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The human-pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans assembles two types of

Although the T helper 2 (Th2) subset is a critical player in the humoral immune response to extracellular parasites and suppression of Th1-mediated inflammation, Th2 cells have been implicated in allergic inflammatory diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) is a primary transcription factor that mediates Th2 differentiation and secretion of Th2 cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Here, a nucleus-deliverable form of GATA3-transcription modulation domain (TMD) (ndG3-TMD) was generated using Hph-1 human protein transduction domain (PTD) to modulate the transcriptional function of endogenous GATA3 without genetic manipulation. ndG3-TMD was shown to be efficiently delivered into the cell nucleus quickly without affecting cell viability or intracellular signaling events for T cell activation. ndG3-TMD exhibited a specific inhibitory function for the endogenous GATA3-mediated transcription, such as Th2 cell differentiation and Th2-type cytokine production. Intranasal administration of ndG3-TMD significantly alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness, infiltration of immune cells, and serum IgE level in an OVA-induced mouse model of asthma. Also, Th2 cytokine secretion by the splenocytes isolated from the ndG3-TMD-treated mice substantially decreased. Our results suggest that ndG3-TMD can be a new therapeutic reagent to suppress Th2-mediated allergic diseases through intranasal delivery.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an adrenal steroid converted to potent androgens. This study aimed to discover the association between serum DHEA levels and immunologic response in people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We enrolled patients aged ≥ 18 years who were treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). We measured CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts, HIV-RNA titres, and serum DHEA levels. We assigned each patient to a good- or poor-responder group depending on their CD4+ T-cell counts at study enrolment. Participants with CD4+ T-cell counts > 200/µL were assigned to the good-responder group, whilst those with CD4+ T-cell counts < 200/µL were assigned to the poor-responder group. The participants were followed up for 2 years. The poor-responder group showed lower CD4+ T-cell counts and higher HIV PCR titres at their initial HIV diagnosis and in their 2-year follow-up data. Serum DHEA level was lower in the poor-responder group. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that BMI, initial CD4+ T-cell counts, and serum DHEA level were clinical factors associated with poor immunologic responsiveness to cART in PLWHA. Therefore, DHEA may be used as an indicator of the immunological recovery of PLWHA.

This article intends to establish a reasonable determination criterion for nadir detection of lunar lava tube by Kaguya Lunar Radar Sounder observation. We applied radar cross section analysis to a simple lava tube model that comprises vacuum/basalt media with flat media boundaries, which illustrated that radar echoes from a lava tube are continuously detected through a number of consecutive observations along orbit if the lava tube returns radar echoes strong enough. “Consecutive detection” makes the minimal determination criterion for the detection of a lava tube. We further investigated influence of curved ceiling of a lava tube on its detection using 2-D finite difference time domain (2-D FD-TD) simulation and radar cross section analysis with Geometrical Optics. The work revealed that basalt roof of a lava tube plays a role of a concave lens in the propagation process of a radar pulse hence contributes to reduce lava tube echo intensity in comparison to that of the simple lava tube model. The curved ceiling, however, does not affect the above derived determination criterion. Ambiguity test plays the crucial role in the detection of a lava tube by distinguishing surface clutter. We demonstrated three types of ambiguity tests, i.e., 1) multiorbit data analysis test, 2) surface scattering simulation test, and 3) surface slope echo analysis test. The last two tests were demonstrated on those data which had been documented as radar echoes from large scale lava tubes in Marius Hills in a recent literature. The test results indicated that they are nothing more than a collection of surface clutter.

BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, which ultimately results in eradication failure, has been an emerging issue in the clinical field. Recently, to overcome this problem, an antibiotic sensitivity-based tailored therapy (TT) for H. pylori infection has received attention. AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety profiles of TT for H. pylori infection treatment compared to a non-bismuth quadruple therapy, concomitant therapy (CT) regimen. METHODS We included patients (> 18 years) with an H. pylori infection and without a history of Helicobacter eradication who visited the Gil Medical Center between March 2016 and October 2020. After being randomly assigned to either the TT or CT treatment group in 1 to 1 manner, patient compliance, eradication success rate (ESR), and patient-reported side effects profiles were assessed and compared between the two groups. H. pylori infection was diagnosed using a rapid urease test, Giemsa stain, or dual priming oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction (DPO-PCR). Tailored eradication strategy based through the presence of a 23S ribosomal RNA point mutation. For the TT group, a DPO-PCR test, which detected A2142G and/or A2143G point mutations, and a clarithromycin resistance test were performed. Patients in the clarithromycin-resistant group were treated with a bismuth-containing quadruple combination therapy, while those with sensitive results were treated with the standard triple regimen. RESULTS Of the 217 patients with a treatment naive H. pylori infection, 110 patients [mean age: 58.66 ± 13.03, men, n = 55 (50%)] were treated with TT, and 107 patients [mean age: 56.67 ± 10.88, men, n = 52 (48.60%)] were treated with CT. The compliance (TT vs CT, 100% vs 98.13%, P = 0.30), and follow-up loss rates (8.18% vs 9.35%, P = 0.95) were not significantly different between the groups. The ESR after treatment was also not statistically different between the groups (TT vs CT, 82.73% vs 82.24%, P = 0.95). However, the treatment-related and patient-reported side effects were significantly lower in the TT group than in the CT group (22.77% vs 50.52%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The DPO-based TT regimen shows promising results in efficacy and safety profiles as a first-line Helicobacter eradication regimen in Korea, especially when physicians are confronted with increased antibiotic resistance rates.

Purpose Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a novel respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); there are few specific treatments. Convalescent plasma (CP), donated by people who have recovered from COVID-19, is an investigational therapy for severe or critically ill patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods This retrospective cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of CP therapy in patients with severe or life-threatening cases of COVID-19 at two hospitals in Seoul, Korea, between May and September 2020. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in 20 patients with CP therapy in a descriptive manner. Additionally, the changes in cycle threshold (Ct) values of 10 patients with CP therapy were compared to those of 10 controls who had the same (±0.8) initial Ct values but did not receive CP. Results Of the 20 patients (mean age 66.6 years), 18 received high-dose oxygen therapy using mechanical ventilators or high-flow nasal cannulas. Systemic steroids were administered to 19 patients who received CP. The neutralizing antibody titers of the administered CP were between 1:80 and 1:10240. There were two ABO-mismatched transfusions. The World Health Organization ordinal scale score and National Institutes of Health severity score improved in half of the patients within 14 days. Those who received CP showed a higher increase in Ct values at 24 h and 72 h after CP therapy compared to controls with similar initial Ct values (p=0.002). No transfusion-related side effects were observed. Conclusion CP therapy may be a potential therapeutic option in severe or critically ill patients with COVID-19.

PURPOSE : The aim of this study was to identify the epidemiological characteristics of paediatric eye injury in a large metropolitan city based on age group and sex. METHODS : This prospective, multicentre, observational study used data extracted from the eye injury registry for tertiary teaching hospitals in Daegu, South Korea, between August 2016 and July 2018. Children aged < 16 years were classified as infants, pre-schoolers, school children, and adolescents based on their age group. RESULTS : This study included 502 patients; most eye injuries occurred among boys (n = 349, 69.5%) and school children (n = 168, 33.5%). Unstructured play (n = 268, 53.4%) was the most common cause of eye injury, followed by sports (n = 69, 13.7%) and home activities (n = 52, 10.4%). Among adolescent boys, eye injuries were mostly caused by sports activities (n = 49, 37.7%), including soccer and basketball. Only 1 out of 69 children wore protective eyewear during sports activities. Eye injuries occurred most often in school (n = 63, 41.2%) during adolescence and at home (n = 270, 53.8%) in most other age groups. CONCLUSION : Eye injuries were more common in boys. Boys and girls had relatively higher proportion of eye injuries during sports and home activities, respectively. In infants to school children, eye injuries mainly occurred at home and by unstructured play, whereas in adolescents, they mostly occurred at school and during sports activities. To prevent eye injuries sustained during sports in adolescents, wearing personal protective equipment during high-risk exercise in schools or sports facilities is recommended.

