SCSMD: Single Cell Consistent Clustering based on Spectral Matrix Decomposition.

Cluster analysis, a pivotal step in single-cell sequencing data analysis, presents substantial opportunities to effectively unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular heterogeneity and intercellular phenotypic variations. However, the inherent imperfections arise as different clustering algorithms yield diverse estimates of cluster numbers and cluster assignments. This study introduces Single Cell Consistent Clustering based on Spectral Matrix Decomposition (SCSMD), a comprehensive clustering approach that integrates the strengths of multiple methods to determine the optimal clustering scheme. Testing the performance of SCSMD across different distances and employing the bespoke evaluation metric, the methodological selection undergoes validation to ensure the optimal efficacy of the SCSMD. A consistent clustering test is conducted on 15 authentic scRNA-seq datasets. The application of SCSMD to human embryonic stem cell scRNA-seq data successfully identifies known cell types and delineates their developmental trajectories. Similarly, when applied to glioblastoma cells, SCSMD accurately detects pre-existing cell types and provides finer sub-division within one of the original clusters. The results affirm the robust performance of our SCSMD method in terms of both the number of clusters and cluster assignments. Moreover, we have broadened the application scope of SCSMD to encompass larger datasets, thereby furnishing additional evidence of its superiority. The findings suggest that SCSMD is poised for application to additional scRNA-seq datasets and for further downstream analyses.

Characterization of unique pattern of immune cell profile in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma through flow cytometry and machine learning.

In patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the alteration of immune responses in peripheral blood remains unclear. In this study, we established an immune cell profile for patients with NPC and used flow cytometry and machine learning (ML) to identify the characteristics of this profile. After isolation of circulating leukocytes, the proportions of 104 immune cell subsets were compared between NPC group and the healthy control group (HC). Data obtained from the immune cell profile were subjected to ML training to differentiate between the immune cell profiles of the NPC and HC groups. We observed that subjects in the NPC group presented higher proportions of T cells, memory B cells, short-lived plasma cells, IgG-positive B cells, regulatory T cells, MHC II+ T cells, CTLA4+ T cells and PD-1+ T cells than subjects in the HC group, indicating weaker and compromised cellular and humoral immune responses. ML revealed that monocytes, PD-1+ CD4 T cells, memory B cells, CTLA4+ CD4 Treg cells and PD-1+ CD8 T cells were strongly contributed to the difference in immune cell profiles between the NPC and HC groups. This alteration can be fundamental in developing novel immunotherapies for NPC.

Forkhead box M1 mediates metabolic reprogramming in human colorectal cancer cells.

Metabolic reprogramming is recognized as a hallmark of cancer, enabling cancer cells to acquire essential biomolecules for cell growth, often characterized by upregulated glycolysis and/or fatty acid synthesis-related genes. The transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) has been implicated in various cancers, contributing significantly to their development, including colorectal cancer (CRC), a major global health concern. Despite FOXM1's established role in cancer, its specific involvement in the Warburg effect and fatty acid biosynthesis in CRC remains unclear. We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Colonic Adenocarcinoma and Rectal Adenocarcinoma (COADREAD) datasets to derive the correlation of the expression levels between FOXM1 and multiple genes and the survival prognosis based on FOXM1 expression. Using two human CRC cell lines, HT29 and HCT116, we conducted RNAi or plasmid transfection procedures, followed by a series of assays, including RNA extraction, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, cell metabolic assay, glucose uptake assay, Oil Red O staining, cell viability assay, and immunofluorescence analysis. Higher expression levels of FOXM1 correlated with a poorer survival prognosis, and the expression of FOXM1 was positively correlated with glycolysis-related genes SLC2A1 and LDHA, de novo lipogenesis-related genes ACACA and FASN, and MYC. FOXM1 appeared to modulate AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, the expression of c-Myc, proteins related to glycolysis and fatty acid biosynthesis, and glucose uptake, as well as extracellular acidification rate in HT29 and HCT116 cells. In summary, FOXM1 plays a regulatory role in glycolysis, fatty acid biosynthesis, and cellular energy consumption, thereby influencing CRC cell growth and patient prognosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) regulates glycolysis, fatty acid biosynthesis, and cellular energy consumption, which, together, controls cell growth and patient prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC).

