RNA sequencing reveals key factors modulating TNFα-stimulated odontoblast-like differentiation of dental pulp stem cells.

Inflammation is a complex host response to harmful infections or injuries, playing both beneficial and detrimental roles in tissue regeneration. Notably, clinical dentinogenesis associated with caries development occurs within an inflammatory environment. Reparative dentinogenesis is closely linked to intense inflammation, which triggers the recruitment and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) into the dentin lineage.

GX-188E DNA vaccine plus pembrolizumab in HPV 16- and/or 18-positive recurrent or advance cervical cancer: a phase 2 trial.

Background: In an interim analysis of this phase 2 trial, adding the GX-188E vaccine to pembrolizumab resulted in manageable toxicity with antitumor activities in patients with recurrent or advanced cervical cancer. Here, we report the final safety and efficacy results after a long-term follow-up at the study's completion.

Methods: This open-label, single-arm, phase II trial was conducted in nine hospitals in South Korea (ClinicalTrials.

The impact of body mass index on mortality according to age in hemodialysis patients: an analysis of the Korean Renal Data System.

The impact of age on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients is not clearly understood. We analyzed the association between BMI and all-cause mortality, stratified by age, in patients undergoing HD using data from the Korean Renal Data System (KORDS). We analyzed 66,129 HD patients from the 2023 KORDS database, with data collected between 2001 and 2022.

Validation of an acute kidney injury prediction model as a clinical decision support system.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical clinical condition that requires immediate intervention. We developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model called PRIME Solution to predict AKI and evaluated its ability to enhance clinicians' predictions.

Methods: The PRIME Solution was developed using convolutional neural networks with residual blocks on 183,221 inpatient admissions from a tertiary hospital (2013-2017) and externally validated with 4,501 admissions at another tertiary hospital (2020-2021).

Pollen tube-expressed RUPO forms a complex with OsMTD2 and OsRALF17 and OsRALF19 peptides in rice (Oryza sativa).

Pollen tubes are crucial for angiosperm plants, as they deliver sperm gametes for the essential process of double fertilization. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind pollen tube germination and growth is critical; however, these processes remain partially elucidated in monocot cereal crops. Rapid Alkalinization Factor (RALF), a small peptide of about 5 kDa, binds to the CrRLK1L receptor and plays a role in various plant physiological processes, including reproduction and tip growth.

Long-term efficacy and safety of perampanel monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed or currently untreated recurrent focal-onset seizures: Results from the open-label extension phase of FREEDOM (Study 342).

Objective: FREEDOM (Study 342; NCT03201900) assessed the long-term treatment effect of perampanel monotherapy in adolescent and adult patients (12-74 years of age) with untreated focal-onset seizures (FOS), with or without focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS).

Methods: In the Core Study, after a 4-week Pretreatment Phase, perampanel was up-titrated to 4 mg/day during a 6-week Titration Period followed by a 26-week Maintenance Period. Patients experiencing seizure(s) during the 4-mg/day Maintenance Period could have perampanel up-titrated to 8 mg/day over 4 weeks then could enter the 26-week 8-mg/day Maintenance Period.

Association between acid-suppressive drugs and risk of psoriasis: retrospective study using Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort.

Background/aims: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder following non-specific triggers. Involvement of immune system is widely accepted for pathogenesis studies have demonstrated importance of gut microbiota in pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) are acid-suppressive drugs widely used for acid related gastrointestinal diseases, and prolonged use has been associated with altered gut microbiota.

Development and growth of cavernosal sinusoidal endothelia in the external genitalia of human fetuses.

Background: There is little information about when and how cavernosal sinusoidal endothelia develop in the external genitalia of fetuses.

Methods: We examined histological sections of erectile tissue in 37 human fetuses (25 males and 12 females) whose gestational age (GA) ranged from 8 to 40 weeks.

Results: The sinusoidal lumen was filled with blood in the glans of the penis and clitoris at a GA of 10-11 weeks, and in the corpus spongiosum at a GA of 15-16 weeks.

Clinical Features of Impacted Common Bile Duct Stones at Duodenal Papilla.

Background/aims: Urgent endoscopic removal is required for gallstones impacted at the duodenal papilla. This study compared the clinical features of impacted papillary stones (IPS) with those of common bile duct stones without impaction.

Methods: This study analyzed a common bile duct stone database from 2017 to 2023, identifying patients with IPS.

CRISPR-Edited DPSCs, Constitutively Expressing BDNF Enhance Dentin Regeneration in Injured Teeth.

Dental caries is one of the most common health issues worldwide arising from the complex interactions of bacteria. In response to harmful stimuli, desirable outcome for the tooth is the formation of tertiary dentin, a protective reparative process that generates new hard tissue. This reparative dentinogenesis is associated with significant inflammation, which triggers the recruitment and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs).

Delayed development of the inferior mesenteric vein in human fetuses.

Background: The superior mesenteric vein appears as a fusion between irregularly-shaped slits of the midgut mesentery tissue at 5-6 weeks. In contrast, there might be no report when and how the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) develops. We aimed to find the human initial IMV.

Cross-species RNAi therapy via AAV delivery alleviates neuropathic pain by targeting GCH1.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) expression is normally strictly controlled; however, its intracellular levels increase considerably following nerve damage. GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) plays a crucial role in regulating BH4 concentration, with an upregulation observed in the dorsal root ganglion in cases of neuropathic pain. In this study, we aimed to develop and evaluate the clinical potential of an RNA interference-based adeno-associated virus (AAV) targeting GCH1 across various species to decrease BH4 levels and, consequently, alleviate neuropathic pain symptoms.

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.

Association of sarcopenia, ambient air pollution and cognitive function in a community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Korean population: a community-based cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the association of sarcopenia, exposure to medium-term to long-term ambient particulate matter 2.5 µm and 10 µm (PM and PM) pollution and cognitive function in a community-dwelling cohort of middle-aged and older adults in South Korea.

Design: A community-based prospective cohort study.

Distinct Clinical Profiles of IgE and IgG Autoantibodies to Thyroid Peroxidase in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Purpose: In chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), autoimmune thyroid disease is the most common autoimmune comorbidity, and many CSU patients have immunoglobulin (Ig)E or IgG autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO). It remains unclear how anti-TPO IgE and IgG autoantibodies are linked to each other and are associated with CSU features, activity, and therapeutic responses.

Methods: CSU patients (n = 146, 92 females, mean age 42.

Development and Impact of a Cognitive Reserve Enhancement Program for Climacteric Korean Women.

Background: In light of the rising incidence of mild cognitive impairment in women, an appropriate cognitive reserve enhancement program is urgently needed for women experiencing climacteric symptoms.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a cognitive reserve enhancement program for climacteric women based on cognitive reserve theory (CRT) and to verify its effectiveness.

Methods: A nonequivalence control group, pre- and post-quasi-experimental design was used.

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.

Cerebellar tDCS Enhances Functional Communication Skills in Chronic Aphasia.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a possible neuromodulatory tool to augment language therapy in post-stroke aphasia. However, there is limited information on whether tDCS may help to improve everyday functional communication.

Aims: To investigate whether cerebellar tDCS combined with computerized aphasia treatment improves functional communication skills in individuals with chronic aphasia.

Protein Involved in Tip Elongation (PITE) regulates root hair growth in rice.

Polar tip growth in plants occurs only in root hairs and pollen tubes. In particular, root hair growth is considered very important in the growth of plants, as it is critical for water and nutrient absorption. Polar tip growth is regulated by various factors, including plant hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) and cell wall modifications.

Accelerated innervation of biofabricated skeletal muscle implants containing a neurotrophic factor delivery system.

Introduction: Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is one of the most severe and debilitating conditions in orthopedic and regenerative medicine. Current treatment modalities often fail to restore the normal structure and function of the damaged skeletal muscle. Bioengineered tissue constructs using the patient's own cells have emerged as a promising alternative treatment option, showing positive outcomes in fostering new muscle tissue formation.

Cerebello-Cerebral Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Poststroke Aphasia.

The influence of the cerebellum in poststroke aphasia recovery is poorly understood. Despite the right cerebellum being identified as a critical region involved in both language and cognitive functions, little is known about functional connections between the cerebellum and bilateral cortical hemispheres following stroke. This study investigated the relationship between chronic poststroke naming deficits and cerebello-cerebral resting-state functional connectivity (FC).

The Efficacy and Safety of Folate Receptor α-Targeted Antibody-Drug Conjugate Therapy in Patients With High-Grade Epithelial Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal, or Fallopian Tube Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) have emerged as a highly promising systemic option in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the treatment efficacy of folate receptor α (FRα)-targeting ADCs, associated treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), and their impact on treatment safety.

Methods: We conducted an electronic search to identify prospective trials of single-agent ADCs targeting FRα and those combined with chemotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer.