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Hydrogen refueling stations play a pivotal role in advancing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of these stations is crucial for their safe and efficient operation. This study proposes a hybrid metrology evaluation system for the comprehensive cross-validation of hydrogen refueling stations. The system combines experimental measurements with computational models to thoroughly assess the stations' performance. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the precision, accuracy, and reliability of hydrogen refueling stations and to identify potential uncertainties or sources of error in measurements. Six refueling experiments were conducted, varying the refueling pressure from 476 bar to 735 bar and the refueling rate from 0.601486 kg/min to 0.702694 kg/min. The maximum refueling capacity was determined to be approximately 6.3 kg, based on the specifications of the NEXO vehicle.Throughout the experiments, data on critical parameters such as pressure, weight, and flow rate were collected. These data were meticulously analyzed and compared with expected values derived from computational models. The results convincingly demonstrate that the hybrid metrology evaluation system offers a robust and precise evaluation of hydrogen refueling stations. The system adeptly identifies discrepancies between experimental measurements and computational models, facilitating the correction of potential measurement errors.This study contributes significantly to the enhancement of metrological cross-validation techniques for hydrogen refueling stations, ensuring their precision and dependability. The study findings can inform the development of standardized metrological protocols and guidelines for the certification and calibration of hydrogen refueling stations. By establishing accurate and dependable metrological validation methods, the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be expedited, promoting a sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.

Abstract Peritoneal metastases (PM) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a dismal prognosis. Identifying and exploiting new biomarkers, signatures, and molecular targets for personalised interventions in the treatment of PM in CRC is imperative. We conducted transcriptomic profiling using RNA-seq data generated from the primary tissues of 19 CRC patients with PM. Using our dataset established in a previous study, we identified 1422 differentially expressed genes compared to non-metastatic CRC. The profiling demonstrated no differential expression in liver and lung metastatic CRC. We selected 12 genes based on stringent criteria and evaluated their expression patterns in a validation cohort of 32 PM patients and 84 without PM using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We selected cartilage intermediate layer protein 2 (CILP2) because of high mRNA expression in PM patients in our validation cohort and its association with a poor prognosis in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis in our validation cohort demonstrated that CRC patients with high CILP2 expression had significantly poor survival outcomes. Knockdown of CILP2 significantly reduced the proliferation, colony-forming ability, invasiveness, and migratory capacity and downregulated the expression of molecules related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HCT116 cells. In an in vivo peritoneal dissemination mouse knockdown of CILP2 also inhibited CRC growth. Therefore, CILP2 is a promising biomarker for the prediction and treatment of PM in CRC.

Background/Aims: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori-naive status is increasing. Nonetheless, biennial gastroscopy is recommended for all Koreans aged 40 to 75 years. This study aimed to determine whether gastric cancer screening guidelines could be changed according to H. pylori infection status and year of birth. Methods: Koreans who underwent serum assays and gastroscopy for gastric cancer screening between 2010 and 2016 were included if screening tests were followed up for ≥3 times. H. pylori infection was confirmed when invasive tests or 13C-urea breath tests were positive. In the case of negative test findings, eradication history, serologically detected atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia/atrophy were checked for past infection. If all were absent, H. pylori-naive status was confirmed. Results: Two-thousand and two (256 H. pylori-naive, 743 past-infected, and 1,003 infected) Koreans underwent screening tests for 95.5±28.4 months. The mean year of birth in the naive group (1969±7) differed from those of the past-infected (1957±10, p

Influenza A virus causes numerous deaths and infections worldwide annually. Therefore, we have considered nanobodies as a potential treatment for patients with severe cases of influenza. We developed a nanobody that was expected to have protective efficacy against the A/California/04/2009 (CA/04; pandemic 2009 flu strain) and evaluated its therapeutic efficacy against CA/04 in mice experiments. This nanobody was derived from the immunization of the alpaca, and the inactivated CA/04 virus was used as an immunogen. We successfully generated a nanobody library through bio-panning, phage ELISA, and Bio-layer interferometry. Moreover, we confirmed that administering nanobodies after lethal doses of CA/04 reduced viral replication in the lungs and influenza-induced clinical signs in mice. These research findings will help to develop nanobodies as viral therapeutics for CA/04 and other infectious viruses.

Abstract Plasma metabolomics profiling is an emerging methodology to identify metabolic pathways underlying cardiovascular health (CVH). The objective of this study was to define metabolomic profiles underlying CVH in a cohort of Black adults, a population that is understudied but suffers from disparate levels of CVD risk factors. The Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular (MECA) Center for Health Equity study cohort consisted of 375 Black adults (age 53 ± 10, 39% male) without known CVD. CVH was determined by the AHA Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) score, calculated from measured blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol, and self-reported physical activity, diet, and smoking. Plasma metabolites were assessed using untargeted high-resolution metabolomics profiling. A metabolome wide association study (MWAS) identified metabolites associated with LS7 score after adjusting for age and sex. Using Mummichog software, metabolic pathways that were significantly enriched in metabolites associated with LS7 score were identified. Metabolites representative of these pathways were compared across clinical domains of LS7 score and then developed into a metabolomics risk score for prediction of CVH. We identified novel metabolomic signatures and pathways associated with CVH in a cohort of Black adults without known CVD. Representative and highly prevalent metabolites from these pathways included glutamine, glutamate, urate, tyrosine and alanine, the concentrations of which varied with BMI, fasting glucose, and blood pressure levels. When assessed in conjunction, these metabolites were independent predictors of CVH. One SD increase in the novel metabolomics risk score was associated with a 0.88 higher LS7 score, which translates to a 10.4% lower incident CVD risk. We identified novel metabolomic signatures of ideal CVH in a cohort of Black Americans, showing that a core group of metabolites central to nitrogen balance, bioenergetics, gluconeogenesis, and nucleotide synthesis were associated with CVH in this population.

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are intriguing as a matrix for plasmonic metasurfaces made of gold nanorods (GNRs) because of their distinctive properties, including renewability, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and low cost. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to precisely regulate the positioning and orientation of CNCs on the substrate in a consistent pattern. In this study, CNCs and GNRs, which exhibit tunable optical and anti-icing capabilities, are employed to manufacture a uniform plasmonic metasurface using a drop-casting technique. Two physical phenomena—(i) spontaneous and rapid self-dewetting and (ii) evaporation-induced self-assembly—are used to accomplish this. Additionally, we improve the CNC-GNR ink composition and determine the crucial coating parameters necessary to balance the two physical mechanisms in order to produce thin films without coffee rings. The final homogeneous CNC-GNR film has consistent annular ring patterns with plasmonic quadrant hues that are properly aligned, which enhances plasmonic photothermal effects. The CNC-GNR multi-array platform offers above-zero temperatures on a substrate that is subcooled below the freezing point. The current study presents a physicochemical approach for functional nanomaterial-based CNC control.

