Conversion of acidified lignin containing sulfur discharged from a biorefinery process into neutralized biochar: Characterization and metal adsorption.

The objectives of this study were to produce biochars using sulfur-rich acidified lignin discharged from a biorefinery process and to evaluate their physicochemical properties and Pb adsorption capacity. As the pyrolysis temperature increased, the lignin acidified by the desulfurization process was converted to neutralized biochar (LBC), which exhibited high carbon content and stability. The carbon content of biochar manufactured at a pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C or higher was over 90 % and showed no significant difference, and their surface structures were found to be different, as revealed through XRD and FTIR analyses. The adsorption capacity of Pb by LBC increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature, and their adsorption capacity was well described by the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. In particular, the internal diffusion effect on the adsorption capacity of Pb was greater for LBC900 than for LBC600. In complex heavy metal solutions, LBC selectively exhibited high affinity for Pb, while the adsorption capacity of other metals was significantly reduced. The adsorption mechanism of Pb by LBC was verified through various analytical methods, and these results demonstrated that the adsorption of Pb by LBC was influenced by functional groups existing on the surface and inside of LBC and by some cation exchange.

Insulin-Independent Regulation of Type 1 Diabetes via Brown Adipocyte-Secreted Proteins and the Novel Glucagon Regulator Nidogen-2.

Current treatments for type 1 diabetes (T1D) focus on insulin replacement. We demonstrate the therapeutic potential of a secreted protein fraction from embryonic brown adipose tissue (BAT), independent of insulin. The large molecular weight secreted fraction mediates insulin receptor-dependent recovery of euglycemia in a T1D animal model, nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, by suppressing glucagon secretion. This fraction also promotes white adipocyte differentiation and browning, maintains healthy BAT, and enhances glucose uptake in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. From this fraction, we identify nidogen-2 as a critical BAT-secreted protein that reverses hyperglycemia in NOD mice, inhibits glucagon secretion from pancreatic α-cells, and mimics other actions of the entire secreted fraction. These findings confirm that BAT transplants affect physiology and demonstrate that BAT-secreted peptides represent a novel therapeutic approach to diabetes management. Furthermore, our research reveals a novel signaling role for nidogen-2, beyond its traditional classification as an extracellular matrix protein. HIGHLIGHTS: The large molecular weight brown adipocyte-secreted protein fraction suppresses glucagon secretion and normalizes glycemia in mouse models of type 1 diabetes (T1D), independent of insulin, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for disease management.Nidogen-2, a critical component of this fraction, is identified as an inhibitor of glucagon secretion in pancreatic α-cells by regulating intracellular messenger activities.The large-secreted protein fraction prevents T1D-related whitening of brown adipose tissue, promotes adipocyte differentiation, and enhances browning of inguinal white adipose tissue.This fraction enhances glucose uptake in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver through an insulin receptor-dependent pathway.

Comparison of Patient Reported Outcomes between Active surveillance and Immediate Lobectomy in Patients with Low-risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: Initial Findings from the KoMPASS cohort.

BACKGROUND: Patients diagnosed with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) face the decision between thyroid lobectomy and active surveillance (AS). This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing treatment decisions in low-risk PTMC and to compare the quality of life (QoL) according to the treatment plan. METHODS: The multicenter prospective cohort study comparing AS and thyroid lobectomy was conducted. Clinical characteristics were compared between the AS and Lobectomy groups. QoL questionnaires were administered every 6 months in the initial year and annually thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 927 patients (453 in the AS group and 474 in the Lobectomy group) with low-risk PTMC were included in this study. The mean age was 47.4 ± 12.2 years, and 72.2% of the patients were women. Older age (odd ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 - 1.05, p <0.001), smaller tumor size (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69 - 0.87, p <0.001), family history of thyroid cancer (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.03 - 2.12, p = 0.035), prior awareness of AS (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.16 - 2.02, p = 0.003), and higher income (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.13 - 2.83, p = 0.013) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of choosing AS. The median follow-up was 27.3 months (23.9 - 43.9) in the AS group and 28.7 months (20.4 - 44.5) in the Lobectomy group. During the follow-up period, the AS group showed significantly better QoL scores compared to the Lobectomy group (ß 0.17, 95% CI 0.02 - 0.33, p = 0.029). Although baseline QoL scores favored the AS group significantly (7.1 ± 1.2 vs. 6.7 ± 1.2, p < 0.001), no significant difference was observed after 12 months (7.2 ± 1.2 vs. 7.1 ± 1.2, p =0.592). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that age, tumor size, family history of thyroid cancer, awareness of AS, and income were associated with patients' treatment choices. Although the overall QoL scores were significantly higher in the AS group, the QoL became similar between the two groups after 12 months.

