Spin-Orbit-Lattice Entangled State in A_{2}MgReO_{6} (A=Ca, Sr, Ba) Revealed by Resonant Inelastic X-Ray Scattering.

The 5d^{1} ordered double perovskites present an exotic playground for studying novel multipolar physics due to large spin-orbit coupling. We present Re L_{3} edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) results that reveal the presence of the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the A_{2}MgReO_{6} (A=Ca, Sr, Ba) family of 5d^{1} double perovskites. The spin-orbit excitations in these materials show a strongly asymmetric line shape and exhibit substantial temperature dependence, indicating that they are dressed with lattice vibrations. Our experimental results are explained quantitatively through a RIXS calculation based on a spin-orbit-lattice entangled electronic ground state with the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect taken into consideration. We find that the spin-orbit-lattice entangled state is robust against magnetic and structural phase transitions as well as against significant static Jahn-Teller distortions. Our results illustrate the importance of including vibronic coupling for a complete description of the ground state physics of 5d^{1} double perovskites.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and 30-Day Postoperative Mortality in Geriatric Burn Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) can easily identify malnutrition-associated morbidity and mortality. We investigated the association between preoperative GNRI and 30-d mortality in geriatric burn patients who underwent surgery. METHODS: The study involved geriatric burn patients (aged ≥ 65 y) who underwent burn surgery between 2012 and 2022. The GNRI was computed using the following formula: 1.489 × serum albumin concentration (mg/L) + 41.7 × patient body weight/ideal body weight. Patients were dichotomized into the high GNRI (≥ 82) and low GNRI (< 82) groups. GNRI was evaluated as an independent predictor of 30-d postoperative mortality. The study also evaluated the association between GNRI and sepsis, the need for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), major adverse cardiac events (MACE), and pneumonia. RESULTS: Out of 270 patients, 128 (47.4%) had low GNRI (< 82). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that low GNRI was significantly associated with 30-d postoperative mortality (hazard ratio: 1.874, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.146-3.066, P = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the 30-day mortality rate differed significantly between the low and high GNRI groups (log-rank test, P < 0.001). The 30-d postoperative mortality (hazard ratio: 2.677, 95% CI: 1.536-4.667, P < 0.001) and the incidence of sepsis (odds ratio [OR]: 2.137, 95% CI: 1.307-3.494, P = 0.004), need for CRRT (OR: 1.919, 95% CI: 1.101-3.344, P = 0.025), MACE (OR: 1.680, 95% CI: 1.018-2.773, P = 0.043), and pneumonia (OR: 1.678, 95% CI: 1.019-2.764, P = 0.044), were significantly higher in the low GNRI group than in the high GNRI group. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative low GNRI was associated with increased 30-d postoperative mortality, sepsis, need for CRRT, MACE, and pneumonia in geriatric burn patients.

Secular changes in dental development of Korean children aged 4 to 16 years over a 10-year period.

This study evaluated 10-year secular changes in dental maturity and dental development among Korean children. A retrospective analysis of panoramic radiograph samples from Korean children (4-16 years old) taken in 2010 and 2020 was conducted. The 2010 group consisted of 3491 radiographs (1970 boys and 1521 girls), and the 2020 group included 5133 radiographs (2825 boys and 2308 girls). Using Demirjian's method, dental maturity scores and dental developmental stages were assessed. For intra-observer reliability, Weighted Cohen's kappa was used, and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to compare the 2020 and 2010 groups. A slight acceleration in dental maturity was observed in both boys and girls, with the difference being more noticeable in boys at an earlier age. Statistically significant differences were noted at ages 4, 5 and 7 for boys, and at age 6 for girls. Despite these differences, the individual dental development stages of 2020 and 2010 showed inconsistent trends with limited differences. Generally, girls demonstrate more advanced dental maturity than boys. A slight acceleration in Korean children's dental maturity was observed over a 10-year period when comparing the 2020 groups to the 2010 groups.

