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PURPOSE: The Blood First Assay Screening Trial (BFAST) is a prospective study using next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in treatment-naïve advanced/metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared liquid biopsy to tissue testing and analyzed genomic alterations in Taiwanese patients with NSCLC using the BFAST database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 269 patients underwent FoundationOne Liquid Companion Diagnostic (F1LCDx) assay at the National Taiwan University Hospital, of whom 264 underwent tissue-based genetic testing also. We analyzed the actionable mutations and the concordance between tissue-based genetic testing, which was limited to EGFR , ALK , ROS1 , and BRAF , in a real-life clinical setting and blood-based NGS in the clinical trial. Additionally, we analyzed the co-occurring genomic alterations from the blood-based ctDNA assay. RESULTS: A total of 76.2% patients showed actionable mutations. Standard tissue testing did not detect known driver alterations in about 22.7% of the patients (sensitivity, 70.24%). Liquid NGS detected additional mutations (RET , KRAS , MET , and ErbB2) in 14% of the patients, which went undetected by the standard-of-care testing. The complementary use of ctDNA NGS increased the detection rate by 42%. The F1LCDx assay had a sensitivity of 83.41%. Lower tumor and metastasis stages predicted nondetected blood-based NGS ctDNA results. Common co-occurring mutations in the blood-based NGS ctDNA assay were TP53 , DNMT3A , TET2 , PIK3CA , CTNNB1 , and RB1. Among the patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, TET2 co-occurring alterations correlated with shorter progression-free survival of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. CONCLUSION: NGS ctDNA analysis in comprehensive genetic testing improves actionable mutation identification, vital for treating Asian NSCLC cases with high actionable mutation rates. Lower stages correlated with undetected blood-based NGS ctDNA assay results. Genomic analysis using a blood-based ctDNA assay enhances actionable mutation detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) administration at varying distances from the incision (ES distance) does not significantly affect postoperative pain scores within the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for lumbar spine surgery. • Postoperative pain management with ESPB shows no significant difference in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores between different ES distances immediately after surgery and up to 72 hours postoperatively within the ERAS group. • Patients in the ERAS group reported significantly lower pain scores and reduced morphine consumption compared to the non-ERAS group, indicating the effectiveness of the ERAS protocol. • ERAS protocols facilitated quicker resumption of diet and reduced the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. • The study suggests that lumbar ESPB may be preferable due to difficulties with sonovisualization and to avoid the risk of pleural injury, establishing a safe and effective range for ESPB application. Postoperative pain control following spine surgery can be difficult. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs use multimodal approaches to manage postoperative pain. While an erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is commonly utilized, the ideal distance for injection from the incision, referred to as the ES (ESPB to mid-surgical level) distance, remains undetermined. We evaluated the impact of varying ES distances for ESPB on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) measures of postoperative pain within the ERAS protocol. Retrospective observational study. Adult patients who underwent elective lumbar spine fusion surgery. Primary outcome measures include the comparative postoperative NRS scores across groups at immediate (T1), 24 (T2), 48 (T3), and 72 (T4) hours postsurgery. For secondary outcomes, a propensity matching analysis compared these outcomes between the ERAS and non-ERAS groups, with opioid-related recovery metrics also assessed. All included patients were assigned to one of three ERAS groups according to the ES distance: Group 1 (G1, ES > 3 segments), Group 2 (G2, ES = 2–3 segments), and Group 3 (G3, ES<2 segments). Each patient underwent a bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB with 60 mL of diluted ropivacaine or bupivacaine. Patients within the ERAS cohort reported mild pain (NRS < 3), with no significant NRS variation across G1 to G3 at any time. Sixty-five patients were matched across ERAS and non-ERAS groups. The ERAS group exhibited significantly lower NRS scores from T1 to T3 than the non-ERAS group. Total morphine consumption during hospitalization was 26.7 mg for ERAS and 41.5 mg for non-ERAS patients. The ERAS group resumed water and food intake sooner and had less postoperative nausea and vomiting. ESPBs can be effectively administered at or near the mid-surgical level to the low thoracic region for lumbar spine surgeries. Given challenges with sonovisualization, a lumbar ESPB may be preferred to minimize the risk of inadvertent pleural injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) might have gait deviations, but few previous studies have discussed gait compensatory movements of the proximal and distal parts of muscle groups related to KOA. The study aimed to measure lumbar and hip movements during gait test and collect muscle activities of the lower extremities. Thirty-four participants with KOA and 28 healthy participants aged over 50 years were recruited for this study. Lumbar and hip motions during walking test were measured using inertial measurement units. Four muscle groups of the lower extremity (erector spinae, gluteus maximus, quadriceps muscle, and gastrocnemius) activities in gait were collected using surface EMGs. KOA patients used an 2.12∘anterior inclined lumbar spine (p = 0.007) and 22.94∘ flexed hip (p = 0.001) in gait compared to healthy participants. The KOA patients had a small hip movement range 30.19∘(p = 0.001) and a higher asymmetric stance time ratio 0.39 (p = 0.006). Patients with KOA showed decreased erector spinae and gluteus maximus muscle activation and increased activation of the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles during gait. In conclusion, patients with KOA used a hyperlordotic lumbar and hip flexed strategy, which overactivates distal extensor muscles through the whole gait and might cause overstress on the lower extremity joints. • Investigation on compensatory movements of the proximal and distal parts of muscle groups related to knee osteoarthritis. • Measurement and analysis on lumbar and hip movements and muscle activities collection of lower extremities during gait. • Inertial and surface EMGs measurement performed on 34 participants with KOA and 28 healthy ones. • Patients with KOA using a hyperlordotic lumbar and hip flexed strategy cause overstress on lower extremity joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The Blood First Assay Screening Trial (BFAST) is a prospective study using next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in treatment-naïve advanced/metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared liquid biopsy to tissue testing and analyzed genomic alterations in Taiwanese patients with NSCLC using the BFAST database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 269 patients underwent FoundationOne Liquid Companion Diagnostic (F1LCDx) assay at the National Taiwan University Hospital, of whom 264 underwent tissue-based genetic testing also. We analyzed the actionable mutations and the concordance between tissue-based genetic testing, which was limited to EGFR , ALK , ROS1 , and BRAF , in a real-life clinical setting and blood-based NGS in the clinical trial. Additionally, we analyzed the co-occurring genomic alterations from the blood-based ctDNA assay. RESULTS: A total of 76.2% patients showed actionable mutations. Standard tissue testing did not detect known driver alterations in about 22.7% of the patients (sensitivity, 70.24%). Liquid NGS detected additional mutations (RET , KRAS , MET , and ErbB2) in 14% of the patients, which went undetected by the standard-of-care testing. The complementary use of ctDNA NGS increased the detection rate by 42%. The F1LCDx assay had a sensitivity of 83.41%. Lower tumor and metastasis stages predicted nondetected blood-based NGS ctDNA results. Common co-occurring mutations in the blood-based NGS ctDNA assay were TP53 , DNMT3A , TET2 , PIK3CA , CTNNB1 , and RB1. Among the patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, TET2 co-occurring alterations correlated with shorter progression-free survival of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. CONCLUSION: NGS ctDNA analysis in comprehensive genetic testing improves actionable mutation identification, vital for treating Asian NSCLC cases with high actionable mutation rates. Lower stages correlated with undetected blood-based NGS ctDNA assay results. Genomic analysis using a blood-based ctDNA assay enhances actionable mutation detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is currently a steadily growing number of disabled students at universities in Taiwan, there has been as yet no research concerning the attitude towards inclusive education of university instructors. This study investigated differences in attitude towards inclusive education among instructors at universities in Taiwan using a 'University Instructor Attitude towards Inclusive Education' questionnaire to examine instructors' attitudes and the differences in inclusive education of instructors' attitudes in various background variables. The inclusive education attitude questionnaire contained three subscales respectively examining cognition, affection, and behavioural tendencies; 299 valid ones of the 400 distributed questionnaires were collected, the valid questionnaire response rate was 74.7%. The study revealed that while university instructors in Taiwan had an active, positive attitude towards inclusive education, there were significant differences in attitude towards inclusive education among instructors with different gender, special education backgrounds, school type, and teaching field. This study also makes recommendations based on our findings, hopes to provide a reference aiding the drafting of special education policies at the higher education level in Taiwan, and also seeks to provide Taiwan's experience to other countries as a reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacodynamic models have described the interactions between anesthetics. Applying the models to clinical practice is still problematic due to inherent limitations: 1. modeling conditions are different from practice. 2. One model can only describe one endpoint. To tackle these, we propose a new method of model validation for recovery and intraprocedural sedation adequacy with a three-drug pharmacodynamic model using six published clinical studies that contain midazolam, opioid, and propofol. Mean drug dose, intraprocedural sedation level, procedure, and recovery time are extracted from each study. Simulated drug regimens are designed to best approximate study conditions. A published deep sedation model is used for simulation. Model-predicted recovery time and intraprocedural sedation scores are compared with the original clinical study outcomes. The model successfully predicted recovery times in eight out of nine regimens. Lower doses of midazolam are associated with faster recovery. Model prediction of intraprocedural sedation level was compatible with the clinical studies in five out of seven regimens. The three-drug pharmacodynamic model describes the course of gastrointestinal endoscopy sedations from clinical studies well. Model predictions are consistent with the results from clinical studies. The approach implies that large scale validation can be performed repeatedly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propofol and fentanyl are commonly used agents for the induction of anesthesia, and are often associated with hemodynamic disturbances. Understanding pharmacodynamic impacts is vital for parasympathetic and sympathetic tones during the anesthesia induction period. Inspired by the thermodynamic interaction between drug concentrations and effects, we established a machine-learning-based response surface model (MLRSM) to address this predicament. Then, we investigated and modeled the biomedical phenomena in the autonomic nervous system. Our study prospectively enrolled 60 patients, and the participants were assigned to two groups randomly and equally. Group 1 received propofol first, followed by fentanyl, and the drug sequence followed an inverse procedure in Group 2. Then, we extracted and analyzed the spectrograms of electrocardiography (ECG) and pulse photoplethysmography (PPG) signals after induction of propofol and fentanyl. Eventually, we utilized the proposed MLRSM to evaluate the relationship between anesthetics and the integrity/balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity by employing the power of high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) bands and PPG amplitude (PPGA). It is worth emphasizing that the proposed MLRSM exhibits a similar mathematical form to the conventional Greco model, but with better computational performance. Furthermore, the MLRSM has a theoretical foundation and flexibility for arbitrary numbers of drug combinations. The modeling results are consistent with the previous literature. We employed the bootstrap algorithm to inspect the results' consistency and measure the various statistical fluctuations. Then, the comparison between the modeling and the bootstrapping results was used to validate the statistical stability and the feasibility of the proposed MLRSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies have focused primarily on self-oriented anxiety (i.e., anxiety over one's infection) in the pandemic context, and the role of community risk is largely ignored. This study addressed these gaps by examining (a) self-oriented anxiety and two forms of others-oriented anxiety (i.e., anxiety concerning others' health and societal problems), (b) the associations between all these forms of anxiety and physical distancing practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (c) the hypothesized moderating role of community risk factors. The participants were 703 U.S. community-dwelling adults who completed an online survey. Geo-identifier data were extracted to identify the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and four social vulnerability indexes for the county in which each participant resided. Both forms of others-oriented anxiety were positively associated with physical distancing adoption, and the association was stronger among the participants residing in lower-risk communities (i.e., fewer confirmed COVID-19 cases, higher socioeconomic status, and better housing conditions). The study's novel findings reveal the protective role of anxiety, particularly anxiety concerning others' well-being, in encouraging people to adopt physical distancing during a pandemic. However, the protective role of anxiety is contingent upon certain community risk factors. Anxiety is more beneficial to residents of low- rather than high-risk communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsurface oxygen has been proposed to be crucial in oxide‐derived copper (OD‐Cu) electrocatalysts for enhancing the binding of CO intermediates during CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the presence of such oxygen species under reductive conditions still remains debated. In this work, the existence of subsurface oxygen is validated by grazing incident hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, where OD‐Cu was prepared by reduction of Cu oxide with H2 without exposing to air. The results suggest two types of subsurface oxygen embedded between the fully reduced metallic surface and the Cu2O buried beneath: (i) oxygen staying at lattice defects and/or vacancies in the surface‐most region and (ii) interstitial oxygen intercalated in metal structure. This study adds convincing support to the presence of subsurface oxygen in OD‐Cu, which previously has been suggested to play an important role to mitigate the σ‐repulsion of Cu for CO intermediates in CO2RR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsurface oxygen has been proposed to be crucial in oxide‐derived copper (OD‐Cu) electrocatalysts for enhancing the binding of CO intermediates during CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the presence of such oxygen species under reductive conditions still remains debated. In this work, the existence of subsurface oxygen is validated by grazing incident hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, where OD‐Cu was prepared by reduction of Cu oxide with H2 without exposing to air. The results suggest two types of subsurface oxygen embedded between the fully reduced metallic surface and the Cu2O buried beneath: (i) oxygen staying at lattice defects and/or vacancies in the surface‐most region and (ii) interstitial oxygen intercalated in metal structure. This study adds convincing support to the presence of subsurface oxygen in OD‐Cu, which previously has been suggested to play an important role to mitigate the σ‐repulsion of Cu for CO intermediates in CO2RR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heightened public anxiety was observed at the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study enriches scholarly understanding of this mass response by investigating both generic and pandemic-specific anxiety that explain preventive health behavior.Methods: In our two-phase, mixed-methods study, pandemic-specific anxiety items elicited during the qualitative phase from March 2-8, 2020 were then tested in the quantitative phase from March 16-22, 2020. Eligible participants were U.S. or U.K. residents aged 18-65.Results: Of the 1,400 participants, 52% met the criteria for moderate to severe anxiety. In addition to anxiety over possible personal COVID-19 infection, participants were also anxious about others' health, others' reactions (e.g., panic-buying, discrimination), societal problems (e.g., economic