Ca²⁺ signaling in myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-MY) and their role as conditional pacemakers in the colon.

Interstitial cells of Cajal in the plane of the myenteric plexus (ICC-MY) serve as electrical pacemakers in the stomach and small intestine. A similar population of cells is found in the colon, but these cells do not appear to generate regular slow wave potentials, as characteristic in more proximal gut regions. Ca handling mechanisms in ICC-MY of the mouse proximal colon were studied using confocal imaging of muscles from animals expressing GCaMP6f exclusively in ICC.

Discordance Between Spine-Hip and Paretic-Nonparetic Hip Bone Mineral Density in Hemiplegic Stroke Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Objective: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with T-score discordance between the spine and hip, as well as between the paretic and non-paretic hips in hemiplegic stroke patients, this study investigated bone mineral density (BMD) patterns. Bone loss predominantly affects the paretic hip after a stroke, and typical clinical assessments using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) that scan the lumbar spine (LS) and a single hip may overlook an osteoporosis diagnosis. This oversight could potentially lead to suboptimal treatment for stroke patients.

Improved survival with second-line hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy after atezolizumab-bevacizumab failure in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: There is no established second-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following atezolizumab-bevacizumab (ate-beva) failure. This study assessed the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) as a salvage therapy by comparing survival outcomes and treatment responses between HAIC as a first-line treatment and as a second-line option after ate-beva failure.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 100 patients with advanced HCC treated with HAIC between March 2022 and July 2024.

Korean adolescents' experiences studying abroad and subsequent readjustment to life after returning.

Introduction: This qualitative study explored the socio-cultural adjustment and re-adjustment experiences of South Korean adolescents who studied in English-speaking countries and later returned to South Korea.

Methods: The study interviewed 12 adolescents (6 males, 6 females) aged 12-16 who studied in countries such as the U.S.

MG5368 and MG989 Regulates Skin Health in UVB-Induced HaCaT Cells and Hairless Mice Model.

Background: Photoaging, induced by chronic ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, results in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, leading to skin roughness, wrinkle formation, and reduced elasticity. Recent studies have explored probiotics as potential inhibitors of extrinsic aging, primarily through mechanisms that protect the skin barrier and reduce collagen breakdown.

Methods: This study investigates the anti-photoaging effects of MG5368 ( MG5368) and MG989 ( MG989) in UVB-exposed keratinocytes and an SKH-1 hairless mice model.

Gut Microbiota-Immune System Interactions in Health and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications.

The human body contains approximately 100 trillion microorganisms, predominantly within the gastrointestinal tract, collectively called the gut microbiota. Investigations have revealed the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the brain, characterized as the "microbiota-gut-brain axis." This axis represents an important regulator of brain development and function, immune system development, and nutrient metabolism, making it a target for efforts to alleviate the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs).

Integrated responses of the SIP syncytium generate a major motility pattern in the colon.

The peristaltic reflex has been a central concept in gastrointestinal motility; however, evidence was published recently suggesting that post-stimulus responses that follow inhibitory neural responses provide the main propulsive force in colonic motility. This new concept was based on experiments on proximal colon where enteric inhibitory neural inputs are mainly nitrergic. However, the nature of inhibitory neural inputs changes from proximal to distal colon where purinergic inhibitory regulation dominates.

Inhibiting lipid droplet biogenesis enhances host protection against hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae infections.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp), an emerging Kp subtype, has become a serious global pathogen. However, the information regarding host interactions and innate immune responses during hvKp infection is limited. Here, we found that hvKp clinical strains increased triacylglycerol synthesis, resulting in lipid droplets (LDs) formation via the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in RAW264.

The effectiveness of a transitional care program for frail older adults between hospital and home: A randomized controlled trial.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a transitional care program developed for frail older adults. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. Thirty-two frail older adults were enrolled in the study.

Sleep efficiency in community-dwelling persons living with dementia: exploratory analysis using machine learning.

Study Objectives: Sleep disturbances lead to negative health outcomes and caregiver burden, particularly in community settings. This study aimed to investigate a predictive model for sleep efficiency and its associated features in older adults living with dementia in their own homes.

Methods: This was an exploratory, observational study.

GLP-1 and its derived peptides mediate pain relief through direct TRPV1 inhibition without affecting thermoregulation.