Background/Aims: Although an association between achalasia and esophageal cancer has been reported, whether achalasia confers a substantial increase in mortality is unknown. Moreover, the causes of death related to achalasia have not been investigated. We performed this nationwide, population-based cohort study on achalasia because no such study has been performed since the introduction of high-resolution manometry in 2008. Methods: This study was performed using data extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, covering a 9-year period from 2009 to 2017. Control participants without a diagnostic code for achalasia were randomly selected and matched by sex and birth year at a case-to-control ratio of 1:4. Data on the cause of death from Statistics Korea were also analyzed. Results: The overall incidence of achalasia was 0.68 per 100,000 person-years, and the prevalence was 6.46 per 100,000 population. Patients with achalasia (n=3,063) had significantly higher adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for esophageal cancer (aHR, 3.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 9.22; p=0.017), pneumonia (aHR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.89 to 2.81; p

Abstract Over the past half-century, there has been an increasing trend in the magnitude and duration of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) attributable to the significant warming trend in the Western Pacific (WP). The MJO, bridging weather and climate, influences global and regional climate through atmospheric teleconnections, and climate models can predict it for up to 4–5 weeks. In this study, we use deep learning (DL) methods to investigate the predictability of the MJO-related western Pacific precipitation on a multi-month time scale (5–9 weeks). We examine numerous potential predictors across the tropics, selected based on major MJO theories and mechanisms, to identify key factors for long-term MJO prediction. Our results show that DL-based useful potential predictability of the WP precipitation can be extended up to 6–7 weeks, with a correlation coefficient skill ranging from 0.60 to 0.65. Observational and heat map analysis suggest that cooling anomalies in the central Pacific play a crucial role in enhancing westerly anomalies over the Indian Ocean and warming in the WP, thereby strengthening the Walker circulation in the equatorial Pacific. In addition, the predictability of WP precipitation is higher in La Nina years than in El Nino or normal years, suggesting that mean cooling in the central Pacific may contribute to increased predictability of the MJO-related WP precipitation on the multi-month time scale. Additional model experiments using observed sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the central Pacific confirmed that these anomalies contribute to enhanced MJO-related convective anomalies over the WP. The study highlights that DL is a valuable tool not only for improving MJO-related WP prediction but also for efficiently exploring potential mechanisms linked to long-term predictability.

Abstract Hearing impairment, the third largest health burden worldwide, currently lacks definitive treatments or preventive drugs. This study compared the effects of hydrophilic and lipophilic statin on hearing loss using a common database model. This retrospective multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in South Korea (Anam, Guro, Ansan). We enrolled patients with hyperlipidemia with an initial hearing loss diagnosis. Data were collected during January 1, 2022–December 31, 2021 using the Observational Health Data Science and Informatics open-source software and Common Data Model database. The primary outcome was the occurrence of first-time hearing loss following a hyperlipidemia diagnosis, as documented in the Common Data Model cohort database. The measures of interest were hearing loss risk between hydrophilic and lipophilic statin use. Variables were compared using propensity score matching, Cox proportional regression, and meta-analysis. Among 37,322 patients with hyperlipidemia, 13,751 (7669 men and 6082 women) and 23,631 (11,390 men and 12,241 women) were treated with hydrophilic and lipophilic statins, respectively. After propensity score matching, according to the Kaplan–Meier curve, hearing loss risk did not significantly differ among the hospitals. The hazard ratio (HR) of the male patients from Anam (0.29, [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.05–1.51]), Guro (HR, 0.56, [95% CI 0.18–1.71]), and Ansan (hazard ratio, 0.29, [95% CI 0.05–1.51]) hospitals were analyzed using Cox proportional regression. Overall effect size (HR, 0.40, [95% CI 0.18–0.91]) was estimated using meta-analysis, which indicated that hearing loss risk among hydrophilic statin users was less than that among lipophilic statin users and was statistically significant. Men in the hydrophilic statin group had a lower risk of hearing impairment than those in the lipophilic statin group.

In this paper, a nonlinear simulation block for a fish robot was designed using MATLAB Simulink. The simulation block incorporated added masses, hydrodynamic damping forces, restoring forces, and forces and moments due to dorsal fins, pectoral fins, and caudal fins into six-degree-of-freedom equations of motion. To obtain a linearized model, we used three different nominal surge velocities (i.e., 0.2 m/s, 0.4 m/s, and 0.6 m/s). After obtaining output responses by applying pseudo-random binary signal inputs to a nonlinear model, an identification tool was used to obtain approximated linear models between inputs and outputs. Utilizing the obtained linearized models, two-degree-of-freedom proportional, integral, and derivative controllers were designed, and their characteristics were analyzed. For the 0.4 m/s nominal surge velocity models, the gain margins and phase margins of the surge, pitch, and yaw controllers were infinity and 69 degrees, 26.3 dB and 85 degrees, and infinity and 69 degrees, respectively. The bandwidths of surge, pitch, and yaw control loops were determined to be 2.3 rad/s, 0.17 rad/s, and 2.0 rad/s, respectively. Similar characteristics were observed when controllers designed for linear models were applied to the nonlinear model. When step inputs were applied to the nonlinear model, the maximum overshoot and steady-state errors were very small. It was also found that the nonlinear plant with three different nominal surge velocities could be controlled by a single controller designed for a linear model with a nominal surge velocity of 0.4 m/s. Therefore, controllers designed using linear approximation models are expected to work well with an actual nonlinear model.

Abstract Background Early‐onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) has been increasing in incidence worldwide but its genomic pathogenesis is mostly undetermined. This study aimed to identify robust EOCRC‐specific gene expression patterns in non‐familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and non‐hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC) EOCRC. Method We first performed gene expression profiling analysis using RNA sequencing of discovery cohort comprised of 49 EOCRC (age 70) specimens. To obtain robust gene expression data from this analysis, we validated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through TCGA cohort (EOCRC:59 samples, LOCRC:229 samples) and our validation cohort (EOCRC:72 samples, LOCRC:43 samples) using real‐time RT‐PCR. After the validation of DEGs, we validated the selected gene at protein levels using Western blotting. To identify whether genomic methylation regulates the expression of a particular gene, we selected methylation sites using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets and validated them by pyrosequencing in our validation cohort. Results The EOCRC patients included in this study had significantly more prominent family history of cancer than the LOCRC patients (23 [46.9%] vs. 13 [26%], p = 0.050). Alanyl aminopeptidase (ANPEP) was significantly downregulated in the EOCRC tissues (FC = 1.78, p = 0.0007) and was also commonly downregulated in the TCGA cohort (FC = −1.08, p = 0.0021). Moreover, the ANPEP mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly downregulated in the EOCRC tissues of our validation cohort (p = 0.037 and 0.027). In comparisons of the normal and tumor tissues in public datasets, the ANPEP level was significantly lower in the tumor tissue in the TCGA dataset (p