A Computer Vision Algorithm to Predict Superior Mesenteric Artery Margin Status for Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of developing a computer vision algorithm that uses preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans to predict superior mesenteric artery (SMA) margin status in patients undergoing Whipple for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and to compare algorithm performance to that of expert abdominal radiologists and surgical oncologists. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Complete surgical resection is the only chance to achieve a cure for PDAC; however, current modalities to predict vascular invasion have limited accuracy. METHODS: Adult patients with PDAC who underwent Whipple and had preoperative contrast-enhanced CT scans were included (2010-2022). The SMA was manually annotated on the CT scans, and we trained a U-Net algorithm for SMA segmentation and a ResNet50 algorithm for predicting SMA margin status. Radiologists and surgeons reviewed the scans in a blinded fashion. SMA margin status per pathology reports was the reference. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were included. Forty patients (20%) had a positive SMA margin. For the segmentation task, the U-Net model achieved a Dice Similarity Coefficient of 0.90. For the classification task, all readers demonstrated limited sensitivity, although the algorithm had the highest sensitivity at 0.43 (versus 0.23 and 0.36 for the radiologists and surgeons, respectively). Specificity was universally excellent, with the radiologist and algorithm demonstrating the highest specificity at 0.94. Finally, the accuracy of the algorithm was 0.85 versus 0.80 and 0.76 for the radiologists and surgeons, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the feasibility of developing a computer vision algorithm to predict SMA margin status using preoperative CT scans, highlighting its potential to augment the prediction of vascular involvement.

Engineered extracellular vesicles carrying let-7a-5p for alleviating inflammation in acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening respiratory condition characterized by severe inflammation and lung tissue damage, frequently causing rapid respiratory failure and long-term complications. The microRNA let-7a-5p is involved in the progression of lung injury, inflammation, and fibrosis by regulating immune cell activation and cytokine production. This study aims to use an innovative cellular electroporation platform to generate extracellular vesicles (EVs) carring let-7a-5p (EV-let-7a-5p) derived from transfected Wharton's jelly-mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) as a potential gene therapy for ALI. METHODS: A cellular nanoporation (CNP) method was used to induce the production and release of EV-let-7a-5p from WJ-MSCs transfected with the relevant plasmid DNA. EV-let-7a-5p in the conditioned medium were isolated using a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system. EV characterization followed the minimal consensus guidelines outlined by the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles. We conducted a thorough set of therapeutic assessments, including the antifibrotic effects using a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß)-induced cell model, the modulation effects on macrophage polarization, and the influence of EV-let-7a-5p in a rat model of hyperoxia-induced ALI. RESULTS: The CNP platform significantly increased EV secretion from transfected WJ-MSCs, and the encapsulated let-7a-5p in engineered EVs was markedly higher than that in untreated WJ-MSCs. These EV-let-7a-5p did not influence cell proliferation and effectively mitigated the TGF-ß-induced fibrotic phenotype by downregulating SMAD2/3 phosphorylation in LL29 cells. Furthermore, EV-let-7a-5p regulated M2-like macrophage activation in an inflammatory microenvironment and significantly induced interleukin (IL)-10 secretion, demonstrating their modulatory effect on inflammation. Administering EVs from untreated WJ-MSCs slightly improved lung function and increased let-7a-5p expression in plasma in the hyperoxia-induced ALI rat model. In comparison, EV-let-7a-5p significantly reduced macrophage infiltration and collagen deposition while increasing IL-10 expression, causing a substantial improvement in lung function. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the use of the CNP platform to stimulate and transfect WJ-MSCs could generate an abundance of let-7a-5p-enriched EVs, which underscores the therapeutic potential in countering inflammatory responses, fibrotic activation, and hyperoxia-induced lung injury. These results provide potential avenues for developing innovative therapeutic approaches for more effective interventions in ALI.

Research Progress on Ferroptosis in Multiple Myeloma.

OPINION STATEMENT: Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignant (HM) tumor, and a large proportion of patients still suffer from treatment failure and a poor prognosis despite the use of some newly approved drugs, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanism is still needed. Ferroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death (PCD) that is different from other traditional forms of cell death such as apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. With the continuous deepening of research on ferroptosis, ferroptosis has been found to be closely related to MM. This article reviews the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis and research progress on ferroptosis in MM, providing a new theoretical basis and strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of MM.

