The Pigmentation of Blue Light is Mediated by Both Melanogenesis Activation and Autophagy Inhibition through OPN3-TRPV1.

Blue light, a high-energy radiation in the visible light spectrum, was recently reported to induce skin pigmentation. In this study, we investigated the involvement of TRPV1-mediated signaling along with OPN3 in blue light-induced melanogenesis, as well as its signaling pathway. Operating downstream target of OPN3 in blue light-induced melanogenesis, blue light activated TRPV1 and upregulated its expression, resulting in calcium influx. [Ca2+] induced activation of CaMKII and MAPK. It also downregulated clusterin expression, leading to the nuclear translocation of PAX3, ultimately affecting melanin synthesis. In addition, blue light interfered with autophagy-mediated regulation of melanosomes by decreasing not only the interaction between CLU and LC3B but the expression of ATF family. These findings demonstrate that the pigmenting effects of blue light are mediated by CaMKII- and MAPK-mediated signaling, as well as CLU-dependent inhibition of autophagy through OPN3-TRPV1-calcium influx, suggesting a new signaling pathway by which blue light regulates melanocyte biology. Furthermore, these results suggest that TRPV1 and CLU could be potential therapeutic targets for blue light-induced pigmentation due to prolonged exposure to blue light.

Near-Infrared Response Organic Synaptic Transistor for Dynamic Trace Extraction.

The development of neuromorphic hardware capable of detecting and recognizing moving targets through an in-sensor computing strategy is considered to be an important component of the construction of edge computing systems with distributed computation. In addition to responsiveness to visible light, the implementation of neuromorphic hardware should also demonstrate the ability to sense and process nonvisible light, which is essential for tracking target object trajectories in specialized environments. In this work, we fabricated an organic synaptic transistor with a near-infrared (NIR) response by incorporating doped LaF3: Yb/Ho upconversion quantum dots (UCQDs) into the channel of a Poly3-hexylthiophene (P3HT)-based organic field effect transistor (FET), serving as charge trapping and infrared sensing sites. The obtained synaptic transistor not only replicates common synaptic behaviors when exposed to NIR illumination but also demonstrates potential applications for the dynamic trajectory recognition of animals in the dark. Compared to other monitoring technologies, P3HT transistors doped with LaF3: Yb/Ho UCQDs exhibit distinct advantages, including a NIR response, high-efficiency computing, and sensitivity, which provide an experimental foundation and a design reference for the development of next-generation intelligent dynamic image recognition systems.

Systematic review and meta-analysis to predict mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: Development and validation of the HF-DANAS score.

AIMS: The morbidity and mortality of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) continue to increase with the accelerating global aging process. During the past decade, the pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, and prognostic prediction of HFpEF have been revolutionized, resulting in new and effective management strategies. Dynamic prognostic assessment facilitates systematic clinical management of patients, and the aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for mortality in patients with HFpEF and to develop a risk prediction assessment model. METHODS AND REULTS: Data for the derivation cohort were obtained from three databases, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. The validation cohort was obtained from the Chinese Heart Failure Center database. The ß-coefficient was calculated based on the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) corresponding to each risk factor to construct a mortality risk assessment model. A total of 30 studies were included in the meta-analysis: 22 prospective cohort studies and 8 retrospective cohort studies, including 34 196 HFpEF patients. Seven predictors of all-cause mortality in HFpEF patients were derived. Considering the need for feasibility in clinical practice, we performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses and determined the following cutoff values: age > 75 years (RR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.83-2.35; P < 0.001), male sex (RR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.17-1.59; P < 0.001), DM (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.11-1.36; P < 0.001), anaemia (RR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.41-1.67; P < 0.001), albumin concentration < 3.2 g/dL (RR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.14-1.47; P < 0.001), AF (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12-1.43; P < 0.001), and NYHA class III/IV (RR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.43-1.87; P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for this model was 71.3% (95% CI: 0.696-0.736), with an optimal cut-off value of 10.75. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.778 and 0.566, respectively. According to this risk score, we divided patients into three risk classes (low, moderate, and high risk), the numbers of patients who died by the end of the 1-year follow-up were 23 (1.87%), 82 (5.62%), and 382 (15.52%) in these three groups, and the 5-year mortality rates were 9.82%, 20.68%, and 43.28%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study developed an HF-DANAS scoring system for the HFpEF mortality risk containing seven predictors, providing clinicians with a simple assessment tool that can help improve clinical management.

