Mandrel-free fabrication of giant spring-index and stroke muscles for diverse applications.

Methods for making high-spring-index polymer fiber or yarn muscles have required expensive fabrication by wrapping around a mandrel, which limits their practical applications. We demonstrate an inexpensive mandrel-free method for making polymer muscles that can have a spring index of >50 and a contractile tensile stroke exceeding 97%. This method enables the spring index to be varied along a muscle's length by varying the plying twist, resulting in muscles that transition between homochiral and heterochiral when either heated or cooled.

The protective role of GPX4 in naïve ESCs is highlighted by induced ferroptosis resistance through GPX4 expression.

Ferroptosis, a form of oxidative cell death mediated by lipid peroxidation, is strictly regulated by glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Knockout of Gpx4 results in embryonic lethality, highlighting its essential role in development. In vitro, mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), which represent the naïve pluripotent state, require β-mercaptoethanol (bME) to prevent cell death, unlike human embryonic stem cells, which represent the primed state.

AMPK activation by glycogen expenditure primes the exit of naïve pluripotency.

Embryonic and epiblast stem cells in pre-and post-implantation embryos are characterized by their naïve and primed states, respectively which represent distinct phases of pluripotency. Thus, cellular transition from naïve-to-primed pluripotency recapitulates a drastic metabolic and cellular remodeling after implantation to adapt to changes in extracellular conditions. Here, we found that inhibition of AMPK occurs during naïve transition with two conventional inhibitors of the MEK1 and GSK3β pathways.

Role of Genetic Testing in Diagnosis and Prognosis Prediction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Korea.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) needs careful differentiation from other cardiomyopathies. Current guidelines recommend genetic testing, but genetic data on differential diagnoses and their relation with clinical outcomes in HCM are still lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of genetic variants and the proportion of other cardiomyopathies in patients with suspected HCM in Korea and compare the outcomes of HCM according to the presence of sarcomere gene mutation.

Performance of indicators used in regular risk assessments for COVID-19 in association with contextual factors.

Background: This study aimed to summarize the results of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk assessments and to examine the associations between risk levels and various indicators, including COVID-19 incidence, risk perception, community mobility, and government policy.

Methods: The results of the risk assessment and the indicators utilized were summarized. From November 2021 to May 2022, the COVID-19 risk level was evaluated on a weekly basis, and its correlation with these indicators was analyzed.

Assessment of hard and soft tissue thickness at mandibular symphysis in skeletal Class III patients with different vertical patterns.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the bony and soft tissue parameters at mandibular symphysis among skeletal Class III patients with different vertical growth patterns, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials And Methods: CBCT images of 60 skeletal Class III non-growing patients were evaluated (mean age 24.9 ± 8.

Preclinical Milestones in MECP2 Gene Transfer for Treating Rett Syndrome.

Background: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the transcriptional regulator methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). After gene transfer in mice, exogenous MeCP2 expression must be regulated to avoid dose-dependent toxicity.

Summary: The preclinical gene therapy literature for treating RTT illustrates a duly diligent progression that begins with proof-of-concept studies and advances toward the development of safer, regulated MECP2 viral genome designs.

Ubiquitin ligase RNF20 coordinates sequential adipose thermogenesis with brown and beige fat-specific substrates.

In mammals, brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) execute sequential thermogenesis to maintain body temperature during cold stimuli. BAT rapidly generates heat through brown adipocyte activation, and further iWAT gradually stimulates beige fat cell differentiation upon prolonged cold challenges. However, fat depot-specific regulatory mechanisms for thermogenic activation of two fat depots are poorly understood.

The Efficacy of a Human-Ready mini Gene Therapy in a Pre-Clinical Model of Rett Syndrome.

Inactivating mutations and the duplication of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), respectively, mediate Rett syndrome (RTT) and duplication syndrome. These disorders underscore the conceptual dose-dependent risk posed by gene therapy for mosaic RTT patients. Recently, a miRNA-Responsive Autoregulatory Element (miRARE) mitigated the dose-dependent toxicity posed by self-complementary adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 (AAV9) mini gene therapy (scAAV9/mini) in mice.

Diagnosis of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia via Whole Exome Sequencing and Histologic Findings.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic potential of whole-exome sequencing (WES) and elucidate the clinical and genetic characteristics of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in the Korean population.

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven patients clinically suspected of having PCD were enrolled at a tertiary medical center. WES was performed in all patients, and seven patients received biopsy of cilia and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Unique adipose tissue invariant natural killer T cell subpopulations control adipocyte turnover in mice.

Adipose tissue invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a crucial cell type for adipose tissue homeostasis in obese animals. However, heterogeneity of adipose iNKT cells and their function in adipocyte turnover are not thoroughly understood. Here, we investigate transcriptional heterogeneity in adipose iNKT cells and their hierarchy using single-cell RNA sequencing in lean and obese mice.

