Simultaneous measurements of temporal evolutions of the voltage and the current on the load of the Seoul National University X-pinch device using the optics-based systems.

Optics-based measurement systems have been developed to measure the voltage and the current on a load of the Seoul National University X-pinch device [Ryu et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 92, 053533 (2021)]. A lithium niobate crystal that changes the polarization state of the propagating laser beam due to the Pockels effect induced by the electric field across the crystal, thus capable of measuring the voltage, is located next to the load. For the current measurement, an optic fiber is wound around the load to detect the change in the polarization state of the propagating laser beam due to the Faraday rotation induced by the magnetic field. As both voltage and current measurement systems utilize optical effects, the sensors, i.e., the lithium niobate crystal and the optic fiber, do not require any electrical grounds, in contrast to circuit-based probes, such as voltage dividers or Rogowski grooves. This facilitates an easy access to shield other required electronic devices, such as lasers and photodetectors, from the electromagnetic interference generated by the X-pinch power system. In addition, the sensors can be placed in close proximity to the load with fewer concerns on the electrical insulation. Temporal evolutions of the simultaneously measured voltage and current on the load of the X-pinch are successfully obtained and discussed.

Factors related to under-triage of patients with acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to provide fundamental data to avoid under-triage in the initial severity classification of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by analyzing factors associated with patients who visited the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This retrospective study identified factors related to under-triage by comparing the characteristics of participants diagnosed with ACS and appropriately classified those who were under-triaged. RESULTS: The probability of under-triage increased 5.402 times in patients who visited the ED immediately than in those who visited the ED through an outpatient clinic. The probability of under-triage decreased in patients who visited the ED by ambulance rather than using their personal vehicle. Furthermore, when patients experienced chest pain, the tendency for under-triage decreased. The under-triage tendency increased 8.315 times in patients with dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Medical staff training on the classification of non-specific symptoms accompanying diseases is needed. Patients with ACS need to be aware of the symptoms that require visiting the ED and the appropriate route and method. Therefore, it is possible to avoid under-triage for possible ACS during the initial triage, and triage can be performed quickly and accurately.

Dual Molecular Design toward a Lysosome-Tagged AIEgen and Heavy-Atom-Free Photosensitizers for Hypoxic Cancer Photodynamic Therapy.

To date, a large number of photosensitizers (PS) have introduced heavy atoms to improve the ISC process and 1O2 generation. However, they often show low efficiency in hypoxic conditions, aggregate states, and turn-off PDT in the dark. Besides that, the toxicity of heavy metals is also concerned. Therefore, we developed lysosome-targeted heavy-metal-free PS (3S and 4S) based on thionated naphthalimide for hypoxic cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT), not only under white light but also in the dark via thermal-induced 1O2 generation. AIEgen (3O and 4O) were prepared for studying the PDT action of PSs (3S and 4S) in lysosome and aggregate state. We also examined the photophysical properties of AIEgen (3O and 4O) and PS (3S and 4S) by UV-vis absorption, fluorescent emission spectra, and theoretical calculations.

Recent Strategies to Develop Innovative Photosensitizers for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy.

This review presents a robust strategy to design photosensitizers (PSs) for various species. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemical-based treatment approach that involves the use of light combined with a light-activated chemical, referred to as a PS. Attractively, PDT is one of the alternatives to conventional cancer treatment due to its noninvasive nature, high cure rates, and low side effects. PSs play an important factor in photoinduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Although the concept of photosensitizer-based photodynamic therapy has been widely adopted for clinical trials and bioimaging, until now, to our surprise, there has been no relevant review article on rational designs of organic PSs for PDT. Furthermore, most of published review articles in PDT focused on nanomaterials and nanotechnology based on traditional PSs. Therefore, this review aimed at reporting recent strategies to develop innovative organic photosensitizers for enhanced photodynamic therapy, with each example described in detail instead of providing only a general overview, as is typically done in previous reviews of PDT, to provide intuitive, vivid, and specific insights to the readers.

Hypochlorite-Activated Fluorescence Emission and Antibacterial Activities of Imidazole Derivatives for Biological Applications.

