Targeting peptide antigens using a multiallelic MHC I-binding system.

Identifying highly specific T cell receptors (TCRs) or antibodies against epitopic peptides presented by class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC I) proteins remains a bottleneck in the development of targeted therapeutics. Here, we introduce targeted recognition of antigen-MHC complex reporter for MHC I (TRACeR-I), a generalizable platform for targeting peptides on polymorphic HLA-A*, HLA-B* and HLA-C* allotypes while overcoming the cross-reactivity challenges of TCRs. Our TRACeR-MHC I co-crystal structure reveals a unique antigen recognition mechanism, with TRACeR forming extensive contacts across the entire peptide length to confer single-residue specificity at the accessible positions.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Admissions and In-hospital Mortality of Patients with Stroke in Korea: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on admission rates and in-hospital mortality among patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Methods: We constructed a dataset detailing the monthly hospitalizations and mortality rates of inpatients with stroke from January 2017 to December 2021. Employing an interrupted time series analysis, we explored the impact of COVID-19 on hospitalizations and 30-day in-hospital mortality among stroke patients.

Design and Evaluation of Pyridinyl Sulfonyl Piperazine LpxH Inhibitors with Potent Antibiotic Activity Against Enterobacterales.

Enterobacterales, a large order of Gram-negative bacteria, including and , are major causes of urinary tract and gastrointestinal infections, pneumonia, and other diseases in healthcare settings and communities. ESBL-producing Enterobacterales and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales can break down commonly used antibiotics, with some strains being resistant to all available antibiotics. This public health threat necessitates the development of novel antibiotics, ideally targeting new pathways in these bacteria.

Overcoming Challenges in Interdisciplinary Collaboration Between Human and Veterinary Medicine.

Companion animals, such as dogs and cats, have gained considerable attention in translational medicine due to their potential as models for human diseases. The use of these animals in research has opened new avenues for developing treatments that can benefit both human and veterinary patients, aligning with the One Health approach. Unlike traditional laboratory models like mice, rats, and rabbits, companion animals naturally develop diseases that closely mirror those in humans, including but not limited to diabetes, aging, cancer, and neurological disorders, making them particularly valuable in translational research.

Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Phosphate Induces Restrictive Ventilation Defect and Alters Lung Resistance and Compliance in Mice.

Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), a major ingredient of humidifier disinfectants, is known to induce inflammation, interstitial pneumonitis, and fibrosis in the lungs. While its histopathologic toxicities have been studied in rodents, research on pulmonary function test (PFT) changes following PHMG-p exposure is limited. This study aimed to investigate the acute and chronic effects, as well as the dose and time response, of PHMG-p on the lungs in mice using PFT and histopathologic examinations.

Widely Integrated Services in Home (WISH) for homebound older adults: a study protocol for a randomized encouragement trial.

Background: Home-based primary care (HBPC) is an emerging patient-centered, interprofessional healthcare service model that can address unmet medical needs and care burdens for homebound older adults. In December 2022, the Ministry of Health and Welfare in South Korea launched the Home-Based Medical Center Demonstration project to provide a new bundle payment for physician home visits. In this study, we seek to determine whether the recently introduced HBPC services in South Korea have been associated with a reduction in long-term care (LTC) facility admissions and acute hospitalizations among homebound older adults.

Provider Perspectives, Barriers, and Improvement Strategies for Hospital Discharge Support Programs: A Focus Group Interview Study in Korea.

Objectives: Transitional periods, such as patient discharge, are notably challenging. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of providers involved in hospital discharge support programs, identify the primary obstacles, and propose strategies for improvement.

Methods: In this qualitative cross-sectional study, we interviewed 49 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, and social workers, who participated in two pilot programs.

Effects of insulin resistance and β-cell function on diabetic complications in Korean diabetic patients.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance (IR) and dysfunctional insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between IR and β-cell function in relation to diabetic complications among Korean diabetic patients. This study aimed to examine the differential associations between IR and β-cell function and various diabetic complications among Korean diabetic patients.

Using precision approaches to improve brain-behavior prediction.

Predicting individual behavioral traits from brain idiosyncrasies has broad practical implications, yet predictions vary widely. This constraint may be driven by a combination of signal and noise in both brain and behavioral variables. Here, we expand on this idea, highlighting the potential of extended sampling 'precision' studies.

