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Abstract Background Bortezomib is a standard treatment for multiple myeloma (MM), working by the accumulation of toxic misfolded proteins in cancer cells. However, a significant clinical challenge arises from the development of resistance to bortezomib in MM treatment. Aggresome, a subcellular structure enclosed within Vimentin, forms in response to proteasome inhibitors and sequesters misfolded proteins that are transported by histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and Dynein for degradation via autophagy, thereby reducing bortezomib’s cytotoxic effects. Therefore, in this study, we screened several anticancer agents to identify those that could synergize with bortezomib to enhance cell death and block aggresome formation in the MM cell line U266B1. Methods To enhance bortezomib’s efficacy, we screened a range of anticancer compounds for their potential to promote cell death and inhibit aggresome formation in U266B1 MM cells. We utilized the trypan blue exclusion assay and immunofluorescence for evaluation, and explored the underlying mechanisms through Western blot analysis. Results Doxorubicin enhanced bortezomib-induced cytotoxicity while inhibiting aggresome formation. Mechanistic studies revealed that doxorubicin downregulated key aggresome components, including Vimentin, HDAC6, and Dynein, leading to accumulation of misfolded proteins and augmentation of proapoptotic and necroptotic pathways by intensifying endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi stress responses. Notably, doxorubicin did not enhance cell death triggered by proteasome inhibitors that do not induce aggresome formation. Furthermore, the combination of bortezomib and doxorubicin failed to produce synergy in the killing of MM cell lines that lacked aggresome-forming ability. Conclusions Doxorubicin enhances bortezomib-induced cell death in MM by inhibiting aggresome formation and amplifying ER/Golgi stress and apoptosis. This study highlights the potential therapeutic benefits of combining bortezomib with doxorubicin for MM treatment. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The Mw 6.4 and 6.8 Guanshan-Chihshang earthquakes occurred on 17 and 18 September 2022 resulted in prominent surface ruptures within the Longitudinal Valley in eastern Taiwan, particularly along the Yuli fault. Approximately 18 h after the mainshock, we began to document the surface rupture near Yuli Town. Our result suggests the surface rupture formed a confined single left-lateral trace in the town of Yuli, characterized by a series of en échelon right-stepping left-lateral faulting geometry. The rupture of 2022 roughly matches the locations of 1951 surface ruptures inside Yuli Town, with a similar amount of left-lateral cross-fault displacement. North and South of the Yuli residential area, we identified several sections of the surface rupture distributed in the water-saturated paddy fields. The maximum left-lateral displacement recorded across the rupture can reach 1.4 m just south of Yuli, with the fault scarp resembling a high-angle west-dipping fault geometry. In addition to the co-seismic surface ruptures, our repeating cross-fault measurements show significant post-seismic shallow after-slip along the Yuli fault. The amount of post-seismic deformation within 3 months after the mainshock is close to, or even higher than the co-seismic cross-fault displacement, consistent with local witness accounts and post-event field photos which showed continuous damage and displacement of building floors and roads after the earthquake. Such shallow post-seismic slips were also observed along the main fault trace in the 2014 South Napa earthquake, and likely represent the shallow elastoplastic behavior of the sub-vertical fault in the young alluvial sediments.

Few population-based studies have looked at the risk of uveitis among syphilis patients. Our study addresses the knowledge gap by reporting on uveitis risk in syphilis patients through a retrospective cohort study. The Taiwan National Health Insurance database was used for this study, covering the period from January 1st, 2009, to December 31st, 2020. We created a 1:4 propensity score matched cohort between the syphilis patients and controls, which accounted for gender, age, and comorbidities. The primary endpoint was the incidence of newly recorded uveitis. The assessment of uveitis risk in syphilis patients included the use of the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. A total of 31,597 syphilis patients and 126,379 matched comparisons were recruited. The uveitis incidence rate from our syphilis patients was 1.25 per 1000 person-years. The uveitis incidence rate from our non-syphilis group was 0.8 per 1000 person-years. After matching, the syphilis group was found to have a higher risk of developing uveitis (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) [95% CI]: 1.57 [1.36–1.81], P

The assessment of electron transport layer (ETL) for rear-contact engineering of silicon (Si) based optoelectronics has been considered as one of the critical challenges that leverage the performance improvement and device reliability. In this work, the hybrid design of ETL, obtained from the solution-processed nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) incorporated with organic polyethylenimine (PEI) demonstrates the feasible contact characteristics for the modification of Si/Al contacts, which greatly facilitates the transport and collection of photoexcited electrons in the Si-based optoelectronics. The aspects of microstructures, functional groups, chemical features, interfacial characteristics and band structures of NCQD/PEI are explicated, visualizing that the evolution of interface dipoles mediated by the overall outcome of physisorption and chemisorption effects, modifies the surface potential difference and results in the explicit reduction of the Al work function from 4.3 eV for pristine Al to 3.23 eV based on the optimized constitutional design (0.10 % NCQD in PEI). These findings are practically employed on the Si-based hybrid solar cells at Si/Al interfaces, fulfilling the conversion-efficiency improvement by 30.9 % compared with reference cells without ETL employment, which are experimentally interpreted by the efficient electron transport across the Si/Al heterojunction and charge collection.

ABSTRACT Bacteroides fragilis is a Gram-negative commensal bacterium commonly found in the human colon, which differentiates into two genomospecies termed divisions I and II. Through a comprehensive collection of 694 B. fragilis whole genome sequences, we identify novel features distinguishing these divisions. Our study reveals a distinct geographic distribution with division I strains predominantly found in North America and division II strains in Asia. Additionally, division II strains are more frequently associated with bloodstream infections, suggesting a distinct pathogenic potential. We report differences between the two divisions in gene abundance related to metabolism, virulence, stress response, and colonization strategies. Notably, division II strains harbor more antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes than division I strains. These findings offer new insights into the functional roles of division I and II strains, indicating specialized niches within the intestine and potential pathogenic roles in extraintestinal sites.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the distinct functions of microbial species in the gut microbiome is crucial for deciphering their impact on human health. Classifying division II strains as Bacteroides fragilis can lead to erroneous associations, as researchers may mistakenly attribute characteristics observed in division II strains to the more extensively studied division I B. fragilis. Our findings underscore the necessity of recognizing these divisions as separate species with distinct functions. We unveil new findings of differential gene prevalence between division I and II strains in genes associated with intestinal colonization and survival strategies, potentially influencing their role as gut commensals and their pathogenicity in extraintestinal sites. Despite the significant niche overlap and colonization patterns between these groups, our study highlights the complex dynamics that govern strain distribution and behavior, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of these microorganisms.

