PM2.5 Exposure Triggers Hypothalamic Oxidative and ER Stress Leading to Depressive-like Behaviors in Rats.

Epidemiological studies have linked fine dust pollution to depression, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are known contributors to depression, but their induction by particulate matter (PM), particularly PM2.5, in animal models has been limited.

Development of an AI-Based Predictive Algorithm for Early Diagnosis of High-Risk Dementia Groups among the Elderly: Utilizing Health Lifelog Data.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to develop a predictive algorithm for the early diagnosis of dementia in the high-risk group of older adults using artificial intelligence technologies. The objective is to create an accessible diagnostic method that does not rely on traditional medical equipment, thereby improving the early detection and management of dementia.

Methods: Lifelog data from wearable devices targeting this high-risk group were collected from the AI Hub platform.

3D Printed Organisms Enabled by Aspiration-Assisted Adaptive Strategies.

Devising an approach to deterministically position organisms can impact various fields such as bioimaging, cybernetics, cryopreservation, and organism-integrated devices. This requires continuously assessing the locations of randomly distributed organisms to collect and transfer them to target spaces without harm. Here, an aspiration-assisted adaptive printing system is developed that tracks, harvests, and relocates living and moving organisms on target spaces via a pick-and-place mechanism that continuously adapts to updated visual and spatial information about the organisms and target spaces.

EarlyTect BCD, a Streamlined PENK Methylation Test in Urine DNA, Effectively Detects Bladder Cancer in Patients with Hematuria.

The current noninvasive diagnostic approaches for detecting bladder cancer (BC) often exhibit limited clinical performance, especially for the initial diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the validity of a streamlined urine-based PENK methylation test called EarlyTect BCD in detecting BC in patients with hematuria scheduled for cystoscopy in Korean and American populations. The test seamlessly integrates two steps, linear target enrichment and quantitative methylation-specific PCR within a single closed tube.

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Intravesical OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections in Female Patients With Detrusor Overactivity With Detrusor Underactivity.

Purpose: We assessed the effectiveness and safety of using intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA; BOTOX) injection with a low dose (75 units) for treating urinary storage symptoms in patients with detrusor overactivity with detrusor underactivity (DODU) compared to using the standard 100 units of onabotA in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods: This ambidirectional study included 121 female patients who received intravesical onabotA injections at our hospitals. A total of 87 patients with OAB and 34 patients with DODU were reviewed using a 3-day voiding diary, uroflowmetry, and questionnaires including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, and Patient Perception of Bladder Condition.

AI-based betting anomaly detection system to ensure fairness in sports and prevent illegal gambling.

This study develops a solution to sports match-fixing using various machine-learning models to detect match-fixing anomalies, based on betting odds. We use five models to distinguish between normal and abnormal matches: logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) classification, and the ensemble model-a model optimized from the previous four. The models classify normal and abnormal matches by learning their patterns using sports betting odds data.

Prevention of neointimal hyperplasia after coronary artery bypass graft via local delivery of sirolimus and rosuvastatin: network pharmacology and in vivo validation.

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is generally used to treat complex coronary artery disease. Treatment success is affected by neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) of graft and anastomotic sites. Although sirolimus and rosuvastatin individually inhibit NIH progression, the efficacy of combination treatment remains unknown.

The Effects of an App-Based Physical Activity Program on Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Oxaliplatin, which is used as adjuvant chemotherapy, affects quality of life by causing oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients.

Objectives: This study examined the effects of an application (app)-based physical activity program for alleviating peripheral neuropathy symptoms in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Development of a Non-Contact Sensor System for Converting 2D Images into 3D Body Data: A Deep Learning Approach to Monitor Obesity and Body Shape in Individuals in Their 20s and 30s.

This study demonstrates how to generate a three-dimensional (3D) body model through a small number of images and derive body values similar to the actual values using generated 3D body data. In this study, a 3D body model that can be used for body type diagnosis was developed using two full-body pictures of the front and side taken with a mobile phone. For data training, 400 3D body datasets (male: 200, female: 200) provided by Size Korea were used, and four models, i.

Preclinical Study of Dual-Wavelength Light-Emitting Diode Therapy in an Osteoarthritis Rat Model.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of light-emitting diode (LED) and their dual-wavelengths as a treatment strategy for osteoarthritis.

Methods: We induced osteoarthritis in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate into the right rear knee joint. The animals with lesions were divided into an untreated group and an LED-treated group (n=7 each).

Effect of sequential release of sirolimus and rosuvastatin using silk fibroin microneedle to prevent intimal hyperplasia.

Intimal hyperplasia (IH) is a major cause of vascular restenosis after bypass surgery, which progresses as a series of processes from the acute to chronic stage in response to endothelial damage during bypass grafting. A strategic localized drug delivery system that reflects the pathophysiology of IH and minimizes systemic side effects is necessary. In this study, the sequential release of sirolimus, a mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, and statin, an HMG-COA inhibitor, was realized as a silk fibroin-based microneedle device in vivo.