Beyond breast cancer: role of selective estrogen receptor modulators in reducing systemic malignancies: evidence from population-based data.

BACKGROUND: Raloxifene and bazedoxifene are selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene is also known for its preventive effect against invasive breast cancer; however, its effect on other cancer types is unclear. This study investigated the incidence of various cancers in osteoporosis patients receiving SERM therapy to determine its association with the risk of developing specific cancer types. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study examined the association between SERM use and the incidence of cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers in postmenopausal women using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Propensity score matching ensured group comparability by analyzing 95,513 participants. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the cancer risk associated with SERM therapy, differentiating between the effects of raloxifene and bazedoxifene. RESULTS: SERM therapy was associated with a reduced risk of cervical (adjusted HR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.31-0.71), ovarian (adjusted HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42-0.88), and colorectal cancer (adjusted HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.42-0.57). No significant risk reduction was observed for endometrial cancer (adjusted HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.70-1.59). A comparison between raloxifene and bazedoxifene revealed no significant differences in their cancer prevention effects. CONCLUSION: SERM therapy administration is associated with a decreased incidence of cervical, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. Notably, the effects of raloxifene and bazedoxifene were consistent. Further investigations are crucial to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these observations and their clinical implications.

Upregulation of γ-synuclein in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus following dopamine depletion: A study using the striatal 6-hydroxydopamine hemiparkinsonian rat model.

Synucleins, including α-synuclein (α-syn), ß-syn, and γ-syn, have been implicated in various synucleinopathies, notably Parkinson's disease (PD), which has generated increased interest in understanding their roles. Although α-syn and ß-syn have contrasting neuropathological consequences, the precise role of γ-syn remains unclear. This study validated non-motor symptoms, specifically anxiety-like behavior, along with the degradation of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the nigrostriatal system and DAergic neurites in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of rats infused with striatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Our study further investigated the alterations in γ-syn expression levels in the prefrontal cortices and hippocampi of these 6-OHDA-treated rats, aiming to establish foundational insights into the neuropathophysiology of DA depletion, a central feature of PD. Our findings revealed a significant increase in the expression of γ-syn mRNA and protein in these brain regions, in contrast to unaltered α- and ß-syn expression levels. This suggests a distinct role of γ-syn within the neurobiological milieu under conditions of DA deficiency. Overall, our data shed light on the neurobiological changes observed in the hemiparkinsonian rat model induced with 6-OHDA, underscoring the potential significance of γ-syn in PD pathology.

Behavior and Parenting Stress Characteristics in Young Children With Severe Food Allergies According to the Severity Score System.

PURPOSE: Limited knowledge exists regarding the psychosocial characteristics of young Asian children affected by food allergies (FAs) and their caregivers. This study aims to assess the usefulness of the Food Allergy Severity Score (FASS) system in evaluating the risk of emotional impacts on young children and caregivers who are dealing with severe FA. METHODS: Children between 2 and 10 years of age who were diagnosed with FA and following an elimination diet were enrolled in the study. The FASS, Korean Parenting Stress Index, and Korean Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 were used for evaluating the above mentioned risk. RESULTS: Among the 75 participants, 64.0% had a history of anaphylaxis, and 56.0% reported multiple FAs. A total of 160 cases of FASS was documented across 21 types of food and classified as mild (n = 5, 1.07), moderate (n = 100, 2.01-4.01), or severe (n = 55, 4.24-6.84). The concordance of calculated- and stakeholder interpreted-FASS was moderate (kappa 0.587). Children with severe FASS (sFASS) showed increased risk for functional communication (relative risk [RR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-2.48) and increased parental reinforcement (RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.91-2.14). Their caregivers exhibited reduced levels of demandingness (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37-0.94) and role restriction (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39-0.98). Receiver operating characteristic curves suggested that functional communication (numeric FASS cutoff, 3.47; area under the curve [AUC], 0.695), withdrawal (cutoff, 3.40; AUC, 0.657), developmental social disorders (cutoff, 3.96; AUC, 0.648), and reinforces parent (cutoff, 3.15; AUC, 0.646) were possibly be affected. CONCLUSIONS: The FASS provides an objective tool to assess pediatric FA severity. Early psychosocial intervention for young children with severe FASS and their caregivers may improve prognosis by identifying possible adaptive skill deficiencies and excessive parenting stresses.

