Search Results (68)

This study presents a mobile-based sperm analysis system featuring a user-friendly, droplet-loaded microfluidic chip that enables non-specialist users to perform the rapid and accurate quantitative evaluation of boar semen directly on the farm. The iSperm system integrates a tablet, optical module, heater, and real-time image analysis app to deliver automated measurements of sperm concentration, motility, and progressive motility in under one minute. Precision and user variability tests demonstrated high concordance with CASA and the hemocytometer, with minimal differences between trained and untrained users. A method comparison using 77 farm-collected samples confirmed agreement through Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman analysis. ROC curve analyses further validated diagnostic accuracy for all parameters, with AUC values exceeding 0.95. The iSperm platform offers a reliable, user-friendly, and field-deployable solution for on-site semen quality assessment, improving decision-making in swine artificial insemination. Full article

Background: Sagittal alignment in the lumbar spine is essential for spinal stability and functionality, with significant implications in surgical planning for spinal deformity correction. However, standardized lumbar partitioning, particularly identifying a critical sagittal alignment zone, remains underdefined. This study aims to establish a reliable lumbar partition to guide surgical decisions and optimize clinical outcomes. Methods: A systematic review of four major biomedical databases yielded 32 studies, of which 4 met the inclusion criteria. Studies on asymptomatic adults with segmental lordosis data stratified by pelvic incidence were analyzed. Lumbar lordosis values were converted to percentages, allowing for cross-study comparison. Sensitivity analysis and bias assessment were performed to ensure methodological rigor. Results: The findings identified the L3–L5 interval, especially around the L4 vertebra, as a critical biomechanical zone across various populations and pelvic incidence groups. Individuals with higher pelvic incidence had concentrated lordosis in lower segments, while those with lower pelvic incidence had greater lordosis in upper segments, underscoring the L3–L5 region’s stability as a surgical reference. Conclusions: The L3–L5 interval serves as a key partition zone for sagittal alignment, providing a stable reference for lumbar spine fusion. These findings offer a foundational clinical reference, potentially improving alignment outcomes and reducing postoperative complications. Full article

We previously reported that proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, promoted tumor migration, invasion, and proliferation, thus worsening the prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM). Urolithins, the potent metabolites produced by the gut from pomegranate polyphenols, have anticancer properties. To develop an effective therapy for GBM, this study aimed to study the effects of urolithins against GBM. Urolithin A and B significantly reduced GBM migration, reduced epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and inhibited tumor growth. Moreover, urolithin A and B inhibited TNF-α-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, thereby reducing human monocyte (HM) binding to GBM cells. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) level had higher expression in patients with glioma than in healthy individuals. Urolithins are considered pharmacological antagonists of AhR. We demonstrated that the inhibition of AhR reduced TNF-α-stimulated VCAM-1 and PD-L1 expression. Furthermore, human macrophage condition medium enhanced expression of PD-L1 in human GBM cells. Administration of the AhR antagonist attenuated the enhancement of PD-L1, indicating the AhR modulation in GBM progression. The modulatory effects of urolithins in GBM involve inhibiting the Akt and epidermal growth factor receptor pathways. The present study suggests that urolithins can inhibit GBM progression and provide valuable information for anti-GBM strategy. Full article

Bradykinin is a small active peptide and is considered an inflammatory mediator in several pathological conditions. Bradykinin exerts its effects by coupling to its receptors, including bradykinin B1 (B1R) and bradykinin B2. B1R has been implicated in the development of various cancers. Our previous study reported that B1R promoted glioblastoma (GBM) development by supporting the migration and invasion of GBM cells. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of B1R on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and GBM progression remain unknown. Accordingly, to explore the regulatory effects of B1R overexpression (OE) in GBM on tumor-associated immune cells and tumor progression, we constructed a B1R wild-type plasmid and developed a B1R OE model. The results reveal that B1R OE in GBM promoted the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1—cell adhesion molecules—in GBM. Moreover, B1R OE enhanced GBM cell migration ability and monocyte attachment. B1R also regulated the production of the protumorigenic cytokines and chemokines IL-6, IL-8, CXCL11, and CCL5 in GBM, which contributed to tumor progression. We additionally noted that B1R OE in GBM increased the expression of CD68 in TAMs. Furthermore, B1R OE reduced the level of reactive oxygen species in GBM cells by upregulating heme oxygenase-1, an endogenous antioxidant protein, thereby protecting GBM cells from oxidative stress. Notably, B1R OE upregulated the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 in both GBM cells and macrophages, thus providing resistance against T-cell response. B1R OE in GBM also promoted tumor growth and reduced survival rates in an intracranial xenograft mouse model. These results indicate that B1R expression in GBM promotes TAM activity and modulates GBM progression. Therefore, B1R could be an effective target for therapeutic methods in GBM. Full article