Several plant-associated microbes synthesize the auxinic plant growth regulator phenylacetic acid (PAA) in culture; however, the role of PAA in plant-pathogen interactions is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of PAA during interactions between the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae strain PtoDC3000 (PtoDC3000) and the model plant host, Arabidopsis thaliana. Previous work demonstrated that indole-3-acetaldehyde dehydrogenase A (AldA) of PtoDC3000 converts indole-3-acetaldehyde (IAAld) to the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Here, we further demonstrated the biochemical versatility of AldA by conducting substrate screening and steady-state kinetic analyses, and showed that AldA can use both IAAld and phenylacetaldehyde as substrates to produce IAA and PAA, respectively. Quantification of auxin in infected plant tissue showed that AldA-dependent synthesis of either IAA or PAA by PtoDC3000 does not contribute significantly to the increase in auxin levels in infected A. thaliana leaves. Using available arogenate dehydratase (adt) mutant lines of A. thaliana compromised for PAA synthesis, we observed that a reduction in PAA-Asp and PAA-Glu is correlated with elevated levels of IAA and increased susceptibility. These results provide evidence that PAA/IAA homeostasis in A. thaliana influences the outcome of plant-microbial interactions.

Abstract Due to their unique photoelectric properties, nontoxic tin‐based perovskites are emerging candidates for efficient near‐infrared LEDs. However, the facile oxidation of Sn2+ and the rapid crystallization rate of tin‐based perovskites result in suboptimal film quality, leading to inferior efficiencies of tin‐based perovskite light‐emitting diodes (Pero‐LEDs). In this study, we investigate the influence of commonly used solvents on the quality of the CsSnI3 films. Remarkably, DMSO exhibits a stronger interaction with SnI2, forming a stable intermediate phase of SnI2·3DMSO. This intermediate effectively inhibits the oxidation of Sn2+ and slows down the crystallization rate, bringing in lower defect state density and higher photoluminescence quantum yield of the prepared perovskite films. Consequently, the corresponding Pero‐LEDs achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 5.6%, among the most efficient near‐infrared Pero‐LEDs. In addition, the device processes ultra‐low efficiency roll‐off and high reproducibility. Our research underscores the crucial role of solvent‐perovskite coordination in determining film quality. These findings offer valuable guidance for screening solvents to prepare highly efficient and stable tin‐based perovskites.

Background/purpose: To explore the clinical utility of the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) in the prediction of patients with poor treatment response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Methods: A total of 167 stage III-IVB (AJCC 7th edition) nasopharyngeal cancer patients who received CCRT were retrospectively collected. The SIRI was calculated using the following formula: SIRI = neutrophil count × monocyte count/lymphocyte count (109/L). The optimal cutoff values of the SIRI for noncomplete response were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors predictive of treatment response. We used Cox proportional hazards models to identify predictors of survival. Results: Multivariate logistic regression showed that only the posttreatment SIRI was independently associated with treatment response in locally advanced NPC. A posttreatment SIRI≥1.15 was a risk factor for developing an incomplete response after CCRT (odds ratio 3.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–9.08, p = 0.025). A posttreatment SIRI≥1.15 was also an independent negative predictor of progression-free survival (hazard ratio 2.38, 95% CI: 1.35–4.20, p = 0.003) and overall survival (hazard ratio 2.13, 95% CI: 1.15–3.96, p = 0.017). Conclusion: The posttreatment SIRI could be used to predict the treatment response and prognosis of locally advanced NPC.

IntroductionPatients with head and neck cancer may develop a second primary neoplasm (SPN) of the esophagus due to field cancerization. This study investigated the impacts of esophageal cancer screening using magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI) on the outcomes of hypopharyngeal cancer patients.MethodsPatients with hypopharyngeal cancer diagnosed from 2008 to 2021 in a tertiary hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Screening and surveillance using ME-NBI examination of the esophagus were divided into three patterns: (1) ME-NBI never performed or more than 6 months after diagnosis of index primary hypopharyngeal cancer, (2) ME-NBI within 6 months only, and (3) ME-NBI within 6 months and regular surveillance.ResultsA total of 261 were reviewed and 21 (8%) patients were in stage I, 20 (8%) in stage II, 27 (10%) in stage III, 116 (44%) in stage IVA, 65 (25%) in stage IVB, and 12 (5%) in stage IVC. Sixty-seven (26%) patients had SPN (50 esophagus, 10 oral cavity, 3 oropharynx, 2 nasopharynx, 1 larynx and 1 lung). Among esophageal SPN, 35 (70%) and 15 (30%) patients developed synchronous and metachronous neoplasia, respectively. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, advanced stages III and IV (compared with stages I and II, HR: 1.86, 1.18-2.95, p=0.008), ME-NBI examination of the esophagus received within 6 months and regular surveillance (HR: 0.53, 0.36-0.78, p=0.001) were independent factors affecting the overall survival of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.DiscussionOur findings demonstrated that screening and surveillance of esophageal SPN by ME-NBI improves the survival of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

ObjectiveTo explore the associations between the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and the risk of developing uveitis among cancer patients.MethodsCancer patients who received ICI therapy and a comparison group of cancer patients who did not receive ICI therapy were retrospectively recruited from the TriNetX electronic heath-record registry. The outcome of interest was the development of new-onset uveitis. Propensity score matching based on a 1:1 ratio was conducted in order to reduce bias. Multi-variate cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan Meier method were also utilized to assess for the risk of uveitis among cancer patients who received ICI therapy.Results71931 cancer patients (54.7% male; 76.5% white; mean age at index 63.6 ± 12.2 years) who received ICI treatment (ICI group) and 71931 cancer patients (54.7% male; 77% white; mean age at index 63.5 ± 12.4 years) who never received ICI (comparison group) were recruited. Associated Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly increased uveitis risk among the ICI group for all follow-up years (p

Background: In intensive care units, mechanical ventilation is an important therapy to help patients with dyspnea. However, long-term ventilator dependence would consume huge medical resources and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of the acupuncture combined with western medical care on ventilator parameters in ventilator-dependent patients. Methods: In this clinical trial, 80 ventilator-dependent patients aged 20 to 80 years old were randomly assigned to acupuncture group and control group in the respiratory care center (RCC) of Changhua Christian Hospital. Besides regular medical care and therapy, participants in the acupuncture group received acupuncture therapy at the same 17 acu-points for 20 minutes once a day, a total of 12 sessions. The ventilator parameters were recorded to evaluate the respiratory efficiency for all participants. The primary outcome was rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), and secondary outcomes were respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV) and ventilation per minute (MV), Results: Though there was no significant difference in the parameter between the acupuncture group and the control group, we found the trend of decreasing RSBI in the acupuncture group. In subgroup analyses, the mean of RSBI significantly decreased 16.02 (with the SD in 60.84) in acupuncture group, while it increased 17.84 (with the SD in 39.38) in control group (p=0.036) after 12 sessions. Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment can improve breathing ability of patients with respirator dependence in respiratory care center.

