Characterizing Glomerular Barrier Dysfunction with Patient-Derived Serum in Glomerulus-on-a-Chip Models: Unveiling New Insights into Glomerulonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis (GN) is characterized by podocyte injury or glomerular filtration dysfunction, which results in proteinuria and eventual loss of kidney function. Progress in studying the mechanism of GN, and developing an effective therapy, has been limited by the absence of suitable in vitro models that can closely recapitulate human physiological responses. We developed a microfluidic glomerulus-on-a-chip device that can recapitulate the physiological environment to construct a functional filtration barrier, with which we investigated biological changes in podocytes and dynamic alterations in the permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) on a chip. We also evaluated the potential of GN-mimicking devices as a model for predicting responses to human GN. Glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes successfully formed intact monolayers on opposite sides of the membrane in our chip device. Permselectivity analysis confirmed that the chip was constituted by a functional GFB that could accurately perform differential clearance of albumin and dextran. Reduction in cell viability resulting from damage was observed in all serum-induced GN models. The expression of podocyte-specific marker WT1 was also decreased. Albumin permeability was increased in most models of serum-induced IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and membranous nephropathy (MN). However, sera from patients with minimal change disease (MCD) or lupus nephritis (LN) did not induce a loss of permeability. This glomerulus-on-a-chip system may provide a platform of glomerular cell culture for in vitro GFB in formation of a functional three-dimensional glomerular structure. Establishing a disease model of GN on a chip could accelerate our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of glomerulopathy.

3D Printing of Materials and Printing Parameters with Animal Resources: A Review.

3D printing technology enables the production of creative and personalized food products that meet consumer needs, such as an attractive visual appearance, fortification of specific nutrients, and modified textures. To popularize and diversify 3D-printed foods, an evaluation of the printing feasibility of various food pastes, including materials that cannot be printed natively, is necessary. Most animal resources, such as meat, milk, and eggs, are not inherently printable; therefore, the rheological properties governing printability should be improved through pre-/post-processing or adding appropriate additives. This review provides the latest progress in extrusion-based 3D printing of animal resource-based inks. In addition, this review discusses the effects of ink composition, printing conditions, and post-processing on the printing performance and characteristics of printed constructs. Further research is required to enhance the sensory quality and nutritional and textural properties of animal resource-based printed foods.

SERS detection of dopamine using metal-chelated Ag nanoshell.

As the concentrations of different neurotransmitters can indicate the presence of certain disorders affecting brain functions, quantitative analyses of neurotransmitters have attracted increasing attention in various fields. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is an outstanding spectroscopic analytical tool that enables detection at the single molecule level with high specificity. As local field enhancement of surface plasmon is effective within nanometers, active interaction between SERS-active noble metals (gold and silver) and analyte molecules enhances the molecular detection capacity of SERS. However, neurotransmitters and noble metal nanoparticles are often not affinitive, because neurotransmitters generally have a hydroxyl group rather than a thiol group. As a result, the interaction between the two typically remains inactive, which makes detection more difficult. To overcome this limitation, in the present work we utilized metal-chelation to attract dopamine, a neurotransmitter molecule, close to the surface of silver nanoparticles. AgNS was capped with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and sequentially integrated with copper ion to bind dopamine in the form of chelate bonding between dopamine and copper. The PVA linked AgNS and metal ions through a coordinate bond between hydroxyl groups and metal ions. This metal-chelation-functionalized nanoprobe allowed us to stably detect dopamine in aqueous solution at a concentration of less than 10-6 M. Therefore, this method provides a convenient and easy-to-prepare option for the effective detection of dopamine, thus meaning it has the potential to be applied to other neurotransmitters.

Variation of volatile compounds and sensory profile for Protaetia brevitarsis larvae fermented with lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the composition of volatile compounds, consumer acceptance, and drivers of (dis)liking of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae fermented using lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Volatile compounds were analyzed using HS-SPME-Arrow-GC-MS, and a sensory evaluation was conducted with 72 consumers. A total of 113 volatile compounds were detected, and principal component analysis indicated that the samples could be divided into three groups. The calculated relative odor activity values (ROAV) revealed the presence of 27 compounds (ROAV >1). Volatile compounds with high ROAV were predominantly found during yeast fermentation. The sensory evaluation results indicated a strong correlation between low levels of off-odor intensity and high odor liking, emphasizing that odor profile had a more direct association with consumer acceptance than odor intensity. These findings suggest that yeast fermentation using volatile compounds, which positively influences consumer acceptance, is appropriate for Protaetia brevitarsis larvae.

