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Combustion synthesis is capable of producing many types of refractory and ceramic materials, as well as metals, with a relatively lower cost and shorter time frame than other solid state synthetic techniques. TiO2 with Mg as reductant were dry mixed and hand compacted into a 60 mm diameter mold and then combusted under an Ar atmosphere. Depending on the reaction parameters (Mg concentration 2 ≤ α ≤ 4), the thermocouples registered temperatures between 1160°C and 1710°C · 3 mol of Mg gave the optimum results with combustion temperature (Tc) and combustion velocity (Uc) values of 1372°C and 0.26 cm/s respectively. Furthermore, this ratio also had the lowest oxygen concentration in this study (0.8 wt%). After combustion, DC plasma treatment was carried out to spheroidize the Ti powder for use in 3D printing. The characterization of the final product was performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and N/O analysis.

Although TiNb2O7 is regarded as a material with high application potential in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), it has been difficult to find suitable cost-effective conditions for synthesizing it on a commercial scale. In this study, TiNb2O7 compounds were synthesized by a solid state synthesis process. For stoichiometrically precise synthesis of the TiNb2O7 phase, the starting materials, TiO2 and Nb2O5 were taken in a 1:1 molar ratio. Activation energy and reaction kinetics of the system were investigated at various synthesis temperatures (800,1000,1200, and 1400°C) and for various holding durations (1,5,10, and 20 h). Furthermore, change in the product morphology and particle size distribution were also evaluated as a function of synthesis temperature and duration. Additionally, quantitative phase analysis was conducted using the Rietveld refinement method. It was found that increases in the synthesis temperature and holding time lead to increase in the mean particle size from 1 to 4.5 μm. The reaction rate constant for the synthesis reaction was also calculated.

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an important role in brain tumors, including medulloblastoma (MBL). Recent advancements in mass spectrometry systems and ‘Omics’ data analysis methods enable unbiased, high proteome depth research. We conducted proteomic profiling of the total CSF in MBL patients with the purpose of finding a potential diagnostic biomarker for MBL. We quantified 1112 proteins per CSF sample. Feature selection identified four elevated soluble proteins (SPTBN1, HSP90AA1, TKT, and NME1-NME2) in MBL CSF. Validation with ELISA confirmed that TKT was significantly elevated in MBL. Additionally, TKT-positive extracellular vesicles were significantly enriched in MBL CSF and correlated with the burden of leptomeningeal seeding. Our results provide insights into the proteomics data of the total CSF of MBL patients. Furthermore, we identified the significance of TKT within the total CSF and its presence within circulating EVs in the CSF. We suggest that TKT may serve as a biomarker for MBL.

Summary: Background: Pregnant women with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represent a special population in which treatment access remains limited despite its increasing prevalence. A reliable estimate of the burden and clinical outcomes of pregnant women with HCV infection is crucial for HCV elimination. We aimed to determine the prevalence, maternal-to-child transmission (MTCT), maternal and fetal complication rates, and direct acting antivirals (DAA) treatment outcomes of chronic HCV infection in pregnant women. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science from inception until March 1, 2024, for studies reporting on the prevalence, MTCT, complications of HCV infection, and treatment outcomes of DAA in pregnant women. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. We performed subgroup analysis based on 9 variables to explore the source of heterogeneity in HCV prevalence. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42024500023. Findings: From a total of 311,905,738 pregnant women from 333 studies, the pooled global seroprevalence of HCV in pregnant women was 2.6% (95% CI: 2.0–3.2, I2 = 100%) which increased in patients with intravenous drug use and HIV. Majority of the HCV cases in pregnant women (75%) are diagnosed through universal screening. The pooled MTCT rate was 9.0% (95% CI: 6.6–11.7, I2 = 79%), which was higher with HIV co-infection (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1–4.6, I2 = 10%), but was not influenced by the mode of delivery or breastfeeding. Pregnant women with HCV infection had more maternal complications, including intrahepatic cholestasis, preterm delivery, and antepartum hemorrhage. Neonates of mothers with HCV had higher odds of being small for gestational age. The pooled rate of sustained virologic response (SVR12) among the 74 women treated with DAA during pregnancy was 98.4%, with no serious adverse events reported. Interpretation: HCV prevalence in pregnant women varies by geographic region and patient population, while MTCT occurs in almost one in ten viremic mothers. The incidence of both maternal and neonatal complications is significantly higher in patients with HCV infection. Limited data suggest that DAA are safe in pregnant women with HCV infection. Funding: None.

Spinal arachnoid web is a rare condition characterized by extramedullary bands of arachnoid tissue at the level of the dorsal thoracic spinal cord that may lead to progressive, permanent neurological deficits. To date, this condition has been radiographically characterized by a scalpel sign, which has been pathognomonic in all reported cases of spinal arachnoid webs. In this case, we report the first known patient with confirmed spinal arachnoid web without radiographic evidence of the scalpel sign. In reporting our finding, we encourage a higher clinical suspicion for spinal arachnoid web in patients presenting with progressive thoracic myelopathy following trauma, and radiographic evidence of ventrally displaced spinal cord and turbulent cerebrospinal fluid flow, even in the absence of a scalpel sign.

Changes in evapotranspiration can affect water availability and climate, leading to extreme weather and severe impact on ecosystems. In particular, increased water stress in farmland, forests, and mountainous areas with limited water resources can result in detrimental impacts such as droughts and wildfires. In this study, we utilized data from the Advanced Meteorological Imager (AMI) sensor on the Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite 2A (GK-2A) and employed a tree-based machine learning method to accurately estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) in South Korea. The estimated SAT ETo was compared to the ASOS ETo, which was estimated using meteorological variables from the Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS) and the Penman–Monteith method. The hourly SAT ETo demonstrated an estimated accuracy with a relative bias (rBias) of −0.26%, a relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of 34.01%, and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.94, whereas the daily SAT ETo exhibited an estimated accuracy with an rBias of −0.25%, an rRMSE of 8.30%, and an R2 of 0.97. In this study, various cases were analyzed in detail, including daytime and nighttime, wet and dry conditions, and varying cloud cover. The highly accurate estimation of ETo using data from the GK-2A satellite, which have high temporal and spatial resolution, can be effectively utilized as monitoring data for water resource management and natural disaster prevention.

