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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a 'highly transmissible respiratory pathogen, leading to severe multi-organ damage. However, knowledge regarding SARS-CoV-2-induced cellular alterations is limited. In this study, we report that SARS-CoV-2 aberrantly elevates mitochondrial bioenergetics and activates the EGFR-mediated cell survival signal cascade during the early stage of viral infection. SARS-CoV-2 causes an increase in mitochondrial transmembrane potential via the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-nucleocapsid cluster, thereby abnormally promoting mitochondrial elongation and the OXPHOS process, followed by enhancing ATP production. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 activates the EGFR signal cascade and subsequently induces mitochondrial EGFR trafficking, contributing to abnormal OXPHOS process and viral propagation. Approved EGFR inhibitors remarkably reduce SARS-CoV-2 propagation, among which vandetanib exhibits the highest antiviral efficacy. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells with vandetanib decreases SARS-CoV-2-induced EGFR trafficking to the mitochondria and restores SARS-CoV-2-induced aberrant elevation in OXPHOS process and ATP generation, thereby resulting in the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 propagation. Furthermore, oral administration of vandetanib to SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2 transgenic mice reduces SARS-CoV-2 propagation in lung tissue and mitigates SARS-CoV-2-induced lung inflammation. Vandetanib also exhibits potent antiviral activity against various SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including alpha, beta, delta and omicron, in in vitro cell culture experiments. Taken together, our findings provide novel insight into SARS-CoV-2-induced alterations in mitochondrial dynamics and EGFR trafficking during the early stage of viral infection and their roles in robust SARS-CoV-2 propagation, suggesting that EGFR is an attractive host target for combating COVID-19.

Abstract Background The impact of delaying atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA) for antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) management on the disease course remains unclear. This study investigated AFCA rhythm outcomes based on the diagnosis‐to‐ablation time (DAT) and AAD responsiveness in participants with persistent AF (PeAF). Methods We included data from 1038 AAD‐resistant PeAF participants, all of whom had a clear time point for AF diagnosis, especially PeAF at diagnosis time, and had undergone an AFCA for the first time. Participants who experienced recurrences of paroxysmal type on AAD therapy were analyzed as a cohort of AAD‐partial responders; those maintaining PeAF on AAD were AAD‐non‐responders. We determined the DAT cutoff for best discriminating long‐term rhythm outcomes using a maximum log‐likelihood estimation method based on the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results Of the participants (79.8% male; median age 61), 806 (77.6%) were AAD‐non‐responders. AAD‐non‐responders had a higher body mass index and a larger left atrial diameter than AAD‐partial‐responders. They also had a higher incidence of AF recurrence after AFCA (adjusted hazard ratio 1.75, 95% confidence interval 1.33–2.30; log‐rank p

The pandemic has changed daily urban life, including leisure activities and travel patterns. Although several studies have tracked changes in leisure and travel behavior due to the pandemic, few have analyzed the effects of COVID-19 preventive behavior by considering the interaction between activities and walking for leisure. This study aims to investigate the mutual relationship between outdoor activities and walking for leisure during the pandemic among 537 residents in the Seoul metropolitan area using a three-level least squares (3SLS) approach. The results demonstrate a bidirectional association between outdoor activities and walking during the pandemic. Individuals who avoided long-distance leisure travel increased their frequency of short-distance walking, and postponing or canceling social interactions led to more outdoor leisure activities. Notably, those who refrained from going out for leisure exhibited reduced outdoor activities but an increase in walking for leisure. These findings highlight the significance of considering the synergy between leisure activities and walking amid the pandemic.

