Search

To examine whether predominant night-eating, defined as more than 50% of total daily energy intake consumed between 1900 and 0659 h, is associated with glycemic outcomes in pregnancy. This was a prospective cohort study of 277 healthy pregnant women with complete 4-day dietary intake records at 18–24 weeks gestation, recruited from KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. Primary outcomes were fasting, 1-h, and 2-h plasma glucose after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 weeks gestation. Secondary outcomes were gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), β-cell function (HOMA2-%B), and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) measures. Glucose variables in continuous form were log e -transformed before analyses. Predominant night-eating (11.6%) was associated with higher fasting glucose (geometric mean ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.05 (1.01, 1.08)) and 1-h glucose (1.11 (1.01, 1.21)), but not with 2-h glucose or GDM risk. Predominant night-eating women had lower fasting insulin (0.77 (0.63, 0.95)), lower HOMA2-IR (0.78 (0.64, 0.97)), and lower HOMA2-%B (0.77 (0.67, 0.89)) than their predominant day-eating counterparts. For CGM measures, predominant night-eating was associated with higher mean glucose (1.07 (1.00, 1.15)), higher glucose management indicator (1.05 (1.00, 1.10)), and higher overall glucose levels throughout 24 h (1.10 (1.02, 1.19)). All these associations were adjusted for socio-demographic, lifestyle factors, and diet composition. Predominant night-eating was mainly associated with less desirable glycemic outcomes during pregnancy. Future studies should explore dietary interventions aimed at reducing consumption of relatively more calories at night than day during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are implicated in the age-related decline of renal function, exacerbated by conditions, such as hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. The accumulation of AGEs in the kidneys contributes to the progressive decline in renal function observed with aging. However, the precise role and mechanisms of AGEs in the age-related decline of renal function remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact and potential mechanisms of AGEs on aging kidneys in naturally aging mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: 6-, 57-, and 107-week-old. First, the 6- and 107-week-old mice were euthanized. The remaining mice were divided into young (6 weeks) and old (57 weeks) groups. The 57-week-old mice were orally administered aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg/day), an AGEs inhibitor, or vehicle for 13 weeks, resulting in a final age of 70 weeks. The serum and kidney tissues were collected for biochemical measurement, histological examination, immunohistochemistry staining, and immunoblotting analysis. Our findings revealed a notable accumulation of AGEs in both serum and kidney tissue specimens and renal dysfunction in naturally aging mice. Aminoguanidine not only reversed AGEs accumulation but also ameliorated renal dysfunction. Additionally, aminoguanidine attenuated the upregulation of fibrosis markers (phosphorylated p38/α-SMA and C/EBP homologous protein, CHOP), senescence markers (p53 and p21), and oxidative stress marker (4-HNE) in the aging kidneys. These findings underscore the critical role of AGEs in age-related renal dysfunction and highlight the therapeutic potential of aminoguanidine in mitigating fibrosis and senescence, offering prospective avenues for combating age-associated renal ailments. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a clinical treatment decision support system (CTDSS) through which clinicians can simplify the shared-decision making (SDM) process for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA). This system enables patients to participate in selecting the optimum treatment. There has been broad international acceptance of SDM, but its practical implementation in clinical setting has posed challenges. The proposed method incorporates analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy multi-choice goal programming (AHP-FMCGP) into CTDSS to determine treatment standards, beginning with a literature review and expert surveys. The method provides patients with flexibility to modify treatment goals and constraints during the decision-making (DM) process to achieve their preferred treatment and simplifying the traditional SDM. A total of 240 knee OA patients participated in this pilot study, and the results indicated a significant improvement in patient satisfaction (F = 4.104; P < 0.05) with the implementation of CTDSS. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of CTDSS by resolving several challenges in clinical implementation: (1) Improved efficiency of implementing SDM, promoting better clinician-patient communication and higher healthcare quality. (2) Eliminating the need for extensive health literacy and disease knowledge in patients during the DM process. (3) Saving time for physicians, by allowing them to better understand the patients' preferences and select the most appropriate treatment option. (4) This method can be extended to primary clinics to benefit other patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis described in this article shows that a high static stiffness of the bearing is attainable as two design parameters of membrane-type restrictor are properly chosen. The first one is the dimensionless stiffness of the membrane and the other one is the design restriction ratio of the bearing system. When the deformation-load relationship of the restrictor is compliance with the ideal trend, the stiffness of the bearing should theoretically approach infinite in most application range. It was derived that a dimensionless membrane stiffness of 1.33 and a design restriction ratio of 0.25 is the solution for such condition. The film thickness for the bearing will be maintained at designed levels over a loading range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), an attractive strategy for cancer treatment, can kill tumor cells and avoid injury to surrounding healthy cells. 4-Borono-2-[18F]fluorophenylalanine ([18F]FBPA) positron emission tomography (PET) is a reliable tool for patient screening. Due to the relatively low radiochemical yield when employing the electrophilic route, this study was able to develop a new method to produce no-carrier-added (NCA) [18F]FBPA and compare the biological characteristics with carrier-added (CA) characteristics. By starting from 4-bromo-2-nitrobenzaldehyde, NCA [18F]FBPA was prepared using radiofluorination, alkylation, borylation, and hydrolysis. Cellular uptake analyses, microPET imaging, and biodistribution analyses were conducted to characterize the biological properties of NCA and CA [18F]FBPA. The radiochemical yield of NCA [18F]FBPA was 20 % ± 6 % (decay corrected) with a radiochemical purity of >98 % and molar activity of 56 ± 15 GBq/μmol in a 100-min synthesis. The in vitro accumulation was significantly higher for NCA [18F]FBPA than for CA [18F]FBPA in both SAS and CT-26 cells. However, no apparent differences in tumor uptake were observed between NCA and CA [18F]FBPA-injected tumor-bearing mice. We successfully prepared NCA [18F]FBPA through nucleophilic substitution and achieved improved radiochemical yield and purity. We also demonstrated the effects of the amount of nonradioactive FBPA on in vitro cellular uptake and in vivo imaging studies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the clinical predictors of unfavorable prognosis in patients with venous catheter-related cerebral air embolism.Methods: An extensive review of English literature was performed to obtain reports on cerebral air embolism published between January 1982 and July 2014 through PubMed, Journal at Ovid, and Web of Science using the Mesh terms and keywords "cerebral air embolism" and "cerebral gas embolism." Reports not fulfilling the diagnosis of cerebral air embolism and iterant articles were excluded. Demographics, clinical manifestations, and imaging findings were recorded. The air distribution on initial brain computed tomography (CT) was recorded as gyriform air (GF), cavernous sinus bubble, venous sinus bubble, and parenchymal and subarachnoid bubble. The enrolled subjects were further divided into favorable and unfavorable outcome groups for analyses.Results: Of the 33 cases enrolled, 31 had documented follow-up outcomes, including 14 with favorable and 17 with unfavorable prognoses. Patients with unfavorable outcome had older onset age (67.5 ± 15.8 versus 46.7 ± 17.0 years, P < .001), higher frequency of GF on brain CT (58.8% versus 0%, P < .01), initial consciousness disturbance (100% versus 42.9%, P < .001), and hemiparesis (100% versus 42.9%, P < .001), but lower frequency of cardiopulmonary symptoms (5.9% versus 64.3%, P < .01). In patients with central venous catheter-related cerebral air embolism, the retrograde mechanism had a tendency for worse outcomes (43.8% versus 0%, P = .023).Conclusions: In patients with venous catheter-related cerebral air embolism, the presence of GF on brain CT imaging, old age, initial conscious disturbance, and hemiparesis may predict unfavorable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several coexisting diseases have been reported in patients with moyamoya vasculopathy (MMV), but studies of quasi-moyamoya disease (quasi-MMD) are rare. This study aims to investigate the frequency of known coexisting diseases in patients with quasi-MMD and to compare quasi-MMD with moyamoya disease (MMD). Methods: Between 2000 and 2011, we retrospectively screened patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code of 4375 (MMD) in the Health Information System of our hospital. The vascular images of each patient were confirmed by 2 neurologists and 1 neuroradiologist based on the diagnostic criteria of Japan Ministry of Health and Welfare. We excluded the patients with missing images and erroneous diagnosis. Demographics, coexisting diseases, laboratory data, treatment, and recurrent strokes were recorded. The eligible patients were divided into quasi-MMD and MMD groups according to the presence or absence of coexisting diseases. Results: MMV was found in 90 patients including 37 (41.1%) quasi-MMD and 53 (58.9%) MMD. Atherosclerosis (32.4%) and thyroid disease (29.7%) were the leading coexisting diseases in quasi-MMD. Patients with MMD became symptomatic in a bimodal age distribution, whereas patients with quasi-MMD became symptomatic in a single-peak distribution. The prognosis of recurrent strokes was similar between quasi-MMD and MMD based on Kaplan–Meier analysis. Conclusions: A bimodal distribution of onset age was noted in MMD, whereas a single-peak distribution was found in quasi-MMD. Coexisting diseases were usually underevaluated but were more common than expected in patients with MMV. Atherosclerosis and thyroid diseases were the leading coexisting diseases in different preferential age. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Cerebral hypoperfusion is responsible for cognitive impairment in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis (CAS). The manifestation of reversed ophthalmic artery flow (ROAF) is not uncommon in patients with CAS, suggesting a state of intensified cerebral hypoperfusion. This study aimed to examine whether the presence of ROAF can exacerbate cognitive impairment in patients with severe unilateral CAS. Methods: One-hundred-and-two patients with CAS and 37 age-matched volunteers participated in this case–control study. Depending on the side of CAS and occurrences of ROAF, the patients were allocated to four groups: left CAS groups with ROAF (n =28) or without ROAF (n =22), and right CAS groups with ROAF (n =26) or without ROAF (n =26). All subjects underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests. Results: All patients performed worse than the control group on most tests. No significant differences were observed between patient groups (ps>0.05), except for inferior performance on psychomotor speed and visuospatial tests in the right ROAF group (ps<0.03). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated strong contributions of estimated premorbid intelligence to performance on most tests (ps<0.05). The severity of left and right CAS was distinctively associated with different functions. To a lesser extent, the severity of infarcts was also associated with impairment of psychomotor speed and some executive functions (ps<0.05). The contributions of ROAF to performance on most tests were negligible. Conclusion: Patients with unilateral CAS may present with specific cognitive impairment relevant to the ipsilateral hemispheric functions. However, the manifestation of ROAF does not necessarily imply more extensive or severe cognitive impairment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: We wanted to examine whether brain computed tomography (CT) perfusion can help to detect the reconstitution of cerebral hemodynamics and predict intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) after carotid stenting. Methods: From September 2002 to October 2009, data of 114 patients with carotid intervention were prospectively collected, and we retrospectively identified a total of 108 consecutive patients with unilateral carotid stenting. Brain CT perfusion was studied at three time points: 1 week before, and 1 week and 6 months after stenting. Cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow, and time to peak (TTP) of brain CT perfusion were examined at cortical and subcortical areas of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery territory. The CBV, cerebral blood flow, and TTP ratios of stenting side/nonstenting side were used for comparison. The flow direction of ophthalmic artery was detected by sonography, and