Abstract Objectives Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, with the highest incidence and mortality regardless of sex. Despite technological advances in diagnosing and treating gastric cancer, GC still has high incidence and mortality rates. Therefore, continuous research is needed to overcome GC. In various studies, cell lines are used to find and verify the cause of specific diseases. Large-scale genomic studies such as ENCODE and Roadmap epigenomic projects provide multiomics data from various organisms and samples. However, few multi-omics data for gastric tissues and cell lines have been generated. Therefore, we performed RNA-seq, Exome-seq, and ChIP-seq with several gastric cell lines to generate a multi-omics data set in gastric cancer. Data description Multiomic data, such as RNA-seq, Exome-seq, and ChIP-seq, were produced in gastric cancer and normal cell lines. RNA-seq data were generated from nine GC and one normal gastric cell line, mapped to a human reference genome (hg38) using the STAR alignment tool, and quantified with HTseq. Exome sequence data were produced in nine GC and two normal gastric lines. Sequenced reads were mapped and processed using BWA-MEM and GATK, variants were called by stralka2, and annotation was performed using ANNOVAR. Finally, for the ChIP-seq, nine GC cell lines and four GC cell lines were used in two experimental sets; chip-seq was performed to confirm changes in H3K4me3 and H3K27me3. Data was mapped to human reference hg38 with BWA-MEM, and peak calling and annotation were performed using the Homer tool. Since these data provide multi-omics data for GC cell lines, it will be useful for researchers who use the GC cell lines to study.

Background: Acute psychological stress can provoke mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI) in coronary artery disease (CAD). Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) is released in response to hypoxia, and higher levels of SDF1 are associated with adverse outcomes. We examined whether an increase in SDF1 level in response to mental stress predicts adverse outcomes in CAD patients. Methods: A total of 554 patients with stable CAD (mean age 63 years; 76% male; 26% Black) underwent standardized mental stress testing. Plasma SDF1 levels were measured at rest and 90 minutes after mental stress, and MSIMI was evaluated by 99mTc-sestamibi perfusion imaging. Participants were followed for 5 years for the primary endpoint of composite of death and myocardial infarction (MI) and the secondary endpoint of composite of death, MI, and heart failure hospitalization. Cox hazard models were used to assess the association between SDF1 change and incident adverse events. Results: Mean (standard deviation) SDF1 change with mental stress was +56.0 (230) pg/mL. During follow-up, a rise of 1 standard deviation in SDF1 with mental stress was associated with a 32% higher risk for the primary endpoint of death and MI (95% confidence interval, 6%-64%), independent of the resting SDF1 level, demographic and clinical risk factors, and presence of ischemia. A rise of 1 standard deviation in SDF1 was associated with a 33% (95% confidence interval, 11%-59%) increase in the risk for the secondary endpoint, independent of the resting SDF1 level, demographic, and clinical risk factors and presence of ischemia. Conclusions: An increase in SDF1 level in response to mental stress is associated with a higher risk of adverse events in stable CAD, independent of MSIMI. Résumé: Contexte: Un stress psychologique aigu peut provoquer une ischémie myocardique induite par le stress mental chez les patients atteints d’une coronaropathie. Le facteur dérivé des cellules stromales de type 1 (SDF1) est libéré en réponse à une hypoxie, et des taux accrus de SDF1 sont associés à des résultats défavorables. Nous avons examiné si une élévation des taux de SDF1 en réponse à un stress mental permettait de prévoir la survenue de résultats défavorables chez des patients atteints d’une coronaropathie. Méthodologie: Au total, 554 patients présentant une coronaropathie stable (âge moyen de 63 ans; 76 % d’hommes; 26 % de patients de race noire) ont subi une évaluation standardisée du stress mental. Les taux plasmatiques de SDF1 ont été mesurés au repos et 90 minutes après un stress mental, et l’ischémie myocardique induite par le stress mental a été évaluée par imagerie avec injection de Tc-99m sestamibi. Les participants ont fait l’objet d’un suivi pendant cinq ans afin de surveiller la survenue des événements constituant le paramètre d’évaluation principal composé (décès et infarctus du myocarde [IM]) et le paramètre d’évaluation secondaire composé (décès, IM et hospitalisation en raison d’une insuffisance cardiaque). Des modèles de Cox ont été utilisés pour évaluer le lien entre la modification des taux de SDF1 et les événements indésirables susceptibles de survenir. Résultats: La variation moyenne du taux de SDF1 (écart-type) associée au stress mental a été de +56,0 (230) pg/ml. Pendant le suivi, une augmentation de 1 écart-type du taux de SDF1 en raison du stress mental a été associée à un risque 32 % plus élevé de survenue de l’un des événements constituant le paramètre d’évaluation principal (décès et IM) [intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % : 6 % à 64 %], indépendamment du taux de SDF1 au repos, des caractéristiques démographiques, des facteurs de risque clinique et de la présence d’une ischémie. Une augmentation de 1 écart-type du taux de SDF1 a été associée à un risque 33 % plus élevé (IC à 95 % : 11 % à 59 %) de survenue de l’un des événements constituant le paramètre d’évaluation secondaire, indépendamment du taux de SDF1 au repos, des caractéristiques démographiques, des facteurs de risque clinique et de la présence d’une ischémie. Conclusions: Une augmentation du taux de SDF1 en réponse à un stress mental est associée à une augmentation du risque d’événements indésirables chez les patients atteints d’une coronaropathie stable, indépendamment de la présence d’une ischémie myocardique induite par le stress mental.

Abstract Background Increased glucose level and insulin resistance are major factors in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2M), which is chronic and debilitating disease worldwide. Submerged culture medium of Ceriporia lacerata mycelium (CLM) is known to have glucose lowering effects and improving insulin resistance in a mouse model in our previous studies. The main purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the functional efficacy and safety of CLM in enrolled participants with impaired fasting blood sugar or mild T2D for 12 weeks. Methods A total of 72 participants with impaired fasting blood sugar or mild T2D were participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. All participants were randomly assigned into the CLM group or placebo group. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-IR by C-peptide were used to assess the anti-diabetic efficacy of CLM for 12 weeks. Results In this study, the effectiveness of CLM on lowering the anti-diabetic indicators (C-peptide levels, insulin, and FBG) was confirmed. CLM significantly elicited anti-diabetic effects after 12 weeks of ingestion without showing any side effects in both groups of participants. After the CLM treatment, FBG levels were effectively dropped by 63.9% (ITT), while HOMA-IR level in the CLM group with FBG > 110 mg/dL showed a marked decrease by 34% up to 12 weeks. Remarkably, the effect of improving insulin resistance was significantly increased in the subgroup of participants with insulin resistance, exhibiting effective reduction at 6 weeks (42.5%) and 12 weeks (61%), without observing a recurrence or hypoglycemia. HbA1c levels were also decreased by 50% in the participants with reduced indicators (FBG, insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-IR). Additionally, it is noteworthy that the levels of insulin and C-peptide were significantly reduced despite the CLM group with FBG > 110 mg/dL. No significant differences were detected in the other parameters (lipids, blood tests, and blood pressure) after 12 weeks. Conclusion The submerged culture medium of CLM showed clinical efficacy in the improvement of FBG, insulin, C-peptide, HbAc1, and HOMA-index. The microbiome-based medium could benefit patients with T2D, FBG disorders, or pre-diabetes, which could guide a new therapeutic pathway in surging the global diabetes epidemic.

