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This study aimed to identify the end-of-life care provided to patients admitted to a ward using electronic nursing records standardized with SNOMED CT (Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms) and to analyze changes in end-of-life care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study setting was oncology or hematology-oncology wards in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 161 069 nursing statements for 600 patients before COVID-19, admitted from January 2018 to December 2019, and 110 333 nursing statements for 454 patients during COVID-19, admitted from January 2020 to December 2021, were extracted from the clinical data warehouse of the study hospital. We mapped 427 unique nursing statements to SNOMED CT. The differences in the number of SNOMED CT concepts among the three groups-patients before COVID-19, patients without COVID-19 during COVID-19, and patients with COVID-19 during COVID-19-were analyzed using analysis of variance. "Acute pain," "Patient on oxygen," "Notification of physician," "Oxygenation monitoring," and "Pain assessment" were recorded most frequently. The frequency of nursing statements related to oxygenation was significantly lower in patients without COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with patients before COVID-19. Nursing statements pertaining to emotional or spiritual care appeared to be underrepresented in both the nursing assessment/outcome and nursing intervention domains. Our study showed that the standardized nursing records can be used as a source of information to explore changes in end-of-life care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic., (Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination in healthcare settings. Magnet hospitals have been associated with positive patient outcomes, yet it remains uncertain whether Magnet designation is associated with hospitals' LGBTQ+ inclusivity in policies and practices. This study examined 801 American hospitals across 47 states that participated in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) in 2021. Multilevel modeling was utilized to investigate the association between Magnet status and HEI scores, adjusting for hospital type and state-level covariates, including LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in laws, political climate, racial/ethnic minority population, and Medicaid expansion status. Among the 801 hospitals, 32.1% (257 hospitals) held Magnet status. Magnet hospitals demonstrated higher HEI scores compared to non-Magnet hospitals (γ = 2.13, p = 0.022), despite significant variations across states (intraclass correlation = 0.22). No significant cross-level interactions were found. Overall, Magnet designation is independently associated with improved LGBTQ+ inclusivity in hospitals regardless of the state in which the hospital is located. Policymakers and healthcare leaders should consider leveraging the Magnet Recognition Program as a benchmark for promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity within hospitals. Additionally, all healthcare institutions should prioritize comprehensive evaluations and improvements to their policies and practices to ensure inclusivity for LGBTQ+ patients., (© 2024 The Author(s). Research in Nursing & Health published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

4-α-Glucanotransferase (4-α-GTase, EC 2.4.1.25) facilitates the transfer of α-1,4-linked glucan to another acceptor molecule. This enzyme is widely used during starch modification to produce unique materials, such as thermoreversible gel and cyclic glucan. Because most industrial processing of starch is conducted at elevated temperatures, hyperthermophilic enzymes have received considerable attention. However, only a few of the 4-α-GTases in the glycoside hydrolase family 77 have been isolated from hyperthermophilic archaea. Here, we report for the first time the cycloamylose-forming properties of an archaeal 4-α-GTase (ParGT) isolated from Pyrobaculum arsenaticum . ParGT exhibited optimal activity at pH 6.0 and 95 °C. In particular, ParGT can synthesize small cycloamyloses (CA15-18) with unique disproportionation patterns based on its low transglycosylation activity. Structural modeling with long-chain maltooligosaccharides revealed distinct amino acid residues at the acceptor and second acarbose-binding sites of ParGT. Mutations at Y322 and P231 at the acceptor binding site reduced the disproportionation activity for long-chain maltooligosaccharides, whereas E55 at the second acarbose-binding site influenced the cycloamylose size by affecting the positioning of the 460s loop. These findings provide valuable insights into the structural features and catalytic properties of hyperthermophilic archaeal 4-α-GTase, enabling future modifications of enzymes to improve their capacity to alter starch in diverse biotechnological processes.

The side-chain directions in nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) strongly influence the intermolecular interactions in NFAs; however, the influence of these side chains on the morphologies and charge carrier dynamics of Y6-based acceptors remains underexplored. In this study, we synthesize four distinct Y6-based acceptors, i.e., meta -HOP-Y6-F ( m F), meta -HOP-Y6-Cl ( m Cl), para -HOP-Y6-F ( p F), and para -HOP-Y6-Cl ( p Cl), with outer side chains of alkoxy-2-ethylhexyl attached at the meta or para positions. Devices containing the meta -position acceptors blended with the polymer donor PM6 achieve power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) at least 1.27-fold higher than those of devices containing para -position acceptors. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the formation of donor-acceptor domains that are advantageous for charge carrier generation, transport, and collection. This is due to variations in phase aggregation that result from steric hindrance effects at the meta - and para -position acceptors. As a result, meta -position acceptors with lower steric hindrance improved π-π and lamellar stacking, whereas the para -position acceptors encountered excessive steric hindrance, reducing their photovoltaic efficiencies. Additionally, the meta -position acceptors demonstrate long charge carrier lifetimes, which suppress recombination in the charge transfer state and promote efficient charge separation. These results underline the critical role of side-chain direction in optimizing Y6-based acceptors for improving photovoltaic performance.

Polymorphisms in CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) predispose to Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we show that loss of CD2AP in cerebral blood vessels is associated with cognitive decline in AD subjects and that genetic downregulation of CD2AP in brain vascular endothelial cells impairs memory function in male mice. Animals with reduced brain endothelial CD2AP display altered blood flow regulation at rest and during neurovascular coupling, defects in mural cell activity, and an abnormal vascular sex-dependent response to Aβ. Antagonizing endothelin-1 receptor A signaling partly rescues the vascular impairments, but only in male mice. Treatment of CD2AP mutant mice with reelin glycoprotein that mitigates the effects of CD2AP loss function via ApoER2 increases resting cerebral blood flow and even protects male mice against the noxious effect of Aβ. Thus, endothelial CD2AP plays critical roles in cerebrovascular functions and represents a novel target for sex-specific treatment in AD., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and prolonged high-dose glucocorticoid (GC) treatment are established risk factors for osteoporosis., Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of denosumab according to the GC dose considered to increase the risk of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in patients with RA., Design: A retrospective analysis of collected data on RA patients with osteoporosis starting denosumab., Methods: We included 418 patients with RA who were started on denosumab therapy and categorized them into those with and without GC intake ⩾2.5 mg/day for >3 months. The T -score and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femur neck, as well as serum bone turnover markers, were measured at baseline and 12 months. We performed between-group and within-group comparisons of the BMD values at baseline and at 12 months., Results: Denosumab significantly increased the T -scores and aBMD at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femur neck after 12 months, regardless of GC intake. However, apart from the T -score at the lumbar spine, the other parameters did not show significant between-group differences. Similarly, in patients with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody positivity or those treated with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), although there were significant increases in the T -score and areal BMD at all sites in both groups, there were no significant between-group differences., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the GC dose considered to increase the risk of GIOP did not significantly attenuate the therapeutic efficacy of denosumab in RA patients, including those positive for anti-CCP antibodies and users of biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s), 2025.)

