Enhanced Chondrogenic Differentiation of Electrically Primed Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Regeneration of Osteochondral Defects.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer a promising avenue for cartilage regeneration; however, their therapeutic efficacy requires substantial improvement. Cell priming using electrical stimulation (ES) is a promising approach to augmenting the therapeutic potential of MSCs and has shown potential for various regenerative applications. This study aimed to promote the ES-mediated chondrogenic differentiation of human MSCs and facilitate the repair of injured articular cartilage.

The development and validation of a Korean version of the oral hygiene-related self-efficacy tool.

Purpose: Self-efficacy is an important factor in the management of chronic oral diseases. This study aimed to develop a Korean version of a self-efficacy tool related to personal oral hygiene management, and verify its validity and reliability.

Methods: This study evaluated the validity and reliability of a Korean version of the oral health-related self-efficacy measurement tool (OHSE-K).

Structural analysis of ExaC, an NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase, from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) utilizes ethanol as an energy source, however, ethanol metabolism generates acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct. To mitigate this toxicity, P. aeruginosa employs aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) to oxidize acetaldehyde into less harmful compounds.

Fabrication and evaluation of chitosan-coated nanostructured lipid carriers for co-delivery of paclitaxel and PD-L1 siRNA.

This study aimed to develop a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) capable of co-delivering paclitaxel (PTX) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) small interfering RNA (siRNA) to enhance PTX bioavailability and bolster immunity through PD-L1 knockdown. We prepared a PTX-loaded NLC (P-NLC) and coated it with positively charged chitosan (Chi) to create P-NLC-Chi, which was subsequently conjugated to siRNA (P-NLC-Chi-siRNA). The P-NLC-Chi formulation was optimized using the Box-Behnken design.

Lactobacillus plantarum NCHBL-004 modulates high-fat diet-induced weight gain and enhances GLP-1 production for blood glucose regulation.

Objectives: This study investigated the therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus plantarum NCHBL-004 (NCHBL-004) in the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Methods: Mice were fed either a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD) with oral administration of NCHBL-004. After euthanasia, blood, liver and adipose tissue were collected.

Laser-responsive erastin-loaded chondroitin sulfate nanomedicine targeting CD44 and system x in liver cancer: A non-ferroptotic approach.

Erastin, a ferroptosis-inducing system x inhibitor, faces clinical challenges due to suboptimal physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, as well as relatively low potency and off-target toxicity. Addressing these, we developed ECINs, a novel laser-responsive erastin-loaded nanomedicine utilizing indocyanine green (ICG)-grafted chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) derivatives. Our aim was to improve erastin's tumor targeting via CSA-CD44 interactions and enhance its antitumor efficacy through ICG's photothermal and photodynamic effects in the laser-on state while minimizing off-target effects in the laser-off state.

The Long-term Outcomes and Risk Factors of Complications After Fontan Surgery: From the Korean Fontan Registry (KFR).

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of Fontan surgery in the Republic of Korea, as there were only a few studies from Asian countries.

Methods: The medical records of 1,732 patients who underwent Fontan surgery in 10 cardiac centers were reviewed.

Results: Among them, 1,040 (58.

Generation of a human SLC12A3 knock-in human induced pluripotent stem cell line (CMCi014-A-82) using CRISPR-Cas9 system.

Gitelman's disease is caused by a genetic mutation in the solute carrier family 12 member 3 (SLC12A3) gene, which encodes the sodium chloride cotransporter. In this study, we generated a stable human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line, WTC11-SLC12A3 (CMCi014-A-82), by knocking in the entire SLC12A3 gene at the SHS231 locus in healthy wild-type control hiPSCs (WTC11). We verified that WTC11-SLC12A3 expressed pluripotency markers and exhibited normal stem cell morphology.

US Markers and Necroinflammation, Steatosis, and Fibrosis in Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease: The iLEAD Study.

Background Attenuation coefficient (AC) and shear-wave speed (SWS) are established US markers for assessing patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), while shear-wave dispersion slope (DS) is not. Purpose To assess the relationship between the multiparametric US imaging markers DS, AC, and SWS and liver histopathologic necroinflammation in patients with MASLD. Materials and Methods This international multicenter prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with biopsy-proven MASLD between June 2019 and March 2023.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated suppression of A4GALT rescues endothelial cell dysfunction in a fabry disease vasculopathy model derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Background And Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated A4GALT suppression in rescuing endothelial dysfunction in Fabry disease (FD) endothelial cells (FD-ECs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).

Methods: We differentiated hiPSCs (WT (wild-type), WTC-11), GLA-mutant hiPSCs (GLA-KO, CMC-Fb-002), and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated A4GALT-KO hiPSCs (GLA/A4GALT-KO, Fb-002-A4GALT-KO) into ECs and compared FD phenotypes and endothelial dysfunction. We also analyzed the effect of A4GALT suppression on reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and transcriptome profiles through RNA sequencing.

Variable-stiffness-morphing wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet.

Wheels have been commonly used for locomotion in mobile robots and transportation systems because of their simple structure and energy efficiency. However, the performance of wheels in overcoming obstacles is limited compared with their advantages in driving on normal flat ground. Here, we present a variable-stiffness wheel inspired by the surface tension of a liquid droplet.

Generation of green fluorescent protein reporter knock-in iPSC line at the 3'UTR region of the KLOTHO locus.

