Explore the vast range of titles available.

Imaging technologies based on terahertz (THz) waves have great potential for use in powerful non-invasive inspection methods. However, most real objects have various three-dimensional curvatures and existing THz technologies often encounter difficulties in imaging such configurations, which limits the useful range of THz imaging applications. Here, we report the development of a flexible and wearable THz scanner based on carbon nanotubes. We achieved room-temperature THz detection over a broad frequency band ranging from 0.14 to 39 THz and developed a portable THz scanner. Using this scanner, we performed THz imaging of samples concealed behind opaque objects, breakages and metal impurities of a bent film and multi-view scans of a syringe. We demonstrated a passive biometric THz scan of a human hand. Our results are expected to have considerable implications for non-destructive and non-contact inspections, such as medical examinations for the continuous monitoring of health conditions. A flexible and wearable terahertz scanner based on carbon nanotubes is demonstrated at room temperature over a frequency range 0.14 THz to 39 THz. The terahertz photothermoelectricity is enhanced by using different electrode materials.

Background: Cancer cells utilise the glycolytic pathway even when adequate oxygen is present, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. We examined whether this system is operative in multiple myeloma (MM) cells and whether glycolysis inhibition is a potential therapeutic modality. Methods: The MM cells were purified from 59 patients using CD138-immunomagnetic beads. The expression levels of genes associated with glycolysis, c-MYC, GLUT1, LDHA, HIF1A and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK1) were determined by real-time PCR. Glucose consumption and lactate production by MM cell lines were analysed. Oxamate, an LDH inhibitor, and dichloroacetate (DCA), a PDK1 inhibitor, were employed. Inhibition of PDK1 expression was achieved using a siRNA. Results: High LDHA expression was found to be an indicator of poor prognosis. It was also positively correlated with the expression of PDK1, c-MYC and GLUT1. Greater glucose consumption and lactate production in MM cells was associated with higher LDHA expression. All the glycolysis inhibitors (oxamate, DCA and PDK1 siRNA) induced apoptosis in MM cells. DCA combined with bortezomib showed additive cytotoxic effects. Conclusion: The present data suggest that the Warburg effect is operative in MM cells. As PDK1 is not overexpressed in normal tissues, PDK1 inhibition could serve as a novel therapeutic approach.

To examine associations of dietary variety with changes in lean mass and physical performance during a 4-year period in an elderly Japanese population. Design: Four-year prospective study. The Hatoyama Cohort Study and Kusatsu Longitudinal Study, Japan. 935 community-dwelling Japanese aged 65 years or older. Dietary variety was assessed using a 10-item food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was determined by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and physical performance (grip strength and usual gait speed) was measured in surveys at baseline and 4 years later. Longitudinal analysis included only participants who were originally in the upper three quartiles of lean body mass, appendicular lean mass, grip strength, and usual gait speed. The outcome measures were decline in lean body mass, appendicular lean mass, grip strength, and usual gait speed, defined as a decrease to the lowest baseline quartile level at the 4-year follow-up survey. Associations of dietary variety with the outcome measures were examined by logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders. In the fully adjusted model, the odds ratios for decline in grip strength and usual gait speed were 0.43 (95% confidence interval, 0.19–0.99) and 0.43 (confidence interval, 0.19–0.99), respectively, for participants in the highest category of dietary variety score as compared with those in the lowest category. Dietary variety was not significantly associated with changes in lean body mass or appendicular lean mass. Among older adults, greater dietary variety may help maintain physical performance, such as grip strength and usual gait speed, but not lean mass.

The prognosis of patients with malignant glioma is extremely poor, despite the extensive surgical treatment that they receive and recent improvements in adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy. In the present study, we propose the use of gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new tool for gene therapy of malignant brain neoplasms. Primary MSCs isolated from Fischer 344 rats possessed excellent migratory ability and exerted inhibitory effects on the proliferation of 9L glioma cell in vitro . We also confirmed the migratory capacity of MSCs in vivo and showed that when they were inoculated into the contralateral hemisphere, they migrated towards 9L glioma cells through the corpus callosum. MSCs implanted directly into the tumor localized mainly at the border between the 9L tumor cells and normal brain parenchyma, and also infiltrated into the tumor bed. Intratumoral injection of MSCs caused significant inhibition of 9L tumor growth and increased the survival of 9L glioma-bearing rats. Gene-modification of MSCs by infection with an adenoviral vector encoding human interleukin-2 (IL-2) clearly augmented the antitumor effect and further prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing rats. Thus, gene therapy employing MSCs as a targeting vehicle would be promising as a new therapeutic approach for refractory brain tumor.

