Search

Metabolic syndrome is a significant risk factor for poor graft outcomes in kidney transplant (KT) patients. However, the effects of variability in metabolic parameters on graft outcomes in KT patients have not been completely elucidated. A total of 852 KT patients were included from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry. The study exposure was variability in body mass index (BMI) or other metabolic parameters measured at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after KT. Patients were classified into tertiles according to the degree of variability. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse kidney outcomes, such as death-censored graft loss or ≥ 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate. The adverse kidney outcomes occurred in 73 (8.6%) participants. The high-BMI variability group had a higher risk for adverse kidney outcomes compared to the low-variability group. High variabilities in triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure were also associated with adverse kidney outcomes. Furthermore, high variability in metabolic syndrome-related composite indices, such as the triglyceride and glucose index and metabolic variability scores, showed a higher risk for adverse kidney outcomes. In conclusion, high variability in metabolic parameters could be associated with an increased risk of adverse kidney outcome in KT patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the prevalence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) has remained high, no optimal strategy has been established to prevent it. This study included preterm newborns born at a gestational age of < 32 weeks admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital between January 2013 and June 2022. Infants who had been observed for less than 24 h were excluded. A total of 14 features from time-series data after birth to IVH diagnosis were chosen for model development using an automated machine-learning method. The average F1 scores and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were used as indicators for comparing the models. We analyzed 778 preterm newborns (79 with IVH, 10.2%; 699 with no IVH, 89.8%) with a median gestational age of 29.4 weeks and birth weight of 1180 g. Model development was performed using data from 748 infants after applying the exclusion criteria. The Extra Trees Classifier model showed the best performance with an average F1 score of 0.93 and an AUROC of 0.999. We developed a model for identifying IVH with excellent accuracy. Further research is needed to recognize high-risk infants in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Adequate oxygenation and airway management during deep sedation can be challenging. We investigated the effect of high-flow nasal cannula (group HF) and conventional nasal cannula (group CO) during sedation for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Methods: Patients undergoing ESD with deep sedation were enrolled. The primary outcome was difference in lowest oxygen saturation (SpO2) between the groups. Incidence of hypoxia (SpO2 < 90%), patients with SpO2 < 95%, hypercapnia, and airway interventions; operator satisfaction; and adverse events were recorded. Results: Thirty-two patients in each group completed the study. The mean of minimum SpO2 values was significantly higher in group HF than in group CO (96.8% ± 4.2% vs. 93.3% ± 5.3%, p = 0.005). The incidence of hypoxia was comparable between the groups (4 [12.5%] vs. 6 [18.8%], p = 0.491); however, patients with SpO2 < 95% were significantly less in group HF (5 [15.6%] vs. 18 [56.3%], p = 0.003). Incidence of hypercapnia was higher in group HF than in group CO (14 [46.7%] vs. 5 [16.7%], p = 0.013). Airway rescue interventions were significantly less common in group HF. Satisfaction of operators and post-procedural complications were comparable between the two groups. In multivariable analysis, group CO and higher body mass index were risk factors for airway managements (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 6.204 [1.784–21.575], p = 0.004; 1.337 [1.043–1.715], p = 0.022, respectively). Conclusions: Compared to conventional nasal cannula, high-flow nasal cannula maintained higher minimum SpO2 value during deep sedation with propofol–remifentanil for ESD. Trial registration: Clinical Trial Registry of the Republic of Korea (KCT0006618, https://cris.nih.go.kr; registered September 29, 2021; principal investigator: Ji Won Choi). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the electrical characterization and defect properties of Ga2O3/SiC hetero-structured Schottky diodes manufactured by mist chemical vapor deposition. For a comprehensive analysis of the impact of post deposition annealing with nitrogen (N2), various characterization techniques were employed, including current density-voltage (J-V), capacitance-voltage (1/C2-V), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). The on/off ratios, barrier heights and ideality factors of non-annealed and N2-annealed diodes were investigated using J-V characteristics. It was confirmed that electrical characteristics were improved in the N2-annealed diode. By analyses of 1/C2-V characteristics, the built-in voltage (Vbi) and near surface to bulk carrier concentrations were obtained. Surface topography and roughness, observed through AFM, indicated enhanced crystal quality of the N2-annealed diode. Deep level trap parameters and possible distributions of each trap were extracted from DLTS spectra and Arrhenius plots. The N2-annealing process increased the defects originating from extrinsic impurities at 0.226 eV, while decreasing the traps associated with oxygen vacancies at 0.950 eV and 1.257 eV, which can act as recombination centers. This suggests that the N2-annealing process reduces oxygen vacancies by nitrogen atoms occupying the vacancy sites, leading to a more ordered crystal lattice. Consequently, electrical conductivity, carrier mobility, and overall device performance could be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the connection between OSA risk and CRS by investigating associations between the STOP-Bang questionnaire and presence of CRS in a nationwide, population-based study. This is a cross-sectional study based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We evaluated 10,081 subjects who completed both the STOP-Bang and CRS-related questionnaires. Among the total subjects, 390 (3.9%) were CRS patients. The median STOP-Bang score was 3.0 [2.0; 4.0] in CRS patients, compared to 2.0 [1.0; 3.0] in subjects without CRS. In a low-risk group according to the STOP-Bang questionnaire, 3.1% of subjects were CRS patients. However, a gradual increase was observed among different risk groups. In the higher risk group, CRS patients accounted for 5.3% (P < 0.001). Among the four main symptoms of CRS (nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, facial pain/pressure, and decreased sense of smell), nasal obstruction (4.1 to 7.3%) and a decreased sense of smell (1.9 to 3.3%) increased with higher STOP-Bang scores. This study found that the proportion of patients with CRS was significantly higher in the group at a higher STOP-Bang score in the general population. Among symptoms