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The rapid advances in the additive manufacturing technology has led to the emergence of structural materials with arbitrary geometries that were previously challenging to produce using conventional machining techniques. Elastic constants are key mechanical parameters in structural material design; however, their accurate determination becomes challenging when dealing with materials possessing intricate geometries, which make traditional mechanical testing methods less practical. In this study, we accurately determined the elastic constants of a cuboid-shaped SUS304 specimen by combining resonant ultrasonic spectroscopy with the vibration-pattern-pairing method. The proposed method was then applied to a truss-shaped SUS304 specimen. To ensure the consistency of vibration modes, vibration patterns were matched by assessing the cosine similarity between contour plots, which depict the vibration patterns obtained from each of the three planes of the experimental specimen and those generated from a finite element model based on their color map. The measured elastic constants of the truss-shaped specimen were in reasonable agreement with those of the cuboid-shaped specimen and those obtained from tensile tests conducted on specimens obtained from an SUS304 block—the source material for the cuboid- and truss-shaped specimens. The optimization process for the elastic constants exhibited reproducibility, highlighting the efficacy of our approach for quantifying the elastic constants of materials with arbitrary geometries. The proposed method can assist material designers in accurately and efficiently determining the elastic constants of materials with intricate three-dimensional geometries and mechanical anisotropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a stochastic process where an active particle, modeled by a one-dimensional run-and-tumble particle, searches for a target with a finite absorption strength in thermal environments. Solving the Fokker–Planck equation for a uniform initial distribution, we analytically calculate the mean searching time (MST), the time for the active particle to be finally absorbed, and show that there exists an optimal self-propulsion velocity of the active particle at which MST is minimized. As the diffusion constant increases, the optimal velocity changes from a finite value to zero, which implies that a purely diffusive Brownian motion outperforms an active motion in terms of searching time. Depending on the absorption strength of the target, the transition of the optimal velocity becomes either continuous or discontinuous, which can be understood based on the Landau approach. In addition, we obtain the phase diagram indicating the passive-efficient and the active-efficient regions. Finally, the initial condition dependence of MST is presented in limiting cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of a Conventional Exercise Program (CEP) and Culturally Relevant Activities (CRA) on body mass, cardiovascular risk, functional fitness (strength, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and agility), self-efficacy, and self-esteem in older women dwelling in Mozambique. Methods: Fifty-seven women (67 [7] y) underwent 60-minute sessions of CEP (n = 28) or CRA (n = 29) performed 3 days per week for 12 weeks. CRA included Mozambican traditional dances and games (intensity corresponding to scores 3–4 of BORG-CR10 scale), and CEP included 20-minute stationary cycling (65%–75% heart rate reserve) and a resistance training circuit (8 exercises, 15-repetition maximum). Results: CEP and CRA (P <.05) showed increased percent fat (3.4% and 5.3%), waist circumference (3.3% and 5.8%), and cardiorespiratory fitness (14.4% and 9.4%), and decreased triglycerides (−20.0% and −77.8%). In CEP (P <.05), body mass (2.9%), body mass index (3.2%), and high-density lipoprotein (10.0%) increased, while glycemia (−4.8%) and total cholesterol (−9.8%) decreased. Blood pressure slightly increased in CEP (6.2%, P >.05) and CRA (4.3%, P <.05). Self-efficacy and self-esteem increased to similar levels in both groups (15%, P <.05). Conclusions: CEP and CRA were capable to improve biopsychosocial health-related variables in Mozambican older women. Culturally referenced PA interventions should be considered as an alternative in African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A major problem in establishing treatment strategies for salivary gland carcinomas is the difficulty of preoperative histologic subtyping. Core needle biopsy (CNB) allows the collection of a small, intact specimens from the tumor center for detailed analysis. We evaluated the efficacy and limitations of preoperative diagnosis with CNB specimens collected using a newly developed 20-gauge needle designed to popularize its use. Methods: Paired preoperative CNB and surgical specimens from 41 patients with malignant salivary gland tumors were retrospectively reviewed. A histologic typing platform, including morphologic and immunohistochemical evaluation and fluorescence in situ hybridization, was evaluated using CNB specimens. Biopsy specimen quality, diagnostic accuracy, and immunohistochemistry concordance rates between biopsy and surgical specimens were analyzed. Results: In 39 of the 41 patients, CNB provided high-quality specimens, enabling adequate morphologic, immunohistologic, and genomic analyses. In two patients, high-quality CNB specimens could not be obtained due to cystic fluid and tumor firmness. The overall accuracy of correct preoperative diagnosis was 75%. The success rate of histologic subtyping and HER2 immunostaining concordance between CNB and surgical specimens was lower in carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) than in de novo carcinoma (histologic subtyping; CXPA vs de novo carcinoma 50% vs 89%, p = 0.016, HER2 concordance; salivary duct carcinoma [SDC] ex-PA vs de novo SDC 16% vs 100%, p = 4.66E−03). No recurrence occurred due to tumor seeding after CNB. Conclusions: Highly accurate histologic subtyping of salivary gland carcinomas can be performed by preoperative CNB; however, specificity can be more challenging in pathologically heterogenous tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previously, drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients were treated with long, toxic, and relatively ineffective regimens. However, in recent years, there have been major improvements made. The 2020 World Health Organization DR-TB Treatment guidelines recommended the use of a 6-months all-oral BPaL (bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid) regimen under operational research (OR) conditions for selected DR-TB patients. Methods: The processes, challenges, and interim results of introducing BPaL under OR conditions in 7 countries supported under the Korea International Cooperation Agency/TB Alliance-funded "Leveraging Innovation for Faster Treatment of Tuberculosis (LIFT-TB)" project are described here. The OR objectives were to explore the feasibility of introducing the BPaL regimen, and to estimate its effectiveness and safety in a select group of DR-TB patients. Results: Between November 2020 and the end of March 2023, a total of 574 patients had been enrolled. Interim treatment success stands at an encouraging 90.9% (280/308). Although adverse events of special interest (AESI) were common, they were manageable, and only 1 patient had to discontinue the complete BPaL treatment regimen. In addition, no unexpected adverse events (AE) were seen. Conclusion: With careful advocacy, frequent communication with partners, and following steps to strengthen essential aspects of the delivery system, the project's experiences show that BPaL OR was feasible across different country settings. Project documents were constantly updated. The sharing of information, experiences, and interim results had a significant positive and motivating effect within and across countries. Interim OR results show excellent patient responses and are comparable to those seen under trial conditions. Although common, the observed AEs and AESIs were manageable, and no unexpected AEs were seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, the densification of NASICON-type structured ceramics requires high sintering temperatures and prolonged sintering durations. In this study, glass frit, a glaze component used in pottery production, was successfully utilized as a sintering aid to obtain dense NASICON electrolytes at relatively low sintering temperatures and short sintering times. When glass frit was added to the synthetic process, it induced liquid-phase sintering without any detrimental effects on the crystalline structure of NASICON. The NASICON prepared with the optimized ratio of glass frit exhibits not only a high ionic conductivity of 2.36 x 10-3 S cm-1, which is almost 5.7 times higher compared to that of the NASICON prepared without glass frit but also a significantly enhanced relative density from 79.8% to 98.5%. Additionally, the utilization of the glass frit resulted in a threefold increase in the critical current density, rising from 0.15 mA cm-2 to 0.45 mA cm-2. The