3-Bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde Attenuates Allergic Contact Dermatitis by Generating CD4Foxp3 T cells.

Background/aim: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in inflammatory responses by regulating the activity of various immune cells. M2 macrophages induced by IL-10 and TGF-β exhibit anti-inflammatory functions and induce Treg differentiation. Although the beneficial effects of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) on various diseases have been widely reported, the mechanisms, through which it alleviates allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) via Tregs and macrophages, are not well understood.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis of the Pelvic Lymph Nodes Detected Incidentally During Surgical Staging of Gynecological Malignancies: Comprehensive Clinicopathological Analysis of 17 Consecutive Cases from a Single Institution.

Background/aim: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) belongs to the perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) family. The relationship between LAM and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is of particular concern in a subset of women with clinically occult LAM involving the pelvic lymph nodes. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features of incidental nodal LAM detected during the surgical staging of gynecological tumors.

Therapeutic Potential of Dimethyl Sulfoxide Subconjunctival Injection in a Diabetic Retinopathy Rat Model.

Background/aim: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a complication of diabetes, causes damage to retinal blood vessels and can lead to vision impairment. Persistent high blood glucose levels contribute to this damage, and despite ongoing research, effective treatment options for DR remain limited. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in both in vivo and in vitro studies; however, its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent in the context of DR has not yet been explored.

Metabolic Syndrome and Somatic Composition: A Large Cross-sectional Analysis.

Background/aim: To elucidate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (Mets) and somatic composition [fat mass, fat-free (FF) mass, and fat to fat-free (F-FF) ratio] among health checkup recipients (7,776 males and 10,121 females).

Patients And Methods: We classified study subjects into four types considering Japanese criteria for Mets; Type A is for males with waist circumference (WC) <85 cm and females with WC <90 cm, Type B is for males with WC ≥85 cm and females with WC ≥90 cm, but without any metabolic abnormalities, Type C is for males with WC ≥85 cm and females with WC ≥90 cm and one metabolic disorder (pre-Mets), and Type D is Mets. We compared baseline characteristics among types of A, B, C, and D.

Sertaconazole, an Imidazole Antifungal Agent, Suppresses the Stemness of Breast Cancer Cells by Inhibiting Stat3 Signaling.

Background/aim: Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells that play a role in therapeutic resistance. In this study, we demonstrated that sertaconazole, an antifungal agent, displayed a potent inhibition on cancer stem cells (CSCs) and investigated the mechanism of action involved in its anti-BCSC effect.

Materials And Methods: The effect of sertaconazole on BCSCs was investigated using a mammosphere formation assay, a colony formation assay, and a cell migration assay.

Canine Stem Cell-derived Exosomes for Lung Inflammation: Efficacy of Intratracheal Intravenous Administration in an Acute Lung Injury Mouse Model.

Background/aim: Acute lung injury (ALI) is an important pathological process in acute respiratory distress syndrome; however, feasible and effective treatment strategies for ALI are limited. Recent studies have suggested that stem cell-derived exosomes can ameliorate ALI; however, there remains no consensus on the protocols used, including the route of administration. This study aimed to identify the appropriate route of administration of canine stem cell-derived exosomes (cSC-Exos) in ALI.

Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumor: Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Six Cases and Review of the Literature.

Background/aim: Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (ANETs) are the most prevalent type of appendiceal neoplasm and the fifth most common neuroendocrine tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we described the clinicopathological features of patients with ANET.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the clinicopathological findings and histopathological reports of six patients diagnosed with ANET between January 2014 and December 2023 at Korea University Medical Center, Anam Hospital.

Clinicopathological Significance of Claudin-6 Immunoreactivity in Low-grade, Early-stage Endometrioid Endometrial Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Dysregulation of claudin 6 (CLDN6) expression has been widely documented in various malignancies. CLDN6 is aberrantly expressed in many types of human carcinomas; however, its clinical significance in endometrial carcinoma has seldom been investigated. This study aimed to examine the immunohistochemical expression status of CLDN6 in low-grade, early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (LGES-EEC) and to assess its clinicopathological significance.

Kisspeptin Retards Tumor Growth of Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells Through p38 MAPK-mediated Senescence.

Background/aim: Kisspeptin has multifaceted roles in both normal and pathological conditions. Although lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer worldwide, the role of kisspeptin in lung cancer remains poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of kisspeptin on lung cancer.

The antimalarial activity of transdermal N-89 mediated by inhibiting ERC gene expression in P. Berghei-infected mice.

Through studies of new antimalarial drugs, we identified 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) as a potential drug candidate. Here, we analyzed the antimalarial action of a transdermal formulation (td) of N-89, designed for easy use by children, using Plasmodium berghei-infected mice as a model for malaria patients.

Hip-lumbar mobility loss affects quality of life in patients undergoing both lumbar fusion and total hip arthroplasty.

Aims: Overall sagittal flexion is restricted in patients who have undergone both lumbar fusion and total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, it is not evident to what extent this movement is restricted in these patients and how this influences quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which hip-lumbar mobility is decreased in these patients, and how this affects their QoL score.

National and regional trends in the prevalence of Perthes' disease among the male population in South Korea.

Aims: We evaluated the national and regional trends from 2013 to 2022, in the prevalence of Perthes' disease among adolescent males in South Korea.

