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Amid the growing demand for sustainable pavement solutions and the need to incorporate recycled materials into construction practices, this study explored the viability of using crushed thermal power plant bottom ash as a filler in polymer-modified asphalt concrete mixtures. Conventional lime filler was replaced with bottom ash at varying levels (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%), and the resulting mixtures were evaluated using several performance tests. The optimal replacement level was determined to be 25%, based on the results of the indirect tensile strength (ITS) test. Comparisons between the control mixture and the 25% bottom ash-modified mixture were conducted using the dynamic modulus test, Cantabro test, Hamburg wheel tracking (HWT) test, and tensile strength ratio (TSR) test. The findings indicate that the 25% bottom ash-modified mixture demonstrated improved performance across multiple parameters. The HWT test showed enhanced rut durability, with a recorded depth of 7.56 mm compared to 8.9 mm for the control mixture. The Cantabro test results revealed lower weight loss percentages for the modified mixture, indicating better abrasion resistance. The dynamic modulus test indicated higher resilience and stiffness in both high- and low-frequency stages. The TSR test highlighted improved moisture resistance, with higher TSR values after 10 wet-drying cycles. These improvements are attributed to the fine particle size and beneficial chemical composition of bottom ash, which enhance the asphalt mixture's density, binder-aggregate adhesion, and overall durability. The results suggest that incorporating 25% crushed bottom ash as a filler in polymer-modified asphalt concrete mixtures is a viable and sustainable approach to improving pavement performance and longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of on‐device artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the demand for in‐memory comptuing has surged for data‐intensive tasks on edge devices. However, on‐device AI requires high‐density, low‐power memory‐based computing to efficiently handle large data volumes. Here, this study proposes a reliable multilevel, high gate‐coupling ratio memory device with MoS2 channel tailored for high‐density 3D NAND Flash‐based in‐memory computing. The MoS2 channel, featured by its small bandgap and high‐mobility, facilitates reliable memory window of approximately 8 V thanks to erase operation through hole injection. This not only suppresses vertical charge loss but also alleviates the burden on voltage generator circuits, indicating the suitability of MoS2 as channel material for 3D NAND Flash architecture. Additionally, a low‐k (≈2.2) tunneling layer deposited via initiated chemical vapor deposition increases the gate‐coupling ratio, thereby reducing the operating voltage. Utilizing Au nanoparticles as the charge storage layer, MoS2 memory devices show synaptic plasticity with 6‐bit, endurance (104 cycles), read disturbance (105 cycles), and retention times (105 s). Furthermore, device‐to‐system simulations for neural networks based on MoS2‐memory devices have successfully achieved a fingerprint recognition of 95.8%. These results provide the foundation to develop multi‐bit MoS2‐memory devices for AI accelerators and 3D NAND Flash memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition that can present across different ages but predominantly affects adolescents and young adults. Characterized by various lesion types, the pathogenesis of acne is complex, involving genetic, hormonal, microbial, and inflammatory factors. This review comprehensively addresses current and emerging acne management strategies, emphasizing both topical and systemic treatments, procedural therapies, and dietary modifications. Key topical agents include retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and other specialized compounds. Systemic options like antibiotics, hormonal therapies, and retinoids offer significant therapeutic benefits, particularly for moderate to severe cases. Procedural treatments such as laser devices, photodynamic therapy, chemical peels, and intralesional injections present viable alternatives for reducing acne symptoms and scarring. Emerging therapies focus on novel biologics, bacteriophages, probiotics, and peptides, providing promising future options. This review underscores the importance of personalized approaches to treatment due to the multifaceted nature of acne, highlighting the potential of innovative therapies for improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial development as a viable tool in nation-building and economic expansion is generally established in growth empirics. That notwithstanding, its roles in the drives towards environmental sustainability have received commending and reprimanding views in recent times. However, empirical study advancing the asymmetric effects of financial development from the broader view of measures seems limited and evolving. Hence, the present study investigates the positive and negative effects of financial development measured by broad money and domestic credit to the private sector on environmental sustainability (CO2 emissions and ecological footprint) in the Emerging Seven (E7) economies from 1995 to 2019. The empirical evidence considers the intervention of government policy through fiscal policy instruments (government spending and tax revenue), eco-digitalization, affluence, and population growth in a STIRPAT framework. The main analyses focus on advanced estimators such as pool mean group, mean group, dynamic fixed effects, and panel quantile regression. Feedback shows that negative shocks from financial development captured by broad money induce more surges in CO2 emissions. Similarly, the negative shocks from domestic credit to private sectors promote CO2 emissions, while the positive shocks moderate the emissions. The findings also uncover eco-digitalization as a viable tool to achieve environmental sustainability in the E7 economies. Furthermore, the measures of fiscal policy have differing impacts on environmental sustainability as evident from the positive and negative signs attributed to government expenditure and tax revenue. Moreover, affluence and population growth exacerbate CO2 emission surges. Policy insights that drive environmental sustainability are suggested based on the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut–brain axis (GBA) plays a significant role in various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the gut microbiome (GM) can bidirectionally communicate with the brain through the GBA. Thus, recent evidence indicates that the GM may affect the pathological features and the progression of AD in humans. The aim of our study was to elucidate the impact of probiotics on the pathological features of AD in a 5xFAD model. Probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum) were orally administered in 5xFAD mice to modify the GM composition. Additionally, freeze-dried food containing phosphatidylserine was used as the positive control. Behavioral pathogenesis was assessed through the cross maze and Morris water maze tests. Our findings revealed that probiotic administration resulted in significant improvements in spatial and recognition memories. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of probiotics were substantiated by a reduction in amyloid-β accumulation in critical brain regions. Microglial activation in 5xFAD mice was also attenuated by probiotics in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Moreover, elevated tau phosphorylation in 5xFAD mice was ameliorated in the probiotics-treated group. The results highlight the potential use of probiotics as a neuroprotective intervention in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma, a highly aggressive skin cancer, is characterized by rapid progression and high mortality. Recent advances in molecular pathogenesis have shed light on genetic and epigenetic changes that drive melanoma development. This review provides an overview of these developments, focusing on molecular mechanisms in melanoma genesis. It highlights how mutations, particularly in the BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT, and GNAQ/GNA11 genes, affect critical signaling pathways. The evolution of diagnostic techniques, such as genomics, transcriptomics, liquid biopsies, and molecular biomarkers for early detection and prognosis, is also discussed. The therapeutic landscape has transformed with targeted therapies and immunotherapies, improving patient outcomes. This paper examines the efficacy, challenges, and prospects of these treatments, including recent clinical trials and emerging strategies. The potential of novel treatment strategies, including neoantigen vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, microbiome interactions, and nanoparticle-based combination therapy, is explored. These advances emphasize the challenges of therapy resistance and the importance of personalized medicine. This review underlines the necessity for evidence-based therapy selection in managing the increasing global incidence of melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript presents a comprehensive study on the sustainable optimization of asphalt mixtures tailored for regions prone to flooding. The research addresses the challenges associated with water damage to asphalt pavements by incorporating innovative additives. The study centers on incorporating recycled Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and a tailored Carnauba–Soybean Oil Additive, advancing asphalt mixtures with a Control mix, LDPE (5%) + Control, and LDPE (5%) + 3% Oil + Control. A critical aspect of the research involves subjecting these mixtures to 30 wetting and drying cycles, simulating the conditions prevalent in tropical flood-prone areas. The incorporation of innovative additives in asphalt mixtures has demonstrated significant improvements across various performance parameters. Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) tests revealed enhanced tensile strength, with the LDPE (5%) + 3% Oil-modified mixture exhibiting an impressive TSR of 85.7%. Dynamic Modulus tests highlighted improved rutting resistance, showcasing a remarkable increase to 214 MPa in the LDPE (5%) with a 3% Oil-modified mixture. The Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) test demonstrated increased fracture resistance and energy absorption, particularly in the LDPE (5%) with 3% Oil-modified mixture. Hamburg Wheel-Tracking (HWT) tests indicated enhanced moisture resistance and superior rutting resistance at 20,000 cycles for the same mixture. Cantabro tests underscored improved aggregate shatter resistance, with the LDPE (5%) + 3% Oil-modified mixture exhibiting the lowest weight loss rate at 9.820%. Field tests provided real-world insights, with the LDPE (5%) + 3% Oil mixture displaying superior stability, a 61% reduction in deflection, and a 256% improvement in surface modulus over the control mixture. This research lays the groundwork for advancing the development of sustainable, high-performance road pavement materials, marking a significant stride towards resilient infrastructure in flood-prone areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel pH sensor platform utilizing charge-trap-flash-type metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (CTF-type MOSFETs) for enhanced sensitivity and self-amplification. Traditional ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) face challenges in commercialization due to low sensitivity at room temperature, known as the Nernst limit. To overcome this limitation, we explore resistive coupling effects and CTF-type MOSFETs, allowing for flexible adjustment of the amplification ratio. The platform adopts a unique approach, employing CTF-type MOSFETs as both transducers and resistors, ensuring efficient sensitivity control. An extended-gate (EG) structure is implemented to enhance cost-effectiveness and increase the overall lifespan of the sensor platform by preventing direct contact between analytes and the transducer. The proposed pH sensor platform demonstrates effective sensitivity control at various amplification ratios. Stability and reliability are validated by investigating non-ideal effects, including hysteresis and drift. The CTF-type MOSFETs' electrical characteristics, energy band diagrams, and programmable resistance modulation are thoroughly characterized. The results showcase remarkable stability, even under prolonged and repetitive operations, indicating the platform's potential for accurate pH detection in diverse environments. This study contributes a robust and stable alternative for detecting micro-potential analytes, with promising applications in health management and point-of-care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open green innovation is essential to accelerate decarbonization in Africa. The dearth of empirical evidence on the current trajectory of green innovation in Africa often hinders appropriate green innovation policy design. This study investigates the incidence of collaboration in inventive activities within Africa using the ‘designation of the inventor’ in the online European Patent database. We identify and assess open and closed climate adaptation and mitigation inventions using explorative and network analysis techniques. Our research shows that even though climate change adaptation technologies are more valuable, climate change mitigation technologies are more responsive to open innovation. We also discovered that the number of green inventions is slightly increasing, but there are very few collaborative open green inventions in Africa as many of the inventions are closed. These results accentuate the fragmented national innovation systems in many African countries. The lack of collaboration and the disconnect between universities and firms shows that most African knowledge institutions have not evolved into vibrant sources of firm learning for national economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising traffic volume, heavy loads, and construction activities have raised concerns about expansion joint device damage. This study focuses on developing an innovative expansion joint using polymer-modified rubber asphalt as the filling material to enhance its service life. Styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) emerged as a suitable modifier for rubber-modified asphalt, significantly improving elasticity and adhesion. Through the strategic combination of 3- and 2-block linear SBS, the elasticity and adhesion properties were significantly improved, resulting in the formulation of a well-suited polymer-modified rubber asphalt binder. The developed asphalt binder exhibits impressive elastic recovery (61.1% to 66.1%), surpassing commercial products, with enhanced constructability and workability (15% to 21% viscosity reduction). The carefully engineered mastic asphalt mixture showcases self-leveling characteristics at a moderate 210 °C, addressing historical constructability challenges. Settlement is 40% less than traditional hot mix asphalt for surface layers, with improved moisture and stripping resistance, enhancing existing asphalt plug joint durability and workability. Collectively, this novel mixture, comprising polymer-modified rubber and mastic asphalt, showcases the potential to enhance the durability of existing asphalt plug joints while ensuring superior constructability and workability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Korea has recently experienced a queer historical turn. Contemporary Korean queer artists have been increasingly reanimating queer pasts in order to imagine queerness as a sense of togetherness. siren eun young jung's Yeosung Gukgeuk Project (2008–present), one of the most celebrated works of queer art in South Korea, is a queer rendition of yeosung gukgeuk, a genre of all-female Korean opera of the 1950s and 1960s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been accepted as a safe and effective treatment for vestibular schwannoma (VS). However, during follow-up, tumor expansion induced by irradiation can occur, and diagnosis of failure in radiosurgery for VS is still controversial. Tumor expansion with cystic enlargement causes some confusion regarding whether further treatment should be performed. We analyzed more than 10 years of clinical findings and imaging of patients with VS with cystic enlargement after GKRS. A 49-year-old male with hearing impairment was treated with GKRS (12 Gy; isodose, 50%) for a left VS with a preoperative tumor volume of 0.8 cc. The tumor size increased with cystic changes from the third year after GKRS, reaching a volume of 10.8 cc at 5 years after GKRS. At the 6th year of follow-up, the tumor volume started to decrease, up to 0.3 cc by the 14th year of follow-up. A 52-year-old female with hearing impairment and left facial numbness was treated with GKRS for a left VS (13 Gy; isodose, 50%). The preoperative tumor volume was 6.3 cc, which started to increase with cystic enlargement from the first year after GKRS, and reaching 18.2 cc by 5 years after GKRS. The tumor maintained a cystic pattern with slight changes in size, but no other neurologic symptoms developed during the follow-up period. After 6 years of GKRS, tumor regression was observed, eventually reaching a volume of 3.2 cc by the 13th year of follow-up. In both cases, persistent cystic enlargement in VS was observed at 5 years after GKRS, after which the tumors began to stabilize. After more than 10 years of GKRS, the tumor volume was less than that before GKRS. Enlargement with large cystic formation in the first 3–5 years after GKRS has been considered as treatment failure. However, our cases show that further treatment for cystic