Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) disease is a condition in which the stomach contents return to the larynx and pharynx via the esophagus, causing mucosal injury. While conventional treatments, such as ...proton pump inhibitors, have limitations, acupuncture has been shown to reduce LPR symptoms. However, its effectiveness has not been systematically assessed. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating LPR. We review 10 electronic databases with a consistent search strategy, and 2 independent reviewers screened the articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study selected and analyzed 7 randomized controlled trials after the screening to assess primary outcomes, including reflux symptom index and reflux finding score, and secondary outcomes, including upper and lower esophageal sphincter pressure. The results revealed the statistically significant effectiveness of acupuncture in combination with conventional treatment in reducing LPR symptoms compared with conventional treatment alone. The most commonly used acupuncture points were CV22, ST36, and LR3. However, the meta-analysis demonstrated low reliability, as assessed using the GRADE Tool. Further research is needed to improve the evidence and draw clear conclusions regarding the clinical use of acupuncture for treating LPR.
다양한 커플링제로 표면 개질된 실리카들을 활용한 음이온성 염료 및 중금속의 제거 성소현; Sohyeon Sung; 이민준 ...
Korean Chemical Engineering Research(HWAHAK KONGHAK), 59(4),
11/2021, Volume:
59, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
스토버 방식에 의한 구형 단분산 입자와 에멀젼 액적을 미세 반응기로 활용하여 합성한 주름진 표면을 갖는 실리카 입자 및 거대 기공을 갖는 다공질 실리카 입자를 커플링제로 표면 개질하여 흡착제로 활용하였다. 아민기를 포함하는 실란 또는 타이타네이트 커플링제를 활용하여 기존의 실리카 재료로는 흡착이 어려웠었던 중금속과 음이온성 염료에 대한 흡착력이 향상된 ...것을 관찰할 수 있었다. 음이온 염료에 대한 흡착에서는 APTES로 표면 개질한 다공질 실리카가 흡착 효율이 가장 높은 결과를 나타내었고, 중금속 구리에 대한 흡착 결과는 AAPTS로 표면 개질한 다양한 실리카 분말에서 모두 100%에 가까운 흡착 효율을 얻을 수 있었다.
For application in adsorption process, we synthesized silica nanospheres by Stober method, and silica particles with wrinkled surface as well as macroporous silica particles were also fabricated by utilizing emulsion droplet as micro-reactors, followed by modification of the particle surface using suitable coupling agents containing amine groups. These particles exhibited improved adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions and anionic dyes, which were difficult to be removed by conventional silica particles without surface modification. Anionic dye, methyl orange could be removed almost completely by adsorption using porous silica particles modified using APTES. The adsorption efficiency of heavy metal like copper ions was close to 100%, when porous silica was used as adsorbent particles modified with AAPTS.
This paper aimed to vindicate that Aristotle’s method of reaching the definition of something in Z 12 of Metaphysics is incomplete and suggest the way in which we can reach its true definition. This ...paper claimed that the definition reached by genus and differentia (say, “a human is a featherless, two-footed animal.”) is not true but merely a taxonomic definition¾“what a definition is like” (1038a35). The combination of essential differentiae of something does not express what it is intrinsically but what other things are not, although the definition is the account of the essence. The combination of the differentiae ‘featherless’ and ‘two-footed’ are not what makes us humans in a positive sense. These differentiae simply set us apart from all other animals. Moreover, his method is arbitrary. The combination of essential differentiae is subject to change insofar as we can swap out one differentia for another. However, the essence of something cannot be changeable. In order to make “a definition like” be “a true definition,” this paper suggests another interpretation of the ultimate differentia. As he presents it, the ultimate differentia is the one that cannot be further divided. However, this paper interprets the ultimate differentia of something as its activity (ἐνέργειά) and its end (τέλος). Hence, it is necessary to combine Aristotle’s method of differentiation with the teleological ultimate differentia of something if we want to reach its true definition. Aristotle at various times refers to human as a rational animal, at other times as a featherless two-footed animal throughout his corpus. This paper suggests that one is taxonomic, an example of what definition is like, and the other one represents the achievement that can be made when we know the true end of a thing¾that is, true definition, if a human is for thinking with our logos.
