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This study aimed to explore the predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women who have recently experienced sexual assault, by examining psychological and neurophysiological factors using a prospective design with resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) functional connectivity. The study enrolled 33 women who had been recently traumatized by sexual assault and conducted assessments within a month of the trauma. These survivors were evaluated for PTSD three months later and were classified into two groups: PTSD positive (n = 12) and PTSD negative (n = 21). They were compared to two control groups comprising women who had not experienced any extremely traumatic events: 25 with depression and 25 healthy controls. The evaluation focused on resting-state EEG functional connectivity within default mode network (DMN) using small-worldness (SW), based on graph theory. We also assessed self-reported levels of depression, anxiety, anger, and executive functions. The findings indicated that survivors who developed PTSD three months post-trauma exhibited higher anxiety levels and reduced DMN SW in the beta 3 frequency, compared to those who did not develop PTSD. Contrary to expectations, survivors without PTSD showed decreased executive functioning and lower prefrontal centrality compared to those with PTSD. This study underscores the importance of early assessment and intervention for sexual assault survivors at risk of developing PTSD. • Neurophysiological alterations occurred in recent sexual assault survivors. • Individuals who developed PTSD afterwards and those who did not showed different EEG functional connectivity patterns immediately after sexual assault. • After sexual assault, individuals with PTSD had reduced small-worldness in the EEG beta default mode network. • Individuals who did not develop PTSD showed decreased EEG functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex immediately after the sexual assault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, CRISPR proteins have been recognized as promising candidates for drug development. However, there is still a lack of substances with the appropriate sensitivity and stability for targeted drug delivery systems. 89Zr is a radioactive isotope that emits positrons, allowing real-time in vivo tracking with proven safety. In this study, we confirmed that labeling with 89Zr did not compromise the functionality of CRISPR proteins during in vivo behavioral imaging. Furthermore, we demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of the CRISPR interference system in a mouse model of liver fibrosis, highlighting the theragnostic potential of isotope-labeled CRISPR proteins. The findings of this research could contribute to various aspects of ongoing clinical studies exploring the in vivo applications of CRISPR proteins. [Display omitted] • Developed 89Zr-labeling for in vivo tracking of LbCas12a and potential therapeutic approach for resolving liver fibrosis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt-57 (57Co) has emerged as a promising radionuclide and as an isotope for diagnostic and calibration sources. Herein, we report the production, chemical separation, and quality control of 57Co in an RFT-30 cyclotron facility. 57Co is produced via (p, 2p) nuclear reaction using an enriched 58Ni target material. Electrodeposits of 58Ni on Ag backing were obtained and irradiated using an incident proton beam energy of 17.4 MeV. The chemical separation of 57Co and recovery of the enriched 58Ni target material were simplified via a solid-phase extraction method. The radionuclide purity (> 99.9%) and metallic impurities (< 25 ppb) of purified 57Co were confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the predictive efficacy of shear-wave elastography, superb microvascular imaging (SMI), and CEUS for allograft rejection in kidney transplants without graft dysfunction. Methods: From January 2021 to November 2021, 72 consecutive patients who underwent both allograft biopsy and ultrasound were evaluated. Blood test results were obtained within a week of the ultrasound examinations, which were performed before the protocol biopsy. Resistive index (RI), tissue viscoelasticity, vascular index, and quantitative CEUS parameters were measured. Patients were divided based on biopsy results into the rejection and non-rejection groups. Results: Among the 72 patients, 21 patients had pathological characteristics of acute rejection. RI of allograft was significantly higher in the rejection group (p = 0.007), compared to the non-rejection group. There were no significant between-group differences in vascular indices of SMI, mean elasticity, and mean viscosity. Meanwhile, among the parameters obtained by the time-intensity curve on CEUS, the cortical and medullary ratios of average contrast signal intensity, peak enhancement, wash-in area AUC, wash-in perfusion index, wash-out AUC, and wash-in and wash-out AUC were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for predicting allograft rejection, the AUC was 0.853 for the combination of six CEUS parameters, RI, and blood urea nitrogen. Conclusions: Among non-invasive quantitative ultrasound measurements, CEUS parameters are the most useful for diagnosing subclinical allograft rejection. Furthermore, the combination of CEUS parameters, RI, and blood urea nitrogen may be helpful for the early detection of renal allograft rejection. Key Points: • Among non-invasive quantitative ultrasound measurements, CEUS parameters are the most useful for the diagnosis of subclinical allograft rejection. • On CEUS, the C/M ratios of MeanLin, PE, WiAUC, WiPI, WoAUC, and WiWoAUC are significantly lower in the rejection group; the combination of these showed reliable predictive performance for rejection. • The combination of CEUS parameters, RI, and BUN has a high predictive capability for subclinical allograft rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously reported the potent antiviral effect of the 2-aminoquinazolin-4-(3H)-one 1, which shows significant activity (IC50 = 0.23 μM) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with no cytotoxicity. However, it is necessary to improve the in vivo pharmacokinetics of compound 1 because its area under the curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration are low. Here, we designed and synthesized N-substituted quinazolinone derivatives that had good pharmacokinetics and that retained their inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2. These compounds were conveniently prepared on a large scale through a one-pot reaction using Dimroth rearrangement as a key step. The synthesized compounds showed potent inhibitory activity, low binding to hERG channels, and good microsomal stability. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies showed that compound 2b had the highest exposure (AUC24h = 41.57 μg∙h/mL) of the synthesized compounds. An in vivo single-dose toxicity evaluation of compound 2b at 250 and 500 mg/kg in rats resulted in no deaths and an approximate lethal dose greater than 500 mg/kg. This study shows that N-acetyl 2-aminoquinazolin-4-(3H)-one 2b is a promising lead compound for developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct the bipolar low-voltage dc distribution system, a dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter and a voltage balancer are needed. However, this conventional two-stage circuit is bulky and shows low efficiency. Besides, when a short circuit fault occurs at one of the bipolar dc poles, the conventional topology cannot balance the other normal dc pole voltage due to its single closed circuit, which eventually loses the high reliability of the bipolar system. To mitigate those issues, a modified three-port DAB converter is proposed. The proposed converter is an enhanced topology of the three-port DAB converter, which can balance the bipolar voltage levels without additional voltage balancers. In addition, each bipolar output has an independent closed circuit to balance the normal dc pole under the short circuit fault at one of the dc poles, thereby improving the system reliability. Moreover, constant duty-cycle modulation and magnetizing inductance design are proposed to obtain full-range zero voltage switching (ZVS) of all switches. Since the proposed ZVS modulation uses a constant duty-cycle value, its control can be easily implemented in a digital signal processor. Finally, a 2-kW prototype is developed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salicornia herbacea L. (Chenopodiaceae), an edible salt marsh plant with anti-inflammatory effects, was examined in macrophages and trophoblasts whether it modulates NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Pretreatment and delayed treatment of S. herbacea extract (SHE) in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) reduced the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate stimulation and downregulated interleukin (IL)-1β production. SHE also inhibited pyroptotic cell death, the adaptor molecule apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), oligomerization, and speck by NLRP3 inflammasome activity in BMDM. Similarly, SHE decreased the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the LPS-stimulated human trophoblast cell line, Swan 71 cells. In addition, SHE inhibited the production of IL-6 and IL-1β and decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2 in stimulated Swan 71 cells. Finally, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA), one of the components of S. herbacea, inhibited IL-1β produced by NLRP3 inflammasome activity. In conclusion, SHE downregulated the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and trophoblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the continuing global crisis caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), there is still no effective treatment. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a novel series of 2‐benzylaminoquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives and demonstrated that they are effective against SARS‐CoV‐2. Among the synthesized derivatives, 7‐chloro‐2‐(((4‐chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl)amino)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one (Compound 39) showed highest anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 activity, with a half‐maximal inhibitory concentration value greater than that of remdesivir (IC50 = 4.2 μM vs. 7.6 μM, respectively), which gained urgent approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition, Compound 39 showed good results in various assays measuring metabolic stability, human ether a‐go‐go, Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) inhibition, and plasma protein binding (PPB), and showed better solubility and pharmacokinetics than our previous work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine the optimal direction of the syndesmotic screw and to introduce a consistent landmark for practical application by analyzing three-dimensional (3D) modeling and virtual implantation. Methods: A total of 105 cadaveric lower legs (50 males and 55 females; average height, 160.6 ± 7.1 cm) were used to reconstruct a 3D model by using the Mimics® software and the joint morphology was evaluated. Syndesmotic cylinders (Ø3.5 mm/Length 100 mm) were transversely placed in the proximal end of the incisura fibularis for simulating screw fixation. The tibial proximal cylinder, which was tangent to the posterior tibial condyles, was traced and the angle between the two cylinders was measured as the tibial torsion angle (TTA). After rotating the syndesmotic cylinder parallel to the ground, the overlapping degree between the proximal fibula and tibia was assessed as a radiologic indicator. Results: Concerning tibial torsion, the TTA was an average of 36.7° (range, 17.2°–54.4°; SD, 8.78) When the syndesmotic cylinder was rotated to be parallel to the ground, the proximal fibula had nonlinear or linear overlap with the lateral border of the tibia, regardless of the joint morphology. In this non-overlapping view, three Weber's indices for normal fibular length could be better visualized than the mortise view. Conclusion: The syndesmotic cylinder in the proximal end of the incisura fibularis could be consistently placed parallel to the ground by internally rotating the tibia until there was a nonlinear or linear overlap between the proximal fibula and the tibia, regardless of the joint morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

89Zr is an emerging radionuclide with promising application in nuclear medicine for the non-invasive diagnosis of various cancers with PET imaging. This paper would discuss optimization efforts in the production of 89Zr carried out at Accelerator Radioisotope Development Team, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Optimized conditions reveal high production yields of 89Zr ~ 37 ± 1.4 MBq/µA using 89Y(p,n)89Zr, ~ 12.7 MeV of proton, and 35 µA using yttrium coin target with indigenously constructed 30 MeV Cyclotron (RFT-30). Besides, the production optimization, quality control, and biological behavior of [89Zr]Zr-oxalate, chloride and, DFO demonstrated promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional dual-active-bridge (DAB) dc–dc converters have a limited structure to balance the bipolar voltage level of the bipolar dc distribution system. Therefore, to regulate the bipolar voltage level, additional voltage balancers are needed for the DAB converters, which eventually requires more devices resulting in low power conversion efficiency and low power density. This article proposes an enhanced DAB dc–dc converter that can balance the bipolar voltage level without the additional voltage balancers. The bipolar voltage level can be tightly regulated under entire unbalanced load condition and even when there is no-load at one side of the dc poles. Besides, its zero-voltage-switching capability can be extended to cover the entire load range, including the no-load condition. Furthermore, the proposed converter can be operated by using a simple single phase-shift modulation. Therefore, its control algorithm can be easily implemented in digital controllers. Finally, the theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of the proposed DAB converter are validated by a 3-kW prototype converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fluid overload is common in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (DM and CKD; DMCKD) and can lead to structural and functional cardiac abnormalities including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). Fluid overload represents a crucial step in the pathophysiological pathways to chronic heart failure in patients with end-stage renal disease. We evaluated the impact of fluid overload on cardiac alterations in patients with diabetes and non-dialysis-dependent CKD stage 5 (DMCKD5-ND) without intrinsic heart disease. Methods: Bioimpedance spectroscopy, echocardiography, and N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement were performed in 135 consecutive patients on the same day. Patients were divided into groups by tertiles of overhydration/extracellular water (OH/ECW) per bioimpedance spectroscopy. Results: Fluid balance markers including OH/ECW and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in the LVDD+LVH group. OH/ECW and its exacerbation were positively associated with the ratio between early mitral inflow and annular early diastolic velocities (E/e′ ratio) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). The prevalence of LVH progressively increased across increasing tertiles of OH/ECW. In multiple regression analyses, OH/ECW as a continuous and categorical variable was independently associated with the E/e′ ratio and LVMI after adjustment for multiple confounding factors. Conclusions: Fluid overload was independently associated with LVDD and LVH in patients with DMCKD5-ND. Our study suggests that structural and functional cardiac abnormalities and volume status should be evaluated simultaneously in patients with early-stage DMCKD rather than only DMCKD5-ND, in addition to intensive blood pressure and glycemic control, regardless of evident cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional voltage balancers for the bipolar low-voltage dc (LVdc) distribution system have been composed of multiple power stages, which degrade their power density and cost effectiveness. To minimize the power stages, this paper presents a single-stage voltage balancer with high-frequency isolation. This voltage balancer is based on the three-level dual-active-bridge converter. Furthermore, for the proposed voltage balancer, an enhanced switching modulation, using the two switching patterns $\alpha$ and $\beta$ , is proposed to fully balance the bipolar voltage level under unbalanced load condition and even for when one of the dc poles has no load. Besides, a closed-loop control system can be implemented by using output voltage information and proportional-integral controllers. Finally, experimental results using a 3-kW laboratory prototype converter verify the effectiveness of the proposed voltage balancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bipolar low-voltage DC (LVDC) distribution system used in residential and building applications requires AC–DC converters and voltage balancers that balance the two DC bus polarities. The bipolar DC bus voltage level only relies on the voltage balancer tied with the AC grid. An isolated DC–DC converter for an energy storage system (ESS) with the voltage balancing capability is proposed to prevent the bipolar voltage level collapse caused by the failure of the grid-tied voltage balancer. The proposed converter topology is an enhanced three-port dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter which can balance the bipolar DC voltage level without complex control. Furthermore, it has less current stress in power switches than that of the conventional three-port DAB converter. The effectiveness of the proposed converter is verified with a 3-kW prototype converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imatinib (Gleevec) is a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor that decreases the activity of the fusion oncogene called BCR‐ABL (breakpoint cluster region protein‐Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog) and is clinically used for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia. Small molecule drugs, such as imatinib, can bind to several cellular proteins including the target proteins in the cells, inducing undesirable effects along with the effects against the disease. In this study, we report the synthetic optimization for 14C‐labeling and radiosynthesis of [14C]imatinib to analyze binding with cellular proteins using accelerator mass spectroscopy. 14C‐labeling of imatinib was performed by the synthesis of 14C‐labeld 2‐aminopyrimidine intermediate using [14C]guanidine·HCl, which includes an in situ reduction of an inseparable byproduct for easy purification by HPLC, followed by a cross‐coupling reaction with aryl bromide precursor. The radiosynthesis of [14C]imatinib (specific activity, 631 MBq/mmol; radiochemical purity, 99.6%) was achieved in six steps with a total chemical yield of 29.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IL-2 is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays an essential role in the survival, expansion, and function of CD8 T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and natural killer (NK) cells. Previous studies showed that binding IL-2 with an anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) with a particular specificity could block its interaction with IL-2Rα, which is mainly expressed on Tregs. This selectivity can enhance the anti-tumor effects of IL-2 by activating CD8 T and NK cells, while disfavoring Treg stimulation. Based on this, we newly developed a series of anti-human IL-2 (hIL-2) mAbs (TCB1-3) that selectively stimulate CD8 T and NK cells without overtly activating Tregs. Among them, the hIL-2/TCB2 complex (hIL-2/TCB2c) exerted the best efficacy by inducing a prodigious expansion of host memory phenotype (MP) CD8 T (60-fold) and NK cells (18-fold) with less efficient Treg proliferation (5-fold). As a result, there was an average eightfold increase in the ratio of MP CD8 to Tregs. Accordingly, hIL-2/TCB2c strongly inhibited the growth of B16F10, MC38, and CT26 tumors. More remarkably, hIL-2/TCB2c showed synergy with checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-CTLA-4 or PD1 antibodies, and resulted in almost complete regression of implanted tumors and resistance to secondary tumor challenge. For direct clinical use, we generated a humanized form of TCB2 that had equal immunostimulatory and anti-tumor efficacy as a murine one. Collectively, these results show that TCB2 can provide a potent immunotherapeutic modality either alone or together with checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delta neutrophil index (DNI), representing an elevated fraction of circulating immature granulocyte in acute infection, has been reported as a useful, predictable marker for mortality in patients with sepsis. We have hypothesized that an increased recipient DNI is associated with poor prognosis in cadaver donor kidney transplantation. We investigated patients undergoing kidney transplantation from cadaver donors from March 2013 to January 2018. Rejection was diagnosed by kidney biopsy with Banff classification and excluded subclinical rejection. In a total of 73 patients undergoing cadaver kidney transplantation, 25 (34.2%) patients were diagnosed with rejection based on the Banff classification. Among them, 11 patients were diagnosed with early rejection. The recipients' postoperative DNI (%) was different between patients with early rejection and patients without rejection (0.18 vs 1.21, P <.001). In the univariate logistic regression analysis, cold ischemic time, donor preoperative last creatinine level, postoperative DNI level, and perioperative infection were predictive of early rejection. However, in a multivariate adjusted logistic regression test, only a high level of DNI (odds ratio 12.307, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–129.82) was associated with early rejection. The C-statistic was 0.777 (95% CI 0.604–0.951, P =.004) for DNI. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the donor's last creatinine level (hazard ratio 2.25, 95% CI 1.26–4.13) and preoperative DNI (hazard ratio 14.02 95% CI 2.62–75.26) were predictors of renal survival. Increased DNI in cadaver donor kidney transplantation recipients might be one of the predictive values of early kidney rejection and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel solid‐phase microextraction Arrow was used to separate volatile organic compounds from soy sauce, and the results were verified by using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Solid‐phase microextraction Arrow was optimized in terms of three extraction conditions: type of fiber used (polydimethylsiloxane, polyacrylate, carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane, and divinylbenzene/polydimethylsiloxane), extraction temperature (40, 50, and 60°C), and extraction time (10, 30, and 60 min). The optimal solid‐phase microextraction Arrow conditions were as follows: type of fiber = polyacrylate, extraction time = 60 min, and extraction temperature = 50°C. Under the optimized conditions, the solid‐phase microextraction Arrow was compared with conventional solid‐phase microextraction to determine extraction yields. The solid‐phase microextraction Arrow yielded 6–42‐fold higher levels than in solid‐phase microextraction for all 21 volatile organic compounds detected in soy sauce due to the larger sorption phase volume. The findings of this study can provide practical guidelines for solid‐phase microextraction Arrow applications in food matrixes by providing analytical methods for volatile organic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of H[sub 2] (D[sub 2]) desorption from a Ge 100)-2 × 1:H (D) surface was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Inspection of STM images of surfaces at the saturation coverage of H (D) (θ[sub H(D)]) ... 1.0 ML) revealed a 2 × 1 monohydride (monodeuteride) phase in which most H (D) atoms were paired on Ge-dimers. By counting the sites of H[sub 2] (D[sub 2]) desorption in STM images taken after desorption of H[sub 2] (D[sub 2]) at temperatures in the range T[sub s] = 500-550 K, the desorption of H[sub 2] (D[sub 2]) was found to follow first order kinetics with an activation energy of E[sub d] = 1.65 ± 0.1 eV (1.65 ± 0.1 eV) and a pre-exponential factor of ν[sub d] = (2.7 ± 0.5) × 10[sup 13] s[sup -1] [(1.2±0.5)× 10[sup 13] s[sup -1]. These values of E[sub d] and ν[sub d] were used to simulate TPD spectra for the desorption of H[sub 2] (D[sub 2]) from a Ge(100)-2 × 1:H (D) surface. The simulated spectra were in good agreement with the experimental TPD spectra. In contrast to the surfaces with saturated H coverage, which are characterized by pairs of H atoms on Ge-dimers, at the low H coverage of θ[sub H] ... 0.05 ML unpaired H atoms as well as paired H atoms were observed on the Ge-dimers on the surface, causing the desorption process to follow second order kinetics. At T[sub s] ∼ 300 K, the singly occupied dimers (SODs) appear to be favored over doubly occupied dimers (DODs). However, upon increasing the temperature (T[sub s]) from 300 to 500 K, most SODs were rapidly converted into the thermodynamically favored DODs by the migration of H atoms. On the other hand, it is observed that even above T[sub s] ∼ 500 K, the onset temperature for H[sub 2] desorption from DODs, a non-negligible number of SODs remain on the surface due to the large entropic barrier to pairing. These results suggest that H adsorption in the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A durable and ready to use 68Ge-68Ga generator column material is required for its routine use in radiopharmaceutical procedures. The present work comprises preliminary studies for development and evaluation of chitosan-TiO 2 based microsphere (C-TOM) composite towards its competence as a column material. The batch uptake studies showed higher distribution coefficients for 68Ge vis-à-vis 68Ga in the complete concentration range of HCl examined (0.01–1 mol.L−1). Furthermore, C-TOM showed enduring physical and chemical stability in 0.01 mol.L−1 HCl with persistent 68Ga elution profiles (>95%) and negligible 68Ge breakthrough (2 × 10−4%) for the preliminary evaluation period of ∼2 months. Overall, the studies indicated that, 68Ga with high radionuclidic purity (≥99.99%) can be eluted routinely in a small volume (∼1.5 mL) of 0.01 mol.L−1 HCl proving its potentials as a novel solid phase extractant for 68Ge/68Ge generator system. Image 1 • Novel approach towards synthesis of chitosan-TiO 2 microsphere (C-TOM). • Superlative physical and chemical stability of C-TOM in 0.01 M HCl. • Separation of 68Ga from 68Ge with high radionuclidic purity. • Consistent 68Ga elution profile with low 68Ge breakthrough. • Possible application of C-TOM as a potential 68Ge/68Ga generator material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to readily determine the composition of brown rice vinegar is important for quality assurance purposes. To that end, solid–phase microextraction (SPME)–Arrow method was optimized for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from brown rice vinegar. Compared to traditional SPME fibers, SPME–Arrow has a larger sorbent-phase volume and is more durable. The SPME–Arrow conditions, including coating material, extraction temperature, extraction time, and NaCl concentration, were examined, which led to optimum extraction conditions that include: carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) fiber, 50°C, 30 min of SPME–Arrow, and 0% NaCl (i.e., no added NaCl). The developed method was compared to an optimized method based on conventional SPME. Twelve major VOCs, including acetates, alcohols, aldehydes, acids, and furan derivatives, were extracted by SPME–Arrow, while only seven VOCs were extracted using the traditional SPME. Moreover, SPME–Arrow extracted more 1.3–2 times more VOCs than SPME. Hence, the CAR/PDMS SPME–Arrow fiber is suitable for acquiring VOC profiles from brown rice vinegar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biogenic amines (BAs) in fermented food products including fermented soybean paste, are of greatest safety concerns due to its potential toxicity. The current study aimed to develop methods to reduce BAs in fermented soybean paste by incorporating two different food additives (catechins and grapefruit seed extract) at different steps of manufacturing process and storage of soybean paste fermentation. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of eight major BAs including histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine, tryptamine, β-phenylethylamine, spermine, and spermidine in fermented soybean paste was performed every 5 days for 30 days. The levels of Put and Cad decreased by 64% (24 μg/g), 60% (34 μg/g), 76% (43 μg/g) and 73% (37 μg/g), with the addition of 3 g/kg catechins (epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate, respectively), before the koji fermentation step. With the addition of grapefruit seed extract (300 mg/kg) to soybean paste before storage, the greatest reduction was observed in putrescine level among the eight BAs. Current study suggests the use of natural food additives at different steps of fermented soybean paste manufacturing process, to determine the effect of food additives at each step of processing in reduction of BAs. Highlights • Addition of 3 g/kg catechins showed effects on BA reduction in soybean paste model. • Grapefruit seed extract addition before storage showed greatest BA reduction. • A step at which food additives are added should be carefully selected to maximize the BAs reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Malnutrition is very complex in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is associated with poor prognosis. This is because hemodynamic changes, hormonal changes, persistent inflammatory reactions, and fluid overloads are more complicated as uremia is worsening. Bio-impedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a useful method to estimate fluid balance (Overhydration/ extracellular water, OH/ECW) and nutritional status (Phase angle, PhA). We aimed to evaluate the volume and nutritional status by BIS and to investigate the relationship between the appetite regulating hormones and the parameters of BIS in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease not undergoing dialysis (CKD5-ND). Methods: We enrolled a total of 91 CKD5-ND patients. We measured routine serum markers including albumin and NT-proBNP and the appetite regulating hormones, leptin and ghrelin. We defined poor nutritional status as a PhA < 4.5°, and proper nutritional status as a PhA ≥ 4.5°. We also evaluated each patient’s nutritional status by assessing their geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and their volume status by measuring NT-proBNP. Results: Forty-one patients (45%) had poor nutritional status. Patients with a poor nutritional status had significantly higher OH/ECW (29.6 ± 12.7% vs. 6.2 ± 10.3%, p<0.001) and lower levels of leptin (3.8 ± 3.1 vs. 7.0 ± 6.2 ng/mL, p = 0.004) than those with proper nutritional status. PhA was associated with GNRI (r = 0.597, P<0.001) and NT-proBNP was associated with OH/ECW (r = 0.384, P<0.001). Leptin was negatively correlated with OH/ECW (r = -0.288, p = 0.006). In contrast, leptin was positively correlated with PhA (r = 0.263, p = 0.012). In multivariate logistic regression, high level of leptin (OR 7.00, 95% CI 1.74–28.10) was associated with proper nutrition, while an increased OH/ECW (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51–0.84) was associated with poor nutrition. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that CKD5-ND patients with poor nutrition generally also suffer from excessive body fluid. Low leptin level suggests poor nutrition in CKD5-ND patients. PhA could be used as a nutritional index for ESRD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We introduced the intraoperative radiological indicator to assess the reduction adequacy without additional procedure or instrument, and propose the optimal syndesmotic screw trajectory.Methods: Thirty adult cadavers (15 males and 15 females) without ankle problems were enrolled and subjected to continuous 0.75 mm-slice computed tomography (CT) scans. CT images were imported into Mimics® software to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) model of ankle. Using free 360° rotations with magnification, the 3D mutual relationships of ankle syndesmosis were assessed, and the fibular congruency of incisura was evaluated to determine the optimal screw trajectory. By reformatting the CT scanning plane along the screw direction, the coronal relation of ankle syndesmosis was evaluated to verify the distance between the adjacent bones.Results: The fibula was placed in the concentric position of fibular incisura in the 20 models (concentric group) and 40 models, in an eccentric position (eccentric group). Despite this variant, all fibulas were changed into the concentric position in the proximal part of syndesmotic footprint, which might be the ideal height for syndesmotic screw in our study. The fibular bisecting screw trajectory associated with the ideal height of screw was parallel to the ground if the tibial tubercle was directed to the superior and nearly vertical to the ground floor (TT view). Through the reformatted scanning plane parallel to the screw, the lateral border of talus was always placed more medial than the lateral border of distal tibia in the coronal image. All models had a perfectly equidistant and parallel joint space except the medial aspect.Conclusion: The lateral border of talus in the TT view was intraoperatively used as the radiological indicator for ankle syndesmosis widening because it was always placed more medial than the lateral border of distal tibia. The optimal syndesmotic screw trajectory was placed around the proximal syndesmotic footprint and parallel to the ground via the TT view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is useful to predict Alzheimer’s disease (AD) conversion in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, few studies have examined the extent to which FDG PET alone can predict AD conversion and compared the efficacy between visual and computer-assisted analysis directly.Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the value of FDG PET in predicting the conversion to AD in patients with MCI and to compare the predictive values of visual reading and computer-assisted analysis.Methods and materials: A total of 54 patients with MCI were evaluated with FDG PET and followed-up for 2 years with final diagnostic evaluation. FDG PET images were evaluated by (1) traditional visual rating, (2) composite score of visual rating of the brain cortices, and (3) composite score of computer-assisted analysis. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were compared to analyze predictive values.Results: Nineteen patients (35.2%) converted to AD from MCI. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve of the traditional visual rating, composite score of visual rating, and computer-assisted analysis were 0.67, 0.76, and 0.79, respectively. ROC curves of the composite scores of the visual rating and computer-assisted analysis were comparable (Z = 0.463, p = 0.643).Conclusions: Visual rating and computer-assisted analysis of FDG PET scans were analogously accurate in predicting AD conversion in patients with MCI. Therefore, FDG PET may be a useful tool for screening AD conversion in patients with MCI, when using composite score, regardless of the method of interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of triphenylphosphonium (TPP) is normally observed in the mitochondria from the extracellular spaces due to the high difference in plasma membrane potential of the mitochondria. In the cancer cells, the mitochondrial membrane potential gap is higher as compared to that of normal cells resulting in elevated uptake of TPP. Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) being widely developed and used for biomedical applications, in this study, we tried to modify the surface of SNPs with varying amounts of TPP to verify their possible application as a positron emission tomography (PET) agent. The studies confirmed that the high level of TPP loading on the surface of SNPs possess higher positive charge (+ 31.5 mV). Owing to this behavior of plasma membrane potential of cancerous cells the uptake of positively charged SNPs was much higher in tumor cells than that of normal cells which was confirmed by PET imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonic anhydrase IX is overexpressed in many solid tumors including hypoxic tumors and is a potential target for cancer therapy and diagnosis. Reported imaging agents targeting CA-IX are successful mostly in clear cell renal carcinoma as SKRC-52 and no candidate was approved yet in clinical trials for imaging of CA-IX. To validate CA-IX as a valid target for imaging of hypoxic tumor, we designed and synthesized novel [ 18 F]-PET tracer ( 1 ) based on acetazolamide which is one of the well-known CA-IX inhibitors and performed imaging study in CA-IX expressing hypoxic tumor model as 4T1 and HT-29 in vivo models other than SKRC-52. [ 18 F]-acetazolamide ( 1 ) was found to be insufficient for the specific accumulation in CA-IX expressing tumor. This study might be useful to understand in vivo behavior of acetazolamide PET tracer and can contribute to the development of successful PET imaging agents targeting CA-IX in future. Additional study is needed to understand the mechanism of poor targeting of CA-IX, as if CA-IX is not reliable as a sole target for imaging of CA-IX expressing hypoxic solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 68Ga is a positron‐emitting radionuclide that can be combined with bifunctional chelating agents and bioactive substances for use as positron‐emission tomography (PET) diagnostic agents. The HBED‐CC is an acyclic chelating agent that is rapidly labeled with 68Ga under mild conditions. To target cancer cells, bioactive substances can be conjugated to the carboxyl terminus of HBED‐CC. Because folic acid strongly binds to folate receptors that are overexpressed on the surfaces of many types of cancer cells, it was coupled with HBED‐CC through a small polyethylene glycol‐based linker (EDBE) to generate an active, receptor‐selective targeting system. The HBED‐CC‐EDBE‐folate (HCEF) precursor was readily labeled with 68Ga in 5 minutes at room temperature (98% radiochemical yield; 99% radiochemical purity after isolation). In cellular uptake tests, higher uptakes of 68Ga‐HCEF were observed for the CT26 and KB cell lines (which express folate receptors) than for the A549 cell line (which does not). Finally, in vivo micro‐PET measurements over 2 hours of binding in BALB/c mice into which CT26 tumors had been transplanted showed the selective accumulation of 68Ga‐HCEF in the folate receptor‐expressing CT26 tumors. These results confirmed the potential of 68Ga‐HCEF as a PET diagnostic agent for tumors that express folate receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to threaten human health and create socioeconomic problems worldwide. A library of 200,000 small molecules from the Korea Chemical Bank (KCB) were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2 in a phenotypic-based screening assay to discover new therapeutics to combat COVID-19. A primary hit of this screen was the quinolone structure-containing compound 1. Based on the structure of compound 1 and enoxacin, which is a quinolone-based antibiotic previously reported to have weak activity against SARS-CoV-2, we designed and synthesized 2-aminoquinolone acid derivatives. Among them, compound 9b exhibited potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (EC 50 = 1.5 µM) without causing toxicity, while having satisfactory in vitro PK profiles. This study shows that 2-aminoquinolone acid 9b provides a promising new template for developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) is associated with several adverse health effects, including severe respiratory diseases. Quantitative analysis of DPM in vivo can provide important information on the behavior of harmful chemicals, as well as their toxicological impacts in living subjects. This study presents whole-body images and tissue distributions of DPM in animal models, using molecular imaging and radiolabeling techniques. The self-assembly of the 89Zr-labeled pyrene analog with a suspension of DPM efficiently produced 89Zr-incorporated DPM (89Zr-DPM). Positron emission tomography images were obtained for mice exposed to 89Zr-DPM via three administration routes: intratracheal, oral, and intravenous injection. DPM was largely distributed in the lungs and only slowly cleared after 7 days in mice exposed via the intratracheal route. In addition, a portion of 89Zr-DPM was translocated to other organs, such as the heart, spleen, and liver. Uptake values in these organs were also noticeable following exposure via the intravenous route. In contrast, most of the orally administered DPM was excreted quickly within a day. These results suggest that continuous inhalation exposure to DPM causes serious lung damage and may cause toxic effects in the extrapulmonary organs. [Display omitted] • A89Zr-labeling method was used for tracing diesel particulate matter (DPM) in mice. • 89Zr-incorporated DPM was administered in mice via three different routes. • When exposed via the intratracheal route, DPM was highly distributed in the lungs and excreted slowly. • Uptake in some organs such as spleen and heart were evident following intravenous exposure. • Most of the orally administered diesel particulates were cleared quickly in a day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

68Ga-labeled capsaicin using a DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazocyclododecane-N,N',N″,N'″-tetraacetic acid) derivative [68Ga-SCN-Benzyl(Bn)-DOTA-capsaicin] was studied for the diagnosis of breast cancers, such as MCF-7 and SK-BR-3. The standard compound, 69Ga-SCN-Bn-DOTA-capsaicin, was also prepared and characterized by spectroscopic analysis. The binding affinity of 68Ga-SCN-Bn-DOTA-capsaicin was evaluated by using breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, SK-BR-3) and colon cancer cell (CT-26); the biodistribution was carried out by using MCF-7-bearing nude mice, after which the positron emission tomography (PET) images were obtained at different time intervals (15-120 minutes). 68Ga-SCN-Bn-DOTA-capsaicin showed a cellular uptake of 0.93% Injected Dose (ID) after 30 minutes of incubation, whereas 68Ga-SCN-Bn-DOTA showed a lower uptake of 0.25% ID. The tumor-to-blood ID/g% ratios increased and were found to be 0.49, 0.22, and 0.77 for 15, 30, and 60 minutes, respectively. The small-animal PET study showed that the uptake of 68Ga-SCN-Bn-DOTA-capsaicin was higher in the tumor regions even at 30 minutes after injection. These results suggest that 68Ga-SCN-Bn-DOTA-capsaicin is a potential targeting agent for PET imaging of MCF-7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hf 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2 (HZO) thin films were deposited on Si substrates with and without TiN seed layers using a simple and cost-effective solution synthesis. The crystalline quality of the as-deposited HZO films were improved through a post deposition annealing process. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscope analyses of HZO/TiN/Si structure revealed a clear and clean interface formation between HZO and TiN layers. X-ray diffraction and Raman analyses confirm that, after the post annealing process, HZO films deposited on bare Si substrate crystallized in monoclinic phase while the HZO films deposited on TiN/Si substrates tend to crystallize in tetragonal or orthorhombic crystal structure. Varying crystal structure through controlling the post deposition annealing temperature is a promising technique to manipulate the electrical properties of solution processed HZO thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new colorimetric pH indicator film was developed using agar, potato starch, and natural dyes extracted from purple sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas . Both agar and potato starch are solid matrices used to immobilize natural dyes, anthocyanins. The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrum of anthocyanin extract solutions and agar/potato starch films with anthocyanins showed color variations to different pH values (pH 2.0–10.0). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV-vis region spectra showed compatibility between agar, starch, and anthocyanin extracts. Color variations of pH indicator films were measured by a colorimeter after immersion in different pH buffers. An application test was conducted for potential use as a meat spoilage sensor. The pH indicator films showed pH changes and spoilage point of pork samples, changing from red to green. Therefore, the developed pH indicator films could be used as a diagnostic tool for the detection of food spoilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is an active compound that can promote wound healing. PDRN stimulates wound healing by enhancing angiogenesis and increasing fibroblast growth rates. Laser skin resurfacing is a popular cosmetic procedure for skin rejuvenation. Despite excellent improvement of photo-damaged skin and acne scarring, it is accompanied with drawbacks, such as prolonged erythema and crusting.Objective: This study was designed to assess the effect of PDRN on wounds induced by fractional laser resurfacing.Methods: Twelve male rats aged 8 weeks were randomly assigned to the PDRN treatment group and the control group. Wounds were induced using a fractional ablative CO2laser. The treatment group received daily injections of PDRN and the control group received injections of the vehicle. Wound healing assessed by clinical features and histopathologic findings.Results: The process of wound healing was faster in the treatment group than in the control group. In the histopathological examination, the granulation tissue thickness score of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Results of immunohistochemical staining showed a marked increase of VEGF-positive cells and PECAM-1/CD31-positive microvessels in the treatment group.Conclusion:PDRN may be a beneficial option to promote wound healing after laser treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 68 Ge/ 68 Ga generator system is an excellent source for producing ready-to-use Ga-68 in clinical Positron Emission Tomography (PET) applications. The column adsorbent is the key component for the 68 Ge/ 68 Ga generator system. Therefore, several studies have been conducted to identify column materials with a stable and superior elution yield in an acidic eluent (0.1 N HCl solution). In this study, four different zirconium phosphates were synthesized with a particle size of 200–800 nm, pore-size of 55∼190 Å and surface area of 0.72–268 m 2 g −1 . Synthesized and studied amorphous zirconium phosphate (ZrP-1) exhibited excellent acid resistant properties for the 0.1 N HCl eluent and a large surface area of 268 m 2 g −1 . Amorphous ZrP-1 showed a good Ga-68 elution yield of 74% in 0.1 N HCl eluent accompanying extraordinary low breakthrough of Ge-68 (0.007%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Lack of knowledge about a disease could impede early diagnosis and may lead to delays in seeking appropriate medical care. The aim of this study was to explore knowledge of dementia (KOD) and to find the determinants of KOD among three groups: older adults with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Methods A representative nationwide sample of 6141 Korean elders aged 65 years or older participated in face-to-face interviews and answered 14 questions pertaining to general information, etiology, symptoms, and treatment of dementia. Stepwise multiple regressions and path analyses probed the relationships between various sociodemographic variables and KOD. Results The percentage of correct responses was only 62%. The item ‘A person who remembers things that happened in the past does not have dementia’ was answered correctly (false) by only 24.8–27% of the respondents in all groups. Older adults with normal cognition had higher KOD scores than those with MCI or dementia. In the normal-cognition group, KOD scores were higher among highly educated, younger, and literate women with no depression and a family history of dementia. In contrast with the determinants in the normal-cognition group, only the ability to read and write predicted KOD scores in the dementia group. Conclusions Efforts to enhance KOD in elder adults are needed. Public education regarding the differences between dementia and healthy aging may increase KOD among normal elders and those with MCI. Among elders with dementia, educational materials that do not require literacy may be more helpful in increasing KOD with the aim of preventing treatment delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As semi-metallic monolayer graphene is limited in broadening the applications, synthesis of multi-layer graphene has recently attracted intense interests to enable functional optoelectronic devices. However, controlling the growth of multiple graphene layers is still quite challenging since the process critically depends on self-limited growth and interaction between graphene nucleation and Cu substrate. Herein, we report a layer-by-layer growth of large area graphene with precisely controlled number of layers and stacking order using a novel two-step two-heating zone low pressure chemical vapor deposition. The layered epi-growth on initially grown monolayer graphene limits the effect of underlying metal catalyst, thus leading to fully Bernal stacked bi-layer graphene as indicated by Raman spectra and electron diffraction patterns. Atomic resolution images with optical and electrical measurements verify the successful demonstration of the layer-by-layer synthesis by controlling growth time as a key parameter with other variables at their optimal process conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper suggests a hybrid pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) dc/dc converter for an electric vehicle (EV) on-board charger (OBC). It is composed of a full-bridge (FB) converter and a resonant converter with secondary resonance tank (SRT). They are coupled in a single transformer so that any power distribution problem that causes a size increase in the transformer can be solved. Dual power flow of the proposed charger provides an increase in charger gain and a reduction of turn-off voltage spikes of the rectifying diodes caused by transformer leakage inductance and diode junction capacitance. These characteristics help reduce diode loss and remove dissipative snubber circuitry. In addition, this structure has the additional advantage of output inductor size due to the reduction of voltage variation applied to the inductor. The feasibility of the proposed charger is verified with a 6.6-kW prototype implemented by a design procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A boronic acid-based fluorescent probe was developed for diagnosis of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Probe 4c , which included boronic acid as a functional group, exhibited a significant increase (64.37-fold, F Aβ / F 0 ) in fluorescence intensity as a response to Aβ aggregates, with a blue shift (105 nm) in the maximum emission wavelength. We found that boronic acid as a functional group improved the binding affinity ( K D value = 0.79 ± 0.05 μM for 4c ) for Aβ aggregates and confirmed that 4c selectively stained Aβ plaques in brain sections from APP/PS1 mice. Ex vivo fluorescence imaging using mice (normal and APP/PS1) also revealed that 4c was able to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and to stain Aβ plaques in the brain. From these results, we believe that 4c will be useful as a fluorescent probe in preclinical research related to AD. Furthermore, we believe that our results with boronic acid also provide valuable information for the development of a probe for Aβ plaques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folate-conjugated fluorescent silica-gold nanoparticles ( FSGNs-F) and radioactive gold nanoparticles [S( 198Au) GNs-F] were prepared and evaluated for the detection of folate-receptor-overexpressed cancer. Fluorescence imaging showed that FSGNs-F was targeted successively to mouse colon carcinoma cells ( CT-26, folate receptor positive), whereas vague localization was observed in human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells ( A549, folate receptor negative). S( 198Au) GNs-F also targeted CT-26 cells in a time-dependent manner: 35.2 ± 1.20% at 15 min, 39.3 ± 1.95% at 30 min, 41.6 ± 1.62% at 60 min, and 49.8 ± 1.22% at 120 min. In addition, the biodistribution of S( 198Au) GNs-F showed significant uptake in CT-26 tumors with 0.58 ± 0.02 and 0.42 ± 0.02 % ID/g at 60 and 120 min, respectively. The tumor to blood ratio was 2.18 at 120 min after the injection. These results suggest that S( 198Au)Ns-F has potential as a folate-receptor-targeted agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is a leading cause of death worldwide. Recognition of this pathogen is crucial for the activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod)1 and Nod2 are cytoplasmic receptors that can detect unique muropeptides of bacterial peptidoglycan. Nod2 is critical for the initiation of the host immune response against M. tuberculosis infection, however the role of Nod1 remains largely unknown. We investigated the role of Nod1 with respect to cytokine production by bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in response to M. tuberculosis infection. Production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were induced in BMDMs; cytokine levels were not affected by a deficiency in Nod1. Activation of NF-κB and MAPKs was also comparable between wild-type and Nod1-deficient BMDMs. Levels of IL-6 and IL-1β were reduced in Nod1/Nod2 double-deficient BMDMs to a greater extent than in Nod2-deficient cells. Furthermore, when signaling of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) was inhibited by lipopolysaccharide pre-treatment, cytokine production was diminished in Nod1-deficient BMDMs. Our results indicate that Nod1 cooperates with Nod2 or TLRs to produce cytokines in macrophages in response to M. tuberculosis infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Near-elderly adults go through many changes in socioeconomic status, such as retirement, which may affect their mental health differently according to when they live. We aimed to compare the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and its changes according to sociodemographic factors using nationally representative surveys of Korean near-elderly adults conducted 10 years apart.Methods: Nationwide community samples of individuals aged 55-64 years living in 2001 (n = 1256) and 2011 (n = 1066) were compared. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to diagnose MDD. Sociodemographic data were collected using self-reported questionnaires including questions on employment and economic status. We examined differences in MDD prevalence and its association with sociodemographic factors over time by calculating 2011-to-2001 odds ratios (ORs) using multivariable logistic regression models.Results: Among near-elderly people, MDD tended to be more prevalent in 2011 than in 2001. However, only near-elderly men in 2011 showed a higher risk of MDD compared with those in 2001 (2011-to-2001 OR 4.19), while women did not. The prevalence ratio by gender decreased from 7.04 in 2001 to 2.34 in 2011. Among vulnerable sociodemographic groups, a significant increase in MDD was observed in unemployed men (adjusted OR 8.35), but not in unemployed women or other vulnerable groups.Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a substantial increase in MDD in Korean near-elderly men and suggests that unemployment should be considered as an important correlate of MDD in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the natural course of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling elderly over 5 years. Rates and correlates of the incidence and the persistence of late-life depression were examined. Methods A total of 701 elderly people 65 years of age or older without dementia at baseline were included in this study. The association between categorically defined late-life depression (score of ≥8 on the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form) and possible lifestyle and clinical risk factors, including physical activity assessed with a modified Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and transformed into weekly Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) values, was longitudinally investigated using multiple logistic regression analyses. Adjustment was done with sociodemographic variables, chronic medical illnesses, and cognitive dysfunction. Results During the 5-year follow-up, 74 (26.5%) of the non-depressed elderly developed depression, whereas 30 (49.2%) of the depressed elderly experienced persistent depression. Above-moderate baseline physical activity was independently associated with decreased incidence and persistence rates of late-life depression (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.22-0.85; AOR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03-0.92, respectively), whereas mild physical activity was not. Conversely, poorer executive function also predicted 5-year incident depression (AOR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.89-0.98) but not persistent depression. Conclusion This study suggests that a minimum of moderate physical activity is related to both emergent and persistent depression in elderly individuals. Research with an extended follow-up period and a shorter inter-assessment interval is needed to confirm this result. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper suggests a single-phase and single-stage battery charger for a light electric vehicle to improve the lifetime by removing high voltage electrolytic capacitors. The proposed charger is based on a diode-clamped series resonant converter equipped with a resonant valley-fill circuit, which increases the power factor by removing dead zones in the line current and reduces the switching loss of the valley-fill circuit. The feasibility of the proposed charger has been verified with a 1.7-kW prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers with constant gains seldom meet desired performance when system dynamics rapidly changes due to unknown disturbances. A gain tuning method for variable PID controllers is presented in this paper. First, the equivalence relationship between a discrete PID control and a discrete backstepping control with time-delay estimation and nonlinear damping is clarified, and the variable gains of the PID controller are automatically tuned with a nonlinear damping component. The nonlinear damping terms directly affect system performance and make PID gains vary. The system performance of a variable PID controller with the proposed method is compared with that of a constant PID controller. The experimental results show that the proposed method is adaptive, robust, and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Moderately elevated albuminuria (30–300 mg/g) is a marker of renal dysfunction and a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, several recent studies have reported a relationship between moderately elevated albuminuria and triglyceride (TG) levels. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and total cholesterol (TC), TG, and high-density lipoprotein C (HDL-C) levels. We analyzed data from 19,340 patients from the 2011–2014 and 2019–2020 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the UACR was positively associated with TC and TG levels and negatively associated with HDL-C levels in both Korean women and men. These results were reanalyzed according to the degree of proteinuria (normal, moderately elevated albuminuria, and severely elevated albuminuria (≥ 300 mg/g)). We found a positive relationship between UACR and TC and TG levels, but a negative association with HDL-C levels, except for TC (moderately elevated albuminuria) and HDL-C (moderately elevated albuminuria) in Korean men and TC (severely elevated albuminuria), TG (severely elevated albuminuria), and HDL-C (normal range albuminuria) in Korean women. The correlation between albuminuria and lipid profiles became more evident as albuminuria shift from normal to the severely elevated albuminuria. Thus our multivariate linear regression analysis showed that lipid profiles (TG, TC, and HDL-C levels) were associated with the UACR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light scattering holds immense significance in various applications, including LED lighting, display enhancement, and solar cell optimization, emphasizing the critical role of understanding scattering mechanisms, especially light–matter interactions, achieving effective optical diffusion. Consequently, the influence of stimuli on material properties, including refractive indices and thermal expansion behavior, has emerged as a pivotal consideration, leading to the development of stimuli‐responsive light scattering modifier. Here, a temperature‐sensitive light scattering modifier composed of poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐styrene) and poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) is presented as scattering particles and matrix, respectively, using a melt‐blending process. Optical properties are evaluated across controlled temperatures 0–70 °C. These findings demonstrate an increasing trend in diffuse transmission and haze as temperatures increased across all light scattering modifiers. Significantly, the optimized light scattering modifier, integrating a dual particle system, showcased uniform reduction gaps in parallel transmission and adjustable haze characteristics across the visible spectrum under temperature control. This optical modifier achieved a total transmission of 92% and adjustable haze levels ranging from 35% to 90% under temperature control. Furthermore, this fabrication of three‐layer films incorporating the light scattering modifier exhibited identical characteristics to the developed light scattering modifier, emphasizing their potential for seamless integration across diverse technological domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine‐tuning the sensing properties of carbon dioxide (CO2) colorimetric sensors is a challenging task. In this study, a short synthetic route is developed for CO2‐responsive nanoparticles with diverse sensitivity and detection range across a wide range of CO2 concentrations. This involves the addition of oily liquids as inter‐chain spacers, which changes the diffusivity of CO2 gas into the sensing matrices without other chemical modifications. R values and the limit of detection (LOD) are estimated from Euclidean distance (ED) curves, indicating a ten‐fold difference in sensitivity. Optical and physical analyses revealed that these results arise from intercalating inter‐chain spacers between polymeric chains and modifying the gas diffusivity. Furthermore, the sensitivity and detection range can be easily tuned by mixing two CO2‐responsive nanoparticles having different inter‐chain spacers, allowing the fabrication of the sensors with subtle differences in sensitivity and detection range. Based on these results, a CO2 level meter with a horizontal linear gauge that allows visible identification of the level of CO2 over the entire range of CO2 concentrations (from 0% to 100%) is developed. Consequently, the findings will be helpful in achieving a better understanding of gas information and finding an effective way to control the characteristics of colorimetric sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: We compared the influence of major mental disorders on suicidality according to age, adjusting for suicide-related correlates. Methods: This study was based on the Korean national epidemiological survey of mental disorders including community-dwelling adults between 18 and 74 years of age (n=6022). Subjects were classified into three age groups; young (18–39), middle-aged (40–59), and late adulthood (60–74). Face-to-face interviews were conducted using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. According to age groups, the influence of major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder on risk for suicidality were investigated by multiple logistic regression models adjusting for sex, years of education, marital status, income, employment, presence of chronic medical illness, and lifetime history of suicide attempt. Results: After including MDD as a covariate, anxiety disorder remained a risk factor only in the middle-aged group (adjusted OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.54–5.22), and alcohol use disorder was a risk factor for suicidality only in the young group (adjusted OR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.06–7.43). Conversely, MDD was the only mental disorder that significantly increased suicidality in all age groups. Limitations: This was a cross-sectional study and did not include subjects over 75 years of age. Conclusion: This study showed that the contribution of psychiatric disorders to risk for suicidality varied according to age group. Therefore, strategies for suicide prevention should be specifically designed for different age groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]