solid-state sodium battery, composed of a Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode (NVP) and a sodium metal anode, exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 101.2 mA h g,NVP-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and maintains 86% of its capacity after 100 cycles at room temperature. This study holds significant importance as it demonstrates the practical applicability of a readily accessible material as a sintering aid for advanced electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite noteworthy advances in cancer immunotherapy, the understanding of effective strategies to harness eosinophils in anti‐cancer immunity, which is critical for cytotoxic T‐cell recruitment, remains limited. In particular, interleukin‐33, which is essential for eosinophil activation, is chromatin‐bound and lacks efficient extracellular release mechanisms for its intact form. Here, a nanobubble‐based acoustical cancer cell‐bursting strategy (NanoBurst) is reported to elicit eosinophil‐mediated cancer immunity by releasing damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). NanoBurst consists of polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating a gas precursor, designed to effectively disrupt cancer cell membranes upon exposure to ultrasound. This process triggers the efficient release of both nucleus‐derived (e.g., high‐mobility group nucleosome‐binding domain‐1, gasdermin E, interleukin‐33) and cytoplasm‐derived DAMPs, initiating the eosinophil‐mediated immune cascade. Consequently, NanoBurst induces direct tumoricidal effects by activating eosinophils and enhances anti‐cancer immunity by recruiting NK cells and cytotoxic T‐cells in vivo. When combined with a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) inhibitor, an inducer of eosinophil‐mediated chemotaxis, NanoBurst effectively inhibits the growth of primary tumors and the metastasis to the lung in a CT26 tumor‐bearing mouse model. Notably, boosting eosinophil‐mediated anti‐cancer immunity with NanoBurst‐DPP4 inhibitor shows superior efficacy for tumor suppression compared to immune checkpoint inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to investigate the nationwide utilization of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) during radiotherapy and evaluate their association with survival in patients with breast cancer. This retrospective cohort study used the National Health Insurance Service database in Korea and included patients diagnosed with breast cancer from 2010 to 2020 who received radiotherapy. The APDs included in the analysis were aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone, haloperidol, and chlorpromazine, and the APD prescription details included prescription time, dosage, and duration. Among 170,226 patients with breast cancer treated with radiotherapy, 3361 (1.97%) received APD during radiotherapy. Use of APDs was significantly associated with higher mortality in all patients and in a subgroup of patients excluding those with metastasis or other cancers. Among patients taking APD during radiotherapy, those with accompanied psychiatric history and long-term APD use for ≥ 3 months were associated with lower mortality, whereas patients who started APD during radiotherapy had higher mortality than those who started APD before radiotherapy. The high mortality observed in breast cancer patients using APDs during radiotherapy could be influenced by the underlying conditions that necessitated APD use. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of APDs during radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Spontaneous control of chronic-phase HIV/SIV viremia is often associated with the expression of specific MHC class I allotypes. HIV/SIV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) restricted by these MHC class I allotypes appear to be critical for viremic control. Establishment of the elite controller (EC) phenotype is predictable in SIVmac239-infected Indian rhesus macaques (RMs), with approximately 50% of Mamu-B*08 + RMs and 20% of Mamu-B*17 + RMs becoming ECs. Despite extensive characterization of EC-associated CTLs in HIV/SIV-infected individuals, the precise mechanistic basis of elite control remains unknown. Because EC and non-EC viral load trajectories begin diverging by day 14 post-infection, we hypothesized that hyperacute innate immune responses may contribute to viremic control. Methods: To gain insight into the immunological factors involved in the determination of EC status, we vaccinated 16 Mamu-B*08 + RMs with Vif and Nef to elicit EC-associated CTLs, then subjected these 16 vaccinees and an additional 16 unvaccinated Mamu-B*08 + controls to repeated intrarectal SIVmac239 challenges. We then performed whole-blood transcriptomic analysis of all 32 SIVmac239-infected Mamu-B*08 + RMs and eight SIVmac239-infected Mamu-B*08 – RMs during the first 14 days of infection. Results: Vaccination did not provide protection against acquisition, but peak and setpoint viremia were significantly lower in vaccinees relative to controls. We did not identify any meaningful correlations between vaccine-induced CTL parameters and SIVmac239 acquisition rate or chronic-phase viral loads. Ultimately, 13 of 16 vaccinees (81%) and 7 of 16 controls (44%) became ECs (viremia ≤ 10,000 vRNA copies/mL plasma for ≥ 4 weeks). We identified subsets of immunomodulatory genes differentially expressed (DE) between RM groupings based on vaccination status, EC status, and MHC class I genotype. These DE genes function in multiple innate immune processes, including the complement system, cytokine/chemokine signaling, pattern recognition receptors, and interferon-mediated responses. Discussion: A striking difference in the kinetics of differential gene expression among our RM groups suggests that Mamu-B*08 -associated elite control is characterized by a robust, rapid innate immune response that quickly resolves. These findings indicate that, despite the association between MHC class I genotype and elite control, innate immune factors in hyperacute SIV infection preceding CTL response development may facilitate the establishment of the EC phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To review the indications for rectal mucosal/submucosal biopsy (RMSBx) used for diagnosing Hirschsprung's disease (HD) in pediatric patients. Methods: The medical records of all children between 1 and 15 years old assessed for chronic constipation between 2012 and 2022 were reviewed. Until the end of 2018, enema usage (E+) was a major indication for RMSBx. In 2019, laxative use for 3 months irrespective of enema use was added as an indication (L+). To determine the relevance of enema usage, L+ was subdivided by enema usage into (L+E+) and (L+E−) groups. The effect of changing the indications for RMSBx on the incidence of HD was investigated. Results: Of 562 eligible subjects, E+ = 410, L+ = 152; demographics are similar. RMSBx rate in E+ (E+RMSBx) was 36/410 (8.8%) and in L+ (L+RMSBx) was 42/152 (27.6%;) (P <.05). For L+RMSBx, 15/42 were L+E+ and 27/42 were L+E−. HD incidence in E+RMSBx was 8/36 (22.2%; E+HD) and in L+RMSBx was 13/42 (31.0%; L+HD) (p = ns). In L+RMSBx, HD incidence in L+E+ was 5/15 (33.3%; L+E+HD) and in L+E− was 8/27 (29.6%; L+E−HD) (P = ns). Differences in daily bowel motion frequency 6 months postoperatively were not statistically significant; E+HD (1.75/d) versus L+HD (2.03/d) and L+E+HD (1.60/day) versus L+E−HD (2.31/day). Unassisted voluntary defecation was confirmed 12 months postoperatively in 7/8 (87.5%) E+HD, 11/13 (84.6%) L+HD, 4/5 (80.0%) L+E+HD, and 7/8 (87.5%) L−E−HD; differences were not significant. Laxatives were still required in 2/8 (25.0%) E+HD, 3/13 (23.1%) L+HD, in 1/5 (20.0%) in L+E+HD, and 2/8 (25.0%) L+E−HD; differences were not significant. Conclusion: Incidence of HD was higher in L+HD, but not significantly different suggesting that indications for RMSBx have potential to influence incidence of HD and hint that the incidence of HD could actually be higher. Further assessment of additional indications is warranted to diagnose HD with greater accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a form of neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ), hyperphosphorylated Tau, and neuroinflammation. The increasing population affected by AD urges for the development of effective treatments. The correlation between AD and gut microbiome remains underexplored, potentially providing a better understanding of the disease. Salvianolic acid A (Sal A) and salvianolic acid B (Sal B) are the active components extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), and their antioxidant, anti-inflammation and Aβ inhibition activities were shown previously. In this study, these compounds were used to investigate their effects on Aβ toxicity, using Drosophila melanogaster expressing human Aβ42 as the model organism, by examining their lifespan and changes in gut bacterial communities. The study used two batches of flies, reared on food with or without methylparaben (MP) supplementation to evaluate the influence of MP on this animal model during pharmacological studies. MP is a common antimicrobial