of CRS, nasal obstruction and anosmia were found to be associated with an increased STOP-Bang score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus parauberis, a gram-positive bacterium, causes significant mortality in cultured fish. In Korea, S. parauberis exhibits diverse serotypes (Ia, Ib/c, and II) from diseased fish including olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), each with different pathogenicity. Therefore, the development of a reliable detection and serotyping assay is essential for effective disease surveillance. From the biochemical traits, although S. parauberis can be categorized into two subgroups associated with serotypes I and II, based on pyrrolidonyl arylamidase (PYR) activity, biochemical characterization is limited in differentiating between subserotypes. Furthermore, even though PCR-based serotyping assays (multiplex PCR; mPCR) have been reported, we aimed to develop an isothermal amplification-based assay for rapid and simultaneous detection and serotyping without the need for thermal cycling equipment. Based on the consensus sequence of the capsular polysaccharide (cps) locus, multiplex recombinase polymerase amplification (mRPA) primers were designed for the simultaneous detection and serotyping of S. parauberis. The optimized primer concentrations for mRPA were 280 nM for the detection of S. parauberis, 240 nM for serotypes Ia and II, and 200 nM for serotype Ib, with optimal amplification conditions determined to be 30 min at 42 °C. In the specificity test, no cross-reactivity with other fish pathogens was observed. In addition, the sensitivity of mRPA was 0.02 ng for detecting S. parauberis and serotypes Ia and Ib/c, while it was 0.2 ng for serotyping type II. Using DNA from cultured bacteria, the novel mRPA showed a detection rate consistent with that of mPCR. Moreover, using DNA from artificially infected tissues, the detection rate by mRPA was 96.7% (29/30), which was different from the results of mPCR (80%, 24/30), which exhibited an 80% detection rate. Therefore, the novel mRPA is an effective and rapid diagnostic tool for the simultaneous detection and serotyping of S. parauberis without requiring thermal cycling equipment as well as a specific bacterial culture step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in treating chronic high-frequency tinnitus with the TINI device, a near-infrared (830 nm) laser. The study includes preliminary animal experiments with 28 mice and a randomized controlled trial with 56 participants to examine the functional and molecular changes in the auditory system that PBMT may cause. The animal model used sodium salicylate to induce tinnitus, followed by PBMT, which showed promising reductions in the behavioral evidence of tinnitus and a reversal of tinnitus-associated upregulation of vesicular glutamate transporters 2 expression in the ipsilateral dorsal cochlear nucleus (p < 0.05). In the clinical trial, participants with chronic high-frequency tinnitus received trans-tympanic application of the TINI device. The results did not show a significant difference in tinnitus score at the final time point when compared to the sham group. However, questionnaires revealed significant improvements in tinnitus symptoms and psychological outcomes following treatment with the TINI device compared to before treatment (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that while PBMT has potential benefits, its clinical effectiveness may be unclear due to its complex nature and interaction with other conditions. Further research is required to optimize treatment parameters and gain a complete understanding of the therapeutic potential of PBMT in managing tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affective disorders are frequently associated with disrupted circadian rhythms. The existence of rhythmic secretion of central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) pattern has been reported; however, the functional mechanism underlying the circadian control of 5-HTergic mood regulation remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate the role of the circadian nuclear receptor REV-ERBα in regulating tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2), the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis. We demonstrate that the REV-ERBα expressed in dorsal raphe (DR) 5-HTergic neurons functionally competes with PET-1—a nuclear activator crucial for 5-HTergic neuron development. In mice, genetic ablation of DR 5-HTergic REV-ERBα increases Tph2 expression, leading to elevated DR 5-HT levels and reduced depression-like behaviors at dusk. Further, pharmacological manipulation of the mice DR REV-ERBα activity increases DR 5-HT levels and affects despair-related behaviors. Our findings provide valuable insights into the molecular and cellular link between the circadian rhythm and the mood-controlling DR 5-HTergic systems. Circadian nuclear receptor, REV-ERBa regulates the rhythmic serotonin synthesis in the central nervous system, highlighting the molecular connections between circadian clock and mood regulation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromodulation technique using electric stimulation is widely applied in neural prosthesis, therapy, and neuroscience research. Various stimulation techniques have been developed to enhance stimulation efficiency and to precisely target the specific area of the brain which involves optimizing the geometry and the configuration of the electrode, stimulation pulse type and shapes, and electrode materials. Although the effects of electrode shape, size, and configuration on the performance of neural stimulation have individually been characterized, to date, there is no integrative investigation of how this factor affects neural stimulation. In this study, we computationally modeled the various types of electrodes with varying shapes, sizes, and configurations and simulated the electric field to calculate the activation function. The electrode geometry is then integratively assessed in terms of stimulation efficiency and stimulation focality. We found that stimulation efficiency is enhanced by making the electrode sharper and smaller. A center-to-vertex distance exceeding 100 µm shows enhanced stimulation efficiency in the bipolar configuration. Additionally, the separation distance of less than 1 mm between the reference and stimulation electrodes exhibits higher stimulation efficiency compared to the monopolar configuration. The region of neurons to be stimulated can also be modified. We found that sharper electrodes can locally activate the neuron. In most cases, except for the rectangular electrode shape with a center-to-vertex distance smaller than 100 µm, the bipolar electrode configuration can locally stimulate neurons as opposed to the monopolar configuration. These findings shed light on the optimal selection of neural electrodes depending on the target applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct a new structural break test in a panel regression model using the self-normalization method. The self-normalization test is shown to be superior to an existing test in that the former is theoretically and experimentally valid for regression models with serially and/or cross-sectionally