E. coli-expressed SECRET AGENT O-GlcNAc modifies threonine 829 of GIGANTEA.

The Arabidopsis thaliana glycosyl transferases SPINDLY (SPY) and SECRET AGENT (SEC) modify nuclear and cytosolic proteins with O-linked fucose or O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), respectively. O-fucose and O-GlcNAc modifications can occur at the same sites. SPY interacts physically and genetically with GIGANTEA (GI), suggesting that it could be modified by both enzymes. Previously, we found that, when co-expressed in Escherichia coli, SEC modifies GI; however, the modification site was not determined. By analyzing the overlapping sub-fragments of GI, we identified a region that was modified by SEC in E. coli. Modification was undetectable when threonine 829 (T829) was mutated to alanine, while the T834A and T837A mutations reduced the modification, suggesting that T829 was the primary or the only modification site. Mapping using mass spectrometry detected only the modification of T829. Previous studies have shown that the positions modified by SEC in E. coli are modified in planta, suggesting that T829 is O-GlcNAc modified in planta.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a case report.

Background: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular tumor with limited clinical data that can guide treatment choices. The diagnosis of EHE is based on its unique histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics. Differential diagnoses are broad and include autoimmune diseases. Treatments include hepatic resection, liver transplantation, systemic/regional chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Case Description: We describe EHE in a patient with weight loss and general weakness. The prognosis of EHE is variable, with few cases demonstrating an indolent clinical course, whereas others tend to metastasize. In our case, hepatic EHE had metastasized to the lungs and brain. Histopathological examination of the liver tissue revealed an epithelial hemangioendothelioma. On CK7 staining, hepatocytes were clearly reactive and arranged in the plates (CK7: negative), with positive immunohistochemical staining for CD34 (CD34: positive) alone. Surveillance was conducted and the clinical course was better than expected, probably due to her relatively good general condition, the lack of genetic factors associated with her familial medical history, and normal levels of tumor markers such as α-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). During a follow-up examination, she was asymptomatic with a healthy general appearance. Conclusions: The prognosis of EHE is variable, with few cases demonstrating an indolent clinical course, whereas others tend to metastasize. The treatment method for EHE should be determined according to the patient's condition.

Barriers to successful dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Korea.

Introduction: Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) improves bystander CPR rates and survival outcomes. This study aimed to identify barriers to successful DA-CPR in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods: This retrospective observational study used data from a nationwide OHCA database from 2017 to 2021. Adult emergency medical services (EMS)-treated patients with OHCA with a presumed cardiac etiology were enrolled. The main exposure variable was compliance with DA-CPR. The primary outcome was good neurological recovery at hospital discharge. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the major factors associated with unsuccessful DA-CPR with and without multiple imputations. Causal mediation analysis was conducted using witnessed status as a mediator. Results: In the final analysis, 49,165 patients with OHCA were included. A total of 36,865 (75.0%) patients successfully underwent DA-CPR. A higher proportion of good neurological recovery was observed in the successful DA-CPR group than in the non-successful DA-CPR group (P < 0.001). The following factors were identified as risk factors for unsuccessful DA-CPR: age > 65 years, male sex, OHCA occurring in a non-metropolitan area or private place, unwitnessed status, whether the bystander was a non-family member or non-cohabitant, female sex or had not received CPR training, and primary call dispatchers not receiving any first-aid training. Additional analyses after multiple imputations showed similar results. Mediation effect was significant for most risk factors for unsuccessful DA-CPR. Conclusions: Bystander characteristics (non-family member or non-cohabitant, female, and uneducated status for CPR) and primary call dispatchers not receiving first-aid training were identified as risk factors for unsuccessful DA-CPR.

Enhancing Prognostication and Treatment Response Evaluation in Primary CNS Lymphoma with 18F-FDG PET/CT.

