Serum Biomarkers of Pulmonary Damage and Risk for Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.

Objective: To investigate baseline and change of pulmonary damage biomarkers (serum Krebs von den Lungen 6 [KL-6], human surfactant protein D [hSP-D], and matrix metalloproteinase 7 [MMP-7]) with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) progression.

Methods: In the Korean Rheumatoid Arthritis Interstitial Lung Disease (KORAIL) cohort, a prospective cohort, we enrolled patients with RA and ILD confirmed by chest computed tomography imaging and followed annually. ILD progression was defined as worsening in physiological and radiological domains of the 2022 American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Latin American Thoracic Society guideline for progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF).

Comparative Analysis of Symmetry Parameters in the E2 Inner Core of the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex.

Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have facilitated the high-resolution structural determination of macromolecular complexes in their native states, providing valuable insights into their dynamic behaviors. However, insufficient understanding or experience with the cryo-EM image processing parameters can result in the loss of biological meaning. In this paper, we investigate the dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2) inner core complex of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and reconstruct the 3D maps using five different symmetry parameters.

Growth of Highly-Ordered-Crystalline Indium-Gallium-Oxide Thin-Film via Plasma-Enhanced ALD for High Performance Top-Gate Field-Effect Transistors.

This study introduces a novel method for achieving highly ordered-crystalline InGaO [0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6] thin films on Si substrates at 250 °C using plasma-enhanced atomic-layer-deposition (PEALD) with dual seed crystal layers (SCLs) of γ-AlO and ZnO. Field-effect transistors (FETs) with random polycrystalline InGaO channels (grown without SCLs) show a mobility (µFE) of 85.

Photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy synergy: mechanistic insights and cellular responses against glioblastoma multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer, poses substantial challenges to effective treatment due to its complex and infiltrative nature, making it difficult to manage. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT), have emerged as promising individual treatment options against GBM due to their least-invasive approach. However, both PDT and SDT have drawbacks that require careful consideration.

Foldable Metamaterial Absorber with Liquid Metal Printing on Paper.

Metamaterials, characterized by their unique artificial periodic structures, exhibit extraordinary abilities in controlling electromagnetic waves not found in natural materials. Metamaterial absorbers, for example, have been developed by patterning solid conductive materials on dielectric surfaces. However, the foldability limitations of solid conductors make them unsuitable as foldable metamaterial absorbers since they lose those desirable properties when folded.

Application of Salivary Alpha-1 Antitrypsin in the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which joints are gradually destroyed. Early diagnosis and treatment before joint deformation or destruction is important. The detection of novel RA biomarkers in saliva may facilitate early detection of RA before disease onset.

Exploring the Anti-Diabetic Potential of Quercetagitrin through Dual Inhibition of PTPN6 and PTPN9.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are pivotal contributors to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Hence, directing interventions towards PTPs emerges as a valuable therapeutic approach for managing type 2 diabetes. In particular, PTPN6 and PTPN9 are targets for anti-diabetic effects.

Identification of Crocetin as a Dual Agonist of GPR40 and GPR120 Responsible for the Antidiabetic Effect of Saffron.

Crocin, a glycoside of crocetin, has been known as the principal component responsible for saffron's antidiabetic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Crocetin, originating from the hydrolytic cleavage of crocin in biological systems, was subjected to ligand-based virtual screening in this investigation. Subsequent biochemical analysis unveiled crocetin, not crocin, as a novel dual GPR40 and GPR120 agonist, demonstrating a marked preference for GPR40 and GPR120 over peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)γ.

Recurrent focal myofasciitis of Behçet syndrome mimics infectious myofasciitis: a case report.

Behçet syndrome (BS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with multiorgan manifestations. However, muscular involvement in BS has rarely been reported. Herein, we report the case of a 30-year-old male with BS who had recurring pain and swelling of the lower legs.

A geospatial approach for assessing urban flood risk zones in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu in India, has experienced several instances of severe flooding over the past two decades, primarily attributed to persistent heavy rainfall. Accurate mapping of flood-prone regions in the basin is crucial for the comprehensive flood risk management. This study used the GIS-MCDA model, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model that incorporated geographic information system (GIS) technology to support decision making processes.

Novel Latent Heat Storage Systems Based on Liquid Metal Matrices with Suspended Phase Change Material Microparticles.

Phase change materials (PCMs) are considered useful tools for efficient thermal management and thermal energy utilization in various application fields. In this study, a colloidal PCM-in-liquid metal (LM) system is demonstrated as a novel platform composite with excellent latent heat storage capability, high thermal and electrical conductivities, and unique viscoelastic properties. In the proposed formulation, eutectic Ga-In is utilized as a high-thermal-conductivity and high-fluidity liquid matrix in which paraffinic PCM microparticles with various solid-liquid phase transition temperatures are suspended as fillers.

Micro mercury trapped ion clock prototypes with 10[Formula: see text] frequency stability in 1-liter packages.

