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This study inspected the impact of mechanically synthesized molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) and hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy. For the formation of MoS 2 -HA ceramic, varying compositions of MoS 2 and HA (0, 3, 5, and 7 g) were mechanically synthesized (MS) for 6 h in a mechanical mixer containing PEO-treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The research aimed to evaluate the influence of these coatings on surface properties and bioactivity. The combined use of MoS 2 and HA leverages the unique properties of both materials: HA provides excellent biocompatibility and corrosion resistance, while MoS 2 enhances mechanical properties and scratch resistance. Surface characterization techniques, FESEM, XRD, and FTIR were employed to analyze the MS film's morphology, composition, and surface properties. Mechanical properties of ceramic were assessed through nanoindentation and scratch tester. PDP and EIS tests were conducted to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the ceramic. Moreover, the bioactivity of the ceramic was assessed through immersion tests in SBF, examining the formation and growth of apatite layers on the surface. EIS was also performed after SBF immersion. Results indicated that the MoS 2 -HA coatings significantly enhance the surface properties, corrosion resistance, and bioactivity of the PEO-treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy, with the optimal composition determined to be the sample of 3g MoS 2 and 7g HA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let C be a smooth projective curve and V an orthogonal bundle over C. Let IQ e (V) be the isotropic Quot scheme parameterizing degree e isotropic subsheaves of maximal rank in V. We give a closed formula for intersection numbers on components of IQ e (V) whose generic element is saturated. As a special case, for g ≥ 2 , we compute the number of isotropic subbundles of maximal rank and degree of a general stable orthogonal bundle in most cases when this is finite. This is an orthogonal analogue of Holla's enumeration of maximal subbundles in [16] , and of the symplectic case studied in [7]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the application of vibrational spectroscopy—Raman and FT-IR—for detecting microplastics (MPs) in various water bodies, including oceans, lakes, and drinking water. Given the growing concern about the environmental and health impacts of MPs, accurate identification and analysis are essential. The review discusses the fundamental principles of Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy, emphasizing their nondestructive nature and capability to provide detailed chemical identification. Sample preparation methods are explored to enhance detection efficiency, particularly in complex matrices where organic matter may cause spectral interference. Highlighting recent studies, this review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques in identifying MPs in diverse aquatic systems, and offers insight into the challenges and future perspectives for advancing microplastic research in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beyond correlational studies exploring the benefits of nature exposure, there have been studies assessing interventions that aim to improve nature connection in children and adolescents. A feeling of connection with nature or 'nature connectedness' describes our attitude towards nature, primarily reflecting the emotional, cognitive, and experiential aspects. This meta-analysis of 29 studies explored the impact of experimental manipulations on nature connection in young people (less than 18 years old). The results showed that such interventions had a significant positive effect on nature connections in children and adolescents. The presence of environmental education programmes, the quality of engagement with nature (passive or active), and the duration and frequency of intervention (one-off, repeated, or residential) were predictors of effect size. The quality of engagement, such as active participation in environmental education programmes or an intensive residential experience, may be more important than the type of natural setting. Several important implications for future research and practice are suggested by the results, including the need to understand the factors that contribute to improved nature connection, to examine different nature engagement activities, and to develop interventions with regular nature engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomies of object categories (and their noun labels) often include the subordinate (e.g., dalmatian), the basic (e.g., dog), and the superordinate (e.g., animal) levels of specificity. Of these, superordinate nouns are notoriously difficult to learn for young children. We hypothesize that the choice of a superordinate label encodes a particular pragmatic level of informativeness, which, in turn, leads to distributional patterns that can help the learner acquire superordinate meanings. In two studies, we analyze a set of distributional signatures of superordinate noun meanings: plurals, quantifiers, wh-phrases, and anchoring cues (e.g., kind of). First, in a corpus analysis of child directed speech, we find that these linguistic contexts co-occur more often with superordinate nouns compared to basic-level nouns from the same domain, matched on token frequency. Second, in a word learning experiment, we show that each of these contexts biases adult learners toward superordinate (versus basic-level) conjectures for novel words. We conclude that superordinate and basic-level nouns differ in pragmatic informativeness in ways that affect their linguistic distribution and can provide powerful cues for discovering their meanings from the input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the recovery of fusion frame sparse signals from incomplete structured measurements. This signal has energy only in a few subspaces of the fusion frame. The sufficient condition for uniform recovery of fusion frame sparse signal is a fusion restricted isometry property (FRIP) which is the fusion frame version of restricted isometry property (RIP) in the standard compressed sensing (CS) settings. Different classes of random matrices are well known to satisfy FRIP, but such matrices do not possess any structure that emerged from the practical sensing systems. In this paper, we give the theoretical results to bridge this gap by proving that a random sampling matrix associated with a bounded orthonormal system satisfies the FRIP with high probability. In detail, we established the uniform recovery guarantees for fusion frames and structured measurements, which may be the beginning of practical applications relating to the fusion frame sparse signal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many practical disaster reports are published daily worldwide in various forms, including after-action reports, response plans, impact assessments, and resiliency plans. These reports serve as vital resources, allowing future generations to learn from past events and better mitigate and prepare for future disasters. However, this extensive practical literature often has limited impact on research and practice due to challenges in synthesizing and analyzing the reports. In this study, we 1) present a corpus of practical reports for text mining and 2) introduce an approach to extract insights from the corpus using select text mining tools. We validate the approach through a case study examining practical reports on the preparedness of the U.S. Pacific Northwest for a magnitude 9 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, which has the potential to disrupt lifeline infrastructures for months. To explore opportunities and challenges associated with text mining of practical disaster reports, we conducted a brief survey of potential user groups. The case study illustrates the types of insights that our approach can extract from a corpus. Notably, it reveals potential differences in priorities between Washington and Oregon state-level emergency management, uncovers latent sentiments expressed within the reports, and identifies inconsistent vocabulary across the field. Survey results highlight that while simple tools may yield insights that are primarily interpretable by experienced professionals, more advanced tools utilizing large language models, such as Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), offer more accessible insights, albeit with known risk associated with current artificial intelligence technologies. To ensure reproducibility, all supporting data and code are made publicly available (DOI: 10.17603/ds2-9s7w-9694). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major global health challenge and occupational status is a critical determinant influencing NCD development, yet many cross-sectional studies have only linked current occupational status with specific diseases, overlooking broader temporal factors. The primary aim of the present study was to comprehensively elucidate the intricate interplay between alterations in working status, NCDs, and physical activity (PA) among Korean middle-aged and older adults, employing a longitudinal panel study design. Methods: This study utilized longitudinal data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, covering the period from 2006 to 2020, with a median follow-up duration of 10 years. (n = 5101 participants aged 45 years and older). Changes in working status were categorized, focusing on (1) yes–yes (e.g., indicative of sustained employment), (2) yes–no (e.g., denoting a transition from employment to non-employment), (3) no–yes (e.g., representing a shift from non-employment to employment), and (4) no–no (reflecting a continual non-employment status). PA was defined as the total minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week and categorized into two groups: <150 min/week and ≥ 150 min/week. Confounding factors included age, gender, marital status, education level, and body mass index. Relative risk ratios (RRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effect multinomial logistic regression. Results: Individuals who were currently employed (adjusted RRR = 0.688, 95% CI = 0.656–0.722, p < 0.001) or who transitioned to employment (adjusted RRR = 0.755, 95% CI = 0.707–0.807, p < 0.001) had a reduced risk of physical inactivity. However, employed individuals had an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (yes-yes: adjusted RRR = 1.653, 95% CI = 1.547–1.766, p < 0.001; no-yes: adjusted RRR = 1.168, 95% CI = 1.100–1.240, p < 0.001) and diabetes (yes-yes: adjusted RRR = 1.535, 95% CI = 1.464–1.610, p < 0.001; no-yes: adjusted RRR = 1.124, 95% CI = 1.078–1.173, p < 0.001). Additionally, current workers exhibited higher risks of cancer (yes-yes: adjusted RRR = 1.871, 95% CI = 1.721–2.035, p < 0.001; no-yes: adjusted RRR = 1.089, 95% CI = 1.018–1.166, p = 0.014) and chronic respiratory diseases (yes-yes: adjusted RRR = 1.467, 95% CI = 1.307–1.648, p < 0.001; no-yes: adjusted RRR = 1.121, 95% CI = 1.011–1.242, p = 0.029). Conclusion: This longitudinal study revealed that individuals engaged in or transitioning to employment displayed a reduced likelihood of regular PA. Moreover, those with work history, transitioning, or consistently working, exhibited increased vulnerability to all NCDs compared to those without work experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium deposition in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), a form of ectopic ossification in blood vessels, can result in rigidity of the vasculature and an increase in cardiac events. Here, we report that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) potentiates calcium deposition in VSMCs and mouse aorta induced by inorganic phosphate (Pi) or vitamin D3. Based on cDNA microarray and RNA sequencing data of Pi-treated rat VSMCs, C/EBPβ was found to be upregulated and thus selected for further evaluation. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed that C/EBPβ was upregulated in Pi-treated A10 cells, a rat VSMC line, as well as vitamin D3-treated mouse aorta. The overexpression of C/EBPβ in A10 cells increased bone runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteopontin (OPN) mRNA in the presence of Pi, as well as potentiating the Pi-induced increase in calcium contents. The Runx2 expression was increased by C/EBPβ through Runx2 P2 promotor. Our results suggest that a Pi-induced increase in C/EBPβ is a critical step in vascular calcification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with gout have several coexisting conditions that impact mortality. We analyzed the differences in clinical manifestations among Korean patients with gout and compared the causes of death based on sex using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database. Methods: We included adults with gout receiving urate-lowering therapy (ULT) from 2002 until 2019. The clinical features and causes of death were compared between male and female patients. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to identify the risk factors contributing to all-cause mortality. Results: The results showed that female patients were older at the start of ULT and had more comorbidities. The most common cause of death among all patients with gout was chronic kidney disease (CKD). When observed separately by sex, lung cancer is the leading cause in males, versus CKD in females. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that old age at ULT start, low body mass index (BMI), current smoking, diabetes, CKD, cerebrovascular disease, malignancy, and low hemoglobin were significant risk factors for all-cause mortality in males; however, old age at ULT start, low BMI, CKD, malignancy, and low hemoglobin were significant risk factors in females. Conclusions: The clinical features and cause of death were different between male and female patients with gout, suggesting that treatment strategies for gout should be established differently depending on sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the driver's gaze could be important information in preventing accidents while driving. In this study, machine learning models for estimating the driver's gaze distraction through head movement data were created and their performance was compared and evaluated. Participants wore glasses-type eye trackers and performed the task of selecting the touch screen buttons while driving. The input variable used in the model was data obtained from a 3-axis accelerometer sensor and a 3-axis gyroscope sensor, and the target variable was eye-gaze data. As a result, it was confirmed that the gaze area could be estimated with a precision, sensitivity, specificity, and F1-score of 72.1%, 72.5%, 66.0%, and 69.3%, respectively, only with the head movement sensing data. The model trained using time-series datasets had higher performance than using non-time series datasets. This study presented one alternative that could be used to determine the driver's status with an inexpensive sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the range of factors that impact health behaviours pertaining to the uptake of pneumococcal vaccination (PV) among older persons. Scoping review. This review followed Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Five databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and Embase were searched for relevant studies on PV uptake among outpatient older adults ≥65 years published between January 2013 and October 2023. Data were extracted and verified using a standardised template, and synthesised using inductive content analysis. Findings were classified according to Andersen's behavioural model of health services use (BMHSU). Twenty-seven papers were included in the final analysis. Reception of PV was influenced by predisposing factors such as (i) awareness and risk perception, (ii) demographic characteristics, and (iii) cultural beliefs towards preventive medicine; enabling factors including (i) disease and vaccine literacy, (ii) past experience with preventive health services, and (iii) access to relevant resources; as well as reinforcing factors namely, (i) vaccine efficacy and safety, (ii) social influence, (iii) support from healthcare professionals, and (iv) vaccine administration environment. Older adults' health behaviours, particularly their attitudes towards vaccination are often complex and this attests to the need for multidimensional, cross-sector barrier-specific strategies to raise PV coverage. Key issues identified in this review highlight the focus areas that healthcare providers, policy makers and other stakeholders should collaborate on to resolve underutilisation of preventive medicine and promote health among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, lots of studies demonstrated that the signals are not only sparse in some system (e.g. shearlets) but also reveal a certain structure such as sparsity in levels. Therefore, sampling strategy is designed as a variable subsampling strategy in order to use this extra structure, for example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and etc. In this paper, we investigate the uniform recovery guarantees on the signals which possess sparsity in levels with respect to a general dual frame. First, we prove that the stable and robust recovery is possible when the weighted l 2 -robust null space property in levels is satisfied. Second, we establish sufficient conditions under which subsampled isometry satisfies the weighted l 2 -robust null space