Macrophage-associated biocompatibility of titanium revealed by analyzing foreign body reaction at bone-implant interface.

Purpose: Titanium implants are widely used to replace pathological joints, bones, and teeth, with successful engraftment requiring osteoblast attachment to the metal surface for bone regeneration. However, the immune response at the bone-implant interface remains unclear, and few studies have examined why titanium elicits a reduced foreign-body reaction (FBR) compared to other metals. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying titanium biocompatibility by characterizing the immune response at the bone-implant interface in a rat model.

Dimensional analysis of condylar head using 3D scanned models of human dry skulls: A comparative study of measurement methods.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the dimensional characteristics of the condylar head in 3D models of dry human mandibles using two different measurement methods.

Methods: A total of 46 condylar heads from 29 dry human mandibles were scanned using a 3D scanner. Two perpendicular reference planes were used to identify the most medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior points.

Enhanced Biofilm Disruption in Methicillin-Resistant Using Rifampin and Fluoroquinolone Combinations.

biofilms complicate the treatment of device-related infections. We hypothesized that combining rifampin with fluoroquinolones could eradicate biofilms even in antimicrobial-resistant strains. We determined the synergistic interactions of these combinations in a biofilm model.

Characteristics of Aqueous Chemical Species Generation in Plasma-Facing Liquid Systems Using Helium Jet Plasma.

Plasma-facing liquids (PFLs) facilitate the storage of reactive O and N species (RONS), including HO and NO , which remain in the PFL after plasma treatment, and they can continuously influence the target immersed in the liquid. However, their behaviors and levels of generation and extinction depend strongly on the plasma characteristics and liquid condition. Therefore, understanding the effects of the liquid type on the plasma discharge characteristics and the RONS generated via plasma discharge is necessary.

Behavioral and neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease are attenuated in 5xFAD mice treated with intranasal GHK peptide.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Efforts to find disease modifying treatments have met with limited success. The naturally occurring peptide GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine), in its Cu-bound form, supports angiogenesis, remodeling, and tissue repair, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been shown to improve cognitive performance in aging mice.

Cytokine receptor γc effectuates the generation of proinflammatory innate CD8 T cells by non-classical MHC-I molecules.

Innate CD8 T cells correspond to a population of terminally differentiated effector T cells that phenotypically appear as antigen-experienced memory cells and functionally resemble proinflammatory CD8 T cells, expressing copious amounts of IFNγ. Innate CD8 T cells, however, are distinct from conventional effector-memory CD8 T cells as they acquire functional maturity during their generation in the thymus. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive their thymic development and differentiation is an intensely studied subject in T cell immunity, and here we identified the cytokine receptor γc as a critical mediator of innate CD8 T cell generation that promotes their selection even in the absence of classical MHC-I molecules.

Recent catalytic applications of MXene-based layered nanomaterials.

The urgent issues related to the catalytic processes and energy applications have accelerated the development of hybrid and smart materials. MXenes are a new family of atomic layered nanostructured materials that require considerable research. Tailorable morphologies, strong electrical conductivity, great chemical stability, large surface-to-volume ratios, tunable structures, among others are some significant characteristics that make MXenes appropriate for various electrochemical reactions, including dry reforming of methane, hydrogen evolution reaction, methanol oxidation reaction, sulfur reduction reaction, Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction, water-gas shift reaction, and so forth.

Targeting IGF1R signaling for brain aging and Alzheimer's disease.

The role of IGF1R signaling in the brain and its relationship to aging and neurological dysfunction is controversial. Because it was shown that low IGF1R activity consistently improved myocardial bioenergetics and function in hearts from aging mice, but not hearts from young mice, it was of interest to investigate this relationship in brain aging. We used CRISPR technology to develop a mouse model with targeted replacement of mouse IGF1R with the equivalent of the human R407H (IGF1R) variant enriched in centenarians with a reduction in IGF1R protein activity.

Modeling resilience to sleep disruption to study resistance to Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition with unknown etiology and no cure. Therefore, it is imperative to learn more about the underlying risk factors. Since AD is an age-related disease, one approach is to look at factors associated with aging.

