Crisdesalazine alleviates inflammation in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis multiple sclerosis mouse model by regulating the immune system.

Microglia/macrophages participate in the development of and recovery from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and the macrophage M1 (pro-inflammatory)/M2 (anti-inflammatory) phase transition is involved in EAE disease progression. We evaluated the efficacy of crisdesalazine (a novel microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 inhibitor) in an EAE model, including its immune-regulating potency in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, and its neuroprotective effects in a macrophage-neuronal co-culture system. Crisdesalazine significantly alleviated clinical symptoms, inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination in the spinal cord, and altered the phase of microglial/macrophage and regulatory T cells.

Recent progress in biopolymer-based electrospun nanofibers and their potential biomedical applications: A review.

Tissue engineering offers an alternative approach to developing biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or enhance tissue functionality by integrating principles from medicine, biology, and engineering. In this context, biopolymer-based electrospun nanofibers have emerged as attractive platforms due to their superior physicochemical properties, including excellent biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and desirable biodegradability, compared to synthetic polymers. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to developing suitable substitutes for various biomedical applications, with electrospinning receiving considerable attention as a versatile technique for fabricating nanofibrous platforms.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: With a rapidly aging population, South Korea anticipates a surge in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the genetic basis of AD in Koreans is not well understood.

Method: We sequenced the genomes of 3,540 Koreans (1,583 AD cases and 1,957 controls) older than age 60 and performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of AD using logistic regression models that included covariates for age, sex, five ancestry principal components, and an empirical genetic relationship matrix.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Previous Alzheimer's disease GWAS studies were mostly based on the European population, and the β-amyloid (Aβ) status was not considered. We performed a meta-GWAS using East Asian and European genomics data and performed prediction of Aβ status using the identified variant. We utilized single-cell transcriptome data to identify the differentially expressed gene that is affected by the variant.

Association between genetically predicted leisure and social activities and cardiovascular disease and other health outcomes.

Participation in leisure and social activities (LSA) is associated with better health outcomes and lower mortality. Previous observational studies demonstrated a relationship between engagement in LSA and both mental and physical health. Although several studies examined the association between LSA and health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, their possible causal relationship has not been studied.

Surface conduction and reduced electrical resistivity in ultrathin noncrystalline NbP semimetal.

The electrical resistivity of conventional metals such as copper is known to increase in thin films as a result of electron-surface scattering, thus limiting the performance of metals in nanoscale electronics. Here, we find an unusual reduction of resistivity with decreasing film thickness in niobium phosphide (NbP) semimetal deposited at relatively low temperatures of 400°C. In films thinner than 5 nanometers, the room temperature resistivity (~34 microhm centimeters for 1.

Banana peels-derived shape-regulated nanocellulose for effective adsorption of Nile blue A dye.

Industrial wastes, including dyes and other chemicals, are significant sources of water pollution. The adsorption process is often explored in water purification. However, developing low-cost, sustainable adsorbents with good dye removal capacity remains challenging.

In sickness and in health-A scoping review on social virtual reality clinical applications.

Objective: Evidence of virtual reality's (VR) efficacy in hospital settings coupled with the rise of inexpensive consumer devices have led to the development of social virtual reality (SVR) applications being incorporated in hospital settings. SVR provides opportunities for social interactions in virtual environments, allowing individuals to virtually socialize, regardless of geographic or mobility constraints. However, the full range of potential applications and the challenges of deploying SVR in hospital settings remain unexplored.

Association between social jetlag and anxiety symptoms: Findings from a nationally representative sample of the Korean working population.

Objectives: Social jetlag (SJL), which arises from the misalignment of biological and social rhythms, is associated with adverse health outcomes. We explored the association between SJL and anxiety symptoms in Korean workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included a nationally representative sample, consisting of 2731 adult workers.

Comparison of ocular biometry and refractive outcomes using two swept-source optical coherence tomography-based biometers.

Background: To evaluate the ocular biometry agreement and prediction of postoperative refractive outcomes obtained using two swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) biometers: Anterion (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and Argos (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA).

Methods: Ambispective analysis was conducted on 105 eyes at the Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea, between June 2021 and March 2022. Biometric values were assessed using both devices before cataract surgery.

The association between acute transverse myelitis and COVID-19 vaccination in Korea: Self-controlled case series study.

Background: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) has been reported as a potential association between COVID-19 vaccination. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the COVID-19 vaccination and ATM.

Methods: A self-controlled case series study was performed using a large database that combine the COVID-19 vaccine registry and the national claims database.

Checklist for the insect fauna of two East Sea Islands (Ulleungdo Is. and Dokdo Is.) in the Republic of Korea.

Background: Ulleungdo and Dokdo, located in the East Sea, are volcanic islands with high ecological value due to their unique biodiversity. Although research on the insect fauna on these two Islands has been conducted from the early 19 century to recent times, limitations exist due to several issues, including misidentifications and historical errors. This study addresses these issues by conducting a comprehensive insect survey from 2020 to 2023, re-identifying misidentified specimens and compiling references to create an updated and accurate checklist of insect species for Ulleungdo and Dokdo.

Environmental DNA to track endangered Gobiobotia naktongensis: Assessment of distribution and habitat requirements.