Abstract Highly sensitive, simple and reliable colorimetric probe for Cu2+-ion detection was visualized with the L-cysteine functionalized gold nanoparticle (LS-AuNP) probes. The pronounced sensing of Cu2+ with high selectivity was rapidly featured with obvious colour change that enabled to visually sense Cu2+ ions by naked eyes. By employing systemic investigations on crystallinities, elemental compositions, microstructures, surface features, light absorbance, zeta potentials and chemical states of LS-AuNP probes, the oxidation-triggered aggregation effect of LS-AuNP probes was envisioned. The results indicated that the mediation of Cu2+ oxidation coordinately caused the formation of disulfide cystine, rendering the removal of thiol group at AuNPs surfaces. These features reflected the visual colour change for the employment of tracing Cu2+ ions in a quantitative way.

Objectives To describe the occurrence of recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events within 3 years after a new-onset event, the associated disease burden and statin prescribing in patients with ASCVD in Taiwan.Design Retrospective cohort study.Setting This was a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database.Participants In total, 111 399, 133 538 and 21 572 patients who were hospitalised with diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), respectively, between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014.Primary and secondary outcome measures For each index and recurrent event, patients were observed for 12 months after admission to quantify risks of mortality, recurrent events, statin treatment and healthcare use.Results We identified 97 321, 120 914 and 14 794 patients with new-onset CHD, CBVD and PAD, respectively. The proportions of developing first, second and third recurrent events were 22.5%, 25.6% and 30.9% for CHD; 20.9%, 26.2% and 32.4% for CBVD and 40.2%, 41.4% and 43.6% for PAD, respectively. Most patients had the same type of ASCVD for their recurrent events as their new-onset event. The mortality rates increased with each recurrent event (p

Abstract Background To analyze clinical characteristics in the prediction of death within 1 year in advanced oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with chemoradiation. Methods One hundred forty-seven advanced oropharyngeal cancer patients who underwent curative-intent chemoradiation treatment were retrospectively enrolled. The pre-treatment clinical parameters including inflammatory markers were reviewed. Results The 1-year death rate for all patients was 29% [95% confidence interval (CI): 23–37%]. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, hemoglobulin (Hb)

Background: The presence of only morphologically poor embryos (MPEs) on day3 is common in autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF), particularly among p Tel: 886-7-7317123 Ext. 8916. Fax: 886-7-7322915.atients who have advanced maternal age or are poor responders. However, there are limited data regarding the disposition of embryos from patients who only produced MPEs on day3. The present study was designed to investigate the possible benefits of extended culturing MPEs. Try to detect whether the extended culture (day4 or day5 culture) can improve the live birth rate per cycle? Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center, cohort study examined 224 IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles between January 2010 and June 2015, in which women only produced MPEs on day3. A total of 544 MPEs were analyzed. The defines a day3 embryo as an MPE if it fails to develop to eight cells, blastomeres of equal size, and less than 20% cytoplasmic fragments. Of the 224 cycles, 89 (39.7%) underwent fresh embryo transfer on day3, and 135 (60.3%) underwent extended culture. Of the 135 extended cultures, 54 cycles (40.0%) experienced day4, or day5 embryo transfer, 16 cycles (11.9%) had all embryos frozen, and 65 cycles (48.1%) had total embryo arrest. Results: Analysis of patient baseline demographic data, cycle characteristics, and cycle outcomes for day3 transfer group and extended culture group indicated that a higher body mass index in the day3 transfer group was the only significant difference (p = 0.006). Both fresh transfer groups had low live birth rates (LBRs) (4.5% vs. 7.4% p = 0.46). After extended culture, 65 cycles (48.1%) were cancelled because the embryos exhibited developmental arrest and 70 cycles (51.9%) grew to day4 or day5. Thirteen frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles and 22 frozen blastocysts derived from MPEs were thawed. There were more high-quality embryos (p

Cadmium (Cd) is hazardous to human health because of its toxicity and long half-life of clearance. Many studies have explored the relationship between chronic Cd exposure and different human diseases. However, most of the studies limited the study targets of Cd toxicity to two or three organ systems. The goal of this study was to establish a mouse model of Cd accumulation in most organ systems and to particularly investigate the potential toxic effects of Cd to the cardiovascular system. Mice were divided into three groups: the control group, Cd-100 group, and Cd-200 group. In the control group, Cd was detected in the kidney, lung, liver, heart and urine but was undetectable in the aorta, intestine, thigh bone, spinal bone and serum. Upon chronic exposure in the Cd-100 and Cd-200 groups, Cd accumulated in all tissues, with a dramatic increase in concentration. We confirmed that Cd could accumulate significantly in the heart and aorta upon chronic exposure. This finding might help to explain the potential toxic effects of Cd on these organs. In addition, the calcium concentration in the bones and kidney declined when the exposure to Cd increased. This finding aligned with the negative effects of Cd on bony mineralization and the potential direct toxic effects of Cd on bones. The impacts of Cd on the cardiovascular system were explored. Histologically, chronic Cd exposure led to myocytes hypertrophy and myocardial architecture disarray in the Cd-100 group compared to those in the control group. Our research confirms that Cd can accumulate in all of the organs studied upon chronic exposure, and suggests that the toxicity of Cd accumulation may play important roles in mediating the pathophysiologic effects in these target organs, especially the bone and heart.

Abstract The promising hybrid photodetector design is realized through the incorporation of PEDOT:PSS layer with SiOx/Si nanowires (SiNWs), which went beyond the intrinsic limitation of band‐gap associated photosensing characteristics of conventional Si semiconductors toward revolutionarily turning into wavelength‐selective features. These can be interpreted by two determining effects. First, the effective trapping of incident lights with wavelength of 590 nm is evidenced on SiOx/SiNWs. Besides, the creation of interfacial potentials, arising from the positively charged PEDOT:PSS and negatively charged SiOx, manifested the reduction of electron density at PEDOT:PSS surfaces and in turn raised the work function. These features explicitly modulated the carrier‐transport characteristics at hybrid heterojunctions, which accounted for the suppression of photocurrents under light excitations with wavelengths of either 365 nm or 850 nm. The established photodetectors with optimal oxidation treatment resulted in the substantial improvement of both device responsivity and detectivity above 11 times beyond the PEDOT:PSS/SiNWs designs, which shed new light on practical applications of hybrid photodetectors.

The silky shark, Carcharhinus falciformis, is a cosmopolitan species commonly caught as a bycatch for longline fisheries. However, the genetic stock structure for the Indo-Pacific Ocean is not well-defined yet. Here, we used eight microsatellite loci to examine the genetic stock structure and effective population size of 307 silky sharks across 5 Indo-Pacific sampling locations. A major genetic break was found between Aceh and the remaining locations (FST = 0.0505-0.0828, p = 0.001). The Indian Ocean displayed a slightly lower effective population estimate (Ne) compared to the Pacific Ocean, potentially due to the higher fishing pressure in the Indian Ocean region. The lowest Ne was found in the Aceh population (Ne = 2.3), suggesting it might be a small and endemic population. These findings offer valuable information for the conservation and management of the silky shark. We suggest that the population around Aceh waters constitutes a distinct stock and should be managed independently. Further investigations into migratory and movement patterns are needed to define the boundaries of different stocks, ensuring effective management the silky shark across the Indo-Pacific region.

