Cellular signaling crosstalk between Wnt signaling and gap junctions inbenzo[a]pyrene toxicity.

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is considered a key biological mechanism to maintain homeostasis in cell differentiation and growth. In addition, as another major signaling pathway associated with cell proliferation and differentiation, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling appears to trigger several cellular responses against injury. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a known toxic agent, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), on the regulation and interaction between GJIC and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. BaP treatment resulted in GJIC inhibition and decreases the major GJIC protein connexin 43 (Cx43) in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells. We also found BaP-mediated downregulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling related to the PI3K-Akt pathway. To identify the relationship between GJIC and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, we treated WB-F344 cells with the Wnt agonist CHIR99021 and found that it inhibited GJIC while causing a significant reduction in Cx43 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels, through the repression of promoter activity. This Wnt agonist-mediated GJIC inhibition was confirmed using a small interfering RNA directed against the Wnt antagonist Dact2, indicating that Wnt/ß-catenin signaling negatively regulates GJIC. Despite the inverse correlation between Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and Cx43 promoter activation as indicated by downregulation of ß-catenin nuclear translocation and upregulation of Cx43 promoter activation involving HNF3ß, BaP treatment decreased the Cx43 protein expression, which was associated with protein degradation, possibly through protein kinase C activation. In conclusion, our results revealed the mechanism of BaP-induced inhibition of GJIC and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. More importantly, linking Wnt/ß-catenin signaling to Cx protein expression will have profound implications in understanding the relationships among different major signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation and differentiation in toxicity.

Postpartum hemorrhage with uterine artery embolization: the risk of complications of uterine artery embolization.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of uterine artery embolization (UAE) to treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and determine the factors associated with clinical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 117 patients who underwent UAE for PPH between January 2010 and November 2018. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed to assess the mode of delivery, causes of bleeding, detailed laboratory results, clinical outcomes, time from delivery to UAE, and embolizing material used. RESULTS: The clinical UAE success rate was 99.1%. Late complications were found in 11 patients. Two total hysterectomies were performed. Most PPH cases treated with UAE had early-onset PPH caused by uterine atony. Late-onset PPH was caused by placenta-related problems (remnant placenta, placenta accreta). Body mass index, cesarean section, the use of mixed embolizing materials, placenta abruption as the cause of PPH, and transferred patients were associated with uterine necrosis. Age, re-embolization, and the use of mixed embolizing materials were associated with adverse complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although UAE is a safe and effective way to manage PPH, a long-term follow-up is needed to determine the complications of UAE. When uterine necrosis is suspected, prompt and adequate treatment should be performed due to the effects of necrosis on menstrual cycles, fertility, and subsequent pregnancies.

Commercial video games and cognitive functions: video game genres and modulating factors of cognitive enhancement.

BACKGROUND: Unlike the emphasis on negative results of video games such as the impulsive engagement in video games, cognitive training studies in individuals with cognitive deficits showed that characteristics of video game elements were helpful to train cognitive functions. Thus, this study aimed to have a more balanced view toward the video game playing by reviewing genres of commercial video games and the association of video games with cognitive functions and modulating factors. Literatures were searched with search terms (e.g. genres of video games, cognitive training) on database and Google scholar. RESULTS: video games, of which purpose is players' entertainment, were found to be positively associated with cognitive functions (e.g. attention, problem solving skills) despite some discrepancy between studies. However, the enhancement of cognitive functions through video gaming was limited to the task or performance requiring the same cognitive functions. Moreover, as several factors (e.g. age, gender) were identified to modulate cognitive enhancement, the individual difference in the association between video game playing and cognitive function was found. CONCLUSION: Commercial video games are suggested to have the potential for cognitive function enhancement. As understanding the association between video gaming and cognitive function in a more balanced view is essential to evaluate the potential outcomes of commercial video games that more people reported to engage, this review contributes to provide more objective evidence for commercial video gaming.

