Host metabolism balances microbial regulation of bile acid signalling.

Metabolites derived from the intestinal microbiota, including bile acids (BA), extensively modulate vertebrate physiology, including development, metabolism, immune responses and cognitive function. However, to what extent host responses balance the physiological effects of microbiota-derived metabolites remains unclear. Here, using untargeted metabolomics of mouse tissues, we identified a family of BA-methylcysteamine (BA-MCY) conjugates that are abundant in the intestine and dependent on vanin 1 (VNN1), a pantetheinase highly expressed in intestinal tissues.

Comparison of early warning scoring systems for predicting stroke occurrence among hospitalized patients: A study using smart clinical data warehouse.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of two widely used early warning scoring systems, the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) and the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), for predicting stroke occurrence in hospitalized patients.

Methods: The study enrolled 5,474 patients admitted to the intensive care unit from the general ward using data from the Smart Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW). MEWS and NEWS were calculated based on vital signs and clinical parameters within four hours of stroke onset.

Allergic rhinitis may attenuate the sympathovagal imbalances in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea: pilot study using a heart rate variability analysis.

Purpose: The effect of allergic rhinitis (AR) on autonomic nervous system in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains unclear. We utilized heart rate variability (HRV) analysis to assess cardiac autonomic activity in patients with OSA, comparing those with and without allergic rhinitis (AR).

Methods: We enrolled 182 patients who visited our sleep clinic complaining of habitual snoring or apnea during sleep.

Chronic Hepatitis B Genotype C Mouse Model with Persistent Covalently Closed Circular DNA.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause chronic infections, significantly increasing the risk of death from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A key player in chronic HBV infection is covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), a stable episomal form of viral DNA that acts as a persistent reservoir in infected hepatocytes and drives continuous viral replication. Despite the development of several animal models, few adequately replicate cccDNA formation and maintenance, limiting our understanding of its dynamics and the evaluation of potential therapeutic interventions targeting cccDNA.

Spin-Density Wave, Unconventional Magnetic and Thermal Transport Properties in Sr(PbCl)Cu(BO).

SrCu(BO) (Sr-122) has attracted considerable interest as a quasi-two-dimensional S = 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic spin system with a Shastry-Sutherland lattice (SSL) structure. It features a Cu spin dimer ground state and exhibits intra-dimer Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions, making Sr-122 a fascinating platform for studying quantum magnetic phenomena. In this study, we investigate the β-phase of SrCu(BO) (β-Sr-212), which retains the same spin structure as Sr-122, to explore how the carrier concentration affects the spin gap.

Identification of Novel Inhibitors of Starch Excess 4 (SEX4).

This study identified several inhibitors of Starch Excess 4 (SEX4), an enzyme in plants' starch decomposition. Our research aims to inhibit starch breakdown by SEX4 with its potential to significantly impact food security, leading to starch accumulation in plants such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and significant crops like grains and rice. We recognized potential candidates by screening approximately 1840 chemical compounds using the phosphatase assay against NPP.

The Intensity of BCL2A1 Expression Increases According to the Stage Progression of Acute Histologic Chorioamnionitis in the Extra-Placental Membranes of Spontaneous Preterm Birth.

Our prior findings showed that BCL2A1 in neutrophils is highly expressed in the extra-placental membranes (EPMs) of both the human spontaneous preterm-birth (PTB) (i.e., PTL or preterm PROM) and nonhuman-primate PTB model.

Elevated IL-6 Expression in Autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Regulates RANKL Mediated Inflammation in Osteoarthritis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to play a pivotal role in modulating cartilage regeneration and immune responses, particularly in the context of diseases that involve both degenerative processes and inflammation, such as osteoarthritis (OA). However, the precise mechanism through which IL-6 and other immune-regulatory factors influence the therapeutic efficacy of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) transplantation in OA treatment remains to be fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the relationship between IL-6 expression in autologous ASCs isolated from OA patients and their impact on immune modulation, particularly focusing on the regulation of Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa-Β Ligand (RANKL), a key mediator of immune-driven cartilage degradation in OA.

Quality Differences in Frozen Mackerel According to Thawing Method: Potential Classification via Hyperspectral Imaging.

Seafood quality preservation remains a critical focus in the food industry, particularly as the freeze-thaw process significantly impacts the freshness and safety of aquatic products. This study investigated quality changes in frozen mackerel subjected to two thawing methods, room temperature (RT) and running water (WT), and assessed the potential of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for classifying these methods. After thawing, mackerel samples were stored at 5 °C for 21 days, with physicochemical, textural, and spectroscopic analyses tracking quality changes and supporting the development of a spectroscopic classification model.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Families Addressing Cancer Together for Parents With Cancer: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Families Addressing Cancer Together (FACT), a web-based, individually tailored, psychoeducational intervention for parents with cancer to improve illness-related communication with their minor children.

Methods: Parents with stage I-IV solid tumors who had children ages 3-17 were randomized to 6 weeks of FACT versus waitlist control. Feasibility was assessed by rates of recruitment and retention.

Clinicopathological Features and Oncological Outcomes of Germline Partner and Localizer of Breast Cancer 2-Mutated Breast Cancer in Korea.

Purpose: The partner and localizer of breast cancer 2 (PALB2) mutation is a predisposition to breast cancer development. However, limited clinical data are available for the Korean population. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the characteristics and oncological outcomes of patients with PALB2-mutated and non-mutated PALB2 in Korea.

Antioxidant and anticancer effects of kiwi () fermented beverage using .