agent used in flies' food. The treatment of Sal A prolonged the lifespan of Aβ-expressing flies reared on MP-supplemented food significantly (P < 0.001), but not those without MP. The lifespan of Sal B-treated flies did not show a significant difference compared to untreated flies for both groups reared on food with and without MP. Sal A-treated flies in the presence of MP exhibited a lower abundance of Corynebacterium and Enterococcus than the untreated flies, while Lactiplantibacillus was the most dominant taxa. Urea cycle was predicted to be predominant in this group compared to the untreated group. The control group, Aβ-expressing flies treated with Sal A and Sal B on MP-supplemented food had improved lifespan compared to their respective groups reared on food without MP, while untreated Aβ-expressing flies was the exception. The gut microbiota composition of flies reared on MP-supplemented food was also significantly different from those without MP (P < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis often lacks a baseline serum creatinine (Cr) value. Our study aimed to create a regression equation linking kidney morphology to function in kidney donors and chronic kidney disease patients. We also sought to estimate baseline Cr in minimal change disease (MCD) patients, a common AKI-predisposing condition. Methods: We analyzed 119 participants (mean age 60 years, 50% male, 40% donors) with CT scans, dividing them into derivation and validation groups. An equation based on kidney parenchymal volume (PV) was developed in the derivation group and validated in the validation group. We estimated baseline Cr in 43 MCD patients (mean age 45 years, 61% male) using the PV-based equation and compared with their 6 month post-MCD onset Cr values. Results: In the derivation group, the equation for the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was: eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2) = 0.375 × PV (cm3) + (− 0.395) × age (years) + (− 2.93) × male sex + (− 13.3) × hypertension + (− 14.0) × diabetes + (− 0.210) × height (cm) + 82.0 (intercept). In the validation group, the eGFR and estimated Cr values correlated well with the measured values (r = 0.46, p = 0.01; r = 0.51, p = 0.004, respectively). In the MCD group, the baseline Cr values were significantly correlated with the estimated baseline Cr values (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), effectively diagnosing AKI (kappa = 0.76, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The PV-based regression equation established in this study holds promise for estimating baseline Cr values and diagnosing AKI in patients with MCD. Further validation in diverse AKI populations is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Confined placental mosaicism (CPM) is associated with an increased risk for pregnancy complications, such as fetal growth restriction (FGR), preterm birth and hypertensive disorders. Pregnancies with possible CPM can be identified with non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). We performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate whether the mosaic ratio, as calculated with the Veriseq v2 used for NIPT, can predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in cases of CPM. Method: A mosaic ratio for trisomies detected by NIPT and obstetric data such as fetal growth, structural fetal anomalies and birthweight were retrospectively studied in a cohort of patients with CPM diagnosed between February 2021 and October 2023. Structural and sex chromosomal aberrations were not included in this study. Results: Of 122 CPM cases, 52 cases (42.6%) showed adverse perinatal outcomes, including FGR, low birthweight, hypertensive disorders, or preterm birth. A significantly higher mosaic ratio was found in the adverse outcome group compared to those with normal outcome, but a clear‐cut threshold could not be set, except potentially for trisomy 16. Conclusion: There is an association between the mosaic ratio and adverse pregnancy outcomes in cases of CPM. However, without a clear‐cut threshold, it cannot be used for the individual patient for differentiation between CPM with and without clinical consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fetal two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE) is a novel technique that provides information on fetal heart function by measuring global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global longitudinal strain rate (GLSR). These features assess the longitudinal deformity of the fetal cardiac wall. 2D‐STE is shown to be of prognostic value in children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Therefore, its importance in fetal life should also be considered. This systematic review and meta‐analysis provides an overview of the literature on 2D‐STE (GLS/GLSR) in fetuses with CHD, focusing on the left and right ventricles (LV/RV). Findings indicated that LV‐GLS was significantly lower in fetuses with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) compared to controls. Conversely, fetuses with a single left ventricle exhibited higher LV‐GLS. RV‐GLS was significantly lower in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and ToF compared to controls. LV‐GLSR was significantly lower in fetuses with CoA. Overall, considerable heterogeneity was observed, possibly due to differences in study design. More prospective longitudinal studies on 2D‐STE in fetuses with CHD, considering heterogeneity parameters, could offer better insights into this promising technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has been to be involved in the uptake and regulation of dopamine 2 receptor (D2R), a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in various brain regions. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the relationship between ALK inhibitors and seizures is an important issue. This study investigated the relationship between ALK inhibitors and seizures. Methods: This study investigated the relationship between ALK inhibitors and seizures through a disproportionality analysis using the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). The target drugs were the ALK inhibitors crizotinib, ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib. The seizures covered were defined high-level group term (HLGT): "Seizures (incl. subtype)" including high-level term (HLT): "seizures and seizure disorders NEC." This study used the information component (IC), a signal score, as a Bayesian statistical method for disproportionality analysis. The signal detection criteria used in this study were the same as those reported previously: a lower limit of 95% credible interval (CrI) for IC >0. Results: The signal scores of '"seizures and seizure disorders not elsewhere classified (NEC)" "for each ALK inhibitor were crizotinib (IC: −0.00052, 95% CrI: −0.38–0.27), ceritinib (IC: 1.18, 95% CrI: 0.68–1.54), alectinib (IC: 0.68, 95% CrI: 0.19–1.02), brigatinib (IC: 1.04, 95% CrI: 0.32–1.54), and lorlatinib (IC: 0.82, 95% CrI: 0.11–1.32). On the other hand, "generalized tonic-clonic seizures," "partial simple seizures NEC," "absence seizures," and "partial complex seizures" had no or few reported cases, and no signal was detected. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report to evaluate the relationship between ALK inhibitors and seizures using post-marketing surveillance data. These results suggest that ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, which are highly brain-migrating drugs, are associated with seizures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: In spinal surgery, it is especially crucial to insert implants in the correct location. Intraoperative fluoroscopy is often necessary to safely perform spinal surgery because of serious complications that can occur if the screw deviates. However, the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy comes at the cost of radiation exposure to the surgeons and operating room staff. Therefore, it is desirable for spinal surgeons to understand the characteristics of radiation in order to minimize patient and medical staff exposure. This study aimed to create an aerial radiation dose distribution map for lateral fluoroscopy, a commonly used technique for posterior spinal fusion. Methods: A human body-equivalent phantom was placed in a prone position on the Jackson Table. The measurement method used was a lateral fluoroscopic evaluation, assuming posterior spinal fusion. Measurements were taken at three levels: 80 (gonadal), 100 (thoracoabdominal), and 150 cm (lens and thyroid). Results: The highest radiation doses were received by primary surgeons. The scrub nurse was the next most exposed. Conclusions: We developed an aerial dose distribution map for lateral fluoroscopy in posterior spinal fusion. Radiation exposure was the highest among primary surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The physical dependence on prescription opioids among cancer survivors remains an under-investigated area, with a scarcity of well-designed prospective studies. Methods This single-arm, phase-2 clinical trial in Korea assessed the efficacy and safety of a transdermal