Heterogeneity Analysis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cell Lines, Tumor Tissues and Patient-Derived Xenografts.

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) is the predominant type of Esophageal Cancer (EC), accounting for nearly 88% of EC incidents worldwide. Importantly, it is also a life-threatening cancer for patients diagnosed in advanced stages, with only a 20% 5-year survival rate due to a limited number of actionable targets and therapeutic options. Increasing evidence has shown that inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity are widely distributed across ESCC tumor tissues.

Association Between Environmental Factors and Asthma Using Mendelian Randomization: Increased Effect of Body Mass Index on Adult-Onset Moderate-to-Severe Asthma Subtypes.

Although asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases throughout all age groups, its etiology remains unknown, primarily due to its heterogeneous characteristics. We examined the causal effects of various environmental factors on asthma using Mendelian randomization and determined whether the susceptibility to asthma due to the causal effect of a risk factor differs between asthma subtypes, based on age of onset, severity of asthma, and sex. We performed Mendelian randomization analyses (inverse variance weighted, weighted median, and generalized summary-data-based Mendelian randomization) using UK Biobank data to estimate the causal effects of 69 environmental factors on asthma.

Graphene Quantum Dots from Carbonized Coffee Bean Wastes for Biomedical Applications.

Recent studies concerning graphene quantum dots (GQDs) focus extensively on their application in biomedicine, exploiting their modifiable optical properties and ability to complex with various molecules via π-π or covalent interactions. Among these nascent findings, the potential therapeutic efficacy of GQDs was reported against Parkinson's disease, which has to date remained incurable. Herein, we present an environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing GQDs through a waste-to-treasure method, specifically from coffee waste to nanodrug.

Clinical Study of Single-Stranded Oligonucleotide RO7062931 in Healthy Volunteers and Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background And Aims: RO7062931 is an N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-conjugated single-stranded locked nucleic acid oligonucleotide complementary to HBV RNA. GalNAc conjugation targets the liver through the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). This two-part phase 1 study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of RO7062931 in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who were virologically suppressed.

Incidence of spinal cord ischemia according to the patency of reimplanted segmental arteries during thoracoabdominal aortic replacement.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of segmental artery reimplantation and its patency on spinal cord ischemia (SCI) in thoracoabdominal aorta replacement.

Methods: For 193 patients who underwent early postoperative computed tomographic (CT) angiography after thoracoabdominal aorta replacement, the technique of segmental artery reimplantation, their patency, and postoperative SCI were retrospectively investigated.

Results: The early patency rate of reimplanted segmental artery was 83.

Spinal Bony Involvement of IgG4-related Disease Treated by a Spondylectomy.

Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing disease (IgG4RD) is an emerging immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory disorder which can involve any organ. We describe the first IgG4-RD spondylitis treated with total en-bloc spondylectomy (TES). A 55-year-old man presented with back pain.

Low Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio Is Associated with a Favorable Outcome Even in Large Ischemic Core and Delayed Recanalization Time.

In ischemic brain tissue, hypoperfusion severity can be assessed using the hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR). We evaluated the link between HIR and clinical outcomes after successful recanalization by endovascular treatment. We retrospectively reviewed 162 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular treatment for intracranial large vessel occlusion.

Properties of Surface Heating Textile for Functional Warm Clothing Based on a Composite Heating Element with a Positive Temperature Coefficient.

A high-stretch positive temperature coefficient (PTC) surface heating textile (PTC-SHT) was fabricated using a composite of PTC powder and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The PTC-SHT (heating area = 100 × 100 mm) was produced by screen-printing the PTC-MWCNT composite paste onto a high-stretch textile with embroidered electrodes. Overall, the temperature increased to 56.

Immediate and Long-Term Outcomes of Reperfusion Therapy in Patients With Cancer.

Background And Purpose: Patients with acute stroke are often accompanied by comorbidities, such as active cancer. However, adequate treatment guidelines are not available for these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between cancer and the outcomes of reperfusion therapy in patients with stroke.

The longitudinal outcomes of applying non-selective beta-blockers in portal hypertension: real-world multicenter study.

Background/aim: We investigated the effect of non-selective β-blockers (NSBB) in real-world situations and whether low-dose NSBB is beneficial compared to maximally tolerated doses.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 740 patients with cirrhosis requiring prophylactic treatment of esophageal varices: 473 primary prophylaxis (PP: NSBB = 349, non-NSBB = 124) and 267 secondary prophylaxis (SP: NSBB = 200, non-NSBB = 67). The NSBB group was divided into low-dose (≤ 80 mg/day) and high-dose (> 80 mg/day).

Increased Expression of S100B and RAGE in a Mouse Model of Bile Duct Ligation-induced Liver Fibrosis.

Background: Liver fibrosis is defined as the accumulation of the extracellular matrix and scar formation. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been demonstrated to participate in fibrogenesis. S100B is a ligand of RAGE and exerts extracellular functions by inducing a series of signal transduction cascades.

Effect of Korea red ginseng on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an association of gut microbiota with liver function.

Background: Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) has been used as remedies with hepato-protective effects in liver-related condition. Microbiota related gut-liver axis plays key roles in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. We evaluated the effect of KRG on gut-liver axis in patients with nonalcoholic statohepatitis by the modulation of gut-microbiota.

Molecular Pumps and Motors.

