We used supersonic aerosol deposition to fabricate transparent flexible thin “glass” films, comprising SiO2 and ZnO, with antibacterial, superhydrophilic, and anti-fog properties. A polystyrene ...solution, which was supersonically sprayed onto the glass film to augment the superhydrophobicity, endowed the film with self-cleaning and anti-frost characteristics. The glass films have a thickness of 2–2.5 μm with a maximum roughness of approximately 0.25 μm. The sprayed polystyrene (PS) layer (approximately 200 nm thick) decreased the transparency of the film to 80% relative to that of the pure glass film (90%) at 580 nm. The large water contact angle of 165° renders the PS-coated glass film superhydrophobic, which slows the nucleation of condensing droplets and delays the subsequent formation of ice, known as the anti-frost or anti-icing effect. The superhydrophobicity is also responsible for the self-cleaning effect of the rolling droplets over a tilted substrate. The hydrophilicity of the glass-coated film (or simply, glass film) without PS facilitated the formation of a thin liquid layer, which minimized light scattering and augmented the anti-fog effect. Finally, the bacterial inhibition rates of the glass and PS-coated glass films were 97.5% and 96.3%, respectively. These multifunctional films are expected to minimize the transmission of bacteria resulting from physical contact.
•Transparent flexible SiO2/ZnO films are fabricated using supersonic aerosol deposition.•The SiO2/ZnO films exhibit antibacterial, superhydrophilic, and anti-fog properties.•The bacterial inhibition rates of the SiO2/ZnO films are 97.5%.
Brown adipose tissue generates heat via the mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP1 to protect against obesity and hypothermia. Fas mutant MRL/lpr mice exhibit a significantly leaner phenotype compared ...to wild type MRL/MpJ mice. In this study, we evaluated the inflammatory cell population in the adipose tissue of MRL/lpr mice, which could potentially influence their lean phenotype. Furthermore, we compared beige fat activity between the MRL/MpJ and MRL/lpr mice. Fas mutation resulted in high body temperature, improved glucose tolerance, and decreased fat mass and adipocyte size. Fas mutation prevented high-fat diet-induced obesity and decreased the white adipose tissue M1:M2 ratio. When mice were fed a high-fat diet, UCP1, IL-4, IL-10, and tyrosine hydroxylase genes had significantly higher expression in Fas-mutant mice than in wild type mice. After a cold challenge, UCP1 expression and browning were also significantly higher in the Fas-mutant mice. In summary, Fas-mutant mice are resistant to high-fat diet-induced obesity due to increased IL-4 and IL-10 levels and the promotion of thermogenic protein activity and browning in their adipose tissues. STAT6 activation might contribute to M2 polarisation by increasing IL-4 and IL-10 levels while increases in M2 and tyrosine hydroxylase levels promote browning in response to Fas mutation.
Structured
Objective
The pore size of the scaffold is a critical factor in repairing large bone defect. Here, we investigated the potential of bone regeneration using novel nanocomposite ...polydopamine‐laced hydroxyapatite collagen calcium silicate (HCCS‐PDA) scaffolds with two different pore sizes, 250 and 500 μm.
Samples/Setting
A total of 12 male Sprague‐Dawley rats were implanted with HCCS‐PDA scaffold with pore size of either 250 or 500 μm into surgically created critical‐sized defect (CSD).
Methods
HCCS‐PDA scaffolds were fabricated using mould printing technique. The effect of pore size on mechanical strength of the scaffolds was assessed by compression testing. After seeding with rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs), the scaffolds were implanted, and new bone formation was evaluated using microCT and histomorphometric analysis after 8 weeks.
Results
MicroCT and histology analysis demonstrated restricted peripheral new bone formation in either dural or periosteal side and limited new bone formation in the 250 μm pore scaffold. Conversely, the 500‐μm pore scaffold showed more penetration of new bone into the scaffold and greater bone regeneration in the rat CSD.
Conclusion
Based on our results, which demonstrated improved new bone formation in 500 μm pores scaffold, we can conclude that effective scaffold pore size that induces osteointegration and bone regeneration is around 500 μm for HCCS‐PDA nanocomposite scaffold.
Objectives
We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ability for the prediction of histologic grades and prognostic values on recurrence and death of pretreatment 2-
18
FFDG PET/CT in patients with ...resectable thymic epithelial tumours (TETs).
Methods
One hundred and fourteen patients with TETs who underwent pretreatment 2-
18
FFDG PET/CT between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. TETs were classified into three histologic subtypes: low-risk thymoma (LRT, WHO classification A/AB/B1), high-risk thymoma (HRT, B2/B3), and thymic carcinoma (TC). Area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was used to assess the diagnostic performance of PET/CT variables (maximum standardised uptake value SUVmax, metabolic tumour volume MTV, total lesion glycolysis TLG, maximum diameter). Cox proportional hazards models were built using PET/CT and clinical variables.