buprenorphine patch (TBP) in managing physical dependence on prescription opioids in cancer survivors, as confirmed through the DSM-5 criteria or psychiatric consultation for opioid withdrawal. This study involved a 4-phase treatment protocol of screening, induction/stabilization, discontinuation, and monitoring. The primary outcome was the rate of successful opioid discontinuation, as measured by a negative urine-drug screening at 8 weeks. Key secondary outcomes included the resumption of prescribed opioids, changes in both the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) and morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD), and assessments related to the psychological and physiological aspects of dependence and safety. Results Thirty-one participants were enrolled. In the intention-to-treat population, the success rate of opioid discontinuation was 58%, with only 2 participants experiencing a resumption of prescribed opioids. Significant reductions were observed in MEDD, which decreased from 98 to 26 mg/day (P  < .001), and COWS scores, which decreased from 5.5 to 2.8 (P  < .001). Desire to use opioids reduced from 7.0 to 3.0 on a 10-point numeric rating scale (P  < .001). Toxicities related to TBP were mild and manageable, without severe precipitated withdrawal symptoms. Conclusion TBP may be considered as an alternative therapeutic option in cancer survivors physically dependent on prescription opioids, especially where sublingual formulations are unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to derive a correlation between the technological thinking disposition and the computational thinking ability of gifted students in Korea. The correlation between each element was analyzed by looking at the sub-elements of computational thinking according to the components of technological thinking disposition. The experiment was conducted from September 2019 to February 2021 with 217 students of I Gifted School in Incheon, South Korea. The collected data were analyzed with Pearson's correlation coefficient using the statistical program R using Google COLAB. A summary of the study results is as follows. First, regarding the correlation between technological thinking ability, among the 6 components of technological thinking disposition, technological creativity and expression disposition and technological manipulation disposition show the highest correlation at 0.851. This shows that students who have an excellent ability to implement algorithms with new ideas or express them in various other attempts when implementing programs for gifted students also tend to enjoy program coding or have a tendency to like coding. Second, concerning the correlation between the technological thinking disposition and the sub-factors of computational thinking, some elements showed negative correlations and some had almost no correlation index. Students with high technological curiosity, however, tended to show a 0.287 in the parallelism factor compared to other factors. This showed a generally high trend. It can be said that students who want to know the functions, uses, forms, and characteristics of functions while implementing programs tend to have a better ability to divide large tasks into smaller tasks and process them simultaneously compared with other sub-elements of computational thinking. Third, regarding the correlation between computational thinking skills, the correlation between data analysis and pattern recognition was the highest at 0.637. This indicates that students who have an excellent ability to analyze a given coding problem also can find rules in data, showing that students at gifted schools in Korea tend to enjoy problem-solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify leadership behaviors and traits that employees deemed helpful for the organization and for the workforce approximately 1 year after the onset of the pandemic. The metacategories of leadership were used as a guiding framework. Qualitative data from 128 employees in the Philippines were gathered through an online survey and subjected to content analysis. Results pointed to several traits and behaviors under relationship-oriented, task-oriented, and change-oriented leadership. A fourth metacategory called influence-oriented leadership also emerged. Implications on the study of crisis leadership, as well as practical implications for leaders of organizations during periods of crisis are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new implementation of the limited linear source approximation (LLSA) is proposed. The LLSA was previously proposed to eliminate local negative source in flux regions to mitigate numerical instability of the method of characteristics (MOC) with linear source approximation (LSA). In the present LLSA implementation, the convex edges of flux regions are used to check the local negative source to decrease the computational load. The present method is implemented in the transport code GENESIS, and its effectiveness is verified through the two dimensional C5G7 benchmark problem and the simplified two-dimensional high-temperature engineering test reactor core. The calculation results indicate that the present LLSA implementation efficiently mitigates the numerical instability of MOC with LSA. Additional computational time is less than 1% of total computation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of embolization with or without portal vein stenting for bleeding ectopic jejunal varices in the hepatopetal portal collateral due to extrahepatic portal vein occlusion or stenosis after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Materials and methods: This study included consecutive patients who underwent embolization for bleeding ectopic jejunal varices in the hepatopetal collateral due to extrahepatic portal vein occlusion or stenosis after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery between September 2012 and December 2020. The safety, technical and clinical success rates (no re-bleeding within 1 month) and re-bleeding-free survival after the first therapy and overall survival were assessed. Results: Fourteen sessions in 11 patients were included. Four patients (7 sessions) underwent variceal embolization only, and the remaining seven patients (7 sessions) underwent portal vein stenting and variceal embolization. Technical success was achieved in all 14 sessions (100%). Clinical success was achieved in 13 of 14 sessions (92.9%). No treatment-related serious complications including liver failure were observed. One-year and 2-year re-bleeding-free survival rate after the first endovascular therapy in all 11 patients was 90.9 and 60.6%, respectively. Two patients who experienced re-bleeding had repeat embolization treatment. There was no significant difference in re-bleeding-free survival after endovascular therapy between the combination with stenting and embolization group and the embolization-only group (p = 0.13). Conclusion: Embolization with or without portal vein stenting of bleeding ectopic jejunal varices in the hepatopetal portal collateral due to extrahepatic portal vein occlusion or stenosis after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery can be considered a safe, effective, and repeatable therapy for long-term hemostasis of uncontrollable bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: Concentric needle electromyography (CNEMG) is an essential examination for evaluating neuromuscular disorders, although pain is a drawback. Clustering Index (CI) method is a non‐invasive quantitative analysis for surface electromyography (SEMG) that evaluates whether the signal area is clustered into the few large motor unit potentials (MUPs) or is evenly distributed. However, the diagnostic yield of the CI method in comparison with CNEMG is not known. In this study, we aimed to compare the sensitivity of the CI method with MUP parameters in CNEMG for diagnosing neurogenic or myogenic disorders. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients for whom both SEMG and CNEMG were performed on the same tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. In CNEMG, seven MUP parameters were evaluated, including size index (SI) and revised size indices for neurogenic (rSIn) and myogenic (rSIm) disorders. Results: Identified were 21 patients with neurogenic and 21 patients with myogenic disorders. Control data were constructed from 30 control subjects. The sensitivities of the CI method for the neurogenic and myogenic groups were 76% and 62%, respectively, which were not significantly different from MUP parameters, except for being significantly higher than those of amplitude and duration for myopathy (24%). Among MUP parameters, the sensitivities of rSIn (62%) and rSIm (57%) for myopathy were significantly higher than those of amplitude and duration. The CI method significantly correlated with the strength of the TA muscle in myopathy. Discussion: The CI method, having comparable diagnostic yields to MUP parameters, is promising as a non‐invasive diagnostic measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: When patients administered 177Lu-DOTATATE are released or discharged from rooms where radiopharmaceuticals are used, the time required for release or discharge varies across patients. This study investigated whether the amount of radioactivity accumulated on 111In-somatostatine receptor scintigraphy (111In-SRS) performed prior to treatment can predict the 1 cm dose-equivalent rate at a distance of 1 m from the patient on the day after 177Lu-DOTATATE administration. Methods: Whole-body planar 111In-SRS images were acquired for 21 patients. Pixel values within whole-body and abdominal (35 × 25 cm) regions of interest (ROIs) were converted to radioactivity dose (MBq). The 1 cm dose-equivalent rate (µSv/h) at a distance of 1 m from the patient 18.3 ± 0.5 h after administration of 177Lu-DOTATATE was measured using an ionization survey meter. Results: The following relationships were observed between the radioactivity on 111In-SRS and the 1 cm dose-equivalent rate on the day after administration of 177Lu-DOTATATE: whole-body ROI: y = 0.16x + 5.01 (r = 0.56, p = 0.009), abdominal ROI: y = 0.27x + 5.13 (r = 0.63, p = 0.002). The regression equations indicate that patients cannot be released or discharged from the radiopharmaceutical room the day after 177Lu-DOTATATE administration if the whole-body and abdominal ROI doses are greater than 81 and 48 MBq, respectively, on 111In-SRS. Conclusions: The amount of radioactivity accumulated on 111In-SRS may be a predictor of release criteria for patients receiving 177Lu-DOTATATE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-window X-rays are crucial in medical and biological applications, enabling the natural-contrast imaging of biological cells without external staining. However, water-window X-ray sources with bespoke photon energies—needed in high-contrast imaging—remain challenging to obtain, except at large synchrotron facilities. Here we address this challenge by demonstrating tabletop, water-window X-ray generation from free-electron-driven van der Waals materials, enabling the continuous tuning of photon energies across the entire water-window regime. Additionally, we present a truly predictive theoretical framework combining first-principles electromagnetism with Monte Carlo simulations to accurately predict the photon flux and brightness in absolute quantities. We obtain fundamental scaling laws for the tunable photon flux, matching the experimental results and providing a way to design powerful emitters based on free-electron-driven quantum materials. We show that we can potentially achieve photon fluxes needed for imaging and spectroscopy applications (over 108 photons s–1 on the sample—verified by our framework based on our experimentally achieved fluxes of about 103 photons s–1 using ~50 nA current). Importantly, our theory highlights the critical role played by the large mean free paths and interlayer atomic spacings unique to van der Waals structures, showing the latter's advantages over other materials in generating water-window X-rays. Tabletop, water-window X-rays are generated using free-electron-driven van der Waals materials. The X-ray energy from the source can be tuned across the water window, and the established fundamental scaling laws for the tunable photon flux may enable the design of powerful emitters based on free-electron-driven quantum materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locoregional recurrence of non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after complete resection lacks standard treatment. Durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or CRT alone is often selected in daily clinical practice for patients with locoregional recurrence; however, the therapeutic efficacy of these treatments remains unclear, and we aimed to assess this. This retrospective observational study used data from patients with NSCLC diagnosed with locoregional recurrence after complete resection who subsequently underwent concurrent CRT followed by durvalumab (CRT‐D group) or CRT alone (CRT group). We employed propensity score analysis with inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) to adjust for various confounders and evaluate efficacy in the CRT‐D group. After IPTW adjustment, the CRT‐D group contained 119 patients (64.7% male; 69.7% adenocarcinoma), and the CRT group contained 111 patients (60.5% male; 73.4% adenocarcinoma). Their mean ages were 66 and 65 years, respectively. The IPTW‐adjusted median progression‐free survival was 25.4 and 11.5 months for the CRT‐D and CRT groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.30–0.64); the median overall survival was not reached in either group favoring CRT‐D (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.24–0.99). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were observed in 48.8% of patients during CRT, 10.7% after initiating durvalumab maintenance therapy in the CRT‐D group, and 57.3% in the CRT group. Overall, the sequential approach of CRT followed by durvalumab is a promising treatment strategy for locoregional recurrence of NSCLC after complete resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether total pharyngolaryngectomy (TPL) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) provides a better prognostic outcome in patients with T4aM0 hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPSCC) using a nationwide database. Methods: All data were obtained from the Head and Neck Cancer Registry of Japan, and information from patients who were newly diagnosed with T4aM0 HPSCC between 2011 and 2015 was extracted. The primary endpoint was disease-specific survival (DSS), and the secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) adjustments was used for survival analyses. Results: Our cohort included 1143 patients. The TPL and CRT groups included 724 and 419 patients, respectively. Following IPTW adjustments, both the OS and DSS of the TPL group were significantly longer than those of the CRT group (P =.02 and P =.002, respectively). Conclusions: Survival superiority was demonstrated for patients with T4aM0 HPSCC treated with TPL compared with those treated with CRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Including the next generation of migrant workers, the young generation with the new mobility can be appropriately considered as an urban-based floating population because they are not rooted in rural areas, unlike the previous generation. Those of the previous generation had a unilateral mobility trajectory from rural to urban areas, whereas the new generation's life is based on particular regions and combines mobility trends in a more diverse direction with their own life themes. For explaining the social mobility, we applied descriptive-narrative methodology composing of narrative case study and semi-structured interviews. In this paper, the authors examine the endless variability and temporality that Chinese youths acquire from their migration experiences as well as their empirical emotions of uncertainty, particularly the internal narratives that support them amid such variability. Our conclusion suggests that the diversity of the narratives that supports mobility practices and the possibility of realizing personalized narratives are directly linked to the sustainability of Chinese society. Therefore, future Chinese urban population policies may appropriately be made by considering the narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The need for nurses to provide high-quality palliative care in clinical settings is increasing with the expansion of the need for palliative care. This study aimed to identify the degree of willingness to provide palliative care among nurses in Korea, and to explore factors that influence this willingness. Methods: Participants were 160 nurses employed in five general hospitals in South Korea, with a clinical career of over one year. Data were collected using an online questionnaire between January and February 2023, that assessed nurses' knowledge and perception of palliative care, meaning of life, compassion competence, and degree of willingness to provide palliative care. Differences in willingness to provide palliative care based on general characteristics were analysed using an independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Correlations between the research variables and willingness to provide palliative care were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Hierarchical regression was conducted to explore the factors affecting willingness to palliative care. Results: The degree of willingness to provide palliative care among nurses was 74.43 ± 9.73 (Range 50–100). In the final model, it was found that the willingness to palliative care was affected in the order of: compassion competence (β = 0.48, p <.001), perception of palliative care (β = 0.18, p =.005), and clinical experience (β = 0.15, p =.026). The explanatory power of the model was 41.4% (F = 17.01; p <.001). Conclusions: Perceptions of palliative care, clinical experience, and compassion competence were identified as factors influencing nurses' willingness to provide palliative care. Based on this study, it is necessary to provide education and training that includes content that can increase nurses' awareness of palliative