Burkholderia contaminans SK875, a member of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), are known to cause lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. To gain deeper insights into its quorum sensing (QS)-mediated pathogenicity, we employed a transposon (Tn) insertion-based random mutagenesis approach. A Tn mutant library comprising of 15,000 transconjugants was generated through conjugation between wild-type (WT) recipient B. contaminans SK875 and the donor E. coli BW20767 carrying pRL27 plasmid. From this library, 26 mutants were initially screened using the reporter strain Agrobacterium tumefaciens NT1, identified as blue-colored indicator colonies. These mutants were further analyzed for phenotypic variations related to autoinducer (AI) production, morphological changes, motility, biofilm formation, protease activity, and virulence in Caenorhabditis elegans. The Tn insertion sites in the mutants were sequenced and aligned with the reference genome of B. contaminans SK875 (PRJNA439184). Sequence analysis revealed the Tn5 insertion in genes encoding Ribonuclease P protein, a hypothetical protein, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase 1, GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase (DUF1311), cytochrome C oxidase assembly protein, glutamyl-Q tRNA synthetase, AFG1-like ATPase, chorismate synthase, and aldehyde oxidase. Compared to wild-type (WT) strain B. contaminans SK875, the mutants (SK1917, SK1925, SK1926, SK1927, SK1935) exhibited attenuated AI production, impaired swimming and swarming motility, reduced biofilm formation and protease activity, and decreased virulence in C. elegans. We suggest that these genes are likely involved in the QS-dependent pathogenicity of B. contaminans. This study also introduces a visual color-screening method for identifying novel gene functions related to QS-dependent pathogenicity in Burkholderia species., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) is a rare complication of immunosuppression. This review describes the presentation, management, and outcomes of CDC in pediatric patients with cancer or following hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). PubMed, Embase, and Medline were searched identifying 32 studies, describing 95 cases of CDC. CDC occurred almost exclusively in patients with leukemia (91%), with only 5% occurring in lymphoma, 1% post HCT, and 3% in solid tumor. The most frequent presenting symptoms were fever (97%) and abdominal pain (45%), with lesions in liver in 63% and spleen in 54% (less common in kidney, lungs and skin/soft tissue). Of the 67 (71%) episodes with microbiological confirmation, Candida tropicalis (28%) was the most common causative species. Antifungal treatment durations varied from 14 days to 28 months. Additionally, 31 (33%) patients received an adjuvant therapy, the most common being corticosteroids. Mortality, directly attributable to CDC, occurred in nine (9%). There remains insufficient data to guide a unified approach to management., (© 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Toxic and carcinogenic compounds, such as synthetic dyes and polyphenols, were widely employed and released as pollutants in a variety of industries, including textiles, food, and cosmetics. Biological oxidation process that used oxidizing enzymes to breakdown pollutant compounds were environmentally favorable. However, due to the cell toxicity of metal ions supplements used for the biosynthesis of oxidizing enzymes like laccase, their efficient application for biological degradation is limited. In this study, we aimed to boost laccase activity by introducing high copper resistance into whole-cell biocatalysts through irradiation-based accelerated evolution. Bacillus velezensis MBLB 0692, a laccase producing bacterium, was employed as model strain that exhibited severe sensitivity under 10 mM copper. The selected Cu-resistant mutants not only overcame growth inhibition, but also increased laccase activity by 2.6-fold. The qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that mutants showed significant change in gene expressions related to laccase generation and copper-related functions. Furthermore, dye decolorization assays showed that mutants degrade synthetic dyes more efficiently under high copper conditions. The varying decolorization efficiencies across dyes were attributed to differences in dye structure and the potential influence of copper on enzyme activity. Collectively, these findings emphasize the interaction between copper concentration and laccase activity, and present implications for environmental bioremediation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest ☒ The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: Osteoporosis is a common comorbidity in patients with SLE, and bone loss in patients with SLE has a multifactorial aetiology. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of denosumab in patients with SLE with osteoporosis and to analyse the factors influencing therapeutic efficacy., Methods: A total of 166 patients with SLE with osteoporosis who initiated denosumab between January 2016 and December 2023 were included. Changes in the T-score and areal bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, total hip and femur neck from denosumab initiation to 12 months were measured. Correlation analysis was performed between the degree of BMD improvement and covariates including SLE-specific factors such as SLE duration, SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score, glucocorticoid dose and hydroxychloroquine use. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of the therapeutic efficacy of denosumab., Results: Denosumab significantly increased BMD and decreased bone turnover markers at 12 months compared with baseline. The degree of BMD improvement revealed a significant negative correlation with SLEDAI-2K score, hydroxychloroquine use, prior osteoporosis treatment and baseline BMD values. In contrast, body mass index and c-telopeptide of collagen type 1 levels were positively correlated with the degree of BMD improvement. Higher baseline BMD values, SLEDAI-2K scores and hydroxychloroquine use were significant predictors of attenuated BMD improvement., Conclusions: Our study suggests that denosumab is an effective treatment option for osteoporosis in patients with SLE. The therapeutic efficacy of denosumab can be predicted by baseline BMD values, SLEDAI-2K scores and hydroxychloroquine use., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)

Purpose: To investigate the impact of the distance from the most-anterior surface of the optic to the principal object plane (POP) and from the foremost haptic to the principal object plane (H-POP) on the intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation., Setting: A tertiary hospital., Design: Optical simulation and retrospective cross-sectional study., Methods: The optical simulation study plotted changes in the POP and H-POP as a function of IOL power using ICB00 IOL configuration data. The clinical study included 102 eyes of 102 patients implanted with ICB00 IOL to examine the correlation between changes in both the POP and the H-POP, and the prediction error calculated using the Barrett Universal II formula with varying IOL power., Results: The ICB00 IOL showed minor fluctuations in the POP (0.21 mm to 0.30 mm) with changing IOL power. The H-POP increased stepwise from 5.0 D, peaking at 0.60 mm at 16.0 D, then decreased to a minimum of 0.14 mm at 34.0 D. The prediction error graph primarily mirrored the pattern of changes in the H-POP rather than the POP with varying IOL power. Linear regression showed a significant myopic shift in prediction error as IOL power increased beyond 16.0 D (Y = -0.069X+1.420, R2=0.178, p<0.001)., Conclusion: For the ICB00 IOL, the H-POP has more impact on IOL power calculation than the POP itself. For more accurate IOL power calculations, it is essential for all IOL manufacturers to provide comprehensive information on both optic and haptic geometries, which will enable the precise calculation of H-POP., (Copyright © 2025 Published by Wolters Kluwer on behalf of ASCRS and ESCRS.)

