We present a heterodyne terahertz spectrometry platform based on plasmonic photomixing, which enables the resolution of narrow spectral signatures of gases over a broad terahertz frequency range. ...This plasmonic heterodyne spectrometer replaces the terahertz mixer and local oscillator of conventional heterodyne spectrometers with a plasmonic photomixer and a heterodyning optical pump beam, respectively. The heterodyning optical pump beam is formed by two continuous-wave, wavelength-tunable lasers with a broadly tunable terahertz beat frequency. This broadly tunable terahertz beat frequency enables spectrometry over a broad bandwidth, which is not restricted by the bandwidth limitations of conventional terahertz mixers and local oscillators. We use this plasmonic heterodyne spectrometry platform to resolve the spectral signatures of ammonia over a 1-4.5 THz frequency range.
The role of phthalate exposure at different stages in the immune system and atopic disorders is not well-known. This study aims to evaluate the effects of prenatal and postnatal phthalate exposures ...on immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and atopic dermatitis (AD) in children by objective biomarkers. We conducted a prospective Taiwan Birth Panel cohort study with 483 mother/infant pairs. Finally, 161 urine specimens at 3rd trimester of pregnancy, 219 urine specimens from children at age 2, and 192 urine specimens at age 5 were analyzed after excluding missing data and loss to follow-up. Urine monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) at 3rd trimester of pregnancy and at ages 2 and 5 were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. At ages 2 and 5, information on the development of AD and serum total IgE was collected. The association between urine phthalate metabolite levels at different stages and serum IgE and AD was evaluated by multivariate linear regression and logistic regression. Urine phthalate metabolite levels were higher at age 2 than those at pregnancy and age 5. At each period, urine MBP levels were higher than MEP, MEHP, and MBzP. MEHP levels at age 2 positively correlated with serum IgE levels (per ln-unit: β=0.191, p=0.02). Analyses stratified by gender revealed that MEHP levels positively correlated with serum IgE levels only in boys (per ln-unit: β=0.256, p=0.03). When dividing into quartiles, urine MBzP levels at age 2 had a significant association with AD. We found no statistically significant association of other phthalate metabolites with IgE and AD. Early life phthalate exposure may increase the risk of allergic sensitization and atopic disorders.
•We study the effect of phthalate exposure at different stages on atopic disorders.•Phthalate levels were higher at age 2 than those at pregnancy and age 5.•Phthalate levels positively correlated with serum IgE levels only in boys.•The health effects may vary with different kinds of phthalates.•Early life phthalate exposure may increase the risk of atopic disorders.
Various populations of cells are recruited to the heart after cardiac injury, but little is known about whether cardiomyocytes directly regulate heart repair. Using a murine model of ischemic cardiac ...injury, we demonstrate that cardiomyocytes play a pivotal role in heart repair by regulating nucleotide metabolism and fates of nonmyocytes. Cardiac injury induced the expression of the ectonucleotidase ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1), which hydrolyzes extracellular ATP to form AMP. In response to AMP, cardiomyocytes released adenine and specific ribonucleosides that disrupted pyrimidine biosynthesis at the orotidine monophosphate (OMP) synthesis step and induced genotoxic stress and p53-mediated cell death of cycling nonmyocytes. As nonmyocytes are critical for heart repair, we showed that rescue of pyrimidine biosynthesis by administration of uridine or by genetic targeting of the ENPP1/AMP pathway enhanced repair after cardiac injury. We identified ENPP1 inhibitors using small molecule screening and showed that systemic administration of an ENPP1 inhibitor after heart injury rescued pyrimidine biosynthesis in nonmyocyte cells and augmented cardiac repair and postinfarct heart function. These observations demonstrate that the cardiac muscle cell regulates pyrimidine metabolism in nonmuscle cells by releasing adenine and specific nucleosides after heart injury and provide insight into how intercellular regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis can be targeted and monitored for augmenting tissue repair.