slowdown, healthcare system breakdown), and personal finances. The positive association between generic anxiety and hygiene practice frequency was explained by two interpersonal-oriented forms of pandemic-specific anxiety: anxiety over others' health (b = 0•0040, 95% CI: 0•0031-0•0050) and others' reactions (0•0031, 0•0021-0•0042).Limitations: The study was conducted with participants from developed countries at an early stage of the pandemic, and the results were not necessarily generalizable to developing countries or other stages of the pandemic. Also, hygiene practices was the sole behavior of interest, and the findings may differ for other behaviors.Conclusions: The new findings indicate the importance of adopting a nuanced approach that unveils the multifaceted nature of anxiety using a mixed-methods design. Individuals from COVID-19-affected regions experience pandemic-specific anxiety due to concerns related to not only personal but also interpersonal-oriented issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although an array of maternal and child-centered risks have been researched, considerably less is known about the effects of paternal influences on child's birth outcomes and early development. This longitudinal study thus examined the effects of paternal influences (parental stress, partner support, childcare and nursing, and father-child interaction) from early pregnancy to 2 years postpartum on pregnancy outcomes and toddlerhood development, with a simultaneous consideration of maternal depression.Methods: Pregnant women together with their partners were recruited from 2011 to 2016 at five selected hospitals in Taipei, Taiwan. In total, 440 families completed seven assessments from early pregnancy to 2 years postpartum. Self-reported data were analyzed using logistic regression and generalized estimating equation models.Results: The increment in parental stress from early to late pregnancy was independently and significantly associated with higher risks of low birthweight (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-27.7). In the postpartum years, paternal poorer childcare and nursing (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0-3.0) and father-child interaction (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2-2.9) were significantly associated with increased risks of child's suspected developmental delay up to 2 years postpartum, particularly among children of nondepressed mothers' children.Limitations: Selecting both parents in metropolitan areas with higher socioeconomic status may compromise the generalizability of the study.Conclusions: We suggested the essential role of longitudinal paternal influences from early pregnancy on birth outcomes and child's development during infancy and toddlerhood. Maternal depression remains critical to concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: EGFR-mutant lung cancer inevitably develops resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical relevance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in TKI therapy response and resistance. METHODS: We performed a miRNA PCR array analysis and used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to identify potential miRNAs related to EGFR TKIs resistance. We then correlated miRNA expression in 70 surgical and 50 malignant pleural effusion specimens with patient outcomes in those with non-small cell lung carcinoma. Molecular manipulation was performed in EGFR mutant lung cancer cells to assess the effect of miR-200c-3p on cell migratory ability and EGFR-TKI sensitivity. RESULTS: We identified miR-200c-3p and miR-203a-3p as potential EGFR TKI resistance regulators via their modulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MiR-200c-3p and miR-203a-3p were down-regulated in EGFR TKI-resistant cell lines. Progression-free survival (PFS) with EGFR-TKI treatment of patients with high miR-200c-3p expression, but not miR-203a-3p, in the specimens was significantly longer than that of patients with low expression. MiR-200c-3p overexpression inhibited the EMT process in EGFR TKI resistance cell lines and promoted cell death. MiR-200c-3p silencing in EGFR TKI sensitive cell lines increased drug resistance. CONCLUSION: MiR-200c-3p plays a role in sensitivity to EGFR TKIs via modulating EMT process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School resource room guidance personnel handle services to students with disabilities in institutions of higher education in Taiwan. This study conducted a survey of the kind of work performed by university and college resource room guidance personnel, and used a questionnaire to investigate 244 such personnel. This questionnaire contained 'background variables' and 'five major aspects of work' sections; the five major aspects of work were 'reporting diagnoses', 'recruiting and examination services', 'individualized support plans', 'barrier-free services' and 'assistance with activities'. The findings indicated that differences existed in the work situation of guidance personnel of different ages, years of service, school type, night shift, work evaluation and incentive mechanisms and handling services apart from special education. No significant differences were found in gender, marital status and educational attainment. Based on these findings, the researchers made recommendations about resource room guidance personnel and their work situation at universities and colleges in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A "digital native" is a member of the younger generation who grew up in the cyber age. Although earlier studies have focused on digital natives' competence in information technology (IT) usage, their vulnerability to IT addiction has received scant attention. The overarching aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesized associations between digital nativity and four common types of IT addiction (i.e., Internet addiction, Internet gaming disorder, smartphone addiction, and Facebook addiction). Specifically, our study adopted a multidimensional approach to compare the associations between specific attributes of digital natives and each types of IT addiction. We further examined whether the attributes of digital natives could explain additional variance in IT addiction beyond that accounted for by age. In 2017, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted through MTurk among 1001 U.S. residents (56% women; mean age = 35.0, range age = 18–83). The results revealed robust positive associations between digital nativity and four types of IT addiction, albeit with differential associations between various attributes of digital natives and diverse addiction types. Moreover, attributes of digital natives exhibited explanatory power beyond that provided by age. These findings highlight the value of adopting the multidimensional, individual difference approach in the study of digital nativity. Highlights • Digital nativity is positively associated with four common types of IT addiction. • Age is not the most fitting indicator of digital nativity. • Individual attributes of digital natives improve explanatory power of IT addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response surface models (RSMs) are a new trend in modern anesthesia. RSMs have demonstrated significant applicability in the field of anesthesia. However, the comparative analysis between RSMs and logistic regression (LR) in different surgeries remains relatively limited in the current literature. We hypothesized that using a total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) technique with the response surface model (RSM) and logistic regression (LR) would predict the emergence from anesthesia in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracotomy surgery (VATS). This study aimed to prove that LR, like the RSM, can be used to improve patient safety and achieve enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). This was a prospective, observational study with data reanalysis. Twenty-nine patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class II and III) who underwent VATS for elective pulmonary or mediastinal surgery under TIVA were enrolled. We monitored the emergence from anesthesia, and the precise time point of regained response (RR) was noted. The influence of varying concentrations was examined and incorporated into both the RSM and LR. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area for Greco and LR models was 0.979 (confidence interval: 0.987 to 0.990) and 0.989 (confidence interval: 0.989 to 0.990), respectively. The two models had no significant differences in predicting the probability of regaining response. In conclusion, the LR model was effective and can be applied to patients undergoing VATS or other procedures of similar modalities. Furthermore, the RSM is significantly more sophisticated and has an accuracy similar to that of the LR model; however, the LR model is more accessible. Therefore, the LR model is a simpler tool for predicting arousal in patients undergoing VATS under TIVA with Remifentanil and Propofol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and earth abundant electrocatalysts for high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential for the development of sustainable energy conversion technologies. Here, a new hierarchical Ni-Co oxide nanostructure, composed of small secondary nanosheets grown on primary nanosheet arrays, is synthesized via a topotactic transformation of Ni-Co layered double hydroxide. The Ni3+-rich surface benefits the formation of NiOOH, which is the main redox site as revealed via in situ X-ray absorption near edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The Ni-Co oxide hierarchical nanosheets (NCO-HNSs) deliver a stable current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of ≈0.34 V for OER with a Tafel slope of as low as 51 mV dec−1 in alkaline media. The improvement in the OER activity can be ascribed to the synergy of large surface area offered by the 3D hierarchical nanostructure and the facile formation of NiOOH as the main active sites on the surface of NCO-HNSs to decrease the overpotential and facilitate the catalytic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Mineral and bone disorder (MBD) is common and associated with mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Given that disarrays in serum phosphorus (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and their changes over time are closely interrelated, modeling mortality–predictability of their combinations may help improve CKD patient management. Methods: A historical cohort study was undertaken to evaluate the joint effect of serum P and PTH levels on mortality in 107,299 chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Changes in serum P and PTH levels over 6months, in particular discordant changes, were also modeled with mortality. Results: HD patients were 64±15 (mean±SD)years old and included 45% women, 33% African-American, and 59% diabetic. Compared with serum P level ≥7.0mg/dL and PTH level ≥600pg/mL, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) tended to be lowest in patients with serum P level of 3.5–<5.5mg/dL combined with PTH level of 150–<300pg/mL (HR 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.61–0.67). A change over time in serum P level towards the 3.5–<5.5mg/dL range from higher or lower ranges was associated with a decreased mortality, whereas only change in PTH level from <150pg/mL to 150–<300pg/mL range was associated with a lower risk of mortality. Upon discordant changes of PTH and P, i.e., decrease in one of the two measures while the other increased, no change in mortality risk was observed. Conclusion: In CKD-MBD management, patent survival is the greatest with controlling both serum P and PTH levels in balance. Tailoring an individualized treatment strategy in CKD-MBD may benefit patients. Further studies are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in adults, and there are increasing secular trends in adult GERD morbidity in many countries. However, population-based study on adolescent GERD was very limited. The specific aims of the study were to explore the prevalence and determinant of GERD symptoms in adolescents. Methods: A population-based association study was performed on 1828 students aged 13-16 years from four public junior high schools in Taiwan. The presences of symptoms of GERD, asthma and food allergy, demographic characteristics, and health behaviors were obtained by structured questionnaires. Results: Complete information of symptoms of GERD and asthma were available for 1745 (95.5%) students. The cumulative and 3-month prevalence rates of GERD symptoms were 20.5% and 8.9%, respectively. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of having experienced GERD symptoms were 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-1.98) for ever smoking, 1.52 (95% CI: 1.12-2.26) for bi-ethnicity, 1.70 (95% CI: 1.26-2.29) for food allergy, and 3.59 (95% CI: 2.69-4.82) and 2.43 (95% CI: 1.67-3.53) for having asthma attacks within or more than 1 year before, respectively. Similar results were found for 3-month prevalence. Conclusions: The study showed that GERD symptoms were frequent in junior high school students in Taiwan. Food allergy, asthma, and cigarette smoking were independently correlated with the prevalence of GERD symptoms. Psychosocial factors associated with bi-ethnic family may contribute to its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this study was to determine an optimum standardized uptake value threshold for identifying nodal metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) patients using Fluorine-18 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ( FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( PET/ CT) in Taiwan, a tuberculosis-endemic country. The variation in standardized uptake values of nodal metastasis among different NSCLC histological subtypes was also evaluated. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 75 NSCLC patients who had received FDG PET/ CT before surgery. The diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/ CT for the preoperative nodal staging was evaluated by histopathologic findings. Results A total of 316 nodal stations were evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET/ CT for nodal staging were 58.6% and 81.8%, respectively, using an SUV cut-off of 2.6. With regard to the levels of mean SUVmax in true-positive and false-positive groups, there was no significant difference among different histological subtypes. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that FDG PET/ CT for pre-operative nodal staging using SUVmax > 2.6 is a useful tool (with a higher specificity and a higher negative predictive value) to rule out the possibility of metastatic lymphadenopathy in operable patients with NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Electrochemically formed solid electrolyte interfaces (SEIs) are the crucial link between electrolytes and electrodes because they enable several functions in lithium ion batteries, including ionic diffusion, electric conduction, and the safety provided by thermal stability. However, fabricating the electrochemical formed in SEI entails accuracy regarding its architecture to create the specific electrolyte composition that is mutually compatible with the electrode materials. This process, however, is difficult and hinders the industrial application and development of lithium ion batteries. In this study, the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique is used in artificial SEI fabrication to deposit a metal oxide on the graphite anode''s surface. In addition, the effects of the artificial SEI-applied Al2O3 and TiO2 on the charge–discharge performance and cycling behavior at 55 °C were investigated. Electrochemical performance was analyzed by an impedance and cyclic voltammogram to show that an ALD coating of TiO2 provides crucial functions for graphite. The results indicated that the TiO2 coating increased the graphite capacity by 5% and limited the formation of electrochemically formed SEIs. In addition, the TiO2-coating graphite with ALD improved thermal stability and greatly enhanced long-term cycle ability at 55 °C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Herceptin is widely used in treating Her2-overexpressing breast cancer. However, the application of Herceptin in prostate cancer is still controversial. Our previous results have indicated the relevance of Her2 in the transition of the androgen requirement in prostate cancer cells. In this study, the effects of radioimmunotherapy against Her2 in prostate cancer were investigated. Materials and methods: DU145, an androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer cell line, was used in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the effects of Herceptin labeled with a beta emitter, Rhenium-188 (Re-188). Its effects on cell growth, extent of apoptosis, the bio-distribution of Re-188 labeled Herceptin (Re-H), and protein levels were determined. Results: Treatments with Re-188 and Re-H reduced the proliferation of DU145 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners compared to the Herceptin-treated group. Growth inhibition and apoptosis were induced after Re-H treatment; growth inhibition was more distinct in cells with high Her2/p-Her2 levels. Our in vivo xenograft studies revealed that Re-H treatment significantly retarded tumor growth and altered the levels of apoptosis-related proteins. The bio-distribution of Re-H in mice demonstrated a tissue-specific pattern. Importantly, the levels of p35 protein, which is related to cancer cell survival and invasion, dramatically decreased after Re-H treatment. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that Re-188-labeled Herceptin effectively inhibited the growth of DU145 cells compared to the Herceptin- and Re-188-treated cohorts. This implies that targeting Her2 by both radio- and immuno- therapy might be a potential strategy for treating patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to report the incidence of anterior mid-portion capsular tears identified during arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR), the clinical outcomes of repairing this combined lesion, and to evaluate the associated bone defects. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients undergoing ABR between January 2014 and December 2017. Data from patients with capsular tears identified during ABR were included and analyzed. Age, number of dislocations, repair technique, follow-up results, and X-rays were reviewed. The size of the glenoid defect and Hill–Sachs lesion were reviewed via magnetic resonance imaging or magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA). Results: Records of 95 patients undergoing ABR during the study period were reviewed, and nine were included. The overall incidence of capsular tears was 9.5% and the mean age at surgery was 45.3 ± 14.3 years. All cases had > 3 dislocations before treatment. All patients had labral lesions, and one had a glenoid defect. Hill–Sachs lesions were observed in eight patients. Seven patients underwent MRA examination, and all seven showed axillary pouch disruption. Over 3.9 ± 1.1 years of follow-up, there was no instability recurrence, and Rowe scores improved from 42.2 to 96.7 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There was no recurrent shoulder instability after combined arthroscopic repair of capsular and Bankart lesions. There were Rowe score improvements over at least three years of follow-up. Although our case number was small, we found that mid-portion capsular tear occurred in patients over 30 years with multiple recurrent dislocations, with or without small glenoid bone defects, and with axillary pouch disruption on MRA images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation is a key that utilizes to protect the structure of graphite anode and enhances the redox stability of lithium-ion batteries before entering the market. The effect of SEI formation applies a differential pulse (DP) and constant current (CC) charging on charge–discharge performance and cycling behavior into brand new commercial lithium ion batteries is investigated. The morphologies and electrochemical properties on the anode surface are also inspected by employing SEM and EDS. The electrochemical impedance spectra of the anode electrode in both charging protocols shows that the interfacial resistance on graphite anodes whose SEI layer formed by DP charging is smaller than that of CC charging. Moreover, the cycle life result shows that the DP charging SEI formation is more helpful in increasing the long-term stability and maintaining the capacity of batteries even under high power rate charge–discharge cycling. The DP charging method can provide a SEI layer with ameliorated properties to improve the performance of lithium ion batteries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cigarette smoke (CS) increases chemokine production in lung epithelial cells (LECs), but the pathways involved are not completely understood. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a crucial regulator of energy homeostasis, may modulate inflammation. Here, we show that cigarette smoke extract sequentially activated NADPH oxidase; increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level; activated AMPK, NF-κB, and STAT3; and induced interleukin 8 (IL-8) in human LECs. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase activation by apocynin or siRNA targeting p47phox (a subunit of NADPH oxidase) attenuated the increased intracellular ROS level, AMPK activation, and IL-8 induction. Removal of intracellular ROS by N-acetylcysteine reduced the AMPK activation and IL-8 induction. Prevention of AMPK activation by Compound C or AMPK siRNA lessened the activation of both NF-κB and STAT3 and the induction of IL-8. Abrogation of the activation of NF-κB and STAT3 by BAY11-7085 and AG490, respectively, attenuated the IL-8 induction. We additionally show that chronic CS exposure in mice promoted AMPK phosphorylation and expression of MIP-2α (an IL-8 homolog) in LECs and lungs, as well as lung inflammation, all of which were reduced by Compound C treatment. Thus, a novel NADPH oxidase-dependent, ROS-sensitive AMPK signaling is important for CS-induced IL-8 production in LECs and possibly lung inflammation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we study a C k /C m /1/N open queueing system with finite capacity. We investigate the property which shows that a product of the Laplace Stieltjes Transforms of interarrival and service times distributions satisfies an equation of a simple form. According to this equation, we present that the stationary probabilities on the unboundary states can be written as a linear combination of vector product-forms. Each component of these products is expressed in terms of roots of an associated characteristic polynomial. As a result, we carry out an algorithm for solving stationary probabilities in C k /C m /1/N systems, which is independent of N, hence greatly reducing the computational complexity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Keywords: CO2 reduction; grazing incident XPS; oxide-derived Cu; subsurface oxygen; surface-sensitive measurement EN CO2 reduction grazing incident XPS oxide-derived Cu subsurface oxygen surface-sensitive measurement 1 1 1 01/12/22 20220117 NES 220117 B Subsurface oxygen b in oxide-derived Cu is evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as reported by Hsin-Yi Wang et al. in their Research Article (e202111021). CO2 reduction, grazing incident XPS, oxide-derived Cu, subsurface oxygen, surface-sensitive measurement Back Cover: Direct Evidence of Subsurface Oxygen Formation in Oxide-Derived Cu by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (Angew. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: CO2 reduction; grazing incident XPS; oxide-derived Cu; subsurface oxygen; surface-sensitive measurement EN CO2 reduction grazing incident XPS oxide-derived Cu subsurface oxygen surface-sensitive measurement 1 1 1 01/12/22 20220117 NES 220117 B Subsurface-Sauerstoff b in aus Oxid gewonnenem Cu wird im Forschungsartikel von Hsin-Yi Wang et al. mittels Röntgenphotoelektronenspektroskopie erforscht (e202111021). Rücktitelbild: Direct Evidence of Subsurface Oxygen Formation in Oxide-Derived Cu by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (Angew. CO2 reduction, grazing incident XPS, oxide-derived Cu, subsurface oxygen, surface-sensitive measurement. [Extracted from the article]

• Residents in a lockdown province reported poor psychological well-being (PWD). • Perceived behavioral control was related to better PWD and sleep quality. • Healthy lifestyle maintenance was related to better PWD and sleep quality. • Income level was positively related to frequency of facemask use. • Income level was positively related to frequency of healthy lifestyle maintenance. The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has exerted an impact on not only individuals who have contracted the virus but also the general public. This study compared the mental health condition of residents in the epicenter province of Hubei with that of other Chinese residents during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, and to examine emerging issues revolving around health disparities in disease prevention. A survey was administered in February 2020 to 433 Chinese adults spanning 28 regions across China. Participants residing in Hubei reported lower levels of affective and cognitive well-being than those in other regions. Perceived behavioral control and healthy lifestyle maintenance were associated with both dimensions of well-being and sleep quality for all participants. Income level was positively associated with facemask use and healthy lifestyle maintenance. These results indicate that Hubei residents reported poorer mental health than those of other regions, but perceived behavioral control and healthy lifestyle maintenance correlate with better mental health across regions. The likelihood of undertaking preventive measures for COVID-19 tends to be greater among residents with higher income, reflecting the need to address the oft-neglected concerns of health disparities in preventing this highly contagious novel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence of associations between psychological symptoms and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level is scant, as is evidence on sex differences in associations for children and adolescents with obesity. This study examined sex differences in associations between psychological symptoms (self-concept, anxiety, depression, anger, and disruptive behavior) and TNF-α level in Taiwanese children and adolescents with healthy weight, overweight, or obesity.Methods: In 2010, 564 first, fourth, and seventh graders-comprising 250 children with overweight or obesity (44.3 %), 330 adolescents (58.5 %), and 303 males (53.7 %)-underwent a health examination and blood sampling and completed a questionnaire.Results: A significantly higher TNF-α level was found in children and adolescents with healthy weight than in those with overweight or obesity (median: 14.5 vs. 4.1 (pg/mL); p < 0.001). In multiple linear regression models, anxiety was significantly positively associated with TNF-α level in female participants with healthy weight (β = 0.11 per 10 increments in anxiety, 95 % confidence