Summary: To gain deeper insights into transcriptomes and epigenomes of organoids, liver organoids from two states (expandable and more differentiated) were subjected to single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) and single-cell ATAC-seq (scATAC-seq) analyses. Mitochondrial gene expression was higher in differentiated than in non-differentiated hepatocytes, with ATAC-seq peaks increasing near the mitochondrial control region. Differentiation of liver organoids resulted in the expression of transcription factors that act as enhancers and repressors. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms regulating the expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin (ALB) differed in liver organoids and adult liver. Knockdown of PDX1, an essential transcription factor for pancreas development, led to the hepatic maturation of liver organoids through regulation of AFP and ALB expression. This integrative analysis of the transcriptomes and epigenomes of liver organoids at the single-cell level may contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory networks during liver development and the further development of mature in vitro human liver models.

Predicting the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) since the 2000s has become increasingly challenging. Here the authors show that the Southern Indian Ocean Dipole has become a key precursor of Central Pacific El Niño since the 2000s with a 14-month lead.

Abstract Objectives Thrombocytopenia is a condition that causes a low amount of blood platelets. Platelets are blood cells that play an essential role in blood coagulation. Therefore, thrombocytopenia can put the patient at risk for mild to severe bleeding. Thrombocytopenia is caused by a decrease in platelet production in the bone marrow or by a drug or immune system problem when production is normal. In particular, in some ASO-induced thrombocytopenia, the mechanism is not clear. Therefore, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to discover genetic differences that affect thrombocytopenia and individual susceptibility to drugs between normal and reduced platelet monkeys despite administering the same ASO. Data description Three antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) substances were injected into the subcutaneous tissue of monkeys for 12 weeks in two experiments. The monkeys were classified into three groups: monkeys with thrombocytopenia, monkeys without thrombocytopenia, and control monkeys not treated with ASO substances. Whole genome sequencing data was generated using liver tissues of monkeys. These data will be useful for identifying genetic differences that affect thrombocytopenia and drug sensitivity.

When a pair of calculable dipole antennas (CalDAs) with a 3-dB hybrid balun is used for a validation test of a constructed open area test site (OATS), the theoretical normalized site attenuation (NSA) curves of an ideal OATS for the CalDAs are required. This paper presents a method to calculate this theoretical NSA in the frequency range of 30 MHz to 1 GHz. The theoretical NSA was directly derived using the power mismatch and dissipative loss concepts of an NSA measurement system. Accurate antenna factors (AFs) above the ground plane were also needed and calculated to obtain the theoretical NSA. When free-space AFs are used to determine the measured NSA, AF correction factors known as mutual impedance correction factors are needed. Both free-space AFs and AF correction factors were also considered.

The low mechanical properties and printing speed of fused filament fabrication (FFF) have remained important barriers to their widespread adoption in the industry. This study focused on the proposal of a layer stacking scheme that increases mechanical properties and reduces printing time through a continuously varied Infill Pattern (ConVIP). The ConVIP method showed a 15.2% and 40% increases in ultimate tensile strength, and elongation at break, compared to the conventional infill pattern within polylactic acid (PLA) filament. In addition, printing speed had been increased by 29.37% at most which was calculated through the length of the extruder path in G-Code. The results and relationship of process parameter was explained and analyzed through confocal microscopy. Overall, ConVIP represents an effective way to increase mechanical properties and reduce the printing speed of FFF printed parts without external processes. This method has transformed the discrete stacking process into a distributed process, and software enhancements can increase the possibility of FFF 3D printing through continuous variation of new process parameters.

Objectives Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine tumor, with rapidly increasing incidence worldwide. However, its transcriptomic characteristics associated with immunological signatures, driver fusions, and recurrence markers remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the transcriptomic characteristics of advanced papillary thyroid cancer. Methods This study included 282 papillary thyroid cancer tumor samples and 155 normal samples from Chungnam National University Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital. Transcriptomic quantification was determined by high-throughput RNA sequencing. We investigated the associations of clinical parameters and molecular signatures using RNA sequencing. We validated predictive biomarkers using the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Results Through a comparison of differentially expressed genes, gene sets, and pathways in papillary thyroid cancer compared to normal tumor-adjacent tissue, we found increased immune signaling associated with cytokines or T cells and decreased thyroid hormone synthetic pathways. In addition, patients with recurrence presented increased CD8+ T-cell and Th1-cell signatures. Interestingly, we found differentially overexpressed genes related to immune-escape signaling such as CTLA4, IDO1, LAG3, and PDCD1 in advanced papillary thyroid cancer with a low thyroid differentiation score. Fusion analysis showed that the PI3K and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were regulated differently according to the RET fusion partner genes (CCDC6 or NCOA4). Finally, we identified HOXD9 as a novel molecular biomarker that predicts the recurrence of thyroid cancer in addition to known risk factors (tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and extrathyroidal extension). Conclusion We identified a high association with immune-escape signaling in the immune-hot group with aggressive clinical characteristics among Korean thyroid cancer patients. Moreover, RET fusion differentially regulated PI3K and MAPK signaling depending on the partner gene of RET, and HOXD9 was found to be a recurrence marker for advanced papillary thyroid cancer.

Background/Aims: The long-term course of Crohn’s disease (CD) has never been evaluated in non-Caucasian population-based cohorts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the longterm prognosis of Korean CD patients in the well-defined population-based Songpa-Kangdong inflammatory bowel disease cohort. Methods: Outcomes of disease and their predictors were evaluated for 418 patients diagnosed with CD between 1986 and 2015. Results: During a median of 123 months, systemic corticosteroids, thiopurines, and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents were administered to 58.6%, 81.3%, and 37.1% of patients, respectively. Over time, the cumulative probability of starting corticosteroids significantly decreased (p=0.001), whereas that of starting thiopurines and anti-TNFs significantly increased (both p

Abstract Despite the significance of predicting the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL), no predictive models have been established. This study used artificial intelligence to develop prognosis models to predict recovery from ISSNHL. We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of 453 patients with ISSNHL (men, 220; women, 233; mean age, 50.3 years) who underwent treatment at a tertiary hospital between January 2021 and December 2019 and were followed up after 1 month. According to Siegel’s criteria, 203 patients recovered in 1 month. Demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory data, and pure-tone audiometry were analyzed. Logistic regression (baseline), a support vector machine, extreme gradient boosting, a light gradient boosting machine, and multilayer perceptron were used. The outcomes were the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) primarily, area under the precision-recall curve, Brier score, balanced accuracy, and F1 score. The light gradient boosting machine model had the best AUROC and balanced accuracy. Together with multilayer perceptron, it was also significantly superior to logistic regression in terms of AUROC. Using the SHapley Additive exPlanation method, we found that the initial audiogram shape is the most important prognostic factor. Machine/deep learning methods were successfully established to predict the prognosis of ISSNHL.

Abstract Thin films grown via atomic layer deposition (ALD) suffer from insufficient growth rate and unreliability for temperature-sensitive electronic substrates. This study aimed to examine the growth characteristics and dielectric strength of ALD Al2O3 films grown at low temperatures (≤ 150 °C) for potential application in flexible electronic devices. The growth rate of the Al2O3 films increased from 0.9 to 1.1 Å/cycle with increasing temperature and saturated at growth temperatures ≥ 150 °C, which is the critical temperature at which a complete oxidation reaction occurred. The dielectric strength was also improved with increasing growth temperature, and the films grown at 150 °C showed a high breakdown field strength (~ 8.3 MV/cm), attributable to the decrease in the carbon impurities and oxygen defects, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Even at low growth temperatures (≤ 150 °C), ALD Al2O3 films showed an overall amorphous structure and extremely smooth surfaces regardless of the growth temperature.

Background/Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) seroconversion may occur during screening for gastric cancer. Our study aimed to assess the number of seroconverted subjects with H. pylori and their results in follow-up tests. Methods: Data were consecutively collected on subjects who were H. pylori-seronegative and presented for gastric cancer screening. Subjects who were followed up using the same serology test and pepsinogen (PG) assays on the day of endoscopy were included in the study. Results: During the follow-up of 57.7±21.4 months, 61 (15.0%) of 407 seronegative subjects showed seroconversion. H. pylori infection was detected in six (9.8%) of 61 seroconverted subjects. A diffuse red fundal appearance, with a significant increase in the Kyoto classification scores for gastritis, was observed in the infected subjects (p

Background/Aims Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can disseminate between couples. The present study compared the findings of gastric cancer screening between seronegative subjects according to the presence of an infected spouse. Materials and Methods Follow-up data of seronegative subjects were analyzed among married couples who underwent gastric cancer screening via gastroscopy, serum pepsinogen, and anti-H. pylori IgG assays between January 2010 and May 2016. New detection rates of H. pylori infection and gastric neoplasm at the follow-up screening were compared between seronegative subjects according to the H. pylori-infected status of spouse. Results Among 246 seronegative subjects with an H. pylori-infected spouse, 92 underwent follow-up tests (case group). Among 278 seronegative subjects with seronegative spouse, 94 underwent follow-up tests (control group). The past infection rate was higher in the case group than in the control group (52/92 vs. 34/94; P=0.005). New H. pylori infection was diagnosed in three of the 92 cases and two of the 94 controls (3.2% vs. 2.1%; P=0.681). During the mean follow-up of 67.9±36.0 months, three adenocarcinomas and two adenomas (5/184) were newly detected among the cases and their spouses, whereas none (0/188) were detected among the controls and their spouses (2.7% vs. 0%; P=0.029). Conclusions Gastric neoplasm occurred more frequently in couples with an H. pylori-infected spouse. Because the past infection rate is higher among seronegative subjects with an infected spouse, gastric cancer screening is recommended in both partners when the spouse is infected.

Background/Aims: We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of elderly-onset ulcerative colitis (EOUC) in Korean patients over a 30-year period using a wellestablished population-based cohort in the Songpa-Kangdong district of Seoul, Korea. Methods: Clinical characteristics and prognosis were compared between two groups: EOUC, defined as UC diagnosed in individuals aged ≥60 years and non-EOUC (N-EOUC), defined as UC diagnosed in individuals aged 18 to 59 years. Results: We identified 99 patients with EOUC (10.3%) and 866 patients with N-EOUC (89.7%) between 1986 and 2015. During the median follow-up of 104.5 months, the overall exposure to medications was comparable between patients with EOUC and N-EOUC (p=0.091 for corticosteroids, p=0.794 for thiopurines, and p=0.095 for anti-tumor necrosis factor agents). The cumulative risks of disease outcomes were also comparable between patients with EOUC and N-EOUC (22.4% vs 30.4% for proximal disease extension [p=0.351], 11.9% vs 18.1% for hospitalization [p=0.240], and 2.3% vs 1.8% for colectomy [p=0.977]) at 10 years after diagnosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that corticosteroid use at diagnosis was an independent predictor of proximal disease extension (hazard ratio [HR], 6.216; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.314 to 28.826) and hospitalization (HR, 11.241; 95% CI, 3.027 to 41.742) in patients with EOUC. Conclusions: In this population-based study from Korea, the pattern of medication use seemed comparable between the EOUC and N-EOUC groups. Moreover, patients with EOUC and those with N-EOUC have a similar disease course in terms of proximal disease extension, hospitalization, and colectomy.

Autoimmune gastritis is a corpus-dominant type of gastritis with positive serum anti-parietal cell antibodies (APCA) and/or anti-intrinsic factor antibodies. Serum APCA and pepsinogen (PG) assays were performed in subjects with corpus-dominant gastritis detected by endoscopy. Serum APCA was positive in five patients. All these patients were postmenopausal women (four Koreans and one Caucasian from the Russian Federation) with a mean age of 59.0±3.2 years. They displayed low PG I levels ranging from 8.1 to 18.8 ng/mL (mean, 11.4±4.8 ng/mL) and low PG I/II ratios ranging from 0.7 to 2.4 (mean, 1.2±0.7). Three of the patients were being treated for autoimmune thyroiditis. Multiple gastric neuroendocrine tumors were observed in two Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-naive patients with high serum gastrin levels exceeding 700 pg/mL and serum chromogranin A levels exceeding 1,000 ng/mL. In the remaining three patients, intestinal metaplasia was observed in the biopsied specimens from the antrum, suggesting a history of H. pylori infection. Our findings indicate the value of positive serum APCA findings, low serum PG I levels, and low serum PG I/II ratios in confirming autoimmune gastritis in patients showing corpus-dominant atrophy, regardless of their H. pylori infection status.

In order to operate, ships and offshore structures heavily rely on bunker oil and marine diesel oil [...]

This study presents a fatigue analysis procedure for inclined structures operated in level ice fields. Three methods for calculating the local ice load causing fatigue damage, namely the direct method, simplified method, and semi-analytical method, were introduced and compared. The direct method uses finite element analysis to simulate the continuous breaking of ice, while the simplified method and the semi-analytical method estimate the probability distribution of local ice loads based on theoretical equations and empirical data. The fatigue damage ratio at the target location was calculated by applying the ice load calculated by each method to a deformable finite element model of the structure. The results obtained from each method indicate that they provide a reasonable estimation of the local ice load causing fatigue damage in level ice fields. The direct method offers high accuracy but requires significant computational time, while the simplified method and semi-analytical method offer a faster analysis time and are more suitable for long-term time domain analysis. The semi-analytical method requires empirical data to supplement theoretical formulas due to the complex natural phenomena involving various environmental conditions that must be modeled. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the prediction of fatigue damage in ice-going ships due to long-term ice impacts. The methods proposed in this study can aid in the design of Arctic ships exposed to various conditions and provide a more cost-effective and time-efficient approach to evaluating fatigue damage compared to field measurement. Future research in this field could investigate the application of these methods to other types of structures and further refine the methodology to improve accuracy and reduce computational costs.

