Toward sustainable clean ports: Smoke opacity measurement based on semantic segmentation and edge device.

To overcome the limitations of manually determining the opacity of smoke emitted from ships, we present a novel framework using artificial intelligence and an edge device. Four deep learning models trained with black and white smoke images for semantic segmentation were compared and analyzed. It was confirmed that two of these models, namely the novel W-Net and DeepLab v3+m exhibited superior performance compared with the conventional models.

Tracheal Reconstruction Using a Nitinol Stent for Thoracic Tracheal Rupture.

Background/aim: Endotracheal tube intubation is required for surgery under inhalation anesthesia. In the present study, after inhalation anesthesia in dogs, the tracheal tube was extubated without deflating the endotracheal tube cuff, resulting in thoracic tracheal rupture, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumomediastinum. The ruptured thoracic trachea was reconstructed using an endotracheal stent to treat intrathoracic emphysema.

Multi-Ancestry Transcriptome-wide Association Studies Uncover New Insights into Breast Cancer Genetics and Biology.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 200 genetic risk loci for breast cancer, yet the target genes in these loci remain largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a series of multi-ancestry transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) to discover potential breast cancer susceptibility genes. We developed and validated ancestry-specific genetic models to predict levels of gene expression, alternative splicing, and 3' UTR alternative polyadenylation, using genomic and transcriptomic data from normal breast tissue samples of 652 females of African, Asian, or European ancestry.

Integrating multi-ancestry genomic and proteomic data to identify blood risk biomarkers and target proteins for breast cancer genetic risk loci.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 200 risk loci for breast cancer. However, target genes and their encoded proteins in these loci remain largely unknown. In this study, we utilized genetic prediction models for 1349 circulating proteins derived from individuals of African (n = 1871) and European (n = 7213) ancestry to investigate genetically predicted protein levels in association with breast cancer risk among females of African (n = 40,138), Asian (n = 137,677), and European (n = 247,173) ancestry.

Regulatory T cells and their role in inflammatory bowel disease: molecular targets, therapeutic strategies and translational advances.

Regulatory T cells (T) are essential for immune tolerance and for controlling pathological inflammation, particularly in mucosal tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is increasingly associated with T dysfunction. This dysfunction is marked by loss of lineage stability, impaired suppressive function, and a disrupted balance with pro-inflammatory T helper type 17 (Th17) cells.

Novel carbazole attenuates vascular remodeling through STAT3/CIAPIN1 signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells.

This study investigated the molecular mechanism of phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which play a crucial role in vascular remodeling using 9-Carbazol-3-yl 4-aminobenzoate (CAB). CAB significantly attenuated platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. CAB suppressed PDGF-induced STAT3 activation by directly binding to the SH2 domain of STAT3.

Assessment of Human Epididymis Protein 4 Expression in Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.

: Elevated expression of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) has been observed in breast cancer and is associated with cancer progression; however, its role in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate HE4 levels in serum and tissue from patients with DCIS and their correlation with clinicopathological features. : Preoperative serum HE4 levels were measured in 59 DCIS patients.

Identification of zoonotic pathogens in zoo animals in the Republic of Korea.

Zoo animals may harbor various zoonotic pathogens and may pose a potential risk to humans through close contact. Nevertheless, epidemiological data on zoonotic diseases are scarce. Here, we conducted an epidemiological investigation and genetic characterization of , species, , and in zoo animals in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and evaluated their zoonotic potential.

Cystic Breast Lesions: Diagnostic Approach and US Assessment.

Various cystic breast lesions are encountered during screening and diagnostic breast imaging. According to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) from the American College of Radiology, cystic breast lesions can be classified into the following categories based on sonographic findings: simple cysts, complicated cysts, clustered microcysts, and complex cystic and solid masses. With appropriate technique, simple cysts can be diagnosed easily by satisfying the diagnostic criteria, which include anechoic round or oval lesions with circumscribed margins and posterior enhancement on US images.

Enhanced In-Sensor Computing with Spike Number-Dependent Plasticity Characteristics in an InGaSnO Optical Neuromorphic Device for Accelerating Machine Vision.

In-sensor computing systems based on optical neuromorphic devices have attracted increasing attention to improve the efficiency and accuracy of machine vision systems. However, most materials used in optical neuromorphic devices exhibit spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) behavior in response to input light signals, leading to complex in-sensor computing and reduced machine vision accuracy. To address this issue, we introduce an indium gallium tin oxide (IGTO) semiconductor designed to enhance spike number-dependent plasticity (SNDP) in response to input light signals while eliminating the STDP behavior.

Refining breast cancer genetic risk and biology through multi-ancestry fine-mapping analyses of 192 risk regions.

Genome-wide association studies have identified approximately 200 genetic risk loci for breast cancer, but the causal variants and target genes are mostly unknown. We sought to fine-map all known breast cancer risk loci using genome-wide association study data from 172,737 female breast cancer cases and 242,009 controls of African, Asian and European ancestry. We identified 332 independent association signals for breast cancer risk, including 131 signals not reported previously, and for 50 of them, we narrowed the credible causal variants down to a single variant.

Prediction of menstrual recovery patterns in premenopausal women with breast cancer taking tamoxifen after chemotherapy: an ASTRRA Substudy.

Background: Chemo-endocrine therapy can lead to various side effects associated with ovarian dysfunction. Predicting menstrual recovery is necessary to discuss the treatment-related issues regarding fertility and premature menopause with patients.

