Search

Background: It has been suggested that allergic diseases may increase after Kawasaki disease (KD). We aimed to analyze the temporal patterns of allergic disease incidence after KD. Methods: A nationwide population‐based matched cohort study was conducted using data from the Korean National Health Insurance claims database. Patients aged <5 years diagnosed with KD and their 1:3 propensity score‐matched controls were included. Three cohorts were established: Cohort A, patients with allergies; Cohort B, patients without allergies; and Cohort C, patients without allergies, but excluding patients with birth history and underlying medical conditions. Cumulative incidence rates (%) and associated hospital visits for allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and asthma were compared between the cases and controls during the 6‐year follow‐up period. Results: The study population comprised 8678 patients diagnosed with KD and 26,034 controls. In Cohort A, although initially, there were intergroup differences in the number of hospital visits for certain allergic diseases, these differences were inconsistent and varied depending on the type of allergic disease. Over time, the differences narrowed, and by the sixth year, the gap had decreased significantly. In Cohorts B and C, the initial incidence rates of the four allergic diseases and associated hospital visits were lower in patients with KD as compared to controls. However, with a faster rate of increase, the incidence rates and number of hospital visits eventually surpassed those of the controls. Conclusions: The pattern of delayed increase in cumulative incidence rates and hospital visits for allergic diseases after KD suggests the possibility of a shared genetic or immunologic susceptibility between KD and allergic diseases, which becomes evident over time, rather than a direct influence of KD resulting in allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the trend of informal care (unpaid care provided by family or other caregivers) provided to nursing home residents before or during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study assessed this trend during 2010–2021, for all and Medicaid versus non‐Medicaid residents. Methods: Using data from the RAND Health and Retirement Study longitudinal file, our study sample included a total of 2025 resident‐years (860 for Medicaid and 1165 for non‐Medicaid residents). We fit two‐part regression models to determine adjusted trends in average amount of informal care over time, and difference by resident Medicaid status. Results: Informal care received by residents reduced substantially over time, from an average of 39.2 h in the past month of interview in 2010–11 to 23.2 h in 2018–19, and then to 11.2 h in the COVID‐19 pandemic (2020–21). The reduced hours were due to both reduced percentages of nursing home residents who received any informal care and reduced hours of care among those who did receive it over time. Multivariable analyses confirmed this trend and similar downward trends for Medicaid versus non‐Medicaid residents. Medicaid residents on average received 10.02 fewer hours of informal care per month (95% confidence interval −17.16, −2.87; p = 0.006) than non‐Medicaid residents after adjustment for resident characteristics and time trends. Conclusion: Informal care provided to nursing home residents during 2010–2021 reduced over time, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic (2020–21). Medicaid residents tended to receive less informal care than non‐Medicaid residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma atomic layer etching (ALE) processes for SiO2 and Si3N4 and reactive ion etching (RIE) processes for SiO2 with hole patterns were developed using C4F8 and the low global warming potential gases of perfluoroisopropyl vinyl ether (PIPVE) and perfluoropropyl vinyl ether (PPVE). The ALE windows of SiO2 and Si3N4 were in the range of 50.0–57.5 V for all precursors. Etch per cycle of SiO2 was determined to be 5.5 Å/cycle (C4F8), 3.3 Å/cycle (PIPVE), and 5.4 Å/cycle (PPVE), all lower than that of Si3N4. PPVE reduced global warming emissions by 49%, demonstrating better vertical etch profiles in RIE compared to C4F8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Microglia/macrophages line the border of demyelinated lesions in both cerebral white matter and the cortex in the brains of multiple sclerosis patients. Microglia/macrophages associated with chronic white matter lesions are thought to be responsible for slow lesion expansion and disability progression in progressive multiple sclerosis, whereas those lining gray matter lesions are less studied. Profiling these microglia/macrophages could help to focus therapies on genes or pathways specific to lesion expansion and disease progression. Methods: We compared the morphology and transcript profiles of microglia/macrophages associated with borders of white matter (WM line) and subpial gray matter lesions (GM line) using laser capture microscopy. We performed RNA sequencing on isolated cells followed by immunocytochemistry to determine the distribution of translational products of transcripts increased in WM line microglia. Results: Cells in the WM line appear activated, with shorter processes and larger cell bodies, whereas those in the GM line appear more homeostatic, with smaller cell bodies and multiple thin processes. Transcript profiling revealed 176 genes in WM lines and 111 genes in GM lines as differentially expressed. Transcripts associated with immune activation and iron homeostasis were increased in WM line microglia, whereas genes belonging to the canonical Wnt signaling pathway were increased in GM line microglia. Interpretation: We propose that the mechanisms of demyelination and dynamics of lesion expansion are responsible for differential transcript expression in WM lines and GM lines, and posit that increased expression of the Fc epsilon receptor, spleen tyrosine kinase, and Bruton's tyrosine kinase, play a key role in regulating microglia/macrophage function at the border of chronic active white matter lesions. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:907–916 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma atomic layer etching (ALE) processes for SiO2 and Si3N4 and reactive ion etching (RIE) processes for SiO2 with hole patterns were developed using C4F8 and the low global warming potential gases of perfluoroisopropyl vinyl ether (PIPVE) and perfluoropropyl vinyl ether (PPVE). The ALE windows of SiO2 and Si3N4 were in the range of 50.0–57.5 V for all precursors. Etch per cycle of SiO2 was determined to be 5.5 Å/cycle (C4F8), 3.3 Å/cycle (PIPVE), and 5.4 Å/cycle (PPVE), all lower than that of Si3N4. PPVE reduced global warming emissions by 49%, demonstrating better vertical etch profiles in RIE compared to C4F8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of wearable and wireless electronic devices, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is attracting interest as a candidate for portable power. Many studies are conducted to increase the surface charge density of the TENG, such as external charge pumping or external electron excitation strategies. However, there are limitations in that another additional external energy source is required. Here, a TENG–capacitor (TC) coupling system that can maximize energy generation and storage efficiency within a limited volume is proposed. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the electric field induced on capacitor increases the fermi energy of positive triboelectric material, resulting in more charge transfer between two triboelectric materials. TC coupling system enhances TENG output performance and the capacitor charging rate in a virtuous cycle. This study provides new insights into TENG structural design and an important guideline for the use of TENG as a portable power source for wearable and wireless applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a daily environment, several vibration energies have low amplitude and broad range of frequencies, and it is crucial to harvest them efficiently in a single triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Here, a multi‐degree of freedom (DOF) vibration system is coupled with TENG to make several resonant frequencies in a single device. When the number of DOF increases in the system, the number of resonant frequencies also increases. These resonant frequencies are calculated by MATLAB software using the masses and spring constant of DOF vibration system. With the masses of 20 g and the spring constant of 82.712 N m−1, it is found that 1‐DOF has one resonant frequency (20.47 Hz), 2‐DOF has two resonant frequencies (12.63 and 33.17 Hz), and 3‐DOF has three resonant frequencies (9.12, 25.55, and 36.87 Hz). At each resonant frequency, the displacement of all weight layers increases due to the constructive interference of resonance, resulting in higher output than other frequencies at the frequency sweep experiment. In addition, the magnitude and phase of output signals obtained in friction regions are evaluated through COMSOL simulation. A self‐powered wireless sensor module with 3‐DOF TENGs to detect the humidity/temperature and transmit the data every 30 min by harvesting vibration energy is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates that consumers' perceptions of voice assistant device (VAD) elements promote psychological ownership and interface flow experience, resulting in satisfaction with, and loyalty toward VADs. To that end, this study collected VAD users in the United States and conducted structural equation modeling to empirically examine the relationships among the variables. The empirical findings indicated that perceived artificiality and intelligence had significant influences on psychological ownership and flow experience. In addition, the empirical results demonstrated that psychological ownership resulted in flow experience with VADs, significantly affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty toward VADs. Finally, customer satisfaction had a significant impact on loyalty. Based on the empirical findings, this study provided meaningful implications for marketing scholars and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a novel OLED material discovery process and several applications based on AI technology. This process in which six AI modules that generate molecular structures with active learning algorithm, predict multiple properties, analyze novelty, predict synthetic scheme, predict relative synthesizability and predict device characteristics are linked one after another. Also, we introduce some cases in which materials designed by this process were actually synthesized and applied to devices for evaluation to confirm the improvement of characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Recently developed cardiac patches provide mechanical support and additional conductive paths to promote electrical signal propagation in the MI area to synchronize cardiac excitation and contraction. Cardiac patches based on conductive polymers offer attractive features; however, the modest levels of elasticity and high impedance interfaces limit their mechanical and electrical performance. These structures also operate as permanent implants, even in cases where their utility is limited to the healing period of tissue damaged by the MI. The work presented here introduces a highly conductive cardiac patch that combines bioresorbable metals and polymers together in a hybrid material structure configured in a thin serpentine geometry that yields elastic mechanical properties. Finite element analysis guides optimized choices of layouts in these systems. Regular and synchronous contraction of human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes on the cardiac patch and ex vivo studies offer insights into the essential properties and the bio‐interface. These results provide additional options in the design of cardiac patches to treat MI and other cardiac disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades there has been a dramatic increase in Korean restaurants in Frankfurt, Germany. Based on ethnographic research conducted in Frankfurt in 2022, this research explores multiple situational factors across socio‐structural layers influencing Korean restaurant owners in their decision to open their businesses. The study found that the economic, cultural, and social contexts in Germany, such as visa and settlement schemes, market conditions, and the cosmopolitan lifestyle in Frankfurt have been vital factors for Korean immigrants in Germany while ethnic networks and resources have been inconsequential. Korean restaurant owners in Frankfurt also contribute greatly to the shaping of trends in terms of interest in Korean food and culture in the host society through their own agency and in their interactions with local people. In the context of a rapid rise in popularity of Korean culture and food internationally, this study points to an uneasy fit between the case of Korean restaurant owners in Frankfurt and the prevailing conceptual frameworks of immigrant entrepreneurship in Europe, leading to the need to approach their case from new angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of highly tribopositive materials is crucial for realizing high‐performance triboelectric nanogenerators. In this study, a novel protocol to maximize the number of non‐bonding electrons with local dipoles for designing highly tribopositive materials is introduced, and nitrogen‐based dimethylol urea, diazolidinyl urea, and imidazolidinyl urea as promising tribopositive materials are suggested. The mechanism by which nitrogen‐based materials provide highly tribopositive properties is investigated using calculations based on density functional theory. Highly electronegative atoms, such as nitrogen and oxygen, attract electrons from neighboring atoms, resulting in the formation of negative local dipoles in the highest occupied molecular orbital band composed of non‐bonding electrons, thereby creating an electron‐donating environment. The proposed design protocol is confirmed by quantitatively investigating the triboelectric properties of nitrogen‐based materials, and analyzing the charge transfer characteristics of dimethylol urea based on dipole interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to spontaneous polarization in molecular structure, piezoelectric polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) holds great potential for diverse