correlated errors while the latter is not. We derive the asymptotic null distribution of the self-normalization test and its consistency under an alternative hypothesis. Unlike the existing test requiring bootstrap computation for critical values, the self-normalization test is implemented easily with a set of simple critical values. A Monte Carlo experiment reports that the self-normalization resolves the severe over-size problem of the existing test under serial and/or cross-sectional error correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Though the finger is generally recommended for pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring site, its reliability may be compromised in conditions of poor peripheral perfusion. Therefore, we compared the performance of nasal septum SpO2 monitoring with finger SpO2 monitoring relative to simultaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) monitoring in generally anesthetized patients. Methods: In 23 adult patients, comparisons of SpO2 measured at the nasal septum and finger with simultaneous SaO2 were made at four time points during the 90 min study period. A pulse oximetry monitoring failure was defined as a > 10 s continuous failure of in an adequate SpO2 data acquisition. Core temperature as well as finger-tip and nasal septum temperatures were simultaneously measured at 10 min intervals. Results: A total of 92 sets of SpO2 and SaO2 measurements were obtained in 23 patients. The bias and precision for SpO2 measured at the nasal septum were − 0.8 ± 1.3 (95% confidence interval: − 1.1 to − 0.6), which was similar to those for SpO2 measured at the finger (− 0.6 ± 1.4; 95% confidence interval: − 0.9 to − 0.4) (p = 0.154). Finger-tip temperatures were consistently lower than other two temperatures at all time points (p < 0.05), reaching 33.5 ± 2.3 °C at 90 min after induction of anesthesia. While pulse oximetry monitoring failure did not occur for nasal septum probe, two cases of failure occurred for finger probe. Conclusions: Considering the higher stability to hypothermia with a similar accuracy, nasal septum pulse oximetry may be an attractive alternative to finger pulse oximetry. Trail registration This study was registered with Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS: https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/en/; ref: KCT0008352). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated morphological properties of vertical heterojunction Schottky diodes based on (Al0.1Ga0.9)2O3/4H-SiC (AGO) thin films and analyzed the effect of post-annealing on their temperature-dependent electrical characteristics over the temperature range of 298 to 498 K. The AGO films were deposited using radio frequency sputtering and analyzed the as-deposited and N2-annealed films at 950 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The N2-annealed sample exhibited an estimated grain size of 63.2 nm compared to an average grain size of 43.6 nm in the as-deposited samples. As temperature increased, the barrier height (Φb) exhibited an upward trend, while the ideality factor (n) showed a declining trend. The calculated values of Φb and n in the as-deposited sample varied from 1.11 eV and 2.76 at 298 K to 1.47 eV and 1.37 at 498 K. The Schottky diode’s I–V characteristics, which vary with temperature, exhibited a Gaussian distribution. The temperature-dependent electrical characteristics of the Schottky diodes have shown a Gaussian distribution, yielding a mean barrier height of 2.08 eV and a standard deviation of 0.22 V for the as-deposited sample. In contrast, the N2-annealed sample’s mean barrier height was 1.16 eV, with a standard deviation of 0.13 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant viruses evolves diverse strategies to overcome the limitations of their genomic capacity and express multiple proteins, despite the constraints imposed by the host translation system. Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2) is a widespread viral pathogen, causing severe damage to economically important crops. It is hypothesized that BBWV2 RNA2 possesses two alternative in-frame translation initiation codons, resulting in the production of two largely overlapping proteins, VP53 and VP37. In this study, we aim to investigate the expression and function of VP53, an N-terminally 128-amino-acid-extended form of the viral movement protein VP37, during BBWV2 infection. By engineering various recombinant and mutant constructs of BBWV2 RNA2, here we demonstrate that VP53 is indeed expressed during BBWV2 infection. We also provide evidence of the translation of the two overlapping proteins through ribosomal leaky scanning. Furthermore, our study highlights the indispensability of VP53 for successful systemic infection of BBWV2, as its removal results in the loss of virus infectivity. These insights into the translation mechanism and functional role of VP53 during BBWV2 infection significantly contribute to our understanding of the infection mechanisms employed by fabaviruses. The VP53 protein, which is expressed from RNA2 of broad bean wilt virus 2 (genus Fabavirus, family Secoviridae) through ribosomal leaky scanning, is essential for the successful systemic infection of the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In activation mapping of reentrant atrial tachycardia (AT), there was no reference for window of interest (WOI). We examined the timing of a successful termination site from end of the P wave and attempted to determine whether the critical isthmus can be identified using activation mapping when WOI was set as end to end of the P wave. Forty patients with 54 reentrant AT who underwent 3D electroanatomic mapping and radiofrequency catheter ablation were evaluated retrospectively. The critical isthmus was defined as a successful termination site. We evaluate critical isthmus timing from end of the P wave and percentage of critical isthmus timing from end of the P wave to tachycardia cycle length. In 54 reentrant AT, Macro-reentry was identified in 46 (85.2%) and micro-reentry was identified in eight (14.8%). The timing of the critical isthmus site from end of the P wave was − 4.0 ± 31.1 ms (Macro-reentry vs. Micro-reentry; − 8.9 ± 29.4 ms vs. 24.0 ± 26.7 ms; P = 0.005). The percentage of critical isthmus timing from end of the P wave/tachycardia cycle length was − 1.4 ± 10.5% (Macro-reentry vs. Micro-reentry; − 3.1 ± 9.8% vs. 8.3 ± 9.3%, P = 0.004) The critical isthmus of reentrant AT is located within 10% backward and forward from end of the P wave to tachycardia cycle length. Setting the WOI from end to end of the P wave is useful for identification of the critical isthmus through activation mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ga2O3/4H-SiC heterojunction diodes were fabricated by depositing Ga2O3 thin films on 4H-SiC substrates using aerosol deposition (AD). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that all Ga2O3 peaks increased with increasing oxide thickness. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to confirm grain size and deposited area. The I–V curves showed relevance between oxide thickness and electrical properties. For these thin films, the 1200 nm sample shows low Vth among them. It was confirmed that the Ron,sp value and the On-state current increased as the oxide thickness increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of vehicles equipped with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), among the most widely employed functions of the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), is rising, and thus so is demand for analytical services for accident investigation related to AEB issues. In fact, even if the AEB system functions properly, accidents may still occur due to various causes, such as the malfunction of ADAS sensors, functional or performance limits of ADAS operating algorithms, or driver negligence. Therefore, a clear understanding of the workings of ADAS sensors and ADAS operating algorithms, as well as analytical tools and scientific methods for accident reconstruction and forensic analysis, is required to ensure accuracy and consistency in accident investigation. The present study focused on the reconstruction and analysis of traffic accidents involving autonomous and ADAS vehicles. To this end, an attempt was made to create an AEB simulation environment in which various AEB functions can be implemented and tested. AEB function tests were conducted according to the EuroNCAP AEB's test scenarios to determine the functional characteristics of AEB systems. As such, it was possible to implement an AEB function simulation based on actual vehicle test data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While hypoxic signaling has been shown to play a role in many cellular processes, its role in metabolism-linked extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and downstream processes of cell fate after musculoskeletal injury remains to be determined. Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a debilitating condition where abnormal bone formation occurs within extra-skeletal tissues. Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) activation have been shown to promote HO. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which the HIF-1α pathway in mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) contributes to pathologic bone formation remain to be elucidated. Here, we used a proven mouse injury-induced HO model to investigate the role of HIF-1α on aberrant cell fate. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics analyses of the HO site, we found that collagen ECM organization is the most highly up-regulated biological process in MPCs. Zeugopod mesenchymal cell-specific deletion of Hif1α (Hoxa11-CreERT2; Hif1afl/fl) significantly mitigated HO in vivo. ScRNA-seq analysis of these Hoxa11-CreERT2; Hif1afl/fl mice identified the PLOD2/LOX pathway for collagen cross-linking as downstream of the HIF-1α regulation of HO. Importantly, our scRNA-seq data and mechanistic studies further uncovered that glucose metabolism in MPCs is most highly impacted by HIF-1α deletion. From a translational aspect, a pan-LOX inhibitor significantly decreased HO. A newly screened compound revealed that the inhibition of PLOD2 activity in MPCs significantly decreased osteogenic differentiation and glycolytic metabolism. This suggests that the HIF-1α/PLOD2/LOX axis linked to metabolism regulates HO-forming MPC fate. These results suggest that the HIF-1α/PLOD2/LOX pathway represents a promising strategy to mitigate HO formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-k oxide materials for metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors and metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) structure on SiC have been explored to enhance SiC-based device performance. In our experiments, the MOS capacitors with a high-k barium titanate (BaTiO3) insulating layer were fabricated using the aerosol deposition (AD) method, and post-deposition annealed in O2 atmospheres. We examined the effects of post-deposition annealing on the BaTiO3 films and their impact on the surface and electrical characteristics of MOS capacitors. The crystallinity and surface morphologies of the BaTiO3 films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. We conducted the electrical analysis through current–voltage and capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements. The post-deposition annealing process effectively reduced the gate leakage current of BaTiO3/4H-SiC and elevated the rectification ratio from 9.12 × 108 to 1.61 × 109. C–V characteristics were measured at 1 MHz to investigate the oxide defect charges inside the MOS capacitors. Near-interface trap density ( N it ) decreased from 9.10 × 1011 to 5.53 × 1011 cm−2 due to post-annealing, which diminished flat band voltage hysteresis. Fixed oxide charge density ( Q f ) also diminished from 4.00 × 1011 to 3.58 × 1011 cm−2, and the oxygen vacancies were compensated by the oxygen atoms introduced from the O2 during the post-deposition annealing. Our findings suggest that the post-deposition annealed process significantly influences surface and electrical properties during BaTiO3 thin film deposition using AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax ginseng powder adulterated with other root plants (arrowroot, bellflower, and lance asiabell) was discriminated using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, combined with multivariate analysis. Principal component analysis visually diagnosed the adulteration by showing two distinct clusters based on presence of adulteration. Wavenumber regions (1000 cm−1 and 3300 cm−1) selected from the loading plot associated with the vibration of OH and CH bond in ginsenoside and aromatic compounds. A quantitative model for the content of ginsenosides and specific aromatic compounds as indicators of pure ginseng powder, was developed based on partial least square regression analysis. The performance of the prediction model preprocessed with the Savizky–Golay 1st derivative was improved to R2 of 0.9650, 0.9635, and 0.9591 for Rb1, Rc, and β-Panasinsene, respectively. Therefore, FT-IR technology makes it possible to rapidly authenticate pure ginseng product based on the ginsenoside contents and aroma compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solute carrier family (SLC) transporters are expressed in the digestive system and play important roles in maintaining physiological functions in the body. In addition, SLC transporters act as oncoproteins or tumor-suppressor proteins during the development, progression, and metastasis of various digestive system cancers. SLC22A18, a member of the SLC22 gene family, is an orphan transporter with an unknown endogenous substrate. Previous study revealed that SLC22A18 is downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and that it acts as a suppressor in colorectal cancer, although the effects of SLC22A18 variants on colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion are unknown. Therefore, in this study, we identified SLC22A18 variants found in multiple populations by searching public databases and determined the in vitro effects of these missense variations on transporter expression and cancer progression. Our results indicated that three missense SLC22A18 variants—p.Ala6Thr, p.Arg12Gln, and p.Arg86His—had significantly lower cell expression than the wild type, possibly owing to intracellular degradation. Furthermore, these three variants caused significantly higher proliferation, migration, and invasion of colon cancer cells than the wild type. Our findings suggest that missense variants of SLC22A18 can potentially serve as biomarkers or prognostic tools that enable clinicians to predict colorectal cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visuoperceptual dysfunction is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and is also reported in its prodromal phase, isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). We aimed to investigate color discrimination ability and complex visual illusions known as pareidolias in patients with iRBD and PD compared to healthy controls, and their associating clinical factors. 