Methods: In the ASTRRA trial, patients who resumed ovarian function within 2 years after chemotherapy were randomized to receive tamoxifen for 5 years or OFS with tamoxifen for 2 years.

First molecular evidence of bovine hemoplasmas in houseflies (Musca domestica).

Background: Hemoplasma infections in cattle are caused by Mycoplasma wenyonii and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and induce asymptomatic or chronic infections but occasionally lead to life-threatening hemolytic anemia. Despite the global distribution of bovine hemoplasmas, information regarding their transmission vectors and prevalence is still lacking in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the infection rate of bovine hemoplasma in cattle and houseflies and to assess the risk factors associated with hemoplasma infection in cattle.

Improvement of the Stability of Quantum-Dot Light Emitting Diodes Using Inorganic HfO Hole Transport Layer.

One of the major challenges in QLED research is improving the stability of the devices. In this study, we fabricated all inorganic quantum-dot light emitting diodes (QLEDs) using hafnium oxide (HfO) as the hole transport layer (HTL), a material commonly used for insulator. Oxygen vacancies in HfO create defect states below the Fermi level, providing a pathway for hole injection.

Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma In Situ Composed of Signet-Ring Cells Mimicking Ductal Carcinoma In Situ with A Papillary Pattern: A Case Report.

While some forms of invasive or in situ carcinoma of the breast may be partly composed of signet-ring cells, signet-ring cells rarely become a prominent feature of pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). We report a rare example of pleomorphic LCIS composed predominantly of signet-ring cells with a papillary pattern mimicking ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). A 58-year-old woman presented with a mass in the left breast detected by ultrasonography.

Analysis of Initial Outcomes of Gas-insufflation One-step Single-port Transaxillary (GOSTA) Robotic Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer.

Background/aim: This study compared the initial outcomes of gas-insufflation one-step single-port transaxillary (GOSTA) robotic thyroidectomy with traditional open thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer at a single institution.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 77 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer from January to June 2024. Exclusion criteria included benign nodules, Graves' disease, and previous thyroid surgeries.

Efficient Polycrystalline Single-Cation Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes by Simultaneous Intracrystal and Interfacial Defect Passivation.

Polycrystalline perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have shown great promise with high efficiency and easy processability. However, PeLEDs using single-cation polycrystalline perovskite emitters have demonstrated low efficiency due to defects within the grains and at the interfaces between the perovskite layer and the charge injection contact. Thus, simultaneous defect engineering of perovskites to suppress exciton loss within the grains and at the interfaces is crucial for achieving high efficiency in PeLEDs.

Prediction of early clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Triple-negative breast cancer: Incorporating Radiomics through breast MRI.

This study assessed pretreatment breast MRI coupled with machine learning for predicting early clinical responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), focusing on identifying non-responders. A retrospective analysis of 135 TNBC patients (107 responders, 28 non-responders) treated with NAC from January 2015 to October 2022 was conducted. Non-responders were defined according to RECIST guidelines.

Risk Factors for Non-sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer With cN0.

Background/aim: This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with non-sentinel lymph node (non-SLN) metastasis in case of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer with cN0 on preoperative exam, where the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is positive.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records from the Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, spanning from January 2013 to January 2020, focusing on patients with HR+, HER2- breast cancer. Specifically, we collected the clinical and pathological data for those patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) due to positive SLN.

Surface-binding molecular multipods strengthen the halide perovskite lattice and boost luminescence.

Reducing the size of perovskite crystals to confine excitons and passivating surface defects has fueled a significant advance in the luminescence efficiency of perovskite light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the persistent gap between the optical limit of electroluminescence efficiency and the photoluminescence efficiency of colloidal perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) suggests that defect passivation alone is not sufficient to achieve highly efficient colloidal PeNC-LEDs. Here, we present a materials approach to controlling the dynamic nature of the perovskite surface.

Real-Time Ultraviolet Monitoring System with Low-Temperature Solution-Processed High-Transparent p-n Junction Photodiode with a Fast Responsive and High Rectification Ratio.

We introduce an enhanced performance organic-inorganic hybrid p-n junction photodiode, utilizing poly[bis(4-phenyl) (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine] (PTAA) and ZnO, fabricated through a solution-based process at a low temperature under 100 °C. Improved interfacial electronic structure, characterized by shallower Gaussian standard deviation of the density-of-state distribution and a larger interface dipole, has resulted in a remarkable fold increase of ∼10 in signal-to-noise ratio for the device. This photodiode exhibits a high specific detectivity (2.

Paraoxonase-2 agonist vutiglabridin promotes autophagy activation and mitochondrial function to alleviate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background And Purpose: Only limited therapeutic agents have been developed for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Glabridin, a promising anti-obesity candidate, has only limited druggability due to its low in vivo chemical stability and bioavailability. Therefore, we developed vutiglabridin (VUTI), which is based on a glabridin backbone, and investigated its mechanism of action in treating NASH in animal models.

Structure-Inherent Tumor-Targeted IR-783 for Near-Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Photothermal Therapy.

IR-783, a commercially available near-infrared (NIR) heptamethine cyanine dye, has been used for selective tumor imaging in breast, prostate, cervical, and brain cancers in vitro and in vivo. Although the molecular mechanism behind the structure-inherent tumor targeting of IR-783 has not been well-demonstrated, IR-783 has unique properties such as a good water solubility and low cytotoxicity compared with other commercial heptamethine cyanine dyes. The goal of this study is to evaluate the phototherapeutic efficacy of IR-783 as a tumor-targeted photothermal agent in human colorectal cancer xenografts.