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High-dose melphalan at 200 mg/m2 (MEL-200) is the standard conditioning regimen before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Busulfan (BU) and cyclophosphamide (CY) can be used as alternatives when MEL is unavailable. However, most studies on BU/CY conditioning regimens were conducted before proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and immunomodulatory drugs (IMIDs) were available. This non-interventional comparative cohort study compared progression-free survival (PFS) between the MEL-200 and BU/CY in patients with MM treated with PIs and/or IMIDs. A total of 137 patients were analyzed (MEL-200,113 patients; BU/CY, 24 patients). The BU/CY group had a higher rate of PI and/or IMID use and very good partial response (VGPR) or complete remission (CR) at ASCT and post-ASCT maintenance. Median PFS was 29.7 and 46.8 months in the MEL-200 and BU/CY groups, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, PFS was significantly better in the BU/CY group. International Staging System Stage I and VGPR or CR at ASCT were significantly associated with longer PFS. No treatment-related mortality was observed in either group by day 100. The BU/CY conditioning regimen may be a viable alternative to the MEL-200 regimen in patients with MM who undergo ASCT after treatment with PIs and/or IMIDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the tribological characteristics of TiN, AlTiN, and AlTiCrN coatings sliding against a SUS420J1 stainless steel pin were investigated in atmospheric and vacuum environments. The coatings were deposited on SUS440C substrates using the arc-physical vapor deposition technique. The friction and wear behavior of the coatings were evaluated based on the systematic analyses of the friction coefficient data as well as the physical and chemical state of the wear track. The results revealed that the friction coefficients of the SUS440C specimen and AlTiCrN coatings increased, whereas those of the TiN and AlTiN coatings decreased when the environment was changed from atmospheric to vacuum. It was confirmed that the formation of an oxide layer and adsorption of oxides on the surface were dominant factors that influenced the tribological behavior in the atmospheric environment. On the other hand, the compatibility, oxidation inhibition, and droplets of the surface mainly affected the frictional characteristics in the vacuum environment. The results of this work are expected to aid in the selection of proper coating materials for tribological systems operating in a vacuum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the changes in hippocampal proteomic profiles during demyelination and remyelination using the cuprizone model. Employing two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for protein profiling, we observed significant alterations in the expression of ketimine reductase mu-crystallin (CRYM) and protein disulfide isomerase A3 precursor (PDIA3) following exposure to and subsequent withdrawal from cuprizone. Immunohistochemical staining validated these protein expression patterns in the hippocampus, revealing that both PDIA3 and CRYM were downregulated in the hippocampal CA1 region during demyelination and upregulated during remyelination. Additionally, we explored the potential protective effects of CRYM and PDIA3 against cuprizone-induced demyelination by synthesizing cell-permeable Tat peptide-fusion proteins (Tat-CRYM and Tat-PDIA3) to facilitate their crossing through the blood–brain barrier. Our results indicated that administering Tat-CRYM and Tat-PDIA3 mitigated the reduction in proliferating cell and differentiated neuroblast counts compared to the group receiving cuprizone alone. Notably, Tat-PDIA3 demonstrated significant effects in enhancing myelin basic protein expression alongside phosphorylation of CREB in the hippocampus, suggesting its potential therapeutic role in the prevention or treatment of demyelination, and by extension, in conditions such as multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the repeatability of various corneal measurements according to topographical location in the entire cornea measured by dual rotating Scheimpflug-Placido camera and to explore the differences in repeatability between patients with mild dry eye and those with normal eyes. In both the normal and dry eye groups, divided based on BUT or the height of the tear film, there were no statistically significant differences in the ratio of unacceptable variation (RUV) and ICC. The consistency of the examination of the anterior and posterior refractive values and corneal thickness according to the corneal location, measured three times repeatedly using the Galilei anterior segment camera, was high. There was no difference based on the height of the tear film or the tear film break-up time. However, caution is needed when interpreting the values of the anterior corneal refractive values, as there can be changes of more than 0.5D within 3 mm of the central area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a major cause of hepatic steatosis through increasing de novo lipogenesis. Forkhead box O6 (FoxO6) is a transcription factor mediating insulin signaling to glucose and lipid metabolism. Therefore, dysregulated FoxO6 is involved in hepatic lipogenesis. This study elucidated the role of FoxO6 in ER stress–induced hepatic steatosis in vivo and in vitro. Hepatic ER stress responses and β-oxidation were monitored in mice overexpressed with constitutively active FoxO6 allele and FoxO6-null mice. For the in vitro study, liver cells overexpressing constitutively active FoxO6 and FoxO6-siRNA were treated with high glucose, and lipid metabolism alterations were measured. ER stress–induced FoxO6 activation suppressed hepatic β-oxidation in vivo. The expression and transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) were significantly decreased in the constitutively active FoxO6 allele. Otherwise, inhibiting β-oxidation genes were reduced in the FoxO6-siRNA and FoxO6-KO mice. Our data showed that the FoxO6-induced hepatic lipid accumulation was negatively regulated by insulin signaling. High glucose treatment as a hyperglycemia condition caused the expression of ER stress–inducible genes, which was deteriorated by FoxO6 activation in liver cells. However, high glucose-mediated ER stress suppressed β-oxidation gene expression through interactions between PPARα and FoxO6 corresponding to findings in the in vivo study—lipid catabolism is also regulated by FoxO6. Furthermore, insulin resistance suppressed b-oxidation through the interaction between FoxO6 and PPARα promotes hepatic steatosis, which, due to hyperglycemia-induced ER stress, impairs insulin signaling. Key messages: Our original aims were to delineate the interrelation between the regulation of PPARα and the transcription factor FoxO6 pathway in relation to lipid metabolism at molecular levels. Evidence on high glucose promoted FoxO6 activation induced lipid accumulation in liver cells. The effect of PPARα activation of the insulin signaling. FoxO6 plays a pivotal role in hepatic lipid accumulation through inactivation of PPARα in FoxO6-overexpression mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-cluster of differentiation (CD) 3 × α programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) bispecific T-cell engager (BsTE)-bound T-cells (BsTE:T) are a promising new cancer treatment agent. However, the mechanisms of action of bispecific antibody-armed activated T-cells are poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor mechanism and efficacy of BsTE:T. The BsTE:T migration was assessed in vivo and in vitro using syngeneic and xenogeneic tumor models, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, transwell migration assays, microfluidic chips, Exo View R100, western