Caudal Agenesis: Classification Based on the Pathoembryogenesis of the Spinal Cord.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Caudal agenesis (CA) is a congenital disease characterized by lower vertebral bone defects. Previous classifications for CA were based on the levels of bony defects or the conus medullaris. We created a new pathoembryogenic classification that takes into account the level of conus, considering both its shape and filum. We evaluated its accuracy in reflecting the neurological status and the need for untethering. METHODS: Patients with radiologic studies available on our institute's electronic image view system between 1985 and 2019 were reviewed. Our classification categorized patients with CA into 3 groups: the failure of formation (a conus level > L1 or normal level conus with a blunt shape), the failure of regression (a conus level < L3 or normal level conus with a thickened filum or a filar lipoma), and the normal (a normal level conus without specific abnormalities). We analyzed which of the following 3 classifications better reflects the neurological status and the probability of recommending untethering: classifications based on (1) bony defect level, (2) conus level, and (3) pathoembryogenic mechanism. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients were included in this study. The pathoembryogenic classification revealed more significant differences in motor or sensory deficits compared with other classifications (failure of formation: 42%; failure of regression: 16%; and normal: 0%, P = .039). In addition, the pathoembryogenic classification emerged as a significant or suggestive predictive factor for motor and sensory deficits (motor: odds ratio 11.66, P = .007; sensory: odds ratio 5.44, P = .066). Notably, only the pathoembryogenic classification exhibited a significant difference in the probabilities of recommending untethering between groups (failure of formation: 42%; failure of regression: 81%; and normal 12%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The correlation between bony classification and spinal cord abnormalities was exaggerated. Our new pathoembryogenic classification was valuable in prognosticating neurological status and identifying the patient group more likely to require untethering among patients with CA.

Inhibition of TBL1 cleavage alleviates doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocytes death by regulating the Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway.

AIMS: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used anthracycline anticancer agent; however, its irreversible effects on the heart can result in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT) after cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the pathophysiology of DICT has not yet been fully elucidated, and there are no effective strategies for its prevention or treatment. In this investigation, the novel role of transducin beta-like protein 1 (TBL1) in developing and regulating DICT was explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: We observed a reduction in TBL1 protein expression levels as well as cleavage events in the transplanted cardiac tissues of patients diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and DICT. It was revealed that DOX selectively induces TBL1 cleavage at caspase-3 preferred sites-D125, D136, and D215. Interestingly, overexpression of the uncleaved TBL1 mutant (TBL1uclv) variant reduced apoptosis, effectively preventing DOX-induced cell death. We confirmed that cleaved TBL1 cannot form a complex with ß-catenin. As a result, Wnt reporter activity, and Wnt target gene expression collectively indicate a decrease in Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, leading to DICT progression. Furthermore, the cleaved TBL1 triggered DOX-induced abnormal electrophysiological features and disrupted calcium homeostasis. However, these effects were improved in TBL1uclv-overexpressing human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Finally, in a DICT mouse model, TBL1uclv overexpression inhibited the DICT-induced reduction of cardiac contractility and collagen accumulation, ultimately protecting cardiomyocytes from cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal that the inhibition of TBL1 cleavage not only mitigates apoptosis but also enhances cardiomyocyte function, even in the context of DOX administration. Consequently, this study's results suggest that inhibiting TBL1 cleavage may be a novel strategy to ameliorate DICT.

CMOS-Integrated Ternary Content Addressable Memory using Nanocavity CBRAMs for High Sensing Margin.

The development of data-intensive computing methods imposes a significant load on the hardware, requiring progress toward a memory-centric paradigm. Within this context, ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) can become an essential platform for high-speed in-memory matching applications of large data vectors. Compared to traditional static random-access memory (SRAM) designs, TCAM technology using non-volatile resistive memories (RRAMs) in two-transistor-two-resistor (2T2R) configurations presents a cost-efficient alternative. However, the limited sensing margin between the match and mismatch states in RRAM structures hinders the potential of using memory-based TCAMs for large-scale architectures. Therefore, this study proposes a practical device engineering method to improve the switching response of conductive-bridge memories (CBRAMs) integrated with existing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistor technology. Importantly, this work demonstrates a significant improvement in memory window reaching 1.87 × 107 by incorporating nanocavity arrays and modifying electrode geometry. Consequently, TCAM cells using nanocavity-enhanced CBRAM devices can exhibit a considerable increase in resistance ratio up to 6.17 × 105, thereby closely approximating the sensing metrics observed in SRAM-based TCAMs. The improved sensing capability facilitates the parallel querying of extensive data sets. TCAM array simulations using experimentally verified device models indicate a substantial sensing margin of 65× enabling a parallel search of 2048 bits.

Optimizing Ultrathin 2D Transistors for Monolithic 3D Integration: A Study on Directly Grown Nanocrystalline Interconnects and Buried Contacts.

The potential of monolithic 3D integration technology is largely dependent on the enhancement of interconnect characteristics which can lead to thinner stacks, better heat dissipation, and reduced signal delays. Carbon materials such as graphene, characterized by sp2 hybridized carbons, are promising candidates for future interconnects due to their exceptional electrical, thermal conductivity and resistance to electromigration. However, a significant challenge lies in achieving low contact resistance between extremely thin semiconductor channels and graphitic materials. To address this issue, an innovative wafer-scale synthesis approach is proposed that enables low contact resistance between dry-transferred 2D semiconductors and the as-grown nanocrystalline graphitic interconnects. A hybrid graphitic interconnect with metal doping reduces the sheet resistance by 84% compared to an equivalent thickness metal film. Furthermore, the introduction of a buried graphitic contact results in a contact resistance that is 17 times lower than that of bulk metal contacts (>40 nm). Transistors with this optimal structure are used to successfully demonstrate a simple logic function. The thickness of active layer is maintained within sub-7 nm range, encompassing both channels and contacts. The ultrathin transistor and interconnect stack developed here, characterized by a readily etchable interlayer and low parasitic resistance, leads to heterogeneous integration of future 3D integrated circuits (ICs).

Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived Dickkopf-1 suppresses NK cell cytotoxicity in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is poorly immunogenic, hence able to evade T cell recognition and respond poorly to immune checkpoint blockade. Breast cancer cells can also evade NK cell-mediated immune surveillance, but the mechanism remains enigmatic. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a Wnt/b-catenin inhibitor, whose levels are increased in breast cancer patients and correlate with reduced overall survival. DKK1 is expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in orthotopic breast tumors and patient samples, and at higher levels by bone cells. While bone-derived DKK1 contributes to the systemic elevation of DKK1 in tumor-bearing mice, CAFs represent the primary source of DKK1 at the tumor site. Systemic or bone-specific DKK1 targeting reduces primary tumor growth. Intriguingly, specific deletion of CAF-derived DKK1 also limits breast cancer progression, regardless of its elevated levels in circulation and in the bone. DKK1 does not support tumor proliferation directly but rather suppresses the activation and tumoricidal activity of NK cells. Importantly, increased DKK1 levels and reduced number of cytotoxic NK cells are detected in breast cancer patients with progressive bone metastases compared to those with stable disease. Our findings indicate that DKK1 creates a tumor-supporting environment through the suppression of NK cells in breast cancer.

Hydroethanolic extract of Cirsium setidens ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by AMPK-PGC-1α-SOD-mediated mitochondrial protection.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anticancer agent. However, the clinical outcomes of DOX-based therapies are severely hampered by their significant cardiotoxicity. PURPOSE: We investigated the beneficial effects of an ethanol extract of Cirsium setidens (CSE) on DOX-induced cardiomyotoxicity (DICT). METHODS: UPLC-TQ/MS analysis was used to identify CSE metabolite profiles. H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were used to evaluate the effects of CSE on DICT-induced cell death. To elucidate the mechanism underlying it, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator l-alpha (PGC1-α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), NRF2, superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and SOD2 expression was detected using western blot analysis. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR), cellular ROS, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. Finally, we confirmed the cardioprotective effect of CSE against DICT in both C57BL/6 mice and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSCCMs) by observing various parameters, such as electrophysiological changes, cardiac fibrosis, and cardiac cell death. RESULTS: Chlorogenic acid and nicotiflorin were the major compounds in CSE. Our data demonstrated that CSE blocked DOX-induced cell death of H9c2 cells without hindrance of its apoptotic effects on MDA-MB-231 cells. DOX-induced defects of OCR and mitochondrial membrane potential were recovered in a CSE through upregulation of the AMPK-PGC1-α-NRF1 signaling pathway. CSE accelerated NRF1 translocation to the nucleus, increased SOD activity, and consequently blocked apoptosis in H9c2 cells. In mice treated with 400 mg/kg CSE for 4 weeks, electrocardiogram data, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the serum, and cardiac fibrosis, were improved. Moreover, various electrophysiological features indicative of cardiac function were significantly enhanced following the CSE treatment of hiPSCCMs. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate CSE that ameliorates DICT by protecting mitochondrial dysfunction via the AMP- PGC1α-NRF1 axis, underscoring the therapeutic potential of CSE and its underlying molecular pathways, setting the stage for future investigations into its clinical applications.

Intraventricular dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) induces hydrocephalus in a dose-dependent pattern.

Introduction: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a widely utilized solvent in the medical industry, has been associated with various adverse effects, even at low concentrations, including damage to mitochondrial integrity, altered membrane potentials, caspase activation, and apoptosis. Notably, therapeutic molecules for central nervous system treatments, such as embolic agents or some chemotherapy drugs that are dissolved in DMSO, have been associated with hydrocephalus as a secondary complication. Our study investigated the potential adverse effects of DMSO on the brain, specifically focusing on the development of hydrocephalus and the effect on astrocytes. Methods: Varied concentrations of DMSO were intraventricularly injected into 3-day-old mice, and astrocyte cultures were exposed to similar concentrations of DMSO. After 14 days of injection, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to quantify the brain ventricular volumes in mice. Immunofluorescence analysis was conducted to delineate DMSO-dependent effects in the brain. Additionally, astrocyte cultures were utilized to assess astrocyte viability and the effects of cellular apoptosis. Results: Our findings revealed a dose-dependent induction of ventriculomegaly in mice with 2%, 10%, and 100% DMSO injections (p < 0.001). The ciliated cells of the ventricles were also proportionally affected by DMSO concentration (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, cultured astrocytes exhibited increased apoptosis after DMSO exposure (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study establishes that intraventricular administration of DMSO induces hydrocephalus in a dose-dependent manner. This observation sheds light on a potential explanation for the occurrence of hydrocephalus as a secondary complication in intracranial treatments utilizing DMSO as a solvent.

Sex-specific association of low-renin hypertension with metabolic and musculoskeletal health in Korean older adults.

Introduction: Low-renin hypertension (LRH) accounts for approximately one-third of patients with hypertension and are more prevalent in women and the older adult population. Previous study has found a link between the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and sex hormones. However, there are insufficient data on the relationship between LRH and metabolic or musculoskeletal outcomes in older adults. Methods and materials: Among the 343 participants from a population-based cohort study conducted between May 2018 and August 2019, a total of 256 (86 men older than 50 years and 170 postmenopausal women) were included. The presence of LRH was defined as plasma renin activity (PRA) <1 ng/mL/h and systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥130 or diastolic BP ≥80 mmHg based on the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines. Individuals with missing data, and those who had used medications that could affect PRA within the past six months were excluded. Bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), and appendicular lean mass (ALM) index were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; degraded TBS was defined as partially degraded to degraded levels (≤1.350). Muscle function was assessed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia guidelines. PRA was measured using radioimmunoassay. Results: The median age was 66 [61-72] years, and the body mass index (BMI) was 24.7 [23.0-26.4] kg/m2. Individuals with LRH, accounting for 34.8%, had lower diabetes mellitus; more dyslipidemia; and poorer muscle function, BMD, and TBS than those in the non-LRH group. In addition, PRA was positively correlated with C-peptide, HOMA-IR, TBS, and ALM index. After adjusting for covariates including age and BMI, LRH was negatively associated with femur neck T-score (adjusted ß = -0.30, 95% CI [-0.55 to -0.05], p = 0.021) and the presence of LRH was significantly associated with degraded TBS in women (adjusted odds ratio = 3.00, 95% CI [1.36-6.58], p = 0.006). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that LRH can influence clinical features and metabolic risk in older adults. Notably, LRH in postmenopausal women was linked to lower femur neck T-scores and degraded TBS, indicating sex-specific effects of LRH on bone health. Larger prospective studies are required to elucidate how changes in the RAAS affect metabolic and musculoskeletal outcomes in older adults.

Designing and Evaluating a Portable UV-LED Vane Trap to Expedite Arthropod Biodiversity Discovery.

A novel design of a portable funnel light trap (PFLT) was presented for collecting insects in ecological studies. The trap consists of a compact plastic box equipped with a light source and power source, along with two plastic polypropylene interception vanes. The PFLT costs 18.3 USD per unit and weighs approximately 300 g. A maximum of six PFLT units can be packed in one medium-sized backpack (32 cm × 45 cm × 15 cm, 20 L), making it easier to set up multiple units in remote areas wherein biodiversity research is needed. The low cost and weight of the trap also allows for large-scale deployment. The design is customizable and can be easily manufactured to fit various research needs. To validate the PFLT's efficacy in collecting insects across different habitat types, a series of field experiments were conducted in South Korea and Laos, where 37 trials were carried out. The PFLT successfully collected 7497 insects without experiencing battery issues or damage by rain or wind. Insect compositions and abundances differed across the three sampled habitat types: forests, grasslands, and watersides. This new FLT trap is an important tool for studying and protecting insect biodiversity, particularly in areas wherein conventional light traps cannot be deployed.

The Double-Edged Influence of Self-Expansion in the Metaverse: A Two-Wave Panel Assessment of Identity Perception, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction.

This study researches the impact of self-expansion experiences in the Metaverse on users' identity perception, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. To do so, the researchers conducted a two-wave panel study with a 3-month interval (N = 486) in VRChat, one of the most popular social virtual reality (VR) platforms. As predicted, the increase in self-expansion experience in VR environments positively predicted users' self-esteem and life satisfaction. However, when self-expansion led to a loss of coherency in the self-concept by causing identity disjunction or self-discrepancy, it damaged self-esteem and life satisfaction, respectively. The current findings exhibit that experimenting with and enlarging identity through immersive experiences in the Metaverse could benefit the individual, but only when it does not cause a disconnection between virtual and offline identities. This article discusses the potential opportunities and risks in the Metaverse, emphasizing the importance of advancing our understanding of the self-expansion experience in immersive media.

A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Assessing Intraoperative Anesthetic Therapies for Analgesic Efficacy and Morphine Consumption Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare intraoperative anesthetic therapies for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) regarding postoperative analgesic efficacy and morphine consumption by conducting a systematic literature search. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of TKA using various anesthetic therapies were identified from various databases from conception through December 31, 2021. A network meta-analysis of relevant literature was performed to investigate which treatment showed better outcomes. In total, 40 trials were included in this study. RESULTS: Surface under the cumulative ranking curve showed local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) with saphenous nerve block (SNB) to produce the best pain relief on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 2 and the best reduction of morphine consumption on PODs 1 and 3. However, femoral nerve block showed the largest effect on pain relief on POD 3, and liposomal bupivacaine showed the largest effect on reduction of morphine consumption on POD 2. CONCLUSIONS: According to this network meta-analysis, surface under the cumulative ranking curve percentage showed that LIA with SNB provided the best analgesic effect after TKA. Furthermore, patients receiving LIA with SNB had the lowest consumption of morphine. Although femoral nerve block resulted in better pain relief on POD 3, LIA with SNB could be selected first when trying to reduce morphine consumption or increase early ambulation.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated catheters decrease choroid plexus adhesion and improve flow/pressure performance in an in vitro model of hydrocephalus.

PURPOSE: Proximal catheter obstruction is the leading cause of ventricular shunt failure in pediatric patients. Our aim is to evaluate various types of shunt catheters to assess in vitro cellular adhesion and obstruction. METHODS: Four catheter types were tested: (1) antibiotic and impregnated, (2) barium-stripe polyvinylpyrrolidone coated (PVP), (3) barium-stripe, and (4) barium-impregnated. Catheters were seeded with choroid plexus epithelial cells to test cellular adhesion and inoculated with the same cells to test flow/pressure performance under choroid plexus growth conditions. Ventricular catheters were placed into a three-dimensional printed phantom ventricular replicating system through which artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was pumped. Differential pressure sensors were used to measure catheter performance. RESULTS: PVP catheters had the lowest median cell attachment (10 cells) compared to antibiotic-impregnated (230 cells), barium stripe (513 cells), and barium-impregnated (146 cells) catheters after culture (p < 0.01). In addition, PVP catheters (- 0.247 cm H2O) and antibiotic-impregnated (- 1.15 cm H2O) catheters had significantly lower pressure in the phantom ventricular system compared to the barium stripe (0.167 cm H2O) and barium-impregnated (0.618 cm H2O; p < 0.01) catheters. CONCLUSIONS: PVP catheters showed less cellular adhesion and, together with antibiotic-impregnated catheters, required less differential pressure to maintain a consistent flow. Our findings suggest clinical relevance for using PVP ventricular catheters in patients with recurrent catheter obstruction by choroid plexus.

Feasibility of a deep learning artificial intelligence model for the diagnosis of pediatric ileocolic intussusception with grayscale ultrasonography.

PURPOSE: This study explored the feasibility of utilizing a deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) model to detect ileocolic intussusception on grayscale ultrasound images. METHODS: This retrospective observational study incorporated ultrasound images of children who underwent emergency ultrasonography for suspected ileocolic intussusception. After excluding video clips, Doppler images, and annotated images, 40,765 images from two tertiary hospitals were included (positive-to-negative ratio: hospital A, 2,775:35,373; hospital B, 140:2,477). Images from hospital A were split into a training set, a tuning set, and an internal test set (ITS) at a ratio of 7:1.5:1.5. Images from hospital B comprised an external test set (ETS). For each image indicating intussusception, two radiologists provided a bounding box as the ground-truth label. If intussusception was suspected in the input image, the model generated a bounding box with a confidence score (0-1) at the estimated lesion location. Average precision (AP) was used to evaluate overall model performance. The performance of practical thresholds for the modelgenerated confidence score, as determined from the ITS, was verified using the ETS. RESULTS: The AP values for the ITS and ETS were 0.952 and 0.936, respectively. Two confidence thresholds, CTopt and CTprecision, were set at 0.557 and 0.790, respectively. For the ETS, the perimage precision and recall were 95.7% and 80.0% with CTopt, and 98.4% and 44.3% with CTprecision. For per-patient diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 97.1% with CTopt, and 100.0% and 99.0% with CTprecision. The average number of false positives per patient was 0.04 with CTopt and 0.01 for CTprecision. CONCLUSION: The feasibility of using an AI model to diagnose ileocolic intussusception on ultrasonography was demonstrated. However, further study involving bias-free data is warranted for robust clinical validation.

Exploration for Asian longhorned beetle parasitoids in Korea using an improved sentinel log trap.

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a destructive invasive woodboring insect pest, and efforts are being made to find parasitoids for ALB biological control. Through a four-year survey in Korea using a sentinel log trap associated with host chemical cues potentially important for host finding by parasitoids, two parasitoid species were discovered attacking ALB. One species is Spathius ibarakius Belokobylskij & Maetô, which is known to also parasitize citrus longhorned beetle, Anoplophora chinensis (Forster). The other parasitoid species, whose offspring were dead before imago, could not be morphologically identified at the adult stage. We attempted molecular and morphological identification of the larvae/pupae of the unidentified parasitoid; however, only superfamily-level identification was possible. The parasitism rate recovered in the logs was 0.3% by the unidentified parasitoid in Gapyeong-gun in 2019, while it reached 29.2% by S. ibarakius in Busan city in 2022. Future efforts for exploring ALB natural enemies in the pest's native range may focus on parasitoids with high parasitism rates.

Title: Exploration des parasitoïdes du longicorne asiatique en Corée à l'aide d'un piège à bûche sentinelle amélioré. Abstract: Le longicorne asiatique (LA), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae), est un insecte ravageur envahissant et destructeur du bois, et des efforts sont déployés pour trouver des parasitoïdes pour la lutte biologique contre lui. Au cours d'une étude de quatre ans en Corée utilisant un piège à bûche sentinelle associé à des signaux chimiques de l'hôte potentiellement importants pour la détection de l'hôte par les parasitoïdes, deux espèces de parasitoïdes ont été découvertes attaquant le longicorne. Une espèce est Spathius ibarakius Belokobylskij & Maetô, qui est connue pour parasiter également le longicorne des agrumes, Anoplophora chinensis (Forster). Les autres espèces de parasitoïdes, dont les descendants sont morts avant l'imago, n'ont pu être identifiées morphologiquement au stade adulte. Nous avons tenté une identification moléculaire et morphologique des larves/pupes du parasitoïde non identifié, mais seule une identification au niveau de la superfamille a été possible. Le taux de parasitisme observé dans les bûches était de 0,3 % par le parasitoïde non identifié à Gapyeong-gun en 2019, tandis qu'il atteignait 29,2 % par S. ibarakius dans la ville de Busan en 2022. Les efforts futurs pour explorer les ennemis naturels du capricorne dans l'aire de répartition naturelle du ravageur pourraient se concentrer sur les parasitoïdes à taux de parasitisme élevés.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis with desmoplasia and osseous metaplasia mimicking encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in a cat: case report.

A 13-year-old neutered male Korean short-hair cat presented with anorexia, lethargy, and a severely distended abdomen, suggestive of ascites. Abdominocentesis yielded serosanguineous fluid. A subsequent diagnostic workup, including blood tests, ascitic fluid analysis, imaging studies [radiography, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT)], and histopathological examination, was performed to identify the underlying cause. Imaging studies revealed characteristics of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) such as peritoneal thickening, fat stranding, and calcification. During laparotomy, fibrous membranes encapsulating the abdominal organs and ascites were observed, and multiple calcified regions were detected on the abdominal wall. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of poorly differentiated invasive malignant neoplasms, which were further classified as carcinomatosis based on positive cytokeratin and negative vimentin immunohistochemistry results. To our knowledge, this is the first report of sclerosing peritoneal carcinomatosis with osseous metaplasia in a cat.

3D microprinting of inorganic porous materials by chemical linking-induced solidification of nanocrystals.

Three-dimensional (3D) microprinting is considered a next-generation manufacturing process for the production of microscale components; however, the narrow range of suitable materials, which include mainly polymers, is a critical issue that limits the application of this process to functional inorganic materials. Herein, we develop a generalised microscale 3D printing method for the production of purely inorganic nanocrystal-based porous materials. Our process is designed to solidify all-inorganic nanocrystals via immediate dispersibility control and surface linking-induced interconnection in the nonsolvent linker bath and thereby creates multibranched gel networks. The process works with various inorganic materials, including metals, semiconductors, magnets, oxides, and multi-materials, not requiring organic binders or stereolithographic equipment. Filaments with a diameter of sub-10 µm are printed into designed complex 3D microarchitectures, which exhibit full nanocrystal functionality and high specific surface areas as well as hierarchical porous structures. This approach provides the platform technology for designing functional inorganics-based porous materials.

Water Extract of Capsella bursa-pastoris Mitigates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Upregulating Antioxidant Enzymes.

Doxorubicin (DOX), an effective chemotherapeutic drug, causes cardiotoxicity in a cumulative and dose-dependent manner. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hot-water extract of Capsella bursa-pastoris (CBW) on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT). We utilized H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells to evaluate the effects of CBW on DOX-induced cell death. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and oxygen consumption rate were measured in H9c2 cells. C57BL/6 mice were treated with DOX and CBW to assess their impact on various cardiac parameters. Human-induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes were also used to investigate DOX-induced electrophysiological changes and the potential ameliorative effects of CBW. UPLC-TQ/MS analysis identified seven flavonoids in CBW, with luteolin-7-O-glucoside and isoorientin as the major compounds. CBW inhibited DOX-induced death of H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes but did not affect DOX-induced death of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. CBW increased SOD levels in a dose-dependent manner, reducing ROS production and increasing the oxygen consumption rate in H9c2 cells. The heart rate, RR interval, QT, and ST prolongation remarkably recovered in C57BL/6 mice treated with the combination of DOX and CBW compared to those in mice treated with DOX alone. Administration of CBW with DOX effectively alleviated collagen accumulation, cell death in mouse heart tissues, and reduced the levels of creatinine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum. Furthermore, DOX-induced pathological electrophysiological features in human-induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes were ameliorated by CBW. CBW may prevent DICT by stabilizing SOD and scavenging ROS. The presence of flavonoids, particularly luteolin-7-O-glucoside and isoorientin, in CBW may contribute to its protective effects. These results suggest the potential of CBW as a traditional therapeutic option to mitigate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Optimization of Deep Learning Parameters for Magneto-Impedance Sensor in Metal Detection and Classification.

Deep learning technology is generally applied to analyze periodic data, such as the data of electromyography (EMG) and acoustic signals. Conversely, its accuracy is compromised when applied to the anomalous and irregular nature of the data obtained using a magneto-impedance (MI) sensor. Thus, we propose and analyze a deep learning model based on recurrent neural networks (RNNs) optimized for the MI sensor, such that it can detect and classify data that are relatively irregular and diverse compared to the EMG and acoustic signals. Our proposed method combines the long short-term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) models to detect and classify metal objects from signals acquired by an MI sensor. First, we configured various layers used in RNN with a basic model structure and tested the performance of each layer type. In addition, we succeeded in increasing the accuracy by processing the sequence length of the input data and performing additional work in the prediction process. An MI sensor acquires data in a non-contact mode; therefore, the proposed deep learning approach can be applied to drone control, electronic maps, geomagnetic measurement, autonomous driving, and foreign object detection.

TIGIT reverses IFN-α-promoted Th1-like Tregs via in-sequence effects dependent on STAT4.

OBJECTIVES: The induction direction of interferon (IFN)-α in T-cell phenotype and function varies depending on the activation state of the cell and the time of stimulation. To assess the effects of elevated IFN-α on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, we investigated the differentiation of Th1-like Tregs under in-sequence and out-of-sequence conditions and the reversal effect of activating TIGIT on immune suppression. METHODS: Phenotypes and activation levels of Tregs from SLE patients and healthy controls were analyzed using flow cytometry. In vitro culture conditions based on the sequence of TCR activation and IFN-α stimulation simulated in-sequence or out-of-sequence effects. CD4+T cells and Tregs were cultured under the above conditions with or without TIGIT agonist. Expression of related characteristic markers and phosphorylation levels of AKT, mTOR, and STATs were detected using flow cytometry and ELISA. RESULTS: The frequency of Th1-like Tregs and activation levels of Tregs increased, but TIGIT expression in Tregs decreased in SLE patients. IFN-α promoted the conversation of Tregs to Th1-like Tregs while reducing immunosuppressive function under in-sequence conditions. The STAT4 pathway, but not the STAT1 pathway, was crucial for the IFN-α-mediated in-sequence effects. Reactivation of TIGIT reversed Th1 polarization of Tregs by suppressing AKT/mTOR and STAT4 signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that IFN-α mediated in-sequence effects on Tregs may be responsible for the expansion of Th1-like Tregs in SLE. TIGIT can restore immune suppression damage in Tregs and represents a potential therapeutic target for SLE.

The relationship between exposure to environmental noise and risk of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Noise is defined as unwanted sound. It may induce negative emotions and mental health problems and may even lead to increased suicide risk. However, the impact of noise exposure on environmental diseases and disease severity is not well understood. This study aimed to elucidate the association between night-time noise exposure and the prevalence of environmental diseases in South Korea. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of the Environmental Disease Database provide by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) from 2013 to 2017. After spatially interpolating the noise data provided by the National Noise Information System (NNIS), night-time noise values in the district level were obtained by calculating the mean noise values at the administrative district level. The linear regression analyses were performed to test the association between the age-standardized prevalence ratio (SPR) and the night-time noise exposure in the district level. RESULTS: In areas with high night-time noise exposure (≥55 dB), the SPR for atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis were 1.0515 (95 % confidence interval [CI]:1.0508-1.0521) and 1.0202 (95 % CI:1.0201-1.0204), respectively, which were higher than those in the general population. The SPR for environmental diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, was 1.0104 (95 % CI:1.0103-1.0105). Additionally, a significant linear association was observed between the level of nocturnal noise exposure and the total hospitalization period for atopic dermatitis (ß = 399.3, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We provide evidence of a significant association between night-time environmental noise and environmental diseases, particularly atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, we observed a significant linear association between night-time noise exposure and the severity of atopic dermatitis.