Reduced Frontal Glutamate + Glutamine and N-Acetylaspartate Levels in Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia but not in Those at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis or With First-Episode Schizophrenia

Changes in brain pathology as schizophrenia progresses have been repeatedly suggested by previous studies. Meta-analyses of previous proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS) studies at each clinical stage of schizophrenia indicate that the abnormalities of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and glutamatergic metabolites change progressively. However, to our knowledge, no single study has addressed the possible differences in ¹H MRS abnormalities in subjects at 3 different stages of disease, including those at ultrahigh risk for psychosis (UHR), with first-episode schizophrenia (FES), and with chronic schizophrenia (ChSz). In the current study, 24 patients with UHR, 19 FES, 25 ChSz, and their demographically matched 3 independent control groups (n = 26/19/28 for the UHR, FES, and ChSz control groups, respectively) underwent ¹H MRS in a 3-Tesla scanner to examine metabolites in medial prefrontal cortex. The analysis revealed significant decreases in the medial prefrontal NAA and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) levels, specifically in the ChSz group as indexed by a significant interaction between stage (UHR/FES/ChSz) and clinical status (patients/controls) (P = .008). Furthermore, the specificity of NAA and Glx reductions compared with the other metabolites in the patients with ChSz was also supported by a significant interaction between the clinical status and types of metabolites that only occurred at the ChSz stage (P = .001 for NAA, P = .004 for Glx). The present study demonstrates significant differences in ¹H MRS abnormalities at different stages of schizophrenia, which potentially correspond to changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission, plasticity, and/or excitotoxicity and regional neuronal integrity with relevance for the progression of schizophrenia.Key words: anterior cingulate cortex, at-risk mental state, biomarkers, frontal lobe, magnetic resonance imaging, neurochemical abnormality     

A solution-processed tin dioxide film applicable as a transparent and flexible humidity sensor

An all-solution-processed transparent tin oxide (SnO₂)-based humidity sensor was directly prepared on borosilicate glass (SnO₂–G) and a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (SnO₂–PET) substrate without using a template. The entire process included film deposition by a spin-spray process at 90 °C and subsequent hot water treatment (HWT) at 100 °C. The resistivity of the films dramatically decreased and had semiconductor characteristics after the HWT, even though the as-prepared SnO₂–G and SnO₂–PET samples were insulators. Based on the results, the variation of the resistivity could be attributed to the formation of a hydroxyl layer on the crystallized SnO₂ surface. With the help of the HWT on the SnO₂ films, the formation of tin hydroxyl derivatives provided mobile protons, which led to the variation of the electrical properties of SnO₂ at ambient conditions with different humidities. The sensitivity of the SnO₂–G-HWT and SnO₂–PET-HWT at 95% relative humidity (RH) was 35.2 and 3.5 times higher, respectively, than that at 5% RH. Both the sensitivity of the SnO₂–G-HWT and SnO₂–PET-HWT samples showed a good uptrend corresponding to the increase of RH at 20 ± 1 °C, and the response/recovery time of SnO₂–G-HWT and SnO₂–PET-HWT was 51/38 s and 69/47 s in the % RH range of 30–70% at 20 ± 1 °C, respectively.

An all-solution-processed transparent tin oxide (SnO₂)-based humidity sensor was directly prepared on borosilicate glass (SnO₂–G) and a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (SnO₂–PET) substrate without using a template.     

Simultaneous improvement in electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:PSS by N2 pressure-induced nitric acid treatment

As a thermoelectric (TE) material suited to applications for recycling waste-heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) is of great interest. Our research demonstrates a comprehensive study of different post-treatment methods with nitric acid (HNO₃) to enhance the thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS. The optimum conditions are obtained when PEDOT:PSS is treated with HNO₃ for 10 min at room temperature followed by passing nitrogen gas (N₂) with a pressure of 0.2 MPa. Upon this treatment, PEDOT:PSS changes from semiconductor-like behaviour to metal-like behaviour, with a simultaneous enhancement in the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient at elevated temperature, resulting in an increase in the thermoelectric power factor from 0.0818 to 94.3 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² at 150 °C. The improvement in the TE properties is ascribed to the combined effects of phase segregation and conformational change of the PEDOT due to the weakened coulombic attraction between PEDOT and PSS chains by nitric acid as well as the pressure of the N₂ gas as a mechanical means.

As a thermoelectric (TE) material suited to applications for recycling waste-heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) is of great interest.     