property in levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comb-like polymers have shown potential as advanced materials for a diverse palette of applications due to the tunability of their polymer architecture. To date, however, it still remains a challenge to understand how the conformational properties of these polymers arise from the interplay of their architectural parameters. In this work, extensive simulations were performed using dissipative particle dynamics to investigate the effect of grafting density, backbone length, and sidechain length on the conformations of comb-like polymers immersed in a good solvent. To quantify the effect of these architectural parameters on polymer conformations, we computed the asphericity, radius of gyration, and backbone and sidechain end-to-end distances. Bond–bond correlation functions and effective Kuhn lengths were computed to quantify the topological stiffness induced by sidechain–sidechain interactions. Simulation results reveal that the effective Kuhn length increases as grafting density and sidechain length increase, in agreement with previous experimental and theoretical studies. This increase in stiffness results in comb-like polymers adopting extended conformations as grafting density and sidechain length increase. Simulation results regarding the radius of gyration of comb-like polymers as a function of grafting density are compared with scaling theory predictions based on a free energy proposed by Morozova and Lodge [ACS Macro Lett. 6, 1274–1279 (2017)] and scaling arguments by Tang et al. [Macromolecules 55, 8668–8675 (2022)]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), have been linked to alterations in tryptophan (TRP) metabolism. However, no studies to date have systematically explored changes in the TRP pathway at both transcriptional and epigenetic levels. This study aimed to investigate transcriptomic, DNA methylomic (5mC) and hydroxymethylomic (5hmC) changes within genes involved in the TRP and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) pathways in AD, using three independent cohorts. Methods: DNA derived from post-mortem middle temporal gyrus (MTG) tissue from AD patients (n = 45) and age-matched controls (n = 35) was analyzed, along with DNA derived from blood samples from two independent cohorts: the German Study on Ageing, Cognition, and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe) cohort (n = 96) and the Dutch BioBank Alzheimer Center Limburg (BBACL) cohort (n = 262). Molecular profiling, including assessing mRNA expression and DNA (hydroxy)methylation levels, was conducted using HumanHT-12 v4 Expression BeadChip and HM 450 K BeadChip arrays, respectively. Functional interactions between genes and identification of common phenotype-specific positive and negative elementary circuits were conducted using computational modeling, i.e. gene regulatory network (GRN) and network perturbational analysis. DNA methylation of IDO2 (cg11251498) was analyzed using pyrosequencing. Results: Twelve TRP- and twenty NAD-associated genes were found to be differentially expressed in the MTG of AD patients. Gene sets associated in the kynurenine pathway, the most common TRP pathway, and NAD pathway, showed enrichment at the mRNA expression level. Downstream analyses integrating data on gene expression, DNA (hydroxy)methylation, and AD pathology, as well as GRN and network perturbation analyses, identified IDO2, an immune regulatory gene, as a key candidate in AD. Notably, one CpG site in IDO2 (cg11251498) exhibited significant methylation differences between AD converters and non-converters in the AgeCoDe cohort. Conclusion: These findings reveal substantial transcriptional and epigenetic alterations in TRP- and NAD-pathway-associated genes in AD, highlighting IDO2 as a key candidate gene for further investigation. These genes and their encoded proteins hold potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PM2.5 samples were collected in Suncheon during the summer (June 2–11, 2023) and winter (January 15–21, 2024). The chemical composition analysis included carbonaceous components (OC, EC), secondary ionic components (NH4+, NO3−, SO42−), dithiothreitol - oxidative potential (QDTT-OP), and volatile organic compounds. Results showed higher summer PM2.5 concentrations due to photochemical reactions and higher winter concentrations from heating and stable atmospheric conditions. The OC/EC ratio indicated greater secondary organic aerosol formation in summer. Oxidative potential (QDTT-OPv) was higher in summer (0.12 µM/m³) than winter (0.09 µM/m³), correlating strongly with OC in summer. Health risk assessment of BTEX revealed higher concentrations in winter, with benzene as the primary contributor to lifetime cancer risk (LTCR). The cumulative hazard quotient (HQ) was higher in winter, indicating increased non-carcinogenic risk. The study highlighted that oxidative potential is more influenced by chemical composition than physical characteristics, suggesting that regulating PM2.5 concentration alone may be insufficient. VOCs, as precursors of SOA, showed a positive correlation with QDTT-OPv, with benzene exhibiting the strongest correlation in winter. These findings emphasize the need for targeted management of specific PM2.5 components to mitigate health risks effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the sex-specific effects of MTSS1 downregulation on dilated cardiomyopathy. Through population genomics and in vivo models, researchers found that MTSS1-lowering alleles were associated with smaller left ventricular volumes and higher ejection fraction, particularly in women. In murine models, reducing Mtss1 levels partially rescued dilated cardiomyopathy in female mice but not in males. The study suggests a biologic basis for sex dimorphism in cardiac remodeling and highlights the importance of probing genetic variants for sex differences in assessing cardiac disease risk accurately. [Extracted from the article]

Streptomyces produces diverse secondary metabolites of biopharmaceutical importance, yet the rate of biosynthesis of these metabolites is often hampered by complex transcriptional regulation. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of transcriptional regulation in Streptomyces is key to fully harness its genetic potential. Here, independent component analysis (ICA) of 454 high‐quality gene expression profiles of the model species Streptomyces coelicolor is performed, of which 249 profiles are newly generated for S. coelicolor cultivated on 20 different carbon sources and 64 engineered strains with overexpressed sigma factors. ICA of the transcriptome dataset reveals 117 independently modulated groups of genes (iModulons), which account for 81.6% of the variance in the dataset. The genes in each iModulon are involved in specific cellular responses, which are often transcriptionally controlled by specific regulators. Also, iModulons accurately predict 25 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters encoded in the genome. This systemic analysis leads to reveal the functions of previously uncharacterized genes, putative regulons for 40 transcriptional regulators, including 30 sigma factors, and regulation of secondary metabolism via phosphate‐ and iron‐dependent mechanisms in S. coelicolor. ICA of large transcriptomic datasets thus enlightens a new and fundamental understanding of transcriptional regulation of secondary metabolite synthesis along with interconnected metabolic processes in Streptomyces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 218 food-related segments from 18 everyday vlogs, Korean expatriate vloggers in Hong Kong and New York frame their food activities as Korean, habitual, demonstrable, communal, and familiar. The vloggers reference Korean dishes, link food activities to nationality and family, employ hyperbolic language and repetition, adapt recipe and mukbang formats, and make comparisons. These (meta)discursively and multimodally constructed framing strategies contribute to normalizing the vloggers' daily food engagement abroad. The study shows how "doing being ordinary" is inextricably intertwined with "doing being expatriate," highlighting how daily food experiences are recontextualized for the subtle presentation of the expatriate self and life through everyday vlogging. • Food activities are framed as Korean, habitual, demonstrable, communal, and familiar in everyday vlogs of Korean expatriates. • A variety of (meta)discursively and multimodally constructed framing strategies are used. • These framing strategies contribute to normalizing the vloggers' daily food engagement abroad. • "Doing being ordinary" is inextricably intertwined with "doing being expatriate.". • Daily food activities are recontextualized for the subtle presentation of the expatriate self and