Real-Time Imaging Assessment of Stress-Induced Vascular Inflammation Using Heartbeat-Synchronized Motion Compensation.

Background: Chronic mental stress accelerates atherosclerosis through complicated neuroimmune pathways, needing for advanced imaging techniques to delineate underlying cellular mechanisms. While histopathology, ex vivo imaging, and snapshots of in vivo images offer promising evidence, they lack the ability to capture real-time visualization of blood cell dynamics within pulsatile arteries in longitudinal studies.

Methods: An electrically tunable lens was implemented in intravital optical microscopy, synchronizing the focal plane with heartbeats to follow artery movements.

Feasibility study of ultra-low-head hydro turbines for energy extraction from shallow waterways.

Ultra-low-head turbines can harness energy from previously deemed unsuitable sites, including natural and man-made locations like shallow estuaries, marine canals, and industrial waterways. Various hydro-turbine concepts were evaluated for their potential to extract power from these areas. These turbines can generate renewable energy for utilization in remotely located areas.

Multimodal Imaging-Assisted Intravascular Theranostic Photoactivation on Atherosclerotic Plaque.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease causing a fatal plaque rupture, and its key aspect is a failure to resolve inflammation. We hypothesize that macrophage-targeted near-infrared fluorescence emitting photoactivation could simultaneously assess macrophage/lipid-rich plaques in vivo and facilitate inflammation resolution.

Methods: We fabricated a Dectin-1-targeted photoactivatable theranostic agent through the chemical conjugation of the near-infrared fluorescence-emitting photosensitizer chlorin e6 and the Dectin-1 ligand laminarin (laminarin-chlorin e6 [LAM-Ce6]).

Entropy generation analysis and thermal synergy efficiency in the T-shaped micro-kenics.

In this work, three different twist angles of a micro helical insert in a T-shaped are studied numerically in order to evaluate the laminar steady flow behavior of Newtonian fluid in chaotic geometry. In the geometries under consideration, thermal mixing behavior is carried out using fluids having two distinct input temperatures. Under the influence of chaotic advection and low rates of Reynolds number, the second law of thermodynamics is controlled in terms of the entropy generation caused by hydrodynamic and thermal processes.

MXene as Promising Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Comprehensive Review.

Broad adoption has already been started of MXene materials in various energy storage technologies, such as super-capacitors and batteries, due to the increasing versatility of the preparation methods, as well as the ongoing discovery of new members. The essential requirements for an excellent anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are high safety, minimal volume expansion during the lithiation/de-lithiation process, high cyclic stability, and high Li storage capability. However, most of the anode materials for LIBs, such as graphite, SnO, Si, Al, and LiTiO, have at least one issue.

Macrophage-mannose-receptor-targeted photoactivatable agent for in vivo imaging and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of theranostic agents on atherosclerotic plaques. However, there is limited information on targeted theranostics for photodynamic treatment of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to develop a macrophage-mannose-receptor-targeted photoactivatable nanoagent that regulates atherosclerosis and to evaluate its efficacy as well as safety in atherosclerotic mice.

Improvement in energy performance from the construction of inlet guide vane and diffuser vane geometries in an axial-flow pump.

Advanced inlet guide vane (IGV) and diffuser vane (DV) geometries were constructed in an effort to increase the energy performance of an axial-flow pump at the best efficiency point (BEP). DV setting angles were also investigated to increase energy performance at the off-design points. By integrating the advantages of an adjustable IGV, combinations of adjustable IGV and DV geometries were constructed and thoroughly analyzed by way of energy loss.

Influence of inflow directions and setting angle of inlet guide vane on hydraulic performance of an axial-flow pump.

Inlet flow direction significantly affects the hydraulic performance of an axial-flow pump. Usually, the research papers ignore this phenomenon, resulting in discrepancies between simulation and experimental results. This study examines the influence of inflow direction in five cases (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 30% pre-swirl intensities) to determine the relationship between the pre-swirl intensity and the hydraulic performance of the axial-flow pump.

A Review on Recent Advancements of Ni-NiO Nanocomposite as an Anode for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery.

Recently, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely employed in automobiles, mining operations, space applications, marine vessels and submarines, and defense or military applications. As an anode, commercial carbon or carbon-based materials have some critical issues such as insufficient charge capacity and power density, low working voltage, deadweight formation, short-circuiting tendency initiated from dendrite formation, device warming up, etc., which have led to a search for carbon alternatives.

Tumor-associated macrophage-targeted photodynamic cancer therapy using a dextran sulfate-based nano-photosensitizer.

The M2-like phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) present in tumors promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, targeting M2-like TAMs is a potential strategy for cancer therapy. Herein, we fabricated a dextran sulfate-based nano-photosensitizer (dextran sulfate-conjugated chlorin e6, DS-Ce6) to specifically target M2-like TAMs for enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT).

TiO as an Anode of High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Comprehensive Review towards Practical Application.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are undeniably the most promising system for storing electric energy for both portable and stationary devices. A wide range of materials for anodes is being investigated to mitigate the issues with conventional graphite anodes. Among them, TiO2 has attracted extensive focus as an anode candidate due to its green technology, low volume fluctuations (<4%), safety, and durability.

Effects of periostin deficiency on kidney aging and lipid metabolism.

Periostin plays a crucial role in fibrosis, which is involved in kidney aging. A few studies have shown that lipid metabolism is involved in kidney aging. We investigated the role of periostin in lipid metabolism during kidney aging.

Hepatocyte growth factor and soluble cMet levels in plasma are prognostic biomarkers of mortality in patients with severe acute kidney injury.

Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/cMet pathway is necessary for repair and regeneration following acute kidney injury (AKI). We evaluated the clinical potential of plasma HGF and soluble cMet as prognostic biomarkers for severe AKI requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Methods: One hundred thirty-six patients with severe AKI who participated in the VENUS (volume management under body composition monitoring in critically ill patients on CRRT) trial between 2017 and 2019 were enrolled in this study.

Extrinsic Surface Magnetic Anisotropy Contribution in Pt/YFeO Interface in Longitudinal Spin Seebeck Effect by Graphene Interlayer.

A recent study found that magnetization curves for YFeO (YIG) slab and thick films (>20 μm thick) differed from bulk system curves by their longitudinal spin Seebeck effect in a Pt/YIG bilayer system. The deviation was due to intrinsic YIG surface magnetic anisotropy, which is difficult to adopt extrinsic surface magnetic anisotropy even when in contact with other materials on the YIG surface. This study experimentally demonstrates evidence for extrinsic YIG surface magnetic anisotropy when in contact with a diamagnetic graphene interlayer by observing the spin Seebeck effect, directly proving intrinsic YIG surface magnetic anisotropy interruption.

In Vitro Photodynamic Effects of the Inclusion Nanocomplexes of Glucan and Chlorin e6 on Atherogenic Foam Cells.

Macrophage-derived foam cells play critical roles in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Activated macrophages and foam cells are important biomarkers for targeted imaging and inflammatory disease therapy. Macrophages also express the dectin-1 receptor, which specifically recognizes β-glucan (Glu).

Urinary cMet as a prognostic marker in immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

The prediction of prognosis in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is challenging. We investigated the correlation between urinary cMet (ucMet) levels and clinical parameters and examined the effects of cMet agonistic antibody (cMet Ab) in an in vitro IgAN model. Patients diagnosed with IgAN (n = 194) were divided into three groups representing undetectable (Group 1), below-median (Group 2) and above-median (Group 3) levels of ucMet/creatinine (ucMet/Cr).

Urinary myo-inositol is associated with the clinical outcome in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD) have similar initial histological findings; however, their prognoses are distinct. Therefore, it is of great importance to discriminate FSGS from MCD in the early phase of disease and predict clinical prognosis. A discovery set of 184 urine samples (61 healthy control, 80 MCD, and 43 FSGS) and a validation set of 61 urine samples (12 healthy control, 26 MCD, and 23 FSGS) were collected at the time of kidney biopsy.

Renoprotective effects of a novel cMet agonistic antibody on kidney fibrosis.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, cMet, activate biological pathways necessary for repair and regeneration following kidney injury. Because HGF is a highly unstable molecule in its biologically active form, we asked whether a monoclonal antibody (Ab) that displays full agonist activity at the receptor could protect the kidney from fibrosis. We attempted to determine whether the cMet agonistic Ab might reduce fibrosis, the final common pathway for chronic kidney diseases (CKD).

Shorter defibrillation interval promotes successful defibrillation and resuscitation outcomes.

Aim: Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines recommend performing defibrillation every 2 min during resuscitation. This study aimed to compare the rate of successful defibrillation using 1- and 2-min defibrillation intervals.

Methods: Twenty-six pigs were randomly assigned to 1- or 2-min interval groups.

Periostin induces kidney fibrosis after acute kidney injury via the p38 MAPK pathway.

Periostin plays a crucial role in fibrosis, and acute kidney injury results in a high risk of progression to chronic kidney disease. Therefore, we hypothesized that periostin was involved in the progression of acute kidney injury to kidney fibrosis. Unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (UIRI) was induced in 7- to 8-wk-old male wild-type and periostin-null mice, and the animals were observed for 6 wk.

Soluble cMet levels in urine are a significant prognostic biomarker for diabetic nephropathy.

Hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor cMet activate biological pathways necessary for repair and regeneration following kidney injury. Here, we evaluated the clinical role of urinary cMet as a prognostic biomarker in diabetic nephropathy (DN). A total of 218 patients with DN were enrolled in this study.

Active maintenance of endothelial cells prevents kidney fibrosis.

Background: Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) expressed by endothelial cells catalyzes the metabolism of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are vasoactive agents.

Methods: We used a unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse model of kidney fibrosis to determine whether inhibition of sEH activity reduces fibrosis, the final common pathway for chronic kidney disease.

Results: sEH activity was inhibited by continuous release of the inhibitor 12-(3-adamantan-1-ylureido)-dodecanoic acid (AUDA) for 1 or 2 weeks.