Highly efficient microbial inactivation enabled by tunneling charges injected through two-dimensional electronics.

Airborne pathogens retain prolonged infectious activity once attached to the indoor environment, posing a pervasive threat to public health. Conventional air filters suffer from ineffective inactivation of the physics-separated microorganisms, and the chemical-based antimicrobial materials face challenges of poor stability/efficiency and inefficient viral inactivation. We, therefore, developed a rapid, reliable antimicrobial method against the attached indoor bacteria/viruses using a large-scale tunneling charge-motivated disinfection device fabricated by directly dispersing monolayer graphene on insulators. Free charges can be stably immobilized under the monolayer graphene through the tunneling effect. The stored charges can motivate continuous electron loss of attached microorganisms for accelerated disinfection, overcoming the diffusion limitation of chemical disinfectants. Complete (>99.99%) and broad-spectrum disinfection was achieved <1 min of attachment to the scaled-up device (25 square centimeters), reliably for 72 hours at high temperature (60°C) and humidity (90%). This method can be readily applied to high-touch surfaces in indoor environments for pathogen control.

Intracoronary antithrombotic therapy during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of intracoronary (IC) antithrombotic therapy, which may best prevent the no-reflow phenomenon during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), remains unclear. Therefore, we compared the efficacy and safety of different IC antithrombotic agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared IC fibrinolytic agents (recombinant tissue plasminogen activators [rtPAs] and non-rtPAs) or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (small molecules and monoclonal antibodies) with placebo by searching the relevant studies published before September 21, 2022. Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models. RESULTS: Twenty-five RCTs with 4546 patients were included. Non-rtPAs and small molecules were significantly more effective in achieving thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow than placebo (odds ratio [OR] 2.28, 95 % credible intervals [CrI] 1.24-4.13; OR 2.06, 95 % CrI 1.17-3.46). Moreover, these agents' efficacy was observed in other microcirculation-related outcomes, including TIMI myocardial perfusion grade 3, complete ST-segment resolution, and corrected TIMI frame counts. Within 6 months, small molecules were associated with both an improved left ventricular ejection fraction (MD 3.90, 95 % CrI 0.48-7.46) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) reduction (OR 0.36, 95 % CrI 0.20-0.61). Non-rtPAs demonstrated a reduced MACE incidence within 6 months (OR 0.51, 95 % CrI 0.31-0.81). The results were consistent in the subgroup with a total ischemic time > 6 h. No significant differences in mortality or bleeding events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: IC non-rtPAs and small molecules may be effective for adjunctive therapy to PCI, particularly in patients with longer ischemia periods.

Effects of Mobile-Based Forest-Therapy Programs Using Urban Forests for Symptoms of Depressed Patients.

This study investigated the effect of mobile-based forest therapy programs on relieving depression to advance non-pharmaceutical treatments for patients with depression. The effects of depression, sleep quality, and physical symptoms were analyzed as measurement indicators to determine the effectiveness of symptom relief in patients with depression. This study used a randomized controlled experiment design. Participants were randomly assigned, and a total of 44 people participated, including 23 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group. The experimental group participated in a mobile-based forest therapy program (participating once a week) for six sessions. As a result of this study, depression patients who participated in the mobile-based forest therapy program conducted in urban forests showed a significant reduction in MADRS (from 21.48 ± 4.05 to 7.13 ± 7.00). In addition, PSQI (from 19.78 ± 7.69 to 14.48 ± 8.11) and PHQ-15 (from 9.87 ± 5.08 to 7.57 ± 5.03) were also found to significantly improve symptoms. This suggests that forest-therapy programs using mobile applications can be applied as non-pharmaceutical interventions to relieve symptoms in patients with depression.

