Diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonographic shear wave elastography for assessing early chronic pancreatitis using the Japanese diagnostic criteria 2019.

Background and Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound shear wave elastography (EUS-SWE) can facilitate an objective evaluation of pancreatic fibrosis. Although it is primarily applied in evaluating chronic pancreatitis, its efficacy in assessing early chronic pancreatitis (ECP) remains underinvestigated. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-SWE for assessing ECP diagnosed using the Japanese diagnostic criteria 2019. Methods: In total, 657 patients underwent EUS-SWE. Propensity score matching was used, and the participants were classified into the ECP and normal groups. ECP was diagnosed using the Japanese diagnostic criteria 2019. Pancreatic stiffness was assessed based on velocity (Vs) on EUS-SWE, and the optimal Vs cutoff value for ECP diagnosis was determined. A practical shear wave Vs value of ≥50% was considered significant. Results: Each group included 22 patients. The ECP group had higher pancreatic stiffness than the normal group (2.31 ± 0.67 m/s vs. 1.59 ± 0.40 m/s, p < 0.001). The Vs cutoff value for the diagnostic accuracy of ECP, as determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve, was 2.24m/s, with an area under the curve of 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.94). A high Vs was strongly correlated with the number of EUS findings (rs = 0.626, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that a history of acute pancreatitis and ≥2 EUS findings were independent predictors of a high Vs. Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between EUS-SWE findings and the Japanese diagnostic criteria 2019 for ECP. Hence, EUS-SWE can be an objective and invaluable diagnostic tool for ECP diagnosis.

Effect of cortical bone thickness on shear stress and force in orthodontic miniscrew-bone interface - A finite element analysis.

Miniscrews are widely used in orthodontics as an anchorage device while aligning teeth. Shear stress in the miniscrew-bone interface is an important factor when the miniscrew makes contact with the bone. The objective of this study was to analyze the shear stress and force in the screw-bone interface for varying Cortical Bone Thickness (CBT) using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Varying CBT of 1.09 mm (1.09CBT) and 2.66 mm (2.66CBT) with miniscrews of Ø1.2 mm, 10 mm length (T1), Ø1.2 mm, 6 mm length (T2) and Ø1.6 mm, 8 mm length (T3) were analyzed. Six Finite Element (FE) models were developed with cortical, cancellous bone, miniscrews and gingiva as a prism. A deflection of 0.1 mm was applied on the neck of the miniscrews at 0°, +30° and -30° angles. The shear stress and force in the screw-bone interface were assessed. The results showed that the CBT affects the shear stress and force in the screw-bone interface region in addition to the screw dimensions and deflection angulations. T1 screw generated lesser shear stress in 1.09CBTand 2.66CBTcompared to T2 and T3 screws. Higher CBT is preferred for better primary stability in shear aspect. Clinically applied forces of 200 gms to 300 gms to an anchorage device induces shear stress in the miniscrew-bone interface region might cause stress shielding. Thus, clinicians need to consider the effect of varying CBT and the size of the miniscrews for the stability, reduced stress shielding and better anchorage during orthodontic treatment.

Reliability and robustness of a novel preclinical torsional wave-based device for stiffness evaluation.

In this work, we present a novel preclinical device utilizing Torsional Wave Elastography (TWE). It comprises a rotational actuator element and a piezoceramic receiver ring circumferentially aligned. Both allow the transmission of shear waves that interact with the tissue before being received. Our main objective is to demonstrate and characterize the reliability, robustness, and accuracy of the device for characterizing the stiffness of elastic materials and soft tissues. Experimental tests are performed using two sets of tissue mimicking phantoms. The first set consists of calibrated CIRS gels with known stiffness value, while the second test uses non-calibrated manufactured phantoms. Our experimental observations show that the proposed device consistently and repeatably quantifies the stiffness of elastic materials with high accuracy. Furthermore, comparison with established techniques demonstrates a very high correlation (> 95%), supporting the potential medical application of this technology. The results obtained pave the way for a cross-sectional study aiming to investigate the correlation between gestational age and cervical elastic properties during pregnancy.