Background Dynamic compression of extracranial arteries in the cervicocerebral circulation is a rare phenomenon of ischemic stroke. Methods Retrospective chart review. Results Here, we present a young fighter pilot who presented with recurrent embolic strokes of undetermined source. He endorsed flying fighter jets for 6 years, during which he was subject to high G‐force loads and extensive in‐flight head maneuvers. Extensive workup identified dynamic arterial compression of his right vertebral artery, which entered the transverse foramen at the C4 level. Dynamic cerebral angiography was used to reveal the specific vessel location and provocative maneuver leading to dynamic occlusion of his right vertebral artery. Conclusion This case highlights the utility of dynamic cerebral angiography in identifying previously unexplored causes of arteriogenic emboli formation, particularly in patients with predisposing anatomic and clinical risk factors.

Background G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) is a key molecule in diabetes and fatty liver, but its role in endothelial dysfunction remains unclear. Our objective in this study was to determine whether GPR40 agonists protect endothelial cells against palmitatemediated oxidative stress. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to investigate effects of various GPR40 agonists on vascular endothelium. Results In HUVECs, AM1638, a GPR40-full agonist, enhanced nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) translocation to the nucleus and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, which blocked palmitate-induced superoxide production. Those antioxidant effects were not detected after treatment with LY2922470 or TAK875, GPR40-partial agonists, suggesting that GPR40 regulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) removal in a ligand-dependent manner. We also found that palmitate-induced CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein expression; X-box binding protein-1 splicing, nuclear condensation, and fragmentation; and caspase-3 cleavage were all blocked in an NRF2-dependent manner after AM1638 treatment. Both LY2922470 and TAK875 also improved cell viability independent of the NRF2/ROS pathway by reducing palmitate-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress and nuclear damage. GPR40 agonists thus have beneficial effects against palmitate in HUVECs. In particular, AM1638 reduced palmitate-induced superoxide production and cytotoxicity in an NRF2/HO-1 dependent manner. Conclusion GPR40 could be developed as a good therapeutic target to prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Despite the various therapeutic benefits and high tolerance of orally administered silybin, poor water-solubility can be the main restrictive physicochemical feature, which results in low oral bioavailability in the absorption. A milk thistle nanocrystal formulation (HM40) was prepared using a modified wet-milling method. Comprehensive characterization was performed to determine the physical morphology, crystallinity, and physicochemical properties. The long-term stability was evaluated over 24 months. In vitro silybin release was assessed at pH 1.2 for 2 h, followed by pH 6.8 for 4 h. Finally, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rats and healthy human volunteers. HM40 exhibited a nanocrystal structure maintaining crystallinity and enhanced the solubility and dissolution of silybin compared to that of the raw material. The stability over 24 months revealed consistent surface morphology, particle size, silybin content, and solubility. In vitro release profiles indicated a significant increase in the silybin release from HM40. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that HM40 showed 2.61- and 1.51-fold higher oral bioavailability in rats and humans, respectively, than that of the reference capsule. HM40 formulation presents a stable and promising approach for the oral delivery of poorly water-soluble silybin, with the potential for use in pharmaceutical formulations containing milk thistle.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the torque onset angle (TOA) of the isokinetic test for knee extensors in the paretic side and walking related balance in subacute stroke patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with first-ever strokes who have had at least two isokinetic tests within 6 months of onset. 102 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. The characteristics of walking related balance were measured with the Berg Balance Scale sub-score (sBBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 10-m Walk Test (10MWT) and Functional Independence Measure sub-score (sFIM). The second isokinetic test values of the knee extensor such as peak torque, peak torque to weight ratio, hamstring/quadriceps ratio, TOA, torque stop angle, torque at 30 degrees, and peak torque asymmetry ratio between paretic and non-paretic limb were also taken into account. Pearson’s correlation, simple regression and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation between TOA and walking related balance. Results TOA of the knee extensor of the paretic limb showed significant correlations with BBS, sBBS, TUG, 10MWT, and sFIM according to Pearson’s correlation analysis. TOA also had moderate to good correlations with walking related balance parameters in partial correlation analysis. In multiple regression analysis, TOA of the paretic knee extensor was significantly associated with walking related balance parameters. Conclusion This study demonstrated that TOA of the paretic knee extensor is a predictable parameter of walking related balance. Moreover, we suggest that the ability to recruit muscle quickly is important in walking related balance.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate implants from different manufacturers and determine whether implant-healing abutment interface has a significant impact on implant seal. Methods: An air-injection pressure measurement test was performed on implants with either line-contact (modified TSIII [TSM] and Bone Level Tapered [BLT]) or partial face-contact (BlueDiamond [BD], SuperLine [SL], ISII, and UFII) interface design from 6 different manufacturers. Forty implants per implant type were analysed. Pressure data were evaluated with Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn's post hoc analysis (statistical significance was set at P < .05). Results: BLT implants leaked when the mean pressure was increased to 199.9 kPa. The following implants showed mean leakage pressures of 182.9 (TSM), 157.4 (BD), 112.9 (SL), 101.8 (ISII), and 30.6 (UFII). There was a significant difference between line-contact and partial face-contact implants (P < .001). Conclusions: The implant interface design has a significant impact on implant microbial leakage. Implants with a line-contact interface exhibited a higher resistance to leakage than those with partial face-contact.

The emergence of bactericidal antibiotic-resistant strains has increased the demand for alternative therapeutic agents, such as antivirulence agents targeting the virulence regulators of pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus exoprotein expression (sae) locus, the master regulator of virulence gene expression in multiple drug-resistant S. aureus, is a promising therapeutic target. In this study, we screened a small-molecule library using a SaeRS green fluorescent protein (GFP)-reporter that responded to transcription controlled by the sae locus. We identified the compound, N-(2-methylcyclohexyl)-11-oxo-10,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,f][1,4]thiazepine-8-carboxamide (SKKUCS), as an efficient repressor of sae-regulated GFP activity. SKKUCS inhibited hemolysin production and reduced α-hemolysin-mediated cell lysis. Moreover, SKKUCS substantially reduced the expression levels of various virulence genes controlled by the master regulators, sae, and the accessory gene regulator (agr), demonstrating its potential as an antivirulence reagent targeting the key virulence regulators. Furthermore, autokinase inhibition assay and molecular docking suggest that SKKUCS inhibits the kinase activity of SaeS and potentially targets the active site of SaeS kinase, possibly inhibiting ATP binding. Next, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of SKKUCS in vivo using murine models of staphylococcal intraperitoneal and skin infections. Treatment with SKKUCS markedly increased animal survival and significantly decreased the bacterial burden in organs and skin lesion sizes. These findings highlight SKKUCS as a potential antivirulence drug for drug-resistant staphylococcal infections.