Although research into ultrahigh dose-rate (UHDR) radiation therapy is ongoing, there is a significant lack of experimental measurements for two-dimensional (2D) dose-rate distributions. Additionally, conventional pixel-type detectors result in significant beam loss. In this study, we developed a pixel array-type detector with adjustable gaps and a data acquisition system to evaluate its effectiveness in measuring UHDR proton beams in real time. We measured a UHDR beam at the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences using an MC-50 cyclotron, which produced a 45-MeV energy beam with a current range of 10–70 nA, to confirm the UHDR beam conditions. To minimize beam loss during measurement, we adjusted the gap and high voltage on the detector and determined the collection efficiency of the developed detector through Monte Carlo simulation and experimental measurements of the 2D dose-rate distribution. We also verified the accuracy of the real-time position measurement using the developed detector with a 226.29-MeV PBS beam at the National Cancer Center of the Republic of Korea. Our results indicate that, for a current of 70 nA with an energy beam of 45 MeV generated using the MC-50 cyclotron, the dose rate exceeded 300 Gy/s at the center of the beam, indicating UHDR conditions. Simulation and experimental measurements show that fixing the gap at 2 mm and the high voltage at 1000 V resulted in a less than 1% loss of collection efficiency when measuring UHDR beams. Furthermore, we achieved real-time measurements of the beam position with an accuracy of within 2% at five reference points. In conclusion, our study developed a beam monitoring system that can measure UHDR proton beams and confirmed the accuracy of the beam position and profile through real-time data transmission.

Current industrial practices and approaches are simplified and do not describe the actual behavior of plated elements of offshore topside structures for safety design due to fires. Therefore, it is better to make up for the defective methods with integrated fire safety design methods based on fire resistance characteristics such as residual strength capacity. This study numerically investigates the residual strength of steel stiffened panels exposed to hydrocarbon jet fire. A series of nonlinear finite element analyses (FEAs) were carried out with varying probabilistic selected exposures in terms of the jet fire location, side, area, and duration. These were used to assess the effects of exposed fire on the residual strength of a steel stiffened panel on a ship-shaped offshore structure. A probabilistic approach with a feasible fire location was used to determine credible fire scenarios in association with thermal structural responses. Heat transfer analysis was performed to obtain the steel temperature, and then the residual strength was obtained for the credible fire scenarios under compressive axial loading using nonlinear FEA code. The results were used to derive closed-form expressions to predict the residual strength of steel stiffened panels with various exposure to jet fire characteristics. The results could be used to assess the sustainability of structures at risk of exposure to fire accidents in offshore installations.

The electrical properties of materials and their dependence on frequency and temperature are indispensable in designing electromagnetic devices and systems in various areas of engineering and science for both basic and applied researches. A free-space transmission/reflection method measuring the free-space scattering parameters of a material under test (MUT) located at the middle of transmit/receive antennas in a free space is suitable for non-destructively testing the MUT without prior machining or physical contact in high-frequency range. This paper describes a planar offset short applicable to the calibration of a quasi-optic based free-space material measurement system in the millimeter-wave frequency range. The measurement results of the dimensional and electrical properties for the three fabricated planar offset shorts with the phase difference of 120° between the reflection coefficients of the planar shorts in the W-band (75–110 GHz) are presented.

Mineral wool is an insulation material commonly used in passive fire protection (PFP) systems on offshore installations. Insulation materials have only been considered functional materials for thermal analysis in the conventional offshore PFP system design method. Hence, the structural performance of insulation has yet to be considered in the design of PFP systems. However, the structural elements of offshore PFP systems are often designed with excessive dimensions to satisfy structural requirements under external loads such as wind, fire and explosive pressure. To verify the structural contribution of insulation material, it was considered a structural material in this study. A series of material tensile tests was undertaken with two types of mineral wool at room temperature and at elevated temperatures for fire conditions. The mechanical properties were then verified with modified methods, and a database was constructed for application in a series of nonlinear structural and thermal finite-element analyses of an offshore bulkhead-type PFP system. Numerical analyses were performed with a conventional model without insulation and with a new suggested model with insulation. These analyses showed the structural contribution of the insulation in the structural behaviour of the PFP panel. The results suggest the need to consider the structural strength of the insulation material in PFP systems during the structural design step for offshore installations.

The LNG cargo containment system used in membrane-type LNG cargo tanks must have sufficient dynamic strength to withstand the impact of sloshing loads. However, performing direct dynamic nonlinear transient finite element assessments against design sloshing impact loads with different design specifications can be complicated and time-consuming. To address this, it is effective to use linear superposition methods, such as the triangular impulse response function (TIRF) method, to conduct dynamic transient FE assessments of LNG cargo containment systems. However, as LNG cargo containment systems have a high level of nonlinearities in terms of geometry, material, and boundary effects, it is necessary to evaluate the applicability of the TIRF method in advance. This study investigates the dynamic responses of an LNG cargo containment system using the TIRF method and compares the ultimate value of the structural responses and impulses with that obtained using direct dynamic nonlinear transient assessments. Based on a comparison of a series of FE analyses, the study proposes a design for the partial safety factors for calculating the ultimate bending and shear capacities of an LNG cargo containment system, taking into consideration the dynamic impact of sloshing loads using the TIRF method. Finally, the ultimate shear and bending capacities are calculated using the proposed method and compared with those obtained through direct dynamic nonlinear transient assessments. The results show that the proposed method provides conservative estimates against direct nonlinear finite element simulations, with a difference of around 10% for the mean minus two standard deviations. This approach can be practically applied for early basic design purposes in the shipbuilding industry.

The term “nanosheets” has been coined recently to describe supported and free-standing “ultrathin film” materials, with thicknesses ranging from a single atomic layer to a few tens of nanometers. Owing to their physicochemical properties and their large surface area with abundant accessible active sites, nanosheets (NSHs) of inorganic materials such as Au, amorphous carbon, graphene, and boron nitride (BN) are considered ideal building blocks or scaffolds for a wide range of applications encompassing electronic and optical devices, membranes, drug delivery systems, and multimodal contrast agents, among others. A wide variety of synthetic methods are employed for the manufacturing of these NSHs, and they can be categorized into (1) top-down approaches involving exfoliation of layered materials, or (2) bottom-up approaches where crystal growth of nanocomposites takes place in a liquid or gas phase. Of note, polymer template liquid exfoliation (PTLE) methods are the most suitable as they lead to the fabrication of high-performance and stable hybrid NSHs and NSH composites with the appropriate quality, solubility, and properties. Moreover, PTLE methods allow for the production of stimulus-responsive NSHs, whose response is commonly driven by a favorable growth in the appropriate polymer chains onto one side of the NSHs, resulting in the ability of the NSHs to roll up to form nanoscrolls (NSCs), i.e., open tubular structures with tunable interlayer gaps between their walls. On the other hand, this review gives insight into the potential of the stimulus-responsive nanostructures for biosensing and controlled drug release systems, illustrating the last advances in the PTLE methods of synthesis of these nanostructures and their applications.

This paper presents a method for calculating the site attenuation (SA) of an open-area test site (OATS) for a pair of calculable dipole antennas with a 3-dB hybrid balun in the frequency range of 30 MHz to 1 GHz. The SA was directly derived using the concept of power mismatch and dissipative loss from the SA measurement system instead of the concept of substitution loss. Two types of SA formulas using the power loss concept on the treatment of the OATS are presented. The first is the SA formula related to knowing only the value of the SA. The other is the SA formula that analyzed the effects of each part of the SA. Additionally, the constituent losses of the SA measurement system are discussed using the derived SA formula. The analysis of the results showed that the SA could be successfully characterized individually from the loss of the OATS. It also showed that SA is expressed as two kinds of losses: the balanced port-mismatch losses of transmit and receive baluns and the half-space dissipative loss. The resultant SA showed good agreement with the results calculated from the S-parameters as well as with the measured results.

The rapid proliferation of oil/gas drilling and wind turbine installations with jack-up rig-formed structures increases structural safety requirements, due to the greater risks of operational collisions during use of these structures. Therefore, current industrial practices and regulations have tended to increase the required accidental collision design loads (impact energies) for jack-up rigs. However, the existing simplified design approach tends to be limited to the design and prediction of local members due to the difficulty in applying the increased uniform impact energy to a brace member without regard for the member’s position. It is therefore necessary to define accidental load estimation in terms of a reasonable collision scenario and its application to the structural response analysis. We found by a collision probabilistic approach that the kinetic energy ranged from a minimum of 9 MJ to a maximum 1049 MJ. Only 6% of these values are less than the 35 MJ recommendation of DNV-GL (2013). This study assumed and applied a representative design load of 196.2 MN for an impact load of 20,000 tons. Based on this design load, the detailed design of a leg structure was numerically verified via an FE analysis comprising three categories: linear analysis, buckling analysis and progressive collapse analysis. Based on the numerical results from this analysis, it was possible to predict the collapse mode and position of each member in relation to the collision load. This study provided a collision strength assessment between attendant vessels and a jack-up rig based on probabilistic collision scenarios and nonlinear structural analysis. The numerical results of this study also afforded reasonable evaluation criteria and specific evaluation procedures.

With the increase in the penetration rate of renewable energy sources, a machine-learning-based forecasting system has been introduced to the grid sector to improve the participation rate in the electricity market and reduce energy losses. In these studies, correlation analysis of mechanical and environmental variables, including geographical figures, is considered a crucial point to increase the prediction’s accuracy. Various models have been applied in terms of accuracy, speed calculation, and amount of data based on a mathematical model that can calculate the wake; however, it can be difficult to derive variables such as air density, roughness length, and the effect of turbulence on the structural characteristics of wind turbines. Furthermore, wake accuracy could decrease due to the excessive variables that come from the wake effect parameters. In this paper, we intend to conduct research to improve prediction accuracy by considering the wake effect of wind turbines using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data from the Dongbok wind farm. The wake divides the wind direction into four parts and then recognizes and predicts the affected wind turbine. The predicted result is the wake wind speed and its conversion to power generation by applying a power curve. We try to show the efficiency of machine learning by comparing the wake wind speed and the power generation in the wake model. This result shows the error rate using evaluation metrics of regression, such as mean squared error (MSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and weighted absolute percentage error (WAPE), and attempts to verify power system impact and efficiency through a real-time digital simulator (RTDS).

In this paper, we propose a platform for an insect-like flapping winged micro aerial vehicle with a resonant wing-driving system using extension springs (FMAVRES). The resonant wing-driving system is constructed using an extension spring instead of the conventional helical or torsion spring. The extension spring can be mounted more easily, compared with a torsion spring. Furthermore, the proposed resonant driving system has better endurance compared with systems with torsion springs. Using a prototype FMAVRES, it was found that torques generated for roll, pitch, and yaw control are linear to control input signals. Considering transient responses, each torque response as an actuator is modelled as a simple first-order system. Roll, pitch, and yaw control commands affect each other. They should be compensated in a closed loop controller design. Total weight of the prototype FMAVRES is 17.92 g while the lift force of it is 21.3 gf with 80% throttle input. Thus, it is expected that the new platform of FMAVRES could be used effectively to develop simple and robust flapping MAVs.

Various regulations are being devised and implemented to prevent the environmental pollution that is threatening mankind. The International Maritime Organization has strengthened regulations on sulfur, a notorious pollutant, to prevent sea pollution. In addition, the production of LNG fueled ships is increasing. Among various metals, 9% nickel steel is widely used in the shipbuilding industry because it is advantageous in terms of material strength and cryogenic impact toughness. Various studies are being carried out to predict and prevent its distortion, caused by welding, in the design. To predict welding distortion during flux core arc welding, this study found a way to refine the parameters constituting the Goldak welding heat source. The optimal heat source parameters were derived by using BOP experiments, cross-sectional analysis, finite element analysis and global optimization algorithm. When re-analyzed and verified based on the values, an error of up to 6.3% was found between simulation results and experimental values. The process was improved by clarifying the objective function and reducing the range of candidate welding efficiencies during global optimization and the process efficiency was also improved by reducing analysis time with a simplified model. Therefore, it is thought that this study can contribute to the productivity improvement of LNG storage containers, helping engineers apply it immediately in the industrial field.

Background: Caring the eye from oxidative stress is very important in preventing the age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is difficult to recover it once damaged. Particularly, the development of therapeutic anti-dry-AMD agent in a non-invasive manner is still on the horizon. Purpose: In the present study, we examined effect of gypenoside (Gyp) LXXV against dry-AMD in vitro and in vivo, to develop non-invasive anti-AMD agents based on a natural compound with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. Study design: Gyp LXXV, a single ginseng ginsenoside compound, is orally administered to adult rabbits and mice that the dry-AMD was induced by asodium iodate or a light irradiation, respectively. The in vitro assay was performed using the retinal cells (ARPE-19) and macrophage cells (HMC-3). Methods: To evaluate anti-oxidative capability and anti-inflammable efficacy of Gyp LXXV in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, real time PCR was employed using ARPE-19 cells and HMC-3 cells. To validate physiological effects of Gyp LXXV on dry-AMD, thickness measurement of RPE, electroretinogram (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus examination were employed in either light irradiation- or sodium iodate-induced animal model. Results: It exhibited substantial alleviation of damaged retinal RPE tissues, via lowering the structural damage, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner, without showing any side effects. In addition, ROS-induced human adult RPE cells were treated with Gyp LXXV showed a protective effect against the ROS, confirming an excellent antioxidant efficacy with no potential cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the oral route of Gyp LXXV exerts a potential therapeutic effect on dry-AMD. This work could guide the new therapeutic pathway of a phytochemical drug-based non-invasive treatment for dry-AMD in future clinical treatments.