In silico model of stent performance in multi-layered artery using 2-way fluid-structure interaction: Influence of boundary conditions and vessel length.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerotic lesions of coronary arteries (stenosis) are caused by the buildup of lipids and blood-borne substances within the artery wall. Their qualitative and rapid assessment is still a challenging task. The primary therapy for this pathology involves implanting coronary stents, which help to restore the blood flow in atherosclerosis-prone arteries. In-stent restenosis is a stenting-procedure complication detected in about 10-40% of patients. A numerical study using 2-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) assesses the stenting procedure quality and can decrease the number of negative post-operative results. Nevertheless, boundary conditions (BCs) used in simulation play a crucial role in implementation of an adequate computational analysis. METHODS: Three CoCr stents designs were modelled with the suggested approach. A multi-layer structure describing the artery and plaque with anisotropic hyperelastic mechanical properties was adopted in this study. Two kinds of boundary conditions for a solid domain were examined - fixed support (FS) and remote displacement (RD) - to assess their impact on the hemodynamic parameters to predict restenosis. Additionally, the influence of artery elongation (short-artery model vs. long-artery model) on numerical results with the FS boundary condition was analyzed. RESULTS: The comparison of FS and RD boundary conditions demonstrated that the variation of hemodynamic parameters values did not exceed 2%. The analysis of short-artery and long-artery models revealed that the difference in hemodynamic parameters was less than 5.1%, and in most cases, it did not exceed 2.5%. The RD boundary conditions were found to reduce the computation time by up to 1.7-2.0 times compared to FS. Simple stent model was shown to be susceptible to restenosis development, with maximum WSS values equal to 183 Pa, compared to much lower values for other two stents. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that the stent design significantly affected the hemodynamic parameters as restenosis predictors. Moreover, the stress-strain state of the system artery-plaque-stent also depends on a proper choice of boundary conditions.

Modern approaches to ultrasonographic assessment of carotid plaque in terms of its potential instability.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To identify potentially adverse characteristics of atherosclerotic carotid plaque in terms of stroke risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The study is based on the analysis of US data obtained from 96 patients aged 47 to 84 years diagnosed with carotid stenosis. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the presence or absence of ischemic events. Examination methods: clinical, duplex US, brain MRI, statistical. In addition to the standard US criteria for the evaluation of carotid stenoses, superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and shear wave elastography (SWE) are used. RESULTS: Results: Statistically significant association of the following characteristics of plaques with the presence of ipsilateral ischemia focus was established: maximum thickness (p = 0,04), presence of microvascularization according to SMI data (p = 0,02), degree of carotid stenosis (statistically significant in the right carotid circulation [p = 0,04]), stiffness of the plaque according to SWE data (significantly in the right carotid circulation [p = 0,001]), type of plaque echogenicity according to Gray-Weale-Geroulakos classification (on the right carotid artery; p = 0,04). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The presence of microvascularization according to SMI data and the low stiffness of the plaque according to SWE data can characterize the potential instability of the carotid plaque. These criteria should be added to the traditional US assessment of carotid plaques.

Characterization of Maximum Wall Shear Stress Points in Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms Using Four-dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Maximum wall shear stress (maxWSS) points of unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs) may cause wall remodeling leading to rupture. We characterized maxWSS points and their inherent intra-aneurysmal flow structures in a sizable cohort of saccular UCAs using four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: After contrast administration, 50 saccular UCAs were subjected to 4D flow MRI using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. Post-processing of obtained data was performed using commercially available software. The maxWSS points and maxWSS values were evaluated. The maxWSS values were statistically compared between aneurysm groups. RESULTS: The maxWSS point was located on the aneurysm apex in 9 (18.0%), body in 2 (4.0%), and neck in 39 (78.0%) UCAs. The inherent intra-aneurysmal flow structure of the maxWSS point was an inflow zone in 34 (68.0%) UCAs, an inflow jet in 8 (16.0%), and an impingement zone in 8 (16.0%). The maxWSS point on the neck had significantly higher maxWSS values than those points on the other wall areas (P = 0.008). The maxWSS values of the maxWSS points on the apex and on the impingement zone were not significantly different compared with those of the other maxWSS points. CONCLUSION: The maxWSS points existed preferentially on the aneurysmal neck adjacent to the inflow zone with higher maxWSS values. The maxWSS points existed occasionally on the aneurysmal apex adjacent to the impingement zone. 4D flow MRI may be helpful to discriminate saccular UCAs with higher-risk maxWSS points that can cause wall remodeling leading to rupture.

Bioaccessibility of condensed tannins and their effect on the physico-chemical characteristics of lamb meat.

The bioaccessibility of tannins as antioxidants in meat is essential to maximise their effectiveness in protecting the product. This property determines the amount of tannins available to interact with meat components, inhibiting lipid and protein oxidation and, consequently, prolonging shelf life and preserving the sensory quality of the product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioaccessibility of condensed tannins (CT) from Acacia mearnsii extract (AME) and their effect on the physico-chemical characteristics of fattened lamb meat. Thirty-six Dorset × Hampshire lambs (3 months old and 20.8 ± 3.3 kg live weight) were used. The lambs were distributed equally (n = 9) into four treatments: T1, T2, T3 and T4, which included a basal diet plus 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% of CT from AME, respectively. At the end of the fattening period, bioaccessibility was evaluated, the animals were slaughtered and a sample of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was collected to assess colour, lipid oxidation, cooking weight loss and shear force on days 1, 4, 7 and 14 of shelf-life, in samples preserved at -20 °C. In addition, the long chain fatty acid profile was analysed. A completely randomised design was used, and the means were compared with Tukey's test (P < 0.05). The mean lightness (L*), yellowness (b*) and hue (H*) values were higher for T3 and T4. The addition of CT did not affect (P > 0.05) redness (a*), cooking weight loss (CWL) or shear force (SF). T4 decreased (P < 0.05) stearic acid and increased cis-9 trans-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Bioaccessibility was higher in the supplemented groups (T1 < T2, T3 and T4). In conclusion, supplementing CT from AME in the diet of lambs did not reduce lipid oxidation, but T3 or T4 improved some aspects of meat colour and CLA deposition.

Effect of Different Adhesive Resin and Composite Veneering Materials on Adhesion to Polyetheretherketone.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different adhesives and veneering resins on the shear bond strength (SBS) of polyetheretherketone (PEEK). METHODS: A total of 138 PEEK specimens were randomly divided into 6 groups according to adhesive material application: Control (C, no application), Adhese Universal (A) (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), Gluma Bond Universal (G) (Heraeus Kulzer, South Bend, IN, USA), G-PremioBOND (P) (GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), Single Bond Universal (S) (3M, Saint Paul, MN, USA) and visio.link (V) (Bredent, Senden, Germany). Each adhesive group was divided into two subgroups according to the type of veneering material: Estenia direct composite (D) and Gradia Plus indirect composite (IN) (both GC Corporation). After the veneering process, the specimens were aged by thermal cycling. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for SBS analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The highest SBS results were obtained in the VIN group, followed by the VD, PD, GIN, AIN, AD, SIN, SD, PIN, GD, CIN and CD groups, respectively (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in terms of the type of veneering composite when the same adhesive was applied (P > 0.05), except for Gluma Bond Universal (P = 0.009). All the adhesives tested showed clinically acceptable SBS results. CONCLUSION: Visio.link offered the highest adhesion to PEEK, whereas the tested universal adhesives may be used as an alternative to visio.link in clinical settings. It was determined that changing the veneer type has no statistical difference when the same adhesive material is used.

