Comparing haploidentical transplantation with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide and umbilical cord blood transplantation using targeted busulfan in children and adolescents with hematologic malignancies.

Purpose: This study compared the outcomes of haploidentical-related donor (HRD) and umbilical cord blood (UCB) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies.

Methods: Data on patients who underwent HRD HSCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (n = 41) and UCB HSCT (n = 24) after targeted busulfan-based myeloablative conditioning with intensive pharmacokinetic monitoring between 2009 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The median follow-up durations in the HRD and UCB groups were 7.

A virus-inspired RNA mimicry approach for effective cancer immunotherapy.

Current cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, often present significant challenges such as severe side effects, drug resistance, and damage to healthy tissues. To address these issues, we introduce a virus-inspired RNA mimicry approach, specifically through the development of uridine-rich nanoparticles (UNPs) synthesized using the rolling circle transcription (RCT) technique. These UNPs are designed to mimic the poly-U tail sequences of viral RNA, effectively engaging RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) such as MDA5 and LGP2 in cancer cells.

Control of tongue movements by the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum.

We use our tongue much like our hands: to interact with objects and transport them. For example, we use our hands to sense properties of objects and transport them in the nearby space, and we use our tongue to sense properties of food morsels and transport them through the oral cavity. But what does the cerebellum contribute to control of tongue movements? Here, we trained head-fixed marmosets to make skillful tongue movements to harvest food from small tubes that were placed at sharp angles to their mouth.

Impact of Clinical Surveillance on Outcomes of Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Background: Local recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) occurs in 10%-20% of patients, with salvage potential in early recurrences. Yet, clear surveillance protocols are lacking. We compare survival outcomes and suitability for salvage in symptomatic and incidentally detected locally recurrent NPC.

Illness attitudes and the flourishing of university students of South Korea in a pandemic: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Since the onset of the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2019, the virus has continued to experience periodic resurgences, and the evolution of new variants remains unpredictable. The greatest anxiety in Korean is now related to novel diseases, with a significant increase from 2.9% in 2018 to 32.

Resolving tissue complexity by multimodal spatial omics modeling with MISO.

Spatial molecular profiling has provided biomedical researchers valuable opportunities to better understand the relationship between cellular localization and tissue function. Effectively modeling multimodal spatial omics data is crucial for understanding tissue complexity and underlying biology. Furthermore, improvements in spatial resolution have led to the advent of technologies that can generate spatial molecular data with subcellular resolution, requiring the development of computationally efficient methods that can handle the resulting large-scale datasets.

Therapeutic efficacy of jeoryeong-tang in dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Jeoryeong-tang (JRT) was first recorded in . It is composed of Polyporus Sclerotium, Poria, Asini Corii Colla, Alisma Rhizome, and Talcum at the same weight ratio. These medicinal materials are known for diuretic and hemostatic effects and have been traditionally used to treat kidney and bladder diseases.

Adjoint method-based Fourier neural operator surrogate solver for wavefront shaping in tunable metasurfaces.

We present a Fourier neural operator (FNO)-based surrogate solver for the efficient optimization of wavefronts in tunable metasurface controls. Existing methods, including the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm and the adjoint optimization, are often computationally demanding due to their iterative processes, which require numerical simulations at each step. Our surrogate solver overcomes this limitation by providing highly accurate gradient estimations with respect to changes in tunable meta-atoms without the need for direct simulations.

Examining the Relationship Between Sarcopenia and Rotator Cuff Tears: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

: With the rapid increase in the aging population, the number of patients complaining of shoulder pain is also increasing. Among shoulder ailments, rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are most frequently observed in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Sarcopenia refers to the decline in muscle mass (lean body mass) and the subsequent decrease in muscle function that is linked to the natural aging process.

Circulating apelin levels fail to link sarcopenia-related muscle parameters in older adults.

Background: Based on the compelling experimental evidence supporting apelin's beneficial effects on muscle metabolism, our study aimed to evaluate the role of circulating apelin levels as a biomarker for muscle health in humans.

Methods: This investigation employed a cross-sectional design, encompassing 237 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years who underwent comprehensive geriatric evaluations in South Korea. Sarcopenia diagnosis was based on Asian-specific criteria, and serum apelin concentrations were determined using enzyme immunoassay techniques.

Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumor: Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Six Cases and Review of the Literature.

Background/aim: Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (ANETs) are the most prevalent type of appendiceal neoplasm and the fifth most common neuroendocrine tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we described the clinicopathological features of patients with ANET.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the clinicopathological findings and histopathological reports of six patients diagnosed with ANET between January 2014 and December 2023 at Korea University Medical Center, Anam Hospital.

Unsupervised Machine Learning Method for the Phase Behavior of the Constant Magnetization Ising Model in Two and Three Dimensions.

Machine learning methods have been important in the study of phase transitions. Unsupervised methods are particularly attractive because they do not require prior knowledge of the existence of a phase transition. In this work we focus on the constant magnetization Ising model in two (2D) and three (3D) dimensions.

Higher Circulating Resistin Levels Linked to Increased Sarcopenia Risk in Older Adults.

Context: Experimental evidence indicates that resistin, an adipokine, negatively impacts muscle metabolism by hindering myogenesis.

Objective: To explore resistin's potential as a biomarker of muscle health in humans by examining the relationship between circulating resistin levels and sarcopenia in older adults.

Design And Setting: A case-control study conducted in a geriatric clinical unit.

Performance and usability evaluation of three LDH-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests in Kédougou, Senegal.

Background: The emergence of -deleted parasites threatens histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2)-based malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) performance. RDTs targeting () lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may address current product limitations and improve case management.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance and usability of three LDH-based RDTs in febrile patients.

Relationship Between Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Vulnerability of Culprit Plaque Assessed by OCT in Patients With Established Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is widely used for risk stratification. However, in patients with established coronary artery disease, its clinical implication and relationship with plaque vulnerability are unclear. We sought to correlate the CACS and plaque vulnerability assessed by optical coherence tomography.

Transcriptomic landscapes of STING-mediated DNA-sensing reveal cellular response heterogeneity.

Transfection of plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding target genes is a routine tool in gene function studies and therapeutic applications. However, nucleic acid-sensing-mediated innate immune responses influence multiple intracellular signaling pathways. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a crucial adapter protein for DNA sensors in mammalian cells.

Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Sodium Taurodeoxycholate, HY209, a GPCR19 Agonist Inhibiting Inflammasomal Activation.

Background: HY209 is a synthesized sodium taurodeoxycholate (TDCA) that is expected to serve as a novel treatment for sepsis by inhibiting the inflammasomal activation that suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PKs) of HY209 after intravenous administration in healthy subjects.

Methods: A dose-block randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study was conducted.

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures with Complete Intra-articular Involvement and Diaphyseal Extension.

Backgroud: Distal radius fractures with complete intra-articular involvement and diaphyseal extension pose significant challenges for stable fixation. Treatment options vary, with no single method demonstrating superiority. This study analyzed the outcomes of fixing these type of fractures with volar locking plates, which are widely used worldwide, and the fracture length according to plate type to determine when an extra-long plate should be used.

The Prognostic Role of Pre-Treatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in an Asian Cohort of Patients with Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a simple biomarker that reflects the balance between the systemic inflammatory and immunity status. Here we investigate the prognostic role of pre-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in an Asian cohort of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of OPSCC patients from a tertiary institution was conducted.

Enhancing antitumor immunity in Lewis lung cancer through plasma-treated medium-induced activation of dendritic cells.

Background: Recently, atmospheric non-thermal plasma jet-treated medium (PTM) has been recognized as a novel strategy in cancer therapy and lymphocyte activation. However, PTM has limitations in inducing a robust antitumor-immune response. This study demonstrated that PTM treatment inhibited tumor progression by activating dendritic cells (DCs).

B7H6 is the predominant activating ligand driving natural killer cell-mediated killing in patients with liquid tumours: evidence from clinical, in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies.

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of innate lymphoid cells that are inherently capable of recognizing and killing infected or tumour cells. This has positioned NK cells as a promising live drug for tumour immunotherapy, but limited success suggests incomplete knowledge of their killing mechanism. NK cell-mediated killing involves a complex decision-making process based on integrating activating and inhibitory signals from various ligand-receptor repertoires.