Validation of an interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay to evaluate cell-mediated immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the rapid development of methods to measure humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2. The lack of a global standardized protocol and the high variability of intra- and inter-assay precision of the T-cell response made it difficult to compare T-cell assay results with those of other laboratories. The interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (IFN-γ ELISpot) assay for immunogenicity evaluation was validated using naturally infected donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells, a commercially available IFN-γ ELISpot kit, and a SARS-CoV-2 specific peptide pool.

Evaluation of flow cytometry-based fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen test to measure the humoral immunity against the varicella-zoster virus.

The fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test is the gold standard for measuring the immunity induced by varicella vaccines with high sensitivity and specificity. However, certain aspects of the FAMA test, such as time consumption, non-automation, and subjective interpretation by observers using fluorescence microscopy, are obstacles to handling large amounts of samples. To overcome these hurdles, flow cytometry was adopted to analyze and compare the flow FAMA titer with the classic FAMA titer.

The Inhibitory Effects of Maclurin on Fatty Acid Synthase and Adipocyte Differentiation.

Obesity is a complex health condition characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation, leading to significant metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. Fatty acid synthase (FAS), a key enzyme in lipogenesis, has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for obesity due to its role in adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. This study employed a multidisciplinary approach involving in silico and in vitro analyses to investigate the anti-adipogenic properties of maclurin, a natural phenolic compound derived from .

Sinus irrigation as an adjunctive therapy for odontogenic maxillary sinusitis - an in-depth analysis.

Background: Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS) is widely acknowledged in both the dentistry and otolaryngology fields. Recently, iatrogenic odontogenic maxillary sinusitis cases can be encountered frequently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraoral sinus irrigation using the small lateral window approach in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis by comparing pre- and postoperative volumetric measurement of CBCT and symptoms.

The beneficial effects of ethanolic extract of Sargassum serratifolium in DNCB-induced mouse model of atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic complex inflammatory skin disorder that requires sustainable treatment methods due to the limited efficacy of conventional therapies. Sargassum serratifolium, an algal species with diverse bioactive substances, is investigated in this study for its potential benefits as a therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis. RNA sequencing of LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with ethanolic extract of Sargassum serratifolium (ESS) revealed its ability to inhibit a broad range of inflammation-related signaling, which was proven in RAW 264.

The Beneficial Roles of spp. in Skin Disorders.

As the body's largest organ, the skin is located at the internal and external environment interface, serving as a line of defense against various harmful stressors. Recently, marine-derived physiologically active ingredients have attracted considerable attention in the cosmeceutical industry due to their beneficial effects on skin health. , a genus of brown macroalgae, has traditionally been consumed as food and medicine in several countries and is rich in bioactive compounds such as meroterpenoids, sulfated polysaccharides, fucoidan, fucoxanthin, flavonoids, and terpenoids.

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccination does not affect basal sex hormone levels (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol) in reproductive-age women.

Objective: People vaccinated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) mRNA vaccine have reported experiencing various adverse effects. For instance, reproductive-age women have presented with complaints of abnormal uterine bleeding or menstrual cycle changes. We speculated that differences in basal sex hormone levels before and after vaccination may be present in women who experienced irregular bleeding or menstrual cycle changes; thus, this study aimed to investigate the differences in basal sex hormone levels of women before and after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

Association of Polymorphisms in , , , and with Recurrent Implantation Failure.

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) refers to two or more unsuccessful in vitro fertilization embryo transfers in the same individual. Embryonic characteristics, immunological factors, and coagulation factors are known to be the causes of RIF. Genetic factors have also been reported to be involved in the occurrence of RIF, and some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may contribute to RIF.

Cross-reactive humoral immunity of clade 2 Oka and MAV/06 strain-based varicella vaccines against different clades of varicella-zoster virus.

The currently used Japanese Oka and Korean MAV/06-attenuated varicella vaccine strains belong to clade 2 genotype varicella-zoster viruses (VZV). More than seven clades of VZV exist worldwide. In this study, we investigated the cross-reactivity of antibodies induced by clade 2 genotype vaccines against VZV strains belonging to clades 1, 2, 3, and 5 using a fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test.

Septotemporal variations in hippocampal value and outcome processing.

A large body of evidence indicates functional variations along the hippocampal longitudinal axis. To investigate whether and how value and outcome processing vary between the dorsal (DH) and the ventral hippocampus (VH), we examined neuronal activity and inactivation effects of the DH and VH in mice performing probabilistic classical conditioning tasks. Inactivation of either structure disrupts value-dependent anticipatory licking, and value-coding neurons are found in both structures, indicating their involvement in value processing.

Radiologic Findings of Polyacrylamide Gel Mammoplasty and Its Complications: A Report of Four Case Series and Review of Literature.

Polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) has been used for augmentation mammoplasty in certain countries, such as China or Eastern European countries. However, owing to various complications, its use is currently banned in most countries. Nevertheless, because of the migratory stream of female from these countries, we also encounter patients with PAAG mammoplasty in Korea.

Inhibitory effects of (L.) Urban on enlarged prostate through androgen receptor and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

(L.) Urban () is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for wound healing and anti-inflammation since ancient times. Various biological effects of ethanolic extract (CAE) were previously reported.

Children and adolescent patients with goiter and normal thyroid function: US findings related to underlying autoimmune thyroid diseases.