Background Increased left atrial pressure (LAP) contributes to dyspnea and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in baseline LAP and LAP response to rapid pacing between paroxysmal and persistent AF. Methods and Results This observational study prospectively enrolled 1369 participants who underwent AF catheter ablation, excluding those with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. H2FPEF score was calculated by echocardiography and baseline characteristics. Patients underwent LAP measurements during AF, sinus rhythm, and heart rates of 90, 100, 110, and 120 beats per minute (bpm), induced by right atrial pacing and isoproterenol. The baseline LAP‐peak in the persistent AF group consistently exceeded that in the paroxysmal AF (PAF) group across each H2FPEF score subgroup (all P

Abstract Although pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) gaps and extrapulmonary vein triggers contribute to recurrence after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, their precise mechanisms remain unproven. Our study assessed the impact of PVI gaps on rhythm outcomes using a human AF digital twin. We included 50 patients (76.0% with persistent AF) who underwent catheter ablation with a realistic AF digital twin by integrating computed tomography and electroanatomical mapping. We evaluated the final rhythm status, including AF and atrial tachycardia (AT), across 600 AF episodes, considering factors including PVI level, PVI gap number, and pacing locations. Our findings revealed that antral PVI had a significantly lower ratio of AF at the final rhythm (28% vs. 56%, p = 0.002) than ostial PVI. Increasing PVI gap numbers correlated with an increased ratio of AF at the final rhythm (p

Abstract Background Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is a biomarker for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the role of HOMA-IR in the non-diabetic is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether IR measured HOMA-IR value is associated with new onset diabetes as well as vascular disease and can be used as an early predictor for diabetes and vascular diseases in non-diabetic participants. Methods From a prospective community-based cohort of 10,030 individuals, 4314 individuals younger than 65 years and without diabetes were enrolled and divided into three groups by baseline HOMA-IR tertiles: low (n = 1454), moderate (n = 1414), and high (n = 1446). The primary outcome was new onset T2DM. Secondary outcomes were chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a composite of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke as macrovascular events. Results The mean age was 51 years. The prevalence of hypertension and cholesterol and HbA1c were higher in the high HOMA-IR group. New onset T2DM (5.8%) and CKD (12.2%) incidence in the high HOMA-IR group was higher than that in the others. The prevalence of macrovascular events did not differ among groups. High-HOMA-IR was an independent risk factor for new onset T2DM (odds ratio 1.86 [1.17–2.96]; p = 0.01) and CKD (1.49 [1.12–1.98]; p = 0.01). Conclusions High HOMA-IR was an early predictor of new onset T2DM and CKD, regardless of HbA1c in non-diabetic individuals. Further research on the specific cut off value will be needed.

Background Although successful atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can maintain sinus rhythm and reduce the left atrial (LA) dimension, blunted LA reverse remodeling can be observed in patients with atrial myopathy. We explored the potential mechanisms and long‐term outcomes in patients with blunted LA reverse remodeling after successful AF catheter ablation. Methods and Results We included 1685 patients who underwent baseline and 1‐year follow‐up echocardiograms, had a baseline LA dimension ≥40 mm, and did not have a recurrence of AF within a year. The patients were divided into tertile groups according to the delta value of the change in LA dimension on the preprocedure and 1‐year postprocedure echocardiography. After propensity score matching for age, sex, AF type, and LA dimension, 1272 patients were finally included in the analyses (424 in each group; the least/blunted, moderate, and the most reverse remodeling group). The patients in the T1 group (blunted LA reverse remodeling) were independently associated with higher left ventricular mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.014 [95% CI, 1.005–1.022], P=0.001), change in ΔH2FPEF score (heavy, hypertensive, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, elder, filling pressure) score (OR, 1.445 [95% CI, 1.121–1.861], P=0.004), ventricular epicardial adipose tissue volume (OR, 1.010 [95% CI, 1.003–1.017], P=0.003), thinner LA wall thickness (OR, 0.461 [95% CI, 0.271–0.785], P=0.004), lower LA voltage (OR, 0.670 [95% CI, 0.499–0.899], P=0.008), and showed higher long‐term AF recurrence (log‐rank P

