Arrayed CRISPR/Cas9 Loss-Of-Function Screen in a Neuronal Model of Adaptor Protein Complex 4 Deficiency Identifies Modulators of ATG9A Trafficking.

Biallelic loss-of-function variants in the adaptor protein complex 4 (AP-4) disrupt trafficking of transmembrane proteins at the -Golgi network, including the autophagy-related protein 9A (ATG9A), leading to childhood-onset hereditary spastic paraplegia (AP-4-HSP). AP-4-HSP is characterized by features of both a neurodevelopmental and degenerative neurological disease. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying AP-4-HSP and identify potential therapeutic targets, we conducted an arrayed CRISPR/Cas9 loss-of-function screen of 8,478 genes, targeting the 'druggable genome', in a human neuronal model of AP-4 deficiency.

Chitosan Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Grown on Germinated Reduces Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cell Apoptosis in PM-Induced Lung Injury.

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were synthesized in this study to enhance the limited bioactivity and stability of grown on germinated (GRC) and effectively deliver it to target tissues. Under optimized conditions, stable encapsulation of GRC was achieved by setting the chitosan (CHI)-to-tripolyphosphate (TPP) ratio to 4:1 and adjusting the pH of TPP to 2, resulting in a zeta potential of +22.77 mV, which indicated excellent stability.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p18 regulates lineage transitions of excitatory neurons, astrocytes, and interneurons in the mouse cortex.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) can give rise to both neurons and glia, but the regulatory mechanisms governing their differentiation transitions remain incompletely understood. Here, we address the role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) in the later stages of dorsal cortical development. We find that the CDKIs p18 and p27 are upregulated at the onset of astrocyte generation.

Integrative Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis in Acute Interstitial Pneumonia.

Acute Interstitial Pneumonia (AIP) represents a severe form of diffuse lung injury within the idiopathic interstitial pneumonia spectrum. Given the limited understanding of its molecular basis, this study aims to elucidate AIP's genomic and transcriptomic profiles to uncover its pathophysiological underpinnings and identify potential therapeutic targets. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data from lung tissues of 15 AIP patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Extract from Duch. Calyx via MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Currently, Fragaria ananassa Duch. are discarded as by-products except for the fruit part, so we developed a natural material using the top (= calyx), one of the by-products, and prepared an extract using 70% ethanol to investigate its effects on anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The polyphenol content of 70% ethanol extracts from Fragaria ananassa Duch.

The effects of fucoidan-rich polysaccharides extracted from Sargassum horneri on enhancing collagen-related skin barrier function as a potential cosmetic product.

Background: Sargassum horneri came ashore after flowing from the South China Sea to Jeju Island a few years ago. This caused a significant environmental impact on coastal areas where S. horneri has accumulated because of decomposition and the release of toxic substances, such as hydrogen sulfide.

Forkhead box protein D2 suppresses colorectal cancer by reprogramming enhancer interactions.

Somatic stem cells contribute to normal tissue homeostasis, and their epigenomic features play an important role in regulating tissue identities or developing disease states. Enhancers are one of the key players controlling chromatin context-specific gene expression in a spatial and temporal manner while maintaining tissue homeostasis, and their dysregulation leads to tumorigenesis. Here, epigenomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal that forkhead box protein D2 (FOXD2) is a hub for the gene regulatory network exclusive to large intestinal stem cells, and its overexpression plays a significant role in colon cancer regression.

Glycation-mediated tissue-level remodeling of brain meningeal membrane by aging.

Collagen is a prominent target of nonenzymatic glycation, which is a hallmark of aging and causes functional alteration of the matrix. Here, we uncover glycation-mediated structural and functional changes in the collagen-enriched meningeal membrane of the human and mouse brain. Using an in vitro culture platform mimicking the meningeal membrane composed of fibrillar collagen, we showed that the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the collagen membrane is responsible for glycation-mediated matrix remodeling.

hnRNP K supports the maintenance of RORγ circadian rhythm through ERK signaling.

Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) maintains the circadian rhythms of its downstream genes. However, the mechanism behind the transcriptional activation of RORγ itself remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that transcription of RORγ is activated by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) via the poly(C) motif within its proximal promoter.

Creation of bladder assembloids mimicking tissue regeneration and cancer.

Current organoid models are limited by their inability to mimic mature organ architecture and associated tissue microenvironments. Here we create multilayer bladder 'assembloids' by reconstituting tissue stem cells with stromal components to represent an organized architecture with an epithelium surrounding stroma and an outer muscle layer. These assembloids exhibit characteristics of mature adult bladders in cell composition and gene expression at the single-cell transcriptome level, and recapitulate in vivo tissue dynamics of regenerative responses to injury.

Stability of Quantum-Dot Light Emitting Diodes with Alkali Metal Carbonates Blending in Mg Doped ZnO Electron Transport Layer.

We report here the fabrication of highly efficient and long-lasting quantum-dot light emitting diodes (QLEDs) by blending various alkali metal carbonate in magnesium (Mg) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) (MZO) electron transport layer (ETL). Alkali metal carbonates blending in MZO, XCO:MZO, control the band-gap, electrical properties, and thermal stability. This can therefore enhance the operational lifetime of QLEDs.

Fluid-Matrix Interface Triggers a Heterogeneous Activation of Macrophages.