the presence of anterior communicating artery was examined on prestenting cerebral angiogram. Results: After carotid stenting, CBV and TTP ratios improved significantly in both MCA cortical and subcortical areas in patients with unilateral carotid stenosis (P < .01) but not in patients with bilateral carotid stenosis. Patients with reversed ophthalmic flow had better improvement of TTP in both MCA and posterior cerebral artery territories (P < .05) than patients with forward flow. However, no significant difference was found between patients with and patients without anterior communicating artery collateral (P > .05). The prestenting TTP ratio in MCA subcortical area was significantly higher in patients with poststenting ICH than patients without ICH (P = .0191). Conclusions: Cerebral hemodynamics can be reconstituted within a few days after carotid revascularization, especially in patients with reversed ophthalmic flow. Prolonged TTP in prestenting MCA subcortical area may suggest a high risk of poststenting ICH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of bisindole molecules as anti-cancer agents against Tousled-like kinases (TLKs). We show that compound 2 composed of an indirubin-3′-oxime group linked with a (N -methylpiperidin-2-yl)ethyl moiety possessed inhibitory activity toward both TLK1 and TLK2 in vitro and diminished the phosphorylation level of the downstream substrate anti-silencing function 1 (ASF1) in replicating cells. The treatment of compound 2 impaired DNA replication, slowed S-phase progression, and triggered DNA damage response in replicating cells. Structure optimization further discovered six derivatives exhibiting potent TLK inhibitory activity and revealed the importance of the tertiary amine-containing moiety of the side chain. Moreover, the derivatives 6 , 17 , 19 , and 20 strongly suppressed the growth of triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells, and colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells, while normal lung fibroblast MRC5 and IMR90 cells showed a lower response to these compounds. Taken together, this study identifies tertiary amine-linked indirubin-3′-oximes as potent anticancer agents that inhibit TLK activity. [Display omitted] • Compound 2 is identified as a lead compound for development of TLK inhibitors. • The derivatives with a tertiary amine-containing side chain potently inhibit TLKs. • The derivatives impair chromatin replication and induce DNA damage response. • The derivatives are highly toxic to cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant alteration of epigenetic information disturbs chromatin structure and gene function, thereby facilitating cancer development. Several drugs targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs), a group of epigenetic enzymes, have been approved for treating hematologic malignancies in the clinic. However, patients who suffer from solid tumors often respond poorly to these drugs. In this study, we report a selective entinostat derivative, MPT0L184, with potent cancer-killing activity in both cell-based and mouse xenograft models. A time-course analysis of cell-cycle progression revealed that MPT0L184 treatment elicited an early onset of mitosis but prevented the division of cells with duplicated chromosomes. We show that MPT0L184 possessed potent inhibitory activity toward HDAC1 and 2, and its HDAC-inhibitory activity was required for initiating premature mitotic signaling. HDAC inhibition by MPT0L184 reduced WEE1 expression at the transcription level. In addition, MPT0L184 treatment also downregulated ATR-mediated CHK1 phosphorylation independent of HDAC inhibition. Furthermore, gastric cancer cells resistant to HDAC inhibitors were vulnerable to MPT0L184. Taken together, our study discovers MPT0L184 as a novel HDAC inhibitor that can trigger premature mitosis and potentially counteract drug resistance of cancers. [Display omitted] • MPT0L184 exhibits high toxicity in various cancer cell lines including gastric cancer cells resistant to HDAC inhibitors. • MPT0L184 shows tumor-suppressing activity in a tumor xenograft mouse model. • MPT0L184 possesses strong inhibitory activity toward HDAC1 and 2. • MPT0L184 treatment leads to an early onset of mitosis. • MPT0L184 treatment downregulates WEE1 expression and ATR/CHK1 signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the prudent design and synthesis of anilide type class I HDAC inhibitors employing a functionalized pyrrolo[2,3- d ]pyrimidine skeleton as the surface recognition part. Utilization of the bicyclic aromatic ring to fabricate the target compounds was envisioned to