life via vlogging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In orthopedic surgery, precise bone screw insertion is crucial for stabilizing fractures, necessitating a preliminary cortical bone drilling procedure. However, this process can induce temperatures exceeding 70 °C due to the low thermal conductivity of cortical bone, potentially leading to thermal osteonecrosis. Furthermore, significant cutting forces and torque pose risks of tool breakage and bone damage, underlining the need for high precision and optimal processing parameters. Traditionally, drilling relies on the surgeon's experience and often results in imprecise outcomes due to inconsistent feed rates. Therefore, this study proposes the use of a 6-axis robot for controlled drilling, offering precise control over angular velocities and consistent feed rates. Additionally, explore the use of cryogenic liquid nitrogen (LN2) as a novel cooling method compared to conventional saline solutions, examining its efficacy under various cutting conditions. The results demonstrate that LN2 cooling conditions lead to a reduction in thrust and torque under specific processing conditions, and facilitate smoother chip evacuation. Additionally, LN2 significantly lowers the peak temperature around the drilling site, thus minimizing the risk of thermal osteonecrosis. Consequently, the use of a 6-axis robot provides consistent feed rates, and LN2 cooling achieves optimal processing conditions, enabling a more controlled and effective drilling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Aims Methods Results Conclusion Identifying patients with chest pain potentially due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) early is crucial for triage nurses. They need a reliable, validated screening tool.This study aims to develop an initial screening scale to detect ACS in patients presenting with chest pain in the emergency department.We analyzed electronic medical records of 3131 chest pain patients from 103,041 emergency department visits between January 2018 and December 2019. ACS diagnosis was confirmed by cardiologists through clinical symptoms, electrocardiograms, and cardiac enzyme levels. The study proceeded in four stages: (1) identifying potential ACS predictors through a literature review, (2) validating these predictors with experts, (3) comparing data between ACS and non‐ACS patients and (4) developing a screening scale based on identified predictors. Statistical methods included univariate analysis and binary logistic regression. The scale's accuracy was assessed using ROC curve analysis and compared to existing tools.Eight significant ACS predictors were identified: male sex, age over 49 for males and over 65 for females, typical symptoms, initial pain scale score of 6 or higher, pain duration of at least 10 min, history of ACS, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Each predictor was scored, with typical symptoms and severe pain receiving higher scores, totaling up to 10 points. A score of 6 or more indicated high ACS risk, demonstrating accuracy comparable to the HEART and TIMI score systems.This study developed a new ACS screening scale for use by triage nurses in emergency departments. This scale can facilitate early detection and intervention for patients at high risk of ACS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, lots of studies demonstrated that the signals are not only sparse in some system (e.g. shearlets) but also reveal a certain structure such as sparsity in levels. Therefore, sampling strategy is designed as a variable subsampling strategy in order to use this extra structure, for example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and etc. In this paper, we investigate the uniform recovery guarantees on the signals which possess sparsity in levels with respect to a general dual frame. First, we prove that the stable and robust recovery is possible when the weighted l 2 -robust null space property in levels is satisfied. Second, we establish sufficient conditions under which subsampled isometry satisfies the weighted l 2 -robust null space property in levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research discusses the use of bead-beating DNA extraction during synovial fluid collection to improve the accuracy of PCR-based genetic diagnosis for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The study compared the detection rates between conventional and bead-beating DNA extraction methods, showing an improvement from 86.7% to 95.6% accuracy with the bead-beating method. The findings suggest that bead-beating DNA extraction can enhance the accuracy of PCR-based genetic diagnosis for PJI caused by Gram-positive bacteria. [Extracted from the article]

By applying the theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism, this study explores the meanings stakeholders hold about Everglades National Park (EVER). Based on our analysis, four themes reflecting what EVER means to participants emerged: (1) A place with unique natural resources and biodiverse ecosystem habitats that should be preserved. (2) A place to see different habitats and enjoy recreation and tourism. (3) An ancestral home to look after and take care of. (4) A place for financial investment to support livelihood. We found these dimensions to be interconnected altogether playing a crucial role in shaping their experiences and meanings. Study findings illuminate the meanings of natural places social factors into protected area management. Future research should explore more the meanings stakeholders create regarding national parks, and protected areas to be able to design management strategies that reflect such meanings. Plain language summary: Understanding the meanings that stakeholders put on a particular natural area is important for fostering a relationship between managing agencies and related stakeholders. This study identifies what Everglades National Park (EVER) means to different people. To this end, residents, NGOs, federal government agencies, state/local governments, business groups, and scientists were asked to focus on the meanings the park holds for them. Using symbolic interactionism as a theoretical framework, we explored how stakeholders ascribed meanings to EVER. Analysis of the interview data generated four research themes: EVER as a place with unique natural resources and biodiverse ecosystem habitats, a place for recreation and tourism, a place for an ancestral home, and a place for financial investment. The results of this study add to the literature by delving into the specific meanings stakeholders have about the park. The results contribute by incorporating social factors into protected area management and thus helping to identify how different stakeholders view the park and what is important to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to identify how SERVQUAL forms brand relationship quality and brand loyalty with the moderating role of the type of service employees, such as robots and humans. The study collected data from 286 people who used restaurants where robots provide the services and from 300 people who used restaurants where people provide the services. In order to test the proposed hypotheses, this study employed structural equation modelling based on the AMOS program. The data analysis revealed that four of the five dimensions of SERVQUAL, which include tangibles, reliability, assurance, and empathy, help to enhance brand satisfaction. In addition, brand satisfaction has a positive influence on brand trust, brand commitment, and brand loyalty. The moderating role of the type of service employee in the relationship between utilitarian value and brand authenticity was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre (1847) foregrounds the subject of food, depicting the material culture of mid-Victorian society. The text is rife with alimentary imagery and metaphors. Each section of the novel explores different aspects of food, hunger and privation, drawing upon food motifs in varying degrees to map out the heroine's development into a moral agent. In general, food discourse tends to elucidate the major themes of the novel: childhood trauma; identity formation; education and discipline; love, marriage and sexuality. The novel thus suggests that the issue of food is associated with a wide range of human experience. It engages the reader to critically reappraise food and its consumption, seemingly a banal practice of everyday life, which resonates with material, symbolic and socio-cultural significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the etiology of hearing loss, including genetic variants, in individuals who underwent cochlear implantation (CI) in their teens to thirties. It also sought to analyze post-CI speech performance and identify prognostic factors affecting CI outcomes in this age group. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 421 cochlear implant patients at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, focusing on 63 subjects aged 10–39 years who underwent their first CI by a single surgeon between July 2018 and June 2022. The study included audiologic evaluation, molecular genetic testing, and analysis of speech performance post-CI. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25 and GraphPad Prism 7. Results: Among 63 participants (M:F, 24:39), nine underwent CI in their teens, 24 in their 20 s, and 30 in their 30 s. Most of them (40, 63.5%) had postlingual deafness. The study found that 65.2% (40/63) of subjects received a genetic diagnosis, with DFNB4 being the most common etiology (37.5%, 15/40). Post-CI speech evaluation showed an average sentence score of 80% across all subjects. Factors such as the onset of hearing loss, duration of deafness (DoD), and preoperative Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) significantly influenced CI outcomes. Notably, longer DoD was associated with poorer CI outcomes, but this did not affect individuals with postlingual hearing loss as much. Conclusion: The study concludes that in individuals aged 10–39 undergoing CI, the onset of hearing loss and preoperative SIR are critical predictors of postoperative outcomes. CI is recommended for those with postlingual hearing loss in this age group, irrespective of the DoD. The study highlights the importance of genetic factors especially DFNB4 in hearing loss etiology and underscores the value of the relatively easy-to-evaluate factor, preoperative SIR in predicting CI outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Stroke survivors may experience challenges in multiple domains (e.g., speech-language, dexterity, mobility) and pursue services from multiple professionals. Clinicians typically provide rehabilitation services in back-to-back sessions (multidisciplinary). Alternatively, two or more clinicians can co-treat a stroke survivor in one session (interdisciplinary). This pilot project examined task congruency in interdisciplinary stroke care. Method: A stroke survivor chronically challenged by non-fluent aphasia and right hemiparesis completed spoken-naming and upper-limb tasks simultaneously. The concurrent tasks were presented in two conditions: congruent (i.e., naming a pictured item while tracing the first letter of the name) and incongruent (i.e., naming a pictured item while tracing a non-symbolic shape). The sequence of the two conditions was: baseline probes, congruent practice (eight weeks), no practice (eight weeks), incongruent practice (eight weeks), and no practice (eight weeks). The entire treatment program was implemented as independent home practice utilizing a computer. Results: The participant made significant improvements in naming and clinically meaningful gains in arm movements during the congruent condition, but not during the incongruent condition. Conclusions: Data from this study suggest a potentially positive effect of simultaneous speech-language and upper-limb tasks. More research is warranted to further examine the role of task congruency in interdisciplinary stroke rehabilitation. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Stroke survivors may chronically experience challenges in multiple domains (e.g., speech-language, dexterity, and mobility). Clinicians from multiple disciplines can collaborate and co-treat a stroke survivor within an interdisciplinary framework. During a co-treatment session, a stroke survivor can achieve greater gains by completing congruent tasks (e.g., saying the name of a pictured item while writing the first letter of the name with the impaired hand), compared to incongruent tasks (e.g., saying the name of a pictured item while tracing a non-symbolic shape with the impaired hand). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the detection rate of EGFR T790M mutation by repeated rebiopsy, to identify the clinical factors related to repeated rebiopsy, and to assess survival outcomes according to the methods and numbers of repeated rebiopsies in patients with lung adenocarcinoma who received sequential osimertinib after failure of previous 1st or 2nd generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma who were confirmed to have EGFR T790M mutation and to have received osimertinib from January 2020 to February 2021 at Samsung Medical Center. The presence of T790M mutation was assessed based on either plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or tissue specimens. Results A total of 443 patients underwent rebiopsy, with 186 (42.0%) testing positive for the T790M mutation by the sixth rebiopsy. The final analysis included 143 eligible patients. Progression-free survival was not significantly different in terms of the methods (tissue: 13.3 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [9.4, 23.5] vs plasma: 11.1 months, 95% CI: [8.1, 19.4], p = 0.33) and numbers (one: 13.4 months, 95% CI: [9.4, 23.5] vs two or more: 11.0 months, 95% CI: [8.1, 14.8], p = 0.51) of repeated rebiopsies. Longer overall survival (OS) was found in patients in whom T790M was detected by tissue specimens rather than by plasma ctDNA (2-year OS rate: 81.7% for tissue vs 63.9% for plasma, p = 0.0038). Factors related to the lower numbers of rebiopsies included age and bone metastasis. Factor associated with T790M detection in tissue rather than in plasma was pleural metastasis, while advanced tumor stage was related to T790M confirmation in plasma rather than in tissue. Conclusions: Repeated rebiopsy for T790M detection in patients with NSCLC can increase the detection rate of the mutation. Detection of T790M by plasma ctDNA might be related to poor survival outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research on destination image has insufficiently advocated the use of a don’t know option in surveys in the context of its measurement. This research demonstrates the application of the don’t know option in cross-border travel to Macao. It further compares the utility of the don’t know option for residents vis-a-vis tourists by destination attributes. For tourists and residents, results show that meeting, incentives, conference, and exhibition participants had the highest percentage of don’t know responses, followed by Macanese cuisine and Buddhism/Taoism. These items also exhibited the lowest mean values, suggesting they are lesser known. This research practically and theoretically confirms the usefulness of the don’t know option in destination image research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clean beauty market is projected to reach 39 billion USD by 2033, reflecting the growing demand from consumers who are increasingly conscious of the ingredients in their personal care products. As this trend continues, it has become more crucial to examine the composition of clean beauty products to better assess their safety, efficacy, and impact on consumer health and behavior. However, the lack of a universal consensus on the definition of "clean" has led to varied interpretations within the cosmeceutical and skincare industry. In some cases, the clean beauty movement's vilification of certain ingredients, such as preservatives, has led to their replacement with potentially more allergenic alternatives, like isothiazolinones. These unintended consequences and the ambiguity surrounding the term "clean" warrant further investigation. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of allergenic ingredients in clean-labeled skincare products. Methods: The ingredient lists of 313 moisturizers, cleansers, and sunscreens in the "clean skincare" category of the leading online beauty store worldwide (sephora.com) were carefully assessed for the presence of potentially allergenic compounds, selected based on the American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allergen listings. Results: Tocopherol, an antioxidant and preservative, was the most common allergen found in the moisturizer and sunscreen categories, present in 73.8% and 63.8% of these products, respectively. Alkyl glucosides were the most common allergens in cleansers, found in 46.7% of products. Preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and benzoate derivatives were consistently present across all three product categories. Conclusions: This study shows that clean-labeled skincare products often contain allergenic ingredients, underscoring the complexity and potential misinterpretation of the safety of these products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explores how the autumn-spawning bitterling, Acheilognathus rhombeus, reproduces and develops within its mussel host. The research highlights how these fish lay their eggs inside mussels, which then serve as a safe environment for the eggs to develop over winter. A critical phase, called diapause, allows the embryos to pause their development for about seven months, ensuring they survive the cold winter months. Once the temperature rises above 10 °C, development resumes. During this time, tiny structures on the embryos called minute tubercles help anchor them within the mussel, preventing them from being expelled prematurely. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between the bitterlings and their mussel hosts, revealing important evolutionary adaptations that aid in the reproductive success and survival of these fish. We investigated the reproductive strategies and embryonic development of Acheilognathus rhombeus (a bitterling species that spawns in autumn) within its freshwater mussel host in the Bongseo Stream, South Korea. By focusing on survival mechanisms during critical stages of embryonic development, the selective use of mussel gill demibranchs by the bitterlings and associated adaptive traits were observed over 1 year. A significant diapause phase occurs at developmental stage D, which lasts for approximately 7 months, allowing embryos to survive winter. Development resumes when the temperature exceeds 10 °C. Minute tubercles on the embryos (crucial for anchoring within the host gill demibranchs and preventing premature ejection) exhibit the largest height during diapause, and the height decreases when developmental stage E is reached, when growth resumes. Acheilognathus rhombeus embryos were observed in 30.5% of the mussels, mostly within the inner gills, thereby maximizing spatial use and oxygen access to enhance survival. These results highlight the intricate relationship between A. rhombeus and its mussel hosts, demonstrating the evolutionary adaptations that enhance reproductive success and survival. This study provides valuable insights into the ecological dynamics and conservation requirements of such symbiotic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the effects of COVID-19 and gender differences in depressive symptoms in older adults using data from the 7th (2018) and 8th (2020) surveys of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. A panel two-way-fixed effects model was used to control for individual fixed effects and time effects. A 0.1% point increase in the intensity of COVID-19 was associated with an average increase of 1.5 points out of 10 on the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, 10-item version (CES-D10) among older adults. The increase in depression was greater among women. Depressive factors due to COVID-19 among older adults are more likely to be related to negative emotions or interpersonal relationships than to physical and behavioral decline. Depression prevention policies for older adults should be informed by these gender differences. While older men require assistance with instrumental activities of daily living such as housework, meal preparation, etc., older women should be provided with online socialization opportunities to interact with others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suffusion refers to the loss of small particles in a soil matrix without volume changes, caused by hydrodynamic forces and alternation of pore fluid chemistry. This study investigated the ionic concentration (IC)-induced suffusion of sand–clay mixtures under saturated and unsaturated conditions through laboratory soil-column experiments. The impacts of clay mineralogy and sand-grain size on suffusion were investigated based on the breakthrough curves (BTCs) obtained from the soil-column experiments. In addition, the degree of saturation during the experiments was measured to assess the impact of the saturation state on suffusion in the sand–clay mixtures. The observed BTCs in this study demonstrated that suffusion was more significant under saturated conditions than unsaturated conditions for the sand–kaolinite and sand–illite mixtures. In contrast, the sand–bentonite mixtures exhibited higher susceptibility to suffusion under unsaturated conditions. Moreover, for the sand–kaolinite mixtures, a higher susceptibility to suffusion was observed with smaller sand-grain sizes under saturated conditions, whereas the opposite trend was observed under unsaturated conditions. This study provides insights into the suffusion behavior of sand–clay mixtures, considering influential factors such as clay type, sand-grain size, and IC gradient under both saturated and unsaturated conditions, which highlight the importance of considering the saturation state for a comprehensive understanding of suffusion in the sand–clay mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of steel connections is essential in structural fire design and analysis for steel-framed composite structures. The current structural design provisions provide strength reduction factors of load-carrying members and their end-connection elements at elevated temperatures, based on small-scale experiments under uniform heating conditions. The realistic thermal and structural evolution in member connections, especially as part of full-scale floor assemblies exposed to a large compartment fire, has not been well characterized. A large compartment fire experiment was recently conducted on a 9.1 m by 6.1 m composite floor assembly as part of a two-story steel-framed building. The test assembly had a total of ten shear-tab (fin-plate) connections subjected to combined fire and mechanical loading. This paper presents the measured thermal response of these connections to fire and comparison with the corresponding Eurocode 3 predictions with two methods (1) incorporating the beam bottom flange temperature at midspan and (2) the section factor method. The results show that the Eurocode 3 methods conservatively predict the maximum temperature during heating and the cooling rate but overestimate the high-temperature strength of connections when estimated using the section factor method, showing that the Eurocode 3 simplified approaches are not meant to provide the details of the failure mode for connections. This study suggests that estimating the strength of connections using strength reduction factors may not guarantee a safe structural fire design. In addition, this paper estimated the total axial force (from slab and beam) at the composite connection via using the strain gauge measurements close to the column bases which were not exposed to fire. It suggests realistic axial load and rotational demand on the shear connection due to restraints to thermal elongation or contraction of supported members should be considered in future design guidance as should designing and detailing the connections for ductility to withstand the inelastic deformation demands during the heating and the cooling phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brodie's abscess, a subtype of subacute osteomyelitis, is very rare, accounting for 2.4% of subacute osteomyelitis. It is caused by a lower virulence organism, so it is not accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, and local symptoms appear insidiously. The disease when it is found through radiologic exams, is likely to be confused with bone tumors, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. The authors experienced a brodie abscess of the proximal tibia, which was difficult to diagnose due to the inconspicuous symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, the efficacy of bismuth remains inconclusive. We aimed to compare the efficacy of bismuth on various H. pylori eradication regimens. Methods: Randomized controlled trials were collected to compare the efficacy of bismuth to nonbismuth regimens in H. pylori eradication. We pooled information to study eradication, adverse events, and drug compliance. In addition, subgroup analyses for eradication efficacy were performed according to high or low clarithromycin‐resistance area, bismuth drug form, and amount of bismuth element. Results: Records for a total of 2506 patients in 15 trials from 13 randomized controlled studies were included. The eradication of H. pylori was superior when bismuth compared to nonbismuth regimen (odds ratio [OR] = 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33–2.00 in intention‐to‐treat [ITT]; OR = 2.05, 95% CI, 1.58–2.68 in per‐protocol [PP] analyses), without significant difference in drug compliance or adverse events. Bismuth regimens in the high clarithromycin resistance area tend to enhance the eradication rate (OR = 1.66, 95% CI, 1.34–2.05 in ITT; OR = 2.22, 95% CI, 1.67–2.95 in PP analyses). Bismuth potassium citrate and bismuth subcitrate were more effective drug forms in regard to eradication rate. Bismuth at a dosage of < 500 mg/day was significantly higher for the eradication rate. Conclusions: Bismuth to the H. pylori eradication regimens achieve a