Hydraulic power generation has a potential as an environmental friendly energy, which is not discharging a carbon dioxide gas during operation. Currently, high and middle water head turbine has been fully developed in practical use. However, extra low head hydraulic turbine has not been developed yet as a commercial utilization. Compact Darrieus-type hydraulic turbine has been focused on for small waterway. The purpose of this study is to improve the performance of the compact Darrieus-type hydraulic turbine, by changing inlet shape. In our previous study, the blade shape, the number of blades, the water wheel diameter ratio of chord length and pitch circle radius are optimized. The purpose of the present study is to further improve the performance of the compact Darrieus-type water turbine based on former results. In this study, the inlet shapes were changed to increase inflow velocity and to contribute improvement of efficiency. As a result, the efficiency of the turbine with using only half side counterpart nozzle was increased compared to the other settings.

Background:While the incidence of severe acute COVID-19 has decreased, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, or ‘long COVID,’ is common and associated with lower quality of life and morbidity. Long COVID is likely multifactorial, but may be in part driven by systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation. Patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) may be at risk for long COVID due to underlying altered immunity, immunosuppressive drug use, and propensity for systemic inflammation. Thus, identifying inflammatory biomarkers for long COVID may be helpful to identify biologic pathways and develop treatments and diagnostic tests.Objectives:We aimed to examine whether circulating inflammatory cytokines after COVID-19 were associated with presence of long COVID among patients with SARDs.Methods:We investigated biomarkers of inflammation and long COVID using RheumCARD, a prospective study of people with prevalent SARDs with (cases) and without (comparators) a history of COVID-19 from a large healthcare system in the US. Cases are recruited ≥28 days following onset of acute COVID-19 to answer surveys and provide blood samples (March 2021 to July 2023). We measured circulating cytokines in serum using the proximity extension assay (Olink Target 48 cytokine panel). If patients were on a DMARD targeted to a cytokine (e.g., TNF), their data was excluded. The primary outcome was long COVID defined according to US CDC criteria as persisting for ≥28 days. The primary analysis compared those with vs without long COVID among SARDs after COVID-19. We compared median cytokine levels between groups using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. We compared those with vs. without long COVID for cytokine levels using linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, vaccine status, and SARS-CoV-2 variant. We performed subgroup analyses among those with inflammatory arthritis, pre-Omicron variants, Omicron variants, remission/low disease activity, moderate/high disease activity as well as a more stringent definition of long COVID (≥90 days of persistent symptoms). We also analyzed comparators, SARDs who never had COVID-19 before sample collection.Results:We analyzed a total of 201 cases (prevalent SARDs after COVID-19; mean age 56 years, 81% female) and 47 comparators (SARDs without COVID-19; mean age 62 years, 75% female). The most common SARD type among cases was inflammatory arthritis (60%), followed by connective tissue disease (22%, Table 1). Considering SARD treatment, 63 (31%) were only on conventional synthetic DMARDs, and 53 (26%) were on TNF inhibitors. A total of 54 (27%) cases were unvaccinated at COVID-19 onset, and 76 (38%) had pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants. Among cases, 78 (39%) reported COVID-19 symptoms persisting for ≥28 days and were classified as long COVID for the primary outcome; 44 (22%) had symptoms for ≥90 days. IL18 levels were lower among those with long COVID (199 pg/mL) vs without long COVID (221 pg/mL; p=0.001). In the multivariable analysis, long COVID cases had lower IL-18 levels than those without long COVID (β -55 pg/mL, SE 17, p=0.0011, Table 2). There were also associations of lower levels of CSF2 and CCL7 as well as higher levels of IL-2 with long COVID. IL-18 levels were consistently lower in those with vs without long COVID in all additional analyses: inflammatory arthritis (p=0.021), remission/low disease activity (p=0.02), moderate/high disease activity (p=0.015), pre-Omicron variants (p=0.004), Omicron variants (p=0.06), long COVID defined as ≥90 days of persistent symptoms (p=0.004), and vs comparators (p=0.011).Conclusion:In this prospective study performed among SARDs after COVID-19, lower IL-18 levels were associated with long COVID. This finding was robust across all analyses examined and not explained by vaccination or viral variants. IL-18 is produced by inflammasome activation and induces cell-mediated immunity following infection, implicating a blunted immune response, rather than exuberant hyperinflammation, as a potential mechanism for long COVID among patients with SARDs.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of Interests:Jeffrey A. Sparks AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Inova Diagnostics, Janssen, Optum, Pfizer, ReCor, Sobi, and UCB, Bristol Myers Squibb and Boehringer Ingelheim, Xiaosong Wang: None declared, Pui.Y Lee: None declared, Kailey Brodeur: None declared, Miao Lin: None declared, Naomi Patel FVC, Yumeko Kawano: None declared, Abigail Schiff: None declared, Andrew King: None declared, Jennifer Hanberg: None declared, Shruthi Srivatsan: None declared, Emily Kowalski: None declared, Colebrook Johnson: None declared, Kathleen Vanni: None declared, Zachary Williams: None declared, Grace Qian: None declared, Caleb Bolden: None declared, Kevin Mueller: None declared, Katarina Bade: None declared, Alene Saavedra: None declared, Rathnam Venkat: None declared, Zachary S. Wallace Viela Bio, Zenas BioPharma, Horizon Therapeutics, Sanofi, MedPace, BioCryst, Amgen, PPD, Shionogi, Otsuka/Visterra, BMS, Sanofi, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Principia/Sanofi.