confer rigidity to the chemical architecture of MS-275 and chidamide. In-vitro enzymatic and cellular assays led to the identification of compound 7 as a potent inhibitor of HDAC1 and 2 isoform that exerted substantial cell growth inhibitory effects against human breast MDA-MB-231, cervical HeLa, breast MDA-MB-468, colorectal DLD1, and colorectal HCT116 cell lines with an IC 50 values of 0.05–0.47 μM, better than MS-275 and chidamide. In addition, the anilide 7 was also endowed with a superior antiproliferative profile than MS275 and chidamide towards the human cutaneous T cell lymphoma (HH and HuT78), leukemia (HL60 and KG-1), and HDACi sensitive/resistant gastric cell lines (YCC11 and YCC3/7). Exhaustive exploration of the construct 7 confirmed it to be a microtubule-targeting agent that could trigger the cell-cycle arrest in mitosis. In pursuit of extracting the benefits of evidenced microtubule-destabilizing activity of the anilide 7 , it was further evaluated against non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines as well as the multiple-drug resistant uterine cancer cell line (MES-SA/Dx5) and overwhelmingly positive results in context of inhibitory effects were attained. Furthermore, molecular modelling studies were performed and some key interactions of the anilide 7 with the amino acid residues of the active site of HDAC1 isoform and tubulin were figured out. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To analyze the Gly2385Arg (G2385R) mutation in Taiwanese Alzheimer''s disease (AD) patients. Background: The leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene is well known to predispose subjects to Parkinson''s disease (PD). The Gly2385Arg (G2385R) variant of LRRK2 is believed to be “East Asian”-specific, particularly in the Han Chinese population; however, whether the LRRK2 G2385R is associated with a risk of AD in pure Han-Chinese patients has not often been studied. Methods: A total of 209 AD patients (87 men, 122 women) and 180 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited and the demographic data of the AD patients were analyzed. Genotyping of the Gly2385Arg variant was studied using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Results: Subjects with the Gly2385Arg variant were all heterozygous carriers. The frequency of Gly2385Arg carriers did not differ significantly between the AD patients and controls (4.78% versus 4.44%, odds ratio=1.04, 95% CI=0.62–1.77, P =0.87). In the AD patient group, the age of symptom onset, the length of education, or the MMSE score showed no significant differences between wild-type carriers and heterozygous variant carriers (P =0.51, 0.43, and 0.09). Conclusion: The Gly2385Arg variant of LRRK2 may not be a major risk factor for AD in pure Han Chinese patient. Among the AD patients, Gly2385Arg carriers were not clinically different from wild-type carriers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study reports the design, synthesis and evaluation of a series of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors containing purine/purine isoster as a capping group and an N-(2-aminophenyl)-benzamide unit. In vitro cytotoxicity studies reveal that benzamide 14 suppressed the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 (IC 50 = 1.48 μM), MDA-MB-468 (IC 50 = 0.65 μM), and liver cancer cells HepG2 (IC 50 = 2.44 μM), better than MS-275 (5) and Chidamide (6). Compared to the well-known HDAC inhibitor SAHA, 14 showed a higher toxicity (IC 50 = 0.33 μM) in three leukemic cell lines, K-562, KG-1 and THP-1. Moreover, 14 was found to be equally virulent in the HDAC-sensitive and -resistant gastric cell lines, YCC11 and YCC3/7, respectively, indicating the potential of 14 to overcome HDACi resistance. Furthermore, substantial inhibitory effects more pronounced than MS-275 (5) and Chidamide (6) were displayed by 14 towards HDAC1, 2 and 3 isoforms with IC 50 values of 0.108, 0.585 and 0.563 μM respectively. Compound 14 also exhibited a potent antitumor efficacy in human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer xenograft mouse model, providing a potential lead for the development of anticancer agents. Image 1 • A series of benzamides containing purine/purine isoster as capping group has been synthesized. • Compound 14 remarkably suppressed the growth of triple negative breast cancer cell lines. • Benzamide 14 displayed striking inhibitory effects towards HDAC 1, 2 and 3 isoforms. • Benzamide 14 was found to be virulent in YCC3/7 cell line (HDAC resistant gastric cell line). • Benzamide 14 also exerts a dose-dependent upregulation of ac-H3K9 in MDA-MB-231 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of thiochromeno[2,3- c ]quinolin-12-one derivatives with various substitutions were synthesized and evaluated as topoisomerase (Topo) inhibitors. Six (8 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 19 , and 26) of 23 compounds showed strong inhibitory activities against Topo-mediated DNA relaxation and proliferation of five human cell lines including breast (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and MCF7), colorectal (HCT116) and non-small cell lung (H1299) cancers. Among these, compounds 14 and 26 exhibited full inhibitory activities against Topo I at 3 μM and Topo IIα at 1 μM. Cancer cells treated with 26 accumulated DNA damage and were arrested at the G 2 /M phase. With time, cells proceeded to apoptosis, as revealed by increased amounts of cells with fragmented DNA and cleavage of caspase-8 and -9. In contrast, normal breast epithelial cells showed low sensitivity to 26. Taken together, our study identifies 26 as a potent Topo dual-inhibitor with low toxicity to normal cells, and elucidates that the terminal amino group of N -2-aminoethylamino or N -3-aminopropylamino at the 6th position and 8,10-di-halogen substituents on thiochromeno[2,3- c ]quinolin-12-one are critical for the Topo-inhibiting and cancer-killing activities. Image 1 • Six compounds identified as dual Topo inhibitors. • 26 exhibits the highest toxicity in five cancer cell lines but is less toxic in normal breast epithelial cells. • 26 traps Topo I and IIα on chromatin and suppresses their activities. • 26 triggers DNA damage, cell-cycle arrest at the G 2 /M phase, followed by apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to assess whether intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC) evident on head computed tomography is a risk factor for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) following tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment for acute stroke. Methods: We classified 297 consecutive patients into 2 groups (no to mild ICAC and moderate to severe ICAC) according to ICAC severity. Outcome measures included detection of intracerebral hemorrhage and assessment using a modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 1 month and 1 year after stroke. Results: ICH (any type) was significantly more common in patients with moderate to severe ICAC than in patients with no to mild ICAC (22.5% versus 12%; relative risk [RR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.5; P < .05). The moderate to severe ICAC group tended to have a higher percentage of sICH, but this association was not statistically significant (RR, 1.57; 95% CI, .75-3.3, P > .05). Multivariate adjusted regression analysis revealed that moderate to severe ICAC was an independent risk factor for ICH following tPA treatment (odds ratio, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.07-5.94; P = .04). Dependent functional outcome (mRS score 3-6) at 1-month and 1-year follow-up was significantly associated with moderate to severe ICAC (RR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.06-2.27; and RR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.06-2.33; P < .05). However, ICAC was not an independent factor of functional dependency at 1-month and 1-year follow-up in the final multivariate regression model. Conclusion: A significantly higher percentage of patients with moderate to severe ICAC developed ICH following tPA administration for stroke. ICAC severity is an independent risk factor for ICH events. ICAC severity can help predict short-term and long-term functional dependency in tPA-treated patients, although this can be confounded by other cardiovascular risk factors and stroke severity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, the relaxation analysis is performed to understand the V TH instability in FeFETs with two different dopants, i.e., Si and Gd. The FeFETs with different dopants show the different delay-after-write characteristics, i.e., Gd:HfO 2 FeFETs show a better delay-after-write stability compared to the case of Si:HfO 2 FeFETs. With the relaxation analysis, Si:HfO 2 FeFETs exhibit an obvious V TH recovery during the relaxation phases. Furthermore, the power law fitting is used to analyze the V TH shift under the positive program bias, indicating that a wide and easily accessible defects can exist in the IL and/or Si:HfO 2 since the smaller overdrive voltage dependence exponent (γ) is obtained in Si:HfO 2. Last, the smaller V TH shift/recovery in Gd:HfO 2 FeFETs can be attributed to a relatively tighter defect distribution, indicating that the dopants in the ferroelectric layer