Lighting-environment-adjustable block-type 3D indoor PV for wireless sensor communication.

Demand is increasing for photovoltaics (PVs) as a result of the development of the Internet of Things and edge computing technologies. As the lighting environment is different for the applications, thus, PVs must be adjustable to various light environments in which systems are installed. PVs should therefore be capable of easily changing their morphology without damaging the cells. To address this problem, in this work, a three-dimensional (3D) structure that increases power output under omnidirectional light was applied to a crystalline silicon solar cell array using a block-type method. The resultant block-type 3D indoor PV could operate a Bluetooth low-energy module in conjunction with a power management integrated circuit when the illuminance was 532 lx and 1620 lx and each PV installation area was 129.9cm2 and 32.48 cm2 respectively.

Anti­apoptotic effects of glycosaminoglycans via inhibition of ERK/AP­1 signaling in TNF­α­stimulated human dermal fibroblasts.

It has been established that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) serve an important role in protecting the skin against the effects of aging. A previous clinical trial by our group identified that a cream containing GAGs reduced wrinkles and increased skin elasticity, dermal density and skin tightening. However, the exact molecular mechanism underlying the anti­aging effect of GAGs has not yet been fully elucidated. The present study assessed the influence of GAGs on cell viability, collagen synthesis and collagen synthesis­associated signaling pathways in tumor necrosis factor­α (TNF­α)­stimulated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs); an in vitro model of aging. The results demonstrated that GAGs restored type I collagen synthesis and secretion by inhibiting extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in TNF­α­stimulated HDFs. However, GAGs did not activate c­jun N­terminal kinase or p38. It was determined that GAGs suppressed the phosphorylation of downstream transcription factors of ERK activation, activator protein­1 (AP­1; c­fos and c­jun), leading to a decrease in matrix metalloproteinase­1 (MMP­1) levels and the upregulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase­1 in TNF­α­stimulated HDFs. In addition, GAGs attenuated the apoptosis of HDFs induced by TNF­α. The current study revealed a novel mechanism: GAGs serve a crucial role in ameliorating TNF­α­induced MMP­1 expression, which causes type I collagen degeneration via the inactivation of ERK/AP­1 signaling in HDFs. The results of the present study indicate the potential application of GAGs as effective anti­aging agents that induce wrinkle reduction.

Lemon detox diet reduced body fat, insulin resistance, and serum hs-CRP level without hematological changes in overweight Korean women.

The lemon detox program is a very low-calorie diet which consists of a mixture of organic maple and palm syrups, and lemon juice for abstinence period of 7 days. We hypothesized that the lemon detox program would reduce body weight, body fat mass, thus lowering insulin resistance and known risk factors of cardiovascular disease. We investigated anthropometric indices, insulin sensitivity, levels of serum adipokines, and inflammatory markers in overweight Korean women before and after clinical intervention trial. Eighty-four premenopausal women were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group without diet restriction (Normal-C), a pair-fed placebo diet group (Positive-C), and a lemon detox diet group (Lemon-D). The intervention period was 11 days total: 7 days with the lemon detox juice or the placebo juice, and then 4 days with transitioning food. Changes in body weight, body mass index, percentage body fat, and waist-hip ratio were significantly greater in the Lemon-D and Positive-C groups compared to the Normal-C group. Serum insulin level, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance scores, leptin, and adiponectin levels decreased in the Lemon-D and Positive-C groups. Serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were also reduced only in the Lemon-D group. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels remained stable in the Lemon-D group while they decreased in the Positive-C and Normal-C groups. Therefore, we suppose that the lemon detox program reduces body fat and insulin resistance through caloric restriction and might have a potential beneficial effect on risk factors for cardiovascular disease related to circulating hs-CRP reduction without hematological changes.

Characterization of brivanib therapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts using ¹H HR-MAS spectroscopy and histopathology.

Angiogenesis inhibition is an attractive therapeutic strategy in the management of solid tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) are key factors in growth and neovascularization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Brivanib is a novel, orally available dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively targets the key angiogenesis receptors VEGF­R2, FGF­R1 and FGF­R2. Recently, high­resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR­MAS MRS) has provided the opportunity to investigate more detailed metabolic profiles from intact tissue specimens that are correlated with histopathology and is thus, a promising tool for monitoring changes induced by treatment. In the present study, 1H HR­MAS MRS and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the antitumor efficacy of brivanib in HCC xenograft models. Tumor growth was significantly suppressed in brivanib­treated mice compared with the controls and treatment was associated with the inhibition of angiogenesis, increased apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation. Furthermore, HR­MAS techniques showed altered metabolic profiles between the two groups. HR­MAS spectra demonstrated a significant decrease in choline metabolite levels in the treated groups, concurrent with decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. The results showed that 1H HR­MAS MRS provides quantitative metabolite information that may be used to analyze the efficacy of brivanib treatment in Hep3B tumor xenografts. Thus, the HR­MAS MRS technique may be a complementary method to support histopathological results and increase its potential for use in the clinic.

Aneurysm rupture at an anomalous collateral artery that extended from the proximal A2 segment to the middle of the M1 segment, bypassing atresia of the internal carotid artery bifurcation. Case report.

The authors report the first known case in which an anomalous collateral artery was found to connect the proximal A2 segment with the middle of the M1 segment. This rarity was associated with atresia of the T-shaped internal carotid artery bifurcation. Two aneurysms had developed on a tortuous and tangled portion of the anomalous artery; one of them had ruptured, producing a subarachnoid hemorrhage and an intracerebral hematoma in the area of the putamen. The aneurysms were clipped and the intracerebral hematoma was removed via an emergency craniotomy. Possible causes of the anomaly and the differences between it and accessory and duplicated middle cerebral arteries are reviewed.