Abstract The importance of sun exposure on human health is well recognized, and a recent trend in the avoidance of sun exposure has led to the risk of missing the beneficial effects such as vitamin D3 biogenesis. Vitamin D3 insufficiency is one of the risk factors for the development of food allergies (FAs), and vitamin D3 status controls gut homeostasis by modulating the microbiota. This study aimed to explore the impact of daily full spectrum light exposure (phototherapy) on the pathogenesis of FAs. Phototherapy ameliorated allergic diarrhea and improved FA-associated vitamin D3 insufficiency and dysbiosis. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) of FA donor feces induced allergic diarrhea with OVA-specific IgE elevation in naïve mice. In contrast, FMT of naïve donor feces ameliorated allergic diarrhea in established FA mice, suggesting the involvement of the microbiota composition in FA. Phototherapy is an alternative approach for the prevention of FA-like allergic diarrhea through the modulation of vitamin D3 status and microbiota composition.

Abstract “Real-world” data on the nationwide epidemiology and treatment patterns of multiple sclerosis (MS) is very scarce in Asia. This study is aim to evaluate the 10-years trends in epidemiology and treatment patterns of MS with Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD). Patients aged 20 years or older and were newly diagnosed with MS between 2007 and 2016 were identified. The crude incidences of MS were presented annually and stratified by sex and age. Baseline characteristics and treatment patterns, particularly disease-modifying drugs (DMDs), were also analyzed. This study included 555 MS patients (mean age was 36.9 and 74.4% were female). The crude incidence rate of MS decreased slightly from 0.43 per 100,000 persons in 2007 to 0.24 per 100,000 persons in 2015. The female to male ratios remained mainly between 2 to 3. Approximately 80% of MS patients received initial DMDs, with interferon β-1a as the dominant one. Furthermore, 37.5% of MS patients received subsequent DMDs, with fingolimod being the most frequently used. The median times from diagnosis to initial and to subsequent DMDs were 77 and 1239 days, respectively. This nationwide study provides up-to-date and sophisticated estimates of MS epidemiology and treatment pattern in “real-world” setting in Taiwan.

Abstract Purpose of this letter was to explore the trends regarding methodological flaws of systematic review and meta-analyses (SRMAs) based on retraction notes in the past decades, and the categories of reasons for the retractions. Content analysis with descriptive statistics, Cochran Q test, and multinomial logistic regression were used. Based on 187 records of retracted SRMAs, retraction announcements can be categorized into academic ethical violation, methodological flaw, and writing or reporting problem. The numbers of academic ethical violation were significantly higher than those with methodological flaw (z = 3.51; p < 0.01) or writing problem (z = 8.58; p < 0.001). The numbers of methodological flaw were also higher than that with writing problem (z = 6.47; p < 0.001). Moreover, an increased proportion of methodological flaw was observed since 2006, and the retraction year was significantly associated with increased proportion of methodological flaw when academic ethical violation as the reference group.

Malignancies of the head and neck (HN) region and esophagus are among the most common cancers worldwide. Due to exposure to common carcinogens and the theory of field cancerization, HN cancer patients have a high risk of developing second primary tumors (SPTs). In our review of 28 studies with 51,454 HN cancer patients, the prevalence of SPTs was 12%. The HN area is the most common site of SPTs, followed by the lungs and esophagus, and 13% of HN cancer patients have been reported to have esophageal high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma. The prognosis of HN cancer patients with concomitant esophageal SPTs is poor, and therefore identifying esophageal SPTs as early as possible is of paramount importance for risk stratification and to guide the treatment strategy. Image-enhanced endoscopy, especially using narrow-band imaging endoscopy and Lugol’s chromoendoscopy, has been shown to improve the diagnostic performance in detecting esophageal neoplasms at an early stage. Moreover, the early detection and minimally invasive endoscopic treatment of early esophageal neoplasm has been shown to improve the prognosis. Well-designed prospective studies are warranted to establish appropriate treatment and surveillance programs for HN cancer patients with esophageal SPTs.

This study investigates the effects of visual mnemonics and the methods of presenting learning materials on learning visually similar characters for Chinese-as-second-language (CSL) learners. In supporting CSL learners to build robust orthographic representations in Chinese, addressing the challenges of visual similarity of characters (e.g., 理 and 埋) is an important issue. Based on prior research on perceptual learning, we tested three strategies that differ in the extent to which they promote interrelated attention to the form and meaning of characters: (1) Stroke Sequence, a form-emphasis strategy, (2) Key-images, a form + meaning strategy utilizing visual code, (3) Pithy Formulas with Key-images, a form + meaning strategy combining visual and verbal codes. A pretest–posttest equivalent-group design was adopted. The independent variables were the learning strategy, the method of presenting character pairs (visually similar vs. dissimilar), and testing time. The dependent variables were learners’ proportions of accurate responses to reading and writing Chinese characters through a posttest (immediately performed after learning) and a delayed posttest (1 week after learning); a learner experience survey was also administered to investigate learners’ opinions on each strategy. Sixty-six non-beginning learners of Chinese participated; they were randomly assigned to one of the two groups in which participants learned ten characters via the three strategies, respectively, differing between whether the characters were presented in similar pairs or dissimilar pairs. Data were analyzed via three-way ANCOVAs. The Pithy Formulas with Key-images and the Key-images generally yielded higher writing accuracy than Stroke Sequence immediately after learning. Notably, the advantage of the Pithy Formulas with Key-images (verbal and visual) over the Key-images (visual) on writing was specific to the participants that learned with visually similar pairs rather than those that learned with dissimilar pairs. All strategies were effective for reading, yet learners’ experience ratings favored the two form + meaning strategies over the strategy that focused primarily on form. Suggestions for future research and pedagogical implications on learning visually similar characters were offered.

Hot compress modalities are used to ameliorate pain despite prevalent confusion about which modality should be used and when. Most recommendations for hot compresses are based on empirical experience, with limited evidence to support its efficacy. To obtain insight into the nerve transmission mechanism of hot compresses and to identify the nerve injury marker proteins specifically associated with sciatic nerve pain, we established a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) and performed mechanical allodynia, electrophysiology, and histopathological analysis. All CCI rats exhibited geometric representation of the affected hind paw, which indicated a hyper-impact on both mechanical gait and asymmetry of gait on day 28. The CCI model after 28 days of surgery significantly reduced compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, but also significantly reduced latency. Administration of hot compress for 3 weeks (heated at 40–42°C, cycle of 40 min, and rest for 20 min, three cycles each time, three times per week) significantly increased the paw withdrawal thresholds in response to stimulation by Von Frey fibers and reversed the CCI-induced reduced sciatic functional index (SFI) scores. Hot compress treatment in the CCI model improved CMAP amplitude and latency. The S100 protein expression level in the CCI+Hot compression group was 1.5-fold higher than in the CCI group; it dramatically reduced inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and CD68 expression in nerve injury sites. Synaptophysin (Syn) expression in the CCI+Hot compression group was less than threefold in the CCI group at both nerve injury sites and brain (somatosensory cortex and hippocampus). This finding indicates that local nerve damage and inflammation cause significant alterations in the sensorimotor strip, and hot compress treatment could significantly ameliorate sciatic nerve pain by attenuating Syn and inflammatory factors from local pathological nerves to the brain. This study determines the potential efficacy and safety of hot compress, and may have important implications for its widespread use in sciatic nerve pain treatment.

