Distinctive salivary oral microbiome in patients with burning mouth syndrome depending on pain intensity compared to healthy subjects.

Background/purpose: Burning moouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain condition similar to neuropathic pain. It is characterized by a persistent burning sensation in the oral cavity. Despite the lack of clarity regarding the etiology of BMS, recent studies have reported an association between the gut microbiome and neuropathic pain.

Suppressing Tymovirus replication in plants using a variant of ubiquitin.

RNA viruses have evolved numerous strategies to overcome host resistance and immunity, including the use of multifunctional proteases that not only cleave viral polyproteins during virus replication but also deubiquitinate cellular proteins to suppress ubiquitin (Ub)-mediated antiviral mechanisms. Here, we report an approach to attenuate the infection of Arabidopsis thaliana by Turnip Yellow Mosaic Virus (TYMV) by suppressing the polyprotein cleavage and deubiquitination activities of the TYMV protease (PRO). Performing selections using a library of phage-displayed Ub variants (UbVs) for binding to recombinant PRO yielded several UbVs that bound the viral protease with nanomolar affinities and blocked its function.

Next-generation sequencing analysis of bacterial species present in the sequestrum of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw patients.

Objective: Antiresorptives cases of adverse reactions to highly effective drugs used to treat skeletal-related events that occur during treatment of osteoporosis or malignancy have been reported in the jaw. To date, there is no clear pathophysiology for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), but the role of inflammation or infection has been proposed as one of several possible pathogenesis theories. This study was designed to investigate the role of infection in the pathogenesis of MRONJ by analyzing the microbial communities observed in the bone samples from MRONJ patients.

Imaging of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstruction of pulmonary arteries by organized thromboemboli. Echocardiography and Echocardiography and ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan are the initial screening examinations for CTEPH; the diagnosis is often missed on computed tomography (CT). Imaging findings of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease overlap with those of acute pulmonary embolism, and radiologists should evaluate for the presence of concurrent chronic disease in all cases of acute pulmonary embolism detected on CT pulmonary angiography.

Mapping the aging brain: Insights into microstructural changes from free water-corrected fractional anisotropy.

Aging has a significant impact on brain structure, demonstrated by numerous MRI studies using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). While these studies reveal changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) across different brain regions, they tend to focus on white matter tracts and cognitive regions, often overlooking gray matter and motor areas. Additionally, traditional DTI metrics can be affected by partial volume effects.

The Role of Pentacyclic Triterpenoids in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potential.

Lung cancer remains a major global health problem because of its high cancer-related mortality rate despite advances in therapeutic approaches. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a major subtype of lung cancer, is more amenable to surgical intervention in its early stages. However, the prognosis for advanced NSCLC remains poor, owing to limited treatment options.

Coenzyme Q and Selenium Co-Supplementation Alleviate Methionine Choline-Deficient Diet-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis in Mice.

Background/objectives: The pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is closely associated with increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Coenzyme Q (CoQ) and selenium (Se) are well-established antioxidants with protective effects against oxidative damage. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CoQ and Se in ameliorating MASH induced by a methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet in mice.

Enhancing Surgical Efficiency and Radiological Outcomes Through Advances in Patient-Specific Instrument Design.

: Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) uses preoperative three-dimensional imaging to create cutting blocks tailored to patient anatomy. However, there is debate regarding the additional benefits of PSI in terms of improved alignment or functional outcomes compared to using conventional instruments. Although PSI design has undergone continuous development, the improvements have not been incorporated.

A Multi-Center, Prospective, Observational Study to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effectiveness and Safety of an Olmesartan/Amlodipine Plus Rosuvastatin Combination Treatment in Patients with Concomitant Hypertension and Dyslipidemia.

This study assessed the therapeutic effectiveness of a single-pill combination (SPC) of olmesartan/amlodipine plus rosuvastatin for blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Adult patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia who were decided to be treated with the study drug were eligible. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved BP, LDL-C and both BP and LDL-C treatment goals at weeks 24-48.

Improving Replication in Endometrial Omics: Understanding the Influence of the Menstrual Cycle.

The dynamic nature of human endometrial tissue presents unique challenges in analysis. Despite extensive research into endometrial disorders such as endometriosis and infertility, recent systematic reviews have highlighted concerning issues with the reproducibility of omics studies attempting to identify biomarkers. This review examines factors contributing to poor reproducibility in endometrial omics research.

Genome-wide association analysis of composite sleep health scores in 413,904 individuals.

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of several individual sleep traits have identified hundreds of genetic loci, suggesting diverse mechanisms. Moreover, sleep traits are moderately correlated, so together may provide a more complete picture of sleep health, while illuminating distinct domains. Here we construct novel sleep health scores (SHSs) incorporating five core self-report measures: sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, chronotype, snoring, and daytime sleepiness, using additive (SHS-ADD) and five principal components-based (SHS-PCs) approaches.

