Novel non-invasive and quantitative assessment of the renal function of transplanted kidneys using Doppler ultrasonography with the vascular index of superb microvascular imaging.

Purpose: This study assessed the reproducibility and clinical value of the vascular index (VI), derived from superb microvascular imaging (SMI) using Doppler ultrasonography, for evaluating renal function in transplanted kidneys.

Methods: This retrospective study included 63 renal transplant patients who underwent grayscale and Doppler ultrasonography with SMI from January 2022 to February 2023. The VI of the transplanted kidneys was measured using three methods (VIbox, VIF1, VIF2).

Coexistence of neuroendocrine carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin after kidney transplantation: a case report.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a rare aggressive tumor of the skin with a shared phenotype of both endocrine and neuronal features. Its behavior includes rapid progression, common local recurrence, frequent metastasis to local lymph nodes, and occasional systematic involvement. The risk factors for NEC are similar to those for other skin cancers and mainly include ultraviolet light exposure, older age, T-cell immunosuppression, fair skin, and male sex.

The diagnostic accuracy of depth prediction for lipomas by preoperative imaging with distribution according to anatomical site in Korea: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Lipomas are common benign connective-tissue tumors that usually present as slow-growing, painless, subcutaneous masses. Deeper variants, such as intramuscular, intermuscular, and submuscular lipomas, are larger and rarer. Accurate preoperative depth determination is crucial for planning appropriate surgical resection.

Current concepts in genioplasty: surgical techniques, indications, and future perspectives.

Genioplasty is a crucial procedure in maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery for both aesthetic and functional chin correction. The procedure is performed using various techniques-including sliding genioplasty, advancement, setback, vertical augmentation, and narrowing genioplasty-with each approach offering specific benefits tailored to patient needs. Advances in virtual surgical planning, pre-bent absorbable plates, and three-dimensional printing technology have enhanced the precision of genioplasty, leading to improved functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Macrophage-Specific Progranulin Deficiency Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity through the Inhibition of Hypothalamic and Adipose Tissue Inflammation.

Background: Chronic low-grade inflammation in multiple metabolic organs contributes to the development of insulin resistance induced by obesity. Progranulin (PGRN) is an evolutionarily-conserved secretory protein implicated in immune modulation. The generalized deletion of the PGRN-encoded Grn gene improves insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Multiprotease supplementation in laying hen diets: Impact on performance, egg quality, digestibility, gut histomorphology, and sustainability.

Laying hen responses to supplemental multiprotease on performance, egg quality, digestibility, gut histomorphology, nitrogen excretion, and economic performance of laying hens until 37 weeks of age were investigated. A total of 189 25-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens were housed in enriched cages (7 birds/cage) and randomly allocated to 1 of 3 diets with 9 replicates per treatment. Dietary treatments included: an adequate positive control- PC [met the breed and age standards for crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA)]; negative control- NC (90 % CP and AA requirement); and NC supplemented with multiprotease - NCMP.

A review of Canadian online resources providing information on COVID-19 vaccination for caregivers of children aged 5-11 years.

Background And Objectives: Vaccination is one of the most searched health topics online, yet the quality of resources varies considerably. This study evaluated the quality of Canadian COVID-19 vaccines online resources for caregivers of 5-11-year-old children.

Methods: We reviewed Canadian public-facing websites from academic pediatric hospitals, governments, professional organizations, and public health authorities until April 22, 2022.

Febuxostat facilitates neovasculogenesis in chronic kidney disease through xanthine oxidase/NADPH oxidase/c-Jun signaling pathways.

The accumulation of uremic toxins in circulation contributes to the cardiovascular diseases that result from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Indoxyl sulfate (IS), which is a protein-bound uremic toxin, promotes cardiovascular diseases with impaired neovascularization by increasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aimed to investigate febuxostat, a potent xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor, for its potential effects on the mechanisms of neovasculogenesis in CKD.

Second booster doses of adenoviral- and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines increase protection against COVID-19 hospitalization: Final analysis from the REFORCO-Brazil real-world effectiveness study during Omicron.

Background: Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines are required to maintain protection against SARS-CoV-2. However, real-world evidence from South America, needed to inform optimal vaccination strategies, is lacking. Herein, we present the final analysis of REFORCO-Brazil, a large-scale assessment of relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of second boosters (vs first boosters) against hospitalization with COVID-19.

Pathogenic germline variants in cancer predisposition genes in patients with multiple primary cancers in an Asian population and the role of extended panel genetic testing.

Background: Multiple primary cancers (MPC) are an indicator of potential hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome. There remains insufficient data on genetic testing outcomes and the optimal testing panel for MPC. We evaluated the prevalence of MPC, the spectrum of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) and the role of extended panel testing in MPC.

Assessing the contribution of Tidal Flats to climate change and carbon neutrality through modeling approaches.

Tidal coastal ecosystems show promising potential as natural carbon sinks in mitigating climate change. Under the combined effect of carbon deposition, capturing, converting, and storing atmospheric CO into coastal sediments over a long period, tidal flats are of great significance to the ecology. In addition to preventing coastal erosion, the organic carbon buried in tidal flats should play an important role in mitigating climate change and achieving the carbon neutrality target.

Toward zero liquid discharge treatment of semiconductor wastewaters with a hybrid system integrating forward osmosis and multi-stage nanofiltration.

The semiconductor industry produces large quantities of acidic wastewaters containing high levels of hydrofluoric acid (HF) and sulfuric acid (HSO), which poses severe environmental concern. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) treatment of these wastewaters is a pressing need for sustainable growth of the semiconductor industry. Herein, we propose an innovative membrane-based hybrid system that combines forward osmosis (FO) with multi-stage NF process for simultaneous treatments of HSO and HF wastewaters.

A multicenter pilot study of the effectiveness and safety of a monopolar radiofrequency device for improving periorbital and facial fine wrinkles.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a new monopolar radiofrequency device equipped with a 5 cm tip, against fine wrinkles around the eyes and cheeks.

Materials And Methods: This multicentered, prospective pilot study involved treating participants with mild-to-moderate wrinkles on both periorbital areas and cheeks using the monopolar radiofrequency device for one session. One and four months after treatment, wrinkle reduction, overall esthetic improvement, adverse events, and vital signs were evaluated.

ABCG2: A Milestone Charge Model for Accurate Solvation Free Energy Calculation.

In this report, we describe the development and validation of ABCG2, a new charge model with milestone free energy accuracy, while allowing instantaneous atomic charge assignment for arbitrary organic molecules. In combination with the second-generation general AMBER force field (GAFF2), ABCG2 led to a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.99 kcal/mol on the hydration free energy calculation of all 642 solutes in the FreeSolv database, for the first time meeting the chemical accuracy threshold through physics-based molecular simulation against the golden-standard data set.

Astrocytes as Key Regulators of Neural Signaling in Health and Disease.

Astrocytes, traditionally viewed as supportive cells within the central nervous system (CNS), are now recognized as dynamic regulators of neural signaling and homeostasis. They actively engage in synaptic transmission and brain health by releasing gliotransmitters such as glutamate, GABA, ATP, adenosine, lactate, and d-serine. Astrocytes also play a critical role in ion homeostasis and immune response through cytokine modulation and reactive oxygen species regulation.

Innovative Design and Synthesis of Fullerene-Terpyridine Derivatives for Enhanced Electron Transport in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

In this study, three fullerene derivatives─, , and ─were synthesized and investigated as additives in PCBM-based electron-transporting layers (ETLs) for inverted perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The incorporation of and into the ETLs led to improved ETL morphology and passivation of crystal defects on the surface of the methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI) layer. This defect passivation enhanced crystal quality, increased UV-vis absorption, reduced charge recombination, and improved electron mobility in the - and -based PVSCs.

Postpartum Depression Screening Practices in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Opportunities for Improvement.

Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review is to provide an overview of postpartum depression (PPD) screening practices for mothers with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), identify gaps in PPD screening, and provide potential solutions for improved screening.

Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends routine screening for PPD at the first, second, 4th, and 6th months of well-child visits. However, mothers of premature or critically ill infants in the NICU often miss this screening.

Reflecting on Dunbar's numbers: Individual differences in energy allocation to personal relationships.

Past studies have investigated the variability in how people engage with their personal networks, yet less is known about how people perceive their energy allocation to different ties. Drawing on an online survey sample (N =  906), we tested whether subjective perceptions of energy allocation conform to so-called Dunbar's Number(s). In addition, we evaluated the predictive roles of Big Five personality traits and self-esteem while controlling for differences in network structure.

Stress and stiffness as predictors of shear wave velocity in peripheral nerve.

Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a promising non-invasive indicator for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy. Emerging validation studies using ultrasound-based measures of shear wave velocity (SWV) in other biological tissues, such as muscle, demonstrate there is a concern of whether SWE is an accurate measure of tensile stress or stiffness. Distinguishing between these two parameters and their relationship with SWV is crucial if SWE is to be used as a biomarker for peripheral neuropathies, where changes in mechanical properties are known to occur.

Passenger and freight travel patterns: A cluster analysis based on urban networks.

While research on population travel patterns and urban networks has been active, it has primarily focused on passenger travel, leaving freight travel relatively underexplored. This study addresses this gap by analyzing both passenger and freight travel patterns, network structures, and central areas. It uses origin-destination (OD) data, considering total travel volume by purpose and mode.

TeamPortal: Exploring Virtual Reality Collaboration Through Shared and Manipulating Parallel Views.

Virtual Reality (VR) offers a unique collaborative experience, with parallel views playing a pivotal role in Collaborative Virtual Environments by supporting the transfer and delivery of items. Sharing and manipulating partners' views provides users with a broader perspective that helps them identify the targets and partner actions. We proposed TeamPortal accordingly and conducted two user studies with 72 participants (36 pairs) to investigate the potential benefits of interactive, shared perspectives in VR collaboration.

Identification of conserved gene expression changes across common glomerular diseases by spatial transcriptomics.

Background: Glomerular diseases encompass a group of kidney diseases that may share common gene expression pathways. Here, we analyzed glomerular-specific gene expression profiles across various glomerular diseases.

Methods: We performed spatial transcriptomic profiling using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded kidney biopsy specimens of controls and patients with five types of glomerular diseases using the GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler.

Green transition management: The key role of community participation in developing resilient waste management policies for coastal and inland communities.

This study aimed to develop a framework for adaptive municipal solid waste management (MSWM) using an importance-performance (I-P) analysis approach to analyze the factors influencing willingness to participate in waste management solutions. The study highlights the significance of community participation in promoting adaptive MSWM solutions for climate change resilience and green transition The study suggests prioritizing successful programs such as waste-free tourism promotion and waste infrastructure development for hotspots and emphasizing the carbon credit program. We also provide insights for policymakers and researchers interested in promoting community participation in adaptive MSWM solutions between inland and coastal communities.

Examining the Association between Heat Exposure and Crime in Cities across the United States: A Scoping Review.

Growing evidence suggests exposure to high temperatures may result in increased urban crime, a known driver of health and health inequity. Theoretical explanations have been developed to describe the heat-crime relationship without consensus yet achieved among experts. This scoping review aims to summarize evidence of heat-crime associations in U.