BACKGROUND: The role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in the prognostication and response evaluation of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) remains inadequately defined. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 268 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with PCNSL between 2006 and 2020. Of these patients, 105 and 110 patients were included to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline and post-treatment 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans, respectively. Tumor uptake was considered positive when it exceeded that of the contralateral brain upon visual assessment. Quantitative analysis of baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT included measurement of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). RESULTS: The median age of the 268 patients was 62 years (range: 17-85), with 55% being male. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 24.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.9-29.1), and the median overall survival (OS) was 34.5 months (95% CI, 22.9-46.1). The average SUVmax was 15.3 ± 5.7 and the mean TMTV and TLG were 12.6 ± 13.9 cm3 and 135.0 ± 152.7 g, respectively. Patients with a baseline TMTV ≥17.0 cm3 had significantly shorter OS (12.5 vs. 74.0 months, p=0.011). Post-treatment metabolic response by 18F-FDG-PET/CT significantly predicted PFS (median: 10.5 vs. 46.0 months, p=0.001) and OS (median: 21.0 vs. 62.0 months, p=0.002), whereas anatomic response by contrast-enhanced MRI showed no statistically significant differences in PFS (p=0.130) or OS (p=0.540). CONCLUSION: Baseline TMTV and post-treatment metabolic response, as assessed by 18F-FDG-PET/CT, are significant prognostic factors in patients with PCNSL.

Management of cephalic arch stenosis in hemodialysis access: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) is often recurrent, resistant to treatment and the intervention outcome is not well validated so far. We purposed to assess the clinical outcomes of CAS treatment in patients with hemodialysis access. METHODS: Electronic bibliographic sources were searched up to December 4 2023 to identify studies reported outcome after treating CAS. Direct and indirect evidence was combined to compare odds ratios (OR) and surfaces under the cumulative ranking curves across the different treatment modalities through meta-analysis and network meta-analyses (NMA). This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-P. The review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022296513). RESULTS: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 15 non-RCTs were included in the analysis. The study population differed in fistula type, restenosis or thrombosis, and significant heterogeneity was observed among the publications. The risk of bias was low to serious. Meta-analysis found no significant difference between DCB and PTA in primary patency at 6 and 12 months (OR 1.16 and 0.60, respectively; low certainty of evidence). Favorable result with STG compared to stent or PTA at 3, 6, and 12 month was observed (OR 4.28, 5.13, and 13.12, and 4.28, 5.13, 13.12, respectively; low certainty of evidence). Regarding primary patency, the treatment rankings, from highest to lowest, were STG (92.7%), transposition (76.0%), stent (67.5%), DCB (46.3%), and PTA (64.5%) at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Despite data limitations, the low-quality evidence suggests that STG may merit consideration as a primary treatment option when all alternatives are applicable, given their potential for better primary patency and higher treatment ranking.

Scapula position test reliability and comparisons of scapula position and shoulder function among individuals with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: An evaluation of scapula position is important to predict spine curvature and shoulder function in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Therefore, a reliable scapula position is required to assess posture in patients with AIS. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the reliabilities of scapula position tests and differences in scapula position and shoulder function between individuals with and without AIS. METHODS: The study compared 18 patients with AIS and 18 healthy controls to identify differences in scapula position and shoulder function. The acromion-table distance, lateral displacement of the scapula, acromion depression, winged scapula, upward rotation of the scapula, and anterior tilt of the scapula were measured. Scapula position test reliabilities were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Shoulder function was measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. RESULTS: The reliabilities of scapula position tests (ICC 0.85-0.93, SEM 0.1-1.2, and MCID 0.2-2.5) were good. There were significant differences in scapula position and shoulder function between patients with AIS and healthy controls (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Scapula position tests were highly reliable in patients with AIS; they can be used to evaluate scapula position during clinical assessment of posture in patients with AIS.

Investigating the Immune-Stimulating Potential of ß-Glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans in Cancer Immunotherapy.