We generated a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line (CMCi014-A-78) expressing a GFP reporter in the 3'-UTR region of the KLOTHO locus using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination to screen for candidates regulating KLOTHO. The established cell line exhibits a normal karyotype, typical stem cell morphology, expression of pluripotency markers, and the ability to differentiate into the three germ layers. Consequently, this hiPSC line could serve as a valuable resource for screening KLOTHO regulators in hiPSC-derived target cells or organoids.

Investigating the Immune-Stimulating Potential of β-Glucan from in Cancer Immunotherapy.

β-glucan, a polysaccharide found in various sources, exhibits unique physicochemical properties, yet its high polymerization limits clinical applications because of its solubility. Addressing this limitation, we introduce PPTEE-glycan, a highly purified soluble β-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from . The refined PPTEE-glycan demonstrated robust immune stimulation , activated dendritic cells, and enhanced co-stimulatory markers, cytokines, and cross-presentation.

Predicting the effect of binding molecules on the shape and mechanical properties of structured DNA assemblies.

Chemo-mechanical deformation of structured DNA assemblies driven by DNA-binding ligands has offered promising avenues for biological and therapeutic applications. However, it remains elusive how to effectively model and predict their effects on the deformation and mechanical properties of DNA structures. Here, we present a computational framework for simulating chemo-mechanical change of structured DNA assemblies.

Enzymatically stable, non-cell adhesive, implantable polypyrrole/thiolated hyaluronic acid bioelectrodes for in vivo signal recording.

Implantable bioelectrodes have attracted significant attention for precise in vivo signal transduction with living systems. Conductive polymers, including polypyrrole (PPy), have been widely used as bioelectrodes due to their large surface areas, high charge injections, and versatilities for modification. Especially, several natural biopolymers, such as hyaluronic acid (HA), can be incorporated into conductive polymers to produce biomimetic electrodes with better biocompatibility.

Wet tissue adhesive polymeric powder hydrogels for skeletal muscle regeneration.

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) frequently results from traumatic incidents and can lead to severe functional disabilities. Hydrogels have been widely employed for VML tissue regeneration, which are unfortunately ineffective because of the lack of intimate contact with injured tissue for structural and mechanical support. Adhesive hydrogels allow for strong tissue connections for wound closure.

SimCol3D - 3D reconstruction during colonoscopy challenge.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. While colonoscopy is an effective screening technique, navigating an endoscope through the colon to detect polyps is challenging. A 3D map of the observed surfaces could enhance the identification of unscreened colon tissue and serve as a training platform.

The long-term effects of the fenestration in patients with extracardiac Fontan circulation-a multicenter Korean cohort study based on national Fontan registry.

Introduction: The long-term effects of fenestration in patients with Fontan circulation remain unclear. We aim to evaluate the fenestration impact on early and late outcomes in patients with extracardiac Fontan (ECF) using a propensity score matching analysis.

Methods: We performed an extensive retrospective multicenter clinical data review of the Korean Fontan registry and included 1,233 patients with surgical ECF (779 fenestrated, 454 non-fenestrated).

DNA Hydrogels with Programmable Condensation, Expansion, and Degradation for Molecular Carriers.

Molecular carriers are necessary for the controlled release of drugs and genes to achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes. DNA hydrogels can be a promising candidate in this application with their distinctive sequence-dependent programmability, which allows precise encapsulation of specific cargo molecules and stimuli-responsive release of them at the target. However, DNA hydrogels are inherently susceptible to the degradation of nucleases, making them vulnerable in a physiological environment.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Children's Dental Care Programs: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of children's dental care programs on children and adolescents to reduce oral health inequalities. It measured and assessed the improvement effects of children's dental care programs on the oral health of children and adolescents as part of the efforts to decrease oral health disparities in this age group. It included 406 individuals who participated in student and children's dental care program between 2013 and 2019 at screening facilities in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

A Gelatin/Alginate Double Network Hydrogel Nerve Guidance Conduit Fabricated by a Chemical-Free Gamma Radiation for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are widely developed using various materials for the functional repair of injured or diseased peripheral nerves. Especially, hydrogels are considered highly suitable for the fabrication of NGCs due to their beneficial tissue-mimicking characteristics (e.g.

Optimized treatment parameter by computer simulation for high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of uterine adenomyosis: Short-term and long-term results.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of using optimized parameters obtained by computer simulation for ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of uterine adenomyosis in comparison with conventional parameters. We retrospectively assessed a single-institution, prospective study that was registered at Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS) of Republic of Korea (KCT0003586). Sixty-six female participants (median age: 44 years) with focal uterine adenomyosis were prospectively enrolled.

Tumor suppression effect of ultrasound-sensitive nanoparticles with focused ultrasound in a pancreas cancer xenograft model.

Background: We investigated the tumor suppression effect of an ultrasound-sensitive doxorubicin-loaded liposome-based nanoparticle, IMP301, to enhance the synergistic effect with focused ultrasound (FUS) in an animal model of pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Thirty nude mice with xenografts of PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells were randomly and prospectively allocated to 6 different groups (5 per group) each for Study-1 (dose-response test) and Study-2 (synergistic effect test). Study-1 consisted of control, gemcitabine, Doxil with FUS, and three different doses of IMP301 (2, 4, 6 mg/kg) with FUS groups.