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Nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NIVO+IPI) has a long-term response rate of 30% for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, 20% of patients develop primary resistant disease (PRD) to NIVO+IPI and show poor survival outcomes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of PRD as a second-line treatment in patients with mRCC. The data used in this multi-institutional, retrospective cohort were collected between August 2015 and January 2023. In total, 189 patients with mRCC were treated with NIVO+IPI and then with a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Associations between PRD and progression-free survival of second-line treatment (PFS), progression-free survival 2 (PFS2), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. The median age at NIVO+IPI initiation was 67 years in the male-dominant population (n = 140, 74.1%), and most patients had clear cell histology (n = 140, 74.1%). PRD was recorded in 42 (22.2%) of 189 patients during NIVO+IPI therapy. Patients who experienced PRD showed poor PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.788; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.176-2.718; p = 0.007), PFS2 (HR, 4.127; 95% CI, 2.649-6.431; p < 0.001), and OS (HR, 3.330; 95% CI, 2.040-5.437; p < 0.001). Before starting second-line therapy, patients with PRD tended to have a poor performance status compared with non-PRD patients and a higher IMDC risk. Second-line drug therapy was not associated with treatment outcomes in patients with PRD. PRD in patients with mRCC receiving NIVO+IPI as first-line treatment was associated with poor clinical course, even with second-line therapy., (© 2024 The Author(s). Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.)

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of the global cancer incidence and mortality. It is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis of lymph-node metastasis before surgery to select the therapeutic strategy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) is considered a marker of hypoxia and it has reported that CA9 is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. In this study, the correlation between the CA9 expression for lymph-node metastases in NSCLC and [18F]FDG PET/CT results was investigated in order to clarify the efficacy of [18F]FDG PET/CT for detecting lymph-node metastases of NSCLC patients., Methods: Among the 564 patients who underwent surgical treatment for NSCLC between 2010 and 2016 at our hospital, a total of 338 patients who underwent preoperative [18F]FDG PET/CT were included in this study. CA9 expression was evaluated by immunochemistry. A lymph node with maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ≥2.5 on [18F]FDG PET/CT was preoperatively defined as a metastatic lymph node., Result: CA9 positivity was detected in 122 patients; the other 216 patients were CA9-negative. The CA9-positive NSCLC cases significantly associated with pleural invasion (p = 0.0063), pT-factor (p = 0.0080), pN-factor (p = 0.036) and pStage (p = 0.043). CA9-positive patients presented significantly poorer survival rate for OS than that of the CA9-negative patients (p = 0.0024). In the multivariable analysis, histological SCC and CA9 positivity were independent poor-prognosis factors for OS. For the total patient population, the sensitivity and specificity of [18F]FDG PET/CT for lymph-node metastases were 54% and 89%, respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity were particularly low in the CA9-positive SCC cases (36% and 69%, respectively)., Conclusion: [18F]FDG PET/CT might not be useful for diagnosing lymph-node metastases of CA9-positive SCC cases of NSCLC., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Suzuki et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Wearable devices are increasingly utilized to monitor physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Accurately determining wear/non-wear time is complicated by zero counts, where the acceleration-based indexes do not estimate activity intensity, often leading to misclassifications. We propose a novel synthetic classification algorithm that leverages both the probability and continuity of zero counts, aiming to enhance the accuracy of activity estimation. The physical activity data were obtained from 12 office workers wearing wearable devices with 3-axis accelerometers. The wear/non-wear times are classified by the commonly used current method (zero counts lasting longer than 60 minutes are classified as non-wear) and the proposed method. In the proposed method, only times that satisfy the following two criteria are classified as the wear time. (1) The appearance probability preceding and following 60 minutes must be less than the threshold value. (2) The number of consecutive zeros must be less than 10 minutes. The effectiveness of both the current and proposed classification methods was evaluated against the actual behavioral records. This evaluation utilized simulation-based augmented data, which was implemented to address the limited variability inherent in the original dataset. The range of recall, specificity, precisions, and accuracy classified by the current method were 0.93-1.00, 0.93-0.96, 0.85-0.88, and 0.94-0.97, respectively. Indeed, the proposed method shows 0.95-1.00, 0.99-1.00, 0.97-1.00, and 0.98-1.00, respectively. The reduction of misclassification of non-wear time as wear time was achieved by the synthetic classification algorithm. The performance of the proposed approach showed accurate classification of the wear/non-wear time of wearable sensors in office workers., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Nishiyama et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Titanium dioxide doped with Pt(IV) ions was synthesized via a sol-gel method, incorporating a sol purification process through dialysis. The doped Pt(IV) ions were reduced by UV light irradiation to obtain a transparent Pt-TiO 2 sol, with Pt(0) acting as a cocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. The hydrogen evolution activity of Pt-TiO 2 sol was evaluated under UV light irradiation using methanol as a sacrificial reagent. 0.05 atom % Pt-TiO 2 sol remained in the sol state without precipitation after 10 h of UV light irradiation. The amount of hydrogen produced after 10 h of light irradiation was 1195 μmol, with a turnover number (TON) of 664.1, a turnover frequency (TOF) of 66.4 h -1 , and an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 0.86%. The sol-gel synthesis from the molecular level is thought to result in Pt ions being doped inside the TiO 2 particles, maintaining high dispersibility by suppressing particle growth due to the aggregation of Pt(0) during the UV reduction of Pt(IV) ions. These results show that the Pt-TiO 2 photocatalyst has a high renewable energy factor because it can be synthesized at room temperature, and the aggregation of Pt-TiO 2 particles is suppressed by making full use of a sol-gel method., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Aeromonas dhakensis is highly virulent but often misidentified in clinical settings. The entire genome sequence of a metallo-β-lactamase-producing A. dhakensis strain from a clinical specimen has been presented in this study. The genome comprised a single chromosome of 4.89 Mbp with 61.6% G + C content., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