This study was conducted to investigate and compare thyroid ultrasonography (US) findings in children and adolescents with goiter and normal thyroid function with positive or negative thyroid autoimmunity. From 2000 to 2020, we reviewed initial thyroid US images in 33 autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) patients and 52 nonAITD patients. Our review of the images focused on thyroid parenchymal hypoechogenicity and heterogeneous echopattern subdivided into 2 groups according to severity: hypoechogenicity 1 and 2 (HO1 and HO2) and heterogeneity 1 and 2 (HE1 and HE2).

Molybdenum Carbide Anchored on N,S Co-Doped Carbon Composite Derived from Lignosulfonate as a High Performance Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

A composite of MoC nanoparticles dispersed onto a nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon scaffold (MoC/N,S-C) was prepared by a simple and environmentally friendly method of one-pot annealing of MoCl, urea, and lignosulfonate under a N atmosphere at 700 °C. Lignosulfonate, a by-product of the sulfite pulping process, was employed as a feedstock to fabricate the S-doped carbon scaffold and carbide simultaneously, and urea acted as a nitrogen source for N-doping to carbon. The as-prepared MoC/N,S-C catalyst showed high performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), with a small overpotential of 105 mV at 10 mAcm, and good stability for 3000 cycles.

A study on the mental health of students at a medical school during COVID-19 outbreak: a retrospective study.

Backgruound: In this study, the degree of anxiety, depression, and stress caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified, as well as the need for psychological prevention measures among medical students in the Daegu region that was designated the first special disaster area due to the spread of COVID-19.

Methods: The subjects of this study were 318 medical students in Daegu who voluntarily participated in an online test using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version. As a result of the test, risk students received immediate telephone counseling, and the effect of this telephone counseling was analyzed.

Wearable CNTs-based humidity sensors with high sensitivity and flexibility for real-time multiple respiratory monitoring.

Sensors, such as optical, chemical, and electrical sensors, play an important role in our lives. While these sensors already have widespread applications, such as humidity sensors, most are generally incompatible with flexible/inactive substrates and rely on conventional hard materials and complex manufacturing processes. To overcome this, we develop a CNT-based, low-resistance, and flexible humidity sensor.

The teaching of geriatric dentistry in South Korean dental schools.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the curriculum of geriatric dentistry for undergraduates in Korean dental schools.

Background: For development purposes, it was necessary to compare geriatric dentistry education programmes in South Korea to programmes in the United States and Europe.

Methods: The most recent curriculum and related information on geriatric dentistry at the undergraduate level in all 11 dental schools in South Korea were collected by both official letter and e-mail.

Ethyl Gallate Dual-Targeting PTPN6 and PPARγ Shows Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Obese Effects.

The emergence of the high correlation between type 2 diabetes and obesity with complicated conditions has led to the coinage of the term "diabesity". AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ) antagonists have shown therapeutic activity for diabesity, respectively. Hence, the discovery of compounds that activate AMPK as well as antagonize PPARγ may lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for diabesity.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis and surgical outcomes of adnexal masses in children and adolescents.

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical diagnosis, surgical treatment, and histopathological findings of adnexal masses in children and adolescents. This retrospective study included patients aged < 20 years who were diagnosed with adnexal masses between January 2005 and December 2018 at the Konkuk University Medical Center. Adnexal masses were diagnosed in 406 patients.

Humoral and Cellular Responses to COVID-19 Vaccines in SARS-CoV-2 Infection-Naïve and -Recovered Korean Individuals.

In the face of a global COVID-19 vaccine shortage, an efficient vaccination strategy is required. Therefore, the immunogenicity of single or double COVID-19 vaccination doses (ChAdOX1, BNT162b2, or mRNA-1273) of SARS-CoV-2-recovered individuals was compared to that of unvaccinated individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection at least one year post-convalescence. Moreover, the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2-naïve individuals vaccinated with a complete schedule of Ad26.

Heat-Killed EF-2001 Attenuate Lipid Accumulation in Diet-Induced Obese (DIO) Mice by Activating AMPK Signaling in Liver.

To explore the inhibitory mechanism of heat-killed , EF-2001 on hepatic lipid deposition, a diet-induced obese (DIO) animal model was established by high-fat diet (HFD). The DIO C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: the normal group without HFD (ND, = 8), obesity group (HFD, = 8), experimental group (HFD + EF-2001, 200 mg/kg, = 8), and positive control group (HFD + Orlistat, 60 mg/kg, = 8). After 4 weeks, liver and adipose tissue were fixed in 10% paraformaldehyde, followed by embedding in paraffin for tissue sectioning.

Electrical and thermal stimulus-responsive nanocarbon-based 3D hydrogel sponge for switchable drug delivery.

Smart hydrogels that are responsive to various external ( electrical and/or thermal) stimulation have become increasingly popular in recent years for simple, rapid, and precise drug delivery that can be controlled and turned on or off with external stimuli. For such a switchable drug delivery material, highly homogeneous dispersion and distribution of the hydrophobic, electrically conductive nanomaterials throughout a hydrophilic three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel network remains a challenge and is essential for achieving well-connected electrical and thermal conducting paths. Herein we developed electrical and thermal stimulus-responsive 3D hydrogels based on (i) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the core unit and an electrical/thermal conductor, (ii) chitosan (Chit) as the shell unit and a hydrophilic dispersant, and (iii) poly(NIPAAm--BBVIm) (pNIBBIm) as the drug carrier and a temperature-responsive copolymer.