Given the limited availability of evidence-based methods for assessing the timing of extubation in intubated preterm infants, we aimed to standardize the extubation protocol in this single-center, retrospective study. To accomplish this, we established an extubation evaluation form to assess the suitability of extubation in preterm infants. The form comprises six indicators: improved clinical condition, spontaneous breath rate ≥ 30 breaths per minute, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) ≤ 15 cmH₂O, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) ≤ 30%, blood pH ≥ 7.2, and mixed venous carbon dioxide tension (PvCO₂) < 70 mmHg. Each positive answer is given one point, indicating a maximum of six points. We enrolled 41 intubated preterm infants (gestational age < 32 weeks, birth weight < 1500 g) who were receiving mechanical ventilation support for over 24 h. Among them, 35 were successfully extubated, and 6 were not. After completing the extubation evaluation form and adjusting for birth weight and postextubation device, we observed that the total score of the form was significantly associated with successful extubation; the higher the score, the greater the chance of successful extubation. Thus, we infer that the extubation evaluation form may provide a more objective standard for extubation assessment in preterm infants. Full article

The major challenge of high-temperature shape memory alloys (SMAs) is the collocation of phase transition temperatures (TTs: M_s, M_f, A_s, A_f) with the mechanical properties required for application. Previous research has shown that the addition of Hf and Zr into NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) increases TTs. Modulating the ratio of Hf and Zr can control the phase transformation temperature, and applying thermal treatments can also achieve the same goal. However, the influence of thermal treatments and precipitates on mechanical properties has not been widely discussed in previous studies. In this study, we prepared two different kinds of shape memory alloys and analyzed their phase transformation temperatures after homogenization. Homogenization successfully eliminated dendrites and inter-dendrites in the as-cast states, resulting in a reduction in the phase transformation temperatures. XRD patterns indicated the presence of B2 peaks in the as-homogenized states, demonstrating a decrease in phase transformation temperatures. Mechanical properties, such as elongation and hardness, were improved due to the uniform microstructures achieved after homogenization. Moreover, we discovered that different additions of Hf and Zr resulted in distinct properties. Alloys with lower Hf and Zr had lower phase transformation temperatures, followed by higher fracture stress and elongation. Full article

Primary intracranial ependymoma is a challenging tumor to treat despite the availability of multidisciplinary therapeutic modalities, including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy. After the completion of initial treatment, when resistant tumor cells recur, salvage therapy needs to be carried out with a more precise strategy. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have specifically been detected and validated for patients with primary or recurrent diffused glioma. The CTC drug screening platform can be used to perform a mini-invasive liquid biopsy for potential drug selection. The validation of potential drugs in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model based on the same patient can serve as a preclinical testing platform. Here, we present the application of a drug testing model in a six-year-old girl with primary ependymoma on the posterior fossa, type A (EPN-PFA). She suffered from tumor recurrence with intracranial and spinal seeding at 2 years after her first operation and extraneural metastases in the pleura, lung, mediastinum, and distant femoral bone at 4 years after initial treatment. The CTC screening platform results showed that everolimus and entrectinib could be used to decrease CTC viability. The therapeutic efficacy of these two therapeutic agents has also been validated in a PDX mouse model from the same patient, and the results showed that these two therapeutic agents significantly decreased tumor growth. After precise drug screening and the combination of focal radiation on the femoral bone with everolimus chemotherapy, the whole-body bone scan showed significant shrinkage of the metastatic tumor on the right femoral bone. This novel approach can combine liquid biopsy, CTC drug testing platforms, and PDX model validation to achieve precision medicine in rare and challenging tumors with extraneural metastases. Full article

In critically ill patients, risk scores are used; however, they do not provide information for nutritional intervention. This study combined the levels of phenylalanine and leucine amino acids (PLA) to improve 30-day mortality prediction in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and to see whether PLA could help interpret the nutritional phases of critical illness. We recruited 676 patients with APACHE II scores ≥ 15 or intubated due to respiratory failure in ICUs, including 537 and 139 patients in the initiation and validation (multicenter) cohorts, respectively. In the initiation cohort, phenylalanine ≥ 88.5 μM (indicating metabolic disturbance) and leucine < 68.9 μM (indicating malnutrition) were associated with higher mortality rate. Based on different levels of phenylalanine and leucine, we developed PLA scores. In different models of multivariable analyses, PLA scores predicted 30-day mortality independent of traditional risk scores (p < 0.001). PLA scores were then classified into low, intermediate, high, and very-high risk categories with observed mortality rates of 9.0%, 23.8%, 45.6%, and 81.8%, respectively. These findings were validated in the multicenter cohort. PLA scores predicted 30-day mortality better than APACHE II and NUTRIC scores and provide a basis for future studies to determine whether PLA-guided nutritional intervention improves the outcomes of patients in ICUs. Full article

