Blood lipid profiles as a prognostic biomarker in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the association between the blood lipid profiles and the prognosis of IPF is not well defined. We aimed to identify the impacts of lipid profiles on prognosis in patients with IPF.

Nationwide assessment of illicit drug consumption patterns in South Korea using wastewater-based epidemiology during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022).

Illicit drugs have become a crucial global social issue, with South Korea experiencing a continuous increase in the number of offenders and drug smuggling. This study employed wastewater-based epidemiology to investigate consumption patterns of 8 illicit drugs and their 7 metabolites during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) in South Korea. Ten compouds were detected in the wastewater influent.

Coadministration of Voriconazole and Rifabutin Can Increase the Risk of Adverse Drug Reactions in Patients with Multiple Infections.

Background: Coinfection of tuberculosis or nontuberculous mycobacteria and Aspergillus presents a challenge in medication selection because of the pharmacokinetic interactions between rifampin and voriconazole. Some researchers have suggested the use of rifabutin as an alternative to rifampin because of its lower hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme induction potency despite its contraindication to drug labels. This study presents clinical cases of voriconazole and rifabutin coadministration and their potential risks.

Delay characteristics of quasi-nonvolatile memory devices operating in positive feedback mechanism.

This study examines the memory and read delay characteristics of quasi-nonvolatile memory (QNVM) devices operating in a positive feedback mechanism through technology computer-aided design simulation. The QNVM devices exhibit a rapid operation speed of 5 ns, a significant sensing margin of approximately 8.0A, and a retention time of around 1 s without any external bias.

Deep learning-based measurement of split glomerular filtration rate with Tc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid renal scan.

Purpose: To develop a deep learning (DL) model for generating automated regions of interest (ROIs) on Tc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) renal scans for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement.

Methods: Manually-drawn ROIs retrieved from a Picture Archiving and Communications System were used as ground-truth (GT) labels. A two-dimensional U-Net convolutional neural network architecture with multichannel input was trained to generate DL ROIs.

Fcg-Former: Identification of Functional Groups in FTIR Spectra Using Enhanced Transformer-Based Model.

Deep learning (DL) is becoming more popular as a useful tool in various scientific domains, especially in chemistry applications. In the infrared spectroscopy field, where identifying functional groups in unknown compounds poses a significant challenge, there is a growing need for innovative approaches to streamline and enhance analysis processes. This study introduces a transformative approach leveraging a DL methodology based on transformer attention models.

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.

Primary Reconstruction Using Fibular Strut Allograft for Distal Humerus Intra-articular Comminuted Open Fracture (AO/OTA13C2, G-A type IIIA): A Case Report.

Distal humerus intra-articular comminuted open fracture is a challenging injury, with nonunion, infection and stiffness considered as major concerns. We report a 58-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency department from a car accident, sustaining an open wound with severe comminution of distal humerus and complete articular fracture, classified as AO/OTA 13C2 and Gustillo Anderson type IIIA. Debridement and external fixation was done first, followed by open reduction and internal fixation with fibular strut allograft.

Reproductive toxicity and molecular responses induced by telmisartan in Daphnia magna at environmentally relevant concentrations.

With aging population increasing globally, the use of pharmaceutically active compounds is rising. The cardiovascular drug telmisartan has been widely detected in various environmental compartments, including biota, surface waters, and sewage treatment plant effluents at concentrations ranging from ng/L to μg/L levels. This study evaluated the effects of telmisartan on the microcrustacean Daphnia magna at a wide range of concentrations (0.

Toxicity and efficacy of type I interferons on the ocular surface: in vitro, animal, and clinical studies.

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity of type I interferons (IFNs) on the ocular surface and assess their efficacy in ocular surface tumors.

Methods: We examined the effects of IFN-α2a, IFN-α2b and IFN-β on corneal epithelial cells and stromal fibroblasts in vitro as well as the impact of IFN-α2a on the ocular surface in mice. Additionally, we analyzed the therapeutic and adverse effects of topically administered IFN-α2a and IFN-α2b in patients with ocular surface tumors.

Air pollution and acute kidney injury with comorbid disease: A nationwide case-crossover study in South Korea.

Emerging evidence suggests that air pollution is a significant contributor to the global burden of kidney disease. Although acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common secondary event in ill patients, evidence regarding the association between air pollution and AKI accompanied by specific comorbidities is limited. This study aimed to estimate the association between short-term exposure to air pollution (fine particulate matter ≤2.

Real-Time Observation for MoS Growth Kinetics and Mechanism Promoted by the Na Droplet.