interval = 0.01-0.22).Limitations: Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, no inferences of causal relationships among TNF-α level, obesity, and psychological symptoms could be made.Conclusions: The findings enrich the literature on the TNF-α-psychological symptom association. Sex differences were found in children and adolescents without obesity rather than in those without obesity, and a higher TNF-α level was associated with increased anxiety in girls without obesity. The role of sex differences in the complex associations among psychological symptoms, TNF-α level, and overweight or obesity requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaming disorder (GD) has been widely examined in younger gamers, but scholars have yet to thoroughly investigate this phenomenon in a broader spectrum of adults. We performed nuanced analysis of the prevalence and associated factors of GD among three generations of Hong Kong adults, namely, Millennials, Generation X'ers, and Baby Boomers. Our study further examined the associations between GD and three mental health indicators (i.e., social anxiety, loneliness, and depression) and investigated the moderating role in such associations played by four demographic variables (i.e., gender, relationship status, education level, and generation). A community sample of 847 Hong Kong adults was recruited (39% male, mean age = 49.9 years, age range = 18–73). The estimated prevalence of GD was 8.3% in the gamer sample, and 2.6% in the overall sample, with significant differences in generation and relationship status between the GD and non-GD groups. All three mental health indicators were positively associated with GD, and relationship status and education level were found to moderate the association between social anxiety and GD. These findings reveal GD to be a mental health concern not only for Millennial gamers but also for older gamers, Generation X'ers in particular. • Demographic profiles of gamers differ considerably among generations. • The prevalence of GD was 8.3% and 2.6% in the gamer and overall samples. • The social anxiety-GD association was moderated by marital status. • The social anxiety-GD association was moderated by educational level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synaptic plasticity is crucial as it dynamically molds the strength and connectivity of neural circuits, influencing learning, memory, and the development of neurological disorders. Metformin, a widely prescribed anti-diabetic medication, has been shown to readily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the placenta. However, its prolonged impact on neuronal morphology and functions remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated the influence of metformin on dendrite development and synaptic plasticity in embryonic brains and primary rat cortical neurons. Our findings reveal a negative modulation of dendrite development by metformin, as evidenced by altered dendritic arborization, impaired dendritic spine morphology and disruptions in synaptic plasticity, suggesting a potential link between metformin exposure and aberrations in neuronal connectivity. In addition, we extend our insights to the impact of maternal metformin exposure on embryonic brains, revealing a significant inhibition of dendrite development in E18.5 rat brains. In conclusion, this study adds to the expanding knowledge base on the non-metabolic effects of metformin, emphasizing the significance of assessing its potential influence on both neuronal structure and function. There is an urgent need for further investigations into the enduring impact of prolonged metformin administration on the structural and functional aspects of neurons. [Display omitted] • Metformin impairs dendrite development in the developing cortex and cortical neurons likely by targeting Map2. • Metformin alters dendritic spine morphology in primary cortical neurons. • Metformin reduces dendritic arborization and synaptic plasticity in primary cortical neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appearance of a salient stimulus evokes a series of orienting responses including saccades and pupil size to prepare the body for appropriate action. The midbrain superior colliculus (SC) that receives critical control signals from the frontal eye field (FEF) is hypothesized to coordinate all components of orienting. It has shown recently that the FEF, together with the SC, is also importantly involved in the control of pupil size, in addition to its well‐documented role in eye movements. Although the role of the FEF in pupil size is demonstrated in monkeys, its role in human pupil responses and the coordination between pupil size and saccades remains to be established. Through applying continuous theta‐burst stimulation over the right FEF and vertex, we investigated the role of the FEF in human pupil and saccade responses evoked by a salient stimulus, and the coordination between pupil size and saccades. Our results showed that neither saccade reaction times (SRT) nor pupil responses evoked by salient stimuli were modulated by FEF stimulation. In contrast, the correlation between pupil size and SRTs in the contralateral stimulus condition was diminished with FEF stimulation, but intact with vertex stimulation. Moreover, FEF stimulation effects between saccade and pupil responses associated with salient stimuli correlated across participants. This is the first transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study on the pupil orienting response, and our findings suggest that human FEF was involved in coordinating pupil size and saccades, but not involved in the control of pupil orienting responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimodal pain management protocol effectively relieves pain following simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA) but is associated with administration of large amounts of opioids in the perioperative period. In this prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, single-surgeon clinical trial, the goal was to validate the efficacy of an opioid-sparing protocol for SBTKA with a reduced opioid dose, while achieving similar pain relief with few adverse events. Fifty-six patients who had undergone SBTKA were randomly allocated to receive either an opioid-sparing or opioid-based protocol. The primary outcome parameters were visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest, with movement, and cumulative morphine dose, through time. Secondary outcome parameters included drug-related adverse events and range of motion with continuous passive motion device, through time. In the opioid-sparing group, a lower VAS score with movement at postoperative 24 and 72 h was observed compared with the opioid-based group, but the difference did not reach the minimal clinically importance difference. A reduced cumulative morphine dose was noted in the opioid-sparing group at postoperative 24, 48 and 72 h. In conclusion, the opioid-sparing protocol may be used as an alternative modality for pain management following SBTKA. Similar pain relief effects may be achieved utilizing a reduced cumulative opioid dose, with few opioid related adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In article number 1500091 Hao Ming Chen, Bin Liu, and co‐workers report a new hierarchical Ni‐Co oxide nanostructure composed of small secondary nanosheets grown on primary nanosheet arrays, which is synthesized to decrease the overpotential and facilitate the catalytic reaction. The Ni ions located in the tetrahedral site of the coordinated oxygen within the Ni‐Co spinel structure are the main redox site for oxygen evolution reaction, as revealed using in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been viewed by scholars as (a) a pathology that co-occurs with psychological problems (comorbidity hypothesis), (b) maladaptive coping with abundant interpersonal problems (interpersonal impairment hypothesis), and (c) deficient self-regulation with the underlying motive to restore psychosocial well-being (dilution effect hypothesis). We examined the associations between IGD symptoms and four major criteria (psychological problems, interpersonal problems, psychological well-being, and interpersonal well-being), and compared the magnitude of these associations across countries. To test these hypotheses, we performed mixed-effects meta-analysis on 84 independent samples comprising 58,834 participants from 20 countries. The findings showed moderately strong positive associations between IGD symptoms and psychological problems across the countries, providing some support for the universality of the comorbidity hypothesis. The interpersonal impairment hypothesis was more tenable to countries lower (vs. higher) in power distance, which exhibited a stronger (vs. weaker) positive correlation between IGD symptoms and interpersonal problems. The dilution effect hypothesis was more tenable to countries either higher (vs. lower) in national life satisfaction or lower (vs. higher) in cultural masculinity, each of which displayed a weaker (vs. stronger) inverse correlation between IGD symptoms and interpersonal