The injection-molding process is a non-linear process, and the product quality and long-term production stability are affected by several factors. To stabilize the product quality effected by these factors, this research establishes a standard process parameter setup procedure and an adaptive process control system based on the data collected by a nozzle pressure sensor and a tie-bar strain gauge to achieve this goal. In this research, process parameters such as the V/P switchover point, injection speed, packing pressure, and clamping force are sequentially optimized based on the characteristics of the pressure profile. After the optimization process, this research defines the standard quality characteristics through the optimized process parameters and combines it with the adaptive process control system in order to achieve the purpose of automatic adjustment of the machine and maintain high-quality production. Finally, three different viscosity materials are used to verify the effectiveness of the optimization procedure and the adaptive process control system. With the system, the variation of product weight was reduced to 0.106%, 0.092%, and 0.079%, respectively. Full article

Accelerating relativistic mirrors have long been recognized as viable settings where the physics mimic those of the black hole Hawking radiation. In 2017, Chen and Mourou proposed a novel method to realize such a system by traversing an ultra-intense laser through a plasma target with a decreasing density. An international AnaBHEL (Analog Black Hole Evaporation via Lasers) collaboration was formed with the objectives of observing the analog Hawking radiation, shedding light on the information loss paradox. To reach these goals, we plan to first verify the dynamics of the flying plasma mirror and characterize the correspondence between the plasma density gradient and the trajectory of the accelerating plasma mirror. We will then attempt to detect the analog Hawking radiation photons and measure the entanglement between the Hawking photons and their “partner particles”. In this paper, we describe our vision and strategy of AnaBHEL using the Apollon laser as a reference, and we report on the progress of our R&D concerning the key components in this experiment, including the supersonic gas jet with a graded density profile, and the superconducting nanowire single-photon Hawking detector. In parallel to these hardware efforts, we performed computer simulations to estimate the potential backgrounds, and derived analytic expressions for modifications to the blackbody spectrum of the Hawking radiation for a perfectly reflecting point mirror, due to the semi-transparency and finite-size effects specific to flying plasma mirrors. Based on this more realistic radiation spectrum, we estimate the Hawking photon yield to guide the design of the AnaBHEL experiment, which appears to be achievable. Full article

This cross-sectional study assessed the moderating effects of self-esteem and perceived support from friends on the association between self-stigma and suicide risk in individuals with schizophrenia. We included 300 participants (267 with schizophrenia and 33 with schizoaffective disorder). Suicide risk was assessed using items adopted from the suicide module of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview; self-stigma was assessed using the Self-Stigma Scale–Short; perceived support from friends was assessed using the Friend Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve Index; and self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. A moderation analysis was performed to examine the moderating effects of self-esteem and perceived support from friends on the association between self-stigma and suicide risk. The results indicated that self-stigma was positively associated with suicide risk after the effects of other factors were controlled for. Both perceived support from friends and self-esteem significantly reduced the magnitude of suicide risk in participants with self-stigma. Our findings highlight the value of interventions geared toward ameliorating self-stigma and enhancing self-esteem in order to reduce suicide risk in individuals with schizophrenia. Full article

Our previous study found that oral administration of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract can attenuate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and reduce eosinophil infiltration in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Gypenoside A is isolated from G. pentaphyllum. In this study, we investigated whether gypenoside A can effectively reduce asthma in mice. Asthma was induced in BALB/c mice by ovalbumin injection. Asthmatic mice were treated with gypenoside A via intraperitoneal injection to assess airway inflammation, AHR, and immunomodulatory effects. In vitro, gypenoside A reduced inflammatory and oxidative responses in inflammatory tracheal epithelial cells. Experimental results showed that gypenoside A treatment can suppress eosinophil infiltration in the lungs, reduce tracheal goblet cell hyperplasia, and attenuate AHR. Gypenoside A significantly reduced Th2 cytokine expression and also inhibited the expression of inflammatory genes and proteins in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In addition, gypenoside A also significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and reduced oxidative expression in inflammatory tracheal epithelial cells. The experimental results suggested that gypenoside A is a natural compound that can effectively reduce airway inflammation and AHR in asthma, mainly by reducing Th2 cell activation. Full article

