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Thrombus formation in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains a major concern as it can lead to fatal outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, there is no standard non-invasive method for quantitatively measuring thrombi. This study’s purpose was to verify thrombus detection in an ECMO circuit using novel, non-invasive ultrasonic sensors in real-time, utilizing the fact that the ultrasonic velocity in a thrombus is known to be higher than that in the blood. Ultrasonic sensors with a customized chamber, an ultrasonic pulse-receiver, and a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) were used to set up the measuring unit. The customized chamber was connected to an ECMO circuit primed with porcine blood. Thrombi formed from static porcine blood were placed in the circuit and ultrasonic signals were extracted from the oscilloscope at various ECMO flow rates of 1–4 L/min. The ultrasonic signal changes were successfully detected at each flow rate on the DSO. The ultrasonic pulse signal shifted leftward when a thrombus passed between the two ultrasonic sensors and was easily detected on the DSO screen. This novel real-time non-invasive thrombus detection method may enable the early detection of floating thrombi in the ECMO system and early management of ECMO thrombi.

Quick-soluble gelatin microparticles (QS-GMP) are emerging embolic agents under investigation for temporary vascular occlusion, offering reduced ischemic risk compared to permanent materials. The aim of this preclinical study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of QS-GMP for transarterial embolization in a rabbit model of urinary bladder embolization. Twelve male New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral umbilical artery embolization using QS-GMP. Animals were assigned to four time-points (immediately, 3, 7, and 14 days post-embolization), with comprehensive assessments including clinical observations, hematologic and serum biochemical analysis, angiography, and histopathology. The procedure was technically feasible in all animals without intraoperative complications. Temporary hematuria and a transient decrease in body weight were observed post-procedure, both of which resolved spontaneously. Complete occlusion of the cranial vesical artery and absence of bladder wall perfusion were achieved immediately after embolization, followed by full recanalization at 3 days. Angiographic imaging at 7 and 14 days revealed transient hypervascularization of the bladder wall. Histopathological analysis showed marked edema, epithelial necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration at 3 and 7 days, with full urothelial regeneration observed at 14 days. No signs of ureteral or renal injury, or adverse systemic responses were detected. These findings suggest that QS-GMP may serve as a feasible option for temporary arterial occlusion in future veterinary lower urinary tract applications, although further long-term evaluation is warranted.

Dust grains absorb half of the radiation emitted by stars throughout the history of the universe, re-emitting this energy at infrared wavelengths. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are large organic molecules that trace millimetre-size dust grains and regulate the cooling of interstellar gas within galaxies. Observations of PAH features in very distant galaxies have been difficult owing to the limited sensitivity and wavelength coverage of previous infrared telescopes. Here we present James Webb Space Telescope observations that detect the 3.3 μm PAH feature in a galaxy observed less than 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. The high equivalent width of the PAH feature indicates that star formation, rather than black hole accretion, dominates infrared emission throughout the galaxy. The light from PAH molecules, hot dust and large dust grains and stars are spatially distinct from one another, leading to order-of-magnitude variations in PAH equivalent width and ratio of PAH to total infrared luminosity across the galaxy. The spatial variations we observe suggest either a physical offset between PAHs and large dust grains or wide variations in the local ultraviolet radiation field. Our observations demonstrate that differences in emission from PAH molecules and large dust grains are a complex result of localized processes within early galaxies.

