ThT assay. As a result, five compounds were isolated and elucidated as taxoquinone (1), sugiol (2), suginal (3), sandaracopimarinol (4), and sandaracopimaradien-19-ol (5) by comparing NMR data with references. All the compounds significantly reduced the aggregation of Aβ and enhanced the disaggregation of pre-formed Aβ aggregates in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the inhibition of Aβ aggregation by the compounds protected PC12 cells from Aβ aggregate-induced toxicity. Among the five compounds, sandaracopimarinol (4) and sandaracopimaradien-19-ol (5) were the most effective. These results suggest that M. glyptostroboides and isolated five compounds have a potential for further study to be developed as anti-AD agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a major health hazard worldwide and is a key factor in lung cancer, which remains the most common type of malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. DNA methylation is a critical mechanism underlying the detrimental effects of PM, however, the molecular link between PM exposure and lung cancer remains to be elucidated. N-α-acetyltransferase 10 (NAA10) is involved in the cell cycle, migration, apoptosis, differentiation, and proliferation. In order to investigate the role of NAA10 in PM-induced pathogenesis processes leading to lung cancer, we determined the expression and methylation of NAA10 in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells treated with PM10, PM10-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and PM2.5 and evaluated the prognostic value of the NAA10 methylation status in lung cancer patients. Exposure to all PM types significantly increased the expression of NAA10 mRNA and decreased the methylation of the NAA10 promoter in NHBE cells compared with the mock-treated control. NAA10 hypomethylation was observed in 9.3% (13/140) of lung cancer tissue samples and correlated with NAA10 transcriptional upregulation. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that NAA10 hypomethylation was associated with decreased survival of patients with lung cancer. Therefore, these results suggest that PM-induced hypomethylation of the NAA10 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and may be used as a potential prognostic biomarker for lung cancer progression. Further studies with large numbers of patients are warranted to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the Convolution Neural Network (CNN) algorithm is applied for non-destructive evaluation of aluminum panels. A method of classifying the locations of defects is proposed by exciting an aluminum panel to generate ultrasonic Lamb waves, measuring data with a sensor array, and then deep learning the characteristics of 2D imaged, reflected waves from defects. For the purpose of a better performance, the optimal excitation location and sensor locations are investigated. To ensure the robustness of the training model and extract the feature effectively, experimental data are collected by slightly changing the excitation frequency and shifting the location of the defect. The high classification accuracy for each defect location can be achieved. It is found that the proposed algorithm is also successfully applied even when a bar is attached to the panel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitination, one of many post-translational modifications, causes proteasome-mediated protein degradation by attaching ubiquitin to target proteins. Multiple deubiquitinases inhibit the ubiquitination pathway by removing the ubiquitin chain from protein, thus contributing to the stabilization of substrates. USP41 contributes to invasion, apoptosis and drug resistance in breast and lung cancer cells. However, the detailed mechanism and role of USP41 in breast cancer have not been elucidated. USP41 was overexpressed and showed poor prognosis according to the aggressive phenotype of breast cancer cells. Knockdown of USP41 inhibited migration and growth of breast cancer cells, whereas overexpression of USP41 increased cell growth and migration. In addition, depletion of USP41 downregulated Snail protein expression, an epithelial–mesenchymal transition marker, but not mRNA expression. Furthermore, USP41 interacted with and inhibited ubiquitination of Snail, resulting in the increase in Snail stabilization. Therefore, these data demonstrated that USP41 increases migration of breast cancer cells through Snail stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a substantial rise in the incidence and prevalence of clinical patients presenting with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Accumulating evidence has corroborated the view that dietary factors (particularly diets with high levels of saturated fat or sugar) are involved in the development and progression of IBD, which is predominately associated with changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species. Notably, the ecological imbalance of the gut microbiome exacerbates oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, leading to perturbations of the intestinal redox balance and immunity, as well as mucosal integrity. Recent findings have revealed that functional amino acids, including