FAM3C in Cancer-Associated Adipocytes Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Survival and Metastasis.

Unlabelled: Adipose tissue within the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in supporting breast cancer progression. In this study, we identified FAM3 metabolism-regulating signaling molecule C (FAM3C) produced by cancer-associated adipocytes (CAA) as a key regulator of tumor progression. FAM3C overexpression in cultured adipocytes significantly reduced cell death in both adipocytes and cocultured breast cancer cells while suppressing markers of fibrosis.

Partial in vivo reprogramming enables injury-free intestinal regeneration via autonomous induction.

Tissue regeneration after injury involves the dedifferentiation of somatic cells, a natural adaptive reprogramming that leads to the emergence of injury-responsive cells with fetal-like characteristics. However, there is no direct evidence that adaptive reprogramming involves a shared molecular mechanism with direct cellular reprogramming. Here, we induced dedifferentiation of intestinal epithelial cells using OSKM (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc) in vivo.

Effects of COVID-19 Stress on Healing Behavior in Residential Spaces.

This study aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 stress on healing behavior in residential spaces. Based on the results, the study further examines the residential space as a healing environment according to space use behavior in the post-COVID era. A survey including 2101 Korean people was conducted.

Corrigendum: Genetic diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity using clinical exome sequencing.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.

High levels of intracellular endotrophin in adipocytes mediate COPII vesicle supplies to autophagosome to impair autophagic flux and contribute to systemic insulin resistance in obesity.

Background And Aims: Extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis plays a crucial role in metabolic plasticity and endocrine function of adipose tissue. High levels of intracellular endotrophin, a cleavage peptide of type VI collagen alpha 3 chain (Col6a3), have been frequently observed in adipocyte in obesity and diabetes. However, how endotrophin intracellularly traffics and influences metabolic homeostasis in adipocyte remains unknown.

A 3-dimensional evaluation of available retromolar space for the application of ramal plates.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the available retromolar space for ramal plates in patients with Class I and III malocclusions and compare that space with and without third molars using cone-beam computed tomography.

Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 30 patients (17 males, 13 females; mean age, 22.2 ± 4.

Comparing Older Parents' and Adult Children's Fear of Falling and Perceptions of Age-Friendly Home Modification: An Integration of the Theories of Planned Behavior and Protection Motivation.

This study investigated how a fear of falling affects perceptions and behavioral intentions toward age-friendly home modification (AFHM) in older parents and adult children by integrating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain AFHM decision-making processes and the protection motivation theory to explain the impact of a fear of falling on AFHM intention. The target population comprised older parents (≥75 years old) and adult children (45-64 years old) in Busan, South Korea (N = 600). The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire in March 2022.

Association between face covering policies and the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 in European countries.

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the impact of the strengthening or relaxation of face covering mandates on the subsequent national case incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Europe as the full vaccination rate was increasing.

Methods: European countries in which case incidence increased for 3 consecutive weeks were monitored and analyzed using COVID-19 incidence data shared by the World Health Organization (WHO). The epidemic trend of COVID-19 in Europe was compared with that of countries elsewhere in the world based on WHO weekly epidemiological reports from June 20 to October 30, 2021.

Epigenetic regulation of Neuregulin 1 promotes breast cancer progression associated to hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia is a risk factor for breast cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Hyperglycemia induces Neuregulin 1 (Nrg1) overexpression in breast cancer, which subsequently promotes tumor progression. However, molecular mechanisms underlying hyperglycemia-induced Nrg1 overexpression remain poorly understood.

DSCR1 deficiency ameliorates the Aβ pathology of Alzheimer's disease by enhancing microglial activity.

Microglial phagocytosis and clearance are important for the removal of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Chronic exposure of microglia to Aβ plaques leads to microglial metabolic dysfunction, and dysregulation of microglia can accelerate the deposition of Aβ plaques and cause learning and memory impairment. Thus, regulating microglial Aβ clearance is crucial for the development of therapeutics for AD-related dementia.

Dual-Functional Self-Attachable and Stretchable Interface for Universal Three-Dimensional Modular Electronics.

Stretchable electronics have become essential for custom-built electronics, self-assembling robotics, and wearable devices. Although many stretchable electronics contain integrated systems, they still limit bulky connection systems. We introduce a new dual-functioned self-attachable and stretchable interface (SASI), allowing a direct and instant interconnection between rigid and soft electronics.

High density integration of stretchable inorganic thin film transistors with excellent performance and reliability.

Transistors with inorganic semiconductors have superior performance and reliability compared to organic transistors. However, they are unfavorable for building stretchable electronic products due to their brittle nature. Because of this drawback, they have mostly been placed on non-stretchable parts to avoid mechanical strain, burdening the deformable interconnects, which link these rigid parts, with the strain of the entire system.