Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma in Wilson's Disease: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Wilson's disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of copper in the liver, brain, and kidneys. Although it affects only approximately 1 in 30 000 individuals, it leads to progressive liver damage and neurological issue. Wilson's disease presents a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations related to hepatic disease, ranging from asymptomatic cases to acute liver failure. The occurrence of hepatobiliary malignancies, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, is relatively uncommon in Wilson's disease, even among patients with cirrhosis. Only 14 cases have been published so far, including the present report, and its etiology remains unclear. CASE REPORT We report the successful treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in a 39-year-old woman with Wilson's disease. Twenty-two years after being diagnosed with Wilson's disease, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed. She had an intrahepatic mass that was found to be a 4.3-cm ill-defined hypodense lesion in liver segment 3/4, with features suggesting infiltrative intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma rather than hepatocellular carcinoma. Laboratory results showed slightly elevated liver enzymes and tumor markers. There was no evidence of metastasis on chest computed tomography or positron emission tomography, and the tumor was resectable, so surgery was the first-choice treatment option. Left hepatectomy was performed successfully, and the final pathology confirmed adenocarcinoma with clear resection margins. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine. To date, the patient has been doing well without evidence of recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS Despite limited knowledge regarding hepatic malignancy in Wilson's disease, it is crucial to prioritize careful monitoring and develop suitable treatment strategies upon diagnosis to achieve favorable outcomes, considering the potential occurrence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in Wilson's disease.

Propensity Score Matched Comparison of Robotic Single-Site and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Background and Objectives: To demonstrate the feasibility and potential of robotic single-site cholecystectomy, the study aimed to compare it with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: In total, 791 consecutive patients underwent conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy or robotic single-site cholecystectomy at our center between 2019 and 2022. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 117 patients for each group were selected. Results: After propensity score matching, the only statistically significant difference between conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and robotic single-site cholecystectomy was operative time, which was 29.15 ±11.45 min in the conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy group versus 38.57 ± 12.59 min in the robotic single-site cholecystectomy group (P < 0.001). Because the difference in surgical time between the two groups was minimal, it has little clinical relevance. Using cumulative sum analysis, the maturation phase of the total operation and docking times occurred after the 53rd case. To reduce bias, a comparison of results with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and cases of robotic single-site cholecystectomy was performed in the maturation phase, which revealed only total operative time as statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Robotic single-site cholecystectomy is a technically feasible and safe method for treating benign gallbladder diseases, with a relatively short learning curve and reasonable operative time.

Universal primers for rift valley fever virus whole-genome sequencing.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease causing acute hemorrhagic fever. Accurate identification of mutations and phylogenetic characterization of RVF virus (RVFV) require whole-genome analysis. Universal primers to amplify the entire RVFV genome from clinical samples with low copy numbers are currently unavailable. Thus, we aimed to develop universal primers applicable for all known RVFV strains. Based on the genome sequences available from public databases, we designed eight pairs of universal PCR primers covering the entire RVFV genome. To evaluate primer universality, four RVFV strains (ZH548, Kenya 56 (IB8), BIME-01, and Lunyo), encompassing viral phylogenetic diversity, were chosen. The nucleic acids of the test strains were chemically synthesized or extracted via cell culture. These RNAs were evaluated using the PCR primers, resulting in successful amplification with expected sizes (0.8-1.7 kb). Sequencing confirmed that the products covered the entire genome of the RVFV strains tested. Primer specificity was confirmed via in silico comparison against all non-redundant nucleotide sequences using the BLASTn alignment tool in the NCBI database. To assess the clinical applicability of the primers, mock clinical specimens containing human and RVFV RNAs were prepared. The entire RVFV genome was successfully amplified and sequenced at a viral concentration of 108 copies/mL. Given the universality, specificity, and clinical applicability of the primers, we anticipate that the RVFV universal primer pairs and the developed method will aid in RVFV phylogenomics and mutation detection.

Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effect of the Ethanolic Extract of Black Ginseng through TLR4-MyD88-Regulated Inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways in LPS-Induced BV2 Microglial Cells.

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) contains various ginsenosides as active ingredients, and they show diverse biological activities. Black ginseng is manufactured by repeated steaming and drying of white ginseng, which alters the polarity of ginsenosides and improves biological activities. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the ethanolic extract of black ginseng (BGE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglial cells. Pre-treatment with BGE inhibited the overproduction of pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS-induced BV2 cells. In addition, BGE reduced the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK signaling pathways induced by LPS. These anti-neuroinflammatory effects were mediated through the negative regulation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway. Among the four ginsenosides contained in BGE, ginsenosides Rd and Rg3 inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators. Taken together, this investigation suggests that BGE represents potential anti-neuroinflammatory candidates for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Enhanced Interfacial Properties of Carbon Fiber/Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Polypropylene Composites via Two-Step Surface Treatment: Electrochemical Oxidation and Silane Treatment.

The interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers (CFs) and a thermoplastic matrix is an important aspect that should be improved in manufacturing CF-reinforced thermoplastics with high strength and rigidity. In this study, the effects of a two-step surface treatment comprising electrochemical oxidation and silane treatment of the CF surface on the mechanical properties of CF/maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) composites were confirmed. The surface characteristics of the treated CFs were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The tensile testing of a single CF and interfacial adhesion of the samples before and after the surface treatment were analyzed using a single-fiber testing machine and a universal testing machine. After the silane treatment, the roughness of the CF surface increased due to the formation of a siloxane network. In addition, the interfacial shear strength increased by ∼450% compared to that of the untreated CFs due to the covalent bond between the -NH2 end group of siloxane and MAPP. This two-step surface treatment, which can be performed continuously, is considered an effective method for improving the mechanical interface strength between the CF and polymer matrix.

Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness of Direct-Grown-Carbon Nanotubes/Carbon and Glass Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites.

In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown under the same conditions as those of carbon fibers and glass fibers, and a comparative analysis was performed to confirm the potential of glass fibers with grown CNTs as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. The CNTs were grown directly on the two fiber surfaces by a chemical vapor deposition process, with the aid of Ni particles loaded on them via a Ni-P plating process followed by heat treatment. The morphology and structural characteristics of the carbon and glass fibers with grown CNTs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and the EMI shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of the directly grown CNT/carbon and glass fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites was determined using a vector-network analyzer. As the plating time increased, a plating layer serving as a catalyst formed on the fiber surface, confirming the growth of numerous nanowire-shaped CNTs. The average EMI SET values of the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) with grown CNTs maximized at approximately 81 and 40 dB, respectively. Carbon fibers with grown CNTs exhibited a significantly higher EMI SET value than the glass fiber-based sample, but the latter showed a higher EMI SET increase rate. This indicates that low-cost, high-quality EMI-shielding materials can be developed through the growth of CNTs on the surface of glass fibers.

Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of Epoxy/Polyimide Blends via Postcuring Process.

In this study, the effects of polyimide (PI) content and postcuring on thermal and mechanical properties in PI and epoxy (EP) blending systems were investigated. EP/PI (EPI) blending reduced the crosslinking density and improved the flexural and impact strength due to ductility. On the other hand, in the postcuring of EPI, the thermal resistance improved due to the increased crosslinking density and the flexural strength increased by up to 57.89% due to the enhanced stiffness, but the impact strength decreased by up to 59.54%. EPI blending induced the improvement in the mechanical properties of EP, and the postcuring process of EPI was shown to be an effective method to improve heat resistance. It was confirmed that EPI blending induces improvement in the mechanical properties of EP, and the postcuring process of EPI is an effective method for improving heat resistance.

Synthetic Glabridin Derivatives Inhibit LPS-Induced Inflammation via MAPKs and NF-κB Pathways in RAW264.7 Macrophages.

Glabridin is a polyphenolic compound with reported anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. In the previous study, we synthesized glabridin derivatives-HSG4112, (S)-HSG4112, and HGR4113-based on the structure-activity relationship study of glabridin to improve its biological efficacy and chemical stability. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the glabridin derivatives in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. We found that the synthetic glabridin derivatives significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and decreased the level of inducible nitric oxygen synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The synthetic glabridin derivatives inhibited the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB by inhibiting phosphorylation of the inhibitor of κB alpha (IκB-α), and distinctively inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPKs. In addition, the compounds increased the expression of antioxidant protein heme oxygenase (HO-1) by inducing nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) through ERK and p38 MAPKs. Taken together, these results indicate that the synthetic glabridin derivatives exert strong anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated macrophages through MAPKs and NF-κB pathways, and support their development as potential therapeutics against inflammatory diseases.

Ciliated Foregut Cyst and Accessory Spleen in the Pancreas: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Ciliated foregut cyst is a relatively rare disease; thus, most reports are in the form of case studies. This benign cyst is usually found in the mediastinum and account for approximately 20% of all mediastinal masses. However, it is rarely found in the hepatobiliary and peripancreatic regions. Approximately 20 cases of ciliated foregut cysts involving the pancreas have been reported in the Enlgish literature. Here, we present a case of ciliated foregut cyst that occurred in the tail of the pancreas in a 29-year-old female. The patient's ultrasonography, CT, and MRI findings are presented, along with a review of the literature.