Safety of bioabsorbable membrane (Seprafilim®) in hepatectomy in the era of aggressive liver surgery

BackgroundRepeat hepatectomy has been recognized as an effective treatment for hepatic malignancies, and a sheet type adhesion barrier, Seprafilm® has increasingly been used during hepatectomy to ease future relaparotomy. However, there is not yet sufficient evidence to support the safety of use of Seprafilm in liver surgery.MethodsData of 151 patients who had undergone open hepatectomy were retrospectively reviewed and the incidence of major abdominal morbidity was compared between patients in whom Seprafilm had and had not been used.ResultsSeprafilm was used in 108 patients (Seprafilm group) and no adhesion barrier was used in 43 patients (comparison group). There was no significant difference in the rate of major abdominal morbidities between the two groups (Seprafilm vs. comparison: 10% vs. 16%, P = 0.403). Although the Seprafilm group showed a tendency toward increased incidence of bile leakage (7% vs. 2%), and placement of Seprafilm on the hepatoduodenal ligament or on the visceral surface of the liver seemed to be associated with an increased incidence of major morbidity, multivariate analysis showed no significant correlation between the use of Seprafilm and postoperative major abdominal morbidity.ConclusionUse of Seprafilm may not increase the risk of major abdominal morbidity in liver surgery.     

Role of physical therapists and aromatherapy for fall prevention in older people: A narrative review

Falls among older people are usually the result of several causes combined. Identifying all the fall-related factors that apply to a particular individual and providing comprehensive multifactorial intervention is recommended for the prevention of falls among older people. However, the overall net benefit of multifactorial intervention in preventing falls is small, and it does not appear to improve fall-related outcomes, such as the number of fall-related injuries. Therefore, we might require new perspectives to overcome this situation. Here, we raise two novel strategies for fall prevention among older people. One is using physical therapists more actively. The other is using aromatherapy for stabilization of older people. Physical therapists should carry out detailed gait assessment and caregiver education. Aromatherapy is effective in improving balance and mental stability in older people. To overcome refractory geriatric syndrome, there is no choice but to eliminate all preconceived ideas before choosing the best fall prevention strategies. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 445–450 .     

Association of estimated plasma volume and weight loss after long-term administration and subsequent discontinuation of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor tofogliflozin

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2) are drugs that have been reported to have several effects through the regulation of plasma volume, for example, antihypertensive effects. This study aimed to clarify the impact of long-term administration and subsequent discontinuation of the SGLT2 inhibitor tofogliflozin on estimated plasma volume (ePV), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the relationship between changes in ePV, BNP and body weight (BW). Data from 157 participants with type 2 diabetes receiving tofogliflozin monotherapy in a phase 3 study were analysed. Changes in variables or correlations among them during a 52-week administration and a 2-week post-treatment period were investigated. Percent change in ePV was calculated using the Strauss formula. Significant decreases in BW, ePV and ln-transformed BNP (ln-BNP) were noted by week 52. %ΔBW was not significantly correlated with %ΔePV and Δln-BNP, while %ΔePV was significantly correlated with Δln-BNP. Two weeks after discontinuation of tofogliflozin, BW, ePV and ln-BNP were significantly increased. %ΔBW was significantly correlated with %ΔePV and Δln-BNP. Furthermore, ePV and BNP were significantly higher than baseline levels.     

Indication for resection and possibility of observation for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with high-risk stigmata

Background/ObjectivesAccording to the revised international intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) guidelines (2017), the indication for surgery is based on risk classification. However, some IPMNs with high-risk stigmata (HRS) can be observed for long periods without resection. Hence, we need to reconsider the risk stratification, and this study aimed to propose a novel risk stratification for HRS-IPMNs.MethodsWe enrolled 328 patients diagnosed with IPMN using endoscopic ultrasound between 2012 and 2019. We compared clinicopathological features between HRS and worrisome features (WF) and evaluated outcomes of HRS-IPMN.ResultsFifty-three patients (HRS 38, WF 15) underwent resection at initial diagnosis and 275 patients were observed. Following observation for 30 months, 22 patients (17 HRS, 5 WF) underwent resection. Analysis of resected IPMNs (n = 75) revealed that HRS had dominantly pancreatobiliary mucin subtype. Pancreatobiliary-type IPMN had larger nodule sizes and lymphatic invasion and high recurrence with poor prognosis. Seventy-four patients were diagnosed with HRS, 55 underwent resection, and 19 continue to be observed. The resected group had larger nodule sizes (median 8 mm vs. 5 mm; P = 0.060), whereas the observed group had more main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilation (median 10 mm vs. 5 mm; P = 0.005). In the resected HRS group, only patients with MPD dilation ≥10 mm (n = 10) had no recurrence but had a favorable prognosis compared with those nodule size ≥5 mm (n = 45).ConclusionsLarge nodule size may be associated with pancreatobiliary subtype and poor prognosis; however, patients with MPD dilation ≥10 mm with nodule size <5 mm did not require resection.