applications such as organic memory and electromechanical devices. However, the transformation of PVDF into a highly polarized β‐phase has still relied on conventional processes such as repeated mechanical strain, high‐temperature heat treatment, and high‐voltage electric poling, which are time‐consuming and can potentially cause undesired damages. Here, an ultrafast and reversible digital patterning process to transform the polymorphic phase of the PVDF has been developed using the interaction of laser with molecular structure. Plasmonic gold nanoparticles realize the interaction between PVDF and laser by increasing the absorption of the laser and amplifying its characteristics. The parameters of the laser process for phase conversion are designed under the theoretical background based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and through this, the process is able to freely convert phases by simple parameter modifications. The selective laser process enables a monolithically integrated heterogeneous phase of PVDF which is not allowed in conventional single‐phase producing processes. Moreover, a practical soft robot that can control its direction has been developed by utilizing the difference in mechanical responses of each phase to the electric field in a monolithically integrated single functional layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the wide adaptation of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technology within clinical practice, molecular profiling of the tumor has been the principal component of personalized treatment. In our study, we have generated a large collection of cancer genomes on East Asian epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) patients and demonstrate the feasibility and utility of NGS platforms to explore the dynamic interrelations of major cancer driver alterations and their impacts on clinical prognosis and management. A total of 652 EOC patients have undergone clinical NGS panels to determine the prevalence of germline and somatic mutations. Notably, TP53 was the most frequently altered event (73%), followed by both BRCA1 and BRCA2 (22% each) and MYC (19%) through pan‐EOC analysis. When analyzed based on individual histopathological levels, TP53 mutation was highly dominant in high‐grade serous and mucinous histology, whereas mutations in PIK3CA and ARID1A were mostly observed in clear cell carcinoma, and KRAS, BRAF, and CDKN2A mutations were enriched in endometrioid, low‐grade serous, and mucinous tumors, respectively. The network‐based probabilistic model showed significant co‐occurrences of TP53 with BRCA1 and ALK with BRCA2, NOTCH1, and ROS1, whereas mutual exclusivity of TP53 with KRAS and PIK3CA was evident. Furthermore, we utilized machine‐learning algorithms to identify molecular correlates that conferred increased sensitivity to platinum and olaparib treatments including somatic mutations in BRCA1, ATM, and MYC. Conversely, patients with ALK mutation were considerably resistant to both treatment modalities. Collectively, our results demonstrate the clinical feasibility of prospective genetic sequencing to facilitate personalized treatment opportunities for patients with EOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted two experiments to investigate the relationship among calorie‐ending, health motivation, price‐ending and desire to save money from food consumption. For Study 1, an online experiment employing a 2 (culinary tour advertisement: up to 1,999 calories per day vs. up to 2,000 calories per day) × 2 (health motivation: high or low) between‐subjects design was conducted. For Study 2, an online experiment employing a 2 (price‐ending: 1,999 calories culinary tour at $60.00 vs. 1,999 calories culinary tour at $59.99) × 2 (health motivation: high or low) × 2 (level of desire to save money: high or low) between‐subjects design was conducted. Study 1's findings indicated that highly health‐motivated consumers are more likely to purchase a culinary tour with 1,999 calories and feel anticipated guilt for participating in a culinary tour with 2,000 calories. Study 2 found a significant three‐way interaction between health motivation, desire to save money from consumption and price‐ending with odd‐ending calories via a three‐way ANOVA. The findings revealed a statistically significant, simple two‐way interaction between health motivation and desire to save money from consumption of the 1,999 calories culinary tour at $59.99, but not for the 1,999 calories culinary tour at $60.00. Foodservice marketers need to use calorie information based on the left‐digit or level effect, to lead consumers to simultaneously reduce a level of anticipated guilt for purchasing the culinary tour and enjoy the provided foods and drinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water‐borne diseases resulting from pathogen infection are especially challenges in areas with inadequate sanitation and power supply. Here a novel disinfection system is developed for bacterial and viral inactivation in water using a self‐powered supercoiling‐mediated rotational triboelectric nanogenerator (S‐TENG) as a power source to drive a new oxidation‐assisted electroporation mechanism. Owing to its rational design, the S‐TENG achieves an ultrafast rotation (≈7500 rpm), therefore it enables a simultaneous nanowire‐enhanced localized electric field and generation of oxidative species resulting in high disinfection performance: >99.9999% microbial inactivation at a high flux of 15 000 L h‐1 m‐2. An integrated S‐TENG‐powered disinfection prototype using an enlarged electrode (area of 50 cm2) achieves complete disinfection when the gravity‐driven natural water flows through the whole system at a high rate (1 L min‐1). This rapid, self‐powered water disinfection method is a potential solution for urgent water disinfection needs during disasters and pandemics, and water disinfection in areas with inadequate power supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal assemblies of mesoporous suprastructures provide effective catalysis in an advantageous volume‐confined environment. However, typical fabrication methods of colloidal suprastructures are carried out under toxic or harmful conditions for unstable biomolecules, such as, biocatalytic enzymes. For this reason, biocatalytic enzymes have rarely been used with suprastructures, even though biocatalytic cascade reactions in confined environments are more efficient than in open conditions. Here, multimodal enzyme‐ and photocatalyst‐carrying superstructures with efficient cascade reactions for colorimetric glucose detection are demonstrated. The suprastructures consisting of various functional nanoparticles, including enzyme‐carrying nanoparticles, are fabricated by surface‐templated evaporation driven suprastructure synthesis on polydimethylsiloxane‐grafted surfaces at ambient conditions. For the fabrication of suprastructures, no additional chemicals and reactions are required, which allows maintaining the enzyme activities. The multimodal enzymes (glucose oxidase and peroxidase)‐carrying suprastructures exhibit rapid and highly sensitive glucose detection via two enzyme cascade reactions in confined geometry. Moreover, the combination of enzymatic and photocatalytic cascade reactions of glucose oxidase to titanium dioxide nanoparticles is successfully realized for the same assay. These results show promising abilities of multiple colloidal mixtures carrying suprastructures for effective enzymatic reactions and open a new door for advanced biological reactions and enzyme‐related works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which focuses on the link between vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. According to the article, vaccine hesitancy among Medicare beneficiaries who relied on informal sources including social media, the Internet, and friends and family to get information about the COVID-19 vaccine was higher than those relying on formal sources of information such as government guidance and medical providers.