With the development of electric vehicles, indoor driving robots, wearable devices, etc., research on technology for recognizing one's current location continues to progress. Self-localization is an essential need for autonomous driving and mainly requires global positioning system (GPS), thereby using technologies such as LiDAR, Wi-Fi, and visible light communication (VLC). However, GPS is greatly affected by its surrounding environment, and it can make errors, especially in spaces where signals are blocked, such as tunnels and buildings. In this paper, we propose a system for estimating one's location using LED lights and frequency components with different color temperatures in an indoor space such as a tunnel. We installed three types of LED lights with different color temperatures in a tunnel-like experimental environment and collected data using RGB sensors. We also estimated the user's current location according to the color temperature and frequency component analysis from the data. In most cases, it was measured within a margin of error of 0–2 cm. It is expected that this will be used for generating data on the location of indoor service robots and autonomous vehicles in spaces where it is difficult to use GPS.

Objective To identify factors that affect the participation of female immigrants in their 20s in the national cervical cancer screening programs. Methods Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Services from 2016 to 2017. A total of 17,730 women who agreed to undergo cervical cancer screening during 2016–2017 were included in the study. Results Of the 17,730 women, 8,149 (46%) participated in cervical cancer screening, whereas, 9,581 (54%) did not. Logistic regression analysis of factors related to cervical cancer screening showed that the odds ratio (OR) of screening was higher in short duration of stay (OR, 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.35), Chinese nationality (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.28–1.59), unemployment (OR, 1; 95% CI, reference), participation in general health screening (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 3.24–5.33), and comorbidities (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.09–1.24) when compared to the other populations. The highest OR was associated with participation in general health screening. Conclusion Appropriate programs should be developed to increase participation of socially vulnerable groups in cervical cancer screening. Such programs will improve awareness regarding cervical cancer screening and reduce disparities in healthcare.

Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex-SP) is the most commonly used drug administered via intratympanic injection for the treatment of acute hearing loss, but its penetration efficiency into the inner ear is very low. To address this problem, we evaluated the possibility of administering dexamethasone nanosuspensions via intratympanic injection because hydrophobic drugs might be more effective in penetrating the inner ear. Three types of dexamethasone nanosuspensions were prepared; the dexamethasone nanoparticles in the three nanosuspensions were between approximately 250 and 350 nm in size. To compare the efficiency of Dex-SP and dexamethasone nanosuspension in delivering dexamethasone to the inner ear, the concentrations of dexamethasone in perilymph and cochlear tissues were compared by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The dexamethasone nanosuspensions resulted in significantly higher drug concentrations in perilymph and cochlear tissues than Dex-SP at 6 h; interestingly, animals treated with nanosuspensions showed a 26-fold higher dexamethasone concentrations in their cochlear tissues than animals treated with Dex-SP. In addition, dexamethasone nanosuspension caused better glucocorticoid receptor phosphorylation than Dex-SP both in vitro and in vivo, and in the ototoxic animal model, the nanosuspension showed a significantly better hearing-protective effect against ototoxic drugs than Dex-SP. In the in vivo safety evaluation, the nanosuspension showed no toxicity at concentrations up to 20 mg/mL. In conclusion, a nanosuspension of dexamethasone was able to deliver dexamethasone to the cochlea very safely and efficiently and showed potential as a formula for intratympanic injection.

Soft, stretchable, conductive thin films have propelled to the forefront of applications in stretchable sensors for on-skin health monitoring. Stretchable conductive films require high conformability, stretchability, and mechanical/chemical stability when integrated into the skin. Here, we present a highly stretchable, conductive, and transparent natural rubber/silver nanowire (AgNW)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composite film. Overcoating the PEDOT:PSS layer results in outstanding mechanical robustness and chemical stability by suppressing the mechanical and chemical degradation of the nanowire networks. Moreover, the introduction of the organic surface modifier enhances the bonding strength between the natural rubber substrate and AgNW at the interface. The highly conformable composite films are integrated into multifunctional on-skin sensors for monitoring various human motions and biological signals with low-power consumption. We believe that the highly stretchable, robust, and conformable natural rubber/AgNW/PEDOT:PSS composite film can offer new opportunities for next-generation wearable sensors for body motion and physiological monitoring.

Abstract Purpose Molecular subgrouping of medulloblastoma has become important due to its impact on risk group stratification. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been widely used but it has innate limitations. The NanoString assay has been proposed as an alternative method. This study aims to present the characteristics of medulloblastoma subgrouped by the NanoString assay and to compare the subgrouping results with the IHC method. Methods Pediatric patients with histological diagnosis of medulloblastoma who underwent surgery from 2007 to 2021 were included. Clinical characteristics, pathological findings were reviewed. Molecular subgrouping was performed by IHC and by NanoString nCounter Elements TagSets assay. Test for concordance between two methods was made. Results Among a total of 101 patients analyzed, subgrouping using the NanoString assay resulted in 14 (13.8%) WNT, 20 (19.8%) SHH, 18 (17.8%) Group 3, and 39 (38.6%) Group 4 subgroup cases. Survival analysis revealed the following from best to worse prognosis: WNT, Group 4, SHH, and Group 3. In SHH subgroup the large cell/anaplastic histology was present in 30% of cases. Seventy-one cases were analyzed for concordance between NanoString and IHC. Cohen’s kappa value indicated moderate agreement but identification of Groups 3 and 4 with IHC using NPR3 and KCNA1 markers exhibited poor results. Conclusions The NanoString assay of Korean medulloblastoma patients revealed a more aggressive clinical course in the SHH subgroup which may be explained by a higher proportion of large cell/anaplastic histology being present in this subgroup. IHC did not distinguish Group 3 or 4 accurately. The NanoString assay may represent a good alternative method for practical use in the clinical field.

The effects of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) berry pulp extracts (CBP extracts) on the improvement of diabetes, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were evaluated using various in vitro antioxidant activity assays and through a high-fat diet-induced mild diabetic obese mouse model. After an 84-day oral administration of CBP extracts (400–100 mg/kg), bioactivities were evaluated. The in vitro analysis showed the highest DPPH● scavenging activity of 73.10 ± 4.27%, ABTS● scavenging activity of 41.18 ± 1.14%, and SOD activity of 56.24 ± 2.81%, at a CBP extract concentration of 1000 µg/mL. The in vivo analysis of the CBP extracts showed favorable and dose-dependent anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, NAFLD, nephropathy, and hyperlipidemia refinement effects through hepatic glucose enzyme activity, 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) up-regulation, antioxidant activity, lipid metabolism-related gene expression, and pancreatic lipid digestion enzyme modulatory activities. This study shows that an appropriate oral dosage of CBP extracts could function as a potent herbal formulation for a refinement agent or medicinal food ingredient to control type 2 diabetes and related complications.