blotting, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 technology. In murine B16 melanoma, MC38 colon cancer, and human multiple myeloma cells, BsTE:T exhibited superior tumor elimination relative to that of T-cells or BsTE alone. Moreover, BsTE:T migration into tumors was significantly enhanced owing to the presence of PD-L1 in tumor cells and secretion of PD-L1-containing exosomes. Furthermore, increased infiltration of CD44highCD62Llow effector memory CD8+ T-cells into tumors was closely associated with the anti-tumor effect of BsTE:T. Therefore, BsTE:T is an innovative potential anti-tumor therapy, and exosomal PD-L1 plays a crucial role both in vitro and in vivo in the anti-tumor activity of BsTE:T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective antihypertensive therapy is essential for achieving optimal blood pressure (BP) control and reducing cardiovascular events. This double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial aimed to compare the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of a combination of amlodipine (AML) and candesartan cilexetil (CC) versus AML monotherapy in patients with essential hypertension (HTN). After a 4-week run-in period with AML 5 mg, patients whose HTN remained uncontrolled (diastolic BP [DBP]) ≥ 90 mmHg and < 120 mmHg) were randomized to receive either AML + CC or AML alone for 8 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by measuring changes in DBP and systolic BP (SBP). The primary safety measure was the incidence of adverse events (AEs). A total of 174 participants were included in the efficacy analysis. After 8 weeks, DBP decreased by -9.92 ± 0.86 mmHg in the AML + CC arm and - 2.08 ± 0.86 mmHg in the AML arm (p < 0.0001). SBP decreased by -14.27 ± 1.39 mmHg in the AML + CC arm versus - 2.77 ± 1.39 mmHg in the AML arm (p < 0.0001). AEs occurred in 11.24% of the AML + CC group and 5.62% of the AML group (p = 0.1773). AML + CC combination therapy demonstrated superior efficacy with good tolerance, making it a promising option for patients with inadequately controlled hypertension on amlodipine alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our goal was to explore the potential of bamboo as a solid biomass fuel through torrefaction and compare it with previous studies on unused forest biomass chips. The torrefaction process involved temperatures of 230–310 °C increased in 20 °C intervals, each lasting an hour. Significant differences in mass were evident between the 270 and 290 °C processing conditions during thermogravimetric analysis. Differential thermogravimetric analysis showed that both the initial and peak temperatures increased with higher processing temperatures. The mass yield ranged from 32.37 to 76.74%, and the calorific value varied from 19.50 MJ/kg to 28.68 MJ/kg. Compared to previous studies on the torrefaction of Liriodendron tulipifera and Pinus koraiensis, bamboo exhibited a relatively lower mass yield and calorific value; however, it was considered suitable compared to unused forest biomass wood chips. The optimal conditions for torrefaction were found to be 270 °C during processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Prospective sequential analyses after a new drug approval allow proactive surveillance of new drugs. In the current study, we demonstrate feasibility of frailty-specific sequential analyses for dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban versus warfarin. Methods: We partitioned Medicare data from 2011 to 2020 into datasets based on calendar year following the date of drug approval. Each calendar year of data was added sequentially for analysis. We used a new-user, active comparative design by comparing the initiators of dabigatran versus warfarin, rivaroxaban versus warfarin, and apixaban versus warfarin. Patients aged ≥ 65 years with atrial fibrillation without contraindication to the anticoagulants were included. Claims-based frailty index ≥ 0.25 was used to define frailty. The initiators of each direct oral anticoagulant were propensity-score matched to the initiators of warfarin within each frailty status. The effectiveness outcome was ischemic stroke or systemic thromboembolism, and the safety outcome was major bleeding. For each calendar year, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from Cox proportional hazards models using all data available up to that year. Results: As an example of the results, in the 2020 dataset, compared with warfarin, apixaban was associated with a reduced risk of ischemic stroke or systemic thromboembolism (frail: HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63–0.85; non-frail: HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.59–0.72) and major bleeding (frail: HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.57–0.69; non-frail: HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.56–0.63) in both frail and non-frail patients. We found evidence for apixaban's effectiveness and safety within 1–2 years after the drug approval in frail older patients. Conclusion: Our frailty-specific sequential analyses can be applied to future near-real-time monitoring of newly approved drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larger ionic radius of potassium ions than that of lithium ions significantly limits the accomplishment of rapid diffusion kinetics in graphite electrodes for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), resulting in comparatively poor rate performance and cycle stability. Herein, we report a high-rate performance and cycling stability amorphous carbon electrode achieved through nitrogen and phosphorous co-doping. The as-prepared N, P co-doped carbon electrodes have distinct 3D structures with large surface areas, hierarchical pore architectures, and increased interlayer spaces resulting from the direct pyrolysis of supramolecular self-assembled aggregates without templates. The obtained electrode N3P1 exhibits a reversible specific capacity of 258 mAh·g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A·g−1 and a good long-term cycle performance (96.1% capacity retention after 800 cycles at 0.5 A·g−1). Kinetic investigations show that the N3P1 electrode with the well-developed porous structure and large number of surface defects exhibits capacitive-driven behavior at all scan rates, which may be attributed by N and P co-doping. Ex-situ transmission electron microscopy analyses in the fully discharged and charged states demonstrate structural stability and reversibility owing to the expanded interlayer space. The suggested synthesis approach is simple and effective for producing heteroatom-doped carbon materials for PIBs and other advanced electrochemical energy storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, and its Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) comprise a useful model system to study fungus–virus interactions. CHV1 infection results in various phenotypic changes in the fungal host, including hypovirulence and other associated symptoms. Many studies have investigated the effects of hypoviral infection and how this infection affects physiological and biochemical states: however, no studies have examined volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results: This study characterized the global profile of VOCs released from C. parasitica, and by comparing CHV1-free with CHV1-infected isogenic strains, proved that CHV1 infection significantly affects the composition and levels of VOCs. We demonstrated that these VOC alterations were caused by viral regulation of the expression of fungal genes encoding enzymes responsible for the production of VOCs. The changed VOC profile resulting from CHV1 infection was more attractive to insects than the VOC profile from the virus-free strain, suggesting differences in the efficacy of fungal dissemination by the insect vector. Conclusions: We characterized VOCs from C. parasitica and demonstrated that mycovirus (CHV1) infection affects fungal VOCs. We provided evidences that these alterations are caused by the modulation of the corresponding gene expression by CHV1 and resulted in changes in attractiveness to insects, suggesting the improved efficacy of hypovirulent C. parasitica for insect-borne dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors are based on photon-excited surface charge density oscillations confined at metal-dielectric interfaces, which makes them highly sensitive to biological or chemical molecular bindings to functional metallic surfaces. Metal nanostructures further concentrate surface plasmons into a smaller area than the diffraction limit, thus strengthening photon-sample interactions. However, plasmonic sensors based on intensity detection provide limited resolution with long acquisition time owing to their high vulnerability to environmental and instrumental noises. Here, we demonstrate fast and precise detection of noble gas dynamics at single molecular resolution via frequency-comb-referenced plasmonic phase spectroscopy. The photon-sample interaction was enhanced by a factor of 3,852 than the physical sample thickness owing to plasmon resonance and thermophoresis-assisted optical confinement effects. By utilizing a sharp plasmonic phase slope and a high heterodyne information carrier, a small atomic-density modulation was clearly resolved at 5 Hz with a resolution of 0.06 Ar atoms per nano-hole (in 10–11 RIU) in Allan deviation at 0.2 s; a faster motion up to 200 Hz was clearly resolved. This fast and precise sensing technique can enable the in-depth analysis of fast fluid dynamics with the utmost resolution for a better understanding of biomedical, chemical, and physical events and interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing complexity of data structures, which include high-dimensional and multilabel datasets, the significance of feature selection has become more emphasized. Multilabel feature selection endeavors to identify a subset of features that concurrently exhibit relevance across multiple labels. Owing to the impracticality of performing exhaustive searches to obtain the optimal feature subset, conventional approaches in multilabel feature selection often resort to a heuristic search process. In this context, memetic multilabel feature selection has received considerable attention because of its superior search capability; the fitness of the feature subset created by the stochastic search is further enhanced through a refinement process predicated on the employed multilabel feature filter. Thus, it is imperative to employ an effective refinement process that frequently succeeds in improving the target feature subset to maximize the benefits of hybridization. However, the refinement process in conventional memetic multilabel feature selection often overlooks potential biases in feature scores and compatibility issues between the multilabel feature filter and the subsequent learner. Consequently, conventional methods may not effectively identify the optimal feature subset in complex multilabel datasets. In this study, we propose a new memetic multilabel feature selection method that addresses these limitations by incorporating the pruning of features and labels into the refinement process. The effectiveness of the proposed method was demonstrated through experiments on 14 multilabel datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left atrial thrombus (LAT) formation is associated with thromboembolic events. Objective: To investigate the incidence and associated factors of LAT in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had been receiving anticoagulation therapy for more than 4 weeks, and to develop a prediction model using clinical and echocardiographic features. Methods: Medical records of 1,122 patients with AF (mean age, 59.4 ± 11.0 years, 58.3% male) who were on anticoagulation more than 4 weeks and underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were evaluated. The main outcome was the presence of LAT on TEE. Results: Warfarin and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants were used in 74.4% and 25.6% of the patients at the time of examination, respectively. LAT was present in 60 patients (5.3%). Presence of LAT on TEE was associated with age ≥ 75 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.13 [95% confidence interval, 0.94–4.58]), persistent/permanent AF (OR 2.61 [1.42–4.93]), CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 3 points (OR 1.91 [1.05–3.48]), left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% (OR 2.35 [1.07–4.81]), and severe left atrial enlargement (OR 3.52 [1.89–6.79]). The presence of moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation was associated with a lower risk of LAT (OR 0.13 [0.04–0.34]). A scoring system composed of the aforementioned predictors showed excellent discrimination performance (area under the curve 0.791 [95% CI, 0.727–0.854]). Conclusions: LAT was present in a considerable number of patients who were already receiving anticoagulation therapy. A prediction model that combines clinical and echocardiographic predictors could be useful in distinguishing patients who require imaging evaluations before left atrial intervention. Incidnece and predictors of LAT in patients with AF under anticoagulation therapy. AF, atrial fibrillation; CVS, CHA2DS2-VASc score; LA, left atrium; LAA, left atrial appendage; LAE, left atrial enlargement; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; MR, mitral regurgitation; OAC, oral anticoagulant; PeAF, persistent atrial fibrillation; TEE, transesophageal echocardiography [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the response to balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) using semi-quantitative analysis of lung perfusion SPECT/CT. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study of patients with CTEPH who underwent BPA and pre- and post-BPA lung perfusion SPECT/CT between 2015 and 2022. Segmental defects on SPECT/CT were visually assessed and semi-quantitatively scored as 1 (large defect) or 0.5 (moderate defect) in accordance with modified PIOPED II criteria. The perfusion defect score was defined as (Σ segmental defect scores/18) × 100 (%). Associations between perfusion defect score and hemodynamic or functional parameters including WHO functional class, six-minute walking distance (6MWD), serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), mean arterial pulmonary pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) on echocardiography were statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 24 consecutive patients were included. The perfusion defect score significantly improved after BPA (median 58.3% vs. 47.2%, P < 0.001), in conjunction with the WHO functional class, 6MWD, serum BNP, mPAP, and TRPG. Perfusion defect scores were significantly correlated with 6MWD (rho = − 0.583, P < 0.001), serum BNP (rho = 0.514, P < 0.001), mPAP (rho = 0.583, P < 0.001), and PVR (rho = 0.575, P < 0.001). The improvement in the perfusion defect score was significantly associated with improvement in mPAP (rho = 0.844, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that semi-quantitative analysis of lung perfusion SPECT/CT can provide a potential imaging biomarker for monitoring the efficacy of BPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioinspired camera, comprising a single lens and a curved image sensor—a photodiode array on a curved surface—, was born of flexible electronics. Its economical build lends itself well to space-constrained machine vision applications. The curved sensor, much akin to the retina, helps image focusing, but the curvature also creates a problem of image distortion, which can undermine machine vision tasks such as object recognition. Here we report an anti-distortion single-lens camera, where 4096 silicon photodiodes arrayed on a curved surface in a nonuniform pattern assimilated to the distorting optics are the key to anti-distortion engineering. That is, the photo-pixel distribution pattern itself is warped in the same manner as images are warped, which correctively reverses distortion. Acquired images feature no appreciable distortion across a 120° horizontal view, as confirmed by their neural-network recognition accuracies. This distortion correction via photo-pixel array reconfiguration is a form of in-sensor computing. Curvature of image sensors that match the focal plane of the lens facilitate focussing but can cause image distortion. Here, an anti-distortion single-lens camera was developed using a curved image sensor with a photo-pixel distribution pattern warped like image warping to correctively reverse distortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) has a heterogeneous clinical course. However, immune profiles associated with MAC-PD clinical course are limited. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 21 MAC-PD patients divided into three clinical courses: group A, spontaneous culture conversion; group B, stable disease without antibiotic treatment; and group C, progressive disease with antibiotic treatment. A lower proportion of NK cells and higher proportion of monocytes were noted in group C compared to combined groups A and B. The proportion of classical monocytes was higher in group C compared to groups A and B, while the proportion of non-classical monocytes decreased. EGR1, HSPA1A, HSPA1B, and CD83 were up-regulated in spontaneous culture conversion group A compared to progressive disease group C. Up-regulation of MYOM2 and LILRA4 and down-regulation of MT-ATP8, CD83, and CCL3L1 was found in progressive disease group C. PCBP1, FOS, RGCC, S100B, G0S2, AREG, and LYN were highly expressed in favorable treatment response compared to unfavorable response. Our findings may offer a comprehensive understanding of the host immune profiles that influence a particular MAC-PD clinical course and could suggest an immunological mechanism associated with the disease progression of MAC-PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable drought prediction should be preceded to prevent damage from potential droughts. In this context, this study developed a hydrological drought prediction method, namely ensemble drought prediction (EDP) to reflect drought-related information under the ensemble streamflow prediction framework. After generating an ensemble of standardized runoff index by converting the ensemble of generated streamflow, the results were adopted as the prior distribution. Then, precipitation forecast and soil moisture were used to update the prior EDP. The EDP + A model included the precipitation forecast with the PDF-ratio method, and the observed soil moisture index was reflected in the former EDP and EDP + A via Bayes' theorem, resulting in the EDP + S and EDP + AS models. Eight basins in Korea with more than 30 years of observation data were applied with the proposed methodology. As a result, the overall performance of the four EDP models yielded improved results than the climatological prediction. Moreover, reflecting soil moisture yielded improved evaluation metrics during short-term drought predictions, and in basins with larger drainage areas. Finally, the methodology presented in this study was more effective during periods with less intertemporal variabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this review is to summarize and appraise the research methodology, emerging findings, and future directions in pharmacoepidemiologic studies assessing the benefits and harms of pharmacotherapies in older adults with different levels of frailty. Older adults living with frailty are at elevated risk for poor health outcomes and adverse effects from pharmacotherapy. However, current evidence is limited due to the under-enrollment of frail older adults and the lack of validated frailty assessments in clinical trials. Recent advancements in measuring frailty in administrative claims and electronic health records (database-derived frailty scores) have enabled researchers to identify patients with frailty and to evaluate the heterogeneity of treatment effects by patients' frailty levels using routine health care data. When selecting a database-derived frailty score, researchers must consider the type of data (e.g., different coding systems), the length of the predictor assessment period, the extent of validation against clinically validated frailty measures, and the possibility of surveillance bias arising from unequal access to care. We reviewed 13 pharmacoepidemiologic studies published on PubMed from 2013 to 2023 that evaluated the benefits and harms of cardiovascular medications, diabetes medications, anti-neoplastic agents, antipsychotic medications, and vaccines by frailty levels. These studies suggest that, while greater frailty is positively associated with adverse treatment outcomes, older adults with frailty can still benefit from pharmacotherapy. Therefore, we recommend routine frailty subgroup analyses in pharmacoepidemiologic studies. Despite data and design limitations, the findings from such studies may be informative to tailor pharmacotherapy for older adults across the frailty spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outstanding tribological performance of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is attributed to their unique sandwich microstructure and low interlayer shear stress. This advantageous structure allows TMDs to demonstrate exceptional friction reduction properties. Furthermore, the incorporation of TMDs and amorphous carbon (a-C) in multi-layer structures shows excellent potential for further enhancing tribological and anti-oxidation properties. Amorphous carbon, known for its high ductility, chemical inertness, and excellent wear resistance, significantly contributes to the overall performance of these multi-layer coatings. To gain an in-depth understanding of the tribological mechanism and evolution of TMDs' multi-layer coatings, a dual in-situ analysis was carried out using a tribometer equipped with a 3D laser microscope and a Raman spectrometer. This innovative approach allowed for a comprehensive evolution of the tribological, topographical, and tribochemical characteristics of both single-layer WS2 and multi-layer WS2/C coatings in real time. The findings from the dual in-situ tribotest revealed distinct failure characteristics between the single-layer WS2 coating and the multi-layer WS2/C coating. The single-layer WS2 coating predominantly experienced failure due to mechanical removal, whereas a combination of mechanical removal and tribochemistry primarily influenced the failure of the multi-layer WS2/C coating. The tribological evolution process of these two coatings can be classified into four stages on the basis of their tribological behavior: the running-in stage, stable friction stage, re-deposition stage, and lubrication failure stage. Each stage represents a distinct phase in the tribological behavior of the coatings and contributes to our understanding of their behavior during sliding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The great advantage of plasma technology in harnessing abundant clean energy for electrifying and decentralizing the chemical industry holds the promise of attaining carbon neutrality. Therefore, recent research efforts have been dedicated to reducing the energy costs of plasma processes to facilitate the commercialization of this technology. However, it has been noted an inconsistency in reporting energy costs across the literature resulted from inaccurate estimation of power consumption within the system, leading to the misevaluation of the process, its underlying mechanism, and the significance of critical factors. This study comprehensively addresses these challenges by discussing and refining methods for estimating power consumption in a plasma system. Insights are drawn from our ongoing research in plasma NOx synthesis, specifically a thorough analysis of the discharge dynamics in a recently developed reactor "high-frequency spark discharge" using a high-speed camera, ICCD camera, and high-performance oscilloscope at various pulse widths of the applied voltage. The investigation revealed the importance of accounting for the post-spark period in the voltage cycle during power estimation, as it demonstrates an influence on NOx synthesis. Furthermore, the study highlighted and addressed critical errors in power measurement and energy cost estimation in the literature. It is found that a significant error, exceeding ± 70%, arises from overlooking signals delay in the setup and improper adjustment of oscilloscope functions, particularly channel impedance, data averaging, bandwidth, and sampling rate. This paper serves as a valuable guide towards establishing standardized measurements toward the precise estimation of energy costs in plasma processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid advancement of quantum computers in the past few years, there is ongoing development of algorithms aimed at solving problems that are difficult to tackle with classical computers. A pertinent instance of this is the resolution of partial differential equations (PDEs), where a current trend involves the exploration of variational quantum algorithms (VQAs) tailored to efficiently function on the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. Recently, VQAs for solving the Poisson equation have been proposed, and these algorithms require highly entangled quantum states or specific types of qubit entanglement to compute the expectation value of the Laplace operator. Implementing such requirements on NISQ devices poses a significant challenge. To overcome this problem, we propose a new method for representing the Laplace operator in the finite difference formulation. Since the quantum circuits introduced for evaluating the expectation value of the Laplace operator through proposed method do not require processes that degrade the fidelity of computation, such as swap operations or generation of highly entangled states, they can be easily implemented on NISQ devices. In the regime of quantum supremacy (the number of qubits is approximately 50), our proposed approach necessitates approximately one-third fewer CNOT operations compared to conventional methods. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed method, we conduct computations for finding the eigenvalues of the Helmholtz equation and solving the Poisson equation on cloud-based quantum hardware. We calculate the fidelity of quantum states required for each method through quantum tomography and also estimate the fidelity in the quantum supremacy regime. We believe that the proposed method can be applied to other PDEs having the Laplace operator and greatly assists in solving them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of cutting speed and current on plasma cut quality were investigated. Regression modeling was used to establish relationship between process parameters and responses. Analysis of variance was performed to determine the significance of independent variables influencing the kerf geometry. The analysis showed that the proposed regression model fits the experimental data fairly well and the selected variables influence kerf length difference and top kerf width substantially. However, while the bottom kerf width was significantly influenced by cutting speed, it was not affected by the current. The analysis results were compared with the experimental data and were found to be in good agreement. The images captured with high-speed camera using appropriate band-pass filter revealed that the plasma flows under the workpiece were affected by the process parameters. The tail length and the direction angle of the plasma flow dictated the shape of the kerf geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining EW-7197 with irreversible electroporation (IRE) for improving wound healing, 16 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of four rats each after dorsal excisional wound induction: sham control group; oral administration of EW-7197 for 7 days group; one-time application of IRE group; and one-time application of IRE followed by oral administration of EW-7197 for 7 days group. Measurement of wound closure rate, laser Doppler scanning, histological staining (hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome), and immunohistochemical analyses (Ki-67 and α-SMA) were performed to evaluate the efficacy. Fifteen of 16 rats survived throughout the study. Statistically significant differences in wound closure rates were observed between the combination therapy group and the other three groups (all P < 0.05). The degrees of inflammation, α-SMA, and Ki-67 were reduced in the EW-7197 and IRE monotherapy groups; however, not statistically significant. The fibrosis score exhibited significant reduction in all three treatment groups, with the most prominent being in the combination therapy group. This study concludes that oral administration of EW-7197 combined with IRE demonstrated effectiveness in improving skin wound in a rat excisional model and may serve as a potential alternative for promoting healing outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of clinical interventions may vary by patients' frailty status. Understanding treatment effect heterogeneity by frailty could lead to frailty-guided treatment strategies and reduce overtreatment and undertreatment. This systematic review aimed to examine the effect modification by frailty in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and multicomponent interventions. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrial.gov, from their inception to 8 December 2023. Two reviewers independently extracted trial data and examined the study quality with senior authors. Results: Sixty-one RCTs that evaluated the interaction between frailty and treatment effects in older adults were included. Frailty was evaluated using different tools such as the deficit accumulation frailty index, frailty phenotype, and other methods. The effect of several pharmacological interventions (e.g., edoxaban, sacubitril/valsartan, prasugrel, and chemotherapy) varied according to the degree of frailty, whereas other treatments (e.g., antihypertensives, vaccinations, osteoporosis medications, and androgen medications) demonstrated consistent benefits across different frailty levels. Some non-pharmacological interventions had greater benefits in patients with higher (e.g., chair yoga, functional walking, physical rehabilitation, and higher dose exercise program) or lower (e.g., intensive lifestyle intervention, psychosocial intervention) levels of frailty, while others (e.g., resistance-type exercise training, moderate-intensive physical activity, walking and nutrition or walking) produced similar intervention effects. Specific combined interventions (e.g., hospital-based disease management programs) demonstrated inconsistent effects across different frailty levels. Discussion: The efficacy of clinical interventions often varied by frailty levels, suggesting that frailty is an important factor to consider in recommending clinical interventions in older adults. Registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42021283051. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human microbiome contains genetic information that regulates metabolic processes in response to host health and disease. While acidic vaginal pH is maintained in normal conditions, the pH level increases in infectious vaginitis. We propose that this change in the vaginal environment triggers the biosynthesis of anti-vaginitis metabolites. Gene expression levels of Chryseobacterium gleum, a vaginal symbiotic bacterium, were found to be affected by pH changes. The distinctive difference in the metabolic profiles between two C. gleum cultures incubated under acidic and neutral pH conditions was suggested to be an anti-vaginitis molecule, which was identified as phenylacetic acid (PAA) by spectroscopic data analysis. The antimicrobial activity of PAA was evaluated in vitro, showing greater toxicity toward Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans, two major vaginal pathogens, relative to commensal Lactobacillus spp. The activation of myeloperoxidase, prostaglandin E2, and nuclear factor-κB, and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 were reduced by an intravaginal administration of PAA in the vaginitis mouse model. In addition, PAA displayed the downregulation of mast cell activation. Therefore, PAA was suggested to be a messenger molecule that mediates interactions between the human microbiome and vaginal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate predictive value of the myopia growth chart based on population-based health survey data using longitudinal cohorts. Methods: Patients aged from 5 to 18 years and underwent two or more cycloplegic refraction (CR) exams with at least one year of interval were included. Percentile deviation was calculated by subtracting percentile at final exam from the percentile at initial exam based on the chart. Spherical equivalent (SE) deviation was calculated by SE at final CR subtracted from predicted SE based on initial CR using the chart. Results: 2310 eyes from 1155 subjects were included. There were 1344 eyes (58.2%) categorized as inliers, where both initial and final CR were within the 2nd to 99th percentile. Mean percentile and SE deviations were + 11.0 ± 22.9 percentiles and -0.60 ± 1.33 diopters, each. Outliers, those except the inliers, were 966 eyes (41.8%). Most outliers (709 eyes, 73.4%) were outside the chart for both initial and final exam. The rest of the outliers (257 eyes, 26.2%) were within the 2 to 99 percentile range on the chart at least once, either at initial or final exams; most of those (202 eyes, 78.6%) progressed toward myopia more than predicted. Conclusions: In our large cohorts, both inliers and outliers tended to progress toward more myopia than predicted from the chart. This suggests the chart predicts childhood myopia rather conservatively. The myopia growth chart may be useful as a screening tool in detecting children at high risk of developing high myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present measurements of the total cross section (TCS) for electron scattering by ammonia in the energy range of 18.5 − 90 eV using a transmission attenuation technique. The overall TCS values were below 18.3 × 10–16 cm2 and exhibited a decreasing trend with increased electron energy within the measuring energy region. The total uncertainty of this measurement was evaluated to be in the range of 3.8 − 18.3%, which varied with the incident electron energies. The measured TCS values were mostly consistent with previous experimental and theoretical results, demonstrating the reliability of our experimental findings. Minor discrepancies observed in comparison with other studies at relatively high energy levels may be attributed to differences in the experimental conditions and uncertainties. This study highlights the significance of precise TCS measurements in enhancing our understanding of electron–molecule interactions in ammonia within the intermediate-energy range of 18.5 − 90 eV. Although an overall agreement exists between theory and experiment, there are still discrepancies, particularly at higher energies, warranting further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the floating body effect (FBE) in indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT) and the mechanism of device failure caused by that are reported for the first time. If the toggle AC pulses are applied to the gate and drain simultaneously for the switching operation, the drain current of IGZO TFT increases dramatically and cannot show the on/off switching characteristics. This phenomenon was not reported before, and our study reveals that the main cause is the formation of a conductive path between the source and drain: short failure. It is attributed in part to the donor creation at the drain region during the high voltage (Vhigh) condition and in part to the donor creation at the source region during the falling edge and low voltage (Vlow) conditions. Donor creation is attributed to the peroxide formation in the IGZO layer induced by the electrons under the high lateral field. Because the donor creation features positive charges, it lowers the threshold voltage of IGZO TFT. In detail, during the Vhigh condition, the donor creation is generated by accumulated electrons with a high lateral field at the drain region. On the other hand, the floating electrons remaining at the short falling edge (i.e., FBE of the IGZO TFT) are affected by the high lateral field at the source region during the Vlow condition. As a result, the donor creation is generated at the source region. Therefore, the short failure occurs because the donor creations are generated and expanded to channel from the drain and source region as the AC stress accumulates. In summary, the FBE in IGZO TFT is reported, and its effect on the electrical characteristics of IGZO TFT (i.e., the short failure) is rigorously analyzed for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although previous studies have examined the signaling pathway involved in melanogenesis through which ultraviolet (UV) or α-melanocyte-stimulating hormones (α-MSH) stimuli act as key inducers to produce melanin at the stratum basal layer of the epidermis, the signaling pathway regulating melanogenesis is still controversial. This study reports that α-MSH, not UVA and UVB, acted as a major stimulus of melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. Signaling pathway analysis using gene knockdown technology and chemical inhibitors, the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) played an important role in melanogenesis. Unexpectedly, LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, increased melanogenesis without UV or α-MSH stimulation, suggesting that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may not be a major signaling pathway for melanogenesis. Chemical inhibition of the MEKs/ERKs/RSK2 signaling pathway using U0126 or BI-D1870 suppressed melanogenesis by stimulation of UVA or α-MSH stimulation, or both. In particular, the genetic depletion of RSK2 or constitutive active (CA)-RSK2 overexpression showed that RSK2 plays a key role in melanogenesis. Interestingly, forkhead box protein O4 (FOXO4) was phosphorylated by RSK2, resulting in the increase of FOXO4’s transactivation activity. Notably, the FOXO4 mutant harboring serine-to-alanine replacement at the phosphorylation sites totally abrogated the transactivation activity and reduced melanin production, indicating that RSK2-mediated FOXO4 activity plays a key role in melanogenesis. Furthermore, kaempferol, a flavonoid inhibiting the RSK2 activity, suppressed melanogenesis. In addition, FOXO4-wt overexpression showed that FOXO4 enhance melanin synthesis. Overall, the RSK2-FOXO4 signaling pathway plays a key role in modulating melanogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS), caused by Cercospora sojina, is a threat to soybean cultivation, leading to substantial economic losses. Here, an RNA sequencing analysis was conducted to identify genes associated with the response of wild soybean (Glycine soja) to C. sojina. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing the gene expression of C. sojina-inoculated plants with that of non-inoculated plants. A total of 1642 DEGs (790 up-regulated and 852 down-regulated) were identified in C. sojina-inoculated wounded leaves compared with non-inoculated wounded leaves. The DEGs were analyzed for gene ontology and the KEGG pathway to identify the key genes responsible for the response to C. sojina and the corresponding pathways. In GO analysis, 'Defense response' was highlighted, while in KEGG analysis, 'Metabolic pathways' and 'Flavonoid biosynthesis' were emphasized. A total of 67 DEGs were categorized within the 'biotic stress' MapMan category, with 'Redox state,' 'Cell wall,' and 'Secondary metabolites' showing the highest abundance of assigned DEGs. DEGs associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway (GsALDH and GsAOMT-like), cell wall remodeling (GsPME12), and reactive oxygen species (GsGSTUs), were identified in plants inoculated with C. sojina compared to non-inoculated plants. Additionally, Gs2MF3OR-like (encodes an enone oxidoreductase) and Gsα-DOX1-like (involved in oxidative stress) also participated in the response of wild soybean to the disease. Our results suggest potential C. sojina-resistant genes that could serve as targets for further functional characterization, as well as for soybean molecular breeding programs aimed at improving FLS resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) is recommended when lymph node metastasis is evident or strongly suspected on preoperative imaging studies, even for a completely resectable (cT1-2) tumor with minimal lymph node involvement (cN1). We evaluated the validity of upfront surgical approach in this patient group. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 247 patients with cT1-2 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent upfront radical esophagectomy followed by the pathology-based adjuvant treatment. Oncologic outcomes of cN1 patients were compared with those of cN0 patients. Results: There were 203 cN0 and 44 cN1 patients. The lymph node yield was 62.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 51.0–76.0) in cN0 and 65.5 (IQR, 57.5–85.0) in cN1 patients (p = 0.033). The size of metastatic node was 0.6 cm (IQR, 0.4–0.9 cm) in cN0 and 0.8 cm (IQR, 0.5–1.3 cm) in cN1 patients (p = 0.001). Nodal upstaging was identified in 29.1% of cN0 and 40.9% of cN1 patients, whereas 18.2% of the cN1 had no actual lymph node metastasis (pN0). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was not significantly different between the groups (cN0, 74.4%; cN1, 71.8%; p = 0.529). Survival rates were closely correlated with pN stage, and a multivariate analysis revealed that pN2-3 stage was a risk factor for poor disease-free survival. Conclusions: Upfront radical surgery provided accurate nodal staging information, potentially sparing some cN1 patients from unnecessary nCRT while demonstrating comparable survival rates. It might be a valid option for the treatment of cT1-2N1 ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between schizophrenia (SCZ) and cancer development remains controversial. Based on the disease-gene association platform, it has been revealed that tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) could be an important mediatory factor in both cancer and SCZ development. TNF-α also increases the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the development of SCZ and tumor, but the role of TNFR in mediating the association between the two diseases remains unclear. We studied the vital roles of TNFR2 in the progression of tumor and SCZ-like behavior using A549 lung cancer cell xenografted TNFR2 knockout mice. TNFR2 knockout mice showed significantly decreased tumor size and weight as well as schizophrenia-like behaviors compared to wild-type mice. Consistent with the reduced tumor growth and SCZ-like behaviors, the levels of TrkB and BDNF expression were significantly decreased in the lung tumor tissues and pre-frontal cortex of TNFR2 knockout mice. However, intravenous injection of BDNF (160 μg/kg) to TNFR2 knockout mice for 4 weeks increased tumor growth and SCZ-like behaviors as well as TrkB expression. In in vitro study, significantly decreased cell growth and expression of TrkB and BDNF by siTNFR2 transfection were found in A549 lung cancer cells. However, the addition of BDNF (100 ng/ml) into TNFR2 siRNA transfected A549 lung cancer cells recovered cell growth and the expression of TrkB. These results suggest that TNFR2 could be an important factor in mediating the comorbidity between lung tumor growth and SCZ development through increased TrkB-dependent BDNF levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clavicle has various anatomic shapes unique to each individual. Additionally, with the increase in high-energy traumas such as sports injuries and traffic accidents, the patterns of fractures become complex and complicated. Thus, there is a need for a variety of shapes of locking compression plates (LCP) to accommodate different types of fractures and facilitate quicker rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to present different types of LCP that secure fracture fragments and distribute stress evenly, in comparison to typical anatomical LCPs, for reinforcing clavicle fractures. Three models were compared in this study: the typical shape, the center hole removed shape, and the double-curved wing shape. The DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) file obtained from the computed tomography scan of the patient's clavicle was used to extract the three-dimensional (3D) clavicle structure. Finite element analysis (FEA) simulation was employed to analyze the structural changes of the LCP under external forces. A reinforced jig was used to apply the same type of external force to each LCP, and an experiment was conducted to analyze the mechanical impact of the LCP's structural characteristics. When comparing the stress values at the fracture zone point, resulting from the FEA simulation with applied bending forces, it was calculated that the stress dispersion effect was approximately ten times greater when transitioning from a typical LCP shape to a double-curved partial wing structure. Moreover, the ultimate stress increased 3.33 times, from 241.322 to 804.057 N, as the LCP design changed under cantilever bending conditions. This double-curved wing LCP design reduces stress concentration at the fracture site and minimizes stress in the fracture area when subjected to cantilever bending forces. Consequently, this newly designed LCP has the potential to decrease complications related to the plate and accelerate rehabilitation protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body mass index (BMI), as an important risk factor related to metabolic disease. However, in some studies higher BMI was emphasized as a beneficial factor in the clinical course of patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a concept known as the "BMI paradox." The purpose of this study was to investigate how clinical outcomes of patients treated for AMI differed according to BMI levels. A total of 10,566 patients in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institutes of Health (KAMIR-NIH) from May 2010 to June 2015 were divided into three BMI groups (group 1: BMI < 22 kg/m2, group 2: ≥ 22 and < 26 kg/m2, and group 3: ≥ 26 kg/m2). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) at 3 years of follow-up. At 1 year of follow-up, the incidence of MACCE in group 1 was 10.1% of that in group 3, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.27, and 6.5% in group 2, with an HR of 1.415. This tendency continued up to 3 years of follow-up. The study demonstrated that lower incidence of MACCE in the high BMI group of Asians during the 3-year follow-up period compared to the low BMI group. The results implied higher BMI could exert a positive effect on the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with AMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction and wear are important phenomenon directly related to the efficiency and reliability of the mechanical systems. Lubricating oils have been used as one traditional approach to reducing friction and wear, which have contributed to significantly extending the lifetime of tribological components. To further improve the lubricating ability of the oils, nanoparticles have been introduced as lubricant additives, and several studies have reported that the shape of nanoparticles could significantly affect its tribological performances of oils. In this work, the tribological performances of the oil containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and CNT microspheres as lubricant additives, respectively, were evaluated in terms of friction and wear to investigate the effect of CNTs shape on lubricating ability. For this purpose, CNT microspheres consisting of CNT particles were successfully prepared using water-in-oil method and the suspensions of sunflower oil, one of the vegetable oils, were prepared in which CNTs and CNT microspheres were added at 0.01 wt.%, respectively. As a result, CNT microspheres showed a low friction of ~ 0.11 for 5000 sliding cycles and a significant (~ 2 × ) reduction in wear rate compared to the base oil which was attributed to the enhanced aggregation resistance property of CNT microspheres. Overall, the results showed that CNT microspheres can be effectively used as a lubricant additive, enhancing the lubricating ability of vegetable oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of autophagy in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell culture has attracted attention due to its effects on therapeutic protein production. Given the significance of glycosylation in therapeutic proteins, this study examined the effects of autophagy-inhibiting chemicals on sialylation of Fc-fusion glycoproteins in rCHO cells. Three chemical autophagy inhibitors known to inhibit different stages were separately treated with two rCHO cell lines that produce the same Fc-fusion glycoprotein derived from DUKX-B11 and DG44. All autophagy inhibitors significantly decreased the sialylation of Fc-fusion glycoprotein in both cell lines. The decrease in sialylation of Fc-fusion glycoprotein is unlikely to be attributed to the release of intracellular enzymes, given the high cell viability and low activity of extracellular sialidases. Interestingly, the five intracellular nucleotide sugars remained abundant in cells treated with autophagy inhibitors. In the mRNA expression profiles of 27 N-glycosylation-related genes using the NanoString nCounter system, no significant differences in gene expression were noted. With the positive effect of supplementing nucleotide sugar precursors on sialylation, attempts were made to enhance the levels of intracellular nucleotide sugars by supplying these precursors. The addition of nucleotide sugar precursors to cultures treated with inhibitors successfully enhanced the sialylation of Fc-fusion glycoproteins compared to the control culture. This was particularly evident under mild stress conditions and not under relatively severe stress conditions, which were characterized by a high decrease in sialylation. These results suggest that inhibiting autophagy in rCHO cell culture decreases sialylation of Fc-fusion glycoprotein by constraining the availability of intracellular nucleotide sugars. Key points: • The autophagy inhibition in rCHO cell culture leads to a significant reduction in the sialylation of Fc-fusion glycoprotein. • The pool of five intracellular nucleotide sugars remained highly abundant in cells treated with autophagy inhibitors. • Supplementation of nucleotide sugar precursors effectively restores decreased sialylation, particularly under mild stress conditions but not in relatively severe stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are largely affected by the surface CO2 flux and atmospheric wind. To estimate atmospheric CO2 concentrations over East Asia, the effects of atmospheric conditions and the parameters of Vegetation Photosynthesis and Respiration Model (VPRM) that simulates biogenic CO2 concentrations were evaluated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model. The VPRM in WRF-Chem requires parameter optimization for the experimental period and region. Total six experiments with two atmospheric fields (final analysis; FNL and fifth generation of European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts atmospheric reanalysis; ERA5) and three VPRM parameter tables (US, Li, and Dayalu) were conducted to investigate the appropriate atmospheric field and VPRM parameter table for East Asia. For validation, two types of wind observations (SYNOP and SONDE) and two types of CO2 observations (surface CO2 observations and OCO-2 XCO2 observations) were used. The experiments using FNL showed a lower RMSE for surface winds, whereas those using ERA5 showed a lower RMSE for upper-air winds. On average, the surface wind RMSE in the experiments using FNL was lower than that using ERA5. With respect to surface CO2 observations, the experiments using the Li table showed relatively lower RMSEs compared to those using other tables. With respect to OCO-2 XCO2 observations, the Li table with FNL showed lower RMSEs than other combinations. Overall, the combination of the Li table and FNL was the most appropriate for simulating CO2 concentrations in East Asia using WRF-Chem with VPRM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canola meal, a by-product of canola oil processing, is a source of bioactive compounds that show antioxidant and skin anti-aging effects through upcycling (i.e., creative reuse). Here we describe the antioxidant and skin anti-aging effects of canola meal extract (CME) obtained by upcycling canola meal. The antioxidant capacity of CME is due in part to its antioxidative phenolics. Seven phenolics, including sinapine and sinapic acid, in CME were identified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Addition of CME (1000 μg/mL) to human dermal fibroblast neonatal cells significantly (p < 0.05) reduced matrix metalloproteinase-12 production and increased pro-collagen Ι alpha 1 content in response to ultraviolet B-induced oxidative stress compared with cells without CME. These results suggest that CME can serve as a functional food ingredient with antioxidant capacity and anti-aging effects on the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast amount of PET waste has made an enormous concern owing to its environmental pollution and human health effects. As an eco-friendly alternative option to treat plastic waste, this study investigated the transesterification of bis 2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate (BHET) into bis 4-hydroxybutyl terephthalate (BHBT) using 1, 4-butanediol (BDO) as a solvent in a typical batch reactor at various temperatures. Zinc acetate (Zn-A), antimony (III) oxide, tin (II) chloride, and titanium isopropoxide (Ti-IP) were utilized as catalysts. The effects of the experimental parameters, including the catalyst type, temperature, and catalyst loading, on the transesterification of BHET into BHBT were evaluated. Ti-IP and Zn-A showed higher catalytic activities than the other catalysts. Furthermore, Zn-A demonstrated to be a promising catalyst at lower temperatures, whereas Ti-IP exhibited higher activity at higher temperatures. An increase in temperature improved the yield of BHBT up to (0.99 mol/L) and showed the highest BHET conversion (98.93%) when Ti-IP was used as a catalyst at 210 °C. BHET conversion and the yield of BHBT were raised greatly when the catalyst amount was increased from 0.1 to 0.3 wt%. This study presents the transesterification of BHET using a Ti-IP catalyst as a novel technology for producing valuable BHBT for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]