Abstract Background Clinical guidelines for specific conditions fragment care provision for elders. The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) has developed a global standard set of outcome measures for comprehensive assessment of older persons. The goal of this study was to report value-based health metrics in Taiwan using this ICHOM toolset. Methods The cross-sectional study of baseline data excerpted from a prospective longitudinal cohort, which recruited people ≥65 years old with ≥3 chronic medical conditions between July and December 2018. All participants received measurements of physical performance, anthropometric characteristics, health-related behaviors, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The ICHOM toolset comprises three tiers: 1 includes frailty and having chosen a preferred place of death; 2 includes polypharmacy, falls, and participation in decision-making; and 3 includes loneliness, activities of daily living, pain, depression, and walking speed. These items were converted into a 0–10 point value-based healthcare score, with high value-based health status defined as ≥8/10 points. Results Frequencies of individual ICHOM indicators were: frail 11.7%, chose preferred place of death 14.4%, polypharmacy 31.5%, fell 17.1%, participated in decision-making 81.6%, loneliness 26.8%, limited activities of daily living 22.4%, pain 10.4%, depressed mood 13.0%, and slowness 38.5%. People with high disease burden (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21–0.76, p = 0.005) or cognitive impairment (OR 0.49, 95%CI 0.27–0.87, p = 0.014) were less likely to have high value-based healthcare status. Conclusions The ICHOM Standard Set Older Person health outcome measures provide an opportunity to shift from a disease-centric medical paradigm to whole person-focused goals. This study identified advanced age, chronic disease burden and cognitive impairment as important barriers to achieving high value-based healthcare status.

Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana is a species indigenous to Taiwan and has been used as a medicinal plant. It has been claimed that the hot water extracts of C. obtusa var. formosana leaves (CoLE) with flavonoids and proanthocyanidins have anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities in vitro. This study further examines the anti-hyperglycemic activity of CoLE and its possible mechanisms in hyperglycemic rats. Hyperglycemia of rats was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and high-fat diets (HFD). Hyperglycemic rats treated orally with 30 and 150 mg/kg CoLE were classified into LCO and HCO groups, respectively. After three-month treatment, both LCO and HCO groups showed improved glucose metabolism in oral glucose tolerance and postprandial blood glucose tests. Decrease in HOMA-IR, leptin and adiponectin levels of the HCO group revealed amelioration of insulin and leptin resistance. Obesity and accumulation of visceral fats induced by STZ and HFD could be alleviated in both HCO and LCO groups. These anti-diabetic effects might be contributed by inhibition of intestinal digested enzymes and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). Although other studies are necessary, these findings suggest that CoLE could be potentially used as a health complement for treating diabetes without significant toxicity.

Abstract Background Hyper-pulsatility of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the basic physical examination finding when there is outflow stenosis. The arm elevation test can also be utilized to detect outflow stenosis. If there is no significant outflow stenosis, the AVF should collapse, at least partially, because of the effect of gravity when the AVF-bearing arm is elevated to a level above that of the heart. However, if there is significant outflow stenosis, the portion of the AVF downstream of the stenosis will collapse, while the portion upstream of the stenosis will remain distended (Clin J Am Soc Nephro 8:1220-7, 2013). In our daily practice, when performing the arm elevation test, we not only observe the collapsibility of the access outflow but also palpate the outflow to identify a background thrill that sometimes disappears with the arm at rest, only to reappear when the arm is elevated. If there is no thrill upon arm elevation, we assume that the outflow stenosis is severe and refer to this condition as “physical examination significant outflow stenosis” (PESOS). The aim of this study is to characterize PESOS using percentage stenosis and Doppler flow parameters. Methods We performed a case-control study using data collected prospectively between June 2019 and December 2019. A pulse- and thrill-based score system was developed to assess the severity of AVF outflow stenosis. We recorded the outflow scores and Doppler measurements performed in 84 patients with mature fistulas over a 6-month period. Angiograms were reviewed to determine the severity of outflow stenosis, which was assessed by calculation of percentage stenosis. Results Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that a cutoff value of ≥74.44% stenosis discriminated PESOS from other AVF outflow scores, with an area under the curve of 0.9011. PESOS diagnosed cases with ≥75% outflow stenosis in an AVF, with a sensitivity of 80.39%, a specificity of 78.79%, a positive predictive value of 85.42%, and a negative predictive value of 72.22%. Conclusions PESOS can be used to diagnose ≥75% outflow stenosis in an AVF, with or without a significant collateral vein, and its diagnostic accuracy is high. The use of PESOS as an indicator for treatment implies that physical examination may represent a useful surveillance tool.

Abstract Background Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is a major global health issue around the world. There are approximately 15–20 million individuals infected with HDV worldwide. HDV infection usually causes increased mortality compared with infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) alone. However, testing for the detection of HDV is not widely available in Taiwan. Therefore, the General Biologicals Corporation (GB) HDV Ab kit was developed for detecting anti-HDV antibodies. Methods A total of 913 serum and 462 EDTA-treated plasma samples were obtained from HBsAg-positive individuals in three hospitals in Taiwan from June 2014 to November 2017. We used three commercially available ELISA kits, DiaPro HDV Ab, DiaSorin ETI-AB-DELTAK-2 and GB HDV Ab, which were utilized strictly according to the instructions of the manufacturers. Results A comparative study of the results from the GB HDV Ab kit and the other commercial ELISA kits (DiaPro and DiaSorin) was performed to determine their efficacy for anti-HDV detection. The results indicated that the sensitivity of the GB HDV Ab kit for serum and EDTA samples was 100% compared to that of the DiaPro and DiaSorin kits, whereas the specificity for serum and EDTA samples was 99.3 and 98.1%, respectively. In addition, the overall agreement of the results of the GB HDV Ab kit for the serum and EDTA samples was 99.3 and 98.3%, respectively. It is worth noting that the performance of the GB HDV Ab kit was not affected by interference from triglyceride, bilirubin, hemoglobin, or human anti-mouse antibody. The limit of detection of the GB HDV Ab kit is approximately 100-fold lower than that of the other two commercial kits. Conclusions The GB HDV Ab kit, which presented equivalent sensitivity and specificity compared to both certified anti-HDV kits, would be a suitable kit for HDV diagnosis in Taiwan.