Physical Performance Decline During the Early Posttransplantation Period Affects Survival After Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Patient physical performance has been emphasized in liver transplant recipients; however, evidence for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) patients is lacking. This study investigated the impact of physical performance decline during the early posttransplantation period on survival and risk factors for this decline in LDLT recipients. METHODS: From national registry data, 2703 LDLT patients were divided into 2 groups based on the change in their Karnofsky performance status (KPS) between 1 and 6 mo posttransplantation: declined KPS (n = 188) and control (n = 2515). Multivariable analyses were conducted to control for confounders, including posttransplantation complications. RESULTS: Estimated 5-y patient survival rates were 91.6% in the declined KPS group and 96.3% in the control group, favoring the latter ( P = 0.003). The survival hazard of KPS decline was significant in a baseline covariates-adjusted Cox model (hazard ratio [HR], 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-4.95) and an adjusted model accounting for posttransplantation complications (HR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.70-6.72). In subgroup analyses, KPS decline independently reduced survival in patients without complications (HR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.67-9.34), and the trend was similar in patients with complications, although significance was marginal (HR, 3.02; 95% CI, 0.98-9.27). We found that only posttransplantation complications, such as rejection, infection, bile duct complication, and vascular complication, were significant risk factors for KPS decline after LDLT. CONCLUSIONS: Physical performance decline during the early posttransplantation period independently reduced survival rates, and posttransplantation complications were the only significant risk factors for physical performance decline in LDLT recipients.

Subspecies-level genome comparison of Lactobacillus delbrueckii.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii comprises six subspecies, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, L. delbrueckii subsp. jakobsenii, L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii, L. delbrueckii subsp. sunkii, and L. delbrueckii subsp. indicus. We investigated the evolution of the six subspecies of L. delbrueckii using comparative genomics. While the defining feature of the species was the gene number increment driven by mobile elements and gene fragmentation, the repertoire of subspecies-specific gene gains and losses differed among the six subspecies. The horizontal gene transfer analyses indicated that frequent gene transfers between different subspecies had occurred when the six subspecies first diverged from the common ancestor, but recent gene exchange was confined to a subspecies implying independent evolution of the six subspecies. The subspecies bulgaricus is a homogeneous group that diverged from the other subspecies a long time ago and underwent convergent evolution. The subspecies lactis, jakobsenii, delbrueckii, and sunkii were more closely related to each other than to other subspecies. The four subspecies commonly show increasing genetic variability with increasing genome size. However, the four subspecies were distinguished by specific gene contents. The subspecies indicus forms a branch distant from the other subspecies and shows an independent evolutionary trend. These results could explain the differences in the habitat and nutritional requirements of the subspecies of L. delbrueckii.

Effects of diet and castration on fatty acid composition and volatile compounds in the meat of Korean native black goats.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the effects of dietary treatments and castration on meat quality, fatty acids (FAs) profiles, and volatile compounds in Korean native black goats (KNBG, Capra hircus coreanae), including the relationship between the population of rumen microbiomes and meat FA profiles. METHODS: Twenty-four KNBG (48.6±1.4 kg) were randomly allocated to one of four treatments arranged into a 2×2 factorial structure. The factors were dietary forage to concentrate ratio (high forage [HF, 80:20] and low forage [LF, 20:80]), and a castration treatment (castration [CA] vs non-castration [NCA]). RESULTS: Among meat quality traits, the CA group exhibited a higher percentage of crude fat and water holding capacity (p<0.05). The profiles of the saturated fatty acid (SFA) in meat sample derived from CA KNBG showed a significantly lower percentage compared to NCA individuals, due to the lower proportion of C14:0 and C18:0. Feeding a high-forage diet to KNBG increased the formation of C18:1n7, C18:3n3, C20:1n9, C22:4n6 in meat, and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profiles (p<0.05). Consequently, the n6:n3 ratio declined (p<0.05). There was an interaction between dietary treatment and castration for formation of C20:5n3 (p<0.05), while C18:1n9, C22:6n3, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and the MUFA:SFA ratio were influenced by both diet and castration (p<0.05). Nine volatile compounds were identified and were strongly influenced by both dietary treatments, castration (p<0.05), and their interaction. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinctly different odor patterns in the NCA goats fed LF diets. Spearman correlation analysis showed a high correlation between rumen bacteria and meat PUFAs. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the essential effects of the rumen microbial population for the synthesis of meat FAs and volatile compounds in KNBG meat, where dietary intake and castration also contribute substantially.

Early Experience of Pure Robotic Right Hepatectomy for Liver Donors in a Small-Volume Center.

Background and Objectives: Living donor right hepatectomy has become the most common method of liver transplantation. With minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic donor hepatectomy became possible, but with some limitations. Advancements in robotic technology made it possible to overcome these shortcomings and maximize the advantages of minimally invasive surgery in transplantation. For this reason, some centers have started robotic donor hepatectomy. Our study aimed to introduce our early experience of robotic donor right hepatectomy and investigate the feasibility of this surgery. Methods: This study included 10 (30%) living donors who underwent pure robotic donor right hepatectomy at Dong-A University Hospital from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The medical records were analyzed to determine the short-term outcomes of these patients. Results: The total operation time and warm ischemic time were 396.6 min ± 62.7 min and 19.7 min± 5.6 min, respectively. Moreover, there was no transfusion during the operation and no other port use and open conversion. The average real graft volume was 590 mL ± 73.5 mL, and the mean hospital stay was 8.7 d ± 2.6 d. There have been no specific complications noted in the donor group. Conclusions: Based on our positive experience with pure robotic right hepatectomy for a liver donor, the robotic technique may be a new option for achieving minimally invasive surgery for a liver donor.

The ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa grown in Korea exhibits anti-neuroinflammatory effects by activating of nuclear transcription factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Curcuma longa has been used as spices, food preservative, coloring material, and traditional medicine. This plant also has long been used for a variety of diseases including dyslipidemia, stomach disorders, arthritis, and hepatic diseases. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the 50% ethanolic extract of C. longa in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglial cells. METHODS: Griess reaction was employed to measure the production of nitric oxide (NO), and the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1-beta (IL-1ß), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by using profit ELISA kits. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). RESULTS: Pre-treatment with CLE inhibited the overproduction and overexpression of pro-inflammatory mediators including NO, PGE2, iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-induced BV2 cells. In addition, CLE suppressed the activation of the NF-κB and three MAPK signaling pathways. Treatment with CLE induced HO-1 protein expression by activating Nrf2 pathway, and inhibiting the HO-1 expression reversed the anti-inflammatory effect of CLE. CONCLUSION: CLE showed anti-neuroinflammatory effects against LPS-induced microglial cells activation through the inhibition of production and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators by negative regulation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. These anti-neuroinflammatory effects of CLE were mediated by HO-1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Taken together, the present study suggests a potent effect of CLE to prevent neuroinflammatory diseases. It is necessary to perform additional efficacy evaluation through in vivo experiments.

High-Efficiency Carbon Fiber Recovery Method and Characterization of Carbon FIBER-Reinforced Epoxy/4,4'-Diaminodiphenyl Sulfone Composites.

Globally, the demand for carbon fiber-reinforced thermosetting plastics for various applications is increasing. As a result, the amount of waste from CFRPs is increasing every year, and the EU Council recommends recycling and reuse of CFRPs. Epoxy resin (EP) is used as a matrix for CFRPs, and amine hardeners are mainly used. However, no research has been conducted on recycling EP/4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS)-based CFRP. In this study, the effect of steam and air pyrolysis conditions on the mechanical properties of re-cycled carbon fiber (r-CF) recovered from carbon fiber-reinforced thermosetting (epoxy/4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone) plastics (CFRPs) was investigated. Steam pyrolysis enhanced resin degradation relative to N2. The tensile strength of the recovered r-CF was reduced by up to 35.12% due to oxidation by steam or air. However, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) tended to increase by 9.18%, which is considered to be due to the increase in functional groups containing oxygen atoms and the roughness of the surface due to oxidation. The recycling of CFRP in both a steam and an air atmosphere caused a decrease in the tensile strength of r-CF. However, they were effective methods to recover r-CF that had a clean surface and increased IFSS.

Johne's disease in two Korean black goats (Capra hircus coreanae) with clinical and subclinical infection: A case report.

Johne's disease (JD) is a chronic enteric infection in ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). JD infection is more difficult to diagnose in goats than cattle because MAP can insidiously affect small ruminants. Few reports have used pathological and molecular diagnosis for cases in Korean black goats. Here, we present our results from two MAP-infected goats. Case 1 was categorized as clinically significant (stage IV), with severe clinical signs and a high antibody titer (S/P ratio, 158.9%). Case 2 was in the subclinical stage (stage II); however, the goat suddenly died without any clinical signs (S/P ratio, 70.9%). DNA from the organ tissues and feces from Case 1 showed a strong positive PCR result for MAP, whereas Case 2 only exhibited a very weak reaction in the fecal sample. Moreover, fecal DNA from both cases was genotyped as C-type MAP using the PCR-REA method. Gastrointestinal organ tissues (jejunum, ileum, colon, and mesenteric lymph nodes) from Case 1 showed moderate-to-severe lesions, and acid-fast bacilli were observed. In contrast, Case 2 showed intact-to-mild pathological lesions, and acid-fast bacilli were detected in the colon, mesenteric lymph nodes, and liver. In addition, Case 2 was co-infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, which caused caseous lymphadenitis. This case study provides valuable information regarding the pathological and molecular characteristics of JD-infected Korean black goats. The results highlighted the differences in pathological lesions between clinically and subclinically infected goats, which help veterinarians to develop better strategies to control MAP in goat farms.

Effect of Nucleating Agents Addition on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites.

In this study, natural fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (NFRP) composite materials were prepared by adding nucleating agents (NAs) and natural fiber (NF) to compensate for the low thermal stability and brittleness of polylactic acid (PLA). The thermal stability of the fabricated composite material was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, the tensile modulus of elasticity according to the crystallinity of the composite was measured. The crystallinity of the PLA composite increased to ~700% upon the addition of the NA; thus, the thermal stability also increased. However, the changes in crystallinity and tensile modulus were insignificant when the concentration of the NA added was 4 wt.% or higher. The study demonstrates that the addition of NA and NF is effective in improving the thermal stability and mechanical properties of NFRP.

Rapid and sensitive amplicon-based genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2.

As SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern emerged, the genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 strains became more important. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 was sequenced using amplicon-based genome sequencing with MinION. The primer panel used in this study consisted of only 11 primer panels and the size of the amplicons was approximately 3 kb. Full genome sequences were obtained with a hundred copies of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and 92.33% and 75.39% of the genome sequences were obtained with 10 copies of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. The few differences in nucleotide sequences originated from mutations in laboratory cultures and/or mixed nucleotide sequences. The quantification of the SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA was done using RT-ddPCR methods, and the level of LoD indicated that this sequencing method can be used for any RT-qPCR positive clinical sample. The sequencing results of the SARS-CoV-2 variants and clinical samples showed that our methods were very reliable. The genome sequences of five individual clinical samples were almost identical, and the analysis of the sequence variance showed that most of these nucleotide substitutions were observed in the genome sequences of the other clinical samples, indicating this amplicon-based whole-genome sequencing method can be used in various clinical fields.

Comparison of the Characteristics of Recycled Carbon Fibers/Polymer Composites by Different Recycling Techniques.

In this study, three recycling methods, namely, mechanical grinding, steam pyrolysis, and the supercritical solvent process, which are used to acquire recycled carbon fibers (RCFs), were compared for their application in synthesizing polymer-matrix composites. RCF-reinforced polyethylene (PE) composites were prepared to compare the mechanical properties of the composites generated using the three recycling methods. The PE/RCF composites exhibited 1.5 times higher mechanical strength than the RCF-reinforced PE composites, probably because of the surface oxidation effects during the recycling processes that consequently enhanced interfacial forces between the RCF and the matrix. Further, the steam pyrolysis process showed the highest energy efficiency and can thus be applied on a large production scale in domestic recycled CF markets.

Non-Renal Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease in Liver Recipients with Functionally Intact Kidneys at 1 Month.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a critical complication of liver transplants, of which non-renal risk factors are not fully understood yet. This study aimed to reveal pre- and post-transplant risk factors for CKD (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2), examining liver recipients with functionally intact kidneys one month after grafting using nationwide cohort data. Baseline risk factors were analyzed with multivariable Cox regression analyses and post-transplant risk factors were investigated with the time-dependent Cox model and matched analyses of time-conditional propensity scores. Of the 2274 recipients with a one-month eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, 494 (22.3%) developed CKD during a mean follow-up of 36.6 ± 14.4 months. Age, female sex, lower body mass index, pre-transplant diabetes mellitus, and lower performance status emerged as baseline risk factors for CKD. Time-dependent Cox analyses revealed that recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.06−3.53) and infection (HR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.12−1.60) were significant post-transplant risk factors for CKD. Patients who experienced one of those factors showed a significantly higher risk of subsequent CKD compared with the matched controls who lacked these features (p = 0.013 for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma, and p = 0.003 for infection, respectively). This study clarifies pre- and post-transplant non-renal risk factors, which lead to renal impairment after LT independently from patients' renal functional reserve.