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Objectives:In this study, we seek to provide a thorough insight into how people perceive microplastics and uncover issues and hidden trends about the significant microplastic pollution problems by analyzing unstructured data on microplastics.Methods:Environmental news articles related to microplastics were collected. Text mining techniques including data pre-processing, word cloud, TF-IDF weight-based trend analysis, and LDA topic modeling were used to analyze the amount of textual data.Results and Discussion:The public's interest in microplastics is consistently growing, according to an analysis of all environmental news and the keyword ‘microplastic’ from 2014 to 2021 conducted via BIGKinds. The keyword 'trash' was the overwhelmingly enormous weight among words. The top 5 keywords connected to microplastics did not fade away and continued appearing even though the socially noticeable keywords during the study period varied yearly. This indicates that the primary issue with microplastics related to keywords has not yet been solved. Our study has a limitation of subject diversity because we only focused on microplastic news. The results, however, presented all processes from plastic pollution emergence to treatment, such as microplastic pollution sources, microplastic detection, and prevention methods against microplastics.Conclusion:Text mining analysis was performed on microplastics in environmental news and provided issues and trends on microplastic pollution. This study presents a new methodology for environmental and social problem analysis, suggesting that it could enable a multidimensional understanding of environmental problems and help establish environmental policies.

Supplemental data includes supplement materials, methods and data

Supplemental Fig.S1. HEATR1 regulates cancer cell response to chemotherapy

Elucidating mechanisms of chemoresistance is critical to improve cancer therapy, especially for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Genome-wide association studies have suggested the less studied gene HEAT repeat-containing protein 1 (HEATR1) as a possible determinant of cellular sensitivity to different chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we assessed this hypothesized link in PDAC, where HEATR1 expression is downregulated significantly. HEATR1 silencing in PDAC cells increased resistance to gemcitabine and other chemotherapeutics, where this effect was associated with increased AKT kinase phosphorylation at the Thr308 regulatory site. Mechanistically, HEATR1 enhanced cell responsiveness to gemcitabine by acting as a scaffold to facilitate interactions between AKT and the protein phosphatase PP2A, thereby promoting Thr308 dephosphorylation. Consistent with these findings, treatment with the AKT inhibitor triciribine sensitized HEATR1-depleted PDAC cells to gemcitabine, suggesting that this therapeutic combination may overcome gemcitabine resistance in patients with low HEATR1 expression. Clinically, we found that HEATR1 downregulation in PDAC patients was associated with increased AKT phosphorylation, poor response to tumor resection plus gemcitabine standard-of-care treatment, and shorter overall survival. Collectively, our findings establish HEATR1 as a novel regulator of AKT and a candidate predictive and prognostic indicator of drug responsiveness and outcome in PDAC patients. Cancer Res; 76(3); 572–81. ©2015 AACR.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a serious public health threat. Pharmacotherapy, commonly known as medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), is established as the cornerstone of OUD treatment. MOUDs reduce likelihood of relapse, promote recovery, and save lives. However, many clinicians are still reluctant to use these medications, in part due to inadequate training and experience. In light of the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic, it has become ever more important for clinicians to confidently and thoughtfully deploy these medications to help patients struggling with OUD. To aid busy clinicians, we have put together a review of the extant literature on three FDA-approved pharmacotherapy options—methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone—with a heavy focus on practical clinical application. We discuss how to effectively engage patients with OUD and initiate them on MOUDs—especially when their primary misused drug is fentanyl. We also review novel strategies, such as buprenorphine microinduction, as well as suggested best practice to effectively transition between MOUDs. Finally, we synthesize our review and recommendations in an algorithmic flowchart to provide visually compelling information.FundingNo Funding

Telmisartan is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker and acts as a selective modulator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Several studies have demonstrated that telmisartan ameliorates depression and memory dysfunction and reduces brain inflammation. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of telmisartan on brain could be due to modulation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Here, we examined the effect of telmisartan on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) which plays an important role in leukocyte transcytosis through the BBB. Telmisartan blocked TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression and leukocyte adhesion in U87MG human glioma cells but showed no effect on human brain microvascular endothelial cells. In U87MG cells, a PPAR antagonist, GW9662 did not block the effect of telmisartan on ICAM1 expression but rather potentiated. Moreover, GW9662 caused no change in TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression, suggesting no implication of PPARγ in the telmisartan effect. Further studies showed that telmisartan blocked TNF-α- induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB). In contrast, inhibitors of JNK, ERK1/2 and NF-κB but not p38, blocked ICAM-1 expression induced by TNF-α. Thus, our findings suggest that the beneficial effect of telmisartan is likely due to the reduction of astrocytic ICAM1 expression and leukocytes adhesion to astrocytes, and that this response was mediated by the inhibition of JNK/ERK1/2/NF-κB activation and in the PPAR-independent manner. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of the mechanism by which telmisartan exerts the beneficial brain function.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of the newly-developed high-frequency stimulation over knee on physiological characteristics of quadriceps (QM) and hamstring (HM) muscles. Methods: Ten healthy participants were participated in the study (average age: 49.3). Each participant received the high-frequency stimulation over both knees over three times a week during a total of two weeks. We measured the physiological characteristics of muscle tissue of QM and HM, including muscle tone (F), dynamic stiffness (S), and elasticity (D) by a Myoton device at pre and post-stimulation. Results: As a result, the elasticity of right HM was showed significant differences between pre- and post-stimulation (P=0.006). Conclusion: We conclude that the high-frequency stimulation over both knee may evoke the physiological changes in knee muscles.