enlargement should be deferred for at least 10 years, especially in patients without neurological deterioration, as inadequate surgery can be prevented within that period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of occlusal registration for single-unit restorations in the posterior area of the jaw using the complete-arch or quadrant scan techniques. Materials and methods: A master cast was prepared and articulated on a nonadjustable articulator, and the maxillary left first molar was prepared for a full-coverage crown. The master cast was digitized as the reference data using a laboratory scanner (E3 scanner, 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark). It was scanned 10 times in the complete arch and 10 times in the quadrant, with an occlusal registration in each, using four intraoral scanners (i500, Primescan, TRIOS 3, and TRIOS 4). The scanned data were aligned to the reference data using GOM Inspect software. A three-dimensional analysis of the surface-based occlusal clearance and angular deviation, focusing on the prepared tooth, was performed. Results: The mean surface-based occlusal clearance in the quadrant and complete-arch scans was 1.622 ± 0.032 mm and 1.642 ± 0.043 mm, respectively. Angular deviations compared to the reference cast showed a difference of 0.10° distally and 0.09° buccally for the quadrant scan and 0.12° distally and buccally for the complete-arch scan. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Scheffe's test. No significant differences were observed between the test groups. Conclusions: No significant differences were found between occlusal registrations of the complete-arch and quadrant scans. Therefore, a quadrant scan can achieve the same outcome as a complete-arch scan for single-unit restoration in the posterior area of the jaw. Clinical relevance: Quadrant scanning for single-unit restoration showed similar outcomes as complete-arch scans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Digital feedback for tooth preparation can provide dental practitioners with more objective and accurate evaluations compared to conventional methods. This study aimed to evaluate the educational effect and satisfaction of digital feedback compared with those of the conventional putty index method for tooth preparation. Material and Methods: Forty‐eight third‐grade dental students were selected. All students performed a full‐coverage preparation on a right mandibular first molar resin tooth. They were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12)—no guide (control), putty index, digital feedback, and digital and putty index assessment. Three‐dimensional analysis was performed using an analysis software (GomInspect 2018, Gom) to evaluate the amount of tooth structure removed. At the end of the practice, the students completed a questionnaire to evaluate the educational satisfaction of the respective methods. Results: There was no statistical significance of the amount of preparation amongst groups in most of the measured areas only except for several specific points. Overall occlusal surface showed 0.99 ± 0.27 mm in the N group (no guide) and 1.15 ± 0.31 mm in the D group (digital feedback), and overall axial surface showed no statistical differences (p >.05). The groups that used digital assessment showed a high level of satisfaction compared with conventional assessment. Conclusions: It was difficult to confirm that the digital‐based feedback promotes accurate tooth preparation compared to conventional feedback within the limitation of this study. However, it improved educational satisfaction and permitted objective evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first is a contact cooling system (-10 °C to 0 °C) that reduces thermal damage to the surrounding epidermis, and the second is an image processing and automatic laser treatment technology that automatically irradiates the laser on only the area of the pigmented lesion, ensuring uniform irradiation. The 532 nm nanosecond Nd: YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser is widely used to treat various pigmented lesions, but it can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) or hypopigmentation due to the thermal damage on the surrounding epidermis and the inflammatory reaction around blood vessels [[1]]. 1a Pigmented areas on the back of Yucatan pigs were selected for laser irradiation. b Appearance immediately after being irradiated for each of the three energy levels of the CuRAS laser and the Vasculature Salvage Laser Surgery (VSLS) systems. [Extracted from the article]

Carotenoids are ubiquitous pigment systems in nature which are relevant to a range of processes, such as photosynthesis, but the detailed influence of substitutions at the polyene backbone on their photophysics is still underexplored. Here, we present a detailed experimental and theoretical investigation of the carotenoid 13,13′-diphenylpropyl-β-carotene using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and steady-state absorption experiments in n-hexane and n-hexadecane, complemented by DFT/TDDFT calculations. In spite of their bulkiness and their potential capability to "fold back" onto the polyene system, which could result in π-stacking effects, the phenylpropyl residues have only a minor impact on the photophysical properties compared with the parent compound β-carotene. Ultrafast spectroscopy finds lifetimes of 200–300 fs for the S2 state and 8.3–9.5 ps for the S1 state. Intramolecular vibrational redistribution with time constants in the range 0.6–1.4 ps is observed in terms of a spectral narrowing of the S1 spectrum over time. We also find clear indications of the presence of vibrationally hot molecules in the ground electronic state (S0*). The DFT/TDDFT calculations confirm that the propyl spacer electronically decouples the phenyl and polyene π-systems and that the substituents in the 13 and 13′ positions point away from the polyene system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional hot mix asphalt overlaying on trench infrastructure typically necessitates extended cooling times for further works and can have adverse effects on buried components, such as electricity cables and hot water pipes. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the use of warm guss mastic asphalt (at an installation temperature of 160 °C) as an overlaying material for mini-trenches, which can reduce the cooling time required for traffic opening and improve the efficiency of the construction process. This research involved two stages: first, lab testing and related research results were used to generate the thermal conductivity and specific heat necessary for simulation work. Second, a finite element model analysis was conducted to evaluate the thermal transmission of the overlaying surface and the buried conduit based on the summer pavement temperature distribution through the Korean Pavement Research Program. Afterward, the field test bed was constructed to verify the simulation. The results indicate that the optimal thickness of the overlaying material and the concrete covering should be designed to ensure thermal durability and meet traffic opening requirements. The overlaying depth of the mini trench using warm mix guss mastic asphalt should be less than 100 mm to meet with the traffic opening time, while the thickness of the concrete covering should be designed to be more than 100 mm to ensure thermal durability. Additionally, the findings suggest that the application of warm guss asphalt could reduce the opening time by 30 min to 1 h and 25 min compared to conventional hot guss asphalt materials. When the pavement surface temperature for the traffic opening is controlled at 50 °C, the asphalt mixture requires at least 2 h to 5 h to meet the cooling criteria for traffic opening, respectively. Overall, this research confirms the potential benefits and optimal use of warm guss mastic asphalt in the construction process of mini-trenches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) as one of the most important porous carbon materials are widely used in many applications that involve rapid adsorption and low-pressure loss, including air purification, water treatment, and electrochemical applications. For designing such fibers for the adsorption bed in gas and aqueous phases, in-depth comprehension of the surface components is crucial. However, achieving reliable values remains a major challenge due to the high adsorption affinity of ACFs. To overcome this problem, we propose a novel approach to determine London dispersive components ( γ S L ) of the surface free energy of ACFs by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) technique at an infinite dilution. Our data reveal the γ S L values at 298 K for bare carbon fibers (CFs) and the ACFs to be 97 and 260–285 mJ·m−2, respectively, which lie in the regime of secondary bonding of physical adsorption. Our analysis indicates that these