The intricate interplay between cellular circadian rhythms, primarily manifested in the chloroplast redox oscillations-characterized by diel hyperoxidation/reduction cycles of 2-Cys Peroxiredoxins-and the nuclear transcription/translation feedback loop (TTFL) machinery within plant cells, demonstrates a remarkable temporal coherence. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the integration of these circadian rhythms remain elusive. Here, we elucidate that the chloroplast redox protein, NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase type-C (NTRC), modulates the integration of the chloroplast redox rhythms and nuclear circadian clocks by regulating intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and sucrose. In NTRC-deficient ntrc mutants, the perturbed temporal dynamics of cytosolic metabolite pools substantially attenuated the amplitude of CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED-1 (CCA1) mRNA oscillation, while maintaining its inherent periodicity. In contrast, these fluctuations extended the period and ameliorated the amplitude of GIGANTEA (GI). In alignment with its regulatory role, the chloroplast redox rhythm and TTFL-driven nuclear oscillators are severely disrupted in ntrc plants. The impairments are rescued by NTRC expression, but not by the catalytically inactive NTRC(C/S) mutant, indicating that NTRC's redox activity is essential for synchronizing intracellular circadian rhythms. In return, the canonical nuclear clock component, TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION-1 (TOC1), regulates the diel chloroplast redox rhythm by controlling NTRC expression, as evidenced by the redox cycle of chloroplast 2-Cys Peroxiredoxins. This reciprocal regulation suggests a tight coupling between chloroplast redox rhythms and nuclear oscillators. Consequently, our research has successfully identified NTRC as a key circadian modulator, elucidating the intricate connection between the metabolite-dependent chloroplast redox rhythm and the temporal dynamics of nuclear canonical clocks., (Copyright © 2025 CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Chinese Society for Plant Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Background: While the significance of care navigation in facilitating access to health care within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other (LGBTQ+) communities has been acknowledged, there is limited research examining how care navigation influences an individual's ability to understand and access the care they need in real-world settings. By analyzing private sector data, we can bridge the gap between theoretical research findings and practical applications, ultimately informing both business strategies and public policy with evidence grounded in real-world efficacy., Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of specialized virtual care navigation services on LGBTQ+ individuals' ability to comprehend and access necessary care within a national cohort of commercially insured members., Methods: This case study is based on the experience of commercially insured members, aged 18 or older, who used the LGBTQ+ Health Care Navigation (LGBTQ+ Navigation) service by Included Health between January 26 and July 31, 2023. Care coordinators assisted members by connecting them with vetted identity-affirming in-network providers, helping them navigate and understand their LGBTQ+ health benefits, and providing education and advocacy for clinical and nonclinical needs. We examined the impact of navigation on 5 member-reported outcomes. In addition to reporting the proportion who agreed or strongly agreed, we calculated an impact score that averaged assigned numerical values to all 5 question responses (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree) for each respondent. We used ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests and t tests to explore the relationships between the impact score and member characteristics, including optional self-reported demographics., Results: Out of 4703 LGBTQ+ Navigation cases, 7.53% (n=354) had member-reported outcomes. A large majority of LGBTQ+ members agreed or strongly agreed that care navigation resulted in less stress (315/354, 89%), less care avoidance (305/354, 86.2%), higher confidence in finding an identity-affirming provider (327/354, 92.4%), improved ability to comprehend health care information (312/354, 88.1%), and improved ability to engage with providers (308/354, 87%). The average impact score was 4.44 (SD 0.69), with statistically significant differences by gender identity (P=.003), race (P=.01), ethnicity (P=.008), and pronouns (P=.02). The scores were highest for members with multiple gender identities (mean 4.56, SD 0.37), and members who did not provide their race, ethnicity, or their pronouns (mean 4.55, SD 0.64). Impact scores were lowest for transgender members (mean 4.11, SD 0.95)., Conclusions: The LGBTQ+ Navigation service, by enhancing members' comprehension and use of necessary care, demonstrates potential public health utility and value. Continuous evaluation of navigation services can serve as a supplementary tool for employers seeking to promote health equity and improve belonging among employees. This is particularly important as discrimination and stigma against LGBTQ+ communities persist in the United States. Therefore, scalable and system-level changes that use navigation services are essential to reach a larger proportion of the LGBTQ+ population., (© Seul Ki Choi, Jaclyn Marshall, Patrina Sexton Topper, Andrew Pregnall, José Bauermeister. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org).)

Background: This study aims to investigate how A1 segment asymmetry-also known as A1 dominancy-influences the development of the anterior communicating artery aneurysm (AcomA) as it affects hemodynamic conditions within the circle of Willis (COW). Using time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA), the research introduces a novel approach to assessing shear stress in A1 segments to uncover the hemodynamic factors contributing to AcomA formation., Method: An observational study was conducted over 6 years at a tertiary university hospital's outpatient clinic. Recruited patients who underwent TOF-MRA imaging were divided into AcomA and non-AcomA groups. MRA images were analyzed using semi-automatic software (VINT, Mediimg, Inc.) to calculate the signal intensity gradient (SIG), which reflects wall shear stress. The comparison metrics included general demographics, anatomical characteristics, and hemodynamic attributes of the COW, mainly focusing on A1 segment asymmetry., Results: Among the 700 subjects, 106 were categorized into the AcomA group, while 594 were placed in the non-AcomA group. The AcomA group showed a more significant difference in the bilateral A1 diameter (49.0% vs. 20.8%, p  < 0.001) and a greater prevalence of unilateral A1 aplasia (32.1% vs. 6.7%, p  < 0.001) compared to the non-AcomA group. Increased bilateral A1 asymmetry in the AcomA group corresponded with notable variations in A1 SIG, indicating increased wall shear stress. The occurrence of AcomA is associated with both anatomical factors of the circle of Willis, represented by the bilateral A1 diameter ratio, and hemodynamic factors, represented by the bilateral A1 SIG ratio, suggesting that both factors are almost equally significant., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that A1 segment asymmetry influences hemodynamic changes within the COW, contributing to AcomA formation. Hemodynamic factors provide an intuitive understanding of how anatomical characteristics within the COW can lead to aneurysm development., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2025 Lee, Jeong and Hong.)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a distressing health problem that can cause serious complications in aging men. Androgens are implicated in the causation of BPH. Portulaca oleracea (PO) is a natural product with diverse pharmacological effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of PO in a rat model of testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH and explore the underlying mechanisms. Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the following equal groups (n = 7): normal control (NC) group, TP (3 mg/kg) group, finasteride (10 mg/kg) group, 25 and 50 mg/kg PO groups. At the end of the experiment, the body weights (BWs) of the rats were measured before they were euthanized to the establishment obtain serum and prostate weight (PW). TP-induced levels of androgen-related proteins in the prostate were also investigated. In the TP group, prostate size, BW, serum DHT level, prostate epithelial cell thickness and androgen-related protein level were higher than those in the NC group (p < 0.001). PO reversed TP-induced BPH in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01) and its effect was similar to that of finasteride. A similar effect of PO on the androgen-related protein level was also observed. We successfully established a TP-induced BPH rat model. This is the first study to demonstrate that inhibition of androgen-related proteins using PO can alleviate BPH., (© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

There is evidence that BRCA1, particularly cytoplasmic BRCA1, plays a significant role in initiating apoptosis through various mechanisms. Maintaining the stability of BRCA1 in cancer cells may be a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer, especially in cases of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacking appropriate therapeutic targets. Previously, it was reported that cathepsin S (CTSS) interacts with the BRCT domain of BRCA1, leading to ubiquitin-mediated degradation. We further investigated the critical role of BRCA1 phosphorylation at Ser1387, which is mediated by ionizing radiation (IR)-induced activation of ATM. This phosphorylation event was identified as a key factor in CTSS-mediated ubiquitin degradation of BRCA1. The functional inhibition of CTSS, using small molecules or a knockdown system, sensitized TNBC cells when exposed to IR by restoring the stability of cytoplasmic BRCA1. The increase in cytoplasmic BRCA1 led to the degradation of anti-apoptotic BCL2, which was responsible for the radiosensitization effect observed with CTSS inhibition. These results suggest that inhibiting CTSS may be an effective strategy for radiosensitization in TNBC cells through BCL2 degradation that is mediated by inhibition of CTSS-induced BRCA1 degradation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. TNBC cell lines were exposed to irradiation (10 Gy) after pre-treatment with CTSS inhibitors; RO5461111 (RO) and Z-FL-COCHO (Z-FL). TNBC cell lines with wild-type BRCA1 (WT); MDA-MB-231 (231) & HCC70 and mutant BRCA1 (MT); MDA-MB-436 (436) & HCC1937 (1937). (A) Western blot analysis and the quantification of cleaved-PARP1 induction; (B) Cell death was evaluated with PI staining. Results are the means and SD (*p < 0.05, ANOVA)., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Transcription factors are frequent cancer driver genes, exhibiting noted specificity based on the precise cell of origin. We demonstrate that ZIC1 exhibits loss-of-function (LOF) somatic events in group 4 (G4) medulloblastoma through recurrent point mutations, subchromosomal deletions and mono-allelic epigenetic repression (60% of G4 medulloblastoma). In contrast, highly similar SHH medulloblastoma exhibits distinct and diametrically opposed gain-of-function mutations and copy number gains (20% of SHH medulloblastoma). Overexpression of ZIC1 suppresses the growth of group 3 medulloblastoma models, whereas it promotes the proliferation of SHH medulloblastoma precursor cells. SHH medulloblastoma ZIC1 mutants show increased activity versus wild-type ZIC1, whereas G4 medulloblastoma ZIC1 mutants exhibit LOF phenotypes. Distinct ZIC1 mutations affect cells of the rhombic lip in diametrically opposed ways, suggesting that ZIC1 is a critical developmental transcriptional regulator in both the normal and transformed rhombic lip and identifying ZIC1 as an exquisitely context-dependent driver gene in medulloblastoma., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background/aims: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a potentially serious but underdiagnosed manifestation of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). This observational study investigated the prevalence and clinical course of ILD in pSS, together with prognostic factors., Methods: A multicenter, retrospective longitudinal study was performed using findings from baseline and follow-up pulmonary function tests and chest computed tomography. Predisposing factors for the development of ILD and acute exacerbation (AE) were identified using a logistic regression model. The risk factors for a significant decline of pulmonary function were determined by the Cox proportional hazard model., Results: A total of 1,306 patients with pSS were included in this study (female, 98%; mean age, 54 years). Among them, 79 patients with pSS were comorbid with ILD. ILD was more frequently found in male, older patients. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia was the most prevalent imaging pattern in pSS-ILD (51%), followed by usual interstitial pneumonia (22%). At diagnosis with pSS-ILD, 54% of patients had restrictive pulmonary function, and 41% of patients initiated pharmacological treatment. During the median 4-year follow-up period, AE, a significant decline in pulmonary function, and death occurred in 19%, 29%, and 9% of patients with pSS-ILD, respectively. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) increased 3 months prior to AE, and it was associated with AE. Older age at pSS-ILD diagnosis was a prognostic factor for a significant decline in pulmonary function., Conclusion: ILD accounted for 6% of the comorbidity of pSS. AE was associated with a significant decline in pulmonary function, and the NLR may predict AE.

Latinos in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV and experience sub-optimal levels of viral suppression. Enlaces Por La Salud is an individual-level intervention implemented by personal health navigators and guided by the transnational framework to improve HIV care outcomes among newly diagnosed and out-of-care Mexican and Mexican American men and transgender women in North Carolina. The purpose of this study was to assess: (1) changes in HIV care and treatment outcomes among Enlaces participants and (2) intervention engagement and experiences. Ninety-one participants were recruited between October 2014 and August 2017 for a single-arm, mixed-methods design including surveys at baseline, 6 and 12 months and qualitative in-depth interviews immediately following the intervention with an embedded cohort (n = 19). Mean participant age was 36.8 years and most identified as cisgender male (90%). Participants were significantly more likely to have an undetectable viral load at baseline (18%) compared to 6-months (78%) (p < .001). Outcomes were sustained but not significantly increased from 6 to 12 months. Intervention engagement was high with 81% completing all six intervention sessions. In qualitative interviews, participants emphasized the importance of their relationship with the personal health navigators, who provided information, instrumental, and emotional support. A person-centered intervention guided by the lived experience of migration could be an effective way to support Latinos with HIV from diverse countries of origin to achieve viral suppression and improve overall wellbeing., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors report no financial or non-financial interests that are directly or indirectly related to the work submitted for publication., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background/aim: To elucidate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (Mets) and somatic composition [fat mass, fat-free (FF) mass, and fat to fat-free (F-FF) ratio] among health checkup recipients (7,776 males and 10,121 females)., Patients and Methods: We classified study subjects into four types considering Japanese criteria for Mets; Type A is for males with waist circumference (WC) <85 cm and females with WC <90 cm, Type B is for males with WC ≥85 cm and females with WC ≥90 cm, but without any metabolic abnormalities, Type C is for males with WC ≥85 cm and females with WC ≥90 cm and one metabolic disorder (pre-Mets), and Type D is Mets. We compared baseline characteristics among types of A, B, C, and D., Results: F index, FF index, and F-FF ratio showed an increasing trend with increasing risk factors for Mets in both sexes., Conclusion: This study demonstrates a clear correlation between somatic composition and the severity of metabolic syndrome (Mets). As Mets risk factors increase, fat mass, fat-free mass, and the fat-to-fat-free ratio also rise, indicating that body composition shifts with disease progression. These findings emphasize the need for early intervention, such as exercise and diet, to manage somatic composition imbalances and reduce complications like insulin resistance., (Copyright © 2025, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose.

Endometrial cancer, a common gynecological malignancy, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in advanced or recurrent cases. TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a serine/threonine kinase, plays crucial roles in inflammation and immunity by activating nuclear factor (NF)-κB and interferon regulatory factor 3. However, its specific roles in endometrial cancer remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effects and underlying mechanisms of amlexanox, a TBK1 inhibitor, against endometrial cancer. The main genetic mutations in TBK1 were found to be mRNA downregulation and missense mutations. Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis revealed that low TBK1 expression was associated with a good prognosis in patients with uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). In vitro experiments demonstrated that TBK1 knockdown or amlexanox significantly inhibited the proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration of endometrial cancer cells. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of targeting TBK1 on cancer cell proliferation and migration were mediated by the protein kinase B (AKT)/NF-κB signaling pathway. Xenograft experiments revealed that both amlexanox treatment and TBK1 knockdown effectively suppressed the tumor growth. Overall, this study highlights the potent anti-cancer effects of amlexanox against endometrial cancer by modulating AKT/NF-κB signaling, thus providing a new avenue for the development of novel TBK1-targeting therapeutic strategies for UCEC., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Objective: Impaired skeletal muscle glycogen synthesis contributes to insulin resistance (IR). Aerobic exercise reported to ameliorate IR by augmenting insulin signaling, however the detailed mechanism behind this improvement remains unclear. This study investigated whether aerobic exercise enhances glycogen anabolism and insulin sensitivity via EGR-1/PTP1B signaling pathway in skeletal muscle of rats., Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and performed treadmill exercise training for 6-week. Oral glucose tolerance test was conducted to confirm the IR. Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and anthrone colorimetry were used to assess the skeletal muscle glycogen. RT-qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the EGR-1/PTP1B pathway and associated signaling molecules., Results: We found that exercise training significantly decreased blood glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) against HFD-induced elevation. Decreased muscle glycogen content due to HFD was significantly restored after exercise training. Exercise training promoted mRNA expressions of Irs1, Akt, and Glut4, while inhibited Gsk-3β expression against HFD. Next, the decreased IRS1 (phosphorylated/total), AKT (phosphorylated/total), and GLUT4, and increased GSK-3β proteins with HFD were significantly reversed by exercise. Furthermore, HFD-induced overexpression of EGR-1 and PTP1B evidenced by mRNA, protein, and immunofluorescence intensity, were substantially inhibited by exercise, which may contribute to promote insulin sensitivity and glycogen anabolism., Conclusions: Aerobic exercise training promotes insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle glycogen synthesis in HFD-fed rats. The beneficial effects of exercise might be mediated by EGR-1/PTP1B signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, however further studies are necessary to confirm this mechanism., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This paper presents a novel approach to fabricate substrate integrated waveguides (SIWs) on glass substrates with tin (Sn) through glass vias (TGVs) tailored for millimeter-wave applications. The fabrication process employs a custom-designed vacuum suctioning system to rapidly fill precise TGV holes in the glass substrate, which are formed by wafer-level glass reflow micromachining techniques with molten tin in a minute. This method offers a very fast and cost-effective alternative for complete via filling without voids compared to the conventional metallization techniques such as electroplating or sputtering. An SIW with a 3-dB cutoff frequency of 17.2 GHz was fabricated using the proposed process. The fabricated SIW shows an average insertion loss of 1.65 ± 0.54 dB across the 20-35 GHz range. These results highlight the potential of glass substrates with tin TGVs for fabricating millimeter-wave devices.

Background: Tracheostomy is performed in patients with trauma who need prolonged ventilation for respiratory failure or airway management. Although it has benefits, such as reduced sedation and easier care, it also has risks. This study explored the unclear timing, technique, and patient selection criteria for tracheostomy in patients with trauma., Methods: We included 220 adult patients with trauma who underwent tracheostomy after endotracheal intubation between January 2019 and December 2022. We compared clinical outcomes between patients who underwent early (within 10 days) and late (after 10 days) tracheostomy and between patients who underwent percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and surgical tracheostomy (ST). Factors associated with hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), ICU-free days, duration of mechanical ventilation, and ventilator-free days (VFDs) were identified using multiple linear regression analysis., Results: The patients' mean age was 61.5 years; 75.9% were men. Most tracheostomies were performed after 10 days (n = 135, 61.4%), with PDT serving as the more common approach during this period. Contrastingly, early tracheostomies (n = 85, 38.6%) were predominantly performed using ST. Early tracheostomy was significantly associated with reduced hospital (P = 0.038) and ICU LOS (P = 0.047), decreased duration of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.001), and increased VFDs (P < 0.001). However, no significant association was found with ICU-free days (P = 0.072) or in-hospital mortality (P = 0.917)., Conclusion: Early tracheostomy was associated with reduced hospital and ICU LOS, decreased duration of mechanical ventilation, and increased VFDs., (© 2024 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)

Background and objectives : The development of a five-in-one vaccine microneedle patch (five-in-one MN patch) aims to address challenges in administering vaccines against Diphtheria (DT), Tetanus (TT), Pertussis (wP), Hepatitis B (HBsAg), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Combining multiple vaccines into a single patch offers a novel solution to improve vaccine accessibility, stability, and delivery efficiency, particularly in resource-limited settings. Methods : The five-in-one MN patch consists of four distinct microneedle arrays: DT and TT vaccines are coated together on one array, while wP, HepB, and Hib vaccines are coated separately on individual arrays. The patch was tested for long-term stability (12 months at 25 °C) and evaluated for immunogenicity in mice and minipigs. Antibody titers were measured using ELISA to compare immune responses between microneedle-based delivery and traditional intramuscular (IM) injection. Results : The five-in-one MN patch demonstrated stable antigenicity for up to 12 months at room temperature. In animal studies, the patch induced antibody titers comparable to traditional IM injections for all vaccines. Notably, immunogenic responses to Pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines via microneedles were reported for the first time. The patch facilitated the simultaneous yet independent delivery of vaccines, preserving their immunogenicity without interference. Conclusions : The five-in-one MN patch represents a significant advancement in vaccine delivery by enabling stable, minimally invasive, and efficient immunization. Its innovative design addresses the critical limitations of combination vaccines and has the potential to enhance vaccine accessibility in low- and middle-income countries. Future studies will focus on optimizing patch application techniques and evaluating broader clinical applicability.

Endosymbionts are important for insect species as they provide essential substances to the host. Due to the technical advance of NGS technology and de novo assemblers, many endosymbionts bacterial genomes are available now. Here, we analysed fourteen endosymbiont bacterial genomes of Aphis genius, one of notorious pest species. Fourteen genomes displayed the length between 628,098 bp to 634,931 bp; GC ratio was from 24.2 % to 25.6 % with no structural variation found. The nucleotide diversity distribution across the 14 endosymbiont genomes revealed three distinct regions, each separated by varying levels of nucleotide diversity. Intraspecific variations identified from endosymbiont bacterial genomes of the same host species revealed numbers of SNPs ranging from 31 (0.0049%) to 1,652 (0.26%) and those of INDELs ranging from 7 (21 bp; 0.0033%) to 104 (285 bp; 0.0045%). 250 unique SSRs, 28 different common SSR groups, and one different SSR group in two genomes were identified and used as a potential molecular marker to distinguish intraspecific population. Phylogenetic analysis further showed congruence between the endosymbiont bacterial genomes and the host species phylogeny, except Aphis nasturtii , Aphis helianth , and Aphis auranti , which require additional endosymbiont genomes for clarification. This comparative analysis result could serve as a cornerstone for understanding the relationship between host and endosymbiont species from a genomic perspective.