Kiwi fermented beverages utilizing lactic acid bacteria exhibit a decrease in sugar content, pH and increase in total acidity. The maximum CFU is observed in 20% kiwi fermented beverages containing . For the most efficient fermentation conditions, 20% kiwi fermented beverages fermented at 24 h was selected for use in subsequent experiments.

Altered gene expression profiling by non-thermal plasma-activated media treatment in radioresistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: High recurrence rates in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) significantly affect prognosis, especially in radioresistant HNSCC (RR-HNSCC). Nonthermal plasma (NTP) therapy can effectively suppress the progression of HNSCC; however, the therapeutic mechanism of NTP therapy for RR-HNSCC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of NTP in the RR-HNSCC signaling pathway and identified its signature genes.

Evaluation of the Safety and Impact of Heat-Treated KM2 Fermentation on Gut Microbiome Architecture.

Postbiotics, bioactive compounds from the fermentation process by probiotics, are gaining attention for their potential health benefits as safer alternatives to live probiotic microbes. is a well-studied probiotic species known for promoting gut health and immune modulation. However, the safety and effects of its postbiotic formulations on the gut microbiome structure remain less explored.

Gender differences in the association between long work hours, weekend work, and insomnia symptoms in a nationally representative sample of workers in Korea.

Objectives: Long work hours and weekend work can negatively impact worker sleep; however, gender differences in these relationships have not been sufficiently studied. We explored the association between long work hours, weekend work, and insomnia symptoms, as well as the moderating effect of gender on this association.

Methods: A nationwide sample of 42,476 Korean workers (52.

Study Design and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Enavogliflozin to Evaluate Cardiorenal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (ENVELOP).

Background: The novel sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor enavogliflozin effectively lowers glycosylated hemoglobin levels and body weights without the increased risk of serious adverse events; however, the long-term clinical benefits of enavogliflozin in terms of cardiovascular and renal outcomes have not been investigated.

Methods: This study is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized, pragmatic, open-label, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial. Eligible participants are adults (aged ≥19 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who have a history of, or are at risk of, cardiovascular disease.

Crisdesalazine alleviates inflammation in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis multiple sclerosis mouse model by regulating the immune system.

Microglia/macrophages participate in the development of and recovery from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and the macrophage M1 (pro-inflammatory)/M2 (anti-inflammatory) phase transition is involved in EAE disease progression. We evaluated the efficacy of crisdesalazine (a novel microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 inhibitor) in an EAE model, including its immune-regulating potency in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, and its neuroprotective effects in a macrophage-neuronal co-culture system. Crisdesalazine significantly alleviated clinical symptoms, inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination in the spinal cord, and altered the phase of microglial/macrophage and regulatory T cells.

Recent progress in biopolymer-based electrospun nanofibers and their potential biomedical applications: A review.

Tissue engineering offers an alternative approach to developing biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or enhance tissue functionality by integrating principles from medicine, biology, and engineering. In this context, biopolymer-based electrospun nanofibers have emerged as attractive platforms due to their superior physicochemical properties, including excellent biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and desirable biodegradability, compared to synthetic polymers. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to developing suitable substitutes for various biomedical applications, with electrospinning receiving considerable attention as a versatile technique for fabricating nanofibrous platforms.

Association between genetically predicted leisure and social activities and cardiovascular disease and other health outcomes.

Participation in leisure and social activities (LSA) is associated with better health outcomes and lower mortality. Previous observational studies demonstrated a relationship between engagement in LSA and both mental and physical health. Although several studies examined the association between LSA and health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, their possible causal relationship has not been studied.

Surface conduction and reduced electrical resistivity in ultrathin noncrystalline NbP semimetal.

The electrical resistivity of conventional metals such as copper is known to increase in thin films as a result of electron-surface scattering, thus limiting the performance of metals in nanoscale electronics. Here, we find an unusual reduction of resistivity with decreasing film thickness in niobium phosphide (NbP) semimetal deposited at relatively low temperatures of 400°C. In films thinner than 5 nanometers, the room temperature resistivity (~34 microhm centimeters for 1.

Banana peels-derived shape-regulated nanocellulose for effective adsorption of Nile blue A dye.

Industrial wastes, including dyes and other chemicals, are significant sources of water pollution. The adsorption process is often explored in water purification. However, developing low-cost, sustainable adsorbents with good dye removal capacity remains challenging.

In sickness and in health-A scoping review on social virtual reality clinical applications.

Objective: Evidence of virtual reality's (VR) efficacy in hospital settings coupled with the rise of inexpensive consumer devices have led to the development of social virtual reality (SVR) applications being incorporated in hospital settings. SVR provides opportunities for social interactions in virtual environments, allowing individuals to virtually socialize, regardless of geographic or mobility constraints. However, the full range of potential applications and the challenges of deploying SVR in hospital settings remain unexplored.

Association between social jetlag and anxiety symptoms: Findings from a nationally representative sample of the Korean working population.

Objectives: Social jetlag (SJL), which arises from the misalignment of biological and social rhythms, is associated with adverse health outcomes. We explored the association between SJL and anxiety symptoms in Korean workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included a nationally representative sample, consisting of 2731 adult workers.

Comparison of ocular biometry and refractive outcomes using two swept-source optical coherence tomography-based biometers.

Background: To evaluate the ocular biometry agreement and prediction of postoperative refractive outcomes obtained using two swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) biometers: Anterion (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and Argos (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA).

Methods: Ambispective analysis was conducted on 105 eyes at the Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea, between June 2021 and March 2022. Biometric values were assessed using both devices before cataract surgery.