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A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile strain HL-JVS1T, was isolated from the gastric tract of a juvenile Pacific white shrimp. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain HL-JVS1T revealed its affiliation with the genus Pleionea, with close relatives including Pleionea mediterranea MOLA115T (97.5%) and Pleionea sediminis S1-5-21T (96.2%). The complete genome of strain HL-JVS1T consisted of a circular 4.4 Mb chromosome and two circular plasmids (6.6 and 35.0 kb) with a G + C content of 43.1%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain HL-JVS1T and the type strains of described Pleionea species were 69.7–70.4% and 18.3–18.6%, respectively. Strain HL-JVS1T grew at 10–40 °C (optimum, 30 °C) in the presence of 0.5 − 9.0% (w/v) sea salts (optimum, 2.0 − 2.5%), and at pH range of 5.5 − 10.0 (optimum, pH 6.5). The major fatty acids (> 10%) were summed feature 9 (iso-C17:1 ω9c and/or C16:0 10-methyl) (23.3%), iso-C16:0 (14.5%), iso-C11:0 3-OH (13.8%) and iso-C15:0 (11.0%). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids, and two unidentified lipids. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The comprehensive phylogenetic, phylogenomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic results showed that strain HL-JVS1T is distinct from other Pleionea species. Hence, we propose strain HL-JVS1T as a novel species belonging to the genus Pleionea, for which the name Pleionea litopenaei sp. nov. is proposed with HL-JVS1T (= KCCM 90514T = JCM 36490T) as the type strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is limited information about the outcomes of polymicrobial bloodstream infections in patients with sepsis. We aimed to investigate outcomes of polymicrobial bloodstream infections compared to monomicrobial bloodstream infections. Methods: This study used data from the Korean Sepsis Alliance Registry, a nationwide database of prospective observational sepsis cohort. Adult sepsis patients with bloodstream infections from September 2019 to December 2021 at 20 tertiary or university-affiliated hospitals in South Korea were analyzed. Results: Among the 3,823 patients with bloodstream infections, 429 of them (11.2%) had polymicrobial bloodstream infections. The crude hospital mortality of patients with sepsis with polymicrobial bloodstream infection and monomicrobial bloodstream infection was 35.7% and 30.1%, respectively (p = 0.021). However, polymicrobial bloodstream infections were not associated with hospital mortality in the proportional hazard analysis (HR 1.15 [0.97–1.36], p = 0.11). The inappropriate use of antibiotics was associated with increased mortality (HR 1.37 [1.19–1.57], p < 0.001), and source control was associated with decreased mortality (HR 0.51 [0.42–0.62], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Polymicrobial bloodstream infections per se were not associated with hospital mortality in patients with sepsis as compared to monomicrobial bloodstream infections. The appropriate use of antibiotics and source control were associated with decreased mortality in bloodstream infections regardless of the number of microbial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an argument whether the delayed intubation aggravate the respiratory failure in Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to investigate the effect of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) failure before mechanical ventilation on clinical outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included mechanically ventilated patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between February 2020 and December 2021 at Asan Medical Center. The patients were divided into HFNC failure (HFNC-F) and mechanical ventilation (MV) groups according to the use of HFNC before MV. The primary outcome of this study was to compare the worst values of ventilator parameters from day 1 to day 3 after mechanical ventilation between the two groups. Results: Overall, 158 mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 were included in this study: 107 patients (67.7%) in the HFNC-F group and 51 (32.3%) in the MV group. The two groups had similar profiles of ventilator parameter from day 1 to day 3 after mechanical ventilation, except of dynamic compliance on day 3 (28.38 mL/cmH2O in MV vs. 30.67 mL/H2O in HFNC-F, p = 0.032). In addition, the HFNC-F group (5.6%) had a lower rate of ECMO at 28 days than the MV group (17.6%), even after adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.83; p = 0.045). Conclusions: Among mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients, HFNC failure before mechanical ventilation was not associated with deterioration of respiratory failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyper-field effect transistors (hyper-FETs) are crucial in the development of low-power logic devices. With the increasing significance of power consumption and energy efficiency, conventional logic devices can no longer achieve the required performance and low-power operation. Next-generation logic devices are designed based on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor circuits, and the subthreshold swing of existing metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) cannot be reduced below 60 mV/dec at room temperature owing to the thermionic carrier injection mechanism in the source region. Therefore, new devices must be developed to overcome these limitations. In this study, we present a novel threshold switch (TS) material, which can be applied to logic devices by employing ovonic threshold switch (OTS) materials, failure control of insulator–metal transition materials, and structural optimization. The proposed TS material is connected to a FET device to evaluate its performance. The results demonstrate that commercial transistors connected in series with GeSeTe-based OTS devices exhibit significantly lower subthreshold swing values, high on/off current ratios, and high durability of up to 108. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus cultivars have remarkable health benefits, but only the anti-inflammatory activities of the major varieties have been studied. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of various citrus cultivars and their active anti-inflammatory components. The essential oils of 21 citrus peels were extracted via hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the chemical compositions of the essential oils were analyzed. D-Limonene was the most abundant constituent. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the citrus cultivars, the gene expression levels of an inflammatory mediator and proinflammatory cytokines were investigated. Among the 21 essential oils, those extracted from C. japonica and C. maxima exhibited superior anti-inflammatory activities, being able to inhibit the expression of the inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The essential oils of C. japonica and C. maxima were distinguished into seven distinct constituents, α-pinene, myrcene, D-limonene, β-ocimene, linalool, linalool oxide, and α-terpineol, compared with other essential oils. The anti-inflammatory activities of the seven single compounds significantly inhibited the levels of inflammation-related factors. In particular, α-terpineol exhibited a superior anti-inflammatory effect. This study showed that the essential oils from C. japonica and C. maxima exhibit high anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, α-terpineol is an active anti-inflammatory compound that contributes to inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spina bifida is the most common congenital anomaly of the central nervous system and the first non-fatal fetal lesions to be addressed by fetal intervention. While research in spina bifida has been performed in rodent, nonhuman primate, and canine models, sheep have been a model organism for the disease. This review summarizes the history of development of the ovine model of spina bifida, previous applications, and translation into clinical studies. Initially used by Meuli et al. [Nat Med. 1995;1(4):342–7], fetal myelomeningocele defect creation and in utero repair demonstrated motor function preservation. The addition of myelotomy in this model can reproduce hindbrain herniation malformations, which is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in