Recent advances in artificial neuromorphic applications based on perovskite composites.

High-performance perovskite materials with excellent physical, electronic, and optical properties play a significant role in artificial neuromorphic devices. However, the development of perovskites in microelectronics is inevitably hindered by their intrinsic non-ideal properties, such as high defect density, environmental sensitivity, and toxicity. By leveraging materials engineering, integrating various materials with perovskites to leverage their mutual strengths presents great potential to enhance ion migration, energy level alignment, photoresponsivity, and surface passivation, thereby advancing optoelectronic and neuromorphic device development. This review initially provides an overview of perovskite materials across different dimensions, highlighting their physical properties and detailing their applications and metrics in two- and three-terminal devices. Subsequently, we comprehensively summarize the application of perovskites in combination with other materials, including organics, nanomaterials, oxides, ferroelectrics, and crystalline porous materials (CPMs), to develop advanced devices such as memristors, transistors, photodetectors, sensors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and artificial neuromorphic systems. Lastly, we outline the challenges and future research directions in synthesizing perovskite composites for neuromorphic devices. Through the review and analysis, we aim to broaden the utilization of perovskites and their composites in neuromorphic research, offering new insights and approaches for grasping the intricate physical working mechanisms and functionalities of perovskites.

Ecklonia cava Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment on Amyloid ß-Induced Neurotoxicity by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Synaptic Function in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) Mice.

This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of 70% ethanol extract of Ecklonia cava (EE) in amyloid beta (Aß)-induced cognitive deficit mice. As a result of analyzing the bioactive compounds in EE, nine compounds were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). In particular, the diekcol content was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (DAD-HPLC). Biochemical analysis was performed on brain tissue to determine the mechanism of the cognitive function improvement effect of EE. The result showed that EE ameliorated learning and memory decline in behavioral tests on Aß-induced mice. EE also attenuated oxidative stress by regulating malondialdehyde (MDA) content, reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Similarly, EE also improved mitochondrial dysfunction as mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In addition, EE enhanced synapse function by modulating acetylcholine-related enzymes and synaptic structural proteins in the whole brain, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex tissues. Also, EE regulated Aß-induced apoptosis and inflammation through the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Furthermore, EE protected neurotoxicity by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production. These results suggest that EE may be used as a dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Cancer Cells Using Antibody-Functionalized Paddle Screw-Type Devices and Detection of Exosomal miRNA Using Piezoelectric Biosensor.

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles produced by almost all cell types in the human body, and exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that are known to serve as important biomarkers for diseases such as cancer. Given that the upregulation of miR-106b is closely associated with several types of malignancies, the sensitive and accurate detection of miR-106b is important but difficult. In this study, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensor was developed to detect miR-106b isolated from cancer cells based on immunoaffinity separation technique using our unique paddle screw device. Our novel SAW biosensor could detect a miR-106b concentration as low as 0.0034 pM in a linear range from 0.1 pM to 1.0 µM with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. Additionally, we were able to successfully detect miR-106b in total RNA extracted from the exosomes isolated from the MCF-7 cancer cell line, a model system for human breast cancer, with performance comparable to commercial RT-qPCR methods. Therefore, the exosome isolation by the paddle screw method and the miRNA detection using the SAW biosensor has the potential to be used in basic biological research and clinical diagnosis as an alternative to RT-qPCR.

In-Sublattice Carrier Transition Enabled Polarimetric Photodetectors with Reconfigurable Polarity Transition.