Objective This study aimed to compare the outcomes of adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in a large metropolitan city. Methods This before-and-after observational study used a prospective citywide OHCA registry. Adult patients with emergency medical service-treated OHCA, with presumed cardiac etiology, pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak were enrolled. The study period spanned 2 months, starting from February 18, 2020. The control period was 2 months from February 18, 2019. The primary and secondary outcomes were good neurologic outcome and survival to hospital discharge, respectively. The association between the COVID-19 outbreak and OHCA outcomes was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results This study analyzed 297 OHCA patients (control period, 145; study period, 152). The bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation rates were 64.8% and 60.5% during the control and study periods, respectively. Response and on-scene times increased by 2 minutes, supraglottic airway use increased by 35.6%, and mechanical chest compression device use increased by 13% post-COVID-19 outbreak. Good neurologic outcome was significantly lower during the study period in overall OHCAs (adjusted odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.98) and in witnessed OHCAs (adjusted odds ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.90). No significant difference was found in the survival to hospital discharge of OHCA patients between the two periods. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, the response and on-scene times were longer, and good neurologic outcome was significantly lower than that in the control period.

Self-assembled macaroni fullerene C60 crystals (MFCs) of uniform shape and narrow size distribution are produced using the dynamic liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method under ambient condi...

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, and corticosteroids have been considered as possible therapeutic agents for this disease. However, there is limited literature on the appropriate timing of corticosteroid administration to obtain the best possible patient outcomes. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study including patients with severe COVID-19 who received corticosteroid treatment from March 2 to June 30, 2020 in seven tertiary hospitals in South Korea. We analyzed the patient demographics, characteristics, and clinical outcomes according to the timing of steroid use. Twenty-two patients with severe COVID-19 were enrolled, and they were all treated with corticosteroids. Results Of the 22 patients who received corticosteroids, 12 patients (55%) were treated within 10 days from diagnosis. There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics. The initial PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 168.75. The overall case fatality rate was 25%. The mean time from diagnosis to steroid use was 4.08 days and the treatment duration was 14 days in the early use group, while those in the late use group were 12.80 days and 18.50 days, respectively. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio, C-reactive protein level, and cycle threshold value improved over time in both groups. In the early use group, the time from onset of symptoms to discharge (32.4 days vs. 60.0 days, P = 0.030), time from diagnosis to discharge (27.8 days vs. 57.4 days, P = 0.024), and hospital stay (26.0 days vs. 53.9 days, P = 0.033) were shortened. Conclusions Among patients with severe COVID-19, early use of corticosteroids showed favorable clinical outcomes which were related to a reduction in the length of hospital stay.

Dendrite-free lithium (Li) has been the primary issue for the practical application of metallic Li anode. Repeated Li plating/stripping is known to inevitably lead to severe volume changes and gradual Li dendrite growth, eventually resulting in irreversible Li (called dead-Li) as an unexpected feature. In order to avoid the dead-Li, a lithiophilic surface is highly desirable and a nanoarchitectured host for metallic Li is also required. Herein, cobalt-embedded, mesoporous, nitrogen-doped graphite (N-doped graphite) is strategically proposed as a new innovative Li-metal storage host. After tuning the surface chemistry, the material shows high Li ion affinity as well as a highly lithiophilic surface, which is attributed to the low formation energy of N-doped graphite, strongly supported by density functional theory calculations. As a result, the desirable anode shows excellent electrochemical performance with high Li-metal reversible capacity and even stable long-term cyclability with no dead-Li formation. Our findings pave the way to optimize the Li-metal host up to the limit of the theoretical capacity.

van der Waals (vdW) layered materials have shown great potential for future optoelectronic applications owing to their unique and variable properties. In particular, two-dimensional layered materials enable the creation of various circuital building blocks via vertical stacking, e.g. the vertical p–n junction as a key one. While numerous stable n-type layered materials have been discovered, p-type materials remain relatively scarce. Here, we report on the study of multilayer germanium arsenide (GeAs), another emerging p-type vdW layered material. We first verify the efficient hole transport in a multilayer GeAs field-effect transistor with Pt electrodes, which establish low contact potential barriers. Subsequently, we demonstrate a p–n photodiode featuring a vertical heterojunction of a multilayer GeAs and n-type MoS2 monolayer, exhibiting a photovoltaic response. This study promotes that 2D GeAs is a promising candidate for p-type material in vdW optoelectronic devices.

