The Double-Edged Influence of Self-Expansion in the Metaverse: A Two-Wave Panel Assessment of Identity Perception, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction.

This study researches the impact of self-expansion experiences in the Metaverse on users' identity perception, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. To do so, the researchers conducted a two-wave panel study with a 3-month interval ( = 486) in VRChat, one of the most popular social virtual reality (VR) platforms. As predicted, the increase in self-expansion experience in VR environments positively predicted users' self-esteem and life satisfaction.

Protective effect of empagliflozin against palmitate-induced lipotoxicity through AMPK in H9c2 cells.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have recently emerged as novel cardioprotective agents. However, their direct impact on cardiomyocyte injury is yet to be studied. In this work, we investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of empagliflozin (EMPA), an SGLT2 inhibitor, in mitigating palmitate (PA)-induced cardiomyocyte injury in H9c2 cells.

In Vivo Two-Photon Imaging Analysis of Dynamic Degradation of Hepatic Lipid Droplets in MS-275-Treated Mouse Liver.

The accumulation of hepatic lipid droplets (LDs) is a hallmark of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Appropriate degradation of hepatic LDs and oxidation of complete free fatty acids (FFAs) are important for preventing the development of NAFLD. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is involved in the impaired lipid metabolism seen in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.

The use of exoscope combined with tubular retractor system for minimally invasive transsulcal resection of an ventricular atrium atypical choroid plexus papilloma: Three-dimensional operative video.

Background: Choroid plexus papilloma represents 1-4% of pediatric brain tumors, mostly located in the ventricular atrium.[1] Intraventricular tumors represent a challenge due to the poor visualization of the surgical field and damage to surrounding structures.[2] Use of tubular retraction reduces cerebrovascular trauma to the surrounding parenchyma by distributing pressure uniformly, allowing less invasive corticotomy, and more stability on surgical corridors that allow the surgeon to use both hands and external visualization devices.

Molecular Dopant-Dependent Charge Transport in Surface-Charge-Transfer-Doped Tungsten Diselenide Field Effect Transistors.

The controllability of carrier density and major carrier type of transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDCs) is critical for electronic and optoelectronic device applications. To utilize doping in TMDC devices, it is important to understand the role of dopants in charge transport properties of TMDCs. Here, the effects of molecular doping on the charge transport properties of tungsten diselenide (WSe ) are investigated using three p-type molecular dopants, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F -TCNQ), tris(4-bromophenyl)ammoniumyl hexachloroantimonate (magic blue), and molybdenum tris(1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)ethane-1,2-dithiolene) (Mo(tfd-COCF ) ).

A Class I Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Attenuates Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Palmitate-Treated C2C12 Myotubes and Muscle of HF/HFr Diet Mice.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which regulate gene expression by inhibiting the deacetylation of histones and nonhistone proteins, have been shown to exert a wide array of biological effects; these include anti-cancer, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetes effects, as well as cardiovascular-protective activity. However, the effects of class I HDAC inhibition on lipotoxicity in C2C12 myotubes and skeletal muscle tissue remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect of class I HDAC inhibition under lipotoxic conditions, i.

Early Detection of Coronary Artery Disease by Micro-RNA Analysis in Asymptomatic Patients Stratified by Coronary CT Angiography.

Early detection of asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) is essential but underdeveloped. The aim of this study was to assess micro-RNA (miRNA) expression profiles in patients with or without CAD as selected by coronary CT angiography (CTA) and stratified by risk of CAD as determined by Framingham Risk Score (FRS). In this pilot study, patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of CAD.

Experimental and Computational Investigation of Intra- and Interlayer Space for Enhanced Depth Filtration and Reduced Pressure Drop.

The buildup of pressure drop with mass loading of particles aggravates the breathing resistance and energy consumption of filters. This study investigated the role of intra- and interlayer space of filter media on the pressure drop development with continued particle loading. Five basic morphologies, including microfibers, nanofibers, microbeads-on-strings, and a mix of those morphologies were fabricated via electrospinning.

The anterior incisural width as a preoperative indicator for intradural space evaluation: An anatomical investigation.

Background: The opticocarotid triangle (OCT) and the carotico-oculomotor triangle (COT) are two anatomical triangles used in accessing the interpeduncular region. Our objective is to evaluate if the anterior incisural width (AIW) is an indicator to predict the intraoperative exposure through both triangles.

Methods: Twenty sides of 10 cadaveric heads were dissected and analyzed.

Combined petrosal approach for resection of petroclival chondrosarcoma: Microsurgical 2-D video.

Background: Petroclival lesions pose a significant neurosurgical challenge due to involvement or close proximity to important neurovascular structures. Chondrosarcomas are rare lesions that can affect these areas.

Case Description: A 24-year-old male with 3 months history of poor coordination, imbalance, left-sided face hypoesthesia, facial palsy House-Brackmann Grade 2, and 6 cranial nerve palsy with diplopia.

High flow bypass for right giant cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm with fibromuscular dysplasia of cervical internal carotid artery: microsurgical 2-D video.