A multicenter study of nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) was conducted to identify the optimal cut-off value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (PSADT) that correlated with the prognosis in Japanese nmCRPC. Of the 515 patients diagnosed and treated for nmCRPC at 25 participating Japanese Urological Oncology Group centers, 450 patients with complete clinical information were included. The prognostic values of clinical factors were evaluated with respect to prostate specific antigen progression-free (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). The optimal cutoff value of PSADT was identified using survival tree analysis by Python. The Median PSA and PSADT at diagnosis of nmCRPC were 3.3 ng/ml, and 5.2 months, respectively. Patients treated with novel hormonal therapy (NHT) showed significantly longer PFS (HR: hazard ratio 0.38, p < 0.0001) and PFS2 (HR 0.45, p < 0.0001) than those treated with vintage nonsteroidal antiandrogen agent (Vintage). The survival tree identified 4.65 months as the most prognostic PSADT cutoff point. Among the clinical and pathological factors PSADT of < 4.65 months remained an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR 2.96, p = 0.0003) and CSS (HR 3.66, p < 0.0001). Current data represented optimal cut-off of PSADT 4.65 months for a Japanese nmCRPC., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Arterioureteral fistula represents a rare yet consequential urological complication characterized by persistent and refractory urinary tract bleeding. Its emergence typically involves aneurysm formation, presenting significant life-threatening implications. Nonetheless, its infrequency contributes to sparse documentation of incidences in post-kidney transplant recipients, thereby fostering numerous uncertainties concerning associated risks. A 67-year-old male patient, afflicted with end-stage renal failure and a history of urinary tract infection, underwent a living donor kidney transplant four months prior. Complications involving intraoperative bleeding necessitated the prolonged placement of a ureteral stent post-surgery. Subsequently, he experienced an abrupt onset of ureteral bleeding accompanied by shock, later diagnosed via contrast-enhanced computed tomography as pseudo-aneurysm formation in the right external iliac artery proximal to the allograft renal artery anastomosis, in conjunction with a fistula formation involving the donor ureter. Despite repeated attempts at intervention with covered stenting, the aneurysm persisted and proved refractory to resolution. Tragically, seven months later, the aneurysm ruptured, culminating in the demise of the patient. Our report details a case involving perioperative complications following kidney transplantation, persistent bacteriuria, and prolonged ureteral stenting, ultimately leading to the development of an arterioureteral fistula. Despite undergoing stent graft insertion as an intervention, the patient succumbed to aneurysm rupture associated with the arterioureteral fistula. This condition, though rare, can prove fatal following kidney transplantation. Consequently, future endeavors in this domain necessitate an emphasis on optimizing risk management, refining diagnostic approaches, and devising more effective therapeutic strategies to mitigate such complications., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Japanese Society of Nephrology.)

Background: Ceftriaxone is administered in regimens of either 2 g once-daily or 1 g twice-daily for the treatment of pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae . Previous clinical study suggests the 2 g once-daily regimen is more effective, but comparison of antimicrobial efficacy between are lacking., Objectives: To assess the antimicrobial efficacy of these two ceftriaxone regimens against S. pneumoniae using a murine model of pneumonia., Methods: The study employed three S. pneumoniae isolates with ceftriaxone MICs of 1, 2 and 4 mg/L and two human-simulated regimens based on the blood concentration of ceftriaxone (1 g twice-daily and 2 g once-daily). Antimicrobial activity was quantified based on the change in bacterial counts (Δlog 10  cfu/lungs) observed in treated mice after 24 h, relative to the control mice at 0 h., Results: The human-simulated 2 g once-daily regimen of ceftriaxone exhibited significantly higher antimicrobial activity against S. pneumoniae isolates with MICs of 1 and 2 mg/L compared with the 1 g twice-daily regimen (1 mg/L, -5.14 ± 0.19 Δlog 10 cfu/lungs versus -3.47 ± 0.17 Δlog 10  cfu/lungs, P  < 0.001; 2 mg/L, -3.41 ± 0.31 Δ log 10  cfu/lungs versus -2.71 ± 0.37 Δlog 10  cfu/lungs, P  = 0.027). No significant difference in antimicrobial activity was observed against the S. pneumoniae isolate with a MIC of 4 mg/L between the two regimens (-0.33 ± 0.18 Δlog 10  cfu/lungs versus -0.42 ± 0.37 Δlog 10  cfu/lungs, P  = 0.684)., Conclusion: 2 g once-daily regimen of ceftriaxone is more effective for treating pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae, with MICs of ≤2 mg/L., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.)

Chemoresistance is a major cause of high mortality and poor survival in patients with ovarian cancer (OVCA). Understanding the mechanisms of chemoresistance is urgently required to develop effective therapeutic approaches to OVCA. Here, we show that expression of the long noncoding RNA, taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1), is markedly upregulated in samples from OVCA patients who developed resistance to primary platinum-based therapy. Depletion of TUG1 increased sensitivity to cisplatin in the OVCA cell lines, SKOV3 and KURAMOCHI. Combination therapy of cisplatin with antisense oligonucleotides targeting TUG1 coupled with a drug delivery system effectively relieved the tumor burden in xenograft mouse models. Mechanistically, TUG1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA by downregulating miR-4687-3p and miR-6088, both of which target DNA polymerase eta (POLH), an enzyme required for translesion DNA synthesis. Overexpression of POLH reversed the effect of TUG1 depletion on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. Our data suggest that TUG1 upregulation allows OVCA to tolerate DNA damage via upregulation of POLH; this provides a strong rationale for targeting TUG1 to overcome cisplatin resistance in OVCA., (© 2024 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.)

We performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of CO 2 + H 2 O systems by employing widely used force fields (EPM2, TraPPE, and PPL models for CO 2 ; SPC/E and TIP4P/2005 models for H 2 O). The phase behavior observed in our MD simulations is consistent with the coexistence lines obtained from previous experiments and SAFT-based theoretical models for the equations of state. Our structural analysis reveals a pronounced correlation between phase transitions and the structural orderliness. Specifically, the coordination number of Ow (oxygen in H 2 O) around other Ow significantly correlates with phase changes. In contrast, coordination numbers pertaining to the CO 2 molecules show less sensitivity to the thermodynamic state of the system. Furthermore, our data indicate that a predominant number of H 2 O molecules exist as monomers without forming hydrogen bonds, particularly in a CO 2 -rich mixture, signaling a breakdown in the hydrogen bond network's orderliness, as evidenced by a marked decrease in tetrahedrality. These insights are crucial for a deeper atomic-level understanding of phase behaviors, contributing to the well-grounded design of CO 2 injection under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, where an atomic-scale perspective of the phase behavior is still lacking., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Cholera toxin (CT), a bacterial exotoxin composed of one A subunit (CTA) and five B subunits (CTB), functions as an immune adjuvant. CTB can induce production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, in synergy with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS), from resident peritoneal macrophages (RPMs) through the pyrin and NLRP3 inflammasomes. However, how CTB or CT activates these inflammasomes in the macrophages has been unclear. Here, we clarify the roles of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensor, in CT-induced IL-1β production in RPMs. In RPMs, CTB is incorporated into the ER and induces ER stress responses, depending on GM1, a cell membrane ganglioside. IRE1α-deficient RPMs show a significant impairment of CT- or CTB-induced IL-1β production, indicating that IRE1α is required for CT- or CTB-induced IL-1β production in RPMs. This study demonstrates the critical roles of IRE1α in activation of both NLRP3 and pyrin inflammasomes in tissue-resident macrophages., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) coated with functional and biocompatible polymers have been widely used as carriers to deliver oligonucleotide and messenger RNA therapeutics to treat diseases. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is a representative material used for the surface coating, but the PEG surface-coated LNPs often have reduced cellular uptake efficiency and pharmacological activity. Here, we demonstrate the effect of pH-responsive ethylenediamine-based polycarboxybetaines with different molecular weights as an alternative structural component to PEG for the coating of LNPs. We found that appropriate tuning of the molecular weight around polycarboxybetaine-modified LNP, which incorporated small interfering RNA, could enhance the cellular uptake and membrane fusion potential in cancerous pH condition, thereby facilitating the gene silencing effect. This study demonstrates the importance of the design and molecular length of polymers on the LNP surface to provide effective drug delivery to cancer cells., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by National Institute for Materials Science in partnership with Taylor & Francis Group.)

Background: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been increasingly used as a new radiation modality for unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The risk factors for radiation pneumonitis (RP) during consolidation durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using IMRT have not been thoroughly investigated., Methods: This retrospective study analyzed medical record data from consecutive patients diagnosed with NSCLC who underwent CCRT and consolidation durvalumab at our institution between April 2018 and September 2022. Since we adopted IMRT for the treatment of NSCLC in April 2020, these patients were categorized into two groups: those treated with IMRT after April 2020 and those treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) before April 2020., Results: A total of 31 patients underwent IMRT (the IMRT group), while 25 patients underwent 3D-CRT (the 3D-CRT group). In both groups, the total dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions. The cumulative incidence of ≥ grade 2 RP at 12 months was significantly lower in the IMRT group than in the 3D-CRT group (27.0% vs. 64.0%, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.338, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.144-0.793, p = 0.013). In the multivariable analysis, V20 (≥ 25.6%, HR: 2.706, 95% CI: 1.168-6.269, p = 0.020) and radiotherapy technique (IMRT, HR: 0.414, 95% CI: 0.172-0.994, p = 0.048) were identified as significant risk factors for ≥ grade 2 RP., Conclusions: IMRT is associated with a lower rate of ≥ grade 2 RP in patients with NSCLC who received CCRT followed by durvalumab., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permission@oup.com.)

Objective: Several guidelines recommended that second transurethral resection should be performed in patients with diagnosis of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, therapeutic benefits of second transurethral resection before bacillus Calmette-Guérin intravesical instillation were conflicting amongst previous studies. We investigated the prognostic impact of second transurethral resection before bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients., Methods: This retrospective study included 3104 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients who received bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillations between 2000 and 2019 at 31 collaborative institutions. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk factors of intravesical recurrence, disease progression, cancer-specific mortality and overall mortality., Results: In the entire population, patients undergoing second transurethral resection (33%, 1026/3104) had a lower risk of intravesical recurrence on univariate analysis (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.73-0.98, P = 0.027), although it did not remain significant on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.76-1.07, P = 0.24). Subgroup analysis revealed that, in pT1 patients (n = 1487), second transurethral resection was significantly correlated with a lower risk of intravesical recurrence on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.64-1.00, P = 0.048), but lower risks of disease progression (hazard ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.56-1.00, P = 0.049), cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.85, P = 0.007) and overall mortality (hazard ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.97, P = 0.027) on univariate analysis., Conclusions: Second transurethral resection confers accurate pathological staging and could be used to safely select good candidates for intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation. We further confirm that second transurethral resection could confer an oncological benefit in pT1 bladder cancer patients treated by bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation, and so strongly recommend second transurethral resection in this patient population., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Nano-sized contrast agents (NCAs) hold potential for highly specific tumor contrast enhancement during magnetic resonance imaging. Given the quantity of contrast agents loaded into a single nano-carrier and the anticipated relaxation effects, the current molecular design approaches its limits. In this study, a novel molecular mechanism to augment the relaxation of NCAs is introduced and demonstrated. NCA formation is driven by the intramolecular self-folding of a single polymer chain that possesses systematically arranged hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments in water. Utilizing this self-folding molecular design, the relaxivity value can be elevated with minimal loading of gadolinium complexes, enabling sharp tumor imaging. Furthermore, the study reveals that this NCA can selectively accumulate into tumor tissues, offering effective anti-tumor results through gadolinium neutron capture therapy. The efficacy and versatility of this self-folding molecular design underscore its promise for cancer diagnosis and treatment., (© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

This study introduced design informatics using deep learning in a topological photonics system and applied it to a topological waveguide with a sharp bending structure to further reduce propagation loss. The sharp bend in the topological waveguide composed of two photonic crystals wherein dielectrics having C 6v symmetry were arranged in triangle lattices of hexagons, and the designing of parameters individually for 6 × 6 unit cells near the bending region using deep learning resulted in an output improvement of 60% compared to the initial structure. The proposed structural design method has high versatility and applicability for various topological photonic structures.