Miniaturized polarimetric photodetectors based on anisotropic two-dimensional materials attract potential applications in ultra-compact polarimeters. However, these photodetectors are hindered by the small polarization ratio values and complicated artificial structures. Here, a novel polarization photodetector based on in-sublattice carrier transition in the CdSb2Se3Br2/WSe2 heterostructure, with a giant and reconfigurable PR value, is demonstrated. The unique periodic sublattice structure of CdSb2Se3Br2 features an in-sublattice carrier transition preferred along Sb2Se3 chains. Leveraging on the in-sublattice carrier transition in the CdSb2Se3Br2/WSe2 heterostructure, gate voltage has an anisotropic modulation effect on the band alignment of heterostructure along sublattice. Consequently, the heterostructure exhibits a polarization-tunable photo-induced threshold voltage shift, which provides reconfigurable PR values from positive (unipolar regime) to negative (bipolar regime), covering all possible numbers (1→+∞/-∞→-1). Using this anisotropic photovoltaic effect, gate-tunable polarimetric imaging is successfully implemented. This work provides a new platform for developing next-generation highly polarimetric optoelectronics.

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine in the Field of Otorhinolaryngology.

BACKGROUND: Otorhinolaryngology is a medical specialty that focuses on the clinical study and treatments of diseases within head and neck regions, specifically including the ear, nose, and throat (ENT), but excluding eyes and brain. These anatomical structures play significant roles in a person's daily life, including eating, speaking as well as facial appearance and expression, thus greatly impacting one's overall satisfaction and quality of life. Consequently, injuries to these regions can significantly impact a person's well-being, leading to extensive research in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine over many years. METHODS: This chapter provides an overview of the anatomical characteristics of otorhinolaryngologic tissues and explores the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research in otology (ear), rhinology (nose), facial bone, larynx, and trachea. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The integration of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in otorhinolaryngology holds the promise of broadening the therapeutic choices for a wide range of conditions, ultimately improving quality of a patient's life.

Flexible and transparent nanohole-patterned films with antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus.

In this paper, we explore the development of a multi-functional surface designed to tackle the challenges posed by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a common opportunistic pathogen. Infections caused by S. aureus during surgical procedures highlight the need for effective strategies to inhibit its adhesion, growth, and colonization, particularly on the surfaces of invasive medical devices. Until now, most existing research has focused on nanopillar structures (positive topographies). Uniform nanopillar arrays have been shown to control bacterial behavior based on the spacing between nanopillars. However, nanopillar structures are susceptible to external friction, impact, and force, making it challenging to maintain their antibacterial properties. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the antibacterial behavior of nanohole structures, which offer relatively superior mechanical robustness compared to nanopillars. Moreover, for applications in medical devices such as laparoscopes, there is a pressing need for surfaces that are not only transparent and flexible (or curved) but are also equipped with antibacterial properties. Our study introduces a scalable multi-functional surface that synergistically combines antibacterial and anti-fog properties. This is achieved by fabricating thin films with variously sized holes (ranging from 0.3 µm to 4 µm) using polyurethane acrylate (PUA). We assessed the activity of S. aureus on these surfaces and found that a 1 µm-diameter-hole pattern significantly reduced the presence of live S. aureus, without any detection of dead S. aureus. This bacteriostatic effect is attributed to the restricted proliferation due to the confined area provided by the hole pattern. However, the persistence of some live S. aureus on the surface necessitates further measures to minimize bacterial adhesion and enhance antibacterial effectiveness. To address this challenge, we coated the zwitterionic polymer 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) onto the nanohole pattern surface to reduce S. aureus adhesion. Moreover, in long-term experiments on surfaces, the MPC-coated effectively inhibited the colonization of S. aureus (18 h; 82%, 7 days; 83%, and 14 days; 68% antibacterial rate). By integrating PUA, MPC, and nanohole architectures into a single, flexible platform, we achieved a multi-functional surface catering to transparency, anti-fogging, and anti-biofouling requirements. This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in surface engineering, offering a versatile solution applicable in various fields, particularly in preventing S. aureus contamination in invasive medical devices like laparoscopes. The resultant surface, characterized by its transparency, flexibility, and antibacterial functionality, stands out as a promising candidate for mitigating S. aureus-related risks in medical applications.