are impacted by micropores and defects on the carbon surfaces. Comparing the γ S L obtained by the traditional Gray's method, our method is concluded as the most accurate and reliable value for the hydrophobic dispersive surface component of porous carbonaceous materials. As such, it could serve as a valuable tool in designing interface engineering in adsorption-related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, nanostructured carbon materials, such as hollow‐, yolk‐, and core‐shell‐configuration, have attracted attention in various fields owing to their unique physical and chemical properties. Among them, yolk‐shell structured carbon is considered as a noteworthy material for energy storage due to its fast electron transfer, structural robustness, and plentiful active reaction sites. However, the difficulty of the synthesis for controllable carbon yolk‐shell has been raised as a limitation. In this study, novel synthesis strategy of nanostructured carbon yolk‐shell microspheres that enable to control morphology and size of the yolk part is proposed for the first time. To apply in the appropriate field, cobalt compounds‐carbon yolk‐shell composites are applied as the anode of alkali‐ion batteries and exhibit superior electrochemical performances to those of core‐shell structures owing to their unique structural merits. Co3O4‐C hollow yolk‐shell as a lithium‐ion battery anode exhibits a long cycling lifetime (619 mA h g−1 for 400 cycles at 2 A g−1) and excellent rate capability (286 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1). The discharge capacities of CoSe2‐C hollow yolk‐shell as sodium‐ and potassium‐ion battery anodes at the 200th cycle are 311 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and 268 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, many companies have introduced automated defect detection methods for defect-free PCB manufacturing. In particular, deep learning-based image understanding methods are very widely used. In this study, we present an analysis of training deep learning models to perform PCB defect detection stably. To this end, we first summarize the characteristics of industrial images, such as PCB images. Then, the factors that can cause changes (contamination and quality degradation) to the image data in the industrial field are analyzed. Subsequently, we organize defect detection methods that can be applied according to the situation and purpose of PCB defect detection. In addition, we review the characteristics of each method in detail. Our experimental results demonstrated the impact of various degradation factors, such as defect detection methods, data quality, and image contamination. Based on our overview of PCB defect detection and experiment results, we present knowledge and guidelines for correct PCB defect detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether additional stem extension for stability is necessary, we performed mid-term follow-up of patients who had been managed with 5-mm metal block augmentation for a tibial defect, where tibial prosthesis was fixed using bone cement without stem extension. Also, we evaluated clinical and radiologic results including survival rate of patients without stem extension. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with tibial bone defect, had undergone primary total knee arthroplasty, and had been treated with 5-mm metal block augmentation without stem extension between March 2003 and September 2013. Among 74 patients (80 cases), 47 patients (52 cases) were followed up for at least 5 years. Results: Mean flexion contracture improved from 8.8° (0–40°) preoperatively to 0.4° (−5° to 15°) at final follow-up (P < 0.01), but there was no significant change in the mean angle of great flexion: 124.6° (75–150°) preoperatively and 126.2° (90–145°) at final follow-up (P = 0.488). Mean range of motion improved from 115.8° (35–150°) preoperatively to 125.5° (90–145°) at final follow-up (P < 0.01). Mean knee score improved from 38.7 points (0–66 points) preoperatively to 93.2 points (79–100 points) at final follow-up (P < 0.01), and mean functional score also improved from 50.4 points (10–70 points) preoperatively to 81.8 points (15–100 points) at final follow-up (P < 0.01). The mean postoperative Western Ontario and McMaster University osteoarthritis score was 19.5 points (0–66.0 points). The mean femorotibial angle was corrected from 9.0° varus (23.0° varus–6.3° valgus) preoperatively to 5.5° valgus (2.2° varus–11.1° valgus) at final follow-up (P < 0.01). There was no change in the mean β-angle, which was 90.7° (87.2–94.9°) immediately postoperative and 90.8° (87.2–94.9°) at final follow-up (P = 0.748) and in the mean δ-angle, which was 86.2° (81.3–90.0°) immediately postoperative and 87.2° (83.1–96.5°) at final follow-up (P = 0.272). Radiolucent lines (RLL) were observed in ten cases (26.3%), and the mean RLL scores at final follow-up were 0.34 points (0–3 points) in the anteroposterior view and 0.42 points (0–6 points) in the lateral view. Scores for the RLL were ≤ 4 points in 36 cases, 5–9 points in two cases. Revision surgery due to aseptic loosening (three cases) is rarely required, and the Kaplan–Meier survival rate at 10 postoperative years was 96.4% Conclusion: When performing 5-mm metal block augmentation for a proximal tibial defect, no additional tibial stem extension can be a good surgical option for the stability of tibial prosthetic construct and mid-term clinical and radiologic results. Level of evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) spatiotemporally regulate the proteasomal degradation of numerous cellular proteins involved in cell cycle control, DNA replication, and maintenance of genome stability. Activation of CRLs is controlled via neddylation by NEDD8-activating, -conjugating, and -attaching enzymes to the C-terminus of scaffold cullins (CULs), whereas the COP9 signalosome (CSN) inactivates CRLs via deneddylation. Here, we show that the deneddylation rate of each CUL is differentially modulated. Dose- or time-dependent treatment with pevonedistat, a small molecule inhibitor of NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE), rapidly inhibits neddylation in most CULs, including CUL1, CUL3, CUL4A/B, and CUL5, whereas the deneddylation of CUL2 is slowly increased. We revealed that the different deneddylation speeds of each CUL depend on its binding strength with CSN5, the catalytic core of the CSN complex. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that CUL2 has a lower binding affinity for CSN5 than other CULs. Consistently, released cells treated with CSN5 inhibitor showed that CUL2 was slowly converted to the deneddylated form compared to the rapid deneddylation of other CULs. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the different dynamics of CULs in neddylation–deneddylation conversion. • Conversion speed of neddylated CULs to deneddylated forms is differentially regulated. • CSN localization or expression is not correlated with CUL2 conversion. • CUL2 weakly binds to CSN5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes influence plant growth and fitness. However, the structure and function of microbiomes associated with rare and endemic plants remain underexplored. To investigate the bacterial community structure of Ulleung-sanmaneul (U-SMN), an endemic plant in Korea, samples were collected from natural and cultivated habitats, and their 16S rDNA was sequenced. The root bacterial community structure differed from those of bulk soil and rhizosphere in both habitats. Endogenous bacteria in cultivated plants were less diverse than wild plants, but Luteibacter rhizovicinus, Pseudomonas fulva, and Sphingomonas pruni were shared. Co-inoculation of Pseudoxanthomonas sp. JBCE485 and Variovorax paradoxus JBCE486 promoted growth and induced salt stress resistance in Arabidopsis and chive. Changes in growth promotion and phenotypes of plants by co-inoculation were mediated by increased auxin production. Each strain colonized the roots without niche competition. The results indicated that host selectivity was influential than environmental factors in formulating endophytic bacterial composition, and domestication simplified the bacterial community diversity. Our results will contribute to the growth and maintenance of endemic U-SMN plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have generally underestimated the level of Roman involvement in Africa in the period between the annexation of Carthage in 146 b.c. and Caesar's victory at Thapsus in 46 b.c., and the land in Africa which the Romans annexed has been conventionally called public land (ager publicus). This paper analyses the surviving text of the African provisions of the epigraphic lex agraria of 111 b.c. and notes that the term ager publicus is not attested in the provincial section of the law. The land in Africa appears simply as ager in Africa and the term ager publicus is confined