Regenerative Potential of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7-Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Ligature-Induced Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an oral disease caused by bacterial infection that has stages according to the severity of tissue destruction. The advanced stage of periodontitis presents irreversible destruction of soft and hard tissues, which finally results in loss of teeth. When conventional treatment modalities show limited results, tissue regeneration therapy is required in patients with advanced periodontitis.

A mouse model of naturally occurring age-related cognitive impairment.

Age-related cognitive impairment (ARCI) is a neurological condition that affects millions of older people, but little is known about the increased risk of developing more severe neurodegeneration and dementia. Preclinical research is needed to understand the mechanisms of the impairment and the neuropathology associated with it. We have characterized a model of naturally occurring ARCI in the C57BL/6J mouse strain that shows an age-dependent development of cognitive impairment.

Public interest in the digital transformation accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and perception of its future impact.

Background/aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated digital transformation (DT). We investigated the trend of the public interest in technologies regarding the DT and Koreans' experiences and their perceptions of the future impact of these technologies.

Methods: Using Google Trends, the relative search volume (RSV) for topics including "coronavirus," "artificial intelligence," "cloud," "big data," and "metaverse" were retrieved for the period from January 2020 to January 2022.

Reduced diversity of intestinal T-cell receptor repertoire in patients with Crohn's disease.

Background: The intestinal microenvironment directly determines the human T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. Despite its extreme diversity, TCR repertoire analysis may provide a better understanding of the immune system in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods: To investigate TCR repertoires in the intestinal mucosa, RNA sequencing was performed for inflamed and non-inflamed intestinal mucosa samples obtained from 13 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and healthy mucosa from nine non-IBD controls.

Antitumor necrosis factor treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease does not promote psoriasis development: A meta-analysis.

Background: Recent case reports have suggested that anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents are associated with an increased risk of developing psoriasis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aims: This meta-analysis of published studies aimed to evaluate the association between anti-TNF treatment and psoriasis in patients with IBD.

Methods: An electronic search for original articles published before April 7, 2022, was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.

Instant inactivation of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 by dielectric filter discharge.

This study aimed to evaluate the instant inactivation effect of dielectric filter discharge (DFD) on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) aerosols. The filter consisted of one layer of ZrO2 beads covered by aluminum mesh electrodes; this porous structure of DFD part generates filter-type surface discharge and reactive oxygen species. In a closed cylindrical chamber, DFD treated air flow containing SARS-CoV-2 aerosols, primarily composed of particle diameters of ≤ 1 μm.

Conversational Artificial Intelligence for Spinal Pain Questionnaire: Validation and User Satisfaction.

Objective: The purpose of our study is to develop a spoken dialogue system (SDS) for pain questionnaire in patients with spinal disease. We evaluate user satisfaction and validated the performance accuracy of the SDS in medical staff and patients.

Methods: The SDS was developed to investigate pain and related psychological issues in patients with spinal diseases based on the pain questionnaire protocol.

Sustainable Antibacterial and Antiviral High-Performance Copper-Coated Filter Produced via Ion Beam Treatment.

With the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), disease prevention has become incredibly important. Consequently, mask and air-purifier use has increased. The filter is the core component of these items.

Unboxing mathematics: creating a culture of modeling as critic.

From the socio-critical perspective of mathematical modeling, reflexive discussions about the nature, criteria, and consequences of mathematical models are not a natural consequence of modeling in school. This report is part of a larger study focused on stimulating reflexive discussions in practice employing constructivist grounded theory as a research method. Twenty-seven college algebra students engaged in a 3-week modeling project at a community college in the USA.

In vivo availability of the cytokine IL-7 constrains the survival and homeostasis of peripheral iNKT cells.

Understanding the homeostatic mechanism of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells is a critical issue in iNKT cell biology. Because interleukin (IL)-15 is required for the thymic generation of iNKT cells, IL-15 has also been considered necessary for the homeostasis of peripheral iNKT cells. Here, we delineated the in vivo cytokine requirement for iNKT cells, and we came to the surprising conclusion that IL-7, not IL-15, is the homeostatic cytokine for iNKT cells.