27-Hydroxycholesterol Negatively Affects the Function of Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells in the Bone Marrow.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in specific microenvironments that facilitate their regulation through both internal mechanisms and external cues. Bone marrow endothelial cells (BMECs), which are found in one of these microenvironments, play a vital role in controlling the self-renewal and differentiation of HSCs during hematological stress. We previously showed that 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC) administration of exogenous 27HC negatively affected the population of HSCs and progenitor cells by increasing the reactive oxygen species levels in the bone marrow.

RETRACTED: Lee et al. Myogenesis Effects of RGX365 to Improve Skeletal Muscle Atrophy. 2023, , 4307.

The journal retracts the article, "Myogenesis Effects of RGX365 to Improve Skeletal Muscle Atrophy" [...

Efficacy of Vitamin B12 and Adenosine Triphosphate in Enhancing Skin Radiance: Unveiled with a Drug-Target Interaction Deep Learning-Based Model.

Skin radiance is crucial for enhancing facial attractiveness and is negatively affected by factors like hyperpigmentation and aging-related changes. Current treatments often lack comprehensive solutions for improving skin radiance. This study aimed to develop a cosmetic formula that enhances skin radiance by reducing hyperpigmentation and improving skin regeneration by targeting specific receptors-the endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) for hyperpigmentation and the adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1) for sagging and wrinkles.

Mortality and Disparities of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stroke in Korea, 2008-2019.

Purpose: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke are leading global causes of death and can be used to assess acute care quality. We examined the 30-day mortality trends after emergency department admission for AMI and stroke in Korea from 2008 to 2019, focusing on regional and income disparities.

Materials And Methods: The AMI and stroke patients admitted to hospitals in Korea were collected from the claims data.

Metabolic health is more strongly associated with the severity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 than obesity.

Background: Obesity has been suggested to be associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, it is unclear whether obesity or metabolic abnormalities accompanied by obesity have a stronger association with COVID-19 risk.

Methods: This study used the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency database, which includes information about the COVID-19 diagnosis and mortality dates of the entire Korean population between October 2020 and December 2021 (for diagnosis) or March 2022 (for mortality). A total of 24,310,283 adults were included and classified into four metabolic obesity phenotypes: (1) metabolically healthy and normal weight (MHNW), (2) metabolically unhealthy and normal weight (MUNW), (3) metabolically healthy and obese (MHO), and (4) metabolically unhealthy and obese (MUO).

Exploring the Impact of Positive Psychology-Based Virtual Music Therapy on Mental Health in Stressed College Students during COVID-19: A Pilot Investigation.

This study explored the effectiveness of a virtual music therapy program, based on positive psychotherapy principles, in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-four undergraduate students with partial PTSD were initially assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, with 11 participants in each group by the study's end. The experimental group underwent 15 video sessions of the therapy program, completing one session per weekday over 3 weeks.

Polystyrene nanoplastics-induced intestinal barrier disruption via inflammation and apoptosis in zebrafish larvae (Danio Rerio).

Plastics are one of the most pervasive materials on Earth, to which humans are exposed daily. Polystyrene (PS) is a common plastic packaging material. However, the impact of PS on human health remains poorly understood.

Literature review of complementary and alternative therapies: using text mining and analysis of trends in nursing research.

Purpose: This study aimed to review the literature on complementary and alternative therapies, utilizing text mining and trend analysis in nursing research. As CAM becomes increasingly prevalent in healthcare settings, a comprehensive understanding of the current research landscape is essential to guide evidence-based practice, inform clinical decision-making, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

Method: This study aimed to identify CAM-related literature published from 2018 to 2023.

Financial Benefits of Renal Dose-Adjusted Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Backgruound: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors are frequently prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes; however, their cost can pose a significant barrier for those with impaired kidney function. This study aimed to estimate the economic benefits of substituting non-renal dose-adjusted (NRDA) DPP4 inhibitors with renal dose-adjusted (RDA) DPP4 inhibitors in patients with both impaired kidney function and type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018, using data obtained from common data models of five medical centers in Korea.

Healthcare Costs due to Dizziness/Vertigo in Korea: Analyses Using the Public Data of Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service.

Background: Dizziness/vertigo is one of the most common symptoms for which people seek healthcare. However, the healthcare expenditure attributable to dizziness/vertigo in South Korea remains poorly understood. We investigated the healthcare costs due to six major disorders causing dizziness/vertigo using claims data.