C. elegans BLMP-1 controls apical epidermal cell morphology by repressing expression of mannosyltransferase bus-8 and molting signal mlt-8.

Skin epidermis secretes apical extracellular matrix (aECM) as a protective barrier from the external environment. The aECM is highly dynamic and constantly undergoes remodeling during animal development. How aECM dynamics is temporally regulated during development, and whether and how its mis-regulation may impact epidermal cell morphology or function remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we report that the conserved Zn-finger transcription factor BLMP-1/Blimp1, which regulates epidermal development in C. elegans, controls apical cell shape of the epidermis by downregulation of aECM remodeling. Loss of blmp-1 causes upregulation of genes essential for molting, including bus-8 and mlt-8, in adult, leading to an abnormal shape in the apical region of adult epidermal cells. The apical epidermal morphological defect is suppressed by reduction of bus-8 or mlt-8. BUS-8 is a key mannosyltransferase, which functions in glycosylation of N-linked glycoproteins; MLT-8 has a ganglioside GM2 lipid-binding domain and is implicated in signaling during molting, a process where the old cuticle is shed and synthesized anew. Overexpression of bus-8 or mlt-8 induces an apical epidermal cell defect as observed in blmp-1 mutants. MLT-8::GFP fusion protein is localized to lysosomes and secreted to aECM. BUS-8 is important for MLT-8 stability and lysosomal targeting, which may be regulated by BUS-8-mediated glycosylation of MLT-8 and function as a molting signaling cue in aECM remodeling. We propose that BLMP-1 represses MLT-8 expression and glycosylation in the epidermis to prevent inappropriate aECM remodeling, which is essential for maintenance of apical epidermal cell morphology during larva-to-adult transition.

EDGE COVID-19: a web platform to generate submission-ready genomes from SARS-CoV-2 sequencing efforts.

SUMMARY: Genomics has become an essential technology for surveilling emerging infectious disease outbreaks. A range of technologies and strategies for pathogen genome enrichment and sequencing are being used by laboratories worldwide, together with different and sometimes ad hoc, analytical procedures for generating genome sequences. A fully integrated analytical process for raw sequence to consensus genome determination, suited to outbreaks such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is critical to provide a solid genomic basis for epidemiological analyses and well-informed decision making. We have developed a web-based platform and integrated bioinformatic workflows that help to provide consistent high-quality analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequencing data generated with either the Illumina or Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). Using an intuitive web-based interface, this workflow automates data quality control, SARS-CoV-2 reference-based genome variant and consensus calling, lineage determination and provides the ability to submit the consensus sequence and necessary metadata to GenBank, GISAID and INSDC raw data repositories. We tested workflow usability using real world data and validated the accuracy of variant and lineage analysis using several test datasets, and further performed detailed comparisons with results from the COVID-19 Galaxy Project workflow. Our analyses indicate that EC-19 workflows generate high-quality SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Finally, we share a perspective on patterns and impact observed with Illumina versus ONT technologies on workflow congruence and differences. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: https://edge-covid19.edgebioinformatics.org, and https://github.com/LANL-Bioinformatics/EDGE/tree/SARS-CoV2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

New perspectives on different Sacha inchi seed oil extractions and its applications in the food and cosmetic industries.

Sacha inchi oil is growing in demand worldwide owing to its high fatty acid content of linolenic acid (44.30%-51.62%) and linoleic acid (34.08%-36.13%). In addition, Sacha inchi oil also contains phytosterols, such as stigmasterols (346- 456 µg/g), sitosterols (435-563 µg/g), and campesterols (10.47% ± 4.36%). Its main tocopherol is gamma-tocopherol (120.41-125.69 mg/100 g). The antinutrients in Sacha inchi seeds can be reduced by roasting prior to extraction. Various extractions, including both conventional and novel methods, have been used to extract Sacha inchi oil. However, the variety of extraction methods and origins of the seeds change the nutrient profiles, antinutrient content, and physicochemical properties. Incorporation of Sacha inchi oil into food products can increase its nutritional value, and it works as a moisturizing agent in cosmetic products. To obtain Sacha inchi oil with the desired properties and nutritional profile, this review summarizes the effects of different Sacha inchi seed oil extraction methods and processes on chemical compounds, antinutrient content, and physicochemical properties, including their potential and recent applications in food and cosmetic industries.

