Degradation of floor finishing materials owing to continuous gait: A comprehensive study on the generation and impact of microplastics.

With the increasing concern regarding the effects of microplastics (MPs) on human health, it is essential to conduct research on the MPs generated in the atmosphere and on those occurring in indoor environments. One of the causes of particle generation in indoor spaces is the degradation of floor finishing materials, including human gait factor. Therefore, gait simulation experiments were conducted to verify the occurrence of MPs during the gait process.

Altered oral microbiota of drug-resistant organism carriers exhibit impaired gram-negative pathogen inhibition.

The oral microbiome has been understudied as a reservoir for clinical pathogens, including drug-resistant strains. Understanding how alterations in microbiome functioning render this site vulnerable to colonization is essential, as multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) carriage is a major risk factor for developing serious infections. To advance our knowledge of oral MDRO carriage and protection against pathogen colonization conferred by native microbiota, we examined microbiomes from individuals colonized by MDROs (n=33) and non-colonized age-matched controls (n=30).

ICOS-expressing Regulatory T Cells Influence the Composition of Antitumor CTL Populations.

The role of ICOS in antitumor T cell responses and overall tumor progression has been controversial. In this study, we compared tumor progression in mice lacking ICOS selectively in regulatory T (Treg) cells or in all T cells. Using an experimental melanoma lung metastasis model, we found that Treg cell-specific ICOS knockout reduces the overall tumor burden compared with Cre control mice, with increased CD4+-to-Treg cell and CD8+-to-Treg cell ratios in the tumor.

-derived peptides disrupt quorum sensing and biofilm assembly in multidrug-resistant .

Unlabelled: Multidrug-resistant is one of the most clinically important pathogens in the world, with infections leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals. The ability of to form biofilms protects cells from antibiotics and promotes the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes; therefore, new strategies aimed at inhibiting biofilm growth are urgently needed. Probiotic species, including are gaining interest as potential therapies against for their ability to reduce colonization and virulence.

Deficiency of CBL and CBLB ubiquitin ligases leads to hyper T follicular helper cell responses and lupus by reducing BCL6 degradation.

Recent evidence reveals hyper T follicular helper (Tfh) cell responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, molecular mechanisms responsible for hyper Tfh cell responses and whether they cause SLE are unclear. We found that SLE patients downregulated both ubiquitin ligases, casitas B-lineage lymphoma (CBL) and CBLB (CBLs), in CD4 T cells. T cell-specific CBLs-deficient mice developed hyper Tfh cell responses and SLE, whereas blockade of Tfh cell development in the mutant mice was sufficient to prevent SLE.

Stem cell factor and cKIT modulate endothelial glycolysis in hypoxia.

Aims: In hypoxia, endothelial cells (ECs) proliferate, migrate, and form new vasculature in a process called angiogenesis. Recent studies have suggested that ECs rely on glycolysis to meet metabolic needs for angiogenesis in ischaemic tissues, and several studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms integrating angiogenesis and endothelial metabolism. Here, we investigated the role of stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor, cKIT, in regulating endothelial glycolysis during hypoxia-driven angiogenesis.

Clinical Application of the Association between Genetic Alteration and Intraoperative Fluorescence Activity of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid during the Resection of Brain Metastasis of Lung Adenocarcinoma.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association of certain genetic alterations and intraoperative fluorescent activity of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in brain metastasis (BM) of lung adenocarcinoma. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 72 patients who underwent surgical resection of BM of lung adenocarcinoma at our institute for five years. Cancer cell infiltration was estimated by the intraoperative fluorescent activity of 5-ALA, and genetic alterations were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Comparison of intraocular lens power calculation formulas in patients with a history of acute primary angle-closure attack.

Background: To compare the accuracy of nine intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas, including three traditional formulas (SRK/T, Haigis, and Hoffer Q) and six new-generation formulas (Barrett Universal II [BUII], Hill-Radial Basis Function [RBF] 3.0, Kane, Emmetropia verifying optical [EVO], Ladas Super, and Pearl-DGS) in patients who underwent cataract surgery after acute primary angle closure (APAC).

Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 44 eyes of 44 patients (APAC) and 60 eyes of 60 patients (control) were included.

Shear-Pressure Decoupling and Accurate Perception of Shear Directions in Ionic Sensors by Analyzing the Frequency-Dependent Ionic Behavior.

In artificial tactile sensing, to emulate the human sense of touch, independent perception of shear force and pressure is important. Decoupling the pressure and shear force is a challenging task for ensuring stable grasping manipulation for both soft and brittle objects. This study introduces a deformable ion gel-based tactile sensor that is capable of distinguishing pressure from shear force when pressurized shear force is applied in any direction.

American Radium Society Appropriate Use Criteria Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy: Executive Summary of Clinical Topics.

Purpose: To conduct an appropriate use criteria expert panel update on clinical topics relevant to current clinical practice regarding postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT).

Methods And Materials: An analysis of the medical literature from peer-reviewed journals was conducted from May 4, 2010 to May 4, 2022 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to search the PubMed database to retrieve a comprehensive set of relevant articles. A well-established methodology (modified Delphi) was used by the expert panel to rate the appropriate use of procedures.

Toxicity of simultaneous intrastromal and intracameral injection of voriconazole on corneal endothelium in a rabbit model.

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity of repeated simultaneous intrastromal and intracameral injections of voriconazole in corneal endothelial cells in a rabbit model.

Methods: Thirty-six eyes of 18 New Zealand white rabbits (six eyes per group) were divided into 6 groups according to the concentration of voriconazole (Group A, 0%; Group B, 0.05%; Group C, 0.

Impact of COVID-19 on the incidence of respiratory viral infections and clinical characteristics of associated febrile seizures.

Background: Viral infections of the upper respiratory tract are one of the most common causes of febrile seizures (FSs). During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mitigation measures have contributed to changes in the incidence of respiratory viral infections. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of respiratory viral infections and clinical characteristics of FSs.

Retinal Thickness and Its Interocular Asymmetry Between Parkinson's Disease and Drug-Induced Parkinsonism.

Background: Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) is common, but diagnosis is challenging. Although dopamine transporter imaging is useful, the cost and inconvenience are problematic, and an easily accessible screening technique is needed. We aimed to determine whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings could differentiate DIP from Parkinson's disease (PD).

Nosocomial influenza in a pediatric general ward: Effects of isolation and cohort placement of children with influenza.

Objective: Many studies have described nosocomial outbreaks of influenza in specialized wards. We evaluated nosocomial transmission of influenza in a pediatric general ward.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

ICOS costimulation is indispensable for the differentiation of T follicular regulatory cells.

ICOS is a T-cell costimulatory receptor critical for Tfh cell generation and function. However, the role of ICOS in Tfr cell differentiation remains unclear. Using Foxp3-Cre-mediated ICOS knockout (ICOS FC) mice, we show that ICOS deficiency in Treg-lineage cells drastically reduces the number of Tfr cells during GC reactions but has a minimal impact on conventional Treg cells.

Selective Control of Novel TiO Nanorods: Excellent Building Blocks for the Electron Transport Layer of Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells.

Novel TiO nanorods (NRs) with various lengths of 70-200 nm and uniform widths of 46-48 nm are selectively synthesized by a solvothermal reaction under a basic environment. The length of TiO NRs is reproducibly tuned by varying the concentration of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), while the NRs in the pure anatase phase are grown in the [001] direction, caused by the preferential binding affinity of TMAH to the TiO (101) facet. TiO NRs of various lengths are then applied to form the electron transporting layer (ETL) of mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

Border tissue morphology is associated with macular ganglion cell thickness in open-angle glaucoma.

Externally oblique border tissue (EOBT) configuration is topographically associated with glaucomatous damage in the optic nerve head. We investigated the relationship between the EOBT characteristics and macular retinal ganglion cell (RGC) thickness in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). A total of 149 eyes with OAG that had an EOBT observed on optical coherence tomography exams were included.

Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Testosterone Deficiency according to Facial Flushes among Middle-Aged and Older Korean Men.

Background: This study examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and total testosterone deficiency based on facial flushing among Korean men.

Methods: A total of 314 men were included in this study and divided into non-drinkers (n=78) and drinkers (n=236). Drinkers were also divided into flushers (n=96) and non-flushers (n=140).

High-Concentration Intravenous Immunoglobulin May Influence the Course of Fever and Rate of Reported Treatment Resistance in Children With Kawasaki Disease: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) is defined as persistent or recrudescent fever ≥36 hours after IVIG infusion. We have experienced an increase in IVIG resistance in patients with KD since the substitution of 10% IVIG for 5% IVIG. This study aimed to determine the independent association between increased IVIG resistance and 10% IVIG therapy.

Seasonal epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with human parainfluenza virus infection by serotype: a retrospective study.

Background: The development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test promoted the evaluation of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) type 4, which has been rarely studied using conventional diagnostic methods. This study aimed to determine the seasonal epidemiological and clinical characteristics of all four HPIV serotypes (HPIV-1, HPIV-2, HPIV-3, and HPIV-4) during the era of PCR testing.

Methods: The medical records of hospitalized pediatric patients diagnosed with HPIV infections by a multiplex PCR test between 2015 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed to determine the seasonal distributions of each HPIV serotype.

Crosstalk between BMP signaling and KCNK3 in phenotypic switching of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and devastating disease whose pathogenesis is associated with a phenotypic switch of pulmonary arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and potassium two pore domain channel subfamily K member 3 (KCNK3) play crucial roles in PAH pathogenesis. However, the relationship between BMP signaling and KCNK3 expression in the PASMC phenotypic switching process has not been studied.

Hair Growth Regulation by Fibroblast Growth Factor 12 (FGF12).

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family has various biological functions, including cell growth, tissue regeneration, embryonic development, metabolism, and angiogenesis. In the case of hair growth, several members of the FGF family, such as FGF1 and FGF2, are involved in hair growth, while FGF5 has the opposite effect. In this study, the regulation of the hair growth cycle by FGF12 was investigated.

American Radium Society (ARS) Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Locoregional Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Systematic Review and Guidelines.

Objective: The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the data regarding the use of neoadjuvant, perioperative, surgical, and adjuvant treatment options in localized gastric cancer patients and to develop Appropriate Use Criteria recommended by a panel of experts convened by the American Radium Society.

Methods: Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses methodology was used to develop an extensive analysis of peer-reviewed phase 2/2R/3 trials, as well as meta-analyses found within the Ovid Medline database between 2010 and 2020. The expert panel then rated the appropriateness of various treatments in 5 representative clinical scenarios through a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi).

ICOS-Deficient Regulatory T Cells Can Prevent Spontaneous Autoimmunity but Are Impaired in Controlling Acute Inflammation.

ICOS is induced in activated T cells and its main role is to boost differentiation and function of effector T cells. ICOS is also constitutively expressed in a subpopulation of Foxp3 regulatory T cells under steady-state condition. Studies using ICOS germline knockout mice or ICOS-blocking reagents suggested that ICOS has supportive roles in regulatory T (Treg) cell homeostasis, migration, and function.