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of sticky behavior in R&D costs on firm value. The study aims to gain insights into whether the stickiness of R&D costs is a rational choice based on managerial foresight or if it stems from managerial self-interest. Design/methodology/approach: For the regression analysis, a modified version of Ohlson's accounting-based valuation model (1995) was used to assess the impact of R&D costs on firm value. and the stickiness of R&D costs was measured using the model proposed by Homburg & Nasev (2009). International Financial Reporting Standards were adopted in Korea in 2011, and empirical analysis was subsequently conducted using data from listed companies. Findings: The empirical results were as follows. Firstly, R&D costs reported as expenses showed a negative (-) correlation with firm value, while the stickiness of R&D costs was found to have a positive (+) impact on the value relevance of earnings. Secondly, R&D costs reported as assets did not have a significant impact on firm value, and the stickiness of R&D costs did not have a significant impact on the value relevance of net assets. Research limitations/implications: Overall, the findings of this study support the accounting treatment of R&D costs as expenses. Moreover, the study reveals that the sticky behavior of R&D costs helps alleviate the negative value relevance of R&D expenses. Originality/value: This study distinguished between capitalized R&D costs and expensed R&D costs, and examined their value relevance by investigating the impact of sticky behavior on earnings and net assets.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) generate useful data, but effectively utilizing these data remains a challenge. This study developed novel ensemble tree-based models to enhance real-time predictions of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations, which are difficult to monitor directly. The effectiveness of these models, particularly the Voting Regressor, was demonstrated by achieving excellent predictive performance even with the small, volatile, and interconnected datasets typical of WWTP scenarios. By utilizing real-time sensor data from the anaerobic–anoxic–oxic (A2O) process, the model successfully predicted COD concentrations with an R2 of 0.7722 and TN concentrations with an R2 of 0.9282. In addition, a novel approach was proposed to assess A2O process performance by analyzing the correlation between the predicted C/N ratio and the removal efficiencies of COD and TN. During a one and a half year monitoring period, the predicted C/N ratio accurately reflected changes in COD and TN removal efficiencies across the different A2O bioreactors. The results provide real-time COD and TN predictions and a method for assessing A2O process performance based on the C/N ratio, which can significantly aid in the operation and maintenance of biological wastewater treatment processes.

With growing environmental pollution caused in part by increase in particulate matter (PM), indoor air quality is becoming an important issue in modern society particularly as health and environment consciousness rises. In addition, as the need for a mask has emerged to prevent the spread of viruses such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the dreaded COVID-19, filter technology has become the focus of considerable research attention. In this study, we introduce a functional fiber that can improve the energy-efficiency for PM adhesion while lowering the pressure drop in an existing commercial high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter. Nanofibers made of polymer and metal nanoparticles were produced by electrospinning; the triboelectricity generated by friction between fibers and air was used to capture the PM. The PM adhesion performance and pressure loss of the developed filter (PVDF/Au) and the commercial HEPA filter were compared, and the charging effect of the filters was analyzed by comparing the power generation performance of the triboelectric nanogenerator. Compared to HEPA filter, PVDF/Au filter reduced pressure drop by about 25%, but, the PM adhesion-energy efficiency of PVDF/Au was superior to that of HEPA by 28.6% based on 90% PM2.5 removal. As a filter that increases the PM adhesion effect while lowering the energy consumption and the pressure drop of the filter, PVDF/Au is expected to be effectively utilized in the existing filtration type filter system.

Although narrative identity researchers have provided various ways of coding narratives, no previous studies aimed to assess identity formation. The present study aimed to fill this gap in the literature by developing a narrative coding system for identity formation. Young Korean adults completed several self-report measures and wrote a story explaining how they had become the persons they were. These narratives were then coded using our coding system. To test the validity of the coding system, we correlated the coded narratives with other variables. Variables that were positively related to identity formation were psychological well-being, self-concept clarity, exploration in breadth, exploration in depth, commitment making, identification with commitment, growth motivation, satisfaction of psychological needs, problem solving coping, social support seeking coping, and resilience. Variables that were negatively related to identity formation were depression, the importance of extrinsic relative to intrinsic values, and avoidance coping. Identity formation was not related to ruminative exploration., Author(s): Sun W. Park [sup.1] , Hyun Moon [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.222754.4, 0000 0001 0840 2678, Department of Psychology, Korea University, , 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, 02841, Seoul, South Korea [...]