Keywords: definition, essence, taxonomy, differentia, the ultimate differentia, activity, end
Securing a semiconducting bandgap is essential for applying graphene layers in switching devices. Theoretical studies have suggested a created bulk bandgap in a graphene layer by introducing an ...asymmetry between the A and B sub-lattice sites. A recent transport measurement demonstrated the presence of a bandgap in a graphene layer where the asymmetry was introduced by placing a graphene layer on a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) substrate. Similar bandgap has been observed in graphene layers on metal substrates by local probe measurements; however, this phenomenon has not been observed in graphene layers on a near-insulating substrate. Here, we present bulk bandgap-like features in a graphene layer epitaxially grown on an h-BN substrate using scanning tunneling spectroscopy. We observed edge states at zigzag edges, edge resonances at armchair edges, and bandgap-like features in the bulk.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Though emerging evidence indicates that the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is strongly correlated to the accumulation
and transmission
of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates in the midbrain, no ...anti-aggregation agents have been successful at treating the disease in the clinic. Here, we show that graphene quantum dots (GQDs) inhibit fibrillization of α-syn and interact directly with mature fibrils, triggering their disaggregation. Moreover, GQDs can rescue neuronal death and synaptic loss, reduce Lewy body and Lewy neurite formation, ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunctions, and prevent neuron-to-neuron transmission of α-syn pathology provoked by α-syn preformed fibrils
. We observe, in vivo, that GQDs penetrate the blood-brain barrier and protect against dopamine neuron loss induced by α-syn preformed fibrils, Lewy body/Lewy neurite pathology and behavioural deficits.
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Amyloid deposits of Aβ protein in neuronal cells are known to be a major symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, Aβ42 shows relatively high toxicity among the different Aβ isoforms, and its ...toxicity is thought to be because of its structural features. Recent ssNMR and cryo-EM experiments identified that Aβ42 shows an S-shaped triple-β structure, in contrast to the previously suggested U-shaped β-arch structure. In order to associate the high toxicity of Aβ42 with its structural features, it is essential to explain the conformational stability and aggregation mechanisms of this triple-β motif. We utilized several different simulation methods, including extensive straight molecular dynamics simulation, steered molecular dynamics simulation, and replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulation. The S-shaped triple-β motif showed remarkable structural stability because of its complex residual interactions that form stable hydrophobic cores. The triple-β structure of Aβ42 is primarily made up of three β-sheet regions and two hydrophobic cores formed between β-sheet regions. Our analysis of β-sheet rupture patterns between adjacent chains showed that its two hydrophobic cores have different degrees of stability, indicating a lock phase mechanism. Our analysis of the docking pathway of monomeric Aβ42 to the fibril motif using REMD simulations showed that each of the three β-sheet sequences plays a distinct role in the docking process by changing their conformational features. Our results provide an understanding for the stability and consequent high toxicity of the triple-β structure Aβ42.
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Amyloid deposits of Aβ protein in neuronal cells are known to be a major symptom of Alzheimer's disease. In particular, Aβ
shows relatively high toxicity among the different Aβ isoforms, and its ...toxicity is thought to be because of its structural features. Recent ssNMR and cryo-EM experiments identified that Aβ
shows an S-shaped triple-β structure, in contrast to the previously suggested U-shaped β-arch structure. In order to associate the high toxicity of Aβ
with its structural features, it is essential to explain the conformational stability and aggregation mechanisms of this triple-β motif. We utilized several different simulation methods, including extensive straight molecular dynamics simulation, steered molecular dynamics simulation, and replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulation. The S-shaped triple-β motif showed remarkable structural stability because of its complex residual interactions that form stable hydrophobic cores. The triple-β structure of Aβ
is primarily made up of three β-sheet regions and two hydrophobic cores formed between β-sheet regions. Our analysis of β-sheet rupture patterns between adjacent chains showed that its two hydrophobic cores have different degrees of stability, indicating a lock phase mechanism. Our analysis of the docking pathway of monomeric Aβ
to the fibril motif using REMD simulations showed that each of the three β-sheet sequences plays a distinct role in the docking process by changing their conformational features. Our results provide an understanding for the stability and consequent high toxicity of the triple-β structure Aβ
.
