Exploring artificial intelligence role in improving service building engagement in sorting.

Waste management researchers have identified that the correct disposal of solid waste is better addressed upstream, where people properly sort their solid waste. Sorting solid waste is a practice that requires a behaviour friendly to sorting and willingness to continuously comply with waste management policies. However, the dynamic and ever-changing nature of service buildings' users makes fostering such behaviour challenging, potentially jeopardizing solid waste sorting efforts.

Exploring bat-inspired cyclic tryptophan diketopiperazines as ABCB1 Inhibitors.

Chemotherapy-induced drug resistance remains a major cause of cancer recurrence and patient mortality. ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) transporter overexpression in tumors contributes to resistance, yet current ABCB1 inhibitors have been unsuccessful in clinical trials. To address this challenge, we propose a new strategy using tryptophan as a lead molecule for developing ABCB1 inhibitors.

Stability and Detection Limit of Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease Virus, and African Horse Sickness Virus on Flinders Technology Associates Card by Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction.

The Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) card, a cotton-based cellulose membrane impregnated with a chaotropic agent, effectively inactivates infectious microorganisms, lyses cellular material, and fixes nucleic acid. The aim of this study is to assess the stability and detection limit of various RNA viruses, especially the avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and African horse sickness virus (AHSV), on the FTA card, which could significantly impact virus storage and transport practices. To achieve this, each virus dilution was inoculated onto an FTA card and stored at room temperature in plastic bags for durations ranging from 1 week to 6 months.

Hand2 represses non-cardiac cell fates through chromatin remodeling at regulatory elements.

Developmental studies have revealed the importance of the transcription factor Hand2 in cardiac development. Hand2 promotes cardiac progenitor differentiation and epithelial maturation, while repressing other tissue types. The mechanisms underlying the promotion of cardiac fates are far better understood than those underlying the repression of alternative fates.

Plasma biomarkers associated with survival and thrombosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has been associated with fibrin-mediated hypercoagulability and thromboembolic complications. To evaluate potential biomarkers of coagulopathy and disease severity in COVID-19, we measured plasma levels of eight biomarkers potentially associated with coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet function in 43 controls and 63 COVID-19 patients, including 47 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 16 non-ICU patients. COVID-19 patients showed significantly elevated levels of fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), and its inhibitor plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), as well as ST2 (the receptor for interleukin-33) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) compared to the control group.

Light-Mediated Inhibition of Colonic Smooth Muscle Constriction and Colonic Motility Opsin 3.

Opsin photoreceptors outside of the central nervous system have been shown to mediate smooth muscle photorelaxation in several organs. We hypothesized that opsin receptor activation in the colon would have a similar effect and influence colonic motility. We detected Opsin 3 (OPN3) protein expression in the colonic wall and demonstrated that OPN3 was present in enteric neurons in the muscularis propria of the murine colon.

Diminished androgen levels are linked to irritable bowel syndrome and cause bowel dysfunction in mice.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) have prominent sex differences in incidence, symptoms, and treatment response that are not well understood. Androgens are steroid hormones present at much higher levels in males than females and could be involved in these differences. In adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a FGID that affects 5% to 10% of the population worldwide, we found that free testosterone levels were lower than those in healthy controls and inversely correlated with symptom severity.

Carotid approach to anterior circulation thromboembolectomy in an adult with failing fontan physiology: a case report.

Background: Anesthetic management of an adult with failing Fontan physiology is complicated given inherent anatomical and physiological alterations. Neurosurgical interventions including thromboembolectomy may be particularly challenging given importance of blood pressure control and cerebral perfusion.

Case Presentation: We describe a 29 year old patient born with double outlet right ventricle (DORV) with mitral valve atresia who after multi-staged surgeries earlier in life, presented with failing Fontan physiology.

Anoctamin 1 antagonism potentiates conventional tocolytic-mediated relaxation of pregnant human uterine smooth muscle.

Background: Currently available tocolytic agents are not effective treatment for preterm labor beyond 48 h. A major reason is the development of maternal side effects which preclude the maintenance of an effective steady-state drug concentration. One strategy that can mitigate these side effects is utilizing synergistic drug combinations to reduce the drug concentrations necessary to elicit a clinical effect.

Predictive Maintenance in Building Facilities: A Machine Learning-Based Approach.

The operation and maintenance of buildings has seen several advances in recent years. Multiple information and communication technology (ICT) solutions have been introduced to better manage building maintenance. However, maintenance practices in buildings remain less efficient and lead to significant energy waste.

Opsin 3-G Promotes Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation Modulated by G Protein Receptor Kinase 2.

Recently, we characterized blue light-mediated relaxation (photorelaxation) of airway smooth muscle (ASM) and implicated the involvement of opsin 3 (OPN3), an atypical opsin. In the present study, we characterized the cellular signaling mechanisms of photorelaxation. We confirmed the functional role of OPN3 in blue light photorelaxation using trachea from OPN3 null mice (maximal relaxation 52 ± 13% compared with wild-type mice 90 ± 4.

An isolated retrograde-perfused newborn mouse heart preparation.

The Langendorff-perfused model is a powerful tool to study biological responses in the isolated heart in the absence of confounders. The model has been adapted recently to enable study of the isolated mouse heart and the effects of genetic manipulation. Unfortunately, the small size and fragility of the mouse heart pose significant challenges, limiting application of the Langendorff model to the study of adult mice.