Purpose: This report reviews our experience with right lower sleeve lobectomy and describes our technique and approach to perioperative patient management., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 11 patients who underwent right lower sleeve lobectomy for lung cancer. Surgical techniques and perioperative management were also investigated., Results: Bronchoplasty was performed using 4-0 absorbable monofilament sutures. The deepest portion was anastomosed using continuous sutures; interrupted sutures were used for the more superficial portions. The truncus intermedius and right middle lobe bronchus should be anastomosed in a natural position. Anastomosis patency was confirmed using intraoperative bronchoscopy. Separation of the right upper and middle lobes and pericardiotomy at the inferior edge of the superior pulmonary vein are useful for mobilizing the right middle lobe. Death during hospitalization and treatment-related death did not occur. One patient developed pneumonia, and another developed a bronchopleural fistula., Conclusion: We reported our technique of right lower sleeve lobectomy and our approach to perioperative patient management. Sharing knowledge is essential to completing this rare surgery.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with large coronary arteries (LCA, reference vessel diameter more than 3.0 mm) de novo lesions treated by drug-coated balloon (DCB) versus second-generation drug-eluting stent (sDES) in real-world clinical practice. Methods: Between January 2020 and June 2021, 2857 consecutive patients with equal number of LCA de novo lesions, including 708 lesions treated with paclitaxel DCB-only (DCB-only cohort) and 2149 lesions with sDES-only (sDES-only cohort), were enrolled in this retrospective study. The primary outcome was the clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) rate at two years. After propensity score matching, 708 patients treated with DCB-only and another 704 patients with sDES-only were successfully matched to study adjusted associations between treatment strategy and outcomes. Results: CD-TLR rate was higher in the DCB-only group than sDES-only group (DCB: 5.5%, sDES: 3.1%, P = 0.028). However, lower major bleeding rate was observed in the DCB-only group compared to sDES-only group (0.8% vs. 3.0%, P = 0.003), which benefited from its short duration of antiplatelet therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hypercholesteremia [odds ratio (OR), 2.516], diabetes (OR, 2.773), severe calcified lesions (OR, 5.184) and residual stenosis>30% (OR, 8.676) were risk predictors (P<0.01) of CD-TLR for DCB-only strategy; meanwhile, diabetes (OR, 3.255) and severe calcified lesions (OR, 2.152) were risk predictors (P<0.01) of CD-TLR for sDES strategy. Conclusions: DCB-only strategy is feasible for LCA de novo lesions in patients with high bleeding risk, but not suitable in other patients, who should first choose intended stenting strategy especially with unmanageable hypercholesteremia, severe calcified lesions or non-ideal residual stenosis after preprocessing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has significantly advanced various fields, including therapeutic delivery, through the use of nanomaterials as drug carriers. The biocompatibility of ordered porous silica materials makes them promising candidates for drug delivery systems, particularly in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. This review summarizes the use of microporous zeolites and mesoporous silica materials in drug delivery, focusing on their physicochemical properties and applications as drug carriers. Special emphasis is placed on strategies for encapsulation and functionalization, highlighting their role in enhancing drug loading and enabling targeted delivery. In conclusion, while ordered porous silica materials hold great potential for drug delivery systems, certain challenges remain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microglia, the brain immune cells, support neurons by producing several established neurotrophic molecules including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Modern analytical techniques have identified numerous phenotypic states of microglia, each associated with the secretion of a diverse set of substances, which likely include not only canonical neurotrophic factors but also other less-studied molecules that can interact with neurons and provide trophic support. In this review, we consider the following eight such candidate cytokines: oncostatin M (OSM), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), activin A, colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-1, interleukin (IL)-34, growth/differentiation factor (GDF)-15, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2. The available literature provides sufficient evidence demonstrating murine cells produce these cytokines and that they exhibit neurotrophic activity in at least one neuronal model. Several distinct types of neurotrophic activity are identified that only partially overlap among the cytokines considered, reflecting either their distinct intrinsic properties or lack of comprehensive studies covering the full spectrum of neurotrophic effects. The scarcity of human-specific studies is another significant knowledge gap revealed by this review. Further studies on these potential microglia-derived neurotrophic factors are warranted since they may be used as targeted treatments for diverse neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transportation sector is experiencing a profound shift, driven by the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). As electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates, the sustainability of the materials used in their production, particularly in electric motors, is becoming a critical focus. This paper examines the sustainability of both traditional and emerging materials used in EV traction motors, with an emphasis on permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), which remain the dominant technology in the industry. Key challenges include the environmental and supply-chain concerns associated with rare earth elements (REEs) used in permanent magnets, as well as the sustainability of copper windings. Automakers are exploring alternatives such as REE-free permanent magnets, soft magnetic composites (SMCs) for reduced losses in the core, and carbon nanotube (CNT) windings for superior electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The topic of materials for EV traction motors is discussed in the literature; however, the focus on environmental, social, and economic sustainability is often lacking. This paper fills the gap by connecting the technological aspects with sustainability considerations, offering insights into the future configuration of EV motors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer represent the largest disease burden worldwide. Previously, these two conditions were considered independent, except in terms of cardiotoxicity, which links cancer treatment to subsequent cardiovascular issues. However, recent studies suggest that there are further connections between cancer and heart disease beyond cardiotoxicity. It has been revealed that myocardial dysfunction may promote carcinogenesis, indicating that additional common pathophysiological mechanisms might be involved in the relationship between cardiology and oncology, rather than simply a connection through cardiotoxic effects. These mechanisms may include shared risk factors and common molecular pathways, such as persistent inflammation and neurohormonal activation. This review explores the connection between myocardial dysfunction and cancer, emphasizing their shared risk factors, similar biological mechanisms, and causative factors like cardiotoxicity, along with their clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tryptophan–kynurenine (KYN) pathway has long been recognized for its essential