Diverse touch experiences offer a path toward greater human–machine interaction, which is essential for the development of haptic technology. Recent advances in triboelectricity‐based touch sensors provide great advantages in terms of cost, simplicity of design, and use of a broader range of materials. Since performance solely relies on the level of contact electrification between materials, triboelectricity‐based touch sensors cannot effectively be used to measure the extent of deformation of materials under a given mechanical force. Here, an ion‐doped gelatin hydrogel (IGH)‐based touch sensor is reported to identify not only contact with an object but also deformation under a certain level of force. Switchable ionic polarization of the gelatin hydrogel is found to be instrumental in allowing for different sensing mechanisms when it is contacted and deformed. The results show that ionic polarization relies on conductivity of the hydrogels. Quantitative studies using voltage sweeps demonstrate that higher ion mobility and shorter Debye length serve to improve the performance of the mechanical stimuli‐perceptible sensor. It is successfully demonstrated that this sensor offers dynamic deformation‐responsive signals that can be used to control the motion of a miniature car. This study broadens the potential applications for ionic hydrogel‐based sensors in a human–machine communication system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: We carried out a multicenter clinical study to investigate whether the decrease in segmental phase angles (PhA values) observed using bioelectrical impedance is useful in screening for diabetes mellitus and monitoring disease progression. Materials and Methods: The segmental PhA values of the four limbs were acquired using multifrequency bioimpedance at 5, 50 and 250 kHz in three clinics. Differences in PhA values between the diabetes and control groups were analyzed using the two‐sample t‐test and analysis of variance (anova). Changes in PhA values with increasing durations of diabetes were analyzed using a moderated mediation model and multivariate linear regression analysis. We recruited 217 participants aged ≥40 years (diabetes 158, controls 59, men 106, women 111, A‐clinic 71, B‐clinic 70 and C‐clinic 76). Results: PhA values at 50 kHz were significantly decreased in people with diabetes (PhA of the right arm in men: t‐value −4.0, P < 0.001; PhA of the right leg in women: t‐value −4.6 P < 0.001), and the difference was partially attributable to the duration of diabetes, as well as aging. Specifically, the mediation effect of the duration of diabetes on the decrease in PhA values was 29.8% in the left arm of men, 53.3% in the right arm of women, and 36.3% in the left arm of both sexes. Conclusions: Phase angle values at 50 kHz decreased in people with diabetes, and the changes were exacerbated as the disease duration increased. Thus, bioimpedance PhA values represent a non‐invasive tool for monitoring the progression of diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ultrahigh power output from a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with a serrated electrode in a low‐frequency contact‐separation mode which is able to directly drive high voltage‐operating devices without the need for an external power supply is demonstrated. When a serrated electrode‐based TENG (SE‐TENG) is driven, the microstructurally serrated electrode creates a spark discharge in the gap between the serrated electrode and a wire, resulting in tremendously boosted triboelectric power output. Based on the spark discharge phenomenon, a boost adaptor is designed to secondarily boost the triboelectric power output performance, and consequently an ultrahigh triboelectric output voltage of 5 kV and current density of 2 A m−2 are achieved. The boost adaptor concept can be applied to any typical TENG for achieving higher power‐generating performance. Finally, two high voltage applications, a Crookes tube and plasma generation, are demonstrated using the SE‐TENG and boost adaptor without any external power supply equipment. The ultrahigh power‐generating SE‐TENG based on the spark discharge phenomenon occurring in the unique electrode structure has considerable potential to operate high voltage applications directly in harsh environments where electricity cannot be supplied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As vehicles become smarter, an alternative power solution will become increasingly important for future vehicle development. With this context, a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is proposed which fully sits on tires and consists of textile‐based tire materials. Both polydimethylsiloxane‐coated silver textile, serving as an external tire tread material, and nylon woven textile, serving as an internal tire cord material, performing as opposing triboelectric materials, are well adaptable for rolling tires. It is demonstrated that tire material‐based TENG performs at its maximum as it makes mutual contact with the road. The power generation property is characterized under different driving situations such as different tire rotation speeds and varying numbers of devices on the tires. The TENG demonstrates a maximum output voltage and a current of about 225 V and 42 µA, respectively, along with an output power of 0.5 mW at optimum load. The work offers the possibility to not only directly operate minute power‐consuming electronics but also collect power and store it while driving a vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in the nuclear matrix protein Matrin 3 (MATR3) have been identified in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myopathy. To investigate the mechanisms underlying MATR3 mutations in neuromuscular diseases and efficiently screen for modifiers of MATR3 toxicity, we generated transgenic MATR3 flies. Our findings indicate that expression of wild‐type or mutant MATR3 in motor neurons reduces climbing ability and lifespan of flies, while their expression in indirect flight muscles (IFM) results in abnormal wing positioning and muscle degeneration. In both motor neurons and IFM, mutant MATR3 expression results in more severe phenotypes than wild‐type MATR3, demonstrating that the disease‐linked mutations confer pathogenicity. We conducted a targeted candidate screen for modifiers of the MATR3 abnormal wing phenotype and identified multiple enhancers involved in axonal transport. Knockdown of these genes enhanced protein levels and insolubility of mutant MATR3. These results suggest that accumulation of mutant MATR3 contributes to toxicity and implicate axonal transport dysfunction in disease pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct conversion of mechanical energy into direct current (DC) by triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) is one of the desired features in terms of energy conversion efficiency. Although promising applications have been reported using the triboelectric effect, effective DC generating TENGs must be developed for practical purposes. Here, it is reported that continuous DC generation within a TENG itself, without any circuitry, can be achieved by triggering air breakdown via triboelectrification. It is demonstrated that DC generation occurs in combination with i) charge accumulation to generate air breakdown, ii) incident discharge (microdischarge), and iii) conveyance of charges to make the device sustainable. 10.5 mA m−2 of output current and 10.6 W m−2 of output power at 33 MΩ load resistance are achieved. Compared to the best DC generating TENGs ever reported, the TENG in this present study generates about 20 times larger root‐mean square current density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, intensive immunosuppressive therapy including rituximab is commonly used prior to kidney transplantation (KT), raising concerns over hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation among hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative and anti‐hepatitis B core (HBc)‐positive KT recipients. Recent practice guidelines suggested watchful monitoring or antiviral prophylaxis for the first 6‐12 months, the period of maximal immunosuppression. However, the actual risk for HBV reactivation, and whether short‐term antiviral therapy in the early period is necessary, remains unclear. A total of 449 HBsAg‐negative and anti‐HBc‐positive KT recipients were analysed for HBV reactivation. During a median follow‐up of 6.7 (interquartile range: 4.2‐9.4) years, HBV reactivation was observed in 9 patients (2.0%). The median time of HBV reactivation from KT was 2.8 years (range: 1.4‐11.5 years), with cumulative incidence rates of 0%, 1% and 2% for 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. There were no severe adverse outcomes, including liver transplantation or mortality related to HBV reactivation. The risk of HBV reactivation was not high, even in anti‐HBs‐negative patients (n = 60, 4% at 5 years), ABO mismatch (n = 92, 4% at 5 years), use of rituximab (n = 66, 3% at 5 years) or plasmapheresis (n = 17, 7% at 5 years), and acute rejection (n = 169, 3% at 5 years). In conclusion, the HBV reactivation risk was not high and the time of detection was not clustered in the early post‐KT period. Our findings favour continued watchful monitoring over antiviral prophylaxis in the early period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a composite material based on the butylated melamine formaldehyde (BMF) and high permittivity CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) particles as a triboelectric dielectric material for stable high output triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) is proposed. CCTO particles, which have the high permittivity of 7500, can potentially result in the formation of strong internal polarization into the dielectric material under the electric field from triboelectric charges. As a consequence, the charge induction on the bottom electrode is enhanced thereby increasing the triboelectric output performance. A rotation‐type freestanding mode TENG based on BMF–CCTO 1 wt% composite material demonstrates high performance power output of a root‐mean‐square voltage and current density with 268 V and 25.8 mA m−2, respectively. The strategy of incorporating the high permittivity CCTO particles can be universally applied to any triboelectric polymer matrix in order to enhance the output performance of TENGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains unclear. We evaluated the risk for developing IPF in patients with IBD using a nationwide population‐based study. Methods: Using claims data from the National Health Insurance service in Korea, patients with IBD, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), were identified through both the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and rare and intractable disease program codes from January 2010 to December 2013. We compared 38 921 IBD patients with age‐matched and sex‐matched individuals without IBD in a ratio of 1:3. Patients with newly diagnosed IPF were identified by both the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and rare and intractable disease registration codes. Results: During a mean 4.9‐year follow‐up, the incidence of IPF in patients with IBD was 33.21 per 100 000 person‐years. The overall risk of IPF was significantly higher in IBD patients than in non‐IBD controls (hazard ratio [HR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–2.20; P = 0.003). In patients with CD, the incidence (per 100 000 person‐years) of IPF was 26.04; in controls, the incidence was 9.15 (HR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.46–5.72; P = 0.002). The incidence of IPF in patients with UC tended to be higher than in controls (36.66 vs 26.54 per 100 000 person‐years; 95% CI, 0.99–1.99; HR, 1.41; P = 0.066). The risk of developing IPF in patients with IBD was higher in male patients than in female patients (P = 0.093 in CD; P = 0.147 in UC by interaction analysis). Conclusions: Patients with IBD, especially CD, have an increased risk of developing IPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaemia is prevalent among preschool‐aged children in Myanmar, but few epidemiological studies of anaemia at the national level were reported. Using data from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey 2015–2016, we examined risk factors for anaemia at household, maternal, and individual levels for children aged 6–23 months (n = 1,133) and 24–59 months (n = 2,393) separately. Survey design and sampling weights were adjusted for in multivariate regression analyses. The prevalence of anaemia was 77.2% in children aged 6–23 months and 50.8% in those aged 24–59 months. Living in geographic zones other than the hilly zone was associated with a higher odds of anaemia in both age groups (OR = 1.86–2.51 [95% lower limit > 1.0]). Maternal anaemia predicted child anaemia in a dose–response manner in both groups (6–23 months of age, OR = 2.01, 95% CI [1.38, 2.92; mild] and OR = 2.41, 95% CI [1.12, 5.19; moderate]; and 24–59 months of age, OR = 1.42, 95% CI [1.12, 1.81; mild] and OR = 2.92, 95% CI [1.91,4.46; moderate]). A maternal age of 14–24 years (ref: 25–34 years, OR = 1.67, 95% CI [1.06, 2.64]) and maternal tolerant attitude to domestic violence (OR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.13, 2.31]) predicted anaemia in children aged 6–23 months only. Younger child age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.96, 0.98]), stunting (OR = 1.35, 95% CI [1.08, 1.69]) and using unimproved drinking water sources (OR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.10, 1.75]) were associated with anaemia in children aged 24–59 months. Consideration of age‐specific risks