Background and Objectives : Rib fractures are common in patients with trauma, and patients with multiple rib fractures often require surgical stabilization. Because rib fractures may occur at different sites along the ribs, the technical approach to surgical stabilization varies. Here, we present a case of posterior rib fractures with multiple paraspinal fragmented rib segments that were successfully treated with costovertebral plate fixation. Case Presentation : A truck driver was injured after falling from the top of a truck. Computed tomography scans of the chest showed multiple flail segments along the paraspinal and posterolateral regions with a clinically evident flail chest. Owing to the proximity of the flail segments to the thoracic spine, rib plating was performed across the ribs and the transverse processes of the thoracic spine with the assistance of a neurosurgeon. The patient was extubated on postoperative day 1 and discharged successfully after the other traumatic injuries were treated. Discussion : Far posterior rib fractures close to the spine may be challenging, particularly if plates for rib fractures cannot be placed on the ribs alone. For such challenges, costotransverse plating is a feasible surgical option. However, the anatomical orientation of the rib and the transverse process of the thoracic spine are different, which complicates surgical planning and maneuvers. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the costotransverse anatomy is critical for successful surgical stabilization of fractured ribs. Conclusions : This is a good example of a challenging case of rib fractures requiring paraspinal plate stabilization.

The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic underscores the need for rapid and accurate prediction of clinical thrombotic events. Here, we developed nanoengineered multichannel immunosensors for rapid detection of circulating biomarkers associated with thrombosis, including C-reactive protein (CRP), calprotectin, soluble platelet selectin (sP-selectin), and D-dimer. We fabricated the immunosensors using fiber laser engraving of carbon nanotubes and CO 2 laser cutting of microfluidic channels, along with the electrochemical deposition of gold nanoparticles to conjugate with biomarker-specific aptamers and antibody. Using unsupervised clustering based on four biomarker concentrations, we predicted thrombotic events in 49 of 53 patients. The four-biomarker combination yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.95, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity for acute thrombosis prediction compared to the AUC values for individual biomarkers: CRP (0.773), calprotectin (0.711), sP-selectin (0.683), and D-dimer (0.739). Thus, a nanoengineered multichannel platform with unsupervised clustering provides accurate and efficient methods for predicting thrombosis, guiding personalized medicine.

Postoperative imaging of musculoskeletal tumors poses a significant diagnostic challenge for radiologists. The complexity arises from the need to differentiate between expected postoperative changes, potential complications, and local recurrence. The choice of imaging modality depends on the type of primary tumor. Standard radiological modalities such as radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely utilized. Radiography and CT are especially valuable for assessing primary bone tumors, as they provide detailed views of bone structures and alignment, as well as revealing postoperative complications. MRIs are particularly effective for evaluating soft tissue tumors and identifying local recurrences due to its superior soft tissue contrast. The advanced imaging techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, have significantly improved diagnostic accuracy in detecting tumor recurrence. An in-depth understanding of surgery-specific imaging findings, as well as the ability to detect recurrent disease, is crucial for early diagnosis of complications and improved patient outcomes. Familiarity with normal postoperative changes helps radiologists distinguish them from abnormal findings indicative of complications or tumor recurrence. This review article aims to outline the surgical options for musculoskeletal tumors, detail the various imaging techniques used in postoperative surveillance, and discuss the potential complications. By understanding the role of different imaging modalities and their applications associated with various surgical procedures, clinicians and radiologists can provide accurate and timely diagnoses.

Seafood quality preservation remains a critical focus in the food industry, particularly as the freeze-thaw process significantly impacts the freshness and safety of aquatic products. This study investigated quality changes in frozen mackerel subjected to two thawing methods, room temperature (RT) and running water (WT), and assessed the potential of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for classifying these methods. After thawing, mackerel samples were stored at 5 °C for 21 days, with physicochemical, textural, and spectroscopic analyses tracking quality changes and supporting the development of a spectroscopic classification model. Compared with the WT method, the RT method delayed changes in key quality indicators, including pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and total viable count (TVC), by 1-2 days, suggesting it may better preserve initial quality. Texture profile analysis showed similar trends, supporting the benefit of RT in maintaining quality. A major focus was on using HSI to assess quality and classify thawing methods. HSI achieved high classification accuracy (R c 2 = 0.9547) in distinguishing thawing methods up to three days post-thaw, with 1100, 1200, and 1400 nm wavelengths identified as key spectral markers. The HIS's ability to detect differences between thawing methods, even when conventional analyses showed minimal variation, highlights its potential as a powerful tool for quality assessment and process control in the seafood industry, enabling detection of subtle quality changes that traditional methods may miss.

This study examined the chemoselectivity and diastereoselectivity of silyl nitronate alkenyn-nitroethers in Intramolecular Silyl Nitronate Cycloadditions (ISNCs) to produce isoxazole derivatives with interesting medicinal properties. These reactions resulted in the formation of either dihydrofuro[3,4-c]isoxazolines/isoxazolidines and/or alkynyl moieties attached to 2,5-dihydrofuryl carbonyls. This study also discerned the diastereoselectivities of the resulting cyclic adducts and compared them to previous findings. The reactions were also investigated with Spartan molecular modeling computations to aid in the understanding of any displayed chemo- and/or stereoselectivity. These [3+2]-cycloaddition reactions demonstrated excellent to complete chemospecificity. The cycloadditions also demonstrated remarkable diastereospecificity in that each diastereomer of the nitroethers resulted in the formation of only one of four possible diastereomeric outcomes. The stereochemistry of the major diastereomers did not agree with previously published findings.

This study investigates the neuroprotective potential of STAT3 inhibition in reducing oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage and apoptosis, a major factor contributing to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our findings demonstrate that STAT3 inhibitors significantly enhance cell survival and reduce apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide. These protective effects are mediated through the ERK/CREB signaling pathway rather than direct suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation. Further analysis revealed that the ERK pathway is a critical mediator of CREB activation following STAT3 inhibition. The protective effects of STAT3 inhibitors were significantly reduced in the presence of the ERK inhibitor PD98059, underscoring the importance of the ERK/CREB axis in neuroprotection. We observed that STAT3 inhibitors promote CREB phosphorylation, leading to the upregulation of immediate early genes such as c-Fos, c-Jun, Arc, Egr-1, NR4A1, and Homer1a, as well as BDNF. These genes are crucial for synaptic plasticity and long-term memory formation, suggesting that STAT3 inhibition may ameliorate cognitive impairments in neurodegenerative conditions. Our results highlight the potential of STAT3 inhibitors to counteract oxidative stress and enhance cognitive functions by modulating the ERK/CREB signaling pathway. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of STAT3 inhibition and support its therapeutic potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: Not applicable. Consent to Participate: Not applicable. Consent for Publication: Not applicable., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The current state-of-the-art climate models when combined together suggest that the anthropogenic weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has already begun since the mid-1980s. However, continuous direct observational records during the past two decades have shown remarkable resilience of the AMOC. To shed light on this apparent contradiction, here we attempt to attribute the interdecadal variation of the historical AMOC to the anthropogenic and natural signals, by analyzing multiple climate and surface-forced ocean model simulations together with direct observational data. Our analysis suggests that an extensive weakening of the AMOC occurred in the 2000s, as evident from the surface-forced ocean model simulations, and was primarily driven by anthropogenic forcing and possibly augmented by natural variability. However, since the early 2010s, the natural component of the AMOC has greatly strengthened due to the development of a strong positive North Atlantic Oscillation. The enhanced natural AMOC signal in turn acted to oppose the anthropogenic weakening signal, leading to a near stalling of the AMOC weakening. Further analysis suggests that the tug-of-war between the natural and anthropogenic signals will likely continue in the next several years., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Background/objectives: To assess the incidence of and risk factors for black triangles between the central incisors after orthodontic treatment; Methods: Ninety-seven post-treatment patients (29 men and 68 women; mean age, 22.7 years) were retrospectively divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of black triangles, using intraoral photographs. Based on the Jemt Index, the black triangle occurrence group was further classified into mild, moderate, and severe groups. Parameters from periapical radio graphs, lateral cephalograms, and study models were compared between the occurrence and the non-occurrence groups by using independent t -tests. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for black triangles; Results: The incidence of black triangles between the central incisors was 51% and 64% in the maxilla and in the mandible, respectively. The factors significantly associated with the occurrence of black triangles were age, treatment duration, the lingual inclination of the maxillary incisors in the maxilla, and age in the mandible ( p < 0.05); Conclusions: This study showed the diverse risk factors associated with black triangles between central incisors after orthodontic treatment and revealed that the formation of black triangles is relatively common. Considering these risk factors during orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning can help minimize the occurrence of black triangles.

Introduction: This study aimed to prospectively investigate magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) for post-prostatectomy prostate cancer and report preliminary clinical outcomes., Methods: All included patients underwent salvage or adjuvant adaptive MRgRT on a 1.5T MR integrated linear accelerator (MR-LINAC). Gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities were assessed. The primary endpoint was the progression-free survival (PFS) rate estimated by Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis. A progression event was defined as the first occurrence of biochemical failure, radiological progression, or death. Secondary endpoints were biochemical failure-free survival (bFFS) rate, radiological PFS (rPFS) rate, and ≥G2 adverse events., Results: Thirty post-prostatectomy patients were enrolled and followed (median follow-up: 32.0 months; 3.0-48.1 months). Three patients had biochemical failure during follow-up. One patient developed pelvic node metastases. All patients were alive. The estimated PFS rates were 96.4% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 89.8%-100.0%) at 2 years and 78.8% (95%CI: 61.3%-100%) at 3 years. The estimated bFFS rates were 96.4% (95%CI: 89.8%-100%) /86.6%(95%CI: 73.4%-100%) at 2/3 years, respectively. The corresponding rPFS rates were 100% at 2 years and 92.3% (95%CI: 78.9%-100%) at 3 years, respectively. There was only one acute G2 GI adverse event (1/30, 3.33%) of abdominal pain occurred. Two late G2 events (one rectal bleeding and one urinary frequency) were scored (2/30, 6.67%). No ≥G3 events were observed., Conclusion: Our findings suggest the feasibility, excellent patient tolerance, and encouraging efficacy of post-prostatectomy MRgRT, extending our knowledge of the clinical outcomes of MRgRT and serving as a benchmark for future investigation., (© 2024 The Author(s). Asia‐Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Objective: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays a significant role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis, though the OA-related functions of only a few FGFs have been fully elucidated. This study investigates the specific roles of FGF7 in OA development., Methods: FGF7 expression was analyzed in human (n=6) and mouse (n=10) cartilage. Experimental OA was induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). The roles of FGF7 were explored using intra-articular (IA) injection of recombinant FGF7 (rFGF7) and whole-body Fgf7 knockout mice (Fgf7 -/- ). Subchondral bone remodeling and growth plate morphology were assessed micro computed tomography (µCT) and histological analysis., Results: FGF7 was upregulated in OA cartilage. IA injection of rFGF7 led to OA cartilage destruction (OARSI [Osteoarthritis Research Society International] grade; 0.61 [95% CI 0.00-5.33]), while Fgf7 -/- mice showed reduced DMM-induced cartilage erosion (OARSI grade; 1.89 [95% CI 1.08-3.00]) compared to wild-type mice (4.92 [95% CI 3.83-5.33]). These effects were associated with changes in matrix-degrading enzyme expression in chondrocytes. Mice receiving IA injection of rFGF7 (20 μg) exhibited increased subchondral bone thickness (68.01 µm [95% CI 61.55-74.46]) and decreased osteoclastogenesis (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positivity; 1.94% [95% CI 1.41-2.47]) compared to controls (38.33 µm [95% CI 33.71-42.96]) and (4.23% [95% CI 3.28-5.19]), respectively. Additionally, rFGF7 treatment caused premature closure of growth plates, whereas Fgf7 -/- mice exhibited significantly increased growth plate thickness., Conclusions: FGF7 exerts multiple functions in various joint tissues, including promoting cartilage destruction, inducing subchondral bone remodeling (SBP thickening), and triggering premature growth plate closure., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries are promising and efficient energy storage systems owing to their low cost, high safety, and satisfactory capacity. However, the instability of Zn metal anodes, caused by dendritic growth and parasitic side reactions, hinders their practical application. In this study, a nanophase-separated block copolymer layer that enhances the reversibility of Zn metal anodes is introduced. This layer consists of two components: a high-performance engineering-plastic-based hydrophobic block exhibiting excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability, and a hydrophilic block that significantly improves the interfacial stability of the anode by selectively permeating Zn ions through the separated nanophase channels. Through an improved electrochemical system and scalable fabrication process, this block copolymer provides a feasible approach for the practical application of Zn metal anodes in aqueous energy storage systems., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Hydrogen is an alternative fuel for transportation vehicles because it is clean, sustainable, and highly flammable. However, the production of hydrogen from lignocellulosic biomass by microorganisms presents challenges. This microbial process involves multiple complex steps, including thermal, chemical, and mechanical treatment of biomass to remove hemicellulose and lignin, as well as enzymatic hydrolysis to solubilize the plant cell walls. These steps not only incur costs but also result in the production of toxic hydrolysates, which inhibit microbial growth. A hyper-thermophilic bacterium of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii can produce hydrogen by decomposing and fermenting plant biomass without the need for conventional pretreatment. It is considered as a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) microorganism. This review summarizes the basic scientific knowledge and hydrogen-producing capacity of C. bescii. Its genetic system and metabolic engineering strategies to improve hydrogen production are also discussed. KEY POINTS: • Hydrogen is an alternative and eco-friendly fuel. • Caldicellulosiruptor bescii produces hydrogen with a high yield in nature. • Metabolic engineering can make C. bescii to improve hydrogen production., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background/objectives: Perceived diet quality (PDQ) has been suggested as an easy-to-use dietary assessment tool. However, its practicality and efficiency are still questionable. This study aimed to gauge the utility of PDQ as an alternative dietary assessment tool among Korean adults by examining PDQ and its associated factors., Subjects/methods: An online survey was conducted on 514 Korean adults aged 19 to 64 years in October 2022. PDQ was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, and participants were categorized into healthy, fair, or unhealthy PDQ groups. The participants were asked about the perceived importance of nutrients and food groups for health and the extent to which they considered these factors in their usual diets using a 5-point Likert scale. A multivariate linear regression model was used to identify the factors associated with PDQ., Results: About 26.7% of participants rated their diets as healthy, while 63.2% rated them as fair and 10.1% rated them as unhealthy. Participants with a healthy PDQ rated perceived importance and consideration of nutrients and food groups higher than the fair or unhealthy PDQ groups. A healthier PDQ was associated with the male gender, an older age, being normal or underweight, having better subjective health, lower use of alcohol, being physically active, having a high interest in healthy diets, and a higher perception of the importance of nutrients and food groups for health., Conclusion: The PDQ could serve as a simple and rapid screening tool for identifying individuals at risk of poor diets., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interests., (©2024 The Korean Nutrition Society and the Korean Society of Community Nutrition.)

Mature teratoma is a subtype of intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs), distinguished from malignant GCTs by its benign nature and excellent prognosis. Typically, no adjuvant therapy is recommended following gross total resection (GTR). We report a case of a prepubertal girl with a suprasellar mature teratoma that recurred as a germinoma 6 months post-GTR. A 7-year-old girl presented with headache and polydipsia. Imaging revealed a suprasellar mass. The patient underwent GTR, and pathological diagnosis confirmed a mature teratoma without other GCT components. Six months later, MRI identified a newly developed suprasellar mass adjacent to the optic chiasm. A second surgery confirmed the mass as a germinoma. The patient subsequently underwent adjuvant chemotherapy combined with proton therapy, resulting in complete remission. The diagnosis of mature teratoma must be approached with caution, and thorough follow-up is imperative, particularly in cases involving female patients, prepubertal age, or non-pineal locations., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: Not applicable Conflict of interest: The author has no potential conflicts of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Aim: To examine the relationship between changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and those in body composition and metabolic factors in participants receiving medical health checkups (4350 men [mean age 52.5 years] and 5398 women [mean age 50.5 years]) METHODS: We divided the participants into four types based on their ALT value at baseline and 1 year: A, ALT ≤30 (baseline) and ≤30 (1 year); B, ALT ≥31 (baseline) and ≤30 (1 year); C, ALT ≤30 (baseline) and ≥31 (1 year); and D, ALT ≥31 (baseline) and ≥31 (1 year). The change in each body composition-related parameter (waist circumference, fat mass, fat-free mass, fat mass to fat-free mass ratio, etc.) after 1-year was defined as Δ., Results: The mean changes in waist circumference (cm) in the four types (A, B, C, and D) were -0.33, -1.54, 0.66, and -0.29 (overall p < 0.0001) in men, and -0.19, -0.90, 0.30, and 0.090 (overall p < 0.0001) in women. The mean changes in fat mass (kg) in the four types were -0.027, -0.86, 0.62, and 0.092 (overall p < 0.0001) in men, and 0.0067, -0.48, 0.39, and 0.063 (overall p < 0.0001) in women. The mean changes in fat-free mass (kg) in the four types were -0.028, -0.55, 0.42, and -0.034 (overall p < 0.0001) in men, and -0.0091, -0.34, 0.12, and -0.045 (overall p = 0.0012) in women. The mean changes in fat mass to fat-free mass ratio in the four types were -0.00042, -0.0120, 0.00837, and 0.00171 (overall p < 0.0001) in men, and -0.00013, -0.00817, 0.00730, and 0.00628 (overall p < 0.0001) in women., Conclusion: A decrease in ALT to ≤30 IU/L may be associated with improved body composition balance, but caution should be exercised for the decrease in muscle mass., (© 2024 Japan Society of Hepatology.)

Purpose: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is characterized by persistent inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear and mastoid. One of the primary causative agents of CSOM is P. aeruginosa, known for its production of virulent toxins and enzymes. Some cases of CSOM, improvement may not occur despite treatment lasting three weeks, leading to what is termed refractory CSOM. This research aims to characterize the P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients with refractory CSOM in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, providing insights into their pathogenic profiles., Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of P. aeruginosa isolates from the otorrhea of patients diagnosed with CSOM at a tertiary hospital in Gyeongsangnam-do, over a period from January 2005 to August 2022. The strains were examined using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and toxin gene assay to assess genetic diversity and virulence., Results: 39 samples were obtained from 13 cases of refractory CSOM and 15 cases of non-refractory CSOM. The findings unveiled that the P. aeruginosa cultured from patients with refractory CSOM belonged to the P. aeruginosa sequence type 235 (ST235) strain, which harbors the exoU gene as a major virulence factor., Conclusion: The detection of ST235 in refractory CSOM signifies a challenging clinical scenario. Given the genotype's strong virulence and antibiotic resistance, identifying ST235 through MLST can guide effective management approaches, including potential surgical intervention. This study underscores the necessity of broader epidemiological investigations to understand ST235 behavior and advocates for patient education to mitigate the impacts of this formidable pathogen in CSOM., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study adhered to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. It received approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Gyeongsang National University Hospital on May 24, 2024, under the IRB approval number [2024-24-006-002]. Due to the retrospective design of the study and the absence of any associated harm to the participants, the IRB waived the need for investigators to obtain signed informed consent forms from the participants. The bacterial strains analyzed were provided by the Fastidious Specialized Pathogen Resources Bank (a member of the National Culture Collection for Pathogens, GNUH, Jinju, Korea), which supplies clinically isolated strains for research purposes under ethical guidelines. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study aimed to evaluate red pepper powder quality by the extent of chilling injury and develop a method for detecting chilling injury-affected pepper powder. Pepper powder produced from chilling injury-affected pepper fruits exhibited increased bitter amino acids, microbial counts, and biogenic amines and decreased sweetness index and organic acid levels. These quality deteriorations indicate the need to detect chilling injury in pepper powders. The color values were insufficient to identify the occurrence of chilling injury. Therefore, hyperspectral imaging was used to detect the chilling injury. Based on the feature importance metrics results from XGBoost and correlation analysis, five key wavelengths were selected from a total of 188 wavelengths. The XGBoost model, using selected wavelengths, demonstrated higher accuracy (100 %) in discriminating the chilling injury level in pepper powder compared to that using full-wavelengths (98.0 %). These results provide insights into the rapid and non-destructive quality assessment of pepper powder., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper, (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)