Sacha inchi oil yield, bioactive compounds, and physicochemical qualities are affected by cultivation area, seed chemical profile, extraction method, and conditions.Sacha inchi oil contains high amounts of linolenic and linoleic acid.Sacha inchi seeds contain heat-labile and heat-stable antinutrients, which are found in traces in the oil.Sacha inchi oil acts as a lipid source, animal fat substitute, and preservative, and increases nutritional value when added to food.Sacha inchi oil acts as a moisturizing agent.Sacha inchi is a promising new oil source for food and cosmetics, where demand has grown in Europe, the United States, and Asia.

A case report and literature review of Carney complex with atrial adenomyxoma.

BACKGROUND: Carney complex (CNC) is a rare multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome characterized by mucocutaneous lentigines/ blue nevi, cardiac myxoma and endocrine overactivity. Here, we report a CNC case with PRKAR1A gene mutation characterized by left atrial adenomyxoma to explore the diagnosis and treatment of CNC. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old woman with a history of cardiac tumour surgery presented with typical features of Cushing syndrome, including central obesity, buffalo hump, mild facial plethora, purple striae on the lower abdomen, and spotty skin pigmentation. Left atrial adenomyxoma and thyroid papillary carcinoma were identified by postoperative histologic assays. Genetic screening revealed a pathogenic germline heterozygous mutation of c.682C > T (p.R228X) in exon 7 of the PRKAR1A gene. The clinical features and normal ACTH levels suggest this patient suffered the ACTH-independent primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) with cyclic hypercortisolism or ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome. CONCLUSION: CNC is uncommon, however, if a patient develops clinical features involving multiple endocrine and non-endocrine tumors, especially Cushing syndrome and cardiac myxoma, CNC should be considered. Genetic analysis is recommended in patients with suspected CNC.

A bacterial surface layer protein exploits multistep crystallization for rapid self-assembly.

Surface layers (S-layers) are crystalline protein coats surrounding microbial cells. S-layer proteins (SLPs) regulate their extracellular self-assembly by crystallizing when exposed to an environmental trigger. However, molecular mechanisms governing rapid protein crystallization in vivo or in vitro are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the Caulobacter crescentus SLP readily crystallizes into sheets in vitro via a calcium-triggered multistep assembly pathway. This pathway involves 2 domains serving distinct functions in assembly. The C-terminal crystallization domain forms the physiological 2-dimensional (2D) crystal lattice, but full-length protein crystallizes multiple orders of magnitude faster due to the N-terminal nucleation domain. Observing crystallization using a time course of electron cryo-microscopy (Cryo-EM) imaging reveals a crystalline intermediate wherein N-terminal nucleation domains exhibit motional dynamics with respect to rigid lattice-forming crystallization domains. Dynamic flexibility between the 2 domains rationalizes efficient S-layer crystal nucleation on the curved cellular surface. Rate enhancement of protein crystallization by a discrete nucleation domain may enable engineering of kinetically controllable self-assembling 2D macromolecular nanomaterials.

Sensorless Model Predictive Control of Single-Phase Inverter for UPS Applications via Accurate Load Current Estimation.

Single-phase inverters with an output LC filter, can generate low distortion output voltages, which are suitable for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. The UPS system provides emergency power in the case of utility power failure, requiring high reliability and clean power. The sensorless control method is actually a soft-sensing technique, that reduces system cost, measurement-related losses, and, especially important for UPS systems, enhances the system reliability. This paper proposes a load current sensorless finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) scheme for a single-phase UPS inverter. A time varying observer is proposed, which offers the accurate estimation for individual components simultaneously in periodic load current signal, without subsequent complex calculations. Compared with another two typical sensorless methods (the low-pass filter and the Kalman filter), the proposed observer-based FCS-MPC strategy has smaller load current estimation error and lower output voltage distortion, under both linear and nonlinear loads. The theoretical analysis is verified through simulation and experiment. A single-phase inverter rapid control prototype (RCP) is set up with the Speedgoat real-time target machine, to confirm the effectiveness of the system.

Special congenital dacryocystocele.

Congenital Dacryocystocele is a rare disease of the eye and nose, which originates from congenital obstruction of lacrimal duct system, but accounts for a low proportion in congenital obstruction of lacrimal duct system. We present a case of congenital dacryocystocele to analyze the clinical features and to explore the clinical treatment effect of special congenital dacryocyst protrusion.