factors for child anaemia will help in planning anaemia control programmes in Myanmar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stiffness index (SI) from quantitative ultrasound measurements is a good indicator of BMD and may be used to predict the risk of osteoporotic fracture. We conducted a genomewide association study (GWAS) for SI using 7742 individuals from the Taiwan Biobank, followed by a replication study in a Korean population (n = 2955). Approximately 6.1 million SNPs were subjected to association analysis, and SI‐associated variants were identified. We further conducted a meta‐analysis of Taiwan Biobank significant SNPs with a Korean population‐based cohort. Candidate genes were prioritized according to epigenetic annotations, gene ontology, protein–protein interaction, GWAS catalog, and expression quantitative trait loci analyses. Our results revealed seven significant single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within three loci: 7q31.31, 17p13.3, and 11q14.2. Conditional analysis showed that three SNPs, rs2536195 (CPED1/WNT16), rs1231207 (SMG6), and rs4944661 (LOC10050636/TMEM135), were the most important signals within these regions. The associations for the three SNPs were confirmed in a UK Biobank estimated BMD GWAS; these three cytobands were replicated successfully after a meta‐analysis with a Korean population cohort as well. However, two SNPs were not replicated. After prioritization, we identified two novel genes, RAB15 and FNTB, as strong candidates for association with SI. Our study identified three SI‐associated SNPs and two novel SI‐related genes. Overall, these results provide further insight into the genetic architecture of osteoporosis. Further studies in larger East Asian populations are needed. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) represents the most common inflammatory skin disorder in children showing massive infiltration of immune cells. The colonization of AD‐afflicted skin by Staphylococcus aureus and S. aureus‐derived extracellular vesicles (SEVs) has been associated with AD pathogenesis; however, the molecular mechanism underlying SEV‐mediated inflammatory responses remains unclear. Objective: We investigated how SEVs can mediate inflammatory responses in AD pathogenesis by examining the effect of SEVs on human dermal microvascular endothelia cells (HDMECs). Methods: HDMECs were treated with SEVs, and the expression of cell adhesion molecules or cytokines was assessed using RT‐qPCR, Western blot or cytokine array analyses. The receptor for SEVs and related signalling molecules in HDMECs were addressed and verified via gene knockdown or inhibitor experiments. The recruitment assay of human THP‐1 monocytic cells on HDMECs was performed after SEV treatment in the presence or absence of the verified receptor or signalling molecule. Results: SEVs, but not other gram‐positive bacteria‐derived extracellular vesicles, directly activated HDMECs by increasing the expression of cell adhesion molecules (E‐selectin, VCAM1 and ICAM1) and that of IL‐6, the inflammatory cytokine; consequently, they enhanced the recruitment of THP‐1 monocytic cells to HDMECs. The SEV‐induced HDMEC activation was dependent on Toll‐like receptor 4 and the NF‐κB signalling pathway, which was rapidly activated within 1 hour post‐treatment and followed by an upregulation of cell adhesion molecules and IL‐6 at later time‐points. Moreover, SEV‐mediated HDMEC responses were more rapid and intense than those induced by the same protein concentrations of S. aureus extracts. Conclusions & Clinical Relevance: SEVs as proinflammatory factors could mediate immune cell infiltration in AD by efficiently inducing endothelial cell activation and monocyte recruitment, which may provide insights into alleviating the S. aureus‐mediated onset or progression of AD and its phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spermatogenesis is a tightly regulated process involving germ cell‐specific and germ cell‐predominant genes. Here we investigate a novel germ cell‐specific gene, Spatc1l (spermatogenesis and centriole associated 1 like). Expression analyses show that SPATC1L is expressed in mouse and human testes. We find that mouse SPATC1L localizes to the neck region in testicular sperm. Moreover, SPATC1L associates with the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA). Using CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome engineering, we generate mice lacking SPATC1L. Disruption of Spatc1l in mice leads to male sterility owing to separation of sperm heads from tails. The lack of SPATC1L is associated with a reduction in PKA activity in testicular sperm, and we identify capping protein muscle Z‐line beta as a candidate target of phosphorylation by PKA in testis. Taken together, our results implicate the SPATC1L‐PKA complex in maintaining the stability of the sperm head‐tail junction, thereby revealing a new molecular basis for sperm head‐tail integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) is a single‐stranded RNA virus that causes severe respiratory disease in humans with a high fatality rate. Binding of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) glycoprotein to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 is the critical step in MERS‐CoV infection of a host cell. No vaccines or clinically applicable treatments are currently available for MERS‐CoV. Therefore, rapid diagnosis is important for improving patient outcomes through prompt treatment and protection against viral outbreaks. In this study, the aim was to establish two ELISA systems for detecting antigens and antibodies against MERS‐CoV. Using a recombinant full‐length S protein, an indirect ELISA was developed and found to detect MERS‐CoV‐specific antibodies in animal sera and sera of patient with MERS. Moreover, MAbs were induced with the recombinant S protein and RBD and used for sandwich ELISA to detect the MERS‐CoV S protein. Neither ELISA system exhibited significant intra‐assay or inter‐assay variation, indicating good reproducibility. Moreover, the inter‐day precision and sensitivity were adequate for use as a diagnostic kit. Thus, these ELISAs can be used clinically to diagnose MERS‐CoV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infections have occurred continuously and crossed the species barrier to humans, leading to fatalities. A polymerase chain reaction based molecular test is currently the most sensitive diagnostic tool for HPAIV; however, the results must be analyzed in centralized diagnosis systems by a trained individual. This requirement leads to delays in quarantine and isolation. To control the spread of HPAIV, rapid and accurate diagnostics suitable for field testing are needed, and the tests must facilitate a differential diagnosis between HPAIV and low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV), which undergo cleavage specifically by trypsin- or furin-like proteases, respectively. In this study, a differential avian influenza virus rapid test kit is developed and evaluated in vitro and using clinical specimens from HPAIV H5N1-infected animals. It is demonstrated that this rapid test kit provides highly sensitive and specific detection of HPAIV and LPAIV and is thus a useful field diagnostic tool for H5N1 