Association of complete blood count parameters with the risk of incident pulmonary heart disease in pneumoconiosis: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pneumoconiosis mostly combines pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, among which pulmonary heart disease (PHD) is of major concern due to its significant impact on the survival of pneumoconiosis patients. White cell count (WCC), red cell distribution width (RDW) and platelet parameters are thought to affect inflammatory responses and may be predictors of various cardiovascular diseases. However, very few studies have focused on PHD. OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between baseline complete blood count parameters (WCC, RDW, platelet parameters) and the risk of incident PHD in pneumoconiosis patients. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: This was a single-centre, retrospective cohort study that used data from an Occupational Disease Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 946 pneumoconiosis patients from January 2012 to November 2021 were included in the study. Female patients and patients who had PHD, coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, oncological disease, multiple organ dysfunction, AIDS at baseline and follow-up time of less than 6 months were also excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES: We identified PHD according to the patient's discharge diagnosis. We constructed Cox proportional hazard regression models to assess the HR of incident PHD in pneumoconiosis, as well as 95% CIs. RESULTS: In the multiple Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, platelet count (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) above the median at baseline were associated with an increased risk of PHD in pneumoconiosis with adjusted HR of 1.52 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.12) and 1.42 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.99), respectively. CONCLUSION: Higher baseline PLT and PCT are associated with a higher risk of PHD in pneumoconiosis.

Mechanism of Preventing Recurrence of Stage II-III Colorectal Cancer Metastasis with Immuno-inflammatory and Hypoxic Microenvironment by a Four Ingredients Chinese Herbal Formula: A Bioinformatics and Network Pharmacology Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the top three malignancies with the highest incidence and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to identify the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on postoperative patients with stage II-III CRC and explore the core herb combination and its mechanism. METHODS: An observational cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with stage II-III CRC from January 2016 to January 2021. The primary outcome was disease-free survival, which was compared between the patients who received TCM or not, and the secondary outcome was the hazard ratio. The relevance principle was used to obtain the candidate herb combinations, and the core combination was evaluated through an assessment of efficacy and representativeness. Then, biological processes and signaling pathways associated with CRC were obtained by Gene Ontology function, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes pathway, and Wikipathway. Furthermore, hub genes were screened by the Kaplan-Meier estimator, and molecular docking was employed to predict the binding sites of key ingredients to hub genes. The correlation analysis was employed for the correlations between the hub genes and tumor-infiltrating immune cells and hypoxiarelated genes. Ultimately, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to verify the regulation of hub genes by their major ingredients. RESULTS: A total of 707 patients were included. TCM could decrease the metastatic recurrence associated with stage II-III CRC (HR: 0.61, log-rank P < 0.05). Among those patients in the TCM group, the core combination was Baizhu → Yinchen, Chenpi, and Fuling (C combination), and its antitumor mechanism was most likely related to the regulation of BCL2L1, XIAP, and TOP1 by its key ingredients, quercetin and tangeretin. The expression of these genes was significantly correlated with both tumor-infiltrating immune cells and hypoxia- related genes. In addition, quercetin and tangeretin down-regulated the mRNA levels of BCL2L1, XIAP, and TOP1, thereby inhibiting the growth of HCT116 cells. CONCLUSION: Overall, a combination of four herbs, Baizhu → Yinchen, Chenpi, and Fuling, could reduce metastatic recurrence in postoperative patients with stage II-III CRC. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of BCL2L1, XIAP, and TOP1 by its key ingredients quercetin and tangeretin.

Development of Bio-Voltage Operated Humidity-Sensory Neurons Comprising Self-Assembled Peptide Memristors.

Biomimetic humidity sensors offer a low-power approach for respiratory monitoring in early lung-disease diagnosis. However, balancing miniaturization and energy efficiency remains challenging. This study addresses this issue by introducing a bioinspired humidity-sensing neuron comprising a self-assembled peptide nanowire (NW) memristor with unique proton-coupled ion transport. The proposed neuron shows a low Ag+ activation energy owing to the NW and redox activity of the tyrosine (Tyr)-rich peptide in the system, facilitating ultralow electric-field-driven threshold switching and a high energy efficiency. Additionally, Ag+ migration in the system can be controlled by a proton source owing to the hydrophilic nature of the phenolic hydroxyl group in Tyr, enabling the humidity-based control of the conductance state of the memristor. Furthermore, a memristor-based neuromorphic perception neuron that can encode humidity signals into spikes is proposed. The spiking characteristics of this neuron can be modulated to emulate the strength-modulated spike-frequency characteristics of biological neurons. A three-layer spiking neural network with input neurons comprising these highly tunable humidity perception neurons shows an accuracy of 92.68% in lung-disease diagnosis. This study paves the way for developing bioinspired self-assembly strategies to construct neuromorphic perception systems, bridging the gap between artificial and biological sensing and processing paradigms.

