Alumina Ceramic Exacerbates the Inflammatory Disease by Activation of Macrophages and T Cells.

(1) Background: Aluminum oxide (AlO) ceramic is one of the materials used for artificial joints, and it has been known that their fine particles (FPs) are provided by the wear of the ceramic. AlO FPs have been shown to induce macrophage activation in vitro; however, the inflammatory effect in vivo has not been studied. (2) Methods: We examined the in vivo effect of AlO FPs on the innate and adaptive immune cells in the mice.

F-labeled 1,2,3-triazole-linked Glu-urea-Lys-based PSMA ligands have good pharmacokinetic properties for positron emission tomography imaging of prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is increasingly recognized as an excellent target for prostate cancer imaging and therapy. Finding compounds with a high target-to-nontarget ratio are an important challenge in the development of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents. In this study, we attempted to find a suitable compound from a simply-synthesized compound library.

Perfluoropolyether-benzophenone as a highly durable, broadband anti-reflection, and anti-contamination coating.

Anti-reflection and anti-contamination coatings prepared from fluorinated polymers have widespread and important applications, ranging from protective films for corrosion resistance to high-tech microelectronics and medical devices due to their transparency, low refractive index, stain resistance, and antifouling properties. However, the application of existing coatings is hindered by low surface adhesion to the target substrate and weakness when exposed to mechanical stress or damage, resulting in significant limitations to their practical applications. Herein, we incorporate perfluoropolyether (PFPE) with benzophenone (BP) to develop an efficient coating material (PFPE-BP) possessing broadband anti-reflectivity, anti-contamination properties, excellent abrasion resistance, and stability under elevated temperatures and relative humidity.

Monophosphoryl lipid A-induced activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells enhances the anti-cancer effects of anti-PD-L1 antibodies.

Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) is a toll-like receptor 4 ligand that promotes immune activation in mice and humans, without undesired inflammation. Immunotherapy by the combining immune checkpoint blockade and MPLA has shown promising anti-cancer effects in both mice and humans. In this study, we explored how MPLA enhanced the anti-cancer effects of anti-PD-L1 antibodies (Abs).

Decreased functional connectivity within the salience network after two-week morning bright light exposure in individuals with sleep disturbances: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.

Background: Bright light (BL) exposure is a safe non-pharmacological intervention for sleep disturbances. However, the functional brain correlates underlying the effects of bright light exposure need to be further clarified. As alterations in the salience network were reported in individuals with sleep disturbances, we have investigated whether bright light exposure may improve sleep quality by altering functional connectivity in this network.

Knowledge and Perception of Facial Candling for Allergic Rhinitis among University Staff and Students.

Introduction: Facial candling is a traditional method used for relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR). This study aims to investigate the knowledge and perception of facial candling in a sample of staff and students in a public university in Malaysia.

Methods: An online questionnaire survey method was used.

The Effect of Isoleucine Supplementation on Body Weight Gain and Blood Glucose Response in Lean and Obese Mice.

Chronic isoleucine supplementation prevents diet-induced weight gain in rodents. Acute-isoleucine administration improves glucose tolerance in rodents and reduces postprandial glucose levels in humans. However, the effect of chronic-isoleucine supplementation on body weight and glucose tolerance in obesity is unknown.

Performance of a Community-based Noncommunicable Disease Control Program in Korea: Patients 65 Years of Age or Older.

Background: In Korea, the Korean Community-based Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control Program (KCNPC) was implemented in 2012 for the management of patients with chronic diseases. Nineteen primary care clinics, public health centers, and education and consulting centers (ECCs) participated in the implementation of this program. This study assessed the effectiveness of this chronic disease control model by comparing mortality rate and the incidence of complications between patients participating in the KCNPC program and a control group.

Conserving the lymphatics from the arm using fluorescence imaging in patients with breast cancer at high risk of postoperative lymphedema: a pilot study.

Background: Postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer survivors is a serious complication that develops from axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) was recently introduced to reduce lymphedema. This pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility of preserving the ARM node using fluorescence imaging for patients at high risk of lymphedema.

Evaluation of Serological Tests for SARS-CoV-2: Implications for Serology Testing in a Low-Prevalence Setting.

Background: Robust serological assays are essential for long-term control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many recently released point-of-care (PoCT) serological assays have been distributed with little premarket validation.

Methods: Performance characteristics for 5 PoCT lateral flow devices approved for use in Australia were compared to a commercial enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and a recently described novel surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT).

Probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum KU200060 isolated from watery kimchi and its application in probiotic yogurt for oral health.

Lactobacillus fermentum KU200060 was isolated from watery kimchi and its probiotic characteristics were evaluated, including tolerance to artificial gastric acid and bile salt, production of enzymes, ability to adhere to HT-29 cells, and antibiotic susceptibility. The antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of L. fermentum KU200060 against Streptococcus mutans KCTC 5316 were compared to those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus brevis KU15006.

Comprehensive analyses of immunodynamics and immunoreactivity in response to treatment in -positive non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: is a distinct molecular entity that is highly sensitive to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have not proved efficacy in -positive non-small cell lung cancer so far. In this study, we performed a mouse clinical trial using transgenic mice model to comprehensively investigate immunomodulatory effects of ALK TKI and to investigate the mechanisms of resistance to ICIs.