Laurus nobilis L. leaves Suppress Alcohol-Related Liver Disease by Exhibiting Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Alcohol-Treated Hepatocytes and Mice.

Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to a serious health condition known as alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD). This ailment represents a significant worldwide health challenge, affecting populations across various demographics. ARLD has a multifactorial pathogenesis involving oxidative stress, inflammation, dysregulated lipid metabolism, and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Laurus nobilis L. leaf water extract (LLE) against ARLD in alcohol-treated hepatocytes and mice. LLE exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and CYP2E1 expression in ethanol-treated hepatocytes. Moreover, LLE mitigated lipogenesis by modulating the expression of lipogenic factors in ethanol-treated hepatocytes. In vivo, LLE administration attenuated liver injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid accumulation induced by alcohol consumption in mice. Additionally, LLE suppressed apoptosis signaling pathways implicated in alcohol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. These findings suggest that LLE functions as a multifaceted therapeutic agent for ARLD by modulating multiple cellular mechanisms, including the reduction of oxidative damage, mitigation of inflammatory responses, alleviation of lipid-mediated toxicity, and regulation of programmed cell death pathways.

Metal-organic frameworks for high-performance cathodes in batteries.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are functional materials that are proving to be indispensable for the development of next-generation batteries. The porosity, crystallinity, and abundance of active sites in MOFs, which can be tuned by selecting the appropriate transition metal/organic linker combination, enable MOFs to meet the performance requirements for cathode materials in batteries. Recent studies on the use of MOFs in cathodes have verified their high durability, cyclability, and capacity thus demonstrating the huge potential of MOFs as high-performance cathode materials. However, to keep pace with the rapid growth of the battery industry, several challenges hindering the development of MOF-based cathode materials need to be overcome. This review analyzes current applications of MOFs to commercially available lithium-ion batteries as well as advanced batteries still in the research stage. This review provides a comprehensive outlook on the progress and potential of MOF cathodes in meeting the performance requirements of the future battery industry.

Enhanced Deposition Selectivity of High-k Dielectrics by Vapor Dosing and Selective Removal of Phosphonic Acid Inhibitors.

Area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD), which provides a bottom-up nanofabrication method with atomic-scale precision, has attracted a great deal of attention as a means to alleviate the problems associated with conventional top-down patterning. In this study, we report a methodology for achieving selective deposition of high-k dielectrics by surface modification through vapor-phase functionalization of octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) inhibitor molecules accompanied by post-surface treatment. A comparative evaluation of deposition selectivity of ZrO2 thin films deposited with the O2 and O3 reactants was performed on SiO2, TiN, and W substrates, and we confirmed that high enough deposition selectivity over 10 nm can be achieved even after 200 cycles of ALD with the O2 reactant. Subsequently, the electrical properties of ZrO2 films deposited with O2 and O3 reactants were investigated with and without post-deposition treatment. We successfully demonstrated that high-quality ZrO2 thin films with high dielectric constants and stable antiferroelectric properties can be produced by subjecting the films to ozone, which can eliminate carbon impurities within the films. We believe that this work provides a new strategy to achieve highly selective deposition for AS-ALD of dielectric on dielectric (DoD) applications toward upcoming bottom-up nanofabrication.

Rose Petal Extract Ameliorates Obesity in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

In Asia, Rosa spp. has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and edema. In this study, we investigated the effect of rose petal extract (RPE) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice. C57BL/6J mice were fed with either an AIN-93G diet (normal control), a 60% HFD, or a HFD plus supplementation with RPE at 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight (HFD+R100, HFD+R200) for 14 weeks. The HFD increased the body weight gain, liver and fat weight, lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol), and the serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels of mice, while RPE supplementation significantly decreased these parameters compared with the HFD group. Furthermore, the HFD increased the protein expressions of adipogenesis- and lipogenesis-related factors and decreased the protein expression of lipolysis- and energy metabolism-related factors. Conversely, RPE supplementation significantly decreased the protein expression of adipogenesis- and lipogenesis-related factors and increased the protein expression of lipolysis- and energy metabolism-related factors compared to the HFD group. Taken together, the results provide preliminary evidence for the potential protective effects of the RPE against obesity.