Abstract Water stress is characterized by the lack or excess of water for a certain period, which can hinder the establishment and growth of different tree species. Thus, this study aims to evaluate growth and physiological changes in young Sapindus saponaria plants subjected to flooding, drought, rehydration and post-flooding recovery. For flooding, plants were kept in pots containing water 2 cm above the soil; for drought, plants were not irrigated for 25 days. At the end of the period, growth, height, dry and fresh mass of leaves, stem, and root measurements were assessed. Photosynthetic pigments and total soluble carbohydrate contents were also analyzed. Young S. saponaria plants showed reduced growth rates under drought conditions, and did not recover when rehydrated. In addition, drought caused a decrease in the chlorophyll a/b ratio and an increase in the total soluble carbohydrates content in the roots. Plants kept under flooding and post-flooding conditions did not show differences in growth and chlorophyll content, but a higher total soluble carbohydrates content was observed in the root of flooded plants. The study revealed young S. saponaria plants are intolerant to drought periods, showing low recovery capacity, but are tolerant to flooding and post-flooding periods. Resumo O estresse hídrico se caracteriza pela falta ou excesso de água por determinado período, o que pode prejudicar o crescimento e o estabelecimento de diferentes espécies arbóreas. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e as alterações fisiológicas em plantas jovens de Sapindus saponaria submetidas ao alagamento, seca, reidratação e recuperação após-alagamento. Para a condição de alagamento as plantas foram mantidas em vasos contendo água com 2 cm acima do solo, enquanto para a condição de seca, a irrigação das plantas foi suspensa por 25 dias. Ao final do período de estresse avaliaram-se as variáveis de crescimento, altura, massa seca e fresca das folhas, caule e raiz e analisaram-se o teor de pigmentos fotossintéticos e o teor de carboidratos solúveis totais. As plantas jovens de S. saponaria apresentaram redução no crescimento sob seca e não recuperaram o crescimento na reidratação. Além disso, a seca causou redução da razão clorofila a/b e aumento no teor de carboidratos solúveis totais nas raízes. As plantas mantidas sob alagamento e pós-alagamento não apresentaram diferença no crescimento e no teor de clorofila, no entanto, observou-se maior teor de carboidratos solúveis totais na raiz de plantas alagadas. O estudo revelou que as plantas jovens de S. saponaria são intolerantes a períodos de seca, apresentando baixa capacidade de recuperação, mas são tolerantes aos períodos de alagamento e pós-alagamento.