Effect of Cervical Cerclage on the Risk of Recurrent Preterm Birth after a Twin Spontaneous Preterm Birth.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cervical cerclage on the recurrence risk for preterm birth in singleton pregnant women after a twin spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included women who had a singleton pregnancy from January 2009 to December 2018 at 10 referral hospitals and a twin sPTB before the current pregnancy. We compared the cervical lengths during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, according to the placement of prophylactic or emergency cerclage. We evaluated the independent risk factors for sPTB (< 37 weeks of gestation) in a subsequent singleton pregnancy. RESULTS: For the index singleton pregnancy, preterm birth occurred in seven (11.1%) of 63 women. There was no significant difference in the cervical lengths during pregnancy in women with and without cerclage. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the placement of emergency cerclage was an independent risk factor for subsequent singleton preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 93.188; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.633-5,316.628; P = 0.027); however, the placement of prophylactic cerclage (OR, 19.264; 95% CI, 0.915-405.786; P = 0.057) was not a factor. None of the women who received prophylactic cerclage delivered before 35 weeks' gestation in the index singleton pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Cerclage did not lower the risk of preterm birth in a subsequent singleton pregnancy after a twin sPTB. However, emergency cerclage was an independent risk factor for preterm birth and there was no preterm birth before 35 weeks' gestation in the prophylactic cerclage group. Therefore, close monitoring of the cervical length and prophylactic cerclage might be considered in women who have experienced a twin sPTB at extreme gestation.

Report on the Project for Establishment of the Standardized Korean Laboratory Terminology Database, 2015.

The National Health Information Standards Committee was established in 2004 in Korea. The practical subcommittee for laboratory test terminology was placed in charge of standardizing laboratory medicine terminology in Korean. We aimed to establish a standardized Korean laboratory terminology database, Korea-Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes (K-LOINC) based on former products sponsored by this committee. The primary product was revised based on the opinions of specialists. Next, we mapped the electronic data interchange (EDI) codes that were revised in 2014, to the corresponding K-LOINC. We established a database of synonyms, including the laboratory codes of three reference laboratories and four tertiary hospitals in Korea. Furthermore, we supplemented the clinical microbiology section of K-LOINC using an alternative mapping strategy. We investigated other systems that utilize laboratory codes in order to investigate the compatibility of K-LOINC with statistical standards for a number of tests. A total of 48,990 laboratory codes were adopted (21,539 new and 16,330 revised). All of the LOINC synonyms were translated into Korean, and 39,347 Korean synonyms were added. Moreover, 21,773 synonyms were added from reference laboratories and tertiary hospitals. Alternative strategies were established for mapping within the microbiology domain. When we applied these to a smaller hospital, the mapping rate was successfully increased. Finally, we confirmed K-LOINC compatibility with other statistical standards, including a newly proposed EDI code system. This project successfully established an up-to-date standardized Korean laboratory terminology database, as well as an updated EDI mapping to facilitate the introduction of standard terminology into institutions.

Multiple recognition of RXLR effectors is associated with nonhost resistance of pepper against Phytophthora infestans.

Nonhost resistance (NHR) is a plant immune response to resist most pathogens. The molecular basis of NHR is poorly understood, but recognition of pathogen effectors by immune receptors, a response known as effector-triggered immunity, has been proposed as a component of NHR. We performed transient expression of 54 Phytophthora infestansRXLR effectors in pepper (Capsicum annuum) accessions. We used optimized heterologous expression methods and analyzed the inheritance of effector-induced cell death in an F2 population derived from a cross between two pepper accessions. Pepper showed a localized cell death response upon inoculation with P. infestans, suggesting that recognition of effectors may contribute to NHR in this system. Pepper accessions recognized as many as 36 effectors. Among the effectors, PexRD8 and Avrblb2 induced cell death in a broad range of pepper accessions. Segregation of effector-induced cell death in an F2 population derived from a cross between two pepper accessions fit 15:1, 9:7 or 3:1 ratios, depending on the effector. Our genetic data suggest that a single or two independent/complementary dominant genes are involved in the recognition of RXLR effectors. Multiple loci recognizing a series of effectors may underpin NHR of pepper to P. infestans and confer resistance durability.

Intrapulmonary and Systemic Pharmacokinetics of Colistin Following Nebulization of Low-Dose Colistimethate Sodium in Patients with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Colistimethate sodium (CMS) nebulization is associated with reduced systemic toxicity compared to intravenous injection, with potentially enhanced clinical efficacy. This study aimed to assess the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of colistin during low-dose CMS nebulization in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. A nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach was applied to develop population PK models for colistin in both epithelial lining fluid (ELF) and plasma. Twenty patients participated, and 80 ELF and 100 plasma samples were used for model development. Median colistin concentrations measured in ELF were 614-fold, 408-fold, and 250-fold higher than in plasma at 1, 3, and 5 h, respectively. Time courses in both ELF and plasma were best described by a one-compartment model with a Weibull absorption process. When the final model was simulated, the maximum free concentration and area under the free colistin concentration-time curve at steady state over 24 h in the plasma were approximately 1/90 and 1/50 of the corresponding values in ELF at steady state, respectively. For an A. baumannii MIC of 1 mg/L, inhaling 75 mg of CMS at 6 h intervals was deemed appropriate, with dose adjustments needed for MICs exceeding 2 mg/L. Using a nebulizer for CMS resulted in a notably higher exposure of colistin in the ELF than plasma, indicating the potential of nebulization to reduce systemic toxicity while effectively treating VAP.