exclusively to Italy in the law of 111. However, Cicero's references to Rullus' agrarian proposal in 64/3 b.c. in the De lege agraria suggest that the term ager publicus was used to qualify land existing outside Italy in Rullus' proposal. This paper argues that the concept of ager publicus as opposed to private land developed in Africa between 111 and 63 b.c., and that this was linked to privatization of ager in Africa in this period. The results of this study suggest a high degree of Roman exploitation of African land prior to the Caesarean and Augustan colonies in the 40s b.c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an experimental and numerical investigation of a compact parabolic deployable mesh antenna with a hingeless deployment system of superelastic SMA ribs and composite tape springs. One of the key features of the proposed antenna is the primary reflector with SMA ribs. The SMA's superelasticity allows the stowed reflector to deploy without plastic deformation with high damping and fatigue resistance. Thus, the antenna can be folded compactly like lotus flowers. Furthermore, composite tape springs with inherent hysteresis make the mast structure folded. Due to these hingeless deployment mechanisms, high reliability is achieved with a moderate level of packaging efficiency, lightweight, and low deployment shock. The effectiveness of the mechanism design was demonstrated by validation tests such as a basic characteristic test of superplastic SMA ribs, a deployment test of the antenna, and surface error measurement, as well as a deployment simulation with the aid of the finite element method. [Display omitted] • Parabolic deployable mesh antenna with a hingeless deployment system of SMA ribs and composite tape springs was provided. • It has a moderate level of packaging efficiency and low deployment shock due to the superelasticy and hysteresis effect. • It does not employ any active mechanisms such as motors, leading to achieving high reliability. • The RMS error was measured through digital photogrammetry to evaluate the performance of the antenna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment often occurs in glioblastoma (GBM) patients due to the tumor itself and treatment side effects. Choline alphoscerate (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, GPC) is frequently used to compensate for cognitive impairment in GBM patients. This study was conducted to determine whether GPC affects the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of GBM patients. From 2011 to 2020, 187 isocitrate dehydrongenase (IDH)-wild-type GBM patients were analyzed. The patients were classified based on whether GPC was continuously used for at least 3 or 12 months (mos) after GBM diagnosis. Although GPC usage (≥3 mos) did not make significant differences in survival extension, median OS in the long-term GPC group (≥12 mos) was longer with statistical significance, compared to the control group (<12 mos) (38.3 vs. 24.0 mos, p = 0.004). In addition to younger age, supratentorial location, complete resection, and MGMT promoter methylation, long-term use of GPC (≥12 mos) was significantly associated with longer OS in multivariate analysis (p = 0.019, hazard ratio [HR] 0.532, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.314–0.900). Despite the limitations of this study, long-term GPC use was possibly associated with prolonged survival in GBM patients. Multi-center prospective randomized studies with a large number of patients are needed to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystalline metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are extensively used in areas such as gas storage and small-molecule drug delivery. Although Cu-BTC (1, MOF-199, BTC: benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) has versatile applications, its NO storage and release characteristics are not amenable to therapeutic usage. In this work, micro-sized Cu-BTC was prepared solvothermally and then processed by ball-milling to prepare nano-sized Cu-BTC (2). The NO storage and release properties of the micro- and nano-sized Cu-BTC MOFs were morphology dependent. Control of the hydration degree and morphology of the NO delivery vehicle improved the NO release characteristics significantly. In particular, the nano-sized NO-loaded Cu-BTC (NO⊂nano-Cu-BTC, 4) released NO at 1.81 µmol·mg−1 in 1.2 h in PBS, which meets the requirements for clinical usage. The solid-state structural formula of NO⊂Cu-BTC was successfully determined to be [CuC6H2O5]·(NO)0.167 through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, suggesting no structural changes in Cu-BTC upon the intercalation of 0.167 equivalents of NO within the pores of Cu-BTC after NO loading. The structure of Cu-BTC was also stably maintained after NO release. NO⊂Cu-BTC exhibited significant antibacterial activity against six bacterial strains, including Gram-negative and positive bacteria. NO⊂Cu-BTC could be utilized as a hybrid NO donor to explore the synergistic effects of the known antibacterial properties of Cu-BTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Low levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with Crohn's disease, another chronic inflammatory disease. However, the effects of low HDL-C levels on BD are unclear. We investigated the effects of HDL-C levels, and variability therein, on the risk for BD. We used the Korean National Health Insurance System database to identify 5,587,754 adults without a history of BD who underwent ≥ 3 medical examinations between 2010 and 2013. Mean HDL-C levels at each visit were used to calculate variability independent of the mean (VIM) and the coefficient of variation (CV). There were 676 new cases of BD (0.012%). The risk for BD was increased in participants with highly variable and low mean HDL-C levels. In a multivariate-adjusted model, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for BD incidence were 1.335 (1.058–1.684) in a high mean/high VIM group, 1.527 (1.211–1.925) in a low mean/low VIM group, and 2.096 (1.67–2.63) in a low mean/high VIM group compared to a high mean/low VIM group. Low mean HDL-C levels, and high variability therein, are independent risk factors for BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous lesion that can progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma if untreated. However, no gold standard treatment has been established. We aimed to investigate the management of AK by comparing the effectiveness and treatment duration of treatment modalities, including cryotherapy, imiquimod (IMQ), and photodynamic therapy (PDT). We reviewed the medical records of 316 patients diagnosed with AK at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from February 2015 to May 2020, and a total of 195 patients were included. The clearance rate was the highest in PDT, followed by cryotherapy and IMQ (82.4%, 71.2%, and 68.0%, respectively). The recurrence rate was the lowest in cryotherapy, followed by PDT and IMQ (3.5%, 6.7%, and 10.5%, respectively, p < 0.05). The average treatment duration was shortest with PDT, followed by IMQ and cryotherapy (5.5 weeks, 6.8 weeks, and 9.1 weeks, respectively, p < 0.05). The number of hospital visits was lowest for PDT, followed by cryotherapy and IMQ (1.8, 2.8, and 3.6, respectively, p < 0.05). PDT showed the highest clearance rate, a moderate recurrence rate, the shortest treatment duration, and the least number of visits, suggesting that PDT could be the first choice for treatment of AK. Considering the advantages as a topical agent, IMQ could also be a treatment option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in plant immune response, including resistance to pathogens and systemic acquired resistance. Two major components, NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES (NPRs) and TGACG motif-binding transcription factors (TGAs), are known to mediate SA signaling, which might also be orchestrated by other hormonal and environmental changes. Nevertheless, the molecular and functional interactions between SA signaling components and other cellular signaling pathways remain poorly understood. Here we showed that the steroid plant hormone brassinosteroid (BR) promotes SA responses by inactivating BR-INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2), which inhibits the redox-sensitive clade I TGAs in Arabidopsis. We found that both BR and the BIN2 inhibitor bikinin synergistically increase SA-mediated physiological responses, such as resistance to Pst DC3000. Our genetic and biochemical analyses indicated that BIN2 functionally interacts with TGA1 and TGA4, but not with other TGAs. We further demonstrated that BIN2 phosphorylates Ser-202 of TGA4, resulting in the suppression of the redox-dependent interaction between TGA4 and NPR1 as well as destabilization of TGA4. Consistently, transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing TGA4-YFP with a S202A mutation displayed enhanced SA responses compared to the wild-type TGA4-YFP plants. Taken together, these results suggest a novel crosstalk mechanism by which BR signaling coordinates the SA responses mediated by redox-sensitive clade I TGAs. The molecular and functional interactions between salicylic acid (SA) signaling components and other cellular signaling pathways remain poorly understood. This study reveals show that BIN2 interacts with and phosphorylates the SA-responsive transcription factor TGA4, resulting in the suppression of the functional interaction of TGA4 and NPR1 as well as destabilization of TGA4. Based on their data, the authors propose a synergistic interaction model of brassinosteroid and SA signaling in SA-mediated immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of timing is essential for positioning in cellular systems because propagation delays from neighboring base stations are used to calculate the position of a mobile station. A preamble design technique for accurate timing estimation in cellular systems with high mobility, such as autonomous driving and unmanned aerial vehicles, is proposed herein. A generalized Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence is defined and decomposed into multiple short subsequences to reduce the Doppler effect on the timing estimation. The performance loss caused by the short sequence length is compensated by combining the subsequences using the repetition property of the ZC sequence. The properties of autocorrelation and cross-correlation of the generalized ZC sequence that employs a receiver processing (RP) scheme (subsequence decomposition and combining) are analyzed in the presence of Doppler. Finally, the suitability of the proposed sequence with the RP scheme, for accurate timing estimation in multicell environments with a high Doppler, is demonstrated using simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a design for an LLC resonant inverter with reflecting plasma characteristics to improve indoor air quality. A surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) helps improve indoor air quality since it effectively inactivates airborne bacteria. By collaborating with plasma physics and power electronics, this study electrically models the SDBD structure. Thus, it presents a compact and commercially viable plasma generation circuit to drive the SDBD feature. The traditional LLC inverter design procedure is not optimized for such an application due to utilization differences. An LLC resonant inverter operating in the resonant mode combined with a step-up transformer is optimally designed to generate a 4-kVpk-pk, 7.8-kHz sinusoidal voltage with a total power consumption of less than 2.5 W. By investigating optical emission spectroscopy (OES), the production of a reactive species for the inactivation of airborne bacteria is confirmed. Furthermore, the sterilization performance is tested by observing the removal rate of the Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) bacteria inside a 1 m3 chamber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) have been used in various fields of tissue engineering because of their promising therapeutic efficacy. However, the stemness of hADSCs cannot be maintained for long durations, and their therapeutic cellular functions, such as paracrine factor secretion decrease during long-term cell culture. To facilitate the use of long-term-cultured hADSCs (L-ADSCs), we designed a novel therapeutic anti-senescence ion-delivering nanocarrier (AIN) that is capable of recovering the therapeutic properties of L-ADSCs. In the present study, we introduced a low-pH-responsive ion nanocarrier capable of delivering transition metal ions that can enhance angiogenic paracrine factor secretion from L-ADSCs. The AINs were delivered to L-ADSCs in an intracellular manner through endocytosis. Results: Low pH conditions within the endosomes induced the release of transition metal ions (Fe) into the L-ADSCs that in turn caused a mild elevation in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This mild elevation in ROS levels induced a downregulation of senescence-related gene expression and an upregulation of stemness-related gene expression. The angiogenic paracrine factor secretion from L-ADSCs was significantly enhanced, and this was evidenced by the observed therapeutic efficacy in response to treatment of a wound-closing mouse model with conditioned medium obtained from AIN-treated L-ADSCs that was similar to that observed in response to treatment with short-term-cultured adipose-derived stem cells. Conclusions: This study suggests a novel method and strategy for cell-based tissue regeneration that can overcome the limitations of the low stemness and therapeutic efficacy of stem cells that occurs during long-term cell culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linezolid (LNZ) is one of the most important antimicrobial agents against infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including enterococci. In a layer operation system, antimicrobial resistance can be transferred to commercial layers via the fecal-oral route. This study investigated the presence and distribution of LNZ-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium in a layer operation system. Among 117 E. faecalis and 154 E. faecium, 10 (8.5%) E. faecalis and 5 (3.2%) E. faecium isolates showed resistance to LNZ and chloramphenicol, and they exhibited multidrug resistance against 5 or more classes of antimicrobial agents. Among the resistant isolates, 9 (90.0%) and 2 (20.0%) E. faecalis harbored optrA and cfr genes, respectively. The optrA and fexA genes were not detected in five LNZ-resistant E. faecium. None of the 15 LNZ-resistant isolates harbored the fexA gene, and no mutations were observed in the genes encoding domain V of 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and ribosomal proteins L3 (rplC) and L4 (rplD). Transferability was identified in three of the nine optrA-positive LNZ-resistant isolates. The tetM, tetL, and ermB genes were cotransferred with the optrA gene in all optrA-positive transconjugants. The results indicate that optrA is well-distributed in E. faecalis, implying a greater level of transferability. Thus, enhanced surveillance efforts are needed to monitor the emergence and spread of optrA in enterococci in layer operation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial covert infrared (IR) displays have recently emerged as an anti‐counterfeiting method for spontaneous thermal emissive surfaces and optically encoded information. However, the unnatural appearance of a conventional thermal emissive label in the visible region limits the widespread application of an artificial covert IR display. This paper presents a colored, covert IR display exhibiting visible color patterns and thermally encoded data simultaneously based on a hybrid planar‐plasmonic cavity (HPPC). The HPPC is composed of two spectrally distinguished resonant structures: 1) an ultrathin planar cavity with an amorphous silicon (a‐Si) layer on gold (Au) for visible coloration and 2) an IR plasmonic cavity with hole‐patterned Au on a polymer substrate with a back mirror for thermal data encoding. Such hybridization of multi‐band resonance can not only enhance the vivid coloration but also enhance the data storage capacity per unit. Camouflage labels with encrypted thermal data are successfully demonstrated for practical applications using a flexible HPPC. Collectively, the proposed HPPC enables a new type of anti‐counterfeiting method that achieves both esthetic, visibly encoded data, and covert, thermally encoded data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) have been spotlighted as emerging solution-processed electronics and show promise as economical, flexible, and stretchable emerging memristors. However, OIHPs suffer from considerable defects derived from solution processing; thus, post-processing is often required to alleviate such shortcomings. Treating alkyl ammonium organic salt on OIHP films is a representative approach to efficiently mediate the defect density. Here, we adopted n-octyl ammonium chloride (OACl) in our post-processing agent for organometal perovskite memristors (OPMs). The OACl-incorporated OPM showed an enlarged ON/OFF resistance ratio of 520 compared to OPM without passivation (3.91). Thin film analysis revealed that the synergistic insulating/passivating layer from OACl post-treatment retarded the interaction with the electroactive electrode (Ag). Additionally, the combined effects from the lower-dimensional OIHP induced by OA, including the p-doping of lead by chloride, enhanced the energetic barrier with Ag electrode to reduce the parasitic current at the high resistance state. This study offers deeper insights into the surface passivation of OIHPs and its effects on memristic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusions This study aimed to screen oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) diagnostic and prognostic candidates and investigate the potential functions and mechanisms of candidates in the chemoresistance of OSCC cell lines.Differential expression profiling of lncRNA was performed in a large cohort of OSCC patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas database to identify OSCC diagnostic and prognostic candidates. Taxol resistance in OSCC cell lines was analyzed using MTT assay. OSCC cell lines transfected with EIF3J‐DT pcDNA or siRNA were used to determine its regulatory effects on apoptosis, cell cycle distribution and autophagy using flow cytometry and western blot.We identified EIF3J‐DT as a candidate for OSCC diagnosis and prognosis. The expression level of EIF3J‐DT in OSCC cell lines correlates with taxol resistance. EIF3J‐DT silencing attenuated taxol resistance, and EIF3J‐DT overexpression enhanced taxol resistance in OSCC cell lines. Silencing of EIF3J‐DT reduced taxol resistance by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and ATG14‐mediated autophagy inhibition in OSCC cell lines.We found that EIF3J‐DT induced chemoresistance by regulating apoptosis, cell cycle, and autophagy in OSCC cell lines, which EIF3J‐DT might provide a novel therapeutic approach for OSCC as well as a diagnostic and prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The reliability of rotary UAV-based system was approved under certain conditions. • The critical velocity for accurate UAV-based measurement was computed. • Rotary UAV-based scanned methane was well estimated by the Kriging interpolation. • Proposed framework can be applied for hotspot detection and downwind method. Many methods have been applied to monitor fugitive methane gas from landfills. Recently, there have been suggestions to use a framework utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for landfill gas monitoring, and several field campaigns have proved that a rotary UAV-based measurement has advantages of ease of control and high-resolution concentration mapping on the target planes. However, research on the evaluation of error-inducing factors in the suggested system is limited so far. This study prepared a measurement system with a lightweight methane detector and a rotary UAV to support the applicability of rotary UAV in landfill gas monitoring. Then, the validity of the system was tested experimentally and theoretically. In the detector reliability test, the methane detector had sufficient resolution for field application. The critical UAV velocity required was obtained to ensure the credibility of the proposed measurement system. When spatial interpolators were applied to field data from the measurement system, the empirical Bayesian kriging demonstrated the best prediction of methane concentrations at unmeasured points. With the verifications provided in this study, this proposed method may contribute to reducing uncertainty in estimating fugitive landfill gas emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Heterotypic shock (heat and osmosis shock) to induce the desired phenotype and genotype. • The FD-tolerant ALE50 strain harbored a modified fatty acid composition and cell envelope characteristics. • The thickness of exopolysaccharides of FD-tolerant ALE50 strain increased significantly by 331% compared to that of the wild type strain. • ALE is effective in developing FD-tolerant LAB strains, resulting in enhanced storage stability. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are currently being investigated for their potential use as probiotics and starter cultures. Researchers have developed powdering processes for the commercialization of LAB. Previous studies have focused on identifying innovative cryoprotective agents and freeze-drying (FD) techniques to enhance the stability of LAB. In this study, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) was employed to develop a strain with high FD tolerance and enhanced storage stability. Leuconostoc mesenteroids WiKim33 was subjected to heterotypic shock (heat and osmosis shock) to induce the desired phenotype and genotype. An FD-tolerant enhanced Leu. mesenteroides WiKim33 strain (ALE50) was obtained, which harbored a modified fatty acid composition and cell envelope characteristics. Specifically, ALE50 showed a lower unsaturated fatty acid (UFA)/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio and a higher cyclic fatty acid (CFA) composition. Moreover, the exopolysaccharide (EPS) thickness increased significantly by 331% compared to that of the wild type (WT). FD tolerance, which was evaluated using viability testing after FD, was enhanced by 33.4%. Overall, we demonstrated the feasibility of ALE to achieve desirable characteristics and provided insights into the mechanisms underlying increased FD tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive B cell lymphoma that is etiologically linked to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Despite standard multi-chemotherapy treatment, PEL continues to cause high mortality. Thus, new strategies to control PEL are needed urgently. Here, we show that a phosphodegron motif within the KSHV protein, latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA), specifically interacts with E3 ubiquitin ligase FBW7, thereby competitively inhibiting the binding of the anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1 to FBW7. Consequently, LANA-FBW7 interaction enhances the stability of MCL-1 by preventing its proteasome-mediated degradation, which inhibits caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in PEL cells. Importantly, MCL-1 inhibitors markedly suppress colony formation on soft agar and tumor growth of KSHV+PEL/BCBL-1 in a xenograft mouse model. These results strongly support the conclusion that high levels of MCL-1 expression enable the oncogenesis of PEL cells and thus, MCL-1 could be a potential drug target for KSHV-associated PEL. This work also unravels a mechanism by which an oncogenic virus perturbs a key component of the ubiquitination pathway to induce tumorigenesis. Author summary: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a highly aggressive B cell lymphoma, is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). However, the underlying mechanisms that govern the aggressiveness of KSHV-associated PEL are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that KSHV LANA interacts with cellular ubiquitin E3 ligase FBW7, sequestering MCL-1 from FBW7, which reduces MCL-1 ubiquitination. As such, LANA potently stabilizes and increases MCL-1 protein, leading to inhibition of caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in PEL cells. Furthermore, MCL-1 inhibitors efficiently blocked PEL progression in mouse xenograft model. These results suggest that LANA acts as a proto-oncogene via deregulating tumor suppressor FBW7, which upregulates anti-apoptotic MCL-1 expression. This study suggests drugs that target MCL-1 may serve as an effective therapy against KSHV+ PEL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous study, we found that higher waist circumference (WC) and higher body mass index (BMI) both increase the risk of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). The aim of this study was to determine whether WC and BMI also increase the duration of CSU. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to determine the hazard ratio (HR) for longer disease duration (longer than 3 years) according to WC and BMI. A total of 52,667 subjects were enrolled and their mean age was 54.5. After adjustments for other confounding variables the high WC/high BMI group had 1.062 times higher HR (95% CI, 1.028–1.098) than the normal WC/normal BMI group. Interestingly, the high WC/normal BMI group showed a significantly higher HR (1.053; 95% CI, 1.008–1.101) than the normal WC/normal BMI group, but not the normal WC/high BMI group (0.998; 95% CI, 0.951–1.046). Taken together, our results suggest that high WC rather than high BMI is a predictive risk factor for the longer disease duration of CSU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tsutsugamushi disease is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted to humans via chigger mites in wild rodents, among other animal hosts. It has become a recurring health problem in South Korea with increasing numbers of cases since 2010s and most cases occurring in October through December. However, studies on chigger mites and wild rodents in urban areas in South Korea are inadequate. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the species composition of chigger mites and wild rodents, their seasonal distribution, and pathogen rates of chigger mites via a 2‐year surveillance study at six urban parks in Daegu. Monthly surveillance of wild rodents and chigger mites was conducted at urban parks in Daegu from 2018 to 2019. Chigger mites were isolated from the collected rodents bimonthly. A total of 31 rodents were collected, with a trap rate and percentage of chigger mite infection of 0.52 and 61.3%, respectively. A total of 273 chigger mites were collected, with a chigger index (CI) of 14.4. Six species of chigger mites from two genera were collected, with Leptotrombidium pallidum being the most common (n = 127, 31.8%). Chigger mites were most frequent at riverside parks (n = 95, 34.8%). To detect O. tsutsugamushi in chigger mites, 40 pools of chigger mites (n = 273) were analyzed. All analyzed pools showed negative results. In conclusion, the populations of chigger mites and wild rodents in the six parks surveyed were smaller than those in the other regions in South Korea. Both the population and minimum positive rates of chigger mites in urban Daegu indicated a low threat of Tsutsugamushi disease. However, attention should still be paid to preventing this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Hemicycliophora labiata was reported from the rhizosphere of Poa pratensis and for the first time in Korea. Females and juveniles are molecularly characterised and morphological and morphometric descriptions supplied. Species identification was made using an integrative approach considering morphological characteristics and the results of the analyses of the D2-D3 expansion segment of 28S rRNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 of rRNA and the partial COI gene sequences. The phylogenetic position of H. labiata is resolved after recent misidentifications due to the existence of a wide morphological plasticity within the genus. Females and juveniles from Korea conform to the original description and also to subsequent species descriptions from Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and India. Despite the close morphological similarities with H. typica de Man, 1921, the two species can be adequately differentiated based on molecular data. This is the first molecular characterisation of H. labiata. The use of molecular markers in species delimitation continues to explore the existence of species complexes, thus providing a better understanding of the unresolved species biodiversity within this speciose genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome organ shortage, expanded criteria donors, including elderly deceased donors (DDs), should be considered. We analyzed outcomes of kidney transplantation (KT) from elderly DDs in a nationwide study. In total, data of 1049 KTs from DDs using the database of Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) were retrospectively analyzed based on the age of DDs: age ≥60 years vs. <60 years. Clinical information, graft status, and adverse events were reviewed in DDs and recipients. The mean age of the 1006 DDs was 51.04±10.54 years, and 21.5% of donors were aged ≥60 years. Elderly DDs had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and higher Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI) and Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI). The mean age of the recipients was 47.45±14.87 years. Patients who received KT from elderly DDs were significantly older (53.12±15.14 vs. 45.88±14.41, P<0.001) and had a higher rate of diabetes (41.9 vs. 24.4%, P<0.001). Graft outcomes were not significantly different. Renal function was similar between the groups at the time of discharge and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after KT. The rate of delayed graft function (DGF) was not significantly different. Risk factors of DGF were significantly different in DDs aged ≥60 years and <60 years. In the multivariable model, male sex (odds ratio: 3.99, 95% confidence interval: 1.42–11.22; P = 0.009) and KDRI (12.17, 2.23–66.34; P = 0.004) were significant risk factors for DGF in DDs aged ≥60 years. In DDs aged <60 years, thymoglobulin induction (2.62, 1.53–4.48; P<0.001) and continuous renal replacement therapy (3.47, 1.52–7.96; P = 0.003) were significant factors. Our data indicated that graft outcomes, including renal function and DGF, were similar for elderly DDs and DDs aged <60 years. Elderly DDs might be considered tolerable donors for KT, with active preoperative surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: This scoping review examines the literature as it relates to autonomous vehicles and impact on movement behavior (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) or mode choice (e.g., public transit), beliefs about movement behavior or mode choice, or impact on environments that may influence movement behavior or mode choice.Evidence Acquisition: A search was conducted in June 2018 and updated in August 2019 of numerous databases (e.g., SPORTDiscuss, PubMed, and Scopus) and hand searching using terms such as autonomous cars and walking. Documents were included if they were databased studies, published in English, and related to the research question. They were then coded by 6 reviewers for characteristics of the document, design, sample, autonomous vehicles, movement behavior, and findings. The coding and analysis were conducted between August 2018 and September 2019.Evidence Synthesis: Of 1,262 possible studies, 192 remained after a title and abstract scan, and 70 were included after a full-article scan. Most of the studies were conducted in Europe (42%) or North America (40%), involved simulation modeling (50%) or cross-sectional (34%) designs, and were published mostly in transportation (83%) journals or reports. Of the 252 findings, 61% related to movement behavior or mode choice. Though the findings were equivocal in some cases, impacts included decreased demand for active transportation, increased demand for autonomous vehicles, increased sitting and sleeping, and reduced walking.Conclusions: Though no experimental or longitudinal studies have been published to date, the available research suggests that autonomous vehicles will impact aspects of mode choice and the built environment of people residing in much of the developed world, resulting in reduced walking and more sitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose controls the phosphorylation of silent information regulator 2 (Sir2), a NAD+‐dependent protein deacetylase, which regulates the expression of the ATP‐dependent proton pump Pma1 and replicative lifespan (RLS) in yeast. TORC1 signaling, which is a central regulator of cell growth and lifespan, is regulated by glucose as well as nitrogen sources. In this study, we demonstrate that TORC1 signaling controls Sir2 phosphorylation through casein kinase 2 (CK2) to regulate PMA1 expression and cytoplasmic pH (pHc) in yeast. Inhibition of TORC1 signaling by either TOR1 deletion or rapamycin treatment decreased PMA1 expression, pHc, and vacuolar pH, whereas activation of TORC1 signaling by expressing constitutively active GTR1 (GTR1Q65L) resulted in the opposite phenotypes. Deletion of SIR2 or expression of a phospho‐mutant form of SIR2 increased PMA1 expression, pHc, and vacuolar pH in the tor1Δ mutant, suggesting a functional interaction between Sir2 and TORC1 signaling. Furthermore, deletion of TOR1 or KNS1 encoding a LAMMER kinase decreased the phosphorylation level of Sir2, suggesting that TORC1 signaling controls Sir2 phosphorylation. It was also found that Sit4, a protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)‐like phosphatase, and Kns1 are required for TORC1 signaling to regulate PMA1 expression and that TORC1 signaling and the cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway converge on CK2 to regulate PMA1 expression through Sir2. Taken together, these findings suggest that TORC1 signaling regulates PMA1 expression and pHc through the CK2–Sir2 axis, which is also controlled by cAMP/PKA signaling in yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ampelopsin (AMP) is a well-known flavonoid that exerts a number of biological and pharmacological effects including anticancer effects against several cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of AMP against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive cells and its mechanism of action. Our results showed that AMP dose-dependently inhibited cell viability and induced apoptotic cell death in EBV-positive cells without cytotoxicity in EBV-negative cells. In particular, AMP induced caspase-8 dependent apoptosis via upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and death receptor (DR5). Knockdown of DR5 by RNA interference blocked AMP-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, AMP dose-dependently activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in EBV-positive cells. Additionally, SB203580 (a p38-MAPK inhibitor) effectively inhibited apoptotic cell death. These results demonstrate that treatment with AMP induces the apoptosis of EBV-positive cells through upregulation of TRAIL/DR5 and activation of p38 signaling. Therefore, these results provide experimental information for developing AMP as a new therapeutic drug against EBV-positive cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]