Background:People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are at risk for poor acute COVID-19 outcomes because of their disease, comorbidities, and/or treatments. Less is known about the impact of COVID-19 infection and ‘long COVID’ on post-acute COVID-19 outcomes in this vulnerable population, particularly with regard to rheumatic disease activity, disability, and quality of life.Objectives:To examine the association of COVID-19 infection and ‘long COVID’ with disease activity, disability, and quality of life in people with inflammatory arthritis.Methods:RheumCARD is a prospective cohort study recruiting people with systemic rheumatic disease with (cases) and without (comparators) a history of COVID-19 from a large US healthcare system. Participants are recruited ≥ 28 days after acute COVID-19 onset. Surveys include the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID-3), modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ), short form 12 (SF-12), fatigue symptom inventory (FSI), and short form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Participants report rheumatic disease control (scale 0-10, 10 being well-controlled) before and after COVID-19 (cases) or test for COVID-19 (comparators). Here, we analyzed only participants with inflammatory arthritis (RA, PsA, JIA, or axSpA) who completed surveys 3/2021-10/2023. ‘Long COVID’ was defined as symptoms of acute COVID-19 for ≥ 28 days (US CDC Definition). We assessed the association of having had vs not had COVID-19 with measures as well as the association of ‘long COVID’ with these measures in unadjusted and adjusted models. We performed a subgroup analysis restricted to patients with RA.Results:We analyzed 276 post-COVID-19 cases and 59 comparators without COVID-19; 39.5% cases had ‘long COVID’ (Table 1). Most cases and comparators, respectively, had RA (67% and 85%), were female (80% and 80%), and White (88% and 93%). The most used medications were methotrexate and/or TNF inhibitors. RAPID-3, MHAQ, SF-12 physical and mental health, FSI, and SF-MPQ scores were similar among those with and without a history of COVID-19; rheumatic disease control was worse after COVID-19 infection among those with prior COVID-19 (Table 2). After stratifying by ‘long COVID’ status, worse RAPID-3 (3.7 vs 2.3, p<0.01), MHAQ (0.4 vs 0.1, p<0.01), SF-12 physical (38.1 vs 47.2, p<0.01) and mental health (48.6 vs 53.0, p=0.03), FSI (5 vs 4 (p<0.01), SF-MPQ scores for sensory (4.5 vs 3, p<0.01), affective (1 vs 1, p=0.01), and present pain (2 vs 1, p<0.01), and rheumatic disease control scores (6 vs 7, p=0.05) were observed among those with vs without ‘long COVID’. Of note, perceived rheumatic disease control prior to COVID-19 or testing was similar among those with ‘long COVID’, without ‘long COVID’, and no prior history of COVID-19. Those without ‘long COVID’ had similar outcomes compared to those with no history of COVID-19 except for rheumatic disease control which was worse among those without ‘long COVID’ (Table 2). Findings were similar when the analyses were limited to those with RA and adjusted for age, sex, and race.Conclusion:In the post-acute period, COVID-19 has a substantial impact on people with inflammatory arthritis. Those with ‘long COVID’ have significantly worse rheumatic disease activity, disability, fatigue, pain, and quality of life. Even those who do not have ‘long COVID’ report worse disease control than those without prior COVID-19. These differences may reflect features of ‘long COVID’ and/or exacerbations of the underlying inflammatory arthritis. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the immunologic or other factors driving these differences.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of Interests:Zachary S. Wallace Viela Bio, Zenas BioPharma, Horizon Therapeutics, Sanofi, MedPace, BioCryst, Amgen, PPD, Shionogi, Otsuka/Visterra, BMS, Sanofi, Amgen, Miao Lin: None declared, Xiaosong Wang: None declared, Naomi Patel: None declared, Yumeko Kawano: None declared, Abigail Schiff: None declared, Andrew King: None declared, Jennifer Hanberg: None declared, Shruthi Srivatsan: None declared, Emily Kowalski: None declared, Colebrook Johnson: None declared, Kathleen Vanni: None declared, Zachary Williams: None declared, Grace Qian: None declared, Caleb Bolden: None declared, Kevin Mueller: None declared, Katarina Bade: None declared, Alene Saavedra: None declared, Rathnam Venkat: None declared, Jeffrey A. Sparks AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Inova Diagnostics, Janssen, Optum, Pfizer, ReCor, Sobi, and UCB, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim.

Background The activation of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes stimulates the production of eumelanin. A tridecapeptide α melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (αMSH) is known to induce skin pigmentation. Objectives We characterised the properties of a novel oral MC1R agonist dersimelagon (MT‐7117) with respect to its specific binding to MC1R, downstream signalling and eumelanin production in experimental models. Methods The competitive binding and production of intracellular cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′‐monophosphate in cells expressing recombinant melanocortin receptors were examined. A mouse melanoma cell line B16F1 was used for the evaluation of in vitro melanin production. The in vitro activity of MT‐7117 was determined with αMSH and [Nle4, D‐Phe7]‐αMSH (NDP‐αMSH) as reference comparators. The change of coat colour and skin pigmentation were evaluated after repeat administration of MT‐7117 by oral gavage to C57BL/6J‐Ay/+ mice and cynomolgus monkeys, respectively. Results MT‐7117 showed the highest affinity for human MC1R compared to the other melanocortin receptors evaluated and agonistic activity for human, cynomolgus monkey and mouse MC1R, with EC50 values in the nanomolar range. In B16F1 cells, MT‐7117 increased melanin production in a concentration‐dependent manner. In vivo, MT‐7117 (≥0.3 mg/kg/day p.o.) significantly induced coat colour darkening in mice. MT‐7117 (≥1 mg/kg/day p.o.) induced significant skin pigmentation in monkeys and complete reversibility was observed after cessation of its administration. Conclusions MT‐7117 is a novel oral MC1R agonist that induces melanogenesis in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its potential application for the prevention of phototoxic reactions in patients with photodermatoses, such as erythropoietic protoporphyria and X‐linked protoporphyria.