The β-glucan produced by Euglena gracilis has emerged as an alternative to traditional high-value biomolecule sources such as yeast and fungi to meet the rising demand. A UV-induced mutant strain, E. gracilis UV199, was developed using a novel aniline-blue-based screening method to increase production. The response surface methodology was used to optimize the growth medium, resulting in glucose and monosodium glutamate concentrations of 25.9 and 5.8 g/L, respectively, and 0.9 × Hutner medium. Using this medium resulted in a β-glucan productivity of 3.62 g/L/day, which was 114% higher than that achieved using the wild type E. gracilis . Productivity was further increased to 4.29 g/L/day through optimizing pH and temperature to 4.5 and 32 °C, respectively. A comprehensive framework was constructed for increasing microalgal β-glucan production through integrating strain and process development. Combining UV mutagenesis, rapid screening, and optimizing heterotrophic culture conditions is an effective strategy for producing functional biomaterials from E. gracilis , supporting its future commercialization in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

This report outlines the use of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) to treat a nasal tumor in a 10-year-old Welsh Corgi. The dog initially presented with persistent nasal discharge and facial deformity, which led to a diagnosis of nasal hemangiosarcoma. Although initial treatments with radiotherapy and chemotherapy provided temporary relief, the symptoms reappeared 11 months later. As a palliative measure, TACE was administered, utilizing carboplatin as the chemotherapeutic agent and gel foam as the embolic material. The procedure successfully reduced the tumor size and alleviated the dog’s symptoms. Follow-up CT scans at 1, 3, 7, and 10 months, demonstrated sustained tumor shrinkage. Interestingly, there was no reperfusion of the embolized vessels, indicating a prolonged therapeutic effect. No significant complications were observed during follow-up. This case highlights the potential of TACE as a palliative option for managing recurrent nasal tumors in dogs, especially when other treatments have limited efficacy. Further research is needed to establish TACE guidelines for treating nasal tumors in veterinary medicine.

Purpose Human resource development (HRD) research and practice mostly have focused on performance improvement although HRD fundamentally pursues human development as a whole. The purpose of this study is to conceptualize meaningful work in the context of HRD and provide implications for HRD research and practice. Design/methodology/approach This study reviewed the literature on topics such as meaningful work, the meaning of work, workplace spirituality, the value of work and work as a calling, to understand the concept of meaningful work. In addition, this study reviewed existing studies on meaningful work in HRD journals to investigate the current status of meaningful work research within the field of HRD. This study reviewed the related literature such as meaningful work, the meaning of work, workplace spirituality, the value of work and work as a calling, to understand the concept of meaningful work. In addition, this study reviewed the existing studies on meaningful work in HRD journals to investigate the current status of meaningful work research in HRD. Findings The findings of this study identified three main themes in conceptualizing meaningful work, namely, positivity; significance and purpose; and human fulfillment. The authors also suggest that the meaningful work discourse in HRD expands a research boundary of HRD and enables a holistic approach to HRD research and practice. Research limitations/implications For future research, the authors recommend that HRD research deepens its understanding of meaningful work and its related concepts. They also recommend studies pursuing empirical evidence to reveal the significance of meaningful work. Originality/value Given the limited studies on meaningful work in HRD and a lack of understanding of meaningful work, this study proposes a comprehensive understanding of meaningful work, especially within the HRD context. This study also suggests a holistic approach to HRD by stressing a humanistic perspective beyond the performance-oriented HRD.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder characterized by episodic vertigo. BPPV primarily affects older adults. Thus, understanding the potential relationship between BPPV and osteoporosis is clinically important. We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies on the risk of osteoporosis between BPPV (+) and BPPV (−) groups up until 17 April 2023. We compared osteoporosis prevalence between groups and performed subgroup analyses for male, female, and older patients (aged ≥ 55 years). The 12 studies included 32,460 patients with BPPV and 476,304 controls. Pooled analysis showed that the BPPV (+) group had a significantly higher osteoporosis risk than the control group (odds ratio [OR], 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45–2.06; p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses also presented similar trends as male (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.18–4.90; p = 0.02), female (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.57–2.92; p < 0.001), and older patient subgroups (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.47–2.49; p < 0.01) showed a higher osteoporosis risk in the BPPV (+) group than in the control group. This meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that patients with BPPV have a higher osteoporosis prevalence than those without.

