Rib cage contributions to inspiratory capacity in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.

Background: Cervical spinal cord injury (CSI) often leads to impaired respiratory function, affecting the overall well-being of patients. This study aimed to investigate the influence of rib cage motion on inspiratory capacity in CSI patients. Methods: We conducted a study with 11 CSI patients, utilising respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP). We measured ventilatory volume by spirometry concurrently with RIP. Participants were instructed to perform maximal inspiratory efforts. Inspiratory capacity (IC) was calculated from spirometry waveforms. We converted the respiratory waveforms of the chest and abdomen into inspiratory volume measured by a spirometer. The inspiratory volume measured by the chest sensor was defined as VRIP-rib cage (VRIP-rc), and the inspiratory volume measured by the abdominal sensor was defined as VRIP-abdomen (VRIP-ab). Subsequently, the relationships of IC with VRIP-rc and VRIPab were assessed. Results: The mean IC was 1.828 ± 0.459 L, with the mean VRIP-rc at 1.343 ± 0.568 L and the mean VRIP-ab at 0.485 ± 0.427 L. A significant correlation was observed between IC and VRIP-rc (r = 0.67, p = 0.02), indicating that rib cage motion significantly influences IC in CSI patients. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of rib cage motion in assessing inspiratory capacity in patients with CSI.

Anxiety and its risk factors among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing COVID-19 situation: A cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION: In the context of collective efforts taken in Japan to control the spread of COVID-19, the state of emergency and social distancing have caused a negative impact on the mental health of all residents, including foreign communities in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety and its associated factors among non-Japanese residents residing in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A web-based survey in 13 languages was conducted among non-Japanese residents living in Japan during the COVID-19 situation. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assessed the level of anxiety-State (STAI-S) scores prorated from its six-item version. The multivariable logistic regression using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was performed to identify the associated factors of anxiety among participants. RESULTS: From January to March 2021, we collected 392 responses. A total of 357 valid responses were analyzed. 54.6% of participants suffered from clinically significant anxiety (CSA). In multivariable logistic model analysis, the CSA status or the high level of anxiety was associated with three factors, including having troubles/difficulties in learning or working, decreased sleep duration, and decreased overall physical health (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests several possible risk factors of anxiety among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic, including the troubles or difficulties in learning or working, the decrease in sleep duration, and the decrease in overall physical health.

Machine learning identifies key metabolic reactions in bacterial growth on different carbon sources.

Carbon source-dependent control of bacterial growth is fundamental to bacterial physiology and survival. However, pinpointing the metabolic steps important for cell growth is challenging due to the complexity of cellular networks. Here, the elastic net model and multilayer perception model that integrated genome-wide gene-deletion data and simulated flux distributions were constructed to identify metabolic reactions beneficial or detrimental to Escherichia coli grown on 30 different carbon sources. Both models outperformed traditional in silico methods by identifying not just essential reactions but also nonessential ones that promote growth. They successfully predicted metabolic reactions beneficial to cell growth, with high convergence between the models. The models revealed that biosynthetic pathways generally promote growth across various carbon sources, whereas the impact of energy-generating pathways varies with the carbon source. Intriguing predictions were experimentally validated for findings beyond experimental training data and the impact of various carbon sources on the glyoxylate shunt, pyruvate dehydrogenase reaction, and redundant purine biosynthesis reactions. These highlight the practical significance and predictive power of the models for understanding and engineering microbial metabolism.

A study on longitudinal relationship between ultrafine dust and the prevalence of depression.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the fine dust problem caused by rapid industrialization and science and technological development has emerged as a severe social issue worldwide. This also increases the interest in its effect on human life. In particular, there is a growing concern about the harm of fine dust in Korea. METHODS: This study is based on the PM 2.5 data from 2017 to 2021 provided by Air Korea to estimate changes in ultrafine dust. In addition, the data from the Community Health Survey provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) from 2017 to 2021 were used to examine the effect between the change in ultra-fine dust and the prevalence of depression. A total of 229 local governments were included in the analysis. The Latent Growth Modeling was carried out to estimate the change in ultra-fine dust and the prevalence of depressions and verify the relationship between ultra-fine dust and the prevalence of depression. RESULTS: The analysis result revealed that the ultra-fine dust concentration continued to decrease from 2017 to 2021. However, the depression prevalence increased from an average of 2.60% in 2017 to an average of 3.12% in 2021, suggesting the need for adequate and sufficient welfare policies for depression treatment. As a result of estimating the initial value and change rate of ultra-fine dust and depression prevalence, the higher the initial value of ultra-fine dust, the greater the decrease in ultra-fine dust. In terms of depression, the lower the initial value of the prevalence of depression, the larger the increase in depression prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: This study is significant in that it revealed the strong association of the longitudinal relationship between ultra-fine dust and depression, one of the biggest issues in Korea, by utilizing large-scale longitudinal data.