well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary auscultation is essential for detecting abnormal lung sounds during physical assessments, but its reliability depends on the operator. Machine learning (ML) models offer an alternative by automatically classifying lung sounds. ML models require substantial data, and public databases aim to address this limitation. This systematic review compares characteristics, diagnostic accuracy, concerns, and data sources of existing models in the literature. Papers published from five major databases between 1990 and 2022 were assessed. Quality assessment was accomplished with a modified QUADAS-2 tool. The review encompassed 62 studies utilizing ML models and public-access databases for lung sound classification. Artificial neural networks (ANN) and support vector machines (SVM) were frequently employed in the ML classifiers. The accuracy ranged from 49.43% to 100% for discriminating abnormal sound types and 69.40% to 99.62% for disease class classification. Seventeen public databases were identified, with the ICBHI 2017 database being the most used (66%). The majority of studies exhibited a high risk of bias and concerns related to patient selection and reference standards. Summarizing, ML models can effectively classify abnormal lung sounds using publicly available data sources. Nevertheless, inconsistent reporting and methodologies pose limitations to advancing the field, and therefore, public databases should adhere to standardized recording and labeling procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review: 96 refs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant PI3K/Akt activation is linked to prostate cancer (PCa) malignancy, while androgen receptor (AR) is critical in early-stage PCa development. Investigating the interaction between these pathways is crucial for PCa malignancy. Our previous study demonstrated that p35-CDK5 mediates post-translational modifications of AR, STAT3, and p21CIP1, eventually promoting PCa cell growth. This study revealed the role of p35-CDK5 in between PI3K/Akt and AR by utilizing LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Through the TCGA database analysis, we observed a positive correlation between PTEN and p35 expression, implying a potential negative correlation between PI3K/Akt activation and p35-CDK5. Inhibiting PI3K/Akt with LY294002, Capivasertib (AZD5363), or using an inactive Akt mutant significantly increased p35 expression and subsequently enhanced AR stability and activation in PCa cells. On the other hand, CDK5-knockdown reversed these effects. The involvement of the β-catenin/Egr1-axis was observed in regulating PI3K/Akt inhibition and p35-CDK5 activation, implying a possible mechanistic connection. Importantly, CDK5 knockdown further reduced PI3K/Akt-inhibition-induced AR and cell viability maintenance, suggesting a compensatory role for CDK5-AR in maintaining cell viability under Akt inhibition. In conclusion, PI3K/Akt inhibition could trigger p35-CDK5-dependent AR activation and cell viability, highlighting p35-CDK5 as a critical link connecting PI3K/Akt inhibition to AR activation and pivotal in PCa cell resistance to PI3K/Akt blockade. [Display omitted] • PI3K/Akt blockade activates AR via p35-CDK5 in PCa, causing resistance. • p35-CDK5 knockdown improves PI3K/Akt therapy, suggesting a therapeutic target. • p35-CDK5: biomarker & co-target for overcoming PI3K/Akt resistance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-N,N′,N″-triacetylchitotrioside (4-MU-GlcNAc3) as a substrate, an acidic chitinase was purified from seeds of black soybean (Glycine max Tainan no. 3) by ammonium sulfate fractionation and three successive steps of column chromatography. The purified chitinase was a monomeric enzyme with molecular mass of 20.1 kDa and isoelectric point of 4.34. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of synthetic substrates p-nitrophenyl N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides with chain length from 3 to 5 (GlcNAcn, n = 3-5), and pNp-GlcNAc4 was the most degradable substrate. Using pNp-GlcNAc4 as a substrate, the optimal pH for the enzyme reaction was 4.0; kinetic parameters Km and kcat were 245 µM and 10.31 min−1, respectively. This enzyme also showed activity toward CM-chitin-RBV, a polymer form of chitin, and N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides, an oligomer form of chitin. The smallest oligomer substrate was an N-acetylglucosamine tetramer. These results suggested that this enzyme was an endo-splitting chitinase with short substrate cleavage activity and useful for biotechnological applications, in particular for the production of N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are two distinctly different subsurface oxygen peaks, with one related to lattice defects/Cu vacancy (henceforth: O SB Cu,vac sb ) at 531.6 eV and interstitial oxygen (O SB int sb ) intercalated in the metallic Cu structure at 533.7 eV. There is a Cu SB 2 sb O layer buried underneath a reduced copper film, and this is based on the relative intensity changes as a function of photon energy and the dominating metallic copper signal in Cu spectra. Climate change makes it essential that we develop alternatives to fossil-based resources for our energy and chemical needs. The O SB int sb species is here thought of as the oxygen dissolved from Cu oxide that, upon interaction with copper lattice vacancy sites, may form O SB Cu,vac sb . [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clinically validate the Hill–Sachs interval to glenoid track width ratio (H/G ratio) compared with the instability severity index (ISI) score for predicting an increased risk of recurrent instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair. Methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed using data from patients with anteroinferior shoulder instability who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with a follow-up period of at least 24 months. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values for the H/G ratio and the ISI score to predict an increased risk of recurrent instability. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the two methods and the sensitivity and specificity of their optimal cut-off values were compared. Results: A total of 222 patients were included, among whom 31 (14.0%) experienced recurrent instability during the follow-up period. The optimal cut-off values for predicting an increased risk of recurrent instability were an H/G ratio of ≥ 0.7 and ISI score of ≥ 4. There were no significant differences between the AUC of the two methods (H/G ratio AUC = 0.821, standard error = 0.035 and ISI score AUC = 0.792, standard error = 0.04; n.s.) nor between the sensitivity and specificity of the optimal cut-off values (n.s. and n.s., respectively). Conclusions: The H/G ratio is comparable to the ISI score for predicting an increased risk of recurrent instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair. Surgeons are recommended to consider other strategies to treat anterior shoulder instability if H/G ratio is ≥ 0.7. Level of evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brain's intrinsic activity plays a fundamental role in its function. In normal conditions this activity is responsive to behavioural context, changing as an individual switches between directed tasks and task‐free conditions. A key feature of such changes is the movement of the brain between corresponding critical and sub‐critical states, with these dynamics supporting efficient cognitive processing. Breakdowns in processing efficiency can occur, however, in brain disorders such as depression. It was therefore hypothesised that depressive symptoms would be related to reduced intrinsic activity responsiveness to changes in behavioural state. This was tested in a mixed group of major depressive disorder patients (n = 26) and healthy participants (n = 37) by measuring intrinsic EEG activity temporal structure, quantified with detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), in eyes‐closed (EC) and eyes‐open task‐free states and contrasting between the conditions. The degree to which DFA values changed between the states was found to correlate negatively with depressive symptoms. DFA values did not differ between states in those with higher symptom levels, meaning that the brain remained in a less flexible sub‐critical condition. This sub‐critical condition in the EC state was further found to correlate with levels of maladaptive rumination. This may reflect a general cognitive inflexibility resulting from a lack in neural activity reactivity that may predispose people to overly engage in self‐directed attention. These results provide an initial link between intrinsic activity reactivity and psychological features found in psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new high-pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy system dedicated to probing catalytic reactions under realistic conditions at pressures of multiple bars. The instrument builds around the novel concept of a "virtual cell" in which a gas flow onto the sample surface creates a localized high-pressure pillow. This