Results
The tumours included 52 LRT, 33 HRT, and 29 TC. SUVmax showed good diagnostic ability for differentiating HRT/TC from LRT (AUC 0.84, 95% confidence interval CI 0.76 − 0.92) and excellent ability for differentiating TC from LRT/HRT (AUC 0.94, 95% CI 0.90 − 0.98), with significantly higher values than MTV, TLG, and maximum diameter. With an optimal cut-off value of 6.4, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for differentiating TC from LRT/HRT were 69%, 96%, and 89%, respectively. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses for freedom-from-recurrence, SUVmax was an independent prognostic factor (
p
< 0.001), whereas MTV and TLG were not. SUVmax was a significant predictor for overall survival in conjunction with clinical stage and resection margin.
Conclusion
SUVmax showed excellent diagnostic performance for prediction of TC and significant prognostic value in terms of recurrence and survival.
Key Points
• Maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) shows excellent performance in the differentiation of thymic carcinoma from low- and high-risk thymoma.
• SUVmax is an independent prognostic factor for freedom-from-recurrence in the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model and a significant predictor for overall survival.
• 2-
18
FFDG PET/CT can provide a useful diagnostic and prognostic imaging biomarker in conjunction with histologic classification and stage and help choose appropriate management for thymic epithelial tumours.
Tungsten trioxide/bismuth vanadate heterojunction is one of the best pairs for solar water splitting, but its photocurrent densities are insufficient. Here we investigate the advantages of using ...helical nanostructures in photoelectrochemical solar water splitting. A helical tungsten trioxide array is fabricated on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate, followed by subsequent coating with bismuth vanadate/catalyst. A maximum photocurrent density of ~5.35±0.15 mA cm(-2) is achieved at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, and related hydrogen and oxygen evolution is also observed from this heterojunction. Theoretical simulations and analyses are performed to verify the advantages of this helical structure. The combination of effective light scattering, improved charge separation and transportation, and an enlarged contact surface area with electrolytes due to the use of the bismuth vanadate-decorated tungsten trioxide helical nanostructures leads to the highest reported photocurrent density to date at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, to the best of our knowledge.
Slc25a17 is known as a peroxisomal solute carrier, but the in vivo role of the protein has not been demonstrated. We found that the zebrafish genome contains two slc25a17 genes that function ...redundantly, but additively. Notably, peroxisome function in slc25a17 knockdown embryos is severely compromised, resulting in an altered lipid composition. Along the defects found in peroxisome‐associated phenotypic presentations, we highlighted that development of the swim bladder is also highly dependent on Slc25a17 function. As Slc25a17 showed substrate specificity towards coenzyme A (CoA), injecting CoA, but not NAD+, rescued the defective swim bladder induced by slc25a17 knockdown. These results indicated that Slc25a17 acts as a CoA transporter, involved in the maintenance of functional peroxisomes that are essential for the development of multiple organs during zebrafish embryogenesis. Given high homology in protein sequences, the role of zebrafish Slc25a17 may also be applicable to the mammalian system.
Slc25a17 is known as a peroxisomal solute transporter, but its in vivo role is largely unknown. We found that duplicated zebrafish Slc25a17 proteins act as peroxisomal CoA transporters, and play a critical role in the development of multiorgans including swim bladder in zebrafish.
Primary mediastinal germ cell tumor (MGCT) is an uncommon tumor. Although it has histology similar to that of gonadal germ cell tumor (GCT), the prognosis for MGCT is generally worse than that for ...gonadal GCT. We performed visual assessment and quantitative analysis of 18Ffluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FFDG PET/CT) for MGCTs. A total of 35 MGCT patients (age = 33.1 ± 16.8 years, F:M = 16:19) who underwent preoperative PET/CT were retrospectively reviewed. The pathologic diagnosis of MGCTs identified 24 mature teratomas, 4 seminomas, 5 yolk sac tumors, and 2 mixed germ cell tumors. Visual assessment was performed by categorizing the uptake intensity, distribution, and contour of primary MGCTs. Quantitative parameters including the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), tumor-to-background ratio (TBR), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and maximum diameter were compared between benign and malignant MGCTs. On visual assessment, the uptake intensity was the only significant parameter for differentiating between benign and malignant MGCTs (p = 0.040). In quantitative analysis, the SUVmax (p < 0.001), TBR (p < 0.001), MTV (p = 0.033), and TLG (p < 0.001) showed significantly higher values for malignant MGCTs compared with benign MGCTs. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of these quantitative parameters, the SUVmax had the highest area under the curve (AUC) (AUC = 0.947, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the SUVmax could differentiate between seminomas and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (p = 0.042) and reflect serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels (p = 0.012). The visual uptake intensity and SUVmax on 18FFDG PET/CT showed discriminative ability for benign and malignant MGCTs. Moreover, the SUVmax may associate with AFP levels.