and the defects in IL and/or ferroelectric dielectric have to be carefully optimized to achieve the better V TH stability. • Si:HfO 2 FeFETs exhibit an obvious V TH recovery during the relaxation phases. • The power law fitting is used to analyze the V TH shift, indicating that a wide and easily accessible defects can exist in the IL and/or Si:HfO 2. • The smaller V TH shift/recovery in Gd:HfO 2 FeFETs indicates that the dopants and the defects have to be carefully optimized to achieve the better V TH stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Little is known about how tactile information is integrated across digits. [•] We describe a tactile motion stimulator that can stimulate multiple digits independently. [•] We use the stimulator to probe subjects’ ability to discriminate tactile motion. [•] We replicate previous findings with single digit stimulation. [•] Stimulation of multiple digits reveals biases in the perception of tactile motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronegative LDL (LDL(-)) and free fatty acids (FFAs) are circulating risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and have been associated with inflammation. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) represents a key cytokine in the development of CVD; however, the initial trigger of IL-1β in CVD remains to be explored. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of LDL(-) from the plasma of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients or diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits and bovine serum albumin bound palmitic acid (PA-BSA) on IL-1β production in macrophages. Macrophages derived from THP-1 cells or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were independently treated with LDL(-), PA-BSA or cotreated with LDL(-) and PA-BSA. The results showed that nLDL and/or PA-BSA had no effect on IL-1β, and LDL(-) slightly increased IL-1β; however, cotreatment with LDL(-) and PA-BSA resulted in abundant secretion of IL-1β in macrophages. Rabbit LDL(-) induced the elevation of cellular pro-IL-1β and p-Iκ-Bα, but PA-BSA had no effect on pro-IL-1β or p-Iκ-Bα. In potassium-free buffer, LDL(-)-induced IL-1β reached a level similar to that induced by cotreatment with LDL(-) and PA-BSA. Moreover, LDL(-) and PA-BSA-induced IL-1β was inhibited in lectin-type oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) knockdown cells and by blockers of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels. LDL(-) from diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbit had a similar effect as STEMI LDL(-) on IL-1β in macrophages. These results show that PA-BSA cooperates with LDL(-) to trigger IL-1β production in macrophages via a mechanism involving the LOX-1 and Kv channel pathways, which may play crucial roles in the regulation of inflammation in CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo-fiber-reinforced polymers have gained popularity in numerous industries because of their mechanical properties, lightweight, and ecological benefits. In this study, to determine the effects of textile structure on the impact resistance performance of bamboo-textile-reinforced polymers (BTRPs), we evaluated three impact modes: simple support beam (SSB), drop weight, and Charpy impact. We then used 3D X-ray scanning to determine the effects of the textile structure and impact modes on the microscopic fracture and crack development. The results indicated that the woven structure allowed for energy transmission in all directions during the drop weight impact test. During the SSB impact test, the large quantity of bamboo tows parallel to the major axis of the specimen increased the absorbed energy. When additional layers were added in the loading direction, the deflection of the entire specimen decreased, thus leading to lower absorbed energy. According to 3D X-ray images and quasi-static bending fracture results, similar fracture patterns appeared on dynamic and static loaded specimens. Consequently, the energy required for internal fracture and the strain energy of deflection are the two significant reasons that enable the excellent impact resistance performance of BTRPs. • Three impact modes include simple support beam, drop weight, and Charpy were conducted. • Effects of woven structure factors on impact strength, absorbed energy and fractography were determined. • 3D Xray technique was used to identify fracture modes and fracture pattern. • The impact energy absorbed is nearly equal to the sum of the energy required for fracturing, crack propagation and the work done by deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]