This study presents the implementation of an internal antenna for ultra-high-definition televisions (UHD TVs), which has encountered challenges such as inherently narrow impedance bandwidths, limited space, and the effect of material properties of the TV to the antenna performance. The proposed antenna consists of a pair of rectangular arms (the dipole mode), which are fed by the coaxial cable, these arms are also connected to the ground plane (the loop mode) through two shortings that excite an additional resonance mode. In addition, reconfigurable antennas also offer attractive potential solutions to solve the challenging antenna problems related to narrow bandwidth using the ability to switch and tune operation frequency. Herein, a frequency reconfigurable dipole–loop antenna which can cover the entire ultra-high-frequency band (UHF: 470–771 MHz, BW: 47.4%) is achieved using PIN diodes for switchable frequency and varactor diodes for tunable frequency. A 49-inch UHD TV is used for the practical implementation experiment. The TV bezel ( ԑ r = 3.5, tan δ = 0.005) is used as the substrate for the antenna design. The designed antenna for UHD TV applications achieves good impedance matching and stable radiation characteristics in the UHF band, considering S 11 = − 6 dB (VSWR 3:1) as the impedance matching criterion.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of changing the tilt angle of the exercise bed on physiological characteristics of trapezius, multifidus, and hamstring muscle function. Methods: Twenty elderly who complains of back and lumbar pain or discomfort participated in this study (average age: 64.70±4.55 years). The physiological characteristics, including muscle tone (F), dynamic stiffness (S), and elasticity (D) of trapezius, multifidus, and hamstring muscles were measured by a Myoton device at three tilt angles (0, 15, and 30 degrees) during exercise. Results: The muscle tone, dynamic stiffness, and elasticity of the right trapezius and left hamstring muscle showed significant differences (p

Group therapy is the predominant type of behavioral therapy offered in substance use disorder treatment settings. This chapter provides an overview of the research literature on the efficacy of group therapy for substance use disorders and discusses research challenges and important future directions in the study of this topic. Research on the efficacy of group therapy for substance use disorders has generally found that group therapy is associated with superior outcomes compared to no treatment or treatment-as-usual. Studies examining the combination of group therapy with other forms of treatment, such as pharmacotherapy, have been mixed, with some studies finding additive benefits and others finding no benefit. However, group therapy appears to be equally as effective as individual therapy and may offer cost benefits relative to individual treatment. Group therapy for co-occurring substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is associated with benefits for both disorders. Due to methodological and logistical challenges of conducting research on group therapy, this treatment modality remains understudied compared to individual therapy. Additional research is needed to identify the most effective types of group therapy and its optimal delivery method, either alone or in combination with other therapies.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is frequently comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. Compared to patients with only MDD, these patients with co-occurring disorders are more likely to have greater symptom burden, poorer course, and outcome, adding to the overall public healthcare burden. What should clinicians do, then, to optimize outcome? This chapter is a synthesized overview of the epidemiology, diagnostic and treatment strategies for MDD's most frequently comorbid psychiatric disorders. Clinicians should be diligent in assessing for comorbidity when managing patients with MDD and should strive to treat both MDD and the co-occurring psychiatric disorders to full remission.

This study determined the dissolution rate of studtite, (UO2)O2(H2O)4, which can be formed by reaction between H2O2 and UO22+ that leaks from spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in deep geological repositories. The batch dissolution experiments were conducted using synthesized studtite under different solution conditions with varying pHs and concentrations of HCO3− and [H2O2] in synthetic groundwater. The experimental results suggested that carbonate ligand and H2O2 in groundwater accelerated the dissolution of studtite and uranium (U) release. Above 10−5 M of H2O2 initial concentration, the released uranium concentration in solution decreased, possibly as a result of reprecipitation of studtite due to reaction between uranium and H2O2. The results will be useful to assess the comprehensive transport of uranium from both nuclear waste and SNF stored in deep geological repositories.