allows the instrument to be operated with a low pressure of a few millibar in the main chamber, while simultaneously a local pressure exceeding 1 bar can be supplied at the sample surface. Synchrotron based hard x-ray excitation is used to increase the electron mean free path in the gas region between sample and analyzer while grazing incidence <5° close to total external refection conditions enhances surface sensitivity. The aperture separating the high-pressure region from the differential pumping of the electron spectrometer consists of multiple, evenly spaced, micrometer sized holes matching the footprint of the x-ray beam on the sample. The resulting signal is highly dependent on the sample-to-aperture distance because photoemitted electrons are subject to strong scattering in the gas phase. Therefore, high precision control of the sample-to-aperture distance is crucial. A fully integrated manipulator allows for sample movement with step sizes of 10 nm between 0 and −5 mm with very low vibrational amplitude and also for sample heating up to 500 °C under reaction conditions. We demonstrate the performance of this novel instrument with bulk 2p spectra of a copper single crystal at He pressures of up to 2.5 bars and C1s spectra measured in gas mixtures of CO + H2 at pressures of up to 790 mbar. The capability to detect emitted photoelectrons at several bars opens the prospect for studies of catalytic reactions under industrially relevant operando conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Two-stage reconstruction with total implant removal and re-implantation after infection control is considered the gold standard treatment for infection after hip arthroplasty. However, removal of the well-fixed stem or cup may cause substantial bone loss and other complications, thereby making reconstruction difficult. We evaluated whether an infection post total hip arthroplasty can be treated without removal of the radiographically and clinically well-fixed femoral stem or acetabular cup.Methods: Patients with a chronic infection after total hip arthroplasty, with a radiographically well-fixed, cementless stem or cup, were selected. During the first surgical stage, we retained the stem or cup if we were unable to remove these with a stem or cup extractor. An antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer was then implanted. After control of infection (C-reactive protein level within normal value), we performed the second stage of re-implantation surgery. Treatment failure was defined as uncontrolled infection requiring removal of the retained implant.Results: From January 2004 to December 2013, 16 patients underwent partial component-retained two stage reconstruction. Thirteen patients (81.3%) were free of infection, with a mean follow-up time of five years. The remaining three patients, who had high-risk comorbidities and, of whom, two were infected by high-virulence organisms, had uncontrolled infection and required further surgery to remove the retained implant.Conclusions: Partial component-retained two-stage reconstruction could be an alternative treatment option for chronic infection after an uncemented total hip arthroplasty with a radiographically and clinically well-fixed component in selected patients, who are not immunocompromised and are infected by a low-virulence organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a photoelectrochemical cell, the most concerned issue in the nanostructured TiO2 electrode is the charge transport, which consists of the internal movement of electrons in TiO2 nanostructures and the intergrain charge transfer. Here, inspired by electrochemical studies on different polymorphs of TiO2, it is proposed to bridge the adjacent building blocks and fence the electron transport highways in TiO2 electrodes by surface rutilization of anatase nanorods. The ultrathin rutilized layer completely coated on the anatase surface has a slightly higher conduction band edge than that of anatase. The obtained surface rutilized anatase nanorods can not only improve the intergrain charge transfer while maintaining fast electron transport within anatase but also minimize the internal energy consumption and protect the electrons in TiO2 electrodes from recombination, which are beneficial to the charge collection and can significantly improve the photovoltaic performance of photoelectrochemical cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity has been shown to benefit brain and cognition in late adulthood. However, this effect is still unexplored in terms of brain signal complexity, which reflects the level of neural adaptability and efficiency during cognitive processing that cannot be acquired via averaged neuroelectric signals. Here we employed multiscale entropy analysis (MSE) of electroencephalography (EEG), a new approach that conveys important information related to the temporal dynamics of brain signal complexity across multiple time scales, to reveal the association of physical activity with neural adaptability and efficiency in elderly adults. A between-subjects design that included 24 participants (aged 66.63±1.31years; female=12) with high physical activity and 24 age- and gender-matched low physical activity participants (aged 67.29±1.20years) was conducted to examine differences related to physical activity in performance and MSE of EEG signals during a visuo-spatial cognition task. We observed that physically active elderly adults had better accuracy on both visuo-spatial attention and working memory conditions relative to their sedentary counterparts. Additionally, these physically active elderly adults displayed greater MSE values at larger time scales at the Fz electrode in both attention and memory conditions. The results suggest that physical activity may be beneficial for adaptability of brain systems in tasks involving visuo-spatial information. MSE thus might be a promising approach to test the effects of the benefits of exercise on cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cigarette smoking causes persistent lung inflammation that is mainly regulated by redox-sensitive pathways. We have reported that cigarette smoke (CS) activates a NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway leading to induction of lung inflammation. Glucosamine, a dietary supplement used to treat osteoarthritis, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, whether glucosamine has similar beneficial effects against CS-induced lung inflammation remains unclear. Using a murine model we show that chronic CS exposure for 4 weeks increased lung levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (an oxidative stress biomarker), phospho-AMPK, and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 and induced lung inflammation; all of these CS-induced events were suppressed by chronic treatment with glucosamine. Using human bronchial epithelial cells, we demonstrate that cigarette smoke extract (CSE) sequentially activated NADPH oxidase; increased intracellular levels of ROS; activated AMPK, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins 3 (STAT3); and induced interleukin-8 (IL-8). Additionally, using a ROS scavenger, a siRNA that targets AMPK, and various pharmacological inhibitors, we identified the signaling cascade that leads to induction of IL-8 by CSE. All these CSE-induced events were inhibited by glucosamine pretreatment. Our findings suggest a novel role for glucosamine in alleviating the oxidative stress and lung inflammation induced by chronic CS exposure in vivo and in suppressing the CSE-induced IL-8 in vitro by inhibiting both the ROS-sensitive NADPH oxidase/AMPK/MAPK signaling pathway and the downstream transcriptional factors NF-κB and STAT3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: The purpose of the current study was to conduct a systemic review and meta-analysis of the published literature to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET or PET/CT in urinary bladder cancer. Materials and methods: The authors conducted a systematic MEDLINE search of articles published between January 2000 and December 2010. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each study. We conducted a meta-analysis of pooled sensitivity and specificity in detecting primary and metastatic lesions of bladder cancer. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT for primary lesion detection of bladder cancer were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.70–0.99) and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.74–1.00), respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET or PET/CT for staging or restaging (metastatic lesions) of bladder cancer were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72–0.89) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.81–0.95), respectively. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET or PET/CT is good in metastatic lesions of urinary bladder cancer. Due to the small number of patients and limited number of studies analyzed, the diagnostic capability of FDG PET or PET/CT in detection of primary bladder wall lesions could not be assessed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]