Methods: This retrospective, nationwide, population-based study included a total of 3,166,669 Korean adolescent males examined at regional Military Manpower Administration (MMA) offices over ten years. Data from the MMA were retrospectively collected to measure the national and regional prevalence per 100,000 and 95% CI of Perthes' disease according to the year (1 January 2013 to 31 December 2022) and history of pelvic and/or femoral osteotomy in South Korea.

Comparative analysis of functional end-to-end and end-to-side anastomosis in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer.

Background: Despite advancements in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for right-sided colon cancer, the choice between functional end-to-end anastomosis and end-to-side anastomosis remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to compare these 2 techniques in terms of postoperative complications and disease-free survival.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included 1,202 patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for nonmetastatic colon cancer at Samsung Medical Center between January 2007 and February 2016.

Improving functional correlation of quantification of interstitial lung disease by reducing the vendor difference of CT using generative adversarial network (GAN) style conversion.

Objective: To assess whether CT style conversion between different CT vendors using a routable generative adversarial network (RouteGAN) could minimize variation in ILD quantification, resulting in improved functional correlation of quantitative CT (QCT) measures.

Methods: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who underwent unenhanced chest CTs with vendor A and a pulmonary function test (PFT) were retrospectively evaluated. As deep-learning based ILD quantification software was mainly developed using vendor B CT, style-converted images from vendor A to B style were generated using RouteGAN.

Awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward cervical cancer screening and prevention in Uganda.

Objectives: Cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Uganda, posing a significant burden with high mortality rates. Early detection through screening is crucial to reduce cervical cancer mortality. This study aimed to investigate the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward cervical cancer and its screening among residents in the central and western regions of Uganda.

Dissolved metal concentrations in coastal seawater and groundwater in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, USA.

Saipan, the largest and most populated island of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, has coastal areas with high submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and heavy metal pollution of sediments. Here, we measured metal concentrations in coastal Saipan groundwater and surface water and explored spatial correlations with pollution sources. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were highest in inland wells, with 3 wells exceeding USEPA guidelines for Cu or Pb.

Improving rooster semen cryopreservation with telmisartan-enhanced extender.

Semen cryopreservation is essential for preserving genetic resources and enabling artificial insemination in poultry breeding. However, avian sperm is known to experience detrimental changes during the freezing process. Telmisartan, an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist recognized for its antioxidant properties and ability to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), was hypothesized to improve post-thaw semen quality by enhancing mitochondrial function and providing antioxidant protection to sperm.

An exploratory multi-omics study reveals distinct molecular signatures of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and their correlation with disease activity.

Clinically heterogeneous spectrum and molecular phenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain to be comprehensively elucidated. This exploratory multi-omics study investigated the serum molecular profiles of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), in association with elevated fecal calprotectin and disease activity states. The serum proteome, metabolome, and lipidome of 75 treated IBD patients were profiled.

Soybean mitogen-activated protein kinase GmMPK6 enhances drought tolerance.

Soybeans are a critical crop that provides both protein and oil. In response to environmental stresses, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) play a key role in transmitting stress signals to the nucleus to initiate stress-responsive actions. Drought stress reduces plant development and productivity but the specific MPK responsible for drought stress responses has not been previously identified.

Promoter analysis reveals conserved 30-base-pair core sequences controlling the nonhair-cell preferential expression of WEREWOLF in Arabidopsis.

The root epidermis of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) consists of two distinct cell types: hair (H) cells and non-hair (N) cells, whose patterning is regulated by a network of genes. Among these, the WEREWOLF (WER) gene, encoding an R2R3 MYB transcription factor, acts as a master regulator by promoting the expression of key downstream genes, such as GLABRA2 and CAPRICE. However, the mechanisms controlling WER expression have remained largely unexplored.

Illudin S inhibits p53-Mdm2 interaction for anticancer efficacy in colorectal cancer.

The impairment of the p53 pathway was once regarded as inadequately druggable due to the specificity of the p53 structure, its flat surface lacking an ideal drug-binding site, and the difficulty in reinstating p53 function. However, renewed interest in p53-based therapies has emerged, with promising approaches targeting p53 and ongoing clinical trials investigating p53-based treatments across various cancers. Despite significant progress in p53-targeted therapies, challenges persist in identifying effective therapeutic targets within the p53 pathway.

Tailoring formulation for enhanced phage therapy in canine otitis externa: a cocktail approach targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Canine otitis externa, characterized by the involvement of diverse bacterial species, notably Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, necessitates antibiotic administration as the primary therapeutic approach; however, prolonged treatment often precipitates antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the application of bacteriophages as antimicrobial agents has been of interest recently. However, phage therapy has limitations; its efficacy depends on the lytic capacity of the phage and the emergence of phage resistance, which can be overcome by using phage cocktails.

The research gap in evaluating community-based mental health interventions in Korea: A comparative analysis with the United Kingdom.

South Korea has historically relied on inpatient psychiatric care. Although the 1995 Mental Health Act aimed to promote community mental health services, progress in developing community-based interventions has been limited. This review aims to provide a concise analysis of the current state of research on evaluating community mental health care in Korea, employing a comparative perspective with the United Kingdom (UK), where community-based mental health approaches have been more extensively studied and implemented.

Investigating the Links Between Food Addiction, Emotional Dysregulation, Impulsivity and Quality of Life in Brazilian and Canadian College Students: A Network Analysis.

Introduction: Food addiction (FA) has been associated with emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and reduced quality of life, but its interrelationships remain underexplored. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to examine these connections using network analysis.

Methods: Data were collected from 1777 university students in Brazil and Canada through an online survey.