Predicting fragility fractures based on frailty and bone mineral density among rural community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and fragility fractures and assess the predictive value of combining BMD measurement and frailty for fracture risk assessment. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 5126 rural Koreans in the Chungju Metabolic Disease Cohort study. Frailty was defined using Fried's frailty phenotype. Fractures were assessed via structured medical interviews. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated considering age, sex, body mass index, behavior, BMD, handgrip strength, medications, and comorbidities. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 5126 participants comprising 1955 (38.1%) males and 3171 (61.9%) females. Osteoporosis significantly increased the fracture risk across all types, except vertebral fracture, with adjusted OR (95% CI) of 1.89 (1.23-3.47) for any fracture, 2.05 (1.37-2.98) for hip fracture, 2.18 (1.06-4.50) for other fracture, and 1.71 (1.03-3.63) for major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). Frail individuals exhibited significantly increased risk for any fracture (OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.21-3.71), vertebral fracture (2.48; 1.84-3.61), hip fracture (2.52; 1.09-3.21), other fracture (2.82; 1.19-8.53), and MOF (1.87; 1.01-3.47). The combination of frailty and BMD further increased the risks, with frail individuals demonstrating elevated ORs across BMD categories. In subgroup analyses, men showed a significant association between frailty with osteoporosis in hip fracture and MOF. Frail women with osteoporosis exhibited the highest risks for all fractures, particularly vertebral (OR 5.12; 95% CI, 2.07-9.68) and MOF (OR 5.19; 95% CI, 2.07-6.61). Age-specific analysis revealed that individuals aged 70 and older exhibited markedly higher fracture risks compared with those under 70. The combination of frailty and low BMD further elevated the fracture risk. Frailty was applied with BMD and demonstrated superior risk prediction for MOF compared with that with either score alone (area under the curve 0.825; P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: Combining frailty with BMD provides a more accurate fracture risk assessment for individuals over 50 years.

Inducing and Understanding Pseudocapacitive Behavior in an Electrophoretically Deposited Lithium Iron Phosphate Li-Metal Battery as an Electrochemical Test Platform.

Our study has effectively employed electrophoretic deposition (EPD) using AC voltage to develop a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Li-ion battery featuring pseudocapacitive properties and improved high C-rate performance. This method has significantly improved the battery's specific capacity, achieving an impressive 100 mAhg-1 at a 5 C discharge rate, which showcases its superior high-rate capability. Additionally, the battery displayed excellent reversibility during its performance cycles. These results confirm the EPD method's efficacy in improving LFP electrode performance, yielding notable improvements in cycling stability and high-rate capability. The enhanced capacity and high-rate performance of the electrophoretic-deposited LFP electrodes are largely due to the fast kinetics facilitated by pseudocapacitive behavior-induced charge storage and a high Li-ion diffusion constant measured in our EPD-deposited LFP electrodes. This underscores the practicality of our approach and the development of a fundamental test platform to investigate the pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism in electrodes with typical battery-like behavior.

Roles of SMAD and SMAD-Associated Signaling Pathways in Nerve Regeneration Following Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Narrative Literature Review.

Although several methods are being applied to treat peripheral nerve injury, a perfect treatment that leads to full functional recovery has not yet been developed. SMAD (Suppressor of Mothers Against Decapentaplegic Homolog) plays a crucial role in nerve regeneration by facilitating the survival and growth of nerve cells following peripheral nerve injury. We conducted a systematic literature review on the role of SMAD in this context. Following peripheral nerve injury, there was an increase in the expression of SMAD1, -2, -4, -5, and -8, while SMAD5, -6, and -7 showed no significant changes; SMAD8 expression was decreased. Specifically, SMAD1 and SMAD4 were found to promote nerve regeneration, whereas SMAD2 and SMAD6 inhibited it. SMAD exerts its effects by promoting neuronal survival and growth through BMP/SMAD1, BMP/SMAD4, and BMP/SMAD7 signaling pathways. Furthermore, it activates nerve regeneration programs via the PI3K/GSK3/SMAD1 pathway, facilitating active regeneration of nerve cells and subsequent functional recovery after peripheral nerve damage. By leveraging these mechanisms of SMAD, novel strategies for treating peripheral nerve damage could potentially be developed. We aim to further elucidate the precise mechanisms of nerve regeneration mediated by SMAD and explore the potential for developing targeted nerve treatments based on these findings.

Real-World Data-Derived Pharmacovigilance on Drug-Induced Cognitive Impairment Utilizing a Nationwide Spontaneous Adverse Reporting System.