Intensive Surveillance of Porcine-Rhesus Kidney Xenotransplant Using Different Ultrasound Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Significant progress has been made in kidney xenotransplantation in the past few years, and this field is accelerating towards clinical translation. Therefore, surveillance of the xenograft with appropriate tools is of great importance. Ultrasonography has been widely used in kidney allotransplantation and served as an economical and non-invasive method to monitor the allograft. However, questions remain whether the ultrasonographic criteria established for human kidney allograft could also be applied in xenotransplantation. METHODS: In the current study, we established a porcine-rhesus life sustaining kidney xenotransplantation model. The xenograft underwent intensive surveillance using gray-scale, colorful Doppler ultrasound as well as 2D shear wave elastography. The kidney growth, blood perfusion, and cortical stiffness were measured twice a day. These parameters were compared with the clinical data including urine output, chemistry, and pathological findings. RESULTS: The observation continued for 16 days after transplantation. Decline of urine output and elevated serum creatinine were observed on POD9 and biopsy proven antibody-mediated rejection was seen on the same day. The xenograft underwent substantial growth, with the long axis length increased by 32% and the volume increased by threefold at the end of observation. The resistive index of the xenograft arteries elevated in response to rejection, together with impaired cortical perfusion, while the peak systolic velocity (PSV) was not compromised. The cortical stiffness also increased along with rejection. CONCLUSION: In summary, the ultrasound findings of kidney xenograft shared similarities with those in allograft but possessed some unique features. A modified criteria needs to be established for further application of ultrasound in kidney xenotransplantation.

Clinical Outcomes and Management Strategies for Capitellum and Trochlea Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Capitellum and trochlea fractures, also referred to as coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus, are infrequent yet challenging intra-articular fractures of the elbow. There are a variety of surgical approaches and fixation methods with often variable outcomes. This systematic review investigates interventions, outcomes and complications of capitellum and trochlea fractures. Methods: A systematic review of studies published in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health literature (CINAHL) was conducted to assess the clinical outcomes of capitellum and trochlea fractures managed surgically. Data on patient demographics, surgical approach, implant usage, postoperative outcomes and complications were compiled. Results: Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 700 patients. Surgical interventions primarily utilized either the lateral (79%) or antero-lateral (15%) approaches with headless compression screws as the most common fixation method (68%). Clinical outcomes were measured using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) with a mean score of 89.9 (±2.6) and the DASH score with a mean of 16.9 (±7.3). Elbow range of motion showed a mean flexion of 126.3° (±19.4), extension of 5.71° (±11.8), pronation of 75.23° (±12.2), and supination of 76.6° (±9.8). The mean flexion-extension arc was 113.7° (±16.9), and the mean pronation-supination arc was 165.31° (±9.41). Complications occurred in 19.8% of cases, with re-interventions required in 8.3% of cases, mainly due to symptomatic implants and elbow stiffness requiring surgical release. Other complications included implant removal (10.4%), overall reported stiff elbows (6%), nerve palsies (2%), non-union (1.5%), and infection (1.2%). Conclusion: The treatment of capitellum and trochlea fractures yields satisfactory outcomes but has a considerable rate of complications and reoperations primarily due to symptomatic implants and elbow stiffness. There is noteworthy variability in the achieved range of motion, suggesting unpredictable outcomes. Deficits in functionality and range of motion are common after surgery, especially with more complex injury patterns.

The Ramus Intermedius: A Bridge to Survival in the Setting of Triple-Vessel Total Occlusion.