The role of failure modes and effects analysis in showing the benefits of automation in the blood bank.

BACKGROUND: Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a risk management tool used by the manufacturing industry but now being applied in laboratories. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Teams from six South Korean blood banks used this tool to map their manual and automated blood grouping processes and determine the risk priority numbers (RPNs) as a total measure of error risk. RESULTS: The RPNs determined by each of the teams consistently showed that the use of automation dramatically reduced the RPN compared to manual processes. In addition, FMEA showed where the major risks occur in each of the manual processes and where attention should be prioritized to improve the process. Despite no previous experience with FMEA, the teams found the technique relatively easy to use and the subjectivity associated with assigning risk numbers did not affect the validity of the data. CONCLUSION: FMEA should become a routine technique for improving processes in laboratories.

The Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway plays a role in drug-induced liver injury by regulating cytochrome P450 2E1 expression.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of acute liver failure and drug withdrawal. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 is involved in the metabolism of several drugs, and can induce liver injury through the production of toxic metabolites and the generation of reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to elucidate the role of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in CYP2E1 regulation for drug-induced hepatotoxicity. To achieve this, mice were administered cisplatin or acetaminophen (APAP) 1 h after treatment with the CYP2E1 inhibitor dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and histopathological and serum biochemical analyses were performed. APAP treatment induced hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by an increase in liver weight and serum ALT levels. Moreover, histological analysis indicated severe injury, including apoptosis, in the liver tissue of APAP-treated mice, which was confirmed by TUNEL assay. Additionally, APAP treatment suppressed the antioxidant capacity of the mice and increased the expression of the DNA damage markers γ-H2AX and p53. However, these effects of APAP on hepatotoxicity were significantly attenuated by DMSO treatment. Furthermore, the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling using the Wnt agonist CHIR99021 (CHIR) increased CYP2E1 expression in rat liver epithelial cells (WB-F344), whereas treatment with the Wnt/ß-catenin antagonist IWP-2 inhibited nuclear ß-catenin and CYP2E1 expression. Interestingly, APAP-induced cytotoxicity in WB-F344 cells was exacerbated by CHIR treatment and suppressed by IWP-2 treatment. Overall, these results showed that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling is involved in DILI through the upregulation of CYP2E1 expression by directly binding the transcription factor ß-cat/TCF to the Cyp2e1 promoter, thus exacerbating DILI. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-023-00180-6.

Resting cerebral glucose metabolism and perfusion patterns in women with posttraumatic stress disorder related to sexual assault.

In the literature, numerous trials using neuroimaging techniques have investigated brain function in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the contrasting results showed that improvements, including in the study design, were required to reach consistent and convincing conclusions. This study evaluated the functional neuroimaging pattern of resting cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism in patients with PTSD related to sexual assault. Twelve patients were enrolled for both brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) investigations. All data were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping 2 (SPM2). The PTSD patients showed significant relative decreases in perfusion in the left hippocampus and in the basal ganglia compared with the control group. The PTSD group also had significantly lower cerebral glucosemetabolic activity in the left hippocampus and the superior temporal and precentral gyri than in the control group. These specific patterns of perfusion and glucose metabolism may be closely related to various neurophysiologic symptoms of PTSD.

Clinical feasibility of simultaneous multislice acceleration in knee MRI.

PURPOSE: To find the best simultaneous multislice (SMS) accelerated setting for clinical application in knee MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients (mean age, 54 years; 21 women) who underwent knee MRI (conventional/SMS sequences) between June and October 2020 were enrolled. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated sagittal T1- and T2-weighted conventional (2-fold parallel acquisition technique [PAT-2]) and SMS (SMS-2 [PAT-2 with 2-fold SMS], SMS-3, and SMS-4) images. For qualitative analysis, artifacts (zebra/residual aliasing) and diagnostic confidence for internal derangement of knee (bone marrow, cartilage, meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament, and synovium abnormalities) were evaluated. For quantitative analysis, contrast-to-noise ratios of bone marrow, meniscus, joint effusion, and ligament were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared to PAT-2 (2 min 32 s), mean acquisition time was reduced by 47% in SMS-2; 64%, SMS-3; and 70%, SMS-4. In qualitative analysis, zebra artifacts were only seen on T2-weighted SMS images. The more SMS was applied, the more zebra and residual aliasing artifacts were seen and the lower diagnostic confidence was for internal derangement. However, qualitative analysis showed acceptable image quality in SMS-2 and SMS-3 images, but not in SMS-4 images. In quantitative analysis, SMS-4 images showed the lowest contrast-to-noise ratios and there were no significant differences among PAT-2, SMS-2, and SMS-3 images. CONCLUSION: Applying SMS-3 to knee MRI reduced scan time and showed acceptable image quality compared to conventional (PAT-2). However, when evaluating SMS images, radiologists should know that when more SMS is applied, more zebra and residual aliasing artifacts appear.

Deep Learning-Enhanced Parallel Imaging and Simultaneous Multislice Acceleration Reconstruction in Knee MRI.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine various combinations of parallel imaging (PI) and simultaneous multislice (SMS) acceleration imaging using deep learning (DL)-enhanced and conventional reconstruction. The study also aimed at comparing the diagnostic performance of the various combinations in internal knee derangement and provided a quantitative evaluation of image sharpness and noise using edge rise distance (ERD) and noise power (NP), respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data from adult patients who underwent knee magnetic resonance imaging using various DL-enhanced acquisitions between June 2021 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The participants underwent conventional 2-fold PI and DL protocols with 4- to 8-fold acceleration imaging (P2S2 [2-fold PI with 2-fold SMS], P3S2, and P4S2). Three readers evaluated the internal knee derangement and the overall image quality. The diagnostic performance was calculated using consensus reading as a standard reference, and we conducted comparative evaluations. We calculated the ERD and NP for quantitative evaluations of image sharpness and noise, respectively. Interreader and intermethod agreements were calculated using Fleiss κ. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients (mean age, 49 ± 19 years; 20 women) were included in this study. The diagnostic performance for internal knee derangement and the overall image quality were similar among the evaluated protocols. The NP values were significantly lower using the DL protocols than with conventional imaging ( P < 0.001), whereas the ERD values were similar among these methods ( P > 0.12). Interreader and intermethod agreements were moderate-to-excellent (κ = 0.574-0.838) and good-to-excellent (κ = 0.755-1.000), respectively. In addition, the mean acquisition time was reduced by 47% when using DL with P2S2, by 62% with P3S2, and by 71% with P4S2, compared with conventional P2 imaging (2 minutes and 55 seconds). CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of DL-enhanced 8-fold acceleration imaging (4-fold PI with 2-fold SMS) showed comparable performance with conventional 2-fold PI for the evaluation of internal knee derangement, with a 71% reduction in acquisition time.

Cerebellar Gray Matter Volume and its Role in Executive Function, and Attention: Sex Differences by Age in Adolescents.

Objective: This research measures the regional GMV (rGMV) of the cerebellum, attention, Executive Function (EF) and we aimed to identify their correlation and sex differences in children and adolescents. Methods: Subjects comprised 114 children (male = 62, female = 52, 12.44 ± 2.99 years old) from South Korea. Participants were divided into three groups by age (age 6-9, 10-13, and 14-17). The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and Advanced Test of Attention (ATA) were used to estimate executive function. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were analyzed with Regional Voxel-Based Morphometry Analysis. Results: The correlations between cerebellar rGMV and SCWT, WCST, and ATA subcategories showed difference by age and sex. In 6-9 age group, girls showed more overall correlations with cerebellar regions than boys, in WCST Categories Completed and ATA results. In age 10-13 group, more regions of cerebellum corresponded to SCWT subcategories in girls. Nevertheless, more correlation between cerebellar rGMV, WCST subcategories and some ATA subtests were observed in boys in the same age group. In the adolescent group, aged 14-17, boys showed more correlation with cerebellar rGMV, while girls showed little correlation. Conclusion: This study highlights that sex-different cerebellum maturation in adolescence might be correlated with EF and attention. These results provides evidence that cerebellum modulates higher cognitive functioning during child development.

Association between genetic polymorphisms in androgen receptor gene and the risk of preeclampsia in Korean women.

PURPOSE: To investigate associations between the androgen receptor (AR) polymorphisms as CAG repeats, GGC repeats and c.211G>A polymorphism and the risk of preeclampsia. METHODS: The AR polymorphisms were experienced in 184 preeclamptic patients and 190 normal pregnancies and analyzed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Women with GGC repeats>16 were more frequently observed in preeclampsia, compared to those with GGC repeats≤16 [adjOR (95% CI): 3.64 (1.71-6.23)]. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to CAG repeats. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of c.211G>A variant were significantly higher in cases than in controls (P < 0.05 for both). In the combined distribution of these polymorphisms, the highest risk of preeclampsia was found among women with the haplotype as CAG > 20/GA/GGC >16 [adjOR (95% CI): 4.26 (1.92-12.23)]. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that longer GGC repeats and c.211G>A variant in the AR gene are associated with increased susceptibility to the risk of preeclampsia.

The Association Between Hippocampal Volume and Level of Attention in Children and Adolescents.

The hippocampus, which engages in the process of consolidating long-term memories and learning, shows active development during childhood and adolescence. The hippocampus also functionally influences attention. Based on the influence of hippocampal function on attention, it was expected that the volume of the hippocampus would be associated with the difference in attention during childhood and adolescence, in which the brain develops actively. Thus, this study examined the association between hippocampal volume and attention metrics measured by the continuous performance test (CPT) in 115 children and adolescents (mean age = 12.43 ± 3.0, 63 male and 52 female). In association studies with both auditory and visual attention, we found that the bilateral hippocampal volumes showed negative relationships with auditory omission errors. A smaller volume of the left hippocampus also led to a longer auditory response time. However, visual attention did not show any significant relationship with the hippocampal volume. These findings were consistent even after adjusting for the effects of the related covariates (e.g., age, insomnia, and depression). Taken together, this study suggested that the increase in hippocampal volume during childhood and adolescence was associated significantly with better auditory attention.

Transcriptomic analysis of rat kidney reveals a potential mechanism of sex differences in susceptibility to cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Although cisplatin is an effective platinum-based anticancer drug against solid cancer, its availability is limited owing to its adverse side effects. Our study aimed to identify the potential relationship within cisplatin-induced multi-organ physiological changes and genetic factors associated with sex differences in nephrotoxicity susceptibility. To investigate this, mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin. Cisplatin administration resulted in renal dysfunction, as evidenced by the elevation in serum biomarkers of renal damage (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) and the degree of histopathological alterations. In particular, along with testicular damage and low testosterone levels, we also observed a decrease in male-specific (CYP3A2) or male-dominant (CYP2B1 and CYP3A1) CYP isoforms in the livers of rats with hepatotoxicity following cisplatin treatment, which may be associated with an imbalance in male hormone regulation caused by renal and testicular injury. Notably, we found that male rats were more susceptible to cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, as characterized by histopathological and biochemical analyses. Therefore, RNA sequencing was performed at baseline (pre-treatment) and at 48 h following cisplatin administration (post-treatment) to identify the genes associated with sex differences in nephrotoxicity susceptibility. Gap junctions, which play a role in replenishing damaged cells to maintain tissue homeostasis, and mismatch repair associated with a pathological apoptotic mechanism against cisplatin nephrotoxicity were significantly enriched only in males following cisplatin treatment. Moreover, among the 322 DEGs showing different basal expression patterns between males and females before cisplatin treatment, the male expressed high levels of genes, which are responsible for transmembrane transport and regulation of apoptotic process, pre-cisplatin treatment; additionally, genes involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the oxidation-reduction process were significantly lower in males before cisplatin treatment. Collectively, our comprehensive findings provided valuable insight into the potential mechanisms of sex differences in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity susceptibility.

Design and Usability Evaluations of a 3D-Printed Implantable Drug Delivery Device for Acute Liver Failure in Preclinical Settings.

Acute liver failure (ALF) requiring liver transplantation is a disease that occurs due to rapid hepatocellular dysfunction. As liver transplantation has various limitations, including donor scarcity, high cost, and immuno-incompatibility, continuous local delivery of biopharmaceuticals to the liver tissue can be a promising ALF treatment option. Here, the in vivo safety and usability of a 3D-printed implantable drug delivery device for effective ALF treatment is evaluated. The implantable reservoir consists of a 3D-printed container and a semipermeable membrane for repeated administrations of drugs, specifically to the liver tissue. The physical stability and function of the 3D-printed reservoir are confirmed by the mechanical properties and in vitro drug release test, respectively. In mice implanted with the reservoir system, mortality, weight changes, clinical signs, hematological and serum biochemical changes, and organ weight changes are not observed, suggesting no foreign body reaction. The usability of the reservoir system is further evaluated using an ALF model of 70% hepatectomized mice treated with N-acetylcysteine through the system, showing cell-specific regeneration and significant liver injury alleviation. Overall, the 3D-printed reservoir system is safe for studying the therapeutic potential of ALF treatment, and it can be used for the delivery of various active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Egr1 Gene Expression as a Potential Biomarker for In Vitro Prediction of Ocular Toxicity.

Animal models are used for preclinical toxicity studies, and the need for in vitro alternative methods has been strongly raised. Our study aims to elucidate the potential mechanism of change in EGR1 expression under situations of toxic injury and to develop an Egr1 promoter-luciferase gene reporter assay for an in vitro alternative method for toxicity prediction in drug discovery. We first found an increase in early growth response-1 (EGR1) mRNA/protein expressions in the liver and kidney of cisplatin-treated injured rats. Additionally, the EGR1 protein level was also elevated under situations of ocular injury after sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) eye drops. These in vivo observations on injury-related EGR1 induction were confirmed by in vitro studies, where human corneal epithelial cells were treated with representative irritants (SLS and benzalkonium chloride) and 17 chemicals having different UN GHS irritant categories. Additionally, our results suggest the involvement of ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK pathways in EGR1 elevation in response to gamma-butyrolactone-induced injury. As EGR1 is considered to be a pivotal factor in proliferation and regeneration, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Egr1 promoted cytotoxic potential through a delay of injury-related recovery. More importantly, the elevation of promoter activities was observed by various irritants in cells transfected with Egr1 promoter-reporter vector. In conclusion, Egr1 can be a potential biomarker in a promoter-reporter system to improve the accuracy of in vitro predictions for ocular irritation.

Development of Energy-Efficient Superhydrophobic Polypropylene Fabric by Oxygen Plasma Etching and Thermal Aging.

This study developed a human-friendly energy-efficient superhydrophobic polypropylene (PP) fabric by oxygen plasma etching and short-term thermal aging without additional chemicals. The effect of the microroughness on the superhydrophobicity was examined by adjusting the weave density. After the PP fabric was treated with oxygen plasma etching for 15 min and thermal aging at 120 °C for 1 h (E15H120 1 h), the static contact and shedding angles were 162.7° ± 2.4° and 5.2° ± 0.7° and the energy consumption was 136.4 ± 7.0 Wh. Oxygen plasma etching for 15 min and thermal aging at 120 °C for 24 h (E15H120 24 h) resulted in a static contact and shedding angle of 180.0° ± 0.0° and 1.8° ± 0.2° and energy consumption of 3628.5 ± 82.6 Wh. E15H120 1 h showed a lower shedding angle but had a higher sliding angle of 90°. E15H120 24 h exhibited shedding and sliding angles of less than 10°. Regardless of the thermal aging time, superhydrophobicity was higher in high-density fabrics than in low-density fabrics. The superhydrophobic PP fabric had a similar water vapor transmission rate and air permeability with the untreated PP fabric, and it showed a self-heading property after washing followed by tumble drying and hot pressing.

Structural Alterations in Large-scale Brain Networks and Their Relationship with Sleep Disturbances in the Adolescent Population.

Although sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in adolescents, neuroimaging evidence on the effects of sleep disturbances on their developing brains remains limited. Therefore, we explored gray matter volumes (GMVs) at the whole-brain level and investigated their relationship to sleep disturbances in a sample of Korean adolescents in the general population. We recruited participants from one middle school and high school. All participants and their legal guardians gave informed consent before participating in our study. We used component 5 of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure sleep disturbances and conducted a voxel-based morphometry-DARTEL procedure to measure GMVs. We performed partial correlation analyses to examine whether the GMVs were associated with sleep disturbances. A total of 56 adolescents participated in this study. Our results revealed that GMVs in multiple global regions were negatively correlated with sleep disturbances. Moreover, most of these identified regions belong to large-scale brain networks categorized by functional neuroimaging studies. We found an association between regional GMVs in multiple global regions involved in large-scale networks and the severity of sleep disturbances in the adolescent population. Based on this evidence and previous neuroimaging evidence, we suggest that structural alterations in the networks may be linked to sleep disturbances.