Spontaneous activation of macrophages in response to inflammation is a key part of innate immunity and host defense. Macrophages represent a heterogeneous population of cells with different phenotypic profiles performing distinct functions in host defense. Although a spectrum of macrophage activation stages exists in an inflamed region, the effect of local physical conditions on the heterotypic activation of macrophages is unknown.

hnRNP K Supports High-Amplitude D Site-Binding Protein mRNA ( mRNA) Oscillation To Sustain Circadian Rhythms.

Circadian gene expression is defined by the gene-specific phase and amplitude of daily oscillations in mRNA and protein levels. D site-binding protein mRNA ( mRNA) shows high-amplitude oscillation; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) is a key regulator that activates transcription via the poly(C) motif within its proximal promoter.

The Poly(C) Motif in the Proximal Promoter Region of the D Site-Binding Protein Gene () Drives Its High-Amplitude Oscillation.

The D site-binding protein (Dbp) supports the rhythmic transcription of downstream genes, in part by displaying high-amplitude cycling of its own transcripts compared to other circadian-clock genes. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we demonstrated that the poly(C) motif within the proximal promoter, in addition to an E-box element, provoked transcriptional activation.

Surface Engineering of Room Temperature-Grown Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots for Highly Efficient Inverted Light-Emitting Diodes.

Inorganic cesium lead bromide quantum dots (CsPbBr QDs) are usually synthesized via a high-temperature process (hot injection, HI). This process is similar to that used for the synthesis of other semiconductor QDs (i.e.

Li and Mg Co-Doped Zinc Oxide Electron Transporting Layer for Highly Efficient Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes.

Zinc-oxide (ZnO) is widely used as an n-type electron transporting layer (ETL) for quantum dot (QD) light-emitting diode (QLED) because various metal doping can be possible and ZnO nanoparticle can be processed at low temperatures. We report here a Li- and Mg-doped ZnO, MLZO, which is used for ETL of highly efficient and long lifetime QLEDs. Co-doping, Mg and Li, in ZnO increases its band gap and electrical resistivity and thus can enhance charge balance in emission layer (EML).

Low Work Function 2.81 eV RbCO-Doped Polyethylenimine Ethoxylated for Inverted Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

Unlabelled: We report a low work function (2.81 eV), RbCO-doped polyethyleneimine ethoxylated (PEIE) which is used for highly efficient and long-lifetime, inverted organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Doping RbCO into PEIE decreases the work function of Li-doped ZnO (LZO) by 1.

Quantum-dot light-emitting diodes with a perfluorinated ionomer-doped copper-nickel oxide hole transporting layer.

Herein, we report all solution-processed green quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (G-QLEDs) by introducing a perfluorinated ionomer (PFI, Nafion 117) into quantum dots (QDs) to improve hole injection. To reduce the energy level mismatch between the hole transporting layer (HTL) and QDs and exciton quenching on the metal-oxide surface, a PFI-mixed copper-doped nickel oxide (Cu-NiO) HTL was introduced for G-QLEDs. Mixing Cu-NiO with a PFI increases the work function and induces phase separation between Cu-NiO and PFI; thus, energy band bending occurs on the surface such that effective hole injection can be possible.

Beneficial Effects of Appropriate Sleep Duration on Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Stress Severity in a Healthy Population in Korea.

Background: Recently, several institutions, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Sleep Research Society, and the National Sleep Foundation, have made consensus recommendations concerning appropriate sleep duration for adults. Although numerous studies conducted in Western populations have provided evidence of the harmful effects of short or long sleep duration on mental health, it is still unclear whether these consensus recommendations are appropriate in Korean culture.

Methods: Data from 1,892 subjects with no history of medical or psychiatric diagnoses were selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2014.

Factors Associated With Caregivers' Resilience in a Terminal Cancer Care Setting.

Background: Resilience implies characteristics such as self-efficacy, adaptability to change, optimism, and the ability to recover from traumatic stress. Studies on resilience in family caregivers (FCs) of patients with terminal cancer are rare. This study aims to examine the factors associated with FCs' resilience in a terminal cancer care setting.

Solution-Processed Metal-Oxide p-n Charge Generation Junction for High-Performance Inverted Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes.

We report solution-processed metal-oxide p-n junction, Li-doped CuO (Li:CuO) and Li-doped ZnO (Li:ZnO), as a charge generation junction (CGJ) in quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED) at reverse bias. Efficient charge generation is demonstrated in a stack of air-annealed Li:CuO and Li:ZnO layers in QLEDs. Air annealing of Li:ZnO on Li:CuO turns out to be a key process to decrease oxygen vacancy (V) and increase the copper (II) oxide (CuO) fraction at the Li:CuO/Li:ZnO interface for efficient charge generation.

[Associations between Body Mass Index and Chronic Atrophic Gastritis and Intestinal Metaplasia].

Background/aims: Chronic atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the stomach are premalignant lesions. The present study aimed to examine the associations between obesity and these lesions.

Methods: A total of 2,997 patients, who underwent gastroscopy, participated in this study, excluding those who had been diagnosed with gastric cancer.

The Relationship between the Blood Level of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Common Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Background: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic materials that cannot be broken down naturally and that easily accumulate in the body. Although several studies have attempted to uncover the effects of POPs on the endocrine and nervous systems and on cancer, few focus on the relationship between low-dose POPs and public health. Here, we attempt to determine the relationship between the level of POPs and common gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation.