Search

In the hopes of observing the highest-energy neutrinos (E>1 EeV) populating the Universe, both past (RICE, AURA, ANITA) and current (RNO-G, ARIANNA, ARA and TAROGE-M) polar-sited experiments exploit the impulsive radio emission produced by neutrino interactions. In such experiments, rare single event candidates must be unambiguously identified above backgrounds. Background rejection strategies to date primarily target thermal noise fluctuations and also impulsive radio-frequency signals of anthropogenic origin. In this paper, we consider the possibility that ‘fake’ neutrino signals may also be generated naturally via the ‘triboelectric effect.’ This broadly describes any process in which force applied at a boundary layer results in displacement of surface charge, leading to the production of an electrostatic potential difference ΔV. Wind blowing over granular surfaces such as snow can induce such a potential difference, with subsequent coronal discharge. Discharges over timescales as short as nanoseconds can then lead to radio-frequency emissions at characteristic MHz–GHz frequencies. Using data from various past (RICE, AURA, SATRA, ANITA) and current (RNO-G, ARIANNA and ARA) neutrino experiments, we find evidence for such backgrounds, which are generally characterized by: (a) a threshold wind velocity which likely depends on the experimental trigger criteria and layout; for the experiments considered herein, this value is typically O(10 m/s), (b) frequency spectra generally shifted to the low-end of the frequency regime to which current radio experiments are typically sensitive (100–200 MHz), (c) for the strongest background signals, an apparent preference for discharges from above-surface structures, although the presence of more isotropic, lower amplitude triboelectric discharges cannot be excluded.

The TAROGE-M observatory is an autonomous antenna array on the top of Mt. Melbourne (∼2700 m altitude) in Antarctica, designed to detect radio pulses from ultra-high energy (over 1017 eV) air showers coming from near-horizon directions. The targeted sources include cosmic rays, Earth-skimming tau neutrinos, and most of all, the anomalous near-horizon upward-going events of yet unknown origin discovered by ANITA experiments. The detection concept follows that of ANITA: monitoring large area of ice from high-altitude and taking advantage of strong geomagnetic field and quiet radio background in Antarctica, whereas having significantly greater livetime and scalability. The TAROGE-M station, upgraded from its prototype built in 2019, was deployed in January 2020, and consists of 6 log-periodic dipole antennas pointing horizontally with bandwidth of 180-450 MHz. The station is then calibrated with drone-borne transmitter, with which the event reconstruction obtained ∼0.3° angular resolution. The station was then smoothly operating in the following month, with the live time of ∼ 30 days, before interrupted by a power problem, and its online filtering has identified several candidate cosmic-ray events and sent out via satellite communication. In this paper, the instrumentation of the station for polar and high-altitude environment, its radio-locating performance, the preliminary result on cosmic-ray detection, and the future extension plan are presented.

TAROGE-M is a self-triggered radio antenna array atop the 2700 m high Mt.Melbourne in Antarctica, designed to detect impulsive geomagnetic emission fromextensive air showers induced by ultra-high energy (UHE) particles beyond 0.1EeV, including cosmic rays (CRs), Earth-skimming tau neutrinos, andparticularly, the "ANITA anomalous events" (AAEs) from near and below thehorizon, which origin remains uncertain and requires more experimental inputsfor clarification. The detection concept of TAROGE-M takes advantage of a high altitude withsynoptic view toward the horizon as an efficient signal collector, and theradio quietness as well as strong and near vertical geomagnetic field inAntarctica. This approach has a low energy threshold, high duty cycle, and iseasy to extend for quickly enlarging statistics. Here we report experimentalresults from the first TAROGE-M station deployed in 2020, corresponding to$25.3$-days of livetime. The station consists of six receiving antennasoperating at 180-450 MHz, and can reconstruct source directions with$\sim0.3^\circ$ angular resolution. To demonstrate its ability to detect UHEair showers, a search for CR signals in the data was conducted, resulting inseven identified events. These events have a mean reconstructed energy of$0.95_{-0.31}^{+0.46}$ EeV and zenith angles between $25^\circ-82^\circ$, withboth distributions agreeing with simulations. The estimated CR flux is alsoconsistent with results of other experiments. The TAROGE-M sensitivity to AAEsis approximated by the tau neutrino exposure with simulations, suggestingcomparable sensitivity as ANITA's at $~1$ EeV energy with a few station-yearsof operation. These first results verified the station design and performancein a polar and high-altitude environment, and are promising for furtherdiscovery of tau neutrinos and AAEs after an extension in the near future.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial, heterogeneous disease associated with epidermal barrier disruption and intense systemic inflammation. Previously, we showed that exosomes derived from human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC-exosomes) attenuate AD-like symptoms by reducing multiple inflammatory cytokine levels. Here, we investigated ASC-exosomes' effects on skin barrier restoration by analyzing protein and lipid contents. We found that subcutaneous injection of ASC-exosomes in an oxazolone-induced dermatitis model remarkably reduced trans-epidermal water loss, while enhancing stratum corneum (SC) hydration and markedly decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17, and TSLP, all in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, ASC-exosomes induced the production of ceramides and dihydroceramides. Electron microscopic analysis revealed enhanced epidermal lamellar bodies and formation of lamellar layer at the interface of the SC and stratum granulosum with ASC-exosomes treatment. Deep RNA sequencing analysis of skin lesions demonstrated that ASC-exosomes restores the expression of genes involved in skin barrier, lipid metabolism, cell cycle, and inflammatory response in the diseased area. Collectively, our results suggest that ASC-exosomes effectively restore epidermal barrier functions in AD by facilitating the de novo synthesis of ceramides, resulting in a promising cell-free therapeutic option for treating AD.

Constipation is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal system characterized by difficult bowel movements, infrequent defecation, reduced water content, and hard stools. This study aims to evaluate the preventive effects of fermented gold kiwis (FGK) on loperamide-induced constipation in rats and investigate its efficacy in improving constipation symptoms in human patients through a randomized clinical trial. In the animal study, FGK was administered orally at doses of 50, 125, and 250 mg/kg to constipated rats for two weeks, resulting in significant improvements in constipation parameters. FGK increased serum serotonin and acetylcholine levels and suppressed increases in serum dopamine concentration. FGK also upregulated mRNA expression of the serotonin-synthesizing receptors 5-HT3R and 5-HT4R and suppressed the expression of the dopamine 2-receptor (D2R) in the duodenum. Furthermore, FGK inhibited inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. In the clinical trials, the improvement in constipation symptoms was evaluated using the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS). Clinical trial participants reported significant improvements in constipation symptoms after receiving FGK. These findings suggest that FGK effectively relieves constipation in both animals and humans, indicating its potential as an effective dietary supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent hair loss disorder with psychological repercussions. Traditional treatments have limitations, leading to the exploration of regenerative therapies such as exosomes derived from adipose tissue stem cells (ASC‐Exosomes). Methods: First, using human hair follicle (HF) dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) treated with ASC‐Exosomes, ALP, VCAN, β‐catenin, and LEF‐1 levels with RT‐PCR and p‐GSK3β, GSK3β, β‐catenin, ALP, and β‐actin levels with western blot analysis were assessed. Hair shaft elongation test and assay for ALP, Ki‐67, and β‐catenin were done using human HF organ culture. Patients with AGA had ASC‐Exosomes treatment and were evaluated for hair counts, photographic assessments, subjective satisfaction, and safety profiles. Results: ASC‐Exosomes impact hDPCs, increasing proliferation and the upregulation of hair growth‐related genes, including ALP, VCAN, β‐catenin, and LEF‐1. The Wnt/β‐catenin pathway was activated, indicating their role in promoting hair growth. ASC‐Exosomes also promoted hair shaft elongation and ALP activity, suggesting a potential for hair regeneration. Thirty participants with AGA enrolled and treated over 24 weeks. The subjects experienced a significant increase in total hair density, improved global photographic assessments, and reported higher subjective satisfaction without severe adverse reactions. Conclusion: This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of exosomes in hair loss treatment, offering a safe and effective alternative for individuals with AGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of fermented gold kiwi (FGK) in improving gastrointestinal health. A total of 100 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups. Over 8 weeks, the participants consumed an FGK or placebo preparation daily. Primary outcomes included changes in gastrointestinal symptoms assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and the Korean version of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI-K), as well as quality of life assessed using the Functional Dyspepsia-related Quality of Life questionnaire. The FGK group showed significant improvements in GSRS and NDI-K total and subdomain scores compared with the placebo group. Moreover, the quality of life scores were significantly better in the FGK group than in the placebo group. Safety evaluations revealed no significant adverse events or clinically meaningful changes upon assessing laboratory test results. This study demonstrated that FGK is a safe and effective dietary supplement for improving gastrointestinal health in adults with gastrointestinal symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]