Activity-Stability Trends of the Sb-SnO2@RuOx Heterostructure toward Acidic Water Oxidation.

Accomplishments of enhanced activity and durability are a major concern in the design of catalysts for acidic water oxidation. To date, most studied supported metal catalysts undergo fast degradation in strongly acidic and oxidative environments due to improper controlling of the interface stability caused by their lattice mismatches. Here, we evaluate the activity-stability trends of in situ crystallized antimony-doped tin oxide (Sb-SnO2)@RuOx (Sb-SnO2@RuOx) heterostructure nanosheets (NSs) for acidic water oxidation. The catalyst prepared by atomic layer deposition of a conformal Ru film on antimony-doped tin sulfide (Sb-SnS2) NSs followed by heat treatment highlights comparable activity but longer stability than that of the ex situ catalyst (where Ru was deposited on Sb-SnO2 followed by heating). Air calcination for in situ crystallization allows the formation of hierarchical mesoporous Sb-SnO2 NSs from as-prepared Sb-SnS2 NSs and parallel in situ transformation from Ru to RuOx, resulting in a compact heterostructure. The significance of this approach significantly resists corrosive dissolution, which is justified by the enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) stability of the catalyst compared to most of the state-of-the-art ruthenium-based catalysts including Carbon@RuOx (which shows ∼10 times higher dissolution) as well as Sb-SnO2@Com. RuOx and Com. RuO2. This study demonstrates the controlled interface stability of heterostructure catalysts toward enhancing OER activity and stability.

Changes in the Suicide Rate of Older Adults According to Gender, Age, and Region in South Korea from 2010 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: South Korea's suicide rates are the highest among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, making it one of the most important societal issues in South Korea. METHODS: the statistics on causes of death and resident registration central population (RRCP) provided by the National Statistical Office were used to calculate the suicide rate among older adults in Korea. We examined gender (male, female), age (young-old, old-old), and region (urban, rural) by conducting latent growth modeling to estimate changes in the overall older adult suicide rate and verify its relationship. RESULTS: over a period of 8 years, the older adult suicide rate was 104.232 on average in 2010 and it decreased by approximately 10.317 every year, and the rate of decrease gradually slowed down. The initial value of the older adult suicide rate was found to be higher among males, the old-old group, and those living in rural regions. In the quadratic function change rate, only males and the old-old group were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: in this study, the direction of and the rate of change in the older adult suicide rates and the relationship between gender, age, and region were examined. It is expected that this study will provide basic data to assist in establishing older adult suicide prevention policies, considering the gender, age, and region of the aging population.

Mediating Effect of Cognitive Function on the Relationship Between Geriatric Oral Health and Quality of Life Among Korean Seniors.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have found that the oral health of seniors can affect their physical nutrition and quality of life (QoL). Additionally, poor oral health can lead to the development of dementia, which is associated with decreased cognitive function. This study aimed to examine the impact of geriatric oral health (GOH) on the QoL of Korean seniors and the mediating effects of cognitive function. METHODS: We used data from the seventh Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging conducted in 2018. In total, 4049 seniors were included in our study. We analyzed the impact of GOH on QoL according to 5 mediating domains of cognitive function and control variables. To examine each path of mediating effects, bootstrapping with 5000 iterations was performed with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that good GOH had a positive effect on the QoL of seniors. Also, better GOH corresponded to a higher degree of cognitive function within all 5 domains: orientation, memory registration, attention/calculation, memory recall, and language and visuospatial ability. In addition, 3 domains of the 5 domains (attention/calculation, memory recall, and language and visuospatial ability) had significant mediating effects on the relationship between GOH and QoL. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that adequate management of GOH is crucial for promoting a better QoL and a high degree of cognitive function among seniors. To prevent cognitive impairment, such as dementia, future studies should take a more targeted approach by examining data according to each cognitive domain and various socio-demographic factors.

Early walking time is associated with recovery of activities of daily living during hospitalization in older patients with community-acquired pneumonia: A single-center prospective study.