Coronary artery disease continues to remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Coronary blood supply is provided through the right and left main coronary arteries. The left main coronary artery (LMCA) in turn gives rise to the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) arteries. In some cases, LMCA may trifurcate into the ramus intermedius (RI) in addition to the LAD and LCX arteries. Atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture with subsequent clot formation and occlusion of coronary arteries are the underlying mechanisms of myocardial infarction. Though the clinical implications of the presence of ramus intermedius (RI) are controversial some data suggest that the RI is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation in the LMCA and the proximal LAD. Conversely, it has been proposed that the RI provides an additional collateral source of blood supply to the myocardium and may potentially contribute to improved survival. Case reports tout the benefits of RI, specifically in the setting of multivessel coronary artery occlusions. Whether it increases the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation or whether it is protective has yet to be determined. We present a case of a 58-year-old male who presented with acute coronary syndrome and cardiogenic shock due to total ostial occlusion of LAD. The patient had also chronic total occlusions of the right coronary artery and LCX but a patent RI, which was the only source of blood supply to the myocardium and practically determined the patient's survival. Additionally, we performed a literature review to identify similar cases, to support RI's potentially protective role in enhancing survival.

Understanding the flow behavior around marine biofilms.

In vitro platforms capable of mimicking the hydrodynamic conditions prevailing in natural aquatic environments have been previously validated and used to predict the fouling behavior on different surfaces. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been used to predict the shear forces occurring in these platforms. In general, these predictions are made for the initial stages of biofilm formation, where the amount of biofilm does not affect the flow behavior, enabling the estimation of the shear forces that initial adhering organisms have to withstand. In this work, we go a step further in understanding the flow behavior when a mature biofilm is present in such platforms to better understand the shear rate distribution affecting marine biofilms. Using 3D images obtained by Optical Coherence Tomography, a mesh was produced and used in CFD simulations. Biofilms of two different marine cyanobacteria were developed in agitated microtiter plates incubated at two different shaking frequencies for 7 weeks. The biofilm-flow interactions were characterized in terms of the velocity field and shear rate distribution. Results show that global hydrodynamics imposed by the different shaking frequencies affect biofilm architecture and also that this architecture affects local hydrodynamics, causing a large heterogeneity in the shear rate field. Biofilm cells located in the streamers of the biofilm are subjected to much higher shear values than those located on the bottom of the streamers and this dispersion in shear rate values increases at lower bulk fluid velocities. This heterogeneity in the shear force field may be a contributing factor for the heterogeneous behavior in metabolic activity, growth status, gene expression pattern, and antibiotic resistance often associated with nutrient availability within the biofilm.

Diagnostic performance of two-dimensional shear wave elastography and attenuation imaging for fibrosis and steatosis assessment in chronic liver disease.

PURPOSE: We investigated the diagnostic performance of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) and attenuation imaging (ATI) in detecting fibrosis and steatosis in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), comparing them with established methods. METHODS: In 190 patients with CLD, 2D-SWE and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) were used for liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and ATI and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) were used for steatosis quantification. The correlations between these new and established methods were analyzed. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between 2D-SWE and VCTE (r = 0.78, P < 0.001), and between ATI and CAP (r = 0.70, P < 0.001). Liver stiffness tended to be lower with 2D-SWE compared with that with VCTE, especially in cases with higher LSM, and ATI was less influenced by skin-capsular distance than CAP. Area under the receiver-operating characteristics curves (AUCs) and optimal cut-offs of 2D-SWE for diagnosing liver fibrosis stages F2, F3, and F4 were 0.73 (8.7 kPa), 0.79 (9.1 kPa), and 0.88 (11.6 kPa), respectively. The AUCs and optimal cut-offs of ATI for diagnosing hepatic steatosis grades S1, S2, and S3 were 0.91 (0.66 dB/cm/MHz), 0.80 (0.79 dB/cm/MHz), and 0.88 (0.86 dB/cm/MHz), respectively. A subgroup analysis of 86 patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease also demonstrated good performance for 2D-SWE and ATI. CONCLUSION: 2D-SWE and ATI performed comparably with conventional VCTE and CAP in evaluating CLD, offering reliable alternatives for diagnosing liver fibrosis and steatosis.

Effect of storage time on chemical structure of a single-bottle and a two-bottle experimental ceramic primer and micro-shear bond strength of composite to ceramic.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the effect of storage time on chemical structure of a single-bottle and a two-bottle experimental ceramic primer and micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of composite to ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 60 sintered zirconia and 60 feldspathic porcelain blocks. Half of the specimens (n = 30) were subjected to surface treatment with the single-bottle Clearfil ceramic primer (n = 15) and two-bottle experimental primer (n = 15) after 24 hours. The remaining half received the same surface treatments after 6 months storage in distilled water. Composite cylinders were bonded to the ceramics, and they were then subjected to µSBS test. Also, the primers underwent Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) after 24 hours and 6 months to assess their chemical structure. Data were analyzed with 3-way ANOVA and adjusted Bonferroni test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The µSBS of both ceramics significantly decreased at 6 months in one-bottle ceramic primer group (P = .001), but it was not significantly different from the two-bottle experimental primer group (P = .635). FTIR showed hydrolysis of single-bottle primer, cleavage of silane and 10-MDP bonds, and formation of siloxane bonds after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Six months of storage caused significant degradation of single-bottle ceramic primer, and consequently had an adverse effect on µSBS.

Krüppel-like Factor 2 is an endo-protective transcription factor in diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a microvascular complication of diabetes, and glomerular endothelial cell (GEC) injury is a key driver of DKD pathogenesis. Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), a shear stress-induced transcription factor, was identified among the genes that are highly upregulated in early DKD. In the kidney, KLF2 expression is mostly restricted to endothelial cells, but its expression is also found in immune cell subsets. KLF2 expression is upregulated in response to increased shear stress by the activation of mechanosensory receptors, but suppressed by inflammatory cytokines, both of which characterize the early diabetic kidney milieu. KLF2 expression is reduced in progressive DKD and hypertensive nephropathy in humans and mice, likely due to high glucose and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. However, KLF2 expression is increased in settings of glomerular hyperfiltration-induced shear stress without metabolic dysregulation, such as in settings of unilateral nephrectomy. Lower KLF2 expression is associated with CKD progression in patients with unilateral nephrectomy, consistent with its endoprotective role. KLF2 confers endoprotection by inhibition of inflammation, thrombotic activation, and angiogenesis, and thus KLF2 is considered a protective factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Based on similar mechanisms, KLF2 also exhibits renoprotection, and its reduced expression in endothelial cells worsens glomerular injury and albuminuria in settings of diabetes or unilateral nephrectomy. Thus, KLF2 confers endo-protective effects in both CVD and DKD, and its agonists could be potentially developed as a novel class of drugs for cardio-renal protection in diabetic patients.

Shear-Sensitive circRNA-LONP2 Promotes Endothelial Inflammation and Atherosclerosis by Targeting NRF2/HO1 Signaling.

Hemodynamic shear stress is a frictional force that acts on vascular endothelial cells and is essential for endothelial homeostasis. Physiological laminar shear stress (LSS) suppresses endothelial inflammation and protects arteries from atherosclerosis. Herein, we screened differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) that were significantly altered in LSS-stimulated endothelial cells and found that circRNA-LONP2 was involved in modulating the flow-dependent inflammatory response. Furthermore, endothelial circRNA-LONP2 overexpression promoted endothelial inflammation and atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circRNA-LONP2 competitively sponged miR-200a-3p and subsequently promoted Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, Yes-associated protein 1, and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 expression, thereby inactivating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling, promoting oxidative stress and endothelial inflammation, and accelerating atherosclerosis. LSS-induced down-regulation of circRNA-LONP2 suppresses endothelial inflammation, at least in part, by activating the miR-200a-3p-mediated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway. CircRNA-LONP2 may serve as a new therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

A systematic comparison of four pharmacopoeial methods for measuring powder flowability.