role in generating metabolites that influence various physiological processes. Traditionally, these metabolites have been categorized into distinct, often opposing groups, such as pro-oxidant versus antioxidant, excitotoxic/neurotoxic versus neuroprotective. This dichotomous framework has shaped much of the research on conditions like neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as cancer, where metabolic imbalances are a key feature. The effects are significantly influenced by various factors, including the concentration of metabolites and the particular cellular milieu in which they are generated. A molecule that acts as neuroprotective at low concentrations may exhibit neurotoxic effects at elevated levels. The oxidative equilibrium of the surrounding environment can alter the function of KYN from an antioxidant to a pro-oxidant. This narrative review offers a comprehensive examination and analysis of the contemporary understanding of KYN metabolites, emphasizing their multifaceted biological functions and their relevance in numerous physiological and pathological processes. This underscores the pressing necessity for a paradigm shift in the comprehension of KYN metabolism. Understanding the context-dependent roles of KYN metabolites is vital for novel therapies in conditions like Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Comprehensive pathway modulation, including balancing inflammatory signals and enzyme regulation, offers promising avenues for targeted, effective treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To guarantee a high data transmission rate in heterogeneous mobile networks, sufficient small base stations (SBSs) and user plane function (UPF) instances should be active. However, the excessive operation of SBSs and UPF instances can increase the operating expenditure (OPEX) for the network operator. To balance the data rate and OPEX, we propose a joint UPF instance–SBS scheduling algorithm (J‐UBSA). In the proposed J‐UBSA, a controller periodically determines the appropriate number of active SBSs and UPF instances based on estimated variations in session requests. The decision‐making process is formulated as a constrained Markov decision process and converted into a linear programming model to obtain the optimal solution using a traditional algorithm with low complexity. Evaluation results demonstrate that J‐UBSA can substantially reduce the OPEX while guaranteeing a suitable average data rate for mobile devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of greenhouse gasses (CH4 and CO2) results in an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere. The conversion of greenhouse gasses into chemicals and fuels with high added value benefits not only the environment but also energy development. A promising and well-studied process is the reforming of methane, where CH4 and CO2 are converted into syngas (CO and H2). However, catalysts hinder the development of the process. In this paper, we investigate the conversion of CH4 and CO2 into syngas using a thermal conversion method. The catalysis performance was evaluated by reforming methane. Ni-based catalysts were prepared by different methods. All prepared catalysts were characterized (XRD, HRTEM et al.), and the process of reforming carbon dioxide–methane was carried out in a fixed bed reactor under atmospheric pressure and a high temperature. Ni(M) @CeO2 is one of the most popular options due to the role of CeO2. The deposition of coke in Ni-based catalysts was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the incorporation of multiphase (MP) and variable flux (VF) permanent magnet motors to electric vehicles (EVs). A literature review is carried out first, which covers the characteristics, benefits and challenges of both motor configurations. MP motors, with their increased phase number, offer enhanced fault tolerance, reduced torque ripple, and improved efficiency, among other benefits. VF technology allows for dynamic adjustment of the magnetic field, optimising motor performance across various operating conditions. By integrating these technologies, this study aims to harness the benefits of both MP configurations and VF capabilities. For this reason, the Finite Element Method (FEM) is used with three-phase, MP, VF, and VF-MP motors. The main contribution is that both technologies have been implemented in a single motor to evaluate and quantify their impact together, obtaining higher torque and constant power values, lower torque ripples, and higher efficiencies in the whole working range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophago-tracheobronchial fistula is a severe and often fatal complication in patients with advanced esophageal cancer, requiring prompt attention. The standard treatment involves the placement of a covered stent, which is relatively simple to perform and effectively seals the fistula. However, stent migration remains a common issue, highlighting the need for improved methods to prevent it. Case Presentation: We developed an innovative double stenting method approach utilizing two types of metal stents for cases where conventional stenting led to early stent dislodgement. This technique combines the benefits of uncovered and fully covered stents while minimizing their limitations. Furthermore, it is straightforward and adaptable. In two cases treated at our facility, this method successfully maintained complete fistula coverage until the patients' deaths, allowing them to consume food orally. Conclusions: Here, we describe the procedure in detail and discuss its significance, as our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the double stenting technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are about five times more likely to develop lung cancer than those without ILD. The presence of ILD in lung cancer patients complicates diagnosis and management, resulting in lower survival rates. Diagnostic and treatment procedures needed for cancer can increase the risk of acute exacerbation (AE), one of the most severe complications for these patients. Bronchoscopic techniques are generally considered safe, but they can trigger AE-ILD, particularly after cryoprobe biopsies. Surgical procedures for lung cancer, including lung biopsies and resections, carry an elevated risk of AE-ILD. Postoperative complications and mortality rates highlight the importance of meticulous surgical planning and postoperative care. Furthermore, cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, are all burdened by a risk of AE-ILD occurrence. Radiotherapy is important for managing both early-stage and advanced lung cancer, but it also poses risks. Stereotactic body radiation and particle beam therapies have varying degrees of safety, with the latter potentially offering a lower risk of AE. Percutaneous ablation techniques can help patients who are not eligible for surgery. However, these procedures may complicate ILD, and their associated risks still need to be fully understood, necessitating further research for improved safety. Overall, while advancements in lung cancer treatment have improved outcomes for many patients, the complexity of managing patients with concomitant ILD needs careful consideration and multidisciplinary assessment. This review provides a detailed evaluation of these risks, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment approaches and monitoring to improve patient outcomes in this challenging population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lung cancer associated with cystic airspaces is a rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer characterized by air-filled cystic structures that can often be misdiagnosed due to similarities with benign conditions. This review highlights the imaging characteristics, pathogenesis, and prognostic factors of LCCA. It emphasizes the challenges in accurately diagnosing and staging LCCA due to its unique features and distinct pathological