AIM: Pneumonia is a common disease with a high mortality rate among older adults that is associated with a decline in activities of daily living (ADL) during hospitalization. The aims of this study were to investigate the following: (i) early physical activity time among older patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia; and (ii) the association of physical activity time with the recovery of ADL. METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out in patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia. We measured the time spent standing and walking as physical activity time using the activPAL accelerometer from the third to the ninth day of admission. Patients underwent rehabilitation during their hospitalization, and rehabilitation effectiveness was calculated using the motor Functional Independence Measure on admission and at day 10. We used stepwise multiple regression to examine the relationship between physical activity time and rehabilitation effectiveness. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients were included in the analysis. Median (interquartile range) physical activity time was 69 min/day (43-103 min/day). In the multiple regression model, a greater daily walking time, higher cognitive and physical function, and ADL at admission were independently associated with rehabilitation effectiveness (adjusted R2  = 0.32, P < 0.0001). For every increase of 10 min/day of walking time, ADL improved by 7.8% (B = 7.8, 95% CI 1.3-14.2, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia have low levels of physical activity, and increasing early walking time might be an effective strategy to accelerate the recovery of ADL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 1099-1104.

Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition of TiN Thin Films as an Effective Se Diffusion Barrier for CIGS Solar Cells.

Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) of TiN thin films were investigated as an effective Se diffusion barrier layer for Cu (In, Ga) Se2 (CIGS) solar cells. Before the deposition of TiN thin film on CIGS solar cells, a saturated growth rate of 0.67 Å/cycle was confirmed using tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium (TDMAT) and N2 plasma at 200 °C. Then, a Mo (≈30 nm)/PEALD-TiN (≈5 nm)/Mo (≈600 nm) back contact stack was fabricated to investigate the effects of PEALD-TiN thin films on the Se diffusion. After the selenization process, it was revealed that ≈5 nm-thick TiN thin films can effectively block Se diffusion and that only the top Mo layer prepared on the TiN thin films reacted with Se to form a MoSe2 layer. Without the TiN diffusion barrier layer, however, Se continuously diffused along the grain boundaries of the entire Mo back contact electrode. Finally, the adoption of a TiN diffusion barrier layer improved the photovoltaic efficiency of the CIGS solar cell by approximately 10%.

Characteristics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients With a Low Body Mass Index: Emphasis on the Obstruction Site Determined by Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to elucidate the patterns of upper airway collapse in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with a low body mass index (BMI). METHODS: We designed and conducted a retrospective cohort study. Consecutive patients diagnosed with OSA who underwent drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) were included. Patients were classified into four groups according to their BMI. Age, sex, and polysomnography data were investigated. The patterns of upper airway collapse were characterized by the structures involved (soft palate, tongue base, lateral pharyngeal wall, and epiglottis). We compared the patterns of upper airway collapse in the supine and lateral decubitus position among the four BMI groups using the chi-square test and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 627 patients (male, 517; mean age, 47.6±12.8 years) were included, consisting of 45, 79, 151, and 352 patients who were underweight or lower normal-weight (defined as the low BMI group), upper normal-weight, overweight, and obese, respectively. Severity indicators of OSA, such as the overall apnea-hypopnea index and duration of SaO2 below 90%, were significantly lower in patients with a low BMI than in obese patients, while their average oxygen saturation was significantly higher. The most common obstruction site in the supine position was the tongue base in patients with a low BMI (100%), whereas this obstruction site was significantly less common in obese patients (54.8%). Tongue base obstruction was mostly relieved in the lateral position, with no discernible obstruction in 86.7% of the low BMI patients. CONCLUSION: Airway obstruction in OSA patients with a low BMI is mostly due to tongue base obstruction, which improves in the lateral position. These characteristics should be kept in mind when considering treatment options for this subgroup of OSA patients.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of malignant tumors involving pterygopalatine fossa.

BACKGROUND: To identify the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of malignancies involving the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF). METHODS: Fifty-seven patients who underwent curative surgery for malignant tumor involving PPF were reviewed. RESULTS: The rates for three-year local control (LC), five-year disease-free survival (DFS) and five-year overall survival (OS) were 55.4%, 34.5%, and 52.7%, respectively. Perineural invasion (PNI) of the maxillary nerve with facial numbness (symptomatic V2 PNI) (P = .04) and cranial involvement (P = .03) were predictors for poor OS. Symptomatic V2 PNI was also a significant predictor for poor LC (P = .05) and DFS (P = .03). Within the subgroup analysis of patients with pathologically confirmed V2 PNI, asymptomatic V2 PNI patients had significantly better LC (71.2% vs 31.8%, P = .05) and DFS (43.8% vs 17.3%, P = .05) compared to symptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: Malignant tumors involving the PPF have diverse pathologies and a poor prognosis. Symptomatic V2 PNI may be an independent poor prognostic factor.