L-glutamine, glycine, L-arginine, L-histidine, L-tryptophan, and hydroxyproline, are effectively implicated in the maintenance of intestinal redox and immune homeostasis. These amino acids and their metabolites have oxygen free-radical scavenging and inflammation-relieving properties, and they participate in modulation of the microbial community and the metabolites in the gut. The principal focus of this article is a review of recent advances in the oxidative pathomechanisms of IBD development and progression in relation to dietary factors, with a particular emphasis on the redox and signal transduction mechanisms of host cells in response to unbalanced diets and enterobacteria. In addition, an update on current understanding of the protective effects of functional amino acids against IBD, together with the underlying mechanisms for this protection, have been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Trithorax histone methyltransferases ATX1–5 are known to regulate development and stress responses by catalyzing histone H3K4 methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana, it is unknown whether and how these histone methyltransferases affect DNA methylation. Here, we found that the redundant ATX1–5 proteins are not only required for plant development and viability but also for the regulation of DNA methylation. The expression and H3K4me3 levels of both RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) genes (NRPE1, DCL3, IDN2, and IDP2) and active DNA demethylation genes (ROS1, DML2, and DML3) were downregulated in the atx1/2/4/5 mutant. Consistent with the facts that the active DNA demethylation pathway mediates DNA demethylation mainly at CG and CHG sites, and that the RdDM pathway mediates DNA methylation mainly at CHH sites, whole‐genome DNA methylation analyses showed that hyper‐CG and CHG DMRs in atx1/2/4/5 significantly overlapped with those in the DNA demethylation pathway mutant ros1 dml2 dml3 (rdd), and that hypo‐CHH DMRs in atx1/2/4/5 significantly overlapped with those in the RdDM mutant nrpe1, suggesting that the ATX paralogues function redundantly to regulate DNA methylation by promoting H3K4me3 levels and expression levels of both RdDM genes and active DNA demethylation genes. Given that the ATX proteins function as catalytic subunits of COMPASS histone methyltransferase complexes, we also demonstrated that the COMPASS complex components function as a whole to regulate DNA methylation. This study reveals a previously uncharacterized mechanism underlying the regulation of DNA methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tol2 transposon-based vector platform has been developed as a useful strategy to improve protein yield. Tol2 transposase identifies inverted terminal repeats of transposons and enhances transgene integration efficiency in the genome. However, Tol2 transposon system does not reach a level of efficiency for use in commercial production, limiting its usefulness for mass production of recombinant proteins. Here, we proposed a novel strategy to improve the existing Tol2 transposase by adding a nuclear localization signal of histone H2B next to the Tol2 transposase (i.e., NLS-H2B-Tol2 transposase). Comparing the NLS-H2B-Tol2 transposase with the traditional Tol2 transposase, a significant increase in protein production was measured. Concurrently, a significant increase in nuclear transport of NLS-H2B-Tol2 transposase was observed, suggesting a causal relationship between increased nuclear transport and increased protein production. Furthermore, importin beta maximized NLS-H2B-Tol2-mediated protein productivity. Taken together, our findings offer useful ways for improving conventional Tol2 transposon-based vector platform. This new platform will be a breakthrough in the field of biopharmaceuticals to produce therapeutic proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest by oncogene activation, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of aging and age-related diseases. Recent research indicates that OIS is driven by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, it is not apparent whether MAPK inhibition helps to recover senescence. In our previous study, we uncovered p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, as an effective agent to reduce reactive oxygen species and increase proliferation in premature senescent cells. In this study, we evaluated whether SB203580 could ameliorate senescence in normal senescent cells. The senescence-improving effect was observed in the results that SB203580 treatment restored lysosomal function, as evidenced by a decrease in lysosomal mass and an increase in autophagic vacuoles. Then, SB203580-mediated lysosomal function restoration triggered the clearance of damaged mitochondria, leading to metabolic reprogramming necessary for amelioration of senescence. Indeed, p38 MAPK inhibition by SB203580 improved key senescent phenotypes. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which modulation of p38 MAPK activity leads to senescence improvement through functional restoration of lysosome and mitochondria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, reliable, and cost-effective method for nucleic acid detection is of increasing interest in clinical diagnostics of infectious and genetic diseases. Currently, enzyme-mediated methods such as polymerase chain reactions and loop-mediated isothermal amplification are the most widely used methods in the qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of long nucleic acid sequences with high sensitivity. However, a high detection sensitivity for short-length sequences remains a significant challenge because it is difficult for the primers to bind to their sequences. Our previous study demonstrated a simple, enzyme-free, and sequence-specific colorimetric detection of 24-nucleotide short target DNA at room temperature using a developed assay that combines catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-mimicking methods. In this follow-up study, we aim to design and develop DNA-based signal amplifiers, or DNA dendrons, to improve the colorimetric detection of short target cDNA in the CHA-mediated ELISA-mimicking assay. DNA dendrons are highly branched conformations synthesized by the molecular self-assembly of three DNA oligomers. The assay using DNA dendrons demonstrates an enhanced detection sensitivity with the detection of approximately 50 pM of 24-nucleotide short target cDNA, which is a 16.4-fold higher detection limit compared to that obtained without DNA dendrons under the same conditions. Thus, applications of the developed DNA dendrons as an effective signal amplifier in DNA probe-based chemiluminescence assays have the potential to improve the colorimetric detection of short target cDNA with high sensitivity for the diagnosis of different diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We investigated the association of food allergy, food sensitisation, and food restriction with growth and micronutrients levels in schoolchildren. Methods: A total of 195 schoolchildren (6–12 years old) from six elementary schools in Korea were enrolled, and questionnaires were administered to their parents during June and July 2015. Food allergy was defined by the presence of urticaria, skin rash, pruritus, throat tightness, gastrointestinal complaints, or respiratory difficulty after consumption of a food to which allergy was plausible during the past 12 months. Skin prick tests were performed and serum levels of haemoglobin and micronutrients were measured. Results: Among 195 participants (51.3% males) enrolled, 35 (17.9%) were reported to have food allergies, 17 (8.7%) were on food restriction, and 27 (14.0%) were sensitised to at least one food allergen. Food allergy and food restriction were associated with a lower height-for- age z-score (p for trend = 0.018, p = 0.048; p for trend = 0.076, p = 0.008). Food restriction was related to reduced serum calcium level (aOR: −0.094, 95% CI: −0.156 to −0.032). Conclusion: Signs and symptoms of food allergy and consequent food restrictions in children were related to lower height-for- age z-score and lower serum calcium levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Development of new form of coupled nanogenerators to enhance performance. Energy in the form of light and vibration is successfully harvested, by converting an alternating current signal into a direct current signal. New approach to creating coupled nanogenerators, where multiple harvesting mechanisms by exploiting ferroelectric materials are achieved. Coupled nanogenerators have been a research hotspot due to their ability to harvest a variety of forms of energy such as light, mechanical and thermal energy and achieve a stable direct current output. Ferroelectric films are frequently investigated for photovoltaic applications due to their unique photovoltaic properties and bandgap-independent photovoltage, while the flexoelectric effect is an electromechanical property commonly found in solid dielectrics. Here, we effectively construct a new form of coupled nanogenerator based on a flexible BiFeO3 ferroelectric film that combines both flexoelectric and photovoltaic effects to successfully harvest both light and vibration energies. This device converts an alternating current into a direct current and achieves a 6.2% charge enhancement and a 19.3% energy enhancement to achieve a multi-dimensional "1 + 1 > 2" coupling enhancement in terms of current, charge and energy. This work proposes a new approach to the coupling of multiple energy harvesting mechanisms in ferroelectric nanogenerators and provides a new strategy to enhance the transduction efficiency of flexible functional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of equipment technology for semiconductor mass production is growing as well as the exponential increase in demand for semiconductors. A study was conducted to improve the flow condition of a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) batch-type furnace. Convergent nozzle (C) and divergent nozzle (D) have been adopted to replace the current straight (ST) multi-nozzle system, which was analyzed hydrodynamically without considering the surface chemical reaction. From the result, the D nozzle was not suitable for application due to induced flow oscillation. The flow velocity on the edge of the wafer increased 3.03 % for the C nozzle. In addition, the mass flux was enhanced up to 3 times and the mass flow rate 11.49 % at 3 sections. Therefore, it was expected