Background Infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system can manifest as a psychiatric illness. When psychiatric symptoms predominate, all too often clinicians are quick to give a psychiatric diagnosis. A rare but possible cause of psychosis is cryptococcal meningitis, which is an opportunistic neuroinfection that can lead to fatality if left untreated. Literature reports of patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM) presenting with psychosis in the absence of constitutional symptoms is sparse, especially in immunocompetent hosts. Objective/Method This is a case of a 50-year-old woman, Ms. A, who had no prior psychiatric history and presented with psychotic symptoms including paranoia and hallucinations. The psychosis was initially thought to be due to schizophrenia or a cancer-related organic brain failure, but was later revealed to be due to a disseminated cryptococcal infection. This report also reviews the existing literature on immunocompetent patients with CM presenting with psychosis or behavioral changes as a primary symptom. Results Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a positive cryptococcal antigen with a 1:40 titer. The patient was treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine and had complete resolution of her psychosis at the time of discharge. Discussion The presence of delirium and subtle clues to systemic involvement should point towards a medical diagnosis in patients presenting with new onset psychosis and behavioral changes. The case of Ms. A and the discovery of cryptococcus as the root cause of psychotic symptoms reminds clinicians to consider infectious etiologies even in the absence of expected signs and symptoms.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is commonly encountered in clinical practice. A combination of psychosocial intervention and pharmacotherapy is the cornerstone of AUD treatment. Despite their efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness, clinicians are reluctant to prescribe medications to treat individuals with AUD. Given the high rate of relapse with psychosocial intervention alone, increasing patient access to this underutilized treatment has the potential to improve clinical outcome in this difficult-to-treat population. Herein, we provide practical pharmacotherapy strategies to improve treatment outcome for AUD. We review the efficacy and side effects of both on- and off-label agents with a particular focus on clinical applicability. Recommendations are supported by findings from randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses selected to be representative, where possible, of current treatment guidelines. The goal of this paper is to help readers use pharmacotherapy with greater confidence when treating patients with AUD.

Introduction Virtual reality (VR) exercises have been investigated as a rehabilitation paradigm to reduce the risk of falling in the elderly. This study aimed to compare a VR program consisted of complex exercises and that of balance exercises. Methods The study was a single-blind, randomized, comparative trial conducted over 5 weeks. Twenty subjects over 65 years of age were divided into a complex exercise with virtual reality (CEVR) group and a balance exercise with virtual reality (BEVR) group. CEVR consisted of strengthening, flexibility, endurance, and balance exercises, while BEVR focused on balance exercises only. Before and after 10 times of 1 h training sessions, we measured isokinetic peak torque and total work of knee muscles using a dynamometer. The Timed Up & Go (TUG) test was also conducted to evaluate dynamic balance. Results Knee extension peak torque was significantly enhanced only in the CEVR group ( p 0.05), but there was no difference between groups. Both groups showed significant improvement of dynamic balance measured by TUG after training sessions, but the CEVR group exhibited greater improvement than the BEVR group ( p Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the superiority of the virtual reality training with a complex exercise program to improve balance and muscle strength in the elderly when compared to the BEVR. As a training for prevention of falling in the elderly, we recommend a virtual reality program including various exercises for strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility.

A simple internal antenna that combines a planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) and a loop antenna to achieve wideband (BW ∼ 48%) operation in ultra-high frequency (UHF: 470–771 MHz) band for digital television (DTV) applications is presented. The design allows the installation of an antenna within a TV model, thereby addressing the limitations of space. The 49-inch DTV is used for the practical implementation experiment. The TV bezel (made of polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS): er = 3.5; tan δ = 0.005) is used as the substrate for the antenna design. The antenna is placed on the top edge of the TV model. With the combination of the PIFA mode and loop mode operations, the operating bandwidth of the proposed PIFA-loop antenna is significantly broadened. The measured results show that the proposed antenna has wide bandwidth of about 410 MHz (460–870 MHz) and suitable radiation performance with higher than 2.2 dBi of peak gain and 47% of efficiency within the operating bandwidth.

This study investigated the effects of micro-current stimulation therapy on gastrocnemius function. Twelve subjects participated in the study (average age: 28.58±3.37 years). Gastrocnemius function was measured pre- and post-intervention using a Myoton device. Muscle tone, dynamic stiffness, and elasticity of the gastrocnemius muscles were measured. The dominant leg gastrocnemius tone and dynamic stiffness showed significant improvement after microcurrent stimulation therapy, but elasticity showed no significant change. There was also no significant difference between dominant and nondominant gastrocnemius function. We concluded that microcurrent stimulation therapy improved gastrocnemius function.