ß-glucan, a polysaccharide found in various sources, exhibits unique physicochemical properties, yet its high polymerization limits clinical applications because of its solubility. Addressing this limitation, we introduce PPTEE-glycan, a highly purified soluble ß-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from Aureobasidium pullulans. The refined PPTEE-glycan demonstrated robust immune stimulation in vitro, activated dendritic cells, and enhanced co-stimulatory markers, cytokines, and cross-presentation. Formulated as a PPTEE + microemulsion (ME), it elevated immune responses in vivo, promoting antigen-specific antibodies and CD8+ T cell proliferation. Intratumoral administration of PPTEE + ME in tumor-bearing mice induced notable tumor regression, which was linked to the activation of immunosuppressive cells. This study highlights the potential of high-purity Aureobasidium pullulans-derived ß-glucan, particularly PPTEE, as promising immune adjuvants, offering novel avenues for advancing cancer immunotherapy.

Field-Assisted Efficient Capturing and Analysis of Airborne Nanoparticulate Matter Using a Multifunctional Nanoporous Membrane.

As the potential adverse health and environmental effects of nanoscale pollutants have garnered significant attention, the demand for monitoring and capturing ultrafine particulate matter has been growing. With the rise in ultrafine dust emissions, this issue has become increasingly important. However, submicron particles require advanced strategies to be captured because of their limited inertial effect. For example, electrostatic air filters have been investigated for their improved performance in the fine particle regime. On the other hand, Raman spectroscopy was proposed as a promising analytical strategy for aerosol particles because it can be used to conveniently detect analytes in a label-free manner. Thus, the synergistic integration of these strategies can open new applications for addressing environment-related challenges. This study presents a multifunctional approach for achieving both air filtration and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for analyte identification. We propose a nanoporous membrane composed of a thin gold layer, copper, and copper oxide to provide the desired functions. The structures are produced by performing scalable electrodeposition and subsequent electron-beam evaporation, attaining an excellent filtration efficiency of 95.9% with an applied voltage of 5 kV for 300 nm KCl particles and a pressure drop of 121 Pa. Raman intensity measurements confirm that the nanodendritic surface of the membrane intensifies the Raman signals and allows for the detection of 10 µL of nanoplastic particle dispersion with a concentration of 50 µg/mL. Rhodamine 6G aerosol stream with an approximate particle deposition rate of 0.040 × 106 mm-2·min-1 is also identified in a minimum detectable time of 50 s. The membrane is shown to be recyclable owing to its structural robustness in organic solvents. In addition, the fatigue resistance of the structure is evaluated through 22,000 iterative loading cycles at a pressure of 177 kPa. No performance degradation is observed after the fatigue loading.

Diospyros lotus leaf extract and its main component myricitrin inhibit itch­related IL­6 and IL­31 by suppressing microglial inflammation and microglial­mediated astrocyte activation.

Diospyros lotus has been traditionally used in Asia for medicinal purposes, exhibiting a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects including antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti­inflammatory properties. While the anti­itch effect of D. lotus leaves has been reported, studies on the detailed mechanism of action in microglia and astrocytes, which are members of the central nervous system, have yet to be revealed. The present study aimed to investigate effects of D. lotus leaf extract (DLE) and its main component myricitrin (MC) on itch­related cytokines and signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­stimulated microglia. The effect of DLE and MC on activation of astrocyte stimulated by microglia was also examined. Cytokine production was evaluated through reverse transcription PCR and western blot analysis. Signaling pathway was analyzed by performing western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The effect of microglia on astrocytes activation was evaluated via western blotting for receptors, signaling molecules and itch mediators and confirmed through gene silencing using short interfering RNA. DLE and MC suppressed the production of itch­related cytokine IL­6 and IL­31 in LPS­stimulated microglia. These inhibitory effects were mediated through the blockade of NF­κB, MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways. In astrocytes, stimulation by microglia promoted the expression of itch­related molecules such as oncostatin M receptor, interleukin 31 receptor a, inositol 1,4,5­trisphosphate receptor 1, lipocalin­2 (LCN2), STAT3 and glial fibrillary acidic protein. However, DLE and MC significantly inhibited these receptors. Additionally, astrocytes stimulated by microglia with IL­6, IL­31, or both genes silenced did not show activation of LCN2 or STAT3. The findings of the present study demonstrated that DLE and MC could suppress pruritic activity in astrocytes induced by microglia­derived IL­6 and IL­31. This suggested the potential of DLE and MC as functional materials capable of alleviating pruritus.