that the deposition performance of the LPCVD furnace would be improved by the enhanced convective flow when the C nozzle was applied to the multi-nozzle system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted as a part of a larger study to identify the needs of a maternal and early childhood home visit program that the South Korean central government has begun to expand nationwide. This survey measured the distress of mothers with children aged 2 years or younger during the transition into motherhood using the Being a Mother scale (BaM-13) and compared the stress levels for each question with those of existing studies in other countries. The survey results revealed that the mean BaM-13 score of the 350 participants was 17.09 (SD = 6.81), with 87.7% showing very high levels of maternal distress, indicated by a score of 9 or above in BaM-13. The item from the BaM-13 with the highest response rate of 2 or 3 points (sum of the percentage of those who answered 2 and 3 points) was "I have missed the life I had before I became pregnant with this baby/toddler," to which 80.8% of the respondents agreed. The percentage of South Korean mothers who answered 2 or 3 points was higher for every item on the BaM-13 than that of Australian mothers. A comparison of the total BaM-13 score and 3 factors (child experience, adult's experience, and emotional closeness) of the BaM-13 according to the participants' characteristics revealed that discrepancies in women's sociodemographic factors (including smoking and alcohol consumption behaviors) were not significant, whereas differences in the total BaM-13 score and the 3 factors of the BaM-13 according to the mothers' scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were noticeable. The high level of maternal distress observed in this study should be reflected in the nurse-led maternal and early childhood home visit program that the South Korean central government is expanding across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emulsions have a range of applications, for example, in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food. However, the surfactants used to prepare such emulsions can often be toxic to humans and the environment and also affect the oil properties of emulsions. Therefore, interest in surfactant-free emulsions has increased in recent years. One method to enhance emulsion stability without a surfactant is to use a gelling agent to increase the viscosity. Gelling agents are viscous hydrocolloids that gel when dispersed in water, even at low concentrations. In this study, we prepared six oil-in-water emulsions (oil content 20%) with different gelling agents (xanthan gum, Carbopol 981, TR-2, and Ultrez 20) and investigated the effect of the gelling agent concentration. For each sample, particle size and emulsion stability analysis were performed at high temperatures to ensure the stability of the emulsions. We observed that the emulsion prepared using TR-2 (0.25 wt%) did not aggregate at high temperatures for one month. Based on our assessment of the stability of these emulsions under various conditions, we believe that the use of gelling agents for the preparation of surfactant-free emulsions shows great promise for applications requiring long-term stable emulsions, such as cosmetics and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prospective cohort study was conducted for adults with a diagnosis of with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Convalescent blood samples were obtained 4, 6, and 11 months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The seropositivity of anti-spike antibody was maintained in all patients (100%) until 11 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. Neutralizing antibody levels against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 gradually decreased but remained positive in >50% of patients 11 months after diagnosis: in 98.5% (67 of 68) at 4 months, 86.8% (46 of 53) at 6 months, and 58.8% (40 of 68) at 11 months. However, cross-neutralizing activity against the Beta and Delta variants was attenuated 2.53-fold and 2.93-fold, respectively, compared with the wild-type strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We investigated cardiovascular disease (CVD), risk factors for CVD, and applicability of the three known CVD risk equations in the Korean human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cohort. Materials and Methods: The study parcitipants were HIV-infected patients in a Korean HIV/ AIDS cohort enrolled from 19 hospitals between 2006 and 2017. Data collected at entry to the cohort were analyzed. The 5-year CVD risk in each participant was calculated using three CVD risk equations: reduced CVD prediction model of HIV-specific data collection on adverse effects of anti-HIV drugs (R-DAD), Framingham general CVD risk score (FRS), and Korean Coronary Heart Disease Risk Score (KRS). Results: CVD events were observed in 11 of 586 HIV-infected patients during a 5-year (median) follow-up period. The incidence of CVD was 4.11 per 1,000 person-years. Older age (64 vs. 41 years, P = 0.005) and diabetes mellitus (45.5% vs. 6.4%, P <0.001) were more frequent in patients with CVD. Using R-DAD, FRS, and KRS, 1.9%, 2.4%, and 0.7% of patients, respectively, were considered to have a very high risk (≥10%) of 5-year CVD. The discriminatory capacities of the three prediction models were good, with c-statistic values of 0.829 (P <0.001) for R-DAD, 0.824 (P <0.001) for FRS, and 0.850 (P = 0.001) for KRS. Conclusion: The FRS, R-DAD, and KRS performed well in the Korean HIV/AIDS cohort. A larger cohort and a longer period of follow-up may be necessary to demonstrate the risk factors and develop an independent CVD risk prediction model specific to Korean patients with HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumatic conveying is widely used in coal mining. As the lowest conveying velocity of materials, the pickup velocity is the key to the study of gas–solid two-phase flow. In this study, the pickup velocity of pebble particles was experimentally investigated. When the particle size is 3–9 mm, the airflow velocity was found to suitably describe the results as a function of the pickup velocity and have a high correlation. When the swirl number is 0.2, the optimal swirl number was found for which the highest particle pickup ratio was observed. Based on four different methods, namely, visual observation, mass weighing, coefficient of difference analysis, and determination of the peak-average ratio of the pressure drop in the flow field to measure the pickup velocity of the spraying material, the results showed that the accuracy of the particle pickup velocity obtained through visual observation was the lowest, and when the mass–loss rate of the particle was selected as the measurement index of the pickup velocity, the accuracy was the highest. The results will help to realize the long-distance transportation of spraying materials in inclined roadway under the shaft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the paint manufacturing industry include substances that are highly volatile, such as toluene, and highly carcinogenic, such as benzene. In the Republic of Korea, the emission of volatile organic compounds is regulated under the Clean Air Conservation Act, but it is found that individual substances are systematically insufficient. Although the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) is maintained to report the expected emissions from each plant every year, actual measurements are not performed. This study measured and analyzed VOCs at the site fenceline boundary. The ratio of PRTR and VOCs speciation results for xylene and toluene was similar to that of xylene 29% and toluene 28%, but ethylbenzene accounted for 2% in PRTR. Still, the actual measurement result showed a big difference of 11%. Because it is a solvent that is treated in large quantities in the resin manufacturing process and the reactivity of ethylbenzene, it is vaporized at high temperature and high pressure, resulting in many measurements. This study classified a large amount of VOCs emitted through the fence line monitoring system in the paint manufacturing industry and confirmed which VOCs were emitted the most. We compared whether this produced similar results to the actual emission survey method conducted by the EPA. Some substances have produced similar results, but certain substances have significant differences. This indicates that priority VOCs should be selected for each location through continuous measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Internal flow of phase change material (PCM) with baffle on a vertical wall was investigated. • Baffle placed on a vertical wall could maintain temperature of PCM uniformly. • Baffle within PCM could shift internal flow from one bulk circulating cell to several cells by section. • Baffle could enhance convective heat transfer coefficient by increasing velocity. • Use of baffle could improve convective heat transfer performance passively. The objective of this study is to enhance convective heat transfer within phase change materials (PCM) using baffles on a vertical wall. PCMs have major drawbacks of low thermal conductivity, high viscosity, and limited natural convection. To address these issues, we investigated a passive approach to enhance natural convection with baffles. The new approach is to arrange multiple baffles with gaps on the opposite side of the heated vertical wall. This placement can minimize vertical temperature difference by blending upward-flowing hot liquid PCM with downward-flowing cold liquid PCM across the gaps and also increase circulating velocity by shortening path of circulation cell through sections divided by baffles. Visualization experiments of shadowgraphy and particle image velocimetry (PIV) were conducted to compare the case with baffle (WB) against the case without baffle (NB). The presence of the baffles lowered the average temperature difference in the horizontal direction by 40%. The WB case reduced the temperature difference in the vertical direction by 50%, compared with the NB case. Furthermore, comparison of the WB with NB showed that at the heat power levels of (4, 6, and 8) W, the convection coefficient increased by up to (28, 34, and 27)%, respectively. Therefore, by changing the internal flow pattern, the baffles on the vertical wall improved convective heat transfer performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]