Aggresomal sequestration and STUB1-mediated ubiquitylation during mammalian proteaphagy of inhibited proteasomes.

The 26S proteasome, a self-compartmentalized protease complex, plays a crucial role in protein quality control. Multiple levels of regulatory systems modulate proteasomal activity for substrate hydrolysis. However, the destruction mechanism of mammalian proteasomes is poorly understood.

Home First! Identification of Hospitalized Patients for Home-Based Models of Care.

Objectives: To determine the proportion of hospitalized inpatients suitable for an acute and subacute home-based inpatient bed substitutive service, to examine the ability of treating teams to identify suitable patients for this service, and to examine potential barriers toward inpatients receiving home-based care.

Design: Prospective point prevalence study over 2 days in April 2019; analysis of responses to survey questionnaires regarding the suitability for home-based care among inpatients with multiday admissions to acute and subacute wards in the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), an Australian metropolitan tertiary referral center.

Setting And Participants: Ward treating teams, clinicians affiliated with the home-based service called RMH@Home, and inpatients who were subsequently identified as being suitable for home-based care.

Obesity May Connect Insulin Resistance to Decreased Neuronal Viability in Human Diabetic Brain.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and markers of neuronal viability and energy metabolism, as well as the additive effects of overweight or obesity, in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Using H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, prefrontal N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and creatine levels, markers for neuronal viability and energy metabolism, respectively, were measured in 50 adults with overweight or obesity and T2DM (T2DM-O; aged 49.0 ± 7.

Real-World Experience of Nivolumab in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in Korea.

Purpose: The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors represents a major advance in the treatment of lung cancer, allowing sustained recovery in a significant proportion of patients. Nivolumab is a monoclonal anti-programmed death cell protein 1 antibody licensed for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after prior chemotherapy. In this study, we describe the demographic and clinical outcomes of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with nivolumab in the Korean expanded access program.

AXL/MET dual inhibitor, CB469, has activity in non-small cell lung cancer with acquired resistance to EGFR TKI with AXL or MET activation.

Objectives: In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, acquired resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) may occur via bypass signals such as AXL or MET activation. We investigated the antitumor activity of CB469, a newly developed drug that targets both AXL and MET, in EGFR TKI-resistant NSCLC cells.

Materials And Methods: We generated EGFR TKI-resistant NSCLC cell lines with acquired resistance to erlotinib, gefitinib, and osimertinib (PC9/ER, HCC827/GR and HCC827/OR, respectively).

Tensile force-induced cytoskeletal remodeling: Mechanics before chemistry.

Understanding cellular remodeling in response to mechanical stimuli is a critical step in elucidating mechanical activation of biochemical signaling pathways. Experimental evidence indicates that external stress-induced subcellular adaptation is accomplished through dynamic cytoskeletal reorganization. To study the interactions between subcellular structures involved in transducing mechanical signals, we combined experimental data and computational simulations to evaluate real-time mechanical adaptation of the actin cytoskeletal network.

Responding to COVID-19: how an academic infectious diseases division mobilized in Singapore.

Background: On January 30, COVID-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern-a week after Singapore's first imported case and 5 days before local transmission. The National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore's third largest hospital with 1200 beds, heavy clinical workloads, and major roles in research and teaching.

Main Body: With memories of SARS still vivid, there was an urgent requirement for the NUH Division of Infectious Diseases to adapt-undergoing major reorganization to face rapidly changing priorities while ensuring usual essential services and standards.

Forensic examination of plastic drinking straws based on their physical characteristics and manufacturing marks.

This work highlights the evidential value of examining plastic drinking straws to establish linkages between multiple sources for forensic intelligence, investigative or prosecution purposes. Plastic drinking straws are commonly encountered in drug cases, either as inhalational paraphernalia or as packaging material. However, to the best of our knowledge, systematic studies on the evidential value of straws have not previously been carried out.

A microdose clinical trial to evaluate [F]Florastamin as a positron emission tomography imaging agent in patients with prostate cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the biodistribution of [F]Florastamin, a novel F-labelled positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Methods: PET was performed for five healthy controls and 10 patients with prostate cancer at 0, 10, 30, 70, and 120 mins after injecting 370 MBq of [F]Florastamin. The maximum standardised uptake value (SUV) was evaluated in the primary tumour.

Dendritic cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy with Ecklonia cava fucoidan.

Fucoidan is known to exert immunomodulatory effects in animals and humans. Here, we extracted fucoidan from Ecklonia cava (ECF) and evaluated its immunostimulatory and anticancer activities in mice. Treatment with ECF resulted in the activation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro and splenic DCs in vivo.

Survival of foodborne pathogens on stainless steel soiled with different food residues.

Insufficient and ineffective cleaning practices can cause food residues to remain in kitchen and can facilitate bacterial attachment and persistence by protective films. The present study investigated the survival of five major foodborne pathogens on stainless steel coupons, in the presence of cooked rice, whole eggs, and soymilk. Foodborne pathogens showed different survival rates by desiccation and disinfection depending on food residues.