46 iRBD, 43 PD, and 64 healthy controls performed the Farnsworth–Munsell 100 hue test and noise pareidolia tests. Any relationship between those two visual functions and associations with prodromal motor and non-motor manifestations were evaluated, including MDS-UPDRS part I to III, Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test, sleep questionnaires, and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. iRBD and PD patients both performed worse on the Farnsworth–Munsell 100 hue test and had greater number of pareidolias compared to healthy controls. No correlations were found between the extent of impaired color discrimination and pareidolia scores in either group. In iRBD patients, pareidolias were associated with frontal executive dysfunction, while impaired color discrimination was associated with visuospatial dysfunction, hyposmia, and higher MDS-UPDRS-III scores. Pareidolias in PD patients correlated with worse global cognition, whereas color discrimination deficits were associated with frontal executive dysfunction. Color discrimination deficits and pareidolias are frequent but does not correlate with each other from prodromal to clinically established stage of PD. The different pattern of clinical associates with the two visual symptoms suggests that evaluation of both color and pareidolias may aid in revealing the course of neurodegeneration in iRBD and PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In March 2020, when public health stay home orders began in order to halt the spread of COVID-19, child care as an industry was drastically and abruptly impacted. This public health emergency highlighted the weaknesses in the child care system in the United States. Objective: This study investigated the changes in operations cost, child enrollment and attendance, and state and federal support that occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic among both center-based and home-based child care programs. Methods: A total of 196 licensed centers and 283 home-based programs across Iowa participated in an online survey as a part of the 2020 Iowa Narrow Costs Analysis. This mixed method study utilizes qualitative analysis of response as well as descriptive statistics and pre- post comparison testing. Results: Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a marked impact on child care enrollment, the operational cost of child care, the availability of child care, and a variety of other areas including staff workload and mental health. In many instances, participants shared that state and federal COVID-19 relief funds were critical. Conclusion: Although state and federal COVID-19 relief funds were critical for child care providers in Iowa during the pandemic, results suggest similar financial support will be necessary beyond the pandemic to sustain the workforce. Policy suggestions are made for how to continue to support the child care workforce in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies show that mothers with depression are more likely to engage in unsupportive emotion-related socialization behaviors, and mothers' negative emotion socialization can interfere with the development of emotion regulation in children. However, insufficient studies examine the relationship between mothers' depressive symptoms, emotion socialization, and children's emotion regulation. The present study used short-term longitudinal data to investigate the mediating role of maternal emotion socialization on the effect of maternal depressive symptoms on children's emotion regulation. Participants included 180 mothers of six-to-12-year-old children. First, we measured maternal depressive symptoms and mothers' reactions to their children's negative emotions, operationalizing emotion socialization. Then we collected data about the children's emotion regulation reported by mothers six months later. A structured equation modeling analysis indicated that maternal emotion socialization completely mediated the impact of mothers' depressive symptoms on children's emotion regulation with a significant indirect effect. The present study used short-term longitudinal data and highlighted the significant impact of mothers' depressive symptoms on children's emotion regulation mediated by maternal emotion socialization. The results suggest a need for early detection and appropriate intervention of mothers' depressive symptoms. Even for mothers with depression, efforts to recognize and improve their emotion-related parenting behavior could be helpful for their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate bowel preparation is an important factor in high-quality colonoscopy. It is generally accepted that a Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) score ≥ 6 is adequate, but some reports suggest ≥ 7. Subjects who underwent colonoscopy at least twice within 3 years from August 2015 to December 2019 were included. Polyp detection rates (PDRs), adenoma detection rates (ADRs), and number of polyps including adenomas were compared stratified by baseline colonoscopy (C1) BBPS score. Among 2352 subjects, 529 had BBPS 6 (group 1) and 1823 had BBPS 7–9 (group 2) at C1. There was no significant difference in PDR or ADR at C1 and follow-up colonoscopy (C2) between the two groups. However, the numbers of polyps (1.84 vs. 1.56, P = 0.001) and adenomas (1.02 vs. 0.88, P = 0.034) at C2 were significantly higher in group 1 than group 2, respectively. Segmental BBPS score 2 in group 1 compared to group 2, especially, showed higher PDR (P = 0.001) and ADR (P = 0.007) at C2. BBPS 6 is associated with a higher number of polyps and adenomas in short-term follow-up colonoscopy than BBPS 7–9. To reduce the risk of missed polyps, a thorough examination is necessary for BBPS 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombosis is a vascular disease associated with severe risks such as heart attack and stroke. Extensive research has been conducted worldwide to identify the underlying causes of thrombus formation due to its potential implications. Many thrombosis studies have investigated hemodynamic effects by assuming blood as a single-phase fluid. However, since the behavior of blood is greatly influenced by red blood cells (RBCs), it is necessary to analyze blood as a mixture (two-phase). In this paper, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was performed assuming that blood is a two-phase fluid composed of plasma and RBCs. In addition, microchannels with circular cross-sections similar to human blood vessels