In this study, we assessed the correlations between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurements obtained using three different diagnostic methods, namely reversed-phase cation-exchange chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and lateral flow immunoassay (LIFA) with an AnyLab F instrument. HbA1c levels measured with the AnyLab F instrument and those measured with the HA8190V, HA8180, and D100 instruments were strongly correlated. High R-square values and low p-values indicated significant and reliable correlations, supporting the clinical interchangeability of these methods. Notably, demographic and clinical analyses revealed uniform HbA1c levels across age groups, suggesting minimal age-related variations in HbA1c levels in the cohort. This finding has implications for diabetes management strategies across different age groups, emphasizing the versatility of the AnyLab F instrument. Overall an average HbA1c level of 7.857% among diabetes mellitus-diagnosed participants suggests moderately elevated HbA1c levels, underscoring the need for improved diabetes management. Younger individuals exhibited lower HbA1c levels, potentially owing to heightened awareness and treatment plan adherence. Conversely, older adults had higher HbA1c levels, likely influenced by age-related changes and comorbidities. Larger sample sizes and a comprehensive evaluation of various measurement principles are needed to strengthen the findings herein. Additionally, exploring additional biomarkers and assessing LIFA performance in larger sample sets will advance the clinical utility of HbA1c measurements.

Abstract Background The majority of clinical genetic testing focuses almost exclusively on regions of the genome that directly encode proteins. The important role of variants in non-coding regions in penetrant disease is, however, increasingly being demonstrated, and the use of whole genome sequencing in clinical diagnostic settings is rising across a large range of genetic disorders. Despite this, there is no existing guidance on how current guidelines designed primarily for variants in protein-coding regions should be adapted for variants identified in other genomic contexts. Methods We convened a panel of nine clinical and research scientists with wide-ranging expertise in clinical variant interpretation, with specific experience in variants within non-coding regions. This panel discussed and refined an initial draft of the guidelines which were then extensively tested and reviewed by external groups. Results We discuss considerations specifically for variants in non-coding regions of the genome. We outline how to define candidate regulatory elements, highlight examples of mechanisms through which non-coding region variants can lead to penetrant monogenic disease, and outline how existing guidelines can be adapted for the interpretation of these variants. Conclusions These recommendations aim to increase the number and range of non-coding region variants that can be clinically interpreted, which, together with a compatible phenotype, can lead to new diagnoses and catalyse the discovery of novel disease mechanisms.

Sestrin2, a well-known adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulator, plays a protective role against metabolic stress. The β3-adrenergic receptor (β3AR) induces fat browning and inhibits muscle atrophy in an AMPK-dependent manner. However, no prior research has examined the relationship of sestrin2 with β3AR in body composition changes. In this study, CL 316,243 (CL), a β3AR agonist, was administered to wild-type and sestrin2-knockout (KO) mice for 2 weeks, and fat and muscle tissues were harvested. CL induced AMPK phosphorylation, expression of brown-fat markers, and mitochondrial biogenesis, which resulted in the reduction of lipid droplet size in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). These effects were not observed in sestrin2-KO mice. In CL-treated soleus muscle, sestrin2-KO was related to decreased myogenic gene expression and increased levels of muscle atrophy-related molecules. Our results suggest that sestrin2 is associated with beneficial β3AR-mediated changes in body composition, especially in iWAT and in the soleus.

Endothelial dysfunction is strongly linked with inflammatory responses, which can impact cardiovascular disease. Recently, G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) has been investigated as a modulator of metabolic stress; however, the function of GPR40 in vascular endothelial cells has not been reported. We analyzed whether treatment of GPR40-specific agonists modulated the inflammatory responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treatment with LY2922470, a GPR40 agonist, significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation and movement into the nucleus from the cytosol. However, treatment with another GPR40 agonist, TAK875, did not inhibit LPS-induced NF-κB activation. LPS treatment induced expression of adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and attachment of THP-1 cells to HUVECs, which were all decreased by LY2922470 but not TAK875. Our results showed that ligand-dependent agonism of GPR40 is a promising therapeutic target for overcoming inflammatory reactions in the endothelium.

Blood group mismatch in veterinary medicine is a significant problem in blood transfusion, sometimes leading to severe transfusion reactions and even patient death. Blood groups vary from species to species and there are three known blood groups in cats: A, B and AB. While A-type cats are most common, there is a shortage of feline B-type blood groups in cats. By using methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) to protect antigenic epitopes on red blood cells (RBCs), we aimed to find the optimal conditions for the production of feline universal RBCs. The surfaces of feline A-type RBCs were treated with mPEG at various molecular weights and concentrations. Agglutination tests showed that the coating of feline A-type RBCs with mPEG of 20 kDa and 2 mM blocked hemagglutination to feline anti-A alloantibodies over 8 h. While no differences in RBC size and shape between intact and mPEG-treated RBCs were seen, coating RBCs with mPEG inhibited the binding of feline anti-A alloantibodies. Furthermore, the mPEG-treated RBCs did not cause spontaneous hemolysis or osmotic fragility, compared to control RBCs. According to a monocyte monolayer assay, mPEG treatment significantly reduced feline anti-A antibody-mediated phagocystosis of RBCs. These results confirm the potential of using activated mPEG on feline A-type RBC to create universal erythrocytes for transfusion to B-type cats.

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the infiltration of leukocytes, particularly eosinophils, into the airways, resulting in respiratory dysfunction. To develop new asthma treatment materials with minimal side effects and excellent bioactivities, we evaluated the efficacy of immature Asian pear extract (IAP extract; 400–100 mg/kg) in alleviating ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in female C57BL/6J mice. This study assesses various parameters associated with OVA-induced allergic asthma including lung weight, macroscopic necropsy findings, the total cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the total leukocyte count and leukocyte differential count, serum ovalbumin-specific Ig E (OVA-sIg E) levels, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 contents in BALF, histopathological changes in the lungs, and alterations in oxidative stress and inflammation-related mRNA expressions. The results of this study demonstrate clear asthma-related findings in the OVA control group. However, the oral administration of IAP extract (at doses ranging from 400 to 100 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities by regulating the expressions of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/phosphatase and TENsin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PI3K/Akt/PTEN), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in a dose-dependent manner. These effects are comparable to those observed with dexamethasone at a concentration of 0.75 mg/kg. As a result, the oral administration of an appropriate dose of IAP extract holds promise as a potential natural drug or health-functional food material for improving respiratory function.