Parathyroid-on-a-chip simulating parathyroid hormone secretion in response to calcium concentration.

The parathyroid gland is an endocrine organ that plays a crucial role in regulating calcium levels in blood serum through the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Hypoparathyroidism is a chronic disease that can occur due to parathyroid defects, but due to the difficulty of creating animal models of this disease or obtaining human normal parathyroid cells, the evaluation of parathyroid functionality for drug development is limited. Although parathyroid-like cells that secrete PTH have recently been reported, their functionality may be overestimated using traditional culture methods that lack in vivo similarities, particularly vascularization. To overcome these limitations, we obtained parathyroid organoids from tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) and fabricated a parathyroid-on-a-chip, capable of simulating PTH secretion based on calcium concentration. This chip exhibited differences in PTH secretion according to calcium concentration and secreted PTH within the range of normal serum levels. In addition, branches of organoids, which are difficult to observe in animal models, were observed in this chip. This could serve as a guideline for successful engraftment in implantation therapies in the future.

MicroRNAs in opisthorchiids and their definitive hosts: Current Status and Perspectives.

Opisthorchis felineus, Opisthorchis viverrini, and Clonorchis sinensis (family Opisthorchiidae) are parasitic flatworms that pose serious threats to humans in certain countries and cause opisthorchiasis/clonorchiasis. Opisthorchiid flukes parasitize the biliary tract of the host, causing cholangitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and cholangiocarcinoma. In this review, we primarily focus on recent microRNAs (miRNAs) studies of opisthorchiid flukes and their definitive hosts. Many miRNAs are conserved and expressed in a developmentally stage specific manner in the three opisthorchiid flukes, which play important roles in the growth and development of Opisthorchiidae spp., as well as host-pathogen interactions. Some miRNAs might be potential biomarkers related to carcinogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, this review provides the basis for further investigating the roles of miRNAs in opisthorchiid flukes and their definitive hosts, as well as promoting the development of novel approaches to prevent and treat opisthorchiasis/clonorchiasis.

Podoplanin depletion in tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells induces cellular senescence via regulation of the p16Ink4a/Rb pathway.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in the development of therapeutic tools in regenerative medicine. However, their quality decreases during in vitro expansion because of heterogeneity and acquired cellular senescence. We investigated the potential role of podoplanin (PDPN) in minimizing cellular senescence and maintaining the stemness of tonsil-derived MSCs (TMSCs). METHODS: TMSCs were isolated from human tonsil tissues using an enzymatic method, expanded, and divided into two groups: early-passaged TMSCs, which were cultured for 3-7 passages, and late-passaged TMSCs, which were passaged more than 15 times. The TMSCs were evaluated for cellular senescence and MSC characteristics, and PDPN-positive and -negative cells were identified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. In addition, MSC features were assessed in siRNA-mediated PDPN-depleted TMSCs. RESULTS: TMSCs, when passaged more than 15 times and becoming senescent, exhibited reduced proliferative rates, telomere length, pluripotency marker (NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2) expression, and tri-lineage differentiation potential (adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, or osteogenesis) compared to cells passaged less than five times. Furthermore, PDPN protein levels significantly decreased in a passage-dependent manner. PDPN-positive cells maintained their stemness characteristics, such as MSC-specific surface antigen (CD14, CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, and CD105) and pluripotency marker expression, and exhibited higher tri-lineage differentiation potential than PDPN-negative cells. SiRNA-mediated silencing of PDPN led to decreased cell-cycle progression, proliferation, and migration, indicating the significance of PDPN as a preliminary senescence-related factor. These reductions directly contributed to the induction of cellular senescence via p16Ink4a/Rb pathway activation. CONCLUSION: PDPN may serve as a novel biomarker to mitigate cellular senescence in the clinical application of MSCs.