Expression of membrane-bound mucins in human nasal mucosa: different patterns for MUC4 and MUC16.

OBJECTIVE: To acquire basic information concerning the function of the membrane-bound mucin MUC16 in nasal mucosa compared with the best-characterized membrane-bound mucin, MUC4. DESIGN: In vitro study using semiquantatitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunoassay. SETTING: Yeungnam University College of Medicine. SUBJECTS: We examined the nasal polyps obtained during endoscopic sinus surgery in 10 patients, the normal ethmoid sinus mucosa obtained from 10 patients, and human nasal polyp epithelial (HNPE) cells. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gene expression of MUC4 and MUC16 in nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa. In addition, we evaluated the effect of 4 physiologically relevant agents, including retinoic acid, interleukin 1beta, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and dexamethasone, on the expression of MUC4 and MUC16 in HNPE cells at the gene and protein levels. RESULTS: In nasal polyps, MUC4 was upregulated compared with normal nasal mucosa (P = .009), whereas MUC16 expression did not differ between nasal polyps and normal nasal mucosa. Retinoic acid and interleukin 1beta increased MUC4 expression at the gene and protein level in HNPE cells, whereas MUC16 expression was not affected. Unlike retinoic acid and interleukin 1beta, PMA and dexamethasone increased MUC16 expression, whereas they had no significant effect on MUC4 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of MUC4 and MUC16 are regulated differently in nasal mucosa. Dexamethasone and PMA are potent mediators for the expression of MUC16 in nasal polyps.

Leptin up-regulates MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Leptin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone that regulates food intake and metabolic response, has been recently reported to increase in the serum during inflammatory airway disease associated with mucus-hypersecretion. We investigated the effects of leptin on mucin expression in human airway epithelial cells and the signaling pathways. The expression of the leptin receptor was evaluated in human nasal mucosa and NCI-H292 cells. Leptin-induced expression of major respiratory mucins in NCI-H292 cells was analyzed. Mutant leptin, which acts as a receptor antagonist, and specific inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), p38 and Janus kinase-2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) were used. Leptin receptors were expressed in the nasal mucosa and NCI-H292 cells. Treatment with leptin significantly increased the expression of MUC5AC and MUC5B in NCI-H292 cells; these effects were blocked by mutant leptin. The cells activated by leptin showed increased ERK1/2, p38, and STAT3 phosphorylation. Leptin-induced MUC5B expression was blocked by the ERK1/2 and p38 pathway inhibitors, but not by the JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor. Leptin might significantly contribute to the production of major gel-forming mucins by direct stimulation of airway epithelial cells and the activation of leptin receptors coupled with the activation of ERK1/2 or p38, but not the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Expression of leptin receptor in nasal polyps: leptin as a mucosecretagogue.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Leptin is a pleiotropic hormone that regulates food intake and metabolic and endocrine functions. Serum leptin levels have been reported to be increased in patients with allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis; however, the explanation for this is unclear. We aimed to demonstrate the differential expression of leptin receptors in normal human nasal mucosa and nasal polyps, and to elucidate the effects of leptin on mucin gene expression in human nasal polyp epithelial cells. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control and in vitro study. METHODS: Normal ethmoid sinus mucosa was obtained from 10 subjects and used as a control; nasal polyps were obtained from 10 patients. Leptin receptor expression was analyzed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Leptin-induced expression of major respiratory mucins (MUC5AC and MUC5B) in the human nasal polyp epithelial cells was determined using RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The leptin receptor expression was stronger in the nasal polyps than in the normal nasal mucosa. In human nasal polyp epithelial cells, leptin increased the expression of MUC5AC and MUC5B, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, at the gene and protein levels. Leptin-induced mucin expression was inhibited by the leptin receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of leptin receptors in nasal polyps implies leptin has a certain role in nasal polyposis. In addition, leptin appears to induce the expression of MUC5AC and MUC5B through leptin receptors in the human nasal polyp epithelial cells.