Hormonal regulation during food ingestion and its association with pain prompted the investigation of the impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Both endogenous and synthetic GLP-1, as well as a GLP-1R antagonist, exendin 9-39, reduced heat sensitivity in naïve mice. GLP-1-derived peptides (liraglutide, exendin-4, and exendin 9-39) effectively inhibited capsaicin (CAP)-induced currents and calcium responses in cultured sensory neurons and TRPV1-expressing cell lines.

Lived experiences of work-life balance among doctoral nursing students: a qualitative descriptive study.

Purpose: This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the meaning and nature of nursing doctoral students' lived work-life balance experiences.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 11 doctoral nursing students who worked and raised children. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect data, providing insight into the participants' work-life balance experiences.

Effectiveness and safety of East Asian herbal medicine for menopausal insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Menopausal insomnia significantly impacts the quality of life in women. East Asian herbal medicines (EAHMs) have been traditionally used in Asian countries, but their efficacy and safety require systematic evaluation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EAHM for treating menopausal insomnia.

Symptom-specific non-pharmacological interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: An umbrella review.

Background: Non-pharmacological interventions are considered the first-line treatment for managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Given the heterogeneous characteristics of these symptoms, which vary for each individual and tend to fluctuate, a symptom-specific approach is necessary for providing individualized non-pharmacological interventions for people with dementia. However, clear guidelines regarding the appropriate types of interventions for individual symptoms or clusters of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are lacking.

Suppressing anti-citrullinated protein antibody-induced osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis using anti-CD64 and PAD-2 inhibitors.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of Fcγ receptors (FcγR) and peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD) in anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-induced fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs)-mediated osteoclastogenesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: FLSs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from patients with RA. We stimulated RA-FLS with ACPA (100 ng/ml) with and without anti-cluster of differentiation (CD)32a/CD64 (FcγRIIA/FcγRI) antibody and PAD-2/4 inhibitors.

Interleukin-18 binding protein regulates mast cell activation and mast cell induced osteoclastogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Mast cell activation induces pathological responses, including increased osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interleukin (IL)-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) has anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of IL-18BP on mast cell activation and mast cell induced osteoclastogenesis.

Population pharmacokinetic modeling of sufentanil in adult Korean patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Sufentanil is frequently used as an anesthetic agent in cardiac surgery owing to its cardiovascular safety and favorable pharmacokinetics. However, the pharmacokinetics profiles of sufentanil in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery remain less understood, which is crucial for achieving the desired level of anesthesia and mitigating surgical complications. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of sufentanil in patients undergoing CPB surgery and elucidate the clinical factors affecting its pharmacokinetic profile.

Dual role of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 in respiratory and gastrointestinal physiology: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic targets.

The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel plays a pivotal role in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Within the respiratory system, TRPA1 exhibits diverse distribution patterns across key cell types, including epithelial cells, sensory nerves, and immune cells. Its activation serves as a frontline sensor for inhaled irritants, triggering immediate protective responses, and influencing airway integrity.

Comparative analysis of obstetric, perinatal, and neurodevelopmental outcomes following chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis.

Background: The risks of invasive prenatal tests are reported in previous studies such as miscarriage, fetal anomalies, and bleeding. However, few compare short-term and long-term outcomes between invasive tests. This study aims to investigate obstetric, perinatal, and children's neurodevelopmental outcomes following chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis in singleton pregnancy.

Protective Effects of - on Cell Death Signals on the Bone Marrow-Derived Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Regulation of MKK7/JNK/c-Jun Signaling Pathway.

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders and it shows up to 20% prevalence in reproductive-aged women populations, but no cures are available to date. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of (CBD) on cell death signaling pathways, inflammation, and oxidative stress observed in Bone-Marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cell (BM-hMSC) by means of PCOS therapeutics in the future.

Methods: BM-hMSCs were applied with cell deaths and injuries.

Microbial production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), from lab to the shelf: A review.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural biopolyesters produced by microorganisms that represent one of the most promising candidates for the replacement of conventional plastics due to their complete biodegradability and advantageous material properties which can be modulated by varying their monomer composition. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)] has received particular research attention because it can be synthesized based on the same microbial platform developed for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] without much modification, with as high productivity as P(3HB). It also offers more useful mechanical and thermal properties than P(3HB), which broaden its application as a biocompatible and biodegradable polyester.