Effect of saline intrusion on rice production in the Mekong River Delta.

Saline intrusion is increasingly threatening the rice farming system in The Mekong River Delta (MRD). Identifying the impact of this disaster on rice farming and providing promptly adaptable solutions is an urgent issue. This study evaluates the influence of saline intrusion on rice productivity of households in the MRD.

A Validation Study of a Deep Learning-Based Doping Drug Text Recognition System to Ensure Safe Drug Use among Athletes.

This study aimed to develop an English version of a doping drug-recognition system using deep learning-based optical character recognition (OCR) technology. A database of 336 banned substances was built based on the World Anti-Doping Agency's International Standard Prohibited List and the Korean Pharmaceutical Information Center's Drug Substance Information. For accuracy and validity analysis, 886 drug substance images, including 152 images of prescriptions and drug substance labels collected using data augmentation, were used.

Evaluation of Sensitive Urine DNA-Based PENK Methylation Test for Detecting Bladder Cancer in Patients with Hematuria.

Hematuria is a prevalent symptom associated with bladder cancer (BC). However, the invasiveness and cost of cystoscopy, the current gold standard for BC diagnosis in patients with hematuria, necessitate the development of a sensitive and accurate noninvasive test. This study introduces and validates a highly sensitive urine-based DNA methylation test.

A Novel Incisionless Disposable Vaginal Device for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: Efficacy and Quality of Life.

Purpose: This clinical study sought to evaluate the possible clinical effectiveness and practicality of URINO, an innovative, incisionless, and disposable intravaginal device, designed for patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial was carried out, involving women diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence who used a self-inserted, disposable intravaginal pessary device. Comparisons were made between the results of the 20-minute pad-weight gain (PWG) test at baseline and visit 3, where the device was applied.

Balloon Catheter-Integrated Piezoelectric Micropyramid Arrays for Measuring Vascular Stiffness.

Atherosclerosis is one of the severe cardiovascular diseases in which blood vessels lose elasticity and the lumen narrows. If atherosclerosis worsens, it commonly leads to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) due to the rupture of vulnerable plaque or aortic aneurysm. As the mechanical properties of vascular tissues vary from their conditions, measuring the vascular stiffness of an inner blood vessel wall may be applied to the accurate diagnosis of atherosclerotic symptoms.

The effects of fluid absorption and plasma volume changes in athletes following consumption of various beverages.

Background: To verify the hydration effects of oral rehydration solution (ORS) on athletes by comparing the degrees of fluid absorption and plasma volume changes following beverage consumption, including ORS.

Methods: Thirty-one participants visited the testing laboratory 4 times at 1-week intervals to consume 1 L of beverage (e.g.

Co-Electrospun Silk Fibroin and Gelatin Methacryloyl Sheet Seeded with Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tendon Regeneration.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a promising biomaterial for tendon repair, but its relatively rigid mechanical properties and low cell affinity have limited its application in regenerative medicine. Meanwhile, gelatin-based polymers have advantages in cell attachment and tissue remodeling but have insufficient mechanical strength to regenerate tough tissue such as tendons. Taking these aspects into account, in this study, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is combined with SF to create a mechanically strong and bioactive nanofibrous scaffold (SG).

Combination therapy with tamsulosin and traditional herbal medicine for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A double-blinded, randomized, pilot clinical trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin and Hachimijiogan or Ryutanshakanto in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind method was used to determine the efficacy and safety of the combination or placebo at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks of study. The International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life index, complete voiding diary, and National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index were studied.

Highly flexible and porous silk fibroin microneedle wraps for perivascular drug delivery.

Various perivascular drug delivery techniques have been demonstrated for localized post-treatment of intimal hyperplasia: a vascular inflammatory response caused by endothelial damages. Although most perivascular devices have focused on controlling the delivery duration of anti-proliferation drug, the confined and unidirectional delivery of the drug to the target tissue has become increasingly important. In addition, careful attention should also be paid to the luminal stability and the adequate exchange of vascular protein or cell between the blood vessel and extravascular tissue to avoid any side effect from the long-term application of any perivascular device.

Metformin and Sildenafil Attenuate Inflammation and Suppress Apoptosis After Ischemia/Reperfusion Injuries in Rat Urinary Bladder.

Purpose: Although metformin and sildenafil can protect various organs against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries, their effects and mechanisms of action in bladder I/R injuries remain unknown. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of action of metformin and sildenafil against bladder I/R insults in rats.

Methods: One hundred male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, each of which contained 20 rats: a sham-operated group, a bladder I/R group, and bladder I/R groups treated with metformin, sildenafil, or both agents.