A public website for the automated assessment and validation of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic PCR assays.

SUMMARY: Polymerase chain reaction-based assays are the current gold standard for detecting and diagnosing SARS-CoV-2. However, as SARS-CoV-2 mutates, we need to constantly assess whether existing PCR-based assays will continue to detect all known viral strains. To enable the continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 assays, we have developed a web-based assay validation algorithm that checks existing PCR-based assays against the ever-expanding genome databases for SARS-CoV-2 using both thermodynamic and edit-distance metrics. The assay-screening results are displayed as a heatmap, showing the number of mismatches between each detection and each SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence. Using a mismatch threshold to define detection failure, assay performance is summarized with the true-positive rate (recall) to simplify assay comparisons. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The assay evaluation website and supporting software are Open Source and freely available at https://covid19.edgebioinformatics.org/#/assayValidation, https://github.com/jgans/thermonucleotide BLAST and https://github.com/LANL-Bioinformatics/assay_validation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Rubbing-free liquid crystal electro-optic device based on organic single-crystal rubrene.

Liquid crystals (LCs) have been a vital component of modern communication and photonic technologies. However, traditional LC alignment on polyimide (PI) requires mechanically rubbing treatment to control LC orientation, suffering from dust particles, surface damage, and electrostatic charges. In this paper, LC alignment on organic single-crystal rubrene (SCR) has been studied and used to fabricate rubbing-free LC devices. A rubrene/toluene solution is spin-coated on the indium-tin-oxide (ITO) substrate and transformed thereafter to the orthorhombic SCR after annealing. Experimental result reveals that SCR-based LC cell has a homogeneous alignment geometry, the pretilt angle of LCs is low and the orientation of LCs is determined with capillary filling action of LCs. LC alignment on SCR performs a wider thermal tolerance than that on PI by virtue of the strong anchoring nature of LCs on SCR due to van der Waals and π-π electron stacking interactions between the rubrene and LCs. SCR-based LC cell performs a lower operation voltage, faster response time, and higher voltage holding ratio than the traditional PI-based LC cell. Organic SCR enables to play a role as weakly conductive alignment layer without rubbing treatment and offers versatile function to develop novel LC devices.

Prognostic impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptors blockers in esophageal or gastric cancer patients with hypertension - a real-world study.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are used in treating cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies indicated that ACEIs/ARBs may benefit cancer patients by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and proliferation. The effect of ACEIs/ARBs on cancer survival in esophageal and gastric cancer is still unclear. This study is to investigate the association between ACEIs/ARBs usage and esophageal and gastric cancer prognosis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study identified esophageal and gastric cancer patients during 2008-2016 from the Taiwan Cancer Registry, and obtained medication usage and follow-up information from the National Health Insurance Research Database and Death Registry. Analysis groups were defined as ACEIs/ARBs user or non-user based on the usage of ACEIs/ARBs within the 6 months after cancer diagnosis. The stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores was applied to balance covariates between study groups. We also used Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regression to compare survival outcome and estimate hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: We identified 14,463 and 21,483 newly-diagnosed esophageal and gastric cancer patients during 2008-2016. ACEIs/ARBs users were associated with lower risk of cancer-specific mortality, although only significantly in gastric cancer (gastric: adjusted HR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78-0.97; esophageal: adjusted HR =0.88, 95% CI = 0.76-1.02). A better survival outcome was observed among patients who received higher cumulative defined daily dose of ACEIs/ARBs. CONCLUSIONS: We found that using ACEIs/ARBs after cancer diagnosis were associated with lower risk of mortality. Our results add to the knowledge of the benefit of ACEIs/ARBs against mortality in individuals with esophageal/gastric cancer patients with hypertension.

An In Vivo Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) Cartilage Collagen as a Cosmetic.

The "blue shark", Prionace glauca (class: Chondrichthyes), is a pelagic shark species commonly found in tropical and temperate oceans. This shark is mainly sold in Asian countries as food and as traditional Chinese medicine. According to the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, P. glauca is classified as low-risk to near endangered. P. glauca cartilage contains collagen type II, which makes it suitable as a bioactive ingredient in cosmeceutical products. This study evaluated the effects of a gel containing various concentrations (0.125-5%) of lyophilized hydrolyzed P. glauca cartilage on the human inner wrist skin compared to a placebo (base). A skin properties evaluation test was conducted before and after applying various concentrations (0.125-5%) of the P. glauca cartilage gel for 10 and 20 min on the inner wrists of participants using a skin analyzer that determined the moisture level, oil level, texture level, complexion level, and the 3D level. Adding lyophilized hydrolyzed shark cartilage (LHSC) significantly improved the moisture, texture, and complexion of the skin while controlling oil and providing a wrinkle-smoothing effect. The result indicated that LHSC formulations were prepared at different concentrations, and they had significantly enhanced effects on skin hydration and elasticity (texture) and the smoothing of wrinkles (3D level). The LHSC also effectively controlled oil secretion and the complexion.

Prevalence of developmental delay among children: A national study based on administrative database of the single-payer National Health Insurance System in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Developmental delay (DD) indicates a failure to meet the developmental milestones of most children of the same age. Studies based solely on the ICD coding manual may underestimate the prevalence of DD. Real-world use of rehabilitation data may be useful in the identification of more DD children previously undiagnosed with DD. AIM: The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of DD among children aged 0-6 by age and sex in Taiwan based on modified ICD codes. METHODS: A list of ICD codes specific to DD (including delays and disabilities requiring early intervention) was generated from the existing ICD codebook and modified based on National Health Insurance (NHI) claims data pertaining to developmental rehabilitation of children aged 0-6. The validity of the codes was subsequently assessed by DD experts in various fields using the consensus development technique. The resulting list was used to estimate the prevalence of DD among children in Taiwan from 2000 to 2015 based on analysis of longitudinal NHI data. RESULT: Between 2000 and 2015, the prevalence of DD among children aged 0 to 6 years increased from 2.0% to 5.7%, and the sex ratio was 181-197 males per 100 females. The prevalence estimate obtained in this study (5.6%) was 229% higher than existing government statistics (1.6%) published in 2014. CONCLUSIONS: The codes developed using claims data in this study can be used to estimate the prevalence of DD among children and evaluate the effectiveness of intervention programmes. Consistent increases in the prevalence of DD indicate that efforts to promote early intervention have been effective. Nonetheless, the low prevalence rate among 0-2 years children with developmental delay and low prevalence rate of female CWDD means that the policy should notice the lack of access to healthcare services for infants and female children and produce a more equitable or fair distribution of healthcare resources.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Potential of CAPE and Caffeamide Derivatives against Oral Microbes.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural component isolated from propolis and used in traditional medicine. We aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties and action mechanism of CAPE and caffeamide derivatives (26G and 36M) against oral disease microbes. We resolved the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 26G and 36M and their stability at different temperatures and pH. We also evaluated their effect on biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance gene expression in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Our results revealed that 26G and 36M showed the best anticancer and antimicrobial activities, respectively, compared with the other four caffeamide derivatives. Both 26G and 36M showed heat-dependent decreases in antimicrobial activity. The 36M derivative was stable irrespective of pH, whereas 26G was not stable under high pH conditions. Biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance-related gene expression were consistent with their respective phenotypes. This study provides evidence for the potential application of CAPE and caffeamide derivatives in dental medicine to cure or prevent oral diseases.

Influence of an Edible Oil-Medium-Chain Triglyceride Blend on the Physicochemical Properties of Low-Fat Mayonnaise.

Mayonnaise is a semisolid oil-in-water emulsion comprised of egg yolk, oil, and vinegar. One main problem with mayonnaise is its high fat content, so efforts have been made to develop low-fat sauces with similar characteristics to real mayonnaise. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) blended with edible oil (soybean and olive oil) on the rheological, physicochemical, and sensory properties of low-fat mayonnaise. The results revealed that the shear viscosity decreased with the increase in medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) contents and decreased with an increasing shear rate. Tan δ was <1, and a semisolid fluid with shear-thinning behavior was formed. The oscillation frequency test showed that the MCFA-containing mayonnaise was viscoelastic. The particle size and oil droplet analyses revealed that the emulsion droplet size and distribution were not significantly different in the MCT group compared to the control. The sensory evaluation demonstrated that the MCFA-containing mayonnaise was acceptable. This study illustrates that MCTs are a good substitute to produce the proper physicochemical properties of mayonnaise.