Galaxy structural properties such as size, morphology, and surface brightness bear the imprint of galaxies' evolutionary histories, and so are related with other properties such as stellar mass, star formation rate, and emergent spectra. In this dissertation, I present three studies exploring such relationships. In the first, I investigated the relationships between 4000 Å break (D4000) strength, colors, stellar masses, and morphology in a sample of 352 galaxies at intermediate redshifts based on photometric and spectroscopic data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). I explored several diagrams such as UVJ color space combined with the D4000 strengths and the structural parameters of sample galaxies. The analysis shows that the presence of a bulge component is a necessary but not sufficient requirement for star formation quenching at intermediate redshifts. In the second study, I investigated the central 250 pc UV star formation intensity S250pc (SFI, star formation rate per unit area) of a sample of 40 Green Pea (GP) galaxies and 15 local Lyman Break Galaxy Analogs (LBAs) to understand the Lyα escape mechanisms and the associations with the SFI in Lyα-emitters (LAEs). I utilized the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph near-ultraviolet (COS/NUV) images from the HST. I found that the Lyα equivalent width (EW(Lyα)) and the Lyα escape fraction (ƒLyαesc) are positively correlated with the ratio of SFI to galaxy stellar mass (S250pc/Mstar). These correlations suggest the importance of the central SFI in Lyα photon escape. In the third study, I investigated the UV photometric properties of a sample of 40 GPs and the possible associations with Lyα escape mechanisms. I measured the UV-continuum size and luminosity of the sample galaxies by employing the COS/NUV images. The circularized half-light radius (rcir;50) of GPs shows compact sizes and it further shows the statistically significant anti-correlations with EW(Lyα) and ƒLyαesc. The size comparison of GPs to those of high-redshift LAEs shows that their sizes are similar, once spatial resolution effects are properly considered. These results show that a compact size is crucial for escape of Lyα photons, and that Lyα emitters show constant characteristic size independent of their redshift. Therefore, the results presented in this dissertation emphasize the importance of galaxy structural properties in star formation quenching and in Lyα escape.

Quick-soluble gelatin microparticles (QS-GMP) are emerging embolic agents under investigation for temporary vascular occlusion, offering reduced ischemic risk compared to permanent materials. The aim of this preclinical study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of QS-GMP for transarterial embolization in a rabbit model of urinary bladder embolization. Twelve male New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral umbilical artery embolization using QS-GMP. Animals were assigned to four time-points (immediately, 3, 7, and 14 days post-embolization), with comprehensive assessments including clinical observations, hematologic and serum biochemical analysis, angiography, and histopathology. The procedure was technically feasible in all animals without intraoperative complications. Temporary hematuria and a transient decrease in body weight were observed post-procedure, both of which resolved spontaneously. Complete occlusion of the cranial vesical artery and absence of bladder wall perfusion were achieved immediately after embolization, followed by full recanalization at 3 days. Angiographic imaging at 7 and 14 days revealed transient hypervascularization of the bladder wall. Histopathological analysis showed marked edema, epithelial necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration at 3 and 7 days, with full urothelial regeneration observed at 14 days. No signs of ureteral or renal injury, or adverse systemic responses were detected. These findings suggest that QS-GMP may serve as a feasible option for temporary arterial occlusion in future veterinary lower urinary tract applications, although further long-term evaluation is warranted.

It has been reported that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) facilitates differentiation of PC-12 cells and murine adult neural stem cells. Here we show that IFN-gamma promotes the differentiation of C17.2 neural progenitor cells (NPC) into a neuronal phenotype characterized by neurite outgrowth and the expression of the neuronal marker protein beta-III tubulin. IFN-gamma induced an increase in the activity c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) without affecting activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs 1 and 2). An inhibitor of JNK blocked the ability of IFN-gamma to promote differentiation of NPC into neurons, whereas an inhibitor of ERKs 1 and 2 did not. Our findings show that the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IFN-gamma has the potential to stimulate neurogenesis, suggesting roles for this cytokine in development and repair of the nervous system.