Silica fiber laser emitting moderate power-stable visible output.

A high slope efficiency of 12%, a stabilized output power of 250 mW at a wavelength of 581.8 nm, and what we believe to be a record peak output power of 450 mW have been achieved from a diode-pumped high concentration Dy:BaF nanoparticle (NP)-doped silicate fiber laser. The performance is primarily attributed to a reduction in the overall background loss within the cavity and a higher Dy concentration in the pre-synthesized NPs.

Spent coffee ground disrupts Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation through inhibition of motility and adhesion via quorum sensing regulation.

Spent coffee grounds (SCGs) have been explored for use as various bioresources, such as biofuels, and are known to possess biological functions, including antioxidant activity. However, the antibiofilm properties of SCGs against pathogenic bacteria have not been fully investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to highlight the inhibitory effects of SCG extract (SCGE) on biofilm formation in Listeria monocytogenes and investigated the underlying mechanisms.

Effect of electronic cigarette atomising power and flavour on aerosol size-segregated metal concentration and inhalation risk.

Introduction: Although numerous studies have estimated the inhalation dose of metals emitted from electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), the impact of factors including aerosol size and the atomising power of e-cig aerosols on estimating the inhalation dose of metals remains underexplored. A comprehensive understanding of these determinants is essential to assess the health risks associated with inhaling e-cig aerosols, which may contain potentially harmful metals.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to elucidate the mass and inhalation doses of potentially harmful metals in e-cig aerosols by different particle size and their association with the various atomising powers of e-cig devices and flavours.

Prognostic Value of Residual Circulating Tumor DNA in Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a potential biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, studies on residual ctDNA in patients post-chemotherapy are limited. We assessed the prognostic value of residual ctDNA in metastatic PDAC relative to that of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9).

A Comprehensive Health Screening Program Reveals the Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

: We investigated the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and associated risk factors in Korean subjects who underwent comprehensive health screening examinations. : This single health screening center-based cross-sectional study included a total of 73,574 consecutive participants older than 30 years who underwent a health screening examination, including fundus photography, between October 2003 and December 2010. Weighted prevalence and risk factors for AMD were evaluated.

Flexible Electrochemical Biosensor Using Nanostructure-Modified Polymer Electrode for Detection of Viral Nucleic Acids.

In the biosensor field, the accurate detection of contagious disease has become one of the most important research topics in the post-pandemic period. However, conventional contagious viral biosensors normally require chemical modifications to introduce the probe molecules to nucleic acids such as a redox indicator, fluorescent dye, or quencher for biosensing. To avoid this complex chemical modification, in this research, mismatched DNA with an intercalated metal ion complex (MIMIC) is employed as the probe sequence.

Probiotic and Postbiotic Potentials of EF-2001: A Safety Assessment.

Background: Probiotics, which are live microorganisms that, when given in sufficient quantities, promote the host's health, have drawn a lot of interest for their ability to enhance gut health. , a member of the human gut microbiota, has shown promise as a probiotic candidate due to its functional attributes. However, safety concerns associated with certain strains warrant comprehensive evaluation before therapeutic application.

A Comprehensive Proteogenomic and Spatial Analysis of Innate and Acquired Resistance of Metastatic Melanoma to Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapies.

Unlabelled: While a subset of patients with metastatic melanoma achieves durable responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies, the majority ultimately exhibit either innate or acquired resistance to these treatments. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to ICB therapies remain elusive and are warranted to elucidate. Here, we comprehensively investigated the tumor and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of paired pre- and post-treatment tumor specimens from metastatic melanoma patients who were primary or secondary resistance to anti-CTLA-4 and/or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies.

Integrative Medicine Focusing on Ultrasound-Guided High-Dose Shinbaro 2 Pharmacopuncture for Acute Herniated Intervertebral Discs: A Case Report.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasound-guided high-dose Shinbaro 2 pharmacopuncture on the pain, dysfunction, and quality of life in patients with low back pain and radiating pain due to an acute herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD). A 39-year-old male patient with low back pain and radiating pain caused by an acute HIVD was treated with Korean and Western integrative medicine, with a focus on ultrasound-guided high-dose Shinbaro 2 pharmacopuncture at Kambin's triangle. The treatment lasted 16 weeks, including a 12-day hospitalization.

Naphthalene Diimide-Modified SnO Enabling Low-Temperature Processing for Efficient ITO-Free Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells.

A low-cost and indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-free electrode-based flexible perovskite solar cell (PSC) that can be fabricated by roll-to-roll processing shall be developed for successful commercialization. High processing temperatures present a challenge for the PSC fabrication on flexible substrates. The most efficient planar n-i-p PSC structures, which utilize a metal oxide as an electron transport layer (ETL), necessitate high annealing temperatures.

Micro-current stimulation could inhibit IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses in chondrocytes and protect knee bone cartilage from osteoarthritis.

This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of micro-current stimulation (MCS) on inflammatory responses in chondrocytes and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in osteoarthritis (OA). To determine the efficacy of MCS, IL-1β-treated chondrocytes and monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model were used. To evaluate the cytotoxicity and nitric oxide (NO) production in SW1353 cells, the presence or absence of IL-1β treatment or various levels of MCS were applied.

Routine Stress Testing After PCI in Patients With and Without Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Secondary Analysis of the POST-PCI Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The appropriate follow-up surveillance strategy for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unknown.

Objective: To assess clinical outcomes in patients with and without ACS who have undergone high-risk PCI according to a follow-up strategy of routine stress testing at 12 months after PCI vs standard care alone.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The POST-PCI (Pragmatic Trial Comparing Symptom-Oriented vs Routine Stress Testing in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) trial was a randomized clinical trial that compared follow-up strategies of routine functional testing vs standard care alone 12 months after high-risk PCI.

Understanding of Defect Passivation Effect on Wide Band Gap p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cell.

The wide band gap perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted considerable attention for their great potential as top cells in high efficiency tandem cell application. However, the photovoltaic performance and stability of PSCs are constrained by nonradiative recombination, primarily stemming from defects within the bulk and at the interface of charge transport layer/perovskite and phase segregation. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of 2-thiopheneethylammonium chloride (TEACl) on a wide band gap (∼1.

Anti-rheumatic property and physiological safety of KMU-11342 in in vitro and in vivo models.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by joint destruction due to synovial hypertrophy and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Despite substantial progress in RA treatment, challenges persist, including suboptimal treatment responses and adverse effects associated with current therapies. This study investigates the anti-rheumatic capabilities of the newly identified multi-protein kinase inhibitor, KMU-11342, aiming to develop innovative agents targeting RA.

Complete genome sequence of strain beLP1 a potential probiotic strain with antimicrobial properties isolated from kimchi.

The complete genome of the potential probiotic strain beLP1, isolated from kimchi in South Korea, was sequenced using Illumina and PacBio technologies. The genome comprises one circular chromosome and one plasmid without antimicrobial resistance genes.

Numerical modeling of Dy-doped aluminosilicate fiber lasers for yellow light emission.

Numerical simulations of -doped aluminosilicate fiber lasers for yellow light emission are presented. The → laser transition emitting at approximately 580 nm has been developed experimentally with 445 nm diode pumping and shows promise for higher output power in both silicate and in particular fluoride glass hosts. In this report, we focus on accumulating the published spectroscopic data in order to quantify cross relaxation (CR) in each of these hosts and use it to estimate its role in the laser dynamics.

Fermentative aminopyrrolnitrin production by metabolically engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Aminopyrrolnitrin (APRN), a natural halogenated phenylpyrrole derivative (HPD), has strong antifungal and antiparasitic activities. Additionally, it showed 2.8-fold increased photostability compared to pyrrolnitrin, a commercially available HPD with antimicrobial activity.

Effectiveness and safety of hominis placental pharmacopuncture for chronic temporomandibular disorder: A multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Background: Hominis placental (HPP) extract has been approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea for treating chronic liver diseases and postmenopausal syndrome. However, its efficacy and safety for treating chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) remains unclear. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of HPP for treating chronic TMD compared with physical therapy (PT).

Integrated high-throughput drug screening microfluidic system for comprehensive ocular toxicity assessment.

Traditional experimental methodologies suffer from a few limitations in the toxicological evaluation of the preservatives added to eye drops. In this study, we overcame these limitations by using a microfluidic device. We developed a microfluidic system featuring a gradient concentration generator for preservative dosage control with microvalves and micropumps, automatically regulated by a programmable Arduino board.