Predictors of positive tuberculin skin test in neonates exposed to pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Neonates are at risk of nosocomial tuberculosis (TB) infection from health care workers (HCWs) in neonatal care facilities, which can progress to severe TB diseases. Tuberculin skin test (TST) is commonly used for TB diagnosis, but its accuracy in neonates is influenced by various factors, including bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination. This study aimed to identify predictors of positive TSTs in neonates exposed to HCWs with pulmonary TB. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted to compare the frequency of predictors between TST-positive and TST-negative neonates. Demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data of neonates exposed to TB, along with that of HCW and household contacts, were collected retrospectively through contact investigations with the Korean National TB Surveillance System (KNTSS) database. TSTs using 2 tuberculin units of purified protein derivative RT23 were performed on exposed neonates at the end of preventive TB treatment. Firth logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of TST positivity. RESULTS: Contact investigations revealed that 152 neonates and 54 HCWs were exposed to infectious TB index cases in 3 neonatal care facilities. Of 152 exposed neonates, 8 (5.3%) had positive TST results. Age of 6 days or more at the initial exposure is a statistically significant predictor of positive TST (Firth coefficient 2.1, 95% confidence interval 0.3-3.9, P = 0.024); BCG vaccination showed no statistical significance in both univariable and multivariable analysis. Sex, prematurity, exposure duration, duration from initial exposure to contact investigation, and isoniazid preventive treatment duration were not significant predictors. CONCLUSION: Age at the initial exposure is a significant predictor of positive TST in neonates exposed to active pulmonary TB. Given the complexities of TST interpretation, including false positives due to BCG vaccination, careful risk assessment is necessary for appropriate decision-making and resource allocation in the management of neonatal TB exposure.

Adverse effects of tamoxifen treatment on bone mineral density in premenopausal patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that adjuvant tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer in postmenopausal women decreased bone loss. However, the effects of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal patients with breast cancer remains uncertain. Tamoxifen would have a potential impact of premenopausal BMD on health. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess this in premenopausal women with primary breast cancer. METHODS: Through April 2020, studies reporting BMD changes of lumbar spine or hip in premenopausal women with primary breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen and tamoxifen plus chemotherapy or ovarian function suppression (OFS) were collected from EMBASE and PubMed. The meta-analysis was performed using random effects model of the standardized mean difference (SMD) of BMD in patients. RESULTS: A total of 1432 premenopausal patients were enrolled in eight studies, involving 198 patients treated with tamoxifen alone in three studies. After a 3-year median follow-up, adjuvant tamoxifen decreased the lumbar spinal and hip BMD by as much as an SMD of -1.17 [95% confidence interval (CI); -1.58 to -0.76)] and -0.66 (95% CI, -1.55 to 0.23), respectively. In subgroup analysis in patients treated adjuvant tamoxifen and tamoxifen plus chemotherapy or OFS according to follow-up duration, the bone change of < 3 years follow-up group was -0.03 SMD (95% CI, -0.47 to 0.41) and that of ≥ 3 years follow-up group was -1.06 SMD (95% CI, -1.48 to -0.64). Compared with patients who received tamoxifen alone, patients who received combination therapy with chemotherapy or OFS showed lesser bone loss at the lumbar spine. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that adjuvant tamoxifen therapy in premenopausal patients caused bone loss after 3 years of follow-up, especially at the lumbar spines. For a definite evaluation of the adverse effects of tamoxifen on bone, it is necessary to accumulate more relevant studies.

Effectiveness of a Fire Disaster PFA Simulation Game: A Single-Blinded Trial.

OBJECTIVE: As societies become more complex, disasters are increasing in frequency and magnitude. To respond to the psychological problems that may arise in such situations, it is necessary to develop the psychological first aid (PFA) training program that is more engaging for disaster relief workers and less limited in time and space. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a web-based PFA simulation game for disaster relief workers to provide to fire disaster victims. METHODS: This was a non-randomized controlled experimental study with 30 participants in the experimental and control groups. The experimental group learned through the web-based PFA simulation game developed in this study, and the control group was provided with written educational materials regarding general disaster. The effects of time between groups and interaction between groups were tested. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significant effects on core competencies in disaster response, self-efficacy, and problem-solving process, and the persistence of the effects was also significantly different. CONCLUSION: The web-based PFA simulation game was found to be effective in improving core competencies in disaster response, self-efficacy, and problem-solving process of disaster relief workers. These results suggest that simulation games can be an effective learning method for learning PFA for disaster relief workers. Since it is difficult to learn through direct participation in disaster situations, a web-based simulation game may be a more effective way to improve and maintain the competence of PFA.

Effects of myofibril-palatinose conjugate as a phosphate substitute on meat emulsion quality.

The objective of this study was to investigate a replacement for phosphate in meat products. Protein structural modification was employed in this study, and grafted myofibrillar protein (MP) with palatinose was added to meat emulsion without phosphate. Here, 0.15% of sodium polyphosphate (SPP) was replaced by the same (0.15%) concentration and double (0.3%) the concentration of grafted MP. Although the thermal stability was decreased, the addition of transglutaminase could increase stability. The rheological properties and pH also increased with the addition of grafted MP and transglutaminase. The addition of grafted protein could be perceived by the naked eye by observing a color difference before cooking, but it was not easy to detect after cooking. The cooking loss, emulsion stability, water holding capacity, lipid oxidation, and textural properties improved with the addition of grafted MP. However, the excessive addition of grafted MP and transglutaminase was not recommended to produce a high quality of phosphate replaced meat emulsion, and 0.15% was identified as a suitable addition ratio of grafted MP.

Efficacy of a virtual nursing simulation-based education to provide psychological support for patients affected by infectious disease disasters: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Virtual simulation-based education for healthcare professionals has emerged as a strategy for dealing with infectious disease disasters, particularly when training at clinical sites is restricted due to the risk of infection and a lack of personal protective equipment. This research evaluated a virtual simulation-based education program intended to increase nurses' perceived competence in providing psychological support to patients affected by infectious disease disasters. METHODS: The efficacy of the program was evaluated via a randomized controlled trial. We recruited 104 nurses for participation in the study and allocated them randomly and evenly to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was given a web address through which they could access the program, whereas the control group was provided with a web address that directed them to text-based education materials. Data were then collected through an online survey of competence in addressing disaster mental health, after which the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(version 23.0). RESULTS: The analysis showed that the experimental group's disaster mental health competence (F = 5.149, p =.026), problem solving process (t = 3.024, p =.003), self-leadership (t = 2.063, p =.042), learning self-efficacy (t = 3.450, p =.001), and transfer motivation (t = 2.095, p =.039) significantly statistically differed from those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A virtual nursing simulation-based education program for psychological support can overcome limitations of time and space. The program would also be an effective learning resource during infectious disease outbreaks. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This Korean clinical trial was retrospectively registered (21/11/2023) in the Clinical Research Information Service ( https://cris.nih.go.kr ) with trial registration number KCT0008965.

A novel method of evaluating the non-invasive tear film break-up time and progression of corneal opacification in dogs using imaging video.

This study aimed to determine the correlation of the parameters that indicate the status of the ocular surface with the prognosis of corneal opacification. Fifty dogs (96 eyes) were examined using a grid-line illuminator (non-invasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT)). Thirty dogs (54 eyes) were included in the final analysis based on the criteria. The NIBUT and tear film break-up time (TFBUT) results of the eyes included in the study were divided into three groups: Group 1 (< 5 s), Group 2 (5 to <10 s), and Group 3 (≥ 10 s). The Schirmer's tear Test 1 (STT-1) results of the included patients were also divided into three groups: Group 1 (< 5 mm/min), Group 2 (5 to <10 mm/min), and Group 3 (≥ 10 mm/min). The corneal opacity grades are divided into four scores, ranging from 0 to 3. The corneal opacity grade score (COS) of 0 indicates a completely clear cornea or only a trace of opacity. COS of 1, 2, 3 indicate the presence of a prominent corneal opacity that does not interfere with the visualization of the fine iris details, the opacity obscures the visibility of the iris and lens details and severe obstruction of the intraocular structure visibility, respectively. The mean difference in COS during the follow-ups for each group of NIBUT were 0.61 ± 0.92 (n = 28), 0.10 ± 0.32 (n = 10), 0.19 ± 0.40 (n = 16). The NIBUT groups were significantly correlated with COS (p-value = 0.073) at a 10% level of significance. Post-hoc test at a 10% level of significance revealed significant correlations between Groups 1 and 2 (p-value = 0.041) and between Groups 1 and 3 (p-value 0.104). Although the TFBUT and STT-1 groups did not show any significant correlation with COS. Eyes with NIBUT of <5 s were found to have a significantly higher chance of increased COS compared with eyes with NIBUT of >5 s in the grid-line illumination plate NIBUT test. Among NIBUT, STT-1, and TFBUT, NIBUT was the only test that showed significant associations with the changes in COS.

Fascicular Involvement of the Median Nerve Trunk in the Upper Arm: Manifestation as Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome With Unique Imaging Features.

Selective fascicular involvement of the median nerve trunk above the elbow leading to anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) syndrome is a rare form of peripheral neuropathy. This condition has recently garnered increased attention within the medical community owing to advancements in imaging techniques and a growing number of reported cases. In this article, we explore the topographical anatomy of the median nerve trunk and the clinical features associated with AIN palsy. Our focus extends to unique manifestations captured through MRI and ultrasonography (US) studies, highlighting noteworthy findings, such as nerve fascicle swelling, incomplete constrictions, hourglass-like constrictions, and torsions, particularly in the posterior/posteromedial region of the median nerve. Surgical observations have further enhanced the understanding of this complex neuropathic condition. High-resolution MRI not only reveals denervation changes in the AIN and median nerve territories but also illuminates these alterations without the presence of compressing structures. The pivotal roles of high-resolution MRI and US in diagnosing this condition and guiding the formulation of an optimal treatment strategy are emphasized.

Caught Right on the Spot: Isolation and Characterization of Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus from a Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) Being Attacked by a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus).

We isolated a high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus from a common pochard (Aythya ferina) that was being attacked by a bird of prey in South Korea in December 2020. Genetic analyses indicated that the isolate was closely related to the clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 HPAI viruses found in South Korea and Japan during the winter season of 2020-2021. The histopathological examination revealed multifocal necrotizing inflammation in the liver, kidney, and spleen. Viral antigens were detected in the liver, kidney, spleen, trachea, intestine, and pancreas, indicating the HPAI virus caused a systemic infection. The presence of immunoreactivity for the viral antigen was observed in the cells involved in multifocal necrotic inflammation. Notably, epitheliotropic-positive patterns were identified in the epithelial cells of the trachea, mucosal epithelium of the intestine, and ductular epithelium of the pancreas. These findings provide direct evidence supporting the possibility of HPAI transmission from infected waterfowl to predators.

Detectado en el acto: Aislamiento y caracterización de un virus de la influenza aviar de alta patogenicidad del clado 2.3.4.4b H5N8 de un porrón común (Aythya ferina) atacado por un halcón peregrino (Falco peregrinus). Se aisló un virus de la influenza aviar (HPAI) de alta patogenicidad de un porrón común (Aythya ferina) que estaba siendo atacado por un ave rapaz en Corea del Sur en diciembre de 2020. Los análisis genéticos indicaron que el aislado estaba estrechamente relacionado con virus de influenza aviar de alta patogenicidad H5N8, clado 2.3.4.4 b encontrados en Corea del Sur y Japón durante la temporada de invierno de 2020­2021. El examen histopatológico reveló inflamación necrotizante multifocal en hígado, riñón y bazo. Se detectaron antígenos virales en el hígado, el riñón, el bazo, la tráquea, el intestino y el páncreas, lo que indica que este virus de alta patogenicidad causó una infección sistémica. Se observó la presencia de inmunorreactividad para el antígeno viral en las células involucradas en la inflamación necrótica multifocal. En particular, se identificaron patrones epiteliotrópicos positivos en las células epiteliales de la tráquea, el epitelio mucoso del intestino y el epitelio ductular del páncreas. Estos hallazgos proporcionan evidencia directa que respalda la posibilidad de transmisión de HPAI de aves acuáticas infectadas a especies depredadoras.

Clinical Impact of Dyspnea after Ticagrelor Treatment and the Effect of Switching to Clopidogrel in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is frequent during ticagrelor-based dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, its clinical characteristics or management strategy remains uncertain. METHODS: The study assessed 2,617 AMI patients from the Ticagrelor versus Clopidogrel in Stabilized Patients with AMI (TALOS-AMI) trial. Dyspnea during 1-month ticagrelor-based DAPT and following DAPT strategies with continued ticagrelor or de-escalation to clopidogrel from 1 to 12 months were evaluated for drug adherence, subsequent dyspnea, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and bleeding events. RESULTS: Dyspnea was reported by 538 patients (20.6%) during 1 month of ticagrelor-based DAPT. Adherence to allocated DAPT over the study period was lower in the continued ticagrelor arm than the de-escalation to clopidogrel, particularly among the dyspneic population (81.1% vs. 91.5%, p < 0.001). Among ticagrelor-treated patients with dyspnea, those switched to clopidogrel at 1 month had a lower frequency of dyspnea at 3 months (34.3% vs. 51.7%, p < 0.001) and 6 months (25.5% vs. 38.4%, p = 0.002) than those continued with ticagrelor. In patients with dyspnea in their 1-month ticagrelor-based DAPT, de-escalation was not associated with increased MACE (1.3% vs. 3.9%, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08-1.11, p = 0.07) or clinically relevant bleeding (3.2% vs. 6.2%, HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.22-1.19, p = 0.12) at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Dyspnea is a common side effect among ticagrelor-based DAPTs in AMI patients. Switching from ticagrelor to clopidogrel after 1 month in AMI patients may provide a reasonable option to alleviate subsequent dyspnea in ticagrelor-relevant dyspneic patients, without increasing the risk of ischemic events (NCT02018055).

Tixagevimab/cilgavimab (AZD7442/Evusheld) prevent from COVID19 in patients with hematologic malignancies under active chemotherapy.

Despite the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, patients with hematologic malignancy may still be fatal from COVID19. Therefore, we prospectively performed the analysis of administration of tixagevimab/cilgavimab in the real-world. In August 2022, 94 patients under active chemotherapy for lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or acute leukemia received a single dose AZD7442/Evusheld (two consecutive intramuscular injections of tixagevimab and cilgavimab, 300 mg each). Quantitative measurement of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (anti-S) and viral nucleocapsid (anti-N) titers were conducted before administration of tixagevimab/cilgavimab and at 1, 3, and 6 months after administration. Twenty-five patients (26.6%) had previously confirmed COVID-19 infection. Fifty-eight patients (61.7%) had previously received COVID-19 vaccinations, with a median of two doses (range, 1-5). The median anti-S Ab level increased from baseline (997.05 AU/mL) to 1 month (20,967.25 AU/mL), then decreased at 3 months (13,145.0 AU/mL), and 6 months (7123.0 AU/mL) (p < 0.001). There was no significant safety issue with tixagevimab/cilgavimab. With a median follow-up time of 6 months, thirteen patients (13.8%) had documented SARS-Cov-2 infection. A 20.2% rate of anti-N positivity was observed six months after the administration of tixagevimab/cilgavimab. The results of this study support the potential role of tixagevimab/cilgavimab for the prevention of symptomatic and severe COVID-19.Trial registration: KCT0007617; August 16, 2022.

Stimulative piezoelectric nanofibrous scaffolds for enhanced small extracellular vesicle production in 3D cultures.

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have great promise as effective carriers for drug delivery. However, the challenges associated with the efficient production of sEVs hinder their clinical applications. Herein, we report a stimulative 3D culture platform for enhanced sEV production. The proposed platform consists of a piezoelectric nanofibrous scaffold (PES) coupled with acoustic stimulation to enhance sEV production of cells in a 3D biomimetic microenvironment. Combining cell stimulation with a 3D culture platform in this stimulative PES enables a 49 fold increase in the production rate per cell with minimal deviations in particle size and protein composition compared with standard 2D cultures. We find that the enhanced sEV production is attributable to the activation and upregulation of crucial sEV production steps through the synergistic effect of stimulation and the 3D microenvironment. Moreover, changes in cell morphology lead to cytoskeleton redistribution through cell matrix interactions in the 3D cultures. This in turn facilitates intracellular EV trafficking, which impacts the production rate. Overall, our work provides a promising 3D cell culture platform based on piezoelectric biomaterials for enhanced sEV production. This platform is expected to accelerate the potential use of sEVs for drug delivery and broad biomedical applications.

Effect of Mollusca shell extracts on inhibition of kimchi over-acidification.

Mollusca species shell such as oyster shell (OS) and snail shell (SS), are discarded after taking the meat, and the discarded shell causes the environmental problems. Therefore, recycling shell waste could potentially eliminate the environmental problems. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of OS and SS as natural calcium resources. The minerals, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sodium were analyzed in OS and SS extracts. Among them, the calcium content was the highest: 36.87 (%) and 33.42 (%) in the OS and SS extracts, respectively. Further, the content of ionized bioavailable form of calcium in OS and SS was higher than that of CaCO3 under simulated gastrointestinal digestion conditions. Additionally, OS and SS were added to kimchi, and their inhibitory effect on kimchi acidification was evaluated by assessing pH, titratable acidity and microbial analysis. As the results indicated that the addition of OS and SS had little effect on inhibiting the growth of lactic acid bacteria. However, it was confirmed that calcium neutralizes the organic acids produced during fermentation. Overall, the results of this study provide preliminary information on the re-use of OS and SS extracts as ionized natural calcium supplements and fermentation retardants.

Molecular detection of Borrelia theileri in cattle in Korea.

Bovine borreliosis, caused by Borrelia theileri which is transmitted via hard tick bites, is associated with mild clinical symptoms, such as fever, lethargy, hemoglobinuria, anorexia, and anemia. Borrelia theileri infects various animals, such as cattle, deer, horses, goats, sheep, and wild ruminants, in Africa, Australia, and South America. Notably, no case of B. theileri infection has been reported in Korean cattle to date. In this study, 101 blood samples were collected from a Korean indigenous cattle breed, among which 1.98% tested positive for B. theileri via nested PCR. The obtained sequences exhibited high homology with B. theileri strains identified in other regions. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA confirmed the B. theileri group affiliation; however, flagellin B sequences exhibited divergence, potentially due to regional evolutionary differences. This study provides the first molecular confirmation of B. theileri infection in Korean livestock. Further isolation and nucleotide sequence analyses are necessary to better understand the presence of B. theileri strains in cows in Korea.

Edible insects in food.

Edible insects, with their high protein and lipid content, offer a safe and cost-effective alternative to traditional protein sources. They are environmentally friendly, emitting fewer greenhouse gases and requiring less water than livestock farming. Their rapid reproduction, efficiency, and labor-saving qualities make them attractive for industry. However, the unappealing appearance of edible insects hinders consumer acceptance. To overcome this, materialization technologies should be developed, and negative perceptions addressed with objective data. Promoting the nutritional value, safe rearing, disease prevention, and cost-efficiency of edible insects can boost consumer interest. Commercializing various insect products is crucial to revitalize their integration into the food industry.

Predicting postoperative lung function using ventilation SPECT/CT in patients with lung cancer.

Background: Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) has the advantage of assessing regional lung function. We aimed to investigate the potential of ventilation (SPECT/CT) for predicting postoperative lung function in patients with lung cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy, preoperative ventilation, and perfusion SPECT/CT between January 2020 and December 2021. The percentage of predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppoFEV1%) and the percentage of predicted postoperative diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (ppoDLCO%) were calculated from the % counts of each scan based on anatomical segments for lobar function. Correlation tests were performed between the predicted lung function values and actual ppoFEV1% and ppoDLCO%. Results: Among the 47 patients, 29 men and 18 women aged 67.5±9.6 years were included. Moreover, 46 ventilation and 41 perfusion SPECT/CT scans were obtained. The pulmonary function on ventilation SPECT/CT strongly correlated with perfusion SPECT/CT (correlation coefficient r=0.939 for ppoFEV1%, P<0.001; r=0.938 for ppoDLCO%, P<0.001). Both ppoFEV1% and ppoDLCO% values obtained from the ventilation and perfusion scans strongly correlated with postoperative FEV1% and DLCO% (correlation coefficient, r=0.774 and r=0.768 for ventilation; r=0.795 and r=0.751 for perfusion, each P<0.001). Conclusions: Ventilation SPECT/CT was comparable to perfusion SPECT/CT in predicting postoperative lung function.