Towards Meaningful Interpretation of Molecular Data: Insights Gained from HMMD Challenges in Detection for Future NGS Integration in Clinical Microbiology.

With advancements in molecular diagnostics, including Highly Multiplexed Microbiological/Medical Countermeasure Diagnostic Devices (HMMDs) and the impending integration of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) into clinical microbiology, interpreting the flood of nucleic acid data in a clinically meaningful way has become a crucial challenge. This study focuses on the Luminex xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GPP) for detection, evaluating the impact of MFI threshold adjustments on diagnostic accuracy and exploring the need for an "indeterminate" result category to enhance clinical utility in molecular diagnostics. A retrospective review of -positive cases detected via the Luminex xTAG GPP was conducted from June 2016 to November 2023.

Predicting All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Sleep-Related Features: A Machine-Learning Approach.

Background And Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including mortality. Machine-learning algorithms have shown potential in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with OSA. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a machine-learning algorithm for predicting 10- and 15-year all-cause mortality in patients with OSA.

Gold Tetrahedral Nanoframes with Mono-Rim or Dual-Rim Morphologies for Enhanced Near-Field Focusing in SERS.

This study presents a synthesis method for Au tetrahedral nanoframes (Td NFs) through a rationally designed multiple-step process, followed by an investigation of their distinctively ordered self-assembly for enhanced performance in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Two distinct Au Td NF building blocks are synthesized, exhibiting mono-rim or dual-rim morphologies. The mono-rim structure lacks intra-nanogaps, whereas the dual-rim configuration features well-defined intra-nanogaps.

Particulate matter-induced epigenetic modifications and lung complications.

Air pollution is one of the leading causes of early deaths worldwide, with particulate matter (PM) as an emerging factor contributing to this trend. PM is classified based on its physical size, which ranges from PM (diameter ≤10 μm) to PM (≤2.5 μm) and PM (≤0.

Testing the relationship between preferences for infant-directed speech and vocabulary development: A multi-lab study.

From early on, infants show a preference for infant-directed speech (IDS) over adult-directed speech (ADS), and exposure to IDS has been correlated with language outcome measures such as vocabulary. The present multi-laboratory study explores this issue by investigating whether there is a link between early preference for IDS and later vocabulary size. Infants' preference for IDS was tested as part of the ManyBabies 1 project, and follow-up CDI data were collected from a subsample of this dataset at 18 and 24 months.

Standardization of an antimicrobial resistance surveillance network through data management.

Introduction: The rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide within 2 months demonstrated the vulnerability of the world's population to infectious diseases. In 2015, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) was launched to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the decade-long global battle against AMR based on GLASS data.

Mortality trends in people with disabilities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, 2017-2022.

Objective: To investigate temporal trends in mortality rates and underlying causes of death in persons with disabilities before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: Annual mortality rates and causes of death were analyzed using data covering the 2017-2022 period.

Results: The mortality rate among people with disabilities increased from 2017 to 2022; the rate was five times higher during COVID-19 in this population than in the general population.

Efficient circular RNA synthesis through Gap-DNA splint-mediated ligation.

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened interest in circular RNA (C-RNA) for RNA therapeutics, offering advantages over linear mRNAs. Circular mRNA facilitates uncapped molecule development, and C-RNAs ensure stability in RNA interference therapeutics. The synthesis method, RNA ligation, is employed in C-RNA-based therapeutics.

Toward an explanation of cultural differences in subjective well-being: the role of positive emotion norms and positive illusions.

The present research explores the role of positive emotion norms and positive illusions in explaining the higher subjective well-being observed among Europeans compared to East Asians in Canada. Specifically, we investigate the underlying psychological mechanisms contributing to the prevalence of positive self-views among individuals with European backgrounds, characterized by individualism, versus those with East Asian backgrounds, associated with collectivism. Our study compares Europeans and East Asians in Canada to determine whether cultural norms regarding positive emotions account for the elevated positive self-views and subjective well-being in Europeans.

Self-Management Using eHealth Technologies for Liver Transplant Recipients: Scoping Review.

Background: Liver transplantation has become increasingly common as a last-resort treatment for end-stage liver diseases and liver cancer, with continually improving success rates and long-term survival rates. Nevertheless, liver transplant recipients face lifelong challenges in self-management, including immunosuppressant therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and navigating complex health care systems. eHealth technologies hold the potential to aid and optimize self-management outcomes, but their adoption has been slow in this population due to the complexity of post-liver transplant management.

Zingiber officinale promotes autophagy and apoptosis in human oral cancer through the C/EBP homologous protein.

The rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale), commonly known as ginger, has been characterized as a potential drug candidate due to its antitumor effects. However, the chemotherapeutic effect of ginger on human oral cancer remains poorly understood.

Cell-adhesive double network self-healing hydrogel capable of cell and drug encapsulation: New platform to construct biomimetic environment with bottom-up approach.

This study presents the development and characterization of a novel double-network self-healing hydrogel based on N-carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC) and oxidized dextran (OD) with the incorporation of crosslinked collagen (CEC-OD/COL-GP) to enhance its biological and physicochemical properties. The hydrogel formed via dynamic imine bond formation exhibited efficient self-healing within 30 min, and a compressive modulus recovery of 92 % within 2 h. In addition to its self-healing ability, CEC-OD/COL-GP possesses unique physicochemical characteristics including transparency, injectability, and adhesiveness to various substrates and tissues.

Preserved structure and function of human serum albumin self-folded in the oxidative cytoplasm of Escherichia coli.

Human serum albumin (HSA), a polypeptide featuring 17 disulfide bonds, acts as a crucial transport protein in human blood plasma. Its extended circulation half-life, mediated by FcRn (neonatal Fc receptor)-facilitated recycling, positions HSA as an excellent carrier for long-acting drug delivery. However, the conventional method of obtaining HSA from human blood faces limitations due to availability and potential contamination risks, such as blood-borne diseases.

Spatiotemporal variation in methylmercury and related water quality variables in a temperate river under highly dynamic hydrologic conditions.

The understanding of the essential environmental factors affecting the spatiotemporal variation in methylmercury (MeHg) in river water is limited to date, despite its importance for predicting the effect of ongoing climate change on MeHg accumulation in freshwater ecosystems. This study aimed to explore the variation in MeHg concentration and related environmental factors in the downstream zone of the Yeongsan River under highly dynamic hydrologic conditions by using water quality and hydrologic data collected from 1997 to 2022, and Hg and MeHg data collected from 2017 to 2022. The mean concentration of unfiltered MeHg was 35.

Effect of dynamic binaural beats on sleep quality: a proof-of-concept study with questionnaire and biosignals.

Binaural beat (BB) has been investigated as a potential modality to enhance sleep quality. In this study, we introduce a new form of BB, referred to as dynamic BB (DBB), which incorporates dynamically changing carrier frequency differences between the left and right ears. Specifically, the carrier frequency of the right ear varied between 100 and 103 Hz over a period, while the left ear remained fixed at 100 Hz, yielding a frequency difference range of 0 to 3 Hz.

Attitude Toward Virtual Rehabilitation and Active Video Games Among Therapists in Korea: A Nationwide Survey.

In this study, we conducted a survey targeting 191 physical therapists (PTs) and 159 occupational therapists (OTs) in South Korea to explore attitudes toward virtual rehabilitation. Utilizing the Korean version of the ADOPT VR by Glegg et al., OT exhibited significantly more experience with virtual reality (VR) and active video games (AVG) than PT.

Blood sphingolipid as a novel biomarker in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Background: Sphingolipids are signaling molecules and structural components of the axolemma and myelin sheath. Plasma sphingolipid levels may reflect disease status of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). We aimed to examine plasma sphingolipids as disease severity biomarkers for NMOSD and compare their characteristics with those of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP).

Metabolic activity of visceral adipose tissue is associated with age-related macular degeneration: a pilot F-FDG PET/CT study.

Background: Obesity is known to increase the risk and severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Increased inflamed metabolic activity of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is considered as a crucial underlying mechanism for the harmful effects of obesity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the inflamed metabolic activity of VAT with F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and their association with AMD.

Switchable tribology of ferroelectrics.

Switchable tribological properties of ferroelectrics offer an alternative route to visualize and control ferroelectric domains. Here, we observe the switchable friction and wear behavior of ferroelectrics using a nanoscale scanning probe-down domains have lower friction coefficients and show slower wear rates than up domains and can be used as smart masks. This asymmetry is enabled by flexoelectrically coupled polarization in the up and down domains under a sufficiently high contact force.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester: Unveiling its potential as a potent apoptosis inducer for combating hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is a relatively rare form of head and neck cancer that is notorious for its poor prognosis and low overall survival rate. This highlights the need for new therapeutic options for this malignancy. The objective of the present study was to examine the ability of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which is an active compound found in propolis, to combat HSCC tumor growth.

Streamlined construction of robust heteroprotein complexes by self-induced in-cell disulfide pairing.

Biomolecules and their functional subdomains are essential building blocks in the creation of multifunctional nanocomplexes. Methyl-binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) and p66α stand out as small α-helical motifs with an ability to self-assemble into a heterodimeric coiled-coil, making them promising building units. Yet, their practical use is hindered by rapid dissociation upon dilution.