Background: It is well known that intracranial aneurysms can be associated to fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). Nevertheless, it is not clear the best treatment strategy when there is an association of giant symptomatic cavernous carotid aneurysm with extensive cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) FMD.

Case Description: We present the case of 63 year-old right-handed female with hypothyroidism, 1 month history of right-sided pulsatile headache and visual disturbances with feeling of fullness sensation and blurry vision.

Electrical Characteristics of Molecular Junctions Fabricated by Inverted Self-Assembled Monolayer Method.

In this study, we demonstrated the molecular ensemble junctions fabricated by the inverted selfassembled monolayer (iSAM) method in which the molecular layer was deposited on the top electrode surface. The alkyl thiolate molecules were used to benchmark this method and we found that the electrical characteristics of these molecular junctions were comparable to the results reported previously by performing statistical analysis. We expect this iSAM method to enable the molecular junctions with bottom electrode of various materials.

The Role of Transcranial Doppler in Cerebral Vasospasm: A Literature Review.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) is a noninvasive technique used to detect vasospasms following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. While the gold standard to evaluate vasospasms is angiography, this technique is invasive and poses additional risks as compared to TCD. TCD is performed by insonating circle of Willis arteries to measure cerebral flow velocity.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Comparison of Dose Protocols.

Unlabelled: Purpose: A variety of treatment plans including an array of prescription doses have been used in radiosurgery treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). However, despite a considerable experience in the radiosurgical treatment of TN, an ideal prescription dose that balances facial dysesthesia risk with pain relief durability has not been determined.

Methods And Materials: This retrospective study of patients treated with radiosurgery for typical TN evaluates two treatment doses in relation to outcomes of pain freedom, bothersome facial numbness, and patient satisfaction with treatment.

Repression of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Aggravates Acute Ischemic Brain Injuries in Adult Mice.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of mortality and chronic morbidity in the world, yet with only limited successful interventions available at present. Our previous studies revealed the potential role of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the pathogenesis of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). In the present study, we investigate the effect of GR knockdown on acute ischemic brain injuries in a model of focal cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult male CD1 mice.

Fabrication Process of Bilayer RGO/PEDOT:PSS Film for Flexible Transparent Conductive Electrode.

We developed a facile method to achieve a homogeneous coating of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) on a graphene oxide (GO) layer with outstanding sheet resistance. We fabricated a transparent bilayer GO/PEDOT:PSS film as a flexible transparent conductive electrode (TCF). GO layer was coated on flexible PET and PI substrate by dip coating.

A New Non-Destructive TDR System Combined with a Piezoelectric Stack for Measuring Properties of Geomaterials.

Dry density and water content are two important factors affecting the degree of soil compaction. Conventional methods such as the sand cone test and the plate load test are used to measure such properties for evaluating the degree of compaction and the stiffness of soil in the field. However, these tests are generally very time-consuming and are inherent with some errors depending on the operator (in particular for the sand cone test).

Antenatal hypoxia induces epigenetic repression of glucocorticoid receptor and promotes ischemic-sensitive phenotype in the developing heart.

Large studies in humans and animals have demonstrated a clear association of an adverse intrauterine environment with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Yet mechanisms remain largely elusive. The present study tested the hypothesis that gestational hypoxia leads to promoter hypermethylation and epigenetic repression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene in the developing heart, resulting in increased heart susceptibility to ischemia and reperfusion injury in offspring.

Chronic Losartan Treatment Up-Regulates AT1R and Increases the Heart Vulnerability to Acute Onset of Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Male Rats.

Inhibition of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is an important therapy in the management of hypertension, particularly in the immediate post-myocardial infarction period. Yet, the role of AT1R in the acute onset of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury still remains controversial. Thus, the present study determined the effects of chronic losartan treatment on heart ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats.

Differential expression of microRNAs in ischemic heart disease.

Recent studies provide evidence that ischemic preconditioning (IP) and ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury lead to altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) that affect the survival and recovery of cardiomyocytes. These endogenous ∼22-nucleotide noncoding RNAs negatively regulate gene expression via degradation and translational inhibition of their target mRNAs. miRNAs are involved in differentiation, proliferation, electrical conduction, angiogenesis and apoptosis.

Increased ceramide in brains with Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Ceramide has been suggested to participate in the neuronal cell death that leads to Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its role is not yet well-understood. We compared the levels of six ceramide subspecies, which differ in the length of their fatty acid moieties, in brains from patients who suffered from AD, other neuropathological disorders, or both. We found elevated levels of Cer16, Cer18, Cer20, and Cer24 in brains from patients with any of the tested neural defects.

Batch and continuous culture kinetics for production of carotenoids by beta-ionone-resistant mutant of Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous.

A beta-ionone-resistant mutant strain isolated from the red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous KCTC 7704 was used for batch and continuous fermentation kinetic studies with glucose media in a 2.5-1 jar fermentor at 22 degrees C and pH 4.5.