HPAIV outbreaks and for rapid quarantine control of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To perform a case-control study of maternal occupational physical activity and risk for orofacial clefts in Texas during 1999-2009. Methods We used logistic regression to assess 14 measures of physical activity estimated from a job exposure matrix, using the maternal occupation reported on the birth certificate, among 887 children with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP), 436 children with cleft palate only (CP), and 1932 controls. Results After adjusting for several potential confounders, seven measures of physical activity (as a categorical and/or continuous variable) were significantly associated with CLP, CP, or both. Positive associations were seen for keeping balance, kneeling, standing, and walking/running (odds ratio 95% confidence interval range 1.0-1.9 for fourth versus first quartile). A significant positive trend was also seen for bending/twisting. Negative associations were seen for repetitive motion and sitting. Conclusions Maternal occupational physical activity may be related to the etiology of orofacial clefts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(vinylidenefluoride- co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), as a ferroelectric polymer, offers great promise for energy harvesting for flexible and wearable applications. Here, this paper shows that the choice of solvent used to dissolve the polymer significantly influences its properties in terms of energy harvesting. Indeed, the P(VDF-TrFE) prepared using a high dipole moment solvent has higher piezoelectric and pyroelectric coefficients and triboelectric property. Such improvements are the result of higher crystallinity and better dipole alignment of the polymer prepared using a higher dipole moment solvent. Finite element method simulations confirm that the higher dipole moment results in higher piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and triboelectric potential distributions. Furthermore, P(VDF-TrFE)-based piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and triboelectric nanogenerators (NGs) experimentally validate that the higher dipole moment solvent significantly enhances the power output performance of the NGs; the improvement is about 24% and 82% in output voltage and current, respectively, for piezoelectric NG; about 40% and 35% in output voltage and current, respectively, for pyroelectric NG; and about 65% and 75% in output voltage and current for triboelectric NG. In brief, the approach of using a high dipole moment solvent is very promising for high output P(VDF-TrFE)-based wearable NGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In meiosis I, sister chromatids are captured by microtubules emanating from the same pole (mono-orientation), and centromeric cohesion is protected throughout anaphase. Shugoshin, which is localized to centromeres depending on the phosphorylation of histone H2A by Bub1 kinase, plays a central role in protecting meiotic cohesin Rec8 from separase cleavage. Another key meiotic kinetochore factor, meikin, may regulate cohesion protection, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that fission yeast Moa1 (meikin), which associates stably with CENP-C during meiosis I, recruits Plo1 (polo-like kinase) to the kinetochores and phosphorylates Spc7 ( KNL1) to accumulate Bub1. Consequently, in contrast to the transient kinetochore localization of mitotic Bub1, meiotic Bub1 persists at kinetochores until anaphase I. The meiotic Bub1 pool ensures robust Sgo1 (shugoshin) localization and cohesion protection at centromeres by cooperating with heterochromatin protein Swi6, which binds and stabilizes Sgo1. Furthermore, molecular genetic analyses show a hierarchical regulation of centromeric cohesion protection by meikin and shugoshin that is important for establishing meiosis-specific chromosome segregation. We provide evidence that the meiosis-specific Bub1 regulation is conserved in mouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low output current represents a critical challenge that has interrupted the use of triboelectric nanogenerators (TNGs) in a wide range of applications as sustainable power sources. Many approaches (e.g., operation at high frequency, parallel stacks of individual devices, and hybridization with other energy harvesters) remain limited in solving the challenge of low output current from TNGs. Here, a nanocomposite material system having a superior surface charge density as a triboelectric active material is reported. The nanocomposite material consists of a high dielectric ceramic material, barium titanate, showing great charge-trapping capability, together with a ferroelectric copolymer matrix, Poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), with electrically manipulated polarization with strong triboelectric charge transfer characteristics. Based on a contact potential difference study showing that poled P(VDF-TrFE) has 18 times higher charge attracting properties, a fraction between two components is optimized. Boosting power-generating performance is achieved for 1130 V of output voltage and 1.5 mA of output current with this ferroelectric composite-based TNG, under 6 kgf of pushing force at 5 Hz. An enormously faster charging property than traditional polymer film-based TNGs is demonstrated in this study. Finally, the charging of a self-powering smartwatch with a charging management circuit system with no external power sources is demonstrated successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification and characterization of male germ cell-specific genes is crucial to understanding the mechanisms of male germ cell development. In this study, we investigated the protein encoded by the novel mouse germ cell-specific gene testis-expressed gene 13 ( Tex13). We found that TEX13 expression is testis- and germ cell-specific and is regulated in a stage-specific manner via translational repression. Immunostaining of testicular cells and sperm showed that TEX13 is localized in the nuclei of spermatogenic cells and the redundant nuclear envelope of mature sperm. Remarkably, we found that TEX13 possesses transcriptional repressor activity and that its overexpression in GC-2 cells altered the expression levels of 130 genes. Our results suggest that TEX13 has a potential role in transcriptional regulation during spermatogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Objective: Approximately 1 in 5 US children have a mental health (MH) disorder. Children with MH disorders, particularly those that are under‐diagnosed or under‐treated, have higher rates of avoidable utilization and health care costs. Despite the availability of evidence‐based treatments for child MH conditions, there are many systemic barriers to receiving adequate MH care, especially for low‐income and racial/ethnic minority populations. There is also substantial unmet need. As such, starting in mid‐2016, three Boston‐based community health centers (CHC) began implementing TEAM UP—a complete behavioral health integration model for low‐income children. Our objective was to examine the impact of TEAM UP on rates of health care utilization in children. Study Design: Our primary data source was the 