Photochromic materials have attracted considerable interest because of their ability to undergo reversible color switching. We report highly conductive and flexible spiropyran-embedded cellulose films with multiple optical and electrical functionalities, showing negative photo- and thermochromism. Combining silver nanowires and conductive polymer with cellulose/spiropyran films achieves a very low sheet resistance of 6.7 ohm/sq. The optimized films show outstanding mechanical stability with negligible electrical loss (resistance change < 2%) after 1000 bending cycles. The photo- and thermal-responsive conductive cellulose/spiropyran films can be used to directly visualize information and as flexible heating devices, pressure-responsive sensors, and colorimetric thermometers with high device performance.

Background and purpose Previous studies on the weekend effect—a phenomenon where stroke outcomes differ depending on whether the stroke occurred on a weekend—mostly targeted ischemic stroke and showed inconsistent results. Thus, we investigated the weekend effect on 30-day mortality in patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke considering the confounding effect of stroke severity and staffing level. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data of patients hospitalized for ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018, which were extracted from the claims database of the National Health Insurance System and the Medical Resource Report by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. The primary outcome measure was 30-day all-cause mortality. Results In total, 278,632 patients were included, among whom 84,240 and 194,392 had a hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, respectively, with 25.8% and 25.1% of patients, respectively, being hospitalized during the weekend. Patients admitted on weekends had significantly higher 30-day mortality rates (hemorrhagic stroke 16.84%>15.55%, p4.92%, pConclusions Weekend admission for hemorrhagic stroke was significantly associated with a higher mortality rate after adjusting for confounding factors. Further studies are required to understand factors contributing to mortality during weekend admission.

Background and purposePrevious studies on the weekend effect-a phenomenon where stroke outcomes differ depending on whether the stroke occurred on a weekend-mostly targeted ischemic stroke and showed inconsistent results. Thus, we investigated the weekend effect on 30-day mortality in patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke considering the confounding effect of stroke severity and staffing level.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data of patients hospitalized for ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018, which were extracted from the claims database of the National Health Insurance System and the Medical Resource Report by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. The primary outcome measure was 30-day all-cause mortality.ResultsIn total, 278,632 patients were included, among whom 84,240 and 194,392 had a hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, respectively, with 25.8% and 25.1% of patients, respectively, being hospitalized during the weekend. Patients admitted on weekends had significantly higher 30-day mortality rates (hemorrhagic stroke 16.84%>15.55%, p4.92%, pConclusionsWeekend admission for hemorrhagic stroke was significantly associated with a higher mortality rate after adjusting for confounding factors. Further studies are required to understand factors contributing to mortality during weekend admission.

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe the ultrasonographic and clinical findings of patients with small testes due to a wide range of causes. We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic and clinical findings of various causes of small testes. We present various causes of small testes on ultrasonography including Klinefelter syndrome, testicular torsion, mumps orchitis, inguinal hernia, cryptorchidism, varicocele, and trauma. On ultrasonography, small testes in patients with testicular torsion, mumps orchitis, and trauma usually showed heterogeneous echogenicity. Atrophic testes were homogeneously hypoechoic in patients with cryptorchidism and inguinal hernia and were isoechoic to the normal testis in patients with varicocele. Klinefelter syndrome patients had small hyperechoic or hypoechoic nodules, but the echogenicity of the remnant portion of the testes was homogeneous. Ultrasonography is helpful for detecting small testes and for the differential diagnosis of the various possible causes of small testes.

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess the occurrence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) according to serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods This retrospective analysis was based on the nationwide survey of KD conducted in the Republic of Korea between 2015 and 2017. We enrolled 9131 patients and defined low (

Transurethral resection (TUR) is the gold standard treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancers. Recurrence occurs in approximately half of the patients with bladder cancer after initial TUR. Most recurrent bladder cancers present as polypoid masses with intraluminal growth originating from the mucosa. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report on imaging findings of recurrent bladder cancers located within the subepithelial and intramural layers. Recurrent cancers within the intramural layer are difficult to detect with cystoscopy; they are also difficult to remove surgically. Imaging studies reveal the most important indicators for diagnosing subepithelial recurrent cancers. Here, we present a rare case of a recurrent bladder cancer within the subepithelial layer detected on imaging.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare type of chronic bacterial nephritis, which rarely involves the invasion of adjacent organs or the formation of fistulas due to tissue-destructive granulomatous reactions. Although the invasions of various adjacent organs have been reported in several cases of XGP, MRI data on their features are limited. MRI has a better soft-tissue resolution than CT. Thus, it can identify the extent of extrarenal involvement in advanced XGP, and the findings can be used in treatment planning. Herein, we report a rare case of XGP with nephropleural fistula formation diagnosed using CT and MRI.

A challenge for optoelectronic devices is the differing wettability of the organic active layer and transparent electrodes. Here, an organic interlayer which is hydrophilic or hydrophobic on each side enhances the performance of organic photovoltaic devices, and organic light emitting diodes.

Abstract Background Fetal hydrops is excessive extravasation of fluid into the third space in a fetus, which could be due to a wide differential of underlying pathology. IPEX (immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked) syndrome primarily affects males. It is a monogenic primary immunodeficiency syndrome of X-linked recessive inheritance due to FOXP3 gene variants. It is characterised by the development of multiple autoimmune disorders in affected individuals. Case presentation We present a rare cause of male fetal hydrops in the context of IPEX syndrome and discuss FOXP3 gene variants as a differential for ‘unexplained’ fetal hydrops that may present after the first trimester. Discussion and conclusions In all similar cases, the pathological process begins during intrauterine life. Furthermore, there are no survivors described. Consequently, this variant should be considered as a severe one, associated with intrauterine life onset and fatal course, i.e., the most severe IPEX phenotype.

To deal with the adverse effects associated with the use of currently available treatments for metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, there is a need to find an alternative drug compound. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds extract (BCS extract) for type 2 diabetes using a 45% Kcal-fed obese mouse model. The BCS extract at different doses (400–100 mg/kg) showed a dose-dependent improvement tendency in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidemia, and diabetic nephropathy compared to the metformin (250 mg/kg). In particular, BCS extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg significantly inhibited the HFD-induced metabolic conditions. The oral administration of BCS extract (200 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the oxidative stress through lipid peroxidation, normalized the activity of sugar metabolism-related enzymes and the expression of genes involved in fat metabolism, and inhibited insulin resistance through glucose and fat metabolism by regulating the 5’-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression. Furthermore, BCS extract (200 mg/kg) showed renal damage improvement effects compared to the metformin (250 mg/kg). The results clearly show that BCS aqueous extract at an appropriate concentration could help in the treatment of metabolic disorders, and BCS aqueous extract can be used as a functional food for various diabetic complications, such as obesity, diabetes, and NAFLD.