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•Photocatalytic activity of CuS NPs greatly improved upon immobilizing on PNIPAM.•CuS NPs with PNIPAM hydrogels enhance photothermal–photocatalytic performance.•Positive influence of the NIR-induced ...temperature increase is demonstrated.
This study explores the synergistic effects of photothermal and photocatalytic properties by investigating CuS nanoparticles immobilized on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) polymer. The photothermal-photocatalytic decomposition test of organic dye demonstrated a significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity upon immobilizing CuS on PNIPAM. The closer proximity of CuS nanoparticles, induced by the photothermal effect of CuS and PNIPAM shrinkage, led to improved heat generation and enhanced photocatalytic performance under simultaneous ultraviolet and infrared light irradiations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
α-Synuclein is a presynaptic neuronal protein. The fibril form of α-synuclein is a major constituent of the intraneuronal inclusion called Lewy body, a characteristic hallmark of Parkinson's disease. ...Recent ssNMR and cryo-EM experiments of wild-type α-synuclein fibrils have shown polymorphism and observed two major polymorphs, rod and twister. To associate the cytotoxicity of α-synuclein fibrils with their structural features, it is essential to understand the origins of their structural stability. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of the two major polymorphs of wild-type α-synuclein fibrils. The predominance of specific fibril polymorphs was rationalized in terms of relative structural stability in aqueous environments, which was attributed to the cooperative contributions of various stabilizing features. The results of the simulations indicated that highly stable structures in aqueous environments could be maintained by the cooperation of compact sidechain packing in the hydrophobic core, backbone geometry of the maximal β-sheet content wrapping the hydrophobic core, and solvent-exposed sidechains with large fluctuations maximizing the solvation entropy. The paired structure of the two protofilaments provides additional stability, especially at the interface region, by forming steric zipper interactions and hiding the hydrophobic residues from exposure to water. The sidechain interaction analyses and pulling simulations showed that the rod polymorph has stronger sidechain interactions and exhibits higher dissociation energy than the twister polymorph. It is expected that our study will provide a basis for understanding the pathogenic behaviors of diverse amyloid strains in terms of their structural properties.
Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
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•We studied the local electronic structures of Se clusters on an Au(111) surface. We report the geometric and electronic phenomena of a Se-adsorbed Au(111) surface.•We have observed that Se atoms ...self-assemble as (√3 × √3)R30° Se superstructures, such as linear chains and triangular islands.•We resolve the atomic structures and local electronic states on top of the Se superstructure and the exposed Au(111) surface near the Se superstructure using STM.•A diffraction pattern arose from quantum interference between electrons in the Se array and that in the surface state of exposed Au (111) surface.•Quantum confinement effects on diamond-shaped Se clusters were observed using local density of states maps.
We studied the geometric and local electronic structure of a Se-adsorbed Au(111) surface. The reconstructed herringbone structure disappeared and the Au(111) surface states were attenuated with Se adsorption on the Au(111) surface, as explained by density functional theory calculations. Electron interference patterns were observed on the exposed Au (111) surface due to electron scattering by potential barriers formed by Se adsorbates. A strong bound state from the Se p-orbital on top of the Se clusters with quantum confinement effects were observed using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy.
STM topography and spectroscopies of Se on Au(111), revealing all quantum bound states in the film. Display omitted
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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