Euglena gracilis (Euglena) powder supplementation enhanced immune function through natural killer cell activity in apparently healthy participants: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Euglena gracilis (Euglena) is a microalgae found in most freshwater environments that produces paramylon, an insoluble ß-1,3-glucan linked to human immunity. We hypothesized that Euglena powder has effects on immune function in apparently healthy adults. The study included male or female volunteers between the ages of 20 and 70 years who had white blood cell counts ranging from 4 × 103/µL to 10 × 103/µL, a "severe" rating on the stress questionnaire from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and at least 2 upper respiratory infections with cold-like symptoms in the previous year. Participants received either a placebo or 700 mg of Euglena powder daily for 8 weeks. The study measured natural killer cell activity, cytokine concentrations, and blood lipid profiles to confirm the immune effect of Euglena consumption. In conclusion, Euglena improved immunological function through natural killer cell activity. Safety assessment showed no significant changes in vital signs or clinical chemistry indicators, and there were no adverse events associated with Euglena consumption. Euglena supplementation may help boost the immune systems of healthy individuals.

Fumarase activity in NAD-dependent malic enzyme, MaeA, from Escherichia coli.

NAD-dependent malic enzymes catalyze NAD reduction to NADH while converting malate to pyruvate and CO2. In this study, NAD was reduced to NADH by MaeA, NAD-dependent malic enzyme from Escherichia coli, when fumarate was used as substrate. This suggested that MaeA catalyzed the conversion of fumarate to malate and then malate to pyruvate. The K0.5 value for fumarate was determined as 13 mM, different from previously characterized fumarases in Escherichia coli. Fumarate inhibited the malic enzyme activity of MaeA where NAD reduction to NADH was examined in the presence of malate as substrate. Human ME2, an NAD-dependent malic enzyme, also converted NAD to NADH in the presence of fumarate, suggesting that the duplex activity as fumarase and malic enzyme might be conserved in various NAD-dependent malic enzymes. MaeB, NADP-dependent malic enzyme from Escherichia coli, did not reduce NADP to NADPH in the presence of fumarate, suggesting the fumarase activities of MaeA and ME2 were specific.

Intracoronary versus intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary (IC) administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) has been studied as an adjunctive therapy to improve outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IC administration of GPIs compared with those of intravenous (IV) administration in patients with STEMI. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases for relevant studies published before September 21, 2022. In total, 22 randomized controlled trials involving 7,699 patients were included. RESULTS: The proportions of patients achieving thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow, myocardial blush grade 2/3, and complete ST-segment resolution were significantly higher in the IC group than in the IV group. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (RR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37-0.80) and heart failure (RR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.91) within 1 month were significantly lower in the IC group than in the IV group; however, after 6 months, no difference was observed in MACE risk. Additionally, the risks of death and bleeding did not differ between the two routes of administration. CONCLUSIONS: When considering adjunctive GPI administration for patients with STEMI, the IC route may offer greater benefits than the IV route in terms of myocardial reperfusion and reduced occurrence of MACE and heart failure within 1 month. Nonetheless, when making decisions for IC administration of GPIs, the absence of a benefit for bleeding risk and difficulty accessing the administration route should be considered.

Evaluation of the Effects of Euglena gracilis on Enhancing Immune Responses in RAW264.7 Cells and a Cyclophosphamide-Induced Mouse Model.

In this study we evaluated the immune-enhancing effects of ß-glucan, the main component of Euglena gracilis (Euglena), and Euglena on inflammatory factor expression in RAW264.7 macrophages and ICR mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Macrophages were treated with ß-glucan or Euglena for 48 h. The ß-glucan and Euglena groups exhibited higher levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α than the control (vehicle alone) group. Animals were fed saline and ß-glucan (400 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)) or Euglena (400 or 800 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days, and on days 17-19, cyclophosphamide (CCP, 80 mg/kg B.W.) was administered to induce immunosuppression in the ICR mouse model. CCP reduced the body weight, spleen index, and cytokine expression of the mice. To measure cytokine and receptor expression, splenocytes were treated with concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a mitogen for 24 h. In vivo, ConA stimulation significantly upregulated the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 receptor ß1, IL-1ß, and IL-2 in splenocytes from the ß-glucan- or Euglena-treated groups compared with those in the splenocytes from the CCP-treated group; LPS stimulation increased the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in splenocytes from the ß-glucan- or Euglena-treated groups compared with those from the CCP-treated group, but most of these differences were not significant. These results demonstrate the effect of Euglena in ameliorating macrophages and immunosuppression in CCP-treated mice. Thus, Euglena has the potential to enhance macrophage- and splenocyte-mediated immune-stimulating responses.