Differences in factors associated with insomnia symptoms between patients with epilepsy with and without depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if insomnia-related factors differ depending on the presence of depression in patients with epilepsy. METHODS: This cross-sectional multicenter study collected data on depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms, and excessive daytime sleepiness, which were defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score of ≥ 10, an Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score of ≥ 15, and an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) of ≥ 11, respectively. Further, uncontrolled seizures were defined as one or more seizures per month during antiseizure medications treatment. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was conducted, with a logistic regression with interaction terms performed to identify differences in insomnia-related factors depending on depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Of 282 adults with epilepsy (men, 58 %; mean age, 40.4 ± 13.9 years), a PHQ-9 score ≥ 10, an ISI score ≥ 15, an ESS score ≥ 11 were noted in 23.4 % (n = 66), 20.2 % (n = 57), and 12.8 % (n = 36), respectively. More patients with depressive symptoms had an ISI score ≥ 15 (56.1 % vs. 9.3 %; p < 0.001) than those without. In multiple logistic regression, uncontrolled seizures (odds ratio [OR], 4.896; p < 0.01), daytime sleepiness (OR, 5.369; p < 0.05), and a history of psychiatric disorders (OR, 3.971; p < 0.05) were identified as significant factors that were more likely to be associated with an ISI score ≥ 15; however, this was only true in patients without depressive symptoms. In contrast, use of perampanel (OR, 0.282; p < 0.05) was less likely associated, while female sex (OR, 3.178; p < 0.05) was more likely associated with an ISI score ≥ 15 only in patients with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia-related factors in patients with epilepsy may differ between patients with and without depression. Our findings of different insomnia-related factors based on the presence of depression may facilitate the management of patients with epilepsy.

Public perspectives on COVID-19 public health and social measures in Japan and the United Kingdom: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was one of the greatest modern public health crises that the world has faced. Countries undertook sweeping public health and social measures (PHSM); including environmental actions such as disinfection and ventilation; surveillance and response, such as contact tracing and quarantine; physical, such as crowd control; and restrictions on travel. This study focuses on the public perceptions of PHSM in two countries, Japan and the United Kingdom (UK) as examples of high-income countries that adopted different measures over the course of the pandemic. METHODS: This study was conducted between November 2021 and February 2022, a period in which the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was predominant. Fourteen online focus group discussions were conducted in each country. Overall, 106 total participants (50 from the UK and 56 from Japan) participated in 23 focus groups (11 in the UK and 12 in Japan) with an average of three to six participants per group. Both countries were compared using a thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Both countries' participants agreed that vaccination was an effective measure. However, they did not favor mandatory vaccination policies. Working from home was well accepted by both sides, but they reported that schools should have continued to be opened as before COVID-19. Both sides of participants expressed that temperature testing alone in indoor facilities was ineffective as a COVID-19 control measure. There were contrasting views on face covering rules in public spaces, international and domestic movement restrictions. High acceptance of mask-wearing was reflective of Japanese customs, while it was accepted as a strong recommendation for participants in the UK. Japanese participants favored quarantine for international travel, while the UK participants supported banning non-essential travel. CONCLUSION: Similar and contrasting views on PHSM against COVID-19 between Japan and the UK demonstrated how policies in controlling an epidemic should be tailored by country with respect to its norms, cultures, economic and disease burden. Our findings may guide how policy makers can engage with the public through effective health communication and consider regulations that are aligned with the public's views and capacities in changing their behavior for future pandemic preparedness.

Plasmodium vivax tryptophan-rich antigen reduces type I collagen secretion via the NF-κBp65 pathway in splenic fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: The spleen plays a critical role in the immune response against malaria parasite infection, where splenic fibroblasts (SFs) are abundantly present and contribute to immune function by secreting type I collagen (collagen I). The protein family is characterized by Plasmodium vivax tryptophan-rich antigens (PvTRAgs), comprising 40 members. PvTRAg23 has been reported to bind to human SFs (HSFs) and affect collagen I levels. Given the role of type I collagen in splenic immune function, it is important to investigate the functions of the other members within the PvTRAg protein family. METHODS: Protein structural prediction was conducted utilizing bioinformatics analysis tools and software. A total of 23 PvTRAgs were successfully expressed and purified using an Escherichia coli prokaryotic expression system, and the purified proteins were used for co-culture with HSFs. The collagen I levels and collagen-related signaling pathway protein levels were detected by immunoblotting, and the relative expression levels of inflammatory factors were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: In silico analysis showed that P. vivax has 40 genes encoding the TRAg family. The C-terminal region of all PvTRAgs is characterized by the presence of a domain rich in tryptophan residues. A total of 23 recombinant PvTRAgs were successfully expressed and purified. Only five PvTRAgs (PvTRAg5, PvTRAg16, PvTRAg23, PvTRAg30, and PvTRAg32) mediated the activation of the NF-κBp65 signaling pathway, which resulted in the production of inflammatory molecules and ultimately a significant reduction in collagen I levels in HSFs. CONCLUSIONS: Our research contributes to the expansion of knowledge regarding the functional role of PvTRAgs, while it also enhances our understanding of the immune evasion mechanisms utilized by parasites.

Impact of Infection Prevention Programs on Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections Analyzed in Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for a large proportion of healthcare-associated infections and have a significant impact on morbidity, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Adherence to the recommended infection prevention practices can effectively reduce the incidence of CAUTIs. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of CAUTIs and the efficacy of prevention programs across hospitals of various sizes. METHODS: Intervention programs, including training, surveillance, and monitoring, were implemented. Data on the microorganisms responsible for CAUTIs, urinary catheter utilization ratio, rate of CAUTIs per 1,000 device days, and factors associated with the use of indwelling catheters were collected from 2017 to 2019. The incidence of CAUTIs and associated data were compared between university hospitals and small- and medium-sized hospitals. RESULTS: Thirty-two hospitals participated in the study, including 21 university hospitals and 11 small- and medium-sized hospitals. The microorganisms responsible for CAUTIs and their resistance rates did not differ between the two groups. In the first quarter of 2018, the incidence rate was 2.05 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 1.44 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. After implementing interventions, the rate gradually decreased in the first quarter of 2019, with 1.18 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 0.79 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. However, by the end of the study, the infection rate increased to 1.74 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 1.80 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. CONCLUSION: We implemented interventions to prevent CAUTIs and evaluated their outcomes. The incidence of these infections decreased in the initial phases of the intervention when adequate support and personnel were present. The rate of these infections may be reduced by implementing active interventions such as consistent monitoring and adherence to guidelines for preventing infections.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics of PM2.5 and O3 in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Based on Time Series Decomposition].

Notably, clear spatial differences occur in the distribution of air pollution among cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) Region. Clarifying the concentration distribution of PM2.5 and O3 at different time scales is helpful to formulate scientific and effective pollution prevention and control measures. Here, the concentrations of PM2.5 and O3 were decomposed using a seasonal-trend decomposition procedure based on the loess (STL) method; their long-term, seasonal, and short-term components were obtained; and their temporal and spatial distribution characteristics were studied. The results showed that the decrease in PM2.5 concentration in the BTH Region from 2017 to 2021 was higher than that of O3. There was a positive correlation between PM2.5 and O3 concentrations in spring and summer and a negative correlation in autumn and winter. The short-term component and seasonal component had the greatest contribution to PM2.5 and O3 concentrations, respectively. There were two principal components in the seasonal and short-term components of PM2.5 and the long-term and short-term components of O3, corresponding to the central and southern part of Hebei Province and the northern part of the BTH Region. Sub-regional distribution of PM2.5 and O3 in the BTH Region at different time scales were found. Compared with that in the original series, the long-term component could better reflect the evolution trend of PM2.5 and O3 concentrations, and the standard deviation (SD) of the seasonal component and short-term component could be used to measure the fluctuation in PM2.5 and O3 concentrations in various cities. The SD of the seasonal and short-term components of the PM2.5 concentration in every city in front of Taihang Mountain was higher, and the SD of the short-term component of the O3 concentration in Tangshan was the highest.