Artificial bacterial flagella (ABFs) consist of helical tails resembling natural flagella fabricated by the self-scrolling of helical nanobelts and soft-magnetic heads composed of Cr/Ni/Au stacked thin films. ABFs are controlled wirelessly using a low-strength rotating magnetic field. Self-propelled devices such as these are of interest for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications. Swimming tests of ABFs show a linear relationship between the frequency of the applied field and the translational velocity when the frequency is lower than the step-out frequency of the ABF. Moreover, the influences of head size on swimming velocity and the lateral drift of an ABF near a solid boundary are investigated. An experimental method to estimate the propulsion matrix of a helical swimmer under a light microscope is developed. Finally, swarm-like behavior of multiple ABFs controlled as a single entity is demonstrated.

HighlightsExercise can be used as an active intervention for the rehabilitation of various diseases.Exercise therapy could exert positive effects on alleviating the symptoms and improving the physical performance of patients who suffer from these diseases.Exercise prescriptions could provide guidance for patients to engage in suitable physical activities to promote rehabilitation and physical function.

Rationale: Estimating the annual incidence and prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease may assist in improving understanding of the public health and economic impacts of this disease and its treatment. Objective: To estimate the yearly incidence and prevalence of administrative claims–based NTM lung disease between 2008 and 2015 in a U.S. managed care claims database. Methods: We used a national managed care claims database (Optum Clinformatics Data Mart) representing a geographically diverse population of approximately 27 million members annually. All medical claims from January 1, 2007, to June 30, 2016, were scanned for diagnosis codes for NTM lung disease ( International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] code 031.0 or ICD-10-CM code A31.0). We defined a case of NTM lung disease as having at least two medical claims with a code of 031.0 or A31.0 that were dated at least 30 days apart. Annual incidence and prevalence were estimated for each calendar year from 2008 to 2015. Results: From 2008 to 2015, the annual incidence of NTM lung disease increased from 3.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.88–3.40) to 4.73 (95% CI, 4.43–5.05) per 100,000 person-years, and the annual prevalence increased from 6.78 (95% CI, 6.45–7.14) to 11.70 (95% CI, 11.26–12.16) per 100,000 persons. The average annual changes in incidence and prevalence were +5.2% (95% CI, 4.0–6.4%; P < 0.01) and +7.5% (95% CI, 6.7–8.2%; P < 0.01), respectively. For women, the annual incidence increased from 4.16 (95% CI, 3.76–4.60) to 6.69 (95% CI, 6.19–7.22) per 100,000 person-years, and the annual prevalence increased from 9.63 (95% CI, 9.08–10.22) to 16.78 (95% CI, 16.04–17.55) per 100,000 persons. For individuals aged 65 years or older, the annual incidence increased from 12.70 (95% CI, 11.46–14.07) to 18.37 (95% CI, 16.98–19.87) per 100,000 person-years, and the annual prevalence increased from 30.27 (95% CI, 28.41–32.24) to 47.48 (95% CI, 45.37–49.67) per 100,000 persons. The incidence and prevalence of NTM lung disease increased in most U.S. states and overall at the national level. Conclusions: The incidence and prevalence of NTM lung disease appears to be increasing in the United States, particularly among women and older age groups.

To elucidate the maturation process of TDP-43-positive neuronal inclusions, we immunohistochemically and immunoelectron-microscopically examined multiple areas from the brain and spinal cord from ten patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 25 control subjects. TDP-43 immunohistochemistry demonstrated three types of inclusions in ALS: skein-like, round, and dot-like inclusions. Skein-like inclusions were found in all cases of ALS. Dot-like inclusions were found in the anterior horn in seven cases of ALS, all of whom had round inclusions, but not in cases without round inclusions. In addition, careful examination revealed two types of diffuse punctate cytoplasmic staining: linear wisps and punctate granules. Linear wisps were present in all cases of ALS but in none of 25 controls. In contrast, punctate granules were detected in all cases of ALS as well as in five of 13 normal and in seven of 12 diseased controls. Immunoelectron-microscopy revealed that skein-like inclusions consisted of granule-associated parallel filaments. Round and dot-like inclusions were composed of granulo-filamentous structures. However, punctate granules corresponded to the mitochondria and were not immunostained with anti-ubiquitin, indicating that punctate granules represent cross-reaction. We assumed that linear wisps ("fine skein") aggregate as thicker and longer threads ("coarse skein"), whereas round inclusions arise from dot-like inclusions. These findings suggest that there are differences in the formation process between skein-like and round inclusions, despite the antigenic and ultrastructural similarities.

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