humans. Since inception, the ovine models have been validated numerous times as the ideal large animal model for fetal repair, with both locomotive scoring and spina bifida defect scoring adding to the rigor of this model. The ovine model has been used to study different methods of myelomeningocele defect repair, the application of various tissue engineering techniques for neuroprotection and bowel and bladder function. The results of these large animal studies have been translated into human clinical trials including Management of Meningocele Study (MOMS) trial that established current standard of care for prenatal repair of spina bifida defects, and the ongoing trials including the Cellular Therapy for In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele (CuRe) trial using a stem cell patch for repair. The advancement of these life savings and life-altering therapies began in sheep models, and this notable model continues to be used to further the field including current work with stem cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new architecture has become necessary owing to the power consumption and latency problems of the von Neumann architecture. A neuromorphic memory system is a promising candidate for the new system as it has the potential to process large amounts of digital information. A crossbar array (CA), which consists of a selector and a resistor, is the basic building block for the new system. Despite the excellent prospects of crossbar arrays, the biggest obstacle for them is sneak current, which can cause a misreading between the adjacent memory cells, thus resulting in a misoperation in the arrays. The chalcogenide-based ovonic threshold switch (OTS) is a powerful selector with highly nonlinear I–V characteristics that can be used to address the sneak current problem. In this study, we evaluated the electrical characteristics of an OTS with a TiN/GeTe/TiN structure. This device shows nonlinear DC I–V characteristics, an excellent endurance of up to 109 in the burst read measurement, and a stable threshold voltage below 15 mV/dec. In addition, at temperatures below 300 °C, the device exhibits good thermal stability and retains an amorphous structure, which is a strong indication of the aforementioned electrical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cloacal dysgenesis occurs from failure of embryological division of urogenital sinus and hindgut, leading to a single common perineal opening for genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The prenatal diagnosis of cloacal malformation is imprecise, but the clinical correlation of postnatal findings to prenatal history can help reveal explanations for unusual pathological findings in patients with urogenital abnormalities. Case Presentation: A 21-year-old woman was referred after her 20-week ultrasound demonstrated anhydramnios and concern for dilated fetal bowel. Fetal MRI confirmed anhydramnios and a dilated fetal colon, in addition to hydronephrosis and a pelvic cyst. Repeat ultrasound at 27 weeks showed unexpected complete resolution of her anhydramnios but new fetal ascites. The newborn girl was postnatally diagnosed with a cloacal malformation and an unusual near-complete fusion of her labia. She underwent proximal sigmoid colostomy and a tube vaginostomy at birth followed by cloacal reconstruction at 1.5 years old. Conclusion: In female fetus with a pelvic cyst, one should have a high index of suspicion for cloacal anomaly and consider the possibility of urinary obstruction leading to alteration in amniotic fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new type of torsional soft morphing actuator designed and fabricated by twisted shape memory alloy (SMA) wires embedded in polydimethylsiloxane matrix. The design and fabrication process of the proposed soft morphing actuator are presented with investigations of its working mechanism. Actuation performance was evaluated with respect to the temporal response, the maximum torsional deformation under an applied electric current, and various design parameters including the twist direction, wire diameter, helical pitch of the SMA wire, and the actuator’s thickness and length. We demonstrate potential applications of the proposed soft morphing actuator as a soft morphing wing and airfoil. The proposed actuator will aid in the development of soft actuators, soft robotics, and other relevant scientific and engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is one of the most popular and widely grown fruit crops in the world. However, the bioactivity of only certain species of citrus cultivars is studied. In this study, the effects of essential oils from 21 citrus cultivars on melanogenesis were investigated in an effort to identify active anti-melanogenesis constituents. The essential oils from the peels of 21 citrus cultivars obtained by hydro-distillation were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Mouse melanoma B16BL6 cells were used in all assays conducted in this study. The tyrosinase activity and melanin content were determined using the lysate of α-Melanocyte-stimulated B16BL6 cells. In addition, the melanogenic gene expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Overall, the essential oils of (Citrus unshiu X Citrus sinensis) X Citrus reticulata, Citrus reticulata, and ((Citrus unshiu X Citrus sinensis) X Citrus reticulata) X Citrus reticulata provided the best bioactivity and comprised five distinct constituents compared to other essential oils such as limonene, farnesene, β-elemene, terpinen-4-ol, and sabinene. The anti-melanogenesis activities of the five individual compounds were evaluated. Among the five essential oils, β-elemene, farnesene, and limonene showed dominating properties. The experimental results indicated that (Citrus unshiu X Citrus sinensis) X Citrus reticulata, Citrus reticulata, and ((Citrus unshiu X Citrus sinensis) X Citrus reticulata) X Citrus reticulara are potential candidates with anti-melanogenesis activity for use as cosmetics and pharmaceutical agents against skin hyperpigmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: HO-1089 and HO-1197 have potential to be developed as herbal medicine or as part of combination therapy in HCC. Additionally, development of PLK1 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for HCC will require more study into the selection of patients based upon molecular vulnerabilities and the development of mechanism-based, rationally-selected combination of herbs. The treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a severe cancer with a very high mortality rate, begins with the surgical resection of the primary tumor. For metastasis or for tumors that cannot be resected, sorafenib, a multi-tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor, is usually the drug of choice. However, typically, neither resection nor sorafenib provides a cure. The drug discovery strategy for HCC therapy is shifting from monotherapies to combination regimens that combine an immuno-oncology agent with an angiogenesis inhibitor. Herbal formulas can be included in the combinations used for this personalized medicine approach. In this study, we evaluated the HCC anticancer efficacy of the new herbal formula, HO-1089. Treatment with HO-1089 inhibited HCC tumor growth by inducing DNA damage-mediated apoptosis and by arresting HCC cell replication during the G2/M phase. HO-1089 also attenuated the migratory capacity of HCC cells via the inhibition of the expression of EMT-related proteins. Biological pathways involved in metabolism and the mitotic cell cycle were suppressed in HO-1089-treated HCC cells. HO-1089 attenuated expression of the G2/M phase regulatory protein, PLK1 (polo-like kinase 1), in HCC cells. HCC xenograft mouse models revealed that the daily oral administration of HO-1089 retarded tumor growth without systemic toxicity in vivo. The use of HO-1197, a novel herbal formula derived from HO-1089, resulted in statistically significant improved anticancer efficacy relative to HO-1089 in HCC. These results suggest that HO-1089 is a safe and potent integrated natural medicine for HCC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal management of pediatric perforated appendicitis remains a topic of active investigation. Our institutional clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were modified to discontinue antibiotics on discharge for patients with normal white blood cell count (WBC) without left shift. We hypothesized that patients would receive fewer antibiotics without increased complications. Patients <18 y old with perforated appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between November 1, 2016 and May 31, 2021 at a tertiary care children's hospital were included. Primary outcome was adverse events: postdischarge surgical site infection (SSI), 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, or readmissions. Outcomes were compared before and after CPG modification. Multivariable regression was performed to identify factors associated with SSI. There were 113 patients pre- and 97 patients post-CPG modification. 23.1% of patients in the pre-cohort had an elevated discharge WBC or left shift compared to 18.9% of patients in the post-cohort (P = 0.48). Significantly fewer patients were prescribed antibiotics on discharge in the post-cohort (70.8% pre versus 14.4% post, P < 0.0001) and for fewer days (2 pre versus 0 post, P < 0.0001). Total antibiotic days decreased significantly (6.1 pre versus 4.6 post, P < 0.0001). There was an increase in postdischarge SSIs on univariate analysis (1.8% pre versus 9.3% post, P = 0.03), ED visits (9.7% pre versus 19.6% post, P = 0.04), and readmissions (5.3% pre versus 11.3% post, P = 0.13). On multivariable analysis, being in the post-cohort was not significantly associated with post-discharge SSIs after adjusting for sex, symptom duration, initial WBC, and discharge antibiotic duration (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.04-1.4, P = 0.11). Modification of a pediatric perforated appendicitis clinical practice guideline to discontinue antibiotics on discharge with a normal WBC without left shift was effective in decreasing antibiotic duration. This was associated with an increase in SSIs on univariate analysis, which did not persist on multivariable analysis and requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most dominant primary liver cancer, which can be caused by chronic hepatitis virus infections and other environmental factors. Resection, liver transplantation, and local ablation are only a few of the highly effective and curative procedures presently accessible. However, other complementary treatments can reduce cancer treatment side effects. In this present work, we evaluated the activity of Moroccan scorpion venom Buthus occitanus and its fractions obtained by chromatography gel filtration against HCC cells using a 3D cell culture model. The venom was fractionated by gel filtration chromatography, each fraction and the crude venom was tested on normal hepatocytes (Fa2N-4 cells). Additionally, the fractions and the crude venom were tested on MCTSs (multicellular tumor spheroids), and this latter was generated by cultivate Huh7.5 cancer cell line with WI38 cells, LX2 cells, and human endothelial cells (HUVEC). Our results indicate that Buthus occitanus venom toxin has no cytotoxic effects on normal hepatocytes. Moreover, it is reported that F3 fraction could significantly inhibit the MCTS cells. Other Protein Separation Techniques (High-performance liquid chromatography) are needed in order to identify the most active molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on the application of targeted therapies for patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who harbor rare genetic mutations are ongoing. In the present study, we investigated the real‐world data of NSCLC patients who harbor rare mutations. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC aged >20 years with confirmed rare mutations (BRAF, ROS1, MET, RET, HER2, FGFR, and NTRK) from January 2015 to September 2020 at nine tertiary hospitals. In addition, we validated the lung cancer PCR panel kit in patients with confirmed mutations by NGS. Results: Among 118 patients included, 88 received platinum‐based chemotherapy as first‐line chemotherapy. The progression‐free survival of patients with BRAF, ERBB2, MET, RET, and ROS1 mutations was 10.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–20.5), 5.3 months (95% CI: 3.0–7.5), 7.2 months (95% CI: 3.6–10.9), 11.4 months (95% CI: 9.2–13.6), and 10.0 months (95% CI: 3.7–16.4) respectively (p = 0.041). The median overall survival (OS) was not reached in patients with ROS1 mutations; however, in BRAF, ERBB2, MET, and RET mutant patients, median OS was 14.1 months (95% CI: 10.1–14.1), 34.5 months (95% CI: 13.2–36.9), 22.7 months (95% CI: 1.7–24.0), and 29.8 months (95% CI: 28.9–61.3), respectively (p = 0.006). Of the 27 tissue samples, 26 (96.3%) showed the same PCR panel kit result with NGS. Conclusions: First‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy showed durable benefit in patients with advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC harboring rare genetic mutation other than EGFR or ALK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Functional adhesives with excellent adhesive strength in wet as well as dry environments are actively studied for various applications. In particular, the adhesion mechanism of marine organisms has been imitated to achieve strong adhesion in wet environments. Polyallylamine (PAA) was modified with catechol groups (CA), which mimic the mussel adhesion proteins, and gallol groups (GA) found in tunicates to compare the gelation, self-healing, and adhesive properties of the modified polymers according to pH change. The effect of the Schiff base formation and antioxidant capacity exerted by polyphenolic groups were investigated by comparing the self-healing behaviors of the two hydrogels. Furthermore, the wet adhesion and antibacterial properties of the PAA-CA and PAA-GA hydrogels were evaluated in terms of the synergistic effects of the amino groups and catechol or gallol groups. The self-crosslinkable PAA-CA and PAA-GA hydrogels showed high self-healing ability owing to these dynamic imine bonds. Furthermore, the PAA-based hydrogels showed higher adhesive strength in wet environments than in dry environments owing to the synergism between the catechol or gallol groups and amino groups. Overall, the PAA-GA hydrogels are superior to the PAA-CA ones, indicating that gallol-functionalized hydrogels have great potential as multifunctional adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the rapid response system's team composition, responding teams were named as rapid response team (RRT), medical emergency team (MET), and critical care outreach. A RRT is often a nurse-led team, whereas a MET is a physician-led team that mainly plays the role of an efferent limb. As few multicenter studies have focused on physician-led METs, we comprehensively analyzed cases for which physician-led METs were activated. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cases for which METs were activated. The study population consisted of subjects over 18 years of age who were admitted in the general ward from January 2016 to December 2017 in 9 tertiary teaching hospitals in Korea. The data on subjects' characteristics, activation causes, activation methods, performed interventions, in-hospital mortality, and intensive care unit (ICU) transfer after MET activation were collected and analyzed. Results: In this study, 12,767 cases were analyzed, excluding those without in-hospital mortality data. The subjects' median age was 67 years, and 70.4% of them were admitted to the medical department. The most common cause of MET activation was respiratory distress (35.1%), followed by shock (11.8%), and the most common underlying disease was solid cancer (39%). In 7,561 subjects (59.2%), the MET was activated using the screening system. The commonly performed procedures were arterial line insertion (17.9%), intubation (13.3%), and portable ultrasonography (13.0%). Subsequently, 29.4% of the subjects were transferred to the ICU, and 27.2% died during hospitalization. Conclusions: This physician-led MET cohort showed relatively high rates of intervention, including arterial line insertion and portable ultrasonography, and low ICU transfer rates. We presume that MET detects deteriorating patients earlier using a screening system and begins ICU-level management at the patient's bedside without delay, eventually preventing the patient's condition from worsening and transfer to the ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The memristive device of the electro-forming free and initial "ON-state" is introduced using a Ag-dispersed chalcogenide Ge 2 Se 3 Te 5 thin film. Unlike conducting-filament-based memristive devices, the Ag/GST/W-structured memristive device exhibits a narrow operating distribution and highly reliable performance. The microscopic origin of the desirable device performance is presented from the viewpoint of materials and device structure." [Display omitted] • Highly reliable RS characteristics based on the electric field-driven ion or electronic movement were confirmed. • The GST layer in the W/GST/W device showed a completely amorphous structure, which revealed the diffusive nature of Ag. • The Ag/GST/W structured memristive device showed characteristics of electro-forming free and initial LRS. • Based on the synaptic behavior observed from the Ag/GST/W device, the inference accuracy was evaluated to be 92%. In this paper, we report a Ag-dispersive chalcogenide thin film as a resistance-switching material for memristive devices. The memristive device with Ag/Ge 2 Se 3 Te 5 /W showed an initial low resistance state in its pristine stage (electro-forming-free), a low power consumption of 60 nW, robust state retention in a harsh environment of 85 °C for 2 h, and reliable endurance. We used high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and electrical conduction characteristics to determine the microscopic origin of the memristive device. Comparative studies of different electrodes and resistive switching layers indicated that the diffusive Ag atom in the chalcogenide thin film plays a crucial role in realizing distinctive memristive characteristics. Further, we highlighted that the observed favorable performance of the memristive device is possible with a chalcogenide material, which can serve as an electrolyte for high ion diffusion and desirable electronic traps. Moreover, the memristive device exhibited an analogous conductance variation in a nonvolatile manner, which can be adopted as an artificial synaptic device. Based on the observed synaptic performance, an inference accuracy of ∼92% was achieved using handwritten numbers from the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common malignant cancers worldwide, is associated with substantial mortality. Because HCCs have strong resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve survival in patients with HCC. The multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) model is a powerful method for anticancer research because of its ability to mimic the complexity and heterogeneity of tumor tissue, the three-dimensional cellular context of tumor tissue, and the pathophysiological gradients of in vivo tumors. However, it is difficult to obtain meaningful results from the MCTS model without considering the conditions of clinical tumors. We, therefore, provided a proof of concept to determine whether spheroid models simulate in vivo tumor microenvironments. Through a high-throughput screening for HCC therapy using the MCTS model, we selected inhibitors of Na+/K+-ATPase (ouabain and digoxin) that could suppress cell growth and migration via inhibition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that this model provides a new paradigm for high-throughput drug screening and will significantly improve the efficiency of identifying new drugs for HCC treatment. Through utilization of MCTS models, here we found that inhibitors of Na+/K+-ATPase may be feasible as a novel target to sensitize HCC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important cellular second messengers involved in various aspects of cell signaling. ROS are elevated in multiple types of cancer cells, and this elevation is known to be involved in pathological processes of cancer. Although high levels of ROS exert cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, low levels of ROS stimulate cell proliferation and survival by inducing several pro-survival signaling pathways. In addition, ROS have been shown to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is essential for the initiation of metastasis. However, the precise mechanism of ROS-induced EMT remains to be elucidated. In the present study, it was indicated that ROS induce EMT by activating Snail expression, which then represses E-cadherin expression in MCF-7 cells. It was further indicated that distal-less homeobox-2 (Dlx-2), one of the human Dlx gene family proteins involved in embryonic development, acts as an upstream regulator of ROS-induced Snail expression. It was also revealed that ROS treatment induces the glycolytic switch, a phenomenon whereby cancer cells primarily rely on glycolysis instead of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for ATP production, even in the presence of oxygen. In addition, ROS inhibited oxidative phosphorylation and caused cytochrome c oxidase inhibition via the Dlx-2/Snail cascade. These results suggest that ROS induce EMT, the glycolytic switch and mitochondrial repression by activating the Dlx-2/Snail axis, thereby playing crucial roles in MCF-7 cancer cell progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hereditary thrombophilia (HT) is a genetic predisposition to thrombosis. Asian mutation spectrum of HT is different from Western ones. We investigated the incidence and clinical characteristics of HT in Korean patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: Among 369 consecutive patients with thromboembolic event who underwent thrombophilia tests, we enrolled 222 patients diagnosed with unprovoked VTE. The presence of HT was confirmed by DNA sequencing of the genes that cause deficits in natural anticoagulants (NAs). Median follow-up duration was 40±38 months. Results: Among the 222 patients with unprovoked VTE, 66 (29.7%) demonstrated decreased NA level, and 33 (14.9%) were finally confirmed to have HT in a genetic molecular test. Antithrombin III deficiency (6.3%) was most frequently detected, followed by protein C deficiency (5.4%), protein S deficiency (1.8%), and dysplasminogenemia (1.4%). The HT group was significantly younger (37 [32–50] vs. 52 [43–65] years; P < 0.001) and had a higher proportion of male (69.7% vs. 47%; P = 0.013), more previous VTE events (57.6% vs. 31.7%; P = 0.004), and a greater family history of VTE (43.8% vs. 1.9%; P < 0.001) than the non-HT group. Age <45 years and a family history of VTE were independent predictors for unprovoked VTE with HT (odds ratio, 9.435 [2.45–36.35]; P = 0.001 and 92.667 [14.95–574.29]; P < 0.001). Conclusions: About 15% of patients with unprovoked VTE had HT. A positive family history of VTE and age <45 years were independent predictors for unprovoked VTE caused by HT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immunochromatographic assay (ICA) using a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane offers several advantages. This technique is a rapid and straightforward method in contrast to other immunoassays. Polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicles have unique optical properties, displaying red color and red fluorescence at the same time. In this system, red-phase PDA vesicles are used as a fluorescent dye as well as a surface for immobilized hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb). PDA has a remarkable stability compared with other fluorescent dyes. In this study, the most suitable PDA/HBsAb complexes are introduced for detecting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Then, the PDA/HBsAb complexes affixed antibody is attached to NC membrane, which has two lines to confirm detection of HBsAg. The main advantage of this system is that the detection of HBsAg can be observed in both visible and fluorescent images due to the optical properties of polydiacetylene. Detection of HBsAg is observed up to 0.1 ng mL−1 by fluorescent analysis and confirmed by red line on the NC membrane up to 1 ng mL−1 (HBsAg) using the naked eye. Consequently, these results show that PDA/HBsAb complexes were successfully applied to ICA for the diagnosis of hepatitis B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fomitopsis palustris is a model brown rot fungus causing destructive wood decay based on the cellulase system. Endoglucanase secreted by F. palustris hydrolyzes cellulose in both the crystalline and amorphous form. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was conducted to identify genes related to F. palustris cellulose degradation and their functions. We determined the 43-Mb complete draft genome of F. palustris (ATCC 62978), comprising 14,592 predicted gene models. Gene annotation provided crucial information about the location and function of protein-encoding genes. Three types of endoglucanases were expressed: endo-1,3-beta-glucanase, endo-1,4-beta- d -glucanase, and endoglucanase. In addition, various ligninolytic enzymes such as laccase, aromatic compound dioxygenase, and aryl alcohol dehydrogenase were expressed in F. palustris (ATCC 62978). Colony polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated that the endo -1,4-beta- d -glucanase gene comprises 732 bp. Optimization of the expression conditions of endoglucanase by real-time PCR revealed that endoglucanase was highly expressed after 7 days in all conditions, which was secreted during the secondary metabolism. Studies for large-scale cellulase production from this fungus and investigation of its ligninolytic system will promote its extensive use in various applications. The genomic information determined herein provides a basis for molecular genetics studies to understand the genome functions of F. palustris (ATCC 62978). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most common malignant cancers worldwide, with an increasing incidence associated with an increase in deaths due to liver cancer. HCC is typically detected at an advanced stage in patients with underlying liver dysfunction, resulting in high mortality. The identification of HCC-specific targets represents a desired but unmet need for liver cancer treatment. To identify potentially novel HCC therapeutic targets, we performed a secretome analysis using HCC spheroids. Sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) was identified as uniquely enriched in the secretomes and lysates derived from HCC spheroids, and high SORD expression in HCC tissues was associated with favorable effects on overall survival among patients with liver cancer. We found that the introduction of excess SORD in HCC cells inhibited tumor growth and stemness by enhancing necroptosis signal and bypassing energy-yielding pathways through regulation of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression and mitochondrial dynamics. Treatment with human recombinant SORD (hrSORD) controlled HCC cell growth and regulated macrophage polarization in the tumor microenvironment. These results demonstrate that SORD plays critical functional roles in HCC suppression through polyol pathway-independent mechanisms, suggesting that targeting SORD expression might represent a promising therapeutic strategy for liver cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional adsorbent fabrication methods involve complicated processes and may cause secondary contaminations. Therefore, an effective eco-friendly method is required for the fabrication of heavy metal adsorbents using inexpensive and eco-friendly materials without secondary pollution during their process. In this study, nanofibrous membranes (NFMs) were fabricated via green electrospinning of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a hydrophilic polymer, and their water resistance was improved through simple heat treatment without using additional additives. Then, nanofibrous heavy metal adsorbents were prepared by dip-coating the NFMs in an aqueous solution of tannic acid (TA), a natural polyphenol. First, the adsorption/desorption behavior of TA on PVA NFMs during the TA coating process was investigated. In addition, the effects of TA coating on the mechanical properties and heavy metal adsorption characteristics of the PVA NFMs were analyzed. The TA coating significantly increased the mechanical strength, heat resistance, and heavy metal (Pb(II)) adsorption capacity of the PVA NFM. The Pb2+ adsorption amount of TA-coated PVA NFMs exhibited about 5–7 times higher than those of other heavy metal ions, indicating excellent selectivity for Pb2+. In addition, the TA-coated PVA NFMs retained >70% of its initial adsorption capacity even after four cycles of adsorption/desorption, indicating its reusability. [Display omitted] • PVA nanofibrous membrane (NFM) was prepared via green electrospinning. • Tannic acid (TA) coating improved the mechanical strength of PVA NFM by about 5 times. • TA-coated PVA NFM showed excellent adsorption capacity and selectivity for Pb2+. • TA-coated PVA NFM can be applied as a cost-effective and eco-friendly heavy metal adsorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object of this study was to identify genes and enzymes that are involved in sesquiterpene biosynthesis in the wood rotting fungus, Polyporus brumalis . Sesquiterpenes, β-eudesmane and β-eudesmol, were produced by the mycelium of P. brumalis cultured in modified medium. However, theses final products were not observed when the fungus was grown in potato dextrose medium. We used next generation sequencing (NGS) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to terpene metabolism. This approach generated 25,000 unigenes and 127 metabolic pathways that were assigned to Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Groups (KEGG). Further analysis of samples from modified medium indicated significant upregulation of 8 unigenes involved in the mevalonate (MVA) and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) biosynthetic pathways. These pathways generate isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), which are precursors for the synthesis of sesquiterpenes. Furthermore, genes encoding germacrene A synthase, which facilitate the cyclization of FPP, were only differentially expressed in mycelium from fungi grown in modified medium. Our data provide a resource for studying the molecular mechanisms underpinning sesquiterpene biosynthesis and terpene metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-weight, power-free mechanochromic sensors that can change and record the reflective color depending on the magnitude and rate of the applied force are fabricated from inverse opals by infiltrating the colloidal crystals of silica particles with uncrosslinked SU-8, followed by removal of the colloidal templates. The mechanical sensing range of the materials is high, 17.6-20.4 MPa. Due to elastoplastic deformation of the SU-8 films, the deformed structures and thus colors can be locked after the removal of the load, therefore establishing a quantitative relationship between the mechanical force and optical responses. In comparison, mechanochromic photonic gels reported in the literature typically detect force in the range of 10-100 kPa; once the load is removed, the structure and color return back to the original ones. The mechanochromic sensors are highly sensitive: the ratio of shift in the stopband wavelength to the change in applied strain is up to 5.7 nm per percent, the highest among literature. Comparison of finite element simulations with experiments confirms the elastoplastic deformation of the films and highlights that reconfiguration of pore shape under compression plays a key role in the mechanochromic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical genetic testing is becoming an integral part of medical care for inherited disorders. While genetic testing and counseling are readily available in high-income countries, in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya genetic testing is limited and genetic counseling is virtually non-existent. Genetic testing is likely to become widespread in Kenya within the next decade, yet there has not been a concomitant increase in genetic counseling resources. To address this gap, we designed an interactive workshop for clinicians in Kenya focused on the genetics of the childhood eye cancer retinoblastoma. The objectives were to increase retinoblastoma genetics knowledge, build genetic counseling skills and increase confidence in those skills. Methods: The workshop was conducted at the 2013 Kenyan National Retinoblastoma Strategy meeting. It included a retinoblastoma genetics presentation, small group discussion of case studies and genetic counseling role-play. Knowledge was assessed by standardized test, and genetic counseling skills and confidence by questionnaire. Results: Knowledge increased significantly post-workshop, driven by increased knowledge of retinoblastoma causative genetics. One-year post-workshop, participant knowledge had returned to baseline, indicating that knowledge retention requires more frequent reinforcement. Participants reported feeling more confident discussing genetics with patients, and had integrated more genetic counseling into patient interactions. Conclusion: A comprehensive retinoblastoma genetics workshop can increase the knowledge and skills necessary for effective retinoblastoma genetic counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monodispersed magneto-responsive microrod particles of variable magnetic/non-magnetic ratios and chemical compositions are created by compartment fabrication in a single poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mold with periodic hole arrays. By labeling the two ends with green and red fluorescent dyes separately, we show that the particles can flip freely and reversibly in a confined geometry under the magnetic field, thereby displaying different patterned colors at the air–water interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design of micro-patterning of hydrogel is of critical importance in both understanding cellular behaviors and mimicking controlled microenvironments and architectures of diverse well-organized tissues. After micro-patterning of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel on a poly(dimethyl siloxane) substrate, its physical and biological properties have been compared with those of a non-patterned hydrogel for its possible applications in bone tissue engineering. The micro-patterned morphologies of HA hydrogel in both swollen and dehydrated forms have been observed with light microscope and scanning electron microscope, respectively, before and after in vitro cell culture. When MC3T3 bone cells were in vitro cultured on both HA hydrogels, the micro-patterned one shows excellence in cell proliferation and lining for 7 days along the micro-pattern paths over those of the non-patterned one, which have shown less cell-adhesiveness. The cytotoxicity of the micro-patterned HA hydrogels was in vitro evaluated by the assays of MTT, BrdU and Neutral red. The viability and morphology of MC3T3 cells on both HA hydrogels were observed with a fluorescence microscope by the live & dead assay, where their viability was confirmed by staining of F-actin development. The results of their H&E staining showed that both micro-patterned and non-patterned hydrogels induced development of tissue regeneration as observed by cell attachment, proliferation, and survivability, but the micro-patterned one induced distinctive patterning of both better initial cells adhesion on the micro-patterns and subsequently development of their proliferation and extracellular matrix, which were considered as important characteristics in their applications to tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. underutilize mental health service for mood disorders. This study sought to identify depressive subtypes associated with low use of mental health services across racial and ethnic groups based on a large, nationally representative sample of adults in the U.S. Methods: Based on latent class analysis, we identified the latent profile of depressive symptoms among those who endorsed lifetime depressed mood or anhedonia in the 2001–2002 National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Condition (302 Asian Americans; 8602 Whites; 2266 Blacks; 2254 Hispanics). Proportions and types of lifetime mental health service use across depressive symptom subtypes were assessed and compared across the racial and ethnic categories. Results: A four class model of depressive subtypes was examined across race and ethnicity (“mild,” “cognitive,” “psychosomatic,” and “severe”). Asian Americans, blacks, and Hispanics with “severe” subtype of depression had significantly lower odds of mental health service use compared to whites with “severe” subtype of depression. While Asian Americans did not have higher proportion of “psychosomatic” subtype than other race and ethnic groups, Asian Americans with “cognitive” subtype of depression significantly underused mental health services compared to Asian Americans with “psychosomatic” subtype of depression (Odds ratio:0.34, 95% Confidence interval:0.13,0.91). Limitation: We were unable to account for heterogeneity of the subethnic group compositions based on country of origin and other socio-demographic factors. Conclusions: A targeted outreach intervention to raise awareness among Asian Americans, blacks, and Hispanics with “severe” subtype and Asian Americans with “cognitive” subtype of depression may reduce disparity in mental health service utilization across racial and ethnic groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) regulates intracellular redox state and prompts oxidative stress by binding to and inhibiting Thioredoxin (Trx). In addition, via a Trx-independent mechanism, Txnip regulates glucose metabolism and thus maintains intracellular glucose levels. Previously, we found Txnip mRNA highly expressed in immature germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes, but currently there is no report describing the role of Txnip in oocytes. Therefore, we conducted the present study to determine the function of Txnip in mouse oocytes' maturation and meiosis by using RNA interference (RNAi) method. Upon specific depletion of Txnip, 79.5% of oocytes were arrested at metaphase I (MI) stage. Time-lapse video microscopy analysis revealed that the formation of granules in the oocyte cytoplasm increased concurrent with retarded cytoplasmic streaming after Txnip RNAi treatment. Txnip RNAi-treated oocytes had upregulated glucose uptake and lactate production. To confirm the supposition that mechanism responsible for these observed phenomena involves increased lactate in oocytes, we cultured oocytes in high lactate medium and observed the same increased granule formation and retarded cytoplasmic streaming as found by Txnip RNAi. The MI-arrested oocytes exhibited scattered microtubules and aggregated chromosomes indicating that actin networking was disturbed by Txnip RNAi. Therefore, we conclude that Txnip is a critical regulator of glucose metabolism in oocytes and is involved in maintaining cytoplasmic streaming in mouse oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molded magnets: The co‐assembly of silica colloids and iron oxide nanoparticles in a PDMS mold gives magnetic responsive microparticles. When dispersed in an aqueous solution (see picture), the microparticles could rotate and flip under the action of a magnetic field (1 kG). The particles could also be reversibly switched between aligned chain structures and a hexagonal array in both bulk solutions and in emulsion droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die gemeinsame Einlagerung von Siliciumdioxidkolloiden und Eisenoxidnanopartikeln in PDMS ergibt magnetoresponsive Mikropartikel. In wässriger Lösung dispergierte Mikropartikel (siehe Bild) rotierten unter Einwirkung eines Magnetfeldes (1 kG) und kehrten sich um. Die Partikel wechselten außerdem reversibel zwischen ausgerichteten Kettenstrukturen und einer hexagonalen Anordnung, was sowohl die gesamten Lösungen als auch emulgierte Tröpfchen betraf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been considered asone of the most promising tools for molecular analysis. To developpractical platforms, a variety of nanoparticles and two-dimensional(2D) nanostructures have been prepared. However, low signal intensityor slow binding kinetics in conventional approaches limits their applications.To overcome these shortcomings, production and usage of three-dimensional(3D) nanostructures remain an important yet unmet need. In this paper,we report novel and effective SERS-active materials by fabricatinghierarchically structured SiO2microcylinders decoratedwith gold nanoparticles. In order to fully develop 3D nanostructures,while maintaining fast diffusion of analyte molecules, we used self-assemblednanostructures of block-copolymers (BCPs) confined in the microholesof an imprinting mold; the BCPs could provide a template for producing3D nanostructure composed of nanofibers with sub-100 nm diameter throughtheir microphase separation, whereas the imprinting technique providedcylindrical geometry for the local confinement of the BCPs. Microcylinderswith nanodomains were then transformed into microcylinders with 3Dnanopores via reactive-ion etching