Expression of glutaredoxin-1 in nasal polyps and airway epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Glutaredoxins (GRX)-1 is glutathione-dependent oxidoreductase. However, the role of these enzymes remains unknown in airway inflammatory diseases. Therefore, we aimed to establish the expression pattern of GRX-1 in the nasal polyps (NPs) and to assess the regulatory mechanisms associated with GRX-1 expression in interleukin (IL)-1 beta-treated airway epithelial cells. METHODS: The expression of GRX-1 in NPs and normal nasal mucosa were analyzed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. IL-1 beta-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and GRX-1 expression in the airway epithelial cells was determined by flow cytometry and immunoassay. RESULTS: The expression level of GRX-1 in NPs was significantly higher than in the normal nasal mucosa (p < 0.05). GRX-1 was highly expressed in the surface epithelial cells and the submucosal glandular cells in the NPs. IL-1 beta increased the intracellular ROS formation and GRX-1 expression in airway epithelial cells. The inhibition of IL-1 beta-induced ROS production by N-acetyl-cystein, an ROS scavenger, reduced GRX-1 expression. Diphenyleneiodonium and apocynin, NADPH oxidase inhibitors, did not abolish IL-1 beta-induced ROS formation and GRX-1 expression, whereas budesonide attenuated it. CONCLUSION: High GRX-1 expression in NPs might be a primary defense against chronic inflammatory oxidative stress in nasal mucosa. IL-1 beta-induced up-regulation of GRX-1 in airway epithelial cells is probably mediated by ROS. Glucocorticoids can regulate IL-1 beta-induced ROS formation and GRX-1 expression.

Up-regulation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in cholesteatoma.

CONCLUSION: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and Ki-67 expression were up-regulated in cholesteatoma and the expression pattern of NGAL in the epithelial layer was inversely related to the expression of Ki-67. Therefore, NGAL may be related to dysregulated differentiation in the keratinocytes during the development of a cholesteatoma. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the differential expression and localization of NGAL in middle ear cholesteatoma and compared the results to normal external auditory canal (EAC) skin. We also compared the expression and localization of NGAL with the expression and localization of Ki-67 in middle ear cholesteatoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Tissue samples from middle ear cholesteatomas and normal EAC skin were obtained from 20 patients undergoing middle ear surgery. NGAL mRNA expression was determined by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of NGAL protein was analyzed by Western blot. NGAL and Ki-67 were localized by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: A significantly greater expression of the NGAL mRNA was observed in cholesteatoma epithelium than in normal EAC skin (p < 0.05). NGAL was detected in the granular layer of cholesteatoma. However, NGAL was scarcely expressed in normal EAC skin. Ki-67 was detected predominantly in the basal and parabasal layers of cholesteatoma epithelium.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the submandibular gland after chemotherapy in a child.

Second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) have become a concern in survivors of childhood malignancy. Although there are many reports describing SMN in patients treated for childhood cancer, salivary gland tumors rarely appear in these reports. Radiotherapy is a well-known risk factor for the development of secondary salivary gland malignancies after the treatment of childhood cancer. However, it is not well known whether chemotherapy itself treatment increases the risk of salivary gland malignancies. We report a child case with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the submandibular gland as a SMN after chemotherapy alone for acute myeloid leukemia.

Expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in nasal polyps.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and localization of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), an antimicrobial peptide, in the normal nasal mucosa and human nasal polyps. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin has been identified as a key element in the innate host defense system. However, scant knowledge exists about the expression of NGAL in the human sinonasal tract. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: Normal inferior turbinate mucosa was obtained from 10 patients who were undergoing augmentation rhinoplasty. The nasal polyps were obtained from 10 patients who were undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps. INTERVENTIONS: We performed semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blot analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We analyzed the expression of the NGAL messenger RNA (mRNA) and localization of the NGAL protein. RESULTS: The NGAL mRNA and NGAL protein were highly expressed in the nasal polyps. The ratio of NGAL mRNA to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA in the nasal polyps was greater compared with that in the normal turbinate mucosa (P = .002). The NGAL protein was observed in the epithelium, the infiltrating inflammatory cells, and the submucosal gland of the nasal polyps, but it was very rarely detected in the normal nasal mucosa. CONCLUSION: Expression of NGAL is upregulated in nasal polyps, and additional work is needed to reveal the possible role of NGAL in the defense systems of the nasal mucosa and the process of polyp formation.