Ultrasonic nanotechnology for the effective management of Staphylococcus aureus skin infections: an update.

Ultrasonic nanotechnology represents a groundbreaking advancement in the management of Staphylococcus aureus skin infections, addressing the significant limitations of conventional treatments. S. aureus poses substantial challenges, including antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation, necessitating novel and effective approaches. By harnessing the power of ultrasonic waves and nanostructures, this technology offers a precise mechanism to disrupt bacterial cells, enhancing antibiotic susceptibility and facilitating the eradication of bacterial colonies. This innovative approach not only improves treatment outcomes, but also offers a non-invasive and highly efficient alternative to traditional methods. Recent studies have demonstrated the remarkable efficacy of ultrasonic nanotechnology, showcasing its ability to revolutionize the treatment paradigm for S. aureus infections. Ongoing research is dedicated to refining treatment protocols, developing new nanostructures, and assessing clinical applicability, with a focus on overcoming challenges such as scalability and long-term effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of ultrasonic nanotechnology in combating S. aureus skin infections, detailing its mechanism of action, summarizing key research findings, and highlighting its superiority over conventional modalities. Accumulating evidence underscores its potential as a pivotal development in modern science and technology, promising significant advancements in infection management strategies. As research continues to evolve, the optimization of protocols, exploration of innovative applications, and translation into clinical practice are poised to further solidify the transformative impact of ultrasonic nanotechnology in the medical field.

Predicting prognostic factors in kidney transplantation using a machine learning approach to enhance outcome predictions: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate forecasting of clinical outcomes after kidney transplantation is essential for improving patient care and increasing the success rates of transplants. Our study employs advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms to identify crucial prognostic indicators for kidney transplantation. By analyzing complex datasets with ML models, we aim to enhance prediction accuracy and provide valuable insights to support clinical decision-making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analyzing data from 4077 KT patients (June 1990 - May 2015) at a single center, this research included 27 features encompassing recipient/donor traits and peri-transplant data. The dataset was divided into training (80%) and testing (20%) sets. Four ML models-eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Feedforward Neural Network, Logistic Regression, and Support Vector Machine-were trained on carefully selected features to predict the success of graft survival. Performance was assessed by precision, sensitivity, F1 score, Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC), and Area Under the Precision-Recall Curve. RESULTS: XGBoost emerged as the best model, with an AUROC of 0.828, identifying key survival predictors like T-cell flow crossmatch positivity, creatinine levels two years post-transplant and human leukocyte antigen mismatch. The study also examined the prognostic importance of histological features identified by the Banff criteria for renal biopsy, emphasizing the significance of intimal arteritis, interstitial inflammation, and chronic glomerulopathy. CONCLUSION: The study developed ML models that pinpoint clinical factors crucial for KT graft survival, aiding clinicians in making informed post-transplant care decisions. Incorporating these findings with the Banff classification could improve renal pathology diagnosis and treatment, offering a data-driven approach to prioritizing pathology scores.

Bone-on-a-chip simulating bone metastasis in osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disorder, which is a highly dangerous condition that can promote bone metastases. As the current treatment for osteoporosis involves long-term medication therapy and a cure for bone metastasis is not known, ongoing efforts are required for drug development for osteoporosis. Animal experiments, traditionally used for drug development, raise ethical concerns and are expensive and time-consuming. Organ-on-a-chip technology is being developed as a tool to supplement such animal models. In this study, we developed a bone-on-a-chip by co-culturing osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts in an extracellular matrix (ECM) environment that can represent normal bone, osteopenia, and osteoporotic conditions. We then simulated bone metastases using breast cancer cells in three different bone conditions and observed that bone metastases were most active in osteoporotic conditions. Furthermore, it was revealed that the promotion of bone metastasis in osteoporotic conditions is due to increased vascular permeability. The bone-on-a-chip developed in this study can serve as a platform to complement animal models for drug development for osteoporosis and bone metastasis.