care and improve their compassion competence to promote their willingness to provide palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a deadly infectious disease having a major impact on global health. Using the CMV vector for development of novel vaccines is a promising new strategy that elicits strong and durable, high frequency memory T cell responses against heterologous immunogens. We conducted functional transcriptomic analysis of whole blood samples collected from cohorts of rhesus (Rh) macaques that were administered RhCMV/TB vector using a prime-boost strategy. Two modified CMV vectors were used in this study, including 68-1 RhCMV/TB-6Ag (encoding 6 Mtb protein immunogens, including Ag85A, ESAT-6, Rv3407, Rv2626, Rpf A, and Rpf D) and its attenuated variant, 68-1 RhCMV/Dpp71-TB-6Ag (a cell-to-cell spread-deficient vaccine vector lacking the Rh110 gene encoding the pp71 tegument protein). Bulk mRNA sequencing, differential gene expression, and functional enrichment analyses showed that these RhCMV/TB vaccines induce the innate and adaptive immune responses with specific transcriptomic signatures, including the IL-15-induced protective gene signature previously defined to be linked with protection against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) by the 68-1 RhCMV/SIV vaccine. While both vectors exhibited a transcriptomic response of the IL-15 protective signature in whole blood, we show that lack of pp71 does not maintain induction of the protective signature for the full duration of the study compared to the parental non-attenuated vector. Our observations indicate that RhCMV vector vaccines induce a transcriptomic response in whole blood that include a conserved IL-15 signature of which vector-encoded pp71 is an important component of response durability that upon future Mtb challenge may define specific vaccine protection outcomes against Mtb infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Segmental absence of intestinal musculature (SAIM) is a partial defect of intestinal muscularis propria without diverticulum. Many reports indicate that the increase in intestinal pressure caused by enemas or endoscopic examinations leads to bowel perforation, but there are few reports involving malignant tumors. Moreover, few reports have had good outcomes after performing one-stage intestinal anastomosis. Case presentation: A 60-year-old male came to the office with right-side abdominal pain, and was diagnosed with acute generalized peritonitis caused by ascending colon perforation. Emergency laparotomy was performed, and oval and smooth perforation at the ascending colon was observed, which caused ascites with feces. In addition, there was a tumor on the distal side. The terminal ileum was not dilated, so the cause of the perforation was more likely the SAIM-related thin intestinal wall rather than increased internal intestinal pressure due to obstruction of the tumor. Therefore, a right hemicolectomy with functional end-to-end anastomosis (FEEA) between the ascending colon and ileum was performed, rather than creating a stoma. On pathological examination, the resected bowel segments had a partial defect of intestinal muscularis propria around the perforation, leading to the diagnosis of SAIM. The patient had a favorable postoperative course without anastomotic issues and was discharged safely. Conclusions: This case implies that initial intestinal anastomosis can be performed without creating a stoma when SAIM is suspected from the shape of the perforation and proximal intestine. This case report suggests surgeons should keep SAIM in mind during operations for colon perforations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a significant pathogen in the worldwide swine industry. The virus shows high genetic variation coupled with a broad range of virulence in pigs. Although multiple lineages of the virus have been prevalent throughout in Korea, the characteristics of lineage‐wise pathogenicity are largely unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to analyze and compare the pathogenicity of 11 representative Korean PRRSV‐2 isolates selected from PRRSV‐2 lineages circulating in Korea, NADC30‐like, VR2332‐like, and three nation‐specific lineages (lineage KOR A (LKA), lineage KOR B (LKB), and lineage KOR C (LKC)), which have been continuously prevalent in the nation. Eleven groups of pigs were experimentally infected with one Korean PRRSV‐2 isolate through four consecutive animal experiments. Body weight and body temperature were recorded during each 4‐week challenge experiment period, and virological, serological, and histopathological tests were performed on the collected samples. The data from the animal experiments were integrated into two indicators—excretion and clinical signs—through correlation and principal component analysis (PCA). Meta‐analysis was used to compare PRRSV‐2 isolates using each indicator. Based on these analyses, while L1C viruses used in this study (JB15‐N‐P31‐GB and JB15‐N‐PJ73‐GN, similar to NADC30‐like strains) exhibited low or moderate levels of excretion and clinical signs, lineage 5 (L5) or modified live vaccine (MLV)‐variant strains exhibited high levels of excretion compared to other PRRSV‐2 isolates. However, the L5 variants all caused mild clinical signs, except for JB15‐N‐PJ4‐GN, which showed the 4th highest clinical sign indicator. Among the Korean lineages (LKA, LKB, and LKC), two LKB strains (GGYC45 and JB15‐N‐PJ10‐GN) were the most virulent as they showed the highest mortality after the challenge. On the other hand, the LKA and LKC viruses displayed lower excretion indicators than L5 strains, but they had higher‐ranked clinical sign indicators than low‐virulence L5 MLV variants. In conclusion, PRRSV prevalent in Korea has diverse excretion and clinical characteristics, and certain lineage is highly pathogenic. These results will offer useful insights to prevent spread of PRRSV and improve the efficacy of vaccines in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a major health issue worldwide. This study introduces the HepScope gene set, developed through a hybrid approach that utilizes single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics (stRNA-seq), bulk RNA-seq, and proteomics data, along with the adaptation of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) techniques. Comprising 113 genes significantly upregulated in malignant hepatocytes, HepScope gene set includes 77 genes unique to this set compared to other HCC-related gene sets. Unlike existing solutions, HepScope gene set demonstrated superior discriminatory power in distinguishing malignant from non-malignant hepatocytes, as validated by Seurat's module score, outperforming five other gene sets across multiple datasets. A 1D-CNN model, specifically adapted for the HepScope gene set, achieved superior accuracy (0.71), AUROC (0.82), and F1 score (0.85) compared to models trained on other gene sets, underscoring its enhanced predictive precision and robustness. Rigorous cross-validation and benchmarking against alternative models confirmed HepScope's consistent performance. Additionally, we evaluated the prognostic capability of the HepScope gene set across two independent cohorts, demonstrating that the HepScope-based risk score is a strong independent predictor of overall and disease-free survival, making it a valuable tool for patient prognosis. Collectively, our findings position HepScope as a promising gene set for both diagnostic and prognostic applications in HCC, highlighting its potential in precision medicine for HCC and offering insights into personalized therapy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Evaluation of implementation strategies is core to implementation trials, but implementation strategies often deviate from the original plan to adjust to the real-world conditions. The optimal approach to track modifications to implementation strategies is unclear, especially in low-resource settings. Using data from an implementation trial for people who inject drugs (PWID) with HIV in Vietnam, we describe the tracking of implementation strategy modifications and present findings of this process. Methods: SNaP (Systems Navigation and Psychosocial Counseling) is a hybrid type-III effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trial aiming to scale up the evidence-based intervention, integrated systems navigation and psychosocial counseling, for PWID with HIV in Vietnam. Forty-two HIV testing sites were randomized 1:1 to a standard or tailored arm. While the standard arm (SA) received a uniform package of strategies, implementation strategies for the tailored arm (TA) were tailored to address specific needs of each site. The central research team also met monthly with the TA to document how their tailored strategies were implemented over time. Five components were involved in the tracking process: describing the planned strategies; tracking strategy use; monitoring barriers and solutions; describing modifications; and identifying and describing any additional strategies. Results: Our approach allowed us to closely track the modifications to implementation strategies in the tailored