higher eradication rate, especially in the high clarithromycin resistance area. It could be an eradication option achieving sufficient resistance rates without increasing antibiotic resistance, side effects, or poor compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal erosion by suffusion within a sand–clay mixture may occur as detachment of clay particles, which is induced by a decrease in ionic concentration (IC) along with application of a high hydraulic gradient. Through designed laboratory soil-column experiments, this study investigates the impact of the IC gradient (stepwise or gradual decrease), clay mineralogy, sand particle size and hydraulic gradient on the suffusion of a sand–clay mixture. The observed breakthrough concentration of clay particles revealed the substantial suffusion of a sand–clay mixture caused by a stepwise decrease in the IC for kaolinite and illite, while similar filtrated quantities of bentonite were observed for stepwise and gradual decreases in IC. In addition, the small-grained sand showed a relatively high susceptibility to suffusion by a stepwise decrease in IC, most likely because of the low reattachment of detached clay particles. The mass of filtrated clay particles evaluated from the area of the observed breakthrough curves in this study provides a clear insight into the need to incorporate the IC gradient when assessing the susceptibility to the suffusion of clay-containing soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most predominant cause of dementia, considered a progressive decline in cognitive function that ultimately leads to death. AD has posed a substantial challenge in the records of medical science over the past century, representing a predominant etiology of dementia with a high prevalence rate. Neuroinflammation is a common characteristic of various central nervous system (CNS) pathologies like AD, primarily mediated by specialized brain immune and inflammatory cells, such as astrocytes and microglia. The present study aims to elucidate the potential mechanism of physcion that mitigates LPS-induced gliosis and assesses oxidative stress in mice. Physcion reduced the reactivity of Iba-1- and GFAP-positive cells and decreased the level of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β. Physcion also reversed the effect of LPS-induced oxidative stress by upregulating the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. Moreover, physcion treatment reversed LPS-induced synaptic disorder by increasing the level of presynaptic protein SNAP-23 and postsynaptic protein PSD-95. Our findings may provide a contemporary theoretical framework for clinical investigations aimed at examining the pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for neuroinflammation and AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an ongoing controversy regarding whether single-occupancy rooms are superior to multiple-occupancy rooms in terms of infection prevention. We investigated whether treatment in a multiple-occupancy room is associated with an increased incidence of nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with treatment in a single-occupancy room. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, every hospitalization period of adult patients aged ≥ 18 years at a tertiary hospital in Korea from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, was analyzed. If COVID-19 was diagnosed more than 5 days after hospitalization, the case was classified as nosocomial. We estimated the association between the number of patients per room and the risk of nosocomial COVID-19 using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: In total, 25,143 hospitalizations per room type were analyzed. The incidence rate of nosocomial COVID-19 increased according to the number of patients per room; it ranged from 3.05 to 38.64 cases per 10,000 patient-days between single- and 6-bed rooms, respectively. Additionally, the hazard ratios of nosocomial COVID-19 showed an increasing trend according to the number of patients per room, ranging from 0.14 (95% confidence interval 0.001–1.03) to 2.66 (95% confidence interval 1.60–4.85) between single- and 6-bed rooms, respectively. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the incidence of nosocomial COVID-19 increased according to the number of patients per room. To reduce nosocomial infections by respiratory viruses, the use of multiple-occupancy rooms should be minimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggravated COVID-19 pandemic has induced stress and impacted employees’ job insecurity and service behaviors across the airline industry. This study examines whether COVID-19-induced stress influences flight attendants’ pro-social service behavior through job insecurity and job stress. Initially, a COVID-19-induced stress measurement was developed. This was followed by a quantitative survey of 322 flight attendants, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Subsequently, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 flight attendants to explore the identified factors further. This study utilized partial least squares (PLS) path modeling with the SmartPLS software to test the hypotheses in the proposed theoretical model. The study findings suggest that stress induced by COVID-19 amplifies feelings of job insecurity and job-related stress among flight attendants. Consequently, this heightened stress adversely affects pro-social service behaviors, leading to a decrease in their manifestation. The direct and indirect effects of COVID-induced stress differ according to job position. Unexpectedly, job insecurity has no impact on the pro-social service behaviors, highlighting the complexity of employee responses to stress and the potential for adaptation in crisis contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions pose a significant threat to the delicate balance between human society and the natural environment. Carbon capture and sequestration is a technology designed to selectively capture CO2 emissions generated from power plants and industrial facilities, preventing them from entering the atmosphere. Diamine‐modified metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) show promising capabilities in achieving remarkable CO2 capacities, highlighting their potential for effective CO2 capture applications. Herein, using MOF‐74 type frameworks, we discussed our various methodologies designed to enhance the CO2 adsorption capacity, while also tackling the issue of maintaining structural integrity over prolonged periods, especially in humid environments. The challenges and prospects for CO2 capture by diamine‐functionalized hydrophobic MOFs are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: A major obstacle in translating the therapeutic potential of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors is the blood–brain barrier. To overcome this limitation, preclinical and clinical studies have supported the use of repeated, locoregional intracranial CAR T-cell delivery. However, there is limited literature available describing the process for the involvement of an investigational drug service (IDS) pharmacy, particularly in the setting of a children’s hospital with outpatient dosing for CNS tumors. OBJECTIVES: To describe Seattle Children’s Hospital’s experience in clinically producing CAR T cells and the implementation of IDS pharmacy practices used to deliver more than 300 intracranial CAR T-cell doses to children, as well as to share how we refined the processing techniques from CAR T-cell generation to the thawing of fractionated doses for intracranial delivery. METHODS: Autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were collected and transduced to express HER2, EGFR, or B7-H3–specific CAR T cells. Cryopreserved CAR T cells were thawed by the IDS pharmacy before intracranial delivery to patients with recurrent/refractory CNS tumors or with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma/diffuse midline glioma. RESULTS: The use of a thaw-and-dilute procedure for cryopreserved individual CAR T-cell doses provides reliable viability and is more efficient than typical thaw-and-wash protocols. Cell viability with the thaw-and-dilute protocol was approximately 75% and was always within 10% of the viability assessed at cryopreservation. Cell viability was preserved through 6 hours after thawing, which exceeded the 1-hour time frame from thawing to infusion. CONCLUSION: As the field of adoptive immunotherapy grows and continues to bring hope to patients with fatal CNS malignancies, it is critical to focus on improving the preparatory steps for CAR T-cell delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors are frequently prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes; however, their cost can pose a significant barrier for those with