The ability to detect hypochlorite (HOCl/ClO-) in vivo is of great importance to identify and visualize infection. Here, we report the use of imidazoline-2-thione (R 1 SR 2 ) probes, which act to both sense ClO- and kill bacteria. The N2C=S moieties can recognize ClO- among various typical reactive oxygen species (ROS) and turn into imidazolium moieties (R 1 IR 2 ) via desulfurization. This was observed through UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy, with a high fluorescence emission quantum yield (ՓF = 43-99%) and large Stokes shift (∆v∼115 nm). Furthermore, the DIM probe, which was prepared by treating the DSM probe with ClO-, also displayed antibacterial efficacy toward not only Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) but also methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC), that is, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These results suggest that the DSM probe has great potential to carry out the dual roles of a fluorogenic probe and killer of bacteria.

A modular X-pinch device for versatile X-pinch experiments at Seoul National University.

This paper describes an X-pinch device recently developed at Seoul National University (SNU). The SNU X-pinch device is designed and fabricated to accommodate various diagnostics as well as conduct versatile experiments. It is easy to change the capacitance of the pulse generator because the capacitor bank has a modular design without insulation oil or gas. This allows us to perform a variety of experiments with a wide capacitance range from 80 to 800 nF. The operating voltage of the SNU X-pinch device is controlled from 20 to 100 kV by adjusting the gas pressure inside a triggered spark-gap switch. Triggering of the spark-gap switch is synchronized with the operation of a pulsed laser to diagnose the X-pinch plasma at the proper time. A large vacuum chamber precisely machined from an aluminum mono-block is attached to the top of the pulse generator. It is designed to accommodate not only various X-pinch loads but also various diagnostic apparatus such as optical components. Initial experiments with the SNU X-pinch device have successfully generated x rays with wires of various materials and sizes. The device will be used not only to explore the dynamics of X-pinch plasmas but also as a test stand for diagnostics of high-energy-density plasmas.

A molecular design towards sulfonyl aza-BODIPY based NIR fluorescent and colorimetric probe for selective cysteine detection.

Cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH) are essential biothiols for cellular growth, metabolism, and maintenance of a biological system. Thus, the detection of biothiols is highly important for early diagnosis and evaluation of disease progression. In this article, a series of sulfonyl aza-BODIPYs was synthesized, characterized, and examined by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, crystallization, photophysical properties and DFT calculation. Among these structures, a fluorescent probe, BDP-1, exhibited selective detection of Cys among various biothiols via nucleophilic aromatic substitution and typical size of Cys molecules. BDP-1 showed color change and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence enhancement after reaction with Cys to generate BDP-OH, confirmed by HRMS. The red shift of absorption wavelength showed a similar tendency resulting in time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Furthermore, the calculated detection limit of BDP-1 toward Cys was 5.23 µM. This probe facilitates the colorimetric and fluorescent detection of Cys over other biothiols.

Composition and biochemical properties of l-carnitine fortified Makgeolli brewed by using fermented buckwheat.

Makgeolli is a traditional Korean alcoholic rice beverage. It is brewed of ingredients containing starch, Nuruk, and water. In order to improve the quality and functionality of Makgeolli, the Rhizopus oligosporus fermented buckwheat containing 18.7 mg/kg of l-carnitine were utilized to brew l-carnitine fortified Makgeolli with rice. Makgeolli was prepared in two-stage fermentation method and total rutin and quercetin in each fermented buckwheat Makgeolli were increased 1.8-fold greater than buckwheat Makgeolli. DPPH antioxidant activity was enhanced in fermented buckwheat Makgeolli than buckwheat Makgeolli (21.9%-65.7%). The amounts of l-carnitine in rice Makgeolli, buckwheat Makgeolli, and fermented buckwheat Makgeolli were 0.9, 0.8-1.0, and 1.0-1.9 mg/L, respectively. The fermented buckwheat Makgeolli not only promoted health benefit by increasing l-carnitine and flavonols, but also made effective alcohol production (2.8%-8.4%) compared to common buckwheat Makgeolli, indicating the potential industrial application with health benefits.