Although the immunomodulatory effects of Astragali Radix extract (AR) have been documented, its anti-mutagenic activity, a problem arising from chemotherapeutic agents, is rarely reported. Therefore, the anti-mutagenic and immunomodulatory effects of AR were investigated using a cyclophosphamide (CPA)-induced immunosuppressed mouse model to develop an alternative immunomodulatory agent. The fluid-bed-dried aqueous extract of AR containing 37.5% dextrin and exopolymers purified from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001 (EAP) were used in this study. The therapeutic potentials of AR at doses ranging from 100 mg/kg to 400 mg/kg was estimated by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) based cytotoxicity and splenocyte proliferation assay, body weight and lymphatic organ weight measurements, hematological measurements, serum and spleen cytokine level measurements, natural killer (NK) cell activity measurements, real-time RT-PCR expressions of splenic mRNA, a micronucleus test, histopathological observations, and immunohistochemical measurements. In CPA-treated mice, a clear immunosuppressive effect was observed for all tested parameters. However, the oral administration of AR (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) showed dose-dependent and favorable inhibitory activities on CPA-induced immunosuppression and mutagenicity as compared to 200 mg/kg EAP. Furthermore, AR (100–400 mg/kg) up-regulated the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NF-κB) which are related to NK-, T-, and B-cell activation, with no critical cytotoxicity. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that AR at an appropriate oral dose could act as a potential alternative agent with significant anti-mutagenicity and immunomodulatory properties.

Measuring manual-labor performance has been a key element of work scheduling and resource management in many industries. It is performed using a standard data system called Time and Motion Study (TMS). Many industries still rely on direct human effort to execute the TMS methodology which can be time-consuming, error-prone, and expensive. In this paper, we introduce an automatic replacement of the TMS technique that works at two levels of abstraction: primitive and activity actions. We leverage on recent advancements in deep learning methods and employ an encoder-decoder based classifier to recognize primitives and a continuous-time hidden Markov model to recognize activities. We show that our system yields results competitive with those obtained with several common human action recognition models. We also show how our proposed system can help operational decisions by computing productivity indicators such as worker availability, worker performance, and overall labor effectiveness.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic findings of testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the case files of eight patients (14 to 24 years old; mean, 17 years) with mumps orchitis and testicular atrophy who were treated between January 2011 and September 2017. On gray-scale and color Doppler, the ultrasonographic features of volume, shape, echogenicity, and degree of blood flow in the testes were analyzed as part of both initial and follow-up ultrasonography. The duration between the initial diagnosis of mumps orchitis and the ultrasonographic diagnosis of testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis ranged from 25 to 230 days (mean, 95.9 days). Results Of the eight patients with testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis, the testes were affected unilaterally in seven patients (6 right-sided and 1 left-sided) and bilaterally in one patient. The affected testes (n=9) were 23%-55% (mean, 44.7%) smaller in volume (mean, 6.3±2.0 mL) than the contralateral normal testes (n=7) (mean, 10.8±2.3 mL) on follow-up ultrasonography (P=0.001). The shape of the atrophic testes was oblong in seven cases and elliptical in two cases. The atrophic testes were either heterogeneously hypoechoic with multiple hyperechoic islands (n=7) or heterogeneously hyperechoic (n=2). On follow-up color Doppler ultrasonography, the degree of vascularity of the atrophic testis was either similar to (n=3) or lower than (n=6) that of the contralateral testis. Conclusion On ultrasonography, atrophic testes after mumps orchitis tended to exhibit an oblong shape, heterogeneous low echogenicity with multiple hyperechoic islands, and decreased vascularity.

Background: Ginsenoside compound-Mc1 (Mc1) is a member of the deglycosylated ginsenosides obtained from ginseng extract. Although several ginsenosides have a cardioprotective effect, this has not been demonstrated in ginsenoside Mc1. Methods: We treated H9c2 cells with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ginsenoside Mc1 to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Mc1. The levels of antioxidant molecules, catalase, and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were measured, and cell viability was determined using the Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax):B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio, a cytotoxicity assay, and flow cytometry. We generated mice with high-fat diet (HFD)–induced obesity using ginsenoside Mc1 and assessed their heart tissues to evaluate the antioxidant effect and the fibrosis-reducing capability of ginsenoside Mc1. Results: Ginsenoside Mc1 significantly increased the level of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the H9c2 cells. The expression levels of catalase and SOD2 increased significantly after treatment with ginsenoside Mc1, resulting in a decrease in the production of H2O2-mediated reactive oxygen species. Treatment with ginsenoside Mc1 also significantly reduced the H2O2-mediated elevation of the Bax:Bcl2 ratio and the number of DNA-damaged cells, which was significantly attenuated by treatment with an AMPK inhibitor. Consistent with the in vitro data, ginsenoside Mc1 upregulated the levels of catalase and SOD2 and decreased the Bax:B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio and caspase-3 activity in the heart tissues of HFD-induced obese mice, resulting in reduced collagen deposition. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Mc1 decreases oxidative stress and increases cell viability in H9c2 cells and the heart tissue isolated from HFD-fed mice via an AMPK-dependent mechanism, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for oxidative stress–related cardiac diseases.

Abstract Background The spermatic cord and testis are very rare sites for metastasis from gastric cancer. Although several mechanisms have been suggested to explain this unusual metastasis, the actual mechanism remains unclear. We report a case of right spermatic cord and testicular metastasis, review its imaging findings, and suggest a mechanism of tumor spread. Case presentation A 61-year-old man complained of a palpable mass in the right inguinal area. He had been treated with distal gastrectomy with chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer 5 years ago. Computed tomography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass surrounding the right spermatic cord, involving the right testis. Another mass was observed in the aortocaval space, presumed to be a metastatic lymph node. The imaging features of the right testicular lesion were different than those of the primary testicular cancer. The lesions at both sites showed similar radiologic features of abundant internal necrosis, which is consistent with metastatic lesions. Pathology confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma. He underwent a series of chemotherapy sessions, and all metastatic masses had partially decreased in size at the 5-month outpatient follow-up. Conclusions The imaging features of testicular mass and spermatic cord involvement are important clues for accurate differential diagnosis of metastasis from other primary tumors in patients with a history of stomach cancer. This unusual metastasis can be explained via retrograde tumor spread along the lymphatic channels in terms of concurrent aortocaval lymph node metastasis. A suspicion of metastasis should not be overlooked, even if a patient has undergone curative treatment, including surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, many years ago.

