Noise exposure assessment of workers inspecting construction machinery vehicles in the Republic of Korea.

Previous studies have investigated the health hazards caused by exposure to the noise of heavy equipment used at construction sites. Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport operates a registration system for construction machinery, and regular safety inspections are mandatory. Although workers inspecting construction machinery vehicles are exposed to unwanted noise, no noise exposure assessment has been made regarding these workers in Korea. The time-weighted average (TWA) daily average noise exposure level among construction machinery inspectors at 18 inspection centers was 75.3 dB(A). Among the inspection steps, the exhaust gas inspection step was found to exhibit the highest noise exposure level, up to 100 dB(A). In Korea, if the noise level of a workplace exceeds 85 dB(A) as a TWA, workers are required to undergo special medical examinations. This study found that special medical examinations were required for two of the 18 target inspection centers (approximately 115 workers) as the 8-hour TWA noise level exceeded 85 dB(A). Therefore, regular noise exposure assessment and special medical examinations for noise are required to prevent inspectors from developing hearing disorders due to noise exposure.

Anti-Metastatic Effects of Standardized Polysaccharide Fraction from Diospyros kaki Leaves via GSK3ß/ß-Catenin and JNK Inactivation in Human Colon Cancer Cells.

A polysaccharide fraction from Diospyros kaki (PLE0) leaves was previously reported to possess immunostimulatory, anti-osteoporotic, and TGF-ß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition inhibitory activities. Although a few beneficial effects against colon cancer metastasis have been reported, we aimed to investigate the anti-metastatic activity of PLE0 and its underlying molecular mechanisms in HT-29 and HCT-116 human colon cancer cells. We conducted a wound-healing assay, invasion assay, qRT-PCR analysis, western blot analysis, gelatin zymography, luciferase assay, and small interfering RNA gene silencing in colon cancer cells. PLE0 concentration-dependently inhibited metastasis by suppressing cell migration and invasion. The suppression of N-cadherin and vimentin expression as well as upregulation of E-cadherin through the reduction of p-GSK3ß and ß-catenin levels resulted in the outcome of this effect. PLE0 also suppressed the expression and enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, while simultaneously increasing the protein and mRNA levels of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1). Furthermore, signaling data disclosed that PLE0 suppressed the transcriptional activity and phosphorylation of p65 (a subunit of NF-κB), as well as the phosphorylation of c-Jun and c-Fos (subunits of AP-1) pathway. PLE0 markedly suppressed JNK phosphorylation, and JNK knockdown significantly restored PLE0-regulated MMP-2/-9 and TIMP-1 expression. Collectively, our data indicate that PLE0 exerts an anti-metastatic effect in human colon cancer cells by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and MMP-2/9 via downregulation of GSK3ß/ß-catenin and JNK signaling.

The analysis of IVF outcomes after fertility-preserving therapy for endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of fertility-preserving therapy through in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in women who were pathologically diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study on fertility-preserving therapy was conducted. Participants/Materials, Setting: A total of 82 women were enrolled who had simple endometrial hyperplasia (SH), complex hyperplasia (CH), complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH), and endometrioid endometrial carcinoma stage IA (EC IA) and underwent IVF at Gangnam CHA fertility center between January 2008 and December 2020. METHODS: The primary endpoints were oncologic outcomes and subsequent reproductive outcomes of patients who underwent fertility-preserving treatments analyzed by χ2 test (chi-square test) or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Of the 82 patients, 33 had a cumulative clinical pregnancy (40.2%), and 25 had a cumulative live birth (30.5%) through IVF procedures following pathologic confirmation of complete remission or non-progressive status. The cumulative clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates for, SH were 50.0% and 30.0%, for CH were 37.8% and 28.9%, for CAH were 25.0% and 25.0%, and for EC were 38.5% and 38.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences in cumulative clinical pregnancy rates or live birth rates when comparing the four groups. There was a difference in endometrial thickness between MPA treatment group and IUD group (p=0.036); however, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rates among MPA, IUD, and MPA+IUD groups. LIMITATIONS: Because of the retrospective nature of the study, many factors relevant to the treatment decision were not strictly controlled. CONCLUSIONS: All endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma groups had competent cumulative live birth rates by IVF procedures. There may be differences in endometrial thickness depending on the treatment methods, but this does not affect clinical pregnancy rates. Therefore, the fertility-preserving treatment for endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma is a safe and feasible method that results in good IVF outcomes.

Feasibility and safety of in-bed cycling/stepping in critically ill patients: A study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is one of the most common complications of post-ICU syndrome. It is the leading cause of gait disturbance, decreased activities of daily living, and poor health-related quality of life. The early rehabilitation of critically ill patients can reduce the ICU-AW. We designed a protocol to investigate the feasibility and safety of conventional rehabilitation with additional in-bed cycling/stepping in critically ill patients. METHODS: The study is designed as a single-center, single-blind, pilot, randomized, parallel-group study. After the screening, participants are randomly allocated to two groups, stratified by mechanical ventilation status. The intervention group will be provided with exercises of in-bed cycling/stepping according to the level of consciousness, motor power, and function in addition to conventional rehabilitation. In contrast, the control group will be provided with only conventional rehabilitation. The length of intervention is from ICU admission to discharge, and interventions will be conducted for 20 minutes, a maximum of three sessions per day. RESULTS: The outcomes are the number and percentage of completed in-bed cycling/stepping sessions, the duration and percentage of in-bed cycling/stepping sessions, and the number of cessations of in-bed cycling/stepping sessions, the interval from ICU admission to the first session of in-bed cycling/stepping, the number and percentage of completed conventional rehabilitation sessions, the duration and percentage of conventional rehabilitation sessions, the number of cessations of conventional rehabilitation sessions, the number of adverse events, level of consciousness, functional mobility, muscle strength, activities of daily living, and quality of life. DISCUSSION: This study is a pilot clinical trial to investigate the feasibility and safety of conventional rehabilitation with additional in-bed cycling/stepping in critically ill patients. If the expected results are achieved in this study, the methods of ICU rehabilitation will be enriched. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicialtrials.gov, Clinical Trials Registration #NCT05868070.

Potential for Metastasis and Recurrence in Colorectal Carcinoma In Situ: A Retrospective Analysis of 1069 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal carcinoma in situ, characterized by cancer limited to the intramucosal layer or known as intraepithelial carcinoma, has conventionally considered to be without any risk of regional lymph node metastasis. However, isolated cases of regional lymph node metastasis, local recurrence, and distant metastasis challenge this assumption. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of regional lymph node metastasis and recurrence of colorectal carcinoma in situ. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 1069 patients who underwent full-thickness local excision or radical surgery for colorectal carcinoma in situ between January 1994 and December 2020. Histopathological features were assessed by 2 experienced pathologists. In cases of suspected recurrence, evaluation involved abdomen-pelvis and chest computed tomography, or PET-CT. RESULTS: The recurrence rate of colorectal carcinoma in situ patients was 0.46%. Among the patients, 9 were diagnosed with regional lymph node metastasis or cancer recurrence. Of these, 4 patients were diagnosed with lymph node metastasis during primary surgery; 2 exhibited regional lymph node metastasis, and 2 presented with both regional and distant lymph node metastases. Regional lymph node metastasis occurred in additional 2 patients after radical surgery for the primary tumor. Distant metastasis was observed in 3 patients: hepatic metastasis in 1, hepatic and pulmonary metastases in another, and small bowel metastasis in the third patient. Among the 5 patients experiencing cancer recurrence, 1 expired due to cancer progression. CONCLUSION: Contrary to previous assumptions, colorectal carcinoma in situ can potentially metastasize to lymph nodes and recur. Therefore, careful assessment at the time of diagnosis is crucial, recognizing the possibility of lymph node metastasis or recurrence. This approach is essential for accurately identifying instances of cancer recurrence and ensuring optimal oncological outcomes.

Potential range shift of a long-distance migratory rice pest, Nilaparvata lugens, under climate change.

The biogeographical range shift of insect pests is primarily governed by temperature. However, the range shift of seasonal long-distance migratory insects may be very different from that of sedentary insects. Nilaparvata lugens (BPH), a serious rice pest, can only overwinter in tropical-to-subtropical regions, and some populations migrate seasonally to temperate zones with the aid of low-level jet stream air currents. This study utilized the CLIMEX model to project the overwintering area under the climate change scenarios of RCP2.6 and RCP8.5, both in 2030s and 2080s. The overwintering boundary is predicted to expand poleward and new overwintering areas are predicted in the mid-latitude regions of central-to-eastern China and mid-to-southern Australia. With climate change, the habitable areas remained similar, but suitability decreased substantially, especially in the near-equatorial regions, owing to increasing heat stress. The range shift is similar between RCP2.6-2030s, RCP2.6-2080s, and RCP8.5-2030s, but extreme changes are projected under RCP8.5-2080s with marginal areas increasing from 27.2 to 38.8% and very favorable areas dropping from 27.5 to 3.6% compared to the current climate. These findings indicate that climate change will drive range shifts in BPH and alter regional risks differently. Therefore, international monitoring programs are needed to effectively manage these emerging challenges.

Correlation between Angiotensin Inhibitor Administration and Longer Survival in Patients Who Underwent Curative Resection for Pancreatic Cancer.

PURPOSE: The microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with extensive desmoplastic stroma contributes to aggressive cancer behavior. Angiotensin system inhibitors (ASIs) reduce stromal fibrosis and are a promising therapeutic strategy. The purpose of this study was to examine how ASIs affected the oncological results of patients who had their PDAC removed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective assessment was conducted on the clinicopathological and survival data of patients who received curative resection for PDAC at Severance Hospital between January 2012 and December 2019. RESULTS: A total of 410 participants (228 male and 182 female), with a median follow-up period of 12.8 months, were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups, based on ASI use and history of hypertension: group 1, normotensive and never used ASI (n=210, 51.2%); group 2, ASI non-users with hypertension (n=50, 12.2%); and group 3, ASI users with hypertension (n=150, 36.6%). The three groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, sex, kind of operation, T and N stages, or adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy. Moreover, there was no discernible difference in disease-free survival between those who used ASI and those who did not (p=0.636). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 52.6%, 32.3%, and 38.0%, respectively. However, the OS rate of ASI users was remarkably higher than that of non-users (p=0.016). CONCLUSION: In patients with resected PDAC, ASI is linked to longer survival rates. Furthermore, for individuals with hypertension, ASI in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy may be an easy and successful treatment option.

Recent advances in algal bloom detection and prediction technology using machine learning.

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) including red tides and cyanobacteria are a significant environmental issue that can have harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Traditional methods of detecting and managing algal blooms have been limited by their reliance on manual observation and analysis, which can be time-consuming and costly. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) technology have shown promise in improving the accuracy and efficiency of algal bloom detection and prediction. This paper provides an overview of the latest developments in using ML for algal bloom detection and prediction using various water quality parameters and environmental factors. First, we introduced ML for algal bloom prediction using regression and classification models. Then we explored image-based ML for algae detection by utilizing satellite images, surveillance cameras, and microscopic images. This study also highlights several real-world examples of successful implementation of ML for algal bloom detection and prediction. These examples show how ML can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of detecting and predicting algal blooms, contributing to the protection of aquatic ecosystems and human health. The study also outlines recent efforts to enhance the field applicability of ML models and suggests future research directions. A recent interest in explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) was discussed in an effort to understand the most influencing environmental factors on algal blooms. XAI facilitates interpretations of ML model results, thereby enhancing the models' usability for decision-making in field management and improving their overall applicability in real-world settings. We also emphasize the significance of obtaining high-quality, field-representative data to enhance the efficiency of ML applications. The effectiveness of ML models in detecting and predicting algal blooms can be improved through management strategies for data quality, such as pre-treating missing data and integrating diverse datasets into a unified database. Overall, this paper presents a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in managing algal blooms using ML technology and proposes future research directions to enhance the utilization of ML techniques.

Spatial transcriptome analysis of amelanotic acral melanoma reveals distant molecular determinants compared to pigmented acral melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Amelanotic acral melanoma (AAM) is a rare type of acral melanoma associated with poor prognosis. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the transcriptomic differences between AAM and pigmented acral melanoma (PAM). METHODS: The differences in spatially resolved transcriptome profiles of 9 AAM patients with 29 regions of interest (ROIs) and 11 PAM patients with 46 ROIs were investigated using S100b and CD3 morphology markers. RESULTS: In S100b-positive tumor cell areas, we detected 11 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including chaperone/ubiquitin-associated DEGs, and 82 downregulated DEGs, including human leukocyte antigen, in AAMs compared with PAMs. Protein-protein interaction network and pathway analyses revealed significant enrichment of dysregulated translational and nonsense-mediated decay pathways but significant decreases in antigen processing and presentation, interferon signaling, and melanin biosynthesis pathways in S100b-positive ROIs of AAMs compared with those of PAMs. In tumor-associated immune cell areas, the numbers of CD8 T cells (p = 0.044) and M1 macrophages (p = 0.014) were significantly decreased, whereas those of monocytes (p = 0.045) and endothelial cells (p = 0.04) were increased in AAMs compared with those in PAMs. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, these findings could widen our understanding of the biological differences between AAMs and PAMs that might result in a different clinical course.

Design and validation of a wearable dynamometry system for knee extension-flexion torque measurement.

Muscle strength assessments are vital in rehabilitation, orthopedics, and sports medicine. However, current methods used in clinical settings, such as manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamometers, often lack reliability, and isokinetic dynamometers (IKD), while reliable, are not easily portable. The aim of this study was to design and validate a wearable dynamometry system with high accessibility, accuracy, and reliability, and to validate the device. Therefore, we designed a wearable dynamometry system (WDS) equipped with knee joint torque sensors. To validate this WDS, we measured knee extension and flexion strength in 39 healthy adults using both the IKD and WDS. Comparing maximal isometric torque measurements, WDS and IKD showed strong correlation and good reliability for extension (Pearson's r: 0.900; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.893; standard error of measurement [SEM]: 9.85%; minimal detectable change [MDC]: 27.31%) and flexion (Pearson's r: 0.870; ICC: 0.857; SEM: 11.93%; MDC: 33.07%). WDS demonstrated excellent inter-rater (Pearson's r: 0.990; ICC: 0.993; SEM: 4.05%) and test-retest (Pearson's r: 0.970; ICC: 0.984; SEM: 6.15%) reliability during extension/flexion. User feedback from 35 participants, including healthcare professionals, underscores WDS's positive user experience and clinical potential. The proposed WDS is a suitable alternative to IKD, providing high accuracy, reliability, and potentially greater accessibility.

Nirmatrelvir has detrimental effects on sperm function by altering the PI3K/PDK1/AKT signaling pathway.

Nirmatrelvir (NMV) is a recently developed selective inhibitor of the main protease of Sars-Cov-2 that reduces the severity of infection. Despite its widespread use and various side effects, NMV's effect on male fertility is still unclear. This study was thus established to investigate how NMV affects male fertility. For experiments, Duroc spermatozoa were incubated with various concentrations of NMV (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 50, and 100 µM). Then, sperm motility, motion kinematics, capacitation status, intracellular ATP level, and cell viability were evaluated. In addition, the expression levels of phospho-PKA substrates, tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, and PI3K/PDK1/AKT signaling pathway-related proteins were measured by western blotting. Our results showed that sperm motility, motion kinematics, proportion of capacitated spermatozoa, and intracellular ATP level were significantly decreased by NMV in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PKA activation was significantly suppressed by NMV, and expression levels of PI3K, phospho-PDK1, AKT, and phospho-AKT (Thr308 and Ser473) were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Combining these findings, it is suggested that NMV has detrimental effects on sperm function by inducing abnormal changes in the PI3K/PDK1/AKT signaling pathway, resulting in PKA deactivation. Therefore, there is a need to pay particular attention to its male reproductive toxicity when NMV is administered.

Reduction in limb-movement complexity at term-equivalent age is associated with motor developmental delay in very-preterm or very-low-birth-weight infants.

Reduced complexity during the writhing period can be crucial in the spontaneous movements of high-risk infants for neurologic impairment. This study aimed to verify the association between quantified complexity of upper and lower-limb movements at term-equivalent age and motor development in very-preterm or very-low-birth-weight infants. Video images of spontaneous movements at term-equivalent age were collected from very-preterm or very-low-birth-weight infants. A pretrained pose-estimation model and sample entropy (SE) quantified the complexity of the upper- and lower-limb movements. Motor development was evaluated at 9 months of corrected age using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. The SE measures were compared between infants with and without motor developmental delay (MDD). Among 90 infants, 11 exhibited MDD. SE measures at most of the upper and lower limbs were significantly reduced in infants with MDD compared to those without MDD (p < 0.05). Composite scores in the motor domain showed significant positive correlations with SE measures at most upper and lower limbs (p < 0.05). The results show that limb-movement complexity at term-equivalent age is reduced in infants with MDD at 9 months of corrected age. SE of limb movements can be a potentially useful kinematic parameter to detect high-risk infants for MDD.

Time-lapse imaging of morula compaction for selecting high-quality blastocysts: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Before blastocyst development, embryos undergo morphological and metabolic changes crucial for their subsequent growth. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between morula compaction and blastocyst formation and the subsequent chromosomal status of the embryos. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated embryo development (n = 371) using time-lapse imaging; 94 blastocysts underwent preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). RESULTS: The embryos were classified as fully (Group 1, n = 194) or partially (Group 2, n = 177) compacted. Group 1 had significantly higher proportions of good- and average-quality blastocysts than Group 2 (21.6% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.001; 47.9% vs. 26.6%, p = 0.001, respectively). The time from the morula stage to the beginning and completion of compaction and blastocyst formation was significantly shorter in Group 1 than in Group 2 (78.6 vs. 82.4 h, p = 0.001; 87.0 vs. 92.2 h, p = 0.001; 100.2 vs. 103.7 h, p = 0.017, respectively). Group 1 embryos had larger surface areas than Group 2 embryos at various time points following blastocyst formation. Group 1 blastocysts had significantly higher average expansion rates than Group 2 blastocysts (653.6 vs. 499.2 µm2/h, p = 0.001). PGT-A revealed a higher proportion of euploid embryos in Group 1 than in Group 2 (47.2% vs. 36.6%, p = 0.303). CONCLUSION: Time-lapse microscopy uncovered a positive relationship between compaction and blastocyst quality and its association with embryo ploidy. Hence, compaction evaluation should be prioritized before blastocyst selection for transfer or cryopreservation.

Improvement in Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes After Isolated Realignment Surgery in Patients With Large Cystic Osteochondral Lesion of the Talar Shoulder and Concurrent Malalignment.

Background: Malalignment has been suggested as a predisposing factor for the development of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of realignment surgery in patients with a large cystic OLT of the talar shoulder and concurrent malalignment of the foot and ankle. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The authors reviewed consecutive patients with large cystic OLTs (diameter, >10 mm) of the talar shoulder and concurrent malalignment of the foot and ankle who underwent realignment surgery between September 2013 and April 2021. The type of realignment procedure was determined based on patient symptoms and findings on plain radiographs and weightbearing computed tomography. Clinical improvement was assessed using pre- and postoperative Foot Function Index (FFI) scores and the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. The OLT location was categorized according to Raikin zone, and the OLT area and volume were measured and compared pre- and postoperatively. The comparative analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: In total, 27 ankles in 27 patients (mean age, 34.4 ± 11.9 years) were included in the analysis. There were 25 patients with a medial lesion (zone 4 [n = 19], zone 7 [n = 5], and zone 1 [n = 1]), and 2 patients with a lateral lesion (zone 6). Despite OLT location, patients' symptoms varied; 15 (55.6%) patients reported both medial- and lateral-sided pain, 10 (37%) reported lateral-sided pain, and 2 (7%) reported medial-sided pain. Supramalleolar osteotomy was performed in 18 patients, while foot and hindfoot correction without supramalleolar osteotomy was performed in 9 patients. Postoperatively, both the median FFI (from 44.4 [interquartile range (IQR), 35.7-52.2] to 9.1 [IQR, 5.2-13.9]) and median VAS pain score (from 6 [IQR, 5-6] to 1 [IQR, 1-2]) improved significantly (P < .0001 for both), and the median lesion size (from 25.8 mm2 [IQR, 19.3-45.2 mm2] to 13.8 mm2 [IQR, 6.8-26.5 mm2]) and median volume (from 2226.8 mm3 [IQR, 1311-3104 mm3] to 1326.5 mm3 [IQR, 714-2100 mm3]) decreased significantly (P < .0001 for both). During the mean follow-up of 4.1 ± 2.1 years, no subsequent surgery for OLT was necessary. Conclusion: The results suggest that realignment procedures can improve the symptoms and radiographic profile of OLTs in patients with large cystic OLTs of the talar shoulder and malalignment of the foot and ankle.

Prominent transcriptomic changes in Mycobacterium intracellulare under acidic and oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), including Mycobacterium intracellulare is a member of slow-growing mycobacteria and contributes to a substantial proportion of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in humans affecting immunocompromised and elderly populations. Adaptation of pathogens in hostile environments is crucial in establishing infection and persistence within the host. However, the sophisticated cellular and molecular mechanisms of stress response in M. intracellulare still need to be fully explored. We aimed to elucidate the transcriptional response of M. intracellulare under acidic and oxidative stress conditions. RESULTS: At the transcriptome level, 80 genes were shown [FC] ≥ 2.0 and p < 0.05 under oxidative stress with 10 mM hydrogen peroxide. Specifically, 77 genes were upregulated, while 3 genes were downregulated. In functional analysis, oxidative stress conditions activate DNA replication, nucleotide excision repair, mismatch repair, homologous recombination, and tuberculosis pathways. Additionally, our results demonstrate that DNA replication and repair system genes, such as dnaB, dinG, urvB, uvrD2, and recA, are indispensable for resistance to oxidative stress. On the contrary, 878 genes were shown [FC] ≥ 2.0 and p < 0.05 under acidic stress with pH 4.5. Among these genes, 339 were upregulated, while 539 were downregulated. Functional analysis highlighted nitrogen and sulfur metabolism pathways as the primary responses to acidic stress. Our findings provide evidence of the critical role played by nitrogen and sulfur metabolism genes in the response to acidic stress, including narGHIJ, nirBD, narU, narK3, cysND, cysC, cysH, ferredoxin 1 and 2, and formate dehydrogenase. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the activation of several pathways potentially critical for the survival of M. intracellulare under a hostile microenvironment within the host. This study indicates the importance of stress responses in M. intracellulare infection and identifies promising therapeutic targets.

Effect of Dynamic Binaural Beats on Sleep Quality: A Proof-of-Concept Study with Questionnaire and Biosignals.

Binaural beat (BB) has been investigated as a potential modality to enhance sleep quality. In this study, we introduce a new form of BB, referred to as dynamic BB (DBB), which incorporates dynamically changing carrier frequency differences between the left and right ears. Specifically, the carrier frequency of the right ear varied between 100 and 103 Hz over a period, while the left ear remained fixed at 100 Hz, yielding a frequency difference range of 0 to 3 Hz. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of DBB on sleep quality. Ten healthy participants were included in a cross-over design, where they experienced both DBB and a SHAM (absence of sound) condition across two consecutive nights, with polysomnography evaluation. DBB was administrated during pre-sleep initiation, sleep onset, and transition from rapid-eye-movement (REM) to non-REM stage. DBB significantly reduced sleep latency compared to the SHAM condition. Electrocardiogram analysis revealed that exposure to DBB led to diminished heart rate variability during the pre-sleep initiation and sleep onset periods, accompanied by a decrease in low frequency power of heart rate during the sleep onset period. DBB might be effective in improving the sleep quality, suggesting its possible application in insomnia treatments.

Facial Dermatoses Associated With Mask-Wearing in the COVID-19 Era: A Nationwide, Cross-Sectional, Multicenter, Questionnaire-based Study.

BACKGROUND: Daily usage of facial masks during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic influenced on facial dermatoses. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the impact of mask-wearing habits on facial dermatoses. METHODS: A nationwide, observational, questionnaire-based survey was conducted from July through August 2021, involving 20 hospitals in Korea. RESULTS: Among 1,958 facial dermatoses, 75.9% of patients experienced aggravation or development of new-onset facial dermatoses after wearing masks. In aggravated or newly developed acne patients (543 out of 743), associated factors were healthcare provider, female gender, and a long duration of mask-wearing. Irritating symptoms, xerosis, and hyperpigmentation were more frequently observed in this group. Aggravated or newly developed rosacea patients (515 out of 660) were likely to be female, young, and have a long duration of mask-wearing per day. Seborrheic dermatitis patients who experienced aggravation or de novo development (132 out of 184) were younger, and they more frequently involved the chin and jaw in addition to the nasolabial folds and both cheeks. Contact dermatitis patients (132 out of 147) with aggravation or de novo development tended to be female, involve both cheeks, and complain of pruritus. Aggravated or newly developed atopic dermatitis patients (165 out of 224) were more likely to be female, and had a higher baseline investigator global assessment score before mask-wearing. CONCLUSION: Clinical features and factors related to aggravation were different according to the types of facial dermatoses.

Hybrid integrated thin-film lithium niobate-silicon nitride electro-optical phased array incorporating silicon nitride grating antenna for two-dimensional beam steering.

This study proposes a solid-state two-dimensional beam-steering device based on an electro-optical phased array (EOPA) in thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) and silicon nitride (SiN) hybrid platforms, thereby eliminating the requirement for the direct etching of TFLN. Electro-optic (EO) phase modulator array comprises cascaded multimode interference couplers with an SiN strip-loaded TFLN configuration, which is designed and fabricated via i-line photolithography. Each EO modulator element with an interaction region length of 1.56 cm consumed a minimum power of 3.2 pJ/π under a half-wave voltage of 3.64 V and had an estimated modulation speed of 1.2 GHz. Subsequently, an SiN dispersive antenna with a waveguide grating was tethered to the modulator array to form an EOPA, facilitating the out-of-plane radiation of highly defined near-infrared beams. A prepared EOPA utilized EO phase control and wavelength tuning near 1550 nm to achieve a field-of-view of 22° × 5° in the horizontal and vertical directions. The proposed hybrid integrated platform can potentially facilitate low-power and high-speed beam steering.