Pumps and motors are essential components of the world as we know it. From the complex proteins that sustain our cells, to the mechanical marvels that power industries, much we take for granted is only possible because of pumps and motors. Although molecular pumps and motors have supported life for eons, it is only recently that chemists have made progress toward designing and building artificial forms of the microscopic machinery present in nature.

SSVM: An Ultra-Low-Power Strain Sensing and Visualization Module for Long-Term Structural Health Monitoring.

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is crucial for quantitative behavioral analysis of structural members such as fatigue, buckling, and crack propagation identification. However, formerly developed approaches cannot be implemented effectively for long-term infrastructure monitoring, owing to power inefficiency and data management challenges. This study presents the development of a high-fidelity and ultra-low-power strain sensing and visualization module (SSVM), along with an effective data management technique.

An Overview of the Molecular Mechanisms Contributing to Musculoskeletal Disorders in Chronic Liver Disease: Osteoporosis, Sarcopenia, and Osteoporotic Sarcopenia.

The prevalence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia is significantly higher in patients with liver disease than in those without liver disease and osteoporosis and sarcopenia negatively influence morbidity and mortality in liver disease, yet these musculoskeletal disorders are frequently overlooked in clinical practice for patients with chronic liver disease. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of musculoskeletal disorders accompanying the pathogenesis of liver disease. The increased bone resorption through the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa (RANK)-RANK ligand (RANKL)-osteoprotegerin (OPG) system and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and decreased bone formation through increased bilirubin and sclerostin and lower insulin-like growth factor-1 are important mechanisms for osteoporosis in patients with liver disease.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Coronavirus Disease 2019: Expert Recommendations from The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Since the first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in December 2019, the numbers of confirmed cases and deaths have continued to increase exponentially despite multi-factorial efforts. Although various attempts have been made to improve the level of evidence for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment over the past 10 years, most experts still hesitate to take an active position on whether to apply ECMO in COVID-19 patients. Several ECMO management guidelines have been published recently, but they reflect some important differences from the Korean medical system and aspects of real-world medical practice in Korea.

EPRS/GluRS promotes gastric cancer development via WNT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Background: Glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (EPRS/GluRS) is primarily part of the multi-synthetase complex that may play a key role in cancer development. However, the biological function, molecular mechanism, and inhibitor of EPRS have not been investigated in gastric cancer (GC).

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of EPRS in human gastric tumor tissues.

Comorbidity index for predicting mortality at 6 months after reperfusion therapy.

The eligibility of reperfusion therapy has been expanded to increase the number of patients. However, it remains unclear the reperfusion therapy will be beneficial in stroke patients with various comorbidities. We developed a reperfusion comorbidity index for predicting 6-month mortality in patients with acute stroke receiving reperfusion therapy.

Spindle cell oncocytoma of the sella turcica with anaplastic features and rapid progression in short-term follow-up: a case report with proposal of distinctive radiologic features.

We present a rare case of spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) of the sella turcica with malignant histologic features and rapid progression. A 42-year-old woman experienced bilateral blurred vision and was preoperatively misdiagnosed as having a pituitary macroadenoma on magnetic resonance imaging. After surgery, SCO was diagnosed by the histopathologic features of interlacing fascicles of spindle tumor cells with finely granular, eosinophilic cytoplasm.

Electromechanical Response of Smart Ultra-High Performance Concrete under External Loads Corresponding to Different Electrical Measurements.

This study investigated the electromechanical response of smart ultra-high-performance concretes (smart UHPCs), containing fine steel slag aggregates (FSSAs) and steel fibers as functional fillers, under external loads corresponding to different measurement methods. Regardless of different measurement methods of electrical resistance, the smart UHPCs under compression showed a clear reduction in their electrical resistivity. However, under tension, their electrical resistivity measured from direct current (DC) measurement decreased, whereas that from alternating current (AC) measurement increased.

Diameter change in completely remodelled proximal descending aorta after acute type I dissection repair: implications for estimating the pre-dissection size.

Objectives: Pre-dissection diameter of the proximal descending thoracic aorta (p-DTA), if available, would be the reference for determining the size of the stent graft or elephant trunk. Acute type B dissection is known to increase p-DTA diameter by 23% (Rylski factor). This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of estimating post-remodelling diameter of the p-DTA based on the Rylski factor and other post-dissection morphological parameters in acute type I dissection, based on the assumption that the post-remodelling diameter is similar to the pre-dissection diameter.

2,6-DMBQ suppresses cell proliferation and migration via inhibiting mTOR/AKT and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in NSCLC cells.

2,6-Dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (2,6-DMBQ) is the major bioactive compound found in fermented wheat germ extract. Although fermented wheat germ extract has been reported to show anti-proliferative and anti-metabolic effects in various cancers, the anticancer potential and molecular mechanisms exerted by 2,6-DMBQ have not been investigated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Here, we report that 2,6-DMBQ suppresses NSCLC cell growth and migration through inhibiting activation of AKT and p38 MAPK.

Alteration of Gut Microbiota in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Carriers during Fecal Microbiota Transplantation According to Decolonization Periods.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic option to decolonize carbapenem-resistant (CRE). However, the analysis of gut microbiota alteration in CRE carriers during FMT is still limited. Here, gut microbiota changes in CRE carriers were evaluated during FMT according to decolonization periods.