As most of the female inguinal hernias are of indirect type, we conducted this retrospective study to evaluate whether the single port laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suture is feasible for ...the management of indirect inguinal hernia in female adults. From April 2016 to August 2019, there were 31 female adults who were diagnosed with inguinal hernias and received laparoscopic inspection at our surgical department. One patient who was finally diagnosed as an encysted hydrocele was excluded from the statistic study. All the 30 cases were of indirect type with a total of 35 single port laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring sutures performed. The median age was 38 years (range 20-88 years). The number and percentage of patients with right, left and bilateral hernias were 17 (56%), 11 (37%) and 2 (7%) respectively. Three contralateral patent processi vaginalium and 1 occult femoral hernia were found during operation. The percentages of the respective classifications according to the European Hernia Society system for the 35 PIRSs were L1: 40%, L2: 49%, and L3: 11%. The average operation time was 18 min for unilateral and 30 min for bilateral hernias. There were 1 recurrence and 1 chronic postoperative inguinal pain. Both had their symptoms and signs resolved after reoperation. The mean follow-up period was 13.6 months. We concluded that the single-port laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suture is feasible for the management of indirect inguinal hernia in female adults.
Growth deficit is a common comorbidity and one of the supportive criteria in Rett syndrome (RTT). This study aimed to investigate the impact of dystonia, dietary intakes, and clinical severities on ...growth patterns in a Taiwanese cohort of RTT. We recruited 44 RTT patients with MECP2 mutation for analysis. For individuals ≤18 years of age, in comparison to the RTT‐specific growth chart which comprised American RTT cohort, the body height was right‐shifted to a higher percentile, whereas the body weight was left‐shifted to a lower percentile. Furthermore, the body mass index was significantly decreased when compared to RTT‐specific growth chart (p = 0.01). Higher degree of overall disease severity (odd ratio = 1.159; 95% CI = 1.063–1.264; p = 0.001) and hand use impairment (odd ratio = 2.017; 95% CI = 1.037, 3.921; p = 0.039) were associated with more severe growth patterns. All individuals had dystonia at certain variable degrees. The dystonia worsened with age (p < 0.001) but did not have significant impact on growth deficit. Most of our cohort had adequate protein (97.37%) and energy (58.97%) intakes. The fiber intakes were generally low, with about 38 (97.4%) individuals did not meet the daily reference intakes of fiber. The protein intake was significantly lower in individuals with severe growth deficit (p = 0.04). Our study shows that ethnicity should be considered when comparing RTT individuals' growth pattern to the RTT‐specific growth chart. Further, disease severity, genotypes, and nutrition exert important impacts on RTT‐growth pattern.
Lay Summary
Growth impairment is an important issue in Rett syndrome and the underlying patho‐mechanism is multifactorial. Higher degree of overall disease severity and hand use impairment were associated with more severe growth pattern deficits. Although all individuals had dystonia at certain variable degrees and the dystonia worsened with age, but it did not have significant impact on growth deficit. Nutritional intakes may partially affect growth. Furthermore, ethnicity should be considered when comparing RTT individuals' growth pattern to the RTT‐specific growth chart.
Salmonella infections are a serious global health concern, particularly in developing countries, and are further exacerbated by the emergence of antibiotic resistance. San‐Huang‐Xie‐Xin‐Tang (SHXXT), ...a traditional herbal medicine with potent anti‐inflammatory properties, has recently gained attention as an alternative treatment. Our study emphasizes on the importance of precise timing in accordance with traditional Chinese medicine principles. A mouse infection model was established while different administration times of SHXXT were recorded for the body weight, clinical scores, bacterial counts in blood, and organs. Additionally, cytokine levels, fatty acids, and amino acids in the serum were also monitored. We found that administering SHXXT 1 day after Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) infection (T1 group) leads to positive outcomes. This includes restoration of body weight, improved clinical scores, and reduced bacterial counts in blood and vital organs. Interferon‐gamma levels remained consistently high across all treatment groups 6 days post‐infection. However, the T1 group showed exclusive suppression of serum levels of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β). The timing of administration significantly influenced serum fatty acid concentrations, countering Salmonella‐induced disruptions, aligning with TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels. SHXXT had also restored amino acid profiles disrupted by the infection, with notable effects when administered at the correct timing. Our research highlights SHXXT's potential in treating S. Typhimurium infection, emphasizing the importance of precise timing in line with traditional Chinese medicine principles for effective treatment at different disease stages.
Aromatic polyamides, aramids, have recently drawn research attention for energy storage applications due to their outstanding physical and chemical properties. In this study, we report three new ...aramid-containing dicyanotriphenylamine skeletons in the polymer backbone as anode materials for organic lithium-ion batteries. The electrochemical test revealed that the aramid anodes exhibited a high specific capacity up to 1600 mA h g
−1
and superior rate performance (535 mA h g
−1
at 10 A g
−1
), with excellent coulombic efficiency (∼99%) and capacity retention after 1000 cycles up to 10 A g
−1
. The overall performance shown in this work is among the best compared with the reported polymer-based lithium-ion batteries. Mechanistic studies revealed that the outstanding electrochemical performance of aramids as battery anode materials are highly related to the physical and chemical properties of the aramids, which tuned their activation energy and charge-stored behavior as well as cycling stability. The long cycling performance under high current density and binder-free capability further suggest that aramids are promising candidates for next-generation organic lithium-ion batteries.
Aramids containing dicyanotriphenylamine skeleton in the polymer backbone were prepared and applied as anode materials for organic lithium-ion batteries.
People diagnosed with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) have been frequently reported to experience depression, anxiety, and hostility. Emotional regulation contributes to these mood symptoms. This ...study evaluated emotional regulation in subjects with IGD and examined relationships between emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, and hostility in young adults with IGD. We recruited 87 people with IGD and a control group of 87 people without a history of IGD. All participants underwent a diagnostic interview based on the IGD criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and they completed a questionnaire on emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, and hostility. We found that subjects with IGD were less likely to practice cognitive reappraisal and were more likely to suppress their emotions. Linear regression revealed the higher cognitive reappraisal and lower expressive suppression associated with depression, anxiety, and hostility among subjects with IGD. The emotional regulation strategies that characterize those with IGD could be contributing factors to the depression and hostility tendencies of these people. When treating patients with IGD, in addition to providing appropriate interventions to relieve depression and hostility, practitioners should effectively assess emotional regulation strategies and provide emotional regulation therapy to prevent a vicious cycle of negative emotions.
This review summarizes the most widely used mechanisms in memory devices based on conjugated polymers, such as charge transfer, space charge traps, and filament conduction. In addition, recent ...studies of conjugated polymers for memory device applications are also reviewed, discussed, and differentiated based on the mechanisms and structural design. Moreover, the electrical conditions of conjugated polymers can be further fine-tuned by careful design and synthesis based on the switching mechanisms. The review also emphasizes and demonstrates the structure-memory properties relationship of donor-acceptor conjugated polymers for advanced memory device applications.
Given the importance of auditors’ assessing business risks and evaluating internal controls, we investigate whether an audit firm’s industry expertise, tenure, and size can help its auditors better ...understand external and internal threats faced by the client with less effort. Using reported information security breach incidents from 2004 to 2013, we find that, consistent with prior studies, audit fees are higher after the occurrence of an information security breach. However, such an association is negatively moderated when the audit firm has industry-specific expertise, longer experience with the client, and is one of the Big 4 firms. Our results suggest that because of their better knowledge about a specific industry, increased familiarity with the client’s operations, and more resources to understand a client’s vulnerabilities and/or information security policies and procedures, these auditors are more capable of assessing the potentially changing information security risks implied by the occurrence of information security breach incidents. Our results are robust to a variety of sensitivity checks.
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