structure. Understanding these complexities is crucial for improving treatment strategies and patient outcomes, highlighting the need for integrated approaches in clinical management. Lung cancer associated with cystic airspaces (LCCA) is a rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accounting for 1–4% of cases. LCCA is characterized by the presence of cystic airspaces within or at the periphery of the tumor on imaging. LCCA poses significant clinical challenges due to its high risk of misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, often leading to a worse prognosis compared to other forms of lung cancer. While previous studies have identified correlations between the pathological features and imaging characteristics of LCCA, research on its associated driver gene mutations and responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy remains limited. Furthermore, the development of an appropriate T-staging system is necessary to improve prognostic outcomes. This review provides an overview of the current research on the definition, imaging classification, pathological and molecular mechanisms, and prognosis of LCCA, aiming to provide a reference for clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ketotherapeutics is a potential metabolic intervention for mitigating dementias; however, its mechanisms and optimal methods of application are not well understood. Our previous in vitro study showed that β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a major ketone body, reverses pathological features of amyloid‐β oligomer (AβO)‐activated microglia. Here we tested the in vivo effects of BHB on microglia and synaptic plasticity in the 5xFAD Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model. A short 1‐week regimen of daily intraperitoneal injection of BHB (250 mg/kg), which induced brief and mild daily episodic ketosis, was sufficient to mitigate pro‐inflammatory microglia activation and reduce brain amyloid‐β deposition by enhancing phagocytosis. Remarkably, it mitigated the deficits of hippocampal long‐term depression but not long‐term potentiation, and this effect was linked to suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome‐generated IL‐1β. As ketogenic diets are known for poor compliance, our study opens the possibility for alternative approaches such as short‐term BHB injections or dietary ketone esters that are less restrictive, potentially safer, and easier for compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Thailand, cardiovascular disease and mental health cause a large health and economic burden, with 10% of Thai adults and 32% of adolescents reporting depression. Forest bathing (FB) (mindful nature walking) is growing in popularity globally as a preventative health intervention. Most FB research compares FB with a non‐active control of unguided urban walking, finding improved health and well‐being in FB but not the urban condition. This controlled trial offers a unique and robust comparison of guided FB with an active control of guided mindful urban walking. This is also the first study testing the acceptability and effectiveness of guided FB in Thailand.In a crossover design, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, and mood in 30 participants were compared before and after 1 h of guided FB and a guided mindful urban walk.MANOVA and t‐test analyses revealed that heart rate and blood pressure reduced in both conditions, but more in the mindful urban condition. Whilst negative mood was reduced in the FB condition but increased in the mindful urban condition.The study offers evidence for the promising health and well‐being benefits of both guided FB and mindful urban walking. Poor mental health and health inequalities are of increasing global concern, hence further research into the effectiveness of alleviating these difficulties through inexpensive interventions such as guided FB and mindful walking are encouraged. The study also offers the first data indicating that FB was acceptable and effective in a Thai population. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal equation of state (EoS) of a natural schorl has been determined at high temperatures up to 673 K and high pressures up to 15.5 GPa using in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction combined with a diamond-anvil cell. The pressure-volume (P-V) data were fitted to a third-order Birch-Murnaghan EoS with V0 = 1581.45 ± 0.25 Å3, K0 = 111.6 ± 0.9 GPa, and K 0 ′ = 4.4 ± 0.2; additionally, when K 0 ′ was fixed at a value of 4, V0 = 1581.04 ± 0.20 Å3, and K0 = 113.6 ± 0.3 GPa. The V0 (1581.45 ± 0.25 Å3) obtained by the third-order Birch-Murnaghan EoS agrees well with the V0 (1581.45 ± 0.05 Å3) measured at ambient conditions. Furthermore, the axial compression data of schorl at room temperature were fitted to a "linearized" third-order Birch-Murnaghan EoS, and the obtained axial moduli for the a- and c-axes are Ka = 621 ± 9 GPa and Kc = 174 ± 2 GPa, respectively. Consequently, the axial compressibilities are βa = 1.61 × 10–3 GPa–1 and βc = 5.75 × 10–3 GPa–1 with an anisotropic ratio of βa:βc = 0.28:1.00, indicating axial compression anisotropy. In addition, the compositional effect on the axial compressibilities of tourmalines was discussed. Fitting our pressure-volume-temperature (P-V-T) data to a high-temperature third-order Birch-Murnaghan EoS yielded the following thermal EoS parameters: V0 = 1581.2 ± 0.2 Å3, K0 = 110.5 ± 0.6 GPa, K 0 ′ = 4.6 ± 0.2, (∂KT/∂T)P = –0.012 ± 0.003 GPa K–1 and αV0 = (2.4 ± 0.2) × 10–5 K–1. These parameters were compared with those of previous studies on other tourmalines, and the potential factors influencing the thermal EoS parameters of tourmalines were further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a naturally derived inhibitor of autophagy, Kushenol E (KE) is a biprenylated flavonoid and is isolated from Sophora flavescens, which has been used for the treatment of cancer, hepatitis, and skin diseases. However, KE, as a poorly soluble drug, exhibited strong autophagy regulating activity in in vitro cancer cell lines, but no related studies have reported its antiovarian cancer property. Therefore, it is very beneficial to enhance the antineoplastic properties of KE by establishing an ovarian tumor‐targeting nanoparticle system modified with tumor‐homing c(RGDfK) peptides. Materials and Methods: In the current study, poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐modified with cyclic RGDfK peptide (PLGA‐PEG‐c(RGDfK))‐KE micelles (PPCKM) were prepared to overcome the poor water solubility of KE to meet the requirement of tumor‐active targeting. The effect of PPCKM on ovarian cancer was evaluated on SKOV‐3 cells and xenograft models in BALB/c nude mice. Results: The PPCKM showed a higher drug cumulative release ratio (82.16 ± 7.69% vs. 34.96 ± 3.05%, at 1.5 h) with good morphology, particle size (93.41 ± 2.84 nm), and entrapment efficiency (89.7% ± 1.3%). The cell viability, migration, and apoptosis analysis of SKOV‐3 cells demonstrated that PPCKM retained potent antitumor effects and promoted apoptosis at early and advanced stages with concentration‐dependent. Based on the establishment of xenograft models in BALB/c nude mice, we discovered that PPCKM reduced tumor volume and weight, inhibited proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 expression, as well as promoted apoptosis by targeting the tumor site. Conclusion: The findings in this study suggest that PPCKM may serve as an effective therapeutic option for ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease of unknown etiology, characterized by vasculopathy, fibrosis, inflammation, and immune dysregulation that lead to widespread internal organs fibrosis, chronic ischemia, and subsequent end-stage organ failure. Our purpose was to examine the role of human epididymis protein IV as a biomarker of interstitial lung disease severity in comparison to Krebs von den Lungen-VI glycoprotein