Because of their noninvasive nature and high detection sensitivity, eDNA-based aquatic ecosystem surveys are useful for monitoring rare, elusive indicator species. Advancements in statistical techniques have expanded their use beyond simple population tracking to predict potential habitats based on the environmental conditions of sites detected eDNA. This study used species-specific molecular marker and targeted qPCR techniques to assess the distribution and habitat requirements of the endangered Gobiobotia naktongensis, a flagship fish species in Korean sandy river systems with increased public interest related to habitat restoration evaluations associated with dam construction.

Widespread admixture blurs population structure and confounds Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) conservation even in the genomic era.

Intraspecific variation is important for species' long-term persistence in changing environments. Conservation strategies targeting intraspecific variation often rely on the identification of management or policy units below the species level based on biological differences among populations. To identify management units, this paper examines intraspecific divergence of Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Great Slave Lake (GSL), Canada, using low-coverage whole-genome sequencing data.

Prevalence of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Canines with Pyoderma and Otitis Externa in Korea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Bacterial skin infections, particularly pyoderma and otitis externa, are widespread in dogs, primarily caused by and species. This study evaluates the prevalence and types of bacterial pathogens in affected dogs in South Korea using a meta-analytical approach. Following the PRISMA guidelines, five electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published between 1990 and 2024.

Comparison of bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in the older adults with metabolic syndrome: equipment-specific equation development.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and sarcopenia together pose significant health risks, increasing frailty, falls, and fractures in older adults. This study compared muscle mass measurements obtained using two different dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machines and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and evaluated the accuracy of these measurements in these older adults.

Methods: In this prospective multicenter cohort study, patients aged ≥ 65 years with MetS had their muscle mass assessed using both BIA and DXA.

Na-Complexed Dendritic Polyglycerols for Recovery of Frozen Cells and Their Network in Media.

In this study, a novel phenomenon is identified where precise control of topology and generation of polyglycerol induce the retention of Na ions in biological buffer systems, effectively inhibiting ice crystal growth during cryopreservation. Unlike linear and hyperbranched counterparts, densely-packed hydroxyl and ether groups in 4th-generation dendritic polyglycerol interact with the ions, activating the formation of hydrogen bonding at the ice interface. By inhibiting both intra- and extracellular ice growth and recrystallization, this biocompatible dendritic polyglycerol proves highly effective as a cryoprotectant; hence, achieving the cell recovery rates of ≈134-147%, relative to those of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide, which is a conventional cryoprotectant for human tongue squamous carcinoma (HSC-3) cell line and human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells.

CT- and MRI-based Factors Associated with Rapid Growth in Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background Prediction of the tumor growth rates is clinically important in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but previous studies have presented conflicting results and generally lacked radiologic evaluations. Purpose To evaluate the percentage of rapidly growing early-stage HCCs in each Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) category and to identify prognostic factors associated with rapid growth. Materials and Methods Retrospective study of patients with risk factors for HCC and those with surgically proven early-stage HCC who underwent two or more preoperative multiphasic CT or MRI examinations between January 2016 and December 2020.

Gender differences in the association between long working hours and the onset of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older workers in Korea: A population-based longitudinal study (2006-2022).

Background: Korean society is projected to undergo a rapid aging of its workforce. We explored gender differences in the association between working hours and the onset of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older workers.

Study Design: This study included workers aged ≥45 years from a nationwide panel study with biennial follow-ups (n = 4941, observations = 18,531).

Association between number of functional teeth and physical function among community-dwelling older adults: Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study.

Background: Functional teeth are important for maintaining appropriate masticatory function and nutritional intake, affecting physical function in older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the association between number of functional teeth and physical function in community-dwelling older Korean adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 2,527 participants (mean age, 76.

Association of low employment quality with cigarette smoking, smoking initiation, and smoking cessation: A 16-year longitudinal study in South Korea.

This study explored the association between multidimensional aspects of employment quality and smoking habits. This study included the wage workers in the Korean Labour and Income Panel Study, 2005-2021 (n = 16,188; observations = 92,954). The employment quality was constructed using a multidimensional approach encompassing three dimensions: employment insecurity, income inadequacy, and a lack of rights and protection.

Impact of Subjective Masticatory Difficulty on Malnutrition and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of masticatory difficulty on the development and progression of malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia, and disability in community-dwelling adults, using data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study.

Methods: Participants were categorised by presence of masticatory difficulty. The Fried frailty phenotype, mini-nutritional assessments, and diagnostic criteria proposed by Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia were adopted to diagnose frailty, malnutrition, and sarcopenia respectively.

DeepDoublet identifies neighboring cell-dependent gene expression.

Cells interact with each other for proper function and homeostasis. Often, co-expression of ligand-receptor pairs from the single-cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) has been used to identify interacting cell types. Recently, RNA sequencing of physically interacting multi-cells has been used to identify interacting cell types without relying on co-expression of ligand-receptor pairs.

LINC02257 regulates malignant phenotypes of colorectal cancer via interacting with miR-1273g-3p and YB1.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Emerging evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the progression of various types of cancer. In this study, we aimed to identify potential causal lncRNAs in CRC through comprehensive multilevel bioinformatics analyses, coupled with functional validation.