Correction to: Activation of an Endogenous Opsin 3 Light Receptor Mediates Photo-Relaxation of Pre-Contracting Late Gestation Human Uterine Smooth Muscle Ex Vivo.

This article was updated to correct Joy Y. Vink's name in the author listing.

Stroke and mechanical thrombectomy in patients with COVID-19: technical observations and patient characteristics.

Background: COVID-19 infections have been shown to be associated with a range of thromboembolic disease.

Objective: To describe our endovascular experience in a consecutive series of patients with COVID-19 who presented with large vessel occlusions, and to describe unique findings in this population.

Methods: Mechanical thrombectomy was performed on five consecutive patients with COVID-19 with large vessel occlusions.

Activation of an Endogenous Opsin 3 Light Receptor Mediates Photo-Relaxation of Pre-Contracting Late Gestation Human Uterine Smooth Muscle Ex Vivo.

Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) remains a worldwide healthcare challenge. Preterm labor (PTL) is thought to be the largest reversible cause of sPTB, but current tocolytic therapies are ineffective and associated with systemic side effects from chronic use. Therefore, identifying novel mechanisms that promote human uterine smooth muscle (hUSM) relaxation is essential to improving clinical management of PTL.

Novel Expression of GABAA Receptors on Resistance Arteries That Modulate Myogenic Tone.

The clinical administration of GABAergic medications leads to hypotension which has classically been attributed to the modulation of neuronal activity in the central and peripheral nervous systems. However, certain types of peripheral smooth muscle cells have been shown to express GABAA receptors, which modulate smooth muscle tone, by the activation of these chloride channels on smooth muscle cell plasma membranes. Limited prior studies demonstrate that non-human large-caliber capacitance blood vessels mounted on a wire myograph are responsive to GABAA ligands.

Knowledge and Perceptions of Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting: A Survey of Nurses in Hong Kong.

In the absence of a mandatory reporting (MR) structure, it is unclear how nurses perceive or exercise their role in child protection. This study examined knowledge and perceptions of child protection and MR among nurses working in Hong Kong. This cross-sectional web-based survey used the Child Abuse Report Intention Scale to measure nurses' child protection knowledge and attitudes, and their perceived norms, control, and intention to report suspected maltreatment.

Airway smooth muscle photorelaxation via opsin receptor activation.

Nonvisual opsin (OPN) receptors have recently been implicated in blue light-mediated photorelaxation of smooth muscle in various organs. Since photorelaxation has not yet been demonstrated in airway smooth muscle (ASM) or in human tissues, we questioned whether functional OPN receptors are expressed in mouse and human ASM. mRNA, encoding the OPN 3 receptor, was detected in both human and mouse ASM.

An herbal formula consisting of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, Lycium chinense Mill and Eucommia ulmoides Oliv alleviates disuse muscle atrophy in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC), Lycium chinense Mill (LC) and Eucommia ulmoides Oliv (EU) are representative tonic herbal medicines that help to strengthen body muscles and bones making them stronger according to the Donguibogam, a tradition medical book of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate effects of an herbal formula consisting of SC, LC and EU on muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes and in a rat model of immobilization-induced muscle atrophy.

Airway Epithelial Cell Release of GABA is Regulated by Protein Kinase A.

Introduction: γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) is not only the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS), but it also plays an important role in the lung, mediating airway smooth muscle relaxation and mucus production. As kinases such as protein kinase A (PKA) are known to regulate the release and reuptake of GABA in the CNS by GABA transporters, we hypothesized that β-agonists would affect GABA release from airway epithelial cells through activation of PKA.

Methods: C57/BL6 mice received a pretreatment of a β-agonist or vehicle (PBS), followed by methacholine or PBS.

Neutropenia and Agranulocytosis in Chinese Patients Prescribed Clozapine.

Objectives: To examine the rate of neutropenia and agranulocytosis, and the pattern of development of these 2 disorders among Chinese patients prescribed clozapine treatment in a local psychiatric unit.

Methods: Patients who were receiving clozapine when they were under the care of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital Psychiatric Unit, Hong Kong, from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2012 and who developed neutropenia and agranulocytosis from 1 January 1997 to 30 June 2013 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: A total of 13 patients out of 980 clozapine recipients developed neutropenia and 3 developed agranulocytosis during treatment.

Health-related quality of life, psychological well-being, and sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia after prostatic surgery.

Aims And Background: Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may receive prostatic surgery due to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This study aimed to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), psychological well-being, and sexual function of patients with BPH after prostatic surgery and identify the predictors of HRQoL among this group of patients.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study.

Selective targeting of the α5-subunit of GABAA receptors relaxes airway smooth muscle and inhibits cellular calcium handling.

The clinical need for novel bronchodilators for the treatment of bronchoconstrictive diseases remains a major medical issue. Modulation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) chloride via GABAA receptor activation to achieve relaxation of precontracted ASM represents a potentially beneficial therapeutic option. Since human ASM GABAA receptors express only the α4- and α5-subunits, there is an opportunity to selectively target ASM GABAA receptors to improve drug efficacy and minimize side effects.

Chloride channel blockade relaxes airway smooth muscle and potentiates relaxation by β-agonists.

Severe bronchospasm refractory to β-agonists continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality in asthmatic patients. We questioned whether chloride channels/transporters are novel targets for the relaxation of airway smooth muscle (ASM). We have screened a library of compounds, derivatives of anthranilic and indanyloxyacetic acid, that were originally developed to antagonize chloride channels in the kidney.