Objective To simultaneously examine multiple individual-level neighbourhood perceptions and psychosocial characteristics and their relationships with cardiovascular health (CVH) among blacks.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting Subjects were recruited between 2016 and 2018 via convenience sampling.Participants 385 Black men and women, age 30–70 living in the Atlanta metropolitan area (Georgia, USA).Primary outcome measure Individual’s CVH was summarised as a composite score using American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) metrics.Methods We implemented unsupervised learning (k-means) and supervised learning (Bayesian Dirichlet process clustering) to identify clusters based on 11 self-reported neighbourhood perception and psychosocial characteristics. We also performed principal component analysis to summarise neighbourhood perceptions and psychosocial variables and assess their associations with LS7 scores.Results K-means and Bayesian clustering resulted in 4 and 5 clusters, respectively. Based on the posterior distributions, higher LS7 scores were associated with better neighbourhood perceptions and psychosocial characteristics, including neighbourhood safety, social cohesion, activities with neighbours, environmental mastery, purpose in life, resilient coping and no depression. Taken together, the first principal components of neighbourhood perceptions and psychosocial characteristics were associated with an increase of 0.07 (95% CI −0.17 to 0.31) and 0.31 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.55) in LS7 score, respectively, after accounting for age, sex, household income and education level.Conclusion Both neighbourhood perception and psychosocial domains were related to CVH, but individual psychosocial characteristics appeared to contribute to CVH most. Approaches that acknowledge the importance of factors in both domains may prove most beneficial for enhancing resilience and promoting CVH among black communities.

Ships and offshore structures are subjected to impact loads, such as slamming and sloshing. High impact pressures can cause permanent hull deformation by a single impact event. In addition, significant fatigue damage can be accumulated via repeated impact pressures. In this study, the plastic deformation behavior of flat plates under slamming impact is numerically investigated using a coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian method. The dynamic impact pressure of the flat plates by weight and drop height is investigated under the assumption of viscous and compressible fluids. To evaluate the plastic deformation of the plate, contact between water and the plate is removed after a certain duration after dropping, and then the remaining deformation is measured. Optimized finite element models for drop simulations are selected via a mesh sensitivity study, and the simulation results are calibrated and compared with experimental data. Results of the simulation and the experiment show good agreement in general in terms of deflection range. However, because the initial condition of the plate is not reflected in the simulation, some discrepancy is observed in maximum deflections. Finally, a discussion is presented for a more accurate fluid impact analysis model based on the comparison results with the experimental data.

Background/AimsIn the ABC classification system, group A consists of seronegative subjects without gastric corpus atrophy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of pseudo group A subjects.Methods : Group A subjects were identified among consecutive Korean adults who underwent a serum anti-Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) test and pepsinogen (PG) assay on the day of endoscopy. Past infection was defined as the presence of either eradication history or endoscopic findings suggesting past infection (i.e., gastric xanthoma, metaplastic gastritis, or advanced atrophy >closed-type 1).Results : Among 2,620 group A subjects, 448 (17.1%) had eradication history, and 133 (5.1%) showed endoscopic findings suggesting past infection. Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.148; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.067 to 1.236) and earlier year of birth (OR, 1.086; 95% CI, 1.009 to 1.168) were independent risk factors for classification into pseudo group A, with cutoff points at 50.5 years and birth year of 1959.5, respectively. Positive H. pylori test findings were found in 22 subjects (3.1%) among the 715 subjects who underwent the urea breath test or Giemsa staining on the same day. Current infection was positively correlated with PG I and PG II levels (p

Background/Aims: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and metaplastic gastritis (MG) are precancerous conditions of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-related gastric cancer. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of nodular gastritis (NG) showing CAG or MG after nodule regression. Methods: H. pylori-infected patients with NG were included after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients were excluded if their latest endoscopy had been performed ≤36 months after the initial diagnosis of NG. Small-granular-type NG was defined as the condition with 1-2 mm regular subepithelial nodules. Large-nodular-type NG was defined as those with 3-4 mm, irregular subepithelial nodules. The endoscopic findings after nodule regression were recorded. Results: Among the 97 H. pylori-infected patients with NG, 61 showed nodule regression after a mean follow-up of 73.0±22.0 months.After nodule regression, 16 patients showed a salt-and-pepper appearance and/or transparent submucosal vessels, indicating CAG. Twenty-nine patients showed diffuse irregular elevations and/or whitish plaques, indicating MG. Sixteen patients with other endoscopic findings (14 normal, one erosive gastritis, and one chronic superficial gastritis) showed a higher proportion of H. pylori eradication (12/16, 75.0%) than those in the CAG group (5/16, 31.3%) and MG group (6/29, 20.7%; p=0.001). Patients with small-granular-type NG tended to progress toward CAG (14/27, 51.9%), whereas those with large-nodular-type NG tended to progress toward MG (25/34, 73.5%; p

Objectives: There are differences in each country with regards to histopathological managements of colorectal cancer (CRC), such as definition of Tis and lymphatic and venous invasion. In this study, we compared Tis and T1 CRC in Japan and Korea. Methods: We retrospectively compared various clinical characteristics of consecutive patients who had Tis and T1 CRCs and who were newly diagnosed between 2010 and 2014 at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (Japan) and the Konkuk University (Korea). Results: Three hundred and sixty-five cases of T1 cancer and 510 cases of Tis cancer from 726 Japanese and 149 Korean patients were included. The rate of Tis in Japan was higher than in Korea (59.8% vs. 51.0%, P = 0.047), according to the difference of definition of Tis. In the analyses of 365 T1 CRCs, median age was higher in Japan than Korea (67.8 ± 10.6 vs. 62.2 ± 10.1, P < 0.001). Right-sided lesions were more frequent in Japan than they were in Korea (38.7% vs. 22.2%, P < 0.001). The rates of venous and lymphatic invasion were higher in Japan than they were in Korea (venous: 18.6% vs. 1.4%, P < 0.001, lymphatic: 25.3% vs. 13.7%, P = 0.042), according to the different methods of immunohistochemical examinations used (Japan: E-HE and D2-40, Korea: ERG). Conclusions: Our study of T1 CRC showed that there were differences between Japan and Korea in tumor location, elderly incidence, and histopathological lymphatic and venous invasion. Additionally, rates of Tis were different between the two countries. In this international study for CRC, it is considered that we have to pay attention regarding the difference of histopathological definition and method in each country.

Designing multi-modal topical drug delivery nanocarriers using nano-hybrid particles has received significant interest in targeted cancer therapy. In this study, magnetic Fe(salen)-conducting copolymer nanocomposites based on our previous iron salt-free synthesis method are surface-functionalized with methotrexate and transferrin proteins. The nano-hybrids show near-infrared-/magnetic field-responsive hyperthermal activity in vitro, which can be extraordinarily useful in magnetically guidable local cancer targeting as a versatile multi-modal therapeutic drug delivery system.