2014–2017 Massachusetts All Payer Claims Data (APCD). Our primary utilization outcomes included inpatient admissions, emergency department visits, primary care visits, other professional and outpatient visits, and use of behavioral health services (any services, intake/evaluation, psychotherapy, group therapy, psychiatric medication management, family consultation, screening, testing, other therapeutic services, family training and counseling, other outpatient services). Our unit of analysis was the person‐quarter. A difference‐in‐differences approach was used to estimate the effect of the intervention on intervention‐site patients, relative to a comparison group of similar non‐intervention site patients. Utilization outcomes were estimated using generalized estimating equations (GEE) with a negative binomial distribution and log link. For all models, outcome variable Yiq was indexed to patient i in quarter q. Independent variables included a dummy for whether a patient was attributed to an intervention site, a dummy for the pre‐ (2014q1‐2016q2) versus post‐period (2016q3‐2017q4), an interaction term between intervention status and post‐period, quarter, number of eligible member months in quarter q for patient i, a vector member‐level covariates (age, sex, payer type, clinical indicators, zip code‐level covariates), and site fixed effects, with errors clustered at the site‐level and using robust standard errors to account for repeated patient measures. All results are reported as marginal effects. Population Studied: Children ages 3–21 who were attributed to one of three intervention site CHCs or to one of six geographically proximal non‐intervention site CHCs. This included a final sample of 325,675 person‐quarters representing 31,626 unique children, after exclusions; we excluded the first 6 months before and after implementation due to differential ramp‐up. Principal Findings: After 1.5 years of implementation time, TEAM UP was associated with increases in behavioral health service utilization, especially for other therapeutic MH services (difference‐in‐difference: 108.6 visits/1000 patients/quarter, 95% CI: 95.2, 122.0) and family training and counseling (difference‐in‐difference: 78.5 visits/1000 patients/quarter, 95% CI: 69.0, 88.1). Effects were greatest in Medicaid‐enrolled children. We did not observe any short‐term effects on other utilization measures. Conclusions: TEAM UP was associated with increased utilization of pediatric behavioral health services. Additional implementation time is necessary to determine if this will translate into reductions in avoidable utilization. Implications for Policy or Practice: The TEAM UP model may hold promise in linking low‐income children to behavioral health services. Primary Funding Source: Smith Family Foundation; Klarman Family Foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient transition metal-catalyzed single-step synthesis of aryl thiols from aryl halides has been developed employing copper(II) catalyst and 1,2-ethanedithiol. The key features are use of readily available reagents, a simple operation, and relatively mild reaction conditions. This new protocol shows a broad substrate scope with excellent functional group compatibility. A variety of aryl thiols are directly prepared from aryl halides in high yields. Furthermore, the aryl thiols are used in situ for the synthesis of more advanced molecules such as diaryl sulfides and benzothiophenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a synthetic lethality/viability screen, we identified the serine-threonine kinase RIP1 ( RIPK1) as a gene whose knockdown is highly selected against during growth in normal media, in which autophagy is not critical, but selected for in conditions that increase reliance on basal autophagy. RIP1 represses basal autophagy in part due to its ability to regulate the TFEB transcription factor, which controls the expression of autophagy-related and lysosomal genes. RIP1 activates ERK, which negatively regulates TFEB though phosphorylation of serine 142. Thus, in addition to other pro-death functions, RIP1 regulates cellular sensitivity to pro-death stimuli by modulating basal autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turnip ( Brassica rapa L.) root ethanol extract (TRE) was prepared, and its chemical constituents were characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Thirteen glucosinolates (GSLs) were identified, comprising eight aliphatic, four indolic, and one aromatic compounds. The effects of these GSLs on bone formation were investigated in vitro by incubating human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells with TRE and then analyzing their viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen content, and mineralization and in vivo by administering TRE orally to normal young rats (500 mg/kg/day) and assessing subsequent changes in serum osteocalcin and bone microstructure in these animals. No TRE-related toxicity was found , and the levels of cell viability, ALP activity, collagen synthesis, and mineralization were significantly increased relative to the negative control. In particular, stimulatory effects on the differentiation of MG-63 cells were strongly enhanced as compared with a positive control (daidzein). Serum osteocalcin was also significantly increased, and some important bone microstructural parameters were improved in TRE-administered rats compared with their saline-administered counterparts. GSLs therefore appear to have a stimulatory effect on bone formation in both MG-63 cells and normal young rats. This is the first report on the usefulness of turnip root and its GSL compounds for bone formation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing concerns about unpredictable influenza pandemics require a broadly protective vaccine against diverse influenza strains. One of the promising approaches was a T cell-based vaccine, but the narrow breadth of T-cell immunity due to the immunodominance hierarchy established by previous influenza infection and efficacy against only mild challenge condition are important hurdles to overcome. To model T-cell immunodominance hierarchy in humans in an experimental setting, influenza-primed C57BL/6 mice were chosen and boosted with a mixture of vaccinia recombinants, individually expressing consensus sequences from avian, swine, and human isolates of influenza internal proteins. As determined by IFN-γ ELISPOT and polyfunctional cytokine secretion, the vaccinia recombinants of influenza expanded the breadth of T-cell responses to include subdominant and even minor epitopes. Vaccine groups were successfully protected against 100 LD50 challenges with PR/8/34 and highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, which contained the identical dominant NP366 epitope. Interestingly, in challenge with pandemic A/Cal/04/2009 containing mutations in the dominant epitope, only the group vaccinated with rVV-NP + PA showed improved protection. Taken together, a vaccinia-based influenza vaccine expressing conserved internal proteins improved the breadth of influenza-specific T-cell immunity and provided heterosubtypic protection against immunologically close as well as distant influenza strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]