Modern communication and navigation systems are increasingly relying on atomic clocks. As timing precision requirements increase, demands for lower SWaP (size, weight, and power) clocks rise. However, it has been challenging to break through the general trade-off trend between the clock stability performance and SWaP.

Methyl Syringate Stimulates Glucose Uptake by Inhibiting Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases Relevant to Insulin Resistance.

Several protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), particularly PTPN1, PTPN2, PTPN6, PTPN9, PTPN11, PTPRS, and DUSP9, are involved in insulin resistance. Therefore, these PTPs could be promising targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Our previous studies revealed that PTPN2 and PTPN6 are potential antidiabetic targets.

Reliability and accuracy of single-molecule FRET studies for characterization of structural dynamics and distances in proteins.

Single-molecule Förster-resonance energy transfer (smFRET) experiments allow the study of biomolecular structure and dynamics in vitro and in vivo. We performed an international blind study involving 19 laboratories to assess the uncertainty of FRET experiments for proteins with respect to the measured FRET efficiency histograms, determination of distances, and the detection and quantification of structural dynamics. Using two protein systems with distinct conformational changes and dynamics, we obtained an uncertainty of the FRET efficiency ≤0.

Feasibility of free-breathing F MRI image acquisition to characterize ventilation defects in CF and healthy volunteers at wash-in.

Purpose: To explore the feasibility of measuring ventilation defect percentage (VDP) using F MRI during free-breathing wash-in of fluorinated gas mixture with postacquisition denoising and to compare these results with those obtained through traditional Cartesian breath-hold acquisitions.

Methods: Eight adults with cystic fibrosis and 5 healthy volunteers completed a single MR session on a Siemens 3T Prisma. H Ultrashort-TE MRI sequences were used for registration and masking, and ventilation images with F MRI were obtained while the subjects breathed a normoxic mixture of 79% perfluoropropane and 21% oxygen (O ).

Lung function trajectory of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Objectives: To explore the course of lung function and RA disease activity and predictive factors for deteriorating lung function in patients with RA-interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods: The Korean Rheumatoid Arthritis-Interstitial Lung Disease cohort is a multicentre, prospective observational cohort. Patients with RA-ILD were enrolled and followed up annually for 3 years for RA disease activity and ILD status assessment.

Novel machine learning algorithms to predict the groundwater vulnerability index to nitrate pollution at two levels of modeling.

The accurate mapping and assessment of groundwater vulnerability index are crucial for the preservation of groundwater resources from the possible contamination. In this research, novel intelligent predictive Machine Learning (ML) regression models of k-Neighborhood (KNN), ensemble Extremely Randomized Trees (ERT), and ensemble Bagging regression (BA) at two levels of modeling were utilized to improve DRASTIC-LU model in the Miryang aquifer located in South Korea. The predicted outputs from level 1 (KNN and ERT models) were used as inputs for ensemble bagging (BA) in level 2.

Endothelial PTP4A1 mitigates vascular inflammation via USF1/A20 axis-mediated NF-κB inactivation.

Aims: The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple vascular diseases. However, in endothelial cells (ECs), the molecular mechanisms responsible for the negative regulation of the NF-κB pathway are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated a novel role for protein tyrosine phosphatase type IVA1 (PTP4A1) in NF-κB signalling in ECs.

Ultrasensitive and selective colorimetric detection of uric acid using peroxidase mimetic activity of biogenic palladium nanoparticles.

Uric acid (2,6,8-trihydroxypurine) is a metabolic product of purine, which is one of the important markers of human health. The development of a rapid, facile, highly sensitive, and selective method for uric acid detection is critical for the diagnosis of related diseases and is still a strategic challenge. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive and selective colorimetric assay for the detection of uric acid using biogenic palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs).

Methotrexate, leflunomide and tacrolimus use and the progression of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Objective: To examine the association between MTX, LEF and tacrolimus use and the progression of RA-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods: The Korean RA-ILD cohort prospectively enrolled patients with RA-associated ILD at multiple centres from 2015 to 2018 and followed up with them for 3 years. ILD progression was defined by any of the followings: a decrease of ≥10% in forced vital capacity, a decrease of ≥15% in the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, or death from respiratory failure.

Subspecific Synonym of Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Population Genetics and Morphological Reassessment.

Monochamus alternatus Hope, 1842, is a major forest pest that hosts the pathogenic pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer, 1934) Nickle 1970. Taxonomically, M. alternatus is currently divided into two subspecies, based on morphology and geography: Monochamus alternatus alternatus Hope, 1842 in China, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam, and Laos and Monochamus alternatus endai Makihara, 2004 in South Korea and Japan.

Inferences on metal pollution in the natural spawning zone of Bangladesh river and pollution management strategies.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metal concentrations in the Halda River in Bangladesh to determine the quality of the water and sediment in the natural spawning zone. Fe > Zn > Cr > Cd > Cu was the order of the metals in water, whereas Fe > Zn > Cd > Cu was the order in sediments. Almost all of the heavy metals in the water and sediment had been found within the established limits, with the exception of Cr and Fe in the river and Cu in the sediment.