Background and Objectives: Despite high incidences of cognitive impairment with aging, evidence on the prevalence and the seriousness of drug-induced cognitive impairment is limited. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and the severity of drug-induced cognitive impairment and to investigate the clinical predictors of increased hospitalization risk from serious drug-induced cognitive impairment. Materials and Methods: Adverse drug events (ADEs) regarding drug-induced cognitive impairment reported to the Korean Adverse Event Reporting System Database (KAERS DB) from January 2012 to December 2021 were included (KIDS KAERS DB 2212A0073). The association between the etiologic classes and the reporting serious adverse events (SAEs) was evaluated using disproportionality analysis, and the effect was estimated with reporting odds ratio (ROR). Clinical predictors associated with increased risk of hospitalization from SAEs were identified via multivariate logistic analysis, and the effect was estimated with odds ratio (OR). Results: The most etiologic medication class for drug-induced cognitive impairment ADEs was analgesics, followed by sedative-hypnotics. Anticancer (ROR 57.105, 95% CI 15.174-214.909) and anti-Parkinson agents (ROR 4.057, 95% CI 1.121-14.688) were more likely to report serious drug-induced cognitive impairments. Male sex (OR 19.540, 95% CI 2.440-156.647) and cancer diagnosis (OR 18.115, 95% CI 3.246-101.101) are the major clinical predictors for increased risk of hospitalizations due to serious drug-induced cognitive impairment. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant prevalence and severity of drug-induced cognitive impairment with cancer diagnosis and anticancer agents. However, further large-scaled studies are required because of the potential underreporting of drug-induced cognitive impairments in real practice settings, which is further contributed to by the complexity of multiple contributing factors such as comorbidities.

Lavandula angustifolia Mill. inhibits high glucose and nicotine-induced Ca2+ influx in microglia and neuron-like cells via two distinct mechanisms.

Smoking remains a significant health problem in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study compared intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in microglia, neurons, and astrocytes in the presence of high glucose (HG) and nicotine and evaluated the effects of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. essential oil (LEO) on this process. [Ca2+]i concentrations were measured by monitoring the fluorescence of Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester. Treatment with HG and nicotine significantly increased [Ca2+]i in both microglia and neurons through Ca2+ influx from extracellular sources. This increased Ca2+ influx in microglia, however, was significantly reduced by LEO, an effect partially inhibited by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) inhibitor Ni2+. Ca2+ influx in neuron-like cells pretreated with HG plus nicotine was also significantly decreased by LEO, an effect partially inhibited by the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine and the T-type Ca2+ channel blocker mibefradil. LEO or a two-fold increase in the applied number of astrocytes attenuated Ca2+ influx caused by high glucose and nicotine in the mixed cells of the microglia, neuron-like cells and astrocytes. These findings suggest that LEO can regulate HG and nicotine-induced Ca2+ influx into microglia and neurons through two distinct mechanisms.

Ultrafast sequence-based prediction model and nomogram to differentiate additional suspicious lesions on preoperative breast MRI.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether ultrafast sequence improves the diagnostic performance of conventional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in differentiating additional suspicious lesions (ASLs) on preoperative breast MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective database search identified 668 consecutive patients who underwent preoperative breast DCE-MRI with ultrafast sequence between June 2020 and July 2021. Among these, 107 ASLs from 98 patients with breast cancer (36 multifocal, 42 multicentric, and 29 contralateral) were identified. Clinical, pathological, conventional MRI findings, and ultrafast sequence-derived parameters were collected. A prediction model that adds ultrafast sequence-derived parameters to clinical, pathological, and conventional MRI findings was developed and validated internally. Decision curve analysis and net reclassification index statistics were performed. A nomogram was constructed. RESULTS: The ultrafast model adding time to peak enhancement, time to enhancement, and maximum slope showed a significantly increased area under the receiver operating characteristic curve compared with the conventional model which includes age, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression of index cancer, size of index cancer, lesion type of index cancer, location of ASL, and size of ASL (0.92 vs. 0.82; p = 0.002). The decision curve analysis showed that the ultrafast model had a higher overall net benefit than the conventional model. The net reclassification index of ultrafast model was 23.3% (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A combination of ultrafast sequence-derived parameters with clinical, pathological, and conventional MRI findings can aid in the differentiation of ASL on preoperative breast MRI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Our prediction model and nomogram that was based on ultrafast sequence-derived parameters could help radiologists differentiate ASLs on preoperative breast MRI. KEY POINTS: Ultrafast MRI can diminish background parenchymal enhancement and possibly improve diagnostic accuracy for additional suspicious lesions (ASLs). Location of ASL, larger size of ASL, and higher maximum slope were associated with malignant ASL. The ultrafast model and nomogram can help preoperatively differentiate additional malignancies.