Abstract Metal-assisted chemical etching (MaCE), a low-cost and versatile method was considered a promising technique for preparing silicon nanowires (SiNWs), yet the lack of well controlling the injected holes within Si might reduce the etching rate, create the unwanted sidewall etching, and degrade the structural uniformity. Herein, in this study, the bias-modulated MaCE process was performed, showing the etching rates more than four times of magnitude than that of typical bias-free MaCE with large-area uniformity. It was found that the field-mediated hole rectification overwhelmed the effect of retarded diffusivity from reactive ions, and thus the dynamics of distributed etching were therefore transferred to the directional etching behaviors. In addition, the etching orientation could be also manipulated with the external bias. The results demonstrated that the etching direction was switched toward the slanted features by varying the electric polarization, creating the special slanted/vertical NW arrays, which possessed the superior antireflection characteristics than the conventional vertically aligned features.

Background. To explore spotted temporal lobe necrosis (TLN) and changes in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Case presentation: a 57-year-old male was diagnosed with stage III NPC, cT1N2M0, in 2017. He underwent concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) with cisplatin (30 mg/m2) and 5- fluorouracil (5-FU, 500 mg/m2) plus IGRT with 70 Gy in 35 fractions for 7 weeks. The following MRI showed a complete response in the NPC. However, the patient suffered from fainting periodically when standing up approximately 3 years after CCRT. Neck sonography showed mild atherosclerosis (< 15%) of bilateral carotid bifurcations and bilateral small-diameter vertebral arteries, with reduced flow volume. The following MRI showed a 9 mm × 7 mm enhancing lesion in the right temporal lobe without locoregional recurrence, and TLN was diagnosed. The lesion was near the watershed area between the anterior temporal and temporo-occipital arteries. The volume of the necrotic lesion was 0.51 c.c., and the mean dose and Dmax of the lesion were 64.4 Gy and 73.7 Gy, respectively. Additionally, the mean dose, V45, D1 c.c. (dose to 1 ml of the temporal lobe volume), D0.5 c.c. and Dmax of the right and left temporal lobes were 11.1 Gy and 11.4 Gy, 8.5 c.c. and 6.7 c.c., 70.1 Gy and 67.1 Gy, 72.0 Gy and 68.8 Gy, and 74.2 Gy and 72.1 Gy, respectively. Conclusion. Spotted TLN in patients with NPC treated by IGRT may be difficult to diagnose due to a lack of clinical symptoms and radiological signs. Endothelial damage may occur in carotid and vertebral arteries within the irradiated area, affecting the small branches supplying the temporal lobe and inducing spotted TLN. Future research on the relationship between vessels and RT or CCRT and the development of TLN is warranted.

RuCo/acid-treated nickel foam (ANF) has been reported to be an excellent electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, we perform plasma treatment with Ar, Ar/H _2 (95:5), and Ar/O _2 (95:5) as working gases for surface modification to explore the effect on HER performance. The developed electrocatalysts are tested in an alkaline solution (1 M KOH); the results show that Ar/H _2 (95:5) plasma treatment significantly improves the electrocatalytic activity of RuCo/ANF, achieving an overpotential of 98 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm ^−2 . Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry analyses shSow a large reduction in the charge transfer impedance and a significant increase in the electric double-layer capacitance. This study provides a facile strategy to activate RuCo to improve HER performance.

Natural killer (NK) cells, as a potential source for off-the-shelf cell therapy, attack tumor cells with low risk of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Fcγ receptor IIIA, also known as CD16, further confers NK cells with antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), one mechanism of action of antibody-based immunotherapy. Here, we establish a novel human NK cell line, oNK-1, endogenously expressing CD16 along with high levels of NK activation markers and low levels of NK inhibitory markers. The long-term expansion and CD16 expression of oNK-1 cells were demonstrated. Furthermore, oNK-1 cells elicit superior cytotoxicity against cancer cells than primary NK cells. In conclusion, this study suggests that endogenous CD16-expressing oNK-1 has the potential to develop an effective NK-based therapy.

Abstract Background Developing a stroke health-education mobile app (SHEMA) and examining its effectiveness on improvement of knowledge of stroke risk factors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with stroke. Methods We recruited 76 stroke patients and randomly assigned them to either the SHEMA intervention (n = 38) or usual care where a stroke health-education booklet was provided (n = 38). Knowledge of stroke risk factors and HRQOL were assessed using the stroke-knowledge questionnaire and European Quality of Life–Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire, respectively. Results Sixty-three patients completed a post-test survey (the SHEMA intervention, n = 30; traditional stroke health-education, n = 33). Our trial found that patients’ mean knowledge score of stroke risk factors was improved after the SHEMA intervention (Mean difference = 2.83; t = 3.44; p = .002), and patients’ knowledge was also improved in the after traditional stroke health-education (Mean difference = 2.79; t = 3.68; p = .001). However, patients after the SHEMA intervention did not have significantly higher changes of the stroke knowledge or HRQOL than those after traditional stroke health-education. Conclusions Both the SHEMA intervention and traditional stroke health-education can improve patients’ knowledge of stroke risk factors, but the SHEMA was not superior to traditional stroke health-education. Trial registration NCT02591511 Verification Date 2015-10-01.

Abstract Background Pathogenic protozoans use extracellular vesicles (EVs) for intercellular communication and host manipulation. Acanthamoeba castellanii is a free-living protozoan that may cause severe keratitis and fatal granulomatous encephalitis. Although several secreted molecules have been shown to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba, the functions and components of parasite-derived EVs are far from understood. Methods Purified EVs from A. castellanii were confirmed by electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The functional roles of parasite-derived EVs in the cytotoxicity to and immune response of host cells were examined. The protein composition in EVs from A. castellanii was identified and quantified by LC-MS/MS analysis. Results EVs from A. castellanii fused with rat glioma C6 cells. The parasite-derived EVs induced an immune response from human THP-1 cells and a cytotoxic effect in C6 cells. Quantitative proteomic analysis identified a total of 130 proteins in EVs. Among the identified proteins, hydrolases (50.2%) and oxidoreductases (31.7%) were the largest protein families in EVs. Furthermore, aminopeptidase activities were confirmed in EVs from A. castellanii. Conclusions The proteomic profiling and functional characterization of EVs from A. castellanii provide an in-depth understanding of the molecules packaged into EVs and their potential mechanisms mediating the pathogenesis of this parasite.

