Lived Experience of South Korean Pregnant Women at Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

This study examined South Korean pregnant women's workplace experiences through Meleis' transition theory. Twenty participants engaged in online focus groups, discussing pregnancy, childbirth, prenatal care, and COVID-19 concerns. Content analysis revealed 15 themes reflecting transition theory's components.

Nociceptor Neurons Facilitate Orthodontic Tooth Movement via Piezo2 in Mice.

Multiple sensory afferents, including mechanosensitive and nociceptive nerves, are projected to the periodontium. Peptidergic afferents expressing transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a receptor for capsaicin, mediate pain caused by orthodontic forces. However, their role in orthodontic force-induced alveolar bone remodeling is poorly understood as is the contribution of mechanosensitive ion channels such as Piezo2 in nociceptive nerves.

Clinical outcome analysis of different first‑ and second‑generation EGFR‑tyrosine kinase inhibitors in untreated patients with EGFR‑mutated non‑small cell lung cancer with baseline brain metastasis.

Currently, the clinical outcomes of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor ()-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with baseline brain metastasis receiving first- and second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are not clear. The present study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC with baseline brain metastasis who received first-line first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs. In the present study, a retrospective analysis of clinical charts was performed to investigate first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs in patients with -mutated NSCLC with baseline brain metastasis.

Wheat E3 ligase is involved in drought stress tolerance in transgenic .

Unlabelled: , a wheat U-box E3 ligase gene, was isolated and characterized for its role in drought stress tolerance. The gene encodes a 531 amino acid protein with a U-box domain at the N-terminal and a WD40 domain at the C-terminal. Subcellular localization studies using TaPRP19-GFP fusion in confirmed predominant nucleus localization.

A Clinical, Morphologic, and Molecular Comparison of Bonafide Spitz Melanomas and ASTs in the Pediatric Population.

Pediatric Spitz melanoma (SM) with bonafide metastatic disease is rare. In this study, we assembled the largest cohort to date of pediatric SM with a verified Spitz-associated genomic driver and clinical follow-up demonstrating bonafide metastasis. We compared the clinical, morphologic, and molecular features of these SMs to a control cohort of 57 pediatric atypical Spitz tumors (ASTs).

Phosphorylation of an RNA-Binding Protein Rck/Me31b by Hippo Is Essential for Adipose Tissue Aging.

The metazoan lifespan is determined in part by a complex signaling network that regulates energy metabolism and stress responses. Key signaling hubs in this network include insulin/IGF-1, AMPK, mTOR, and sirtuins. The Hippo/Mammalian Ste20-like Kinase1 (MST1) pathway has been reported to maintain lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans, but its role has not been studied in higher metazoans.

Dynamic HER2-low status among patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the impact of repeat biopsies.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is approved for HER2-low (HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC)1+ or 2+ with non-amplified in situ hybridization (ISH)), but not HER2-0 (IHC 0) metastatic breast cancer. The impact of repeat biopsies (Bxs) in identifying new potential candidates with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) for T-DXd treatment remains unknown. 512 consecutive patients with TNBC at diagnosis were included in the study cohort.

Impact of alternating electric fields therapy for newly diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma on patient survival: a real-world propensity-score adjusted prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: Alternating electric fields (AEF) therapy in addition to temozolomide chemoradiotherapy (TMZ CRT) is increasingly being recommended as first-line treatment for patients with newly-diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma. However, few have validated this treatment with real-world evidence.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients with newly-diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma treated with adjuvant TMZ CRT across all neuro-oncology centers in Hong Kong were reviewed.

SIRT2 Regulates Apoptosis Signaling in Hyperoxic Acute Lung Injury.

Purpose: Oxygen therapy is helpful for patients with breathing difficulties; however, sustained supplementation with high-concentration oxygen can cause hyperoxic acute lung injury. Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase, has been shown to be involved in pulmonary fibrosis, apoptosis, and inflammation. Here, we elucidated the role of SIRT2 in hyperoxic acute lung injury.

Hypoxia-induced MIR31HG expression promotes partial EMT and basal-like phenotype in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on data mining and experimental analyses.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common and aggressive type of pancreatic cancer, with a five-year survival rate below 8%. Its high mortality is largely due to late diagnosis, metastatic potential, and resistance to therapy. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in metastasis, enabling cancer cells to become mobile.

Telework Practices and Health Risks of Teleworkers: Survey Findings from Taiwan after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To explore telework distributions after the COVID-19 pandemic, autonomy in work arrangements and health experiences of teleworkers in Taiwan.

Methods: A survey was conducted in March 2024 among 383 teleworkers. A comparison group of 750 age- and gender- matched conventional employees was extracted from a national survey.

Advanced Exosome Isolation through Electrophoretic Oscillation-Assisted Tangent-Flow Ultrafiltration with a PVDF-Fiber-Coated SiN Nanofilter.

This study introduces a comprehensive approach to enhancing SiN nanofilters for exosome isolation from bovine milk using the electrophoretic oscillation-assisted tangent-flow ultrafiltration (EPOTF) process. Reinforcing the nanofilter with electro-spun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fibers significantly improved durability under high-pressure conditions, withstanding nearly 2.8 times greater pressures than nonreinforced nanofilters.

