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Abstract Background High normal values of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) have been reported to have predictive values for hypertension, incident stroke, and higher mortality in the general population. This study aimed to investigate the association between normal ranges of UACR and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in adult population. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study in adults aged 45 to 74 years who were living in Namwon City, South Korea. Both common CIMTs were measured, and mean values were calculated. Normal values of UACR were defined as Results A total of 7555 participants (3084 men and 4471 women) with normal UACR were enrolled in the present study. Common CIMT was positively and independently associated with increasing quintiles of UACR in men and women, even after adjusting for potential confounders including age and cardiovascular risk factors. Compared to the first quintile, the fifth quintile showed odds ratios of 1.80 (95% confidence intervals, 1.26-2.55) and 1.97 (1.28-3.04) for increased CIMT (>0.9mm) in men and women, respectively. Conclusion Higher UACR values within normal ranges (

Abstract Background We investigated the association of cumulative smoking exposure and duration of smoking cessation with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Methods The study population consisted of 2517 community-dwelling Korean men aged 50 years and older. Information on smoking characteristics such as smoking status, pack-years of smoking, and years since quitting smoking was collected using a standardized questionnaire. PAD was defined as an ankle-brachial index (ABI) less than 0.90 in either leg. Results The odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval) of PAD was 2.31 (1.20-4.42) for former smokers and 4.30 (2.13-8.66) for current smokers, after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors. There was a significant dose-response relationship between pack-years of smoking and PAD. Compared with those who had never smoked, the multivariate-adjusted ORs of PAD for smokers of 0.1-20.0, 20.1-40.0, and >40.0 pack-years were 2.15 (1.06-4.38), 2.24 (1.08-4.65), and 2.93 (1.41-6.09), respectively. There was a significant decrease in PAD risk as the years since quitting smoking increased. The multivariate-adjusted ORs of PAD for 11-20 and ≥21 years smoking cessation were 0.41 (0.19-0.86) and 0.49 (0.24-0.98), compared with current smokers. Conclusions Cumulative smoking exposure and duration of smoking cessation were significantly associated with PAD in middle aged and older Korean men.

Abstract Background Epidemiologic studies of the association between alcohol consumption and carotid artery structure have reported conflicting results. We investigated the association between alcohol consumption and carotid atherosclerosis by evaluating the effects of alcohol intake on carotid artery enlargement. Methods The study population consisted of 4302 community-dwelling Koreans (1577 men and 2725 women) aged 50 years and over. All the subjects had participated in the baseline survey of the Dong-gu Study conducted between 2007 and 2008. Daily alcohol consumption was determined by the number and frequency of alcoholic beverages consumed. We measured common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), common carotid and bulb IMT (CB-IMT), carotid plaques, and the diameter of the common carotid artery (CCA-diameter) using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. We used analysis of covariance and multiple logistic regressions to determine the relationship between alcohol consumption and carotid artery parameters. Results CCA-IMT and CB-IMT were negatively correlated with alcohol consumption after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors in men (p for linear trend = 0.009 and = 0.038, respectively). The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for carotid plaques was significantly higher in men who consumed >40.0 g/d (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.13-2.91), although a significant positive correlation was observed between alcohol consumption and carotid plaques (p for linear trend = 0.027). Neither carotid IMT nor carotid plaques were correlated with alcohol intake in women. Alcohol intake was positively correlated with CCA-diameter adjusted for carotid IMT and plaques in the multivariate-adjusted model in both sexes (p for linear trend Conclusion The results of our study indicate that alcohol consumption is inversely related to carotid IMT and positively related to carotid plaques in men, but not women. However, alcohol intake is positively associated with CCA-diameter in both men and women. Additional large population-based prospective studies are needed to confirm the effects of alcohol consumption on carotid artery structure.

Two new dizwitterionic dicarboxylates, E-bis(N-(2′-carboxylatoethyl)pyridinium-4-yl)ethene (L1) and E-bis(3-carboxylatopyridiniomethyl)ethene (L2) have been reacted with uranyl nitrate hexahydrate under solvo-hydrothermal conditions, in the presence of dianionic dicarboxylates, yielding a series of 7 complexes which have been characterized by their crystal structure and luminescence properties. Both [(UO2)2(L1)(1,2-pda)2]·2H2O (1) and [(UO2)2(L1)(1,4-pda)2]·H2O (2), where 1,2- and 1,4-pda2− are 1,2- and 1,4-phenylenediacetates, crystallize as monoperiodic coordination polymers, either two-stranded and ladder-like or sinuous and daisychain-like, respectively. [(UO2)2(L1)(t-1,4-chdc)2] (3), where t-1,4-chdc2− is trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, is a diperiodic assembly with the hcb topology. In situ formation of oxalate anions (ox2−) produces [(UO2)2(L2)(ox)(OH)2] (4), a diperiodic coordination polymer containing dihydroxo-bridged, dinuclear subunits. Simple chains are found in [(UO2)2(L2)(pht)2(H2O)2]·2H2O (5), where pht2− is phthalate, while [(UO2)2(L2)(ipht)2]·2H2O·2CH3CN (6), where ipht2− is isophthalate, is another hcb network. In all these cases, each dicarboxylate ligand connects two metal centres. Finally, [(UO2)2(L2)(t-1,4-chdc)2] (7) is a triperiodic framework with the unusual mog topology, in which t-1,4-chdc2− is either bis(κ2O,O′-chelating) or bis(μ2-κ1O:κ1O′-bridging). Bond valence calculations reveal no very significant difference in donor strength between the two types of ligands. The importance of weak interactions (hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking) is discussed. Only complex 5 is strongly emissive in the solid state, with a photoluminescence quantum yield of 19%, and 6 is weakly emissive (4%), while 1–3 and 7 are non-emissive. The spectra of 5 and 6 display the usual vibronic fine structure, the peak positions being dependent on the uranyl ion equatorial environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cas12j, a hypercompact and efficient Cas protein, has potential for use in CRISPR diagnostics, but has not yet been used because the trans‐cleavage activity of Cas12j is veiled. Here, the trans‐cleavage behavior of Cas12j1, 2, and 3 variants and evaluate their suitability for nucleic acid detection is unveiled. The target preferences and mismatch specificities of the Cas12j variants are precisely investigated and the optimal Cas12j reaction conditions are determined. As a result, the EXP‐J assay for miRNA detection by harnessing the robust trans‐cleavage activity of Cas12j on short ssDNA is developed. The EXP‐J method demonstrates exceptional detection capabilities for miRNAs, proving that Cas12j can be a pivotal component in molecular diagnostics. Furthermore, the translational potential of the EXP‐J assay is validated by detecting oncogenic miRNAs in plasma samples from lung cancer patients. This investigation not only elucidates the trans‐cleavage characteristics of Cas12j variants, but also advances the Cas12j‐based diagnostic toolkit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tetrazwitterionic, tetracarboxylate (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayl)tetrakis(3-(1-carboxylatomethylpyridinium)) (L) has been synthesized and used as a ligand in mixed-ligand complexes of the uranyl cation involving anionic carboxylates. {[(UO2)2(tdc)2(L)]·2H2O} n (1), where tdc2– is 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate, crystallizes as a monoperiodic, ladder-like coordination polymer in which two UO2(tdc) rows are bridged by L ligands with monodentate carboxylate groups. {[(UO2)2(OH)4(L)]·2H2O} n (2) is a diperiodic polymer in which the dinuclear (UO2)2(OH)22+ units are the nodes of a square lattice (sql) network and L being bound by its four monodentate carboxylate groups. The positional isomer (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayl)tetrakis(4-(1-carboxylatomethylpyridinium)) (L′) undergoes decarboxylation during synthesis under solvo-hydrothermal conditions, giving tetracationic (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayl)tetra{4-(N -methylpyridinium)} (btp4+) included as a counterion in [btp][(UO2)4(O)2(pht)4]·1.5H2O (3), where pht2– is phthalate. The discrete, tetranuclear complexes in 3 are of the usual form with two μ3-oxo bridges and rows of alternating anions and cations linked through π–π interactions arranged into layers. Although the uses of uranium in the nuclear industry are well known, the element has a remarkably varied chemistry, exploited, for example, in photooxidation catalysis for the destruction of environmental pollutants. To this end, it is desirable to have compounds in the highest oxidation state of uranium, +VI, 'uranyl' complexes, that are luminescent and insoluble but porous, ideally containing cavities that generate selectivity with regard to absorbed species. Coordination polymers continue to be developed as materials that may provide such properties. (Image credit: Pierre Thuéry.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Nutritional status can influence the outcomes and mortality of various diseases. The association between initial nutritional status and ischemic stroke outcomes, however, remains poorly understood. This study investigated whether the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score at admission could predict functional recovery, complications, and survival following an ischemic stroke. Methods: We enrolled a total of 938 patients experiencing their first acute ischemic stroke and categorized them into three groups based on their CONUT score at admission: CONUT 0–1, CONUT 2–4, and CONUT 5–12. The CONUT score was assessed using the serum albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte count. We evaluated the incidence of complications during their hospital stay. Outcomes, including the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), Functional Ambulatory Classification (FAC), and mortality, were assessed at baseline, as well as at three and six months post-stroke. Results: CONUT scores were significantly associated with functional outcomes (mRS, FIM, and FAC) and mortality during the six-month follow-up period post-stroke (all p < 0.05). The CONUT 5–12 group exhibited significantly poorer improvements in mRS, FIM, and FAC scores (all p < 0.05) and a lower survival rate (p < 0.01) during the six-month follow-up compared to the CONUT 0–1 and CONUT 2–4 groups. Additionally, the incidence of pneumonia, urinary tract infections, pressure sores, falling injuries, and fractures was significantly higher in the CONUT 5–12 group than in the other groups (all p < 0.01). Conclusions: CONUT scores at admission are associated with functional recovery, mortality, and the incidence of complications following a first-ever ischemic stroke. Consequently, the early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition via CONUT scores can be crucial in enhancing patient assessment after an acute stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyber–physical systems have become critical across industries. They have driven investments in education services to develop well-trained engineers. Education services for cyber–physical systems require the hiring of expert tutors with multidisciplinary knowledge, as well as acquiring expensive facilities/equipment. In response to the challenges posed by the need for the equipment and facilities, a metaverse-based education service that incorporates digital twins has been explored as a solution. However, the issue of recruiting expert tutors who can enhance students' achievements remains unresolved, making it difficult to effectively cultivate talent. This paper proposes a reference architecture for a learner-centric educational metaverse with an intelligent tutoring framework as its core feature to address these issues. We develop a novel explainable artificial intelligence scheme for multi-class object detection models to assess learners' achievements within the intelligent tutoring framework. Additionally, a genetic algorithm-based improvement search method is applied to the framework to derive personalized feedback. The proposed metaverse architecture and framework are evaluated through a case study on drone education. The experimental results show that the explainable AI scheme demonstrates an approximately 30% improvement in the explanation accuracy compared to existing methods. The survey results indicate that over 70% of learners significantly improved their skills based on the provided feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]