Abstract Ternary ZnO/Cu2O/Si nanowire arrays with vertical regularity were prepared with all-solution processed method at low temperature. In addition to the detailed characterizations of morphologies and crystallographic patterns, the analyses of photoluminescence and photocurrents revealed the sound carrier separation owing from the established step-like band structures. By modeling the photodegradation process of the prepared heterostructures through kinetic investigations and scavenger examinations, the photocatalytic removal of MB dyes was found to follow the second-order kinetic model with reaction constant more than 15.3 times higher than bare Si nanowires and achieved 5.7 times and 3.4 times than ZnO/Si and Cu2O/Si binary heterostructures, respectively. Moreover, the highly stable photoactivity of ZnO/Cu2O/Si photocatalysts was evidenced from the repeated photodegradation tests, which demonstrated the robust photocatalytic efficiency after cycling uses. The facile synthesis along with in-depth mechanism study of such ternary heterostructures could be potential for practical treatment for organic pollutants. Keywords HeterostructurePhotocatalystSilicon nanowire arraysKinetic study

Bacteroides fragilis is a Gram-negative commensal bacterium commonly found in the human colon, which differentiates into two genomospecies termed divisions I and II. Through a comprehensive collection of 694 B. fragilis whole genome sequences, we identify novel features distinguishing these divisions. Our study reveals a distinct geographic distribution with division I strains predominantly found in North America and division II strains in Asia. Additionally, division II strains are more frequently associated with bloodstream infections, suggesting a distinct pathogenic potential. We report differences between the two divisions in gene abundance related to metabolism, virulence, stress response, and colonization strategies. Notably, division II strains harbor more antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes than division I strains. These findings offer new insights into the functional roles of division I and II strains, indicating specialized niches within the intestine and potential pathogenic roles in extraintestinal sites.ImportanceUnderstanding the distinct functions of microbial species in the gut microbiome is crucial for deciphering their impact on human health. Classifying division II strains as Bacteroides fragilis can lead to erroneous associations, as researchers may mistakenly attribute characteristics observed in division II strains to the more extensively studied division I B. fragilis. Our findings underscore the necessity of recognizing these divisions as separate species with distinct functions. We unveil new findings of differential gene prevalence between division I and II strains in genes associated with intestinal colonization and survival strategies, potentially influencing their role as gut commensals and their pathogenicity in extraintestinal sites. Despite the significant niche overlap and colonization patterns between these groups, our study highlights the complex dynamics that govern strain distribution and behavior, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of these microorganisms.

Light/matter interaction of low-dimensional silicon (Si) strongly correlated with its geometrical features, which resulted in being highly critical for the practical development of Si-based photovoltaic applications. Yet, orientation modulation together with apt control over the size and spacing of aligned Si nanowire (SiNW) arrays remained rather challenging. Here, we demonstrated that the transition of formed SiNWs with controlled diameters and spacing from the crystallographically preferred to orientation was realized through the facile adjustment of etchant compositions. The underlying mechanism was found to correlate with the competing reactions between the formation and removal of oxide at Ag/Si interfaces that could be readily tailored through the concentration ratio of HF to H2O2. By employing inclined SiNWs for the construction of hybrid solar cells, the improved cell performances compared with conventional vertical-SiNW-based hybrid cells were demonstrated, showing the conversion efficiency of 12.23%, approximately 1.12 times higher than that of vertical-SiNW-based hybrid solar cells. These were numerically and experimentally interpreted by the involvement of excellent light-trapping effects covering the wide-angle light illuminations of inclined SiNWs, which paved the potential design for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

This study determines the energy usage pattern for Penghu, which is an island in the Taiwan Strait, for which electricity is the major energy source. There is an increase in electricity consumption as the number of inhabitants and tourists increases. Water supply from desalination plants represents another major electricity demand. To reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, subsidy programs are used to encourage the use of LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances (air conditioners and refrigerators), but not for common appliances, such as chest freezers. Abundant solar radiation in summer and the northeast monsoon in autumn/winter make Penghu an ideal location to take advantage of solar energy and wind power. An undersea cable between Penghu and Taiwan is now available and can be used to stabilize the isolated grid system in Penghu. The target for a low-carbon island can be achieved by installing PV systems and onshore and offshore wind turbines to fulfill the energy demand for the tourism industry.

Mounting evidence suggests a connection between human parvovirus B19 (B19) and autoimmune diseases, and especially an association between the B19-VP1 unique region (VP1u) and anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS). However, little is known about the antigenicity of B19-VP1u in the induction of APS-like syndrome. To elucidate the antigenicity of B19-VP1u in the induction of APS, N-terminal truncated B19-VP1u (tVP1u) proteins were prepared to immunize Balb/c mice to generate antibodies against B19-tVP1u proteins. The secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) activities and binding specificity of mice anti-B19-tVP1u antibodies with cardiolipin (CL) and beta-2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) were evaluated by performing immunoblot, ELISA and absorption experiments. A mice model of passively induced APS was adopted. Although sPLA2 activities were identified in all B19-tVP1u proteins, only amino acid residues 61–227 B19-tVP1u exhibited a higher sPLA2 activity. Autoantibodies against CL and β2GPI exhibited binding activities with all B19-tVP1u proteins. IgG that was purified from mice that had been immunized with amino acid residues 21–227 to 121–227 B19-tVP1u proteins exhibited significantly higher binding activity with CL. IgG that was purified from mice that had been immunized with amino acid residues 21–227, 31–227, 82–227 and 91–227 B19-tVP1u proteins exhibited significantly higher binding activity with β2GPI. Accordingly, significantly higher binding inhibition of CL was detected in the presence of amino acid residues 61–227 and 101–227 B19-tVP1u. Significantly higher binding inhibition of β2GPI was detected in the presence of amino acid residues 21–227, 31–227, 82–227 and 91–227 B19-tVP1u. The mice that received amino acid residues 31–227 or 61–227 anti-tB19-VP1u IgG revealed significant thrombocytopenia and those that received amino acid residues 21–227, 31–227, 61–227, 71–227, 82–227, 91–227, 101–227 or 114–227 anti-tB19-VP1u IgG exhibited significantly prolonged aPTT. These findings provide further information concerning the role of B19-VP1u antigenicity in APS-like autoimmunity.

Abstract Highly uniformed decorations of Cu2O nanoparticles on the sidewalls of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) with high aspect ratio were prepared through a two-step electroless deposition at room temperature. Morphology evolutions and photocatalytic performance of SiNWs decorated with aggregated and dispersed Cu2O nanoparticles were unveiled, and the correlated photodegradation kinetics was identified. In comparison with the conventional direct loadings where the aggregated Cu2O/SiNW structures were created, the uniform incorporation of Cu2O with SiNWs exhibited more than three and nine times of improved photodegradation efficiency than the aggregated-Cu2O/SiNWs and sole SiNWs, respectively.