arms every month. TA sites originally identified 27 implementation strategies prior to implementation. During implementation, five strategies were dropped by four sites and two new strategies were added to twelve sites. Modifications of five strategies occurred at four sites to accommodate their changing needs and resources. Difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, low number of participants recruited, high workload at the clinic, lack of resources for HIV testing and high staff turnover were among barriers of implementing the strategies. A few challenges to tracking modifications were noted, including the considerable amount of time and efforts needed as well as the lack of motivation from site staff to track and keep written documentations of modifications. Conclusions: We demonstrated the feasibility of a systematic approach to tracking implementation strategies for a large-scale implementation trial in a low-resource setting. This process could be further enhanced and replicated in similar settings to balance the rigor and feasibility of implementation strategy tracking. Our findings can serve as additional guidelines for future researchers planning to report and track modifications to implementation strategies in large, complex trials. Trial registration: : clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03952520 (first posted 2019-05-16). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages, and early-stage diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult because of nonspecific symptoms and lack of available biomarkers. Methods: We performed comprehensive serum miRNA sequencing of 212 pancreatic cancer patient samples from 14 hospitals and 213 non-cancerous healthy control samples. We randomly classified the pancreatic cancer and control samples into two cohorts: a training cohort (N = 185) and a validation cohort (N = 240). We created ensemble models that combined automated machine learning with 100 highly expressed miRNAs and their combination with CA19-9 and validated the performance of the models in the independent validation cohort. Results: The diagnostic model with the combination of the 100 highly expressed miRNAs and CA19-9 could discriminate pancreatic cancer from non-cancer healthy control with high accuracy (area under the curve (AUC), 0.99; sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 98%). We validated high diagnostic accuracy in an independent asymptomatic early-stage (stage 0-I) pancreatic cancer cohort (AUC:0.97; sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 98%). Conclusions: We demonstrate that the 100 highly expressed miRNAs and their combination with CA19-9 could be biomarkers for the specific and early detection of pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic range of an image represents the difference between its darkest and brightest areas, a crucial concept in digital image processing and computer vision. Despite display technology advancements, replicating the broad dynamic range of the human visual system remains challenging, necessitating high dynamic range (HDR) synthesis, combining multiple low dynamic range images captured at contrasting exposure levels to generate a single HDR image that integrates the optimal exposure regions. Recent deep learning advancements have introduced innovative approaches to HDR generation, with the cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN) gaining attention due to its robustness against domain shifts and ability to preserve content style while enhancing image quality. However, traditional CycleGAN methods often rely on unpaired datasets, limiting their capacity for detail preservation. This study proposes an improved model by incorporating a switching map (SMap) as an additional channel in the CycleGAN generator using paired datasets. The SMap focuses on essential regions, guiding weighted learning to minimize the loss of detail during synthesis. Using translated images to estimate the middle exposure integrates these images into HDR synthesis, reducing unnatural transitions and halo artifacts that could occur at boundaries between various exposures. The multilayered application of the retinex algorithm captures exposure variations, achieving natural and detailed tone mapping. The proposed mutual image translation module extends CycleGAN, demonstrating superior performance in multiexposure fusion and image translation, significantly enhancing HDR image quality. The image quality evaluation indices used are CPBDM, JNBM, LPC-SI, S3, JPEG_2000, and SSEQ, and the proposed model exhibits superior performance compared to existing methods, recording average scores of 0.6196, 15.4142, 0.9642, 0.2838, 80.239, and 25.054, respectively. Therefore, based on qualitative and quantitative results, this study demonstrates the superiority of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, cases of antifreeze poisoning in companion animals, particularly cats, have surged in the Republic of Korea. Ethylene glycol (EG), the toxic primary component of antifreeze, is metabolized into glycolic acid (GA), leading to severe metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, and death. Traditional detection methods, although effective, are often time-consuming owing to complex sample preparation. This study involved a novel analytical method utilizing GC-MS for EG and LC-MS/MS for GA detection, which streamlined the detection process by eliminating the need for derivatization. The method was validated for accuracy and reliability, enabling the rapid and precise identification of EG and GA in biological samples. This study also included the successful application of this method in a case where initial exposure to antifreeze was not apparent, which highlighted the effectiveness of this method in diagnosing poisoning even in cases where clinical history is unclear. The development of this rapid diagnostic approach addresses the urgent need for the efficient detection of antifreeze poisoning, improving animal welfare and supporting forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) include a variety of inflammatory and fibrotic pulmonary conditions. This study employs high‐resolution metabolomics (HRM) to explore plasma metabolites and pathways across ILD phenotypes, including non‐fibrotic ILD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and non‐IPF fibrotic ILD. The study used 80 plasma samples for HRM, and involved linear trend and group‐wise analyses of metabolites altered in ILD phenotypes. We utilized limma one‐way ANOVA and mummichog algorithms to identify differences in metabolites and pathways across ILD groups. Then, we focused on metabolites within critical pathways, indicated by high pathway overlap sizes and low p‐values, for further analysis. Targeted HRM identified putrescine, hydroxyproline, prolyl‐hydroxyproline, aspartate, and glutamate with significant linear increases in more fibrotic ILD phenotypes, suggesting their role in ILD fibrogenesis. Untargeted HRM highlighted pathway alterations in lysine, vitamin D3, tyrosine, and urea cycle metabolism, all associated with pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, methylparaben level had a significantly increasing linear trend and was higher in the IPF than fibrotic and non‐ILD groups. This study highlights the importance of specific amino acids, metabolic pathways, and xenobiotics in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium (Na) ion batteries (SIB) hold great importance in energy storage due to their potential to offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Na is abundantly available and less expensive than lithium, making it an attractive option for large-scale energy storage applications. In the present work, we have predicted a series of 2D transition metal (TM) Si-chalcogenides (TMSiCs), TM2X2Si (TM = Ta, Nb and X = S, Se), which exhibit metallic characteristics. All these materials are dynamically stable, but only Ta2S2Si, Ta2Se2Si and Nb2Se2Si are thermally stable even at an elevated temperature of 400 K. Through first-principles calculations, we show that Ta2S2Si, Ta2Se2Si and Nb2Se2Si are promising anode materials for SIB. These materials have a low Na migration barrier in the range of 0.13 to 0.17 eV, which could enhance the cycling performance of the SIB. The calculated average open circuit voltage (OCV) is small, i.e. 0.48, 0.4 and 0.47 V for Ta2S2Si, Ta2Se2Si and Nb2Se2Si, respectively, which suggests the possibility of higher output voltage and larger energy density of the battery. The maximum Na ion capacities for Ta2S2Si, Ta2Se2Si and Nb2Se2Si are calculated to be 206.6, 171.3 and 252.4 mA h g-1, respectively. Our results could provide fundamental insights into TM2X2Si for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes have evolved intricate communication systems that enable individual cells of a population to send and receive signals in response to changes in their immediate environment. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the oxylipin nitrogen signaling factor (NSF) is part of such communication system, which functions to regulate the usage of different nitrogen sources. Yet, the pathways and mechanisms by which NSF acts are poorly understood. Here, we show that NSF physically interacts with the mitochondrial sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase Hmt2 and that it prompts a change from a fermentation- to a respiration-like gene expression program without any change in the carbon source. Our results suggest that NSF activity is not restricted to nitrogen metabolism alone and that it could function as a rheostat to prepare a population of S. pombe cells for an imminent shortage of their preferred nutrients. Synopsis: Chemical cell-to-cell communication in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is essential for adaption to environmental changes in nutrient availability. This study uncovers that the extracellular signaling molecule nitrogen signaling factor (NSF) functions to counter nitrogen catabolite repression, and to switch from fermentation to respiratory metabolism. Nitrogen Signaling Factor (NSF) functions in an intra-species communication system of. With increasing cell density during population growth, NSF reaches a critical concentration that triggers a switch from a fermentation- to a respiration-like gene expression program. The putative 1-acyldihydroxyacetone phosphate reductase Ayr1 counteracts NSF signaling. The mitochondrial sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase Hmt2 is a direct and functionally relevant target of NSF. NSF is a transmissible signal that activates mitochondrial respiration to maximize growth. The oxylipin NSF is a transmissible signal that activates mitochondrial respiration to maximize growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) increases overdose mortality, but its role in infectious disease transmission is unknown. We examined whether IMF use predicts hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence among a cohort of people who inject drugs (PWID) in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico. Methods PWID were recruited during 2020–2022, undergoing semi-annual interviewer-administered surveys and HIV and HCV serological rapid tests through 2024. Cox regression was conducted to examine predictors of seroconversion considering self-reported IMF use as a 6-month lagged, time-dependent covariate. Results Of 398 PWID at baseline, 67% resided in San Diego, 70% were male, median age was 43 years, 42% reported receptive needle sharing, and 25% reported using IMF. HCV incidence was 14.26 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.49–17.02), and HIV incidence was 1.29 (95% CI:.49–2.10). IMF was associated with HCV seroconversion, with a univariable hazard ratio (HR) of 1.64 (95% CI: 1.09–2.40), and multivariable HR of 1.57 (95% CI: 1.03–2.40). The direction of the relationship with HIV was similar, albeit not significant (HR 2.39; 95% CI:.66–8.64). Conclusions We document a novel association between IMF and HCV seroconversion among PWID in Tijuana–San Diego. Few HIV seroconversions (n = 10) precluded our ability to assess if a similar relationship held for HIV. IMF's short half-life may destabilize PWID—increasing the need for repeat dosing and sharing smoking materials and syringes. New preventive care approaches may reduce HCV transmission in the fentanyl era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multidisciplinary discussion (MDD), in which physicians, radiologists, and pathologists communicate and diagnose together, has been reported to improve diagnostic accuracy compared to diagnoses made solely by physicians. However, even among experts, diagnostic concordance of MDD is not always good, and some patients may not receive a specific diagnosis due to insufficient findings. A provisional diagnosis based on the ontology with a diagnostic confidence level has recently been proposed. Additionally, we developed an artificial intelligence model to differentiate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) from other chronic interstitial lung diseases (ILD)s, which needs validation in a broader population. Methods: This prospective nationwide ILD registry has recruited patients with newly diagnosed ILD at the referral respiratory hospitals in Japan and provides rapid MDD diagnoses and treatment recommendations through a central online MDD platform with a 3-year follow-up period. A modified diagnostic ontology is used. If no diagnosis reaches more than 50% certainty, the diagnosis is unclassifiable ILD. If multiple diseases are expected, the diagnosis with a high probability takes precedence. If the confidence levels for the top two possible diagnoses are equal, the diagnosis can be unclassifiable. The registry uses tentative diagnostic criteria for nonspecific interstitial pneumonia with organising pneumonia and smoking-related ILD not otherwise specified as possible new entities. Central MDD diagnosticians review the clinical data, test results, radiology images, and pathological specimens on a dedicated website and conduct MDD diagnoses using online meetings with a cloud-based reporting system. This study aims to (1) provide MDD diagnoses with treatment recommendations; (2) determine the overall ILD rates in Japan; (3) clarify the reasons for unclassifiable ILDs; (4) evaluate possible new disease entities; (5) identify progressive phenotypes and create a clinical prediction model; (6) measure the agreement rate between institutional and central diagnoses in ILD referral and non-referral centres; (7) identify key factors for each specific ILD diagnosis; and (8) create a new disease classification system based on treatment strategies, including the use of antifibrotic drugs. Discussion: This study will provide ILD frequencies, including new entities, using central MDD on dedicated online systems, and develop a machine learning model for ILD diagnosis and prognosis prediction. Trial registration: UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000040678). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been a progressive increase in the use of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in acute cholecystitis (AC) over the last decades due to population aging, and the support of guidelines (Tokyo Guidelines (TG), World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) Guidelines) as a valid therapeutical option. However, there are many unanswered questions about the management of PCs. An international consensus on indications and PC management using Delphi methodology with contributions from experts from three surgical societies (EAHPBA, ANS, WSES) have been performed. Methods: A two-round Delphi consensus, which included 27 questions, was sent to key opinion leaders in AC. Participants were asked to indicate their 'agreement/disagreement' using a 5-point Likert scale. Survey items with less than 70% consensus were excluded from the second round. For inclusion in the final recommendations, each survey item had to have reached a group consensus (≥ 70% agreement) by the end of the two survey rounds. Results: 54 completed both rounds (82% of invitees). Six questions got > 70% and are included in consensus recommendations: In patients with acute cholecystitis, when there is a clear indication of PC, it is not necessary to wait 48 h to be carried out; Surgery is the first therapeutic option for the TG grade II acute cholecystitis in a patient suitable for surgery; Before PC removal a cholangiography should be done; There is no indication for PC in Tokyo Guidelines (TG) grade I patients; Transhepatic approach is the route of choice for PC; and after PC, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred approach (93.1%). Conclusions: Only six statements about PC management after AC got an international consensus. An international guideline about the management of PCs are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family contributes to the progression of steatohepatitis; however, changes in and the characteristics of isoform-specific expression remain unclear. Since diabetes is a major driver of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), we characterized the mouse model of diabetic MASH (dMASH) by focusing on PDGF signaling. Pdgfa-d expression was markedly higher in hepatic stellate cells among flow-sorted cells in control mice and also increased in dMASH. In contrast, a reanalysis of human single-cell RNA-Seq data showed the distinct distribution of each PDGF isoform with disease progression. Furthermore, inflammation and fibrosis in the liver were less severe in diabetic MASH using tamoxifen-induced PDGF receptor β (PDGFRβ)-deficient mice (KO) than in control dMASH using floxed mice (FL) at 12 weeks old. Despite the absence of tumors, the expression of tumor-related genes was lower in KO than in FL. Tumorigenesis was significantly lower in 20-week-old KO. An Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of differentially expressed miRNA between FL and KO identified functional networks associated with hepatotoxicity and cancer. Therefore, PDGFRβ signals play important roles in the progression of steatohepatitis and tumorigenesis in MASH, with the modulation of miRNA expression posited as a potential underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]