Electrospun piezoelectric polymer fibers, which offer mechanical flexibility, light weight, and relatively low temperature processing, have emerged as a strong solution to shape-adaptive energy ...harvesting and sensing applications for smart electronics at multi-scales. In this work, we aim to enhance the electrospun fiber-based piezoelectric energy harvesting performance by elucidating the role of the solvent in crystallization kinetics and fiber formation during electrospinning as well as its influence on harvesting performance. Two key solvent characteristics, surface tension and evaporation rate, are found to play a role in determining uniform fiber formation with controllable diameters, degree of crystallization, and electroactive β-phase content, which are primarily responsible for the piezoelectric performance of the electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE). A substantial difference in the piezoelectric output performance is clearly observed depending on the choice of solvent. Indeed, N,N-dimethylformamide with a low evaporation rate enables piezoelectric output voltage generation of a thermally annealed P(VDF-TrFE) fiber-based device up to 139.5 V, while the device with as-spun fibers in the other solvent case, methyl ethyl ketone, yields a much lower voltage of 75.3 V. This study demonstrates that the tailoring capability of the solvent should be carefully considered together with other processing and operating conditions (e.g., thermal annealing, bending frequency, and electrical resistances) in order to realize enhanced piezoelectric energy harvesting performance of electrospun fibers for versatile potential applications.
Understanding the burden of disease is important to establish cost-effective treatment strategies and to allocate healthcare resources appropriately. However, little reliable information is available ...regarding the overall economic burden imposed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Korea.
This study is a multicenter observational research on the COPD burden in Korea. Total COPD costs were comprised of three categories: direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs. For direct medical costs, institutional investigation was performed at 13 medical facilities mainly based on the claims data. For direct non-medical and indirect costs, site-based surveys were administered to the COPD patients during routine visits. Total costs were estimated using the COPD population defined in the recent report.
The estimated total costs were approximately 1,245 million US dollar (1,408 billion Korean won). Direct medical costs comprised approximately 20% of the total estimated costs. Of these, formal medical costs held more than 80%. As direct non-medical costs, nursing costs made up the largest percentage (39%) of the total estimated costs. Costs for COPD-related loss of productivity formed four fifths of indirect costs, and accounted for up to 33% of the total costs.
This study shows for the first time the direct and indirect costs of COPD in Korea. The total costs were enormous, and the costs of nursing and lost productivity comprised approximately 70% of total costs. The results provide insight for an effective allocation of healthcare resources and to inform establishment of strategies to reduce national burden of COPD.
To determine the comparability of choroidal thickness (ChT) measurements using swept source (SS) and spectral domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices in patients with pachychoroid ...diseases.
Patients with pachychoroid diseases were recruited. OCT scans were performed sequentially with a Cirrus HD OCT 5000 and Plex Elite 9000. Images were analyzed by two independent observers. Each image was independently measured twice by each observer to determine the intraobserver repeatability.
A total of 55 eyes were included. The average ChT of the subfoveal area using SS-OCT and SD-OCT was 430.5 ± 68.1 and 428.5 ± 57.9 μm, respectively, which did not show a significant result as the main effect in the repeated-measure analysis of variance (P = 0.067). Using SS-OCT, the intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of both observers was > 0.950 at every measured point, and the interobserver coefficient of repeatability (CR) of the subfoveal area was 45.1 μm (95% confidence interval (CI), 40.8-49.4). Using SD-OCT, the intraobserver ICC of both observers was > 0.800, and the interobserver CR of the subfoveal area was 71.2 μm (95% CI, 64.4-78.0). Additionally, the intraobserver and interobserver CRs showed significantly better repeatability in SS-OCT than SD-OCT in F-test. In patients with ChT ≥ 400 μm, the interobserver CRs of SS-OCT and SD-OCT were 48.4 (95% CI, 42.6-54.2) and 95.2 μm (95% CI, 83.9-106.6), respectively. In patients with a subfoveal active lesion, the interobserver CRs were 44.5 (95% CI, 37.6-51.4) and 100.1 μm (95% CI, 84.6-115.5), respectively.
Although the ChT measurements were comparable between SS-OCT and SD-OCT devices in pachychoroid diseases, SD-OCT showed low reliability in patients with ChT ≥ 400 μm and subfoveal active lesions. SS-OCT would be therefore more suitable for observation and follow-up of choroidal structures in pachychoroid diseases.
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