Predicting the Future Caretakers of Traumatic Vascular Injury Management via Operative Exposure among Surgical Trainees.

BACKGROUND: The management of vascular trauma requires specialized training and expertise. While traumatic vascular injury is currently treated by both vascular and trauma surgeons in modern practice, it remains unclear who will inherit the role of managing vascular trauma in the coming decades. In this study, we examined disparities in operative experience in vascular trauma among surgical trainees across different surgical specialties. METHODS: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education national operative log reports were collected for graduating vascular surgery residents (VSR), vascular surgery fellows (VSF), and general surgery residents (GSR) from 2012 to 2022. Total operative volume for traumatic vascular injury was examined, as were the five major contributing operative domains (neck, thoracic, abdominal, peripheral, and fasciotomy). RESULTS: A total of 22,052 GSR, 334 VSR, and 1,672 VSF graduated over the ten-year study period. VSR had the highest vascular trauma case volume (24.9 ± 3.9 cases/five yrs), followed by VSF (22.1 ± 1.5 cases/two yrs) then GSR (2.4 ± 0.3 cases/five yrs, p<0.001). Thoracic vessel exploration/repair (0.7 vs 0.6 vs 0.0 cases), abdominal vessel exploration/repair (1.0 vs 0.9 vs 0.0 cases), neck vessel exploration/repair (4.0 vs 3.4 vs 0.2 cases), peripheral vessel exploration/repair (12.1 vs 9.5 vs 1.1 cases), and lower extremity fasciotomy for trauma (7.2 vs 7.6 vs 1.1 cases) were most frequent among VSR and VSF groups (p<0.001 each). On linear regression analysis, both VSF (+0.5 cases/yr, R2=0.81, p<0.001) and GSR (+0.1 cases/yr, R2=0.75, p=0.001) groups experienced a growth in vascular trauma volume. Contrariwise, vascular trauma volume did not change among graduating VSR (R2=0.13, p=0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Dedicated vascular surgical training provides the highest operative exposure to civilian vascular trauma in the United States.

IL-10+ regulatory B cells mitigate atopic dermatitis by suppressing eosinophil activation.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its poorly understood etiology. Eosinophilia, a hallmark of allergic inflammation, is implicated in AD pathogenesis. Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing regulatory B (Breg) cells exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects. However, their role in controlling AD-related eosinophilia is not well understood. To investigate the impact of eosinophils on AD, we employed IL-5Rα-deficient (Il5ra-/-) mice, which lack functional eosinophils. Induction of AD in these mice resulted in attenuated disease symptoms, underscoring the critical role of eosinophils in AD development. Additionally, the adoptive transfer of purified Breg cells into mice with AD significantly alleviated disease severity. Mechanistic studies revealed that IL-10 produced by Breg cells directly inhibits eosinophil activation and infiltration into the skin. In vitro experiments further confirmed that Breg cells inhibited eosinophil peroxidase secretion in an IL-10-dependent manner. Our collective findings demonstrate that IL-10 from Breg cells alleviates AD by suppressing eosinophil activation and tissue infiltration. This study elucidates a novel regulatory mechanism of Breg cells, providing a foundation for future Breg-mediated therapeutic strategies for AD.

Antioxidant Activity of Extracts of Balloon Flower Root (Platycodon grandiflorum), Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume), and Grape (Vitis vinifera) and Their Effects on Beef Jerky Quality.