were fabricated and used for blood experiments. The thrombus formed in the microchannel was visualized using image processing technology. Three-dimensional models incorporating the visualized thrombus were created and utilized to investigate the physical factors affecting the thrombus surface. In conditions where the shear rates were too high, the thrombus did not grow because of the drag force. Thrombus overcame the drag force and grew in areas with reduced shear stress. Also, the volume fraction of plasma calculated by the two-phase fluid model increased after the apex of stenosis and behind the thrombus. Thrombus growth was identified in areas with increased plasma volume fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombosis is a double-edged sword. Normal thrombus formation within injured blood vessel is an important natural defensive mechanism to prevent excessive bleeding, whereas abnormal thrombus formation leads to critical disease such as stroke or myocardial infarction. One of keys in the pathophysiology mechanism involved in the thrombus formation is acute hemodynamic changes within the vessel lumen, which has been investigated mostly in pre-clinical and clinical studies. However, studies involving animal or human subjects are frequently limited by technical difficulties and requirement of substantial blood volume. Microfluidic systems have emerged as a valuable tool owing to their inherent advantages including minimal sample requirements and rapid analysis capabilities. In this mini review, we present a summary of microfluidic systems designed for thrombosis analysis, encompassing fabrication processes, design, and analysis methods. We also discuss both the potentials and limitations of microfluidic platform for the analysis of thrombus mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the associations of periodontal disease (PD) with systemic diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as the reciprocal association. The CVD included the cases of coronary heart disease and heart failure. A prospective study was conducted from 2007 to 2019 using linked data from three databases in Korea. Three separate study groups were formed to individually determine the risks of PD (n = 10,533), DM (n = 14,523) and CVD (n = 14,315). All diseases were confirmed based on physicians' diagnoses using medical records and self-reports. Cox proportional hazard regression was applied with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to obtain hazard ratios (HRs). PD was significantly associated with an elevated risk of DM (HR [95% CI]: 1.22 [1.07–1.39]) after full adjustment for age, sex, lifestyle factors, body mass index, dental behaviour and CVD. PD was also found to increase the risk of CVD (1.27 [1.03–1.57]), whereas CVD increased the risk of PD (1.20 [1.09–1.32]) after full adjustment for other covariates including DM. This study found a bidirectional association between PD and CVD, as well as a positive association of PD with DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entity authentication is crucial for ensuring secure quantum communication as it helps confirm the identity of participants before transmitting any confidential information. We propose a practical entity authentication protocol for quantum key distribution (QKD) network systems that utilizes authentication qubits. In this protocol, authentication qubits that are encoded with pre-shared information are generated and exchanged to verify the legitimacy of each entity. By using the authentication qubit, participants can identify each other with enhanced security level through the quantum channel. The proposed protocol can be easily integrated with existing QKD systems without the need for additional hardware. In this study, we demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed scheme using a 1xN QKD network system and verified its stable operation over a deployed fiber network. Additionally, a security analysis of the proposed entity authentication protocol and architecture is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether artificial intelligence–based computer-aided diagnosis (AI-CAD) can improve radiologists' performance when used to support radiologists' interpretation of digital mammography (DM) in breast cancer screening. Methods: A retrospective database search identified 3158 asymptomatic Korean women who consecutively underwent screening DM between January and December 2019 without AI-CAD support, and screening DM between February and July 2020 with image interpretation aided by AI-CAD in a tertiary referral hospital using single reading. Propensity score matching was used to match the DM with AI-CAD group in a 1:1 ratio with the DM without AI-CAD group according to age, breast density, experience level of the interpreting radiologist, and screening round. Performance measures were compared with the McNemar test and generalized estimating equations. Results: A total of 1579 women who underwent DM with AI-CAD were matched with 1579 women who underwent DM without AI-CAD. Radiologists showed higher specificity (96% [1500 of 1563] vs 91.6% [1430 of 1561]; p < 0.001) and lower abnormal interpretation rates (AIR) (4.9% [77 of 1579] vs 9.2% [145 of 1579]; p < 0.001) with AI-CAD than without. There was no significant difference in the cancer detection rate (CDR) (AI-CAD vs no AI-CAD, 8.9 vs 8.9 per 1000 examinations; p = 0.999), sensitivity (87.5% vs 77.8%; p = 0.999), and positive predictive value for biopsy (PPV3) (35.0% vs 35.0%; p = 0.999) according to AI-CAD support. Conclusions: AI-CAD increases the specificity for radiologists without decreasing sensitivity as a supportive tool in the single reading of DM for breast cancer screening. Clinical relevance statement: This study shows that AI-CAD could improve the specificity of radiologists' DM interpretation in the single reading system without decreasing sensitivity, suggesting that it can benefit patients by reducing false positive and recall rates. Key Points: • In this retrospective-matched cohort study (DM without AI-CAD vs DM with AI-CAD), radiologists showed higher specificity and lower AIR when AI-CAD was used to support decision-making in DM screening. • CDR, sensitivity, and PPV for biopsy did not differ with and without AI-CAD support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuregulin (NRG) plays essential roles in the growth and differentiation of epithelial, neuronal and glial cells. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway constriction and caused by allergens such as Der p 38. Objective: This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between NRG-1 and asthma-like inflammation due to allergens. Results: Following Der p 38 intranasal or intraperitoneal/intranasal (IP/IN) administration in mice, the expression levels of NRG-1 and its receptors increased in response, including ErbB2 and ErbB4. We further examined the roles of NRG-1 in the human BEAS-2B lung epithelial cell line. Der p 38 enhanced NRG-1 expression in the cells and NRG-1 secretion was also upregulated in BEAS-2B cell supernatants treated with Der p 38. NRG-1 alone did not increase the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), but it inhibited cytokine secretion increased by Der p 38. Direct treatment with NRG-1 did not affect alteration of neutrophil apoptosis due to Der p 38, but BEAS-2B cell supernatants treated with Der p 38 and NRG-1 blocked the antiapoptotic effects of Der p 38-treated supernatants on neutrophils by activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3. Conclusion: NRG-1 may exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in a Der p 38-induced allergenic environment, particularly neutrophilic inflammation. The present study on NRG may open up approach opportunities for understanding of pathogenesis and treatment of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum authentication is a fundamental first step that ensures secure quantum communication. Although various quantum authentication methods have been proposed recently, their implementation efficiency is limited. This paper proposes a key-controlled maximally mixed quantum state encryption (MMQSE) method using only a single qubit, unitary operation, minimized quantum transmissions, and a single qubit measurement, which improves implementation feasibility and operation efficiency. We applied it to representative quantum authentication applications, namely, quantum identity and message authentication. The security of our authentication schemes was verified by analyzing the relationship between the integral ratio of Uhlmann's fidelity and probability of successful eavesdropping. Moreover, we demonstrate the higher authentication efficiency of the proposed scheme in a real quantum-channel noise environment. The upper bound of the valid noise rate was quantified using the integral ratio of Uhlmann's fidelity in a noise environment. Finally, the optimal number of authentication sequences was estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effect of hepatic steatosis (HS) on liver volume and to develop a formula to estimate lean liver volume correcting the HS effect. Methods: This retrospective study included healthy adult liver donors who underwent gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI and proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measurement from 2015 to 2019. The degree of HS was graded at 5% PDFF intervals from grade 0 (no HS; PDFF < 5.5%). Liver volume was measured with hepatobiliary phase MRI using deep learning algorithm, and standard liver volume (SLV) was calculated as the reference lean liver volume. The association between liver volume and SLV ratio with PDFF grades was evaluated using Spearman's correlation (ρ). The effect of PDFF grades on liver volume was evaluated using the multivariable linear regression model. Results: The study population included 1038 donors (mean age, 31 ± 9 years; 689 men). Mean liver volume to SLV ratio increased according to PDFF grades (ρ = 0.234, p < 0.001). The multivariable analysis indicated that SLV (β = 1.004, p < 0.001) and PDFF grade*SLV (β = 0.044, p < 0.001) independently affected liver volume, suggesting a 4.4% increase in liver volume per one-point increment in the PDFF grade. PDFF-adjusted lean liver volume was estimated using the formula, liver volume/[1.004 + 0.044 × PDFF grade]. The mean estimated lean liver volume to SLV ratio approximated to one for all PDFF grades, with no significant association with PDFF grades (p = 0.851). Conclusion: HS increases liver volume. The formula to estimate lean liver volume may be useful to adjust for the effect of HS on liver volume. Key Points: • Hepatic steatosis increases liver volume. • The presented formula to estimate lean liver volume using MRI-measured proton density fat fraction and liver volume may be useful to adjust for the effect of hepatic steatosis on measured liver volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solution-based processable high-k 2-dimensional (2D) ferroelectrics have attracted significant interest for use in next-generation nanoelectronics. Although few studies on potential 2D ferroelectric nanosheets in local areas have been conducted, reports on the thin-film characteristics applicable to the device are insufficient. In this study, we successfully synthesize high-k 2D Sr1.8Bi0.2Nan-3NbnO3n+1 (octahedral units, n = 3–5) nanosheets by the engineering of the n of NbO6 octahedral layers with A-site modification, and realized ferroelectric characteristics in ultrathin films (below 10 nm). The nanosheets are synthesized by a solution-based cation exchange process and deposited using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method. As increasing the NbO6 octahedral layer, the thickness of the nanosheets increased and the band gaps are tuned to 3.80 eV (n = 3), 3.76 eV (n = 4), and 3.70 eV (n = 5). In addition, the dielectric permittivity of the 5-layer stacked nanofilm increase to 26 (n = 3), 33 (n = 4), and 62 (n = 5). In particular, the increased perovskite layer exhibits large distortions due to the size mismatch of Sr/Bi/Na ions at the A-site and promotes local ferroelectric instability due to its spontaneous polarization along the c-axis caused by an odd n number. We investigate the stable ferroelectricity in Pt/ 5-layer Sr1.8Bi0.2Na2Nb5O16 / Nb:STO capacitor by polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis; the coercive electric field (Ec) was 338 kV cm−1 and the remnant polarization (Pr) 2.36 μC cm−2. The ferroelectric properties of ultrathin 2D materials could drive interesting innovations in next-generation electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a promising modality for anti-cancer treatment. Its efficacy is quite remarkable in hematological tumors. Owing to their excellent clinical results, gene- modified cell therapies, including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages, are being actively studied in both academia and industry. However, the protocol to make CAR immune cells is too complicated, so it is still unclear how to efficiently produce the potent CAR immune cells. To manufacture effective CAR immune cells, we need to be aware of not only how to obtain highly infective viral particles, but also how to transduce CAR genes into immune cells. In this paper, we provide detailed information on spinoculation, which is one of the best known protocols to transduce genes into immune cells, in a methodological view. Our data indicate that gene transduction is significantly dependent on speed and duration of centrifugation, concentration and number of viral particles, the concentration of polybrene, and number of infected immune cells. In addition, we investigated on the optimal polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution to concentrate the viral supernatant and the optimized DNA ratios transfected into 293T cells to produce high titer of viral particles. This study provides useful information for practical production of the gene-modified immune cells using viral vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BRD4 contains two tandem bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) that recognize acetylated lysine for epigenetic reading, and these bromodomains are promising therapeutic targets for treating various diseases, including cancers. BRD4 is a well-studied target, and many chemical scaffolds for inhibitors have been developed. Research on the development of BRD4 inhibitors