and apoprotein A2 among systemic sclerosis patients. Results: There was a highly significant elevation of serum human epididymis protein IV between systemic sclerosis patients (both with and without interstitial lung disease) and the control group (p < 0.001) with the highest value in patients having interstitial lung disease. Krebs von den Lungen-VI and apoprotein A2 also showed a significant difference in their values between the patients' and control groups (p < 0.01 and = 0.02 respectively). Conclusion: The level of human epididymis protein-IV was overexpressed in systemic sclerosis patients with interstitial lung disease in comparison to systemic sclerosis patients without interstitial lung disease indicating its high sensitivity as a potential biomarker in fibrotic activity diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for approximately 85% of cases. While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed treatment for advanced NSCLC, the role of bone metastasis in modulating ICI efficacy remains unclear. Bone metastasis, occurring in 30-40% of advanced NSCLC cases, is associated with worse outcomes. However, how this affects the therapeutic benefit of ICIs has not been fully elucidated, highlighting a critical knowledge gap in optimizing treatment for this patient population. Methods: A comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane, identified 13 studies with a total of 3,681 patients, of whom 37.6% had bone metastasis. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between NSCLC patients with and without bone metastasis. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model to account for study heterogeneity. Results: The meta-analysis demonstrated that bone metastasis significantly worsened overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs. Specifically, bone metastasis was associated with a 45% increased risk of death (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.30–1.62, p < 0.001) and a 40% increased risk of disease progression (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.25–1.58, p < 0.001). No statistically significant impact on PFS was observed. (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.77–2.10, p = 0.34). High heterogeneity was observed in some subgroup analyses (I² = 72%), indicating variability in the results. Conclusion: Bone metastasis is a significant negative prognostic factor for NSCLC patients treated with ICIs, associated with a higher risk of mortality and disease progression. These results underscore the importance of tailored treatment approaches for NSCLC patients with bone metastasis and call for further research to optimize therapy outcomes in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voriconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal agent, is considered the first-line treatment for invasive aspergillosis. In this article, we report three cases of patients who experienced visual disturbances and hallucinations following voriconazole therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. These symptoms appeared within 1 week after initiating voriconazole administration and resolved upon discontinuation or dose reduction of the drug. Considering the absence of any identifiable alternative cause and the temporal relationship with voriconazole initiation, these symptoms were attributed to the adverse effects of voriconazole. All three patients had trough concentrations exceeding 5 μg/mL at the time of adverse reactions, leading to subsequent therapeutic drug monitoring and dose adjustment. The clinical characteristics and management strategies of voriconazole-induced hallucinations and/or visual disturbances have been rarely reported previously. Therefore, our study reviewed and analyzed relevant case reports since 2014. This study highlights the importance of recognizing the potential risk of hallucinations and visual disturbances associated with voriconazole. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the route of voriconazole administration does not influence the frequency of these adverse events. Additionally, special attention should be given to monitoring adverse events related to voriconazole in Asian populations due to their higher prevalence of CYP2C19 poor metabolizers. In the event of adverse reactions to voriconazole, diligent monitoring of therapeutic drug levels and dosage adjustments is crucial. These clinical characteristics and management strategies offer advantages in terms of enhancing drug efficacy, ensuring treatment continuity, and minimizing the incidence of other severe adverse reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The typical clinical characteristic of patients with anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies (AIGAs) is primarily associated with infection caused by intracellular pathogens. With continued research, additional clinical characteristics have been gradually uncovered. Here, we present a case of multiple pathogen infections accompanied by ocular pathologies in a patient with high titers of AIGAs. The patient, a 53-year-old female patient, was admitted to our hospital after finding a mass in the right supraclavicular fossa. She was successively diagnosed with Talaromyces marneffei, Aspergillus flavus and Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections. Then, she received a complete course of antifungal agents for nearly 3.5 years and anti-NTM treatment for nearly 3 years, with discontinuation upon symptom improvement. However, there was a rapid recurrence of the infection upon cessation of the drug despite improvement in the patient’s symptoms. Moreover, when the recurrent infection stabilized, the patient exhibited immune conjunctivitis and dry eye, which was successfully treated by tacrolimus eye drops and lubricant. Patients with high-titer AIGAs are more prone to experiencing recurrence and/or persistent infection, as well as immune disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pb(II) contamination in aquatic environments has adverse effects on humans even at a low concentration, so the efficient removal of Pb at a low cost is vital for achieving an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and healthy society. A variety of CaCO3-based functional adsorbents have been synthesized to remove Pb, but the adsorption capacity is still unsatisfactory. Herein, calcite CaCO3 microcubes/parallelepipeds are synthesized via simple precipitation and a hydrothermal approach and found to outperform previously reported nano-adsorbents considerably. The CaCO3 achieves a high removal efficiency for Pb(II) (>99%) at a very low dosage (0.04–0.1 g/L) and an initial Pb(II) concentration of 100 mg/L. The CaCO3 presents an excellent adsorption capacity of 4018 mg/g for Pb(II) removal and depicts good stability over a wide range of pH 6–11. The maximum adsorption kinetics are fitted well by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, whereas the Freundlich isotherm delineates the adsorption data at equilibrium well, indicating a multilayer adsorption process. The ex situ study confirms that the Pb(II) adsorption mechanism by CaCO3 can be attributed to the rapid metal-ion-exchange reaction between Pb(II) and Ca2+. Furthermore, a red shift in the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy peak from 1386 cm−1 to 1374 cm−1 of CaCO3 after Pb removal indicates the adsorption of Pb onto the surface. This adsorbent provides an opportunity to treat wastewater and can be extended to remove other toxic heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased levels and detrimental effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on air quality and human health have become an important issue in the environmental field. Benzene is classified as one of the most hazardous air pollutants among non-halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons with toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects. Various technologies