Background: Helicobacter pylori increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induces oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. DNA damage activates DNA damage response (DDR) which includes ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) activation. ATM increases alternative reading frame (ARF) but decreases mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2). Because p53 interacts with Mdm2, H. pylori–induced loss of Mdm2 stabilizes p53 and induces apoptosis. Previous study showed that Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRG) reduces ROS and prevents cell death in H. pylori–infected gastric epithelial cells. Methods: We determined whether KRG inhibits apoptosis by suppressing DDRs and apoptotic indices in H. pylori–infected gastric epithelial AGS cells. The infected cells were treated with or without KRG or an ATM kinase inhibitor KU-55933. ROS levels, apoptotic indices (cell death, DNA fragmentation, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 activity) and DDRs (activation and levels of ATM, checkpoint kinase 2, Mdm2, ARF, and p53) were determined. Results: H. pylori induced apoptosis by increasing apoptotic indices and ROS levels. H. pylori activated DDRs (increased p-ATM, p-checkpoint kinase 2, ARF, p-p53, and p53, but decreased Mdm2) in gastric epithelial cells. KRG reduced ROS and inhibited increase in apoptotic indices and DDRs in H. pylori–infected gastric epithelial cells. KU-55933 suppressed DDRs and apoptosis in H. pylori–infected gastric epithelial cells, similar to KRG. Conclusion: KRG suppressed ATM-mediated DDRs and apoptosis by reducing ROS in H. pylori–infected gastric epithelial cells. Supplementation with KRG may prevent the oxidative stress-mediated gastric impairment associated with H. pylori infection. Keywords: Apoptosis, Gastric epithelial cells, Helicobacter pylori, Panax ginseng

This study applies a novel cloud seeding method using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a research aircraft in Korea. For this experiment, the UAV sprayed a cloud seeding material (calcium chloride), and the aircraft monitored the clouds in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula on April 25, 2019. Cloud observation equipment in the aircraft indicated an increase in the number concentration and average particle size of large cloud particles after the seeding. Weather radar reflectivity increased by approximately 10 dBZ above the experimental area due to the development of clouds and precipitation systems. Rain was observed after seeding, and 0.5 mm was recorded, including natural and mixed precipitation from the cloud seeding. In addition, it showed that the rapid increase in the number of raindrops and vertical reflectivity was approximately 10 dBZ. Therefore, these results showed the possibility of cloud seeding using UAVs and atmospheric research aircraft. The effects of cloud seeding are indicated through the increased number concentration and size of cloud particles, radar reflectivity, and ground-based precipitation detection.

Disruption of apoptosis leads to cancer cell progression; thus, anticancer agents target apoptosis of cancer cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce apoptosis by activating caspases and caspase-dependent DNase, leading to DNA fragmentation. ROS increase the expression of apoptotic protein Bax, which is mediated by activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF--κB). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is an important source of endogenous ROS, and its activation is involved in apoptosis. Lutein, an oxygenated carotenoid and known antioxidant, is abundant in leafy dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, and in yellow-colored foods, such as corn and egg yolk. High amounts of lutein increase ROS levels and exhibit anticancer activity. However, its anticancer mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether lutein activates NADPH oxidase to produce ROS and induce apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells. Lutein increased ROS levels and promoted the activation of NADPH oxidase by increasing the translocation of NADPH oxidase subunit p47 phox to the cell membrane. It increased NF-κB activation and apoptotic indices, such as Bax, caspase-3 cleavage, and DNA fragmentation, and decreased Bcl-2, cell viability, and colony formation in AGS cells. The specific NADPH oxidase inhibitor ML171, and the known antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine reversed lutein-induced cell death, DNA fragmentation, and NF-κB DNA-binding activity in AGS cells. These results suggest that lutein-induced ROS production is dependent on NADPH oxidase, which mediates NF-κB activation and apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells. Therefore, lutein supplementation may be beneficial for increasing ROS-mediated apoptosis in gastric cancer cells.

The aim of this research was to confirm the possible synergic effects of sasam-Kyeongokgo (SKOG) on the anti-tumor activity of gefitinib using athymic nude mice bearing the human non-small-cell lung squamous cell carcinoma (NSCLC) NCI-H520 cell line after continuous oral combination treatment provided daily for 35 days within a timeframe of 5 min, as a developing process of novel preventive and therapeutic regimes for various types of lung cancer. After 35 days, BW, tumor volume and weight, and lymphatic and periovarian fat pad weight measurements, as well as serum IFN-γ and IL-6 level, NK cell activity, and splenic cytokine content measurements, together with histopathological observations, and immunohistochemistry measurements of the treated and control mice, were performed. The results suggest that the co-administration of SKOG 400, 200, or 100 mg/kg with gefitinib markedly increased the anti-tumor activity of gefitinib through immunostimulatory effects and also dramatically inhibited cancer cachexia through the immunostimulatory effect, potentiating the anti-tumor activity of gefitinib, with favorable anti-cachexia effects. Therefore, the co-administration of over 100 mg/kg of SKOG and gefitinib can provide an effective novel treatment regimen for various lung cancer patients.

We demonstrate high-performance down-conversion microlens array (DC-MLA) films for white organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The DC-MLA films are readily fabricated by an imprinting method based on breath figure patterns, which are directly formed on the polymer substrate with a novel concept. The DC-MLA films result in high-quality white light as well as enhanced light outcoupling efficiency for white OLEDs. The external quantum efficiency and power efficiency of OLEDs with DC-MLA films are increased by a factor of 1.35 and 1.86, respectively, compared to OLEDs without outcoupling films. Moreover, the white OLEDs with DC-MLA films achieve a high color-rendering index of 84.3. It is anticipated that the novel DC-MLA films fabricated by the simple imprinting process with breath figure patterns can contribute to the development of efficient white OLEDs.

We report on a new surface modifier which simultaneously improves electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of silver nanowire-based stretchable transparent electrodes. The transparent electrodes treated with 11-aminoundecanoic acid achieve a low sheet resistance of 26.0 ohm/sq and a high transmittance of 90% with an excellent stretchability. These improvements are attributed to the effective formation of a strong chemical bond between silver nanowire networks and elastomeric substrates by 11-aminoundecanoic acid treatment. The resistance change of the optimized silver nanowire/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin-films is only about 10% when the film is stretched by 120%. In addition, the chemical stability of stretchable silver nanowire films is significantly improved by the introduction of conductive PEDOT:PSS overcoat film. The optimized electrodes are utilized as high-performance stretchable transparent heaters, successfully illustrating its feasibility for future wearable electronics.

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) thin films were prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) at a low temperature of 150 °C using di-isopropylaminosilane and oxygen with different plasma times. While SiO2 films deposited with a short plasma time of 0.5 s exhibited high leakage current, SiO2 films deposited with a plasma time of 7 s at 150 °C showed excellent dielectric properties, including a low current density of 4.8 × 10−9 A/cm2 at 1 MV/cm and a high breakdown field of 10.5 MV/cm, comparable to those of PEALD-SiO2 films deposited at 350 °C. As the plasma time increased from 0.5 to 7 s, the dielectric constant of SiO2 films decreased from 7.5 to 4.0, which was close to the value of stoichiometric SiO2. Appropriate conduction mechanisms of these SiO2 films with differing electrical characteristics by plasma time were examined. Analyses by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry revealed that the quality of SiO2 films largely depended on the amount of defects such as hydroxyl and hydrogen-related species generated by low-temperature deposition.

Recently, autonomous driving technology has been in the spotlight. However, autonomous driving is still in its infancy in the railway industry. In the case of railways, there are fewer control elements than autonomous driving of cars due to the characteristics of running on railways, but there is a disadvantage in that evasive maneuvers cannot be made in the event of a dangerous situation. In addition, when braking, it cannot be decelerated quickly for the weight of the body and the safety of the passengers. In the case of a tram, one of the railway systems, research has already been conducted on how to generate a profile that plans braking and acceleration as a base technology for autonomous driving, and to find the location coordinates of surrounding objects through object recognition. In pilot research about the tram’s automated driving, YOLOv3 was used for object detection to find object coordinates. YOLOv3 is an artificial intelligence model that finds coordinates, sizes, and classes of objects in an image. YOLOv3 is the third upgrade of YOLO, which is one of the most famous object detection technologies based on CNN. YOLO’s object detection performance is characterized by ordinary accuracy and fast speed. For this paper, we conducted a study to find out whether the object detection performance required for autonomous trams can be sufficiently implemented with the already developed object detection model. For this experiment, we used the YOLOv4 which is the fourth upgrade of YOLO.

Past studies of microgrids have been based on measurements of fuel consumption by generators under static loads. There is little information on the fuel efficiency of generators under time-varying loads. To help analyze the impact of time-varying loads on optimal generator operation and fuel consumption, we formulate a mixed-integer linear optimization model to plan generator and energy storage system (ESS) operation to satisfy known demands. Our model includes fuel consumption penalty terms on time-varying loads. We exercise the model on various scenarios and compare the resulting optimal fuel consumption and generator operation profiles. Our results show that the change in fuel efficiency between scenarios with the integration of ESS is minimal regardless of the imposed penalty placed on the generator. However, without the assistance of the ESS, the fuel consumption increases dramatically with the penalty imposed on the generator. The integration of an ESS improves fuel consumption because the ESS allows the generator to minimize power output fluctuation. While the presence of a penalty term has a clear impact on generator operation and fuel consumption, the exact type and weight of the penalty appears insignificant; this may provide useful insight for future studies in developing a real-time controller.

The incidence of eutrophication is increasing due to fertilizer abuse and global warming. Eutrophication can induce the proliferation of cyanobacteria such as Microcystis, which produces microcystins. Microcystins are toxic to specific organs such as the liver and the heart. Thus, monitoring of microcystins is strongly required to control drinking water and agricultural product qualities. However, microcystins could be adsorbed by plastic materials during sample storage and preparation, hindering accurate analysis. Therefore, the current study examined the recovery rate of microcystins from six plastics used for containers and eight plastics used for membrane filters. Among the six plastics used for containers, polyethylene terephthalate showed the best recovery rate (≥81.3%) for 48 h. However, polypropylene, polystyrene, and high- and low-density polyethylenes showed significant adsorption after exposure for 1 hr. For membrane materials, regenerated cellulose (≥99.3%) showed the highest recovery rate of microcystins, followed by polyvinylidene fluoride (≥94.1%) and polytetrafluoroethylene (≥95.7%). The adsorption of microcystins appeared to be strongly influenced by various molecular interactions, including hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interaction. In addition, microcystins’ functional residues seemed to be critical factors affecting their adsorption by plastic materials. The present study demonstrates that polyethylene terephthalate and regenerated cellulose membrane are suitable plastic materials for the analysis of microcystins.

Oxidative stress induces DNA damage which can be repaired by DNA repair proteins, such as Ku70/80. Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulate the activation of caspase-3, which degrades Ku 70/80. Cells with decreased Ku protein levels undergo apoptosis. Astaxanthin exerts antioxidant activity by inducing the expression of catalase, an antioxidant enzyme, in gastric epithelial cells. Therefore, astaxanthin may inhibit oxidative stress-induced DNA damage by preventing Ku protein degradation and thereby suppressing apoptosis. Ku proteins can be degraded via ubiquitination and neddylation which adds ubiquitin-like protein to substrate proteins. We aimed to determine whether oxidative stress decreases Ku70/80 expression through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway to induce apoptosis and whether astaxanthin inhibits oxidative stress-induced changes in gastric epithelial AGS cells. We induced oxidative stress caused by the treatment of β-D-glucose (G) and glucose oxidase (GO) in the cells. As a result, the G/GO treatment increased ROS levels, decreased nuclear Ku protein levels and Ku-DNA-binding activity, and induced the ubiquitination of Ku80. G/GO increased the DNA damage marker levels (γ-H2AX; DNA fragmentation) and apoptosis marker annexin V-positive cells and cell death. Astaxanthin inhibited G/GO-induced alterations, including Ku degradation in AGS cells. MLN4924, a neddylation inhibitor, and MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, suppressed G/GO-mediated DNA fragmentation and decreased cell viability. These results indicated that G/GO-induced oxidative stress causes Ku protein loss through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, resulting in DNA fragmentation and apoptotic cell death. Astaxanthin inhibited oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis via the reduction of ROS levels and inhibition of Ku protein degradation. In conclusion, dietary astaxanthin supplementation or astaxanthin-rich food consumption may be effective for preventing or delaying oxidative stress-mediated cell damage by suppressing Ku protein loss and apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells.