HDAC5-mediated exosomal Maspin and miR-151a-3p as biomarkers for enhancing radiation treatment sensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Tumor-derived exosomes are critical elements of the cell-cell communication response to various stimuli. This study aims to reveal that the histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) and p53 interaction upon radiation in hepatocellular carcinoma intricately regulates the secretion and composition of exosomes.

Methods: We observed that HDAC5 and p53 expression were significantly increased by 2 Gy and 4 Gy radiation exposure in HCC.

Temporal variations in the surface aragonite saturation state of the Yellow Sea: Observations at the Socheongcho Ocean Research Station during 2017-2022.

Accurately constraining the natural variability of the carbonate system is essential for evaluating long-term changes in coastal areas, which result from the absorption of anthropogenic CO. This is particularly important given the significant variation in physical and biological processes in these regions. In this regard, the analysis of surface carbonate chemistry in the Yellow Sea was conducted using discrete seawater samples obtained from the Socheongcho Ocean Research Station (37.

Systemic antibiotics cause deterioration of emphysema associated with exaggerated inflammation and autophagy.

The interaction between the microbial environment and the host is important for immune homeostasis. Recent research suggests that microbiota dysbiosis can be involved in respiratory diseases. Emphysema is a chronic inflammatory disease, but it is unclear whether dysbiosis caused by antibiotics can affect disease progression.

Sample-efficient multi-agent reinforcement learning with masked reconstruction.

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is a powerful approach that combines reinforcement learning (RL) and deep learning to address complex decision-making problems in high-dimensional environments. Although DRL has been remarkably successful, its low sample efficiency necessitates extensive training times and large amounts of data to learn optimal policies. These limitations are more pronounced in the context of multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL).

Impact of vertical stratification on the 2020 spring bloom in the Yellow Sea.

The Yellow Sea is one of the world's most abundant marine resources, providing food and economic benefits to the Korean and Chinese populations. In spring 2020, a decrease in the intensity of phytoplankton bloom was observed. While one study attributed this decline to a decrease in nutrient associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, our previous research proposed weakened thermal stratification accompanied by a surface cooling anomaly as the cause.

Causes for an extreme cold condition over Northeast Asia during April 2020.

Although 2020 was the fourth warmest year on record in northern Asia, the cold condition in April 2020 caused severe damage to the agricultural and marine ecosystems in northeastern Asia. Previous studies have indicated that the dipole atmospheric circulation over Siberia and the East Sea (Japan Sea) produced this cold environment with strong northwesterly wind. However, the potential causes of the dipole circulation over northeastern Asia remain unclear.

Duodenal Dual-Wavelength Photobiomodulation Improves Hyperglycemia and Hepatic Parameters with Alteration of Gut Microbiome in Type 2 Diabetes Animal Model.

Background: Recently, the duodenum has garnered interest for its role in treating metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Multiple sessions of external photobiomodulation (PBM) in previous animal studies suggested it resulted in improved hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance with a multifactorial mechanism of action, despite the target organ of PBM not being clearly proven. This study aimed to determine whether a single session of a duodenal light-emitting diode (LED) PBM may impact the T2DM treatment in an animal model.

Monthly and seasonal variations in the surface carbonate system and air-sea CO flux of the Yellow Sea.

Surface carbonate chemistry in the Yellow Sea was investigated based on discrete seawater samples collected from 2017 to 2020 at the Socheongcho Ocean Research Station (S-ORS; 37.423°N, 124.738°E).

Comparison between Wound Closure Methods in the Reversal of Diverting Ileostomy.

Background/aims: The objective of this study was to determine the more appropriate wound-closure method by comparing the effectiveness of two methods in a group of patients who underwent ileostomy repair.

Methods: The study conducted after obtaining the approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) included 58 patients ≥19 years of age who underwent ileostomy at the Department of Surgery at the Presbyterian Medical Center. This was a retrospective, single-center trial.

Fecal microbiota transplantation ameliorates atherosclerosis in mice with C1q/TNF-related protein 9 genetic deficiency.

Despite the strong influence of the gut microbiota on atherosclerosis, a causal relationship between atherosclerosis pathophysiology and gut microbiota is still unverified. This study was performed to determine the impact of the gut microbiota on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis caused by genetic deficiency. To elucidate the influence of the gut microbiota on atherosclerosis pathogenesis, an atherosclerosis-prone mouse model (C1q/TNF-related protein 9-knockout (CTRP9-KO) mice) was generated.

Therapeutic Potential of Sitafloxacin as a New Drug Candidate for Eradication in Korea: An In Vitro Culture-Based Study.

Background: Increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance to () infection worldwide has driven the search for a new therapeutic candidate. Recently, sitafloxacin, a novel 4-quinolone agent, has emerged as a new therapeutic option for eradication, in Japan. However, data on its efficacy for eradication in Korea are limited.

Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroup Related to the Prevalence of .

Mitochondria are essential organelles that are not only responsible for energy production but are also involved in cell metabolism, calcium homeostasis, and apoptosis. Targeting mitochondria is a key strategy for bacteria to subvert host cells' physiology and promote infection. targets mitochondria directly.

Diversity in the Extracellular Vesicle-Derived Microbiome of Tissues According to Tumor Progression in Pancreatic Cancer.

This study was conducted to identify the composition and diversity of the microbiome in tissues of pancreatic cancer and to determine its role. First, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were obtained from the paired tumor and normal tissues, and 16s rRNA gene sequencing was performed. We identified the microbiomes, compared the diversity between groups, and found that was more abundant in tumors.

Antagonistic Effect of Colistin on Vancomycin Activity against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in and Studies.

As concerns arise that the vancomycin MIC of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) could be increased by concurrent colistin administration, we evaluated the effect of colistin on vancomycin efficacy against MRSA via and studies. Among MRSA blood isolates collected in a tertiary-care hospital, we selected representative strains from community-associated MRSA strains (CA-MRSA; ST72-MRSA-SCC IV) and hospital-acquired MRSA strains (HA-MRSA; ST5-MRSA-SCC II). USA CA-MRSA (USA300), HA-MRSA (USA100), N315 (New York/Japan clone), and a MRSA standard strain (ATCC 43300) were used for comparison.

Validation of a Multi-Sensor-Based Kiosk for Short Physical Performance Battery.

Objectives: We aimed to validate a multi-sensor-based kiosk (automatically measured Short Physical Performance Battery [eSPPB] kiosk) that can perform automated measurement of the SPPB.

Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Setting: Rehabilitation clinic of a tertiary-care hospital.

Daily variation in the prokaryotic community during a spring bloom in shelf waters of the East China Sea.

To understand prokaryotic responses during a spring bloom in offshore shelf waters, prokaryotic parameters were measured daily at a station located in the middle of the East China Sea over a six-week period from March 25 to May 19. The site experienced a phytoplankton bloom in late April, triggering changes in prokaryotic abundance and production after a lag of approximately one week. Before the bloom, changes in prokaryotic composition were small.

Fecal Fatty Acid Profiling as a Potential New Screening Biomarker in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Background: The fatty acid profile of the fecal metabolome and its association with colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been fully evaluated.

Aims: We aimed to compare the fecal fatty acid profiles of CRC patients and healthy controls.

Methods: We enrolled 26 newly diagnosed CRC patients and 28 healthy individuals between July 2014 and August 2014 from our institute.

Clinical and microbiological factors associated with early patient mortality from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Background/aims: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (MRSAB) is a major bloodstream infection with a high mortality rate. Identification of factors associated with early mortality in MRSAB patients would be useful for predicting prognosis and developing new therapeutic options.

Methods: A prospective cohort of MRSAB patients was examined between August 2008 and June 2011.

Detection and genetic features of MCR-1-producing plasmid in human Escherichia coli infection in South Korea.

The plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr-1, was identified for the first time from a hospitalized patient in South Korea. The mcr-1 gene was successfully transferred to E. coli J53 recipient and conferred resistance to colistin in the recipient.

Activity of Diphenyleneiodonium toward Multidrug-Resistant Strains.

Background/aims: The increased resistance of to antibiotics has increased the need to develop new treatments for this bacterium. The aim of our study was to identify new drugs with anti- activity.

Methods: We screened a small molecule library-the library of pharmacologically active compounds (LOPAC), which includes 1,280 pharmacologically active compounds-to identify inhibitors of growth.

15-Hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase as a marker in colon carcinogenesis: analysis of the prostaglandin pathway in human colonic tissue.

Background/aims: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGEs-1) regulate prostaglandin E (PGE) expression and are involved in colon carcinogenesis. We investigated the expression of PGE and its regulating genes in sporadic human colon tumors and matched normal tissues.

Methods: Twenty colonic adenomas and 27 colonic adenocarcinomas were evaluated.

Expression of MicroRNA in Host Cells Infected with .

Background/aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression. We assess miRNA regulation by infection and elucidate their role in -infected gastric epithelial cells.

Methods: The relationship between miRNA expression and DNA methylation was examined.

Accurate Mobile Urban Mapping via Digital Map-Based SLAM.

This paper presents accurate urban map generation using digital map-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). Throughout this work, our main objective is generating a 3D and lane map aiming for sub-meter accuracy. In conventional mapping approaches, achieving extremely high accuracy was performed by either (i) exploiting costly airborne sensors or (ii) surveying with a static mapping system in a stationary platform.

Fluoroquinolone resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates causing invasive disease: special focus on zabofloxacin.

The present study examined the in vitro activity of various antibiotics including zabofloxacin, against isolates responsible for invasive pneumococcal diseases. Between 1997 and 2008, a total of 208 isolates were collected from sterile fluids, including blood (n=196, 94.2%), pleural fluid (n=5, 2.