Immunoenhancing Effects of Euglena gracilis on a Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressive Mouse Model.

In this study, the effects of the immune stimulator Euglena gracilis (Euglena) in cyclophosphamide (CCP)-induced immunocompromised mice were assessed. The key component ß-1,3-glucan (paramylon) constitutes 50% of E. gracilis. Mice were orally administered Euglena powder (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)) or ß-glucan powder (250 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days. In a preliminary immunology experiment, ICR mice were intraperitoneally injected with 80 mg of CCP/kg B.W. during the final 3 consecutive days. In the main experiment, BALB/c mice were treated with CCP for the final 5 days. To evaluate the enhancing effects of Euglena on the immune system, mouse B.W., the spleen index, natural killer (NK) cell activity and mRNA expression in splenocytes lungs and livers were determined. To detect cytokine and receptor expression, splenocytes were treated with 5 µg/ml concanavalin A or 1 µg/ml lipopolysaccharide. The B.W. and spleen index were significantly increased and NK cell activity was slightly enhanced in all the experimental groups compared to the CCP group. In splenocytes, the gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, and IL-12 receptor were increased in the E. gracilis and ß-glucan groups compared to the CCP group, but there was no significant difference. Treatment with 500mg of Euglena/kg B.W. significantly upregulated dectin-1 mRNA expression in the lung and liver compared to the CCP group. These results suggest that Euglena may enhance the immune system by strengthening innate immunity through immunosuppression.

Effect of Forest Therapy on Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the effects of forest therapy on depression and anxiety using data obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies. We searched SCOPUS, PubMed, MEDLINE(EBSCO), Web of science, Embase, Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service, and DBpia to identify relevant studies published from January 1990 to December 2020 and identified 20 relevant studies for the synthesis. The methodological quality of eligible primary studies was assessed by ROB 2.0 and ROBINS-I. Most primary studies were conducted in the Republic of Korea except for one study in Poland. Overall, forest therapy significantly improved depression (Hedges's g = 1.133; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.491 to -0.775) and anxiety (Hedges's g = 1.715; 95% CI: -2.519 to -0.912). The quality assessment resulted in five RCTs that raised potential concerns in three and high risk in two. Fifteen quasi-experimental studies raised high for nine quasi-experimental studies and moderate for six studies. In conclusion, forest therapy is preventive management and non-pharmacologic treatment to improve depression and anxiety. However, the included studies lacked methodological rigor and required more comprehensive geographic application. Future research needs to determine optimal forest characteristics and systematic activities that can maximize the improvement of depression and anxiety.

The Influence of Forest Activities in a University Campus Forest on Student's Psychological Effects.

This study aimed to examine the psychological effects of forest activities in a campus forest. A pre-test and post-test control group design was employed to evaluate the psychological effect of forest activities in a campus forest. A total of 38 participants participated in this study (19 in the forest activities group; 19 in the control group). The Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire, the Concise Measure of Subjective Well-Being (COMOSWB), and the modified form of the Stress Response Inventory (SRI-MF) were administered to each participant to assess psychological effects. This study revealed that participants in the forest activities intervention group had significantly positive increases in their mood, stress response, and subjective well-being, comparing with those of control group participants who did not partake in any forest activities. In conclusion, the implementation of forest activities in a campus forest is an efficient strategy to provide psychological well-being benefits to college students.

Effect of icatibant on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Angioedema (AE) caused by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) requires prompt and appropriate management, but current treatment options are limited to symptomatic treatment. Icatibant is a bradykinin receptor antagonist approved for hereditary AE treatment. Some recent studies showed a potential role for icatibant on ACEI-induced AE while others have shown no promising effect. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to provide evidence for the use of icatibant in the treatment of ACEI-induced AE. METHODS: Relevant RCTs that examined the effects of icatibant for ACEI-induced AE were retrieved from EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library (Central). Included articles for the meta-analysis were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. For meta-analysis, the pooled mean differences (MD) with 95% CIs and the pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% CIs were calculated using RevMan 5.3. The systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 234 records were identified after searching the databases. In total, three RCTs involving 179 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The three RCTs had a low risk of bias and the characteristics of the participants and the outcome measures were similar among the RCTs. Treatment with icatibant shortened the time to achieve complete resolution of ACEI-induced AE symptoms compared to placebo or conventional treatments. However, the difference was not statistically significant (MD: -7.77 hours; 95% CI: -25.18-9.63 hours). There were no differences between groups in terms of drug-related adverse effects, apart from the reactions at the site of injection (RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 0.53-3.45). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of icatibant therapy for ACEI-induced AE, but the benefit of icatibant therapy over placebo or conventional treatment strategies could not be shown.

Comparing Clonality Between Components of Combined Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma by Targeted Sequencing.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a very rare type of tumor, comprising these two different components in a single mass. Although several studies have determined the genetic characteristics of cHCC-CC, next-generation sequencing (NGS) data for comparing clonality of cHCC-CC are currently unavailable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four cHCC-CC cases were selected and HCC, CC and normal components from each case were separately micro-dissected. DNA and RNA were isolated from each sample and sequenced by Oncomine Comprehensive Panel interrogating 143 cancer genes using the Ion S5 XL sequence platform. Genetic features of HCC and CC from each patient were compared. RESULTS: All cases successfully produced NGS data. Two cases demonstrated different mutations in their HCC and CC components (biclone), while two cases shared the same mutations in the two components (monoclone). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TP53 (4/4) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) (1/4), and gene amplifications of mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) (1/4), c-MYC (1/4), and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) (1/4) were found in the CC component. In the HCC component, SNPs of TP53 (3/4), PTEN (1/4) and catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) (1/4) and cyclin D1 (CCND1) amplification (1/4) were detected. Two biclonal cases showed a histologically distinct border between HCC and CC components with or without intermediate cell foci. Two monoclonal cases showed a histologically ambiguous border between HCC and CC components with more intermingled pattern than biclonal cases. CONCLUSION: Based on our study, cHCC-CC can be genetically divided into biclonal and monoclonal forms. Therefore, separate sequencing of each component of cHCC-CC is recommended for exact molecular classification and targeted therapy.

Malignant Pleural Effusion from Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Case Report with Unusual Cytologic Findings.

We present a case of 55-year-old man who complained of dyspnea and sputum for a month. He was an ex-smoker with a history of prostate cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis. Chest radiographs revealed bilateral pleural effusions of a small to moderate amount. Pigtail catheters were inserted for drainage. The pleural fluid consisted of large clusters and tightly cohesive groups of malignant cells, which however could not be ascribed to prostate cancer with certainty. We performed immunocytochemical panel studies to determine the origin of cancer metastasis. The immunostaining results were positive for prostate-specific antigen, alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase, and Nkx 3.1, consistent with prostate cancer. Pleural effusion associated with prostate cancer is rare. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in Korea to describe cytologic features of malignant pleural effusion associated with prostate cancer.

Effect of dried Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella growth factor on growth performance, meat qualities and humoral immune responses in broiler chickens.

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of dried chlorella powder (Chlorella vulgaris; DCP) and chlorella growth factor (CGF) on growth performance, serum characteristics, meat qualities and humoral immune responses in broiler chicks. A total of 1050 day-old Ross male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 35 pens (30 chicks/pen) and subjected to one of seven dietary treatments. A non-medicated corn-soybean meal base diet was considered as negative control (NC) and added with either antibiotic (PC), three levels of DCP (NC diets added with 0.05, 0.15 or 0.5 % DCP) or two levels of CGF (NC diets added with 0.05 or 0.15 % CGF). The final body weight and daily weight gain in PC and groups fed diets with 0.15 or 0.5 % DCP were heavier (p < 0.001) than those of NC and CGF-treated groups. Serum total lipid concentrations were lower (p = 0.001) in groups fed diets with 0.5 % DCP and 0.05 or 0.15 % CGF compared with PC group. The levels of serum IgG (p = 0.050) and IgM (p = 0.010) were elevated in chicks fed diets with DCP and CGF compared with the PC or NC group. Meat qualities such as cooking loss, meat color, and pH, of edible meats were not altered by dietary treatments. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary DCP, but not CGF, exerted growth-promoting effect, and both DCP and CGF affected humoral immune response in broiler chicks.

Dietary effects of lutein-fortified chlorella on milk components of Holstein cows.

This study was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of conventional or lutein-fortified chlorella on milk production and lutein incorporation in milk. Fifteen Holstein cows in mid-lactation were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design each with a 21-day period. Cows were top-dressed daily with 30 g of conventional or lutein-fortified chlorella for 3 weeks. Cows without chlorella served as the control. The feed intake and milk yield were not affected by dietary treatments. The concentrations of milk protein and solids non-fat in groups fed diets containing both conventional and lutein-fortified chlorella were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in content of milk fat among groups. The levels of plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 were not influenced by the dietary treatments. Lutein content in milk was significantly increased in groups fed lutein-fortified chlorella as compared with those of conventional chlorella and control, respectively (P < 0.01). These results imply that conventional and lutein-fortified chlorella has positive effects on milk components and the use of lutein-fortified chlorella in a dairy diet is effective in the production of milk enriched with lutein.

The Tissue Distribution of Lutein in Laying Hens Fed Lutein Fortified Chlorella and Production of Chicken Eggs Enriched with Lutein.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the dietary effects of conventional or lutein fortified chlorella on lutein absorptions, the tissue distributions and the changes in lutein content of eggs in laying hens. In Exp 1, a total of one hundred and fifty, 70 wk-old Hy-Line brown layers were divided into three groups with five replicates and fed with each experiment diet (control diet, diet with 1% conventional chlorella or lutein fortified chlorella) for 2 wk, respectively. The egg production in groups fed diets containing both chlorella powders were higher than that of the control group (p<0.01). With chlorella supplementations, the yolk color significantly increased, although there were no significant differences in the eggshell qualities. The lutein contents of serum, liver and growing oocytes were greatly increased by feeding conventional or lutein fortified chlorella (p<0.01). In Exp. 2, a total of ninety 60 wk-old Hy-Line brown layers were assigned into three groups with three replicates per group (10 birds per replicate). The birds were fed with one of three experimental diets (0, 0.1 or 0.2% lutein fortified chlorella) for 2 wk, respectively. The egg production was not affected by dietary treatments. The egg weight in the group fed with diet containing 0.2% of lutein fortified chlorella was higher than that of the control (p<0.05). As the dietary chlorella levels increased, the daily egg mass linearly increased, although not significantly. The yolk colors in groups fed diets containing lutein fortified chlorella were dramatically increased as compared to the control (p<0.001). The lutein in chicken eggs significantly increased when fed with 0.2% of lutein fortified chlorella (p<0.01). These results suggested that the dietary lutein derived from chlorella was readily absorbed into the serum and absorbed by the liver with growing oocyte for commercial laying hens. Particularly, the lutein fortified chlorella was a valuable natural source for the production of lutein enriched chicken eggs.

Effect of microfluidization on in vitro micellization and intestinal cell uptake of lutein from Chlorella vulgaris.

Chlorella is a nutrient-rich microalga that contains protein, lipid, minerals, vitamins, and high levels of lutein. This study evaluated the bioavailability of lutein from Chlorella vulgaris using a coupled in vitro digestion and human intestinal Caco-2 cell model. Lutein bioaccessibility was low, and approximately 75% of total C. vulgaris lutein was not micellized during the digestion process but remained in the insoluble digestate. Microfluidization improved lutein micellization efficiency during C. vulgaris digestion. C. vulgaris was microfluidized at a pressure exceeding 10000 psi, and the cell surface disruption was visualized by scanning electron microscopy. The mean C. vulgaris particle size was reduced from 3.56 to 0.35 µm with the microfluidization treatment. C. vulgaris microfluidization at 20000 psi was three times more efficient for aqueous lutein micelles production as compared with untreated C. vulgaris, and the final lutein content accumulated by intestinal Caco-2 cells was also higher with microfluidization. C. vulgaris lutein stability was not affected by microfluidization. These results indicate that microfluidization may be useful for improving lutein bioaccessibility from C. vulgaris during food processing.