Powder flow is one of the crucial factors affecting several pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Problems due to insufficient powder flow reduce production process efficiency and cause suboptimum product quality. The U.S. Pharmacopoeia has specified four methods to evaluate the flowability of pharmaceutical powders, including angle of repose (AoR), compressibility index (CI) and Hausner ratio (HR), Flow through an orifice, and shear cell. Comparison within and between those methods with 21 powders (covering a wide range of flowability) was performed in this study. Strong correlation was observed between fixed base cone AoR, and fixed height cone AoR (R2 = 0.939). CI and HR values calculated from a tapped density tester (meeting USP standards), manual tapping, and Geopyc® correlated strongly (R2 > 0.9). AoR, CI/HR, minimum diameter for flowing through an orifice (dmin), and shear cell results generally correlate strongly for materials with flowability worse than Avicel® PH102. Both shear cell and CI/HR methods can reliably distinguish powders exhibiting poor flow. For materials with good flow, the ability to distinguish powders follows the order of AoR ≈ CI/HR > shear cell > dmin. The systematic comparison of the four common methods provides useful information to guide the selection of methods for future powder flow characterization. Given the limitations observed in all four methods, we recommend that multiple techniques should be used, when possible, to more holistically characterize the flowability of a wide range of powders.

Enhancing anthocyanin extraction efficiency in vegetables and fruits: a high-speed shear homogenization technology.

BACKGROUND: To extract anthocyanins with high efficiency, a hypothesis for high-speed shear homogenization extraction (HSHE) method was established through a combination of solvent and ultrasonic-assisted extractions. The efficacy of this hypothesis was demonstrated by performing qualitative and quantitative analyses of 16 anthocyanins extracted from five northern vegetables, and five berry fruits using ultra-high-performance Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. Single-factor experiments were conducted by varying ethanol concentration, temperature, pH and extraction cycles to determine the optimal conditions for this method. RESULTS: Optimal extraction conditions (ethanol 70-80%, 40-50 °C, pH 3-4, performed twice) were determined using an HSHE (5 min, 10 000 rpm, 25 °C) assisted shaker (60 min) and ultrasonication (40 kHz, 160 W cm-2, 30 min, 25 °C) procedure. Compared to the traditional non-HSHE method, the total anthocyanin content obtained through HSHE extraction showed a significant increase, ranging from 1.0 to 3.9 times higher, with purple cabbage exhibiting the most pronounced enhancement in content. More types of anthocyanins were detected in blueberry (9), black bean (7) and raspberry (5), of which malvidin was the major anthocyanin (0.426 g kg-1) in blueberry, having an amount five times than previously obtained. CONCLUSION: The established HSHE method has been proven to be a superior technique for anthocyanin extraction, with higher extraction efficiency and concentrations. This technique also provides a new avenue for extracting bioactive compounds from diverse food sources, with potential applications in improving the functional properties of food products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Smart Cushions with Machine Learning-Enhanced Force Sensors for Pressure Injury Risk Assessment.

Prolonged sitting can easily result in pressure injury (PI) for certain people who have had strokes or spinal cord injuries. There are not many methods available for tracking contact surface pressure and shear force to evaluate the PI risk. Here, we propose a smart cushion that uses two-dimensional force sensors (2D-FSs) to measure the pressure and shear force in the buttocks. A machine learning algorithm is then used to compute the shear stresses in the gluteal muscles, which helps to determine the PI risk. The 2D-FS consists of a ferroelectret coaxial sensor (FCS) unit placed atop a ferroelectret film sensor (FFS) unit, allowing it to detect both vertical and horizontal forces simultaneously. To characterize and calibrate, two experimental approaches are applied: one involves simultaneously applying two perpendicular forces, and one involves applying a single force. To separate the two forces, the 2D-FS is decoupled using a deep neural network technique. Multiple FCSs are embedded to form a smart cushion, and a genetic algorithm-optimized backpropagation neural network is proposed and trained to predict the shear strain in the buttocks to prevent PI. By tracking the danger of PI, the smart cushion based on 2D-FSs may be further connected with home-based intelligent care platforms to increase patient equality for spinal cord injury patients and lower the expense of nursing or rehabilitation care.