Metaheuristic algorithms are implemented to solve optimization problems and have recently received significant research attention. Metaheuristic algorithms rely primarily on two properties, exploration, and exploitation. Traditional metaheuristic algorithms use many weights (parameters) to balance these two properties to increase the chance of finding a better solution in limited cost and time. However, traditional algorithms have some problems. Exploration and exploitation are different abilities and restrict each other, therefore, traditional algorithms need many parameters and lots of costs to achieve the balance, and also need to adjust parameters for different optimization problems. Jaguar Algorithm (JA) has great abilities both in exploitation and exploration, is proposed to address these issues. First, JA attempts to find the optimal solution in the designated search area. It then uses history information to jump to a better area. JA can, therefore, determine the position of the global optimum. JA achieves strong exploitation and exploration with these features. Also, according to different problems, JA implements adaptive parameter adjustment. The self-analysis and experiment of this research demonstrate that each JA capability can have various positive effects, while the performance comparison demonstrates JAs superiority over traditional metaheuristic algorithms.

Abstract Background The 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases OsNCED4 was cloned from rice in conjunction with OsNCED 1-3 and 5, of which 3 has been shown to function in ABA biosynthesis and alteration of leaf morphology. In higher plants, NCEDs have been shown to be key enzymes controlling ABA biosynthesis and belong to a differentially expressed gene family. Aside from OsNCED3, it remains largely unknown if other OsNCED genes are involved in ABA biosynthesis in rice. Thus, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing OsNCED4 were generated in the 129B08/nced3 mutant background to explore OsNCED4 function in ABA biosynthesis. Results Heterologous expression of OsNCED4 in Arabidopsis increased ABA levels and altered plant size and leaf shape, delayed seed germination, caused sugar oversensitivity in post-germination growth, and enhanced tolerance to drought. The native OsNCED3 and OsNCED4 promoters were expressed in an overlapping pattern in rice seeds and young seedlings, suggesting possible functional redundancy between OsNCED3 and OsNCED4. At the one-leaf stage, similar regulation of OsNCED3 and OsNCED4 gene expression in roots or leaves in response to moderate salt stress (150 mM NaCl) was observed. Conclusion Like OsNCED3, OsNCED4 is functionally active in ABA biosynthesis in rice. OsNCED3 and OsNCED4 might play redundant roles in controlling ABA biosynthesis in rice, as suggested by GUS staining assay, but this should be further analyzed through complementation of rice NCED knockout mutants.

Here, we discuss the effects that the dynamics of the hydration layer and other variables, such as the tip radius, have on the availability of imaging regimes in dynamic AFM—including multifrequency AFM. Since small amplitudes are required for high-resolution imaging, we focus on these cases. It is possible to fully immerse a sharp tip under the hydration layer and image with amplitudes similar to or smaller than the height of the hydration layer, i.e., ~1 nm. When mica or HOPG surfaces are only cleaved, molecules adhere to their surfaces, and reaching a thermodynamically stable state for imaging might take hours. During these first hours, different possibilities for imaging emerge and change, implying that these conditions must be considered and reported when imaging.

Industry 4.0 has remarkably transformed many industries. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) architecture is important to enable an intelligent and connected manufacturing factory. SCADA is extensively used in many Internet of Things (IoT) applications, including data analytics and data visualization. Product quality management is important across most manufacturing industries. In this study, we extensively used SCADA to develop a cloud-based analytics module for production quality predictive maintenance (PdM) in Industry 4.0, thus targeting textile manufacturing processes. The proposed module incorporates a complete knowledge discovery in database process. Machine learning algorithms were employed to analyze preprocessed data and provide predictive suggestions for production quality management. Equipment data were analyzed using the proposed system with an average mean-squared error of ~0.0005. The trained module was implemented as an application programming interface for use in IoT applications and third-party systems. This study provides a basis for improving production quality by predicting optimized equipment settings in manufacturing processes in the textile industry.

Two triazine-based dendrimers with peripheral 1,3,5-triamidobenzene (1-3-5-TAB) functionality were prepared, and their void spaces in the bulk solid were investigated. We examined dendrimers of three core lengths and determined the one with the longest core exhibits the largest void space because the peripheral amides were not imbedded in the internal space of each dendritic molecule. The new dendrimers as solids were observed to adsorb volatile organic chemicals efficiently. Importantly, because the dendrimers are soluble in organic solvents, the adsorbed VOCs can be quantified by 1H-NMR spectroscopy by choosing a chemical shift (δ) of dendrimers as the internal standard to exclude interfering impurity signals, a much simpler and more efficient protocol than the traditional GC technique for the VOC quantification. One dendrimer was found to adsorb 24 equivalents of pyridine, so its adsorption capacity is equivalent to 946.2 mg/g. This is a more than 2-fold increase than the reported values by other porous materials.

MepS is a peptidoglycan (PG) cross-link specific hydrolase needed for cell wall expansion and its cellular levels must be tightly regulated. Here the authors present the structure of the MepS degrading protease Prc bound to its adaptor NlpI and propose a model how the NlpI-Prc complex mediates MepS degradation.

Abstract Facile, effective and reliable etching technique for the formation of uniform silicon (Si) nanowire arrays were realized through the incorporation of back substrates with metal-assisted chemical etching (MaCE). In comparison with conventional MaCE process, a dramatic increase of etching rates upon MaCE process could be found by employing the conductive back substrates on p-type Si, while additionally prevented the creation of nanopores from catalytic etching reaction. Examinations on the involving etching kinetics, morphologies, wetting behaviors and surface structures were performed that validated the role of back substrates upon MaCE process. It was found that the involved two pathways for the extraction of electrons within Si favored the localized oxidation of Si at Si/Ag interfaces, thereby increasing the etching rate of MaCE process. This back-substrate involved MaCE could potentially meet the practical needs for the high-yield formation of Si nanowire arrays.

Evidence has indicated that viral infection increases the risk of developing asthma. Although the association of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) or human bocavirus (HBoV) with respiratory diseases has been reported, little is known about the influence of the B19V-VP1u and HBoV-VP1u proteins on the symptoms of asthma. Herein, we investigated the systemic influence of subcutaneously injected B19V-VP1u and HBoV-VP1u recombinant proteins in an OVA-sensitized asthmatic mouse model. A significantly higher Penh ratio and IgE level were detected in the serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the supernatant of a lymphocyte culture from mice treated with HBoV-VP1u or B19V-VP1u than in a lymphocyte culture from OVA-sensitized mice. Significantly higher levels of serum and BALF IgE, total IgG, IgG1, OVA-specific IgE and OVA-specific IgG1 were detected in mice treated with HBoV-VP1u or B19V-VP1u than in OVA-sensitized mice. Conversely, a significantly lower IgG2a level was detected in mice from the HBoV-VP1u or B19V-VP1u groups than in mice from the OVA group. The mice treated with HBoV-VP1u or B19V-VP1u exhibited more significant lung inflammatory indices, including elevated serum and BALF IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 levels; BALF lymphocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil counts, MMP-9 and MMP-2 activity; and the amount of lymphocyte infiltration, relative to those in the control mice or in those sensitized with OVA. These findings demonstrate that the subcutaneous injection of HBoV-VP1u or B19V-VP1u proteins in OVA-sensitized mice result in elevated asthmatic indices and suggest that human parvoviruses may increase the risk of developing airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma.