Added value of 40 keV virtual monoenergetic images for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion on chest CT.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the added value of 40 keV virtual mono-energetic images (VMIs) obtained from dual-layer detector CT (DLCT) for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion (MPE) in patients presenting with unilateral pleural effusion on chest CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 75 patients with unilateral pleural effusion who underwent contrast-enhanced chest CT scans using DLCT. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the visibility of pleural thickening were conducted on both conventional 120 kVp images and 40 keV VMIs. Two independent radiologists reviewed chest CT scans with or without 40 keV VMIs to detect pleural nodules or nodular thickening for the diagnosis of MPE. Diagnostic performances were compared and independent predictors of MPE were identified through multivariate logistic regression analysis using CT and clinicopathologic findings. RESULTS: Pleural thickening associated with MPE demonstrated a higher contrast-to-noise ratio value and greater visual conspicuity in 40 keV VMIs compared to benign effusions (p < 0.05). For both readers, the use of 40 keV VMIs significantly improved (p < 0.05) the diagnostic performance in terms of sensitivity and area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing MPE through the detection of pleural nodularity. Inter-observer agreements between the two readers were substantial for both 120 kVp images alone and the combined use of 40 keV VMIs. Initial cytology results and pleural nodularity at 40 keV were identified as independent predictors of MPE. CONCLUSION: The use of 40 keV VMIs from DLCT can improve diagnostic performance of readers in detecting MPE among patients with unilateral pleural effusion.

Is there a sexual difference in the relationship between sociodemographic information and the unmet dental care needs of disabled adults? An analysis from a national survey on persons with disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Health status and health care utilization in people with disabilities are more likely to be poorer than those without disabilities. Previous studies showed that there were gaps in health-related conditions by sociodemographic information and gender but the association between these factors was not explained. This study aims to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic information and the unmet dental care needs of people with disabilities and explore the effect of sex within this relationship. METHODS: The 2014 national survey on persons with disabilities was used, which separated unmet healthcare needs into medical and dental services. Unweighted samples included 6,824 people with disabilities in total and 6,555 (96.1% of the total, weighted as 6,583) people aged 20 years or older were selected as the study population. Frequency and chi-square tests were conducted to determine differences in the prevalence of unmet dental needs based on socioeconomic information, chronic diseases, and behavioral factors after applying weights. Logistic regressions were performed using an adjusted model with sociodemographic information, chronic diseases, and behavioral variables. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). RESULTS: Analysis of the sociodemographic factors related to unmet dental care revealed that they were higher in women and the elderly. In the fully adjusted logistic model, most of the sociodemographic information was significantly associated with unmet dental needs. The lowest group was 4.18 times more likely to have unmet dental care needs than the richest group, and females and middle-school graduates were almost twice as likely to experience unmet dental care needs than males and university graduates. Considering the interaction effect of age on unmet dental needs depending on sex differences, the odds ratio decreased for females with every annual increase in both models. Compared with the younger group, the older group showed a lower risk of having unmet dental needs, especially in females. CONCLUSIONS: The factor most closely related to the unmet dental care needs of disabled people was socioeconomic problems. Its influence also differed by sex and age. Therefore, economic support measures and sexual differences are needed for long-term policy consideration to reduce the unmet dental care needs of disabled people.

Sound stimulation using the individual's heart rate to improve the stability and homeostasis of the autonomic nervous system.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we explain the role of enhancing the stability and homeostasis of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by proposing the average heart rate sound resonance (aHRSR), a sound stimulation to prevent imbalance of ANS due to dynamic movement. The effect of aHRSR on ANS was analyzed through the time and frequency domain of heart rate variability (HRV) using the photoplethysmogram data (PPG) of 22 participants (DUIRB-202109-12). METHOD: When the subjects performed dynamic movements that could cause changes in the ANS, HRV indicators using PPG data for 5 min before and after the movements were analyzed according to the presence or absence of aHRSR. The standard deviation of the NN intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean squared differences of the NN intervals (RMSSD), low-frequency band (LF), and high-frequency band (HF), which represent sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity, were used as indicators, where SNDD and LF represent total ANS and sympathetic activity, while RMSSD and HF represent parasympathetic activity. RESULTS: As the effects of aHRSR on dynamic movement, the recovery time of RR interval was advanced by about 15 s, SDNN increased from ([44.16 ± 13.11] to [47.85 ± 15.16]) ms, and RMSSD increased from ([23.73 ± 9.95] to [31.89 ± 12.48]) ms (p < 0.05), increasing the stability of the ANS and reducing instability. The effect of homeostasis of the ANS according to aHRSR is also shown in reducing the change rate of LF from (-13.83 to -8.83) %, and the rate of change of HF from (10.59 to 3.27) %. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that aHRSR can affect the cardiovascular system by assisting physiological movements that occur during dynamic movement.

Modified gellan gum-based hydrogel with enhanced mechanical properties for application as a cell carrier for cornea endothelial cells.

Recently, the number of people suffering from visual loss due to eye diseases is increasing rapidly around the world. However, due to the severe donor shortage and the immune response, corneal replacement is needed. Gellan gum (GG) is biocompatible and widely used for cell delivery or drug delivery, but its strength is not suitable for the corneal substitute. In this study, a GM hydrogel was prepared by blending methacrylated gellan gum with GG (GM) to give suitable mechanical properties to the corneal tissue. In addition, lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP), a crosslinking initiator, was added to the GM hydrogel. After the photo-crosslinking treatment, it was named GM/LAP hydrogel. GM and GM/LAP hydrogels were analyzed for physicochemical properties, mechanical characterization, and transparency tests to confirm their applicability as carriers for corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs). Also, in vitro studies were performed with cell viability tests, cell proliferation tests, cell morphology, cell-matrix remodeling analysis, and gene expression evaluation. The compressive strength of the GM/LAP hydrogel was improved compared to the GM hydrogel. The GM/LAP hydrogel showed excellent cell viability, proliferation, and cornea-specific gene expression than the GM hydrogel. Crosslinking-improved GM/LAP hydrogel can be applied as a promising cell carrier in corneal tissue engineering.

Targeted Delivery of Recombinant Heat Shock Protein 27 to Cardiomyocytes Promotes Recovery from Myocardial Infarction.

Ischemic heart disease, especially myocardial infarction (MI), is the leading cause of death worldwide. Apoptotic mechanisms are thought to play a significant role in cardiomyocyte death after MI. Increased production of heat shock proteins (Hsps) in cardiomyocytes is a normal response to promote tolerance and to reduce cell damage. Hsp27 is considered to be a therapeutic option for the treatment of ischemic heart disease due to its protective effects on hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Despite its antiapoptotic effects, the lack of strategies to deliver Hsp27 to the heart tissue in vivo limits its clinical applicability. In this study, we utilized an antibody against the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor, which is expressed immediately after ischemia/reperfusion in the heart of MI rats. To achieve cardiomyocyte-targeted Hsp27 delivery after ischemia/reperfusion, we employed the immunoglobulin-binding dimer ZZ, a modified domain of protein A, in conjunction with the AT1 receptor antibody. Using the AT1 receptor antibody, we achieved systemic delivery of ZZ-TAT-GFP fusion protein into the heart of MI rats. This approach enabled selective delivery of Hsp27 to cardiomyocytes, rescued cells from apoptosis, reduced the area of fibrosis, and improved cardiac function in the rat MI model, thus suggesting its applicability as a cardiomyocyte-targeted protein delivery system to inhibit apoptosis induced by ischemic injury.

Intranasal delivery of cancer-targeting doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles arrests glioblastoma growth.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain tumour and treatment is very challenging. Despite the recent advances in drug delivery systems, various approaches that allow sufficient deposition of anti-cancer drugs within the brain remain unsuccessful due to limited drug delivery throughout the brain. In this study, we utilised an intranasal (IN) approach to allow delivery of anti-cancer drug, encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles (NPs). PLGA NPs were modified with the RGD ligand to enable Avß3 expressing tumour-specific delivery. IN delivery of RGD-conjugated-doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded-PLGA-nanoparticles (RGD-DOX-NP) showed cancer-specific delivery of NP and inhibition of brain tumour growth compared to the free-DOX or non-modified DOX-NP in the C6-implanted GBM model. Further, IN treatment with RGD-DOX-NP induces apoptosis in the tumour region without affecting normal brain cells. Our study provides therapeutic evidence to treat GBM using a non-invasive IN approach, which may further be translated to other brain-associated diseases.

Carvacrol effectively protects demyelination by suppressing transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) in Schwann cells.

Peripheral neurodegenerative processes are essential for regenerating damaged peripheral nerves mechanically or genetically. Abnormal neurodegenerative processes induce peripheral neurodegenerative diseases via irreversible nerve damage. Carvacrol, a major component in Origanum vulgare, possesses various effects on organisms, such as antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects; although transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), TRP canonical 1 (TRPC1), TRP melastatin M7 (TRPM7), and TRP vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) are carvacrol-regulated TRPs, however, effect of carvacrol on the peripheral neurodegenerative process, and its underlying mechanism, remain unclear. Here, we investigated the specificity of carvacrol for TRPM7 in Schwann cells and the regulatory effect of carvacrol on TRPM7-dependent neurodegenerative processes. To construct peripheral nerve degeneration model, we used with a sciatic explant culture and sciatic nerve axotomy. Ex vivo, in vivo sciatic nerves were treated with carvacrol following an assessment of demyelination (ovoid fragmentation) and axonal degradation using morphometric indices. In these models, carvacrol effectively suppressed the morphometric indices, such as stripe, ovoid, myelin, and neurofilament indices during peripheral nerve degeneration. We found that carvacrol significantly inhibited upregulation of TRPM7 in Schwann cells. In this study, our results suggest that carvacrol effectively protects against the peripheral neurodegenerative process via TRPM7-dependent regulation in Schwann cells. Thus, pharmacological use of carvacrol could be helpful to protect against neurodegeneration that occurs with aging and peripheral neurodegenerative diseases, prophylactically.

Zeolite-Templated Mesoporous Silicon Particles for Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

For the practical use of high-capacity silicon anodes in high-energy lithium-based batteries, key issues arising from the large volume change of silicon during cycling must be addressed by the facile structural design of silicon. Herein, we discuss the zeolite-templated magnesiothermic reduction synthesis of mesoporous silicon (mpSi) (mpSi-Y, -B, and -Z derived from commercial zeolite Y, Beta, and ZSM-5, respectively) microparticles having large pore volume (0.4-0.5 cm3/g), wide open pore size (19-31 nm), and small primary silicon particles (20-35 nm). With these appealing mpSi particle structural features, a series of mpSi/C composites exhibit outstanding performance including excellent cycling stabilities for 500 cycles, high specific and volumetric capacities (1100-1700 mAh g-1 and 640-1000 mAh cm-3 at 100 mA g-1), high Coulombic efficiencies (approximately 100%), and remarkable rate capabilities, whereas conventional silicon nanoparticles (SiNP)/C demonstrate limited cycle life. These enhanced electrochemical responses of mpSi/C composites are further manifested by low impedance build-up, high Li ion diffusion rate, and small electrode thickness changes after cycling compared with those of SiNP/C composite. In addition to the outstanding electrochemical properties, the low-cost materials and high-yield processing make the mpSi/C composites attractive candidates for high-performance and high-energy Li-ion battery anodes.

Syntheses of D-A-A Type Small Molecular Donor Materials Having Various Electron Accepting Moiety for Organic Photovoltaic Application.

Small molecular donor, DTDCTB achieved a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 6.6 ± 0.2% in vacuum-deposited planar mixed heterojunction (PMHJ) structure. However, the same material just recorded PCE of 0.34% in solution processed small molecule based bulk heterjunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic cells. For the improvement of organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), In this study, we designed and synthesized several D-A-A (donor-acceptor-acceptor) type molecular electron donating materials. Ditolylaminothienyl moiety as an electron donating group connected to 1,2,5-benzothiadiazole as a conjugated electron accepting unit, simultaneously with an electron accepting terminal group such as cyano alkyl acetate and N-alkyl rhodanine. The thermal, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of prepared small molecules were investigated by DSC, UV/Vis spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltametry, respectively. As a result, 0.89% of PCE can be obtained from OPV using a mixture of DTATBTER and PCBM as an active layer with a Voc of 0.87 V, a Jsc of 3.20 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 31.9%.

Silencing CCR2 in Macrophages Alleviates Adipose Tissue Inflammation and the Associated Metabolic Syndrome in Dietary Obese Mice.

Adipose tissue macrophage (ATM)-mediated inflammation is a key feature contributing to the adverse metabolic outcomes of dietary obesity. Recruitment of macrophages to obese adipose tissues (AT) can occur through the engagement of CCR2, the receptor for MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), which is expressed on peripheral monocytes/macrophages. Here, we show that i.p. administration of a rabies virus glycoprotein-derived acetylcholine receptor-binding peptide effectively delivers complexed siRNA into peritoneal macrophages and ATMs in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity. Treatment with siRNA against CCR2 inhibited macrophage infiltration and accumulation in AT and, therefore, proinflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages. Consequently, the treatment significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity profiles, and also alleviated the associated symptoms of hepatic steatosis and reduced hepatic triglyceride production. These results demonstrate that disruption of macrophage chemotaxis to the AT through cell-targeted gene knockdown strategies can provide a therapeutic intervention for obesity-related metabolic diseases. The study also highlights a siRNA delivery approach for targeting specific monocyte subsets that contribute to obesity-associated inflammation without affecting the function of other tissue-resident macrophages that are essential for host homeostasis and survival.