Objective Early defibrillation is crucial for the survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This study aimed to examine the trends and associated factors regarding public awareness and willingness to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) through citywide surveys. Methods Three-round surveys were conducted in February 2012 (n=1,000), December 2016 (n=1,141), and December 2018 (n=1,001) among citizens in Daegu, South Korea, who were aged ≥19 years. The subjects were selected through a three-stage quota sampling. Awareness and willingness to use an AED were assessed in the three groups. The primary outcome was willingness to use AEDs. Results Of 3,142 respondents, 3,069 were eligible for analysis. The proportion of respondents who knew how to use AEDs increased from 4.7% in 2012 to 20.8% in 2018. Of the respondents in 2012, 2016, and 2018, 39.7%, 50.0%, and 43.2%, respectively, were willing to use an AED. Factors associated with willingness to use AEDs were male sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.75), cardiopulmonary resuscitation training experience in the previous 2 years (AOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.43-2.28), recognition of the Good Samaritan law (AOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13-1.86), and awareness of how to use an AED (AOR, 4.40; 95% CI, 3.26-5.93). Conclusion To increase willingness to use AEDs, education in AED use and the Good Samaritan law, along with re-education to maintain knowledge of AED use, should be considered.

Background. Timely treatment is important for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak may have caused delays in patient management. Therefore, we analyzed the prognosis and the time spent at the prehospital and hospital stages in managing patients diagnosed with AIS during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods. This retrospective study evaluated patients diagnosed with AIS in the emergency department (ED) at five medical centers in Daegu city between February 18 and April 17 each year from 2018 to 2020. Data on the patients’ clinical features and time spent on management were collected and compared according to COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 summaries. Results. From a total of 533 patients diagnosed with AIS, 399 patients visited the ED before COVID-19 and 134 during the COVID-19 outbreak. During the COVID-19 outbreak, compared with pre-COVID-19, AIS patients had poor National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores at the initial hospital visit (6 vs. 4, p = 0.013 ) and discharge (3 vs. 2, p = 0.001 ). During the COVID-19 outbreak, the proportion of direct visits to hospitals through public emergency medical services (EMS) increased, and the onset of symptoms-to-ED door time via the public EMS was delayed (87 min vs. 68 min, p = 0.006 ). Conclusions. The prognosis of AIS patients during the COVID-19 outbreak was worse than that of pre-COVID-19 patients with delays at the prehospital stage, despite the need for timely care.

Noncontact-mode-operating triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which directly avoid physical contact, are fascinating self-powered systems aimed at long-life operation and minimizing rubbing frict...

Vergence and accommodation responses of human vision are very important factors when a 3D image is observed, and a vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC) causes perceptual distortion, visual discomfort, and fatigue for an observer. Theoretically, a hologram is expected to provide a 3D image without such a conflict. In this article, natural focusing was verified by human accommodation response (A-R) measurement during on-axis analog reflection Denisyuk hologram observation. The A-R of a group of participants were measured for a real marker and its Denisyuk hologram at various visualization distances using an Nvision K5001 autorefractor. The experimental results statistically confirmed the equivalence of the responses to the Denisyuk hologram and its real counterpart, as well as the absence of a VAC.

Background The prognostic potential of Crohn-like lymphoid reaction (CLR) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) has been investigated through the assessment of different criteria. Methods The prognostic impact of CLR was investigated in 636 CRC patients to compare methods from previously published articles. These methods included CLR measured by number of lymphoid aggregates (LAs) (CLR count), LA size greater than or equal to 1 mm (CLR size), CLR density with a cutoff value of 0.38, and subjective criteria as defined by intense CLR. Results In univariate survival analysis, CLR-positive CRC as defined by the four aforementioned methods was associated with better overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.463; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.305 to 0.702; p < .001; HR, 0.656; 95% CI, 0.411 to 1.046; p = .077; HR, 0.363; 95% CI, 0.197 to 0.669; p = .001; and HR, 0.433; 95% CI, 0.271 to 0.690; p < .001, respectively) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR, 0.411; 95% CI, 0.304 to 0.639; p < .001; HR, 0.528; 95% CI, 0.340 to 0.821; p = .004; HR, 0.382; 95% CI, 0.226 to 0.645, p = .004; and HR, 0.501; 95% CI, 0.339 to 0.741; p < .001, respectively) than CLR-negative CRC, regardless of criteria with the exception of OS for CLR density. In multivariate analysis, two objective criteria (CLR count and CLR density) and one subjective criterion (intense CLR) for defining CLR were considered independent prognostic factors of OS and DFS in CRC patients. Conclusions CLR has similar traits regardless of criteria, but CLR-positivity should be defined by objective criteria for better reproducibility and prognostic value.

A superconducting joint of unreacted monofilament internal magnesium diffusion-processed magnesium diboride (MgB) wires was fabricated by exploiting the phenomenon of magnesium diffusion into the boron layer inside the superconducting joint. Unprecedentedly, the joint was able to carry an almost identical transport current compared to the bare wire in a 2-7 T magnetic field at 20 K. The joint also exhibited very low joint resistance of 2.01 × 10 Ω in self-field at 20 K. Among commercially available superconductors, this work is the first to successfully realize a superconducting joint that is capable of transferring current from one conductor to another without any notable degradation under strong magnetic fields. This work demonstrates great potential to apply MgB in a range of practical applications, where superconducting joints are essential.

We identified a novel 12 bp promoter that significantly increased transcription efficiency. Unlike the standard 20 bp promoter, which contains both recognition and initiation regions, the new promoter contains only a recognition region and is more suitable for diagnostic applications due to its smaller size. This promoter effectively produced different light-up RNA aptamers via transcription. Moreover, we used the promoter to analyze RNase H activity and achieved a detection limit of 0.009 U mL−1, which was significantly better than that achieved via previous methods. We propose that the new promoter may serve as a key component in various diagnostic applications.

The utilization of lithium (Li) metal is highly desirable, because it is the most attractive anode for high-energy Li batteries, even if there are problems with the unpredictable phenomena of dendritic growth and dead-Li during repeated plating-stripping. So far, the issue of branch-like uneven Li plating has still not been resolved. Recently, using a highly concentrated salt-electrolyte (lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl with a LiNO3 additive)) was recognized as the most straightforward approach, although its critical role still remains elusive. Herein, we investigated the overpotential of metallic Li anodes with electrolytes having different salt concentrations and verified the microscopic origins of Li growth, as observed by in situ optical microscopy. We argue that the high ionic conductivity of the electrolyte together with its solid-state interphase effectively suppresses the local potential and concentration gradients, resulting in highly dense dendrite-free Li plating, as supported by in-depth numerical analysis. Our findings provide clear insights that can pave the way to further improvements of the performance of Li metal anodes up to the theoretical limit (3860 mA h g−1).

Low-volume preparations for colonoscopy are gaining attention for their higher acceptability. However, the efficacy and safety of oral sulfate solution (OSS) preparations in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been well known. Therefore, we aimed to compare OSS and 2-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG+Asc) for bowel preparation in inactive UC.A multicenter, randomized, single-blind study was conducted at six tertiary referral hospitals in Korea. Outpatients with UC who had stable disease activity were randomly allocated to the OSS group or the 2-L PEG+Asc group for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. The study outcomes included treatment efficacy, safety, tolerability, and acceptability. Bowel cleansing was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale and rated as successful cleansing if the score was ≥6. Patient acceptance and tolerability were assessed using a 4-point ordinal scale. Additionally, disease activity and laboratory data before and after colonoscopy were evaluated to check for safety.The OSS and 2-L PEG+Asc groups included 92 and 93 participants, respectively. No significant between-group difference was noted in successful cleansing (OSS [96.7%] vs 2-L PEG+Asc [97.8%], p=0.64). Moreover, the safety, acceptance, and tolerability were not significantly different (all p0.05). Furthermore, no significant changes were found in serum electrolytes or disease activity in either group.OSS is effective for colonoscopy cleansing, has acceptable tolerability, and does not affect disease activity; thus, it can be used safely for bowel preparation in patients with inactive UC.

Despite the mental health and substance use burden among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Asia-Pacific, data on their associations with HIV clinical outcomes are limited. This cross-sectional study of PLHIV at five sites assessed depression and substance use using PHQ-9 and ASSIST. Among 864 participants, 88% were male, median age was 39 years, 97% were on ART, 67% had an HIV viral load available and 1000 copies/mL, 19% had moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, and 80% had ever used at least one substance. Younger age, lower income, and suboptimal ART adherence were associated with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. Moderate-to-high risk substance use, found in 62% of users, was associated with younger age, being male, previous stressors, and suboptimal adherence. Our findings highlight the need for improved access to mental health and substance use services in HIV clinical settings.