Korean Red Ginseng relieves the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by pseudo-typed SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Developing antiviral agents against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been a global goal since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged in 2019. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), recognized for its immunomodulating and antiviral properties, may be effective against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the efficiency of KRG in a human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2)-expressing mouse model infected with pseudo-typed SARS-CoV-2 (PSV).

The Adhesion GPCR ADGRL2 engages Ga13 to Enable Epidermal Differentiation.

Homeostasis relies on signaling networks controlled by cell membrane receptors. Although G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of transmembrane receptors, their specific roles in the epidermis are not fully understood. Dual CRISPR-Flow and single cell Perturb-seq knockout screens of all epidermal GPCRs were thus performed, uncovering an essential requirement for adhesion GPCR ADGRL2 (latrophilin 2) in epidermal differentiation.

Mutant IDH impairs chromatin binding by PDGFB to promote chromosome instability.

Non-canonical roles for growth factors in the nucleus have been previously described, but their mechanism of action and biological roles remain enigmatic. Platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB) can drive formation of low-grade glioma and here we show that it localizes to the nucleus of human glioma cells where it binds chromatin to preserve genome stability and cell lineage. Failure of PDGFB to localize to the nucleus leads to chromosomal abnormalities, aberrant heterochromatin architecture and accelerated tumorigenesis.

Deciphering Precursor Cell Dynamics in Esophageal Preneoplasia via Genetic Barcoding and Single-Cell Transcriptomics.

Cancer cells exhibit high heterogeneity and lineage plasticity, complicating studies of tumorigenesis and development of therapies. Recently, preneoplastic cells, although histologically normal, have been shown to possess high plasticity and early genetic alterations, yet their origins and lineage trajectories remain unclear. Herein, we introduce a lineage-tracing tool integrating genetic barcoding with single-cell RNA sequencing to map preneoplastic esophageal cell lineages.

Incidence and Outcomes of Diaphragmatic Hernia After Living Donor Hepatectomy: The Significance of Bipolar Irrigated Sealer Use.

Background: Acquired diaphragmatic hernia (DH) is a rare and potentially fatal complication after living donor hepatectomy (LDH). This study aimed to assess the incidence and clinical outcomes of DH after LDH.

Methods: Four thousand fourteen living donors who underwent LDH at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, between September 2013 and August 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.

Biological-chemical conversion process design and machine learning-related life cycle assessment: Bio-lubricant production in a real case study of South Korea.

This study explores the production of poly alpha olefin (PAO) from biomass as an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel-based methods, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The primary goal is to design a process for converting 2,000 metric tons of biomass into PAO daily, integrating biological and chemical pathways. Environmental impact is assessed through a life cycle assessment (LCA), comparing this biomass-based method with traditional fossil fuel-derived processes.

Payor status differences in 30-day and 1-year outcomes after primary laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Background: There was a call for research regarding safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in Medicare beneficiaries. Payor status may be an indicator of both health and socioeconomic status.

Objectives: The American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) sought to explore the association of insurance type in U.

The development of frailty trajectories in world trade center general responders and the association with World Trade Center Exposure.

Background: As the World Trade Center (WTC) General Responder Cohort ages, it is imperative to study their aging process and identify factors that can be targeted for interventions.

Objectives: Our goal was to utilize a previously developed WTC Clinical Frailty Index (CFI) to identify distinct frailty trajectories and associated factors in this cohort.

Design: A latent class mixed model evaluated frailty trajectories using WTC CFIs.

Rapid Blood Clot Removal via Remote Delamination and Magnetization of Clot Debris.

Micro/nano-scale robotic devices are emerging as a cutting-edge approach for precision intravascular therapies, offering the potential for highly targeted drug delivery. While employing micro/nanorobotics for stroke treatment is a promising strategy due to its ability to localize therapy and minimize drug dosage, current methods require prolonged treatment durations, increasing the risk of nerve tissue necrosis from extended hypoxia. Here a programmable colloidal microswarm capable of rapidly detaching blood clots from the vessel wall is developed, enabling swift recanalization without the need for complete clot degradation.

Is the KKondae as a common psychological construct? Testing the KKondae scale with the U.S. sample, and the preliminary study of predictors and consequences of Kkondae.

Background: The research aims to explore the common nature of 'kkondae'-a Korean term denoting stubbornness-and its relevance across cultures, particularly examining the relationship between anxiety, kkondae tendencies, and resulting loneliness through difficulties in listening and acceptance in social interactions.

Methods: A sample of 454 individuals from the U.S.

Barriers and facilitators in the implementation of a child restraint system discharge programme in Singapore: a qualitative study.

Objective: Child restraint systems (CRS) are essential in preventing injury during road traffic collisions, yet neonatal CRS discharge programmes are lacking worldwide. Trained healthcare providers have reported a lack of confidence in providing CRS advice during discharge. We aimed to study the barriers and facilitators in implementing a formal neonatal CRS discharge programme through the lens of healthcare providers.