have been applied to decrease harmful emissions from various sources such as petrochemistry, steel manufacturing, organic chemical, paint, adhesive, and pharmaceutical production, vehicle exhausts, etc. Catalytic oxidation to CO2 and water is an attractive approach to VOC removal due to high efficiency, low energy consumption, and the absence of secondary pollution. However, catalytic oxidation of the benzene molecule is a great challenge because of the extraordinary stability of its six-membered ring structure. Developing highly efficient catalysts is of primary importance for effective elimination of benzene at low temperatures. This review aims to summarize and discuss some recent advances in catalyst composition and preparation strategies. Advantages and disadvantages of using noble metal-based catalysts and transition metal oxide-based catalysts are addressed. Effects of some crucial factors such as catalyst support nature, metal particle size, electronic state of active metal, redox properties, reactivity of lattice oxygen and surface adsorbed oxygen on benzene removal are explored. Thorough elucidation of reaction mechanisms in benzene oxidation is a prerequisite to develop efficient catalysts. Benzene oxidation mechanisms are analyzed based on in situ catalyst characterization, reaction kinetics, and theoretical simulation calculations. Considering the role of oxygen vacancies in improving catalytic performance, attention is given to oxygen defect engineering. Catalyst deactivation due to coexistence of water vapor and other pollutants, e.g., sulfur compounds, is discussed. Future research directions for rational design of catalysts for complete benzene oxidation are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing global emphasis on green energy and sustainable development goals, the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is gradually becoming a crucial focus in research on water oxidation for hydrogen generation. However, its complicated reaction processes associated with its high energy barrier severely limit the efficiency of energy conversion. Recently, layered double hydroxide (LDH) has been considered as one of the most promising catalysts in alkaline media. Nonetheless, lacking a deep insight into the kinetic process of the electrocatalytic OER process is detrimental to the further optimization of LDH catalysts. Therefore, monitoring the catalytic reaction kinetic process via surface-sensitive in situ spectroscopy is especially important. In particular, the in situ Raman technique is capable of providing fingerprint information for surface species and intermediates in the operating environment. From the perspective of Raman spectroscopy, this paper provides an exhaustive overview of research progress in in situ Raman for the characterization of the catalytic mechanism of LDH catalysts, providing theoretical guidance for designing LDH materials. Finally, we present an incisive discussion on the challenges of the electrocatalytic in situ Raman technique and its future development trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a global health concern and the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. The prevalence of this neurodegenerative condition is projected to increase concomitantly with increased life expectancy, resulting in a significant economic burden. With very few FDA-approved disease-modifying drugs available for AD, there is an urgent need to develop new compounds capable of impeding the progression of the disease. Given the unclear etiopathogenesis of AD, this review emphasizes the underlying mechanisms of this condition. It explores not only well-studied aspects, such as the accumulation of Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, but also novel areas, including glymphatic and lymphatic pathways, microbiota and the gut–brain axis, serotoninergic and autophagy alterations, vascular dysfunction, the metal hypothesis, the olfactory pathway, and oral health. Furthermore, the potential molecular targets arising from all these mechanisms have been reviewed, along with novel promising approaches such as nanoparticle-based therapy, neural stem cell transplantation, vaccines, and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing techniques. Taking into account the overlap of these various mechanisms, individual and combination therapies emerge as the future direction in the AD strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevailing belief has been that the fundamental structures of cerebellar neuronal circuits, consisting of a few major neuron types, are simple and well understood. Given that the cerebellum has long been known to be crucial for motor behaviors, these simple yet organized circuit structures seemed beneficial for theoretical studies proposing neural mechanisms underlying cerebellar motor functions and learning. On the other hand, experimental studies using advanced techniques have revealed numerous structural properties that were not traditionally defined. These include subdivided neuronal types and their circuit structures, feedback pathways from output Purkinje cells, and the multidimensional organization of neuronal interactions. With the recent recognition of the cerebellar involvement in non-motor functions, it is possible that these newly identified structural properties, which are potentially capable of generating greater complexity than previously recognized, are associated with increased information capacity. This, in turn, could contribute to the wide range of cerebellar functions. However, it remains largely unknown how such structural properties contribute to cerebellar neural computations through the regulation of neuronal activity or synaptic transmissions. To promote further research into cerebellar circuit structures and their functional significance, we aim to summarize the newly identified structural properties of the cerebellar cortex and discuss future research directions concerning cerebellar circuit structures and their potential functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Femtosecond laser two-photon polymerization (TPP) technology, known for its high precision and its ability to fabricate arbitrary 3D structures, has been widely applied in the production of various micro/nano optical devices, achieving significant advancements, particularly in the field of photonic wire bonding (PWB) for optical interconnects. Currently, research on optimizing both the optical loss and production reliability of polymeric photonic wires is still in its early stages. One of the key challenges is that inadequate metrology methods cannot meet the demand for multiphysical measurements in practical scenarios. This study utilizes novel in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to monitor the working PWBs fabricated by TPP technology at the microscale. Optical and mechanical measurements are made simultaneously to evaluate the production qualities and to study the multiphysical coupling effects of PWBs. The results reveal that photonic wires with larger local curvature radii are more prone to plastic failure, while those with smaller local curvature radii recover elastically. Furthermore, larger cross-sectional dimensions contribute dominantly to the improved mechanical robustness. The optical-loss deterioration of the elastically deformed photonic wire is only temporary, and can be fully recovered when the load is removed. After further optimization based on the results of multiphysical metrology, the PWBs fabricated in this work achieve a minimum insertion loss of 0.6 dB. In this study, the multiphysical analysis of PWBs carried out by in situ SEM metrology offers a novel perspective for optimizing the design and performance of microscale polymeric waveguides, which could potentially promote the mass production reliability of TPP technology in the field of chip-level optical interconnection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]