While the molten salt-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique is recognized for its effectiveness in producing large-area transition metal chalcogenides, understanding their growth mechanisms involving alkali metals remains a challenge. Here, we investigate the kinetics and mechanism of sodium-catalyzed molybdenum disulfide (MoS) growth and etching through image analysis conducted using an integrated CVD microscope. Sodium droplets, agglomerated via the thermal decomposition of the sodium cholate dispersant, catalyze the precipitation of supersaturated MoS laminates and induce growth despite fragmentation during this process.

Inhibition of Monoamine Oxidases by Pyridazinobenzylpiperidine Derivatives.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have been crucial in the search for anti-neurodegenerative medications and continued to be a vital source of molecular and mechanistic diversity. Therefore, the search for selective MAOIs is one of the main areas of current drug development. To increase the effectiveness and safety of treating Parkinson's disease, new scaffolds for reversible MAO-B inhibitors are being developed.

N-terminal acetylation of Set1-COMPASS fine-tunes H3K4 methylation patterns.

H3K4 methylation by Set1-COMPASS (complex of proteins associated with Set1) is a conserved histone modification. Although it is critical for gene regulation, the posttranslational modifications of this complex that affect its function are largely unexplored. This study showed that N-terminal acetylation of Set1-COMPASS proteins by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs) can modulate H3K4 methylation patterns.

Epsti1 Regulates the Inflammatory Stage of Early Muscle Regeneration through STAT1-VCP Interaction.

During muscle regeneration, interferon-gamma (IFN-) coordinates inflammatory responses critical for activation of quiescent muscle stem cells upon injury via the Janus kinase (JAK) - signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) pathway. Dysregulation of JAK-STAT1 signaling results in impaired muscle regeneration, leading to muscle dysfunction or muscle atrophy. Until now, the underlying molecular mechanism of how JAK-STAT1 signaling resolves during muscle regeneration remains largely elusive.

Comparison of Small-Sized (70-150 μm) and Intermediate-Sized (100-300 μm) Drug-Eluting Embolics for Transarterial Chemoembolization of Small Hepatocellular Carcinomas (≤3 cm).

Purpose: To compare oncologic outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using 70-150-μm and 100-300-μm drug-eluting embolics (DEEs) to treat small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 93 patients with small HCC (≤3 cm) who underwent their first TACE with DEEs: (a) 43 with 70-150-μm DEEs and (b) 50 with 100-300-μm DEEs. Initial tumor response was assessed using per-patient and per-lesion analyses.

Steam-Assisted Selective CO Hydrogenation to Ethanol over Ru-In Catalysts.

Multicomponent catalysts can be designed to synergistically combine reaction intermediates at interfacial active sites, but restructuring makes systematic control and understanding of such dynamics challenging. We here unveil how reducibility and mobility of indium oxide species in Ru-based catalysts crucially control the direct, selective conversion of CO to ethanol. When uncontrolled, reduced indium oxide species occupy the Ru surface, leading to deactivation.

Solar-Driven Sustainability: III-V Semiconductor for Green Energy Production Technologies.

Long-term societal prosperity depends on addressing the world's energy and environmental problems, and photocatalysis has emerged as a viable remedy. Improving the efficiency of photocatalytic processes is fundamentally achieved by optimizing the effective utilization of solar energy and enhancing the efficient separation of photogenerated charges. It has been demonstrated that the fabrication of III-V semiconductor-based photocatalysts is effective in increasing solar light absorption, long-term stability, large-scale production and promoting charge transfer.

pH-Responsive Degradable Electro-Spun Nanofibers Crosslinked via Boronic Ester Chemistry for Smart Wound Dressings.

Recent advances in the treatment of chronic wounds have focused on the development of effective strategies for cutting-edge wound dressings based on nanostructured materials, particularly biocompatible poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based electro-spun (e-spun) nanofibers. However, PVA nanofibers need to be chemically crosslinked to ensure their dimensional stability in aqueous environment and their capability to encapsulate bioactive molecules. Herein, a robust approach for the fabrication of pH-degradable e-spun PVA nanofibers crosslinked with dynamic boronic ester (BE) linkages through a coupling reaction of PVA hydroxyl groups with the boronic acid groups of a phenyl diboronic acid crosslinker is reported.

Staging Extramitral Cardiac Damage in Mitral Annular Calcification With Mitral Valve Dysfunction.

Background: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a progressive degenerative process associated with comorbidities and increased mortality. A staging system that considers extramitral cardiac damage in MAC may help improve patient selection for mitral valve interventions.

Objectives: This study sought to develop a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)-based cardiac staging system in patients with MAC and significant mitral valve dysfunction and assess its prognostic utility.