impaired kidney function. This study aimed to estimate the economic benefits of substituting non-renal dose-adjusted (NRDA) DPP4 inhibitors with renal dose-adjusted (RDA) DPP4 inhibitors in patients with both impaired kidney function and type 2 diabetes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018, using data obtained from common data models of five medical centers in Korea. Model 1 applied the prescription pattern of participants with preserved kidney function to those with impaired kidney function. In contrast, model 2 replaced all NRDA DPP4 inhibitors with RDA DPP4 inhibitors, adjusting the doses of RDA DPP4 inhibitors based on individual kidney function. The primary outcome was the cost difference between the two models. Results: In total, 67,964,996 prescription records were analyzed. NRDA DPP4 inhibitors were more frequently prescribed to patients with impaired kidney function than in those with preserved kidney function (25.7%, 51.3%, 64.3%, and 71.6% in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rates [eGFRs] of =60, <60, <45, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). When model 1 was applied, the cost savings per year were 7.6% for eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 30.4% for eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. According to model 2, 15.4% to 51.2% per year could be saved depending on kidney impairment severity. Conclusion: Adjusting the doses of RDA DPP4 inhibitors based on individual kidney function could alleviate the economic burden associated with medical expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Social distancing policies and school closures in South Korea induced by coronavirus disease 2019 have raised concerns about a lower chance of exposure to sunlight in children and adolescents. This study investigates changes in the vitamin D status of children and adolescents following the pandemic. Methods: This retrospective study includes healthy children aged 3–18 years who visited Hanyang University Hospitals in Seoul or Guri during pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods. August 2017 to July 2019 is defined as the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, while the period from July 2020 to July 2021 is defined as post-COVID-19 or "during the pandemic." Propensity scores were used to match the prepandemic and pandemic groups 1:1 based on age, sex, season of blood collection, and body mass index z-score to compare vitamin D status among subjects. Results: Among 786 eligible children, 506 were matched using propensity scores. There were no significant differences in mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) levels (20.1±6.5 ng/mL vs. 19.9±6.3 ng/mL, P>0.05) or vitamin D deficiency rates (53.0% vs. 54.9%, P>0.05) between the prepandemic and pandemic groups. Seasonal analysis revealed lower mean serum 25(OH)D levels during the pandemic in winter/spring seasons in comparison to these levels in subjects in prepandemic winter/spring seasons (19.1±3.8 ng/mL vs. 17.2±3.7 ng/mL, P=0.006). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Korean children and adolescents showed similar serum 25(OH)D levels and vitamin D status to the prepandemic period, with a significant decrease in these measures observed in winter/spring seasons only. Prolonged confinement, such as in pandemic circumstances, underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of vitamin D status and supplementation, particularly in high-risk seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neoadjuvant cisplatin‐based chemotherapy (NAC) followed by cystectomy is the standard of care for patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Pathologic complete response (pCR) is associated with favorable outcomes, but only 30%–40% of patients achieve that response. The aim of this study is to investigate the role played by the Tumor and Immune Microenvironment (TIME) in association with the clinical outcome of patients with MIBC undergoing NAC. Methods: Nineteen patients received NAC and were classified as pCR (n = 10) or non‐pCR (n = 9). Bulk RNA‐seq and immune protein evaluations using Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) were performed on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tumor biopsies collected before NAC (baseline). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) evaluation focused on CD3 and CD20 expression was performed on baseline and end‐of‐treatment (EOT) FFPEs. Baseline peripheral blood was assessed for lymphocyte and neutrophil counts. Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox PH regression models were used for survival analyses (OS). Results: In the periphery, pCR patients showed lower neutrophil counts, and neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio (NLR) when compared to non‐pCR patients. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), gene expression analysis and protein evaluations highlighted an abundance of B cells and CD3+ T cells in pCR versus non‐pCR patients. On the contrary, increased protein expression of ARG1+ cells, and cells expressing immune checkpoints such as LAG3, ICOS, and STING were observed in the TME of patients with non‐pCR. Conclusions: In the current study, we demonstrated that lower NLR levels and increased CD3+ T cells and B cell infiltration are associated with improved response and long‐term outcomes in patients with MIBC receiving NAC. These findings suggest that the impact of immune environment should be considered in determining the clinical outcome of MIBC patients treated with NAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Top-down and bottom-up genome streamlining (or synthesis) are the two distinct modalities for synthetic genome construction. Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) plays multiple roles, including debugging system abnormalities, exploring emergent properties of minimal genomes, and providing design principles for genome-scale engineering. The genome 'reductionist' approach is an engineering method that markedly improves strain performance. Advances in genome synthesis technology have opened up new possibilities for the chemical synthesis of customized designer genomes with specialized functions. The synthetic minimal genome JCVI-syn3.0 and its derivatives serve as conducive platforms for studying fundamental aspects of genome composition and organization. Advances in systems and synthetic biology have propelled the construction of reduced bacterial genomes. Genome reduction was initially focused on exploring properties of minimal genomes, but more recently it has been deployed as an engineering strategy to enhance strain performance. This review provides the latest updates on reduced genomes, focusing on dual-track approaches of top-down reduction and bottom-up synthesis for their construction. Using cases from studies that are based on established industrial workhorse strains, we discuss the construction of a series of synthetic phenotypes that are candidates for biotechnological applications. Finally, we address the possible uses of reduced genomes for biotechnological applications and the needed future research directions that may ultimately lead to the total synthesis of rationally designed genomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of premalignant colorectal polyps is significantly influenced by various lifestyle and modifiable risk factors. In our study, we used a large cohort of 9025 patients, who underwent screening colonoscopies at a university hospital, to assess the risk factors associated with the development of three different colorectal cancer precursor lesions: non-advanced adenomas (NAs), advanced adenomatous lesions (ADLs), and sessile serrated lesions (SSLs). Among the participants, 3641 had NAs, 836 had ADLs, and 533 had SSLs. We identified obesity, current smoking, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass as modifiable lifestyle risk factors that increase the development of NAs and ADLs (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between the degree of obesity and an increased risk of developing NAs and ADLs (all P for trend < 0.001), while non-smoking was associated with a decreased risk (P for trend < 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Smoking was the only modifiable risk factor for developing SSLs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–2.07), and the risk was even higher in patients with metabolic syndrome (aOR 1.71; 95% CI 1.05–2.77). Addressing modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity could play an important role in reducing the risk of both non-advanced and advanced adenomatous lesions. Smoking cessation is especially important as it is a significant modifiable risk factor for sessile serrated lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]