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INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is linked to Parkinsons disease and other alpha-synucleinopathies, but various subsets of iRBD may not carry equal risk (i.e., those with depression are at higher risk than those without). Here, we prospectively focus on neurologic and psychiatric aspects of subjects with iRBD, in an attempt to determine what factors are prominent in those who undergo phenoconversion as opposed to those who do not. METHODS: We analyzed data from the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Associations with Parkinsons Disease Study (RAPiDS) cohort both at baseline and then at follow-up evaluations (1 to 3 years later) utilizing several neurologic batteries, including the Movement Disorder Societys Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinsons Disease (QUIP), the 10-M Walk Test (10MWT), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Determination of phenoconversion was ascertained from physical examination and medical chart review from the initial evaluation onward. RESULTS: Of those who completed both evaluations, there were 33 subjects with iRBD, with an average age of 63.1 ± 12.8 years, with 9 women and 24 men. Of these, 8 (24%) iRBD subjects developed neurodegenerative illness, and demonstrated multiple areas of neurologic and psychiatric signs and symptoms, such as speech and movement problems as well as anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our data adds to the literature regarding risk of phenoconversion in those with iRBD. Further study will be needed, but it is clear that not all subjects with iRBD present the same risk for neurodegeneration.

Background: A patient's subjective response to topical nasal decongestant is often used to screen for turbinate reduction surgery suitability. However, this anecdotal strategy has not been objectively and quantitatively evaluated. Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, and single‐blinded cohort study employing computational fluid dynamic modeling based on computed tomography scans at baseline, 30 min postoxymetazoline, and 2 months postsurgery on 11 patients with chronic turbinate hypertrophy. Results: Nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) and visual analogue scale (VAS) obstruction scores significantly improved from baseline to postoxymetazoline and again to postsurgery (NOSE: 71.82 ± 14.19 to 42.27 ± 25.26 to 22.27 ± 21.04; VAS: 6.09 ± 2.41 to 4.14 ± 2.20 to 2.08 ± 1.56; each interaction p < 0.05), with significant correlation between the latter two states (r∼0.37–0.69, p < 0.05). Oxymetazoline had a broader anatomical impact throughout inferior and middle turbinates than surgery (many p < 0.05); however, the improvement in regional airflow is similar (most p > 0.05) and predominantly surrounding the inferior turbinate. Strong postoxymetazoline to postsurgery correlations were observed in decreased nasal resistance (r = 0.79, p < 0.05), increased regional airflow rates (r = ‐0.47 to −0.55, p < 0.05) and regional air/mucosa shear force and heat flux (r = 0.43 to 0.58, p < 0.05); however, only increasing peak heat flux significantly correlated to symptom score improvement (NOSE: r = 0.48, p < 0.05). Conclusion: We present the first objective evidence that the "topical decongestant test" can help predict turbinate reduction surgery outcomes. The predictive effect is driven by similar improvementin regional airflow that leading to improved air/mucosa stimulations (peak heat flux) rather than through reduced nasal resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels are widely used in many applications due to their hydration environment and tunable properties (e.g., mechanical, chemical, and biocompatibility) similar to that of natural extracellular matrices. Upon exposure to some specific stimuli, hydrogels can undergo shape deformation or even state transitions, and these stimulus-responsive hydrogels are constantly being developed, with promising applications in biomedicine, micromechanics, soft actuators, and robotics. In recent years, there have been increasing studies on stimulus-responsive smart hydrogels, which incorporate driving units in previously studied high-strength hydrogels, allowing the hydrogels to not only retain their original excellent mechanical properties, but also have good driving properties. Herein, by analyzing the driving mechanism and driving modes of hydrogels, the latest progress in smart hydrogels with six different driving modes, such as temperature-driven, light-driven, pH-driven, substance-specific-driven, magnetic-driven, and hybrid-driven hydrogels, is explored. Also, the preparation, structure, and properties of hydrogels are reviewed in detail. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects for shape-deformation stimulus-responsive hydrogels are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydrofoil physical model is established based on the surface microstructure to mitigate the detrimental effects of cavitation phenomena on hydrodynamic machinery, such as cavitation erosion or surface damage. Tangential microjet structures are arranged on the hydrofoil's surface, and the modified k-omega shear stress transport (SST k–ω) turbulence model is employed to simulate the hydrofoil numerically. This simulation aims to analyze the effects of different chordwise positions and widths of microjet structures on the cavitation flow and performance of hydrofoils. The mechanism of cavitation suppression is revealed by coupling the chordwise position and width of the microjet structures. The results indicated that the chordwise position of the microjet structures near the trailing edge of the hydrofoil has a minimal impact on the hydraulic properties. The optimal chordwise positions are 0.5c and 0.6c, with the deviation rate of the lift-drag ratio within 3%. The optimum jet width is 0.5 mm, and the cavitation suppression is approximately 15% of the prototype hydrofoil. The microjet structures with tangential jets suppress cavitation by creating obstruction and suppression of the re-entrant jet. The tangential jet ratio of 0.3 represents the most effective tangential jet hydrofoil scheme, and the addition of tangential jets produces a significant inhibitory effect on the shedding of large-scale cavitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mitochondrial creatine kinase (MtCK) plays a pivotal role in cellular energy metabolism, exhibiting enhanced expression in various tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Creatine kinase mitochondrial 2 (CKMT2) is a subtype of MtCK; however, its clinical significance, biological functions, and underlying molecular mechanisms in CRC remain elusive. Methods: We employed immunohistochemical staining to discern the expression of CKMT2 in CRC and adjacent nontumor tissues of patients. The correlation between CKMT2 levels and clinical pathological factors was assessed. Additionally, we evaluated the association between CKMT2 and the prognosis of CRC patients using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analysis. Meanwhile, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of CKMT2 in different CRC cell lines. Finally, we explored the biological functions and potential molecular mechanisms of CKMT2 in CRC cells through various techniques, including qRT-PCR, cell culture, cell transfection, western blot, Transwell chamber assays, flow cytometry, and co-immunoprecipitation. Results: We found that CKMT2 was significantly overexpressed in CRC tissues compared with adjacent nontumor tissues. The expression of CKMT2 is correlated with pathological types, tumor size, distant metastasis, and survival in CRC patients. Importantly, CKMT2 emerged as an independent prognostic factor through Cox regression analysis. Experimental downregulation of CKMT2 expression in CRC cell lines inhibited the migration and promoted apoptosis of these cells. Furthermore, we identified a novel role for CKMT2 in promoting aerobic glycolysis in CRC cells through interaction with lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB). Conclusion: In this study, we found the elevated expression of CKMT2 in CRC, and it was a robust prognostic indicator in CRC patients. CKMT2 regulates glucose metabolism via amplifying the Warburg effect through interaction with LDHB, which promotes the growth and progression of CRC. These insights unveil a novel regulatory mechanism by which CKMT2 influences CRC and provide promising targets for future CRC therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is an examination of computational fluid dynamics in the field of otolaryngology, specifically rhinology. The historical development and subsequent application of computational fluid dynamics continues to enhance our understanding of various sinonasal conditions and surgical planning in the field today. This article aims to provide a description of computational fluid dynamics, the methods for its application, and the clinical relevance of its results. Consideration of recent research and data in computational fluid dynamics demonstrates its use in nonhistological disease pathology exploration, accompanied by a large potential for surgical guidance applications. Additionally, this article defines in lay terms the variables analyzed in the computational fluid dynamic process, including velocity, wall shear stress, area, resistance, and heat flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are attracting attention for their green, energy-saving, and high-efficiency advantages, becoming one of the future development trends of renewable energy utilization. However, there are still deficiencies in the gas supply system control strategy that plays a crucial role in PEMFCs, which limits the rapid development and application of PEMFCs. This paper provides a comprehensive and in-depth review of the PEMFC air delivery system (ADS) and hydrogen delivery system (HDS) operations. For the ADS, the advantages and disadvantages of the oxygen excess ratio (OER), oxygen pressure, and their decoupling control strategies are systematically described by the following three aspects: single control, hybrid control, and intelligent algorithm control. Additionally, the optimization strategies of the flow field or flow channel for oxygen supply speeds and distribution uniformity are compared and analyzed. For the HDS, a systematic review of hydrogen recirculation control strategies, purge strategies, and hydrogen flow control strategies is conducted. These strategies contribute a lot to improving hydrogen utilization rates. Furthermore, hydrogen supply pressure is summarized from the aspects of hybrid control and intelligent algorithm control. It is hoped to provide guidance or a reference for research on the HDS as well as the ADS control strategy and optimization strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]