against various diseases is actively being conducted. Herein, we propose a series of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine derivatives as bromodomain inhibitors with micromolar IC50 values. We characterized the binding modes by determining the crystal structures of BD1 in complex with four selected inhibitors. Compounds containing [1,2,4] triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine derivatives offer promising starting molecules for designing potent BRD4 BD inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, remanufacturing approach/technology, which includes a series of the processes of disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, repairing/reconditioning, reassembling components for resale, is becoming more popular as companies look for a way to combat the current climate crisis, and as it allows companies to reduce environmental impacts and to save energy and resources. This study analyzed the reduction effect of six environmental impacts and the savings effect of energy and resources by turbocharger remanufacturing compared to its newly manufacturing using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The results show that the most significant benefit of the turbocharger remanufacturing related to environmental impacts was the global warming potential (GWP), which could be reduced by 52.2%, followed by the abiotic depletion potential (ADP), terrestrial ecotoxicity potential (TETP), human toxicity potential (HTP), freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity potential (FAETP) and marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential (MAETP) which could be reduced by 51.9%, 44.8%, 44.2%, 42.6%, and 36.7%, respectively. Also, its resource saving could be obtained from 21.7 to 73.5% depending on the type of resources. Furthermore, turbocharger remanufacturing offered a significant energy saving of 83.9%. The results obtained from this study could be used for national policy-making to a net-zero carbon transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To systematically manage water quality based on watersheds, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of changes in river water quality. This study used observational data of the Tamjin River water system to analyze changes in water quality due to farming activities during the farming period. Water quality trends were analyzed through a long-term trend analysis. Furthermore, the loads and sources of substances regulated under the total maximum daily load system were evaluated. Biochemical oxygen demand and total phosphorous, water quality factors of the target basin, showed recent increasing trends. Loads increased from April, which corresponded to the non-farming period before farming activities began, and characteristics of pollutant discharged in the basin from farming activities were observed. Pollutant sources were different from those observed in water systems with a high proportion of farming activities, and water quality management measures considering the target basin's characteristics were proposed. The results of this study will serve as logical baseline data for establishing water quality management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constituents of meat and meat by-product are susceptible to degradation processes, especially, the control of oxidative processes is critical. The main factors that influence their lipid oxidation are fat content and fatty acid composition. The aim of this study was to validate AOAC method 996.06 for analysis of fatty acid in meat by-products and to provide their accurate, precise, and reliable information in the Korean Food Composition Database. A total of 19 fatty acids were identified. The head, small intestine, stomach, and heart of pigs and the feet of chickens contained higher contents of total fatty acids, whereas the blood of cow had the lowest content. In particular, meat by-products other than the liver, blood, and stomach of cows and the stomach and small intestine of pigs contained higher contents of unsaturated fatty acids. Their main fatty acids were oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal preparation is recommended for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease to minimize complications during dialysis initiation. This study evaluated the effects of planned dialysis initiation on survival in patients undergoing incident hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Patients newly diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease who started dialysis were enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort study in Korea. Planned dialysis was defined as dialysis therapy initiated with permanent access and maintenance of the initial dialysis modality. A total of 2892 patients were followed up for a mean duration of 71.9 ± 36.7 months and 1280 (44.3%) patients initiated planned dialysis. The planned dialysis group showed lower mortality than the unplanned dialysis group during the 1st and 2nd years after dialysis initiation (1st year: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37–0.72; P < 0.001; 2nd year: aHR 0.71; 95% CI 0.52–0.98, P = 0.037). However, 2 years after dialysis initiation, mortality did not differ between the groups. Planned dialysis showed a better early survival rate in hemodialysis patients, but not in peritoneal dialysis patients. Particularly, infection-related mortality was reduced only in patients undergoing hemodialysis with planned dialysis initiation. Planned dialysis has survival benefits over unplanned dialysis in the first 2 years after dialysis initiation, especially in patients undergoing hemodialysis. It improved infection-related mortality during the early dialysis period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we propose a quantum asymmetric key cryptography scheme using Grover's quantum search algorithm. In the proposed scheme, Alice generates a pair of public and private keys, keeps the private keys safe, and only discloses public keys to the outside. Bob uses Alice's public key to send a secret message to Alice and Alice uses her private key to decrypt the secret message. Furthermore, we discuss the safety of quantum asymmetric key encryption techniques based on quantum mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly spread worldwide, there is an urgent demand for accurate and suitable nucleic acid detection technology. Although the conventional threshold-based algorithms have been used for processing images of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), there are still challenges from noise and irregular size of droplets. Here, we present a combined method of the mask region convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN)-based image detection algorithm and Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based thresholding algorithm. This novel approach significantly reduces false detection rate and achieves highly accurate prediction model in a ddPCR image processing. We demonstrated that how deep learning improved the overall performance in a ddPCR image processing. Therefore, our study could be a promising method in nucleic acid detection technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]