Evaluation of physicochemical property changes in 3D-printed biodegradable medical devices under simulated oral physiological conditions.

Biodegradable medical devices undergo degradation following implantation, potentially leading to clinical failure. Consequently, it is necessary to assess the change in their properties post-implantation. However, a standardized method for the precise evaluation of the changes in their physicochemical properties is currently lacking.

Computational Design of a Thermal Applicator for Brain Hyperthermia Controlled by Capacitor Positioning in Loop Coils.

Purpose: Hyperthermia is a treatment that applies heat to damage or kill cancer cells and can be also used for drug deliveries. It is important to apply the heat into the specific area in order to target the cancer tissue and avoid damaging healthy tissue. For this reason, the development of heat applicators that have the capability to deliver the heat to the target area is vital.

A periplasmic protein modulates the proteolysis of peptidoglycan hydrolases to maintain cell wall homeostasis in .

Bacterial cell wall assembly and remodeling require activities of peptidoglycan (PG) hydrolases as well as PG synthases. In particular, the activity of DD-endopeptidases, which cleave the 4-3 peptide crosslinks in PG, is essential for PG expansion in gram-negative bacteria. Maintaining optimal levels of DD-endopeptidases is critical for expanding PG without compromising its integrity.

The clinical impact of recent amphetamine exposure in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

Background: Amphetamines possess sympathomimetic properties that can affect cerebral vasculature though conflicting reports exist about their effect on vasospasm risk and clinical outcomes in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. This study aimed to characterize the impact of recent amphetamine use on vasospasm development in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage as well as neurological outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively screened 441 consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent at least one cerebral digital subtraction angiogram.

Association of neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage and Life's Essential 8 in early pregnancy.

We examined whether neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage per the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was associated with maternal cardiovascular health (CVH) in early pregnancy per the American Heart Association Life's Essential 8 (LE8). This is a cross-sectional analysis from the prospective Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study-Monitoring Mothers-to-Be Heart Health Study (nuMoM2b-HHS) cohort. The exposure was the ADI in tertiles (T) from least (T1) to most (T3) socioeconomic disadvantage.

Improving Completion Rates of Transcranial Doppler Ultrasounds in Children With Sickle Cell Disease Using Quality Improvement Efforts: In-Clinic versus Population-Based Assessments.

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening is essential for stroke prevention in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), but screening rates are low nationally. We use Medicaid administrative claims to assess TCD completion rates before and after a 12-month QI initiative to improve rates in the Pacific Sickle Cell Regional Collaborative (PSCRC). We found an increase in TCD screening rates for QI participant sites (52.

Kindlin-1 promotes gastric cancer cell motility through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Despite advances in gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment, its prognosis remains poor owing to aggressive tumor progression and metastasis. As understanding the relevant molecular mechanisms is essential to effectively improve patient outcomes, we elucidated the role of Kindlin-1 in gastric cancer progression and metastasis. Kindlin-1 expression was analyzed in 359 gastric cancer tissue samples provided by Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital and publicly available GSE datasets.

Examining the Relationship of Cannabis use Patterns, Mental Health, and Sociodemographic Factors: A Focus on Cannabis Vaping, Smoking and Dual-Use.

Background: Cannabis vaping, and co-use with cannabis smoking, can exacerbate the risks of developing respiratory diseases and cannabis dependence. This study aims to examine the mental health profiles and sociodemographic correlates of adults who vape cannabis and engage in dual cannabis use (vaping/ smoking), compared to those who smoke cannabis.

Methods: The most recent, cross-sectional wave of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (Wave 6) was used in this study.

Evaluating the feasibility and preliminary effects of an online compassion training program for nursing students: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of an online compassion training program for nursing students and preliminarily investigate its effects on mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress reduction.

Methods: This study employed a randomized controlled trial design. Second-year students from a nursing college in Guangzhou, China, were recruited as research participants in August 2023.

Evaluation of health-related quality of life and performance in intestinal transplant and rehabilitation patients: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in intestinal failure (IF) patients after different modes of intestinal rehabilitation.

Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the generic 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36, ver. 2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in 6 different areas: diet, sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other symptoms.

Korean Gastric Cancer Association-Led Nationwide Survey on Surgically Treated Gastric Cancers in 2023.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023.

Materials And Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form.

Clinical implementation of next-generation sequencing testing and genomically-matched therapy: a real-world data in a tertiary hospital.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) cancer profiling has gained traction in routine clinical practice in South Korea. Here, we evaluated the use of NGS testing and genomically-matched therapies for patients with advanced solid tumors in a real-world clinical practice. We analyzed results from NGS cancer panel tests (SNUBH pan-cancer version 2) ordered from June 2019 to June 2020.