Protective effects of tauroursodeoxycholate against radiation-induced intestinal injury in a mouse model.

In patients with high-level radiation exposure, gastrointestinal injury is the main cause of death. Despite the severity of damage to the gastrointestinal tract, no specific therapeutic option is available. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid that suppresses endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and regulates various cell-signaling pathways. We investigated the effect of TUDCA premedication in alleviating intestinal damage and enhancing the survival of C57BL/6 mice administered a lethal dose (15Gy) of focal abdominal irradiation. TUDCA was administered to mice 1 h before radiation exposure, and reduced apoptosis of the jejunal crypts 12 h after irradiation. At later timepoint (3.5 days), irradiated mice manifested intestinal morphological changes that were detected via histological examination. TUDCA decreased the inflammatory cytokine levels and attenuated the decrease in serum citrulline levels after radiation exposure. Although radiation induced ER stress, TUDCA pretreatment decreased ER stress in the irradiated intestinal cells. The effect of TUDCA indicates the possibility of radiation therapy for cancer in tumor cells. TUDCA did not affect cell proliferation and apoptosis in the intestinal epithelium. TUDCA decreased the invasive ability of the CT26 metastatic colon cancer cell line. Reduced invasion after TUDCA treatment was associated with decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 and MMP-13 expression, which play important roles in invasion and metastasis. This study shows a potential role of TUDCA in protecting against radiation-induced intestinal damage and inhibiting tumor cell migration without any radiation and radiation therapy effect.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis as an Effect of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor: Real World Insights.

One of the notable adverse effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) often characterized by euglycemia. In this retrospective review of patients with DKA from 2015 to 2023, 21 cases of SGLT2 inhibitorassociated DKA were identified. Twelve (57.1%) exhibited euglycemic DKA (euDKA) while nine (42.9%) had hyperglycemic DKA (hyDKA). More than 90% of these cases were patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite similar age, sex, body mass index, and diabetes duration, individuals with hyDKA showed poorer glycemic control and lower C-peptide levels compared with euDKA. Renal impairment and acidosis were worse in the hyDKA group, requiring hemodialysis in two patients. Approximately one-half of hyDKA patients had concurrent hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. Common symptoms included nausea, vomiting, general weakness, and dyspnea. Seizure was the initial manifestation of DKA in two cases. Infection and volume depletion were major contributors, while carbohydrate restriction and inadequate insulin treatment also contributed to SGLT2 inhibitor-associated DKA. Despite their beneficial effects, clinicians should be vigilant for SGLT2 inhibitor risk associated with DKA.

Identifying candidate genes associated with hippocampal dysfunction in a hemiparkinsonian rat model by transcriptomic profiling.

Parkinson's disease (PD) often results in hippocampal dysfunction, which leads to cognitive and emotional challenges and synaptic irregularities. This study attempted to assess behavioral anomalies and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within the hippocampus of a hemiparkinsonian rat model to potentially uncover novel genetic candidates linked to hippocampal dysfunction. Striatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) infusions were performed unilaterally in the brains of adult SD rats, while dopaminergic impairments were verified in rats with 6-OHDA-lesioned striata. RNA sequencing and gene expression analysis unveiled 1018 DEGs in the ipsilateral rat hippocampus following 6-OHDA infusion: 631 genes exhibited upregulation, while 387 genes were downregulated (with FDR-adjusted p-value < 0.05 and absolute fold-change > 1.5). Gene ontology analysis of DEGs indicated that alterations in the hippocampi of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats were primarily associated with synaptic signaling, axon development, behavior, postsynaptic membrane, synaptic membrane, neurotransmitter receptor activity, and peptide receptor activity. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis of DEGs demonstrated significant enrichment of the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, axon guidance, and notch signaling pathway in rat hippocampi that had been subjected to striatal 6-OHDA infusion. STRING analysis confirmed a notable upregulation of eight hub genes (Notch3, Gng4, Itga3, Grin2d, Hgf, Fgf11, Htr3a, and Col6a2), along with a significant downregulation of two hub genes (Itga11 and Plp1), as validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic profile of the hippocampi in a hemiparkinsonian rat model, thereby offering insights into the signaling pathways underlying hippocampal dysfunction.