and, subsequently, their nanoporeswere decorated by gold nanoparticles. The resultant 3D nanopores enablea high loading of gold nanoparticles and formation of abundant hotspots and microcylinders facilitate the fast diffusion of analytemolecules through the nanopores, resulting in significant enhancementof SERS intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Antifungal activity of (−)-borneol against two filamentous fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus and Epidermophyton floccosum, and relevant morphological effects were studied. Mycelial growths of the fungi were inhibited at 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml of (−)-borneol in Sabouraud dextrose agar medium. The growth inhibition of the two filamentous fungi by (−)-borneol was shown by ultra-structural modifications visualized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FESEM images of treated mycelia showed interesting alterations of the hyphal surfaces, while TEM observations revealed more detailed changes in cell walls and cellular organelles when compared with the normal structures of the cells. The presence of ultra-structural modifications of filamentous fungi due to treatment with (−)-borneol strongly supported the hypothesis that (−)-borneol induced morphological changes in mycelia. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzyme-modified electrodes were fabricated by entrapping glucose oxidase (GOx) and ferrocene (Fc) using chitosan membrane and sol-gel matrix. In chitosan membrane entrapment method, the ferrocene and glucose oxidase were coated sequentially on a glassy carbon electrode and entrapped by chitosan. In sol-gel matrix method, the ferrocene and glucose oxidase were embedded into sol-gel matrix without using any complicated linking processes. The prepared electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Both Fc/GOx/CHI electrode and Fc/GOx/Sol-gel exhibited a good electrochemical performance for the glucose analysis. The response current of the both Fc/GOx/CHI and Fc/GOx/Sol-gel electrodes increased linearly with the increase of glucose concentration in the range of 0–10 mM glucose. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constants (Km) for the enzymes immobilized in the chitosan membrane and sol-gel matrix were observed to be 1.67 mM and 12.59 mM, respectively. The maximum current of the Fc/GOx/CHI and Fc/GOx/Sol-gel electrodes were 5.85 μA and 7.52 μA, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aims of this study were to design and characterise doxorubicin-loaded chitosan microspheres for anti-cancer chemoembolisation. Doxorubicin-loaded chitosan microspheres were prepared by emulsification and cross-linking methods. Doxorubicin-chitosan solution was initially complexed with tripolyphosphate (TPP) to improve drug loading capabilities. Doxorubicin-loaded chitosan microspheres were highly spherical and had approximately diameters of 130-160 µm in size. Drug loading amount and loading efficiency were in the range 3.7-4.0% and 68.5-85.8%, respectively, and affected by TPP concentration, drug levels and cross-linking time. Doxorubicin release was affected by TPP complexation, cross-linking time and release medium. Especially, lysozyme in release media considerably increased drug release. Synergistic anti-cancer activities of doxorubicin-releasing chitosan microspheres were confirmed to VX2 cells in the rabbit auricle model compared with blank microspheres. Doxorubicin-loaded chitosan microspheres can efficiently be prepared by TPP gelation and cross-linking method and developed as multifunctional anti-cancer embolic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Depression is a major public health burden among the aging population. While older adults prefer non-pharmacological treatment, few options for psychotherapy are available in primary care settings, which is where older adults tend to receive mental health services. Indicated prevention is a cost-effective, public health approach to prevent major depressive disorder among people with depressive symptoms who do not yet meet standard criteria for major depression. We critically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of psychotherapy among community-dwelling older adults with subthreshold depression (depressive symptoms that do not meet standard criteria for major depression). We examined the intervention types, results, internal validity, and external validity of five studies. We used the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines to rate the quality of the studies and to provide recommendations. Results suggest that psychotherapy is a safe and cost-effective method to reduce the public health burden of depression among older adults with subthreshold depression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sphingolipids are membrane components and are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis and metabolic regulation. In this study we investigated whether de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis in macrophages is regulated by inflammatory stimuli. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment upregulated Sptlc2, a subunit of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), mRNA and protein in Raw264.7 and mouse peritoneal macrophages, but Sptlc1, another subunit of SPT, was not altered. SPT activation by LPS elevated cellular levels of ceramides and sphingomyelin (SM). Pharmacological inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) prevented LPS-induced upregulation of Sptlc2 while transfection of p65 subunit of NFκB upregulated Sptlc2 and increased cellular ceramide levels. In contrast, MAP kinases were not involved in regulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis. Analysis of Sptlc2 promoter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that NFκB binding sites are located in Sptlc2 promoter region. Our results demonstrate that inflammatory stimuli activate de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis via NFκB and may play a critical role in lipid metabolism in macrophages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This feature article is a timely review of a portion of the authors’ work concerning the chemistry of dendrimers and subsequent related fluorescent probes. The design of supramolecular systems provides an original approach to nanoscience and nanochemistry. The construction of well-defined functional architectures of nanometric size represents a way of performing programmed engineering of nanomaterials. Among the nanomaterials, dendrimers are set apart, and very recently a large number of works have been devoted to the elaboration of molecular sensors. These two aspects will be developed in this article from the authors’ experience with calixarenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angelica polymorpha Maxim. (APM) is used in traditional medicine to treat chronic gastritis, rheumatic pain, and duodenal bulbar ulcers. However, it is not known whether APM has epidermis-associated biological activities. Here, we investigated the effects of APM flower absolute (APMFAb) on responses associated with skin wound healing and whitening using epidermal cells. APMFAb was obtained by solvent extraction and its composition was analyzed by GC/MS. Water-soluble tetrazolium salt, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, Boyden chamber, sprouting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoblotting were used to examine the effects of APMFAb on HaCaT keratinocytes and B16BL6 melanoma cells. APMFAb contained five compounds and induced keratinocyte migration, proliferation, and type IV collagen synthesis. APMFAb also induced the phosphorylations of ERK1/2, JNK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and AKT in keratinocytes. In addition, APMFAb decreased serum-induced B16BL6 cell proliferation and inhibited tyrosinase expression, melanin contents, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-stimulated B16BL6 cells. These findings demonstrate that APMFAb has beneficial effects on skin wound healing by promoting the proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis of keratinocytes and on skin whitening by inhibiting melanin synthesis in melanoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that APMFAb has potential use as a wound healing and skin whitening agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new fluorogenic sensor 1 capable of illustrating metal ion-triggered FRET changes has been synthesized. Based on the FRET changes, 1, bearing coumarin-fluorescein moieties, provides a selective sensor for Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions for experiments implemented in aqueous media with a chloride counter anion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer in adults, the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer related death. An alternative to the surgical treatments and drugs, such as sorafenib, commonly used in medicine is necessary to overcome this public health problem. In this study, we determine the anticancer effect on HCC of Moroccan cobra Naja haje venom and its fraction obtained by gel filtration chromatography against Huh7.5 cancer cell line. Cells were grown together with WI38 human fibroblast cells, LX2 human hepatic stellate cell line, and human endothelial cells (HUVEC) in MCTS (multi-cellular tumor spheroids) models. The hepatotoxicity of venom and its fractions were also evaluated using the normal hepatocytes cell line (Fa2N-4 cells). Our results showed that an anti HCC activity of Moroccan cobra Naja haje venom and, more specifically, the F7 fraction of gel filtration chromatography exhibited the greatest anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect by decreasing the size of MCTS. This effect is associated with a low toxicity against normal hepatocytes. These results strongly suggest that the F7 fraction of Moroccan cobra Naja haje venom obtained by gel filtration chromatography possesses the ability to inhibit cancer cells proliferation. More research is needed to identify the specific molecule(s) responsible for the anticancer effect and investigate their mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are numerous prognostic predictive models for evaluating mortality risk, but current scoring models might not fully cater to sepsis patients’ needs. This study developed and validated a new model for sepsis patients that is suitable for any care setting and accurately forecasts 28-day mortality. The derivation dataset, gathered from 20 hospitals between September 2019 and December 2021, contrasted with the validation dataset, collected from 15 hospitals from January 2022 to December 2022. In this study, 7436 patients were classified as members of the derivation dataset, and 2284 patients were classified as members of the validation dataset. The point system model emerged as the optimal model among the tested predictive models for foreseeing sepsis mortality. For community-acquired sepsis, the model’s performance was satisfactory (derivation dataset AUC: 0.779, 95% CI 0.765–0.792; validation dataset AUC: 0.787, 95% CI 0.765–0.810). Similarly, for hospital-acquired sepsis, it performed well (derivation dataset AUC: 0.768, 95% CI 0.748–0.788; validation dataset AUC: 0.729, 95% CI 0.687–0.770). The calculator, accessible at , is user-friendly and compatible. The new predictive model of sepsis mortality is user-friendly and satisfactorily forecasts 28-day mortality. Its versatility lies in its applicability to all patients, encompassing both community-acquired and hospital-acquired sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is gaining recognition as a highly promising, eco‐friendly self‐powered device for the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). To improve the performance of TENGs, diverse materials are employed as interlayers. However, challenges related to cost and stability persist. Herein, a strategy that incorporates ion‐containing electrolyte polymers as interlayers is presented. This approach effectively mitigates charge decay and maximizes TENG efficiency by leveraging the high charge capacitance of the ionic electric double layer (iEDL). The incorporation of iEDL into TENG results in an approximate tenfold increase in current density (10–92 mA m−2) and a 13‐fold increase in power density (2–26 W m−2). The robust energy generation capabilities of iEDL‐TENG enable the operation of 100 LED lights and the charging of a 470 µF capacitor. Furthermore, the demonstrated device exhibits significant stability across 10,000 operational cycles and effectively maintains its performance when subjected to external physical forces such as blade‐induced cuts, penetrating wounds, and severe crumpling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiN/AlOx:Ti/TaOx/TiN memory devices using bilayer resistive switching memory demonstrated excellent durability and capability of QLC (quad-level cell) memory devices. The best nonvolatile memory characteristics with the lowest operation current and optimized 4 bit/cell states were obtained using the Incremental Step Pulse Programming (ISPP) algorithm in array. As a result, a superior QLC reliability (cycle endurance > 1 k at each level of the QLC, data retention > 2 h at 125 °C) for all the 4 bits/cell operations was achieved in sub-μm scaled RRAM (resistive random access memory) devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The understanding of shock indices in patients with septic shock is limited, and their values may vary depending on cardiac function. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted across 20 university-affiliated hospitals (21 intensive care units [ICUs]). Adult patients (≥19 years) with septic shock admitted to the ICUs during a 29-month period were included. The shock index (SI), diastolic shock index (DSI), modified shock index (MSI), and age shock index (Age-SI) were calculated at sepsis recognition (time zero) and ICU admission. Left ventricular (LV) function was categorized as either normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%) or decreased LVEF (<50%). Results: Among the 1,194 patients with septic shock, 392 (32.8%) who underwent echocardiography within 24 h of time zero were included in the final analysis (normal LVEF: n = 246; decreased LVEF: n = 146). In patients with normal LVEF, only survivors demonstrated significant improvement in SI, DSI, MSI, and Age-SI values from time zero to ICU admission; however, no notable improvements were found in all patients with decreased LVEF. The completion of vasopressor or fluid bundle components was significantly associated with improved indices in patients with normal LVEF, but not in those with decreased LVEF. In multivariable analysis, each of the four indices at ICU admission was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (P < 0.05) among patients with normal LVEF; however, discrimination power was better in the indices for patients with lower lactate levels (≤ 4.0 mmol/L), compared to those with higher lactate levels. Conclusions: The SI, DSI, MSI, and Age-SI at ICU admission were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with septic shock and normal LVEF, which was not found in those with decreased LVEF. Our study emphasizes the importance of interpreting shock indices in the context of LV function in septic shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photonic crystals with mechanochromic properties are currently under intensive study to provide intuitive colorimetric detection of strains for various applications. However, the sensitivity of color change to strain is intrinsically limited, as the degree of deformation determines the wavelength shift. To overcome this limitation, auxetic photonic patterns that exhibit ultra‐sensitive mechanochromism are designed. These patterns have a regular arrangement of cuts that expand to accommodate the strain, while the skeletal framework undergoes torsional deformation. Elastic photonic crystals composed of a non‐close‐packed array of colloidal particles are embedded in the cut area of the auxetic patterns. As the cut area amplifies the strains, the elastic photonic crystals show significant color change even for small total strains. The degree of local‐strain amplification, or sensitivity of color change, is controllable by adjusting the width of cuts in the auxetic framework. In this work, a maximum sensitivity of up to 60 nm/% is achieved, which is 20 times higher than bulk films. It is believed that the auxetic photonic patterns with ultra‐sensitive mechanochromism will provide new opportunities for the pragmatic use of mechanochromic materials in various fields, including structural health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]