This research examines the total polyphenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of natural ingredients such as balloon flower root extract (BFE), Japanese apricot extract (JAE) and grape extract (GE). In addition, their effect on beef jerky quality characteristics was investigated when the extracts were used as alternatives to potassium sorbate (PS) and vitamin E (VE). BFE had higher (p < 0.05) total flavonoid content (TFC) (6.85 mg CAT eq/g), total polyphenol content (TPC) (10.52 mg RUT eq/g), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical (62.96%), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity (87.60%) compared to other extracts. Although all extracts showed lower activity than BHT in all antioxidant activity tests, the BFE and JAE showed higher (p < 0.05) activity than the GE in the DPPH and FRAP assays. In contrast, in the ABTS assay, both BFE and GE showed increased activity (p < 0.05) compared to JAE. The jerky was prepared by adding 0.05% (v/v) each of BFE, JAE and GE. Furthermore, a control sample of jerky was also prepared by adding 0.10% (w/v) PS and 0.05% VE, respectively. On day 30, the redness (a*) values of the BFE and PS samples were also found to be significantly higher than those of the other samples (p < 0.05). Additionally, the yellowness (b*) values of the BFE sample were also found to be significantly higher than those of the other samples (p < 0.05). The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) on day 30 were lower in the jerky treated with PS, VE, and GE compared to those treated with BFE and JAE (p < 0.05). In the sensory analysis, beef jerky with BFE had significantly higher overall acceptability scores on days 1 and 30 (p < 0.05). The addition of BFE to beef jerky influenced the increase in a* and b* values on day 30. The addition of GE effectively suppressed lipid oxidation to a level comparable to that of the PS and VE at day 30. Furthermore, the addition of BFE enhanced the overall acceptability of sensory characteristics.

Interfacial Engineering of Mn Porphyrin/Au Electrodes for Identifying MnOx as the Active Species under Oxygen Evolution Reactions.

Understanding the influence of surface structural features at a molecular level is beneficial in guiding an electrode's mechanistic proposals for electrocatalytic reactions. The relationship between structural stability and catalytic activity significantly impacts reaction performance, even though atomistic knowledge of active sites remains a topic of discussion. In this context, this work presents scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) results for the highly ordered arrangement of manganese porphyrin molecules on a Au(111) surface; STM allows us to monitor active sites at a molecular level to focus on long-standing issues with the electrocatalytic process, especially the exact nature of the real active sites at the interfaces. After water oxidation, manganese porphyrin rapidly decomposes into active catalytic species as bright protrusions. These newly formed active species drastically lost catalytic activity, up to 82%, through only acid treatment, one of the oxide removal methods, not by deionized water and acetone treatments. STM results of the obviated active species on the Au surface by an acidic solution support the forfeited catalytic activity. In addition, it shows a 67% decrement in catalytic activity by adsorption of phosphonic acid, one of the oxide's preferred adsorption materials, compared to the pristine one. Based on these observations, we confirm that the newly formed active species, as water oxidation catalysts, mostly consist of manganese oxides. Notable findings of our work provide molecular evidence for the active sites of Au and modified Au electrodes that spur the future development of water oxidation catalysts.

Localized Evaporative Cooling Explains Observed Ocular Surface-Temperature Patterns.

Purpose: We determined interblink corneal surface-temperature decline and tear-film evaporation rates of localized tear breakup cold regions (LCRs) and localized tear unbroken warm regions (LWRs) of the corneal surface, as well as that of the overall average corneal surface. Methods: Each subject underwent 4 inter-day visits where the interblink corneal surface-temperature history of the right eye was measured using a FLIR A655sc infrared thermographer. Corneal surface temperature history was analyzed to determine the overall, LCR, and LWR temperature-decline rates. Evaporation rates of LCR and LWR regions were determined from the measured LCR and LWR temperature data using the physical model of Dursch et al. Results: Twenty subjects completed the study. Mean (SD) difference of LCR temperature-decline rate was -0.08 (0.07)°C/s faster than LWR (P < 0.0001). Similarly, evaporation rates of LCR and LWR were statistically different (P < 0.0001). At ambient temperature, mean LCR and LWR evaporation rates were 76% and 27% of pure water evaporation flux, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the inter-day measured temperature-decline rates and the interblink starting temperature. Conclusions: Significant differences in corneal temperature-decline rate and evaporation rate between LCR and LWR were quantified using infrared thermography. In agreement with literature, LCRs and LWRs correlate directly with fluorescein break-up areas and unbroken tear areas, respectively. Because lipid-evaporation protection is diminished in breakup areas, higher local evaporation rates and faster local cooling rates occur in LCRs relative to LWRs. Our results confirm this phenomenon clinically for the first time.