The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3; UCLA-LSV3) is widely used for assessing loneliness. Nevertheless, the validity of this scale for assessing loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder has not been determined. Additionally, studies validating the eight-item and three-item versions of UCLA-LSV3 have not included individuals with severe mental illness; therefore, whether the short versions are comparable to the full 20-item version of UCLA-LSV3 for this population is unclear. The present study examined the unidimensional structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, and test–retest reliability of the Chinese versions of UCLA-LSV3 (i.e., 20-item, 8-item, and 3-item versions) to determine which version is most appropriate for assessing loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Taiwan. A total of 300 participants (267 with schizophrenia and 33 with schizoaffective disorder) completed the scales, comprising UCLA-LSV3, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the suicidality module of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia–Epidemiological Version (K-SADS-E), and the family and peer Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve (APGAR) index. Construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis. The three versions of UCLA-LSV3 were compared with the CES-D, the suicidality module of the K-SADS-E, and the family and peer APGAR index to establish concurrent validity. The results indicated that all three versions of UCLA-LSV3 exhibited acceptable to satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of unidimensional constructs, concurrent validity, and test–retest reliability. The full version of UCLA-LSV3 had the best performance, followed by the eight-item version and the three-item version. Moreover, the three versions had relatively strong associations with each other. Therefore, when deliberating which version of UCLA-LSV3 is the best choice for assessing loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, healthcare providers and therapists should consider time availability and practicality. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the different clinical results and factors associated with cartilage defects in military draftees who underwent different treatments after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Overall, 105 patients who had sustained ACL rupture were military draftees who underwent a conscription examination for physical status assessment from January 2012 to December 2020. Patients were divided into three groups: conservative treatment after ACL rupture, status post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but graft rupture, and status post-ACLR with graft intact. Inter-group comparisons and statistical analyses were performed for age, body mass index (BMI), thigh circumference difference, side-to-side difference in anterior knee translation by KT-2000, meniscus tear, and cartilage defect. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with cartilage defects. The multivariable regression model showed that BMI (odds ratio OR: 1.303; 95% CI: 1.016–1.672; p = 0.037), thigh circumference difference (OR: 1.403; 95% CI: 1.003–1.084; p = 0.034), tear of lateral meniscus (LM) and medial meniscus (MM) (OR: 13.773; 95% CI: 1.354–140.09; p = 0.027), and graft rupture group (OR: 5.191; 95% CI: 1.388–19.419; p = 0.014) increased the risk of cartilage defects. There was no correlation between cartilage defects and age, KT-2000 difference, tear of LM or MM, or graft intact group. Progression of osteoarthritis was concerned after ACL rupture, and this study identified several factors of post-ACLR graft rupture, greater thigh circumference difference, BMI, and meniscus tear of both LM and MM affecting cartilage defects, which represent early degenerative osteoarthritis changes of the knee. The results of this study should be customized for rehabilitation and military training, especially in military draftees with ACL injuries. Full article

TRIM28 is a scaffold protein that interacts with DNA-binding proteins and recruits corepressor complexes to cause gene silencing. TRIM28 contributes to physiological functions such as cell growth and differentiation. In the chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562, we edited TRIM28 using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and the complete and partial knockout (KO) cell clones were obtained and confirmed using quantitative droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) technology. The amplicon sequencing demonstrated no off-target effects in our gene editing experiments. The TRIM28 KO cells grew slowly and appeared red, seeming to have a tendency towards erythroid differentiation. To understand how TRIM28 controls K562 cell proliferation and differentiation, transcriptome profiling analysis was performed in wild-type and KO cells to identify TRIM28-regulated genes. Some of the RNAs that encode the proteins regulating the cell cycle were increased (such as p21) or decreased (such as cyclin D2) in TRIM28 KO cell clones; a tumor marker, the MAGE (melanoma antigen) family, which is involved in cell proliferation was reduced. Moreover, we found that knockout of TRIM28 can induce miR-874 expression to downregulate MAGEC2 mRNA via post-transcriptional regulation. The embryonic epsilon-globin gene was significantly increased in TRIM28 KO cell clones through the downregulation of transcription repressor SOX6. Taken together, we provide evidence to demonstrate the regulatory network of TRIM28-mediated cell growth and erythroid differentiation in K562 leukemia cells. Full article